Stamford’s chief Newboneer, Mr Newbon, ‘resurrected’ for the internet age Watch the wildfowl and waders at Lyndon all year round Meet two ladies running successful local businesses Two walks from Will this issue
ISSUE 110 | WINTER ISSUE 2022
! E E R F THE WINTER ISSUE 2022
Join the Big Garden Birdwatch
w w w .t h e a c t i ve m a g . c o m
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E DI TO R ’ S L E T T E R Editor and Publisher Mary Bremner mary@theactivemag.com Deputy editor Kate Maxim kate@theactivemag.com Art editor Matt Tarrant Contributors Will Hetherington, Jeremy Smithson-Beswick, Richard Faulks
‘Unfortunately many of these walks are now under threat of disappearing because of the vast solar factory, one of the largest in Europe, that is being proposed.’ NOW THAT WE are in the depths of winter and the cold really is beginning to bite it’s vital that we get outside to top up our vitamin D, get some
Advertisement Sales Director Lisa Chauhan lisa@theactivemag.com Production assistant Gary Curtis
is where Will’s Walks, here in the magazine and the two books we have published in the last two
Front cover image Chris Gomersall (RSPB Images) Accounts accounts@theactivemag.com Active magazine, Eventus Business Centre, Sunderland Road, Northfield Industrial Estate, Market Deeping, PE6 8FD If you have information about a club then please get in touch by emailing editor@theactivemag.com. If you would like to stock Active magazine please email distribution@theactivemag.com.
motivation and ideas. Unfortunately many of these walks are now under threat of disappearing because of the vast solar factory, one of the largest in Europe, that is being proposed to cover 2,175 acres just to the north east of Stamford. This is the same area as 1,400 football pitches. But to make it easier to visualise, imagine the whole of Stamford and surrounding area being covered by solar panels. It will run from between Braceborough and Greatford on the way. And that covers many of the walks featured in the two books. Our policy on the magazine is to be apolitical, not to get involved in local politics or local planning as opinions vary; quite rightly. But this proposed,
Active magazine is published monthly 12 times per year.
us all; from those living in the villages which will be surrounded by high
ISSN 2059-8513
enjoy a peaceful walk in beautiful countryside. And that is saying nothing
Published by Triangle Publishing Ltd Printed by Warner’s of Bourne
agricultural wheat and barley growing land which will be taken out of
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better why doesn’t every new building have them? solar farm as if this goes ahead it could set a precedent for many years to come. Do we really want Stamford, voted one of the best places to live in the country on many occasions to be known as the town surrounded by acres and acres of solar panels? Food for thought. Mary - Editor
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Winter Issue 2022 / theactivemag.com
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I S S U E 110 / W I N T E R I S S U E 2022
Contents 20
ACTIVE LIFE 16 THE CHIEF NEWBONEER
A man who lived in Stamford in Victorian times has been ‘resurrected’
20 WINTERING WILDFOWL AND OSPREYS Lyndon Visitor Centre is n ow open all year round
26 RSPB BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH
16
Find out how to join in
30 ONE INTO THREE DOES GO Meet Holly Skelton who is r unning three businesses
37 UP, UP AND AWAY USSC has recently r efurbished their gym
ACTIVE BODY 51 TOO COLD FOR COMFORT?
30
Spare a thought for those with Raynaud’s
ACTIVE KIDS 53 SCHOOL NEWS
ACTIVE SPORT 54 UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL Equilibrium gym in Ketton might be just the place to do so
54 Winter Issue 2022 / theactivemag.com
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ActiveLife Watch wildfowl and waders all year round at Lyndon | USSC have a refurbished gym Two ladies running successful local businesses | Join the Big Garden Birdwatch Some iconic red phone boxes have a new job | Two walks from Will E D I T E D B Y M A RY B R E M N E R
Image: The Old Building
Frank Newbon, a face from facebook fokelore p16
Winter Issue 2022 / theactivemag.com
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Active life
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Winter Issue 2022/ theactivemag.com
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Orbea Gain: E.Bike in disguise
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Active life
What’s on...
Great things to see and do in the region THE SNOWDROPS ARE on their way! Snowdrop season begins at Easton Walled Gardens on February 11 and will be open on Wednesdays to Sundays from 11-4pm. As well as snowdrops you will see aconites and hellebores, irises and crocuses. www.visiteaston.co.uk YOU CAN FIND more snowdrops in Leicestershire through the NGS snowdrop festival which starts on the weekend of February 19 and 20 with gardens open at Tilton on the Hill and Great Glen and carries on www.ngs.org.uk LYDDINGTON FILM CLUB
£6 on the door.
BACK BY POPULAR Rotary’s biggest event and they are looking for teams of up to six swimmers to take part in the event which raises funds for local charities. Email swimarathon@rotarymarketharborough.org.uk to enter a FOLLOWING POSTPONEMENT STAMFORD will now host its introduction to the game on Saturday February 12 from 10-4pm. morning coaching most of whom have joined as full members. The club is now hoping a new intake will try the sport on the rearranged open day. Experienced players and coaches will be available at the world class, six rink facility in Exeter Gardens. Tuition is free as is all equipment. The club, which has a bar and restaurant, requests that visitors wear a face covering when entering and moving around the club’s social areas but these can be removed when seated to eat or drink and on the bowling green. www.stamfordindoorbowls.co.uk
Winter Issue 2022 / theactivemag.com
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Active life
RECIPE
Winter chicken casserole It’s the middle of winter and there’s no doubt comfort food is what we all need. But it doesn’t have to be stodge, this chicken casserole recipe is hale, hearty and healthy and really simple to make INGREDIENTS
METHOD
• 8 chicken thighs and drumsticks • 1 finely sliced onion • 3 crushed garlic cloves • 2 celery sticks, sliced • 3 carrots, sliced • 2 leeks cut into chunks • 500g potatoes, unpeeled, cut into large chunks • 1 tbsp plain flour • 500ml chicken stock • 2 sprigs rosemary • Half a lemon • 1 tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper to taste
•
casserole dish. Season the chicken pieces and then brown for 10 minutes. Set to one side. Turn on oven to 200 degrees. • Add all veg to the pan and cook for 5-10 minutes stirring all the time. Stir in the flour and then pour in the stock. Season well and then return the chicken to the casserole.
• Add the rosemary, squeeze in the lemon and then add the squeezed half lemon to the pan. • Cover and bring to the boil then put in the oven for about 35 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through.
Winter Issue 2022 / theactivemag.com
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Active life
A sting in the tail Rowan Griffiths braves the nettle patch in the name of research IT’S DIFFICULT TO
GARDE NING
The winter season January and February can be the coldest months of the winter but if you wrap up warm and head out into the garden there are still jobs to be done
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Winter Issue 2022 / theactivemag.com
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The Chief Newboneer Mr Newbon A man who lived and worked in the same shop for 46 years, born in Victorian times has been ‘resurrected.’ Mary finds out more
I
F YOU LIVE in Stamford, or are a regular visitor, you may have noticed that the hoardings around the old Salvation Army building on East Street have large posters on them depicting Stamford in a bygone era. They make fascinating reading and it’s easy to recognise iconic Stamford scenes as thankfully very little has changed. And it’s all down to a gentleman known as Frank Newbon. The original Frank Newbon was born in 1893 and ran a cobbler’s at 50 Broad Street in Stamford. He lived there for 46 years bringing up his family above the shop. He retired in 1961. He was well known in the town mending many a pair of shoes for residents. Frank could trace his ancestry back over many generations. The family originated from Easton on the Hill and many Newbons can be found in the graveyard there. Frank’s grandfather Robert left the village to run a bakery in Stamford’s High Street next to the library.
Sadly he died young only aged 36. So what on earth has Frank Newbon, born in 1893 got to do with hoardings on East Street? Well he has become a bit of facebook fokelore thanks to his great-grandson; who we will call young Frank Newbon. Young Frank grew up in the town attending the boys’ school and now runs a sign writing business called, you’ve name as we were both running businesses in the town,’ he says. ‘I remember my great-grandfather and visiting him above the shop. He had been buried alive in a trench during the war and was pretty deaf. I always remember my great-grandma shouting at him!’ Young Frank can trace his ancestry back to 1670. Both his
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Frank Newbon parents’ families were from Easton on the Hill. Neither family moved far so it’s been easy for him to trace his roots and because of that he has been able to chronicle the history of the town as well. ‘Like many people I wasn’t particularly interested in my surroundings or ancestry when I was young but as I’ve got older I’ve become fascinated by the town and its history and it’s amazing how many people feel the same way. It’s such a lovely town.’ Many of you will know about the Frank Newbon page on facebook; Frank Newbon’s History of Stamford. It’s full of fascinating facts and information about the town as well as amusing anecdotes and historical facts. And it all came about by accident. ‘It was a bit of fun that just got out of hand really. I was interested in the history of Stamford and in my family tree. ‘I had this big map of Stamford which dated back to 1901 and was looking at it comparing how much of the town had changed. I also had lots of old photos from my grandparents and was showing them to my mate Neil McIvor who many will know from the Stamford Litter Pickers. He suggested that I put them on facebook for people to see, which I did and within a month I had 2,000 followers.’ He now has 6,700 followers and rising, from all over the world, including 77 in Australia and 62 in the US. All with the one strong connection and love; Stamford. Young Frank wisely decided to keep the site anonymous. ‘It makes it a bit quirky, a site hosted by someone from the 1890s. It’s a fun
‘Many of you will know about the Frank Newbon page on facebook; Frank Newbon’s History of Stamford. It’s full of fascinating facts and information about the town as well as amusing anecdotes and historical facts.’
now it really runs itself with people adding their own photos and reminiscing. I avoid local politics, this page is just about the history of the town and people’s love for it.’ And it is fun as well as being informative. You can join Frank for a pub crawl on Fridays, enjoy the cellar of the week, see rooftop views, stink pipes galore, ‘we love a good stink pipe’ and even post of the week. And it’s incredible how many comments each post gets, many from some recognisable names in the town. Someone always telling you who used to live there, who lived there before them, who ran the business with photos galore popping up. chance to reminisce and remember. I have learnt loads from
cottages that no longer exist; North Street car park and the boys’ school car parks being two places where property was demolished as well as large houses that have been pulled down. Thank goodness for the conservation status that began in 1967. Today’s posts have been all about the Wimpey that was in Red Lion Street; modern history perhaps but all very entertaining. Frank’s posts have created a real community of like minded spirits who enjoy reminiscing or hearing about the town as it was many years ago and love seeing the old photos. And this site has opened doors for young Frank, literally. His enthusiasm and interest in the town is infectious. ‘Pre Covid I could knock on doors and be welcomed in to view cellars, crypts and crawl spaces. I’ve been up on roofs, inspected drain covers and seen bits of Stamford I would never have been able to before great-grandfather opened doors for me.’ And he’s allowed us all to see them as well by posting them on his facebook page. Thank you.
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Frank Newbon
Frank is fundraising Many of you will have heard about Frank Newbon’s plans for a new outdoor gym on the Recreation Ground in Stamford.
‘IT ALL CAME about because of the page,’ he tells me. ‘Many people commented about the old swimming pool and the putting green that used to be on the Rec, and how they missed them. And it got me thinking. Now that we have ‘people power’ from the Frank Newbon site perhaps we could raise some money to do something good for the town. I’d seen the outdoor gym at Rutland Water and thought it was a great idea. The old bowling green on The Rec hasn’t been used for years and is just locked up so I thought an outdoor gym there would be a great spot. It wouldn’t be just for gym bunnies but for the whole family to enjoy and use together. And as it has originated from our facebook page everyone can make suggestions about what they want to see there and what equipment we need.’
Frank is a ‘doer’ and before long had approached the council with his idea and despite Covid delays has their agreement. He’s been crowdfunding on the site and has already raised over £6,000. They need £25,000 and have now set up a community interest company, Frank Newbon Community Projects CIC, so they can apply for grants and approach local businesses. With the help of Neil’s Stamford litter pickers they are also collecting aluminium cans which can raise between £800 to £1,000 a ton so please keep your beer and coke cans and either contact Neil or use the collection bins that are around the town. Fundraising will be gathering pace in the next few months so if you wish to donate via the crowdfunding page please do, or look out for more events that will be taking place. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/frank-newbons-outdoor-gym
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Wintering Wildfowl and Osprey Chicks Kate knew about the Rutland Osprey Project but wanted to find out what else goes on at the Lyndon Visitor Centre so met centre manager, Laura Brady
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Birdwatch
T
HE LYNDON VISITOR Centre on the south shore of Rutland Water opened its doors in spring 1985 in readiness for the osprey season. Then when the ospreys left for warmer climes in September the doors closed until the next year. This has been the pattern ever since, until now. Rutland Water Nature Reserve was created in 1976 alongside the construction of the reservoir, and is managed by Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust in partnership with Anglian Water. Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust runs the Lyndon Visitor Centre, and in February 2020 a new team - Laura Brady, Centre Libby Smith, Visitor Centre & Events Assistant - arrived to shake things up. The new team have been instrumental in getting more visitors through the door, particularly since throughout the winter to allow visitors to enjoy the thousands of wildfowl that overwinter on the water, and to continue to use the facilities and hides. We’ve all heard about the successful osprey programme at the centre – but very few of us appreciate the wealth of birdlife that populate Rutland Water’s wetlands and lagoons. ‘We get lots of migrating birds on our wetlands here,’ Laura told me. ‘As well as the ospreys during the summer, we get huge numbers of around 25,000 wildfowl and waders over the water during the winter.’ Rutland Water Nature Reserve is a Site of Special
Image: Kevin Blood
designated wetland site. At the Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre in Egleton there are lagoons where water levels can be altered to suit the birds (and where dinosaurs can be found, but more about that another month), and all over the reserve there is an ongoing management programme to maintain and improve the water and surroundings. ‘We have a habitat and conservation team doing all the practical work,’ says Laura. ‘Then in addition to our team ringing and ecology surveys.’ Every year the Trust takes part in the wetland bird survey (WeBS) to determine trends in bird populations. ‘Because of global warming, we’ve seen birds here that would normally not come this far north,’ says Laura. ‘Great white egrets, for example, are working their way up the country and we’re seeing many more of them.’
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A Wealth of Wildlife
There are plenty of things to see at the centre besides birds. Stoats, muntjac, water voles and otters are often
became an Osprey Ambassador. She went on to do the
and invertebrates.
through volunteering she became the Osprey Information
were there. ‘I recently saw a microscopic caterpillar at the
Rutland Osprey Project
minutes what it was. We had a Blue Underwing moth this year which is very rare and Wainscot moths in the reed
Ospreys were once widespread across the UK but became extinct in England as a breeding bird in 1847 partly due to loss of habitat, egg collecting and competition with
outdoors more inclusive; showing people there is
translocated. And over the years they have successfully Fast forward to this year and the project has celebrated of the project. These facts are the bare bones of what has
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Birdwatch
'In 1996 eight chicks were
taken (under licences granted by Scottish Natural Heritage and Natural England) from Scottish sites and released for their first fledging in Rutland.'
been a labour of love for the Trust, Anglian Water and many, many volunteers who have given up their time to monitor the ospreys’ every waking moment during the brought to the nest and any intruder birds. This builds up a picture of their lives in Rutland, then partnerships with organisations and villages in places like the Gambia add to the knowledge of what the birds do when they leave. Before Covid-19 many of the volunteers would go to local schools there. One bird has a satellite tracker on it that gives data on altitude, the speed and direction of travel and the bird’s exact location. The birds are ringed as chicks with a silver ring and a blue Darvic ring so it’s possible to quickly identify a Rutland bird. All the rings are issued by the BTO (The British Trust for Ornithology). The Trust monitors ten nest sites in Rutland and Leicestershire. Only one, the Manton Bay nest is at the reservoir, the rest are on private land. There are great views of Manton Bay from the nearest hide ‘Waderscrape’ and a webcam is trained on it continually which you can view on YouTube or at www.lrwt.org.uk/rutlandospreys. It gives an amazing view of the eggs and a raft of data about how long the birds sit on the eggs, exactly when they’re hatching, what they’re eating, etc. In 2021, 19 chicks hatched from eight successful
breeding pairs from the ten nests. Thirty birds returned overall (this number includes Rutland birds that were sighted elsewhere in the UK). Maya and 33(11) are one of the current most successful breeding pairs and sat on the Manton Bay nest in 2021. They have been breeding there since 2015 and return to the same nest each their ring number, which is a unique number/letter combination. As Maya is unringed and believed to have come from a Scottish nest, a local school got the chance to name her. Osprey are relatively faithful, but the team have an of who is going to claim which nest,’ says Laura, ‘who are they going to partner with and will there be the correct ratio of males to females?’ Maya and 33(11) like to get back early to claim their favourite nest. At the end of each to learn as they migrate.
Team Talks
The team at the centre are very happy to talk to visitors about the work of Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. Plenty of local campers and people on the cycle route also visit to have tea and cake, and enjoy the view.
Winter Issue 2022 / theactivemag.com 23
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Birdwatch
The team at the Visitor Centre run bird and nature walks,
www.lrwt.org. uk/lyndon-visitor-centre www.lrwt.org.uk/rutlandospreys
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RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch This January, the RSPB’s popular Big Garden Birdwatch is set to return for its 43rd year. How does it work?
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Birdwatch
L
AST YEAR MORE than a million people across the UK watched and counted the nation’s garden birds and this year it takes place from Friday 28 January to Sunday 30 January 2022. You’re asked to spend just one hour watching and recording the birds in your garden or local green space, then send your results to the RSPB. Even if you don’t see any birds, the RSPB wants to know. It all helps to understand why more than 38 million birds have disappeared from our skies in the last 50 years. declines is not clear, but the RSPB, together with other scientists, is investigating what’s going on. Ahead of the event this year, the charity is sharing the and Rutland: House sparrows: One of Britain’s most well-known and best-loved birds. Males and females are easily distinguished; males have a grey head and black bib whilst females are pale brown with a pale stripe behind the eye. House sparrows are noisy and gregarious, often where they can all hide together. They socialise by taking dust or water baths together, as well as ‘social singing’ where they call together in bushes. Blackbird: The males live up to their name, but confusingly, females are brown and often have spots or streaks on their breasts. The bright orange-yellow beak and eye-ring make adult male blackbirds one of the most striking garden birds. Its mellow song is also a favourite. Woodpigeon: The largest and most common pigeon in the UK, the woodpigeon is largely grey with a white neck Although shy in the countryside, it can be tame and approachable in towns and cities and a regular visitor to the bird table. Its cooing call is a familiar sound in Blue tits: white and green, blue tits are one of our most attractive garden visitors. Blue tits happily take all kinds of bird food and are a vibrant addition to gardens across the country.
Starling: Smaller than blackbirds, with a short tail, pointed head and triangular wings, starlings look black at a distance, but up-close they are very glossy and shimmer
an amazing sight – a swooping mass of thousands of birds whirling in the sky above. Still one of the most common garden birds, starlings’ decline elsewhere make them a For your free Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart, top tips for your birdwatch, RSPB shop voucher, plus advice on how to help you attract wildlife to your garden, text BIRD to 70030 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
If you’re new to birdwatching, here are some simple tips to get you started. •
images: RSPB
•
Start off small: It can seem daunting with so many bird species to identify, but garden birds are some of the easiest to recognise and tend to hang around long enough for you to take a quick snap to reference later if you need. Put up feeders: Not only will that make them stay for longer but if you feed them regularly, they’ll learn that your garden is a great place to keep coming to. Different feeders and food will attract a variety of birds so feel free to experiment and see who comes to visit. But even a tray on a table will make a nice start!
•
•
•
Wherever you place your feeder, make sure you can see it when you’re indoors so you can get the most pleasure from it. You can even get a feeder that sticks to your window. Avoid getting too close to birds or disturbing their nests – if a bird flies away or makes repeated alarm calls, you’re too close. Best time to watch: Although birds are around at any time, you’ll see more birds first thing in the morning – as they say, the early bird catches the worm! www.rspb.org.uk
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OR BEF
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Hair today, hair tomorrow Kate visits Nikki Thorpe from Good Hair Days to find out what it takes to run a successful hair salon for twenty years
H
ERE AT ACTIVE, we like to meet local business owners
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Active life
BEF
ORE
AFT
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'I like to be innovative, offering my clients opportunities to try new things and I welcome new clients to the salon.'
www.goodhairdayseveryday.co.uk
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One into three does go Mary meets a young woman who has set up three businesses during the last few months
M
ANY OF YOU
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Active life
'You would think that two businesses would be enough, but no, Holly has now also set up a third one. Dog lover Holly has now opened a dog groomers.' having my business destroyed so I needed to diversify. I had been thinking for some time about a sustainable clothing business as there seemed to be very little sustainable gym clothing available. I had more time with the business being shut down so did my research and have launched Euphoria Fitt. ‘I have leggings, gym tops and hoodies for sale. The leggings and tops are made out of recycled plastic bottles and plastic waste and branded locally. I wanted to create starting at £28. The leggings are proving particularly popular and everything can be bought either online or via click and collect knew exactly what she wanted her leggings
in particular to be like; high waisted so and 7/8 length in sizes from XS to XXL. Euphoria Fitness is now back in full swing and clients love the new premises as there’s a lot more room but classes are still kept small with a maximum of 10 per group. Holly kept hold of most of her clients because, as well as cancelling memberships and refunding fees during the lockdowns touch with everyone. The small classes means that Holly can keep a close eye on you and push you on, but it also encourages friendships. She now runs up to 20 classes a week, starting at 6.30am including HIIT, spinning and circuits and has clients of all ages, up to 73. She also runs evening classes as well which are popular; all can be booked online.
You would think that two businesses would be enough, but no, Holly has now also set up a third one. Dog lover Holly has now opened a dog groomers. ‘I love dogs, as my clients will know. Euphoria Fitness is active mainly early in the morning and then again in the evening so during the day I have a gap. I decided to train as a dog groomer and because I have plenty of room where I am I’ve set up a grooming parlour. The dogs come in through a separate entrance so clients and dogs never meet. Basil’s Barbers is in an ideal location as it’s quiet down here so dogs don’t get stressed. There’s plenty of space to park, which is good for all my clients and I’m not rushing dogs through allowing plenty of time between appointments so nervous dogs don’t get stressed.’ I don’t know about the dogs being stressed, Holly should be with all that’s going on! But she seems to take it all in her stride and has planned her days well good to see entrepreneurial spirit shining through the dark days of lockdowns. www.euphoriafitness.co.uk www.euphoriafitt.com @basilsbarbers (instagram)
Winter Issue 2022 / theactivemag.com
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Active life
Travers Rising stars Local young musicians have the chance to perform on one of the biggest stages in the region. Kate met Terry Forsey, founder of The Travers Foundation to find out more
L
AST YEAR THE Foundation launched the competition and to give them the chance to perform at Glastonblaby, one of the biggest stages in the region. Out of 27 entrants, the
and instrumental in getting us motivated. Kieran and I both played
The Travers Foundation is a local volunteer-run charity that dreams in sport, music and the performing arts. In 2019 they competitions. Despite Covid it raised the same amount of money last year as 2019 despite not being able to run as many events. The Gretton Sportive
sponsors and donations to fund coaching, studio, performance and competition costs.
photographic session. unedited audition tape. ‘These videos do not need to be of a
www.travers-foundation.org.uk
August this year. It is a fantastic chance for a young musician, giving them a real leg team of trustees to provide such an opportunity?
arts. There are no apprenticeships, no government grants and no
‘So in 2012 on my 60th birthday I told my family and friends I
leading the launch of this competition as the event Chairman.
'Out of 27 entrants, the independent judging panel chose local singer/ songwriter Nick Hart as the winner.' Winter Issue 2022 / theactivemag.com 33
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Active life
Phone box fever Active reader Stephen Martin is on a mission to encourage the use and preservation of the red phone box
T
HE RED PHONE box is now an iconic sight, but they used to be on many a street corner, and were very well used. I think it is vital that the remaining ones are put to good use rather than be scrapped. Many of you will remember using the red phone boxes for their original purpose; making a phone call. At one point there were nearly 80,000 of them in use. Do you remember queuing up outside them to phone relatives or dial-a-disk? You needed loose change (2p at one point) and had to feed the coins in when the pips went, to carry on with the call. We all used them and with one usually easily found when it was necessary to make a call. Oh how those days have changed! Now everyone has a mobile phone and phone boxes are now virtually obsolete with very few still actually used for their original purpose. Sadly many of these iconic phone boxes became derelict and were removed. Nowadays, in the UK, there are now only just over 10,000 old phone boxes left. In 2008, BT introduced a scheme to ‘Adopt-a-Kiosk’ for just £1 and since then more than 4,000 communities have adopted their local phone box and transformed them exchanges; local history and information
places and, in a small number of very inventive cases, even into advertising; art; food banks; museum; recycling points and seed banks. Just under half have been put to alternative use with another 27% still actually working as phone boxes. The remaining 24% are currently unused, but this is reducing as more communities take over their own phone box. There are about 1,700 book exchanges across the UK which usually have a selection of over 100 books which can be taken and swapped. Anyone can come and choose a book and in return leave one for someone else to enjoy. The book selection can be very wide ranging from childrens’ to When Stephen moved from Canada to Wittering in April 2021 he wanted to Doing this he noticed the book exchanges in Thornhaugh and Yarwell and began using them, swapping books. ‘When I’ve read a book I always want to pass it on to someone
I think might enjoy it,’ he says. Steve was interested to see what people might recommend so designed a bookmark with a simple rating system and put them into his two local village boxes. Very soon this expanded to over 20 local book exchanges and over 2,000 bookmarks so far. Steve is now seeking sponsorship to expand this throughout the East Midlands and maybe even further. Steve sees these red phone boxes as iconic symbols of our heritage which are worthy of preservation. To make this happen Steve feels it is essential that they have a purpose As well as the bookmarks he has also installed four second-hand bookcases. He is going to team up with us and put Will’s Walks into some of the local phone boxes too. Next time you pass an old phone box have a quick look inside; if it is being reused then information in there.
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Active life
Up, up and away Uppingham School sports centre has just refurbished its gym. Mary went to have a look and enjoyed a Pilates class whilst she was there
M
ANY OF YOU will know that Uppingham School sports centre has opened its doors to the public for many years allowing them to share the fabulous
which is exercise which aids daily life so you do pushing, pulling,
membership includes classes as well or you can pay as you go and
www.sportscentre.uppingham.co.uk
Winter Issue 2022 / theactivemag.com
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ACTIVE LIFE
Always read the label first How do you clean trainers or get mud off a coat? Peters’ Cleaners offer some advice
P
ETERS' CLEANERS HAS been providing garment cleaning services in Peterborough and Stamford for nearly 60 years. With
and pick-up cleaning pods it's quickly earned an award winning reputation for cleaning items of clothing to keep us all looking our best this winter. How do I keep my trainers white? Leather: It's always helpful to use a waterproof protectant spray on new trainers to help stop stains sticking. If you get grass stains on your white leather trainers try using a little vanish soap and a soft toothbrush to gently tease the stain out and then wipe with a clean cloth. Canvas: If your trainers are made from stain-removal bar or the suds of fairy liquid and use a low-temperature synthetics program on your washing machine. Suede: If your white trainers are suede then use a soft tooth brush and clean with fairy
liquid soap suds, ensuring they are evenly distributed over the suede. Remove the suds using as little water as possible and blot dry allowing them to then dry naturally. Once dry use a suede brush to raise the pile. How do I remove mud from my coat which can't be washed? Mud is a very variable mixture of stain so with delicate and woollen fabrics. Allow the mud to dry then remove as much as possible
'With its two shops and two pioneering drop-off and pick-up cleaning pods it's quickly earned an award winning reputation for innovation.'
by brushing the area before washing according to the care label. However, it's best to use a professional cleaning service to remove stains and marks from items that say they can't be washed or that have a dry cleaning symbol on the care label. Deodorant marks on my clothes drive me mad; how do I remove them? If you don't want your clothes to stain, avoid wearing alcohol based deodorant, use sparingly and always let your deodorant dry before getting dressed. If you didn't you wash the item rinse the deodorant mark with cool water so it doesn't get set in by the hot water in your washing machine. Remember, before treating any mark or stain on your clothes or fabrics, check the care label. If in any doubt, seek professional advice. It is not advisable to apply water to dry clean only fabrics as water may shrink, distort and discolour some. www.peterscleaners.co.uk
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Images: Will Hetherington
Rolling hills feature heavily on this walk.
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Will’s Walk
W I L L’ S W A L K
Somerby, Pickwell and Cold Overton The pleasant undulations of east Leicestershire make for good exercise on this five-mile adventure. By Will Hetherington
Difficulty rating The route
Park where you can on Main Street in Somerby and carefully look for the footpath which heads north opposite the junction with Church Lane (be sure not to take the footpath opposite Manor Lane because they are close). You will leave the village behind immediately and pass through a series of small paddocks with horses grazing. It’s an undulating landscape and makes for an interesting start to the walk. Within 10 minutes you will come to Pickwell Road. Turn left here and you can turn right after
as easy to stay on the road and turn right into Pickwell in another minute or so. Head east through the village and on the left hand turn at the end keep going straight on to the ACTIVE INFO bridleway up the hill through The countryside here is very attractive and is the narrow belt of woodland. sometimes referred to After half a mile take the right as High Leicestershire. shortly go through the gateway on the right and immediately turn corner of the hedgeline ahead. When you reach the corner keep going downhill and at the bottom you will see a gate on the right that says Springwood Farm. Turn left here and then turn right on to Main Street to walk up the steep hill into Cold Overton. When you are in the village you will see
woodland at the bottom. Follow the signs grassy track with a fairly new plantation on the hillside to the right and a wellestablished hedge on the left. Keep walking west and after half a mile and farmyards. The path is always well signposted but it’s a tedious sequence of in Somerby make sure you walk through the churchyard and then back down Church Lane. It’s a beautiful village.
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Will’s Walks
Open fields between Pickwell and Cold Overton.
Essential information
DISTANCE AND TIME Five miles/two hours.
©Crown copyright 2021 Ordnance Survey. Media 070/21.
WHERE TO PARK On Main Street in Somerby.
START/ FINISH
HIGHLIGHTS Somerby and hilltop Cold Overton are both attractive in different ways. Plenty of hills with some good views. LOWLIGHTS There is a tedious sequence of small fields, stiles, and the occasional very boggy gateway on the home stretch. REFRESHMENTS The Stilton Cheese Inn in Somerby. DIFFICULTY RATING Four paws. It’s hilly and there are a lot of stiles and gateways in the last mile. THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE There’s not much fresh water on the way round and there will be sheep and horses. 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.
The bridleway to the east of Pickwell.
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W I L L’ S W A L K
Apethorpe A lot of this walk is on roads and good farm tracks so it’s a good option for the wettest months of the year. By Will Hetherington
Images: Will Hetherington
Well maintained tracks and roads make this a good option for the wetter months.
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Will’s Walk Tomlin Wood is a dominant feature of the second half.
Difficulty rating The route
Park responsibly somewhere near the popular Willow & Brook pub in Apethorpe and walk up the road which heads west alongside the pub. After the tennis courts on the right you will come to a junction. Turn left following the signs to Apethorpe Grange and The Lodge. Stay on this road for three quarters of a mile with a tall line of evergreen trees on your left for much of ACTIVE INFO the way. Apethorpe Palace was once Just before you reach Cheeseman’s owned by Elizabeth I who inherited Lodge and Lodge Farm you will see it from her father Henry VIII, and it had the gate on the right signposted an important role in entertaining Tudor diverted bridleway. Go through and Stuart monarchs. For a period it was lived in regularly by James I and Charles this gate and follow the path with a I. James I personally contributed to its small lake on your left. After the extension to make it more suitable for his lake take the sharp left turn up ‘princely recreation’ and ‘commodious towards the farm ahead and then entertainment’, particularly for turn right at the farm to walk west hunting in the nearby royal forest along the road. When you reach of Rockingham. Tomlin Wood keep going across the bottom of the wood for another 500 metres and look out for the right turn in the hedgeline at the end of the wood. Walk up the western edge of Tomlin Wood for half a mile, and look out for red kites and other birdlife as you go. At the end of the wood you will come to a road. Turn right here and walk the last mile back to Apethorpe along the tarmac access road, with some nice woodland either side and the chance to spot a deer or two along the way. When you get back to the village it’s worth going for a wander before popping into the Willow & Brook for refreshment.
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Will’s Walks
The road back into stunning little Apethorpe.
Essential information WHERE TO PARK Responsibly somewhere near the popular Willow & Brook pub in Apethorpe. DISTANCE AND TIME Three and a half miles/an hour and a quarter.
START/ FINISH
HIGHLIGHTS Beautiful Apethorpe, mature woodlands and mostly good underfoot even in wet weather. ©Crown copyright 2021 Ordnance Survey. Media 070/21.
LOWLIGHTS Quite a lot of tarmac but on extremely quiet farm access roads. REFRESHMENTS The Willow & Brook in Apethorpe. DIFFICULTY RATING One paw. It’s fairly flat and mostly excellent underfoot with no stiles. THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE We saw no livestock but also very limited fresh running water. For your own safety and navigation make sure you have an OS map with you when you go out walking. You won’t regret it.
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ActiveBody E D I T E D B Y K AT E M A X I M
Mums who run Running after childbirth is possible and to be recommended. Physio Sarah Babbs tells us more
A
RECENTLY PUBLISHED study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has given some very helpful information about the impact of pregnancy and the subsequent return to running. Once, and even still today sadly, women with normal pregnancies are often treated with kid gloves as if pregnancy were a dangerous medical condition. Of course there are times when women do have to
had been running during pregnancy and had no sensation of vaginal heaviness. Fear of movement is a common theme seen after many enormous part of a physiotherapist’s role. After giving birth, women who had vaginal deliveries or who were already experiencing running-related stress incontinence before and during pregnancy, were perhaps obviously more likely to have running-related stress incontinence especially if they returned to running. Despite the many advertisements for incontinence pads implying that incontinence is a normal part of life, it is not. As the study says, ’it may be common but it is not something women should have to live
earlier pregnancies. But for those with normal pregnancies who
But it may be necessary to be assessed by a specialist pelvic health physiotherapist if there are problems during or after pregnancy.
mentally so ready for the birth and the marathon that is bringing up a young baby.
readiness to return to running is that you should be able to walk comfortably for ten minutes, jog on the spot for a minute, balance on each single leg for ten seconds, do both a single leg squat and hop on each leg for ten repetitions and do ten single leg running man
and found that 74% had returned to running 12 weeks after giving returning to running is not advised if there are symptoms of pelvic divided abdominal muscles. Interestingly those who had returned to running had the following
forward as if running. Swap leg and arm making sure that you can but that’s the point. You shouldn’t be running if you can’t do these or you end up needing physio! Strength is key as always. A good indicator is being able to perform 20 repetitions of single leg calf raises, bridge, sit to stand and lifting of the upper leg when lying on your up the repetitions until fatigued for each exercise. Once ready, running should be restarted in a gradual way, for instance using a Couch to 5k type programme. For those breastfeeding, other points to consider are wearing supportive clothing and timing runs to prevent discomfort if breasts are full. It is thought that and for three months after breastfeeding which may increase risk of injury. Supportive clothing and strengthening exercises can help here. Hydration and exertion are important for breastfeeding but also in general when coping with newborns. And, of course, good sleep is important with any exercise, but discussing that may have you throwing
health of mothers so, therefore, their babies. To contact Sarah ring 07780 900201.
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“We went on a treasure hunt in the Woodland Garden, and we had to get a key from a crocodile!” Hamish and Madeleine
Fire their imaginations Read our Big Book of Little Details to find out more about the adventures that children go on every day at our school. 01832 277159 admissions@laxtonjunior.org.uk www.laxtonjunior.org.uk
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Too cold for comfort? Gary Trickett spares a thought for those with Raynaud’s
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For further information, visit Gary and his team at Healthy Route, 18 Silver Street, Leicester.
Winter Issue 2022 / theactivemag.com
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Nurturing
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Oakham School
Active Kids Top cricket school Netball players wanted Gretton junior netball team, the Gretton Bluebelles, are looking for players in years 10 and 11 to join them. They are a community netball team who practice at the village MUGA outside court every Tuesday night from 6.30-7.30pm. They compete in the Rutland Stamford junior league on Sundays. Experienced players are preferred but beginners are also very welcome. They are offering a Tester Tuesday to anyone who may be interested. Contact jostowe123@gmail.com
Spratton Hall are delighted to have, once again, been recognised by The Cricketer magazine as one of the top 50 cricketing prep schools in the country. Last year was particularly challenging - as we all know - but the sports staff kept the game alive by initially having competitive year matches within bubbles and then being one of the first schools to resume inter school matches and to welcome supporters back. The school has excellent facilities and is proud to have a philosophy of cricket for all with the sport being the main summer sport for both girls and boys with a mixed team being very successful and some boys and girls playing at county level.
Bug houses Charity collection During 2021 pupils at Oakham raised more than £12,000 for local and national charities. As well as raising money pupils have been busy volunteering at local charities including the Rutland Foodbank as well as painting fences and picking litter.
Oakham School’s youngest boarders have been creating bug houses to accommodate wildlife during their weekend activities. The bug hotels are now in the Hodges boarding house garden and pupils are hoping to see some new residents moving in very soon. The boxes were created by re-using plywood and comb joints with bamboo for the insects to nest in.
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Catch up with local sports news | Enjoy a cycle ride starting at Wymondham Windmill
ActiveSport Unlock your potential Mary meets one of the directors of the new Equilibrium gym based in Ketton, David Lyon
E
QUILIBRIUM GYM OPENED in Ketton in April 21 just as
reopen. Not the best time to be opening a new business maybe, but in some ways it was a good move. As none of us had been able to go to the gym for months some allegiances to old haunts were broken. Many of us didn’t particularly want to go back to our gym, possibly because we were becoming less enamoured before lockdowns as some businesses had changed, becoming more ‘macho’ and therefore possibly unwelcoming for This is where Equilibrium came in. Located in a brand new building on the edge of Ketton on Pit Lane it’s brand spanking new and many people were keen to give it a go. The new, up to date cardio and strength equipment is in a spacious gym which, along with the whole building, is all air conditioned but with a fresh air ventilation system which is much healthier. There’s three large multi-purpose
it becomes pretty sociable with you all cycling together. ‘We wanted to create a club that not only had state-of-the-art equipment but also an environment where members feel comfortable to train and that they are excited to visit. If people enjoy being somewhere, they are motivated to keep coming back,’ says David Lyon, one of the directors of the club and the person who helped design the new premises. Starting out as a personal training gym in 2009 Equilibrium developed a loyal following around the Grantham area. With the opportunity to move to a new premises they decided to update the club’s brand and interior. There is a strong theme throughout the building and everything has been thought of.
panoramic windows too so perfect for yoga, hot yoga, Pilates, HIIT and other classes; 59 classes a week to choose from, some of which start at 6.15am. There’s a whole room full of exercise bikes where they run classes (18 a week) or you can join a virtual session using the big screen. You can cycle round the Alps, across the Sahara or wherever you fancy, and what’s great is that other gym members can join you so
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ActiveSport
Rainfall showers and a sauna in the changing rooms, tick. Toiletries, hairdryers and straighteners supplied, tick. Plenty of space to move around, tick. Secure setting so belongings are safe, tick. Great And great workout areas as well as a really well equipped gym and plenty of space. There is even some sort of heart rate monitor system (which was way beyond me) so instructors can encourage you to get your heart rate up to a certain level, or not, as the case may be. This is excellent as there’s no shirking, but it’s safe as well. As the origins of Equilibrium were a personal training gym this ethos still strongly prevails. ‘It was our goal to have highly educated trainers to deliver quality training that leads to client results,’ says David, ‘and that they represented our ethos.’ They also employ three for newcomers to the industry. But back to the origins of the gym. The ethos is very much results driven and personalised. So as a new member you will have a 1:1 meeting (there’s a room for this as well) with one of the trainers who will assess you, and together you set your goals. You will then have an induction in the gym with a guided programme set up for you designed to unlock your potential. After a set period this will be reassessed. ‘It takes on average 66 days to form a habit,’ says David, so this works well. ‘You need a starting point and a destination. It makes sense to set goals, it helps with motivation and purpose. We keep in close touch with our members and there is always a coach available.’ This new gym and its personalised programmes is creating interest. Many new members have signed up with more appearing every day; word of mouth is working well and many new clients are trying the gym out and then becoming members. The villagers around Ketton
are signing up with great enthusiasm with members coming from Oakham and Stamford as well, and there is plenty of parking. As well as all the gym facilities there are also treatment rooms for an in-house sports masseur and a physiotherapist. Prices for gym membership start at £45 a month. You can pay as you go and book several sessions at a discounted price or have a full membership to include gym membership and the classes. The gym is open seven days a week from 6am during the week and 7am at weekends. And make sure you enjoy the Detox/Retox sessions which are going to start soon. You join a class and then enjoy beer and prosecco afterwards, ‘a great way to get to know people,’ says David. ‘Going to getting to know people and enjoying your time there.’ Pop along and try it for yourself. www.equilibrium.fit
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Jeremy Smithson-Beswick marks the end of an era at Oakham cricket club and updates us on the latest local rugby and football teams’ progress
T
HE PLAYING SURFACE at Oakham Cricket Club is renowned
have been out collecting medals again, this
but now an era, one might almost
Groundsman, Malcolm Rawlings, has decided to step down from his role at the end
Rawlings, his grandfather Josiah preceding Rawlings Junior still remembers helping
records - Lincolnshire ones that is
point and, to be honest, it’s been a bit of a 2022 with optimism and high hopes of betterment whilst others are in serious need improved a little and beat Northampton
them in fourth and will still be hoping for a late challenge for promotion, despite the fact bad-tempered game at home against
wore leather boots to avoid damage to the surface and the Lime Kilns ground was
also recall his debut in the side against
Since then he has served the club he loves as an umpire and a scorer in addition to his be available with advice and guidance after
‘Those indefatigable swimmers at Deepings have been out collecting medals again, this time at the National Masters Championships.’ 56 Winter Issue 2022 / theactivemag.com
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ActiveSport Oakham RFC in action
have been more harshly dealt with by the referee, but it was not to be. It had been
they’ll have to start winning soon to avoid
to Bugbrooke.
currently being an increasingly ominous eight points.
and have an excellent chance of rising up a level, which would bring a welcome increase in the number of derby matches in division two next campaign (given Oaks’ survival of course). Down a further tier Stamford
Stamford’s football side, on the other hand, is doing even better than their rugby players. After a shaky start to the season the Daniels went on a run of eleven unbeaten games until Yaxley ended the sequence, but they are still
victories and moved up a couple of places, ten points behind Deepings in sixth. The once mighty South Leicester, whom I remember watching play in the giddy heights of National League 2 only a couple of years ago, prop up that same table and were beaten by College earlier in the year by 25-17 on their own patch. It’s been a dramatic fall from grace for them. Oundle, who are a tier or two higher than our other local sides, in the Midlands Premier, will need to tough it out in 2022 to survive there. Sitting just above bottom place,
with a real chance. Those chances of promotion were given a boost when, after a host of rumours about other sides circling like vultures, star striker would be staying at Ryhall Road. Indeed, he’s actually the fourth team member to turn down a move to a bigger club, which speaks volumes for the man-management skills of coach Graham Drury, who said of the news record to say it was a decision that ‘I know I won’t regret… I feel the need to achieve
Show your support for local sport Email mary@theactivemag.com
something with this Stamford side before I think about moving on’ and that Drury had been ‘nothing but honest with me since the beginning and shown me loyalty, so now I’m returning the favour.’ The good people of Market Harborough might not have their train timetables out just yet, but Harborough Town are certainly hoping for a summer trip to Wembley this and last 32, of the FA Vase - a stage they’d never reached before - in late December with a 7-1 victory at Prestwich Heys. Should they prevail over North Shields in the next round (a match taking place a week after we go to press) then Mitch Austin’s men will already have achieved something quite unprecedented. They’re second in the league and pushing for promotion too. Leaders Hinckley, twenty games, so it’s no disgrace to be only
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ActiveSport WYMONDHAM START / FINISH
STAPLEFORD THISTLETON
MARKET OVERTON
LITTLE DALBY
ASHWELL COTTESMORE
PICKWELL
Distance: 45.4km Elevation: 369m
LANGHAM SOMERBY
COLD OVERTON
On your bike! This month Gary Waterfall completes a 28 miler starting from Wymondham Windmill.
S
TARTING AT THE windmill, where there is plenty of space to park, follow the road downhill, taking care on any loose gravel. Then turn left twice and cycle past Stapleford Park then up Cuckoo Hill. Turn right at the bottom and cross the fairly busy A6006 then commence a steady uphill through Little Dalby, Pickwell and Somerby, which will get your thighs burning, before reaching the peak at Cold Overton at the 11 mile mark. Now for a gentle downhill stretch through Langham to Ashwell. There is a choice in Ashwell; shorten the route to 22 miles by riding north through Teigh and Edmonthorpe, or face the relatively
Use it or Lose it, keep your brain and body active
Second helpings, a group helping reduce food waste
Winter walks with Will
We try out a ‘god pod’
Meet fly fishing guide Nick Dunn
Brentingby Gin, the local company foraging for botanicals ISSUE 92 | FEBRUARY 2020
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Will walks in South Africa
Local walks with Will ISSUE 93 | MARCH 2020
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Find out about girls’ and women’s cricket at Leicestershire CC
Are diamonds a girl’s best friend? We find out more about gem stones
Bourne has a new running club
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Meet superfood skincare expert Lisa Armitage
Meet the founders of WildDog Events
Find out about social prescribing Meet Tom Bourne, director of sport at Uppingham Community College ISSUE 91 | JANUARY 2020
challenging hill up to Cottesmore for the full 28 miles. If you’re going all the way, turn left at the top of the hill to Market Overton before turning right to Thistleton. At the T-junction turn left toward Wymondham and enjoy the downhill back into the village before a small sting in the tail to take you back up to the windmill for a
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