Active Magazine // Stamford & Rutland // Winter 2025 by Active Magazine

How to thrive in 2025

Coming to a crossroads in your business; what do you do next? Travel; desert islands still exist. Visit the Maldives Why a correctly ﬁtting rucksack is so important From start to ﬁnish; our new series about garden design from conception to ‘birth’ Competition. Win tickets to this summer’s Classic Ibiza at Burghley FREE!

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Editor and Publisher Mary Bremner mary@theactivemag.com

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ISSN 2059-8513

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EDITOR’S LETTER

‘mighty oaks from little acorns grow’

How are you doing with your new year resolutions? Have you fallen down the PR and marketing pit of the diet and exercise world? Our social media feeds are full of diets and exercise plans and every magazine you pick up helps add to the self ﬂagellation t all seems to be set u to see you fail as expectations are unrealistic. My advice is don’t bother with resolutions you will never be able to keep, go for a reset instead. Even the smallest tweaks can help and every small achievement, be it cleaning out a drawer, feeding the birds, walking more or drinking and eating less makes you feel better. And as the saying goes, ‘mighty oaks from little acorns grow’ so small steps can lead to big things. Have a look at our feature ‘Thrive in 2025’ for some suggestions.

Christmas and New Year celebrations now seem like a lifetime ago and for some of us it’s now just about the hard slog of getting through the next few months. But it’s not that bad if you look at the positives. I was out this morning before am on my first offi ial day ba at wor t felt li e was possibly the only person up and out at this time with the dog and it was just lovely. It was cold and frosty and still dark. The air was chilly around my face but I was wrapped up warm enjoying the stillness and hearing the birds starting to sing. After all the Christmas festivities it felt great to be out early enjoying some quiet and solitude and contemplating a period of more temperate living and simple foods to look forward to (and the cheese to finish

For those of you who are after some winter sun have a look at our piece about The Maldives; they certainly tick all the boxes. And if sunshine and fun are what you are after – and aren’t we all – why not enter our competition for tickets for this summer’s Classic Ibiza at Burghley House in July. It’s always a fantastic, fun night out and great to have something to look forward to.

Enjoy the issue.

Mary - Editor

Be Inspired

20 TRAVEL

ISSUE 141 / WINTER 2025

Visit the magical Maldives

22 THRIVE IN 2025

Forget resolutions, go for a reset instead

30 ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATION

Kate tries a new way of exercising

33 RUCKSACK FITTING

Why it’s so important to have a ru sa that ﬁts you ro erly

36 BUSINESS CROSSROADS

Ruth Wood, owner of Ada Gallery talks to us about the challenges of growing a successful business

38 WILL’S WALKS

Will heads to high Leicestershire to enjoy quiet country lanes and plenty of hills

51 WITH EVERY BREATH WE TAKE he beneﬁts of good breathing techniques

55 THE ROUNDUP Jeremy looks at local sport

ActiveLife

Deserted islands still exist. Visit the magical Maldives p20

Thrive in 2025, forget the resolutions, have a reset instead.

From start to ﬁnish; garden design from conception to ‘birth.’

What do you do when you reach a crossroads with your business? Why a correctly ﬁtting rucksack is vital.

Will heads into the heights of Leicestershire.

Success at the National English Curry Awards

Indian restaurant Everest Lounge, with restaurants in Market Harborough and Oakham, has achieved incredible recognition at the prestigious National English Curry Awards 2024.

Their Market Harborough branch has been honoured for its exceptional culinary artistry in the chef of the year category. So congratulations to their talented chefs for their dedication and passion. And in the new restaurant of the year category their newest addition in Oakham has been crowned a winner for delivering an extraordinary dining experience.

These awards are a testament to the love and support from their loyal supporters and well wishers so they would like to say a big thank you and look forward to celebrating with you and continuing to ser e you the ﬁnest ﬂa ours and an unforgettable dining experience at both of their restaurants. www.everestlounge.co.uk

Win Classic Ibiza tickets

Classic Ibiza returns to Burghley House on July 26, 2025 and is promising an extra special concert to celebrate its tenth year. To celebrate, Stephen Hussey’s 32 piece Urban Soul Orchestra will be performing more tracks than before including a ‘best of’ set full of Classic Ibiza classics.

Tickets are on sale now and do be quick as this performance always sells out very quickly. www.classicibiza.co.uk We will see you there!

And to join the celebrations we are delighted to be giving away two pairs of tickets to two lucky readers. To enter go to www.theactivemag.com/competitions

Closing date is March 1, 2025

Image: David Evans Photography

Travel happy

The perfect A1 pit-stop between Stamford and Grantham, Brightside Ram Jam is bringing proper hospitality back to roadside dining with a modern menu that exceeds expectations.

With EV chargers on site, a large car park and most menu items available to takeaway, Brightside boasts a menu of all day breakfast, brunch, burgers, kids’favourites and plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options.

You can choose from a range of freshly cooked comfort classics brilliant burgers ﬁsh and hi s ham and eggs and a s i y Bombay curry. And, of course, their excellent all day Big Breakfast.

If you’re after something a little more contemporary there is smashed avocado on toast topped with a free range poached egg, and sprinkled with Aleppo chilli. There are also punchy North fri an ﬂa ours in luding sha shu a and a sele tion of lighter bites and colourful salads.

Need to takeaway? They have a wide selection of breakfast rolls, dee ﬁlled sandwi hes or grab a fully loaded sourdough i a – ready in a jiffy and cooked to order on site.

They understand that happy kids mean happy families and their right ar s menu is full of rowd leasers ou ll also ﬁnd free snack pots so hungry kids can get nibbling right away, with activity sheets, free apples and card games for the onward journey.

With single origin Clifton Coffee available all day, and a nostalgic decor – think Stranger Things and Twin Peaks – they’re sure you’ll love your visit. www.brightside.co.uk

Brewmasters at Morcott

Welcome to Brewmasters @ The Hub, your new go-to destination for coffee lovers and night owls alike. By day, indulge in expertly crafted barista-style coffees, refreshing soft drinks and an array of delectable homemade cakes. Whether you’re looking for a cosy spot to catch up with friends or a quiet corner to work, their inviting atmosphere is perfect for everyone. Craving something more substantial? Hot food and snacks provide the perfect fuel for your day.

In the coming weeks, Brewmasters will be transformed into a vibrant bar in the evenings serving up an impressive selection of o tails draught beer and ﬁne wines o stay u to date with their social media so you don’t miss out. Come and discover your new favourite spot today.

ased in or ott just off the they ro ide the erfe t meeting point for the surrounding villages and towns, just two miles from the shores of Rutland Water. Join them for regular art exhibitions, live music in the evenings and more. They can’t wait to provide the best views and brews for you.

The Hub, Rutland Point, 5 Glaston Road, Morcott, Oakham LE15 9DL. @brewmastersthehub

Stamford Assets, a newly published A5 book

Between 1783 and 1878 the Newcomb family of tamford uietly amassed one of the most signifi ant property portfolios in the town’s history. This estate of more than ro erties finan ed from the rofits of the tamford er ury then assed inta t through eight generations.

In his new publication John Daffurn has catalogued both land and property acquisitions in chronological order, beginning with those which came into Richard Newcomb senior’s possession on his marriage in to the widow ary ott he portfolio includes more than 40 current Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings and a similar number of

dwellings built by the Newcomb family on land they acquired.

John provides an informative account of each building or land acquisition with details of previous owners, current values and other interesting facts about the buildings and their tenants, supported by over 70 illustrations.

Today the value of the Newcomb estate, excluding commercial properties on the High Street and elsewhere, would exceed £40 million, making this a compelling story of wealth, heritage and the architectural fabric of Stamford. Stamford Assets is available from Walkers bookshop

COULDYOU VOLUNTEER?

Doyouwanttomeetnewpeople? Learnanewskill? Improveyourwellbeing?

VolunteerPlusRutlandconnectsyouto volunteerpositionsinRutland.Youcan browseopportunitiesandchooseonethat suitsyou.It’sfree,secureandsimpletouse.

volunteerplusrutland.org.uk

01572725809

Become a volunteer

A new year could be the perfect time to consider the future and make changes in your life. You may be thinking about doing something different in 2025 and this is where volunteering could come in.

In Rutland there are a huge range of groups and organisations providing services and activities in the community thanks to volunteers. Everything from your local sports club to groupsincluding youth and environmental ones, charity shops, community transport as well as local support and social activities to name just a few - only exist due to the time given by individuals.

We know, through NCVO’s Time Well Spent 2023 national research on volunteering, that the main reason people volunteer is to improve things or help people. And anyone who makes use of activities or services provided by community groups experiences this ﬁrst hand

here are also great beneﬁts for olunteers or those loo ing to develop their skills or CV, volunteering can be a great way to gain experience in a new role, organisation or sector. Volunteering can also be a great way to meet new people and connect with your community. The NHS in their 5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing suggests that giving to others, including through volunteering, can improve your mental wellbeing.

The research also tells us that not wanting to make a regular commitment and doing other things in their spare time prevents people from becoming a volunteer. But volunteering can take place in a number of ways. You could commit to a regular activity, or offer support from home at a time that suits you. You may even help out at an event just once a year, perhaps through an employer volunteering day. There are a whole range of ways people can volunteer in a time and way that works for them. If people offer a small or larger amount of time it all adds up to make an important difference in the community.

Volunteering is powerful - for individuals, organisations and communities - so if you are thinking of doing something different this year there may be a volunteering opportunity out there for you.

To search current volunteering opportunities and ﬁnd information on a range of community organisations in Rutland visit www.volunteerplusrutland.org.uk

Celebrating ﬁve years

tamford howsto ers are e ited to ha e rea hed their ﬁfth anniversary and to celebrate are producing a double bill, Matilda Jr and A Chorus Line to be performed during half term on 19-22

ebruary i ets are on sale now

The group was set up in 2019 to perform Chicago in this time slot in 2020 and never imagined what would follow including Covid and Zoom rehearsals. They have now produced 21 shows including harlie and the ho olate a tory ro en r rease ris illa i (teen edition), Cats, Chitty and at least eight Cabaret shows amongst others.

Originally an adult group with younger members for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, this led to a youth team which performed ro en r and now atilda r heir se ret i ola founder and director, says: ‘We just love anything theatre. We love to dance and sing and rehearse together. We even have days out to the seaside and ha e erformed at the unstanton esti al

‘If you enjoy what you do it shows on stage. It’s a pleasure to be part of and that comes across for the audience making our shows a pleasure to watch!’

@stamfordshowstoppers

Winter Warmer Co ee M ning

The first Thursday of the month 10am - 11am in our Bistro Café

Warm up this winter at our monthly Winter Warmer Coﬀee Morning! Enjoy freshly brewed coﬀee, a selection of teas, and delicious homemade cakes. It’s a great chance to connect with others and be part of our friendly community.

For more details, please call us at 01733 731 455 Splash Lane, Peterborough, PE5 7BD

A Country Court Care Home

Castor Lodge

What’s On!

tamford flower lub ha e a a flower arranging demonstration on onday ebruary at for m start at tamford ethodist hur h arn ill f you lo e flowers gardening or rafting then ome along to this demonstration warm wel ome awaits embershi not re uired on the door r ta e out an annual membershi for karenlelawrie@icloud.com

hat s on in ebruary at tamford orn hange atilda unior from nd osh iddi ombe on th and so mu h more so ta e a loo here at forth oming dates www.stamfordcornexchange.co.uk/whats-on

nowdro s means s ring is on its way and two lo al gardens are o en under the s heme to elebrate them est iew in reat len is o en on ebruary and on the same wee end edgehog all in ilton on the ill oth gardens are full of snowdro s hellebores a onites and mu h more

o ing an be a great way to hannel grief and all the emotions that ome with it he oss roje t and aise the ar utland are on e again running whi h is an eight wee bo ing and e er ise rogramme whi h uses bo ing to hel ro ess and a nowledge grief he rogramme is endorsed by ying atters he sessions start on anuary are o en to e eryone o er and will be held at t eorge s arra s orth uffenham o ﬁnd out more and to register email claire@clairehenryassociates.co.uk

Feel better, live better with Nuush Nutritional Therapy

Sally Pinnegar

Struggling with health issues – digestive problems, autoimmune symptoms, Long Covid, hormone imbalances, overweight/obesity or other symptoms that are making you feel under-par? Nutritional therapy can help to restore your wellbeing and zest for life.

Taking a food-first approach I offer tailored nutrition and lifestyle support and weekly nutrition plans to help you thrive.

With a first-class honours degree in Nutritional Therapy, I provide expert, science-based advice you can trust.

A better way to feel your best.

Nuush Nutrition: Put the life back in your years.

Monday to Friday 9-5pm nuush.co.uk hello@nuush.co.uk

RECIPE

Air fryer baked feta and tomatoes

Sally, owner of Nuush, is a qualiﬁed nutritional therapist and weight management coach. Nuush promotes nutrition, not diets, and gives you the tools to feel your best with food and lifestyle – ie eat well and get outside! So do enjoy this delicious recipe courtesy of Sally.

Why wait for the oven to heat up when you can have this deliciousness in just a few minutes? Creamy baked feta with juicy hot tomatoes, herbs, red onion and delicious olive oil. Enjoy with a chunk of sourdough.

Ingredients

• 200g block of feta cheese

• A couple of handfuls of ripe juicy baby tomatoes

• Half a small red onion, very thinly sliced

• Teaspoon of dried mixed herbs

• Extra virgin olive oil

• Fresh basil to serve

Instructions ine the air fryer base with ba ing a er then add the feta to the middle of the fryer and arrange the halved tomatoes cut-sideu around the edge ow arrange the red onion on to and around the edges ri le with a good amount of e tra irgin oli e oil then add the dried herbs

• Air fry at 200º for about 5-6 mins (check half way through to see where it’s at and adjust accordingly).

• If you don’t have an air fryer you can do this in a on entional o en easily ust wra e erything in ba ing a er and oo for minutes at degrees

• Serve scattered with fresh basil and another drizzle of extra virgin oil, maybe add a touch of coarse ground black pepper, and some delicious sourdough.

Nutrition Info

Feta cheese

Feta cheese is not only high in calcium, iodine and vitamin B12 but it’s a fermented food and therefore provides probiotic beneﬁts es e ially if you use the water it omes in as well

Tomatoes

omatoes are ri h in ly o ene whi h is a o ey antio idant ntio idants are li e bouncers at a night club, they go around ﬁnding stray ele trons that are busy ausing trouble in your body and ﬁnd them a lo e partner so they can both stay in and cuddle on the sofa omatoes are also a brilliant sour e of itamin whi h su orts s in and onne ti e tissue health as well as immunity and iron absor tion he biotin in tomatoes is good for ontrolling blood sugar

GARDENING

From start to ﬁnish

Garden designer TJ Kennedy is going to spend this year telling us about garden design, from the first meeting to the final finishing touch

Over the next year I am going to feature three different garden design projects starting from the ery first meeting to the finished planting. There will be a renovated town garden with existing mature planting, a new build village garden with young boundary planting, and a large rural property sitting in o en ground with no s e ifi garden

This series will show you the work that goes on behind the scenes including the considerations and decisions made between the client, designer and contractor to deliver a ﬁnished garden his will be a blend of the creative and practical, showing you the intricacies and expertise involved in garden design.

This month is the town garden starting right at the beginning, before I even met the client.

First contact

This client contacted me via Instagram explaining that they had renovated their property themselves but now were a bit stumped about what to do with the garden and could I advise. I emailed back suggesting a few options and arranged to meet them at their house the following week.

Why visit

The site visit allows me to see the garden and to spend time with the client in their house. Homes tend to be where we allow our character to show and it is invaluable for me

to start to understand the aesthetic of the design based on knowing who the clients are. These clients gave very strong visual clues in their personalities and interiors, plus they were very practical and capable and intended to implement the design themselves. We talked about where they felt they lacked expertise so that I could draw up a proposal that suited exactly what they wanted, not too much or too little. In this case the focus would be on design only, plus them being able to call on me to ask for help, guidance and encouragement during the project.

The Brief

What does the garden need to do for the client? What would they like to do in it, who uses it and when? What are their favourite parts of it, what do they dislike? This is the functional element only. I know that I need to create a design that answers these questions.

But this is only the very basic part of the process; detailed design is led by the site itself.

We went through these questions together at a second meeting, talking about how best to spend their budget and where they could be fle ible n this ase the garden is a ed with fantastic plants and shrubs which can be repositioned. And the client has salvaged various materials suitable for hard landscaping. A budget is vital but as I talk through the job I explain that the bones of the design, the lines on the paper, offer huge fle ibility line ould be a mown line in the lawn or a line of construction, the budget for whi h is signifi antly different but the line of design remains. These clients had also taken the time to build a Pinterest board for the garden which we discussed together, identifying colours, tones, favourite plants. A long and productive meeting.

Site analysis

I then spend time alone in the garden. This is when the design process moves from being functional to creative. I analyse the site. What captured my attention, positive and negative? How does it feel to stand in different parts of the garden? I notice the light, where it is blocked and where it is captured. I am also looking beyond the boundaries. Where does this garden sit, how can it be made to slot in? What is the vernacular of the area? How do I design a space that blends in and has longevity? I am also thinking about sustainability. How do I design a space that suits this location?

For this town centre client, I wasn’t expecting there to be such big skies and uninterrupted views to one side of the garden. I knew this would be a key focus for the design. The other side was overlooked but the existing trees and shrubs were mature and healthy with good structural mass. There was existing layering and a focal oint tree identiﬁed all the ey green structures and noted the herbaceous planting that could be lifted and replanted.

What else do I need?

A site survey is essential. It will show me the levels of the land, spot heights, the boundaries (and therefore the true size), the position of trees. It will show me how the land is draining and I can get more information by requesting a drainage survey. This client already had one for their house renovation work. There were a few missing measurements that I needed for the garden so made a return isit to ﬁll in the ga s soil sample is needed to show the constituents of the soil, indicating how the soil responds to water levels, vital to know for planting and for how materials will react. At this point I have a lot of the information need to begin the design he ﬁrst stage is complete.

www.tjkennedy.design

The sad story of the English elm

Many of you will remember elm trees, but now they are a rare sight. Rowan Grifﬁths tells us more

Elm trees were once widespread in the English countryside, especially in the rich farmed land of the Midlands including Leicestershire and Rutland. adly they are now onﬁned to isolated locations in southern England and rarely reach maturity.

The elm contributed enormously to the rural landscape, being a statuesque native tree that could grow in excess of 30 metres tall and live for well over 100 years. The leaves have a rough hairy surface and are asymmetrically oval with toothed edges on short stalks. The bark is grey brown in colour and often dee ly fissured English elms are hermaphrodite so the flowers whi h bloom dar in to red in the early spring, contain both male and female reproductive parts. hese flowers hang in dangling lusters from the twigs. Once they have been ollinated the flowers de elo into small winged fruits that are spread by the wind.

However, the English landscape has been irrevocably changed over the last 60 years by the loss of these trees from the now infamous Dutch elm disease. This sickness is caused by the fungus, Ophiostoma nova-ulmi and spread by elm bark beetles. These beetles multiply in the bark of diseased or otherwise weakened elms then spread to other healthy trees. The fungus itself blocks the xylem (nutrient and watering channels within the trees), weakening and ﬁnally illing them

The disease was introduced from Canada because of poor bio-security in the 1960s and has been doing its dastardly work since then. The Dutch elm disease name comes from research done on the a i tion in the etherlands since the 1920s.

Attempts have been variously made to cultivate a hybrid tree involving Asian elms which are inherently resistant to the fungus. Progress is slowly being made.

Magical Maldives

Deserted islands still exist and you can ﬁnd some if you visit The Maldives

We are in the depths of winter, craving sunlight and warmth and in need of a blast of vitamin D – and some fun.

Sunlight and warmth are just what’s needed, so why not go one step further and head to bright sun and the tropics; welcome to The aldi es whi h is just o er a hour ﬂight away.

The Maldives is a country made up of over 1,100 islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean that span the equator, about 750 miles from the continent of Asia. Remote and stunning it is also the world’s lowest lying nation with less than a fifth of its islands inhabited. Tourism has only really been a thing for the last 50 years and it wasn’t that long ago that shells were used as currency. Traditionally, as expected, the livelihood of Maldivians depended on the sea and it still plays a big part. You know if you visit you will definitely eat some deli ious fish

Ecologically the Maldives are precious and need protecting with its unique coral reefs and rare marine life including giant turtles, birds, sea grass beds and mangroves. Certain areas are protected and tourists are, of course, expected to respect this, asked not to

touch or remove coral structures and to take their non-biodegradable waste home with them.

If you respect the ecological, environmental and cultural life on the islands you will be welcomed with open arms by the aldi ians ou an ﬂy dire t to the capital Malé and will then be transferred via speed boat, ferry or even sea plane. And then you can enjoy gorgeous resorts and being pampered, or go more basic and ‘native.’

There are many different options for accommodation. You can stay in luxurious

resorts and their hotels or, in contrast, on some of the more local islands in guesthouses. Alcohol will not be permitted on these islands as it is a Muslim country but it is freely available in all the resorts and designated hotels. For this reason, tourists are also expected to dress modestly when visiting inhabited islands or when they leave the resorts.

Now is the best time to visit the Maldives, from November to April as it’s the dry season. You can enjoy hot, sunny weather which averages 30 degrees and calm seas so perfect for water sports, snorkelling and scuba diving. And of course there are the stunning reefs to explore along with mesmerising marine life.

The Maldives allow you to indulge your Robinson Crusoe dream or you can revel in luxury and relish the privacy they allow – or even better, both. And, all the time you are there, you know you are missing some cold, wet winter weather at home.

'If you respect the ecological, environmental and cultural life on the islands you will be welcomed with open arms by the Maldivians.'

Thrive in 2025

Forget the resolutions, do a reset instead. Enjoy some of our recommendations for 2025

Top tips for 2025

We’re half way through January so how many of you have already let slip your New Year Resolutions? Quite a few imagine after those ﬁrst few early morning gym sessions or strict dietary regimes quite a few of us will have quietly put those resolutions on the back burner. This can mean we then feel quite disappointed in ourselves and, sometimes because of this, slip into even worse habits, or worst of all give up.

But don’t do that. I am not a fan of New Year Resolutions. I just think they are made to be broken. How about a reset rather than a resolution? And a reset is not just about losing those few extra pounds; why not look at your whole life? You can make a tiny little tweak such as regularly feeding the birds to sorting your life admin to booking a holiday. Whatever it is, by achieving something, however small, I promise you will feel better and relish that sense of achievement. Here are a few top tips from some of our local businesses to help you thrive in 2025.

Invest in your skin

Penelope Skin Clinic specialises in advanced anti-ageing treatments designed to help you look and feel your best. They believe in enhancing your natural beauty while preserving the health of your skin, the largest organ in your body. Their tips for maintaining radiant youthful skin are: Invest in professional skincare. They curate personalised treatment plans and provide products that deliver visible results designed to penetrate to the deeper layers of the s in and address s e iﬁ on erns li e ﬁne lines igmentation and loss of elasticity.

Have regular skin treatments. Your skin works hard protecting your body from external damage. Routine bespoke treatments help repair, renew and maintain the integrity of your skin. With consistent care, you’ll see visible results. Year-round use of SPF is vital. Environmental factors like UV rays and pollution are responsible for up to 80% of skin ageing. A high-quality SPF shields your skin.

They are proud to offer cutting-edge, non-invasive technologies that can reverse signs of ageing without surgery or dramatic changes to your appearance. Visit them to start your journey toward healthier, more youthful skin.

www.penelopeskin.co.uk

Embrace total wellbeing with Revive Skin & Spa

In 2025, prioritising self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. Revive Skin & Spa provide the perfect escape to recharge your body and mind. With exclusive use of their luxurious spa facilities, including a steam room, sauna and hot tub, every visit is designed to offer you complete privacy and relaxation.

Their wide range of spa treatments, from therapeutic massages to indulgent facials, are expertly crafted to relieve stress, rejuvenate your skin and promote a sense of total wellbeing. Combine these with their expert skincare solutions and you’ll leave feeling refreshed, radiant and ready to thrive.

At Revive Skin & Spa, the spa facilities are offered on an exclusive-use basis ensuring complete privacy and a personalised experience. A highlight of the spa is the state-of-the-art infrared sauna, which provides far more than just relaxation. Unlike traditional saunas infrared technology delivers gentle heat that penetrates deeply into the body promoting a range of health and wellbeing beneﬁts egular sessions an su ort deto iﬁ ation improve circulation, relieve muscle tension and help reduce stress levels. It’s also a fantastic addition to any skincare routine, as the infrared heat stimulates collagen production, enhances the body’s natural healing processes and leaves your skin looking radiant and refreshed. www.reviveskinandspa.co.uk

Walk your way to happiness

al ing is an easy way to feel ﬁtter and happier in 2025. It’s a great way to stay active and is fantastic for your mental well-being as well. A walk can help strengthen your heart, boost your energy, lift your mood and give you that hit of vitamin D we all need.

And if you add travel to the mix, it gets even better. It’s the perfect combination for a healthier body and a refreshed, more open mind.

Involved Holidays offer a perfect blend of leisurely exploration and cultural immersion, designed to show some of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes and historic towns at a relaxed pace all with the beneﬁt of a lo al guide leading the wal s

They travel to over 30 destinations, including their bestselling holidays to Algarve, Costa Blanca, Cyprus, Mallorca, Malta and Gozo. www.involvedholidays.com

Embrace the needle

Lindsay Rohrbaugh from Peaks and Points

Acupuncture explains that acupuncture can:

Reduce stress and boost mood: Unmanaged emotions or stress can make us physically ill and lead to anxiety, depression and mood swings.

Strengthen the immune system and beat fatigue: Stress and fatigue make us more susceptible to viruses. Acupuncture boosts the immune system and energy levels.

Improve Sleep: any eo le ﬁnd acupuncture helps with this.

Aid Digestion: Stress and fatigue often affect our digestion.

Reduce Pain and n ammation: It can help those suffering with chronic issues, such as arthritis.

Acupuncture treatments can greatly improve your health and overall well-being by bringing your body back into balance.

Above all, listen to your body and when you feel unwell, rest.

www.peaksandpointsacup.com

Always have the right equipment

Neil from George Hall Cycles recommends that you:

•Make sure your bicycle tyres are pumped up to the correct pressure; too soft and it makes it hard work, too hard and it’s uncomfortable.

•Make sure your saddle height is correct. The easiest way to check is to sit on your saddle, put your heel on the pedal at the bottom of the stroke and your leg should be about dead straight.

ear a orre tly fitting y le helmet he front of the helmet is normally fitted with a sweat band which should go across the forehead and your ears should fit just above the V in the straps.

•Keep your chain lightly lubricated; too much oil attracts dirt that causes additional wear, too little makes the chain squeak and the pedals feel rough and noisy.

•When riding during the day have both your lights on a ﬂashing or ulsing mode and at night use two rear lights, one on ﬂashing and one on a onstant mode www.georgehallscycles.co.uk

The Giant Store in Tugby also recommend you regularly check your tyre pressures and clean and lubricate your chain as well. It will also last longer - a clean chain is a happy chain.

They also suggest that you:

•Clean your bike regularly. It will help maintain its condition and give you the chance to check for damage and wear.

•If you have an electric bike, try to keep it in a warm place over the winter. And if you’re not going to use it, put it in hibernation mode (if it has that function).

nd ﬁnally if you ha e a tubeless tyre set-up, check the sealant levels. It’s recommended that they are refreshed every six months to be effective at sealing punctures.

www.giant-tugby.co.uk

Top tips for 2025

Prevention is Better Than Cure

When it comes to your health, prevention is always better than cure. Protecting your bones, avoiding joint pain, and reducing injury risks now can save you from discomfort and costly treatments later. Prevention should be your focus.

Bone Health: Bone density naturally declines after your twenties increasing the risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia. These conditions often show no symptoms until a fracture occurs. Regular checks can catch issues early giving you the chance to strengthen your bones before complications arise.

Joint Health: Joint pain and stiffness can often be managed or prevented with early intervention. Addressing minor discomfort before it progresses helps delay or prevent degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis, keeping you active and independent.

Injury Prevention: Strong bones and joints are your best defence against injuries. Identifying and addressing weaknesses early can help avoid long-term damage and keep you moving freely.

Expert Care Matters: Investing in care from a musculoskeletal specialist ensures that the root ause of any issues is identiﬁed and treated effectively. They can provide tailored advice and the most effective solutions for long-term health.

A screen my bones scan is quick, painless and radiation-free and helps to detect bone health issues early. For treatment MBST therapy is a non-invasive solution that rebuilds bone density, regenerates cartilage and strengthens weakened areas offering long term beneﬁts for bone and joint health

At Cell Regeneration and Ann Clare Physiotherapy in Tinwell you can access both scans and MBST therapy to protect and strengthen your body. www.mbstmedical.co.uk www.annclarephysiostamford.co.uk

'Acupuncture treatments can greatly improve your health and overall wellbeing by bringing your body back into balance. '

GEORGE HALLS CYCLE CENTRE

10-12 Northampton Road, Market Harborough, Leics, LE16 9HE. 01858 465507

www.georgehallscycles.co.uk georgehallscycle@aol.com

Move forward

For some, this year will mean a change to family circumstances. But while divorce marks the end of one chapter it opens the door to another. Focusing on building a positive future can help you move forward with ho e and onﬁden e Plan for your financial future During divorce it is important to seek advice from e erts to lan for your ﬁnan ial future including a clean-break order which will protect you. Guidance from an actuary (also known as a pension or divorce expert) can help you. It is also important to update your will.

Lean on your support network Reach out to friends and family who can offer emotional su ort during difﬁ ult times

Keep conversations focused Focus on the present and future rather than rehashing past grievances. Concentrate on practical matters such as child custody arrangements or division of assets. Keeping discussions goal-oriented can help minimise emotional escalation.

Set new goals Setting new goals can provide a sense of purpose and direction and be empowering.

Embrace change Change can be painful, but it also brings the potential for new experiences, relationships and personal development.

For support and advice navigating divorce and separation, contact Hegarty on 01780 752066, email info@hegarty.co.uk or visit www.hegarty.co.uk

How to brew coﬀee like a pro

Perfecting your home coffee experience is all about the details.

Get the Grind Right: Grind size is important. A coarse grind works best for a afeti re while a ﬁne one suits es resso Mismatching grind size can cause bitterness or wea ﬂa our n est in a good grinder Store Smart, not in the fridge: Coffee is sensitive to air, light and moisture. Keep your beans in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Use fresh, premium beans: Your coffee is only as good as your beans. Seek out high-quality, freshly roasted like those from Derwent & Dunne. Freshness matters, look for roast dates, not ‘best before’ labels. Get the water temperature right: Aim for a temperature between 90°C and 96°C (just off the boil for o timum ﬂa our www.derwentanddunne.co.uk

Change your focus

Yoga teacher and health and lifestyle coach

Marleni Hill recommends:

Practice gratitude: make a mental or written list of those little things that created a positive impact in 2024. Living a life of gratitude brings happiness to our lives.

Embrace the outdoors: it is s ientiﬁ ally proven that being in contact with nature will have a positive effect on our bodies by reducing stress levels and muscle tension. A little fresh air works wonders, even just going into the garden and listening to the birds.

Add yoga to your life: we have amazing yoga teachers in our area offering lessons that are inclusive to all. By practising mindful postures combined with controlled breathing you will activate your body’s relaxation response, decreasing feelings of stress and anxiety as well as helping your ﬂe ibility and mobility offer hair yoga classes to make it accessible to all.

Explore simple living: Focus on being content with the things we already have and enjoy them. Having less and saying no to invitations more often can have a positive impact on our stress levels.

Prioritise your sleep: When you sleep well you boost your immune system. Babies are not the only ones that thrive when having a great bedtime routine, we all do!

@yogawithmarleni

Top tips for 2025

Pick your wedding venue

Always make sure that the venue you have chosen offers everything you were hoping for from a setting point of view, but also that the team will go out of their way to make your special day just that. During the planning of your wedding, as well as on the day, you will be in regular contact with the venue and will be relying on them to support you and your vision so it’s very important that you have a strong connection and can put your trust in them.

At Molecey we only host a limited number of weddings every year to ensure that we can devote our time and attention to each couple. We know that everyone wants the most perfect day and we thrive on being able to make that happen. We also love getting to know each couple and enjoy hel ing them to fulﬁl their dreams hen a couple chooses to hold their wedding with us we feel very privileged and honour this by sharing the true magic and enchantment of Molecey with them and their loved ones. www.moleceyestates.com

'At Molecey we only host a limited number of weddings every year to ensure that we can devote our time and attention to each couple.'

Image: Cherrelle Blake Photography

Diamond Specialists • Jewellery Repairs

Engraving • Valuations • Gold Buying Watch & Clock Repairs Bespoke Design ServiceConversions Restorations

Pre-Owned Jewellery & Watches

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 8TH & 9TH AND 15TH & 16TH FEBRUARY, 10AM-3PM – SNOWDROPS & NORTHANTS AND RUTLAND OPEN STUDIOS SPRING OPEN EXHIBITION

ENJOY A STROLL AROUND THE GARDENS AND VENTURE INTO THE WOODLAND, ADMIRING THE SPRING BULB DISPLAY.

OVER BOTH WEEKENDS, NORTHANTS AND RUTLAND OPEN STUDIOS ARE HOLDING A SPRING OPEN EXHIBITION AND ARTISTS WILL BE CREATING ART LIVE IN THE GARDENS.

THE LAMPORT STABLES CAFE WILL BE OPEN.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A SELECTION OF RARE SNOWDROPS AND IRISES FOR SALE. ADULTS £5, UNDER 16S FREE. ENTRY TO THE ART EXHIBITION FREE.

Top tips for 2025

Style it out

Gentlemen: make regular bookings with your barber. Booking from one appointment to another makes sure you get the date you want and keeps you looking smart. Beards: using products such as hot oils and balms conditions and softens the coarseness encouraging growth with less breakage. And you’ll smell great.

Shaving: If you prefer to wet shave, to reduce the risk of ingrown hair try using a timeless classic such as Cella pre shave gel to reduce post shave discomfort. Follow with a good balm.

Skin care: get into a good skin care routine to help reduce spots and blackheads. Use a light exfoliating gel like Bullfrog or Morgan’s antiseptic soap which leaves you squeaky clean and prepares the skin for a moisturising balm to keep the skin supple. Bring your little boy with you to appointments to get him used to the hustle and bustle of a barber's shop. It helps make those ﬁrst few hair uts a great e erien e for all.

www.raffertysofstamford.com

Don the jewels

Some of us have lovely jewellery that we never wear, but we should. The old adage that it s safer on your ﬁnger than left at home in a box is probably true. If jewellery is old and tarnished you can always take it to your local jeweller for a clean and spruce up. Alternatively, if you have jewellery that you no longer like, or have inherited a piece that is just not you why not have it repurposed. Hoppers in Bourne specialise in this and frequently redesign exengagement rings or old fashioned pieces. You can even take in some oddments and have the gold melted down to be reused. Upcycling and recycling at its best! www.hoppersjewellers.co.uk

Plumbing the depths

Keeping your house in good order is also important.

Check outdoor taps and pipes: Turn off outdoor taps at the mains and open the tap to drain the water drain. Insulate any exposed pipes.

Insulate indoor pipes: Pipes in garages and lofts can be vulnerable to frost damage. Know where your internal and external stop cocks are: Check to make sure the internal one works, if not have it checked or replaced by your plumber. Know where the external stop cock is, but be warned this may also shut off some of your neighbours’ water supply.

Service your boiler annually in the summer and test your heating to make sure everything is working.

Prevent drain blockages: Don’t pour grease down the kitchen sink. Oils, fats and debris can solidify and cause a blockage. Have drain covers in sinks, basins, showers and baths to catch hair, food particles and other debris.

www.sw2plumbers.co.uk

Get ski ﬁt

Before heading to the slopes make sure you get your ski legs ready so get some practice in before you go. To do this go to the dry ski slope at Tallington Lakes. This will help jog the muscle memory so technique will kick in and you’ll be familiar with being back on skis again before you hit real snow.

Another tip is to check your cold weather clothing. They have lots of ski wear at the pro shop including thermals, and the advice is to layer up to cope with the cold. You can then easily discard layers as you warm up.

www.tallingtonlakesproshop.com

Unlock Your Business Power with Jess, the little business fairy

Let’s make this youryear to thrive, not just survive. Here are my top tips to help you smash your goals with onﬁden e larity and a sprinkle of sass.

Plan with Power. Don’t just set goals, create aplan. Break your ideas into bite-sized tasks, and give them deadlines. Clarity leads to action, and action leads to results. Prioritise Self-Care. Burnout isn’t a badge of honour. Schedule a walk or gym time. A rested you is a powerful you.

Embrace Authenticity. Show up as yourself on social media and in your business. People connect with people, not polished robots. Own your story, your quirks, and your journey.

Ditch Imposter Syndrome. That nagging voice in your head? It’s lying. Surround yourself with supportive communities (like Fierce Women of Stamford) to keep those doubts in check.

Set Boundaries and Stick to Them. Your time is precious. Set clear boundaries with clients, colleagues and even yourself. A olite but ﬁrm no is your new best friend Let’s make 2025 the year you take control, grow your business and own your power. Need a helping hand? With Power Sessions from just £40, and business coaching or social media packages available, I can be your very own business cheerleader. Or why not join my networking groups for women in business —Fierce Women of Stamford or Fierce Women of Peterborough — and surround yourself with a tribe that gets you!

www.thelittlebusinessfairy.co.uk

'If jewellery is old and tarnished you can always take it to your local jeweller for a clean and spruce up.'

Electrical muscle stimulation

Kate visits E-Pulse Studio in Peterborough to learn about EMS

Iha e to admit d ne er heard of le tri al us le timulation before isited ulse tudio in eterborough a bouti ue fitness studio owned and run by roy ar in ows i and amil eret hey e lained that it s a training method that has grown in o ularity in oland ermany ain and sin e here are studios in erlin alone om ared to just so far in the heir intention is to ma e it more wides read here by offering fran hise o ortunities to fitness enthusiasts eterborough and minster are the first studios in the with their te hnology ut what is rdinarily when you are wor ing out your brain sends signals to your mus les as ing them to ontra t to mo e your body ith you wear a s e ially designed suit with grou s of ele trodes and a ower a atta hed whi h send e a tly the same signals to your mus les as your brain nd the suit will ontra t your mus les whether you want to or not arently when we re wor ing out we normally a ti ate about of our mus le fibres ith the suit on this an a ti ate u to ording to one erman study this an in rease mus le strength by and enduran e by after eight wee s if you train in it for minutes twi e a wee lso three times more alories are burned om ared to traditional wor outs roy e lained that they tailor a wor out rogramme for ea h indi idual in line with their health fitness goals and needs e wor with the adjustable im ulses safely and use them to get the best results for ea h indi idual s well as an alternati e to the gym it an be used for many health hallenges or e am le one lient had e ru iating lower ba ain and we started to use the im ulses to initially strengthen her ba fter that she was able to wor on other areas of her body and build strength and fitness o erall ome eo le would li e to burn fat others on entrate on building ertain mus les ne gentleman arri ed with ar inson s who had ne er ste ed foot in a gym before he studio s resident hysiothera ist re ommended gi ing a go nd now he s a on ert as it allows him a regular one to one thirty minute wor out

tailored s e iﬁ ally for his needs ou an also join a grou session of u to three eo le who ha e the same ﬁtness goals

3D scan

t wor s li e this you start off with a degree body s an you need to wear tight ﬁtting lothing for the most a urate results his measures ea h area of your body for si e and om osition of body fat in luding that most im ortant one is eral fat hen you sign u to a rogramme you are then re s anned e ery two wee s with a rogress re ort e ery four hat way you see a detailed model of how mu h fat you e lost and how mu h mus le you e gained eeing it so learly on s reen an be in redibly moti ating

t the beginning of ea h session you are gi en a hloro hyll green jui e from their organi su lementation artner uolife for a shot of energy lus two additional su lements to hel your joints and mus les during the wor out hen you ut on your suit with nothing underneath on t worry they are washed and sanitised after ea h use t does feel a little ool where the ele trodes ha e been dam ened ready to ta e the harge ut you soon forget about that be ause you re too busy getting used to the ery strange sensation of the ele trodes emitting their im ulses m not going to lie it is an odd feeling but m assured you do get a ustomed to it uite ui ly

fter roy has tested ea h ele trode you do a warm u and he wor s on the intensity to ensure it s right for you hen we did a series

'Apparently when we’re working out we normally activate about 50% of our muscle ﬁbres. With the suit on this can activate up to 90%.'

of e er ises s uats lunges resistan e lan run hes and so on hen we finished off with a fi e minute lym hati drainage massage by the suit which was pleasantly relaxing. This is to help minimise aches and pains later. Then I finished off with a deli ious la tose free anilla protein shake.

Some people concentrate on building their upper body strength, or losing fat around their middle so those areas would be more focused on than others. Others want an all over workout so the impulses will be the same intensity across all 12 areas including the glutes, thighs, abs, chest, triceps and biceps. The training can be done twice a week at the most, only once when you start as it’s quite strong for the body; you need to build up stamina levels.

here is a detailed health uestionnaire to ﬁll out but it s safe for everyone bar those with certain heart issues. ‘It’s very important for older people to maintain muscle as it deteriorates over time,’ said amil and unfortunately if you don t do strength training after the age of 40 you begin to lose muscle. With EMS you’re not actually lifting weights but you have the sensation and results that you are, which is kinder to the joints.’

Nutritional advice

‘We also offer nutritional advice to help people reach their goals,’ said Troy. ‘We devise a full nutritional plan and recommend natural, organic supplements. We’re very happy to be working in partnership with Duolife, a company with medically tested products with no preservatives, tailored to particular challenges. We don’t like the word diet e tea h ha y eating habits healthy but tasty nd we ﬁnd that

the more people come here and see results, the happier they are to make changes.

‘We opened in October 2021 and we have quite a few people who have been with us for a long time. They see the differences day to day, they’re less tired ﬁtter more energised e lo e to see this as we are always thinking about health and how to help and motivate people.

‘We are the only people around these parts offering EMS. We’ve done a lot of training around Europe and we have the highest ualiﬁ ations s well as our resident hysio and the nutritional advice we also offer massages and blood tests to check hormone levels, heart, muscle and bone health, diabetes and allergies itamin and mineral roﬁles et he bloods are sent to the London Medical Laboratory, and we have exclusivity in Peterborough.’

Packages of 8, 16, 24 and 48 sessions are available with a single session costing from £55-£70. If that seems a bit on the high side, it’s worth remembering that one normal PT session can cost around £40 per hour. Group sessions with a maximum of three people can be as little as nd the ri e in ludes all the e tra health ad i e s ans and supplements.

I’m tempted to try it once a week alongside my Pilates, yoga and body pump sessions as I really want to improve my overall muscle strength nd the most im ortant fa tor in my o inion is ha ing a one-to-one session with someone championing you.

s amil says e try to ta le health from e ery angle hate er your goals are we will ﬁnd solutions to rea h them

For more info visit www.e-pulsestudio.com

'Most brands offer unisex packs but some also stock women specific designs which are generally shorter with a slightly different back and hip configuration to suit the female form.'

When my children did DofE I must admit we didn’t look too carefully into the intricacies of different types of rucksacks; we bought the ones on offer in George Alan in Oakham (now sadly closed) and they did the job. Later they were also carried around the world for months without (too much) complaint. I suspect most people buy rucksacks online or grab them off the shelf. o what s the beneﬁt of ha ing a ﬁtting so that your rucksack is tailored to you?

I recently met Neil Blissett, acting assistant manager in the Nottingham Castle oule ard bran h of otswold utdoor who soon put me straight.

‘It can make or break a trip,’ he said. ‘It’s all down to the omfort and fit es e ially if you’re carrying a larger pack as there will be uite a lot of weight in there so a good fitting rucksack is essential. An uncomfortable one will ma e your wal ing a lot more diffi ult as will a badly fitting air of boots but that s another story.’

Most brands offer unisex packs but some also sto women s e ifi designs whi h are generally shorter with a slightly different ba and hi onfiguration to suit the female form sing a s e ifi measure eil ascertained I was a ‘large’ on the women’s s ale as ha e a long ba o he i ed out a large women s e ifi s rey a and fitted it to me, making all manner of adjustments until it fitted erfe tly e e lained that with the larger rucksacks, all of the back systems are adjustable as they need to be in good contact with the shoulders. And the centre of the waistband needs to be sitting at the top of your hipbone as you want to be taking 75% of the weight on your hips, rather than on your shoulders. Your hips are much stronger. If you put too much strain on the top of your shoulders, it will also put a lot of strain on your ba m sure e always carried rucksacks lower than my hipbone, but it was definitely mu h more omfortable this way.

t is also im ortant to ha e a sternum stra to hold the shoulder straps in place. It doesn’t ha e to be too tight but it ee s the sa from mo ing around too mu h

How to make or break a trip

Kate visited Cotswold Outdoor in Nottingham for a rucksack ﬁtting

A pack to suit everyone

‘We have people of all sizes coming into the store,’ Neil told me. ‘And we have a range of rucksacks to suit most people. They vary in size to suit different heights and back lengths. Osprey is our best selling pack as it’s a well known brand and they’ve been specialising in making rucksacks for years; they’re top quality. After that you have Rab which used to be Low Alpine, they’re very similar uality nd orth a e but the ones we stock are more for commuters with padded laptop compartments and organisers for pens and notebooks. They’re often for people travelling by train or bike, and have pockets where they can keep their gym kit.’

Anything over 50 litres is considered a trekking pack as it will hold a sleeping bag, tent and cooking equipment. The smaller packs start at around nine litres and are more suited to the summer months for a couple of hours on the hill when you’d carry more lightweight equipment, waterproofs, a water bottle and only a small amount of food. Osprey offer features like ‘stow as you go’ pole attachments. ‘You have your standard walking pole attachments,’ Neil showed me, ‘but also if you’re walking and you want to ditch the poles for 5-10 minutes without taking your rucksack off there’s another attachment you can use to stow your poles which clips round the handles and holds them in place.’

Depending on the brand some have rain covers. The Osprey Tempest and Talon ranges are stripped back as they are considered the lightweight series so they don’t have non essential items like a rain cover. Neil prefers to use dry bags inside a rucksack because if it’s really windy and you have a rain cover they can blow around and be a nuisance.

I suspected he may have quite a few different rucksacks and I was right. He told me he has ‘13 rucksacks, mainly because I have them for different conditions: mountain biking, big packs for the winter with space for extra clothing, food and more equipment, and slightly smaller ones for wild camping in the summer.’

Pockets and covers

Pockets are also a personal preference. On the larger packs, there’s normally a storage pocket on the front where you can stow maps and waterproofs. You would normally have two side pockets for bottles or poles. Also lid pockets. And pockets around the waist are useful for snacks or a mobile phone, things you want to get at quickly. You can, when travelling, buy a cover which you zip around your pack at the airport to keep the straps inside to stop them getting caught and to stop people putting items in or taking things out of the pockets. Or now you can buy packs whi h ha e s e iﬁ ally designed o ers

which are stored in a compartment to zip all the way round which you then padlock. Normally they’d be a hybrid between a rucksack and a suitcase and you unzip it from the side not the top.

Most rucksacks are made from nylon, with some newer Rab styles made of laminated material which is slightly more weather resistant. No rucksack is completely waterproof as they all have zips so water can eventually get in. That’s why Neil would always recommend either a rain cover or dry sacks to protect your essentials inside.

uffle bags with ru sa stra s are also becoming very popular. ‘If you’re doing big trips like to Everest base camp, the organisers refer you to use a duffle bag or similar eil explained, ‘as they can pack them more easily onto the mules. They’re a nice bit of kit but don’t have padded shoulder straps or a waist strap. They’re great for carrying a load of snowboarding gear for example. We also do ab duffle bags but orth a e are the benchmark for this type of pack; they’re iconic.’

As there are so many designs with different features it can be quite confusing to choose the right pack for you and your trip. The shape of it is important: mountaineering and climbing packs tend to be longer and narrower so they’re more tapered to your back and don’t get in the way; walking packs tend to be wider and shorter. There are also different ba systems one ﬁts lose to your back with a small amount of ventilation, the other type is better for warmer climates as there’s a substantial gap between your back and the pack so that air can get in and circulate.

Thankfully there’s a pack to suit every budget and every requirement. The team at Cotswold Outdoor will also advise on kit lists like tents, clothing and footwear. It’s a great service, I’d highly recommend a visit. www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/stores/ nottingham

Business Crossroads

Growing a business takes hard work and determination. Ruth Wood from Ada Gallery talks to us about the challenges of growing a successful business and what she plans to do next

People often start their business with an idea, and develop the venture as time goes on. We don’t always have an appreciation of the challenges we are going to face on the way. Those of us who have run businesses know that there will be many sleepless nights, stubborn bloody mindedness needed, as well as ery stri t ost ontrols ashﬂow knowledge, a true entrepreneurial spirit and a sprinkling of luck along the way. It deﬁnitely isn t easy and ne er lain sailing. But, if you stick at it and believe in yourself you can, andshould, succeed.

But then what happens? The hard work starts to pay off and slowly but surely your

small business which started with nothing is now heading to a turnover of £90,000 and you are facing yet another hurdle. You are now liable to pay 20% VAT on everything you sell, on top of existing taxes.

So what do you do now? Keep turnover below £90,000 and below the threshold, without this extra cost? But if you do this it means you are limiting your earning potential and will no longer be able to grow your business. Or do you go for growth and ﬁnd a way to s ale u

With 20% of businesses failing in their ﬁrst year and within three years it s refreshing to meet Ruth Wood, owner of Ada Gallery who has been trading for over

ten years from her jewellery store in Market Harborough. The growth within her business has taken her above the VAT threshold for the last few years. Ruth is now at a crossroads created by the growing popularity of her work and the shop.

‘I design and make contemporary jewellery, which you can buy both online and in-store. I also showcase 30 other designer makers, handcrafted jewellery, scarves and bags, promoting the best of British craftsmanship.

‘I studied jewellery design and silversmithing at The School of Jewellery in Birmingham, graduating in 2006, followed by a silversmithing post grad year at the prestigious Bishopsland near Henley on Thames.’

What are you most proud of?

Aside from my beautiful son, physically making my jewellery gives me a huge amount of enjoyment and satisfaction, and seeing people wearing my work, especially the more bespoke commissions like engagement rings makes me very proud. The beautiful shop and online store I’ve made, packed with stunning products, which you don’t typically see on the High Street. The awesome following we have,

with lots of regular customers (including a few celebrities) who love the different work we sell. Most recently being asked to showcase my jewellery at the lovely Jigsaw clothing boutique in Market Harborough. inally reating two roﬁtable businesses which have grown organically over the years gives me a huge sense of achievement.

What challenges do you currently face as a small business?

One of my biggest challenges is time and managing the work load of running two businesses whilst also being a mum to a young child. Balancing the demands of a physical shop with a growing online-store, as well as making my own jewellery that I sell is the daily challenge. he se ond is ashﬂow es e ially with the rising costs of running a business, increased rent, insurance, electricity etc.

Hitting the VAT threshold in the last few years as a business owner has been another hurdle as it brings additional costs. It’s not great sitting just above the threshold and a lot of small businesses struggle at this point with their ashﬂow ome hoose to purposely keep under it so they are not having to pay the VAT at all. But whilst Ada Gallery has both the bricks and mortar shop and the online shop, this has not been possible with the level of sales.

It also affects any business purchases and services I use and even the designer makers’ work I stock in the shop. Simply if suppliers are not VAT registered I can’t claim the VAT back. It’s not a case of increasing the selling price to the customer to cover this extra cost, as I also need to respect the RRP (recommended retail price) in order to remain competitive with other stockists.

' The beautiful shop and online store I’ve made, packed with stunning products, which you don’t typically see on the High Street.'

What’s next for Ruth Wood Jewellery and Ada Gallery?

I’m looking at the following four options: Investment; Partnership; Ada Gallerybecoming online only; Sell Ada Gallery and just focus on Ruth Wood Jewellery.

I’ve got some big decisions to make. I do have a potential investor who is interested. I need to decide if this is the way to go and should I look at multiple investors, or just stick with one. It’s a bit of a Dragon’s Den situation.

But it can mean if you don’t get an injection of cash it’s tricky to lift your business to the next level. As with many small businesses that reach this stage I need investment to scale up and grow, to be able to employ more people, meet demand for our rodu t and be able to ﬂy higher o er the VAT threshold, absorbing the extra 20% deduction more easily from turnover.

Another option is to go into partnership with someone so we can share the workload and costs. Or I reduce my overheads and move away from the bricks and mortar shop to be purely online.

r ﬁnally do se arate the two businesses, selling the shop and focus just on my jewellery making? This might give me a better work/life balance. I could potentially still sell my work at Ada Gallery with new owners running it. I do love being based at the shop but it’s a lot of work trying to juggle both businesses at this level now on my own.

I feel like I’m at a bit of a crossroads and not sure which path to take. I’m quite sure I’m not the only one who has been in this position. Thank you for the opportunity to share this to a wider audience and see what doors may open. Do get in touch if you would like to talk to me further, or share your own experiences.

www.adagallery.co.uk

WILL’S WALK

Goadby and Noseley Hall

High Leicestershire delivers a treat with peaceful country lanes, plenty of hills and some grand parkland. By Will Hetherington.

Images: Will Hetherington

Difﬁculty rating

The route

There is a very handy large layby in the middle of Goadby just before the right-hand bend coming in on Tugby Road. Leave the car here and set off on the road to Glooston straight ahead and prepare for some ups and downs. The area is not known as High Leicestershire for nothing. When I did this walk snow the previous day made Horse Hill impassable for one car abandoned on the side of the road deﬁnitely wasn t smug about that.

Stay on the road for a mile and a half until you reach Glooston Lodge on the left. There is a foot ath a ross the fields whi h uts a orner for the final se tion but the road is so uiet and the field loo ed muddy so was happy to stay on the tarmac and enjoy the views.

Glooston Lodge is the sort of grand farmhouse in an impossibly pretty setting where one could imagine Mr Pickwick and his pals enjoying a splendid Christmas with latters of ham and tur ey and an o erdose of ale wine ort and high jin s nyway enough of that distra tion we e got some hills to o er urn right at the bridleway sign and follow the route east and then northeast o er the ﬁelds and undulations for a good mile. I can imagine this could be rather muddy in the depths of winter so be warned.

You will eventually come to a stream which could be handy for the dogs in the warmer months and after this head u hill and into some rather glorious woodland which surrounds Noseley Hall. Follow the signs out of this ﬁrst woodland and then a ross another ﬁeld before entering the main parkland. There are glimpses of the big house over to the right as you walk along the tarmac road before taking the obvious path across the grass to the left and up to the road known as The Avenue.

Turn right here and enjoy the tree-lined grandeur as you go downhill past the main entrance. In about one kilometre the road rosses the stream and you will see the ath sign on the right o into the ﬁeld and then take the left turn to walk gradually uphill and rejoin the road back into Goadby over the only stile of the route. A quick uphill last se tion will get you ba to the ar ast some extremely grand old houses in the village.

The parkland surrounding Noseley Hall.

The Avenue runs past the entrance to Noseley Hall.

ACTIVE INFO

The manor of Noseley is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, but the current hall was built in the 18th century, replacing an earlier medieval house. The Church of St Mary is a Grade I listed building and dates to the 13th century.

The middle section crosses some arable ﬁelds in rolling terrain.

Essential information

WHERE TO PARK

In the layby in Goadby.

DISTANCE

Four and a half miles.

HIGHLIGHTS

The High Leicestershire countryside, Noseley Hall and surrounding parkland and The Avenue.

LOWLIGHTS

Be warned, there may be a lot of mud on the middle section over the ﬁelds.

REFRESHMENTS

Pubs are a bit thin on the ground around here but Café Ventoux at Tugby is a good option.

DIFFICULTY RATING

Three paws. The tarmac sections are great underfoot, but the arable sections could be muddy. And it’s hilly.

THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE

There were some sheep around in the middle section, but it’s largely tarmac and arable. There’s a stream at the halfway point.

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.

Quiet country lanes are a feature of this route.

Active Kids

Cricket accolade for Oakham

Oakham School are honoured to once again be included in the UK’s best schools for cricket, the Top 100 which have been revealed in The Cricketer’s Schools Guide 2025.

This year’s guide is a special 10th anniversary edition and features the top 100 senior, top 50 prep/junior, top 20 all-girls s hools for ri et and for the ﬁrst time the to state s hools

The roll call of schools emerged from a large number of entrants who were judged against an extensive set of criteria, which included a compelling commitment to cricket in the curriculum, fa ilities ﬁ ture rogrammes and oa hing

New BTEC for Stamford

Stamford School will offer a level 3 BTEC in agriculture starting in September 2025. This ualiﬁ ation ould lead to degree and apprenticeship opportunities within the agriculture and produce industries. Most students will take the three A level equivalent course and will need to meet the school’s entry requirements for their A level pathway.

Candlelight Carol Service

ei ester igh hool for irls re ently held its mu h lo ed andlelight arol er i e at t ames the reater hur h on ondon oad in ei ester amilies u ils and staff ame together to mar the festi e season with musi readings and a warm sense of ommunity

he ser i e featured erforman es from the s hool s hoir and readings by u ils reating a alm and reﬂe ti e atmos here under the soft glow of andlelight he e ening ended with seasonal refreshments gi ing e eryone a han e to at h u and share in the festi e s irit

Anniversary celebrations

a ham hool s ueen li abeth heatre has elebrated its th anni ersary in style with distinguished alumni from the world of theatre and the arts returning to join the festi ities

he th birthday elebrations began with a s e ial anni ersary erforman e of weeney odd he emon arber of leet treet that showed the e e tional theatri al talent of a ham s u ils a ﬁtting tribute to the s long tradition of ambitious and high uality theatre

elebrated alumni a tors iles u and i hard o e too to the stage following the ﬁnal bow to resent ire tor of rama illy orell with a bou uet of ﬂowers and to raise her and the ast for the rodu tion

he audien e then enjoyed a ommemorati e ﬁlm featuring heartfelt reﬂe tions from a ham hool alumni in theatre and the arts in luding a tor atthew a fadyen indie grou ea irls a tor iona heehan and dire tor of y ews a id Gilman.

he afternoon on luded with a elebratory gathering where guests enjoyed refreshments and shared memories

Witham

news

Michaelmas term at Witham Hall has been action packed. From su ess on the s orts ﬁeld to awards for musi and drama and much more.

he irls st ho ey team won their egional o ey Championships and are excited about the National Finals. Year 8 musi ian enry has been named in olnshire oung usi ian of the ear in the ntermediate ategory and ear u il ella has been awarded a s orts s holarshi to arlborough ollege

ActiveBody

EDITED BY KATE MAXIM

Pain in the Butt…

… and shoulder and elbow and knee…

Chartered Physiotherapist Sarah Babbs explains what can cause these aches and pains

Bursitis is a condition which presents to us in clinic on a regular and fre uent basis bursa is a fluid filled sa whi h is found between bony points and tendons or muscles throughout the body. Its function is to reduce friction. If too much load goes through a bursa it may be ome inflamed leading to swelling, pain and redness which in turn causes a loss of function. This is known as bursitis and is a common presentation in both the sporting population as well as the rest of us. We see it particularly in those doing sedentary work, those who increase their exercise activity too quickly and peri-menopause women, thought to be related to hormonal changes in the tissues.

The two most common seen, especially in peri-menopause, are in the shoulder and the hip. Each has two main bursae. The sub acromial bursa sits over the top of the shoulder and the more commonly affected sub deltoid bursa sits at the point of the shoulder. In the hip they are the ilio-psoas bursa at the front of the hip joint and the very much more commonly affected trochanteric bursa.

Shoulder bursitis. Each bursa can be affected by change in the rotator cuff muscles which support and control the shoulder joint in both small and large ranges of movement. There is a bit of a vicious circle when muscles are weaker or damaged, incredibly common in all of us, changing the dynamics of the shoulder and placing stress on the bursa his starts an inﬂammatory process leading to pain and swelling at the bursa difﬁ ulty mo ing the arm lying on the affected side, sleeping, carrying out simple functions such as dressing and extending the arm.

Hip bursitis. This is now more commonly called Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome and is found four times more commonly in women than men. It is found in around 25% of the population at some point in their lives.

Similar symptoms to the shoulder are found, especially including disturbed sleep, but it also affects walking and standing for sustained periods.

Both of these respond well to:

- Unloading the area - reducing the pressure on the bursa and not aggravating the area.

In the shoulder a nice temporary measure if the problem is particularly acute is to use ta e to ofﬂoad the stret h o er the shoulder Patients can be taught to do this themselves.

For the hip, unloading can be as simple as not lying on the area, sleeping with a pillow between the knees when on the unaffected side, not standing ‘hanging’ from the hip and not crossing the legs when sitting.

- Strengthening so supporting the structure and reducing compression on the tendons over the bursae. This may include isometric exercise where the muscle contracts with little movement of the limb followed by more active exercise targeting the groups of muscles.

Gradual return to activity is important so that the tissue can tolerate the loading. This is similar of course to all return to sport and activity after a period of rest.

Occasionally bursitis, especially over the knee or elbow can be caused by infection. If there is heat, redness over the area and especially if the patient feels unwell, then medical advice must be sought in case of the need for antibiotics. These do not respond to exercise.

In the case of recalcitrant bursitis, injection of a orti osteroid anti inﬂammatory an be helpful. Follow up would still involve the unloading, strengthening and return to activity as above.

Most bursitis problems are self limiting so treatment is often managing symptoms to help the patient cope day to day while things settle down. This may take many months though so offering support with advice, education and reassurance is paramount. Keeping active throughout, perhaps changing ways in which one goes about daily tas s and ee s ﬁt is all art of the programme. And as ever, sleeping well, eating well, getting outside and having good relationships with family and friends helps more than any drug.

To contact Sarah ring 07780 900201 or 01780.

The Feline World

Clear Ridge Veterinary Surgery has always had a great interest in Cats and the Cat owner’s world, and feline medicine in particular.

We welcome all ages of cat from the tiniest, to the more revered and ancient.

Simple Boosters to Renal Failure and Complex Internal Medicine cases, to Involved Operations.

Heart and Chest Problems to Abdominal Surgery, to Feline Fracture Repair.

We welcome seeing your Feline Friend...

For more information or to discuss any part in more detail, please call and speak to any of the Clear Ridge Team at our Stamford practice: Tel 01780 764333 or Orton Wistow Tel: 01733 230000

Orthopaedic Service

Lameness Assessments

X-Ray

+Ultrasound Assessment

Fracture Fixations

Treatment/Surgery for Traumatic Injuries/ Wounds

Cruciate Ligament Disease/Injury

Stabilisation

Meniscal(Cartilage) Assessment.

Patellar Luxation(Dislocation) Surgery

Tendon Injury Repairs

BVA Hip Scheme and Elbow Scheme

Radiography

Nature’s apothecary in Rutland’s hedgerows

Jody Knapp is a Rutland based medical herbalist with a degree in clinical herbalism and a registered member of the National Insititute of Medical Herbalists

The hedgerows of Rutland, rich in fauna and flora border the patchwork of our rural landscape. They change with the seasons, rodu ing flowers fruit and seed reating nature’s theatre all year round. However, with each scene change, so changes the otential medi inal benefits found dee within these plants.

erbal medi ine also nown as herbalism or phytotherapy, involves using plants and plant extracts that may help ease or prevent various health conditions. Used for centuries, this is the original form of medicine and according to the World Health Organisation, between of the world s o ulation still uses traditional medi ine erbalism facilitates a connection with our own health. Connecting with our health and identifying imbalan es early forms a ey art of preventative medicine. Many of us will remember growing u with traditional remedies prepared at home to treat coughs and olds digesti e dis omfort and ﬁrst aid all of which used what nature has to offer.

The traditional act of foraging is rising in o ularity eo le are re establishing a connection with nature and their role in the environment. Additionally, it can foster res onsible en ironmental beha iour tea h people how to interact with nature more closely and improve our health. Research has shown that getting out into green spaces can reduce stress, depression and anxiety.

Early winter produces hedgerows dense with berries su h as hawthorn rosehi s and elderberries hen you go foraging in our beautiful ounty the rataegus s e ies ommonly nown as hawthorn will be in abundan e due to its traditional use in

hedge laying im ly this herb s medi inal a tions are thought to be a restorati e heart toni he gentle taste of the blossom an be enjoyed as a tea r a tin ture re aration ta en daily may also rea beneﬁts oth the hawthorn blossom and berries may ha e health beneﬁts and the berries an also be made into a delicious hawthorn ketchup. Next to hawthorn you are likely to come a ross elderberry ambu us nigra his berry is ommonly thought to ease respiratory infections due to its vitamin C and antio idant ontent syru an be made to take throughout the colder months to hel strengthen the body s natural defences.

As winter passes and signs of spring a ear one of the ﬁrst lants to a ear are the spiky tops of young nettles (Urtica dioica) that are rich in iron. Studies show that this ‘weed’ contains twice as much iron as spinach. It may also help ease seasonal allergies due to its otential anti histamine ro erties t an be enjoyed as a tea and an be re ared as a nutritious sou or e en a esto ust re la e the traditional basil lea es for nettles and don t worry about being stung, cooking removes the tiny hairs res onsible for that

fa ourite hildhood flower the dandelion ara a um offi inale also springs up at this time of year. The leaves can be i ed and eaten in salad with the bitter fla our stimulating bile and im ro ing digestion. The roasted root is well known as an alternati e for offee but the root may also improve digestion, liver, and kidney function.

ate summer brings tall hedgerows to ed with frothy ream oloured ﬂowers alled Filipendula ulmaria, also known as meadowsweet. This plant has a long history but is most famous for being one of the lants that as irin is deri ed from be ause of its salicylate content. Today it is suggested that it may balan e a id in the digesti e system Folk tales say that what is needed grows in abundan e around you edi inal lants aren’t only restricted to our hedgerows. ou ll be ama ed how many you ﬁnd in your own outdoor spaces.

Please don’t forget to wash all of your herbs before using them ar est s aringly and, most importantly, make sure you’re using the orre t lant good ﬁeld identiﬁ ation guideboo is ad ised

www.jodyknappmedicalherbalist.co.uk

This article is for information only and is not medical advice. If you have a medical ondition or ta e res ribed medi ines always seek advice and guidance from a medi al herbalist or your health ra titioner before using any herbs

Book online at www.raffertysofstamford.com It’s easy, it’s convenient, it saves waiting around!

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Mon - Wed: 8am - 6pm, Thur - Fri: 8am - 9pm, Sat: 7am - 4pm

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Too much of a good thing

Dr Naomi Murphy explores the art of good breathing and the positive impact it delivers

Draw breath for a moment. As we strive for good health – both mental and physical - we too often overlook one of the simplest and most natural ways of helping to achieve it.

t s free t s easy t is a reﬂe ut many of us take it for granted, and too often we get it wrong. With every breath we take, we can relearn the right techniques for good breathing, and improve our wellbeing in the process.

It is not that we don’t breathe enough. It might surprise you to learn that most of us breathe too much. And that can cause us real harm, a thought that might make you gasp.

On average, we breathe around 22,000 times per day and yet we take it for granted that we now how to do this ro erly ut in the same way that you can have too much food or ﬂuid you an also ha e too mu h o ygen ess o ygen an rematurely damage your body by causing too many free radicals which, at high concentrations, generate o idati e stress whi h lays a major part in the development of chronic and degenerative ailments such as cancer, arthritis, ageing, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.

Many of us breathe two to three times

more than we need to. Check for yourself. Do you breathe through your mouth? Do you snore when you sleep? Do you have a dry mouth when you wa e u o you ﬁnd yourself sighing for no reason? If so, it is likely you are over-breathing. And that in itself risks putting your body into stress mode.

outh breathing a ti ates our ﬁght ﬂight system. It tells our bodies we are in a state of emergency without there being any real need for more hysi al e ertion t a ti ates our upper chest and stimulates our stress res onse rying to inta e more o ygen doesn t lea e room for the arbon dio ide in our bodies which plays a vital role in helping the o ygen rea h our mus les

Nasal breathing, on the other hand, results in abdominal breathing placing us in a calmer state and aiding lymphatic drainage. nd it offers other health beneﬁts too reathing through our noses remo es foreign particles like allergens, germs and bacteria. Our noses are also the only place that nitrous o ide is released from a hemi al whi h

Joatno40 High Street East Uppingham

Upholstery workshops

Upholstery Workshop Dates

9.30-4pm each day £70

January 6th, 7th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 25th, 26th, 28th

Learn traditional upholstery, breathe new life into old pieces, in a fun environment with like minded people

February 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 22nd, 23rd,

March 4th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 22nd, 23rd

40 High Street East, Uppingham 07415767826 joatno40@gmail.com www.joatno40.co.uk

April 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th

‘Abdominal breathing via our nose facilitates brain change almost immediately. So don’t waste a second. Hold your breath and get started.’

plays an important role in a host of ways. Amazingly, it opens and closes our blood vessels, strengthens our immune system, aids communication between our gut and our brain, reduces blood pressure and cholesterol and helps us maintain a healthy weight and libido.

Abdominal breathing via our nose facilitates brain change almost immediately. So don’t waste a second. Hold your breath and get started. Here’s how:

Think of breathing in terms of a pendulum. It is about balance. Breathing in should take the same amount of time as breathing out. Whilst you’re breathing in, your body is in a sympathetic dominant position prepared for action against threat. When you breathe out, you shift your body into a parasympathetic position to enable it to rest. Ideal breathing keeps your body in a neutral position, swinging gently between the two states like a pendulum. It’s then very easy to shift yourself into action to protect yourself against threat or to switch down a notch to go to sleep.

We breathe ‘coherently’ when our nasal breathing is in harmony with our heart rate. For starters, try this:

Aim to breathe in for six seconds and out for six seconds, in both cases through your nose, pausing for a second or so at the end of each inhale and exhale. If you’ve got into bad breathing habits this will take some practice to achieve. But don’t be disheartened - with practice you will get there. Practice for a few minutes several times a day until it’s something you can do easily and naturally. Once you master the art, you will quickly feel the alming beneﬁts

Then you can breathe a sigh of relief. Which brings me on to the subject of sighing. Now that’s another technique which, once mastered, will take your breath away.

For a more detailed explanation of coherent breathing techniques, and the beneﬁts of sighing isit

www.octopuspsychology.com/blog/

Dr Naomi Murphy is a leading clinical and forensic psychologist based in Oundle.

Jeremy Smithson-Beswick keeps us up to date with what’s been happening with the

teams

We start with rugby and at Hambleton Road where Stamford’s season continues to be an outstanding one with the men s ﬁrst leading Counties One by a full twelve points. In addition to that substantial buffer, key players such as Ali Shaw, Fergus McKerracher and Joe Ireland have recently returned to the pack after injury whichtogether with Iain Downer reinstated at full back after illness – will add to the growing feeling of onﬁden e that they loo set fair for promotion to the dizzy heights of Regional, rather than County, rugby. That’s no small achievement for all connected to the club. No doubt there are still setbacks and surprises in store along the way such as their recent derby loss to bottom-placed Bourne (of which more later) but it would be a brave man to bet against them.

heir women s ﬁrst yes they now have a second side as well) have consolidated a mid-table position with a win against Bletchley by the small matter of 60-0 (at least their opponents should be able to keep that a secret) and also a narrow 19-17 victory away to Welwyn, secured by a last minute try and successful conversion with the clock already well pastthe 80 minutes.

playing with oval and round balls

Despite that win against Stamford, Bourne remain marooned at the other end of the league with just nine points, a challenging seven adrift of Peterborough Lions one above. That they were able to give the purple black and whites such a bloody nose in the derby therefore came as a big surprise, although the losers will doubtless point to the force 8 gale which put paid to many a slick pass and well-practiced

lineout. Harry Thorburn was the home side’s hero with a late try to make it 13-10. In spite of their league position Bourne is a club on the up as President Alan Thomas is keen to remind us with ‘the most extensive renovation of the ground in our history including new changing rooms, showers, gym and physio room.’ They also claim to have the fastest growing youth section in ngland and ha e introdu ed a women s

‘Stamford’s season continues to be an outstanding one with the men’s ﬁrst XV leading Counties One by a full twelve points.’

Image: Darren Dolby

Friday 7th

February and Friday 14th

March 2025, 9:30am and 10:45am

Spring Open Mornings

Discover The Peterborough School with a personal tour. Explore our campus, meet pupils and speak to our teachers .

To book your place, scan here:

‘Taking part with others on a sociable and regular basis is by far the best way to avoid backsliding into couch potato land.’

and men’s seconds to boot. Not bad for an outﬁt that began with a hat o er a few beers in the ag s ead as re ently as a ham s am aign was elo uently summed u in their hristmas message saying they d ertainly had our u s and downs a bit of a roller oaster of su ess and not uite hey will ha e been buoyed by two home wins in e ember he ﬁrst was a real thriller against untingdon with a s oming from behind with a last gas try on erted from an aw ward angle by ewis rellin to ma e it with no time for further lay and the se ond a bonus oint win against unstablians in their last home mat h of the year inally we an t mo e on from rugby without a salute to undle lready laying at the regional le el to whi h tamford as ire they also sit roudly ato their own table going into the new year hould they stay there ational eague awaits where all their om etitors will ha e ground a a ities in e ess of host of minimum re uirements a ly to lay at that le el et s ho e their ambition will hel them bite that bullet should they re ail

nd so to football e e rightly awarded arborough own re ord olumn in hes re ently so just a mention in assing that their glamorous u run has ome with a bit of a hango er a battle against league relegation loo s set to deﬁ ne the remainder of their season albeit that a festi e eriod tally of se en oints from nine will ha e almed manager it h ustin s ner es somewhat thin they re too good to go down but he wouldn t than me for saying so.

ingham own are yet another of our lo al sides to enter in to s ot after su lanting the at hily named tanground ardea orts it was a merger a arently from there with a win the goals oming from oah in lair and s i er am la well own also ha e the lu ury of a ou le of games in hand o er most of their ri als nterestingly that win against ardea saw both sides ha e layers sent from the ﬁeld in the ﬁrst half but minute sin bins are being trialled at this le el and that was all their misdemeanours were deemed worthy of he e eriment seems to be wor ing well

fter an autumnal di of form tamford aniels loo li e they re re o ering their mojo and are now hallenging for the lay off la es on e more hey ertainly ended on a high with a ru ial win away to fellow ontenders tourbridge all the more reditable for being layed in difﬁ ult onditions and only hours after their draw with alding he ﬁrst goal ame from ordan oo e after minutes and was followed by a enalty from obias i ersidge on the hour his mo ed them u to si th and only three oints now se arate them from se ond la ed alesowen own ad it not been for a last minute e ualiser from alding and a missed enalty in that game they d ha e been that mu h loser

o ﬁ nish sus e t may be guilty of re eating this ad i e from other winter editions but if your ew ear ﬁtness resolutions to get rid of the aftermath of all those min e ies are going well bra o to you n the other hand if the initial burst of enthusiasm for jogging or for the gym has worn off somewhat to be re la ed by a sense of im ending failure and self loathing it rings a distant bell then urge you to see out a lo al s orts lub hey re bound to wel ome you with o en arms and retty mu h e erything is a ailable if you loo from athleti s to umba a ing art with others on a so iable and regular basis is by far the best way to a oid ba sliding into ou h otato land a y ew ear e eryone

On your bike!

This month, Gary Waterfall starts 2025 oﬀ with a challenging 24 mile ride around rural Rutland and Leicestershire with 1,500 feet of climb.

Starting from Oakham, head north through Ashwell and make the most of the more gentle ﬁrst half of the ride. Keep going north through Teigh and Edmonthorpe until you reach Wymondham. At the T junction, turn left and follow it down the hill until you brieﬂy join the main road. Then take the next left to Stapleford, passing it, before a right turn up Cuckoo Hill and down the other side. Then it’s a swift left and then right turn towards Somerby.

From this point it is a steady uphill for the next six miles. Pass through Leesthorpe and Pickwell, and follow the road left past Somerby to Cold Overton (where you’ll be 670’ above sea level). Then take the sharp right to Knossington and enjoy the wellearned downhill most of the way back. Pass through Braunston and then one last hill to take you back into Oakham.

For the route, follow this link or scan the QR code.

https://www.strava.com/ routes/3296231716081105006

PICKWELL

ROUTE Distance: 23.64 mi

Elevation: 1,431ft

COLD OVERTON

LEESTHORPE

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