Active Magazine // Stamford & Rutland // August 2018 by Active Magazine

ISSUE 74 // AUGUST 2018

You r sport a n d l i f e st y l e m ag a zi n e

www.theACTIVEmag.com

ISSUE 74 // august 2018

A f e st i va l of food

How to make the most of this season’s fabulous local produce

INSIDE

Hockey World Cup / Brigstock and Geddington Walk / The Pros of Protein Clothes to keep you cool / New: Pets’ Page / Mythbusting Steroids

Beauchamp College Open Events Yr 7 Open Evening Yr 10 Open Evening

Yr12 Open Day

Weds 19 September, 5pm-8pm

Thurs 4 October, 5pm-8pm Sat 27 October, 10am-2pm

At Beauchamp we offer learners from all backgrounds the very best opportunities for academic and personal progress. Our Year 7 curriculum has been designed to engage, challenge, and develop a lifelong love of learning as pupils move toward GCSE and beyond. Year 9 students currently in other schools can benefit from an outstanding track record of GCSE success and a broad range of GCSE options taught by expert teachers, many of which are experienced GCSE examiners. Our GCSE students are also supported with their transition into our popular sixth form. All years benefit from modern learning environments, a supportive and nurturing pastoral system, and the highest standards of teaching and learning for all.

beauchamp

beauchamp.org.uk/ join-beauchamp Beauchamp College Ridgeway, Oadby, LE2 5TP

0116 2729100 / info@beauchamp.org.uk

Beauchamp College @BChampCollege

Editor’s Letter I IMAGINE MY STORY ABOUT FOOTBALL IS very similar to a lot of people’s. When I was young, I loved the game. My hero was Glenn Hoddle, sporting that mullet and rolled down socks, painting passes around White Hart Lane while everyone else went tearing about, hacking anything that moved. I remember Espana 82, running round the living room in my Bobby the Bulldog sweatbands and Admiral kit, and in later years being awed after bumping into another hero, Matt Le Tissier, in a McDonald’s (naturally). Watching Sportsnight every Wednesday, when being able to see games any other time than a Saturday seemed like a huge treat. Pulling up an armchair in front of the TV to watch the day’s coverage of the FA Cup final, live from the teams’ hotels! Jumpers for goalposts, Nobby dancing, etc. And then, like a lot of fans (and at this point, I should point out: unlike a huge number of fans) my interest dwindled over the past decade as the Premier League turned into some vast global sporting monster where clubs are brand names, not locations, players come and go from every corner of the globe with dizzying speed, and coverage is wall-to-wall, mostly inane, and often utterly pointless. Only Leicester’s magnificent year bucked the trend. Then there was the suspicion (certainly in many performances) that players found representing England a nuisance, getting in the way of driving supercars or posting pictures of your tattoos on Snapchat. Which is why this current England squad had such an impact at the World Cup. There was an air of authenticity about them, a pride in playing for their country and, for onlookers such as me who had got bored of the endless carnival of vanity and ego, it was a refreshing change. Of all of them, I think Harry Maguire encapsulates this fantastic, humble attitude, and I hope that finally football is coming home: not necessarily winning anything in the future (although that would be great), but that our kids’ heroes are not these cartoonish characters such as Ronaldo or Neymar, but down-to-earth, humble, home-grown lads. 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 Chauhan 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 2059-8513 A Grassroots Publishing Limited company. Company registration number 7994437. VAT number 152717318 Disclaimer

Copyright (c) Grassroots Publishing Limited (GPL) 2018. 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.

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 3

3 ed letter OK.indd 117

19/07/2018 08:43

Contents

ISSUE 74 / AUGUST 2018

ACTIVE LIFE

REGULARS

13 WHAT’S ON SPECIAL

53 MARTIN JOHNSON

19 GARDENING

60 CHALLENGES

A bumper round-up of great local events Take inspiration from your holiday abroad

21 ISLAND HOPPING

Seek out the UK’s overlooked destinations

22 EATING OUT

We sample Sarpech in Oakham

30 GREAT WALKS

Brigstock and Old Sulehay Forest

FEATURES

A wry look back at the World Cup Updates on our intrepid fund-raisers

63 ON YOUR BIKE!

A great bike route, plus e-bike update

67 SCHOOL SPORTS

Pupils making the sporting headlines

70 ROUND-UP

How clubs in the area are faring

74 KITBAG

Great sporting and leisure equipment

46 SUMMER SUPERFOODS

Where to get them, how to cook them

54 THE OTHER WORLD CUP We preview the Hockey World Cup

ACTIVE BODY 41 HEALTHY EATING The best protein snacks

42 DO YOU NEED THE NEEDLE? Avicenna Clinic on steroid injections

44 THE PROS OF PROTEIN

Nutrition advice from Dawn Revens

54 /// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 5

3 Star Lane, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1PH

01780 754737

www.sowdenwallis.co.uk

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.

26 EMPINGHAM ROAD, STAMFORD £215,000 This former two bedroom town house has been converted to a spacious one bedroom home and is located just a short walk from the town centre. The stone property comes with a sitting room, kitchen, garden room, spacious Master bedroom and a large bathroom. To the rear is a south facing garden which is split into two sections, with the first being lawn and the second featuring a good sized storage shed. A Viewing is highly recommended to appreciate how conveniently placed the property is and the accommodation on offer.

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.

sowden.indd 1

14/01/2016 10:09

RED HOUSE PADDOCK TALLINGTON £649,995 This deceptively spacious five bedroom family home offers generous and versatile accommodation. The property is finished to a high standard throughout and comes with three reception rooms as well as an open plan breakfast kitchen. On the ground floor there is a mixture of tiled and engineered wood flooring throughout, along with a gas fired central heating and a pressurised hot water system. The accommodation comprises: - Entrance hall, cloakroom, sitting room, dining room, breakfast kitchen, utility room, pantry, study, landing, Master bedroom with en-suite, Guest bedroom with en-suite and walk in wardrobe, three further bedrooms and a family bathroom. To the side is a double garage and off street parking, whilst to the rear is a well presented south/east facing patio & lawn garden.

@sowdenwallis

sowden wallis.indd 1

sowdenwallis

18/07/2018 14:32

Activelife ●

● Go island hopping in the UK ● Dress for the heat Gardening ideas from the Continent ● Meet countryman John Shone ● Visit Sarpech in Oakham ● Find out what’s on in August Edited by Mary Bremner

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 7

Activelife

TRAPP’D

CAFÉ VENTOUX NOW OFFERS CYCLING FOR EVERYONE Recognised as a Red Bull world top five cycle café destination, Café Ventoux in Tugby has improved its offering yet again. It recently opened a bike experience centre which offers fitting and servicing as well as sales of brands such as Forme bikes, Sidi shoes, Mavic helmets and Velobici clothing. And now the team has pushed forward again with the introduction of an electric bike hire fleet with brand partner, Forme Bikes. Lee Wigginton, head of the retail division at Café Ventoux, said: “We are extremely fortunate to be based on a national cycle route, which gives direct access to some of the most stunning roads within Leicestershire and Rutland. “But unfortunately, unless you have a fitness level to cope with the many rolling hills around here, you are just not going to be able to enjoy

8 AUGUS T 2018 ///

this stunning area. This is where the e-bike comes into its own. These bikes still require you to pedal, so you get ﬁt, but they have an electric assist which means going up a hill is just as easy as cycling on the ﬂat. “We hire these bikes out for a half or full day, from Tuesday to Sunday. Within the hire cost you get a helmet and are taught how to use the simple controls. “If you subsequently buy an e-bike from Café Ventoux within seven days of hiring you will get your fee refunded. “Another great thing about hiring one of our e-bikes is that you can chill after your ride at Café Ventoux with a nice cup of tea, or fresh coffee, and enjoy one of the many homemade food offerings, because you have earned it.” Email: ride@cafe-ventoux.cc or call 0116 259 8063.

It doesn’t matter if you call them escape rooms, escape games, exit rooms or locked in games – the concept is the same: a small group of people are trapped inside one of the themed rooms with a very simple task – escape within 60 minutes or face being ‘Trapp’d’ forever. Participants use their teamwork skills, intuition and intelligence to crack challenging codes, solve mind bending puzzles and unlock cryptic clues which will ultimately lead to their escape. Every room has a story and you have to use the elements in the room to solve the ultimate puzzle and escape in time. Combining years of experience in movie set design and movie marketing with a love of the escape game world, the team at Trapp’d have created an exciting adventure experience across the East Midlands. The Corby branch was followed by a second venue in Northampton, a third in Peterborough, and the latest is located at Billing Aquadrome. There you could ﬁnd yourself having to survive an Arctic blizzard before hypothermia sets in, or trying to reverse cataclysmic climate change by travelling to Mars or, more ghoulishly, you need to escape a kidnap situation before your torturer returns. Your only hope is to work with the people either side of you; let’s hope you don’t regret who you brought with you. https://trappd.com

琀㨀㄀㜀㜀㠀㌀㐀㘀㘀㄀㄀攀㨀椀渀昀漀䀀欀氀漀猀攀渀⸀挀漀⸀甀欀眀㨀眀眀眀⸀欀氀漀猀攀渀⸀挀漀⸀甀欀昀愀挀攀戀漀漀欀⸀挀漀洀⼀欀氀漀猀攀渀甀欀䬀氀漀猀攀渀Ⰰ 吀栀攀匀琀椀爀氀椀渀最䌀攀渀琀爀攀Ⰰ 䴀愀爀欀攀琀䐀攀攀瀀椀渀最Ⰰ 倀䔀㘀㠀䔀儀

䄀氀甀洀椀渀椀甀洀䈀椀昀漀氀搀䐀漀漀爀猀簀圀椀渀搀漀眀猀簀䘀爀漀渀琀䐀漀漀爀猀簀刀漀漀昀氀椀最栀琀猀簀匀氀椀搀椀渀最䐀漀漀爀猀簀倀爀攀洀椀甀洀甀倀嘀䌀圀椀渀搀漀眀猀 ∠䴀愀渀甀昀愀挀琀甀爀攀爀猀愀渀搀䤀渀猀琀愀氀氀攀爀猀漀昀琀栀攀瘀攀爀礀戀攀猀琀愀氀甀洀椀渀椀甀洀最氀愀稀椀渀最猀礀猀琀攀洀猀昀爀漀洀愀挀爀漀猀猀䔀甀爀漀瀀攀 ∠䠀椀最栀氀礀琀栀攀爀洀愀氀氀礀攀昀昀椀挀椀攀渀琀愀渀搀椀渀挀爀攀搀椀戀氀礀猀琀礀氀椀猀栀⸀ 倀愀猀猀椀瘀栀愀甀猀挀愀瀀愀戀椀氀椀琀椀攀猀Ⰰ 眀栀攀渀爀攀焀甀椀爀攀搀 ∠䠀椀最栀氀礀欀渀漀眀氀攀搀最攀愀戀氀攀猀琀愀昀昀眀栀漀漀昀昀攀爀攀砀挀攀氀氀攀渀琀愀搀瘀椀挀攀 ∠䔀砀挀攀瀀琀椀漀渀愀氀氀礀栀椀最栀猀攀挀甀爀椀琀礀爀愀琀椀渀最漀渀愀氀氀瀀爀漀搀甀挀琀猀Ⰰ 洀愀渀礀愀挀栀椀攀瘀椀渀最倀䄀匀㈀㐀

Bleed Template.indd 118

15/12/2016 17:27

NOW OFFERING CACI ULTIMATE

be inspired... the heart of your home The kitchen has evolved in style, look and technology, but it remains the heart of the home. Like all our services, a Classic Kitchen will be supplied and installed with a level of care and expertise that matches your expectations.

AND CACI JOWL LIFTS TUESDAY - SATURDAY

The Non-invasive, needle free alternative to collagen injections and dermal fillers Softens and smoothes the appearance of lines and wrinkles

Barnsdale

Receive a free Jowel lift with each treatment Hall Hotel

when booking a course of 10

Book a free consultation with our CACI therapists on:

Tel: 01572 77 13 13 VISIT OUR SHOWROOM VVI SI SI ITTvisit OOUour SS H H OOW WRROOOOMM URRshowroom 12 St Leonardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2HN Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm

Spa Direct: 01572 771313 Nr Oakham | Rutland LE15 8AB | www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk

Tel: 01780 654321 Email: sales@classicstamford.co.uk www.classicstamford.co.uk

10.indd 1

19/07/2018 16:47

Activelife

NEW ADVENTURE LAND Springﬁelds Outlet in Spalding has opened its new leisure destination – Adventure Land. Attractions include the UK’s largest JCB Young Drivers’ Zone where children will be able to drive diggers, enjoy a massive slide and scaffold-themed climbing frame as well as lots of other interactive play attractions. Families will be able to walk through the trees in the Tree Top Village, there’s a sand play area and rock pool water stream as well as much more. www.springﬁeldsadventureland.co.uk

A hint of glamour comes to Springfields As well as something for the children with Adventure Land (see left), Springﬁelds Outlet in Spalding has welcomed The Cosmetics Company Store which sells premium skin care, make-up and perfumes from Estée Lauder, Clinique and Mac. Savings of up to 50% off high street prices can be made.

New members welcome Kibworth Theatre Company, formed in 2006, has 50 members and has put on two productions almost every year since. Based just outside Market Harborough, they have staged plays, comedies, musicals and revues. Highlights have included Cabaret and A Christmas Carol. They are always looking for new members so if you fancy joining them, as an actor or behind the scenes, do get in touch. They are currently in rehearsals for The Flint Street Nativity, by Tim Firth, which will be staged this autumn. www.kibworththeatre.co.uk

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

THE CANVAS CAFÉ The girls at Country Bumpkin Yurts have realised their dream to open a café. The Canvas Café will be under a big beautiful marquee on Waterloo Cottage Farm at Great Oxendon (where you can also go glamping) just outside Market Harborough. It’s going to be fun, different and tasty, using food produced locally – so local in fact that some of the produce will come from the farm. Menus will use seasonal, organic and free-range food where possible and will include vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options as well. www.countrybumpkinyurts.co.uk

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 11

be inspired...

Providers of professional live-in care for those who wish to stay in their own homes and need assistance due to the limitations of age or illness. We offer professional and caring help with long term continuing care, companionship, dementia care, palliative care, respite care and ‘end of life’ care.

caring for your home Conservatory too hot in the summer and too cold in winter? Classic have the answer to this problem and you do not even have to change the existing windows/doors, although you can. Structurally very strong which means your new sun room meets full Building Regulation Approval.

Tel: 01572 869138 Email: bridget@alwaystakecare.com www.alwaystakecare.co.uk

visit our showroom 12 St Leonard’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2HN Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm

Tel: 01780 654321 Email: sales@classicstamford.co.uk www.classicstamford.co.uk

12.indd 1

19/07/2018 16:47

Activelife

WHAT’S ON There’s lots going on in our area throughout August, so why not try some of these? ● Sacrewell

has launched its 50 days of summer campaign and there is lots going on outside. During the summer holidays children can help daily with animal feeding and grooming, sheep snuggling, animal handling and pond dipping. There will be weekly farmer’s apprentice sessions as well as new outdoor play equipment and all the usual Sacrewell favourites. www.sacrewell.org.uk

● Stamford

Stoves is hosting a charity coffee and cake day on Saturday, August 18, to raise money for Mind and Sepsis UK. The team will be making the cakes (including gluten free ones) using the ESSE cookers that are on display in the showroom. They are keen to appeal to the large number of cyclists who ride through their Barnack base, hoping they will take a break to sample the cakes and support the charities. Pop along to have a look at their showroom and enjoy delicious cake at Station Road Business Park. www.stamfordstoves.co.uk

● There

are two classic car shows being held locally this month. The Maxey Classic Car and Bike Show will be held at Quarry Lane on Saturday, August 11, and the Stamford Car Show, held on the Meadows, is on August 26. Both shows are raising money for charity.

● The

Leicestershire County Show is a two-day annual event that will be held at Gallow Field Road, Market Harborough, on August 25 and 26. There will be plenty of fun for all the family, including a fun fair, parachute displays, plenty of shopping and, of course, horses and ponies and farm animals. www.leicestershirecountyshow.co.uk

● Wing

Festival is on August 26. Parking and admission are free. Pop along to enjoy a dog show, farmers’ market and artisan stalls, tennis competition, pilates and yoga, as well as a food court, beer tent, live music and much more. www.wingrutland.uk

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 1 3

The new Touareg. £3,000 towards your deposit^ Save an additional £500 when you test drive

Robinsons Volkswagen (Peterborough) Storeys Bar Road, Eastern Industry, Peterborough, PE1 5YS Telephone: 01733 312213 www.robinsonsvolkswagen.co.uk

Find us on:

/Volkswagen.Robinsons

@Robinsons_VW

Representative

*At the end of the agreement there are three options: i) own the vehicle: pay the optional final payment; ii) return the vehicle: subject to fair wear and tear, charges may apply; or iii) replace: part exchange the vehicle. ^Available on Solutions Personal Contract Plan. 18s and over. Subject to availability. Finance subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Offer available when ordered by 31st August 2018. Offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer and may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Accurate at time of publication [07/2018]. Freepost Volkswagen Financial Services. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to assist with your purchase, who may pay us for introducing you to them. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures are obtained under standardised EU test conditions (or, in cases of vehicles with WLTP type approval, are the NEDC figures provided pursuant to Government guidance until further notice). These figures facilitate direct comparison between different models from different manufacturers, but may not represent the actual fuel consumption achieved in ‘real world’ driving conditions. More information is available at www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/wltp. Choice of wheels and other options may affect fuel consumption and

3.3% APR

emissions data. Official fuel consumption figures for the Volkswagen model range in mpg (litres/100km): urban 25.4 (11.1) – 68.9 (4.1); extra urban 42.2 (6.7) – 85.6 (3.3); combined 35.3 (8.0) – 76.3 (3.7). Combined CO2 emissions 95 – 187g/km. Excludes battery, electric and plugin hybrid vehicles. Excludes NI.

Active Magazine Touareg Ad.indd 1

11/07/2018 11:43

Activelife

●A

meditation summer woodland retreat, led by Buddhist nun Kelsang Rak-ma (right), is being held at Fineshade Wood near Duddington on Saturday, August 18, between 10.30am and 1.15pm, costing £15. Held in a beautiful converted stone barn, the morning will consist of simple meditation to relax both body and mind. www.drolmacentre.org.uk

● There

will be a family fun day and craft fair weekend on August 25-27 at Bowthorpe Park Farm near Witham on the Hill. There will also be a chance to see one of the UK’s greatest trees, the Bowthorpe Oak, which has the largest girth in the country. www.bowthorpeparkfarm.co.uk

● The

Burghley Horseless Fun Run is being re-introduced after a 10-year gap. This event lets you run on part of the cross-country course that was ridden the day before at the horse trials. The event, on Sunday, September 2, covers 3.5km and costs £10 which will be donated to local charities. www.burghleysponsoredride.co.uk/seibhorseless-burghley-fun-run/

● Go searching for bargains at the St Ives Antiques Fair being held over the bank holiday weekend on August 26 and 27 at The Burgess Hall, St Ives. www.stivesantiquesfair.co.uk

● Learn

basic sailing skills at Ferry Meadows on August 11. The day is being run by a qualified sailing instructor who will teach basic sailing techniques, capsize procedures and help everyone have fun on the water. Cost is £20, suitable for 8-16 year olds. www.nenepark.org.uk

● Easton Walled Gardens is having a busy month with lots going on. A picnic day is being held on Sunday, August 6 so bring a picnic and relax in the beautiful gardens. Dog days are every Sunday throughout August from 4pm-6pm. Enjoy an evening stroll with your four-legged friend and call in for refreshments (and a dog treat) at the tearooms. And don’t forget the teddy bears’ picnics on August 9 and 15, from 12.30-3pm. Come along and enjoy an afternoon of storytelling and fun, follow the bear trail and bring your own teddy! Sunday, September 2, is the autumn country market which showcases the best artisan crafts, demonstrations and rural foods. www.visiteaston.co.uk

● British

astronaut Tim Peake’s Soyuz Spacecraft Exhibition and a Space Descent VR Experience is being held at Peterborough Cathedral between August 11 and November 5. You will be able to see the Soyuz spacecraft used by Tim Peake for his journey to the International Space Station in 2015-16, as well as his space suit and the parachute he used for his return to Earth. www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 1 5

FIN % 0

E NC

A AIL

ALL BIKES AVAILABLE ON THE CYCLE SCHEME For More Information please speak to one of our exper ts | www.cafe-ventoux.cc | ride@cafe-ventoux.cc | 01162 598 063 |

50 Days of Summer

●

14 July - 3 September

16.indd 1

20/07/2018 09:19

Activelife

HOW TO…

MAKE BEEF TAGLIATA Tagliata means sliced in Italian. Here is a very simple, delicious way to serve steak. You could also add tenderstem broccoli to the pan while cooking the steak if you wanted more vegetables.

Ingredients 100g lentils 2 tbsp olive oil 2 sirloin steaks, trimmed of fat 100g rocket 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 25g shaved parmesan

Method ● Boil lentils until they are tender. ● Rub olive oil on both sides of the steak then sear on a high heat in a frying pan for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove and leave to rest. ● Season the lentils, put on a plate, Thinly slice the steak and place on top of the lentils along with the rocket and shaved parmesan. Drizzle the steak juices and balsamic vinegar over.

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 1 7

Wing Festival Sunday 26 August 2018 11am to 4pm Free Admission and Free Parking

Teresa Kennedy

Wake Up to Wing Pilates/Yoga Stretch Class at Wing Hall -10am to 10.45am all levels welcome bring a towel

Wingledon

Creating & Styling Outdoor Spaces Since 2010

Fun Dog Show

Farmers Market and Artisan Stalls

12 classes registration on the day from 11am show starts 1pm

Tennis Championship - all levels welcome

prizes sponsored by Fish4Dogs

Victorian Side Stalls

History of Wing, Flower Festival & Art Exhibition

Oxen Cart Rides Children’s Activities

LIVE MUSIC

Zorbes Food Court

And much more !!! Wing Evening Feast ticket only event £15.00 per person and Beer Tent

children under 16 free. Pay Bar and Live Music ! For information please visit www.WingRutland.uk

New Builds • Commercial Sites • Established Gardens 26 MAIN STREET, EDMONDTHORPE, LEICESTERSHIRE, LE14 2JU E TERESA@VIRIDISDESIGN.CO.UK T 07726 334 501

WWW.VIRIDISDESIGN.CO.UK

Church Street, North Luffenham, Rutland, LE15 8JR office@northluffenham.rutland.sch.uk www.northluffenham.org 01780 720184

OPEN MORNING THURSDAY 4TH OCTOBER 9.00 -12.00 “The school provides my child with a positive, happy, inspiring learning environment.” (Parent to Ofsted, 2018)

18.indd 1

19/07/2018 16:46

Activelife

GARDENING

HOLIDAY INSPIRATION Garden designer Teresa Kennedy tells us how to pick up some garden design tips while away on holiday Europe is a hotbed of design and style when it comes to gardens, and many of us will spend time abroad during the next few weeks. Not only does your summer holiday give you the chance to enjoy life away from work, it also offers you the chance to pick up little jewels of green inspiration for your outdoor space. It is a beautiful feeling to arrive at your holiday destination, relax and admire the surroundings. I want to encourage you to look a little deeper, particularly at the outside spaces and gardens.

you have one, encourage it to climb across a pergola. Adorn with lanterns for the ﬁnishing touches. If you get a chance to visit the Alhambra in Granada in Spain, then do! It has so many wonderful garden features that will inspire you to see your own space as an outdoor living area. The Italian style that emerged during the

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR Moorish inﬂuences are strong in the south of Europe. Focus on the hard landscaping and choice of materials to easily bring this style to your home. Sunken courtyards, mosaic tiles or a reﬂection pool will give you the structure to work from. Add terracotta pots and glazed blue containers, plant scented white jasmine and, if

NATURE

THE DUNNOCK This sparrow-sized bird (it was once called the hedge sparrow) is a common resident in gardens. It is easily overlooked as it shufﬂes, mouse-like, through ﬂower beds. It has a thin bill and brown speckled plumage with a grey breast. Its song is a pleasant high warble, delivered from prominent song-posts. It has a piping call, which often draws attention to its presence. Seeds are the main winter food with more vegetable matter in summer. Breeding territories are established in spring

Renaissance period was – and continues to be – structured, romantic and ordered with a touch of the elegant theatrical. Statues break up classical neat planting, with symmetry playing an important role. Tall and slim cypress trees, ﬁne gravel pathways and old stone urns. Keep your planting green, evergreen, and use plenty of lavender and rosemary. The fabulous gardens of Versailles in France are wonderfully structured and symmetrical, but consider the French country-style for a more informal garden. Stick with a simple palette of colours, as per their formal spaces, and keep beds neatly edged, but allow the planting to be loose. Mix edibles with herbaceous perennials. Don’t be afraid to mix your colour scheme and make your containers bright. It’s tempting to pick the same plants you see on holiday, but my advice is, be sensible. Unless you’re very fortunate, you are not going to get a Greek-style bougainvillea to ﬂourish outside in our climate; so go for a UK alternative such as a rambling or climbing rose (rosa veilchenblau) or a campsis that will give the same blousy bloom. If you have a greenhouse or conservatory then you don’t need an alternative – plant the Mediterranean sun lovers and create a scentinfused indoor/outdoor room. Beautiful. www.viridisdesign.co.uk 07726 334501

and may be occupied by an additional male, which makes for a very interesting love life! The nest is of moss and grass and lined with feathers, sited in a shrub or hedge. Four or five sky blue eggs are laid and two or three broods of young may be reared. The dunnock is a major host of the cuckoo but there is little resemblance between their eggs. The cuckoo egg usually hatches first and the tiny nestling ejects the dunnock eggs or nestlings so that it can monopolise all the food brought by the adult dunnocks. Before it fledges, the young cuckoo has outgrown and flattened the delicate nest of its host. Terry Mitcham

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 1 9

PRIORS HALL GOLF COURSE”

Northamptonshire’s Hidden Gem

18 Hole Course in scenic rural countryside Bar & Restaurant Competitive Green Fees Annual & Direct debit season tickets available Society days available Golf Shop Open 7 days per week

For more information:

Tel: 01536 260756

Email: Priors.HallGolf@corby.gov.uk /PriorsHallGC

Trolley & buggy hire available Home of ‘Priors Hall Golf Club’

20.indd 1

20/07/2018 16:50

Activelife

TRAVEL

ISLAND HOPPING AROUND THE UK Make the most of the summer by visiting some of our stunning islands We are enjoying an unprecedented heatwave, and I hope we still are when you read this. Britain is an island, but how many of you have visited our outlying islands? There are literally thousands of them, many uninhabited, but more than 200 are lived on. They range from the far north of Scotland right the way down to off the Cornish coast, including the Isle of Man, the Isle of Wight, and Mersea Island, which lies off the Essex coast. And, of course, the Channel Islands. Each island is different, and they vary in topography, temperature and population. Many have their own laws that differ to the mainland such as licensing and tax. You could spend years travelling around them all; we’ve recommended a few for this summer’s holiday. Scotland has more than 790 offshore islands, ranging from quite highly populated to the deserted. July is the perfect time to visit the Scottish islands as the daylight hours are long, the winds are hopefully more moderate, and the sun will shine.

Orkney was rated as the best place to live in Scotland in both 2013 and 2014 and all the islands are renowned for their low crime rates. Taking a cruise can be a perfect way to see them, particularly the Hebrides which includes the beautiful Isle of Skye. Or do it yourself by hopping on and off ferries and staying in local hotels. If the bleakness of some of the Scottish islands, and dodgy weather, don’t appeal, head south and hop on a helicopter or ferry to the Scilly Isles, an archipelago 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall. Five of the islands are inhabited. Tresco Abbey Garden is where you can ﬁnd sub-tropical plants, and the islands are a bird watchers’ paradise as it’s home to so many seabirds and the ﬁrst port of call for many migrant birds. Lundy is the largest island in the Bristol Channel and lies 12 miles off the Devon coast. There are no roads, cars or pollution. A tiny population welcomes many day trippers or you can stay in one of 23 holiday properties, or camp. The island is managed by the Landmark Trust on behalf of the National Trust.

WEBSITES

www.landmarktrust.org/lundyisland www.visitislesofscilly.com www.visitscotland.com/see-do/island-hopping

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 2 1

Activelife

FOOD

Sarpech, Oakham Jeremy and Helen sample Indian delights from a restaurant winning plaudits for its welcome and innovative menu

e’d heard good things about Sarpech – and the first floor setting had already been a favourite of ours in a previous incarnation with its light, airy rooms and interesting views of Oakham, so we were both eagerly looking forward to our visit. It did not disappoint. As we entered through the modern bar area – to a cheery greeting from co-owner Parmi and the aptly-named barman, Vino – I started to feel straight away that this is not a run-of-the-mill curry house and an indefinable aura of quality suggested the evening was going to be good. Settling into our comfortable armchairs to enjoy a small glass of something while we perused the menus, head waiter Adi came to our assistance. A welcome conversation ensued, as many of the dishes are not those you’d find easily elsewhere. “Our cuisine is primarily from the north-west frontier – Punjab and Pakistan, together with selected dishes from other regions,” he told us. “That means we can offer meats such as beef and pork without sacrificing authenticity, as well as the traditional Punjabi lamb, chicken and fish.” The wine list looked as impressive as the food. Although you can get a bottle of the house wine for well under £20 – and almost all of their offerings come by the glass should you prefer – there are fine wines too if you’re feeling flush, together with two dessert wines, ports and,

for that special occasion, vintage Dom Perignon at around £200. All this reinforces the ambience of a ﬁne dining experience – that just happens to be based on Indian food. There were a light scattering of guests in the wine bar enjoying its ‘ginventory’, wine and beer accompanied by a separate menu which is tapas based – or ‘Tap-Asia’ as they call it here. Three dishes for £9.95 would be a nice way to spend an hour or so in the early evening, but tonight we were here for the restaurant. When they were ready for us we were shown to a window table with proper linen and chilled tap water (unbidden) – neither of which was a surprise by now. The water was to be continually topped up during the meal and the chutneys, pickles and salads we had with popadoms remained on the table throughout – having them whisked away early is a pet hate of mine! My tandoori venison starter was outstanding and seemed to have three separate tastes. Adi agreed, explaining: “Red meat absorbs the spices from the marinade more thoroughly than chicken, so ﬁrst you taste the spices, then the marinade, then the meat itself.” Helen’s king prawn was declared “gorgeous” through a mouth too busy to say much else and we shared a samosa which Adi suggested we have with both tamarind and coriander chutney as “that’s what they do in India”. The accompanying riesling was just right, as he said it would

Above Delicate flavours derive from India’s Punjab region; lovely setting means you can take in Oakham’s high street from the first floor restaurant

/// AUGUS T 2018 2 3

ACTIVE RUTLAND COMMUNITY SPORTS AWARDS 2018

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN! www.activerutland.org.uk/communitysportsawards activerutland@rutland.gov.uk 01572 720936 Photography: Active Magazine / Nico Morgan Media

24.indd 1

19/07/2018 16:46

Activelife

be.Adi’s background includes working for the world famous Taj Group which is renowned for its quality and service and many ﬁve-star hotels in India – and it shows. If you’re curious about the food he’s delighted to impart his advice and knowledge which adds something unusual and informative to the experience. I learnt a lot, including that vindaloo was originally not an Indian dish at all, but Portuguese. For my main I plumped for one of the day’s specials – lamb with ginger. Radio Leicester had raved about Sarpech’s version of this and I could see why. I’m rather ashamed to say we also had not one but two others chicken makhani (described by Adi as a proper version of chicken tikka masala) which had a beautiful smoky taste which came, not from the tandoor as I’d thought, but from the use of fenugreek - and a garlic chilli chicken which was Helen’s choice. I can only surmise that this last was pretty good too as she didn’t allow me even a mouthful. Her accompanying malbec was every bit as well-judged as my shiraz.

The head chef who, believe it or not, is called Santa, had brought us so many presents by now that you’ll guess we were pretty full – although the use of coconut milk rather than cream throughout means their dishes are easier on the digestion – but there was just room for what Adi called a ‘pièce de résistance’ that he told us only five or six restaurants in the country do properly. This was a home-made pistachio kulfi using not ice cream as you’ll usually find but reduced milk. It didn’t matter a jot how little appetite we had left – it just flew off the plate. We both waddled home having had a great time and promising each other we’d be back on Sunday for the £15.95 thali menu. Only three days to go. Should have an appetite back by then.

Above The food and drink mean Sarpech is far from being a run-of-the-mill curry house

Contact details 4 Burley Corner, Oakham, LE15 6DU www.sarpech.co.uk 01572 842888

/// AUGUS T 2018 2 5

Activelife

2 6 M AY 2018 ///

MEET JOHN SHONE Kate Maxim talks to a proper countryman who can lay hedges, build a dry stone wall and craft sculptures out of willow

Active Where did you first learn your different skills? John I was born and brought up in a village in Cheshire. I grew up on a smallholding but it wasn’t big enough to sustain a family so my father would do coppicing work for other people. My grandfather was much the same, he worked around different farms and also did dry stone walling. I learnt my trade from him and built my first wall when I was 14. That’s also when I laid my first hedge. I owe it all to them. There wasn’t enough work when I left school just after the Second World War in coppicing and walling so I became a gardener and worked in Shropshire. The owners of Preston Hall in Rutland also had a big estate in the county and offered me a job. So I moved to this part of the world in 1983. On top of the gardening I was doing dry stone walling and hedge laying in the evenings and weekends, as well as the willow work, but then I had two heart attacks and couldn’t do it all. So in 2000 we bit the bullet and I went self-employed. Active Are there many dry stone wallers or hedge layers about nowadays? John There are one or two very good hedge layers in the area but we are the only true dry stone wallers in Rutland and now my daughter Louise runs that side of things. The work is out there. Recently we had three calls from people whose walls had fallen down on just one Sunday. Dry stone walls last longer than modern walls because even though they’re made from the same stone, you only have to get a cracked joint where you’ve got a compo of sand and cement, then if water gets in and stays in, it won’t dry. A dry stone wall is so-called because the wind blows through all the little cracks and keeps it dry. It must move – expand and contract – or it will fall down with the weather. A six-foot wall in a bad winter will rise an inch through expansion, and if you put a concrete cap along it, it won’t expand upwards, but outwards, and that’s when it will fall down. You always build two sides to the wall with through-stones to link the two.

In Rutland we use a mix of limestone and ironstone. The limestone is called Cotswold stone as a big seam of stone starts there then runs diagonally through Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Rutland and runs out in Lincolnshire. Active I’ve heard there are different types of hedges. Is that true? John There are different ways of laying a hedge and each area has its own style. I grew up in dairy country with milking cows all over the place. You never saw a sheep or a bullock so the hedges were laid slightly differently. If you‘re trying to keep bullocks in a field you need a bigger, thicker hedge and if you have sheep you need to make sure there’s no holes for lambs to pop through at the bottom. Here we have the Midlands, or bullock, style as we used to breed a lot of meat. Now it’s all cereals so we lay narrower hedges which means you can grow more crops in the fields. You can lay a hedge a lot quicker than you can build a dry stone wall – about 20 metres a day. The wall outside my house was 146 years old when I started work on it. It’s a mile and quarter long, surrounding Ashwell Old Hall, and it took me four-and-a-half years, on and off, to rebuild it. You do a hedge every eight to 10 years using the traditional method. Years ago every farmer and farm labourer would do it. Now very few people know how to which is why they use the mechanical flails, which are also cheaper. Also people took out the hedges because we started to use bigger machinery that wouldn’t fit the existing fields. Now people respect the hedgerows much more and plant new ones. Hedges are like wildlife hotels: mice, spiders, birds, newts and even snakes like to crawl in there. Hedge laying is only legal from October 1 to March 31 as there are no birds nesting then. A garden hedge isn’t classed the same as a farming hedge so you can trim that any time. Active Tell me about the willow weaving? John My interest in willow started when I was a young lad. My father used to make sheep

hurdles out of hazel and willow but the thin bits were no use to him. I made footballs with them and kicked them about the yard for a couple of weeks before they disintegrated, then I’d make another one. The willow industry and basket making had died with the Second World War due to cheap metal having been developed so people made metal sheep hurdles. It was Geoff Hamilton who brought it back into fashion. My daughter had been working for Geoff and she’d been cutting down the ornamental willows with different coloured winter barks. Normally they would have shredded them for a mulch so I told her to tell Geoff to get on and make something with them. The next day the answer came back for me to get up there and do something with them. So I made some very simple herbaceous plant supports, then sweet pea supports, then willow panelling. He started putting it on telly, and I became the ‘ofﬁcial supplier’ to Gardeners’ World, and that was really the rebirth of the industry that we have today. I’m heavily involved with the Sandringham Flower Show, which is in the main park right in front of the house. It’s a one-day show on the last Wednesday in July and is the largest non-RHS show in the country, run as a registered charity. Last year we raised £40,000 in one day. Many years ago I used to harvest and buy willow off the Sandringham estate. The head forester then asked me to take a stand at the show and demonstrate the willow and it led on from there. In the end I ran all the show gardens. Last year was the 15th year, which was my last year of designing and building a garden. My twin daughters and two sons-in-law do all that now, but I still run the horticultural marquee with talks from guest speakers. Lorraine’s husband Johnny runs a landscaping company called Farm and Garden Ltd and Louise and Martin run Rutland Willows. Martin also does the hedge laying and Louise does the dry stone walling – I know of only one other woman waller in the Cotswolds. Active You’re a busy man. Do you have time for anything else? John I do more teaching than anything now. We have a new training centre for volunteers at Rutland Water. I teach hedge laying for the Rutland Agricultural Society, help train volunteers at the Nene Park Trust in Peterborough, and I’ve done some work with Peterborough Museum at Flag Fen. I also do a lot around the village as I’m not one for sitting in the house watching the telly; I need to be outside doing something. I manage a herd of Formosan sika deer up at Burley on the Hill, and do a lot of charity work and give talks to groups such as the WI. I’m one of those lucky gentlemen who can honestly say I enjoy getting up every morning and going to work. www.rutlandwillows.co.uk www.lrwt.org.uk

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 2 7

Activelife

THE FINISHING TOUCHES Edited by Mary Bremner

SOME LIKE IT HOT Britain is basking in its hottest weather for 40 years, so what do you wear to keep cool?

Hopefully while you are reading this, we are still enjoying the amazing weather. Walking around town feels like being in southern Europe, heat radiates from the pavements and walls and the scent from roses, lavender and jasmine is in the air; yes the grass has turned brown, but most people are enjoying the experience, albeit shaded under a large umbrella. Long, hot evenings sitting in the sultry heat make you feel as though you are on holiday, even though you are in your own garden. Yes, we are all still working and carrying on with life, but I now understand why continentals stroll rather than walk briskly, and walk in the shade when they can. I never thought that would be me in this country, and I’m delighted – yes, I’m one of those loving the weather and relishing being able to leave the house without having to take a cardigan. Whatever your take on the heat we need to dress to embrace it and adapt

2 8 AUGUS T 2018 ///

accordingly. And that does not mean, gentlemen, shorts with socks and sandals! But we can’t just get our holiday gear out as it’s not always suitable. The secret is loose fitting, floaty and natural fibres. Linen is usually the answer. I have been spotting some very elegant (usually slightly older) ladies wearing loose linen trousers and tunic tops looking stylish and cool. Worn with a pair of slides, and in some cases a straw hat, it’s a look that can go anywhere. Or a light floaty cotton dress that just skims the body is another option. Crochet dresses have become popular again, and do they still make cheesecloth? Shorts for all seems to be the order of the day, and I’m not going to argue as different lengths and styles suit various ages and body shapes, just choose wisely. Embrace the weather, as who knows how long it will last. Slap on a sun hat, smother yourself in suntan lotion, and get outside even if it’s to sit in the shade.

OLIVER LEE SALON – HAIR COLOUR AND STYLE

And finally... Summer essentials

Lisa Chauhan, Active’s advertising sales executive, has a hair and colour makeover courtesy of Oliver Lee in Stamford Since Oliver Lee has been advertising in Active I have built up a fun, enjoyable and successful working relationship with owner Ollie. He’s certainly quite a character, as many of you who know him will agree! I jumped at the chance of having a hair colour and style at the salon. I arrived to a warm welcome and was seated ready for my consultation. I have to confess, I was a little nervous; I don’t normally let anyone loose on my hair but as my hairdresser, who is also a close friend, is on maternity leave I thought, why not? Ollie, who is the owner and senior stylist, discussed what shape he was going to put into my hair. I found Ollie very honest with his views about what would suit my face shape. This was followed by a consultation with Tracey, senior stylist and colourist, to talk about what colours I like/dislike and what I wanted the outcome to be. Tracey has a lovely way and I could tell she brings a wealth of expertise to the salon. We agreed that I would have a light blonde and low light to break up the old colour, and marry into the darker shade underneath (below left). Decisions made, Tracey got to work applying the colour. Lots of foils were used as I wanted a natural blend of colours. As this was being done I enjoyed a chat and a laugh with Ollie and Tracey and found out a little bit about the salon and what hair trends are in fashion. Apparently balayage (hand painted highlights) and plaits are very popular, and deconstructed buns are a new wedding trend for 2019. By monitoring fashion show catwalks and Instagram they continue to keep on trend with the latest hair styles

and colours that complement new and upcoming fashions. What a fab job! Ollie is obviously very ambitious with a tremendous work ethic; a good combination for running a successful business at such a young age. He offers fantastic training for his trainees which means a happy, ever growing team in Stamford. And then it was time get the foils off and wash my hair. Tracey gave me a great tip at this point. If your blonde highlights go a little yellow, apply a purple shampoo which helps to neutralise the colour. All of the salon products are Paul Mitchell, which have a natural base. A pearl ash demi was applied to my hair to neutralise and blend all the blondes together. Now it was Ollie’s turn for my hair re-shape and trim. He started off by applying a sculpting foam to my wet hair and then cut the dead ends off the length before putting the shape in. He trains all staff to talk through each process whilst cutting hair so the client feels at ease and knows what’s being done. Once my hair was dried the colour was revealed (below right), and I was really pleased with the end result. Phew! It’s a different, more subtle blonde and my hair has been re-shaped and is in a much better condition now, thanks to Ollie and Tracey. I would recommend paying a visit to Oliver Lee Salon. You will be made very welcome, enjoy the experience, and I’m sure will leave a happy customer. My session cost £150 – £100 for the colour and £50 for the cut and style.

Pure linen ruffle sleeve blouse £25 www.marksandspencer.com

John Lewis straight leg linen trousers £55 www.johnlewis.com

www.oliverleesalons.co.uk 11 St John’s Street, Stamford 01780 754828

Nude diamante cross strap sliders £19.99 www.newlook.com

Straw hat £9.99 www2.hm.com

/// AUGUS T 2018 2 9

Activelife

ACTIVE INFisOthe

cross The Geddington of the three best-preserved e or Crosses. Th surviving Elean ngstone, near rdi Ha at are others and Waltham Northampton, shire. Orginally ord rtf He in Cross from Lincoln 12 re we there s. to Charing Cros

BRIGSTOCK TO GEDDINGTON This classic walk takes us into Northamptonshire and features a rare historical monument and stunning countryside. By Will Hetherington Photography: Will Hetherington

Difficulty rating (out of five)

THE ROUTE

I parked on the road at the junction of Dusthill Road and Bridge Street on the south western edge of Brigstock. This makes it very easy to get out of the car and pick up the right direction immediately, because the first mile or so is south west down Dusthill Road. Brigstock is a beautiful large village which doesn’t seem to get much press, but it’s definitely worth a visit and it’s clear that this is going to be a decent walk from the undulating hills and tranquility. No doubt the Geddington bypass has helped deliver some of this peace and quiet. Once you have gone through Chase Farm after the first mile of Dusthill Road you will soon find yourself on a lovely woodland track which continues to fringe the southern border of Geddington Chase almost all the way to the eponymous village. This really is an enchanting

3 0 AUGUS T 2018 ///

part of the walk and something of an unexpected surprise. I encountered very few other walkers and found it extremely rewarding. When you clear the woods you will see a sign pointing right to Stanion but ignore that and drop straight down the gentle hill into Geddington on Wood Street. To see the famous Eleanor Cross and the village centre and take the dogs to the ford on the River Ise keep going and turn right on to Grafton Road at the T-Junction. Walk past the church on your right and you can’t miss the Eleanor Cross. To get to the water turn left at the Cross and walk another 100 yards. It’s well worth a look into the village having walked all the way from Brigstock, but to pick up the path over the ﬁelds back to Brigstock you will have to retrace your steps back down Grafton Road, turn left back up Wood Street and then look out for the clearly signposted ‘Nancy Moore’ steps on the right. Go up these steps and you will soon be out in the open countryside heading east back to Brigstock. It’s the best part of four miles back over the ﬁelds, going through a lot of small enclosures and one or two of the footpath signs were very

hard to find when I did the walk. So you will need an OS map, some perseverance and perhaps even a sense of humour. You could walk back through Geddington Chase if you want an easier route to navigate but I find it a bit boring retracing my steps. But anyway, ultimately all paths lead slightly north-east back to Brigstock. And it’s a very different route back through the open fields. When you return to Brigstock it’s definitely worth a wander around the village.

➛

➛ ➛

START

➛

Where to park On the road near the the junction of Dusthill Road and Bridge Street in Brigstock. Distance and time Seven and a half miles/two and a half hours

➛ ➛

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Highlights Brigstock and Geddington are both beautiful villages. The path through Geddington Chase is beautiful and peaceful with plenty of ancient oak trees along the way. Lowlights The signage on the way back is a bit elusive in places and I had to do some guesswork and some hunting to find the way, but I made it in the end. There isn’t much water on this route so be warned for the dogs in hot weather. Refreshments The Star Inn in Geddington and the Green Dragon in Brigstock to name a couple. Difficulty rating Three paws. At nearly eight miles it is a long walk but the first half is all very easy track and the second half is not much different, with the odd stile. The pooch perspective Hardly any livestock but equally hardly any water. My two were very happy to find the ford in Geddington 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.

Above

The Eleanor Cross in Geddington, one of just three of the original 12 crosses still in existence

/// AUGUS T 2018 3 1

32.indd 1

19/07/2018 16:46

Activelife

OLD SULEHAY FOREST This ancient forest and nature reserve has plenty to offer with myriad paths criss-crossing the area. By Will Hetherington

ACTIVE INFtO is a

res Old Sulehay Fo e of Special 34.8-hectare Sit st and it is part Scientific Intere e Old Sulehay of the 85-hectar . Nature Reserve

Photography: Will Hetherington

Difficulty rating (out of five)

THE ROUTE

When you leave Wansford on the Nassington Road you pass the surgery on the left and then go up the hill, and after the left hand bend you will see a parking area on the side of the road just opposite the Old Sulehay Forest entrance. Park up here and walk straight into the woods. You will immediately ﬁnd yourself on the main east/west path which runs for a mile through Old Sulehay Forest. I suggest heading straight down here to start with and you will eventually come to the minor road which links Yarwell and King’s Cliffe. You will see the rather grand stone

gateway to Old Sulehay Lodge immediately to your right, but turn left here and walk down the road for 300 yards until you come to the entrance to Ring Haw Wood. Here you can either turn right and ultimately the path will bring you back round to the footpaths or you can just keep going straight on, heading south. It doesn’t really matter because the network of paths all intersect in the Old Sulehay Nature Reserves and as long as you either have an OS map or a good sense of direction you will always ﬁnd your way around. The day I did the walk I carried on south and came on to the Apethorpe/Nassington road at New Sulehay, just by the motor workshop. Turn left here and after a couple of hundred yards look out for the slightly concealed footpath sign in the hedge on the left. Go through here and pass through a couple of horse paddocks and then turn right just before

the dismantled railway. This path crosses a few smaller ﬁelds before entering Nassington through some stables and holiday cottages. Immediately after the holiday cottages, turn left and you will come to the very welcome ford very soon.

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 3 3

Policies designed with your specific business insurance in mind

Tradesmen & Contractors

Professional Indemnity

Hairdressers & Beauticians

Directors & Officers

Homeworking Professionals

Offices & Surgeries

Teachers & Tutors

Shops, Cafés & Restaurants

Call us for a FREE QUOTE 0333 366 0714

www.policywise.co.uk

r e to ing lin ula nc on alc ya ur g c ve y o in on Tr anc k/c ey .u nv .co co rty ga he

Conveyancing specialists

Our expert team of conveyancers offer a comprehensive service, tailor-made to your requirements. • New build

• Transfer of equity

• Help to Buy

• Leasehold and freehold

• Sale and purchase • Remortgage • Equity release

• Commercial property

‘Couldn’t fault the service, very friendly and helpful – excellent, would recommend your company.’ Conveyancing Client

Contact our local conveyancing experts, email info@hegarty.co.uk. See more at www.hegarty.co.uk. Peterborough (01733) 346 333 | Stamford (01780) 752 066 | Oakham (01572) 757 565

34.indd 1

For business, for you, for life .

19/07/2018 16:46

Activelife

➛

➛ ➛

➛

➛ ➛

➛

START

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION Where to park On the side of the road just to the south-west of Wansford opposite the Old Sulehay Forest entrance. Distance and time It’s really up to you with this one but if you follow the route here then it’s about five miles and won’t take more than two hours. Highlights Old Sulehay Forest is full of ancient trees, and the connected Ring Haw Woods and a number of other pieces of woodland are all very peaceful. There are a number of information boards which will tell you what flora and fauna to look out for, such as green tiger beetles and common blue and grizzled skipper butterflies. Lowlights There is a shortage of fresh water on the way around but if you make it to Nassington the ford is a useful cooling off point for the dogs. Refreshments The Paper Mills in Wansford. Difficulty rating Two paws. There is nothing challenging here. The pooch perspective There’s not much livestock so that’s not an issue but the lack of fresh water could be an issue on a very hot day.

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.

There isn’t a lot of fresh water on this route so your dogs will be very happy to see this ford. After the water you will pass under the dismantled railway and you need to look out for another slightly concealed footpath sign on the left. Take this path which leads north-west back over the ﬁelds for a mile. Again, keep an eye out for the signs in the hedgerows and you will come to the back road from Yarwell to King’s Cliffe. Cross over and pick up the path (again slightly concealed) which continues across the old quarry and back to the path through Old Sulehay Forest. There are many tracks through this nature reserve and you can explore all over but this route provided a good ﬁve-mile walk for me and my two dogs.

Right

There are plenty of paths across the reserve, so you can tailor this walk to your (and your dog’s) needs

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 3 5

15 MAIN RD, GLASTON, RUTLAND, LE15 9BP BAR | RESTAURANT | HOTEL

The Old Pheasant Hotel in Glaston is situated in the picturesque heart of Rutland, providing the perfect escape for some relaxation.

36.indd 1

01572 822326

RESTAURANT TIMES:

MON - FRIDAY: LUNCH: 12 - 2PM DINNER: 6 - 9PM SATURDAY: LUNCH: 12 - 3PM DINNER: 6 - 9PM SUNDAY: ALL DAY DINING FROM 12 - 7PM SUNDAY ROAST FROM 12 - 4PM

Off the A47, this traditional grade 2 listed stonebuilt country pub with rooms attached is close to the market town of Oakham, Uppingham and Stamford. It is located just a stones throw away from Rutland Water Nature Reserve.

our lunch and dinner menu has some great pub classics along with some tantalising dishes sourced locally. The menu has been designed by our chefs. They have designed the menu to suit a variety of different tastes.

The well set out rooms have contemporary furnishings and decor, and come with free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Breakfast is open to the public and

Whether your stay is for business or simply to relax and enjoy the beautiful surrounding countryside, our dedicated staff will take care to ensure your every need is catered for, leaving you to simply enjoy yourself and unwind.

20/07/2018 14:04

Activelife

PETS

TRAVELLING SAFELY

HOT DOGS Cooling tips for the summer, and how to keep a dog cool and prevent heatstroke, by Clear Ridge Vets ● Make sure your dog has access to clean water at all times, ideally a large bowl ﬁlled to the brim. ● Carry water and a bowl with you on walks. ● On hot days, walk your dog during the cooler parts of the day, in the early morning and late evening. ● Watch your pet for signs of overheating, including heavy panting and loss of energy. If you recognise these signs when on a walk, stop, ﬁnd a shady spot and give your dog water. ● Never leave your dog (or any pet) alone in a car, even with the windows open. ● Make cooling tasty treats by making ice cubes with your dog’s favourite food inside or stuff a Kong dog toy and pop it in the freezer.

● Be particularly careful with short nosed dogs such as bull breeds, boxers, pugs, older dogs, and those that are overweight. These dogs can get heatstroke simply by running around.

HEATSTROKE IN DOGS

Signs of heatstroke are panting heavily, drooling excessively, appearing lethargic, drowsy or unco-ordinated, vomiting or collapsing. If your dog is showing any of these signs, move them to a cool, shaded area and contact your vet straight away. Dogs suffering from heatstroke urgently need their body temperature lowering, but this must be done gradually or they can go into shock.

If you are travelling in the car with your dog this summer, there are a few things you need to think about before setting off: 1. Exercise your dog before a long journey so they are more likely to settle and rest in the car. 2. Driving long distances? It is advisable to use a pet crate and make regular stops so your dog can stretch their legs and go to the toilet. 3. Don’t forget to pack any necessary documentation and medication as well as everything for their normal care. 4. Check out safe walks before you go – some areas can be hazardous if you aren’t familiar with them and some beaches at certain times of the year will not allow dogs on. 5. Obtain the details and contact number of a local/emergency vet before you leave, just in case. You don’t want to be caught out. If at any point you have concerns over your dog’s health or need advice or assistance, call Clear Ridge Vets on 01780 764333 www.clearridgevets.co.uk/contact-us

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 3 7

Back to

School

Luxury British-made Leathergoods

Quality fitting service

PETASIL®

Annual Factory Open Day: Factory Tours • Tea • Coffee • Cake • Discount Shopping Bank Holiday Monday, August 27th 10am-4pm

North ShoeS fittiNg ShoeS SiNce 1876

www.tusting.co.uk/open-day The Tannery Warehouse, 29 Olney Road, Lavendon MK46 4EU 01234 712266 | www.tusting.co.uk | theteam@tusting.co.uk Factory Shop Open Weekdays 9:30am to 4:30pm

18 North Street Bourne 01778 422886

2 Red Lion Square Stamford 01780 755400

7 Market Place Oundle 01832 272534

www.northshoes.co.uk

Anna Couture Couture Anna SEIB Horseless Burghley Fun Run 2018 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Burghley Estate, Stamford, Lincs - Sunday 2nd September • 15.00 start • Finishers medal • Refreshments • Photographer • Free admission to fun run area and parking* • Toilets and paramedic support • Distance 3 - 3.5 Km Run/jog a single lap of part of Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials cross country course, viewing some of the familiar fences and water obstacles, tackled by the worlds leading horses and riders the previous day. All proceeds to local charities via the organisers Stamford XT.

Entries open on line now please see entry form for terms and conditions closing date 24th August. A full day paying visitor to the event may enter at registration on the day at the start.

https://burghleysponsoredride.co.uk/seib-horseless-burghley-fun-run/ *Applies to on line entrants only with entry to the reserved parking via special entry gate only between 14.00 and 15.00. South Essex House, North Road, South Ockendon Essex RM15 5BE.South Essex Insurance Brokers Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Bespoke Bespoke Dressmaking Dressmaking Bridal&& Bridal Special Special Occasions Occasions PromDresses Dresses Prom

Day Day&&Evening Evening Wear WearBoutique Boutique Jewellery Jewellery Hats Hats Shoes Shoes&&Bags Bags Accessories Accessories

Clothing Alterations & Repairs Clothing Alterations & Repairs

01780 765174 765174 01780 17c Cheyne Lane, Stamford PE9 2DG

17c Cheyne Lane, Stamford PE9 2DG 38.indd 1

19/07/2018 16:45

ACTIVE BODY

How to pack a protein punch, why and when you need steroid joint injections, plus our harvest festival of superfoods Edited by Steve Moody

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 3 9

ACTIVE BODY

THE PROS OF PROTEIN Nutritionist Dawn Revens looks at protein – a vital building block for recovery and fuel for exercise When I work with clients one of the first things I’m looking at in their food diary is whether or not they are eating enough protein, because it’s such an important nutrient for endurance athletes. There are five reasons why I think it’s important that you eat enough protein. The first one is that when you’re training and racing your muscles are working hard. Your heart is a muscle, there are muscles in your arms, legs and core which will be working hard too. When you train and race, you damage your muscles causing micro tears, so you need to give your muscles the

4 0 AUGUS T 2018 ///

raw materials it needs to rebuild and repair the damage. It’s mainly protein that will help to do that so it’s really important to include it in your recovery nutrition plan. Your training gains come when you’re resting and not when you’re training so make sure you give your body the protein it needs to repair and rebuild. The second reason is that your body uses a low level of protein for fuel so you need to make sure this is replaced otherwise your muscle mass may decrease slightly. Make sure that you’re getting enough so

that you’re replacing the protein that gets used by your body for energy. The third reason is that protein is an inefficient fuel and the body uses more calories to break it down and use it than it does when using either carbohydrate or fat. This is known as the thermic effect and if you’re trying to get leaner and lighter then using more calories to breakdown your food is a good thing. Protein is satiating and will make you feel fuller for longer. Again that will help if you’re trying to get leaner, lighter and faster. If you’re eating something that’s making you feel fuller for longer and more satisfied, then you’re less likely to go off looking for those little snacks; protein is really helpful from that perspective. The final reason you need to make sure that you’re getting enough protein is because it will raise your blood sugar levels much less than the same amount of carbohydrate. If your blood sugar rises are smaller less insulin will be secreted. Less insulin secretion means that less fat will be stored, particularly around your middle. It will also mean less insulin resistance as you get older, which decreases your risk of type 2 diabetes. If eating enough protein helps to repair and rebuild muscles and keep you leaner and lighter so you can go faster, the next obvious question is how much do you actually need? As a guideline for an endurance athlete, I always start at 1-1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight as a maintenance amount. Obviously the more you train, the more calories you will eat to fuel that activity, which means you should be getting more protein in anyway. Now that you have more knowledge around the importance of protein to athletes, do a rough calculation and see whether or not you think you’re getting enough protein. Focus particularly on your breakfast because in our carbohydrate centric western society, when we tend to have toast and cereal to start the day, it’s unlikely that you will be getting enough protein at that particular meal. Good sources of protein include seafood, poultry, eggs, milk, cheese and yoghurt, beans and pulses. Dawn Revens is The Compeater, and works with endurance athletes to optimise their nutrition so they can get amazing training in racing results. Her blogs will inspire you and give you some easy to implement things that you can take action on so that you have a fantastic race season this year.

Harborough Stone Master Stonemasons & Building & Restoration Experts

Carpet. Without it, a room can feel undressed • • • • • •

Choose from opulent deep pile, traditional Axminsters, stylish Wiltons or natural seagrass. For the finishing touches to suit every home… Call us on… Visit our NEW Website

0116 271 6886

1 The Parade, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5BB w w w. o a d b y f l o o r i n g . c o . u k

Woodburning & Multi-Fuel Stoves Hand Carved Masonry & Fireplaces Gas & Electric Fires & Stoves House Plaques & Date Stones Wooden Beams & Fireplace Surrounds Architectural & Restoration works

01858 41 00 33

1 Sulleys Yard, Adam & Eve Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7LT

www.harborough-stone.co.uk

Walkrite Specialist Foot & Ankle Clinics Serving Cambs, Lincs and Rutland

Walkrite incorporates the best clinical care and technology to alleviate painful foot and ankle conditions of all descriptions.

• Foot/Ankle Pain

Expert clinical knowledge and the latest techniques are combined to alleviate your symptoms and get you on the move again.

• Running Technique Assessment

• Sports Injuries • Children’s Foot Pain • Clinical Gait Analysis

ENQUIRIES: 01733 559161 info@walkrite.co.uk www.walkrite.co.uk

• Gait Re-Training • Custom-made orthoses

Nicola Blower BSc(Hons), MChS, MFPM

• Experienced clinicians • Self-Referrals Accepted

RCPS(Glasg), MSSF

John Chadwick BSc(Hons), FCPM, FFPM RCPS(Glasg)

Walkrite, runrite, feel right

41.indd 1

20/07/2018 16:51

BE THE LIGHT IN THE FIGHT TO BEAT CANCER SHINE, 10K NIGHT WALK DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY SATURDAY 20 OCT

Registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666) and the Isle of Man (1103).

LEICESTER

ACTIVE BODY

SNACKS TO GO When you’ve honed your diet and exercise routine but need an extra boost to keep your energy levels flowing at crunch times, you don’t want to compromise on health or taste. Here’s a selection of snacks to choose from...

1. Mars Protein Bar

For a new and tasty way to enjoy protein, Mars has introduced a Protein Bar. It contains 200 calories and has the nutritional profile you would expect from a protein bar without compromising the taste of a classic confectionery brand. The Mars Protein Bar contains 19g of protein combined with soft caramel and chocolate. The individually wrapped bars can be easily slipped into any gym bag as a post workout snack. Price £1 From www.georgehallscycles.co.uk

2. OTE energy pack

This great value pack features a variety of OTE products designed to provide energy during a workout: included are a Duo Bar, Energy Gel, Anytime Bar, 20 Hydrotabs for easy hydration and a 750ml waterbottle. Price £10 From www.rutlandcycling.com

3. Boundless nuts

Fusing fun and flavour with bright and beautiful packaging, Boundless nuts and seeds provide a nutrient-dense, high fibre and perfectlyportioned treat. There are three mouthwatering varieties, all characterised by low sugar content and high levels of fibre and protein. They’re also gluten and soy-free and vegan and coeliacfriendly. Price £2.20 From www.ocado.com

4. Alchemy Superblends

Each pack of Alchemy Superblends is tailormade to work with your body while providing an essential source of vitamins, minerals, fibre and protein that our often stressed-out bodies need on a daily basis. Alchemy is available in four ‘elixirs’ – each one providing the specific nutrients needed to combat our modern ailments and using only pure, organic and ethically sourced ingredients. Price £6.50 From www.alchemysuperblends.com

5. KIND snacks

KIND snacks are made from whole nuts, fruits and spices, bound together with honey for a simple and delicious snack. And they don’t skimp on the good stuff; the bars are crafted with up to 72% nuts. Gluten and dairy free, they are free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. Price £1 From www.sainsburys.co.uk

6. 5.

6. Clif Builder’s bar

CLIF Builder’s bars have 20g of protein for the growth and maintenance of muscles. Builder’s never contain ingredients such as partially hydrogenated oils or sugar alcohols. Three flavours are available: chocolate, chocolate and mint, and chocolate peanut butter. Price £2.50 From www.leicesterrunningshop.co.uk

/// AUGUS T 2018 4 3

ACTIVE BODY

DO YOU NEED THE NEEDLE? Dr Hany Elmadbouh, lead consultant at Avicenna Clinic explains steroid injections A common cause of a painful joint is synovitis (inflammation of the lining of the joint or adjacent soft tissue). It can be useful to inject corticosteroid and/or local anaesthetic directly into the joint or the soft tissue next to a joint (this is often called a bursa) to reduce the inflammation. Why perform a steroid injection? This procedure is most often used in the shoulder, knee or hip but may also be helpful in other joints such as the back (facet) and small joints of the hands and feet for pain relief. Sometimes it may be difficult to know what exactly is causing the joint pain. If the pain is not mainly due to the joint inflammation, the injection may not improve the symptoms. Although this may be disappointing, it can be helpful information as it means another cause of joint pain needs to be considered. What are the benefits of injections? Steroid injections into joints, particularly the shoulder and the knee, appear to provide short- to medium-term pain relief (three weeks to three months), particularly when combined (in the shoulder) with appropriate physiotherapy. They do not provide long-term pain relief and do not alter the course of underlying joint disease (e.g. osteoarthritis).

How is the injection performed? The procedure is usually performed under X-ray or ultrasound guidance (pictured) to ensure accurate injection into the target area. The exact technique varies depending on the joint and the consultant radiologist who performs the injection. Generally, a preliminary scan will be performed to locate the exact point to be injected, which may be marked on the skin. The skin will then be cleaned with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection. Local anaesthetic is injected into the skin and deeper tissues to reduce the discomfort of the procedure. A needle will then be placed into the joint either at the point marked on your skin or using the ultrasound to see the tip of the needle as it moves into the joint or bursa. When the needle is in the correct place, its position will be confirmed by injecting a small volume of contrast (dye) before giving the injection. How long does an injection take? It varies but an ultrasound guided injection will generally take between 15 and 30 minutes. Are there any side effects? There is a very small (1 in 20,000-75,000 injections) risk of infection. There are possible complications of the steroids with

aggravation of pain and if the steroid is not injected solely in the joint damaging to the soft tissue including atrophy of the skin and fat under the skin and rupture of the tendons. Allergic reaction to the medication (as with any drug) may also occur. What happens after the procedure? The patient will go into the recovery area to be monitored until ready to be discharged. As local anaesthetic is used, the patient may initially feel better but the joint pain may also be worse than before the injection and this may last two to three days. How often can I have the injection? Some patients find that the injection gives them good pain relief for a few months, but then the pain comes back and they wonder about having another injection. Although the exact risk of multiple injections is not known, most doctors would advise against injection more than three to four times a year to avoid damage to the joint. Avicenna Clinic has a range of specialist consultants, operating theatre for surgical procedures and superior in-house imaging facilities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including state-of-the-art MRI, ultrasound and X-ray scanning equipment. For more information, contact Avicenna Clinic on 0330 202 0597.

4 2 AU G U S T 2018 ///

42 Avicenna OK.indd 52

19/07/2018 08:44

Open MRI

Launde Abbey

Open daily for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea

Cyclists and walkers very welcome Why not start your walk or ride at Launde then reward yourself with a delicious lunch at the end? Visit our website for maps and routes at www.laundeabbey.org.uk Launde Abbey, East Norton, Leicestershire LE7 9XB T: 01572 717254 I E: info@launde.org.uk Charity No: 1140918

45.indd 1

19/07/2018 16:45

Feature /// Summer food

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Super Season! Superfoods are never more abundant than at harvest time. Here are some great places to source them and fabulous recipes to try

Farndon Fields It’s always an exciting time of year at Farndon Fields when the farm team is busy in the ﬁelds picking all sorts of fruits and vegetables to be sold in the farm shop, says Nicola Stokes. “We’ve been farming at Farndon Fields, on the edge of Market Harborough, for more than 35 years. It has grown over time and now includes the farm shop full of our homegrown and homemade products. The deli, butchery, farmer’s kitchen, garden and gift shop all showcase local and artisan products that are specially selected by our team. “All through summer we get super excited for our famously sweet strawberries, a real summer treat! We pick all our strawberries fresh every day and deliver them straight to the farm shop the same morning. You can’t get much fresher than that. “We also grow raspberries and blackberries all under poly-tunnels to protect them from the unpredictable weather. A summer shower can have a real impact on a soft fruit crop so we do all we can to protect them. Our home-grown summer fruits make the perfect British summer pudding, handmade in our kitchen and sold in the farm shop. The perfect treat to serve with local cream.” Nicola says Farndon also grows wheat and oats and supplies a local breakfast cereal producer in Northamptonshire. She says: “We stock a range of these breakfast cereals in our farm shop so you

can also buy locally grown and milled granola and porridge.” www.farndonﬁelds.co.uk 01858 464 838

Launde Abbey Launde Abbey is a gorgeous place to visit at any time of year. Situated just on the border of Leicestershire and Rutland, between the A47 and Oakham, it has its own medieval chapel and atmospheric historic buildings dating back to the Tudor period, as it was once owned by Henry VIII’s aide, Thomas Cromwell and lived in by Thomas’s son, Gregory. One of the main attractions is the courtyard café where visitors can enjoy a delicious morning coffee and homemade cake, a Launde lunch or a very tempting cream tea. “The food at the Abbey is produced by a team of chefs using locally sourced meat and dairy products, which is complemented by the fruit and vegetables grown in the Abbey’s own walled kitchen garden – also open to visitors who want to explore,” says Suzanne Simons.

The landscaped gardens are home to a variety of beautiful trees, a labyrinth, summer house and the Stations of the Cross, a series of specially commissioned crosses which are situated around the grounds. She adds: “During the summer months there are also plants for sale and sometimes surplus fruit and vegetables from the Abbey’s gardens, so it’s certainly worth a visit.” If that doesn’t tempt you then the Abbey also hosts a series of monthly literature lectures, which are a great opportunity to meet up with friends, learn a little more about some classic books and their authors, and then enjoy a delicious Launde lunch. Throughout the year there are also Classical Concerts in the Abbey’s chapel, featuring some renowned classical musicians and a few rising stars. The acoustics in the chapel are amazing so this is a real treat, which is also followed by a cream tea, so resistance is useless! www.laundeabbey.org.uk 01572 717254

Riverford Farm Self-confessed vegetable nerds Riverford tell us a bit about what’s going on at the local organic farm in August. “Our farm at Sacrewell is a very exciting place to be at the moment. Summer is the one time of year when we plant, pick and sow all at the same time. Everything we grow, make and sell is 100% organic, this means that all of our produce is seasonal. Crops that we are currently cultivating include kohlrabi and aubergine,” says David Simpson. “Kohlrabi is a crisp, juicy vegetable with a mild, slightly sweet radish-like ﬂavour. Its skin can be light green or purple – but the refreshing taste is just the same. Kohlrabi is a powerhouse of nutrients, containing high levels of protein, ﬁbre, vitamin C and potassium.” When it comes to eating the tasty veg, kohlrabi is great used raw in salads and slaws, you can also add it to gratins and bakes. The leaves are good in stir-fries too. Aubergine, meanwhile, is part of the nightshade family, a group of plants that includes tomato, potato and pepper. This technically makes aubergine a fruit, however, it is invariably used as a veg. The versatile ingredient can be stuffed, sliced or skewed; barbecued, baked or fried. Aubergines start to peak towards the end of July and continue to be at their best deep into September. The honorary-

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 4 7

Feature /// Summer food

A THOROUGHLY MODERN HARVEST FESTIVAL… Looking to use local ingredients in meals with a modern, healthy twist? Here are some recipes that taste great and feature seasonal superfoods veg is full of vitamins such as B1 and B6, minerals, like potassium and magnesium, and provide a lot of dietary ﬁbre. “In addition to all our farming duties, we’re currently holding a series of summer walks. We deliver veg boxes across the region and these walks give us the opportunity to share our passion for organic produce with visitors. The guided strolls around the farm are followed by a Riverford picnic of freshly made pies, dips and salads,” adds David. “We’re also already gearing up for our annual pumpkin day. The familyfriendly event takes place on October 27, with plenty of exciting, interactive activities to take part in – including pumpkin carving.” www.riverford.co.uk

The Marquess of Exeter Brian Baker of the Marquess of Exeter in Lyddington is passionate about sourcing and using local ingredients for his menus. A creative and talented chef, Brian knows the value of fresh ingredients, whether that’s the herbs, salad leaves or vegetables he and his team grow in the restaurant garden, freshly picked local berries or the ethically reared meat from Launde lamb on the Leicestershire/Rutland border. He’ll also shortly be cooking up a storm at the food walk during the Burghley Horse Trials from August 30 to September 2. www.marquessexeter.co.uk 01572 822477

Sacrewell This harvest, on September 22-23, Sacrewell Farm near Peterborough is hosting a festival. There will be a craft tent, tasting of produce from Sacrewell’s orchards, a music marquee, bread making workshops in the old bakery in the old mill and a ﬁre pit to toast marshmallows. The resident blacksmith will also be around for drop-in workshops. www.sacrewell.org.uk 01780 782254

4 8 A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 ///

Riverford’s kohlrabi and peanut stir-fry Serves four Kohlrabi takes on spicy flavourings well, so is a good veg to use in Asian cooking, either in curries, stir-fries or even simply braised with aromatic szechuan pepper and star anise in the braising liquid. Ingredients 250g egg noodles Two tbsp sesame oil Two tbsp sunflower oil One large carrot, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks One large kohlrabi, peeled, cut into thin slices, then into matchsticks Two garlic cloves, crushed or finely grated 3–4cm piece of fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated One red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped (leave the seeds in for more heat; optional) One bunch of spring onions, finely sliced on the diagonal 150g sugar snap peas, or use chopped green beans, or a mix of both Three tbsp hoisin sauce Two tbsp soy sauce One generous tbsp crunchy peanut butter Three tbsp unsalted peanuts, toasted and chopped Squeeze of lime juice, to taste Handful of coriander leaves, roughly chopped (optional) Method Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions, then toss with the sesame oil to prevent them from sticking together. Heat the sunflower oil in a wok, add the carrot, kohlrabi, garlic, ginger and chilli (if using) and stir-fry on a high heat for three minutes. Add the noodles with the spring onions and the sugar snap peas or green beans and cook for a further two minutes. Stir in the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, peanut butter, chopped peanuts and two tablespoons of water (add a little more water for more of a sauce) and heat through. Serve with a little lime juice squeezed over and sprinkled with the chopped coriander, if using. Variations * Try cashews instead of peanuts. * Add some sliced mushrooms – shiitake would be good. For more Riverford recipes, go to www.riverford.co.uk/recipes

SQUASH Squash and kale over penne Serves four Unlike summer squash, winter squash has a fine texture and a slightly sweet flavour. Because of its thick skin, it can be stored for months. It tastes best with other autumnal flavourings, such as cinnamon and ginger. It has lots of omega-3 fatty acids, and is an excellent source of vitamin A

APPLES Chicken thighs with roasted apples and garlic Serves four Baked apple and chicken combine for an autumnal treat that’s ready in less than 45 minutes. Apples are a powerful source of antioxidants, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C, and are also full of fibre and potassium. Ingredients 1.5kg chopped and peeled braeburn apples (about 1 1/2 pounds) One teaspoon chopped fresh sage 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg Four garlic cloves, chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided Cooking spray Eight chicken thighs, skinned 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Chopped parsley (optional) Method 1. Preheat oven to 200°C. 2. Combine first five ingredients. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt; toss well to coat. Spread apple mixture on a jelly roll pan coated with cooking spray. 3. Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper, and arrange on top of the apple mixture. Bake for 25 minutes or until chicken is done and apple is tender. Remove chicken from pan; keep warm.

4. Partially mash apple mixture with a potato masher, and serve with chicken. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS Brussels sprouts with parmesan and pine nuts Serves six Cooked the right way, brussels sprouts can taste fantastic, and they are incredibly good for you with more vitamin C than in an orange, plus vitamin K, calcium, and folate. Roasted or pan-fried, they’re pretty tasty too. Ingredients 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 1.5kg thinly sliced brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved 1 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 40g red wine vinegar 40g parmesan shavings Two tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

Ingredients Two one-inch cubed peeled medium squash 80ml cup water One tablespoon olive oil Two garlic cloves, 200g coarsely chopped and trimmed kale 125g organic vegetable broth 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg Hot cooked penne Parmesan cheese Method 1. Place squash in a casserole dish with water. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave seven minutes on high or until tender. 2. Heat oil in a large saucepan over mediumhigh heat. 3. Add garlic; cook for one minute, stirring constantly. 4. Add kale and broth; cover and cook for three minutes, stirring occasionally. Then uncover and cook for a further minute. 5. Stir in the salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in squash and pasta, tossing gently. Sprinkle with cheese.

Method 1. Heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat; add brussels sprouts, salt and pepper. Cook until sprouts are tender and golden (about six minutes), stirring occasionally. 2. Remove pan from heat; add vinegar. Toss well. Transfer the sprouts to a serving bowl; top with parmesan and pine nuts.

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 4 9

CHARITY COFFEE & CAKE DAY JOIN US

Saturday 18th August at Stamford Stoves, 10-4

JOIN US FOR OUR

Raising money for Mind and Sepsis UK

‘Pancakes & Prosecco Event’ in association with

RAFFLE PRIZES also available

NEW SHOWROOM Saturday 17th February 12-4pm

Farndon Fields Farm Farndon Road Market Harborough LE16 9NP Tel: 01858 464838

Opening Hours Monday to Saturday 8am - 6pm Sunday & Bank Holidays 10am - 4pm

www.farndonfields.co.uk

Calling all cyclists to make us your stop off point for refuelling!

Unit 1A, Station Road Business Unit 1a Station Road Business Park, Barnack, Stamford,Park, Lincolnshire, PE9 3DW Station Road, Barnack, Stamford 3DW Telephone: 01780 769274 Telephone:PE9 01780 769274

stamfordstoves.co.uk • @stamfordstoves @stamfordstoves stamfordstoves.co.uk

www.farndonfields.co.uk

Come and enjoy our new menu… Sharing Plates Artisan Burgers Delicious Salads Childrens Menu Daily Specials Join us at the Marquess for great food and drink with friendly service in delightful surroundings. Enjoy outstanding food from our newly revamped menu from award-winning chef Brian Baker.

Relax and enjoy a drink or two in our cosy snug and bar. We look forward to welcoming you soon…! Call now to Book…

01572 822 477

Lunch & Dinner 7 Days a Week | 17 Modern Bedrooms 52 Main Street | Lyddington | LE15 9LT

w w w. m a r q u e s s e x e t e r. c o . u k

50.indd 1

19/07/2018 16:45

Feature /// Summer food

Ingredients 50g coarsely chopped pecans One tablespoon rapeseed oil Three pears, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch slices One teaspoon brown sugar One tablespoon minced shallot 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup apple juice Two teaspoons cider vinegar One teaspoon dijon mustard One bag baby spinach Gorgonzola cheese

SWEET POTATO Roasted sweet potatoes Serves six If you roast sweet potatoes, they maintain more vitamins than boiling. They’re a good source of vitamin A, and iron, and have plenty of anti-inﬂammatory beneﬁts Ingredients 1.5kg of one-inch cubed peeled sweet potatoes Cooking spray One tablespoon olive oil 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Coarsely chopped onion One tablespoon butter, melted Method 1. Preheat oven to 180°C. 2. Place sweet potatoes in a shallow roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat. 3. Roast at 180°C for 30 minutes. 4. Add onion; stir well. Roast an additional 30 minutes; remove from oven. 5. Drizzle sweet potato mixture with butter; stir to coat. Grill for 10 minutes or until browned.

PEAR Spinach, pear and goat’s cheese salad Serves four Cooking can really bring out the fabulous ﬂavour of pear, so try them baked or poached. Pears contain vitamin C and copper and are a good source of ﬁbre.

Method 1 Toast the pecans in a pan over medium heat for three minutes or until fragrant; set aside. 2 Add two teaspoons rapeseed oil to the same pan, and increase heat to medium-high. Add pears, and sprinkle with brown sugar; do not stir. Cook the pears for ﬁve minutes or until lightly browned on bottom. Stir to melt the brown sugar. Transfer the pears to a plate. 3 Add remaining one teaspoon of oil to pan. Add shallots, salt, and pepper. Stir for 30 seconds or until fragrant. 4 Add apple juice, cider vinegar, and mustard. Whisk, simmer for three or four minutes or until slightly reduced. Add pears. 5 Place spinach in a large serving bowl. Pour pears and dressing on top, and toss. Arrange gorgonzola and pecans on top. Serve immediately.

KA LE Cooked kale Serves four This dark, leafy green has gained a big following for its nutritional potency. Chopped raw kale offers more vitamin K than any other green and is also high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant which is believed to boost the immune system and even help ward off certain types of cancers. Ingredients 40g cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 whole sprig rosemary 1 large red onion, sliced 5 to 10 garlic cloves, smashed 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper ﬂakes, to taste 500g kale, center ribs removed Sea salt Freshly ground pepper

then allow it to cook a few minutes undisturbed. 2. Add the garlic, season with the red pepper ﬂakes and a few pinches of salt and ground pepper, and stir, cooking for another three to four minutes. 3. Add the kale, stir to combine, and cook, stirring often to avoid burning the kale. Instead, it should turn a deep green. After about 30 minutes, raise the heat to medium and allow the edges to crisp slightly. 4. Discard the rosemary sprig and serve with a sprinkling of sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.

RUNNER BEANS Garlic runner beans Serves eight Runner beans are incredibly good for you: the fibre content is very high, and there’s protein in them too. They’re a good source of vitamins A, C, K, B6, and folic acid, as well as minerals: calcium, silicon, iron, manganese, potassium, and copper. Ingredients 45g olive oil Four garlic cloves, thinly sliced 750g green and/or yellow runner beans, trimmed One teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Salt and freshly ground black pepper One lemon, halved Method 1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. 2. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, for about two minutes. 3. Add beans and red pepper flakes; season with salt and pepper and toss to coat. 4. Cook, tossing occasionally, until beans are crisp-tender and lightly browned, 8–10 minutes. 5. Transfer beans to a platter and squeeze lemon over.

Method 1. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Heat the olive oil until it begins to shimmer, then add the rosemary and onion. Turn the ﬂame to low and stir the mixture to combine,

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 5 1

TON TROU B RS

K TRAIL

The George & Dragon Inn, Seaton

The beautifully refurbished George & Dragon pub at Seaton is the ambitious new venture from Ralph Offer, formerly of the Stamford Wine Bar.

Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 17:00-23:00 I Friday-Saturday 12:00-23:00 I Sunday 12:00-21:00 Lunch and dinner Wednesday to Saturday for 12-2:30pm and 6-9pm - Sunday lunch 12-2:30pm

The downstairs area has been extended to include a welcoming sitting room completed with cosy armchairs and a piano â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the perfect place to while away an evening with a good bottle of wine.

This quintessentially English village pub has undergone a complete transformation. With three months of hard work creating an interior that is best described as snug country pub with an industrial twist. Bare brick and luxurious tweed, enhanced with thoroughly modern metal accents such as the spider web light fitting that illuminates the main bar.

2 Main Street, Seaton, Rutland LE15 9HU Telephone 01572 747418 www.thegeorgeanddragonseaton.com

52.indd 1

Ralph has put his wine knowledge to good use, creating a comprehensive drinks list including over thirty wines, as well as a selection of local ales, lager and spirits that ensures there is something for every taste.

Ralph Offer - Owner Omar Palazzolo - Head Chef

19/07/2018 16:44

ACTIVE SPORT

Previewing the Women’s Hockey World Cup, walks in Brigstock and Old Sulehay Forest, plus local sporting round-ups

It’s not coming home Martin Johnson savours the best the World Cup had to offer, from supermarket team debates to the award for best actor in an injured role

h well. No World Cup for England once again, but we’re making progress. There were the usual calls for an open-topped bus ride through London, only this time for the players to bask in the applause. Normally when they come home, the idea behind leaving the roof off has been to give the Trafalgar Square pigeons some target practice. A combination of the heatwave and England’s unexpected progression to the semi-finals made for some stranger than usual behaviour, as I witnessed during an altercation at my local supermarket’s meat counter at 9am the morning after we’d despatched Columbia. Nothing to do with the price of lamb chops, but the unstoppability – or otherwise – of the England team. The bloke behind the counter declared them to be an irresistible force of nature, destined to emulate the boys of 1966, while the chap arranging the lamb chop display was of the opinion that of all the teams he’d watched play in yellow shirts, Columbia came a distant second in ability to Burton Albion. The exchange was, to put it mildly, pretty high decibel, and caught in the crossfire was a little old lady; her puzzled expression suggesting that she had little to contribute to the debate and had only wandered by for half a pound of sausages. I was so engrossed that by the time the argument ended (in a draw, and possibly decided on penalties) I’d totally forgotten what I went in for. Having finally given up, my mind was still elsewhere when I stepped out into the road without paying attention, and was almost run down by a car flying half a dozen flags of St George. It was a shame, I thought to myself, that the supermarket wallahs weren’t on a television panels of experts, where it only took England to win their opening match against some team ranked just above Baffin Land to have them unanimously agreeing that the boys were going all the way. Ergo, when it came to previewing the semifinal, the pundits were unanimously agreed that Croatia were not so much minnows, as plankton. Oh, if only they’d sent for me. England, I could see quite clearly, had gone as far as they could in their bid to win the World Falling Down Championships. They could hit the net alright, but it was their chronic inability to hit the turf when it mattered. Namely, inside the penalty area. If this World Cup had been decided as it should have been – by judges – England wouldn’t have got out of their group. When it came to the likes of Luis Suarez of Uruguay and the Brazilian acrobat Neymar, both of whom set new standards when it came to writhing

around in feigned agony, you wondered why the thing wasn’t organised on the same lines as the Eurovision Song Contest... ‘and now for the votes of the Croatian jury’. It’s a dangerous business this football. Get on the wrong side of a gust of wind, and over you go, looking for all the world as if you’ve sustained multiple fractures to both legs. My favourite injury of the tournament was sustained by a Belgian player, who fell to the ground in such agony that you thought it only right that he be afforded the same compassion as a stricken family pet and taken away to be put to sleep. However, when it finally became clear that the referee wasn’t about to call on either a trainer to apply the magic sponge, or a priest to administer the last rites, our man decided that he wasn’t dead after all, and would get back up again. One day there will be a TV programme about anthropologists stumbling across an ancient burial site. And one of them will turn to the camera and say: “this man clearly died in agony, in the foetal position, and yet there isn’t a single mark on him. It’s baffling.” Except it won’t be baffling at all. It’ll be a footballer. However, if the World Cup does strange things to fans and players, it pales into insignificance compared to the effect it has on commentators. Whenever England played, it was like listening to a Pathé newsreel. Good job we never met the Germans, otherwise it would have been full of stuff about giving the Hun a bloody nose. The BBC’s man, Guy Mowbray, kicked off the Sweden match with “and for many of you at home, this will be the best football experience of your life”, and for the rest of the game he showered us with his scripted ad libs. Ergo, the England goalie Jordan Pickford makes a save, and Guy yells “no way through in the kingdom of Jordan!” Eventually, Croatia managed to find two ways through the kingdom of Jordan to allow Guy’s tonsils to finally cool down, although there were still big winners at the end of it all. Not least the waistcoat manufacturers, for whom vast fortunes await on the back of England manager Gareth Southgate’s match day attire. Personally, I never thought I’d become a victim of World Cup fever. But then, tuning in for my afternoon TV footie fix to find that there was nothing on but Countdown and Judge Judy, I found myself sobbing uncontrollably. Somehow, though, we must muddle through the next four years to that magical three weeks when you will be able to overhear strange utterances from people talking into a phone. “Listen, I’ve got to dash. Cameroon v Peru is on in 10 minutes.”

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?’

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 5 3

Feature /// Hockey

T H E R E ’ S A LWAY S THE NEXT W O R L D C U P…

Chris Meadows speaks to local elite hockey players, past and present, to find out about England’s chances in the next sporting World Cup – happening later this month Photography: England Hockey

5 4 A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 ///

Laura Unsworth England hockey team: 2008-present Position: Midfield Age: 30 Chris Meadows catches up with England midfielder Laura Unsworth at the official Women’s Hockey World Cup kit launch at the new Adidas flagship store at Westfield, London. Active Congratulations on your selection for the squad! It’s been 10 years since your debut. Laura Unsworth Yes. I made my debut in 2008, just after the Beijing Olympics. There are often players that retire after the Olympics and I was one of the new players that came in. I’ve been in the squad ever since, and now I feel really old. Active What are your hopes for the World Cup? LU I would love to win a medal. After the success of the last few years with gold medals, you want to keep on achieving. It’s hard, and there is pressure on us to go out there and perform, but we love it. It would be great to inspire people who haven’t seen the sport before to pick up a stick. Active What are your predictions? LU We’ll take each game at a time. All the teams in our group play such different styles of hockey. First there’s India who we haven’t had many matches against. Then we play America, and again, they’re a different style of team. And then we finish with Ireland, and as you can imagine, if you look at the rugby, there’s also a lot of history with England and Ireland matches. Active You must be excited to go out on to the pitch in front of a sell-out crowd. LU Definitely, and I think it will be the first for playing in front of 10,000. I was obviously lucky enough to be selected for the Olympics where we played in front of a similar sized crowd. We’ve had conversations about what it feels like, and we’ve brought in athletes that have been in previous tournaments to talk about their experiences so we know what to expect. Nerves are to be expected, and they’re not always a bad thing. Active How can the public get behind you and what can they do to help support? LU The World Cup is being shown on BT Sport, so you can still watch if you haven’t been able to get hold of a ticket. I think we appreciate every little bit of support. It means a lot to us as a squad, and we are really, really thankful that everyone has bought tickets. Adidas is the official kit sponsor for the England team.

/// AUGUS T 2018 5 5

Feature /// Hockey

Kathryn Lane Ex-Oakhamian and Leicester defender Kathryn Lane has been selected as part of the England team for the World Cup. We ask her about the team’s hopes for the tournament Active Congratulations on your selection. What does being selected for England mean to you? Kathryn Lane The Commonwealth Games was my first major tournament. The World Cup is a bigger tournament again and, even more so with it being in England, it means a lot to me. It will be the biggest crowd that I’ve ever played in front of, and it will be great to have friends and family there. Active What are your hopes for the tournament? KL I think team-wise, we will just take each game as it goes. We’re in a pretty strong group with Ireland, India and the USA. It will be amazing to get out the group, and then from there anything can happen once you get to knock-out stages. We’d all love to contribute to the success of the team. I’ve never played on a stage of this scale before, and might never again, so I just want to take everything in and enjoy the experience. Active You’ve mentioned the group teams you’ll come up against, but are there any opposition teams you see as the biggest challenge? KL Just within our group, India are very skilful, they’ve got some really good players. The USA are very fit, and will put up a good fight, and they have some very skilful players as well. And Ireland are always up for beating the English. Active Are you looking forward to playing in front of a sell-out crowd? KL It’ll be so exciting. We’ve been playing all of our practice games at Lee Valley, so we’ve seen the stadium being built up. Every time we go, there seems to be an extra 5,000 seats. It’s going to be such a different experience when it’s actually full of people. We’re asking everyone to wear red shirts so when we look out to the crowd we’ll be able to see all the England fans. Active Ticket sales across all matches seem to have gone well. Is hockey on the up in this country? KL I’d love to think that. All the England games are sold out. The statistics after the gold medal success in Rio, of those who have kids that have started hockey or adults that have gone back to hockey, are just incredible. It was instrumental for the sport, and I hope the World Cup can have a similar impact of encouraging people to get playing.

5 6 AUGUS T 2 0 1 8 ///

Active You played for Leicester up to the end of last season, what does club hockey mean to you? KL Club hockey means a massive amount to me. It’s your roots, it’s where you started playing the sport. A lot of people have been playing for clubs since they were four or five years old, and that’s where you learn to play the game. I think it’s a vital part of hockey in this country. We wouldn’t be able to play as an England team without the club system. Anyone can play hockey, and it’s made accessible through clubs. Active You’ve been playing for England since leaving Oakham. The school seems to have a pretty good ability of nurturing high-level sporting talent. How do you think the school continues to do that? KL I think it’s down to the staff there, they are absolutely incredible. When I was at Oakham, my hockey coach was Mr Denman, and now Mr Bateman has taken over along with Miss Long. They just go above and beyond for anything you need. If you need an extra one-on-one coaching session, they’ll do it, they’ll give you running programmes, they’ll get you in the gym doing strength and conditioning work. They’re just so supportive. Active You have to be nice about the staff because you’ve got ex-Oakham PE teacher, Ellie Watton, on the team too. KL Yes, although I didn’t take PE at A-level, so she didn’t actually teach me, but she was a teacher while I was at Oakham. We joke about that quite a bit. Active What’s it like playing with Ellie on the pitch, albeit at opposite ends? Is it nice to have a familiar face there? KL Definitely. I played with Ellie at Leicester in my final year of school, and she’d always been a great support. As a player, I look up to her quite a lot within the team, and I know that if I need to talk to someone about something or I just want to go for a coffee, I can do that with Ellie, and that’s really nice to have that support within the squad. Active When you haven’t got a hockey stick in your hand, what do you enjoy doing? KL I’m currently doing a part-time masters degree, just to keep myself ticking over. I like to have something that’s completely out of hockey, so I can focus on something different just to completely take my mind off it, which is quite nice. I like anything to do with animals. I’ll happily take dogs on walks.

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 5 7

Pip Stewart

Reflections From The Amazon: Human Impact On A Remote Region

‘They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel’ LOOKING FOR TALENTED, HIGHLY-MOTIVATED AND DYNAMIC PEOPLE • Flexible working patterns • Part time and full time positions available • Night shifts available • Competitive rates of pay

A job that makes a difference..

• Contracted hours available • Expenses paid and uniforms provided

Is it time we re-evaluated the choices we make and the resulting impact we are having on the world? Wednesday 19 September 7.30pm

Tickets £12 (£10 concessions) £9 RGS Members (and a guest)

stamford arts centre 27 St Mary’s Street Stamford PE9 2DL

BOX OFFICE 01780 763203 WWW.STAMFORDARTSCENTRE.COM

[] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] []

• Full training provided and individualised pathways • Delivering care in the community of Stamford and surrounding villages Induction coming soon...

highly-motivated and dynamic people

Call us on 01780 489227 Email: info@wrightcareathome.com www.wrightcareathome.com The Grey House, 3 Broad Street, Stamford. Lincolnshire PE9 1PG

Back To School

astros DON’T LEA VE trainers I T T O T H gum shield E LAST MIN hockey stick UTE! scrum hat shorts and skort socks base layers rugby boots shin pads

BOURNE - 26/28 North St. 01778 426482 OAKHAM - 20/22 Catmos St. 01572 722675

58.indd 1

20/07/2018 16:48

Feature /// Hockey

Crista Cullen England hockey team: 2003-2016 Position: Defender Age: 32 With her wealth of expertise, ex-England, Leicester and Oakham hockey star Crista Cullen will be covering the World Cup for BT Sport as a roving reporter. For England, there is a comparison with the football team before it set off for the World Cup, as they have a young squad and are rebuilding after the last major campaign at the Olympics. England lost to India, who are in their group, in the Commonwealth Games group stages, and the Indians are unorthodox; incredibly individually skilful and they do the unexpected. But Cullen believes England could do well, and take inspiration from being at home too. “Obviously the World Cup is amazing to play in and I think the girls have every opportunity to do really well,” she says. “A home event helps to carry you. I’m gunning for the girls, I hope they do really well. They did well at the Commonwealth Games coming away with bronze. “Some of the Rio girls are coming into their own now too. What differentiated our team in Rio from previous teams that I’ve been a part of was that, while there were players with flair in the group, it didn’t matter who the ball fell to. Everyone fell in love with us because we were a really good team and we worked really hard. “I hope that’s an ethos that has continued, and that there are no egos. No-one needs to do anything that’s unorthodox just because they’re on the big stage. It’s about doing your job. Hopefully there will be some gamechangers and no doubt some game-changing moments that individuals will thrive in. “We always talk about momentum, so the girls need to step up in the first game. How they execute and how they start stamping their authority on the tournament has to be done right from the start.” Despite retiring from international hockey, Cullen still plays for Wimbledon Hockey Club first team, and has set up her own charity called The Tofauti Foundation. “One of our mantras for Rio was ‘be the difference’. That was the one that resonated with me the most and led to starting Tofauti,” she says. “Tofauti in Swahili means ‘difference’, and I’m keen to make a difference, back home in Africa. We build schools and infrastructure as well as supporting wildlife preservation and anti-poaching initiatives. We have an event at Rutland Showground in November, which we will be announcing more on soon. “We ran a fund-raising event, called the Conservation Ball, in London and we raised a staggering £100,000, which was amazing. That was my first dip into fund-raising and it will be an event we now run every two years. I’m partnering the charity with schools and in return looking to build a dialogue with the school. Four schools have already gone for it in the London boroughs, which is amazing. One pound over here can go so far in Africa, and I will be implementing projects that I believe in, to achieve exactly that!” Crista played hockey at Leicester Hockey Club for many years and Oakham before that, and has fond memories of playing in the area.

“I think one of the reasons I never played for another Premiership club is that I am so fond of the club. I’m still ridiculously close to some of the girls I played with at Leicester. I played there for 15 years and we had incredible success both in Europe and within the Premier League,” she adds. “It’s a testimony to Leicester and the programme they ran in the number of players who achieved international representation for a number of years. It was a really sad day at the end of this season to see that they’d been relegated from the Premier League. The demands of the international calendar has meant that many of those representing England or GB have relocated to London, which dilutes the Midlands and northern regions of some of the better players due to the demands of travel. “ At the end of September, she will be back in the area to open a new astroturf pitch at Oakham, which is to be named The Crista Cullen Astroturf. “I’m hugely humbled by it! I’m very much looking forward to popping back to Oakham and meeting a lot of the kids that have messaged me or interacted with me since our success.”

 Following the success of the Conservation Ball in London, Crista Cullen is planning a fund-raising evening in Rutland later this year to help raise awareness of her charity, Tofauti. Join Crista for an evening of wine and canapés at Rutland Showground in Oakham on Friday, November 2. The evening will include a talk by Crista on the highs and lows of her hockey career and her aims for The Tofauti Foundation.  For more details contact showteam@ rutlandshowground.com.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED With the hockey season starting soon, if you’re looking to start playing or get back into the sport here are some of the clubs that offer hockey locally...

Market Harborough Hockey Club A friendly and fun club offering social and competitive hockey for all ages and abilities. www.mhhockey.co.uk

City of Peterborough Hockey Club The club boasts more than 300 members aged five to 75, making it one of the largest clubs in the region, and is open to men, ladies, boys and girls. www.cityofpeterboroughhockeyclub.co.uk

Bourne Deeping Hockey Club A thriving club providing hockey for all from the age of six upwards at locations in Deeping and Glinton. www.pitchero.com/clubs/bdhc

Leicester Hockey Club One of the oldest and most successful women’s clubs in England. It offers hockey to girls and women from the age of seven upwards, along with social men’s hockey. www.leicesterhc.co.uk

Rutland Mixed Hockey Club Established in 2001, the club fields two teams in the Leicestershire and Rutland Mixed Hockey League. www.rutlandhockey.co.uk

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 5 9

Feature /// Challenges

CHARLIE STANDS PROUD Charlie Martin doesn’t have a great weekend racing, but it’s a huge success personally as she receives massive support from her fellow drivers offered me the chance to address the drivers at a brieﬁng on Saturday morning. Standing in front of professional racers and works drivers, some of whom would be competing at Le Mans later in the month, was the most nervewracking thing I did all weekend. But it was a huge success. I ran out of stickers (I had 130) which even found their way on to the safety car and pretty much anything with four wheels. So, despite missing out on a podium place, Silverstone felt like a weekend to be proud of after all.

JAKOB EBREY

As weekends go in the GT5 Challenge, you could say that Silverstone was the biggest yet. Home of the British Grand Prix and boasting a lap in GP circuit configuration, it set the stage for a battle royal. And to top it all we would be sharing the track with the Ginetta G40 Cup, forming a grid of 60 cars! My car, NGK GT5, had been completely rebuilt on to a new chassis following that head on collision at Thruxton and there was no time to test it before the meet. Friday practice was a shakedown to iron out mechanical issues, the main one being a throttle that only gave 95% despite me pinning the pedal to the floor. Sadly we only discovered this after qualifying, so I started at the back of the grid. I made up time in the race, but a few spins into Brooklands saw me finish down the order. Race 2 was a frustrating experience. We followed the three-hour British GT race so the track was thick with rubber in places, meaning that the grip levels on some of the hairpins was ‘a little unusual’. It took me by surprise and I spun on the first lap so any chance of a podium place was gone. But there was one huge success that weekend, and a first in motorsport. I’m a proud member of the LGBT community, and as June was pride month worldwide, I invited all the teams and drivers to put a pride sticker on their cars as a sign of support. I was keen to explain why this was something I felt relevant to motor racing, and SRO (the British GT organiser) kindly

TIME AND TIREDNESS Mark Smith is aiming to run from one end of Britain to the other in September, so he’s training hard Time is ﬂying, training is intensifying and my challenge is looming – 895 miles, averaging 32 miles running per day, and September isn’t far away. Time – I don’t seem to have enough of it, and it’s marching on. Giving myself time to recover, time to train, time to work, time to spend with my wife and children, time to do anything not associated with my challenge. I’ve had a few tough days when it’s been hard to think positively so am really grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve had from friends and family, and I’m still battling on! Training has become more intense. I no longer ﬁt in a short

6 0 AUGUS T 2018 ///

run here and there. The minimum distance I am now running is 10 miles, and very often run more than 20. My average weekly mileage is now more than 55 miles, with every two weeks out of four being over 80, so you can see why I don’t have any time. It takes me three and a half hours at my pace to run 20 miles. Adding the warm-up and cool down periods, this takes ﬁve hours out of my day. Then add working into the equation and most days are becoming 18 hours long. I am simply tired all the time. But you do get to appreciate that your mind and body are amazing tools and if I work with them, and

listen to what they are telling me, I can complete this run. I now understand the selﬁshness athletes often speak about; the impact this has on those closest to you and the commitment it takes to carry on. As I’ve got older and experienced more of life – the good and the bad – I realise that as hard as I think life can be, others are struggling too, and in many cases much more. I will be one of the few people to have run the length of our country and in doing so have an opportunity to change lives for ever by helping to ﬁnd a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Please support me, and Alex’s Wish, by sponsoring me (no matter how small) with the link below. Thank you. https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/marksmith6.

REST AND RELAXATION Simon Davies reflects on his achievements, enjoys some well-earned rest, and is now gearing himself up for the final push in his ultra challenge

It’s been four weeks since I ﬁnished the Jungle Ultra. As always, you quickly forget all the discomfort and suffering you went through and you’re left only with happy thoughts; the incredible adventure, the sense of achievement and, most of all, the amazing people you meet during the race. I’d promised myself a complete rest from running after the jungle and that’s exactly what I’ve done. With the Ice Ultra and Jungle Ultra happening so close together I think I really need a physical and mental break before the ﬁnal race. I’ve been amazed at how much free time I’ve had without all the training, fund-

raising and administration. Instead of running I’ve been out on the road bike and just enjoyed spending more time with my family and friends. I’ve also had an insatiable hunger so it’s been great fun gorging on all the foods I was craving during the race. The final stage of my challenge is the Desert Ultra which takes place in the Namib Desert in November. It’s the longest of the three races including a monster stage of more than 90 kilometres – the equivalent of running two marathons, a parkrun and then jogging two miles back home afterwards. It’s a pretty daunting thought, especially as we’ll be racing across sand in temperatures of up to 45˚C. Back in December when I first thought of Ice Desert Jungle I set myself the target of completing all three races in one year and raising £25,000 for Rainbows Children’s Hospice. Now, with two of the three races complete and a current fund-raising total of £21,000, it’s finally starting to feel like I can reach my objective. With so much achieved so far I’m also keen not to be complacent and to make sure I train and prepare as much as I can over the next three months so I can arrive in Namibia injury-free and in the best possible condition. If you’d like to find out more about my challenge, or if you’re able to donate money to Rainbows, you can do so at the address below. Any amount you can spare – no matter how small – will be hugely appreciated. All the expenses for Ice Desert Jungle have been met by myself so every single penny you can spare will go directly to where it’s needed the most. www.icedesertjungle.com

FROM SOURCE TO SEA Eight friends will be travelling the length of the Spey river in Scotland in memory of a friend. Pippa Franks tells us more In March 2016 we lost our friend Rob Stephenson, who was sadly taken from us far too soon. In his memory, the Rob Stephenson Trust was founded by his brother Sam to allow Rob’s passion for sport to live on. Equipment donated has already reached Kenya, Georgia, Nigeria and Thailand as well as closer to home; money from the trust went to Malton Rugby Club (of which Rob was a member) to help them fund a tour. Rob was studying agriculture at Newcastle with seven of the eight team members who are planning to travel the length of the River Spey, on foot and by canoe, to raise money for the trust. We start on August 12 and are staying the ﬁrst night in the Luib Chonnal Bothy, which is at the source of the Spey. From there we will hike

the 35km to the first flowing part of the river where we will pick up our canoes. We think the hike will take us a day and a half, and we will be carrying all of our equipment to last for six days, including tents, as we will be camping alongside the river every night. Excitingly, Clare Balding will be joining us for our first day of hiking as part of her Radio 4 programme Ramblings. The team will then canoe the remaining 135km of the Spey, finishing at the Moray Firth. A relatively simple task, you would think, but none of us have canoed seriously and I have never canoed anywhere! So I am shortly going on a course at Wansford Canoe Club. I am hoping the calm Nene will prepare me for the rapids of the Spey… Our aim is to raise as much money as possible so we are funding all of our

equipment, travel and supplies so that all money raised can go straight to the trust. We have set ourselves a target to raise £8,000. The team is made up of seven Newcastle students, plus me (I’ve just ﬁnished my A levels at Stamford High and will be busy canoeing when my results come out). If you would like to ﬁnd out more about the trust, follow us through the links below... https://www.robstephensontrust.com/ www.facebook.com/source2sea2018 https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ Source2Sea2018 https://www.instagram.com/source2sea/

/// AUGUS T 2018 61

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1975

4 Weeks Membership

for £40

ghout Througust Au

• 6 lane 25m Swimming Pool • Sports Hall & Gymnasium • 2 Dance Studios

GEORGE HALLS CYCLE CENTRE 01858 465507 10-12, NORTHAMPTON ROAD, georgehallscycle@aol.com MARKET HARBOROUGH, www.georgehallscycles.co.uk LEICS LE16 9HE

62.indd 1

• 3 Squash Courts • 50 station Fitness Studio • 12 Tennis Courts

01572 820830 ussc@uppingham.co.uk t `™@_ussc www.sportscentre.uppingham.co.uk Uppingham School Sports Centre, Leicester Road, Uppingham, Rutland, LE15 9SE

19/07/2018 16:44

Feature /// Cycling

COMMUTE BY BIKE RUTLAND CYCLING HAS ADVICE ON HOW TO GET TO WORK BY PEDAL POWER

ON THE CHARGE Active reader Jo gives her final impressions after a few months commuting with an e-bike from Rutland Cycling It’s coming the end of my time with the e-bike and I’ve been making the most of the beautiful weather for riding short distances – this is deﬁnitely the season when the bike comes into its own. I’m not sure though just how much use I would get out of it during the colder months when the country roads can be icy and dangerous. I would certainly be loath to give up the comfort of my heated car. The most tangible beneﬁt is the amount of money I have saved on petrol over the past two months. Given that my car is mainly driven for short distances I was pleasantly surprised to realise that I’d spent half the amount I usually do on fuel for the car.

The health beneﬁts of using the e-bike are less easy to quantify. I do know that I arrive at work or at exercise classes having raised my heart rate moderately while appreciating the fresh air and countryside views, which must make for a more positive start to the day, and this must certainly also do more for maintaining ﬁtness than using a car would do. The bike is great at exactly the purpose for which it is marketed – commuting. It is expensive to purchase but easy to operate and charge, and in the long term it would save quite a bit on the fuel costs of running a car. It’s worth trying the bike out to see if it suits you and your lifestyle: hire one from Rutland Cycling and see what you think!

About the bike The Kalkhoﬀ Agattu e-bike, priced at £2,259, has an upright sitting position and adjustable stem, and also features an SR Suntour suspension fork and suspension seatpost for added comfort.

Wednesday, August 15, marks Cycle to Work Day which encourages thousands of riders to hit the streets and celebrate everyday cycling. All you need to join in is a bike and the desire to ride. Here are some great reasons to give biking to work a go... 1. Your health Cycling burns up to 500 calories per hour and can greatly reduce the risk of serious illness such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. 2. Your wallet Cycling to work can save you money compared to travelling by car or public transport. Cyclescheme reckons riding to work saves more than £3,000 per year compared to commuting by car, and at least £229 when compared to public transport. 3. The environment More people commuting by bike means less people commuting by car, bus or train, less pollution and a generally nicer place for us all to live! 4. It’s fun! There’s no two ways about it – riding bikes is fun! Heading out on two wheels under your own steam makes you feel like a kid again, you can make the most of the summer weather and you’ll arrive at work less stressed.  If your employer is signed up to Cyclescheme you can save between 25-39% on the cost of a new bike and/or cycle accessories, plus you don’t pay anything up front and the cost is spread over 12 months. Also, get a selected Cannondale or Specialized through Cyclescheme this summer and you can claim a £30 pre-paid card to spend on anything you like from your local Rutland Cycling store. Last but not least, if you pledge your Cycle to Work day miles you could even win a new bike or a handful of other goodies! www.cycletoworkday.org www.rutlandcycling.com

/// AU G U S T 2 0 1 8 6 3

63 ebike OK.indd 51

20/07/2018 16:04

Feature /// Cycling

6 4 A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 ///

ON YOUR BIKE! Rutland Cycling’s Sally Middlemiss details a great summer training ride DESCRIPTION

This month’s route heads from Uffington out into the Lincolnshire Fens along some fast, straight sections, then back through pretty villages including Irnham and Little Bytham. The fenland section is more exposed, so best tackled on a fine day with low winds. If this route is a little long for you, there’s a 35-mile option, cutting out the fenland section to pass through Dyke and Elsthorpe and rejoin the route at Hawthorpe. Be sure to take plenty of nutrition and hydration with you – the benefit of quieter roads means there aren’t so many refreshment options!

Turn left on to Creeton Rd/B1176 36.6 mi Turn left on to Station Rd/B1176 39.6 mi ● Turn left on to Stamford Rd/B1176 40.8 mi ● Turn left on to Turnpike Rd/A6121 44.2 mi ● Turn right on to Essendine 45.1 mi ● Turn right on to Greatford Rd 47.9 mi ● Turn left on to School Ln 48.2 mi ●

25 20

THE ROUTE

Turn right on to Greatford Rd 0.1 mi Turn left 2.6 mi ● Turn right 3.0 mi ● Continue on to Main St 3.4 mi ● Turn right toward Main St 3.6 mi ● Turn right toward Main St 3.6 mi ● Make a U-turn 3.6 mi ● Turn left toward Main St 3.6 mi ● Turn right on to Main St 3.6 mi ● Continue on to Baston Rd 3.8 mi ● Turn left on to Wilsthorpe Ln 4.6 mi ● Turn right to stay on Wilsthorpe Ln 5.8 mi ● Turn left on to Obthorpe Ln 7.1 mi ● Turn left on to High St 7.9 mi ● Continue on to The Green 7.9 mi ● Turn right to stay on The Green 8.0 mi ● Continue on to Northorpe Ln 8.0 mi ● Turn left on to Bourne Rd/A15 9.0 mi ● At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto South Rd/A15 9.7 mi ● Turn right on to Cherry Holt Rd/A151 10.1 mi ● Turn left on to Six House Bank 17.8 mi ● Continue on to Beck Bank 18.9 mi ● Turn left on to High Fen/B1397 21.4 mi ● Turn left on to Main Rd/B1177 26.4 mi ● Turn right on to Station St 27.3 mi ● Turn left on to A15 28.6 mi ● Turn right at Rippingale 29.1 mi ● Continue on to Rippingale Rd 29.6 mi ● Continue on to Callan’s Ln 30.2 mi ● Continue on to Hawthorpe Rd 32.4 mi ● Continue on to Swinstead Rd 33.8 mi ● Continue on to Bourne Rd 36.5 mi ● Bourne Rd turns slightly right and becomes High St/B1176 36.6 mi

Distance 48 miles

●

BULBY

HANTHORPE

SWINSTEAD

WEST PINCHBECK

15 TWENTY

BOURNE

40 THURLBY

BASTON

45 RYHALL

START UFFINGTON

/// AUGUS T 2018 6 5

Policies designed with your specific business insurance in mind

An Evening With Olympic Gold Medallist

CRISTA CULLEN MBE

Talking all things Africa, Conservation and how winning Olympic Gold led to ‘Being the Difference’ Enjoy a talk by the Olympian Champion with a glass of wine and canapes

Friday 2nd November at 7pm The Rutland Pavilion, The Rutland Showground, Oakham, LE15 7TW

Tickets online from www.rutlandshowground.com Professional Indemnity £10 all donated to the Tofauti Foundation Charity Hairdressers & Beauticians Directors & Officers Tradesmen & Contractors

Homeworking Professionals

Offices & Surgeries

Teachers & Tutors

Shops, Cafés & Restaurants www.tofautifoundation.com

Call us for a FREE QUOTE 0333 366 0714 Clear Start

Puppy Pack Clear Ridge Veterinary practice aims to help your new puppy settle in as quickly as possible and to help with this very important time in their lives. Take a look at the details of our ‘Clear Start Puppy Pack’. This starter pack caters for all of your puppies needs and includes vaccinations, health assessment, flea treatment, worming treatment, microchip, nurse appointments, information folder and free insurance*. We also offer great discounts off future consults and treatments.

www.policywise.co.uk

The Clear Start Package covers all of your young puppy’s essentials for three months: • First full course of standard primary vaccinations - We offer Lepto 2 vaccinations. We recommend puppies are vaccinated from 8 weeks of age. The course consists of 2 vaccinations given either 2-4 weeks apart. Your puppy will then be vaccinated against Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo virus and Para-influenza virus and Leptospirosis. Yearly booster vaccinations will then be recommended to maintain immunity. • A general health check - You will have a 20 minute consultation with one of our vets which will enable you to discuss any questions or problems you may be experiencing.

• Nurse consultations - As your puppy grows and develops into a young dog, you are sure to have questions. Our nurses will be there to help and advise you along the way. They can discuss: Diet, weight, suitable play/ toys, behaviour & training tips, exercise requirements, preventative dental care and neutering. • • • •

One worming treatment One flea treatment Microchip 10% off subsequent flea & worming treatment for 1yr • 10% off 1st annual booster vaccination (at 12 months) • 10% off your next consultation • 4 weeks free insurance*

All for just £50.00. For more information or to discuss any part in more detail, please call and speak to any of the Clear Ridge Team at our Stamford practice: Tel 01780 764333 or Orton Wistow Tel: 01733 230000

www.clearridgevets.co.uk

66.indd 72.indd 1

20/07/2018 23/02/2018 17:34 15:52

Feature /// School sports

TEAM SPORT AWARD FOR UCC Uppingham Community College has been honoured at the Leicestershire and Rutland Team Leicestershire Sports Awards. Held at Leicester Arena on July 3, UCC received the inaugural Ernie White Award for Commitment to School Sport in recognition of having the highest number of pupils taking part in competitive Team Leicestershire competitions in the entire county. UCC ﬁelded a total of 58 teams in the 2017/18 season in a wide range of

sports with a staggering 345 pupils representing the college. Staﬀ, students and parents were in attendance as the award was presented on stage by Ernie’s wife and members of Team Leicestershire as well as Commonwealth Basketball Silver medalist Siobhan Prior. The award is a result of the hard-work and dedication of the PE department and the working relationship between UCC, Rutland Council and Team Leicestershire.

19 MEDALS FOR DEEPINGS SWIMMERS Deepings Swimming Club won 19 medals at the Netherlands Invitational Meet in Eindhoven. The squad of 23 competed at the Pieter van den Hoogenband Swimstadion against swimmers from 56 clubs representing Belgium, Germany, France, Northern Ireland, Indonesia, Netherlands, UK and USA. Fifteen-year-old Holly Leggott, competing in her fourth Netherlands meet, had a memorable two days, winning three golds (50m and 100m backstroke, and 200m freestyle) and three silvers (50m and 100m freestyle, and 200m individual medley) against strong competition in the 50m pool.

Lexy Cooper, 15, reached the podium four times, taking silver in the 100m and 200m breaststroke, and bronze in the 100m and 200m freestyle. Meanwhile, the boys celebrated two bronze medals in the 50m pool with Harry Cardell in the 200m freestyle and Kallum Penman in the 100m butterfly, ensuring Deepings SC enjoyed success in all five swimming disciplines. A golden performance also came in the 25m pool after a brilliant swim in the 100m breaststroke by 10-year-old Emma Dennis, part of her five-medal haul. Emma also won silver in 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke, and bronze in 100m freestyle and backstroke.

Completing the short-course medallists was 10-year-old Jacob Briers, who won silver in the 100m individual medley and bronze in the 100m backstroke. The trip was organised by Chris Shaw of Shaw’s Coaches, parent of Deepings SC ambassador George Shaw who competed at the meet, while Anne Penman, grandmother of bronze medallist Kallum Penman, ran the catering operation, ensuring the swimmers and their parents were fed and watered over the two days. The squad wore specially designed T-shirts during the competition, which were kindly sponsored by Anglian Water for the second consecutive year.

STAMFORD TEAM GEARS UP FOR GLORY A team of pupils from Stamford Junior School named ‘Golden Gears’ were thrilled to compete in the Jaguar Primary School Challenge UK Nationals following their success at a regional final in May. Golden Gears were among 35 teams from across the UK to compete in the finals at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire. In the challenge, teams of young children designed, made, tested and raced a miniature race car. Students used computer techniques and foundation engineering skills to create a car, which was fired along a 20 metre track by a compressed air canister. Students were judged on all the elements of their work including a written portfolio, a project presentation and explained their engineering designs to a panel of experts from Jaguar Land Rover, in addition to the all-important track racing. Understanding how design and engineering influence speed is just as important as the stopwatch in this race to the chequered flag. Emma Smith, head of Stamford Junior School, said: “I am incredibly proud of Golden Gears and this

signiﬁcant achievement. To witness such young minds being driven by curiosity and a love of learning new techniques and understanding some of the foundations of engineering is immensely inspirational. Their preparation, hard work and tenacity over the last months is to be highly commended and to reach a national ﬁnal is a wonderful recognition of their endeavours.”

CHARITY CYCLE RIDE A Leicestershire school is embarking on an epic adventure to raise money for The Children’s Trust: For Children with Brain Injury a er being inspired by the story of BMX’er Jamie McKechnie. In 2011 Jamie was the victim of a ‘one-punch’ assault on the streets of London, suffering a traumatic brain injury. He spent a year in neuro-rehab starting the road to recovery which will continue for the rest of his life. Recently he celebrated being able to sit on and ride his beloved BMX bike. Inspired by Jamie’s story and how ‘one punch’ can change someone’s life forever Ben Rackley, deputy headteacher at Gartree High School in Oadby, led an assembly sharing Jamie’s story with students. Ben said, “Jamie’s story impacted us all despite not knowing him. We decided to plan a charity cycle ride to Paris and raise money for The Children’s Trust. “Students will cycle in relays over the course of three days. We hope that each student taking part is able to raise a minimum of £250 and, of course, anyone wishing to support us would be very welcome indeed.” ■ To support Gartree High School visit: www.justgiving. com/GartreeHighSchool

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 6 7

67 schools OK.indd 27

19/07/2018 17:28

FREE

asses consu sment ltation

The latest laser and injectable cosmetic procedures performed by fully qualified GP or Nurse Practitioner Laser Treatments Include:

• Laser tattoo removal • IPL photo-rejuvenation • Hair removal • Rosacea & facial redness • Facial & leg veins & vascular lesions • Pigmented skin lesions & sun damage

All in addition to our usual range of Medical Aesthetic Treatments: • Muscle relaxing injections for lines & wrinkles • 8 point non-surgical face lift • Non-surgical 15 minute Rhinoplasty • Volite & Restylane Vital skin rejuvenation • Juvederm & Restylane dermal fillers • Silhouette Soft Thread lifts • Treatment for excessive underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis) • Minor surgical procedures including mole removal & non-scalpel vasectomy

www.glen-edenmedical.co.uk 01476 550056

The Market Cross Surgery, Bourne Road, Corby Glen, Lincs NG33 4BB

Your home, your life, your care... ...so trust in the very best, Bluebird Care. More than care. At Bluebird we believe that being able to live in the comfort of your own home can be a major benefit to a person’s wellbeing.

Care in your own home

Night care

• Washing and dressing, personal care

• Peace of mind through the night hours

Friends and family can’t always be on hand, but at Bluebird Care we are always there when you need us most. From as little as one visit through to multiple visits, to full time or live-in care, we offer complete peace of mind tailored to your exact needs.

• Domestic support, housework or shopping

• Waking night care

• Companionship, assistance to appointments or trips out

Specialist care

So whether it’s help with your shopping or running an errand to specialist care, your local, award winning Bluebird Care team have the knowledge, skills and caring people to give you the care and peace of mind you deserve.

• Sleep-in night care

• Support with medication

Short or long term care for: • Dementia

24 hour live in care

• Parkinsons

• 24 hour care and support at home

• Stroke

• Rehabilitation care

• Respite and recovery care

• Respite care

• End of life care

Our award winning care teams are only ever a phone call away and cover the following areas: Stamford and surrounding villages including Ryhall • Casterton • Bainton • Barnack • The Deepings • Peterborough • Rutland • Oundle • Empingham • Oakham • Uppingham

To find out more about how we can help, tailor care and support to suit your exact needs, simply call us on:

01780 480 881

01733 459 907

bluebirdcare.co.uk/peterborough-rutland | stamford@bluebirdcare.co.uk

68.indd 1

20/07/2018 17:11

Feature /// School sports

MATT MAKES SQUAD FOR 6 NATIONS Oakham School’s 1st XI hockey captain Matt Ramshaw has been selected to represent the GB Elite Development Squad (GB EDP) in the forthcoming 6 Nations tournament. The competition is being held in Belgium and will see the team play matches against Belgium, India, Netherlands, Ireland and Malaysia. Director of hockey James Bateman said: “The programme is a well-known training ground for future Olympic squads and this tournament is a great opportunity for Matt to showcase his talents on the national stage.”

NETBALL CLUB CELEBRATES FIRST YEAR FULL OF SUCCESS Stamford & Rutland Junior Netball Club celebrated its first birthday in July, and to mark the success of their first year the club hosted a series of celebratory events in the lead up to the summer break, including friendly fixtures against neighbouring clubs, a first birthday party and a charity challenge. In June the club’s 35 affiliated members took part in a charity shoot-out, with an aim of scoring 500 goals in an hour. The players had to score more than eight goals a minute in order to achieve their target, but between them (with a

little help from their parents) they managed to score an incredible 725 goals, raising in excess of £600 for Alzheimer’s Society. The club currently caters for children aged 7-11 and will expand to include an under 13s section in October. It runs weekly training sessions on Wednesdays from 6-8pm and is based at Catmose Community College. Sessions are based on fun and include match play and training exercises, and the club is led by qualiﬁed netball coaches. ■ For details, go to www.srjnc.co.uk.

WITHAM TEAM ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS The Witham Hall U11A rounders team took part this summer in the National Prep Schools’ rounders competition that attracts entries from all over the UK. Over the term, in a knock-out draw format, they played a number of matches eventually getting to the quarterfinals and beating Yarm Prep School. This meant that they were then invited to finals day played at Windlesham Prep School in Sussex. In the semi-final match they drew Windlesham and went on to win that game 33-28. This meant that they then progressed to the final against Hoe Bridge Prep School from Woking; at the half-way stage Witham were down by half a rounder (12 ½ - 13), but then had a superb fielding innings getting all the Hoe Bridge girls out for 2 ½ rounders. They then batted with purpose pulling away with the win 16 – 15 ½ a er ten bats. This victory came on the back of the Witham win in the same competition in 2016. Captain Millie Atkinson, vice-captian Eliza Mardon and team members Lilia Dunn, Matilda Halford, Mollie Deaton, Bunny Bingham, Rose Allport, Charlotte Welch, Poppy Parker and Millie Dickens made up the team, with Lilia awarded one of the two ‘player of the tournament’ awards by the England umpires.

/// A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 6 9

69 schools OK.indd 27

20/07/2018 16:08

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

CRICKET

Kibworth and Ketton Sports gain momentum BY JEREMY BESWICK

KIBWORTH’S UNCHARACTERISTICALLY shaky start to the season now seems to be behind them. Since their last surprise defeat at the hands of Barrow Town in June – at which point they found themselves in the unfamiliar territory of seventh in the Leicestershire Premier League – they have won five in a row and now occupy second place behind Leicester Ivanhoe. Ivanhoe themselves were one of those five victims, falling 50 runs short in pursuit of Town’s 301 – a total that included 122 not out from skipper Sundeep Patel. Next up was an away fixture at high-flying Loughborough Town. Batting first on what bowler Richard Jackson called “another beautiful summer’s day” it was a stand of 168 for the second wicket that defined their innings. The two batsmen involved, Matt Craven and Petrus van Biljon, finished with 108 and 121 respectively; Jackson commenting that Craven “has his very own technique which none of us can work out, but what sets him apart is his mindset – he simply hates to lose.” Josh Peel was also mentioned in dispatches for his 60 off 39 balls at the end. After a break between innings, extended by mutual agreement so all could watch England v Sweden in the World Cup quarter-final, town’s Matt Bashford got the better of Loughborough’s top order as they faltered to 87-3 – “it was their big three players on paper that he snaffled,” noted Jackson, and David Whitmore did much the same to the middle order as the home side reached only 161 in reply. Craven starred again in their next outing, his 118 not out helping them to just about squeak through against last season’s champions Sileby Town, whose total they surpassed with one wicket left in the final over. The latter must be sick of the sight of Kibworth having been eliminated by them from the County Cup a couple of

weeks previously and equally nauseous about Craven, who’d got yet another ton in that match. Another side in fine form is Ketton Sports, whose Saturday first XI remain unbeaten in Division 4 East. Opener and wicket keeper Peter Rowe can do little wrong it seems, and tops their batting stats with an average of 54. His century against Great Glen, his second in a row, was enough to win the game on its own as they then dismissed the visitors for 89. The next match at Bharat Sports was a low-scoring affair – and Rowe was out for a duck – but Ketton still prevailed, Bharat reaching only 143 in reply to their 161. Further victories against Bitteswell and Leicester Caribbean followed to set up a crunch match against the division’s only other undefeated side, Queniborough. If that match was seen as settling which of the two is top dog, then the answer was emphatic. Batting first, Sports posted exactly 300, in which another century for Rowe was again the star of the show, ably assisted by skipper Rob Vitas (53) and Zeeshan Manzoor (69). Then it was time for the bowlers to have their moment in the limelight and both Joash Mathys (5 for 51) and Will Compton (4 for 22) grabbed the opportunity as Queniborough were dismissed for just 138. Their Sunday XI, playing in Rutland League Division 1, are no slouches either and also top their table. Rowe doesn’t seem to be able to get enough of playing cricket, as he scored 51 in their recent win over Grantham, although he was outshone on this occasion by Shakir Mahmood, who got 96. Back in the Premier League, Uppingham finally broke their duck at the tenth time of asking by beating Langtons – a team they know well as they were promoted together last term. After a decent start with Ben Farnsworth scoring 45

7 0 AU G U S T 2018 ///

70-71 cricket OK.indd 60

19/07/2018 17:29

GRACE NOTES

ED MELIA

Jeremy Beswick speaks to young spinner Callum Parkinson I first spoke to young Leicestershire spinner Callum Parkinson some months ago when he was just breaking into the first team. At that time his priority was to hold down his place, so it’s been a pleasure to see him play regularly and enjoy some success since then. Still a few weeks short of his 22nd birthday, he’s obviously still developing as a player, but recently returned career best figures of four for 20 in the T20 match against Birmingham Bears. “I’ve been fortunate enough to get a good run in the team this year and pleased to have been able to grasp the opportunity I’ve been given,” he told me. “That extended run has made me more confident and I feel I’m a lot calmer – less worried about my own place and more worried about what the team needs.” That confidence means he’s prepared to try new things and bowl less predictably, a key attribute in his second season.

“This year teams have seen what I can do so I’ve had to up my game and improve my skill set as well as being braver. I’m also varying the pace a lot more, at both ends of the scale, and hopefully that will make it harder for batsmen.” We were speaking the day after they’d played Lancashire at T20, which meant he’d faced identical

they slumped from 84 for 2 to 93 for 6 and surely could have been forgiven for having a ‘here we go again’ moment. The remaining batsmen showed great character however to salvage the innings, but a total of 182 still looked a little light; an assessment that looked justified when Langtons reached three figures for the loss of three wickets. Yet 103 for 3 quickly became 107 for 7 as first Scott Green trapped Tejus Babu in front, Mark Cox did the same to both Sadik Dukanwala and Sajid Desai – and then clean bowled Asif Mai. Langtons weren’t finished nonetheless, and recovered to the point where they looked to be favourites before Alex Ashwin landed the final wicket in the last over with two runs still needed – to great relief all round. The liberation from the pressure of having never won a game at this level was palpable the next weekend too as they notched up a second victory over Barrow Town, a ton from Farnsworth the cornerstone of their innings of 250. They are no longer at the foot of the table either; alas, that honour falls to our friends at Market Harborough who continue to have a torrid time.

twin brother Matthew for the third time in first class cricket. “I’ve lost all three games against him now but fortunately he doesn’t rub it in. Neither of us bowled to the other yesterday but I’d have been really nervous if I had.” How do they compare as players, I asked? “Although we’re identical, he’s a right-handed bowler and I’m a leftie – mirror twins I think they call it. Most people seem to think we’re much the same in our approach on the field. Maybe Matt’s a bit more confident but that goes with the territory of playing for a bigger county. I can bat a lot better than him though!” “The atmosphere in the dressing room is brilliant,” he told me. “Paul Nixon has brought a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge to the table and the rest of the backroom staff are great too. The lads have really bought into what Paul’s trying to achieve and we’re enjoying both the success we’ve had and each other’s company, which is important.”

■ Burghley Park Cricket Club hosted its annual Cricket Week at the beginning of July, in association with new headline sponsor BGL Group. The week-long festival saw the club take on varied opposition such as an ECB Staff XI, the Authors XI and the MCC. Each evening saw the club come alive as 16 teams battled it out for the coveted Sixes trophy. Reigning champions Oundle opened up against Empingham and proved as dominant as the previous year. Barnack, Bourne, Uppingham, Oakham, Stamford, Newborough and hosts Burghley Park also made it through to the quarter-finals. Semi-finals between Oundle and Bourne as well as Oakham against Stamford entertained the crowds that had flocked in great numbers, no doubt thanks also to the wellstocked beer tent. Friday’s final saw Oundle regain their title in front of a bumper crowd, with Oakham finishing as runners-up. Cricket Week manager Will Plummer said: “We would like to thank all sponsors, players and visitors that made it another fantastic week. See you all next year – July 1-5!”

/// AU G U S T 2018 7 1

70-71 cricket OK.indd 61

19/07/2018 17:30

// MARKET PLACE Accommodation

Builders

Agricultural Engineers

D.G NORMAN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS

Horticultural and Agricultural Repairs Lawnmower and Chainsaw Repairs

4 BED HOLIDAY HOME TO LET IN GRETTON 5* reviews

TEL: 01536 770966 MOBILE: 07860 373465 Cottons Farm Buildings, Rockingham, Market Harborough LE16 8TF

contact@windhovers.co.uk 07568 533168

www.dgnorman.co.uk

Garden Design

Logs

B Freeman

• Hard and Soft Landscaping • Groundwork • Land Drainage • Turf Supplied • Top Soil and Various Aggregates Stamford, Bourne, Oakham, Market Deeping, Spalding and surrounding areas. CALL US NOW ON:

07703 337128 or 01780 238376 EMAIL: info@benfreemanuk.co.uk Find us on Facebook of visit www.benfreemanuk.co.uk

Pregnancy

THE ULTIMATE IN SELF CARE FOR MAMAS TO BE & MAMAS

Restoration

Tel: 01162791517 Mobile: 07889 014078

RELAXING, HOLISTIC PRE AND POST NATAL MASSAGE IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME

Contact Laura on 07399 591343 or cleanbeautymamas@gmail.com www.cleanbeautymamas.com

Toilet Hire

Taxi

Airports, Stations, Local & Long Distance

Fox Taxi

TAXI

01572 720 200

DC TAXI OAKHAM

Private Hire

Prebook your journey now

07528121560 dctaxioakham@hotmail.com

Airports Stations Local & Long Distance

07884 385312

Email: foxtaxi@hotmail.co.uk

WEDDINGS • PARTIES • CORPORATE

Lodge Farm

WEDDINGS• •PARTIES PARTIES• •CORPORATE CORPORATE WEDDINGS LUXURY TOILET HIRE

01858 882176

www.lodgefarmluxurytoilethire.co.uk A Luxury Loo for your Posh Do!

LodgeFarm Farm Lodge

To advertise on the Market Place page please call 01780 480789

LUXURYTOILET TOILETHIRE HIRE LUXURY 01858882176 882176 01858 Market Place S&R Template APR18.indd 116

19/07/2018 13:45

Roundup EQUESTRIANISM

Pony Club sweeps the board BY JULIA DUNGWORTH

SIX WEEKS AND COUNTING with no rain! What a turnaround since having the longest, wettest, coldest winter that I can remember. The ground may be like a road, but course builders and event staff are working all hours to make the ground conditions passable and only a few competitions have been cancelled. More than 220 competitors competed at the everpopular Burghley Pony Club one-day event in the four varying height classes on another scorching July day. This year it hosted the Area 6 (East Midlands) regional qualifier for The Pony Club Open Championships at Chomondeley in August. The Burghley team of Diana Bevan, Louise Bodily and Claudia Campbell won the team event and qualified – they also finished first, second and third, resulting in a clean sweep. Other placings were from Xanthe AnsteeMarriott winning the PC 80cm, Max Kettlewell third in the PC 90cm and Sophie Golland fifth in the PC 100cm. The Burghley branch of The Pony Club bucks the trend nationally, with a large number of boy members. Recently a team of four boys qualified for The Pony Club Championships in show jumping, a feat never achieved before in its history. The boys – Max Kettlewell, Harry Lee, Oliver Lee and George Vergerson-Rowley – will now head off to The Pony Club Championships to be held at Chomondeley Castle this month. Richard Coney from Grantham had an incredible result in one of his biggest competitions to date riding as a senior on the 15.1hh 10 year old gelding Kananaskis at Barbury International at the beginning of July in Marlborough. He finished second to Nicola Wilson in the 65-strong CIC3*, adding just eight time penalties on the cross country to his 28 dressage. One of our other local riders, Etti Dale,was riding in the same section as Richard with her own Simply Simon. They did a good dressage, added a couple of show jumps and a speedy cross-country bought them

Above Burghley Pony Club’s boys’ show jumping team: Max Kettlewell, Harry Lee, Oliver Lee and George Vergerson-Rowley

up to 23rd spot – she is now heading to Blenheim for her next big competition. Lisa Freckingham has added another great event to her season winning the Intermediate on Georgie Belton’s home-bred Classic Composer by Classic Primitive. Georgie just had one show jump down to add to her impressive dressage score of 26 to ﬁnish just one mark ahead of Serena Mcgregor. Buckminster, a little closer to home, ran yet another successful event with many locals in the placings. Again the team had been working tirelessly to make the ground readable. Willa Newton had a great start to the event winning a BE100 section on Jesmond Rainbow, then a seventh place on Cipraini. Unfortunately Cock a Doodle, her third ride of the day, made an unusual mistake to fall at The Steps, fence 11, which put an end to her good luck and resulted in Willa breaking her collarbone. One of the most hotly-contested sections was the ﬁveyear-old 100 section that was won by Irish rider Susie Berry, who is based at Maidwell on Carolines Air KM.

FASTER STRONGER FURTHER LONGER /// AU G U S T 2018 7 3

73 horses OK.indd 61

19/07/2018 17:29

Feature /// Gear 2.

KITBAG THE LATEST SPORTING ESSENTIALS 1. Under Armour Clutchfit Force 3.0 FG boots

Designed for use on firm ground, these boots are built with a microfibre upper which wraps your foot like a second skin. Price £85 From www.prodirectrugby.com

2. Women’s UA HeatGear Armour Racer Tank top

An evolution of the UA HeatGear fabric, this delivers a lightweight fit without sacrificing coverage or support. A moisture transport system wicks sweat to keep you dry. Price £23 From www.underarmour.co.uk

3. 4.

3. Santini UCI Grandi Campioni 1953 Fausto Coppi jersey

This zip jersey is dedicated to Fausto Coppi’s world title in 1953 and features a rainbow-striped zip and printed label on the back detailing the story behind the win. Price £94.99 From www.rutlandcycling.com

4. Mercian Evolution 0.3 Lily Owsley hockey stick

A 95% carbon stick, designed in conjunction with Lily Owsley, a member of GB’s goldmedal-winning team at the 2016 Olympics. Price £200 From www.gl-sports.com

5. Aratac NRT 3D hockey stick

A 95% Carbon fibre, lightweight stick, with an extreme low bow. It has a carbon plate reinforced zone near the head for improved stiffness and control. Price £260 From www.gl-sports.com

6. Thule VeloCompact 2Bike 7-pin tow bar bike rack

Compact yet lightweight, Thule’s bike carrier is the easiest way to load two bikes to your car. Easily attached to your tow bar via Thule’s one hand coupling. Price £284.49 From www.rutlandcycling.com

7. Adidas DF24 Carbon stick

This flagship stick features a 3D head-shape for increased ball control and optimal power. It has ‘Carbonplate’ stiffening technology and is designed with a drag-flick groove. Price £225 From www.gl-sports.com

8. On Cloudace running shoes

The Cloudace is cushioned by an ultra-light dual-density sock liner which is crafted from highly-resilient compression EVA and adaptive memory foam to provide absolute comfort and support. Price £170 From www.on-running.com

74 A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 ///

Refresh your diet with a veg box

100% organic, from our farm, free delivery Call us on the farm on 01803 227227 riverford.co.uk

SALE NOW ON! In Store | Online | Click & Collect