Active Magazine // Stamford & Rutland // January 2017

Saturday 28th January 10am – 2pm

Editor’s Letter

SO, AS ALWAYS, THE QUESTION IS: WHAT ARE you going to do differently this year? At Active, we’ve always tried to highlight everything that involved action and activity no matter how sedentary it might seem. For some, the start of the year means they are promising themselves they will take up some extreme activity: base jumping or Ironman events or something equally brutal. For others, they will be thinking “I’m just going to try and walk a bit more this year.” Whatever it is, it’s all equally valid, and into that I’d like to throw activity of a different sort: mental activity.

Our brains require training. A study published last year by King’s College London showed improvements in reasoning skills in older adults who used targeted brain training games over a period of six months.

According to experts in neuroplasticity at brainhq.com: “The brain can actually shrink or thicken; neural connections can be forged and refined or weakened and severed. Changes in the physical brain manifest as changes in our abilities. For example, each time we learn a new dance step, it reflects a change in our physical brains: new “wires” (neural pathways) that give instructions to our bodies on how to perform the step. Each time we forget someone’s name, it also reflects brain change— “wires”that once connected to the memory have been degraded, or even severed. As these examples show, changes in the brain can result in improved skills (a new dance step) or a weakening of skills (a forgotten name).”

So this year, why not attempt to exercise the grey matter more, as well as the rest of the body? Take up chess, read more books, do some puzzles, start painting perhaps.

I’ve taken up chess. Problem is, I got beaten by my seven-year old daughter. A lot more practice is going to be needed to train this shrivelled old mind into a lean, keen, thinking machine, I reckon.

Enjoy the issue! Steve

Publisher Chris Meadows chris@theactivemag.com

Editor Steve Moody steve@theactivemag.com

Deputy editor Mary Bremner mary@theactivemag.com

Production editor Julian Kirk julian@theactivemag.com

Art editor Mark Sommer mark@theactivemag.com

Contributors

Martin Johnson, William Hetherington, Jeremy Beswick, Julia Dungworth

Photographers

Nico Morgan, Pip Warters

Production assistant Gary Curtis

Advertising sales Lisa Withers lisa@theactivemag.com Sarah Stillman sarah@theactivemag.com Amy Roberts amy@theactivemag.com

Editorial and Advertising Assistant Kate Maxim kate@theactivemag.com

Accounts accounts@theactivemag.com

Active magazine, The Grey House, 3 Broad Street, Stamford, PE9 1PG. Tel: 01780 480789

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Copyright (c) Grassroots Publishing Limited (GPL) 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or be stored in any retrieval system, of any nature, without prior permission from GPL. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of GPL or its affiliates. Disclaimer of Liability. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information contained in this publication at the time of going to press, GPL and its affiliates assume no responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of and, to the extent permitted by law, shall not be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained in this publication. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of the advertising material which they submit and for ensuring the material complies with applicable laws. GPL and

ACTIVE LIFE

10 HOW TO...

Make the perfect snowman

12 NATURE

Aconites, lapwings and otters

14-15 RIVERFORD RECIPE

An aromatic beetroot and coconut curry

16-17 GET AWAY FROM IT ALL

Our new travel guide focuses on the Caribbean

21 DAY IN THE LIFE OF... Buddhist nun Nyingpo

24 WHAT’S ON

Great things to do locally for all the family

FEATURES

26-29 ON THE FAST TRACK

We meet the Rutland teenager aiming for Formula 1

36-42 GET FIT FOR 2017

Your 12-month health plan mapped out for you

ACTIVE BODY

46-47 GET YOURSELF CAR FIT

How to work out on your daily commute

50 THE LATEST SUPERFOODS

Our nutrition expert on foods to add to your diet this year

52-53 THE FINISHING TOUCHES

Tips and products to help you look great

REGULARS

31 KIT BAG

A focus on the latest skiing gear

35 MARTIN JOHNSON COLUMN

The Sunday Times writer on the joys of touring India

57 SPORTSMAN’S DINNER

We try out Ba Shoh in Peterborough

58-59 WILL’S WALKS

We head out to Oundle and Ashton

61 SCHOOL SPORT

Our focus on the latest achievements from local pupils

62-66 ROUND-UP

How clubs in the area are faring

ISSUE 55 /// JANUARY 2017

Active life

SNOWMEN AND ANGELS, SMOOTHIES AND HOT CHOCOLATE AND ESCAPE TO THE CARIBBEAN. LOOK OUT FOR OTTERS AND ACONITES AND MAKE A DELICIOUS CURRY

Edited by Mary Bremner

HOW TO…

BUILD A SNOWMAN

It’s not always as easy as it looks, but it is great fun. Snow that is very icy or fluffy can prove tricky for building, so be warned...

First of all pick your spot. A shady part of the garden is best as the snow won’t melt so quickly. Make a snowball and keep adding to it until it is large enough to roll in the snow. Then just keep rolling it until large enough to form the lower body of the snowman. Make a slightly smaller ball for the upper body and place on top of the first ball. Use

some snow to pack between the two balls to make it more stable.

Do the same to make the head, just make it smaller. Then lift it on to the body and secure it, again using more snow to make secure.

Use a shovel to smooth the sides of the body.

Use two pieces of coal for the eyes, a carrot for the nose and either stones or more coal to shape the grin.

If you have a hat and scarf to place on the head and around the neck, even better.

HOW TO…

MAKE A HEALTHY DETOXING SMOOTHIE

It’s January so thoughts turn to purging the body of all the excesses of Christmas. This smoothie tastes good, aids digestion and is incredibly easy to make. Don’t be put off by the colour...

Ingredients

¾ cup pineapple juice or coconut water

½ cup fresh spinach

½ chopped pear

½ green apple, chopped

¼ avocado, chopped

3 broccoli florets

Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Drink immediately.

HOW TO…

Create a snow angel

Everyone has to do it, whatever your age, and it can’t help but bring a smile to your face. And, for luck, you must do it before throwing the first snowball…

Lie on your back on the fresh snow and spread your arms out straight beside you. Then swing them straight almost to the top of your head and down again. Do this a couple of times. To make the skirt, open and shut your legs at the same time – you can’t help but laugh.

Make the perfect hot chocolate

After all that strenuous exercise in the snow I think we can allow ourselves the indulgence of a hot chocolate to help warm up.

Ingredients

125ml full fat milk

1 tbsp good quality drinking chocolate

Handful marshmallows

Put a tablespoon of drinking chocolate in a mug. Heat the milk in a pan until it starts to simmer. Add a little of the milk to your mug to dissolve the powder. Pop a few marshmallows into the mug as well. When your milk simmers put it in a lidded container and secure the lid tightly. Then shake it hard to make it froth. Immediately pour over the chocolate mix, give it a stir and add a few more marshmallows to the top for luck.

Standard classes include: Core Fit, Pilates, Stretch & Flex, Zumba, Powerhoop, Aerobics and much more

NATURE

THE OTTER

The inquisitive and playful otter is one of Britain’s most recognisable wild animals. A common sight until the 1970s, they all but disappeared in the latter decades of the 20th Century. Thankfully, due to a concerted conservation effort, they are now becoming a more common sight and numbers are increasing healthily. They can now be spotted locally on some of our rivers, mainly at dawn or dusk as they are quite nocturnal creatures.

Otters are superb swimmers with webbed feet and streamlined bodies with a thick rudder like tail. Their dense fur, brown on the back and cream on the belly and chin, offers protection from the water and cold temperatures.

They mainly feed on fish, but will take frogs, crayfish and water birds as well. They need to eat up to 1.5kg of food a day. They breed in the spring with the mother usually giving birth to two or three cubs that are able to swim at 10 weeks. They will stay with their mother until about 14 months old.

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing an otter in the river locally, and if you get the chance to see them playing you really are very lucky. And, of course, who can ever forget the book Tarka The Otter by Henry Williamson that was made into a film that is still a classic today?

THE LAPWING

ACONITES

Lapwings, one of our larger waders, are birds of open country and reservoir margins. Named for their broad rounded wings, narrower in the female, their other names, peewit and green plover are descriptive of their call and appearance. Their dark green upper parts, white breast and belly and distinctive long crest make identification straightforward. They feed on a variety of invertebrates – worms, slugs, spiders etc. From March onwards the noisy tumbling display flights of the males are a feature of some arable fields, although lapwings are not common breeding birds locally. Nests are usually in pea, bean or spring cereal fields where the sitting bird, incubating four eggs has a good view of the surrounding area. Despite this vigilance, however, many clutches are lost to carrion crows.

Birds begin congregating from June onwards, the largest numbers at reservoirs in autumn and winter, when British birds are joined by continental migrants. Eyebrook Reservoir and Rutland Water host large flocks with 2,479 at Rutland Water in December 2014.

Birds feeding on farmland are frequently accompanied by black-headed gulls which steal some of their food but in compensation the lapwings receive early warning of likely predators from the watchful gulls. Terry Mitcham

Look out for aconites that will hopefully start flowering by the end of the month. Often found growing with snowdrops, they are a welcome sight that spring is on its way. Found mainly in woodland or churchyards they naturalise quickly and make a superb show with their bright yellow flowers in late January/early February.

Could

Easton Walled Gardens is looking for a senior designer to join the team. This ancient 12-acre garden has been restored by Ursula Cholmeley into a leading garden attraction including meadows, roses, sweet peas and much more. They are looking for an experienced, qualified gardener.

To find out more visit www. visiteaston.co.uk/about/jobs

CAMERA COURSES

Have you got a digital camera that you always use on the auto setting as you haven’t a clue what all the other dials and buttons are for? Some photos will come out well but others will be disappointing as the camera is taking the photo rather than you telling it exactly what to do to get the desired result.

Going Digital offers courses showing you exactly how to use your camera and make it fun at the same time. It runs courses in settings such as Burghley House, Wimpole Hall and Norwich Cathedral and you can take your partner along too.

It also runs specialist courses that include how to photograph birds of prey, deer rutting and landscape photography at Flatford Mill as well as residential courses as far afield as Venice.

To find out more, including dates, visit www.goingdigital.co.uk for the latest availability or email peter-hallam@goingdigital.co.uk

A park for all

To celebrate their first year, Parkrun welcomed 200 parkrunners including Fauja Singh who at 105 is the world’s oldest marathon runner (pictured below right). Runners also enjoyed cake, balloons, fancy dress and dancers. The three-mile run is held every weekend starting at

Normanton Church at Rutland Water. It’s free and all abilities are welcome, walkers too.

Their ambition for their second year is to fund a junior Parkrun so any donations or help would be very welcome. www.parkrun.org.uk/rutlandwater

The Lean Pantry Co

The Lean Pantry Co in Mill Street is Oakham’s first healthy eating café and pantry offering gluten, wheat, dairy and refined sugar-free food.

The brainchild of Seema Khanna from Wymondham, Seema started a detox diet a year ago. A keen baker, and lover of cakes, she started experimenting with leaner and cleaner baking that her friends loved. She was always being told she should open a café so the idea evolved and when the premises became available in Mill Street she snapped them up. Tel: 01572 774363.

AROMATIC BEETROOT AND COCONUT CURRY

INGREDIENTS

1 large red onion

1 bunch of beetroots

Oil for frying

1 large garlic clove

25g ginger

4 tomatoes

½ tsp black mustard seeds

Aromatic spice pot containing:

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground cumin

¼ tsp turmeric

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

2 bay leaves

¼ tsp chilli flakes – add to taste

1 tin coconut milk

100g quinoa

25g dessicated coconut

1 lime

1 pot of yoghurt

METHOD

● Peel, halve and finely slice the red onion. Wash, peel and chop the beetroot into wedges, not too thick, approx 2cm at their widest.

● Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large pan with a lid. Add the onion and gently fry for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if they start sticking.

● Peel and finely chop the garlic clove. Peel and grate the ginger. Wash and dice the tomatoes. Add the mustard seeds to the cooked onion. Fry until you hear them start to pop.

RECIPE BOXES

Riverford recipe boxes are a simple and inspiring way to cook. Every week, we deliver everything you need to make three tasty organic meals. Inside each box, you’ll find the freshest, seasonal organic produce, step-by-step recipe cards and all the ingredients in exact quantities. The recipes are quick to cook and ideal for weeknights – most are ready in under

● Add the beetroot, garlic, ginger, aromatic spice pot, bay leaves and chilli flakes to the pan and stir fry for a further two minutes.

● Add the tomatoes and tin of coconut milk (stir before adding if it has separated). Season with salt and pepper.

● Put the lid on the pan and simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring now and then until the beetroot is tender. Top up with a splash of water if needed.

● Boil a kettle of water, rinse the quinoa well in a sieve. Transfer to a pan, cover with plenty of hot water, bring to the boil and cook for about 15 minutes until the grains have popped open.

● While the beetroot curry and quinoa cook put the dessicated coconut into a dry frying pan. Heat gently, stirring often until lightly golden and toasted. Transfer to a small bowl.

● Drain the quinoa. When the beetroot is ready squeeze in lime juice to taste, adding more salt and black pepper if needed.

● Serve the beetroot curry with the quinoa sprinkled with the toasted coconut and a dollop of yoghurt.

Tip. Wear rubber gloves when handling the beetroot to prevent your hands becoming stained.

45 minutes. Think well balanced and nutritious, with a few treats thrown in. Their cooks come up with nine new recipes every week, so there is always plenty of choice. There are three different varieties of recipe box - choose from vegetarian, quick, or original. A box for two people ranges in price from £33 for the vegetarian box, to £39.95 for the quick and original boxes. Delivered straight to your door, with everything you need to cook

included, generous portion sizes, and three delicious meals per box they offer great value for money. No waste. No missing the vital ingredient. All you have to do is cook. Visit: www.riverford.co.uk/recipebox to find out more or call 01803 762059.

TRAVEL

THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER

THERE ARE SO many places to see and so little time to do it. Sipping cocktails on a sun lounger with a good book is one way to enjoy a break but we thought we would suggest a few slightly more adventurous ideas over the next few months.

It could be trekking in Outer Mongolia, on safari in Africa or even a staycation. This month, to escape the dreary winter, it needs to be sun – so how about pushing the boat out and heading to the Caribbean?

Perfect for island hopping as you get such a mix of cultures, style and atmosphere, the Caribbean islands are relatively close together so it’s easy to travel between them by ferry, plane or seaplane. You can mix the lush mountainous St Kitts with the white sands of Anguilla, sample the sophistication of Barbados and then the quiet, rustic Grenadines.

Fly to one of the larger islands direct from the UK and then organise your onwards travel, or get a travel agent in the UK to do it for you. The best months to travel are between December and April when it’s drier, cooler and less humid.

WHAT TO DO

● Scuba diving is a must. There are reefs and wrecks galore to explore along with a vast marine life.

● Shark, tuna or marlin fishing. There are lots of boats to charter that will take you offshore to find the bigger fish. It doesn’t need a lot of skill, just plenty of strength and a large rod. Make sure you pick a knowledgeable charter.

● Whale watching. Humpback whales are a regular sight in the Caribbean as they migrate from North Atlantic feeding grounds. The best time of year to spot them is between January and March when they come to the warm waters to breed. Sperm whales are resident all year round and you are bound to see pods of dolphins.

● And there is so much more to do. Hike through the cloud forest in Puerto Rico up the Mount Britton trail, zip wire in St Lucia, paint in Jamaica or take the train in St Kitts following the sugar cane route from plantations to factory.

WHAT TO TAKE

● Suntan lotion – obviously

● A lightweight waterproof for the sudden downpours

● Sun hat with a floppy brim

● Don’t take any camouflage clothing – some of the countries prohibit civilians from wearing it

BOOK OF THE MONTH

● The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. This is the last major work of fiction to be published in Hemingway’s lifetime in 1951. Awarded the Pullitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953, it was cited by the Nobel Committee as contributing towards the Nobel Prize for Literature that Hemingway won in 1954.

USEFUL WEBSITES INCLUDING LOCAL TRAVEL AGENTS

● www.stkittsscenicrailway.com

● www.beachesresorts.co.uk

● www.gotopuertorico.com

● www.caribbeantravel.com

● www.stamfordindependenttravel.co.uk

● www.more-travel.co.uk

● www.oundletravel.co.uk

WIN A pair of HenryBLAKE The Wanderer sunglasses worth £55

Perfect for a Caribbean getaway or for keeping the glare out of your eyes while supping glühwein on the slopes this winter. We’ve got two pairs to give away. Simply head to www.theactivemag.com/ competitions to enter. Our standard terms and conditions apply and are available to view at www.theactivemag.com.

VALUATIONS

Please call 01858 410414 or email sales@gildings.co.uk to make an appointment for your free sale valuation. Gildings also run a Valuation Roadshow throughout Leicestershire. Please see gildings.co.uk/roadshow for venues & dates.

There is always more to discover at Gildings Auctioneers

SALES & VIEWING

Please check the website gildings.co.uk for current forthcoming sale dates. Viewing times for sales are also published on the website. They are usually Saturday morning prior to sale, 9am–4pm on Monday and first thing on the day of the sale.

BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE!

Jess Lamb keeps us up to date with the 321 Challenge

Christmas time... mistletoe and wine... lots of wine... It’s undoubtedly the most wonderful time of year, but not necessarily optimum conditions for getting motivated for long runs in sub-zero temperatures.

Dark, cold winter evenings are really made for open fires and a glass of red, rather than freezing one’s fingers off doing hill sprints and

short fast runs around town. And, of course, there are all the times you just have to catch up with friends for Christmas drinks, as well as all the extra shopping and gift wrapping. Alex also had the extra work and added pressure of opening a new bar, Twelve All Saints this month. So fitting a run in can be tricky, and very easy to put to the bottom of the list.

However, rather surprisingly for all of us, it’s not been too difficult to drag ourselves outside; we’re really starting to increase the mileage now and I think James and I in particular are surprising ourselves each time we run.

To be honest December wasn’t the most productive month in terms of getting miles under the belt, but we’re all injury free, a bit fitter than before and ready to leap into 2017!

Alex, as the voice of experience, continues to appear completely unconcerned about having to run three marathons in three months and is making James and me both look like complete amateurs. One Sunday morning run in particular springs to mind.

Alex managed to text, deal with work emails and run backwards encouraging us, most of the way – all in a leisurely manner – whilst James and I sweated along for 17 painful, cold kilometres.

April 2 and the Rome Marathon does still feel like a long way away though, so we’ve made sure to plan a couple of milestones between

ICELANDIC CHALLENGE

Meet two nurses, Sylvia Reid and Catherine Cole, who both work at Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough.

Both of a ‘certain age’ they have set themselves the challenge to spend five days camping and trekking across the lava fields of Iceland in August. By doing so they hope to raise thousands of pounds for the Sue Ryder charity that runs Thorpe Hall. They will also be joined by their friend, fellow nurse Alison Chisnall.

The Iceland Lava Trek will incorporate steaming lava fields, exciting waterfalls, fjords and geysers finishing with a visit to the famous Blue Lagoon.

Sylvia is a senior nurse at the hospice who will be celebrating her 60th this year and wanted to do something memorable to mark the occasion. From Deeping St James, this trek will be her first.

“I’m not fit so this is way out of my comfort zone,” she told us. She has now joined a gym and working hard to get herself ‘match ready.’

Catherine, from Stamford, is a keen yoga fan. “I’ve always wanted to go to Iceland and have done quite a bit of walking but this is different enough to make it a challenge for me.”

As nurses they are both on their feet all day and can notch up six miles a day on a busy shift.

Alison is no stranger to challenges and 10 years ago tackled a 100-mile walk across Africa. All three ladies are very keen to raise money to support Thorpe Hall. As Alison says ‘Thorpe Hall isn’t fully funded and has to raise the money to do what it does’. This is where these ladies come in.

Over the next few months we will be following their progress in

January and April to maintain focus. The first will be the big 18 to 20-mile run in late February, the longest distance we’ll do before Rome. Science (and Google) tells us that ‘the long run’ is necessary to get the body used to the fatigue we will experience about 20 miles in, aka ‘hitting the wall’, so I’m sure that day is going to be an absolute pleasure for everyone.

The second target will be the Bath Half on March 12. As our last long training run it’ll be an opportunity to experience a race day environment and make sure our competitive sides are all in full gear. It will also give us some idea of what we are letting ourselves in for, albeit over the shorter distance of a halfmarathon.

Hopefully by now you’re feeling like we’re working hard enough for you to want to start donating to the 321 Challenge via our Virgin Money Giving Page, which can be found at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ team/321marathonchallenge.

As much fun as we hope the experience will be, our main aim is to raise enough to make a real difference to our chosen charities, The Pelargos Foundation and Parkinson’s UK, so your support is gratefully received.

The final, and perhaps most exciting piece of news we have is a date for your diaries – keep Saturday, February 25 free for the 321 Marathon Challenge Charity Ball! More details to follow...

their aim to get ready for the challenge. It will be cold at night so they will need to think about the gear they will take as well as

getting a good pair of boots! www.charitychallenge.com/ expedition/2553/Sue-RyderIcelandic-Lava-Trek

A day in the life of NYINGPO

BUDDHIST NUN

Icame across Buddhism in 1994 when I had just finished university and was living in Brighton. A friend of mine wanted to learn how to meditate and he took me along to some classes. At first I was somewhat cynical, but something kept me coming back. I had thought I was quite a calm person but when I started to meditate I realised I had quite a few issues like easily getting angry, being stressed and worrying about things. I started to practise meditation and to use it in my daily life. It made a big difference and gave me a sense of purpose as I wanted to do something meaningful in my life and help people.

Quite soon after I started meditation I knew I wanted to explore it more so I began to study Buddhism and moved into the local Buddhist centre. A year later I decided I wanted to become a nun. I’ve taken certain vows like promising not to kill, steal, lie or take intoxicants and I’ve taken a vow of celibacy. I’ve been holding these vows for 20 years and it means my life is simple and straightforward. So, for example, every morning I know what I’m going to wear. My life doesn’t feel complicated which means I can put all of my energy into practising meditation and teaching people.

Daily meditations

Buddhism is a way of life. It’s a practical application of Buddhist teachings like meditation and mindfulness to help people solve their day to day problems, create a more positive future and benefit those around us. By practising meditation regularly our journey through life becomes more manageable and meaningful.

There’s been interest in meditation for decades but recently the emphasis has changed. When I was new to it, anger management and dealing with stress were very popular, but these days there’s a real trend towards mindfulness. It’s a technique we learn to make our meditation stronger and enables us to hold on to positive and peaceful states of mind. So often our heads are full of mental chatter and distracting thoughts that prevent peace and clarity.

Our lives are full of distractions – at the moment we’re all attached to our phones and constantly check them. People are starting to realise that sometimes we really need to take a mental break and this is possible even in our busy modern society. There’s a lot more understanding of the connection between the mind and body and it’s not enough just to be physically healthy and active. If you’re carrying around a lot of inner tension it can have a huge impact on mental and physical wellbeing.

Meditation is not a quick fix – you need to practise regularly. One practice anyone can do is to apply the Buddhist meditation teaching on patience whilst driving because it’s so easy to get irritated if a journey isn’t going to plan. If I’m stuck in this situation I can either decide to do something about it like take an alternative route or consciously decide there’s nothing I can do so I don’t allow that external situation to create inner problems for myself.

I live at the Drolma Buddhist Centre in Peterborough and teach there and in Oundle, Spalding, Ely, March and Wisbech. I hold a regular Thursday lunchtime class at the Stamford Arts Centre and I’m also doing two half-day events in January and February – ‘detox your mind’ and ‘positivity boost’. Our classes are open to anyone including beginners and as a refresher course to people who have been meditating for some time. Sometimes I’m invited to schools and it’s nice for kids to meet a real live nun when they’re learning about Buddhism! Soon we’re going to run meditation and mindfulness courses in local companies which will benefit people directly in the workplace. Even if only a few people come along and as a result become calmer at work this can have a positive impact on everyone else.

‘We really need to take a mental break and this is possible even in our busy modern society’

There are roughly 600 Buddhist nuns and monks worldwide following the Kadampa tradition and we often meet up at our main centre in the Lake District. A couple of times a year we run international events with up to 4,000 people attending from all over the world. It’s great to spend time together with people with a shared interest in creating a peaceful world and helping others.

I love to cook and at the festivals I help with the catering. As Buddhists we try to see opportunities to practise everywhere and for me this is a test to see if I can keep my cool in a stressful environment, cooking for 2,000 people. It’s one of the most inspiring parts of my year, working with volunteers from around the globe and making people happy by giving them tasty, nutritious food. I see it as an act of service, and it’s about focusing on others rather than on myself.

For more information call 01733 755444 or visit www.drolmacentre.org.uk

A FITNESS PLAN FOR YOUR FINANCES

Be certain of your goals and then plan to succeed, says Bryant Wealth Management’s William G Bryant

After over-indulging and over-spending this festive period, now is the time to plan for a healthier and wealthier you in 2017.

Starting a new fitness plan is one of the best things you can do for your health and creating and following a financial plan is one of the best things you can do for your wealth.

Benefits from physical activity include reducing your risk of chronic disease, improving your balance and co-ordination, helping you lose weight, sleep better and improving your self-esteem. What’s not to like?

So how should you go about setting yourself a goal and sticking to it? According to a 2015 Comres poll nearly a quarter of adults will make a new year’s resolution with about half of those managing to keep it. The most popular resolutions for 2016 were to exercise more and lose weight. How can you make sure you are in the group which manages to keep a new year’s resolution? Make a plan.

The main reasons given by those who failed to keep their resolutions in the past were lack of commitment and loss of motivation. Making an effective and easy to follow plan is a great way

to combat both of these. As Benjamin Franklin once said: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!” Take, for example, training for a marathon. It doesn’t matter if you are Mo Farah or the back end of a pantomime horse, this is a major undertaking. To take on this challenge without following a training plan would be unwise to say the least, yet people do. Likewise saving for your retirement in an unplanned manner or worse still not saving at all, could well leave you in financial pain short of the finishing line.

So what should go in to making an effective fitness plan? The Mayo Clinic gives us some guidelines. You should first consider your goals, understanding what you want to achieve will determine the steps you need to take to get there. Next, create a balanced routine. The NHS guideline for an adult aged between 19 and 64 years old is 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week in addition to strength exercises on two or more days that work all the major muscle groups. A good plan should start off easily and slowly build up in intensity.

It helps if you can build activity into your

daily routine and remember variety is the spice of life, so try to keep your exercise plan varied. Rest days are crucial to your plan’s success and any good plan should be written down! Thankfully there are a variety of online resources to help, and for those wanting to go the extra mile, personal trainers can design a plan for you and help you execute it.

Similarly when thinking about your finances it is crucial to make and follow a plan. Many of the same principles that make a good fitness plan will go into making a good financial plan. A good financial planner will take you through the process.

The first stage is to identify your goals, priorities and objectives. Then, there will be an information gathering process after which the planner will assess your financial situation and propose a set of recommendations.

Perhaps the most important step is then to take action and implement those proposals. It is important to regularly review your plan as your personal circumstances and objectives change over time. A good plan will be resilient enough to cope and adapt with these changes of circumstance.

As the great Chinese philosopher Confucius may have said: “A man who does not plan long ahead will find trouble at his door.”

To receive a free guide covering wealth management, retirement planning or Inheritance Tax planning, produced by St. James’s Place Wealth Management, contact William Bryant on 01780 668117, email william.bryant@sjpp.co.uk or visit bryantwealthmanagement.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

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

■ Hosted by British Military Fitness, The Royal British Legion Major Series is being held in March. It’s going to be the ultimate fun and friendly mud run of 2017. It will be held in three locations, the nearest to us being Alcester in Warwickshire on March 11 or Leeds on March 18. The course challenges participants to tackle obstacles including a grenade range and an infamous slide. Covering 5 or 10km, 40 of the major’s troops will be on hand to help and encourage you. When you finish, covered in mud, there will be music, drinks and catering.

www.majorseries.com

■ Poze in Star Lane, Stamford has started its sale. There’s plenty of bargains to be had, including lingerie, sports wear and beach wear, so pop in and take a look. www.poze-lingerie.uk

■ Learn basic bush craft techniques to light a fire without using matches and then cook and eat some simple campfire recipes on January 21 at Ferry Meadows. The Campfire Cooking for Kids course runs from 10.30am-12pm and 1.30-3pm and costs £3. Booking is essential so email visitor. services@neneparktrust.org.uk

■ Bridget Jones is coming to Lyddington on February 3. Tickets are £5 and the film starts at 7.30pm. For further information contact Katherine Gregg on 01572 822296.

■ Don’t miss this year’s panto at Stamford Arts Centre – Snow White is running from January 6-9. www.stamfordartscentre.com

■ Meditation and Mindfulness: Detox your mind is a course being held on January 29 at Stamford Arts Centre. Run by Buddhist nun Gen Nyingpo, this half-day event is open to everyone. The course starts at 2.30pm and costs £15 per person. www.drolmacentre.org.uk

■ Katie Alice, the Stamfordbased designer of homeware and kitchenware, is offering 10% discount to readers of Active magazine. Just use the code ActiveMag when you make an online purchase. www.katie-alice.co.uk

FAST TEDDY

Local karter Teddy Wilson is climbing the global racing ladder, and now he’s looking to get a drive in single seat cars. By Amanda Stevenson

Photography: www.ksp-photo-agency.com

IN 2014, RUTLAND TEENAGER Teddy Wilson found himself gracing a stage before motorsport’s elite at the glittering Autosport Awards ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. There he received his trophy for winning the MSA British Cadet Karting Championship from Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton. It was a far cry from the local kart tracks where Teddy started out at eight years old with his Dad acting as his mechanic.

Teddy said: “My dad raced karts when he was young and introduced me to karting. First I had a Bambino kart that I practised in for fun, then I got a licence to race competitively. I started racing once a month at Kimbolton circuit in Cambridgeshire. My dad had a van and an awning and prepared the kart.

“I really enjoyed it and wanted to be more competitive so we joined a team and started doing national championships like Formula Kart Stars and Super One. This involved racing at weekends at circuits all over the UK.

“My results improved and I finished 15th in the British Cadet Championship in my first year. The next year I was fourth in the championship and, after a move to Fusion Motorsport at the end of the season, won the last round.

“Then the pressure was on as I knew I had a good chance of being 2014 British Cadet Karting Champion, following in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton, Paul Di Resta, Jenson Button and many other famous drivers with their name on this trophy.

“Winning this was my first major goal in racing and when I achieved it I knew that I wanted a career as a motor racing driver.”

Victory in this illustrious British championship certainly helped Teddy’s progression on to the European stage and for the past two years he has been racing across Europe in the highly competitive WSK and CIK-FIA championship series in the OK Junior (OKJ) category.

“Racing internationally took me to a whole

new level,” he added. “It’s been a rollercoaster but I’ve learnt an incredible amount as a driver and feel I have improved more as a result of the ups and downs.

“The teams are incredibly professional and the demands on the driver are greater. I’ve had to improve my feedback to the engineers and mechanics and my understanding of the equipment and the data. I haven’t always had the funding necessary to do the amount of testing or racing that my fellow competitors do. This has made it tough, but makes me more determined to succeed.”

In November, 15-year-old Teddy competed in his last OKJ race at Bahrain International Karting track in the shadow of the F1 circuit. There, he took part in the CIK-FIA Karting World Championship and had realistic hopes of a podium finish against 90 international competitors. It was only Teddy’s third time out with Energy Corse – an Italian kart manufacturer and team which had offered him a

factory drive. Consistent top three finishes in his heats and eighth in the pre-final left him in a good position to challenge for a podium. But his hopes were short-lived in the critical final race when two drivers preceding him on the grid collided with each other at the first corner, crashing into him and finishing his race. It was a frustrating conclusion to his two years in OKJ.

Despite the disappointment Teddy’s efforts have not all been in vain. As a result of his driving performance in Bahrain he received an invitation to test a Formula 4 car with Antonelli Motorsport at the Mugello circuit in Italy – 48 hours after returning home and to school he was back on a plane again and Mugello bound.

“To find myself going to Italy at such short notice was a big surprise and I was very excited to drive a real single seater car with gears for the first time, particularly at a difficult and famous circuit like Mugello,” he said. “I was nervous as it was a completely different experience to karts. With no corners below fourth gear and driving

at 140mph it was just an awesome experience. I rose to the challenge and have been invited back by the team and offered a test with another team who also saw me drive that day.”

As Teddy looks to the future, he is in discussion with Formula 4 teams and has the possibility of extending his karting with Energy in the KZ2 gearbox category. KZ2 is a recognised stepping stone for the transition from karts to cars and the route taken by many drivers including F1’s Max Verstappen.

Financing either route continues to be difficult and the move to F4 is a huge financial hurdle so Teddy is actively looking for an investor in support of his racing.

For the time being life is very much back to normal for Uppingham Community College pupil Teddy as he revises for his forthcoming GCSEs. Juggling racing, travelling and school work can be difficult, although Teddy is determined to succeed in both his studies and his racing. And then perhaps, one day, like

Lewis Hamilton it will be Teddy up on stage, an F1 star at the Autosport Awards, handing out trophies to a whole new generation of young karters.

WANT TO SPONSOR A FUTURE STAR?

“I believe I have the ability and determination to succeed as a professional racing driver, but crucially need the right backing to continue my career progression,” explains Teddy.

With support required for all aspects of Teddy’s racing, from equipment and travel expenses to driver training and fitness, any offers of sponsorship, funding or support would also be welcome.

Please email teddywilsonracing@gmail. com or call 07929 453481 for further information on Teddy, sponsorship and investment opportunities.

9:00am Start

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GETTING STARTED

Karting is not just a sport for budding young racing drivers; it really is a sport that all ages can enjoy.

The Rutland and Stamford area is particularly well catered for locally, with a variety of tracks from international standard outdoor circuits to indoor facilities.Activities on offer range from clubs for children to ‘arrive and drive’, race experiences and even party packages for young and old.

And karting isn’t just for boys! Girls – like teenage Spanish driver Marta Garcia who has had considerable success karting internationally – can regularly be found lining up on the grid alongside the boys at race meetings.

If you’re bitten by the karting bug and want to get more serious, there are many different classes and categories to choose from:

• Age six to eight children can get in a Bambino kart and race. OK, so they are racing against the clock, but these time trial competitions are a great way to get started in competitive racing and there’s even an MSA Championship up for grabs!

• Cadets is the next step up. It caters for 8-13-year olds although weight is a factor with some youngsters moving up to certain junior categories before reaching the upper age limit.There are local club

races and national championships at this level for two different types of Cadet class – the 160cc 4-stroke Honda or 60cc 2-stroke IAME.

• For karters aged 11-17 there are multiple junior categories on offer while senior classes cater for age 16 upwards, as do the Gearbox categories.

In addition to your kart and equipment you’ll need an approved helmet, protective clothing, gloves and boots. A rib protector is also recommended.

The Association of British Kart Club’s ‘Start Karting’ brochure is a useful guide to this and more and can be downloaded via the UK Motor Sports Association (MSA) website www.msauk.org.

Spectating at a local kart track is a good way to find out more about karting. Chatting to competitors and those involved will give you a great insight. Here’s where you can check out karting around Rutland & Stamford:

• PFI near Grantham is the UK’s largest karting circuit with impressive facilities. It’s unique 1382m track includes a bridge with flyover and the circuit will host the CIK-FIA World Karting Championship in September. The venue hosts monthly club meets and arrive ‘n’ drive sessions from £20 per kart for 15 minutes. Call 01636 626747 or visit www.kartpfi.com.

• Next door to PFI is Fulbeck, Lincs – an MSA-registered circuit and home to Lincolnshire Kart Racing Club. It runs MSA and non-MSA racing events for teams and individual competitors. Call 0844 8000622 or visit www.lkrc.net.

• The Race Club UK at Corby is a multilevel indoor go kart track catering for junior and senior drivers. It features cork screw turns, hairpins, ‘Damon Hill’ and even a Monaco tunnel. Prices start at £15 for 10 minutes; there’s a Cadet Club and even a ‘dad & lads/lasses’ event. Call 01536 660515 or visit www.theraceclubuk.com.

• Ancaster Leisure Karting, Lincolnshire, has two side-by-side circuits that together can create a 1,200m race track. It offers arrive ‘n’ drive sessions and racing, suitable for children aged 7-plus (from £25 for two 10-min sessions) and for adults, plus owner/driver sessions. Call 01400 230306 or visit www.ancasterkarting.co.uk.

• Also in Lincs, Tattershall Karting Centre’s activities include karts for children 8-plus to adults with arrive ‘n’ drive (from £20 for 15-min), Mini Grand Prix and parties catered for. Call 01526 344566 or visit www.tattershallkartingcentre.co.uk.

For more information, visit the National Karting Association’s website at www.nationalkarting.co.uk.

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Summer Bodies Are Made In Winter!

euphoria: a feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness.

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IAN SHEPPARD

SPORTS REHABILITATION

Fibromyalgia I often get asked from time to time about health issues which people have been diagnosed with from the healthcare establishment, most of the time my reply is, if they don’t understand what’s wrong with you or you have a few of the following symptoms, they simply place a label on the individuals as they can’t identify what the source of the issue is related to.

When I work with clients, I normally check painful areas, nutritional and chemical, so I have a better understanding what’s happening within the body. In most cases, I see people on different supplements and medications for stress, fibromyalgia, arthritis, bad backs etc.

When people are diagnosed with these conditions, no one ever seems to look into client’s nutritional or lifestyle habits or which chemicals they are consuming daily. This never surprises me at all; the same process has been in place for last 30 plus years, which is never to check the client’s lifestyle, as this is where most of the answers will be hiding.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition with widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points. The pain associated with fibromyalgia is described as a constant dull ache, typically arising from muscles.

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Most people will suffer from sleep disorder that prevents them from getting deep, restful, restorative sleep.

Additional symptoms include but are not limited to: irritable bowel and bladder (IBS), headaches and migraines, restless legs syndrome, impaired memory and concentration, skin sensitivities and rashes, dry eyes and mouth, anxiety, depression, ringing in the ears, dizziness, vision problems. The most common factors are poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, poor physical fitness, and chemical overload.

With every long term health problem from poor digestive health, stress, painful and swollen joints, loose stools and skin problems, it’s your body’s way of telling you, the life you are living isn’t doing your health any good. Your lifestyle requires change, if you are unwilling to give up certain foods which are not working for the cells of your body, or give up the nice smelling perfume which is causing your hormones to underperform or that nice smelling fabric conditioner which causes joint pain and creates muscle weakness. Then maybe we are happy living this life.

Sometimes we have no cure but we can always make improvements on managing and reducing the pain or health problems. We all have a choice in life and only you can make the change.

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The unique ‘joys’ of a cricket tour to India

Martin Johnson recalls following the England cricket team on tour

The England cricket team fulfilled all the predictions of doom and gloom on their winter tour to India, but at least they made it home for Christmas. Unlike 1981, when team captain Keith Fletcher, having just been served a plate of curry for his Christmas lunch in Delhi, asked the waiter if they had anything a “bit more Christmasy?” Whereupon his mutton vindaloo was whisked away to the kitchen and back it came with a sprig of holly on top.

In those days hotels had neither culinary variety nor comfort, and if you ever saw a sign saying ‘pets welcome’, it meant you were almost certain to be sharing a room with a rodent of the non-cuddly variety. These days, though, air conditioning, luxury bathrooms and a choice of about half a dozen restaurants are pretty much standard.

And as for the traditional explosion when European plumbing meets sub-continental gastronomy, the food is now so safe that the biggest risk of incontinence is to take a flight with Indian Airlines. If you weren’t religious before boarding, you’ll certainly have found God by the time you land. However, a five-Test tour of India remains the toughest cricketing assignment of all, both off the field and on it.

The post-mortem into the defeat was the usual one of India’s batsmen playing England’s spinners better than England’s batsmen played India’s spinners, which was mostly the result of superior footwork. And if you’ve ever attempted to cross a road in India, you will understand why the Indian batsmen are so nimble on their feet.

To get to the other side in one piece without being catapulted on to the pavement by a tuk-tuk taxi or a sacred cow, is every bit as fine an achievement as scoring a Test match century on a pitch which is more or less identical to the main road. Ninety per cent dust, and littered with potholes.

The great shame about England’s recent tour is that the price for getting home in time for Christmas was to cram the five Tests into a ludicrous period of seven weeks. Which meant that the time not actually playing would have been spent practising and travelling, resulting in the players seeing hardly anything of a unique country.

They certainly wouldn’t have spent much time, if any, pursuing the cricketer’s normal rest day activity of a round of golf. Shame. Golf in India is a test of character like nowhere else, not so much because of the difficulty of the courses, but rather because it’s a tough job sustaining a cordial relationship with your caddie over the course of three to four hours. They perform the caddie’s primary function of carrying your bag with admirable efficiency, but the

other aspect of the caddie’s role, geeing up their man and fuelling his self-esteem, they’re not so good at.

Should you, for example, slice your tee shot into the kind of terrain liable to be concealing tigers and cobras, your man will shake his head and exclaim: “Very bad shot sir!” Should you leave a 10foot putt short, you will hear: “Not hard enough sir!” And should your game fall apart under this kind of psychological battering, your caddie will smile and say: “You are a terrible player, sir. Terrible.”

If you’ve spent any time at all in India, nothing that takes place in one of its hotels will come as a surprise. I did come close, though, while sharing a pot of tea with a colleague in his hotel room in Jaipur. There was a knock at the door, followed by two men entering the room and proceeding, without so much as a by your leave, to remove the fridge that was attached to the wall.

“What are you doing?” enquired my friend.

“Taking fridge, sir,” came the reply.

“I can see that but why?”

“Fridge no good sir”.

“It works perfectly.”

“No sir. No good. Take fridge.”

And off they went with it. Almost certainly because there were not enough fridges for every room and someone had complained that they hadn’t got one.

If these little quirks don’t go some way towards explaining that sudden England batting collapse, then allow me to suggest that the most difficult part of touring India is something you really can’t avoid. Namely, breathing. I was lucky enough not to be anywhere near Chernobyl when the reactor melted, but sticking your head out of a Mumbai hotel window and inhaling deeply will leave you, in about two seconds flat, with the lungs of a lifetime 60-a-day smoker.

However, there is one thing about this winter’s tour that will stand the England players in good stead when it comes to this summer’s Test match programme against the West Indies and South Africa. On the assumption that a player has at some time had to a) order room service, b) queue for a train ticket, c) cash a travellers’ cheque, or d) ask to be connected for an overseas phone call, he will now either be in a secure establishment being fed with plastic cutlery, or else he’ll have acquired so much patience that Test cricket will seem a doddle.

 Martin Johnson has been a sports journalist and author since 1973, writing for the Leicester Mercury, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Times. He currently writes columns for The Rugby Paper and The Cricket Paper, and has a book out called ‘Can I Carry Your Bags?’.

THE 12 MONTHS

We’ve all made those New Year promises to do something new, or get fitter and healthier. Well, here are a dozen ideas to put it into action. Perhaps try one a month in 2017…

OF FITNESS

1. KEEP MOVING

It seems simple, but so often we tend to just not move enough. So a simple thing to consider year-round would be to keep moving. The body likes and needs movement, even if you have a desk job: make sure you have an active break from sitting every 30 minutes to prevent degeneration of cartilage which can lead to arthritis. Aim for around 150 minutes of exercise each week, even if this is just taking a walk. Nutrition, carefully planned training and rest can help to avoid injury, but there is always that potential. If you have issues visit MBST in Stamford at Cell Regeneration. www.mbst-therapy.co.uk

2. TRY ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture forms a part of traditional Chinese medicine where the basis of diagnosis and treatment is that the mind and body should be in perfect balance. This ancient system of healing has developed over 2,500 years and is a gentle and effective treatment that focuses on helping the whole person, aiming to improve their entire health and well-being. Today it is widely used and accepted all over the world and 25% of the world’s population have acupuncture on a regular basis.

Acupuncture is also considered suitable for people of all ages and can be very effective even when integrated with conventional medicine. The treatment is widely considered to be beneficial for a range of symptoms resulting from illness, from clearly defined complaints or to improve general feelings of wellbeing and help with relaxation.

Acupuncturist Duncan Ford says: “If you are

having acupuncture, make sure they are a full member of the British Acupuncture Council. BAcC acupuncturists have degree level qualifications and adhere to codes of safe practice and professional conduct in order to be registered and insured by the council.”

Call Duncan about acupuncture and what it can do for you on 07714 575720, or drop into the The Broad Street Practice in Stamford.

3. STRETCH MORE

Recovery, the period after exercise, is a vital element of getting fit. This is when your body has the time to repair microscopic damage to the muscles and makes them stronger in response to the stress of exercise.

Massage therapist Keith Read says: “Stretching after exercise reduces muscle soreness and speeds up recovery time too. A regular massage also helps with those stiff aching muscles. Getting fit with friends can be

more fun and increase motivation. Doing this in organised sessions, with a qualified instructor, will make sure you get the most from your exercise with a lower risk of injury.”

Sessions take place from the main car park in Bourne Woods on Fridays at 10.30am. They involve a short warm-up run followed by drills over a short distance designed to improve running style and fitness. Followed by a short cool down run and stretching. Each session lasts about an hour and are suitable for all abilities.

Visit www.handson-massage.co.uk for more information, or call Keith on 07904 051873.

4. REDUCE CHEMICALS AND SUGAR

Exercise is very important to keep fit and healthy, but it only counts for 20% for staying in shape. The other 80% comes from nutrition and lifestyle changes, says rehabilitation expert Ian Shepherd.

He says: “Try reducing your exposure to chemicals such as perfume and household chemicals. These cause problems from headaches, food intolerances and raise the levels of oestrogen, causing hormone issues.

“Eat more digestible foods such as potatoes, ripe fruits and dairy and avoid foods which are hard to break down by the stomach – nuts, seeds, grain, etc. These are indigestible for humans, feeding the growth of bacteria, promoting intestinal distress and cause weight gain.

“Restricting sugar is a massive buzzword the fitness industry likes to use, saying it causes cancer and makes you fat, natural sugar in fruits and raw cane sugar offer benefits when combined with proteins and fats.”

5. MEET NEW PEOPLE

“Exercise kicks the happy endorphins in your brain into action which gives you that feel-good buzzing feeling. Many friendships have been made at my aerobics classes, which also helps with well-being and makes the classes more enjoyable and fun,” says Sarah Markwell-Cook or Ryhallite Fitness.

“Changing the routine and music every six weeks keeps the exercises fresh, making it suitable for all ages and fitness levels and, most importantly, making exercise fun is paramount.” Call Sarah on 07496 456306

6. DANCE MORE

Perhaps inspired by the atmosphere of the Rio Olympics, 2016 has seen the continued popularity of Zumba. With its upbeat, carnivalinspired dance fitness routines, Zumba is all about having fun with friends while shaking what your mama gave you.

And 2017 is likely to see the funky fun factor of Zumba staying high on our list of fit faves with further emphasis on exercising whilst having so good a time you don’t even realise you’re working out. In fact expect to see all kinds of dance based classes cropping up next year; from the graceful, toning, posture pleasing ballet workouts of Barre Core, through to Strictly Come Dancing classes that teach you the classic styles of ballroom, waltz and foxtrot while also super cha-cha-charging your workout.

7. MAKE SOME FITNESS AND FOOD CHANGES

“Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables will help boost your immune system and following a high protein nutrition plan with complex carbohydrates will help you beat that bloated feeling and fatigue,” says Fit2Fab’s fitness instructor and personal trainer Louise Sheehan.“Interval training and weight training is great for weight loss, toning up and increasing your fitness levels. Try not to have more than two days off in a row before exercising again.

“And make it realistic – make short-term and long-term realistic goals. Try to stay motivated and believe in yourself.

“For the winter blues, incorporate more high energy workouts to beat those winter blues. High energy workouts increase your adrenaline and will release those ‘feel-good’ hormones which will make you feel better and more energised. Try getting outdoors as well, even if the weather is miserable, fresh air and natural light will boost your energy, lift your mood and increase your vitamin D levels.”

8. BUILD MUSCLE THROUGH SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING

Building muscle is important as it increases your metabolism, as muscles use more energy than fat. It is also essential to cut down on calorie intake, but that doesn’t mean you have to cut out the treats all together though. Taking up a new sport such as skiing or snowboarding is

perfect as it works muscles you didn’t even know you had, plus it is great fun for friends and family. At Tallington Lakes, you can get expert tuition from their instructors. Call 01778 381154, follow them on www.facebook. com/tallingtonlakes or email sales@ tallingtonlakesproshop.com

9. BE STREET SMART

From Parkour to pull-up bars, the ‘street-style’ outdoor fitness trend is springing up in parks and gyms. More local parks are incorporating training equipment, and more gyms are adopting rugged ninja warrior-style workouts. Triangle pull-up bar and horizontal bars give you the perfect chance to get creative with your workout while outdoors, while there are now obstacle classes and personal training for those wanting a more rugged approach to fitness.

10 GET BODYPUMPED

Bodypump is for anyone looking to get lean, toned and fit – fast. Using light to moderate weights with lots of repetition, Bodypump gives a total body workout and will burn up to 540 calories per session. Instructors will coach participants through the scientifically proven moves and techniques pumping out encouragement, motivation and great music –helping them achieve much more than in a standard class.

Westside Health and Fitness Club is launching a new partnership with fitness class provider Les Mills. The classes, which are being launched in January, will complement an already varied programme of group fitness

activities and give a new and exciting addition to what is offered at Westside. Members and non-members can take part in the classes, with non-members attending on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Visit www.westsideclub.co.uk or call 01780 480651.

11 LOW IS THE NEW HIGH

After a few years of high-intensity everything, it could be time to shift back towards understanding the role of low-intensity steady-state training (LISS) in promoting weight loss and overall fitness. HIIT (high intensity interval training) works, but too much can cause over-use injuries. Plus, resarch demonstrates that HIIT can cause a negative experience and emotional responses, which could be used as a reason for quitting an exercise program. Trainers that know how to utilise LISS can give their clients long-term programming solutions that help promote adherence to regular physical activity.

12 TAKE UP A SPORT – ANY SPORT

There are thousands of clubs in our area, offering every activity you can think of. Why not give any of them a go – even once? You never know what might get you hooked!

Set your workout free this winter. There are few things better for the body and mind than pushing your limits in the great outdoors. Discover the latest multi-activity kit in store, or find more colours and more choice online to click and collect at your local store.

PETERBOROUGH GARDEN PARK, EYE, PETERBOROUGH, PE1 4YZ

ACTIVE BODY

GET CAR FIT, HOW TO USE SPORT TAPE FOR BETTER MUSCULAR CONTROL, AND THE SUPERFOODS TO TRY THIS YEAR

Edited by Mary Bremner

KEEP FIT IN THE CAR

Do you spend a significant portion of your life in the car? Here are some helpful tips for keeping active behind the wheel by Steven Berkman of Boost Physio

The daily commute, school run and ferrying children to and from extracurricular activities after school and at weekends can mean hours spent in the car.

Not only can it play havoc with your back, neck and overall health, it can also be extremely stressful and impact your emotional as well as physical well being.

It is not uncommon to experience a range of musculoskeletal problems from spending too much time in the driver’s seat, that over time can build up into serious health issues.

Steven Berkman says: “When we are stuck in a car for a long time, negotiating traffic, worried about getting the kids to school on time, the stress can build up and it can have a negative impact on our bodies. The back and neck pain we experience when driving is often caused because tension is making us clench muscles in our necks and jaws.

“Often, many of us are not sitting correctly in the car seat, putting unnecessary additional pressure on our bodies. There are lots of things we can do to relieve the physical and mental stress of the dreaded school run.”

“Small, smart daily exercises can help keep you out of pain and relaxed. The school run workout is easy and will keep your stress levels down and combat the physical stress on your back and neck caused by sitting too long with your muscles tensed up”, he continues.

Traffic

jam neck roll

Sitting in traffic is stressful, the clock is ticking and the atmosphere in the car can get very tense. Try these quick exercises to relieve tension, if the children are in the car, teach them how to do these exercises too and you can make a game of it.

1 Safety first: Put the handbrake on and keep an eye on the traffic ahead.

2 Shrug your shoulders up and down and roll them forward and back to relieve tension

3 Slowly tilt towards your right ear to your right shoulder, hold 5-10sec. Repeat to the left.

4 Place your chin towards your chest and hold 5-10sec.

5 Look straight ahead and turn your head to the right, hold 5sec and repeat to the left.

Stationary leg stretch

When stuck at long traffic lights, put the handbrake on, take your feet off the pedals and put your feet flat on the floor. Lift up on to your toes in a pumping up and down motion to work your calf muscles and give your circulation a boost.

Upper arms and chest stretch

Interlock fingers and turn palms outwards, straightening your elbow and stretch up towards the ceiling of the car, hold 5-10 sec.

Good driving position

It’s worth taking some time to make sure you are sitting properly. Our seat position and the actual seat might be wrong, putting strain on our backs and the sheer amount of time sitting is not good for us. Getting your set position right is key. Small adjustments in height, distance from steering wheel, height of steering wheel and angle of the head rest can make a huge difference. A good driving position will reduce stress and make the journey more comfortable.

Knees - both knees should be slightly bent and the left knee should still be bent when depressing the clutch

Back and shoulders should rest firmly against the seat. Adjust the angle of the back rest so it provides continuous support along the length of the back to shoulder height and avoid reclining the seat too far back.

Elbows should be bent at 30 to 40 degrees.

Head position should be about 2.5 to 3cm away from the restraint

Take a break between trips

If you can, don’t just drop the kids off and dash off. Leave home five to 10 minutes earlier, park a little bit away from school and walk the rest of the way and once the children are safely deposited at school go for a 20-minute walk before you get back in the car and get on with your day.

Of course, this is not always possible, but ideally, if you can find some time before you get back on the road and back into the school run traffic it can make a difference to your mental and physical health. If you haven’t got time for a walk get out the car anyway and do some stretches and if you can’t leave the car turn off the engine and do the in-car exercises.

TALE OF THE TAPE

Many sportsmen and women have found Kinesio Tape provides huge benefits. Function Jigsaw’s Tom Heeley explains what it does

WHAT IS IT?

Many of you have probably seen some sportsmen and women wearing brightly coloured tape in weird and wonderful patterns when running round a track or hitting a ball, but what does it do?

The tape was designed in 1979 in Japan by Dr Kenzo Kase. Dr Kase was a chiropractor who soon realised that, although his work was effective, it was mainly short-term. He needed something that would help the effects of his treatments to be more prolonged after the patient walks out of the door.

Kinesio Tape can be applied in hundreds of ways and has the ability to re-educate the neuro-muscular system, reduce inflammation, prevent injury and promote good circulation and healing, and assist in returning the body to homeostasis.

In order to get the right taping for your needs, it is best to go and see an expert who can help come up with the ideal taping strategy for your issue.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

Kinesio Tape can be used for chronic pain through to cramps and postural stability.

On the back of the elastic tape there are wave-like patterns which act as fingerprints to lift the skin as well as offer feedback to the central nervous system.

Some of the great things about Kinesio Tape are:

1) The adhesive lasts for days.

2) The effects last for days.

3) You can play sport in it – except swimming.

4) Doesn’t come off in the shower.

5) Is not too restrictive.

HOW

DOES IT WORK?

Some ideas suggest that over time, the tape reminds the muscles of the correct posture the joint should be in. For swelling, with the wave-like pattern and elastic fibres, the tape lifts the skin and gives a

space between the dermis and the muscles for lymphatic drainage.

After a lateral ankle sprain or dead leg, Kinesio tape can help to elevate the skin and reduce recovery time by aiding in the drainage of swelling.

At Function Jigsaw, we use a brand called SportTape which can be bought from our online shop or at the clinic. It is simple to apply and SportTape have a great online instructional app to show you how to apply to your areas of needs.

For 20% off sales of SportTape through www.functionjigsaw.co.uk put the following voucher code in at the check-out: ACTIVEMAG20. Alternatively, quote the same code in our Wigston clinic for the same offer.

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

SUPERFOODS 2017

So what will be the must-have food this year? We cast our eye over some new healthy additions to the larder

AVOCADO OIL

Groundnut, rape and olive have all had their time, but the new superoil is avocado. It is packed with nutrients such as carotenoids, lutein and vitamin E that leaves the skin glowing, and also boasts high levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids, which reduces damaging levels of inflammation in the body and helps to protect against heart disease, dementia and stroke.

Similar in texture to olive oil, the bonus of avocado oil is that it can be used for cooking due to its high smoke point.

INULIN PREBIOTIC

Probiotics are live micro-organisms that when taken can help improve gut health, which is essential for overall health and vitality. But for probiotics to have an effect we need to create the right environment for the good gut bacteria to thrive.

Inulin is a fructan, which is indigestible by our body, but the good bacteria in our gut flora flourishes in its presence and makes it stick to the bowel wall.

Not only does it support probiotics, but

inulin also helps to improve absorption of minerals, and can also help satiate the appetite to aid in weight loss. You can buy it in powder form or find it in foods like chicory and Jerusalem artichokes.

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

Activated charcoal has been used for thousands of years to remove parasites and bacteria from the body, and 2017 will see it become the new superfood to add to juices and even skincare.

Acting like a trap, activated charcoal helps to rid toxins and chemicals within the body, by catching and eliminating them out of the system.

But you have to be careful because it can trap all the good stuff too, so it’s best taken half an hour before eating, and if you have IBS or Crohn’s Disease, you should avoid it too.

GELATIN

Grass-fed gelatin, not the artificial, sugarladen kind, is now being used in health foods and drinks for its gut-healing,

skin-boosting, nail-strengthening properties. Bone broth-based dessert jellies, healthy gut-healing gummies and gelatininfused smoothies and juices, are the ways to take it.

SACHA INCHI INCA NUT

This is an easily digestible nut that is rich in essential fatty acids, sure to push the humble almond off its superfood perch. The seeds are rich in protein, omega 9 and vitamin E and A and can be eaten whole or in the form of a superfood powder or oil.

Cole Nutrition offers a full dietary analysis to identify the requirements for each individual. Together, we look at current eating and lifestyle patterns or habits and identify possible changes in realistic and achievable terms. Whatever your lifestyle, Cole Nutrition will endeavour to find the perfect balance for a happy, healthy you.

If you would like to book a consultation or find out more about what we offer, contact Helen Cole on 07966 050 193, email colenutritionh@ gmail.com or visit www.colenutrition.co.uk.

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Introducing the new Liver Detox treatment £30have you over indulged over the last few months? Support your liver through detoxification with warm heat, castor oil and a relaxing 30 minute massage

Quote DETOX10 for 10% off your first treatment. TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT OR FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.LTDBEAUTY.CO.UK OR EMAIL HELLO@LTDBEAUTY.CO.UK

THE FINISHING TOUCHES

You’ve done all the hard work in the gym, playing sports and getting fit, so now is the time to reap the benefits and add the finishing touches…

Edited by Mary Bremner

GET AHEAD, GET A HAT

Hats, as well as being essential for winter, are also something of a fashion statement this year. What you are wearing on your head says a lot about you: do you want to stand out from the crowd, blend in or make a statement?

The myth about losing half your body heat through your head has been dispelled but there’s no denying freezing cold ears are not pleasant.

And if you’re follicly challenged a hat is essential. There’s a huge amount of choice out there. Men can’t go far wrong wearing a beanie. They fit snugly round the ears and keep your head really warm and can even be worn with a suit these days. They are also ideal as you can take them off and slip them in your pocket very easily. Or what about a tweed cap? Forget about looking too ‘country’; even David Beckham wears one these days. A trilby can look good on anyone, male or female – get a showerproof one and they are ideal for keeping the rain off your face.

Everyone is wearing a bobble hat this year. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours and look great on everyone whatever your age or sex. A practical hat that won’t blow off in the wind, pull it down over your ears and away you go. Brimmed hats are very on trend, particularly the classic wool felt man’s hat that looks equally as good on a woman. There’s something about a brimmed hat that adds style to any outfit. We could go on and on... fur hats, trapper hats, berets. You name it, they are out there - the choice is yours.

ION ACTIVE POWER TREATMENT FACIAL

The latest fashions to show off January is possibly the month when your skin is at its greyest, everyone seems to look their worst this month. You’ve not seen the sun for months and the effects of central heating and, possibly a lack of fresh air, are taking effect, so it’s an ideal month to have a facial.

Body Matters in Stamford has an expert dermalogica therapist, Kirsty, in situ which means she is trained to a high standard and can offer professional advice about your skin.

I had the IonActive Power Treatment facial. This facial combines thermal activity and the latest treatment room technology to optimize product penetration for rapid results. It’s an ideal treatment for ageing skin, uneven skin tones, acne and dehydration. Using a magnifying light the therapist is able to look at your skin in detail

to see what are the best products to use. What’s interesting about this facial is that a micro current bio therapeutic machine is used that helps with product penetration. It sounds much worse than it is as you only feel a slight buzz when it is used on your skin. I had a cooling geloid mask, you can choose from a warm one or cold one. Whilst this was working Kirsty gave me a neck and shoulder massage that eased my knotted muscles.

The overall effect is brightening. I looked like I’d had a good night’s sleep and the ‘laughter lines’ around my eyes were definitely smoother. This facial is recommended as part of a three- or six-part treatment.

Cost £55 for 45 minutes. Body Matters, Brownlow Street, Stamford. 01780 270002 www.bodymattersstamford.co.uk

LIVER DETOX

Let’s face it, we’ve all probably over-indulged during the last few weeks. I always feel that I’ve eaten too much rich food and drunk too much alcohol so a few weeks of simple food and water is called for in January. Laura from LTD Beauty has the answer. She’s offering a liver detox treatment which is ideal to start the month.

The liver has to work 24/7 to process everything in your body and signs that it needs some tlc are insomnia, dark circles under the eyes, tiredness and joint pain. This treatment helps kick-start liver detoxification.

Castor oil is applied on a cloth and then placed on the abdomen over the liver. A heat pack is placed on top for the next 30 minutes. It was fantastic lying there with the warmth permeating through my abdomen, I felt better immediately. And to help with the relaxation Laura gave me a therapeutic scalp massage which was fabulous and certainly ticked all the boxes.

Castor oil is high in ricinoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that has great healing properties. This

helps with the liver detoxification, increases lymphatic drainage and reduces inflammation so helping with bloating and constipation. It also helps boost circulation.

That all sounds very scientific. All I know is that a erwards I felt relaxed, less bloated, had much more energy – and had a perfect night’s sleep that night. Definitely a treatment to recommend.

Liver Detox Pack costs £35 for 30 minutes. www.ltdbeauty.co.uk. 07399 591343

ACTIVE LOCAL

WE HEAR THE LATEST ON THE LOCAL EQUESTRIAN SCENE, HEAD OUT TO OUNDLE AND ASHTON AND TRY OUT BA SHOH IN PETERBOROUGH

#RBS6Nations

Every fixture live from Saturday 4th February 2017. Our nibbles & jugs menu available throughout all games. The Cavendish room is available privately for groups up to 8.

Anti-Valentines

Tuesday 14th February, pre-book tables of 4 or more and receive a free bottle Prosecco, share the love with friends & family.

The Kitchen Garden – New for 2017

Amazing seasonal produce for our new menu. Pizza Potting Shed serving homemade fresh pizzas. Outdoor cinema for film lovers!

Ba Shoh, Peterborough

Matt and Will head to the city for a taste

Matt Wow, what a massive dining room. And there’s another room upstairs, so they must be able to cater for a lot of people at one time. Its location on Broadway means it couldn’t be more convenient for Peterborough city centre so I imagine it’s popular with local businesses too. Ba Shoh means king in Punjabi and according to the website the customer is always king in here. I’m not sure I feel like royalty but it’s certainly a more imposing setting than your average curry house.

Will It’s one grand room, with high ceilings, tall windows and a long bar at one end, so it needs a few people in to create an atmosphere. But thankfully the tables are filling up fast as we sit here and the atmosphere is picking up as we enjoy our poppadoms and pickles. Although I’m always wary not to go overboard on these tempting treats – after all, you don’t want to ruin your appetite for the main course, do you Matt?

Matt Sorry, what was that? I could barely hear you over the noise of poppadoms being crunched and munched. And I don’t know about you but I deliberately had a light lunch to

of authentic Indian cuisine

make sure I could enjoy them and the rest of the curry. Anyway, who are you kidding? As if you are going to ruin your appetite!

Will OK, I might have a sturdy frame but I have feelings too you know. Anyway, never mind your cutting personal comments, how about that malai chicken tikka starter (£4.95)? That is seriously tender, juicy and packed with beautifully blended spices. It must have been marinated for days to get that flavour, and then cooked at just the right temperature for exactly the right amount of time. Superb and worth the visit alone.

Matt I’m not arguing with that. And the Manchurian cauliflower (£4.50) might sound like the worst pub name since beer was invented, but it was also a bang-on starter, which worked very well in conjunction with the malai chicken. There’s not much doubt that the guys in the kitchen have a deep understanding of what they are doing. Arfan (the boss man) wasn’t joking when he said he’d send over a good mixture of meat and vegetable dishes and we wouldn’t be disappointed.

Will He certainly wasn’t and the main courses lived up to the starters too. The chicken and prawn dishes were both full of flavour but in no way overpowering in the chilli department. With a plain rice and a pilau rice to go with them they were a pleasure to eat. And because I didn’t ruin my appetite on the poppadoms I was able to enjoy the fresh naans so much that I had to order another serving! A pint of Cobra is always a good companion for a curry and tonight is no exception.

Matt That was some seriously tasty food and I love the earthenware-style pots they serve the curries in. They are a step up from the usual metal dishes often used in Indian restaurants and they really make it feel like a sub-continental feast, which is exactly what that was. Well worth a visit to Broadway.

Ba Shoh

42 Broadway, Peterborough, PE1 1RS. 01733 344144. www.bashoh.co.uk

TOP STAT

Ashton and Oundle

This walk makes the most of the River Nene and delivers a slice of town and country. By Will Hetherington Photography: Will Hetherington

Difficulty rating (out of five)

THE ROUTE

Park in the middle of Ashton village, just to the east of Oundle. You can park in Oundle and do the walk from there but I prefer to start and finish in a village if possible.

From Ashton take the footpath west from in front of the church and you will quickly come to the Polebrook Road. Cross the road with care here, because it’s a dangerous spot and turn right and then almost immediately left at the footpath sign. Proceed through the grounds of the old mill and keep heading west. You will soon reach the green metal bridge over the Nene. Once you have crossed the river turn left and start the two mile horseshoe around the inside bend of the Nene. Keeping the river on your immediate left it’s hard to go wrong and you will soon pass a lock

and you are very likely to see recreational narrow boats chugging peacefully along this attractive stretch of the river as it makes its way from Northampton to Peterborough. The path goes through a series of small pasture fields and your dogs will love every second if they are keen on the water. Eventually you almost turn back on yourself around the horseshoe and the path goes underneath the A605 as it by-passes Oundle.

From this point stay on the path for another half a kilometre with the river still on your left until the path branches off to the right. Take this branch and you will soon come to the bottom of the road which leads you straight into the heart of Oundle town centre. It’s a lovely old stone town, inevitably dominated by the famous school, but definitely worth stopping in for a drink or something to eat if you fancy.

By this point you have done the majority of the walk and the remainder is very simple. Once you are ready to return you need to find your way to Old School Avenue on the eastern edge of town. Near the bottom you will see the footpath sign leading off to the left. Follow the path, cross the

A605 and you will see the green metal bridge across the meadow. From here it’s 10 minutes back to Ashton where you can enjoy the Chequered Skipper if you fancy a rural pint…

©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2015 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 055/15

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Where to park

In the middle of Ashton village.

Distance and time

Four miles/an hour and a quarter.

Highlights

Ashton is a village that time seems to have forgotten. The Nene then dominates the first half of the walk before picturesque Oundle steals the show.

Lowlights

There isn’t much wrong with this walk but there are times when the river floods, so best to avoid a er prolonged heavy rain.

Refreshments

Take your pick in Oundle or the Chequered Skipper in Ashton.

Difficulty rating

Two paws; it’s mostly fl at and there are few stiles to worry about.

The pooch perspective

If your dog loves water then this is heaven for them. I didn’t see much livestock.

For your own safety and navigation make sure you have an OS map with you when you go out walking. You won’t regret it.

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Oakham hockey and netball squads win through to finals

Oakham School’s 1st VI has successfully qualified for the national indoor hockey finals, after placing as runners-up in an incredibly fierce regional tournament.

During the tournament, the team beat Malvern (11-0), Rugby, (6-0), Warwick (5-1), Worksop (4-0), and drew against Repton (2-2).

The final game of the competition saw Oakham face Repton for the second time, who were victorious in claiming the Midlands title.

However, in reaching the final, Oakham has successfully secured their place at the national finals at Whitgift School in January.

Elsewhere, both the U16 and U19 teams from Oakham School have reached the Regional Schools Netball Finals.

At the County U19 tournament, Oakham girls dominated the field of teams, beating Hinckley (14-0), Welbeck (14-5) and Wigston (24-1) with a draw against Loughborough High (5-5). They then battled hard and won their semi-final match against Queen Elizabeth School (9-2) to secure their place in the finals. After beating Ratcliffe 13-7, they were crowned county champions!

At the County U16 Netball tournament Oakham beat Robert Smythe (14-2), Kibworth (12-8), Uppingham (6-5) and Ashby (21-0) and then faced Loughborough High in the final. They finished as runners-up, (narrowly losing 10-9) but have won their place in the Regional Schools Netball Finals.

Catmose College pupils in action

College girls are the Year 10 Leicestershire School Games winners, beating Loughborough Grammar 17-3 at De Montfort University.

Although they were all extremely nervous they managed to secure the first two goals of the match, giving them the confidence they required to go on and win.

Elsewhere, the college’s Ryan Doyle (pictured) has won bronze at the National UK Gymnastics Championship in Judo. The year 9 pupil is now aiming for silver or gold next year to get into the England national squad.

Clockwise, from le Oakham’s team which has qualified for the national indoor hockey finals; the U16 team which finished as runners-up in the county netball tournament; and the U19 team which was crowned county netball champions

Invictus Games captain visit

Stamford Endowed Schools hosted the final Foundation Lecture of the term as David Wiseman, the UK’s 2016 Invictus Games captain, presented his talk ‘The Man in the Arena’.

David, an ex-Army officer who sustained a gunshot wound to the chest in Afghanistan, spoke of his fight through rehabilitation to climbing Everest and competing as captain of the UK’s 2016 Invictus Games team, all with the added effort of a bullet still residing in his chest.

Wiseman is currently promoting his memoir, ‘Helmand to the Himalayas’, which was published to acclaim in 2015 and details his journey from recovery to an expedition to Mount Everest in 2012 as part of the charity Walking with the Wounded.

In his latest step on the road to recovery, David played a key role as games co-ordinator for the inaugural Invictus Games in September 2014, as well as representing the United Kingdom as part of the swimming team, competing then in 2016 as captain of the UK’s Invictus Games team.

 Work has started on redeveloping Stamford

Junior School’s outdoor area so that it can become a ‘natural outdoor classroom’ for pupils.

The changes are being made possible thanks to the schools’ head of grounds, Robert Carder, and his grounds team. The site will include a wood store, a woodchip area, bird boxes and a circular ‘camp-fire’ style seating area constructed using fallen tree logs already present at the site. Additional features will include a path which will run across the area.

Roundup

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

Rugby Stamford edge cup match

BY JEREMY BESWICK

Highlight of the month for Stamford was winning a coveted place in the semi-final of the NLD Shield following a tremendous fight back against Sleaford. Despite a try late in the first half by town’s Ollie Winspear to keep them in touch, Sleaford had still led by 20-8 with little more than a quarter of the match remaining.

It was David Martin who started the fight back, beating three defenders to score from 35 yards and narrowing the gap to five points, but it wasn’t until the last play of the game that they pulled level through Jack Jones from the base of the scrum, giving Richard Thompson the chance to win the match with its last kick; his narrowly missed conversion attempt condemning both sides to extra time.

However, it seemed that Stamford now had both the momentum and stamina and so it proved, Martin scoring his second try of the match following good work from Nick McDowall five minutes into the extra 20. No further score was to follow for either side as Stamford kept their opponents in the middle third for the remaining quarter before captain Bruce Parker gleefully slogged the ball into touch to mark the end of the game.

Bourne, who recently had a points-fest against Gainsborough, winning 62-8, then faced table-topping Bedford-based Queens in what had looked to be a stern test, but an outstanding first-half performance (they led 29-7 at the break) proved to be enough as the second period became becalmed with no points registered for either side.

A narrow but creditable loss away to second placed Sileby followed. Despite Bourne being 13-0 up at one stage, Sileby eventually

prevailed to go top of the league following a second half that saw their forwards dominate.

Bourne president Simon Perkins said: “In contrast to the jubilant celebrations of Sileby who had moved to top of the league with the win, Bourne were disappointed by both the result and their performance,” and noted stoney-faced that “what appeared to be a lack of consistency in the ref’s decision (made us) clearly unsure how to approach the game”.

Captain Tom Dixon was more upbeat saying: “We recognise we’re developing and it says something that we were disappointed today; previously we might have thought that was a good result, but we know Sileby were there to be beaten and ultimately we didn’t perform. We’ve had four tough away games, winning one and losing each of the other three by less than 10 points – we’re really looking forward to these sides coming to us in the future.”

Oadby Wyggestonian’s visit to Oakham’s Showground would have looked like a tough fixture to the hosts, Wyggs being above them in the league table and “a bogey team in recent years,” according to director of rugby Andy Williamson

But it was Oaks who prevailed 29-26, a scoreline that somewhat flattered the visitors who had been losing by 29-14 with 10 minutes remaining before Oaks rather took their collective foot off the pedal.

However, it all looked rather different after a quarter of an hour as Wyggs raced into a 14-0 lead and it needed a try from second row Phil Gant to keep the gap to nine points by half-time. Despite losing Martyn Stimson to a yellow card early doors, a penalty from Callum Crellin and a rampaging try from

James Beanland soon gave Oaks a narrow lead. According to Williamson they “were now settling into their game and playing well” and Jamie Brett showed good strength to land their third try, Dan Ray then adding the fourth for the bonus point and bring the score to 29-14 before the aforementioned late period of rest and recreation saw Wyggs grab 12 consolations points late on.

Williamson added: “In the end a brilliant win over a very good Oadby side but Oakham know that to have promotion ambitions they cannot continually give their opponents a two-try start and hope to win games.”

Next up was a trip to Vipers which looked far easier on paper, the home side being adrift at the bottom of the table having only one draw to show for their endeavours this season. But it seemed Oakham hadn’t read the script, nor Williamson’s advice about giving teams a start, as they were soon 8-0 down and it was to take them a full 25 minutes to trouble the scorer; Johnno Milnes with the try, Callum Crellin then levelling matters with a penalty. A further penalty to each side brought the match almost level close to half-time but Sam Woods went over in the corner for Oaks at the last, the referee making Crellin’s conversion an easy one by deciding it was also worthy of a penalty try for a high tackle. 18-11 to Oakham at half-time.

After an early penalty to Vipers, Stee Vukinavanua extended their lead with a try by the uprights and lock Phil Gant, enjoying life in a new position on the wing, put things seemingly beyond doubt with another. Vipers did come back towards the end but didn’t quite do enough to prevent Oaks running out 31-19 winners.

Tigers Talk

Speaking before their humbling against Munster, Tigers’ director of rugby Richard Cockerill was in a positive mood following their run of five consecutive wins.

“We’re in a good place – a good position. The next five weeks will define our season,” he told me. It was all rather in contrast to his frame of mind following what can only be described as an embarrassing defeat in Ireland.

“Munster won every bit of the physical contest,” he acknowledged. It wasn’t to be a good week for East Midlands rugby, with Northampton also crushed by Leinster.

No doubt Ben Youngs will also be feeling somewhat deflated. A er being England’s best performer in the recent round of internationals and “in fantastic form and understandably full of the joys of life,” according to Cockers, the Munster match was billed as the contest to settle the question of whether he or Conor Murray should be the Lions’ scrum half. No contest so far.

The only good thing about that match was the return of Manu Tuilagi. Cockerill said: “We’ve been very patient with him because we think he’s a special player. His part of the deal is what he does away from the club and he’s done that very, very well”. They will need him to be on top form if they’re to progress from the pool.

Part of Ben Youngs’ improved form of late has been down to Eddie Jones’ insistence that he drop a couple of kilos in weight, although the player himself puts it down to Aaron Mauger’s coaching: “Mage has been great. He’s been very influential on the way I play.” Otherwise it’s a bit of a mystery to him. “I’m doing the same things I’ve always done,” he told me. “I can’t really put my finger on it but long may it continue.

“Being surrounded by great players is a help. I only have to worry about me, not anyone else, and the platform for my kicking is superb because of others. Plus, Jonny May is so quick he makes a poor kick into a decent one.”

Had Eddie Jones held a de-brief for the squad a er England’s last match?

“Yes, we talked about the last match on the Sunday a erwards,” said Youngs. “He’s very much ‘Well done lads but we need to improve’. It’s a constant strive to be better. On to the next thing and the balance is right between being right on it and having a bit of a laugh”. He’s also told the players they need to play well for their clubs to continue to get picked, which will be music to Cockers’ ears.

We touched on how the club manages the return of international players.

“The danger is there’s lots of highs – emotional stress that sometimes as a player you’re not aware of but it can have an effect on returning to the club game” he said. When they get back from four weeks away do they need a rest?

“We do have those conversations but our two are not like that. The club is every bit as important to them as England”.

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Football

Daniels’ FA Cup hangover

BY DEAN CORNISH

After reaching the FA Cup first round last month, many Stamford fans were looking forward to the Daniels ‘concentrating on the league’. That hasn’t materialised, with a mixed run of form that has seen them remain at the bottom of the Evo Stik Division One South table.

The first game after that famous Hartlepool cup tie saw Stamford easily overcome Loughborough Dynamo, a win that many Stamford fans thought would be the start of a great run of form. Sadly, the following week, Graham Drury’s men lost 3-2 to Leek Town. In true rollercoaster fashion though, the Daniels then managed a good 3-2 away win at Gresley FC, before scraping a draw at home against basement boys Carlton Town.

Into December, and it’s been very much the same old story with a superb 3-1 win over promotion hopefuls Newcastle Town being followed by back-to-back defeats against Lincoln United (1-0) and a terrible 3-0 reverse at Kidsgrove Athletic. That loss means Stamford are now 18th in the table.

Drury has threatened to get his famous black book of contacts out once again and make the ever-turning player’s turnstile at the Zeeco spin once again, and few will disagree that it’s needed. Stamford made a rumoured £60,000 from their FA Cup run, and many fans

will be keen for a part of it to be spent on a few extra players who can make the difference in front of goal.

Elsewhere, Oakham United have struggled recently with three straight defeats in the United Counties League Division One. The Tractor Boys recently lost manager Seb Hayes to Holbeach United, and coupled with a recent lack of availability, form has dropped.

Darren Edey is considering taking on the role of manager and if he does, he will need to improve form to get what was looking like a good season back on track. Oakham will probably still be happy with their position at the turn of the year after a great start to the campaign, but defeats to Wellingborough, Bugbrooke and a 6-1 hammering at Irchester have seen them drop out of the top six.

In the same division, Blackstones remain at the wrong end of the table, although a recent improvement has seen them rise slightly to fifth from bottom. Good home wins against table toppers Daventry and basement boys Burton Park have been sandwiched though by defeats away at Potton and Buckingham. .

In the Peterborough League, Ketton FC remain in the top six of the Premier Division, just 11 points off the top with a game in hand. Their recent league form hasn’t been great though, with a 5-2 home loss against Langtoft and a 4-4 home draw with Stanground

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coming either side of a 7-1 thrashing in the Cup by Moulton Horrox.

In the same division, Stamford Lions FC haven’t had much league action recently, their only game being a 3-3 draw away at Deeping Rangers Reserves. Things don’t get better sadly for Uppingham Town who look destined for relegation this season. As well as their issues in the league, Uppingham also recently were drubbed 8-0 in the Cup against Peterborough Sports Reserve side.

In Division One, the Stamford Bels are having a good season, although it’s unlikely that they’ll earn promotion back to the Premier Division. Some recent upheaval at the club has seen a few players leave, and things couldn’t have gone much worse when they lost 6-0 at home against Oundle Town. The Bels did win their next game against Spalding United Reserves, but I suspect they’ll do well to maintain their top half of the table position.

Finally, it would be wrong not to end this column with a small tribute to Jeremy Biggs who died on November 17. As a man who held various positions at Stamford AFC and also within the UCL league, there isn’t much that Jeremy didn’t know about local football. He was approachable, witty, good company, and a lovely man as well. It was quite wonderful to see so many local faces from the ‘football family’ at his funeral in December.

Equestrianism Fund-raising and hunting dominate the local scene

BY JULIA DUNGWORTH

Local rider Bruce Langley-Mckim has been doing a sterling job of raising money recently with the local Irish Draught stallion Cos Me Is Black.

You may remember that last month Bruce infamously rode the stallion sidesaddle at Great Gidding; well this month has taken him to Lloyds Bank in Corby to raise money for Children in Need collecting with a bucket. Thorpeley Stud has also donated a covering fee of the stallion and given away two sidesaddle lessons. The stud has helped to raise £2,541 for various charities over the last three weeks.

The late Hannah Francis has been awarded the Helen Rollason Award for inspiration at The Sunday Times Sports Women of the Year Awards.

Hannah ’s Willberry Wonderpony ‘kickingcancersbutt’ charity has been set up primarily to raise funds for bone cancer research and to grant equine wishes to the seriously ill.

Local equestrians Amy Gill and Andrew

Pridding saw Hannah riding at Tattersalls earlier this year and were so inspired by her story that they are helping to raise funds and awareness by running a Willberry Wonderpony Ball at Normanton Park Hotel on February 4.

Tickets cost £40 each and include a three-course dinner. If you would like tickets or would like to donate an auction prize don’t hesitate to contact Andrew on andrewgregpridding@icloud.com.

Hunting is in full swing, which means the hunt rides have started. Hunt rides are such a great sight to behold and definitely worth a visit. They normally start at noon.

Dominic Gwyn-Jones has made a formidable start by winning the Yeomanry Hunt race; he won by a massive 29 lengths riding his horse Puzzle. Dom suffered a badly broken leg a year ago and is enjoying being back to full competitive fitness.

The Melton Hunt ride is the real one to watch around here; this year it’s the turn of the Quorn and will be held at Great Dalby on February 19.

Event rider Richard Skelt from Folksworth has even bought a steed especially for the occasion. It’s been something he’s always dreamed of doing, even though I have to admit when I saw him watching last year I thought he was joking when he said he was going to do it.

Nevertheless, he is busy out hunting him at the moment and has already started taking him to the gallops to get him fit for the gruelling three-and-a-half mile ride.

His horse is a whopping 18hh and Richard is fully aware of how tough it can be, especially when he’s so big.

Richard is hoping that all this work will pay off and that he will be able to event Swing next year.

You may have seen in the news recently that hunting yet again has found itself having somewhat undeserved negative press.

Christmas and new year meets are always very popular for the public and the hounds are usually all out on show in a town local to you, so this year, more than ever, please do go and support your local hunt.

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