Active Magazine // South Leicestershire // November 2016

FR

EE

ISSUE 19 // NOVEMBER 2016

HOW TO… South Leicestershire’s sport and lifestyle magazine

Make toffee apples Brew mulled cider Escape from prison!

Golden GIRL We speak to Crista Cullen on a winning Olympic comeback

Ramp up your Christmas Hamper Start building your feast with great local products

Will’s walk Tur Langton

11

www.theACTIVEmag.com

ISSUE 19 // NOVEMBER 2016

Snow Return

Expert or beginner - how to have a brilliant ski holiday

!

MORE TO EXPLORE. THE MINI COOPER 5-DOOR HATCH. The MINI 5-door Hatch delivers the same go-kart handling with more handles. Aside from two extra rear doors, it seats three people in the back, has more leg room and is packed with iconic design and hi-tech innovations.

To discover more please call 01733 707 074 or visit www.sycamoremini.co.uk Sycamore (Peterborough) Ltd Papyrus Road, Werrington Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE4 5HW

Official Fuel Economy Figures for the MINI Cooper 5-door Hatch: Urban 47.9 mpg (5.9 l/100km). Extra Urban 70.6 mpg (4.0l/100km).

Combined 60.1 mpg (4.7 l/100km). CO2 Emissions 109 g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

34831_bs198686_Sycamore_5-door_Hatch_Ad_285x220.indd 1

06/10/2016 12:42

Editor’s Letter SO MUCH OF SPORT IS IN THE MIND. IT’S BEEN interesting watching Leicester playing in the Premier League and the Champions’ League, and how different a team they are.

On the one hand, in England they are champions, been there, done that and are now a target for other clubs. The result is they can’t play with the same freedom of expression they did last year. Not entirely unexpected, I think. But in Europe, where they are still underdogs and adventurers, they are excellent. Same players, different mindset. It’s amazing how much context in sport makes players perform so differently.

I was reminded of that recently watching Munster tear Glasgow apart in the Champions’ Cup. Their coach, Anthony Foley, had died unexpectedly the week before as they were preparing to play in Paris, and their emotional homecoming meant they played like men possessed. Down to 14 men after one of their players was sent off, they still smashed the Scottish side, who only a week earlier had beaten Leicester comfortably.

You would think that professional sportsmen and women can perform at the highest level week in, week out, no matter what, but that’s just not the case. They too need to find that extra few per cent mentally to really hit the heights.

It’s the same even if you’re a weekend warrior. I can think of times where for one reason or another I’ve played sport ‘in the zone’, where I can do everything and anything I want. A world beater for the day! Sad thing is I can probably count those occasions on one hand. The difference with the best sports men and women is they can channel and use that mental high on a regular basis. Although physically they are more talented than us mortals, it’s what goes on in their heads while on the field that makes the biggest difference.

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.

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16

3 SL ed letter.indd 117

3

23/10/2016 12:15

reserve in

Autumn Oakham - Buttercross Park

Reserve now to be in for Christmas (subject to plot number)

Not many left!

A one off home!

Tricklebank The Brecon

The Ripon

4 bedroom terrace homes from £254,995

5 bedroom detached homes from £302,500

Bourne Heights

Only 1 left!

5 bedroom detached luxury home with double garage and swimming pool at The Paddock, Stamford for £950,000

Baston - Age Exclusive Only 2 left, last chance to buy!

The Maree

Only 1 left, last chance to buy!

4 bedroom luxury townhouse at Anvil Mews, Stamford for £520,000

The Chester

The Harrington

3 bedroom terrace home for £180,995

3 bedroom chalet bungalows for £269,995

Examples of a Larkfleet Homes showhome

Call on 07717 895399, email: anvilmews@allison-homes.co.uk or visit our website at: www.allison-homes.co.uk

Don’t Delay, reserve Today www.larkfleethomes.co.uk

General Enquiries Falcon Way, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 0FF

 01778 391555

...better, because we care

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

2335 1016

STATION YARD, LUTTERWORTH.

GUIDE PRICE: FOXTON, £895,000 MARKET HARBOROUGH.

A UNIQUE ARCHITECT DESIGNED HOUSE WITH FLEXIBLE ACCOMMODATION IN EXCESS OF 3500 SQ FT OVER 3 LEVELS. OPEN PLAN LIVING SPACE WITH ENTERTAINING TERRACE, 5 BEDROOMS AND 3 BATHROOMS ALL SET WITHIN A TRANQUIL AND PRIVATE WOODED SETTING. EPC RATING C

GREAT BOWDEN HALL, GREAT BOWDEN.

fine & country SL.indd 1

A SUPERB ARCHITECT DESIGNED FAMILY HOUSE, NEWLY CONSTRUCTED WITH THE BENEFIT OF A 10 YEAR WARRANTY. OPEN PLAN LIVING KITCHEN, SEPARATE SITTING ROOM AND STUDY/SNUG, FOUR BEDROOMS, TWO BATHROOMS, LANDSCAPED GARDENS AND GARAGE. EPC RATING: N/A

GUIDE PRICE: THE STABLES, £349,950 GREAT BOWDEN.

A TWO BEDROOM GROUND FLOOR APARTMENT SITUATED WITHIN THE HISTORIC GREAT BOWDEN HALL, A MAGNIFICENT GRADE II LISTED STUCCO MANSION. THE GROUNDS OF THE RESIDENCE ARE ACCESSED VIA A PRIVATE GATED ENTRANCE AND SWEEPING DRIVEWAY ADJACENT TO THE FORMAL GARDENS. EPC RATING: N/A

GUIDE PRICE: £499,950

GUIDE PRICE: £299,950

DELIGHTFUL 2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM STABLE CONVERSION IN AN IDYLLIC SETTING WITH ACCOMMODATION OVER TWO LEVELS. IMMACULATELY PRESENTED WITH CONTEMPORARY KITCHEN, LARGE LIVING ROOM WITH DINING AREA. GARAGE AND FORMAL GARDENS. SAP RATING: B

18/10/2016 11:41

Contents

ISSUE 19 /// NOVEMBER 2016

ACTIVE LIFE 10-11 HOW TO...

Make toffee apples and set the perfect fire

14 NATURE

The seasonal delights on offer outdoors

16-17 HEALTHY EATING

Another tasty recipe from Riverford Organic

20 DAY IN THE LIFE OF...

Hypnotherapist Simon Commons

36

25 WHAT’S ON

Great things to do locally for all the family

FEATURES 26-31 GOLDEN GIRL

We profile Olympic gold medal winner Crista Cullen

36-40 SNOW RETURN

Where to go for a great skiing holiday, and the best kit

ACTIVE BODY 47-49 GET SKI FIT

Essential advice from Function Jigsaw

50 NUTRITION ADVICE

More from our nutritionist on eating healthily

52-53 THE FINISHING TOUCHES

Tips and products to help you look great

REGULARS 33 KIT BAG

The latest essential sporting gear

35 MARTIN JOHNSON COLUMN

The Sunday Times writer on the boo boys of sport

55 SPORTSMAN’S DINNER

We try out the Chequers Country Inn at Ullesthorpe

56-57 WILL’S WALKS

We head out to Tur Langton

59 SCHOOL SPORT

Our focus on the latest achievements from local pupils

60-66 ROUND-UP

How clubs in the area are faring

6 NOV E M BE R 2016 ///

52

56 26

THIS CHRISTMAS The perfect place to enjoy breakfast, lunch and delicious afternoon tea with friends.

Let us cater for your event this season.

Big or small, just give us a call.

Santa’s Grotto

Opens 26th November to book go to www.wistowgrotto.co.uk Telephone: 0116 259 3756 Email: wistow@uwclub.net | www.wistowcafebistro.co.uk Kibworth Road, Wistow, Leicestershire LE8 0QF

PLEASE JOIN US FOR LEICESTERSHIRE LAW SOCIETY’S

CHRISTMAS EVENT 1ST DECEMBER FROM 4 - 8.30PM

Tickets £15 to book go to www.leicestershirelawsociety.org.uk/events All proceeds go to

Mulled wine and nibbles | Wine & Gin Tasting | Carols by Choir Spectaculars Selfie with Santa | Canapés by Wistow Café Bistro Opportunity to shop from a variety of the Wistow Shops LOROS scratch cards and Lottery | Lovely get together evening

A4_Ad_active-magazine-v1.indd 1

19/10/2016 16:03

Activelife REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER...

HOW TO MAKE TOFFEE APPLES AND MULLED CIDER, SET THE PERFECT FIRE AND START YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WITH OUR HAMPER IDEAS Edited by Mary Bremner

8 NOV E M BE R 2 0 16 ///

/// NOV E M BE R 2 0 16 9

Activelife

HOW TO…

MAKE TOFFEE APPLES Toffee apples and fireworks bring back happy memories of childhood. And they’re pretty easy to make...

Ingredients 8 apples 400g golden caster sugar 1 tsp vinegar 4 tbsp golden syrup Method Twist the stalks off the apples. Push a wooden skewer into the stalk end of each apple.

Place the apples on some parchment paper close

1 0 N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 ///

to your hob. Put the sugar in a pan with 100ml of water. Cook over a medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then stir in the vinegar and syrup. Set a sugar thermometer in the pan and boil to 150C (or hard crack stage). If you don’t have a thermometer test the toffee by pouring a little into a bowl of cold water. It should harden immediately and be brittle and easy to break when removed. If the toffee is still soft, boil for longer.

Working quickly, dip and twist each apple in the hot toffee until covered. Place upright on the baking parchment to set. You may have to reheat the toffee if the temperature drops between each apple. Store in a cool dry place.

HOW TO…

Brew mulled cider Mulled cider is a warming companion to enjoy while watching fireworks.

Here’s how to make it...

Ingredients 1 litre dry cider 50ml dark rum 250ml apple and ginger tea (use a herbal tea bag) 30g soft dark brown sugar 2 clementines or satsumas 4 cloves 2 cinammon sticks 2 bruised cardamom pods Method ● Pour the cider, rum and herbal tea into a large saucepan, add the sugar and heat over a low heat until the sugar is dissolved. ● Halve the clementines, stick a clove into each half and add to the pan. ● Put the cinammon sticks in the pan, add the cardamom pods and let everything infuse as it comes to boil. ● Once boiled, ladle into glasses and enjoy. Be careful not to burn yourself!

Bespoke Coaching, HR and Engagement Solutions

Helping you to…

• • • • •

Achieve career aspirations Make career decisions that suit you Overcome fears and phobias Combat stress and anxiety Conquer unwanted behaviours and habits

Our team of fully qualified Coaches are adept at assisting you to recognise and overcome situations or thoughts that have the potential to cause issues and build solutions to a number of areas in your life.

We use professionally recognised therapeutic techniques to help you achieve your goals, aspirations, build confidence and improve your resilience.

HOW TO…

Light the perfect fire The cold weather is here, but there’s nothing better than curling up in front of an open fire in the evening. Everyone has different ideas of how to lay the perfect fire.

Here is ours…

Make sure that your kindling and wood are dry and well seasoned. ● Crumple old newspaper into loose balls and place in the grate.

Stack the kindling on the paper in a grid, laying it horizontally, and criss-crossing it. Place a couple of small logs on top of the grid. ● Light the newspaper, which will then set the kindling alight.

Simple! ●

Tip: Save wine corks as they make good kindling and always catch quickly. And, always have your chimney swept every year.

Unlock your potential

If you want to reach your full potential then we would love to work with you. We are passionate about helping people develop, enabling you to be the best you can be.

We develop and support the success and ongoing personal growth of all our clients.

For a free consultation or further information please email info@positivepeoplesolutions.co.uk

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 11

The Core at Corby Cube proudly presents

Thu 8 – Sat 31 December Tickets 01536 470 470 www.thecorecorby.com George Street, Corby NN17 1QG

COR0305 A Christmas Carol Active Mag quarter page advert.indd 1

Launde Abbey

Open daily for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea

Cyclists and walkers very welcome Special Autumn offer: Buy one morning coffee, lunch (walk-in menu only) or afternoon tea and get a second free (up to the value of £10.00) Only on production of this advert (no photocopies) Offer valid until December 20th 2016

Launde Abbey, East Norton, Leicestershire LE7 9XB T: 01572 717254 I E: info@launde.org.uk Charity No: 1140918

12.indd 1

31/08/2016 16:21

BRASS MONKEY 10k Plus FAMILY FUN RUN (1.5 miles approx)

Fast and flat

Bespoke Medals for 2017 Ideal for your first PB of the year

SUNDAY 29th January 2017 11am REGISTRATION OPEN 9.30am

VENUE - Rockingham Speedway, Mitchell Road, Corby, Northants, NN17 5AF Medal and Goody bags for all runners!!!

Age group awards and spot prizes

www.lakelandshospice.org.uk/BRASSMONKEY Entry forms available from our website.

Enter online at www.runnersworld.co.uk UK Athletics registered Lakelands Hospice, Butland Road, Corby, Northants, NN18 8LX tel: 01536 747755 web: www.lakelandshospice.org.uk Email: community@lakelandshospice.org.uk

21/10/2016 19:44

Activelife

Rise Outdoors We managed to get the website address for Rise Outdoors wrong last month. The correct address is www.rise-outdoors.co.uk.

SHOP OF THE MONTH…

J R Tusting J R Tusting has been producing leather goods since 1875 and currently the fifth generation of the family is running the business.

Originally a tannery producing leather, the business has been based at Lavendon since the early 1980s and still makes all of its leather accessories on site. The handbags are fabulous, stylish and made in this country.

And if you want good quality luggage this is the place to go. The products are sold all over the world via an online shop or you can call in at Lavendon where you can visit the factory shop and buy products direct. www.tusting.co.uk

ENTER AT YOUR OWN PERIL… You’re locked in a room with your team-mates and only have an hour to escape. There are different elements to the room so by using your logic, common sense, team building skills, multi-tasking and initiative you have an hour to work out the clues and puzzles to unlock the door. You literally will have to think outside the box, and the adrenalin will be pumping through your veins.

Welcome to Trapp’d in Corby, the first escape room in Northamptonshire. This phenomenon has become very popular in the US and London and now David Laird and his partner have brought the concept to our area. Based in a large warehouse just outside Corby, Trapp’d has rooms with different, dark themes. There is a high

security, terrifying prison; Area 51, which is a government lab where you have to download top secret information to be released and, coming for Hallowe’en, a terrifying themed room.

Described as being like the Crystal Maze but darker, Trapp’d all sounds great, high octane and challenging fun. It’s ideal for team building for local businesses but also perfect for groups of friends who want a different experience and want to challenge themselves while having a huge laugh at the same time. More rooms are planned in the next few months.

And don’t worry if you can’t crack the codes, they will offer advice and guarantee to let you out after an hour! Prices start at £15 per person. www.trappd.com

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 1 3

Activelife

NATURE

MOLES There are estimated to be between 35-40 million moles in the UK, so no wonder they are the bane of many gardeners’ lives.

The European (or common) mole is found in the UK and is a native species. It is the only mammal to live solely underground, doing so because they have more red blood cells than other mammals which allows them to live where oxygen levels are low.

They are successful diggers, able to

move over 500 times their own body weight of earth in a day, digging up to 200 metres of tunnels. They are also rumoured to eat their own body weight daily, but this is a myth as they only usually eat about half of that. Earthworms are their staple diet, up to 20 a day.

Moles are believed to work in four hourly shifts – four hours working, four sleeping, 24 hours a day. This is why you can wake up in the morning and find your garden full of mole hills. Moles aren’t blind, as commonly believed, but they are light sensitive. Their ears are located

internally between the shoulders so their snout acts like a sound tube. Sensory hairs on their body help them navigate in the dark. Moles do not hibernate but burrow more deeply to be below the frost line so they can keep warmer and find food.

Until the 20th century it was believed the blood of a freshly killed mole dripped on to warts would cure them. Until the late 1960s moles’ hand and feet were still carried in bags around the necks of some in the Cambridgeshire Fens as they were believed to protect against epilepsy, rheumatism and toothache.

THE TREE SPARROW The tree sparrow is smaller than the house sparrow and both sexes have similar plumage – a brown cap, white cheeks with a black spot and a black bib. It is not found in towns or villages but is a farmland bird which may visit bird feeders in rural gardens. Nests are constructed in hollow trees and birds take readily to nest boxes. Many natural nest sites have been lost in recent years as hollow and ivy covered trees have been felled from hedgerows.

Tree sparrows have declined in recent years, not only due to a loss of nest sites, but because intensive farming has removed insects, weed seeds and waste grain from the countryside. Insects are an important food for growing chicks whilst weed seeds and waste grain on stubbles tide the birds over the winter.

So where can you find this smart little bird locally? The best site is probably the visitor centre at Lyndon reserve, where small numbers visit the feeders. The willows at the inflow to

1 4 NOV E M BE R 2 0 16 ///

Eyebrook Reservoir are another likely site and it is worth checking flocks of finches and buntings on arable farmland.

Terry Mitcham

Ivy A much maligned plant that is usually seen clinging to buildings and trees, it is one of the UK’s few native evergreen plants.

Often accused of strangling trees, it should be valued for providing food and shelter to wildlife. It can grow up to 30 metres and the climbing stems have hairs which help it to stick to surfaces as it climbs.

Ivy has two different forms – juvenile and mature. It is only the mature ivy that flowers and produces berries. The flowers are yellowish green and form in small clusters known as umbels and are a vital source of food for insects and birds.

According to folk lore wearing a wreath of ivy leaves around the head is supposed to prevent you from getting drunk. Ivy is also a symbol of fidelity and it is still customary for brides to add a sprig of ivy to their bouquets.

Natural, luxurious Natural, luxurious pampering products Natural, luxurious pampering products pampering products

AMERICAN VINTAGE BECKSONDERGAARD CHARLI

Natural, luxurious pampering products

SECOND FEMALE JAYLEY HOSS INTROPIA RINO& PELLE SAMSOE CUSTOMMADE MUNTHE ISLE JACOBSEN ROSEMUNDE OCHRE LAMBERTO LOSANI

VEGAN & VEGETARIAN VEGAN & VEGETARIAN AND MANY MORE 59 Francis Street, Leicester LE2 2BE VEGAN &Stoneygate VEGETARIAN ANNIE HAAK

59 Francis Street,0116 Stoneygate 431 5395Leicester LE2 2BE

59 Francismeesha@amelianour.co.uk Street,0116 Stoneygate 431 5395Leicester LE2 2BE amelianour.co.uk meesha@amelianour.co.uk 0116 431 5395 amelianour.co.uk meesha@amelianour.co.uk 19-21 Francis street amelianour.co.uk Leicester LE22 BE 01162704379

59 Francis Street, Stoneygate Leicester LE2 2BE 0116 431 5395 meesha@amelianour.co.uk amelianour.co.uk

www.abiti-ladies.co.uk

Mediterranean Deli and Farm Shop

Deli with a difference

Ar tisan Foods Locally & Internationally Sourced for Flavour.

Turkish Carpets, Kilims, Mosaic lights & Homemade Baklava.

0116 2593441 07806 683095 sales@olivetreecompany.co.uk www.olivetreecompany.co.uk WISTOW RURAL CENTRE, 12 Kibworth Road, Wistow, LE8 0QF

15.indd 1

21/10/2016 19:43

Activelife

1 6 N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 ///

Whole grilled mackerel with chickpea couscous, raisins, pine nuts, spinach and lemon INGREDIENTS 4 whole mackerel 1 onion 1 garlic clove 75g couscous Olive oil Salt and pepper 50g raisins 2 lemons 15g fresh mint 30g parsley 300g spinach 25g pine nuts 1 tin chickpeas

METHOD

Rinse the gutted mackerel, pat dry (1). Boil a kettle of water. Finely slice the onion and garlic.

●

Put the couscous in a heatproof bowl with a glug of olive oil and a good pinch of salt. Pour over just enough boiled water to completely cover the couscous and leave to soak. Put the rest of the boiled water in a large saucepan and heat up for the spinach.

●

●

Strip the spinach leaves of any large stalks.

1

Put the pine nuts in a dry frying pan and heat them gently, stirring occasionally until lightly golden and toasted (2). Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t burn. Leave to one side.

●

Place the spinach in the pan of boiling water and cook until wilted (1-2 minutes). Drain, rinse under cold water to cool then squeeze to remove excess moisture. Finely chop the leaves.

●

Drain the raisins then drain the chickpeas into a colander and rinse under cold water. Fluff the couscous up with a fork. Add the onion, chickpeas, pine nuts, raisins, chopped herbs, half the lemon zest and juice, a glug of olive oil and some salt and pepper. Mix everything together including the spinach. Add more lemon juice, zest or seasoning to taste.

●

Heat your grill to a high heat. Make three or four diagonal slashes into the fish skin (3). Rub them with a little oil on both sides and season inside and out. Lay them directly on a grill tray with a dish underneath to catch the juices.

2

●

3

Grill the mackerel for 3-4 minutes on each side until just cooked (the flesh should easily pull away from the bone). Take care as you turn it keeping as much skin on as possible.

●

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan. Add the onion and fry on a low heat for 10 minutes, adding the garlic after 8. Stir now and then to stop it catching.

Add a splash of water if it looks like it might.

Remove from heat and leave to cool.

●

Put the raisins in a mug of cold water to plump them up. Finely zest and juice a lemon. Finely slice four large mint leaves. Wash and dry the parsley.

Serve the mackerel with the couscous and wedges of lemon.

●

●

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

Tip: If when buying the mackerel you are unsure how to gut them, ask the fishmonger to do it for you.

45 minutes. Think well balanced and nutritious, with a few treats thrown in.

Their 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.

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 1 7

Activelife

CHRISTMAS GOODIES

It’s that time of year again, so we’ve picked some gifts which would make up the perfect Christmas hamper. Happy shopping….

SLOE GIN AND SLOE GIN TRUFFLES £29 What bette r combinat ion... alcoho l and choco late? www.sloeb erryspirits. co.uk

FENNEL AND CORIANDER SALAMI £7 Locally produced charcuterie, and it’s as good as, if not better, than that made in France. www.rutlandcharcuterie.co.uk

ADNAMS COPPER HOUSE DRY GIN £26.99 Voted the world’s best gin in 2013.

Infused with six botanicals including sweet orange, juniper and hibiscus www.cellarandkitchen.adnams.co.uk

OM £30 NDLES, FR NEOM CA les to nd ented ca Fabulous sc d o o m ur enhance yo .co.uk ur no ia el m www.a

GODMINSTER ORGANIC WAXED CHEESE, FROM £4.99 Our favourite cheese. Visit the shop to see so much more. www.stamfordcheese.com

STAMFORD NOTEBOOK £16.95 Made from recycled leather and using British paper. Handbound in Stamford, and can be personalised. www.stamfordnotebooks.co.uk

1 8 N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 ///

LAMBERTS DELI (SMOKED SALMON) A delicatessen that sells locally produced products, many of them smoked. Pop in and have a look in Cheyne Lane, Stamford. www.lamberts-stamford.co.uk

PARMA HAM Emerson and Wests in Market Harborough has a vibrant deli and bakery selling a range of mouthwatering English and continental foods. www.emersonandwests.co.uk

LARGE TOTE BAG £12.95 Just the right size to fit the contents of this hamper into, and made in Rutland as well. www.snowdesignsandinteriors.com

PORT TEAM SOPHIE ALL G, FROM £10 GEORGE MU so other a chin mug, al A fine bone m each fro oducts. £1 household pr eorge.

G am Te ds ar sale goes tow om t.c allpor www.sophie

E MAT ROUND GLASS TABL /SERVING MAT £14.99 tware from Locally produced gif ah Stillman.

Sar ner sig de d nte tale gns.co.uk esi and illm www.sarahst

LADIES HIP FLASK Small and compact, the perfect handbag sized hip flask. It will make a fabulous Christmas present. www.robinsonsofstamford.com

THE TEA PRINCE Everyone deserves good tea and local entrepreneur George Gutteridge Smith has devoted a website to it. www.theteaprince.co.uk

MELTON HUNT CAKE £9.95 The best fruitcake in the business from Melton’s Dickinson and Morris - and a must for Christmas. www.porkpie.co.uk

NIGHT DIFFUSER £35 A subtle way to softly scent a room all day. This essence brings a sophisticated, after dark sensuality scent to your room. www.whitecompany.com

PORK PIES, FR OM £1.35 Every hamper m ust include a po rk pie, and – if you’r e having a pork pie – it has to be from Nelsons.

Hand made in St amford, they deliver them all over the world. www.nelsonsbu tchers.co.uk

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16

19

Activelife

A day in the life of

SIMON COMMONS HYPNOTHERAPIST

H

ypnotherapy is much misunderstood because of TV, films and stage productions.

There they might use rapid induction techniques to hypnotise people very quickly, and it’s all about entertainment. That’s a million miles away from what I do. I help people change their negative thought patterns and beliefs into positive ones.

There are many different styles of hypnotherapy and some work better with different types of character, i.e. if you like being told what to do then an aggressive style might work for you.

My style is gentler, but no less effective. I facilitate the client into an extremely relaxed state of mind. I do this because the more relaxed you are, the greater the chance of getting in contact with the subconscious.

I am often asked,” are there people who cannot be hypnotised?” The answer to that is, if you really want to change then you will be able to do it. Another question is,”what happens if I fall asleep?” and the reply is that your subconscious can still hear what’s going on.

That’s why you are suddenly woken by a sound in the night – the subconscious is saying ‘wake up! You need to investigate.’

The style of hypnosis I have developed begins with a relaxation technique. This takes you deeper into your subconscious as it relaxes you further. Then, depending on what type of issue is presented, I bring in my own personalised way to treat the client.

When people come for therapy they are usually in a state of anxiety, maybe as a result of whatever their issue is, or because they are going to sit in a chair and open up to a therapist they’ve never met before.

I work hard to ensure they feel relaxed and safe and happy to proceed. If someone says, even at the very last moment before the session starts, that they’re not happy to proceed, I have to respect that. I’m not here to force anyone into doing something; I’m here to guide. People need to understand that even though they are going into a hypnotic state they will always be in control and cannot be made to do anything they don’t want to.

In my style of hypnosis I would never ask a client to visualise something horrible: we work around issues so the client becomes less fearful and more positive.

Being a psychotherapist as well, I am able to unpick any issue more comprehensively and discover the triggers behind it. The more I understand what’s going on with a client, the

2 0 NOV E M BE R 2 0 16 ///

‘The more relaxed you are, the greater the chance of getting in contact with the subconscious’ more I can personalise the treatment. In fact, the more the client understands and learns about their issue and how the mind works, the more they can make changes for themselves.

Each client is unique so treating them needs to be looked at in a very specific way. I use the information from each session regarding how the client has felt or what they have visualised to further enhance their next session.

If, for example, someone sees themselves cowering while their boss is shouting at them, then I use that image so the next time they will envisage themselves looking very calm and relaxed until the shouting stops.

Then we progress to the next session where I help them see themselves handling the situation in a more relaxed and confident manner. I am constantly building positives to reach the desired outcome.

Before being a full-time therapist I was a sales manager, but I burnt out. While I was recuperating I had to make some very hard decisions. I had already qualified as a reiki practitioner and was being drawn to the more empathetic side of life – helping and guiding people. So one of the decisions I made was to train to become a counsellor and psychotherapist.

The first year of my three-year course was mainly about hypnotherapy, but I still decided to reach my goal and finish the course.

However, very early on in my first year I saw the benefits of offering and using both types of therapy together.

I qualified in 2010 and had the pleasure of a six-month placement at Kibworth Health Centre, offering counselling to patients referred by the GPs. My wife Ruth and I started our clinic in 2014 to offer mind-related therapy to all age groups: I treat teenagers and adults, while Ruth counsels through the arts to help children and teenagers.

I’m very passionate about what we do at Common Sense Counselling. Helping people to develop their life skills and move forward in life is very rewarding.

For more information visit www.commonsensecounselling.org.uk

21.indd 1

21/10/2016 19:43

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

PARTNERS I N MANAG ING YO UR WE ALT 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.

Running Shop Run by Runners Large Shoe Range I Gait Analysis Friendly Service I Clothing Accessories 146A Clarendon Park Road, LE2 3AE 0116 2708447

22.indd 1

www.leicesterrunningshop.co.uk

27/10/2016 09:27

Activelife

NEW RACE CICLE CHALLENGES FOR 2017 The Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic programme is being revamped for 2017.

The women’s race will now have its own race day on Sunday, June 4, along with the junior men’s CiCLE Classic. Both events will be included in the British Cycling National Series. The junior men and elite women will start and finish their races in Melton Mowbray town centre; the men starting at 9.30am and the women at 2pm.

The standalone international race will stay with its traditional date – Sunday, April 23 – with 6.5km added to the course for an added challenge. www.cicleclassic.co.uk

6 DOWN, ONE TO GO… The 7 Eventers update us on their penultimate challenge – and it was a great success...

Our sixth event has been just as successful as the rest – a massive thank you to everyone that came. We had 80 runners, rowers and cyclists ranging from 10 to 60 years old who gave up 30 minutes of their time and helped us achieve a whopping 701 miles in 14 hours! That is eight of the 11 Premiership rugby stadiums we set out to get to from Leicester Tigers. Next year our challenge is all of them. Well done to everyone that took part and helped us.

As well as achieving our distance challenge, 16 people took part in the ultimate 30-minute workout with JitFit who proved anyone can achieve their fitness goals.

The infamous Rendall Monroe showed how to box your way to fitness and learnt how to use a defibrillator with the John Humphries Memorial Trust – check out the Facebook page for the video.

Then there was an enlightening session by Mita Mistry who introduced mindfulness and how you can feel happier, calmer and more refreshed.

And that’s not all – Dal Dhaliwal, the UK’s first Indian female health and fitness coach, gave an inspirational talk with some great tips to keep you fit and healthy.

As well as all of that, there were lots of cakes, samosas, painted faces, the local police and all of

the charities. There is one more event to go and that’s the marathon next year – our very own Russell Gamadia has been training hard to get ready and you can sponsor him to show your support. www.7events.org/london-marathon

CONGRATULATIONS MEESHA Meesha Kanadia, owner of Amelia Nour, was a finalist in the Leicester Mercury Women in Business 2016 Awards for best new business. She was the runner-up in this category and to be nominated in her first year in business is a fantastic achievement. Amelia Nour was launched in May 2016 as a direct result of Meesha’s desire for cruelty-free, vegetarian, vegan organic beauty products that were also luxurious. She now stocks many high-end brands, many of which can only be found in places such as Harrods. She is still searching the world for more products. www.amelianour.co.uk

WE NEED YOU….

Are you setting yourself a sporting challenge? If so, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you if you are planning a big adventure – whether on foot, bike, vehicle or even on horseback – so we can feature you in Active.

Email mary@theactivemag.com

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 2 3

Ti m b e r f r a m e s

At Bespoak Timber Frames we offer quality oak frames at competitive prices. bespoke timber frames.indd 1

We do not use kits to produce the Oak frames, as we believe that every job is unique and therefore deserves to be lovingly made by hand.

All our oak is PEFC certified.

www.bespoaktimberframes.co.uk 01858 443519 sales@bespoaktimberframes.co.uk

02/11/2016 10:01

Activelife

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

kick off with a champagne reception at 7pm. Last year more than £5,000 was raised. As well as fashion there will be jewellery, skincare items and crystals.

Tickets are £25. www.hopeagainstcancer.org.uk

■ The Harborough Singers, keen bakers as well as singers, are to appear alongside Mary Berry this Christmas in support of the NSPCC at a charity concert at All Saints’ Parish Church in Oakham on Thursday, December 1. The choir will then go on to appear at St Giles’ Church in Medbourne on December 11, and again on the 17th at St Dionysius’ Church in Market Harborough. www.harboroughsingers.com ■ Rockingham Castle is reliving a Christmas past between November 21-25. The castle is going back to Christmas Eve 1849 and can be seen in all its festive glory. There will be delicious locally sourced, homemade food for sale as well

as Christmas gifts and decorations. www.rockinghamcastle.com

■ There will be an exhibition of mini art in Lyddington throughout November in aid of church funds. All work will be small scale but of very high quality. There will be paintings,

sculptures, prints and textiles and all will be for sale. For more details contact Barbara Taylor-Harris, chair of Art in Lyddington, on 01572 898064 or Barbara@theoldparsonage.net ■ Brocks Hill Country Park is holding its Christmas family craft fair on Saturday, November 19, from 10.30. There will be free entry and parking and Father Christmas will be paying a visit. www.brocks-hill.co.uk

■ A new service offering psychological support for young people and their families who are affected by emotional and mental health issues has opened at Archway Health Hub in Market Harborough this month, manned by educational psychologist Dr Diane Lewis.

To find out more or to book a consultation call Archway Health on 01858 410820 or email reception@archwayhouse.co.uk ■ Hope Against Cancer is holding a fashion show to raise funds on November 10 at Watermead Business Park, Rayns Way, Syston. Proceedings

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 2 5

Feature /// Crista Cullen

GOLDEN GIRL Gold medal-winning Olympian, former Leicester hockey player and Oakham pupil Crista Cullen has had a remarkable career. Her ex-teacher Charles Welch pays tribute Photographs: Darren Crush (Leicester) and Frank Uijlenbroek (Team GB)

2 6 N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 ///

REPORTAGE/ARCHIVAL IMAGE

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 2 7

Feature /// Crista Cullen

Above

The realisation of a dream as Cullen celebrates gold for Great Britain a er defeating the Netherlands in Rio.

2 8 N O V E M B E R 2016 ///

DOUBTLESS IT WILL not be the last sporting career to be described as having a fairytale ending, but few journeys will have contained the kind of about turn and subsequent Olympic joy than that of Crista Cullen.

One thing can be said for certain: the gold medal success of the Great Britain women’s hockey side in Rio 2016 brought the most deserved end to the sporting career of the finest athlete I have had the privilege of working with over the course of 27 years of coaching school sport, having been the director of sport when Crista was at Oakham.

It was no surprise to hear that, four days after Hollie Webb sealed gold in the dramatic penalty shuffles against the Netherlands (let us not forget the outstanding part played by goalkeeper Maddie Hinch), Cullen was unable to speak – the result of not only the celebrations on that memorable evening, but also the following one, her 31st birthday. Playing hard, on and off the field, has long been a Cullen trait. It has served her well.

The twist in the story took place last October, just 10 months before the Olympics. At ‘home’ in Nairobi, three years into her retirement following London 2012, Cullen took a phone call from the Great Britain hockey coach. The request was simple – would she consider a return to the squad and thereby the prospect of a third Olympics? The squad needed her penalty corner scoring prowess; equally they needed her fearless defensive bravery.

To many it would seem an obvious answer, but to Cullen it meant leaving behind a fledgling, but highly promising professional career in Kenya, as well as her beloved conservation work that she continues to feel so passionate about. And, in her typically unselfish way, there was a bigger question to answer. How would the girls who had carried the baton since London react to her potential return, so close to Rio? That, as she admits, “wrestled with her more than anything” but, from my conversations with her at the time, it was clear that the Olympic flame was still burning brightly inside, and the chance to go one, perhaps two steps, beyond the bronze medal won at London in 2012 was just too good to resist.

Within no time, Cullen was back in the UK, making the daily commute to the training base at Bisham Abbey. The fitness levels had not diminished, but by her own admission the precise, repetitive and explosive actions demanded from the designated number one penalty corner drag flick exponent had. There were no short cuts, but there again there never have been in her career. It was down to her, and so the long winter months brought unrelenting periods of practice to reach the level at which she again became the automatic selection that had already brought her close to 200 England and Great Britain caps over the course of an international career spanning 13 years.

‘Everything was geared towards Rio... we knew our goal and never allowed anything to deflect us from that’ The 2016 Champions Trophy in June represented the last chance for the side, and indeed those within it, to impress ahead of final selection for Rio. Held on home soil at the Olympic Park in London, little seemingly went right for the team in finishing fifth (from six competing nations).

However, it was what was going on behind the scenes that might have impacted on results. ‘’Everything was being geared towards Rio, and we were being pushed unbelievably hard in training throughout that tournament, as well as playing international hockey just about every other day,’’ recalls Cullen. ‘’But we knew what our ultimate goal was and never allowed anything to deflect us from that.’’

Selection for Rio followed (‘’a great relief’’) as did further evidence that there was something special building within the team unit – a squad decision even brought a social media ban throughout the games to ensure the focus and mindset was retained throughout.

A win over Australia got the side off to the best possible start in Rio. The successful pool games led to a quarterfinal against Spain, with a 3-1 victory taking the side to a

semi-final against New Zealand – opponents Cullen describes as “the most physical you can meet, but for that reason, perhaps the most enjoyable’’.

Indeed, the by now rapidly growing following that the GB girls were enjoying on prime time TV witnessed Cullen leaving the field for eight stitches in a head wound before quickly returning to the fray to secure a 3-0 win and a place in the final against traditional foes the Netherlands. ‘‘I couldn’t get the doctor to put the stitches in quickly enough – all I could think about was the planned programme of roll-on and roll-off substitutions that I was making a mess of,’’ she says in her typically straightforward, team-orientated manner.

A smile comes to her face when I recount that the BBC News at 10pm was continuously delayed as Great Britain – aided by a ‘mis-hit’ Cullen goal – twice came from behind to draw 3-3 and take the match to penalty shuffles.

And so to Maddie Hinch, a long standing room mate of Cullen’s over recent years when hockey has taken them to all parts of the globe. ‘’I never had any doubt that Maddie would be the match

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 2 9

body fitness.indd 1

20/10/2016 18:26

Feature /// Crista Cullen

winner that night – she was just so mentally right at that point, and it was as if she had a stranglehold over the Dutch,’’ recounts Cullen, as we watch a playback of the now famous shuffles. ‘’Don’t ask me too much about the next 24 hours,’’ I am told, and knowing just how she will have celebrated, I move on.

A career that began at Banda Prep School in Nairobi, became rooted, grew and flourished at Oakham School, and then saw significant success at club and international level with Leicester, England and Great Britain has now concluded with the ultimate – an Olympic gold medal.

Justice has in a sense been done.

As director of sport throughout her time at Oakham School, I am inevitably asked ‘‘how good was Crista at school?’’

My answer has remained untouched for many years. I was blessed to oversee the development of what are now household international performers – Broad, Croft, Goode to name but three – as well as a host of current sporting professionals. At a young age all had great talent, desire, and an ever increasing mental toughness; Cullen had all of those, coupled with a level of athleticism that was way beyond any of her peers – she was the ultimate athlete.

Just as she will now, I suggest, take her second ‘and final’ retirement having achieved her ultimate goal, I will also rest easier knowing now that a special talent has been part of a truly special story. Hockey will miss her, but thankfully this country won’t have to – at least for the time being. She plans to develop her natural affinity for elite

level coaching and corporate speaking, as well as a potential career in the media. And, just in case you have not seen or heard her in these spheres, she is as engaging and motivational off the field as she was determined and successful on it.

Charles Welch is headmaster at Witham Hall School and Crista’s former director of sport at Oakham School

Above

Crista shows off the gold medal she won at the Rio Olympics, much to the delight of the pupils she was visiting at Witham Hall School

“I STARTED PLAYING FOR THE U13C TEAM…” Crista Cullen visited Witham Hall School recently to talk about her career and outlook.

She outlined how, aged 5, she had set out on her path in exactly the same way as the children in front of her had done. She talked about the dedication and commitment she had given to achieving her ultimate goal, and related it to any passion the children might have.

Crista pointed out her time at Oakham began in the U13C team, highlighting just what can be

achieved from any starting point.

Her words proved highly inspirational to all present. Crista then spent the morning in the school, attending classes, meeting pupils, showing the gold medal and signing autographs – primarily on hockey sticks!

Crista Cullen is currently engaged in a range of coaching and speaking commitments through diana@silverfoxmedia.co.uk www.silverfoxmedia.co.uk

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 3 1

Get ready for the Party Season with Personal Training at USSC

Personal Training is available from as little as £27 per session For more information contact reception or visit our website.

01572 820830 ussc@uppingham.co.uk www.sportscentre.uppingham.co.uk

www innerwolf co uk online and in-store

THE ROASTERY A purpose built coffee roastery allowing us to produce artisan, hand roasted coffees from our home in the picturesque town of Market Harborough TRAINING Learn the skills of a Barista – Courses available for the general public and free to all our commercial customers in our very own coffee school EQUIPMENT To Consistently achieve fantastic results, you not only require great coffee, but reliable equipment too. Here at Carrara Collection we have a direct partnership with all the leading manufactures which are maintained by our own engineers

Healthy from the

Inside Out NOW STOCKING

WELCOME TO THE ROASTERY, MARKET HARBOROUGH For more information please contact us on 01858 469006 www.carraracollection.com

CHARMINGLY BRITISH Authentically Italian

32.indd 1

21/10/2016 19:43

Feature /// Gear

KITBAG ESSENTIAL GEAR TO KEEP YOU ACTIVE THS WINTER

1. Specialized Roubaix Elite bike

1. 1.

Tame the wild asphalt with the smoothness and efficiency of the new Roubaix Elite 2017.

With its carbon frame, revolutionary Future Shock and carbon disc technology, the Roubaix is how a road bike should be.

Price £1,899.99 From Rutland Cycling

2. Giant Liv Envie Advanced bike The Liv Envie Advanced 1 is designed to harness the power of female riders, with specific geometry aiding balance for flawless handling. The final result: the ultimate aero race machine for sprints, short-distance triathlons and everyday training on the road.

Price £1,748.99 From Rutland Cycling

3. Frog Bikes 43 kids’ bike

Frog’s 43 combines a 14-inch frame and component selection with safety features to make children’s first experience enjoyable.

Comes in a great range of colours.

Price £194.99 From Rutland Cycling

2.

4. Giant Liv Signature rain jacket The Liv Signature is a high performing and breathable rain protection jacket that’s perfect for racing or training sessions.

Price £99.99 From Rutland Cycling

5. Ayacucho men’s Knight sweater

This is a warm and cosy everyday jumper that features a decorative pattern across the chest and the upper arms. The high wool content makes it super snug while the acrylic will offer excellent reinforcement.

Price £55 From cotswoldoutdoor.com

6. Fjällräven Övik Folk knit sweater

3.

4.

This is a funky sweater with a knitted pattern inspired by Nordic folklore. It utilises natural wool that wicks away moisture from base layers and continues to be warm even when it’s damp. A great option for cold days.

Price £120 From cotswoldoutdoor.com

7. Salomon men’s Quest Prime GTX boot

These boots are for lightweight hiking and backpacking, combining cushioning and protection with SensiFit technology. They offer excellent ankle support, essential when carrying a heavy pack over tricky terrain.

Price £130 From cotswoldoutdoor.com

5.

6.

7.

8. Sitka recycled camp cap

Exclusively stocked in the UK by Rise Outdoors, Sitka is a sustainable outdoors brand from Canada. Its products are inspired by the epic landscapes of British Columbia and are made to withstand variable weather conditions. This grey five panel cap is made from recycled wool and will keep you looking stylish and warm through autumn Into winter.

Price £28 From rise-outdoors.co.uk

8.

/// NOV E M BE R 2016 3 3

Choose the greener option…

(Also available in other colours)

Choose from a wonderful range of eco-friendly flooring including sisal, seagrass and coir.

Call us on…

01572 821581

Uppingham Carpet Company 24 High Street East · Uppingham · LE15 9PZ · info@uppinghamcarpets.co.uk w w w. u p p i n g h a m c a r p e t s . c o . u k

OPENING TIMES Open seven days a week 12 noon – 11pm Food is served from Tues – Sat 12-2.30pm & 6.30-9.30pm Sunday 12-4pm

The Red Lion is a friendly dynamic free house that prides itself on offering something a bit different and, we think, rather special.

Our team of chefs pride themselves that we never forget the Red Lion in freshly prepared, locally sourced Classics that are so popular with seasonal food delivered with warm our customers. friendly service.

There’s a wonderfully festive feel All of our bread, ice cream and here at the moment with our log desserts are homemade and we fire and delicious winter menu. are constantly striving for new and And we’re always happy to exciting dishes whilst ensuring welcome large party bookings.

Put simply, we want to serve you exceptional quality food, drinks and service in beautiful surroundings.

Call us on 01858 463571 Email theredliongb@gmail.com

THE RED LION I 5 Main Street, Great Bowden, Leicestershire, LE16 7HB I www.redlion-greatbowden.co.uk

34.indd 1

21/10/2016 19:43

Guest column

Goading from the gallery and taunts on the terrace Martin Johnson ponders punishing the boo boys of sport he opponents of capital punishment are doubtless well intentioned, but you wonder how many of them have ever attended a golf tournament in the USA. When you hear, for the umpteenth time, some halfwit yelling “in the hole!”, the only struggle with your conscience, quite frankly, would be whether to vote for the electric chair or lethal injection.

A chum of mine actually supports the old fashioned military method of execution by firing squad. The miscreant is first required to dig his own grave, and then, when a volley of rifle shots sends him tumbling into it, a specially selected audience would all cry in unison: “in the hole!”

However, when it comes to the Ryder Cup it all gets a bit nastier, and there were times during the latest instalment in Minnesota when I found it hard to distinguish between Americans shouting for the USA and Americans shouting for Donald Trump.

For some reason, the Ryder Cup in Europe doesn’t produce such nastiness, just the brain numbing repetitiveness of people chanting “olé” all day long. But whether it’s the USA, Europe, the UK, or anywhere in the world, you can always find events which bring out both the worst and the best in sporting crowds.

By comparison with a football match in Glasgow, a Ryder Cup in America is about as hostile as a meeting of the North Fife Rotary Club. In the movie Rollerball they did away with war and replaced it with a game. But in Scotland, they did away with a game and replaced it with war. They called it the Old Firm Derby, not so much in the context of Marks and Spencer, as the Krays.

The one I went to was at Ibrox and when the visiting players got off the bus, they were treated to a volley of spittle, shouts of “bastards!”, and a song that was largely undecipherable save for the odd word and phrase. Such as “Pope”, “Vatican”, and an unflattering reference to the sexual proclivities of cardinals.

It was all rather different to the kind of football crowd I grew up with, standing on the terraces of Somerton Park with my father watching Newport County. The spectators all wore cloth caps and drank Bovril, and rather than indulge in collective baying, it was always a lone voice which cut through the glum silence. “Rubbish Hunt!” The Hunt being the Newport 10 Ralph, who was no George Best and stoically bore all the taunts which came his way until the day he finally cracked. For once, a long clearance from the goalie led to Ralph for once trapping the ball rather than missing it, resulting in a howl of laughter and mocking applause. Which Ralph

T

acknowledged by picking up the ball, booting it into the crowd and raising two fingers. With both hands.

Mind you, things seem to have changed a bit since then, as I found out when my brother and I went to Worcester v Newport in a first round FA Cup tie one drizzly winter evening. We chose to stand behind the goal at one end, and couldn’t work out why the area behind the far goal was completely deserted.

I’d dug out my own black and amber scarf for the occasion, which prompted a chap standing near us to holler to a couple of policemen that two away ‘fans’ were standing at what they described as the ‘wrong’ end. Whereupon we were escorted to the ‘right’ end, a walk which involved listening to some pretty ordinary language, and, on a couple of occasions, having to duck out of the way of some coins and a half full Coke can. At Worcester v Newport!

Higher up football’s food chain, hostile crowds make even more serious demands on the resources of the local constabulary, but interestingly rugby union’s move from amateur to professional, has not resulted in the need for anything more than a couple of bobbies.

The crowds are bigger and more vocal, and, you’d have to say, more one-eyed. Every penalty given against the Tigers at Welford Road means that the ref is informed that he’s a total plonker in urgent need of an optician, and ditto with Northampton at Franklins Gardens.

However, the support is essentially nothing but good natured, and you wonder why some sports bring out the worst in crowds, and others the best. Take the tennis at Wimbledon. The spectators appear able to get through a tense five-setter involving their hero without shouting anything more offensive than “c’mon!”.

Even up on Henman Hill everyone is perfectly well behaved, and doing what all crowds do when they see themselves on a giant screen. Which is to wave at themselves.

Cricket crowds are not what they used be, apparently unable to watch a Test match without first getting dressed up as a banana, or the Archbishop of Canterbury, but not even the frenetic pace of Twenty20 has turned spectators into anything more than loud and boisterous. Which is why it’s both strange and sad to see how the Ryder Cup – faintly ludicrously for a sport largely indulged in by rotund pensioners pushing trollies – has managed to get itself associated with sportsmanship at its worst.  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?’.

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 3 5

35 johnson OK.indd 21

21/10/2016 14:21

Feature /// Skiing

SNOW RETURN! It’s time to start thinking about where to go for the upcoming ski season. We choose our favourite resorts for all budgets

3 6 NOV E M BE R 2016 ///

/// NOV E M BE R 2 0 16 3 7

Feature /// Skiing ON A BUDGET WHERE TO SKI: CAUTERETS

Cauterets, in France, could do with some better marketing: it has one of the best snow records and longest seasons in the Pyrenees, but is relatively unknown and as a result prices are much lower than in other Alpine resorts.

Probably though it is not a resort for the ski monster. The pistes require a 12-minute cable car ride and the skiing is very much for beginners and intermediates, although four miles away is good cross-country skiing in the Pont d’Espagne area.

Where to stay: Go self-catering, or even try Airbnb, as there are plenty of well-stocked supermarkets and shops. If you want to go really cheap, there is hostel-type accommodation at the Gite Beau Soleil.

WHERE TO SKI: MAYRHOFEN

Mayrhofen might seem like a surprising contender as a budget ski resort, given that it has a well-known reputation for extreme skiing and partying. As part of the Zillertal valley, it is virtually one giant resort stretching from Hochfügen and Kaltenbach to the north east, through Zell am Ziller and its linked village of Gerlos, to the Hintertux glacier, open all year, at the far end to the south.

Where to stay: Typically Austrian in its detailed organisation, the Mayrhofen tourist board offers a wide range of great deals at certain times of the season if you are sharp and keep a close eye on their website at mayrhofen.at

WHERE TO SKI: SLOVENIA

One of the best budget skiing destinations in Eastern Europe is Slovenia. Vogel is located in Triglav National Park above Lake Bohinj, and the skiing is situated in two bowls, and is suited to beginners and intermediates. There is a decent black run complete with steep drops and tree-lined chutes down from the top of Sija – the resort’s highest peak, but good skiers will run out of things to do pretty quickly.

Where to stay: Even a quick search on the internet found apartments near Vogel for two adults costing less than £500 total for a week next season. Obviously you won’t be skiing straight into your chalet’s boot room, but the buses to resort are pretty cheap.

IN THE MIDDLE WHERE TO SKI: SAUZE D’OULX

Sauze d’Oulx in Italy has undergone a transformation over the past few years which means now is a great time to go: it was once known as a rowdy, party hard resort and, let’s be honest, was seen as a bit chavvy by ski resort standards. But it has cleaned up its act, and is now back to being a cute Italian mountain village. The result is quieter slopes, lots of intermediate skiing, and good value for money restaurants, too.

3 8 NOV E M BE R 2016 ///

Where to stay: Located in Jouvenceaux and a short walk from the four-man chairlift to the Sportinia ski area, great for avoiding the queues at the Sauze village lifts, the appeal of the Hotel Martin lies in its comfortable lounge area with open fireplace, delightful dining room with wood beams and bar with draught beer where evenings are spent in a convivial atmosphere.

WHERE TO SKI: LES MENUIRES

According to those in the know, Les Menuires is where Meribel chalet owners send their guests when they ask for the best, quiet, on-piste skiing in the Three Valleys. It may be famous for its eyesore architecture, but beyond the multi-storey apartment blocks lies one of the most neglected, yet sporting, corners of the entire ski area – the 2804m Pointe de la Masse.

Where to stay: Many of Les Menuires’ apartments are small and pretty basic. But a week in one of them can be had for the price of lunch in one of the posh restaurants elsewhere in

the Three Valleys. Increasingly, the resort’s facilities are putting its posher neighbours to shame, too. It now has two public pools: Aquafun and Aquaspa.

WHERE TO SKI: SERRE CHEVALIER

In France, big inter-linked ski areas usually come at a premium. But that’s not the case in Serre Chevalier. Squirreled away in the Alps, south of Grenoble, it has a softer, more Gallic atmosphere than its A-list cousins in the north, and noticeably lower prices.

Where to stay: In high season, a three-star hotel is roughly half the price you’d pay for some three-stars in Val d’Isere. The Grand Hotel Serre Chevalier 3 stars is a traditional mountain Lodge style hotel in the center of Chantemerle village (Hautes Alpes). Due to its location in the heart of Chantemerle, you have direct access to ski lifts for skiers wanting to get on the mountain quickly and easily, and the rooms have been recently renovated to a high standard too.

for all your equestrian needs‌

Visit your nearest Chandlers Country Store: Belton

Horncastle

Spilsby

Holbeach

Barnack

Main Road, Belton, Grantham. NG32 2LX T: 01476 590077

Boston Road, Horncastle. LN9 6JN T: 01507 527211

Boston Road, Spilsby. PE23 5HQ T: 01790 753467

High Road, Whaplode, Spalding. PE12 6NT T: 01406 370789

Station Road, Barnack, Stamford. PE9 3DW T: 01780 740000

www.chandlers.co.uk

Feature /// Skiing MONEY NO OBJECT WHERE TO SKI: COURCHEVAL 1850

Courchevel 1850 has long been the flagship for exclusive ski holidays in France. It is at one end of the huge Trois Vallées ski area, which means you can ski to similarly starry neighbours Meribel and Val Thorens. Courchevel boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants, one at the Chabichou Hotel and the at La Bateau Ivre.

Early in the season, it will be full of Russian oligarchs and their entourages. March is a good time to go.

Where to stay: Le Strato Hotel is situated at the foot of the ski slopes – you can ski straight into the plush, concierged boot room with its own champagne bar, while the spa includes a swimming pool, sauna, fitness centre, hairdresser and personal trainer. Decorated in a refined and contemporary style, the stylish rooms and suites at Le Strato feature designer furnishings and parquet flooring and views of the slopes. Traditional Mediterranean and Alpine cuisine is served in the gastronomic Michelin starred restaurant. Suites cost from around £3,000 a week.

WHERE TO SKI: ST MORITZ

There are numerous beautiful, chocolate-box chalet-style resorts in Switzerland but the king of bling is the incomparable St Moritz in the Graubünden region. Here the adventurous eccentrics of the gentry risk their lives on the infamous Cresta Run, race their horses on the frozen lake, and then try a little skijoring (skiing dragged behind unbroken horses on the lake at speeds over 50kph). The skiing is great, but the

people watching combined with the off mountain activities make it a mind blowing destination. Go in February to do the Cresta and see the horse races.

Where to stay: Badrutt’s Palace is steeped in old money – it was Alfred Hitchcock’s favourite Alpine retreat and has been housing the rich and famous for 120 years. As well as luxurious rooms, shopping and restaurants and the usual spa facilities, Badrutt’s even has its own ice rink.

WHERE TO SKI: ASPEN

Aspen in Colorado has been the home to celebrities and billionaires for 40 years but still stays true to its mining town roots with down to

earth locals and strict adherence to an architectural code. For posing and celebrity spotting you have to ski on the Ajax Mountain right above the town. The restaurants here are typically large American fare but you can also go very upscale at Piñons, Renaissance, Olives in The St Regis and Syzygy. The J Bar in Jerome’s Hotel is probably the best restaurant/bar to catch sight of a few celebrities.

Where to stay: A landmark since it opened in Aspen in 1889, Hotel Jerome is renowned among luxury hotels across the world for its relaxed elegance, gracious service and authentic mountain spirit. World-class dining and spa offerings contribute to a truly elevated and unique experience.

SKIING KITBAG

Patagonia 3 in 1 Snowshot Legend jacket When you think of Patagonia you think of products that are versatile, durable and robust, and this jacket is definitely that. The breathable jacket is coated in water repellent which deflects light snow and is packed with 60g of thermogreen insulation.

There’s an insulated reversible liner, too.

Price £299.99 From tallingtonlakesproshop.com

4 0 NOV E M BE R 2016 ///

Go Pro Hero5 Session With its 4k video, one-button simplicity and voice control, the new Hero5 Session from Go Pro combines maximum performance with minimal size. It offers liquid smooth image stabilisation and rugged go-anywhere waterproof design helps you capture life as you live it.

Price £250 From cotswoldoutdoor.com

Dalbello Panterra 120 ski boots

Patagonia Snowshot snow pants

Designed with adventurers in mind, these boots have a 120 flex, and adjustable last between 102/100mm. The boot has a hike/ ride cuff lock to help get up as well as down the mountain.The ‘my fit liner’ will ensure an excellent customisable fit, resulting in excellent comfort and response from the ski boots.

Price £329.99 From tallingtonlakesproshop.com

Patagonia has designed the snowshot pant with motion in mind which is what really makes them a hit on the slopes. These h2no performance 2-layer shell pants offer an articulated fit which means they will stretch easily and freely move with you while skiing.

Price £174.99 From tallingtonlakesproshop.com

CARPETGALLOP.CO.UK

High Quality Carpet Fibre for Gallops, Ménages & Lunging Pens

Delivered in bales

from £85 per tonne plus VAT and delivery anywhere in the world.

Call UK 01785 719991 OR EMAIL mark@emeraldtrading.org.uk or charlotte@emeraldtrading.org.uk

WWW.CARPETGALLOP.CO.UK 41.indd 1

Book now at Sacrewell.org.uk

01780 782254

21/10/2016 19:42

LANDSEND.CO.UK/SPORT

NA16UK_Active_Nov_102716_TF.indd 1

10/11/16 9:26 AM

FILENAME: NA16UK_Active_Nov_102716

CLIENT: Lands’ End

DATE: SENT TF 10/11/16

VISUAL: MAN JUMPING ON ROCKS

ISSUE: Nov 2016

PUBLICATION: Active UK

BLEED: 226mm x 291mm

TRIM: 220mm x 285mm

SAFETY: 205mm x 270mm

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: SEASON/YEAR: FALL

GUTTER SAFETY: VERSION NO: 1

PRINT SCALE: 100%

ACTIVE BODY GET YOUR BODY READY FOR THE SKI SEASON, UNDERSTAND WHAT FOOD LABELS REALLY MEAN AND 10 TIPS TO LOSE YOUR LOVE HANDLES

GET STRONG FOR THE SNOW It’s the time of year to start getting fit for the ski season andFunction Jigsaw’s Tom Heeley has some tips

AS THE NIGHTS CLOSE IN and the days get colder, skiers begin to turn their thoughts to the slopes. Decisions have to be made on chalets, lift passes, new jackets and salopettes.

But while you may look good on the slopes, how can you put yourself in the best possible shape to improve your performance and reduce the risk of injury.

SHORT, SHARP BURSTS TO STAY FOCUSED AND FIT Skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous sports and the risk of injury can be high. Knee ligament injuries make

up around 40-50% of all ski and snowboard injuries.

As injury management partners of the British Ski & Snowboard Association, we have dealt with our fair share of skiing injuries.

So over the page are eight exercises that are great for helping you to reduce your risk of knee injuries on the slopes.

They will also improve your knees’ stability if you have suffered from a knee ligament injury in the past.

Stay with them and do them well.

Remember – short, sharp bursts. Get fit and stay focused...

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 4 3

ACTIVE BODY

TRX DL SQUAT This is a great exercise for getting your quads, glutes and hamstrings to work together. Work on 4x15 repetitions, keeping the Active Band nice and taut just above your knees. Keep the tempo nice and slow. Four seconds down and one second up.

BULGARIAN SPLIT SQUATS It’s a great single leg exercise to challenge balance and control, as well as strength.

With your back leg resting on a box, slowly lower down into a lunge and pop back up again. Again a slow tempo of four seconds down and one second up with 4x12 repetitions.

CRAB WALKS With the Active Band just above knees, this exercise is predominantly for the glutes. Again, use single leg control and aim at trying to reduce knee valgus (internal knee collapse) which is a large cause of knee injuries. Try 10 steps to the left and then four to the right.

4 4 D E C E M B E R 2 0 16 ///

ROPES Ropes help cardiovascular fitness and core strength while maintaining a strong base of support. Pick up the ropes and, as quickly as you can for 20 seconds, lift one up and down alternating the hands as you go.

PENGUIN WALKS With the Active Band up on your knees, pop up on to your toes and walk like a penguin, keeping your legs nice and stiff and tight. Do 10 steps forwards and 10 backwards. Repeat this four times.

one foot on top of the box, step up and slowly come back down, tap the floor and come back up. Do 4x12 on each leg.

BOSU BALL LUNGES This is a great exercise for stability, concentrating on strengthening your glutes, hamstrings and quadriceps. Place the ball, domed side up, foot in the middle over the white dot, slowly lunge down and back up again.

Keep an eye on Function Jigsaw’s Facebook page as Tom will be releasing videos of all of these exercises.

LUNGES Put one foot in front of the other, drop the back knee to the floor and then stand back up, if you can repeat this on the next leg by taking a step forwards and repeating this, it is more challenging on your balance and strength. Do 4x12 on each leg or walking lunges.

STEP-UPS Pick a solid box of around 45cm, place

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

COUNTERACT CHRISTMAS INDULGENCE EARLY – GET THAT METABOLISM FIRING NOW.

Quality garden birdseed at farm gate prices Stock up on your wild bird food and enjoy the scenic walks and an abundance of wildlife on our award winning conservation farm, why not combine a trip to the picturesque Eyebrook Reservoir when visiting us?

Quality seeds, mealworms, suets & feeders

Great Value 20kg Mixed Seed £10.00

@Eyebrook_Birds

Open Friday & Saturday 9am - 5pm, Sunday 9am – 12pm

You are welcome to collect at anytime but please phone to ensure we are here to serve you. Rectory Farm, right of Church, Great Easton. Tel: 01536 770771

www.eyebrookwildbirdfeeds.co.uk

45.indd 1

• Cardio area and resistance equipment • Large free weight area • Fully Air Conditioned • New morning classes available • Sauna and Steam rooms • Highly experienced PTs • CRECHE Facilites • Free parking for all members.

• Functional training area to include Powerplate, TRX and Boxing • Extensive studio and Indoor cycling studio offering over 35 classes per week to include BLT attack, Boxing Circuits, Cardio Pump, Stretch and Flex and Total Body Fitness.

• Luxurious locker rooms with complimentary toiletries • Free nutritional advice and Full Body stat analysis available to all members • Full gym induction and programme review every 4 – 6 weeks

“With 20 years’ experience in the industry westside is a popular, friendly health club which has something for everyone.”

CONTACT US TODAY: 01780 480651

www.westsideclub.co.uk

Westside Health & Fitness Club West Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2PN

21/10/2016 19:42

rebel rebel

The 1966 wild one is back with a vengeance.

Completely reinvented for 2016 and beyond, the perfectly proportioned Italian classic mixes design with devilish agility, while a 1.4 MultiAir Turbo 140 hp engine delivers the power. Nimble and turbocharged‌ Freedom has never felt so good.

NEW FREEDOM SINCE 1966 ROCKINGHAM CARS, COCKERELL ROAD, C O R B Y, N O R T H A M P T O N S H I R E N N 1 7 5 D U .

T E L : 0 1 5 3 6 2 6 8 9 9 1 W W W. R O C K I N G H A M C A R S. C O. U K Fuel consumption figures for the new Fiat 124 Spider in mpg (l/100km): Urban 33.2 (8.5); Extra Urban 55.4 (5.1); Combined 44.1 (6.4).

CO2 emissions 148 g/km.Fuel consumption and CO figures based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

2

Concept

X

Filename

IDF00858 Q416 124 Spider Rebel Rockingham 220x285 ON22488

Acct Management

Size

285x220

Studio Manager

Notes

Master

Adapt

Operator

Sign Off

Kenn

Creative Director

Initial

ACTIVE BODY

THE ALL BLACK ETHOS Excellence is expected when you don the famous black jersey of New Zealand, and the same should apply to all walks of life FOR ANY NEW ZEALANDER, becoming an All Black represents the pinnacle of achievement. When a player is awarded his All Black jersey for the first time, it is a proud moment in his life. Every player we spoke to alluded to the same sentiment and sense of responsibility: ‘We must leave the jersey in a better place.’ This is something that acts as a personal driver to all of them. Position by position, the players in the current squad namecheck those who have worn their jerseys before them. For example, recently retired captain and talismanic leader, Richie McCaw, widely considered to be one of the best openside flankers of all time, wore the

number seven on his back. He inherited this jersey from some of the greatest names in New Zealand rugby history, including players such as Dave Gallaher, Ian Kirkpatrick and Michael Jones. In the same way they did for him, McCaw’s job was to pass his jersey on to the next man, in a better state than when he got it.

Each player is able to produce a similar list of great men who have worn his jersey before him. All understand the privilege and honour that comes with being an All Black and they are determined, to a man, to ensure that they leave the legacy enhanced for their successors. This is a powerful motivating factor that drives their

unquenchable thirst for the highest standards of performance.

The notions of ‘unify and inspire the nation’ and ‘leave the jersey in a better place’ are examples of how the All Blacks develop a deep-rooted sense of purpose.

Purpose is a powerful concept when it comes to performance. A precondition for getting people to perform consistently at their best and give discretionary effort comes from having a powerful purpose. It cannot be taken for granted.

Developing a strong sense of purpose is critical for any organisation aspiring for high performance. It needs to be clear, it needs to connect for people, and it needs to be reinforced in practical ways all the time.

The standard of ‘okay’ is not okay!

The Maori language is native to New Zealand and is an important part of the heritage of the nation. There is an ancient

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 4 7

F_BAR_12282 Active magazine advert – x4 homes (Nutritious & Delicious) 220x285mm.qxp_Layout 1 03/10/2016 15:25 Page 1

Nutritious and Delicious

N

Re

F

ut cip RE rit e E io Bo n G ok ui & de s

Warm hospitality and home-cooked food in Barchester care homes At Barchester we know the importance of diet and nutrition. Which is why every meal is specially prepared using fresh ingredients by our talented catering teams, who ensure a variety of delicious dishes are created daily – always reflecting the likes, dislikes and dietary needs of each resident.

Our care homes across the UK are welcoming visitors and giving away FREE nutrition guides for older people and recipe books, filled with some of our award-winning chefs’ favourite recipes!

Residential Care • Nursing Care • Dementia Care • Respite Breaks Pop into your local Barchester care home to pick up our FREE Nutrition Guide for older people and our International Recipe Book.

To search for your local care home, visit www.barchester.com or call us anytime to benefit from over 24 years' experience.

Braeburn Lodge

Chater Lodge

Tixover House

Wood Grange

Braeburn Road, Deeping St James, PE6 8GP

High Street, Stamford, PE9 3TJ

Tixover Grange, Rutland, PE9 3QN

Westminster Lane, Bourne, PE10 9TU

01778 752 588

01780 778 170

01780 778 171

01778 752 589

ACTIVE BODY

Maori proverb that reads ‘Whãia te iti kuhurangi; ki te tuoku koe, me he maunga teitei’ – ‘Aim for the highest cloud, so that if you miss it, you will hit a lofty mountain.’

The All Blacks way is to hold themselves accountable to the highest possible standards – both on and off the field. For example, on an annual basis New Zealand Rugby publishes, for all to see, an organisational scorecard that rates how well they achieved the goals and targets for the year, along with the targets for the next year. A weighting is given to each of the core strategic goals, and performance in the past year is assessed.

In 2013, the organisation rated itself at 82%. This was in spite of achieving record-breaking milestones for on-field performance (the first test nation to record a 100% win record over a calendar year) and financial performance (a second successive annual profit, totalling NZ$2.9 million, versus a target of NZ$790,000)

The report highlighted the fact that they missed targets for player retention and fan engagement. In a country where every move made by the organisation is scrutinised, ad nauseam, this level of transparency and honest self-reflection around organisational performance is unusual. Few, if any, international governing bodies in other sports are brave enough to publish their performance ratings in this manner. It is a major factor in ensuring that the organisation never ceases to strive for excellence in everything it does.

The same principle is adopted by the players and coaches in the national team.

In spite of completing a historic 100% record in 2013 on the back of winning the Rugby World Cup in 2011, they always see room for improvement. The leadership structure within the squad – made up of coaches, players and support staff – speak of operating to a standard of world class,

not just good. Darren Shand is the All Blacks team manager, a role he has served in since 2004. “What really drives us is the constant challenge to play the perfect game and then do it again the following week”, Shand says.

In other words, the All Blacks look to deliver consistent perfection. This is the holy grail they are chasing. As a result, they analyse every performance with a critical eye on what could have been better. Throughout that 14-game, 100% winning season of 2013, the post-game review processes identified areas where improvements could be made.

The standards against which the team holds itself are set from within. “We look to ourselves to set the standards we aspire to”, Shand observes. “We set our own agenda and don’t benchmark ourselves against our competitors.”

As the undisputed number one team in the world, this is another core principle that contributes to the All Blacks’ preeminence. Complacency is the enemy of improvement when you are at the top and so it is crucial that standards are constantly challenged in the pursuit of perfection. No matter how good they get, you sense that the All Blacks will always look to raise the bar further.

For the All Blacks, the standard of ‘okay’ is not okay. The same zealous pursuit of continual improvement is evident in every example listed in this book.

High-performance organisations never settle for good enough. It can always be better. They never stop thinking about ways to improve. They never assume their performance advantage will last unless they focus on how they keep raising standards. It is a constant narrative. It becomes part of the organisational DNA.

James Bowen and Brian MacNeice are co-founders and managing directors of Kotinos Partners, a niche advisory firm working to help CEOs and their teams achieve sustained high performance. They are also co-authors of Powerhouse – insider accounts into the world’s leading high-performance organisations, published in October by Kogan Page.

For more information, visit www.theperformancepowerhouse.com

/// J U N E 2 0 1 2 4 9

ACTIVE BODY are so many different claims on fat. By law, if a product is ‘low fat’ it must contain less than 3g fat per 100g. If it is ‘light’ or ‘lite’ it must be at least 30% lower in calories or fat than the standard product • Fat free – the food must contain less than 0.15g per 100g of product.

• Per serving – this is often used to entice us in to thinking we are eating a low calorie option; however, the serving size is often unrealistically small • Organic – must contain at least 95% organic ingredients • No added sugar – This does not mean that the product contains ‘no sugar’ or that it is not still a high sugar product • Unsweetened – this means that no extra sugar or sweetener has been added • Reduced salt - the food must contain no more than 0.5g sodium per 100g • Free from alcohol – the product should contain no more than 0.05% alcohol • Farm fresh – a meaningless term which is open to mis-interpretation • Beneficial to health – if a food claims to be ‘healthy’, it must have proof to back up why it is healthy.

WORD GAMES It’s really important to understand food labelling if you are going to eat healthily, says nutritional adviser Helen Cole Have you ever looked much closer at a food label claiming to be ‘healthy’, or are you satisfied that the word in itself is enough to convince you that you are making the right choice? Sometimes, food labels are true to word; however, on the whole, terminology is used so that we are lulled in to a false sense of security.

We are all familiar with the terms ‘reduced fat’, ‘less fat’ and ‘less salt’ and they are indeed lower than the original versions, but are there ‘hidden nasties’?

Here, we will look at some examples of the terminology used to entice us and try to better understand food labels...

PLAYING WITH WORDS While food labels cannot, by law, lie about what the food contains, some do play on words. For example, you might see a fruit and nut oat bar that claims to be ‘vitamin enriched’, which makes it sound healthy, when it may still in fact be loaded with sugar, fat, salt and high in calories. Another example is a carton of soup claiming to

5 0 N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 ///

contain ‘all natural’ ingredients, but these may include cream, wine and chicken fat, which are high in calories and fat.

SO, WHAT IS THE LAW? The following information must, by law, be present on all food labels: • The name of the manufacturer • Whether the food has undergone any process, such as smoking or drying • Correct photography – if a product contains food flavouring, rather than the fresh ingredient, it cannot show a photograph of the fresh ingredient • The name of the product must also be true; for example ‘roast chicken flavour crisps’ do not need to contain roast chicken; however, a chicken pie must • All ingredients must be listed in descending order of weight •‘ Use by’ and ‘Best before’ dates are important to determine if food is safe.

UNDERSTAND THE TERMINOLOGY • Low fat – this is a confusing one, as there

HIGHS AND LOWS The following figures should help you to determine whether a product is high or low in the 3 key nutrients (fats, salt and sugar) and are based on 100g of a product: • Sugars – 10g+ is high, 2g and under is low.

The new GDA* on sugar intake is 5% of total energy (calories) per day.

• Fat – 20g+ is high, 3g and under is low.

• Saturated fat – 5g+ is high, 1g and under is low • Salt – 1.25g (or 0.6g sodium) is high, 0.8g (or 0.1g sodium) is low.

NUTRITION INFORMATION • *GDA (Guideline Daily Amounts) – shows the consumer the amount of kilocalories, fat, saturated fat, salt and sugars they should be consuming per day, in order to maintain weight and health. Where the term ‘per serving and % GDA’ appears on food labels, the consumer can see how the amount of the key nutrients per serving compares to the guideline.

• The traffic light system – this has been introduced to help consumers easily identify the amount of key nutrients present (fats, sugar and salt). Red highlights that the product is high in any of these nutrients, amber is medium and green is low.

The key point to remember is to get the right overall balance in our diets and to understand food labels in order to make the right choices based on fact, not what the manufacturer wants us to believe.

Information in this article is provided by Future Fit Training.

AVATAR DINING Real Indian & Nepalese Cuisine - Served with Style & Panache

Market Harborough

Tel: 01858 462 752

harborough@avatardining.com

PLEASE BOOK NOW!

AVATAR restaurant presents refined Indian & Nepalese food of today.

Opening Times Christmas Period Christmas Eve 5pm-11:30pm Christmas Day (Lunch) 12pm-4pm Boxing Day - Closed

27th to 30th Dec - Open as usual New Year’s Eve 5pm - Midnight New Year’s Day - Closed

Please choose from our A La Carte Menu 113 St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough , LE16 7DT www.avatardining.com Also large car park at rear

avatar dining.indd 1

21/10/2016 19:15

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

FABULOUS FURRY FASHION There’s no denying it, the nights are drawing in and there’s a definite chill in the air so it’s time to wrap up warm and keep cheerful.

A fur coat will have the desired effect and there’s nothing better than being wrapped in fur (fake or real) keeping you snug as a bug. The best thing about a fur coat is it can look elegant or be great fun – or both. I know what you’re all thinking...

‘I’d never wear a dead animal.’ But you don’t need to as these days faux fur can

5 2 N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 ///

look just as good as the real thing and be almost as warm. But, if you don’t object to wearing the real thing, it’s very easy to pick up a vintage fur in a charity shop or online. Or you can buy new as many designers are once again using real fur.

Enough of the ethics, I’ll leave that up to you to decide. Fur, be it fake or real, is back in fashion in a big way. If you think a fur coat is a bit too much, why not get a coat with just a fur collar? Or forget the coat and just wear a fur hat or scarf, you’ll

still be bang on trend and warm as well.

Fur is fun, you can release your inner Bet Lynch by wearing a faux leopard skin or be sleek and elegant – it’s up to you, and you can manage to do both at the same time.

Whatever you fancy, you’ll be warm, comfy, stylish and will stand out from the crowd. But beware, if you wear fur everyone will want to come and stroke your coat – a great ice breaker! If all this fur is a bit too much why not just wear a fur hat or scarf.

And finally...

The latest fashions to show off

REJUVENATING REFLEXOLOGY The earliest record of the practice of reflexology was found in an Egyptian tomb dating from 2,500BC, but different methods of working on the feet for the promotion of health and well-being have been used all over the world.

Liz Brock from Lily Holistics is always keen to learn new techniques and she’s recently added lymphatic drainage and spinal reflexology to her list of treatments.

When I arrived I was shattered and just happy for a lie-down in the middle of the day. Once she’d taken details of my medical history, medication, lifestyle and sleep patterns, she was ready to start.

Reflexology is a specific pressure technique that works on reflex points on the hands or feet, based on the principle that these points correspond to particular organs, glands and structures – a bit like a map of the body. She used a gentle pressure which was incredibly relaxing.

Some areas felt tender to the touch so they were obviously areas of congestion.

Reflexology can be used to treat most conditions like arthritis, auto-immune conditions such as fibromyalgia and ME, chronic infections, headaches, constipation and IBS, anxiety and depression, PMS and fertility problems and general fatigue.

I dropped off a couple of times during the hour - very easily done with soothing music, an ambient temperature and gentle massage. I felt something easing and an overwhelming sense of wellbeing by the end of it. My stress had evaporated and I felt much more positive than when I walked in.

Prices start at £38 for a one-hour session and £190 for a pre-booked course of six sessions.

Lily Holistics Reflexology, 4 Old North Road, Wansford, PE8 6LB. Telephone 01780 789919 or 07545 578844.

Casual leopard faux fur coat £89 www.topshop.com

Franchesca faux fur detail coat £395 www.reiss.com

ULTIMATE RELAXATION LUXURY BATH Lottie Davies, of Aroha Beauty House in Uppingham, spent a year in New Zealand working as a beautician and loved that they offered bath treatments along with beauty therapy. “It’s such a good idea for a client to have a luxury soak in essential oils before a treatment so I brought the idea back to the UK with me.”

And she’s right. To walk into a room lit with candles and a beautiful, steaming bath with roses and lavender floating in the water waiting for me was heavenly. I hopped in, lay back, listened to the soothing music and let the essential oils work their magic. I lay there inhaling beautiful smells and could feel my skin softening instantly. After a half-hour soak I

was completely relaxed and let Lottie work her magic on my back and shoulders. My muscles had been relaxed in the bath so the firm massage she gave did the trick. All too soon it was over but the real treat at the end was being given a slice of homemade lemon drizzle cake (‘to bring your blood sugar levels up again’) and a glass of water.

Throughout November and December Lottie is offering the ultimate relaxation rose bath with a 45-minute back massage for £45 rather than £54. Aroha Beauty also offers 10% off waxing every Wednesday throughout the year.

Aroha Beauty House, 43 High Street East, Uppingham, LE15 9PY. 01572 822853.

Helen Moore faux fur pillbox hat £39.95 www.hatsandcaps.co.uk

Large Cardington handbag £245 www.tusting.co.uk

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 5 3

tapas bar

Hola amigos!

Booking for Christmas and New Year parties now being taken

Special party deal available - 01858 411005

Toro Latino Tapas Bar

17 Abbey Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9AA www.torolatino.co.uk

Chequers Country Inn Main Street, Lutterworth LE17 5BT

54.indd 1

Tel: 01455 208151

www.chequerscountryinnlutterworth.co.uk

Bookings taken for Christmas day and Christmas parties

21/10/2016 19:42

Feature /// Sportsman's Dinner

The Chequers, Ullesthorpe Kate and Tim enjoy good value for money in this friendly pub Tim As soon as I saw the huge car park so full on a Monday night I wondered what was bringing in the customers. And the answer is grill night! You can have two meals for the price of one including a 10oz rump or gammon steak or, my favourite, a mixed grill. In fact, the whole menu offers good value for money any day of the week. Curry night is on Wednesday and two people can dine with wine for £20 on Thursdays.

Kate The Chequers is one of 30 Marston’s ‘village’ pubs and there’s a really extensive menu. You know how it is sometimes when you go out to eat and you struggle to find something you fancy, well you certainly wouldn’t have that problem here. There are plenty of traditional pub dishes such as pies, chops, scampi and burgers but there’s also a good selection of curries and Cajun dishes. I fancy the Keralan cod but I often seem to choose fish curry so I’m going to have the trio of arancinis to start (£4.55) and halloumi, red pepper and pomegranate tart as a main course (£8.25).

Tim I’m not desperately hungry otherwise we could have shared three grazing dishes for £10: harissa houmous, chilli chicken wings and beetroot and orange wedges would have been

my top choices but as I ate lunch fairly late I’ll have a mouthful of your starter if you don’t mind? Arancinis are stuffed rice balls coated with breadcrumbs and then deep fried from Sicily originally, aren’t they? My favourite is the one made with sundried tomato and basil and this one with chestnut mushrooms is very earthy. Most autumnal.

Kate I certainly won’t. The crushed garlic new potatoes are delicious, and there are so many of them. And I love the different flavours in the tart: the peppers are particularly sweet so the salt of the halloumi makes an interesting contrast and as there are supposed to be so many nutrients in pomegranate seeds this is a good chance to eat some!

Kate Well thank you for leaving me the one stuffed with minted pea – it’s beautifully fresh.

That was a good choice so let’s hope my tart is just as delicious. Your steak and Marston’s ale pie looks appetising (£8.60). How does it compare to your mother’s cooking? She made a mean steak and kidney pie, bless her.

Tim I know Gail is keen to build the community spirit here, particularly as the pub was closed for a long time. She’s very experienced at running such a busy venue which is lucky as there’s a large function room which is popular for parties, weddings and christenings, and there are 11 bedrooms altogether. It’s also a great place for Christmas parties as it feels very spacious, a bit like a tardis, but weirdly cosy at the same time. I say this all the time but if this were my local, I’d be happy. There’s a convivial atmosphere, enthusiastic young staff and the food is great value for money.

Tim It stacks up fairly well actually, although I miss the kidneys. And the mashed potato is creamy with a hefty jug of gravy to go with it.

All in all, I’m very satisfied. The landlady Gail hosts shoot meals here two or three times a week and I bet the guns are happy with the portions on offer. On Sundays you can have unlimited vegetables with your lunch and the new winter menu is out now with nourishing Irish stews and the like on there so I don’t suppose many people walk out hungry.

The Chequers Country Inn Main Street, Ullesthorpe, LE17 5BT. 01455 208151

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16

55 SL restaurant OK.indd 57

55

21/10/2016 19:12

Feature /// Great walks

TOP STAT

ting Ground is Kibworth Shoo week and offers a ys da six en op shooting a range of clay opportunities.

Tur Langton Another fine country walk in the Langtons. By Will Hetherington Photography: Will Hetherington

Difficulty rating (out of five)

THE ROUTE

Park on Main Street a hundred yards from the Crown Inn and take the footpath heading north out of the village up a track. You will soon come into a farmyard area; take care here to find the right path heading north, which is hidden behind a couple of silos.

From here you are out into open country and the path initially drops down before gradually climbing through a couple of fields and bringing you out on to Mere Road. This quiet country lane has cattle grids on it and is so rarely used I didn’t see a vehicle, which makes it easier to enjoy the distant views to the north and south.

Turn left here and walk along the road for 500 yards until you get to the footpath heading south.

This path soon tracks the hedgerow on the left all

5 6 NOV E M BE R 2 0 16 ///

the way downhill to Kibworth Road which links Tur Langton to its larger neighbour. Cross the road and go through the grounds of the manor and take the sharp right turn before you have passed all the buildings on your left.

This path leads down past a small lake and into the valley bottom where a bridge leads over what you would hope would be fresh running water. However, it was dry when I was there which was a shame because the dogs could have done with a drink. If you hear repeated gunshots don’t be surprised as Kibworth Shooting Ground is only a kilometre away to the south.

Turn left immediately after the bridge and follow the track for 400 yards before taking another left through the hedgerow and then there is another short climb. The path goes through a couple more fields before you need to take a sharp left back on yourself along a track next to a wide open ditch. If you have your OS map its fairly obvious but there is no marker, so be warned. If you miss it you will end up in Church

Langton and have to backtrack. From here it’s another brief climb and then downhill and back into Tur Langton on a choice of paths.

Clockwise, from above

You will make your dog happy on this walk; rolling countryside offers splendid views; Tur Langton; the route out of the village

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION Where to park On Main Street, 100 yards west of the Crown Inn. Distance and time Four miles/1 hour and 20 minutes.

➛➛

➛ ➛ ➛

➛ ➛

➛ ➛➛

START

Highlights Great views north and south from Mere Road at the northern point of the walk. Tur Langton is an attractive village.

Lowlights There was a lack of fresh water for the dogs which might not be a problem in the winter but be warned in the warmer months.

Refreshments The Crown Inn in Tur Langton or the pubs in the other Langton villages.

Difficulty rating Three paws. It’s an undulating route and you will know you have a had a good walk but there aren’t many stiles and its pretty good underfoot (depending on the state of the arable fields).

The pooch perspective No livestock but lack of fresh water. Overall you will have a happy dog at the end of this one.

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

/// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 5 7

Houghton Pharmacy 14 Main St, Houghton on the Hill, Leicester LE7 9GD e-mail: houghton.pharmacy@nhs.net

t: 0116 241 8243

Other services available from Houghton Pharmacy • Dispence NHS & Private Prescriptions • Repeat Rescriptions Collection Service • Malaria Prophylaxis* and erectile dysfunction *medications available from the pharmacy.*conditions apply.

Opening Hours

Mon to Fri 9.00am to 12.45pm, 2.00pm to 6.15pm

SU advert ActiveMag 220x140 Aug'16 ARTWORK.indd 1

58.indd 1

09/08/2016 08:49

21/10/2016 19:42

Feature /// School sport

Hockey trials success for Spratton Hall Spratton Hall has been successful this year in the county hockey trials with 12 pupils gaining a coveted place on the squads.

Zellie Young, Joe Sterling, Jasmine Cassidy, Dickon Collins, Henry Wheeler, Tom Hampden-Smith, Jasper Cooper, Henry Lowin, Ed Lewis and Phoebe Thomas have all been selected for the under 13 Northants squad.

Mia Darby was selected for Northants under 14s and Marcus Aldrich was selected for Warwickshire at the same age group.

A school spokesman said: “These results bode well for our girls’ hockey season this term and our boys’ hockey season next term. It is a fine achievement by them all.”

Seven sailors win youth titles Oakham’s sailors were on fine form at the Rutland Youth & Junior Sailing Championships, held at Rutland Water, winning many of the top prizes available.

Seven Oakham pupils, out of the 57 competitors, won trophies and accolades.

Form 6 student Harry Martin was the overall winner and first in class, sailing a Laser Radial; notching up one win, four seconds and one third over the six races to win by a margin of 7 points.

Form 5 pupil Maddy Kirk finished in a respectable third place overall, having won two of the six races, while Elysia Dooley and Becky Sale were the first Firefly boat on the leaderboard, finishing eighth overall.

Above Lyndon accepts his award from Nottinghamshire CCC Academy director Chris Tolley

Notts county award for cricketer Lyndon Oakham sport scholar Lyndon James has won a much-coveted award from Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club after enjoying an incredible season with the club.

Lyndon was presented with the most improved young player award at the annual end of season awards dinner, held at Trent Bridge.

All-rounder Lyndon has been part of the club’s academy since he was 15 after impressing coaches at county age group level.

In the last season, one moment stood out to Lyndon as the ‘turning point’ – when he scored 167 runs in one game. He ended up having a fantastic second half of the season, making his debut for the 2nd XI and enjoying “the most successful second half of a season I’ve ever had”.

Angus Fraser, director of cricket at Middlesex CCC, was guest speaker at the awards, while Lyndon’s award was presented by academy director Chris Tolley (pictured inset).

“It was a privilege to be there,” said Lyndon. “It felt as if I was one step closer to where I want to be. It was really quite inspiring.”

“I am delighted that Lyndon has won this prestigious award,” added Neil Johnson, Oakham’s director of cricket.

“His hard work over the past few years has really paid off, and it is fantastic to see him following in the footsteps of Old Oakhamian cricketers such as Stuart Broad, Tom Fell and Josh Cobb.

“I am confident that his success will inspire many of our younger cricketers.”

Oakham are Leicestershire champions Oakham’s under 16 girls’ hockey squad have won the County Hockey Championship after a hard-fought campaign.

The team drew 2-2 in their first match against Ratcliffe College, but shortly afterwards went on to beat Loughborough Grammar School 2-0. The semi-final, against Uppingham School, went to penalty strokes. Oakham’s players scored three goals and the goalkeeper made some fantastic saves to put the team through to the final.

Oakham secured the championship in a hard-fought final against the strong opposition of Leicester Grammar School, winning 3-1.

Director of hockey James Bateman said: “This is a great win for our under 16 girls. Their hard work in training and strong core skills have really paid off, and I am delighted that they are county champions once more.” /// N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 5 9

59 SL schools OK.indd 36

21/10/2016 19:13

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

Rugby

Mixed fortunes for Lions and South

BY JEREMY BESWICK

I

t was a good start to the month for Leicester Lions who notched up three consecutive victories to leave them within a point of table-topping Sale, before a somewhat disappointing reverse at Harrogate. They opened with a 41-26 win away to fellow big cat rivals Sheffield Tigers in what was, according to the club’s Mike Howkins “a nine-try thriller”.

In spite of having Kane Nixon yellowcarded as early as the seventh minute, Lions drew first blood through Danny Bartwell, his try converted by Jon Boden.

Tigers closed to 5-7 somewhat fortuitously as a penalty attempt struck the post and fell kindly for them to score and they then briefly took the lead with a well-taken interception try but back came Lions with a mazy run from Harry Mahoney who off-loaded to Marco Dallavalle to land the fourth try and make the half-time score 20-12 to the Lions.

Two further tries from the Lions early in the second period – from Mahoney and Sam Lewis – rather settled matters and as their frustration grew Tigers’ Frank Wragg took an early bath, the card this time being red. Lions’ Jamel Hamilton added their fifth try before two consolation ones for Tigers made the final score more respectable. “We showed some real character” said Lions’ director of rugby, Ken Whitehead.

Stourbridge came to Westleigh Park as the then league leaders but were to find themselves 8-0 down at half time, Ian Smith with an early try, and Lions soon added to that tally through scrum half Kris McFedries – “a lovely darting try,” according to Howkins.

Stourbridge kept in touch with two penalties and were given a boost as Drew Rudkins saw

red and their prop scored to narrow Lions’ lead to 15-13 but a superb run from Sam Benjamin saw them open up a nine point cushion and then, as Howkins reported: “With their tails up Lions had a classy five minute period of play. Debutant fly-half James Grayson scored a penalty. This was immediately followed by two thundering quick-fire tries by Lions’ winger Devon Constant to make the final score 37-13.”

Whitehead agreed with Howkins saying: “We showed some real class scoring three tries in the last 15 minutes.”

Newly promoted Scunthorpe were the next visitors but, in spite of Lions scoring a try as early as the eighth minute through Danny Hartwell, they proved to be worthy opponents in a first half display that saw them lead by 10-7 at the break.

However, the second period belonged to the Lions, Scunthorpe adding only a penalty as tries from Devon Constant (two), Matt Tuckey, Dan Martin and John Murdoch contributed to the 38-13 win.

Whitehead warned about complacency after the match and that was to prove prescient. Harrogate had yet to win this season yet their scrum completely dominated as Lions went down to a shock defeat 10-27 in Yorkshire. As Howkins said, forward play has traditionally been a Lions strength so the manner of the defeat was all the more surprising. Whitehead’s view was that “Harrogate gave us plenty of problems to think about. This will give a serious focus for training and game preparation”. It’ll be interesting to see how they respond.

South Leicester had beaten Harrogate away 34-16 in September and then went on to

narrowly defeat Sale by 42-39 before setbacks against Wharfedale and Chester and a draw against Sedgley Park. The Sale match had gone right to the wire as the game “ebbed and flowed with the tide favouring both teams at various stages” according to South’s Mick McNeill. They had led 29-10 at the break with tries from Will Cave, Rickie Aley, Ryan Hough and Matt Cooke and were still seemingly comfortable at 35-17 with 25 minutes to go, but a yellow for Cooke that also resulted in a penalty try changed the match and three Sale tries gave them a four point lead until the final minute, when the returning Cooke – doubtless refreshed after his rest – rampaged down the wing to steal it.

They were on the wrong end of an equally close encounter at Wharfedale, losing 32-38.

Chairman Wayne Marsden obviously had an eventful day, commenting afterwards (rather intemperately for him) that “Wharfedale is a tough place to travel for any team – 140 miles and four hours on a bus. The location is remote, the supporters are partisan and that’s putting it lightly, the program editor’s comments about South were not the slightest bit funny and to top it off, they are not a bad side either.”

Warming to his theme he continued: “For the South playing squad and the six fans that travelled out of the 450-strong crowd, it was a hell of an experience. South look forward to hosting Wharfedale, when they visit Welford Road in the new year.”

He did, however, thank the opposing chairman and secretary, whose “hospitality to the South executives was superb”.

Am I alone in thinking it might have been not only “superb” but also “copious”?

6 0 NOV E M BE R 2 0 16 ///

60-61 SL rugby OK.indd 60

21/10/2016 14:17

As a fan myself, it pains me to acknowledge that Tigers’ defensive problems continue despite having sacked Kiwi defence coach Scott Hansen earlier this month.

Perhaps it was asking too much for an immediate improvement as director of rugby Richard Cockerill wrested back control of the reins of their forwards’ play himself, also telling me “We have no plans to replace him in the short term”, but to lose to Glasgow by 42-13 so dismally last month was an enormous setback.

Admittedly it belongs to another era of the game, but many fans will recall the match at Welford Road in the Heineken Cup in 1997 that ended in a 90-19 embarrassment to the Scots and wonder how their side has come to this.

A certain R Cockerill had scored two tries in that match - one can assume not from free-flowing wing play – so to have been so comprehensively out-fought in a bad tempered match would have hurt.

Telling it like it is, as always, Cockerill said a er the game: “It is pretty raw now... we have to front up and play better. We were not good enough. There’s no getting away from that. If we play badly it is my responsibility, and it is my responsibility to put it right.”

Much has been made in the national press about England’s recent ‘ferocious’

TIGERS IMAGES

Tigers Talk

training session under Eddie Jones from which two players returned to their clubs with broken bones, but Cockers told me that Dan Cole’s assessment was that it had been “tough but not outrageous” – so perhaps that can be put down to hyperbole and the search for a story where perhaps none existed.

By the way, Cockerill remains consistently positive about Jones’ performance in the England job, something that hasn’t always been true of previous England bosses.

One brighter note for me this month was sitting down with new recruit Tom Brady for the first time and hearing about his first couple of weeks at the club. It had started with a defeat against his old side Sale.

“I’d have loved to have beaten them,” he told me. “I got lots of stick from my old mates in their side but purposely turned my head reckoning anything else could have made me lose focus.” Alas, that wished-for victory was not to be but he had a much happier home debut in the win against Worcester with his first try for the club – and one that will be remembered for some time by those who were there for the celebration that wasn’t!

Somewhat overwhelmed by the occasion, and knowing the try was certain, Brady leapt in the air for a flamboyant one-handed touch down before changing his mind in mid-flight and taking the safer option.

“I’ve had plenty of stick about that,” he told me “but it’s something I’ll always remember. To be honest, in mid-dive I thought of Cockers’ face and what his reaction would have been if I dropped it”.

Those of us who only have to worry what his reaction might be to a difficult question at a press conference will sympathise.

Above

Tom Brady about to score for Leicester in the home fixture against Worcester

/// NOV E M BE R 2016

60-61 SL rugby OK.indd 61

61

21/10/2016 14:17

Roundup

Football

Oadby on the up as young players gain experience

O

adby Town who, as we reported last month, are a much-changed young side under their new management team of Graham Chambers and Dave Clay, seem to be improving apace as they gain experience and recently put a run of three wins together – including putting seven goals past Huntingdon Town.

Chambers told me: “Oddly enough, we weren’t really at our best but could still have got double figures with better finishing. I’d told the boys that the way we were playing, someone was always going to get a whipping from us sooner or later and it was just Huntingdon’s bad luck that it happened to be them.”

Huntingdon went on to win their next match, so it wasn’t just a case of weak opposition either and the other two wins in their mini run were against Leicester Nirvana and Irchester United in the cup. Top four side Yaxley ended the run with a 3-1 win at Freeway Park but Chambers was anything but downhearted.

“We were unlucky not to get anything out of the game against a very good side, but with a young team you don’t always get what you deserve,” he told me.

“But as I watched them take the game to Yaxley in the second half I could see that for the first time they were realising that we’re good enough to take on the best at this level. It was a strange feeling, knowing that we’d lost but had also turned a corner. So lots of positives out of the defeat and it’ll be really good for their confidence moving forward.”

BY JEREMY BESWICK This is all in stark contrast to their other game this season that featured a side scoring seven goals, when they were on the wrong end of a thrashing by Clifton back in September in what Chambers called “a night to forget – we move on and brush it aside,” but is evidence of the rapid progress they’ve made in just a few weeks.

It’s all good with those other youngsters at Harborough FC too who, having lost their two opening games, then went on a run of nine undefeated.

“The first team’s doing extremely well – some of our play has been absolutely excellent,” said trustee Andy Winston. What did he put this season’s improvement down to?

“The boys are a year older now – remember we are a very young side,” he told me. “They now understand how the manager wants them to play. We’ve worked hard on fitness which has allowed us to press hard and pressure the ball. We’re scoring more goals and they’re coming from all areas of the park, which is encouraging.”

They equalled their best ever run in the United Counties League with a 3-2 win at home against Sleaford Town. Having lost skipper Ben Williams to a first half injury they would have been pleased to go into the interval 1-0 up after a late goal from Billy Shepherd.

The second period wasn’t a classic – the club’s Gary Wainwright calling their performance “lacklustre and wasteful in possession” and the score stood at 2-2 with ten minutes left before they bagged the winner.

Wainwright, like Winston, also sees a change in the side this season, commenting: “As has been the case in recent games Harborough refused to lie down” and “the team maybe haven’t been at their best but have still dug out victories where in the past defeats would’ve been the order of the day” and they now have the ability to “grind results out”.

Our third bunch of youngsters – Lutterworth Athletic – seem to be hitting a good run of form too with two wins (both four goal victories over Woodford United and Raunds Town) preceded by two draws against Blackstones and Rushden and Higham.

Chairman Mike English had told me that his side were “young and naive” but would “learn from every game and grow in confidence” and it seems his prediction is coming true.

The county FA have been busy with two initiatives this past month – The Stonewall Rainbow Laces Campaign and The FA Girls’ Football Week.

If you’ve spotted rainbow-coloured laces from the touchline it’s in support of zero tolerance of homophobia in football.

President David Jamieson explained that it’s “aimed to unite players in showing that their team accepts everyone without exception, and that homophobic abuse is not tolerated, on or off the pitch”.

The response from local sides has been positive with Jamieson going on to say: “After informing clubs of the week of action, we were delighted with the response we had from teams wishing to obtain special rainbow laces to wear in matches to show support.”

6 2 NOV E M BE R 2016 ///

62-63 SL football OK.indd 60

21/10/2016 14:16

The season so far has been a curate’s egg for Foxes fans. Their debut season in the Champions League has gone so much better than many of them would have dreamed of as a 100% record of three wins without conceding a single goal takes them to the brink of qualification to the knockout phase, but domestic life as champions of the Premier League has been much more problematic and they currently sit closer to the bottom than to the top a er a string of underwhelming defensive performances.

They are by no means the first side to have found the top flight easier to win than to defend. The prospect of playing the champions is a motivator for opponents seeking to knock them off their perch and the effect of the psychological change from being plucky challengers aspiring upwards to holders looking down should not be underestimated on what are still a group of very young men. In addition, of course, playing in both Europe and the Premiership brings an entirely new level of a challenge to any squad.

However, none of these factors would have escaped wily old Claudio Ranieri as he contemplated this season’s campaign and he has sought to alleviate them all as best he could, but one development was less predictable for him - a littlepublicised change to the directives given to Premiership referees about blocking,

PLUMB IMAGES

VOX FOX

pulling of shirts and wrestling in the penalty area whilst defending corners and free kicks.

This is not a new rule, but rather a concerted effort by the authorities to stamp down on it in the domestic game and, to be fair, every club and player was extensively warned in pre-season briefings that this was to be the case. Yet, whatever one thinks of this initiative (and whether it will prove to be another short-lived idea that is not consistently applied by all referees) it will, while it lasts, favour some defences over others.

Robert Huth, fine player though he is, has always been a master of the dark arts of holding, grappling and obstructing and in Morgan, Fuchs and Schlopp he found eager pupils as Leicester proved amazingly resilient at the set piece last season, hardly conceding any goals from them. But it’s a different story this term as what was a strength has become a weakness with five conceded from corners alone so far. The game at Old Trafford was a case in point. Manchester United were 4-0 up at half time and there was no realistic way back for City, but wipe out the three of those four goals that came from corners and it would have been still very much “game on”.

Marc Albrighton, talking a er another away defeat, this time at Chelsea where they’d again conceded an early opening goal from a corner, said: “It was a difficult game, but we’ve got to stop doing what we’ve been doing” and Ranieri himself has highlighted their “surprising” set piece vulnerability. Unless the initiative peters out, as so many have in the past, they’re going to have to find a different way of defending.

Above

Marc Albrighton celebrates at the final whistle a er Leicester’s Champions’ League victory over FC Copenhagen

/// NOV E M BE R 2016

62-63 SL football OK.indd 61

63

21/10/2016 14:16

// MARKET PLACE Computer Repair

Planning

Removals

Security

Taxi

Airports, Stations, Local & Long Distance

Fox Taxi

TAXI

01572 720 200

DC TAXI OAKHAM

Private Hire

Prebook your journey now

07528121560 dctaxioakham@hotmail.com

Airports Stations Local & Long Distance

07884 385312

Email: foxtaxi@hotmail.co.uk

Read the magazine first online at: www.theactivemag.com Connect with us on the following social media platforms: facebook.com/theactivemag

google.com/+theactivemag

twitter.com/theactivemag

thinglink.com/theactivemag

pinterest.com/theactivemag

linkedin.com/company/ theactivemag

1 F E BRUA RY 2 0 14 ///

// To advertise on the Market Place page please email marketplace@theactivemag.com or call 01780 480789 Market Place SL Template.indd 116

21/10/2016 12:34

Roundup

Equestrianism

Oasby attracts the crowds

BY JULIA DUNGWORTH

O

Le Leicestershire’s Willa Newton (right) claimed the KBIS CIC2* seven-year-old championship title for the second year at Osberton International Horse Trials on Lauries Laudation 2

NICO MORGAN

asby is one of the last local events of the season on the British eventing calendar, which yet again fell foul of its own popularity and had to ballot competitors out of most sections.

Saturday, October 16, saw mainly intermediate and novice sections run, which for once were blessed with perfect weather.

Local rider Angus Smales took the open intermediate on Master Crisp, and was one of very few riders to make the time on the tightly wheeled course. He was also fifth on his other steed, A Bit Much, in the same section.

In-form Izzy Taylor won both the other two intermediate sections. Simon Grieve made a return to competition at Oasby after suffering a very bad arm dislocation at the beginning of August which had put an end to his plans to compete at Burghley in September. He was placed fourth in the intermediate on The Rutman.

The star of Oasby had to be Heidi Coy. Heidi is based locally at Melton Mowbray, and won both the under 18 open novice sections on Royal Fury and Forrests Foxy Lady, the latter finishing on a her very impressive dressage score of 24.3.

Heidi has had a good season with her two

horses and what a great way to end it – she’s definitely one to watch next year.

Unfortunately the usual Oasby weather returned for the Sunday and they were back to pulling lorries out of the car park. However, that didn’t stop play and another 250 competitors ran in soggy conditions!

Richard Coney did the Brits proud in the Junior European Championships which were held in Montelibretti in Italy at the end of September. He finished in 13th place with

Kananaskis – they just lowered one pole in the show jumping to add to their dressage of 44.9.

His team-mates were Felicity Collins (9th), Phoebe Locke (11th) and Bubby Upton (16th), which left the team in bronze medal position at the end of the event. Richard then came back home on top form, going on to compete a week later at Osberton on his other horse, Master Ping, where he finished eighth out of 120 competitors in the CCI1*. He finished on a very competitive dressage score of 41.4.

Show your support for local sport...

Email advertise@theactivemag.com /// N O V E M B E R 2 0 16 6 5

65 SL horses OK.indd 61

23/10/2016 12:24

Are you a good sport?

We want to hear from you, your team, your club or your league with the latest news, results and stellar performances.

Please send all reviews, news, features, reports and (high resolution!) pictures to us by the 15th of every month, and we will do our best to feature you in the pages of Active.

Email editor Steve Moody: steve@theactivemag.com 6 6 NOV E M BE R 2016 ///

66 SL round up OK.indd 61

23/10/2016 07:37

JOIN. SHOP. SAVE. This voucher entitles Costco member

to a credit of up to £5 purchased against items from Costco

COSTCO

£5 VOUCHER

Sign up for membership with this advert and receive a £5 Voucher!

5

£

Coupon #182235 Valid until 31/08/16 at all UK Locations

Voucher_5Pound_Sep15_DL.indd 1

08/09/2015 10:01

Costco Leicester only.

Valid until 30/11/16.

Costco Wholesale is a membership warehouse club, dedicated to bringing our members quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices.

We provide a wide selection of merchandise, plus the convenience of speciality departments and exclusive member services, all designed to make your shopping experience a pleasurable one.

We are confident in the quality and CHRISTMAS STOCK value of our products, and we stand NOW IN! behind them with our guarantee of satisfaction.

The annual membership fee for Standard Trade Membership is £22 ex VAT (£26.40 inc VAT), which includes a complimentary card for your spouse or partner.

The annual membership fee for Standard Individual Membership is £28 ex VAT (£33.60 inc VAT), which includes a complimentary card for your spouse or partner.

Costco Leicester, Westmoreland Ave, Thurmaston, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE4 8PH T: 0116 269 0730 E: marketing123@costco.co.uk www.costco.co.uk *Membership Criteria applies. Accepted methods of payment: cash, debit card, cheque or American Express. Membership must be obtained before purchases can be made.

JN13140

123_MagAd_StyleC_Oct16_220x285.indd 1

04/10/2016 17:23

Cabinet Makers

Manor House Farm Woodford Tel: 01832 730073

Email: enquiries@wychwoodcabinetmakers.co.uk www.wychwoodcabinetmakers.co.uk