West Kent Sport & Wellbeing - June 2024

t enniS ChiC

Ser ving up some tennis fashion

Sm a Shing CriCk e t

Kent ’s Premier 100-ball competition reaches the knockout stages

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W e S t k en t

SP Or t & W eLLBeing

West Kent Sport & Wellbeing magazine is published every month with free circulation in West Kent including the main towns of Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. Plus the surrounding areas, including Aylesford, Cranbrook, East Peckham, Edenbridge, Hildenborough, Paddock Wood, Snodland, Southborough, West Kingsdown and Westerham West Kent Sport & Wellbeing magazine is owned and published by One Team Media Ltd and has no ties to the district council, local town councils or any other publishers Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate at the time of going to press, One Team Media Ltd can not accept liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or

omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause We are unable to check claims made by advertisers are legal and truthful and that all products and services are safe One Team Media Ltd does not accept any liability in relation to advertisements placed.

One Team Media Steve Rowley

Founder, Director & Publishing Editor steve@oneteammedia co uk

Lorraine Rowley

Features Editor & Events Co - ordinator lorraine@oneteammedia.co.uk

This month’s contributors:

Fashion: Bridget Devine, Freelance fashion student and journalist

Fitness: George Olney, Fitness Expert at Better Body Group

Nutrition: Magdalena Marvell, Nutritional Therapist at the Persea Clinic

Editorial enquiries

editorial@oneteammedia co uk

Advertising sales

advertising@oneteammedia co uk

General Enquiries

info@oneteammedia.co.uk

www localsportsnews co uk

Social media: @WestKentSport

Join the Better Body Group at their combine event in July t he Smash r eaches it’s k nockout s t age

Kent’s premier 100-ball competition defies the British weather

S evenoaks V ine’s women hit the top

Vine’s Sophie Maunder with a superb 173 not out

tunbridge Wells’ eCB Club Championship r ema tch

Club go against Wimbledon in rematch of 2023 S evenoaks town announce new manager

Marcel Nimani is the new man for Sevenoaks’ title challenge Wes t kent t ake a quar ter of SCeFL places

Southern Counties East constitution released for 2024/25

Larkfield & New Hythe are on the move with proposed plans

Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Juddians to clash again in new season amher s t account anc y monthl y S t a tis

r t W park run’s new run dor ec tor has debut

Julie McPherson details her first day in charge at Dunorlan Park

S evenoaks V ine women hit the top Vine’s Sophie Maunder with a superb 173 not out.

Hello,

Well here we are, we’ve finally started summer, not that you would know it of course, howling wind, constant rain, and the odd occasion that calls for shorts and t-shirts!

Never mind, welcome to your June issue of West Kent Sport & Wellbeing, where we have got some fantastic features covering nutrition, fitness, travel, and Bridget Devine provides some tennis chic in her fashion column Plus we are delighted to highlight RTW parkrun’s new run director Julie McPherson, who gives us the lowdown on her first run. We also have all your up -to - date news covering our major sports and the Smash has managed to reach the knockout stages despite the British weather

In next months issue we will be focusing on our local Olympians and Paralympians as they prepare for Paris 2024 We’ll also be bringing you a Golf Special, looking at all 18 courses in the West Kent area

The July issue of West Kent Sport & Wellbeing will be out the week ending July 19th. If you or your club have a story, or you would like to advertise in the magazine, then please contact me directly at steve@oneteammedia.co.uk Until then, enjoy the sporadic spots of sunshine that you can, and enjoy this months read

Kind regards,

S evenoaks town announce new manager

Marcel Nimani is the new man for Sevenoaks’ title challenge.

Steve

Steve Rowley

Publishing

Editor

of West Kent Sport & Wellbeing magazine and Founder of One Team Media Ltd

The group stages of The

the group stages of Kent’s premier 100-ball competition, The Smash, has finished despite the Great British summer and the teams will be hoping for some fairer weather before the cut- off date of July 4th (Ed Election Day!).

Holmesdale Stallions will once again be the favourites in the Cup after winning all three of their group games with a net run rate (NRR) of 0.46. Cowdrey Courage, likewise, won four out of four in their Tier Two Group Two, and will go into the last eight as favourites for the Plate with a NRR of 0 55

In the Bowl, Tonbridge Knights and Chelsfield Park both secured their places with an average of 2.25 points across the four games played and have avoided each other in the next round.

Which matches will you watch?

The pick of the matches in the cup would be Tunbridge Wells Royals’ visit to the Vine to play the Sevenoaks Vine Jazzers, which will be played on Thursday 27th June at 17:45

In the Plate we look forward to seeing Kemsing take on Fawkham in a close battle (date to be confirmed), whilst over in the Bowl, Tonbridge Knights v Sevenoaks RFC Sixers (date to be confirmed) appears to be the pick of the bunch for the neutral supporter

Quarter final knockout stages in full: Cup: Sevenoaks Vine Jazzers v Tunbridge Wells Royals; Bromley Bears v Holmesdale Stallions; Maidstone Oilers v Barnet Wood Bashers; Leeds & Castled v Hesketh Heat.

Plate: Darenth Valiants v Wild Ocelots; Bat & Ball Strikers v Cowdrey Courage; Bromley Town Titans v Sidcup Squirrels; Kemsing Cobras v Fawkham Guzzlers

Bowl: Tonbridge Knights v Sevenoaks RFC Sixers; Dartford Destroyers v Chelsfield Park; Plaxtol Pirates v Cudham Crushers; Radnor House v Kings Hill.

• We will bring you the latest news every week in the Amherst Accountancy Weekly Stats report which you can download online at localsportsnews.co.uk, or you can keep up -to - date with the latest fixtures and results by going to thesmash.play-cricket.com.

Smash are now complete with 24 teams progressing through to the quar ter finals . Photo was taken at Bidborough Cricket Club during the group stages in June

SE V EN OAKS V INE WOMEN R E AC H THE TO P AF TER M AUNDER H IT S

Sevenoaks Vine’s women’s Sophie Maunder put in a fantastic display on a sunny Sunday afternoon at the start of June as she hit 173 runs not out for the Vine’s 1st XI to take them to the top of Kent Women’s Premier League Division One.

Sophie’s magnificent haul of runs came

against local rivals Town Malling in the clubs fourth match of the season, and included 26 4’s and four 6’s off just 95 balls – giving her a strike rate of 182 11 Lucy Webb also got going in the middle with 45 runs off 48 balls whilst Elodie O’Dwyer took four wickets for just 30 runs The result put Sevenoaks Vine top

173*

!

of their league on 108 points with a positive run-rate of 2 61

Result: Sevenoaks Vine (279/5) beat Town Malling (175/9) by 104 runs

Tunbridge Wells get it right too

Over in the Kent Women’s Premier League Premiership, Tunbridge Wells’ women beat top of the table The Mote by 65 runs as Daisy Brandon helped dismiss their opposition with three wickets for 26 runs, after she had recorded a superb 53 runs off 65 balls

Wicketkeeper Georgia Moran (38) and Jodie Hobson (59no) eased in the runs after captain Sophie Bowen opened with 19 runs Charlotte Youds and Ava Waduge both picked up a brace of wickets on their way to winning the match and it puts the team in second place just behind The Mote and just in front of Bexley, having played a game more than their closest rivals.

Result: The Mote (126 all out) lost to Tunbridge Wells (191/3).

TUNBR IDGE W ELL S FACE R EM ATC H AG AINST

W IMBLEDON IN ECB CLUB C H AMPIONSH IP

tunbridge Wells Cricket Club will face Wimbledon in the third Round of the ECB National Club Championship on Sunday 23rd June, and they will be hoping for a better result after losing by three wickets to them in Round 1 of the competition last year The rematch will see Tunbridge Wells travel to The Wimbledon Club in Wimbledon Park once again, but this time it will be for a place in the National knockout stages, which are scheduled to begin in July.

In this years competition, Tunbridge Wells have already navigated their way past Whitstable with an eight wicket win, and fellow Kent Cricket League Premier Division side Sandwich with a nine wicket win, and they remain the only West Kent side still in the competition

Tunbridge Wells’ captain Sam Smith has enjoyed two stints at the wicket

recording 46* and 31* respectively

The ECB National Club Championship competition has been running since 1969 and is a straight knockout competition with the final being played on Sunday 15th September 2024 at Worcestershire

CCC Best of luck to the boys as they try to imporove on last year’s result!

2023 Round 1 result: Wimbledon (167/7) beat Tunbridge Wells (166 all out) by 3 wickets

Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club captain Sam Smith (right) will be hoping for fur ther progress in this year ’s ECB National Club Championship

SE V EN OAKS TOW N ANN OUNCE M ARCEL NIM ANI AS THEIR NE W M AN AGER

aweek after accepting the resignation of former manager

Mark Dacey, Sevenoaks Town Football Club have revealed his replacement, Marcel Nimani

Marcel joins Sevenoaks Town with immediate effect after an 18-month spell in charge at Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division side Whitstable Town, where he won close to 52% of their 69 games played

Marcel spoke exclusively to West Kent Sport & Wellbeing magazine saying: “I am ecstatic to join Sevenoaks Town FC as the first team manager.

“From the interview, and after hearing the boards three-year plan, it became clear to me that this is the right club and the right project for us as a management team We were therefore thrilled when the board decided to offer us the role.”

Club Chairman Paul Lansdale commented on the appointment, adding: “Marcel really impressed us with his drive, ambition, and ideas. He is passionate about building links across the club and embedding himself within the community of the club He’s a young and talented manager who has a track record of playing great football. He is determined

to bring our club success and we’re really looking forward to working with him and his coaching team.”

Settling in already

Talking to the Sevenoaks Town FC media team, Marcel was full of praise for former Sevenoaks manager Mark Dacey and speaks about his gratitude to both Mark and former manager Harry Hudson

Marcel said: “He’s a great guy [Mark] and I have a good relationship with him He facilitated and supported my move to Sevenoaks It’s a real credit to his character and the legacy that his predecessor left behind, Harry So I’m huge admirers of both of them The handover from Mark has been exceptional I’ve been communicating with Mark quite often, which is very rare in non league To have that level of communication with a previous manager It’s been a very smooth transition for me and all thanks to the legacy that Harry initially left with Mark and Mark with me So I’m very grateful to the previous management team. Speaking about the importance of the Sevenoaks’ youth teams and community, he added: “ I’m very much so looking forward to embracing the youth here I think every manager wants eleven players that can fig ht for the club and the badge And to do that

you need the young local players So that’s one way that we go about the youth. Another objective we have i s that we want to establi sh ourselves further in the communityAnd the best way to do that i s by rewarding the youthby interlinking with the youth and bringing them forward, so absolutely, youth will be at the heart of our every deci s ion ”

All change at Sevenoaks Town

Marcel will have to hit the ground running and build his team quickly ahead of the new season after all first team players were let go by the club, with Goalkeeping coach Julian Leigh the only member of staff to remain in his post.

This really represents a fresh start for the club that celebrated it’s annual Awards Day in early June with over 1,000 players, coaches, parents, guardians, friends, family and dogs present

Sevenoaks Town are one of the largest grassroots clubs in Kent with 48 junior teams, four adult teams, three Powerchair teams and over 200 volunteers.

We wish Marcel and Craig all the best as they begin their Sevenoaks journey, and we look forward to their first preseason matches of the year, due to start at the end of June

Five clubs from West Kent will go head-to -head in this season’s Southern Counties East (SCEFL) Premier Division.

Corinthian, Larkfield & New Hythe, Rusthall, Snodland Town, and Tunbridge Wells will all represent the local area come Saturday 27th July, when the Premier Division kicks off ! With just 20 teams in the league, it means we now have a quarter of all clubs representing West Kent And with Larkfield & New Hythe winning promotion via the playoffs last season, Greenways being relegated to the Kent County League, and K Sports moving to Sheppey United, there are no longer any West Kent teams in SCEFL Division One

All local clubs will however, also have teams competing in the SCEFL Development League, albeit slightly different to last year after a vote was held at the AGM on June 10th to have two Divisions for the 2024/25 season The Development League West Constitution will contain Corinthian, Rusthall, and Tunbridge Wells, whilst the East Constitution see’s Larkfield & New Hythe go against their closest rivals Snodland Town.

There was also confirmation at the SCEFL AGM regarding the rules of the Challenge Cup for 2024/25 It will now see clubs compete in one-legged semi-final with extra-time being played in the final Something that may be seen by clubs as

good news, or not so good news, depending on how they went out last year

• Obviously we would like to wish all the teams the best of luck for the new

season, and wouldn't it be nice to have all five of them competing for top spot come the end of the year! Good luck to all involved, we’ll be following your progress!

PL ANS R E VE ALED TO CR E ATE NE W HOME FOR L AR KFIELD & NE W H Y THE FOOTBALL CLUB

Plans for a new community sports hub at a former golf course at Birling, Kent have been revealed that would provide Larkfield & New Hythe Football Club with a new, purpose-built home, and deliver new leisure facilities to the area including a driving range and Padel tennis courts. Emerging plans for Oast Park Sports Hub seek to relocate the club from its existing football ground in Larkfield A new 4,500 sq ft clubhouse and two floodlit 3G pitches for year-round matches and training would be created just 1.2km from the club’s current location A floor plan of the new accessible clubhouse shows 250capacity seat stands, two sets of home and away changing rooms and a function room

If plans go ahead for the relocation of the club, 50 new affordable homes would be created on the current site of Larkfield & New Hythe Football Club on New Hythe Lane The scheme of twostorey homes will incorporate a new attractive open landscaped space fronting the road adjacent to Larkfield Playing Fields Plans for Oast Park Sports Hub feature a number of other sports and leisure facilities, including:

• A premium two -storey golf driving range, with a bar/restaurant, bringing an exceptional leisure offer, as well as jobs, to the area.

• Padel tennis courts, bringing the fastgrowing popular game, a mix of tennis and squash, to this area of Kent

• New dedicated access to Oast Park off Castle Way (A228).

• Adequate on-site car parking for visitors and members.

• A children’s play area

John Michel, Chairman of Larkfield & New Hythe Football Club, which in May won promotion to the SCEFL Premier Division, said: “Put simply, we need to relocate the club to survive.

“In previous years we have struggled to attract the major investment needed to maintain and improve our facilities Our grass playing surfaces are not fit for purpose – 18 matches have been

cancelled this season because of waterlogged pitches We can’t go on like this.

“We’re excited about making Oast Park the home of the Larks. Our recent promotion reinforces the need for us to invest in club facilities and the opportunity to create a new club fit for the current league and our future “Moving to a new purpose-built facility will be transformational for our teams, supporters and the wider community. At the moment we are relying on facilities at other clubs and we don’t take priority The artificial pitches alone are going to be game changing, allowing us to play and train in all weathers We’ll be able to make those facilities available to other teams, local schools and community groups too We’ve shown the early plans to our team managers so they can have their say and be part of securing the future of the club.”

Oast Park Sports Hub

Oast Park Sports Hub is being planned for the disused site of Oast Park Golf Course, which closed in 2017, and plans are being put forward by developer Obee Estates ahead of the submission of a formal planning application later this year.

In addition to the Sports Hub, the vision for the wider Oast Park site is for a mixed-use scheme comprising homes

and leisure

The emerging site masterplan includes up to 100 homes adjacent to the sports hub, 10 of which would be self-build plots Plans for this residential area to enable the development are in the early stages and will form a separate future outline planning application

Thomas Obee from Obee Estates said:

“This is an exciting project that seeks to deliver exceptional facilities for a community football club, as well as bringing innovative new leisure facilities to the area for everyone to benefit from and create jobs both during construction and in the longer term. It will also unlock land in Larkfield for the provision of much needed affordable homes in an area of need.

“We’re in the early planning stages of the project which involves meeting with local councillors and the community ahead of a formal planning application for Oast Park Sports Hub later this year ”

Public consultation opportunity

Public consultation events will take place at Eden Estates Stadium in Larkfield on Thursday 27th June from 3-7pm and on Saturday 29th June from 10am-1pm, which will provide an opportunity for people to find out more and have their say Those unable to attend the event will have the opportunity to leave feedback via an online survey

A CGI illustration shows how the new Oast Park Spor ts Hub might look Photo credit : Hollaway

make y our busine s s par t of the loc al spor ting communit y w ith

We s t k ent Spor t & Wellbeing!

West Kent Sport & Wellbeing magazine is an independent publication, dedicated to the local West Kent community The magazine provides a platform for thousands of local sporting individuals, clubs, societies, schools and charities every month, bringing to the community their news, their stories, raising awareness and highlighting their profiles.

As a free to pick up publication, West Kent Sport & Wellbeing is funded by advertisers, therefore as an advertiser, you are directly supporting the platform that helps promote the community’s grassroots sports and local wellbeing charities.

You will demonstrate to the local community that you are passionate about their stories being heard, that you are impassioned, and care about the future success of our local clubs and societies.

Community is at the heart of every club and it has never been so vital for their future, and loyalty in supporting one another has never been so valued. So become a part of the West Kent Sport & Wellbeing community today by contacting us at advertising@oneteammedia.co.uk to start your journey

Highly Commended for Kent Magazine of the Year and Kent Spor ts Journalist of the Year 2023

Best Communit y Business in Kent 2019

N ATION AL LE AGUE FI X TUR E S ANN OUNCED FOR SE V EN OAKS AND TONBR IDGE JUDDI ANS

the RFU have released the fixtures for the 2024/25 National League Rugby season which will start on Saturday 7th September. So, get your diaries out and start planning for the new season as the National 2 East fixtures have landed Whether you will be travelling to Guernsey or staying a little closer to home, we’ve got the season covered. With no teams relegated into the National 2 East this season, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Juddians will fancy their chances against two familiar sides from recent years, who have been promoted for the new campaign Colchester, winners of the Regional 1 South East League, and Havant (Regional 1 South Central) They are joined by Oxford Harlequins, who won the Regional 1 Midlands League, and although little is known about their capabilities, they only lost three games during the 2023/24 season.

Opening day fixtures

Sevenoaks travel to the south coast for their opening match of the season on Saturday 7th September against Havant, whilst Tonbridge Juddians will host last year’s third placed team Dorking at The Slade on the same date.

Sevenoaks v tonbridge Juddians v 2024

Sep tember 7th havant away Dorking home

Sep tember 14th Canterbur y home Colches ter away

Sep tember 21s t tonbridge Juddians away Sevenoaks home

Sep tember 28th Barnes home Wor thing away

Oc tober 5th Old albanian away guernsey home

Oc tober 12th Bur y S t edmunds home havant away

Oc tober 19th henley away Canterbur y home

Oc tober 26th O xford harlequins home Wes tcombe Park home

november 9th Dorking away Barnes away

november 16th Colches ter home Old albanian home

november 23rd Wes tcombe Park away Bur y S t edmunds away

December 7th Wor thing away henley home

December 14th guernsey home O xford harlequins away

December 21s t Canterbur y away Colches ter home

December 28th no fixture no fixture

2025

Januar y 11th tonbridge Juddians home Sevenoaks away

Januar y 18th Barnes away Wor thing home

Januar y 25th Old albanian home guernsey away

Februar y 8th Bur y S t edmunds away havant home

Februar y 15th henley home Canterbur y away

march 1s t O xford harlequins away Wes tcombe Park away

march 8th Dorking home Barnes home

march 15th Colches ter away Old albanian away

march 22nd Wes tcombe Park home Bur y S t edmunds home

april 5th Wor thing home henley away

april 12th guernsey away O xford harlequins home

april 26th havant home Dorking away

Head-to -head

The 2024/25 fixture schedule will see Tonbridge host Sevenoaks on Saturday 21st September with the return fixture at Knole Paddock in Sevenoaks on Saturday 11th January Last season’s results saw Sevenoaks take the local spoils with a 29-29 draw at Tonbridge before gliding past their opponents in a close 24-22 win at home

Other fixtures to put in the diary

Both West Kent clubs will also have the pleasure of travelling to Guernsey once again, with Tonbridge making the trip on Saturday 5th October before Sevenoaks head there for the penultimate match of the season on Saturday 12th April. Local rivals Westcombe Park will also add to the mix again with Sevenoaks travelling up the A21 on November 23rd, before welcoming them back to the Paddock on March 22nd. Tonbridge will make a similar trip on March 1st after hosting them on October 26th. The full fixture schedule for both Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Juddians is on the left.

• Keep up -to - date during the Rugby season with the Amherst Accountancy weekly stats report which contains all the league tables, recent results and forthcoming fixtures for all rugby clubs participating in West Kent. You can sign up to the Amherst Accountancy weekly stats report now by visiting localsportsnews.co.uk/subscribe

K ENT M ASTER S AND N ATION AL

Q UALIFIER S SUCCE S SE S FOR OAKS

Sevenoaks Masters swimmers were on a roll at the Kent County Masters Swimming Championships on Sunday 9th June With a team of just five women, they won eight gold medals, 10 silver and five bronze making them the 4th ranked Kent women’s team out of 14 A special mention goes to Shelley Robinson who also managed to break three county age group records! Sacha Djerfi, Head Coach said: “I am delighted with the fantastic results from our masters swimmers at the Kent Championships, and I am proud to announce our 16 younger swimmers

who qualified across the forthcoming British, English and Scottish Championships in July and August; wishing every swimmer all the best for their swims.”

Qualifiers for British Championships: Tom Ellershaw (14); Imogen Myles (15); Cara Neal (15); Maisie Chambers (17), English Championships: Dane Rawkins (12); Billy Larter (13); Oliver Ratchford (13); Demi Ali (17); Albert Branch (18+); Jessica Evans (13); Lola Bowra (14); Cara Neal (15); Scarlett Davie (16); Amelia Tovey (17); Scottish Championships: Niamh Miller (14); Fern Gray (17)

• Sevenoaks Swimming Club welcomes new members across their learn to swim, development, competitive and masters programmes Please contact them directly at membersec@sevenoakssc.org to find out more.

• The club is currently crowdfunding for new backstroke start wedges equipment if you wish to find out more and donate visit their crowdfunding page crowdfunder.co.uk/p/sevenoaksswim-club -backstroke-ledgesfundraiser

t he mas ter s : Jill geer, nataliia gaidarenko, Shelley robinson, L esley Cameron, and L ucy Dickson. Pho to Credit : Sevenoaks S w imming Club.

5

5

6

WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE

SUSSEX CRICKET LEAGUE - DIVISION 8 CENTRAL

WOMEN’S SOFTBALL BASH - WEST

*The Kent Count y Football League will confirm it’s new constitution af ter their AGM on June 19th, but this is how we expect it to look, with the Premier Division at the top ; Division One split into Central & East , and West ; and the third level being split furhter into East , West and Central Divisions

5

Sport and Accountancy

Committed

of

Tennis success for Sevenoaks

In April it was the start of the Kent Schools Tennis Competitions Sevenoaks School hosted the Annual Secondary Schools Doubles Competition for years 11 - 13 at the Sennocke Centre. Fantastic play from 19 boys and 18 girls teams from secondary schools across Kent. The finals were dominated by schools from Sevenoaks and from Canterbury However, it was Sevenoaks that claimed both the boys and girls titles Sevenoaks Boys defeated St.Edmunds (Canterbury). Sevenoaks Girls 2nd defeated Kings School (Canterbury).

Dragon Boat racing returns to Kent

Dragon boating is a fun-filled, adrenaline pumping, water sports activity Teams compete in Dragon Boats, which are large canoe-like vessels fitted with ornately carved dragon's heads and tails Crews of up to 16 people sit in pairs and paddle to compete in races over distances of around 250m Each boat has a drummer beating time to keep the paddlers in unison, and a professional helmsperson in the stern to guide the boat The three Dragon Boat Festivals coming to Kent are as follows:

• Monday 26th August - Chipstead

• Saturday 31st August - Bewl Water

• Sunday 1st September - Tonbridge

Paris 2024 Olympics

Next month we will be focusing on our local Olympians and Paralympians including swimmers Eva Okaro, Iona Winnifrith and Callie-Ann Warrington. Plus Joe Choong and Kate French, who are both from just outside West Kent, in the Modern Pentathlon We’ll also be bringing you a Golf Special, looking at all 18 courses in the West Kent area The July issue of West Kent Sport & Wellbeing will be out the week ending July 19th If you or your club have a story, or you would like to advertise, then please contact our Editor Steve Rowley at steve@oneteammedia.co.uk.

I SIMPLY LOV ED IT! JULIE MCPHER SON M AK E S HER DEBUT AS R UN DIR EC TOR

there were 34 first-timers at RTW parkrun on Saturday 8th June, 19 of whom were visiting Dunorlan Park for the first time and 15 were taking part in their very first parkrun.

It was a beautiful morning so hopefully all of them had a ‘first time’ to remember There was another first-timer on the day too, the person in the blue hi-vis with ‘Run Director’ written on her back.

Because RTW parkrun #438 was Julie McPherson’s first time in charge of our favourite event

Julie remembers being “a little apprehensive” when she was a first-time parkrunner at Dunorlan herself back in September 2019 and not surprisingly was “quite nervous” before her big day on Saturday too. “Using the megaphone was my biggest worry, and that my voice still wouldn’t be loud enough,” she said.

“I’m also a natural introvert so having all eyes on me puts me way out of my comfort zone ”

But facing 267 parkrunners and delivering the pre- event briefing is not the hardest thing Julie has had to do. As a teaching assistant at a Tunbridge Wells primary school, she sometimes has to cover for teacher absences and take a class of year six pupils

“Overseeing a class of 30 children is far more nerve-racking,” said Julie

“Maybe parkrun is easier because I’m not trying to explain long division!”

Although explaining to everyone why they must take a finish token and stay in order through the finish funnel might seem like teaching maths sometimes ”

From where I was standing in the starting funnel Julie seemed like a natural at the run director briefing The assembled parkrunners and walkers were quiet and attentive – thank you everyone! – and she even managed a joke “I tried to talk loudly, clearly and positively,” she said afterwards

“Everyone clapped at the appropriate

Using the megaphone was my biggest worr y, and that my voice still wouldn’t be loud enough.

p Julie McPherson celebrates her first parkrun as Run Director in Dunorlan Park, Tunbridge Wells on Saturday 8th June, 2024 Credit : RT W parkrun

The kindness of my parkrun friends is wonder ful. They have been there for me when life has been challenging and I’ll be forever indebted. It ’s a truly suppor tive and non-judgemental communit y, and I simply love it.

milestone mentions and even when I talked about the parkrun social night, I joked they could clap if they wanted to!”

And with the megaphone finally switched off, Julie could relax – at least for a minute “It was a joy to watch everyone set off and I could take a breath as the scariest bit was done ” There were still a few moments to test the new run director “We did have a faller,

“Overseeing a class of 30 children is far more ner veracking,” said Julie “Maybe Parkrun is easier because I’m not tr ying to explain long division!” Credit : RT W parkrun

which demonstrated the importance of having an experienced team of volunteers using radios to react in a timely way,” Julie said. “A special thank you to Huw and Ryland, who both administered first aid Thankfully, it was not serious, and I checked in with the runner a couple of times to make sure he was all right.”

And processing the results – the ultimate responsibility of the RD –caused a few problems too But Julie was again quick to praise the teamwork behind the scenes “The meticulous notes and feedback of the volunteers doing number checking and bar code scanning helped iron out a couple of issues we had.”

What struck me talking to Julie, as with so many people at RTW parkrun, is how much the community means to her After

Julie McPherson comparied notes with experienced Run Director, Robin Bar wick, beforehand. Credit : RT W parkrun.

that first parkun in 2019, she quickly rediscovered the enthusiasm she’d had for running as a teenager

Not only that, but “I met lots of lovely people too” Julie has now completed 92 parkruns, “which isn’t as many as I’d like but that’s due to a couple of injuries, the big one being an Achilles injury” As she points out, though, “being injured is the perfect opportunity to volunteer”

Starting out as a marshal, she has now tried every volunteering role in her preparation for being a run director and has now volunteered 73 times

But whether she is taking part in the 5k or volunteering, the satisfaction she gets from parkrun is enormous “It never fails to move me how wonderful it is, seeing so many people up early on a Saturday morning moving their bodies and being outside ”

There was one final surprise to cap Julie’s morning – a celebratory cake

“That was a lovely touch, and I was completely shocked,” she said “The kindness of my parkrun friends is wonderful. They have been there for me when life has been challenging and I’ll be forever indebted. It’s a truly supportive and non-judgemental community, and I simply love it.”

Fancy taking part in the next RTW parkrun at Dunorlan Park, please visit parkrun.org.uk/royaltunbridgewells for further information and forthcoming events, including socials

• This report was written by RTW Parkrun’s Communications Volunteer David Edwards

the eagerly anticipated Series 4 of Race Across the World returned to our TV screens in April, and it certainly did not disappoint!

This year, the two -person teams raced over 15,000 kilometers through Eastern Asia, starting in Sapporo, the northernmost city on Japan's island of Hokkaido, and concluding on Bangsal, on the island of Lombok.

After 50 days of intense travel, the top two teams were separated by just 8 minutes Lifelong friends Alfie and Owen ultimately won the race in a thrilling final leg, where they were neck and neck with the Mother and Daughter team, Eugenie and Isabel, at many points!

Inspired by the program, we explore adventure travel deals in Asia with the award-winning trip provider G Adventures With up to 20% off select departures worldwide, now is the perfect time to book that bucket list adventure! Top of our list is an incredible 14- day hike, bike, and kayak adventure from Bangkok to Bangkok!

Thailand Hike, Bike & Kayak

Perfect for those who believe the best way to appreciate paradise is by diving right in, this adventure will have you hiking through lush forests and rice paddies, cycling through provincial villages, and immersing yourself in Thailand's fascinating blend of culture and natural beauty. Kayak in the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, discovering coral coves and white-sand beaches

With the guidance of a Chief Experience Officer and your accommodation and transport arranged, this trip offers excellent value, showcasing Thailand's main sights while providing plenty of flexibility for an unforgettable adventure

• Cycle through busy Bangkok

• Experience colourful Chiang Mai

• Trek into remote hilltribe villages

• Discover ancient Ayutthaya by bike

• Learn about the sombre history of Kanchanaburi

• Kayak the Andaman Sea from Krabi

14 days - Bangkok to Bangkok - From £1,231 (was £1,759 - valid June 2024)

Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest i s more than just a mountain, and the jour ney to its base camp i s more than merely a trek Along a route often called "the steps to heaven," every twi st and tur n presents a new photo opportunity stunning forests, Sher pa villages, g lacial moraines, and foothills

For active adventurers ready to break a sweat, comprehensive trekking support staff will immerse you in local cultures before revealing a breathtaking view of the top of the world

• Trek to Everest Base Camp

• Conquer high passes and glaciers

• Experience Sherpa villages and panoramic views

• Meet locals during tea house stays

15 days - Kathmandu to KathmanduFrom £937 (was £1,249 - valid June 2024)

Thai island-hopping Embark on an island-hopping adventure in Thailand and experience some of the finest snorkeling in the world Spend a week aboard a sailing catamaran, discovering the unique charm of Thailand

With an experienced captain guiding you through the southern islands, you'll anchor at both famous spots and hidden gems ideal for a swim After working up an appetite snorkeling, enjoy delicious Thai cuisine and sleep moored under the stars.

This trip is perfect as a standalone getaway or as an addition to other Thai adventures.

• Relax on the deck of the catamaran in the stunning southern Thai islands

• Eat delicious Thai cuisine• Lounge on beautiful beaches

• Swim and snorkel in quiet bays

7 days - Phuket to Phuket - From £1,095 (was £1,369 - valid October 2024)

• For all these trips please visit localsportsnews.co.uk/ where you will find further information and links to these particular holidays offered by G Adventures

t V ShO W inSP ire S e a S t ern a Si a ge taWaY S!

From hiking to snorkelling, Features Editor Lorraine Rowley, takes a look at the renowned highlights and hidden gems of East Asia with G Adventures.

p Spend a week aboard a sailing catamaran, discovering the unique charm of Thailand, where you'll anchor at both famous spots and hidden gems ideal for a swim.

in the wake of Luca Guadagnino’s tennis blockbuster ‘Challengers’ and the growing talk of Wimbledon just around the corner, tennis is officially fashion’s new favourite sport. The sunshine, strawberries and champagne attract a glamorous, star-studded crowd to the Wimbledon courts every year and this year it's likely the fashion crowd will be there too. For the movie ‘Challengers’ Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director of Loewe was in charge of costume while Law Roach was Zendaya’s stylist for the movie’s promotional tour. Her looks were tennis coded in every way, evening gowns adorned with tennis racket prints and pleated mini skirts were centre stage. Meanwhile tennis players such as Venus Williams and Novack Djokovic starred in Lacoste’s new 2024 campaign wearing their signature polo shirts and trainers. Tennis wasn’t always this glamorous and we’ve got Suzanne Lenglen to thank for that She was the first tennis player to win eight grand slam singles and was known for her radical style on the court, bringing together the two worlds of fashion and tennis. She was famous for wearing mid-length pleated skirts while she also wore ‘pastel- coloured cardigans during the pre-match warmup, as well as white unisex canvas sneakers and her signature headband, often adorned with a diamond pin’ according to the BBC. So the question is, how can we incorporate tennis chic into our style this summer?

Pastels, prints and pleats are in, thanks to tennis fashion icons like Suzanne Lenglen and Zendaya Suzanne in particular was fond of a drop waist pleated dress which is now a dress style offered by lots of high street brands

such as Zara and Urban Outfitters for everyday summer wear. Meanwhile lots of activewear brands are offering versions of these pleated dresses that can be worn both on the court and on the street Lululemon and Alo Yoga both offer pleated skirts and dresses in white, lilac and pastel green If you are looking for a less sporty version that could be worn out for lunch, take a look at Tory Burch sport collection that has plenty of tennis styles

Meanwhile for the men, Lacoste is the place to shop Their new 2024 campaign featured a collaboration with Novack Djokovic, producing signature polo shirts and matching shorts that

could be styled on and off the court

There's a range of colours but the most on trend is the pastel blue shirt and the classic white Lacoste polo with the signature crocodile logo

Make sure to think about accessories too, specifically headbands which are a great choice for both men and women to keep hair out of the way and add a chic layer to the look I would recommend Nike or Alo Yoga for headbands which can be worn to play tennis or as a part of an everyday sportswear inspired look If you want to really pay homage to Suzanne Lenglen though, style it with a pin of some kind to level up the glamour. Enjoy the tennis season and remember to wear three things; pastels, prints and pleats

Below are some recommendations of what to shop and where

Lacoste Tennis x Novack Djokovic Polo Shirt

p Bridget Devine is a Fashion Journalism student in her first year at Central Saint Mar tins - Universit y of the Ar ts London.

getting ready to hit the field or the gym? Don't just jump in cold

Effective warm-ups are crucial to getting your body primed for action while cutting down the risk of injuries. A top -notch warm-up routine usually has three main parts: some cardio, stretching, and movements that mirror what you’re about to do

Let's dive into why these elements work, how they benefit you, and what the science says about putting together a killer warm-up strategy

Static stretching

Static stretching is when you hold a stretch for about 30 seconds or more to boost your flexibility and range of motion (ROM). But when it comes to strength and power activities, the jury's still out.

Research shows that if you stretch too long (like over a minute), it can actually sap your power for things like jumps and strength tests because it might tire out your muscles. On the flip side, keeping those static stretches short can still help with flexibility and injury prevention without messing with your performance.

q George Olney is an Exercise Specialist at the Bet ter Body Group. For more information or any questions , please call their friendly and exper t team on 01732 451979 or email them at info@bet terbodygroup co uk

Dynamic stretching

Dynamic stretching is all about moving your joints through their full range of motion with active movements, much like the ones you'll be doing in your workout

This type of stretching is a winner for warm-ups. It gets your heart pumping, heats up your muscles, and even boosts performance by improving coordination and strength

Studies show that doing dynamic stretches for about 6-12 minutes can enhance things like vertical jumps and overall power But don't overdo it, more than 90 seconds at a stretch might leave you feeling fatigued.

Keep your form sharp to avoid slipping into ballistic stretching, which involves bouncing and can be risky

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular

Facilitation is a bit more complex and usually needs a partner. It's great for boosting flexibility but can reduce strength and power if done right before a workout Because it's tricky and can be uncomfortable, it's not the best fit for regular warm-ups

However, it's fantastic for rehab and recovery when athletes are bouncing back from injuries

Recommendations for an effective warm-up

So, what makes a warm-up truly effective? Based on the latest science, focus on dynamic stretching and movements that mimic your upcoming activity to get the best performance and injury prevention

Static stretching is fine in small doses, keep it under 60 seconds to avoid any dip in strength and power.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular

Facilitation is best saved for rehab and isn't ideal for your standard warm-up Tailor your warm-up to the specific activity you’re gearing up for, emphasising dynamic moves and proper prep to stay safe and perform at your best.

• Make an appointment with the Better Body Group by calling them on 01732 451979 or email them at info@betterbodygroup.co.uk

t he S CienCe BehinD eFFeC t i V e Warm-UP S

George Olney, an Exercise Specialist at the Bet ter Body Group, looks at the science of how to warm up properly.

t he imPaC t OF aL COhOL On OUr B ODie S

Resident nutritionist Mag dalena Mar vell delves into the effects of alcohol and the long term implications on our health.

Summer brings with it a host of social events Whether it's enjoying a beer around the cricket pitch or attending end- of-year school drinks, many of us find it hard to say no to a cheeky beverage But do we truly understand the long-term implications of regularly indulging in alcoholic drinks?

Understanding the effects

Alcohol consumption can have a range of effects on the body, both short-term and long-term. While a casual drink may seem harmless, repeated indulgence can lead to significant health issues.

Short-term effects

• Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urine production and can lead to dehydration

• Impaired Judgment: Alcohol affects the brain, leading to impaired decision-making and coordination.

• Sleep Disruption: Although alcohol might make you feel drowsy, it can disrupt sleep patterns (the normal phases of deeper and lighter sleep we go through every night, leading to poor- quality rest)

A study conducted by Finnish researchers found that any amount of alcohol consumption before bedtime negatively affects sleep quality. Specifically, low amounts reduced sleep quality by over 9%, moderate amounts by nearly 24%, and high amounts by almost 40%1/2

Long-term implications

• Liver Damage: Regular alcohol consumption can lead to liver diseases such as fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis

• Heart Health: Drinking too much alcohol can increase blood pressure and contribute to heart disease.

• Mental Health: Long-term alcohol use is linked to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety

• Nutritional Deficiencies: Alcohol can interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients, leading to deficiencies

While a casual drink may seem harmless, repeated indulgence can lead to significant health issues.

night out. Studies suggest that after 14 months of abstinence, the brain begins to return to a healthier baseline, with dopamine transporter levels (DAT) in the brain's reward centre approaching normal functioning levels5

Quitting alcohol can lead to long-term benefits for both mental and physical health, helping to restore balance and improve overall well-being.

Understanding these effects is crucial for making informed choices about alcohol consumption and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Quitting alcohol or perhaps swapping it for a mocktail or non-alcoholic kombucha can be a great step towards better health.

References

1 ncbi nlm nih gov/pmc/articles/PMC5821259

2 ncbi nlm nih gov/pmc/articles/PMC10104364

Nutritional deficiencies caused by alcohol

Regular alcohol consumption can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients like vitamins B1, B6, B12, folate, and A, as well as minerals such as magnesium and zinc, resulting in serious health issues like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, anaemia, neurological problems, and impaired immune function3

Research shows that even moderate drinking can impact brain health For example, individuals who consume four drinks per week may experience neurodegeneration, which is the loss of neurones (the cells in the brain). Unlike synapses (the connections where neurones communicate), once neurones are lost, they cannot be replaced While we can create new synaptic connections, the loss of neurones is permanent4

Recovery and Improvement

What does this mean for people who stop drinking alcohol? Can they recover to some extent?

By stopping alcohol consumption, you can experience mood improvements and better dopaminergic activity. Alcohol affects the dopamine system, leading to volatile highs and lows. This is why you may feel anxious or have a low mood the day after drinking. Over time, this system can replenish and become healthier, reducing the reward-seeking behaviour often experienced after a

3 ncbi nlm nih gov/pmc/articles/PMC8625009

4 ncbi nlm nih gov/pmc/articles/PMC3860462

5 recoveryanswers org/recovery-101/brain-inrecovery

Magdalena Mar vell is a Nutritional Therapist and founder of the Persea Clinic which helps suppor t clients who want to optimise their health in areas such as gut health, weight management , hormonal balance and skin conditions Magdalena also consults from the Children's Wellness Centre in Tunbridge Wells where she offers baby, child and adolescent nutritional suppor t To find out more about Magdalena’s work please visit www.persea.clinic and childrenswellnesscentre co uk/kent/ nutritional- therapy

Healthy recipes with Magdalena - Summer Kombucha Mocktail

If you are looking for a refreshing summer drink that boosts brain health and replaces alcohol, try this Summer Kombucha Mocktail! Packed with probiotics from kombucha, antioxidants from fresh berries, and brain-boosting rosemary, this vibrant drink is perfect for staying sharp and refreshed all season long.

Ingredients:

• 1 and a half cups of raspberry kombucha (flavour of your choice)

• Non- alcoholic gin

• Lime juice

• Fresh mint, raspberries, rosemary to garnish

How to make it:

Pour lime juice, add non-alcoholic gin and a few ice cubes into a cocktail shaker and shake well Add ice to a traditional Martini glass Pour the mixture equally into glasses. Top with raspberry kombucha. Garnish with mint or rosemary and a raspberry on a cocktail pick Optional: add a lime wedge Enjoy!

Think you know The White Horse? Think again!

Situated at the heart of the Sundridge community, we’re the perfect spot to meet up with friends and family to enjoy great food and drink in a relaxed, and cosy atmosphere, where we take pride in providing a warm, friendly service to all our customers.

At The White Horse, we're passionate about supporting our local community and offering our customers the freshest, most delicious food and drink around. From juicy burgers and real ales, to afternoon tea and regular events, we are here to welcome you with a smile.

Opening Hours - Bar Mondays: Closed* Tuesday: 3pm - 10pm Wed to Sun: 12pm - 11pm *open Bank Holidays Kitchen Opening Times Wed to Sat: 12pm - 3pm and 5pm - 8pm Sunday: 12pm - 5pm

Please visit www.whitehorsesundridge.co.uk or call Inna on 01959 562444.