Programme Features

Bungee jumping, skydiving, abseiling - a few things you might have tried in your heyday.

And if you haven't had a go, why not? Who says youth is wasted on the young? Well, George Bernard Shaw did, actually.

Our Old Dear With No Fear is proving that a few gray hairs needn't mean the end to fun and excitement.

Cilla Labouchere, from Kington St Michael, near Chippenham is about to hit 70, but has the energy and zest for life of a child of seven.

Cilla told Olly Dearden that she's now intent on living life to the max, and stuffing as much into her days as possible, after suffering from crippling rheumatoid arthritis.

First we tested Cilla's nerve by getting her to hurtle around the track at Castle Combe in a Formula Ford single seater racing car. She reached speeds of up to 90mph on a circuit that's been graced by the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Nigel Mansell and Stirling Moss.

After that we sent her to Liddington Hill where Cilla came face to face with a hawk and a falcon, two birds more than capable of ripping off her face with one quick swipe.

Husky Racing

From there it was off (very early in the morning) to Salisbury where Cilla met up with a pack of Huskies, ready to race around a forest at speeds up to 25mph on what can only be described as a large tricycle.

This is Cilla's account:

By torchlight we were introduced to Nigel, Mel and Nigel’s sister Penny, then their 14 huskies who were still in their van in two tiers of box kennels, 2 or 3 dogs to a box, according to their friendships.  In the occasional moments of hush from the huskies we could hear a barn owl and mysterious rustlings in the frosty crisp pre-dawn morning.

The dogs were all brought out and tethered to a line secured to trees at each end of the clearing. Here they were each given a bowl of ‘soup’ before running.  The order of running was also stipulated by three bitches being in season.  With the dogs at the back they would run even faster.

The first hazard was a sharp turn right to pass on the inside of a forestry barrier.  The 4 lead dogs went under the barrier and the rest kept to the open pedestrian way.  A very sharp halt resulted and a great struggle for Mel to bring all the dogs the right side of the post. Not easy when all 13 are straining to run.  With four wheels locked the dogs could still pull the quad and me at running pace so there was no time for Mel to hop back onto the quad until I had it safely steered through the open gap.

Now for a wonderful run through most beautiful woodland, mostly beech, with shafts of dawn sunlight picking out the russet red of the bracken and brilliant green of the mosses all glistening with frost.  With 13 waving tails and 26 pricked ears streaming out in front the exhilaration was glorious until……………………..

We hurtled round another extremely sharp and very rough corner causing one wheel of the quad to jump over the dog line. We were now being pulled along by one wheel.  Although Mel persuaded the dogs to stop, they all continued to lean against the braked quad and it was impossible to pull them back to make sufficient slack in the line unwrap it from wheel.  Mel released a spare line from the back of the quad, ran round the nearest tree and got us anchored from behind.  By releasing the working harness of 6 of the dogs she was able to haul them back far enough for us to work the line back round the wheel and off we went again with undiminished enthusiasm from all until………………

A squirrel shot across the track in front of our noses. In the blink of an eye there was a heap of dogs, harness, dog line and flailing legs all piled up in a heap in the bushes and bracken and a squirrel laughing from above.  Mel just sat quietly while the dogs tried to work out where the squirrel had gone to, then at the call of ‘line up’ the two brilliant lead dogs appeared from the melee and took up the strain, followed by the rest of the team, incredibly without a knot or tangle.  We completed the 3˝ km back to camp in perfect style for tit bits and cool off before the next run.

All went well and Nigel dropped right back so I only had the sounds of my dogs, the rustle of the wheels and the woodland – wonderful until…………   There was a deer close by in the wood and the dogs gave a heart jumping swerve into the edge.  My shout of ‘umbi’ meaning ‘straight on’ worked like magic and I did not go for that feared trip through the trees.

There were several steep slopes on the route to race down and haul up.  My 11˝ stone was a heavy load for two dogs on the steep parts so I warmed myself up by running behind while hoping I wouldn't drop the handles and loose my team until……….. we came upon  riders on the track.  Again the dogs stopped when I asked them (what a surprise) and Nigel came and held them while the very nervous horses were lead past. 

When I saw a group of dog walkers with about 5 large loose dogs on the track my heart missed another beat as I imagined being attached to a mass dog fight, but these people tactfully evaporated into the bushes and Zhara and Xeba didn’t give them as much as a sideways glance.

Back to camp for yummy chunks of raw meet and much fuss which a husky enjoys as much as any pet lapdog.  Having not had so much as a cup of coffee yet today, the offer of chocolate fingers was incredibly welcome.   What a memorable day.

Wing Walking:

As if husky racing wasn't enough, Cilla's next challenge was far more daring - being strapped on to the top wing of a biplane to be flown at speeds in excess of 100 mph over the West Country landscape.

This is how Cilla thought it went:

Sarah now harnessed me with my back against the mast which was designed for the smaller sylph like young exhibition girls.  In order to hold my body at the necessary height I had to stand with legs bent almost to right angles. No chance of straightening and locking my knees.  

There was now nothing but the engine cowling and propeller below and in front of me. It felt awful high even then.  I now put my life in the hands of my pilot.

Standing right up front with the world at my fingertips and an unsurpassable view of the country below I pictured myself flying with my arms outstretched like a bird but the wind pressure made that impossible. The best wave I could manage was with my elbows still clenched against my sides and even that was hard.  We were flying at speeds between 85 and 140mph

That was an experience I would not have missed.  Physically it tested me almost to my limit and I would prefer not to do it again!  The flying was thrilling and I feel triumphant, exhilarated and as though I have been put through a tumble dryer!

See the video here:

You can hear Cilla's exploits by listening to Olly's Show again. Just follow this link and click on Tuesday:

If you have any suggestions for Cilla call Olly, Alex or Will on 01793 513626.

Olly Dearden weekdays from 9.00am to 12.00pm.