Active Magazine // Stamford & Rutland // December 2023
Editor and Publisher Mary Bremner mary@theactivemag.com
Deputy editor Kate Maxim kate@theactivemag.com
Art editor Matt Tarrant
Contributors Will Hetherington, Jeremy Smithson-Beswick,
Advertisement Sales Director Lisa Chauhan lisa@theactivemag.com
Production assistant Gary Curtis Accounts accounts@theactivemag.com
Active magazine, Eventus Business Centre, Sunderland Road, Northfield Industrial Estate, Market Deeping, PE6 8FD
If you have information about a club then please get in touch by emailing editor@theactivemag.com.
If you would like to stock Active magazine please email distribution@theactivemag.com.
Active magazine is published monthly 10 times per year.
ISSN 2059-8513
Published by Triangle Publishing Ltd www.theactivemag.com
Disclaimer
Copyright (c) Triangle Publishing Ltd (TPL) 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or be stored in any retrieval system, of any nature, without prior permission from TPL. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the ie s or opinions of T or its a liates. isclaimer of iability. hilst e ery e ort has been made to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information contained in this publication at the time of going to press, TPL and its a liates assume no responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of and, to the extent permitted by law, shall not be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained in this publication. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of the advertising material which they submit and for ensuring the material complies with applicable laws. T and its a liates are are not responsible for any error, omission or inaccuracy in any advertisement and will not be liable for any damages arising from any use of products or services or any action or omissions taken in reliance on information or any statement contained in advertising material. Inclusion of any advertisement is not intended to endorse any view expressed, nor products or ser ices o ered nor the organisations sponsoring the advertisement.
EDITOR’S LETTER
‘If you are looking for a stocking filler, or indeed a present for yourself, do remember that we have Will’s Walk books, volumes 2 and 3 for sale.’
CHRISTMAS IS JUST around the corner, there’s no denying it now, so hopefully we are all shopping locally and supporting our independent businesses. It’s this time of year when some of them make enough money to help them survive for the next few months so they need us.
Christmas can be the only bright light figurati ely in an other ise gloomy fe months so why not plan a winter break? Budgets and time might not allo for a long haul flight to the aribbean or further afield but ate has recently enjoyed a ery welcome and warm press trip break in Sicily. It might not be full on bikini weather but the southern Mediterranean can be warm and sunny at this time of year. And sometimes it’s better to visit places like Sicily out of season as the cooler weather allows opportunities to explore more rather than trying to do it in the often baking heat of the summer. Sicily has been on my radar for a hile and is definitely on my bucket list no . Not so much on my ‘to do’ list is snowboarding but I thoroughly enjoyed photographing ate trying it for the first time and our ad designer Gary revisiting old haunts at Tallington Lake’s recently refurbished 120 metre high ski slope. The new surface is kinder if you fall with its greater shock absorbency and, most importantly, the new surface has less friction hence more speed just hat this sno boarding pair wanted!
If you are looking for a stocking filler or indeed a present for yourself do remember that we have Will’s Walk books, volumes 2 and 3 for sale. We have compiled many of Will’s walks into these books and they are perfect to get you out and about during the Christmas break; ideal for alking o that e tra mince pie and just one more’ roast potato that e ill be enjoying.
Wishing you a Happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year from all of us at Active magazine.
Mary - Editor
CHARGE AHEAD
ISSUE 130 /DECEMBER 2023
18 TRAVEL
Kate enjoys some Sicilian sunshine
26 STAMFORD CLOCK SHOP
Mary talks antique clocks with proprietor Jonathan Clegg
30 ARE YOU REGULAR OR GOOFY?
Snowboarding adventures at Tallington Lakes’ ski slope
38 SCREENWRITING SUCCESS
Rutland’s William Ivory is a three times nominated BAFTA screenwriter
42 THE PIONEER CADET AWARDS
A programme to stretch, support and challenge junior school children
44 WILL’S WALKS
Three Boxing Day recommendations from Will
50 SCHOOL NEWS
53 PHYSIOTHERAPY
Someone in the UK has a stroke e ery fi e minutes
SPORT
56 THE ROUNDUP
Jeremy looks at what’s happening this month in local sport
ActiveLife
Stamford clocks | The Pioneer cadet awards
Meet screenwriter William Ivory | Boxing Day walks courtesy of Will Snowboarding fun on Tallington Lakes’ ski slope
A Sicilian adventure
Enjoy the Adler Spa Resort and all that Sicily’s south west coast has to offer p18
Volunteer with FareShare
FARESHARE MIDLANDS REDISTRIBUTES fresh, nutritious, surplus food which would otherwise have gone to waste. Direct from supermarkets and farms, the food is collected, sorted then stored by a team of sta and olunteers. The food is then redistributed to around 550 charities and community groups across the Midlands – the FareShare Midlands Membersincluding community centres, homeless shelters and children’s breakfast clubs who are all supporting families battling poverty and hunger.
The embers turn the food into a ordable shopping food parcels and delicious meals for vulnerable people. Last year FareShare Midlands delivered enough food to create 13 million meals. As well as food, the Members provide vital support to vulnerable people facing challenging circumstances, including ad ice about benefits housing and debt.
To continue this ital ork Fare hare idlands needs passionate people with spare time and a desire to sign up as volunteers at our South Wigston depot. Volunteers perform essential tasks, such as driving the delivery vans and packing the food in the warehouses. FareShare Midlands food reaches over 67,000 people every week – the charity simply could not do this without the hard work of dedicated volunteers.
To find out more call 07795 393094, or email: Volunteer@faresharemidlands.org.uk. www.faresharemidlands.org.uk
Enjoy a healing weekend retreat at Molecey Mill
HELEN SCARR IS hosting a healing weekend retreat at Molecey House and Granary, just 10 minutes from Stamford. Enjoy a restorati e eekend of yoga meditation sound healing and Tai Chi on 26-28 January within the beautiful setting of the historic estate. url up by the fire ith a herbal tea head out on a countryside walk or relax in the outdoor hot tub. Give yourself or a loved one a special gift.
The retreat includes
• Individually designed, cosy accommodation with the option of private or shared room/en-suite or shared bathroom.
• Professional catering providing all meals, snacks and drinks.
• A tour of the historic Grade II* listed Molecey House and Mill, which has origins from before the Domesday Book.
• Luxury goodie bag.
• ri ate access to acres of the finest local countryside. Prices start from just £650 per person for a shared room. An initial deposit of £150 is required and paying by instalments can be arranged.
Yoga and Meditation with Calmer Soul Yoga
Helen will lead you through relaxing and restorative hatha yoga, breathwork and meditation sessions across the weekend, as well as guided yoga nidra (deep relaxation). Classes will be inclusive for all levels and abilities. Mats, props and blankets will be provided.
Introduction to Tai Chi with Sue Hix
The flo ing mo ements of Tai hi are ell kno n for rela ing the body and are documented as being beneficial for a range of health conditions. Experienced instructor Sue Hix teaches Yang style Tai hi suitable for all abilities and personal aims.
Evening Sound Healing with Cassy at Align Sound Healing
Cassy will guide you with a gentle meditation, followed by the healing frequencies, vibrations and sounds of the Crystal singing bo ls allo ing you to find your o n place of rela ation and inner healing. As the session concludes she’ll gently guide you back to awareness, giving you time to rest and reconnect.
For more information and booking go to www.calmersoulyoga.co.uk or connect with Helen on Instagram and Facebook @calmersoulyoga
New Yoga studio
A BRAND NEW yoga studio ure ra has opened in tamford at illoughby ouse just o Broad treet. The space at ure ra has been created ith lo e and care and comfort for all.
Rebecca and other teachers ill be o ering arious styles of yoga including acti e inyasa atha in and idra yogic sleep . ilates ill be ith arri a fantastic teacher ho guides e ery session making you feel comfortable and elcome.
They aim to pro ide classes and ellness for e erybody and e ery body type as ell as onderful sound healing and meditation sessions. There ill be ellness and full moon e ents and orkshops for ellbeing and health. There ill also be opportunities to take part in retreats at some e citing enues. eep an eye out for dates.
Their first ellness e ent of the ne year ill be at the beginning of anuary in collaboration ith nutrition physiotherapist and sporting fitness e pert icola harnock of harnock Farm rganic ellness more details soon. There ill also be an option for a four day juice deto to help you into the e ear.
Rebecca and her team aim to focus on inclusi ity by tailoring their approach to meet indi idual client preferences and needs in yoga ilates and o erall ellness. They are building a community here both instructors guides and clients contribute creating a supporti e en ironment and a sense of belonging. eryone is elcome and able to take part in classes regardless of e perience and ability. This allo s indi iduals to participate at their o n pace and again encourages a feeling of community.
For the more spiritual among you there ill also be plenty on o er including full moon e ents ith gentle yoga and sound healing. These e ents ill be lit ith candles and crystal lights and feel free to bring e tra cushions or your o n fa ourite crystals.
reating an en ironment here people feel good is a great indicator of a positi e and supporti e ellness space. ure ra is dedicated to building a elcoming atmosphere for all. ure ra is also committed to setting aside some time each eek for local organisations helping people ith mental health concerns on a no charge basis.
At the studio you ill find yoga mats and all accessories needed so if you are ne bring nothing e cept yourself. Although many people do prefer their o n yoga mats this is not necessary.
Classes can be booked directly through Pure Ora or with individual teachers’ booking systems. If you have any enquires as a client or teacher please contact Rebecca@pureora.co.uk www.pureora.co.uk
Return of Coffee and Connection Service for Rural Residents
CITIZENS ADVICE RUTLAND is delighted to have re-launched Rural o ee onnect in Rutland. This pops up around the county e ery ednesday from 1 pm o ering free barista co ee and drinks along ith information on local ser ices.
tarting at Ryhall illage all a community outreach o cer and a trained barista from Rural ommunity ouncil bring their Rural o ee onnect an along ith information to pro ide a safe and friendly space for people to enjoy a co ee chat and build connections in their community.
Funding for this pilot partnership ith Rural ommunity ouncil has come from national iti ens Ad ice to gi e rural communities access to ad ice and support reducing isolation and loneliness. The plan is to isit many of the smaller communities in the county o er the ne t 11 months.
To find out about the routes contact Citizens Advice Rutland on 01572 725809 or email cdo@citizensadvicerutland.org.uk
What’s On!
TWO STARS OF Holby City, Bob Barrett and Rosie Marcel will star in the Harborough Singers traditional Celebrity Christmas concert this year. It promises to be a night to remember and takes place on 9 December starting at 7.30pm in St Dionysius Church, Market Harborough. Buy your tickets from Adele Rogers on 07581 341957 or www.harboroughsingers.com
CHRISTMAS MAGIC RETURNS to Peterborough cathedral on 16 December. There will be two performances from some local well known choirs with a matinée at 2.30pm and an evening performance at 7.30pm. www.peterboroughsings.org.uk
ENJOY AN UPLIFTING and joyous Christmas concert from Stamford Choral with the children’s choir of Malcolm Sargent Primary School at 7.30pm on 19 December in Stamford School Hall. Enjoy a joint performance of Andrew Carter’s sparkling Benedicite along with favourite carols for choir and audience. Tickets £15, £12 concessions, under 18s £5 available from www.stamfordchoral.co.uk
STAMFORD’S LONG-RUNNING COMMUNITY choir, Woven Chords, will be performing on Thursday 21 December in the Stamford Arts Centre ballroom. Specialising in cappella songs and often singing in the original languages, they aim to take the audience around the world. The concert starts at 8pm and tickets are £10 from www.stamfordartscentre.com or on the door.
ENJOY A CHRISTMAS adventure with Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Stamford’s Corn Exchange. This Christmas musical aimed at primary school children takes place on December 16 and 17 and sounds great fun! For tickets ring 01780 766455
VINTAGE SHOP LEGACY in Uppingham has opened a Pop Up shop, Legacy Rebooted and Suited, for a limited time only at 1 High Street West. There’s a wonderful collection of women’s and men’s clothes, accessories, handbags and jewellery from the 1920s to 1980s. Designers include Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry, Chanel and Christian Dior. It’s a real treasure trove, don’t miss out! Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10.30-5pm. 01572 822500
LOCAL MEDIA AGENCY 29 London welcomes The EAGA Gospel Choir to St Martin’s Church in Stamford to perform a charity event. Known for their captivating performances, The EAGA Gospel Choir was recently awarded Gospel Choir of the Year (by BBC Songs of Praise) and were semifi nalists on Britain’s ot Talent in 1 . The EAGA Gospel Choir will bring a 20 piece choir on 9 December to perform a host of upbeat festive songs and well known soulful classics. The event will raise money for The EAGA Gospel Charity and Stamford Food Bank. Tickets are on sale now www.29London.eventbrite.com
Whatever you want to say to your team, clients or suppliers – be it hello, thank you, sorry, Merry Christmas or congratulations, hampers are a wonderful way to send your best wishes.
We deliver individual hampers along with personalised handwritten cards – using cards from our hand-illustrated range or something customised for you.
We o er three di erently size hampers lled with a selection of pickles or preserves, crackers, chocolates, cookies, tea or perhaps something a little stronger! Or course, if you would prefer something smaller, larger, rounder, or ashier then we can make that happen too.
To order just visit: bulwickvillageshop.com or thepickleshop.com or pop into our wee shop: Bulwick Village Shop, Main Street, Bulwick NN17 3DY or call us on: 01780 450774
RECIPE
Smoked mackerel rillettes with pickled radish
and sourdough
Enjoy this delicious recipe from Frazer King of the Red Lion in West Deeping
Pickled radish
Ingredients
• 6 thinly sliced radishes
• 100ml cider vinegar
• 30g granulated sugar
• Pinch Sea salt
Method
• Place the vinegar, sugar and salt in a pan and bring to the boil.
• Once boiling, pour over the radish slices and set aside to cool.
Smoked mackerel rillettes
Ingredients (serves 6) smoked mackerel fillets bones and skin removed
• 4 fresh mackerel fillets, bones and skin removed
• 120g of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 garlic clove, sliced thinly
• 100ml natural yoghurt
• 1/2 lime juice
• 1 tsp horseradish sauce
• 1 pinch of paprika
• Sea salt
• Pepper
• 12 slices sourdough, roughly 1mm thick
Method
• Preheat the oven to 200°C. Season the fresh mackerel fillets ith salt and rap in foil along ith g of butter and some slices of garlic.
• Cook the mackerel parcels for 6-8 mins. Remove from the oven and leave the fish to cool in the foil.
• Once cool, discard the garlic but reserve the cooking juices.
• Place the rest of the butter in a large mixing bowl and beat until light and aerated. Add the smoked and fresh fish to the bowl. Use a fork to break up and evenly mix together
• Add the yoghurt, lime juice, horseradish cream, paprika and the fish cooking juices to the bo l and mi ell. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• To serve. Toast your sourdough slices in a dry frying pan until crispy and rigid.
• Quennelle the mackerel rillette neatly onto the plate. Top ith the pickled radish and the toast on the side. You can add some caviar for a decadent finish.
Thief of the trees
Rowan Griffiths tells us more about the hemiparasite, mistletoe
KISS AND GO, Churchman’s greeting or, more commonly, mistletoe is the hemiparasite evergreen shrub which we are all familiar with because of the kissing underneath it at Christmas.
Mistletoe has small oval, smooth-edged evergreen leaves growing in pairs along each woody stem and produces tiny white four petalled flo ers in clusters of three to fi e. In the late autumn small hite berries appear in bunches of up to six fruit. All parts of the shrub are poisonous to humans. The shrub forms in loose balls upon the branches of apple, hawthorn and poplar trees, preferring to grow in open areas where there is plenty of light, rather than in densely wooded locations. Mistletoe grows all year round but is most visible when the leaves have fallen from host trees.
How does it get there? Mistletoe is a hemiparasite. This means that the plant gets most of its nourishment from parasitism but also some by photosynthesis. This parasitism is spread from tree to tree via the seeds in the berries which are cunningly coated in a gooey layer that adheres to the beak, or from the droppings of birds (most commonly the mistle thrush or blackcap) feeding on the host tree. The seeds then get wiped or deposited on a branch and if these take hold they will germinate and the cycle starts again.
The mistletoe’s folklore association with love may have Norse origins, and one legend has it that Baldur, son of Odin (god of death and war etc) was slain by an arrow of a mistletoe sprig and that his mother, Frigg, understandably upset, produced tears that turned to white berries symbolising her love for him.
GARDENING
Heavenly Hellebores
Tessa Burns takes a closer look at the winter beauty offered by the hellebore family
FIRST THE BIG brother, the native Helleborus foetidus or stinking hellebore, which grows and spreads to half a metre, is fully hardy, likes most soils and tolerates sun or shade. It has clumps of fan-shaped dark green leaves on reddish stems from which light green stems grow bearing clusters of bell shaped pale green flo ers edged ith maroon hich droop gently. They bring a flash of colour during the winter to borders or woodlands.
The smaller hellebores, the Lenten Roses, ha e long flo ering periods and pro ide a valuable source of nectar for bees. Clumps of leathery lea es encompass flo ers ranging from pure white, green, through pinks, apricots, ruby to black purples, single heads or doubles, plain, mottled, blushing from one shade to another with long stamens. Most face downwards shyly hiding their full beauty. When new growth begins to emerge cut back the large old or damaged leaves and mulch to enrich the soil.
ellebore iridis has dainty green flo ers. There are many popular hybrids ranging from Penny’s Pink which has clear pink flo ers and yello stamens to olar ight and Black Beauty which have dramatic dark purple black flo ers ith cream stamens with every shade in between.
Hellebore Niger is the Christmas Rose ith pure hite flo ers. hristmas arol is a particularly good example. They add colour to borders and are useful for seasonal containers indoors and out. Combine with cyclamen, gaultheria, small leaved ivy, pieris, winter cherry and add violas and small spring flo ering bulbs. ary te tures and
heights and this will carry you into spring.
For a Christmas arrangement indoors choose a suitable container, add compost and plant several hellebore with kalanchoe and variegated ivy. Add festive fronds and foraged sticks, spruce, cones and berries, tall candles or a cluster of Christmas baubles. Keep moist and it will last right through the party season.
ome ery pretty artificial hellebore sprays are now available for Christmas decorations. To make your o n garland use an artificial fir base or construct your o n. tart by cutting some sturdy rope or cord to size.
ou’ll need some florist’s ire to attach and secure sprays.
ollect foliage fir branches eucalyptus holly and, my favourite, long tendrils of ivy, birch twigs, larch cones, berries - either real or fau and dried flo er heads. ondition natural branches by soaking well. You can make the natural garland and leave it on the la n until ready to finish decorating nearer hristmas. Then add dried and artificial pieces, fairy lights, clusters of Christmas baubles or other decorations. Just have fun!
If you ha e a real hristmas tree lea e the netting in place hen you first get it home sa an inch or so o the trunk then stand it in a bucket of water outside or in a shed, overnight if possible. Once inside use a stand which holds water and top up daily. And try to locate it away from a radiator.
All our team at elland ale and the Orchard Café wish you a Happy Christmas and a healthy 2024.
www.wellandvale.co.uk
If you fancy some winter sunshine, Sicily is the perfect choice. Discover how Kate enjoyed the luxurious Adler Spa Resort on the south west coast
Sicilian sunshine
AFTER THE WASHOUT that was our British summer this year, you can imagine how pleased I was to be invited to review the 5* Adler Spa Resort in Sicily for a few days in November. It didn’t take long for me to pack a case and hot-foot it via Ryan Air to Palermo. Then the luxury began. After just an hour and a half’s transfer, easily arranged for guests by the resort, I was greeted with a glass of Prosecco and a cold plate of food in my room because of my late arrival.
Then imagine my delight in the morning, throwing open the curtains to be met with a view over the Mediterranean and bright blue skies. Sicily In November is not a bad choice to catch some winter sunshine although, unlike the Canary Islands or the Caribbean, sunshine can’t be guaranteed. When I was there the temperature hovered in the early to mid twenties and there had been barely any rain for months. Crisp and clear days are more the norm from ecember to February but it’s definitely a lot milder than the . Anyway, there’s so much to do at the spa resort and surrounds, a cooler or windy day wouldn’t hinder your enjoyment at all. In fact, hunkering down in the spa, sauna, the heated pools or the restaurant is a perfect way to enjoy the low season.
Let your soul fly
'This is the sixth property in the Adler group owned by the seventh generation of the Sanoner family who opened their first inn in the Dolomites in 1810.'
This is the sixth property in the Adler group owned by the seventh generation of the anoner family ho opened their first inn in the olomites in 1 1 . This e ol ed into the first Adler pa Resort. Three more in the mountains followed, then one in Tuscany and since last year the first coastal resort in icily. All are bound by the same ethos luxurious living focusing on health and wellness, celebrating local landscapes and seasonal produce from farm to fork. et your soul fly is their strapline and the sta ant you to lea e lighter in spirit than when you arrive. You certainly won’t be leaving lighter in body as the food is so delicious nless that is you come for the medical treatments where doctors specialising in weight loss, detox, sports injuries, osteoporosis, troublesome joints to name a few conditions, guide you through bespoke programmes including nutrition. That as definitely not hat I as after. I as looking for ard to activities that would help me relax and to also learn about the area and local Sicilian life. I’ve been meaning to visit Sicily for years as many of my friends have been raving about the island, particularly the food, the friendly people, the beaches and the pretty little towns and illages dotted up and do n the coasts. ost people flock to the north and east to towns like Taormina, Cefalù and Syracuse, but the est coast has plenty to o er too as I as about to find out.
To Book ring Jo now on 07415767826 or email joatno40@gmail.com joatno40.co.uk
'To make sure I got a taste of Sicilian life, I booked onto an Experience Sicily Gently tour one day and a visit to the stunning Valle dei Templi the next.'
The sta at the resort arrange a di erent daily programme of e cursions and guests can choose to take part or enjoy staying put and taking ad antage of the facilities in and around the resort. ou can also hire a car from the resort if you fancy e ploring the local area under your o n steam.
To make sure I got a taste of icilian life I booked onto an perience icily ently tour one day and a isit to the stunning alle dei Templi the ne t. And I’m glad I did because e erything as so simple there’s no stress in ol ed. The first day I joined the tour group on the minibus ith ara a ery informati e and friendly guide and e ere dri en to Racalmuto an hour a ay here e ere gi en a comprehensi e literary tour of the to n through the lens of eonardo ciascia a famous and ob iously re ered communist icilian riter ho spent his life opposing the mafia a bra e thing to do in these parts. e met another guide al atore an e pert on the author and a member of a local co operati e ho led us around the to n. e isited the cemetery here ciascia as buried the orkers’ club he often fre uented his house and the former electricity building that houses his ast collection of letters and portraits of authors some by famous artists like hagall most by relati ely unkno n artists. e learned about the salt and the sulphur mines here so many people orked locally their struggles for better orking conditions and the ealth distributed by the mine o ners to fund cultural acti ities for the community. This included the ornate Regina argherita theatre hich as paid for by the former ayor of Racalmuto also a mine o ner.
If you’re not icilian or Italian you may not ha e heard of ciascia but if you’ e atched the BB serialisation of Inspector ontalbano based on Andrea amilleri’s no els you might recognise Racalmuto already as much of the filming as done in the area. amilleri came from a little to n orto mpedocle on the coast nearby.
It’s a fascinating area and one ery much dependent on tourism and agriculture. The oli e picking season has just finished the pistachios ill be ne t and then the absolutely delicious icilian oranges. ne e cursion e plores a local garden full of di erent citrus fruits follo ed by marmalade tasting. I learnt there are di erent arieties of oli e trees in the area around Agrigento the largest to n on this coast. And that eating local products ith ery fe food miles is ery much the ethos of the area and particularly the resort.
Local hospitality
After the literary tour e ere taken to the 1 th century farmhouse and former oli e press belonging to another pre ious mayor of Racalmuto and his charming ife. They’d prepared a la ish spread of local delicacies hich all members of the group ere encouraged to taste and taste and keep on tasting. The dishes kept coming from all corners of the kitchen including frittata battered sardines tuna and orange salad cheeses lentil soup steamed chicory oli es capers and ine from the farm the list goes on. hen e thought surely the meal as o er e ere ser ed pomegranate seeds from their trees orange cakes and a type of cubaita a combination of pistachios almonds and honey hich became o er the ne t fe days my firm fa ourite. This as then follo ed by co ee and grappa. For a small fee on top of your half board these tours are definitely orth doing. ou’d ha e to search a long ay to e perience hospitality like this and it’s only a ailable for guests at the resort.
After lunch e had to take a slo turn on the terrace to ake us up. I had hoped to see a ceramic Teste di oro a oor’s head as they are often displayed on the balconies of lando ners but unfortunately this family didn’t ha e one. According to legend a icilian oman fell in lo e ith a Turkish man during the period of oorish rule on the
'The ancient city, one of the largest Greek cities in the world, at the heart of the Valle dei Templei only actually lasted for 134 years before it was destroyed.'
island, but when she discovered her lover would shortly return to his wife at home she killed, then beheaded him. She created a vase out of his head, planted it with basil which grew rapidly, watered with tears of her love. It’s a pretty gruesome tale, but the painted ceramic heads you see all over Sicily are really attractive. The restaurant in the resort had a few, which I enjoyed looking at each morning when choosing from the breakfast bu et
After the lunch I whiled away a pleasurable hour in the resort soaking up the sun in the main salt water pool, one of four pools in total hich has a soporific temperature of degrees. I aited until after a morning yoga class the next day to brave the unheated salt pool which was what you might call bracing). Gazing from the pool over the grounds full of colourful roses, agapanthus, bright orange lantana and plumbago, across the maquis shrubland on the hillside which stretches down to the beach was a great spot to admire the way the resort architecture blends in to the landscape so it’s not a blot on the horizon. As it’s right next to the 750 acre Torre Salsa nature reserve which has been managed by the WWF since 1976 the resort is in a protected area so environmental sustainability has been built in to the very fabric of the buildings. Materials chosen such as unbaked clay, local cedar ood and tu olcanic rock from ount tna help maintain an even temperature within the buildings. Air conditioning managed to not be too strong, and low level lighting in the rooms all help reduce the carbon footprint. The external design of the single storey rooms which are spread out along the side of the hill reminded me a little of the columns on the Greek temples in the Valle dei Templei a orld heritage site hich e isited on the third day.
Valle dei Templei
Another expert guide and archaeologist took us on this excursion. In just a few words he conjured up exactly what it would have been like in the ancient city where Agrigento now stands. He explained how the reeks colonised the island from east to est in the fifth century B fought o the arthaginians and ere later defeated by them in a rematch. The ancient city, one of the largest Greek cities in the world, at the heart of the alle dei Templei only actually lasted for 1 years before it as destroyed. But during that time a all nine miles long was built as well as 15 to 20 temples to honour the Greek gods and 15 people mo ed in. nly three temples still stand and these are a remarkable feat of engineering using maths, geometry and proportions ith not one patch of mortar in sight. onsidering mortals eren’t e en allo ed in them once finished they’re a giant testament to the ingenuity of man. ptical corrections’ and ho the architects had to adjust the measurements by mm here and there and make steps and pillars that should be convex, concave was explained, but to be honest the guide slightly lost me there. I was busy imagining what they’d look like on a sunset tour. It would be magical, looking up at the stars ith these other orldly temples lit up beneath them.
ur guide kne hen to mo e on to the ne t site and not o erload us ith information. It is definitely orth hile ha ing a guide to bring the facts to life and for us, to double up as a sous chef in the kitchen an ancient stone’s thro a ay here e ent after ards for a cookery class. This was run by the Diordoros project which promotes the cultural and natural heritage of the park. Again,
organised by the resort, guests can learn how to cook recipes the Sicilian way. Egg in your aubergine parmigiana anyone? We weren’t convinced. Boiling up the heads of the local gambero rosso to enhance the fla our in the pra n and pumpkin risotto as a inner though.
Connect to nature
Guests at Adler are encouraged to immerse themselves in the natural landscape in and out of the resort. I could have borrowed one of the E-bikes to explore the Torre Salsa next door, or gone on one of the bike e cursions to ride in forests or hills further afield. I did rouse myself enough one evening to walk the 15 minutes down to the beach and dip my toes in the water. If I’d had more time before the sun went do n I ould definitely ha e s um as the ater asn’t too cold. The low key sun loungers and umbrellas don’t detract from the sense of peace along this seven kilometre stretch of beach. It’s only accessible from three points along this part of the coast, so apparently it never feels crowded. One nature tour involves a marine guide walking you along the beach then taking you snorkelling to atch the fish crabs and other marine life. During some months of the year Caretta sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand, and you often see wading birds, peregrine falcons and rabbles of butterflies ho ering o er the ater. And if you don’t fancy the walk back up the hill, golf buggies leave every ten minutes from the beach.
Seriously it’s very hard to get worked up about anything here. Watching the sun go down from the thalassotherapy pool was a real treat follo ed by a performati e sauna ritual called Ausgu hich involved a scantily clad man wafting his towel at you to increase the heat and overpower you with the scent of rosemary and oranges. Obviously the Germans and the Dutch who were my naked companions were far more experienced at this sort of thing, so I made sure I maintained my composure too, just.
The sound of silence
Spending a winter break here is even more enjoyable if you book treatments in the spa which, with its 15 underground cabin rooms, all with views of the sea, is a delight. I had a massage with Sicilian citrus oil and then promptly fell asleep as soon as I got back to my room. The silence is practically tangible. That may have something to do with the fact that, despite it not being an adults’ only resort, there are only 16 family suites, and children have to be over 4 years old to stay. The free kids’ club with meals and all day activities mean you don’t see (or hear) many of them.
The only downside of the resort (from my point of view) was the low lighting everywhere in the evening and getting slightly lost along the many paths from the spa to the pool to the restaurant to my room. But if that’s all I had to complain about the o ners and sta of Adler must be doing an awful lot right.
'I had a massage with Sicilian citrus oil and then promptly fell asleep as soon as I got back to my room. The silence is practically tangible.'
Next time I come to Sicily I’d like to hire a car (there’s preferential rates with a local car company for Adler guests) and spend a night in Palermo to experience its reputedly incredible nightlife. Then tour round the scenic villages on the east coast, climb Mount Etna and finish o ith a couple of nights at Adler icily for some serious luxury and relaxation.
The Adler Spa Resort closes from 7 January to 22 February 2024. Half board in a junior suite costs from 270 euros per night. If you join the Adler Friend lub you get e clusi e benefits and collect points which you can use in all Adler spa resorts and lodges. www.adler-resorts.com
THE TICK OF THE TIME MACHINES
Mary meets the owner of The Stamford Clock Shop, Jonathan Clegg, and enjoys learning more about his lovely time pieces
MANY PEOPLE SAY that a house without the sound of a ticking clock is not a home; and if you have a clock that chimes as well, even better. I don’t know what it is about the ticking of a clock – maybe it takes us back to the womb and our mother’s heartbeat – but it is very soothing. And the weirdest thing is that, despite it being so quiet, you know immediately if the ticking stops, the silence is uite deafening. efinite comparisons to a heartbeat I think; if the clock stops ticking does that mean your life is over? I have heard so many stories about clocks stopping when someone dies in the family, so maybe there is some truth in it. Or it could be more mundane and they’ve just forgotten to wind the clock up…
omeone ho can definitely keep us ali e and ticking with all his clocks is Jonathan Clegg, owner of The Stamford Clock Shop which is in the basement below Murano Silver (run by daughter Molly) on St Mary’s Street in Stamford. Walk down those steps and you are greeted with a veritable cacophony of ticking and, time it right, you’ll get to hear the chimes as well. There is
something comforting about all those clocks ticking and if, like me, you like antiques, history and clocks you will be in seventh heaven; antique clocks galore along with beautiful period ceramics. And in amongst all those treasures is Jonathan whose enthusiasm for clocks is contagious and his encyclopaedic knowledge very useful and informative.
Jonathan is an engineer and spent many years taking up to 1 flights a year orking for large corporates travelling around the world helping set up and run factories. He was obviously going to become an engineer as he was always that child who took things apart and eventually got good at putting them back together again. And at the age of fi e he de eloped a lo e of and fascination with, clocks when he went with his mother to buy a grandfather clock. That clock, 56 years later, is still running nicely in his dining room.
He also loves classic cars, but it’s antique clocks which are his passion. Throughout his working life he has bought clocks and repaired and restored them in his spare time. The first one as a clocking on clock from a
Wedgewood factory) which he bought at auction in 1988. This clock still has pride of place in his home and as the first one he restored. And he has been buying clocks ever since. They are always antique, usually Georgian and always British with a preference for northern clocks, particularly from Yorkshire his home county. All the clocks needed restoring and repairing. ‘I was buying clocks at auction and from Ebay and was self taught with the repairs. Quite often the clock would come as a box of bits, including the case and I spent many happy hours bringing them back to life,’ says Jonathan.
He enjoyed working on the cases, restoring the wood as well as the clock faces and movements. He’s picked up lots of tips and tricks along the way and can turn to other professionals for advice if needed, particularly for the work on the wood cases. Most of the clocks are made from mahogany or oak and, traditionally, would have matched the dark wood furniture which was in vogue at the time. Over the years onathan’s house uietly filled ith anti ue clocks hich then o erflo ed into a lock up as well as the garage. Jonathan’s wife, Jane would appear to be a very patient lady, but ‘she likes clocks too,’ he says. Some clocks were being repaired for friends with the odd one sold and quite a few have been fostered out to friends over the years. ‘I needed to see they were running properly and a clock needs to be used so ‘fostering’ them was the perfect option.’
Five years ago when Jonathan was coming to the end of his corporate engineering career he started to think about a second career which would keep him occupied and take him happily through retirement. And the obvious answer was the clocks. ‘Could I turn my hobby into a business? I wanted to carry on working, but not at the same pace, and repairing and restoring clocks meant I could still indulge the engineer in me. And I could start selling clocks too.’
The basement of Murano Silver is the perfect place to sho o onathan’s clocks. This beautiful building on St Mary’s Street is just the right era for the clocks and they fit in really well. And Jonathan has been able to
'Over the years Jonathan’s house quietly filled with antique clocks which then overflowed into a lock up as well as the garage. '
tap into his daughter Molly’s many years of retail experience which he has found really useful and greatly appreciates.
Jonathan has over 20 clocks in the shop ranging from wall clocks, to bracket clocks, bulk heads (ships’ clocks) and long case (grandfathers). The grandfather clocks that Jonathan has are classed as cottage clocks because they are not as tall as a traditional one. This means they quite often suit a modern house better as well as lower ceilinged cottages. And of course, they still work in many of Stamford’s Georgian and Victorian houses too. ‘Stamford is the perfect location for my clocks as it’s such an historic town with houses that suit them,’ says onathan. But don’t be put o from o ning an antique clock if you have a modern house. Old timepieces can really stand out in a modern kitchen for example. A statement mahogany wall clock can look really fabulous and the contrast works well.’ But do not hang it above a radiator or in direct sunlight – a couple of tips I got from Jonathan during our chat.
Jonathan’s clocks are all English in the shop at the moment apart from one Welsh one. Traditionally clocks were very regional, with a clockmaker in almost every town who worked to local preferences and had their o n specific style. The clock as usually the most expensive item that people had in their house, whatever their status and income. They vary in style and someone like Jonathan can usually tell you where they are from. He only sells British clocks. Some are spring driven, others by weights. All have pendulums, not all chime. There are three Victorian dial clocks at the moment as well as Georgian and Edwardian. The oldest dates back to the 1750s and the most modern, the 1880s. But this of course varies with stock but the ones he has for sale will almost always be pre 1900s. They include both eight day winders (which, in some cases, the clockmaker would come and wind for you), to 30 hours and also weighted ones. Some of the clocks have painted dials, others brass
'Traditionally clocks were very regional, with a clockmaker in almost every town who worked to local preferences and had their own specific style.'
ones and there’s even one that can tell you when there is going to be a full moon. Allegedly these were popular with farmers, gamekeepers and poachers (for obvious reasons). Some of the clocks chime every quarter of an hour whilst others are on the hour. None of the clocks have second hands, some don’t even have a minute hand. There are reasons for this. Get Jonathan to explain it all to you. It’s really fascinating. You get a history lesson as well as a horology one and I loved every minute.
I can see why an engineer would love these clocks, particularly when he has repaired and restored them all, bringing them back to life. Jonathan really enjoys setting the clock up and getting it to keep time accurately so if you buy one he will happily do that for you. He also repairs clocks and fully understands that even though a clock might ha e a lo financial value it may well have a huge emotional one. ‘I really enjoy doing these repairs as they
bring so much pleasure to someone.’ So don’t feel that your clock is not the right era for Jonathan, he will look at most clocks and o er ad ice and repair here he can.
The value of antique clocks varies vastly. The top end with expensive movements and intricate woodwork can be very valuable and are obviously expensive, hugely so in some cases. But the middle to lower price bracket has fallen in the last twenty years which I think is surprising. And these are the clocks that Jonathan is selling. They are not cheap per se but I was pleasantly surprised by the price of some of them. Not an everyday purchase admittedly, but an heirloom you will be able to hand on to your children and grandchildren whilst getting immense pleasure out of it now.
Jonathan’s customers are an eclectic bunch varying in age and background but all have one thing in common, they are interested in clocks. Some people want a clock similar to one their grandparents or parents had while others have always wanted a grandfather clock. Others just come in having no idea Jonathan is even there, pop downstairs, and see what they want. Many customers will come in and spot a clock and then bring their partner back. Jonathan loves meeting people and educating them about his clocks. He has real knowledge and a passion and it’s catching. And the sound of a ticking clock in your home is so comforting.
Jonathan opens on Fridays at 10am but can be reached on 07917 464431 or Jonathan.clegg1@outlook.com www.stamfordclocks.co.uk
Are you regular or goofy?
Tallington ski slope has a new, more effective surface very suited to snowboarding. Mary went to find out
IF YOU LIVE fairly near Stamford, at some point you’ve probably either attended a toboggan party or had some lessons on the ski slope at the Tallington Lakes complex. I certainly did (many, many years ago) and virtually everyone I know turned up at some point either to have a couple of beginner’s lessons before a skiing holiday or a refresher go to prompt the muscle memory. And once we’d got past the fun ski holidays of our single days it was then taking the children to toboggan birthday parties and skiing lessons of their own. Tallington Lakes and its ski slopes seems to unwittingly have charted the progress of many of our lives.
Someone else who has a long term history with Tallington and its ski slope is our advertising designer Gary Curtis who learnt to ski on the slope during his school PE lessons. ‘As a child I loved Ski Sunday and all I wanted to do was learn to ski. Friends wanted to head to the sun, not me I wanted the snow and to ski.’
In those days the steel brush matting surface of the slope was quite unforgiving and hurt if you fell on it as it was scratchy (and made of steel and there as al ays a risk of getting fingers caught as the surface had holes in it. All that has changed now as last year a new Proslope surface replaced the steel brush matting. Proslope emulates snow much better, is more shock absorbent so reduces the risk of injury and has no voids that might catch a stray digit.
The new Proslope opened last winter at Tallington and has been really popular. The new surface with its Geotextile shock membrane makes it more forgiving if you fall (inevitable for beginners) so gives more confidence as the fear of hurting yourself is reduced. And the secret of the tested brush technology lies in its Variable Height Filament which allows skis or snowboards to glide more easily because there’s less surface contact, so less friction which means more speed and happier customers. And this surface allows for more edge grip which is vital.
And more edge grip means this surface is much more attractive to snowboarders which is becoming more and more popular. Originating in America as early as the 1960s it probably became more
'The new Proslope opened last winter at Tallington and has been really popular.'
mainstream after the ames Bond film A ie to a ill’ introduced us to it in 1 5. At first sno boarders ere not elcome on the slopes but those days are gone.
Gary returned to Tallington 20 years ago to learn to snowboard because ‘it was cool. I enjoyed skateboarding, liked the whole ethos of snowboarding including the gear and had seen Shaun White winning Olympic medals and wanted to have a go.’ He has never skied again, much preferring snowboarding and heads to Europe, particularly Switzerland whenever he can. ‘It’s more relaxed, the boots are far more comfortable and I just love it.’
ate on the other hand is a competent skier but has ne er snowboarded so we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to bring these two together to try the new slope at Tallington to see how they got on. Gary was delighted to be back on his board and returning to Tallington as he hadn’t been back since learning to sno board ate not so sure, but I will leave it up to her to tell you all about it.
Kate was converted to snowboarding after her first lesson at Tallington dry slope
I’ve never had a burning desire to go snowboarding and when I’ve been skiing I’ve often looked at snowboarders and thought how cold it must be for them, as they seem to do so much sitting around on the slopes!
But when I got the chance to have a lesson at Tallington’s dry ski slope I jumped at the chance. I’m always up for trying something new. e thought it ould be interesting to find out hat the ne roslope surface is like. Gary learned to ski and snowboard on the original surface at Tallington so wanted to compare it with the new one. And I, who have always been wary of dry slopes, imagining I’d catch my fingers in the holes had been told this is ery di erent so I as far less likely to get hurt.
I had a lesson in Tam orth no ome before I first ent skiing but apparently Proslope is much more consistent to learn on: no ice patches, no slush. As it had been raining in the morning before our lesson, the surface was just right with plenty of slip. Sometimes they use sprinklers to keep things moving. Also Proslope is much more forgiving in terms of shock absorbency, and I thought I’d be falling on my bottom quite a lot so welcomed that development. I’d been warned to fall backwards not forwards to minimise the chances of breaking a finger or my rist. But ho do you make sure you do that e ery time We met Ryan, our instructor and walked out onto the slope. I took my ski jacket o as it as uite arm after the rain and any ay I wanted to look a bit more like a snowboarder, with a baggy jumper on! The boots are so much more comfortable than ski boots, much
easier to put on and alk in a definite benefit to boarding. For that alone I’d ditch skiing. nce on the slope I learnt ho to strap on the board and mo e around ith only one foot locked in. This is the cumbersome bit and I kept changing my mind on hether to go goofy’ or regular ie ith my right or left foot attached. one of it felt intuiti e and it as hard ork until I had both feet in then I could just use my body to help shift around. y brother used to skateboard so I had a bit of e perience from many moons ago
Then e mo ed on to heel and toe side slipping. eel side as much easier as you just pretend you’re sitting on a stool ie s uatting hich keeps you from racing for ard. tanding up and pushing your hips for ard in one s ift mo ement to stop you sliding do n hile toe side as a bit trickier. And Ryan had to keep reminding me to look here I as going not do n. b iously I as only mo ing ery slo ly and on the bottom of the slope to begin ith so I ne er felt out of control. I’m not sure hat it ould be like going uickly do n a ery steep mountain. I suppose at that point you just sit back and allo yourself to fall back ards. ence you see so many boarders sitting round on the slopes. In their defence they’d say skiers line the sides of slopes ha ing a break too.
The drag lift to take you up the slope had me flummo ed for a hile but I had to go higher up because I anted to do hat ary as doing. Both ary and Ryan looked at me as though I ere mad. There are uite a fe steps to go bet een side slipping and managing to do smooth bends all the ay do n the slope. But I can dream. I had to learn to do falling leaf tra erses first then turns then turns then put them together in a line if I anted to look like ary ho as ha ing a hale of a time speeding do n from the top he appro ed of the ne surface . e didn’t ha e time for all that so I had a uick go at falling lea es and managed a couple of diagonal tra erses before the end of my lesson. This is one of the stages of e el . To be a recreational boarder here you can use the slope ithout an instructor you ha e to complete e el . If I ere to go on real sno I’d definitely ant to ha e more lessons at Tallington and reach le el or probably e en e el hich means you’ e learnt to link t o turns together. It ould sa e a lot of time and e ort hilst on holiday.
I think I might ha e a go the ne t time I’m on a skiing holiday e en if it’s just for one day. I asn’t great at manoeu ring the lift ith my foot strapped on to my board though. I can see that bit ending in tears
The ski slope at Tallington Lakes is 120m high and very well established. It’s open seven days a week and welcomes everyone of all ages. You can learn to ski and snowboard. Skis, boards and boots are provided and if under 16 or snowboarding you must wear a helmet (also provided). You can have an individual 1:1 lesson, a full day lesson, family lessons and group ones. Many people come to the slope before a skiing holiday either to learn
from scratch or, very often, to get a few runs in to prompt the muscle memory. This means that when you get to the snow you don’t spend days familiarising yourself and the muscles don’t ache so much. And you are able to make the most of the snow from day one. Many schools bring groups before ski trips whilst others use it for PE lessons.
You need four lessons on average to go from a beginner to recreational level (ski or
snowboard) and they run classes from November 1 to March 31. You can then do another set of four lessons to gain intermediate level. Once you have gained your intermediate colours you can come and use the slope when you like for a recreational ski and practice.
As well as tuition there is a junior snow school and an adult ski and snowboard club for intermediates and above where you can come and have fun,
and improve competitive slalom racing or have a go at some freestyle snowboarding.
The nursery slope is being refurbished as well and (weather permitting) will reopen in the New Year when toboggan parties will also be available.
There are lots of deals and offers including discounts. To find out more visit www.tallington.com
Come along to our Open Weekends at Care UK’s newest, luxury care home in Market Harborough! Join us in our welcoming cafe and enjoy home-cooked, warming treats prepared by our Chef, chat with our friendly team and take a personal tour of our beautiful care home. We’ll also be joined by local fnancial planners and solicitors, who will be on-hand throughout our open days to offer support and guidance on caring for an older loved one.
Trusted to care.
To book please call 01858 390 356 or email
mark.evans@careuk.com
Dance your troubles away
Dancing is known to release those endorphins and be sociable too. Two groups are looking for new recruits in Oakham
STRICTLY HAS ONCE again been exciting us at the eekends gi ing us all our annual fi . ancing is such a tonic whether you are watching it, seeing others get such pleasure from it, or learning to do it yourself.
One of Strictly’s choreographers, Jenny Thomas, set up her solo Jazz dance companies around the country in 1. enny choreographs for the salsa and harleston on the BB ’s aturday night sho and has been doing so for 1 years. he set up T a ettes and ammers around the country and asked iahann from akham ing ance group to recruit and set up a group here in Rutland.
iahann has no been running the group since eptember 1 and holds classes e ery Thursday at The ictoria all in akham. he recruits local ladies regularly and the next new group starts in anuary . he teaches her ne recruits set dances and it’s great fun sociable and ob iously helps keep you fit and releases those endorphins. hen the a ettes are ready iahann asks enny to
come and visit Oakham to set the choreography ready for them to perform. ost dances in ol e solo ja and harleston steps.
The JT Jazzettes Oakham have performed over the last couple of years at markets, fêtes, Pride, Oakham beer festival and swing dance e ents held in ictoria all. e t year they ill perform at the tamford for potlight organised by hris Thomas.
The group of ladies are made up of local women of all ages, professions, shapes and sizes who meet up for two hours of dancing each eek. one of the ladies are professional dancers or performed before they joined and they lo e it.
Wishing all my customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
A heartfelt message of gratitude, to Oundle town, for making us so welcome, since we opened, in June.
From mid November, in our neighbouring shop, we will be offering a stunning collection of hand made, made to order, sofas and armchairs by
‘We have a wonderful group of ladies, who put up with me saying “repeat” all the time.'
Diahann says: ‘We have a wonderful group of ladies, who put up with me saying “repeat” all the time. We also are a very supportive group which have become a lovely bunch of friends. I feel very proud of every single woman who has been part of our Jazzettes, whether they’ve performed or not. They turn up every Thursday to be together and dance. And having huge amounts of fun and exercise is what it’s all about.’
Lindyhop too
Dancing also takes place on a Tuesday evening at the Victoria Hall with the Oakham Swing Dance group (also run by Diahann) running weekly Lindyhop classes. This dance is a partner to Swing, with music for all age groups. Lindyhop is a popular dance which again includes side by side Charleston.
Oakham Swing Dance welcomes anyone to try the classes as each week they hold a 40 minute basic/improvers class. But in January Oakham Swing are holding a complete beginner’s class which will run for four weeks so do go along if you are a complete beginner. This starts on 9 January at 7pm.
Both dance groups are community based and profits are donated to local and national charities. These have included The Rutland Air Ambulance eppers and the fire station’s community garden project in Oakham. A recent dance night at the Victoria Hall raised £340 for Alzheimer’s UK. Many dancers from Rutland and across the UK enjoyed the sounds of The ast hance Ragtime Band.
For more information on the Jazzettes or Lindyhop please contact Diahann on diahann@diahannberridge.co.uk
Writing for the big screen
Kate had a long conversation with local screenwriter William Ivory about films, actors and his family
ILOVE LISTENING to interviews with artists and writers about ho and here they get their inspiration from. o I as thrilled when I had the chance to interview William (Billy) Ivory, a local Rutland man and three times nominated BAFTA screen riter. ou ha e probably heard of him as he rote ade In agenham about the 1 se ing machinists’ strike at the Ford factory o er e ual pay for omen. And his recent film The reat scaper is no sho ing at the cinema starring ichael aine and the late lenda ackson. It is the biggest grossing British film this year.
I knew nothing of the role of a screenwriter before I met him; I do now. Billy is full of stories, recollections and observations about the film and T industry and is ob iously passionate about screen riting. So much so, that he’s also a senior lecturer in creative writing at Nottingham Trent University.
I sa The reat scaper ith a friend and my mum and e ere struck by ho many di erent layers there are to the film. Billy had been approached to rite the screenplay based on the true story of Bernard Jordan (Michael Caine) who made the headlines when he escaped from his care home to tra el to France for the th commemorations of the ay landings. But the film is about much more than that. All good riting is argument ’ Billy told me and if you’re not arguing something you’re not really riting. This is a film arguing about old age but one thing I’m proud of is that it’s not patronising it’s not guilty of turning age into caricature. ften old people are not sho n as ha ing other concerns and are only defined by their limitations.’
Love story
There’s a heart renching scene hen Bernard tries to buy co ee from a kiosk and is jostled by a group of cyclists. ater he lets their tyres do n. It’s also a tale of the guilt and trauma su ered by a former airman ho Bernard befriends on the trip and about the young injured soldier’s distress who is one of the guides. But most of all it’s a love story between Bernard and his wife Rene. Billy, like any good riter dra s on his ast learnt e perience and dre parallels ith his o n parents ho like the characters in the film met during the ar
at a dance in Newark. His mother also worked in a munitions factory. Billy has a good memory and no memory is wasted. So even though he didn’t use the true fact that his mother knew when his father had been out on a bombing raid because he had eczema around his mouth from the oxygen mask, her concern for him made Billy realise that e eryone at that time as fighting their o n personal ar e en if they eren’t fighting on the front lines.
Billy’s father was a half Irish, half Welsh catholic from South Wales who, after being a navigator in Bomber Command during the war became a journalist. ‘He was wonderful with words. We’d often go to the theatre and he took me to stu that as sometimes completely inappropriate. e’d say If it’s on the stage it can’t do you any harm. ’
Billy had always wanted to be a writer but failed his 11+ much to the huge disappointment of his mother. And his life could ha e gone in an entirely di erent direction. espite not reading a book until he as 1 and thanks to t o great teachers at his comprehensi e one ho as taught by FR ea is at ambridge ho sa his talent and encouraged him, he went on to study English at the University of London. He thought he’d be out at the theatre all the time. But uni ersity life asn’t hat it as cracked up to be and he returned to ottinghamshire here he’d gro n up and got a job as a council bin man. Again not hat his mother ished for him.
First break
With a keen sense of observation of the characters he met on his rounds and the curious mi of industrial and rural landscape in the mining villages in the area, he later wrote a TV series Common as uck about a group of binmen hich starred d ard ood ard. nfortunately his mum ne er sa it as she su ered and subse uently died from Motor Neurone disease. Billy had left the bins by then and mo ed on to the ottingham layhouse orking first as stage cre then acting in a play e am e ’ as they needed people to do the local accent. e as also al ays riting and sending plays to the directors at the layhouse. Finally the director enneth Alan Taylor read one of them pronounced it a ful’ but said there as something in it. That as the first time anyone had taken him e en half seriously. Billy was 22.
Then ith an e uity card he mo ed to ranada tele ision here I used to play gormless northern lads’ including a stint on oronation treet hich is here he sa his first T script and thought I could write those.’ Just before his mum died she guessed his dad wanted to take her on a pilgrimage to alsingham ha ing seen a ial of holy water in the kitchen, but she didn’t want to go. Wanting to write something for his mum, Billy wrote a comedy about two residents of a hospice ho tra el to the to n of nock in Ireland hoping for a cure. A producer on oronation treet suggested Billy should send it to the BB . I called it ourney to nock but spelt it noc because I didn’t
'This is a film arguing about old age but one thing I’m proud of is that it’s not patronising, it’s not guilty of turning age into caricature.'
kno ho to spell it. I didn’t bother going to the library to find out and I thought it sounded aelic. roducer eorge Faber agreed to make the film starring ohn urt and a id The lis and found Billy an agent ho as ery shre d and nudged me along.’ Billy dedicated nock to his mother and his screen riting career started to take o . I ondered if it’s harder no adays for screen riters to break into the business. According to Billy it’s harder to ha e a career no but easier to get something made. If the streamers like etfli think you’ e got an idea they can monetise they’ll take you on. But they’re interested in your ork as a product not as part of any creati e journey you may be on. It ould be nearly impossible to make a film on our model no unless you go through the streamers ’ he says. The British ha e al ays been good at making small films like the reat scaper hich cost a fe million. But no you ha e to make films that are as cheap as chips or big budget ar el films hich cost million.’
Billy freely admits to being ery ordy’ and some directors ask him to cut his scripts do n only to then put them back in as e ery ord carries its o n eight. In any good film you should be able to pinpoint the scene hich is the moti ation behind the film. It ill be the scene ith that speech’ in it. ichael aine’s character says there’s a ar e all fight and there’s no escape for anyone. nce Billy realised the film as about ageing not the ar it became more interesting to him.
Burton and Taylor
hen Billy as approached to rite a screenplay based on Richard
'Having been nominated for three BAFTA awards although ‘I’ve never bloody won one,’ Billy has loads more ideas in the pipeline.'
Burton and li abeth Taylor’s tour of oel o ard’s ri ate i es he didn’t ant to do it. I thought it ould be car crash telly about Taylor being addicted to painkillers. And it made no sense that Burton ould go back to the oman ho as the trigger to him drinking again he had nothing to gain. But then I read an inter ie that said Burton as also preparing to play ear and as obsessing about it. I made the preparations for ear into the spine of my film because just as ear can’t gi e up kingship and po er as he’s addicted to it Burton as addicted to lo e. But in my screenplay I made him say to li abeth Taylor I’m not as bra e as you. ou’d literally lo e to death. I can’t do that.
As the screen riter you get to do anything. There’s a more usual type of adaptation a reconstruction like the ay people used to do ane Austen and arry otter here you lift as much from the te t as you can. The alternati e is to do a re imagining of the story hich I prefer.
I rote The ins’ ith ete ostleth aite and it’s one of the things I’m most proud of. It’s about a gangster going straight ho is tempted by the se en deadly sins. But really it as about despair hich isn’t a deadly sin. If I asn’t a atholic I might not be so familiar ith the deadly sins but your upbringing al ays feeds into your riting you ha e to rite hat you kno .’
I asked Billy if he e er gets to choose the cast ometimes ith T not films ’ he told me. I also don’t usually rite for people because I rite on a erage 1 drafts so it’s only by draft eight or nine that someone actually comes on board. I’ e been lucky ith the actors ho ha e played my parts. I rote a piece for my dad about the bombers in the ar called ight Flight and e asked hristopher lummer to play the main role. e’d just been up for an scar and people thought e’d ne er get him but actors like good ords and I create a lot of sub te t for them to get their teeth into.’
a ing been nominated for three BAFTA a ards although I’ e ne er bloody on one ’ Billy has loads more ideas in the pipeline. But hat he ants to rite about is di cult to get made no epic ideas sitting in a simple situation ith ordinary people.
e also ants to rite a musical because hen they’re done ell they’re so itty. umour is the only area here you ha e to be precise. ou can deli er emotion in lots of di erent ays but usually there’s only one ay to deli er a laugh. ometimes I think if you said the ords as I’ e ritten them it ould be much funnier but ob iously you can’t tell some actors that ’
Funny or sad Billy’s ords ha e been spoken by plenty of brilliant famous actors and it goes ithout saying that I’m sure his mum ould ha e been really proud of his success so far.
The Pioneer Cadet Awards
Mary meets Laurence Davis, who has developed a unique programme to support, stretch and challenge children in Upper Key Stage Two
NY PERIOD IN a child’s education is ital ith the final two years of primary school being particularly important for development and the move-up to secondary school.
Laurence, from Stamford, has been a senior school teacher for many years, rising to assistant principal. He has always been interested in children’s development. And believes that children between the ages of eight and eleven are particularly receptive to developing life skills in conjunction with their academic work.
‘Not every child is academic or sporty; some children struggle with school. o self esteem and self confidence can impact children’s emotional, social and educational development. Overcoming these barriers can be the key to unlocking a child’s potential.’ Laurence, reflecting on his o n time in school and ho is dysle ic kno s that for some, school can be a challenging place to succeed.
But how do you channel children in one positive direction and recognise the success of every child? All children attend school to learn and thri e but many do it di erently. ith all his educational e perience aurence could see that de eloping e periences for children to succeed outside the classroom could have a real impact in schools. Basic first aid team building orienteering communication skills, community service, et al are character-building and timeless activities. Many develop skills vital for children’s self-worth. But to
e pect a busy teacher to do all the research set up and deli er this kind of intervention is impractical in most schools.
Laurence had the makings of an idea in 2017, but with promotion to assistant principal and an increased workload, this would have to wait. Two years on, it could wait no longer. Laurence stepped down from his post in ecember 1 ne ly married ith his first child imminent. Pioneer Cadets was born. Unfortunately, Covid 19 was lurking around the corner. Not great timing. Rather than staring into the abyss Laurence sat down and got to work. The light at the end of the tunnel gave him time to develop, fine tune and plan his de elopment programme for when schools reopened. elcome to the ioneer adet A ards. nderpinned by si core skills teamwork, aiming high, staying positive, leadership, communication and problemsolving, the Pioneer Cadet Awards provide opportunities for all children to develop and succeed,’ he says. ‘I knew e actly hat I anted to o er but had to work out how to deliver it without adding to the teacher’s workload. I believe that schools know their children best, so
The Chater valley
The route Park on Morcott Road on the eastern edge of Wing and walk east out of the village. Just after you pass the last houses on the left you will see a lane running downhill to the left. Don’t walk down the lane but you will see a footpath sign in the trees just after the lane on the left. Take this path and follow it through t o small fields past a farm on the left and then across another larger field. ou will then cross the minor road that runs down to Lyndon and keep heading east across the ne t bigger field. If the path is not clearly visible then aim just left of the woodland ahead.
ou ill find the ne t stage starting in a gap in the hedge to the north of the wood. From here there is a path with a tall hedge on the left and a fence on the right hich leads to infold ane on the edge of ilton. It’s orth a ery short stroll into ilton one of Rutland’s ery uietest settlements but to continue the walk turn left on Pinfold Lane and head downhill along the road.
ou ill soon pass the signposted entrance to Ahimsa Eco Farm on the left and then go underneath the railway before reaching the junction. Turn right here cross the bridge and continue uphill along the magnificent tree-lined avenue towards Lyndon. Just as you reach Lyndon take the path on the left and pass the red brick house with the ha-ha and then Lyndon Hall itself.
Three quiet villages in the heart of Rutland make this valley walk a peaceful option for Boxing Day. START/
Follow the path along the front of the hall and into a narrow band of woodland and then turn sharp left follo ed by a right turn along the next hedgerow. Another left turn at the end of this field ill put you on the farm track which winds down to the bridge over the hater a good spot for the dogs. ross the bridge and keep going straight uphill on the farm track hich ill bring you out on the eastern edge of Wing where you started.
Essential information
WHERE TO PARK
On Morcott Road (the main street) in Wing.
DISTANCE
Three and a half miles.
HIGHLIGHTS
The peace and quiet of the Chater Valley, the tree-lined avenue into Wing and the grandeur of Lyndon Hall.
DIFFICULTY RATING
Two paws. Half the walk is on farm tracks and country lanes and the rest is not challenging.
THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE
The Chater comes in handy at the right time and otherwise it’s largely arable land and country lanes.
FESTIVE FACTOR
Walking through Lyndon is like stepping back in time, and Pilton might be Rutland’s least well-known settlement. It’s hard to imagine a cosier pub than the King’s Arms in beautiful old Wing, with its highly regarded food, focusing on seasonal produce.
