Active Magazine // Stamford & Rutland // Winter 2023

Get help from The Little Business Fairy

The physiotherapy department at Fitzwilliam Hospital

Will’s top five walks of 2022

SAD, how to help combat it with lighting

The Canaries calling; head to some winter sun

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,

Advertisement Sales Director Lisa Chauhan lisa@theactivemag.com

Production assistant Gary Curtis Accounts accounts@theactivemag.com

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ISSN 2059-8513

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EDITOR’S LETTER

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WELCOME TO THE Winter Issue. We’ve had that really cold spell which felt like proper winter and now as I’m writing this we are back to the dull, wet days of last November again when it just doesn’t seem to get light and the sun is nowhere to be seen. And days like this are why so many of us suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder). In an ideal world we would spend our winters somewhere sunny, or at least have a couple of weeks in the Canaries or Caribbean. If that’s not possible try a SAD lightbulb which replicates the bright summer sunlight and it does make a difference as I found out this month.

If the cold weather isn’t bad enough I tried cryotherapy which is a cold, very cold, therapy treatment involving three minutes in a chamber at minus 160 degrees! But it wasn’t that bad and there really were benefits, and I would do it again.

A new year can mean new beginnings or changing jobs. If you’ve always wanted to run your own small business I suggest you contact Jess who runs The Little Business Fairy, she will hold your hand as you do it, offer loads of advice and mentor you as well as helping with the practical day to day minutiae of running a business.

I had a very interesting interview with Julia Smith, the fourth generation to run her family’s business, Henry Smith and Hamylton, which opened a branch in Market Harborough last year. And I also met a member of the Jamaican bobsleigh team, physio at the Fitzwilliam Hospital, Ashley Watson. Kate has been catching up with the team at Wills Inns in Uppingham and our Will has been looking back on his favourite walks of 2022.

The days are beginning to get (slightly) longer and hopefully this infernal rain will stop at some point. And we all know what to do to combat those winter blues. Wrap up warm, grab the dog and get outside to get some much needed exercise, fresh air and Vitamin D; something we can all do, with or without a dog, and it costs nothing – result!

Enjoy the issue.

Mary - Editor

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‘In an ideal world we would spend our winters somewhere sunny, or at least have a couple of weeks in the Canaries or Caribbean.’

ACTIVE LIFE

ACTIVE KIDS

ACTIVE BODY

to Stamford 50 A RAY OF HOPE SAD affects many during winter, a special light bulb might just offer some release

ACTIVE SPORT

52 STAMFORD JUNIOR KNIGHTS This children’s basketball team is East Midland’s community club of the year 54 PHYSIO FOR ALL

The Fitzwilliam hospital has a comprehensive physiotherapy department and one of the physios is an ex-Olympian

ActiveLife

The Wills Inns in Uppingham

The eyes have it, meet Julia Smith the fourth generation in her family to run their opticians’ business Will’s top 5 walks of 2022

Jess Monro can wave her wand and help new businesses

Meet new columnist and garden designer, TJ

The Canaries are calling p18

What’s On!

THERE’S LOTS GOING on at Stamford’s Corn Exchange in the next few months including Stand Up Comedy Chuckl. on Friday 27 January. There will be three support acts plus headliner Geoff Norcott who has appeared on Mock the Week and Live at the Apollo. Tickets are available from the box office or www.stamfordcornexchange.co.uk

IT’S ALMOST SNOWDROP time again and the National Garden Scheme has its Snowdrop Festival in February with gardens open in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Rutland. Visit www.ngs.org.uk to find dates and locations.

MORE SNOWDROPS CAN be found at Easton Walled Gardens which opens for snowdrops and the 2023 season on February 15, from Wednesdays to Sundays 11-4 pm. www.visiteaston.co.uk

STAMFORD FLOWER CLUB are back in action with a demonstration at the Methodist Church, Barn Hill on Monday February 13. Sharon Badger will entertain you whilst she shows you how to do at least five arrangements on the theme, A New Lease of Life. Everyone welcome, no need to book. It’s £6 on the door including refreshments.

RUTLAND SPIRITUAL SOCIETY meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at the Quaker Meeting House, corner of Gaol/South Street in Oakham starting on 12 January, followed by the 26th at 7.30-9pm. There is a lucky ticket table at each meeting too, for just £1 per ticket and all are welcome.

Development Circles are held in six week blocks, please ask at any meeting. There is no need to book and doors open shortly after 7pm for a prompt 7.30pm start. Want to know more? Contact Alison via WhatsApp on 07557 226759.

TICKETS

WOODGREEN, THE ANIMAL charity that helps pets and their owners has opened a new charity shop in Stamford’s High Street (where Johnson’s cleaners used to be). There’s lots in the shop including pre-loved fashion and homeware. There are plenty of bargains to be had and donations will be gratefully received too.

LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL has recently announced the names of the comedians who have made it onto their shortlist for the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year. The final will take place on 25 February. The Leicester

Festival runs from 8-26 February. For tickets and more information go to www.comedy-festival.co.uk

Comedy

THE HOLIDAY AND Travel Show will be returning to London’s Olympia from February 2 – 5. Seventy tourist boards from around the world will be represented along with lots of travel operators. It’s a great place for holiday inspiration and discounts. For tickets and more information go to www.destinationsshow.com/london

ARE NOW available at De Montfort Hall for Extra Time on November 2 featuring Sue Barker, Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell. The three of them will be hosting a sports quiz show featuring sporting guests and it promises to be a night of fun. www.demontforthall.co.uk

Lamb and barley soup

Good, nourishing, cheap comfort food is what we need to get us through the grim winter months. And this hearty lamb and barley soup is just the ticket, and it’s simple to make too; a winner all round

INGREDIENTS

• 200g lamb diced neck fillet (cut the fat off)

• 1 tsp olive oil

• 1 finely chopped onion

• 50g pearl barley

• 550g mixed root veg (potato, swede and

carrot, but any root veg works)

• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 litre lamb or beef stock

• Salt and pepper

• 1 sprig t hyme (or 1 tsp dried)

METHOD

• Season the lamb, heat the olive oil and then seal in a large saucepan until browned.

• Add the onion and barley and fry for a minute.

• Add the veg, cook for a couple more minutes then add the Worcestershire sauce, stock and thyme. Season to taste.

• Br ing to the boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

• Once cooked you can either blend half of it and then return to the soup and mix it together, or serve it as it is. Either way it’s delicious and nutritious. Serve with granary bread.

Monkeys, dinosaurs and MPs

ON A FINE late summer day in 1835 Sir William Molesworth, radical MP for Cornwall East held a house party at his Pencarrow home and the guests were there to witness the planting of a young tree.

The particular specimen was an import from Chile, an Araucaria araucana. Rising barrister, Charles Austin was one of the guests. Upon unwisely grasping its hard triangular leaves he remarked: ‘Would be a puzzler for a monkey.’ The name has stuck ever since.

The first specimen was introduced to these islands from South America in 1795 by plant collector Archibald Menzies. He grew two plants from nuts which he had been offered at a dinner hosted by the Governor of Chile.

When Sir William planted his sapling which he paid £25 for (the equivalent today of over £3,000) the tree was an object of wonder and status amongst the more prosperous in England. Until the mid-twentieth century it would grace the front gardens of middle class suburbia without much thought given to the great heights it could attain.

The monkey puzzle is amongst the longest surviving trees on the planet. The species was growing 200 million years ago, which means it was rubbing its spiky shoulders with the likes of the Jurassic dinosaurs, T Rex and his chums.

Araucaria araucana can live for over 1,000 years and although slow growing can reach over 150 feet and have a girth of 10 feet. The bark on mature trees is gnarled and light grey in colour. The branches curve upward and are covered in sharp, dark green triangular leaves. The cones produced are coconut sized and each produces around 200 edible seeds.

In its native Chile and Argentina it is now endangered, so if you have a 150ft example growing in your front garden look after it.

GARDENING

Houseplant heaven

Houseplants are perfect for your gardening fix at this time

WHEN THE TREE has gone to recycling and all the decorations are stored away, what do we do with the bare space? Many of us turn to houseplants to add life and colour to a room. It is well known that certain plants are particularly beneficial for their air-purifying abilities which is an added bonus.

Originating from shady forest floors where humidity is high, many houseplants thrive in north-facing and darker positions. Create humidity for them and they will be happy.

For a real statement choose an indoor tree. Schefflera, the umbrella plant, or Ficus benjamina, grown as lollipop trees, often have a plaited trunk for added interest. These may be underplanted with small groundcovering types such as polka dot plants, piles or ficus pumila. Monstera, the Swiss cheese plant needs a lot of space. For a smaller version try monstera Monkey Leaf.

Yuccas are architectural, usually with spines of variegated combinations on two or three stems of varying heights. A spider plant nearby softens the effect and as it matures, will trail and throw out ‘baby spiders.’ Epipremnum and Scindapsus can be trained into attractive climbers. They are all pretty tough and can tolerate a degree of neglect. Another super little plant is a Hoya which will happily trail and clamber and reward you with pretty fragrant flowers.

Houseplants offer such a wide variety of leaf shapes, texture and colour that we are spoilt for choice. Try combining a group with glossy leaves of different shapes and colours. A good starting point would be Ficus Bambino, a compact plant with fat green leaves. Add Dracaenas which come in a fabulous range of size, colour and frond width, maybe a Philodendron and pop in a Spathiphyllum, peace lily, which has elegant white flowers to give a pop of light amongst the greens.

Alternatively try a collection in pinks. Syngonium ‘Pink Allusion’ has heart shaped

leaves of dusky pink with a green rim. It looks a bit drab on its own and could easily be passed over, but add Aglaonema ‘Cherry Baby’, Calathea ornata, Begonia ’Evening Glow’ and Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ and you have a stunning group that zings with energy. For something a little out of the ordinary try a Medinilla. Its green leaves hold clusters of beautiful pink flowers in autumn and winter which droop like bunches of grapes.

Ferns tolerate low light. Begonia Rex is grown for its beautiful leaf colours. Low light is fine but they hate getting their leaves wet so no misting.

Then we have the silver beauty of Agaves, aloes, bromeliads, succulents and cacti which originate in dry areas so require more sunlight and less water. Try planting a group in a terrarium or other interesting glass container.

If you are starting your collection there are a few basics to remember. Most plants are happiest in east, west or north facing positions, but a few can tolerate south facing direct sunlight. Keep them away from heat sources and they won’t appreciate being left behind drawn curtains on frosty nights. Water less frequently during winter, increasing in April when the growing season begins and feed regularly then as well. Most enjoy a water mist to increase humidity and stand pots on a tray of gravel containing water. Remove browning leaves or damaged stems. Check regularly for disease or bug infestation. Dust leaves gently to clean them and use a leaf shine on glossy leaves.

If you’re a pet owner please research before you buy your houseplants as many are toxic for our furry companions. If in doubt, ask advice at your local garden centre.

The most common reasons for killing your plants are overwatering, standing in draughty spots or over feeding. Find out what conditions your plants require and they will reward you for years to come. ww w.wellandvale.co.uk

of year. Tessa Burns recommends some combinations

Rowan Griffiths tells us more about the monkey puzzle tree

Masses and voids

LANDSCAPES AND GARDENS during the winter months are dominated by the arrangement of, and relationship between, masses and voids. This may immediately sound like technical speak, for which I apologise. I know it’s a little early in the year and I may be throwing you in at the deep end, but we will warm up quickly.

Mass and void are the starting blocks for any design. The landscapes that you may have found yourself walking through recently at any stately home or National Trust site illustrate how many of the historical design greats successfully manipulated light, shadow and viewpoints using their understanding of mass and void. It is their expertise that generates a feeling of pleasure for us when in these landscapes.

What is mass? It is the structure, whether planted or built, within an environment – parkland, landscape, your garden. And in the winter it really stands out. Thinking of mass in terms of planting it could be your evergreen planting, as that creates a block, a stop point, an eye diversion. Think topiary such as Taxus baccata (yew) hedging or Buxus (box) domes. These masses tend to be clipped so their form remains the same.

Deciduous planting is your Fagus sylvatica (beech) hedging, autumn leaf trees, spring blossom and flowering shrubs. These plants may drop their leaves but their skeletal form is still a mass. This is an

expressive mass which adapts to the seasons and provides you with a palette to view the changing influences. Frost and snow are collected on its bare branches and it allows you to see its habit and gives you a viewpoint through.

Your built structures don’t change. They don’t shred, grow, reflect or move in the breeze which is why it is so important to consider their shape, position and material. We are moving into architecture here but just considering built structure is enough.

So, if mass is the content then void is the areas which are framed by this content. It’s the open spaces and these voids tell us where to go. The mass is telling us how we feel when we are going – narrow passageways between tall evergreens feel very different to wide sweeping routes softened at the edges with deciduous planted beds. But it is the combination of the two elements that tell us how we feel.

The brilliance of many of the great landscape designers is because of their understanding of these elements. Visit any of the following places and see how the relationship between these two elements is accentuated in winter: Chatsworth gardens, Clumber Park, Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue, Burghley and Grimsthorpe Castle. And, further afield, the superb Stowe Park. www.tjkennedy.design | 07726 334501

Garden designer TJ Kennedy starts her new series by looking at the fundamentals of any design project

Canaries calling

Need to escape the dark, cold UK winter? The Canaries are the nearest place for some winter sun and offer a diverse choice of holidays

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS HAVE been and gone and now there are only the long, dreary days of January and February ahead of us. It barely gets light, days are short and everyone looks awful and is miserable, particularly this winter. Now is the time to forget heating bills and hop on a plane to enjoy some winter sun. And just four hours south (and in the same time zone) are the Canary Islands.

About a hundred miles west of Morocco this Spanish archipelago is made up of seven main islands located in the Atlantic that offer virtually guaranteed sunshine all year round. The largest is Tenerife and the smallest of the seven is El Hierro, all under Spanish governance.

The four largest islands Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are popular year round holiday destinations offering great beaches and fantastic, volcanic scenery. The islands appeal to all types of holidaymakers, from those wanting to party their time away, to families and retirees as well as those wanting to enjoy the fantastic scenery, National Parks and wildlife.

If quiet contemplation is what you want try El Hierro which is barely touched by tourism and quite remote. Or La Graciosa which sits north of Lanzarote and is now the eighth island having gained independence in 2018. The pace of life there is slow, there are fantastic golden beaches and no traffic as the roads are sand and can only be used by the island’s jeeps. And there are only 750 inhabitants.

La Gomera, an hour’s ferry ride or short flight from Tenerife, holds the most appeal for walkers (and me). It’s small, the population is low and there are walks galore with pretty valleys, dramatic gorges and sleepy villages. You can book walking holidays where your luggage is carried for you or you can just spend time sitting on the beach enjoying the weather and the peace and quiet.

If you require more stimulating times, family fun such as water parks and/or lively nightlife, head to one of the larger islands, particularly Tenerife and Lanzarote. Fuerteventura is the largest island but quieter when it comes to nightlife and probably better suited to families.

www.hellocanaryislands.com

www.thenaturaladventure.com

July 22

Five star walking

past 12

& Wadenhoe

This charming route includes a memorable woodland stretch on the north bank of the river Nene and the very special village of Wadenhoe, where the church holds an imposing position above the Nene and is set apart from the village. Don’t miss the impressive sundial and take five minutes to explore this stunning collection of limestone houses with thatched and Collyweston slate roofs. If you are there in the warmer months you can reward yourself with a refreshment in the stunning King’s Head garden which slopes down towards the river.

Brooke, Egleton & Gunthorpe

June

22

I like to start and finish this one in impossibly charming Brooke, where you can park on the verge just to the south of the village. Parts of the route are also sections of the Macmillan Way and the Rutland Round and the two decent climbs on the way round offer some pretty epic views of Rutland Water, Oakham and the landscape to the south. Egleton is nestled into the western shore of the reservoir and apart from hosting an important nature reserve it’s also another jewel in the Rutland crown of glorious villages. Meanwhile majestic old Gunthorpe is a lovely landmark on the way back to Brooke.

Aldwincle

It’s always interesting to take a look back on the

months when we start a new year. And reminiscing about favourite walks is no exception. Here Will picks five of the best walks from the last year. By Will Hetherington

Pickworth & the Drift

March 22

Most of this route is on excellent farm tracks and tarmac so it’s a good late winter option. The Drift is an ancient drover’s track but on this walk it will serve the very modern purpose of whisking you away from any traffic noise into one of the most peaceful places in the whole area. If you are lucky you may see a few hares out on the fields to the left and right of the path which goes through Walk Farm. And all the while you will be treading in the footsteps of lyrical royalty because John Clare, the nationally acclaimed ‘Peasant Poet’, spent his early working life in Pickworth as a labourer in the limekiln in the early 1800s and met his future wife on Walk Farm.

Wansford Station, Water Newton and Sutton

May 22

This route starts at the Nene Valley Railway headquarters, where there is ample parking along the roadside, so don’t rock up in Wansford village further up the A1 looking for the station. One of the highlights of this exploration of the Nene Park Rural Estate is the beautiful setting of Water Newton on the opposite bank of the river. Apart from the sheer serenity of the mill, lock and church at Water Newton, this walk also features sleepy little Sutton, the sweeping river Nene, a Roman road, a Saxon meeting place and a steam railway. There’s even a Lovers Lane! But give it a miss after prolonged periods of heavy rain because parts of it are floodplain.

West Deeping & Market Deeping

December 22

This route on the Fenland edge offers a peaceful blend of town and country, with plenty of water and a decent pub in the Red Lion at West Deeping at the end. Molecey’s Mill on the edge of Market Deeping is a former watermill on what was the Stamford Canal, which was in use from the 17th century for 200 years. The canal was built so the merchants of Stamford could get their goods to the coast and Molecey’s Mill is still an important part of the heritage of Market Deeping and the area. There is also a mill at Maxey and you could even treat yourself to some chips from famous Linford’s in Deeping halfway around.

To fi nd these walks and many more visit theactivemag.com and read our back-catalogue

A helping hand

SOME PEOPLE ARE really talented at making something or offering a service which can be quite unique. And often in the back of their mind they have the long held desire to - rather than work for someone else - set up on their own. Other people have this thrust upon them by circumstances but whatever the situation, setting up your own business is a leap of faith and takes courage, commitment, luck, hard work and skill.

You may be very good at doing tattoos, making clothes, cleaning or clairvoyancy but be absolutely useless at actually running a business (probably because you’ve never done it before). Or more probably, just not have the time to concentrate on the marketing, social media or admin as you are too busy actually delivering what you set the business up to do. But this can mean, if your customer service skills are poor including replying to emails and phone calls, the business can suffer before it’s even really started. This is a real conundrum for many small businesses and many fall by the wayside because of it. A small business is just that, and funds won’t be available to employ someone to pick up the slack for you.

Meet Jess, the answer to all your problems – or most of them

anyway – whose motto is ‘supporting little businesses with little budgets and big dreams.’ Jess Monro set up her own small business, The Little Business Fairy in Stamford in September 2022 to help small businesses locally, and has been busy ever since; her skills are in demand.

The Little Business Fairy, ie Jess, provides all aspects of assisting a business, most of it virtually. Social media, marketing, management, admin, business consultancy, invoicing and planning all come under the umbrella of The Little Business Fairy. Basically, whatever is needed to run a business, Jess can provide. This is impressive as it means a small business owner need only go to the one person for everything they require and Jess inspires confidence as she’s got a great way with her.

But what qualifies Jess to offer such a service? Experience of course. ‘I was very lucky I had a well paid job working for someone and basically running his nine businesses. I did all the planning, day to day running including emails and phone calls, finance, marketing, social media and everything else you could think of. The businesses were all different and it was challenging but over time I realised I was

Many of us dream about setting up our own business but it takes courage and commitment. Jess Monro is just the person to hold your hand if you take the leap. Mary meets her

no longer getting any job satisfaction.’

This lack of job satisfaction coincided with a move to Stamford for Jess four years ago and a fresh start. She fell in love with the town and the area and its small businesses. We are very lucky to have so many around here. The move meant working from home, which she had always done and then, of course, we went into numerous lockdowns. This proved to Jess that it was time to think of something else to do. ‘I was working from home doing 50 hour weeks and just not enjoying it. I love Stamford and its small businesses which define the town. And these businesses need to do well to help the town thrive. The job I had was running a very well established corporate business but I wanted to help small businesses that needed a helping hand. I had got to know a couple of local tattooists at Eden in Stamford who became great friends. Whilst chatting to them I realised I could help them organise themselves as they were excellent at doing tattoos but weren’t making the most of their booking systems and were struggling.

‘I persuaded them to let me do the admin and booking side of the business and the rest, as they say, is history.’ So much so they have told Jess that she has transformed their lives and brought the love back to their business of designing and tattooing as they had been worrying about the admin, returning calls and bookings side of the business to the detriment of doing the tattoos.

And that was the beginning of The Little Business Fairy which has grown through word of mouth and recommendations. Jess is a self-confessed geek and loves doing spreadsheets, designing logos, setting up websites and new systems to improve the efficiency of her client’s businesses. She also meets all her clients and will usually see them monthly depending on how local they are. ‘I love the face to face meetings after working alone for so long but can still do zoom calls too if need be.’

As a bit of a geek Jess loves nothing better than analysing costings and has saved some of her clients hundreds of pounds by doing so. She’s there to help you take the leap and her initial consultation is free when she will sit down and talk to you about your plans, be it starting a business from scratch or offering advice on how to move it forward. ‘I call myself a bit of a business cheerleader, always there to offer support, offering words of encouragement. But I am also the voice of reason saying if something isn’t going to work. Once I start working with a client we set out plans and goals. I know it’s hard running a business alone so I am there as back up. And that might mean ‘politely’ giving them the push to achieve those goals, even

simple things like making calls and setting up systems, or using the ones I have set up. By having me there to motivate them can mean a lot; it’s someone to be answerable to so gives that little push if needed.’ Jess offers packages ranging from one hour to about 10 hours a month. She charges £15 an hour or will work out a package depending on hours and skills needed. Jess now has 10 businesses on her books with numbers rising steadily. They range from medium Alison Stead, to tattooists, a personal trainer, parenting coaches, a telecoms provider and a cleaner. ‘I love that the businesses are so varied, as are the tasks, and everyone wants me to do something different so my days are never the same. I can be a sounding board for people and am always on the end of the phone to offer advice (within reason!) and as I’m slightly removed rather than being a partner or parent, I can be impartial.’

I think we all need a Jess in our lives and if you are a small business, you definitely do and you know she will always be honest with you and offer sound advice.

www.thelittlebusinessfairy.co.uk @thelittlebusinessfairy

‘I call myself a bit of a business cheerleader, always there to offer support, offering words of encouragement. But I am also the voice of reason saying if something isn’t going to work.'

Where there’s a Wills there’s a way

to capture its Irish bar ambiance. But then we decided we weren’t the people to do tapas well so we changed direction and started to serve great restaurant food in a brasserie environment. We always aim to offer what the town wants rather than a vision of what the business presumes the town wants.’

Don Paddy’s is unexpected when you walk in; it’s not set formally for dining. It’s got coffee and cakes at the front counter and people pick up a coffee before work or after dropping off children at school, then lunch is served, followed by afternoon tea. Early doors start from 4pm then dinner at 6pm and the bar is busy until 11pm. The fun never stops.

‘We like to exceed expectations at Don Paddy’s. It looks relaxed but we serve great food. Our chef Ian Russell has been with us for over 15 years. He’s from the town and he cooks for the town. He learnt all his skills in numerous top restaurants in Lincoln and was trained in Uppingham by the brilliant James Hackney, another local chef.’

Ali Duncombe, who has worked for the family-run group for over 15 years became the head chef of The Falcon in 2018 after working with Ian at both Don Paddy’s and The Falcon. ‘We are proud to have these two very important members of the family still working with us,’ says James, ‘all these years on and hopefully for many to come!’

‘We do have areas of the business that need working on,’ says James. ‘Twenty years ago we were the first people in Uppingham with an espresso machine. Other businesses now specialise in great coffee but we’re getting training, changing our beans and changing our machines. We’re looking at what we’re good at and what we need to improve on. There’s plenty of refurbishment planned for next year.’

Every Wednesday is live music night at Don Paddy’s. And in the summer the musicians play outside which has a great vibe. ‘Summer is our best season,’ says James, ‘where we really come into our own. Get ready, it’s coming back!’

WHEN WE THINK of Uppingham, we envisage the market place, the hub of the town. And what flanks the market place on three sides? The Falcon Hotel, Don Paddy’s and The Vaults, of course. Three different venues owned by one family, each with their unique ambience, but united in one mission, to serve the people of the town well. This ethos filters through every aspect of the family-owned business. The late Robert Wills, who grew up in the town and also ran the world class Arnold Wills leather factory, was passionate about looking after the local community, be that members of his staff, tradesmen, regular customers or the wide variety of visitors coming through the doors every day. Robert’s daughter Philippa has now taken up that mantle, as Managing Director of the Arnold Wills Group.

Robert and his wife Carol took over Don Paddy’s in 2004, The Falcon in February 2011 and the Vaults in September 2011. Over the last 20 years, ‘a lot of businesses have come and gone in the town,’ James says, ‘which had some great people behind them who have done great things. We are still here, being successful and reliable.’

James has been part of the business for 20 years in one form or another, and Anjali arrived in 2012. Another face front of house is operations manager, Lily Weaver, and together, all three strive to create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere whichever door you step through.

‘I don’t think many people can say they run three such different businesses so close to each other in a beautiful market town,’ Anjali says. ‘We have longevity and loyalty, the location and the know-how about how the town reacts.’

But they try not to rest on their laurels and are keen to move forward, learning as they go.

Creating a relaxed brasserie environment

‘When we took on Don Paddy’s it was a tapas bar,’ James told me. ‘It was named Don Paddy Sanchez as a nod to the tapas heritageCristina Sánchez de Pablos was the first female bullfighter – and also

Kate met Director James Torbell and General Manager Anjali Prashad from Wills Inns to find out why serving the people of Uppingham is written in their DNA

Social Sundays

During Covid, they introduced Social Sundays in the market place which had an area blocked off to vehicles. More chairs and tables were set outside and everyone could go out to eat and drink and feel safe. ‘It wasn’t easy,’ says Anjali. ‘Every week was a battle, but we did it to help people go out but still feel comfortable.’

It was so popular, Social Sundays are set to continue, running from June 4 to the end of August, most weeks with live music. Similarly, the market place will be blocked off for The Stilton Cheese Run on April 23, Feast Day on June 18 and the Three Counties Cycle Sportive which is on July 2.

‘Many visitors are people looking to move to Uppingham so they spend the weekend in town and Social Sundays show there’s lots of stuff going on, with music on the go. The market on the Friday is one of our best days of trading. And many people stay here for a wedding or while visiting the school and go into town and spend in the independent shops and restaurants. They’re not just spending with us, they’re enjoying what the town has to offer.

‘It’s good to have new businesses in town,’ James continues. ‘Nothing stays empty for long on the High Street. Lots of people discover Uppingham while visiting Stamford and Oakham. School parents come with their dogs as we have five dog friendly rooms.’

They may go for a pint at the Vaults which is a traditional English pub just serving drinks. They serve traditional ales from Oakham Grainstore and Timothy Taylor, one of the best national beers. It’s all about decent pints at decent prices. The TV is very popular there for people to gather to watch all sorts of sports fixtures. Then customers wander back to eat at the Falcon or at Don Paddy’s.

Part of the family

‘There’s no demographic that would feel unwelcome in any of our bars or restaurants,’ Anjali told me. ‘We’re very keen to look after people, you’re safe and we’re not charging crazy prices. Our staff are encouraged to get to know the customers and we want our customers to find out about the staff too, to know their names. Working in a family run business, you become part of the family,’ says Anjali. ‘And that’s how we want our customers to feel too; you shouldn’t worry about being on your own, it should be like coming home.’

‘We’re very community minded and have just won an award from Geoff Thompson, the Rutland High Sheriff, for our contribution to the community,’ says James. ‘Robert claimed there’s no point in running a business if you can’t support your staff and support the town. You have a responsibility to give your staff a decent living, to look after your environment, pay your bills and hopefully make some money along the way.’

When Robert and Carol bought the Falcon in 2011 they had every single room refurbished which took until 2017. It is a beautiful building with a traditional, genteel atmosphere and recently won the Muddy Stilleto’s award for best boutique hotel as well as various awards over the years for its garden. There’s the Oak room, Club room, Tap bar and front restaurant, all of which can be hired for functions. But as the business grew and changed over time, the building had to change to accommodate it. There were more and more weddings being held at the Falcon so they built the Garden Terrace room for extra space. And the garden behind it is a hidden gem, absolutely wonderful in the summer.

‘We try and make improvements all the time,’ says Anjali. ‘We pick up ideas from elsewhere and learn from others. We don’t do deals, we offer value every day. We want people to say: ‘I really enjoyed the last time I went to Don Paddy’s, let’s go again. Or, I’ve not been there for a while, let’s give it a go.’

www.falcon-hotel.co.uk www.donpaddys.co.uk info@donpaddys.co.uk 01572 822255

‘Many visitors are people looking to move to Uppingham so they spend the weekend in town and Social Sundays show there’s lots of stuff going on, with music on the go.'

THE EYES HAVE IT

THERE AREN’T MANY independent opticians left on the high street sadly these days. And if there are they usually have the one branch, quite often in a market town. Henry Smith and Hamylton opticians do not fit this bill. They now have seven branches with the seventh having opened in September 2022 in Market Harborough.

As well as having so many branches, this family-run opticians is now run by the fourth generation with Julia Smith the latest incumbent. So how did this all happen?

Julia’s great grandfather, William Henry Smith, started in Bosworth Street in Leicester in 1887. He was trained in sight correction and sold glasses and barometers. Henry’s son, another Henry, joined his father in the business and moved it to the centre of Leicester to Loseby Lane in the late 1950s. Julia’s grandfather should be thanked by the residents of Leicester as he fought the council’s plans in the 1960s who wanted to demolish the street and surrounding area to build a multi-storey car park. Thankfully he had the foresight to fight them off and preserve this iconic part of Leicester for future generations.

Julia’s grandfather worked in the business until he was well in his 80s and there is a photo taken on one of the first polaroid cameras by his friend Cecil Jacobs, the well known Leicester pharmacist and camera expert, hanging in pride of place in the new shop. Grandfather Smith also started working with the charity Vista who have been working with people suffering sight loss in the city for over 160 years. It was during the war years and many people suffered sight damage during this time ranging from soldiers in battle to people at home who were bombed. The business is still involved with this charity today.

When Julia’s father HWG Smith joined the business many changes were made. HWG qualified from Aston University in Birmingham in ophthalmic optics and then worked elsewhere to gain experience before returning to take over the business when he was 24. Grandfather Smith was by now in his 80s so happy to pass on the baton. HWG made many changes, the first one being moving the business out of Loseby Lane. ‘It’s a lovely building with a fantastic old fashioned lift but is a narrow old place where we had one room per floor including the basement,’ says Julia.

HWG moved the business and then quickly opened more Practice shops in and around Leicester although ‘my grandfather could not understand why he wanted more than one branch!’ Julia told me. HWG was also very keen on music so had travelled to Peterborough to

the cathedral to see a Gregorian monk perform. Before the performance he had a wander around the city centre and before long Henry Smith and Hamylton had another branch in Cathedral Square; over 30 years later it’s still there.

As the years progressed more shops were opened and HWG had three daughters. Julia remembers that family holidays ‘were always based around optics.’ Not that she’s complaining as European frame manufacturers are based in beautiful parts of France and Italy, mainly in the mountains, so the family got to visit these wonderful places whilst father would disappear to see some manufacturers and put in orders for exclusive frames.

Fast forward to today and the business has weathered the Covid storm. ‘It changed the way we worked,’ said Julia. ‘Obviously an eye examination means that the optometrist has to get up very close to the patient, which was not ideal. We closed for a couple of months to try and get hold of PPE and work out how we could safely operate.’ By now Julia was working in partnership with her father who is still involved in the business today.

Julia is one of three sisters who have broken with family tradition and none of them trained as an optician. Julia’s youngest sister is a

Mary meets the fourth generation to run her family optician business which started in 1887

dispensing optician and worked in the business for a while but subsequently married and emigrated to Hong Kong (she has recently returned with her family so watch this space.) Elder sister is a mental health community psychiatric nurse working in Nottingham and Julia’s background is graphic design.

‘My father and I are really close and I just thought it would be a shame to not get involved in the business as I’d always chatted to dad about it and was really interested in it. It also means I can spend more time with him.’

Julia’s design skills have been used to great purpose in the new branch in Market Harborough. ‘Since Covid we have found that everyone’s lives have changed. More people are working from home and are much happier to spend time near where they live. It has changed us all which means that smaller towns like Market Harborough have thrived.' And the family live close by so have always known the town well. Julia also designs some of the frames which are sold in the branches and, despite not being an actual optician, seems to have absorbed much of the knowledge by osmosis by just being around her father and grandfather.

‘I fell in love with the building on the high street first and when it became vacant knew it was right for us. It’s a listed building with a fabulous bay window and original oak panelling. I just knew it would be perfect.’

Originally a hotel with a dance hall at the back, there’s plenty of room over three floors. It was last used as a building society and the family had to remove a rather large safe from the back room. One of their patients who used to work in the building had plenty of stories to tell them about the security and ‘sweeps’ which had to be done of the premises every morning!

The plan was to open in July 2022 but then disaster struck in the shape of a car crashing into the front of the window. Thankfully no one was hurt (a miracle) but the front of the shop including the fabulous bay window was badly damaged. Repairs were done and the branch subsequently opened in September 2022, and it has been extremely popular building up a new list of patients very quickly.

This branch owes a lot to Julia’s design skills. She’s made great use of the space and there is a room specifically for children where the frames are safely out of reach of little hands. They can have their eyes tested here and there are toys to play with so that parents can talk privately to the optician and be able to concentrate on the diagnoses and recommendations.

It is very important that children are regularly given eye tests. They are available free on the NHS and problems such as a lazy eye or a squint need to be picked up early and subsequently treated. Caught young they can be rectified. And there is now a global epidemic of myopia in children. This has been caused by too much time spent looking at screens and too little time spent looking into the distance, outside in the fresh air. Apparently it is vital to be outside for a couple of hours a day when you are a child (and adult) as the UV light strengthens eye muscles. But this needs to be another article.

And there’s another room totally dedicated to sportswear. Cyclists, golfers, swimmers, high impact sports, skiing etc, all have different requirements from tinted lenses to polarised. You can have prescription goggles made and every sort of lens made available. Again a specialist is there to help and offer advice.

As well as Julia’s frames there are designer frames available from Chanel to Prada, to Tiffany to Moncler; too many to mention here (go and have a look). And, of course, Henry Smith and Hamylton also fit standard contact lenses too.

Henry Smith and Hamylton pride themselves on their customer service. They work with the NHS offering free eye tests for children, the over 60s and those with health conditions as well as private tests for everyone else (ask about exemptions when you make an appointment). They are proud that they take more time testing patients than many other opticians and offer the best quality available including some very high tech equipment which is hospital standard. ‘We make sure that our patients receive the best result for themselves.’ The recommendation is to be tested every two years if you don’t have any health or eye issues.

When Julia’s great grandfather started the business it was all about sight correction and offering glasses to patients to enable them to see better. That, of course, is still on offer today but testing has become much more sophisticated and an eye test, as well as looking at general eye health, can reveal high blood pressure, diabetes, retinal detachments and even brain tumours. It just shows that regular eye tests are vital.

Will there be a fifth generation running the family business? Who knows but there are plenty of possible candidates, albeit a bit young yet…

www.smithandhamylton.co.uk

‘Julia also designs some of the frames which are sold in the branches.’

WILL’S WALK

Grimsthorpe, Swinstead and

Edenham

Parkland and a stunning castle make for a fantastic winter walk on a clear day.

By Will Hetherington

Images: Will Hetherington

ACTIVE INFO

Grimsthorpe

Difficulty rating

The route

Park on Park Road in Swinstead and take the footpath leading east from the southern end of the road past Swinstead Hall. After the gateway you will soon see the path going diagonally off to the left across the field. Follow this path and as you do look left to see the impressive Summer House, a Grand Design type old folly. Follow the signs and keep heading east via an established farm track.

Go through Crow Wood and you will see Grimsthorpe Castle ahead over the lake. Bear right when you leave the wood to head towards the southern edge of the lake and cross over the wooden bridge past the shepherd’s hut. Turn left at the end of the lake and then look for the path ahead and slightly to the right. You will see the gateway which leads on to the track up the hill. From the top of this hill there is another good view of the lake - also a chance to catch your breath.

From this high point keep heading east and you will soon be out of the woods. Turn left and then right to follow the ditch and then go through a series of sheep pastures until you reach the gate on to the main road in Edenham. If you have time you can pop into the Five Bells for refreshment.

Otherwise it’s a simple case of turning around and retracing your steps, because there is no other footpath that will get you back to Swinstead. I don’t often recommend a walk that’s not a loop but this is magnificent parkland with a stunning castle so it’s perfect for a winter’s day.

Park was the southern edge of the great Lincolnshire forest. Oak trees that had been recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 were growing in the park when drawings of the park were made in the early 18th century. Oaks were felled during the Tudor period for shipbuilding and again during Cromwell’s 10 year Commonwealth. Most of the oak trees today were planted after the restoration of the Stuart Monarchy.

The route goes south of the lake with the Castle to the north.

Essential information

WHERE TO PARK

On Park Road in Swinstead.

DISTANCE AND TIME

Five and half miles/one hour 45 minutes.

HIGHLIGHTS

Grimsthorpe Castle, lake and parkland and the Summer House.

LOWLIGHTS

It’s a there and back route and not a loop but you won’t mind that.

REFRESHMENTS

The Five Bells in Edenham.

THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE

There are plenty of sheep on this route so it’s not ideal for dogs.

DIFFICULTY RATING

Two paws; it’s pretty easy going and there aren’t any stiles.

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.

START/ FINISH

There has been extensive work in recent years to preserve the historic landscape here.

The return view into Swinstead.

Active Kids

Wothorpe sports centre opens at SES

THE WOTHORPE SPORTS Centre on Kettering Road in Stamford was officially opened at the Stamford Endowed Schools in December last year.

The Kettering Road site has long been a sports facility but had just the one hockey pitch. This has now been expanded to create a contemporary facility with two new Astroturf pitches, four changing rooms and three studio suites for dance, Pilates, spin classes and general fitness.

Will Phelan, Principal of Stamford Endowed Schools, comments: ‘Wothorpe is a facility that complements the other sports’ provision that we already have across the Stamford Schools’ estate. We strive to grow and expand our offering for the benefit of our existing and future students and the provision now at Wothorpe allows us to do this.’

The Wothorpe Sports Centre offers a high specification provision for the students and is also open for use by local sports’ clubs already affiliated with the school. The project cost just over £6 million and was funded by Stamford Endowed Schools along with donations made by generous alumni and the wider Stamford community.

Well done Witham

THE WITHAM HALL Summer Ball charity auction raised an astounding £20,500 for two charities this year, Hearts & Minds and Don’t Lose Hope.

Don’t Lose Hope is a local mental health charity that offers professional counselling services for anyone from the age of four upwards. This is a free service for families and individuals receiving certain state benefits and is affordable to all others. Don’t Lose Hope relies on fundraising to ensure they can maintain this service, raising funds through their café and gift shop in Bourne, and also through donations.

Representatives from the school’s parents’ association, the Friends of Witham, visited the Don’t Lose Hope café to present Nicola Brister, founder and young person’s counsellor, with £10,250. This donation will be used to help fund five new counselling rooms which are due to open in 2023.

Jono’s charity challenge

AN OAKHAM SCHOOL pupil has raised more than £6,600 for a mental health charity by running 25 half marathons in 25 days during the lead up to Christmas.

Jonathan, (Year 13) unfortunately became injured during the eighth day of the challenge, but was overwhelmed by the support of his friends, family and teachers who all pitched in to help him reach the required distance.

This included a sports lesson at Oakham where hundreds of pupils and staff ran laps of a pitch, racking up more than 637km in one afternoon. Even Jono’s parents and friends in other countries went out and did their own runs to support him.

Jono also hosted podcasts throughout the challenge (and plans to continue them) which focused on mental health and featured special guests including professional boxer Stanley Stannard, who also ran with him, and Alicia Kearns MP.

‘Throughout the challenge, there has been a strong correlation between social media and mental health issues. As a result, I am going to help raise the issue of mental health being affected by social media,’ says Jono.

The challenge was to raise money for Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a charity close to his heart. ‘I chose CALM because I know a lot of people, including myself, struggled with their mental health during lockdowns and it’s something I wanted to raise awareness of and money for.’

Donations are still being accepted so to support Jonathan’s fundraising efforts, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ jonathan-hedley2

Entrance exam registration

THERE’S STILL TIME to register to sit the Year 7 entrance exams for The Peterborough School for entry in September 2023. Contact Admissions@tpsch.co.uk or phone 01733 343357.

Examinations take place on Saturday 28 January. Reception and Sixth Form places are also available. www.thepeterboroughschool.co.uk/joiningus

ActiveBody

EDITED BY KATE MAXIM

A slippery slope

THERE WAS A joke on social media this week about how sliding on ice as a child is fun, a great game and the more slippery the better. As an adult it’s not fun at all but can be terrifying and lead to hospital and broken bones. And sadly with the very cold spell and heavy frost we have had this has happened to people.

In clinic we see people with broken wrists, hips and other injuries but not all because of slippery pavements. For some it will be completely unrelated to the weather, from tripping while running through forests, falls from bikes, over potholes or tricky tracks, skiing injuries and, for others, a simple fall in the garden. But ice doesn’t help! As we age the body’s ability to cope with an impending fall tends to lessen. So what might have been a simple fall could now be more life changing and indeed, in the case of older people breaking their hips, life limiting.

Balance is the ability to maintain the body’s centre of mass over its base of support and there are many reasons why this may be poor.

Balance is achieved and maintained by a complex set of systems in the body. These include sensory input from vision (sight), proprioception (the awareness of the body in space with feedback from touch, joints, muscles and other soft tissues), and the vestibular system through the ears which assesses whether we are still or moving, upright or leaning. That sensory input is managed by the messages received in the brain and then acted upon to instruct the body to maintain the good positions and correct any ‘off balance’ positions. Sometimes these factors are impacted by disease such as inflammation in the inner

ear called labyrinthitis, or a stroke, medication and of course, the ageing process. For some too there may be psychological disturbances for whom the feeling of loss of control of balance is very restricting.

Try standing on one leg and then try again with eyes closed. For many, removing vision makes it a very different test and completely changes the challenge. But this is similar to running in the dark or even getting up in the night to nip to the loo down a dark corridor. Other sensory problems may be peripheral neuropathy where one is not able to feel the floor under the feet, so angled, softer or cobbled type surfaces can be more difficult.

Proprioception can be altered by something as simple as a stiff neck. Sensors in the ear canals and in the neck itself are unable to fully respond if we have reduced movement. Some who have injured shoulders may find they feel off kilter when running or walking as the usual shoulder swing will be diminished and not feeding back well.

At tempting to lessen our risk is important and of course keeping active, strong and well rested is always the key. Having good bone density is also vital so that if you fall there is less damage done. Good diet and supplemental vitamin D in particular are important and doing loaded exercise such as skipping and weight work helps to keep up good bone production.

Practicing balance exercises will help lessen our risk of falling. For someone who is dizzy this may mean just sitting and looking from side to side and up and down to

improve the visual input. This can be progressed to adding head movements which factors in the vestibular or ear and neck feedback. Then try standing, still doing these movements. We then add in stepping forward, back and sideways, walking along a line (rather like the old police test for drink driving) then hopping, all with eyes open and then closed. Imagine a dancer learning pirouettes. They fix their eyes on a specific point for as long as possible to maintain their balance but also need to be able to work with their focus changing. So progressive work in different directions is the key.

And as for preventing those falls at night, a simple night light in the corridor might make all the difference.

To contact Sarah ring 07780 900201

Sliding on ice is great fun as a child, not so much as an adult.

Physiotherapist Sarah Babbs advises how to improve our balance

Shockingly cold

Cryotherapy; no it’s not about crying, but the thought of three minutes at minus 160 degrees could reduce you to tears. Mary tried it out

I’M VERY LUCKY as I get to try lots of different things, many of which I would never have the chance to do in my ‘civvy’ life. Sometimes they can be scary and out of my comfort zone but I’ve survived everything so far and enjoyed virtually every experience, even if some things I have no desire to ever repeat.

Today I would be trying cryotherapy and compression therapy, both of which have just arrived in Stamford. Cryotherapy involves being in a sealed chamber for up to three minutes where liquid nitrogen disperses into gas and lowers the temperature in the chamber to minus 160 degrees. As you can imagine when I told friends what I was doing I got comments ranging from ‘you are completely mad’ to cracks about the temperature of my house (cold) with the odd person being slightly concerned.

In many ways I am the ideal candidate for this treatment as I have a long term ankle injury which I am really struggling with because, as every resident of Stamford knows, it is nigh on impossible to see a doctor. Cryotherapy is recommended for easing chronic pain and helps the body to recover more quickly from injury and fatigue. When you look at the list of things it can help with it is long. There are too many to list here but recovering faster from muscle fatigue is a major one, joint mobility, skin conditions including eczema, metabolism increase, chronic pain, arthritis, immune system booster, anxiety and stress reduction, it helps with menopause symptoms and reduces inflammation. And there are many, many more.

Basically, cryotherapy works by putting your body into fight or flight mode. The extremely low temperature you experience makes your body think it is going into a fatal situation so it prepares to repair. Blood is pumped away from the extremities and

directed towards the major organs which is where the high nutrient values and oxygen enter the blood. And then when you come out of the chamber the nutrient rich blood is pumped back to the whole body.

Andrew Marshall and his partner Emma both had injuries and were recommended cryotherapy and compression therapy. Having tried it and found it worked they did more research. Andrew has always wanted his own business and saw an opportunity as the nearest chamber is over an hour’s drive from Stamford. So, cryotherapy and compression therapy have come to Stamford, courtesy of Hamels Wellness Stamford.

So what was it like? Cold, obviously! You strip off down to your underwear (dressing gowns provided) and keep your socks on. Andrew gives you gloves and much to my amusement fur lined crocs to keep your extremities protected. You get in the chamber. The platform is raised so that your head sticks out and then sealed around. If you are claustrophobic you are fine because there is room inside the chamber and your head is out. The machine is switched on and Andrew stays with you throughout. We just chatted and two minutes shot past with the final minute going very quickly too. I kept walking on the spot and by the end my legs were tingling but there was no pain. Yes it was cold, obviously, but it was bearable.

I got out, got dressed, went on the exercise bike for a minute to get the circulation going and then I tried the compression therapy. I realised as I stood there that I felt really good!

This is because my body thinks it has cheated death so released all those feel good endorphins – euphoria really. And this feeling lasts for up to eight hours as the body stays on high alert because it thinks it’s going to experience the extreme cold again. Compression therapy involves putting on some enormous trousers which basically squeeze and release your limbs. Think extreme massage. You can vary the intensity and I got up to the full power by the end of the 30 minutes. This therapy helps with recovery as it drives the blood down to your foot and back up again towards your heart. The stronger the intensity the deeper into the tissue it goes. This helps with blood flow and aids circulation. Again, it also helps you recover more quickly from injury and exercise.

The combination of the two therapies is obviously going to be the most effective but

cryotherapy on its own can be really beneficial, as can compression. Cryotherapy was developed in Japan in the 1970s to help chronic pain and it seems to get results. But it is good for anyone whether they are in pain or not as it promotes wellbeing, helps deal with stress and boosts the immune system.

I felt great for the rest of the day after I had my treatment so the wellbeing side of it definitely works. My ankle also was less painful and I’m genuinely shocked at how less swollen it was, so that’s a result. Andrew says it’s best to use the chamber at least weekly before the pain comes back and ‘ideally twice a week’ but is aware of the cost considerations. The long term goal is to eradicate the pain altogether.

Would I do it again? Yes. It’s more the thought of the cold rather than the actual experience so I’ll have to psyche myself up. But if it works on my ankle I’m in. Go and try it for yourself, I think you’ll feel the benefits.

A session costs £40 but there are membership packages available which reduce costs to £25 a session. For more details of the treatment and packages go to www.hamelswellnessstamford.co.uk or search @hamelswellness

‘I kept walking on the spot and by the end my legs were tingling but there was no pain. Yes it was cold, obviously, but it was bearable.’

on selected models

Retail Only. Finance is subject to status and is available to customers over 18 – guarantees and indemnities may be required. Privilege, Ambassador and D-Plan customers should contact their dealer to obtain a fnance quote. Further charges may apply subject to mileage and the condition of the vehicle if it is returned at the end of the agreement. Subject to availability for new vehicles contracted between 1 January 2023 and 31 March 2023, and registered by 30 September 2023. Freepost Ford Credit. Failure to make payments on time may make obtaining credit in the future more difcult. Your vehicle may be repossessed if you do not keep up payments. Quotes for other fnance packages are available on request – customers should consider all alternatives prior to proceeding with fnance. Other terms, conditions, and exclusions may apply. Images shown are for illustration purposes only. This ofer supersedes all previous. A fnance facility fee (where applicable) is an additional charge for the supply of credit and is payable with the frst instalment. You will not own the vehicle until all repayments have been made. 0% APR applies to the following new vehicles; Fiesta, EcoSport, Focus, Kuga PHEV, Kuga Diesel, Kuga Petrol, All-New Tourneo Connect, Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD and Ranger MS-RT models. T. C. Harrison Group Limited, Milford House, Mill Street, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1HH acts as a credit broker in relation to fnancial products and not a lender. For customers requiring fnance we can introduce you to a small number of carefully selected credit providers who may be able to ofer you diferent fnance products to suit your needs, subject to assessment of your personal circumstances. We do not charge a fee for our services but a lender we introduce will typically provide us with a commission for the work that we do, which is a percentage of the amount you borrow. The lenders we work with pay commissions at diferent rates and the amount of commission we receive from a lender does not afect the amount that you pay to that lender under your credit agreement.

Winter woes

WINTER IS A time of the year when the air is colder and drier and there is a lot less sunshine in the UK. And most of us tend to be outside less. Because of this it may seem as if your skin is less exposed to harmful elements such as UV radiation and sun damage, but be warned, your skin is actually more vulnerable to damage in the winter months.

Although the sun’s rays may not be as strong in the winter it is still capable of damaging your skin. In fact, your skin may be more vulnerable to damage in the winter due to several factors.

Cold temperatures and low humidity can strip your skin of its natural oils causing it to be dry and flaky. To keep your skin moisturised and healthy it is important to use a rich, hydrating moisturiser and avoid long, hot showers which can further strip the skin of its natural oils. And beware of central

heating which also dries skin out and sucks moisture from the atmosphere inside your house.

The sun may not be as present and strong in the winter but that doesn’t mean it’s not harmful. Snow and ice reflect the sun’s rays, increasing your exposure to UV radiation. (Remember this if you go skiing). It’s really important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day, even on cloudy days. An SPF is your best friend when it comes to anti-ageing. It helps prevent future damage and wrinkles forming.

The colder air can also cause your skin and lips to become chapped and irritated, especially if you spend a lot of time outside. We all have a water barrier in our skin which is there to help protect our cells. During the winter months our skin can become thinner and cause sensitivity and redness leading to broken capillaries.

To prevent a breakdown of your water barrier and skin cells make sure to use a Hyaluronic Acid serum for deeper moisturisation and cover your skin with appropriate clothing. It’s a great idea to use a lip balm to protect your lips from the cold to prevent chapping.

Winter weather can also lead to more frequent breakouts as the dry air can clog pores and lead to acne. To help prevent this make sure to cleanse your skin regularly, morning and night, and use noncomedogenic products that won’t clog your pores. We highly recommend EXFO Cleanse by pHformula which is gentle and nurturing for the skin but will stop pores from getting blocked, thus preventing breakouts.

To sum up, it is important to protect your skin in the winter by keeping it moisturised, using sunscreen, covering up when outdoors, and using non-comedogenic products. Taking these steps will help keep your skin healthy and glowing all winter long.

For help and advice during the changing seasons you can book a skin consultation with your local specialist who can further guide you and advise you on the best products to use for you and your skin type. ww w.reviveskinandspa.co.uk

Why is it important to change your skin care routine and protect your skin in the winter months? Jenny Taylor from Revive Skin and Spa tells us more

A ray of hope

It’s that time of year again, short dark, gloomy days combined with a lack of sunlight. A trip to the winter sun would be ideal but there are other ways

CHRISTMAS HAS BEEN and gone and now there are just those endless winter months to get through when it barely gets light all day, the lights have to be kept on, many people commuting to work never actually see daylight and the sun never seems to be seen, particularly this year.

No wonder everyone is miserable. But for many of us it can be a bit more than feeling down. At least two million people in the UK are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which can cause sleep disruption, depression, lack of energy and a low mood. This can be debilitating for many. There are ways to help keep it at bay, or even just to manage it. The obvious one is to get outside in the fresh air however miserable you may feel. I promise you will feel better afterwards. The vitamin D will help, as will the exercise and exposure to daylight however dim it may be.

Exercising outside for at least 30 minutes a day, such as going on a brisk walk or cycle, is ideal and combined with other forms of exercise such as yoga, Pilates or a trip to the gym will really help. All release the feel good endorphins and the more of that the better at this time of year.

An extra boost for SAD sufferers is the SAD lamp which simulates the light of bright sunlight and helps regulate your circadian rhythm and has been proven to be effective. But you don’t necessarily need to invest in a lamp, a MiniSun light bulb can be just as effective if you put it in one of your lamps at home.

David Letts of Harborough Lights sells these bulbs and explains how they work:

‘These bulbs help with Seasonal Affective Disorder, assist reading with eye conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma and for anyone wanting to do close up tasks and hobbies.

‘They are only 10w LED bulbs so cheap to run. You don’t have to buy a specific SAD light which can be expensive, just the bulb for £5 which you can put in your own lamp. LED lights can be more expensive as an initial outlay but are cheaper to run over time. These bulbs use 90% less energy than halogen bulbs and are available in bayonet and screw in fittings and many different shapes.

‘The colour temperature (the Kelvin scale) is the important bit. White light is on a spectrum from yellow to blue. Yellow bulbs psychologically make you feel warmer but the cool white at 6500K is the same colour temperature as the sun and gives better resolution and correct contrast.’

David very kindly gave me a bulb to try and I have been using it for the last few months. When I first turned my lamp on I was surprised at how bright and ‘white’ the light was. It really does feel like a bright summer’s day and it was great to have a light which I could easily read with. I hadn’t realised how much I missed the clarity of sunlight and this simulated summer light reminded me of it straight away.

Be warned, you can’t expect to turn on the lamp and get an instant hit and lift of mood. This is a long term solution to the problem of lack of daylight hours. You need to spend part of the day – at least 20 to 60 minutes - near the bulb over an extended period of time. Apparently, the ideal time is first thing in the morning (which makes sense) but I have been using my bulb in the evenings reading in front of the fire. I do think it is helping and I fully intend to use it until the clocks change in March as, combined with getting outside for good long, daily walks I think it is certainly helping. And a bonus is that they are cheap to run, what’s not to like!

www.harboroughlights.co.uk

How to become genuinely confident

Diana Robertson, a member of Toastmasters International

HOW WOULD YOU rate your overall confidence? Do you notice yourself thinking, ‘I’ll be confident in my abilities when I can run a 10k’ or ‘I will be confident in myself when’ … (fill in the blank with something specific and meaningful to you…) I’ve been there so let me share some ways to build genuine confidence as we start a new year.

Identify where you are already confident

What are you already good at? The most important step towards building confidence is to be aware of what you have already been successfully doing. This could range from regularly attending your local gym to being a talented climber or being brilliant at cooking healthy, tasty meals. Write down anything that springs to mind because everything you’re good at counts.

Th is will reveal that confidence is not absolute, because nobody is fully confident about everything in their lives. We feel confident about what we know we’re good at. Equally, we have struggles with specific areas that need improvement. And you’ll notice that once you start working on a new skill, your confidence will grow with it.

Using affirmations for positive thoughts

Changing your thought process is easier said than done. However, our thought patterns are no different to our muscles. Both can be trained.

A great way to start reprogramming your mind is to repeat encouraging affirmations or statements before facing challenging situations. To find what will work best for you, go with the opposite of your negative thought. For example, replace ‘I’m terrified of having to share my opinion on a work Zoom call,’ with ‘I’m excited to share my opinion on the call.’

Give yourself time to practice your affirmations properly so they sink in. Feel free to improvise and find wording that works for you.

Changing your negative thoughts – with some powerful questions

If you prefer a more analytical approach, begin by answering the following questions. You’ll identify the fears behind your lack of confidence and learn how to transform your destructive thought patterns into constructive ones.

gives us some useful tips

1 How can I describe the exact negative t houghts on this particular subject in only one sentence?

2 Is t his thought 100% true? Is it a fact or is it my assumption?

3 What proves that this negative thought is completely or partially false?

4 If t he event that I most fear were to happen, how would it truly affect my life? What would I do (realistically, without exaggeration)?

5 If my best friend had this exact thought, what would I tell them?

These questions helped me through some difficult times. I hope they’ll be useful for you as well.

I used to be extremely bad at speaking in public. At my first presentation I totally forgot my script despite spending three days memorising it. My hands shook and I felt terrible. This experience shattered my confidence. But after a couple of days of fretting I switched focus onto how poor my speaking skills were. Separating myself from my skill was crucial to working out what I could do about it. I decided to join a Toastmasters’ public speaking club where I got the supportive help I needed. This is something you could consider as there are clubs throughout the East Midlands including Stamford, Peterborough and Northampton.

Celebrating

Remember to celebrate small achievements. It’s easy to forget that one unsuccessful event means little and that true success is achieved by taking small but consistent steps towards the goal. So, if you’ve just failed at something, don’t hold onto the setbacks, move on. The key to becoming better at anything is to shift your focus onto your long term progress.

Diana Robertson is a member of Toastmasters International, a not-for-profit organisation that has provided communication and leadership skills since 1924 through a worldwide network of clubs. There are more than 400 clubs and 10,000 members in the UK and Ireland. Members follow a structured educational programme to gain skills and confidence in public and impromptu speaking, chairing meetings and time management  www.toastmasters.org

ActiveSport

Boundless energy on and off the court

Knights, a

IWAS INTRIGUED to meet Jordane Edwards-Maddock, the manager of Stamford Junior Knights as I’d heard they’d won the East Midlands Community Club of the Year in association with Basketball England despite having only been formed in April 2019. As I thought I would, I met a kind and committed woman who is passionate about providing a facility for Stamford and the surrounding area that had been sadly lacking before.

Jordane’s husband Adam Maddock played basketball at school then stopped for a few years until a few of his friends started playing at Borderville sports centre. He went down to try it and this rekindled his love for the sport. Once he started playing regularly, their sons who were 11 and 9 at the time, expressed an interest too but it meant travelling further afield to find somewhere for them to play.

‘So I made a flippant remark,’ Jordane told me,‘ and said why don’t you become a coach? With that I booked him onto a coaching course and we started the club!’

Jordane sees to the management side of things which involves a lot of hard work with planning and organisation; the Saturday

sessions are just the tip of the iceberg. But she played with the girls during their recent first session and ‘I did score two baskets so something must have sunk in.’

NUMBERS ON THE UP

They had absolutely no idea how it would take off, starting with ten children between the ages of 8 and 12. They now have nearly 100 children on the books including the girls. They run advanced sessions for players up to 18 on Mondays and have over 70 boys and younger girls on the waiting list. The secondary school-aged girls all have places and they now accept children younger than eight on the list. In European countries players start at four years old as they do with tag rugby and football but the Junior Knights don’t yet have the adjustable hoops needed for much younger players.

Jordane tells me that after football, basketball is the second most played sport worldwide and she puts that down to the fact it’s so quick paced and exciting.

‘Some children who come to us play a multitude of sports and are quite athletic already but we do have some children who have never found their sport or enjoyed team

sports until coming to our sessions and they love it. Their confidence is growing and they feel they’ve found their place which is amazing to see.

‘We are mixed ability so it doesn’t matter if you’re already a talented player or you’re a complete beginner; we tailor our sessions so each child gets something out of it and as long as they’re going away with a smile on their faces, we’re happy. We want them to have fun and we’re finding friendships between children at different schools are blossoming. For general fitness it’s great as you do have to run up and down the court and their athleticism is incredible. Learning to play in a team is also important.’

I had to ask; surely you have to be tall to play basketball? Her reply? ‘No definitely not! If you’re tall you’re naturally closer to the hoop to dunk the ball but some of our quickest, most talented players are shorter and have a different view of the court and are able to weave in and out.’

They have recently bought size 5 basketballs for the girls and the younger boys play with smaller balls too. They all like to play with the bigger sizes but it’s more important to develop their skills first. The younger children look up to the older ones and the club has encouraged mentors like Miles and Anthony who come along early to the sessions and work in smaller groups with the younger ones or help get them warmed up before they play.

Zac Piggot who is in year 12 has been accepted into Charnwood Basketball, a leading basketball academy connected to Loughborough University. His father has categorically said that it wouldn’t have happened without the Junior Knights. Coach Chris’ son Noah goes to Loughborough University and plays basketball alongside his course. Both Zac and Noah make sure they visit the club when they’re at home.

NURTURING MENTAL HEALTH

This nurturing ethos is very much in evidence throughout the club. Some of this

Kate meets the manager of Stamford Junior

children’s basketball team that has won East Midland’s Community Club of the Year

may be a result of Adam being very open about suffering from depression and anxiety himself and how learning to coach and get back into playing has helped with his mental health. He quickly picks up on the children’s worries and they’re very open to chat to him about any concerns they may have.

‘We don’t just have two children now, we have over 80. And we celebrate their wins and losses along with our two! Ultimately, we want the club to outlive us, it’s much bigger than us.’

The club is fortunate to have some generous sponsors: the girls’ balls were sponsored by National Grid and Stamford Town Council. The boys’ most recent strips by Raw Architecture, Aloha and MW Edwards Groundworks. ‘Without them it would be very difficult,’ says Jordane. ‘The children pay £5 per session which covers the hall hire and we’re all volunteers. Our team of volunteer coaches each bring their own experiences to the sessions and Mark from the Senior Knights really helped us get off the ground.’

Duncan joined the team in September 2019, bringing with him lots of basketball knowledge from a coaching and personal playing point of view. Duncan is a big part of

the club’s success.

Some players live an hour away from the club and when they play games they tend to go to Cambridge, Lincoln or Grimsby.

‘Without the parents’ skills and enthusiasm and commitment to drive the children to practice and to games further afield we wouldn’t be where we are now,’ Jordane says. ‘We’re trying to get basketball to come to us more and we have big plans for the future. Our goal is one day to have our own facility. Watch this space! When you think of other sports like football, rugby, cricket or bowls they all have their own club. And we’d like to offer disability sessions, wheelchair sessions and walking basketball. The children would all love to play more, once a week isn’t enough they tell us.’

I have no doubt that Jordane, Adam, Duncan, Dave, Chris and Mark will achieve their goals. There’s not just boundless energy on the court, there’s tonnes of it off the court too.

Sessions start at 12.10pm on a Saturday with the last one finishing at 4.25pm at Borderville in Stamford. The girls’ session runs from 10 to 11am at Welland Academy. For more information visit www.sjkbasketball.com

‘We are mixed ability so it doesn’t matter if you’re already a talented player or you’re a complete beginner; we tailor our sessions so each child gets something out of it.’

Physio for all

AT SOME POINT in our lives we will probably need help from a physiotherapist, be it for a bad back, to help recover from a broken bone, because of a sports injury or even just for general wear and tear as we become less flexible or stretch a bit too far.

Some physio treatment is available on the NHS but it can be difficult to access, you may have to wait a long time for it and you may not be offered enough of it. Sadly, all these reasons are becoming more common so if we need physio treatment we have to pay for it.

And if you are going to pay for it, you need to make sure you are getting effective treatment which is ultimately successful.

The Fitzwilliam Hospital in Peterborough has a large physiotherapy department with physiotherapists who specialise in

treatments. There are hand specialists, knee, shoulder and spinal ones, sports injuries as well as a physio who specialises purely in women’s health including pelvic floors. So, whatever your problem you will be treated by someone who is a specialist in their field.

You are able to either self refer and ring up to make an appointment or can be referred by your GP or through the NHS via your orthopaedic consultant for follow on treatment after surgery such as knee or hip replacements. The department has a gym where rehab sessions can take place and where exercise classes are offered for patients who have had knee or hip replacements. Patients will be referred by their consultant and will all be at a similar stage of recovery to the other people attending the class. This not only benefits the patients from an after

care point of view but also means they get to know each other and enjoy the support and companionship of someone going through the same experience.

The Fitzwilliam Hospital celebrates its fortieth anniversary in May 2023 and 15 years under the Ramsay Health Care umbrella. At the hospital you can have orthopaedic treatment, cosmetic and weight loss surgery. It is also the only hospital in the area, private or NHS, to offer a spinal service so you can have back surgery which is then followed up by physiotherapy. The hospital offers virtually every medical provision available apart from accident and emergency, maternity and there is no paediatric care. You can also have X rays and MRI scans here as well as much more.

Since the pandemic the hospital has been very busy, particularly in the last 18 months. Appointments re-started initially either by phone or virtually but have since returned to face to face. Virtual appointments are still available for those who want it.

One of the physiotherapists who is in high demand is sports injury and back pain expert Ashley Watson who joined the hospital early last year. As well as being a physio Ashley is also an Olympian who competed in last year’s winter Olympics in the four-man bobsleigh competition representing Jamaica. He joined the hospital in January 2022 and two days later flew out to Bejing to compete.

Ashley grew up in Peterborough and is one of those very fortunate people who is good at all sports. He played cricket and football at academy level whilst at school and competed as a 100m runner at county level. Fast (particularly over short distances) and

The Fitzwilliam Hospital offers expert physiotherapy treatments and you may even be treated by an Olympian. Mary chats to him

powerful, he considered rugby but ‘I always wanted to be an international athlete and an Olympian.’ Whilst competing he met another athlete who he got chatting to who was in the British bobsleigh team and suggested he take part in the time trials, which he duly did. Ashley is strong, powerful and fast so was perfect to be a bobsleigh athlete and succeeded in the time trials and was picked for the team. He completed with the GB team until 2017. Ashley is the brakeman on the side handle and the third man in the sled who is the strongest athlete.

Ashley had his own sports therapist business where he treated many athletes. And he had recently done his masters and qualified as a physio. It would seem that the world of being an international athlete was now behind him. But fate had other ideas.

‘One of my patients got chatting to me and it turned out he was in the Jamaican bobsleigh team and lived in Peterborough,’ says Ashley. ‘He suggested I join him for a session when he realised I had experience so we went down to Bath university to train.’

And that was how Ashley became an Olympian. Against the odds the Jamaican team qualified to compete in the four-man bobsleigh competition 24 years after they last qualified (they made a film about that, Cool Runnings). They used a 15-year-old sled and trained for just three months at Bath as it’s the only place in the country with the facility. Ashley was part of the biggest winter Olympic team that Jamaica has ever sent and has become a part of sporting history; quite an achievement.

To book an appointment ring 01733 261717 and ask for the physiotherapy department. An initial appointment costs £60 for the first session and then £44 for any subsequent ones. www.fitzwilliamhospital.co.uk

‘As well as being a physio Ashley is also an Olympian who competed in this year’s winter Olympics in the four-man bobsleigh competition representing Jamaica. ’

IF YOU’RE HOPING to catch up with the rugby results by reading this column I’m afraid the weather, primarily in the form of frozen pitches, caused an involuntary winter pause in many local fixtures over the festive period, so there’s a little less than usual to report to be honest. The most notable postponement was the always eagerly awaited Stamford versus Oakham, so a joy delayed there. However, a few fixtures were still able to take place and one happened a few days after that schedule as the Oaks Under-23 side did manage to travel to play their Stamford equivalents and came away with a creditable 27-12 win.

The rivalry between the two sides has always been maintained at a sensible and friendly level but bonhomie went gangbusters as afterwards Oakham posted: ‘Thank you Stamford Rugby for a cracking evening’s rugby. This is what grassroots rugby is all about, having a good hard fought game of rugby against your local rivals with beers and a boogie afterwards. Great to see almost 50 players between the two clubs getting on the pitch.’ Stamford responded in kind saying: ‘Thank you for popping over. Fantastic game showing just how strong the grassroots game is in our area. Happy New Year to everyone at Oakham RFC.’ Steady on chaps. Don’t want you going all soft.

The highlight though was Oundle’s away fixture against Derby. Although they eventually succumbed 38-35 with the hosts scoring a converted try right at the end, the club called it ‘an absolutely crazy game’ and ‘superb’. Derby agreed; ‘What a game!’

The health of the local rugby game is as strong as Stamford mentioned above in some areas but there are challenges elsewhere, the

recent demise of Corby RFC as reported in our last edition being a warning to us all. Covid still casts a long shadow as the enforced (almost two year) break has meant not only financial hardship but a loss of players. Having lost the habit of weekly training and matches - and being that little bit older as a return became possible - many sides have experienced key players not coming back to the fold as a result. Perhaps the upcoming Six Nations will remind them what they’re missing and let’s hope Corby is the last rugby football club to fall by the wayside. Unless we get out to support all the others that might not be the case, so no apologies for urging you once again to show up on the touchline for some free entertainment on a Saturday afternoon and to put some money behind the bar.

As the football World Cup retreats into our collective memory, our local sides have been much less affected by the icy ground than the

rugby ones. Stamford Daniels lost their position at the top of the table but are still very much in the mix with only a couple of points separating the leading contenders. The dip in form – one win out of four – included a Boxing Day defeat to local rivals Spalding United. Five first team regulars were missing due to suspension or injury and several of the others were below par due to the effects of a bug doing the rounds of the whole squad. Things got worse in that match after half an hour when Mike Armstrong was dismissed for two yellows, although they had earlier taken the lead through Marshall Hillock. Alas, that lasted less than ten minutes before an equaliser and Daniels missed a penalty. Spalding then went 3-1 up with a goal either side of the break. Challiner gave Stamford hope with a late goal but it was not to be.

It was a happier story to start 2023 against even closer rivals Corby Town, a 2-0 win as Rob Morgan, Jonathan Margetts (who were both to score) Cameron Johnson and keeper

Rugby pitches have been affected by the cold weather but football carried on. Jeremy Smithson-Beswick enlightens us

‘Thank you Stamford Rugby for a cracking evening’s rugby. This is what grassroots rugby is all about’

Dan Willis came back into the side. That victory put them well and truly back into the fight for the title.

There was no such dip in form for their women’s side that have continued to sweep all before them. It’s they you should go to watch if you like goals, their last seven results being 9-0, 13-2, 7-2, 1-1 (what happened!?) 13-0 and 9-1.

A few places below Stamford’s men’s XI in the table Harborough FC continue to make steady progress in their inaugural season at this level. They too played and defeated Corby Town, 0-4 in their case, with goals from James Ireland, Dan Cooper, Ethan Johnston and Joel Carta. They scored four again on Boxing Day against Boldmere St

Michaels – Ireland again, Nat Ansu (2) and Joel Walsh chipping in with the goals.

Manager Mitch Austin was in reflective mood in his New Year’s message saying that the last eighteen months had been the most successful in the club’s history. Harborough FC is so much more than the men’s first eleven and he noted that the other sides were also all enjoying success ‘at all levels of the game’ and that ‘everyone connected should be very proud of the community club we are continuing to build and develop together.’ Well said.

Many of us more traditional football fans often criticise the lack of patience of chairmen (and some fans) who often seem too keen to sack managers after a few poor

results rather than looking to the longer term. Many as old as me will remember the strident calls for dismissal of Sir Alex Ferguson from Manchester United in his early months, for example. It often being said he was only one more defeat away from being shown the door. The rest, as they say, is history. However, none of those knee jerk reactions can compare to the experience of Oakham United’s manager Seb Hayes who recently left the club for the same job up a few tiers at Yaxley, where he’d previously run the reserves. In this case the chairman’s patience lasted for – wait for it – seven hours. Hayes posted: ‘I’m embarrassed writing this! Less than seven hours after giving me the job the chairman rang me and sacked me.’ What was his sin you may ask? Surely such a summary dismissal must have been due to some egregious behaviour? Not a bit of it. He was sacked because he ‘wanted to make too many changes to the playing squad!’ Yaxley currently sit bottom of their table with one point from twenty-two games. I wonder why?

‘That was their fourth win in a row and their ninth from ten, which is just the type of form you need going into their next game which is against promotion rivals Halesowen Town.’

Images: Rob O’Brien

START IN MARKET Harborough and head south easterly to Braybrooke along the long straight Harborough Road. Leave Braybrooke and head up the hill to the left turn and then right coasting back down another hill to Arthingworth. From here it’s mostly uphill for the next four miles. Follow the road to Kelmarsh and then turn right shortly afterwards to Naseby via Haselbech. Once past Naseby (which is the half way point), turn right and enjoy the rest of the route which is downhill all the way back.

Ride north through Sibbertoft and then take a right turn to Marston Trussell before joining the main road back into Market Harborough. Enjoy!! https://www.strava.com/ routes/3036955922961852432

SIBBERTOFT

NASEBY

PROJECT MANAGEMENT