Active Magazine // Stamford & Rutland // October 2015 by Active Magazine

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It's not all mud, glorious mud... Sun, sea, sand: where to travel for the best sport this winter ISSUE 40 // OCTOBER 2015

STA M FOR D & RU T L A N D'S SPORT A N D L E I S U R E M AGA Z I N E

Girl Power

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Weightlifting women show you how to get fit and strong

ISSUE 40 // OCTOBER 2015

Walks with Will...

our intrepid trekker takes on Launde Abbey

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A Day in the Life

Find out what the High Sheriff gets up to

Four Men in a boat

www.theACTIVEmag.com

The men rowing across the Atlantic for charity

17/09/2015 22:20

OUR PETERBOROUGH

CYCLE SHOP

IS NOW OPEN NEW SEASON RANGES

IN STORE NOW

40% OFF BIKE SALE

SELECTED MODELS

isplay D n o s e 50 Bik Area 2 • ’s n t e i f m e o ted W a ng • Bik i c i c entre i d v e C r e D o S • m • s e p Hire ild • D ro Sho u P B e k i m B o • Sales • t • Cus ountain o i M d d u t n S a ike Fit • Road B • p o h orks • Full W Rutland Cycling at Peterborough Ferry Meadows, Ham Lane, Peterborough, PE2 5UU Call 01733 371031 or visit www.rutlandcycling.com

In Store | Online | Click & Collect rutland cycling.indd 1

at Peterborough 16/09/2015 09:41

Editor’s Letter I WAS AT BURGHLEY THIS YEAR, AND IT got me thinking about the risk of horse riding. Watching those amazing riders and horses tackling fences that I’d think twice about climbing on foot, the way that they approached them without breaking stride, soared over and even if they clipped them, kept powering forward, is an incredible sight. Now I’m no expert on horses, but they have one major ﬂaw as far as I can tell: they have a mind of their own. If they decided that the jump is not for them, they might decide to bale out, or in the jump or landing they might make a mistake or slip, and over everyone goes. This to me makes those riders some of the bravest sportsmen and women there are. Because their fate is not entirely in their own hands – they are reliant on another living, breathing partner, with all their idiosyncracies and myriad potential for error. I’ve been lucky enough to drive a lot of fast cars on racetracks, and to be fast you have to be brave, entering each corner with total commitment, and trusting that the machine around you will not break. Barring mechanical failure though a car, being a machine, will do what is told of it: if you know what the input is, you can expect a particular output. You might enter the wrong input, creating a pretty uncertain output, but it is at least your mistake. I was trying to think of another sport where your life is the responsibility of another creature, to some extent, and apart from rock climbing on some occasions and whoever has packed your parachute, I couldn’t think of any. So to all your horsey people out there, whether you be competing in the greatest three-day event in the world, or popping over little jumps in a paddock for the ﬁrst time, I salute you. You and your horse are doing a remarkable thing. I’ll stick to cars though, thanks. I hope you enjoy the magazine, Steve

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

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

Copyright (c) Grassroots Publishing Limited (GPL) 2015. 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

BELTON IN RUTLAND, NR OAKHAM

ÂŁ950,000

This charming period residence sits in the heart of the village just a few miles from Rutland Water. The Grade II listed property has gracefully proportioned rooms, original beams and casement windows and is impeccably presented with semi-open plan living spaces that open out to the secluded gardens. There is the further benefit of a self-contained one bedroom apartment and a studio, ideal as a home office. EPC Rating: Exempt

DUDDINGTON, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

ÂŁ590,000

With vaulted ceilings and high windows that flood the house with light, this former village school has been carefully converted to retain its original features and character. The striking drawing room has French doors opening into a sunny conservatory, there is flexible accommodation and the house has an excellent location in a pretty village close to Rutland Water. EPC Rating: F

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EMPINGHAM, RUTLAND

£1,250,000

This is a truly exceptional village home combining historic charm with stunning contemporary style. With views across open countryside, at the heart of the interior is a stunning three level living space and a sleek high-gloss Kitchen with French doors extending the space out to the pretty garden. The house has been finished to the highest specifications with luxurious bathrooms and natural stone tiling and is presented in immaculate order. EPC Rating: Exempt

STAMFORD, LINCOLNSHIRE

£1,300,000

This elegant period townhouse is typical of the attractive architecture of Stamford and is excellently located in the centre of town just a few minutes walk from the Meadows. Dating from the 1700’s the property has a stunning interior, designer Kitchen & Breakfast room, wonderful views and the further benefit of a secluded garden and private parking. EPC Rating: Exempt

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Stamford Road, Easton-on-the-Hill ÂŁ190,000 This stylish period home has been renovated to a high standard throughout and offers versatile accommodation which includes two double bedrooms and a self-contained annex with shower room. The property features a superb kitchen with quartz work surface, sitting room, cloak room, entrance hall, two double bedrooms and a modern bathroom with underfloor heating. The property includes downlights throughout, integrated speaker system, replacement doors and windows, and recently fitted central heating system including a gas fired boiler. There is off street parking for two cars to the front, side gated access, along with a sizable patio and lawned garden with field views to rear. Offers excellent access to Stamford and the A1. NO CHAIN

Star Lane Mews, Stamford ÂŁ325,000 Set in a gated development in the centre of Stamford, this recently refurbished modern town house offers superb accommodation over three floors. The property features a fantastic Master suite on the top floor, along with a south facing courtyard garden and parking space. The accommodation briefly comprises: - Entrance hall, cloakroom, kitchen, sitting room, Master bedroom with fitted wardrobes and en-suite, two further bedrooms and family bathroom. The development is located in a tucked away position close to Stamford's high street and provides easy access to local schooling, shops and train station. NO CHAIN

Stamford office 9 High Street, St Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LF

01780 484696

stamford@savills-smithsgore.co.uk

A STUNNING NEW STONE BUILT HOUSE WITH RURAL VIEWS springfield house, southorpe

AN IMPOSING GRADE II LISTED STONE VILLAGE HOUSE kings cliffe house, kings cliffe

Built and presented to a first class standard  galleried entrance hall  kitchen with dining/garden room family room- sitting room  dining room  study  utility/boot room  galleried landing  5 double bedrooms  balcony off master bedroom  4 en suite shower rooms  1 Jack & Jill bathroom  generous built-in or walk-in wardrobes  west facing dining terrace  garden with far-reaching rural views  triple garage with electric door  spacious home office  energy efficient air source heating  EPC = B

Sympathetically extended, substantial and versatile family home  entrance hall  drawing room  sitting room  family room  dining room  newly refurbished kitchen  cellars  master bedroom suite  double bedroom with ensuite bathroom  5 further bedrooms  study area  set within walled gardens of around 1 acre  3 garages with store room over  EPC = Exempt

Guide £1.295 million

Guide £899,000

RURAL LOCATION WITH STUNNING VIEWS & ACCESS TO THE AI IMMACULATELY PRESENTED MODERN BARN CONVERSION gretton, northamptonshire elms farm barns, wittering The Elms date back to the late 18th century  2 newly built barns and one sympathetically designed barn conversion  surrounded by farmland  easy access to the A1 - heating via air-source heat pump  4 or 5 bedroom barns available  single garage with adjacent carport and integral store  EPC = TBC

Guide The Threshing Barn £795,950 Guide The Dairy £635,950 Guide The Granary £549,950

Entrance hall  dining hall  sitting room  kitchen/breakfast room  utility  cloakroom  master bedroom with ensuite shower room  2 further double bedrooms  jack & Jill bathroom  private, south facing Landscaped walled garden  double garage with automated doors and storage space  block paved drive to the front with parking area for about 4 cars  EPC = C

Guide £525,000

Our next move in the property market helps yours Savills and Smiths Gore have come together to offer our clients an even greater service, with more agents, more offices and a deeper market knowledge, to help you make your move.

savills-smithsgore.co.uk

Contents

ISSUE 40 /// OCTOBER 2015

36 NEWS 13 ACTIVE LIFE

Halloween fun at Sacrewell

16-17 ON YOUR BIKE

Rutland Cycling expands, and our Team Sky bike winner

18-19 HEALTHY EATING

Another tasty recipe from Riverford Organic

20 DAY IN THE LIFE OF...

High Sheriff of Rutland Andrew Brown

22 COOPED UP

Editor Steve Moody updates us on life with chickens

25 UP TO THE CHALLENGE

Rutland runners win coast to coast race

27 ROWING THE ATLANTIC

Quartet set out on a gruelling adventure

33 MARTIN JOHNSON COLUMN

The Sunday Times writer on the Rugby World Cup

34-35 KIT BAG

Essential gear for the sporting season

FEATURES

28-31 POWER GAMES

We meet a promising young powerlifter

36-43 HEAD FOR THE SUN

The best places for an active autumn holiday

44-51 HEALTH AND FITNESS

The latest on looking and feeling great

REGULARS 52-53 GREAT WALKS

Will Hetherington heads to Launde Abbey

55 SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DINNER We try out Il Vicolo in Stamford

56-57 SCHOOL SPORT

Our focus on the latest achievements from local pupils

60-66 ROUND-UP

How clubs in the area are faring

8 O C T OBE R 2015 ///

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In Play

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World Cup kick-off WORLD RUGBY VIA GETTY IMAGES

Mascot Henry Sullivan-Porteous was selected to lead out the England team with captain Chris Robshaw at the opening game against Fiji, having auditioned at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials last month. See more on the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials on page 59.

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Activelife GREAT THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO SEE, PEOPLE TO MEET // Edited by Mary Bremner

OUT AND ABOUT

Carve your own pumpkin A free pumpkin day is being held at Riverford’s organic farm at Sacrewell on October 24 between 11am and 4pm. You will be able to pick your own pumpkin from the ﬁeld and then carve it ready for Halloween. There will be tractor rides and the chance to wander around the farm to spot the wildlife. Lots will be going on inside the barns including face painting, cooking demonstrations and apple pressing as well as snacks using seasonal ingredients from the ﬁelds on sale. Entry is free. www.riverford.co.uk/sacrewell /// O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

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When you sign up to an annual membership this month! Contact us today for more informaton. Terms & conditions apply

CALDLAY TO

Group exercise at Catmose, why? Because it’s better to train together! And you are 56% more likely to stick at group exercise than just the gym. Fun social interaction is the UK’s No.1 one reason why people keep coming back for more… We’ve got that in bucket loads. With outstanding instructors that will motivate and inspire you to keep wanting more. You’ll get results, achieve things you never t hought possible, and have a blast on the way. Catmose has over 80 classes to choose from, we challenge you to find an excuse not to try it!

Give it a go come to the centre and arrange a FREE day pass to see for yourself, there’s nothing to lose, but everything to gain. Speak to one of our experienced instructor team to help you plan for success. Still not sure? We’re trying something NEW here at Catmose, never seen before, and it is especially for you! We introduce Wednesday night as the new 30min format of almost everything we do so you can experience it all or simply pick one different thing each week. Working in partnershp

01572 490 030 Catmose Sports Centre, Huntsmans Drive, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6RP www.catmose-sports.co.uk

Monday

06.30** 09.00 09.30** 10.20** 11.10** 12.00* 12.30 17.10** 18.00** 18.00** 18.15* 18.45* 19.00 19.00 20.10* 20.10

Tuesday

06.30* 09.30** 10.20** 11.10** 12:00 13.05** 17.45** 18.00** 18.40* 18.50** 19.15 19.45** 20.30**

Wednesday

06.30** 09.00** 09.45** 10.35** 11.25** 18.00* 18.00* 18.35* 18.35* 19.00** 19.10* 19.10* 19.45* 19.45* 20.20* 20.20*

Ultimate Bootcamp AquaFit Indoor Cycling BodyVive™ Sh’Bam™ Insanity™ BodyBalance™ BodyStep™ Indoor Cycling Sh’Bam™ Insanity™ Insanity Abs™ BodyPump™ BodyAttack™ CXworx™ BodyBalance™

Studio 2 Pool Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 1 Aux Aux Studio 2 Studio 1 Studio 2 Studio 1

Insanity™ Movement Matters BodyAttack™ Boxercise™ Pilates Kettlercise™ Kettlercise™ Indoor Cycling CXworx™ BodyStep™ BodyCombat™ BodyPump™ BodyBalance™

Studio 2 Gym Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 1 Studio 2 Studio 1 Studio 2 Studio 1 Studio 2 Studio 1

Indoor cycling Studio 2 Movement Matters Gym BodyPump™ Studio 2 BodyVive™ Studio 2 Sh’Bam™ Studio 2 Insanity™ Studio 1 BodyPump Studio 2 BodyBalance™ Studio 2 Kettlercise™ Studio 1 Aquafit Pool Sh’Bam™ Studio 1 BodyAttack™ Studio 2 Indoor Cycling Studio 2 BodyVive™ Studio 1 BodyCombat™ Studio 1 CxWorx™ Studio 2

Thursday 06.30**

Friday

09.15** 10.05* 10.45* 11.15 17.25** 18.00* 18.10* 18.30** 18.45** 19.15** 19.35* 20.15

BodyPump™ Kettlercise™ Indoor Cycling CXworx™ BodyBalance™ BodyVive™ Kettlercise™ Insanity™ Boxercise™ Indoor Cycling BodyCombat™ CXworx™ BodyBalance™

Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 1 Studio 2 Studio 1 Studio 2 Studio 1 Studio 2 wStudio 2

06.30** 09.00 09.30** 10.25** 11.15** 12.05** 17.15** 18.10** 18.10** 19.00** 19.00*

Indoor cycling AquaFit BodyPump™ BodyCombat™ BodyVive™ BodyBalance™ BodyBalance™ Zumba™ BodyPump™ Body Attack™ CXworx™

Studio 2 Pool Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 1 Studio 2 Studio 1 Studio 2

Saturday

09.00 09.15 10.15*

Sunday

09.00** 09.00** 09.50** 09.50* 10.20* 10.30 11.00**

Ultimate Boot Camp Aux BodyCombat™ Studio 2 CXworx™ Studio 2

BodyPump™ Sh’Bam™ BodyVive™ Insanity™ Insanity Abs BodyBalance™ Indoor Cycling

Studio 2 Studio 1 Studio 1 Studio 2 Studio 2 Studio 1 Studio 2

Classes are one hour unless stated * 30 minutes ** 45 minutes

14th Sept - 13th Dec 2015

Activelife SPORT

Rutland Cycling at Peterborough Rutland Cycling’s new Peterborough shop is now open at Orton Meadows, next to Notcutts garden centre. Rutland’s newest venture is a spacious, purposebuilt store stocking bikes, cycle clothing and gear from top brands including Specialized, Giant, Trek, Cube, Cannondale, SCOTT and Whyte. The store has a full workshop, a dedicated women’s department, road and mountain bike pro shops, a custom build centre and a bike ﬁt studio. Paul Archer, chief executive of Rutland Cycling, said: “We are delighted to open our new store and welcome all cyclists to our shop, from beginners to performance athletes. We have over 250 bikes on display, a regular calendar of free rides and classes and we even have a cyclists’ pit stop, where you can take a breather, grab a coffee and speak to one of our cycling experts. “This store is in addition to our Ferry Meadows hire centre which opened earlier in the year, offering affordable bike hire for all ages to enjoy the various routes around Ferry Meadows. “The growth of our business over the years shows there is a great demand for cycling products, from bikes through to clothing and accessories and it is great to see so many people involved in cycling for enjoyment, commuting and exercise. “Our new store will provide the quality products and service that Rutland Cycling is renowned for, with an exceptional team of qualiﬁed staff, but with a strong ethos of a friendly, family-run business.”  Rutland Cycling Peterborough, Ferry Meadows, Ham Lane, Peterborough, PE2 5UU. Telephone: 01733 371 013. Website: www.rutlandcycling.com

WIN A NEW BIKE! Don’t miss the official Rutland Cycling Peterborough store launch on the weekend of October 24-25, with giveaways, exclusive discounts and the chance to win a new Giant bike worth £500.

FREE CLASSES AND SEMINARS Rutland Cycling has just launched its winter rides and events calendar and it’s jam-packed with free events and activities for cyclists of all disciplines, ages and abilities. If you’re a mountain biker, then you won’t want to miss Rutland’s annual MTB Demo Day, taking place at Fineshade/Wakerley Woods on Sunday, November 15. The popular Breeze Mums and Tots ride, now in its third year, continues weekly through the winter months, and there are new night rides, beginners’ road rides, winter maintenance classes and women-only seminars. For details see www.rutlandcycling.com.

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Outrageous October... Leisure club membership 15 months for the price of 12 with a reduced joining fee for all new annual memberships in October! Call or pop into the club for more information

› 22 Metre Swimming Pool › 2 Spa pools › Sauna & Steam room › NEW & IMPROVED Gym › Studio fitness classes included › 2 Squash Courts › 6 Tennis Courts › 9 hole Pitch & Putt COMPETITION

Sam joins Team Sky We reveal the winner of our fabulous Rutland Cycling Team Sky kids road bike competition Seven-year-old Sam Chapel from Billesden has been named as the winner of our fabulous Frog Team Sky road bike. The judges from Rutland Cycling chose him having studied at great length all the entries from nearly 100 children who entered the competition. Sam recently picked the bike up from Rutland Cycling’s Whitwell store, and was soon heading off around Rutland Water on it. Cycling mad Sam, who goes to Stoneygate School in Leicester, had only recently been given for his birthday a load of new cycling gear. Having grown out of his old mountain bike, the timing could not have been more perfect. His mum Sally said: “When he found out he had won, he could barely sleep with the excitement. He’d desperately wanted to win the bike as he loves cycling and wants to go out with his dad.” Dad Alex is a keen road cyclist, and so now the two can head out together. Sam said: “It’s much lighter and faster than my old bike, and the brakes and gears are really good. I feel like Chris Froome!”

› 18 hole crazy golf

Leisure Club Tel: 01572 771 314 Did you know? We also have a beauty department with a whole range of treatments available Tuesday-Saturday. Please call or check the website for more information.

Beauty Tel: 01572 771 313 Barnsdale Hall Hotel, Nr Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8AB www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk

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Activelife

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CHICKEN AND BEAN PASTA WITH BASIL AND PANGRATTATO Ingredients 1 lemon 1 onion 2 garlic cloves 200g runner beans 50g breadcrumbs 50g parmesan ½ teaspoon dried chilli flakes Olive oil 250g skinless chicken breast 200g trenne pasta 60ml white wine 15g basil 1 pot of mascarpone Salt and pepper Method Fill the saucepan with salted water and put on to boil. Zest the lemon. Peel and finely chop the onion. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a frying pan and gently cook the onions for about 15 minutes until starting to collapse and soften. While the onions cook, peel and finely crush the garlic. Top and tail the runner beans and de-string them. Slice them very finely at an angle. Mix the breadcrumbs with the parmesan cheese, half the chopped garlic, dried chilli, half the lemon zest and 3 tbsp of olive oil. Heat another frying pan and gently fry the

RECIPE BOXES Riverford recipe boxes are a simple and inspiring way to cook. Every week, we deliver everything you need to make three tasty organic meals. Inside each box, you’ll find the freshest, seasonal organic produce, step-bystep recipe cards and all the ingredients in exact quantities. The recipes are quick to cook and ideal for week nights – most are ready in under 45 minutes. Think well balanced and nutritious,

breadcrumb mix until it is crisp and golden brown, 6-8 minutes (1). Keep it moving so the parmesan doesn’t stick to the pan. Put to one side once cooked. Blanch the beans in the boiling water for 3 minutes then remove with a slotted spoon. Cool immediately in cold water to stop them cooking. Keep the water on the heat. Slice the chicken breast into thin slices. Add the chicken and the remaining garlic to the onions and cook for a further 2 minutes. Add the pasta to the water, stir well and cook on a rolling boil for 10 minutes or until cooked through. Meanwhile, add the wine to the frying pan with the chicken and onions and let it reduce down until half the volume. Drain the beans and add them to the frying pan. Heat through for a few minutes. Add 3 tbsp of mascarpone to the chicken mix (2). Warm it gently but don’t let it boil. Remove from the heat and tear in the basil (3). Season well with salt and pepper and a tiny squeeze of lemon juice. Drain the pasta and stir it through the sauce. Scatter over the breadcrumb mix.

Tip Never leave your pasta waiting for the sauce. Always have the sauce ready to add to the just cooked pasta.

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

A day in the life of

ANDREW BROWN

Farmer and High Sheriff of Rutland

usually get up around 6am and eat Weetabix, which may be made from my wheat as I’m a member of the Weetabix Growers’ Club. This ensures wheat is grown to high standards using plenty of environmental measures. I’m also a Leaf Marque farmer which, again, is to do with linking the environment with farming and informing the public about everything I’m doing. I’ve taken 23 hectares of land out of production for wild bird seed mix and pollen and herbal mixes and I’ve created buffer strips around the edges of the ﬁelds to stop fertilisers reaching the water courses and hedgerows. I opened a new bridleway near Lyddington which is very popular and we’ve put in lateral drains which are shallow scrapes for wading birds. As a result we’ve seen a big increase in the number of brown hares, grey partridge and skylarks and we even have curlews breeding here. We have a lot of traditional water meadows on the farm where we make hay, not silage, which we cut later so it’s much better for wildlife. I grow wheat, oilseed rape, barley and beans and I keep easycare sheep which I don’t have to shear so it keeps the costs down. Lamb prices are about 25% down on last year and even though yields are good, crop prices are dreadful. First thing in the morning I check my livestock – I have 150 breeding sheep. Then, depending on the time of year, I might do some spraying ready for drilling the rape. If it’s harvest time I’ll then do some combining. I’m addicted to the weather forecast – you can be the best arable farmer in the world but all your work can be ruined by something out of your control. I became High Sheriff of Rutland in April and I sometimes attend three different events in one day. Being a sheriff opens lots of doors – I’m going to sit on the footplate next to the driver on a train down to London soon, something I’ve always wanted to do. At 50, I’m one of the youngest sheriffs but because I used to do a lot of different things ‘off farm’ when I was the NFU regional chairman for the East Midlands and on the board of the Home Grown Cereals Authority I have organised the farm to run well while I’m away. Two of my roles are maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and comfort of visiting High Court judges. Oakham Castle is the longest standing courthouse in the country but it has to be used at least once every two years to keep that title. I also support various charities, such as Warning Zone in Leicester which educates Year 6 20

‘At least I don’t have to shave my legs as often as when I first began wearing tights’ children about risk and the consequences of their actions. It seems to be working as the fire services have noticed that incidences involving accidents with fire and arson have dropped significantly. I also support the Sue Ryder Hospice, Home Start, Charity Link and 20/20. The impression of Rutland is that there’s very little poverty but you only have to scratch the surface and the same problems are here, but they’re hidden within very smart villages. The Rutland High Sheriff Fund is available for community groups to access small grants. In the last four months I’ve attended 150

events but I feel as if I’m only just getting started. At least I don’t have to shave my legs as often as I did when I ﬁrst began wearing tights. Still, with or without hair, all the slightly older ladies often admire my calves. The ﬁrst reference to a High Sheriff was in 690AD and I love all the history behind the job. I can raise a posse, which is the collective noun for high sheriffs, and I can even close a road for archery practice, but I don’t think closing the A47 or A1 would make me very popular.  Rutlanders can email twbfarms@aol.com to enquire about grants from the Rutland High Sheriff Fund.

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Carpet. Without it, a room can feel undressed. Choose from opulent deep pile, traditional Axminsters, stylish Wiltons or natural seagrass. For the finishing touches to suit every home… Call us on:

01572 821581

Uppingham Carpet Company 24 High Street East · Uppingham · LE15 9PZ · info@uppinghamcarpets.co.uk w w w. u p p i n g h a m c a r p e t s . c o . u k

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Activelife Carrie Wright of The Clever Coop Company (www.theclevercoopcompany.com) offers some chicken-keeping advice..  To prevent feeding your local wild life and pests, it is essential not to leave food lying around. Think about either a ‘scatter ad lib’ feeding idea so your chickens consume all the feed within a short period of time, or perhaps have a treadle feeder that opens only when your hens stand on the treadle plate.  Minimise the risk of illness and parasites. By keeping your feed contained and away from wild birds, you will help prevent disease amongst your flock. Wild birds can bring parasites, respiratory problems and infections to you chickens. There is always a risk how ever careful you are but, by minimising the interactions between chickens and wildlife, will aid towards a healthy flock.

LIFESTYLE

COOPED UP The days are getting shorter and editor Steve Moody has a plan for letting the chickens out on a cold morning

ou become very sensitive to the changing of the seasons when you keep chickens, mainly because of shutting them in and letting them out of their coop every day. It’s getting colder. They nest earlier and earlier every day, as the sun sets sooner. That’s quite handy, obviously. However, the mornings are interesting. Mildred lays her eggs ﬁrst thing, and you can hear her squawking with the effort while you are laying in a nice warm bed. So up you get, and then start layering. It’s noticeably colder and the grass considerably more dewy so an extra layer of clothing is being added at a rate of about one

piece every two weeks. I’ll be honest, at 6.30am in late September the cold is a bit of a shock. I’m dreading the middle of January. When I picked the coop up from Carrie at The Clever Coop Company, she was experimenting with an automatic coop door opening device powered by a small motor and I wasn’t really sure what the need was for it. Now, with my wet feet, I’m thinking it would be a fantastic idea. Failing that, the door has a quick release system and is on a spring, requiring just a ﬂick to set the chickens free. I’m thinking that if I attached a piece of string to the lever, ran it through an eyelet on the top of the fence and then the entire length of the garden I

 What signs to look for in an unwell chicken. Symptoms in poultry vary dependant on the type of illness however there are a few tell-tell signs to help you spot a poorly bird. Indications include (but not limited to) a pale, sunken face; lethargy and distancing from other flock members, heavy or noisy breathing, dirty vent/bottom, fluffed-up appearance, and lack of appetite.

could sit in the warmth of the kitchen, give a quick tug on the strong and hey presto – welcome to the day, chickens. I shall begin my experiments forthwith.. On the escape front, Ollie is proving impossible to cage. My wife has laid all sorts of traps and obstacles, but the chicken is out-foxing her at every turn. At this rate, next up will be watchtowers, machine gun nests and searchlights. Let’s see her get past those. She potters round the garden though, and when my wife goes to put her back in she just follows dutifully, head bobbing from side to side as she runs along. It’s just attention seeking, really.

NATURE

How to spot... the little egret The Little Egret was ﬁrst recorded in Rutland in June 1982 and is now a familiar bird at Rutland Water and Eyebrook Reservoir and has also been seen along the Rivers Gwash and Welland as well as at Fort Henry Ponds. Little Egrets are obvious herons, smaller than the Grey Heron, white in colour with black bill and legs and yellow feet. In summer the adults have long

plumes on the head and breast – formerly much in demand by the fashion trade. Little Egrets have colonised much of England and Wales, having pushed north across Europe. They bred in Dorset and Cornwall in 1996 and since 2011 have been nesting in small numbers at Rutland Water. Many birds assemble on the Egleton lagoons after breeding – 84 in July 2013 –

including birds from breeding colonies in Norfolk and Nottinghamshire. Unlike the Grey Herons which are a ‘stand and wait’ hunter, Little Egrets are very active when seeking prey – small ﬁsh, snails or frogs – walking or running quickly through shallow water. They will also use ‘foot paddling’ to disturb prey, making it easier to catch. With so many of our birds in decline, it’s good to report on a successful and expanding species. Terry Mitcham

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1803 0915

Activelife

Fitness for everyone

Husband and wife team, Aaron and Tara Taylor, ran their first fit camp on a playing field last September and now offer training most days of the week. They have recently relocated to the Wildcats School of Arts on Broad Street (the old museum) and have invested in lots of new equipment. They offer classes ranging from those for the over 50s to boxing circuits and also run outside classes and offer private tuition. For more details find them on Facebook under Tara and Aaron Health and Fitness or telephone 07749 473586.

Anna’s Hope runners Stamford Boot Camp will once again be entering a team to run the 2015 Perkins Great Eastern Half Marathon this month in aid of Anna’s Hope. In the last two years they have raised nearly £10,000 and hope to do as well this year. To support them go to www.justgiving.com/ Stamford-Boot-Camp

CHALLENGE

Coast to coast success Two intrepid local runners have just won the mixed pair Rat Race coast 2 coast race. The race covered 103 miles across the Scottish Highlands from one coast to another to be completed in daylight hours. Glynn Attiwell, the Active Rutland Hub co-

ordinator, and his partner Fliss Hart, a successful triathlete who has just taken up the sport again after having children, had to run, cycle and kayak to complete the course and did so in 9 hours 53 minutes. They were helped by Get Lost in Rutland who supplied their kit.

Parkrun plea Parkrun is up and running. A successful course trial was held last month but they are still looking for more volunteers. It’s fun and sociable so why not give it a go? To find out more contact event director Manjinder at manjjagdev@gmail.com

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Less than a mile from the A1 Now with more than 70 dealers, the centre has a variety of antiques unmatched in the surrounding area. Items range from £5 to £5,000 and regular turnover of stock frequently brings customers back for more. Open 10am-5pm Mon-Sat

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Personal training at BEfit integrates a wide range of disciplines and methods to keep both body and mind challenged in a variety of ways. This includes options such as strength, conditioning, cardiovascular exercise and sports performance. At BEfit we also offer a wide variety of group exercise classes.. Including Bear Camp, Les Mills BodyAttack, Shred 30 & Chislled. Please contact us for info & a class timetable

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Activelife

CHALLENGE

ROWING THE ATLANTIC

An intrepid quartet of Old Uppinghamians are preparing for a gruelling 3,500-mile row across the Atlantic to raise money for two charities. Here we meet the four...

or two years, a group of four Old Uppinghamians have been training their bodies and minds for an epic 3,500-mile journey across the Atlantic in a boat barely bigger than a family car. The race, billed as the toughest on Earth, is going to be a massive challenge. More people have climbed Everest than rowed the Atlantic. The intrepid four are aiming to raise £100,000 for the charities Cystic Fibrosis and the Teenage Cancer Trust in the process. With 800 miles of rowing already under their belts, they have a ﬁnal fund-raising charity ball on November 13 before they set off from the Canary Islands and head out into the blue yonder.

The boat is two metres wide, powered only by human muscle and grit, so the four have needed as much practice together as possible to prepare them for the trials of the Atlantic. Jack Mayhew, Joe Barnett, Gus Barton and Angus Collins, who were all at school together, have been putting in the hours training; almost being mown down by a yacht off the south coast being one of their more testing moments. With D-day looming, the ﬁnal months before their December 14 departure offer a chance to put the ﬁnishing touches to two years of gruelling preparation. They can expect 50 foot waves, hurricane strength winds and, operating strict round-the-clock shifts, no more than two hours’ sleep at a time.

Three things to do in October It’s going to be a busy month this October with the Rugby World Cup, so time is going to be tight, hence only three suggestions...  The Rugby World Cup is going to be showing in many of the pubs in Stamford that have large screens. As it’s being held at home there’s no problems with strange timings. Many an evening can be spent glued to the large screen, drink in hand, cheering on England and the other home nations (fingers crossed). Some of

It will be a wild, unpredictable and deeply challenging 3,500 miles across the open seas. But the team is very positive: “We know we can do this,” said Jack. “Who knows, we might even see dolphins along the way.” Good luck to them. We shall keep you up to date with their progress over the next few months. The team, known as Ocean Reunion, can be followed on Facebook under the name of Atlantic Row or on their website (www. oceanreunion.co.uk) which also has lots of information about the coming challenge and links to the JustGiving page.  Are you planning a challenge similar to these boys, or James Peach who recently cycled around the world? If so, email: mary@theactivemag.com.

the pubs in town are The Crown, The Periwig, The London Inn, The Green Man and the Lord Burghley as well as the Stone Loach Inn in Market Deeping and many more, too many to mention here.  It’s October, which means it’s Halloween. Trick or treating is one of the highlights of many children’s year. Dress up as ghoulishly as you can, but don’t terrify the neighbours…  Or why not experience a Spooky Tour of Burghley House? Running from 19 to 31 October, these tours are very popular and sell out quickly. www.burghley.co.uk

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Feature /// Powerlifting

GIRL POWER

Champion powerlifter Aisling Peberdy is representing Britain in this most demanding of sports. By Jeremy Beswick Photography: Pip Warters I’LL ADMIT TO SOME trepidation at the prospect of meeting Aisling Peberdy. I get the feeling that she could be about to seriously embarrass me, because as holder of the under-23 Women’s British Powerlifting title in the 67.5 kilo category, I fear I am about to be comprehensively outmuscled. As any man will know, we all like to hope we hold superhuman strength in reserve, but the thought of me huffing and puffing in vain while a young woman in her early 20s snaps all manner of heavy metal above her head sits awkwardly on my already fragile ego. We meet at the gym in Stamford, where you might also bump into Olympian shot putter and former World’s Strongest Man, Geoff Capes. It’s a friendly place with a vibrant atmosphere and loud motivational music rocking the equipment. I am more confident on meeting her though,

because Aisling doesn’t look like Geoff Capes in drag. Perhaps I might be able to compete after all. Aisling came to powerlifting having taken part in an activity called pole sports, to give it its preferred name. With roots laid down as an athletic discipline long before it came to be associated with sad men with too much cash to waste in seedy nightclubs, it was an endurance sport in China and the Indian sub-continent hundreds of years ago. Today, the International Pole Sports Federation governs national organisations all over the world and runs the World Pole Sports Championships each year. Competitors are judged by a panel in much the same way as divers, ice skaters or rhythmic gymnasts, with points awarded for difﬁculty of moves, transition between them, presentation and so on. It’s not just for young females either

– categories also include men, doubles, and masters for those over 50. She says: “I was a pole athlete for four years, and started lifting just to improve my strength for that. At my first session the personal trainer noticed I was quite strong and I’ve gone on from there to success with a horizontal pole instead. “At my first weightlifting session, I really surprised people, not least of all me, with what I could do and that made me feel pretty good about myself. I find it empowering to be strong and it’s rapidly becoming more popular for women who realise you don’t get bulky like the men do, simply because you lack testosterone in the levels men have. Also the more muscles you gain the quicker you burn fat. You’ll keep a womanly shape, in fact a more womanly shape – it’s a great way to get a toned body.” Aisling grew up in King’s Cliffe and went to

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Feature /// Powerlifting

Clockwise, from le

Author Jeremy looks on as Aisling demonstrates the techniques involved in powerli ing

‘POWERLIFTING’S NOT JUST ALL ABOUT BRUTE STRENGTH – TECHNIQUE IS ALSO IMPORTANT’ Prince William School in Oundle. She also played rugby for East Midlands U15s and now holds the British record for a dead lift at 150 kilos (easily more than twice her body weight) and her personal bests for squat and bench press are 90 and 60 kilos respectively. One-hundred-and-fifty kilos! That seems a lot. A lot more than I can do, but under her expert tutelage I decided it was time for me to have a go. As I weigh a third more than she does surely I could get close? Well, I’m afraid not. I did manage 120 kilos at dead lift (“quite good,” according to a kindly Aisling, but not something I was prepared to do again when a somewhat less kind Pip the photographer pretended that he’d missed the shot) but only a paltry 40 kilos at squat and, as for bench press well, I’m not even going there. It was surprisingly aerobic though and I certainly felt those endorphins coursing round my body afterwards. Fortunately these effects far outweighed any embarrassment I felt. Aisling explained: “It certainly is aerobic. Lift regularly and your energy levels improve, your metabolism rises. It’s very demanding on the central nervous system and you’ll often find that gets fatigued before your muscles. It helps joint health as well.” She knows about these things as she’s currently studying for a professional qualification at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“Oh and another thing – I get to eat as much as I like without putting on any weight!” she adds. Sounds like my kind of sport. As I have discovered from my experience, powerlifting’s not just all about brute strength – technique is also important as proved by Aisling’s experience as she progressed up the scale. “The weight I could lift went up much faster than my strength did. You learn how to do it properly,” she says. November will see her competing at the World Championships in Portugal. “I’d like to think I can get a podium place, but more than anything I want to get a personal best. Lifting is more about competing against your PB than each other.” It does seem to be a supportive sport. “All the lifters root for each other,” she told me. “It was quite a feeling when I lifted that 150 kilos and all the other competitors were whooping and cheering for me.” Although it’s not an expensive sport if you do it for your own fitness, competing is another matter. “As I’m a student my food bill alone is quite daunting, but the travel and accommodation are really expensive for me.” What would most help Aisling maximise her ability to fly the flag for Britain and continue is some assistance with these costs. She hasn’t any sponsorship yet, so if there are any companies out there who’d like to be associated with her success story get in touch with Active and we’ll pass your details on. If you’d like to try powerlifting yourself, head to your local gym for an induction. In addition, Aisling suggests you also hire one of their personal trainers to ensure you start with the right techniques and for safety reasons. Since we met I’ve been doing some lifting in the privacy of my own home and I’ve certainly felt the benefits in terms of raised energy levels and a sense of well being. You’ll be relieved to hear that I’m giving pole sports a miss though – in my case that really would be an affront to public decency.

On the right path OAKHAM SCHOOL SIXTH former Emma Peters was inspired by the Commonwealth Games in 2014 to take up weightli ing and in the short time since has li ed the highest combined weight in the under17 category – at her first ever competition – and qualified for the national championships. As a result, she’s now been selected to participate in the British Weightli ing Regional Development Programme, which is confirmation that she has the potential to be an elite athlete and is as part of the British Weightli ing Talent Pathway, which aims to discover and develop those who have the potential to represent Great Britain one day. Previously a county level gymnast, Emma chose weightli ing a er consulting the school’s strength and conditioning coach, Joel Tratt, about which sport could give her the best chance of becoming world class. Her gymnastic skills meant she already had the two key attributes of a weightli er – strength and flexibility. She’s currently following a specialised training programme, with five hours of one-to-one instruction per week Emma said: “I’m really pleased with how quickly it’s progressed, and how I’ve been supported throughout by both academic staff and sports staff. I’m really enjoying weightli ing and it’s great to have made it this far already.”

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

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Rutland

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Interested in a career in teaching? Join us at our School Direct Open Evening at Catmose College, Oakham on Thursday 15 October from 6pm Rutland Teaching Alliance are proud to be working in partnership with a variety of highly respected local primary and secondary schools to offer graduate training places commencing in September 2016.

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Guest column

World Cup fever brings me out in a cold sweat Martin Johnson is looking forward to the Rugby World Cup n-depth studies show that World Cups coincide with a marked drop in suicide rates, although this is a statistic which surely can’t include World Cup opening ceremonies. As far as I’m concerned, whenever one of these things is taking place, the urge to open a major artery, or find a bus to throw myself under, is never stronger. They are invariably overlong, expensive, pretentious and choreographed by someone who appears to be under the influence of hallucinatory drugs. There is always a dark and meaningful message to get across, of course, although the task of deciphering that message is usually beyond anyone with an IQ below 10,000. I found it difficult, therefore, not to utter a sigh of relief when the 2015 Rugby World Cup was awarded to England, as no-one stages World Cup opening ceremonies less reverently than us. ‘If we have to have one, let’s keep it brief,’ is the usual principle. The best opening ceremony ever was held in England, for the 1999 Cricket World Cup, at Lord’s. With the rest of the world looking on in breathless anticipation, we showed them just what could be done with a budget which wouldn’t quite have covered the price of a Nursery End hot dog. It began with a fireworks display that produced less smoke than a boy scout rubbing two sticks together, and a gunpowder bill slightly less – even at 17th century prices – than the one delivered to a Mr G Fawkes. Then we had the then-Prime Minister, Tony Blair, giving a stirring address. At least we have to assume it was stirring because unbeknown to Blair or the assembled glitterati, the microphones weren’t working. After all this it came as no great surprise when England were eliminated at the group stage, precisely 24 hours before the official World Cup song was released. I was quite hopeful that this year’s Rugby World Cup opening ceremony at Twickenham would have had a similar budget, perhaps paid for with the loose change from a violin case at the bottom of a Jubilee Line escalator, but no such luck. It wasn’t overlong, thankfully, but as usual we had to have a ‘theme’ foisted upon us. This one, predictably, was all about rugby’s great journey, beginning with someone dressed up as William Webb Ellis picking up a football and running off with it. And if they really wanted to deliver the message of just how far rugby has come since young William got yellow carded for deliberate hand ball, they might have at least considered concluding the show with someone biting into a fake blood capsule.

However, now that I’ve got opening ceremonies off my chest, it never fails to get the juices flowing when major sporting events come to this country. Even more so because they don’t come around that often. Such as the football World Cup, which we’ve only ever staged once before. Mind you, Held 1 Played 1 is not a bad record to have. The fond belief is that England’s victory in 1966 was masterminded by Sir Alf Ramsey, whereas in actual fact the two men behind it were both foreign. Firstly there was that German ref who sent off the Argentine captain in the quarter-final for reasons no-one ever found out, when Argentina were the more talented team. And secondly, in the final itself, when a Russian linesman flagged for an England goal when he was about 40 yards away from a ball bouncing off the crossbar and down to the goal-line. In the 49 years since, technology has failed to prove whether the ball was over the line or not, but this bloke managed it alright, dare one say with a fierce determination to cement his place in history. 1966 – so long ago that goals in those days were traditionally celebrated by throwing hats into the air, which always made me wonder how many people returned home from a football match with the same hat they left home with. Not many I’d guess. Whether you are old enough to have watched the final live on TV, or young enough not to remember an era in which a team’s players were numbered from 1 to 11 and had no substitutes, the abiding memory is Kenneth Wolstenhome’s BBC commentary... “Some people are on the pitch. They think it’s all over. It is now. It’s four!” Meantime, over on ITV, Hugh Johns was not cementing a place in football folklore with his own take on that final goal. “Here’s Hurst. He might make it three. He has! He has… so that’s it. That is IT!” By contrast with footie, this is the third time the Rugby World Cup has been hosted in the UK since the inaugural one in 1987, but the most memorable was 2003 in Australia, and it had certain parallels with 1966 in that Ian Robertson’s BBC radio commentary also went into folklore with his description of Jonny Wilkinson’s dropped goal: “Thirty-five seconds to go… this is the one… it’s coming back for Jonny Wilkinson… he drops for World Cup glory… it’s up, it’s over, he’s done it…”. Robertson is still the man behind the Beeb’s radio mike, and it would be quite something for him to top that particular entry in history’s great sporting commentaries in this World Cup. Although… “and with seconds to go, it’s coming back to Felipe Berchesi, he drops for glory, and, it’s over. There’s no way back for New Zealand now, and Uruguay have won the World Cup!” Yes, that would probably do it.

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Feature /// Gear

Kitbag

The latest kit to keep you active as autumn approaches

Stuffa Odyssey

Never be without space to carry everything again. The ingenious Stuffa Odyssey has 12 concealed pockets within the zip-out inner jacket while the outer layer is waterproof, breathable and windproof. Price £220 From www.stuffa.co.uk

Giant Cyclotron Mag Turbo Trainer

The Giant Cyclotron Mag II is a solid trainer, perfect for the recreational cyclist through to the club racer looking to clock up some indoor miles. A magnetic resistance unit offers six levels, and there’s a handlebar mounted remote adjuster too. Price £99.99 From www.rutlandcycling.com

Scent Lok Boot Sock Full Cushion

Darn Tough construction and Scent-Lok technology create the ultimate shooting sock. Knitted with odour-inhibiting, fine gauge, shrink treated, Merino wool, they deliver itch free and breathable all-weather comfort in the most extreme conditions. Cushioning around the entire foot provides additional comfort and support. Guaranteed for life. Price £26.99 From www.getlostinrutland.co.uk

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Orvis Wraparound dog bed

Give your dog the gi of ultimate comfort with Orvis’ wraparound memory foam dog bed. The high-density foam allows your dog to sink in just enough to achieve optimum support, and open-cell technology provides optimum comfort while helping maintain your dog’s body temperature. Price £189- £269 From www.orvis.co.uk

Sherpa Adventure Gear limited edition t-shirt

A t-shirt that will help raise funds for the Nepal Earthquake Relief Efforts, as well as a sum that will go to the Paldorje Education Fund – a charity that helps the children of Nepal receive an excellent education. Price £25 From www. sherpaadventuregear.co.uk

Rabbit helmet cover

Kids (and adults too!) will love the Rabbit helmet cover. A cotton exterior and plush/polyester fabric interior fits over the lids while on the back is an opening so ski goggles can be fitted. An elastic cord can be attached to the side pieces of the ski helmet for optimal fitting to the helmet. Rabbit £26.99 from www.helmetheads.co.uk

Lightweight Bluetooth sport headphones

The JBL Reflect Mini BT is a lightweight sport headphone designed for ultimate comfort and stability in fitness. The Bluetoothcompatible sport headphones provide wireless freedom, a lightweight feel, secure fit and premium JBL signature sound to push through your workout. Price £79.95 From www.uk.jbl.com

Rooster helmet ears

Stick-on Crazy Ears for skiing and other helmets will convert your ordinary safety helmet into a unique protective headwear. The textile products are fastened to a helmet using a velcro pad. Price £14.99 From www.helmetheads.co.uk

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Feature /// Winter sport

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SUN, SEA, SAND AND SPORT

AMERICAN911

Looking to break free of the gloom of an English winter? Why not get active abroad? Here are some of our favourite sporting holiday destinations

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SS Active half page ad Sept 17.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2015 10:04 Page 1

Sports Courses for October Half-Term at Uppingham

• Hockey and Netball sports coaching camps for 7-14 year olds at Uppingham School • All abilities welcome • Monday and Tuesday 26th and 27th October • Cost £85 For more information or to book, please contact: www.uppinghamsummerschool.co.uk summerschool@uppingham.co.uk Like us on Facebook

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Feature /// Winter sport

GRAND CANYON

Riding is an all-year round religion for many, but once in a while it’s nice to leave the muddy byways of middle England for somewhere a little warmer. How about the remote North Rim of the Grand Canyon? It has a micro-climate which is sheltered from the cold and winds above, and 200 metres below the top of the canyon there is exquisite scenery and solitude for winter camping and exploring. The rugged country means it is not a place for beginners to learn horsemanship, but for those looking for adventure in a landscape unchanged for hundreds of years, unadorned by modern conveniences, it is hard to beat.

LATIN AMERICA

and the Peruvian Pasos while you visit the nesting grounds of the monarch butterﬂies in Mexico, the Mayan ruins of Belize, the rain forests of Costa Rica, the awe inspiring ruins of the Inca Empire in Peru, the pampas and Andes of Argentina or the glaciers of southern Chile.

TURKEY

Another destination closer to home but well worth a gallop is Turkey: you can explore ruined castles and elaborate palaces from ancient empires, and diverse backdrops of snow capped mountains, rich agricultural valleys, open steppes, extensive sandy Mediterranean coastline and vibrant cities – all on Akhal-Teke, Arabian and Turkish horses. Some of the best riding is in Cappadocia, the name of which comes from the ancient Persian phrase ‘the land of beautiful horses’. The landscape is stunning and there are many wonderful villages, historic sites and towns in the area. JOSÉ CARLOS PIRES PEREIRA

South of the Equator the weather is a little warmer, and Latin America has many incredible rides to offer. You can ride some ﬁne horses like the Criollos

MARCELO_MINKA

HORSE RIDING

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OLEGMIT

Feature /// Winter sport

CYCLING Smooth roads, long climbs, fabulous hills, warm weather and an infrastructure built around cycling makes Majorca the perfect winter cycling destination. The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range runs parallel to the north-west coast and the longest climb on the island, the Puig Major, rises to 854m over the course of 14km, while the infamous Sa Calobra climbs 668m at an average 7.1 per cent via 26 hairpins. Trafﬁc is generally light too in the winter months, apart from the many pelotons snaking their way around the island, of course.

TENERIFE

Further aﬁeld is Tenerife in the Canary Islands, which boasts warm, dry terrain, beautiful wildlife and plenty of elevation to suit both road riders and mountain bikers. One of Sir Bradley Wiggins’ favourite training grounds, the 3,718m Mount Teide volcano that dominates the island is the third biggest in the world. There are plenty of long, smooth road climbs up and round it, although the summit has been known to get snowy in winter. If it does, the lower slopes and warm sea level rides should still provide plenty of challenge. Mountain bikers have lots of options here too, with Tenerife being relatively undiscovered in the world of mountain biking destinations.

CÔTE D’AZUR, FRANCE

The Côte D’Azur offers the cyclist an amazing experience of incredible views across the Mediterranean and stunning climbs that snake inland. Temperate weather in the winter makes a pleasant change from UK riding at that time, without a huge leap in temperature, and the hills are not so high to be closed off for snow. The Col de Vence is especially stunning with a glorious ﬂat run through Provence after you come down the other side, while the climb out of Menton into Italy was used by Lance Armstrong to test his ﬁtness. But don’t let that put you off.

ANDALUCÍA, SPAIN

Andalucía in southern Spain is known for its cycling, and with coastal roads along the Med, dry plains and the Sierra Nevada mountain range, it has plenty to occupy roadies and mountain bikers alike. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and if you are after altitude, the highest point on continental Spain is here – Mulhacen, at 3,478m above sea level. That’s enough to get your legs working, while for mountain bikers, miles of natural trails, and everything from smooth and rooty to steep and rocky is on offer as well. RAPHAEL DANIAUD

MAJORCA

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WATER SPORTS CALIFORNIA

California offers something for the beginner in Malibu or Manhattan beach to the professional with waves like Mavericks outside San Francisco. Steeped in surﬁng history, it should be close to the top of your list.

OAHU

The Cortegaca region of northern Portugal offers a true surfing paradise – quality surfing, great atmosphere, and is just perfect for those people looking to escape crowded conditions further south. The Algarve offers warm weather and more sedate surfing.

CANARY ISLANDS

There is a lot of windsurﬁng in the Canary Islands thanks to the trade winds. Pozo in Gran Canaria, El Medano in Tenerife and Sotavento in Fuerteventura are a reasonable bet all year round and tend to be most popular with good intermediate to experienced windsurfers, while also playing host to the biggest professional windsurﬁng competitions.

CAPE VERDE ISLANDS

For a great windsurfing or kitesurfing holiday, 300 miles off the west coast of Africa are the Sal and Boa Vista islands. These islands are directly in the path of the north east trade winds which makes this destination an ideal winter windsurfing and kitesurfing holiday destination from November through to late April. The Cape Verde archipelago consists of 11 volcanic islands, the flattest of these being Sal, and with direct flights from UK it’s an ideal winter destination. The little town of Santa Maria is the main focus for all activities on Sal with windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing, stand up paddleboarding (SUP) or scuba diving while

Cabo Verde has been transformed from a previously barren land, into a fast growing watersports paradise.

AGADIR, MOROCCO

When you are looking for some winter sun and surf, the uncrowded waves of Morocco are the perfect place to surf. Whether a beginner, improver or an accomplished surfer Morocco has the perfect conditions to suit: Agadir is sheltered from the storm systems sweeping across Europe from the Atlantic and has a diverse coastline that throws up all sorts of waves for all standards of surfer.

EGYPT/RED SEA

Sometimes described as having wind all year round, which it does because it’s always pretty hot, the Red Sea still has seasons. The popular Egyptian resorts are at their most reliable and windiest during the summer, and at their least reliable during the winter. However, since the least reliable is often around 60% of days with force 4 or above, you can see where the reputation comes from. Popular with all styles and levels, there are a few hidden ‘wave’ spots such as El Tur’s Habibi beach. Other places making a splash in watersports are Brazil (Jericoacoara – August to December), Australia (west coast centred around Perth – December to March) and South Africa (December to March), and the spiritual home of windsurﬁng, Maui (wind pretty much all year round, waves from December to June). EPICSTOCKMEDIA

EPICSTOCKMEDIA

Monster waves. Huge wipeouts. Hawaii is, of course, America’s surﬁng Mecca, and the North Shore of Oahu is the state’s Holy Grail. Waikiki was the playground for Hawaiian royalty and where they came to surf so if you are just learning then the calmer waves there will help you ﬁnd your feet but if it is pro waves you are after head up to the North Shore and hit the likes of Sunset Beach, Pupukea Beach and of course the much celebrated Banzai Pipeline.

PORTUGAL

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Feature /// Winter sport

WALKING wonderful mountains known as jebel that rise out of the desert sands, creating exciting terrain to explore. And then of course, is Petra, the city made of stone. Despite the unrest in neighbouring Syria, the Foreign Ofﬁce has no travel advisories against visiting Jordan.

DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

The southernmost point of Africa is stunning with rocky coastlines, verdant green mountains and gorgeous vineyards! The mountains which surround Stellenbosch towards Cape Town are great walking country, while a visit to the famous Cango Caves, Tsitsikamma National Park and Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve are worth heading for.

The Croatian coast is craggy, beautiful, and unspoilt, dotted with occasional fishing villages and of course, Dubrovnik, one of the jewels of the Adriatic. Stroll around Dubrovnik then take a ferry to isolated Lopud, one of the Elafitis Islands, stretched out along the Adriatic coast. With enough walking for a day or two on the island’s mazy paths, and churches and forts to explore, you can also swim at one of the few sandy bays in the Adriatic. Kolocep, the smallest island reachable from Lopud, is also a car-less little gem. From there you can island hop to your hearts content, eating fresh fish plucked straight from the sea.

PETRA, JORDAN

OMALOS, CRETE

CAPE TOWN AND THE SOUTHERN TIP

Explore south-west Crete and the stunning White Mountains by starting out at Paleochora, then walk to Sougia via the ancient port of Lissos, trek through spectacular gorges to the Omalos Plateau and the famous Samaria Gorge, to the beautiful, car-free Loutro. ALEXBRYLOV

Keen for an Indiana Jones style adventure? Some of the most spectacular desert scenery in the world is found in the south of Jordan at Wadi Rum, a place of dramatic beauty which provides an ideal environment for trekking. Thousands of years of erosion have formed

ISTOCK

Patagonia is fast becoming a must-see destination, with December, January and February the warmest months, although it’s not a guaranteed scorcher due to the heights, which can mean very cold nights. It is an area of uninterrupted lakes, smoking volcanoes and vast tracts of wilderness though. The famed Torres del Paine National Park, a showpiece of outstanding grandeur, is a world biosphere reserve with a wealth of wildlife amidst superbly impressive mountain scenery where walkers should see guanaco and condors.

BLYJAK

PATAGONIA, CHILE

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ActiveFit

KATARZYNABIALASIEWICZ

EXPERT ADVICE ON GETTING, AND KEEPING, IN GREAT SHAPE

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Well-being at work

Is your company offering massages, healthy food and fitness advice? If not, should they be?

SHOULD YOU BE offering your employees a ‘well-being’ programme at work, which includes healthy food, nutritional advice and massages? According to research by Public Health England, helping employees’ well-being at work can bring about higher job performance in three ways. The first is by affecting employees’ cognitive abilities and processes – enabling them to think more creatively and to be more effective at problem-solving. The second is by affecting employees’ attitudes to work – raising their propensity to be co-operative and collaborative. The third is by improving employees’ physiology and general health – improving their cardiovascular health and immunity, enabling speedier recovery from illness, and securing greater levels of energy and potentially effort. It is a concept that BGL Group, the Peterborough-based financial service giant, has been using for many years. Spread across its seven locations and stretching into mainland Europe, BGL avoids the use of a ‘one size fits all’ approach, rather choosing to deliver a more site specific well-being programme. BGL’s initiatives range from on-site osteopathy and massage

treatments, subsidised yoga classes, a newly launched Cycle 2 Work scheme and nutritional advice to an optional Know Your Numbers health check that monitors cholesterol, BMI, body fat and blood glucose levels. The group’s commitment to well-being is evidenced by the ready availability of organic and healthy, locally sourced foods in its on-site restaurants. Additionally, there is free fruit available throughout the day. A whopping 587,000 individual pieces of fruit were consumed at BGL over the last 12 months! Each of BGL’s locations has a specifically tailored well-being programme. For example, employees at the Fusion contact centres benefit from an at-desk massage service. In the Netherlands, they employ a cook who comes in daily to prepare a healthy buffet lunch. The group also has a personal well-being resource centre hosted on its internal website which focuses on a ‘live well, work well, achieve more’ approach. It provides clinically validated support and guidance for a range of health topics such as exercising, stopping smoking, handling stress, drinking less caffeine and achieving a better work life balance. Cathy Lawson, well-being manager for the BGL Group, said: “BGL takes the well-being of its employees extremely seriously. We provide everyone with the relevant tools and information they require to live as healthy a life as possible.” Cathy explains the importance of growing the group’s well-being package: ‘’As a business we are committed to looking at innovative ways of developing our well-being programme. Forward thinking and delivering first class initiatives are integral across BGL, and are ever present in our approach to the health and well-being of our employees.’’

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Health & Wellness EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BE FIT, HEALTHY AND FANTASTIC

// Edited by Sandie Hurford

We’ll soon be missing out on some daylight hours but there are things you can do to stop that getting you down

BODY CLOCK MONTH: Energise your body and boost your mood The autumn season spells many changes for our internal body clock and this time of year can o en seem like we’re fighting a losing battle. Most of us sense the two key changes quite easily - the reducing amount of daylight and the drop in temperature. Our bodies need to manage the change from summer to winter time as the clocks fall back. Diminishing sunlight can lead to a lack in Vitamin D, especially in vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women. For some of us, the decrease in sunlight leads to a drop in mood and even seasonal affective disorder (SAD) on occasion. Colder and wetter weather gives cold and flu bugs the chance to thrive and an increase in windy weather can o en dry our lungs and windpipes and can generally leave us feeling a bit battered. Our hunter-gatherer history suggests certain ‘harvest’ opportunities in terms of diet and, more recently, autumn is seen as a chance to detox, so

we can o en change what we use to fuel our bodies quite significantly. So how do we link our hunter-gather past to our 21st century technology driven present? What can we do to boost our natural energy levels and to keep spirits high? Dave Gibson, sleep advisor at bedmaker and mattress supplier Warren Evans, leads a team of experts to bring you top tips, tricks and professional advice to help you manage the seasonal changes. Go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning. Keeping to a routine helps your biological clock. Taking long a ernoon naps can interfere with night-time sleep patterns. If you need a nap, don’t take longer than 30 minutes. Don’t work late, especially on computers as they emit blue light. Blue light regulates our secretion of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Exposed to blue light, we limit the production of

1 2

melatonin and we stay alert and awake. In the absence of blue light, melatonin production increases and we get sleepy. No caffeine a er 4pm for coffee drinkers. This will not only reduce stimulus to the brain but also allow you to replenish your body fluids during the evening. Coffee is a diuretic and the last thing you need is to be woken up during the night needing a ‘bio break’. Get some outside light if possible to reduce potential decrease in mood in the darker days. The decrease in natural light can have significant effect on mood, resulting in a winter depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD can o en be treated successfully by light therapy. This involves sitting in front of or beneath a light box that produces a very bright light. Try to tune into seasonal energy. Do less, start to wear warmer clothes and slow down with the commitments. Take time to look a er yourself.

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Active Fit

LOOKING FOR HAPPINESS? Reminiscing a bigger boost than chocolate A new study has revealed that anyone looking for instant happiness need simply look to their past. Of the 2,040 UK adults surveyed, an overwhelming 80% of respondents stated that they were happiest when reminiscing about old times with friends and family, with just under half (45%) agreeing that reminiscing about past times gave them a greater, more prolonged emotional boost than chocolate (17%), and even sex (38%). When asked which memory made them feel happiest, 45% of respondents cited the birth of their children, followed by a particular holiday (32%) and meeting their partner (30%). Christmas, birthdays and other celebrations took fourth place followed by wedding day memories, for just over 20% of respondents. School days, on the other hand, fared less well, coming in with 11%, and work proved least popular, with just 4% citing a job promotion as their favourite memory. The survey also revealed that looking through old photos of happy times gave people the biggest emotional li (53%), with talking to relatives and reminiscing about the past coming second (36%) and looking through photographs of parents and grandparents taking third place (25%). The research was carried out to mark the launch of lifetile, an online service which enables users to

securely build and organise the story of their life and share it, or parts of it, with the people who matter most. Richard Grant, founder of lifetile, explained: “In the past, a shoe box under the bed housed all our most precious memories and si ing through its contents provided us with a simple tangible way of reconnecting with the past, but as technology has advanced, our focus has moved to the present. “We have now reached a stage where we are so busy capturing everything the second it happens that we risk losing sight of why we are doing it – we forget to pause and look back at the unfolding story of our lives, and the things that really matter, moving instead from one status update to the next.” lifetile enables users to curate the story of their life through a user interface which employs hexagonal “tiles” to capture and store memories in various formats, including photos, videos, or other files such as Excel, Word or PDF documents. Information such as date, location and notes can be added to provide further context and reminders keep users informed of important dates. The lifetile sharing functionality means users have complete control over what tiles and memories they choose to share – as well as who

they share it with – and what they keep private. Built-in security measures provide peace of mind about the safety of user data, and each tile can also be password protected. All the memories uploaded are displayed chronologically in the user’s ‘lifeline’, which runs along the bottom of the screen. Users can slide backwards and forwards along their lifeline for an at-a-glance overview of distant or more recent memories. Grant concluded: “It was the loss of my dad which inspired me to develop lifetile. When he died, I realised that all I had le of him, apart from my memories, were a few photos. I had missed my opportunity to discuss where he grew up, what school was like, how he met my mum, and so many other questions. So I began to fill in the gaps and created a place to capture and store the things that really matter, somewhere I can build the story of my life with a view to one day handing this legacy over to my own children.” The basic service will be free to users, though a number of revenue streams currently being explored include: a lifetile app, corporate lifetile accounts, family memberships and ‘bank vault’ level security for crucial life documents (eg. wills and investments). Reminiscing about a holiday we’ve been on has been shown to boost our happiness

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// Active Fit

GIORGIO1978

You can do a half marathon Part 3

Weeks 9-12 of your easy 12-week training guide to the 21k Perkins Great Eastern Run this month. By Claire Maxted

PART 3 – YOU CAN RUN 10K, NOW DOUBLE IT It’s four weeks until the Perkins Great Eastern Run (PGER)! If you’ve been following local personal trainer Jon Sheehan’s training plans in the last two issues, you’re now ready for the final count down to Peterborough’s halfmarathon (21.1k/13miles) this month. Even if you haven’t followed the previous plans, if you can jog steadily for an hour for about 10k, Jon’s plan will take you all the way to doubling that in time for your half-marathon achievement. FUEL UP RIGHT Your muscles contain enough fuel for 60-90 minutes exercise, so practice eating 20-30g of easily digested carbohydrate (ie sugars) in the form of a sports gel or jelly babies during training to see what fuel source your body handles best and when’s best to consume it.

GET THE GADGETS While training for 10k you got a feel for chafe-free kit, now it’s time to consider using a sports watch. A heart rate and GPS watch will help you monitor your pace and effort level for longer distances.

NEVER EVER… Give up. Even if you feel like hell and start walking at 10 miles in, believe in yourself – you’ve done the training, you know can do this. Get your breath back, listen to the cheer of the crowds, lope into a steady jog and off you go.

STOP NIGGLES Always warm up, even on longer training runs or races. Try five minutes jogging, three minutes of dynamic movements like high knees, butt kicks, skipping and walking lunges. Afterwards, do a five minute walk and stretch your quads, hamstrings and calves.

HAVE MORE FUN! Make it sociable and you won’t realise you’re working out. Run with Stamford Striders on Tuesdays (group run) and Thursdays (hill session), from 7pm at Borderville sports ground. On Sundays there is a long steady run, starting at 8:30am from Bath Row. Cross train with Jon Sheehan and Vicky Player at Stamford Endowed Schools sports hall. Circuits - Mondays 7-8pm Boxercise - Thursdays 7-8pm The Weekender strength & conditioning Saturdays 8-9am. All levels welcome.

STAY MOTIVATED Sunday, October 11 is just a few weeks away, so now’s the time to prioritise your long training runs. Ask friends, family and colleagues to support you in achieving this.

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH

The secret to half marathons is… Ed Fancourt, 46, from Stamford Striders, set himself the challenge of running a half-marathon every month in 2015 and is going for a personal best of 1 hour, 32 minutes at the Perkins Great Eastern Run this month. Here are his top tips: WHY THE HALF-MARATHON? It doesn’t wipe you out like a marathon and you don’t have to run a ridiculous mileage in training that takes over your life. TYPICAL TRAINING WEEK? With Stamford Striders – Tuesdays 7-8 miles fast and Thursdays hill session, Sundays 10-11 miles Long Steady Run (LSR). Yoga and a Saturday 5k parkrun if possible, too. HALF-MARATHON HIGHLIGHTS? The amazing Isle of Mull scenery, getting a PB of 1:34:30 at Derby, and arriving late for the North Lincolnshire half and overtaking 1,000 people from the back of the field! TOP 5 TIPS 1. Don’t go off too fast! You can ride the adrenaline by running 10 seconds faster for the first mile, but let others fly past and stick to your planned pace.

TRAINING SCHEDULE 21.1K WEEK 1

Day 1: Rest or cross-train 20-30 minutes Day 2: Run 60 minutes steady Day 3: Rest or cross-train 20-30 minutes Day 4: Run 45 minutes hilly Day 5: Rest Day 6: 5k parkrun speed session Day 7: Long steady run 13k

WEEK 2

Day 1: Rest or cross-train 40 minutes Day 2: Run 60 minutes steady Day 3: Rest or cross-train 40 minutes Day 4: Run 45 minutes hilly Day 5: Rest Day 6: 5k parkrun speed session Day 7: Long steady run 16k

WEEK 3

Day 1: Rest or cross-train 45 minutes Day 2: Run 60 minutes steady Day 3: Rest or cross-train 45 minutes Day 4: Run 45 minutes steady Day 5: Rest Day 6: 5k parkrun speed session Day 7: Long steady run 19k

WEEK 4

Day 1: Rest or cross-train 20-30 minutes Day 2: Run 40 minutes steady Day 3: Rest or cross-train 20 minutes Day 4: Run 20 minutes steady Day 5: Rest Day 6: Rest Day 7: Perkins Great Eastern Run, good luck!

2. Practice eating gels on your training runs to see what you can stomach. I take a gel 10 minutes before the start, then one every 30-40 minutes in the race. 3. Hydrate well the day and morning before the race, but stop drinking an hour before the start so you don’t need it during the event. 4. Check if the water stations offer bottles or plastic cups – cups spill so I take my own if it’s a hot day. 5. Drink a protein-based recovery drink when you ﬁnish long runs and races to speed up muscle repair.

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// Active Fit

Getting strong and fit for rugby It is vital to work every area of the body in a specific way for specific positions to ensure strength and avoid injury. Max Hartman of Function Jigsaw explains WITH RUGBY UPON us and World Cup fever gripping the country, this season rugby clubs the length and breadth of Britain are expecting record levels of participation, with more newcomers than ever getting involved in the game. More people picking up sports is only ever a good thing: a fitter, healthier, happier population beckons, and if this increased number of players yields just one future international the World Cup will in my mind be a success. While increased participation is good news, with it comes the threat of widespread injury as newcomers with poor technique, a lack of game sense, and often a lack of fitness, have a significantly increased chance of injury and often suffer from longer injury times than those in

good physical condition to start with. With this considered it is important that individuals picking up the game as well as seasoned weekend warriors do what they can to reduce their chances of picking up a serious injury and keep themselves ﬁt long enough to attain their highest level of performance.

What gets injured?

In 2010 the Rugby Football Union (RFU) produced a report going back four seasons surveying all 900 professional players across 14 Premiership teams. They recorded and documented injury risk, severity of injury, and factors contributing to injury based on position and amount of playing time over the four years. Results clearly show a difference in injury

proﬁle by position, particularly between backs and forwards, and with this considered different playing positions should look to tailor conditioning programmes based on the different demands of the game for their position. While injury rates and proﬁles vary massively from elite level to grass roots, the statistics indicate what the demands of the game are for each position. For both forwards and backs the most commonly injured area of the body is the shoulder. Given the high impact nature of the game and the emphasis placed on winning the collision, the shoulders take a number of high force impacts throughout a match regardless of position. After this, forwards most commonly injure the knees, and backs most commonly injure the hamstring.

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players, and indeed any individual playing pitch based sports, focus should be put on rotational stability via strengthening of the obliques as well as ensuring that the lower back is strong and stable under signiﬁcant load.

Tailoring the training: lower body

The fact that the back line are required to make more high intensity sprint efforts throughout the game explains the hamstrings, and the high level of contact that the forwards experience may explain the incidence of knee injuries. Across the board, ankle injuries are also very common given the need for repeated high intensity changes of direction.

What to do about it

While these figures may vary at grass roots level given the lower level of intensity and reduced level of athleticism of the average player, they still show the need for position specific conditioning. One area of fitness that is essential for performance in all sports and in all positions is the core. A powerful core, strong lower back, and a balanced and stable pelvis set the foundation for good lower limb control, efficient movement, and the ability to effectively transfer force from the lower to upper limb. This all leads to decreased injury risk in areas such as the hamstrings, groin, knees and ankles, as well as the upper limb (for core training ideas see Active Magazine June edition). For rugby

Once this foundation is in place it is perhaps most crucial that lower limb training be tailored to the individual. Single leg training should be incorporated where possible with individuals playing in the forwards focussing on maximal strength and power. Single leg (unilateral) training as opposed to bilateral (double leg) training ensures that the individual must stabilise the pelvis throughout the movement instead of having both hips supported. This transfers onto the pitch in situations such as running, jumping and sidestepping which all involve single leg loading. If all training is conducted from a stable base on two feet then ultimately the strength training effect is greater, due to the more simple nature of the movement. However as soon as any instability is introduced, control of the movement is compromised and injury risk increases. With this considered, strength exercises such as Bulgarian split squats, single leg squats, single arm loaded carries, and walking or reverse lunges are all very good options to develop strength and size in the lower limb, whilst unstable surface training such as lunges and single leg holds on a Bosu ball or wobble board are also useful when looking to develop proprioception, balance, and control. For players in the backline where the emphasis during match play is focussed around high speed sprint efforts, kicking, sidestepping, and explosive changes of direction, much more thought needs to be given to explosive power and agility training. Again, a stable foundation must be laid by building the core first with particular focus on lateral stability and strength in the obliques and glutes (see last month’s Active Magazine for glute training ideas). This foundation then reduces the strain on the groin and hamstrings when changing direction, making movements quicker and more explosive, whilst also reducing injury risk by increasing movement efficiency. For all out explosiveness and power, movements based around the Olympic lifts (the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk) are excellent for training a coordinated and efficient hip, knee, and ankle extension as required during sprinting and jumping. It should be said that these are highly technical and complex movements that should only be performed when suitably trained. Supplementing these lifts with box jumps, plyometric training and sprint training begins to build a very strong and powerful athlete. Strength training should be performed as with athletes playing in the forwards, but with more focus given to the hamstrings and adductors for the sake of injury reduction. Strong hamstrings and strong groins are less likely to be injured than weak ones, so given the increased risk of playing in the backline these areas have a much greater need to be strengthened.

Tailoring the training: upper body

With regards to the upper limb and shoulder all positions on the rugby field require high levels of stability, control, and strength to protect the shoulder girdle from injury. The high impact nature of rugby puts every player at risk every time they enter a contact situation at tackle, ruck, maul, or scrum. By design the shoulder joint is massively unstable. To give us the mobility required at the shoulder joint, humans have evolved with a very shallow socket, in contrast to the very deep socket of the hip joint, which provides us with great stability at the expense of range of motion. To keep the ball centred in the socket and avoid dislocation, a group of four muscles known collectively as the rotator cuff work to stabilise the joint. Ensuring that these muscles are strong is your first step toward good shoulder health and stability. Following this and looking more globally, the strength of the rotator cuff musculature is dependant on the position of the shoulder blade (the scapula). If an individual has a posture where they tend to slump and round the shoulders then the cuff muscles are pulled into a length where they are slightly weaker, reducing their efficiency and increasing the likelihood of shoulder instability in contact. To ensure stability, athletes should look to develop mobility through the upper back and ribcage before training strength, and begin by working on the muscle groups responsible for retraction: pinching the scapula together, along with the rotator cuff muscles themselves. By training these movements and muscle groups effectively a good foundation can be put in place to then build a strong and robust upper body. As with the lower limb, upper body training should focus primarily on building strength through the shoulders, arms, and upper back. By strengthening the muscles that surround and support the scapula, more stability is given to the shoulder girdle and the shoulder joint itself and as a result reduces the chance of injury in contact. Plyometric and power training for the upper limb is also essential for improving capacity in contact situations such as the handoff and tackling with an outstretched arm. Explosive pushups, medicine ball slams, and overhead push or jerk presses are all excellent movements to develop power through the shoulder girdle and should be included in any conditioning and prehabilitation programme. Putting this training in place will by no means reduce your injury risk to zero, but by regularly exposing yourself to appropriately programmed strength training and injury reduction training you can make sure your body is in the best possible condition to cope with the demands of the game.

Information

Get rugby ﬁtness advice for your club from the expert consultants used by Leicester Tigers and Argentina. For more information on speciﬁc conditioning, contact Function Jigsaw: 0116 340 0255, @FunctionJigsaw, or info@FunctionJigsaw.co.uk

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Feature /// Great walks

Launde Abbey & Withcote Hall Immerse yourself in history, hills and tranquility on this undulating route. By Will Hetherington Photography: Will Hetherington

Difficulty rating (out of five)

You can park in the car park at Launde Abbey but I would suggest you only do so if you are planning on making some sort of contribution either as a small donation or in the coffee shop. After all places like this don’t run on thin air and it is an extraordinary place which should be preserved. From the abbey walk to the signpost on the road directly in front and turn right towards Braunston. Cross the cattle grid and take the footpath off to the right after 100 yards. Follow this path as it crosses a couple of ﬁelds and the

first of many dips on this walk. When you reach the field with Launde Park Wood on your right there should be a footpath running diagonally down the hill to the far corner, but I walked round the edge of the field to get to the corner because I could see no sign of the path through the wet plough. When you do get to the bottom corner the path heads into the trees and crosses the Chater and turns right immediately afterwards. This section of the bridleway will get very muddy in the wet winter months I would imagine. The path soon takes a sharp left and heads uphill and, while the bridleway then takes a right turn to head east, you should continue along the footpath heading north with a very deep stream bed to the left in heavy vegetation. Keep going straight until you get to the woodland at the end

Clockwise, from above

This part of west Rutland and east Leicestershire has plenty of hills; Launde Abbey now serves as a retreat, wedding venue and understated tourist attraction; the Abbey is surrounded by parkland

of the field and then take the footpath to the left. Here the path is not exactly where it is marked on the map so make sure you do get to the woodland before you turn left because the path is fenced off around the perimeter. I made this mistake and had to walk all the way back to pick up the path. From this point the path heads west past Withcote Lodge on the hilltop to the left and Cottage Farm shortly after on the right. You then cross the Braunston to Launde road and pass Avenue Farm on the right before turning north west along the avenue towards Withcote Hall. The first part of the avenue is still tree lined but they have disappeared on the second half. When you reach the cowshed at the end of the field turn left into the yard and then take the left hand footpath which leads up and over the hill. On top of this hill you should stop for a while to enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the area before continuing south to the bridge back over the Chater and then another short steep climb before heading back down to the cattle grid in front of Launde Abbey.

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TOP STAT

gustinian There was an Au e of Launde Priory on the sit ck to 1119. Abbey dating ba I ordered the When Henry VII monasteries dissolution of the granted to the priory was ll. Thomas Cromwe

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➛ START

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➛ ESSENTIAL INFORMATION Where to park At Launde Abbey, but only if you are planning on making some sort of contribution. Distance and time Three and a half miles/ an hour and a half (it’s very hilly). Highlights Launde Abbey is a stunning building in an even more impressive setting and the undulating nature of this walk means there are plenty of fine views all around. Lowlights Some parts of the bridleways could get very muddy and hard to walk on in really wet conditions. Despite crossing the Chater

twice access to the river is not that easy for dogs. Refreshments No pubs on the route but the Blue Ball and The Old Plough in neighbouring Braunston are both good. Difficulty rating Four paws. There are a lot of ups and downs on this walk and in wet conditions it’s quite difficult going. The pooch perspective There are some sheep on the way round and while you cross the Chater twice it’s not at all easy for the dog to get to the river for a drink, so not ideal on a really hot day.

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

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Feature /// Sportsman's Dinner

Il Vicolo, Stamford Will and Matt savour the authentic flavours of a new independent Italian restaurant Will Well this is a very pleasant place – there are more than enough other diners to create that buzz which is so important to a good meal out. For me eating in an empty restaurant pretty much deﬁes the point of going out. Matt I agree. It’s so important to have that atmosphere and ﬁrst impressions are really important. I certainly haven’t got any complaints on that score here. Cheyne Lane is right in the middle of Stamford so you get that sense of enjoying being in the heart of town, but it’s also quite laid back and almost cosy.

Will If you think I’m grumpy when I’m hungry wait till you see me in a queue at the bar. But never mind that, my special starter of scallops in a white wine sauce was pure pleasure on a plate. I can see why this restaurant is already so highly rated. Mido has run restaurants in Leicester, Melton Mowbray and Oakham but always wanted to open one in Stamford.

Will The restaurant has only been here for three months but it’s already made a big impression. The boss Mido and his team seem to be enjoying their work, which is another key element for a good experience. Miserable and monosyllabic waiters do not make for an enjoyable evening.

Matt It’s a very welcome addition. Of course there are all the chain pizza and pasta places in town already, but apart from Cloisters on St. Mary’s Street there aren’t any other independent Italian restaurants in Stamford. And I can’t quite imagine any of the chain restaurants delivering a main course like those gamberoni, which were very much like scaled down lobster with all of the same subtle tastiness. I was expecting smaller king prawn-like shells but that really was something else.

Matt Exactly. But then you can be pretty miserable and monosyllabic sometimes, particularly when you’re hungry, so perhaps you shouldn’t be so critical. But on the topic of hunger I am ready to eat tonight, so that carpaccio di manzio (£8.20) was a very welcome and ample starter. Finely sliced ﬁllet beef with olive oil, lemon juice, rocket and parmesan – take me to Tuscany!

Will That looked and tasted superb (thanks for sharing Matt) but while my giant ravioli (£12.95) may have lacked the visual impact of your dish I still loved every mouthful. Ravioloni are large ravioli and these were ﬁlled with salmon in a sauce of shallots, brandy, tomato, cream and pink peppercorns. I could eat it all again. And this house red montepulciano (£16.99) is working

well with the food. Although perhaps you would have preferred a white with your seafood sir? Matt Trust me I am very happy with the red wine and, like you, I could have eaten my main course again, so I’m happy to get stuck into the desserts too. And the flavours in the tiramisu were unbelievable. You can tell everything here is made fresh and with real passion. Will My profiteroles were excellent too – light and full of flavour, as well as being an ample portion. It would have been rude not to sit back and enjoy the coffee liqueur too. It’s 28 per cent alcohol so not too clever if you are driving (which we aren’t tonight) but a lovely way to finish the meal. I reckon there are nearly 30 people enjoying dinner in here tonight which isn’t bad for a Wednesday in September after the Burghley Horse Trials have been and gone. I suppose word is spreading quickly and I can’t wait to come back to try some of the other dishes, particularly that rack of lamb…

Il Vicolo Cheyne Lane, Stamford, PE9 2AX. 01780 480048. www.ilvicolostamford.co.uk

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Feature /// School sports

CCF shooting success for Stamford During the summer holidays the Stamford Endowed Schools CCF shooting team entered the National Schools Imperial Meeting at Bisley Camp. Some 43 teams and 514 cadets took part in the competition. The SES team entered eight events, finishing first in the Bermuda Cup, and coming in as runners up in the Northern Shield. Team members also performed well in the individual competitions, the highlight being Charlie Smith who shot a maximum 35 with 4V Bulls in the IVEAGH, a competition shot at 500 metres, coming joint first with two boys from the Oratory School, but placed third on the count back of V Bulls. However, in a shoot off between the three boys Charlie came second. He won the NRA Bronze Medal, and also ended up in the top 100 cadets for all competitions. Head of the shooting team, Steve Denham MBE, said: “I would like to send my thanks to all the shooting team and Mrs Johnson for giving up their time and holidays throughout the year to represent the school, and believe that we now have the foundation of a young team who can go on to winning more competitions.”

Maddie represents England at hockey Oakham’s hockey players have had an incredibly successful summer, boasting call-ups for national and international squads. Sixth form hockey star Maddie Pearce has had a busy international summer playing in the 6 Nations Hockey tournament for England U16 in Breda, Germany. She has also been selected for Beeston HC ﬁrst team, who play in the National Conference North League. Maddie is set to make her debut on Saturday against Ben Rhydding. Lucas Ward has also had a busy international summer playing in the 6 Nations tournament, where he was captain of the England U16 boys. Lucas has also been selected for the Great Britain U23 Development squad, a squad that has been picked in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Old Oakhamian Crista Cullen, who spent time coaching Oakham’s senior hockey squads on their tour in Belgium and Holland over the summer, recently came out of international retirement. She joins the full Great Britain squad in October as she hopes to be selected for the 2016 Rio Olympics. More recent leavers have also had their fair share of success, with Paul Spies and Monty Jefferson signing for the world-renowned Rotterdam HC (who play in Holland’s top league) and Reading HC (who play in the National Premier League) respectively. Additionally, Caitlin Jeffries is currently playing for Clifton Ladies HC, who are hoping to win the National Premier League this year. Pictured right: Crista Cullen with Maddie Pearce

Harry wins Sturgess Volvo trophy at Greetham Valley The annual Sturgess Volvo trophy at Greetham Valley, played on the Lakes course, was won by junior Harry Sargood who shot a nett 66. The later starters were rewarded with warm sunny conditions and only a light breeze. In a field of over 120, scores varied but were tight at the head of the field. Paul Clegg, playing off five, hit a gross 74 which included 10 pars and four birdies but was relegated to third place by virtue of two loose holes which dented his round. Junior Tom Haynes, playing off 12, also scored a nett 69 , but took second place on countback. Harry had had his handicap reduced to 21 the day prior to the event and yet still won. He said he was very pleased with the consistency of his play on the day, particularly with achieving a birdie on the short 14th and felt that the summer’s practice was beginning to pay off. His handicap was cut further to 19. 5 6 OCTOBER 2015 ///

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Stowe Putter success At the end of the summer holidays Will Chandler from Witham Hall took part in The Stowe Putter, which is an 18-hole event played in the stunning grounds of Stowe School. It is essentially a national prep schools competition for junior golfers from all over the UK – this year 19 different schools were represented. In all there were around 70 boys and girls in the event with ages ranging from 9 to 13. Everyone from novices to experienced low handicappers take part, all battling for the Junior Jigger (Under 11), the overall event, the Stowe Putter, as well as separate competitions for each year group. As usual, the standard was excellent, with the winner effectively scoring a one over par on what is a challenging set-up with very fast greens and treacherous pin positions. Will came joint second in the under 13s but third after a countback over the back nine.

Could you be eligible for a scholarship? For information and sport scholarship opportunities for 13+ and 16+ entry call 01572 758758 admissions@oakham.rutland.sch.uk

Matt gets England call Oakham sport scholar Matt Riddington has been selected to join the England Rugby North U18 training group. His ﬁrst training session was at the end of last month, which gave him the opportunity to not only be coached but also ‘seen’ by key inﬂuencers John Fletcher and Peter Walton. Matt has been selected to participate in the training group following his performances in the Leicester Tigers Academy U18 Festival, which took place in August. He competed alongside his Oakham team-mate, Alex Worth.

Oakham is a great co-educational boarding and day school for 10-18 year olds offering A Levels and the IB

www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk

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Feature /// Burghley

In a thrilling finale played out under glorious blue skies, Germany’s Michael Jung and his superstar partner, La Biosthetique Sam FBW, took the Land Rover Burghley title, and in doing so became the first German combination to have their names inscribed in this famous history book. The reigning Olympic and European Champion could not afford a single mistake in the final phase as the rider before him, Tim Price, had piled on the pressure by jumping an immaculate clear. But Sam, now 16 and undisputedly the best event horse of the modern era, gave every fence feet to spare. The grin on his rider’s face, together with the accompanying air-pump as he crossed the finish line, told the story. “To win Burghley is very special,” confirmed Michael, who had an eventful weekend having fallen from his other ride, Fischerrocana FST, on the cross-country and had, in fact, broken his ankle. He only found out after the event. “I am lucky that I have two horses that have finished safe. Sam gave me a very good feeling warming up for the show jumping; he felt powerful and he was very concentrated. He is like a good friend to me; I have learnt a lot from him and hopefully he has learnt a little from me.” New Zealander Tim Price, who also finished second behind Michael at Kentucky CCI4* earlier this year on his other horse, Wesko, had to settle for second place again with Varenna Allen and his own Ringwood Sky Boy. “The horse has been improving in every way, so I knew I could be up there in the dressage and hoped I’d stay there after the cross-country, but to still be in this position today is very exciting,” he said. “Ringwood Sky Boy is not natural in the show jumping, but he tries very hard and he is learning to be careful at the right times.” Tim’s wife, Jonelle, whose fast cross-country round yesterday with Trisha Rickard’s Classic Moet was many peoples’ performance of the day, dropped one rail to slide from third to fifth. Nevertheless it was a memorable Land Rover Burghley for the Antipodeans – second to sixth places were all claimed by riders from the southern hemisphere. Australia’s Christopher Burton delivered two masterful performances on his rides, TS Jamaimo, owned by Richard Ames, Alan Bell and Russ Withers, and Haruzac, owned by Alan Skinner, to finish third and fourth. With the former he was the only rider to finish on his dressage score. “I’m delighted with both horses. In 2004 as a young rider I flew a horse here from Australia, but we only got as far as fence 3,” he smiled. Yesterday was the first time I’d seen the finish flags,” he said. Sir Mark Todd completed the domination from Down Under by coming sixth on Diane Brunsden and Peter Cattell’s Leonidas II. In seventh was Frenchman Cydric Lyard (Cadeau Du Roi). Tina Cook was the best-placed British rider in eighth place with Jim Chromiak, Shaun Lawson, Bridget Biddlecombe and Mr & Mrs Embricos’ smart 10-year-old Star Witness, while William Fox-Pitt finished just behind ninth-placed Australian Sam Griffiths (Paulank Brockagh) in tenth with Carol Gee and Catherine Witt’s four-star first-timer Fernhill Pimms.

NICO MORGAN

Michael Jung wins Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

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

Rugby

College endure frustrating start to the season BY JEREMY BESWICK

tamford College Old Boys have had a frustrating start to the season. Often the whipping boys for the last few years in terms of results, they have nevertheless always been highly respected for their ‘never say die’ attitude and sportsmanship, so it’s high time for them to have their place in the sun. They’re nearly there but - not quite. Captain John Hickman told me: “The early results have been disappointing. After a good win in our pre-season friendly against Aylestone Athletic we lost about seven players to holidays and other commitments and yet we dominated territory and possession in our second match against Brackley, only to go into the break level at 7-7. “Three or four of their tries in the second half were down to us spilling balls in our own 22 and even the referee said he didn’t know how we ended up losing by so many. We had so many chances to score but dropped the ball or contrived to misplace a pass at the last moment.”

However, I’m sure this will turn out to be one of college’s best seasons for some time as recruitment has been strong in the close season. Strong but not complete. John told me they’re still in the market for more players, particularly in the front row and a centre, He continued “We’re playing some good rugby but we’re putting pressure on ourselves with silly mistakes. Until some of the guys went off on holiday the turnout for training had been great and we’ll come good when they get back. Until then lots of us are playing out of position which is always tricky. Overall I’m optimistic we can ﬁnish in a much stronger league position this season and, after reaching two cup ﬁnals in the last two seasons we’ll hope for a run in those too.” Stoneygate’s division has been re-organised and they’re now part of the newly formed Leicestershire Merit Leagues. Captain Cillian Brugha knows they’ll “face some very competitive teams over the course of the season” as a result, but the stronger set up should mean that they get more regular rugby,

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a number of sides having conceded matches last term. They travelled to Coalville for the opening fixture of the season to play their seconds and it was a good early sighting of the type of opposition that awaits them. Cillian told me “We boasted some new faces following a good recruitment drive over the summer and it was great to see some young lads pulling on the famous Red and White stripes for the first time”. The game started with Gate using the wind to good effect and they looked the stronger of the two teams with driving mauls from the line out gaining ground and yielding their first try from Henry Bridgwood. Coalville fought back with two scores of their own before a fine individual try from Jack Storry and a second from Bridgwood saw them go into the break 22-12 up, although Cillian conceded “The scoreline didn’t do the home side justice as the first-half had been very evenly matched all across the park.” Gate were the first to score in the second

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Right

The Rugby World Cup visited Burghley House as part of the build up to the event

half, somewhat against the run of play, and Coalville fought hard for the rest of the match, dominating possession and scoring two tries. The last ten minutes were conducted almost entirely in Gate’s 22 but dogged defence – “Tom Cox and Tom Charnley were superb” according to Brugha – saw them home by 29-24. Those of you with long(ish) memories will recall how the return of David Laventure and Matt Albinson to coach Stamford Town at the end of last season had a dramatic effect and resulted in a most unlikely, yet glorious, escape from relegation. Well, the dream team’s magic continues to sprinkle its fairy dust and, including two pre-season friendlies, they’ve a record so far this year of played four, won four. Albinson told me “To beat Spalding 27-12 in our ﬁrst competitive ﬁxture was special as we haven’t beaten them for a decade or so and then to beat Bakewell – who we’ve we’ve only played four times and lost three of them – and to come out with a 51-21 win was also quite something. What’s exciting is we

haven’t yet been able to field our strongest side with four or five first team shoo-ins unavailable which just shows the strength in depth of the squad.” Spalding were in Division 1 last season and therefore a stiff test. They certainly gave Stamford’s defence a thorough examination, particularly in the third quarter of the match, and it is to their credit that they - largely stood firm. Captain Austin Schwarz put their resolve down to hard work in training over the summer, which will come as no surprise to those of you who read our article about pre-season training in our last edition. Although it’s still obviously early days, all the signs are good, even if Albinson is managing expectations. “In terms of our aspirations for the season I’ve set no specific targets. By the end of September we’ll know where we are”. Even he, however, couldn’t resist a hint of bullishness. “The squad we’ve got now is the strongest I’ve known here for twenty years”. Watch this space for news of great things in the months to come.

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Oakham lost 40-33 on the opening day at Market Harborough but this early setback must be viewed through the prism of a depleted backs division and a further injury to Tom Armstrong during the match. After going in 28-3 down at the break they played with verve and spirit, despite having to field forwards in back positions, to pull things back to 28-22. Indeed they nearly took the lead as James Padley was held up right on the try line. That was to prove the high point however as Oaks’ legs tired and Harborough finished the stronger. Director of Rugby Andy Williamson said in his match report “Market Harborough nominated Callum Crellin as Oakham’s man of the match - who had his best game in an Oakham shirt - aided by George Reid, James Beanland and James Padley. Coach Tim Andrews was impressed with the fightback shown by the team in the second half “. With many of our local sides in resurgent mood, it’s all set up for what looks to be a fascinating season ahead.

New classes starting in November

across Leicestershire and Rutland

16/07/2014 09:22

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Roundup

Football

Daniels put the brakes on Leamington’s cup dream BY DEAN CORNISH

here are plenty of people who put their noses in the air when you recommend they go and watch some local non-league football, but whilst the quality may not be as high as the Premier League, the amount of drama, and certainly number of goals, means I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed. It’s been another mixed month for the Stamford Daniels but few will forget the drama that was served up at the Zeeco stadium during the recent FA Cup ﬁrst qualifying replay against Leamington Spa. It was a tough draw for the ﬁrst stop on the ‘Road to Wembley’, with the draw pitting Stamford against a side at the top end of the Southern Premier Division, about as tough as it gets in this round. After a 1-1 draw away at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium, David Staff’s men brought them back to the Zeeco on September 15. Stamford raced into the lead thanks to a deft goal from Nathan Hicks in the fourth minute. After that, there was some relentless pressure

from the visitors who finally sent their travelling army into bedlam when they equalised in the 85th minute. Most Daniels fans feared the worst, and their fears looked to be realised when in the final moments of the game, Lewis Carr gave away a penalty and was rightly sent off for a challenge on substitute James Fry. Thankfully, highly rated ‘keeper Richard Knight saved the spot kick before a couple of minutes later Ryan Robbins crossed to Greg Smith who majestically rose and nodded in the winner deep into injury time. The Daniels now travel to Midlands Premier side, Coleshill Town in the second qualifying round. It’s a very winnable game and victory there will put the Daniels just two games from the first round proper. Elsewhere in the FA Cup, it was also a very memorable night at Outgang Road with Deeping Rangers FC beating Leek Town 4-2 in an early round giant-killing. Rangers will now play AFC Rushden & Diamonds in a money spinning tie in the next round.

who we are

In the Evo Stik league meanwhile, it’s been raining goals at the Daniels. They’ve scored an incredible 21 in seven games, and are the league’s second highest goal scorers. Unfortunately, they’ve also conceded 25 goals (the league’s leakiest defence) and they sit third from bottom in the league. There has been some improvement since last month’s Active round up, with two away wins bringing some cheer. Staff’s men won 3-1 at Halesowen Town and 5-3 at Whitby Town; Greg Smith scoring in both to continue his good start to the season with ﬁve league goals. September has so far not been as kind, with Staff’s side reverting to type by losing their next two games against Blyth (4-3) and Buxton (2-4). In the last update, I predicted Stamford would be relegated, but I’m slightly more positive now. The Daniels can obviously score goals, and with Richard Jones now back at the heart of defence, and Richard Knight getting rave reviews in goal, maybe they can shore it up defensively too. Either way, it’s going to be another rocky season.

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GEOFF ATTON

Above

Stamford beat Leamington 2-1 in the Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round replay. Following a Richard Knight penalty save in the 93rd minute, Gregg Smith went on to secure the win with a 95th minute goal

Meanwhile, in the United Counties League, Oakham United could now rightly lay claim to being the region’s second top football side. After promotion to Division One last season, Wayne Oldaker’s men are now riding high in the league after picking up 15 points in their opening eight games at the higher level, having picked up recent good wins away at Rothwell Corinthians, Bugbrooke St Michaels and Burton Park Wanderers. Oakham will want to make sure they keep hold of Lewis Leckie though, who has been the league’s hotshot recently with 10 goals in 10 games. The only recent blot was a crushing 5-2 FA Vase defeat away at Northern Counties East side Shirebrook Town. As for Blackstones, their form is a lot better than last season, and early signs are that they won’t struggle against the drop like they did last year. They’re currently 14th in the 20 team division, but having played a game less than

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most others, and only having been defeated once (against Peterborough Sports), it looks like a top half finish is more than possible for Phil Gadsby’s team. As well as positive form in the league, Stones also progressed in the FA Vase recently with a 3-2 win away at Thetford Town. In the Peterborough League Premier Division, Ketton FC started their new season in top flight really well, but it seems the wheels have fallen off since their 8-1 smashing of Uppingham Town in mid-August. Since that superb win, Ketton have lost five on the bounce including a 9-0 reverse away at Deeping Rangers reserves. Ketton are still two places ahead of Uppingham Town though, with the Rutlanders shipping even more goals than Stamford. Richard Kendrick’s side have suffered huge defeats against Deeping Rangers Reserves (7-1), Peterborough Sports

Reserves (6-0) and Holbeach United Reserves (4-0). The only bright spot has been a 1-1 draw away at high ﬂying Netherton. In Division One, it’s the Stamford Lions who lead the pack after a cracking start for James Sheehan’s side under their new name and in their new home behind the Zeeco stadium. Having won six of their seven games, promotion will certainly be the aim. The Stamford Bels, meanwhile, are fourth bottom in the league after promotion last year. Apart from a 3-1 away win at Peterborough ICA Sports, it’s been a tough period for the Bels with heavy defeats at home against Oundle Town (4-1) and Wisbech Town Reserves in the local cup. The Bels reserves though have had a good start, picking up seven points from their opening four games under the watchful eye of Iain Evans. A top-six ﬁnish in Division 4 is the aim for Evans’ side.

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17/09/2015 15:51

Roundup

Cricket

Uppingham Town are Kings of the Castle BY JEREMY BESWICK

hat a season it’s been for Uppingham Town. The Kings of Castle Hill are celebrating two achievements as the side goes up and Martin Bennett’s Sunday team are crowned Rutland League champions for the first time since 1987. It’s another consecutive elevation for the Saturday side, which means they reach the dizzy heights of the first division. Their losing draw last month at Oakham due to the heroics of Calvin Flowers had meant that three sides were in contention for the second promotion slot behind Sileby in the closing weeks – Oakham and Ibstock being the other contenders, but a nine-wicket victory over relegated Ashby and a final day winning draw at Shepshed meant they were not to be denied. Their form in the second half of the season was outstanding and included victories over both Sileby and Ibstock. Oakham’s final game was against those contenders at Ibstock, which may have caused

some angst in the Uppingham dressing room as Ibstock could have overhauled Uppingham had they lost - and Oakham by then had little to play for. Ibstock did emerge triumphant but Oaks captain Richard Martin said: “We knew Uppingham wouldn’t lose so we made sure those who’d travelled a long way got a bat.” Martin was in a good position to judge the relative merits of Uppingham and Shepshed, having played the latter in the previous fixture and won easily, Ben Southern returning figures of 4-26 and Cameron Flowers taking three wickets in three overs. The total of 122 was reached with plenty to spare. Oaks, who were promoted to the second division last year, finished a creditable fourth and will be looking to go one better next year. The batting line-up is possibly the best in the division – Cameron Flowers topping their averages with 57 and five others in the forties - but the addition of a strike bowler is the most obvious improvement they need. Whatever happens in the close season, they’ll be there or thereabouts next time around. Graham

Cooper’s second team will be keeping them on their toes having been promoted, and Toby “Womble” Robertson’s Rutland XI finished just below mid-table in Division 2. The champagne corks will also be popping at Uffington who are promoted to Rutland League Division Two for the first time in their history, a fantastic achievement that proves traditional village cricket is alive and kicking, especially as they are now fielding two sides. Stamford Town finished a creditable third in Division One of the Huntingdonshire League, Andrew Hulme topping the batting averages with 47 including one monster 217 not out. Fellow batsman Ben Peck will have the best memory to keep him warm over the winter months however, the last ball of the season that he faced was the one that brought up his maiden century. Finally, Rob Vitas’s Ketton pulled off a coup by landing the services of Scottish international Henry Munsey for the rest of the season. Munsey has been signed by Northants for next year.

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20/09/2015 11:10

Roundup

Equestrianism

Local riders enjoy success with Team GB squads BY JULIA DUNGWORTH

Robert Duffin Hedgelaying. Fencing. Groundwork. Demolition. Clearance. Concreting. Ditching. Decking. Menages. Fully insured 07834 243966 01572 787632 rob_duffin@hotmail.com www.robduffin.com

Adam Fanthorpe

wo up and coming names who had success this season on the event circuit with Team GB squads are Alex Tordoff and Sophie Beaty, whom are ambassadors for equestrian brand Noble Outﬁtters. Alex from Tilton-on the-Hill rose through the ranks of the local Cottesmore branch of the Pony Club. This year Alex was Reserve British Junior Champion and was selected to represent Great Britain in the Junior European squad in Poland in August. He was one of only eight competitors who went clear inside the time, eventually being best placed British competitor, narrowly missing out on a medal ﬁnishing in fourth place. He will be moving up to the Young Riders squad next year, leaving him three years to aim for a place on the team, which is his ultimate aim. If this is not enough of a challenge, Alex also plans to set up his own yard in 2016. Sophie Beaty works from her yard in Northamptonshire, and similar to Alex her passion for riding came from family life and being an active Pony Club member. Sophie has just topped off her season with an Individual Silver Medal at the Young Rider

Above

Alex Tordoff and Sophie Beaty in action

Europeans also in Poland as part of the Young Riders Team riding Stanly. Sophie’s highlights from this season also included fourth place in the National Championships and 11th in the Under 25 CCI3* on Pink Gin, which was also her ﬁrst ever CCI3*. Next season Sophie will be aiming for young rider team again as well as more three star experience and then hopefully her ﬁrst time at Burghley Horse Trials on Pink Gin! JumpCross joined forces with the Wittering Academy Riding Club for the inaugural running of a One Day Event. The JumpCross

element replaced the usual cross country, using three water crossings and a run down the stream, along with one joker incorporated in the course. It was an ideal way for riders to do an ODE with the majority stating that it was their first attempt at one. There were five different classes with the Senior and Junior Intro being the most popular. Michelle Buckerfield riding Buddy topped the 25 strong section with over 30 penalties between her and Claire Worrall who was second. Kloe Davis on Chesters Blue won the junior section.

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Champion powerlifter Aisling Peberdy is representing Britain in this most demanding of sports. By Jeremy Beswick Photography: Pip Warters I’LL ADMIT TO SOME trepidation at the prospect of meeting Aisling Peberdy. I get the feeling that she could be about to seriously embarrass me, because as holder of the under-23 Women’s British Powerlifting title in the 67.5 kilo category, I fear I am about to be comprehensively outmuscled. 17/09/2015 As any man22:20 will know, we all like to hope we hold superhuman strength in reserve, but the thought of me huffing and puffing in vain while a young woman in her early 20s snaps all manner of heavy metal above her head sits awkwardly on my already fragile ego. We meet at the gym in Stamford, where you might also bump into Olympian shot putter and former World’s Strongest Man, Geoff Capes. It’s a friendly place with a vibrant atmosphere and loud motivational music rocking the equipment. I am more confident on meeting her though,

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Open Days Saturday 3rd October 10am-2pm Stamford School Boys 11-18 St Paul’s Street, Stamford PE9 2BQ

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