Active Magazine // Stamford & Rutland // August 2017

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ISSUE 62 // AUGUST 2017

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HOW TO… Stamford & Rutland’s sport and lifestyle magazine

Find sexy, but comfy, shoes!

Stay in a castle Catch and dress crab

Six Sensational Weeks of Summer How to fill the holidays with great activities

ISSUE 62 // AUGUST 2017

Flight Club Give your life more bounce

Holi-Days The benefits of holistic massage

www.theACTIVEmag.com 08

Why wait for treatment?

If you are tired of waiting for treatment, or can not get a particular treatment in your local area, Fitzwilliam Hospital can offer you the choice to be treated at your convenience.

Contact us today on 01733 842 304 and our friendly Hospital Service Advisor will help you choose your Consultant and book an appointment for you.

fitzwilliamhospital.co.uk

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Fitzwilliam Hospital 24/06/2017 12:01

Editor’s Letter WHEN I WAS SEVEN, I BROKE MY LEG crashing a motorbike on the first day of the school holidays. The next six weeks were spent in a makeshift bed in the sitting room in front of the TV (in those days we only had one TV, naturally) but despite the pain and the hip-high plaster I got to watch a most remarkable summer, when Ian Botham put the Aussies to the sword in one of the all-time great sporting comebacks. He was a hero before that summer, but after that nobody could match him.

The memory came back to me while putting this issue together because of the impending school holidays and thoughts of what on earth we’re going to do with the kids for the stretch, but also because the issue of TV on sport has come up recently.

Both golf and cricket are reporting a stark drop-off in the number of kids participating. Clearly a wide range of social and economic pressures and influences come to bear, but without a doubt the fact that these sports are not seen on terrestrial television has a huge influence.

The stars of those games are hidden behind a paywall, which is great for the money coming into the sports but dreadful for them being woven into everyday lives. As a result of being subscriber only and buried in a menu of about 700 channels, they become events to watch rather than a passing interest.

When I was a kid, the TV might have been on in the background and with an attention span of about 30 seconds, I might have watched an over or a hole, but then it was out into the garden to re-enact these things in my mind for the next three hours. It was the same with football: I remember Spurs, my then-team, in the 1982 FA Cup final. I managed to watch about five minutes then spent the rest of the game in the garden with my cousin playing our own version.

TV coverage was the basis of a love of sport and the foundation of hero worship, but it was the catalyst, not the whole thing. So it’s great to hear that there will be more terrestrial coverage of cricket and golf in the next few years, because kids react to what they see and then take it, and shape it, in their own way. Only by seeing, being inspired, and then doing, will we get more children into sport.

Enjoy the issue! Steve

Twitter // @theACTIVEmag Facebook // www.facebook.com/theACTIVEmag

Publisher Chris Meadows chris@theactivemag.com Editor Steve Moody steve@theactivemag.com Deputy editor Mary Bremner mary@theactivemag.com Production editor Julian Kirk julian@theactivemag.com Art editor Mark Sommer mark@theactivemag.com Contributors Martin Johnson, William Hetherington, Jeremy Beswick, Julia Dungworth Photographers Nico Morgan, Pip Warters Production assistant Gary Curtis Advertising sales Lisa Withers lisa@theactivemag.com Amy Roberts amy@theactivemag.com Editorial and Advertising Assistant Kate Maxim kate@theactivemag.com Accounts accounts@theactivemag.com Active magazine, The Grey House, 3 Broad Street, Stamford, PE9 1PG. Tel: 01780 480789

If you have information on a club then get in touch by emailing editor@theactivemag.com. If you would like to stock Active magazine then email distribution@ theactivemag.com. If you would like to discuss advertising possibilities please email advertise@ theactivemag.com. Active magazine is published 12 times per year on a monthly basis. ISSN 2049-8713 A Grassroots Publishing Limited company. Company registration number 7994437. VAT number 152717318 Disclaimer

Copyright (c) Grassroots Publishing Limited (GPL) 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or be stored in any retrieval system, of any nature, without prior permission from GPL. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of GPL or its affiliates. Disclaimer of Liability. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information contained in this publication at the time of going to press, GPL and its affiliates assume no responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of and, to the extent permitted by law, shall not be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained in this publication.

Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of the advertising material which they submit and for ensuring the material complies with applicable laws.

GPL and its affiliates are are not responsible for any error, omission or inaccuracy in any advertisement and will not be liable for any damages arising from any use of products or services or any action or omissions taken in reliance on information or any statement contained in advertising material. Inclusion of any advertisement is not intended to endorse any view expressed, nor products or services offered nor the organisations sponsoring the advertisement.

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Contents ACTIVE LIFE

ISSUE 62 /// AUGUST 2017

22

11 WHAT’S ON

Great things to do locally for all the family

13 HOW TO...

Catch and dress crabs

16-17 RIVERFORD RECIPE

This month we cook a chilli with a twist

19 TRAVEL

Enjoy a Great British staycation

FEATURES 22-29 SCHOOL’S OUT!

The best activities to avert summer holiday boredom

31 MARTIN JOHNSON’S COLUMN

Why British sports fans beat the rest – come rain or shine

ACTIVE BODY

56

37 WATER BABIES

Get your children comfortable and confident in the water

38 KIT BAG

The latest essential running gear

42-43 THE FINISHING TOUCHES

Tips and products to help you look great on holiday

54

ACTIVE LOCAL 46 DAY IN THE LIFE OF...

Veterinary surgeon Mark Westwood

48-49 CHALLENGE UPDATES...

How our intrepid fund-raisers are faring

50-53 FLIGHT CLUB

We visit Oakham’s successful trampoline club

54-55 ON YOUR BIKE!

A great cycling route from Rutland Cycling

56-57 GREAT WALKS

Taking in Hallaton and Keyworth

61 SCHOOL SPORTS

Successes on the field from our local schools

64-66 ROUND-UP

How clubs in the area are faring

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3 Star Lane, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1PH

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01780 754737

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www.sowdenwallis.co.uk

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info@ sowdenwallis.co.uk

Hambleton Road, Stamford £245,000 This extended three bedroom semi-detached family home has been finished to a high standard by the current owners, including a stylish new kitchen diner to the rear. Located in a popular residential location which provides easy access to the town centre, A1 and the Malcolm Sargent Primary School. The accommodation comprises of an entrance hall, sitting room, kitchen diner, utility room, cloakroom, landing, three bedrooms and family bathroom. There is off street parking to the front for two cars, whilst to the rear is a west facing patio and lawned garden. Viewing highly recommended.

OLD CHAPEL TOLL BAR £375,000 This converted chapel offers versatile family accommodation with five bedrooms, three reception rooms and a well appointed breakfast kitchen. The property features a fantastic Master suite with dressing room and spacious en-suite that also features a wood burner. A vaulted ceiling sitting room gives a real feeling of space, whilst the numerous bedrooms give flexibility along with two attic rooms. To the exterior of the property is a single off street parking space and south facing balcony area. This family home provides easy access to the town of Stamford, A1, the village of Great Casterton and local schooling.

Norfolk Square, Stamford £160,000 Situated in a cul-de-sac this three bedroom home offers good levels of accommodation and off street parking all within easy reach of the town centre. A spacious sitting room and well presented breakfast kitchen feature on the ground floor, with three bedrooms and a family bathroom on the first floor. The property has gas fired central heating and replacement windows.

To the rear of the property is a long patio and lawned garden which is west facing. To the front of the property is graveled off street parking for two cars.

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PRIORY GARDENS £650,000 Set within walking distance of the town centre, this extended family home offers spacious accommodation with a stylish open plan kitchen diner with bifold doors that open onto the enclosed garden. The property also features a sizable sitting room, family room with a well lit study area, four double bedrooms, the Master having an en-suite and family bathroom.

There is off street parking to the front along with a double garage, whilst to the rear is a well presented enclosed patio and lawned garden. The cul-de-sac position coupled with the proximity to the town centre, local amenities and access to schooling make this a unique location. @sowdenwallis

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sowdenwallis

sowdenwallis

20/07/2017 15:00

Activelife

Activelife IT’S HOLIDAY TIME SO ENJOY THE DELIGHTS OF BRITAIN... CATCHING AND DRESSING CRABS, FIELD MICE GALORE, A DELICIOUS SMOKY SAUSAGE CHILLI RECIPE AND WHAT’S GOING ON LOCALLY Edited by Mary Bremner

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/// AUGUS T 2017 7

Activelife Glastonburghley is back in town

JOANNA IS JOGGING ON Joanna Espin, who is offering advice in our Perkins Great Eastern Run column (see page 49), is half-way towards her target of completing 12 half marathons in 12 months. She recently completed her sixth, the Southend half marathon, in blistering heat and, as well as six marathons, has completed the Great North Swim across part of Lake Windermere. There’s method in her madness though, she’s taken on this challenge to raise money for The Phoebe Research Fund.

To support Joanna go to www.justgiving.com/ joannasknees2

Glastonburghley returns to the Lord Burghley in Stamford on August 12 for its fourth year and, this year, will support The Little Princess Trust – a charity nominated and supported by musical theatre actress Suzie Aries who is suffering from a rare and very aggressive form of ovarian cancer.

Before she started her chemotherapy Suzie decided to cut her hair and donate it to the Little Princess Trust, a charity which provides human hair wigs for children who have lost their hair because of medical treatments. Suzie has raised more than £10,000 despite her on-going treatment.

Glastonburghley is an all-day music festival that starts at 12.30pm. More details about who is performing are on the Facebook page (search for Glastonburghley). All funds raised will go to the charity. To donate directly to Suzie go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ suzieclair11 www.littleprincesses.org.uk

SHOP OF THE MONTH

NORTH SHOES THE ARK NURSERY IS EXPANDING The Ark Nursery at St George’s School in Stamford has started building a brand new building that will be similar to their flagship nursery next door to St Gilbert’s School on Foundry Road.

They are going to replace the portable building currently used and are relocating to an area on the school field which will provide outdoor play opportunities. The children will also continue to attend the forest school site in Ketton.

Jo O’Bryan-Tear, owner of the Ark said: “Our new nursery will open in the autumn offering the same high quality childcare that has rewarded us with an outstanding judgement twice at our nursery on Foundry Road. We are all very excited to be bringing this fantastic new nursery to the local area. We believe we do an outstanding job of providing a homely, light and stimulating environment that nurtures children’s imaginations and builds their confidence. We are confident that this same ethos will be replicated as successfully at St George’s. The new nursery will be identical in

8 AUGUS T 2017 ///

both its Scandinavian-inspired design and all-year-round service. It will also offer before and after school care.”

She added: “We are registering children from six weeks to five years, offering all year care between the hours of 7.30am and 6pm. We are working in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council to deliver the Early Years capital funding programme 2017, offering 30 hours funded childcare for 3 to 4 year olds.

Funding is also available to eligible 2 year olds.”

Information will be updated on the Ark website, www.thearkstamford.co.uk, and on the Facebook page as work progresses.

For more information and to learn more call Jo O’Bryan-Tear or Helen Watson 01780 482113.

North Shoes in Red Lion Square in Stamford is one of five shops in the chain.

There are others in Bourne, Peterborough, Cambridge and Oundle, which has just opened in the Market Place. Established in 1876, this family- run business is the ‘goto’ for children’s shoes. Staff are trained to the Society of Shoe Fitters standards and are specialists in children’s shoe fitting. So much so that Rosemary, the manager in Peterborough, is the president of the society. North’s don’t just sell children’s shoes though. They have a large selection of men’s and women’s as well, ranging from Loakes to Converse. www.northshoes.co.uk

SPORTS APPEAL.

THE MINI COOPER 5-DOOR HATCH WITH JOHN COOPER WORKS SPORT PACK AND FLEXIBLE FINANCE. If you’re a bit of a social soul, the MINI 5‑door Hatch with John Cooper Works Sport Pack could be your perfect match.

Delivering the same go-kart handling with more handles, it’s packed with iconic design and hi-tech innovations. Finally, the addition of the John Cooper Works Sport Pack gives you a sportier look and a bolder aesthetic with features including a split-level John Cooper Works spoiler, and 17" Track Spoke alloys in Black.

BMW Select Representative example: MINI Cooper 5-door Hatch with John Cooper Works Sport Pack.

Term of agreement 47 monthly payments On the road cash price*

48 months

Total amount of credit

£13,751.81

£199.00

Option to purchase fee^

£1.00

£18,200.00

Optional final payment^

£6,765.23

Customer deposit

£3,048.19

Total amount payable

£20,567.42

Deposit contribution

£1,400.00

Rate of interest

5.9% fixed

Total deposit

£4,448.19

Representative 5.9% APR

Who’s in? To find out more about our compelling offers and book a test drive†, call 01733 707074.

Sycamore (Peterborough) Ltd Papyrus Road, Werrington, Peterborough Cambridgeshire PE4 5HW

Official Fuel Economy Figures for the MINI Cooper 5-door Hatch with John Cooper Works Sport Pack: Urban 47.9 mpg (5.9 l/100km). Extra Urban 68.9 mpg (4.1 l/100km). Combined 58.9 mpg (4.8 l/100km). CO2 Emissions 111 g/km. Figures are obtained in a standardised test cycle. They are intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not be representative of what a user achieves under usual driving conditions.

Sycamore (Peterborough) Ltd is a credit broker not a lender.

Representative example is for a MINI Select agreement for a MINI Cooper 5-door Hatch with John Cooper Works Sport Pack and optional Chili Red paint, with a contract mileage of 40,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 3.91p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered between 1 July and 30 September 2017 and registered by 31 December 2017 (subject to availability). Retail customers only. *On the road cash price is based on manufacturer’s recommended retail price and includes 3 year MINI Retailer Warranty, MINI Emergency Service, 12 months’ road fund licence, vehicle first registration fee, delivery, number plates and VAT. ^Optional final payment and option to purchase fee not payable if you opt to return the vehicle at the end of the agreement (vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges may be payable). Finance available subject to credit acceptance to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. ‘MINI Select’ is a form of hire-purchase agreement provided by MINI Financial Services, Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. You will have a 14 day statutory right to withdraw from the agreement. Sycamore Peterborough Limited trading as Sycamore (Peterborough) Ltd, commonly introduce customers to a selected panel of lenders including MINI Financial Services. We may receive commission or other benefits for introducing you to such lenders. This introduction does not amount to independent financial advice. †Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.

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13/07/2017 11:24

Activelife

SEPTEMBER MEANS BURGHLEY The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials are galloping back into town next month. The trials, one of the best known three-day events in the country, will be held at Burghley House near Stamford from August 31 to September 3. More than 150,000 visitors are expected to attend the trials and enjoy the four days of competition in the beautiful parkland.

But the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials aren’t just about horses. There are more than 600 trade stands selling everything from cars to cashmere to jewellery, as well as everything an equestrian would need, a must for the early Christmas shopper and heaven for the keen shopper. And don’t forget the food aisles where there are many culinary delights on offer, as well as lots of catering outlets offering delicious delicacies.

The four days of competition is set to be fiercely contested this year with around 80 of the world’s best horses and riders competing for the £90,000 prize pot. The dressage runs over the Thursday and Friday, and is fascinating to watch. Saturday sees the ever popular cross-country phase with Sunday being show jumping day with riders heading to the main arena hoping to take the title of Land Rover Burghley 2017 champion.

Early bird discounts and flexi admission tickets are available for Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk to find out more.

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Activelife

WHAT’S ON There’s lots going on in your area this month, why not try some of these?

■ Easton Walled Gardens is holding its ever popular autumn country market on Sunday, September 3. Showcasing the region’s best cra s, cakes jewellery and gi s as well as demonstrations and live music, it promises to be a great day out. www.visiteaston.co.uk ■ The Uppingham Fete, Flower and Produce Show will take place on Sunday, August 7, from 1-5pm on Tod’s Piece. There will be lots of trade stalls, live music, children’s entertainment and even a fun dog show.

■ Campfire cooking for kids is one of the many activities going on at Ferry Meadows this month.

Kids can have a go at cooking on a camp fire and then enjoy the fruits of their labour. To find out more details and what else is going on this month go to www.neneparktrust.org.uk

■ The 18th annual Rutland Beer Festival will be held from August 24-28 at The Grainstore Brewery in Oakham and will feature more than 70 beers from all over the country with particular focus on ales from the south west of England. To build up to the event the brewery is asking customers to tag their photos using hashtag #GrainDays_Summer to be entered into a prize draw to win a goodie bag donated by British breweries taking part in the festival.

■ If the sun keeps shining as it is at the time of writing, there will be no better place to take the kids during the holidays than Bourne’s outdoor swimming pool – the water is even heated! Situated within the attractive Abbey Lawns close to the town centre, the pool is open daily. www.bourneoutdoor swimmingpool.org.uk

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Cherish summer this August with Barnsdale Leisure...

Join us for a year and get 3 months for free!

That’s 12 months for the price of 9.

Smile this summer with Barnsdale Leisure club.

Nr Oakham | Rutland LE15 8AB www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk

Tel: 01572 757901

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12 St Leonards Street Stamford, PE9 2HN

Tel 01780 654321 • sales@classicstamford.co.uk www.classicstamford.co.uk

21/07/2017 10:02

Activelife

HOW TO…

CATCH A CRAB

Catching crabs on a line off the quayside in Norfolk is what childhood is all about. And who knows, you may catch one large enough to cook…

Tie your bait (raw bacon is good) to the end of your line.

Tie one end of a 5-6 foot line firmly to your stick.

Wait for the tug of the crab eating your bait.

Drop your bait into the water and hold on tight to your stick.

Swing the line out, be brave and unhook the crab, then drop it into the bucket of sea water you have alongside you.

If the crabs aren’t large enough to eat, return them to the sea to grow a bit bigger.

HOW TO…

How to dress a crab Once the crab is cooked and cooled, crack the claws and legs with a hammer or nutcracker then poke out all of the white meat into a bowl using a skewer. If you want to serve the meat in the shell break off the jagged rim from around the underside of the shell, remove and discard the small stomach sac to be found just behind the mouth, scoop out the brown meat and put in a separate bowl. Wash the shell well and dry it. Season both meats with salt and pepper and shred the white meat if necessary. Place a strip of parsley down the centre of the shell and place white meat on one side and brown on the other. Serve with fresh salad and mayonnaise.

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Tel 01780 654321 • www.classicstamford.co.uk • sales@classicstamford.co.uk

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21/07/2017 10:25

Activelife

NATURE

THE WOOD MOUSE Our most common and widespread wild rodent, there is estimated to be one wood mouse for every two people in the British Isles. Not to be confused with the house mouse that has smaller ears, hind feet and tail.

Sandy brown fur with white/grey undersides, they have protruding eyes, large ears and a long tail.

Found mainly in woodland and fields but incredibly adaptable so often seen in gardens. Mainly nocturnal, but not unusual to see them in daylight. Heavily predated by owls, domestic cats, foxes, stoats, weasels and birds of prey most adults rarely survive a year. Prolific breeders with four to seven young born to successive pregnancies, from March to October.

THE GREEN WOODPECKER Our largest woodpecker, the size of a collared dove, is recognised by its pointed bill, short stout tail and undulating flight. It is dark green above with a yellow rump and pale green under parts. The crown is red with a black patch around the eye. A moustache like stripe is red and black in the male and black in the female.

The call, a loud ringing laugh (yaffle), draws attention to its presence.

The green woodpecker is a widespread resident of woodland, parkland, old pasture with mature trees and golf courses as well as large, rural gardens. Its range locally has doubled over the past 20 years as young plantations have matured and milder winters have enabled it to forage for ants – a favourite food, throughout the year.

A new nest hole is excavated each year, high in a mature tree. Wood chips scattered below show the progress of the excavation but until the young are well grown and calling for food many

nests remain undetected. Green woodpeckers are noisy birds, especially when they have newly fledged young. Juveniles look rather reptilian with a greyer, streaked and more mottled plumage. Quarry Farm at Stamford and Fort Henry usually provide good views of this species.

Terry Mitcham

Clover Clover is a member of the pea family and is found throughout Europe. Extensively cultivated as a fodder plant it is popular with farmers both as a grass crop or cover crop as it fixes nitrogen. White or red flowers are common which are very popular with bees; honey clover being abundant at certain times of the year. There is always a chance of finding a four-leafed clover, which is considered lucky. The shamrock, the traditional Irish symbol, is commonly associated with clover.

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Activelife

1 6 AUGUS T 2017 ///

SMOKY SAUSAGE AND PEPPER CHILLI WITH RED RICE, SOURED CREAM AND CHIVES 1

INGREDIENTS

125g red rice 1 onion 1 red pepper 1 fresh chilli 1 large garlic clove 2 pork and herb sausages Oil for frying 15g fresh chives ½ tin red kidney beans Chilli spice pot containing 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp dried coriander, ½ tsp smoked sweet paprika 1 tin chopped tomatoes Salt and pepper 1 lime ½ pot of soured cream

METHOD

● Rinse the rice in a sieve under cold water.

Transfer to saucepan and cover with plenty of water and heat until boiling, then simmer for 35 minutes until cooked. ● Peel and finely dice the onion. Cut the red pepper into 2cm dices then finely chop the chilli (leave the seeds in if you want more heat). Peel and finely chop the garlic clove. ● Remove the skins from the sausages and roughly crumble or chop the meat (1). Heat 1tbsp oil in a heavy based pan and fry the

RECIPE BOXES Riverford recipe boxes are a simple and inspiring way to cook. Every week, we deliver everything you need to make three tasty organic meals. Inside each box, you’ll find the freshest, seasonal organic produce, step-by-step recipe cards and all the ingredients in exact quantities.

The recipes are quick to cook and ideal for weeknights – most are ready in under

sausage meat to lightly brown it. Transfer to a plate (2). ● Add the onion and red pepper to the same pan, with a splash more oil. Cook on a low heat, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes (3). Add a splash of water if it looks like catching. ● Meanwhile snip enough chives so you have 3 tbsp worth. Rinse the kidney beans in a colander.

2

● Add the chilli, garlic and chilli spice pot to the onions and peppers, stirring for 2 minutes. Add the tinned tomatoes, kidney beans and sausage meat. ● Season, stir and bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Stir often to prevent the bottom of the pan catching. Add a splash of water if necessary.

Drain the rice once cooked. Check the seasoning in the chilli once cooked. Squeeze in a little lime juice to taste.

3

●

● Mix the chopped chives with about half a pot of soured cream and serve with the chilli and rice, sprinkled with the rest of the chives.

Tip: If you have any leftover chilli save it to have with a baked sweet potato the next day.

45 minutes. Think well balanced and nutritious, with a few treats thrown in. Our cooks come up with nine new recipes every week, so there is always plenty of choice.

There are three different varieties of recipe box - choose from vegetarian, quick, or original. A box for two people ranges in price from £33 for the vegetarian box, to £39.95 for the quick and original boxes. Delivered straight to your door, with everything you need to cook

included, generous portion sizes, and three delicious meals per box they offer great value for money.

No waste. No missing the vital ingredient. All you have to do is cook.

Visit: www.riverford.co.uk/recipebox to

find out more or call 01803 762059.

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CARING, QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR YOUR PET PROFESSIONAL, FRIENDLY SUPPORT AND TREATMENT Comprehensive small animal services including intricate, but worthwhile and valid surgeries: Plus management of difficult eye cases, both local and referred from further afield.

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For Busi ne ss, for you , for life .

11/07/2017 11:12:14

21/07/2017 16:44

Activelife

TRAVEL

BEAUTIFUL BRITAIN August is the month of summer holidays with many people jumping on a plane and heading to the sun. The only problem with that is the hassle of hanging around in an airport for hours and the stress of delays and queues.

One option is to holiday in this country instead. Pack the car, grab the kids and the dog and explore Britain. What could be more delightful than a cottage by the sea, a ramble in the Lake District or exploring a city you’ve never visited before?

There are so many beautiful, interesting places to visit in Britain and (if the weather is kind) no better place to be. If you are interested in staying in architecturally interesting properties, many of which are off the beaten track, try The Landmark Trust – a charity which rescues buildings of historical and architectural interest and makes them available as holiday accommodation. For the more active with young children, Center Parcs is always a favourite.

Fancy a castle? We’ve found the perfect website where you can take your pick (see below). The beauty of a staycation in Britain is that there is so much choice, fabulous scenery and history and – yes - everyone speaks English!

USEFUL WEBSITES www.historic-uk.com www.landmarktrust.org.uk www.centerparcs.co.uk www.visitbritain.org

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Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm Tel: 01780 654321 Email: sales@classicstamford.co.uk www.classicstamford.co.uk www.classicstamford.co.uk 12 St Leonard’s Lincs PE9 2HN Tel: 01780 654321 Street, Email: Stamford, sales@classicstamford.co.uk 12 St Leonard’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2HN www.classicstamford.co.uk

12 St Leonard’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2HN

classic full page.indd 1

13/06/2017 11:17

Activelife

RUN FOR PHOEBE The Phoebe Research Fund was set up

by Zoe Crowson to help fund research into Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, which her daughter Phoebe suffers from. It is a genetic condition that causes the skin to be very fragile and blister easily, so is very debilitating.

They have been busy fund-raising and this year will be the inaugural Phoebe Research Fun Run. Entries are now open for the run that is taking place on October 1. The 5k fun run is open to all. The course starts and finishes at Sykes Lane at Rutland Water, taking in Whitwell and the dam, kicking off at 10am. All finishers will receive a medal and everyone over 18 will get a free beer from Watling Street micro brewery which will be there with a beer tent. There will also be Oakham-based Excellence Physiotherapy on site to give advice and treatment for runners. It promises to be a great day out with bands lined up to play as well.

If running’s not your thing why not join guest speaker Eddie the Eagle at the annual charity auction which will be held at The William Cecil in Stamford on November 10?

To find out more about the run, other events and Phoebe Research go to: visit www.phoebe5k.org.uk or www.phoeberesearch.org.uk

Supported by

With your help a cure is possible Join us in the 1st Phoebe 5K fun run for the Phoebe Research Fund Running from Sykes Lane at Rutland Water, up the dam and on to Whitwell and back!

Sunday 1st October 2017 Starts at 10am All finishers will receive a medal

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TO ENTER GO TO

www.phoebe5k.org.uk Entry fee – £10 for adults, £5 for children, under 5s go free

Hosted by Rutland Radio For more information about the charity call 07718 071645 or by email info@phoeberesearch.org.uk

www.phoeberesearch.org.uk ALL PROCEEDS TO GO TO THE PHOEBE RESEARCH FUND

Registered charity number 1163875

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Feature /// School’s out

SIX SENSATIONAL WEEKS OF SUMMER How to keep your kids busy, not bored, over the summer holidays

2 2 AUGUS T 2017 ///

WITH THE LONG six-week summer holidays starting, the kids are usually very excited and looking forward to the break. However, the dreaded phrase “I’m bored” can soon rear its ugly head unless you’ve got plenty planned.

Charity Action for Children is highlighting the damaging effects that this extended annual break can have on children’s long-term physical and mental health if they don’t find ways to keep active.

The Government recommends that children get 60 minutes of physical activity every day – that’s exercise that will get you out of breath, not just a gentle stroll – but only around one in five children meet this target. Even this level of activity can decline when children are out of school, because they miss out on the structured physical activity that schools provide and spend an increased amount of time indoors and using technology such as tablets and phones.

Carol Iddon, managing director of children’s services at the charity, said: “Technology can be an amazing tool but it’s important for families to maintain a balance and include other activities – particularly if those activities also encourage quality family time. The positive physical and mental benefits that this can have on a child are huge - from helping to combat weight issues to building relationships where children can communicate more freely with their parents making them less susceptible to bullying or abuse outside the home.”

Researchers from the Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) at the University of Cambridge have studied how the amount of physical activity that children achieve in and out of school changes over time, and have shown how the structure of the school day can support physical activity in a way that is more difficult to achieve out of school.

The impact of a lack of activity has farreaching consequences beyond the obvious physical ones. Dr Esther van Sluijs, group leader at CEDAR added: “It’s very important that children regularly put down their screens and go out and do something physical. Physical activity during childhood is associated with better mental health, wellbeing and social skills as well as better academic performance.”

With nearly a quarter of parents admitting that they struggle to limit their children’s screen time what can be done to encourage children to drop their technology and join in with some family fun?

Action for Children has compiled a guide to six fun activities that you can do as a family:

WHY DON’T YOU…

Hold a family sports day In a recent poll, sport was one of the top three activities children said they wanted to do with their parents, so why not turn an area of your garden or your local park into your very own sporting arena? Hold a running race, beanbag throw, mini hurdles or go retro with a game of rounders.

take part in a dance off. Use a torch as a strobe light and boogie away.

WHY DON’T YOU…

Build a den Construct a tee-pee down the park from fallen branches or use trees in the back garden to hang some sheets off or just drag out a large cardboard box and some pillows. Either way construct your den which can then be home for a game of hide and seek.

WHY DON’T YOU…

Take a dog for walkies If you don’t have a dog of your own offer to walk one for your friends or neighbours then get walking. Who knows what new places you might discover?

WHY DON’T YOU…

Get on your bike Check out the National Trust website (www. nationaltrust.org.uk) for a list of family-friendly bike rides. Don’t have your own bikes? Borrow from a friend or hire from your nearest bike shop – try britishbikehire.co.uk.

WHY DON’T YOU…

Go on a nature treasure hunt Make a map with a list of ‘treasure’ on it that the family has to tick off and find – oak trees, a stream, daisies, fields of cows are just a few ideas – and then head off for a family hike and see who can be the first to find them all.

WHY DON’T YOU …

Have a dance off One for indoors when you inevitably have those rainy days. Everyone takes a turn to man the CD player and watch as the rest of the family

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Feature /// School’s out

FUN TO BE HAD NEARBY Our guide to the best holiday happenings in the local area

RUTLAND WATER

There is a lot going for kids at Rutland Water Park this summer holiday. This year there is cycling for the tots at Sykes Lane for the first time, either having fun on a themed balance bike in the Strider Adventure Zone, or learning to ride for the first time at Rutland Cycling, Whitwell, before heading out on a cycling adventure around the park.

Of course, as always there is a huge variety of watersports: even 10-year-olds can enjoy a powerboat course, while there is stand-up paddleboarding too.

And the expanded Aqua Park is once again a must not miss attraction at Whitwell – just make sure you book before you go to avoid disappointment.

For a more leisurely time, there’s mini golf at Sykes Lane, and the beach too, with the opportunity for a barbecue on the grass area behind it on a beautiful summer’s evening after a day in the sun. rutlandwaterinfo@anglianwater.co.uk

LEICESTER TIGERS

If you’re quick, you might be able to secure a place on Leicester Tigers’ summer residential camp.

Led by a top team of Tigers coaches, these

2 4 AUGUS T 2017 ///

residential camps are a must for any young rugby player.

Essential for any under 13 and under 18 age groups, the five-day rugby camp is designed to help young players improve in all areas of their game in a focused and dedicated rugby environment.

With players from around the UK and overseas joining it, participants will learn what it takes to become a professional player and discover more about the Tigers Academy and performance pathways.

Each day, players will receive up to five hours of training covering core skills, strength and conditioning sessions as well as food and entertainment throughout the week. It takes place at Bishop Burton College, Hull, from August 6-11.

If you can’t make that, there are plenty of other Tigers rugby camps offering tag rugby for U7s to U8s running for half-days from 9.30am to 12.30pm, and contact rugby opportunities for U9s onwards running for full-days from 9.30am to 3.30pm each day.

As part of the camp, kids get a Leicester Tigers rugby camp t-shirt, rugby ball and drinks bottle, free membership to the Junior Tigers Club and a free junior ticket to an allocated home game. Camps are taking place at:

South Leicestershire Market Harborough RFC – Aug 14-18 Lutterworth RFC – Aug 21-25 Wider Leicestershire Ratcliffe College – Aug 7-11 Coalville RFC – Aug 14-18 Outside of Leicestershire Lincoln RFC – Aug 7-11 North Walsham RFC – Aug 7-11 Market Rasen & Louth RFC – Aug 14-18 Trent College (Notts) – Aug 21-25 Leamington RFC – Aug 29-Sept 1

get involved in anything from campfire cooking and clay craft to jewellery making and shelter building. It’s a great opportunity for socialising, getting outdoors, having some fun and learning lots along the way!

Dates available are August 14-18 and 21-25 and prices and further information can be found on the Nene Park Trust website, www. neneparktrust.org.uk alongside a range of other events during the summer holidays.

FUNKY LITTLE FEET

OAKHAM CASTLE

Everyday throughout the summer holidays Oakham Castle has – in addition to its usual free dress up, toys and colouring in activities – water-themed free play.

It also runs daily miniature trails which are self-led tours of the castle in the form of a treasure hunt where children take a magnifying glass and solve clues written on tiny scrolls hidden around the castle and grounds.

On August 2 it has a wildlife themed play day to tie in with the national play day initiative, while on August 7 it will be running a filmmaking course in which children will make a stop motion film over the course of the day based on stories from the rich history of the castle.

On August 9, 16, 23 and 30 there are archery days, while August 11 is kids’ craft day with shield and crown making. August 17 sees a medieval obstacle course and games as well as horseshoe decorating crafts, August 21 is medieval tile making craft day, August 24 ‘all sheeps and sizes’, which is a day celebrating the humble sheep with rare and heritage breed sheep on show, wet and needle felting workshops as well as talks on textiles, dying and of course the sheep parade, and there is a family fun day on August 28 to round off a busy month at the castle. www.oakhamcastle.org

Funky Little Feet UK has created dance and fitness classes aimed specifically at families with a number of activities throughout August to go with its regular term-time classes.

On every Thursday in August it has teamed up with Fun Face Paints to run The Performing Arts Workshop for 5-11 year olds from 9.30-12.30 in Wittering, while every Friday throughout the month there are special Funky Little Families sessions in Wittering from 9.30-10.15am.

Aimed at babies from 12 weeks upwards, the classes are an opportunity for children and grown ups to come together and find the fun in movement. Each class allows parents to engage with and watch as their child finds the joy of moving with imagination, develops their confidence and grows into their personality.

Each class is age specific, carefully developed by experienced performing arts and dance specialists to provide your Funky Little one with a chance to learn to move with agility, balance confidently and most of all to find the fun in being active.

Call 07833 551493 or visit funkylittlefeet.weebly.com

RUTLAND CYCLING

Cycling is a great way to spend a family day out, enjoying the peaceful waterside trails, taking in the stunning scenery and stopping for a picnic en-route.

Family-run Rutland Cycling has been hiring bikes since 1981 – in fact, the company has hired more than one million over the years, so you know you are in safe hands.

With stores located at Whitwell and Normanton on the shores of Rutland Water, and more centres at Fineshade Wood, Grafham

Water, Pitsford Water, Peterborough and Cambridge, Rutland offers the widest choice of hire bikes in Europe: electric bikes, mountain and hybrid bikes, children’s bikes, tag-a-longs, buggies and extras including, helmets, child seats and comfy saddle covers.

Pick up the free children’s activity sheet from Whitwell store and pedal the eight-mile family trail or take on the challenge of the full lap of 17 miles. If you’ve still got the energy it’s well worth taking a detour around Hambleton Peninsula, only adding an extra six miles to the full lap!

It is advisable to book in advance during school holidays: online at www.rutlandcycling. com, by phone on 0330 555 0080, or in store.

Cycle hire prices start from £14.99 for adults / £7.99 for children (or a special rate of £8.99/£4.99 at Fineshade and Ferry Meadows).

A family cycling ticket is great value at £39.99, including two adults and two children.

STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE

Enjoy the summer holidays even more with Stamford Arts Centre’s children’s workshop.

There’s Printmaking with Nadyam in whch kids can explore different printing techniques and create their own printing block, screen prints and press-prints using a combination of methods with Lincolnshire-based artist Nadya Monfinoli, on August 2 from 10am-12.30pm or 1.30pm-4pm, costing £8 per child.

Ever fancied creating a Hogwarts style character and following in the footsteps of Harry, Ron and Hermione? Join Bailey and Burns Theatre to explore new characters through acting and movement, using fun and dynamic creative workshops.

This week-long opportunity for 8 to 16 year olds will include drama and dance sessions aimed at developing performance skills, leading towards a short performance for family and friends at the end of the week. Aug 7-10, 10am-5pm and Fri 11 August 11am-7pm, £100 per child.

Then there’s Singing For Fun on August 18 (10.30am-12pm, £6 per child) and a Pirates and Fairies Workshop on August 23 (10am-12pm or 1pm-3pm, £8 per child) www.stamfordartscentre.com

NATURE KIDS

Nature Kids is a fantastic two-week programme at Ferry Meadows Country Park, designed to provide children with the opportunity to take part in a range of themed events for an entire day.

Taking place across two weeks in August, the education team will lead groups of seven to 11-year-old children through a number of activities. They can sign up for any number of days, from one to the entire week (Monday to Friday). Each day will have a different theme including topics such as Ancient Greeks, forest science, survival day, woodland animals and much more.

The day is then split into a number of sessions, from 9.30am to 3pm, where kids can

/// AUGUS T 2017 2 5

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17/07/2017 17:05

Feature /// School’s out qualified and are experts in their chosen field; many also teach at Uppingham School. Prices range from £230 to £620, depending on the course and whether attending non-residentially or residentially.

Popular courses include Young Musicians’ Week for young orchestral musicians, Jazz Big Band Week, Musical Theatre Week for those who enjoy singing, dancing and the glamour of the West End stage, and Rock Upp!, a week of songwriting, recording and gigging for aspiring rock and pop musicians.

Also popular is the From Page to Stage drama programme and Sensational Science course, Art and Write Away and Get Write In creative writing courses.

Its new course sold out within weeks of launch last year. Sport is definitely not forgotten, and it runs various cricket, tennis, netball, rugby, hockey and football camps too. www.uppinghamsummerschool.co.uk.

UPPINGHAM SCHOOL SPORTS CENTRE NENE VALLEY RAILWAY

Nene Valley Railway is perhaps best known as the home to a bright blue locomotive named Thomas. He was built by Hudswell Clarke in 1947 at about the time when Rev W Awdry wrote his second book in which Thomas appeared. Thomas spent his entire working life at British Sugar’s Peterborough factory before coming to the railway in 1973.

His busy 2017 schedule will see him hosting his summer holiday event on August 12 and 13 and his branch line weekend on September 23 and 24. A single ticket covers all including bouncy castle at Wansford, face painting, children’s entertainer, games and fun on the platform at Wansford and, of course, unlimited rides behind Thomas and Friends. www.nvr.org.uk

TOM FLOWERS CRICKET COACHING

Tom Flowers Cricket Coaching is offering several coaching opportunities for children across the East Midlands. The summer holiday camps run for three days from 10am-4pm at a variety of venues in the local area.

Courses are led by Tom and his professional ECB coaching staff, and include batting, bowling, fielding and wicket keeping skills, plus games, competitions and prizes.

Tom said: “Our professional staff are passionate about cricket coaching and are dedicated to meeting the needs of every individual we work with. Improvement is inevitable when in a fun, safe and competitive environment, and we strive to maximise any individuals potential, from beginner to advanced.” www.tomflowerscricketcoaching.com or call 07815647892.

ROCKINGHAM CASTLE

The Vikings of Middle England are set to return to Rockingham Castle this August Bank Holiday (27-28) to recreate their famous and realistic displays. Enjoy the thrill of a live battle complete

with crashing swords and authentic costumes.

The castle will come alive with battles, pageantry and a living history village providing an immersive and educational environment for all the family to enjoy. Experience the sights, smells and sounds of a Viking encampment, set against the thrilling background of a battle scene.

Step back in time while meandering around the village, and observe craftsmen making weapons and coins, weaving nets and the healer brewing medicines for all those gory battlefield injuries. Experienced bowmen will be on hand to teach their skills, preparing all members of the family to hold their own in a Viking invasion. Against all this excitement, a quiet moment can be enjoyed listening to the storyteller weave fascinating tales to spark the imagination.

The event is open from 12 noon until 5pm.

The castle will be open from 1 pm, and last entry is at 4:30pm.

Keeping children entertained throughout the summer is a difficult task for any parent.

Swimming at Uppingham School Sports Centre is one way to keep the children active in an enjoyable, safe environment and parents can come too.

With various fun splash sessions throughout the summer, adults and children can enjoy a fun filled session with various floats in the pool, and can take advantage of a family swimming pass for £12 to use at these sessions.

Why not book a water walker activity at the centre for a group of children? Usually a children’s party favourite, the walk on water fun sessions can also be booked for small groups of children age eight and over.

There are also various dry activities available at the centre for both members and non members including Badminton, tennis and fit kids sessions. www.sportscentre.uppingham.co.uk or contact reception on 01572 820830.

UPPINGHAM SUMMER SCHOOL

Uppingham Summer School has been running a programme of residential and day courses in the heart of Rutland during the summer holidays for more than 15 years now; courses cover a multitude of different interests including music, drama, sport, science and technology, art and creative writing, and are aimed at children aged from seven and 18.

Course tutors and coaches are all highly

/// A U G U S T 2 0 17 2 7

Come and view our stunning new show homes

An impressive collection of one & two bedroom apartments and three & four bedroom houses, there’s a home for everyone at Oakthorpe from Kier Living. This exciting new development is perfectly situated in the cathedral city of Peterborough, which boasts a variety of attractions and amenities, as well as being just 50 minutes from London Kings Cross by train*.

Prices from ÂŁ149,995

Sales & marketing suite open daily 10am - 5pm Thorpe Road, Peterborough, PE3 6AW

land & new homes

07864 997591 oakthorpe.sales@kier.co.uk

01733 311022 CGI of Cedar House indicative only. For more information on Help to Buy please speak to our Sales Executives. *Train times from Peterborough station, taken from nationalrail.co.uk

Untitled-9 1

13/07/2017 15:25

Feature /// School’s out

KITBAG

3.

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KIDS IN THE SUN 1. Boden boys’ sunglasses

2.

Calling all surfer dudes – these sunglasses are great for catching rays (and waves). The double contrasting arms are super colourful to complete your beach outfit. They come in a durable, printed travel case with a lens cloth attached so that you can keep them sand-free.

Price £9.10 From: Boden

2. Boden girls’ round sunglasses

4.

These bright shades shout ‘bring me sunshine’ and will add a pop of colour to all of your warm-weather outfits, from dresses to jeans.

You can take them everywhere too – they come in their own travel case with a handy lens cloth.

Price £9.10 From Boden

5.

3. Gap Sea Life board shorts

These funky sea-life print shorts come with faux drawcord ties and a comfy, elasticized waistband, on-seam pockets at front and a mesh lining. Being UPF 40+ helps protect skin from sun too.

Price £12.95 From Gap

6.

4. Boden girl’s printed swimsuit

Now it’s finally time to head to the seaside throw on this pretty swimsuit. The bright colours and fast-drying fabric make it just as essential as a bucket and spade. It even has UPF 50+ sun protection to help keep your skin safe.

Price £10.50-£16.00 From Boden

7.

5. Peppa Pig armbands

Learn to swim with Peppa! These armbands are the perfect aid, designed for children aged 2-6.

They feature dual air chambers and easy inflate valves for inflating and deflating.

Price £8 From Zoggs

9.

6. Girl’s straw hat

Who said kids’ beach wear can’t be superstylish? This woven paper straw with a dimpled crown and pleated chambray trim with all-over polka dots will suit the most fashion conscious kid.

Price £16.95 From Gap

8.

7. Boy’s athletic logo baseball hat

Boys aren’t often fans of hats, but this simple and comfortable cap will keep even the fussiest protected thanks to its smooth cotton twill construction and hook and loop strap.

Price £7.95 From Gap

8. Sandy Kids beach cape

The Sandy Kids Beach Cape is an essential for your little one’s beachwear. Made in a soft cotton blend with a hood and a kangaroo pocket, the cape will keep your child warm and comfortable after an underwater adventure.

Price £7.99 From Mountain Warehouse

9. Tribord 100 bodyboard

Designed for children aged 6 to 12 years in small waves, this lightweight bodyboard comes in pink or green, with an ergonomic grip and preformed front area for hand positioning.

Price £19.99 From Decathlon.co.uk

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Thomas’ Summer Holiday 13th & 14th August

Ride the nd behi of the r sta how s as!

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Bring your little Thomas fan to join him on his exciting holiday weekend.

Ticket price includes: • Free unlimited rides behind Thomas • Bouncy castle • Activities coach • Miniature railway rides • Railcar rides • Unlimited train rides

Book online

Fun... Fun... Fun Don’t forget your sunglasses!

www.nvr.org.uk 01780 784444

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21/07/2017 10:01

Guest column

The best fans in the world, come rain or shine Martin Johnson reckons no other nation can compare to Britain when it comes to travelling and supporting sports stars If you happened to be in Nottingham during the recent Test match, catching the bus home after a tiring Saturday afternoon’s shopping, it’s not entirely possible that you’d have found yourself sitting next to a giraffe. Or a traffic cone.

Or Donald Trump. Attending the cricket in fancy dress has become such a tradition on Test match Saturday (and spreading so fast it will eventually embrace all five days) that the TV cameras spend more time on close ups of the crowd than they do on the players. “Eh up,” chortled commentator David Lloyd one day last summer. “I think I can see Usain Bolt with a giraffe’s head under his arm.”

You can still find small groups of hardcore traditionalists at Test matches, although they’re becoming a dying breed. There they are, sitting quietly in a flat cap, and opening the Tupperware container to tuck into a cheese sandwich while the players are trooping off for lunch, when some Roman gladiator falls giggling into their lap and slurs: “Go on, I give up. What have you come as then?”

The way the British deport themselves at major sporting events is pretty much unique. The French don’t behave the same way, for example. Anyone watching the Tour de France recently might have seen the odd beret in the crowd, but no-one would have spotted a Joan of Arc costume, or a bearded schoolgirl spilling his Pernod everywhere as the peleton blurred past.

Neither do you see, when the New Zealand rugby team runs out at Twickenham, an entire section of the crowd taken up with cheering Kiwis. However, when the Lions played the All Blacks in New Zealand earlier this summer, it was hard to tell at times which of the two teams was playing at home.

It’s the same with football. It goes like this. The England team releases a tuneless patriotic song before flying out to some distant place, performs like wallies, and when they’re 1-0 down to Baffin Land all you can hear is a massed chorus in homage to that well known Swedish barmaid “Inger Lund”.

The aeroplane, so it seems, was invented purely for the British sports fan. There was a time when a footie crowd consisted of people spinning rattles, drinking Bovril and throwing their flat caps in the air. But when the venues switched from Rochdale and Rotherham to Rome and Rio, the supporters changed too. So much so that wherever they go now, the local police reaches for the water cannon.

I

If you had to name one sporting event in Britain that couldn’t possibly be replicated anywhere else in the world, it would be Wimbledon. You get off the train at Southfields tube station, and you need all of Andy Murray’s delicate footwork to negotiate the mile walk to the All England Club, dodging all those sleeping bags and primus stoves. A night on the pavement is how far people are willing to go for a ticket, even if it ends up with them watching a Serb versus a Croat on court 15.

There’s nothing the British do better than queueing, and nowhere do they queue more enthusiastically than at Wimbledon. There’s always a queue to buy used tennis balls, which sell for some exorbitant price despite the fact that seven games of a men’s match will leave them balder than Andre Agassi.

A spectator’s willingness to endure hardship and deprivation in order to see one of their heroes in action is not just confined to Wimbledon. Another great British sporting institution, the Open golf championship, initially had an audience that consisted of a couple of blokes in tweed jackets and a woman holding a parasol, and they were never much more than a couple of yards away from the players. Now, they attend in their tens of thousands and, by the very nature of links courses, when you eventually get there, you can barely see a thing.

I once witnessed the breaking off of an engagement during a round at St Andrews, when I decided to put myself in a spectator’s shoes and walk the entire 18 holes with Tiger Woods. As I suspected, I heard him hit his ball quite a lot, but only once did I get a glimpse of him. Or to be more accurate, a glimpse of his visor.

We’d only gone four holes, when a young man was telling his fiancée: “Hear that? That’s an iron. It makes a totally different sound from a wood.” Amazingly, this failed to impress her. “I’m tired. I’m hot. I have stones in my shoes. I can’t see a thing. I’m leaving, and you can please yourself whether you come with me or not.”

Well, he did please himself. The young man remained with me, and around 20,000 other people for the rest of the round, clearly rating the sound of Tiger Woods hitting a ball as more intoxicating than the tune of the Wedding March. And that, in a nutshell, is what makes the Brits the sports fans they are.  Martin Johnson has been a sports journalist and author since 1973, writing for the Leicester Mercury, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Times. He currently writes columns for The Rugby Paper and The Cricket Paper, and has a book out called ‘Can I Carry Your Bags?’.

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21/07/2017 16:55

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ACTIVE BODY ARE YOU EATING THE AYURVEDA WAY? PLUS GET GREAT SHOES FOR SUMMER AND HOW MINIMAL SURGERY COULD HELP INJURIES

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Stay Fresh

at your wedding!

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01780 751313 or 07875 543065 and let us deliver to you‌.

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fresh wheels wedding.indd 1

10/05/2016 16:17

ACTIVE BODY

MINIMAL GAINS Hany Elmadbouh, founder and senior consultant at Peterborough’s newest private healthcare facility Avicenna Clinic, talks about the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to treat sports injuries For any active person, an injury that stops you in your tracks is frustrating.

More than just missing your regular evening run, 18 holes of golf or your favourite dawn bike ride, the pain and accompanying immobility continually to wear you down.

After a period of basic recovery, pain management and ‘strapping’ you may be lucky enough to get ‘back in the saddle’. However, for many, what remains after an initial injury is an ongoing niggle and recurring pain.

Physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors will be able to offer some pain relief and rehabilitation and you may also be advised to undergo a series of image guided injections to reduce inflammation and manage pain.

However, depending on the severity

and type of injury, at some point, you may also have to look for a more permanent solution.

In years gone by, the mention of surgery to resolve a sports injury was damning news. In addition to the significant recovering time, time off work and concerns about longer term rehabilitation, there was a question mark over your ability to return to your favourite pastime at all.

But thanks to advances in medicine, the chances are that most of your standard sports injuries can now be treated via minimally invasive surgery; which doesn’t require an overnight hospital stay and is much kinder on you as a patient.

But what is minimally invasive surgery and why is it that more and more

procedures are carried out in this way?

As it is still a form of surgery, it should be considered as a last resort. After all, all surgery is invasive in one way or another.

However, the difference with minimally invasive surgery is that, thanks to special tools and cameras which are used to carry out the procedure, you only require a small incision. By reducing the size of the incision, you immediately reduce the levels of patient discomfort and speed up the recovery time. Not only that, but there is less scarring and a lower risk of infection.

Depending on the age and fitness of the patient and the nature of the injury they are being treated for, you can expect to see a 50% reduction in the stay required in a hospital/clinic and their longer-term recovery time.

At Avicenna Clinic, we approach sports injuries with a holistic approach.

Because of our consultant led approach, we look at the type and severity of the injury, consider the patients’ comfort levels and manage their discomfort in the quickest and most efficient way.

From your initial consultation and diagnosis through to treatment, all aspects are carried out under one roof – and often on the same day. If, eventually, surgery is required, we are also able to carry out Minimally Invasive Surgical procedures within the clinic itself – offering a continuity in treatment and support.

Our consultants work together and our skill sets are complementary. That means that we are able to personalise patients’ treatment plans based on what we believe the best course of action to be and can adapt and tweak that plan as required depending on how they respond to their treatment.

Avicenna Clinic delivers consistent and personalised care, tailored to your specific needs to help treat the immediate pain, reduce the longer-term impact and get you back on your feet, doing what you love, as quickly as possible Avicenna Clinic, 1 North Street Peterborough, PE1 2RA T: 0330 202 0597 F: 01733 516 014 E: info@avicennaclinic.com W: www.avicennaclinic.com

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35 SR BODY Aviciena OK.indd 35

21/07/2017 16:57

HIMALAYAN YOGA Making you feel on top of the world

5th September - 22nd September 2017 Three week short course Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings 9.00am - 10.00am Active Rutland Hub, Oakham Enterprise Park, LE15 7TU

Active Mag Advert July 2017.indd 1

Contact To book or for further information on other activities, please contact: activerutland@rutland.gov.uk 01572 720936 www.activerutland.org.uk

30/06/2017 13:42:33

ACTIVE BODY

AN EARLY SWIM Chris Craven of Water Babies offers advice on getting babies and young children confident in the pool We’re all dreaming of a long, hot summer. And, of course, a perfect summer includes lots of water fun.

The swimming pool is one of the best places for both you and your little one to cool down and have some splashy fun together.

Your baby doesn’t need to have had their immunisations before you take them to the pool, but before you go, it’s a good idea to phone ahead to check the water temperature – it should be at least 30° for a baby older than 12 weeks (or heavier than 12lbs), and above 32° if they’re younger or smaller.

Start by holding your baby upright, facing you and bouncing them around in the water, gently splashing from side to side.

Keep lots of eye contact and gentle encouragement. You can try saying your baby’s name then “ready, go!” then wiping a palm-full of water down their face.

Let them kick their legs, and sit them on the side, gently splashing them in to the tune of ‘Humpty Dumpty’.

Take it slowly, keep the mood light

under six months, your older baby or toddler will love a splash in the surf!

Just remember to stay in your depth, avoid inflatables, and keep hold of your little one at all times.

While you’re both having a splashy time, why not keep up the momentum and think about baby swimming lessons?

Not only is it one of the best things you can do to bond with your little one, it also develops learning skills, boosts confidence, improves co-ordination and enhances wellbeing.

And just think of all the extra fun you’ll be able to have the next time you go on holiday with your little water baby, there’ll be no stopping them!

and let your baby dictate the pace of progress and how long you spend in the water.

A question we’re often asked at this time of year is whether it’s safe to take your baby in the sea.

While it’s too cold and salty for babies

Multi-award winning Water Babies classes across Leicestershire and Rutland are run by Chris and Charlie Craven. Their next term starts in September and places fill up quickly, so give them a call on 01664 567302 or email them at www.surfthewave.co.uk to find out more.

/// AUGUS T 2017 3 7

37 BODY water babies OK.indd 35

23/07/2017 18:59

ACTIVE BODY

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With flywire-inspired overlays for excellent support just where you need it, the Nike Pro Hyper classic padded bra features a mesh racerback to keep you cool.

Price £27 From www.prodirectrunning.com 3. Nike women’s running shorts The Nike Dry Modern Tempo shorts feature sweat-wicking fabric for lasting comfort and mesh panels for breathability. Nike Dry Fabric wicks sweat away from your skin to help keep you dry and comfortable.

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The Rylinda running T-shirt is ideal for any athletic discipline – the DryPlus technology wicks away any moisture from the skin surface to aid the evaporation of sweat and therefore thermoregulation.

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Bloc’s hand-finished frames utilise tough, pliant Karbon TX core injected frames, with flexible, lightweight performance offering the best in comfort and fit. The virtually indestructible Karbon8 lens provides maximum UV protection, is distortion free and tinted to Category 3 for use in very bright conditions.

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The Duramo 5 Trail Running Shoes have been designed with mesh ventilation panels and heel cushioning for extra comfort, shock absorption and stability. They offer great traction and durability, a lace up front and padded ankle collar offer a secure and comfortable fit.

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7. Inov8 running jacket

The Inov8 Race Elite Raceshell is an ideal jacket for running in wet and cold conditions, as it’s fully waterproof while at the same time remaining breathable. The jacket can be easily packed down into a pocket, and is lightweight at 253g.

Price £117 From www.northernrunner.com

8. Quad Lock arm band mount

The Quad Lock sports armband is a convenient way to mount your phone, quickly and easily, whether you run, jog or go to the gym. With the armband you are only a click away from easy access to your smartphone.

Price £29.99 From www.rutlandcycling.com

3 8 A U G U S T 2 0 17 ///

7.

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Weekly Local Classes

Fun and skills that could save your child’s life s held... classe

We feel incredibly proud that we’ve helped save a number of very young children’s lives after they’ve fallen into water and survived – thanks to the skills they learned with us.

Leicester, Loughborough, Oakham, Uppingham, Grantham and Melton Mowbray

Our world-class teachers could have trained as private pilots – five times over – in the time it takes to fully qualify with us. You can trust us to take the very best care of you and your little one.

To give your baby a splashing start call

01664 567 302 Let’s teach your baby to swim!

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Holiday fun for 2017 at Uppingham

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39.indd 1

With a wide range of different courses and camps for children and adults in the summer holidays, there really is something to suit all interests!

Music Science Sport

Drama Art Baking

Technology Creative Writing

Residential options are offered on all courses held in the summer.

Subsidised places are available on a number of courses courtesy of the Windmill House Trust.

For further information and to book:www.uppinghamsummerschool.co.uk summerschool@uppingham.co.uk 01572 820800 Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

21/07/2017 10:01

ACTIVE BODY

ARE YOU READY FOR AYURVEDA? Is it time to get your mind and body in balance through a way of eating that goes back thousands of years?

Ayurveda is the traditional healing method of the Vedic culture from India.

It is said to be 2,000 to 5,000 years old, and is a Sanskrit word that translates as “the wisdom of life” or “the knowledge of longevity”.

In accordance with this definition, Ayurvedic medicine views health as much more than the absence of disease.

The wise seers and sages of the time, intuitively understanding the physiology and workings of the mind-body-spirit long before the advents of modern medicine, explained the basic principles of ayurveda as the mind and the body being inextricably connected, and nothing has more power to heal and transform the body than the mind.

In his book Cooking With Love, Vegetarian chef and author Keith Squires explains how Ayurveda can fit into a healthy diet.

Cooking with Love Before I start cooking, I always try to create a good intention. I take a few moments to focus on my breathing and think about the people I’m cooking for. I ask myself to add love and light to the food, then I light a candle and play some uplifting music.

In this book the most important message is all in the title, ‘Cooking with Love’.

Here I reveal everything you need to know about how to add that extra something to make your food unique and special. You’ll also learn fascinating facts about the nutrition, history, mythology and legends of my favourite ingredients.

A meat-free meal basically requires replacing meat with vegetable protein.

The best plant-based protein sources are pulses (beans and lentils), although many people tend to be a bit wary of them, thinking you have to be up all night soaking them.

Yes, some beans do need soaking but you don’t have to stand there watching them! In the Dru kitchen, we use mainly split pulses such as split lentils and split peas because they cook more quickly, or small pulses such as mung or adzuki beans.

Gut flora Gut flora are very important. The right

problems he encounters are caused by people simply staying up too late, eating at the wrong time or eating in a hurry. “I make my living from Westerners who skip lunch!” he joked.

With ayurveda, you can benefit a lot by just getting the basics right first.

ones help create a healthy environment in your digestive tract. But the wrong gut flora hinder digestion.

Undigested food creates toxins, no matter how healthily you eat.

Good gut flora are a bit like Scouts or Girl Guides on ‘bob-a-job week’. Keen and helpful, they will tidy up your digestive tract and help repair it, always putting your needs before theirs.

The bad bugs are more like unwelcome house guests who eat up all your nice food, create a mess and never clear up. Worst of all, they’re hard to get rid of!

Fats: the good, the bad and the ugly Knowing which fats and oils to eat (and which to avoid) has become ever more confusing with so many different opinions having been expressed over the last few decades.

I remember being told to eat margarine instead of butter. Then to avoid all saturated fats and to use refined, polyunsaturated fats instead.

But now we’re told that butter is better than margarine after all!

It might help to think of fats as the good, the bad and the ugly. Like the film of the same name, the good are not always well-behaved. The bad can sometimes be good, but the ugly can be relied on to be truly wicked!

Ayurveda Ayurveda is an ancient medical system used alongside yoga to create health and wellbeing, so naturally I use a lot of Ayurvedic principles in my cooking.

Some of these principles are quite simple, and just plain old common sense.

An Indian ayurvedic doctor once told me most of the western people who come to him want complicated herbal remedies, diet lists or in-depth therapies— when most of the health

The Three Doshas The idea of constitution types is not necessarily exclusive to ayurveda.

Indeed, traditional Chinese medicine has a similar system based on five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Until the 1800s, Western medicine was founded on the four humours, which originated in Greek and Roman philosophy.

All of these systems recognise that people are unique and have individual needs based on the balance of elements within them.

Know thyself Written in ancient Greek on the Apollo temple in Delphi, the dictum ‘know thyself’ is also crucial in ayurvedic healing.

An ayurvedic doctor can check your prakriti (ayurvedic type) from your pulse, or through vedic astrology.

Alternatively you can estimate it with questionnaires and checklists.

When you are healthy and wellbalanced, you are naturally attracted to the right foods and activities suited to your body type. However, when you are out of balance you will be attracted to the wrong foods and activities which make you worse. A perfect ‘catch 22’.

Ayurveda and yoga The main aim of ayurveda is to restore and maintain harmony in individuals so they can enjoy and offer their positive qualities to the world.

Unfortunately modern life encourages us to rush around, travel and eat at irregular times, all of which upset the delicate balance within us.

The good news is that yoga is the best way to balance all the constitution types. In fact it was designed to do just that! A good yoga session will have an activation and relaxation, a variety of postures and forward stretches balanced by backward bends. Yoga creates activity, but also inner stillness.

4 0 AUGUS T 2017 ///

40 BODY nutrition OK.indd 41

22/07/2017 15:06

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21/07/2017 10:05

ACTIVE BODY

THE FINISHING TOUCHES This month it’s all about our feet – from massage treatments to the latest killer heels to complete your summer outfit Edited by Mary Bremner

SHOES, GLORIOUS SHOES I have to admit I’m a bit of an Imelda Marcos when it comes to shoes and I’m not the only one.

The female of the species, and some males too, are susceptible to fabulous footwear. A girl can never have too many shoes, whatever anyone says. They are a thing of beauty, and sometimes the more impractical the better. They can be incredibly empowering, intimidating or downright sexy, or all three at once, which can be ideal at times.

A woman in a pair of killer heels – as long as she can walk in them – can be a

4 2 A U G U S T 2 0 17 ///

thing of great power and beauty. It always amazes (and amuses) me the number of people who comment on a certain pair of boots I have. They are low heeled, incredibly comfortable, and now getting slightly shabby from years of wear, but they are leopardskin print and I am stopped in the street by people when I wear them. Women often comment on other girls’ shoes – I am one of them – but men rarely do. But these boots always elicit comments from men too. They are fun, slightly quirky and elegant, and that’s what footwear should be about at times.

A good pair of shoes can transform an outfit. Sadly my days of killer heels are just about over. I usually walk everywhere and can’t be doing with not being able to stride out purposefully. I used to be able to do that in heels, but not any more. And the traditional market town cobbles aren’t always kind to high heels. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with your shoes.

Backless loafers, slides and slingbacks are what everyone is wearing this season; even the trainer is acceptable everywhere you go, and there are some fun ones to be had.

And finally...

Shoes for all occasions

Lois slingback heels £110 www.boden.co.uk

HOLISTIC MASSAGE A holistic massage is not like your traditional sports massage. Well it is, but it offers much more than just a massage to ease tight muscles. The holistic approach is much more personal. You meet your therapist and discuss your medical history – as per normal – but also discuss your lifestyle and mental wellbeing. A holistic massage is all about mind, body and spirit.

Your massage therapist is mindful of you as a whole rather than just a knot of aching muscles.

Emma Lannigan (Canham) works from her home in Market Deeping and offers many treatments including reiki and holistic massages and can combine the two. She is also a mental health first aider.

Emma is very well qualified, insured and a member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists. She came to therapy after a successful, stressful career where she had experienced depression.

Deciding that she “wanted to be happy”, she realised she had a connection to reiki and it developed from there. She then became a trained NLP (neuro linguistic programming) and hypnotherapist practitioner and coach and ITEC holistic massage therapist and after seven years of being a reiki master she is now a reiki teacher, too.

And she’s also written a book, ‘belifehappy: give, play, love, learn, about finding happiness for a lifetime’. So she has lots of experience and empathy and is all about helping people and offers one-toone coaching.

Many of her clients just want to commit to self care and include treatments such as reiki and holistic massage to support their fitness and emotional wellbeing.

Back to the massage. A holistic massage is a treatment that is intended to make you relax mentally as well as physically. The

therapist makes it clear that you are ‘allowed’ to relax, this is ‘your time’. It is often the first time that many people allow themselves to relax fully. The massage itself can take from 30 to 90 minutes, but regular holistic massage treatments include a 60-minute full body massage and is based on Swedish techniques. Firm pressure is applied, but not deep. It’s nothing like a sports massage which can sometimes be painful, albeit beneficial.

I started by laying on my front and had my back and legs massaged while gentle music with the sounds of the sea played in the background – all very soothing. Then it was arms, hands and fingers. The neck massage was fabulous and the muscle stretching that Emma did was really beneficial.

She finished with the front of my legs and feet, which I could have had massaged all day. I don’t think I’ve ever had my hands massaged before and I can’t understand why not. They are the part of your body that probably work the hardest and need the most care. It’s also strangely intimate having your hands held, almost like being a child again.

At the end I did feel I had completely relaxed. Emma’s room is a haven, I felt safe and secure and let her work her soothing hands on my aching limbs. She found the knots in my neck and eased them. I certainly felt reinvigorated when I left and will be back for more. www.emmalannigan.com Back, neck and shoulders (30 minutes, £25), holistic full body massage can include scalp, face and feet (60 minutes, £38 to £53 for a 90 minute session), reiki (£35 for 60 minutes), 1:1 coaching (£45/ hour). Packages available for regular clients.

Silver leopard print backless loafers £30 www.riverisland.com

Annette silver court shoe £53 www.dunelondon.com

Marilo Knotch ankle boots £75 www.topshop.com

Superga 2750 trainers £55 www.superga.co.uk

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D A IS DV VA CO A ILA U N N C E BL T TI E CK ET S

TICKE AVAIL TS AB ONLIN LE E!

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MEDIEVAL 19 & 2

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07/09/2016 12:53

21/07/2017 10:06

ACTIVE LOCAL A WALK ROUND HALLATON AND KEYWORTH, HOW TO PUT SOME BOUNCE BACK IN YOUR LIFE AND ALL THE LOCAL CRICKET NEWS AS THE SEASON HOTS UP

/// A U G U S T 2 0 17 4 5

ACTIVE LOCAL

A day in the life of

MARK WESTWOOD VETERINARY SURGEON AT PAWSQUAD

P

awSquad is a home visit veterinary service and currently there are 11 vets across the country who treat pets in their own home.

This reduces stress for both the pets and their owners – great news for cats and dogs who are nervous travellers or who hate being in clinics. Pets tend to tolerate a stranger coming into their home much more readily than being examined in a surgery; they often eye me up and walk in and out while I’m sitting having a chat with the owner.

A normal consultation at a veterinary practice is around 10 minutes and there’s always a big time pressure. Our consultations cost £48 and are 30 to 40 minutes long and I often spend more time with difficult cases. We carry enough medication to deal with the majority of cases I see every day. When you take time constraints away the job becomes a lot more enjoyable and thorough for the animal. I can also pick up clues in the home that you wouldn’t in the clinic.

Tailoring treatment to individual pets We provide a holistic, individually tailored service where the emphasis is always on the pet.

If I see a geriatric cat with a thyroid problem I won’t just treat the disease, I’ll look at how my patient interacts within its family, whether it takes tablets well and whether there’s something else going on. By spending more time, you get to the bottom of problems much more readily. It’s easy to see a dog with arthritis and give it the ‘standard’ arthritis medication; however, alongside modern medicines we will discuss using complementary treatments such as hydrotherapy and acupuncture and we always tailor the treatment to the individual animal. I am a qualified veterinary acupuncturist and my wife Rebecca is our registered veterinary nurse at PawSquad and she practices Canine Bowen Therapy. This is a manipulative therapy adapted from humans and is all about realigning muscle bodies and nerve bundles.

PawSquad gives me a lot of flexibility and there is no standard day. I get up and have breakfast with the children, then I may go to do a routine kitten vaccination first or a pet passport for people who are travelling abroad.

Because I work with Rebecca we flip appointments; six-month health checks or nail clips are better done by Rebecca, but others where I have to prescribe medicines or where an animal has deteriorated have to be carried out by me. We do some evening consultations, and

4 6 AUGUS T 2017 ///

‘Pets tolerate strangers coming into their homes more readily than being examined in a surgery’ often Saturday mornings. We try to be as flexible as possible but I still manage to have a great work/life balance.

We have a PawSquad app for iOS and Android so clients can log on to book appointments through the app or via our website. Clients can be at home at midnight and suddenly remember they need to get their pet vaccinated and they can book an appointment there and then for the next day. Clients can also message me directly via the app.

Our partner practice is Oakham Veterinary Hospital so if I’m not working late and you have an emergency at 10pm that’s who you will reach. We also have a web text chat service so you can speak to a vet via text or face-to-face with the video chat.

From time to time we have the unfortunate task of carrying out home euthanasia. Because end of life care is very important for the whole family as well as the animal I’m putting to sleep, I have to consider the humans and the other four-legged family members too. It’s always emotional but it’s normally a much better experience at home as we’re not rushed and everyone can be calm in their own environment.

We can have the bodies cremated and we can also return the ashes if the family wants.

Our area extends slightly past Oakham, Stamford, Bourne, Deeping, parts of Peterborough and Uppingham at the moment.

We’re not set up for large animals so we mainly treat dogs, cats and rabbits. We enjoy treating all species and have two English springer spaniels and a rescue cat ourselves.

I used to fly Harriers at RAF Wittering and Cottesmore but I retrained as a veterinary surgeon when I had a rescue dog and wanted to provide her with the very best care and attention I possibly could. Visiting pets at home allows me to continue my ethos to treat all pets the same way as I treat my own; being a PawSquad vet means I can provide treatment for pets in their family home, making the whole experience much less stressful for everyone. mark.westwood@pawsquad.com 01780 322032

EAST ANGLIA’S PREMIER GROUNDS CARE EQUIPMENT RETAILER

Ride-on & walk-behind mowers

Chainsaws, brush cutters & hedge trimmers

John Deere toys, models, clothing & merchandise

Open 7.30am - 5.30pm Mon-Fri, 8am - 12.30pm Sat Eldernell Lane, Coates, Peterborough PE7 2DD 01733 840777 | www.benburgess.co.uk

AT LAND ROVER BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS 2017 Come and meet talented artisans and producers selling unique, stylish and delicious products in CL’s Maker’s Marquee, located next to the Land Rover Arch by the cross-country course.

THIS YEAR’S EXHIBITORS INCLUDE: Tripster & Smith (homeware) Masons Yorkshire Gin (craft gin) Willy Chase’s (popcorn) Virginia’s Artisan Soap (beauty) Parkers Cufflinks (accessories) Indigo Boo (fashion) George Durdy (accessories) Lucinda Frances (fashion) Super-Skin (beauty) Petcap (accessories) Lavender Hill Clothing (fashion) SAHEL (fashion) Chase Distillery Shop (vodka & gin) Welligogs (fashion) Louisa Elizabeth (art & gifts) Wicks & Wax (homeware) Brock & Morten (rapeseed oil) Simone Micalef (jeweller) Gemma J (jeweller) By Sikora (accessories) Jina Gelder Illustration (artist) Heather Stowell (jeweller) Isabee (children’s clothing) Jelly Bean Photography (photos) Smash Porcelaine France (homeware) Christie Lloyd (art) Coban Rugs (homeware) Laughing Dog (pets) Geoff Davies (homeware) Muck Boots (footwear) PLUS the chance to win a CL sofa, pick up a special show offer for CL’s Interflora bouquets, and enjoy tea & homemade cake in our vintage Daisy’s Tea Room.

And do visit the Country Living Pavilion on Avenue A for more stylish shopping – we look forward to seeing you there!

CL Ad makers burghley 2017.indd 1 47.indd 1

05/07/2017 15:15 21/07/2017 10:00

ACTIVE LOCAL

OVER AND OUT Jess Lamb rounds up the 321 Challenge We have finally reached the finish line – three people, three months, three half marathons, six full ones and 196.5 miles of running, as well as at least three toenails lost. The 321 Marathon Challenge has finally come to an end.

The final marathon was the Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromso, Norway – a tiny city with some of the most spectacular views I have ever seen, with a mirror-like fjord and snow capped mountains towering over a collection of picture-perfect buildings. The skyline was dominated by a 50-metre high bridge which we had to run up during the marathon, twice, but is absolutely beautiful. Running aside, if you ever get the chance to visit this place, do so.

The race began at 8:30pm, which was a challenge itself. Rather than just getting up and going, Alex and I spent the whole day in nervous anticipation. I let my nerves take over when running the Rome marathon so this time I was determined to keep positive with a big smile on my face, and it worked. With the breathtaking scenery and a lot of remarkably cheery runners around us, this marathon from start to finish was an absolute pleasure for everyone (except Alex’s toenails). We finished at 1am with a time of 4:33:34 – 15 minutes faster than Rome and a completely different running

experience. It was brilliant to end the challenge on such a high.

And now it’s all over, and what a three months it has been. Alex, James and I have been so lucky to experience some beautiful places and have a lot of fun; but we haven’t lost sight of the ultimate goal which was to raise money for two very worthy causes. So far we have raised a grand total of £2,300 for Stamford’s own Pelargos Foundation and Parkinson’s UK thanks to generous donations from friends and family and a rather lairy pub quiz and charity auction organised with the Pelargos team. It’s not too late to donate, our Virgin Money Giving page is still open, you can donate via the link at the bottom of the page.

But, will any of the 321 Team ever want to run again? At the moment we are prioritising a glass of wine and a pizza over anything else, but in future, who knows? I have a place for the Perkins Great Eastern Run in October, we’ve all signed up to the London Marathon entry ballot for 2018 and Alex – a glutton for punishment – has even mentioned an ‘ultra’ run of 148 miles from Hull to Stamford. We all love a challenge and you never know where the next one might pop up. www.virginmoneygiving.com/ team/321marathonchallenge

Disaster strikes for Iceland trekker Thorpe Hall Hospice nurse Sylvia Reid has suffered a massive set back during final preparations for her Iceland Trek which looks likely to scupper her chances of taking on the challenge.

During a training weekend in the Lake District with her family, Sylvia noticed her left ankle was swelling. She continued with her planned walks, covering 18 miles over three days, but the pain in her ankle increased. When she sought medical advice Sylvia was distraught to discover she had suffered a hairline fracture in her ankle.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Sylvia. “I’d done everything right, carefully following a training programme drawn up for me, breaking in my equipment and increasing the intensity of my training. I didn’t fall or twist my ankle, it was just the steady pressure on it that caused the fracture.”

Sylvia’s left ankle is now in a supportive boot.

But five weeks before the trekkers are due to fly out to Iceland it looks unlikely Sylvia will be fit to join them. “I’m gutted,” she said. “I set myself this challenge to mark my 60th birthday and so much

4 8 AUGUS T 2017 ///

has been focused on it. I’ve trained really hard and spent a lot of time and effort fund-raising. I’ve had such brilliant support from so many people I feel I am letting them down. But as a nurse I know I have to follow the medical advice I am being given.”

Sylvia’s attention is now turning towards supporting her fellow trekkers Catherine Cole and Alison Chisnall.

Catherine said: “Alison and I are both so upset that she may not be able to join us. But she has said that we have to do it for her – and come back and share all our experiences.”

All three ladies have been raising money for Thorpe Hall Hospice and have banked around £7,000 to date. They will be joining trekkers from around the country raising money for other Sue Ryder hospices on the five day challenge due to leave on August 10.

Sue Ryder has announced its international treks and challenges for next year. If you’d like to follow in Sylvia and Catherine’s footsteps go to www.sueryder.org or call Thorpe Hall’s fund-raising team on 01733 225999.

LONDON TO PARIS BY PEDAL POWER

Meet Dan Griffin and Fergal McNamara who are donning their cycling shorts and planning to ride 300 miles in four days from London to Paris in September to raise money for The Matt Hampson Foundation.

They chose this charity as they both play for Stamford’s First XV, and particularly wanted to raise money for Seb Goold who was seriously injured when he fell from a moving coach on the way back from a tournament in 2014.

Dan, who went to Stamford School, is a new business executive for Alchemy Utilities. A seasoned campaigner when it comes to fund-raising, he has already run the London marathon and completed many other running challenges so told Fergal

he was happy to do “anything but run” to fund-raise this time.

Fergal works in Corby and lives just outside Stamford. He’s a newcomer to the area and got to know Dan at the rugby club.

The lads thought they were pretty fit playing rugby and training regularly, but have found, to their cost, that 80 minutes playing in a match and then heading to the bar does not measure up when it comes to cycling 300 miles.

They are both putting in as much training as they can. Dan is doing about 100 miles a week, as well as training at Fusion 3 Fitness, who are being very supportive, even lending them an exercise bike to raise funds in Morrison’s where they collected £400. His longest ride so far has been 50 miles but he is now starting to increase this as they will be ranging between 70 and 95 miles daily on the ride. Fergal is getting out twice a week on the bike, going to the gym and doing touch rugby sessions as well.

To donate go to www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/GriffandFergalgocycling.

The rules of the game Harry Brooks tells us more about The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race that he has entered...

“August 20 in Liverpool is the start of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and I can’t wait.

The boats will be away from the UK for 11 months. I’ll be updating you every month.

“To understand how the Clipper race works you must think of it at as a year long championship, which is broken down into eight legs, and further divided into 16 individual races.

“There are a few extras thrown in to make it more exciting.

Scoring gates are two co-ordinates situated off the racing line that will give three points to the first yacht to cross, two for the second and one for the third.

“Teams are able to go into stealth mode for up to 48 hours over a leg. This means that their position is hidden from the other

yachts, and race viewers at home.

This allows a team to chase a weather system without their rivals knowing. Jokers may also be played for one leg per boat which will double all finish line points.

“Penalty points will be deducted for any violation of the rules, or damaged equipment.

“If that sounds complicated don’t worry, I shall be on hand to explain all of this as it happens for the first four legs of the race before I join the fleet in Australia at the end of the year. “ https://clipperroundtheworld.com

IT’S TIME TO FOCUS It’s not long until D-day now – October 8 is only a couple of months away so it’s time to seriously focus on the race and enjoy some good training runs.

Joanna Espin is now halfway through her challenge to run 12 marathons in 12 months. Last month was Southend and it was a hot one.

But there were plenty of water stations and, towards the end of the race, there were people with hosepipes and water pistols to keep the runners cool. “It all added to the fun of the day and did help me cool down, but by the time I finished I was soaked and had some very squelchy trainers!”

Never mind, she jumped in the sea afterwards, fully clothed, and had a good float around. A good tip from Joanna is to keep drinking, even if it’s a couple of sips and then pour the rest on your head as it helps keep you cool.

Both Dan and Joanna recommend at this stage to be fitting in a long run once a week, or fortnight – 10 or 11 miles should be sufficient. As Dan says: “If you can run 10 miles, you will definitely be able to run 13. It’s more of a mind game than anything.”

Joanna agrees: “The mental preparation is as important as the physical. Self-belief is what it’s all about. Focus on why you are running in the first place, and the charity you are supporting. I always find that helps.”

If you run with a club you should be used to people around

you when it comes to the race.

Dan says not to worry too much if you are used to running alone as, before long, once you are out of the pen and have set your pace you will find others running at the same rate as you, “and you always have a chat, which adds to the fun and the camaraderie really helps”.

Joanna and Dan both say, at this stage, it’s important to be eating well and getting plenty of early nights.

Remember to keep stretching daily to keep yourself supple.

Joanna also recommends adding Epsom salts to your bath as it helps absorbs magnesium, which is a great way to help relax muscles.

Both Joanna and Dan are regulars with Jonny Hands at Fusion 3 Fitness. “Regular maintenance is important”, says Joanna. Sports therapist Jonny keeps on top of any niggles either of them have and offers advice and support at the same time.

Keep up with the runs, pop a few long ones in and vary your route and your pace to stop boredom setting in.

Before you know it the race will be upon you so it’s time to keep focused.

Jonny Hands, tel: 07879 368074 jonny.hands@aol.com

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ACTIVE LOCAL /// Trampolining

FLIGHT CLUB Jeremy Beswick discovers there is much more to trampolining than just bouncing up and down Photography: Pip Warters

5 0 AUGUS T 2017 ///

A CONFESSION: I have limited personal sports experience of bouncing. Hitherto, mine has nearly always involved cannoning violently off ugly prop forwards (they’re always ugly) and, inevitably, that was to the disadvantage of my physical well-being. Even that was much longer ago than I care to remember, so when Active suggested that I try trampolining I was looking forward to re-acquainting myself, in a somewhat gentler environment, to the noble art of rebounding several feet with as much dignity and aplomb as one can muster.

This feeling endured even in spite of the contribution of Pip the photographer, who’d helpfully boosted my self-confidence by replying to the news of our imminent assignment, and therefore my own participation, with a text message that read – and this is in full: “hahahahahaha”. Undaunted, I rolled up at Catmose College to one of Oakham woman Amanda Mather’s several regular classes.

Amanda runs a club that caters for elite gymnasts, but also for kids from four years up, complete beginners including adults and, as we shall see, a particular love of hers, those with special needs. She herself was a fine young athlete, holding the county record for the high jump

PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORT

for her age in both Rutland and then, when at boarding school, Somerset. She started trampolining at the age of 10.

I asked her if she could remember back all those years to her first go, and she could: “It was just the best feeling in the world. There’s a freedom about it.”

She’s not alone in that. Having had more time to think about how to put it, British Gymnastics sound no less enamoured, saying: “You’re upside down, 20 feet in the air, experiencing a moment of weightlessness. For an instant, time seems to stand still. You peer down at the faces far below you, reach out to touch the sky and think to yourself: so this is how it feels to fly.”

Amanda continued: “It’s a discipline for everyone that you can start at any age.”

Indeed, she told me I wasn’t the first 60-year-old to show up to have a try and added: “Even if you begin as late as 18 you’ve still got time to be good enough to compete in the Olympics. For the little ones it’s great for co-ordination and balance. I particularly love my special needs kids. One girl came to us with callipers, bent over double, and after two months she could straighten up and extend her arms. That’s every bit as rewarding as coaching the elite athletes.”

Amanda won’t mind me telling you that we had to change the subject for a little while at that point as she touchingly became, shall we say, a little misty-eyed, so meanwhile let’s hear from parent Neil Mullinger.

Neil explained that his son Luke is non-verbal autistic and is full of praise for Amanda.

“She’s doing a terrific service for the community,” he said. “She and her daughter Sam and son Harry are so tolerant and understanding of the special needs kids and have seemingly endless patience. Harry is Luke’s main trainer and, because of the communication issue, the way it has to work is that Harry does something and Luke copies him.

“My son’s now got to British Gymnastics level 9, which is an amazing and wonderful achievement. We can tell he so looks forward to going and his behaviour at home afterwards is much calmer too, due to the sense of achievement and release of energy he gets, so that really improves our lives at home.”

However, the class I was attending that evening was for mainstream children and I also spoke to two mums whose daughters thankfully don’t have such challenges – and they were just as positive about the side benefits. Karen

Above

While trampolining is undoubtedly fun, the club has progressed many local youngsters through the national grading system. Oakham woman Amanda Mather runs several classes during the week at Catmose College

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ACTIVE LOCAL /// Trampolining

Cramphorn has had three children attend and daughter Rebecca, 11, was there that night.

“Amanda went along to her primary school and she liked it so much she joined,” said Karen. “She loves it.

She’s just mastered a new move and there’s a real sense of achievement for her moving up the levels.”

Lisa Hewitt’s daughter Elizabeth has been coming for about five years and added: “It’s great exercise, it teaches them to be disciplined and helps them form a different social circle away from the school.”

It was time to talk to the children themselves. A few highlights from my conversation with Bailey-Mai and Eden, who are 11 and 8 respectively, follow. “The coaches teach us really well. It’s really great fun. I like learning new skills. You feel proud of yourself when you do something new. I was quite nervous at the start but you soon get over it. It’s so exciting.”

Earlier, mum Lisa had added: “There are also lessons to be learnt about responsibility and looking out for others because when it’s not your turn you have to ‘spot’ to make sure everyone’s safe.”

If not done properly, with qualified supervision, this sport can be dangerous. As trampoline parks open across the country, of varying quality, and with home versions now to be found in many a back garden, there have been around 6,000 injuries in the last three years – there were almost none recorded before 2010 – so it’s good to know

PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORT

that with Amanda’s classes the sport is as safe as it could possibly be.

“Among our class members we’ve 24 primary schools represented, 19 secondary schools plus colleges and people at work on top,” said Amanda. “Every child is insured and we compete at the Leicestershire and Rutland County Championship, which we hosted in 2015 thanks to a Rutland Council sports grant, and have taken more than 70 children there of all ages and abilities, but the great thing is everyone here’s made new friends. Our emphasis is you’re coming here to have fun. By the way, isn’t it time you had a go?”

I can’t claim to have felt, in the only couple of minutes I’d ever done, “so this is how it feels to fly”. It was more “so this is how a heavy lump gets off the ground” to be honest, but I can report that it was like nothing else I’d ever tried – and in a good way. It was strangely challenging and addictive, and when I’d finished I was immediately thinking how I could have done better, not “travelled” so much across the mat and stayed central, regretting that I’d not been more adventurous in terms of height and so on.

It was a shame that there was not enough time for a second go, but I obviously had to ensure that, under the most severe peer pressure, Pip the photographer had to try it as well.

Revenge is sweet. Hahahahahaha!

Above

The club caters for all ages and abilities, including a hairy 60-year old Active correspondent pictured enjoying his first taste of the sport

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ACTIVE LOCAL Ride-out

SUMMER RIDES Rutland Cycling’s Sally Middlemiss suggests some great rides for you and the family over the summer holidays The summer holidays are a great time to get out and about cycling with the kids, and we really are spoiled for choice with safe, traffic-free local cycle routes that are perfect for a family pedal.

I’ve picked my family’s favourites below – I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

HELP YOUR CHILD LEARN TO RIDE When: Friday, August 11, 1.30-3pm Where: Sykes Lane, Rutland Water Come along to this free, informal session led by Sally and Lizzy, both British Cycling ride leaders and local mums.

They’ll offer advice on how to help your child ride a bike, with plenty of encouragement and the opportunity to practice in a safe, traffic-free environment.

Places are limited for the event, so if you’d like to go along, email breeze@rutlandcycling.com

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RUTLAND WATER

Right on our doorstep, Rutland Water is perfect for kids of all ages, with up to 23 miles of trafficfree cycling. For the little ones, I’d recommend the surfaced section between Whitwell and Normanton (an 8-mile round trip; the flattest section is between Normanton and Sykes Lane).

For older, more adventurous kids looking for a challenge, the 17-mile circuit makes a great cycling day out. Add on the peninsula section around Hambleton for a 23-mile route – definitely worthy of a celebratory ice cream!

En route, there are plenty of refreshment stops, picnic areas and adventure playgrounds, as well as nature reserves and birdwatching hides at Lyndon and Egleton. Plus, if you’ve any energy left there’s also a climbing wall, Aqua Park, sandy beach, adventure playground, bug zoo, funfair and mini golf. Cycle maps and bike hire available at Whitwell and Normanton car parks.

BURGHLEY PARK, STAMFORD

Burghley Park is a great place to take younger children cycling.

There are a couple of miles of surfaced road, with a wide grass verge on either side, so it’s a good place to practise riding skills in a safe environment.

Plus, when you arrive at Burghley Park, there’s the added bonus of the Garden of Surprises and the café!

FERRY MEADOWS

On the western edge of Peterborough, Ferry Meadows Country Park is a peaceful haven for wildlife, including herons, otters and swans – you wouldn’t believe you were a stone’s throw from the city centre.

There are miles of flat, easy traffic-free trails to explore, with a couple of waymarked trails. The family trail is four miles long; the boathouse trail is 7.5 miles long, and you could further extend this to ride alongside the River Nene right into the city centre.

There’s certainly enough at Ferry Meadows for an active day out – adventure playgrounds, a couple of excellent cafes, birdwatching hides, picnic areas, a miniature railway, kayaks and

pedaloes, geocaching and skippered boat trips on the Captain Folly.

Another option is to take your bikes on the Nene Valley steam train – we like to park our car at Wansford, catch the train to Ferry Meadows with our bikes (plenty of room for them in the guard’s van), enjoy a pedal around the park, then return to Wansford, where there’s a great volunteers’ café at the station, serving kids’ lunchboxes and generous portions of cake.

Cycle maps and bike hire available at Lakeside, Ferry Meadows.

PITSFORD WATER

On the edge of Northampton in Brixworth Country Park, Pitsford reservoir makes a lovely family day out.

The scenic 7-mile trail around the reservoir is just right for younger kids, while families with older children can join the traffic-free Brampton Valley Way, which stretches for 14 miles between Northampton and the pretty town of Market Harborough.

There are adventure playgrounds, picnic areas and a great café with very good ice cream!

Cycle maps and bike hire available at Pitsford Water.

FINESHADE WOOD

Always popular with our children, Fineshade Wood is a Forestry Commission centre just 10 minutes from Stamford or Corby and suits kids of all ages.

For the younger ones, there are short loops that never stray too far from the café and the lovely wooden adventure playground at Top Lodge, and they’ll also love the Gruffalo Trail (you can pick up a Spotter pack at Top Lodge).

Older kids with mountain bikes will love tackling the longer five-mile cycle trail, including several singletrack skills loops – fun for parents, too!

There’s also an excellent adventure play area for kids aged 6+, located a few minutes’ pedal from Top Lodge, and plenty of den-building opportunities in the wooded areas alongside the trail.

Nature enthusiasts will enjoy spotting red kites overhead, deer and abundant wildflowers.

Cycle maps and bike hire available at Top Lodge.

particularly scenic section through the Wildlife Trust reserve, with lots of nature-spotting opportunities.

Along the cycle route, you’ll find plenty of picturesque picnic spots, children’s play areas at Marlow and Mander car parks, several birdwatching hides and an ornamental garden.

There’s also a visitor centre and café.

Cycle maps and bike hire available at Marlow car park.

GRAFHAM WATER

There are 10 miles of peaceful, traffic-free waterside trails at Grafham Water, including a

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ACTIVE LOCAL Great walks

HALLATON AND KEYWORTH A stunning village makes the perfect base for this rural stroll. By Will Hetherington Photography: Will Hetherington

Difficulty rating (out of five)

THE ROUTE

Park somewhere near the Fox Inn in Hallaton and take the footpath which heads north-west away from the pub.

The first two or three small fields on this route are laid out for horse grazing and there is a sequence of gaps in the electric fences to make it easy for people and dogs to pass through. Once you have got through the horses it’s straight out into the open country and rolling hills beyond as the path gradually moves uphill for a kilometre of arable fields.

Then you reach a piece of woodland on the right as the path drops down towards Hallaton Spinneys with lovely views of Isset’s Lodge to the left. When you reach the bottom there should be enough water in the stream for the dog to cool off

5 6 AUGUS T 2 0 17 ///

on a hot day and have a drink. From the stream it’s a gradual uphill stretch across the fields towards Keythorpe Hall Farm and The Lakes Buildings. When you reach the farm go all the way through and turn left on to the Midshires Way. For the first kilometre this takes the form of a road as it goes steeply uphill towards Keythorpe Lodge Farm, an attractive square old manor.

Once you have passed the lodge the road runs out and you continue on the footpath, enjoying some stunnning views to the south and west for a further kilometre, until you reach a well marked left turn in the hedge on the left hand side. Take this turn and follow the clearly laid out path eastwards and just to the south of Hallaton Wood. Move gradually downhill through the fields until you reach Goadby Road where there’s another opportunity to let the dogs have a dip in the stream.

You can walk all the way back into Hallaton on the road which will take you straight back to the Fox Inn, but I took another path off the road into the lower section of the village to see the church

and the Bewicke Arms and the charming little Hare Pie Cafe in the car park. It’s a stunning village and well worth exploring before you head home.

Clockwise, from above

It’s pretty easy underfoot most of the way around; lovely views in the rolling hills of east Leicestershire; The Fox Inn; Hallaton is one of the finest villages in the area

TOP STAT

fé is located in The Hare Pie Ca block in the ble sta a converted cke Arms wi Be the car park of ws vie ely lov s ha and Hill across Hare Pie e. from the terrac

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WHERE TO PARK Somewhere near the Fox Inn on the northern edge of the village.

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ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

DISTANCE AND TIME Five and a half miles/one and three quarter hours.

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HIGHLIGHTS Beautiful rolling Leicestershire countryside. Hallaton is one of the finest villages in the area. Two good pubs.

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START

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LOWLIGHTS The first section passes through a number of horse paddocks but there is an obvious alternative route if you want it.

REFRESHMENTS The Fox Inn, the Bewicke Arms and the Hare Pie Cafe.

DIFFICULTY RATING Three paws; some steep hills but it’s mostly good underfoot and there aren’t too many tricky stiles.

THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE The route passes the same stream at two opportune moments and it’s mostly arable so it’s a good one for the dogs.

For your own safety and navigation make sure you have an OS map with you when you go out walking. You won’t regret it.

©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2017 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 044/17

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21/07/2017 10:00

ACTIVE LOCAL Sportsman's dinner

The Paper Mills, Wansford Steve and Chris enjoy supper in a village pub with an international flavour. By Steve Moody The Paper Mills at Wansford is a village pub that most villages would kill for. Big enough to always have space for you, small enough to still have plenty of snug, country character. And, as it turns out, the food is pretty good too.

I thought as he pays the bills I ought to take publisher Chris with me, and as he is a man of tastes and sophistication, the perfect person to assess food.

We sat in the bar area to start, pondering over the menus each accompanied by a pint of Nene Valley Brewery’s BSA before moving to eat in the dining room, which is a nice, airy conservatory at the back of the pub. Although if you want some old worlde charm for your meal there are plenty of little alcoves and corners throughout the pub to settle down in.

The menu really is excellent – I could have easily closed my eyes stuck my finger on the page and been happy with my choice.

There’s a choice of food that is clearly influenced by the countries fringing the Mediterranean, although there are plenty of English and global staples on there too if Sicilian caponata and halloumi, grilled Moroccan chicken salad, gnocchi and ras el hanout spiced lamb rump aren’t your things.

I opted for the Moroccan chicken salad, which comes with yoghurt and mango chutney dressing. The perfectly cooked, juicy chicken had

a tangy, slightly spicy and floral rub, which gave it an ever so slightly dry, crispy coating, while the yoghurt and chutney offered the perfect sweet and sour accompaniment. It’s a really good combination.

Chris opted for the baked king prawns to start, which were topped with parmesan and served with a smoked sweet chilli jam and dressed leaves.

There was certainly no complaining with the staff recommendation coming from the other side of the table. He followed it up with another recommendation, the supreme of free range chicken, which comes with Parisienne potatoes, sautéed green vegetables, smoked garlic puree, forest mushrooms and truffle jus and I must admit it looked great.

Chris assured me that the chicken was as juicy as my starter and the flavours all worked seamlessly together, especially with a nice crisp glass of sauvignon blanc on the side.

For the main, I went for the beef bavette, which comes with sauteed green vegetables, rocket, parmesan and garlic and thyme sauteed potaotes. I asked for the steak rare, because bavette can be a little tough if you have it cooked any more than that, and it came out perfectly. In fact, what really impressed me was that this is a very simple dish, with no fancy sauces to hide any imperfections, but to be good everything

needs to be cooked perfectly. Just good oil, fresh ingredients and well seasoned.

It didn’t disappoint. The meat was perfectly tender and melting, the potatoes tasty and with just the right amount of crispiness while the beans had a nice snap to them. It reminded me of the type of food you get in very good French restaurants: simple, elegant and beautifully cooked.

The chef, Marcel Acostoaie, explained his principles of cooking afterwards as classic food with a twist, some Asian influences (the teryyaki salmon is a favourite apparently) and the menu changes depending on what is local and fresh. I can see why.

There certainly are influences from all round the world, but the food is not that messy, odd fusion stuff you get in some places, where chefs are trying too hard to marry about 20 different ingredients.

Hardly any of the dishes have more than half a dozen ingredients, and it is to Marcel’s credit that he is confident enough to present high quality food like that.

The Paper Mills

London Road Wansford, Peterborough PE8 6JB, 01780 782328. www.thepapermills.co.uk

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21/07/2017 10:00

ACTIVE LOCAL Schools

1,000 children compete in Summer Championships North Charnwood were crowned 2016/17 School Games Champions after an actionpacked Summer Championships, which is part of the Leicester-Shire & Rutland School Games Programme.

Held at Uppingham School Sports Centre, more than 1,000 aspiring athletes represented their school and areas. Teams competed in quadkids athletics, kwik cricket, swimming, tri-golf, hockey, netball, sportsability and the Change 4 Life Festival.

The day kicked off with the energetic Rutland Youth Dance Academy, who got athletes, teachers and parents out of their seats and ready for the activities ahead. They were followed by GO GOLD funded 400m hurdler Ben Higgins, who is set to compete at the National School Games in August.

Three hours of high quality action followed, with teams aiming to become county champions in their respective competition and give their partnership valuable points on the medals table.

Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport, in partnership with the School Sport & Physical Activity Networks (SSPANs), deliver the Leicester-Shire & Rutland School Games Programme, which is a unique opportunity to motivate and inspire young people to take part in more competitive school sport. It is open to all young people aged 5-18 years, of all abilities and backgrounds from every school.

Claire Jarvis, school games manager from Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport, said: “This year has seen another fantastic School Games Summer Championships, with over 1,000 young people attending and competing. The young athletes were inspired by GO GOLD athlete Ben Higgins, who started his journey at school

Kwik Cricket Year 5/6 Mixed • Winners: West Leicester • Spirit of the Games Winners: Rutland Quicksticks Hockey Year 3/4 Mixed • Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth • Spirit of the Games Winners: Melton & Belvoir Quicksticks Hockey Year 5/6 Mixed • Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth • Spirit of the Games Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth games athletics and is now competing nationally and internationally in the 400m hurdles alongside studying for his GCSEs! He is also set to compete at the UK National School Games, which take place in Loughborough again this year.”

The National School Games Finals take place at Loughborough University from August 31 to September 3.

Results Quadkids Athletics Year 3/4 Mixed • Winners: North West Leicestershire • Spirit of the Games Winners: South Charnwood Quadkids Athletics Year 5/6 Mixed • Winners: West Leicester • Spirit of the Games Winners: North West Leicestershire Kwik Cricket Year 5/6 Girls • Winners: Blaby & Harborough • Spirit of the Games Winners: Rutland

Netball Year 5/6 High 5 Mixed • Winners: Oadby & Wigston • Spirit of the Games Winners: Melton & Belvoir Sportsability Key Stage 2 Mixed Pan Disability • Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth • Spirit of the Games Winners: Melton & Belvoir Swimming Year 5/6 Mixed • Winners: Blaby & Harborough • Spirit of the Games Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth Tri-Golf Year 3/4 Mixed • Winners: Blaby & Harborough • Spirit of the Games Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth Tri Golf Year 5/6 Mixed • Winners: North Charnwood • Spirit of the Games Winners: East Leicester Change 4 Life Festival Year 3/4 Mixed • Spirit of the Games Winners: North Charnwood

NEW NETBALL CLUB OPENS IN STAMFORD A new Stamford and Rutland Junior Netball Club has been launched to offer team sport to children aged 7-11, and the initial session saw 23 children take to the court.

The club is being run by Tina Sayers, Kerry Gardner and Megan Sayers, and their aim is to bring netball to a very young audience.

Tina said: “We are all mums with young children, and while there are lots of sports clubs in the area there’s no netball for very young children, and there are very few team sports targeted at girls.

“While we welcome and encourage boys to join us, our aim is to help build a club, and eventually a league, which offers team sport to girls, helping them to get a very early positive

introduction to team sport, which leads to a lifelong love of sport and exercise and helps build high self-esteem.”

Sessions are being held on a pay-as-youplay basis while the founders run trial sessions from July to September, in order to understand

if there is enough interest to continue through the year.

Kerry added: “Judging by the first session, there’s a real need for this kind of offering in the area.”

Megan was delighted with the attendance, saying: “We really enjoyed working with the children and we’re so excited to see how this club can develop!”

Sessions are held on Wednesdays from 6pm-7pm at Stamford Junior School netball courts and cost £3. The group has a Facebook page (Stamford and Rutland Junior Netball Club) through which there is regular communication, or Tina can be contacted at tina.sayers@mccain.co.uk.

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Brooke Priory School enjoyed great success in the swimming pool at the IAPS Gala. The years V and VI boys

21/07/2017 16:59

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19/07/2017 12:56

ACTIVE LOCAL Schools

Cycling tour route announced The organisers of the Tour de Leicestershire are on the lookout for cyclists for the fourth year of this highly popular event.

Organiser Neil Tansley said: “This is the fourth year we will circumnavigate the city of Leicester on beautiful roads for a local Leicester charity. Each year we find a new route. This year we stop at Hungarton and Arnesby. We try to keep our event as inclusive as possible with 56 mile and 80 mile routes.

“The route starts and ends at Desford. We raise funds for the Leicester based charity Open Hands which helps some of the most vulnerable adults and families in Leicester, and we were awarded a Queens charity award last year.”

The Tour de Leicestershire usually attracts between 100 and 200 riders.

Two rides are available this year - the main sportif at 80 miles, and a shorter route of 56 miles. There are three feeding stations on route, staffed and sourced by volunteers, and all riders receive a ‘goody bag’ at the end.

Entry is £30 via the British Cycling website and more details about the ride can be found at www.openhandsleicester.org.uk

Mums take on walking challenge for charity A group of mums are planning to take on a coast-to-coast challenge in aid of charity.

Nicola Isaac, Claire Temple, Laura Abbot and Emily Parsons, from Stamford, are looking to complete the 34-mile South Coast Challenge on August 26, beginning in Eastbourne and following the south coast until they reach Hove, in an estimated time of eight to 10 hours.

Claire sadid: “The driving force behind our challenge is to raise both awareness and crucial funding for Great Ormond Street (GOSH), a charity which is very close to our hearts. Great

Ormond Street Hospital provides care for a very special little girl called Ffion.”

Ffion was diagnosed at 11 months, following pneumococcal meningitis, with multiple brain cavernomas. Cavernomas are blood vessel malformations that can leak blood into the surrounding brain tissue and cause damage, like mini strokes and can happen at any time.

The women began training for the event in January, and they meet at least once a week to train, usually in the evenings once all our children are in bed.

They will be holding a fund-raising event to raise money on behalf of Team Ffion on August 14 at the King’s Head in Stamford. The landlord has kindly opened the premises specifically for the event and there will be a raffle drawn on the night. Tickets can be purchased on the door or beforehand via email. All proceeds from the night will go directly to the chosen charity, Great Ormond Street Hospital.

To pre-purchase tickets or buy raffle tickets (£5 for 5 tickets) please email: walkingmums4@yahoo.com. www.justgiving.com/fundraising/teamffion

BIRDFAIR RETURNS TO RUTLAND WATER Described as the birdwatchers’ Glastonbury, Birdfair – at Rutland Water this month from August 18-20 – encompasses the whole spectrum of the birdwatching industry whilst at the same time supporting global bird conservation.

This is the event of the year if you’re into birds and wildlife with hundreds of stands selling the latest products for wildlife enthusiasts.

You’ll find everything, from scopes to sculptures, binoculars to bird food, eGuides to eco-holidays.

Every day there is a packed programme of events, with three separate timetables that boast a fantastic variety of lectures. The Events Marquee hosts quiz shows, question and answer sessions, exclusive book launches and family-based entertainment.

The Birdfair Auction offers you the chance to bid for a whole host of lots, donated by our exhibitors, ranging from holidays, to artwork, to unique one-off experiences, with all the monies raised going directly to this year’s Birdfair project.

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Brooke Priory School enjoyed great success in the swimming pool at the IAPS Gala. The years V and VI boys

21/07/2017 17:00

Roundup The scores, star performers and stats from a month in local sport

Cricket

Oakham take action to climb off the bottom of the table

BY JEREMY BESWICK

O

akham have at last started to turn their season around and are no longer at the foot of the Everards First Division table following an overwhelming winning draw against Loughborough seconds and an outright win against Houghton and Thurnby.

Last month skipper Richard Martin had told us that they wouldn’t be at the bottom of the table for long, as he saw their availability issues easing soon and his prediction has been spot on.

He said: “We are starting to get a good side together now and I expect us to give a much better account of ourselves moving forward.”

Two new players – and one returning – have indeed strengthened the side. The returner is star batsman Cameron Flowers, back to join his older brother Calvin in the line-up after a sojourn in his native South Africa, and the new boys, both from Oakham School, are a tale of two Eds – Ed Tattersall, who bats left handed but bowls with his right, and Ed Siddle, who can also both bat and bowl a bit.

Tattersall contributed a useful 20 with the bat and then bagged three wickets in that game against Loughborough, one that bowler Charlie Baker described as revitalising their season, and Flowers scored a rapid-fire 38.

But the headlines from that day must go to Wes Durston who landed the hundredth 100 of his career with “a fantastic innings”, according to Parker who, writing on the club’s website, said: “Twenty six years ago, 10-yearold Wes Durston hit his first century for Edgarley Hall against Claysemore School. That

notable feat was the forerunner of a career which took him from Somerset to Derbyshire – and finally to Oakham where he would stroke his way to his hundredth ton. That is a very impressive achievement for any player, even one who has played at such a high standard throughout.”

The following week skipper Martin would have been pleased with his decision to elect to bowl first in the home match against Houghton, as the visitors were dismissed for 173 – with Parker taking five wickets.

Durston, opening with his captain in reply, looked in no mood to hang around making his intentions clear with three boundaries in the first over.

He was to go on to make century 101 – off 45 balls – as Oaks cruised to victory with the loss of only two wickets. That was their first win of the season but I doubt it will be their last.

Last month also saw one of the highlights of the cricketing year, Burghley Park’s Cricket Week.

Fifteen local sides battled it out for the Sixes trophy with a bottle of champagne, courtesy of Buckles Solicitors, going to the standout performance of each evening.

The winners were Gareth Hook, Alex Birch, Conor Craig, Hanno Kotze and Harrison Craig, who also picked up the player of the tournament award. As to the trophy itself, that went to Oundle Town who defeated Bourne in the final on the Friday night.

Burghley club captain Chris Meadows

called it “their most successful week ever” with up to 3,000 people there on Friday night alone.

Apart from that victory at the Sixes, Oundle had also been enjoying a terrific start in the Northamptonshire Premier League but stuttered a little in late June and July with defeats at the hands of Old Northamptonians and Brixworth, but wins against Rushden Town and Horton House kept them still in contention for the title in fourth place.

Stamford, however, have had a cracking few weeks with an amazing seven clear wins on the bounce in Hunts League Division 1 and recently gained revenge over Burghley by reversing their defeat at the Park by crushing them by nearly a hundred runs.

At the time of writing they lie second in the top tier table, a single point behind leaders Newborough.

Uppingham, also in second place in their own division, had a famous one-run victory against Kibworth seconds.

Batting first they were at one point seven down for less than a hundred and therefore did well to struggle on to 150 all out, albeit with 12 overs unused.

With Kibworth scoring 16 in their first over with the bat, it looked at that stage the match would be over in half the allotted overs.

Wickets fell regularly however until Kibworth needed nine runs for victory with four wickets left.

Danny Dumford struck twice and then Tommy Roberts did the same to see those last four wickets fall for just seven runs.

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Grace Notes Leicestershire has had a terrific start to its NatWest T20 Blast campaign with three wins out of three. Head coach Pierre de Bruyn is warning against complacency this early in the tournament, but there are encouraging signs of a new competitive edge to the side with close season signings and young players to the fore. One who fits both of those descriptions, only 20 and having signed from Derbyshire at the end of last season, is Callum Parkinson, who’s played in all three matches.

I caught up with him between innings while he was a late replacement as twel h man for the seconds. Callum’s from Bolton and identical twin Matt plays for Lancashire so I started by asking how he’d ended up at Grace Road.

“I decided I’d get more game time at Derbyshire than at Lancs and saw a clearer path to move forward and the opportunity to play at the highest level. Then at the end of last season I had offers from both,” he told me.

He’d certainly caught the eye of the Fox management team with his performances last season – a year ago he’d made his debut against them, taking seven wickets as well as scoring a crucial 48 with the bat at number 11. “It was a no-brainer really with the offer Leicestershire made me,” he continued. “We’ve started well in the T20 and we’ll be hoping to push on and make the final now.”

However, his preferred format is the four-day game – just like his peer Zak Chappell who told us as much in last month’s column.

“I prefer the red ball,” Callum said. “As a spinner you can be the match winner on day four when the pitch is turning. I do enjoy the white ball though – more and more as I learn the ropes.”

Twins such as the Waughs and Bedsers have an honourable place in the annals of cricket but identical ones are rarer. For the statisticians, the first pair to play test cricket were Hamish and James Marshall in 2005, for New Zealand against Australia. How about the prospect of the Parkinsons being the first to do so for England? “Anything’s possible. You never know if we both keep working hard,” said Callum. “It would be nice but that’s getting far too much ahead of myself at present. I’m just concentrating on holding down my place in the side here.”

As young Callum embarks on what may be an exciting career, another has drawn to a close. Charlie Shreck has decided to call it a day at the age of 39 due to injury. He’d been the club’s joint leading wicket taker in his first season and went on to finish with a career total of 577 plus 103 in limited overs.

Chief executive Wasim Khan said: “Charlie’s been an outstanding servant for Leicestershire CCC. I’d like to thank him for his huge contribution to the club both on and off the field and we wish him all the very best for the future.”

Charlie himself signed off with: “Unfortunately all playing careers have to come to an end and my time is now. I look back with fond memories of my time and feel very privileged to have been a part of the cricket community for so long. I would like to thank everyone that has helped along the way, the umpires for putting up with me and the supporters that stay with you through thick, thin and rain.”

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/// AUGUS T 2017

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ACTIVE LOCAL Round-up

Equestrianism

Hot weather and busy eventing

BY JULIA DUNGWORTH

I

t has been another busy month for the eventers, starting with Buckminster running over the first weekend in July.

They picked one of the hottest weekends of the year, unlike last year where it was one of the wettest.

With temperatures soaring up to nearly 30 degrees the ground became a little hard in the show-jumping arena and with a very ‘up to height’ course, consequently not many clear rounds were seen.

On the cross-country the ground had been well spiked and ran really well all day. On the Saturday they ran a very full section of KBIS 5 Year Old BE100 which is a qualifier for Osberton in October, although lots of good local riders were well placed in the very competitive section, including a second place for Caroline March, a third for Emilie Chandler and an eighth for Alex Dance. It was Hector Payne, who had driven down from York who took the win.

Heidi Coy from Melton Mowbray also had a great run; she was second on two of her rides – Russal Z in the BE100 Under 18 and Carrigsean Tigerseye in the Novice Under 18 event.

Burghley Pony Club ran their annual One

Day Event in Burghley Park; they yet again had bumper entries and ran well into Sunday evening. It was a great day for the Burghley Pony Club excelling themselves on their home turf, winning the Open Area Eventing and qualifying for the Pony Club Championships at Chomondeley.

A special well done to team member Di Bevan, who also became the Individual Open Area Champion on her horse Roberto II. Louise Bodily also finished second on Jardo S, Alice Turner was seventh and Lucy Daly unplaced but posting a good dressage and clear cross-country.

The smaller 80 and 90 sections were very popular within the pony club and also within our local eventing community with the lorry park packed full of huge horseboxes, people would have easily thought they had their dates mixed up with Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials which is set to start on August 31.

The Burghley Pony Club then followed in their good fortune at Area Dressage the following weekend at Kirby Bellars. Cecily Hopkins and Tabitha Leicester both produced sparkling tests resulting in Cecily winning her section and qualifying for National Pony Club Championships and

Tabitha came second and also gained a well deserved ticket to champs.

Next came the Regional Team; they all looked stunning and both Harry Lee and Sophie Johnson finished second in their sections.

Di Bevan’s purple patch continued, she not only qualified she smashed the class to win it on Houli. Last to go in the day came the Intermediate Team, they too produced the goods – Lilly Dodds wowed the judge and claimed fifth place, Lucy Daly sat very still to contain the exuberance of Honey and claimed fourth place; Louise, fast becoming the most dependable of team members, rode a lovely test on the huge Noddy to get fourth place in her section.

Claudia Campbell pulled it out of the bag on the hunter Tommy – for a 77 mark and a win her section. Even more satisfying though was the team result, as they finished second resulting in all four members qualifying for championships.

A truly wonderful day for Burghley with seven members going to championships and four to regionals in dressage; every member placed in every class either individually or in a team.

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