Active Magazine // South Leicestershire // August 2016

Editor’s Letter

I WAS INVITED RECENTLY BY MITSUBISHI TO go skiing at the Snozone in Milton Keynes with Eddie

‘The Eagle’ Edwards, who is one of the firm’s brand ambassadors. He spent hours skiing with kids, having his picture taken and generally being as chatty, interesting and as nice a chap as you could wish to meet. The story of him making the 1988 Winter Olympics is fascinating. Edwards was – still is, in fact – a fabulously talented skier who, had he gone to the right school and not been a plasterer’s son from Gloucestershire, might well have been competing in the downhill event at those Olympics. Shunned by the establishment, he took up ski jumping as a way to get to Calgary.

The image of him as bumbling is far from reality. He is a driven chap who sacrificed everything, living on a pittance, often sleeping in sheds and vans in the Alps in mid-winter, and borrowing kit from other competitors, to fulfil his Olympic dream.

After making a huge impact at the games, mainly by just surviving, by the mid-1990s he was competing in America and jumping seriously competitive distances. But the snobs running the British Olympic team kept moving the goalposts to exclude him.

Eddie Edwards is the epitome of the Olympic ideal. He committed everything he had to reach the goal of competing there, and while he was never going to win, the sheer will, stubbornness, bravery and talent required to do what he did should be lauded.

When I watched England’s footballers pathetically crumbling under the pressure at the Euros, or read about the appalling levels of statesponsored cheating in athletics that the Russian authorities manufactured, all I can think about is the way they are everything that Edwards is not: sport should be about the challenge; about accepting it, embracing it and fighting for it. About giving everything you have, about absorbing the pressure and thriving off it, about knowing that you did everything humanly possible to succeed, without cheating or excuses.

I think a lot of pampered modern sportsmen and women could learn a lot from a man like Eddie.

Enjoy the issue! Steve

Publisher Chris Meadows chris@theactivemag.com

Editor Steve Moody steve@theactivemag.com

Deputy editor Mary Bremner mary@theactivemag.com

Production editor Julian Kirk julian@theactivemag.com

Art editor Mark Sommer mark@theactivemag.com

Contributors

Martin Johnson, William Hetherington, Jeremy Beswick, Julia Dungworth

Photographers

Nico Morgan, Pip Warters

Production assistant Gary Curtis

Advertising sales Lisa Withers lisa@theactivemag.com

Sarah Stillman sarah@theactivemag.com Amy Roberts amy@theactivemag.com

Editorial and Advertising Assistant Kate Maxim kate@theactivemag.com

Accounts accounts@theactivemag.com

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Disclaimer

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

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ACTIVE LIFE

10-11 HOW TO...

Build a sandcastle, make Eton Mess and mix sangria

12 NATURE

The seasonal delights on offer outdoors

14-15 HEALTHY EATING

Another tasty recipe from Riverford Organic

19 DAY IN THE LIFE OF...

Susanna Singlehurst of the Red Cross

23 WHAT’S ON

Great things to do locally for all the family

FEATURES

26-31 GAME, SET, MATCH...

We visit Market Harborough Lawn Tennis Club

36-43 EXTREME ACTIVITY

Our guide to the best blood-pumping events to try

ACTIVE BODY

46-47 OFF-SEASON ACTIVITY

Tips on keeping yourself fit when the season’s over

50 NUTRITION ADVICE

More from our nutritionist on eating healthily

54-55 THE FINISHING TOUCHES

Tips and products to help you look great

REGULARS

31 KIT BAG

Essential gear for a great camping trip

35 MARTIN JOHNSON COLUMN

The Sunday Times writer on Britain’s greatest sportsman

57 SPORTSMAN’S DINNER

We try out The Holiday Inn at Corby

58-59 WILL’S WALKS

We head out to Braybrooke and Great Oxendon

61 SCHOOL SPORT

Our focus on the latest achievements from local pupils

62-66 ROUND-UP

How clubs in the area are faring

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Active life

AUGUST MEANS SUN (HOPEFULLY) AND SUMMER HOLIDAYS. THIS MONTH IT’S ALL ABOUT SANDCASTLES AND SANGRIA AS WELL AS DAISIES AND DAYS OUT. TOPPED OFF WITH A DELICIOUS SEASONAL RECIPE USING COURGETTES

Edited by Mary Bremner

HOW TO…

BUILD THE PERFECT SANDCASTLE

Budding architects, whatever their age, can take to the beach this summer to construct a creative masterpiece. Just remember it only lasts as long as the tide is out but it’s fascinating watching it being washed away, speculating which bit will fall first.

To create your own masterpiece, wait until the tide is on the wane and then dig a ditch where the waves have made the sand wet. Use your hands to build the mass of the castle. Now it needs turrets – flatten the top and fill a bucket with damp sand, pat it on the top to make it flat and then quickly turn it over placing it on the level surface. Gently

ease the bucket off and admire your handiwork. Repeat as many times as you like, or have space on the flattened mound for. Place a flag on the top and stand back and admire.

Make an entrance in the ditch for the sea to enter. The best bit is when the sea enters the moat and surrounds the castle. If you’re lucky, and you’ve sited the castle well, you might have 10 minutes before the sea destroys it. If you can’t bear to see this happen, walk away without looking back. You can always build another one tomorrow…

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HOW TO…

Make Eton Mess

Eton Mess is a crowd-pleasing dessert that is very simple to make. You can either use shop bought meringues or use up broken handmade ones.

Ingredients

500g strawberries

400ml double cream

3 meringue nests, crushed

A drizzle of strawberry liqueur

Chop the strawberries, keeping four whole for decoration. Whip the double cream into stiff peaks and fold in the crushed meringue and then the strawberries. Spoon equal amounts into four wine glasses. Drizzle with the strawberry liqueur and place a whole strawberry on top for garnish. So simple and so delicious!

HOW TO…

Make sangria

We’ve all had it in Spain and it brings back memories of sunny days and warm evenings - weather we’ve been lucky enough to experience at home recently. Some people use lemonade to make sangria but I think it makes it too sweet so have used orange juice instead.

Ingredients

½ apple, unpeeled, cored and chopped into small pieces ½ orange, sliced with rind on, pips removed

½ tbsp brown sugar

180ml orange juice

80ml brandy

1 bottle dry, fruity Spanish red wine

Ice

Add the fruit and sugar to a large jug and stir. Add the orange juice and brandy, stir. Add the red wine, stir, then taste. You can add more sugar, orange juice or brandy depending on if you want it sweeter, weaker or stronger. Add the ice and stir again to chill. Head to the garden, don your sunhat and pretend you’re in Spain.

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NATURE DAISIES

Daisies are probably the best known lawn weed and, at this time of year, can be spotted in just about every piece of grass you look at. It’s the time to sit down and make daisy chains, something which every child should learn to do. Daisies have long been associated with purity and innocence, hence young women wearing daisy rings on their heads. The daisy is actually two flowers in one, the white petals count as one with the yellow disc petals that form the eye being the other. They open and close with the sun and are found everywhere on Earth apart from Antarctica. Daisies

THE SPARROWHAWK

Sightings of sparrowhawks are often brief as they speed low along a hedge or across a garden while in hunting mode. When seen perched, which they will do while

waiting for prey, the yellow legs and feet offset the greyish brown plumage of the female with long barred tail, or the slate-grey upper parts of the smaller male.

Sparrowhawks feed mainly on birds, ranging in size from blue tits to woodpigeons. Prey may be plucked on lawns, leaving a mass of feathers (it’s not always the local moggy!) or at special plucking posts in woodland.

Sparrowhawks are well distributed locally. They often visit gardens, attracted by small birds at feeders, nesting in villages and towns. In the wider countryside they breed in woodland, favouring conifers for the nest site. Broods of four or five noisy young leave the nest in July and August, when newly-fledged songbirds provide easy meals.

Displaying birds, soaring over nesting woods from February into May, offer the best opportunities to see sparrowhawks, when the size difference between the sexes is obvious. In direct flight the ‘flap-flapglide’ of the bird on broad rounded wings is a good fieldmark. Terry Mitcham

Rabbits

Rabbits are one of Britain’s most familiar wild mammals and can often be seen in broad daylight in towns as well as the countryside.

Despite their large population they are not native to Britain but were introduced from France about 900 years ago.

Many escaped and thrived and the term ‘breed like rabbits’ is testament to this. They breed between January and late September and the females can have up to seven litters each.

Rabbits live in colonies, so you will see many out grazing at a time. One rabbit will always be on guard. If danger approaches it will stamp its feet and the whole colony will bolt down their burrows. You can tell a rabbit apart from a hare as they are usually smaller and have shorter ears and back legs.

COURGETTE AND CHICK PEA CURRY

INGREDIENTS

1 onion

½ tsp black mustard seeds

½ tsp ground cumin

½ tsp ground coriander

¼ tsp turmeric

1 tbsp tomato puree

1 chilli

Piece of fresh ginger

1 large garlic clove

1 vegetable stock cube

200ml coconut milk

1 cinnamon stick

200g basmati rice

1 tin of chick peas

2 courgettes

2 tomatoes

30g fresh coriander

1 pot yoghurt

Oil for frying

METHOD

● Put a large saucepan of salted water on to boil. While the water is heating, peel and finely chop the onion.

● In another large pan heat 2 tbsp of oil and add the onion (1). Fry on a very low heat for 10 minutes until soft and translucent. While the onion is cooking wash the coriander leaves and put to one side.

● Cut the chilli in half lengthways, de-seed and finely chop.

● Peel and grate the ginger. Crush the garlic clove.

● Add the mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, chilli, ginger, garlic and tomato puree to the onions, fry for two minutes.

● Add half the stock cube, coconut milk, 200ml of water and the cinnamon stick. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

● Rinse the rice well in a sieve, drain and add to the pan of boiling water. Cook for about 15 minutes.

● While the rice is cooking rinse the chick peas and leave to drain. Cut the courgettes in half lengthways, then into half moon shapes, 2cm thick. Cut the tomatoes into wedges and roughly chop the coriander (2).

● Add the chick peas, courgettes and tomatoes to the onion mix (3). Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes until the courgettes are tender.

● Check the rice is cooked, remove the cinnamon stick from the curry, stir in the coriander and check the seasoning. Serve the curry with the rice and a dollop of yoghurt.

Tip: To easily peel ginger use a teaspoon to scrape off the skin.

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PIROUETTES AND PEDALS

The 7eventers are doing well and after three events they’ve already raised £8,000.

The raas-garba night of dancing was a huge success with 800 people from around the country joining in to mix traditional Indian culture with a fantastic night out with lots of colours and dancing. The team were delighted to have so many people from different cultures and

backgrounds joining in. Pictures can be seen on the 7events Facebook page.

Now it’s time for organiser Jit Chauhan to undertake his fund-raising event – the Prudential Ride 100 Surrey which involves riding 100 miles from London through the Surrey countryside. We’ll let you know how he got on next month. www.7eventers.org/donate

These boots are made for walking

Training is going well for brothers Nick and Simon Ralphs from Leicestershire, who are planning a 100km trek across the searing heat of the Sahara Desert to raise funds for a multiple sclerosis charity.

They are both running 5km a day and have started interval training to up their heart rates and increase stamina. They are using an app called Running for Weight Loss. This takes them through a six-week routine of 45-minute sessions where they run for three minutes, sprint for 30 seconds, run for three minutes, and repeat. Fitbit.com has kindly donated exercise trackers.

Nick and Simon are also grateful to Adidas, which has donated some trekking boots. They have been told to wear them everywhere and that they should almost be ready to throw away when they start their trek.

Hopefully this means the boots will be so comfortable they won’t get blisters on the trek. To break the boots in they have introduced some long walks every other day.

To help with fund-raising Nick recently held an MS Society cake break in his garden. The children had great fun on a bouncy castle and £415 was raised in two hours.

Fund-raising is going well with £4,000 pledged so far. For more information, go to www.justgiving.com/brother-s-ralphs or donate via text BROS98 £5 or £10 to 70070.

SHOP OF THE MONTH… Amore Mio Café

A new café that focuses on healthy eating has recently opened on Adam and Eve Street in Market Harborough.

Family run Amore Mio Café specialises in freshly prepared dishes, cakes, juices and smoothies. They also offer a choice of gluten free, vegan and raw food. The café is the fulfilment of a dream for owner Naiane Serafin and her partner Suleyman Kaya who discovered healthy eating when Naiane suffered from gall bladder stones and decided to try a natural solution rather than undergo surgery.

Half-Brazilian and half-Italian, Naiane has been in the UK since 2004 and has always had a passion for food which she is now sharing with the residents of Market Harborough.

27th September to 2nd October 2017

This will be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of your life, join us and be part of this truly magnificent journey. TREK THE ICONIC MOUNT KILIMANJARO

Towering over the sandy plains of Tanzania stands Mount Kilimanjaro – the world’s tallest free standing mountain. This breath-taking trek will guide you up the tranquil Machane route where you will trek through deep forest, home to spectacular wildlife, stretching up to moorland and onwards towards glaciers before reaching the Uhuru peak.

For an information pack and full details of the schedule and costings please contact Paul Marlow Lakelands Hospice fundraising manager on 01536-747755 or paulmarlow@lakelandsdaycarehospice.org.uk

The Red Lion is a friendly dynamic free house that prides itself on offering something a bit different and, we think, rather special. Our team of chefs pride themselves in freshly prepared, locally sourced seasonal food delivered with warm friendly service.

OPENING TIMES

Open seven days a week 12 noon – 11pm Food is served from Tues – Sat 12-2.30pm & 6.30-9.30pm Sunday 12-4pm

All of our bread, ice cream and desserts are homemade and we are constantly striving for new and exciting dishes whilst ensuring that we never forget the Red Lion Classics that are so popular with our customers. With specially selected beers, wines and champagne, The Red Lion is the perfect venue for a quick drink or a great night out.

and

A day in the life of SUSANNA SINGLEHURST

RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL FAMILY TRACING CO-ORDINATOR

Iam the service co-ordinator for the British Red Cross International Family Tracing Service, based in Leicester. This is the point of contact for anyone in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and Rutland who wishes to trace family members they have lost contact with as a result of war, armed conflict, natural disaster or migration.

People tend to think of the Red Cross in terms of medical aid in war zones, or food parcels for victims of natural disasters, but the services we offer are much wider. One of the earliest services the Red Cross offered was tracing and messaging. Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman and founder of the organisation, witnessed first-hand the distress of dying and wounded soldiers immediately after the battle of Solferino in 1859. He rounded up local volunteers to administer first aid, regardless of which side they belonged to. These soldiers asked him to pass information, letters and photos on to their loved ones – this was the beginning of the Tracing and Messaging Service. 157 years later we continue to provide this vital link for separated families: if all other means of communication have been attempted and have failed, the Red Cross can step in.

The service is free and operates in 187 countries. Many of the people who seek our help are refugees from Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iraq, Somalia and other conflict areas. Even in the era of mobile phones and social networking, contact is easily lost when people have to flee their homes suddenly. This situation is exacerbated by having to cross borders.

I meet people of all ages and nationalities, and some of these are children who have become separated from their families. We use interpreters where necessary – it’s important that the enquirer understands how the system works and that expectations are managed realistically. Basic information is required including names and ages of family members, last known addresses and when and how contact was lost. Obtaining details of remote villages in Afghanistan or Iraq is not always easy. We look at maps and discuss landmarks and distances from larger towns. A hand-drawn map is often useful. We also have to know that there is a Red Cross or Red Crescent society (or ICRC delegation) operating in that country –and one that has the capacity to trace.

I pass on news in person, whether good or bad

The completed country specific form is sent from my area to the British Red Cross head office in London and from here it goes, via

‘Seven per cent of our caseload still relates to relatives missing during the Second World War’

Geneva, to the national society in the relevant country. It can be a slow process – months, sometimes even years. The case will stay open until all appropriate sources of information have been tried. News comes back to the enquirer through the same chain – I then pass it on in person, whether the news is good or bad.

In the past six months we have had five successful traces, including a Sri Lankan man reunited with his wife and young son after a five-year separation. Also a son located in a school in Kampala and thrilled to be back in touch with his British father living in the UK. And a mother and son, originally from Uzbekistan, re-united in England.

Seven per cent of our caseload still relates to relatives missing during the Second World War. One case is coming together – a Latvian family, separated by the Nazis, communicating for the first time with hitherto unknown relatives in Australia and America.

Some people take years before they feel they can approach us as it can be upsetting to re-live these memories, but some find comfort in concrete knowledge after years of speculation.

Every case is a human story and the job is both challenging and rewarding. I work with a team of fantastic volunteers who bring all kinds of talents – languages, map reading, administration skills – but above all enthusiasm for what we do!

Fast approaching is The Day of the Disappeared, an annual event that takes place on August 30. On this day we acknowledge people of all nationalities who live with the uncertainty and heartache of missing family members.

The British Red Cross International Family Tracing service can be contacted via www.redcross. org.uk/trace or locally by emailing ssinglehurst@ redcross.org.uk, telephone 0116 271 0359.

Life expectancy is increasing all the time. Over the last 30 years (1982 to 2012) life expectancy has increased by around eight years for males and six years for females to 79.0 years for males and 82.7 years respectively (Office of National Statistics December 2013). This means that someone retiring now will need to have accumulated a fund far greater than someone retiring in 1982 to generate the same income.

I believe in adopting an individual approach to help you make the best decisions for your retirement fund – decisions that are right for you now and in the future. I specialise in guiding people through the decision making process, so that they can make an informed choice. The golden rule is to find out exactly how much you are going to need in retirement – and to start planning for it now.

For further information, or to request your no obligation review to retirement planning, contact:

MATTHEW BOYCE Associate Partner

A SPLASHINGLY GOOD TIME

The sun is out so it’s time to head to Aqua Park, the UK’s largest aquaglide inflatable aqua park at Whitwell on Rutland Water.

It doesn’t really matter what the weather’s like as you will be able to hire a wetsuit and have fun

traversing the obstacles, balance beams, climbing walls, trampolines and blast bags. Tickets cost £15 for 55 minutes and it’s only available for eight weeks, so make sure you get there before September 4. www.aquaparkrutland.co.uk

The Fenland Country Fair, now in its 36th year, is taking place on August 27-29 at Stow Cum Quy on the outskirts of Cambridge. A lovely traditional country fair, you can have a go at clay shooting, speak to wildfowlers and gundog experts, and enjoy traditional crafts as well as lots of stands to browse around. www.fenlandfairs.com

Bold and Blue

Hope Against Cancer, Leicestershire and Rutland’s cancer research charity, is holding its Bold and Blue annual fund-raising and awareness days from September 3-9. During this week it is encouraging local businesses, shops and pubs to plan events to raise funds. Last year during this week £8,000 was raised and the charity hopes to raise £50,000 throughout the whole of this year. In 2012 the charity established and opened a dedicated clinical trials unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary. To find out more and to organise a fund-raising event, contact Bill Stillman 01572 868314 or visit www. hopeagainstcancer.org.uk.

Tour de Leicestershire

The Open Hands Tour de Leicestershire takes place in September. It’s a 78-mile sportive around Leicester on the country roads, stopping at a farm for lunch. Ably supported by some cycling mad teachers from the Bosworth Academy in Desford, 200 riders normally take part with funds going to the Open Hands charity in Leicester. To find out more visit www.openhandsleicester. org.uk

WHAT’S ON

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

■ Deene Park, just outside Corby, is a house steeped in history and full of treasures. Home to the Brudenell family since the 15th Century, one of their ancestors, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, led the Charge of the Light Brigade. The house is open every Sunday of this month and Bank Holiday Monday. www.deenepark.com

■ Lutterworth Rotary Club will be running its fifth Big Bike Ride on Sunday, August 14. The event starts and finishes at Misterton Hall and there will be four routes ranging from 11 to 62 miles. Last year 400 cyclists joined in, 100 of them doing the 62-mile route. Hopefully more will join in this year and enjoy cycling through the picturesque countryside of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. www.lutterworthrotary.org

■ The Abbey Amble on Sunday, August 28, is the way Launde Abbey plans to raise funds for local schools, churches, charity groups and its retreat house. There will be three walks, covering five, 10 or 15 miles. Dogs and children are more than welcome and there are plenty of refreshment stops along the way. Email Suzanne@launde.org.uk or telephone 01572 717254

■ Brocks Hill Country Park at Oadby has plenty going on this summer, including lots of

activities for the summer holidays. The park is alive with wildlife and wildflowers so do go and have a look. There are open air productions in the Jubilee Amphitheatre so take your picnic and enjoy the entertainment. There is a Picnic in the Park on Saturday, August 20, featuring live jazz and Alice in Wonderland is being performed on Saturday, September 10. visit www.brocks-hill.co.uk

■ The Attenborough Arts Centre

is hosting a floral floraganza this summer. Many artists will be exhibiting and there will be free family workshops every Saturday until December focusing on art and nature. www.attenborougharts.com

■ Have you got an event coming up this summer that you need printed T-shirts for, or need new team kit or names embroidered? If so, visit local family run company Cool Cats Clothing. www.coolcatsclothing.co.uk

EVERYONE FOR TENNIS?

Tennis is not the elitist sport that many perceive it to be, as Jeremy Beswick discovers when he visits Market Harborough Lawn Tennis Club

THE NUMBERS OF US PLAYING TENNIS, either on public courts or at clubs, always spikes after Wimbledon fortnight and this year the growth in participation is set to be especially high after Andy Murray recorded his second championship victory.

If you’ve been inspired by his heroics to dust off that old racket in the attic, or just because you enjoyed watching the coverage from SW19, then you’ll be pleased to hear there are plenty of local clubs to choose from with more than 30 of them thriving right here in Leicestershire.

These days it’s an inclusive sport, doing all it can to shed the image of being ‘posh’, so I can promise you that no-one need hesitate about getting in touch with their nearest club. Where exactly that elitist image came from is difficult to say, but it’s certainly not true anymore.

Murray himself wasn’t exactly born with a silver spoon in his mouth – his dad worked in a newsagents. Novak

Djokovic’s parents ran a fast-food restaurant in Serbia and even Fred Perry – famously the last Brit to win Wimbledon before Murray back in the 1930s – had a father who was a cotton spinner from Stockport.

The Lawn Tennis Association itself sees its purpose in life as simply ‘to get more people playing more tennis more often’.

I’ve visited several local clubs over the past few months and they would all, without exception, echo those words wholeheartedly. None more so than Market Harborough Lawn Tennis Club, which is typical of them – an informal friendly group in a pretty rural setting in Great Bowden with a lively social side.

I went down there one evening to hang out for a while and meet treasurer Bob Holland, who knows the club well having been a member since 2000. He said: “It’s all about mixing in.” Chair and ladies captain Lesley Paris agreed:

‘It’s very satisfying exercise with like-minded people. You forget all your troubles when you’re out on court’

“As soon as a newcomer walks through the front door they’ll realise we’re a friendly bunch,” and new members’ liaison officer Stella Traynor chipped in with: “The more the merrier.”

They welcome returning players, who might have played at school or in younger years, as ‘rusty rackets’ and every Tuesday evening is an open door night for anyone who wants to come along (for free to start with).

“We never say just give us your money,” joked Paris. “Just rock up a couple of times first to see if you like it and then take it from there. We try to be as accommodating as possible and offer reduced membership for the first year.”

They also have family packages and are keen to attract as many children as possible.

“It’s much easier to learn a sport as a child and a great way to get teenagers physically active,” said Holland. There is qualified coaching available from a team of six, headed up by Gordon Amos who is level three qualified to

make sure the young ones – and the not so young ones – can maximise their abilities and get as much out of their tennis as possible, with built-in progression as they move through different classes.

It’s testimony to the quality of the coaching that around half a dozen junior county champions have learned their sport here and you’ll find many parents partnering their children on the courts at doubles.

The same day of the week as Harborough’s open door night is also when the LTA’s latest national initiative to get people playing happens – for obvious reasons it’s called Tennis Tuesdays.

Billed as ‘social tennis, serious fun’, each week’s session focuses on a different area of the game and enables players to improve their ability with a mixture of skills training from professional coaches and match play with members of a similar standard.

Just enter your postcode on the Tennis Tuesdays or play sections of the LTA’s website (www.lta.org.uk) to find the clubs nearest to you.

Tennis does have a lot to offer – it’s often been called the ‘sport for a lifetime’ as it’s played by all ages and it is one of the best ways of getting active that exists. Several academic studies show that it beats many other sports as a way to both physical and mental fitness, as well as being great fun.

“Everyone gets something different out of tennis,” Bob Holland told me. “It’s a great sport for both physical and

Monday 29th August, 10 – 4pm

Sample Classes

Fun & Games

Refreshments

Offers available throughout the day

For more information contact reception or visit our website. 01572 820830 ussc@uppingham.co.uk www.sportscentre.uppingham.co.uk

mental well-being,” added Stella Traynor. “It’s very satisfying exercising with like-minded people. You forget all your troubles when you’re out on the court.”

You’ll find every sort of player at Market Harborough, and most other clubs, too. Toddlers to 80-year olds, competitive and social players and, if you should end up being quite good, they run six teams in the Leicestershire League. If that’s not your aspiration, just enjoy the game and immerse yourself in the social side, although you will have to take your turn with everyone else at cooking on the barbecue each Thursday.

Like every tennis club I’ve been to it’s a pleasant place to spend a couple of hours and a great way to socialise. For some it’s almost a way of life – Janice Glover has been a member for 50 years and can remember her mother having to pick the gravel out of her knees from the old grit courts – now long gone of course.

Whichever your local club is you’ll be welcomed with open arms and meet new friends – and another benefit of joining is that any club which is affiliated to the LTA (and nearly all are) will get quite a generous helping of tickets to Wimbledon to share around their members, so you might even find yourself on centre court when, of course, Andy Murray wins it again next year.

And, following the spike of new players that repeats itself in 2017, you’ll find yourself welcoming the next tranche of new members to what will be, by then, your own tennis club.

www.harboroughtennis.co.uk

Above Floodlit courts mean play doesn’t halt when the light is poor; and refreshments are just a stone’s throw away a er the match

Summer fun for 2016 at Uppingham

With more than 30 different courses and camps for children and adults in the summer holidays, there really is something for everyone!

Art, Music, Drama, Technology, Science, Creative Writing, Nature, History, Baking, Sport…

Residential options are offered on all courses held in the summer. Subsidised places are available on a number of courses courtesy of the Windmill House Trust.

For further information or to book: www.uppinghamsummerschool.co.uk summerschool@uppingham.co.uk 01572 820800 Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

KITBAG

GREAT GEAR FOR THE GREAT OUTDOORS

1. Airgo Cirrus 6 tent

This easily pitched, roomy tent can accommodate six campers and their gear with space to spare. Built using double skinned beams that are filled with air using the included stirrup pump, it provides a rigid pole-free frame in minutes.

Price £850 From gooutdoors.co.uk

2. Treo camping chair

Big chair comfort in an exceptionally small package, the Treo packs entirely into its own tripod base and can support up to 113kg (250 lb).

Price £67.96 From blackleaf.com

3. Mon Oncle barbecue

This classic tabletop option is just the ticket if you’re not too fussed about fancy features. The tiny holes allow air to flow, which boosts its power and prevents it from overheating. Ideal for beach feasts, terraces and picnics.

Price £298 From trouva.com

4. S’well water bottle

S’well has broken the mould offering a stylish bottle that is perfectly designed to keep your drinks hot or cold as well as simply looking stunning. From the small evening bag size to the medium day use size to the large table top size, S’well have a bottle and a look for every occasion.

Price £27.95 From homearama.co.uk

5. Ice Mule coolers

You’ll need to get hold of some ice, but once you have that on board you can keep 12 cans of beer or five bottles of wine cold for up to 24 hours in these leak-proof soft coolers.

Price £39.95 From coolboxesuk.com

6. Nemo Helio pressure shower

Unlike gravity fed camp showers that need to be hung overhead and produce dismal water pressure, the Helio Pressure Shower comes in a neatly nested kit that weighs less than a litre of water and provides 5 to 7 minutes of steady water pressure.

Price £105 From ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk

7. Rumpl blanket

An all-purpose indoor/outdoor waterproof throw blanket, made from the same stuff as high spec outdoor gear. Comes with a compression sack for easy storage.

Price £79.99 From newmen.co.uk

8. Scrubba washing machine

Clean your clothes anywhere, and in no time at all. Lightweight, compact and backpackingly easy to use, this will wash your clothes in no time.

Price £75.43 From thescrubba.com

9. Lightspeed UV beach tent

Big enough for two low-slung chairs and perfect for quick trips or when you want some shade and wind protection but don’t need a full-featured larger shelter.

Price £45 From theseasidecompany.co.uk

TRIP OF A LIFETIME

BGL employees visit the Mutaba Health Clinic in Zambia

EIGHTEEN BGL EMPLOYEES recently travelled to Zambia, visiting the Mutaba Health Clinic, funded by the BGL Group, and built by local people trained by Build It International.

Development of this facility was only made possible by the fund-raising efforts of employees who raised more than £51,000. As part of BGL’s commitment to making a difference in the communities it works with, an extra £169,000 was donated by the group bringing the grand total raised to £220,000.

Upon arrival in Zambia, the team travelled to the village of Kapiri, a community where only half of all births are attended by skilled medical practitioners and now home to the Mutaba Health Clinic. The newly-built clinic supports a growing population of 11,000, providing a specialised maternity unit with delivery and antenatal rooms, sanitation and waiting facilities.

The Mutaba Health Clinic diagnoses and treats the number one killer in Zambia – malaria. During the visit, the group witnessed first-hand the impact the clinic makes within the community, as they saw two individuals being treated back to full health, having contracted malaria.

Also during the trip, the team visited the Kabaka School, also funded by BGL two years ago, alongside charity partner Build It International. The group spent time with the children teaching them an array of things from reading and writing, dancing, rounders and playing football.

As well as the thousands who will benefit from the health clinic, 18 unemployed men and women were also trained in construction and now hold a nationally recognised qualification. They will be further supported by Build It International who will help to get them into construction work.

BGL employee Brett Mead said: “We had so much fun, and it really made us extremely excited for what was to come. It’s certainly a place made by the people. The Zambian people are full of beauty, hospitality, love and laughter, so we were all very excited to be working with them, and helping make this wonderful project something.

Sophie Cipriano added: “Before we waved goodbye to the clinic and everyone around it, the local painters, nicknamed ‘The Rastas’, made a BGL sign for us to all paint our names on. I think I can say on behalf of the group, we’ve absolutely loved our time helping out at the clinic and as we drove out of the gates I’m pretty sure some tears were shed.”

oldblackhorsehoughton@aol.co.uk

Annual

Is Andy Murray Britain’s greatest ever sportsman?

Martin Johnson ponders the Wimbledon champion’s standing

It has taken Andy Murray a long time to be able to add popularity to his list of achievements, largely because the British public’s love affair with Tim Henman required his successor to come across more as a clean cut goody two shoes than a hairy extra from Braveheart. Even now you find yourself wondering why Murray’s weekly shopping list doesn’t appear to involve either a comb or a shaving mirror, although on the plus side, if the poor lad ever finds himself down to his last couple of million he can always make a living scaring away crows from a farmer’s field.

His image isn’t much helped either by the BBC, which appears to believe that a match involving him should be 90% close-ups of his wife and mother shouting “C’mon!” and 10% Murray playing tennis. Only now, after his second Wimbledon triumph, has he managed to make the transition from surly Scot to national hero.

But more than that. Is there now an argument for Murray having become not just Britain’s greatest ever tennis player but Britain’s greatest ever sportsman? After all, he’s miles ahead of any other post-war British tennis player, making him unique in his field. But there’s quite a bit of competition in sports we are a – bit – better at.

Bobby Moore would command a good few votes amongst football fans, and not only because he was a jolly good player. Moore was a gentleman, which is not an attribute that can be attached to many footballers in this day and age, and an abiding memory of England’s only World Cup victory was of Moore, about to shake hands with the Queen, cleaning them on his shorts so as not to get any mud on Ma’am’s white gloves.

George Best had a slightly different way with mud – once throwing a handful at a referee and getting sent off for his troubles – but if the accolade of Britain’s best ever was confined solely to skill, it would be hard to vote for any other soccer player.

Best not only dribbled with both feet, he tackled better than most modern defenders and was also a brilliant header of the ball. Amazingly, he was finished as a top flight player by the age of 27, preferring the company of women, fast cars and alcohol to the training ground, and it’s hard to imagine what he’d fetch in today’s ludicrous transfer market.

Nick Faldo is a serious contender, although in the event of him winning a competition to unearth Britain’s greatest ever sportsman, you wouldn’t want to hang around for the victory speech. When Faldo was winning six major championships, his shot-making made

your purr, but when he was receiving the trophies for them, the oratory made your toes curl.

Motor racing has a few worthy challengers, not least Stirling Moss. Despite the fact that he never won a world championship, Moss became immortalised through speeding drivers being pulled over by the police and invited to wind down the window. “Hello, hello, hello, and who’d you think you are then? Stirling Moss?”

If not Moss, then Jackie Stewart, who not only drove his cars very fast and very successfully – winning three world championships –but also as a tireless campaigner for driver safety. Stewart drove in an era when getting too close to your fellow competitors was never a great idea, on the principle that no sooner had you got to like him than you’d be reading the eulogy at his funeral.

Nowadays, though, a driver can walk away unscathed from a car reduced to two wheels and a wing mirror, and Stewart’s knighthood was in recognition of the lives he helped saved, as well as the races he won.

Likewise, Ian Botham was knighted for services outside cricket, namely by walking countless thousand of miles to raise millions of pounds for leukaemia research. On top of which, of course, he remains one of the greatest all-rounders ever to play the game, and never were his powers more potent than facing the Australians.

Apart from being a deadly swing bowler, a destructive batsman and a brilliant slip fielder, his major weapon was a massive self belief. And even when he wasn’t on top of his game he intimidated opponents with his reputation, so much so that I once watched him decimate the Aussie top order with a spell of bowling that would have been taken apart in a primary school playground.

Also on the list of contenders would be yet another knight, Steve Redgrave, with five Olympic rowing medals, CB Fry, a kind of real life Wilson of the Wizard, Lester Piggott, Bobby Charlton and Martin Johnson.

The latter would probably get my own vote from that list, not least for once scoring four goals (three at the right end and one past his own keeper) in Leicestershire’s Charnwood Sunday Soccer League Division Six. Although if you wanted to vote for the other chap, for one or two modest achievements on the rugby field, I won’t hold it against you.

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

TAKEN TO EXTREMES

In need of an adrenaline rush? Here are some of the best ways to get a rush, both locally and overseas

SKYDIVING

Have you got what it takes to do a skydive? UK Parachuting near Peterborough offers both tandem jumps and the intensive Accelerated FreeFall (AFF) course, so whether it’s the quick sky-high thrill or the first steps on the way to be a qualified jumper you’re looking for, it’s all up for grabs.

This respected skydiving centre with its numerous highly trained instructors has been operating for many years out of Sibson and what makes it unique is the height.

Thanks to the unrestricted skies over Peterborough, the club benefits from unlimited altitude, which in turn means you will be jumping from a whopping 13,000ft – about two miles above the Earth. No wonder around 10,000 jumps are logged from the 250 or so club members each year…

Once you’ve lapped up those 40-50 seconds of freefalling over the Peterborough countryside with the wind rushing at you, you’ll feel like you’ve walked on the sky. As soon as you can actually talk again, you’ll be uttering things like ‘best thing ever’ and ‘can I do it again?’.

Email: office@ukparachuting.co.uk

www.skydivesibson.co.uk

Tel: 01832 280490

HIGH SPEED OFF-ROADING

Can-Am off-roaders are remarkable machines. No plugging along in mud slowly for them –instead they blast at high speed, their longtravel suspension soaking up the bumps while go-kart like steering turns tracks and gravel into a race-circuit.

The beauty of the Maverick performance side-by-sides is that you can share the

acceleration with a friend or the family, and there’s a Maverick for almost every terrain out there: sand dunes, desert, tight wooded trail or deep mud.

When you test ride one, bring a friend along to get the full effect.

Available at 158 Performance www.158performance.co.uk Tel: 01778 341144

TREE CLIMBING

Scale the heights with Deep Root Tall Trees climbing workshops. As part of DRTT’s new project ‘Our Woods’ it is offering two workshops in tree climbing.

In ‘Beginners Climbing Trees for Grown-ups’ on Saturday, October 8, from 10.30am-12.30pm,

artist Anthony Schrag will help you scale new heights and escape into the simple pleasure of exploring just about the only place the modern town-dweller can find solitude these days - up a tree.

In his follow up workshop ‘Confident Tree Climbing for Grown-ups’ (2pm-4pm), Anthony will help you perfect your tree climbing technique to scale even further heights enabling you to enjoy the magic and mystery of Corby’s leafy canopies, where you can discover a moment of solitude.

No experience is necessary, though a head for heights is essential.

To find out more information about any of the events in Our Woods or to book a place, go to www.deeprootstalltrees.org

COURTESY

NEW ABARTH 595. PERFORMANCE REDEFINED.

THE REDEFINITION OF PERFORMANCE BY ABARTH IS HERE: THE NEW 595 RANGE. WITH THREE LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE FROM 145 HP TO 180 HP, A CAR THAT REALLY COMES ALIVE WHEN YOU'RE BEHIND THE WHEEL. DISCOVER THE NEW ABARTH 595 RANGE AT ROCKINGHAM CARS.

CARS , COCKERELL ROAD, CORBY, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NN17 5DU.

Official fuel consumption figures for the Abarth range mpg (l/100km): Combined 45.6 (6.2) – 48.7 (5.8), Urban 34.4 (8.2) – 37.2 (7.6), Extra urban 55.4 (5.1) – 60.1 (4.7), CO2 Emissions: 145 – 134 g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance with EC directives/regulations and may not be representative of real-life driving conditions. Factors such as driving style, weather and road conditions may also have a significant effect on fuel consumption. Abarth UK is a trading style of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK Ltd. The New Abarth 595 range starts from £15,090 OTR. Model shown is an Abarth 595 Competizione Series 4 at £20,640 OTR with Modena Yellow Pastel Paint at £350.

EXPERIENCE VIKING BATTLE

The Vikings of Middle England are set to return to Rockingham Castle this August Bank Holiday to recreate their famous and realistic displays. Enjoy the thrill of a live battle complete with crashing swords and authentic costumes.

The castle will come alive with battles, horses, pageantry and a living history village providing an immersive and educational environment for all the family to enjoy. Experience the sights, smells and sounds of a Viking encampment, set against the thrilling background of a battle.

Step back in time whilst meandering around the village, watching craftsmen making weapons and coins, weaving nets and the healer brewing medicines for all those gory battlefield injuries.

Experienced bowmen will be on hand to teach their skills, preparing all members of the family to hold their own in a Viking invasion. Against all this excitement, a quiet moment can be enjoyed listening to the storyteller weave fascinating tales to spark the imagination.

The castle will also be open to observe the splendid collection of paintings and armour. Built by William the Conqueror 900 years ago, the castle has been the home of the Watson family since 1530. Standing in 12 acres of glorious gardens and boasting a licensed restaurant and tearoom and a gift shop, this is a day out for all the family to enjoy. The event is open from noon-5pm.

FRESHWATER CAVE DIVING

If the thought of potholing fills you with dread, then cave diving really isn’t going to be your cup of tea. Descending into a hole in the Earth to explore a submerged cave system is only for those with no fear of drowning or small, dark, confined spaces.

There are plenty of diving clubs in Leicestershire and Rutland. They’re a good place to start – probably in a swimming pool with quick and easy access to the surface. The holes can come later.

For the extreme experience

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has the world’s largest concentration of sinkholes.

HELISKIING OR BOARDING

There’s a lot to be said for grabbing a helicopter (should you have the funds) and flying away from the crowded pistes to the tops of the mountains to be alone with spectacular views and pristine snow. Unfortunately, it’s getting harder to do in many European countries due to strict regulations.

For the extreme experience

Helisiiking is popular in North America and New Zealand. Alaska’s Chugach Mountains boast some of the world’s deepest, softest powder.

BUNGEE JUMPING

Inspired by the ritualistic land divers of Vanuatu, the modern sport of diving off a ledge while attached to a safety cord was popularised by Kiwi entrepreneur AJ Hackett. The UK’s highest bungee jumps are at Bray Lake, not far from Windsor and at Tatton Park near Knutsford. The 300ft bungee jump happens on selective dates throughout the year and is the highest regular jump you will find anywhere in the UK.

For the extreme experience

The futuristic Macau Tower holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s highest commercial bungee jump at a terrifying 699 feet. During the five-second freefall you can reach speeds of 140mph, while for the ultimate rush you can even take the plunge at night.

KITE SURFING

A fusion of wakeboarding, surfing, windsurfing, paragliding and gymnastics, kiteboarders use what’s known as a power kite to propel themselves across the ocean while standing on a specially designed board. Camber Sands in Sussex and Daymer Bay in Cornwall are good places to start with average sized waves and consistent winds.

For the extreme experience

Kailua Beach on O’ahu, Hawaii, and El Gouna in Egypt will have you speeding over the ocean, with plenty of big waves to launch you airborne.

WHITE WATER RAFTING

White water rafters navigate rapids graded from one to five (anything higher is considered unraftable) in an inflatable boat. Nene Whitewater Centre near Northampton and the National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham, will provide the thrills and spills, if not the views.

For the extreme experience

Some of the world’s most scenic grade five rapids are found in the Zambezi River (near Livingstone, Zambia), the Suarez River (near San Gil, Colombia) and Nepal’s Sun Kosi River.

FLYBOARDING

Frenchman Franky Zapata invented a new sport in 2011 called flyboard, a water-powered jetpack that turns the wearer into a kind of water-bound superhero, firing them several metres skywards out of sea. 158 Performance in Lincolnshire

brought the sport to the UK, and you can try it at nearby Tattershall Lakes.

For the extreme experience

You can go anywhere in the world and experience Flyboarding, but its spiritual home is France. So soaring above of the turquoise waters of the Cote D’Azur seems apt.

ICE CLIMBING

Ice climbing is the new challenge for the vertigo-unhindered, using pickaxe and crampons to scale ice walls that would make the White Walkers of Game of Thrones think twice.

The climbing wall at Rutland Water will give you an indication of whether any sort of climbing is for you. Perhaps do it it winter to give your fingers an idea of what to expect.

For the extreme experience

Norway has a yearly ice climbing festival in Rjukan, where there are more than 150 frozen waterfalls and scores more artificially created structures to tackle.

CLIFF DIVING

Among the world’s most dangerous adrenaline sports, cliff diving sees athletes tumble, somersault and twist from insane heights of over 25m.

For the extreme experience

One of the more nerve-jangling challenges can be found at the Blue Lagoon in Wales. This stop on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series requires divers to launch themselves from a narrow platform into the rocky cove below.

DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKING

Using full-suspension bikes designed to float over rocks and tree roots, downhill bikers race down steep inclines peppered with obstacles, trying not to end up heading over their handlebars. Plenty of adrenaline on the way down, but of course, you’ve got to get to the top first, which is less exciting. Rutland Cycling has some incredible kit and they’ve just been out at the World Cup Downhill course in Lenzerheide, so are the experts at giving advice on what to buy and where to go.

For the extreme experience

Downhilling Bolivia’s so-called Death Road is a popular backpacker activity. A safer option is Whistler Bike Park in Canada, at which winter ski runs morph into summer biking tracks. In a similar vein, there’s plenty of downhill runs in the Alps in summer too.

The Chamonix valley has lots of options.

ACTIVE BODY

HOW TO TRAIN DURING THE OFF-SEASON, MILITARY FITNESS ADVICE AND HOW TO FUEL YOUR BODY CORRECTLY FOR YOUR SPORT

EAT LIKE AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION

Top athletes reveal their favourite healthy sporting dishes and there are 40 delicious recipes you can try out at home

The National Lottery has teamed up with the country’s top sports nutritionists on a new campaign – The Food Champions – to share the eating habits and refuelling secrets of Britain’s leading Rio Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls with fitness enthusiasts and people who play sport at all levels.

The campaign has been developed with nutritionists from the English Institute of Sport (EIS), which works with more than 30 Olympic and Paralympic sports, and takes the principles of elite athletes’ dietary regimes and applies them to everyday lifestyles.

40 healthy, delicious, nutritionally balanced and easy to prepare recipes have been developed as part of the campaign which can be viewed at www. thefoodchampions.co.uk.

The recipes focus on eight sports and are designed to deliver the necessary ‘nutritional outcomes’ that food needs to provide to help athletes improve performance in those sports.

Examples of the ‘nutritional outcomes’ include building muscle (for sprinters), burning fat (for boxers), boosting the immune system (for swimmers), aiding

recovery (for cyclists), improving endurance (for triathletes and distance runners) and improving bone health (for gymnasts).

The National Lottery, which funds more than 1,300 athletes across the UK and contributes to funding the EIS, has named a number of the recipes after some of those athletes in honour of their dedication to their sport. They include:

• Cav’s Mountain Climb Cherry, Fig & Almond Flapjack (cyclist Mark Cavendish), to be eaten during a long ride to boost performance;

• Nicola’s Knockout Chicken Kebabs (boxer Nicola Adams), which can help to burn fat as part of a training regime;

• Peacock’s Pleasing Eggs and Avo on Toast (sprinter Jonnie Peacock), which can help build muscle.

Swimmer Becky Adlington, a winner of four Olympic medals, is supporting the campaign.

She says expert nutritional advice can make a crucial difference to athlete performance: “I know from my own competition days just how important it is to follow the best nutritional advice. Funding from National Lottery players

allows the EIS to fine tune our athletes, maximising their potential. Now everyone who loves playing sport can benefit from advice to improve their own performance and to stay healthy.”

Dr Kevin Currell, head of performance nutrition at the English Institute of Sport, hopes people of all ages and sporting abilities will follow their expert advice:

“Food is a vital part of an elite athlete’s training programme and has the power to impact positively on performance.

Athletes’ diets are designed to suit the specific demands of their sport and ensure the food and drinks they consume contribute to the delivery of the ‘nutritional outcomes’ they need to achieve to support their training regime.

“This principle can be applied to the eating habits of anyone who does sport and the recipes developed for this campaign are designed to deliver the relevant nutritional outcomes necessary for each of the eight sports.

“It aims to make the scientific expertise we apply to elite athletes accessible to a much wider audience and give the public an opportunity to learn from the eating habits of Olympic athletes and integrate some of these tips into their own dietary and training regimes.”

Visit www.thefoodchampions.co.uk for more information.

TRAINING IN OFF-SEASON

EVERYBODY NEEDS A BREAK IN THE OFF-SEASON, WHATEVER YOUR CHOSEN SPORT AND WHATEVER LEVEL YOU PLAY AT, WRITES FUNCTION

JIGSAW’S LAUREN DOBSON. BUT THERE ARE STILL THINGS TO DO

WHAT ARE THE BEST ways to prepare yourself for the new season during that period of waiting for it to begin?

Professional environments will be structured in everything they do, but for the amateur sportsman or women, what is the best way to go about training when it is your responsibility?

What you do in the off-season can impact the following season in a massive way and a lot of people struggle to maintain a basic level of fitness that will put them in good stead for the months ahead.

There are two main ways of training the body. The cardiovascular system delivers oxygen to the muscle cells for them to use. When you stop training, those cells lose most of what they have gained fairly quickly and the cardiovascular system will slowly reduce the efficiency of delivering oxygen to them.

In short, it is so much quicker to lose fitness than to gain fitness. It can be very easy to get out of shape and, unfortunately, much harder to get it back.

So what can be done to maintain fitness through the off-season to stop pre-season being so challenging as you attempt to reach your fitness goals.

The off-season is the best time to focus on building strength as the stress of competition, training, collisions and intensity is removed.

YOUR BODY CAN RECOVER IN THE OFF-SEASON

Maximal strength is the base of which speed, power, endurance and physical qualities are built. The stronger you are, the faster you can run. The more stamina you have, the longer you last on the pitch and the stronger and more effective you can become as a player.

It’s not stretching the point to say that good conditioning can change you from a player taking up space on the bench to a consistent performer and leader on the field.

have available. Just because it’s a hobby, it doesn’t mean you can’t prepare yourself to perform at your best when the new season comes round.

A big part of the off-season is to freshen the mind and body to boost the enjoyment levels for the season ahead. Any break is important and serves the same purpose as a holiday.

Other things to consider in the offseason are nutrition and health. If you reduce activity volume, you will reduce the number of calories that are burnt, so calorie intake is important. There are some players who may need to use this time period to lose weight to improve their performance, but don’t make these decisions without some good advice and knowledge before you set your goals.

Rest is also important, so take some time off and enjoy it. It is wise to have a recovery phase; allowing your body and mind to heal from the demands of progressive training.

I am not, however, encouraging you to become a couch potato. Allow a week or two of dedicated rest and then a gradual return to activity. Set yourself easy targets with reduced aerobic effort level. This is the perfect time to get on the bike or run without worrying too much about pace.

The goal is to recover and rejuvenate, then move into a phase that is geared towards progressions. As pre-season comes to an end, you should be finishing on your peak phase, ready to return to full training and match situations.

Initially there needs to be a reduction in frequency. Reduce your training days by a third but maintain the training intensity and duration. This will help you maintain endurance.

Alternatively, by reducing your minutes per session by a third and maintaining the frequency and training intensity, you can also maintain your endurance.

MAINTAINING INTENSITY IS KEY

aerobic and anaerobic, but also speed, acceleration and agility. They also help vision, awareness and decision-making.

Some examples of modified games for rugby, hockey and football are: softball, volleyball, water polo, circuit training and rounders.

All of these sports/activities can be adapted and rules changed to improve strength, agility and team development.

For example, planning any activity under a similar structure to volleyball but when a point is lost, the opposing team will forfeit a player, who will be removed from the court until there will eventually be just two competing.

When we want to set programmes to improve strength, we want to work in repetition ranges and use weights that are not maximally effective for building strength.

TRAIN WITH THE THREE TO FIVE RULE

Set a program around the ‘Three to Five Rule’ – 3 to 5 exercises for 3 to 5 sets of 3 to 5 reps each session.

BENCH PRESS

For example,

Session 1: Squat, bench press, deadlift – 3 sets of 5

Session 2; Powerclean, squat, push-press – 3 sets of 5

Session 3; Weighted pull-ups, lunges, medicine ball slams – 3 sets of 5 Make sure to progress to heavier weights as long as you can maintain the form.

Finally, don’t forget other activities such as self-massage (foam rolling, trigger ball release), mobility work, flexibility and core. Most importantly, make sure you listen to your body and seek help/advice where needed.

Most amateur team players have limited time to commit to physical preparation so it’s important to use this time wisely and maximise the gains from the time you do @FunctionJigsaw

A good method for achieving and maintaining these fitness components and your goals is the use of modified anaerobic games. Modified games not only train the metabolic systems, both

YOGA AND YOU

LOOKING TO GET AWAY AND TRAVEL YOUR YOGIC PATH? THE EXPERTS IN TAILOR-MADE WELLNESS HOLIDAYS, HEALTH AND FITNESS TRAVEL, HAVE PICKED THEIR FAVOURITES...

Best for yoga & ayurveda

India: Ananda Yoga

Experience the harmonising healing of the ancient Indian arts of yoga and ayurveda at this luxurious wellness retreat, set amongst the foothills of the Himalayas. Restore your inner-balance during personalised yoga sessions, tailored to your ability and goals, and de-stress with the breathing practices of pranayama.

7 nights at Ananda in the Himalayas from £3,440pp or £4,340 for single occupancy.

Best for yoga & holistic healing

Crete: Porto Elounda Discover Yoga

For a healthy yogi glow escape on a holistic healing yoga retreat to the sunny shores of Mirabello Bay in Crete. Combine your practice with guided meditation and pranayama breathing sessions for complete mind and body harmony and let the fresh ocean air cleanse your senses.

7 nights at Porto Elounda from £1,475pp or £1,825 for single occupancy.

Best for yoga & healthy nutrition

Italy: KU Retreats Tuscany

Set amongst the scenic hills of Tuscany, re-boot your well-being on a relaxing yoga and healthy nutrition retreat in Italy. Refuel with the healing properties of delicious home cooked macrobiotic meals, using organic ingredients straight from the retreat gardens, before learning to recreate your favourite recipes during macrobiotic cooking classes.

6 nights at KU Retreats Tuscany from £1,235pp or £1,735 for single occupancy.

Best for yoga & spa

Morocco: Paradis Plage Spa & Yoga

Practice your sun salutation from sunrise to sunset in the beachfront yoga pavilion of Paradis Plage, set on a private beach

on Morocco’s exotic coastline. With classes from hatha to vinyasa and y in yoga, you’ll soon become a yogi pro. Unwind further with an array of Moroccan inspired spa treatments using natural products, including a rejuvenating massage using local Agadir pebbles.

7 nights at Paradis Plage from £1,095pp or £1,510 for single occupancy.

Best for yoga & sports

Thailand: Thanyapura

Get sporty on the exotic Thailand island of Phuket and enhance your yogic practice while building your fitness. Ace your game on the tennis courts or discover whether you were destined to be a triathlete, with expert coaching for all abilities in swimming, cycling and running. Round off a sporty day by stretching out during a relaxing yoga class or soothing sore muscles with a sports massage.

7 nights at Thanyapura from £1,480pp or £1,680 for single occupancy.

Best for yoga & fitness

St Lucia: The BodyHoliday Fusion Fitness Retreat to the Caribbean and discover the exotic island paradise of St Lucia with The BodyHoliday. Surrounded by natural waterfalls and acres of unspoilt rainforests, improve your health and fitness with private yoga or pilates lessons, personal training sessions and a host of fitness activities, from Box Fit to Qi Gong.

7 nights at The BodyHoliday from £2,140pp for single or double occupancy.

Best for yoga & detox

Thailand: Absolute Sanctuary Detox

Escape on an adventure to the beautiful Thai island of Koh Samui and discover a healthier lifestyle on a cleansing yoga and

detox holiday. Complement your luxury yoga retreat with the signature detox programme to meet your individual needs; including detox drinks, nutritional supplements and delicious healthy meals, leaving you feeling energised and refreshed.

8 nights at Absolute Sanctuary from £1,930pp or £2,215 for single occupancy.

Best for yoga & pilates

Turks & Caicos: Parrot Cay Yoga & Pilates

Discover paradise on the private island of Parrot Cay and feel the soft sand between your toes as you practice daily yoga and pilates looking out on to the ocean.

Further improve your yoga knowledge as you open your mind and calm your senses through vedic yogic philosophy group discussions.

7 nights at Parrot Cay from £2,485pp or £3,885 for single occupancy.

Best for yoga & meditation

India: Shreyas Silent Retreat

Take a break from everyday life and experience total relaxation at Shreyas in India. Shreyas’ wellness approach is dedicated to ensuring you have a truly relaxing experience through a range of yoga and meditation classes, complemented with luxury spa treatments to guarantee you spend your healthy holiday in total tranquillity.

7 nights at Shreyas from £2,085pp or £2,655 for single occupancy.

Best for yoga & beach

Vietnam: Fusion Maia Yoga

Located on Vietnam’s East Coast, on one of the world’s best exotic beaches, is a luxury yoga retreat dedicated to enlightening your well-being. With a guaranteed minimum of two spa treatments a day; enjoy choosing from a range of body scrubs, facials and pressure therapies.

7 nights at Fusion Maia from £2,285pp or £2,995 for single occupancy.

For more information, visit www. healthandfitnesstravel.com/yogaholidays or call 0203 397 8891

PUT IN WHAT YOU NEED TO GET OUT

An essential element of sport nutrition is getting the ‘energy balance’ right. Nutritional adviser Helen Cole explains how...

Have you ever wondered why it is that some people have the ability to ‘eat like a horse’, while others claim to ‘peck like a bird’ and still gain weight? Well, the simple answer is ‘energy balancing’. I can still hear my father-in-law saying ‘you need to put less in and more out’ and do you know something... he was absolutely right and I’ll explain why.

ENERGY BALANCE

The nutrition requirements for sports people and regular exercisers differ from those who are more sedentary because

involvement in any sort of physical activity means that we require more energy. If our energy intake equals our energy expenditure, our weight is likely to stay the same and this is called ‘energy balance’.

If energy intake is less than our energy requirement, our bodies start to rely on stored energy (glycogen and fat) and once this has been used up, we start to feel fatigued, our performance is less effective and we will start to lose weight.

On the flip side, taking in more energy than we require will eventually result in weight gain. So, how do we get it right?

ENERGY EXPENDITURE

The way in which our bodies use energy can be calculated in the following way: Energy expenditure = basal metabolic rate + thermogenesis + physical activity

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) – is the minimal amount of calories (energy) we require while resting and maintaining our body’s normal function. In a sedentary individual, this can account for up to 75% of total energy requirements.

Thermogenesis – or ‘heat generation’ –

WHAT SHOULD WE EAT BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER EXERCISE?

What we eat before, during and after exercise can have a huge effect on our overall performance. Here are some practical ideas for foods and drinks to be taken in order to maintain energy

During exercise lasting more than 60 mins

70g per hour

Begin a er 30 mins and take at regular intervals

A er exercise

levels and enhance performance. Remember, water must be consumed appropriately alongside to ensure adequate hydration as well as providing an energy source.

1g / kg body weight

Up to 2 hours then every 2 hours

Between daily sessions

5-10g / kg body weight depending on intensity

Plan and time appropriately to meet recommended intake in time period between session GI Example Foods

Bowl of muesli with semiskimmed milk

Porridge made with semi-skimmed milk

Bowl of spaghetti

bolognaise with salad

Jacket potato with tuna or baked beans

refers to the burning of calories through physiological processes such as digesting food. The body raises its temperature or energy output and this is triggered by nutrition, supplements and exercise. Thermogenesis is directly related to the metabolic rate. When the core temperature of the body is increased, the metabolism is stimulated, which ultimately causes the body to use stored fat cells to support the additional energy output.

Physical activity – generally accounts for 15 to 30% of total daily energy expenditure and is the only one we have any influence over.

Your ideal energy requirements can be calculated using dietary analysis, which you may be able to find online. Failing that, any sports or nutrition professional should be able to calculate an individual’s energy requirement by multiplying their BMR by an assigned physical activity level.

ENERGY INTAKES OF ATHLETES

A good diet will ensure that athletes and sports people can reach their optimum performance and maintain energy levels for longer before fatigue kicks in. To mix things up a bit more, different types of exercise will require different energy intake and expenditure.

Sports that rely on flexibility, body weight and agility (gymnastics, dancing and

High

1-2 bananas

Handful of dried fruit (apricots or raisins)

500-1000ml isotonic sports drink (homemade or shop bought)

Low or high

Fresh fruit smoothie made with milk and / or yoghurt

Cereal bar

Slice of malt loaf

Tuna and crème fraiche

Tuna and sweetcorn sandwich made with wholemeal / granary bread / roll / pitta / wrap

boxing) will focus on a low intake of energy and will often be in a state of negative energy balance in order to keep weight down (i.e. they will take less energy in than they expend).

At the other end of the scale, someone partaking in an endurance event, such as a marathon or triathlon, requires a much higher intake of energy in order to sustain optimum performance. Achieving a diet that is suitably energy dense for such endurance trainers can be quite hard due to the volume of food that would need to be consumed. This is where high energy/high carbohydrate food bars and drinks come in useful.

A study has shown that a cyclist taking part in the Tour de France can burn up to 6,000 calories per day, which is pretty hard to replace in meals alone, so it is important to continue to replenish!

BODY COMPOSITION

When we refer to body composition, we are talking about lean body tissue (bone, muscle, blood, organs) and fat. Weight, body size and composition are both important factors and are detrimental to an athlete’s performance.

Generally speaking, an athlete will have lower body fat and higher lean body mass than a less active person; however, this also depends on the type of activity they are involved in. For example, a marathon runner

Low to moderate

Stir-fried noodles and vegetables

Jacket potato with cottage cheese and salad ½ large pizza made with vegetable and tomato topping

will have a low overall body weight and fat composition (as low as 5% body fat), and will consume higher levels of carbohydratebased energy foods to meet their energy requirements, whereas a weight trainer or discus thrower will have a much higher overall body weight and fat (up to 30%) and will consume higher levels of protein. It is therefore impossible to go along with the theory that ‘one size fits all’.

Each person’s ideal body composition and weight is very much tailored to their overall lifestyle, age, health and activity levels.

Information in this article is provided by Future Fit Training and is based on the average, healthy individual where other intolerances, illnesses or allergies may not be taken into consideration. Always seek medical assistance before taking part in any training or weight management programme.

Cole Nutrition offers a full dietary analysis to identify the requirements for each individual. They look at current eating and lifestyle patterns or habits and identify possible changes in realistic and achievable terms. Whatever your lifestyle, Cole Nutrition will endeavour to find the perfect balance for a happy, healthy you. If you would like to book a consultation or find out more about what they offer, please contact Helen Cole on 07966 050 193, email colenutritionh@gmail.com or visit the website at www.colenutrition.co.uk.

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CYCLING HERO UPDATE 2: JASON SKINNER

The Rutland Cycling/Active Cycling Hero winner Jason Skinner is starting to increase his training ahead of next year’s challenge

TRAINING HAS REALLY kicked up a gear now the nice weather is finally here. After picking up the finished bike and having my final fitting at Rutland Cycling, I bought a few bits and bobs for the new bike, which has been nicknamed ‘The Green Machine’. Since then, I’ve been cycling around the area on it whenever I get the chance.

I have racked up 1,300 miles on Strava now and completed the 71.2-mile route on the Peterborough 5x5 Cycle Sportive recently. I’ve also been on a couple of longer club rides on Sunday mornings with Cycle Wright Cycle Club, and a 100-mile ride will be my next big marker.

I’ve also been up to Leeds to visit my friend Tim, who has foolishly agreed to do the ride to Spain with me, for some hill training and a planning meeting (it ended up in drinks in the pub and deciding on which matching outfit to wear!). Tim has also been to sunny Bourne where we did a little ride together down here.

I am in the middle of planning all the different stages of the challenge and I’m going to France in the next few weeks to do some miles over there to keep up the training and to

get a better feel for cycling on the Continent and on the wrong side of the road!

The charity side of things is coming together too. I have set up a Just Giving page and am currently writing to as many bike companies as I can think of to get some things to auction off to help raise money for Cancer Research.

JASON’S WINNING CHALLENGE

Lincolnshire to southern Spain…

“I am a novice cyclist and took up road cycling last Christmas. The longest ride I’ve done so far has been 52 miles.

“For my 40th birthday this year I want to ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats and to cycle several stages of the Tour de France. These will be in preparation for my big adventure, to cycle from Bourne to Almeria in Spain.

“It will be a fund-raising ride for Cancer Research – my mother has terminal cancer and moved to Spain for her last years. I thought the challenge of riding through France to her village in Spain would be tough, but nothing in comparison to the fight my mum is having.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/JasonSkinner0609

THE FINISHING TOUCHES

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

Edited by Mary Bremner

SILKY, SOFT AND SENSATIONAL

Everyone’s wearing them, even Kate Moss. And if she’s wearing one it must be the ‘in thing.’

Yes, the ultimate capsule piece this season is the blouse. Not a crisp cotton shirt but a soft silky blouse, often with a tie or ruffle at the neck. The silky blouse is the ‘go to’ fashion item this season and I can see why, it is just so wearable. Very comfortable, forgiving and smart in a ‘not trying too hard’ way.

Kate Moss has launched a collection of silky blouses for Equipment and says that a blouse, jeans and jacket are what she wears just about every day.

And the High Street seems to agree. You can find a silky blouse in almost every shop you go to ranging in price from easily affordable to stratospheric.

Silky blouses are ideal for the woman who doesn’t want to wear a dress. Team it with jeans or trousers and you’re fit for most offices. In the evening you can wear it with a long satin skirt and easily pass muster at the smartest of balls.

A silky blouse with the odd flounce, bow or ruffle can add a feminine touch but you can still control what’s going on on the lower half. Push the sleeves up to just below the elbow as this helps elongate the torso. The great thing about the silky blouse is that it can be worn by women of all ages and sizes without looking out of place, it really is that universal. Different ages wear it in different ways, but they are all fundamentally going for the same look. Versatile and smart, the silky blouse is a must this summer and autumn.

REIKI

Reiki is a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by touch. This activates the natural healing process, restoring physical and emotional wellbeing. I have to confess to being a little sceptical but went along with an open mind to see what it was all about.

My therapist made me feel very welcome. I took my shoes off and sat on the bed and the therapist got to work. She initially massaged my feet and then held her hands up in front of them. I know it sounds odd but I felt heat coming from her hands.

Reiki is not just about physical ailments; it has proved to be very effective for

emotional and mental health issues. My reiki practitioner picked up on my stress levels (high) and helped. She asks you to work with her by being open to the treatment. I don’t quite know how it works but it would appear that the healer absorbs your pain (physical and emotional). And it does work. I left feeling much more relaxed and positive and the physical pain she specifically treated was alleviated.

All I can say is, I have no idea how reiki works but be open to it and work with your healer. I shall definitely be going to visit again; they offer a lunchtime stressbuster which sounds ideal.

Prices start at £25.

INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE

As I spend most days hunched over a keyboard the prospect of a 30-minute Indian head massage straight after work was a great incentive to make me focus on my deadlines and clear my desk.

Massage is an integral part of normal daily life in India and you can sit down to have a head massage on street corners, in markets, barbers and hairdressers and even on the beach. You normally keep your clothes on for modesty and convenience but as I was in a salon I was given the option of lying face down while the therapist worked on my upper back and shoulders. She used wide, sweeping motions to warm up the area and start to soothe the knots.

It is an holistic treatment which aims to treat the body both physically and emotionally. There are plenty of benefits including detoxifying the body through

better lymphatic drainage, increasing energy levels and relieving insomnia, as well as the obvious reduction of stress.

After I rolled on to my back she applied a delicious smelling mud mask to my scalp that, because it was mineral based, would work its way deep into the skin and keep on conditioning my hair until washed out.

I lay there in a state of bliss as she massaged from my neck to the top of my head. As I’m not in the habit of touching my head a lot I hadn’t realised how tender my scalp is. Her firm movements and kneading my pressure points just lifted the stress clear away. I felt like a rag doll at the end of it.

A few hours after the treatment I sank into a hot bath for a long soak and then headed for bed. And I can honestly say I had the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long while. Kate Maxim

And finally...

The latest fashions to show off

RIO BRAVO

Holiday Inn, Corby A43 is delighted to unveil our newly refurbished executive bedrooms and a swanky new lobby, bar and dining areas!!

Why not pop in for lunch or dinner and enjoy a Starbucks from our to go cafe?!

Holiday Inn offers full leisure facilities including a fully equipped gymnasium and indoor swimming pool. Memberships available.

Family DIP & DINE throughout August; Swimming followed by a Sandwich / Wrap lunch of your choice plus a soft drink (colouring activities for the children)Adults - £15 / Children up to the age of 12 - £8 (please produce this advert to receive this offer quoting DIP & DINE – Booking essential!)

The hotel also boasts a fabulous Spa, Pampered & Polished offering a variety of treatments from Shellac nails to waxing treatments. Enjoy 50% off your first treatment with this advertisement!

We are well into the year and it is time to shout about CHRISTMAAAASSSS!!!! We have so many events on offer from a 40’s Christmas Afternoon Tea experience to our fantastic Tribute Party Nights! Download our Christmas brochure on our website.

The Holiday Inn, Corby

Kate and Jack try out the food at this refurbished hotel on the outskirts of town

Kate I haven’t been to The Holiday Inn since my children had swimming lessons in the pool here years ago and we would occasionally come in for a meal afterwards. What a difference! More than 40 executive bedrooms have been refurbished since last July and the lobby has been transformed. I don’t recognise it as the same place.

Jack It’s really modern and spacious, and I love the use of such bright colours everywhere. The large photo montage at the far end of the bar is pretty impressive. It’s a celebration of the local area with pictures of Rockingham Speedway, Kirby Hall, Corby Cube and the children’s play area at Stanwick Lakes. Very eye-catching indeed. Apparently wherever you sit in the open lobby area you should be able to see a television, which is good news for corporate guests who want to catch up with the news or sport after they’ve finished work.

Kate It certainly seems pretty sociable in here –there are a few groups of people dotted around the seating areas. And you can hire out three function rooms of varying sizes. The long bar is impressive; there’s an e-bar so guests can have

free access to an i-Mac and printer; Starbucks coffee is on offer 24 hours a day and there’s a ‘to go café facility’ which sells snacks and drinks. There’s even an area where you can buy travel accessories that you may have forgotten to bring with you on your trip.

Jack Well we’re here for a meal, not a stay overnight, so shall we head into the dining area? The menu is fairly extensive with something for everyone and there’s a good choice of fish and seafood dishes, but I say we go for the local Brixworth pate (£5.25). I like the way it’s presented in a little Kilner jar with melted butter on top to keep it fresh. As we eat with our eyes, I always like to see a colourful salad on the side and there’s a generous dollop of chutney. Ten out of ten I’d say.

Kate I’ve gone for the classic burger with a stilton topping (£12.25) for my main course because I always think it’s a good sign if a restaurant can serve a decent burger. This one is seriously dense and meaty, and you can add another burger for an extra £4 if you’re really hungry, but I’d never be able to manage that. I’m having a job getting through the chips but I’ll

persevere as they’re beautifully crispy and golden. All-in-all a good choice.

Jack The sauce on my chicken korma (£13.90) is very rich and creamy with crunchy peppers, onion and aubergine. There’s a generous portion of chicken too but you can skip the meat if you’re after a vegetarian option.

Kate We’re going to have to try the Iron Bru ice cream as it’s on the menu. I’ve only tasted Iron Bru a couple of times in my life but it has such a distinctive flavour I bet it translates quite well into a pudding. What do you think?

Jack It’s certainly a distinctive colour – very orange – and you’re right, it’s retained its sweet, almost candy taste. It goes well with the chocolate. Sometimes the only pudding you want is ice cream when you’ve eaten well and I have to say these portions are extremely generous. I’m glad we’re sharing!

The Holiday Inn

Geddington Road, Corby, NN18 8ET. 01536 401020. www.hicorby.com

TOP STAT

The Brampton Valley Way from Northampton to Market Harborough was opened in the spring of 1993 and provides recreational access for cyclists and walkers.

Braybrooke & Great Oxendon

Photography: Will Hetherington

Difficulty rating (out of five)

THE ROUTE

When you get to Braybrooke take Newland Street down by the side of the church and carry straight on to Oxendon Road, which is a dead end for motor traffic. This is a wide farm track and you should be able to find a parking place out of the way down on the left hand side less than 100 yards after the last house on the left.

From here walk west on the lane past one footpath on your left and over a small stream which is actually the River Jordan. You will very soon come to a left turn but make sure you head straight on in to the arable field. This path heads north west over fields until eventually meeting

the Brampton Valley Way, which runs all the way between Market Harborough and Northampton 14 miles to the south. But don’t worry, you don’t have to go that far! It’s an old railway which is now suitable for cyclists as well as walkers, although I didn’t see any bikes when I was on the mile stretch of it that this walk incorporates.

The only problem with this route is you can’t see too much landscape as it is mostly a sunken track. However, you do have the opportunity to break out at Waterloo Farm Leisure which has a restaurant and refreshment options should you want them.

As the Brampton Valley Way approaches Great Oxendon you have to make sure you branch off to the right shortly before the 400-metre tunnel. If you look at the OS map you would think the turn would be on the left but trust me it’s definitely on the right – I found out the hard way! Once you

have veered off and up to the right you turn left and cross back over the top of the tunnels now on the Midshires and Jurassic Way. From here the path undulates in a north easterly direction over open fields towards Waterloo Lodge.

And again, when you get to the small patch of woodland around Waterloo Lodge you have to take care and trust your sense of direction to ensure you get through this small hilltop settlement and leave on the right path, which is the Macmillan Way heading east. This drops down into a dip and goes up the other side before you take a left turn and follow the path as it ultimately drops downhill and back into Braybrooke very close to where you parked the car.

Clockwise, from above

The view down to the

in

looking back to Great

if you get to this tunnel you have gone too far

church

Braybrooke;

Oxendon;

Where to park

Either near the church in Braybrooke or down Oxendon Road, which is a dead end.

Distance and time

Three and three quarter miles/an hour and a quarter.

Highlights

Braybrooke is a pretty little village and this walk is a pleasant blend of open fields and the Brampton Valley Way.

Lowlights

The only trouble with the Brampton Valley Way is the lack of views.

Refreshments

Waterloo Farm Leisure is a very pleasant holiday site with a tearoom and they welcome visitors from the Brampton Valley Way. Look out for the sign.

Difficulty rating

Three paws. There are some decent ups and downs.

The pooch perspective

It’s a good walk for the dogs with almost no livestock on the way around and the River Jordan at the beginning and end for a cooling dip.

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

Summer games a success

The Leicestershire & Rutland School Games Summer Championships had added exuberance this year, inspired by the upcoming Rio Olympics and Paralympics.

A total of 1,044 of the county’s top primary school-based athletes and disabled athletes aged 8-11 years competed in the championships.

The 123 teams from 72 schools were representing the 10 School Sport & Physical Activity Networks (SSPANs), in 13 competitions across nine sports. All teams qualified from their Level 2 Partnership Finals to compete in this Level 3 County Final Championships.

With the honour of becoming county and overall partnership champions up for grabs, the young athletes competed in four hours of competitive action in the top-class facilities at Welbeck Defence and Sixth Form College.

The youngsters battled in the sports of Quadkids athletics, Kwik Cricket, girls football, Quicksticks hockey, netball, Sportsability, swimming, tennis, Tri-Golf and a Change 4 Life Festival.

The Leicester-Shire & Rutland School Games, now in its sixth year, is part of the national School Games Programme that is a unique opportunity to motivate and inspire young people to take part in more competitive school sport. It is open to all young people aged 5-18 years, of all abilities and backgrounds from every school across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.

Lucy Baginskis, school games manager from Leicestershire & Rutland Sport, said: “This year has seen another fantastic School Games Summer Championships, with new sports and competitions being added to the programme and a record number of young people attending.

“Our young competitors have also been inspired in the lead up to the 2016 Rio Olympics and Paralympics, as well as an opportunity to access tickets to the UK National School Games taking place in September, hosted by Loughborough University for the first time.”

Engineering student cadets

Year 12 engineering students

Matt Tozer, Ed Reynolds, George Field and Elijah Dance from the Sir Frank Whittle Studio School became the first of their year to complete the Industrial Cadets programme ran by Costain/ Galliford Try at their Crick Smart Motorway Project Site on the M1.

The scheme offers students in excess of 50 hours of work experience. Elijah said “The team went to great lengths to support us and introduce us to the world of civil engineering.”

RESULTS

• Hinckley & Bosworth crowned 2015/16 School Games Champions

• North West Leicestershire crowned 2015/16 School Games Spirit of the Games Champions

Quadkids Athletics Year 3/4 Mixed

• Winners: North West Leicestershire

• Spirit of the Games Winners: Oadby & Wigston

Quadkids Athletics Year 5/6 Mixed

• Winners: Oadby & Wigston

• Spirit of the Games Winners: North West Leicestershire

Kwik Cricket Year 5/6 Girls

• Winners: Rutland

• Spirit of the Games Winners: West Leicester

Kwik Cricket Year 5/6 Mixed

• Winners: Rutland

• Spirit of the Games Winners: South Charnwood

Girls Football Year 5/6

• Winners: Oadby & Wigston

• Spirit of the Games Winners: East Leicester

CHARITY CYCLING

In Tour de France season, the students at Lutterworth High School set themselves the charity challenge of riding 300 miles following the stages of the event.

The students decided that they wanted to support Leicestershire charity Keep the Beat, which raises money for the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre at Glenfield Hospital.

Four stationary bikes were kindly lent by Lutterworth Cycles and live stages from the Tour de France were broadcast in the background. Parents, staff and local triathlete Caitlin Roper joined in the fun.

To make the event even more exciting the students decided to compete in their houses: Churchill, Montgomery, Cunningham and Tedder. Students would also compete for the yellow jersey.

Over the three days the students managed 742.43 miles. Montgomery emerged as the winning house with student Jamie Lydall winning the yellow jersey.

Quicksticks Hockey Year 3/4 Mixed

• Winners: North West Leicestershire

• Spirit of the Games Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth

Quicksticks Hockey Year 5/6 Mixed

• Winners: North West Leicestershire

• Spirit of the Games Winners: Rutland

Netball Year 5/6 High 5 Mixed

• Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth

• Spirit of the Games Winners: North West Leicestershire

Sportsability Key Stage 2 Mixed Pan Disability

• Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth

• Spirit of the Games Winners: North West Leicestershire

Swimming Year 5/6 Mixed

• Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth

• Spirit of the Games Winners: North West Leicestershire

Tennis Year 3/4 Mini Red Mixed

• Winners: West Leicester

• Spirit of the Games Winners: Rutland

Tri-Golf Year 3/4 Mixed

• Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth

• Spirit of the Games Winners: North West Leicestershire

Tri Golf Year 5/6 Mixed

• Winners: Melton & Belvoir

• Spirit of the Games Winners: East Leicester

Change 4 Life Festival Year 3/4 Mixed (non-competitive)

• Spirit of the Games Winners: South Charnwood

For more information visit www.lrsport.org/ schoolgames

Roundup

Cricket Kibworth consolidate their lead in Premier League

BY JEREMY BESWICK

Having returned to the top of the Premier League with a victory against Barrow, Kibworth went on to consolidate their lead with four more victories. First up was a home fixture against Market Harborough which yielded a regulation 73-run win as Kibworth lost only two wickets. Captain Matt Craven top scored with 107 in their total of 225 and in reply Harborough rarely looked like coming close.

Next, away to Barkby, Craven won the toss and put the home side in on a damp pitch. Barkby were soon struggling at around 70 for 7 but then recovered somewhat as the lower order helped them to a total of 196. In reply, with PJ Van Biljon grimly anchoring one end in Boycott-esque fashion, Craven set about the bowling with relish. Although not always in control, his innings included one over where he landed four sixes and a four on his way to 136 not out; Van Biljon chipping in with 50 and also carrying his bat as Barkby failed to take a wicket.

By this stage, given the trouble usual title contenders Syston had been having with their waterlogged pitch, a glance at the league table showed that the only likely challengers to Kibworth were Sileby, so the scene was set up nicely for them to be the visitors in the very next fixture.

Club secretary John Bleby commented beforehand: “A win would open up a sizeable gap over the chasing pack, especially with Lake Syston again being unfit for cricket. A defeat however would really tighten things up.”

Things didn’t start well for the home side with both skipper Craven and fellow opener Aadil Ali dismissed cheaply, but the previous week’s tortoise turned into this game’s hare as Van Biljon starred with 126 not out in what was, according to Bleby, “a batting master class for limited overs cricket. Running well between the wickets, hitting boundaries 360 degrees. It really was a pleasure to watch”.

As a result, with Charlie Page-Morris and Darren Shaw also contributing significant

innings, the hosts reached 231 for 3 off a reduced 44 overs.

Sileby’s innings started rather like Kibworth’s, with two wickets falling early to Monik Patel who was swinging the ball prodigiously (like a boomerang, according to Bleby) but a near-100 partnership by Sileby’s Jake Gillett and Liam Kinch put them right back in the game, before two wickets from Charlie Page-Morris turned the tide back to the home side.

Aadil Ali, on loan for the day from Leicestershire CCC, then swept up the remaining middle order and tail with five for 32 to close out a 50-run victory. Kibworth’s lead at the top is now more than 70 points and they look all but uncatchable.

Another player on Leicestershire’s books, Zak Chappell, helped Market Harborough beat Leicester Ivanhoe with an innings of 67 – Harborough full-timer Kevin Innes just topping that effort with his own 79 – and LCCC Academy player Will Fazakerly played a big part as Barkby recovered from that

Vox Fox

Delight at Grace Road with the news that skipper Mark Cosgrove has signed a new contract that will tie him to the county for the next two years.

Elite performance director Andrew McDonald called it “fantastic” and went on to stress how important his batting and leadership are to the cause. It’s yet another indication of how Leicestershire have undergone a quiet revolution – the no-hopers of two to three years ago are now genuine promotion contenders, good enough to have beaten table-topping Essex last month.

I spoke with fellow Aussie and team-mate Angus Robson, who agreed how vital a part Cosgrove has played.

“I’m very pleased. It’s hard to put into words how much he contributes. He’s helped turn the whole place round. He’s one of the top, top players and we’re very lucky to have him,” he said.

Top order batsman Robson had signed his own extension last year and I asked him if it had been a difficult decision, as at that time Leicestershire were still very much a club in transition a er those lean seasons.

“No, it wasn’t a tough one. Even though it was at a key point in my career, being in my early 20s, I could see the club was on the way up. We’ve made such a great

improvement and although the years before weren’t great, last year was brilliant and we’re really pushing for promotion this time around. There are seven games to go and we’re very much in the mix.”

That improvement hasn’t gone unnoticed by the population of Leicester, who have responded in droves.

“There’s been a big increase in numbers through the gates,” Robson continued. “And a great vibe at the place. We’ve played good cricket all season – I can only think of two days when we weren’t so good – and we’re a match for anyone. We’re in a really good place at the moment.”

The corporate world is also taking notice; Al Rayan Bank being the most recent to announce a new sponsorship.

The turnaround began with the appointment of Wasim Khan as chief executive in 2014 and much of the credit belongs to him. Now he’s reaching out to the community in an initiative to try to tap into latent cricketing potential that’s so far gone unnoticed, saying: “We acknowledge that there is huge talent outside the formal cricketing structure and it’s important that we are able to provide hope to the talented to inspire them to fulfil their dreams.”

beating at the hands of Kibworth to trounce Hinckley Town. Having set a formidable target of 276, Fazakerly and Ian Kirk both claimed three wickets as town tumbled to 69 all out.

Spin bowling was the order of the day on a turning wicket in the local derby as Lutterworth hosted Market Harborough, particularly in the shape of Lutt’s James Sykes who bagged six wickets as Harborough were bowled out for 90.

The visitors fought back however and claimed three early wickets of their own to keep the match alive and it needed the calm heads of Sykes who got 24 (and with two

Called Search for a Star, the program begins with open trials on the August 2 and 11 for anyone in the county between the ages of 16 and 24 who doesn’t currently play in the Leicestershire and Rutland Premier League.

Successful applicants will move forward into a training camp run by coaches Mark Scott and Dave Allen, following which a Search for a Star XI will play against Leicestershire seconds. Billed as a ‘perfect chance to impress’ elite performance director Andrew McDonald, second XI coach Pierre de Bruyn and academy director Nic Pothas, one player has the chance to earn a contract or join the academy.

Applications should be made to dave@leicestershirecricket.co.uk.

catches to add to his wickets was surely man of the match) and Alec Hill with 23 to see them home. Of some consolation to Harborough was the performance of debutant Jack O’Callaghan who took three wickets.

Lutterworth may not have given up their pursuit of Kibworth just yet and also had wins against Barrow and Earl Shilton, but realistically they look to be in a fight for second place with Loughborough, Barkby, Syston and Sileby. Only 11 points separate all five clubs at time of writing and Loughborough’s game in hand may prove decisive.

Syston will feel they’ve gained the

psychological advantage over Lutterworth having defeated them in the Talent Cricket County Cup last month. Lutterworth’s Ollie Pickering, Chay Kalm and Alec Hill all contributed with the bat but they were unable to utilise their 40 overs, being all out for 161 after 36. Lutterworth’s bowlers certainly kept Syston on their toes in the second innings, George Terry probably the pick of the bunch with two wickets for eight runs and it looked to be heading for a nail-biting finish with fourteen still needed to win as the eighth wicket fell. Alas for Lutterworth, batsman Charles Wootton had other ideas and ended proceedings emphatically with a six.

OPENING TIMES

Monday 9 - 6.00

Tuesday 9 - 5.00

Wednesday closed Thursday 9 - 5.30

Friday 9 - 5.30

Saturday 8.30 - 2.30

Le Angus Robson in action for Leicestershire

Neville Chadwick Photography

Equestrianism Rain fails to dampen spirits

BY JULIA DUNGWORTH

Ithought it was summer and yet Buckminster’s annual BE event on July 9-10 saw the most horrific downpour of the year on the Saturday morning. Not only was it one of the few times I have actually worn wellies, but my breeches were so wet from walking the course that the water had run down into them, leaving me with wet socks!

There was a sparse field for the dressage warm-up, with competitors hiding in their lorries until they absolutely had to get on. The showjumping section seemed to bear the brunt of the nasty weather, with clear rounds few and far between. There were poles flying everywhere, even from the more experienced combinations.

The cross-country course held up extremely well, and former rider Guy Herbert was busy on his digger flying around putting stone down everywhere to make the ground rideable for the field of more than 600 horses to romp round.

Again, this is one of the locals’ favourite events with good placings from Angus Smales, Lisa Freckingham and Richard Jones in the 100 sections.

Katie Barber from Queniborough won the very sought-after KBIS five-year-old qualifier

on Lisheen Harlequin. She will now have qualified him for Osberton Young Horse Championship’s in October.

Katie also was placed fourth and seventh on her other two rides, Don Meeco and Derrys Lady Lou, in the 100 sections. A great day at the office for her.

Matt Hecking from Oakham also won a novice section on STX First Class Mail, whom he purchased from Vicky Laing

The Sunday saw a small improvement in ground conditions, but not enough to make clear rounds more frequent in the show jumping, and there were plenty of withdrawals after the word had spread about the going.

Sophie Miller from Braunston won a section on the Sunday morning and she was one of only two clears in the whole section! Richard Coney also had a good day.

He was second in the Under 18 section on Master Ping, and I’m sure he will get his place on the Junior Team.

The Cottesmore Hunt Supporters Club ran their annual BS show at Ranksborough polo ground on July 2, which again was very well supported.

They ran a clear round and their first class is an unaffiliated, so they had a lot of non-BS

members as well, which is great as they get to ride next to some world class riders.

The first class unaffiliated 85cm winner was Jodie Parr on Jo Rutter’s Bengie, and they were also the best Cottesmore. The best Cottesmore under 16 was Edward Traylon on Rathborne Tidera in the same section. The winner of British Novice was Penny Roberts on Think It Over, which is run in conjunction with the 1m open, won by Harriet Herbert on Krakatoa. Kilronen River Dance, ridden by Lizzie Boon, nee Purbrick, won the Discovery class.

Angus Smales won the newcomers and a lovely trophy to be held for one year on the three-star eventer A Bit Much. Foxhunter winner and recipient of the Mark Williams Senior Memorial Trophy was S. Gunn on Quaster du Buiss. The final class, the Grades B and C handicap for the wonderful new Ted Williams Memorial Trophy, sponsored by Mr and Mrs Michael Freestone, went to Alex Thompson and Malcolm Pyrah’s Cadence Dreamer.

The organisers are looking for a new venue for next year’s show, either on a surface or grass, so if anyone has one, please contact the CHSC, or me, as it would be a such pity to lose the show through lack of venue.

Basketball Leicester Riders sign Jack

Leicester Riders have added Penn State’s Donovon Jack (below) to their ranks for the forthcoming 2016-17 BBL season.The club’s summer signing period continues as the 6ft 9in forward joins from Penn State University to boost the Riders’ front court.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Jack has great length and athleticism, averaging over five points and three rebounds per game during 14 minutes of action in his senior year.

Head coach Rob Paternostro is happy to bring him on board and said: “Donovon has impressed me with the variety in his game. He

has played at a high level at college in the US, and he brings an inside and an outside game. “Donovon can also block shots, and is comfortable handling the ball. I think he will be able to handle the transfer to the BBL and the demands that places on his overall contribution.

“He is a good young player, who should continue to improve with the Riders,” added the play-caller.

Jack is the sixth signing of the summer and will join Riders’ new faces Andy Thomson and Pierre Hampton in the line up next season.

‘I AM TEAM GB’ SPORTS DAY

On Saturday, August 27, thousands of people across Leicestershire will kick off the bank holiday weekend with the ‘I am Team GB’ campaign by getting out and getting active shoulder to shoulder with Team GB ahead of the Rio Olympics.

‘I am Team GB’ is inviting everyone to be part of the nation’s biggest ever sports day. Any club or group can host a free event – organisers are looking for clubs and groups across Leicestershire and Rutland to take part in this opportunity and open their doors to new participates in their sport or activity.

This is a great chance for clubs and groups to engage new members and grow their membership. It’s simple to register events:

 Register your club/group (or update your club/group’s details) with the organisers (www.lrsport.org)

 Add your event on August 27 on to the website. Make sure you select the ‘I am Team GB’ from the ‘campaigns’ drop-down menu.

This will ensure people across Leicestershire and Rutland can not only find your club/group on the ‘get active search engine’ but also find your local event and get involved.

The organisers will also ensure that your ‘I am Team GB’ event gets added to the National ‘I am Team GB’ website.

For more information visit www.lrsport.org/user/organisations

OPEN EVENING

OPEN EVENING

OPEN EVENING

THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2016 5.30pm - 8.00pm

 We invite you to see and experience our outstanding school

OPEN EVENING

THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2016 5.30pm - 8.00pm

THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2016 5.30pm - 8.00pm

 Speak to our talented and committed staff

 We invite you to see and experience our outstanding school

 We invite you to see and experience our outstanding school

 Meet our friendly students

THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2016 5.30pm - 8.00pm

 Speak to our talented and committed staff

 Speak to our talented and committed staff

 Meet our friendly students

 Meet our friendly students

 Find out more about our exceptional enrichment opportunities

 We invite you to see and experience our outstanding school

 Find out more about our exceptional enrichment opportunities

 Speak to our talented and committed staff

 Find out more about our exceptional enrichment opportunities

 See our excellent facilities, including our state of the art learning hub and the terrace, which offers a relaxing and pleasant environment for our students to take their recreation time

 Meet our friendly students

 See our excellent facilities, including our state of the art learning hub and the terrace, which offers a relaxing and pleasant environment for our students to take their recreation time

 See our excellent facilities, including our state of the art learning hub and the terrace, which offers a relaxing and pleasant environment for our students to take their recreation time

 We also strongly encourage you to visit during the school day so that you can see the school first hand

 We also strongly encourage you to visit during the school day so that you can see the school first hand

 Find out more about our exceptional enrichment opportunities

 We also strongly encourage you to visit during the school day so that you can see the school first hand

Please contact Pam Morey, PA to Headteacher, to book a tour.

Please contact Pam Morey, PA to Headteacher, to book a tour.

E pmorey@lutterworthhigh.co.uk T 01455 552710

Please contact Pam Morey, PA to Headteacher, to book a tour.

E pmorey@lutterworthhigh.co.uk T 01455 552710

 See our excellent facilities, including our state of the art learning hub and the terrace, which offers a relaxing and pleasant environment for our students to take their recreation time

E pmorey@lutterworthhigh.co.uk T 01455 552710

 We also strongly encourage you to visit during the school day so that you can see the school first hand

Where Learning Comes First

Where Learning Comes First

Where Learning Comes First

Where Learning Comes First