Beekeeping is an ancient art We have exciting Will’s Walks Book news! Manage your life: mortgage minefields We try our hand at rowing
ISSUE 107 | OCTOBER 2021
! E E R F
Out and about in Oundle Discover more about this beautiful town
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E DI TO R ’ S L E T T E R Editor and Publisher Mary Bremner mary@theactivemag.com Deputy editor Kate Maxim kate@theactivemag.com Art editor Matt Tarrant Contributors Will Hetherington, Jeremy Smithson-Beswick, Simon Dolby Front cover image Simon Dolby Advertisement Sales Director Lisa Chauhan lisa@theactivemag.com Production assistant Gary Curtis Accounts accounts@theactivemag.com Active magazine, Eventus Business Centre, Sunderland Road, Northfield Industrial Estate, Market Deeping, PE6 8FD If you have information about a club then please get in touch by emailing editor@theactivemag.com. If you would like to stock Active magazine please email distribution@theactivemag.com. Active magazine is published monthly 12 times per year. ISSN 2059-8513 Published by Triangle Publishing Ltd Printed by Warner’s of Bourne
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Copyright (c) Triangle Publishing Ltd (TPL) 2019. 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 TPL. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of TPL or its a liates. isclaimer 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, TPL and its a liates 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. TPL and its a liates 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.
‘Other very exciting news this month is that we are working on volume 2 of Will’s Walks.’ I FIRST CAME across Oundle when I was at school in the west country as it was one of those places that came up with strange name pronunciations. Since living in the area I’ve visited it a few times but have got to know it much better in the last few years. It really is a lovely town with lots going on. Fabulous architecture, beautiful buildings, great independent businesses and, of course, Oundle School. I have decided that when I grow up I’m going to be the head of Oundle; not for any altruistic reason or a calling to teach, I just want to live in the fabulous house that every head gets to live in; Cobthorne on West Street. I have been coveting that house since I first visited Oundle and if the only way to get to live in it is to be the head of the school, so be it! But until my dream comes true and I move in we have concentrated on the town this month; finding out more about its history, visiting many of the local independents and enjoying coffee in a few of the coffee shops. Oundle really is a town that’s worth visiting, more than once. I’m a fan and so is artist Simon Dolby who has kindly let us use his artwork throughout the feature. Other very exciting news this month is that we are working on volume 2 of Will’s Walks. When we published the first book in October 2020 we had no idea it would be so popular, so thank you. And many of you have asked for a second book. So Will has donned his boots and got his map out to find us 21 more walks around Stamford and utland and we can’t wait for you to be able to enjoy them. Volume 2 will be out on October 27th, perfect for a few crisp autumnal walks. You can either buy it online from our website www.theactivemag.com or locally from many shops including Walker’s in Stamford and Oakham. njoy the issue including finding out more about beekeeping and mortgages. Now I’m off to book the removal men. Mary - Editor FIND US ONLINE
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October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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I S S U E 107 / OCTO B E R 2021
Contents
ACTIVE LIFE 11 WILL’S WALKS, VOLUME 2 Our next walking book is out later this month
13 WELLAND VALLEY WANDER They’ve been out in their classic cars enjoying the scenery
13
18 THE OW IN OUNDLE
Out and about in Oundle
27 INTERVIEW
Artist Simon Dolby shows Oundle in all its glory
18
30 FOOD OF THE GODS
Beekeeping for beginners
30
SERIES
36 MANAGE YOUR LIFE
How to negotiate your way around the mortgage minefield
ACTIVE BODY 49 THE BREATHING REVOLUTION Author Yolanda Barker explains more about breathing
ACTIVE KIDS 51 SCHOOL NEWS
ACTIVE SPORT 55 OUNDLE ROWING CLUB
Kate tries her hand at rowing
56 THE ROUNDUP
The Active men triumph
55 October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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BESPOKE MORTGAGE ADVICE
BUYING A HOME IS AN EXCITING PROSPECT
You may already have an idea in your head about how it will go, from finding a mortgage to picking up the keys. Of course, when you buy a house, there are a lot of things to think about. Solicitors. Surveys. Removals. And, of course, your mortgage. If you want the purchase to be hassle-free, it’s important to work
with someone you know you can trust. This can make the process faster, easier, and less stressful. When you work with us, you can be confident that you’re getting the right mortgage deal for you. Whatever your situation is, we’ll be there to help you every step of the way. If you want to take the stress out of buying a property, please contact Oundle & Stamford Mortgage Services to find out how we can help you.
01832 272 653 info@oundleandstamfordmortgages.com www.oundleandstamfordmortgages.com
Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
ActiveLife Out and about in Oundle | Will’s Walks, volume 2 is coming soon! Manage your life; mortgage minefields | The Welland Valley wander E D I T E D B Y M A RY B R E M N E R
Food of the gods; learn more about beekeeping p30
October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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Active life
Fika opens in Stamford Tia Naneva and Ivo Nanev are opening the second branch of their café Fika on Stamford High Street on October 11. Open seven days a week from 8am to 4.30pm they hope the residents of Stamford will enjoy their scandi-in uenced brunch caf as much as the residents of Oakham, Mill Street have over recent years. www.fikacafe.co.uk
Well done Gerry! Ninety-five-year old, highly decorated war hero erry Wells from North Luffenham has raised money for the Soldiers’ Charity by completing a walking challenge. He walked 5km half way across the dam at Rutland Water starting at Edith Weston, and back again. Gerry served in the Sherwood Rangers between 1943 and 1947 and is now the only surviving member of his tank crew. He was determined to walk in their memory and raise much needed funds for the charity. Gerry who has limited vision and uses a mobility aid built up to the 5km slowly and was accompanied at all times by his friend Bob Cruikshanks. If you would like to donate to Gerry’s cause please go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gerry-wells-walk-forsoldiers
Readers’ challenges Active unites people Some of you may remember our article in the June issue about Dr Phil Harrison who had overcome a massive stroke and got back, after much hard work, to competitive cycling. He formed Team Cognitive and was looking for sponsors and collaborations which we mentioned in the piece. Well, keen reader Mike Copas of Aspire2 Mobility in Oakham read the article and got in touch with Phil. Mike and Phil are now working together to reach other members of the community who have suffered life changing experiences to help ensure they can find freedom and independence again. ‘Thanks to Active magazine we have started working together, so thank you,’ says Phil. www.aspire2.co.uk
A team of hardy athletes from Welland Valley Triathlon Club swam the length of Lake Windermere recently and raised more than £9,000 for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance. They swam a total of 10.5 miles which took them between six and eight hours. The 19 swimmers were meant to do this is in 2020 but we all know what happened then. They managed to keep training through lockdowns by swimming in lakes and rivers and it stood them in good stead. Split into pods the swimmers had to eat and drink whilst in the lake, which is over 66 metres deep in places. Well done!
TAKING ON A CHALLENGE?
If you have a challenge coming up which you are training hard for, be it walking, running, hopping or knitting we want to hear from you so we can feature you every month. Get in touch with mary@theactivemag.com
October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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What’s on...
Great things to see and do in the region WELLAND VALLEY ART Society’s autumn exhibition is back after an 18-month break. The exhibition will be held at Stamford’s Art Centre between October 4-16 from 10-5pm; entry is free. The society, established in 1945, has approximately 200 members and usually exhibits twice a year. www.wellandvalleyartssociety.co.uk
Many of us enjoyed Classic Ibiza this summer at Burghley House and it’s set to return in 2022. Tickets are now on sale to enjoy the Urban Soul Orchestra and live vocalists again at Burghley on Saturday July 30 2022. Get those dancing shoes on! Tickets cost £45 and are available from www.classicibiza.co.uk The Harborough Singers are holding their first concert since restrictions lifted at Lyddington on October 30. The group, who have been meeting virtually on Zoom have since been holding ‘live’ rehearsals in a barn. Entitled Music for the Soul the concert will be held in St Andrew’s church in the centre of Lyddington. Tickets are £12 from The Old White Hart or visit www.harboroughsingers. com or wegottickets.com. It’s Halloween this month so a pumpkin is a must. Ketton Pumpkins are opening their doors on October 9 where you can PYO and prices start from £2. www.kettonpumpkins.co.uk
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Active life
Will’s Walks volume 2; coming to a shop near you! Last year when we published the book Will’s Walks, 21 rambles around Stamford and Rutland we had no idea it would be so popular; so popular that we had to do a second print run!
N
OW WILL HAS got his walking boots on and found another 21 walks for us. The second volume will be published on October 27 and can be ordered online at www.theactivemag.com or bought locally in many shops including Walker’s Stamford and Oakham branches. Will gives us an idea what to expect: ‘Welcome to the land of the thatched roof and the cosy pub. When it comes to choosing a suitable spwot for a weekend stroll we are in clover around Stamford and Rutland. There’s an abundance of charming villages, like Barrowden, Braunston and Exton. They are packed with beautiful country cottages, fine old churches and plenty of decent pubs. If you are after duck ponds, windmills, viaducts, wide-open valleys, sweeping views, bridges galore or just some good old-fashioned fresh air, this guide will help you unlock and explore some of the best routes in the area.
“Gurgling waterways like the Gwash, Chater and Welland have helped to carve out this undulating landscape over the millennia, and today they add extra sparkle to any rural ramble around here. In these 21 routes we cover more than 40 settlements, including the market towns of Stamford, Oakham and Uppingham, with the odd stately home thrown in for good measure, so you will be truly spoilt for choice.’ Will’s Walks Volume 1 is still available in all good local book shops and online at theactivemag.com
October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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Active life
The Welland Valley Wander – a scenic tour for Vintage and Classic cars - took place in mid August with 80 cars taking part.
T
HEY STARTED THE 110 mile route at Kilworth House open-air theatre’s Staging Post log cabin. From there the route went into North Northamptonshire, via Stanford Hall and Naseby civil war memorial and the Triangular Lodge at Rushton before turning east on the Leicestershire/Northants border. The tour stopped for a picnic lunch at Boughton House, Geddington. The afternoon section ventured further east to Oundle, Apethorpe and ing’s Cliffe before the customary visit into Rutland to travel under the 82 arches of the Welland iaduct. The event finished at Leicester Airport near Stoughton where the ying club put on an impromptu ying display for the finishers. The event was once again raising money for LOROS: the Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice, and this year’s contribution helped the total amount exceed £30,000.
Image: Chris Glasby
Image: Dave Cram
Image: Dave Cram
Welland wandering
October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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Active life
RECIPE
Pumpkin, spinach, fennel and Taleggio galette This tart really offers a taste of autumn and is delicious too. Ideal for a Halloween supper INGREDIENTS
METHOD
• 650g pumpkin or 1 small squash • 5 tbsp olive oil • 1/2 tsp nutmeg • 1 fennel bulb • Juice of half a lemon • 1/2 tsp toasted, crushed fennel seeds • 500g spinach • 15g butter • 1 crushed garlic clove • 200g Taleggio cheese (Brie can be an alternative) 375g puff pastry
• Heat the oven to 190 degrees. Peel the pumpkin, deseed and chop into smallish squares. Put in a roasting tin and cover with half the olive oil and nutmeg and toss. Roast for 30 minutes until tender and slightly caramelised. • Prepare the fennel bulbs by halving and cutting into thick wedges. Toss in the lemon juice to stop them discolouring. Toss in the remainder of the olive oil and add the fennel seeds. Spread in a single layer in a roasting tin and cover with foil. Roast at the same time as the
pumpkin for 20 minutes until tender. • Wilt spinach in boiling water then squeeze excess water out once cooled. Chop roughly and season. Melt the butter then uickly fry the spinach with the garlic for about 3 minutes. Set to one side. • Roll out the pastry to a 30x40 cm rectangle. Create a border by running a knife all the way round 2cm from the edge. Pierce the rest of the pastry with a fork. Place on a baking tray, weigh it down with baking beans. Knock up the
sides of the tart with a knife to release the layers. Put the pastry in a preheated oven and cook for 25 minutes removing the beans after 15. If the middle has risen gently atten using the back of a wooden spoon. • Remove pie base from oven then turn it up to 200 degrees. • Spread the spinach on to the pastry followed by the fennel, then the pumpkin. Then top with the cheese. Put the pie back in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Eat straight out of the oven, it’s delicious!
October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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Active life
Man v squirrel Rowan Griffiths bets on who will get to the hazel nuts first THE HAZEL TREE is a common sight throughout lowland Britain; you’ll find them in hedgerows and woodland edges. The tree grows up to twenty feet high and has slightly oval leaves with double toothed serrated edges ending with a short point. It blooms in early spring with distinctive yellow/green catkins, these are the male owers. The female owers are tiny bud-like protrusions with small red styles at the end. Both male and female owers appear on the same branch. Hazel has been grown for thousands of years and if coppiced, a single specimen will live for many centuries. The trees are still grown commercially for walking sticks, furniture making, fencing and basketware. There are a couple of principal varieties, the cobnut and the filbert, both producing a very tasty nut, the former the most common of the two. The distinction between them is subtle. The cobnut has a papery sheath that does not entirely cover the shell whereas the filbert is almost entirely sheathed. Irrespective, both varieties are delicious and nutritious. By weight, they contain 50% more protein and five times more carbohydrate than a hen’s egg. The best time to gather the nuts is now when they are fully ripe, a pale brown colour and either falling to the ground or very easily plucked from the tree. Any that are dark brown will be full only of dust! However, wherever you find hazelnuts you will find s uirrels, which are the bane of the forager’s existence and tend to get up earlier in the morning. These grey coated gangsters will also eat the nuts when they are still green and immature as well as damagingly gnaw the bark of the parent tree. It is worth persevering though, because as well as being tasty on their own, once shelled they have a wide variety of culinary uses, especially in confectionery.
GARDE NING
The medicinal garden Your garden can help boost your medicine cabinet
M
ANY OF US grow plants to create a colourful border or feature. But as well as their looks many plants have healing benefits and properties and form the foundations of today’s modern medicines. In medieval times Leechcraft, which means the art of healing, had plants at its core. Lotions, potions, tinctures and poultices were all made using plants. Today this would be classed as alternative medicine but there are still a few practitioners of Leechcraft around today. Aromatherapy dates back even further to around 3500 BC. The theory behind aromatherapy is that the scents used stimulate the olfactory system (smell) which causes a healing response in the body. Some oils can also be applied directly to skin to help the process. Two of the widest used oils are tea tree and lavender. Tea tree has antibacterial and anti-in ammatory properties and is made by steaming the leaves of the Australian tea tree. Also known as melaleuca oil it can be applied - diluted - to the skin or mixed in to
creams. It can help heal wounds, treat acne, athlete’s foot and other skin ailments. Lavender oil is great for relaxing the mind and helping with sleep. It can also be used to treat headaches and anxiety. There are many, many books and courses on aromatherapy and it is very popular. Another pioneer in plant use for medicine was Dr Edward Bach who gave his name to the Bach Flower Remedies founded in the 1930s. Bach was both a physician and homeopath who believed that the key to a person’s health was through their emotional wellbeing. At the time of his death in 1936 Bach had created 38 ower remedies. Nature provides us with an array of plants that can help heal us both physically and mentally and many of them can be grown in your own garden. So not only can your garden look attractive it could also be your own medicine cabinet. But remember always seek guidance before taking any or using any oils, and use only as directed. www.bosworthsgc.co.uk
October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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Oundle
THE OW IN OUNDLE Oundle is a beautiful market town with a strangely pronounced name
N
OT BEING BROUGHT up in this area the first time I heard about Oundle was during a geography lesson at school in the west country. oodness knows why I remember it but it has stuck in my brain for over 40 years. Oundle and Belvoir were the places mentioned and their strange pronunciation. And even stranger that I ended up virtually living on both their doorsteps, and now know how to pronounce both of them; but I do pity non nglish speakers (and Americans) who visit Oundle! Oundle in Northamptonshire is about 15 miles from Peterborough but couldn’t be more different. It’s a spectacularly pretty, rural market town, steeped in history with beautiful eorgian architecture and many listed buildings. The surrounding countryside is bucolic, dotted with pretty limestone villages. A settlement in Oundle can be traced back to Saxon times and from then until the sixteenth century it was connected to Peterborough Abbey and was a town of great wealth, probably because of its market. Between the sixteenth and eighteenth century the town thrived as is evidenced by the amount of beautiful, large houses built during this period by prosperous local families, Cobthorne being perhaps the most prominent.
Simon Dolby
October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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Out and about in Oundle SIMILARLY TO THE 18th century the town still has many differing trades and occupations as well as a large range of independent retailers and businesses ranging from one of the oldest, Amps wine merchants, which was established in 1901 to the very recent such as Little Blue. We have enjoyed visiting some of these independent businesses finding out more about their history, starting with Stu Pots
The Talbot
One of the most iconic and easily recognisable buildings in the town is, of course, The Talbot which dominates the centre. This 16th century coaching inn re ects the great wealth of the town at the time. Charles l visited the inn in 1645, the day before the Battle of Naseby. Behind the 1600s facade which was added in 1626 are the remains of a medieval timber framed building earning it its Grade 1 listing. The huge feature window which many of you will know is said to have come from Fotheringhay Palace which was demolished after 1625, as does the staircase which Mary Queen of Scots was said to have walked down on the way to her execution. Rumour has it that her ghostly presence can be detected on the stair…
Oundle School
Oundle School is the mainstay of the town and much of it is moulded by the presence of the school. The school was founded in 1556 with a legacy from Sir William Laxton for a grammar school. F W Sanderson’s appointment as head in 1892 transformed the school and therefore the town largely into what it is today. Considerable building took place during his tenure including the Great Hall, science block, the Yarrow and four large attractive houses on Milton Road. The school also bought many of the finest houses in the town at this time including Cobthorne where the head of the school is fortunate enough to now live. Mention must also go to the John Piper stained glass windows in the Memorial Chapel that were commissioned in the 1950s. Today the town and school are very much entwined. You will see pupils moving around the town between lessons or during breaks which gives the pupils the feeling of belonging to the town as well as to the school which is appreciated by everyone. But Oundle, the public school, is not the only school in the town. Prince William School is an academy teaching 11-18 year olds. This year it has celebrated its 50th anniversary. Ivan Quetglas, Oundle school photographer
Stu Pots
Now located in the Market Place Stu Pots is in its 28th year under the ownership of Stuart Blow. This cook shop and hardware shop was originally located on West Street. Stuart bought the business with his parents and after a couple of years they relocated to the Market Place as they needed bigger premises. If you have visited the shop you will know it is stuffed to the rafters with everything you could possibly need in your kitchen, and much more you didn’t know you needed as well! Stuart knows where everything is ‘as we put everything away but we do get the odd surprise.’ If you need a set of keys cut, Stuart’s your man; batteries, L plates, tools, pooh bags, thermos ask, food umbrella; you name it Stuart has it. He even has top of the range Smeg electric kettles and toasters and every sort of pan you can think of. Pop in and see him, he’s a fountain of knowledge and you won’t leave empty handed. www.stu-pots.com
20 October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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Oundle
The Coffee Tavern
This long established business in the Market Place has been offering the residents of Oundle tea, coffee, cake and food for over 50 years. Owner Cinthya prides herself on sourcing ingredients as locally as possible including bread, meat and vegetables and is renowned for her generous portions! Cakes are homemade, there are over 45 avours of milkshakes to choose from and there are dairy and gluten free and vegan options on the menu too. What’s not to like www.oundlecoffeetavern.com
Little Blue
Little Blue is a haberdashery and interiors shop selling a range of bespoke repurposed furniture and new and used interior accessories, with items sourced from the and France. It’s a lovely shop. Owner Ali Osborn offers a commission service and can source furniture for you. Before she opened the shop she ran an upcycling furniture business. She’s a champion of local artisans and can offer lots of inspiration and advice. To celebrate her first year of trading Ali is holding an open day on Saturday October 2 between 10 and 4pm. On the day you can sign up for new courses crochet & paint techni ues, and meet some of the local makers of the beautiful products that she sells in the store. And there will be a 5 discount on everything (apart from Frenchic products) in the shop. www.oundlemarket.com/little-blue
Vincent Sykes
incent Sykes Solicitors is an established family run law firm with a good reputation for clear, good value and uality legal advice. They have helped many a local family with their house purchases, uite often more than once, and are able to offer advice for will writing and probate. They are there to guide you every step of the way and have a loyal customer base because of this. incent Sykes solicitors really are a family firm with Christopher Berry recently joining the firm as partner to work alongside his father. www.vincentsykes.co.uk
Aspire
A few doors down from incent Sykes is Aspire Sales, Lettings and Property Management. mily and her team often work closely with incent Sykes as obviously a house purchaser needs a solicitor. Your choice of estate agent is crucial when it comes to selling your house and Aspire take a fresh look at the whole process. As the newest estate agents in the area they are beginning to carve a niche for themselves and excellent customer service is how they are doing it. This committed, all-female team will always keep you in the loop and offer a bespoke service. They will get to know you personally and are open and honest in everything they do including being upfront about their fees. 1.25 for sales, and lettings rates starting from .6 (both include AT). This means that as you know the charges you can budget accordingly. Property transactions don’t always run smoothly but mily and her team at Aspire are there to hold your hand every step of the way. www.aspiresalesandlettings.com
October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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A FA M I LY R U N L AW F I R M I N T H E H E A RT O F OUNDLE Vincent Sykes Solicitors is an established law firm with an outstanding reputation for clear, good value and quality legal advice. The team pride themselves on their client focused approach and are able to support you and your business with your personal and commercial needs.
For further information please email us at enquiries@vincentsykes.co.uk CO N V E YA N C I N G . WILLS & PROBATE .
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY COMPANY & COMMERCIAL
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Meet the team
Emily Hannan Director
Sarah Donner Senior Sales Consultant
Angela Young Property Consultant
Helen James Property Consultant
Sarah Wylie Lettings Consultant
Evelyn Eden Maintenance Co-ordinator
Anne Massie Administrator
Emily Hopkins Social Media Campaigner
Quin Chief Morale Officer
Oundle Simon Dolby
Beans
Beans lies in the heart of the town near the war memorial on New Street where you can sit outside and watch the world go by whilst enjoying a cup of coffee. This well established, popular coffee shop has been open for over 17 years and is a firm favourite in the town. They are renowned for their coffee, tea and cake as well as light lunches. A second branch of Beans is now open in the Oundle School sports centre. You can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee here whilst sitting overlooking the pool. www.beanscoffeestop.co.uk
Oundle Sports Centre
Oundle School sports centre offers a wide range of classes, courses and fitness facilities for the residents of the town as well as pupils at the school. You can become a member or pay as you go. There is a varied timetable of themed social events, fitness challenges and, of course, coffee to enjoy, courtesy of Beans. njoy the 50m pool, use the gym or enjoy a fitness class in one of the three studios; there’s something for everyone. www.oundlesportscentre.co.uk
Harpur’s of Oundle
Just along from Beans is jewellers Harpur’s of Oundle which was originally established by Nigel’s father in Bedford in the 1 50s. Nigel took over the business in 1 88 after a career as a professional rock drummer. Nigel’s parents then came to Oundle and opened the Old Curiosity Shop with Harpur’s taking it over in 2002. Harpur’s of Oundle is a small family business where you will be welcomed however much you want to spend, even if you just want to come in for a chat and advice. As well as selling jewellery they offer a repair service, valuations as well as buying in second hand jewellery, anti ues and gold. www.harpurjewellery.com If you head out of Oundle you come to the Wharf where you will find the brewery. But as well as this there is also sustainable shop efill evolution.
Restore
irectly above efill evolution is wellness centre estore. Their mission is to bring people together to promote health and wellbeing. Yoga, Pilates and barre classes run throughout the week with a variety of workshops being planned for the coming months. New clients can take advantage of their One Month Unlimited class pass for £40 so you can try as many classes as you like. As well as exercise classes you will find soft tissue and nutritional therapists as well as an acupuncturist. Natural skincare products are also available along with food based supplements. To find out details about classes and therapists visit www.restoreoundle.com
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Oundle
Simon Dolby
Refill Revolution
The Oundle branch of this sustainable shopping retailer opened in 2019 with Charlotte taking it on as a franchise in 2020. She sells rice, pasta, herbs, spices, snacks and household and personal hygiene products all without packaging; you bring your own refillable containers. Products are sourced as locally as possible and there are regular partnerships with other sustainable local suppliers including Proganics which supplies organic, nonhomogenised milk, a fish van from rimsby and Buttercup Florists which sells British blooms. This really is the way to shop; sustainable and local, the perfect combination. www.refillrevolution.co.uk On the other side of Oundle is Barnwell Country Park with its large lakes and visitor centre. It’s open every day and the residents of Oundle make the most of it.
The Barn Garden Centre
Just outside Oundle past Barnwell Country Park is the Barn arden Centre. This family run garden centre and caf is a gardener’s delight. There is a wide range of uality plants and products for sale and you can always rely on the knowledgeable staff to offer good, practical advice. And if you’re at the garden centre you really can’t leave without a pit stop at the Boxwood Caf be it for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. www.thebarngardencentre.co.uk
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Opening hours: 9am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday. 36 Market Pl, Oundle, PE8 4BE 01832 275414
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Oundle
Oundle shown in all its glory
Simon Dolby
Local artist Simon Dolby is well known for his beautiful Oundle paintings, Mary meets him
Simon Dolby
SIMON DOLBY FROM the Dolby Gallery in West Street studied at The Ruskin School of Art in Cambridge. He became an illustrator after leaving art school working for different design agencies in Cambridge and then London. As a commercial artist he was earning a good living ‘but I didn’t really fit in with the ad agency world,’ he says. Simon had met his wife Gillian at art school and when they decided it was time to leave London, they headed for Peterborough. Simon then branched into illustration work for architects as well as doing book covers and all that a commercial illustrator would do. The couple decided to move on from Peterborough and settled in Oundle. ‘It’s a beautiful place and I had the chance to rent a studio and buy a house,’ says Simon. He was now working on brochures for a local building company as well as other freelance work, but his main love had always been painting. With a young family to feed, commercial work had to come first. Then the doctor’s surgery in West Street came on the market, which was plenty big enough to live in with their three children and have a large studio. It was full of character but needed lots of renovations to change it from a doctor’s surgery to a house and workplace; it was a great project though. Simon and illian decided to turn the front two rooms, formally the waiting rooms, into an art gallery. It became the perfect venue for exhibiting Simon’s work as well as many other artists. There have been many successful exhibitions over the years, with some great private views! As well as the gallery Simon and Gillian have a picture framing business.
Throughout the years Simon had always been painting and has taken on many commissions. He now does less commercial work and concentrates more on painting the wonderful countryside and buildings. He is particularly well known for his paintings of Oundle. ‘I love the town, and feel very fortunate to be able to paint my beautiful surroundings.’ Simon has sold his work to many customers in this country and abroad. The main painting on this page is a particularly interesting commission and shows Simon’s technical ability as well as his artistic skills. Many of you will recognise the buildings in the painting - it is a Capriccio (a mixture of real and imaginary features) of the owner’s house with these iconic buildings in a eorgian setting, an unusual but clever concept. Simon’s paintings and prints are available at the gallery or online. www.dolby-gallery.com
October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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Oundle
Creative Oundle From the Covid chaos Creative Oundle has risen from the ashes WHAT AN EXPERIENCE the last 20 months has been: for Creative Oundle it saw frustrations and losses, but from the ashes of disappointment in 2020 and challenges in 2021 they have not only survived but are planting seeds for new growth. The organisation, which has been at the centre of events and entertainment in Oundle for over 30 years, saw the Covid pandemic lead to cancellations and an enforced hibernation for over 12 months. Unable to deliver any of the activities such as the community cinema, the annual Oundle Food Festival or 10-day arts festival it faced a grim future. But as always the people of Oundle, students of the internationally regarded organ courses they run, funders and supporters managed to secure its survival with their generous donations of unclaimed refunds of money they had already committed to. With this and a confidence in the organisation and its programme from the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund, and some major cost saving exercises, it just about managed to limp through to the summer of 2021. Sadly, the organisation had to give up its central Oundle premises where it was the hub for event ticket sales for not only its own events, but that of some wonderful community groups and event organisers, offering tickets for orchestral performances, local pantos, concerts, theatre productions and much, much more. It is very much the same organisation it always was, but it has a new look with reinvigorated energy to bring live events back into the Oundle area. What was the Oundle Music Trust is now Creative Oundle, with a brand new look that encompasses all the activities it has always delivered, with plenty of room for new ones. July 2021 saw the return of the Oundle International Festival and the Oundle Food Festival. Despite the challenges of holding these events within the restrictions still in place, Oundle came alive over a two week period in July, with a programme of Open Gardens and concerts with musicians, many of whom had not been able to perform since February 2020. Families were able to enjoy open air theatre in a safe way and, of course, the ever popular Party at the Wharf welcomed a reduced capacity audience to have a fabulous evening in the sun with great music, picnics, friends and family.
The Food Festival faced its own challenges but it was a fabulous day welcoming local and artisan producers and suppliers of all things culinary. The traders, Creative Oundle Team and visitors were all delighted to be returning to some sort of normality and getting to enjoy not only live events, but all that Oundle, its businesses and community have to offer. And so plans now turn to 2022 as the team start to look to a brighter future. The programme of events is already under construction for the 10-day arts festival in July with the Oundle Food Festival heading back to its usual June slot. Alongside these, cinema screenings are hoped to be back in the spring. As we all head into the winter Creative Oundle may appear to be quiet but it will be far from restful behind the scenes. The charity’s team will be beavering away in preparation for some new plans for creativity in and around Oundle for 2022 and beyond. For more information, to sign up for Creative Oundle’s mailing list or to find out how you can support them as a registered charity visit their website or follow them on social media: www.creativeoundle.co.uk
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Beekeeping
Food of the gods Kate overcomes her nerves and has a lesson in beekeeping
The magic of bees
I
DO SOMETIMES feel a bit like Bridget Jones, off on assignments for the magazine. Thankfully I’ve never had to slide down a fireman’s pole in front of a camera crew, but somehow I landed the beekeeping gig with ichard ri n of Clematis Cottages in the medieval hamlet of Aunby near Stamford. I didn’t think too much about it until the night before when I tried to remember exactly what a bee sting felt like. I’ve only been stung once, when I was very young, but I do remember it’s painful. Thankfully I didn’t react badly, so we decided I was the best person to go as Mary does react strongly to stings. A couple of friends kindly assured me I would definitely get stung. According to them anyone working near a hive always does, so I began to feel a little apprehensive and packed a packet of antihistamine tablets as a precaution. An old friend who is also an apiarist suggested I take a pair of extra gloves to pull on under any gloves I was given. Thankfully I hadn’t seen the episode of Jeremy Clarkson’s Farm where he was ignominiously stung somewhere tender. But as soon as I met ichard, his very calm demeanour instantly put me at ease and he also presented me with his wife aye’s bee suit and wellies to put on, as we’re the same size. He reassured me that as the suit is baggy any bee sting wouldn’t touch me underneath it and it wasn’t a given that I would be stung anyway. I tried to exude confidence too, you can’t show fear because the bees will smell it.
It’s di cult to explain beekeeping it’s a science, an alchemy; it’s magic and it’s ancient. Beekeeping (or apiculture) is very on trend now, probably something to do with there being no planet B so many people are keen to do their bit to save the bees and the planet. But it’s certainly no new invention. ecords of people collecting honey from wild bees date back 10,000 years and the domestication of bees is reputed to have begun in gypt around 4,500 years ago. Honey was found in Tutankhamun’s tomb, and apparently it was still edible. In the 18th century scientists discovered there is always a ueen bee who is the mother of all the female workers and male drones in the colony. They designed glass walled observation hives so they could observe the full process of honey production from start to finish. Originally when honey was collected in the wild the whole colony was destroyed including the honeycombs, eggs and larvae so nothing survived. Over time, honey gatherers realised this wasn’t sustainable. In the 18th century Thomas Wildman introduced sliding parallel wooden bars over the top of the old skeps or straw hives where the bees could attach their honeycombs. He also pioneered the use of different layers to a hive so each layer could be removed when it was empty of eggs and full of honey, leaving subse uent layers untouched. There are different hive designs often named after their inventor, and ichard works mainly with ‘nationals.’ I was about to have my first look inside one and begin to learn the process of honey production and harvesting. Beekeeping would take years to learn from a book, it’s very much a hands-on process. And even when it’s right in front of you, it’s complicated. I looked at all the different elements of a hive the different frames including foundation frames, the brood box, the ‘super’, the thickness and positioning of the combs, the variations in colour of the honey, nectar and pollen, whether the bees have ‘capped off’ the comb, and so on. There is so much to take in in one go, I’m not even going to try and explain all the mechanics, I’ll just try and capture the spirit of it.
‘In the 18th century Thomas Wildman introduced sliding parallel wooden bars over the top of the old skeps or straw hives where the bees could attach their honeycombs.’ October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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Beekeeping
Beekeeping etiquette
A bee can recognise its beekeeper using sight and smell. So, according to an old Celtic saying a new beekeeper taking over a colony must always tell the bees if their old keeper has died, and ask their permission to take over. They settle and work much better if he does. And to be courteous he or she will always give their bees a cheery greeting when working on the hives. Richard’s father kept bees from the age of 14. As a child Richard used to stand in the greenhouse and watch him working the hives but it was only when Richard’s son Charles started beekeeping as part of his DofE gold award at Stamford School that they introduced bees to their farm. Richard keeps his colony in the gardens of Lodge Farm and Clematis Cottages, the holiday cottages he rents out with aye. It’s a beautiful spot, full of owers and vegetables providing an array of pollen and it’s also surrounded by fields of crops, providing further sources of nectar. Bees will typically y up to 6km to find food. ichard’s honey varies in colour and avour depending on the season and where the bees have been to forage. His spring honey consists mainly of rape seed blossom; his summer oral last year had lots of lime, honeysuckle and clematis avours and his early autumn harvest was made up of more woodland plants like ivies. It is raw, pure and unadulterated honey, just as nature intended it to be. I visited on a warm summer’s day at lunchtime so the bees were at their happiest. They don’t like the cold or the wind, they become agitated, so Richard doesn’t tend to open the hives from October until possibly April if there’s a cold spring. By opening the hive in the sunshine in the early afternoon, Richard estimated that about 15,000 bees would be off foraging leaving perhaps 35,000 in the hive, giving us more room to work.
Richard and Kaye always garden using the biodynamic calendar, sowing and harvesting their crops for their range of preserves, chutneys and relishes according to the different phases of the moon. This is supposed to be good for the soil and for the results of their labour. There are leaf days, fruit, root and ower days and, depending on the time of the month, they choose the tasks. Fruit days are recommended for working with bees as they will be gentler then. It’s not advised to disturb them on leaf days. Thankfully Richard had chosen a fruit day for my visit and I didn’t get stung once! An apiarist keeps bees to pollinate the crops, owers and vegetables around him, and also to collect the honey the bees produce. They also produce beeswax, royal jelly and propolis. The latter is made from waxes, resins and other woodland ingredients collected by the bees and is used for sealing the inside of the hive to help contain the heat and protect from predators, hence its name being derived from the Greek meaning ‘defence of the city.’ All these products have incredible health and medicinal benefits they’re a natural antiseptic for cuts, grazes and burns and we’ve all heard of honey and lemon to soothe a sore throat and tickly cough. Honey can also even be used as a rooting compound for plants, and beeswax candles are very e cient, burning ten times slower than man-made para n wax.
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Beekeeping
Fascinating facts
Nature’s wisdom
Apart from the actual products they make, bees are amazingly clever in the way they produce them. Who hasn’t wondered why honeycombs are uniformly hexagonal The bees make the combs first then fill them with honey and eggs, and hexagons are the most e cient shape to create equal sized units and not waste space. How do bees instinctively know that? Or how do they decide who will become the new queen? (They make the cell larger than all the others so the ueen grows to fit the space). And how do they know if the hive is overheating and it’s time for the worker bees to sit at the entrance and fan cool air throughout the structure? Or why do they decide to divide the colony and swarm to another location? (Often an ageing queen will leave the hive just before a new queen emerges, taking about 20,000 bees with her). As with everything in the natural world, they just instinctively know what to do, and it’s immensely fascinating to watch. For people keen to understand more about this aweinspiring process, Stamford and Bourne Beekeeper’s Association are currently holding virtual meetings. You can become a member even if you don’t keep bees and it’s a great forum to listen and learn. According to Richard, if you have four beekeepers in a room and you ask them a uestion, you’ll get five different answers, and they’ll all be right! Richard runs Beekeeping for Beginners courses lasting approximately two hours at Clematis Cottages, for a maximum of two people from £45. For more details about the courses, cottages and the Country Kitchen Creation products visit www.clematiscottages.co.uk www.stamfordbees.weebly.com
• A female worker bee makes about 1/2 a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime of approximately six weeks • If the queen bee leaves the hive, the rest of the colony knows within 15 minutes • Bees have to fly 55,000 miles to produce a pound of honey, visiting 2 million flowers
• The worker bees ‘dance’ to point out good sources of food and water • The honey bee’s brain is the size of a grain of sugar • The drones (males) and the queen mate far away from the hive, high in the sky
‘Apart from the actual products they make, bees are amazingly clever in the way they produce them. Who hasn’t wondered why honeycombs are uniformly hexagonal?’ October 2021 / theactivemag.com 35
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Mortgage Minefields Buying a house is probably going to be the most expensive thing you ever do in your life, so you need to get it right. Mary chats to Emma O’Neill, owner of Oundle and Stamford Mortgages about how to go about it
B
offered. It certainly wasn’t necessarily the cheapest way of borrowing money, but there was little alternative. Today thankfully things are different. Yes, you can still go to your bank and ask for a mortgage, and many people still do. But many more of us probably now use a mortgage broker as they will find us the most suitable deal. That won’t necessarily always mean the cheapest interest rates as everyone’s circumstances are different. But a lower interest rate over a 30 year mortgage can save you thousands of pounds. mma O’Neill of Oundle and Stamford
E YOU R AG
LI F E
MAN
UYING A HOUSE is the ultimate dream for many people, usually after years of saving to be able to afford the deposit. But when do you know if you are in a position to buy one; can you afford it, will you get a mortgage, what can you afford and how on earth do you go about it? Years ago you would usually go cap in hand to your bank manager and ask for a mortgage. You would need a healthy current and savings account with the bank, probably for many years and then you would just take the mortgage rate you were
Mortgages knows all about houses and mortgages. She started out as a sales negotiator and when she bought her first property she had a really helpful mortgage advisor. ‘They were so helpful and explained everything to me so I wanted to find out more about the job as obviously it tied in with my role.’ She decided to train as a mortgage advisor, paying for the courses herself and then changed jobs to be a mortgage advisor spending four years in the role. In 201 she left to set up on her own and now has an o ce in Oundle and two staff. They are all mums ‘women can often be more sympathetic and empathetic so are often easier to talk to,’ says mma. Today mortgages can be a bit of a minefield as not all of us have ‘normal’ jobs where we are paid a set salary. Some people are paid commission so their salary differs every month, some are on zero hours contracts and, of course, there are the self employed. And those with credit rating anomalies can come up against problems too. Someone like mma can hold your hand throughout the whole house buying process, from start to finish. She prides herself on her customer service, her clients like her and use her again and recommend friends do too. ‘Word of mouth is the best way to grow
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MANAGE YOUR LIFE
'The best mortgage deals are usually available for those wanting less than 85% of the purchase price. But mortgages are now available up to 95% so don’t think if you don’t have a large deposit that you can’t buy a house.' our business,’ she says. ‘I’m always delighted when someone comes to me saying that a friend recommended me.’ Emma will even negotiate the house sale for you, or going a step further back, set up appointments for viewings. ‘I’m here throughout the whole process,’ she says. ‘I don’t disappear once the mortgage offer has come through but stay with the client until they have the keys in their hand helping deal with solicitors etc and guiding them through the whole process, and often after that too. The perfect relationship is one that starts with an affordability meeting and continues throughout the life of the
mortgage with me doing renewals, remortgages and new purchases.’ Emma recommends that you don’t get a mortgage agreement in principal before finding your house ‘as things change.’ ‘You need to assess your affordability which we can do with you over the phone or in the o ce,’ says mma. ‘In many circumstances we know which mortgage companies will take you on and which criteria you fit. We can do this before a credit check is done, which can help your credit score as too many checks affect it. Most people come under this category so I advise not to get an agreement in principal until you’ve found
your house as things do change. You might want to borrow more or less, change your mind completely about what you are buying and, particularly at the moment, new products are coming on to the market all the time so you could get a more competitive offer by the time you’ve found your house.’ It’s not just first time buyers who mma helps. If you have lived in a house for 10-15 years it can come as a shock to be dealing with agents, buyers and solicitors again. ‘Sadly for most people buying or selling a house is not a nice experience,’ says Emma. ‘It can be very stressful and it really doesn’t need to be. Most local agents now know us and know that we are not tied to anyone so will often recommend us to their buyer. We can really educate a buyer and offer great advice.’ The best mortgage deals are usually available for those wanting less than 85% of the purchase price. But mortgages are now available up to 95% so don’t think if you don’t have a large deposit that you can’t buy a house. Talking to someone like Emma who will go through an affordability check with you can help make things much clearer. Once you have bought your house and your mortgage has gone through don’t just forget about it. Emma won’t be letting you! Fixed rates are normally for two, three or five years so six months before the end of your rate Emma or Jess will be in touch wanting to know if you are going to remortgage, move or stick with your original loan. They will offer advice and once again find you the best deal; as I said they are with you for life and you will most likely become firm friends. Talking of life, buying a house is a big life step as well as financial commitment and with that comes the need to plan accordingly. Emma and her team will always talk to you about insurance to run alongside your mortgage. Life insurance is probably vital if you are buying with someone else; buildings and contents insurance too. And critical illness and income protection are something to really consider as who knows what is around the corner. Once you’ve bought your most expensive asset you need to be able to keep hold of it and insurance could provide a lifeline. www.oundleandstamfordmortgages.com
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W I L L’ S W A L K
Cold Overton and Knossington Rolling hills and Rutland’s highest point make for splendid views on this route. By Will Hetherington
Images: Will Hetherington
There are plenty of open fields on this walk.
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Will’s Walk
Difficulty rating Park somewhere convenient on Main Street near the church in Cold Overton and head south to Cold Overton oad where you will find the footpath heading off to the left very shortly after the junction. Walk over the fields for one kilometre until you reach Oakham oad. Cross over here and walk across the grass field keeping the pond to your left. ejoin Cold Overton oad and turn left and then left again on to The Hollow for about 100 metres before turning right on to the driveway for Bleak House. Follow the footpath signs past the grand house and you will soon be out in open country passing through a series of small fields and some tricky stiles until you come to a field with Lady Wood Lodge farm in the north east corner. Head to the farm and walk straight through – when I did this walk there was no footpath sign at the farm gate but there was a small one on the side of a barn on the way through. After the farmyard you will cross from Leicestershire into Rutland and walk along the southern edge of Cold Overton Park Wood for about 250 metres, but don’t follow the edge of the wood when you reach the southeast corner – instead keep going east. The next field gate has a nameplate on it saying Wilson’s Field so you will know you are in the right ACTIVE INFO place when you see that. Walk across Wilson’s Field The conservation village of and you will see the trig point marking Rutland’s Cold Overton sits on a ridge highest point in the field to the left before you reach hence the ‘Cold’ prefix and the church originates the field boundary. o through the next gateway and from the 12th century. enjoy some of the best views of utland to the east before turning left and walking through lebe Farm to get to Cold Overton Road (not the same as the previous one). Turn left here and walk downhill along the road for 500 metres until you see the footpath off to the right in a bit of woodland in the small valley bottom. At this point you are crossing back into Leicestershire and the path heads northwest for a mile back to Cold Overton. There are a couple of short footpaths back into the village or you can just walk around on the road.
Bleak house on the edge of Knossington really isn’t that bleak.
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Will’s Walks
START/ FINISH
Essential information WHERE TO PARK Somewhere convenient on Main Street near the church in Cold Overton. DISTANCE AND TIME Four and a half miles/an hour and 45 minutes.
©Crown copyright 2021 Ordnance Survey. Media 070/21
HIGHLIGHTS The highest point in Rutland with corresponding panoramic views. Rolling countryside and two attractive villages. LOWLIGHTS There’s 10 minutes on Cold Overton road but it’s a quiet country lane. REFRESHMENTS The Wheatsheaf in Langham just down the road or the Blue Ball in nearby Braunston, or head into Oakham. DIFFICULTY RATING Three paws. There are no particularly steep climbs but lots of undulations and plenty of stiles and gates. THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE You may encounter some cattle and sheep on the way round and there’s not much in the way of fresh water. 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.
Knossington is perched on top of a hill.
October 2021 / the activemag.com
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W I L L’ S W A L K
Marholm and the woodlands A stunning church, peaceful open fields and plenty of woodlands are the hallmarks of this route. By Will Hetherington
Images: Will Hetherington
This walk is characterised by open fields on pretty much flat land.
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Will’s Walk The church of St Mary the Virgin in Castor.
Difficulty rating TH E ROUTE
Start by walking down Church Walk in Marholm past the sign that says ‘car access to church on Castor Road.’ You will very quickly come to the church which sits apart from the rest of the village, guarded by a stand of giant cedars of Lebanon; an impressive setting. Stay on the path as it heads south from the church with Marholm Brook on the immediate left. After three field boundaries you will come to the access road for Belsize Farm. Turn right here and then take the left fork to walk past the farm on your right hand side. From here the path enters pretty Belsize Wood for about ACTIVE INFO 100 metres. Turn right at the southern edge of the wood and Marholm Church sits alone keep following the footpath signs as the path heads west for in a field on the southern edge of the village, and is shaded by nearly a kilometre, with a couple of 90 degree turns thrown giant cedars of Lebanon that in to follow a field perimeter. date from the 18th Century. You will then cross a small wooden bridge at the edge of a One of the finest sights in wood and turn right immediately. After another 250 metres the area. look out for the right turn to then head north along a path between two large fields. eep heading north and when you reach White’s Spinney and Brakes Wood stay on the path as it sticks to the eastern edge of the woodland. After the top of Brakes Wood bear left along the bottom of Bushy Wood and then stay on the track as it heads northwest to the road. When you get to the road turn right and head north for just under one kilometre until you reach the crossroads. Turn right and very soon you will see the footpath on the right between the hedgerows. Take this path and enjoy nature’s corridor until you are out into the open fields again. The path then winds through this peaceful landscape of arable fields and woodland for a mile, passing Foster’s Coppice (where you join the Torpel Way) and going through the bottom of Burmer Wood along the way. Turn left 100 metres after Burmer Wood and you will be back on the path to the church and Marholm beyond.
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Will’s Walks
Take the left hand fork past Belsize Farm and into Belsize Wood.
Essential information WHERE TO PARK Parking is hard to come by in Marholm but anywhere considerate in the village will work fine. DISTANCE AND TIME Six miles/two hours.
START/ FINISH
HIGHLIGHTS Peaceful open countryside, lots of woodland and a striking church. LOWLIGHTS There’s a stretch on the road but there’s not much traffic down there. REFRESHMENTS The Fitzwilliam Arms in Marholm. ©Crown copyright 2021 Ordnance Survey. Media 070/21
DIFFICULTY RATING Two paws. It might be six miles but it’s almost flat but could be muddy in parts in the winter. THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE There are often cattle in the field around the church but other than that it’s pretty much arable all the way around, but not a lot of fresh water. 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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ActiveBody E D I T E D B Y K AT E M A X I M
Parasi-tick creatures GP Dr Hemal Shah explains how to prevent, identify and treat tick bites to avoid Lyme disease
T
ICK NUMBERS IN the UK are highest during spring and autumn. They are usually found in woodland and forests but can live anywhere damp and shady. These small parasites are members of the spider family that attach to the skin and bite. They can’t jump or y, but it’s easy to pick one up if you are walking through long grass or greenery. Though rare, tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease can be serious. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress to more serious symptoms including persistent fatigue, neurological symptoms and in ammatory arthritis. Lyme disease is usually easier to treat if it’s diagnosed early, so identifying symptoms uickly is crucial.
Symptoms of Lyme disease
• • • • •
Circular or oval shaped rash around a tick bite Fever Headache Fatigue Joint or muscle pain
GP Dr Hemal Shah explains: ‘There is nothing better than enjoying the great outdoors with your family, but if you are visiting high-risk areas such as forests, heathland, moorland, or areas occupied by sheep and deer, it’s important to check for ticks regularly. The sooner ticks are removed, the lower the risk of developing tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, Babesiosis and hrlichiosis. Although these tick-borne diseases are rare in Britain, you should seek immediate medical attention if you begin to feel unwell after being bitten by a tick.’
How to safely remove a tick
se tweezers or a specially designed tick-removal tool available at most pharmacies • Grasp the tick as closely as possible to the skin Pull upwards, with a steady even pressure • Never twist or jerk the tick as this can risk leaving the mouthparts behind • Clean the bite with antiseptic or soapy water
How to prevent tick bites
• When visiting tick infested habitats wear long sleeved tops and long trousers, tucked into boots se an insect-repellent for ticks which contains 20-30 T or 20 Picaridin. Apply this repellent to any exposed skin and reapply it regularly as you would a sunscreen • Keep to the centre of paths and trails and try not to brush up against greenery Carry tweezers or a tick removal tool in your first-aid kit to remove ticks as uickly as possible
When to see a doctor
If you develop any symptoms of Lyme disease, consult your doctor immediately to let them know that you have been bitten, or think you might have been. Your doctor will likely prescribe a course of antibiotics if you have suspected or confirmed Lyme disease to kill the bacteria that transmit the disease. For more information on tick bites and Lyme disease, you can learn more here: www.livi.co.uk/your-health/tick-bites-what-you-needto-know/
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The air that we breathe Breathing, it’s what we all do to keep alive. Physio Sarah Babbs goes into more detail
B
REATHING, IT SEEMS so simple, we do it without thinking. We may be aware of it after we run or exert ourselves, if we walk at high altitude or swim underwater otherwise it’s just something that happens without thought or effort. We breathe in to draw oxygen into the body to aid the cells in breaking down food for energy. This produces carbon dioxide which we expel as we breathe out. The whole system is regulated by the brain which senses when we have too much carbon dioxide on board (rather than too little oxygen as often thought). Breathing is brought about mechanically
by the muscles around our ribcage. The diaphragm is the largest muscle in the body, a thin dome shape that sits below the ribs. It attaches to the lower part of the sternum or breastbone, the lower six ribs, and the lumbar (low back) vertebrae of the spine. As we breathe in, the diaphragm attens, the ribs move outwards and the belly rises. This draws air in to the lungs as the pressure is then lower inside the ribcage than outside. Smaller muscles between the ribs, the intercostal muscles, help draw the ribs out at the same time. There are other smaller muscles which aid respiration but these tend to be used when
the body is in some sort of stress. For instance you may see someone with lung disease leaning against a table if they are out of breath. This means that the small muscles around the neck and ribcage, usually used for movement of the body, can be fixed to help them assist the ribcage, thus opening up for air to enter more easily. The other role of the diaphragm is aiding the core stability, partly supporting the spine through its coordination with the abdominal muscles and the pelvic oor muscles. These form a cylinder with a top and bottom, rather like a drinks can. Together these regulate the intra-abdominal pressure and almost work like a balloon gently supporting the spine. If the breath is held then this alters the mechanics through the central zone of the body and can affect our movements, whether it is running, reaching up to a cupboard or even just resting and trying to sit comfortably. If the pressure is too great it can cause pelvic oor problems such as incontinence when coughing or sneezing. Sometimes when someone is in pain, especially back pain, they may find themselves using these muscles differently and often hold their breath in a bracing action. This limits the normal movement around the spine and continues a cycle of pain. You can demonstrate this by holding your breath, leaning forward and you may find that you are unable to lean far. If you then release your breath, or start again with a relaxed breath, you will be able to reach further. We can assess how we use our breathing by placing one hand on the top of the chest and the other on the belly above the tummy button. This can be done sitting but is best done while lying comfortably on our backs. Continue to breathe normally and feel where the movement is. Is it under the top or bottom hand? See if you can make the movement equal under each hand or more into the belly than the upper chest giving you the best oxygenation and best support though the body. Learning to breathe using the diaphragm, sometimes in a specific timing pattern, sometimes just gently breathing, can help change pain. I find I teach more about breathing than pretty much anything in clinic. Patients may find this surprising as they often expect, especially with back pain, some hands on work and movement and active exercises, but breathing is the foundation and getting the foundations right is always key. To contact Sarah ring 07780 900201.
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ActiveBody
Breath in, breath out Yolanda Barker has recently written a book ‘The Breathing Revolution’ and tells us more
B
ACK IN 2015 I started telling people that breathing could affect anxiety. The vast majority were sceptical. Now, six years later, better breathing is becoming the new running. Made popular by Wim Hof (a utch man who uses breathing exercises as part of a regime to control his immune response), everyone is talking about breathing. Yoga teachers teach it. Breathing apps have been developed. The Apple watch allows you to set a reminder to breathe fully for one minute once an hour. Better breathing is believed to make you fitter, calmer, and even thinner. But, even though we breathe 22,000 times a day, there’s actually a lot of debate (and a lot of misinformation) about what better breathing constitutes, and what the benefits are. Breathing is purported to impact anything from skull formation in children to sleep apnea. There’s one thing, however, that many people agree on better breathing can help with anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression are in uenced by the way your nervous system processes stress. In many people stress doesn’t reach a critical level unless there’s a very good reason for it (ie there’s a risk of death). This is because their nervous system balances stress out with a relaxation response, which soothes and heals. But some people can get locked in chronic states of stress, which means that even small things can make them anxious and fearful. People like this are more likely to experience anxiety and or depression. Breathing properly can help someone move from chronic stress into a state of relaxation. This brings them respite, healing, and even a fresh perspective. And that’s basically the ethos of yogic breathing and many other breathing schools. There are lots of different theories about what kind of breathing achieves this. Wim Hof’s method is very different to what respiratory physiotherapists teach. Yoga has eight different types of breathing exercises but countless variants. uidelines for ‘diaphragmatic belly breathing’ (the most commonly accepted breathing techni ue) vary widely and some are incorrect.
Having suffered with both anxiety and depression for my whole life, I knew I was the perfect candidate to investigate this. My intention was simple. I wanted to find a way of breathing that would ease my depression, and help me manage my anxiety. But I discovered that no single techni ue would achieve this. I needed to look at the overall pattern of my breathing. You see, your breath has variables. You can breathe through your nose or mouth; you can breathe uickly or slowly; you can ‘belly breathe’ or ‘chest breathe.’ Some of these variables are relaxing, some actually contribute to stress. For example, with breathing uickly or slowly (the rate of your breath) breathing uickly is generally believed to induce anxiety. Conversely, breathing slowly is known to lower your heart rate and relax you. But don’t take my word for it. Try it yourself, right now. Bring awareness to your breath and gently lengthen your exhale. on’t worry about your inhale just lengthen the exhale. Close your eyes, and take six breaths. How did it feel Are you a little more calm and relaxed epending on how you most commonly breathe your breathing pattern will either be relaxing or stressful. To improve anxiety means addressing the variables of your breath and bringing them all into the relaxing dimension. In my book, ‘The Breathing evolution’ I teach you about the five main breathing variables that contribute to stress levels and help you develop breathing habits that are more e cient, relaxing and soothing. radually, you might find that your symptoms of anxiety and depression ease. I did. The best thing about all this You don’t need to force yourself to do anything. You’re already breathing. And you’ve got 22,000 chances a day to do it better. The Breathing Revolution by Yolanda Barker is published by Green Tree in paperback: £12.99
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Active Kids E DI T E D BY M A RY BR E M N E R
A new head for Leicester Grammar Junior School Leicester Grammar Junior School is delighted to welcome new head, Mrs Ashworth Jones. A graduate of Leeds University, she has spent most of her teaching career in the independent sector and is a very experienced head. Mrs Ashworth Jones has settled into the school community beautifully, providing visionary leadership, building on the many strengths of the school and enjoying getting to know the children. She is also very much looking forward to meeting new faces at the school’s open morning which takes place on Saturday October 9, starting at 9.30am. www.lgs-junior.org.uk
50 years and counting Oakham School has recently marked 50 years of co-education hosting a special event for its alumni, and it included cake! Old Oakhamians (OOs) from the first few years of co-education from 1971 onwards returned to their former school to celebrate the joint education of both boys and girls with a chapel service and afternoon tea. The afternoon tea was served outside ound House, the first purpose-built girls’ boarding house, which was built in the 1970s on what was School House tennis court. Oakham School opened its doors to the initial cohort of girls in September 1971, with 17 boarders and 10 day girls. By 1979, the School had grown significantly in size and was well on its way to gender parity, with 420 girls making up 45% of the pupil body. The school will also be releasing a series of three exclusive podcasts on what it truly means to be a co-educational independent school. www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk
New sailing co-ordinator for Oakham Oakham School has recently welcomed a new sailing instructor. Ollie Hooper, sailing and adventurous learning co-ordinator, is looking forward to showing pupils the ropes and continuing sailing as a sport at the school. Leading in both pupil coaching and the Duke of Edinburgh Award sailing activities, Ollie will take the reins on watersport at Rutland Water where he has huge sailing experience having grown up in Edith Weston.
Eesa wins a scholarship Eesa Khan from Manor High School in Oadby, has been attending The Urban Equestrian Academy since he was nine where he learnt the basics of horse riding and grooming. Fourteen-year-old Eesa is now one of a few young people from Leicester to be selected for Khadijah Mellah’s Riding A Dream Academy scholarship. The Riding a Dream Academy - which helps support talented riders from underrepresented communities get into horse racing - will run for 12 months and will be delivered by the British Racing School in Newmarket. Eesa now has the opportunity to perfect his riding skills and pursue his dream of becoming a jockey. Good luck Eesa!
October 2021 / theactivemag.com
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09/09/2021 17:01:09
Oundle rowing club | Training for the marathon | Active team members star in roundup
ActiveSport WASHINGLEY OUNDLE START / FINISH
ASHTON
CALDECOTE POLEBROOK
LUTTON
STOKE DOYLE
PILTON
LIFORD GREAT SIDDING
CLOPTON
WINWICK
Distance: 43.24km Elevation: 321m
On your bike! Gary Waterfall starts from Beans Coffee Shop in Oundle this month.
T
HIS IS A relatively easy ride 27 miles to the south east of the town with just 1,000 feet of climb and spectacular Northamptonshire scenery to enjoy Ride out from Oundle heading south west and take a left turn to Pilton at the crossroads. Cross the roundabout and up a relatively hard hill into beautiful Clopton. Then enjoy a long easy descent turning left into Winwick before following the undulating road through Great Gidding and enjoy another descent into Caldecote. It’s uphill now for a while as you ride left toward Washingley and through Lutton at the top of the hill.
And now it’s all downhill back to Oundle through the picturesque Polebrook and passing by the edge of Ashton. Head back over the roundabout into the town again. Why not stop at Nene Valley Brewery for a well-earned and refreshing Simple Pleasures beer at The Tap & Kitchen, or enjoy an equally satisfying coffee and cake at Beans. https://www.strava.com/ routes/2865169357255890452 Or scan the QR code for this month’s route.
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ACTIVE RUTLAND
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ActiveSport
Row with it Kate visits Oundle Town Rowing Club to try her hand at sculling
H
OW DO ALL the great rowers make it look so easy? Helen Glover, Katherine Grainger, Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent glide through the water, in perfect time looking like they’re barely breaking into a sweat. Well, let me tell you, it’s not that easy. Yet at the same time, it’s not too daunting either, and it’s great fun; you feel like you’re learning a completely new skill. There’s a technique to it involving at least 14 steps. I met Simon Murray, chairman of Oundle Town Rowing Club on a beautiful morning in September and, along with two other beginners Judith and Jamie, I spent a wonderful two hours learning to scull. First of all we learnt how to get in the boat without tipping over; then how to create the perfect line of shoulder, arms and wrists; how to hold the oars without gripping on for dear life and how to achieve the smooth motion of feathering and squaring the blades through the water. Sounds simple? It’s not. Sixty percent of the action is in the legs, it helps if you have good core strength and there’s a lot to concentrate on. Perversely the less you think about the process and relax into it, the more likely you are to keep your balance in the boat and make progress through the water. As one of very few sports where you go up a river backwards, there’s a lot to process, and port is on the right not the left as usual. Simon, and another club member Jenny, were our instructors as we sculled to the opposite bank and back. We were tethered to a rope so we wouldn’t disappear off down river. As an American, Jamie had always viewed rowing as a quintessentially British sport and Judith, a keen cyclist wanted to try her hand at another sport so Oundle Town Club was just the spot to have a go. The club’s ethos is one of community and inclusivity so whether you’re old, young, returning to rowing after a break, into racing, or want a more social, recreational pastime this is the place to come. As
Simon says ‘Anyone who wants to row, we’ll find them a seat in a boat.’ And there are plenty of boats. The single and double scull fine racing boats are ridiculously narrow and light making you question how rowers keep them from tipping over. There are fours, quads and the eights which can travel faster than a man can run once they get going – the world record for 2,000m is under 5 minutes. The explorer boats we were in are wider and can be adapted with oats for people with special needs. Rowing is an all-body workout for people of all ages and abilities. Many members race in meets at clubs such as Peterborough, Bedford and Northampton which have slightly straighter courses than Oundle’s meandering stretch of the Nene. Others enjoy the purely recreational Sunday mornings or evenings during the summer; the local U3A take over Tuesday mornings and youngsters come from all over the area. I can see the attraction: there’s a crowd of friendly members and it’s a beautiful location with plenty of wildlife to see whatever the season. You can row all year round although ooding, ice, lightning and high winds tend to stop play and thermals are definitely recommended during the winter. Indoor rowing evenings are held at Oundle Primary School so you can maintain your fitness even when you’re not on the water. I need to work on sitting a little straighter, keeping my hands at the same level and the blades at the correct depth in the water. One wrong move and you unbalance. Fortunately I didn’t capsize and I would definitely like to try again. A big fundraising drive is about to start to kit out the room above the clubhouse where coffee, cake and bacon sandwiches will be served to entice the new members the club is hoping to attract, particularly juniors. For more details on beginners courses, recreational mornings and race events visit www.oundletownrowing.co.uk
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It’s champagne all round for the male members of the Active team. Jeremy Smithson-Beswick tells us more
W
E START WITH cricket and the big news of the month, not only for this magazine but surely for the national press too, is ngton 2nds’ barnstorming performance to win the elite Rutland League Division 4 East with the loss of only one game all season. Sports pages across the nation will have been awaiting the result of their match against fford Park before allowing the presses to roll, deservedly giving the story equal prominence to Emma aducanu’s triumph at the S Open. That we give this famous, historic and extraordinary achievement top billing is in no way at all related to the fact that ngton’s Will Hetherington (with a vital eight runs in the deciding match) is the
author of Will’s Walks in this magazine, or that Matt Tarrant (a sparkling sixteen runs to his name) is Active’s designer, nor indeed that our website guru Ben Jennings (sadly absent for the match, doubtless on an England trial) is an absolute stalwart of the side. Any indications to the contrary are merely vicious slurs against our editorial independence and can only serve to delay unnecessarily the MBEs for all three, which will surely be forthcoming in the next ueen’s honours list.
It’s also been a cracking cricket season a few tiers up the scale (in all seriousness) for ppingham and Oakham. oing into the final day ppingham had an opportunity to land promotion for all three of their senior sides the firsts and seconds in the Leicestershire League both needing wins to be certain of elevation irrespective of results elsewhere, whilst the Sunday Rutland League team had been promoted the previous week, finishing second behind champions Oakham in ivision 2. It wasn’t all plain sailing that afternoon for
‘Not only for this magazine but surely for the national press too, is Uffington 2nds’ barnstorming performance to win the elite Rutland League Division 4 East with the loss of only one game all season.’
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ActiveSport
either ppingham side although the firsts started well enough - 78-1 after sixteen overs - but the seconds were soon struggling at 56-4 off twenty. an Sneith fought a valiant rearguard action as his partners fell all too often at the other end reaching his halfcentury before retiring hurt and they eventually finished with a rather meagre 120. Meanwhile the firsts had problems of their own at 148-8 as the middle order stuttered, but later limped on to finish with a total of 188 all out, Ben Farnsworth and anny umforth the top scorers. At 5.10pm the news came through that the second team’s opponents, Birstall, were 99 for 5 and shortly afterwards the club Tweeted ‘It wasn’t to be this year! We will go again in 2022 well done for a great season boys’. In truth, they were very well beaten with Birstall having twelve overs and five wickets to spare. One down, one to go and now it was down to the firsts. Could their bowlers defend a below par score In the event the answer was yes, with all five bowlers finding success as opponents Loughborough Carillon came up 21 runs short. So Town will join Oakham in the Premier next season and the most hotly contested local derby will be on again. If you need evidence of their friendly rivalry you need look no further than social media, Oakham describing themselves as Rutland’s leading club, whereas Uppingham proclaim themselves as ‘The home of cricket in utland’. As aforementioned, Oakham’s Sunday side were deservedly crowned champions of ivision 2. We reported last month that their Twenty20 side reigns over the rest of utland and Leicestershire as well so, as a full term review, we should also mention that the Saturday first team were no slouches either, Although they finished mid table with 352 points, that was only seventy-odd behind the mighty ibworth who are champions yet again and for much of the season Oakham were themselves challenging for that top spot in the Premier which, let us not forget, is the
‘Oakham RFC have landed a real coup with the recruitment of ex-Tigers player Will Hurrell as head coach. The appointment comes after he held some sessions with the squad on an ad hoc basis and it seems the chemistry must have worked well.’
highest level of cricket we have before the county game. Stamford had their highlights too and now seem to have established themselves after relatively recent promotion to life at the higher level. If Alex Birch can keep hitting double centuries, as he did recently against Bourne in the utland League, then they will be formidable next year. Bragging rights are due to Bourne (who won that Sunday game against Stamford despite Birch‘s efforts) after a strong campaign saw their Saturday first eleven win the Lincs Premier League with one match to go. In spite of losing narrowly to bottomplaced Woodhall Spa in that fixture, perhaps relaxing a little too much, the seven losing points they accrued were enough to see them over the line. And so the bats, pads and gloves are now retiring for their annual hibernation into garages and attics until the spring, whilst gum shields and head guards head the opposite way and autumn brings rugby to our pages. Oakham FC have landed a real coup with the recruitment of ex-Tigers player Will Hurrell as head coach. The appointment comes after he held some sessions with the squad on an ad hoc basis and it seems the chemistry must have worked well. Still only
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31 he was forced to retire from playing after a serious head injury Hurrell described Oaks as ‘a great bunch of lads’ and the role as ‘a completely different challenge.’ Having also played for Bristol, Bath and others he will bring a wealth of knowledge, insight and Premiership savvy with him. Speaking to the utland and Stamford Mercury he said, ‘I want to create a buzz around the town so that people will come and watch and be excited to see games.’ veryone involved with the club will be hoping for great things. Stamford Town will be looking forward to locking horns with Oakham again after their promotion back into Midlands 2. With an eye to the near future they’ve launched an initiative to recruit teenage players, in spite of already having a pretty strong colts outfit. They said, ‘We’re looking for the next generation of rugby players through our Academy. If you’re between 16-18 years old and love playing rugby then get in touch. Our ualified coaches will take you to the next level of your rugby journey and prepare you for the adult game.’ Contact details are on their website if you’re interested. That’s all we have time for this month, as I have to organise three sets of morning dress for those ngton heroes’ forthcoming visit to the palace.
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The final countdown Our marathon men have come to the end of the road with their training and can now call themselves runners
W
HAT A WEEK for JP Marathon Man! Readers of the first column might recall how daunting a prospect fundraising was at the start of this journey, scarier than running a marathon I recall saying. With amazing support from our local community, I am delighted to say, as of today, my total raised for Macmillan is £7,750. And it’s not too late to donate if you have not already done so. The bulk of money raised has come from our fundraising event on September 11. Whilst we have had many generous personal donations, I am pleased to report the JP Marathon Man evening was a runaway success. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, music acts and the lovely owners of the Fox & Hounds pub in Castle Bytham we raised a whopping £5,800 on this fine evening. After initial wobbles about the iffy weather forecast and the usual ‘would enough people turn up’ concerns it turns out that we had the most amazing day and evening. This success was certainly not something I could have achieved on my own. For the support of my ‘JP Marathon Man’ One Night Only team I am eternally grateful - you know who you are! I think this shows just what can be achieved with hard work and optimism. Now we are focusing on training and how our game plan is playing out. Here we are just three short months into training as non-runners and now we are possibly converted to runners. As I write there are just two weeks to go to the big day. We have just completed our final long run of 23km, which is just over half the distance that is needed on the day. Our coach has advised us to not
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supporters will be cheering. Plus, we have shown that with resilience and hard work great things can be achieved. Our attention now turns to marathon day preparations; the logistics of getting to London, completing pre-race registration, collecting race numbers, fuelling correctly and not forgetting trainers or other such essentials. I’ll be back next month with a full de-brief on what the actual day was like and what time we made it round in. A final plea can you please help us to smash our fundraising targets. We have done so much but still need some help. Macmillan need your support more now than ever before. If you haven’t already managed to click on the link please do. If everyone reading this would give just £1 imagine what we could achieve together. https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JohnPridgeon
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spend more than three hours on our feet in our final long training run which seems sensible advice from our perspective! Asides from a niggle on my Achilles all is fine. With a couple of weeks rest I am sure it will be fine. We must ease up and rest a bit now in the final two weeks. The pros call it tapering, basically we now wind down our training effort, at least that’s the theory. I’m not good at sitting still so we will see how that goes. It’s extraordinary to think how far we have travelled on our training journey, a long way from our starting position which thankfully we never let constrain our ambition. We now know we can run 23 km and have done so a couple of times. Clearly we have to complete the 42 km (26.2 mile) challenge. Yet we are filled with optimism; mostly because London had no hills the last time I checked, and the good people of London and some of our local
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