Padel is a fun and exciting sport that’s rapidly gaining popularity around the world, with stars such as Antonio Banderas, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams all fans. Want to join them?
Padel’s an innovative form of tennis that’s fun, easy to learn and extremely sociable. Played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court, groups of mixed ages and abilities can play together.
Padel is a sport for anyone and everyone – it’s easy to pick up and once you get started, you’ll find it difficult to stop!
There are more than 450 padel courts in Britain ready and waiting for you, with even more on the way. There are also padel clubs across the country that you can join as a member. You don’t have to have played tennis – or any other sport before – just grab a bat, a doubles partner, and away you go!
One of the newest kids on the block is PadelStars, Bracknell which is due to open very soon!
Faringdon-based Farcycles are getting ready to stage their 11th Le Tour de Farcycles on Saturday, 13th July
Take part in a sublime blend of BREW-tiful Cotswold countryside and three deliciously smooth MOCHA-me-happy rides depending on how far you want to push yourself.
We’re famous for the delicious homemade fare at the well-stocked feed stations, and the hot lunch at the finish!
All funds raised by the Sportive go towards local cycling projects including supporting the Cycle Park, teaching and commissioning infrastructure projects such as cycle repair stations, and road safety signs.
Primo-30 (the FLAT WHITE): 30 miles of rolling Cotswold countryside that is just enough to stretch someone looking for a first event. It is also the choice for regular cyclists to have a social meander through some of the region’s prettiest villages. The route is also perfect for families who would like to cycle together.
Medio-50 (the FRAPPUCHINO): 50 miles taking in some of our favourite country lanes. This is the perfect ride for cyclists who want to try a longer distance for the first time or who want a longer ride while still having enough energy for lunch afterwards.
Massimo-80 (the MACHO-ATTO): 80 miles taking in some hillier terrain that will stretch regular cyclists with a big hill or two, while still enjoying the archetypal Cotswold scenery. Back in time for lunch to relive your epic ride with your cycling buddies.
In a bid to enhance girls’ participation in cricket, three clubs in the Thames Valley have joined forces to establish a new girls’ cricket team, Thames Fusion. Ally Holloway shares the news
The collaboration with Wargrave, Sonning and Reading Cricket Clubs aims to provide girls of all ages with meaningful opportunities to engage in competitive hardball cricket, and so far the results have brought a wave of energy to girls’ cricket at all three clubs.
While each club will maintain its individual girls’ cricket teams, this joint effort has led to the formation of a new team called Thames Fusion, with an emphasis on playing hardball cricket.
Wargrave CC was a driving force behind the initiative. Chairman Andy Meader said: “Whilst we have offered girls cricket for many years, there have not always been sufficient numbers to play as many fixtures as we’d ideally like. We were aware that other clubs have been similarly challenged so we were delighted that Sonning CC and Reading CC saw the benefit in pooling resources. The launch of Thames Fusion is an exciting development, and the combination of players, coaches, and facilities from all three clubs promises an outstanding summer of cricket for the girls (and anyone interested in joining us)!”
Nalin Rupasinha of Reading CC added: “Thames Fusion is now able to offer girls at Reading CC the right level of competition and development. This collaborative effort is paving the way for a sustainable and thriving future for girls’ cricket in the region. Long may it continue!”
Throughout June and July, girls aged U11 to U15 will have the opportunity to participate in over 25 cricket games and festivals. This significant increase from previous seasons ensures girls gain valuable experience to further enhance their cricket skills and will have the chance to play just as much cricket as boys their age.
Tim Murphy, Chair of Sonning Cricket Club’s Junior section, said: “The club is delighted to be part of this partnership. The girls have thoroughly enjoyed playing at U11, U13, and U15 levels, with many expressing happiness in playing all-girls cricket due to our combined strength in depth. The positive feedback from the girls underscores the success of this initiative.”
Two Berkshire-based companies have generously offered their support by providing playing kit for the new team. Ally Holloway, the women and girls’ representative at Wargrave CC thanked Goodall-Smith Wealth Management and Wise Owls Childcare. “This sponsorship has enabled the purchase of branded kit for the girls without any additional cost to them. It was a key priority for us when setting this team up, that Thames Fusion was bonus without requiring players to make any further financial commitment beyond their club membership.”
For further information about Thames Fusion, please email [email protected]
Liz Nicholls visits fully revamped B Spa at Brooklands Hotel in Weybridge where you can enjoy the benefits of sunshine on a deluxe indoor beach
Hello… summer? Are you there!? It looks as though British summertime might have stood us up 🙁 (except for the mini heatwave last week).
But the newly revamped B Spa is here to save your summer!
If we’re honest, going on holiday somewhere scorchio (taking the obligatory sausage leg pic to post on the ‘gram) is radically boosted by knowing it’s soggy back home in Blighty. Right?!
So, picture the scene: you’re lying on your own comfy beach chair, cocktail in hand, soaking up the sunshine like a lizard in front of a sugar-sand beach paradise… while the storm clouds gather outside and rain lashes against the window.
This is exactly what you can enjoy at BSpa which boasts a Sunlight Therapy Room using 100% safe ‘sunlight simulators’ to fully replicate natural sunlight. These generate full-spectrum sunlight with reduced UVA and UVB, full spectrum visible light and infrared heat. Benefits include a boost in Vitamin D and energy, reducing the nasty effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder, a stronger immune system, better circulation, eased muscles and a better metabolism…
Which is perfect because the 1907 beach bar will serve you cocktails (thanks Rhys!) & light snacks. Downstairs in the swanky hotel itself the award-winning 1907 restaurant, bar & grill (named after the year the world-famous Brooklands racetrack opened), in a setting inspired by the 1920s & ’30s, the team serve up a mean afternoon tea. They have also earned two AA Rosettes for their hearty breakfasts, Sunday lunches and more, including incredible burners. The windows in both the spa beach, pedicure room and the restaurant face out on to the drivers doing doughnuts on the Mercedes-Benz World track.
But back to the spa which has been lavished in love to provide you with treatments and TLC. Spa experiences start from £49pp (the Spa & Dine package includes use of the spa facilities for three hours and either lunch, afternoon tea or dinner which is phenomenal value). The facilities include: a Himalayan salt room, Finnish & infra-red saunas, steam room, ice fountain and hydrotherapy hot tub with Venturi jets.
On one particularly frazzled and dreary Wednesday my skin and muscles were thoroughly spoilt with a Comfort Zone Aromasoul ritual massage which helped work away all that tension. Other fabulous treatments on offer (maybe book your other half for one?) include a Himalayan salt or cranial massage, plus there are wonderful facials to plump up tired and thirsty skin, using products from the deluxe Italian skincare brand Comfort Zone. No wonder the spa is loved by many pamper-seekers, including Chelsea FC players.
Just to add to the relaxation and ensure it lasts beyond your visit, spend some time floating in the Tranquillity Meditation Room…
All in all, a fantastic way to beat the summer blues and top up that mojo without getting on a plane! I’ll see you there – mine’s the middle beach chair!
Liz Nicholls chats to Sharron Davies MBE as she looks forward to The Olympic Games – her 13th – starting later this month in Paris
Watch & listen to Liz Nicholls catch up with Sharron Davies on our podcast, Spotlight: The Diary for the South East, OUT NOW on YouTube.
Q. Hello Sharron! Who are your Team GB ones to watch? “Well they’ve got a tall order because Tokyo was the most successful Olympic games for the British swimming team for 100 years. So it’s going to be very tough for them to be as successful but I expect them to be very close to it because they’ve got a very strong team, particularly the men. Adam Peaty seems to be back on track which is good news for the British team because what happens on day one sets the tone. We also have Tom Dean and Duncan Scott. Daniel Wiffen stands a very good chance in the 200m – we like to see the Irish doing well, too, don’t we? The girls are going to have it a little bit tougher. They had good trials and we have a couple of world champions going into this with Laura Stevens and Freya Colbert. But I think the Canadians, Americans and Australians will bring another level.”
Q. Will you be in Paris for the whole games? “Yes, I’ll be poolside covering the swimming throughout and then I’ve wangled a couple of days at the end to see a bit of track and field with my 17-year-old. This will be my 13th Olympic Games! I entered my first junior international a 11 and my first Olympics at 13.”
Q. You were great as Amazon on Gladiators! Do you watch much TV? “I do: mostly live sport and Netflix. And, most people don’t know this about me but I’m a big Star Trek fan! I love anything that depicts us living in harmony, all shapes and sizes from all sorts of places. I love the idea we might be able to do this one day.”
Q. Who were your heroes growing up? “The Mirror used to fly in swimming superstars. I met Johnny Weissmuller & Shane Gould. And I remember watching Mark Spitz with his famous moustache & seven medals. Also David Wilkie, who sadly died recently, was a great inspiration to me and, later, a friend. I have many female heroes. We appear to be living in a much more misogynistic world right now & those pushing back for fair & equal opportunities for our girls I admire on a daily basis. I can’t say I even thought of myself as a feminist until recently, but regressive stereotypes & social media are making life much harder for young females.”
Q. Where do you like to swim? “Aha, well I don’t swim often these days because swimming has ruined my shoulders! Swimming wears your rotator cuffs out – that’s our injury. If I’m on holiday and I’m on a beach and it’s lovely, I’m in the water but I don’t use swimming to keep fit. I’m cycling or in the gym four times a week.”
Q. What tips would you give anyone who wants to get fit & healthy? “It’s never too late! You can make a radical difference with tweaks. It’s all about consistency, mobility, your core. We need to put a little stress on our joints as well, particularly as women, to avoid osteoporosis. Silly stuff like climbing stairs instead of escalators or lifts. Just do all of those things automatically. My dad is 88 and I always say to him, whether you’re getting on and off your sofa to do two squats every single time. And when you’re there making your cup of tea, stand on one leg. Obviously hold on to something supportive if you need but balance as we age is really important because once you start to get into your 80s, if you fall over and break a hip, it’s massive. And that’s all down to core stability and balance and we don’t tend to look after that. What’s really interesting is that Japanese people have hardly any of the hip issues we have because they’re constantly getting up and down off the floor so their core stability is so much better than ours.”
Q. What about eating, Sharron? Is there anything you do or don’t eat? “There’s nothing that’s off the agenda, I just tend not to eat unhealthily regularly and I would say little tips like making sure you eat colourful food works really well. Nearly all beige and bland food isn’t good for us. Processed sugar is the devil and it creeps into everything these days, especially ready meals! I don’t drink very much, never have. I’ve never smoked. I’m a morning person so I go to bed reasonably early and like to be up and get going – I think that’s a knock-on of having to get up at 5am for training from such a young age! Alcohol has hidden calories which are easy to forget about. And try not to eat really late as well. It’s slowing your metabolism down filling your belly and going to bed is not good for your digestive system.”
Q. Do you still love dogs? “Yes, we’ve got two: Flash the blind Basset Hound is very unflash; my son named him! And Ed the dachshund.”
Q. You’re a grandmother now aren’t you? “I am – that’s who I’m out with today. I’ve got a granddaughter who’s four and a grandson who’s four months. It’s a cliché but it’s so much easier than being a mum because you can just hand them back. I love it! I often have Ariya on a Friday and it’s my favourite day of the week. We live in a very fast world and we often don’t live in the moment. When I’m with my granddaughter I have to live in the moment. She wants me to draw pictures with her and throw a ball and do all sorts of innocent things. You have to put your mobile down and turn the TV off and give them a bit of time and effort – that’s really all they want.”
Don’t suffer in silence, EarLab can help get you enjoying life again
It can be difficult to tell someone you think they need to get their hearing checked. Even for older people, the stigma of hearing loss and hearing aids leads many to ignore the problem for years.
Hearing loss can be frustrating but also socially isolating, meaning people withdraw from busy environments or background noise.
Even from the age of 40, without ear disease, we start to lose our ability to hear high pitched sounds. Some, with a family history of hearing loss or with ear disease, will lose hearing more appreciably at a faster rate. Hearing loss in this respect is due to inner ear loss (sensorineural) and not usually reversible.
Some hearing loss, however, is conductive. This means sound cannot get to the inner ear due to obstruction in the canal (wax, infection, abnormalities) or problems with the ear drum and bones of hearing.
I would encourage patients with hearing loss to get checked out by a professional. A good start is to have the ears checked and cleared of wax at which point a proper assessment of the ear health can be made. After this hearing tests and occasionally referral to an ENT clinic may be advised.
l Mr David Walker MBChB FRCS (ORL-HNS) MSc Consultant ENT Surgeon, EarLab, Haslemere
Ear wax removal and specialist advice £85 for both ears
We’ve teamed up with Adam Henson to invite you to send us pictures of the wildlife in your garden – or local park – and win seeds to help improve biodiversity
One of the UK’s best-known farmers and TV presenter Adam Henson has launched a range of British Wildflower Seeds, the first product line to launch from his new online store, Wildscape.
Developed in collaboration with leading experts in ecology and sustainable agriculture, Wildscape promise to create beautiful spaces, bringing joy to all those who experience them and creating essential habitats to foster biodiversity.
“I believe everyone should consider growing wildflowers,” says Adam, “not only are they beautiful native British blooms, but they also support local biodiversity. No matter if it’s a small pot in an urban setting or large garden, wildflowers create a mini ecosystem right outside your window, attracting a variety of birds, insects, and other delightful creatures.”
Someone who is doing their bit for nature and enjoying it is Chris Waymouth who has shared some pictures of some creatures in his Buckinghamshire garden.
“I was brought up in a small village in Northamptonshire and my father was a lover of wildlife and the outdoors,” Chris tells us. “I used to roam the fields beside the River Nene, absorbing all that the countryside had to offer.
“I used to roam the fields beside the River Nene, absorbing all that the countryside had to offer.”
“As a youngster I wasn’t allowed to touch my father’s prized Rolleiflex camera. I had to make do with a Kodak Brownie, until I was given a simple Agfa for my 21st birthday and this really kickstarted my lifelong interest in photography.
“When I met my wife she had some pro-quality Canon kit and this took me to another level. Digital cameras arrived on the scene and this was another step forward. Finally, three or four years ago, I became pretty serious about my hobby and invested in a mirrorless camera with extremely high resolution and I’ve expanded my range of lenses to seven. These include macro for close-ups of insects and flowers etc, and very long telephoto lenses for bird and wildlife shots.
“My garden in Jordans backs on to beech woods. It is not a showpiece; I prefer a more natural look including a wild area at the back. It is through here that my four-legged visitors arrive: muntjac, roe deer, fox, badger, hedgehog, not to mention the two or three rabbits who are usually trimming my lawn when I pull back the curtains in the morning. Plus, of course, the squirrels. I enjoy stretching my longest lenses to maximum reach to get full-face shots of all of these.
“Then there are the birds. Lots of them! I have half a dozen feeders in the front garden and a couple at the back and clearly the word is out among our feathered friends that this place is good for a meal or two. The list of regulars include all the usual garden birds: robin, blackbird, song thrush, chaffinch, bullfinch, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, dunnock, wren, jay, green and great spotted woodpeckers and just recently a brambling, not to mention the ever-present woodpigeon, collar dove, magpie, jackdaw, crow, green parakeet and the red kite circling majestically overhead.
“Although I do not have a huge array of flowers, there are plenty to attract bees and a variety of bugs and this is where the macro lens comes into its own, capturing the subject at 1.4x life size. With the high resolution of the camera (a Canon EOS R5) I can then “crop” (zoom into) the photo once it is on my computer and end up with some highly detailed, sharp images.
“I have something like 35,000 photos on my computer – here are just a few for you to enjoy.”
To enter, upload your pictures to Instagram or Facebook and tag @roundandaboutmag with the hashtag #RAphotocompetition to be involved and we’ll choose a winner to receive the seeds. The competition ends June 1st.
May brings us the start of British watercress season, thanks to The Watercress Company’s recipes
Watercress is packed with over 50 vitamins and minerals, including exceptionally high levels of vitamins C, E and A, folate and calcium. It is also rich in iron (nearly twice as much as spinach) that’s more easily absorbed, making it an essential addition to any vegetarian or vegan diet.
Another little-known fact about watercress relates to amino acids; compounds that play many critical roles in the body, including regulating the immune function and building muscle. The best sources of essential amino acids are animal proteins like meat, eggs, and poultry but, unusually for a plant, watercress has a full complement of the nine essential amino acids.
Hot honey salmon & watercress salad
Ingredients:
• 80g watercress
• Two salmon fillets
• One lemon, quartered
• One avocado, sliced
For the hot honey:
• 50ml honey
• Two garlic cloves, halved
• 1-2 tsp chilli flakes
For the quick pickled red onions:
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• 2tbsp vinegar – white wine or apple cider
• ½ tsp salt
•1tsp sugar
“Watercress has a full complement of the nine essential amino acids”
Method:
1. For the hot honey, warm the honey gently in a small pan. Add the garlic and chilli flakes and allow to infuse. Once fragrant and spicy, remove from the heat.
2. For the red onions, in a bowl or jar with a lid, add the sliced onion. Pour over the vinegar before sprinkling in the salt and sugar. Give it a mix, or shake, to combine and let it sit while you prepare everything else.
3. Brush one side of the salmon with the hot honey. Lay it coated side down in a hot pan and cook for five or six minutes. Brush the topside with a little more of the honey, flip and repeat.
4. To assemble the salad, split the watercress between two plates. Add ½ the avocado to each plate. Top with the salmon fillets and a spoonful of the red onion. Drizzle everything with a little more of the hot honey.
5. Serve with the lemons, squeezing fresh lemon juice over everything.
Ä Roast broccoli, Parmesan & watercress salad
Ingredients:
• 140g broccoli florets, about half a head of broccoli
• 40g watercress
• 30g Parmesan, shaved
• 15g pomegranate seeds
•Oil, salt & pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°. On a baking tray, arrange the broccoli florets. Spray or drizzle a little oil over the broccoli and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for about 10-12 mins, until the broccoli is cooked.
2. In a bowl, toss the cooked broccoli together with the watercress and arrange on a plate. On top, shave the parmesan over the salad. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds for a pop of sweetness.
For these and other inspiring watercress recipes, visit watercress.co.uk or find LoveWatercress on Facebook and Instagram
Tossing and turning? Hot and bothered? We’ve teamed up to offer some tips for a sounder slumber thanks to the team at Simba
We’re constantly told how important a good kip is for our health. However, if you struggle to get the recommended sleep, this can only add to the feelings of tiredness and anxiety.
As the Simba team recognise, there are many reasons for not getting enough sleep, not least that the nation is home to an estimated 15 million snorers, keeping 78% of partners awake! Lack of sleep and stress are common bedfellows and can create a negative feedback loop that can be self-sabotaging.
Our body temperature and room temperature can have a big impact of our sleep cycle which is regulated by the circadian rhythm and light and dark cycle. Temperature for sleep is important, as the body cools itself down by sending heat away from the core and towards the extremities using vasodilation. Cold feet may disrupt this process, so you may find bed socks will help you to nod off more easily.
No matter the time of year, the ideal sleeping temperature is between 15.5-19.5C (that’s 60 – 67 degrees Fahrenheit). As a general rule, your bedroom should be cooler than other rooms in the house and babies need to sleep in a cooler room (between 16C and 20C).
As any woman aged over 40 will know, trying to maintain a steady temperature all night can prove impossible, with many bedrooms becoming a sweaty, anxious landscape (partner or no partner) in the wee hours.
There’s more bad news for bad sleepers. A higher body temperature is associated with a decrease in restorative REM or slow-wave sleep. During this phase of the sleep cycle, the body ceases most-temperature regulation which makes us more sensitive to the ambient room temperature, and more likely to wake from overheating. Lack of REM sleep leads to grogginess, impacts the immune system, memory, and focus.
And it’s not just hormones, of course: globally, night time temperatures are increasing faster than day time temperatures due to the climate crisis.
So what can be done? Creating good sleep hygiene, and a wind-down bedtime routine without screens has been proven to help, as has opening your windows and cutting back on stimulants. Certain types of mattresses can be warmer than others, so if you’re overheating at night, it’s worth switching from a memory foam mattress to a cooler mattress. Mattresses that promote airflow and use cooling technology can help reduce episodes of overheating and improve overall comfort.
Clever choices of bedding will also help, including The Simba Renew Bio™ fill. The clever sleep experts at Simba have crafted the down-like soft and warm breathable duvet for a non-clammy feel. The fresh, cotton outer features the Stratos® temperature control tech to help dissipate excess heat. We can assure you that this sleep saviour can have you sleeping like a baby (not the best example, as new parents will attest) instead of being at the mercy of those hot night time flushes. It’s also made from recycled PET bottle fibres, biodegrades at end of its life and almost totally dissolves in about two years when deposited in a landfill environment.
Watch this space for more info and a competition to win a Hybrid® Mattress Topper in our March competition.
Birtley House Nursing Home is unique and unlike other care homes
At a time when new care homes are opening across the South-East on a weekly basis, Birtley House offers its residents a very different proposition. It takes years to build a true home, a bank of trusted staff and an excellent reputation, as we have done.
Established in 1932, and a fourth-generation family-run business, the owners of Birtley House live on-site and our history and experience in care means we truly understand what it takes to create a genuinely homely environment whilst offering the highest quality service not just in care but with quality of life for the resident at the heart of it.
We pride ourselves on creating the ultimate home-from-home stay that exudes a vibrant, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We encourage our residents to feel at home by bringing their own furniture and personal belongings, so they have familiar home comforts available to them. Birtley House prides itself on no specific visiting times, and with ample parking on site, family and friends can visit whenever they wish.
Birtley House provides specialist care services for both long and short-term stays including respite, and convalescent care, palliative care, or end-of-life support. Boasting a strong care team, Birtley House has on-site well-being staff such as physiotherapists, and an in-house chef creating delicious and nutritious food throughout the day, much of it sourced from our own large kitchen garden.
We offer potential residents a variety of accommodation options including nursing home rooms and our unique West Wing apartments, both of which have 24-hour nursing care on call. We also have an over-65’s retirement development of two-bedroomed supported-living flats, designed to provide a calm and worry-free life for those who are looking for more independence and flexibility, and who don’t require care just yet.
We always say that the best way to decide if Birtley House is right for you is with a visit. When you enter any care home, you will get an immediate feel as to whether the atmosphere and environment suit you, and what you are looking for. We are here every step of the way to guide you with impartial advice, and help you make an educated choice that is right for you.
For an insight into life at Birtley House, please take a moment to look at our social media accounts. Additionally, there is an independent website which publishes verified reviews from both residents past and present and their relatives, and our entry can be found here. We are very proud of our 9.9 out of 10 review score on carehome.co.uk.
