• Bruce also lost an incredible 6.5 inches from his waist during the 12-week competition at the local leisure centre
• Others who lost large amounts of weight include Simon Alderson and Oliver Wilcock who came second and third respectively
• This meant that the group lost an amount that equates to the weight of Arnold Schwarzenegger (235lbs) and a new born giraffe (130lbs)

Quotations

Bruce Webster commented:

It has been extremely hard but one thing that really helped was simply using a smaller plate. It is a real eye opener for a start to get your head around portion size. 
For me it’s not about kidding myself on what I eat and there is no point putting the work in to waste it by eating badly. I would like to thank all the trainers for all their time, effort and support, it has helped me get my life back on track for my girls.

Shaun Fisher, Health and Fitness Manager at Harpers at Sleaford, said:

On behalf of all the staff at the club, I would like to congratulate all the Biggest Loser participants on their amazing achievements. Bruce is a real inspiration and we hope to keep supporting him, and the other participants on their fitness journeys going forward.

• As part of the day there is a full timetable from 10:30am – 3:00pm of instructor led walking opportunities around the beautiful surroundings of Whisby Nature Park.

• From a gentle stroll or buggy push led by North Kesteven Social Strollers walks co-ordinator Carly Togher; informative guided walks led by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trusts warden Phil Porter; to a Whizz round Whisby with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Education Centre’s Adrian Royston and Sheri Lake.

• The event aims to showcase what is available to visitors in their local area including; Harpers Fitness, NK Outreach, Age UK/First Contact, Forever Living – Benefits of Aloe Vera, Countryside NK.

• There will also be an opportunity to have a free 10 minute physiotherapy taster by Javin Pillay from West Parade Physiotherapy

• As part of this event, the Boardwalk Café within the Natural World Centre will be serving healthy alternatives as part of their menu so why not schedule in a breakfast or Sunday lunch stop while you are here.

• The 12-week programme launched in January and offers participants the chance to take part in two workouts every week, as well as receiving vital nutritional advice
• The group have already drummed up some great support from the local community who are keen to get behind the determined group

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Shaun Fisher, Health and Fitness Manager at Harpers at Sleaford commented:

We’re all really excited to see who is going to be our biggest loser. It’s been fantastic to see everybody supporting each other, and the community really coming together.

• This year’s Challenge is being organised by Donna Lill, the Events Officer for Leisure Connection who started in her post at the end of May
• In the past the Challenge has received a lot of support from volunteers and local groups/clubs in which is imperative for the event to run smoothly, without them the event just wouldn’t happen
• Sponsorship is also a vital element to the organisation of the event; financial contributions from sponsors go towards funding the vitally important resources of First Aid and communication links
• Sponsorship for this years Challenge has so far been secured from; Ray Butler Ltd, The Blakemore Foundation and Tesco
• The cost of entering the Spires & Steeples Challenge is £12 in advance and £15 on the day and places are limited to 1000
• You must be aged 16 years or over to take part in the 26 mile run but children between the ages of 14-16 years can take part in the walks and the 13 mile run as long as they are accompanied by an adult
• To enter the Challenge or to see how you can get involved, please contact Donna Lill on 07980 696884 or e-mail EventsOfficer@leisureconnection.co.uk

Quotations

Donna says

The Spires and Steeples Challenge has grown year on year and is now a well established event attracting people from all over the country; it has become a permanent fixture in many walkers and runners calendars which is fantastic for Lincolnshire’s Countryside

We are currently recruiting volunteers to help out on the day, so if you think you can spare some time and maybe help out by being a marshal along the route or even hand out water at a checkpoint, please do let us know

 

• The taster session aims to give children the opportunity to develop some of the fundamental skills required for swimming while encouraging them to get involved in the Pool’s swim school programmes
• Harpers at Sleaford Health Club on East Road will be offering the free taster sessions on Wednesday 6th June at 9.30am – 10.00am or 10.00am – 10.30am, and on Friday 8th June with a choice of 9.30am-10.00am, 10.00am –10.30am or 10.30am – 11.00am
• The taster sessions are ideal for non-swimmers and swimmers who would like to become stronger at swimming

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Caroline Castro, Swim School Principal at Harpers at Sleaford, said:

Primary school leavers should be able to swim 25 metres unaided, yet an astonishing number of children are unable to meet this standard. Our sessions will be great fun and I’m sure the children will thoroughly enjoy themselves. We feel that it is really important to get children active and enjoying the water, and initiatives like this one are brilliant in terms of helping to achieve that aim.

• Starting on 6th June from 10.30am to 11.30am is the Countryside Critters workshop, which will see children experiment with their creative side by using air drying clay and natural resources to make any fantasy woodland creatures that they desire
• The Natural World Centre is also excited to have Hill Holt Wood ranger, Rich Livesy, teach The Natural Dyeing Workshop, that will start on 7th June at 10.30am-12.30pm
• This workshop will teach the children how to use natural dyes before making their own bracelet to take home with them
• The workshops will cost £2.50 per child and are suitable for children aged 4 years old and over, but must be accompanied by an adult

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Theresa Hobbs, Business Manager at The Natural World Centre, said:

Both events will provide a great opportunity for children to experiment with their creative side and make something that they can take home and treasure. With it being the spring half term, we wanted to offer children the chance to keep their mind active while still having fun, interacting with other children and most importantly, keeping the cost low for parents.

• With 7 years of private and public sector experience within the health and fitness industry, Claire has worked across a variety of job roles, including Fitness Manager, Sales Manager, Swimming Teacher and Aerobics Instructor
• Her most recent role was as the Business Manager at the nearby Harpers at Sleaford Fitness Club
• In her new role, Claire will be focusing on the delivery of high quality customer service to all users, as well as looking to develop new and activities and programmes at the centre

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Claire commented:

I am really excited about getting stuck in to the challenges of this new position. I hope that my previous experience will help me to ensure that the NK centre continues to be a real hub for the local community.

Alex Bedford, Contract Manager at The NK Centre, commented:

It’s brilliant to have someone of Claire’s calibre join us at The NK Centre. We’re confident that her knowledge will continue to drive local residents through the doors to engage in all of the exciting activities that we’ve got going on.

• The first week will be fun-filled and involve an interactive natural dyeing workshop on Monday 2nd April
• On Tuesday 3rd April a make your own bonnet session will take place Followed by a variety of Easter decoration activities on Wednesday 4th April
• There will be a mask making session on Thursday 5th April
• Each session will take place between 2-3pm at the centre
• Costing only £2.50 per child there is no reason why anyone should miss out.
• The second week will also be filled with classes that will take place between 10-11am
• The schedule will involve a decorations making session on Wednesday 10th April
• Mask making on Thursday 11th April and a dyeing workshop on Friday 12th April

Quotations

Ann Worell, Duty Manager of Exhibitions and Events at The Natural World Centre said:

We are excited to host these events and see lots of eager faces wanting to take part in the fun activities. The events will be a great opportunity for members of the community to meet some new people and will keep children busy over the holidays.

• Starting on 8th March from 11am to 4pm the Local Lincolnshire History Exhibition will be a perfect opportunity for people to gain advice on how to research their local area
• Following this will be a Lincolnshire Family History Day on 17th April This will offer free advice on how people can research their family tree and how to use the Lincolnshire Archives services and their new online search engine programme
• Both exhibitions will coincide with the current Links To The Past exhibition that’s running until the end of April
• This exhibition has a great mixture of photography, film and art created by local artists who have taken inspiration from their own family memories and familiar landmarks

• Theresa, who was previously Countryside Promotions Officer for Leisure Connection in the region, will be responsible for all areas of the visitor centre
• This includes The Boardwalk Café, the Little Darters Wildlife Adventure Area and the gift shop
• She will also being involved in organising events and exhibitions at the centre
• The Natural World Centre is set in the heart of Whisby Nature Park, and offers walking trails, bird watching and a Wildlife Adventure Area, as well as workshops for children and exhibitions
• There are also more than 6 miles of paths around three lakes in the park, which are suitable for all abilities

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Theresa commented:

Both professionally and personally I am passionate about the countryside, so when the newly created Business Manager role was advertised, I jumped at the chance to take on a greater challenge. The centre and park are great places to visit so close to Lincoln, and I am looking forward to using the knowledge gained in my previous role as Countryside Promotions Officer to increase the profile of the centre and encourage new visitors.

Alex Bedford, Contract Manager at The Natural World Centre, said:

We are delighted to have Theresa working in this new role.   Her passion for the centre is obvious and we are really looking forward to a variety of events happening at the centre over the coming months.