Enjoy a restful break at the Experience an innovative twist on brasserie food at relax with a local ale in our cosy traditional English pub,
We are located just off the A47 between Leicester and Peterborough, situated in Uppingham’s historic Market Place.
COMPUTER GAMES ARE EVERYWHERE aren’t they? We are surrounded: I have them on mobile phones, iPads, PlayStations, laptops. There seems no escape and, for my kids, they are only ever a step or two away from Lego Star Wars, Candy Crush or Dress Up a Pink Pony, or some other terrible thing with an evil, catchy tune and garish graphics.
Keeping them off these devices requires strict rules and steely observation, because obviously there is the concern that playing games have the result of making kids lazy and overweight.
Although on the flip side the average five-year old has the fine motor skills of a concert pianist. So, for some limited time, I don’t mind them. After all, they might be watching TV otherwise. But there really is nothing to compare with the joy of physical activity.
My son recently became old enough that a passing interest in rugby (mainly because he saw me heading off to watch Tigers, or saw it on TV), became a bit more of an obsession. So, this summer, hours have been spent in the garden with us in our Leicester shirts, him charging at me, ball in hand. Life in the back row beckons: he’s not interested in the sidestep, only smashing into me and then grappling on the floor for the ball.
My daughter isn’t particularly sporty, preferring violins and reading, but at my cricket club we took a cut-down golf club and she whacked balls happily and accurately for ages, and keeps talking about when she’s going to take up the game.
In both instances, the look of joy on their red, hot, sweaty faces when doing these things can’t be matched. Certainly not when peering into a screen. So this summer what are you going to do for your kids to get them out and active? It’s not always easy to dream up new things, so we’ve compiled a list of lots of things you can do to keep them occupied and hopefully, by bedtime, exhausted.
I’ll be working my way through the list, too: much better fun than watching digital angry birds land on fat green pigs.
I hope you enjoy the magazine, Steve
Publisher Chris Meadows chris@theactivemag.com
Editor Steve Moody steve@theactivemag.com
Deputy editor Mary Bremner mary@theactivemag.com
Production editor Julian Kirk julian@theactivemag.com
Art editor Mark Sommer mark@theactivemag.com
Contributors
Martin Johnson, William Hetherington, Sandie Hurford, Jeremy Beswick, Julia Dungworth
Photographers Nico Morgan, Pip Warters
Production assistant Gary Curtis
Advertising sales Lisa Withers lisa@theactivemag.com
Amy Roberts amy@theactivemag.com
Editorial and Advertising Assistant Kate Maxim kate@theactivemag.com
Accounts accounts@theactivemag.com
Active magazine, The Grey House, 3 Broad Street, Stamford, PE9 1PG. Tel: 01780 480789
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Active magazine is published 12 times per year on a monthly basis. ISSN 2049-8713
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Disclaimer
Copyright (c) Grassroots Publishing Limited (GPL) 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or be stored in any retrieval system, of any nature, without prior permission from GPL. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of GPL or its affiliates. Disclaimer of Liability. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information contained in this publication at the time of going to press, GPL and its affiliates assume no responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of and, to the extent permitted by law, shall not be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained in this publication. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of the advertising material which they
We are general building contractors based in Stamford, UK that cover a wide range of building work and services, with many years experience in the building trade. We have been in business since 2002 and are specialists in Building, Extensions, Lofts Conversions and Refurbishment services, Modern and Traditional Extensions, Kitchens and Bathrooms, Interior Design, Landscaping, Gas and Electrical Work.
14 ACTIVE LIFE
Details of Harringworth village fete
17 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... Racer, stunt double and model Annalese Ferrari
18-19 HEALTHY EATING
A tasty recipe from Riverford Organic
20 GARDENING
Advice on preparing and potting for summer
23 COOPED UP
How to keep chickens in your garden
25 PRESSING MATTERS
We talk to a builder turned cider maker Mike Berry
27 FIVE THINGS TO DO IN JUNE... Balloon rides, the beach and Blaston show
33 MARTIN JOHNSON COLUMN
The pressure of sports management
34-35 KIT BAG
Essential gear for the sporting summer
28-31 GAME, SET AND MATCH
Jeremy Beswick visits local tennis clubs
36-41 SUMMER HOLIDAYS ESSENTIALS
Our pick of the best activities for the kids
42-48 HEALTH AND FITNESS
The latest on looking and feeling great
50-51 DOG HEALTH
More great advice to make life with your pooch easier
52-53 GREAT WALKS
Will Hetherington heads to Thorpe Langton
55 SPORTSMAN’S DINNER
We try out Toro Latino in Market Harborough
56-59 SCHOOL SPORT
Our focus on the latest achievements from local pupils
60-66 ROUND-UP
How clubs in the area are faring
To see how you could make your money go further with TorFX give them a call on
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Leicester Tigers legend Tim Stimpson has joined a number of fundraisers to play rugby at the North Pole, trekking more than 60 miles and in temperatures as low as -30C in a bid to set a world record for the northernmost ever match. Posts were erected and the perimeter of the pitch was measured and marked. #teamtim came out on top in a closely contested 17-14 victory. The teams, made up of Wooden Spoon charity members from across the UK, are looking to raise £300,000. To donate, text code ARCT01 for £2, £5 or £10 to 70070.
In association with Smiths Gore
Open to all photographers with a first prize of £500, Easton Walled Gardens, the famous 400-year old gardens in Lincolnshire, have launched a photography competition: The Essence of Summer.
The subject can be anywhere in the British Isles. Category winners, runnersup and finalists will be included in an exhibition of images during Snowdrop Week and Spring 2016 at Easton Walled Gardens where work will be seen by thousands of visitors.
The categories are:
SWEET PEAS AND ROSES – Any image containing Sweet Peas or Roses SUMMER LIFE – An image that shows wildlife, pets or people getting the most out of the British Summer
EASTON WALLED GARDENS – Any image taken at Easton Walled Gardens. GARDEN LANDSCAPE – Visit gardens or use your own for inspiration.
THE SMITHS GORE ‘COUNTRYSIDE AT WORK’ CATEGORY – An image of rural life showing cra smanship, work or skills. UNDER 18 – Any image that covers one of the above categories and which was taken when the photographer was aged 18 or under as at September 30, 2015.
The winner and runner-up in each category will be put forward for judging.
In the overall category, THE ESSENCE OF SUMMER: BEST IMAGE, a photograph that the judges feel best sums up the atmosphere of a classic British summer.
Judges include Jason Ingram, Garden Photographer of the Year 2013 and 2014, James Alexander-Sinclair: Chelsea award winning garden designer and TV presenter, and The Cholmeley family, owners of Easton Walled Gardens.
Entry is free and the closing date is September 30, 2015.
For more details, visit www. eastonwalledgardens.co.uk/whats-on/ photography-competition
As part of The Suffering obstacle race at Rockingham Castle this month, the organisers have joined with Military Fitness Circuits to offer 4-14 year olds a fabulous Mini Mud Run course. From active kids to honed athletes, The Suffering offers something for all. More information about the race can be found by visiting www.thesufferingrace.co.uk
// Edited by Mary Bremner
Harringworth village fete takes place on Saturday, June 20, from 2pm. A quintessential village fete with all the usual attractions including a classic car display, homemade a ernoon teas and Pimm’s, as well as ice creams and a barbecue. www.harringworthvillage.org
Sexton Property Management is a newly established business that is helping apartment owners to affordably manage the maintenance of their buildings.
We are currently responsible for three developments in Market Harborough totalling 86 apartments. By partnering with us, you can sit back and relax whilst we take care of all your financial, administration and on site safety requirements.
Sexton Property Management work alongside our residents association and provide us with complete piece of mind as they take care of all our day-to-day management responsibilities
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We’re looking for a new advertising sales executive to join our advertising sales team. If you’re ambitious, organised and proactive, with a professional and courteous attitude then we want to hear from you. Remuneration packages can be tailored to suit the right individual. Interested? Then send your CV to jobs@theactivemag.com.
Visit www.theactivemag.com for more information about the role.
My mum took me karting when I was 14 and I found out I was quite quick and not scared of anything. You’ve got to be brave and confident to race cars. I haven’t come from a monied family though – it all comes from sponsorship which I tend to get via social media. I’m sponsored by Freemans Accountancy in Cardiff, Townsend Vehicle Hire in Rugby and RMA Track Days.
This year I’m competing in the BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Supercup, which is a support race to the British GT Championship. I’m the only girl in this championship but last year a girl won the Mazdas. There are quite a lot of girls racing now, which is great considering it’s such a maledominated sport, and you don’t have to be a tomboy to compete. I like to paint my nails and wear make up!
In the first race at Silverstone I was hit in the rear which punctured my tyre and wrecked my brakes. I’m not that bothered about having a smash: it’s more the cost I worry about. Mazdas are quite twitchy and easy to spin, especially when they’re cold. I’d never driven on the Rockingham circuit before the championship so I’ve been playing catch-up. I had three test sessions before qualifying and that was it. The mechanics get the car ready but I try and get involved as it’s good to understand what’s happening. We can change the set up but you can’t do anything to make it faster.
Doubling up
I’ve driven all sorts of different cars because I’m also a stunt double for films and TV. You don’t necessarily drive at high speed – I probably average about 50 mph – but it’s hard to keep driving your car when things are being blown up around you.
In Edge of Tomorrow I had a caravan behind the car, which was supposedly being ripped apart by aliens, and was jumping all over the road while being set on fire. It was great fun. Tom Cruise was standing up out of the top of the car and the camera was trained on his face. I had to maintain the same pace all the time because if I had accelerated I’d have chopped his head off, and if I dropped speed I’d have ruined the shot. The racing and the stunts mix well. I love racing, especially when we’re all on the grid, vying for position, but the stunts are exciting because they’re so different. I like doing crashes and rollovers and when I get it right it’s such an achievement. I had just one take to play a prank on some Arsenal players. They thought I was a footballer from the women’s team and that we were doing parking challenges with girls against
‘There are quite a lot of girls racing now... you don’t have to be a tomboy to compete’
boys, but then I suddenly did a load of j-turns and handbrake turns into the goal, great fun!
I’ve doubled for Emily Blunt a few times. I did the Disney film Into the Woods which involved a lot of fights and falling. No cars. I also doubled for Yvonne Strahovski when 24 came to London for quite a violent torture scene. That was fun!
I drink loads of Lucozade energy drinks and take Biosynergy supplements. And I’ll eat pasta or a jacket potato with a salad before a race –anything to keep me alert. It’s easy to lose concentration. You can be on your own for ages out there when you’re testing and you don’t want to be falling asleep.
After each session I’ll watch the footage from my GoPro and compare it to other racers on YouTube. I’ll analyse my lines, write up more
notes on my track map and note all my gear changes. I drive the track loads of times in my head before I even set a wheel on the circuit. Then I do a load of media stuff which all helps with sponsorship. I’ll give interviews, do podcasts or post on to Twitter. I’m always looking for new sponsorship. I’m self-coached and I normally get quicker every time I go out but if I had a coach I would be even better. That’s a bit frustrating, but I’m so grateful to even be here. And each season I should get even faster. When I get home after a day at the track I’ll eat, have a bath, do some revision, then go to bed. It’s like being back at school.
If anyone is interested in sponsoring Annalese, you can contact her on annalese@annalese-ferrarimotorsport.co.uk
INGREDIENTS
200g floury potatoes
1 large red onion
1 garlic clove
¼ dried chilli
1 tbsp tomato puree
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
400g chopped tomatoes
1 bay leaf
2 tsps brown sugar
1 tin haricot beans
100ml milk
2 eggs
60g self raising flour
50 smoked cheddar
METHOD
Boil the peeled diced potatoes until tender, for about 15 minutes.
While the potato cooks, start your sauce (1). Peel and slice the onion and fry in a saucepan for 10 minutes until starting to soften. Peel and slice the garlic and add to the pan with the tomato puree and vinegar. Cook for a further 3 minutes to reduce the vinegar.
Mash the potatoes. Season well with salt and
pepper. Spread the mash out on a plate and allow to cool for 20 minutes.
When the sauce has cooked, season well with salt and pepper. Pulse very briefly with a stick blender to give you a slightly smoother texture or, for a thicker texture, blend half of the sauce in a processor before returning to the pan.
Drain and rinse the haricot beans. Add to the sauce and leave on a very low heat to warm through while you make the pancakes.
Whisk the eggs and the milk together (2) in a bowl and stir in the mash. It will be stiff at first but will loosen up. Sift in the flour and mix well.
Heat some oil in a frying pan and dollop in 2 tbsp of batter for each pancake (3).
You want six in total so you may have to do batches. Cook until golden on each side and slightly risen – about 2 minutes a side.
Spoon the beans on the warm pancakes and scatter with the smoked Cheddar – delicious.
The potato pancakes are a great way to use up leftover mashed or jacket potatoes.
We used a whole dried chilli to add a bit more of a kick.
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Spring has sprung and summer is here, so there’s plenty to go out in the garden
June is a key month – it signals the end of spring and the beginning of summer so get out in the garden and enjoy the long daylight hours. There’s lots to do in the garden this month.
Any late frosts should be a distant memory now so it is definitely safe to put out your hanging baskets and annual summer bedding plants. As soon as sweet peas start to flower pick them, and keep doing so as it encourages more blooms.
Tie honeysuckle and clematis to their supports to stop them getting damaged. Stake tall or floppy perennials and keep deadheading roses and other flowers to encourage more growth.
Keep on top of the ‘wee beasties’ and, most importantly, if June really is flaming (and let’s hope it is) remember to water, water and water.
Allotment Corner
It’s the middle of the year and probably your last chance to sow runner beans, carrots and peas.
But it’s also the month to start harvesting crops. New potatoes should be ready this month as well as strawberries, cherries, onions and gooseberries.
Keep pinching out the side shoots from your tomato plants and feed regularly. It should be safe now the frosts have gone to plant out tender
The reed bunting is a chaffinch-sized song bird found in similar habitat to last month’s sedge warbler – waterside sedge and reeds but also scrubby areas and crops such as oilseed rape.
It is more common and widespread than the sedge warbler and much easier to see. Rutland Water, the River Welland and Fort Henry ponds all support good numbers but they should be looked and
listened for on any local countryside walk
Males have brown, dark streaked upper parts and a whitish breast. They are easily spotted by their distinctive black head and white collar with a stripe up to the eye. The song is a monotonous ‘cheep, cheep, cheep, chiperee’, delivered from a prominent perch as they defend their territory.
Females are similar to males but with a
vegetables such as courgettes, squash and sweet corn. Harvest salad crops and keep planting seeds at fortnightly intervals to ensure a constant supply throughout the summer.
All the extra daylight and warmth will be promoting lots of growth, but that means weeds will be reaching for the sky as well, so keep on top of them hoeing regularly.
Unfortunately June is also a month when all the insects and pests rear their ugly heads. Be extra vigilant, protect fruit from marauding birds by placing netting over the plants, particularly strawberries and keep an eye out for slugs, snails and caterpillars.
brown head. Like all buntings, they constantly flick their tails. The nest is well hidden in a grass tussock or rough vegetation. Four or five eggs are laid and there may be two broods of young.
In winter they join finches on farmland stubble or weedy fields and in hard weather will visit gardens, where they are easily overlooked among the more familiar house sparrows. Terry Mitcham
SATURDAY
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Music English Choral Music of the Romantic Era
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Machine Knitting
Upholstery
Chair Caning & Rush Weaving
For more information or to book: www.uppinghamsummerschool.co.uk summerschool@uppingham.co.uk 01572 820800
To join or find out more please visit:
Harborough Leisure Centre Northampton Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9HF Tel: 01858 410 115
Lutterworth Sports Centre Coventry Road, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 4RB Tel: 01455 200 800
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* Price relates to a gym and swim membership at both Harborough and Lutterworth Leisure Centres.12 month minimum term applies. Other memberships available, see online for details.
Editor Steve Moody is taking up the good life and keeping chickens. In the first of a series of features, the family get started by building a home for the birds
Ithink it’s fair to say that I was blindsided into keeping chickens. There I was happily minding my own business one day a few months ago, when the rest of the family appeared and declared they had decided they would like to keep a few of the clucky beasts.
I admit to being less than keen. Yes, I like eggs. But I like steak too and I don’t need a herd of Aberdeen Angus in my back garden to keep me supplied. That’s the beauty of supermarkets.
Then there’s the hassle of building a chicken run and coop, fox proofing everything, the cleaning out, mites, rats, cost, mess and how our dog will manage. He spends most of his life bravely chasing pigeons out of the garden already. How on earth might the labrador/ chicken relationship fare?
Anyway, this was back in the winter so I came up with something about chickens not laying at that time of year so there was no point getting them yet, and crossed a few fingers that the idea would remain exactly that. Spring came. The idea was still very much there, and ready to turn into feathery reality. Handily, we had a ready made area at the bottom of the garden behind a picket fence which could be easily made secure with netting, and they even get an apple tree in
Carrie Wright of The Clever Coop Company (www.theclevercoopcompany.com) looks at a few things that need to be addressed before taking the plunge…
Environment: Is your garden suited for chickens? We would love to be able to provide unlimited space, but a run offering approximately 3 square metres per chicken is a good starting point.
Housing: Size very much depends on the number of birds you are buying. Wooden or plastic? Both have advantages…. wooden coops look better, while plastic offers less maintenance.
Breed: Are you looking for a plentiful supply of good-sized eggs? Hybrids are renowned for their laying ability but you may prefer a smaller, bantam breed if you’d like a more ‘child friendly’ version.
Quantity: Start small. Three or four hybrid hens will easily provide 2 to 3 eggs a day.
Responsibility: Their coop should be cleaned out once a week with both hens and coop checked for parasites and treated accordingly.
the coop, which must be the chicken equivalent of living at the Ritz.
Then there was the more pressing concern of a coop, but this was solved by Carrie Wright at The Clever Coop Company in Castle Bytham. Her plastic coops are made in the USA and look like a barn from middle America, but crucially you can hose them out, they don’t rot like wood and pests such as red mites don’t get into the woodwork. And it was easy to construct too, snapping together in less than half an hour. We were ready to go chicken shopping.
We went to Mini Meadows Farm in Welford
to buy three chickens. My daughter Florence obviously had an idea in her mind of the chicken she wanted, and I think it might have been something cute from a Disney film. She was less impressed by clucky, flappy real-life ones, although with a lot of persuading she eventually picked a white coral, now called Daisy. My son Arthur went for a brown Columbian blacktail and gave her the name Olly. Not quite got the concept yet. My wife’s is a bluebell, called Mildred. Boxed up, we put them in the boot and headed home. The easy bit was done. Next month, waiting for the eggs…
Mike Berry has swapped building sites for making award-winning cider
Rutland builder Mike Berry bought a property in Thistleton that had a small apple orchard and decided to have a go at making cider to use up the glut. He got a few of his friends together to help build an apple press from a car jack and reclaimed oak and used a fence post to pound the apples. They succeeded in making about 200 litres of cider and a good time was had by all….
Five years later Mike has given up the building work and become a full-time cider maker producing up to 100,000 litres this year.
“I source my apples locally, mostly from
Rutland, but have to cross the border into Cambridgeshire to make the numbers up,” said Mike.
Fynburys Rutland Cider has grown by word of mouth into a successful business and the brew can be found behind many bars in pubs in this area and much further afield. As well as its original cider Fynburys now makes rhubarb and strawberry cider, mulled spice cider and blackberry and nettle cider.
Mike has got so good at cider making that last year he won a gold medal in the Off Licence News International Cider Challenge, competing against 150 other ciders from around the world.
His business is going from strength to strength and could be described as a traditional cottage industry done good – and all from a glut of apples in his newly acquired orchard.
To find out more visit www. fynburyscider.co.uk
■ Have a ride in a hot air balloon and see the sights from the air. Virgin balloons fly from historic Stanford Hall near Lutterworth. What better way to see the countryside and on a clear day you’ll be able to see for miles. www.virginballoonflights.co.uk
■ Visit Blaston show on Sunday, June 28. Based between Market Harborough and Uppingham, this agricultural show offers a great day out. There are showjumping competitions, cattle and sheep, as well as the much anticipated dog show. There’s something for everyone including lots of trade stands, catering and entertainment for the children. www.blastonshow.co.uk
■ Grab your hat, don your gladrags and head to Ascot between June 16 to 20. Fabulous racing and fabulous opportunities for people watching.
■ Calling all Strictly fans – book tickets for Vincent and Flavia’s final tour, The Last Tango. It’s a long way in advance but they are coming to the De Montfort Hall in Leicester between April 25 and 27, 2016 and tickets are selling like hot cakes. A must for fans of the Argentine tango and your last chance to see Vincent and Flavia together. For more details visit www. demontforthall.co.uk
■ Head to the beach and take the kids and dogs with you. What better way to spend the day? It involves a bit of a drive but the Norfolk and Lincolnshire coastlines are in easy striking distance and you can always reward yourself with an ice cream.
Meet the Lutterworth ladies open-water leisure swimmers who are looking for other like minded individuals to join them.
A group of ladies meet three or four times a month during the summer and take to the water at a leisurely pace enjoying their surroundings and communing with nature, as well as getting the benefits of fresh air and exercise.
After each swim they have a picnic on the river bank.
Rosie Page, one of the swimmers says, ‘We usually set off from Lutterworth at about 10am. We are not strong or fast swimmers and are all mature ladies. We usually swim for about 40 minutes and would love to find more people to join us.’
They have found lovely spots on the river Nene and Great Ouse and have also tried Stoney Cove and Stanton Lakes but are always looking for new locations.
To find out more contact Rosie on rosiepage@talktalk.net
Jeremy Beswick has been to local clubs and argues it is time we stopped thinking of tennis as an elitist sport
Photography: Nico Morgan
LET’S DO A WORD association test. What comes into your head in response to the prompt ‘tennis’?
Wimbledon, hot summers, and strawberries and cream. But also, if you think like me and to borrow from elsewhere, perhaps flannelled fools and jolly hockey sticks. Is Jon Henderson correct when he writes in The Observer “Basically, however hard tennis tries not to be, it is still a posh sport”?
I beg to differ. It remains that way only if we let it, and what’s more that’s against its own wishes. Here’s John Crowther, until recently chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association: “The game needs a more inclusive image. We need to convince people that tennis is a sport for everybody, that it’s not elitist.
“We must try to get youngsters into tennis clubs. They shouldn’t have to have all the expensive equipment and they shouldn’t have to wear all-white just to get on to a court at a club. If we don’t have this push now, we will never get any stars of the future.”
It’s true that historically, English tennis – and it is a uniquely English problem – has been held back by a reputation for being for the few, not the many. Whether it’s the somewhat sniffy reputation of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, the ancient royal connections, a hangover from the ’us versus them’ days when only amateurs were allowed to play in leading tournaments, or a combination of all three, but this misplaced perception still lingers like an indefinable but somewhat malodorous smell.
It’s a shame because tennis is a wonderful game that can be enjoyed by all levels of competence and ages – in fact it’s often been called the ‘sport for a lifetime’. Shall we get down and technical?
Physician Ralph Paffenbarger studied more than 10,000 people over a period of 20 years and discovered that those who participate in tennis three hours per week at moderately vigorous intensity cut their risk of death in half from any cause.
Connecticut State University’s Dr Joan Finn found tennis players scored higher in vigour, optimism and self-esteem while scoring lower in depression, anger, confusion, anxiety and tension than non-athletes and also – get this –other athletes.
Dr Jim Gavin, author of The Exercise Habit, tells us: “Since tennis requires alertness and tactical thinking, it’s believed to generate new
connections between nerves in the brain and thus promote a lifetime of continuing neural development, outperforming golf and most other sports in developing positive personality characteristics”.
Oh, and it’s fun too.
The numbers playing tennis in England did bounce upwards a couple of years ago. Doubtless that was is in some part due to the Olympic and Wimbledon successes of that doughty performer we have so generously awarded dual nationality to, Andy Murray. British until he loses, when he then reverts to being a Scot. Whichever he is, he certainly isn’t a toff.
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‘IT’S A JOY TO PLAY, A GOOD WAY TO GET OR KEEP FIT AND NOT AS TIME-CONSUMING AS GOLF!’
However, participation levels soon settled back into what has been a gradual but long-term decline to the evident dismay of Sport England, which finances the Lawn Tennis Association with £17.3m (of your tax money, by the way).
The LTA managed to retain that funding only by appointing a different chief executive and re-dedicating itself to raising the numbers again. Its new mission statement is succinct: “To get more people playing tennis more often”.
To this end, one initiative it has launched is the Great British Tennis Weekend where anyone can book a session and turn up to play for free all over the country, with rackets and balls provided. It really is making the effort to be inclusive. As the website states: “Whether you’ve never picked up a racket before or are a seasoned regular – there is no excuse not to come down. All ability levels are welcome so book your session today!”
The next weekend is on June 13-14, with just under 300 events and 4,000 sessions on offer. If you’re lucky you’ll be at one of the places where former stars such as Greg Rusedski and Annabel Croft are doing the coaching.
A second innovation is Tennis Tuesdays, billed as Social Tennis – Serious Fun, with free coaching available for all from beginner to
advanced. For more details on both of these, and to book, visit www.lta.org.uk
If you’d rather take a more traditional approach, there are more than 30 tennis clubs in South Leicestershire. Doubtless, expensive and exclusive ones still exist but they are massively outnumbered by those where you don’t need a second mortgage to join and can be sure of a warm welcome. One example is Medbourne. I spoke to club chairman Peter Oppenheimer. “Our motto is tennis for everyone. We are trying to make it available to all,” he told me. “For example, we offer free lessons to anyone up to the age of 15 and ensure that it’s not all about competitions, with club nights and mix-ins.” The club has just spent £60,000 refreshing its facilities and the bar is a very pleasant – and cheap –place to have a drink and to socialise in.
There are purely fun events such as murder mystery nights and quiz evenings. Peter added: “We’re delighted for anyone to join us including beginners. We have four qualified coaches and offer both private and group lessons. We just want to get people involved and integrated.” I asked him what he enjoyed most about tennis.
“I’ve never been anything other than a very average club player,” he told me. “But unlike
team sports, I like the way you’re involved all the time in a tennis match. It’s a joy to play, a good way to get or keep fit and, most importantly, it’s not as time-consuming as golf!”
As a not-for-profit organization they’ve been able to keep membership costs down. Annual fees are £75 for an adult, £25 for a junior or – best value of all – £140 for a family.
If you’re tempted to give it a go, at Medbourne or elsewhere, I’d get your skates on. There’s always a temporary rush to the courts post Wimbledon and the tournament kicks off on June 29. By the way, one other bonus is that any club affiliated to the LTA gets a quite generous helping of tickets to the show courts.
If you’re lucky enough to have a ticket this year, I can promise you from experience that there’s much more fun to be had on Murray Mound than in ‘Members Only’. I think I just might have that carved on my headstone as a metaphor for life.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? VISIT… www.leicestershire-tennis.co.uk www.oadbytennis.co.uk www.medbournetennisclub.co.uk www.harboroughtennis.co.uk www.kibworthtennis.co.uk
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It’s a wonder the pressure of managing teams doesn’t send most managers mad, Martin Johnson reckons
hen the Football Association runs its coaching courses you assume it doesn’t involve teaching you the correct way to grab opposing players round the neck in your technical area, or how to come up with novel put-downs for irritating journalists. Alex Ferguson was a dab hand at the latter, but not even he thought of calling someone an ostrich.
In the long list of miracles down the ages, Nigel Pearson saving Leicester City from relegation makes the parting of the Red Sea, or sending men to the Moon, look like second rate conjuring tricks, even though managing professional sports teams appears to have the effect of sending people, if not fully away with the pixies, at least sharing the same postcode with them.
Same with Richard Cockerill over the road at the Tigers. A harder nut never took the field for Leicester, but when his team came from nowhere to clinch a Premiership play-off place, the victory against Wasps reduced him to a emotional wreck. What’s happening in Leicester? We know it makes people do strange things, like calling strangers “me duck”, but have they put something in the water?
Such are the stress levels of managing a top sports team, it is often more entertaining watching the bloke in charge rather than the people on the pitch. You only ever see players carried off at matches, but the time when a manager is forcibly restrained by a team of doctors armed with tranquiliser guns, and stretchered off down the tunnel to an ambulance, can’t be far away.
The pressure gets to them all, including a Leicester City manager back in the 1970s, Jimmy Bloomfield. His excuses for the team not winning were right up there with “the dog ate my homework”, and he was paranoid about the local evening paper.
Once, suspecting a critical letter about the team in the Saturday sports edition had been made up, he sent some of his backroom staff round to the address to find out if it was genuine, and he was constantly at war with the sports editor, who was also the horse racing correspondent, and who one weekend wrote a critical column about Bloomfield’s management. On the Monday morning, I picked up the phone, and it was Bloomfield. “Put me on to the sports editor” he ranted. “He’s not in today,” I said. “He’s at Nottingham races.” “Well tell him when he gets back,” shouted Bloomfield, “that if I want to know anything about football I’ll phone him, and if he wants to know anything about horses, he can phone me”. Followed by a click, and the dialling tone.
It never used to be this way with football managers, not as far as I can recall from my boyhood following Newport County in the old
Division Three South. Maybe it’s the money in the game that tips them over the edge, but the County manager wasn’t paid enough to stalk up and down his technical area fuming and fretting.
Billy Lucas, like a lot of managers in those days, had another job to make ends meet, and in his case he ran a pub. His team played as though that’s where they did most of their training, and he got about as animated when they went a goal down as the two old boys at his pub who spent every evening having a quiet game of dominos.
When I was at the Leicester Mercury, there was only one football manager under intolerable pressure, and it wasn’t Bloomfield. His name was Ivan, and he managed the evening paper’s Sunday morning soccer team, known as Leicester Press.
He was also the treasurer, which is where most of the pressure came from. Every other week, you had to provide things like goalposts, nets and properly inflated balls, and we were always too hard up to afford any. Hence, he’d get to the ground at Aylestone Meadows in the morning, steal someone else’s posts and put them up on our own pitch. It all worked very well until one game, 10 minutes after kick off, when someone smelled a rat, shopped us to the ref and we were heavily fined.
He also had to be a tactical genius, given that we were always short of players and were having to field ineligible ones. So he’d allocate them the genuine name of one of our missing registered players, which, one Sunday morning, was “Rob Golding.” Trouble was, when the ficititious Rob was booked, he forgot what his name was supposed to be. “Name?” barked the ref. “Er...um...er...” at which point, the incident being close enough to the touchline for our manager to have worked out the problem, on went Ivan and said: “Poor old Rob Golding here has a terrible stammer, and sometimes can’t get his name out.” Genius.
In fairness, he was never under the kind of strain Pearson has been under, largely because he was never obliged to give a press conference, but Nigel will be ok once he discovers how to get through one without actually saying anything at all.
I intend to refer him to the old England cricket manager Micky Stewart, who was once asked to comment on Michael Atherton being omitted from the team. His reply being: “He’s not on the best of terms with himself sort of batting wise, obviously, and we wanted, on the tempo we were looking for in this game, for him not to force things outside his natural game. And therefore he’s not playing.” Translation? “We’ve dropped him for slow scoring.”
So, half an hour’s coaching from Micky and Nigel will be slipping ostriches into the conversation without anyone having the faintest idea what he’s on about. Which has got to do the blood pressure the power of good for next season.
The latest kit to keep you active this summer
Wood has been chosen for the construction of this beautiful rowing machine, due to its ability to absorb sound and vibration, enhancing the WaterRower’s quietness and smoothness, and replicating the feel of a boat gliding down the river. The patented WaterFlywheel utilises the same physical elements (water) and the same physical dynamics (fluid drag) as occur when a boat moves through water.
Price £1,049 From www.johnlewis.com
This cycling jersey is the ultimate in riding style, offering superb on bike performance, luxurious feel and effortless fit. Available in four colourways. All Vélobici clothing is designed and made in Leicester. Price £145 From www.velobici.cc
Garmin Approach S6
Garmin’s new Approach golf watch is its slimmest and lightest yet, and comes with swing and tempo training as well as a clever blind shot assistant mode which shows you where the pin is if you can’t see it. Around 38,000 courses are available and there are no annoying subscription fees. Price £329.99 From www.buy.garmin.com
The Legend is the pinnacle of 160 years of bat making history and heritage by Gray Nicolls. Beautifully hand-cra ed with classic laser etched branding, the Legend uses the standard of willow usually reserved for test stars’ personal blades. That slog over cow corner will never have looked so elegant…
Price £600 (approx) From www.gray-nicolls.co.uk (and selected local stores)
Seeking the perfect wheels for mountain climbs or epic all day sportives? USE have the answer with the Nano Tech 2.4 Wheels, thanks to a lightweight carbon construction combined with maximum stiffness to ensure every pedal stroke counts. Laced to these rims via the Sapim CX Ray spokes are USE’s highest quality road hubs that provide a solid pedalling base combined with fully sealed bearings for minimal maintenance.
Price £799.99 From www.rutlandcycling.com
The Head Graphene XT Speed Pro tennis racket, endorsed by Novak Djokovic, is the heaviest version in this Tour range and offers good manoeuvrability and stability despite the heavier weight. Created for intermediate to advanced players, the Speed Pro racquet delivers control and feel, and uses Head’s latest Graphene XT technology to strengthen the frame and distribute weight more efficiently to the tip and handle.
Price £138 From www.sweatband.com
Kids will be keen to stick their heads under with these brilliant Sea Demon goggles, which feature holograms on the lenses, giving them evil eyes – ideal for bursting out of the water and scaring you!
Price £12 From www.zoggs.com
Brave the elements in ultimate protection with this Nike Gradient full-zip running vest, guaranteed to add plenty of style to your workout look this season. This lightweight top boasts a Dri-FIT fabric to help you stay dry and comfortable and is also wind-resistant to keep you warm, with an adjustable waist hem for a personalised fit.
Price £80 From www.nike.com
Great places to go, fabulous things to do – we’ve compiled a list of activities to make 2015 an epic, entertaining summer for you and your kids
1
TWINLAKES PARK
Twinlakes Park near Melton Mowbray has something for every kid, and all weather conditions. Whether its pedal karts, boating lakes, animals, water slides or indoor play, there are lots of options for fun. www.twinlakespark.co.uk
2 SPORTS XTRA ACADEMY
Children in Rutland are promised an action packed holiday this summer with locally based sports firm Sports Xtra at the Stamford Welland Academy and at the Rutland Pavilion in Oakham. A wide range of activities are on offer from the ever-popular Spy Xperience to adventure days, street dance, activity days and a three-day sport camp. www.sports-xtra.com
3 WISTOW MAZE
Enjoy a great day out exploring one of the country’s largest maize mazes, set in eight acres of living maize and sunflower crop. It’s great exercise for mind and body. See if you can unravel the quiz trail, and find all 12 quiz boards hidden amongst the three miles of paths. Remember to bring a pen/pencil to fill in the quiz brochure! www.wistow.com
4 GORSE HILL CITY FARM
With more than 100 animals for you to meet, Gorse Hill Farm offers the perfect venue for a family day out. A working farm and community project dedicated to the welfare of animals and to providing a fun and educational experiences for all.
www.gorsehillcityfarm.org.uk
5 MELTON CARNEGIE MUSEUM
Melton Carnegie Museum re-opened in late 2010 following a major building project which has created a new state-of-the-art museum. The museum, which has now doubled in size, features displays on local history, trades, fox hunting and rural life, and kids can learn about how local cheese and pies are made. www.leics.gov.uk/meltonmuseum
6 BRUNTINGTHORPE AVIATION MUSEUM
Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome is home to the Cold War Jet Collection including a Victor, Hunter, Canberra, Comet, Lightnings, Starfighter, Sea Vixen, Buccaneer and a Jaguar, among others. Amazing planes, and open Sundays 10am-4pm. www.bruntingthorpeaviation.com
7 ROCKINGHAM CASTLE
Rockingham Castle has masses of big open spaces for children to run around in and enjoy themselves, there is a quiz featuring Wentworth
the Gallant Guardian of Rockingham Castle, while inside there is an Eye Spy booklet to help children to learn about the castle and its history. www.rockinghamcastle.com
8 NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE
We may not have been at the forefront of the space race, but the National Space Centre in Leicester is a superb venue, with lots of interactive exhibits and awe inspiring rockets stand proud in the centre of the building. www.spacecentre.co.uk
9 ARMOURGEDDON
Want to try something totally different and unique? How about a Tank Paintball Battle? The only place you do it in a 17 and half ton tank here at Armourgeddon, near Market Harborough. Experience the fun and excitement of driving tanks and other military vehicles over courses set around a World War II bombing range.
www.armourgeddon.co.uk
10 RUTLAND WATER
There is so much to do at Rutland Water: fishing, sailing, crazy golf, bug hunting
and cycling. Start at the visitor centre at Whitwell and work your way round from there. www.rutlandwater.org.uk
11 BURGHLEY HOUSE GARDEN OF SURPRISES
Usually water parks are full of plastic slides. Not Burghley, which has an amazing watery world gushing forth out of stone, with lots of nooks and crannies in a garden setting. The kids will love it, and the parents may get some inspiration for garden design.
www.burghley.co.uk
Take an old-fashioned paper map of where you live. Measure the distance of one mile on its key. Mark that distance on a piece of string (or dental floss, whatever you’ve got). Tack one end of the string onto the location of your house on the map. Attach a pen to the other end. Circle the pen gently around your house, leaving a clear circle on the map. Have the kids in the family place their fingers anywhere on the circle. Walk, or bike to the actual location, get out and take a picture of you and whatever’s there and bring it back to your map. Can be repeated many times!
SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER 2015
Kids love camping, whether it’s in the back garden or somewhere more exotic.
We’ve teamed up with Get Lost in Rutland and Sacrewell Farm to lend incredible camping equipment for a free weekend’s camping.
Get Lost will provide:
● A Vango airbeam tent
● Two Highlander double air beds
● Airbed pump
● Kampa kitchen unit
● Kampa table with four chairs
● Gas cooker and gas
● Lighting
● A dining set for four, including cooking ● equipment, pots and pans
The best part is that all this will be put up and taken down for you!
Sacrewell will provide:
● Two nights camping on a premium pitch for a family of four
● Farm entry for a family of four for the duration of your stay
● Electric hook-up and adaptors
● One Grasmere Farms barbecue pack
● A bottle of wine
Sacrewell has hot showers and washing up facilities on site, as well as a café and shop open during visitor centre hours. Friendly dogs are welcome.
Just answer this simple question below and email your answer to camping@ theactivemag.com
“Which TV adventurer is Head Scout of the UK Scouting Association?”
Deadline for entries is June 30. One winner will be picked at random. Prize can’t be claimed on bank holidays or during the Burghley Horse Trials. Other black out dates may apply.
14
LEARN TO TIE KNOTS
It’s a skill so useful for sailing, camping or just looking cool and capable. Hit the hardware shop and invest in four feet of inexpensive, easy-to-manage nylon rope per child and adult. Instruction is particularly effective if one sibling ties up another sibling or father (Keep at least one other parent, guardian, sentient adult within shouting distance to avoid a grown-up learning a lesson the hard way!).
Sneak in a lesson about “reuse and recycle” by not buying loot from a pound shop. Instead hide seashells; money; old, forgotten trinkets from your jewelry box; or homemade coupons for treats like pizza or a sleepover. Draw a quick map or scraps of paper with clues to the next location, and leave them to it.
16
No knocking on your neighbour’s door to retrieve lost balls, no likelihood of physical harm from fast moving projectiles either. And a net is easily contrsucted from string too.
It looks gentlemanly, but croquet can be a vicious game, and because the balls are stationary to begin with, even the smallest kids stand a good chance of making contact.
18
Bubble football is the hilarious new game where the players are zipped up in an inflatable ball with their legs free. They then attempt to play football, with hilarious, bouncing, upside-down results…
19 GO TO THE BGL SPORT BASH
In late July, the England Masters XI, including Mark Ramprakash is taking on the Local Legends XI made up of a player from each club in the locality, while the Matt Hambo XI v Help For Heroes XI games will see Tigers’ stars such as Rory Underwood and Freddie Tuilagi. There’s also a climbing wall, slides, bouncy castles and football for the kids. www.bglsportbash.co.uk
20 HAVE A CAMP FIRE
Some of the best summer memories can be made around a campfire. If you have a fire pit or access to one, let the kids roast everything from veggies to sausages. After everyone is fed and full, tell stories and share in some good laughs.
21 GO TO A CYCLING FESTIVAL
Active Rutland is hosting a number of activities for all the family including cycling displays and exhibitors for all things cycling. It will highlight the opportunities for you as a family to get involved in cycling. Get down to the Active Rutland Hub, Oakham Enterprise Park, Ashwell on June 14 from midday to see an array of activities.
Teach the kids about setting goals early on with a Summer bucket list. It doesn’t have to be anything serious — friendships, new sports, or recipes — but it will be fun to check items off the list and turn to it for ideas when it feels like you’re in the midst of an endless Summer. Consider making one at the end of the Summer too, heading into the school year.
23
It sounds so simple, but often the simplest plans are the best. Just grab a map, plan a route and head out. A little tip though: if you can add in a river along the way, then the kids will have hours of fun messing about by it, and are less likely to get bored.
If the kids want to learn a particular sport, then there are hundreds of clubs who will happily offer their time to teach them the ropes. Best way to find out one near you is by using these websites: www.activerutland.org.uk www.raw4youth.com www.lrsport.org
Replicate the craze for events like Rat Race and The Suffering in your own back garden , with a do it yourself obstacle course, made out of old tyres, chairs to climb over, boxes to crawl through, pinned down sheets to scurry under and string nets to pick a route across. Add in the hosepipes for extra jeopardy…
Turn on the sprinklers, crank up the hose, and fill up those water guns; it’s time for a water fight! The perfect activity on a hot day, water fights are a great substitute for the pool and a fun way for the kids to keep cool. Just be sure to have the towels handy.
Don’t sweat it
Are you equating sweating with getting fit? If so, it’s time to change your outlook.
It has become increasingly popular to exercise in hot environments, whether it’s hot yoga, Pilates or indoor cycling in hot studios. And while it may seem that you’re getting an incredible workout, it is important to understand just what sweat is measuring and what it is not.
At the end of a long and arduous workout, the sweat dripping off you might seem like a badge of honour, showing your determination and effort to achieve health and fitness. However, that sweat is not actually a symbol of your fitness abilities. Nor does it equate to fat burning. It is simply the residue of your body’s cooling system.
Although sweating is necessary to help you achieve weight loss, it does not actually cause the pounds to melt away. Weight loss through excessive sweating is not new and has been a popular method of achieving weight categories for boxers and wrestlers for decades. Dropping water weight by putting yourself into excessive heat will give you short-term weight loss but it is dangerous and short lived.
It is only physical effort in the form of
exercise that causes changes in the body. If the answer to weight loss and fitness gains were as simple as sitting in a hot room then everyone would install a sauna in their home and be thin.
Don’t get caught in the myth of hot equals weight loss and fitness. Heat from outside of your body stimulates sweating to cool itself and gives you a false sense of exercise intensity. Minimal calories are used for this process and the weight lost will be regained with hydration.
Sweat is composed of water and electrolytes. When your body loses too many electrolytes, it can easily result in kidney damage, cardiovascular problems or death. In some cases, your body’s sweat glands may be unable to keep up with your body’s demands. When this happens, you might experience heatstroke or heat exhaustion, both of which can be extremely detrimental, or even fatal.
To avoid dehydration, drink at least 8 oz. (230 ml) of water 20 to 30 minutes before and after exercise. During your exercise session, drink 8 to 10 oz. (230 — 300 ml) every 10 to 20 minutes. If you’re feeling light-headed or experience headaches you need to continue hydrating and get out of the heat.
Think beyond the wrist. It’s not as accurate a place for continuous heart-rate monitoring during exercise because the wrist generates unwieldy fake readings due to motion artifacts such as skin motion and footsteps. The ear is the best place, apparently. Think validation. Has the product been through independent validation for accuracy against goldstandard benchmarks? What does that mean? That you should check the manufacturer’s website to see if the product has been tested against gold-standard benchmarks, with interval testing on a treadmill, both indoors and outdoors. Plus, the testing should have been done on a decent number of people who are various ages, races and genders.
Match your watch to your need. Sounds obvious, but not
everyone buys a tracker for the same reasons. Maybe your goal is to get better at your current workout regime or merely to walk 10,000 steps a day.
Will it accurately measure calories burned? If you want to track calories burned
during exercises that don’t involve footsteps such as those you’d do in a gym, you’ll need an accurate heart rate monitor or another type of continuous biometric monitor to capture your body’s exertion where pedometers cannot.
•
Edited by Sandie Hurford
ACambridge-based company has published results of the first trial on a product which can reduce liver inflammation and, as a result, reverse metabolic, vascular and tissue parameters, growth of which is associated with age.
The average five-year-old in the Western world weighs 15 kg and consumes about 330ml of milk per day. The average adult weighs 75kg and consumes about 120ml of milk, 14 times less per kilogram of body mass than for a child.
For children who do not yet have an efficient immune system, and are in the process of building it up, milk provides not only comprehensive nutrients, but essential factors in helping them to be protected from infections and accompanying inflammatory damage. In adulthood, when our immune system is complete and efficient we do not need to depend on these milk factors to protect ourselves.
However, with advances in science and medicine we are reaching ages which perhaps are not fully covered by programmes coded in our bodies, and are developing conditions which the majority of the human species had never developed in many thousands of years of their evolution.
There is a growing consensus that behind age-related changes – such as rising cholesterol,
blood pressure and excessive fat accumulation – are processes of subclinical inflammation. They may start in the digestive tract and in the liver, and then spread to vessels, the brain, skeletal muscles, fat and other tissues and even skin.
To strengthen the body defence in our advanced ages it would seem logical to mobilise those natural sources which helped us in infancy and childhood. However, consumption of 1 to 2 litres of milk a day is not only impractical for us but not sustainable for the planet.
To help to solve this problem, a team at Lycotec, led by Dr Ivan Petyaev, has developed and patented a new Lycosome technology which protects proteins, responsible for antiinflammatory properties of the milk, to bypass acidity and digestion of the stomach. In the published papers the authors report that this technology can increase 100-fold efficacy in delivery of these milk proteins. This resulted in a reduction of markers of liver inflammation, elevated blood lipids, blood pressure and an improvement in oxygenation of muscles and skin.
This trial demonstrated that the application of Lycosome technology for delivery of milk proteins could be an effective way to reduce subclinical liver inflammation, and present a significant step in the development of sustainable nutritional solutions to controlling ageing from within.
Athletes no longer ask whether beetroot juice improves sporting performance – they just want to know how much to drink, and when. A new study has the answers.
The University of Exeter’s Sport and Health Sciences department has published a paper in the Journal of Applied Physiology looking at the effects of taking three different doses of beetroot juice on different exercise intensities.
The research team, led by Professor Andy Jones, used Beet-It, concentrated beetroot juice sold in 70ml shots. The three doses used in the study were 1 shot, 2 shots, or 4 shots.
The findings suggest that two concentrated beetroot shots (with about 0.6g natural dietary nitrate) are better than one in order to produce optimal performance gains during “severe” intensity exercise (activity which results in exhaustion a er 6-10 minutes). The shots are best
consumed 2.5 hours before the onset of exercise.
For those about to carry out “moderate” exercise, drinking up to 4 shots of beetroot juice, about 2.5 hours before the start of the activity, is thought to be optimal for improvements in exercise economy, a strong predictor of long duration exercise performance such as is needed for marathons and cycling road races.
Professor Jones said: “Our original research indicated that the amount of dietary nitrate makes a difference to its impact. This paper provides a much clearer picture of when and how much is optimum and shows that there is no advantage to be gained from taking very large doses”.
Previous research has indicated that beetroot improves sporting ability and stamina because of its high nitrate content.
This latest study suggests that effect on performance is at its peak 2-3 hours a er
ingestion, and that the effects gradually decline, with little improvement seen a er about 12 hours.
In the study, the amount of oxygen required to maintain a given level of moderate exercise decreased a er taking beetroot juice - in effect, it took less energy to cycle at the same pace.
The sample groups also undertook a cycle test to exhaustion. The group which took two doses gave the best performance results, suggesting that larger quantities may not lead to greater stamina for athletes.
Beetroot juice has already been attracting a lot of attention from the sports world. Memorably David Weir, winner of four gold medals at the 2012 Paralympic Games, told Boris Johnson it was instrumental in his success.
Beet It is produced by James White Drinks, which has worked closely with research teams throughout the world since 2008.
In the UK, about 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer at some point during their lifetime. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent the disease, there are steps that may help lower the risk – especially for those at an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
As well as leading a healthy diet and lifestyle, women who are at risk or worried about breast cancer may be able to lower their chances of developing it, by supplementing their diet with a revolutionary new supplement, ProfBiotics Breast (£35, profbiotics.com).
Welcomed by leading cancer experts, it has been developed in consultation with Professor Martyn Caplin, leading cancer specialist and consultant gastroenterologist at London’s Royal Free Hospital, following a comprehensive review of clinical evidence investigating the role of specific nutrients in breast cancer prevention.
The supplement has been formulated to contain the specific blend of ingredients to help support breast wellbeing:
• Lycopene (found in tomatoes), which has been increasingly associated with breast well-being. Studies suggest that women with higher circulating levels of lycopene may be at reduced risk of breast cancer
• Vitamin D, which has been found to regulate cell death – data suggest there is an association between lower levels of vitamin D and higher rates of breast cancer
• Zinc – studies find that low zinc intake may be linked to breast cancer risk
• Curcumin, which appears to be useful in preventing human breast cancer development.
The formula contains the equivalent of eight teaspoons of turmeric, which would be difficult to consume each day through diet alone.
Cancer experts have welcomed the initiative. Justin Stebbing, Professor of Cancer Medicine and Oncology at Imperial College London, says: “Any approach which may help reduce cancer risk utilising diet and appropriate nutrients is of huge potential value for individuals and society.
“The combinations used in these products are in line with the results of scientific research studying different tumour types and represent a new approach to tackling cancer incidence through diet and nutrient supplementation. The formulations may also have a role during and a er cancer treatment for nutritional support, and to counter adverse effects of chemotherapies.”
■ ProfBiotics Breast available from profbiotics.com, dietandcancer.co.uk or by calling 020 7193 8838
Herbal medicine Esberisin, available from plant-remedies.co.uk , is a gentle alternative remedy that can help with the symptoms of congestion, blocked nose and sinusitis that o en arise at this time of year. Symptoms of sinusitis can include headache, especially around the eyes and cheekbones, pain on looking down, and even toothache, and can severely affect everything from a country walk to crucial revision and exams.
Esberisin is a combination of extracts from Great Yellow Gentian and Vervain (or Verbena), Common Sorrel, Elder Flower and Cowslip.
People taking glucosamine for their joints may live longer, according to a recent US study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology. The study found that people taking glucosamine have significantly lower mortality rates as it appears to protect against a number of common causes of death.
Medical nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer says: “Those taking glucosamine had an 18% lower risk of mortality over an eight-year follow-up period than those not using it. It was also associated with a significant 13% decreased risk of death from cancer; a massive 41% reduced risk of death from respiratory disease and a 33% reduction in risk of death from all other causes.
“This has been attributed to the antiinflammatory effect of glucosamine, which appears to offer similar advantages to aspirin without the side effects.”
Moringa is being claimed as a new super food by pioneer Charles Roswess, who says the supplement has had an outstanding effect on his health. He says: “I have heard some wonderful stories about people taking Moringa to improve their mental clarity and eye sight, making them less nervous, and more energised.”
Natural Lifestyle magazine gave Moringa, derived from a leaf native to the Himalayan foothills, ‘Best New Product Award’.
The natural moringa oleifera leaf powder contains:
• 7 times the vitamin C of an orange
• 4 times the 1 vitamin A of a carrot
• 3 times the potassium of a banana
• up to 16 times the calcium and 9 times the protein content of cow’s milk.
Ankh Rah 100% pure moringa products are available to buy direct online, or through health foods retailers.
Core strength and stability is the most misunderstood area of fitness training, says Function Jigsaw’s Max Hartman
WHETHER PARTICIPATING in recreational exercise, a structured fitness programme or a long walk in the park, all athletes and physically active people will eventually come across one of the biggest and most poorly understood buzz terms in the industry: core stability.
Whether a coach is recommending core training or a physiotherapist is citing a lack of core stability as a precursor to injury, most people will have heard the term banded around at some point. But what exactly is core training? What defines core stability and how do you train to develop capacity in the area?
The anatomy
To train the ‘core’ and achieve stability and strength it is essential that first and foremost we know exactly what muscle groups, ranges of motion and joint actions we are aiming to develop. For the purpose of this article, when referencing the ‘core’ we will be referencing the
lumbopelvic hip (LPH) complex: the trunk, lower back, pelvis, and hips.
The core itself should be thought of as a cylinder connecting the ribcage to the pelvis and stabilising the lumbar spine in between the two. In addition to the muscles of the lower back and the abdominal wall, consideration should also be paid to the glutes. These are the biggest and most powerful muscles in the body and are essential in stabilising the pelvis during any single leg activities such as running, walking, hopping and jumping.
The individual muscles of the abdominal wall all bring about different yet equally important actions. The primary muscle groups of the core cylinder and their actions are:
● Transverse abdominis: pelvic tilt
● Rectus abdominis: spinal/trunk flexion
● Erector spinae: spinal extension
● Quadratus Llumborum: side flexion
● Internal and external obliques: rotation and side flexion
● The glute complex: pelvic tilt, hip abduction, and hip extension
Even without a detailed knowledge of anatomy and physiology the long and the short of this list is that the core is a three-dimensional structure affecting movement in multiple directions and over multiple planes and axis. As such, it must be trained appropriately!
When these muscles are contracted simultaneously they carry out what is potentially their most important function: bracing. The trunk stiffness achieved with a good abdominal brace supports the spine, allows significant amounts of force to be absorbed or produced, as well as transferred from the upper to lower limb and vice versa.
This is essential when performing whole body movements such as sprinting: by pumping the
arms when running at high speed, torque from the arms and shoulders is transferred through the core to the hips and legs, increasing the amount of speed and power transferred to the ground to propel the body forwards.
Without a strong core energy ‘leaks’ and the spine loses stability, leading to decreases in performance and an increased risk of injury. This can be applied to any sporting movement requiring high levels of energy output, but is also crucial in daily life when performing menial tasks at work or around the house.
Before any strength training is undertaken there are certain aspects of movement that should be addressed to ensure that any strengthening work can be performed as safely as possible. As discussed before, the core not only applies to the muscles of the lower back and trunk, but also the muscles of the hip.
Considering this, it is first essential that full range of motion be achieved at the hip joint to ensure a strong and healthy core complex. Stretching and foam rolling through the hip flexors, hamstrings, glutes, and groin should all be performed regularly to allow the core musculature to function properly.
Once this full range has been achieved an individual should work on what is known as dissociative ability: the ability to move one section of the body such as the hip joint, whilst maintaining stability in another region, such as the lower back. Being able to dissociate segments of the body is another big step towards ensuring long-term health and injury free performance.
Dissociation between the lumbar spine and hip, and the lumbar and thoracic spine are two key components of any core-training programme. Once this has been achieved, strength work can be safely carried out without undue risk of injury.
As mentioned before, the actions of the core musculature around the trunk are primarily pelvic tilt, trunk flexion and extension, side flexion, and rotation. Hip extension and abduction (moving the leg out away from the midline of the body) are also crucial components of core stability and should not be forgotten.
A good core strength and stability programme should not only look to increase the strength of the muscles and their ability to produce these movements – core strength, but also their ability to resist these movements – core stability.
A common mistake made by many individuals, coaches and athletes is the over-emphasis of trunk flexion and abdominal work: endless crunches and sit-ups, shortening the hip flexors and restricting the ability of the pelvis to tilt forwards and backwards.
This over training of rectus abdominis often goes hand in hand with a lack of focus on the glutes and transverse abdominis. This combination often leads to postural issues with anterior pelvic tilt: the front of the pelvis being lower than the back, leading to low back pain, hamstring tightness, and a high predisposition to development of hip and groin injuries.
Alternatives to crunches include variations of the deadbug exercise, glute bridges, quadruped position back extensions, rotation exercises such as Russian twists and then bracing and movement resistance exercises against external resistance.
Try standing up with the arms out in front of you resisting the sideways pull of a cable or heavy resistance band. The effort taken to brace against external resistance like this is massive!
Core stability and core strength are in my opinion two wholly different qualities, however the two should be trained together owing to the high level of crossover between the two.
As with many aspects of sporting performance real core strength and stability begins by developing full mobility, then training strength and stability through the full available range of motion.
A strong and functional core will not only bulletproof the hips, lower back, and lower limb from injury, but is one aspect of conditioning that will have the biggest carryover into all aspects of performance, making you a better, more rounded athlete.
Whether performance for you is a leisurely nine holes on a Sunday morning or a brutal 80 minutes on the rugby pitch on a Saturday afternoon, core training should be a given in your exercise regime.
For more information and guidance on core training, please get in touch with Function Jigsaw directly. @functionjigsaw, info@functionjigsaw.co.uk, www. functionjigsaw.co.uk
DOGS HAVE DIFFERENT care requirements as they go through life and understanding what your dog will need during their senior years can make a positive difference to their wellbeing.
Knowing when your dog is starting to age isn’t always obvious and it can be difficult to pinpoint this transition in their lives. According to the Blue Cross, over seven years is considered middle age for most dogs but, of course, there is vast variation in breed types. Giant breeds for example, tend to reach old age much more speedily that some small breeds but it’s not an exact science. It’s therefore worth knowing about your specific dog’s breed so that you can use this as a guide to appreciate when your dog is approaching their senior years.
As dogs age, changes will be necessary and since they like sameness and familiarity it’s beneficial to introduce a fixed routine that will help them to thrive, even when they are showing signs of slowing down.
1.Senior accommodation
Older dogs start to feel the cold more as their skin becomes thinner so preparing a softer and warmer bed for them can be a source of much comfort. Don’t hold back: rather than just an extra blanket in their bed, think about a well-cushioned, soft fabric that they can enjoy. A thick, flat bed in a draught-free area is a good solution.
2. Eating habits
Some dogs will need to amend their feeding regime, often needing more nutritionally balanced food or increased quantity of food, if they start to loose weight naturally as they age. Be guided by advice from your dog’s veterinarian, especially if there are chronic illnesses that demand a special diet.
As dogs get older and do less exercise, food can become a big part of their enjoyment and it’s easy to feed ‘special treats’ more often because you feel they deserve it, but care should be taken to keep your dog in good shape, now more than ever. Being a healthy weight and not over weight will put less strain on joints and since arthritis is a common ailment in elderly dogs, this can certainly help.
It’s also worth noting that established dental care really pays off when your dog is older. Being able to handle your dog’s mouth, including opening it to check the gums and teeth remains an important part of your dog’s regular management.
3. Lifelong enjoyment of exercise
Dogs enjoy the thrill of a walk at any age but changes will be inevitable at some point. Taking your dog out on walks will help to stimulate their brain as they take in new smells. You may need to reduce to moderate exercise levels and one way to do this is to shorten the length of
their walk but to add an extra walk to the day. For example, instead of two 40-minute walks, take your dog out for three 20-minute walks. Something to remember as you dog does less active walks is that their nails may need more regular attention and good foot care. Oh, and whether you are the kind of owner that likes your dog to wear a coat when out and about or not, now is the time to consider investing in one. It’s purely a matter of keeping warm and dry over style or fashion!
4. Travelling in comfort
The onset of joint related problems is not always obvious and for some dog owners the first they know about this is when their dog stops actively jumping in or out of the car. It’s something to watch out for. If there are already signs that your dog is starting to stiffen after exercise or becomes stiff after resting and especially if you have a short-legged or long-back breed, it’s prudent to start helping them get in and out of your vehicle. In a similar manner to providing better bedding in the home, it is also worth thinking about how your senior dog copes when the car is moving. Ensure they are well supported and stable at all times.
If you don’t already, make sure you place a bowl and supply of water in your car at all times because older dogs need to stay hydrated and often need to drink more frequently to do so. They also manage less well in just marginally warmer weather.
5. Keeping up with changes
When your dog has passed a ‘certain age’, (as mentioned earlier, this will depend on their breed and medical history) it is worthwhile introducing a six monthly review of your dog’s needs. Keep a note of any observations that demonstrate changes in their habits so you can look back and compare over a period of time. It’s important to phase in changes gradually and create a suitable routine for them that can cater for their changing requirements. Even if your dog has been fortunate enough to have good health throughout their life, it’s advisable to introduce an annual or twice yearly check up with your dog’s vet.
©Bobs Broadbent 2015 ©Dogknows Ltd 2015
If you have any concerns about your dog’s behaviour or health please seek professional advice from a veterinarian prior to introducing any changes.
This walk delivers some of the best views in the region, as Will Hetherington discovers.
Photography: Will Hetherington
Difficulty rating (out of five)
The Langtons is a group of attractive villages just north of Market Harborough and they offer a number of excellent walks.
For this one I parked opposite the Bakers Arms in Thorpe Langton and took the track down to the left of the pub as you look at it. This is part of the Leicestershire Round route and quickly takes you out of the village, but not without some good old-fashioned agricultural aromas as a reminder of what being in the countryside is all about. Within a couple of hundred yards you then come to a ford and here you need to take the right hand crossing which brings you out on to an uphill grazing paddock.
It’s very clear this is hunting land, from the way some of the fences are constructed and from the hundreds of hoof prints in certain sections. With that in mind I think it could be a tricky walk
after a sustained period of wet weather. You might find yourself almost knee deep in mud at some points. But on this dry day it was relatively easy to pick a path through the mini craters.
Once you have walked the length of this first field you enter a small belt of ancient woodland which quickly feeds into another grazing field. On the day I did this walk there was a handful of handsome grazing cattle in this field, and none of them even bothered to move as I carried on up hill past them.
At the end of this field there is a classic hunting fence which leads to the steepest uphill section of the walk. And then at the top there is a stone triangulation point marking the 147-metre height. According to the OS map there is also a non-Roman burial mound here but I was rather too busy enjoying the tremendous views to notice this feature. When you look at the density of the contours on the OS map it should come as no surprise that the views are spectacular in all directions but that makes them no less enjoyable. We hardly live in an Alpine environment so
147 metres is more than enough to put you on top of the world in this part of Leicestershire.
From the triangulation point the path heads north-west offering more splendid views and eventually joins a metalled road where you turn left and follow it all back to Thorpe Langton. Or you can do the walk the other way around or even start and finish in Stonton Wyville.
To be honest, whichever way you do it you will love the views from the high point.
START
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.
Where to park
Opposite the Bakers Arms pub in Thorpe Langton.
Distance and time
Three miles/one hour.
Highlights Stunning panoramic views from the 147-metre triangulation point.
Lowlights
If it has been very wet I think this could be a difficult walk because of the thousands of hoof holes around some of the bottlenecks.
Refreshments
The Bakers Arms in Thorpe Langton.
Difficulty rating
Three paws: It’s rather steep in places and you have to pick your way through some of the muddy parts.
The pooch perspective There are cattle on this route so beware, but you cross the ford twice so there is also somewhere for the dog to have a drink and a dip.
Thorpe Langton is mentioned three times in the Domesday Book.
Clockwise, from le St Leonard’s Church in Thorpe Langton viewed from the return section of this walk; the triangulation point marks the 147-metre summit of the walk; you will cross the ford twice on this walk so the dog can cool off if necessary
Kate and Debs try some spicy tapas dishes from across Europe in this fun restaurant
Kate I’ve only eaten tapas once or twice before so I’m going to need some recommendations. But as soon as we walked in the door I sensed that George, the owner, would be the man to help me.
Debs I know, he’s charming isn’t he? What a welcome. I used to eat tapas quite a lot when I lived in London and I love it because you can taste loads of different dishes without filling yourself up too much. And noting your choices down on a card is a great idea so you don’t forget what you’ve ordered.
Kate Cheers! This sangria is delicious. I couldn’t resist choosing something to keep in with the Mediterranean theme. Even though you associate tapas with Spain, they called the restaurant Toro Latino so they could encompass Portuguese and Italian dishes too. George likes to employ chefs from all over Europe as they bring in new recipes. So what do you think we should choose?
Debs Well, five or six dishes is plenty to share between two and as rice and potato can be quite filling for lunchtime we could try the tortilla espanola as a basis. Then to go with it shall we have calamari, sardines in a lemon parsley marinade with chilli peppers, and prawns in a coconut sauce? Can you guess I love seafood?
Kate That sounds great and what about chicken in a spicy pepper sauce and chorizo with garlic mushrooms? If people want something less adventurous you can always choose something from the main menu such as soup, paninis, salads or a main course. And if you only have a short lunch break, you can order ahead and the food will be ready for when you walk in.
Debs With the Spanish music, the ornate wooden bar and the metalwork lanterns, you can just about imagine you’re in a tapas bar in Spain. And the deck at the back upstairs is south facing so I bet it’s gorgeous in the summer.
Kate Right, let’s stop talking or the food will get cold. I’ve had some terrible experiences with calamari – it can be like eating rubber – but these baby calamari are sensational. So tender and the batter is incredibly light. How do you like the rest of the fish?
Debs I love coconut so I was looking forward to these shelled king prawns in the chef’s special coconut sauce and I’m not disappointed. The flavour is subtle but also intense, if that’s possible. And I’m going to have to fight you for the last sardine. The chilli and lemon sauce is to die for. How do you find the meat dishes?
Kate I love chorizo and it’s perfect with the garlic mushrooms but I think we could have missed out the pimento pepper chicken. Eating a little bit of this and that at a leisurely pace is quite filling. Although extremely healthy – that’s why the Mediterraneans live longer than us northern Europeans. Throw in a glass of red wine and this meal should add on a few hours to my life.
Debs You’re driving so you’ll have to stick to a coffee, but should we share a pudding? George wants to introduce more puddings, offering a small selection freshly made every day. We could try the marscapone and strawberry roulade.
Kate Alright, and then I think we should book to come one evening. I bet the atmosphere is buzzing. You can book a salsa party upstairs and have dance lessons after you’ve eaten. They have to limit it to weekdays though as the restaurant is normally full at weekends.
Debs I look forward to it. Hasta luego mi amiga
Toro Latino
Bar
Abbey Street, Market Harborough, LE16 9AA. 01858 411005. www.torolatino.co.uk
Fear of judgement is stopping many of girls and women from taking part in exercise. But as thousands of women up and down the country are proving, it really doesn’t have to be.
Leicestershire and Rutland Sport’s This Girl Can campaign is a celebration of active women who are doing their own active thing no matter how they do it, how they look or even how sweaty they get.
The week, between June 8-14, is full of sport and physical activity taster sessions in partnership with all nine Local Authority areas with the aim to increase female participation in physical activity.
From pilates to netball, boot camp to cycling,
swimming to zumba, there’s a whole host of different activities taking place.
Sport England’s CEO, Jennie Price, said: “Before we began this campaign, we looked very carefully at what women were saying about why they felt sport and exercise was not for them. Some of the issues, like time and cost, were familiar, but one of the strongest themes was a fear of judgement.
“Worries about being judged for being the wrong size, not fit enough and not skilled enough came up time and again. Every single woman I have talked to about this campaign –and that is now hundreds – has identified with this, and it is that fear of not being ‘good
enough’ in some way, and the fear that you are the only one who feels like that, that we want to address.
“In This Girl Can we want to tell the real story of women who exercise and play sport. They come in all shapes and sizes and all levels of ability. They have a myriad of reasons for doing what they do. If you are wondering if you should join them – or carry on – this campaign says it really doesn’t matter if you are a bit rubbish or completely brilliant, the main thing is that you are a woman and you are doing something, and that deserves to be celebrated.”
Visit www.lrsport.org/thisgirlcan for more information
Oakham’s 1st XI Girls Football team were crowned national champions in a thrilling cup final match held at Burnham FC stadium. They lifted the winner’s trophy after holding their nerve against seasoned finalists ACS Cobham, to win 2-1.
The team made it through to the final of the ISFA U18 Cup after an impressive run of
matches against other school teams, triumphing 4-2 over Malvern College in their semi-final.
The Oakham squad includes 4 ISFA Midlands players, three of whom also represent the country. The team is expertly captained by Alicia Schwarzenbach, who currently trains and plays weekly matches with Leicester City Women’s FC.
“It was fantastic to see the hard work of this group of girls and their coach Rob Johnson come to fruition in such an exciting final,” said Director of sport Iain Simpson. “The energy and work rate that the squad demonstrated was so impressive for all seventy minutes of the match, and in the end it was that will to win that made the difference. “
Emma Peters has won a gold medal at the British Youth Weightlifting Championships in Glasgow.
The Oakham School sixth former has only been training in the sport since September, and qualified with seeming ease for the competition after lifting an immense total of 110kg, which was 25kg over the minimum qualification weight.
At the championships, Emma lifted a grand total of 105kg, (45kg snatch and 60kg clean and jerk). As the only 58kg lifter in the U17 category, Emma therefore won gold, making her the strongest girl in her category in the country.
“For Emma to have competed on this national stage, only seven months after taking up the sport, cannot be overlooked,” said Oakham School’s full-time Strength and Conditioning Coach, Joel Tratt. “She has worked incredibly hard during that time and has experienced the ups and downs of the sport, but her attitude and work ethic has been first class throughout. She has huge potential to develop even further and I look forward to working with her in achieving her ambitions.”
“I am extremely pleased with what I have achieved in such a short time,” said Emma, “and to have been able to take part in such a big event was an excellent experience for me. Competing with other girls of such a high standard has made me more determined than ever to progress in the sport.”
Oakham’s boys and girls athletics teams were on top form at the Six Schools Cup at Rugby School, claiming an overall victory with the boys coming first and the girls coming a close second.
The teams beat Bromsgrove School,
Rugby School, Uppingham School, Oundle School and Royal Grammar School Worcester thanks to some superb individual performances. A number of the athletes set season best performances at the event.
Alice Huddlestone, Annie Dalton and Maddie Pearce were part of the winning Beeston Hockey side that triumphed against Surbiton in the Women’s 2nd XI Cup Final recently.
Alice was particularly praised for her performance, described in the England Hockey match report as ‘a threat throughout’.
This victory is Annie’s third national title this year, having also being part of the winning teams for the Indoor U18 Girls Championships and the Outdoor U18 Girls Championships. The girls all go to Oakham School.
Chief Scout and adventurer Bear Grylls dropped in on local Scouts recently and spoke about why the movement is so important to young people
Television adventurer Bear Grylls visited the East Midlands last month to visit Scouts as part of a whistle stop tour of the region having been appointed head of the UK’s Scouting movement for a further three years.
More than half a million young people and adult leaders belong to the association, the country’s largest co-educational movement.
Bear Grylls said: “I am so proud that the largest youth movement on the planet has asked me to continue in my role as UK Chief Scout.
“Between now and 2018, I plan to do all that I possibly can to help the movement continue to grow, become more reflective of the communities in which it works and change the lives of even more young people.
“In addition I really want to give young people a powerful voice at the very heart of the movement so they can actively help shape and develop the future of the movement for the next 100 years.”
The 40-year-old adventurer was first appointed
Chief Scout in 2009, 11 years after climbing Everest.
Wayne Bulpitt, the Scout Association’s UK chief commissioner, said: “We are delighted that Bear has agreed to continue in his role as UK Chief Scout. He has made such an incredible contribution to the movement over the past five years and has really helped us to expand Scouting within Britain’s local communities.
“Scouting gives young people the chance to experience real adventure and have fun, while allowing them to develop the skills they need to succeed in the modern world.
“All young people should have the opportunity to give Scouting a try, and we look forward to working with Bear over the next four years, as we take everyday adventure to even more communities across the country.”
Bear spoke about what Scouting means to him: “What really makes the difference when it comes to making a success of your life? For me, it’s about one thing: character. And what is character?
It is resilience, common sense, kindness and an independence of mind. It’s about inspiring others and believing in yourself. Now tell me which GCSE or A-level will qualify you in that?
“That’s why scouting, one of the nation’s greatest character factories, is so important. We develop the soft skills that employers so desperately seek. Some forward-thinking schools have known this for years, which is why they make time for citizenship and sport.
“It is through adventure in our wild spaces that people, especially children, really learn and grow. When I think about the outdoors, I don’t just see woodlands, rivers and mountains; I see the world’s biggest classroom. Taking part in an outdoor expedition frees the mind and liberates the spirit.
“It also reminds us of what we’re truly capable of achieving. That is why I believe that every child has the right to adventure. It is something I’ve seen tested time and time again in my years as Chief Scout.”
The scores, star performers and stats from a month in South Leicestershire
BY JEREMY BESWICK
Kibworth’s first XI have had a perfect start in both the Leicestershire Premier league and the cup. The 2013 champions’ record so far is a redoubtable played seven, won seven, whilst the seconds have won five from six. That’s a bad show seconds – pull your socks up will you?
All this success is in spite of the fact that their overseas star PJ Van Biljon’s return from Bloemfontein was delayed, so they are plainly going to be formidable opponents this year.
It’s an impressive set up down at Fleckney Road and I’d urge you to visit if you haven’t already. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved and share in their success.
Honorary treasurer Tim Neal takes up the story: “We use the name ‘Clubmaker’ at KCC rather than volunteer because we believe that this is a more apt title for the fantastic work that people do on our behalf
to ensure that we can play cricket with facilities that match our ambitions.”
There are a host of vacancies to fill so if you have any time on your hands...
The ladies’ side is actively recruiting players as well. Beginners are welcome with free taster sessions and, as they say on their promotional material, “Cricket – It’s Not Just For Men”. They have a dedicated Facebook page or you can follow them on Twitter at @KCC_Ladies.
It should be a special season for Market Harborough too as they are celebrating their 175th anniversary this year. As part of the festivities they will be hosting an MCC side on July 23 at 11am.
The bar will be open and there’ll be a barbecue – weather permitting – so this is an ideal opportunity to get yourself down to Fairfield Road.
On the pitch it’s been a mixed season so far. First team captain Joe Brown told me: “We had a very good start in the league and both our cup and T20 performances have
been excellent, but recent league performances have been disappointing. I’d like to think we can still manage a top four spot. On our day, with our strongest side out, we can beat anyone.”
They are a stronger team, as any local side would be, with their two professionals on the field. Plainly that’s only possible with the agreement of their employers but, you’re fortunate, you’ll see Kyle Coetzer – late of Durham and Northants and captain of Scotland (in spite of his name he was born in Aberdeen) – and Stamford lad Zak Chappell, who recently made his debut for Leicestershire. Joe said: “We’re an attractive side so do get yourself down here to watch some cricket”.
Cosby have had their challenges early doors. They managed a winning draw against Barkby but lost to Medbourne, Bitteswell and Kibworth 3rds. Batsman Chris Pople agreed: “It’s been a tough start and the problem has been availability, particularly in the batting line up.”
“We’re not posting big enough totals to defend,” he told me. “However, we’re expecting three players to be back with us in June and results will improve.”
He picked out two youngsters for special praise: Kristian Green made his debut earlier this year at the age of just 14 and Joe Symonds ‘who’s starting to open the bowling really well’ – a relative veteran at 17 years old.
I’m yet to make my way to their ground but I’m told they do a mean cream tea.
Medbourne’s opening weekend saw them win their fixtures in both the Leicestershire and Rutland leagues. Saturday‘s opponents at Hallaton Road were Thorpe Arnold 2nds, who batted first
and struggled to a low total of 129, one highlight being two wickets for Will Matthews who is even younger than Cosby’s Kristian Green, at just 13. It took them only 24 overs to reach the required total with Steve Lilley finishing 72 not out. Their Sunday performance away to Eaton Socon was even more emphatic.
Batting first, Bhav Patel was the star of the show with 111 not out, ably assisted by Fergus Clarke’s 64 as they reached 240. Eaton could manage only 100 in reply with Harvey Clarke taking 4 for 24. He’s 14.
I don’t know what they put in the water around here but James Clarke, 14 this month, took three wickets for the first team in their last match against Cosby.
Club secretary David Nance explained:
“We’ve always had a tradition of bringing on young players. That does mean we start the season slowly as GCSEs intervene and the university lads aren’t back yet, but that’s the price you pay for having a policy that concentrates on youth.”
Well done to all those young lads, and to Medbourne for being so far-sighted.
During the rest of the season we’ll be featuring many more local clubs, so if your own favourite isn’t mentioned don’t despair!
If you’ve seen anything notable, or you’d like your own club to get some free exposure contact me at jeremy@ theactivemag.com.
BY JEREMY BESWICK
The new season brings new hope for Leicestershire cricket. After a miserable couple of seasons in the county championship – in which they haven’t won a game since 2012 – the close season saw sweeping changes in the management team which is now headed by former Derbyshire, Sussex and Warwickshire batsman Wasim Khan as chief executive and Andrew McDonald as head coach.
There are good reasons to be optimistic that they can achieve their stated objective ‘to make Leicestershire CCC the leading non-Test match county in five years’.
A largely untapped pool of cricket-lovers in the local Asian community, who will surely flock to the ground in droves as performances improve, the arrival of new blood in the first team in the form of Umar Akbal and Clint McKay, and a strength in depth that is demonstrated by the performance of the seconds in 2014. As chairman Paul Haywood pointed out: “The Second XI won all three competitions which has never been done before by any county... they were unbeaten in the four-day championship, lost one match in the 50-over one day competition and won T20.”
Unfortunately, the Foxes made the news all over the globe when they became the sideshow to the Kevin Pietersen circus, as he smashed their attack for 355 not out at The Oval. A number of dropped catches didn’t help but take Pietersen’s knock out of it, and Leicestershire competed well against the moneybags London county, setting
them 218 to win, which they managed for the loss of three wickets. They could just do with a bit of luck.
I went to Grace Road for their match against Northants, the old scoreboard catching the optimistic mood by showing the Foxes’ score at 712-1 for a while. As Clint McKay and Ben Raine shared a stand of 87 to ensure a first innings lead of around
50, reacquainted myself with the gentle yet engaging atmosphere that is four-day cricket these days and to enjoy a pint in the Fox bar, where I was joined at close of play by wicket keeper and vice-captain Ned Eckersley
“Last year wasn’t great,” he told me. “In fact that goes for the last two years but now we’ve got a chance to draw a line in the sand and start afresh. New chief executive, new coach and new players. We’ve got to show more ambition to give Leicester the cricket it deserves. It’ll be good to play without distractions behind the scenes.”
Ollie Freckingham, who was born in Oakham, joined us. Ollie burst onto the scene in 2013 to be county’s leading wicket taker but almost counts as another new signing having been sidelined through injury for most of 2014. “It was a side strain that kept me out. A very frustrating time as I wanted to play and help out my mates.”
One of those mates would be Josh Cobb, late of Oakham School, who left in the close season and had returned that day as part of the Northants side. Was it strange to play against him? “Yeah, it was strange, particularly at first. We were all trying not to look him in the eye, in case we all broke out into a smile.”
Ned Eckersley summed it up: “We wish him well – just not against us.”
Although they are still yet to win this season as we go to press, there have been encouraging signs. As Ned said: “Come down and watch us. Hopefully we can do Leicestershire proud.”
Leicester Tigers’ hopes of one of the more unlikely appearances in the Premiership final evaporated at Bath in the semi-final with a 47-10 loss to the home side.
The score makes it look a stuffing, but it was a curious game in which Tigers’ forwards had control of the game for much of it, but their backs just couldn’t fashion enough clear cut chances. For Bath, the reverse was true: on the few occasions when they wrestled the ball from Leicester, their backs were lethal. At one point they had scored three tries from three chances.
That pretty much sums up Leicester’s season: a lack of cutting edge in the back line. Long-term injuries to key offensive players such as Owen Williams, Tom Cro , Anthony Allen and Manu Tuilagi certainly have not helped and it has meant a new back line almost every week, the result of which has been stuttering attacking moves.
Over the summer, ex-All Black and Leicester centre
Aaron Mauger comes in as head coach, and with him a ra of new players, as some stalwarts such as Geoff Parling and Julian Salvi head for the exit. He’ll have his work cut out to fashion a slick outfit out of the new look squad straight from the off, but the delay to the start of the next Premiership season due to the World Cup should help.
This season Tigers have been at their very best when it comes to desire, stubbornness, guts and a sheer refusal to give in. To make the play-offs a er the trials and tribulations that saw more than 20 players carrying sicknotes is remarkable. Add a bit of luck on the injury front and a splash of attacking sparkle next year and they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Pretty much summing up the surreal nature to the end of Leicester City’s season was that striker Jamie Vardy thought his call-up to the England squad, which he heard about while out shopping, was a joke being played on him. Only when he saw it in a shop window on a TV did it sink in.
Playing non-league football three years ago, it’s a rags to riches tale for the 28-yearold, but as with everything at City this spring it has been an amazing transformation.
Most of the plaudits must go to the players, who dragged themselves off the bottom of the table and went on a winning run that secured their place in the top league. That takes a pride and determination, when it would be easy to fold and accept your fate.
But credit must go to Nigel Pearson and his staff too for never giving up on their beliefs about the way the game should be played. Also, plenty of praise should be heaped on the club and the owners. In the middle of the
season, with everything looking desperate, it would have been easy to fire Pearson and get in another manager in the hope they would create enough of a bounce a er their appointment to keep City up. Plenty of clubs have tried that. But Leicester stuck to their man and that loyalty has paid off handsomely. Hopefully a second season in the top flight with the belief in the squad now that they deserve to be there, should see City move into the mid-table group of teams.
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If so, send us your results and match reports and we’ll publish them next month. All submissions should reach us by June 20. Email steve@theactivemag.com
BY JULIA DUNGWORTH
Garthorpe again hosted the Melton Hunt Club’s point-topoint on May 10. Luckily the weather held off, but with a bit of overnight rain, the course was perfect for the seven races. It also had the added attraction of running fun (very serious for them) pony races before all the action of the afternoon.
Many people came early to support them; I’m not actually sure why it’s not the main attraction!
They have been training at rallies in the preceding few weeks; there were two races, split by height, 148cm and 138cm.
The winner of the 148cm was local junior Will Thurlby on the aptly named Princess Propellor; closely followed by Alana Taylor, riding Lynne, then Kieren Rundell
Ranksboro Polo, near Langham also ran the first of a series of four British Showjumping shows on May 17. It was extremely well organised on a great surface, but unfortunately they were slightly down on entries.
Paul Thompson, who is an FEI course builder, built a great track for all.
Lauren Williams won the Discovery with organiser Dawn Ross also picking up a very credible third place behind her. Jane Riley was a very popular Newcomers winner.
James Williams also won the Foxhunter and was second to Alex Thompson in the 1.25 Open on Calinka III.
The next show is the Cottesmore Hunt Support Club and is on June 14, so please try and support.
This is one of very few BS shows held locally and unfortunately unless they get more competitors they may be forced to cancel their last show, which would be such a shame for all the organisers and competitors alike.
Mark Williams, our very own local pro, was very busy at Ranksboro and he also had a very busy day at Weston Lawns at the end of April, where he won the 1.40 on Dawn Ross’ good mare Extensa G.
Mark Kyle from Wymeswold had a good weekend at Chatsworth International where he finished third on Step In Time and fourth on Loughton Pearl in the advanced.
The Kyles are very much a husband and wife team and Tanya also didn’t let the side down by coming seventh on Gortfadda Diamond in the CIC1*, finishing on her dressage score of 49.3. The combination has been on great form having also won a Novice section at Belton on their previous run.
Emilie Chandler from Melton Mowbray had a good weekend at Chatsworth, where she finished second on Cooley Roller Coaster, and then was third in one of the advanced sections on Coopers Law.
Emilie has been on flying form recently: last month she won the CICO*** (team competition) in Ballindenisk in Ireland on Gino Royale, where she finished on her very good dressage of 40.6. Great news for the British team for the future.
Rutland Show near Oakham on May 31 starts us off for a very busy time and is one of the largest shows locally. There is a whole host of attractions and trade stands to have a look at and is always a great family day out with not only show jumping and showing classes on, but livestock and children’s entertainment too.
