Active Magazine // Stamford & Rutland // September 2024 by Active Magazine

ISSUE 137 | SEPTEMBER 2024

Travel: Mesmerising Málaga Can AI help us with our mental health? Back to school: how to keep kids healthy Will heads to the last corner of a wild Europe; Albania

Hot to Trot

Enjoy afternoon tea and the trot up at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials

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,

Advertisement Sales Director Lisa Chauhan lisa@theactivemag.com

Advertisement Sales Emily Stillman Helen Chapman

Production assistant Gary Curtis

Accounts accounts@theactivemag.com

Front cover image DBHT/Peter Nixon

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ISSN 2059-8513

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EDITOR’S LETTER

‘September always means new beginnings to me’

As the summer draws to a close at last we can be thankful for some proper summer weather. And so much else too, including the Olympics. I had no idea that a future Olympic silver medallist’s family lived just down the road from me. Thank you for the banner on the house to enlighten us. And how exciting was it to see Stamford’s d owe win sil er at his first l m ics don’t think Stamford has had a successful Olympian since Lord Burghley in 1928 (I’m happy to be corrected if this is not the case though) and a moment to be very proud of. It was very exciting to see new stars raise their heads above the parapets and others enjoy their swansong; congratulations to every one of them, to be an Olympian is a huge achievement with, I’m sure, man sacrifices made alon the wa September always means new beginnings to me because of the new academic year (and it’s my birthday). Fresh new uniforms, new schools or colleges for some, a new pencil case and school bag and, as I said, new beginnings and therefore hope. And not just for pupils. I think this time o ear re ects on all o us too we’ e all been to school and now the feeling) as life gets back to a routine with fresh starts, new goals and a sense o renewal etentions ma come later in the term fi urati el and metaphorically - but for now everything is shiny and new and intentions are good…

And of course, September locally means the Defender Burghley Horse Trials which always brings a buzz to the area, and welcome income to many, many businesses. For those of you who haven’t yet bought tickets this year why not enjoy the ‘trot up’ which takes place on Wednesday afternoon before the competition starts on the Thursday, and entry is free. It’s a chance to see riders and horses close up and is a bit of a fun fashion parade too. I’ll see you there.

Enjoy this glorious weather and have a great month.

Mary - Editor

ACTIVE LIFE

9 NEWS

There’s lots happening with local businesses

22 TRAVEL

Mesmerising Málaga

24 DEFENDER BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS

Hot to trot; Wednesday is the day to see riders and horses in all their glory

34 WILL’S WALKS

Will heads to one of the remaining wild parts of Europe; Albania

ACTIVE KIDS

ACTIVE BODY

49 AI ANYONE?

Can AI help with your mental health?

ACTIVE SPORT

55 MEET SECONDOARY FUN

A group of old Stamfordians have a world record in their sights

ActiveLife

Local business news

Enjoy afternoon tea and the trot up at this year’s Defender Burghley Horse Trials.

Networking at its best, how a chance meeting led to an improvement in rugby players’ safety.

Will heads to one of the last bastions of wild Europe; Albania.

Mesmerising Málaga; it’s not just the gateway to the Costa del Sol p22

Freedom Physio

Dellie Walker, a Chartered Physiotherapist since 2007, turned her decade-long dream into reality by founding the Freedom Physio clinic in 2021. Driven by her passion for empowering individuals to take responsibility for their physical health, along with experience in assessing, diagnosing and treating both acute injuries and chronic conditions, Dellie equips her clients with the knowledge and tools needed to support ongoing wellbeing.

Nestled in the heart of Rutland, Freedom Physio offers a comprehensive range of science-based physiotherapeutic treatments, all rooted in Dellie’s belief in gentle and supportive recovery methods. This ‘whole-person’ approach incorporates a variety of complementary therapies expertly executed by the Freedom Physio team. Treatments include clinical Pilates, sports massage by Ceri Moore of Recover and Restore, women’s health physiotherapy by Esther Stubbs, person-centred counselling by Molly Holmes of Willow Counselling, and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) by Hannah Melville. By integrating these diverse treatments Dellie and the team identify and address the root causes of their clients’ discomfort, rather than simply treating the symptoms.

Freedom Physio is more than just a clinic; it is a sanctuary for recovery and wellbeing. Housed in a beautifully converted Grade II listed Coach House in etton, the clinic’s calm atmos here re ects ellie’s desire to establish a recovery-focused environment. Thoughtfully designed, the clinic was renovated using organic and recycled materials including lambswool insulation and re-purposed timber. The clinic also uses recycled materials for towels, couch rolls and hand towels which are collected by a local company to be composted, with a tree planted for every load.

From the eco-friendly design to the comprehensive range of treatments, the Freedom Physio team is dedicated to promoting overall wellbeing, enabling clients to relieve themselves from physical and mental limitations, retrain their bodies, and renew an active lifestyle. www.freedom-physio.co.uk

‘Dellie equips her clients with the knowledge and tools needed to support ongoing wellbeing.‘

are Cottage, 12 Woodgate, Helpston, terborough. PE6 7ED.

Explore where John Clare lived and worked, a shop withlocal crafts, beautiful gardens and relaxed café serving homemade scones,cakes and soups

Clare Cottage, 12 Woodgate, Helpston, Peterborough. PE6 7ED.

Tel: 01733 253330 Email: info@clarecottage.org

Clare Cottage, 12 Woodgate, Helpston, Peterborough. PE6 7ED.

Tel: 01733 253330 Email: info@clarecottage.org

01733 253330 Email: info@clarecottage.org

Tel: 01733 253330 Email: info@clarecottage.org

Explore where John Clare l and worked, a shop withlo crafts, beautiful gardens an relaxed café serving homem scones,cakes and soups

Open Mondaysand Thursdays 10am until 3pm.

Open Mondaysand Thursda 10am until 3pm.

Private Hire andGroup Bookings welcome.

Private Hire andGroup Boo welcome.

www.clarecottage.org

A new home for Stamford Strings

Stam ord Strin s imited is thrilled to announce their orthcomin mo e rom St eonard’s Street to resti ious new remises on Hi h Street, St artins, near he eor e Hotel, re ectin ﬁ e success ul ears in business and now, e ansion into new remises

Stam ord Strin s s ecialises in the ma in , restorin , and re airin o strin ed instruments, o erin tailored ser ices b trained iolin ma ers nother strin to their bow is dealin in antique and contem orar instruments and the stoc a wide ran e o instruments or collectors and la ers rom be inners to ro essionals, both locall and internationall

heir new location ro ides se arate s aces or wor sho acti ities, a retail showroom, and a dedicated area or tr in out instruments ustomers will still be in ited to iew and isit the wor sho to see the luthiers at wor

he mo e also allows Stam ord Strin s to e and their, ra enose iolins’ brand, and stoc a wider ran e o hi h end instruments on ratulations ibb www.stamfordstrings.co.uk

Stamford Treasures Trail in support of MindSpace

How well do you know your way around Stamford?

Here’s our chance to ﬁnd out and enter a ri e draw to win an annual amil ass or ur hle ’s Hide Secrets d enture la and Scul ture arden

or the second ear runnin , local charit indS ace Stam ord are runnin a one da onl Stam ord reasures rail’ undraiser challen e e ent, on Sunda

Se tember he e ent will raise unds to su ort wellbein and ositi e mental health in Stam ord and i e local eo le the chance to test their nowled e o what’s around hether ou are u or a bit o a challen e, or ou anc a un a ternoon with the amil , this is ust what ou need to beat the ost holida blues ormer oet laureate Scott oe has a ain com osed the clues to the trail and well nown local artist aren eale is contributin a s etched ma o the area co ered b the trail

he Stam ord reasures rail will ta e lace between am and m and eo le will be able to choose a lon er route with more destinations or a shorter town centre based qui , more accessible and suited to amilies with oun er children he challen e be ins at the indS ace stand on the Hi h Street in Stam ord between am and m to collect our qui trail sheet

Pre-paid tickets cost £5 (children under 18 free with an adult ticket. Entries on the day are £6. www. mindspacestamford.com

Airconditioningprovidesyear-round comfortbycoolinginthesummerand heatinginthewinter.

Itimprovesairqualitybyfilteringout pollutants,reduceshumidityto preventmouldgrowth,andenhances overallwell-beingandproductivity withaconsistentindoorenvironment.

Installationstartingfrom:

New yoga classes

We would like to introduce Stamford’s newest yoga teacher, Andrianna of La Lune Yoga and Wellness. Andrianna brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of knowledge, having recently completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training course after years of doing her own practice.

Andrianna will be leading Vinyasa classes tailored for beginners, stressing that yoga is for everyone and every body. Her inclusive approach ensures that all participants, re ardless o their e erience, can benefit rom the h sical and mental advantages of yoga. ‘I believe that yoga should be accessible to everyone. It’s a practice that can be adapted to fit an bod t e and an fitness le el,’ she sa s

In addition to Vinyasa classes, Andrianna will introduce men’s mobility and mindfulness classes. These sessions are desi ned to enhance e ibilit , reduce stress, and romote overall well-being. Her holistic approach aims to foster a supportive and inclusive environment where all participants can thrive.

Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or new to the practice, Andrianna’s classes offer something for everyone.

Classes are Mondays at 6.30am and 6.30pm, Wednesdays at 6.30pm and Saturdays at 7.30am. The morning classes take place at Pure Ora studio off Broad Street, and the evening classes at The Place, St Mary’s Street. Breathwork and men’s mobility and mindfulness classes will be coming soon.

Visit www.laluneyogawellness.com or follow her on Instagram @laluneyogawellness.

Miles without barriers

Rutland Countryside Access Forum are asking for volunteers to help make the public rights of way network in Rutland more accessible for everyone, including people with limited mobility and families with pushchairs.

The aim of the project is to create an interactive website which members of the public can access to identify which routes such as public footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways are easily accessible, for example those that are stile-free. This will enable everyone to enjoy our beautiful local countryside.

Rutland County Council has records of kissing gates and stiles, but not which have radar locks. Gates with radar locks are designed to allow people using aids such as mobility scooters to access public footpaths but stop the illegal use of the footpath by motor cycles.

Volunteers will be trained how to capture the information as they walk along the routes using an android phone or tablet which will be available on loan to the volunteer. The training will take place both indoors and outdoors on a public right of way.

To ﬁnd out more about this project and to register as a volunteer please email rightsofway@rutland.gov.uk or visit www.rutland.gov.uk/roads-transport-parking/ highways/public-rights-way/countryside-access-forum

A call out for volunteers

Are you feeling bored, lonely or just stuck in a rut ould ou li e to ﬁnd a wa to sta acti e, meet li e minded eo le and now you are making a difference to your local communit o ou want to im ro e our mental health and boost our conﬁdence Come and join us at FareShare Midlands as one o our olunteer dri ers, warehouse assistants or administrators.

FareShare Midlands is the region’s largest ood redistribution charit , ﬁ htin ood o ert while sa in nutritious ood rom oin to waste e rescue ood qualit surplus food and redistribute it to charities and community organisations across the idlands ach wee we reach more than , eo le throu h a networ o community partners – providing nourishment to vulnerable children, families and older eo le ast ear we redistributed almost 6,000 tonnes, providing 13 million meals.

Our members include community centres, homeless shelters and children’s breakfast clubs feeding families battling poverty and hunger. They turn the surplus food into affordable shopping, food parcels and delicious meals. But it’s not just about the food - the members provide additional support including advice in respect of beneﬁts, housin and debt

B Boutique by Rebecca

Rebecca Wade managed fashion stores on the High Street for over ears oroth er ins is where it all be an, be ore mo in to River Island in Queensgate, then moving to manage department stores in and around East Anglia before changing direction wor in or the amil business and ha in children urin loc down, a burnin desire to dabble once a ain in ladies’ ashion be an and outique b Rebecca’ was born, startin out on ts initiall She met some abulous new customers at local events, delivered locally to customer’s homes durin loc down and built u a solid customer base Rebecca built a ood social media ollowin , added a website and then ﬁnall in ril o ened her ﬁrst sho at St eter’s Street in Stamford and hasn’t looked back since.

Rebecca loves affordable Italian fashion. The majority of her pieces are lines that she believes make you look and feel antastic n si es u to she is lannin to e and her re ular and curve ranges in the near future, keeping all stock competitive and most im ortantl , a ordable om ort is e She now stoc s handba s, ascinators and clutch ba s so i ou ha e a weddin or an e ent ou reall want to ma e that e tra e ort or o in and see her. You’ll be impressed. www.bboutiquebyrebecca.com

To get as much food as possible to these charities and community organisations and the thousands of people they support, FareShare Midlands relies on the help of our olunteers Ri ht now we need assionate eo le with s are time and a desire to hel Please sign up as a volunteer at our South i ston de ot ou will er orm essential tasks such as driving the delivery vans and

ac in the ood in the warehouses t the same time, ou will ain so much riendshi , un, e ercise and new s ills, nowin that ou are hel in our local community and the environment.

To ﬁnd out more call: 07981 36023 or email: Volunteer@faresharemidlands.org.uk. www.faresharemidlands.org.uk/

Be Inspired

What’s On!

StamfordShowstoppers

A new yoga class is coming to the ballroom in Stamford’s Art Centre starting on September 2 from 10-11.30am. It will be a chance to start your yoga journey from the very beginning. The class will cover basic poses, breathing practices, guided relaxation and meditation. Designed to help you feel better in mind, body and soul. Yoga isn’t just about bending! It is about bringing balance into your life.

eacher ic Ha es is a qualified ritish Wheel of Yoga teacher with over 15 years’ e erience am o erin our first class ree so that ou can tr out the benefits o yoga for yourself.’ Nicky’s classes are small and friendly.

www.nickyhayesyoga.co.uk

The Polar Express runs from November 23 to December 23. Vintage Trains are hosting this ma ical e erience o the ﬁlm bein theatrically recreated for you all to enjoy whilst on the train journey to the North Pole and back, and Santa pops up too. The ourne starts at irmin ham oor Street Prices start at £29 per person - bookings@ vintagetrains.co.uk

Harborough District

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, presented by Stamford Showstoppers, takes place at the Corn Exchange from September 19-22. Tickets are on sale now and it promises to be a night to remember. www.stamfordcornexchange.co.uk

Strictl le ends rendan ole, ames ordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian aite are comin to eicester’s e ont ort Hall on October 1 with their Legends of the ance oor show www.demontforthall.co.uk

Northants and Rutland Open Studios takes place this month kicking off with a launch party at Lamport Hall on August 31. And then enjoy a month’s worth of open studios around the region ranging from pottery to portraiture and everything in between. For more details visit www.nros.co.uk

Harborough District Walking Festival takes place between September 8-15. Enjoy guided walks around the area with experienced and knowledgeable leaders for £8 per person. Walks must be booked in advance. Canals, battles and buried treasure are all there to be explored – not to mention local characters and ancient customs. www.harboroughwalks.org

Classics at the Cathedral with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is being held at Peterborough cathedral on September 21 at 7.30pm. Tickets available from www. peterboroughsings. org.uk

Tim Stubbs who was the landlord of The Red Lion in Warmington is bringing the second instalment o his one man show, Re ections of Life Part 2 to Cotterstock village hall on September 27 at 7.30pm to raise money for Diabetes UK. Tim is an entertaining raconteur who will keep his audience entertained. Tickets are available from Stu-Pots in Oundle. w

BARNS

Fairchilds Barnstwo

barn conversions situated on a family farm in the heart of Rutland

Fairchild’s Barn and Big Drift Barn can be booked together to accommodate up to 22 guests, perfect for a group getaway.

www.visitourfarm.co.uk/bookings/ 07801 057417

Fairchilds Lodge, Caldecott, Market Harborough LE16 8TE

Onion bhaji

Our ﬁnal recipe from the chefs at the Everest Lounge in Market Harborough and Oakham is everyone’s favourite, the onion bhaji

Ingredients

onions, er ﬁnel sliced

• 100g plain flour tbs corn our

• 1 tsp chilli flakes ts turmeric

• 1 green chilli deseeded and very finely chopped e etable oil or r in

• 5gm salt

For the raita cucumber

• 150g Greek yoghurt tbs cho ed mint

Method

ho the onion in a ulienne, or er , er ﬁnel slice i ou don’t ha e one hen add and mi all the in redients thorou hl into the cut onion S rin le on cold water until ou can sha e the onion in a round

• For the raita: peel the cucumber and grate it into a colander. Mix the remaining ingredients with the drained cucumber – squeezing out any extra moisture with your hands. Whisk the mixture at least 15-20 times.

Heat about cm o oil in a wo or dee an o not ﬁll the an more than a third ull dd a tin s ec o bha i it rises to the sur ace surrounded b bubbles and starts to brown, then the oil is hot enou h or r in

• Cook round shaped bhaji in oil for a few minutes, turning once, until they are evenly browned and crisp, circa 3-4 minutes. Drain on kitchen paper, and keep warm while you cook the rest. Ser e with the raita

www.everestlounge.co.uk

www.rutlandruralretreats.com relax@rutlandruralretreats.com

Rutland Rural Retreats

Adult only, dog friendly glamping holidays

Nestled in the undulating hills of Rutland, lies this very special, small and secluded, super dog friendly glamping retreat.

Just three stylishly furnished, en-suite, heated glamping units, each with enclosed gardens, can be found within 4 acres of beautiful meadow land. Everything you need to escape from everyday life and enjoy the great outdoors with your pooch whilst still retaining that touch of luxury.

Rest – Relax – Re-energise at Rutland Rural Retreats!

Death come quickly

This plant isn’t poisonous, but don’t bring it into your house says Rowan Grifﬁths

Native and widespread in the UK, herb robert is a common plant often seen growing in shady places such as wayside verges, woodland edges and against walls. It is also known as red-robin, stinking bob, squinter-pip and, curiously, death come quickly.

It is a low growing hardy annual or biennial weed and as its botanical name, Geranium robertianum suggests, it is a wild geranium. The plant is not fussy where it chooses to grow and although preferring shade will tolerate full sunlight. It grows to about 40cm in height with a similar spread. The leaves have a fern like appearance and are bright green but will, along with the stems, turn a rusty red when growing in full sun. Herb robert owers rom the late s rin , throu h to the autumn he ﬁ e etalled owers are tiny, less than 2cm and range in colour from pastel pink to pale purple. The stems, owers and seed ods which sit ato the stems are all co ered in ﬁne hairs

Unfortunately, the plant has a faintly unpleasant smell, hence the name stinking bob.

As the name herb robert suggests the plant has a history in traditional medicine and was used as an antiseptic and to treat stomach upset. The leaves were often chewed to alleviate sore mouths and throats. Indeed, the leaves are edible, though bitter and may be used in salads or infused as a tea. No parts of the plant are poisonous.

But why death come quickly? Despite its medicinal properties it was once superstitiously believed that if picked and brought into the house a death would soon follow. In folklore the plant also had strong associations with the red haired forest sprite Robin Goodfellow, also better known as Puck in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Go low

Garden designer TJ Kennedy talks about the reinvention of the low maintenance garden GARDENING

Even though trends are for wild, untouched wildlife-haven gardens, the request that designers and landscapers get most of the time is for a low maintenance garden. And this is completely understandable.

An outside space for ourselves and improved habitats for insects, birds and mammals is what our industry now has to work on.

I spend some of the summer in the very north of Scandinavia and am now creating exactly this kind of garden over here. It needs to be low maintenance as it is untouched for much of the year (and under snow from October to May). In the summer we are blessed with 24 hours of daylight and want to make the most of the space in the few weeks that we are there.

However, low maintenance here is controlling tree saplings and growth to make space to live, stopping foliage growth around wooden houses to ensure air ow and creating clear usable spaces.

In the UK my work is focused on bringing nature closer, capturing the potential that our often limited outside spaces offer, whereas here the open space is abundant. It is strange to be on the other side, but allows me to really think about the reinvention of the low-maintenance garden.

So how can we do this while moving away from the usual large areas of paving or Astroturf, raised beds and evergreen

hedging; gardens that can easily be swept clean, surfaces washed and an annual hedge trim? We still want somewhere to sit, eat, socialise and relax, that is a given. Could a mown lawn be the alternative to a hard landscaped area? We can improve its wildlife credentials and visual interest by encouraging moss with mixed grass species. It can have daisies and clover, but we can also mow it and sit on it.

We really don’t embrace trees and shrubs as much as we should. They don’t need to be evergreen to be low maintenance, they are er sel su ﬁcient hoosin ar in heights, different budding times, autumn leaf colour and spring blossoms will support birds and insects throughout the year. For us, we gain privacy and shade. It gives us something to walk around, duck under, lie under it will ca ture the wind, re ect the rain. You just need to pick the correct ones for your space and consider the spread of the root system.

This is low maintenance but in its new form of green architecture offers abundant beauty. This could be enough, or you could add a few containers with manageable owerin lants or nectar and one with water.

Simple gardening; low maintenance and achievable and an improvement on what was before.

www.tjkennedy.design

Mesmerising Málaga

Tilly Thipthorp tells us why it’s not just a stop-oﬀ point, but a beautiful holiday destination in itself

Often thought of as just an airport stop, a place you pass through on your way to Marbella or other coastal towns, Málaga itself makes for a captivating holiday destination, offering much more than just a jumping-off point. The city is also very clean and safe, making it a pleasant place to explore.

This vibrant city is perfect for all kinds of trips with an assortment of activities and attractions to suit all types of holidaymaker. The city’s rich history is evident in its architecture, museums, cultural landmarks and its natural assets such as La Malagueta Beach. This is one of Málaga’s most popular spots, located just a short walk from the city centre. This sandy beach, with its inviting blue waters and palm-lined promenade is perfect for sunbathing, swimming or enjoying a leisurely stroll. The beach is well-equipped with amenities such as beach bars (chiringuitos), restaurants and facilities for water sports, making it a favourite destination for both the locals (Malagueños) and tourists.

The Port of Málaga, known as Muelle Uno, features a variety of shops, restaurants and ice cream parlours, perfect for a sunny day. It’s a fantastic place to enjoy a meal with a view of the Mediterranean, shop for souvenirs, or simply take in the lively atmosphere. The port is also home to the Pompidou Centre Málaga, a contemporary art museum also known as ‘The Cube’ as it is housed in a striking multi-coloured glass cube.

Moorish architecture

Málaga is enriched with beautiful and stunning architecture, showing its rich history and cultural heritage including the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle. These two iconic landmarks offer a journey back in time to the Moorish period from the 8th to 15th centuries. The Alcazaba is a beautifully preserved fortress with extensive gardens, built on the slopes of the Gibralfaro Mountain, while the Castillo de Gibralfaro, perched on the mountain top, provides stunning panoramic views of the city and the sea. Visitors can walk up to the castle. From the top you can see the bustling port with its vibrant waterfront, La Malagueta Beach with its golden sands, and the iconic

bullring, Plaza de Toros de La Malagueta, located in the eastern district o the cit ullﬁ htin still ta es lace here, articularl during the Feria de Agosto street fair in mid-August. The surrounding lush greenery, including the nearby Parque de Gibralfaro, adds a re reshin contrast to the urban scener he wal u to the castle is as rewardin as the destination itsel , with windin aths that lead throu h hills and o er lim ses o la a’s natural beaut ature lovers can enjoy the tranquil environment and scenic views that stretch out to the Mediterranean Sea.

s well as the lca aba and astillo de ibral aro, la a boasts many other architectural wonders such as the Church of Santiago, la a de la onstituci n and la a athedral, nown as a anquita he one armed lad or its incom lete second tower s the birth lace o ablo icasso, la a is stee ed in artistic herita e and o ers a ibrant cultural e erience or art lo ers he cit hosts several art galleries and museums, each contributing to its rich artistic ta estr he icasso useum, situated in the stunnin th centur alacio de uena ista, boasts an e tensi e collection o o er wor s

by Picasso, showing the extent of his artistic evolution. Art lovers will ﬁnd la a a treasure tro e o ins iration and creati it

Tantalising tapas

he ori ins o ta as trace bac to ndalusia, the re ion in which la a is located he cit o ers a rich culinar scene, with alle oreno onro well nown or ha in some o the best ta as in the city. Visitors can indulge in a variety of traditional dishes such as es eto de sardinas’ s ewered sardines , boquerones ritos’ ried ancho ies and alb ndi as’ meat or ﬁsh balls in a traditional almond sauce).

la a’s ercado tara anas is a must isit his co ered indoor mar et is a sensor deli ht, o erin a wide arra o resh roduce, sea ood and local delicacies nd do ta e a moment to en o the colour ul stained lass window de ictin local scenes hen a ter a da o e lorin , unwind at one o la a’s man roo to bars, where ou can en o a drin while ta in in the cit ’s stunnin s line

la a en o s a tem erate climate almost all ear round, ma in it an ideal destination for any season. However, autumn is articularl leasant with mild weather that a oids the e tremes o summer heat nd the ala ue os, or eo le o la a, are nown or their hos italit , ma in isitors eel welcome

la a is more than ust an entr oint to the osta del Sol it’s a mesmerising holiday destination in its own right. With its history, art, beaches, ibrant ort and delicious ood, la a o ers a com lete and ulﬁllin tra el e erience hether ou’re lannin a tri with riends, a romantic esca e, or a amil holida , la a is deﬁnitel worth a isit

www.visita.malaga.eu

Hot to trot

The ﬁrst day of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials is actually Wednesday, and there’s lots to do during the remaining three days too. Mary ﬁnds out more

The Defender Burghley Horse Trials are, as we know, a three-day event: dressage, followed by cross country culminatin in e citin show um in to ﬁnish o ut there’s also another event that is free entry, where everyone is welcome, it’s highly entertaining and a bit of a fashion show for horses and riders; the trot up.

his is a com ulsor e ent which is the first horse ins ection o the competition (another one takes place on Sunday morning). Every rider has to trot their horse in front of the three ground jury judges and vets to show that their horse is fit and sound and read to com ete t’s the start of the event and a perfect opportunity to get up close to horse and rider in a more in ormal settin t’s also not very crowded as usually only locals and those staying for the three days come to watch. The horse and rider appear in the order they have been drawn in the competition. The rider walks the horse up and then stands it square in front of the judges and then trots it back. There can be some hi h in s rom the horses as the are ob iousl su er fit and raring to go. The gates open at 2pm with the trot up taking place at 4pm.

And it’s quite a spectacle as, obviously the horses are turned out beautifully but the riders get a chance to com ete too, sartoriall this time t has been nown or shorter skirts and high heels to be worn and it turns into a bit of a fashion parade. Many of the riders are sponsored by some well-known brands and prizes are awarded for the best dressed male and female rider. All a bit of fun and worth going to see.

This year there is also the chance to enjoy a Pol Roger afternoon tea experience. Tea is served at 2pm with a glass of Pol Roger champagne. Then you can enjoy a cross country talk from Captain Mark Phillips and Jane Holderness-Roddam, exclusive access to the main arena to watch the ﬁrst horse ins ection and then at m en o a mini course wal to include at least ﬁ e ences with insights from the course designer and the two Olympic gold medallists. A rather special way to start the event off.

'And it’s quite a spectacle as, obviously the horses are turned out beautifully but the riders get a chance to compete too, sartorially this time.'

More going on than just the competition

There is so much to do at Burghley. Obviously, there is the three-day event taking place and all that that entails, abundant shopping too and lots of delicious food to enjoy as well as catching up with friends. But there’s also a lot more to do. Too much to mention here but some of the highlights are the Master Classes which sound really interesting. You can listen to seven times Olympian Carl Hester talk about his dressage career on Friday 6 September. And enjoy demonstrations from Pippa and William Funnell as well as William and Alice Fox-Pitt (the only woman to have competed at Badminton and the Grand National) and on Thursday listen to triple Cheltenham gold cup winning trainer Henrietta Knight present Re-educating the Racehorse.

And then for a little light relief and fun don’t miss the Shetland Pony Grand National. This takes place in the main arena on the Saturday before the cross country starts and on the Sunday before the show jumping too, not to be missed!

www.burghley-horse.co.uk

Local exhibitors at Burghley

You can shop until you drop at Defender Burghley Horse Trials and many of us do. Make sure you call in at some of the local retailers too

Dawson of Stamford

One of the most prominent spots in the shopping village belongs to Dawson of Stamford - stand C2 - which is right next to the Land Rover stand, you can’t miss it. Dawson have been exhibiting at Burghley for years, this year is their 44th! They aren’t just exhibitors though they are also custodians of the event’s trophies which are displayed on the stand. They took this duty over from Asprey and Garrard (and the stand position) about 15 years ago. They engrave the trophies with the winner’s name and take care of them over the year as well.

Dawson, based in Stamford, specialises in jewellery, antique and modern, beautiful antiques and furniture too. ‘We’ve sold a lot of furniture over the years,’ says Dawson’s Kelly Hetherington ‘as well as a lot of jewellery, antique and modern. A lot of our customers are regular visitors to the stand, locals, but also many rom urther aﬁeld and worldwide who o in e er ear, which re ects the e ent ur hle is a er ect ad ert or us to showcase what we do and we often get phone calls a few weeks later from husbands and partners buying Christmas presents; that happens a lot.’

Burghley is the only show they do ‘because of security and it’s right on our doorstep.’ Kelly is a keen horse rider and loves the event. ‘It’s one of the best events in the equine world and I love that it’s local and so prestigious. There are such a huge number of worldwide visitors and the shopping is just fantastic. It’s a lovely event, the sun is usually shining and everyone is happy. It’s just such a nice place to be. How lucky are we to have it on our doorstep?

o in to sa hello and ha e a lass o ﬁ e’ e ot some lovely new pieces to show you.’

Stand C2. Dawson of Stamford, 6 Red Lion Square. www.dawsonofstamford.com 01780 754166

Legacy

o errone rom e ac , the wonder ul inta e sho in Uppingham, has been exhibiting at Burghley Horse Trials for many years. Every year she creates, with her partner Michael, a sumptuous and enticing stand full of their vast collection of antique jewellery and fabulous vintage clothing. This year, it will be e en more lu urious as o ho es the lamorous ibert rint tent she recently spontaneously bought will take pride of place to show off her stock.

’I couldn’t resist it,’ she told me. ‘It’s fabulous and I wasn’t lea in ibert ’s without it et’s ho e it ﬁts on the stand ’

As an experienced gemologist, Mo has a wonderful eye for original, antique jewellery and enjoys taking equestrian related pieces to Burghley along with other hunting items including clothing, paintings and objets d’art for the horse mad crowd including many loyal customers.

‘People come back every year to shop with us. They save up and treat themselves. Some do their Christmas shopping. We have items costing from thousands of pounds to just £2 for a Simon Drew card which are always very popular. And our preloved designer clothing and accessories always get snapped up. We have them all hanel, rada, hristian ior, ouis uitton, erra amo handbags. Do try to visit us on stand H18.

‘There are plenty of mummies and daughters who come to see us, and cha s tr on the tweeds but there are no t ical e ac customers and that’s the fun of it. We never know who will turn up but the ﬁrst item we alwa s sell, and we could set the cloc b it, is a three row pearl choker!’

Mo and Michael enjoy Burghley as it’s always well attended, it’s good to see the Royals and it’s close to their shop in Uppingham so they can easily go back in the evenings to restock.

Do make sure you pop in and see them at stand H18, you’re bound to ﬁnd somethin ou can’t resist

Stand H18. Legacy, 11 High Street West, Uppingham. 01572 822500

The Wick & Wax Co

Sasha Olsen from the Wick & Wax Co thinks that ‘the Defender Burghley Horse Trials is a great event, located very close to home and one I have attended regularly over the years with my family. I have such great memories there so it makes it all the more special for me to participate as a trader. The event, from this perspective, marks the end of the summer and the beginning of autumn, the time of year when things begin to get a little hectic, with the start of, dare I say it, Christmas gift shopping!

‘The Wick & Wax Co doesn’t have a shop as yet, and until such a time, it’s hugely important to showcase our products at events such as these, and other smaller craft fairs, locally and nationally. The Defender Burghley Horse Trials affords us the kind of exposure that will help us to grow, as well as being conveniently located on our doorstep.

‘What we love most is the opportunity to meet and talk to customers from all over the world and locally, whilst also enjoying the camaraderie between the traders. We help one another to get through both the busiest of times and the quieter times too. It’s a real community spirit.

his ear ou can ﬁnd us at stand in the ountr i in Pavilion, where we feel right at home with other incredible artisans and small independent businesses selling lifestyle, homewares, jewellery, clothing and gifts. We shall be featuring our new range of long-lasting plant-based reed diffusers that we launched in July. Best sellers include the Tuscany, Botanical, Orchard Rain and Spiced Rose fragrances so I shall be sure to bring plenty to Burghley! These diffusers complement our other vegan-friendly products including soy scented candles and wax melts, all of which are handcrafted here in Stamford in small batches. For those loo in ahead to hristmas, ou can ﬁnd our hristmas fragrance, Noël, taking pride of place on display, as well as our wider range of signature scents.’

Stand No.39 – Country Living Pavilion www.thewickandwax.co @thewickandwaxco

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I can highly recommend all classes at Pure Ora we aim to o er something for everyone.

To book any of these classes, visit my Instagram page at @PureOrastudio, where you’ll ﬁnd a Linktree link in the bio for booking classes. Specifally For Vinyasa, Hatha and Pilates you can book directly on our website at pureora.co.uk

We o er a variety of classes, including Vinyasa Yoga and Hatha Yoga with the wonderful Rebecca W, Pilates with the highly experienced Harri, Pre-Natal Yoga, Mum and Baby Yoga with Julie, Exquisite Self Care Yoga with Justine 1-1’s available, Kind Yoga with Rae and occasional events to look out for often a collaboration with 2 teachers for a beautiful experience. Sound Healing with Cassy is also o ered. We look

Class passes are available for those booking directly through the Pure Ora website.

These classes are deliberately kept to usually a maximum of 8 for a bespoke experience. All are welcome, there are herbal teas available for you to enjoy either in the studio downstairs, or as the weather warms up upstairs outside on the patio.

Paddock Fencing

Paddock Fencing is a family run business that specialises in traditional style steel products, think beautiful gates and estate fencing. They are based in Thorney in Cambridgeshire, just outside Peterborough, and are regular exhibitors at Burghley.

Proprietor Ollie Butcher says ‘Burghley is such a special competition. We love soaking up the electric atmosphere at the event, and in and around Stamford too. There is always such a buzz around the town during the event. The demanding cross country course is a particular highlight for us and the huge crowds add to the atmosphere.

‘One of the most enchanting aspects of Defender Burghley is the setting. The beautiful house and grounds provide a breathtaking backdrop to the event and there is strong sense of camaraderie that spreads throughout the competition. It’s always great bumping into old friends we have made over the past eight years of exhibiting. We love meeting new customers to discuss their potential projects and to tell them all about our British made products. As a supplier and installer to the Burghley Estate it’s always a great way of showing off some of our work at the show. That’s why for us, there’s nothing quite like the Defender Burghley Horse Trials. Come and see us.’

Stand B45

www.paddockfencing.com 01733 270724 sales@paddockfencing.com

As well as local exhibitors there are of course ones from far and wide. One of our favourites is…

Really Wild Clothing

ur hle was one o the ﬁrst shows we attended as a brand when Really Wild began in 2002, and it remains such a privilege to exhibit. The buzz and anticipation make it an event that we always look forward to, particularly as it gives us an opportunity to reconnect with long standing customers whilst also meeting new. But perhaps most poignantly, Burghley is steeped in British heritage and has an incredibly strong lineage of Royal visitors and competitors. We at Really Wild pride ourselves on championing the modern voice of heritage style and have earned an impressive roster of trusted loyal ties, with our clothing being worn on numerous occasions by the immediate Royal Family.

'Held at the start of the autumn season, Burghley is one of our primary opportunities to showcase the new Really Wild collections and obtain tangible customer feedback; we love nothing more than seein and hearin eo le’s reactions to the ﬁt and cut o our designs. This year, we present AW24 with classics from our repertoire, crafted in our distinctive heritage tweeds and renowned Liberty silks. We are also incredibly excited to be showing our sell-out Bria Lady Coat in a deeper cranberry/cream boucle tweed for the season, woven from a luxurious blend of Scottish wool and mohair. Do come and see for yourself,’ says Team Really Wild.

Stand number A38 www.reallywildclothing.com

THECHEESEM AKER’SSHOP

Cropwell Bishop Creamery

Cheesemaker’s Shop & Tearoom

Our newly extended and refurbished Cheesemaker’s Shop now has a fabulous tearoom where visitors can dine in with us, as well as more space for our wide range of delicious, locally produced goods. Call in and treat yourself!

Home is best

Gail Devereux-Batchelor introduces us to her business, Home Instead

Home - it’s where most of us want to be especially if we are ill or e en as we et older and more infirm n one can need care due to an accident, planned surgery with rehabilitation at home, or simply as we age and become less able to mana e So, Home nstead are definitel isn’t ust or old eo le e ro ide a bes o e, tailored ser ice or our clients ur care professionals are known for their smiling personalities, arriving on time, having had high standards of training, and the way they ro ide ro er, thou ht ul care ur award winnin trainin is onl one o the reasons we ha e the hi hest are ualit ommission utstandin in all fi e areas here are onl ei ht other domiciliar care ro iders rated so hi hl in n land

How we do this?

ur care ro essionals are reat, rom e er bac round and all ha e loved and cared for someone which inspired them to work in this ‘no da ’s the same’ ro ession atchin interests means that our care i ers can also e en hel with a belo ed et listenin care ull , we ensure that an indi idual care lan re ects the client’s needs and wishes, includin wor in alon side other ro essionals e then match our client’s hobbies and interests to a local care i er to build the best relationshi s

Reliable and regular visits, ranging from one hour to live in care is what we are about e can also o er o erni ht res ite when amil members need a brea ur care i ers are dri ers, ull insured to ta e our clients out and about e’ e loo ed a ter clients on their holidays and also accompanied them to precious family events such as weddin s a client articularl li es to s end time in the arden

then we’ll match them with a caregiver who will be happy helping in the reenhouse or lannin ower beds

So o ten hear that other care com anies ust don’t ha e time or the little thin s li e ﬁllin bird eeders or ba in a ca e or isitors, and wanted Home nstead to be di erent wanted it to o er the ind o care would ha e wanted or m mum he um test t’s a ri ile e to spend time with older members of our community as there are so man stories to hear, it’s a recious time ur sta eel the same wa too

’m not rom a traditional nursin or care bac round althou h m husband and ostered children alon side our own three little ones e saw how hard social ser ices wor ed to ee eo le sa e t was onl when needed to ﬁnd care or m own relati es that realised there was a hu e ob to do to im ro e standards and was ins ired to ro ide what elt should be a ailable started with ust m care mana er and m sel and now em lo o er sta er the ast ears our local Home nstead team ha e won awards, hosted monthl friendship lunches, provided community scam awareness and dementia riends sessions, e t e er one sa e throu h o id and achie ed the hi hest accolade rom the are ualit ommission ut with an a ein o ulation, do now there is still so much to do ein bus with clients is one thin , but what we need now are more reliable, riendl eo le to meet increased demand and oin our local Home nstead teams Some sta ha e been with us or o er ears, wor in with us ﬁts ha il around their other commitments ost o our care mana ement team started as care i ers, u lin part time work alongside their young families, and now are leading a team

Everyone needs breakfast so we always have a high demand for earl birds to come and wor or us between am do et in touch i ou are interested he best art o the ob he smile on a client’s ace when we arri e nowin we are trul a reciated e er sin le da

www.homeinstead.co.uk

Market Harborough 01858 540317, South Leicestershire 0116 298 4744, Oakham 01572 898147 and Corby 01536 737501.

Two heads together

A meeting of two entrepreneurial minds at Market Harborough’s Innovation Centre has led to an improvement in rugby players’ safety

Harborough Innovation Centre, located to the north of ar et Harborou h, ro ides eco riendl , e ible o ﬁces and meeting spaces as well as offering bespoke business support helping start ups and growing businesses thrive. The centre runs networking events for tenant businesses and visitors and at a recent one a chance meeting has resulted in boosting safety measures for rugby players from grassroots to internationals on a global scale.

Tim Stimpson, a Leicester, England and British Lions rugby player, visited the centre to hear about the ground-breaking steps Hedkayse were making with cycle helmet safety design. He could see there was potential that the innovative new technology could also be used to better protect the brain health of rugby players. Tim had concerns about his children la in ru b due to the e osure to repeated head injuries.

he c cle helmets ha e multi le beneﬁts and use a er ormance impact foam technology called Enkayse which is unique because it’s currently the only product in the world which can recover its structural integrity after impact.

im’s tal s with mana in director o Hed a se, eor e o , prepared the way for the design of rugby headguards. Traditional rugby headguards don’t protect the brain and use soft foam designed onl to rotect rom cosmetic in uries such as cauli ower ear’ and minor cuts.

Now, thanks to a chance meeting of entrepreneurial minds at Harborough Innovation Centre, Hedkayse have created a revolutionary sports headguard which has been approved for use by World Rugby.

The cutting-edge headguards deliver a massive 75% reduction in linear impact from a direct blow and its unique design means it better protects delicate areas of the brain including the occipital lobe. By reducing the force of these impacts, Hedkayse hope to mitigate the risk to the long-term brain health of players.

The documented, long-term negative effects of repetitive head injuries have threatened the sport at grassroots level with many schools considering dropping rugby. It is hoped that by educating youngsters about hydration, neck strength and tackle technique and using the Hedkayse headguard will help reduce the risk to both the short, and long-term brain health of players.

Hedkayse, based at Harborough Innovation Centre are an ethical and clean-focused company. Employees purposefully work with local te tiles and roduction com anies across the idlands, includin in Oadby and Corby to push forward developments in their technology. They are now looking at using Enkayse to help boost safety in several sporting activities across the world.

If you would like to join the guest list for future Harborough Innovation Spotlight network events please get in touch today. Harborough Innovation Centre is owned and managed by Harborough District Council.

www.harborough-ic.co.uk www.hedkayse.com 01858 414 200 hic@harborough.gov.uk

WILL’S WALK

The last corner of wild Europe

The

Albanian Highlands are not well known but they soon will be, as Will Hetherington discovers

Will’s Walk

As we approached the highest point of the Valbona Pass more than 1,800m above sea level, it seemed hard to fathom we were in the heart of the Balkans. I would have believed it if you told me it was the Andes, or perhaps deep in the Swiss Alps with the towering rocks all around us. But no, here we were in the Albanian Highlands, as they are generally referred to in this friendliest of countries, and it wasn’t what I had imagined. The rugged peaks here form the southern branch of the Dinaric Alps, and are also referred to as the Accursed Mountains, but Highlands sounds a lot better for obvious reasons. Montenegro lies just to the north, and you can hike up to the border in a day. In fact we were probably only two hours short of that border on our previous day’s circular expedition to Rama’s Hut (literally a hut) one mile high on the alpine plateau.

Warm and hospitable

Before we went to Albania some people looked a little bemused at our choice. Last year was Transylvania, in 2021 it was the High Tatras separating Slovakia and Poland, and in 2019 it was Mount Triglav in Slovenia, so I don’t know why they were surprised. Perhaps there is a stigma about Albania? When I was growing up, all we really knew about this mysterious nation tucked in between Greece to the south and equally exotic Montenegro to the north was that it was off limits. We might have known the capital was called Tirana, but that was pretty much it.

Since the fall of communism and the onset of the 21st century things have changed dramatically. But reports in the UK about Albania and the people who emigrate from it are rarely presented in a positive light. So, yes perhaps there is still a stigma. But I can testify that Albanian people pride themselves on their warmth and hospitality and this makes the country a joy to visit. This shone through in the charming mountain guesthouses, the seafood restaurants* around e er corner, the entriﬁed bars o

‘But no, here we were in the Albanian Highlands, as they are generally referred to in this friendliest of countries, and it wasn’t what I had imagined.‘

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downtown Shkoder and the seaside city of Durres. Albanians freely admit the culture of the blood feud between families is still prominent, but this is not something for the casual visitor to worry about.

The lure of social media

But to return to the Valbona Pass and those rugged mountains. It turns out there are already quite a lot of those aforementioned casual visitors in Albania. To my surprise these Highlands are already well and truly on the backpack trail. And the fairytale mountain village of Theth, which lies at the other side of the pass, has clearly become the magnet which draws the young (and slightly older) from all over Europe and beyond.

After an hour of pretty much straight

‘And, before you know it, adventurous young things from the likes of America, UK, Germany, Australia and, well, Dubai pack their backpacks, book a ﬂight to Tirana, and head for the hills.‘

uphill walking towards the pass we stopped for a welcome break by a giant boulder in a mountain glade. One of the two men already sat there resting said: ‘Nearly there right?’ I looked at him and said: ‘Oh yes, just round the next corner…’ Once we stopped laughing I asked where they had travelled from: ‘My brother and I have come from Dubai.’

At least the heat would not be a problem for them, but I couldn’t help asking him what brought them to Albania because they seemed slightly shocked by the scale of the ascent? One simple word in reply: ‘Instagram.’

The power of social media sends stunning images of mountain villages, cobalt blue rivers, waterfalls and epic valleys around the

world in a second. And, before you know it, adventurous young things from the likes of America, UK, Germany, Australia and, well, ubai ac their bac ac s, boo a i ht to Tirana, and head for the hills.

Fertile mountains plains I don’t blame them. It’s jaw-droppingly beautiful here. The fertile mountain plains provide fresh food for the table with cheese, breads, tomatoes, aubergines, stuffed e ers, lamb, ﬁsh and hal litre cara es o local wine to wash it all down. Plus a little raki every now and again for the digestion. There is an endless supply of cold water to quench the thirst on the hike and cold beer afterwards. Kosovo is a few miles to the east;

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Montenegro is just over the mountain, and this feels adventurous and fun.

The rivers really are cobalt blue, and coincidentally that’s the colour you will go if you spend more than a minute in one of them. That water was snow not so long ago and it hasn’t got much beyond thawing point halfway down the valley.

Yes, there were a lot of people on the pass in very late June and I imagine it got busier in July and August. We were advised not to go before June because of snow, but I wonder if it might be worth visiting in late spring or early autumn.

Rapid growth

It’s not easy to get in and out of this area, with poor road surfaces and one extremely steep and winding pass, and in a way I hope it stays that way for the reasons below.

Construction seems to be rampant in the mountains, with new guesthouses and accommodation pods in progress at every turn.

‘But like our very own beloved Lake District or any other place of such natural beauty, there is a balance to be struck, and unregulated growth could become a problem.‘

We arrived in the Highlands via the legendary two-and-a-half-hour passenger ferry along Lake Komani. While the scenery above was extraordinary and it’s obvious why it gets compared to the Norwegian fjords, the picture on the surface of the water was less aesthetically pleasing. Plastic bottles and lots of them. I found it impossible to ignore that our very presence here was in part responsible for such carelessly discarded waste in this precious and fragile

environment. Did I personally throw my plastic bottle in to the water? No, of course I didn’t, but we can hardly ignore the impact we have on these rare and exquisite natural environments when we visit them.

In our rather beautifully written Bradt guide to Albania there is a box-out which explains there are 3,200 species of plant in this region, compared to the 1,500 native species in the British Isles. There are 14 species of wild thyme, and your nose will let you know all about it, with this sweet scent accompanying most of your mountain steps.

But like our very own beloved Lake District or any other place of such natural beauty, there is a balance to be struck, and unregulated growth could become a problem. It’s entirely understandable for people here to want to cash in on nature’s bounty and the foreign currency tucked away in all those backpacks, but that passage in the Bradt guide concludes: ‘One of the main reasons for this richness is the historical isolation and economic neglect of the area. As this changes, these precious populations will come under threat. The interest and enthusiasm of visitors will be invaluable to the future of this last remaining corner of wild Europe.’ Quite.

Make no mistake this is a special part of our continent and with careful management there is no doubt it can thrive. I hope to go back some day and see more.

*A quick note on the seafood restaurants in Shkoder and Durres on the Adriatic coast; fresh sea bass to feed two, prepared and cooked with butter and lemon in minutes. Sensational. (£8)

Active Kids

Shooting success

er man con ratulations to ear itham Hall u il, Charlotte, who took the U12 individual gold in the IAPS ational la Shootin om etition, hosted at the est ondon Shooting School. Five pupils represented the School across three age groups, but Charlotte shot with impressive precision throughout the morning, dropping just four shots. It was also a pleasure for her to meet Old Withamian, Paul hitton , one o the SS coaches on the da he reminisced about his time at the school, recounting fond memories.

Drama Scholar Wins National Shakespeare Prize

Oakham School Drama Scholar Charlie has been crowned the winner of the prestigious English Speaking Union Performing Shakespeare Competition 2024, beating almost 2,000 pupils from schools across England and Wales.

Year 9 pupil Charlie travelled to London to compete in the grand ﬁnal, which was held in the Sam anama er la house at Sha es eare’s lobe His ower ul rendition o Hamlet’s soliloqu rom ct , scene ii o Sha es eare’s most amous la secured him the top prize.

Celebrations at Leicester High

The Year 5 Junior Celebration Evening at Leicester High School for Girls was a resounding success as the school community gathered to honour the pupils’ achievements before they transition to Year 6 in Senior School.

The School Hall was transformed into a spectacular venue for a memorable evening, featuring an awards ceremony and a gala dinner prepared by the school’s culinary staff, catering for children and adults. The evening was marked b a sense o ride and celebration, re ectin the hard work and dedication of the pupils and staff alike.

The highlight of the evening was the heartfelt speeches the Year 5 pupils delivered. They shared cherished memories from their time at Juniors, including memorable trips to Warwick Castle, Kingswood Norfolk and Twycross Zoo.

Oakham School Launches New Dance GCSE

Oakham has launched a new GCSE in Dance starting in September 2024, to broaden further the range of exam courses on offer.

The GCSE programme, which is a two-year course starting in Year 10 follows three strands of learning: performance, choreography and dance appreciation. By studying the course pupils will develop knowledge, understanding and practical experience of the wide range of dance choreographed and performed today. Dance training is not essential but an interest in dance and a willingness to learn to move in different ways, are.

Oakham School’s purpose-built dance studio, The Courtyard, provides a fantastic venue to teach all types of movement and dance styles including ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz and tap.

For more information, contact admissions@oakham. rutland.sch.uk or book a place at Oakham School’s next Open Day on Saturday 12 October.

Experience. An Oakham Education.

Join us at one of our upcoming events to discover more about our high-achieving, co-educational boarding and day School for pupils aged 11-18.

To book your place scan the QR code or call our Admissions team on 01572 758758.

Insightful evening for 14 to 16-yearold athletes and their parents.

THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER

Back to School in Good Health

You’ve survived six weeks of keeping them amused, now prepare to do battle with… the classroom

Apotential breeding ground for bugs and germs, the classroom can be quite a formidable foe. No sooner have you nursed your child through one illness then another comes along, with research suggesting that families with children in school can be affected by as many as 12 colds a year.

Thankfully there’s plenty you can do to outmanoeuvre germs and boost your child’s defences.

Teach kids good hygiene

Good hygiene is half the battle. Germs can pass quickly from one child to another, either by direct touch or touching contaminated objects. Once on hands they are easily transferred to mouths. Help reduce the potential spread of infection by encouraging your children to wash their hands regularly and thoroughly, especially after every visit to the bathroom and before eating or preparing food.

Keep them active

Regular exercise, preferably outside in the fresh air, can also help to strengthen the immune system. According to a 2019 research review, moderate-intensity exercise was found to stimulate cellular immunity by increasing the circulation of immune cells. This helps our bodies better prepare for a future infection by detecting it earlier.

Echinacea for children?

A herbal favourite for immune health is Echinacea purpurea. It is well-documented for its immune-supportive properties and can hel to ﬁ ht the s m toms o colds and u china orce hewable old lu tablets, (www.avogel.co.uk) are suitable for children over the age of 12 and offer a low-hassle option to drops or conventional tablets ith their est oran e a our the taste great too.

Top up on vital vits

itamin , or adults too, is also reall important. There are plenty of delicious ways to et itamin into our child’s diet oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, broccoli and other green vegetables, and if they won’t eat them whole, you can always blend these itamin owerhouses into a delicious ruit and veg smoothie. Alternatively, a chewable itamin or ids can hel ee it to ed u r o el’s ature or ids which is rich in naturally-occurring, more easily absorbed itamin rom real ruits, and suitable for children as young as four.

Vitamin D3 is also important for immune health, so increase supply where necessary. A good, child-friendly multi-vit can help to do this, as can a vitamin D supplement.

Tame tummy troubles

Look after their tummies. With

approximately 70% of your active immune cells found in your gut, it makes sense that the gut plays an important role in keeping ou well hen ou are first e osed to a virus your immune system uses antibodies to bind to the virus in the respiratory and digestive tracts. These antibodies work to prevent the virus from entering the body further, and also identify it to be destroyed. A live bacteria supplement designed especially for children will help to keep their tummies healthy, and is worth bearing in mind i our child has recentl finished a course of antibiotics, which as well as fi htin bad bacteria also destro s ood bacteria in the gut.

Say no to sugar

erha s easier said than done but deﬁnitel worth a go. As well as all the other reasons sugar is bad for you, also include the effect it has on the immune system, namely, it has been shown to suppress it. So, keep sweets to a minimum or try substituting with a piece of dried fruit.

And make sure they sleep…

Finally, a good night’s sleep is hugely important. It’s when the body rejuvenates itself, replenishing lost materials and repairing wear and tear. Inadequate sleep can dampen the body’s resistance to illness and infection, so make sure your child is fully rested.

For further information, visit Raj and his team at The Body Store, 13 Town Square, Syston, LE7 1GZ or call 0116 269 4348.

ActiveBody

EDITED BY KATE MAXIM

Neuro-drills for success

Neuroscience can be tapped into to increase health and wellbeing

Some of the most fascinating cutting edge neuroscience (study of the nervous system) is being used to help people increase strength and e ibilit and decrease ain his can be ut into ractice durin o a and ﬁtness classes as well as b thera ists e ercisin , the nervous system can be stimulated to improve bodil unction he best thin o all is that this can ha en almost instantaneousl hese neuro drills e ercises can be utilised to beneﬁt us in a number o wa s includin

• Firing up areas of the brain that stabilise the core and ostural control re e i el so you don’t have to consciously think about en a in it

eural ossin to hel irritated or stic nerves glide more smoothly which decreases pain and allows an increase in ran e o mo ement

ncrease e ibilit without ha in to stretch es, ou reall can do this to achieve your splits or touch your toes in a orward old

m ro ement in e e trac in and e esi ht

• Decrease the brain’s perception of threat to allow increased balance and proprioception (knowing where your body is in s ace

• Decrease in dizziness and nausea for people who suffer from travel sickness by regulating their vestibular system (the s stem that’s res onsible or our balance Reduction in ain, ati ue, sti ness, an iet and de ression ll o these can be a result of a response to the brain sensing threat

• Encourage the nervous system to regulate itself up or down depending on an indi idual’s needs

hese drills wor because the im ro e the information received though our senses into the brain ithout realisin , we ma ha e deﬁcits in our sensor s stems because o scars, tattoos, ast illnesses, in uries, traumas and sometimes even because of the long term use o certain medications ou ha e to wear glasses or contact lenses your eyesight is com romised ecause man o us are on screens for most of the day our eye muscles can wea en due to disuse t is er im ortant that children are not sub ected to this and loo u and into the distance, o ten his can be inter reted b our brain as an increase in threat isual and estibular drills, certain t es o breath wor , mobilisin com le oints such as hands, eet and s ine , neural ossin , stimulatin ner es in the ace and head and different areas of the brain cerebellum, midbrain, ons, medulla can all ha e a ositi e im act nd sometimes ra id results in ain reduction, im ro ed ran e o mo ement, stren th and e ibilit and e en better ision

We can also use physical drills to observe how the nervous system is responding to what we are doin n other words, depending on a person’s unique nervous s stem, the neuro drill we’re testin ma help their brain decrease their perception of threat (which is what we want) or it may do nothin , or it ma increase their erce tion o threat So, it’s im ortant to test and retest how a erson res onds to a drill ath and Simon urrows who teach o a and acroyoga locally have been using these techniques to help their students progress more quic l in their rou classes he most rewarding case for Kath has been working with a private client who was recovering rom lon co id he client went rom bein de conditioned and an ious, unable to lea e the house, to bein able to wal outside or si miles

For more information you can contact them by email on kath@pocketsizedyogi.com or WhatsApp on 07732 730500.

AI – a suitable case for treatment?

Can AI help us with our mental health? Hugh Venables tells us more

Mental healthcare is in crisis. Not my problem, you tell yourself.

I’m fine. But one in four of us, research suggests, will face a mental health crisis each year. Maybe AI can help us all deal with it?

AI looks an attractive solution. In January 2024 there were 1.8m people on waiting lists for NHS mental healthcare services and accessing private therapy can be expensive. So, the burgeoning AI industry has been quick to step in. There are 20,000 mental health apps out there, 300 targeting anxiety alone. Cheap. Accessible. Perfect?

But can machines, what we used to call robots, really replace humans? Professionals in mental healthcare have doubts. Dr Paul Marsden of the British Psychological Society’s cyberpsychology committee insists: ‘AI apps should be seen only as a supplement to in-person therapy, not as a replacement.’ There is both science and common sense to support their concerns.

Leading clinical and forensic psychologist, Dr Naomi Murphy, says that human empathy is at the heart of good therapy and there is physiological evidence to back that up.

‘Often people seek therapy because they’re struggling with shameful ‘secrets,’ those negative, deeply held beliefs about ourselves that undermine our sense of being loveable, competent, ‘enough.’ Typically, these beliefs leave us feeling ashamed about ourselves. We fear others will see we are defective and flawed.’

AI, she argues, may appear to offer an opportunity to address our shame and provide a solution to talking and thinking about it without anyone else knowing. But that, she believes, is to miss the point. The antidote to shame is exposure. Dr Murphy questions if it is possible to experience the cure of exposure in a ‘relationship’ with a machine:

‘Building trust with a real therapist allows these beliefs to be exposed gradually to another human. We can develop an understanding of how they were generated and recognise that they are fundamental errors in our attitude to ourselves.

‘It is a ‘heart and mind’ issue. It is not our thinking that’s waiting to be corrected. It’s a problem with how we feel. A computer can challenge the way we think about ourselves,

‘There are 20,000 mental health apps out there, 300 targeting anxiety alone. Cheap. Accessible. Perfect?’

but in therapy with a human we get to feel that we are loveable and deserve appreciation, support and tenderness. We come to recognise that our imperfections are part of being human and don’t undermine our worth.’

Science has demonstrated that our heart’s electromagnetic energy field is 5,000 times greater than the brain’s. It not only influences our own bodily rhythm but can be detected via ECG in another person sitting nearby. So, when you sit in a room with someone who feels warmly and compassionately towards you, you will often feel safe, calm and nourished. We’re a long way off AI being able to give us this experience.

Most of what gets focused on in therapy is not what is said but how it’s said. Insightful therapists, and especially those who, like Dr Murphy, practice sensorimotor psychotherapy, draw attention to the unspoken signals - the smile that emerges as a mask whenever emotional hurt is discussed, the way the foot taps despite protestations that ‘all is fine,’ the tears that well up when ‘Mum’ is discussed.

Good therapy often helps us recognise when there’s a mismatch between what we say and what we feel. It draws our attention to how our body knows something different to our mind, helps us acknowledge truths that have been hard to face. AI, however valuable in some settings, will struggle to deliver that emotional connection. Unlike a real therapist, it can’t hope to discern what we don’t yet recognise in ourselves.

And, a word of warning - if therapy is about connection, the real danger of connecting too emotionally with chatbots has already been demonstrated, too often with devastating effects.

Finally, just in case you were wondering, this article is written by a real human being.

www. Octopuspsychology.com hughvenablespoetry.com

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How long?

Watching Djokovic playing at Wimbledon on a knee which had surgery only four weeks earlier has made Chartered Physiotherapist Sarah Babbs consider expectations and fears following orthopaedic surgery

One thing I am increasingly seeing is people a little way down the line following lower limb orthopaedic surgery. They felt unsure about what they should have been doing up to that point and been anxious about whether or not they were doing the ri ht thin hen ﬁrst started m physiotherapy career, standard practice after a hip or knee replacement was to be kept in hospital for two weeks with daily physiotherapy. This has reduced over the years and many are now sent home just a couple of days after surgery. Some have physiotherapy, most often in a class setting and some not until six weeks after surgery. hat eo le beneﬁtted rom in the lon er hospital stays was reassurance from medical professionals as well as chat with other patients. They kept each other cheerful enjoying light mutterings about the ‘physioterrorists’ appearing by their beds and enjoyed a sense of camaraderie and support.

Research seems to show that the outcomes for most are similar, with a good range of movement and good walking ability at six months and a year post operatively. However, I have seen that people do struggle in those ﬁrst ew wee s ectations seem to range from ‘I should be pain free and up and about after a couple of days’ to ‘the pain is bad. I need to wait for that to settle before I start moving.’ So, what is best?

The best preparation is to be as strong, e ible and acti e as ossible with ood sleep and nutrition vital as always. Understanding what is being done is helpful. Some are squeamish and ﬁnd it di ﬁcult to think about but knowing can give some comfort as to why the area is sore. Knowing that drills and hammers are part of the equipment used during surgery may help!

n the ﬁrst ew da s a ter oint re lacement and keyhole surgeries, pain and swelling management is key. Use pain medication appropriately so that you can do gentle movements and sleep well. Use crutches or other aids to take comfortable weight through the limb (unless instructed otherwise at the time of surgery). Swelling can be reduced by using compression, ice and elevation. There are excellent gadgets that can be bought or hired to help this, ranging in price from £40-£400.

n the ﬁrst two wee s swellin will be reducing and more movement gained using simple contractions of muscle to support the joint. With knee surgery working to fully straighten the knee is important as well as working towards a 90º bend and ultimately to 120º. At two weeks post-surgery, often

people are able to reduce, but not stop, the pain medication and will be moving more freely. Sitting on the toilet or on hard seats may still be uncomfortable at this point. Walking a few times a day and a 5 minute walk should be achievable.

From 3-6 weeks the pain will settle more. Most will still require crutches for this time but some will be able to change to walking poles and at six weeks may be walking freely. I prefer that people use two crutches rather than one as this gives a better walking pattern. Over this time more strengthening exercises are added and for some returning to a gym with a carefully set programme may be helpful.

lite athletes li e o o ic will be ha in intensive support on a daily basis so it’s not surprising when they have an early return to competition. But for most 2-3 months will be an appropriate wait for golf, running and more strenuous activities. Having good physiotherapy support will help that journey and I do tell people that it will take up to a year to forget which leg has had the surgery.

m ortantl , i reco er eels di ﬁcult or i there are concerns, always seek advice and support earlier than may have been planned.

To contact Sarah ring 07780 900201.

ActiveSport

Rowing challenge

Meet Secondoary Fun, a group of Old Stamfordians who have a world record in their sights

Join Secondoary (note spelling, it is a play on oar) Fun as we begin our campaign to complete the world’s toughest row across the Atlantic in December 2025. We aim to break the world record or the oun est team o ﬁ e as we are onl or e will be com etin a ainst other teams and raisin o er £60,000 for charity.

We are a team of Rutland locals: Old Stamfordians, team GB sailors, ultra marathon runners, national owerli ters and a id mountaineers made u o li er ic well, llie Hamilton, amie idd, dam Rowlatt and ames eetch hilst we are all ori inall rom the area, a ter ﬁnishin uni ersit we are now wor in in ondon, i er ool and Singapore. We are in the early stages of our careers with two raduates, two h candidates, and one trainee chartered accountant Howe er, we will all be drawn bac to our homes to collect our R lite rowin essel and be in trainin on Rutland ater the heart o where it all began.

The Challenge

he row is o er , miles e will do a shi t attern o two hours on and two hours off for roughly six weeks - the same distance as rowing the channel 144 times! We will be closer to satellites than humans at the halfway mark. But we may not be alone for the whole journey; remarkable marine life could join us along the way, including whales, blue marlins, dol hins and e en shar s Slee de ri ation, hallucinations and hunger will make this the ultimate test of body and mind onsumin o er , calories a da will be a challen e in itsel e will also be sub ect to eet wa es, ca si in , and e er thin other ature can throw at us

Chosen Charities

e ha e chosen to su ort three charities or our cam ai n ind R, irch ree a and ementia d enture, all o which we ha e e erience o and witnessed lo ed ones battle ind based mental health charit that ro ides su ort and resources or o er , eo le nationall and ensures that o e er is donated directl to those in need irch ree a small ca based in aston on the Hill run b young adults with Down syndrome. They aim to increase the o ortunities a ailable or adults with learnin disabilities, with onl a staggering 6% being in paid employment nationally. ementia d enture ith dementia bein the number one cause o death in the , ementia d enture o ers holida s or amilies li in with dementia, allowin them to reconnect with nature his has been shown to slow the onset o dementia b u to ﬁ e ears rom the no el neural networ s created rom new stimuli

‘The row is over 3,000 miles. We will do a shift pattern of two hours on and two hours oﬀ for roughly six weeks - the same distance as rowing the channel 144 times!’

The largest proportion of our donations are expected to come at the end o our o a e oth our boat and loose equi ment will be sold to a future team, allowing all proceeds to be donated to our chosen charities. We look forward to being able to update you on how our ro ect de elo s o er the comin months as we be in our crowdfunding campaign to make this trip a reality.

If you are interested in hearing more about our journey, our indi idual reasons or ta in on the challen e, or hel in celebrate our wider family that has helped us get to where we are now, you can ﬁnd us on nsta ram, in edin and o und e @secondoaryfun or reach out directly - secondoaryfun@gmail.com

There’s a new sport

in Rutland, Stamford boasts a silver medallist

and the

Rutland

Morris are celebrating 50 years; Jeremy Smithson-Beswick enlightens us

Many of you’ll already have heard of cyclist Ed Lowe’s silver medal at the Olympics, but a magazine headquartered in his hometown of Stamford couldn’t possibly go to print without revelling in his success just a little bit more. After all, it’s almost a century since our last – David Burghley’s gold in the hurdles in 1928. Ed’s triumph came, as you may know, by riding the opening lap for the GB team who ﬁnished second to the utch world record holders in the sprint event.

The medal is even more precious as it came as something of a surprise, not only on the day but beforehand. Speaking to the BBC, Ed had said: ‘If you’d have told me a year ago that ’d be oin to m ﬁrst l m ic ames, wouldn’t have believed you.’

Their sterling effort was enough to put Stamford ahead of over 100 entire nations in the medal table including the likes of Peru, Qatar, Singapore and Angola. In fact, warming to the idea of our local Lincs town entering as an independent nation, I couldn’t help but notice that China has a population of around 1.5 billion, which is nearly 70,000 times as large as Stamford’s, and yet they only won 91 times the number of medals. The USA, 16,000 times larger, won only 126. Therefore, in terms of medals per head, we’re the clear winners. So, if anyone asks you over the next few days who topped the Olympic table, just reply (if you’re able to speak with our ton ue ﬁrml lod ed in our chee ‘Stamford.’

One of the many positives of Harborough FC’s promotion last term (which means they are the joint second highest ranked team in Leicestershire after Leicester City, by the wa is we now ha e a new local derb to savour – against Stamford Daniels. The ﬁ ture com uter dul chose that as the season’s opener with home advantage to the

ees and it turned out to be a close run thin , the honours eventually going to the Daniels by the only goal of the match scored by Jack Duffy, somewhat against the run of play, in the th minute oth sides ﬁnished the ame with ten men because a ‘coming together’ of former Daniels defender Paul Malone and Joe Burgess saw both shown red cards late on.

The result represented a modicum of revenge for the Daniels as Harborough had knocked them out of the FA Cup last season.

Harborough manager Mitch Austin remained upbeat saying, ‘I’m pleased with our start at step 3, particularly with the second half as we took the game to Stamford and created a number of good chances.’

Harborou h went on to claim their ﬁrst point of the season with a draw away to Alvechurch whilst the Daniels kept a 100% record with a home win against Hitchin Town.

Before we leave the football a big shout out for Royce Rovers who are celebrating their 50th anniversary. One of the largest community sports clubs in Rutland they offer qualiﬁed coachin to around bo s and

irls a ed ﬁ e to with more than acres of playing and training space at the Rutland Showground, bespoke changing and shower facilities ‘plus our warm and welcoming RR café for food, drink and friendly chatter.’

As part of the festivities, they’re hosting a fun day on 31 August with mini golf, in atables, a un house, ootball reest le demonstration and much more. Come dressed as a famous footballer and win a prize. Adults £1 admission, kids free.

Also celebrating their 50th birthday are the Rutland Morris, who you may have seen doin a eritable dance a thon last month at six different venues in Uppingham. Should you have been curious why they appeared to be doing so outside some private houses, it’s because four of the venues were, sadly, pubs that are now defunct. The Waggon and Horses, Cross Keys, Royal Oak and White Hart, for those into hostelry nostalgia, the latter being their birthplace all those years a o here are more dance outs to come, so take a look at their website for more information.

‘Ed’s triumph came, as you may know, by riding the opening lap for the GB team who ﬁnished second to the Dutch world-record holders in the sprint event.’

You asked and we have delivered. This reprint of in-demand Will’s Walks Book 1 is in shops across the area now, or order from theactivemag.com It’s only a small print run so don’t miss out!

Enjoy walks around Stamford and Rutland, exploring towns, villages and the open countryside. Some shorter walks of up to four miles and then some real leg stretchers which will tire you and the dog out.

Available at www.theactivemag.com or from local stockists

‘Pickleball’s a racket sport that blends elements of badminton, tennis, and ping pong, and is played on a court the same size as badminton doubles, featuring a slightly lower net than tennis.’

Regular readers will know that we often feature lesser- known sports that are gaining in popularity, especially if there’s a thriving local club looking for new participants - and this month it’s Pickleball. Apparently, the USA’s fastest growing sport, it’s now come to Uppingham and is proving to be a big hit.

‘It’s crazy how quickly we have grown,’ said Stewart Hamblin, Rutland’s ﬁrst qualiﬁed coach. ‘We started off with two courts on a Monday evening at Uppingham School Sports Centre and within two weeks we were up to six and we now have 24 players in each of our twice weekly sessions with smaller sessions at other local venues.’

Pickleball’s a racket sport that blends elements of badminton, tennis, and ping pong, and is played on a court the same size as badminton doubles, featuring a slightly lower net than tennis. Beginners are welcome, indeed one of the reasons Pickleball has proved to be so popular is that the rules have been designed to make it as accessible as possible. The serve, for example, is underarm which means that the game can’t be dominated by a big server as it often is in tennis and the club provides the equipment, so there’s no need to buy your own.

Stewart continued ‘another great thing about the sport, given our unpredictable weather, is

that it can be played indoors as well as out. Anyone can learn how to play in an hour and it’s just a lot of fun. We have a short waiting list to sign up to join the group but anyone who is interested, and beginners are always welcome, can ﬁnd all the details on our website www.uppinghampickleball.com

That’s all for this month, apart from reminding you the rugby season’s about to start, so do get down to your local club to cheer them on. Coverage of early results in the next edition.

On your bike!

This month, Gary Waterfall tackles a challenging 27 miles with a whopping 2,700 feet of climb in High Leicestershire starting at Café Ventoux. Mile for mile this will be a challenging ride for many.

Starting at Café Ventoux, head up the hill (get used to this!) and take care crossing the main road into Tugby village. Turn left and then left again at the crossroads before following Crackbottle Road and turn right at the T-junction. Head up the short, sharp hill before enjoying the downhill coast into Hallaton. Then take a left turn uphill through Horninghold. Keep climbing to the summit and then enjoy the steep drop on the other side but give yourself lots of time to brake for the junction.

Turn left to Uppingham and then you have the Leicestershire switchback to conquer into the town. Head north from Uppingham and take the second left at the roundabout through Ayston and then left to Ridlington for the Ridlington Ripples; only two of the ripples today though. Turn left at the crossroads and enjoy the downhill into Braunston. The Blue Ball is a good place to take a break before tackling the rest of the mostly uphill ride home.

Leave Braunston and take a right turn shortly after leaving the village. Then it’s the long undulating climb into Cold Overton reaching the peak of over 600 feet above sea level. Turn left at the junction towards Somerby and left again just short of the village to head south through Owston. Keep heading south for seven miles then you’ll be back at Café Ventoux for a well-deserved coffee and cake. And then have a look round the newly opened Giant Store which is right next door and stuffed full of cycling goodies.

https://www.strava.com/ routes/3240415403265432722

Or scan the QR code

ROUTE

Distance: 26,78 mi

Elevation: 2,740ft

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