Active Magazine // Stamford & Rutland // November 2025
149 | NOVEMBER 2025
Every dog should have a present
It’s here, our Christmas gift guide with recommendations for all the family!
It all started with a tree; Bowthorpe Park farm Collector’s Corner; meet the man who collects calculators Winter wellness: our kitchens and hedgerows are full of medicinal herbs to support your health Christmas fairs and late night shopping dates FREE!
Walk behind
mowers
Editor and Publisher Mary Bremner mary@theactivemag.com
Deputy editor Kate Maxim kate@theactivemag.com
Art editor Matt Tarrant
Contributors
Will Hetherington, Jeremy Smithson-Beswick,
Advertisement Sales Director Lisa Chauhan lisa@theactivemag.com
Advertisement Sales Emily Stillman
Production assistant Gary Curtis Accounts accounts@theactivemag.com
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EDITOR’S LETTER
‘As always, do support our local independent businesses.’
There’s no getting away from it; Halloween is over, we can loo forward to a uic blast of firewor s and then it’s full steam ahead to Christmas. And once that train gets started, there’s no stopping it. So, you may as well hop on board and embrace it. And doing that means Christmas shopping. I’ve learnt the hard way, don’t leave it to the last minute or you can end up rushing around like a fool panic buying and finding that many things have sold out, not to be recommended. Kate, Lisa and mily have been busy tal ing to local retailers and businesses to find out what they recommend as presents and we’ve compiled our gift guide full of suggestions to make it a bit easier for you to decide what to buy.
As always, do support our local independent businesses. Every year I say ‘they need us more than ever,’ and they really do. Use them or lose them. And there’s no doubt going out and enjoying a bit of retail therapy is so much better for you than just sitting in front of your screen pressing a button. Actually talking to someone, interacting and passing the time of day makes you, and them happier. And that bit of exercise walking around the shops and carrying bags is beneficial too a win for everyone
Somewhere else to do a bit of Christmas shopping is at the many Christmas markets and fairs that are on locally and again we’ve listed for you. We will be at the Frost Fair at Molecey Mill and Stamford’s Christmas market selling our Will’s Walk books so do come and say hello. And, of course these boo s ma e e cellent hristmas presents and stoc ing fillers.
’m delighted that have managed to find a use for all my ha el nuts which you may remember me talking about last month. Sally from Nuush nutrition has come up with a delicious recipe for them. And I’m going to toast the rest and spread them on salads and vegetables. And leave some for the squirrels too.
Have a good month,
Mary - Editor
ACTIVE LIFE
17 GARDEN DESIGN
It’s the last in the series so it’s time for plants
19 THE CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
We’ve been talking to local retailers and businesses about their recommendations for presents
32 CHRISTMAS FAIRS AND LATE NIGHT SHOPPING
There’s lots to go to so grab your purse and head out and enjoy some Christmassy times
34 COLLECTOR’S CORNER PART 2
This one really is niche, possibly nerdy too…
39 BOWTHORPE PARK FARM
It all started with a tree
42 WILL’S WALKS
This short stroll takes in two villages and the River Welland
ACTIVE KIDS
54 WINTER WELLNESS
Our kitchens and hedgerows are full of medicinal herbs to support our health
SPORT
57 THE ROUNDUP
Jeremy rounds up local sport
ActiveLife
Bowthorpe Park farm; how it all started with a tree. Meet the calculator collector.
Christmas fair and late night shopping dates. Will enjoys a shorter walk starting at Barrowden.
Presents for all! Our Christmas gift guide has something for everyone Page 19
They’ve been busy at Oakham in Bloom
a ham in Bloom is gearing up for an e citing 0 following a busy year which culminated with a lively and entertaining M featuring spea er Tom Mumby who organised this year’s inaugural utland Flower Show.
Tom revealed that the show was the result of a random idea first suggested to him by afriendin the pub. This led to the staging of the massively successful inaugural event attended by 000 people in ugust. The meeting was attended byaround 0 people including utland’s ord ieutenant r arah urness and was led by a ham in Bloom’s hair heila unningham. t’s wonderful to celebrate and than our volunteers for enhancing the town during the past year ’ she said. They’ve done so much including the transformation of the
Stamford Road roundabout with its boat being replaced with a refurbished one.’
The organisation first established in 1 maintains 1 newly enhanced planters and cares for the town’s ower beds including ones near the late ueen’s statue. heila said e’re always een to welcome new volunteers and if just a few people could do two hours once a month, then so much more could be achieved.’
a ham in Bloom commissioned the repairof the town’s iconic willow pitfire located on the Burley ar ay bypass. The overhauled aircraft is now bac in place for the season’s emembrance commemorations and mar s years since the plane’s decisive role in winning the Battle of Britain.
heila outlined plans for 0 including a ma eover for the roundabout at the entrance to the showground. It is hoped the roundabout will display an ancient plough surrounded by fruit trees. a ham in Bloom will wor on the pro ect alongside local horticultural charity oot and Branch ut as well as utland gricultural ociety. To volunteer with Oakham in Bloom, please email Sheila. chairatoib@gmail.com
Discover Rutland’s new Shared Lives service
Could you open your home to someone who needs a little help?
Rutland County Council is proud to introduce Shared Lives – a new way to support adults in our community who need a little extra care. Be it someone recovering after a hospital stay, a young person moving out of foster care or an older adult who needs day-to-day help, Shared Lives offers personalised support in a warm, familystyle setting.
At the heart of the scheme are Shared Lives carers – local people who open their homes to provide care in a way that feels more like family than formal care. Opening your home to help someone can be an amazing life changing experience for everyone involved. Supporting someone to gain independence can be incredibly rewarding.
Support can be offered in various ways, including:
• Day service support
• Short-term or emergency care
• Respite for full-time carers
• Longer-term placements
Each Shared Lives carer gets constant training and support from utland ounty ouncil along with financial payments of up to £310 a day, regular reviews and opportunities to connect with other carers. Shared Lives Carers provide an invaluable gift by providing a safe space for people to learn and grow. This is something that few people are able to offer.
The Shared Lives service supports adults aged 16 and over with a wide range of needs including learning disabilities, mental health challenges, dementia, physical disabilities and long-term health conditions.
Matching is key to the success of Shared Lives. The council works closely with both carers and service users to ensure a good fit. hared ives carers will only be paired with someone if they’re confident and comfortable they can offer the right support.
If you’re someone with a caring nature, spare time and a desire to make a real difference in someone’s life Shared Lives could be for you.
To learn more or apply to become a Shared Lives carer, please visit rutland.gov.uk/sharedlives or email SharedLives@Rutland.gov.uk or call 01572 722577.
A new home for Stamford’s
MindSpace
MindSpace has moved. In what marks an exciting new chapter, Stamford’s mental wellbeing charity has relocated from its premises on Broad Street, just down the road to Red Lion Street.
fter more than five years at its Broad treet hub the move re ects how much the charity has grown and evolved in that time. The larger and more versatile venue allows the charity to increase its capacity to deliver essential wellbeing and listening support in a more dynamic yet still warm and friendly setting.
Chair of Trustees, Beka Avery says: ‘Our aim for our new Wellbeing Hub is for it to be more accessible and to provide the space for enhanced partnerships, bringing other organisations and services the opportunity to get into the heart of Stamford. We want this to be a vibrant hub, full of life and warmth that is there for everyone as they navigate the ups and downs that life brings.’
MindSpace opened its doors at the new hub on 6 October thanks to a lot of community support, donations of time, skills and money for renovations and decorating. ead of perations ip Tiffin says ‘We are incredibly grateful for the generous support from individuals and local businesses who have volunteered their time and provided essential skills and expertise to help us get the hub ready. There is still work to complete and we continue to raise funds for furnishings and equipment for the new space.’
Activities running from the Wellbeing Hub include mindfulness, art journalling, sketching and tea and chat sessions, all providing opportunities for people to come together, take time for their wellbeing, meet other people, and be listened to. MindSpace actively engages in conversations and listening which is fundamental to building relationships, giving people a sense of worth and promoting wellbeing.
mindspacestamford.com
Whatever
hampers along with personalised handwritten cards – using cards from our hand-illustrated range or something customised for you.
What’s On!
Ben Burgess in Oakham are holding a showroom open day on November 15 running from 9am-1.30pm. Enjoy free refreshments and lots of special offers on showroom products, from toys to tools. A representative from Stihl will be there to demonstrate their products and offer advice. Free dog food samples from Skinners will be available as well.
ctober 1 is the firewor s spectacular at Tallington la es. n oy firewor s food and a funfair. Gates open at 6pm. Fireworks start at 7.30pm.
Enjoy a winter concert from Stamford’s popular community choir Woven Chords on December 11 at Stamford Arts Centre ballroom. Tickets £10.
There’s lots going on at The Stamford corn exchange this month ranging from Janet treet orter and enny clair ower arranging, lots of tribute bands and then on December 5, the ultimate 70s show. Tickets available for all shows from their website stamfordcornexchange.co.uk
You know it’s Christmas when wreaths start appearing on the town’s doors. Making your own wreath is fun, mindful and creative. Workshops are available in many of our towns and villages but selling out fast so do book early @georgia_florist or georgiajoy.co.uk
Be Inspired
RECIPE
Dark chocolate and hazelnut Medjool dates
Sally from Nuush nutrition has provided us with this delicious recipe which helps Mary make use of her glut of hazelnuts this year
Ingredients
• 10-12 Medjool dates
• 90g of 70% dark chocolate
• 50g blanched hazelnuts
• 3-4 teaspoons of hazelnut butter
• Flaked sea salt
Method
• Melt the chocolate in a heatproof ceramic or glass bowl, over boiling water.
• Slit each date down one side and remove the stone. Then put a whole hazelnut into the space.
• Now spoon in about half of a teaspoon of ha elnut butter to fill the rest of the space.
• Roll each filled date in the melted chocolate and place on greaseproof paper.
• Now whizz the remaining hazelnuts in a processor until you have small chunks.
• Sprinkle them, with some sea salt, onto the chocolate covered dates.
• Freeze for 15-20 mins, then keep in the fridge ready to eat.
40 High Street East, Uppingham 07415767826 joatno40@gmail.com www.joatno40.co.uk
To Book ring Jo now on 07415767826 or email joatno40@gmail.com joatno40.co.uk
Bittersweet stuff
Woody nightshade, or its other common name, bittersweet is a member of the dreaded nightshade family and whilst not as poisonous as deadly nightshade (Belladonna) it is still toxic to humans says Rowan Griffiths
It is a deciduous and perennial vine that can grow up to three metres and is a common sight throughout the UK in hedgerows and woodland, or anywhere where it can find support for its scrambling habit. The plant has bright green leaves that grow to about 80mm in length, are shieldshaped with smooth edges and appear simply branched from a slender purplish/ green stem. Between May and September the vine blossoms with stri ing purple five petalled owers that have a vivid yellow pointed stamen at the centre.
n the autumn the owers are replaced with initially green then bright red tomato-like berries and herein lies the danger. Whilst having a tempting appearance and being widely eaten by thrushes and blackbirds these berries (and all other parts of the plant are poisonous to humans, especially children. Although not as toxic as its deadly nightshade cousin the berries can make you seriously unwell. owever in fol medicine it was used externally to treat conditions such as eczema and rheumatism. But this is not supported by modern medical practices. n fol lore bittersweet has many magical associations due to its supposed hallucinogenic properties. In ancient Greek mythology the witch used the plant to turn dysseus hero of omer’s The liad’s men into pigs. n the middle ages it was thought to ward off the evil eye’ and garlands of bittersweet were hung about the nec s of cattle to protect them. itches were also supposed to use it to help them y. igh octane broomstic fuel perhaps
GARDENING
The final push
Garden designer T J Kennedy comes to the end of her series and talks about planting design
Iam finishing this year’s series with planting design arguably one of the most comple stages of the whole design process. lanting design isn’t about putting in your favourite plants in groups of three or five. f course your favourites can go in, but there are many more things to think about.
Practical considerations
Firstly, the site determines the choices. Those early analysis stages now come to good use: reviewing the soil and site conditions, water retention, drainage, wind direction, to understand the microclimate.
Design
This is about what I am aiming to create. It communicates and responds to the site design and the materials.
hat are some of the ey elements cale shape form colour branch structure character, energy, anchoring. There is significant design s ill in this stage and it is hard to identify all of the elements that are in the designer's brain!
ome areas of the garden want variation some familiarity and reliability. But we are wanting and needing to push ideas and try
new plants. And we are also dealing with the climate. This summer has been hot and dry. e don’t yet now if that will continue throughout the autumn or if we will get persistent rain. This is why we talk about resilience – resilient plants but also resilient design.
Returning to the large rural landscape project I introduced last time I know the site conditions which dictate the best hedge plant. But the design dictates the finish. designed the hedges to be wide and low. The width is balancing the si e of the site the height is keeping the views open. I chose the leaf density to catch and hold movement with air ow across the site. The arrival of spring leaves coincides with the timing of perennial planting in the surrounding beds. t’s not ust about choosing a hedge and planting it.
In the perennial planted beds the late summer tones are designed to catch the low sun as it hits the warm ironstone wall, creating a cohesive and enveloping feel. This is the creation that a designer will do.
Remember that gardens are ever evolving, and embracing that is vital as a new garden owner.
tjkennedy.design
Enjoy your healthiest winter
The way you eat has a huge effect on immunity and energy. You may struggle with fatigue, bloating, refux, other digestive issues, hormone changes, diabetes, high blood pressure and more. Or maybe you want to protect your health during winter’s colder and shorter days.
The best news? You can eat to beat the winter bugs and blues! My food-frst, evidence-based approach is tailored to you, helping you to make enjoyable changes. With a frst-class honours degree in Nutritional Therapy, and studying for a Masters in Public Health, you can trust in expert support, rooted in the latest science.
Nuush Nutrition – Fuelling your best life. Support your health with Mediterranean-style nutrition
nuush.co.ukhello@nuush.co.uk
Raffertys (240).qxp 30/05/2022 13:57 Page 1
Male Grooming & Haircare in the Heart of Stamford
Book online at www.raffertysofstamford.com It’s easy, it’s convenient, it saves waiting around!
It will soon be time to decorate the tree, bake festive treats, visit Christmas late night shopping events and send cards to friends and family. But for ideas of what to buy them this year, look no further; we’ve compiled a list from our wonderful local retailers
THE HOME OF RUNNERS
Speakers include:
The National Running Show returns for its eighth edition.
This is the biggest running community meetup of the year bringing together not only fellow running enthusiasts but also inspirational influencers, elite endurance and trail runners and Olympic athletes.
Signature Noel fragrance
This is no ordinary scent. Blended in-house with notes exuding crisp snow-capped pine trees, peeled clementines, sweet buttery gingerbread, and ust a hint of spice. Available in reed diffuser sets, clean burning soy candles and wax melt snap bars, each item is lovingly handmade using the fi nest ingredients.
Price: From £8
From: thewickandwax.co
Mug gift set
inely crafted from fi ne bone china these mugs are a large 370ml size, ideal for that big cup of tea. ishwasher and microwave safe, the mugs and socks are supplied in an individual gift box in a choice of designs.
Price: £21.50
From: colinbell.uk
Lodge cast iron pan
Cast iron provides great heat retention, incredible durability and a naturally seasoned coo ing surface that’s ready to go.
Price: On offer at £29.99
From: Stu Pots, Oundle 01832 275414
Vintage stocking
A handsewn Christmas stocking made from vintage remnants. Ma es a delightful gift or decoration for your home.
Price: £45
From: iris-and-mabel.com
HOME and HEARTH
Fireplace set
on’t we all love a roaring fire at hristmas match holder or firelighter box is a perfect gift for Christmas to help get your ames going.
Price: £17.50
From: colesforfi res.com
Christmas giftware
For creative ways to decorate your living space for that cosy seasonal experience, head to ew odge arm. ictured here are Gisela Graham and Grand Illusions giftware including a ower bowl glass candlestick, glazed pitcher and Maroc tray.
Price: From £2
From: newlodgefarm.co.uk
Best all-round fabric scissors
HOBBIES and INTERESTS
Giant bar bags and seat packs
Ideal for the cyclist in your life. niversal tool-free fit water repellent fabric. 0.5L to 2L capacity. Bigger bags come with detachable shoulder strap for off-bike use.
Price: From £19.99
From: info@giant-tugby.co.uk 0116 303 2435
Fiskars 25cm Classic Universal scissors are an investment and will last a lifetime if well cared for. A very thoughtful gift for an experienced sewer or an enthusiastic beginner, but remember, they should never be used to cut paper.
Price: £25.99
From: thestamfordfabriccompany.com
Will’s Walks - volumes 2,3 and 4
A perfect gift for the walkers in your life. If you buy all three books, that’s 56 different walks in total around Stamford and Rutland ranging from a short 1 ½ mile walk to a mammoth 9+ miles.
Price: From £8.95
From: theactivemag.com
Equilibrium gift card
Give the gift of wellness and balance. An uilibrium gift card can be used for any membership or block of classes, including reformer Pilates and personal training sessions. Perfect for anyone ready to invest in their health, strength and wellbeing.
Price: Various
From: equilibrium.fi t/clubs/ketton/
Measuring only 10.5cm closed but when the cap is mounted on top of the barrel it becomes a 13cm-long, standard-sized pen, hence the slogan ‘small in the pocket, large in the hand.’ Shown here in green riffi n of aston stoc s a wide range of colours and cartridges plus iconic stationery and fi ne artists’ materials from the UK and around the world
Price: £26.95
From: visiteaston.co.uk
Kaweco Sport fountain pen
CHRISTMAS EVENT AT THE CROWN HOTEL STAMFORD PE9 2AJ
THURSDAY 13TH NOVEMBER
A sparkling evening for our wonderful customers with diamond specialists, pearl specialists and an array of golden gem-set jewellery, some beautiful secondhand pieces and watches and designer silver jewellery!
FABULOUS PRIZE DRAW!
• £500 Hoppers gift voucher
• A meal for two at the Crown Hotel
• Luxury hamper from Freckleface Fragrances
35 North Street Bourne PE10 9AE 01778 423816
bourne@hoppersjewellers.co.uk
11 Watergate, Grantham NG31 6NS 01476 563053
watergate@hoppersjewellers.co.uk
10 Church Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7AA (Located next to Hambleton Bakery)
ive the golfer in your life the gift of a better game this hristmas hy not purchase gift vouchers individual lessons or coaching pac ages There’s something for every golfer.
Price: From £50
From: golfwithgarland.com
Cookery classes
A cookery class experience at utland’s itchen onfident ma es the perfect hristmas gift whatever your age or e perience including classes for children teens and competent coo s. retty vouchers for any amount are also available if you cannot ma e up your mind.
Workshops With Jo at no 40 In Uppingham 07415767826 or joatno40@gmail.com
Upholstery Workshops
ancy a new craft learn a new s ill and update a tired chair with your uni ue style. Buy for yourself or your friends and family. earn to upholster the traditional way using tac s hair and hessian. ifts include the popular tarter Tool it 110 and gift vouchers for any amount or for a day or days for 0.
Price: From £85
From: joatno40.co.uk
Gift Voucher
The most unique present ow about the gift of everlasting love for someone special lison’s beautifully presented gift vouchers are available for private readings bespo e meditations other services.
Price: From £22 (+p&p)
From: alisonstead-medium.co.uk or WhatsApp 07557 226759
Vineyard tour
isit Mallard oint ineyard at ssendine for a vineyard tour of the 0 000 vines grown. nd en oy a tal about nglish wine viticulture and winema ing fi nishing off in the winery for a tasting session. ift cards also available. Tours are appro imately . hrs and run from March - eptember Tuesday Thursday and aturday 10am and pm. heese and charcuterie boards served from 1 . 0pm.
Price: £30 (cheese and charcuterie additional cost)
From: mallardpoint.co.uk
Pickled Shop hampers
Enjoy a feast of delights from Bulwick Village Shop this Christmas. Absolutely delicious!
Price: From £35
From: thepickledshop.com
Ceremonial Grade matcha
Clearspring’s ceremonial grade matcha recently won a Great Taste Award (2025) and is now stocked in Waitrose. A perfect stocking filler for the health conscious person in your life.
Price: £16.99
From: waitrose.com
Belvoir Wines
Give the gift of elegance this Christmas with Belvoir Wines, made with grapes grown on the historic Belvoir Estate. Each bottle captures the character of the land and the passion behind its creation, perfect for festive dinners, thoughtful gifts, or simply raising a glass to the season. From crisp whites to rich reds, Belvoir Wines offer a refi ned taste of tradition that any wine lover will appreciate.
Make your life easier this Christmas and order a hamper full of farm reared meat: choose from a turkey crown, gammon, sausage meat, beef, pigs in blankets, sausages, bacon. Pork pies and eggs too.
Price: From £30
From: bowthorpeparkfarm.co.uk
Super lightweight short ankle wellies
These boots are a must-buy for winter. In a range of beautiful colours, they are comfortable, durable and affordable. And also available in children’s sizes (at £22.99).
Price: £34.99
From: wellandvale.co.uk
Vintage jewels and accessories
For stunning antique jewellery and luxurious vintage accessories look no further than Legacy in Uppingham. It is a true treasure trove, perfect for hristmas gifts and stoc ing fillers.
To claim a discount during November and December, bring this entry with you.
Price: Various
From: Legacy, Uppingham. 01572 822500
Stunning Motif bracelet
This bracelet is a showstopper and perfect for Christmas parties. In yellow gold.
Fully waterproof with sewn in hood; delivers the perfect blend of warmth, weather protection and visibility. Sizes: small to 2XL.
Price: £150
From: georgehallscycles.co.uk
Therm-Ic Powersock heated socks
Heated socks can provide much-needed warmth and comfort, like having a wearable radiator for your feet, especially in cold weather or when dealing with conditions like Raynaud’s disease or poor circulation.
Price: Reduced to £41.99
From: tallingtonlakesproshop.com
Winter at the Waterfront
Brunch from 10am Monday-Saturday
Igloos - try our unique dining experience by the canal Perfect for Parties - festive parties and events including Drag nights and New Year’s Eve party
www.waterfrontharborough.co.uk
01858 434702 | info@waterfrontharborough.co.uk
LOCKS
BEAUTIFUL GIFTS FOR ALL AGES
Wreaths, Christmas Decorations, Poinsettias, Indoor and Outdoor Christmas Lights, Lots of Gift ideas and Gift Vouchers.
Church Farm, Essendine, Rutland, PE9 4LH WWW.MALLARDPOINT.CO.UK
Come visit, sip, shop, and celebrate local this Christmas!
Christmas gift guide
POM Amsterdam
dd a splash of utch air to your festive wardrobe! Known for their bold prints attering silhouettes and oyful colours, POM Amsterdam delivers statement pieces that are as wearable as they are eye-catching. From sequins to embroidered bombers to effortlessly elegant separates, these designs bring instant fun to any celebration.
Price: From £160
From: @thenoten.store info@thenoten.com
Creator Sanny Bruna
Chelsea boot
Step into luxury with this softest Portuguese leather boot. Both stylish and durable, loved by our team and customers, the Sanny Bruna is available in a brilliant selection of bold, vibrant colours to complete any look.
Price: £99.99
From: beggshoes.com and in store in Market Harborough
Pet advent calendar
Looking for a way to include your pooch in the countdown to Christmas, then look no further... their very own advent calendar! Contains 24 gourmet, grain free sausages to indulge your dog every day until the big day.
Price: £16.99
From: peterboroughposhpetz.co.uk
PETS and TOYS
John Deere HPX Toy Gator
Perfect for little adventurers aged 3 and up. It travels on all surfaces, even the most rugged, and can tackle differences in elevation with a slope of up to 17%. This electric utility vehicle runs on a 12V/12Ah/150Wh rechargeable battery.
Price: £484.95
From: benburgess.co.uk
Hoy bikes for children
The brainchild of Sir Chris Hoy, Hoy bikes are available in store. From the 12 inch wheel Wee balance bike to the 26 inch wheel lightweight MTB with disc brakes and 8 gears, they are reliable, lightweight and fun to ride. Also in stock are Squish lightweight kids’ hybrid bikes for all ages.
Price: Various From: oakhamcyclecentre.co.uk
Shop until you drop
As well as all the gifts we’ve found you there are numerous opportunities to indulge in late night shopping events and Christmas fairs. So grab your coat, shopping basket and purse and head out to enjoy some of these. You may even get a mince pie and some mulled wine!
Here are our local towns’ late night opening dates. There are usually extra stalls as well so you can indulge the tastebuds at the same time as shopping. nd many coincide with the official turning on of the Christmas lights so a magical evening for all.
Friday 21 November
Mill Street, Oakham late night opening 4-7.30pm
Thursday 27 November
Stamford Christmas lights switch on 5-6.30pm
Friday 28 November
Market Harborough 6-9pm and free parking
Thursday 4 December
Uppingham 5.30-9pm including the lights being switched on
Monday December 6
Oundle Christmas market 10-5pm with the lights at 3.30pm
Monday December 15
Oakham town 4-9pm. There will be stalls along the High Street and in the Market Place
Christmas Fairs
November 7-9
The Frost Fair at Molecey Mill just outside Market Deeping. This one is a firm favourite and we will be there again selling copies of ill’s al boo s. nd there will be all manner of wintery treats.
November 14-16
hristmas craft and gift mar et at eterborough cathedral. t’s a biggy with up to 1 0 stalls to en oy all within the cathedral so uite uni ue. You can buy tic ets in advance to avoid the ueues. isit tic etsource.co.u peterborough-cathedral-events christmas-craftgift-mar et- 0 -shopper-tic et p-low d for tic ets and information about discounted par ing and hotels.
November 15
arringworth hristmas artisan mar et. tarts at 11am and is full of locally made arts and crafts.
November 15-16
a ton artisan fair offering lots of inspiration for hristmas with curated handmade products from local artisans.
November 16
ierce women the little event fairies of tamford at the rts entre. The little event fairies are bac with another hristmas mar et which was a huge success at its inaugural one last year. ootfall is high so come and sample some of the delights that the local women-owned businesses of tamford and around have to offer.
November 22
itham all inter air. osted by the friends of itham all this mar et is always a good one. t runs from 10- pm and there’s a huge range of products and presents to choose from.
November 27-30
Burghley hristmas air. The largest fair in the region with over 1 0 stalls. Tic ets cost 1 and must be boo ed in advance. hopping is from . 0- pm or on riday and aturday you can en oy shopping in the dar and en oy all the festive lights until . 0pm. Tic ets from burghley.co.u
November 28
o ton oc s hristmas fair. t starts at pm and you’ll en oy an evening full of fun for the whole family dog included. There will be lots of food and stalls to en oy. anta’s grotto and the tree lights being switched on.
November 30
tamford’s hristmas mar et. The centre of town is shut off to traffic and there will be hundreds of stalls it’s going to be their biggest ever. You will fi nd us at the top of ronmonger treet selling ill’s al s boo s come and say hello.
December 6-7 and 13-14
amport all hristmas mar et. There will be over 100 stalls plus lots of entertainment and even polar bears and an ice ueen.
Christmas events
to look forward to next month and book ahead for
Belvoir castle
hristmas at Belvoir castle means fun for all the family. t runs from ovember 0 ecember when you can en oy touring the castle and seeing the magnificent decorations decorating the state rooms. There’s a magical hristmas trail and anta’s grotto as well as choirs festive afternoon teas and much more.
belvoircastle.com
Lamport Hall
Meet ather hristmas and his elves at amport all. e will be there on ecember 10 11 1 and 1 . isten to a festive story by the fire receive a gift and more. There’s lots more going on at amport during ecember as well. Their hristmas shop is open from ecember 1 opening from ednesday to unday. n oy the beautifully decorated all and listen to festive stories suitable for all ages and en oy hristmas arol on ecember . This is a one man performance of the ic ens classic. lamporthall.co.uk
Deene Park
n oy eene ar at dus on ecember -11 from 1. 0- pm. This is a ground oor tour of the house including The reat all which will be traditionally decorated for hristmas. The guides will tell you more about the hristmas history of the house and the visit culminates with refreshments in the ld itchen tea room. deenepark.com
Nene Park
ene ar inter estival runs from ovember to ecember and tic ets are on sale now. There will be lots of festive spar le and plenty of seasonal cheer. un for all the family and foodies too as well as lf school. hec their website for when each event is running. nenepark.org.uk/winter-festival
COLLECTOR’S CORNER: CALCULATORS
In part two of our series, Kate can’t decide if Nick Taylor’s obsession with Hewlett Packard calculators is simply niche or really nerdy
ast Christmas I was hijacked in the room of doom’ as ic ’s fianc e o describes it, as I collected my coat after their party. Nick took the opportunity to show me his collection of 38 calculators and, to his great surprise, I was genuinely interested. I absolutely love a collection, and more importantly the passion behind one. But where did Nick’s start?
As he cheerfully admits, he was a nerdy kid. ‘I played chess and I joined computer club. We only had one computer for the whole school but when I went to university to do business and finance fell in love with them. In my third year when I was at IBM I built my own computer from the spare parts the engineers gave me and that’s when my obsession began. If I were to do it all again, I’d take computer science as a degree. I’ve had to teach myself a lot including Python which is the coding language everyone in finance uses. ’m a programmer for a ban and all the kids coming out of university learn it on their courses.’
Considering I struggled to get my O’ level maths thought ’d find this interview challenging! But Nick who did maths, physics and chemistry A levels managed to pitch his love of calculators to my level. His first calculator was a asio which his parents bought for £80 and he had to work hard to justify the cost to them. It was the world’s first calculator to draw graphs and at the time there was a move to ban it from exams. Luckily not in time for Nick.
Computer
scientist
The Hewlett Packard 16C, otherwise known as the Computer Scientist, is the one that sparked his addiction twenty years ago. ‘They are really rare now,’ he told me. ‘They were made in the 1980s and you can’t do normal things on it. In maths we use the decimal base, base 10. Computers use Binary, base 2 and there’s also Hexadecimal and Octal. This calculator can translate between them at the touch of a button which is really useful for a programmer. I also fell in love with the quality of HP calculators.
‘I have 38 calculators in total, mainly Hewlett Packard and they are built like tanks. In the early days the keyboards were designed like a stick of rock so the letters went all the way through. Unfortunately, not any more. But nowadays instead of a small screen showing just one line of code, you have a touch screen where you can draw graphs using trigonometry, so things move on.’
The calculators in the Voyager Series are unusual as they are landscape whereas most calculators are portrait. The landscape design is very convenient to use with both thumbs, something modern phone designers have cottoned on to. ‘There’s the Voyager 10C, 11C, 12C, 15C and 16C and I have all of them,’ Nick explained. ‘They look almost identical but they all do radically different things.’
If, for some inexplicable reason, Nick had to get rid of his collection the two he would keep are the Hewlett Packard 12C and the
‘I have 38 calculators in total, mainly Hewlett Packard and they are built like tanks. In the early days the keyboards were designed like a stick of rock so the letters went all the way through.'
Curta. I can see why. The 12C is the longest unaltered consumer product on the market and is still now often given out in the City as a rite of passage when you pass your chartered accountant’s exam despite the fact that Excel spreadsheets can do the same thing. ust not with such style.
The 12C can work out mortgage and loan repayments. f you now four out of the five parameters you can work it out to the penny. You need the number of periods in which you want to pay the mortgage back, the interest rate, the present value, the amount of payment and the future value. So, if you borrow £100,000, that’s the present value. With an interest rate of 4% that’s 0.33% per month for 12 months. If it’s for 25 years that is 300 periods altogether and you would want to pay the total mortgage back so the future value would be zero. The only parameter you don’t know here is the amount of the monthly payment. So you simply press that button. Then it literally says ‘running’ on the screen as it calculates it and hey presto, up pops £527.84 per month. You can play around with the parameters such as increasing the monthly payments or the amount of periods to get different out ows. cel is much better at planning nowadays,’ says Nick, ‘but I still love using this’.
Showstopper
The Curta calculator is a dinner party showstopper. It’s not hugely rare; you can get one from eBay for approximately £1,000 but the story behind it is incredible. It is named after Curt Herzstark and was made in ichtenstein. urt was an ustrian ew who worked in his father’s mechanical calculator factory. He was a genius who had a niggling idea to make a portable mechanical calculator (there were no electronics in those days and they were all huge). He was captured by the Nazis and
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taken to Buchenwald concentration camp where they got wind of his idea. They didn’t give him special privileges, he had to do his usual labour during the day but he was given a draft board and, at night, he could work on his design. If he succeeded, they were going to present it to Hitler at the end of the war. Thankfully the Americans liberated the camp and Curt was still alive, so he took his design to be made in Lichtenstein. Type I was such a success they made Type II but there was also a crossover design and that’s the one Nick has always wanted. Instead of buying him bottles of wine for his 40th birthday Nick asked his friends to donate to a Curta calculator which he eventually bought from a widow in Germany whose husband had bought it then left it unused in his desk draw for 40 years.
‘I can never take it apart,’ Nick told me, ‘as there are about 700 different mechanical parts to it and no-one left alive who can service it.’
Nick also builds computer kits that are very low power and have lots of ashing lights on them. Apparently nerds like ashing lights. e tells me he does it mainly for the fun of soldering them but he is also working on a home automation system which he uses to control the lighting and heating in his home; rather like the Hive system.
‘It’s called Home Assistant and is created by thousands of software writers around the world. You download it for free, you run it on a Raspberry Pi unit and you can programme it to do what you want. Hippie type engineers maintain that software should be free and not controlled by, for example, Microsoft programmers. GitHub is a place where I can write code which is open for the world to use; it’s a community on the internet and we write open source software.
‘Our house has solar panels and we’re on a e ible tariff where we hope to get through the evening without drawing from the grid. But sometimes it’s an overcast day so between 2-5am the night before we’re able to pull from the grid at cheaper than normal electricity rates and charge up our batteries. Using Home Assistant I’ve downloaded a solar forecast which speaks to our solar inverter and instructs it to only charge up 40% of the battery, for example, then the rest is topped up by solar, thus saving money. It needs tweaking but it works.’
Cryptocurrency
He has also set up a cluster of several Rasberry Pi computers which work together. They are basic computer units which can be tasked to do anything a computer can do. ‘I am going to set up several Raspberries together into a ‘Bramble’ and plug them into one motherboard to become a crypto currency trading bot. It will download price data and analyse BitCoin trends. It uses algorithms to look at trading patterns then it triggers the optimum time for your Raspberry Pi to put trades on for you at the Exchange. It will be a fun experiment and if I get my algorithm right it may even earn me some money.’
This is a man who recently took two Raspberry Pi computers on holiday with a book on calculator programming puzzles. Than fully as his fianc e o is a
psychotherapist she has come across some very strange obsessions and feels that collecting calculators is quite a tame one. Nick has also written a play called ‘Blind Date ruined My Life’ which he performed at the Edinburgh Fringe. That’s a story for another day but shows he’s not just about computers!
In fact his passion for collecting is waning slightly. ‘There are some models I don’t have and I’m not so obsessive that I must have every calculator Hewlett Packard ever made. There are some I have no interest in and lately I’ve been thinking I may have come to the end of my collection. Hewlett Packard have largely dropped out of making calculators now. Swiss Micros produce modern replicas of the old HP products and I have three of them, but the keys are nowhere near as good quality. You don’t want to have to look at the screen to know the calculator has registered the sum, you want to be able to hear the distinct click under your finger.’ That comment alone implies to me his obsession is more nerdy than niche!
One of the last calculators Nick showed me was the 12C. It has a date function which is helpful to calculate the length of bonds. Nick typed in my date of birth and it showed how many days I’ve lived - 20,772 so far. But even this one isn’t that clever, as thankfully it can’t work out how many days I’ve got left…
‘I am going to set up several Raspberries together into a ‘Bramble’ and plug them into one motherboard to become a crypto currency trading bot.
And it all began with a tree. Mary meets George and Nicola Blanchard to chat about their growing business Bowthorpe
BRANCHING OUT
any of you will be aware that not far from Stamford you will fi nd the largest girthed oa tree in the that is over 1 00 years old it used to be urope and some of you may not. So let me introduce you to it and the family who are its current custodians.
The Blanchard family have been at Bowthorpe ar arm since the 1 0s farming the mi ed 00 acre farm for generations. t sits in a pretty rolling valley half way between tamford and Bourne. The tree was obviously there long before them and is renowned appearing in the uinness Boo of ecords in the 1 0s so attracts many visitors. eople ust used to come and noc on the door and as to see the tree and granny would show them ’ says eorge Blanchard. But as granny got older and people turned up at all times of the day we decided we should ma e it a bit more formal
with opening times and charge a nominal amount to see it.’ hich is what they did. nd this was the beginning of a new branch of the farm.
eorge had come bac from university and oined his father on the farm with his brother following not far behind. o that meant they had to diversify as 00 acres was not enough to eep three families going and certainly isn’t today. eorge along with his wife icola concentrated on the diversification whilst his brother and father farmed the land with eorge helping out when needed which is uite fre uently.
n 01 they started the farm par so visitors could come and see some of the animals particularly during lambing in the spring including cuddling and feeding the lambs. They held events including a summer solstice when people would gather around the
S t a t i o n e r y a n d
Award-winning landlord, Matt Thompson and staff look forward to seeing you at
THE BLUE BELL
BELMESTHORPE
Charming traditional stone-built ale house, just two miles from Stamford
Previous winner of Rutland Camra Pub of the Year
SIX REAL ALES including Grainstore Ten Fifty, Draught Bass, a rotating Oakham/Ossett ale and two ever-changing Guest Ales
■ Two Woodburners ■ Ample Parking
■ Courtyard and Patio Area
Stationeryand Artists’Materials
A r t i s t s ’ M a t e r i a l s
Local Honey, Eggs, Chutneys and Marmalade available at the bar (Duck eggs on request)
REGULAR ‘FOOD TRUCKS’ – including Griff’s Pizza every Friday (4-9pm) and changing cuisine on Saturdays (eg Thai/ Mexican/ British etc... see Facebook for updates)
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29TH
Big Bird Catering Night QUIZ NIGHTS (WEDS, 7.30PM) November 5th OPENING TIMES:
SHEPHERD’S WALK, BELMESTHORPE, STAMFORD PE9 4JG (just off main Stamford-Bourne Rd) M P
CHRISTMAS SHOP AND CAFE
Open 10am-3pm every WednesdaySunday from 3rd-21st December. Selling Christmas decorations, gifts and stocking fllers
STANDING IN THE WINGS –LET US READ YOU A STORYCHRISTMAS SPECIALFriday 5th, 12th & 19th December, 11am-12pm. Step into our magical decorated Tudor House to read festive stories suitable for all ages by the fre with a Christmas themed sweet treat.
CHRISTMAS MARKET 6th & 7th and 13th & 14th December, 10am-4pm. Over 100 stalls plus Elsa tribute act, animatronic polar bear and ice queen, 1940s harmony group and Nightmare Before Christmas roaming characters. FATHER CHRISTMAS IN THE TUDOR HOUSE 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 13th & 14th December. Meet Father Christmas and his elves, listen to a festive story by the fre and receive a wrapped gift, personalised nice certifcate, craft to take home and sweet treat
tree as it really is quite a spiritual site and sight, and then for pumpkins at Halloween. They had started producing their own burgers and sausages, using meat from the farm to sell at these events and things were gathering momentum when Covid shut everything down. ‘Everything stopped and that was it,’ says George.
So, like many businesses during this time the family changed tack and started delivering food. ‘We had an in-house butcher on site and thankfully people realised the importance of locally produced food, particularly meat. We started delivering meat boxes, all of which came from the farm. Our cattle and sheep are grass fed, so slow growing and our pigs are fed with our own barley so you couldn’t get more locally produced meat. It’s sustainably produced and food miles are virtually zero.’
Once lockdowns eased they stopped delivering and people came to collect the meat so they opened a small farm shop. All beef, lamb, pork and venison comes from the farm. And they have recently expanded this shop and added even more stock. And now you can get a coffee and enjoy sitting outside admiring the view.
Nicola has her work cut out as she makes all the cooked meats, ready meals, lasagnes, pork pies and more from scratch, again using all the meat from the farm. You won’t find processed food and
'The summer solstice festival attracted 2,500 visitors this year. You can camp for the weekend including glamping, and the headliner, an ex-Radio 1 DJ, pulled in lots of people.'
additives here. ll ingredients are natural and the food re ects this. As well as their own meat and eggs they sell milk, bread and veg, all produced locally. Their mantra is to only sell local produce and products. And plans are now afoot for a café as well which I know will be really popular. And George’s ultimate goal? ‘I want a dairy up here with Jersey cows so that I can sell raw milk.’ Watch this space as George is pretty determined.
They have a barn near the shop which is rented out for events including children’s parties, adult’s parties, weddings and other functions. You can have a marquee on the site and the events are back and growing all the time. School visits to the farm are very popular and the School Country Trust often brings children from deprived areas to enjoy the lambing season in particular. This year they had 3,000 children visit during lambing.
The summer solstice festival attracted 2,500 visitors this year. You can camp for the weekend including glamping, and the headlineran ex-Radio 1 DJ pulled in lots of people. I can see this festival getting larger and larger; Glastonbury vibes are calling.
nd all the while people are still coming to see the magnificent oak. They are open seven days a week so visitors making their pilgrimage can enjoy the tree. Visitors are worldwide including some Americans who come every 18 months, people practice yoga alongside it and even play the bagpipes. It is a spiritual spot and the oa really is magnificent. n the 1 00s a door was put on the trun and parties held inside. A pigeon loft was built on the top. The site is windy so the tree isn’t overly high and this may have added to its longevity; it grew out rather than up. The enormous girth is quite magnificent.
It seems quite extraordinary that what is now a thriving business with many different branches started from visitors coming to look at a tree. It really is a case of ‘from tiny acorns mighty oaks grow.’
bowthorpeparkfarm.co.uk
WILL’S WALK
Barrowden and Wakerley
This short stroll takes in two lovely villages and the river Welland, which also forms the boundary between Rutland and Northamptonshire, by Will Hetherington.
Difficulty rating
The route
Start in Barrowden near the Exeter Arms pub which looks out over the village green and the duck pond which, combined with a multitude of charming stone houses, make this village one of the finest in utland.
Head east on Main Street and as you pass Kings Lane on the left branch off to the right on to Mill ane. ollow the lane around to the right and you will soon come to the information board about Barrowden Mill and the bridge over the elland. ross the bridge into orthamptonshire and follow the path across the field and underneath the disused railway bridge. hen the trac meets the road in a erley turn right and wal out of the village. ollow the road around to the left and take care for a couple of minutes as you head uphill with no pavement. oo out for the footpath sign before the road bends to the right and ta e this path. ollow the path with the hedge on your left along the side of one large field. You will then come to a farm road and when it starts to bend to the left look out for the slightly hidden path off to the right into the trees and to the wooden footbridge beyond. f you wal all the way round the left-hand bend on the farm lane you have gone too far.
ollow the path over the footbridge and up to the imposing church which sits above the village. nce you have had a loo around the church, retrace your steps for a minute or two and look out for the path which branches off to the right in the hedge and over a stile back to the main road in a erley. nce you reach the road turn left and right immediately on to the road and cross the Welland again on the old stone bridge. You are now bac in utland. Turn left immediately after the bridge and stroll across the field bac towards Barrowden. ollow the signs around the bac of some houses and you will come out in Mill ane again.
rom there you can either visit the Barrowden community shop or the eter rms ta e your pic .
Images: Will Hetherington
The pub and the green in Barrowden help to make it one of the most idyllic villages in Rutland.
The river Welland forms the boundary between Rutland and Northamptonshire between Barrowden and Wakerley.
ACTIVE INFO
Barrowden watermill dates back to 1259 when William Maudit, the King’s Chamberlain, leased it to Richard Gubiun. It ceased operating in 1925 and was demolished in 1970.
Essential information
WHERE TO PARK
Somewhere near the pub in Barrowden.
DISTANCE
Two miles.
HIGHLIGHTS
A tranquil rural setting, the river Welland, Wakerley church and Barrowden with its pretty houses, lovely green and duck pond.
LOWLIGHTS
A couple of minutes on the road with no pavement on the west of Wakerley – but it’s not a busy route.
REFRESHMENTS
The Exeter Arms and the shop in Barrowden.
DIFFICULTY RATING
One paw; it’s two miles and, apart from a couple of low stiles, there’s nothing challenging.
THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE
There is access to the river but there will also be livestock around.
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.
The path back to Barrowden.
Active Kids
Witham riding successes
Witham Hall School is celebrating outstanding success on the national equestrian stage with a team of talented young riders making their mark at the 2025 NSEA Championships.
A trio of Year 4 pupils – Amelia, Hector and Spike –represented the school at Pickering Grange, competing against schools from across the country. Their hard work paid off as they claimed first place in both the 40cm and 50cm team classes – an exceptional result for such a young team.
Particular congratulations must go to two pupils - Benjamin in Year 6 delivered an outstanding individual performance, taking first place in the 70cm class, while Silva in Year 7 earned a well-deserved third place at the prestigious NSEA Championships at Hickstead, also in the 70cm class.
Brooke Priory cross country success
Brooke Priory School had a successful afternoon at the Rutland schools’ cross country championships recently with all of the children representing the school with determination and pride. Newly appointed cross country captain Jemima led the team superbly and set the standard by winning the Year 6 girls’ race. There were also top three finishes for Walter, Emily, Tim, Marguerite and Olivia. They also brought back three shields for winning the team competitions, well done to the Year 3, 5 and 6 girls’ teams for this.
Twenty-one of their pupils finished in the top ten of their races which means they have qualified to represent Rutland in the county championships later in the cross country season, a superb effort.
and Artificial Christmas Trees Homegrown Bedding Plants
Sporty Spratton pupils
Spratton Hall School is delighted that 20 pupils have been selected to play for their county, with many more still awaiting the results of recent trials. The range of sports is impressive too, with children representing their county in hockey, netball, swimming, cricket, football, cross-country, athletics and golf. The majority of these sports are played at Spratton Hall either as the main school sport or in extra-curricular clubs and coaching sessions.
The school has a ‘sport for all’ approach which ensures that all pupils receive training from specialist sports coaches, have access to the 50 acres of sporting facilities and the opportunity to regularly represent Spratton Hall in inter-school matches.
Additionally, they also recognise excellence in sport and support individuals who are excelling in their sporting spheres, to enable them to accelerate and enhance their sporting achievements.
Inspiring career conference for Leicester High
Students at Leicester High School for Girls recently enjoyed an inspiring career conference with Team Spire Leicester.
The day began with a talk from Julie Condon, deputy director of clinical services, who shared her career journey. Pupils then joined interactive workshops with Spire’s pathology, theatre, health and safety, and imaging teams, even trying out real theatre equipment.
The girls were highly engaged and feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many discovering career paths they had never considered. The day finished with networking for Year 12 and 13, giving them valuable one-to-one advice.
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Stamford School launches engineering BTEC for September 2026
Stamford School will offer a Level 3 BTEC in engineering starting in September 2026. This is aimed at students wanting careers in the sector and makes Stamford the only education provider in the area to offer this course.
The qualification, equivalent to one A Level, provides practical, hands-on preparation for degrees and apprenticeships in areas such as mechanical, electrical and manufacturing engineering with pathways to top employers including BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.
The Midlands has long been recognised as the heartland of British engineering, home to world-leading companies and a thriving network of innovators. From global giants such as Rolls-Royce in Derby, JCB in Staffordshire and the Silverstone Technology Cluster, to local businesses such as Cummins in Stamford and Perkins Engines
(Caterpillar) in Peterborough, the region continues to drive national growth in engineering and technology. By offering the Level 3 BTEC in engineering Stamford School aims to equip students with the skills and experience to join this dynamic regional industry and contribute to its future success.
Moira Cox, deputy head academic at Stamford School, said: ‘A significant proportion of our sixth form students already leave us to pursue careers in the engineering sector. This new course is excellent preparation for students either going on to university to study engineering or choosing a more vocational route such as degree apprenticeships, particularly when combined with A Levels in subjects such as mathematics and physics.’
ActiveBody
EDITED BY KATE MAXIM
Winter Wellness
Our kitchen and hedgerows are full of medicinal herbs to support your health. Local medical herbalist Jody Knapp advises on different remedies
Over the past couple of months the trees in Rutland have turned from vibrant green to rich orange hues. The evenings are darker and there is a chill in the air. At this time of the year it is natural to turn our thoughts towards supporting our health for the coming winter months.
Nature offers a bounty of medicinal herbs that can be found in our kitchen cupboards and foraged from hedgerows. These may support immunity, ease digestion and brighten cold days.
Salvia rosmarinus, commonly known as rosemary, is viewed as a culinary herb; however, this herb is used by medical herbalists to combat oxidative stress which is known to increase during the winter. Rosemary contains chemical constituents that act as antioxidants within the body and studies have shown its antiviral activity. Add to herbal tea or soups and stews. Rosemary is also said to aid circulation, helping to warm cold hands and feet.
A similar herb often used in cooking is Thymus vulgaris. This herb has potent antimicrobial properties. Traditionally used to treat coughs and sore throats, thyme can be made into a soothing tea or infused in honey. Combined with liquorice it makes an effective cough syrup. Its volatile oils including thymol are thought to help fight off respiratory infections.
When we are suffering from colds we crave warmth for comfort. Warming herbs can help ease mucus and congestion and reduce both
in ammation and fevers. ingiber officinalis commonly nown as ginger, can stimulate the immune system as well as ease symptoms and settle digestive discomfort. Pair with cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom and honey to make a warming bedtime drink.
The hedgerows may be turning but during autumn they are heavily laden with berries bursting with medicinal benefits. sed for centuries, foraging for these berries can become an enjoyable ritual each year. And, if stored correctly, can aid your health through to spring.
Sambucus nigra (elderberries) ripen in late summer and early autumn, dotting hedgerows with their deep purple clusters. These berries are known for their immune-boosting properties and are often made into syrups or tinctures to help prevent and treat cold and u. Medicinal constituents, including rutin and quercetin, have featured in recent research that shows elderberries may reduce the severity and length of a cold by up to two days. Remember, elderberries should always be cooked before consumption as raw berries can be toxic.
Hawthorn berries, blackberries and rosehips can be used in syrups and tonics to boost immunity, nutrients and vitamins. If foraging ensure that you use a good field guide to correctly identify the plant harvest sparingly and wash well before use.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. If you have a medical condition or take prescribed medicines, always seek advice from a medical herbalist or health practitioner before using any herbs.
ody has a first-class honours degree in herbal medicine and is currently studying a master’s degree in global health. Jody sees patients both in person and online. jodyknappmedicalherbalist.co.uk
Make a fire cider tonic at home.
An invigorating tonic to make, drink and gift this winter. It is a zesty and spicy tonic traditionally made with warming, immune-supportive ingredients.
Fire Cider Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup grated fresh horseradish root
- 1 medium onion
- 10 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated fresh ginger
- 1-2 fresh hot peppers, sliced
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric/small piece of fresh root
- Apple cider vinegar
- Honey
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Combine all ingredients into a clean jar and pour in enough apple cider vinegar to fully cover the ingredients.
- Seal the jar tightly and shake well. Store in a cool, dark place for one month, shaking daily. Strain and squeeze out as much liquid as possible, and stir in honey to taste.
- Bottle and refrigerate. Take 1 to 2 teaspoons daily as a preventative or more frequently if you’re feeling under the weather.
Be match fit
We are in the middle of the rugby season so Chartered Physiotherapist Sarah Babbs suggests ways to avoid injury and keep
away from her clinic
Watching the fantastic skills,
fitness discipline and determination displayed by the players in the recent women’s rugby world cup reminded me of the people we see in clinic as ing for help for in uries and training problems which can occur when playing the game from elite to social rugby. n the musculos eletal clinic we see players for rehabilitation after in ury to manage the problem. ith most players we are aiming for return to play T as soon as they can.
There are some in uries that do seem more common in rugby than other sports. These are usually related to the push and shove of tac ling and scrums ball passing and the sprint to the try line.
Concussion and neck injury
ead and nec in uries are obviously part of the initial concern for the pitch side team. nce these have been medically managed we loo at recovery and prevention of further problems. oncussion has to be managed with great care. tarting with gentle e ercise while watching for symptom recurrence and then graded e posure to more vigorous e ercise.
ec pain can occur with all whiplash’ type issues. tingers happen when the nerves in the nec are stressed and can cause pain sensation and power changes in the arm. Management with both hands on’ techni ues and e ercise can be helpful. reparation for T with both concussion and nec pain involves good strengthening wor to resist the forces put on the nec in scrummage and tac le.
Ribs and spine
Ball passing is obviously a vital s ill and wor ing at good rotation of the body a must. n the gym too much wor on the power muscles can lead to in e ibility at the trun . This has an adverse effect on passing s ills so mobility training and yoga and ilates can help this.
Shoulders
houlder dislocation and fracture are uite common. ome re uire surgery others not but both will need e cellent targeted rehabilitation. This will include e ercise to improve the range of movement at the shoulder oint balance and strength wor
including proprioception wor . This is awareness of the body’s position and movement and can include falling press-ups and balance tests through the shoulders. ne shoulder study course attended had us all doing handstands against a wall - something hadn’t done since school - an interesting session.
Hamstring and calf muscles
uic ball passing and the sprint for the line re uires huge e plosive strength in the legs. uc ing and scrummaging re uires more intense heavy loading of the legs. This means building strength before problems arise. nd again if there are strains or rupture of the muscles during training or match play. upture means separation of the muscle usually at a tendon attachment to the bone. n some cases this will be managed nonsurgically but often for sporting professionals surgery is offered. Both routes need a graded return to activity with specific T re uirements meaning as with shoulders many wee s away from the pitch and huge support both physical and psychological.
Knees and ankles
ugby re uires fast turns and twists and can cause problems around both nee and an les. ruciate ligament in uries are fairly common and can re uire surgery. T after these is put at a minimum of nine months post surgery so again wider support for the player is crucial.
Rehab and prehab
Both are at the forefront of the physiotherapist’s mind when seeing rugby players. s always eeping players out of clinic is the first goal. Team wor is essential with the player at the centre. hysiotherapists wor alongside psychologists strength and conditioning coaches nutritionists and team coaches to help the player perform at their best.
itness in rugby is not ust brute force. t re uires speed power balance e ibility and endurance. Many will be familiar with gym wor with e ercises such as s uats ordic curls press-ups shoulder and bench press all being e cellent. Balance plyometrics such as s ipping hopping umping vertically hori ontally and from height help in line outs and ball contest.
s the rugby season is well and truly under way locally wor ing together to improve s ills re uired for the game good general health and emotional support eep players at their pea both on and off the pitch. nd physiotherapists can be at the forefront.
To contact Sarah ring 07780 900201 or 01780 480889.
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Smithson Beswick tells
As you may have read in the national press, Lewis Moody MBE has announced he’s been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. You may also have been reminded there that he’s one of England’s greatest ever players with 78 caps and a Tigers’ legend, part of the side who landed four championships in a row. A world cup winner who soared high to secure the crucial line out leading to Jonny Wilkinson’s famous drop goal in the fi nal and a distinguished British Lion, nicknamed Mad Dog for his fearless play and known globally as the very personification of a ferocious marauding an er. hat you may not have heard is he’s one of our own.
Lewis’s skills were nurtured by Oakham School and I vividly recall his speech at the opening of Oakham RFC’s new clubhouse, where he also played, around a decade ago and, in possibly an early indication of the sacrifices he’d made for the game how he lost his ow and had to pause to regather his thoughts joking ‘that’s what forty rugby concussions do to you.’ His talk and that whole evening were truly memorable occasions and, typically, he’d travelled far for no recompense to give something back to our town. e now you’re still in fi ne form but good luck to you and Annie as you face your greatest challenge and thank you. Everyone who’s had the honour of being in your company will be rooting for you, as will the wider rugby brotherhood.
In my own rugby playing days (which were exceedingly modest and spectacularly unsuccessful) I recall like many others being
dragged to my feet whilst feeling exceedingly groggy after a blow to the head and reminded which way we were playing before continuing, so I bow to no one who criticises the head injury protocols ensuring player safety in the modern game.
And so to the local scene in what, given the above, may now seem trivial but is played and loved by all of us including those like Lewis who rose through the ranks to greatness.
Oakham have had a mixed start to their season partly due to first choice absences from injuries sustained on some bone hard pitches in their first couple of fi tures. They were however deserved winners at home to Aylestone Athletic by 38-12, a game they described as showing ‘growing cohesion and confidence within the s uad.’ Momentum was then somewhat stalled by a bit of a shellacking away to Birstall, 64-21, but they did at least draw the second half and fi nished strong’ with plenty of positives to take forward.’
sport
Following our world cup success, the club is calling for potential women players to come forward suggesting ‘if watching the Red Roses has you feeling inspired there’s never been a better time to give rugby a go’ offering three free taster sessions at 10:30 on Saturday mornings. ‘It’s friendship, teamwor and confidence built for life. Whether you’ve played before or just fancy trying something new, we’ve got a place for you at Rutland’s Rugby Club. Come along, get involved and be part of something special.’ If you’ve not yet visited the ground I can guarantee you’ll be impressed by the facilities. Think of gleaming surfaces, individual showers, a nice restaurant/bar and comfy chairs. Not muddy communal baths, smelly dressing rooms and boring old geezers, if you know what I mean, so give it a go.
Stamford is just as accommodating and have two thriving women’s sides. ‘We have mothers, grandmothers, siblings all playing for us’ said the club’s Pip Andrews. ‘All
abilities welcome and no experience needed. Come down to Hambleton Road, get involved and be part of something special’ as they also put it. You could be the next to make an entrance like Charlie who starred in their recent win at Northampton, drawing plaudits from them such as ‘made a very good debut, it’s great to see the club continuously attracting new women players.’ You’ll fi nd them at stamfordwomensrugby on Facebook.
Stamford also has a newly refurbished clubhouse which was opened with great fanfare earlier in October to the delight of all the players and supporters; more gleaming surfaces and new showers to enjoy.
Oundle’s men have made a fantastic start to the season after their promotion to National League 2 and currently sit third in the table after a win away at Henley Hawks, a late try from the man mountain that is Shay Kerry securing the points after relentless pressure and twenty consecutive phases. Number 8 Anthony Maka was named man of the match.
Market Harborough can go one better, sitting second, albeit a few tiers below in Regional 2. They recently beat the leaders, Bedford Athletic, who were ‘run ragged’ if Harb’s own match report can be believed. The scoreline of 41-17 suggests that it can and their many tries came from Josh Purnell (2), Will Marriott, Monty Maule, Jack Burrows and Sam Staff.
‘And Stamford also has a newly refurbished clubhouse which was opened with great fanfare earlier in October to the delight of all the players and supporters.’
Football now and the contrasting fortunes of Stamford Daniels and Harborough Town in Southern League Premier Central continue with the former rooted to the bottom and the latter in first place. The Bees are five points clear following a 3-0 win away to Redditch with two goals from Ben Stephens and the other from Brady Hickey. Speaking to the Harborough Mail, manager Mitch Austin said: ‘It is no mean feat getting points at Redditch, certainly with the form they have been in, and I am just delighted for the boys….I saw a lot of desire in the second half, a lot of will to win, ability, and I
saw a lot of people who really wanted to do well for the badge, and that is all you can ask for.’ The win will lift spirits after their FA Cup exit in a replay against Altrincham – a match the Bees played with ten men for all but the first four minutes after an early sending off.
Stamford are also out of the cup falling 0-1 to Macclesfield and in addition eliminated from the FA Trophy losing 1-3 to Real Bedford, but those disappointments will at least allow them to concentrate on what will surely be a long fight against relegation this term.
