Active Magazine // South Leicestershire // July 2017 by Active Magazine

FR ISSUE 27 // JULY 2017

HOW TO… South Leicestershire’s sport and lifestyle magazine

Get perfect posture Make ice tea cocktails Buy the ideal bikini

ISSUE 27 // JULY 2017

Eau Wow!

Thrills, spills, splashing and dashing about on the water Run, Harborough Run! The festival of fitness

Leicester to Everest, via Kilimanjaro! A remarkable local mum

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www.theACTIVEmag.com 07

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“Just wanted to say thank you. Your support and guidance was so very much appreciated. Just settling into my new home which may not have happened without you! Many thanks and best wishes” “Readings have been a God send for me. A real hand holding experience and achieved a price well above what I expected”

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Editor’s Letter THIS PAST YEAR I HAVE PLAYED LESS SPORT than I have ever done in my life. I broke my arm pretty badly at the end of last summer and needed a plate putting in, which put paid to anything for a few months. Then, when I finally got back to full fitness (a relative term for me, I went to cricket nets, got hit by a beamer in the ribs five balls in and spent six weeks or so struggling to breathe or sleep. Next, moving house and working long hours got in the way, and after that I dislocated/broke (not sure which) my toe and have spent another month hobbling about. The year of no sport, apart from some rounds of golf in a few quiet moments. And I’ve been pretty hopeless at that, too. And it’s made me realise just how incredibly easy it is to get out of the swing of things, to lose those routines, habits and hobbies that you hold so dear. Before you know it, you’re sitting in front of the TV, or busy doing DIY, or shopping at the weekend. All those things that other people who don’t play sport do. They don’t know they’re missing the jokes and camaraderie, the elation at a hard fought victory, that endorphin-fuelled hazy feeling of exhaustion, the fizz of competition and challenge, that nervous buzz on the morning of a match, a week spent ticking, waiting for a chance to redeem yourself for failure. For those that play sport, it’s hard to explain to those who don’t how much it means, or why it means so much. So I’ll get back to it I’m sure (although what ridiculous injury awaits me next I dread to think), and if for whatever reason you are like me, you have my sympathy. And if you’re thinking of giving up, think long and hard before taking the plunge. Because sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

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

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

Enjoy the issue! Steve

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

Copyright (c) Grassroots Publishing Limited (GPL) 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or be stored in any retrieval system, of any nature, without prior permission from GPL. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of GPL or its affiliates. Disclaimer of Liability. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information contained in this publication at the time of going to press, GPL and its affiliates assume no responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of and, to the extent permitted by law, shall not be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained in this publication. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of the advertising material which they submit and for ensuring the material complies with applicable laws. GPL and its affiliates are are not responsible for any error, omission or inaccuracy in any advertisement and will not be liable for any damages arising from any use of products or services or any action or omissions taken in reliance on information or any statement contained in advertising material. Inclusion of any advertisement is not intended to endorse any view expressed, nor products or services offered nor the organisations sponsoring the advertisement.

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Contents

ISSUE 27 /// JULY 2017

ACTIVE LIFE 11 WHAT’S ON

Great things to do locally for all the family

13 HOW TO...

Make iced tea cocktails and scones

16-17 RIVERFORD RECIPE

This month we cook an asparagus and blue cheese tart

19 GET AWAY FROM IT ALL Island hopping in Croatia

FEATURES

22-29 EAU WHAT FUN!

The best water-based activities in our region

31 MARTIN JOHNSON’S COLUMN

Why Brits are sure to fail when they’re labelled as favourites

ACTIVE BODY 35 HOW TO BEAT TENNIS ELBOW Expert advice from the Ashleigh Clinic

38 KIT BAG

The latest essential gear

42-43 THE FINISHING TOUCHES

Tips and products to help you look great on holiday

ACTIVE LOCAL 46 DAY IN THE LIFE OF...

Liam Powell, head teacher of Manor High School in Oadby

56 50

48-49 CHALLENGE UPDATES...

How our intrepid fund-raisers are faring

50-53 A KILLER GAME

We meet the Leicester Tigers wheelchair side

55 ON YOUR BIKE!

A great cycling route from Rutland Cycling

56-57 GREAT WALKS

Taking in Thurnby and Houghton on the Hill

61 SCHOOLS SPORTS

Successes on the ﬁeld from our local schools

62-66 ROUND-UP

How clubs in the area are faring

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GREAT BOWDEN, MARKET HARBOROUGH

Guide Â£899,950

A WONDERFUL FAMILY HOME, SITUATED CENTRALLY IN GREAT BOWDEN YET WITH STUNNING AND PRIVATE REAR GARDENS. THE PROPERTY CANNOT BE FULLY APPRECIATED EXTERNALLY AS ONCE THROUGH THE DOOR, THERE IS IN EXCESS OF 3000 SQUARE FEET OF ACCOMMODATION INCLUDING A 30 FOOT LIVING KITCHEN, SIX BEDROOMS AND FOUR BATHROOMS. EPC RATING: D

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Activelife

Activelife SAILING IN CROATIA, GRASS SNAKES AND CUCKOOS, AFTERNOON TEA, LOCAL NEWS AND A DELICIOUS SUMMER ASPARAGUS RECIPE Edited by Mary Bremner

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Activelife

GLAMOROUS GLAMPING Glamping has come to our area. You can now sample the delights of enchanting Mongolian yurts on a farm in Great Oxendon, courtesy of Jenny Lyon and Lara Collis who have been friends since their ﬁrst day at school. Not only do you get to stay in a fabulous yurt, you also have the whole of the working family farm to use as your back yard. You can wander the footpaths, taking in the piglets, cattle and sheep, or head further aﬁeld. Country Bumpkin Yurts recently had its grand opening, with over 500 people attending, and the yurts are a sight to see. Each one is furnished in a shabby chic style and complete with a log burner. There’s even a wood burning hot tub. A yurt is the perfect way to get back to nature.

Enjoy the relaxing and uplifting experience of living without corners – the yurts are circular – and enjoy sleeping out in the open able to see the stars through the roof window of your yurt. www.countrybumpkinyurts.co.uk

MORE CYCLISTS NEEDED FOR CHARITY RIDE Hope Against Cancer is looking for more riders to join its Hope to Hope ride on September 16-19. The four-day event will cover 300 miles riding from The Clock Tower in Leicester to the Peak District and back. The plan is to raise £60,000 for the Leicestershire and Rutland cancer research charity and there are 12 more places available. If you want to get ﬁt and raise money for charity visit the website at www.hopeagainstcancer.org.uk

A NEW AGRICULTURE The Seeds of Eden Foundation is a non-proﬁt organisation set up to provide food security for all. Founder Graham Willett, who was born in Market Harborough, has always been fascinated by plants. During his career as a chef he tried to

grow many of the ingredients he used as he was horriﬁed by many of the growing methods. He set up the foundation to work with the natural patterns of nature rather than introducing chemicals and products. They don’t dig but manipulate the soil food web so it creates the correct soil conditions for crops. It’s all about caring for local ﬂora and wildlife and boosting the nutrient content of soils. Stanford Hall has provided a growing space where community growers are welcome to learn more about the techniques, as has Cotesbach Hall, within their walled organic gardens. The foundation is looking for many more spaces to cultivate and for people to join them, and not just those who like to grow food, everyone is welcome. www.seedsofeden.org

SHOP OF THE MONTH

INNER WOLF Inner Wolf, based at Wistow, is Adrian Ward’s brainchild. The shop sells everything you could possibly need for your dog and specialises in sports and outdoor equipment. He sells the usual food, whistles, coats and leads but also harnesses and waist belts so you can run ‘hands free’. He also sells harnesses so you can be towed on your scooter and bike, as well as camping gear. Adrian is the perfect person to talk to as he has two dogs of his own that use all the specialist equipment. Visit the shop or visit the website at www.innerwolf.co.uk

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Venari House, 1 Trimbush Way, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7XY T: 01858 467476 E: office@corporatearchitecture.co.uk W: www.corporatearchitecture.co.uk Malcolm Foulkes-Arnold 07885 304970 Richard Coppock 07889 129735

Holiday fun for 2017 at Uppingham

With a wide range of different courses and camps for children and adults in the summer holidays, there really is something to suit all interests! Music Science Sport

Drama Art Baking

Technology Creative Writing

For further information and to book:www.uppinghamsummerschool.co.uk Like us on Facebook

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Residential options are offered on all courses held in the summer. Subsidised places are available on a number of courses courtesy of the Windmill House Trust.

summerschool@uppingham.co.uk

01572 820800

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Activelife

WHAT’S ON There’s lots going on in your area this month, so why not try some of these?

■ Neil from George Hall Cycle Centre in Market Harborough runs a mountain bike club and mountain bike cross-country series. Anyone over the age of 12 can compete in the series and anyone over 18 can ride with the club. There are lots of rides and events locally in July. Email georgehallscycle@aol.com. www.catsmbc.com or www.fnssmtb.com ■ Now in its fourth year, the Great Bowden Music Fest on July 6-9 continues to present a feast for its audience. There will be six concerts over four days with something for everyone. Concerts are held in the parish church with refreshments available. www.greatbowdenmusicfest.co.uk ■ South Kilworth Riding Club

hold a family-orientated show four times during the summer at Stanford Hall near Lutterworth. The next one is July 30 where there will be classes for all ages and abilities.

on July 28 you can join their ‘Butterﬂy Man’ on a family butterﬂy hunt around the Country Park. www.brocks-hill.co.uk

■ Hope Against Cancer is holding its Bold and Blue Week from July 1-7 and is asking you to host a tea party in aid of the charity. As part of this event there will be a special fund-raising tea party at The Falcon Hotel in Uppingham attended by special guest Rav Bansal from The Great British Bake Off. www.hopeagainstcancer.org.uk ■ Brocks Hill Country Park in Oadby has some interesting things going on this month. On July 25 you can come nose to nose with a hedgehog while ﬁnding out more about them and

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Activelife

HOW TO…

MAKE ICED TEA COCKTAILS AND SCONES Summer is here at last... the sun is shining so thoughts turn to afternoon tea and iced teas. We’ve added a splash of alcohol to ours to make the perfect iced tea cocktail.

What better way to spend a sunny afternoon than having afternoon tea sitting under the shade of a leafy tree? Delicious scones are easy to make and a must.

Ingredients (serves 2) 2 Earl Grey teabags 1 tsp caster sugar 4 tbsp chilled Vermouth Rosso 4 tbsp ice cold vodka Juice of ½ lemon Sprigs of rosemary and slices of lemon Ice cubes

Ingredients 300g self-raising ﬂour 75g butter or margarine 50g caster sugar 150ml milk

Method ● Add the teabags to 300ml of boiling water and infuse for 8 minutes. Stir in the sugar, leave to cool then put in the fridge. ● Pour the chilled tea into a jug, stir in the vermouth, vodka and lemon juice and add plenty of ice. ● Pour into chilled glasses or tea cups and serve with sprigs or rosemary and slices of lemon. Chin, chin!

risen and are golden brown. Serve warm or cold with lashings of strawberry jam and clotted cream.

Method ● Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Sift the flour into a mixing bowl and add the butter cut into small squares, mix and then crumble the butter and flour together with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar and pour in the milk to make a soft dough. ● Lightly dust a work surface with flour and place the dough on it. Knead the dough slightly and then roll it out to 12cm thickness before cutting rounds with a pastry cutter. ● Transfer the scones to a lightly oiled baking tray and bake for 10-12 minutes until they have

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HOPE TO HOPE REACH YOUR PEAK

Launde Abbey

Open daily for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea

Cyclists and walkers very welcome 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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SPONSORED CYCLE CHALLENGE Saturday 16th - Tuesday 19th September 2017 From Leicester Clock Tower and back taking in the Peak District and over 300 miles. CHALLENGE YOURSELF, HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE, MEET NEW PEOPLE AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CANCER RESEARCH CHARITY For more information please contact Barbara on 0116 270 0101 or: barbara@hopeagainstcancer.org.uk http://hopeagainstcancer.org.uk/event/2383-2/ Registered Charity No. 1091480

23/06/2017 14:15

Activelife NATURE

THE CUCKOO By July adult cuckoos are preparing to return to Africa, leaving unfledged young in the nests of their foster parents to follow in August. The song is familiar and easily identifies the bird but its appearance is less well known. In flight it has a strong resemblance to a hawk with a rather hooked bill, long tail and pointed wings; the male grey above, paler below, with barred under parts and the female reddish brown like a kestrel. Cuckoos are present from mid-April in woodlands, by reed beds and on farmland, where they lay their eggs in other birds’ nests. At Rutland Water, reed warblers are the main host whilst away from wetlands dunnocks, or wrens may be the target. On moorland meadow pipits are the main host. In recent years cuckoos have been in steep decline, down 76% in the East Midlands between 1995 and 2009. Reasons for this may include a reduction of certain moth caterpillars which the adults relish; a knockon effect of the greatly increased use of agricultural pesticides. Records of young cuckoos spilling out of the nests of their overworked foster parents are now uncommon but one fledged from a dunnock nest at Barrow in 2016. Terry Mitcham

THE DOG ROSE The dog rose is now in full ﬂower and in the autumn the rose hips will form. A climbing rose with sharp thorns, it weaves its way through other hedgerow plants. The ﬂowers are a pale pink and the fruit ripens in the

autumn from September. Rose hips are high in vitamin C and were used to make syrups to boost levels throughout the winter. Interestingly the hairs inside the hips are an irritant and were used to make itching powder.

The grass snake Our largest native snake, well over a metre long, and non venomous. Easily identiﬁable, usually greenish in colour with a yellow collar and black neck patches. Grass snakes particularly like wetland areas but can be found on farm and grassland and even in gardens, particularly if there is a pond nearby. They can often be found in the summer basking in the sun and are frequently seen swimming. They lay their eggs in rotting vegetation so look out for them in your compost heap. They can live for up to 25 years and are protected under the Wildlife Countryside Act. Like all reptiles, grass snakes hibernate between October and April.

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Activelife

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ASPARAGUS AND BLUE CHEESE TART WITH FENNEL, ORANGE AND HAZELNUT SALAD INGREDIENTS

1 sheet of ready made puff pastry 1 bunch of asparagus 1 fennel 1 orange Olive oil Salt and pepper 2 eggs 100g Stilton cheese 1 pot crème fraiche 25g whole roasted hazelnuts 50g salad

METHOD

then between each membrane to release the segments (3). If you ﬁnd this tough, peel, ﬁnely slice, then cut the slices in halves or quarters. ● Add the segments to the fennel. Squeeze any juice from the leftover membranes into the bowl. Add 2 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper. ● After 12-15 minutes remove the pastry from the oven, carefully push down any pastry that’s risen in the middle, leaving the puffed up edge. Cool for 5 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 220 degrees (gas 7). Cut the pastry into four equal sized rectangles – you only need two of them, so wrap the other two up and keep in the fridge for future use.

Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Discard the whites (save them to make meringues) Put the yolks in a bowl, crumble in the blue cheese. Add 4 dessert spoons of crème fraiche.

● Put the two pastry rectangles on a non-stick baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to score a border 2cm in. Prick the middle of the pastry several times with a fork (this prevents it pufﬁng up too much). Bake for 12-15 minutes until a pale golden colour, not quite cooked through (1).

● Trim the asparagus spears if needed so they ﬁt lengthways in the middle of the pastry. Finely slice any leftover bits and add to the eggs and blue cheese. Season with pepper and stir.

●

● Bend the asparagus stalks one at a time until part of the base snaps off (this shows where they begin to be tough). Discard the ends. ● Cut the stalk tops off the fennel, saving any feathery fronds for garnish. Cut the bulb in half lengthways, chop out the core at the base in a triangular shape and very ﬁnely slice the rest (2). Transfer to a large bowl.

Cut a small slice off the top and bottom of the orange. Ideally using a small serrated knife, cut down and round to remove the skin and pith, ●

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

●

● Carefully spoon the egg mix over the pastry, leaving the border clear. Lay the asparagus on top (if the spears are thick slice lengthways in half). Dab them with oil and season with pepper. Bake for approximately 15 minutes until crisp and golden.

● Roughly chop the hazelnuts, then add to the fennel. Toss everything together and serve alongside the tart.

Tip The leftover pastry can be made into cheese straws. Cut into strips, twist, sprinkle over some ﬁnely grated cheese and bake in the oven.

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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23/06/2017 14:15

Activelife

TRAVEL

ISLANDS GALORE COSMOPOLITAN TOWNS, beautiful Venetian architecture, quiet harbours, sparkling clear waters and gentle sailing winds with so many islands to choose from – more than 1,000 in total, many of them uninhabited. Croatia is the perfect destination for a sailing holiday for families and those wanting a more lively time, it has something for everyone. Croatia has become the ‘go to’ destination for many including the sailing fraternity as it has world class sailing on offer. You can join a ﬂotilla to sail your own boat around the islands or you can have the sailing done for you, the choice is yours. What’s more, you can learn to sail while on your holiday. There are two distinctive areas to choose from, the Dalmatian Islands, easily accessible from Split, and the Kornati Islands in the north of the country. If you want lively nightlife and a more cosmopolitan atmosphere head south to the Dalmatians as these islands have larger villages and towns, some of which are renowned party towns. If peace and tranquility is more you, head north to the Kornati Islands with their breathtaking national parks, quiet islands with isolated tavernas and more varied sailing.

Croatia is becoming famous for its music festivals held throughout the summer, many on some of the islands, so July is the perfect time to go. July is also one of the hottest months so sea temperature is at its warmest, the perfect time to dive off the yacht for a cooling swim. And what better place to see some of Croatia’s secret harbours and villages than from your own yacht?

USEFUL WEBSITES

www.seamaster.co.uk www.activityyachting.com www.stamfordindependenttravel.co.uk

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VISIT OUR SHOWROOM VVI SI SI ITT OOUURR SS H H OOW WRROOOOMM

Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm

Tel: 01780 654321 Email: sales@classicstamford.co.uk

Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm Tel: 01780 654321 Email: sales@classicstamford.co.uk www.classicstamford.co.uk www.classicstamford.co.uk 12 St Leonard’s Lincs PE9 2HN Tel: 01780 654321 Street, Email: Stamford, sales@classicstamford.co.uk 12 St Leonard’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2HN www.classicstamford.co.uk

12 St Leonard’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2HN

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Activelife

SPORT

RUN, HARBOROUGH, RUN! The third Harborough Carnival of Running which took place on Saturday, June 10, saw a large rise in the number of runners taking part. Almost 1,000 people competed at the different distances which make up the Carnival of Running, including the half marathon. Following the ﬁrst year of rain and a second year of blistering heat, this year’s event was a much more comfortable affair with overcast skies and moderate temperatures. Once again Market Harborough Building Society was headline sponsor of the event, collaborating with The Training Shed who sponsored the t-shirts and provided valuable post-race support. The event comprised of a half marathon, a 10k race, a relay race and a children’s one-mile event. Using the route of the carnival parade for the ﬁrst three miles of the course ensured a supportive crowd of around 5,000 to cheer on the runners. After going through the town centre, half marathon runners went out into the countryside taking in Welham and Thorpe Langton before ending by the carnival grounds. Relay runners were taken and dropped off by Murphy’s taxis for the third time.

The 10k winners were Jamie Short (35:46) and Katie Godof (39:07) whilst Henry Pearce (1:11:52) and Caroline Woods (1:31:31) were ﬁrst to cross the ﬁnish line for the half marathon. The EHL relay race was won by Varc (2:01:46). Local charities were also big winners on the day with an estimated £30,000 already collected in sponsorship and around £5,000 more expected to come in. The Squires Effect will be receiving a cheque for £2,000 from Race Harborough. The event organisers Race Harborough, led by Brian Corcoran and Kenny Anderson, were pleased by the smooth running and popularity of the event. “We were delighted by the number of runners as well as the enthusiasm of the crowds who came out along the route to cheer them on,” said Brian. “It’s great to see the event going from strength to strength and we were really pleased to be able to hand over such a sizable cheque to the Squires Effect.” The next event organised by Race Harborough will be the Lutterworth Charity 5 Mile run.

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Feature /// Watersports

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EAU SO GOOD! We might be landlocked, but there are still plenty of opportunities to get wet. Here are some of the best watersport venues in the region

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Feature /// Watersports

ADVENTURE RUTLAND

Based at Yarwell Mill Country Park between April to September on selective weekends, you can try stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), one of the fastest growing water sports in the world. There’s a good reason why it is: SUP is fun, easily accessible for people of all ages and abilities, and is very social too on a river, lake or canal, as you can cruise along together having a chat. With its instructors and kit to hire, Adventure Rutland’s base at the country park on ﬂat water is an ideal place to start, grow your conﬁdence and understand just how easy it is to get going. Its taster sessions can be undertaken as an individual or in a group, while there are also River Nene trips to be booked. www.adventurerutland.com

RUTLAND WATER

The National Watersports Festival started the summer season at Rutland Water in spectacular style last month, with more than 4,000 in attendance and over 300 free taster sessions delivered by the team at Rutland Water. One of the main aims of the festival this year was to highlight the many sports accessible on Rutland Water, whether you are a beginner or an experienced watersports enthusiast, with a full range of equipment and tuition available for SUPs, canoes, kayaks and powerboats. Tuition is available for groups or individuals

by the hour, half day or day, so it is easy to slot into a busy lifestyle and accessible for all. And don’t forget Rutland Sailing Club, one of the best UK locations for inland sailing. Cruise 3,000 acres of safe, non-tidal water, compete in a championship enjoy club racing and social activities, learn and improve sailing skills or simply just have fun with family and friends. www.anglianwater.co.uk/leisure/water-parks/rutland/ watersports/

AQUA PARK RUTLAND

Back for a second year following its highly successful launch in 2016, Aqua Park Rutland is gearing up to welcome families to the waterpark with its dedicated daily family slots. From Saturday July 15, every 10am slot will be reserved for families with children age 6–13, to allow kids to take over the park and run wet and wild. The UK’s biggest water sports Aqua Park at Rutland Water this summer has more than doubled in size with over 36 fun and challenging obstacles to climb, jump, crawl, launch, slide and splash. This awesome adventure course provides an action-packed experience that offers challenge and excitement to all ages with obstacles such as Cyclone, the colossal Revolution, Jungle Jim, Kaos, Tango, Freefall Extreme and the Summit Express The park has also commissioned the UK’s tallest inﬂatable climbing wall, named ‘The

Beast’, a drop for only the biggest dare devils. New obstacles also include the Action Tower XXL and the Ice Tower XXL providing a different set of challenges for guests to experience. Tickets are priced at £20 for a 50-minute experience, including a free wetsuit and buoyancy aid in order to tackle the awesome obstacles, balance beams, climbing walls, trampolines, blast bags and many more which promise to deliver real excitement and very wet landings. Due to current high demand, visitors and groups of any size must pre-book online to avoid disappointment. www.aquaparkrutland.co.uk

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25/06/2017 18:59

BOURNE OUTDOOR POOL

Lidos are enjoying a boom in the UK, and situated at the southern end of the tranquil and picturesque Abbey Lawn close to the centre of the historic market town of Bourne is a 50 yard near-Olympic sized heated pool – one of the largest of the few surviving outdoor pools of its type in the country. In addition to the main pool, facilities include a toddlers pool, fountain pool, lawns with picnic tables and café. You can also hire it out for private parties and season tickets are available. Email enquiries@bourneoutdoorswimmingpool.org or call 01778 422063 www.facebook.com/bourneoutdoorswimmingpool

NENE OUTDOORS

Nene Outdoors at Ferry Meadows Country Park sees its dedicated watersports lake over at Lakeside come to life during the summer months with watersports enthusiasts and visitors of all skill levels taking to the water for the many activities available including sailing, kayaking, canoeing and swan pedaloes. Instructors are on hand for those who wish to learn a bit more with a range of courses, offering qualiﬁcations in sailing and windsurﬁng which are available on various dates throughout the year, and at all levels of experience. In addition to these options, a one-star course is also available that looks at the basic skills

needed to control a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board. This is a stepping stone to become a paddler and can be progressed into two-star on completion. Nene Outdoors also runs a Paddlepower Kids’ Club taught by qualiﬁed British Canoeing coaches. The sessions provide fun but logical progression through safety awareness, paddlesport skills, varied experiences and development through the British Canoeing Paddlepower Scheme. www.neneoutdoors.co.uk

NENE EXTREME ADVENTURES

Nene Extreme Adventures offer canoeing and kayaking trips from its base at the picturesque Oundle Wharf. Its range of boats includes stable and rugged single kayaks, inﬂatables and open four-man canoes suitable for families, and can be hired by the hour or by the day. They can also drop you off upstream or collect you downstream at designated points along the river, meaning you need never paddle upstream. There are also Summer Holiday Clubs, running every weekday throughout the school summer holidays from July 24 to September 1. As well as canoeing and kayaking, the children will enjoy climbing on a 24ft climbing tower, archery, bushcraft and raft building. Book for a whole week and get a 20% discount. visit www.neneextreme.co.uk

USSC SWIMMING POOL

Even in summer there are times when you’d rather be inside, and there are a host of activities taking place in Uppingham School Sports Centre’s 25-metre swimming pool, from general swimming sessions for members and the general public, fitness classes such as Aqua and big inflatable Water Walker parties for children. Home of the USSC swim school, people of all ages and abilities can learn to swim, improve technique and enjoy fun lessons with fully qualified instructors. The centre also delivers a Royal Life Saving Society (UK) national pool lifeguarding qualification. This offers people from the age 16 the opportunity to gain the qualification and become a fully qualified pool lifeguard. The Centre is currently taking bookings for a course starting on July 13 – for more information please contact the reception team. www.sportscentre.uppingham.co.uk

TALLINGTON LAKES

With 205 acres of spring-fed water at Tallington Lakes, the selection of water sports activities is almost as large as the lakes. If you want to be towed behind a boat, sail one or even walk on water – you can! Its waterski/wakeboard school instructors and boat drivers will look after you whether you are waterskiing on our tournament standard lake, getting air while jumping on a wakeboard, or even catching a wave while wake surﬁng. Tallington Lakes has one of the highest rated water ski slalom course lakes in Europe, and boasts excellent water conditions for beginner’s right through to tournament standard skiers. If you want to learn how to drive a power boat, you can even gain your speed boat driver Level 2 (SBD2) here too, which means you can then tow your friends and family on one of our members lakes. At the water sports centre you can learn to sail a dinghy, windsurf, walk on water in one of the zorbs and paddle kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards, while there are two lakes purely for jet skiing and one lake for R.Y.A. (Royal Yachting Association) tuition. For those who would rather be in the water, not on it, there is open water swimming three times a week, in a lake marked out with buoys and an outside circuit distance of 750 metres. www.tallington.com

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25/06/2017 18:59

The New GLA. For all terrains

The new GLA is the compact SUV you’ve been waiting for, combining athletic good looks with agile handling and dynamic performance. The re-worked exterior elements of the new GLA contribute to its distinguished design, while the interior uses premium quality materials and finishes to impressive effect. Offering a range of equipment lines and packages to enhance comfort, safety and style there is a GLA for everyone.

Representative example GLA 200 AMG Line with metallic paint

36 monthly payments of*(Term of agreement) On-the-road price Customer deposit Retailer deposit contribution Optional final payment† Total amount of credit Total amount payable†† Purchase activation fee† Representative APR Fixed interest rate

£299 £28,465 £4,250 £1,534.76 £14,700 £22,680.24 £31,258.76 £10.00 5.0% 4.91%

Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the new GLA range: urban 29.4(9.6)-56.5(5.0), extra urban 46.3(6.1)-80.7(3.5), combined 38.2(7.4)-67.3(4.2). CO2 emissions 172-108 g/km. Whilst this offer is only available through Mercedes-Benz Finance, we do arrange

finance on behalf of other finance companies as well. Model featured is a new GLA 200 AMG Line £28,465 on-the-road (on-the-road price includes VAT, delivery, 12 months’ Road Fund Licence, number plates, first registration fee and fuel). Specification imagery may show optional features. Content relating to finance is promoted by Mercedes-Benz Finance. Your Retailer may offer finance on behalf of other companies. *Finance offer based on a new GLA 200 AMG Line on a Mercedes-Benz Agility Agreement, on 10,000 miles per annum. Offer available exclusively at Robinsons Mercedes-Benz. Vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges apply. †Payable if you exercise the option to purchase the car. ††Includes optional purchase payment, purchase activation fee and Retailer deposit contribution. Orders/ credit approvals on selected GLA models between 1 April and 30 June 2017, registered by 31 July 2017. Guarantees may be required. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offer must be presented at beginning of sales negotiation. Some combinations of features/options may not be available. Credit provided subject to status by Mercedes-Benz Finance, MK15 8BA. Prices, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions correct at time of print.

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07/06/2017 12:26

Feature /// Watersports

A WORLD OF WATER TO EXPLORE So you’ve finessed your skills locally – now it’s time to travel and create those once-in-a-lifetime moments. Here are our favourite watery locations SURF THE SUPERTUBES

Sometimes referred to as ‘the mecca of all waves’, Supertubes (a section of Jeffreys Bay, in the Eastern Cape province in South Africa) is known to offer surfers right hand rides up to 300 metres long. Fast, consistent waves, especially between May and September, but very much for the advanced surfer. A regular World Surf League destination.

SCUBA DIVING IN BRISBANE

Australia is famous for surﬁng, but Brisbane is a mecca for scuba diving too, with an abundance of amazing wildlife to watch, but the highlight has to be diving HMAS Brisbane, a scuttled navy ship off the coast of the city that is an undersea home to an incredible array of sea creatures.

CATCH THE BREEZE AT LAC BAY

Lac Bay, Bonaire, a small Dutch Caribbean island 50 miles from Venezuela, has windsurﬁng for everyone. Trade winds blow steadily, temperatures average in the 80s and there is sunshine all year. In the bay, the water is calm, and knee deep for beginners, while intermediates surf the rougher conditions at its narrow mouth, with ten-foot swells beyond the reef for more adventurous types.

HIGH AS A KITE IN MOROCCO

Essaouira, on the coast of Morocco, has wind ranging from 25 knots to 35 knots pretty much most days in the summer, making it one of the best places for kitesurﬁng. A six-mile long beach means plenty of space while easy waves create perfect conditions to hone your technique.

WATERSKI WITH CLASS

CANOE TO CANADA

Waterskiing is an elegant activity redolent of ﬁlm stars and vintage glamour, and the French Riviera is the perfect place to put it into action. Ski at Juan-les-Pins where the ﬁrst world championship took place in 1949, and if you have the budget, stay at the glorious art deco Belles-Rives hotel.

JET INTO MIAMI

Western Australia is a wakeboarder’s paradise. The magniﬁcent Lake Navarino is a short drive from Perth and here you can join the scores of thrill seekers on the wonderful waters of Waroona Dam. The lake sports a total of 358 acres of water, 220 of which are dedicated solely to water sports.

The Bowron Lakes canoe circuit in British Colombia is an almost unbroken 70-mile chain of lakes forming a natural circle so you can start and end at the same place. Just take everything you need with you for night-time stays in the established campsites, which are every 2km or so. With its network of canals and long Atlantic beaches, Miami is a place to be seen and the place to play, ripping it up on your jetski, exploring the waterside bars and restaurants or racing out into the ocean. Not for the undemonstrative…

WAKE UP IN LAKE NAVARINO

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25/06/2017 19:00

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13/06/2017 13:30

Feature /// Watersports

KITBAG THE LATEST ESSENTIAL SPORTING GEAR 1. RED PADDLE RIDE SUP

One of the world’s most popular inflatable SUPs, probably due to its versatility. Glides and floats perfectly on flat water, and also reacts well when taken into the surf. The alloy ‘three piece’ paddle is an excellent entry level SUP paddle, with soft-grip EVA and ergonomic T-handle for comfort. The coiled leash doesn’t drag in the water, and is a great way to ensure you do not lose your board. Price £848.99 From www.tallingtonlakesproshop.com

2. Mountain Equipment kit bag

Tough and dependable, these duffle bags are made from highly durable waterproof tarpaulin and have reinforced straps. There’s a wide, u-shaped zipped lid for easy access, one internal mesh lid pocket for smaller items and another internal pocket to help keep wet and dry kit separate. Price £45 From www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

3. Clever Kayak

Don’t have the space or facilities to store a kayak or canoe? The Clever Kayak, due to its small, portable size, will fit in the boot of most cars and assembly takes seconds with no tools required. The inner hull storage space means that you can carry all your necessities while you paddle, while the design allows you to put your feet in the water for turning. Price £650 plus VAT From www.theclevercoopcompany.com/ clever-kayak

4. O’NEILL HYPERFREAK FUZE WETSUIT

This excellent full arm spring wetsuit features O’Neill’s exclusive Techno Butter 2 neoprene which is 20% lighter whilst absorbing up to 30% less water than standard neoprene. The front zip barrier system is ideal for surfing through waves and ensures any water that gets through the neck seal is quickly forced out through the drain holes ensuring you always stay warm and dry no matter the swell. The materials used and attention to detail makes this an inspired team favourite. Price £134.95 From www.tallingtonlakesproshop.com

4. 5.

5. O’NEILL WOMENS BAHIA NEOPRENE JACKET

The Bahia has been redesigned providing women with a sense of beauty, personality and confidence on the water. Made from 100% UltraFlex, this neoprene jacket is super gooey for superior feel and flexibility. The seamless paddle zones to ensure no chafing occurs. An essential throughout the summer to make sure you stay warm and dry while looking great. Price £64.95 From www.tallingtonlakesproshop.com

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25/06/2017 19:00

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23/06/2017 16:47

Guest column

The great British burden of being the favourite With England out of cricket’s Champions’ Trophy, Martin Johnson looks at our history of under-performing when fancied to win t didn’t require a crystal ball, or an indepth study of the tea leaves, to predict that England’s cricketers wouldn’t win the Champions’ Trophy. Just a glance at the pre-tournament hype was enough to tell you that the host country had two chances of winning. Slim, and none. If the first clue came from the bookmakers, who came over all patriotic in quoting India as England’s only serious rivals, the nail in the coffin was provided by the home team’s wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings. Thrust in front of the microphones before the tournament, our Sam declared that the other seven countries were not just wary of England, but “petrified”. If that doesn’t qualify as a kiss of death it’s hard to know what does. Sure enough, as soon as it came to the sudden death stages, a petrified Pakistani team, quaking uncontrollably in their boots, handed England the mother and father of all thrashings. When it comes to top level sport, there is something about saddling an England team with the heavy yoke of favouritism which produces a chemical reaction not dissimilar to what you get from pouring salt on to a slug. It’s not pretty, and nearly always fatal. This is why, every time an England team finds itself tipped to win something, it immediately triggers a defensive mechanism. England’s technique is to claim that the opposition are such overwhelming favourites that if they manage to come away with anything less than a severe hiding, it’ll actually be a moral victory. Rugby union is a good example. Before last winter’s Calcutta Cup game against Scotland at Murrayfield, England coach Eddie Jones not only described his side (within touching distance of the All Blacks’ record of 18 consecutive Test match wins) as “massive underdogs”, but somehow managed to keep a straight face while saying it. Needless to say, the massive underdogs won easily. The only great English sporting achievement I can think of which began with a statement of bullish confidence was in 1966, when Alf Ramsey declared “we will win the World Cup”. Every other England manager, however, has steered well clear of making this kind of prediction, which is hardly surprising when you consider how often a team of complete no-hopers have been turned into world beaters merely by arranging a game against England. Or at least an England burdened by the expectation of an easy victory, as was the case for a 1982 World Cup qualifier against

Norway in Oslo. The match was memorable not only for the home side winning 2-1, but for the commentary at the final whistle from a chap by the name of Bjorge Lillelren, who not only knew his football, but also had a decent knowledge of history. “Lord Nelson! Lord Beaverbrook! Sir Winston Churchill! Sir Anthony Eden! Clement Atlee! Henry Cooper! Lady Diana! Maggie Thatcher! Can you hear me Maggie Thatcher?! We gave your boys a hell of a beating!!” It ought to be included in sixth form science, alongside Newton’s law of gravity, that the more you write up an England team the worse they perform. You only have to look at successive Ashes series in the late 1980s. When England arrived in Australia in 1986-87, they found themselves being described as the worst team ever to visit the country, which, needless to say, propelled them to an Ashes triumph. Conversely, when Australia made the reverse journey in 1989, England were widely regarded as odds-on certainties to retain the Ashes. It ended up with England producing such a sustained standard of incompetence that Australia could have sent over the Toowoomba Girl Guides XI and still regained the Ashes. We’ve not seen too many England favourites succumb to the burden of favouritism in men’s tennis, mostly because we haven’t produced many male tennis players who’ve ever been made favourites. The one exception was Tim Henman in 2001. On this occasion Tim had raised the nation’s hopes to something close to fever pitch, and Henmania was turning into an out of control virus. However, there was one obvious way to find a cure for Henmania, and making Tim favourite did the trick. Having dispatched Roger Federer in the quarter-final, he was heavily fancied to beat Goran Ivanisevic in the semi, which ended with him surrendering a 2-1 lead in sets in a match spanning three days because of rain. Tim, like so many other English sportsmen and women, found it impossible to overcome the burden of favouritism. Let’s face it. The English much prefer plucky losers to ruthless winners, which is why – as that Norwegian football commentator doubtless knows – Henry Cooper went on to make pots of money advertising aftershave, and Tim had a Hill named after him.  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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23/06/2017 13:36

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ACTIVE BODY HOW TO MAINTAIN GOOD POSTURE, THE BEST NEW SPORTS KIT IDEAS, AND TIPS ON HOW TO DRESS TO IMPRESS ON HOLIDAY

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25/06/2017 19:10

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ACTIVE BODY

TENNIS ELBOW Craig Mortimer, consultant musculoskeletal physiotherapist at the Ashleigh Clinic, explains how to beat tennis elbow Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a very common injury, affecting about 3% of the population. When you sustain this injury it can be very debilitating. Unlike its common term, it doesn’t always relate to tennis. Very often it is a result of small repetitive intrinsic movements of the hand, such as typing or texting. But it can relate to power movements such as repeated lifting and grasping or long lever forces exerted when playing sports like tennis or cricket. So we generally know it as an ‘over-use’ injury. These movements cause small micro traction damage to the tendons of the forearm (extensors) as they attach on to the bony prominence on the outside of your elbow (extensor origin). If you move your fingers up and down, look at your elbow and see the complex movement that occurs to allow your fingers to position themselves to carry the activity you’re trying to do. You can imagine the pulling forces on the attachment through this movement and if you then add the need to produce more power in the hand such as holding a bat or hammer. Then these tears in the fibres become more extensive.

Risk factors

• Age. Tennis elbow affects people of all ages, but it is most common in those between the ages of 30-50. • Occupation. People at risk the most are occupations that involve repetitive movements of the wrist and arm. Examples are plumbers, painters, carpenters and those doing clerical jobs. • Sports. Racket and batting sports are good examples. This is usually down to a sudden increase in activity or poor technique. What can you do?

Remember, this type of injury can cause a lot of pain and be very limiting with your everyday activities.

I would always suggest the use of cold packs. After all there is an inflammatory response going on from the tissues that are damaged. They will not only be painful, but they try to contract to protect themselves from further damage. So you may find it difficult straightening your elbow or moving your wrist. I like using supports to protect the area. We all keep trying to carry on our normal lives and this damages the tendon further. So a brace helps protect it. You can take anti-inflammatory tablets or injections which may help. But at Ashleigh Clinic we aim to treat the cause of the problem and the resultant damaged tissues. We have many types of treatment available from manual therapy to ultrasound, long wave, interferential, shockwave, indiba and cryotherapy. A lot depends on what symptoms you present with. Remember: this is an over-use injury. I would always suggest early treatment as it minimises the damage and helps you return to normal function more quickly. If you want some advice, just give us a call. 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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ACTIVE TREATMENT

FOR AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE 36.indd 1

23/06/2017 14:14

ACTIVE BODY “You might not notice it in your posture to start with you might notice some other aches and pains, however, within a couple of months to years you will likely start to notice a change in your posture.” Do: “Exercise, if someone does a lot of exercise or strengthening work like Pilates and are aware of their core muscles and the way that they should sit and stand, poor posture shouldn’t have such an effect on them. It’s about finding that balance, long periods of sitting and inactivity can lead to health risks such as cardiovascular issues, diabetes and respiratory problems.” Know your stance and stretch Don’t: “Often when people sit, especially at computers, their neck strains forward out of alignment which puts excessive strain on the muscles of the neck and the shoulders and could lead to regular headaches. When we sit with poor posture, we often slump and hunch forwards, rounding our backs, influencing the shoulders and causing them to roll inwards. This results in tightness through the muscles around the front of the body, and further influences your diaphragm and breathing .” Do: “Make time to stretch. Animals instinctively stretch after lying down for a long time and we wouldn’t necessarily instinctively think to do this.”

Claire McKenna gives us a clearer understanding of five simple changes we can make to perfect it and reduce pain.

Shake off the stress Don’t: “In stressful situations the added level of stress means the way that you hold yourself is very different. Stress increases your acceptance to pain; initially short term the effects of adrenaline on the nervous system means you probably don’t feel pain developing. The long-term effects of the stress hormone can lead to chronic pain and central sensitisation, essentially when the body starts to feel pain that actually isn’t there; the tissues have changed to the point where they feel pain even if it isn’t being stimulated” Do: “Re-educate the body, and learn how to support the body’s system to be able to move back to a normal function. Your body will find that position where it feels comfortable, this can be good short-term but if the posture is poor, it can lead to detrimental problems down the line.”

Stay active, not stagnant Don’t: “Sit for long periods of time, this is one of the worst things you can do as it may shorten your hip muscles, essentially increasing the effects of the lordosis (the curve in your low back), increasing the risk for low back pain, amongst other things. If you are doing something repetitively like sitting, and you are in that position for a long time and you are not stretching regularly you may find that imbalances between the muscles in the front and the back of your body develop quite quickly.

Sleep on it Don’t: “Have a mattress that is older than 10 years. You don’t want a mattress that is too hard or too soft either.” Do: “Invest in a good pillow. One should be enough as having more will cause a strain in the neck, but equally, you need to have the neck supported. You want your whole spine to be in alignment. You can put pillows in between your legs to support your pelvis, or hugging a pillow to stop the shoulders collapsing. You want the muscles to relax and lengthen overnight.”

STRIKE A POSE! There are simple changes you can make to your posture to boost your health. Here are five handy hints... Poor posture can affect every aspect of daily life but many choose to ignore it, making the overall side effects worsen overtime. Research shows that 71% of those suffering with back pain have been doing so for up to 10 years but, amazingly, many admit to not taking proactive measures to take care of their backs. Posture expert Claire McKenna reveals: “Not only is good posture important to reduce the effects of load on the muscular skeletal system, it also influences the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system and the neurological systemessentially, all areas of the body.” There are common misconceptions when it comes to posture, but expert

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23/06/2017 13:37

ACTIVE BODY

KITBAG THE LATEST ESSENTIAL SPORTING GEAR 1.

READER OFFER: FREE NECK LANYARD 1. Snowbee Blue Revo sports sunglasses NEW for 2017

A modern twist, on a retro style. Rectangular, with black gloss TR-90 frame these new Snowbee sports sunglasses use the latest Tri-Acetate Cellulose (TAC) lenses with Smoke-Blue Revo mirror finish. This lightweight material offers superb polarisation, coupled with outstanding, distortion-free optical clarity and a hard scratch resistance coating. Comes with hard protective clip on case with belt clip and cleaning cloth. Price £29.99 (+ £4.99 P&P) From snowbee.co.uk

2. Snowbee Floating sports sunglasses

Ultra-lightweight black wraparound frames with TAC polarised lens with side panels, to cut glare from all reflected light. Rubberised frame arm pads for additional grip. This model floats, making it particularly popular for all types of water sports. Comes with Neoprene sunglass case. Price £17.99 (+ £4.99 P&P) From snowbee.co.uk Order today for exclusive reader offer of free neck lanyard (RRP £4) with every pair ordered. All enquiries to be made online or enquire with sales on 01752 334933 or email sales@snowbee.co.uk, please quote ActiveMag sunglass June 2017 (reference number AMSG617) with payment details by phone separately.

3. Thule Velocompact 7 Pin 2 bike carrier

Thule’s most compact and lightweight bike carrier for everyday use, the Velocompact provides easy mounting of bikes through detachable bike arms, carries bikes with large wheelbases thanks to single action extendable wheel holders, and allows easy boot access even. Price £289.95 From www.rutlandcycling.com

4. Specialized Align helmet

Certified protection at remarkably great value with a feature rich design, the Align helmet is available in one size that fits all heads between 54-62cm. Price £34.99 From www.rutlandcycling.com

5. Camelbak Skyline Low Rider

The Skyline packs are designed to give you maximum stability during downhill rides. The lumbar design keeps your water and cargo stowed low, providing a lower center of gravity which gives you more stability. Price £99.99 From www.rutlandcycling.com

6. 5.

6. Rab kit bag 50L

The expedition bag is built to withstand the rigours of world travel and expeditions. It has been designed to keep your gear secure and easily transportable with padded rucksack straps and multiple haul handles as well as lash points. Price £50 From www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

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25/06/2017 19:14

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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23/06/2017 14:14

ACTIVE BODY

10 TOP TIPS FOR A HEALTHY BBQ The BBQ season is upon us, but it’s easy to gorge on too much meat and calorie-laden side dishes. Here are some ideas for a healthier version of the nation’s favourite summer pastime 1. Get your proteins right Fish, skinless chicken breast and lean ground poultry are all healthier choices. The good fats in fish such as salmon and trout actually have health benefits. And when you grill with skill, your guests won’t even miss the red meat, which usually has more saturated fat. Wrap marinated fish fillets in foil, construct colourful chicken kebabs, or make more savoury turkey burgers by mixing minced portabello mushrooms and onions into the patties. If you do choose meat or pork, get loin or ‘round’ cuts and ‘choice’ or ‘select’ grades of beef instead of ‘prime’.

marinade or a tablespoon of spice rub for each pound of food. 4. Add colour Just about all your favourite colourful fruits and veggies can be grilled, alone or in kebabs, giving them delicious flavour that might win over even the most committed carnivore. The trick is to cut them into pieces that will cook quickly and evenly. Brush with a healthy oil to prevent sticking or use a grill basket to keep them out of the line of fire. Some favourites include asparagus, avocado, peppers, corn, mushrooms, onions, potatoes, squash and courgettes.

2. Portion control A healthy portion of any type of meat is about three ounces, or the size of a deck of cards, and definitely no more than six ounces. If that sounds small, just remember all the delicious grilled veggies and side dishes that will be keeping it company on your plate!

5. Trim fat Buy skinless poultry or remove the skin before cooking. Trim away any visible fat on meat. Brush or marinate foods with a healthy cooking oil. And let it drip – make sure fat drips away from the food while it cooks.

3. Marinate Marinating or rubbing spices on poultry, fish and meat can add amazing flavour with the bonus of being able to use less salt. All you need is about a cup of

6. Grill simply Don’t drown your masterpiece in salty sauces, sugary condiments or heavy dressings. Use as little of these as possible, and try making your own

healthier condiments. And sometimes, a simple squeeze of lemon or lime is all it needs. 7. Choose healthier sides Swap fare like coleslaw and potato salad – which can have a lot of saturated fat, sodium and added sugars – for homemade versions. Or do a colourful bean salad, fruit salad or leafy salad. 8. Make your buns wholegrain Wholegrain baps and breads will complement your healthy feast with extra fibre, flavour and texture. If you’re watching your calories and carbs, try an open-faced burger or lettuce wrap. 9. Grill fruits for dessert The natural sugars caramelise in the high heat, giving them extra sweetness and flavour. Try sliced apple, pear or pineapple or halved bananas, figs, nectarines, peaches or plums. 10. Keep it clean OK, so this isn’t the fun part, but be sure to scrub down the grill after each use. Removing leftover burnt pieces of food stuck to the grill prevents burning, smoking fat and tainted flavours.

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23/06/2017 18:27

First 4 Adventure UK Adventure for all

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Try a new activity or take your hobby to a more adventurous destination Email Andy and Emma on: info@first4adventure.co.uk or look at our website: www.first4adventure.co.uk

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SWIM WITH SHARKS

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Teamwork

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The longest zip line in Europe and the fastest in the world

Come face to face with 10ft Sand Tiger Sharks …. No Cage!

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Climb 3 mountains Hike 24 miles Travel 1000 miles Complete in 24 Hrs

What’s your Challenge going to be?

Challenge yourself & raise vital funds for Lakelands Hospice in 2017 Contact the Fundraising Team on:

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01536 747755

Charity Registered. 1062120

community@lakelandshospice.org.uk

23/06/2017 14:14

ACTIVE BODY

THE FINISHING TOUCHES Summer’s here so that means it’s holiday season. Here’s some advice on what to wear to look good by the pool or on the beach Edited by Mary Bremner

SWIMWEAR FOR ALL It’s summer so thoughts must turn to swimwear, an item of clothing that many dread. Forget the ‘beach body’ crash diets, if you have been keeping fit all year there should be no need to have a mad panic. You are what you are so embrace the beach in all your glory. The problem is when it comes to swimwear, what suits certain body shapes and are you ever too old to wear a bikini? Opinion varies on this one but I think, if you are comfortable wearing one, why not? And remember bikinis can be as revealing or concealing as you like – tankinis are everywhere. The main thing to remember is that swimwear should make you feel good. A couple of tips. Try on lots of different suits and different styles and get outside your comfort zone as you may well find a new favourite. Pear shapes should draw attention away from the hips upwards so go for a plunging neckline or eyecatching top. Avoid boy shorts, the extra fabric will draw attention to your larger hips. Larger busts need more support. Opt for underwired or moulded cups and avoid ruffles. Pick out bikinis and suits that offer specific cup sizes. The thicker the straps the more support you get. Small busts are the opposite, triangle tops create the illusion of curves, as do patterns. It also means you are able to wear bandeau tops so will be the envy of many. The athletic body, ie straight up and down, is ideal for the monokini as they create the illusion of curves. The smaller the bikini bottom the fuller and curvier the bottom looks. Tummy concealing isn’t a problem when it comes to swimwear. Shirring works miracles, hides bulges and creates definition. Try a high waisted suit or a tankini. There’s always a style to suit any body shape, but, most importantly, feel comfortable, relax, enjoy the sun, slap on the suntan lotion and wear a big smile.

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25/06/2017 19:16

And finally... Swimsuits to suit all shapes

Cabo bikini £56, for the big busted www.bravissimo.com

AND RELAX… Ragdale Hall is a beautiful mansion sat in acres of grounds in the Leicestershire countryside. It’s also one of the best known spas in the country having won numerous awards. There is constant investment in the facilities, including a new roof top infinity pool due to open at the end of the summer. Walk through the impressive main entrance and you are immediately welcomed by friendly staff who show you around and discuss your day with you. The place is huge with more than 50 treatment rooms and 150 therapists alone. But don’t let this put you off; despite being full to capacity we never felt crowded, in fact it was surprising how few people you see on your day. Spa facilities were quiet as there is room to absorb everyone. The tranquil atmosphere prevails wherever you are. Running like a well-oiled machine, everything is just so easy for the guests; you don’t have to think, just go with the flow and let the excellent staff look after you. As soon as I got my robe on I felt relaxed, it was like the worries of the world had been removed with my clothes. There is plenty to keep you occupied. Make sure you take your gym gear as there are plenty of classes on offer, such as pilates, zumba, tai chi, studio cycling and many more, as well as an extremely well equipped gym. If water is more your thing there are aquatone classes with lots of variation and a 25m indoor pool. All of these classes are included in the price. If you are only there for the day you will barely have time to do any because the thermal spa has so much to offer. Laid out in a semi-circle, you drift from one experience to another. The candle pool was a favourite. Descending into a dark cavern, the water is warm, the pool candles lit, with fairy lights in the ceiling. Silence is requested in this pool and the

tranquil atmosphere, with soothing music, can’t help but make you relax. By the time we’d sampled the spa and all its delights and had a good session in the pool and jacuzzi it was time for a delicious buffet lunch in the wood-panelled dining room. After eating to our heart’s content a stroll around the grounds was in order. You can hop on a bike to explore or take part in an organised walk. We managed to stroll past the tennis courts, taking in the croquet lawn before having a rest in the cocoon. You must try this, it’s like a tent hanging from a tree – a bit like a hammock but you’re completely enclosed. I could quite happily have snoozed the afternoon away. But our treatments were due shortly so it was a quick stroll a bit further towards the outdoor pool. There are seats dotted everywhere so you can find a quiet corner to relax and enjoy the view. My treatment was a 50-minute face and back therapy. This was a back massage and cleanse and tone to the face and neck followed by a short facial massage and moisturise. And it was fabulous, so relaxing that I dozed off. The other treatment offered in our package (a refresh and revive day, prices start at £143), a back massage and hand therapy, was just as well received. After a day of pampering I felt completely recharged. Next time I’m going to stay overnight (and there will definitely be a next time). www.ragdalehall.co.uk

Pretty Little Thing crochet bikini £25, for the athletic figure www.asos.com

Cromer Bandeau bikini £37, for the small breasted www.jackwills.com

Secret slimming ruched swimsuit £25, to conceal the midriff www.marksandspencer.com

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25/06/2017 19:16

ACTIVE LOCAL WE MEET THE ‘OTHER’ LEICESTER TIGERS, CHART HOW LOCAL CRICKET SIDES ARE FARING AND TAKE A WALK AROUND HOUGHTON ON THE HILL

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25/06/2017 19:20

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25/06/2017 19:20

ACTIVE LOCAL

A day in the life of

LIAM POWELL HEAD TEACHER AT MANOR HIGH SCHOOL IN OADBY

here is no typical day as a head teacher and I think that’s what keeps me interested. I never, ever clock watch or think ‘roll on Friday’. I arrive by 7.30am every morning and can never fully predict the course of the day. As soon as I arrive, I pick up the loose threads of what happened the night or weekend before. Some issue will pop up most evenings and I normally respond to the parents immediately to reassure them, and then we deal with it the next day. My main job is to lead the learning in the school. I have deputies, an assistant head and business manager to help me to do that. We’re a really tight team and I try not to define people’s roles too clearly so if one person is away others can take on their job easily. This is my fifth year here and it’s an exciting time because the school is going through so much change. For years it was a school for 11-14 year olds as part of the Leicestershire three-tier system, until 1981 when it took on 10-year olds in year six. This year, we have our last ever year six cohort and we will go from a 10-14 to an 11-15 school. By 2019, we’ll be an 11-16 school and the children will do their GCSEs here. That will be better as the children and parents won’t have to make unnecessary transitions. We’ve always offered some GCSEs as we’ve put children in early for statistics and languages such as Gujarati and Urdu. We also offer Mandarin. The futures of the children going through now are really hard to predict but learning Mandarin will be very useful. The magic of Manor Even though we’re a county school, we’re right on the edge of Leicester and are surrounded on three sides by countryside. It’s a very popular school and over-subscribed, but we want to maintain the size at 900 pupils because then you get to know the children and their parents really well. We’ve also divided the school into four houses and mixed the pupils vertically. This works really well. I know that when a new child starts we can integrate them properly in just two weeks because they spend 20 minutes every day in a vertical tutor group. We’re a very academic school but also encourage initiative, being able to apply knowledge and the ability to work in a team. My previous schools had a predominantly white British population. Manor High is a multicultural, multi-national school. The children and families are united by a firm belief in education which they see as the ladder of life. A head teacher’s job is totally different from 10 years ago. It used to be more focused on the internal management of the school under a local authority structure. Since 2011, this school has been an academy so we independently manage our own finances. I’m an ambassador for the school and also have to respond quickly to political change: the Government may issue a requirement to schools and within 24 hours I should be putting things in place. I never know what’s coming next but it’s exciting. I thrive on the adrenalin and it’s not unusual to do 12-14 hour days, but I compensate for this during the holidays. Every summer I go with a group of friends to conquer one of Britain’s tallest mountains in the Lake District or Snowdonia. I also really enjoy cycling and we have lots of undulating hills in Leicestershire which don’t seem too bad when you’re in the car! I love travelling and, as a family, we do a lot of camping. Every holiday I try and do something interesting and last summer my wife, two sons and I went to Cambodia and Thailand. We visited the temples at Siem Riep and the notorious Killing Fields. In Kanchanaburi I was given one of the handmade spikes that were knocked into the Thai-Burma railway by the British PoWs during WWII. When back at school I used it in my assembly. Good teaching is about adding extra things to the curriculum.

“Manor High is a multi-cultural, multi-national school” Social media is amazing as a teaching tool. Our head of art puts up YouTube videos for the children to watch techniques before the lesson which accelerates learning in the classroom. You can do incredible things with all forms of social media but it’s also the number one social menace and parents often look to the school for help. An important area we really have to address nowadays is mental health. We offer counselling in school for parents as well as children because many people are going through some tough times. In many ways it’s the best job in the world. You’re working with the next generation and the people who are going to be running the country in different ways. You build up relationships and the reward is when you see the students 10 years later and they’re doing really well. I hope that they’ll come back to visit Manor High and inspire the next generation. www.manorhigh.leics.sch.org

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25/06/2017 19:26

GREAT DAYS OUT FOR EVERYONE

ROCKINGHAM CASTLE COUNTRY FAIR Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 July 10am - 5pm each day All day entertainment will include The Sheep Show the Dog & Duck Show birds of prey flying displays the ‘FANY’s’ Historical Re-enactment Horseback Display Team PADS dog training including have-a-go Agility & Scurry terrier racing children’s entertainer Devilstick Peat plus Circus Workshop the goat show including bottle feeding lambs and kids Nuneaton Dog Display Team children’s petting pens historical re-enactment with the Knights of Honour and much more including The Plonkers musical entertainment Steam Engines and demonstrations of rural skills for you to enjoy plus arts, crafts, food & drink and gifts marquees as well as outside trade stands Fully catered and with a licensed bar And on Sunday we are proud to host The Companion Dog Show so bring along a canine friend and have a go (all proceeds from entries go to Marie Curie)

Rockingham Castle nr. Market Harborough LE16 8TH Well behaved dogs on a lead welcome at this show but not in marquees with food please

MAY 2018 SUPPORTING

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supported by

admission: £9.50 concessions: £8 children age 5-16: £4 Family: £25 (2 adults + 2 children) pre-booked admission discounts at oakleighfairs.co.uk/ticketoffice

oakleighfairs.co.uk

01206 263088

23/06/2017 13:50

ÉQUIPE PPV RACING PHOTOGRAPHY

ACTIVE LOCAL

CHARLIE’S STILL FLAT OUT

Left and below Charlie Martin is enjoying success in the French hillclimb championship ERIC BROCARD

RACE SEASON is flat out right now with five races completed in April and May. Getting to know a new car can take a little time, so it’s great to be out driving it almost every weekend getting more and more familiar with it. Following the initial win at Col St. Pierre I went straight to Abreschviller, the only other course this year that I’ve not driven before. Although 3km shorter and therefore easier to learn, this 2km hillclimb is just full-on fast from the moment you leave the start line. There’s barely any chance to get into a rhythm before you’re over the finish line at around 140mph. I think around 80% of the run is with your foot flat to the board and sure enough I was hitting the rev limiter in sixth gear by Sunday afternoon. Once more we were lucky with the weather and there was no snow, unlike last year. But the ground froze overnight so the first practice session was a cautious one. On Friday night there was a party and barbecue. I tried in vain to head for bed at midnight but a few of the mechanics dragged me on stage with the band (I can’t sing to save my life!). It was all good fun though and I was fifth in the class with my team-mate Sarah Louvet taking fastest lady. A fortnight later and we were at Hébécrevon, one of my favourite events and where I won my first race back in 2015 driving the Formula Renault. As well as the battle in class CN2 there’s a very tight contest developing for the Coupe des Dames so it’s getting exciting. I arrived in Normandy with high hopes, but a paddle shift problem with the gearbox was costing me a lot of time. Thankfully the mechanics did a top job and after pushing hard I finished fifth in class again. As I write this my bags are packed for races four and five. I’m also really looking forward to going surfing between races at La Tranche-surMer. I’ve been trying to catch up on sleep after a busy few weeks, hardly surprising after 10 straight weekends away from home. Thankfully my schedule eases off a little once I’m back, after all I need a break before I leave for the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb in Colorado next month. It’s all getting very exciting.

CLÉMENT LUCK

Hillclimber Charlie Martin keeps us up to date with how her season’s going

www.gocharlie.co.uk or at www.facebook.com/charliemartinofﬁcial

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CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN Leicester mum-of-two Maju Giga is on a mission to climb Mount Everest. But first, she’s scaling Kilimanjaro Maju Giga is a busy working mum-of two in her 30s who lives just outside Leicester. Until very recently she would have classed herself as completely non-sporty, but that has all changed. In May 2016 she took part in the Three Peaks Challenge which is to climb the three highest peaks in Britain – Snowdon, Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike, but was unable to complete it. She was shocked and disappointed about how bad her stamina and ﬁtness levels were so decided to do something about it. When she started training she could barely run 400 metres, but now she has completed a half marathon and runs weekly. She said: “As an Asian female choice is often taken out of our hands so I decided to take control and get ﬁt, and I have become passionate about it. I also feel it shows a great example to my children.” Maju decided what she wanted to achieve, and she doesn’t lack ambition. Climbing to the summit of Mount Everest is her ultimate goal

and she is going to take in seven summits on different continents on the way. This actually is nine peaks and she’s starting on her ﬁrst one, Mount Kilimanjaro, in September. Her goal will take her between eight and 10 years to complete as she has to ﬁt it around family life and holidays from work. But she’s set her target and is very determined to reach it, scaling one mountain a year. Her family is very supportive, the children are inspired by her and her husband incredibly proud, backing her all the way. She makes sure her training doesn’t impact on family life by doing her hill sprinting sessions with a personal trainer between 6 and 7am before getting back to give her children breakfast before she leaves for work. “I decided that if I had the will to do this I could develop the skills, which is what I have been doing. I’m a very positive person and also very determined,” added Maju. To prepare for Mount Kilimanjaro she has

been having weekly training sessions with a personal trainer as well as hiking in Bradgate Park on Sundays with friends and family. She has also been competing in events every month including the Wolf Run and climbing Snowdon (this time she made it). She’s not only doing this for herself but encourages friends to join her, inspiring them. She has got many non-running friends now competing with her. Maju is a very interesting and inspiring lady. Not only is she planning to climb all these mountains she has also signed up to be an Ice Warrior. Passionately interested in the environment, she has decided that she is no longer going to let it ‘be someone else’s problem’. She is training to be a polar explorer which will culminate in an 80-day expedition to the Arctic to collect samples through the ice for scientists to analyse to understand the impact on the environment. This trip is planned for February 2018 and we are looking forward to hearing more about it, and the mountain climbing, in the following months. “If I can do it anyone can,” is Maju’s take on it all. We are going to be following Maju on her journey, there are going to be exciting times ahead. www.ice-warrior.com

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ACTIVE LOCAL /// Wheelchair rugby

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25/06/2017 19:30

PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORT

A KILLER GAME! Originally called Murderball, wheelchair rugby is every bit as demanding as the 15-man version. Jeremy Beswick visits the Leicester Tigers squad Photography: Pip Warters

WHEELCHAIR RUGBY has always been, for me, one of the highlights of the Paralympics. The skill and determination of the participants, the sheer noise of the chairs crashing into each other at speed, the spectacle, the physical fitness and technical depth of a sport that’s perfectly suited to both genders all mean this is an event with a lot going for it. I’m not alone either, as it attracted record crowds at Rio 2016. We Brits are good at it too – currently ranked fifth in the world, nearly making Rio’s semi-finals (only an agonising six seconds away from victory) and still improving as the sport grows here, from seven teams to 22 since London 2012. Many of those sides are, as the governing body GBWR points out on its website, helping ‘Iraq and Afghanistan veterans recover their sense of pride and purpose’. No wonder the sport, and the wider public, have reacted with amazement and anger to UK Sport’s decision to drop all of its funding – from £3m to zero overnight – putting participation at Tokyo 2020 in grave doubt. It was the only Paralympics event that suffered this apparent snub. GBWR said: “Without funding the GB team won’t survive, because the players won’t be able to train or travel to international competitions. Without funding there is no hope for the current GB team athletes, many of whom will have to revert to claiming disability benefits”. If you’d like to know how you can help, read on. Wheelchair rugby was invented in Canada in the 1970s and was originally called Murderball. The first international competition with a GB entry was in 1989 and it was recognised by the International Paralympics Committee in 1994.

A demonstration sport at Atlanta in 1996, it became a full medal event at the following games and has been so ever since. There are now more than 40 countries with international sides – and that’s possibly a record for the shortest gestation from foundation to global prominence. I certainly can’t think of any other that’s developed so fast. The best way to get inside a sport and find out why it’s so rewarding is to speak to the participants themselves, and I started that journey with Gavin Walker. He used to be a fire fighter by profession but had had an accident in 2010. “I broke my neck and, once I got to the stage where I was resetting my life, my physio suggested the local club. I went along even though at the time I was still a very new chair user. It was a real eye-opener. I’d just come out of a hospital environment, where you’re a bit cosseted and bottle fed and I had no idea how far I could push my new body. “A lot of the guys there had the identical injury to me so it gave me an idea of what I could still achieve and opened up new possibilities and horizons knowing that, with all the problems I’d encounter along the way in my new life, they’d already been there and overcome them,” he said. Gavin has obviously progressed markedly since those early days as he now plays for Leicester Tigers, who are one the top teams in the country having secured a fourth place finish during their domestic league campaign and finished third in the BT National Championships. The side are supported financially – and

emotionally through his personal inspirational presence – by Matt Hampson and his foundation. Coach Rob Tarr, who’s also involved in the GB set up, told me the game had come on immensely since he was there “at the birth of the baby” having travelled to Canada to play. “We started in ordinary chairs but now a top-end sports one can cost anything up to £6,000,” he told me. But back to Gavin: “My first few sessions were very, very alien. My subconscious mind thought I could still walk so my instinctive reactions whenever the ball was near me meant I forgot the chair altogether.” I asked him what the strongest attraction had been in those early days. “Having been a fire fighter, it had similarities to what I’d valued before. Physical fitness and being part of a team. Like mainstream rugby, to a novice watcher it might look like people just bouncing off each other but it’s actually highly technical and tactical. There’s more to it than meets the eye and it’s almost like a game of chess in some ways.” I also spoke to Nick Cummins, who’d fallen foul of meningitis. Like Gavin, he was relatively new to the chair when he contacted his local club. “They said come along, bring some gloves and watch or participate as you wish. I did join in after a while and really enjoyed it, even though I remember being completely bamboozled. The next day I felt a satisfying stiffness in my arms and shoulders which meant I’d really exercised for the first time since my recovery and I just knew that it would stand me in good stead for the rest of my life”.

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Running Shop Run by Runners Large Shoe Range Gait Analysis Friendly Service Clothing Accessories 146A Clarendon Park Road, LE2 3AE 0116 2708447 leicester running shop.indd 1

www.leicesterrunningshop.co.uk 21/04/2017 16:56

ACTIVE LOCAL /// Wheelchair rugby

Now also playing for Leicester Tigers, Nick is part of Team GB having played for around nine years. He’d been there when Gavin came for his first session and remembers it well. “We all feel like he felt when we come for the first time. It definitely helps you to adapt. As for me, I don’t think I’d ever really met a disabled person before and, out of ignorance, had a negative view of disability and therefore of my new self. “What I came across were exciting, rounded people doing university degrees, holding down good jobs and with families. Now I’m playing for GB I’ve been to places and had experiences I would never otherwise have had and, perhaps ironically, there’s no doubt in my mind that I’m fitter and healthier than I was when I was able bodied.” I asked Nick why he thought their funding has been withdrawn and he was as nonplussed as everyone but came up with a possible insight. “We’re a squad of relatively expensive people who, if we win, will yield only one gold medal. Put that money behind one swimmer and they might win three on their own.” So does it all come down to this – medals won divided by money spent? Perhaps some

PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORT

bureaucrat somewhere has been tasked to increase that ratio and that’s their main concern but shouldn’t we rise above arithmetic sometimes? If you feel, like I do, that these men and women have overcome enough challenges in their lives through their own determination and bravery to deserve a helping hand from the rest of us when they need it, write to your MP and to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Karen Bradley. The address is The Palace of Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA. Also, the wheelchair rugby community is, by its very nature, resilient. Not one to take setbacks lying down it has responded by starting an appeal to get them to Tokyo at www. gbwr.org.uk for donations. The last word goes to GBWR: “Those who play wheelchair rugby have life-changing injuries and impairments, facing personal challenges that would defeat many of us. “So we are asking for your help in supporting the sport of wheelchair rugby and the GB Wheelchair Rugby team in its quest to get to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games. You have the chance to make a real difference to the lives of the team.”

JOIN LEICESTER TIGERS Anyone interested in training, playing or being part of the volunteer staff with Tigers wheelchair rugby should contact Agata Pryl by emailing secretary@mtwrc.org.uk. You can find out more about the team at www.leicestertigers.com/community/ wheelchairrugby

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25/06/2017 19:35

ACTIVE LOCAL Ride-out

To Glinton and back Rutland Cyclingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sally Middlemiss offer a scenic route that is fast and flat

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Starting and finishing in Uffington, this scenic summer route explores our quiet local roads and also includes some traffic-free bridleways and sections of Peterborough’s Green Wheel cycle route. It’s a fairly flat, easy route and is best ridden on a hybrid bike, or adventure/gravel road bike with knobbly tyres. The Green Wheel is a network of more than 45 miles of continuous cycle routes in and around Peterborough that is well worth exploring – it’s easily accessed from Stamford and Rutland. Download a map from www.travelchoice.org.uk

THE ROUTE

Uffington to Ufford 1. Start at the Bertie Arms in Uffington. Head towards Spalding on the A1175. 2. As you leave Uffington, keep straight on as the main road bends round to the left, following signs to Barnack. 3. Enter Barnack. At the staggered crossroads, go straight over, on to Jack Haws Lane. 4. Take the first right turn, then the first left. Pass the Millstone pub on your right. 5. Merge left onto the main road through Barnack, passing the Hills and Holes on your right. 6. After a sharp right bend, take the left turn, signposted Ufford. 7. At the T-junction in Ufford, with the White Hart pub in front of you, turn right. Ufford to Glinton 8. At the crossroads, turn left to Helpston. 9. Turn right onto Broad Wheel Road and enter Helpston village. 10. Turn immediately right, onto the bridleway and into Rice Wood. There are a number of paths

criss-crossing the wood, so if you have time, you may like to explore a few of them. Otherwise, take the middle path (straight ahead) as you enter the wood. 11. Exit the bridleway on to the road, turning left. 12. Almost immediately, turn right onto the bridleway. 13. Rejoin the road, turning right to follow the Green Wheel towards Marholm. 14. At the junction, turn left, still following the Green Wheel to Glinton. 15. Carry your bike over the railway bridge. 16. Turn left just before the A15 road bridge, still following the Green Wheel to Glinton. Keep straight, taking care as you rejoin the road. 17. Soon after, take the right fork, signposted ‘No. 1, 3, 5 Lincoln Road’. 18. Take care as you cross the busy roundabout,

to stay on the traffic-free cycle path. 19. Rejoin the road as you enter Glinton. Glinton to Uffington 20. In Glinton, take the left turn onto the B1443, signposted Helpston. 21. Cross over the A15, then at the crossroads, turn right to Etton. Go straight on through Etton. 22. At the T-junction, turn left to Maxey. Keep straight on, heading towards Lolham. 23. At the T-junction in Lolham, turn left, signposted Helpston. 24. Cross over the railway line (hopefully you won’ have too long a wait!), then take the right turn to Bainton (B1443). Keep straight on through Bainton. 25. Take the right turn to Uffington and retrace your steps back to the Bertie Arms.

START/ UFFINGTON

BAINTON

ETTON GLINTON

BARNACK UFFORD

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ACTIVE LOCAL Great walks

TOP STAT

THURNBY & HOUGHTON ON THE HILL This walk is a perfect blend of village and countryside, and it’s right on the edge of the city of Leicester, as Will Hetherington discovers Photography: Will Hetherington

Difficulty rating (out of five)

THE ROUTE

There is a big public car park next to The Rose & Crown in Thurnby. It’s a big Everards pub and makes for a convenient refreshment break at the end of your walk so it makes perfect sense to park here and then set off east along Main Street for 300 yards until you get to the left hand turn. Here you will see the footpath sign leading off the road. Take this and you will soon be out in the open countryside heading over the hills on the one and a half miles to Houghton on the Hill.

Keep following the well marked path and you will cross a farm road shortly before walking up the hill to Houghton. When you get to the village the path goes in past a handful of houses and then you turn right and head out of the village. With the cricket club on your left after 100 yards the road bends to the left but the footpath continues straight on. Take this path and you will soon be heading downhill. At the bottom of a hill you have to negotiate what can be quite a boggy section before heading straight up the hill on the other side towards Houghton Lodge Farm. On arrival at the farm you will ﬁnd brand new gates making it very clear where the footpath skirts around the northwest corner of this large establishment. When the path joins Houghton Lane turn right

rt is about six Leicester Airpo city centre. It miles east of the d in 1942 as was constructe s East, and it wa RAF Leicester n Aerodrome called Stoughto prior to 1974.

and stay on the road for 500 yards. On the day I did this there was no traffic at all on this quiet country lane and it was a pleasure to stroll down. Leicester Airport is only half a kilometre to the south of the lane but it can’t be a busy place because I wasn’t aware of any air traffic at all. Once you have been on the lane for 500 metres you will see the path heading off to the right and the north. Take the path which heads out over a meadow and then skirts round the southern edge of a small wood before taking you into some arable fields. Follow the path north-west for another kilometre until just before Stoughton Road and then turn north to take the clearly marked path back towards Thurnby on the Hill ahead. You will cross the small spring Bushby Brook which is the perfect place for the dogs to cool down before heading up the steep hill back into the village, your car and the pub. Clockwise, from above

This walk quickly goes from urban edge to pure Leicestershire rolling countryside; a special view of Thurnby near the end of the walk; your dog will thank you for this stroll

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ESSENTIAL INFORMATION WHERE TO PARK In the public car park next to The Rose & Crown in Thurnby. DISTANCE AND TIME Four and a half miles/an hour and a half. HIGHLIGHTS Views of Thurnby and Houghton from different angles. Glorious rolling countryside and the contrasting proximity to the city. LOWLIGHTS Apart from crossing Bushby Brook near the end there’s not much fresh water for the dogs to cool down in. REFRESHMENTS The Rose & Crown in Thurnby is the obvious option. DIFFICULTY RATING Three paws; up and down but not too many stiles. THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE There are some livestock on the way round but generally your dog will thank you for this walk, but take water if it’s a hot day. For your own safety and navigation make sure you have an OS map with you when you go out walking. You won’t regret it.

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ACTIVE LOCAL Bike winner

Rutland to Spain on two wheels Last year our Rutland Cycling competition to win a bike for a challenge was won by Jason Skinner. After months of training, he has finally completed his incredible Lincolnshire to Spain charity challenge. Here’s how Jason did it... “We completed our charity cycle ride from Bourne to Almeria in Spain after 15 days cycling in temperatures as hot as 40 degrees. We got soaked on days and some stages were well over 130 miles. Amazingly, I did not get one puncture, and my Genesis bike was amazing and I am deeply in love with it now. Not only did the ‘green machine’ carry me and all my clothes and kit, it tackled fields, mountains and dried up river beds – it just kept on rolling. “We got a great send off in Bourne with several members of the Baston Cycle Club joining us for 30 miles. Friends and members of the public joined in too for as long as they wanted and we even had a penny farthing come along for 15 miles. Co-Op Elsea Park were also there giving away snacks and water. “The first few stages to Portsmouth were pretty smooth and we met some fellow cyclists on the ferry crossing who were doing charity rides, so it was lovely to have a bit of bike chat. “Cycling the first few miles in France was when it started to kick in; as we passed bits of history from the war it soon became clear we were getting a long way from home. French fields and climbs soon turned into cute villages and we soon embraced French cheese and pastry – food and fuelling up was not going to be a problem. “We swapped fields and villages for iconic rivers and then larger towns. Everything was going smoothly, but we knew we had the mountains to climb over to get into Pamplona and Spain, and we hit these on a damp and wet day. In the end this was a godsend as it kept us cool. “The bikes needed a wash and oil from time to time but they purred like a cat almost all the way. The first climb was the little one (602 metres) and the second was 984 – to our surprise and amazement we made these and were speeding downhill into Spain and the home of the bull run. “The heat, which was one of our biggest worries, really kicked in once we were in Spain, and on the first day we set off at 6am to make headway while it was cooler, but Tim suffered a puncture about 20

minutes into the ride and this set us back about 30 minutes. “Onwards we cycled as we knew the coast was only a few days away, we both found out that we both enjoyed cycling by water, whether it be a river or lake or coast and we were not disappointed with the Spanish coast, especially Calpe. “We even managed to ride on some of the old F1 circuit and pit lane in Valencia. The heat was now in the mid-30s and getting warmer by the day, so water and keeping cool was our main focus alongside grinding out the miles. “We had one ride to Teruel which was over 100 miles and it was constant climbing all day and on an old frontage road to a new main road. Everything was closed and run down and shade hard was to find. It reminded us of Route 66 with ghost towns and smashed up gas stations – this was the toughest day by a mile. “Once we turned inland towards Murcia the weather got hotter still (high-30s). We were now skipping breakfast and stopping 30 miles into the ride so we could get on the road as quickly as possible, this helped us finish most days before the afternoon sun kicked in. “We had one stage left to complete 94 miles from Murica to Arboles where my mum lives. I think we thought we had done all the work the day before, as we both had heavy legs and struggled to get any momentum going and the 40 degree heat really hit us hard. “We finally hit the town centre where we were welcomed by a crowd of local people and also the town mayor and his team, and we were very surprised and pleased to get a cold drink. “It was an amazing ride, we loved every minute of it, we are amazed at the performance of our bikes and even more surprised by our bodies. We are already talking about the next challenge – maybe biking this route in reverse!” Jason is fund-raising ride for Cancer Research, after his mother contracted terminal cancer and moved to Spain for her last years. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ JasonSkinner0609 /// J U LY 2 0 1 7 5 9

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Corby East Midlands International Pool

23/06/2017 17:09

ACTIVE LOCAL Schools

Edwards visits Oakham Former England captain Charlotte Edwards visited Oakham School as part of the launch of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and to celebrate Women’s Sport Week 2017. Students and media converged on Doncaster Close to meet with Charlotte and members of the Australian team. Charlotte was set the challenge of taking the ICC Women’s World Cup to each of the host venues, travelling more than 500 miles in one day, ahead of the start of the tournament. She set

off from Lord’s with Oakham being her second stop. She generously gave her time to talk to some of the school’s cricketers; Oakham’s newly formed girls’ cricket team have enjoyed a great season to date, winning their ﬁrst game against Oundle by 50 runs. Oakham School is hosting two warm-up matches and a number of practice sessions for the Australian, South African and the West Indies teams.

“It is a real testimony to Oakham’s facilities that the ECB asked the school to host these sessions and matches,” said Iain Simpson, director of sport at the school. “It’s also a great opportunity for Oakham’s cricketers, who have been providing bowling for the practice nets.” Pictured above: Charlotte Edwards, second from right, with members of the Australian side and Oakham pupils holding the ICC World Cup

YOUNG BROOKE SWIMMERS ENJOY SUCCESS AT NATIONAL IAPS GALA Brooke Priory School enjoyed great success in the swimming pool at the IAPS Gala. The boys from years V and VI were ranked eighth nationally in the relay finals. Head of sport Duncan Flint said: “They performed well and trained hard, improving with each session. We are very proud to have achieved a good national ranking.” The team (pictured left): Adam Desira, Charlie Watts, Freddie Collins, Casper Nicolle, Elliott Murray, Douwe Timmermans, James Bartle-Jones and Maxwell Weir.

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Brooke Priory School enjoyed great success in the swimming pool at the IAPS Gala. The years V and VI

23/06/2017 13:31

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

Cricket

Kibworth find life challenging BY JEREMY BESWICK

egular readers will know that Kibworth swept all before them last season and – as pointed out just last month – completed the ‘double treble’ that year having won the Premiership, County Cup and League Cup for the second year running. Well, for whatever reason, it seems they are finding life much more challenging this term. Following an opening league sequence of one win and four draws – in itself a source of some frustration to many at the club – they found themselves up against a resilient Barrow side at Nottingham Road. Doubtless determined to assert their previous authority, instead they ended up somewhat humbled. All seemed to be going according to plan for them as openers Matt Craven and Sunny Patel put on over a hundred for the first wicket, but thereafter Barrow’s spindominated attack firmly had the upper hand (or, as Kibworth’s opener Matt Craven put it, placing the blame firmly in the batsmen’s hands, they “pressed the self-destruct button”) and the visitors collapsed to 229 all out. Worse was to come as Barrow knocked off the runs for the loss of only one wicket, with a full 10 overs to spare, and – to put the icing on the cake – finished the match with a six over the bowler’s head. Not so much a defeat as a rout. Craven pulled no punches, calling it “a poor day all round” with “batters getting themselves out, bowlers not hitting their areas consistently enough and fielders doing their best impersonation of a mime artist”. As the pre-eminent club for many a mile for

some time it’s understandable that they should look inwards at their own fallibilities, but it’s perhaps also telling that there was no appreciation of their opponents’ strength in that thinking. Many of their rivals have strengthened their sides considerably in the close season, which may have had more of an impact that they might appreciate. What will have made it even harder for them to take is that that defeat followed quick and hard on the heels of their exit from the ECB National knock out competition – and playing at home – at the hands of Ockbrook and Borrowash, so can’t be seen as merely a blip. That their bowling attack is having trouble dismissing sides is not in dispute. Whether that’s because it needs strengthening or, as chairman Steve Ellwood believes, it’s down to the negative approach of opposing sides who bat for a losing draw from early in their innings is a moot point. Craven remains upbeat, however, saying: “With teams above us faltering we’re still only 30 points off the top spot with most of them to play twice.” Expect them to ﬁght back despite the hint of hubris. Happier times at least for the ladies’ side who’ve had a great start in the league according to number three bat Ali Wall, and also won the inaugural LCCC Woman’s Softball Trophy. “Make some more room in the trophy cabinet,” said Wall. It’s not often you see six sixes in an over but you would have, had you been at the T20 tie

between Lutterworth and Enderby seconds. Take a bow, Damian Baxter. Opening the innings he saw two wickets fall at the other end before, with the score in the 70s, Enderby decided to try spin. Mark Johnstone was the unfortunate bowler as Baxter began by dispatching his first ball over long on. Riding his luck, the second was caught but carried over the boundary, the third (for his half century) was over the bowler’s head and the fourth an enormous hit that cleared the car park. Perhaps the most fortuitous strike was the fifth that struck a fielder who might have caught it and cannoned over the rope. Johnstone’s thoughts at this stage are unknown, but probably unprintable. There was nothing lucky about the last strike however, which I’m told ended up on the Coventry Road. What will be forgotten more quickly is that Lutterworth’s winning margin was 31 runs, so it was that over that arguably won them the game as well. Speaking to the Leicester Mercury, Baxter said: “It’s a bit surreal really, I wasn’t sure what to do after the sixth, I’d already raised my bat for my 50 so I just shook Mark’s hand and apologised. It was a great atmosphere, the weather brought a fair few supporters out which made it even more special. It’s something I’ll be boring my grandchildren with I’m sure. “I’ve already started getting stick from the lads and they are keeping me grounded reminding me that I was dropped twice!”

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Grace notes Leicester’s start to the season has been rather mixed. They exited the Royal London Cup at the first stage but were only 21 runs away from defeating Yorkshire to make the knockouts. Head coach Pierre de Bruyn said: “I’m very proud of the guys, we had a very young side out at times and there were a lot of career-bests posted throughout the tournament. It was far better than the 50-over performances of the last few years. “There were a lot more positives than negatives in the 50-over competition, our downfall was consistency as we couldn’t string two really good performances together. It’s a quick turnaround now from white to red ball and all you can do as a player is switch your focus as soon as possible.” So it’s back to the four-day game and the County Championship. Clint McKay, whose innings had nearly seen the Foxes home in that crucial loss to Yorkshire, agreed with de Bruyn. “The boys were understandably gutted but know that we’ve played some good cricket and we’re confident of putting in good performances,” he said. “The players are used to switching between white and red ball. It doesn’t matter what format you’re playing; if you have momentum from your performances, which we have, then you can take that into the next game.” To date their county matches have shown some good performances with the

bat but have somewhat lacked teeth in the bowling department. They’ll be pleased, therefore, that fast bowler Zak Chappell – late of Stamford School and Town, as well as Market Harborough – is entering his third season in the first team squad relatively injury free a er trouble with an intercostal strain and then an ankle injury had blighted his first two years. Still only 20, he told me: “It’s been different for me this year because I’ve been able to play a lot more cricket. There’s only so much you can learn in the nets. It’s gaining experience in the field that improves a young cricketer.” He continued: “My ambition this year is to play as much as possible. My role in the first team is as a breakthrough bowler – to take wickets with that extra bit of pace I’ve got.” Zak told me he’s been measured at over 90mph and, interestingly, says speed doesn’t come from effort but from rhythm. “It’s those days that you’re not straining for pace that you’re quick,” he said. Pleasingly for old fogies like me and all you other traditionalists out there, the red ball format is his preferred version of the game. “I can appreciate the fun of 20:20 but still believe that at county level the four day version is the purest. It’s the real test of your cricketing skills with nowhere to hide.” Let’s hope they push on from here, now they can concentrate on this format, and start to climb the table.

Above

Zak Chappell is entering his third season in the first team squad

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22/06/2017 17:44

ACTIVE LOCAL Round-up

American football

Falcons soar above Steelers

eicester Falcons produced a fantastic all-around performance to overcome their close rivals Sandwell Steelers 42-0 at Leicester Road recently. The victory, their fourth in a row, keeps the pressure on division leaders Nottingham Caesars as the business end of the season approaches. Sandwell missed their starting quarterback Callum Davidson, who was injured for this match, and replacement Joseph Reynolds threw an interception with his ﬁrst pass attempt of the game to Falcons linebacker Parm Sidhu. Leicester were unable to capitalise on this however, and the two teams exchanged punts throughout the ﬁrst quarter. The Falcons had the better of possession but their best drive ended in a turnover following a fumbled snap. Sandwell leant on the power running of James Jones-Cross but were unable to get into the Falcons’ red zone. As the second quarter began Falcons running back Nat Eaves ripped off a long touchdown run that was called back for a penalty.

Following a deep pass to Joe Brammer, Eaves scored the touchdown on that drive anyway, going over from three yards. The conversion attempt was blocked to give the Falcons a 6-0 lead. Sandwell were unable to move the ball as Leicester deployed an extra linebacker to halt the running game, daring Reynolds to go deep, to little success. As the half wound down Leicester scored again, Troy Lee Jackson throwing to fullback Adam Gumbs from seven yards, to go into halftime with a 12-0 lead. In the second half the Falcons started to run away with it. Jackson added two more touchdown passes, to Jack Verling from 29 yards and Ashton Clarke-Jackman, who took a short pass and sprinted through acres of space for a 30 yard score. The Steelers responded with their longest drive of the game, but it ended when Leicester linebacker Rob Rees sacked the quarterback and forced a fumble which was recovered by the Falcons. On the subsequent drive running back Tolu Ogundana broke away for a 38 yard rushing touchdown and a 34-0 lead. Towards the end the Falcons began to use

some of their depth players but still managed to add another score, Sebastian Sansom making the interception and returning it for the team’s ﬁrst defensive touchdown of the year.

ROWING From training in Leicester to World Cup glory, Jonny Walton achieved greatness tlast month. The former Leicester-shire & Rutland Sport GO GOLD Ambassador won gold in the quadruple sculls at the World Cup in Poznan, Poland. Supported by the GO GOLD funding programme, Walton has so far competed at the Olympics representing Team GB, but his victory at the weekend marks his greatest achievement yet. Competing alongside Jack Beaumont, John Collins and Peter Lambert, Walton was a part of the crew which raced to victory with plenty of time to spare in Poznan. During his time as a part of the GO GOLD programme, Walton received valuable funding which helped to purchase equipment, attend international events and further his training whilst still in education. For more information visit www.lrsport.org/ gogold

Show your support for local sport... Email advertise@theactivemag.com /// J U LY 2017

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ACTIVE LOCAL Round-up

Equestrianism

Riding action heats up BY JULIA DUNGWORTH

hat a scorcher June has been. JumpCross had to cancel its monthly competition as the ground was baking hard and with no more rain forecast, it looks like it could be a long hot summer. Thank goodness it has so many water crossings, as the training days are super popular at the moment, as was the May competition which had plenty of entries. It was a day for doubles – Skye Valderas came both ﬁrst and second in the Junior Grassroots then local rider Sophie Metcalfe won both the Senior Grassroots and Senior Group 3 on Ninon Du Matz. Elsewhere, Etti Dale is one of 12 riders to make it onto the shortlist for the British team at the FEI CIC2* European Championships which take place in Tongren in Belgium at the end of July. Unlike normal team competitions, these biennial championships carry a unique format by having six members in the team compared to the usual four and the ﬁrst phase has all six members performing a ‘team dressage’ test in a normal 20x60, before competing in their own individual test. Riders then go on to cross-country and

show jumping phases as normal. That means you can be placed both as a team or an individual. Richard and Victoria Jones have had mixed fortunes over the last month. Victoria had two great performances at Somerford Premier League show at the end of May – she even had to follow Charlotte Dujardin into the ring. She finished third with Tijs H on a score of 69.78% to Charlotte, then sixth on 68.03% with Wiepke II. Richard went out the following weekend to Bramham on Alfie’s Clover, on good form after a tenth place in the Advanced at Chatsworth, where they did a good dressage and a foot perfect cross-country round incurring just 1.6 time penalties to leave them in tenth place before the show jumping. But then Richard suffered a nasty accident in the lorry, catching his wedding ring and removing his finger. He was rushed into Leeds hospital but unfortunately the surgery was unsuccessful. For the second time this year we wish Richard a very speedy recovery. It only seems like days ago he was on crutches. Richard Skelt was also unlucky at Bramham, having had a solid tenth place in

the Advanced the week before at Little Downham. He then started out with a cracking round over a very tough course, but unfortunately the gruelling course claimed another victim and he retired on Meerlust Lady. This talented combination will definitely be one to look out for in the future. Sofia Welch had her first affiliated placing at the very popular Shelford Horse Trials near Nottingham at the end of May. She finished fourth in the BE80 section with Ghareebs Sheen Falls Boy. Sofia added just 0.8 of a time penalty to her dressage score of 36.5. Although Sofia has won a lot of unaffiliated competitions, this was their first ‘proper’ event together and I’m sure we will see a lot more of the combination out soon. Charlotte Hollis has also been putting her best foot forward and at the end of May won the Sheep Gate Tack and Togs Advanced Medium Championship on her own Suitably Gracious. The championship runs over two days, with riders completing a test on both days. Charlotte finished on a very good combined score of 133.83%, which was nearly 7% more than her closest rival.

Show your support for local sport... Email advertise@theactivemag.com 6 6 J U LY 2017 ///

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