Active Magazine // South Leicestershire // March 2017

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ISSUE 23 // MARCH 2017

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Local people, amazing feats

South Leicestershire’s sport and lifestyle magazine

Marathon de Sables Hill climbing Ninja Warrior

U n d e r yo u r ow n s t e a m Great places to go, by foot or on bike From tragedy to triumph ISSUE 23 // MARCH 2017

How inspirational Matt Hampson is changing others’ lives

Will’s Walk Glooston

www.theACTIVEmag.com 03

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Bourne Heights, Bourne Parson’s Prospect, Eye Greetham Square, Greetham Hempsted Park, Peterborough The Paddock, Stamford Thorney Meadows, Thorney Gretton Valley, Weldon Whittlesey Green, Whittlesey Coming Soon: Oakley Rise, Corby Doddington Grange, Doddington Pinchbeck Fields, Pinchbeck

 01572 722262 Sales Office open daily 10am - 5pm Prices and information correct at time of going to print. Images are for illustrative purposes only.

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Editor’s Letter IN THIS ISSUE, WE LOOK AT THINGS YOU can do under your own power... places to go, walks and cycle rides to try.

All perfectly nice stuff that you can do without much thought or preparation. We’ve got some useful advice on how to keep your body in good shape while doing these things too.

But don’t we ever take these sorts of things for granted? Being able to go for a walk at a moment’s notice when the sun’s shining, or hop on a bike and head off into the country.

Our other main feature, about Matt Hampson, proves that every single step you take is precious, that every time you choose do do something, just because you feel like it, should be cherished.

In case you don’t know, but I’m sure you do, Matt was paralysed from the neck down in a rugby training accident with the England under 20 squad in 2005, and since then he has worked tirelessly to help people who have had similar terrible things happen to them.

To call him inspirational is understatement, just words. It’s the doing, the action, the sheer dog and fight and desire that sets him apart.

Now his foundation is looking to build a state-of-the-art centre where other people with life-changing injuries can come and get rehabilitation, help and care, and they are looking for support from local people.

We wish them all the best in the incredible endeavour, and if you want to help, contact details are at the end of the feature (see pages 26-31).

Enjoy the issue! Steve

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 Sarah Stillman sarah@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

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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17/02/2017 12:30

in Stamford-Tinwell

Are you suffering from the following?

Osteoarthrtitis Spinal Discs Osteoporosis Muscle damage

Fractures Ligament & tendon damage Cartilage damage Here at Cell Regeneration we strive to provide the leading musculoskeletal technology – MBST to offer individuals a pain free, stress free option in maintaining healthy joints and bones.

Centres, both veterinary and medical, use MBST and elite sport teams trust using our technology and knowledge to improve and enhance an individual/ athlete/animal’s career and life.

Zeeco House Annexxe, Casterton Lane, Tinwell PE9 3UQ info@cell-regeneration.co.uk I www.mbst-therapy.co.uk I +44 01780 238 084

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01780 238084

Suffer from pain?

How much would it mean to you to see a loved one free of pain and more mobile?

What would it mean to you to be free of pain and have an alternative option to surgery and pain relief medication?

In Rutland we have one of the seven MBST centres which are in the UK. Situated in Tinwell is a Physiotherapy centre which carries out the award winning treatment for Osteoarthrtitis, Osteoporosis, sports injuries, disc problems and general aches and pains for all ages.

MBST is getting more and more renowned for its benefits across the world as the success of its treatment is non-invasive for a patient, it is quick to work and has huge benefits. In some cases even prevented the need for operations and enable people to stop pain relief medication.

What is so great about it is it has no side effects and the process is simple for the patient and entirely risk and pain free.

A patient returns to do cycling challenge after successful MBST treatment.

Zeeco House Annexxe, Casterton Lane, Tinwell PE9 3UQ info@cell-regeneration.co.uk I www.mbst-therapy.co.uk I +44 01780 238 084

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Contents

ISSUE 23 /// MARCH 2017

ACTIVE LIFE

16

10-11 HOW TO...

Make Mother’s Day special, plus plan a garden makeover

13 NATURE

Featuring daffodils, blackbirds and pussy willow

14-15 RIVERFORD RECIPE

This month we cook a healthy parsnip and lentil dish

16-17 GET AWAY FROM IT ALL

Great ideals for a spring city break abroad

20 DAY IN THE LIFE OF...

Musculoskeletal therapist Craig Mortimer

25 WHAT’S ON

Great things to do locally for all the family

FEATURES 26-31 GET BUSY LIVING

We meet Matt Hampson and hear of his foundation’s plans

38-42 LEG POWER

The best places to go on foot or by bike

ACTIVE BODY 47 FOCUS ON SWIMMING

Essential advice from Function Jigsaw

48 DITCH THE DIET, EAT HEALTHILY

Simple advice to have you looking and feeling better

50

56

50-51 THE FINISHING TOUCHES

Tips and products to help you look great

REGULARS 33 KIT BAG

The latest cycling accessories

35 MARTIN JOHNSON COLUMN

The Sunday Times writer on age in sport

55 SPORTSMAN’S DINNER

We try out the Wistow Cafe Bistro

56-57 WILL’S WALKS

Will and dogs head out to Glooston

61 SCHOOL SPORT

Our focus on the latest achievements from local pupils

62-66 ROUND-UP

How clubs in the area are faring

6 M A RC H 2017 ///

38

LD

SO C ST

DUNTON BASSETT, LEICESTERSHIRE

Guide £575,000

FIELD BARN IS AN IMMACULATE CONVERSION WITH STUNNING SPACES AND BESPOKE, TOP QUALITY MATERIALS HAVING BEEN UTILISED. BOASTING IN EXCESS OF 2700 SQ FT OF ACCOMMODATION, THE PROPERTY HAS WEST FACING, OPEN VIEWS TO THE REAR WHILST BEING LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE POPULAR VILLAGE OF DUNTON BASSETT. EPC: PENDING

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16/02/2017 16:50

Activelife

8 M A RC H 2017 ///

Activelife MOTHER’S DAY TREATS, CITY BREAKS, HOSTS OF GOLDEN DAFFODILS, READERS’ CHALLENGES AND A DELICIOUS PARSNIP DISH Edited by Mary Bremner

/// M A RC H 2017 7

Activelife

HOW TO…

SPOIL YOUR MUM Mothering Sunday is on March 26, so plan to spoil your mum. After all she is the one who has gone above and beyond to teach you to mind your manners, get dressed and cross a road safely.

Breakfast in bed is a firm favourite as well as chocolates, flowers or lunch; but most important of all, spend time with her.

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HOW TO…

Make the perfect Mother’s Day card A great one for the kids. It’s incredibly easy and they will have huge fun with the finger painting.

You will need: Pink and purple paint White paper Pink card On the white paper print three flowers vertically in a line.

Purple finger print in the centre and pink finger prints in a circle around it to make the petals. Fold the pink card in half, cut out the flowers and glue to the front of the folded card.

Easy!

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

HOW TO…

Charity No: 1140918

Plan a garden redesign Spring is the time to plan you garden and if a redesign is on the cards contact someone like Ben Freeman (07703 337128) who will be able to help with landscaping work or lay new turf.

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Want to be a part of active...

We’re looking for a new advertising sales executive to join our advertising sales team. If you’re ambitious, organised and proactive, with a professional and courteous attitude then we want to hear from you. Remuneration packages can be tailored to suit the right individual.

Interested? Then send your CV to jobs@theactivemag.com.

Visit www.theactivemag.com for more information about the role.

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21/05/2015 16:46

Activelife

NATURE

DAFFODILS ‘I wander’d lonely as a cloud, That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden daffodils…’ The words of Wordsworth describe them perfectly and March is the month when daffodils start flowering in

our area. A bright, cheerful sight in many gardens, daffodils can be spotted on many verges having naturalised, both wild and cultivated. Head out to The Fens and you can see acres and acres of them – spring is coming.

BLACKBIRDS Blackbirds are a common sight in the garden. The male’s distinctive black plumage, bright yellow beak and eye ring make it instantly recognisable.

The poor female is brown with a slightly speckled breast. Part of the

thrush family, it is one of the most common birds in the UK and its distinctive tuneful song is a strong favourite. Monogamous, a breeding pair will normally stay together as long as they both survive.

Pussy willow This is the name given to the smaller species of the genus salix (willows and sallows) when their furry catkins are young in early spring. Before the male catkins (not to be confused with those from a hazel tree) come into full flower they are covered in a fine, grey fur – likened to small cats, hence ‘pussies’. They appear long before the leaves and are one of the first welcome signs of spring.

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Activelife

1 4 M A RC H 2017 ///

PARSNIPS MOLLY PARKIN WITH LENTILS AND GREENS INGREDIENTS

1 onion 400g parsnips Oil for frying 25g butter 1 tbsp light brown sugar 4 large tomatoes 75g Cheddar cheese Salt and pepper ½ pot double cream 25g dried breadcrumbs ½ tin dark speckled lentils 1 garlic clove 15g thyme 200g spring greens 1 bay leaf ½ tbsp Dijon mustard 1 lemon

METHOD

● Pre-heat your oven to 180C. Peel and finely slice the onion and set to one side. ● Wash, peel and slice the parsnips into 1cm rounds. Heat 1 tbsp oil with half the butter and half the sugar in a frying pan. Add half the parsnips in a single layer. (If your pan is large enough to fit all the parsnips in one go, use all of the butter, sugar and parsnips). ● Fry on a medium heat for 2-3 minutes, then turn over and fry for the same time on the other side until they are starting to colour and caramelise (1). Remove from the heat. Repeat with the remaining butter, sugar and parsnips if need be.

Wash and slice the tomatoes into 1/2cm rounds.

Grease a 25cm x 15cm casserole or baking dish. ●

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

● Arrange alternate layers of parsnips, tomatoes and cheese, seasoning each layer with salt and pepper and finishing with a layer of cheese (2).

Pour half the pot of cream over the top.

1

● Bake for 20 minutes, then scatter over the breadcrumbs and bake for a further 20 minutes until the top is golden and the parsnips tender.

You may need to drizzle more cream towards the end, if so add to the side of the pan so the breadcrumbs don’t soak in it. ● Once you’ve added the breadcrumbs to the parsnips, heat 1 tbsp oil in a saucepan. Add the onion and fry on a low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until soft and translucent.

2

● Drain and rinse the lentils in cold water in a sieve. Peel and finely chop one garlic clove. Pick the leaves off three thyme sprigs. Wash the spring greens and strip or chop the leaves off the tough central rib stalks. ● After 10 minutes add the lentils, greens, garlic, thyme and bay leaf to the onion in the pan. Stir for 4-5 minutes to warm the lentils and wilt the greens (3).

Add the mustard, a squeeze of lemon juice and salt and pepper, all to taste. Serve the lentils with the parsnip bake. The lentils can be gently reheated if finished before the parsnips are tender or the parsnips kept warm in a low oven if vice-versa.

3

●

Tip: If you have a large frying pan that’s also ovenproof you can use it to fry your parsnips then use it layer your veg for the oven bake.

45 minutes. Think well balanced and nutritious, with a few treats thrown in. Our cooks come up with nine new recipes every week, so there is always plenty of choice.

There are three different varieties of recipe box - choose from vegetarian, quick, or original. A box for two people ranges in price from £33 for the vegetarian box, to £39.95 for the quick and original boxes. Delivered straight to your door, with everything you need to cook

included, generous portion sizes, and three delicious meals per box they offer great value for money.

No waste. No missing the vital ingredient. All you have to do is cook.

Visit: www.riverford.co.uk/recipebox to

find out more or call 01803 762059.

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Activelife

TRAVEL

SPRING TIME CITY BREAKS THE WINTER IS BEGINNING to take its toll, as we question when we are going to see some warmer weather and sunshine. Therefore, while we wait for spring to arrive at home, March could be the perfect month to get away on a city break. A long weekend in Europe in one of its many beautiful cities can be perfect to recharge the batteries and – if you’re lucky – find a bit of early spring sunshine. Most flights are relatively cheap at this time of year, so take your pick…

Head south to Seville in southern Spain, a beautiful city that is the capital of the Andalucia region. It’s famous for its flamenco dancing, bullfighting and tapas, with a Gothic cathedral.

The fabulously scented orange blossom will be in full bloom in March and the weather should be warm enough to sit in a plaza and enjoy an al fresco lunch surrounded by the heady perfume of the flowers. Make sure you explore the Centro Historico in the old town, a labyrinth of tiny streets with tapas bars and shops.

Or what about Paris? The most romantic city in the world is beautiful in the spring. Not as mild as Spain, but wrap up warm and walk hand-in-hand along the Seine. Climb the Eiffel Tower to admire the views and visit the Mona Lisa in The Louvre. Make sure you head down the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré to admire the designer boutiques.

WIN A pair of

HenryBLAKE The Wanderluster sunglasses worth £55 WHAT TO TAKE ● Comfortable shoes – you’re likely to be walking miles while sightseeing. ● A guide book. If you’re only in the city for a short time you need to plan your days so you get to see as much as possible. ● A coat that covers all the options – waterproof, lightweight and warm.

Perfect for sitting with a glass of vino and some tapas while enjoying the early spring sun. We’ve got two pairs to give away.

Simply head to www.theactivemag. com/competitions to enter.

Our standard terms and conditions apply and are available to view at www.

USEFUL WEBSITES INCLUDING LOCAL TRAVEL AGENTS www.skyscanner.net www.andalucia.com ● www.tripadvisor.co.uk ● www.more-travel.co.uk ● ●

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Visit Our Factory Shop: Open Every Weekday 10am to 4pm and save the date:

spring factory sale Friday 17th March 3 to 7pm and Saturday 18th March 10am to 4pm

The Tannery Warehouse, 29 Olney Road, Lavendon MK46 4EU 01234 712266 | www.tusting.co.uk | info@tusting.co.uk

ZIP WIRE

SWIM WITH SHARKS

CYCLING

SKYDIVE

DRAGON BOAT

3 Peaks

SPEED

Awesome

Energetic

Exhilarating

Teamwork

Endurance

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

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

At Rockingham Speedway - for families & keen cyclists

13,000 feet Tandem parachute jump

10 Rowers, 1 drummer per boat… can you win the race?

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:

18.indd 1

01536 747755

Charity Registered. 1062120

community@lakelandshospice.org.uk

17/02/2017 14:16

Activelife

Surf’s up!

Charlie Martin fills us in on her downtime before the uphill climbing season starts...

“With just four weeks to go until testing at Circuit de Bourbonnais I hit the ground running with a 10-day surf trip to one of my favourite islands – Fuerteventura.

Being only a four-hour flight from the UK and with temperatures hitting 20 degrees, it’s the perfect place for winter sun. I stayed at Fuerteventura Surf School in Corralejo.

Living in a house with 20 other guests from all over the world is a great way to travel, and if you’re on your own it’s the perfect way to meet people. I was keen to get out on the ocean every day and have a few lessons to iron out any bad habits. I did a few beach runs but, to be honest, surfing is serious exercise so I saved my energy for paddling!

The surf school was only a short walk from where I was staying and right on the beach. I’d recommend FSCH to anyone looking at trying surfing for the first time.

Balancing on a board that’s floating on a fast moving wave may not sound easy, but it’s an incredible feeling and perfect for fitness – you work your whole body.

You’ve only got to look at a regular surfer’s physique to see what I mean.

Joining a school makes life easy and fun as you’re paired with people of the same level and can progress well if you’re keen, plus you all meet back at the bar afterwards – surely the perfect end to a day on the water? I also hired a board and surfed on my own, but bit off more than I could chew and went through the washing machine a few times, but then it’s good to push yourself if you want to improve! The sunshine was the perfect antidote for my winter blues, and I’ve kept in shape ready for the racing season to start. And there may be a chance to go heliboarding in Chamonix before the season ends – yet another benefit of living in the surf house, one adventure leads to another… And look out for me on ITV’s Ninja Warrior; I made the semi final! www.gocharlie.co.uk

This month Lynton Dawson goes into more detail about his training programme for the Marathon des Sables...

“When training for the Marathon des Sables many just focus on long runs as the distance covered is over 150 miles in six days. This is running a marathon every day, but is not the case, as distances vary each day – ranging from 15.5km to 81.5km in a day.

As tough as all this running is, it is just as important to be physically strong to be able to carry your equipment. The bag I will carry my kit and food in will weigh more than 6kg. This may not seem that heavy, but I will be running long distances in extreme temperatures (up to 50C) which will place huge stress on my body.

Therefore I have been using a variety of training methods to ensure that my body is as strong and robust as possible. I have been doing a combination of swimming, cycling and running for the mileage and then some specific strength and conditioning sessions so my joints and muscles can cope with the weight of my kit.

Some of my runs have been long ones of up to 2.45 hours carrying my kit at a steady pace over different terrains such as Pitsford Reservoir. Others have been tempo-based sessions working at the highest pace I can maintain with active recovery in between, i.e 12 minutes at 16km/h followed by five minutes at 12km/h, repeated two or three times. I’ve also done some hill sessions on the treadmill wearing my pack running on a 5% incline for five minutes as hard as I can then running on the flat for two minutes at a slower pace, repeating this six or seven more times. I have also done a couple of practice runs of between 20 and 50 miles.

The cycling sessions have included two-hour steady rides followed by a 30-minute run as soon as I finish, and interval sessions where I cycle as hard and as fast as I can for 10-20 minutes with five-minute recoveries, repeating this three or four times. This has built strength in my legs and reduced the impact on my joints from running. Swimming has helped build upper body strength and improved my breathing. I swim 1,500-3,000 metres doing 15 sets of 100m as quickly as I can with 50m recovery swims in between.

The strength and conditioning sessions have been designed to strengthen areas of weakness and help prevent injuries. I’ve been weightlifting doing squats, power snatches and power cleans as well as more specific work on my shoulders which can easily get strained because of the heavy load on my back.

All this training takes between nine and 16 hours a week and I have to fit it in around my job and family, I have a three-year old daughter and a five-month old son. Thankfully my wife has been amazing with her support.

With just over a month to go I am still training hard but as I get closer to my departure date in early April I will taper my training so that I don’t get injured. If you would like to know more about my training then look me up on Facebook and ask me any questions.

My goal is to complete the event and raise £10,000 for familiesforHOPE. This is a non-profit organisation that helps families and children diagnosed with holoprosencephaly (HPE) and related brain malformations.

To donate, go to https://www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/lynton-dawson.

BLANKA SEBESTYÉN - WWW.SBLANKA.COM

COMMITMENT, COMMITMENT, COMMITMENT

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Activelife

A day in the life of

CRAIG MORTIMER CONSULTANT MUSCULOSKELETAL THERAPIST

I

joined the Army in 1980 to train as a physiotherapist. After standard military training I attended the Joint Services School of Physiotherapy, which had students from all three services and a small number of civilians. This is where the physiotherapist beliefs I have today towards rehabilitation stem from. There was great emphasis on anatomy and understanding function and rehabilitation.

I worked at two of the Army’s main military hospitals in Woolwich and Aldershot, and was a patient myself at Headley Court, which is the main rehabilitation centre for wounded servicemen from all three services. It was inspiring to see the approach to rehabilitation the Army has to all injuries, many of which are life changing. After the Falklands War in particular, the focus on recovery and camaraderie between the rehabilitation teams and patients was special. Great emphasis was, and still is, put on a ‘we can do it basis’. It is truly exhilarating to see the results you can get and patients, such as Simon Weston who supports many charities, become people you remember for the rest of your life.

The facilities were second to none with all of the latest equipment and rehabilitation facilities that any professional sports club would have liked to have at that time. While still in the Army I worked with Aldershot and Charlton Athletic football clubs, and colleagues with other top teams, as our experience and facilities were much in demand.

When I left the Army I decided I would like to bring that experience into the private sector so opened The Ashleigh Clinic in 1987. I worked as a physiotherapist for Leicestershire County Cricket Club, which won the Championship twice as well as the 20/20. I worked with some great players and captains such as Peter Willey, David Gower and James Whittaker. I also worked at Leicester Tigers and was lucky to work with players such as Martin Johnson, Dean Richards, the Underwoods, and many more. I loved these environments as they had a similar atmosphere to the military. The services we offered within the clinic expanded and developed and we became a centre treating both teams and the general public.

Our new rehabilitation centre We have invested considerably over the years in equipment from all around the world and now have facilities you would find in any Premiership football club, as well as a spinal decompression unit and an American IDD

2 0 M A RC H 2017 ///

‘It is very satisfying when you are able to treat someone and see their progress’ system for spinal disc problems and degenerative lower back pain. It is very satisfying when you are able to treat someone and see their progress, knowing you have the facilities to aid their recovery, especially from something they thought they would never recover from.

This year we are hoping to complete the construction of our new £400,000 rehabilitation centre which will include a gymnasium, hydro pool and educational facilities.

Recently we had a patient from Nottingham who had a prolapsed disc who was originally down for an operation. But we have been able to treat her to full recovery so surgery is no longer necessary. Her original MRI showed a significant prolapsed disc but one taken recently shows the bulge has retracted back into the disc with no nerve root pressure. To say that we are ecstatic is an understatement, and so is she. It has changed her life; she can now take her young daughter out which she was unable to do for two years prior to treatment.

I believe (and this is the ethos of our clinic)

that people can get better if they have treatment, and help themselves. We try to educate patients so they understand their injury, why they suffer pain and what they can do about it, and then suggest treatment and what effect that will have.

Ultimately a return to as normal a function as possible is our aim. I feel there are many people who suffer pain who can recover with treatment on the cause and not just the symptom. Our approach is multi-disciplinary, involving physiotherapists, nutritionists, acupuncture, podiatry, massage and chiropractice.

We want to offer services where people feel relaxed. Even if they don’t know what they need themselves we can lead them on to a better quality of life. I am passionate about treating people and – if the truth be told - I enjoy the difficult patients who believe they cannot recover. All I can say is there is always hope, and with determination it is amazing what you can achieve.

The Ashleigh Clinic, 26 Stoneygate Road, Leicester, LE2 2AD. 0116 270 7948. www.ashleighclinic.co.uk

SAT 10TH JUNE 2017

BURGHLEY

BUY TICKETS AT SOUTH HOLLAND CENTRE – 01775 764777 STAMFORD ARTS – 01780 763203 CRESSET PETERBOROUGH – 01733 265705 KEY THEATRE – 01733 207239 TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE BREWHOUSE, BURGHLEY

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17/02/2017 14:16

Are you running the risk of outliving your savings?

L

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

PART N E RS IN M AN AGIN 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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16/02/2017 14:09

17/02/2017 14:15

Activelife

MORE MONEY FOR 7 EVENTS

ARE YOU GREEN-FINGERED? Provenance and sustainability are two important factors in food production. This has created a surge in ‘grow your own’ projects within communities.

One very successful example is the Market Harborough Community Garden based at Waterloo Farm in Great Oxenden. Established in 2014, the garden has proved very popular and successful. Run entirely by volunteers, supported by Sustainable Harborough, using sustainable gardening methods there are weekly action days throughout the spring and summer held on Mondays from 10am-2pm. The aim of the community garden is to promote local food

production and reduce the area’s carbon footprint. Since the project began the land has been cleared and several large raised beds have been created and planted. A polytunnel has been constructed, fruit trees planted and compost bays built. Produce grown in the garden is shared amongst the volunteers or sold in the Waterloo Cottage farm shop.

The growing season is upon us again so the volunteers are hard at work. If you would like to join them they would be delighted to see you, just turn up on a Monday, or to find out more visit their Facebook page Waterloo Cottage Farm Community Garden.

Last month, the 7 Events team received a £150 donation from national financial services company Police Mutual.

Reena Patel, who works for Police Mutual and is part of the 7 Events team, put in an application for funding during the company’s Force for Good campaign for employees and was incredibly pleased to hand over a cheque to Jit Chauhan from 7 Events and Steve Humphries from the John Humphries Memorial Trust.

Reena has been an active part of the communications team for 7 Events and has been involved in the campaign from the beginning. She said: “It’s been great seeing the support for the campaign grow and helping to raise an amazing amount. When my company ran a special campaign to allow employees to apply for funding for projects close to their hearts, this was an obvious choice for me – I’m really happy 7 Events was chosen!”

For 150 years, Police Mutual has been helping serving and retired officers, staff and their families with their finances and well-being. The Force for Good campaign is a national community sponsorship scheme set up by Police Mutual to support the well-being of local communities and to date they’ve helped more than 443 community projects. For more information, visit www. policemutual.co.uk/forceforgood.

The 7 Events team were delighted with this contribution towards installing defibrillators in Leicester and are now working on setting up the defibrillators with the help of Steve and the team at John Humphries Memorial Trust.

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Manor High School Applicaaons for Year 7 are welcome for autumn 2017 At Manor High we want to help you make the right choice for your child at this important transiion point.

We invite you to come and visit our school during the day where you will see how we prepare children over me to achieve the highest GCSE results, our inspiraaonal teachers, caring support staff and our rapidly evolving learning environment.

When you visit what you will probably experience most strongly is the feel of the school.

For us at Manor High, this is the fundamental factor and the most difficult to define. We refer to a “buzz factor”, a sense of belonging, energy and a colleccve desire to make success inevitable. Through strong relaaonships between home and school, we are able to achieve excellence together.

We are a small, focused, caring and personalised seeng. We will know you and you will know us. Through mutual respect and strong relaaonships, our students flourish in an environment they love.

Book your place on an Open Morning at: www.manorhigh.leics.sch.uk Apply for your place at our school at: www.leics.gov.uk/admissions

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07/12/2016 17:41

Activelife

WHAT’S ON There’s lots going on in our area this month – why not get out and about and try one of these?

■ Have you ever wanted to experience a Tour de France mountain climb? Now could be your chance, although you won’t actually be going to France... Instead, Lutterworth Rotary Club is joining forces with spinning coach Richard Stannard on March 5 to give you the chance to ride static bikes on six different classic cycle routes including the Col du Tourmalet and punishing Mont Ventoux.

There will be six one-hour sessions, all accompanied by music. Sessions are suitable for everyone, as you work at your own pace. The event will also be raising money for Rotary charities including LOROS and Cystic Fibrosis Trust. To book your bike, costing £10 per hour, visit Lutterworth Sports Centre or go online at www. entrycentral.com. www.lutterworthrotary.org.uk

as making your own rainbow to flying a small rocket. Lots of fun at just £2 per child. www.brocks-hill.co.uk

■ It’s British Science Weekend at Brocks Hill Country Park in Oadby on March 18 and 19.

They are holding drop-in sessions between 11am and 3pm offering various activities such

■ Fatima Mohammed, a first year health studies student from De Montfort University, has flown out to Chitrakoot in India to work alongside Curve Theatre associate director Suba Das and

■ Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa is restoring its gardens to their Edwardian splendour as originally designed by renowned landscape gardener Harold Peto. Originally a family home, then a hotel before being requisitioned during WWII by the RAF when it was home to the officers of 617 Dam Busters squadron, the gardens are now being brought back to their former glory. Restoration is well under way with more than 2,500 plants already planted and formal terracing repaired.

Group bookings to view the gardens are welcome, as are any individual visitors. Ring the hotel on 01526 352411 to find out more.

Curve associate artist Aakash Odedra to research Amana Fontanella-Khan’s ‘Pink Sari Revolution’. This is a true story about 20,000 pink sari wearing women who fight against the oppression of women. The resulting production will premiere at The Curve Theatre in Leicester later in the year.

During her visit Fatima will be able to document their journey, meet scriptwriters and join workshops. www.curvetheatre.co.uk

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Feature /// Matt Hampson

PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

GETTING BUSY LIVING Paralysed from the neck down playing rugby, Matt Hampson is doing remarkable work helping others who have suffered lifechanging injuries. Jeremy Beswick meets an inspirational man TWELVE YEARS AGO, on the Ides of March, a young Oakham lad by the name of Matt Hampson was taking part in an England training session having been selected for the under 21s as a prop. He’d also recently been promoted into the Leicester Tigers first team squad and a very bright – possibly stellar – rugby career lay ahead of him.

As he’d experienced scores of times before, a practice scrum collapsed and the players rose wearily to their feet to reset and try again. All but one, who didn’t get up, and lay unconscious on the turf. Matt Hampson has been paralysed from the neck down ever since.

In his autobiography ‘Engage, The Fall and Rise of Matt Hampson’, he talks about what now occasionally happens when he wakes: “Sometimes... I will open my eyes with no memory of how I got here... then the penny will drop and I’ll start to feel sorry for myself. Why me? A favourite scene from the Shawshank Redemption always helps. The greatest line in the history of cinema, and my creed... ‘I guess it comes down to a simple choice really – get busy living or get busy dying’.

So Matt got busy. For several years now he’s devoted his energies to his charity – and I suspect choosing the Matt Hampson Foundation’s motto of ‘Get Busy Living’ was one of his easier decisions. Those who know him well say that it was amazingly soon after his accident that he resolved to dedicate his waking hours to helping those with serious sports injuries that left them in a similar position to himself – and it is much more common for that to happen than I’d appreciated, with people getting in touch with Matt every day and more than 100 individuals helped to date.

I went to see them at the charity’s offices in Burrough-on-

the-Hill in Leicestershire and CEO Tommy Cawston told me about their beneficiaries.

“When you first have a life-changing injury you don’t know how you’ll cope,” he told me. “Matt has an empathy with their situation that’s so important – they know he instinctively understands. We can make a difference with specialist equipment, financial assistance and practical advice but the most important first step is the inspiration Hambo offers and the sense that they can still lead an incredibly active and rewarding life.”

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Feature /// Matt Hampson

2 8 M A R C H 2 0 17 ///

PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

‘The most important first step is the inspiration Hambo offers and the sense that they can still lead an incredibly active and rewarding life’ One person who’s benefited from Matt being a role model is Spencer Watts, a motocross rider now paralysed from the waist, who says: “When I met up with Matt for the first time... I was so inspired by him, it brought a tear to my eye. It just goes to show no matter what your injuries are, there are still things you can achieve and live the life you want to live. There are no words on how thankful I am on what Matt and the foundation have done for me; it’s just amazing!”

Or snowboarder Anna Turney: “In 2006 my life was turned upside down. I was 26 and aspiring to become a professional, but while competing in a competition in Japan I crash landed. The next day the doctor told me I’d broken my back and had a 98% chance that I would never walk again. I met Matt during my three months of rehab in Stoke Mandeville.”

A year later she tried Paralympic skiing: “I went from feeling as if my life was over to setting new goals to work towards... the charity agreed to fund two British team training camps to Austria and then I won six World Cup medals in the build-up to Sochi. I have had bleak days but feel incredibly fortunate. Thank you Hambo, your team and fund-raisers for making dreams come true!”

These are just two examples of the many young men and women whose life opportunities have been enhanced by the charity’s work.

But they now want to do more and are embarking on what is both their greatest challenge and greatest leap forward to date – the building of a £1m Foundation Centre which will enable them not only to help more people but also to bring beneficiaries and their families together for mutual support and encouragement.

Matt told me: “It’ll mean we can help anyone that approaches us and show them they can live a very good and fulfilling life” he said. “It will fill the gap between leaving hospital and finding a new purpose and role.”

Tommy added: “This will be a new focal point for the charity. Bringing people together who are in the same boat is just the best thing – for the beneficiaries and also for their friends and families.

“Whether it’s mother to mother, friend to friend knowing that there other people going through a similar experience and learning from each other and inspiring one another can only help. Plus there’ll be lots of amazing rehab equipment including a set of ReWalk robotic legs the foundation recently acquired through a donation from the Bernard Sunley Foundation.

“This sort of equipment is so expensive so to give people the opportunity to try the latest equipment and benefit from it will have a huge impact on people’s recovery.”

Matt added: “It’ll be a beautiful setting. Comfortable, welcoming and a place where you can have fun.”

Just a couple of hundred yards from their office the long private driveway to the centre from the main road is already in place, but there is much still to be done. Matt said: “We need as much support as possible. Funds, equipment, people to get on board.

“We’re a small charity and want to make sure we spend our money on our beneficiaries so any contributions of manpower and materials are welcome” and Tommy added: “In fact we had an offer recently from the BGL Group, a big supporter of the foundation, who want to arrange for some of their senior management to come and

Above

The planned £1 million Foundation Centre will enable the organisation to help more people, as well as hel ping to bring people in the same boat together for help, advice and friendship... and fun

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10/05/2016 16:17

Feature /// Matt Hampson

PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

‘Our beneficiaries themselves are now Matt’s role models. He gets just as much from seeing their achievements as they get from him’ give us a day of labour, whether it be site clearing, painting and decorating or helping plant the garden.”

We can all help – and in a variety of ways. For instance, any organisation would benefit from Matt’s outstanding motivational speaking, for which he asks only a donation.

Here are some comments from previous audiences: ‘A very inspirational guy’, ‘After hearing him speak, it’s hard to walk away without wanting to try harder, to do better’, ‘The ultimate motivational speaker’, ‘He personifies drive, determination, discipline and dignity’.

Or, of course, chip in as an individual – no matter how modest. Tommy told me that to walk in on a Monday morning and get a cheque for £8.50 from a 10-year old kid who’s run a cake stall at school gives everyone in the office a great lift. You’ll find a host of ideas at the ‘donate’ section of the website (www.matthampsonfoundation.org). So let’s all ‘get busy giving’ for the Matt Hampson Foundation.

Matt hopes that this will be the start of something even bigger. “The dream is to have centres all around the country and even abroad,” he told me.

As I left their office I reflected on just how valuable the

mutual support the centre is going to offer will be, remembering – when I asked later who Matt’s own role model was – the answer Tommy gave. It was: “I know he would say that our beneficiaries themselves are now his role models and the guys he draws inspiration from. He gets just as much from seeing their achievements as they get from him’”

Above

Matt pictured at one of the fund-raising events he attends at Leicester Tigers to raise funds and awareness for his foundation

Matt and Tommy would like to put on record their thanks to all who have contributed so far including construction company Willmott Dixon, professional services firm MDA Consulting, architects Corporate Architecture, engineering consultants Couch Perry Wilkes, Salus and BSP Consulting, PR and marketing agency Cartwright Communications, digital distributor of household financial products BGL Group, earthmoving, ground engineering and restoration contractor, Barton Plant, and supplier, Peter Bennie, both part of The Bennie Group, and supplier GRS Roadstone Limited and AR Demolition.

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Classes at USSC Not just for Members!

From £3.50 per class USSC has a variety of classes available to ALL including; • Combat MX • Kettlercise • Keiser Spin • Legs, Bums and Tums

• Pilates • Yoga • HiiT • and many more…

With 3 day booking rights, call to book your place today.

Visit www.sportscente.uppingham.co.uk to view our full class timetable.

For more information contact our friendly team on: 01572 820830 ussc@uppingham.co.uk www.sportscentre.uppingham.co.uk

Great bikes at great prices Huge range of clothing, components and accessories Family business - Established 40 years 212/216 Clarendon Park Road, Leicester, Leicestershire LE2 3AG Monday - Saturday 9am to 5.30pm ● Sundays & Bank Holidays 11am - 4pm 0116 270 9094 ● www.juliescycles.co.uk

ACTIVE TREATMENT

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Feature /// Gear

KITBAG ESSENTIAL GEAR FOR ADVENTURES ON TWO WHEELS

1.

1. Whyte Caledonian

Built for multi-purpose adventure, sporting the best qualities of both a mountain bike and a road bike, the Caledonian has front suspension, disc brakes and trail-ready components with a lightweight aluminium frame.

Price £875 From www.juliescycles.co.uk

2. SIDI shoes

Cycling shoes from SIDI are regarded as some of the best available. Starting from £130 for the Level shoe and going on to the top of the range Shot shoe used by multiple Tour De France winner Chris Froome at £350.

Price from £130 From Cafe Ventoux

3. Specialized 686 X Tech Insulator 2017 jacket

Specialized’s collaboration with 686 has produced a jacket that will provide dependable insulation to keep you warm this winter, wherever you go.

Price £150 From www.rutlandcycling.com

2.

3.

4. Bliz eyewear

Cycling eyewear has always been cool, but with Nordic brand Bliz, the choice has got whole lot more interesting. Bliz produce a huge range including ‘smallface specific’ designed for those with smaller faces. Starting from just £25 for the Motion glasses through to the Velo XT at a mid-point price of £60 and on to top of the range eyewear in Cafe Ventoux limited edition colours, there is a pair for every pocket.

Price from £25 From Cafe Ventoux

4.

5. Air Elite 7 carbon wheels

For the serious road cyclist ,these carbon wheels from Boardman are available for both disk and non-disk bikes, and start at £899.99 for the SLR 9 wheels, rising to £999.99 for the Air Elite 7.

Price £999.99 From Cafe Ventoux

6. Garmin EDGE 1000 EXPLORE

5.

6.

This easy-to-use GPS computer features cycling-specific maps and points of interest. You can also input a distance, elevation guidelines and starting direction and choose from up to three round-trip ride options, while incident detection offers automatic or manual alerts to your emergency contacts should you find yourself in difficulty during a ride.

Price £450 From www.juliescycles.co.uk

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First 4 Adventure UK

Dingley, Market Harborough LE16 8PJ www.dingleyraces.com

Adventure for all

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD

ADVENTURES FOR ADULTS AND FAMILIES

• Open Silver and Gold Expeditions

• Open events in mountain biking, Navigation Award courses (NNAS), walking & wild camping in some of the most beautiful National Parks in the UK

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• Bespoke adventures which can include: mountain biking, climbing, wild camping, bushcraft & survival, trekking, kayaking & trail running

Enjoy a great day out with family and friends

∙ Licensed betting ∙ Children’s funfair ∙ Bar and refreshments 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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Easter Saturday, 15th April 2017 Sunday 7th May 2017 Saturday 27th May 2017

Gates open at 11.30am, racing commences at 2pm

Admission: £10 per person/Under 16’s free Race cards available for £3

Follow us on

17/02/2017 17:09

Guest column

Age is no barrier to success Some sports stars seem to get better with age, says Martin Johnson... roll on the centenarian Olympic gold medallist here was a time when the person in charge of sending ‘happy 100th birthday ‘messages from the Queen had almost as cushy a number as Willie Thorne’s hair stylist. A buff and polish once or twice a year, maybe, and the rest of the time on the golf course, or down the pub. Not any more though.

Raising your metaphorical bat to acknowledge a century is now so commonplace that Dame Vera Lynn will celebrate her own threefigure landmark this month by releasing a new album. News that the Forces Sweetheart still has enough oomph to go straight from blowing out a hundred candles on her birthday cake to the recording studio came at the same time as Roger Federer was winning the Australian Open at the age of 35, and the Williams sisters were contesting the women’s final with a combined age of nearly 72.

It’s only right that Australia should be the venue to remind us that hundreds of years from now, the people winning major sporting events will all have varicose veins and hair sprouting out of their ears – Australia being the first country to make it illegal to grow old enough to die. There are severe fines for anyone under the age of 21 crossing the road without the assistance of a lollipop lady, and at an Ashes match in Brisbane not so long ago, a spectator was evicted for sneezing. On the grounds (and you can’t make this up) that he might be infecting his neighbours with a contagious disease.

Years ago, they had a different take on what age a sportsman was considered to be old. When Muhammad Ali beat George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle, the BBC’s Harry Carpenter gasped “oh my God, he’s won the title back at the age of 32!” As if there’d been nothing like it since Methuselah won the Old Testament version of the title. However, Foreman himself was at it until the age of 48, retaining enough brain cells to eventually work out that there was more money to be made putting his name to fat reducing grills; while another American, Bernard Hopkins, was 49 when he won a world light heavyweight title in 2014.

Top class sportsmen everywhere are getting older and still winning things. Okay, you expect as much in sports like darts – Phil Taylor is a mere lad at 52 – and even more so in snooker, where competitors are required to do nothing more strenuous than sip a glass of water and apply some chalk to their cue. Steve Davis has only just retired at the age of 59, and Fred Davis was 64 when he lost a world championship semi-final in 1978. Eight years later he was still playing at the Crucible, finally bowing out at the age of 70.

T

However, even when it comes to the kind of sports which involve running around a bit the participants are lasting longer. Given the frenetic pace of the Premier League you might have to wait a while yet until anyone surpasses Stanley Matthews’ record of playing in the top division at the age of 50, but don’t be surprised if Wayne Rooney doesn’t run him close – he’s just beaten Bobby Charlton’s goal-scoring record for Manchester United.

Horse racing has seen some veteran combatants down the years, the most famous, of course, being the housewives’ choice himself, Lester Piggott. He was 60 when he retired in 1995, but was still wet behind the ears compared to a jockey by the name of Harry Beasley.

Harry was 39 when he won the Grand National on Come Away in 1935, at which point he might have been forgiven for calling it a day at the pinnacle of his career. However, he decided to go on a bit longer – 44 years longer to be precise – and took his saddle to the weighing room for the last time aged 83.

In cricket, Jack Hobbs holds the record for the highest number of first class centuries (199), the most remarkable aspect of which is that more than half came after his 40th birthday. WG Grace went on until he was 60, although neither Hobbs nor Grace ever played Twenty20 or did anything more strenuous in the field than stand in the slips.

Golfers are getting more competitive as they get older, and although Julius Boros remains the oldest winner of a major (the USPGA) at the age of 48, beating Jack Nicklaus (US Masters) by a couple of years, Greg Norman came close to winning the Open at Birkdale in 2008 at the age of 53, and the following year at Turnberry, Tom Watson was 59 when he lost in a play off.

In motor racing, the oldest world champion is Juan Manuel Fangio, aged 46 when he won in 1957, quite a feat in an era when drivers had nothing more than a leather cap and a pair of goggles for protection. The life expectancy of drivers nowadays, plus the fact that the F1 cars increasingly drive themselves, means that even Dame Vera could make it on to the podium. Especially if she was in a Mercedes.

There is, it seems, no age limit to sporting success any more, in which case we can expect someone in the not too distant future to open the traditional birthday telegram from Her Majesty and find a handwritten PS... “Congratulations on your 100th. And by the way, well done on your gold medal in the Olympic long jump.”  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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17/02/2017 12:07

Feature /// Competition

WIN! THE CHANCE TO SET UP YOUR OWN CYCLING TEAM

Active has teamed up with Giant Store Rutland to offer an incredible competition with prizes worth hundreds of pounds.

Thanks to Giant Store Rutland you can win entry into the Rutland Cycle Tour sportive on Saturday, April 22. There are five places up for grabs, and you’ll cycle as a team with each member supplied with demo bikes and a race jersey for the middle distance of 78 miles.

You’ll even get a qualified race leader to guide and set your strategy, too.

How to enter We want to know why you think you deserve one of the places. Whether it’s for yourself, or if you’re already a team of five, it doesn’t matter. We’ll pick the five we think warrant a place.

Email sportive@theactivemag.com with your name and in up to 200 words tell us why you think you deserve a place.

The closing date for entries is March 20.

Please note that the competition is aimed at entry-level riders and entrants must be aged over 18. Our standard competition terms and conditions apply and are available at www.theactivemag.com.

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Feature /// Get active

UNDER YOUR OWN STEAM Getting fit doesn’t have to involve hours in the gym or spending thousands on kit. Simply put on a pair of trainers or walking shoes, or get on your bike, and discover some great local destinations

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Walker’s ways Launde Abbey Steve Moody takes a stroll to a hidden gem

Nicola Blower, MSK podiatrist at walkrite.co.uk, says: “It is a widely held belief that walking is good for you and as bipeds we have evolved to walk (and run) so walking allows us to use our bodies as they have been designed. It is also free and open to all abilities and age groups.

“The specific health benefits of walking were supported in a systematic review and metaanalysis (summary of large numbers of research papers) in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in June 2015. The researchers concluded that walking (via walking groups) is effective, safe and with good adherence and wide-ranging health benefits including a reduction of blood pressure, reduction of body fat, lowered body mass index and cholesterol, increased measures of cardiovascular fitness and in improvement in symptoms of depression.”

WALKING IS GREAT, BUT IT’S BETTER IF YOU’RE NOT LOST

Being able to navigate confidently opens up a world of enjoyment in the outdoors. As accredited providers, First4Adventure is offering a bronze award two day course on 14-15 March in Rutland following the National Navigation Award Scheme. Completion is validated to a national standard and you will receive a badge and certificate.

This course is for those who are over the age of 16, new to navigation, want to improve some existing skills and be confident to walk in the countryside with friends and family.

Course organiser Emma Martin says: “We are passionate about wanting everyone to gain a love of the outdoors and develop their confidence. We don’t assume any prior knowledge and hope the day will be full of questions, where we will allow plenty of time to practise skills in a friendly and fun atmosphere.

Each group (no bigger than six) will have their own instructor.”

The cost of the course is £120 which includes

2 days training and assessment and the NNAS Bronze certificate upon completion of the course.

If you would like to join them please email Emma on info@first4adventure.co.uk or go to www.first4adventure.co.uk/navigationalcourses/

A FESTIVAL OF WALKING, RUNNING AND CYCLING

Corby Walking Festival is in its ninth annual year, has a new look and is being re-named as Corby Outdoors Festival.

Taking place from May 29 – June 4, it will include a wider range of outdoor activities such as cycling and running. It is hoped this encourages more people to be involved with the festival and experience the health and social benefits that walking and general outdoor activity offers.

As in previous years, the walk programme will still form an important part of the weeklong event and will celebrate the wealth of walking opportunities in and around the area.

The walking programme continues to offer a diverse range of walking activities, which will include local history and evening walks. There is also a chance for people to take in the amazing scenery at Fineshade Woods, Top Lodge this year. After your forager’s expedition, sample some food and beverages at the Top Lodge Café and take in the sights of the red kites wheeling overhead. For more information visit their website at www.forestry.gov.uk/toplodge.

The festival continues its special connection with Lakelands Day Care Hospice as the event’s beneficiary charity. They will be running their ever popular Wags and Wellies walk, to help fundraise for their continued work in palliative care and life limiting services. Walkers of the two and four legged variety are required.

Visit www.corbywalkingfestival.org.uk for more information.

Launde Abbey, East Norton, LE7 9XB, 01572 717254 www.laundeabbey.org.uk

MATT MUSGRAVE

GET FIT BY WALKING

Launde Abbey is one of those places that just captures the imagination. It’s a little off the beaten track in the midst of rural rolling countryside, between Leicestershire and Rutland, but once you’ve found it, you’ll be back again and again.

The abbey itself is used as a residential retreat house and conference centre; it has a gorgeous medieval chapel that is in daily use and a great restaurant serving delicious homemade food.

There are also lovely gardens, including a working kitchen garden where much of the abbey’s food is grown, and plenty of spaces for watching the world go by. For those who want somewhere different to visit there are some great walks and plenty of challenging cycle routes nearby, with hills and views to rival many other spots in the area.

One of the best things though, once you come over the brow of the hill and see the Elizabethan main house nestling in the natural bowl at the bottom, is the very warm welcome on offer.

Walkers and cyclists come from miles around, enjoying a well-earned rest, before continuing on their way. So, if you’re in the vicinity, or just enjoy the thrill of finding somewhere new, drop in for homemade cakes or lunch, and you’ll be very glad you did – I certainly was.

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Feature /// Get active

PUTTING YOUR BEST FEET FORWARD It’s a staggering fact that the average person living to the age of 80 will walk around 110,000 miles in their lifetime.

And when you take into account walking to and from school and playing with friends, children can walk up to 10 miles day.

But, despite all of this mileage, how many of us think seriously about the footwear we are using?

Rosemary Gray, a member of the team at North Shoes in Red Lion Square, Stamford, who is about to embark on a two-year stint as president of the Society of Shoe Fitters (SSF), has seen first-hand the problems that having the wrong footwear can cause people.

Rosemary, who has been fitting footwear for over 40 years, says: “You wouldn’t drive your car for 110,000 miles without having it serviced – and you shouldn’t put your feet through the rigours we put them through without having your footwear checked and fitted correctly... but, a lot of people do.

“People don’t realise that wearing the wrong footwear can damage their health, physically and mentally.

“Ill-fitting shoes can cause a lot of damage, especially if you are diabetic. If you don’t wear the correct footwear for the correct ‘job’ you can damage the tendons in your feet – and, if you suffer from arthritis, the wrong footwear can inflame arthritic joints.

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“Wrong or badly-fitting shoes can lead to bad knees and bad backs later in life. The right footwear is also good for your mental well-being – if your feet feel good you feel happier in yourself. If your feet are comfortable, you feel comfortable, especially if you are an active person.”

Rosemary, who lectures in shoe fitting for the SSF, has some tips to help us all get on the right road with our footwear: Start them off on the right foot “It’s important to give our children a good start in life with their feet because they get used to having the right things. If children are not taught what is comfortable from an early age they will not keep their feet healthy as they get older and they will do damage to their feet later in life.”

Get the right footwear for the right ‘job’ You need a shoe that is well cushioned and supported to protect your joints while exercising, whether it is walking or running. It’s important to get the right advice at the fitting stage – always make sure you go to a shop able to give advice on all aspects of the footwear you need. Explain what you require the shoes for and a good shoe shop will guide you in the right direction.”

Wear the right socks or hosiery “When you’re choosing your footwear for a specific job, make sure you’re wearing the right

socks or hosiery. For example, if you’re choosing shoes for walking, don’t try them on wearing tights; wear the socks you will be wearing when walking.”

Go to an expert “The way a shoe has worn can indicate foot health problems. We have a saying – ‘A quick look at a pair of shoes can tell you a story’. Often people think they have the right size but after a few months of wearing start getting problems with blisters, or corns, or general foot pain and don’t put that down to having the wrong size. A good shoe fitter should be able to see by the way people walk if they have bad hips or knees or if they are leaning to one side.”

Rosemary Gray helps ensure a young customer gets the right footwear

HOW TO SPOIL A GOOD WALK! Golf has proven health benefits and is a great way to get in a walk while – hopefully – entertaining yourself at the same time.

Researchers reviewed 5,000 studies into golf and found it had physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages, and that the physical gains increased with age.

Balance and muscle endurance in older people were improved by playing the sport and it was also likely to improve cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic health.

The study found golfers typically burnt a minimum of 500 calories over 18 holes and those walking the course could cover four to eight miles.

Dr Andrew Murray, from the physical activity for health research centre at Edinburgh University, said: “We know that the moderate physical activity that golf provides increases life expectancy, has mental health benefits and can help prevent and treat more than 40 major chronic diseases such as heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, breast and colon cancer. Given that the sport can be played by the very young to the very old, this demonstrates a wide variety of health benefits for people of all ages.”

There are lots of fabulous courses in the area including Burghley Park, Stapleford Park, Luffenham Heath and The Leicestershire, but one of the prettiest is Peterborough Milton Golf Club, designed by the famous James Braid and opened in 1938. It’s is a fine, challenging parkland course on the Fitzwilliam Estate, and being situated at the centre of a popular rambling area, the relaxing and enjoyable clubhouse is the perfect rural location and destination to enjoy refreshments, relax and chat over the walk with friends.

Special refreshment packages are available for walking groups.

Ample free car parking is also available. For more information visit the website at www.pmgc.org.uk or contact the secretary’s office 01733 380489.

FROM BIPED TO PEDALLER Many people find walking a bit too slow, and that the scenery just doesn’t change quickly enough for their liking. Which is one of the reasons why that other human-powered activity, cycling, has really taken off.

The issue can be where to go though. Just huffing and puffing along roads as lorries thunder by isn’t much fun, so best to do some research. Local shops such as Julie’s Cycles in Leicester can offer advice not only on what to ride and wear, but where to go to. Here are their three top tips: 1. The Sustrans National Cycle Network is ideal for cycling. Routes are on traffic free and quite country lanes ideal for cycling and seeing areas that you would miss normally.

2. Locally, places such as Charnwood Forest, part of the new National Forest, Brampton Valley Way and Rockingham Forest are excellent traffic-free locations.

3. Lots of great Apps are available for mobile phones such as Sustrans National Cycle Network and Bike Hub.

/// M A RC H 2017 41

Feature /// Get active

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MORE ADVENTUROUS? 25-mile loop: Fineshade – Brooke – Harringworth – Fineshade March is the perfect month to kick start your training and explore our local lanes by bike, spotting baby lambs and daffodils as you go.

The 25-mile loop starts and finishes at Fineshade Wood, where there’s a café and a Rutland Cycling shop, in case you need to top up on inner tubes or energy gels. The route takes in a few good climbs, so you’ll be ready for a well-earned cuppa and cake when you finish.

THE ROUTE 1. Park at Top Lodge, Fineshade (NN17 3BB).

Pedal back towards the main A43 road and cross over it, heading towards the village of Wakerley.

You’ll pass Wakerley Woods on your left.

2. Turn left at the T-junction, then right and over the bridge, heading towards Barrowden. Look out for baby lambs in the fields along this section.

3. At the junction entering Barrowden, ignore the first minor right turn and take the right hand fork, heading up the hill towards South Luffenham.

4. At the end of Barrowden village, turn right up Luffenham Road.

5. At the top of the hill, cross over the A47 and onto Barrowden Lane, dropping down into South Luffenham.

6. Cross over the main A6121 road and stay on Back Lane, skirting the village of South Luffenham.

7. Turn right onto North Luffenham Road, then shortly after you leave South Luffenham village, take a left turn to Pilton.

8. At the crossroads, go straight on, heading towards Pilton.

9. Keep straight on, through Pilton. Go round a sharp left bend, then turn right at the T-junction.

4 2 M A RC H 2017 ///

(17-mile route – As you enter Wing village, take a left turn, following the sign to Wing Maze. Pass the Maze on your right, heading towards Glaston. Keep straight on, enjoying the descent before the pull up to Glaston. Rejoin the route notes at number 14.)

10. Go through and out of Wing village, dropping down the hill and crossing the River Chater again. Then it’s up the hill towards Manton village. Cross over the road at the top of the hill, then go past the Horse and Jockey pub on your right (a good place for a quick pit stop, if you need one) and through a gate to get down on the main A6003.

11. Turn right onto the A6003 for ½ a mile, then take the first left turn, towards Gunthorpe and Brooke. Stay on this road, crossing the River Gwash, then turn left at the crossroads just outside the village of Brooke. Stay on this road, enjoying the descent down to cross the River BROOKE

Chater once again, before the short, steep climb up the other side. Follow the road as it bends round to the left, ignoring a right turn to Ridlington.

12. Keep straight on, until you reach the A6003 again. Turn left and immediately right, heading towards Glaston. At a small crossroads, go straight over, still heading for Glaston.

13. As you enter Glaston, turn right at the Tjunction. (17-mile route rejoins here.)

14. Go straight on, crossing the A47.

15. Keep going straight on over the crossroads, passing Seaton village on your right. At Seaton scrapyard, turn left, then stay straight on, ignoring the left fork. Pass under the magnificent Seaton viaduct and continue on through the village of Harringworth. Turn left at the T junction and head towards Wakerley.

16. Pedal through Wakerley village and take the right fork as you leave the village, to rejoin the road to Fineshade.

17. Cross the main A43 and ride back up to Fineshade car park, or stop in at the café for a well-earned cuppa!

RIDLINGTON

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ACTIVE BODY SWIMMING AND SHOULDERS, EAT HEALTHILY RATHER THAN DIETING, AND SOME FASHION ADVICE FOR THE CHAPS

4 4 M A R C H 2 0 17 ///

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Fuel consumption and CO2 figures based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. *Vehicle is for land use only. 3 year warranty consists of a 36 months’ unlimited mileage warranty (incl. 24 months’ Pan European warranty) which guarantees your vehicle against defective manufacturing faults for 36 months from first registration. This excludes wear-and-tear items. Retail sales only. T&C’s apply. Warranty subject to exclusions. See Fiat.co.uk for full details.

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17/02/2017 14:15

ACTIVE BODY

SWIMMING AND SHOULDERS Swimming is not only a great way to relax and recover, but there are some exercises you need to do to ensure you don’t cause shoulder injuries. By Function Jigsaw’s Tom Heeley THERE ARE SOME very common injuries associated with regular swimmers and I want to take a look at them and suggest ways to ease those problems.

Most injuries occur in the shoulder (90%), followed by the lower back and then the knee. Of the shoulder injuries, rotator cuff issues are the most common.

Rotator cuff problems usually occur because of reduced flexibility, lack of strength and poor muscle firing patterns.

Muscles such as the pectoralis minor and trapezius often end up being short and overactive, whereas muscles such as the serratus anterior and rhomboids are redundant. When this happens, there is often a knock-on effect to swim length, strength and, ultimately, pain.

Here we are going to explain some simple ways to lengthen the pectoralis minor and the trapezius muscles as well as strengthen the serratus anterior and rhomboids. This will compliment your swimming, improve performance and help reduce the risk of injuries.

ATTEMPTING EXERCISES If you are already in pain from an injury, please ensure that you seek medical

attention for a full diagnosis before attempting these exercises.

Firstly, we need to stretch those muscles which are short and overactive.

The trapezius can be easily selfmassaged using an Olympic bar and a squat rack.

Stand with the bar running from front to back, and resting on your trapezius muscle, push up into the bar and create tension on the muscle whilst moving left and right underneath the bar.

If don’t have access to an Olympic bar or squat rack, there is an exercise you can do just sitting in a chair. Sit on your hand with palm down and fingers facing in, sit up tall and take your ear to the opposite shoulder, then begin to look up and down, slowly moving your head as you do so.

Complete both sides with a gentle fluid movement for 30 seconds.

Here is how to strengthen the shoulder with three simple scapular stabilising exercises to help build shoulder stability and strengthen the serratus anterior and rhomboid muscles: Firstly, get yourself into a press-up position and instead of bending elbows and lowering them to the floor, push

through your shoulder blades and take your shoulder blades around rib cage, then sink into the movement and retract the shoulder blades back again.

Secondly, in a three-point row position place a weight in your hand and repeat the process, letting the shoulder blade come around the rib cage and then retract and return the shoulder blade near the midline of the back. Increase the weight as needed but maintain good technique throughout.

Three, place a light Active Kit band around the wrists, then stand against the wall and create a plank position. Take one arm off the wall and ‘crawl’ up the wall.

Reaching the shoulders end range then returning back to the starting plank position.

If you can create the time to repeat these exercises up to three times a week, it would be ideal.

For a video of how to do these exercises, visit: functionjigsaw.co.uk/blog/reduceshoulder-injuries-for-swimming/

@FunctionJigsaw info@functionjigsaw.co.uk www.functionjigsaw.co.uk

/// M A R C H 2 0 17 4 7

ACTIVE BODY

HEALTHY EATING, NOT DIETING, IS THE GOAL Survey shows high number of women unsatisfied with dieting and body image A recent survey of more than 2,000 women shows that almost half (41%) have tried at least one new diet plan in the past year but, despite their best efforts, two-thirds (64%) are still unhappy with the size and shape of their body.

More than one in three women (37%) tried between one and three diets during 2016, but others (4%) admitted to attempting up to five or more diets in the same time frame.

Of those asked, around half (48%) want to shed at least a stone, while over a third (35%) aim to lose 20lb or more.

Interestingly, nearly three-quarters (70%) don’t like the word ‘diet’, preferring ‘healthy eating’ instead.

When asked what they would ideally

4 8 M A R C H 2 0 17 ///

want from a healthy eating programme, as well as weight loss, nearly half of those surveyed said that boosting energy levels were at the top of their list (49%). They also want to enjoy a more youthful appearance (19.12%), a happier mood (14%), and an improved skin tone (14%). In other words, they want to switch on their body power – look and feel their best and not just see shrinking numbers on the scale.

Embarking on any new diet plan needs to be easy to follow and fun to maintain, but it’s much easier said than done. The survey clarified why women fail on diets. Primary reasons are boredom (15%), tiredness (13%) and, most of all, the lack of the plan’s ability to fit in with the realities of day to day living (18%). Other issues revealed by the survey

are hunger (12%), feeling deprived of food (10%) and finding the diet too complicated (4%). What’s more, nearly a quarter of women (23%) said a combination of all these factors stopped them sticking to diets.

The Healthista Women and Weight Loss Survey demonstrates that the key to long term health and fitness success is to understand the deeply-held truths behind what women really feel about their body, ensuring that they choose a plan which can genuinely reap rewards and, most importantly, last.

Anna Magee, founder of Healthista.com, the health, well-being and beauty site, said: “I was a serial dieter in my 20s and 30s.

Nothing was letting me reach my real goal – to love my body by making it the best and healthiest it could be by following a plan which was easy, fun and positive.

“When I realised that my body image issues weren’t just about weight loss but a combination of the feel good factors which could tick all my boxes, I discovered a way of eating and exercising that helped me drop the pounds without being bored, tired or under unrealistic time constraints. I regained my body’s mojo, enjoying more energy and vitality than I’d felt for ages. It’s clear from the survey that this is what most women are looking for.”

The results of the research have inspired a new Healthista Lean Energy Programme including four elements: the Healthista Fit HiT app from personal trainer Kelly Du Buisson, a 30-day Smoothie and Exercise Challenge, FREE Lean Energy E-Book and the Healthista Lean Energy product range (lean whey diet protein powder, lean Vegan diet protein powder & three new nutrient powder booster formulas, all formulated by leading nutritionist Rick Hay), all designed to deliver weight loss, sustained vitality and positive body image.

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17/02/2017 14:13

ACTIVE BODY

THE FINISHING TOUCHES You’ve done all the hard work in the gym, playing sports and getting fit, so now is the time to reap the benefits and add the finishing touches…

Edited by Mary Bremner

FOR MEN’S EYES ONLY The fashion weeks are over – did you even know they took place? Not to worry as we’ve done some research to find out what the discerning gent should be wearing this season.

And the news is good. Dust off your wax jacket as they are back in style – not that they ever really went out. The Barbour jacket is a classic and British made. Expensive unless you get lots of wear out of it, but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives. Rugged and hard wearing, it attracts all sorts and sometimes it’s amusing to speculate just who he is – the true countryman or the ‘wannabe’ who would like you to think that he has thousands of acres and lives the lifestyle; or, best of all, the man who couldn’t care less – ‘it’s a coat, so what?’

5 0 M A R C H 2 0 17 ///

It doesn’t really matter, the classic wax jacket is versatile, practical, hard wearing and a jacket of all trades. It’s the go-to jacket for many as it suits most lifestyles.

Perfect for going to the pub or walking the dog, but smart enough to wear to work as well. Worn by young and old, city or country, it’s fit for purpose and will last for years. Just don’t wear it with white trainers – that’s not a good look.

According to the catwalk, wearable, elegant clothing is in for men this year, clothes that you will be comfortable in.

Cashmere or wool roll neck jumpers (very Steve McQueen), soft suede jackets, white shirts, camel coats, the ubiquitous wax jacket and a splash of colour. Simple, elegant and masculine – hurrah!

And finally...

The latest fashions to show off

MAN’S WET SHAVE Shaving every day is a bit of a chore so it’s lucky that stubble and beards are fashionable, giving men the option of a trim weekly.

“Wet shaves using a traditional cut throat razor are very popular. Some clients come in twice a week, others come weekly and many more come for special occasions. It’s a bit of a luxury treatment that many men enjoy, and benefit from,” our expert Louise told us.

A traditional wet shave offers many advantages. You get a much closer shave than you would with an electric razor, so there is no shadowing and, because the shave is so even, stubble regrowth is smooth and even as well. And it’s not just a shave you get, it’s more of a mini facial.

The Grooming Room in Market Harborough goes one step further and offers a full Dermalogica facial along with the wet shave if you wish.

When a client arrives a hot towel is placed over his face. This is to encourage pores to open, making for a cleaner shave.

Traditional badger brushes are used to lather the face before the open razor is wielded – an iconic sight.

“Around the moustache area can be sensitive, particularly for those who don’t have it done very often,” said Louise. After the shave, a cold towel is placed across the face. This closes pores which prevents in-growing hair and spots that could be referred to as stubble rash.

A quick tidy up of the eyebrows and ears is done and then some Taylor of Bond Street conditioning balm is massaged into the skin to stop any tenderness. When applying conditioners and lotions the face is massaged each time. It is a very relaxing process and, as it’s easy to miss parts of the face when shaving normally, this guarantees a good close shave.

It’s definitely a good idea to have a wet shave before a special occasion. And once you’ve had one apparently, it’s easy to get hooked. And where better to go than The Grooming Room, which celebrated 10 years in business in February?

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The shave from start to finish took about 30 minutes. Cost £16.50 standard or wet shave and facial £46. The Grooming Room, 61 High Street, Market Harborough. 01858 419666

HAND AND ARM MASSAGE Massages, particularly back massages, are very popular but a hand and arm massage is not quite as common, but they should be.

Our hands are the part of our body that gets the most abuse so it’s no wonder they often show the first signs of ageing. And what about the muscles that are being used repetitively for things like typing?

Therefore a hand massage is the perfect antidote. To have someone massage your hands and arms is incredibly luxurious, relaxing and calming. It helps stimulate circulation and blood flow and eases stiff joints. Hands being touched gives a sense of well-being and relaxation. The creams

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that were used for our massage were from Prismologie. The citrine and bergamot body lotion smelt fabulous and was easily absorbed into the skin.

Afterwards our hands looked so much better. Combine this with a manicure for the ultimate hand pampering treatment.

A hand and arm massage feels quite different to a back one. Having someone tend to your hands and arms is a treat, and this, combined with the fabulous aromas from the creams, is the ultimate in relaxation. Oh to have it done every day.

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/// M A R C H 2 0 17 5 1

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ACTIVE LOCAL

TIGERS IMAGES

GEORGE FORD SET FOR A RETURN TO THE TIGERS, WALKING AROUND GLOOSTON, AND WE TRY OUT WISTOW CAFE BISTRO

/// M A R C H 2 0 17 5 3

53 SL LOCAL OPENER.indd 55

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Feature /// Sportsman's Dinner

Wistow Café Bistro, Wistow Kate and Tim enjoy a delicious lunch at this thriving bistro Kate I’ve driven past here loads of times on the way to visit my brother and never stopped. And look what we’ve been missing! The café is buzzing with activity with people of all ages, which is always good to see, and the array of choice on the blackboards is dazzling. We’re too late for the Wistow breakfast which is a shame, and also their famous banana bread with mascarpone cream cheese and fruit compote.

That sounds a winner to me, especially if you’ve come here after a morning walk with your dog.

Tim I saw quite a few people walking in the parkland on the way here. It’s beautiful. And this is a perfect spot to meet up with friends, have a spot of lunch and do some shopping in the garden centre, art gallery and shops. There’s even a Mediterranean deli next door if you want to stock up on nibbles you can’t usually buy elsewhere. Jane, the café owner, has also just introduced a new bar area at the front which is perfect for looking across Wistow Common and people watching.

Kate Jane is a human dynamo: the café is open seven days a week and serves all locally sourced, home cooked food. She also holds a monthly

bistro evening with two courses for £19.95, and barbecue and paella nights in the summer.

Customers can bring their own alcohol. She also caters for lots of outside events, offers bespoke cakes and is just about to open a street food bar area so people can pick up a fresh salad, a choice of fish, chicken, ham or quiche with focaccia or ciabatta and a Movenpick ice cream instead of ordering a meal at the counter.

Tim Jane loves interacting with her customers and it looks like she has plenty of regulars too.

It’s a quirky place with different seating areas: the restaurant inside is very jolly and there’s a great covered patio area with heaters and coloured cushions everywhere, and even more seating areas outside where you can bring your dogs. What’s not to like?

Kate Well, I like my meal. I’ve gone for the stilton and leek tartlet with new potatoes and watercress salad (£8.10). It has a beautifully light consistency and is full of flavour without the stilton being overpowering. I can’t possibly manage all the potatoes but the watercress is packing a flavoursome punch too. How’s your steak and ale pie? (£8.50).

Tim Extremely tasty. There’s plenty of pastry and loads of meat which is always going to go down well, and there’s a whole jug of gravy to go with it. I didn’t think I’d manage all the mashed potato but somehow it seems to have disappeared. You certainly can’t say you don’t get big enough portions. And after all that, I’m still going to have a slice of cake. The café is renowned for its cakes and now I can see why. I can never resist carrot cake and the pistachio and butter cream topping is outstanding. Rich but not sickly and the amount of cinnamon in the sponge is just right.

Kate I’ve gone for the scone with strawberry jam and clotted cream. It’s so big it actually looks like two scones and I can’t believe how light it is.

And now I’m well and truly stuffed! Next time we’ll bring the dogs with us and walk off our lunch.

Wistow Café Bistro

Wistow Rural Centre, Kibworth Road, Wistow, Leicester, LE8 0QF. 0116 2593756. www.wistowcafebistro.co.uk

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Feature /// Great walks

TOP STAT

2001 census According to the s of Glooston wa ion lat pu po the le and the op pe 54 re me a the Roman village sits on Gartree Road.

Glooston

This largely unspoilt village is a pleasant base for this adjustable length walk, as Will Hetherington discovers Photography: Will Hetherington

Difficulty rating (out of five)

THE ROUTE

Park right in the middle of the tiny village of Glooston by the village hall and The Old Barn Inn. Take the footpath clearly signposted north out of the village going up the side of an old farmhouse and then through the yard before quickly opening out into the fields to the north.

From here it’s a steady climb over a series of arable fields which even in February were not too wet. But the clay will stick to your boots so it’s a good leg workout. If you miss the left turn at the seventh field boundary after you leave the village

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you will eventually end up in the grand surroundings of Noseley Hall and the Old and New Parks. As attractive as this may sound it’s not part of the route but you could include it as a detour. If you do then you’ll have to double back on yourself to rejoin the path at that seventh field boundary.

Assuming you don’t take the detour and do take the left turn at the right place you join an established track down the side of a hedgerow.

This continues gradually downhill for the best part of a mile and offers some far-reaching views of the Langtons to the south and west. You will eventually come to a large barn on the right and a white crossroads sign for Stonton Wyville, Noseley and Glooston. If you are running short on time you can head straight back to Glooston from here via Andrew’s Lane, but you may as

well keep going if you can to Stonton Wyville.

When you reach this little hamlet there is another clearly marked path heading east back to Glooston which is part of the Leicestershire Round, but again you can carry on. And if you do you can head all the way up to the 147-metre ancient mound on the way to Thorpe Langton which will give you a tremendous view of the whole area.

From here it’s another path and then road back to Glooston. So you can make this walk as short or as long as you like and charming Glooston will be waiting. If the Old Barn Inn is not open then you can always head to Hallaton and the Bewicke Arms/Hare Pie Cafe or the Fox Inn. Clockwise, from above

The route is a mix of track and arable field; you can see Noseley Hall from the northern section; this walk is well sign-posted

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

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Distance and time Three and a half miles/an hour and a quarter.

Highlights Charming little Glooston has an enchanting remoteness. Lovely views towards Noseley Hall to the north and the Langtons to the south.

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Where to park Right in the heart of Glooston by the village hall and The Old Barn Inn.

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➛ ➛ START

Lowlights There are a lot of paths over arable fields so it can be heavy going in wet weather.

Refreshments The Old Barn Inn in Glooston, and the Bewicke Arms/Hare Pie Cafe and the Fox Inn in Hallaton.

Difficulty rating Two paws; it’s pretty straight forward but if it has been wet then it’s a bit tougher underfoot.

The pooch perspective No livestock when I did the walk and a decent stream between Stonton Wyville and Glooston towards the end.

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

©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2015 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 055/15

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Feature /// Local sport

LRS event celebrates the region’s sporting stars Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport’s (LRS) inaugural celebration evening was a huge success, as local sport and physically active champions were heralded at the Leicester Arena in February.

Held in partnership with De Montfort University, 10 awards were presented throughout the course of the evening with groups and individuals hailed for their tireless dedication to making local sport and activities happen.

Hosted by local sport and physical activity advocate Gaynor Nash and BBC Radio Leicester’s Ian Stringer, the celebration saw some of the finest coaches, teachers, individuals and groups recognised for their efforts.

The evening acted as a way to celebrate the significant impact that sport and physical activity has made to improve people’s lives, through the work of LRS and its partners. The breadth of work undertaken by LRS and in partnership with all local authorities, schools, national governing bodies of sport and the voluntary sector, to make sport and physical activity more accessible was showcased.

LRS chair Andy Reed OBE said: “This event celebrates the hard work and achievements of schools, clubs, community organisations and volunteers operating in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland. It gives you a great idea of the range of work Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport and its partners are involved in.”

It wasn’t just about the awards though, with performances adding to the atmosphere. Nether Hall School were the first to take to the stage, wowing the crowd with their Grease Lightnin’ performance. And they were followed by Oaklands School, whose Hairspray themed dance was equally entertaining. And the action didn’t stop there, with a Clubbercise session getting everyone out of their seats and familiar with a glowstick!

The success stories of individuals helped to encapsulate the night, with feats of endurance and dedication to sport and physical activity heard. These included the Peter Walker Memorial Award winner Mick Ballard, who continues his 30 years of service to Barrow Runners in spite of suffering a stroke and seizure in 2016.

With previous GO GOLD Ambassadors Grace Garner (currently of Wiggle High5 Cycling) and Jonny Walton (Team GB athlete at the 2016 Rio Olympics) both on hand for a short Q&A and photo opportunities, both young and old got the chance to meet two of the area’s finest sporting talents.

De Montfort University’s director of strategic partnerships, Sarah Thomson, said: “De Montfort University is delighted to work closely with Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport. Through

LRS roll of honour:  The LRS Primary PE & Sport Premium Award Winner: Millfield L.E.A.D Academy, Leicester Highly Commended: Swallowdale Primary School, Melton  The John Buckingham Award for Developing School Sports Associations Winner: Leicestershire County Netball Association  The Hilary Johnson Award for Service to PE & School Sport Winner: Nigel Williams, Blaby Highly Commended: Dorothy Orr, North West Leicestershire and Stephanie Magee, Leicester City  The Workplace Health Award Winner: Ashmount School, Charnwood  Early Years Physical Activity Award - Most Active Setting Award Winner: Holmsdale Manor Nursery School, North West Leicestershire Highly Commended: Ashmount School EYFS, Charnwood and Daisy Chain Children’s Nursery, Blaby  Early Years Physical Activity Award Highly commended in the Stuart Lindeman Award for contribution to Sport (under 21) Champions Award were Beth Kenney of Hinckley & Bosworth and Harry Mathers from Rutland Winner: Katherine Mackness – Apple Tree Nursery, Harborough Winner: Kayleigh Nichols – Orchard End Nursery, Hinckley  Early Years Physical Activity Award - Parental/Carer Engagement Award Winner: Fairfield Preparatory School, Charnwood Highly Commended: Whetstone Baptist Playgroup, Blaby  The Alan Kind Award for contribution to Sport (Over 21) Winner: Linda Harris, Ibstock United Junior & Youth FC Highly Commended: Razia Noormahomed - Oadby & Wigston Muslim and Association and Alison Wilcock - Leicester Sharks Swimming Club  The Stuart Lindeman Award for contribution to Sport (Under 21) Winner: David Kennedy, North West Leicestershire Highly Commended: Beth Kenney, Hinckley & Bosworth and Harry Mathers, Rutland  The Peter Walker Memorial Award for Unsung Hero Winner: Mick Ballard, Barrow Runners Highly Commended: Ian Crisp, Burbage Cricket Club and Sue Foulkes, Leicester City Ladies FC

#DMUlocal, some of the hardest-to-reach groups are engaged in projects that focus on the three core lenses of education, health and regeneration. By working alongside various organisations, #DMUlocal offers a wide range of exciting projects that meet the needs of communities and have a transformative impact.”

Matthew Crackell, organiser of the inaugural

celebration from LRS, added: “We are all delighted with the inaugural evening and the work of the LRS staff that helped to make it such a success. It’s vital to recognise those whose work in sport and physical activity may often go unnoticed, and we hope that all of the winners, highly commended nominees and guests had a memorable and enjoyable evening.” /// M A R C H 2 0 1 7 5 9

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Feature /// School sport

Edmund on track for Superbike season Market Harborough motorcycle racer Edmund Best will be starting his third year in the MCE British Superbikes series with a new focus on fitness.

The Robert Smyth pupil has teamed up with personal trainer Ben Spiers from Inspired Personal Training.

Spiers, himself a former motorcycle racer, will be bringing his own experience on track to develop a specific programme designed for the unique demands of riding at this level. This will include a focus on aerobic conditioning, core strength and mental preparation.

Also, recovery time from injury will be built into the regime. More than once in his racing career, Edmund has left the track in an ambulance in the morning only to go out and race later the same day.

Nutrition will also be an area where the 15

year old will benefit from Ben’s 20 years of experience including working with Formula 3 motor racing drivers.

The 2017 season will see Edmund once again competing in the British Motostar Championship riding for the Symcirrus Motorsport team. The team will be fielding two riders, both on ex-Moto 3 KTM machines.

After a strong 2016 campaign which culminated in a second place at Silverstone, Edmund will be looking to be a front runner from the outset and a contender for the title.

“This year will be a big year for both me and the team,” enthused Edmund. “To have Ben on board is a huge bonus for us all. I have already noticed a big difference in my fitness plus mentally it gives me a big confidence boost”.

The series is televised live on Eurosport with highlights on ITV 4.

Above

Edmund with Ben Spiers

Catmose sees multi-sport success Catmose College junior boys’ cross-country team travelled to Charnwood Academy for their last race of the season in the Leicestershire and Rutland Cross Country League.

The boys ran brilliantly on a challenging course and came out with silver medals. These results meant the college came thirrd overall in the league, missing out on the trophy by just one point.

Final individual positions were: Marcus Francis - 6th, Sam Lowings - 16th, Spencer Hex - 21st, Archie Adams - 22nd, Jack Welch - 25th, Harry Window - 27th, and William Way - 30th.

The boys’ junior team also finished third in the County Championships at Ratcliffe College.

Even though the college was missing some of its top runners due to prior sport commitments, the boys were determined to finish the season with another medal to add to their second place in the Leicestershire and Rutland League.

Jack Welch, Harry Window, Archie Adams and William Way ahelped secure third place.

Year 12 pupil Amy Saville was also in cross-country action, coming third in the Rutland & Leicestershire Secondary Schools Cross Country League. She has now been selected to represent Leicestershire & Rutland in The English Schools Cross Country Championships in Norwich later this month.

Elsewhere, the KS4 trampolining team came second in the Leicestershire and Rutland School Games final at Robert Smith Academy. They missed out on first place by only 1.3 marks.

Jaymee Feely finished third overall, Harry Mathers fourth and Hannah Wensley and Mason Kilby eighth.

All the students attend the Rutland Trampolining Club held at Catmose College, and thanks go to Amanda Mathers for her help in preparing the students for the competition.

Above

Amy Saville will represent the county at cross-country

Unbeaten Oakham head to national finals Oakham’s U19 netball team are celebrating after winning all nine of their games at the regionals tournament to book their place at the national finals this month.

Fantastic teamwork saw the girls achieve comfortable wins against Oundle (14-4), Repton (13-7) and Ratcliffe (17-8).

Assistant director of sport, Michelle Northcott, said: “We are very proud of our girls. This is the third year running that Oakham has made it through to the nationals at U19 level. It is a huge achievement for the team and highlights that netball remains strong at Oakham.”

The squad will travel to Welwyn Garden City on March 18 for the nationals, where they will be aiming to continue their winning streak. /// M A R C H 2 0 1 7 6 1

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

Rugby

Lions’ promotion charge stalled by too-strong Sale

BY JEREMY BESWICK

L

ying in fourth position, Leicester Lions started the month with an outside chance of promotion from National League 2 North.

Caldy are seemingly impregnable at the top but the second promotion spot remained up for grabs, with Sedgley Park, Stourbridge and Sale amongst their rivals for that position. They were to meet the latter two in what could be a defining period of the season, with an away tie at third-placed Stourbridge first up.

Lions soon found themselves behind, the home team’s Ciaran Moore with a try after just two minutes, but fought back with one of their own from hooker Ollie Taylor seven minutes later and then widened their lead to five points when Jon Boden, having slotted the conversion, added a penalty. A yellow card for Drew Rudkin, however, put them on the back foot and Stourbridge’s Dan Rundle went over in the corner closely followed by a penalty to the home side to put them 15-10 up at the break.

Early in the second half it was their opponent’s turn to be down to 14 men as Chris Scott cooled his heels in the sin bin but Lions were unable to take advantage, only exchanges of penalties troubling the scorer and the home side leading 21-13 as the clock ticked down.

With seconds left Lions’ Kane Nixon brought them within three points but it wasn’t quite enough as the match ended 21-18.

With those other rivals Sale due in three weeks’ time, Lions knew that the two intervening fixtures against Scunthorpe and

Harrogate, both in the bottom half of the table, were must-win games. They were to avoid any slip up, although Scunthorpe ran them close – losing by only two points – but two victories meant they climbed to third in the table to nicely set up the critical away game at second-placed Sale.

Alas, it was not to be a happy day for the Lions. The club’s Mike Howkins acknowledged that it “was always going to be a tough afternoon,” and so it proved. They again conceded a try in the first two minutes, from another player called Ciaran – surname Connolly this time – and sustained Sale pressure then resulted in a trio of quick penalties to put the hosts 16-0 up by the break.

Howkins reports that: “After half-time Lions came back into the game following the interval pep talk. Their defence and team work became more effective, but they were still competing against a strong and effective Sale pack.”

Their brief rally came to an end with a yellow card for Sam Benjamin and it transpired that Sale’s try after 55 minutes was to be the only other score of the match to make the final score an emphatic 21-0. Lions’ director of rugby Ken Whitehead commented: “It was a tough game against a good Sale team who gave us an exacting time. The scrum and the line-out did not work as well as they normally do, so that will give us some issues to work on during training.”

Lions’ ambitions are not dead, but are fading as Sale’s win widened the gap to 13 points, although Lions have a game in hand.

South Leicester’s own ambitions for this season would have been to consolidate and find safety; it being their first season at this level after promotion last year.

Currently comfortable in mid-table, it seems to be a case of “mission accomplished”. They started the month with the narrowest of wins, 21-20 at home to Wharfedale. South had been 10-0 up at half-time with the try coming from Blane Howe but, according to chairman Wayne Marsden: “Wharfedale came out of blocks fast in the second half,” and two penalties and a penalty try, “deserved” according to a fair-minded Marsden, gave them the lead.

With 15 minutes to go the gap had stretched to seven points but then Rickie Aley came off the bench and “proved a super-sub to turn a game that appeared lost”. It was his try and penalty that put South one point in the lead and Wharfedale were left to rue missing a penalty to win with the last play of the game.

Three losses were to follow for them, but there is no disgrace in losing to the likes of Sedgley Park and Caldy.

Market Harborough lost to Syston in the cup and (narrowly) to Belgrave in the league but beat both Luton and Vipers. First team manager David Nance called their performance against Belgrave “a brave effort” and the away win at Luton by 25-13 “outstanding” and “a performance to be proud of”. Way off the bottom of the table but too far adrift to challenge for promotion, they can enjoy their rugby with no pressure for the rest of the season.

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Tigers Talk that have returned to full contact training and are now ready for selection are JB Pietersen and Telusa Veainu. What do they offer the side? “The x-factor,� he said. “With the ball in hand JP is probably our biggest threat. He’s a genuine finisher.�

A er losing their first three matches under Mauger a er Richard Cockerill’s departure, recent performances have been better, particularly the 34-9 win over Gloucester. Mauger added: “Our focus is driving the energy in our play and it was a good reflection of the work we’ve done in that area. One other thing we’ve been concentrating on is to show our skills, express ourselves and to do it with confidence.�

He was in no mood to be complacent, however: “There were some parts of the game where we took our foot off the throttle and they opened us up a little too easily at times.�

Another player who recently re-signed was Kiwi scrum half Jono Kitto. “I’m really excited and honoured,� he said. “I feel at home and it’s a cool home to have. I know I’ve improved a lot since I came here.�

Who had helped him most? “Ben Youngs and Scott Hansen, but many have played their part. I’m lucky with the people around me�. Did he feel Tigers were now back on track? “We’ve had a few bumps on the road recently but we’ve made some positive steps forward and it’s good that we’ve got the ball rolling again.�

TIGERS IMAGES

Tigers issued an official release confirming George Ford’s return to Welford Road just minutes before Aaron Mauger held his regular meeting with the press. “We’re delighted to have a player of his quality and calibre� he told us. “He’s a leader, an on-field coach that plays with maturity beyond his years and that genuinely loves the game. You can see him bossing the play when he’s out on the field and the natural combination of him with Ben Youngs was a big consideration.�

Freddie Burns is, of course, going in the opposite direction and will begin next season at Bath. “I’ve really enjoyed working with Freddie,� said Mauger, “and I’ve no doubt about his commitment playing here for the rest of the season. He’ll want to go out with a bang�.

And it seems that the squad strengthening isn’t over yet either. “We probably need one more fly half. It’ll be good for George to have some more competition and, of course, we’ve his international commitments to bear in mind.�

Just the day before, three more players had also recommitted their future to the club with Brendon O’Connor, Mike Fitzgerald and Greg Bateman signing new contracts. “It’s a real positive for us� said Mauger. “All of them probably have their best years ahead of them and, with a number of our squad coming back from injury, I’ve noticed a genuine increase in intensity in training now there’s more competition for places.�

Tigers fans will be particularly encouraged that two of those injured players

Above

George Ford, pictured here in the 2013 Premiership final, is heading back to the Tigers

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Roundup

Football

Oadby edge closer to safety

O

adby picked up another crucial three points in the league to move them closer to safety with a 2-0 win at Huntingdon Town.

They started the match brightly with both Carlton Beardmore and Harry Alcock coming close with early chances; Alcock also hitting the bar a quarter of an hour later. Nuno Gomez was unlucky not to score as well but it seemed fated that there was to be no score for either side in the first half, in spite of Huntingdon also hitting the woodwork.

The second period began in the same vein as the first, with two early Oadby chances (both falling to Callum Armsden) but it wasn’t until the hour mark that the Poachers went ahead, left back Ben Taylor venturing up the field and finishing well after a one-two with Alcock.

The game remained in the balance until the 84th minute when Alcock – again to the fore – cleanly finished a chance set up by Lewis McLean. The club’s Dean Leivers called it: “A deserved win for Oadby who registered 20 efforts on goal during the game.”

Manager Dave Clay added: “The important thing today was to come away with three points and the lads stuck to their task well, particularly in the second half”.

BY JEREMY BESWICK Having started the season with barely a team when several players left after last year’s relegation, Oadby look to have stabilised things and have surely achieved their pre-season objective of avoiding back-to-back demotions.

Now close to mid-table, it looks most unlikely that relegation favourites Harrowby United and Huntingdon Town can overhaul them. Their young side, which includes 16-year-old Sam Lomax in goal – although he’s already 6ft 7ins tall – continues to play attractive football and will only improve as they gain experience.

They continue to look to strengthen the squad; secretary Kevin Zupp telling me that recent signings Simone Owen and Joseph Hopewell will help. “We should be safe now,” he said, “and other clubs are really struggling.

We’ve actually done better this season than we thought we would.”

The resilience of this young team is to be admired; that win against Huntingdon coming after two 6-0 thrashings that might have deflated other sides. The first of them was in an away tie against Yaxley in the cup, although Leivers reported that they’d “put up a tough fight before collapsing in the final

quarter” and the second was no disgrace either, coming against run-away league leaders Peterborough Sports, and young goalie Lomax was named Oadby’s man of the match.

By the way, if you go to see them play, don’t be confused into thinking they’ve changed the colour of their strip. Apparently the new red shirts run in the wash and end up pink. Oh, the tribulations of lower league football!

Although eight places above Oadby in the table, Harborough Town also found Yaxley too good for them on the day, the Bees going down to a 4-2 defeat in spite of going ahead just before half time.

That came on the back of consecutive wins against Rothwell Corinthians and Harrowby United and manager Nick Pollard will also have been pleased by the 2-2 draw against Wellingborough Town, a team that had beaten them 4-1 a month earlier in a performance that caused him to have some harsh words for his side. They remain hopeful in the cup, with a semi-final against Coalville to look forward to.

It’s all been a bit of a goal fest over at Lutterworth Athletic recently, their last four results being 4-1, 11-2, 3-4 and 5-4. It was Woodford United who were on the wrong end

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VOX FOX

of that 11-2 thrashing, but manager Mike English was reportedly sad to see what was once a vibrant and successful Woodford side going through such a difficult time. Doubtless they’ll be back.

The 3-4 reverse was against Thrapston Town, a result that left English bemoaning their defensive frailties, but to win 5-4 away at Irchester United who were four points ahead of them in the table will have cheered him up a bit.

Finally, a word for those under- appreciated men and women in black. Leicestershire & Rutland County FA’s Referee Development Summit 2017 was a seen by the FA as a “huge success” with around 160 attendees at Tigers’ Welford Road stadium.

The award winners were Lawrie Forrester (Volunteer of the Year), Jamie Gohil (Fitness Award), Keith Scott (Referee of the Year as voted by the clubs) and Jacob Lehane (Referee of the year as voted by his peers).

Steve Bratt, the county FA referee development officer, said: “There are many fantastic referees at grassroots level and I think it is important we recognise and celebrate their talent and hard-work. Well done to you all.”

There’s no avoiding the unpleasant truth that the Foxes are now well and truly in a relegation battle as last season’s unbridled excitement turns to tension of a quite different sort. Should they go down, it would be almost unprecedented. There’s only been one occasion in history that the winners of the top flight in England were relegated the following season and you have to go back to 1938 for that, when Manchester City dropped into what was then called Division 2.

One of the closest since – for all you anoraks out there – was as recently as last season, when Chelsea fans must have been worried that they were going to be next in line for that dubious distinction until they parted company with one Jose Mourinho a er losing nine of their first 16 games and being one point off the relegation slots at the time. They recovered to finish tenth.

The other worst performance of any Premiership champions was Blackburn Rovers, who also started dreadfully but again rallied to finish seventh. So, barring miracles, it seems that Leicester City fans will at least be able to say that the Foxes set another Premiership record this year.

A er giving Claudio Ranieri a public vote of confidence (some might say, the dreaded public vote of confidence), chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha flew to the UK for the Swansea game that Ranieri had described as “the start of a new season” only to see them lose 2-0. The rumour is that the manager was promised a erwards in a face-to-face meeting that he would not be sacked during the season, which rather begs the question of what might happen at the end of it. Sometimes, although we make allowances for the language barrier, you feel the manager doesn’t help himself with some of his comments to the press, the latest example being his analysis of their poor performances: “We have two problems – conceding goals and not scoring.” Insightful stuff.

The players are at least defiant and sounding positive. Danny Drinkwater said a er the Swansea game: “It’s another defeat that we’re not happy with, so we’ve just got to keep pulling in the same direction and hope it’ll turn. We’re giving ourselves a harder challenge by going two goals down. We went in at half-time and we knew we could make something happen. We didn’t today, but if there’s a group of players that can turn things around, it’s us. Come the end of the season, we’ll turn it around I’m sure.”

Those fans in need of light relief could do worse than spend a delightful a ernoon watching Leicester City Women. They recently beat Liverpool and are fi h in the table with games in hand. Exactly a year ago this column suggested “It would be nice to think that, one day, a fan at the women’s ground will find themselves standing next to an incognito Vardy, Mahrez or Ranieri, there to learn – and to find out about the secrets behind their success”. That doesn’t feel quite so tongue in cheek now.

Steve Moody Editor active magazine m: 07770 377217 e: steve@theactivemag.com w: www.theactivemag.com

Le

Claudio Ranieri has been given a vote of confidence by the City board

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Roundup

Equestrianism

Winning start for rider Rory

BY JULIA DUNGWORTH

L

ocal jockey Rory Bevin has been hitting the headlines early this season, winning four point-topoints already. His first win of the year came at Alnwick at the beginning of January on Dynamic Island in the 12-runner Apartment Group Open Maiden.

Rory had also won on him in December.

Two weeks’ later they travelled north again, this time to The Jedforest Hunt Race at Friars Haugh, where Rory pulled off a double; firstly he won the Mussleburgh Racecourse and Royal Dick Vet Intermediate on For A Change, then Dynamic Island, still on an upward curve, took their second win of the day and the fourth of the season in the Edmund Vestey Restricted Race.

Both horses are family owned and trained at Oakham by Louise Bevin, and this was her first double. Rory is in the middle of his final year exams at university and is doing a great job of juggling revising and pointing.

Hopefully you will be able to see Rory in action at Garthorpe – the Cottesmore is on

Sunday, February 26, and exactly a month later the Belvoir will be hosting theirs on Saturday, March 25.

Show jumper Holly Smith’s brilliant season continued in Oliva in Spain on the Mediterranean tour, where she had two second places in the 1.45m classes on Quality Old Joker and Lammy Beach. On her third attempt at the 1.45 Grand Prix, she pulled off a fabulous win again with Quality Old Joker.

Unfortunately for Holly she came back to England with quite a bump – after only being back in the country a couple of days she had a fall while out hunting with the Quorn and suffered a bad fracture to her right leg. She has been told to take four months’ box rest, but I believe the surgeons were exceptionally pleased with the operation to repair the fracture.

The eventers are gearing up ready for the start of the season at the beginning of March.

Arena UK held one of the final BE JAS (jumping and style) competitions on February 11. Yet again they had a plethora of eventing

entries with the top 25% qualifying for the prestigious final at Hartpury. They run 90, 100 and Novice sections with great prizes up for grabs. Heidi Coy from Melton Mowbray was the winner of the Open Novice on an impressive style score of just 6.

Dressage rider Victoria Jones is very busy at the moment; not only is she still schooling her husband Richard’s horses whilst he’s off games, she has qualified Tijs H (Jazz to his friends) for the Small Tour to be held at Keysoe International – they will be a combination to follow over the season.

Winter is definitely party time for all the hunters and eventers, and the Wilberry Charity Ball at Normanton Park Hotel was another raging success for the charity run by local equestrians Amy Gill and Andrew Pridding. William Bowles even flew in from Australia to commentate on the evening, helping them to raise £1,500 from the raffle and auction. They are planning more equestrian themed fund-raising events, so please keep a look out for them.

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17/02/2017 12:31

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Wellingborough School Open Day

Saturday 4th March 2017 9.30am-12.30pm We invite you to experience the everyday magic of life at Wellingborough School. Meet the pupils, talk to staff and learn how your family could be a part of the Wellingborough School community.

Scholarships and bursaries available.

For more information, please call us on 01933 222427 or email registrar@wellingboroughschool.org

Northamptonshire’s leading independent day school for boys and girls aged 3-18

www.wellingboroughschool.org