Active Magazine // Stamford & Rutland // January 2019
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 Matt Tarrant matt@theactivemag.com
Contributors
Martin Johnson, William Hetherington, Jeremy Smithson-Beswick, Julia Dungworth
Photographers
Nico Morgan, Pip Warters
Production assistant
Gary Curtis
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Lisa Chauhan lisa@theactivemag.com
Editorial and advertising assistant Kate Maxim kate@theactivemag.com
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EDITOR’S LETTER
“Going to the gym or buying a bike? You pay tax. Want to buy a helicopter or gamble? No charge. It’s ridiculous”
You must be delighted that when you buy your helicopter or your antique Louis XIV console table, or bung a load of cash each way on some horse in the 4.30 at Kempton, you don’t pay VAT. After all, there would be nothing worse than having forked out on a Bell Jet Ranger, you then have to give the government a further 20%.
Yet, VAT has to be paid on things such as gym membership, and all manner of items that demonstrably bring health benefits, such as bicycles (although you can get some deductions on the Cycle to Work scheme). Where’s the sense in this? Surely, for many people, 20% off a gym membership would make a big difference to whether they chose to sign up or not, and the country is facing an obesity crisis: it is the second biggest cause of early death in the UK, and responsible for more than 30,000 deaths in Britain every year, and the issue is especially stark in poorer homes.
Gary Lockwood, CEO of national chain 24/7 Fitness, is campaigning for this tax to be abolished, claiming gym prices have remained more or less static for a decade, while costs such as rent, rates and wages have risen – a situation that has seen many gyms struggle to survive.
I would suggest that when the government finally takes its head out the dark place it has currently stuck it, this is an issue it should look at carefully, and not just for gyms. Any business offering services, or product sectors (such as cycling) that clearly illustrate they make people healthier, should be exempt from VAT. The calculation of a healthier nation paying less VAT set against their lesser burden on the NHS would be interesting to see. Taxing fitness is patently ridiculous.
Enjoy the issue
Steve
ACTIVE LIFE
ISSUE 79 / JANUARY 2019
13 WHAT’S ON Great local events for all the family
15 HEALTHY EATING A delicious and nutritious salad
17 GARDENING Planning a courtyard garden
20 INTERVIEW
Local actor and director Bill Lindsay
22 EATING OUT A taste of the Caribbean in Peterborough
26 THE FINISHING TOUCHES Fashion and beauty advice
28 ACTIVE 2019
Exciting new things to try this year
34 GREAT WALKS Ufford, Barnack, Mowsley and Saddington
ACTIVE BODY
41 A HEALTHY HIBERNATION
Nutrition advice from Dawn Revens
42 SEEING THE LIGHT
Maintain your mental health this winter
45 HEAL THE HEEL Avicenna Clinic advice on foot problems
ACTIVE KIDS
49 SCHOOL NEWS Focus on our talented young players
52 TRY A TRI
Get your kids involved with triathlons
ACTIVE SPORT
55 MARTIN JOHNSON The impact of money on football
56 SQUAD GOALS
International wheelchair rugby returns
60 THE ROUND-UP How local teams are faring
66 KITBAG
Essential sports equipment for the winter
C ontent Advertising Branding Print Digital
Email proactive@theactivemag.com to find out more
ActiveLife
Wellness holidays | Turtle Bay - a taste of the Caribbean in Peterborough Meet King’s Cliffe Players’ director Bill Lindsay | Walks with Will The puffer – the coat to wear this winter | Exciting things to do in 2019
EDITED BY MARY BREMNER
Angel & Rocket
ANGEL & ROCKET is a children’s clothing brand established by Kate Bostock in 2014. Kate has huge experience in retail, having had roles at Next and Marks and Spencer, as well as others. Kate said: “I’ve always wanted my own brand and business and with my background and experience in design and product development, I knew boys’ and girls’ wear was the right business for me.” Her husband, who has a background in manufacturing, joined her in the business and her two sons now
work with her as well. “We are very much a family team and have strong links to Leicestershire. I grew up in the county and my boys went to school in Leicester when I was working for Next.”
Angel & Rocket ‘is for kids going places’ aged between three and 12, and concentrates mainly on smart casual clothing. They also feature party wear, including bridesmaid’s dresses and suits. Look out for their pop-up stores; they had one recently in Leicester, or see their entire range at angelandrocket.com.
Running in the dark for Movember
A FIVE-MILE race, The Tunnel Vision Night and Dawn Run, held in November has raised more than £1,000 for Movember the prostate cancer appeal. The run took place in darkness with runners navigating their way along the Brampton Valley Way wearing head torches. See raceharborough.co.uk for details.
LUTTERWORTH SANTA FUN Run, held on December 2, was strongly supported by people from the town, with almost 550 racing and enjoying the unseasonably mild weather. The final amount raised hasn’t been verified yet, but looks to be about £5,000.
FEMME CORRECTIVE BY Rebecca Wilson is a new fitness movement that bridges the gap between rehab and exercise and helps women face, and overcome, issues caused by some of life’s biggest events.
Based in Rutland and Leicestershire, it is a movement aimed mainly at women going through pregnancy, childbirth and breast cancer. The unique holistic approach includes functional and strength training, meditation, breath work, visualisation and lifestyle advice. Rebecca offers four different series, each six-week programme incorporating different training techniques and exercises, costing from £45. To find out more, go to femmecorrective.com
Situated in Corby Glen, in the heart of the village. We’re on great cycling and walking routes. Just a few miles off the A1, near Stamford, Bourne & Grantham. We use products from Grasmere Farm and Hambleton Bakery.
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Bluebird Care
Men wanted
MEN UNITED IN Song is back for 2019, once again raising money for Prostate Cancer UK, and they are looking for a minimum of 40 local men to join them. You can have no singing experience, or lots – all abilities are welcome. Rehearsals start in March and will culminate in a charity concert at The Cresset in Peterborough on Saturday, May 11. Over the 10 weeks of rehearsals firm friendships will be made – it’s not just about singing and fundraising, there’s a fantastic social scene too.
Men United in Song kicks off with introductory sessions on February 27 and 28, and on March 2 at the John Mansfield Campus in Peterborough. Rehearsals will be on Wednesday evenings. For further information contact Jo on 01733 425194 or email menunited@peterboroughsings.org.uk.
Award win for Rutland Cycling
RUTLAND CYCLING HAS won the 2018 Family Business Award for Retail Excellence in the 2018 Midlands Family Business Awards.
Director Sally Middlemiss, daughter of founder Dave Archer, said: “This year has seen some challenging times for the bike industry, so it is particularly gratifying to win this award as we continue to grow and deliver our vision of inspiring more people to own and ride a bike.”
Now in their ninth year, the not-forprofit Midlands Family Business Awards are backed and run by The Wilson Organisation.
Time for tea in new venture
THE MARCH HARE Tea Rooms at The Pantry in Corby Glen has been taken over by businesswoman Amy Roberts.
Amy has given the beautiful tea rooms a makeover, adding more variety to the menu and holding themed events; gingerbread house making was very popular just before Christmas.
The menu is varied, offering breakfasts, lunches and afternoon tea; the cakes are to die for. Suppliers include Grasmere Farm and Hambleton Bakery.
A range of gifts are also available to buy, along with pictures from local artists. Amy and her staff pride themselves on their warm welcome so pop along to say hello and enjoy some delicious food in a very comfortable setting. Tel: 01476 550108.
JANUARY MEANS LOCAL restaurateurs are offering their Lunch for Less deal, and it’s a deal worth having.
Establishments include the Marquess of Exeter in Lyddington, the Wicked Witch in Ryhall and The Olive Branch at Clipsham, to name a few. There are many more places offering Lunch for Less deals, so keep an eye out to spot them.
Gearbox Theatre Company will be staging Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in Peterborough Cathedral from February 13-15. Set in the swinging ’60s, along with a skiffle band, this is a show not to be missed. Tickets are on sale now from www.peterborough-cathedral.org. uk/twelfthnight and do look out for their Valentine’s day special offer tickets.
Singer Michael Ball will appear at De Montfort Hall in Leicester on May 22. The double Olivier Award winner and multiplatinum recording artist is touring to support his Coming Home To You album. Tickets are on sale at www.demontforthall.co.uk.
There is a lot happening at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough throughout January. A monthly outdoor parent and toddler group, held on the 14th, includes a messy craft activity, time to explore the outdoors as well as a story and songtime. January 26 is Campfire Cooking for Kids, where they can learn to light a fire and try some campfire cooking. Or on the 27th join the rangers for some Volunteering Moments with trees. Visit www.neneparktrust.org.uk for details.
Finally, it’s panto season! Dick Whittington by Polka Dot Pantomimes will be at Stamford Arts Centre between January 10 and 13. (Call 01780 763203 for tickets). And Cinderella is being performed by The Youth Theatre in Market Harborough at the Welland Park Academy from January 26 to February 2. Visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/theyouththeatre for tickets and show times.
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Round Corner opens up
A NEW CRAFT brewery has opened in a former sheep shed in Melton Mowbray livestock market.
Called Round Corner brewery, it’s the culmination of a lifelong dream of brewer Colin Paige and businessman Combie Cryan, who has pulled together the funding to build the £1 million facility.
Colin has brewed all over the world, but for the Round Corner bitters and lagers he is sourcing ingredients very close to home, with hops from the Midlands, and is aiming to create beers of the highest quality.
The stylish brewhouse is open for visitors too, who can sample its range from the bar at the front of the building, and the owners are hoping it will provide a focus for the burgeoning artisan food scene in the Melton area.
Crombie said: “Great beer is a passion of mine, so to be able to open a craft brewery of my own, using the best ingredients with top quality brewing equipment, is a dream come true.”
Round Corner launches with three beers; a pale ale called Steeple Chase, a golden ale called Topside and Frisby lager. It is looking to supply pubs locally as well as farther afield, such as in the craft beer hotbed of London, but you can also buy it fresh in bottles if you visit the brewery.
For more information, visit roundcornerbrewing.com.
Lentil, quinoa, olive and feta cheese salad
Fight the festive flab and get back to sensible, healthy eating with this delicious salad
IT’S THAT TIME of year when the thought of another mince pie, chocolate, slice of turkey or roast potato is too much. We have over-loaded on rich food and just want something simple and nutritious to eat to help calm the stomach and get us back to eating normally. Try this easy to make, delicious salad...
INGREDIENTS
200g quinoa
1 tsp olive oil
½ finely chopped onion
2 tbsp tarragon, chopped
400g puy or green lentils, rinsed and drained
100g crumbled feta cheese
6 spring onions
Handful of chopped, pitted black olives
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
METHOD
1 Simmer the quinoa in boiling water for 10 minutes, drain well and allow to cool.
2Heat the oil in a small pan and cook the onion until softened. Stir in the tarragon, then remove from the heat.
3
Stir the onion and tarragon into the quinoa along with the lentils, feta, spring onions, olives and balsamic vinegar. Toss well together and chill until ready to serve.
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our website for maps and routes at www.laundeabbey.org.uk
Abbey, East Norton, Leicestershire LE7 9XB T: 01572 717254 I E: info@launde.org.uk
Plan a courtyard garden
Teresa Kennedy gives tips and design ideas for courtyard gardens
THE START OF a new year tends to make you look back and see what you’ve achieved, which is what I’ve just been doing with this column. During the past year I’ve talked about many things to consider when looking at your garden with a critical eye. Moving into a second year of the column I’m going to delve deeper, looking in greater detail at particular garden types and styles and introducing more plant choices that suit particular settings or colour schemes.
To begin 2019 I’m going to focus on courtyards. This might be the only garden space you have, or an area within a larger garden. The most important thing to consider in any courtyard is its aspect – how much light do you get, is it a hot spot, or is it damp and dark?
If it’s hot you are definitely going to need some kind of shade. If you are surrounded on all four sides by walls or fencing then use these to erect a sunshade, such as a sail. If it’s damp and dark and you’re surrounded by walls then think about using wall lights, uplighters and reflective surfaces – mirrors are really easy and effective.
PLANTING
You can pick a style in a small space and work it to its maximum. I love to see a hot courtyard filled with tropical plants, great big leaves and vibrant red and yellow flowers.
Or in a shaded courtyard a green theme is perfect and creates a wooded feel. Use tall slender trees and underplant with bulbs and ferns, grasses and wild flowers.
In both circumstances, use your boundaries to plant upwards; either tall plants or wall-hung ones. Potted bamboos give great height, screening and movement. Ferns and ivy hang and cling, doing particularly well in the shade. Wall shelves allow you to change your planting using small potted plants which you can swap and change.
Consider going with a colour theme to suit the season: white, yellow and blue for early spring, and then ramping up the colours for summer.
NATURE
The
ONCE REGARDED AS summer visitors, blackcaps may now be seen locally all year round and they regularly visit garden feeding stations in the winter.
Blackcaps are warblers and most species spend the winter in Africa, but many blackcaps winter around the Mediterranean. Over the past 20 years, more have been present in Britain during the winter and ring returns have shown that these birds breed in central Europe.
At garden feeders, blackcaps are aggressive
EXTRAS
It’s really easy to pick up a courtyard table and two chairs, or consider other options. Built-in hardwood benches are sleek and minimal and work really well with big foliage. Fold-down seating attached to a solid wall is practical in a tight space. What about a big comfy outdoor sofa? Or integrated seating that is part of a raised bed?
If you have two levels, use your steps. In general, a level change is a great addition. You could dig a sunken area for seating and a fire, and surround yourself with planting; or raise the eye-level up with a pergola structure swathed in climbing roses.
Contact
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towards other birds. They will take a range of foods and are especially attracted to apples, peanuts, fat balls and suet.
Blackcaps are slightly smaller than a chaffinch, dark grey above and paler on the breast and belly. Only the males have the distinctive black cap; in females and young birds this is a reddish-brown.
As breeding birds, blackcaps are present from late March to October and are widespread in open woodland, spinneys and even in large gardens.
They have a rich warbling song, which often locates the birds as they skulk in cover, and a harsh ‘tacc-tacc ’ call.
The nest is built in bushes or brambles and up to six eggs may be laid with two broods often being reared. Terry Mitcham
blackcap
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Holidays with a focus
Welcome to the world of wellness holidays – a break which offers the chance to nourish your mind, body and soul in beautiful surroundings
GONE, FOR MANY, are the days of sprawling out on a sunlounger for a fortnight, piling on the pounds, pouring drink down your throat and hardly moving. There is now a growing band of travellers who want more from their holidays. They are either already fit and active, and want to maintain, improve and hone their skills while away, be it yoga, running or meditating; or the not so fit who want to go on a boot camp/retreat holiday where they can kickstart their fitness and diet regimes, or even go for an extreme detox. Or there are those who wish to combine fitness and therapy, and throw in some spa treatments as well – all come under the wellness holiday umbrella.
A wellness holiday can be whatever you want – spa treatments, therapies, healthy eating, hiking, cycling; you name it, you can do it, anywhere in the world. It’s all about self improvement, enhancement and progression. And what’s more, a wellness holiday is also a perfect opportunity to travel alone, as you will always meet like-minded people.
Kate Maxim chats with the actor and director of the King’s Cliffe Players
Active: When and why did you move to King’s Cliffe?
Bill: In 1984. My job relocated from London at a time when Peterborough was attracting a lot of companies. In the end I worked for Caterpillar as a senior systems analyst, designing computers. I lived in the Middle East from the age of four to 18; I’m British but my father is half-Egyptian and my mother is French and Ukrainian. I went to a French school and we did half our lessons in French and half in Arabic. I had to leave Libya in a hurry, three weeks into Colonel Gaddafi’s revolution, so I hitched through Europe and arrived in London where I knew no-one. I had five shillings in my pocket. It was strange going from having servants in the tropics to cleaning offices and sleeping on London park benches, but over time my life changed and I worked all over London. I hadn’t done much acting in school but I found it was a good way of meeting people in London.
How did King’s Cliffe Players come about?
A local drama teacher started the King’s Cliffe Players and I joined as a founder member. We started working on our first production in late 1985. It was a music hall production which is the easiest thing to do because you can rehearse the different sketches separately, then bring them together. It sold out and involved a mix of new and old village people so it wasn’t a case of new people coming in and taking over. We moved on from that to do a pantomime, which is normally put on at Christmas, but everyone is so busy then you can’t get them to rehearse, so we do ours in February. We then started to do a straight play in September/October. It’s enshrined in our constitution that we do at least one show a year that involves the kids. This has worked really well in our favour because it brings the whole village together. Some of the children are adult directors now. They start at six years old and we have them until they go off to university. This year we have three generations in Peter Pan. The youngest is six, she’s one of the lost boys and will have a couple of lines so we can see what she’s like for next year. Tinkerbell is 11, Wendy is 12 and Peter Pan is 17 which is what you’d expect. We’re doing six nights altogether, from
February 21 to 23, a matinée on Saturday, February 23, then again from February 28 to March 2.
There can’t be many villages with such a group?
It’s quite unusual, but we have been doing it for a long time. It’s a big commitment – we rehearse three times a week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. We have choreographers, a small orchestra of five or six people; we take pride in our work and put on a good show. When we started, the village hall was like a hole in the ground and not many people used it. We got a grant and had it done up and also put money into it.
What is the director’s role?
You find the play and work on the script so it’s usable. A lot of plays are written for places such as The Theatre Royal with acres of space. We need to see if we can work with no flight, no headroom and only two entrances. The director also runs the auditions and rehearsals, does the casting, works with the actors and is responsible for everything that happens on stage. The producer is responsible for everything else including the printing, promotion and finances. We’ve been in profit for virtually every production so we’re always trying to expand our equipment. We’ve bought lots of lighting and stage extensions so we can extend the stage by two metres.
I’d been working on Peter Pan for a couple of months before we got started. I have to attend every rehearsal and performance and think about it all the time. You have to have the confidence of your cast. I try to imagine what questions people will ask me so I have the answers ready for them. We normally have a big cast: in this there are 13 named parts, nine in the adult chorus and 12 in the children’s chorus. This will be the 12th or 13th production that I’ve directed here.
Are you always the director?
No. This is one thing we pride ourselves on, we have a number of people who can direct. If you have the same one all the time, it kills the group. It becomes formulaic, and it’s
At least one production a year involves children, helping to bring the whole village together
Bill, on the right, as Oberon in a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Tolethorpe
“We take pride in our work and put on a good show”
exhausting too as it takes three or four months out of your life.
Apart from straight plays by the likes of Alan Ayckbourn, and pantomimes, we’ve also tried musicals. We’re not a musical society but we do have some strong singers and decided to go for My Fair Lady. We surprised ourselves. I directed it and it was one of the most frightening things I’ve done.
A couple of years later I directed Oliver! which also went very well. I wanted to direct The Sound of Music last year but we couldn’t get a licence as there was a touring company doing it at the same time. They didn’t want competition, which we thought was a great compliment!
You have a lot of latitude with pantomimes as you can change things, but with musicals such as My Fair Lady people know what to expect and don’t like changes. Also, when you get the licence you’re given a sheet of instructions telling you what you should or shouldn’t do.
You’ve also acted and directed at Tolethorpe. What’s your favourite play? I’ve done 12 seasons there since 1988 and I think A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Merchant of Venice - which is very underrated – are my favourites. During my second season at Tolethorpe I played the Prince of Morocco – I was a bit typecast, that was in 1989. I blacked up, which was acceptable, wore a white costume, and it rained. The second time I played the merchant.
I did The Dream four times; first as Theseus, second as Francis Flute – the leader of the mechanicals; third time I was Oberon (who I’ve always wanted to play) and fourth time back to Theseus. It was fun, but a big commitment as we were doing 26 performances. You’re on stage until 10.30pm, then you scrape off all the make-up and have a couple of drinks, so you’re not home until 1am.
I co-directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream 12 years ago. I was also playing Oberon, which was not a good idea and not something I’d do again. It’s just too much and you can’t be objective. I love directing and used to really love acting, but now I’m losing my hearing and it is affecting my balance. When I played Theseus last summer I stepped on stage at the dress rehearsal and discovered it was like walking on a mattress so I spent the entire production making sure I wasn’t going to fall over. I don’t act anymore.
When you’re not directing what do you do?
I like travelling, gardening and reading. I’m finding my feet after retirement. I remember my grandparents in their slippers sitting in their armchairs doing nothing really, whereas 50 is young now.
Tickets for Peter Pan are available at King’s Cliffe village shop and kingscliffeplayers.org
“We were assailed by the sounds of reggae and the smells of Caribbean cooking”
Turtle Bay
Maris and Mark enjoy a taste of the Caribbean at Turtle Bay in Peterborough
‘Why?’ asked Mark, giving me the kind of puzzled look that normally accompanies my suggestion that he read a book rather than watch the television, ‘are we going to a Caribbean-themed chain restaurant in a shopping centre in Peterborough on a Friday night?’
He needn’t have worried, for while Turtle Bay is part of a nationwide chain it has a fresh and vibrant feel more evocative of a bohemian start-up than a corporate identikit. It certainly looked inviting as we approached its welcoming entrance next to St John’s Church on the edge of Peterborough’s Queensgate on a cold winter’s night. The outdoor seating was full of post-work drinkers enjoying two for one cocktails (all day, from 11.30am to 7pm) under the glow of outdoor heaters.
On opening the doors, we were warmly welcomed and assailed by the sounds of reggae and the smells of Caribbean cooking. The central bar and open-plan kitchen, along with wooden floorboards and brightly coloured chairs, all helped to evoke a Caribbean atmosphere without seeming overly contrived.
Settling in to our seats, we surveyed the menus (there are five of them in total, including lunch, vegan and vegetarian, dinner, rum and pudding and children’s) which are similarly themed and full of informative asides that can become irritating, but on this occasion were well-judged and helpful. I had a refreshing mojito to help me concentrate while Mark, with an eye on dry-January, surveyed the extensive mocktail and soft drink list, opting for a home-made ginger beer which had a hint of lime to offset a spicy kick.
We’re new to Caribbean cuisine and, despite our best efforts, were slightly befuddled by the array of options, a point that didn’t go unnoticed by Ava, our efficient and cheerful waitress. She took pity on us and patiently explained the menu, offering suggestions based on how spicy we liked our food. Choices made, we sat back and enjoyed our drinks in the relaxed atmosphere.
Our starters arrived quickly (if you want the courses delivered at a slower pace, just ask, as nothing will faze the team) and we tucked hungrily into rustic enamel bowls of crispy chilli squid, jerk glazed pit ribs and garlic chilli prawns (three for £15). Ava had warned us that the shell on prawns would be ‘hot’ and she wasn’t wrong, but the heat didn’t overpower the dish and was well balanced by the sweetness of the squid and the accompanying mango mole. We quickly polished off the flavoursome flame grilled ribs, which fell off the bone and benefitted from a 24-hour marinade, and sat back in eager anticipation of our main courses. We weren’t disappointed.
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“The meal was extremely good value. Portions were on the large side but quality never gave way to quantity”
Mark had plumped for Turtle Bay’s signature dish and was rewarded with a rich spicy bowl of goat curry accompanied by rice ‘n’ peas, sweet plantain and two dumplings (all for a bargain £10). Washed down with a moreish Jamaican pale ale, it was both plentiful and delicious.
I’d selected another popular dish, the Mo’ Bay chicken, with jerk seasoned chicken breast, coconut rice and salad (£10.50). Accompanied by a side order of soft flat bread and ‘smashed’ avocado (two for £5.40) and washed down with a glass of malbec, this was a lightly spiced meal that tasted wonderful. We were also treated to a taste of a favourite from the vegetarian menu: chickpea and callaloo curry. For the uninitiated, callaloo is a Caribbean green leaf similar to spinach (according to the menu) and the dish, with tomatoes, garlic and scotch bonnet peppers was intensely flavoursome and a hearty, healthy delight.
We were determined to try a pudding (all £5.30) and selected the spiced rum and chocolate pot along with the grilled fresh pineapple. Both dishes came with a generous dollop of coconut ice cream and continued the Caribbean theme perfectly. The dense rum ganache of the chocolate pot was a standout and we both fought over the last scraps.
Feeling decidedly relaxed by now, we couldn’t resist a warming tot of rum from Turtle Bay’s extensive list of more than 30 Caribbean rums (£4 to £6.50). Harry, the head barman, chose a fabulous Plantation pineapple rum for us to sip and it proved a great way to round off an enjoyable meal. Savoured neat, the rich, smoky drink had a hint of citrus and was reminiscent of a single malt rather than the fire-water we remembered from our youth.
The meal was extremely good value, with drinks and food at lower prices than we’d normally expect (set lunches are a steal at three courses for £15). Portions were on the large side but quality never gave way to quantity, and although the food was spicy it was never overpoweringly hot. Turtle Bay’s take on Caribbean cuisine has a broad appeal and, with children and vegetarians particularly well catered for, it makes a great change from the usual round of Indian/Chinese/pizza/chicken restaurants.
At 10pm the music turned up a notch and the bar began to fill up.
“Two for one cocktails are back on until we close,” confirmed Ava as we said farewell. Buttoning our coats up against the cold winter air we contemplated staying on for just one more drink but decided to save that for another occasion – after all, there’s only so much Caribbean hospitality you can take in one evening!
Finishing touches
Puffer power
January is the month for buying a warm coat, so what about a puffer?
The puffer, a duvet that is a coat, is the perfect way to dress as though you were still in bed; all snuggled up and warm, the ultimate antidote to the British winter. Everyone is wearing a puffer, whatever their age or sex, and every shop is selling them, from Prada to Primark. And we can see why. It may not be the most sartorially elegant apparel, but it most definitely is the warmest. Puffers are quilted with ‘puffy’ sections that are either filled with goose or duck down insulation or synthetic fibres.
Whichever filling, they are very warm. The synthetic filled jackets are incredibly light; so lightweight that they can be folded up into a small bag and shoved in a handbag to be donned when needed. Uniqlo, the Japanese clothing company, is a pioneer of this sort of jacket, and many companies have quickly jumped on the bandwagon. Down filled jackets can be slightly heavier than synthetic ones, and goose down is the most expensive.
But what is most unique about a puffer, whatever the filling, is that it is able to combine warmth and lightness. And that’s perfect, an ankle length one will do me for this winter…
Seeking Serenity after the party season
Kate Maxim visits Serenity Loves for a much needed facial after extensive partying for her birthday and Christmas
Having recently celebrated a significant birthday, drinking and eating far more than usual during numerous lunches and evening gatherings, and having quite a few late nights, I was sorely in need of a pick-me-up. My skin was crying out for attention, and I know it now needs extra tlc after the frantic Christmas period.
So I headed to Serenity Loves for a Dermalogica ProSkin 60 facial with Hannah. Serenity Loves’ ethos is to give working men and women time away from commitments. It even has a playroom run by a CRB-checked childminder which parents can choose – if they wish – to watch on an in-salon screen.
Hannah has a lovely manner, with a wonderfully firm touch during the massage. She was informative about the products, but not overbearing. There’s a vast array of products on the market, which can be confusing, but she advises people to talk to a beautician about their specific skin problems and to experiment with different products.
If you’re not getting the results you want, try something else. Dermalogica offer lots of products but the facials are highly targeted to each client’s current problem. The main culprits are dehydration, oiliness, fine lines, redness and sagging skin, and even though people walk in with the same problems, different combinations of products will be used on them.
I thought my main problem was sensitivity as my skin can often be quite red but, in fact, it
was dehydration, highlighted by the sheen on my forehead as my skin over produces sebum. Hannah started with a pre-cleanse followed by a second. One cleanse is often not enough, especially when you’re wearing make-up.
My skin suitably stripped for action, she applied the daily superfoliant, laying it on quite thick so the active enzymes and acids could get on with trying to combat the environmental pollutants that accelerate the signs of ageing. She recommended using that every other day instead of my usual micro bead exfoliant, which may be too harsh on my skin. While it was on, she massaged my neck, shoulders and arms and later she massaged my face to allow the products to reach deeper into the skin. Hannah then applied a multi-vitamin power recovery mask which aims to rescue stressed, ageing skin – perfect timing for me then! While that was on, I was treated to a lovely scalp massage.
Some people nip in for the ProSkin30 facial during their lunch break but what I really enjoyed was having the various massage treatments in addition to having my face reinvigorated. Numerous toners, eye lifts and intensive moisturisers later, I came away feeling much less tense and my skin felt plumped and hydrated. Note to self: drink more water and remember to schedule in regular facials in 2019.
A Dermalogica ProSkin 60 facial costs £42 at Serenity Loves, 438 Oundle Road, Peterborough, PE2 7DB. Tel: 01733 687835. serenityloves.co.uk
And finally...
BEAUTY
Active 2019 The year you triumph!
Bin your resolutions now – we’ve got a full year’s worth of brilliant activities to take up and new things to try which will make dry January or eating fewer biscuits look like small fry
WALK
Just put one foot in front of the other more often: it’s easy! Try and walk 10,000 steps a day – one study found that walkers who achieved this lost 10 pounds after eight months of walking, along with dropping their blood pressure and losing two inches from their waist size. Use your phone or a wearable tracker to monitor your steps.
There are plenty of ways to walk more, from following our regular structured walks (see pages 34-39) to just doing things such as parking further away from your destination, or always taking the stairs rather than the lift.
Or you could take part in the Rutland Walking and Cycling Festival at the end of May. It showcases the beautiful countryside of Rutland with a range of exciting walks, taking in the beauty and diversity of the landscape, towns and villages.
During week two of the festival you can walk the 65-mile Rutland Round across seven days with its author, John Williams.
CLIMB
Climbing is great for fitness because it uses lots of muscle groups, both in the upper and lower body, with back, abdominal and leg muscles all getting exercised as well as your fi ngers, shoulders and arms. But it also has lots of mental benefits too: regular rock climbing can help develop concentration, determination, goal setting and problem-solving skills.
Lincolnshire, Rutland and Leicestershire are not exactly blessed with mountains, but you can still get a climbing fix at some excellent facilities. RockBlok at Rutland Water is a sheer challenge, while Peterborough Climbing Wall is ideal for any wannabe Spiderman or Woman, arcing up from the floor, over the roof and back down again. Corby Climbing Centre is an excellent new facility too, and worth a scale.
RIDE
Whether you’re a new rider or a seasoned cyclist, the sky is really the limit when it comes to what you can achieve on two wheels and the more you ride, the more you’ll feel the hugely positive impact that cycling can have on your physical health.
The good news is that if you don’t currently ride, it’s really easy to get started. Not only do we have some glorious countryside on our doorstep, but with Rutland Water and Ferry Meadows nearby we have a huge range of quiet, traffic-free cycle routes to get started on. Plus, with cycle hire available from Rutland Cycling at these locations there’s no need to invest in all the gear until you’re a bit more comfortable.
But what if you’ve been riding for a while and you’re ready to really step things up in 2019? Now is the time to set a goal and go for it. Whether it be to lose weight, beat your best time up a hill, complete a big ride or nail an event, setting a goal now means you’re much more likely to stick to it over the course of the year.
Once you’ve set your goal it can help to line up some events throughout the year to keep you focused and provide some milestones for your progress. Fortunately for all the roadies out there, we have the Rutland CiCLE Tour sportive to take part in. Departing from the Giant Store Rutland Water at Normanton, the event offers three routes over 62, 78 or 100 miles to provide you with some of the very best cycling that Rutland and the surrounding counties have to offer.
Taking place on Saturday, April 27, the Rutland CiCLE Tour is a perfectly placed test of your training so far if you have bigger plans in mind for the summer – the shortest 62-mile route is ideal for those new to cycling, but hard enough to provide a personal challenge, while the longer 78 and 100-mile routes will provide a real test of the legs across the surprisingly challenging Rutland landscape.
To find out more head to https://www. itpevents.co.uk/event/the-rutland-cicle-tour, or visit Giant Store Rutland to pick up all your essentials for nailing your big cycling goals this year.
RUN
If you’re looking to start running, it can be a bit intimidating to head out and pound the streets alone. Fortunately there are plenty of clubs that will help you get going.
In south Leicestershire, Race Harborough can help you whether you run like Mo Farah or Mo from Eastenders. They organise parkruns, fun runs, duathlons, triathlons and the Festival of Running.
If you’re really looking for a challenge to work towards, there’s the Rutland half and full marathons in September, which wind their way around some truly stunning scenery.
Then there’s the Rutland Park and Stamford Striders clubs too, who can all help get you up and, well, running.
DANCE
Dancing is a great way to raise your heart rate, and you can burn more than 400 calories in an hour doing it. It also makes your muscles work hard, which helps to maintain and improve strength, and can help improve balance and keep the centre of gravity within the body stable. Since many dance styles involve posing, it is often compulsory for dancers to have a grounded centre of gravity in order to hold a pose for an extended period of time.
MAKE
Neurological research is looking into the ways we can take care of our brains, helping to protect them against ageing and some of the associated diseases that go with it such as dementia.
Scientists believe that partaking in intellectual activities and learning new skills keeps the brain active, improving cognitive function and increasing the complexity of the brain – in short, you’re exercising the brain rather than neglecting it and allowing it to become idle.
So why not take up some new craft skills this year? There are dozens of activities locally from the usual painting and sculpting classes to learning how to make sushi.
“Yoga is hard to beat when it comes to helping body and mind”
BOX
A good way to banish those winter blues is to punch them away. Boxing is great for fitness and stress release, and you don’t have to end up looking like Rocky at the end of a 12-round slugfest.
Qualified Amateur Boxing Alliance (ABA) coach, Marcus Stanier, runs iMPACT which provides private individual and small-group fitness training sessions and aims to make the extremely effective strength and conditioning methods used in modern-day boxing training by boxers such as Britain’s own heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua, accessible to all.
He explains: “I fully appreciate that the word ‘boxing’ may possibly be intimidating to some people so it is important for me to stress that I understand this and that, while the sessions are centred around modern boxing training techniques, they can be tailored to individual needs.
“Some wish to focus on boxing technique purely for recreational fitness purposes and have absolutely no desire to ever
compete. Some might have tried a ‘boxercise’ class elsewhere but found that it didn’t quite give them what they were looking for.
“Whatever someone’s reason for coming to me, I find that teaching correct boxing methods and techniques gives the best results in terms of fitness gains and in terms of pure enjoyment.”
Sessions can be run in the fully-equipped boxing gym, in the home, at work or even outdoors (weather permitting) and Marcus is offering discounts on a number of packages. He can be contacted on 07739 040 248 or ma rcus.stanier@gmail.com
STRETCH
Yoga is hard to beat when it comes to helping body and mind. It is especially effective at reducing stress, but it also outperforms aerobic exercise at improving balance, flexibility, strength, pain levels among seniors, menopausal symptoms, daily energy levels, and social and occupation functioning, among other health benefits.
PADDLE
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a great way to explore waterways and, when you get even more confident, the UK’s coastline too. But best to take it calmly to start with, and Tallington Lakes or Adventure Rutland are good places to start because you can hire all the kit, and get lessons too. SUP really works your core muscles so you get a tremendous workout while you’re sightseeing, and skimming over the water is very relaxing. If you’re feeling social, you can even get boards for more than one person.
GREAT BRITISH OUTDOOR SWIMS
Open water swimming is becoming increasingly popular, so if you’re heading out into the unknown depths, why not try some of these challenges?
XERCISE IS ABOUT challenging and pushing personal boundaries. Selkie Swim Co (selkieswim. com) is an open water swimwear brand that is passionate about doing just this with open water swimmers. It has put together a list of 10 of the greatest swims that you can take part in in the UK. If you didn’t know about these, you do now, so why not sign up and take part?
1THE SCILLY SWIM CHALLENGES
The Scilly Swim Challenge started back in 2014 when a Yorkshireman and a Scilly native (Dewi Winkle and Nick Lishman) came together to show off the beautiful Isles of Scilly. There are three options; either the one-day event, two-day event or the Spring Scilly Challenge, all in beautiful crystal clear waters.
2POLKERRIS SWIM FESTIVAL AND 5K
Beautiful Cornish setting, fun and friendly, the Mad Hatters Sports Events were also started in 2014 by three athletes who have competed in events in the UK and Europe. After feeling a number of events weren’t good value for money or challenging enough they decided to organise their own events with these factors in mind.
3SELKIE HENLEY CLASSIC AND THE THAMES MARATHON
Jeremy Laming and Tom Kean (also founders of Selkie Swim Co) thought it would be fun while also naughty to swim the regatta in the early hours, word got out and more and more people joined in on the Sunday morning swim. By 2008 it became so popular that they made it an official event.
4UK COLD WATER CHAMPIONSHIPS
The UK Cold Water Championships is a festival of shivers and fun with wild head gear and speedsters alike. The South London Swimming Club is one of England’s oldest swimming clubs, founded back in 1906, and the last event saw more than 800 swimmers from 17 nations take part. The races also offer entertainment, refreshments and attractions for both swimmers and spectators.
5JUBILEE RIVER SWIM
One of the must-do UK 10km swims, dreamt up in a pub back in 2011, the Jubilee has since become one of the country’s favourite swims. The swim takes place in a man-made
“If you didn’t know about these swims, you do now, so why not sign up and take part?”
flood channel between Boulters Lock, near Maidenhead, and Pococks Lane in Eton. There are feed stations that you will find along the three weirs of the river length.
6
BROWNSEA
SWIM
The Brownsea Swim is in a beautiful setting, in conditions that can be challenging yet fun. Once you sign up you get a ferry trip to and from the island, and once you reach the finish line you are greeted with hot soup and a bread roll that is made fresh from the Brownsea Island Castle kitchens.
7
DART 10K
Dart 10K is one of the must do 10km swims on the year’s agenda; tide assisted at the end, fun and friendly. It is a unique journey punctuated by landmarks such as the Cormorant Tree, the white rock, Sharpham boat house and Bow Creek. It is not a race as people of all abilities come to take a dip in the river and it is supported by volunteers.
8
PLYMOUTH BREAKWATER SWIM
Swimmers are taken out to sea on a boat
and swim 4km back to the beach with proceeds going to the Chestnut Appeal charity. The swim starts early at around 8:30am and it can take anything from 40 minutes to two hours before swimmers reach the shore of Tinside beach where they are greeted with applause and soup.
9SEAHORSE SWIM
A lovely and very popular swim which raises money for The Seahorse Trust, The National Trust, The Royal Life Saving Society and East Dorset Open Water Swimming Club. It is held at Knoll beach in Studland Bay and consists of a 2km and 3.8km course around buoys. Wetsuit or non-wetsuit swimmers are welcome.
10
GREAT SCOTTISH SWIM
A mass participation event for all abilities with a range of distances in the wonderful Loch Lomond. The Great Scottish Swim consists of six different swims to choose from – family-friendly up to a hardcore 10km swim. The loch is surrounded by wildlife, forests and mountains that make it the perfect place to visit for an open water swim in the summer.
Fanc y checking out other swimming events near you? Outdoor Swimmer has a list that is constantly updated throughout the year; you can check it out here: outdoorswimmer.com/find/events
Ufford and Barnack
One of England’s finest churches and an equally good pub are just two of the attractions on this stroll
Words and images: Will Hetherington
Difficulty rating
THE ROUTE
I parked on Main Street in Ufford near The White Hart pub. From here walk west along Walcot Road away from the pub. You will have the church on your left, and when you get to the end of the high stone wall on your right turn right into the entrance for Ufford Park Cricket Club.
When you reach the large new house on its own take the footpath to the left of the house and follow this gradually downhill. Stick to the path as it goes around the edge of a large arable field, passing a strategically placed bench along the way. From here you can see the rather grand Walcot Hall to the west.
The path goes along the south side of Ufford Oaks, a well-established block of woodland, before joining a larger farm track/footpath running north-south at the bottom. Turn right here and stay on the track for 500 metres until
ACTIVE INFO
The website www. greatenglishchurches. co.uk describes St. John the Baptist Church in Barnack, with its superb Saxon tower, as one of ‘England’s finest churches’. It elaborates: “Barnack is one of those few churches where just about everything within or without is either unique or exceptionally fine.”
you reach the left turn towards Barnack. But make sure you look back and enjoy the view of Ufford along the way.
Follow the path into Barnack and turn right when you reach the edge of the village. This path will bring you out on Main Street right by the impressive church. Turn right and follow Main Street until it reaches the B1443 – the main road running through the village. Turn right again and follow the road out of the village. When you leave Barnack you will very shortly come to the Torpel Way footpath leading off into the fields to the right.
Take this path and follow it round as it takes you to The Synhams Wood via a small wooden bridge. Go through the wood and then turn immediately right to walk around the two sides of the field until you reach the footpath running south to the road back to Ufford. Walk up the very gradual incline back to your car or, more importantly, The White Hart.
The path between Ufford and Barnack
The view back to Barnack from the bridge into The Synhams Wood on the Torpel Way
Essential information
WHERE TO PARK
On Main Street in Ufford near The White Hart pub.
DISTANCE AND TIME
Three and a half miles/one hour
HIGHLIGHTS
There are a number of good views of Barnack, Ufford and Walcot Hall from the path between the two villages. Barnack church and the White Hart in Ufford have their own strong, but differing attractions…
LOWLIGHTS
The B1443 is a busy road but you won’t be walking on it for more than five minutes.
REFRESHMENTS
The White Hart in Ufford and the Millstone Inn in Barnack.
DIFFICULTY RATING
One paw. There are no hills to speak of and very few stiles, and it’s pretty easy underfoot.
THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE
This is mostly arable land so there’s not much livestock around. There’s limited water but it’s not a long walk so that shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
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.
St. John the Baptist Church in Barnack
Why not pay a visit to the charming White Hart pub in Ufford?
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Take a look at the details of our ‘Clear Start Puppy Pack’. This starter pack caters for all of your puppies needs and includes vaccinations, health assessment, flea treatment, worming treatment, microchip, nurse appointments, information folder and free insurance*.
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ACTIVE INFO
Saddington Reservoir is just to the south-east of the village and was constructed in 1802 to feed the nearby Grand Union Canal.
Mowsley and Saddington
This is a peaceful stroll in rural south Leicestershire, as Will Hetherington discovers
Images: Will Hetherington
Difficulty rating
THE ROUTE
I parked on Main Street in Mowsley just in front of St Nicholas’ Church. Walk north on Main Street for 50 yards and you will see the footpath heading off between two houses on the left where the road bends round to the right.
Very shortly you will come to a footpath junction where you ignore the left-hand option and head straight on. Walk downhill diagonally across the first field and you will find the previously unsighted route marker on the field boundary.
From here proceed through a number of small fields as you head north through classic rolling Leicestershire countryside. You will pass idyllic looking Peashill Farm on your left and then enjoy some big views to the north, before dropping down a few contour lines into the vale beneath. Follow the path as far as Saddington Lodge Farm where you will find the right turn towards Saddington.
After a couple of fields the path splits into two. I took the left-hand option, which was very pleasant, but they both go to the same place at the top of the hill so it’s your choice.
When you reach Saddington the path joins the road and it’s a short walk to the church and the Queen’s Head just beyond. The return footpath goes down the side of the church and through a farmyard before a short fenced-in
section leads to the Mowsley Road crossing. Cross the road and follow the path downhill to the bridge over the brook in a small piece of woodland. Keep following the path as it skirts along the eastern side of Mowsley Brook, but be warned as I found it quite overgrown and boggy for a short stretch here. (If you want to miss this section there is a footpath which joins the road slightly beforehand. It will mean more time on the road but it might be worth it and it’s a fairly quiet country lane.)
Ultimately the path heads uphill and then joins the road half a mile north of Mowsley after some farm buildings which, unusually, are not marked on the OS map. From here it’s a 10 to 15-minute walk back to the village along the road, and the The Staff of Life pub awaits you there if you need some refreshment.
Peashill Farm occupies an idyllic spot on this charming walk
The view on arrival in
The Queen’s Head in Saddington might be a good halfway option for you on this walk
Essential information
WHERE TO PARK I parked on Main Street in Mowsley.
DISTANCE AND TIME
Four and a half miles/an hour and a half
HIGHLIGHT
Very pretty rolling Leicestershire countryside and two pleasant little villages.
LOWLIGHTS
The final off-road section is quite overgrown and boggy (but can be avoided).
REFRESHMENTS
The Staff of Life in Mowsley and the Queen’s Head in Saddington.
DIFFICULTY RATING
Three paws. It’s rolling countryside with a fair few stiles.
THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE
There is quite a lot of livestock on the way round this walk including cattle, sheep and horses, so it’s not ideal for the dogs if you don’t have complete control over them.
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.
Saddington at the halfway point
This path will take you south-west out of Saddington just before crossing Mowsley Road
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How to succeed with new year resolutions | Dealing with heel pain
EDITED BY STEVE MOODY
A healthy hibernation
Nutritionist Dawn Revens reveals five ways to reduce body fat gain during the winter months
THE CLIENTS I have been working with over the past few weeks are worrying about the damage that the winter will do to their body fat levels and weight. In t he northern hemisphere, this is the time of year when there are fewer races and training volume and intensity drops. It’s also Christmas time and if you’re office based then it can be really hard to ignore the endless chocolates, yule logs and mince pies.
Gu zzling these treats with a cup of coffee means that your body has to produce lots of insulin to keep your blood sugar under control. If you’re sat doing nothing, the insulin will drive fat storage, particularly around your middle. Not surprisingly the average person is around 1kg heavier at the end of the festive season. That means that some people gain very little and some people gain a lot more.
So how can you make sure that you are one of the ones that doesn’t pile on the pounds? Here’s my top five tips to help you:
1For a few weeks, use an app such as My Fitness Pal (MFP) to track your calorie intake. Are you eating more than you need to in light of your reduced activity level? If so, eat smaller portions and if you still feel hungry increase your veg intake.
2MFP will also give you a feel for the macronutrient profile of your food – i.e the percentage carbohydrate to fat to protein. If your training volume and intensity levels are lower, you can reduce your carbohydrate intake to reflect that. Once your muscle and
liver glycogen stores are full, excess carbohydrate will typically be stored as fat.
3If you’re doing shorter training sessions of 90 minutes or less, you won’t use up a high number of calories so you won’t need to eat a lot of additional food. Just eat good quality foods at meal times to ensure your body gets the protein, good fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals it needs to repair and rebuild your muscles and skeleton.
4If you feel hungry mid-morning, ask yourself what you had for breakfast? If it was cereal and a couple of slices of toast with jam, you are likely to spend the rest of the day on a blood sugar and insulin rollercoaster. To avoid this make sure you eat enough protein at breakfast. Research has shown that people who do eat less during the rest of the day.
5Are you drinking enough? We sometimes mistake thirst for hunger so always try a glass of water first before reaching for a snack. A glass of water drunk 30 minutes before you eat can be used tactically to make you feel full before you eat, meaning you should eat less.
By following these tips it’s likely you will put on fewer pounds over the festive period, meaning there are less to lose when you start to ramp up your training from January.
Dawn Revens is The Compeater and works with endurance athletes to optimise their nutrition so they can get amazing training in racing results.
Dark matters
How to limit the impact of winter on mental health and well-being. By
Cathy Lawson
CHRISTMAS HAS COME and gone, over for another year. For some it was a time of great joy, merriment, over-indulgence and pleasure. Others, however, found it an endurance, a challenging period of family conflicts, financial hardship, deep sadness and high stress levels. And while stress in itself is not a diagnosable mental illness, it can definitely exacerbate existing, or contribute to, common mental health issues and illnesses such as anxiety and depression.
Winter brings less daylight hours and the endless dark mornings and nights can bring about feelings of anxiety, loneliness and isolation. Even when surrounded by other people, a lack of connection, interaction, meaningful communication or not feeling understood or cared for can lead to loneliness. It has been said that nowadays we spend more time working out how to speed-up communication with people in Australia than we do checking on our neighbours!
And like stress, loneliness is not a mental illness, but it has been shown to have a negative impact on mental health. The mental health charity Mind (mind.org.uk) has some useful ideas for coping with and overcoming loneliness. They talk about it being ‘helpful to think of feeling lonely like feeling hungry. Just as your body uses hunger to tell your body you need food, loneliness is a way of your body telling you that you need more social contact’, so consider the following:
› Making new connections and increasing social contact – consider what interests you from sailing, knitting, running to yoga, and join a club, group or class where you can interact with others.
› Volunteering is another good way of meeting new people and making new friends –do-it.org is a charity that recruits volunteers for good causes.
› If face-to-face interaction is too much to start with, try joining an online community – there is a list of options on the Mind website with guidelines for staying safe online.
Spending less time outside and a lack of sunlight can reduce the levels of a hormone called serotonin which is associated with boosting mood and helping us to feel calm, focused and energised. For anyone already feeling low this can tip them into major depression triggered by the changing season, commonly known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Approximately 10 to 20% of people with depression report that the seasons affect their mental health.
Limited exposure to sunlight on the skin can also affect the production of vitamin D, commonly known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’. We need vitamin D to keep our bones and muscles healthy; however, it has also been discovered that reduced levels can contribute to mood disorders, poor sleep and depression.
To keep well and healthy throughout the winter period, consider…
› Getting more vitamin D by eating a diet rich in oily fish such as tuna and mackerel, red meat, liver, egg yolks and fortified cereals. If you are vegetarian or vegan then consider taking a supplement, something that doctors are also now prescribing.
› Spend time outside between the hours of 10am and 3pm for as little as 10 to 15 minutes to generate healthy levels of vitamin D.
› Make sure you keep up exercise in the winter, ideally outside. The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week so get those walking/running shoes on.
› Invest in a Lumie Lamp which mimics the natural light at sunrise and sunset, helping to increase serotonin levels. They have been shown to boost mood, raise energy levels and increase concentration. These are particularly helpful for shift workers and those working at night when the body assumes it really should be asleep.
Winter is naturally a time for hunkering down, hibernating, rejuvenating and reflecting more, so go with the flow of the season, take time to consider how to keep yourself well and happy and remember to check on those around you.
Cathy Lawson, approved Mental Health First Aid instructor cathy@maestrowellbeing.com maestrowellbeing.co.uk 07771 550541
Resolve your resolutions
Thinking about making changes in 2019? If you’re going to set goals, do it properly to maximise your chances of succeeding, says therapist Lisa Johnston
Three keys to goal success
THE DAWN OF a new year acts as a motivator for many to set resolutions or think about aspirations for the year ahead. It’s that time where we draw a line under the way things have been and consider how we would like things to be.
Typically people target their new year resolutions around diet and fitness aspirations, but people are also placing more emphasis on self-development and improved well-being. These well-being goals could look at better managing stress levels, working on selfconfidence, overcoming a fear or finally addressing that one thing you have been putting off year after year.
To give ourselves the best chance of success we need to change the way we approach setting the goals themselves and then ensure we create helpful habits and put in place a support framework to give us the opportunity to succeed.
New year resolutions shouldn’t be seen as the big list of changes that we know we will never get around to completing. By knowing our values and setting ourselves a smaller number of realistic and well considered targets, we can give ourselves the best chance of succeeding. Make 2019 the year you reach your targets and thrive.
Here are my top tips for achieving your targets and establishing good habits that will help you to reach the levels you set yourself...
Know your values well
Before committing, ask yourself ‘why is this so important to me?’. Often people choose goals that actually hold no ultimate value to them and set themselves up for failure from the off. Pick targets that really matter and you have a
1 LESS LEADS TO MORE
Consider setting yourself fewer goals this year. With less to focus on, your energy levels and commitment to achieve them becomes less diluted. Set yourself no more than four.
2 FIND A GOAL BUDDY
When we share our goals and how we plan to achieve them, the process of sharing and regularly checking in with another person ensures greater accountability in continuing to move forwards with them.
genuine interest in progressing or achieving your target. Then every three months, ask yourself ‘is this goal still really important to me?’. This regular check-in helps keep your goals aligned with the values you hold. If the goal no longer seems important, simply drop it and re-focus on ones that do.
SMARTen up your resolutions
The SMART acronym has a few variations, but generally stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.
Specific goals are well defined and have a much greater chance of being achieved than general ones. You should put enough detail down so that there is no indecision as to what exactly you should be doing to succeed. An example would be: ‘spend less time on social media’, but a specific goal would say: ‘reduce time spent on social media by putting my phone on charge at 9pm downstairs’.
It should clarify what your behaviour should be, what action should be carried out, where this takes place, how often it takes place and who else is involved.
Your goals should be measurable to a llow you to track your progress against them. This is important because noticing progress
3 DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF!
The most negative or critical voice can often be our own. Rather than thinking about the things you should have done better, get into the habit of acknowledging what you have done and celebrating it, however small it may be.
increases motivation. Your goals might be measurable on a sliding scale between one and 10 or they could simply be a hit or miss measure. In our social media example, we could say: ‘spend at least one hour a day less on social media’ and then measure it.
Achievable means be realistic. Reducing our social media time by one hour a day should be achievable, but setting a goal of not accessing any social media at all may be less so.
Relevant goals are those that you have chosen in line with your core values. As I mentioned earlier, value-based goals are far more motivating and far more likely to be achieved.
The Ti me-bound nature of goal setting ensures we give ourselves a timeframe for each to be achieved. It attaches a sense of urgency to our behaviour. Try to set your goals with a shorter time-frame, as immediate goals often see better performance than longer-term ones.
Lisa Johnston is the co-founder of My Therapist Online and connects people who want to better their well-being and happiness with the right therapist. Visit www.MyTherapistOnline.co.uk for more information or get in touch at info@MyTherapistOnline.co.uk
Heel pain
Can’t stand the discomfort in your ‘hindfoot’ area? Dr Hany Elmadbouh, senior consultant at Avicenna Clinic, explains what might be happening
THE ANKLE AND foot are made up of multiple complex networks of bones, tendons and ligaments. The ankle and foot carry the body weight and its damage can affect other body structures and lead to additional problems which can be quite disabling.
The hindfoot is the most posterior portion of the foot, and is formed by the heel and ankle. The talus bone, together with the leg bones (tibia and fibula), forms the ankle. The calcaneus (heel bone) is the largest bone in the foot and it is connected to the talus at the subtalar joint. Muscles, tendons and ligaments run along the surfaces of the feet, allowing the complex movements needed for motion and balance. The Achilles tendon connects the heel to the calf muscle and the plantar fascia is the ligament that connects the heel bone to base of the toes and supports the arch of the foot.
Pain in the heel can be caused by many conditions. The most common cause is inflammation of the plantar fascia, called plantar fasciitis. Other causes may include fracture of the heel bone (calcaneum), arthritis in the ankle or heel (subtalar) joint and irritation of the nerves on the inner or outer sides of the heel.
Strenuous activities that involve the plantar fascia can cause micro tears, which may result in degenerative changes, inflammation and pain. Plantar fasciitis may result from chronic trauma, such as running in unsupportive shoes, standing for prolonged periods, especially on a hard surface, or for no apparent reason. The condition is more common in overweight people and those who suffer a rheumatological condition or have a high arched or flat foot.
Plantar fasciitis is characterised by pain with weight bearing that is worse in the morning but the pain will typically go away after a short period of walking later in the day. The diagnosis is based on the location of the pain: tenderness where the ligament attaches to the base of the heel. The diagnosis can be further confirmed by ultrasound or MRI.
About Avicenna Clinic
Avicenna Clinic in Peterborough has a range of specialist consultants, an operating theatre for surgical procedures and superior in-house imaging facilities – including state-of-theart MRI, ultrasound and X-ray scanning equipment. The team can assess and diagnose all cases of acute and chronic pain quickly and deliver comprehensive treatment plans tailored to you. To book a consultation or for more information on treating your pain, and to explore the other available services to help you, contact Avicenna Clinic on 0330 202 0597.
Usually plantar fasciitis eventually gets better by itself, but this can take months or even years. Th is injury can be especially difficult to manage because it can only heal with a period of absolute rest, which is difficult to achieve. A patient who suffers plantar fasciitis once has a higher chance of having it again.
Physiotherapy is the primary treatment for the condition. Exercises include stretching to relieve tension in the plantar fascia and can include pulling back on the toes while massaging the tender area, as well as doing a
‘runner’s stretch’ of the calf muscle, which in turn decreases tension in the fascia. Rolling a tennis ball or a frozen bottle of water along the bottom of the foot may also be helpful.
Sometimes the use of a night splint which holds the calf in a stretched position may be needed and there may be also benefit from orthotics to distribute pressure to the feet more evenly.
Pain relievers such as ibuprofen may ease the pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis.
Ultrasound guided injecting of a steroid and more recently platelet-rich plasma into the area can provide pain relief. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is usually used for chronic plantar fasciitis that hasn’t responded to more conservative treatments. The technique involves sound waves directed at the area of heel pain to stimulate healing.
More than 95% of patients with plantar fasciitis get better without surgery. Those who fail conservative treatment and continue to have symptoms may undergo procedures that reduce tension on the plantar fascia by detaching the ligament from the heel bone.
Active Kids
Catmose disability athletics | Stamford and Rutland Junior Netball League finals | Charlotte’s golden finish | Eddie Jones visits Stamford
EDITED BY STEVE MOODY
Netball finals
THE FINALS OF Stamford and Rutland Junior Netball League’s very first mini-league took place recently, in which 12 junior teams played for final placings after the initial group stages which took place throughout November.
Teams from Stamford, Ketton, Uffington, Yaxley, Bourne and Gretton battled it out over four weeks at Copthill School, and were able to experience competitive netball in a friendly, fun and supportive environment.
The league played host to an under 10 and under 12 section. The overall winners of the under 10 section were Shooting Stars 2, while Gretton’s Blue Belles took the under 12 title.
The league is now planning its spring competition, with under 9, under 11 and under 14 sections planned.
Interested teams or players can find the league on Facebook, or can contact Tina Sayers on 07789 923960.
Dominic cooks up a storm
STAMFORD HIGH SCHOOL played host to the annual Rotary Young Chef competition organised by the Stamford Rotary Club.
Ten pupils from the Stamford Endowed Schools, along with pupils from Stamford Welland Academy, were challenged to produce a two-course meal in line with the healthy eating guidelines in 90 minutes. Stamford School year 8 pupil Dominic impressed the culinary competition chefs from RAF Wittering with his menu consisting of:
• Tenderloin fillet of pork with a lemon, mint and garlic crust served on a bed of mashed potato infused with olive oil
• Petit pois à la Francaise
• Roasted butternut squash
• Tangy lemon soufflé with fresh raspberries.
Dominic will now progress to the District Young Chef Competition in the spring.
Leicester Grammar’s morning mile
LEICESTER GRAMMAR JUNIOR School’s morning mile took on a festive theme in December. Every Tuesday morning before the school day begins, pupils, staff and parents are invited to join in with the school’s ‘morning mile’.
Attracting up to 50 runners of all abilities, the route, set around the school grounds, takes in views of the local countryside and leaves participants feeling invigorated and inspired for the day ahead.
Catmose success in Disability Athletics
STUDENTS FROM CATMOSE College recently took part in the Disability Athletics Competition.
KS3 students competed at Crown Hill Academy at the end of November and came sixth out of 27 teams. KS4 competed the following week at Aylestone Leisure Centre and again came sixth out of 18 teams this time.
One year 11 pupil, Amy, took part in all events – target throw, javelin, speed bounce, hi stepper and shot put – and was ranked the overall wheelchair athlete of the day.
The scores from the first round are calculated depending upon the severity of the disability
England rugby head coach Eddie Jones visits Stamford
AFTER BEING NAMED as one of the country’s top five rugby schools (according to ‘Fifteen’ – a national online rugby commentary for the first XV’s victory over Rugby School the previous week), Stamford School enjoyed a visit from England rugby head coach, Eddie Jones.
Both the under 15 and under 16 teams had the opportunity to display their skills as they took on Loughborough Grammar School in their Saturday afternoon matches. Parents and students were honoured to welcome Eddie Jones to the sidelines as they took the chance to take a selfie and get an autograph.
Around 300 parents and students were then invited to the Oswald Elliott Hall for a Q&A session with Eddie. He spoke about the importance and value of sport and answered a variety of questions from the audience.
In the evening, Eddie joined a fund-raising event in aid of the next school rugby tour to Australia and New Zealand.
and the top five scorers from each team go through to the next stage. Team Catmose qualified for the regional round of the competition which took place on December 7 at Aylestone Leisure Centre
The students performed brilliantly at the regional round with the KS3 team achieving fourth place and the KS4 team placing third, and all received bronze medals.
Special mentions to Harvey, from year 8, who gained a National Standard Silver Award, and Harry from year 10, who gained the highest score on speed bounce out of all competitors – an amazing 73 jumps in 30 seconds.
Mark Nasey, director of sport and performance at the Stamford Endowed Schools, said: “On behalf of Stamford School and the local community we would like to thank Eddie for giving up so much time to support grass roots rugby.
“It is remarkable that someone of his standing would happily give up his time and share his knowledge of rugby in schools with our community.
“His visit will live long in all our memories and will ensure even more support for the England team heading into the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup this year.”
Charlotte ends 2018 on a high with another gold
CHARLOTTE BOLTON ACHIEVED a gold medal and set a new GB record in the mixed junior relay at the British Rowing Indoor Championship (BRIC) held at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
Charlotte, a Stamford High School pupil, was one of 1,500 competitors, from elite Olympians to student novices, taking part in the event at the iconic Olympic velodrome in London.
After being crowned women’s junior national champion with her partner, Poppy, at the junior national rowing championships in the spring, Charlotte is going from strength to strength in the sport.
This latest win is the culmination of a year of hard work with the GB Rowing Development Programme and shows how far she has come since her bronze medal at the indoor championships last December.
Try a tri
Swimming, running, cycling... all things kids love, so why not combine them in a triathlon? Caroline and Justin Hattee have written a book to get you and your family started
TRIATHLONS ARE BECOMING increasingly popular for children, not least because they involve three activities most children love: running about, riding a bike and swimming.
It’s also an easy sport to get involved in because you probably have the kit already: swimming cap and goggles, some trainers and a bike, and while you can of course spend heavily on the latter, it’s not necessary to begin with – any bike that fits them will do the job.
To help you and your children to start, local triathletes Caroline and Justin Hattee have produced a book on the subject, explaining what you and your kids need to do, alongside great training regimes.
Caroline and Justin are Triathlon England medallists and have both won Triathlon England’s East Midlands Children’s Coach of the Year awards. Caroline has also won the Triathlon England National Children’s Coach of the Year and Rutland Coach of the Year awards. The club they set up, Ketton Panthers Triathlon
Club, has won the prestigious East Midlands Series as well as several Active Rutland Awards. Here’s some excerpts from their book...
Kids
“This book is for you, not your mums and dads. We all know your parents can be daft sometimes, mess things up and put you under unnecessary pressure. Oh, and they can be really embarrassing too. So, this book aims to give you the knowledge to develop your triathlon skills and the confidence to train and race sooner rather than later. You don’t need to rely on your parents – you can take control!
“We want to give you the knowledge and confidence to enter your first race, together with ‘tri hacks’ and advice that will help you to improve. We promise you’ll get better – but you’ll need to put a little effort in.
“If you’re already racing, then you’ll find the ‘racing hacks’, ‘developing’ and ‘what next’ sections of the book most useful. These sections are aimed at those of you who have already got
the triathlon ‘bug’ and are taking your triathlon more seriously.
“We hope you practice, have fun learning from your mistakes and enjoy triathlon for the rest of your lives.”
Parents
“Whether you’ve raced a bit (or even a lot) or know next to nothing about triathlon, except once seeing a clip of Alistair Brownlee pushing
Image: Tom Hattee
Image: Dave
Tyrell/British Triathlon
“We hope they’ll be inspired and develop a love of swimming, cycling and running that will last them forever”
Want to start triathlons? Try Ketton Panthers
Justin and Caroline set up Ketton Panthers, spurred on by the glory of the London Olympics, on a quiet lane outside their home in Rutland. Word quickly spread and when 30 kids turned up they realised that they’d upset the neighbours if they kept closing the road.
Moving to the local sports centre, obtaining British Triathlon coaching certificates and benefitting from the superb support of coaches, committee members and parents alike (all giving freely of their time), the club expanded quickly to more than 150 members and gradually took over their lives.
The club now also runs a ‘minis’ group (for 4 – 7 year olds), an ‘academy’ (for older, developing triathletes) and sessions for kids with Down’s Syndrome and those on the autistic spectrum.
Visit: ketton-panthers.weebly.com
his barely conscious brother, Jonny, over the finishing line in Cozumel in 2016, it doesn’t matter. Kids’ triathlon is different in one massive way – you are not racing, your kids are. So ‘back off mum’, ‘shut up dad’; let them get on with it, in their own way. Yes, they will make mistakes, even the professionals make errors that result in penalties and disqualifications, but they will learn from their experience and ultimately enjoy it.
“Most importantly, don’t be the mum on the bike route urging seven-year-old Mavis to ‘put the hammer down’ or the dad on the run route shouting ‘stop throwing up Colin, hurry up, Archibald is catching you’ (yes, we’ve seen and heard it). They will be going as fast as they can at that point. What they need is your calm support pre-race, positive encouragement during the race and honest congratulations post-race, no matter how well they perform.
“Only through this positivity will your kids develop a love for triathlon that will last them their lifetime. Racing is stressful enough as adults, so imagine what it’s like for a sevenyear old about to start their first swim leg. Please don’t put them off by placing too much pressure on them at such a young age. Put your
energies into ensuring they have the right support network.
“By empowering your young triathlete we hope they’ll be inspired and develop a love of swimming, cycling and running that will last them forever. They will still need your support and encouragement, but with a bit of luck you’ll also realise that they know what they are doing, so you can stop worrying... and enjoy the race.”
Image: Dave Tyrell/British Triathlon
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ActiveSport
No mad dogs, just poodles
Obscene amounts of money has dampened the passion of some of the top footballers
Scarcely a day went by in the run-up to Christmas without David Attenborough popping up on the telly to offer dire warnings on global warming. Time, it seems, is running out. Otherwise, all the parts of the globe currently occupied by polar bears and penguins will shortly be populated by scorpions, lizards and Easyjet passengers fresh off the plane from Luton airport.
The finger is being pointed at the usual suspects – diesel engines, fossil fuels and vast acres of rainforest being turned into soya bean fields – but neither should we under-estimate the twin threats of a cow’s bottom and Manchester United’s football manager; between them delivering, in industrial quantities, a lethal cocktail of methane gas and hot air.
It is a while now since José Mourinho anointed himself ‘the special one’, and who could argue? When you’re put in charge of the world’s most glamorous football club, and then spend shed loads of money to get them playing with all the flair of Hartlepool United, let’s be honest... that’s special. But does José acknowledge that he might have played some small part in his club’s stewards having to go round shaking people awake after the final whistle? You must be joking. How can it be, he argues, when you’ve won as many trophies as me? No. It’s the players’ fault for being fat and lazy. There are, he laments, no ‘mad dogs’ in his team, by which he means players who spend all 90 minutes running themselves into the ground.
Strangely, the two obvious reasons they don’t appear to have escaped him. Firstly, why would you shed any sweat for a bloke who continually slags you off in public? And secondly, why would you not develop an aversion to hard work when you’re paid such ridiculous amounts of money that you end up like that bloke in Downton Abbey. Unable to dress yourself for dinner without a valet and incapable, when you get to the table, of passing the marmalade without ringing the butler’s bell.
It’s a wonder all Premiership footballers don’t end up like Gorgeous Gus, centre forward for Redburn Rovers in the Victor comic who, as a member of the aristocracy, really did have a butler. The Earl of Boote, to give him his hereditary title, would hand his cloak to his faithful manservant just before kick off, and refuse to break into so much as a trot.
Demanding that the ball be delivered precisely to the business end of his right boot. Which would then propel the ball, from anywhere up to 50 yards away, into the goal with such ferocity that play would then have to be halted while they repaired the net.
Gus’ shirt was so free of perspiration that it only went to the laundry at the end of the season which, you suspect, is much the same
with Paul Pogba’s number 6 jersey. José expects him to run around occasionally, but why would you when someone plonks £290,000 in your bank account every week? Taken another way, Pogba’s form this season saw him relegated to the substitute’s bench for United’s match against Arsenal in December, and after spending 75 minutes sitting down, by the time he got up he was £2,000 better off.
Pogba, though, is horribly underpaid when it comes to an Arsenal player not even amongst the subs that evening, Mesut Ozil. This chap, in the opinion of most Arsenal fans, is the nearest thing to Gorgeous Gus in the entire Premier League, and he earns £300,000 a week.
Some of you, though, might be less surprised by what Pogba and Ozil are earning, than what some of the players lower down the Premier League’s celebrity food chain are on. Alex Pritchard of Huddersfield Town for example. Take a guess. Paid to score goals, Alex found the net once in his first 20 games for the club, for which he is being remunerated to the tune of £110,000 per week.
No wonder Mourinho looks around his dressing room for mad dogs and spots only poodles. I don’t know what England’s winning World Cup players were on in 1966 – more than a lollipop lady, but probably no more than a dentist – and that side was full of players who ran till they dropped. Alan Ball, Nobby Stiles, Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst, Roger Hunt – they were picked not just for their flair, but for their work rate. Jimmy Greaves couldn’t even get into the team because he didn’t run enough.
Oddly enough, if there is any connection between what players get paid and an absence of mad-doggism, it doesn’t seem to apply to managers. Mourinho’s salary may be the kind of cash that Pogba keeps to tip his bin-men at Christmas, but for a bloke on £6 million a year he remains passionate enough to trash a crateful of drinks bottles when his team scores a goal. As he did in a Champions’ League game in November.
And what about the equally well remunerated Jürgen Klopp? When his Liverpool team scored a late goal to win the Merseyside derby, he ran from dug-out to centre circle as though his underpants had been invaded by a colony of ants. It cost him an £8,000 fine, which he’d have paid off in the time it took him to go to bed and get up again for work the following morning. Further evidence that money seems to have the reverse effect on managers is Alf Ramsey’s reaction to his assistant Harold Shepherdson jumping off his seat when Geoff Hurst crashed home England’s fourth goal to clinch the World Cup. “Shepherdson!” barked Alf. “Sit down!” And what was Ramsey on? In today’s money it was worth £81,000. And that’s not per week. That’s per annum.
Martin Johnson has been a sports journalist and author since 1973, writing for the Leicester Mercury, The Independant, 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?’
Squad goals
International wheelchair rugby returns to Leicester in March thanks to sponsor King Power
By Chris Meadows
SINCE ITS INVENTION in Canada in 1977 by a group of quadriplegic athletes as an alternative to wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby has continued to grow in popularity, helped considerably by high profile events such as the London and Rio Paralympics along with the European and world championships.
Last year saw more and more clubs popping up across the country, something the governing body was keen to promote, especially given the more challenging news of its loss of centralised funding.
The news from GB Wheelchair Rugby remains positive though, following the announcement at Leicester City Football Club in December that the King Power Quad Nations tournament will return to the city in March. With the majority of competitive sides such as Canada and Australia being a long-haul flight away, there haven’t been many chances in the UK to go and watch our elite athletes at work, so this will be a great opportunity.
Supporters will be able to watch some of the top wheelchair rugby teams in the world on home soil. The supercharged tournament, which is described as ‘brutal’, will be bringing together three incredible days of the world’s best ‘Murderball’ teams for this intense competition. Fast paced and violent, players compete in specially designed, manual wheelchairs and must meet a minimum disability criterion, classifiable under the sport classification rules. All athletes were either born with physical disabilities, or have suffered illness which has affected their mobility, or else experienced life-changing injuries through accidents, including those serving in the armed forces.
Leicester lends itself well to host the event, especially with the Leicester Tigers Wheelchair
Rugby team providing a number of the current GB squad, including vice-captain Gavin Walker. Gavin’s story, like many in the squad, is one of great courage, following a slip in his back garden eight years ago that left him wheelchairbound. Gavin is looking forward to the event, although it will have meant a restrained Christmas for him and the rest of his teammates in preparation.
The event shares further ties with Leicester, with Thai duty-free giant King Power continuing its support as title sponsors. City players Kasper Schmeichel and Shinji Okazake were on hand at the launch to offer their support too.
Great Britain will host teams from Japan,
Wheelchair rugby: the basics
> The game is played with an official IWRF ball on a hardwood basketball court marked with sidelines, baselines, mid-court line, centre circle and two key (goal) areas
“Fast paced and violent, players compete in specially designed wheelchairs”
> The object is to carry the ball over the opposing team’s goal line to score
> Each team is allowed up to 12 mixed players, but only four are allowed on the court at one time
> All players are assigned one of seven
numerical sport classes, which is a measure of their functional ability. This number ranges from 0.5 (the least function) to 3.5 (the highest level of function), and is calculated in 0.5 increments.
> The total value of the sport classes on court for each team must not exceed 8.0. Teams are allowed an extra 0.5 points for each female player on court
who won the gold medal at the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships held in Sydney last summer, Canada who are currently ranked fourth in the world and France, who are ranked seventh.
David Pond, CEO of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby, said: “We are delighted to return to Leicester for this fantastic tournament. All teams were overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome we received by the people of Leicester when we played the first King Power Quad Nations in the city and we are hoping for even bigger crowds this time.
“We’re also really appreciative of King Power which has come forward again to sponsor the event. Spectators will see the game at the very highest level and it’s fantastic that the world champions, Japan, will be joining us.”
Following crowds of more than 5,000 in 2018, the squad is hoping even more supporters get behind them this year. The timings of fixtures on the Friday have been scheduled especially to encourage school children to visit.
The Quad Nations takes place from Friday, March 1, to Sunday, March 3, at the Morningside Arena in Leicester. Tickets are on sale now at wrquadnations.com. There are also a number of sponsorship opportunities still available – for more information contact info@wrquadnations.com.
> The game is played in four eight-minute quarters
> On each possession of the ball, teams have 40 seconds to score a goal, unless there is less time than this left on the game clock
> No player on the team in control of the ball may remain in the opposing team’s key area for more than 10 seconds
> The player in possession of the ball must dribble or pass the ball at least once every 10 seconds
> Wheelchair rugby is a contact sport in which chair to chair contact is permitted, but physical body contact between players is not allowed. However, players may not strike another player’s wheelchair anywhere behind the axle of the rear wheel in such a way as to cause the chair to rotate horizontally or vertically
Not every cloud has a silver lining
Simon Davies tells us how he got on during his final challenge in the Ice Desert Jungle Ultra series, and sadly it didn’t go to plan
THIS HAS BEEN a tough article to write. Last week I failed to complete the Desert Ultra – the final race in the Ice Desert Jungle Ultra challenge. I’d completed the Ice and Jungle races, but the race in the Namib defeated me. I put everything into training and I felt strong on the start line. I’m beyond gutted to have failed.
I felt great for the first 20 miles and was enjoying the running and the incredible scenery. At check-point three I took on some fluids and instantly started vomiting. I carried on for another seven miles to check-point four, walking and jogging slowly so I could try and get some food and drink inside me. Even with the reduced effort I was throwingup even a sip of water. The medics kept me at this final check-point for a couple of hours until I stopped vomiting and managed to keep a little water down. Eventually, I managed to get back on my feet and compete the final six miles, and was confident I could recover for the next day
I woke up on day two still unable to eat or drink. It was disheartening to be sat staring at my breakfast unable to keep any of it down and knowing I had a 55km stage ahead of me. I started with a plan to move slowly and steadily. I was confident I could get through the day without food as long as I could drink enough water. However, despite my best efforts it took me four hours to walk the first 10 miles, vomiting every time I took even a sip of water. I was determined to finish, but if you can’t drink in the desert heat things aren’t going to end well. Eventually, after speaking to the race director and medical team I took one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made; and quit.
After being withdrawn from the race I decided to stay and help the crew. I’m so glad I made that choice. I spent the rest of the week filling-up water bottles, helping the medics at check-points, and even running alongside some of the athletes for a few kilometres to keep them company at the end of each stage. It was so rewarding to see a little of what goes on behind the scenes.
In all the races I’ve done I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a close-knit group of runners and, despite my personal disappointment, it was awesome to spend the week with such a diverse range of incredible and inspiring athletes. I’ve made some lifelong friends and memories.
As soon as I withdrew I also made the decision to sign-up for next year’s race. I’m determined to finish my Ice Desert Jungle journey and I’m taking the positive that I now have extra time to continue to fund-raise for Rainbows Children’s Hospice. I’ve doubled my original target to £50,000 and I’m going to do everything I can to find out what went wrong so I can do as much as possible to ensure a better result next time.
I’d like to use this opportunity to say a heartfelt thanks once again to everyone that’s supported me during this incredible year; my team at the Training Shed, the sports science team at Loughborough University, my corporate sponsors – Training Shed, RS Components, Effect and Second Sight – and everyone else who has donated their time, energy and money to help raise an incredible £35,200 for Rainbows. Your generosity will have a huge impact on the children and families who rely upon the invaluable work that Rainbows provides for our community.
Oakham’s struggles continue
By Jeremy Smithson-Beswick
OAKHAM’S DIFFICULT SEASON continues to be a matter of concern for all at the Showground, with those worries having been only temporarily assuaged by a narrow 30-29 win over Bugbrooke. It was a rousing away victory against a mid-table side, having been nine points adrift with only a few minutes to go and scoring the winning try in injury time.
Alas, they then went on to lose at home to Coalville, which was particularly disappointing as they’d been set for victory with two minutes left before not one, but two tries to the opposition worsened their relegation plight.
Ex-president and club mainstay Keith Crellin told me: “It’s the defence which seems to be our Achilles’ heel. After 70 minutes we’ve been ahead in so many games before conceding tries late on. I don’t think it’s a matter of fitness but of confidence. It’s as if there’s a feeling of ‘here we go again’.”
One positive is that they are scoring freely with bonus points accruing in many recent ties and Crellin detecting encouraging signs of progress. In addition, coach Alan Meadows is confident they’ll improve.
Oakham are one place above the relegation slots but will have two key players return in January – Nick Houghton and John Mitchell – but they will have to do without winger Zak Smale until around March as he’s recently had an operation on a badly broken ankle.
With challenging games against Market Bosworth and Market Harborough to come immediately after the break, their third fixture in the new year will be crucial – it’s against fellow strugglers Vipers over whom they have a narrow three-point lead.
Market Harborough will be confident of beating Oaks at home in mid-January. Their season has been in stark contrast to their
visitors and they are currently second, four points behind leaders Olney. They defeated Coalville this month in the same manner that Oakham had lost to them – by coming from behind late on.
“They’re a good side with lots of physicality and an abrasive pack,” said Harborough’s director of rugby Richard Bowden. “But our levels of fitness are really good and we’re able to maintain a high tempo in the last quarter.”
Harborough also recently played Huntingdon and the gulf between them and Oakham was underlined by the result, a 52-12 win with tries from Harvey Slade, Milkha Basra, Chris Bale, Laurence Joel, Josh Purnell and George Lee as they raced into a 40-point lead inside the first quarter. Sponsorship chairman David Nance describing their play in that period as “rampant”.
They did suffer a setback at Long Buckby with a 17-5 defeat but will surely be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. They continue to field three senior sides each weekend and Bowden told me they’re looking for some additions to the front row at all levels, so would welcome any locals who want to give it a try.
Down one tier, Stamford Town’s run of good form continues and they’ve now won their last five and, like Harborough, are second in their table. A clean sweep in December was a great way to go into Christmas and their month was also notable for the visit of England coach Eddie Jones who came to Hambleton Road to spend time with the under 11s.
The first XV did their best to inspire the young ones too with victories over St Neots (27-7, with tries from Toby Anderson, Rees Burns, Jack Jones (2) and Martin Bagnell),
followed by Stockwood Park (36-19, Ben Murphy, Mike Kendall, Sam Hillary, Jack Jones, Rees Burns and John Murphy) and finally Biggleswade by 24-5.
Well though Market Harborough and Stamford are doing, the stand-out side from the first half of the season is Oundle. Playing in only their second season up in Midlands 1 East they are in a three-cornered fight for the title with Kettering and Paviors, with a mere two points separating the trio.
After crushing Melton Mowbray 52-13 away with eight tries, they landed another seven against Northampton Old Scouts, their first coming after only four minutes from Luke Marston in what coach Peter Croot called “a dream start”, followed by Robb Shingles and Dan Page before half time. Shingles’ second and third tries sandwiched one from Toby Snelling and scrum-half Harry Winch rounded off their 48-13 win.
Even better was to come away at fourth placed Oadby Wyggs. Croot called it “their best team performance yet” as Shingles opened the scoring after seven minutes. Oadby pulled them back but Oundle went on to dominate the rest of the half but with only a second try from Harry Winch to show for their superiority.
Croot noted that, to this point, “The game had been as intense and as fast as any witnessed at this level this season,” and 10 minutes into the second period Lewis Robinson sprinted over to extend their lead. Will Carrington added the conversion and then a penalty to make it 10-24 but back came Oadby with a score in the corner before Chris Humphrey secured the bonus point. They then showed “ruthless resolve” to keep the home side locked out for a 29-17 win.
RUGBY
Tigers talk
Steve Moody hopes Geordan Murphy’s con rmation as head coach on a full-time basis will spark a revival at the club
SO, AS WE have been advocating for a couple of months, Geordan Murphy has been given the Tigers’ coaching job full time. Being the Tigers’ board though, they couldn’t even manage to do that with any sense of timing, announcing the appointment after the worst run of defeats in living memory. At the time of writing, Leicester had fallen to eight defeats in a row, many of them heavy.
As we wrote in the last issue, late November and December could be a season-defining period for Leicester, and so it proved to be in the sense that losses home and away to Racing 92 have effectively dumped them out of Europe, while going down to Gloucester away, Saracens at home (in which they were a little unlucky) and a proper stuffing at Bristol has seen them staring at a relegation battle for the rest of the season.
Bright spots have been few and far between, although the emergence of scrum-half Ben White has been one. He seems to have quite a bit about him, not least that if trouble is occurring, he’s quite often first on the scene; reminiscent of a young Harry Ellis. Otherwise there hasn’t been much to shout about.
Quite how it could come to this is hard to fathom with the talent available, but a hint perhaps was given in some brilliantly
eccentric and brutally honest interviews given by Ellis Genge in which the constant hiring and firing of coaches, and especially getting rid of players mid-contract, has caused huge instability, and possibly even insecurity in the club.
So the appointment of Murphy is intended to shore up that shakiness and show the players and fans that the club now has a long-term goal, rather than one dreamt up in whatever week we happen to be in.
In some ways, giving him the job at this point is counter-intuitive, in others it makes sense. It all depends on your perspective, I suppose.
“We’re working incredibly hard, day in, day out, and that’s the only way we will get better”
Speaking to Murphy, he recognises fans have been frustrated, but he said: “Nobody feels this more than myself, the coaches and the players. I hate losing more than I love winning. But we can’t wallow in it. We’re working incredibly hard, day in, day out, and that’s the only way we will get better. Just like all Tigers teams, the basic requirement is to work harder than anybody else, and only by doing that will results come.”
Part of the issue has been around defence, and for supporters who see gaps in the line it can be hard to understand how this comes about.
But flanker Guy Thompson explained the issue: “Defence is about making split-second decisions that are based on an instinct that has been drilled into you after hours and hours on the training field, and Brett Deacon, who wasn’t in charge of it at pre-season, is doing that with us now. So there are long periods in games where the defence works and then shorter ones where individual errors take place that mean we let in tries. But it’s definitely coming together, we can feel it and I think we’ll see improvements over the next few weeks.”
Scrum-half Ben White in action for the Tigers, one of the few positives this season
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D.G NORMAN
Daniels’ season stutters, but others in fine form
By Dean Cornish
ALTHOUGH STAMFORD’S league campaign has faltered over recent months, and the FA Cup run didn’t really get out of the starting blocks, there had been a glimmer of hope for some sort of celebration this season with an impressive FA Trophy run that lead Graham Drury’s side to the verge of the first round proper.
Unfortunately though, that light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off this month, with Barwell from the division above winning their final qualifying round tie after a replay.
It’s not much consolation for Stamford fans that the initial game saw a famous late equaliser for Stamford from Joseph Boachie, nor that the replay was a humdinger of a match that finished 3-3. Alas, penalty heartbreak saw Stamford drop out of the competition and all but consign the Daniels’ season to ‘mediocrity’.
Maybe I’m being too harsh; Stamford are, of course, still in the league, but following defeat to Loughborough Dynamo just before Christmas, they are now 17 points off the top of the division and nine points from the play-offs. With an excellent second half to the season the play-offs are still possible, but a distinct lack of consistency and a revolving door of players doesn’t inspire any confidence that the last four months of the season will be much better than the first four.
Last month, I was talking up the return of last season’s player of the season Henry Eze as maybe the catalyst to change Stamford’s fortunes. While his signing definitely made a difference to defence and fan morale, sadly it was only short lived with Eze becoming another player to be lured to Barwell with a big money offer just four weeks after he had re-joined the Daniels.
Drury does have experience of getting promotion from this level and overall he’s not done a bad job during this stint in charge. Remember that the other season Stamford got to the FA Cup first round for the first time ever and, of course, the Daniels were only defeated in the play-off final last season in the last few minutes of extra time, but questions will need to be asked if Stamford don’t at least challenge for the play-offs this year.
managing to mastermind an incredible 9-1 away win at Burton Park Wanderers. Between those two memorable wins though, they lost 3-1 at home to Melton Town. Consistency is the key now for them to finish as strongly as their talent suggests they should.
They should be playing in the level above where they are now, so it’s a big four months for Drury
In the United Counties Premier Division, Harborough Town have had a mixed period, with impressive wins over Newport Pagnell (5-1) and away at Boston Town (3-0), followed up with defeat at home to Daventry and a home draw to Rothwell Corinthians. The Newport Pagnell win saw an Aaron Preston hat-trick and a double from Tony Bartlett. The Bees are 14th in the division, with mid-table obscurity the only realistic aim.
In the UCL Division 1, Stamford-based Blackstones are fifth but remain too inconsistent to be serious title challengers. Player-manager Lee Clarke bagged a late hat-trick with two goals coming in injury time in their 3-0 win over Irchester United, before two weeks later
In the Peterborough League Premier Division, Stamford Lions are roaring into the new year with six straight league wins in November and December seeing James Sheehan’s side move up to sixth position with games in hand. Hot shot Jake Showler bagged a hat-trick in the 5-2 away win at Sutton Bridge.
In the same division, Ketton have had a big change of fortune, with four straight wins pushing them up the league after an indifferent autumn period. Recent victories have included scoring six goals away at Langtoft, and an impressive 3-2 victory over Peterborough Sports.
In Division One, Uppingham Town are now second in the league. They are 11 points behind Parsons Drove, but with two games in hand it’s still possible for them to overhaul them at the top. The boys from Todd’s Piece have now won six league games on the bounce, and haven’t conceded in their last three games. Impressive stuff.
In the same division, Stamford Bels are up to seventh. Lewis Morley’s side had an impressive recent win over FC Peterborough (3-2) and confidence is high in the club, with Iain Evans’ reserve side unbeaten in three months and looking to mount a title challenge in Division 4.
“Stamford’s lack of consistency and a revolving door of players doesn’t inspire any con dence”
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Indoor success at Keysoe
By Julia Dungworth
KEYSOE EQUESTRIAN HELD its large CSI2* in the newly-revamped indoor school over the last week of November, again attracting a large number of competitors from all over the country and Europe. Many of the classes were live-streamed so that everyone could still get their equestrian fix, wherever they were.
The two main classes were the YH1* five-year-old Grand Prix which was won by Michaela Webb riding Infinity, while YH1* six-year-old was taken by Crowland-based Chloe Coward on H Blokx.
Local rider Holly Smith took the big 1.45 CSI2* Grand Prix on Rosemary Preston’s Claddagh Iroko, taking home just over £7,300 in prize money from that one class.
The competition was a huge success and Keysoe will be adding lots more dates for next season.
JumpCross has had another successful year and the eagerly awaited league tables are out. Thirteen-year-old Lizzie Selby topped the table in the Grassroots on Maggy II, 19 points ahead of her closest rival Emma Cooper. She was followed in third place by Annabelle Pick. Lizzie was also second in the Intro section, but couldn’t quite catch Alice Smith who took first spot – Alice also went on to win the Group 3, six points ahead of Miranda Brooman-White on Bourbon, which just goes to show that most riders must jump two rounds each time.
JumpCross is growing in popularity and the organisers will be announcing future dates very soon, take a look at the website for more details.
The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials has announced its charity of the year for 2019 is to be the Jon Egging Trust, which was founded after the death of the Rutland-based Red
Arrows pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging. The charity has made a real difference to young people’s lives through its pioneering work. Event director Liz Inman said: “We are very grateful for the time and effort that so many charities put into their applications and are thrilled to be supporting the Jon Egging Trust this year.”
The Burghley box office will be open for members on April 25 and for all other sales the following day with the event taking place from September 5-8.
Dodson and Horrell is again hosting several Masterclasses in January; they will be compered by Spencer Sturmey and aim to inspire and educate riders with the opportunity to meet the stars.
The first is at Arena UK, with famous father/ son show-jumping duo Michael and Jack Whitaker on January 16. The second with eventers Richard Jones and Tom McEwen will
be held at Keysoe on January 21. Tickets are £20 and are available via their Facebook page. There will be a goody bag for all attendees and the opportunity to speak to the expert nutritionists from Dodson and Horrell.
The Melton Hunt Club ride is set to run on February 3 at Long Clawson at noon. It is the turn of the Belvoir Hunt this year and they have a new sponsor, Chestnut Horse Feeds.
The race will be a sight to behold as 50 riders race over the cream of the Belvoir’s hunting country. The race itself is about three miles long and there is little guidance bar a few turning flags to get from the start to finish.
With very undulating ground and some massive hedges in the way, watching it really is the best way to inspire you (or make you want to hang your boots up) for the rest of the season.
“The Melton Hunt Club ride will be a sight to behold as 50 riders race over the cream of the Belvoir’s hunting country”
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