Active Magazine // September 2014

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Undersea exploration - in Oakham!

Suit up, goggles on, and learn to dive with the dolphins

ISSUE 27 // SEPTEMBER 2014

STA M FOR D & RU T L A N D’S SPORT A N D L E I S U R E M AGA Z I N E

Horse EVENT of the year ley

ISSUE 27 // SEPTEMBER 2014

urgh The Land Rover B ything Horse Trials: ever you need to know

Carriage ways How to harness your horse and take up carriage driving

Cover Final v2 .indd 116

Autumn fashion

A New Term, a New You

The best in active gear for the season

Our nutritionist tells you how

www.theACTIVEmag.com 09

18/08/2014 21:45

Important t t News!!

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THE MEADOWS DENTAL SPA IS A PRIVATE DENTAL PRACTICE

Editor’s Letter RECENTLY I WAS PLAYING CRICKET AGAINST Stamford Town and doing a pretty good impression of a person who has never held a bat in his life before, when I got an inside edge to a delivery which then cannoned into my pads.

Seeing as it would have hit middle stump about halfway up the bowler started his appeal before coming to a halt, no doubt because it dawned on him that somehow – for once – I had managed to get my bat in the same postcode as the ball. The umpire though, didn’t notice and the dreaded finger was raised. I started trudging off, hurrumphing about my misfortune.

And then something brilliant happened. The chaps from Stamford called me back. Now, this was an important league game for my team and theirs, yet they still chose to take the sporting option (and one not often invoked these days), which is to their huge credit.

The thing is, when you are playing sport and the competitive juices are flowing, it is so easy to take the indulgent option, to reckon that the luck will even itself out and to justify one that goes in your favour, even when you know it shouldn’t.

Increasingly in all sports we see players questioning referees’ and umpires’ decisions more, and in cricket it has become worryingly vociferous, without doubt due to the influence of what is seen on TV in the professional world. But at a local level, it would be impossible for these games to be staged without the often-unpaid and voluntary help of referees and umpires.

So as the summer season draws to a close and our winter sports start to kick in, it’s worth thanking all those who don the white coat or pick up a whistle for an afternoon of officiating.

And, for the record, I didn’t add any more runs to my tally, having my stumps ignominiously splattered all over the place an over later.

So thanks for that Stamford!

Thanks, Steve

Twitter // @theACTIVEmag Facebook // www.facebook.com/theACTIVEmag

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, Harry Measures, Jon Clarke, Pip Warters, Andy Balmford Production Assistants Abigail Sharpe, Clare Smith Advertising Sales Rachel Meadows rachel@theactivemag.com Lisa Withers lisa@theactivemag.com Accounts Amy Roberts amy@theactivemag.com Active magazine, The Grey House, 3 Broad Street, Stamford, PE9 1PG. Tel: 01780 480789 A member of the Stamford Chamber of Trade and Commerce If you have information on a club then get in touch by emailing editor@theactivemag.com. If you would like to stock Active magazine then email distribution@ theactivemag.com. If you would like to discuss advertising possibilities please email advertise@ theactivemag.com Active magazine is published 12 times per year on a monthly basis. Distributed by Grassroots Publishing Ltd. ISSN 2049-8713 A Grassroots Publishing Limited company. Company registration number 7994437. VAT number 152717318 Disclaimer

Copyright (c) Grassroots Publishing Limited (GPL) 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or be stored in any retrieval system, of any nature, without prior permission from GPL. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of GPL or its affiliates. Disclaimer of Liability. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information contained in this publication at the time of going to press, GPL and its affiliates assume no responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of and, to the extent permitted by law, shall not be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained in this publication.

Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of the advertising material which they submit and for ensuring the material complies with applicable laws.

GPL and its affiliates are are not responsible for any error, omission or inaccuracy in any advertisement and will not be liable for any damages arising from any use of products or services or any action or omissions taken in reliance on information or any statement contained in advertising material. Inclusion of any advertisement is not intended to endorse any view expressed, nor products or services offered nor the organisations sponsoring the advertisement.

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MILKING NOOK, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

£499,995

35 Werrington Bridge Road is a charming country property set in delightful grounds that border open countryside, and yet is just a short drive to local amenities and to the centre of Peterborough. The house has a pretty brick-built frontage that overlooks a sunny lawn to the front, whilst inside the current owners have reworked the rooms to create a unique home combining period charm with contemporary style and efficient modern fittings.

EPC Rating: D

OUNDLE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

£975,000

4 Riverside View is peacefully located on a quiet private road bordering the open countryside that surrounds Oundle, and yet is just a few minutes walk from the shops and amenities of the town centre. Set in an elevated position, the house has been designed with many picture windows along the south-facing façade to make the most of the far-reaching views towards the River Nene and it is filled throughout with natural light from windows on both sides.

EPC Rating: D

Fine & Country

2 St. Mary’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2DE Telephone: (01780) 750200 Email: stamford@fineandcountry.com www.fineandcountry.com

HOLME, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

£999,500

Tucked away from the village lane on a quiet private road, The Lodge is an impressive village property with an attractive secluded garden.

The classic façade has a timeless architectural design with tall sash-windows set around a portico-ed central porch with wide stone steps to the front door. With its large private garden, stylish interior and flexible living space, The Lodge is an impressive and welcoming family home in an excellent location.

EPC Rating: D

KETTON, RUTLAND

£1,400,000

The Limes is a delightful period property, privately located away from the village street, set amongst lovely grounds that run down to the banks of the River Chater and there are stunning views over the surrounding countryside from the house and grounds. Built of attractive Stamford stone with a Collyweston slate roof, the original property dates from 1858 and retains its original charm throughout with details such as thick stone walls, high ceilings, latch-handled doors and pretty fireplaces.

EPC Rating: E

Contact us:

nortonrickett.co.uk

01780 782 999

GUIDE PRICE

GUIDE PRICE

£535,000

£475,000

country

country

Lound, near Bourne

Stibbington

A spacious four bedroom family home with a south facing rear garden in a rural village location.

A charming detached stone built four bedroom family home positioned in a unique setting near the centre of the village.

• • • •

• • • •

3 Receptions, kitchen/breakfast room with walk-in pantry, utility.

Principal bedroom with dressing room and en suite, guest bedroom with en suite.

2 Further double bedrooms, family bathroom.

Double integral garage with workshop area. Energy rating D/67.

2 Receptions, kitchen/breakfast room, utility.

Principal bedroom with en suite, 3 further bedrooms, family bathroom.

Private gardens. Double garage. Private driveway through pastureland.

Energy rating F/37.

GUIDE PRICE

GUIDE PRICE

£550,000

£635,000

country

country

Barnwell, near Oundle

Hanthorpe, near Bourne

A stylish modern 4 bedroom detached family home with delightful landscaped gardens.

A fabulous Grade II listed former farmhouse dating from the 18th century, in a tranquil village location.

• • • •

• • • •

3 Receptions, kitchen/breakfast room, utility.

Principal bedroom with en suite, 3 further bedrooms, family bathroom, balcony.

Double garage, landscaped west facing garden with countryside views.

Energy rating D/60.

4 Receptions, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, 2 cloakrooms.

2 En suite bedrooms, 3 further bedrooms, family bathroom.

Detached double garage, store, landscaped gardens.

Energy rating - exempt.

Leading Independent Estate Agents Paul Norton

Nick Rickett

Contents NEWS

ISSUE 27 /// SEPTEMBER 2014

40

13 HARVEST CELEBRATIONS

Sacrewell Farm celebrates the end of the harvest

15 RUTLAND DAY

Make the most of the event with our full page guide

17 NATURE NOTES

More from our resident experts

19 FEELING SHEEPISH

Details of Corby Glen Sheep Fair

21 FROM HERE TO MONGOLIA...

The latest dispatch from our intrepid adventurers

22 TRIATHLON FOR SEB GOOLD

Stamford man to raise cash for injured rugby youngster

24-25 HEALTH AND WELLBEING The latest on looking and feeling great

34

30-31 KIT BAG

The latest gear and kit to help you get active

33 MARTIN JOHNSON COLUMN

The Sunday Times writer looks ahead to the Ryder Cup

FEATURES 34-47 BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS SPECIAL

When to go, what to see, who to watch and what to wear

48

48-53 CARRIAGE DRIVING

Georgie Fenn visits a local carriage maker and tries her hand

54-59 GOING UNDER

Jeremy Beswick is hooked after a scuba diving taster session

REGULARS 61 SPORTSMAN’S DINNER

This month we try out the Marquess of Exeter in Lyddington

62-63 GREAT WALKS

Will Hetherington wanders through Wardley Wood

65 DOG HEALTH

Simple steps to get your dog to return to your call

66-69 SCHOOL SPORT

Our focus on the latest achievements from local pupils

76-82 ROUND-UP

How clubs in the Stamford and Rutland area are faring

54 /// S E P T E M B E R 2 0 14 7

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21/08/2014 16:05

In Play

Stamford on fire The Daniels marched imperiously to the top of the EvoStik Premier Division with three impressive victories in their first three games. Ryan Robbins in particular was unstoppable, with five goals in three outings.

8 SE P T E M BE R 2 0 14 ///

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GEOFF ATTON

/// SE P T E M BE R 2 0 14 9

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St Leonards Street, £300,000 The cottage benefits from a large sitting room with feature fireplace, spacious kitchen/breakfast room with original tiled floor .To the ground floor there is also a stylish shower room, to the first floor are two double bedrooms. The gardens are a real asset to the property, perfectly secluded with paved patio area, large lawn and floral borders. EPC- E

Lonsdale Road, £290,000 Located on a popular road within the market town of Stamford this property features two reception rooms, a large conservatory, Master bedroom with en-suite shower room, three further bedrooms and a family bathroom. There is off street parking and a single garage to the front, whilst to the rear is a good sized west facing garden. and offers good access to the A1 and local schooling. EPC- D

Darwin Close, £190,000 Set in a cul-de-sac location, this extended three bedroom home is finished to a high standard throughout. The property features a stylish bathroom, modern kitchen and two reception rooms. To the rear of the property is a south facing patio and lawned garden, whilst to the front is off street parking and a single garage. EPC- C

3 Star Lane, Stamford , Lincolnshire, PE9 1PH | 01780 754737 www.sowdenwallis.co.uk | info@sowdenwallis.co.uk | @sowdenwallis

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08/06/2014 21:56

Activelife GREAT THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO SEE, PEOPLE TO MEET // Edited by Mary Bremner

OUT AND ABOUT

Head to the harvest festival Sacrewell Farm is celebrating the harvest on September 13 and 14 by having a harvest festival weekend. There will ploughing demonstrations using shire horses and vintage tractors. You can see the horses being groomed, sheep dogs rounding up ducks and a falconry demonstration.

There’ll be rural cra s on display with wool spinning sessions and visitors can try their hand at corn dolly making.

There will also be local produce and cra s on sale, including real ale stalls.

Tractor rides around Sacrewell will feature the journey of food from field to fork with emphasis on the harvest. And, of course, as always there’s lots to entertain younger visitors.

The farm is open daily from 9.30 to 5pm. For more information visit www. sacrewell.org.uk or call 01780 782254 /// S E P T E M B E R 2 0 14

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GPL-SBC Full Page April Active Advert_GPL-SBC Full Page April Active Advert 19/03/2014 10:38 Page 1

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Activelife

TRY A NEW SPORT AT RUTLAND DAY Expanded event includes a sporting arena alongside the food festival and a host of fun family activities For the first time, this month’s Rutland Day will have a sports arena alongside the food festival, music, family attractions and displays.

Allowing visitors to try their hand at a wide variety of sports and skills including fly fishing, judo and rugby as well as test their pace off the line in a speed gun challenge.

The free-to-enter event (there is a charge for parking) will take place on September 13 at the Sykes Lane site on the Empingham shore of Rutland Water, beginning at 10am. Other activities include free entertainment for children, face painting, bouncy castles, and balloon modelling.

The Rutland Food Festival will be returning for a fi h time a er the huge success of the past four years. There will be a mouth-watering range of local produce to taste, try and buy including meats, cheeses, ciders and the ever popular cakes and pastries.

Kevin Appleton, visitor operations manager for Anglian Water, said: “This is something we are very proud to host each year. All the previous Rutland Days have been a terrific success, and we hope the crowds will help us make this year even better than the last. “

H E F G A B C D

SPORTS ARENA New to Rutland Day this year is the Active Rutland Sports Arena situated around the Rugby World Cup posts.

There will be performances every half an hour from a variety of local sports clubs, fitness instructors and activity providers, as well as mini challenges and taster sessions. The arena gives an opportunity for people interested in taking up an activity to try it out and get more information.

PROGRAMME 10:00am Drop Kick Challenge 10:30am Rutland Water Fly Fishers Casting demonstration 11:00am Royce Rangers Soccer School • 5-8 years 11:30am Rutland County Netball League • basic skills 12:00pm Walks with Judith Ewing • 4 miles 12:30pm Catmose Sports Centre Fitness Challenge 1:00pm Nordic Walking taster session 1:30pm Tug of War Challenge 2:00pm Rutland Athletics Club 2:30pm Oakham RFC and Kendrew Barracks demonstration and cross bar challenge 3:00pm Walks with Judith Ewing • 2 miles 3:30pm Vale Judo Club demonstration 4:00pm Speed Gun Running Challenge 4:30ppm Rutland Water Fly Fishers casting demonstration 5:00pm Speed Gun Football Challenge

I

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Activelife NATURE

Know your crop: beans

OUT AND ABOUT

Things to do in September Go blackberrying. The hedgerows are full of them at the moment. Slightly earlier than usual this year as autumn has arrived so early. What can be better than delicious blackberry crumble using berries you’ve picked yourself?

Make the annual trip to Burghley Horse Trials (September 4-7). Join the huge crowds on Saturday to watch some of the top eventers in the country do the cross country course or pop in late on the Sunday for some last minute shopping. A great place to go ‘people watching’.

Make the most of the last of the summer

weather and enjoy Stamford’s al fresco bars and restaurants. The Stamford Wine Company in St Paul’s Street has a fabulous, surprisingly large garden (pictured above) and what can beat Fine Foods’ secret garden? And what better thing to do to celebrate the kids going back to school a er the holidays?

Have you noticed the fields of what looks like dead, black stalks and wondered what they are?

If you get up close you’ll see that the dead stalks have pods on them that look like broad beans, in fact that is what they are. But allowed to harden off so the beans are solid as a pulse rather than so and delicious as a broad bean.

Usually the last crop to be harvested it is grown as a break crop because as a legume it fixes nitrogen in the soil to help fertilise it before a following crop of wheat.

Relatively easy and cheap to grow and harvest they have been a popular break crop for years but have dipped slightly in popularity, taking second place to oilseed rape.

An ancient crop native to North Africa and Asia beans are first thought to have become part of the Mediterranean diet in 6000BC. In ancient Greece and Rome the bean was used for voting. A white bean for yes, a black one for no.

Most of the bean crop grown in this country is used for stock feed and is used as an alternative to GM protein crops such as soya.

The beans grown for human consumption are mainly shipped to the Middle East where they are used prior to Ramadan.

Head down the M11 to the Duxford Air show (September 13-14). See a combination of historic aircra , the most recent jets and fabulous aerobatics. The Red Arrows will be appearing as will the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and some replica WW1 aircra .

NATURE

How to spot a goldfinch Late summer and autumn is when goldfinches form large flocks to feed on the abundant seeds of thistle and teasel. Their fine bills allow them to easily extract these small seeds. These attractive birds, with black, yellow-barred wings and red faces were once commonly kept as cage birds, trapped in huge numbers for the pet trade. Bright plumage and an attractive tinkling song made them popular in Victorian and Edwardian households.

Goldfinches are birds of scrubby hedgerows and seem attracted to large gardens and orchards where they build a neat nest, decorated and camouflaged with moss and lichen. Two or three broods may be raised each year.

In recent years Goldfinches have become regular visitors at garden feeders, initially attracted by thistle-like nyger seed but now by widely provided sunflower hearts.

Friends in Stamford have reported garden flocks of up to 40 birds, the majority perched or flitting around whilst the others attend the feeders.

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O

asis Fine Foods is home to a wide range of high quality, fresh, locally sourced produce. With the addition of the King Street Butchery, we now offer fresh locally sourced meat prepared and cut to your liking.

Our mouth watering smoked bacon in a fresh bread roll for a delicious weekend treat or why not pop in and try some of our succulent, homemade sausages - freshly made on site to our butchers unique recipe.

Wookey Hole Cheese Cave

T

reat yourself to a selection of our premium cheeses. Our cheese counter is home to some of the greatest cheese available for miles around. Ranging from the famous Wookey Hole Cave Aged Cheddar to the powerful Shropshire Blue; there is something for even the most discerning cheese connoisseur. Partnered with our outstanding chutneys, you can create the perfect cheese board for any occasion.

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hether you enjoy a juicy steak fresh from a Lincolnshire farm, premium cheese from some of Britain’s greatest cheese makers or local jams and preserves - there is something special about the fresh local produce from our Food Hall here at Waterside Garden Centre.

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Activelife

EVENT

Corby Glen Sheep Fair In 1238, King Henry III chartered a weekly market and annual sheep fair. Today this is known as the Corby Glen Sheep Fair. It is claimed to be the longest established such event in Great Britain. As has been the tradition for 776 years, sheep are still sold on the Monday a er the festivities by Melton Mowbray market.

Today the Corby Glen Sheep Fair committee is calling on local people to support its 776th Sheep Fair which takes place this year between 10am and 4pm on Sunday 5th October. The team are

hoping to attract thousands of visitors to enjoy the festivities, which include local entertainers showing off their talents and stall holders showcasing local produce and cra s.

Keith Raby, chairman of this year’s committee, said: “We’re really excited about this year’s Sheep Fair. For the first time we have a central stage on which we are showcasing local talents, including bands, a choir and a dance academy. We have lined up lots of things for kids including barrel rides and motorised boats.

NATURE

Gardening September heralds the beginning of autumn, so it’s time to start thinking about moving tender plants into the greenhouse, because it’s very easy to get caught out by an early frost.

Also, because it’s becoming more windy make sure you stake any tall plants so they don’t get snapped in high winds. Cut back herbaceous borders and split and divide any plants that have got too big.

It’s the ideal time to share perennials with friends and to save seeds from some of your perennials. Again you can sow some yourself and share the rest around.

September is also the time to plant spring flowering bulbs. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and snowdrops can all be bought and planted towards the end of the month. Alliums spring to mind straight away. But if you’re not going to Burghley head down to Waterside Garden Centre at Kate’s Bridge where they have a plethora of bulbs out on display now, and more coming in all the time.

Also newly opened at Waterside is Greensleaves Florist. Amanda has opened a second branch (she’s still at Casterton Garden Centre) and has a good stock of houseplants as well as silk flowers and the usual fresh flowers made up into bouquets or arrangements.

“Dog lovers can see police dog demonstrations, enter their dogs in dog shows and we’ve even got a dog agility course.

“For the adults we have a clay pigeon shoot, a classic car and motorcycle show and a beer festival at The Fighting Cocks pub. It’s a fantastic day celebrating local talent, trade and tradition.”

Corby Glen Sheep Fair is steeped in history and is the oldest of its kind in the country. To find out more, including information about local trade stalls, visit the website: www.sheepfair.co.uk

ALLOTMENT CORNER September is still harvest time – outdoor tomatoes are ripening, main crop potatoes need li ing and checking for disease, sweetcorn, beans, marrows and peppers are all in abundance. The first of your autumn crops will be ready to pick – leeks, pumpkins and potatoes. Late plums will need picking and early apples and pears, too.

Plant spring cabbages and chance your luck sowing the last of your salad leaves, hopefully you’ll get some more before the frosts. It’s also a good time to plant onions that will over-winter.

Once you have harvested your crop clear away the dead foliage and remains on to the compost heap so you can start preparing a seed bed for new plantings. And then turn the compost heap. Don’t leave foliage to rot on the soil as it can spread disease. If it’s dry remember to continue watering.

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GPL-GLR Half Page Sep Active Advert_GPL-GLR Half Page Sep Active Advert 11/08/2014 17:55 Page 1

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Activelife

FROM HERE TO MONGOLIA They’re off... three ex-Stamford School boys – Andy Bichan, Rory Langan and Ben Lovell – have gained a place on the Mongol Rally and have sent us this report from a roadside somewhere in Siberia We are out in the middle of nowhere, the beards are getting longer and we are getting progressively dirtier but we are having the experience of a lifetime.

We set off from Battersea on July 25 amidst lots of excitement as we registered the car and lapped up the atmosphere. And then we hit the road on the ferry and into France and Belgium before staying the night in southern Germany. Our first and longest planned driving day over.

Up early the next morning to head to Budapest, remembering to stop in each country to play the required game of croquet. We’d booked a hostel to avoid any trouble when we arrived but it didn’t actually exist! Thankfully two friendly Hungarians helped us out so we got a bed for the night and were then able to hit the high spots of Budapest.

Early next morning we headed to Romania and the Transfagarasan pass, named the best road in the world. To get there we encountered a few crazy lorry drivers but when we reached the mountain pass – my God! Tight hairpins and amazing driving, with stunning views. It was great fun. Then we headed down the mountain into Transylvania where we camped the night without meeting any vampires.

Up at the crack of dawn to Bucharest and Istanbul through Bulgaria where we had our first police stop. All fine though, Bulgarians are thankfully very friendly. It took us five days to get to Istanbul. Some very long days driving but we’re on schedule.

Back on the road again. We’ve now passed through Turkey and it’s getting hotter and hotter.

Think we’re getting acclimatised now for what is to come as we are heading out into very different territory and are encountering some insane driving and rough roads!

We’re sleeping in the car with only a mosquito net for company so are up with the sun covered in bites, but we’re loving it. We’ve le the Tarmac behind and headed up into the mountains and more hairpin bends.

Doubting our map reading skills and route planning skills at times we made it over rocky, tyre testing terrain with cliff edges to literally die for so when we hit the road again it was a delight to actually reach third gear and get our foot down to reach the border. And then we joined the queue… three hours of queuing later we crossed the border into Georgia.

We burnt our map on the Georgian stage a er being misled once again. A 100km route turned into nearer 1,000km over inhospitable roads and mountains so we ended up arriving at our next camp in the pitch dark with a window that had fallen off its hooks into the door and a bent steering rack.

Then it was into Azerbaijan where the people were lovely, the roads great and the scenery fabulous. We managed hot showers that night and headed off to Baku on the Caspian Sea to catch the ferry in the morning.

Well we waited three days for the ferry, paid

extortionate fees and bribes, then waited another eight hours once on the ferry before it set sail. But whilst waiting we met up with five other teams so had great fun exchanging stories. We then had to barter for food on the ferry, wait another two hours to disembark, another four hours to actually cross the border into Turkmenistan and then we were off into Central Asia.

We stuck with the other teams, hit the pedal hard and headed for Ashgabat. We only had a five day visa for Turkmenistan so headed for the border before it ran out. This is one of the hottest places on earth and the temperature was heading for 50 degrees. We headed for the Uzbek border avoiding spiders and cobras and took another four hours to cross it.

On the road again and we’ve just clocked up 5,000 miles so we celebrated. That didn’t last long as we hit an enormous rut and the sump guard pierced our sump so we were losing oil rapidly. A bodge job on the side of the road kept us going until we reached a mechanic. We then headed north to Russia and we were as far away on earth as you can be from an ocean and in some very remote country. Lots of long days driving without seeing a soul.

Days and days of driving took us into Siberia, which is beautiful with wild horses and wildlife to look at making it much more interesting.

8,500 miles down with very little wi-fi we are now heading for Mongolia – see you next month at the finish line!

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Activelife

HEALTH

Fertility advice in Stamford When it comes to the right time to have a child most couples assume that they just need to stop using contraception and the woman will become pregnant.

But what happens if this isn’t the case?

Many couples will try for many years to conceive and will turn to methods such as IVF or clomid but these can be painful, costly and emotionally draining for all concerned. More and more people have discovered a natural way to help them cope with their treatments and boost their chances of falling pregnant; a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

Stamford now has its own fertility expert. Jo George has joined the Broad Street practice a er running her own clinic in London for 10 years. She has a string of letters as long as your arm a er her name and is an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. She has some inspiring and encouraging stories to tell about her patients but is keen to point out that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are not substitutes for western methods of assisted conception.

Jo has helped 16 couples fall pregnant so far.

To make an appointment to see Jo ring the Broad Street Practice on 01780 480889.

EVENT

Debut triathlon in aid of Seb Matt Williams, resident graduate assistant at Stamford Junior School, is competing in his first triathlon to raise money for the Matt Hampson Foundation which has pledged to support Seb Goold from Wansford who was involved in an accident when he fell from a moving coach in April.

Seb, a junior school pupil and keen rugby player, suffered life changing injuries and has only just le Addenbrooke’s Hospital a er 16 weeks and 26 visits to theatre. He is now undergoing intensive rehab, hoping to be able to return home by Christmas.

Matt said: “I have always wanted to compete in a triathlon and the incentive to raise money for Seb has spurred me on.

“Seb is an amazing sportsman who always challenges himself and, more o en than not, me with his enthusiasm and desire to improve. He has a great sense of humour which is ever present since the accident and his desire to get better is truly astonishing considering what he has already overcome.

“But he still has a very long journey ahead of him so any donations towards the Seb Goold Trust, which will provide whatever equipment Seb will need in the future, will be very gratefully received.”

To support Matt visit his just giving page – www.justgiving.com/Matthew-Williams28 – or you can text SEBG70 £5 to 70070.

SPORT

Cycling for all Vivacity Sports and Leisure are running a Peterborough Adapted Cycling Scheme at Ferry Meadows throughout September. It is inviting people to come and try out a range of specially adapted cycles before enjoying a ride around Ferry Meadows.

Qualified coaches and experienced disabled cyclists are on hand to offer help and support.

If you turn up at the water sports centre you can join a session which runs every Thursday from 4-6pm and every Saturday from 12.30-2.30pm.

Open to adults and children over five at a cost of £2 per person, parents and carers are very welcome.

For more information call Matt Taylor on 01733 863783 or email matt.taylor@ vivacity-peterborough.com.

HEALTH

Sports therapist returns Glyn Davys a sports therapist is returning to the Broadway Chiropractic clinic a er several years away.

He has gained lots of extra experience and can treat many conditions including muscle and joint pain, shoulder injuries, lower back and hip problems, running injuries and so tissue injuries. He treats patients of all ages, and not just athletes. He is also qualified to offer nutritional advice and is currently studying for a MSc in Sport and Exercise Rehabilitation at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.

To make an appointment with Glyn ring 01733 562638

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“I’ve been a member of a few gyms in my time! In most recent years a member of a most popular one near Peterborough! I decided to give Empire a go because it was local and because I knew a couple of the fitness instructors from the other gym were going to teach there! Since setting foot inside Empire I’ve not looked back! The staff are so inviting and friendly. You don’t feel intimidated in the slightest! There are people there from all walks of life and no matter what shape or size you are you’ll fit at Empire!

I love the classes mainly, but I am working my way out of the class rooms to try new things. The joy of this is I know with confidence the team there will guide me to work to the best of MY abilities! We all have stresses and strains in our daily lives but spending time in the gym helps release them. It’s like a therapy that gives you a natural happy feeling! Every time I walk through that door it makes me smile and when I leave, the smile is even bigger because I’m taking another little step to a healthier happier me! What a team!

You guys inspire me! I’m so glad I made the change and joined Empire!x” Lainey Wright - Empire Gym Member “Empire is a premium gym with something for everyone at a very affordable price without compromising on the quality! With friendly personal attention! The guys really care about their members and are passionate about helping everyone! They have fantastic instructors (the best in fact), a massive variety of classes, quality gym equipment, great music and lovely welcoming staff!

All the luxury of a health club without the corporate façade and silly prices! I haven’t finished, sorry! I’ve trained at several ‘health club’ corporate gyms and they are not a patch on these guys because this is a family business. It is fully air conditioned, there are nice soaps in the showers, GHD’s in the changing rooms too ladies! Cold drinks, hot drinks, a fab hair salon, ‘The Salon Suite’ next door, it has everything! Hope to see you there soon. You won’t regret it!”

Stephanie Andrews - Empire Gym Member

IN O J W NO

“Empire is not just a gym; it is a community where all ages and abilities can be confident of the best possible training advice, classes and equipment. The classes challenge me to push myself harder than I thought was possible and have given me lots of laughs along the way; especially when I have decided to surprise myself by trying a new unfamiliar class! I have loved them all, even if at times my body has screamed in protest! I can’t fault Empire’s ethics, commitment and dedication to ensure that everyone who walks through the door will have renewed faith in what can be achieved. Empire, you’re a knock-out!”

Sue Killick - Empire Gym Member

Empire Gym, 114 Church Street, Market Deeping, Peterborough, PE6 8AL

Tel: 01778 344579, Email: enquiries@empiregyms.com, Website: www.empiregyms.com, Twitter: @empiregyms, Facebook: facebook.com/empiregymsmarketdeeping

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Activelife

Health and Wellness Everything you need to be fit, healthy and fantastic

// Edited by Sandie Hurford

EYE HEALTH: Vision really matters diagnosis of common eye conditions are key to reducing the number of people who suffer sight loss unnecessarily.

“But in some areas we are seeing a worrying number of people failing to take up their entitlement to free NHS sight tests and higher than average levels of smoking and obesity – two lifestyle factors linked to sight loss.”

Poor uptake of regular sight tests is probably the biggest risk to the nation’s eye health.

According to the Eyecare Trust, 20 million of us fail to have our eyes checked once every two years, as recommended, and one in 10 of us have never had an eye examination.

The link between smoking and AMD, the UK’s leading cause of blindness, is as stong as the link between smoking and lung cancer. In fact, smokers have four times the risk of suffering AMD than past or non-smokers.

In addition to smoking and obesity other lifestyle factors that can affect the health of your eyes include your diet, exercise regime – or lack of it – and inadequate UV protection.

Omar Hassan, head of professional services at Vision Express, comments: “Poor lifestyle choices are taking their toll and we’re seeing younger people increasingly suffering vision problems associated with obesity and smoking.

“Your diet also affects your eye health so it’s important to ensure you eat a balanced diet full of eye-friendly nutrients. Nutritional supplements may be beneficial for some people, especially in areas where consumption of fruits and vegetables are low.”

Francesca Marchetti concludes: “A recent survey revealed we fear sight loss more than cancer, AIDs, stroke and heart disease. Yet, many of us are unaware of the simple steps we can take to safeguard our sight. Without greater public health promotion of the importance of regular sight tests and the affect lifestyle choices can have on vision, these at risk ‘hotspots’ could easily become ‘blind spots’.”

A ‘worrying’ number of people are failing to have their eyes checked on a regular basis

Photo: George Doyle

Sight is the sense people fear losing the most, yet many of us don’t know the best way to look a er our eyes. The fi h National Eye Health Week (NEHW), from September 22, aims to change that. Eye care charities, organisations and health professionals are promoting the importance of eye health and the need for regular sight tests.

Almost two million people in the UK today are living with sight loss and forecasters predict a further half a million could lose their sight by the year 2020 . Yet the RNIB estimates as much as half of all sight loss is avoidable.

The poor lifestyle habits and ineffective health behaviours of people in each of the at risk ‘hotspots’ identified in the Mapping the UK’s Eye Health Report are putting residents’ eye health and vision in danger.

The initial findings of the report, commissioned

by National Eye Health Week in conjunction with Vision Express, reveals pockets of the UK – including Leicester, Gateshead, Liverpool, Merthyr Tydfil, Stoke-on-Trent, Grampian and the London Boroughs of Newham and Waltham Forest – at greatest risk of avoidable sight loss.

Francesca Marchetti, chair of National Eye Health Week, explains: “Prevention and early

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EYES: Top tips Follow some simple lifestyle tips from Gerry Sondh, of The Oculist Opticians in Peterborough, for healthy eyes and vision REGULAR CHECK UPS Get your eyes tested every two years even if you think your vision is fine. Some eye conditions - such as open angle glaucoma - may not show any noticeable symptoms so regular check-ups are vital.

QUIT THE HABIT If you smoke, you have another good reason to kick the habit.

Smoking is directly linked to blindness. Current smokers are four times more likely to develop macular degeneration (the UK’s leading cause of blindness) compared to past smokers or non-smokers.

IT’S ALL RELATIVE Talk to your relatives about your family eye health history as some eye conditions have genetic links such as glaucoma or squint. It is important that you share this information with your optometrist or eye health professional.

BE COOL IN THE SUN Protect your eyes when it is sunny or when you’re in high glare areas such as near snow or water.

Cumulative UV exposure can increase your risk of developing cataracts or macular degeneration.

When choosing sunglasses make sure that they are safe as well as stylish! Look out for the CE or BS EN 1836:2005 marks – this ensures that they provide a safe level of protection from the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays. Also, check on the availability of polarised lenses for ultimate glare reduction.

■ Malvinder Hanspal, of Stamford Eye Clinic, St Peters Street, also highlights the dangers of UV in normal conditions, not just on bright, sunny days. “UV is a precursor for cataract and macular degeneration,” he says. “Most clear lenses are now available with UV absorbing coatings to counteract this threat.”

CONTACT CARE If you wear contact lenses make sure you look a er them properly.

Thoroughly wash and dry your hands before touching your contact lenses or your eyes and only ever clean your contacts using the

contact lens solution recommended by your practitioner. Never shower, sleep or swim with your contacts lenses in because this can put you at risk of developing a serious eye infection, which could lead to blindness. If you wear lenses for long hours, ask your practitioner about silicone hydrogel lenses.

PROTECT YOUR EYES If you work with hazardous or airborne materials at work or home, wear safety glasses or protective goggles to protect your eyes from injury. Gardening is fun but also dangerous so keep your protective eyewear on.

KEEP FIT AND HEALTHY Regular exercise is essential to stay fit and healthy. Try to do at least 30 minutes’ exercise three times per week and get that heart rate pumping. It is also important that you protect your eyes when playing sports such as squash and tennis.

Ask your optician about sports eyewear and protective goggles.

EAT WELL Protecting your eyes starts with the food you eat. Studies have shown that nutrients in omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and vitamins C and E may help to prevent age-related vision problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Foods containing eye-friendly nutrients include green leafy vegetables, oily fish such as salmon and citrus fruits. As a rule of thumb, try to have lots of different-coloured fresh food on your plate, with a good balance between carbohydrates and protein. Keep alcohol intake under control – take a look at the Department of Health’s recommended limits.

BE SCREEN SMART Although working at a computer will not harm the health of your eyes, sitting staring at a screen for long periods can cause ‘screen fatigue’ – sore, itchy or tired eyes; headaches; impaired colour perception and temporary blurring of your vision. So it’s important to take regular breaks – a good tip is to blink every time you press the return button on your keyboard.

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Glen Eden (142)_Layout 1 19/03/2014 08:37 Page 1

NEED THE ‘DIGESTIVE DOCTOR’?

Bloated?

Irregular Bowel Movements?

Stomach Pain and Cramping?

Discomfort After Eating?

Indigestion/Acid Reflux?

Excessive Gas and/or Wind?

Then the answer is YES! You DON’T have to live like this

t: 01780 490084

e: Imogen@shawnutrition.co.uk

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The Grange Spa

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Activelife NUTRITION

Do you want a new you this September?

Rutland-based nutrionist Imogen Shaw encourages us to use the new school year to make a fresh start The kids are going back to school a er a long break and it’s that time of year when you have a bit more time to think about yourself.

I bet you can remember back to your school days and how there’s no better feeling than having a fresh start with a new pencil case and uniform. I know that, for me, this was always the time of year when I had the most motivation and was feeling refreshed and raring to get going.

So, forget the kids - why not use this motivational time of year to make a fresh start for yourself? How would you like to get leaner, feel more energised and just generally be happier?

If the answer is yes then you’ve got two options. You can either book in for a one to one session with me to work on a personalised nutrition plan or you can join the 28-day group challenge, starting on September 15 at 7pm. Just call me on 01780 490084 or email imogen@shawnutrition.co.uk.

But, in the meantime, here are three simple tips towards a ‘better diet, better health, better U’:  Eat more healthy fats. Found in a range of foods such as oily fish, olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds.

Healthy omega/unsaturated fats are so important for good health and (perhaps surprisingly) really help you to get leaner. So get over your ‘fear of fat’ and eat these foods daily!  Try quinoa. A staple food in South America, quinoa has now come over to the UK and has been branded a ‘superfood’ (and it’s easy to see why). It’s a great source of slow release carbohydrate and is a natural wholegrain, meaning that it keeps you feeling fuller for longer and your blood sugar levels more stable. It’s also one of the only vegetarian food sources of good quality ‘complete’ protein. Basically, you get a lot of ‘bang for your buck’ in terms of nutrients for calories, so why not try having it in place of pasta or rice?  Eat more beans. Beans are an excellent source of protein, slow release carbohydrate, fibre, vitamins and minerals so there’s no reason why only vegetarians should be eating them. Not only are they packed full of nutrients, they are also very filling, so why not try adding beans to pasta sauces, burgers, salads, soups, etc to feel the benefits? Just stay away from baked beans, which are generally high in salt and sugar (sorry!).

To contact Imogen, or to make an appointment at her Tinwell practice, go to www.shawnutrition.co.uk or telephone 07854 252437.

ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET, GO! Active’s Chris Meadows and Lucy Eayrs are in training for the Perkins Great Eastern Run. This month the focus is on improving diet

2014

Do you know what you eat and drink on a regular basis? I didn’t. But having popped back to see Imogen Shaw from Shaw Nutrition (see le ) she set me the task of noting down everything I eat and drink, without cheating! It really makes you think about what you’re having for every meal, and those secret snacks in between. Not to mention what happens when you pop to the pub. Fortunately I started it a er coming back from holiday….

Nutrition is such a key part of training, as there’s little point in going for that long run to then finish off with pie, chips and a pint. It’s tough though as eating healthily comes at a cost. I was standing at the checkout in the supermarket a er my meeting with Imogen and was shocked to see that the lady in front of me had bought enough food to feed a family for the week for considerably less than my basket load of healthier options cost. But it’ll be worth the investment, I hope, when we stand on the start line of the Perkins Great Eastern Run in a couple of months time.

Going through the food diary Above Tim from Run4Fun, far le , with a training group Imogen pointed out areas where I could improve throughout the week, without it impacting my training. Ditching the packet of crisps with my lunchtime sandwich and replacing it with fruit, veg or nuts for a start. She also suggested eating a healthy snack mid morning and mid a ernoon to help prevent overeating at main meals, or unhealthy snacking at other times.

A good start to the day is also vital. I’ve had to say goodbye to crunchy nut cornflakes and switch to the likes of porridge or Weetabix to provide a longer lasting energy source.

A piece of fruit adds a bit of flavour.

The training is improving again, although it’s still a struggle to manage three runs in a week. Building up from the holiday lull in training has been the main issue. But it’s starting to come back again; Tim from Run4Fun has been a great motivator, although the two-hour mark is still a long way in the distance for me. The training sessions run by Advance Performance at Peterborough Embankment athletics track have been great fun, it’s nice to run with different people, and the club runners will happily support you in what you’d like to do, with the option of speed work on the track or distance running around the city. There are still three sessions le , September 3 and 17 and October 1, so if you’re taking part in the run try and make it to one, they’re free so there’s no excuse!

If you haven’t yet entered the Perkins Great Eastern Run then don’t delay as there is a £2 late entry premium that is introduced on September 26 and the closing date for entries is October 6. If you feel a half marathon is too much for you then the Anna’s Hope Fun Run is perfect, and there are prizes up for grabs for those that raise the most money for the charity. For those that have already entered, your race pack should be with you shortly, which will make it seem all the more real.

For more information go to www.perkinsgreateasternrun.co.uk.

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of S t o v e s ,

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Mon to Sat 9am - 5.30pm & Sun 10.30am - 4.30pm

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Activelife EVENT

Strictly in Stamford

Photograph: Peter Zabek

It’s that time of year again and Strictly will be shortly back on our screens. But even better, it’s coming to Stamford so it’s time to put on your dancing shoes, even if you can’t dance. Stamford is about to go ‘Strictly’ mad.

Strictly Come Dancing professionals Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite have teamed up with former world champion swimmer and Strictly contestant Mark Foster (remember that fabulous body) to produce a fun dance and fitness programme, FitSteps.

If you want to get fit fast, lose those unwanted pounds and have loads of fun doing it FitSteps is ideal for you. They have combined the best known and most popular Latin and ballroom dances with proven techniques to develop a programme that delivers fast fitness results, and you have great fun doing it!

And now it’s coming to Stamford. You don’t have to be able to dance to try it, and, most importantly, you don’t need a partner, so get yourself down to Rhino’s gym.

Louise, an accredited FitStep instructor and professional dancer, is running classes at Rhino’s on a Wednesday morning at 9.45am or on Thursday evening at 7pm.

For more details email Lou at fit2fab@ hotmail.co.uk or call 07725 747898.

EVENT

Rotary hosts rugby legend The Stamford Burghley Rotary Club is hosting a fund-raising event in October called “An Evening with Sean Fitzpatrick’.

Held at Barnsdale Lodge Hotel on October 6 at 7.30pm, the All Black rugby legend will be talking about his illustrious career in the game, the players and teams he played with and against, as well as discussing what’s currently going on in club and international rugby.

Sure to be a fascinating evening, tables can be bought for eight, 10 or 12 people, or tickets for £39 each.

Contact Alan Gray on 01780 766102 or email alangray23@hotmail.com or Geoff Jones (01572 747715/gandmjones@ btinternet.com).

EVENT

Full steam ahead!

Head down to the Nene Valley Railway on September 13 and 14 to see their Steam Gala. There will be lots going on including a tour of their locomotive shed to see how the restoration of No 34081 92 Squadron is coming on. But the main attraction is the two huge steam locomotives that will be visiting that weekend. The newly-built Tornado (pictured above) will be making a welcome return to the railway, squeezing in a visit between main line steam rail tours.

Also present this weekend will be the powerful 9F Steam Freight Locomotive. 92212 is one of only a handful of these high speed monsters that survives.

Both guest engines will be running as well as the three resident steam locomotives meaning that several of the services will be pulled by two engines – the classic ‘double header’.

There will be an opportunity to have a brake van ride as well as all the usual attractions including trade stands and tea room being open.

For more information visit www.nvr.org.uk

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Feature /// Gear

Kitbag

The latest kit to keep you active this summer

Cinelli Saetta 105 Radical Red carbon road bike Cinelli’s explosive mid-range monocoque frame for the highly evolved amateur is now equipped with the Columbus monocoque Solida fork, making it fast, responsive and agile.

Price £1,624.99 with 15% off From Cycle Wright, Baston

Solstic Energy

A nutrient rich formula offering a unique blend of vitamins and herbs that provides an effective energy source without the unwanted side effects of other mainstream energy drinks. Loaded with B vitamins, no added sugar and only 12 calories per serving. Comes in handy single serve sachets.

To get the 15% discount, go to www.shawnutrition.co.uk/ products then click ‘supplements’.

Price £22.95 (RRP £27.00) From www.shawnutrition.co.uk

Trashpack backpack

Looking for a new backpack for school? These fantastic backpacks come in many designs ranging from Peppa Pig to Monsters Inc. This Trashpack Backpack features the characters of Trashpack. With an exciting and eye catching design and a front pocket, it also features a handy hanging loop and snap free straps for extra safety.

Price £7.99 From Waterside Garden Centre

Jetboil Zip

Rely on Jetboil Zip to provide hot food and drinks quickly and conveniently when you want them the most. Born from the original Jetboil PCS design, Zip provides the essential function and features you expect from Jetboil.

Prices from £80 to £105 From Get Lost in Rutland 01572 868712

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Leicester Tigers 2014/15 home shirt

The new shirt features an ‘evergreen’ base with green contrast hoops and thin bands of bright white and formula one red. It will be worn with green shorts and green socks.

Price £55 From Precision Sports, Stamford

GlobeTrotter solar chargers

Sturdy, waterproof and lightweight Instant solar charging power bundle for adventurers that works with every gadget! You’ll never be without power again – wherever you are.

Prices range from £54.99 to £134.99 From Get Lost in Rutland 01572 868712

Medasun A8 Ladies Yoga Pants

These stylish pants are perfect for use when exercising, for support and as leisure wear.

Anti-microbial protection combined with COOLMAX technology keeps you fresh and clean while looking slim and confident in the performance stretch fabric.

Price £84.00 From www.bodyshapemedasun.com

The North Face Jester

The North Face Jester daypack is an excellent box-like shape backpack that’s perfect for carrying books and binders for school bound explorers, work, the office or holiday. The main book compartment can hold books and files whilst the second compartment has built in organiser slots for storing pens and other essentials. The FlexVent Shoulder straps and a padded foam back panel ensure maximum comfort while your on the move.

Price £50 From Country Clothing at Waterside

Specialized Vice helmet

This high-performance helmet is designed for the all-mountain rider looking for optimised coverage.

With large vents, all round protection and a colour scheme that shouts speed.

Price £65.00 From www.rutlandcycling.com

FEB 31st eyewear

Optical Frames made of wood with a ready to wear collection or you can have your frame tailor made in any colour combination you like.

Brave, bold, innovative, colourful - that’s FEB 31st.

From From The Oculist Opticians, Peterborough

Birzman Zyklop Voyager handlebar bag

This handlebar/stem bag is designed so riders can safely use their smartphones, while keeping keys, credit cards and the like within easy reach. It has a unique transparent touch compatible transparent upper cover pocket for the iPhone or other smart phones and is made from water resistant material, with a band clamp bracket and rain cover included.

Price £29.99 From Cycle Wright, Baston

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PERFORMANCE IS A STATE OF MIND.

FROM RAT RACE TO OPEN ROAD IN A HEARTBEAT

DISCOVER THE NEW ABARTH RANGE ON ABARTHCARS.CO.UK DIGITAL DISPLAY WITH G-FORCE INDICATOR AS STANDARD NEW COLOURS AND MORE CUSTOMISATION OPTIONS THE NEW RANGE STARTS FROM £14,560 OTR

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Guest column

Compelling theatre at golf’s biggest, most bonkers event Martin Johnson can’t wait for this month’s Ryder Cup t’s hard to believe now, but for the first half century of its existence the Ryder Cup was a one-sided bore in which its only association with a cry of “go in the hole!” was a plea for it to be given a decent burial and quietly laid to rest.

Jack Nicklaus was so worried that his proposal that Great Britain and Ireland become the continent of Europe duly came about in 1979 – and nowadays only football’s World Cup and the Olympic Games attract a bigger global audience. Perhaps most remarkable of all, the last time the thing was held in Europe, it even managed to turn Newport – for three days at any rate – into a glamorous place to visit.

For the first match in 1927, nine cloth-capped British and Irish golfers made a six-day journey by boat to Worcester, Massachusetts, hired some local caddies and went straight out and played. It didn’t occur to the captains then that the job might be too arduous not to play themselves, nor indeed that decision-making would be so tricky as to require the employment of as many as four vice-captains.

It’ll be a little different at Gleneagles, what with official dinners, opening ceremonies and scarcely enough room at the on-course hotel, despite its 236 bedrooms and 26 suites, to accommodate the small army of players, captains, vice captains, coaches, gurus, shrinks, and the most important ingredient to enable a sporting event to describe itself as globally humungous – the WAGS. The American women will be there in all their peroxide splendour, waving their miniature stars and stripes flags, parading the results of two years of fashion design, and – whatever happens on the golf course – comfortably winning the biennial contest for dental hygiene. There’s no more stressful event in sport than the Ryder Cup, not when you have to spend three whole days parading around with a permanent smile.

It’s out of control, really. When the players talk about the Ryder Cup being responsible for the most nerve-wracking moments of their careers, they’re not necessarily referring to the golf. If you think the walk on to the first tee is pretty scary (David Feherty once said “everything was moving but my bowels – and that was close…”) it’s nothing like as stomach churning as the uniformed procession to the opening ceremony, and the prospect of having to watch people prance around in silly costumes, then listen to droning welcome recitals from various ministers.

I

For the players, the Ryder Cup can have the same effect as those hallucinatory drugs had on 1960s pop groups. Check out, for example, the respective facial transformations to Spencer Tracy leaving the MGM make up department in the 1941 version of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and Ian Poulter holing an eight-foot putt. There isn’t a huge amount of difference.

Then there was the late Seve Ballesteros, for whom the Ryder Cup was not so much a tournament as a religious experience. The 1995 event was perhaps his finest hour as a golfer, purely because he went into that tournament in the sort of form that made his ball more likely to end up in a hot dog stand than the fairway. However, when the unassuming Englishman David Gilford was selected to be Seve’s fourball partner on the opening day, Gilford was more than a little startled when he walked on to the first tee to be greeted by a partner with eyeballs bulging out of his head. “You…” hissed Seve, grabbing Gilford by the shoulders and shaking him, “…you are the best player in the world.” Gilford, of course, knew he was nothing of the sort, but Ballesteros managed to motivate him into being precisely that for the next four hours, and despite Seve being all over the course, he and Gilford won their match 4&2.

I was at Royal Porthcawl not so long ago, covering the British Seniors Open, and the golfer practising on the range looked familiar.

Closer inspection revealed it to be Philip Walton, the Irishman who brought home the winning point for Europe that year. With Nick Faldo having reduced Ballesteros to helpless blubbing by recovering from one down with two to play to win the penultimate singles match against Curtis Strange, it all boiled down to the final “live” game between Walton and Jay Haas. Walton prevailed on the 18th, was engulfed by his captain and team-mates on the green and was so stunned by the experience that he was never a competitive golfer again.

Get things wrong in the Ryder Cup, though, and you’ll be pilloried – as Hal Sutton was when he paired Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson together in 2004. Sutton was the only man in America who thought that Woods and Mickelson would be a ham and egg combination. Given their dislike for each other, everyone else knew that it was not so much a ham and egg pairing as salt and slug.

It will be compelling theatre, not least because it could all boil down to some poor sap standing over a five-foot putt to win. When there are billions of people watching on TV, half of whom are willing the ball into the hole, and the other half willing it to miss, that’s what makes the Ryder Cup the sporting behemoth it now is.

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Feature /// The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2014

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BURGHLEY 2014

Julia Dungworth on when and where to go, what to look for and who to cheer for in our extensive guide to the region’s biggest sporting occasion ///

Photography: Nico Morgan

BURGHLEY PROMISES TO BE BIGGER and better this year and like all horse sports around the country, it is growing in popularity. Whether you are ‘horsey’ or not, Burghley promises to be a great fun day out with stunning vistas and top class international competition at what is considered to be the best three day event in the world.

WHEN TO GO

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY The first of the dressage days, and you can buy grandstand tickets or there is free seating in the west block if you just want a quick look at the dancing horses.

These days the competition is won and lost in here: riders have really upped their game and you should see some great performances.

These are also the best shopping days, with lots of bargains to be had in some of the hundreds of trade stands and food halls. Shops are open from 9am-5.30pm.

On the Friday there is also the Dubarry Young Event Horse for four and five year olds in ring 2. Top riders

have been qualifying their up-and-coming future Burghley winners throughout the year and it is an amazing opportunity to see what the best riders see in their youngstock.

SATURDAY The big day. The Cross Country starts at a slightly more sociable 11am, however, there can be big queues and if you want a good vantage point on the course, then go early. With a £62,000 tfirst prize and £34,000 for the runner-up, as well as good money down the line, you can be sure of some top class riding over the gruelling track. There are a few long ways at some of the more difficult fences and time will play a huge factor this year.

SUNDAY Showjumping day. After the Saturday’s rigorous excursions, the jumping isn’t huge at 1.30 metres, but good jumpers often turn lazy after 6.5km of hard work the day before. If you want a seat to watch, you’re too late though as they’ve already sold out.

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Feature /// The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2014

THE CROSS-COUNTRY COURSE It’s big, it’s bold, it’s Burghley! Julia Dungworth previews one of the most challenging Burghley courses in years and recommends some great viewing points

45 jumping efforts over 6,500 metres, with a provisional optimum time of 11 minutes 24 seconds THIS YEAR THE COURSE follows a similar route to last year with many subtle differences at nearly all the fences, making it yet again a true four-star competition. If possible it seems slightly bigger than last year but not quite as technical - or maybe we are just getting used to such extreme accuracy.

For those of you that don’t want to walk far The Lord Burghley Hurdles, at fence 4, in the main arena is the first combination on the course and also the first chance to see who is in it to win it! Although there is no real long way here the hurdles are in line requiring the riders to ride in an ‘s’ over the fences. The question really is how tight the riders dare turn into the fences. You’d be really kicking yourself if you had a stop here.

The Leaf Pit at fence 7 takes a planetary feel, where you jump a planet, a Moon and the Sun and for a change don’t jump down the drop.

This too is for the non-walkers among spectators as you might be lucky enough to park near this. All three fences are deceivingly

Top and above

This year’s course follows a similar route to last year, winding through the parkland of Burghley. Fences are ever more interesting, including the Anniversary Splash and Lion Bridge Double where you can get close to the water’s edge and see the action

big and a slight optical illusion for the horse, so you may see the first faulters here.

Discovery Valley at fence 5 and 8, situated under the lower beer tent, is the last chance to see the riders close to home before they disappear into serious jumping.

The Land Rover Trout Hatchery, fence 12, 13 and 14, is the first big water jump. It has to be worth a walk to, but go early, because everyone is waiting to see a dunking and with a formidable 6ft drop into the second part, you may see a few horses faltering here.

Although probably the furthest for the walkers (near the golf course/caravan park), and arguably the most difficult combination would be HSBC Maltings Branch, fence 16 and 17, where for the first time in at least 10 years there is a bounce followed by four strides on a really acute angle to a massive corner.

Then at the latter end of the course there is the Anniversary Splash and Lion Bridge Double at fences 27-29, where again not too much walking is involved, and this is one of the photographers’ favourite places for stunning shots going under the bridge. However it shouldn’t trouble the riders too much as long as they have enough petrol in the tank to get home.

For those of you who don’t fancy any walking at all, and prefer to remain near the refreshments, there is always a big screen in the main arena where you can watch all the action.

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Feature /// The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

Clockwise, from le

Simon Grieve, who lives near Oakham, will be riding Cornacrew; Piggy French has two horses entered; Kerry Varley from Ryhall is riding Bluestone Luke

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ONES TO WATCH Julia Dungworth casts her expert eye over the runners, jumpers, dressagers and riders IT’S A TRICKY YEAR to predict with the World Equestrian Games only the week before, and most riders entered for the games also are entered for Burghley, so quite a few may withdraw late. This, however, will not detract from an amazing competition.

If I was a betting lady, my money would have to be on either Andrew Nicholson or William Fox-Pitt for the win.

Both riders have such strength and depth their team of horses and both have two entered each, on such good form too at the moment it would be difficult to choose between them.

They are both masters on the cross country, so definitely worth a watch.

Piggy French has both Jakata and Westwood Mariner entered, and she has to be a top 15 on both of her mounts, the latter especially comes fresh from a win in the hottly contested Burgham CIC3*.

Izzy Taylor has also been unstoppable this year, riding KBIS Braiarlands Matilda, having won

Tattersalls, been second at Bramham and fourth at Aachen a few weeks ago, albeit on different horses. I wouldn’t rule her out.

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Info For more details visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk or www.facebook.com/BurghleyHorse Why not download the free App from the iTunes App Store or Google Play stores, giving you access to all the latest information in the build-up. The app allows you to make the most of your visit during the four days of the event with the latest start times, results, news, views and action.

Oliver Townend is entered on Andrew Nicholson’s former ride Armada, although his show jumping hasn’t always been perfect, Armada is a machine on the cross country and can easily make the course look like a pony club track. Oliver is determined as ever and I think a top three finish is definitely on.

Simon Grieve is one of our two local riders, riding Cornacrew. Simon, from near Oakham, had a couple of bad falls last year and only just made Burghley in 2013. He will be looking for an improvement on his 40th placing last time out.

Kerry Varley lives in Ryhall and could realistically hack to the event. She is riding Bluestone Luke, and will also be looking for a finish although she jumped clear last year on the cross country, her horse was slightly sore on the Sunday and had to withdraw.

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Feature /// Burghley fashion

HORSE POWER

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Make sure you look the part at the Burghley Horse Trials with this stylish selection of country clothes and footwear Photography: Nico Morgan

From l-r. Edina wears Lulu & Co Colour Block Silk Dress £190 and Alaia Grey/Silver Studded Sandals £200 from Arch Label Agency, Stamford.

Oli wears Magee Country Collection Jacket £350 and Waistcoat £89.50, Jacques Britt Custom Fit Red Stripe Shirt £105, Meyer Comfort Red Trousers £85 from Colin Bell, Stamford. Milly wears Victoria Beckham Patterned Dress £300 and Chloe Metallic Sandals £90 from Arch Label Agency, Stamford. Ben wears Purple Label by Benvenuto Blue Jacket £275, Jacques Britt Slim Fit Blue Shirt £105 and Meyer Blue Jeans £95 from Colin Bell, Stamford.

Vehicles from l-r Land Rover Defender 110 Icon Station Wagon £80,000 from Nene Overland.

Can-am Outlander £14,499 and Can-am BRP Maverick £19,199 from 158 Performance, Tallington.

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Feature /// Burghley fashion

TOP LEFT Camilla (l) wears Joules Burghley Long Sleeve French Navy Stripe Polo Shirt £49.95 and Edina (r) wears Joules Burghley Cream Polo T-Shirt £44.95 from Country Clothing at Waterside.

FAR LEFT Ben (l) wears Musto Breathable Sardinia Blue Jacket £120, Joules Long Sleeve Lyndhurst Multicheck Shirt £49.95, Joules Brushed Cotton Cargo Trouser Thorpe Light Brown £59.95 and The North Face Hedgehog Gortex Brown Shoes £110.

Oli (r) wears The North Face Glacier Black Fleece £50, Joules 5 Pocket Alton Denim Jeans £49.95 from Country Clothing at Waterside.

LEFT Edina and Camilla both wear Joules Burghley Hooded Redwine Sweatshirt £49.95.

BELOW Edina (l) wears Barbour Clyde Gilet Christopher Raeburn Navy Snow £299, Chinti & Parker Miv Stripe Sweater Mid Grey/Navy £320 and J Brand Maria Hi-Rise Skinny Jeans £235. Oli wears Barbour Olive Gilet £129, Hartford High Neck Btn Knit Lambswool/Cashmere Charcoal Jumper £195 and Edwin Jeans Dark Blue Rinse £90 from Cavells, Oakham. Camilla (r) wears Joseph New Lucy Gilet Lambskin Silver £595, Chinti & Parker Star Sweater Mid Grey/Ruby £359, Seven Roxanne Silk Touch Clean Indigo Jeans £190 and Cocowai Cashmere Scarf £120. Ben wears Hartford Jersey Polo Blue/Grey £75, Hartford Crew Neck Grey/ Brown Melange Chunky Jumper £125 and Edwin Blue Dark Wash Jeans £100 from Cavells, Oakham.

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Stocking MAN and RED LABEL, boheme offers the unique selection of the Vivienne Westwood range of ladies and men’s clothing. To compliment your choice there is a range of accessories.

Drayton House, London Road, Wansford, Cambridgeshire, PE8 6JD, Tel: 01780 784 799, Email: info@bohemeclothing.com, Website: www.bohemeclothing.com

Feature /// Burghley fashion

BELOW Edina wears Triangle print on Tattersal Shirt £350, Tartan Oblong Scarf £175 and Harris Tweed Tulip Skirt £325 all Vivienne Westwood from Boheme, Wansford.

BELOW Georgie wears: North Face Baker Black Jacket From Precision Outdoors, Stamford

ABOVE Edina wears Musto White Island Shirt £40.00, Carolina Trousers £45.00, Synergy Quilted Sport Navy Jacket £175.00 and Wensley Hare Print Scarf £19.95 from Country Clothing at Waterside.

LEFT Oli (l) wears Paul Smith Jeans Multi Check Shirt £109 from Cavells, Oakham, Red North Face Glacier Fleece £40, Jack Wolfskin Black Gilet £85 both from Country Clothing at Waterside, J Brand Kane Slim Straight Auster Trousers £235 from Cavells, Oakham.

Ben (r) wears Barbour Sheen Quilted Black Jacket £179, Hackett Dark Olive Trousers £100 and Paul Smith Jeans Shirt Stripe Pkt Sky Blue £115 from Cavells, Oakham VEHICLE SUPPLIERS Nene Overland, Peterborough Road, Manor Farm, Ailsworth, PE5 7DL Tel 01733 380687 www.neneoverland.co.uk 158 Performance, Unit 1/2, Tallington Services, Main Road, Tallington, PE9 4RN Tel 01778 341144 www.158performance.co.uk CLOTHING SUPPLIERS Cavells, 16 Mill Street, Oakham, LE15 6EA Tel 01572 770372 www.cavells.co.uk Boheme Clothing, Drayton House, London Road, Wansford, PE8 6JD Tel 01780 784799 www.bohemeclothing.com Arch Label Agency, 43 St. Paul’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2BH Tel 01780 764746 www.archlabelagency.com Country Clothing at Waterside, King Street, Baston, PE6 9NY Tel 01778 560000 www.watersidegardencentre.co.uk MODELS AND LOCATION Thanks to Oli, Ben, Edina and Camilla for modelling and Rob and Maggie Eayrs for the kind use of Priory Farm.

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Feature /// Burghley fashion

BELOW Edina wears Vivienne Westwood Vintage Orchid Print Shirt £405 and Monroe Jeggins Side Stripe £185 from Boheme, Wansford and Joules Leather Brogue Gainsbourough Tan Shoes from Country Clothing at Waterside.

ABOVE Oli (l) wears Paul Smith Jeans Shirt Stripe Pkt Sky Blue £115, Ralph Lauren Crew Neck Jumper Hunter Navy £120, J Brand Kane Slim Straight Auster Trousers £235 from Cavells, Oakham.

Ben (r) wears Barbour Sheen Quilted Black Jacket £179, Hackett Dark Olive Trousers £100 and Paul Smith Jeans Shirt Stripe Pkt Sky Blue £115 from Cavells, Oakham.

ABOVE RIGHT Oli wears Magee Country Collection Jacket £350 and Waistcoat £89.50 and Jacques Britt Custom Fit Red Stripe Shirt £105 from Colin Bell, Stamford.

Ben wears Purple Label by Benvenuto Blue Jacket £275 and Jacques Britt Slim Fit Blue Shirt £105 from Colin Bell, Stamford.

RIGHT Camilla (l) wears Barbour Knitted Blue dress £199 from Cavells, Oakham. Edina (r) wears Joules Gabby Red Trench Coat £139 and Joules Long Sleeve Tunic Alexi Navy/Peony £49.95 from Country Clothing at Waterside.

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Feature /// Carriage driving

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CARRIAGE WAYS

Georgie Fenn tries her hand at carriage driving and visits one of the country’s last builders of these exquisite equestrian-powered modes of transport ///

Photography: Katie Ingram

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Feature /// Carriage driving

S

et in the countryside off the A1 on the way to Grantham is a beautiful gem called Bennington. Founded in 1962 by Michael Mart, Bennington originally specialised in horseboxes and trailers, but Michael bought two naughty Shetlands for his children; Dusty and Fusty the ponies – living up to their reputation – did not take to being ridden. So Michael, using his skills as an engineer, developed a carriage that would enable the ponies to be safely driven. Shortly after Michael had created a suitable carriage, the family got involved in the sport of driving trials.

Driving became an FEI discipline in 1970 and the carriages that were being used were wooden – and therefore not ideal for racing. At a competition at Windsor a back wheel collapsed on a vehicle, the Queen was present and saw it happen – and allowed the drivers to cut down a small tree and tie it on to the axle to keep the carriage off the ground. As the drivers crossed the finish line on their three wheels it caused a bit of an uproar and brought in the rule that the ‘vehicle must have four wheels when crossing the finish line’.

Michael decided that he could create a safer, more stable carriage. His success in his new creation won him the Royal Warrant in 1979, a reward given to him by the patron of the sport, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh – and Bennington proudly retains this today. The company manufactures beautiful carriages which are sold worldwide, so I suppose we should thank Dusty and Fusty for their stubbornness.

Le and below

The Bennington name is well known in horse circles; Georgie trying her hand on a wooden horse first with Sue; out in the fields with the real thing

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Feature /// Carriage driving

Below

Cra smanship involved in making carriages is amazing; practising with Dylan in the fields outside the factory

Visiting Long Bennington, I was greeted by Sue Mart (Michael’s daughter), the heart of the business. She took us on a tour which started in the showroom. It is great to see these skills are still in use when you see the carriages – they really are beautiful. Every carriage is made specifically to your needs and each individual aspect is made on site. The price of the carriages can range from £1,500 to £12,000-plus.

I was keen to have a go and after a quick practise on the wooden horse I was ready for the real thing. Sue helped me tack up a cute pony called Dylan. There is a lot of tack and although she did tell me all of the names I can only remember the belly strap if I’m honest. But out on to the field and it is fair to say that Dylan was the boss; he knew what he was doing and had the uncanny ability of making you think you had control, which made me feel safe.

Similar to when you start driving a car, I had a set of reins and so did Sue, for added security.

Katie (the photographer) had set up some narrow looking cones for photos and I was proud of myself when I managed to steer through without knocking the ball off the top.

The skill set involved is relatively simple, a bit like riding a bicycle.

It does feel brilliant sat in a carriage with a horse who loves his job taking you around the fields. To finish off we went around the perimeter of the fields to let Dylan have his canter home as reward for a good day’s display work. I particularly love the speed that you can go behind a horse, especially in such a comfortable and stable vehicle. It is also a great way to explore a new setting. Obviously you cannot just try this with any horse – it takes a great deal of training like any new discipline to get them as experienced as Dylan but if it is something that interests you, there are trainers who are registered with the British Driving Society who can help.

Anyone can take a test drive for just £45 and Sue tries her best to cater for all abilities (there are wheelchair accessible carriages available).

See www.benningtoncarriages.co.uk for details.

‘IT DOES FEEL BRILLIANT TO BE SAT IN A CARRIAGE WITH A HORSE WHO LOVES HIS JOB TAKING YOU AROUND THE FIELDS’

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Feature /// Scuba diving

Scuba ?

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Fancy diving in the world’s oceans and seeing their natural wonders? Jeremy Beswick takes his first steps to being Rutland’s very own Jacques Cousteau, in an Oakham swimming pool…

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Feature /// Scuba diving

I

’ve never been that good with water to be honest. Both of my elder brothers nearly drowned when I was little and consequently I wasn’t that keen on my school’s obligatory swimming lessons.

In fact, for me chlorine will always be the smell of fear. I didn’t actually learn to swim, after a fashion, until I was in my twenties.

Knowing this, the kindly editor – having sent me sailing a couple of months ago – thought it would be another good wheeze to assign me to scuba diving this month. What are they trying to tell me, I wonder?

However, I need the money and, as journalism goes, it’s not exactly as if I was being sent to a war zone with a flak jacket and an impossibly unflattering helmet, so off I trembled and trotted to Dive Rutland in Whissendine. As I wandered round their bright and breezy shop-cum-school I admit my self worth dipped a little as I encountered three children including a 10-year old who’d been diving for two years, so I did my best to settle down to watch the video intro with what I hoped was a suitably devil-may-care expression.

The film explained what awaited me later during my trial by ordeal, known otherwise as a taster session, in the pool and what I would be expected to try including removing my regulator (the thing you breathe through) underwater and showing I could clear a

partially water-filled mask by leaning back and breathing out through my nose.

I was assigned a wet suit, flippers, cylinder and a buoyancy control device (BCD) – a jacket which inflates and deflates at the touch of a button – after which it was time to be introduced to the immensely reassuring instructor Daniel Roizer.

There were some interesting things to learn, such as for every 10 metres of depth add an atmosphere of pressure, an object is neutrally buoyant when it displaces an amount of water equal to it’s own weight and, if you don’t breathe out whilst ascending, your lungs will emerge from your nostrils and you will die an agonising death (I think that’s right). Daniel’s last words to me before my first dive were “Your life will never be the same again” which I did my best to take in the way he meant it.

We started in the shallow end of Oakham School’s swimming baths where the regulator removal proved surprisingly easy and I eventually managed the mask clearing exercise.

Then it was a swim around the shallow bit before Daniel beckoned me forward and downward to the bottom of the deep end and, do you know what? It wasn’t that bad after all.

Sat on the bottom under 20 feet of water my co-student and I tried to juggle balls and had an egg and spoon race (I suspect these were actually cunning displacement activities). In

Above and right

The peace under the water is one of the main attractions of scuba diving, although swimming alongside aminals and shipwrecks is exciting

5 6 SE P T E M BE R 2014 ///

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Feature /// Scuba diving total we had a couple of hours generally messing about and becoming familiarised with the environment.

Now, a swimming bath isn’t the most interesting place in terms of fishes and shipwrecks but what I did get a sense of was the joy of weightlessness and the feeling of entering a parallel world. Somehow, there was something indefinably different about the ‘real world’ afterwards.

Later that evening I joined the old hands in the Odd House for a chat, the first veteran being that 10-year old I mentioned earlier, Poppy Cooper, and her dad. “I’m going in open water for the first time next month in Cornwall” she told me “I really want to see a shipwreck.”

Dad Simon said: “I like the fact there’s no phones, no computers, no way to be contacted.

Its so relaxing. Welcome to the underworld!”

Milly Dalton was another youngster going on that Cornwall trip “It’s a completely different world. I feel so relaxed when I’m diving,” she said.

Dad Martin added: “The freedom is something else. No hustle and bustle - a real release from your everyday cares. Every dive is a different adventure.”

As I talked to the others a common theme emerged. Serenity, wonder, freedom and a

delight that when you’re under water, and the fish don’t see you as a threat so commune as common souls. One shaven-headed twentysomething who was plainly a down to earth type, even maybe someone you’d cross the street to avoid if walking home late at night, took me aback with: “I never cease to wonder at the beauty and the grace of the animals of the deep.”

Dive Rutland’s proprietor is Chris McAleese and he reminded me that 70% of the Earth’s surface is water.

“Wherever you go, as soon as you’re underwater it’s a revelation. Egypt is a desert, Sharm El Sheikh is like Butlins on sea, but the real action is down there in the depths.”

They take all ages ‘from eight to 80’ and are

rated as a five-star Instructor Development Centre. Chris is also a qualified disability trainer who’s taught divers with one leg and none.

“In all the time I’ve run Dive Rutland I’ve only encountered two people who were unable to dive. We get couples and families who come to us because they’d like to experience diving on their next holiday and use us like a dry ski slope, to get their confidence up and then be able to dive straight away on their holiday.”

Diving is not a cheap sport but my taster session will cost you only £28.99 and if you like the experience an open water course to qualify you to dive to 18 metres with a buddy is £395 per person with discounts for families.

One last thing. I discovered that scuba is a community of people from all walks of life who plainly feel a strong common bond.

After only a couple of hours splashing around a swimming pool I can’t know for sure, but reckon it’s because they know something unexplainable yet profound about our planet - and ourselves - that the rest of us don’t.

Find out if I’m right and let me know.

Le and below

It’s a whole new world under the water. Dive Rutland caters for all ages and abilities and oranises trips away, such as this outing to Plymouth in 2012

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Feature /// Sportsman's Dinner

Marquess of Exeter, Lyddington Will and Steve have a night off their fitness regimes and try the pub's set menu Steve There are few prettier places to run to from Stamford than Lyddington I find, and usually as I am at my full Mo Farah pace down Main Street I often glance in the window of the Marquess of Exeter as I fly by and think it looks like a fabulous spot, if only I wasn’t so utterly committed to this strict regime of superfood and filtered mineral water. Well, for one night, I thought, perhaps I’d take a break from the kale, adzuki beans and chia seeds. Even supreme athletes like me need to let the body relax, like a piece of finely hung beef, don’t they Will?

Will Chia seeds? Adzuki? Have you been learning a new language as well as embarking on a new lifestyle Steve? I haven’t got a clue what you are talking about but I do know that Lyddington is one of the finest villages in Rutland, and that is no small achievement. It is a picture perfect spot and the Marquess’s reputation has only been getting better and better in recent years. It’s a lovely old building with a smart extension to the restaurant. But let’s not rush to the table because the bar is looking rather tempting and I am partial to a pint.

Steve Yes, fair enough, pure fantasy on my part – it’s fair to say we’re both red meat trundlers than high fibre whippets. And while knocking back a very nice light Chilean pinot noir, I was a little concerned that the set menu we’d come to

try looked on the healthy side. Salads, mackerel, carrot and coriander soup, soused sardines – all good stuff, but not a piece of rare beef in sight. I started worry I might be going home proteindeficient. But then I spotted the black pudding fritters and my meat fear subsided. Then I did a stupid thing and let you order first, and all my concerns came welling back. Lucky then, you’d had black pudding for lunch two days running...

Steve Yes, the red pepper and parmesan risotto was excellent, with the rice cooked just right to not be sludgy and a good strong kick of parmesan coming through. I went for the house white, a crisp Santa Cruz de Alpera to cut through the starch, and it was very good. You can always tell the quality of a wine list by the house choice, I always say. Actually I don’t, but I heard somebody say it and it sounds clever.

Will I thought we agreed that was my dirty secret Steve? I am partial to black pudding at home and, having slightly over-indulged on it, I was rather pleased to order the soused sardines.

Excellent it was too.

Will After two courses I didn’t really need the chocolate and beetroot cake with cream, but I figured I could work it off on the squash courts.

It was a well made pudding but I’m not sure about the flavour combination. I love chocolate and beetroot but I’m not convinced they work together. That said I cleaned my plate!

Steve My black pudding was fabulous: it was the lightest, fluffiest I’ve ever had, in a crispy tempura-like batter. And the piccalili had a really spicy kick to it. An excellent combination of deep flavour and sharp tang. For my main, I decided to do something as extreme as I’ve ever done in my life – I went for the vegetarian option!

Will Nothing wrong with vegetarian Steve – your risotto looked good and judging by how quickly it vanished it must have tasted good, too. My harissa chicken was a bit of a departure from my normal habits, but the tender chicken marinated in a blend of spices on a bed of couscous with vegetables was a fine dish.

Steve I had pannacotta, which was thick and creamy with a wild berry compote – fabulous.

Overall, the set menu (around £15 for two courses or £18 for three) is excellent value because while there’s not a lot of choice, there is a lot of class. It’s the sort of thing that would badly derail my ultra-healthy lifestyle if I lived closer, because I would be in a lot.

The Marquess of Exeter

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Feature /// Great walks

Wandering through Wardley Wood Enchanted woods and steep hills make for a walk to remember for Will Hetherington Photography: Will Hetherington

Above and right

Secluded Wardley Wood is one of the main attractions of this walk which takes in Rutland and a smidgeon of Leciestershire. Pretty ironstone buildings are a feature of the area

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TOP STAT

was once a Wardley Wood covert, which famous hunting by the Forestry was purchased 1955 and Commission in rway spruce, planted with No ean larch, red cedar, Europ oak and beech.

THE ROUTE

I parked at the beginning of Leicester Road near the centre of Uppingham. It’s a two-hour slot on the road here but you can easily find somewhere with no parking restrictions if you want to take your time. The first mile of this walk is easily the most boring part, but then good things come to those who wait don’t they? You just head north west along Leicester Road, passing Uppingham School sports centre and Uppingham Town Cricket Club on the left, and keep going until you pass the new cemetery on the right and have nearly reached the A47. Look out for the footpath on the left in a small layby just before the main road junction. From here onwards it’s open country and you will soon forget about the tedious beginning.

The land rapidly drops away as soon as you get off the road and opens out to dramatic views all around. There are ruins of a motte and bailey castle up to the left and a number of springs in this natural bowl, although they all seemed to have dried up on the day I was there. Follow the path through a couple of field boundaries and before too long you will be into the woods. On a warm summer’s day the woods provided some welcome shade, although I would imagine that after a wet spell this path will become pretty boggy so make sure you have some decent boots on. The path is well sign posted through the wood and it’s a surprisingly untouched area.

Any noise from the neighbouring A47 is completely blocked by the trees and it’s not difficult to conjure up childhood memories of unexplored lands.

After an enchanting mile with the trees the path comes out into the open leads to a well established bridge over the Eye Brook, which will be a welcome drinking and swimming spot for the dog. Immediately after the bridge turn left and the path comes up to Allexton Field Road.

Turn left on to this gated road with cattle grids

and make the most of walking along one of the county’s quietest traffic roads. I saw one farm truck and two cyclists during this 15 minute stretch of the walk. When you are on this road look up to the left and admire the imposing King’s Hill Lodge high up on the hill commanding spectacular views of the country all around. And while you are at it, just remember the next stage of the walk involves going up that hill!

When the gated road joins Horninghold Road turn left and then left again at the Lodge Farm junction. From here it’s uphill for the best part of a mile so take a deep breath. Even though this section is all on the roads you won’t mind because there is so little traffic. There is a road bridge back over the Eye Brook, which is a good opportunity for another dip for the dog if you make a little detour. This also marks the county boundary so you are now back in Rutland, after a brief invasion of Leicestershire. Halfway up the hill there is a footpath on the left which will give you the choice of the shorter, steeper option straight up King’s Hill, or staying on the road for the longer, shallower hairpin. I went for shorter and steeper and can highly recommend the views.

At the top of the path you come to Beaumont Chase Farm and the aforementioned King’s Hill Lodge. And this pretty much marks the end of the uphill sections of the walk.

There is a footpath to the left through the path and back over a handful of short fields, offering views of Wardley Wood to the north, so you can see where you have been. Follow the path and it brings you back into Uppingham where you can go and recover in any one of a number of decent pubs. I like the Vaults, but Don Paddys and the Falcon are pretty good, too.

Difficulty rating (out of five)

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION Where to park On Leicester Road near the centre of Uppingham.

Lowlights First mile is pretty boring, but it is definitely worth it.

Distance and time Five miles/two hours.

Refreshments The Vaults, Don Paddys, The Falcon and Lake Isle. If it’s an evening walk then you won’t go far wrong with a curry in Red India either.

Highlights Stunning views of some of Rutland’s finest terrain, the surprisingly untouched and tranquil cool of Wardley Wood. And the satisfaction of climbing King’s Hill on the way back.

late August. However you cross the Eye Brook twice so there are places for a dip and a drink. Not really any livestock when I was there but there were warning signs so make sure you are careful.

The pooch perspective There are a lot of springs marked on the OS map for this walk but they were mostly dried up when I did it in

/// SE P T E M BE R 2014 6 3

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Feature /// Dog health

Total recall Bobs Broadbent offers four steps to get your dog to come back when called

Why don’t dogs return? Gaining a conditioned recall response from a dog requires regular training and often the main reason why a dog doesn’t come back to their owner is because they haven’t properly understood the recall cue sufficiently for it to be dependable in all situations. Some dogs don’t come back because they have something else that they ‘need’ to do and that desire has a stronger pull than returning to their owner. Internal factors play their hand here, for example, when male dogs prefer to follow the scent of a female dog in season or a dog’s innate, predatory drive to chase something fast moving. There is also the possibility that a dog doesn’t return when called because they are scared of the possible consequences when they do return.

Don’t be tempted to punish. No matter how annoying it is to struggle to get your dog back on the lead and watch whilst they disappear or just stay at arms length away from you, it’s vital to avoid showing your frustration and however tempting it might be, punishment will undoubtedly only set you up for failure next time you let your dog off lead. This is because dogs live in the present and will learn that it’s unpleasant to return to you.

STEP 1 PREPARATION A key factor to being successful with recalls is having something that your dog wants to return to and they need to know what that is. So the initial work should start by finding out what toys and games your dog likes most and which food is most motivating for them.

Introduce daily play sessions and find out just which toy has a special meaning and then hold that back as your toy which your dog only gets access to with you. By not having constant availability, it will raise the value of the toy.

Imagine if Christmas Day was every day, or every week – it really wouldn’t be quite so special! Playing fun games with you with the toy each day will not only maintain its high value, your dog will also associated the happy play

ALAMY

The joy of having a dog that will come back when called is that they can enjoy the benefits of being off lead to exercise, take in new smells, have the freedom to mark out new territory and generally explore.

Every dog owner knows just how important this favourite activity is for a dog and returning to you is the ultimate expression of the relationship between an owner and their pet.

Dogs that have a reliable recall are often more contented because they gain this fulfillment, so teaching your dog to always come when called can make your lives together more enjoyable.

with you. This principal is the same for food rewards – keep higher value rewards (and this will depend on what you dog likes), for select situations to distinguish really good responses.

If you use the most tasty treats all the time, they won’t be quite so special anymore (although your dog is unlikely to complain!).

STEP 2 TEACH A VOICE COMMAND Start by deciding what word you are going to use as a voice cue. Begin training by asking an assistant to hold your dog by the collar and show him you have some of his favourite food.

Move a short distance away and call your dog enthusiastically, opening your arms and crouching down to invite your dog to come to you. Ask your assistant to let go of his collar as soon as you call. As your dog runs to you, hold the food out and lure him close in towards you.

Hold the other hand lower so that as he moves towards you, you can take hold of his collar underneath his chin. When your dog gets to you, hold his collar, feed the food, then praise him warmly and enthusiastically for a while so that he learns to enjoy being with you and will come to you again next time.

Repeat every day, several times a day, for a week. Eventually, you won’t need to use an assistant to hold him, or show him the food first, but just call him from where he is resting.

Eventually, once your dog is coming to you every time you call, progress over several sessions to calling when your dog is just out of sight. Aim for success and try to only call him when there is a reasonable chance that he will respond immediately.

STEP 3 RESPONSE ACTION TO VOICE COMMAND Once you’ve taught your dog what the cue means, your job isn’t over. In fact, you have only just started. Now you need to teach him to return to you when he is distracted.

Begin with calling your dog when he is doing something else. Wait until he is really interested in a scent or doing something else that isn’t too exciting, then call, moving away from your dog and putting lots of energy into getting him to return. Reward really well when he does so.

STEP 4 LEAVING DISTRACTIONS TO RETURN TO YOU Once your dog is coming back when he is busy doing something else, teach him to come even when he would rather be doing something else.

For this you will need something that he enjoys doing, such as playing with a toy. You will need to set up a situation so that, once you call, whatever your dog was enjoying stops until he comes to you, and start again only when he returns after having gone back to you first.

For example, ask an assistant to play an exciting game with your dog. Call loudly to interrupt the play. As soon as your assistant hears you call, they should remove the toy and hide it behind their back. Wait until your dog comes to you then praise him well. Then let him go to play again so that he learns that coming to you is just an interlude.

Bobs Broadbent offers private training lessons and group workshops. Contact her at info@dogknows. co.uk or telephone 01664 454792.

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Feature /// School sports

SES sailors triumph at Itchenor The annual Schools Sailing Championships, hosted by Itchenor Sailing Club in Chichester, was a major success for the Stamford Endowed Schools team.

The SES team competed in the 420 class dinghy, against schools from around the UK and against pairs of sailors who are part of the RYA Youth Squad, looking for Team GBR selection. 17 of this type of boat competed, and 43 of the Firefly class dinghy.

James Leetch (Year 10) and Jemima Leedham (Year 9) won the first day mini-series outright, and in the main series of ten races over two days they were never outside the top three. James and Jemima finished second overall, and won the prize for the top schools pair in the country, only being beaten by two of the RYA Youth Squad sailors. Most notable is that Jemima and James are 14, and they beat sailors typically 17-18 years old.

Ed Whattoff and James Leetch won the Midfleet prize in their 420, coming 8th overall in the main series and 5th in the first day mini-series.

Brooke pupils star in cricket and gymnastics Brooke Priory U11 Gymnastics Team represented Rutland at the Leicestershire and Rutland Schools Games recently, an honour that they won by taking gold at the Rutland Gymnastics Competition in the Spring Term.

Competing against nine other regions, the girls gave an accomplished perfomance, coming second overall.

As well as concentrating on their own amibitions, they also had time to support and encourage the other teams and their sportsmanship was rewarded by them being given the Spirit of the Games Award.

Headmistress Elizabeth Bell, said: “Gaining a silver medal was fantastic, but, we were particularly delighted that the girls were recognised for their outstanding sportsmanship.”  Brooke Priory School’s U11 cricketers yet again played to the highest level throughout the summer term.

As holders of the Leicestershire 6-a-side Hardball League, the pressure was on for this year’s crop of young cricketers to try and retain the title.

They did not disappoint, with some simply stunning performances that led them to the final.

On this occasion they were narrowly beaten, but the achievement of getting to the final and defending the title with such pride will live long in the memories of all who witnessed the boys play cricket.

Headmistress, Elizabeth Bell, said: “It has been another exciting summer for our cricketers and, although they narrowly missed lifting the trophy, through their skill and determination they have given us some unforgettable moments.”

RUNNER QUALIFIES FOR NATIONAL 800m FINALS Stamford High School student Megan Ellison (Year 9) has progressed to represent Lincolnshire in 800m a er qualifying for the English Schools National Championships.

Megan won the under 15 800 metres event at the Lincolnshire County Championships a er winning the South Kesteven District round. She then went on to qualify for the East Regional Athletics championships where she completed the 800 metres in a new personal best time of 2 minutes 19.3 seconds, qualifying for the English Schools National Championships.

Denise Smith, head of PE and athletics, said: “The progress that Megan has made in the last six weeks has been incredible. She is totally driven and we wish her every success.”

SOFIA’S SILVER IN SWEDEN Stamford High School Judo star Sofia Palmer (Year 8) has gone from strength to strength since taking home a silver medal at the HMC Independent Schools & IAPS Judo tournament in February. Sofia has gained medals at four UK competitions where she obtained important ranking points.

She was awarded Bronze at the British Schools Championships in Sheffield in March, Bronze at London Open Championships and Edinburgh Sportif in April, followed by Silver at the BJC Nationals in May. Sofia continued her successful year as she competed in Sweden with her Judo club, Vale Judo. It was the first time that Sofia had competed in her new weight category and a er facing some tough competitors she still managed to receive a silver medal in one of the largest international Nordic judo competitions. This was followed by a three-day training camp held by ex-Olympians.

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Active Magazine 90 x 256_Layout 1 12/08/2014 21:03 Page 1

Challenging expeditions An abundance of Oakham School pupils have embarked on Duke of Edinburgh expeditions at the end of term.

There are around 250 Oakham pupils participating in the scheme at any one time, taking their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. This term, students travelled to locations all over the UK, from Lochinver to Shropshire, to be assessed on their stamina, camp craft and navigation skills.

Gold award cyclists, having already traversed the route of the Yorkshire stages of the Tour de France earlier in the year, then faced a 190-mile journey in picturesque scenery through three national parks: the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.

After setting off from St Bees, the going was not easy, with expedition leader Yann Toussaint commenting that “Day one featured two hors catégorie climbs, namely Hardknott and Wrynose passes, as well as some tricky sections rougher that the cobbled roads of Paris Roubaix!”

The group successfully completed their challenge on day four when they arrived on the other side of the country at Robin Hood’s Bay.

Rutland rounders The Rutland School Sport Partnership hosted its annual Primary Schools Rounders tournament at Casterton Business & Enterprise College towards the end of the summer term.

In total, 21 teams entered the competition and all arrived at the school in high spirits, with eight teams making it through to the knockout section of the competition to determine the overall winner..

The finalists, Langham and Brooke Hill, battled it out for the top spot. Fielding was extremely tight from both teams resulting in a closely fought 2-1 victory for Langham.

Tournament organiser Chris Thomas said: “It was fantastic to see so many teams enter this competition which reflects the passion and enthusiasm among Rutland schools for competition and school sport.

“The leaders that helped run the event were extremely professional and mature in their approach to their role and ensured the tournament ran smoothly and to time.

Congratulations to all children who participated in the event and particular congratulations to Langham for winning the tournament overall.”

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/// S E P T E M B E R 2 0 14 6 7

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Feature /// School sports

Teddy makes a clean sweep A remarkable clean sweep in the sixth round of the hotly contested 2014 LGM (Little Green Man) Series Championship this month saw South Luffenham kart racer Teddy Wilson (12) topping the podium once more.

Racing against 48 IAME Cadet drivers at Kimbolton circuit in Cambridgeshire, Teddy achieved a rare hat trick by winning all three heats and the final. Organisers of the national championship described him as ‘motorsport’s rising star’ in their post-race report.

Teddy, who attends Uppingham Community College, said: “This was my fourth Little Green Man podium this season and it was great to be on the top of it, again. To win all three heats and the final was just fantastic. The championship is really close so I need to be at my best to stay on top.”

In Teddy’s first heat he started last and drove a remarkable race to take a commanding victory in just eight laps. He backed this up with a dominant win from pole in the next heat.

Starting mid-grid in his last heat, he drove to victory again, making it three out of three and securing him pole position in the final.

Teddy got a good start in the final, but as the lead pack closed he was forced back to fourth as a trio of drivers from a rival team tried to make the break. Teddy remained calm, biding his time before picking off two of the drivers, who dropped out of the lead group.

With three laps to go, Tom Wood (leading) started to defend but Teddy found a way past.

Taking control on to the final lap he backed up the pack and got a gap off the first corner to drive the final half-a-lap unchallenged for a

superb victory. Driving for team Fusion Motorsport, Teddy is the only driver to have won two rounds of this year’s LGM Championship and to have been victorious in every heat and final at an LGM round this year.

His win followed hot on the heels of another

Gold for English Martyrs

English Martyrs Catholic Voluntary Academy has won a gold award in the Sainsbury’s School Games.

The games were introduced in 2012 and are a Government-led scheme rewarding schools for their commitment to the development of competition and sport across their school.

The school has participated in a variety of sporting opportunities and competitions throughout the year including judo, dance, gymnastics, tennis, golf and bowls. It also provides a wide variety of extra curricular clubs including gymnastics, tag rugby, football, netball and tennis.

victory this month at Rissington Kart Club in Gloucestershire.

Teddy leads the LGM Series Championship with two rounds to go. Round seven takes place on September 21 at Shenington Kart Racing Club in Oxfordshire.

BOURNE HOSTS OLYMPIAN BETH Bourne Grammar School welcomed Olympic bronze medal winner, Beth Tweddle, as guest of honour at its annual sports presentation evening.

The school, which earlier this year was named by School Sport Magazine as one of the top 30 state schools for sport in 2013, has a developed a broad and inclusive programme of PE and sports games.

The achievements of hundreds of students were recognised by an enthusiastic audience of parents, friends and school governors at the sports presentation evening.

Commenting on Beth’s contribution to the evening, headteacher Jonathan Madox said: “It was truly a delight to meet Beth.

She is charming, engaging and was genuinely interested in our students’ sporting achievements.”

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Feature /// School sports

A GOOD GROUNDING Witham Hall School’s groundsman Alex Exton hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps – right the way to Test level. By Chris Meadows ///

The crack of leather on willow is synonymous to the English summer, and we’ve had a good one of those year. As teams have been battling it out throughout season, groundsmen across the country have been busy preparing pitches.

Being a cricket groundsman is often a thankless task. Their work starts well in advance of match day, and having spent considerable time preparing a wicket before the weather comes along and deem it unplayable, putting all their hard work to waste.

Then when the sun does shine, they have both teams and umpires turning up and judging their workmanship before the game, all offering their opinion as to how it will play. Only the groundsman really knows what a pitch is like, having spent countless hours tending to it all year round.

Locally we are blessed with an abundance of picturesque cricket grounds but whilst they may look good, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are joy to play at. Witham certainly fitted into this category until five years ago: a superb setting with its quirky tree inside the boundary rope, but only an artificial wicket to play on.

Having moved from Oakham School, which has played host to many first class matches and the recent Bunbury festival, Witham Hall’s headmaster Charles Welch took the decision to re-lay the square. But a cricket square without a good groundsman is worthless.

Photography: Chris Meadows During Charles’s time at Oakham the grounds were in the hands of the very capable Keith Exton, now head groundsman at Glamorgan CCC test ground Cardiff, and during the summer months he was ably aided by his son Alex.

Charles put the wheels in motion to bring Alex to Witham Hall to help develop the newly laid cricket wicket, as well as the rest of the school grounds.

As Alex finishes his fourth year we went along to meet him while Leicestershire U11s took on Nottinghamshire U11s, a credit to the work that has been done over the past few years, and satisfyingly for Charles and Alex, included Witham Hall pupil James Tattersall.

When did you start?

August 2010. When I first came we just had the artificial out there, Charlie had been here a year and had got the wheels in motion for re-laying the square and it was done in the September of the same year.

Above

Witham Hall groundsman Alex Exton

Is this something you always wanted to do?

I was a plasterer by trade, but I’d been going to Oakham School to help out my Dad in the summer holidays since I was eight or nine. After about four years of going to help the grounds department I found myself being more and more interested.

Continues over

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Feature /// School sports

With your father being a groundsman too do you speak to him for advice?

He leaves me to it pretty much, but I still bounce ideas off him, and if I’m not sure what to do then I’ll give him a call. I’m always asking people for advice, as I’m not someone that thinks he knows it all. In terms of being a head groundsman from a plasterer, I still think I’m very green behind the ears and still got a lot to learn - I’m still experimenting now. I prep wickets differently to test to see what happens, so I know for future reference. If people want a certain type of track, I’ll prep one for our boys to see what it does.

I’ve got free licence to experiment, which is what you need as a groundsman, but it all depends on the weather. You can only produce what the weather lets you. That’s what a lot of people forget, when they turn up to a match and see what they’ve got, such as a green wet one when it’s a glorious day, they don’t often understand that if you’ve had two weeks of rain in the lead-up to a match it affects the amount of preparation you can do.

So what is a good cricket wicket?

Personally, I think there should be a little bit in it for the bowler, a little bit of movement for seam bowlers but not too much so the batsmen can’t get near it, and the batsmen need to be able to trust the pitch so they can play through the line.

We’ve had great weather for the last few weeks, and players will expect us to produce a great hard track, but it’s just as tricky to produce good pitches when the weather is good. Judging when to water, as you can’t water in the sunshine, as it can scorch the grass, as well as

Avove

Alex preparing the wicket at Witham Hall

making sure the pitch doesn’t overcook, so it requires covering. You’ve always got to be thinking. A lot of local clubs struggle as they haven’t got someone there all the time, nor have the equipment to be able to produce a good pitch which makes a big difference.

Any kit that you haven’t got that you’d like?

There’s bits and bobs on my wish list, such as a good scarifier, but you’re talking £32,000 for a top level one which is a lot of money for any school so it’s hard to justify. These are all singing, all dancing bits of kit, but I’ve got to be realistic on what I’ve got as it’s not just about cricket, as the outfield doubles up as the rugby pitches during the winter months.

I’ve got some good kit already, and a new square to start with. It makes a big difference when you’ve got leaders like Charles and Jo Welch who both lead from the front and know the benefits it brings. Although Charles has to tell me sometimes that I’m dreaming with the kit I tell him I would like, but it really is a joy to work for them.

Any tips for local groundsmen?

As the cricket season closes I’ve been taught to almost rip the pitch to pieces, taking the fibrous matter off the top and really clean it out. Get a good seed covering down, fertilise, weed and water well as and when you can.

Also, keep mowing it as long as you can, don’t just leave it. As long as it keeps growing, keep

cutting to stop the grass becoming long, stalky and weak. I remember once almost mowing up to Christmas as the weather was still good and the grass was still growing. Don’t mow it as short though, up to about 20mm. In the new season I’ll then cut it up, starting at 13mm and moving up to 15mm then 17mm so you’re not letting it grow, just taking the top off each time.

Then in the spring I’ll let it get up to 20mm before taking it down in stages.

Do you play cricket yourself?

Yes, I play a little bit, not as much as I used to at Grantham. I play for the mighty Witham Whackers, who also use the ground for their home fixtures. But I realised that if you want to produce a decent standard of wicket then you’ve got to work and not play. But it does help playing on the wicket occasionally as you get to see how it plays first hand.

Is it an enjoyable job?

I live on site, so I often end up working long hours, but I’m lucky as I do enjoy my job and I don’t mind being out until nine at night if the sun is still shining at the end of a lovely summers day. There’s nothing more relaxing that standing out on the square and hand watering.

But I get just as much enjoyment when it’s been a tough week and the weather has been wet, but the game still goes ahead. Having pulled sheets and covers on all week, up to eight times a day to get some sun on the pitch, even if they’re late starting but we’ve got them playing it makes it all worthwhile.

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Feature /// School news

Mongolian mountain mission Oakham students succeed in climbing 4,374-metre Mount Khuiten after three-day trek Students from Oakham School have successfully climbed Mongolia’s highest mountain, Mt Khuiten (4,374 metres) in the remote Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, which straddles the China, Russia and Mongolia borders.

It took the students, who were part of a 24-strong team, three days to drive on rough dirt track roads to the inaccessible National Park to begin their challenge. Carrying all their own equipment (tents, stoves, food and climbing kit), the group then trekked from base camp to high camp situated at 3,300m.

The team split into two groups, but unfortunately the second group missed their chance to climb the summit due to severe weather forcing them to abandon their attempt. This was a er enduring eight hours of terrible weather conditions at high camp.

The majority of the first group were successful in reaching the summit, despite the weather trying to cut the attempt short. The round trip took seven hours in total, but 8 pupils, as well as their team leader, eventually made it!

Steve Gorman, outdoor activities co-ordinator at Oakham, who had arranged the trip and led the group to the summit, said: “This was a very challenging peak which all should be proud of achieving. The East Ridge is quite technical with much of the climbing on steep snow and ice, involving crampons, ice axes, ice screws and ropes, and the crossing of several deep crevasses.”

Pupil Gregory Sale, aged 17, added: “Starting the day under the most incredible night sky, all the way through to surveying the mountain ranges of four countries at the summit, made the climb one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.”

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Roundup The scores, star performers and stats from a month in Stamford and Rutland sport

Cricket

Oakham and Uppingham battle for honours

BY JEREMY BESWICK

T

he match of the month was undoubtedly Oakham versus Uppingham at the Lime Kilns. Not only the closest of local derbies and potentially a title decider between these two top teams in Division 3 of the Leicestershire League, but also Oakham’s inaugural Ladies Day with a barbecue, strawberries and cream, champagne and Pimms adding to the sense of occasion.

The wicket, however, was greener than groundsman Malcolm Rawlings would have wished – “We had an under-13s game here on Thursday and they stayed on in the rain. What can you do?” – and the weather was overcast to say the least.

Suffice it to say that the bowlers looked jaunty, the batsmen wary. Oakham’s Darren Jones won the toss and put Uppingham in, and the early exchanges bore out the crowd’s general view that this would be a low scoring and exciting match.

First out – for nought – was opener Martin Bennett who’s been accumulating runs for fun recently, followed by Jamie Dumford, who’d already been dropped (by Oakham opener Albert Radford, who broke his finger in the process) to leave them 26 for 2 after a torrid opening nine overs. One of the game’s defining moments followed as Mark Cox, so often Uppingham’s talisman, was hit on the pads as he faced his first ball, only for the most confident of appeals to be turned down.

Thereafter runs continued to be hard to come by and Danny Dumford, waiting to go in, enquired of the scorer whether his “pencil was blunt yet, with all these dot balls”. However, Cox survived – not without further discomfort in the conditions – and went on to make the top score of the match with fifty, ably assisted

by Pat Latham.

Alex Ashwin and Danny Dumford then piled on the runs at the end with some big

hitting, threatening the windscreens in the car park, to help Uppingham reach a respectable but not unreachable 176 for 7 from their allotted overs, Matt Osman being the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, including two off successive balls.

How close was that crucial LBW decision?

Cox, ever the gentleman, grinned as he admitted “A bit more than close, I reckon”.

Oakham’s batsmen found life just as difficult as Uppingham’s and with Radford’s finger rendering him unable to bat the usually dependable Richard Martin was out early to one that swung in and kept on coming, followed by Calvin Flowers – just as he was looking to up the scoring rate, a key wicket as he averaged around 90 going into the match.

Critically, Bhavin Shukla was then run out by Will Jones, both batsmen ending up in the same crease after a classic mix up of the “Yes – No – Sorry” variety. All of Uppingham’s attack was bowling

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accurately and their fielding was a delight to watch, but Rory Brown and Sam Wills put together a successful partnership that seemed to be giving Oakham a winning position until Wills was caught behind and Brown, unable to contain his natural inclination any further, rashly skied one. In the end, the match finished with a sense of anticlimax as Oakham opted to retrench and settle for a losing draw, the margin being a slim 10 runs.

Due to the narrowness of the victory Uppingham’s share of the points was only two more than Oakham’s, who remain the league leaders with a wafer-thin margin of four points with four games to play.

Bragging rights to Uppingham then, having completed the double over the Oaks, but it remains to be seen who will have the last laugh by topping the table.

Not the title decider we thought the match was likely to be, but what has been settled is both sides now look certain to be promoted, their closest rivals (Illston Abbey and Electricity Sports) losing on the same day and now trailing by over 50 points.

Two more derbies to look forward to next

year then, and in the higher division to boot.

Over in the Cambridge League, Ketton continue to set the pace and will surely be promoted to Division 1 by the time this article appears. Captain Rob Vitas’ side are streets ahead of second-placed Saffron Walden and the money available to them has attracted some fine players. They crushed an admittedly short-handed Yaxley by bowling them out for under eighty and then reached the required total in only the seventh over. That win was preceded by a five wicket victory against Burwell seconds, club professional Rob Woolley bowling maiden after maiden as the other bowlers picked up the wickets. They sit very close to the top of Rutland League Division Three too, having beaten Werrington with both Vitas and Jordan Ryan scoring half-centuries.

Over in the Hunts League Ufford Park, having been challenging for the title, seem to have fallen off a cliff with three straight losses, including a trouncing by Burghley Park for whom Nick Cowley picked up a five for.

Market Overton were the stars of the Rutland League Division 1, Hayden Murphy’s century and four wickets contributing to their win against Barnack.

The seconds were in fine form too with Mark Hudson more than worthy of a mention in dispatches for his seven wicket haul as they defeated Long Sutton’s seconds.

In the South Lincs League, Stamford’s tough season in the Premier Division eased with some good results including a fine win at Belton Park for only three wickets down inside 43 overs, Tom Williams and Bryan Bennett sharing a hundred partnership. In contrast, both the Hunts and Rutland League sides are pushing for titles and promotion. In the former, they bowled Old Eastonians out for under a hundred but suffered a reverse in the latter at Castor, which seems likely to prove costly as the two teams vie for the second promotion spot behind Medbourne.

There’s much still to play for as the season draws to a close. Tune in next month for the annual review and those coveted awards.

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Golf

Strong back nine seals seniors medal for Phil

N

ine handicapper Phil Harris won the August seniors medal at Greetham, his first since joining from Elton Furze in April. Phil got off to a great start when he birdied the par four first hole on the Lakes course. Despite driving well Phil couldn’t capitalise on his start on the front nine as the putts were close but not dropping. He finished the front nine by dropping five shots.

The back nine was a different story, Phil knew that he was playing well and just needed to trust his swing and persevere. He dropped just two shots and had two more birdies.

The pick of them was a fantastic 16-yard putt on the par four eighteenth. This is a two-tier green and Phil had to putt across it to curl the ball into the hole. He finished with a nett 70 to take the win in division one, the overall medal and the lowest gross for his seventy nine.

Long serving member John Taylor had wanted to play Woburn for some time and this year he got his chance when he played in their seniors open.

John arrived at the club early for the shotgun start to see the course sparkling in the warm sunshine.

He didn’t finish in the top five for the prizes but he did get a hole in one and

coincidentally, as that was the nearest the pin hole, a prize for that too. John, who was awarded a certificate and a hefty bar bill, said that he will definitely be back to try again next year.

Savvi Travel based in Oakham have teamed up with Greetham Valley to sponsor several competitions and events for 2015.

The husband and wife team of Dave and Kay Batley have already successfully sponsored the seniors open so far this year.

The pair said that they wanted to get into golf sponsorship and with Greetham Valley being one of the largest clubs in the area they were the most natural partners.

Greetham general manager Shaun Clark said that the club were delighted to be involved with such a keen and progressive partnership, one that can only bring value to all involved.

Members are assured of an immediate discount on production of their membership card.

Sheila Douty spent three days away with more than 30 other Greetham Ladies at Barnham Broom near Norwich recently.

After playing golf each day she could be forgiven if she felt a little tired, however she showed none of that on the Saturday in the Ladies weekend August medal.

Sheila, off 15, shot a nett 72 to take the

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medal and the lowest gross with an 87.

Jackie Friend, off 16, was second with a nett 74.

The seniors were keen to keep up their winning streak when they played host to Market Harborough on the Valley course.

After six games the match was tied at three games each.

Mike Pare and Ian Ryder won the seventh game one up and it now all depended upon the final game.

David Aldred and Peter Palmer delivered with a three and two win to give the Greetham team a five to three win to extend their run.

During the match Bob King was just two inches short of a hole in one on the difficult par three sixteenth. Bob tried again on the eighteenth and got nearest the pin for a bottle of Famous Grouse.

The mixed match played against Elton Furze is always a very competitive game but this time it was made even tougher with the conditions.

The wind on the Lakes course was gusting at over 40mph and made club selection very difficult. Into the wind it could be three to four clubs different to usual play and it was just as tough trying to convince the mind to accept the same being taken off.

The Greetham team led by Ladies vice

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captain Cathy Steele managed to win by three and a half games to two and a half.

The team have had just one narrow loss away this year to Belton Woods and are keen to win their final three fixtures.

The ladies scratch team have won the Lincolnshire south scratch yet again and will face old adversaries Woodhall Spa in the north versus south final at Spalding Golf Club on August 31.

The Greetham first team lost a very tight game away to Burghley Park four games to two. The match could have gone either way with two of the games being decided on the sloping eighteenth.

Team captain Chris Steele said that the team played really well against a very strong Burghley team but it just wasn’t good enough on the day. They have just two games left, away to Belton Woods and at home to Gedney Hill.

RUTLAND COUNTY Whilst Rutland County’s club captain Roger Overton invited a large crowd of visitors to celebrate his Captain’s Day, it was the home golfers who lined up to take the honours on the golf course.

A reasonable ‘county breeze’ kept the scores honest with Chris Bower taking top spot on 42 points just ahead of Eddie Broadhurst on 41.

Mark Branson’s steady improvement saw him claim third place on 40 pts ahead of Kev Moxham on countback. Local Italian golfer, Packa Risi, had a double share of the 2s sweep but was inconsolable after being pipped at the death by John Peyser for the Lawn Bowls event which he led for the whole afternoon.

Imogen Huxley was best lady with 36 pts just ahead of Karen Palmer on 35. Overton was delighted with the day’s competition and the various events that raised a running total of more than £1,000 for his chosen charities Lupus UK and Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Top golfers from across Rutland and Leicestershire took on the County track in The L&RGU Open Championship and found the course baring its fangs as a vicious north-westerly howled across the inland links.

Top gross score of 143 came from Kilworth Springs pro, Sam Mayfield. The County Open Champion for 2014 is Coby Cartwright from Cosby – scoring 143, he triumphed after the second extra hole in a play-off. The young champion praised the course condition and thanked the club for staging a successful tournament.

The C team ended their run of home fixtures with a disappointing 4-2 loss to a very focused Belton Park side. Phil Drury

and Roger Overton lost 2 down, Dave Whitehead and Geoff Osborne lost 4 and 2, Bob Ambrose and Reg Parker lost 5 and 4, Gerry McIntyre and Packa Risi lost 2 and 1, Dave Rippin and Graham Cole won 3 and 1, Paul Milsom and Barry Cheshire won 2 and 1.

Better things are hoped for in the last match away at Greetham.

LUFFENHAM HEATH

In the Sunday medal for August, there were some very good returns in both divisions with the course looking in very good shape at present.

In Division 1, Richard Young eventually came out on top with an excellent nett 68 (off 14), narrowly beating Jim Ashworth, who scored a nett 69 playing off 13. Ken Houlden finished third with a nett par round of 70, playing off 15.

In Division 2, the winner on countback was Fred Baxter, scoring a nett 71 (off 24), just edging out Dave Grieve (off 19) with the same nett score. Following on in third place was John Everitt (playing off 20) scoring a nett 73.

In the latest Seniors match played at Priors Hall, Corby, North Luffenham suffered a 4 ½ to 1 1/2 defeat in a very entertaining match played in an excellent spirit throughout.

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Roundup

Equestrianism

Scorching competition in roasting weather

BY JULIA DUNGWORTH

W

hat a busy and diverse month July and August have been. Although a bit of a scorcher at times, which means the ground has become unsuitably hard, it hasn’t stopped the horsey fraternity going out en-masse to various equestrian disciplines around the area.

The month started for me at the everpopular Senior One Day Event held at Burghley Park.

The park as usual was teeming full of lorries and yet again had a huge entry of Pony Club and non-Pony Club entries. The ground was as good as could be expected for the time of year and with the show jumping on an all weather surface, the show attracted many local eventers looking for an outing.

The novice sections seemed to be the best for the Burghley riders; Ross Hemmings was third on Patrick Campbell’s Tommy, India Ward riding Royal Storm was fourth and Brogan Cranfield was also third on Curtis, all in different sections.

Charlotte Bell from the Cottesmore took the PC Intermediate section on Ellie with a great double clear.

At The Annual Festival of Hunting, held at the East of England Showground, it was a boiler of a day and definitely this month’s place to be seen!

There were various Foxhound classes, Working Hunter classes and Showing classes, but the most fun has to always be the Inter Hunt Relay, this year won by the North Cotswold team, comprising of Yvonne Goss, Louise Davey and William Fox-Grant.

Rutland Riding Club went to the British Riding Clubs Horse Trials Championships at Swalcliffe recently.

The team members, Gail Yeandle, Louise Cunnliffe, Karin Williamson and Sue Scott all jumped a double clear to finish a well deserved second in the team competition, and they were all placed individually too.

Most noteworthy of all: huge congratulations must be awarded to Richard Jones, whom is on the long list for the World Equestrian Games in Normandy in France this month.

Richard has had some great results recently on David and Jane Miles’ Highland Ford, including a sixth place at Tattersalls in May.

Equifest ran during August, also at the East of England Showground. Equifest has 900 classes and 3,000 on-site stables and has to be the biggest show I have ever seen.

There are a lot of championships and finals for the showing world held here, so people travel from all over the country to compete.

There was a small cloud shadowing over the event when a saboteur chopped off Samantha Perkins poor Betsy’s forelock, which caused a massive social media outcry.

All was well the next day, when Betsy held her head high and continued on in the show ring for an eventual fourth place.

There are also big showjumping classes, and Mark Williams from Oakham took advantage of the short drive and won the 1.30 open with Dawn Ross’s Extensa G. Mark has been having an amazing season on Extensa, as he was also fourth at Hickstead two weeks before at the Winter B&C Championships.

Also, don’t forget to support your local riders this month with Stamford based Kerry Varley and Oakham based Simon Grieve both competing at Burghley. Good luck!

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02/09/2014 11:33

Roundup

Football

Flying start for the Daniels

GEOFF ATTON

S

tamford AFC have come flying out of the blocks this season, winning all three of their games in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

First up was an excellent second half rescue job in their opening league game against Workington, played at Kettering Road. Nearly 300 watched at the Vic Couzens Stadium as Ryan Robbins pulled two back in four minutes in the second half to grab a 2-1 win, after Kyle May had given the visiting side the lead.

In the second game of the season, history repeated itself when the Daniels travelled to Matlock Town and duly went behind to a penalty in only the third minute of the game.

The score stayed like that until the second half when Robbins, who had missed a number of weeks of pre-season through holiday, came off the bench again and headed home in the 61st minute.

Then, to complete the super-sub act, 10 minutes later he earned Stamford a penalty and dutifully smashed it into the back of the net.

Things got even better in the third match when Daniels travelled to Nantwich, and steamrollered them. Jon Challinor, Cameron Powell and Ryan Robbins all found the net for a superb 3-0 away win which saw Stamford maintain their 100% start to the season, putting them level on top with King’s Lynn, but ahead on goal difference.

With Robbins on fire, new signings looking good and the new ground at Ryhall

Road taking very impressive shape, the Daniels are flying high at the moment.

In the ChromaSport & Trophies Peterborough & District Football League, Oakham are looking just as strong, with four wins out of four, while Ketton have lost just

Above

The Daniels have won all three league games so far this season

once in four in the First Division. Ryhall are not far behind them with a 50% record from their first four games.

English & Continental cheeses, Continental Meats Breads & Pastries, Takeaway Rolls & Salads Homemade soups, Oil & Vinegars Picnics & Pack Lunches available for pre-order Informal seating inside

Printers Yard

Uppingham Behind Loros bookshop

Telephone: 01572 495015 8 2 SE P T E M BE R 2014 ///

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23/08/2014 19:10

THE NEW PEUGEOT 108 experience it first

book your test drive now Meet the small car that’s big on choice. Hatchback or TOP! Cabrio with a retractable fabric roof, three or five door options, seven standout personalisation themes and loads of in-car entertainment choices‌there are plenty of ways to make your car match your style.

Contact us now on 01476 590700 to book your test drive.

HiNDMARCH & CO (GRANTHAM)

Tollemarche Road South, Spittlegate Level, Grantham, Linconshire, NG31 7UH. 01476 590700 www.hindmarch-grantham.co.uk Official Fuel Consumption in MPG (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the 108 range are: Urban 52.3 - 62.8 (5.4 - 4.5), Extra Urban 74.3 - 83.1 (3.8 - 3.4), Combined 65.7 - 74.3 (4.3 - 4.1) and CO2 99 - 88 (g/km).

MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions. Models shown 108 TOP! Allure PureTech 1.2 VTi 3 door with tattoo personalisation theme and purple berry fabric roof and 108 Hatchback Allure PureTech 1.2 VTi 5 door with barcode personalisation theme.

Open Days • October 2014 Saturday 4th October Stamford High School (Girls 11-18) 10am-2pm at Stamford High School, St Martin’s, Stamford PE9 2LL

Saturday 4th October Stamford School (Boys 11-18)

10am-2pm at Stamford School, St Paul’s Street, Stamford PE9 2BQ

Saturday 11th October Stamford Junior School & Stamford Nursery School

(Girls & Boys 2-11) 10am-2pm at Stamford Junior School, Kettering Road, Stamford PE9 2LR

Wednesday 15th October Sixth Form (Girls & Boys 16-18)

6pm-9pm at Stamford High School, St Martin’s, Stamford PE9 2LL

Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision.

We invite you to attend one of our Open Days to talk to our pupils and staff about life at the Stamford Endowed Schools.

For more information please call 01780 750311, email ses@ses.lincs.sch.uk or visit www.ses.lincs.sch.uk STAMFORD ENDOWE - No Order 374562 - 552389.indd 1

8/19/2014 9:37:41 AM