FR
EE
ISSUE 24 // APRIL 2017
!
HOW TO… South Leicestershire’s sport and lifestyle magazine
Wedded Bliss How to look amazing on your big day
Spring clean like a pro Make Easter biscuits Age brown trout!
Cycle Circuit
Our new te monthly rou to ride
Will’s Walk Foston
ISSUE 24 // APRIL 2017
Food, glorious
food! How to eat better than ever, by local chefs and experts
www.theACTIVEmag.com 04
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For a free consultation or further information please email info@positivepeoplesolutions.co.uk life fit coaching.indd 1
24/03/2017 16:09
Editor’s Letter I HAD THOUGHT THAT CLAUDIO RANIERI getting the boot would be the pinnacle of bizarre sackings in the Leicester area this year. But I was wrong. After the Leicester Tigers board gave director of rugby and club stalwart Richard Cockerill the boot in January, they left head coach Aaron Mauger in charge, a man who it seemed was finally to be given his head to install the all-court style game that he had been brought in by Cockers for in the first place. Two months later, and two days after the first silverware in four years, he’s got the boot too in favour of bringing back an old head coach in Matt O’Connor. Luckily, the board chose to be much nicer to George Ford, who left the club in a huff three years ago because he didn’t think he was playing enough. He’s on megabucks to come back having got in a huff with Bath, but the entirely decent and very popular Freddie Burns got the boot as well, traded to Bath as a sweetener for the deal. Now, I’m no expert on how to run a professional rugby club, but as a fan and season ticket holder of many years I have one observation to make: Leicester Tigers is not being run like it was when the club was winning lots of trophies.
Publisher Chris Meadows chris@theactivemag.com Editor Steve Moody steve@theactivemag.com Deputy editor Mary Bremner mary@theactivemag.com Production editor Julian Kirk julian@theactivemag.com Art editor Mark Sommer mark@theactivemag.com Contributors Martin Johnson, William Hetherington, Jeremy Beswick, Julia Dungworth Photographers Nico Morgan, Pip Warters Production assistant Gary Curtis Advertising sales Lisa Withers lisa@theactivemag.com Amy Roberts amy@theactivemag.com Editorial and Advertising Assistant Kate Maxim kate@theactivemag.com Accounts accounts@theactivemag.com Active magazine, The Grey House, 3 Broad Street, Stamford, PE9 1PG. Tel: 01780 480789
Enjoy the issue! Steve If you have information on a club then get in touch by emailing editor@theactivemag.com. If you would like to stock Active magazine then email distribution@ theactivemag.com. If you would like to discuss advertising possibilities please email advertise@ theactivemag.com. Active magazine is published 12 times per year on a monthly basis. ISSN 2059-8513 A Grassroots Publishing Limited company. Company registration number 7994437. VAT number 152717318 Disclaimer
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Copyright (c) Grassroots Publishing Limited (GPL) 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or be stored in any retrieval system, of any nature, without prior permission from GPL. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of GPL or its affiliates. Disclaimer of Liability. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information contained in this publication at the time of going to press, GPL and its affiliates assume no responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of and, to the extent permitted by law, shall not be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained in this publication. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of the advertising material which they submit and for ensuring the material complies with applicable laws. GPL and its affiliates are are not responsible for any error, omission or inaccuracy in any advertisement and will not be liable for any damages arising from any use of products or services or any action or omissions taken in reliance on information or any statement contained in advertising material. Inclusion of any advertisement is not intended to endorse any view expressed, nor products or services offered nor the organisations sponsoring the advertisement.
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Contents
ISSUE 24 /// APRIL 2017
ACTIVE LIFE 11 WHAT’S ON
Great things to do locally for all the family
12-13 HOW TO...
Make Easter biscuits and spring clean your home
16-17 RIVERFORD RECIPE
This month we cook a crispy topped fish pie
18-19 GET AWAY FROM IT ALL Plan your ultimate safari holiday
FEATURES 22-29 HOW TO WIN AT EATING
Delicious, healthy recipes from local chefs and nutritionists
18
31 MARTIN JOHNSON’S COLUMN
The Sunday Times writer on sports managers
ACTIVE BODY 35 KIT BAG
Keep dry in April’s showers with this kit
37 DEALING WITH BACK PAIN
Expert advice from the Ashleigh Clinic
38 COMPETITION
Win Rat Race Dirty Weekend tickets
40-41 THE FINISHING TOUCHES
Tips and products to help you shine on your wedding day
ACTIVE LOCAL 46 DAY IN THE LIFE OF...
Cycle wheel builder Paul Eveleigh
42
56 22
48-49 CHALLENGE UPDATES...
How our intrepid fund-raisers are faring
50-53 SIDEWAYS TO VICTORY
Jeremy Beswick visits Leicester Lions speedway
55 ON YOUR BIKE!
Our new feature gives you a great cycling route
56-57 WILL’S WALKS
Will and dogs head out to Countesthorpe
59 SPORTSMAN’S DINNER
We try out The Waterfront in Market Harborough
60-65 ROUND-UP
How clubs in the area are faring
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STOKE DRY, RUTLAND
Guide £1,250,000
EYEBROOK HOUSE IS A HANDSOME STONE BUILT RESIDENCE SET IN ONE OF THE COUNTY’S MOST COMMANDING POSITIONS OVERLOOKING EYEBROOK RESERVOIR WITH STUNNING VIEWS OVER THE AREA’S UNDULATING COUNTRYSIDE. THE PROPERTY WOULD BENEFIT FROM A PROGRAMME OF REFURBISHMENT AND POTENTIALLY EXTENSION, SUBJECT TO NECESSARY CONSENTS. EPC: PENDING
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Activelife
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Activelife EASTER TREATS, PLACES TO GO, SAFARI SUGGESTIONS, BROWN TROUT AND A DELICIOUS FISH PIE RECIPE Edited by Mary Bremner
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Activelife
NEW ROUTES FOR CYCLE RIDE The Harborough Festival of Cycling returns with a new 100km route on April 2. The event welcomes cyclists of all abilities and starts at the Robert Smyth Academy in the town. There will be coaching for children along with a 50 and 100km route. www.raceharborough.co.uk
Audition at The Curve Theatre The Curve Theatre in Leicester has announced auditions for the Curve Young Company and Community of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Christmas musical Scrooge. For A Midsummer Night’s Dream they are looking for performers from across the county. Anyone of any age or ability can audition and no previous experience is necessary. For Scrooge, performers need to be aged between 8 and 21. To apply go to www.curveonline.co.uk/ get-involved/auditions.
SCIENCE FAIR Leicester Grammar School recently held its third Big Bang Science and Technology Fair. More than 3,000 visitors from 170 schools, nurseries and groups enjoyed more than 60 activities on offer. The school is now making plans for its fourth fair.
OFSTED IMPROVEMENT Stoneygate School has been graded as ‘good’ in an Ofsted inspection with personal development, behaviour and welfare classed as ‘outstanding’. Part of the Leicester Grammar School Trust, the school has made improvements since its last inspection which labelled it ‘inadequate’. www.stoneygateschool.co.uk
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WE CAN HELP YOU! Ideas, Inspiration and Individuality. Oh, and more plants than you ever dreamed of...
Launde Abbey
Open daily for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea
Cyclists and walkers very welcome
KIBWORTH GARDEN CENTRE
9am - 5pm Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm Sunday
(0116) 2792754
@KibworthGardenCentre
Why not start your walk or ride at Launde then reward yourself with a delicious lunch at the end? Visit our website for maps and routes at www.laundeabbey.org.uk Launde Abbey, East Norton, Leicestershire LE7 9XB T: 01572 717254 I E: info@launde.org.uk Charity No: 1140918
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Activelife
WHAT’S ON There’s lots going on in your area this month, why not try some of these?
■ The Market at the Manor is being held on Easter Saturday at Tur Langton. There will be Easter activities, including an egg hunt as well as lots of stalls selling local gi ware along with a farmers’ cra and gi market. It runs from 10am-5pm. ■ There’s an Easter Cra Extravaganza being held on Easter Saturday at Brocks Hill Country Park in Oadby. There will be locally produced cra s on sale and some for you to try yourself. It runs from 10.30am – 3pm www.brocks-hill.co.uk ■ The Waterloo Community Garden at Great Oxendon is holding another seed sowing
morning on Monday, April 3, from 10am-12. Everyone is welcome to go and help out. Contact Alex on 01858 477207 or email sustainableharborough@ruralcc. org.uk for more information. ■ Enjoy a day at the races at Dingley on Saturday, April 15 with the Woodland Pytchley’s point-to -point meet. As well as the racing there will be plenty of trade stands, children’s entertainment and catering facilities. www.dingleyraces.com ■ Rockingham Castle and grounds open on April 16 and to celebrate there will be an Easter egg hunt on April 16 and 17. www.rockinghamcastle.com
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Activelife
HOW TO…
MAKE EASTER BISCUITS
INGREDIENTS 100g caster sugar 1 egg ½ tsp baking powder 80g currants 100g butter 250g plain flour 2 tbsp milk 1/2 tsp mixed spice
METHOD Heat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius. ● Put greaseproof paper on a baking tray ● Beat the butter and sugar together until so and fluffy ● Add the egg and mix in ● Fold in the flour, baking powder and spice, along with the currants ● Roll the dough to about 4mm thick ● Cut out the biscuits and place on the tray ● Bake until the edges are just turning golden – about 11 minutes – then remove immediately ● Sprinkle with caster sugar while still hot. ●
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HOW TO…
Make hatching hard boiled eggs… These eggs are great fun and look just like they are hatching. They are incredibly easy to make... just boil some eggs and peel them. Using raw carrot cut three-inch long matchsticks with one end coming to a point. Cut a small W shape from the carrot for the feet. Poke a hole in the centre of each foot using a skewer and then poke a carrot stick in the hole to make the legs. Then push the sharp end of two carrot matchsticks into the bottom of the egg. Perfect for some Easter fun!
HOW TO…
Clean your house and clear your mind Spring is in the air so it’s time to get spring cleaning. And it’s good for you. If you sort your house out, cleaning and decluttering it can help your mind as well, motivating you to sleep better, exercise more and feel less stressed giving you a much more positive outlook and lifestyle. It makes sense really, so get those rubber gloves on and the feather duster out. The sense of achievement a er having a good sort out gives the feel good factor immediately and helps reap the long term benefits.
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Want to be a part of active... We’re looking for a new advertising sales executive to join our advertising sales team. If you’re ambitious, organised and proactive, with a professional and courteous attitude then we want to hear from you. Remuneration packages can be tailored to suit the right individual. Interested? Then send your CV to jobs@theactivemag.com. Visit www.theactivemag.com for more information about the role.
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Activelife
NATURE
COWSLIPS A cousin of the primrose, the cowslip is an evocative sight heralding spring and the arrival of warmer weather. A common sight, but not as common as in years gone by, this pretty native flower can be found in hay meadows, hedgerows and woodland. It is often seen on the verges of country roads throughout the county. Flowering in April and May, it is associated with English folklore, adorning garlands for May Day and spread across church paths for spring weddings. The name cowslip is thought to derive from the old English for cow dung, probably because it grew amongst the dung in pastures.
THE GOOSANDER The goosander is the largest of the ‘sawbill’ ducks, so called because the bill has serrations which enable the bird to grip the small fish which are its main food. It is larger than the mallard. The drake has a dark green head and black back, the flanks and breast are white with a pink flush in good light. The dark red bill is long and narrow, hooked at the tip. The female is smaller with a reddish-brown head, grey body and white throat and breast. As a winter visitor to our reservoirs, goosanders are also seen on Burghley’s lake and even on the Welland at Stamford, and further upstream. They are very active, constantly peering below the surface or flying low over the water. They often gather in a communal roost on one of the lagoons at Rutland Water. The handsome males are usually outnumbered by the duller females. Goosanders breed in upland Britain and Scandinavia. Numbers wintering
in Britain have decreased in recent years, perhaps due to climate change, and the large counts of the past, when 250 were seen at Eyebrook Reservoir in 1973, are long gone. Just 17 were at Rutland Water in January this year. Terry Mitcham
Brown trout Brown trout is one of the most genetically diverse vertebrates known, having between 38 and 42 pairs of chromosomes compared to a human’s 23, so it is more genetically diverse than the human race. You can tell the age of a brown trout from growth rings that can be read in a similar way to rings on a tree; they can live to be 20 years old but the majority die before their first birthday. All trout can look and focus out of both corners of each eye at the same time so can see in almost every direction at once. Brown trout are present in local rivers including the Welland and Gwash and are fished for in Rutland Water. The river fishing season runs from March 15 to October 6 and at Rutland Water from March 10 to January 31.
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Activelife
1 6 A PR I L 2017 ///
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CRISPY TOPPED FISH PIE WITH SPINACH AND SPRING GREENS INGREDIENTS
600g potatoes Salt and pepper 2 eggs 50g butter – ½ for the sauce, ½ for the mash 350 ml milk – 300ml for the sauce, rest for the mash 25g plain flour 250g spinach 300g diced white fish 1 nutmeg 1 tsp dried parsley 1 lemon 25g grated cheese 250g spring greens
METHOD
● Peel and chop the potatoes into chunks before cooking until tender. At the same time boil the eggs for eight minutes. ● Drain the eggs and put in a bowl of cold water to cool. Drain the potatoes, allow to dry off then mash with half the butter, a splash of milk and salt and pepper to season. Keep to one side. ● Boil another pan of water. Melt the remaining butter in a separate saucepan, add the flour and cook very gently for two minutes. Gradually whisk in 300ml of milk, heating and whisking the mixture until it thickens to a smooth sauce. Remove from the heat, season and keep to one side. ● Wash the spinach and then strip the leaves off their stalks. Peel the eggs and chop into chunky pieces.
RECIPE BOXES Riverford recipe boxes are a simple and inspiring way to cook. Every week, we deliver everything you need to make three tasty organic meals. Inside each box, you’ll find the freshest, seasonal organic produce, step-by-step recipe cards and all the ingredients in exact quantities. The recipes are quick to cook and ideal for weeknights – most are ready in under
● Add the spinach to the pan of boiling water. Cook for about a minute until wilted. Drain into a colander and rinse under cold water to cool it. Squeeze out the excess moisture with your hands then chop it up. Put your oven on to 200 degrees/ gas mark 6.
1
● Gently mix the chopped fish into the white sauce (1). Arrange the spinach in the bottom of a small baking dish. Add a fine grating of nutmeg, no more than ¼ tsp. ● Lay the eggs on top of the spinach (2). Spoon the mixture on top and sprinkle over the dried parsley. Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice over the fish. Cover the mixture with the mash, roughing up the top a little (this helps get the nice crispy bits). Sprinkle over the grated cheese (3) and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden and the top has started to crisp. ● Meanwhile, wash the spring greens. Strip or chop the leaves away from the tough central stalks. Roll up and finely shred the leaves. Put a pan of water on to boil.
2
3
Once the pie is cooked, remove from the oven. It should be nice and crispy on top – if not, put it back in to crisp up. ●
● Boil the greens for 2-3 minutes until just tender. Serve with the pie.
Tip: Make sure you squeeze all moisture out of the spinach to avoid it making the pie filling too wet.
45 minutes. Think well balanced and nutritious, with a few treats thrown in. Our cooks come up with nine new recipes every week, so there is always plenty of choice. There are three different varieties of recipe box - choose from vegetarian, quick, or original. A box for two people ranges in price from £33 for the vegetarian box, to £39.95 for the quick and original boxes. Delivered straight to your door, with everything you need to cook
included, generous portion sizes, and three delicious meals per box they offer great value for money. No waste. No missing the vital ingredient. All you have to do is cook. Visit: www.riverford.co.uk/recipebox to
find out more or call 01803 762059.
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Activelife
TRAVEL
OH TO BE IN AFRICA TO SEE NATIVE ANIMALS such as lions, elephants, giraffe and hippos in their natural habitat is one of the most impressive, humbling sights an African safari can offer, and one that will stay with you for a lifetime. Safari in Swahili translates to ‘going on a journey’, and this really will be what you do. Wildlife viewing in Africa is usually at its best in the dry season when the lack of grass increases visibility and birds and animals are congregating on limited water sources. In East Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda this is from June to October. Africa is vast and there are many safari destinations including the Kruger National Park in South Africa, but for the sheer number of animals you will see, and ease of access go to Kenya and the Masai Mara to see the wildebeest migration, and the Serengeti. Kenya is a favourite safari destination as you will see elephants, giraffes, hippos, zebras, lions, hyenas, buffalo and much more. Flights to Nairobi take less than nine hours. You can fly overnight, pick up a light aircraft in the morning and be in the bush in time for lunch. Kenya’s safari industry is efficient with a plethora of camps and lodges to suit all budgets. Just remember, to keep safe follow the rules... always listen to your guide, zip your tent up and never have food in it, and don’t walk around at night.
WHAT TO TAKE
In Kenya between June and October it will be winter so you will need warm clothes for dawn drives. Layers are the order of the day and long sleeves to protect from bites and branches. ● Malaria is widespread so anti-malarial tablets are vital. Check what immunisations you might need before going. ● A strong insect repellent containing DEET will help keep the mosquitoes at bay. ● Avoid white and bright colours. Wear khakis and greens but not camouflage clothing as this is associated with the military. Do not wear blue or black as this attracts tsetse flies. ● Don’t forget binoculars and camera. ●
BOOKS TO READ
Out Of Africa by Karen Blixen – her famous memoirs published in 1937 that give a fascinating insight into colonial life. Save Me From The Lion’s Mouth by James Clarke – a conservationist’s take on the human/ wildlife conflict in Africa. Born Free by Joy Adamson – the story of Elsa the lioness and her re-introduction to the wild.
USEFUL WEBSITES INCLUDING LOCAL TRAVEL AGENTS
www.nhs.uk www.kenyasafari.com ● www.trailfinders.com ● www.safari.co.uk ● www.stamfordindependenttravel.co.uk ● ●
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Before
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20/03/2017 17:13
Activelife
FINANCIAL HEALTH
RUNNING OUT OF TIME Make sure you have a plan for your retirement, says Bryant Wealth Management’s William G Bryant The spring marathon season is once again upon us. If you are one of the more than 40,000 runners lucky enough to gain entry to this year’s London Marathon, congratulations and good luck. Marathon running in this country has come a long way, from the obscure pursuit of a few wizened distance runners, to the annual street party that sees 40,000 runners stream through the streets of the capital each April. Thanks, in large part, should go to the inspirational co-founders of the London Marathon, John Disley and Chris Brasher. Brasher and Disley had gone over to run the New York City Marathon in 1979 and were inspired by the event. Brasher, writing for The Observer in his article ‘The World’s Most Human Race’, said: “To believe this story you must believe that the human race can be one joyous family, working together, laughing together, achieving the impossible. Last Sunday, 11,532 men and women from 40 countries in the world, assisted by over a million people, laughed, cheered and suffered during the greatest folk festival the world has seen”.
He finished his article by challenging London to see if it could host a similar event. London accepted the challenge and the rest, as they say, is history. Last year a record 39,140 people finished the race in London, taking the total number of runners who have completed the course to more than one million. Brasher used to describe the race as ‘The Great Suburban Everest’, a challenge that is just about possible for most people to achieve with effort, but guaranteed to inflict pain along the way. Having been lucky enough to have run the London Marathon five times I can certainly testify to the pain. On the start line, you can’t help but feel nervous and excited. Thinking back to the long hours of training that have gone before should give you some comfort (provided you have done enough!) and having a race plan that is flexible and can adapt to the unexpected over the next 26.2 miles is essential to get you home. At some stage you will hit the dreaded wall, the point somewhere around the 18-mile mark, where you feel like you have been shot in the back of the legs by a sniper and someone has turned the Tarmac into treacle.
How you react to this challenge will determine whether you achieve your target time or even finish the race at all. Like the marathon, life is guaranteed to throw up unexpected challenges. No longer can people expect to have a job for life, and retire with a gold plated final salary pension. Job changes, career breaks, and career changes are much more the norm. Your financial planning, like your race plan on marathon day, should be robust enough to deal with any changes in circumstance. It is too late to start training the week before race day; likewise it is too late to plan for your retirement in the final few years before you plan to retire. Don’t be the marathon runner on the start line with no plan, and don’t go through the marathon of life without a plan for your personal finances. To receive a free guide covering wealth management, retirement planning or Inheritance Tax planning, produced by St. James’s Place Wealth Management, contact William Bryant on 01780 668117, email william.bryant@sjpp.co.uk or visit bryantwealthmanagement.co.uk
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Feature /// Healthy eating
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD Local experts and chefs show off their favourite healthy recipes... and the odd indulgent pudding! 2 2 A PR I L 2017 ///
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Spring vegetable soup
Loch Fyne seafood ramen Ingredients 100g squid tubes, large 100g raw king prawns, peeled 100g Scottish rope grown mussels 300ml seafood ramen broth 15ml light soy sauce Medium eggs, one each 5g spring onions 5g red chillies Limes 20g medium carrots 20g red onion 10ml pomace oil 5g fish sauce 10g beansprouts 20ml siracha spicy sauce 200g udon noodles
Seafood ramen broth 300ml fish stock 20g garlic 200g medium onions 40g red chillies 200g ginger 50g miso paste How to cook Slice ginger, onions and garlic into slice. Cut chillies in half, leave seeds in. Add to stock and miso paste, bring to the boil and simmer for 25 minutes. Prepare ramen broth as per recipe, return to the boil. Square off and score squid into 15g pieces; grate carrot, finely slice onion, slice spring onions.
Add vegetables (except spring onion) and mussels and cook for three minutes; halve prawns, season and seal on grill along with squid. Add seafood to broth, season with fish sauce and soy. Add noodles to broth for two mins, place in bowl, pour broth over. Garnish with spring onion, chilli, half lime. Fry egg on high heat in oil serve sauce on side. Loch Fyne’s seafood recipes take the best fish and shellfish and pair them with exciting ingredients for healthy, memorable food. 01832 280298.
Ingredients (serves four) One large onion, chopped Five garlic cloves, peeled and chopped Large chunk of ginger root, peeled and finely chopped Coconut oil or lard or goose grease for frying (never use vegetable, nut, seed or olive oils for cooking) Sea or rock salt Black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin One small crushed dried chilli 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander Two medium carrots chopped Two medium sweet potatoes peeled and chopped small 200g sprouting broccoli roughly chopped 200ml water How to cook Gently fry the onions for five minutes then add ginger, garlic, spices, carrots and sweet potatoes. Continue to fry on a gentle heat for another 10 minutes, you may need to add more oil/lard/grease. When the carrots are nearly done add the broccoli and water and cook for a further five minutes. Recipe from Sheila Storer FdSc BSc, mCNHC mBANT Nutritional therapist, Archway Health Hub, 01858 410820
Loch Fyne smoked haddock scotch egg Ingredients 500g poached smoked haddock 300g mashed potato 50g unsalted butter 100g onions 10g flat parsley 1g cooking salt 1g cracked black pepper 5g curry powder, Mild 6 eggs 250g breadcrumbs
For the celeriac remoulade 400g celeriac 250g mayonnaise 1 lemon 2tsb wholegrain mustard How to cook Bring water to a rolling boil with salt, once boiling carefully place eggs into water and simmer for six minutes, remove from water and run under a cold tap until room temperature. Peel away shell, place in container labelled
day plus three. Poach the haddock for six minutes at 100°C, finely dice onions, sweat onion off with curry powder in the butter until soft, season. Mix together with flaked haddock, mash potato and chopped parsley, adjust seasoning. Lay 100g of haddock mix on cling film, press flat, place egg in middle, wrap the corners into a ball to wrap mix around the egg. Chill for 15 minutes. Then
coat in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Oven bake until golden brown. For the remoulade Finely slice celeriac & cut into long very fine strips (use a mandolin for best results) dress in juice from lemons and season, allow to sit for five minutes. Add mayo and mustard. Mix well. Serve remoulade in a bowl, with the scotch egg on top.
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The New Golf. £185 a month £2,000 towards your deposit* 4.9% Representative APR
Solutions Personal Contract Plan^ representative example for a Volkswagen Golf SE 1.0 110PS TSI 3DR subject to 10,000 miles per annum+ Duration
48 months
Optional final payment
£6,723
Recommended on-the-road price
£18,995
Option to purchase fee £10** payable with final payment
Deposit contribution
£2,000
Total amount of credit
£13,488
Customer deposit
£3,507
Excess mileage (per mile)
7.2p
47 monthly payments £185
Rate of interest
4.84% fixed
Total amount payable £18,935
Representative APR
4.9% APR
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/Volkswagen.Robinsons
@Robinsons_VW
At the end of the agreement there are three options: i) own the vehicle: pay the optional final payment; ii) return the vehicle: subject to fair wear and tear, charges may apply; or iii) replace: part exchange the vehicle. *Available on Solutions Personal Contract Plan. **Payable with optional final payment. Subject to agreed annual mileage, excess mileage charges apply (incl. VAT). Further charges may be payable if vehicle is returned. Indemnities may be required. 18s and over. Subject to availability. Finance subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Offer available when ordered by April 3rd, 2017. Offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer and may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Image used for illustrative purposes only. Accurate at time of publication [03/17]. Freepost Volkswagen Financial Services.
Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Official fuel consumption figures for the new model range in mpg (litres/100km): urban 29.4 (9.6) – 68.9 (4.1); extra urban 44.8(6.3) – 74.3 (3.8); combined 37.6 (7.5) – 72.4 (3.9). Combined CO2 emissions 102 – 180/km.
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14/03/2017 16:43
Feature /// Healthy eating
The William Cecil’s sundried tomato and paprika panna cotta, toasted pine nuts, bocconcini, pesto sorbet Ingredients 150g sundried tomatoes 50g crème fraîche 300ml double cream 100ml milk One gelatine leaf One shallot One whole clove of garlic 1tsp of smoked paprika A pinch of salt and pepper to taste How to cook Soak the gelatine leaf in cold water until soft. Finely dice the shallots and garlic, add to a lightly oiled pan and cook under a low heat until soft. Add the sundried tomatoes and top with cream, milk and crème fraiche. Bring to a hot temperature, then add gelatine and salt and pepper. Put aside and pour into a blender or food processor, blend until smooth, add the smoked paprika and continue to blend. Pour through a fine sieve and add into a non-stick dariole mould. Pesto ingredients 50g of toasted pine nuts 100g of fresh basil 100g of fresh spinach 100ml of olive oil 1 tsp of xanthan gum A pinch of salt and pepper to season How to cook Add all the ingredients into a blender, blend until smooth, pass through a fine sieve and set aside in the fridge.
The William Cecil’s caramel fondant, toffee sauce, sour cherries & raspberry ripple ice cream Ingredients Toffee 200g of soft brown sugar 150ml double cream Fondant mix 150g butter & a little extra for greasing 150g soft brown sugar Two large eggs 150g plain flour A pinch of salt How to cook Melt the soft brown sugar and double cream together, simmer until all sugar granules have disappeared. Chill for approximately two hours or until set. Melt the butter and sugar together. Sieve the flour and salt into the melted mix and stir rapidly, leave to rest for five minutes. While mix is resting, whip your eggs, then fold
into mixture. Allow 15 minutes to rest, while resting grease your moulds generously. Half fill your moulds with the fondant mix. Bake at 180 degrees C for 15 minutes. Use extra toffee to decorate the plate and serve with sour cherries, and raspberry ripple ice cream. The new seasonal menu is set to launch mid-April at The William Cecil’s 2 AA Rosette award winning restaurant, open to non-residents seven days a week serving food in their restaurant from 6-9:30pm. The recipes here were complied by head chef Phil Kent, who worked very closely with Jamie Knowles, junior sous chef, and Joe Donson, chef de partie, on these dishes.
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26/03/2017 12:20
Rutland Water Park Your ULTIMATE outdoor gym
Get fit for summer – join your friends & walk, cycle, parkrun or sail – you choose! Facebook.com/rutlandwater to share your ‘get fit’ success stories
Enjoy award winning food WITH US...
01780 686800
Dine in our two AA Rosette restaurant. Come rain or shine sit inside our restaurant, bar or outside on our terrace. Open every day for the finest food around
Tel: 01780 750 070 thewilliamcecil.co.uk Two AA Rosette Awards for Culinery Excellence
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24/03/2017 12:37
Feature /// Healthy eating
The Marquess of Exeter’s pan-roasted fillet of salmon with new potatoes and salsa verde This recipe from renowned chef Brian Baker of The Marquess of Exeter in Lyddington is a firm favourite, and one he often likes to whip up for himself after a busy service. It’s quick and easy to make, packed with protein and omega 3 thanks to the salmon, while the salsa verde gives it a little pizzazz. Like many of his dishes: traditional, unpretentious home-cooked fare with a contemporary twist – and plenty of finesse, flair and flavour. Ingredients (serves four) Four salmon fillets, skin on 400g new potatoes 300g jar of artichokes Large bunch of parsley Large bunch of mint Juice and zest of two lemons 200ml extra virgin olive oil
How to cook Cook the new potatoes in salted boiling water, drain and set aside. To make the salsa verde combine the artichokes, parsley, mint, juice and zest of the lemons and olive oil. Blitz in a blender until combined and finely chopped, but still a little chunky.
Pan-fry the salmon in olive oil for 5 minutes on each side. Meanwhile, slice the potato in to 1cm thick rounds and toss in a little oil, with a little finely chopped parsley and mint. Add salt and pepper to taste. To serve, place the salmon on the potatoes with a dollop of salsa verde on the side.
Super-nutritious salad: chickpea and avocado lime juice Three tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 clove garlic, crushed Sea salt Black pepper, freshly ground
Give your body a treat and your energy levels a lift with this delicious and super-nutritious salad. Rich in fibre, antioxidants, and healthy fats to support your immune system. Ingredients (serves two-three) One romaine lettuce, shredded (or mixture of other salad leaves) One 400g tin of chickpeas, drained and rinsed 30g mixed sunflower, pumpkin seeds and pine nuts Dressing One large, ripe avocado, peeled and stone removed One tbsp apple cider vinegar One tbsp freshly, squeezed lemon or
Add all dressing ingredients to a food processor. Blitz to a smooth consistency. Add a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to own taste. Add the lettuce and chickpeas to a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss the salad to combine. Sprinkle over the seeds and pine nuts and serve straight away. Be creative – add other favourite, fresh, colourful, chopped vegetables to this salad for extra nutrient power.
Pesto sorbet
start to blend while slowly adding olive oil, until pesto is created. Add the syrup and blend down until smooth Pass through a fine sieve and churn Pan seared fillet of skate, wilted spinach, sautéed fèves, confit of potato, sea food chowder. SWS Nutrition provides personalised nutritional advice that is always simple and sustainable to individuals feeling below par or wanting to finally achieve a healthy weight. Recipes from Sarah West-Sadler BSc, PgDip, mBANT, CNHC, registered nutritional therapist. 07725 972927 Email: sarah@swsnutrition.co.uk www.swsnutrition.co.uk
100g of fresh basil 30g of pine nuts 300ml of cold water 300g of caster sugar A splash of olive oil How to cook Add water and sugar to a pan, reduce to a syrup. Then put aside to cool. In a blender add the basil and pine nuts,
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26/03/2017 12:20
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WWW.CARPETGALLOP.CO.UK 28.indd 1
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24/03/2017 12:37
Feature /// Healthy eating
The Falcon Hotel’s coconut crème brulee The Falcon Hotel’s coconut crème brulee is not only an indulgent dessert, but is both gluten and dairy free, making it one everyone can enjoy. Ingredients – brulee 400g coconut milk 60g caster sugar 6 egg yolks Ingredients - spiced pineapple Half a pineapple 200ml pineapple juice 100g caster sugar 1 tsp pink peppercorns 1 star anise 2 cloves Ingredients - cashew brittle 100ml water Squeeze lemon juice 300g caster sugar
50g cashews Garnish Lime sorbet Raspberries Lemon balm How to cook - brulee Pre-heat the oven to 120 degrees Celsius. Whisk egg yolks and caster sugar. Combine with boiled coconut milk. Pour into moulds half filled with water. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes until bruleé is set. How to cook - spiced pineapple Cut pineapple into chunks. Heat all spiced pineapple ingredients. Add pineapple chunks. Simmer for 5 minutes until pineapple softens.
How to cook - cashew brittle Heat sugar, water & lemon juice to make a caramel. Leave to set. Blitz caramel powder. Bake at 180 degrees C. Sprinkle cashew crumb over caramel circles. Construct dish as pictured. About The Falcon Hotel The Falcon Hotel is a jewel of Uppingham, both for its service and calibre of food. Joe Bryan, head chef, pioneers menus which encapsulate a modern twist on English fine dining. 01572 823535 info@falcon-hotel.co.uk www.falcon-hotel.co.uk
Herby roast chicken Sheila Storer, nutritional therapist, says the recipe includes slow cooking the chicken for four to five hours but if time is short the oven can be hotter and cooking time reduced Ingredients (serves four) Two chicken crowns Sprig of rosemary chopped 1/2 teaspoon paprika Finely grated peel and juice of one lemon Rock or sea salt Black pepper 1 large butternut squash 1 handful of spinach roughly chopped 200g of cherry tomatoes quartered Handful of pine nuts Balsamic vinegar Olive oil
Cheeky chocolate mousse Ingredients 350g silken tofu Two dessert spoons peanut butter (smooth or crunchy) 100g melted dark chocolate Two teaspoons raw honey Two drops of orange essence or use some finely grated orange peel How to cook Mix all the ingredients together and put into
glasses ready to serve, decorate with a sprig of mint, edible flowers, or fruit. This is very filling so less is more! Recipe from Sheila Storer, FdSc BSc, mCNHC mBANT Nutritional Therapist Archway Health Hub 01858 410820
How to cook With a pestle and mortar mix together the rosemary, paprika, lemon peel and juice, salt and pepper then paste over the chicken crowns. Place chicken crowns in a hot oven (200°C) for 10 minutes then cover and reduce heat to 100°C and allow to slow cook for 4-5 hours. To cook the butternut squash simply place in the oven unpeeled with the chicken for two hours. Put the tomatoes, spinach, pine nuts, balsamic vinegar and olive oil in a dish with some salt and pepper mix it all together and warm it to a temperature of around 100°C for about half an hour. To serve make a bed with the spinach and tomatoes, add the squash (peel and chop first) then the chicken either on the side or roughly chopped on top.
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SAT 10TH JUNE 2017
BURGHLEY
Classes at USSC Not just for Members!
From £3.50 per class USSC has a variety of classes available to ALL including; • Combat MX • Kettlercise • Keiser Spin • Legs, Bums and Tums
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• Pilates • Yoga • HiiT • and many more…
With 3 day booking rights, call to book your place today. Visit www.sportscente.uppingham.co.uk to view our full class timetable. For more information contact our friendly team on: 01572 820830 ussc@uppingham.co.uk www.sportscentre.uppingham.co.uk
24/03/2017 12:37
Guest column
Managing expectations Sports journalist Martin Johnson isn’t sure there’s such a thing as ‘managerial genius’ – just lucky ones he lifespan of a hamster, I was reading the other day, is about three years, which doesn’t sound very long until you compare it with football managers. In the time it takes for your cuddly companion to make it from pet shop to a small plot at the bottom of the garden, your soccer team will have got through, on average, two-and-a-half managers. So no prizes for guessing which of these two creatures represents the best value for money. On top of which hamsters are far more cuddly, neither do they pace up and down in their cage all day long kicking water bottles and shouting profanities. In fairness to Claudio Ranieri, the former Leicester City boss was impeccably behaved, and also lasted longer than your average boss, if not your average hamster. But as descents from the dizzy heights go, Claudio’s fall was the equivalent of stepping off the roof of the Empire State Building. One minute the fans were chanting, to the tune of that old Italian ditty Volare: “Ranieri, Oh, Oh!” and the next minute, Leicester’s Thai owners were muttering: “Ranieri, Oh No!”. There was, of course, a predicable sense of outrage at the decision, but as soon as their league form went from hopeless to irresistible, not to mention becoming the sole English survivors in the Champions’ League – Ranieri was immediately consigned to history. Craig Shakespeare was the new messiah, and the King Power Stadium immediately jettisoned the “Ranieri Oh Oh” anthem in favour of “Shakey, Shakey, give us a wave!” That’s football for you. However, does this mean that you can revive a team’s fortunes merely by replacing the man in charge? On all the available evidence you can. In fact, Leicester’s owners could have appointed the Radio Leicester weather man and the Foxes would have immediately given the likes of Liverpool and Seville the run around. Protocol, however, demands that you pick someone who can talk knowledgeably about diamond systems, 4-4-2, and a referee’s eyesight. Which is why Leicester chose someone who, in the 1980s, played 284 times for Walsall rather than the owner of a chip shop on Aylestone Road. Either way, whether you be a football person or someone with an apron smelling of haddock, the sack will be the eventual outcome, after the average tenure of 13 months. Managers, or coaches, seem to have a longer lifespan in rugby, and just across the road at the Tigers, Richard Cockerill was in charge for the thick end of a decade until he was shown the door. But the end product was still the same. So are these people talented masterminds who eventually run out of ideas? Or are they doing
T
what any old Tom, Dick or Harry could do if placed in charge of a team of brilliant individuals. One of the most talented players the Tigers ever had was Clive Woodward, who became Sir Clive after coaching England to the 2003 World Cup. However, how much of a genius do you need to be to win things when you inherit players such as Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Neil Back, Jonny Wilkinson, and Jason Robinson? Two years later, Sir Clive was coaching the Lions in New Zealand, and his reputation took a shredding not only by enduring a 3-0 whitewash, but by eccentric decision-making which included appointing spin doctor Alastair Campbell as media relations manager. Or, to be more accurate, media relations manipulator. For some time, though, Sir Clive was hailed as a genius, and the same label is now being applied to the current coach, Eddie Jones. But how difficult is it to coach a successful national side? And why will England eventually, as history suggests, start losing matches and show Jones the door? The answer may be nothing more complicated than the fact that players, whether it is soccer, rugby, cricket or tiddlywinks, are programmed to up their game when a new man is installed. The “I’ll show him how good I am” syndrome, which has a finite lifespan. Before Jones, the man in charge was Stuart Lancaster, who made the players listen to lectures about the history of English rugby, and redesigned the shirts to incorporate a Victoria Cross. And in Lancaster’s case, the time it took for refreshing ideas to become to look eccentrically batty turned out to be four years. Same in cricket. Back in 1996, England appointed David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd and his first job, as he saw it, was to bring his own brand of passion to the team. Ergo, he began by pinning extracts from Henry V and Agincourt to the dressing room wall. The net result of which was that they went on a tour to Zimbabwe and failed to win a single match. If I had my time over, I’d want to be a coach, and would definitely plump for football. Once I got my foot in the door, I’d make sure I was totally useless – play the goalie up front, and the striker in goal, that sort of thing – and get trillions of pounds in a pay-off when they sacked me. Then I’d sail around on my new yacht for a while, wait for another job offer, and repeat the entire cycle. As that meerkat would say (and by the way they have lifespans 10 times longer than your average soccer manager) “simples”. Martin Johnson has been a sports journalist and author since 1973, writing for the Leicester Mercury, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Times. He currently writes columns for The Rugby Paper and The Cricket Paper, and has a book out called ‘Can I Carry Your Bags?’.
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24/03/2017 14:15
ACTIVE BODY HOW TO LOOK WONDERFUL ON YOUR WEDDING DAY, THE BEST KIT TO KEEP DRY IN APRIL SHOWERS AND HOW TO ALLEVIATE LOWER BACK PAIN
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26/03/2017 12:24
Consultant Orthopaedic & Physiotherapy Clinics in the heart of Stamford. Private Patient Outpatient Clinics Our specialists from Fitzwilliam Hospital will manage your care seamlessly from the Stamford clinic to the main hospital allowing patients to receive consultant- led care without the need to travel. Private patients may self-refer for fast access to appointments. Please contact our Hospital Service Advisor for more information or to book an appointment.
Tel: 01733 842 304
fitzwilliamhospital.co.uk
Fitzwilliam Hospital
ACTIVE BODY
KITBAG KEEP DRY DURING APRIL’S SHOWERS WITH THIS KIT 1. Under Armour Undeniable II backpack
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From www.underarmour.co.uk Price £55 UA Storm technology delivers a highly water-resistant finish while the abrasionresistant bottom panel and foamreinforced panels optimise protection. A soft-lined laptop sleeve and extra large main compartment give plenty of room, with HeatGear shoulder straps.
2. Sherpa Asaar jacket
From www.sherpaadventuregear.co.uk Price £150 Serious mountaineering calls for gear that is light in weight and heavy on performance attributes. The Asaar satisfies these conditions with flying colours, as it is made of PertexShield, a 2.5-layer laminate that’s water- and wind-resistant, breathable and super light. The cut is long and the rear hem dips slightly for coverage in forward-leaning and overhead-reaching positions.
3. Black Diamond FullDry climbing rope
From www.blackdiamondequipment.com Price £200 The Black Diamond 9.2 FullDry is protected from the inside out with a core and sheath that’s dry treated, making it not only the lightest of the firm’s single ropes, but an all-weather cord perfect for making the final moves on both your summer and winter project. Certified for use as a half or twin rope as well.
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4. On Running weather jacket
From www.on-running.com Price £190 Crafted from premium materials with fully bonded protective fabrics blended with clima-textiles. This means the right balance between protection, breathability and freedom of movement.
5. Nikwax TX.Direct wash-in
From www.tallingtonlakesproshop.com Price £8.25 Nikwax is a high performance waterproofing for breathable waterproof clothing that is easy, safe and quick to use in a washing machine. Fluorocarbon-free, solvent-free and no tumble-drying required. This new version keeps you drier five times longer when exposed to rainfall.
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6. On Cloudventure waterproof
From www.on-running.com Price £140 Stay protected against the elements with the advanced On membrane which is 100% water and windproof. A physical, rather than chemical coating, means it does not wash out over time, allowing it to be highly stretchable, lighter overall and far more breathable when compared to most other waterproof shoes.
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26/03/2017 13:23
Individual Pilates Equipment Tuition
Everyone from Rehabilitation Clients to Elite Athletes will reap the benefits of the Pilates method
www.jppilates.co.uk pilatesbc@gmail.com
“I have known and worked alongside Jacky for over 15 years in the high performance sport environment. Working in sport often involves solving complex issues and Jacky has had great impact with the elite athletes she has worked with.” Julie Pearce MSc Lead Technical Physiotherapist Bisham, London, English Institute of Sport
Jacky Pugh
Pilates Bodyconditioning Ltd Advanced Instructor Stott Certified 2002
Easter Holiday Courses at Uppingham
Sport, baking, art and upholstery – plenty to keep both children and adults busy this Easter! 3 - 7 April 3 - 7 April 5 - 7 April 9 - 13 April 10 - 13 April 10 - 13 April 10 - 13 April 18 - 19 April
Easter Cricket 1 Upholstery Easter Baking Easter GCSE Revision Course per subject Art Course Easter Tennis Easter Cricket 2 Athletics
£230 £240 £140 £375 £220 £184 £184 £96
For further information and to book:www.uppinghamsummerschool.co.uk summerschool@uppingham.co.uk 01572 820800 Like us on Facebook
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ACTIVE TREATMENT
FOR AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE 36.indd 1
24/03/2017 12:37
ACTIVE BODY
SOME COMMON CAUSES
Common causes are age and the on-going effects of gravity through activity at home and work, poor posture, being overweight, inactivity, li ing, sitting, driving, dehydration and impact injuries. Symptoms vary and can either be acute or chronic and contain all or a few of the following: pain, loss of function, spinal deviation (leans to the side or front), muscle spasm, sciatica in one or both legs, numbness/tingling in the leg/s or feet, loss of reflex, weakness and loss of balance. You may also suffer problems with the bowels and bladder due to impingement of the nerve. An MRI can help diagnose a disc problem, but it does not always show as the bulge may only occur when you are weight bearing due to the direct pressure through the spine and distortion of the disc. We see many of these in our clinic when they have been undiagnosed, but still present with the common symptoms. GROUNDS FOR OPTIMISM
BACK PAIN Craig Mortimer, consultant musculoskeletal physiotherapist at The Ashleigh Clinic, explains how to beat back pain LOWER BACK PAIN is the leading cause of limitation of activity and work absence throughout the world and has a significant financial cost to the individual and economy. More than 10 million working days are lost, costing over £1 billion. By educating and being proactive to either prevent or treat at the earliest opportunity, individuals will live a healthier lifestyle and companies benefit from increased efficiency and performance. Low back pain may begin suddenly or gradually. Today’s modern sedentary lifestyle shows a significant rise in the under 30s suffering with back pain and the most common age group being the over 50s. There are many causes of back pain but the
most well-known is the ‘slipped disc’. Discs have a so centre and this is circled similar to a tyre with concentric circles, allowing the spine to be flexible and provide shock absorption during movement. When these circles get damaged small cracks can appear and the so centre pushes out trapping the nerve and other structures in that area. This pressure on the nerve causes a local inflammatory response and increased pressure. It is very common when acute that you are unable to stand or sit comfortably and struggle to sleep at night. Mornings can be very painful and you may struggle to get out of bed or be able to go to work and perform normal daily activities.
I’m an optimist when it comes to back pain and we treat many patients with problems that are not only acute, but chronic. I have treated patients which have been suffering for well over 10 years, and invariably they think they cannot be helped and that they cannot do anything about it. You need to seek advice and treatment as soon as you can. A er your assessment the most important part of your treatment is helping you to understand your problem by explaining in detail your injury, showing you diagrams and spinal models. This then will help you to have a full understanding of your pain. There are many options that we can use to treat your issues and at The Ashleigh Clinic we tend to favour spinal decompression, treating the cause and not just the symptom, combining this with functional exercises and a home treatment program. This helps you understand what you can do to help us get the best out of your problem. This will also help you control the issue in the future and while you can never say to anyone that they will not get this problem again, I would say most people make a much faster recovery and live a much better lifestyle with significantly less problems with their back. Many people don’t think they can get better when they have suffered for many years. I feel you have to understand. Be positive. Get advice and the right treatment. You will be surprised what you can do. The Ashleigh Physiotherapy, Back Pain and Sports Rehabilitation Clinic 26 Stoneygate Road Stoneygate Leicester LE2 2AD T: 0116 270 7948 E: info@ashleighclinic.co.uk
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26/03/2017 12:25
ACTIVE BODY
WIN free entry into the Rat Race Dirty Weekend The Rat Race is back at Burghley on Saturday, May 6, and we have two pairs of entry tickets up for grabs. The gruelling 20-mile, 200 obstacle Full Mucker course is not for the faint-hearted but don’t worry, if you’re not quite up to that, you can enter the Half Mucker, a 13-mile, 150 obstacle course instead. And if you’re between eight and 15 the Young Mucker is for you, either a 3km or 6km course with 20 obstacles. Once all the mud and running is out of the way you can enjoy the legendary after party where you will be able to see The Hoosiers and Judge Jules who will be headlining in the big-top tent. To enter, decide which entry you want – Full, Half or Young Mucker and head over to to www. theactivemag.com/competitions. Good luck! Standard terms and conditions apply. See www.theactivemag.com
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26/03/2017 12:28
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16/03/2017 13:16:41
Are you running the risk of outliving your savings?
ife expectancy is increasing all the time. Over the last 30 years (1982 to 2012) life expectancy has increased by around eight years for males and six years for females to 79.0 years for males and 82.7 years respectively (Office of National Statistics December 2013). This means that someone retiring now will need to have accumulated a fund far greater than someone retiring in 1982 to generate the same income. I believe in adopting an individual approach to help you make the best decisions for your retirement fund – decisions that are right for you now and in the future. I specialise in guiding people through the decision making process, so that they can make an informed choice. The golden rule is to find out exactly how much you are going to need in retirement – and to start planning for it now. For further information, or to request your no obligation review to retirement planning, contact:
MATTHEW BOYCE Associate Partner WINNER
PARTN E RS IN M AN AG IN G YO U R WE A LT H
Tel: 01162 599007 Email: matthew.boyce@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.matthewboyce.co.uk
The Partner represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.
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24/03/2017 12:35
IS UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
01858 545333 THE MANOR, MAIN STREET, TUR LANGTON, LEICESTER LE8 0PJ After 5 successful years Manor Hair and Beauty are pleased to announce that we have expanded. Come and have a look at our new salon where we offer a wide range of treatments in all aspects of hair and beauty. We look forward to sharing The Manor Hair and Beauty experience with both existing and new clients.
The future of flooring is closer than you think. Conveniently located in central Oadby, we’re your NEW local specialists for the latest luxury floors, carpets, wood floors and rugs. Call us on…
Please cut this voucher out and bring it with you to receive 10% off all salon services. Please cut this voucher out and bring it with Terms & Conditions apply.
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40.indd 1
24/03/2017 12:34
ACTIVE BODY
Kale Rich in vital nutrients, one cup contains vitamin K (684% RDV), vitamin A (206% RDV), vitamin C (134% RDV), omega-3 (121mg) and omega-6 (92mg) along with a host of other nutrients. The health benefits of kale include detoxification, heart support and cancer prevention. It is a good source of folate for healthy infant brain development and lutein and zeaxanthin which are good for eye health. Aim to eat kale and other green leafy veg on a daily basis, preferably lightly steamed. Coconut oil And around 62% of the oils in coconut are made up of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). The MCFAs found in coconut oil provide the perfect source of energy because they only have to go through a three-step process to be turned into fuel, comapred to other fats which go through a 26-step process. Coconut oil can be heated without becoming carcinogenic, making it an ideal oil to cook with.
SUPER FUELLED WITH SUPER FOODS Pip Fairhall, nutritional therapist and life coach, on the ingredients that can improve your health, give you more energy and help lose weight The ideal diet should include: 40% vegetables, especially high fibre with a high percentage green leafy veg, although it is important to eat foods that are the colours of the rainbow to make sure you get all the phytonutrients the body needs. The remainder should include: 25% protein as naturally grown/reared as possible 20% ‘good’ fats 15% complex carbs, e.g. brown rice. However, there are certain foods that are known as superfoods and here are a selection: Wild salmon Salmon is one of the most nutritious foods
on the planet, possessing one of the highest omega-3 contents, but also a mass of other vitamins and minerals. A four-ounce piece of wild-caught salmon contains vitamin B12 (236% RDV), vitamin D (127%), selenium (78.3%), vitamin B3 (56.3%), omega-3 fatty acids (55%) and protein (53.1%). Aim to have salmon or another oily fish twice a week, about 8oz a week in total. Blueberries Blueberries are an incredibly nutrient-dense food and contain large levels and a broad range of anti-oxidants. The ORAC score of blueberries is an incredible 9,621, which makes it one of the highest anti-oxidant foods in the world. Aim to eat a portion daily, ideally organic.
Nuts Most nuts have health benefits, but they need to be raw, not salt encrusted. Almonds are the most nutrient-dense nuts – they’re rich in vitamin E, magnesium, protein, fibre, copper and selenium, as well as potassium, calcium, phosphorous and iron. Aim to have enough to fill the palm of your hand as a healthy snack. Free range eggs There are many benefits from eating eggs. They reduce the risk of heart disease and improve cardiovascular function. The omega-3 fatty acids in eggs can help lower blood triglycerides and help regulate and lower cholesterol, and due to their high protein content they will make you feel fuller for longer, making them a friend to anyone wanting to lose weight. Aim to have four free range eggs a week, ideally with a good fat and veg. An omelette with coconut oil, peppers and spinach and a sprinkling of seeds would be an ideal breakfast. Garlic The benefits of garlic are plentiful, helping battle heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, colds and infections, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. Although I wouldn’t want you to lose all your friends, I would aim to add garlic to most evening meals. www.livelifeinbalance.co.uk Email: pfairhall@livelifeinbalance.co.uk Mobile: 07557 344402.
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ACTIVE BODY
THE FINISHING TOUCHES It’s spring and wedding season is upon us. We take a look at what the on-trend bride will be wearing on her big day Edited by Mary Bremner
HERE COMES THE BRIDE A lot of thought will probably go into your wedding dress, and possibly a lot of money as well. It’s not necessarily every girl’s dream to be a blushing bride, in fact it could be some girls’ worst nightmares. But the good thing today is that virtually anything goes. You certainly don’t have to wear a meringue, unless you want to, and you can very easily buy a vintage dress, or something secondhand, to save on cost yet still look fabulous. The golden rule is make sure you are wearing the dress rather than it wearing you. A few trends we’ve picked up on for this season are that there is something for everyone. Simple styles are back in favour. They might look plain with absolutely no adornment, but they ooze elegance and sophistication. For brides who love vintage go for a tea length dress that sits half way
between the knee and ankle. Don’t necessarily stick to white or ivory... pale gold or pink are becoming popular. And for the brave and body confident, the deep V neckline is everywhere, or why not go the whole hog and opt for a sheer bridal gown – perfect for a beach wedding... and you’ll definitely be remembered. Laudable lingerie You’ve chosen your dress but what you wear underneath could make or break the overall look. If you have chosen a slinky number you will need seamless, invisible underwear. And, if you have a backless or complicated neckline you will need to choose a bra wisely. In instances such as this brides often choose practical, functional underwear to wear under their dress and then buy a pretty set for their wedding night.
We chatted to Zoe at Poze Lingerie in Stamford, who gave us some vital advice. Here are her top tips... * Make sure you leave enough time to shop for underwear and if possible take it to your first dress fitting. Or wear a good fitting nude or white strapless bra. * Do you actually need a bra? Some dresses will be boned and a bra won’t be necessary. If that’s the case, invest in some pretty briefs instead. * Be realistic about your body shape. If you are busty a low backed dress that doesn’t allow for a bra is probably not the dress for you. Poze do have stick on bras and nipple petals for the invisible look. * And remember, you are going to be wearing your dress for a long time – make sure you are comfortable and confident as it will make all the difference. Pop in and have a word with Zoe who will offer some very good, sensible advice. www.poze-lingerie.uk
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And finally...
BLUSHING BRIDES
The latest wedding fashions Once the dress is sorted, hair and make-up are probably the most important things on a bride’s mind. You know – however much it might scare you – that attention is going to be focused on you, so you need to look your best. And looking your best needs to be left to the experts. You do not want to be stressing about your make-up on the day. You need to know it’s expertly applied and brings out the best in you. And hair? Well, it’s vital that it stays in place and doesn’t leave a trail of pins behind you as you walk up the aisle.You also need to be comfortable and confident that everything will stay in place so you can enjoy your day knowing you look fabulous. Laura at Ltd Beauty specialises in wedding make-up using cruelty-free and organic beauty products. “Your wedding day is not a day to be trying new trends or changing your usual style. The day is about enhancing your natural beauty and creating a ‘bridal glow’,” she says. Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to a bridal look; nothing too heavy, but bear in mind that you need to look good in the photographs and this is where Laura comes in. Laura used Delilah products on our bride Lisa (pictured), who is getting married this summer. She started with primer and then a foundation with a SPF20 as it’s important to have sun protection, particularly for summer weddings. Lisa has amazing, huge green eyes, so to enhance them Laura used daisy and biscuit and walnut shades to contour the eyes and create a subtle smokey look that Lisa had asked for. Well People Champagne eyeshadow was used on the lid and inner corner to make the eyes pop. She then used a purple eyeliner that suits green eyes and will also match the bridesmaids and flowers. Black mascara was next. A blusher and bronzer were then applied as well as
a luminiser on the cheek bones and cupid’s bow on the top lip. Lip colour was kept natural with a bit of added gloss. Most importantly, a setting powder was used (Well People Realist Invisible) that sets make-up and does not create flashback in photographs – vital for a day when you will be photographed constantly. It’s important that you have a trial run for your bridal make-up. It allows you to chat with the make-up artist about what you want, and they will offer advice. You will be asked about colour schemes, flowers, dress, bridesmaids and hair and the time of year. They will also offer skin care advice prior to the big day. Laura will also tell you what products she will use so you can purchase them for touch ups during the day. On the day Laura will burn some calming oil whilst she does your make-up. This creates a lovely smell and is relaxing at the same time. Top tip: If your dress goes over your head, make sure you put it on before your make up is done. www.ltdbeauty.co.uk/weddings. A trial and make-up on the day costs £150. Hair styles for brides depend very much on personal taste and what your dress looks like. Your stylist will ask about your dress, colours of make-up, theme of wedding, how you normally wear your hair and what you feel comfortable with. Again it is vital to have a trial so different styles can be tried if need be. Your hair stylist will also fit the veil and/or tiara on the day. This season hair loosely up is very fashionable. It’s a soft, romantic look that Lisa has also chosen for her big day. Starting with freshly washed hair, a Kitoko rate-thermal spray was applied to towel dried hair for damage protection. Another product was applied for volume and shine and to give some extra hold. Depending on the style chosen hair will possibly be curled before the actual style is done. Stylists often work from photos so take one along. The style stays in place by back-combing, as well as using product, before blow drying the hair and then using plenty of clips to keep it in place. And then lots of hairspray. Lisa’s hair looked romantic and soft, and almost as if it could fall down at any minute, just the look she wanted. Price usually about £90 including trial and fitting of veil.
Chrystalle bralette £64 and tanga £30 www.poze-lingerie.uk
Strawberry by Pink for Paradox wedding shoes £69 www.elegantsteps.co.uk
Maggie Soretto wedding gown www.annielauriebridal.co.uk
Wedding suits www.mossbroshire.co.uk
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ACTIVE LOCAL AMBITION RUNS HIGH AT LEICESTER LIONS SPEEDWAY, HILLCLIMBER CHARLIE MARTIN ON HER UPCOMING SEASON AND A WALK ROUND FOSTON
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ACTIVE LOCAL
A day in the life of
PAUL EVELEIGH WHEEL BUILDER AT VELO WHEELS
T
his is my third year as a wheel builder. Previously I managed projects for a living having done a degree in electrical and electronic engineering. I took redundancy from the corporate world and decided I wanted to do something for myself. Having started life as a craft apprentice, I’ve always been good with my hands and I’ve also been a very keen cyclist for many years. I trained to City and Guilds level 3 in cycle maintenance and opened my workshop doing repairs, custom builds and renovation. People would often come in with a steel-framed bike, ask me to strip it down, get the frame painted and build it back up again. Then I started wheel building, beginning with a set of wheels for my own Puch Classic steel single speed. You get a feel for building a wheel: there are two critical dimensional characteristics. It has to be circular and it has to be laterally true, so it doesn’t wobble from side to side. Also the tensions on the spokes have to be set so that the wheel is stiff and will support the loading and won’t undo as you ride. It’s a balancing act. I’ve purchased some nice equipment and I build to a high quality using high precision components. I have two Truing stands: one from Park Tools which is standard for most cycle shops, but I’ve also invested in a P&K Lei stand from Germany which is extremely high precision. It allows me to make both radial and lateral adjustments on the wheelset at the same time so while I’m making micro-adjustments on all the spokes around the rim I don’t have to go back half way through and check the lateral measurements. That way I get a very consistent build. I source my parts from world class manufacturers across all price ranges, so I can make a wheelset from £200 to £1,000, depending on what the customer wants. I use all of the major brands and I think it’s important to stock products so if people want to call in before they buy to take a look and feel, they can. There are a lot of people who buy a bike off the shelf at a store or on the internet and then come to me to customise it. I look at the weight of the rider, the type of riding they do and specification of the bike and recommend different options. Robustness of wheelset is critical Wheels are the most important potential upgrade you can make to a bike because the weight and stiffness of the wheel has a direct impact on acceleration, deceleration and
“Cycling is a real passion for me and if I can help someone achieve their goals, I will” cornering. As an example, a customer wanted a light wheelset for cross-country racing so a low weight Ryde Trace 22 rim, stitched together with CX Ray spokes and American Classic hubs, produced a stiff robust wheelset weighing just 1,360g. Alternately if a customer wants a touring road wheelset where the bike is loaded with several kilograms of kit then robustness of the wheelset is the critical consideration. There are many options depending on the customer’s needs. Currently my work is mixed 50:50 between wheel builds, bike maintenance and re-builds. I have Sundays and Mondays off and tend to start the day with some website work, fulfilling orders or doing the accounts. I’m open for business from 10am to 6pm. Saturdays are busy for me as people come and drop off and pick up bikes or look at wheels, so I open at 9am and close at 4pm. I do a lot of online work too so I don’t meet every customer, but I’ve designed my packaging to protect the wheels when I ship them. My alternative career is about being able to cycle and be my own boss. I usually get in about
120-140 miles a week on my bike, which is essential training as I have a few goals for the year. I’m doing the Fred Whitton Challenge in the Lake District in May, which is the premier sportive in the UK. It’s in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care and this is my third year. The Hardknott pass in Cumbria is really steep so I practice on hills in Leicestershire such as Rockingham Hill, Nevill Holt or Launde Abbey. They are a poor substitute for the rigours of the Lake District so I have to repeat them several times. I also cross-country mountain bike, and at the end of the year there’s the Kielder 101 race which is up in Northumbria and Scotland and entails lots of climbing on technical single track. It’s so mountainous compared with Northamptonshire, but a real fun race with a great atmosphere. Cycling is a real passion for me and if I can help someone else achieve their goals, I will. I’m a good listener and I’m happy to talk to anyone even if it’s just advice they are after. Visit www.velowheels.co.uk or phone 01832 358732.
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Dingley, Market Harborough LE16 8PJ www.dingleyraces.com
under 16’s FREE ENTRY!
Enjoy a great day out with family and friends
∙ Licensed betting ∙ Children’s funfair ∙ Bar and refreshments
Easter Saturday, 15th April 2017 Sunday 7th May 2017 Saturday 27th May 2017
Gates open at 11.30am, racing commences at 2pm
Admission: £10 per person/Under 16’s free Race cards available for £3
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T: 0116 259 3756 | E: wistow@uwclub.net www.wistowcafebistro.co.uk Kibworth Road, Wistow, Leicestershire LE8 0QF
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24/03/2017 18:17
ACTIVE LOCAL
UP, UP AND AWAY Hillclimber Charlie Martin tells us about the exciting developments in her upcoming motorsport season After two seasons in the Championnat de France de la Montagne running the Formula Renault entirely on my own, I’m finally joining a team for 2017, and not just any team either. Team owner Nicolas Schatz is seven times French champion, and having just returned from two days testing and coaching with him I’ve never been so well prepared for the race season ahead! It’s a huge step forward for me, meaning that I can now focus entirely on my driving instead of constantly managing my time and resources. It’s fun competing abroad but hard work on your own. I’d often run out of time to eat by the
time I’d got the car ready for each run and watched my onboard video back, so my energy levels would be flagging when I least needed it. Driving the team’s Norma M20 FC at Circuit du Bourbonnais confirmed my expectations that this is an incredible car, and crucially quite easy to drive quickly. The paddle shift changes gear instantaneously meaning that, unlike my old car, I can leave my hands on the wheel the whole time, and the latest aero setup means it produces more downforce than anything I’ve driven previously. You literally have to recalibrate your brain to drive it – it’s that fast! Driving the car for two days I covered around
200km, the equivalent of two seasons racing and a lot of seat time for a hillclimber used to two to three minute bursts. With Nicolas Schatz coaching me I learnt a lot. The datalogging helped me see exactly what the car could do and it feels very stable and predictable (much more so than my old car) which should help my confidence on the narrow French roads. My first race is the Col St. Pierre, the only event in my 2017 calendar that I’ve not driven before, so I’ll be flying out to learn it the weekend before with my team-mate Sarah Louvet. At 5.1km it’s one of the longer hills with a lot of fast flowing sections that look identical to others. I’ve never made it down to the south of France before, luckily this year I can just hop on an Easyjet flight rather than face a 1,400km drive each way. With nine races scheduled in the championship, the race programme with Team Schatz Competition could not be better. www.gocharlie.co.uk
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STICK TO YOUR GUNS Lynton Dawson will shortly be running the Marathon des Sables. He talks to us about avoiding injuries Training but allowing time for recovery to avoid injury – this is often the most difficult thing to do when training hard for an event. I am nearly at the end of my training journey, but there is still that little voice in my head telling me that I need to do more to make sure I’m ready. This gets incredibly loud when you hear some of your competitors are doing 100 miles in a week and you have only done 20. The key to success is to listen carefully to your body. When it is telling you to rest, do so. There is no point if you get injured and then can’t do the event. It is important, though, to recognise the difference between ‘can’t be bothered to train’, especially as you get closer to the event and it’s cold and wet outside. Everybody experiences this at some point and it is important to ignore it and get on with it. These often turn out to be the best sessions and the sense of achievement is tremendous afterwards. I have been training since last June and other than a slight pain in my calf am fit and ready to go. I’m not going to get any fitter now and need to avoid injury before I head to Morocco later this month. I have trained hard and if I have to miss a session to rest I will not lose my fitness – I have to believe that. I will be doing two more weeks of hard training and then will drastically reduce the intensity before I fly out to Morocco. To help me stay injury free I have always tried to have one full day of rest a week. I have
also done three weeks of hard training followed by one week of recovery where the intensity and duration of my sessions are shorter. This appears to have worked fairly well so far, because since June the only real pain I have had is in my calf this last week, and I have adjusted my training accordingly. I have stopped running and switched to either running in a swimming pool or using a cross trainer. This and some sports massage appears to be working and should have me back running next week for the final build up towards my big event. Finally, try to ignore what other people are doing; what works for them does not mean that it will work for you. If I had done some of the high mileage weeks some of my fellow racers have been doing I would be sat here writing about how I had to pull out of the event because I had picked up an injury. Now that I have turned 40 I know my body quite well and for me the quality of the sessions are far better than high quantity. Touch wood I am relatively injury free and will fly out to enjoy my adventure that will cover over 150 miles of the Sahara desert. Wish me luck! My goal is to complete the Marathon des Sables and to raise £10,000 for familiesforHOPE. This is a non-profit organisation that supports families and children diagnosed with holoprosencephaly (HPE) and related brain malformations. www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lynton-dawson
THE END OF THE ROAD FOR 7EVENTS This month Russell Gamadia runs the London Marathon, the final event in the 7events calendar. He tells us why he chose to run, what inspired him and how his training is going... “I’ve always enjoyed running and ran the London Marathon in 2009. I now have my own little family so finding time to train was hard. When I found out my friend Jit was planning 7events, I was really impressed with his vision and commitment and wanted to help. When he mentioned one of the events could be the London Marathon, I jumped at the chance! “Since the last marathon, I’ve run the Windsor Half Marathon in 2014 and 2016, as half marathons don’t need as much time to train for. But training has not been plain sailing this time round. I tore one of my calf muscles just before Christmas, and was unable to run during January and February which is a crucial period to start increasing distances. I had to substitute running with other low impact cardio exercise such as the cross-trainer at the gym and swimming. My calf seems to be recovering and I got back on the road in March. I will be trying to increase my mileage up to 20 miles by the beginning of April to be ready for the marathon on April 23. “While it’s been tough to fit in training with young kids, my family have been really supportive. I’m honoured I can help Jit and am very much looking forward to the big day. The atmosphere of the London Marathon is surreal with more than 38,000 people running along with the huge crowds. I can’t wait.”
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ACTIVE LOCAL /// Speedway
Photography: Pip Walters
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PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORT
No brakes, no gears, no fear IF YOU DON’T know anything about speedway, read on. Neither did I until a few days ago – although I did go to a meeting at Belle Vue in Manchester once at the age of about seven and still have a strong memory of the bright lights, the noise and exciting atmosphere. Having spoken to some aficionados recently I now know there’s more to it than meets the eye – and it’s much more absorbing than I had appreciated. Dirt track racing seems to have started in Australia and the US around the early 1900s and the first record of it being called speedway in the UK is from 1928, by which time the technique of ‘broadsidingb the front wheel around corners and the use of bikes with no brakes – yes, no brakes – had been established. You might wonder how they manage to navigate those tight corners with nothing to slow them down. In fact they do the reverse – bravely accelerating hard into the bend which brings the rear wheel out and causes the skid that gets them round. At the speed they’re doing that takes some nerve – the bikes are 500cc and fuelled by methanol, which means they get from 0 to 60mph in 2.5 seconds, faster than most supercars. It’s grown steadily as a sport and there are now 22 clubs competing in the major three British divisions and a Great Britain side that
With Leicester Lions’ season about to start, Jeremy Beswick investgates the high octane, two-wheeled world of speedway were silver medallists at the last world cup. Among those in the top tier, the Premiership, are the Leicester Lions who have returned to compete at the Beaumont Sports Centre in the north of the city. It was quite an achievement to bring speedway back to Leicester in 2011 after an absence of 28 years, for which the Lions deserve a lot of credit. The club’s Alan Jones was my main teacher. “It’s a family sport,” he told me “with both sets of supporters sitting next to each other and a safe environment for all ages. There’s a high level of skill on the part of the riders, who are all accessible to the fans for photographs, autographs and so on. There are fifteen races at a meeting and plenty of excitement. It’s a great way to spend an evening.” SpeedwayGB’s description is “so to sum
Speedway up, it’s four laps of all-out speed, control, excitement and thrills as four riders go for the chequered flag in honour of their team. The best thing is that all this happens just yards from where you’re standing and the stars of the show (the riders) are easily accessible to see and meet, so don’t forget your cameras, autograph books and pens!” Alan explained one thing about the way the sport is organised which appealed to me immediately, because it means a level playing field for every side. Each rider’s points tally over a season is recorded to give them a rating – let’s say they average eight points a meeting. At the beginning of the next season all the teams are capped at a total of 50 points for their whole squad (seven riders in all), which means a good deal of personnel changes as sides try to get as close as possible to that total without exceeding it. Accordingly, it’s really difficult to predict who the top teams are going to be in any given year, adding to the interest and also ensuring that you can’t just buy success with a wealthy backer. “The club pays the riders for each point they score at a meeting,” Alan explained to me. “They provide their own bike, mechanic and so on and machine examiners in the pits ensure that every bike conforms to the rules.” There is quite a bit of razzamatazz under the
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fresh wheels wedding.indd 1
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ACTIVE LOCAL /// Speedway
‘The sounds, the smell, the taste, the feeling in the air of the dust mixed with the oil and fumes...’
PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORT
floodlights too, plenty of music and beer and food available. “We’ll be doing a ‘meet the rider’ session this year,” Alan continued. “Where small groups can meet up with their favourites an hour before the start. We also do interviews with the riders for the whole crowd and after the victory parade at the end we bring out the team manager for an interview, which the fans love, as they get a good grilling about why they made certain decisions, about which rider in which heat for example.” Meetings are on Saturdays with a 7:30pm start and the season is just beginning. It’ll cost you £17 for an adult, £5 for a 10-17-year old and nothing for the younger ones. Expect to be in a healthy crowd of one to two thousand. See www.leicesterlions.co for all the details.
To give you a taste of the fun spectators have, here some fan quotes: “When I went to my first meeting it was generally thought by those who knew me best that it wouldn’t be my cup of tea at all, but how wrong they were. I absolutely loved it! I didn’t understand about helmet colours and teams and so on, but I bought the programme, asked a few questions and I was hooked! From that time on, I went to meetings home and away as often as I could.” “Speedway racing is the most exciting and breathtaking one-minute of action available. The emotions that occur from the build-up of the riders coming onto the track, to the final chequered flag are sometimes more than you can take! The air of awe from around the stadium is a phenomenon that no other sport can bring. The sounds, the smell, the taste and the feeling in the air of the dust mixed together with the oil and fumes leads to nothing but memories that you will never forget.” “My heart pumps really fast and that feeling as the tapes fly up is not comparable to anything in the world. The thrills of seeing four riders bumping and grinding into the first corner and the leader trying to get away is superb! Speedway is modern day hunting, where the leader will be chased by other riders trying to outwit them, out-manoeuvre them and ultimately push them to the limit of making a slight error upon which to capitalize on. A minute of speedway racing combines all emotions, reactions and fear for success. The sounds of the crescendo of the crowd cheering, the air-horns blowing and the announcer going crazy is one word. Heaven.” Alan, like me, had been taken to a meeting as a young child and he has had speedway in his blood for more than 50 years. “There’s excitement in every heat with a result every time. With some other sports there are times when nothing much seems to be happening, but speedway is a continuous thrill. Here at the Lions there’s a lot of camaraderie too”. You can tell he gets a lot of enjoyment back for the time he dedicates to the sport. I’m sure many of you would too. As SpeedwayGB put it: “It’s fast, it’s furious, its family entertainment and it’s at a track near you!!”
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NOTTINGHAM BEESTON
M1
BOSTON
A1
A52
SWINESHEAD
A52
GRANTHAM
KEYWORTH
A17 KEGWORTH
A6
A
A16
A607
A606
A15
A46 MELTON MOWBRAY
LOUGHBOROUGH
HOLBEACH
A151
SPALDING
A1
BOURNE
A17
KING’S LYNN
M1 A1101
A606 A50
A606
OAKHAM
LEICESTER
STAMFORD
A6003
A47
MARKET DEEPING
A15
A10
WISBECH
A16
UPPINGHAM Enjoy a restful break at the Falcon Hotel, our stunning 16th century coaching inn. Experience an innovative twist on brasserie food at A1DonPETERBOROUGH Paddy’s, or simply M1 relax with a local ale in our cosy traditional English pub, The Vaults. A47
OADBY
WIGSTON
A1122
MARCH
A6003
MARKET HARBOROUGH
A427
A508
CORBY A43
A6003
A6
TO N O LOND
A6
LUTTERWORTH
DOWNHAM MARKET
A47
A47
A6116 A43
TO ON D LON
We are located just off theA14 A47 between KETTERING A14 Leicester and Peterborough, situated in M1 Uppingham’s historic Market Place.
A605
THRAPSTON
A6003
TO BIRMINGHAM
A508
A43
A509 A6
A141
A10
UPPINGHAM
A45
A
Falcon Hotel 01572 823535 info@falcon-hotel.co.uk Don Paddy’s 01572 822255 info@donpaddys.co.uk The Vaults 01572 823259 info@thevaultsuppingham.co.uk
A
Sat Nav LE15 9QH
A
A6003
T HE MARKET PLACE, UPPIN G H AM, RUTL A N D.
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ACTIVE LOCAL Ride-out
the Blue Cow pub on your left. Stay on Mill Lane, following signs to Wymondham. Pass South Witham quarry on your left. 9. At the T junction at the end of Mill Lane, turn left. 10. At the entrance to Thistleton village, turn right, signposted Market Overton. Market Overton to Cottesmore 11. Enter Market Overton, then turn left onto Main Street, signposted Cottesmore. Ride through and out of Market Overton, still following signs to Cottesmore. As the road bends round to the right, you’ll pass The Lodge Trust and café (closed Sundays). 12. Take the first left turn to Cottesmore, then turn left again, to join the main B668.
ON YOUR BIKE In the first of a series, Rutland Cycling’s Sally Middlemiss suggests some great routes to get you out in the saddle This scenic 30-mile route takes in some pretty villages, as well as plenty of pubs and rest stops. The shorter 21-mile option is great for an early morning blast, especially now the days are getting longer.
THE ROUTE:
Whitwell to Pickworth 1. Park at Whitwell car park (LE15 8BL), then pedal back along Bull Brigg Lane towards the main A606 road. As the lane sweeps round to the left, take a right turn, then drop down to the main road along a path and through a wooden gate. Cross the A606 and onto a minor road, heading towards Exton. 2. At the crossroads turn right, signposted Empingham. Keep straight on, enjoying a long, gentle downhill section, crossing a small river, and then climbing up again to another crossroads. Turn left, towards Pickworth. 3. Go under the A1 and turn left to Pickworth, riding for a short section along a minor road parallel with the A1. Take the first right turn, signposted Pickworth. Cross two cattle grids before entering Pickworth village. 4. At the T junction, turn left, heading towards Holywell and Castle Bytham. Pickworth to Castle Bytham 5. At the next T junction, turn right, following signs to Holywell. At the next T junction, turn left, still following signs to Holywell, then immediately right towards Careby, passing a small lake on your left. 6. On entering the village of Careby, turn left, signposted Little Bytham. Stay on the main road, following signs to Little Bytham.
7. Proceed through Little Bytham, passing Rasell’s Nursery on your right. At the T junction, turn left to Castle Bytham. Soon after entering Castle Bytham, turn right, signposted South Witham. Stay on the main road through the village, passing the Castle pub on your left and the Fox and Hounds pub on your right. Castle Bytham to Market Overton 8. Keep straight on, heading towards South Witham. You’ll pass Morkery Wood on your left. Go under the A1 again, following signs for South Witham. Proceed through South Witham, passing
Cottesmore to Whitwell 13. Follow the B668 for a short section, then take the right turn, signposted Exton. 14. Pass Hambleton Bakery on your left, then Barnsdale Gardens on your right. Take the next left, signposted Empingham. 15. At the crossroads, turn right, signposted Whitwell. 16. Cross the A606, go through the gate and along the path as before, and head back to Whitwell car park to complete your ride. For a shorter 21-mile alternative route, at route note 5 turn left instead of right at the T-junction and ride through the villages of Clipsham, Stretton and Greetham, before turning left on to Exton Road to rejoin the route at note 14. Sally Middlemiss is a British Cycling ride leader and Breeze Champion - getting more women into riding bikes for fun.
CASTLE BYTHAM
SOUTH WITHAM
LITTLE BYTHAM THISTLETON CLIPSHAM
GREETHAM
COTTESMORE
HOLYWELL
PICKWORTH
EXTON
30 MILE ROUTE
START/ WHITWELL
21 MILE ALTERNATIVE
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ACTIVE LOCAL Great walks
FOSTON AND COUNTESTHORPE A 10th Century Anglican church makes an interesting base for this gentle countryside ramble Photography: Will Hetherington
Difficulty rating (out of five)
THE ROUTE
There is space to park outside St Bartholomew’s Church in the tiny settlement of Foston, which lies just to the west of the A5199 Welford Road. From the church walk north along the road for 200 yards and then take the footpath to the left which heads west through a large arable field towards Countesthorpe. To start with the road on the right is quite close but the path and the road gently diverge, making it more and more peaceful. Initially you won’t see the marker posts but keep plodding on and the path becomes clear. And ultimately you will end
up at the stream just to the east of Countesthorpe. With plenty of springs in the area there was a lot of fresh water surging through when we were here and the dogs relished the opportunity to have a dip and a drink. But this route doesn’t cross the stream. Instead you turn left when you reach it and follow the path through a sheep pasture towards the southeast corner of the field. In this corner the path crosses through to the other side of the hedgerow and away from the sheep, and it then follows the hedge line on a gentle upward curve. It passes Reed Pool Spinney and the Chalybeate Spring on the left and then meets the very quiet lane linking Foston and Peatling Magna. This part of the walk was quite muddy but there had been a lot of rain beforehand and it certainly wasn’t impassable. When you get to the road turn right (unless
you want to take the short cut and go straight on past Great Peatling Lodge, or just turn left and walk back to Foston) and then take the footpath which crosses another sheep pasture heading south-east. After the first field boundary, with good views of Peatling Magna, the path continues to rise gently across another field. Turn left at the junction at the next field boundary and then, after another 200 yards, turn left again. At 114 metres above sea level you are at the highest point of the walk here and the views pay testament to that. You will shortly come to the strategically placed memorial bench beneath a tree and looking out to the south. On a warm day this would be the perfect spot for a break and a light refreshment. Otherwise keep going and you will be back in Foston in five minutes.
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TOP STAT
olomew’s Parts of St Barth ck to the Church date ba t it was 10th Century bu and is restored in 1874 . still in use today
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ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
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START
WHERE TO PARK By the church in Foston
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DISTANCE AND TIME Three and a half miles/an hour and a quarter
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HIGHLIGHTS 10th Century St Bartholomew’s Church, a surging clear water stream and some good views
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LOWLIGHTS A bit muddy in places and the first section is a little charmless until you get away from the road to the right REFRESHMENTS The rural centre at Wistow Hall, a couple of miles to the east, has shops and Wistow cafe, or there is The Cock Inn in Peatling Magna
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DIFFICULTY RATING Two paws. There is nothing too demanding here, apart from a bit of mud in places. THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE The stream is well placed for hot dogs but there are some sheep in two fields on the way around. Otherwise this is an excellent place for the dogs For your own safety and navigation make sure you have an OS map with you when you go out walking. You won’t regret it.
©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2017 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 044/17
Clockwise, from above
The stream on the eastern fringe of Countesthorpe is a good place for the dogs to cool off ; most of this walk is through arable fields; St Bartholomew’s Church at Foston
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ACTIVE LOCAL Sportsman's dinner
The Waterfront, Market Harborough Tim and Kate share a platter at this delightful quayside venue Kate What a fantastic location this is, right next to the canal basin. The boats look lovely moored up for the night, with the lights from the wharfside apartments reflected in the water. I bet it’s heaving in the summer, but it’s busy on this mid-week night, which always bodes well. And with all different age groups. You can hire out the whole venue for a private function – the restaurant seats 70 people and the Gin & Fizz bar upstairs accommodates up to 50 people for buffet food. They stock more than 50 gins which sounds enticing – you’d have to come pretty regularly to get through that menu! Tim I normally like a good gin, particularly if it’s local, but I’m really enjoying this New Zealand Fernlands sauvignon blanc. It’s delicious and the huge glasses are pretty impressive too. They really add to the experience, but just be careful navigating the long stems. Kate Don’t worry, I don’t want to spill a drop! And it slips down very nicely with the platter of olives, selection of warm breads and a very tasty mix of oil and balsamic (£4). I think we’re being greedy as I couldn’t resist ordering the sharing platter of pear, fig and halloumi with prosciutto
and walnuts as well (£12.50). The thick-cut halloumi goes really well with the pear as they’re poached in red wine, sugar and cinnamon and adding the walnuts cuts through the sweetness and the salt of the cheese. Perfect. Tim I could eat like this every day, particularly if I were in shorts and t-shirt and on a beach somewhere. And sharing platters always seem a good idea as you get loads of different tastes but you’re not guzzling the lot yourself. The danger is eating too much bread though, which I think I may have done. Not very sensible as I’ve chosen grilled calves’ liver, creamy mash, bacon and sage with melted onions (£14). And the portion is huge. Kate You certainly can’t say the chefs skimp on the portions here, you’ve got loads of liver. I was almost going to choose the Thai beef salad as a main course but the assistant manager, Tom, has recommended the smoked haddock, poached egg and spinach in a wholegrain mustard sauce with mash (£14) and I’m really glad he did. The sauce really complements the fish and once I’d speared the egg, the golden yolk ran all over the mash and spinach. Absolutely gorgeous. But I
couldn’t manage another mouthful which is a shame as I fancy the honey, fig and pistachio cheesecake (£5.75). Tim We’ll have to come back another day. The staff are very helpful and the décor is attractive too: all exposed brickwork and wood. There are plenty of nods to its past as a converted warehouse with pictures of locks and men at work on the canals. Being open plan there must be a cracking atmosphere when it’s full. Kate I’d like to come on a Sunday morning for brunch. I can imagine sitting here with the papers, looking out over the canal, sunlight streaming through the windows and a full English breakfast in front of me. You can even have a brunch cocktail to go with it. I rather fancy the breakfast Martini with Burleighs gin, orange marmalade and Cointreau. Sounds a perfect way to start a lazy Sunday.
The Waterfront
Union Wharf, Market Harborough, LE16 7UW. 01858 434702. www.waterfrontharborough.co.uk
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Roundup The scores, star performers and stats from a month in local sport
Rugby
Mission accomplished as South secure league safety BY JEREMY BESWICK
S
outh Leicester’s objective for their inaugural season in National League 2 was to prove themselves at this level and navigate it safely. In truth, it’s been apparent for some time that they belong there and would survive, but they were delighted to secure mathematical safety with a fine away win at Otley. With both teams mid-table and Otley having a formidable home record, South were expecting a tough test. Certainly it looked that way after five minutes when the home side scored the opening try, but the next 30 minutes belonged to South. In what chairman Wayne Marsden called “possibly the best half this season” they scored three tries through Cooke, Ward and Martin. Although Otley grabbed a consolation try just before the break, 21-12 up at half-time against the slope and the wind was an indication of just how well they’d played. An early Aley penalty extended the lead but Otley replied with a converted try due to “a lapse of concentration”, according to Marsden, and at 19-24 it was anybody’s game, the next score of crucial importance. It went to South with a try from Heath that also secured the bonus point. Final score 19-34. “A terrific game for South. Well done to all,” was Marsden’s summation. His mood will have been further boosted by a win at home against local rivals Hinckley a week later which avenged an earlier defeat in the reverse fixture. They had to come from 7-0 and then 12-3
down after a handling error on the half-way line handed the visitors their first try with the second coming on 30 minutes. Penalties from Aley kept them in touch despite a third try from Hinckley and so when Martin went over for South, Aley’s successful conversion put their noses in front for the first time. Howe was to add another before the end to make the final score 23-15. The club’s Mick McNeill called it a “deserved win” in spite of the 20 penalties that Hinckley conceded. Leicester Lions’ remote chance of promotion looks to have slipped away as they crashed to an 21-5 defeat at bottom-of-thetable Preston Grasshoppers. An unremarkable first half nevertheless saw Grasshoppers build a useful 13-0 lead, the try coming just before half-time. Lions looked to be gaining the upper hand at the start of the second period but it was Hoppers who scored against the run of play with a further try and then a penalty giving the away side a 21-0 mountain to climb and it proved too much, Tapscott’s score the only other of the match which therefore finished 21-5. The club’s Mike Howkins was impressed with Hoppers’ good forward tight and loose play. Next up was third versus fourth with Lions again away, this time to promotion rivals Sedgley Park in what was a must-win game. Lions started brightly with tries from Taylor and Benjamin but Park roared back with two of their own, their greater share of the kicking points seeing them 22-15 up at half time.
Their momentum continued into the second period with another two converted tries but, to their credit, Lions kept the game alive with yet another another two of their own, Benjamin’s second and the last – bonus point earning – from Hamilton but it wasn’t quite enough as it finished five tries to four and 36-27. Third versus fourth was followed by fourth versus fifth as Chester came to Westleigh Park the following week and this was to prove a happier occasion for the Lions, although it was a close-run thing. They opened the scoring after only two minutes with a try from Constant and, after a penalty in reply from the visitors, went further ahead with what Howkins called “one of the real bits of class of the game” as a lovely cross field diagonal run by Constant cut across and outwitted the Chester defence, for the ball to be fed out to Bale to score. Not to be outdone, Grayson then showed great awareness to chip the ball over the defence and catch it himself to land Lions’ third try, which with another penalty to Chester, made it 19-6 at the break. Chester came back at Lions fiercely after that, a try and a drop goal coming before their excellent pressing play resulted in a yellow card for Lions’ Hartwell and the resulting penalty made it 19-19 with about 20 minutes left on the clock. The winning score was not to come until the 77th minute and went to the home side, hooker Mahoney with the bonus-point try that also gave them the match.
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Tigers Talk
Above
Tom Brady on his way to score a try in the AWC final win. The team is pictured below
TIGERS IMAGES
The return of Matt O’Connor to Welford Road will be a positive move for the Tigers. As backs coach, he’d helped them to the Heineken Cup final and three Premiership titles, with the side also regularly topping the try-scoring stats under his tenure. Knowing Leicester, knowing the Premiership and, crucially, knowing how to win it would have been three big pluses on his CV. Alas, the logical result is the departure of Aaron Mauger, unfortunate though that may be, because the two men’s areas of expertise are almost identical. Short term, it’s potentially disruptive with some Tigers players taking to social media to express their disappointment at losing Mauger but expect the dust to settle before next season starts. There may be more changes to come, though. Intriguingly O’Connor’s title is head coach, not director of rugby, and the club are tight-lipped about whether there is still a vacancy. In retrospect, that explains why Mauger handed the reins to Geordan Murphy for the press conference that took place a few days earlier. The main talking point was Tigers’ recent win over Saracens in the Anglo Welsh Cup semi-final, the first time they’d won at Allianz Park in any competition. Murphy has been lead coach for this tournament and said “It’s a very difficult place to come and win, they don’t lose many there. I was really pleased with the how we went about our business.” Wing Tom Brady was equally upbeat. “It meant a lot to us to win at Allianz Park for the first time – we played really well” he said. Brady will have been delighted with his decisive try in the fast half of the final to land their first silverware for four years. Not the competition of first choice but, as Murphy had said: “It’s not been the best season for us so far but we’ll still always be fighting for every result.” Before I le I asked Brady what he thought of the resurgence of the English rugby side. “I don’t usually see a lot of international rugby because I’m playing at the same time,” he told me, “but I’ve gone out of my way to watch England. They’ve a real confidence in themselves and also in the players around them”. Their record of wins had to end sometime and surely there’s no shame in narrowly losing to Ireland on their home turf just a er St Patrick’s day?
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ACTIVE LOCAL Round-up
Football
Tough times continue for Oadby BY JEREMY BESWICK
T
hings continue to be tough for Oadby this year, recently losing four on the bounce and not having won a game since January. Club secretary Kev Zupp was sanguine, however, when we spoke a few days ago, reckoning “we’ve actually done better than we thought we would”. Their objective for this season had always been to survive at this level, rebuild and consolidate for the next campaign and that appears to have been achieved, as both Harrowby United and Huntingdon Town are too far adrift below them to realistically finish anywhere but in the bottom two relegation slots. The second of that aforementioned quartet of losses came away at Wellingborough Town on a pitch that club vice-chairman Dave Tolchard said “was a bit like quicksand in the middle and in the goalmouths”. Both sides had difficulty adjusting to the conditions, so much so that a number of balls went astray after agricultural clearances, some doubtless into the River Nene, and a few minutes had to be played with what was obviously a training ball, it being bright orange “much to the mirth of the main stand,” according to Tolchard. The first half was pretty even, the Poachers probably having the best of the chances until Borough scored late on through Barry Deacon. More chances came for Oadby early in the second period, both Jordan Pick and Harry Alcock spurning a brace apiece but it was the home side who scored next with 20 minutes to
go, again through Deacon. Substitute Tom Bennett then had three attempts thwarted in two minutes but, alas for Oadby, Borough were to score twice more in the closing minutes as it finished 3-0. Tolchard’s summation was thus: “The young Poachers could feel a little hard done by with the scoreline and manager Dave Clay had a point when he said afterwards that it never looked like a 3-0 game, but Oadby were their own worst enemies today as they missed some good chances in the game.” As they contemplate a more successful season next year, the club are looking to fill a whole raft of positions including kit manager, goalkeeping coach, fitness coach, commercial manager and club shop manager. The contact point for any interested parties is deanleivers@ hotmail.co.uk. Ten places above Oadby in the United Counties Premier Division, Harborough Town can now be neither promoted nor relegated, but until recently manager Nick Pollard had continued to urge his players to press on and attain their pre-season objective, which was to amass 70 points in total – a 10-point improvement on their last campaign. However, that hasn’t been made any easier by successive defeats to Northampton ON Chenecks – surely the most curiously-named of our local sides – and Wisbech Town. As a result, they will need 19 points from their last eight fixtures to reach that mark, which now looks a very tall order indeed especially as they will have to do it without key midfielder Jack Burrows who fractured both his cheek
and eye socket in the win against Boston in late February. Pollard was reported as acknowledging that this was a “really big blow” for them. However, on the brighter side they are in hot pursuit of a number of potential recruits to the team who would strengthen them considerably for next time. One tier down in Division One, Lutterworth Athletic are in a similar mid-table position to Town, but Mike English is also trying to find ways to motivate his players to keep going until the end of the season, not least for the sake of their supporters who he said have been “fantastic”. After losing to Long Buckley and Raunds Town, he will have been pleased to draw with Buckingham, 14 points ahead of them in the league so far. English also heads the Lutterworth Academy, which recently announced a tie-up with FuturePro (who assist grassroots players who aspire to play professional football) and SCL (the professional coaching organisation for schools) to help with the development of up-and coming youngsters. With clubs such as AFC Bournemouth, Birmingham City, Leicester City, Northampton Town and Coventry City on FurePro’s CV, this sounds like an exciting development. Of course, only a very few make it through to this level so it’s reassuring that, in conjunction, SCL will be offering a BTEC level 3 extended diploma in sport which can lead to employment in coaching, sport, leisure and fitness jobs. There are trials in April and May – for more information go to http://wearescl.co.uk/ futurepro-lutterworth.
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Vox Fox Most Foxes fans will, I suspect, be torn between relief and sadness at Claudio Ranieri’s departure, but what a start Craig Shakespeare has had! Putting aside their qualification for the Champions’ League quarter-finals for a moment, their recent win 3-2 at West Ham is, I think, a record. Please write in if I’m wrong, but I reckon this is the first time any new Premiership manager’s team has scored three times in their opening three league fixtures. In any event, the change in their fortunes and performances since Shakespeare took over is so marked that all sorts of rumours, bordering on conspiracy theories, are being bandied about – but the manager is having none of it. Speaking a er the game at Upton Park he said: “There is no secret. I think hard work, commitment and endeavour; we showed all of them today, along with some good football. We scored the goals at the right time. It gave us a foothold in the game. There is no secret.” He added: “The hard work is paramount to success and we have to keep doing that. I would love to play silky football but this is the Premier League we are talking about. It is hard to get back-to-back wins. We’ve managed to do that now and you have to show all the attributes. You have to show resilience and I thought we did that in abundance.” Defender Robert Huth has another theory – he thinks it’s about the
all-important first goal. “I always felt we just needed to get 1-0 up in a game. It happened against Liverpool. Since then, we’ve been getting 1-0 up and we haven’t been beaten. Long may it continue. It’s something we’ve done all season – once we go ahead, we don’t tend to lose games. It was something we wanted to achieve today and we managed it”. He’s right in as much that the record shows that City have won every game they’ve led this season. So, following their heroics against Sevilla, the little matter of Atletico Madrid now awaits them. Doubtless the away fans will take time out to enjoy the charms of this ancient city. The Prado, the Royal Palace, the tapas, the fine wines... and all this only five years, almost to the day, a er losing to Millwall 2-1 in the Championship and making do with the docks, the Isle of Dogs, pie and mash and Bovril. The money’s not bad either. So far the Foxes have made around 33 million Euros from the tournament. Alas not enough to buy Kante back (how the team misses him) but a tidy sum for a rainy day. Shakespeare believes they can win it too. “Why not? We’re in it,” he declared. If you still rue not putting a few quid on them for the Premiership last season at 5,000-1, you might want to know that the current odds of them reaching and winning the final in Cardiff on 3 June are around 33-1. Good luck - or “buena suerte” as they say in Madrid.
LCFC
Above
Defender Robert Huth believes getting the first goal is vital for City’s winning streak
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ACTIVE LOCAL Round-up
Equestrianism
Springing into action BY JULIA DUNGWORTH
T
he Quorn’s Melton Hunt ride rounded off last month in fine style. In the morning it even looked like we were going to be blessed with sunshine, but alas it was not to be and stood on the top of the hill at Great Dalby it was just as cold as ever. The ground was good-to-soft for the 57 brave souls that started the race and as always a few people said that it wasn’t as big as in some years. However, at nearly three miles and some heavy going in places, it takes a lot to get round, let alone finish. Rowan Cope rode a classy round to victory, he also won first middleweight and first gentleman and walked away from the prize giving with a plethora of trophies. In second spot was Harry Wallace; he also won First Line Cavalryman. The Household Cavalry had a much higher number of riders than usual at the Melton this time. Sophie Walker took third spot, and also won first lady, best under 25 and first thoroughbred, leaving father and previous winner Richard Walker well down the field in 12th. He did, however, still pick up a bottle of champagne for best veteran. The following weekend was another crowd pleaser in the form of the Cottesmore Hunt point-to-point at Garthorpe. It attracted 180
www.goingdigital.co.uk Above www.goingdigital.co.uk www.goingdigital.co.uk www.goingdigital.co.uk www.goingdigital.co.uk www.goingdigital.co.uk www.goingdigital.co.uk
Race 5 winner at Garthorpe, Hi Vic, owned by Cottesmore chairman Nick Wright
www.goingdigital.co.uk entries for the eight races on good-to-soft www.goingdigital.co.uk www.goingdigital.co.uk ground held in near-perfect conditions. www.goingdigital.co.uk The locally owned and trained favourite
www.goingdigital.co.uk www.goingdigital.co.uk www.goingdigital.co.uk www.goingdigital.co.uk
www.goingdigital.co.uk www.goingdigital.co.uk www.goingdigital.co.uk www.goingdigital.co.uk A Digital Photography
Robin De Boss took the spoils in the coveted members’ race under Dale Peters. A Rutland syndicate headed by Oakham solicitor Paul Browne owns the horse. The last three races of the day attracted the biggest fields. In the nine-year olds and upwards, the winning owner was the Cottesmore chairman Nicholas Wright and the horse was ridden by his son, Archie.
Fiona Davidson from Loughborough has had a brilliant start to the year. After a good season last year she has deservedly been put on the long list for the British team at the 2* European Championships in Belgium in July on two horses, Lissegan Junior Guy and Foxfields Chantuse. Joe Clayton hit immediate form on Jane Heerbeck’s very good nine-year old Carolus K out in Oliva Nova in Spain. Joe is deputising for Holly Smith (broken leg) and has already won two classes, including a 1.35 against a 59-strong field. Young jockey Tabitha Kyle (9) has been hitting the headlines after a very successful Small Pony Premier Show at Arena UK at the beginning of March. Although Tabitha didn’t actually win any classes, she had a tremendous show by finishing in the top three six times, including all of the second round qualifiers for Hickstead. Tabitha lives at Wymswold with her parents Mark and Tanya, who are no strangers to the jumping ring. One of the highlights of the calendar has to be the Quorn gate jumping competition at Vale View, which was held on March 10. Local rider Boogie Machin won the Open section and scooped the £200 prize money on her horse Ben, jumping 1.45m. The Hunter section went up to a whopping 1.55m and was won by Craig Kiddier.
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ACTIVE LOCAL Schools
The Big Bang in Leicester Leicester Grammar School attracted more than 3,000 visitors to its third Big Bang Science and Technology Fair. More than 170 schools, nurseries, Brownie and Guide groups as well as home-educated children enjoyed the 60+ activities on offer. Highlights of the day included Heartwise Leicester training more than 300 people in life-saving CPR skills, and The University of Leicester Ophthalmology Department testing 40 pairs of children’s eyes as part of their research into the development of vision in childhood. Budding engineers tested their bridge building skills, played ball games with remote controlled robotic arms and learnt how to fly a microlight with a full-size Flexwing simulator. The Immersive Theatre’s 360 Planetarium
gave people the chance to ‘fly across the night sky’, and the Astro Zone let visitors taste ‘meteor’ ice cream, launch a rocket, play with a plasma ball and learn all about space travel. Potential doctors honed their injection skills and learned how to stitch a wound with Medical Maverick’s fake arm, while PepsiCo showed visitors the science and engineering behind making Monster Munch and Wotsits. FUZE inspired the next generation of app builders with their hands-on programming workshop. Meanwhile Leicestershire Police demonstrated forensic science and drug testing. There were also a host of 999 vehicles to explore and Helicentre even landed their helicopter on site and allowed children to climb in to the cockpit.
Teddy chosen for MSA squad Local karter Teddy Wilson has been selected by the Motor Sport Association (MSA) for an elite squad of young British drivers. MSA Academy manager Greg Symes said: “Teddy has demonstrated his huge potential over the last few seasons which has been backed up by fantastic results in the UK and on the international scene. We want to help Teddy realise his potential.” The selected candidates are all aged 14-24 and have demonstrated potential excellence in motor sport. They will benefit from a unique support programme to aid their progression and development in racing. Fifteen-year-old Teddy said: “I am thrilled to be selected for the MSA Academy squad. It’s a
great opportunity that could add another dimension to my progression and development in the sport. Being able to benefit from the expertise of professional coaches alongside other drivers is an exciting prospect.” As he prepares for his forthcoming GCSE exams, Uppingham Community College pupil Teddy has also started making the transition from karts to cars. Teddy said: “In November I drove a Formula 4 car for the first time at Mugello in Italy and more recently I completed three days’ testing at Adria International Circuit. My goal is to do some racing in an F4 Championship series after my exams.”
HOCKEY SIDE IN QUARTER FINALS Oakham’s 1st XI played some outstanding hockey to reach the quarter finals of the National Hockey Finals. Director of hockey James Bateman said: “With some strong schools le in the competition, it is proving to be an exciting time. It is excellent to see us continue our run a er last year’s success reaching the national finals and we hope to go one better this year!” The Oakham team were put under pressure early on in the match from a strong Calday side, but Oakham scored with their first attacking move and raced into a 2-0 lead. Calday Grange then pulled two goals back before Oakham scored again to take the scoreline to 3-2 at half-time. Two early goals from Oakham in the second half forced Calday to change tactics and push their forwards to score, leaving their defence vulnerable. Oakham took full advantage and continued to rack up goals right up until the final whistle with a 9-2 win.
OO Charlie returns for coaching session Oakham School welcomed back Old Oakhamian Charlie Walker to help coach the U14 rugby sevens squad as they prepared for their forthcoming competitions at Bromsgrove and Rosslyn Park. Charlie captained the 1st XV in the Daily Mail Cup Final in 2011 and the school sevens 1st team at the Rosslyn Park Sevens, before going on to play for England U20s and the England sevens team. He also became a prolific try scorer for Harlequins in the Premiership. Director of rugby Andy Rice said: “It was fantastic to welcome Charlie back to inspire the next generation of rugby stars. The U14 sevens team really enjoyed being coached by such a talented rugby sevens player and it is great that they can benefit from his expertise.” 6 6 A PR I L 2017 ///
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