Active Magazine // Stamford & Rutland // March 2016

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ISSUE 45 // MARCH 2016

!

HOW TO…

Stamford & Rutland’s sport and lifestyle magazine

Spot a Redshank Eat healthy chocolate Make Simnel cake Rejuvenate a clubhouse

Saddle Up! Cycling special: Train and ride better The best kit to buy Great local routes

WIN!

A £1200 Rutland Cycling bike

ISSUE 45 // MARCH 2016

The Finishing Touches

You’ve got fit, now how to look great: spring fashion and beauty

Hello Velo

We meet Rutland’s cycling club

www.theACTIVEmag.com 03

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Bigger and better than ever New expanded issue with even more features

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FITNESS IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

PETERBOROUGH GARDEN PARK, EYE, PETERBOROUGH, PE1 4YZ

COTSWOLDOUTDOOR.COM

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Editor’s Letter MY FIRST PROPER JOB, BACK IN THE LATE 1990s, was working for a magazine about the cycling industry, and it was a pretty miserable experience. Every day I had to speak to shopkeepers or companies in the trade and all they ever did was moan.

They would say that nobody wants to go cycling, and if they do, all they buy is cheap rubbish, the professional sport is full of drugs and all the small independent shops are closing.

How things change... in 2014, when the Tour de France came to Yorkshire, bike sales jumped by two-thirds off the back of a boom already fired by the success in the 2012 London Olympics.

Now, more than two million people across the country cycle at least once a week, an all-time high according to British Cycling. If you go to a store now, what is striking is the cost of the kit on display: bikes worth thousands of pounds are commonplace, when such a thing would have been inconceivable a decade ago.

It’s great to see and it is no surprise cycling has taken such a hold round here because the huge variety of wide but quiet country lanes make for some fabulous riding.

So this month we have given over the magazine to this hugely popular pastime. As spring inches towards us, has there ever been a better time to drag that old bike out of the shed, or splurge some of your hard-earned cash on a shiny new machine?

Whatever you’re planning, we have plenty of advice on what to buy and where to go.

Enjoy the issue! Steve

Publisher Chris Meadows chris@theactivemag.com Editor Steve Moody steve@theactivemag.com Deputy editor Mary Bremner mary@theactivemag.com Production editor Julian Kirk julian@theactivemag.com Art editor Mark Sommer mark@theactivemag.com Contributors Martin Johnson, William Hetherington, Jeremy Beswick, Julia Dungworth Photographers Nico Morgan, Pip Warters Production assistant Gary Curtis Advertising sales Lisa Withers lisa@theactivemag.com Sarah Stillman sarah@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 A member of the Stamford Chamber of Trade and Commerce If you have information on a club then get in touch by emailing editor@theactivemag.com. If you would like to stock Active magazine then email distribution@ theactivemag.com. If you would like to discuss advertising possibilities please email advertise@ theactivemag.com Active magazine is published 12 times per year on a monthly basis. ISSN 2049-8713 A Grassroots Publishing Limited company. Company registration number 7994437. VAT number 152717318 Disclaimer

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

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

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

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

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NE W STAMFORD, LINCOLNSHIRE

£1,100,000 A CHARMING TOWNHOUSE WITH A DELIGHTFUL INTERIOR & SUNNY GARDEN IN THE HEART OF STAMFORD

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WE NERIC P STRETTON, RUTLAND

A CHARMING VILLAGE PROPERTY WITH A LIGHT-FILLED INTERIOR & SECLUDED GARDEN

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£525,000 A HANDSOME STONE BARN WITH A STYLISH, LIGHT-FILLED INTERIOR IN A RURAL LOCATION CLOSE TO STAMFORD

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Your local property experts in Stamford & Rutland

HILLSIDE GARDENS, WITTERING, PE8

PINE GLEN COTTAGE, GREETHAM MEWS, GREETHAM

Situated in the ever popular village of Wittering is this TWO DOUBLE BEDROOM end of terrace property suitable for FIRST TIME BUYERS & INVESTORS offered to market in move in condition with parking and private enclosed rear garden. The property in brief comprises a welcoming entrance hall with downstairs WC, a modern fitted kitchen, a spacious lounge diner with double glazed UPVC French doors opening out to the rear garden.

Upstairs the property offers two double bedrooms with built in cupboard storage space to bedroom two and a modern family three piece bathroom.

Welcome to Greetham Mews - The picturesque village of Greetham is home to many fine examples of traditional rustic buildings built in Barnack Rag making it the perfect location for a select new Hereward Homes development comprising only five 3 and 4 bedroom stone-built cottages. The five new luxury homes at Greetham Mews are arranged around a private cul-de-sac at the heart of this desirable Rutland village.

Offers in excess of £125,000

Prices start from £250,000

WOOD ROAD, KINGS CLIFFE

AUSTIN STREET, STAMFORD

Located in the ever sought after village of Kings Cliffe and recently refurbished to a high standard is this three bedroom semi-detached family home offered with a lounge diner, kitchen, separate utility and a large garden with family seating area. The property comprises an entrance hall with stairs rising to the first floor landing, a full width open plan lounge diner with a feature fireplace and exposed brickwork, ample space for family seating in the lounge area and plenty of room for a family sized dining table. Located just off the dining area is a modern refitted kitchen with oven and stylish gas four ring hob and a sink and drainer overlooking the rear garden. Further to the downstairs layout is a 14’ long utility room with space for a fridge freezer, dryer and plumbing for washing machine, a downstairs WC with wash hand basin and shower cubicle.

Upstairs the property boasts two well-proportioned double bedrooms with built in cupboard storage space to bedroom two and a continuation of the feature fireplace with exposed brickwork to bedroom one, a single bedroom and a modern refitted three piece bathroom.

With an abundance of character and located just steps away from Stamford town centre and offered to market with NO ONWARD CHAIN is this charming one bedroom PERIOD PROPERTY. The property has been refurbished and restored to a high standard offering an open plan living space incorporating both kitchen and living room, a double bedroom, bathroom and versatile outside space. The property in brief comprises; an open plan living area with original floor boards, in keeping double glazed sash window to front elevation, fireplace with feature electric fire, useful cupboard storage space and stairs rising to first floor landing. Located just off the living room is a well-designed modern refitted kitchen with sink and drainer, space for low level fridge, integrated oven and Smeg two ring electric hob and door leading to side passage. Upstairs there is a spacious double bedroom with a double glazed sash window to front elevation and ample space for wardrobe / storage and a stylish modern refitted three piece bathroom.

Asking price £215,000

Offers in excess of £195,000

Stamford Office

Oakham Office

4 Ironmonger Street, Stamford, PE9 1PL

6 Market Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6DY

01780 754530

01572 335005

stamford@newtonfallowell.co.uk

oakham@newtonfallowell.co.uk

www.newtonfallowell.co.uk newton fallowell.indd 1

19/02/2016 15:46

savills.co.uk

1 AN IMMACULATE FAMILY RESIDENCE IN PRIVATE AND MATURE GROUNDS

wothorpe, cambridgeshire

Entrance hall ø drawing room ø dining room ø kitchen/breakfast room with garden room ø study ø games room, TV room & den ø gym with ensuite bathroom ø master bedroom suite ø 4 further bedrooms ø double and triple garages ø heated outdoor swimming pool ø well maintained gardens ø self contained one bedroom apartment ø EPC=E

Savills Stamford Lois Simpson lsimpson@savills.com

01780 484695

Guide £1.8 million

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Contents ACTIVE LIFE 12-13 HOW TO...

ISSUE 45 /// MARCH 2016

10

Bake a Simnel cake, prune roses and make a bonnet

14 NATURE

The seasonal delights on offer outdoors

16-17 HEALTHY EATING

Another tasty recipe from Riverford Organic

23 DAY IN THE LIFE OF...

Rutland Cycling’s Alex Woollen

25 WHAT’S ON

Great things to do locally for all the family

FEATURES 28-31 SADDLE UP

Jeremy Beswick meets with Velo Club Rutland

28

58

36-43 PEDAL POWER

Our essential guide to getting out on your bike

ACTIVE BODY 49 NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

The final instalment of our fitness plan

51 CHOCS AWAY

How to have a healthy Easter

52-53 HEALTH AND BEAUTY

More tips and products to help you look great

REGULARS

52

33 MARTIN JOHNSON COLUMN

The Sunday Times writer on the invasion of cyclists

35 KIT BAG

Essential gear to keep you dry during April showers

58-59 WILL’S WALKS

To Easton-on-the-Hill and The Deeps

61 SPORTSMAN’S DINNER

We try out The Royal Oak at Duddington

64-67 SCHOOL SPORT

Our focus on the latest achievements from local pupils

68-74 ROUND-UP

How clubs in the area are faring

8 M A RC H 2016 ///

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STAY FRESH AT YOUR EVENT! WHAT WE CAN DO YOU FOR YOU...

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17/02/2016 15:29

Activelife EASTER EGGS AND BONNETS GALORE, THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR SIMNEL CAKE, MAD MARCH HARES, GAMBOLING LAMBS, BEAUTIFUL PRIMROSES AND A DELICIOUS CHICKEN DISH Edited by Mary Bremner

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Activelife

HOW TO…

MAKE A SIMNEL CAKE Ingredients 175g butter 6oz so brown sugar 3 beaten eggs 6oz plain flour ½ tsp ground mixed spice 12oz mixed raisins, currants and sultanas 2oz chopped mixed peel ½ lemon, grated zest only 1-2 tbsp apricot jam 1 pack of marzipan Method Preheat oven to 140 degrees. Grease and line a 18cm cake tin. Roll out a third of the packet of marzipan to make a circle 18cm in diameter – keep the rest for the cake topping.

Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs and then sift in the flour and mixed spice. Finally add the mixed dried fruit, peel and lemon zest and stir together.

Put half the mixture in the cake tin, smooth the top and cover with the circle of almond paste.

Add the rest of the mixture and smooth the top, leaving a slight dip in the centre. Bake in the oven for 1 ¾ hours. Test to see if it’s cooked by inserting a skewer in the middle – if it comes out clean it is ready. Remove from the tin and allow to cool.

Brush the top of the cooled cake with apricot jam. Divide the marzipan in half, roll out one half in a circle to cover the top of the cake and make 11 small balls with the other half.

Put the circle on the top of the cake and set the balls around the edge. Brush the marzipan with a little beaten egg and then place the cake under a hot grill for a couple of minutes until the top of the marzipan begins to brown.

HOW TO…

Make an Easter bonnet There are literally hundreds of ways to make an Easter bonnet but we are going to stick to the traditional bonnet decorated with flowers.

Find an old straw hat – charity shops could be a good source for this – and then scour the high street for cheap imitation flowers, or better still pick fresh flowers such as daffodils, primroses and tulips from the garden. And then simply attach them to your bonnet.

To finish it all off, and to help secure the flowers, tie a ribbon around the middle.

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READY TO TRY SOMETHING NEW?

HOW TO…

PRUNE ROSES March is the time to prune your roses as this will encourage vigorous growth and an abundance of flowers, as well as maintaining a good shape.

Cuts should be no more than a quarter of an inch above a bud and should slope away from it so water does not collect on the bud. Remove any dead wood and don’t be afraid to cut the bush back hard – it will do it good.

Household tip of the month…

It’s spring clean time. Rather than do it yourself, why not employ a cleaner to do a massive blitz for you?

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Activelife NATURE

BOXING HARES Hares are quite common in this area, so keep an eye on the fields for hares chasing each other and boxing. This was thought to be a competition between males seeking dominance, but is now thought to be a mating dance between the male and female.

THE REDSHANK

Redshanks are medium-sized waders, a little larger than a lapwing, and named because of their long red legs. The bird is grey-brown above and paler below in summer. In winter it appears more grey. In flight a white rump and hind border on the wing are good field marks. Redshanks are wary birds, alerting other wildlife to potential danger with a ringing ‘tew, tew’ call.

Redshanks are found all year round locally, frequenting Rutland Water and Eyebrook Reservoir where they meander along the shoreline or wade belly deep in the water seeking shrimps, snails or worms. In winter up to 30 may be seen around Rutland Water and not just on the nature reserves.

Smaller numbers occur at Eyebrook. There is evidence of spring and autumn migration through our area when odd birds have been seen on Stamford Meadows and at Banthorpe gravel pit.

Marshy fields, where redshanks nest in tussocks, are scarce in this intensively farmed area and breeding attempts are limited to the reservoirs, especially at Egleton reserve on Rutland Water, where recently created wet meadows attract them. The sight of an anxious pair of adults escorting two or three downy chicks to the water is one of the delights of a summer visit to the reserve.

Terry Mitcham

Primroses March is the month when you might spot your first primrose in flower. They flower between March and May and are a delightful sign that spring is on the way. Wild primroses are to be found in damp, shady conditions and grow in small clusters across the woodland floor or at the base of hedgerows.

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First for the

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Orders in March quoting “Active” will give a 5% kick back towards the new Play Park in Corby Glen

WEDDINGS, EVENTS, ANNIVERSARY, BIRTHDAY, BIRTHS, NEW HOME, SYMPATHY & JUST BECAUSE

19/02/2016 19:20

Activelife

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BRAISED CHICKEN, SHALLOTS AND LEMON INGREDIENTS 1 lemon 2 chicken legs Bag of fresh thyme – use two good sprigs 3 garlic cloves 500g shallots 1 stock cube 25g butter 1 tsp brown sugar 150ml white wine 1 bay leaf 600g potatoes Salt and pepper

METHOD Season the chicken legs well on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a dash of oil in a casserole dish or frying pan and fry the chicken over a medium heat until golden brown all over (1).

●

While the chicken browns, peel the shallots.

Use a peeler to pull 3-4 long strips of zest from the lemon, then juice it (2). Split the garlic cloves open. Boil the kettle.

●

Remove the chicken from the pan and leave to one side. Add the shallots, fry for 5 minutes on a medium heat, stirring until starting to colour all over.

1

foams and starts to darken slightly (3). Now add the wine, bay leaf, stock, garlic cloves, a couple of thyme sprigs and a pinch of pepper.

2

3

Bring to a simmer, sit the chicken on top of the shallots, pop on the lid and cook on a low heat for about 40 minutes, adding a dash of water if it starts to dry out. Alternatively, pop it into the oven at 180 degrees for the same amount of time.

●

Meanwhile, wash your potatoes and dice into even 2cm square pieces. Boil for 8 minutes in salted water until partly cooked.

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4

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Crumble the stock cube into 250ml of boiling water, stir until dissolved.

Drain the potatoes and heat a dash of oil in a frying pan. Add the potatoes to the pan and sauté them for between 10 and 15 minutes until browned and cooked through (4).

●

●

Add the butter and sugar to the shallots and cook for a further 1-2 minutes until the butter

●

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

The recipes are quick to cook and ideal for weeknights – most are ready in under 45 minutes. Think well balanced and

Tip You want most of the liquid to have been absorbed, but not so much that the shallots catch at the bottom of the pan.

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

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

great value for money.

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

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

find out more or call 01803 762059.

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Activelife

£6,000 RAISED FOR TEAM GEORGE

VOLUNTEER AND SEE THE WORLD Georgia Wigmore from Stamford took a great risk earlier this year and gave up her job of five years to go and volunteer in one of the murder capitals of the world! Here she tells us a little about her adventures...

“If something scares you, it might be a good thing to try… how about a three-month trip to one of the murder capitals of the world? Yeah, there are nicer places to go but it wouldn’t be challenging yourself then, would it?

“Back in October I took part in something called ICS (International Citizenship Service).

It’s a Government-funded opportunity to go overseas and take part in an international development project. To do it, I only needed to fund-raise £800. It’s for 18 to 25-year olds and I can’t recommend it enough.

“I got the chance to live in Guatemala in central America for three months with a host family, working with Guatemalan volunteers and delivering workshops to schools in the capital city on topics such as non-conflict resolution, values and human rights – something that some students didn’t even know they had.

“The experience was both shocking and incredible, making me realise how very fortunate we are in this country.

“It’s a fantastic way to travel. Living, working and socialising with the locals really broadened my perspective on life.

“So what next? Having been infected with a serious case of the travel bug, perhaps another trip is in order. But before I go I’d like to encourage others to get involved and do their bit. You don’t need to go overseas to help out; there are many issues at home that need our attention, auch as mental illness and sustainability issues. Why not start small – help at your local food bank or invite the lonely old lady next-door round for dinner. Whatever it is, be an active citizen.

If you want to get involved with ICS, please visit the website at www.volunteerics.org.

Personal trainer Emma Brewster has raised more than £6,000 for the Team George charity by taking part in a static cycleathon at Westside Gym in Stamford.

The event lasted seven hours and Emma was joined by many supporters who gave their all and were especially delighted to be joined by George, who is in hospital in Sheffield, via Facetime.

Emma said: “I must thank Westside and the many local businesses who have donated money and raffle prizes. I really do appreciate it and am delighted that we have raised so much money for George. Thank you to everyone who took part as well.”

More fund-raising events will be taking place over the next few months in support of Team George.

To find out more and how to purchase some of the fund-raising merchandise visit their page on Facebook.

SHOP OF THE MONTH Established for seven years and based in St Paul’s Street, Stamford Independent Travel can cater for your every need.

They specialise in sporting events and can arrange tickets, as well as accommodation, be it for the next rugby Lions Tour to New Zealand, Formula One races, football matches and cricket tours anywhere in the world.

Emma Scott, who owns the business with her mother, Dawn, said: “As we are independent we have access to many

different companies. We can get tickets to venues and arrange accommodation to suit anyone’s budget. We also arrange walking, trekking and cycling holidays worldwide and small groups going on adventure holidays. And don’t forget ski packages. Basically we can usually organise anything for anyone and cover all markets.”  www.stamfordindependenttravel. co.uk, 44a St Paul’s Street, Stamford, 01780 763030.

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T: 0116 277 9705

18 Leicester Road, Blaby, Leics, LE8 4GQ

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Activelife

FOUR MEN IN A BOAT

BEN DUFFY

Our four old Uppinghamians – Angus Collins, Gus Barton, Joe Barnett and Jack Mayhew (sailing as Ocean Reunion) – have finished their rowing race across the Atlantic and did it in style. They won the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge and, at the same time, broke the previous race record by completing the race in 37 days and nine hours – four days quicker than the previous fastest time.

The team rowed a tough rotation of two hours on and two hours off for 24 hours a day and coped with sleep deprivation, a tropical storm, sea-sickness and extremely painful salt rashes. But they stuck at it and were much more successful than they ever imagined they would be.

Joe said: “Before you leave you have irrational fears of sharks and stuff but when

you’re out there you have more rational fears about the water.”

Now that the mammoth task is over the boys have been able to work out how much money they have raised for their two charities – The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Teenage Cancer Trust. At the moment, the figure is more than £130,000. Congratulations to them for a job well done and hopefully they are getting a well deserved rest.

To donate to their chosen charities visit www. oceanreunion.co.uk which has a link to their Just Giving page.

Do you have a challenge that you are planning and training for? If so, drop an email to: mary@theactivemag.com – we’d be delighted to hear from you.

52 IN 52 UPDATE The sporty four from Rutland are still working away at their quest to complete 52 different sports in 52 weeks.

Carys has had a go at Aussie Rules football, cross-country skiing and women’s contact rugby. She is also in training for the Barcelona Marathon this month. Alec and Mike have been snowboarding and Mike joined a park run group to run 5km.

Alec has also had a gymnastic session and Holly has been downhill skiing.

They have now tried 17 sports and raised £970 for Cancer Research UK. They are still looking for sports clubs to offer them a session. Visit their Just Giving page if you wish to donate (www.justgiving. com/challenge52/).

Edina Bremner has taken up the challenge to run her first half marathon, but training is not going as smoothly as she hoped.

Recruitment specialist Edina, who works for More People, was asked in December to run a half marathon with her colleagues in March.Her first port of call was a visit to see Zoe at Poze to get a good fitting sports bra. Despite Edina being very slight, every woman needs good support when running and Zoe offered expert advice and fitting.

Edina signed up for the gym and was told to run every day, increasing her distances every few days, as well as doing weight training to strengthen her core.

Things started well but after a couple of runs it because apparent there was an issue with her knees. Edina was barely able to walk so she visited a physiotherapist who told her she was to do nothing for a week and then build up her distance slowly, alternating running and cross training.

After having x-rays for a suspected stress fracture, Edina has just started training again.

ROSIE BUTCHER.

EDINA RISES TO THE CHALLENGE

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You don’t need a bat, racket or expensive kit for this exercise.

Just a ball.

Rutland Sports Why not look after someone’s dog while they’re away.

Become a host with Barking Mad It’s great fun, all of the benefits of dog ownership without the emotional or financial commitment.

We carefully match dogs to your home.

Kerry Wells 01780 322008 kerry.wells@barkingmad.uk.com BarkingMad.uk.com

Oakham

20-22 catmos st.

01572 722675

Bourne

26-28 north st.

01778 426482

Eat, drink and be merry lunch or dinner you decide?

Enjoy a long lazy lunch for £8.00 – large plate and a pot of tea or cafetiere of coffee Monday – Friday 12 – 2.30pm* Early dinner from 6 – 7 pm Sunday – Thursday,* two large plates and a bottle of house wine for just £25

Be merry with us!

*excludes bank holidays Sunday & Monday

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The Bull & Swan at Burghley 01780 766412 www.thebullandswan.co.uk

19/02/2016 19:20

Activelife

A day in the life of

ALEX WOOLLEN - SENIOR CATEGORY MANAGER AT RUTLAND CYCLING

P

eople are more aware of cycling now than they’ve ever been, possibly because of British sporting success at the Tour de France.

There are very few barriers to cycling so it’s a sport that’s easy to adopt. You never forget how to ride a bike and it’s low impact so is kinder on your body than going for a run. People are also thinking a bit more about sustainable travel so they consider cycling to work rather than driving.

Rutland Cycling has 10 stores – five in Cambridge, two at Rutland Water, a forestry site at Fineshade Woods, one store at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough and one at Grafham Water. We offer a really strong retail experience and if you look on the website it’s the same experience as you’ll get in store.

We sell bikes from £400 up to £12,000. In comparison to some other pastimes, spending £3-5,000 on a bike is good value. Anything with a motor attached to it is going to be a lot more.

And if you pay £60 a month on gym membership it might be better to go outside and get fit in the fresh air.

We think it’s the responsibility of your local bike shop staff, with years of experience, to inform customers that specific bike gear can make for a better experience. You don’t want your bike to be hard work. Clothes are now fit for purpose and if you’re comfortable you’re going to be quicker.

All products sold at Rutland Cycling come through me and the commercial team, whether it’s a fully-built bike, a piece of clothing, a tyre or a car rack. We source the products, make sure they’re in stock and manage key promotions.

All the top suppliers want to work with us so we’re fairly confident that the products we sell are the best ones out there. A key part of my job is to get our guys enthused about those brands.

We have 140 staff across our stores who know all the products and each member has a particular speciality.

I work closely with the web team so that our products look great online. We get the products as soon as they come out, which is exciting for the cycling enthusiast to see.

I’m accountable for stock levels across the business, so that’s about 8,000 bikes in four warehouses. We need to be mindful that we’re not sitting on big chunks of stock. We’re talking now about what we’re going to be selling in January 2017 and can forecast it by looking back over a couple of decades’ worth of data.

I’m also in charge of buying the fleet for our hire operations at all of our sites. The locations

‘We sell bikes from £400 up to £12,000’ are great and the bikes are serviced to a really high standard. We have bikes for different abilities and also adapted bikes like hand cycles.

This year with the Cambridge sites we’re going to have about 1,500 bikes overall which we rotate once or twice a year. It means that you always hire a new current season bike. It’s a brilliant day out for all the family.

Whitwell is very popular – we have 300 bikes there that will each go out three times on a busy summer’s day.

Bikes have been a constant in my life since I was 10, either riding them or racing. As a child I didn’t live in a town so I rode my bike to see friends and loved being off in the countryside. I still love it now. When I’m out on a bike in awful

weather in the woods and it’s cold, it’s like being a big kid and playing again.

I like to ride my mountain bike as many days of the week as I can, which can be difficult in the winter. When I’m out for a ride I want to make sure I’m having the full experience. I love it when I get to a good downhill which might scare me a bit. If it goes wrong it’s going to hurt, if it goes right I’ll get a rush.

This is a perfect job for me as I get to look at bikes all day. There’s a lot of travelling but the cool bit is that I get to see the new products as soon as they’re launched, which could be at a resort in the Alps, or America – and I get to road test them. I remind myself of that when I’m staring at spreadsheets on a grey February day.

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21/02/2016 09:06

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19/02/2016 19:19

Activelife

WHAT’S ON There’s lots going on in your area this month, why not try some of these? cooked by local volunteers. You pay as much as you wish for the meal and funds are donated to good causes. Since September the café has saved two tons of food from landfill and fed 650 people. It’s a fabulous concept for anyone who hates waste, whatever their financial situation. To find out more, or to volunteer, visit www.secondhelpings.org.uk

■ Visit the lambs at Sacrewell Farm and Activity Centre from March 5 and see them being fed every day. Keep an eye on the website to find out when the first lamb has been born. Visit www.sacrewell.org.uk for more details.

■ During the Easter holidays Ferry Meadows is running an Easter trail. Just turn up on the day, pay 50 pence for your trail sheet and spend an enjoyable time hunting for clues as you walk around Ferry Meadows.

They are also running a geocache egg hunt over the Easter weekend. To find out more ring 01733 234193 or email visitor.services@neneparktrust. org.uk.

■ There’s going to be an Easter family fun day and craft fair on March 25 in aid of the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice at Rose Landscapes indoor superstore in Peterborough. It will feature an Easter egg hunt around the store with a lucky dip, face painting and much more. See www. roselandscapes.co.uk.

■ The NFU’s lambing day is being held at Manor Farm, Morborne, on Sunday, March 13 between 11am and 4pm. You can see lambs being born on this working farm and hold newly-hatched chicks. The Anna’s Hope Fairies will also be there to raise money for the charity.

■ Visit Stamford’s Second Helpings café at the Methodist Church on Barn Hill. The concept is to save waste and use good food bound for landfill.

The café is open every Saturday from noon to 3pm and you will get a fabulous three-course meal

■ Don’t forget Mother’s Day on March 6. Mums love flowers so pop up and see Amanda at Greensleaves Florists at Stamford Garden Centre – she has a great selection to choose from. www.greensleavesflorist. co.uk.

DAVID WILSON CLARK

■ After 25 years, Stamford once again has a WI group. But it’s not all about jam; the group plans to appeal to all age groups and is very friendly. Talks are planned on diverse subjects such as car mechanics, wine tasting and bell ringing. The group meet on the third Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm at Stamford Cricket Club on Uffington Road and will be delighted to welcome new members. To find out more visit their facebook page (new Stamford Women’s Institute) or email stamfordwi@ yahoo.com.

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25 AL whats on SR OK.indd 25

21/02/2016 09:08

WIN 20 MILES. 200 OBSTACLES. We’ve got another chance for you to win free entry into this year’s Rat Race Dirty Weekend taking place at Burghley House this May If you have taken part before, then can you beat your best time – and if you’ve never done it, then this is a chance not to miss an incredible experience. We are giving away free entry for one lucky winner to the amazing Rat Race Dirty Weekend at Burghley House – a brutal obstacle race set in the grounds of the finest Elizabethan houses in Britain.

Rat Race Dirty Weekend is bringing its monster builds, phenomenal after-party and brutal course back to Burghley House on May 7. The world’s biggest obstacle course race offers up 20 miles jampacked with 200 obstacles designed to test your limits and give you the best obstacle racing weekend in the country.

Rat Race’s after-parties are legendary and the one this year is going to be an absolute beast. Previously headlined by Ocean Colour Scene, Greg James, Reverend and the Makers, Ash and Craig Charles, you’re guaranteed a good night in the big top. All race entries include after-party entry and you can buy extra tickets for Saturday night for your supporters.

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RAT RACE FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Rat Race Dirty Weekend isn’t just for extreme adult athletes – there’s also a fun challenge for kids too, the Young Mucker.

Starting at 2pm on the same day (May 7) as the main race, the 5km course is aimed at 8-15 year olds.

Designed specifically for kids, it’s still full of plenty of mud and obstacles and even accesses parts of the adult course too.

So it is sure to whet the appetite for what’s in store when they’re old enough to tackle the full 20 miles and 200 obstacles.

Adults are permitted to run alongside children during the race and there is a medal, rat rag, chocolate, water and special event stash for all finishers included in the £25 entry fee.

Enter at www.ratrace.com/dirtyweekend2016/

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21/02/2016 14:09

Feature /// Cycling

VELO FEVER Scenery, fitness, camaraderie, fun, the odd slice of cake and glass of wine, too. Jeremy Beswick finds Velo Club Rutland in fine fettle

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PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORT

WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT if there was a way of getting fit while hardly noticing the effort you’re putting in? What if it was eco-friendly and had the thrill of exploration, surrounded by beautiful scenery, as well? Then, if you threw in friendship, camaraderie and humour and made it cheaply available to all sorts of shapes, sizes and levels of fitness, irrespective of age or gender, then you might think you’d have quite a success on your hands – and you’d be right.

That’s why Velo Club Rutland continues to go from strength to strength, its membership growing rapidly towards the 150 mark. Over a coffee, club chairman Dave Graham gave me the low down. He started with a message of inclusivity.

“We’d like to change the perception that cycling is just for athletic types in Lycra with inordinately expensive bikes,” he told me. “Our membership is open to anyone. You don’t need to be that physically fit and it doesn’t matter what type of bike you own. I remember when I started, worrying that everyone else would be too fast for me but it wasn’t scary like that at all.

We want to develop the club at the upper end of the scale too, but most of all we want to recruit more beginners.”

The approach they take is to classify their rides as social, fitness or training and, within each level, to split the group into abilities to ensure no-one gets left behind. Should you really get the cycling bug and want to progress to elite levels you’ll find kindred spirits here too, but the key words here are ‘and want to’.

As Dave said: “There’s no pressure whatsoever on people to improve and there’s nothing wrong with just enjoying being outside in the countryside gently riding a bike and enjoying the banter with other club members.

It’s a great way to get fit without feeling you’re working hard. You can have a leisurely sociable ride and a chat and still burn off the calories.

Rutland is a beautiful place and you’re bound to see bits of it you otherwise wouldn’t. Untapped routes with beautiful views that you can share with others rather than cycling alone.”

Indeed, they promise as much on their website: “The club will take you to corners of Rutland you’ve never seen. There’s always an opportunity to get together over a pint or a piece of cake. The social rides explore the local county and beyond with a friendly bunch and some refreshments along the way.”

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21/02/2016 09:11

Recruitment as it should be

Reach out to THE ONE GROUP and you’ll find some cracking candidates.

2016 is the year of the candidate and we have teams of eggsperienced consultants working tirelessly to provide you with the very best talent in the market place.

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PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORT

Below and right

The club caters for all ages and abilities, with a clear progression depending on how much you want to improve. Fun, fitness and great scenery are guaranteed

On the Thursday evening’s outing of the week I visit that means Oakham’s Grainstore for a well-deserved beer or glass of wine.

For those of a more ambitious nature, there are races and time trials, too. The key is to make sure you choose the right ride for you – there are around eight or nine every week throughout the year ranging from five to 50 miles – to match wherever you are on the scale.

“No-one gets left behind and you’ll be supported,” Dave added. On-road, off-road and cyclo-cross are all available. Their Facebook page is also full of members asking “Anyone care to join me...” to organise smaller ad hoc rides.

Kevin Ashby had his first outing last year and has really caught the bug. He’s now moving up the ladder and improving rapidly – a bit hard-core if you like, but that’s what has come to suit him.

“When I started my level of fitness was shocking, to be honest with you. I was a typical overweight 50-something and it all began as a middle-aged impulse buy. All I knew was I had to get off the couch somehow. I hadn’t really cycled at all before, so I looked around for a club and Velo Rutland were just so very welcoming.

Everyone was incredibly supportive and there’s a good social scene as well.”

How’s he getting on now, I asked?

I’ve lost 34 pounds in less than a year, and it’s all down to cycling,” he told me. “Never mind about those food fads and diet pills, just get yourself a bike! The benefits are immediate.

You’ll see results instantly and you’ll feel good about yourself mentally and physically after a ride as well, with all those endorphins running wild.”

The group is approaching its tenth anniversary and every year there are excursions outside the county and plenty of money raised for charity by its members. They recently organised trips to the coast and the Peak District; the Lake District awaits in May and the mountain passes between Turin and Nice in September.

Good causes that benefit from members’ efforts include Cystic Fibrosis, cancer charities,

‘Never mind all those food fads, just get yourself a bike! You’ll see results instantly and feel good about yourself mentally and physically’ Rethink Mental Illness and many more.

Dave himself raised £6,000 by cycling more than 2,500 miles to every cathedral in England; members Wendi Carrington and Annthea Fryer are off to Vietnam and Cambodia for a 500km trek and a few of the hardier souls are going to Holme Moss, one of England’s best known and more challenging ascents, to burst their lungs by climbing more than 6,000 feet and riding 65 miles to raise money.

Although it’s possible to spend thousands on hi-tech cycles and kit if that’s your thing, you’ll have gathered by now that, for this club at least, it doesn’t need to be the case and that it can be an eminently affordable activity.

Club subs are only £15 per year for admission to all rides, and that even includes free food and drink on the August Bank Holiday ‘Lap of Rutland Ride’ and on their ‘Mince Pie Ride’ at Christmas and riding gear with the club logo is sold at affordable prices. Hence you’ll meet people from all walks of life united by their love of cycling and the outdoors.

Feel like giving it a whirl? The advice chairman Dave gave me was “bring your bike and a helmet and just turn up unannounced if you like. Pick the right ride for you from our website and say ‘hi’ to the leader on arrival.

You’ll get three tester rides for free before you decide whether to sign up and we all make sure we chat to everyone and make any new riders feel at home.”

The outings on Tuesdays or Thursdays start at 6.30pm from Oakham Cycle Centre - these might be a good place to start as they are open to all abilities.

In addition the club is starting a weekly ‘Welcome Ride’ for potential new members every Saturday from 2 April onwards, departing from Rutland County Council car park at 2pm - if you can wait that long!

Whichever way you go, if you do choose to join this thriving club then relatively effort-free fitness, fun, friendship and the fair fields of Rutland await you. You might even lose 34 pounds in under a year. What’s not to like?

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21/02/2016 09:12

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19/02/2016 19:19

Guest column

The invasion has begun – and it’s clad in Lycra The Sunday Times writer Martin Johnson on the rise of the cyclist ome of you may be old enough to remember a television series – long enough ago for it to have been filmed in black and white – called The Invaders. It began with a chap driving around late at night in a remote part of America pulling over for a nap, and when he woke up he spotted a spacecraft disgorging what appeared to be humans, but who were actually dastardly aliens who’d been programmed to infiltrate society and eventually make slaves of the unsuspecting humans.

Needless to say, when our hero reported this first sighting to the authorities, he was politely patted on the head and sent on his way with the suggestion that a slightly less intimate association with the gin bottle might help with the hallucinations. So every week – for lord knows how many years – he fought a lone battle to save planet Earth, having learned to identify the invaders by a crooked little finger.

Hello? Steve Davis used to sip his water at The Crucible with a bent little digit. Surely not…

And now I fear something similar is happening to me. I too have gone to the authorities to warn them of an impending takeover by alien beings – only this time the equivalent of the crooked little finger is people dressing up in Spiderman-style Lycra body suits.

They gather furtively in quiet country lanes before pedalling through the highways and byways of Britain collecting impressionable recruits for their ultimate mission. Which is, of course, for cyclists to take over the world.

Is it my imagination, or are these creatures multiplying at roughly the same rate as oryctolagus cuniculus, or to give it its more common name, the European rabbit?

Actually, it’s all intrinsically linked to the decline in golf club membership, as all those people who were previously content to burn off roughly five calories over eighteen holes, before repairing to the clubhouse to put a couple of thousand back on in pink gins, have now transfromed into Lycra-clad, pedal-pumping fitness fanatics.

They’ve been taken in by the Team GB hullabaloo accompanying the London Olympics, which made household names of Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish. The hysteria was such that the security staff at Halfords were issued with water cannon to keep back the hordes of people trying to get their hands on a Cervelo S5 Dura Ace 11 speed, and the latest aerodynamic bicycle clips.

S

Actually, you have to have some sympathy for those responsible for promoting cycling, given that this is a sport in which you have to be ultra careful about the way you phrase things.

A chum of mine who writes on cycling was penning a sentence about Bradley Wiggins when he became the first Brit to win the Tour de France back in 2012, which included the phrase ‘shot in the arm’.

And, once he realised that a shot in the arm was something you do with a syringe, he had to find a different way of putting it or risk setting off some accidental media frenzy.

Drugs and cycling are inextricably linked, and it would be remiss of me to continue without revealing that I too, in my cycling heyday, resorted to artificial stimulants in order to complete an arduous journey by bike, in my case cycling 15 miles from home to meet up with my sports editor in a pub in the picturesque Leicestershire village of Hallaton.

Ergo, for the route back, I was unable to contemplate remounting the old Raleigh three-speed without half a dozen pints of Theakstons in the pub, followed by several Irish malts back at the sports editor’s house.

However, with the 2016 Olympic Games fast approaching, it appears that the testers will need to be on their guard against cheating that can also involve tampering with your machine as well as your body.

At least judging by a recent case in the women’s under 23 cyclocross world championships in Belgium recently, when a 19-year old Belgian was found guilty of ‘mechanical doping’. Which, in layman’s terms, translates into finding a hidden engine that was propelling her bicycle along.

She had a totally plausible explanation, which was that she had this friend, who happened to own an identical looking bike, and this friend decided to have a spin around the racetrack the day before the race, and when this friend left her own bike lying around afterwards, one of the team mechanics mistook it for her bike, gave it a clean and prepared it for the race.

And, yes, you’ve guessed it. She didn’t notice it was actually her friend’s bike during the race, and had ‘no idea’ that it might have a concealed motor.

For reasons best known to themselves, the authorities didn’t accept this wholly reasonable account of events, placing it instead into the school of ‘please sir, the dog ate my homework’ excuses.

And they banned her.

However, the good news is that if she really is part of an alien network planning to take over the universe, with that kind of IQ there’s nothing much to be worried about.

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21/02/2016 10:17

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19/02/2016 19:19

Feature /// Gear

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For those long rides there are three rear pockets with drain mesh and reflective trim.

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Stay warm when the temperature drops in this superb women’s running jacket.

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Price £62 From leicesterrunningshop.co.uk

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21/02/2016 13:50

Feature /// Cycling

THE POWER OF THE PEDAL The cycling boom shows no sign of slowing, so here is our guide to everything you need to know to get on your bike this year

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GET STARTED! Alex Woollen of Rutland Cycling has some advice for how to get yourself out in the saddle, no matter if you’re a novice or haven’t ridden for years.

He said: “If you are new to cycling, the vast array of equipment available can be daunting.

Similarly, hearing that your colleague at work rode 100 miles over the weekend on their expensive carbon fibre bike can sound out of your reach. However, with the right guidance, kit and training, you too could be taking the right steps towards those big miles in the summer.

“Your local bike shop is a hive of knowledge.

At Rutland Cycling we have staff who live and breathe bikes, from daily commuters to ex-professional riders. They are always looking to share their experience and love to see more people riding bikes. They can recommend the right bike for you, the right components for your bike, the right clothing to stay comfortable and offer friendly advice to rookies and racers.

“We even run group rides from our stores for all abilities where you can experience some friendly banter and competition, while gaining all those little bits of knowledge that can help you in the future.

“For improving fitness, one of the best things you can do is make cycling a habit. Rather than thinking of a ride as exercise, make it part of your daily life – commute to work every day, pop out for half an hour in the evening.

Whatever you can do, make it consistent.

Alternatively, find the elements of cycling that you enjoy and make them part of your routine,

whether that’s going fast, conquering hills or just finding a good café in the countryside. The more you enjoy your riding, the less you think about the fitness gains you’ll be making.

Gradually try and go more quickly, higher or further and you’ll soon find that your Sunday mornings are lost to cycling!”

JOIN A CLUB OR SIGN UP TO A RIDE If you’re new to cycling, you might think that joining a club is not for you. Fears of cycle snobbery and getting left behind by super-fit racers can easily put off inexperienced riders.

Leicester Forest Cycling Club member Andy Ward gives his five reasons for thinking again:

1. The riding The club run is one of the great traditions of cycling in this country. Riding in a group of like-minded individuals provides a very different experience to riding alone. A chance to chat, discover new routes, enjoy the inevitable café stop and take advantage of the aerodynamic advantages of a mini-peloton can be an altogether pleasurable experience. Many clubs such as Leicester Forest offer different distances and average speeds to accommodate all types of riders. Check the website and don’t be afraid to ask if you’re worried that you won’t keep up.

2. The racing If you’re a bit more experienced, you might fancy trying your hand at racing. Whether it’s road-racing, time-trialling, cyclocross, hill climbing or mountain biking, a good club will

have representatives at most local events. Racing as a club member means you will always have a bit of support to cheer you on when you need it most. Many clubs will also offer coaching to help get the best out of your abilities.

3. The kit Once you’ve settled on a club, you’ll probably want to get hold of some of the latest club kit. A good way to identify fellow members on sportives or in races, the club jersey lets people know where you are from and can certainly be a conversation starter. Most clubs offer kit at very good prices for high quality gear. Leicester Forest ran a competition to create their latest offering, with club members voting on the final design.

4. The advice Joining a club gives you access to a huge pool of experience. Whatever problem you are having with your bike or your cycling, you can guarantee that someone in the club will know how to sort it out. Need a spare part or a specialist tool? There’s a good chance a club member has it stuck in the back of their garage somewhere. The club’s Facebook page or website forum are excellent places to get the advice you need.

5. The social side Cycling clubs are a great place to meet and make new friends. A good club will have an active social side to go with the riding. From pub quizzes to trips to watch top races such as the Tour de France, membership of a club gives you the chance to enjoy all that cycling has to offer and more.

Follow Andy on Twitter: @awkwardcyclist

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21/02/2016 14:01

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19/02/2016 19:19

Feature /// Cycling

GET FIT! TRAIN FOR OUTDOORS, INDOORS

It’s not always possible to get out on your bike and put the time and distance in, but there are other solutions.

Obviously gyms have bikes that you can use if the weather is putting you off, or you’ve got a technical problem. But not many offer what Westside Gym does: a two-hour ride in a safe environment every Sunday and Wednesday, riding realistically like you would when out on the road. It’s suitable for all abilities.

The session is run by Paul Brewster, a level 3 personal trainer with a passion for cycling who wants to pass on experience of competing in triathlons and Ironman events.

He said: “To cyclists who wish to gain experience and fitness to hit their goals, with the possibility of attempting an Ironman challenge, we will guide you all the way, if you have the grit and determination.

“What we basically do is a virtual ride. I get on the computer, map the route, its ascents and decents, and imagine the effort that will be needed for each rider in a group – when they will be at the front or in the middle, for example.

“Then we have two teams, all with monitors, and they each have certain cadences, resistance and effort levels at various times on the ‘ride’.

“We are out for long ride, it’s not spinning with music. We imagine we’re in a race, so there are big climbs, cadences, headwinds and changing conditions. It’s the best way of replicating what happens outside, inside, and we can look at technique, pushing people’s boundaries, improving aerobic capacity and lactic acid tolerances.

“As we move into spring and the days grow longer and the weather improves there will be outside cycling in place of the two-hour indoor ride.”

Cost: Westside members £5, non-members £9.

Sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance booking essential – 01780 480651.

LEARN TO RIDE LIKE A PRO

Pretty good, but now want to zoom like Froome? What if you’re already obsessed with cycling? How can the advanced cyclist get fitter and faster? It’s important to consider that once you’re building up your mileage, a good bike fit becomes important.

Rutland Cycling’s master bike fitter, Andrew Shore, explains: “The more pressure we put our bodies under, the more those little niggles and posture oddities can become pronounced.

“Therefore, getting a cycle fit means you can stay comfortable on the bike for longer, so you can go even further than before.

“We offer fully-certified Specialized Body Geometry bike fits at our Whitwell and Peterborough stores, which provide a comprehensive, personalised session dedicated to making your riding more efficient and enjoyable.”

Andrew’s experience goes as far back as the 1980s, looking after the performance requirements of professional riders in the highly successful Team Peugeot, while Uldis is a UCI-level professional and has previously cycled for Latvia. If you want to get fast, Andrew and his colleagues are the guys to speak to.

CHOOSE A FABULOUS ROUTE

We are blessed with some incredible countryside for riding in, with wide lanes and incredible views.

But where do you start to plan a route? The Rutland Sailing Club Cycling Group have rides all over Rutland and Leicestershire, and have got some blogs linking to them on their website at www.rutlandmamil.blogspot.com or, if you’d like to join them at any time, they usually ride through Normanton Car Park most Tuesdays and Thursdays where they would be pleased to have you join them.

Oakham Cycle Centre, www. oakhamcyclecentre.co.uk, has some great organised social cycle rides in Rutland. Runing rides from their shop on Thursday evenings leaving at 6.30pm. They split the rides into manageable groups, based on the average speed riders prefer. There are usually three to four groups, averaging speeds from 13mph to 20mph and covering distances between 20 and 30 miles.

Regular rides are also available at Rutland Cycling. See www.rutlandcycling.com/rides for the latest schedule and to book your place: Breeze mums and tots – Fridays weekly, 9.45am.

Venue alternates between Rutland Cycling’s Whitwell and Fineshade stores. Free to join with your own bike, or hire a bike, child seat and helmets from £5.

Breeze women – Sundays fortnightly, 9.30am.

Meet at Rutland Cycling’s Whitwell store, or at the Giant Store at Normanton. Free to join with your own bike, or hire a bike from £5.

Beginners – Saturdays monthly, 10am, from the Giant Store at Normanton, and Rutland Cycling Peterborough. Free to join with your own bike, or hire a bike from £5.

Tuesday road ride – Tuesdays weekly, 6.30pm, between April and September. Meet at Rutland Cycling’s Whitwell store. Free to join with your own bike, or hire a bike from £5.

Silver Cyclists (with U3A) – Tuesdays weekly, 10am. Rides only take place during the summer months. Meet at the Giant Store at Normanton.

Free to join with your own bike, or hire a bike from £5.

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21/02/2016 14:01

Colour Me

Happy 16 Mill Street • Oakham • Rutland • LE15 6EA • www.cavells.co.uk

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19/02/2016 19:19

Feature /// Cycling

RIDE, THEN RELAX AND REVITALISE! Steve Moody finds a sophisticated slice of French adventure among the green fields of rural Leicestershire It’s not often you find a stylish French mountain café nestled in the greenery of the English countryside. But just outside Tugby, nestled in an orchard, is Café Ventoux – a stylish cycling and skiing bolthole beautifully designed in wood, glass and brushed metal (with a little Fiat 500 too for added charm) offering coffees and food to passers-by.

It’s clearly a place that gets a lot of passing trade, and most of it is on two wheels, being on route 64 of the National Cycle Way. Having received recognition as one of the best cycle cafés in the country after such a short period is testament to the work that has been, and continues to be, put in. There are racks for bikes and lots of pictures on the walls of its customers on their adventures – not just around Rutland and Leicestershire, but all over the world.

But it isn’t just a sharp espresso, a slab of cake or a wealth of great food waiting for exhausted cyclists: the café has a lots of bikes along with cycle and ski wear from high-end suppliers: Intense, Vélobici, Salomon and local bespoke bike maker J Laverack to name a few. So it’s a great place to come and shop, even if you don’t get there by pedal power.

Owners Brian and Rosie Jordan first came up

with the concept when they were in France, and transplanting it to Leicestershire has been a labour of love. Brian said: “We take our name from the famous Mont Ventoux in France, which has been featured in the Tour de France since 1951.

“The café was conceived around the idea of ‘summer on your bike’ and ‘winter in the mountains’, thereby creating the region’s first true cycle and ski café.

“We are passionate about good food, a relaxing environment and outdoor activities, particularly cycling, running and snow sports.

Our aim is to create a vibe at Café Ventoux which brings all these passions together under one roof to create a unique experience for all our customers. But remember, you do not have to ride a bike to enjoy the buzz of Café Ventoux, so why not stop by for a bite to eat, a refreshing beer or glass of wine from our a fully licensed bar?”

Set within a 20-acre site, the café has parking for 500 cars and has an outside space which has been designed to host sportives. The café caters for ‘roadies’ and ‘mountain bikers’, with Saturday mixed group, beginners and ‘women only’ ride-outs being run by the team, all of

whom share the same passion as Brian and Rosie.

Evening events take place with product launches and talks by professional sporting celebrities, not just from the worlds of cycling and skiing.

Rosie adds: “Café Ventoux is far more than just a café, we call it a ‘destination café’. A place to eat, drink, chill out and shop. It is important to us that we have selected food suppliers which are local to Café Ventoux and offer quality as well as being ethically sourced from within the region. We have some exciting plans over the next six months and we look forward to developing our offering further.”

Café Ventoux Route 64 – National Cycle Way Tugby Orchards Leicester 0116 259 8063 www.cafe-ventoux.cc

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21/02/2016 17:25

Feature /// Cycling

GET GREAT KIT Here are some of the best bikes available locally to suit all budgets

Trek Lexa S

Trek Emonda ALR5

Trek Madone 9.9

Lexa is a light, fast women’s road bike. Sleek shaping and a carbon fork make Lexa the perfect choice for road rides, triathlons, or however you choose to rack up the miles. It has an aluminium frame with a carbon fork and Shimano Claris 8-speed groupset.

Price £575 From Bristows, Peterborough

Every detail of the Émonda line serves the same goal: to create the lightest line of road bikes. The ALR offers elegance on a new level, surpassing the performance of many carbon competitors, with its aluminium frame and Shimano 105 11-speed groupset.

Price £1,100 From Bristows, Peterborough

A full carbon frame and fork, with Shimano Dura-ace Di2 (electronic gears) 11-speed groupset, every detail of the Madone 9.9 is engineered for performance, ride quality and efficiency. A women’s version is also available.

Price £9,000 From Bristows, Peterborough

Giant Defy 0

Bianchi Infinito CV

Specialized Venge Pro Vias Carbon

Built on an aluminium frame made proven endurance geometry, the Defy is a versatile choice. Widely regarded as one of the best all-around road bikes for under £1,000, it is comfortable, fast and light.

Price £999 From Rutland Cycling

Sitting between the middle and top of the range, with Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels and ‘CounterVail’ frame technology and cutting edge carbon fibre technology to provide vibration damping.

Price £3,399 From Rutland Cycling

The fastest road bike money can buy. The Specialized Venge ViAS. Designed from the ground up to be as aerodynamic as possible, with 1000 hours of wind tunnel testing helping to refine the revolutionary frame design we see today.

Price £6,499 From Rutland Cycling

Liv Avail Advanced 3

Enigma Exemplar

Liv, Giant’s bespoke women’s brand, has produced what it claims is the perfect endurance bike with a lightweight frame, compliant ride and Shimano Tiagra drivetrain. Light and lively on the climbs and supremely confident on the descents, this is a great all-rounder.

Price £1,149 From Rutland Cycling

Handbuilt in Sussex using a brand new 6AL 4V titanium tube set that features a unique 44mm down tube elevating the performance of the frame to a new level. Strictly limited edition model of just 20 bikes worldwide, each one individually made and totally bespoke for its owner.

Price £1,500-£12,000 From Windmill Wheels, Wymondham

Café Ventoux Edition J.Laverack J. ACK III These bikes are a bit special, and locally built.

The gorgeous titanium Café Ventoux Edition J.Laverack J.ACK III has Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and hydraulic brakes. You can have your bike designed exactly as you want it, by visiting their boutique at Café Ventoux.

Price £5,750 From Café Ventoux, Tugby

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21/02/2016 14:04

WIN GO ON AN AMAZING JOURNEY Planning a great cycling adventure this year? Active and Rutland Cycling can help with our brilliant competition. You could be heading off on a 2016 Genesis Croix de Fer 20 adventure road bike Tell us what your cycling adventure is and your challenge could win you this amazing bike and Ortileb panniers from Rutland Cycling, a prize worth £1,350.

Whether you are thinking of riding around the world, across Europe, around Britain or through your county, tell us what cycling adventure you have planned this year and one lucky winner will receive an amazing bike and expert back-up from Rutland Cycling to help you achieve it.

We’ll follow you all the way through training and the challenge in the magazine too, helping you drum up support.

The bike

One bike. Come rain or shine, the Genesis Croix de Fer 20 olive green will take you almost anywhere thanks to its excellent blend of Tiagra components, TRP Hy/Rd-C brakes and Reynolds 725 steel frame.

Fast and responsive on the road, yet stable and perfectly balanced, the Croix de Fer 20 is a real pleasure to ride on both smooth Tarmac

and on terrain where you’d normally reach for a mountain bike. The wider gear range and great trickle down technology in the new 2016 Tiagra creates a premium riding feel for a more affordable price. TRP Hy/Rd-C brakes offer all the benefits of hydraulic disc brakes with standard cables. The Reynolds 725 frame is tough, and fully fitted with all the mounts you can think of.

Getting you fitted right

Rutland Cycling will get the right fit for you, using the latest in Retul sizing technology and years of good old-fashioned experience.

You’ll enjoy its Bike Fit process, using the latest Body Geometry video capture technology in the hands of guys who have raced and coached at the highest level.

You’ll then be helped with training, with the team getting you out on their regular organised rides and tailoring a bespoke program.

They’ll also offer you nutritional advice. So you’ll be as well-prepared for your challenge as it is possible to be.

WIN THIS £1,200 BIKE!

Our standard competition terms and conditions apply, www.theactivemag.com/terms, in addition to the following additional terms and conditions: • The winner must be prepared to take part in publicity, including writing a training blog on a regular basis. Failure to do this will result in the bike being reclaimed by Rutland Cycling. The bike only becomes property of the winner upon completion of the chosen event.

• The winner must be prepared to train, as per the training schedule set out by Rutland Cycling, for the event of their choice.

• To be in with a chance of winning the bike you must live within 50 miles of Rutland Cycling’s Whitwell store.

How to win

To enter the competition send us your CV – not your actual CV, a cycling CV – stating your name, address, cycling experience (if any), the challenge you’re planning and 100 words telling us why you should be shortlisted.

Send your cycling CV, along with a picture of yourself, to adventure@theactivemag.com by Wednesday, April 20.

After the closing date, a select panel will choose a shortlist of entries to feature. We’ll announce those shortlisted in the magazine and then readers will be asked to vote for who they would like to see win the bike. So what are you waiting for?

Also up for grabs are these Ortileb panniers worth £150

• Entrants must be over 16. Entrants under 18 are able to apply but must have parental permission and parents must be prepared to travel to Rutland Cycling’s Whitwell store with the winner if the winner is unable to organize transport to the training sessions and event.

• The winner, and those shortlisted, must be willing to have their pictures printed in Active Magazine, and shown on social media.

• By entering the competition you confirm that you are in a fit medical state and the event will not put you in any medical danger. If you are unsure then please seek advice from your doctor before entering. Active magazine and Rutland Cycling will not be held liable for any medical issues that arise.

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21/02/2016 14:04

ACTIVE BODY DEAL WITH INJURIES, ACHIEVE YOUR DREAM BODY WITH THE FINAL PART OF OUR EXERCISE PLAN AND EAT CHOCOLATE (YES, REALLY) Edited by Mary Bremner

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21/02/2016 09:13

FITSPIRATION NOT THINSPIRATION Survey reveals sports stars, not celebrities, are increasingly the inspiration for us wanting to get fit The majority of women now look to high-achieving sportswomen such as Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill, England football captain Steph Houghton and boxer Nicola Adams for fitness inspiration, rather than celebrities, a survey has found.

According to a nationwide survey of 2,000 women by active wear firm www.staefit.com by Stacey Jackson, their influence now ranks higher than the likes of Kelly Brook, Jessica Alba and Khloe Kardashian, illustrating a shift in the way women want to look, from trying to be thin, to being fit.

There has been a shift from purely physical goals – how you look in a mirror – to one involving internal goals, such as how many push-ups you can do or weight you can deadlift. Research from Fitbit corroborates this: it found that 46% of people in Britain now consider their personal feelgood factor and achieving goals more important than looking good (23%).

HOW TO BE FIT, NOT THIN Strength train Strength training increases muscle mass in the body for toned muscles. You will need to increase the ratio of lean muscle mass in the body versus fat to achieve a well-defined physique. Aim to complete two to three strength training sessions per week with exercises that target all of the major muscle groups.

Short cardio sessions Do cardio exercise three to four times per week to improve heart and lung health. While cardio is great for the heart, it also burns calories for weight loss.

Heavier weights Lift heavier weights to gain muscle. In order to do this and increase strength, you will need to lift heavier weights for fewer repetitions, rather than lifting lots of light weights.

Eat more You will need to eat more calories overall in order to gain muscle and improve your fitness level. The body needs adequate energy intake to fuel workouts as well as everyday physical and mental activities.

This is just the start: if you want more advice on how to achieve this and what will work best for you, speak to the experts at your local gym or a personal trainer.

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21/02/2016 09:13

ACTIVE BODY

MARGINAL GAINS AND MOVEMENT SCREENING WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR CYCLING PERFORMANCE JUST LIKE THE PROS? FUNCTION JIGSAW’S TOM HEELEY EXPLAINS HOW IT’S DONE

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21/02/2016 13:51

Many of you will have been influenced to get out on the road by the rise of British cycling over the past few years.

Dave Brailsford, Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy are all very much household names following recent Tour de France and London Olympics successes – and all have been knighted for their efforts.

The costs of success for amateur cyclists aiming to improve their times can be sizeable. We all want a top-of-the-range bike with a lighter frame, better brakes, electronic gears, more streamlined clothing, and an aerodynamic helmet. This list goes on and could set you back well over £1,500.

So what if we suggested doing something that costs much less but will still improve your performance and give you those marginal gains that all amateur cyclists crave?

FUNCTION JIGSAW AND TEAM BOTTRILL Function Jigsaw has teamed up with newly-formed Leicester-based professional cycling team Team Bottrill.

Together, we aim to show cyclists a dynamic which proves that you don’t have to just train harder on the bike to improve your performance.

We have developed a comprehensive movement screening programme which outlines any individual cyclists’ movement flaws. From this screening, we can devise individual corrective exercise as well as a strength and conditioning programme to enhance performance and reduce the risk of any further injury. Done well, this can give cyclists those marginal gains that everyone is looking for.

Bottrill said: “You can get whatever equipment you like but lots of riders have imbalances in their legs and body which mean they are never reaching their full potential.

“This screening movement programme enables you to find out where any imbalances may be and work on improving them.

“The riders from my team that have taken part so far are really pleased with the outcome.”

HOW TO GET THOSE MARGINAL GAINS – ASSESS YOUR MOVEMENT The following are three tests of the programme that we have completed with Team Bottrill and are three ways of improving your performance.

I wanted to outline a few simple cycling-specific assessments that you can all do and score yourself from 0 to 3 on the levels of success you reach.

1. STRAIGHT LEG RAISE Lying on your back, raise one leg at a time

and measure the range of movement at your hip. This is a great test for hamstring flexibility and you will ideally achieve a range of 90 degrees.

0 would be 90+ degrees.

1 would be 60+ degrees.

2 would be 45 degrees o 3 would be less than 45 degrees.

Improvement: Hamstring stretch.

Feeling a pull through the back of your thigh and hamstring. Improves lower back pain.

2. SINGLE LEG SQUAT Sat on a chair, stand up and down tapping your bum on the chair and standing up again. Repeat five times. Isolated assessment of the lower limb mechanics and control, through a repetitive pushing action.

0 full control 1 some instability at the knee 2 poor knee control knee points over second toe 3 no control at the knee and a true valgus, knee points inside big toe Improvement: Swiss ball squat. Double leg squat. Improves quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal strength.

3. WALKING LUNGE A dynamic single leg exercise incorporating a cycling action from one leg to another. Assessing the movement control at the hip, knee and ankle.

0 full control and stability 1 some instability at the knee 2 poor knee control knee points over second toe 3 no control at the knee and a true valgus, knee points inside big toe Improvement: Clam. Increases gluteal strength and reduces knee pain.

A more comprehensive batch of tests is completed with each Team Bottrill athlete and a more structured exercise plan can be advised from the results. You can find these exercises online.

If you would like any more information on the prices of a movement screen and how you can make the marginal gains discussed in this article, please contact: tom@functionjigsaw.co.uk or call 0116 340 0255.

@FunctionJigsaw info@functionjigsaw.co.uk www.functionjigsaw.co.uk

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21/02/2016 13:51

sa lo no mon w in ski st we o c ar k

opening times monday - closed tuesday 10 - 5 wednesday 9 - 5 thursday 10 - 5 friday 10 - 5 saturday 8.45 - 5 sunday 8.45 - 5

wood lane tugby leicester le7 9we

tel: 0116 259 8063 ride@cafe-ventoux.cc

www.cafe-ventoux.cc

relax and shop for premium ski wear, cycle wear, road bikes and mountain bikes

come and enjoy the great vibe at cafe ventoux for breakfast, lunch and teas

the region’s favourite destination cafe

ACTIVE BODY

NEW YEAR – NEW YOU FITNESS PLAN – FINAL PHASE From the start of the New Year we’ve been showing you how to make 2016 your fittest and healthiest year yet.

Active has shared tips on nutrition, recipes, injury treatment and prevention, and exercise advice. If you’ve followed us over the past few months you’ll be familiar with our ‘New Year – New You’ fitness plan; a plan that is designed to help you lose body fat, target typical problem areas, get in shape, and strengthen weak and under-used muscles. In the January issue we focused on phase 1 (setting the foundations), progressing in February to phase 2 (define yourself).

If you’ve followed this by now you should have seen some great results, but in this final phase (shape and sculpt) it’s all about putting the finishing touches to your new and improved body.

FINAL PHASE – SHAPE AND SCULPT In phase 1 it was all about setting the foundations, setting you up for future success in your new fitness journey and exercise plan. Phase 2 got a little more complex and involved slightly harder and more challenging workouts, and maximising the time spent in the gym – why spend hours working out in the gym when you can get better results in half the amount of time? One of the objectives of phase 2 was to do just this; minimal time spent for maximum results. In the final phase time in the gym is maximised, but the workouts have got a little harder.

This plan is all about putting the finishing touches on your body, becoming even more lean and defined, and pushing your fitness a little further. In order to do this a little more effort is needed. Enter Metabolic Resistance Training! MRT is a highly effective form of training where a circuit of exercises are performed in a series using the same form of resistance.

The idea is that you select your form of resistance, in this case you’ll be using a Kettlebell, and then perform around 4-8 exercises back-to-back with minimal rest in between. MRT is a great time saver, only taking around 30 minutes per session, and combines the strengthening and body shaping elements of resistance training with even more fat burning potential than your typical cardiovascular exercise routine. MRT can also elevate your metabolism for hours, and even days, after doing the routine. There’s also minimal fuss involved in MRT routines. In this case you’ll select a single Kettlebell,

complete each exercise back-to-back, rest a little at the end of the series of exercises, and repeat for 3-5 rounds depending on your time allocation and fitness levels.

HOW TO DO THESE WORKOUTS As in phases 1 and 2, you’ll have two separate workouts to do; an MRT workout and a cardiovascular workout. Each week you’ll ideally perform five workouts. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays you’ll perform the MRT workout, and on two other days of your choosing you’ll do just 20-30 minutes of moderate intensity cardiovascular exercise.

MRT workout – complete 3 days each week, ideally Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday/Sunday. Perform each of the five exercises back-to-back without any rest in between and without setting the Kettlebell down. Rest for 2-3 minutes after doing all five and then repeat the entire series of exercises again for a total of 3-5 rounds. If you haven’t been following our previous workout plans or are new to MRT-style training, then start with just 2-3 rounds and work up to 3-5 rounds. You can also begin at three rounds in week 1, four in week 2, and five in weeks 3 and 4.

Cardiovascular workout – take the day off from MRT and instead perform 20-30 minutes of medium intensity cardiovascular exercise. Any form will do, just keep your heart rate around 70-80% of its maximum.

MRT WORKOUT Warm-up – 10 minutes of foam rolling and dynamic stretching exercise 1. KETTLEBELL 1-ARM HIGH PULL – 6-8 repetitions each side, move straight to 2.

2. KETTLEBELL 1-ARM SWING – 6-8 repetitions each side, move straight to 3.

3. KETTLEBELL 1-ARM CLEAN – 6-8 repetitions each side, move straight to 4.

4. KETTLEBELL 1-ARM PUSH PRESS – 6-8 repetitions each side, move straight to 5.

5. KETTLEBELL GOBLET SQUAT – 6-8 repetitions each side. Rest 2-3 minutes, repeat routine 3-5 times.

CARDIOVASCULAR WORKOUT Warm-up – 10 minutes of foam rolling and dynamic stretching exercise, followed by any form of moderate intensity cardiovascular exercise for 20-30 minutes maintaining a heart rate of around 70-80% of your maximum (HRmax).

1

2

3

4

5

Gareth Sapstead MSc CSCS is one of the leading personal trainers in the UK, a fitness writer, book author, healthy recipe conjuror and award-winning blogger at thefitnessmaverick.com. For personal training enquires contact Gareth via his website (www.thefitnessmaverick.com) or call him on 07825 640837.

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21/02/2016 09:17

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19/02/2016 19:19

ACTIVE BODY

CHOCS AWAY? Nutritional adviser Helen Cole on how to treat yourself more healthily this Easter WITH EASTER FAST approaching, chocolate is very much on all our minds. But, as we step into a more health conscious era, are we kidding ourselves when we hear that chocolate is good for us, or is this just a good excuse to eat as much as we like? And, are all chocolates created equal?

Let’s look at some stats comparing small bars (100g) of milk and plain chocolate: MILK CHOCOLATE Calories

535kcal

PLAIN CHOCOLATE 70-85% CACAO SOLIDS 599kcal

Protein

8g

8g

Carbohydrates

59g

46g

Of which sugars

52g

4g

Fat

30g

43g

Saturated fat

19g

25g

Calcium

189mg

73mg

Iron

2.4mg

1.9mg

Copper

0.5mg

1.8mg

Manganese

0.5mg

1.9mg

Magnesium

63mg

228mg

Caffeine

20mg

80mg

Anti-oxidant power

(ORAC)7,519umol

TE/100g20,816umol TE/100g

HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS: • Both are high in calories, fat, saturated fat and sugar.

• Plain chocolate actually contains more fat and saturated fat, but significantly less sugar, than milk chocolate.

• As expected, milk chocolate is a good source of calcium, which is needed for strong bones and teeth. On the other hand, plain chocolate contains much more iron, magnesium, copper and manganese than milk chocolate. Copper and manganese play important roles in anti-oxidant reactions within the body.

• Plain chocolate has four times more caffeine than milk chocolate. Caffeine may have negative effects, such as insomnia,

on caffeine-sensitive individuals.

• ORAC is a scale that quantifies the anti-oxidant capabilities of various foods. The ORAC of plain chocolate is almost three times higher than that of milk chocolate. Cacao is a fabulous source of flavonoids, which are part of a powerful group of anti-oxidants known as polyphenols. Flavonoids may help to fight heart disease, cancer and ageing through their anti-oxidant boosting effect.

SO, WHICH IS BETTER FOR US….?

Although milk chocolate may taste great, it’s not nearly as good for you as plain chocolate is. This is because milk chocolate contains less of the original cacao bean than plain chocolate does. Although milk chocolate does contain some cacao solids, this is diluted with the addition of milk solids, cream and sugar.

This is important because the more cacao, the more flavonoids, and the better for you the chocolate becomes. So choose dark chocolate varieties that contain at least 65% cacao.

Having said that, plain chocolate is still very high in calories, fat and sugar. So, you still need to consume dark chocolate in moderation. Limit yourself to no more than half a small bar (or around 50g) per day. Flavonoids are also found in red wine, fruits and vegetables. So including more fruit and vegetables is a great way to promote cardiovascular health, and an occasional glass of red wine won’t hurt either!

Cole Nutrition offers a full dietary analysis to identify the requirements for each individual, looking at current eating and lifestyle patterns or habits and identifying possible changes in realistic and achievable terms.

Whatever your lifestyle, Cole Nutrition will endeavour to find the perfect balance for a happy, healthy you.

If you would like to book a consultation or find out more about what we offer, contact Helen Cole on 07966 050193, email colenutrition@gmail.com or visit our website at www.colenutrition.co.uk.

All information in this article is provided by Future Fit Training.

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ACTIVE BODY

THE FINISHING TOUCHES You’ve done all the hard work in the gym, playing sports and getting fit, so now is the time to reap the benefits and add the finishing touches…

Edited by Mary Bremner

EXERCISE ISN’T JUST ABOUT LOOKING GOOD Most women want to get fitter to improve their appearance – fact. Men, on the other hand, often start exercising because they feel generally unfit or have been advised to by their doctor. Either way, exercising to look good – an added bonus – is one of the least reasons why we should exercise, but I’ll take the benefits anyway, thanks.

Getting fit and taking exercise is of great benefit to health. Strong is better than skinny and lifting weights will help you avoid injury in day-to-day life. Learning to use weights correctly can help you avoid injuring your back when lifting a child or heavy shopping. Feeling strong in the body helps you mentally feel strong as well.

There are more benefits of exercise, and there really are too many to list, but here are some of them: ● Helps avoid osteoporosis in older women by increasing bone strength, but also sustains flexibility and balance ● Endorphins are released every time you exercise that give feelings of pleasure ● Ageing is slowed down ● Better immunity and lower stress levels ● Helps fight depression.

The benefits of exercise are limitless, we all know that, and the added bonus of

looking good in a bikini is just that, a bonus, but a very welcome one. The long term effects on our health are what really counts – and it’s fun.

KEEPING FIT WHILST PREGNANT Pregnancy can be a challenging time on any woman’s body, which means it is especially important to keep as active and fit as possible. With the guidance of a physiotherapist pregnant women can safely exercise, giving health benefits to them and their baby.

Participating in moderate intensity exercise at least three times a week improves cardiovascular health and also has long-term cardiovascular benefits for the baby.

Scientific studies have proved that an unborn baby has a healthier heart rate if mothers exercise during pregnancy.

Exercise during pregnancy can help keep a healthy pregnancy weight, so help reduce the chances of developing pregnancyinduced diabetes.

Pregnancy will naturally put extra strain on certain areas of the body, sometimes causing aches, muscle tightness and muscle weakness. The body produces relaxin during pregnancy, which is

responsible for making joints more flexible in preparation for labour. Taking part in pregnancy-specific exercise will strengthen core muscles and main muscle groups, including the pelvic floor and protect those more supple joints so preventing injury during and after pregnancy.

Exercise during pregnancy will also release those feel good endorphins.

Charlotte Chapman from Physio and Pilates In Motion offers Pregnancy Fit and Post-Natal Pilates Classes. For more details on the classes, visit her website at www. physioandpilatesinmotion.co.uk

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THAI DEEP TISSUE OIL MASSAGE This is a massage that really does iron out the lumps and bumps of tight, knotted muscles. Wannee from Baan Sala in Belton Street, Stamford, is a tiny, lovely lady but she certainly packs a punch when it comes to deep massage.

Every part of my body from my toes to my scalp was massaged. And when it’s described as deep tissue, it really is.

Wannee’s clever hands found every pressure point – and I’m not going to say it was exactly pleasant some of the time – but the pain was a good pain and I could feel the muscles give up their tightness.

A Thai masseuse is well trained and can tell from pressure points on your feet whether you have problems sleeping,

other health problems and even if you are constipated. Wannee quickly pin-pointed where my particular aches and pains were – neck, shoulders and lower back – and even pointed out what was causing them.

I left the massage feeling slightly tender but invigorated. The next day I knew I’d had a good pummeling, but after that I felt wonderful – no aches, pains or stiffness at all. I’m definitely going back to see Wannee and would thoroughly recommend her.

An hour-long massage costs £40. To make an appointment ring 07772 373411 – leave a message and Wannee will quickly come back to you. Baan Sala Thai Therapy, 3a Belton Street, Stamford.

And finally…..

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Barbour Wytherstone quilt £168 www.cavells.co.uk

Replay Hyperfree Luz skinny jeans £145 www.coneydesignerwear.co.uk

TITANIC SPA Arriving at the Titanic Spa on a bleak wintry morning, thoughts of ‘dark satanic mills’ came to mind. The spa is housed in a converted mill just outside Huddersfield.

Enter the spa and your surroundings are forgotten immediately. A warm welcome awaits with friendly staff who couldn’t be more helpful. A quick tour of the facilities and we were left to change into our robes after being given our timetable for the day.

The treatment rooms are quiet, spacious and well furnished. My first treatment was a body wrap using Decleor products which was incredibly relaxing as well as effective.

My skin was glowing and super smooth after the massage, exfoliation and moisturising.

I was pleased to be treated by the same beautician for my second treatment later in the day, the consistency was good to have. And after having a rejuvenating facial I was so relaxed all I could do was stagger into the relaxation room for a quick snooze.

I managed to revive myself to have a quick swim and the outdoor hot tub was a must. Mention must go to the heat and ice experience. The area guides you through heating and cooling the body with the ultimate aim of deep relaxation. The ice

rub down could not be described as that, but it was invigorating.

Food at the Titanic is excellent, they pride themselves on using sustainably produced ingredients, organic if possible.

And it was all delicious with very good service.

The spa also offers 30 apartments for overnight guests. The accommodation is newly refurbished and extremely spacious and well equipped. We can see why this spa has won so many awards.

The spa offers many different packages.

Why not treat your mum for Mother’s Day, they are offering special deals. To find out more visit www.titanicspa.com.

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ACTIVE BODY

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DON’T BE A HOLIDAY FIT FLOP! Whether defining your abs in Ibiza or strengthening your arms in Thailand, Health and Fitness Travel, the leading experts in tailor-made healthy holidays worldwide, recommend their top fitness holidays to target your body goals

BEST FOR LEGS: TERRE BLANCHE FUSION FITNESS, FRANCE Achieve strong and toned legs on this active fitness holiday, set amidst a scenic provincial estate in the south of France.

Explore your stunning surroundings whilst fitting in a great cardiovascular workout on a resort run, ideal for strengthening your lower body. Continue your mission for leaner legs with a 1-on-1 aqua gym, legs press workout, or legs, bums & tums session with a personal trainer, before toning with yoga and Pilates. End your day with a visit to the luxury spa to pamper your legs with an anti-cellulite or slimming and firming massage.

Seven nights at Terre Blanche from £1,560pp or £2,495 for single occupancy.

Price includes breakfast, a fitness programme, return flights and transfers.

BEST FOR ABS: 38 DEGREES NORTH IBIZA SUP AND SOUL RETREAT, IBIZA Busting out endless sit-ups and crunches is no-one’s idea of fun. For a firmer stomach and strengthened core, escape to Ibiza’s stunning coastline, where you’ll discover the endless benefits of stand-up paddle boarding a.k.a SUP. Requiring balance and a strong core, SUP is a low impact, low stress way to build your cardio fitness and rediscover your abs.

Paddle the azure waters at sunset with a guided SUP surfari and complement your daily private SUP sessions with Ashtanga and Hatha yoga, for enhanced relaxation and full body toning.

Six nights at 38 Degrees North from £1,630pp or £1,730 for single occupancy.

Price includes breakfast, a SUP programme and return flights.

BEST FOR BODY TONING: ABSOLUTE SANCTUARY PILATES REFORMER BOOTCAMP, THAILAND Treat your body to a toning pilates bootcamp on the beautiful island of Koh Samui in Thailand; the perfect full body workout to increase muscle tone, flexibility and posture. Under the

guidance of instructors, make the most of group classes on state of the art reformer machines, before experiencing the benefits of a tailored private session, before indulging with luxury spa therapies, such as Thai stretch, to release tension and lengthen tight muscles.

Seven nights at Absolute Sanctuary from £2,090pp or £2,340 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a Pilates programme, return flights and transfers.

BEST FOR CARDIO BUTT BUSTING: WILDFITNESS ZANZIBAR Boost your fitness on a butt-busting bootcamp in the beautiful surroundings of Zanzibar’s south east coastline.

Following an initial assessment with professional fitness trainers, delve into a programme of daily training sessions with a strong emphasis on nature. Boost your fitness with activities from beach fitness training, to wild running, boxing and kettlebell sessions, before unwinding at the Hush Hut with a deep tissue massage.

Fuel your body during your stay with natural cuisine and learn how to live a healthier lifestyle with nutrition workshops.

Seven nights at Wildfitness Zanzibar from £3,085pp or £3,660 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a fitness programme, return flights and transfers.

BEST FOR OVERALL FITNESS: THE BODYHOLIDAY FUSION FITNESS, ST LUCIA Return home feeling fit and healthy all

over following a fun-filled fitness escape on the tropical shores of St Lucia.

Choosing from a diverse range of 1-on-1 fitness sessions, sports and daily spa treatments, tailor make your ideal fitness break and reach your body goals with your favourite activities. Kick start your day with yoga or morning meditation, before reaping the rewards of strength and cardio workouts, from TRX suspension training to a private bike ride, tennis or water sports such as ocean kayaking.

Seven nights at The BodyHoliday from £2,520pp for double or single occupancy.

Price is all-inclusive, with a fitness programme, return flights and transfers.

BEST FOR ARMS: THANYAPURA FUSION FITNESS, THAILAND Banish bingo wings and pump up the guns with a fitness focused escape set in the culturally rich and unbridled beauty of southern Thailand. Boasting state-ofthe-art facilities that’ll tone limbs in no time, strengthen your arms and enhance your fitness with complementary group classes in Muay Thai boxing, kettlebell and circuit training. Keep active and release stress on the tennis court for an intense arm workout that also works the entire body. Stretch and tone with yoga, Pilates and a dip in the Olympic size pool.

Seven nights at Thanyapura from £1,485pp or £1,685 for single occupancy.

Price includes breakfast, a fitness programme, return flights and transfers.

For advice, guidance and booking visit www.healthandfitnesstravel.com or call 0203 397 8891.

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Feature /// Club maintenance

Building blocks The second part of our series on how to keep your club’s facilities in the best condition WHETHER YOU ARE A professional organisation such as a golf club or leisure centre, or a small amateur sports club, maintaining your building and grounds is essential. But it can be an expensive and complex business.

Setting a framework and action plan for upkeep and maintenance is the first step, because as with most things in life, prevention is better than cure. So to start with, here are some tips on how to create a plan, and the various organisations you could speak to who can help give you guidance.

PRODUCING A MANAGEMENT PLAN Clubs should produce a management plan to set and monitor standards. The plan should start with the process of surveying and recording the state of current facilities and ground, assessing

the standards, deciding on future standards and the need or otherwise to alter the regime or initiate layout or other changes.

In order to simplify the collection of information, it is best to divide up any large site into small sectors or compartments that can be easily identified, because the issues with building will be very different to those with grounds.

Brief action notes and timescales for action plus costs can then be added to the plan.

Discussions with club members and their reactions to pitches are vital at this point. In the maintenance plan, clear times at which vital items are to be ordered must be established, such as soil, fertilisers, seed, machinery. This will enable work to proceed smoothly when planned. Any plan will need updating regularly.

SOME USEFUL ORGANISATIONS

• Institute for Sport, Parks & Leisure (ISPAL) The Grotto House, Lower Basildon, Reading, Berkshire RG8 9NE Tel: 01491 874800 • Institute of Groundmanship (IOG) 28 Stratford Office Village, Walker Avenue, Wolverton Mill East, Milton Keynes, MK12 5TW Tel: 01908 312511 • National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) 2d Woodstock Studios, 36 Woodstock Grove, London W12 8LE Tel: 0208 735 3380 • British Standard Institution (BSI) 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL Tel: 0208 996 9001 • Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) RoSPA House, Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7ST Tel: 0121 248 2000 • Health and Safety Executive Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS Tel: 0845 345 0055 • Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI)

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St Ives Estate, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16 1AU Tel: 01274 565131 • British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) Landscape House, Stoneleigh Park, National Agricultural Centre, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG. Tel: 0870 770 4971

Giving your changing rooms a wash and brush up

In many sports clubs, the wash and shower rooms take the biggest pounding. Studs, spikes, mud, bits of tape and rubbish end up strewn around and with stressed players often in a rush to get out on the pitch or the course they don’t tend to look after the place as they would their bathrooms at home.

So it’s no surprise that they can get tatty pretty quickly, with broken doors, locks and toilets a regular sight. Especially if you have bought cheap, flimsy units and sanitaryware.

The thing is, that for visitors, your facilities say a lot about the way the club is run. If a parent brings their kids along for introductory sessions and finds the club an unhygienic tip, with leaking plumbing and broken toilets, what might their view be of joining them at the club?

Julian Beardsell, at Leicester-based Oliveti Cubicles, says he sees a lot of clubs and organisations who have had this problem.

He said: “A glance around any of the big private sports facilities will show you how important high quality and stylish washrooms

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and changing rooms are. The big brands carry out regular refits – for a reason.

“Your facility may have had years of hard use, inadequate cleaning and un-repaired damage resulting in a tired and unloved appearance. Sometimes it is tricky drawing the line between a low cost washroom clean up, and a complete refit. The first thing to decide is what level your washrooms or facilities are at.

“Walk in with a neutral set of eyes – take a look around as a visitor would – and be honest.”

There might be some things that would benefit from a quick fix, but Julian recommends breaking the room down into sections: floor, ceiling, panels, lockers, benches, wall covering, sanitary ware and accessories such as showers, hand dryers and mirrors.

“Then decide what’s wrong, what’s perfectly OK, what is worn out, and what can be simply cleaned up,” he said. “Decide if the washroom facility is well or badly laid out, or just too cramped, if you need provisions for wheelchair users as per regulations, and put a plan together.

“Expertise, such as ours, is about all of the above. It costs nothing, apart from a coffee maybe, to call us over to take a look. We’ll then present you with a plan and prices for either a quick makeover or more complete building works.” www.oliveticubicles.co.uk Tel: 0116 277 7771

before

after

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Feature /// Great walks

Easton and The Deeps A hidden nature reserve near Easton-on-the-Hill makes for an unusual walk, as Will Hetherington discovers Photography: Will Hetherington

Difficulty rating (out of five)

THE ROUTE

This is not the normal circular walk which I usually prefer, unless you want to walk on a stretch of it along the busy and noisy A43 which I wouldn’t recommend.

So with that in mind I would suggest starting at the Exeter Arms on the main road in Eastonon-the-Hill. From here cross the road, turn left and shortly afterwards turn right on to New Road. At the end of New Road turn left on to High Street and carry on straight, past the Blue Bell, along Westfields and out into the countryside on Ketton Drift. You will very shortly pass the playing fields and come to the cricket ground.

You can access the nature reserve from here but I would suggest staying on the Drift until the end of the cricket ground, from where the views

across the valley are better. Here the footpath turns left and shortly brings you to the entrance to old Collyweston Quarry, which is now a nature reserve called The Deeps. It’s one of the few remaining areas of limestone in the area and is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This wildflower rich grassland used to be quarried for the famous Collyweston slate roofing material.

The quarrying largely ceased in the early 19th century, leaving pits and spoil heaps which now form the current grassy mounds and hollows. It’s very similar to the hills and holes at Barnack and in truth I didn’t know it existed until friends told me about it.

Apart from all the wildflowers which are best seen in early summer the area is known for draining extremely well, which means in wet winters it’s a good place to take four legs for a stroll without having to do much drying afterwards.

Once you are in the nature reserve you can stroll as you please and there is an exit on the southern side, which will take you out on to the

A43 and back to Easton and the Exeter Arms.

However I would suggest you make your way back to the north eastern edge of The Deeps and then retrace your earlier steps through the village.

If you want a longer walk you can always go further down the Ketton Drift or drop down to the Welland Valley and back up again.

Clockwise, from above

The northern part of this stroll takes in the Macmillan Way and the Jurassic Way; Collyweston Quarries nature reserve is known as The Deeps; The Exeter Arms; the cement works at Ketton

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TOP STAT

than 100 There are more s er in The Deep types of wildflow krose, roc on mm co such as foot trefoil and common bird’s enwood. gre s dyer’

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION Where to park Somewhere in Easton or the Exeter Arms car park if you are planning on heading back there a erwards.

Distance and time If you just do The Deeps it’s no more than a mile and a half, but you can extend it and take as long as you like.

➛

➛ ➛

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START

Highlights The old Collyweston slate quarry makes for an interesting walk and the area drains extremely well so you and the dog should have good conditions underfoot.

Lowlights It’s not necessarily a circular walk and it’s not very long, but you can extend it if you want.

Refreshments The Exeter Arms in Easton-on-the-Hill.

Difficulty rating One paw. If you just do The Deeps it’s dry underfoot with no stiles and is a short amble.

The pooch perspective There is plenty of space to stretch the legs and if you want longer then head down Ketton Dri .

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

©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2015 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 055/15

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2844 SCI-AM March Half Page Advert_v2.qxp_SCI-Valentines Day Half Page Active Advert 15/02/2016 09:54 Page 1

s ’ n a M

best friend

We are dog friendly

at The White Hart & The Exeter Arms

Four legged friends are welcome in the bar or in the garden/patio. Lighter bites or our a la carte menus are available in the bar to set you up for the remainder of your walk or a reward at the end.

Why not visit both of our pubs?

Pop in for a coffee before your walk and feel free to park in our car park. Then walk the picturesque six miles through Burghley Park, Pilsgate and Barnack to your destination for lunch. A taxi back to your starting point is around £12.00.

The Exeter Arms, Easton on the Hill and The White Hart, Ufford are owned and run by Stamford Country Inns Ltd . We reserve the right to cease this offer at any time.

The Exeter Arms Pub with Rooms

To make a booking please call 01780 756321 21 Stamford Road, Easton on the Hill, PE9 3NS reservations@theexeterarms.net | www.theexeterarms.net @ExeterArms

The Exeter Arms

To make a booking please call 01780 740250 Main Street, Ufford, Stamford, PE9 3BH info@whitehartufford.co.uk | www.whitehartufford.co.uk @WhiteHartUfford

The White Hart, Ufford

A TRUE GEM, SET IN THE QUIET HEART OF THE WELLAND VALLEY’S MEANDERING COUNTRYSIDE The Royal Oak is a traditional family run country hotel run by Anne and John Wheeler and their friendly and welcoming team.

OPENING HOURS Monday to Thursday Lunchtimes 11.00-15.00 - Serving Food 12.00-14.30 Monday to Thursday Evenings 18.00-23.00 - Serving Food 18.30-21.30 Friday to Saturday 12.00-23.00 - Serving Food 12.00-21.30 Sunday 12.00-22.30 - Serving Food 12.00-21.00

t: 01780 444267 www.theroyaloakduddington.com High St, Duddington, Stamford PE9 3QE

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Feature /// Sportsman's Dinner

The Royal Oak, Duddington Will and Matt enjoy fine food and beer at this traditional and welcoming village pub Matt I must have driven past The Royal Oak hundreds of times but this is the first time I’ve been in. It’s a lot bigger than I thought it would be and there’s a really welcoming atmosphere with an open fire and lots of exposed beams. But at the same time it’s also got a contemporary touch and it’s clear owners Anne and John Wheeler put a lot of effort into the atmosphere.

a hedge shooting pigeons in sub-zero temperatures and heavy rain I don’t even feel guilty. It was lovely at the bar but now we are sitting in the surprisingly large restaurant I am pleased I ordered the seafood risotto starter from the specials menu. That was a good risotto with lots of rich flavour and a nice mixture of prawns and mussels.

(£14.95) and vegetables. It was excellent. The crushed rather than smooth mash worked really well and they weren’t shy with the sauce. I was pretty hungry, having resisted any treats in the office all day, but after two courses I can safely say I am full. I could have forced a pudding down but sometimes it’s better not to. I’m sure they are all good though.

Will Judging by the quality of this pint of Workie Ticket from the Mordue Brewery in Newcastle, they also know how to serve a decent pint. Mind you, Workie Ticket did win Champion Best Bitter of Britain at the CAMRA Great British Beer Festival in 2013 so they also know how to choose a good beer in the first place.

Matt The slowly braised lamb fritters (£6.95) with a herb crust, salad and sweet chilli dipping sauce were really tasty. They were like pulled lamb cooked in a croquette and full of flavour. It was a really unusual starter and extremely enjoyable.

Will I went to the specials menu too for five spiced Gressingham duck breast, served on a mountain of ginger and spring onion noodles with a soy and honey glaze (£17.95). The duck was very tasty indeed and certainly not overdone, thankfully, and with that amount of noodles I’m happy to pass on the puddings too.

But I would have had the lemon tart!

Matt And this pint of Strawbeer from Elgoods is perfect. In fact I wish I wasn’t driving because I could see four or five these disappearing quite quickly. Even though you can see the pub easily from the A43, and it’s close to the A47 roundabout, you wouldn’t know it as soon as you're inside. It’s really comfortable sat at the bar and with so many good sounding options on the specials menu, never mind the main menu, it’s a tough choice.

Will I’m very happy you're driving Matt, it suits me perfectly. In fact after the day I’ve had sat in

Will Anne makes for a very friendly front of house while John makes sure everything coming out of the kitchen is up to scratch. As she says, it’s just good teamwork and they have been here for three years now. With a capacity for 80-100 people in one sitting they have certainly got enough space and they cater all day on Sundays so I can imagine it would be good to come here for a late lunch. They also have six bedrooms, so it’s not just a pub/restaurant.

Matt My main course from the specials menu was pork fillet medallions served with a corned beef mash and a garlic and paprika sauce

Matt I can see us stopping off here for a pint or two on the way back from away matches during the cricket season and I look forward to coming back. It’s a well laid out pub with a friendly atmosphere, good service and fine food and beer.

The Royal Oak

High St, Duddington, PE9 3QE. 01780 444267. www.theroyaloakduddington.com

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Sport England

Rutland Walking and Cycling Festival 21st May - 12th June 2016 ‘Great places to visit, views to see and people to meet’ Discover where walking and cycling can take you this summer. Every year we encourage people to take to their feet and bike to feel the benefits of walking and cycling. They are both recommended activities to lose weight, get more active and become healthier.

The Rutland Walking and Cycling Festival is back for 2016 following huge success over the last seven years. The festival is a fun packed celebration of Rutland and its glorious countryside and will host led walks and bike rides to suit all ages and abilities, perfect for a family day out. The residents of Rutland are encouraged to join the many visiting walkers and cyclists who travel from far and wide.

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gland

The festival is free of charge and open to everyone. It includes led walks and rides around the historic county of Rutland. The festival will include on average 2-3 walks and rides a day which are suitable for all ages and abilities. It’s a perfect opportunity to meet new people with similar interests, explore different areas across the county and refreshments are available on many of the walks and rides.

NHS

Walking Festival 21st – 28th May 2016 Rutland will be hosting a two week long walking festival building on a successful event in 2015. The walks include a range of paces from a leisurely stroll admiring the views to fast paced walks that will improve your fitness. During week two of the festival you can walk the 65 mile Rutland Round across 7 days with its author John Williams.

Walk the Rutland Round in 7 days 29th May – 4th June 2016 During week two of the Walking Festival, you can walk the 65 mile Rutland Round across 7 days or even just try a section of it. Following your knowledgeable guide, John Williams, explore the county boundary, occasionally delving into the county to see beautiful market towns and of course, Rutland Water.

What better way to get a true feel for the beauty of the county through the eyes (and footprints) of someone as passionate as John.

Cycling Festival 4th June - 12th June 2016 The Rutland Cycling Festival will showcase the beautiful countryside of Rutland in early summer with a range of exciting bike rides taking in the beauty and diversity of Rutland’s landscape, towns and villages. The festival will host led cycle rides to suit all ages and abilities. It is a perfect opportunity to meet new people with similar interests as well as improving your skills and health.

Further Details For further details on the festival or to register please visit www.activerutland.org.uk/walkingandcyclingfestival or alternatively contact a member of the Active Rutland Team on activerecreation@rutland.gov.uk or 01572 720936. For regular updates about activities running during the festival, please visit our Facebook and Twitter pages.

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12/02/2016 16:18:04

Feature /// School sports

Medals for Brooke gymnasts Gymnasts from Brooke Priory have brought back a raft of medals and secured places in two national finals.

The pupils went to the U9 and U11 ISGA National Gymnastics Competition at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls in January, along with 12 other schools.

The U11 girls took bronze and U9 boys took silver; individual medals went to Charlie Watts, who took fourth place in the U10 boys’ competition, Phoebe Ongley in fifth place in the U11 girls and Roman Persona in sixth place in the U9 boys.

The younger pupils enjoyed their introduction to competitive gymnastics at the Key Step 1 Gymnastics at Ashwell in January too, and show great potential for the future with Imogen Bouch awarded an individual bronze medal.

Three U11 teams travelled to Stamford School to take part in the British Schools Gymnastics Association East Midlands Floor and Vault Competition, with the U11 mixed team and U11 boys winning their section.

Both teams will now go on to represent the East Midlands at the national finals in Stoke-onTrent in May. Ella Bartle-Jones and Casper Nicolle took first place in their respective categories, with Phoebe Ongley placed second equal.

At Ashwell in the Key Step 2 and Key Step 3 competitions, the U11 girls took first place and will now represent Rutland at the county finals in June.

Oakham U14 boys win hockey County Cup Oakham School’s U14 boys have won the County Cup for the twelfth time in 13 years.

The team played some superb attacking hockey in their first match against Ratcliffe College, winning the game 4-0. The boys’ pace and width, combined with some superb leading from the strikers, was just too good for Soar Valley College – resulting in a 7-0 win in their second game; and in the final match against Loughborough Grammar School, the boys settled and again dominated. Loughborough scored one well-taken goal, but by the end of the match, Oakham had won the match and the cup with a 3-1 scoreline.

Elsewhere, three Oakhamians competed in the England Hockey Indoor National Club Championships as part of the Beeston Hockey Club U18 squad, where they won the title for the third year running.

Ali Eatch, Maddie Pearce and Alice Huddlestone played for Beeston’s U18 side in a fiercely fought tournament. Maddie and Alice are also part of the club’s 1st XI squad.

“It’s brilliant to see Oakhamians winning national titles with a successful hockey club,” said James Bateman, assistant director of Hockey at Oakham School. “It really reveals the true calibre of hockey players we have at Oakham.”

Above The Oakham U14 team line up before winning the County Cup for the 12th time in 13 years

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Bourne teams in cross-country action at Anglian Championships While four Bourne Grammar students have already qualified for the national finals there were two places in each age group available at the Anglian Cross-Country Championships.

In the seniors, Beth Howells, Michael Cawood and Cameron Everist ran well but all will have to await the final results to ensure qualification. For the intermediates (years 10 and 11), Aaron Hunt confidently completed the race in the mid-20s and has already secured a final place. Bradley Allan will have to wait for a few more days but hopes are high having finished with a position in the 30s.

Elin James had an excellent run in the junior race, confidently picking her way through the field to finish comfortably in the top 20 and second home for Lincolnshire, while a strong finish from Hana Ray has also put her in a position for potential selection for the nationals; she will need to wait for the selection process to be completed.

In the U13 age group, Sam Oakley and Max James gained their Lincolnshire vest at the first time of asking and hopefully proving an inspiration to peruse the activity further.

The highest place finish of the day for a Bourne Grammar student was by Flo Brill who stormed to a second place finish. It is unfortunate that this age group are not represented at the nationals, but this opportunity will be present next year.

Stamford duo selected for ISRFC rugby squad Stamford School year 13 pupils Henry Wills and Callum Corbett are to represent the Lambs Northern squad against the Southern team after being selected following the annual regional matches.

The Northern squad is combined using the best players from the Midlands and Northern teams, while the Southern squad is selected from the South East and South West teams.

Each year prior to these teams being selected the Northern and Midlands teams face-off, as do the South East and South West sides.

The Lambs were founded in 2006 in order to provide boys with the opportunity to showcase their rugby skills at a representative level when they may have been unable to do so due to other commitments or lack of selection opportunities. This gives those selected the

Above Henry Wills, le , and Callum Corbett

freedom to express their talent without the pressure of league and competition results and leads to an exciting style of play.

David Laventure, director of sport at Stamford School, said: “Henry and Callum both played extremely well in the trial match and have both done fantastically well to make it through to the full England Lambs squad.”

GYMNASTIC MEDALS Stamford Junior School hosted the East Midlands Schools Floor and Vault Championships in January and performed fantastically with all teams entered finishing in medal positions.

Although it is a competition in its own right, the event also acts as a qualifier for the national finals, with the winning team from each category going forward to represent the region.

SES entered five teams in the competition – U11 girls’ B team, U11 girls’ A team, U14 girls’ team, U14 mixed team and U19 girls’ team.

The U11 Girls’ A and B teams both competed strongly and finished first and second respectively. The U14 mixed team and the U14 girls’ team also did extremely well and came first and second respectively.

The final team competing was the U19 girls’ team who also won their respective category. The U14 mixed team, U11 girls’ A team and U19 girls’ team will now progress forward to the national finals which are taking place in Stoke-on-Trent in May. There were also some strong individual performances with Rachel Harte and Hannah Forrester (both U11 girls) achieving third individually. Daisy Fox (U11 girls), Alice Bird (U14 mixed) and Isabella Plant (U19 girls) obtaining second place finishes.

Finally Elysée Mordel (U11 girls), Beth Wilson (U14 mixed) and Lottie Smith (U19 girls) all came in first place individually.

/// M A R C H 2 0 1 6 6 5

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Feature /// School sport

Netballers through to national finals Oakham School’s U19 and U14 netball teams have made it through to the national ďŹ nals.

The U19s won the regional tournament for the second year running, with the girls winning every one of their matches. The ďŹ nal against Trent College saw them win 6-5.

Director of netball Carly Latham said: “This was a very physical game which required as much mental strength as physical strength to ďŹ ght back and win the match.â€?

The U14 team, meanwhile, won three out of four of the games in their section, including a 15-2 win against Northampton High School,

and went through as winners to play the runners-up of the other section. They won their semi-ďŹ nal match against Bramcote School 9-7, but despite scoring a few brilliant goals they lost against Oundle School in the ďŹ nal.

However, they still make it to the national ďŹ nals.

Michelle Northcott, assistant director of girls’ sport, added: “Overall, this was a truly brilliant day of netball. “The team dug deep, listened to key advice and prepared to face hard matches with determination and team spirit.�

Swimming Building stamina and technique at Oakham Swim School

Le

Oakham School’s successful netball teams

Midlands squad call-up Six footballers have been picked for the regional ISFA U18 squad.

Alicia Schwarzenbach, Penny Skipper, Ulrike Wachter, Phoebe Burrows, Tuesday Healey and Flora England from Oakham School were all selected to join the Midlands U18 girls’ squad after an intense day of trials, meaning the school has the highest number of representatives in the squad. They are now preparing for the ISFA U18 Girls’ Regional Championship at Harrow School this month.

Additionally, Alicia and Penny both play for the ISFA National U18 squad, with striker Alicia scoring numerous goals against university and senior ladies teams. Alicia also plays for Leicester City Women FC, who are currently top of the table in Midlands Division One of the FA Women’s Premier League.

Team coach Rob Johnson said: “We are incredibly proud of the girls’ achievements and delighted to have a record six Oakhamians representing the Midlands region.�

Once your child has progressed from floats, the next challenge for new swimmers is building stamina and technique. While stamina can only be developed through practice, learning good technique early on will help your child progress much faster, avoiding bad habits which will need to be corrected later on.

One key skill that is hard to master is breathing.

A bad breathing technique can result in poor body positon, screw kicks and uneven balance in the water, which affects the efficiency of stroke and slows down both learning progression and speed in the water.

Conrad Nancarrow, Oakham Swim School’s swim manager, recommends five tips to help your child improve their technique: ď Ž Reducing head movement – the more your child can keep their head still in the water during the stroke, the better their body position will be, improving their movement through the water. ď Ž Rotating the head to breathe rather than li ing the head. As soon as the head pops up, the legs will drop, adding extra resistance for them to pull through the water. ď Ž Don’t over-rotate the head – your child should try to keep their lower eye in the water. If both eyes are out of the water looking up, then they are over-rotating, which will affect their body position. Over-rotating may also cause neck and back problems. ď Ž Exhaling underwater – if your child holds their breath until they turn their head, they will rush their breathing. Exhaling under water throughout the stroke will calm them down and improve the efficiency of the breath when they turn their head. ď Ž Learning to breathe on both sides – when your child can breathe from both sides (every 3 or 5 strokes) then their symmetry in the water will greatly improve, allowing them to swim in a straighter line with more efficiency. This will ultimately allow them to conserve more energy, and therefore have more energy to swim faster.

ď Ž For more information about availability at Oakham Swim School, telephone 01572 758754 or email cgn@oakham.rutland.sch.uk.

/// M A R C H 2 0 1 6 6 7

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21/02/2016 10:22

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

Rugby

On-field renaissance as training pays off at Deepings

BY JEREMY BESWICK

A

fter a couple of seasons in the doldrums, it’s good to see Deepings enjoying something of a renaissance, with recent results on the field matching the thriving social side of this most friendly of clubs.

The first team recorded a hat-trick of wins (against Stamford College Old Boys, Thorney and Wellingborough OG) which is the first time they’ve won three on the bounce since 2012. It seems that some New Year’s resolutions are responsible as captain Guy Cunningham puts their run down to increased participation in training. Although he insists the club ‘still play rugby more for the fun of the game’ he adds they are now aiming for a top-five finish.

They had to do it the hard way at local rivals Thorney, incurring two yellow cards and coming back from 14-22 down. With the clock rapidly ticking away, two tries from scrumhalf Lance Charity and one from second row Jack Rogers saw them home by 29-22. Chris

Owen scored a total of 14 points and Kelvin Squires was awarded man of the match.

Congratulations are also due to Stamford College Old Boys who have reached the Lincolnshire County Intermediate Cup final by winning away at North Hykeham 10-5.

There was little to separate the sides at half time but a try from Aled Pattinson after the break saw them just pip the unlucky hosts.

They will relish their day in the sun having had a pretty miserable season in the league.

Cup competition seems to be their forte, John Hickman’s men having won the NLD Vase in 2014 and the Lincs Cup last season. Good luck to them in the final.

Following their disappointing performance against Oadby Wyggs, Oakham made no mistake against struggling Vipers, despite a lengthening injury list that necessitated a much changed line-up. It wasn’t made easy for them, however, as Vipers started the stronger, missing a kickable penalty within the first couple of minutes and then being somewhat unfortunate not to be awarded a

try, their wing adjudged to have been held up on the line. Oaks’ line-out has been performing well of late and it was a drive from one in the corner that secured the first score of the match from Neil Hart.

There followed a purple patch from Oaks’ Johnno Milnes who consistently broke through the Vipers’ defence before they added a second well-deserved try after a series of drives to put the home team 12-0 up at the break. Although Vipers were the first to score in the second through a quick tap and go, and Oaks’ line-out dominance had faltered largely due to losing John Mitchell at half-time to an earlier head injury, the introduction of debutant Stee Vukinavanua gave them added bite in midfield.

Nick Wackwitz had two penalty opportunities as a result, one of which was successful, to make Oaks safe despite a late unconverted try from the opposition narrowing the final score to 15-10. “We did just enough,” was director of rugby Andy Williamson’s verdict.

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TIGERS IMAGES

Tigers talk Ed Slater’s a hard nut and has gone toe-to-toe with the best of them – Paul O’Connell, Alun Wyn-Jones, Nathan Sharpe – and never given an inch, but every man has his match and no opponent is as formidable as a killer bagel.

Richard Cockerill would not have been in the best of moods in any event following Tigers’ defeats to Sale and Newcastle, but the fact that Slater was unable to play because he’d cut himself preparing breakfast just takes the biscuit. Cockers, demonstrating deep tactical insight, commented: “The moral of the story is don’t get a really sharp knife and try to cut a frozen bagel. The knife slips, slashes your hand and you have 14 stitches and can’t play”.

That’s the sort of priceless knowledge you only get from decades spent in the game. Doubtless a memo to all playing staff about the dangers of food preparation is being dra ed as I write and I understand that a strict ban on all dough-based products has been imposed at Welford Road as a result. The bagel, meanwhile, is understood to be in contract discussions with Northampton Saints.

Slater joined a long list of players unavailable for those matches including the Youngs brothers, Tuilagi, Goneva, de Villiers, Thompstone, O’Connor, both of the Williams, Cole, Bell and Bai. The only silver lining to the cloud of their consecutive defeats is that Saracens, Exeter and Harlequins also lost which means Tigers remain in third place, but Cockers is still fuming and refusing to use injuries, suspensions and international duty as an excuse.

He said “We’re bitterly disappointed. It’s not acceptable and we need to have a hard look at ourselves... and we clearly have a few things to sort out. Once is a mistake but twice is unacceptable and we have not been good enough. As we always do, we will confront those things head-on and work hard and aim to come out the other side”. He later described the conversation he’d had with the players as “very frank and honest” which is Cockerese for “there’s no paint le on the dressing room walls”.

Tuilagi should have returned to the side by the time we go to press, having had a slight hamstring strain in his third match a er 15 months out with a groin injury and the Tigers management team will be keeping their fingers crossed that there are no further complications. There is still some debate about his best position, both for Tigers and for England. “Manu’s an intelligent player who can play 12 or 13 equally well,” Cockers told me. “Don’t forget he’s still very young and we can expect a lot more from him”. There is no doubt whatsoever about his value to the team. Perhaps they should consider hiring him a kitchen maid as a precaution.

Next up was a visit to Olney, who had proved difficult opposition in the home fixture earlier in the season, but the match started well for Oaks with a break from deep by Will Armstrong and good work from Phil Gant and Nick Houghton leading to a try for James Beanland, but the hosts struck back immediately to level the score.

Playing in his second game, Vukinavanua was again impressive and Will Armstrong broke through yet again, Mark Wood eventually going over as a result.

There then came one of two major misfortunes that befell Oaks in the match.

Nick Wackwitz cross-kicked a penalty for Neil Hart to score in the corner, only for the referee to rule that, as he had had his back to

Above

Ed Slater was out of action following a cooking injury which required 14 stitches in his hand

play, he couldn’t award the try. The second half saw an aggrieved Oakham concede too many penalties and, after an exchange of tries, seize what seemed to be the decisive moment as Wackwitz went over the line in acres of space, only for the second misfortune to befall them as he contrived to drop the ball in the action of touching it down. The somewhat deflated Oaks went on to lose by 31-26.

Williamson said the distraught Wackwitz “will be buying his team-mates beer for some time to come”. Happily, they continued with a comfortable 22-0 home victory over Peterborough, all the points coming in the first half.

The seconds hosted Stoneygate for a friendly and had a chastening experience in

the face of a gale, losing 27-0; Gate scoring five tries in all. It’s good to see them back in the fold. This is their third win in Rutland derbies since moving to Uppingham.

Stamford’s mid-season stutter continues after their barnstorming start, which will be of concern to their supporters as they start to head down the table – to fifth at the time of writing.

After winning eight of their first nine fixtures, they’ve now won only one of their last seven (against struggling Mansfield) and got something of a pasting at Melbourne, a team they’d beaten 34-10 as recently as November. Coach Matt Albinson will not be happy that they went down 43-0, injury problems notwithstanding.

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/// M A RC H 2016

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Roundup

Football

‘Do or die’ time for Daniels

BY DEAN CORNISH

I

t’s not been a great month for Stamford AFC, but then that’s been the case for probably as long as I’ve been writing these articles. In last month’s report, I even believed myself when I said that Stamford were staying up. There were real signs of improvement, with a win and a draw against Hyde and Stourbridge actually bringing a level of optimism to the Zeeco stadium. They just needed to push on from those two results. Easy?

Well, no. Following the Stourbridge draw, the Daniels then drew with Whitby Town, again coming back from 2-0 down, and then smashed Buxton 4-1 in the Doodson Cup. At this point, the Daniels were unbeaten in 2016 and confidence was high. The next two games then came at the perfect time (you’d have thought) with the visit of lowly Colwyn Bay and the trip to Sutton Coldfield. Both games were very winnable and if Drury’s men had won them both, they would have been out of the bottom four.

Predictably, Stamford regressed and lost both games (2-0 at Sutton Coldfield and 3-2 at home against Colwyn Bay). However, almost as if to punish us with some more mis-placed optimism, Stamford won on Valentine’s weekend against Frickley Athletic.

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With 15 games to go, they’re five points from safety so it’s certainly possible, although they have various games against relegation rivals so it’s not over yet.

Meanwhile in the United Counties League, Oakham United are very much mid-table.

However, their early season form suggested that they could do a lot better than that, but recently they’ve really struggled.

Since the return to action following the ‘winter break’ Oakham have lost at Long Buckby (3-1), been hammered at Raunds Town (4-0), lost at home to Woodford and then only slightly stopped the rot with a 2-2 draw at home to Northampton On Chenecks.

I suspect that Oakham’s end of season target will now be to finish in the top half of the table, and above local rivals Blackstones, who themselves are a couple of places behind but with three games in hand on the Tractor Boys. Phil Gadsby’s men have been in great form in 2016, with three wins and two draws pushing them well up the table and if they perform similarly in their games in hand, they could soon be in the top eight of the division.

Stones’ away form has been particularly impressive with a recent 4-2 win at Woodford and 2-0 away at Irchester United. It’s a great turnaround, with their form in December

hinting at a possible slide towards the relegation places.

In the Peterborough League Premier Division, Ketton FC are up to fourth, eight points off Moulton Horrox at the top, although the Pit Lane boys have played more games so are unlikely to get anywhere near winning the league. Rob Ward’s side have now won their last five games with recent away wins including a 6-0 thumping of Riverside, and a 1-0 reverse of Stilton.

Uppingham Town are also in good form.

Apart from a cup loss to Moulton Horrox, they have been unbeaten in 2016 following a good December. They’ve won eight of their last nine games. Billy Beaver’s men are 12th in the league but if they keep this form up, they should easily finish in the top half.

In Division One, the Stamford Lions have taken their top spot back from Wisbech Town Reserves. James Sheehan’s men are now two points clear at the top with two games in hand. It’s looking good for promotion to the Premier Division. In the same division, the Stamford Bels are currently third bottom and their form has been rather mixed. Having drawn 1-1 at home in consecutive weeks, they then smashed Kings Cliffe 6-2 away before then losing 1-0 away at Spalding United.

Show your support for local sport...

6 2 M A RC H 2016 ///

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21/02/2016 10:30

Equestrianism

Thrills and spills at Melton

T

he Melton Hunt Ride took place on February 7. The sun shone, but it was a bitterly cold, freezing day.

Luckily that didn’t dampen the spirits of the spectators who turned out in droves to watch the 40 competitors hurl themselves over 3.5 miles of the cream of the Belvoir country’s old turf.

Some said that it wasn’t as big as usual, but people often don’t appreciate how far 3.5 miles is when going a good speed and the ground is sodden – certainly to the end of the course when the horses were starting to tire and the fallers started flopping, much to the entertainment of the huge crowd gathered on the hill.

Rory Bevan (son of William Bevan from Oakham Veterinary Hospital) riding For A Change was this year’s victor, and he was also best under 25, being only 20 and beating the favourite Richard Walker into second spot.

I’m sure Richard was more than happy, as Rory is his godson!

Third place and the leading lady went to Suzi Culloty, who was riding in her first Melton.

It wasn’t all smooth running. I have to admit I was slightly confused when the first horse ridden by George Henderson came galloping

BY JULIA DUNGWORTH down the hill to the last ditch, popped over it and then proceeded to walk up the hill towards the finish looking exhausted, allowing the rest of the field to gallop past. It appears there was a bit of a pile-up early on, where Rory had then swung to his right, falling off and knocking Richard and a few others off, too.

To be honest, I’m surprised anybody turned up after ex-Belvoir master Martin Brown and his new wife of three hours, Holly Campbell, turned up at the Lycetts-sponsored riders drinks the night before, which turned into a jolly affair where everyone drank the place dry…

Although not local, Geoff Bridges from Cambridgeshire was having his second stab at the race and again was one of many who suffered a fall on the course.

Although he didn’t finish as highly as last time, he has become an internet sensation as he was wearing a head cam. His round can be seen at https://youtu.be/DPddztn6L74. The video has had more than 1,000 views in 24 hours and is definitely worth a watch.

Second placed Richard Walker also wore a head cam but it has been banned from social media!

Burghley Pony Club has been putting its

best foot forward and has enlisted top rider Tiny Clapham to train them at Arena UK near Grantham. Hereward Homes has very generously taken to sponsoring the training sessions as it sees a need to nurture the up and coming talent, some of whom could be future Olympians.

Local rider, 11-year-old Sophie Johnson, said: “This is a dream come true – it is fantastic to be training with Tiny. She’s amazing and I’ve learnt so much today. They are hoping for more training through the summer to help them on to the PC teams.

Nicole Mills has moved into her fantastic new yard at Casewick Stud, near Stamford.

There are 18 stables, all rubber matted including four foaling boxes, and a Fibrelok arena with a full set of competition standard show jumps. The cross-country schooling field will be open soon which includes 24 BE Novice and BE100 fences with water, ditches and steps to be added this summer. There are currently 15 acres of post and rail paddocks with lovely old turf grazing. The arena, show jumps and XC are all available for hire and Nicole is available for lessons. She also has space for a couple more competition liveries.

Don’t hesitate to give Nicole a call with your requirements.

Email: advertise@theactivemag.com /// M A RC H 2016

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The 19th hole

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LOCAL GOLF COURSE NEWS Burghley Park Golf Club has announced one of the most important developments of its golf course in its 125-year history.

The course will undergo improvements include new greens, improved bunkers, a new tree management programme, renovation of three holes, and a new practice ground. Plans also include a major redevelopment of the club’s greens compound.

Internationally renowned course architect Tom Mackenzie and top European greenkeeping consultant Gordon Irvine are helping with the development.

PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH What a comeback!

Ian Binley, after 10 years away from the game, joined Rutland Water three months ago, returning with an 11 handicap.

He won his first competition after returning back with a birdie, birdie, par and birdie on his way to a superb 42 points.

Unsurprisingly, Ian now has a new handicap of 9.

HOW TO PLAY...

The 7th hole at Elton Furze This hole at Elton Furze for men is stroke index 1 and a 432-yard par 4 off the white tees, and a slight dogleg to the left with a punishing, double tiered green.

The ideal tee shot is to hit up the right-hand side as the fairway slopes to the left, giving you a better view of the green on your approach shot.

When taking your second shot you have to contend with a water hazard and a tree placed just over the ditch which makes height an important factor.

The fairway over the ditch slopes back down

the hill making it difficult to run a ball into the green, the best play is to try and fly the ball in.

If you want to play safe hit up the right and it may feed into the green; however, again from the right.

When on the putting surface, the green slopes to the left and if putting across the green and there is a lot of break, even in the shorter putts.

Making a par on this hole is a great score – a two putt is certainly not a given.

LOOKING TO PLAY? SOME LOCAL OFFERS Nine-hole taster Elton Furze is inviting potential new members to come and play nine holes with one of the committee members to learn more about the club.

After finishing your nine holes you will have the opportunity to ask questions about how the club is run and to enter a prize draw to win a free six-month membership.

BEGINNERS  Don’t play golf but would like to try? Elton Furze is giving taster sessions throughout their open day on April 3, with PGA professionals James Waycot and Tim Ward.  Rutland Water is offering beginners or group lessons at £30 per person, and six one-hour lessons for juniors for £30 total, too. Call 01572 737525.  Peterborough Milton’s professionals are organising starter groups for beginners using the driving range and the club’s new academy short course.

There’s also an excellent value winter warner deal on until the end of this month: play this picturesque golf course from Monday to Friday for £25 including a two-course meal. Contact the secretary, Andy Izod, on 01733 380489 or e-mail admin@pmgc.org.uk.

PRO TIPS

Chipping PGA pro at Elton Furze, James Waycot, explains how to improve your chipping.

“Chipping is all about guaranteeing a strike. Making contact with the ball first helps us control height, spin and distance, the most important recipe in becoming a chipper.”

Chipping checklist Image 1 Ball in the centre of stance Feet, hips and shoulders aiming left of target Hands slightly ahead of golf ball 60% of weight on front leg Image 2 Backswing ed Keep arms straight Slightly hinge wrists No hip movement Keep weight on front leg Image 3 Downswing and follow-through Allow the body to rotate through to impact Keep heads slightly ahead at impact Arms still extended and club pointing to target Body facing target ..................................................................................................

Put the driver away “Most players struggle from time to time with their driver. Rather than keep hitting frustrated tee shots use your 3 wood so you hit more fairways and get your scoring going again.”

Adrian Ashworth, PGA pro, Rutland Water

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FOR ALL YOUR LOCAL CYCLING NEEDS OCC oer a large range of top name bike brands including Cannondale, Orro, Kinesis, Surly and Merida together with a great range of great cycling apparel, bike accessories and spares in our shop.

We oer professional servicing and repairs for all types of Road, MTB, Urban and Childrens bikes.

For the busiest and best social rides in Rutland join us on our rides Tuesdays and Thursday evenings, with as may as 40 people split into 2 or 3 ability groups.

Hire bikes available.

Open 6 days a week

Tel: 01572 757058

www.oakhamcyclecentre.co.uk info@oakhamcyclecentre.co.uk

International House, 2 Barleythorpe Road, Oakham. Rutland. LE15 6NR

Photography by DUO Design Service

for the best bike brands awsome custom builds pro-level specialist servicing Visit Windmill Wheels who are a Bianchi Specialissima dealer who can additionally supply hand made steel and titanium bikes with custom geometry and paint from brands like Enigma Titanium of Hailsham and Condor Cycles of London.

Photography by DUO Design Service

We can build your perfect bike. Choose from one of our brands and have it custom built, or bring us in a frame and parts and we will build it with the exact care and attention we do for our own custom builds.

We do road, cross, gravel, touring, Enduro mtb, XC mtb, Dh mtb exc Visit our Instagram and Facebook pages to see cool pics of our recent custom builds.

Professional service centre. Campagnolo Pro shop and Eps Pro Shop, Chris King Service Centre, Wheel building specialists, Sici Serotta bike fitters. Servicing on Full Suspension mtbs too.

Windmill Wheels The Windmill, Butt Lane, Wymondham Melton Mowbray LE14 2BU Tel. 01572 787720 www.windmillwheels.co.uk

Stamford School and Stamford High School

Stamford School Boys 11-18 Tuesday 8th March 10am-12 noon Stamford High School Girls 11-18 Wednesday 9th March 10am-12 noon Take a tour, observe lessons, meet the pupils, talk to staff and the Head.

Discover what makes every day at our Schools special.

For everything you need to know about joining our Schools.

To book your place onto a Discovery Morning, Sign up at www.ses.lincs.sch.uk/visitus t: 01780 750311 e: admissions@ses.lincs.sch.uk www.ses.lincs.sch.uk