Voice Magazines - Swanwick, Riddings, Leabrooks and Somercotes Edition - January 2022

JANUARY ‘22

SWANWICK, RIDDINGS, LEABROOKS & SOMERCOTES

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From the Editor Happy New Year Readers!

Or is it? At the time of writing (due to printer close downs over the holiday season), we aren’t actually at Christmas yet and everything hangs in the balance once more – Omicron! I, like many of you I’m sure, was hopeful that the worst of the pandemic times are behind us but, as it currently stands, we do not know how this variant is or isn’t going to transpire – anyway, shoulder shrug, see what happens and onwards we move!

Following from our covers this month I’ve already made my New Year’s resolutions but they are toned down massively on normal - as what I’m really wanting is a nice long break, in the sunshine, preferably with lots of books! I love reading but barely get chance these days, so I’m going to see if I can stick to this one – 1 book per month, no excuses! What’s your plans for 2022?

In terms of the mags, I am loving seeing all the articles/contributions, especially the heritage articles. Across all the magazines, they are absolutely fantastic and so interesting for each area – I’m very thankful to all the people that make the effort and send these articles over each month to us, we love printing them and I hope you all love reading them as much as I do?

With that in mind, we’re hoping to bring you even more content next year, with some big household names, all being well. We’ll keep our powder dry until everything is fully confirmed but safe to say it’s very exciting if it does happen.

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LTD

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Obviously, creating new content will no doubt bring some more magazine launches – so watch this space on Voice Magazines reaching even more people in 2022! Although, it is a much more difficult juggle this year with paper prices increasing so substantially and showing no signs of slowing down (13% increase so far!! Eeek!!).

Final note to mention, thank you to everyone for bearing with us in terms of delivery last month and possibly the coming few months. In between storms, covid & other illnesses and holidays, we do have to extend a little extra time to our fabulous distribution team at this time of year as sometimes it isn’t safe or they simply aren’t well enough to deliver, but we massively appreciate your patience on this.

Once more unto the breach……. See you in the Feb edition, Happy Reading,

x Emily And all the VOICE MAGAZINES TEAM

PS: Don’t forget to mention the ‘Voice’ when you use any of the companies in this magazine

Upcoming Submission Deadline for Advertisers & Contributors: Feburary ‘22 Edition - 10th January • March ‘22 Edition - 7th February

To advertise email: info@voicemagazines.co.uk or call us on 01773 549 035 Printed by Warwick Printing Company Ltd and distributed to 5,200 homes in North Derbyshire. Disclaimer: No responsibility is accepted by Voice Magazines Limited for claims, errors or omissions made in advertisements appearing in this issue. All advertisers are accepted in good faith and we are not responsible for views expressed by contributor or other sources. Reproduction of the contents of this magazine is not permitted without the prior consent of the publisher.

Voice Magazines Limited, 40 High Street, South Normanton, Derbyshire. DE55 2BP. Registered in England & Wales No: 10550557

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Happy New Year!

In the 21st Century, we see January 1st as the start of a brand new year - but did you know that this wasn’t always the case?

In fact the month of January didn’t even exist until around 700 BCE when it and February were added to the Roman calendar. At that point in history the start of the new year was widely regarded as being March 1st - to coincide with the start of new life in spring. In about 45 BCE Julius Caesar (yes, the one who invaded Britain, lusted after Cleopatra, and was stabbed to death by the members of his senate) introduced a new calendar to the Roman empire - one based on the movement of the earth around the sun, and much more accurate than the old lunar based system. This calendar became known as the Julian Calendar and it was decreed that January 1st be recognised as the start of a new year throughout Roman territories.

It doesn’t end there though…

New Year was still a moveable feast right up to the acceptance of (another!) new calendar system in 1582 - the Gregorian calendar, which is still used today. The day was celebrated 25 December; 1 March; 25 March and also on the movable feast of Easter; depending on where you were in Europe. Very confusing!

Even more confusing if you were in Britain because, believe it or not, until 1752 Britain (except Scotland) and its Empire had retained March 25 as the official start of the year.

Now we’ve established when January 1st became recognised as the start of a new year, let’s take a look to see when ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ became common.

Historians tell us that Babylonians were the first to make new year resolutions

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around 2000 BCE, although their new year was in springtime when they held a big festival lasting for 12 days. Citizens swore to pay off debts to their gods, and promised to return borrowed goods. It sounds a bit ‘resolutionary’ but not much!

The actual phrase ‘New Year Resolution’ was first used in a Boston newspaper in 1813 according to Mirriam Webster (a website, not a person) “And yet, I believe there are multitudes of people, accustomed to receive injunctions of new year resolutions, who will sin all the month of December, with a serious determination of beginning the new year with new resolutions and new behaviour, and with the full belief that they shall thus expiate and wipe away all their former faults.”

Now that sounds familiar! It would be even more appropriate to add “And the resolutions will be broken within the month”!

Personally I think spring is a much more sensible time to set new intentions - the days are getting longer and everything feels so much more alive with possibility than dark cold January! What do you think? Will you be making (and breaking) any resolutions this year?

These articles are researched and written by Laura Billingham, a local content writer and author. Laura moved to the Peak District several years ago to pursue her passion for writing.

To find out more visit www. landgassociates.co.uk or contact Laura on 07736 351 341

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The Watchorn

Alfretons New in Place to eat

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday Lite bites 11.00-Noon. Lunch Noon - 3:00pm

Welcome to YOUR community noticeboard. A dedicated space for you to post notices, events and for not-for-profit community groups to advertise in.

To place a notice, from a super-low rate of £6+VAT per square Contact Danielle on 01773 549035 or community@ voicemagazines.co.uk

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Alfreton Male Voice Choir After almost 2 years without a public performance, October 16th was a very welcome ‘come back’ to the stage. An enthusiatic audience enjoyed a variety of songs from the choir, some virtuoso trumpet from John Barker and a little comedy from the Saga Louts. The objective of this concert is to raise money for charity and we are pleased to have donated £1,000.00 to AQUABOX in support of their International efforts to supply humanitarian aid to disaster areas worldwide.

It’s now time to look forward to 2022 and start thinking of next years programme. We need to recruit new members to help us move forward and present a modern repertoire. It is well known, and documented, that singing is good for your health and we have several members who are testament to that fact.

So if you would like to help us whilst helping yourself, please join us on Thursdays between 6.30 and 8.30 at Palmer Morewood Social Club, Hall Street, Alfreton or contact John on 07535 359 424 Chairman Mick Mullarkey said, ‘’It’s a great feeling to sing and entertain as a choir but we need to recruit new members to ensure that our repertoire stays relevant and entertaining’’.

NEWS • EVENTS • UPDATES • LOCAL INTEREST

South Normanton Colliery Disaster: 85 Year Anniversary Part 1 of 2 – Disaster strikes To mark the 85th anniversary of the disaster Roger West takes us through the events of the day, paying fitting tribute to those involved.

South Normanton Colliery had been relatively free from major incident. Indeed, it was one of the hallmarks of the company that this coal mine had been so free of tragedy and accident since the shaft was sunk in 1893/94.

That solid reputation of being a ‘safe pit’ darkened by the hour on the afternoon shift of Monday February 15, 1937.

It was almost 9pm on that dreadful evening when Clarence Dye, a contractor, noticed weighting in the roof with a tremble underfoot in the Elevens District of the 180-yard-deep Waterloo seam.

Without hesitation, Mr Dye immediately ordered all men from the coalface into the safety of the loader gate, a supply route from the coalface to the pit shaft.

Under Dye’s instructions the mineworkers were hurrying to safety when, almost 25 yards up the loader gate, a powerful gust of warm wind sent the men flying in the thickest, blackest clouds of suffocating coal dust.

Dye reacted instinctively, shouting for the power to be cut off before sending men for stretchers.

He then telephoned the pit bottom for ponies and tubs, ordering the men to move further from danger.

Jonathon Waltho and Clarence Dye, both unprotected, lacking in respiratory helmets and with minimum light, advanced bravely towards the coalface left bank where the explosion seemed to have generated from, knowing men would be in there.

On their way inbound they met cutter operator John Johnson, John Thornley and Percy Ansell,

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all badly injured, crawling over rock and coal and struggling for the relative safety of the loader gate; Dye instructed them of the best way to safety.

Moving within 25 yards of the coal-cutter, Dye and Waltho were joined by pit deputy Bill Truswell. Holding up his safety lamp Truswell remarked: ‘It’s not fit for any man to go in there,’ and at that the three men turned back for the loader gate, meeting other miners’ still shuffling along the same route out to the pit shaft.

The three men made 50 or 60 yards up the loader gate, some 100 yards from the coal face, when there came a second explosion ten times worse than the first, with men flung around the loader gate.

Above ground Mr J. Gordon Mein, the colliery manager, had received the awful news at home by telephone and at 9.40pm, within five minutes of receiving the call, had arrived on the pit top while underground men were still fleeing the blast.

Mr Mein rang the Mansfield Rescue Station, who in turn alerted the Chesterfield Rescue Station. The Mansfield team were down the pit by 10.11pm, followed by the Chesterfield team at 10.40pm, where they were met by a shaken deputy Truswell at the pit bottom.

South Normanton Colliery Headstocks

y 11, 1977

se Februar

Press Relea

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Armed with breathing apparatus, safety lamps and a canary – taken down in such events as to ascertain whether poisonous gas is present – the team moved towards the face, reaching No. 4 engine house at 11pm.

It was here they found the injured William Petts. Treatment was administered as best as possible and he was despatched to the surface for further attention.

Between them, the two teams established a base at 11.25pm and were joined by Mr Mein the colliery manager and Mr Brown, manager of the rescue stations.

It was Mr Brown who gave the order for the Mansfield brigade to proceed into the face in the hope of finding any men.

With mouthpieces and breathing gear in place they noticed the ventilation was low and, further in, discovered tools, tool boxes, shovels, helmets, picks and lamps blown about from the two explosions.

A few yards further they found Henry Willis (59) in a crouched position over the conveyor belt,

Rear of South Norm

he was dead. They marked the spot and moved on.

FOOD & RETAIL

Truswell informed the teams about the state and conditions of the affected district while outlining the best way in towards the coal face left bank, where he was certain men were still trapped.

Yo wh uth w G ou o su ful P en n cc e r aft eral ds in umb cy A er H M ed n o th sp an to sel e e it sfi h l xp al 1 el is los w d ion ee . k

Shortly after, they reached the electric coal cutter in the left-hand bank and found the bodies of John Marriott (38) and Willis Lambert (45).

Again, the spots were marked but further progress was hampered by a wall of dirt, stone and rock: it was impassable.

This article will conclude in next month’s edition of Voice Magazines.

Roger West will be giving a talk on the disaster on Monday 17th, January at 7.15pm at the Post Mill Centre, South Normanton, Admission £2 for non-members Do you remember the disaster? Perhaps you heard stories from family or friends? Or maybe you are a descendant of the persons involved in the disaster?

If so, Roger would love to hear from you.

If you can help, please contact him on: rogerwest1949@live.com Credit to Pinxton & South Normanton Local History Society for the photographs displayed in this article.

anton Colliery Circa

1957

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Paneer & Pepper Shashlik

They say you eat with your eyes first . If that’s the case then this recipe should have your eyes watering... in a good way!

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Method: 1. Mix the yogurt and tikka powder in a large bowl, add the paneer and toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 4 hours or overnight if possible.

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Slimming World Recipe

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MANDY’S TRAVEL PAGE

Hi I’m Mandy your Personal Travel Counsellor.

A new year. A fresh start. A world of travel awaits....

There is a big wide world out there waiting for us.

2022 feels like the year to explore it, both near and far.

Staycation was the buzz word for the past two years, so many people discovered amazing places on this incredible island of ours. Visiting beautiful beaches, taking road trips, or visiting our wonderful cities. Places that we would never have thought of if the world hadn’t stopped when it did.

A long overdue romantic break? A celebration trip that hasn’t happened yet? The bucket list trip you just can’t put off any longer?

Whatever type of trip you are looking for, I’m here to make it happen. mandyoldknow_travelcounsellor Mandy Oldknow Travel Counsellor Alfreton

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£4.00 Per Class 8:00am - 9:00am Ladies 9:00am - 10:00am £10.00 Per Week Boxfit / Am’s Juniors Age 4 + 10:00am - 11:00am £3.00 Per Class

We welcome new members and if you show this article when you arrive your first session is free.

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

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Wills • Probate • Powers Of Attorney

• Qualified Lawyer • Over 30 years experience • Local, friendly and professional service • Covid19 Safe Appointments available-Telephone-Garden-Zoom

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Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Typically we charge a fee of £399 for arrangement of your mortgage, however the actual fee will not exceed 1.5% of the mortgage amount. The fees may be waived subject to the terms of the fee waiver agreement.

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

NEED A JOB DOING BUT NOT SURE WHO TO TRUST? Look no further than Derbyshire County Council’s Trusted Trader scheme to find honest and reliable traders in your area.

Hundreds of local businesses are on the Trusted Trader register, and when you use a Trusted Trader member you get peace of mind because they’ve all been checked out by our trading standards team.

From plumbers, electricians, decorators, electric vehicle charger installers and roofers to joiners, gardeners, accountants, financial advisors, removals firms and will writers, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

Trusted Trader was set up in 2008 to give customers more confidence in choosing a reliable tradesperson who commits to doing a good job for a fair price, and thousands of Derbyshire residents have since used the service.

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4

6

!

5 7 6 1 2 8

2 4

4 6 7 2 4 8 9 3 3 8 1 6

7 8 6 9

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Trafford Lowe Funeral Services 24 Hour Personal Service with prompt attention

An independently owned company which offers a traditional and caring service with attention to detail.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

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Tailored to your individual needs

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To join our Glendair Family in 2022, call us now on 01773 832164 to book or visit www.glendairdental.co.uk Calm & Caring Team Dental Implants Sedation

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

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29

Love learning locally

Spring 2022 Courses

Get inspired and start a new journey of discovery this spring!

We’re here to support you to learn with a wide range of online and centre-based courses.

Look out for our exciting Spring Programme!

To view all of our courses with full information and easy booking links visit: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/coursesearch Find out more about our service and the support we can offer by visiting: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/adulteducation Our courses can also be booked directly through our Eventbrite page: derbyshireadulteducation.eventbrite.com Pick up a brochure from your local adult education centre or library. Please contact your local centre if you need any further information or support.

Don’t miss out! Spring term bookings open on Monday 06 December at 9am /DerbyshireAdultEducation @DerbyshireACE Sign up to Adult Community Education News at www.derbyshire.gov.uk – “subscribe for updates”

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Education & Skills Funding Agency

Here at Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service we are settling into our new academic year and are looking forward to

KIDS & FAMILIES

Derbyshire County Council Adult Community Education Courses for the Spring Term starting the Spring term. We have a wide range of leisure and qualification classes, both in centres and online, to choose from.

January is the perfect time to get inspired by learning something new.

If you are thinking about gaining qualifications then try our Making Choices workshops, they are the ideal way to get to know us and what we have to offer. These sessions can help you to choose what courses you would like to do in the future, increase your confidence in making decisions and understand your current levels of knowledge in English, maths and digital skills. This introductory course is the perfect way to prepare for our qualification courses and help you move forwards in your life or career.

Why not improve your chances of getting that job you really want, or open doors to future college courses?

Our English, English for Speaker of Other Languages and Maths classes are FREE. The classes are open to all abilities, run at various times throughout the week and we welcome new learners at any time of the year. You can work towards a qualification at a level that suits you; and with knowledgeable and experienced tutors on hand to help you learn, you could achieve your goals sooner than you think.

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See our main advert for further details or contact us by email at: adult.education@derbyshire.gov.uk

An amazing life deserves amazing end of life care.

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e Made the hardest tim

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so peaceful.

31

This month’s walk first featured in the magazine nearly eight years ago! We re-walked the route in December and brought it up to date with a few minor tweaks. Rafa wouldn’t have even been five years old at the time of this walk, so it was lovely to take him back over old footsteps and to still see a spring in his step. There is nothing as wonderful as sharing a walk with your furry friend and this is a lovely walk to share.

5 1/2 MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM MORTON VIA PADLEY WOOD

A moderate walk with a varied terrain. The route should take around 2 1/2 hours. There are some stretches along country roads, so take care. And of course, as usual at this time of the year there are some uneven and muddy parts so a good pair of boots or wellies is highly recommended.

START: HOLY CROSS CHURCH, CHURCH LANE, MORTON, DERBYSHIRE, DE55 6GU 1.

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Begin at the church on Church Lane in Morton.

On street parking is normally available nearby.

With the church on your right head along Church Lane, before following the road around to the right to continue along Higham Lane.

2.

Walk along this country road for just under 600 meters, taking care to watch out for traffic as there are no footpaths. The road bends right then left twice, on the second time take a footpath sign for ‘Mickley Lane’ on your right, between a road sign and a gate.

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4.

5.

6.

Follow this path into a field a cross the stile and pass through a gate, keep ahead to pass through another gate. Continue ahead past a pylon on your right and at the corner of the field pass through the hedge and carry on ahead to cross three fields via the stiles available.

At the end of the third field go through a gate and keep ahead, with the hedge on your right.

Cross a stile and then at the corner of the next field pass through a gate before turning right to pass through another gate. Carry on ahead towards a metal gate marked ‘footpath’. Walk straight ahead through the farm yard following the clearly marked ‘footpath’ signs in white paint. Take caution here as there may be a loose, barking dog in the farm yard.

Carry on ahead through a field with a caravan park on your left to reach a wooded area. Join the path straight ahead of you and follow this to reach Morton Road. Pass through the gate and cross with care. Carry on ahead following the footpath sign. Keeping to the main path until you reach a stile at a cross roads with a rough farm road. Carry on ahead with the wooded area on your right then turn right at the first opportunity to keep the wooded area on your right and solar panels on your left.

Follow this track straight ahead to cross a stile, then keep to the right-hand path to cross the rail

KIDS & FAMILIES

3.

bridge and pass into Padley Wood. Keep to the main track and cross a small footbridge. When you meet the fields join the path straight ahead with the hedge on your right and follow it uphill.

7.

Carry on along this path for a fair distance entering into the edge of a wooded area. After leaving the wood carry on the corner of a field.

Here you will meet a crossroad of paths. Take the gate on your right and follow the path alongside a field with the hedge on your left.

(Take care not to take the path downhill and through a gate.)

8.

At the corner of the field turn right and continue with the hedge on your left. At the next corner pass through the hedge, take a gate on your right and turn left along a farm track. At the bottom of the track you meet Padley Wood Lane. Turn right here.

9.

Carry on along the lane as it bends left and then follow it ahead until you get close to a farm.

Take a path on your left straight ahead as the lane bends right towards the farm. Follow the path, keeping the hedge on your right. Part way down the side of the field keep to the right and follow the path into another field and continue ahead.

10. Pass through a gate and continue along the path as it takes you over a rail bridge and then back onto to a hedge lined track. Carry on along this track as it joins Evershilll Lane. Walk along the lane for a fair distance as it brings you back into Morton. Keep to the lane until you meet the B6014 Stretton Road.

11.

Cross the road and turn left on the road and follow it back towards the church. Turn right after a red brick house to pass through the Church Yard and bring you back to where you began.

FINISH: HOLY CROSS CHURCH, CHURCH LANE, MORTON, DERBYSHIRE, DE55 6GU

This walk is for illustrative purposes only. Voice Magazines takes no responsibility for anyone who chooses to follow this route and encourages all walkers to obey all byelaws and signs and to respect the area they are walking in, ensuring they pick up all dog mess and obey the countryside code at all times.

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33

Walk Your Dog Month January 2022 officially marks Walk Your Dog Month. By taking your dog for regular walks, it provides the foundation for both positive physical and mental health.

Walk Your Dog Month offers the perfect opportunity to get you and your dog moving.

Why not kickstart your healthy new year’s resolutions with more exercise and fresh air?

Don’t let the shorter days and chilly weather put you and your dog off.

Dogs require plenty of exercise throughout their lives and the best way to keep them active during the winter months is to take them for regular walks. Take a look at the following suggestions to help you and your dog celebrate Walk Your Dog Month.

Your walking route It’s a great idea to change your walking route.

A different route will provide some new sights, sounds and smells for your dog. It will also leave them feeling excited, content and add to their overall mental stimulation.

A new treat for your dog Why not treat your dog to a new coat, collar or toy? These little treats won’t go unnoticed and they can help to make all the difference.

Teaching new tricks Teaching your dog some new tricks is an opportunity for you to not only spend some quality time together, but it can also help to burn off some energy too. It’s a great way for your dog to get some all-important exercise in a fun, focused and enjoyable way.

Improve mental wellbeing As your dog may be in the house more than usual during the winter months, a walk could really help to lift their mood. Afterall, physical activity releases endorphins which create a feeling of happiness.

The community Walking your dog means you are much more likely to meet other dog owners within your community who are also out and about walking their dogs. This provides a great opportunity for your dog to enjoy some social interaction with new and familiar dogs.

Article written by Scarsdale Vets 34

01773 304914 to the Ads Don’t forget to mention Voice MagazinesTel: when responding

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RASCALS RIPLEY AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB AND LIFESAVERS www.ripleyrascals.org.uk

Have you ever thought about joining a successful local swimming club, with history of beginning the journeys of 2 Team GB Olympians?? Well, if you have, joining RASCALS could be for you and you could be the next Olympic star!

We take swimmers from all ages, starting out in our thriving Learn to Swim section, which takes beginners all the way up to stage 7 of the Swim England national plan, before transitioning to competitive squads through stages 8-10.

Once a swimmer has successfully completed their LTS journey they move into the competitive squads’ section. In this section we provide both aspiring and experienced athletes the opportunities to excel at the highest possible level, with a strong focus on excellent stroke technique and efficient starts, turns and finishes.

award, and had a number of swimmers in contention for the individual Top Girl and Boy awards.

Following cancellation last year, the club’s focus now moves to the County Championships in February, followed by Regionals in late Spring for the senior squad members… with various other competitions, activities and social events along the way!!!!

So, if you want to Learn to Swim, swim socially, begin your journey to the Olympics or are already a competitive swimmer looking for a new challenge, and wanting to compete at the highest possible level, we more than likely have the opportunity for you!

Our outstanding results and form pre-Covid have continued now that we have returned to both training and competition. We achieved our joint best ever finish in the 1st round of the West Midlands National Arena League, where we remain in the Premier Division; recording a large number of medallists and top 6 finishes in the Derbyshire County Virtual Sprints competition. We had an extremely successful first “post-Covid restrictions” open meet where we challenged large city clubs to the Top Visiting Club

If you would like to expand your swimming activities or try something new please contact us. Our club adheres to all government COVID-19 guidelines.

36 Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines: when responding to the Ads Email : contact@ripleyrascals.org.uk | Webpage www.ripleyrascals.org.uk

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Central Heating Installations • Complete energy saving central heating systems – designed and installed • Boiler & radiator swaps FEMALE

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HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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W E I V ' A 'C

The Good Old Days???

Well, I find it hard to believe but I’ve now got a bus pass!

I’ve reached the age when there are far more years behind me than are left in front of me; the time when my pub conversations sound like an episode of “Last of The Summer Wine” or the classic Python “Three Yorkshiremen” sketch.

In my mind every summer day of my youth was sunny and warm, most days were spent at Alfreton Lido and everyone was always happy. That, of course, is total BS. Winters brought thick ice to the inside of windows, one coal fire in the house meant that hot water was almost non-existent, cars didn’t work and TV was useless.

People often tell me that things were better in the old days. As I sit in a warm house watching football on a decent TV, I wonder if they are right.

40

Pubs were maybe better only because everyone was there at the same time due to licencing laws. I might have said that communities were stronger and that might be true but the Covid outbreak (whether you believe in it or not) has shown that many of those deemed vulnerable have been looked after by neighbours and even strangers.

The only thing I’m pretty sure was better, was that kids were allowed to be kids and learn about life by experiencing it.

But in general if I had to choose between life in the sixties or the 2020’s....I’m happy to stay where I am!!

How about you?

Jim Coyle

I would love to hear from you, so please drop me an email on jacoyle213@outlook.com

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2022 - Energy and You With the ever increasing cost of energy, it makes sense to look at ways we can improve the energy efficiency of our homes and places of work.

HVCA have given us some ideas to share with you all as we head into 2022…

Let’s start with the problems: Vast amounts of energy are currently being wasted due to home inefficiencies - poor insulation, outdated boiler heating systems, polluting oil heating systems, inefficient rural open fires or wood burners.

There is no one size fits all when it comes to improving the energy efficiency of our homes because each home is different, and certain initiatives that may work in one won’t work in another. Add in the cost of ‘retrofitting’ our homes to match the latest standards, and it’s no wonder that many of us are left scratching our heads when it comes to improving the energy efficiency of our houses.

The four biggest things we all need to look at doing are: 1. Ensuring our homes have plenty of insulation (particularly, but not exclusively, roof) 2. Installing air pumps to replace gas and oil central heating 3. Installing well-sealed double glazing 4. Installing renewable energy generation systems - e.g. solar panels But none of these are cheap and as much as we may all want to do our bit to mitigate climate change, we have limited budgets! Yes, taking these actions will lead to reduced energy bills for us, but without financial help most of us can’t suddenly begin to retrofit our properties.

And what about those who rent? How many landlords will put their hand in their pockets in order to ensure their rental property is energy efficient.

So, what little things can we all do to minimise our energy consumption?

1. Get a Smart Meter, they don’t cost the consumer a penny, and with one installed you will be able to tell what is ramping up your bills the most and take action!

2. Turn off the lights when you leave a room 3. Install energy saving throughout the house

lightbulbs

4. Turn off appliances at the socket instead of leaving them on standby 5. Hang heavy curtains or blinds to help with draughty windows (but don’t cover your radiators!) and make sure you close them as soon as it gets dark 6. Turn your thermostat down a few degrees (put a jumper on!)

7. Put reflectors behind your radiators - particularly if they are against an outside wall 8. Draught proof your front (and back) doors - maybe even consider a heavy door curtain 9. Take a shower instead of a bath 10. Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they are full - and use a lower temperature Make 2022 the year you address your energy bills and lessen your impact on global climate change.

HVCA was established in late 2019, and as their name suggests, it is based in and around the Hope Valley in the Peak District; its aims are to address the climate emergency by reducing carbon emissions and increasing biodiversity. The group was granted Charity status at the end of 2020 and is run by a board of trustees. The work they are doing, and the messages they are sharing, are just as relevant to the rest of the Voice Magazine distribution areas, and we’re delighted to have them on board.

www.hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk 42

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RIPLEY & DISTRICT HERITAGE TRUST

SHELTER FROM THE STORM At the beginning of the First World War, over a million Belgians fled their country as the Germans invaded, around 250,000 of them coming to Britain. It is estimated that more than 750 came to Derbyshire. In Ripley a local committee was set up to raise funds; the Butterley Company provided a house in Loscoe, and Scouts and Guides were enlisted to collect donations.

Two extended families, 18 people in all, were housed in what is now Jack-in-a-Box on the High Street. Bank Buildings, as it was known, had a reception office on the ground floor with accommodation above. The stories of the two families were told in an article by one of the refugees in the Ripley and Heanor News of October 1914. They are shown in the attached picture.

(Picture Wikimedia Commons)

their kindness, and says they live “in silence far from the German beast who smashed so terribly down our splendid Belgium.”

At the end of the war, the government, which had been very glad of the Belgians who had taken jobs vacated by men who enlisted, wanted the jobs back for the returning men, and encouraged the Belgians to return home: by 1919 90% of them had done so, including most of Ripley’s guests.

And, as a happy footnote, before they left for home in 1918, Charles Calmeyn’s son, another Charles, married Yvonne Versyp in London.

Emile Backhoven, his wife and daughter and two other families escaped from Antwerp on a barge, sailing to Rotterdam and then to Tilbury.

The other group came from Ostend, hurriedly leaving most of their possessions behind as the Germans entered the town. One of them, Charles Calmeyn, had a son who was taken prisoner; another, Jeanne Colombie, was separated from her husband who remained in Ostend, as had the parents of Maurice and Yvonne Versyp.

Judging by M. Calmeyn’s article, they were all traumatised: he thanks the people of Ripley for

44

Bank House c1900

Pop over to our website to see more about the Ripley & District Heritage TrustMagazines on www.rdht.org.uk/ Don’t forget to mention Voice when responding to the Ads

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Double glazing repairs including misted up glass units.

Window and door hinges, locks, handles and general servicing.

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03/11/2017 18

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Does your Septic Tank need checking?

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Our experienced local team can drop by for a ‘lift the lid’ type survey and discuss your specific situation.

The MPC Services team are here to help make sure that your sewage system is working well, properly maintained, up to date with the latest compliance regulations, working quietly and energy efficient. We can provide you with competitive pricing for your scheduled de-sludging, tank emptying, annual maintenance and repairs to help make sure that you are getting good value for money.

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COLLEDGE AERIALS Established 1965

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Opening Hours: Mon to Fri - 9:00am until 4:00pm Sat - 10:00am until 3:00pm

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Mike’us sings M

I think he might be having us on you know...

Mike is always glad to hear from you at :

mike.musings@outlook.com

It may be 2022, but George’s Footballing Tales continue...

Not long after Morris’s, the ice cream manufacturer started business in 1956, George’s family would call in to the Blackwell based business to take a treat round to Grandad’s on their regular Sunday afternoon visit. Horace Twigg, by then in his eighties, appreciated the creamy Morris version, but said that it couldn’t compare with the Molinari’s that he enjoyed when he ‘werralad’.

Apparently Leonardo and Giuseppe Molinari were brothers who came to Derbyshire in 1896 – according to Horace, there were rumours that they had escaped the Cosa Nostra but this was never proved – and began making ice cream in premises on King Street in Alfreton. Derbyshire folks had never tasted ice cream as good as this before and business boomed. So much so that other members of the Molinari family came over from Calabria, and using late Victorian versions of Granville’s bike, as seen on Open All Hours, delivered the delicious product to all parts of the East Midlands.

Two of Giuseppe’s sons, Luigi & Paulo went on to become key members of the successful Hilcote team in the years before the outbreak of the Great War. Their mother, Carlotta, used to invite team members round to the Molinari house on the night before a game, and provide them with some good wholesome Italian food, claiming that it would give ‘all a da players a bitta more energy’.

So it was that Hilcote Hacademicals were the first side in the country to enjoy and benefit from prematch meals like Fiorentina Steak, pasta, lasagne etc. Revolutionary it may have been then, but now

of course, other clubs have cottoned on and it’s become standard practice.

The Molinari’s were accepted as valued and esteemed friends of both the Club and the wider community and all was going well until August 1914. The night before the first game of the new season – it was soon to be abandoned, but that’s another story – Carlotta gave the ‘boys’ her latest Italian speciality, pizza ai frutti di mare. They enjoyed it, but................the following afternoon, only two Hilcote players, Luigi & Paulo as it happened, turned up at the Harena with the others sending messages that they were violently sick. The game had to be abandoned and the points were subsequently awarded to the opposition.

Rumours began to circulate that Carlotta was acting on behalf of the Central Powers and had deliberately poisoned some of England’s potential fighting men. The fact that her own two sons had been unaffected appeared to confirm these suspicions. As a result, the entire Molinari family by now there were 35 of them - were rounded up, incarcerated for the duration of the War, and then deported. There was uproar that locals were now denied Molinari’s ice cream, but national security had to take precedence.

It may have had an unhappy conclusion, but George’s little known tale is yet another example of how Hilcote Hacademicals influenced the footballing world of today.

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Visit Derby’s biggest windows & doors showroom

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Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Our experienced installers will fit your new door and www.first4fascias.co.uk they’ll take away the old one too, so there’s no mess.

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51

Pitcherwits

®

Pitcherwits® are crossword puzzles where some of the clues are in pictures.

Sound easy? It’s not called “Pit-your-wits” for nothing!

The mixture of cryptic and picture clues, combined with Professor Rebus’ unique sense of humour, will keep you entertained for hours.

1

2

3

5

Across 9 Curve in axlebar characterised by cutting (4) 10 Print off prominent sign (4) 11 Bad burn from a dear songster (5) 12 It’s up to a Floridean town to pack tight (4) 14 Swear at mad rave (4)

4

6

7

8

9 10 11 12

Down 3 Member of farming community (3) 4 Some clear skies for the resort (3) 6 What you are owed, perhaps, on patterned suede (4,3) 7 Bit of a stammer? Scottish topper! (3) 13 Coat tailored with immaculate cutting (3) 16 Fruit stripped to the core of the thing (3) 17 Males that are a bit demented! (3)

13 14

15

16

17

18

Across

Down

1

Wins a brave fight with cogitational inspirations? (10)

1

Stop the fight with pure batik design (5,2,2)

5

Highly fragrant at a micro-shape (8)

2

Collapsed state of autumn leaves? (2,1,4)

15 Give us a lift? What a tonic! (4-2-2)

8

Centring a plan between trotting and galloping (9)

18 Ground ginger isn’t useful to seal those old letters (6,4)

10 Propane, or could be in theory (2,5)

ANSWERS FOR LAST MONTHS PITHERWITS Across: 1 Corn bunting, 5 Pillory, 7 Horse, 8 Eclat, 9 Ebony, 11 Broil, 12 Mahouts, 13 Tambour lace.

Down: 1 Crash helmet, 2 Bilge, 3 No-one, 4 Great Plague, 5 Perform, 6 Yellows, 10 Yahoo, 11 Bluer.

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nd a s d r o w Guess the d! ! r o w s s Fill in the cro

52

This puzzles has been devised by the brilliant Professor Rebus. For more of his puzzles visit www.pitcherwits.co.uk

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ROOFING

FASCIAS-SOFFITSGUTTERING-SPECIALIST

We are a small family business who offer many roofing related services Friendly and professional team with 35 years of experience Please call us for a FREE quotation

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➤Fascia & Soffits Replacements ➤Vast Range Of Colours & Styles ➤Dry Verge-Covers ➤Shiplap Cladding ➤Concrete Gutter Replacements ➤All Maintenance Work Undertaken

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Sales . Spares . Repairs . Servicing

uum Is Your Vac t Working?

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PLUMBING, HEATING & GAS SERVICE

We are a local business based in Swanwick,specialising in: Boiler installations Boiler service Boiler repairs For a free no obligation quote call on: T: 01773 540 854 | M: 07968 772 224 E: b.sole@sky.com | www.bsoleplumbing.co.uk All Debit and Credit Cards accepted

Reputable & Reliable Family run business Est 1986 DERBYSHIRE’S PREMIER GARAGE DOOR COMPANY Up and Over Doors from £790 fitted - inc vat (Automation Available) Side Hinged Garage Doors - (Made to Measure) Insulated Sectional Garage Doors (up to 30% Discount)

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PLUMBING & HEATING Boiler replacements and full central heating systems Installation, servicing and repairs of most domestic gas appliances

LOG BURNERS FITTED CALL RITCHIE

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Choose your new blinds & curtains from the comfort of your own home with our free home survey or visit our showroom (Just 2 mins from IKEA)

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Book Review

“The body is in the library” sounds like the start of an Agatha Christie, or a game of Cluedo.

And Snow, by Irish writer John Banville has strong echoes of the traditional murder mystery – run down country house, aristocratic family – police inspector looking for clues, and yes a dead body, though one mutilated in a way which Miss Christie might not have risked writing about.

But this novel is so much more. John Banville knows Irish society. His earlier novel The Sea also set in rural Ireland won a Booker Man prize and in addition to a lengthy catalogue of novels he’s also written crime stories under the name Benjamin Black.

Snow is set in a ferociously cold Irish winter, and the frozen landscape is reflected inside Ballyglass House by a 1950s society frozen in social and religious intolerance. It’s a heady and compelling mix.

This story is only partly about the murder. It’s a clever take on the whodunit, well written and with wit. But it tells another story about a time and place which is engrossing. And it’s a good read for a chilly time of year.

Tel: 01773 749713 | Sales@leevaplumbing.co.uk | www.leevaplumbing.co.uk

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Lee

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GARDENS

HARRIS FENCING

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Perennials such as stonecrop, otherwise known as sedum can be trimmed. Old stems may be looking very leggy and bedraggled so take them out, but be careful not to damage new growth coming through.

Plants which have been forced for inside growing for Xmas can be put outside to let them die down once they’ve done their job. You can plant hyacinths in the garden and they should grow next year outside, but narcissus such as paper whites need to be lifted and stored as bulbs to be planted for indoor growing again next year.

Top Tip:

Most indoor plants need less water over the winter when they enjoy a dormant period. But they still need good light and plants such as fuchsias and begonias which you may be overwintering indoors to protect from frost need a minimum of 5 degrees heat to keep them going. If they’re on a window sill, don’t leave them behind the curtain overnight as the temperature can drop dramatically even in a centrally heated house.

Clean your pots ready for spring planting. Yes it’s boring, but then you’re good to go come seed sowing time. Some recommend diluted bleach to kill off pathogens, but a less drastic solution is a cupful of white vinegar in a washing up bowl of warm soapy water.

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59

GARDENS

Gardener’s Calendar

If you’re itching to be outside this is a good time for planting bare root roses, and pruning overgrown honeysuckle back hard to promote new growth in spring.

GARDENS

Peak’s Moorland Recovery I was out on the Peak’s high moors and bogs just recently and the purpose of the visit was to check on the recovery of uncommon, rare, and otherwise important peat-bog plants. In this context, it was exciting to see how wild nature is recovering from its low point in the 1980s. At that time, land drainage, catastrophic air pollution from nearby big cities, and then massive over-grazing by sheep destroyed much of the habitat and removed rare species. The grazing and the drainage were both publicly subsidized and created what writer George Monbiot describes as ‘sheep-wrecked landscapes’. These adverse factors combined, had pretty much done for these incredibly vulnerable ecosystems. However, time rolls on and today, with all the above impacts reduced or removed, a major shift is underway and these areas are recovering. Furthermore, this remarkable recovery is happening naturally and without major financial investment to bring about the change. The important message here is about the need and potential to simply remove the negative influences and let nature itself get on with the process of long-term recovery. Indeed, at one major peat bog on the edge of Sheffield, a site called Ringinglow Bog, these sometimes-subtle changes can now be witnessed first-hand. A first visible step is the recovery of the ‘bog mosses’ – the Sphagnum species. These are especially sensitive to air pollution and on our local moors and bogs the Industrial Revolution’s foul air destroyed most of them. However, this loss has a disproportionate impact on the uplands. This is because the bog mosses hold water - up to 20x their own weight held in the plant’s pore-rich tissues. These diminutive plants are the so-called ‘bog-builders’ and everything else depends on them. The remarkable waterholding abilities of the mosses can power this re-naturing of the wet landscapes. Furthermore, if we can harness the water absorption of the

Sphagnum mosses, then the recovery can help reduce future flooding downstream. This is not at all bad for a humble moss that most people never notice.

At Ringinglow, rare upland flowers such as the Bog Andromeda or Bog Rosemary (so-called because its leaves look like the Rosemary in your garden), were believed extinct. This loss was after drainage for the North Sea Gas pipeline cut through the site in the 1970s. The result was that the drying out of the site and then (grant-aided) heavy sheep grazing did the rest. However, this special plant was rediscovered on the site about five years ago

by Dr Paul Ardron and me. This was whilst we were running a field workshop for the British Ecological Society to train people in the unique skills of bog moss identification.

Re-visiting the area today, it has recovered in good amounts over a wide area of the wet peat bog. Equally exciting was that other uncommon upland bog plants have also reappeared.

These include the Eared Willow (a rare rather dwarfish species), Cranberry, Bog Asphodel (a beautiful upland lily), and the intriguing Common Sundew. This latter plant is one of our few carnivorous or insectivorous wild flowers; again almost extinct in the Peak by the 1980s.

Nevertheless, it has reappeared across many old haunts and it seems to be doing well.

Professor Ian D. Rotherham, researcher, writer, broadcaster on wildlife and environmental issues in the Peak District and elsewhere, is contactable on info@hallamec.plus.com. Follow his website www.ukeconet.org, blog ianswalkonthewildside, Twitter @IanThewildside 60 Don’t forget to mention Voice&Magazines when responding to the Ads

GARDENS

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with a BBQ cabin. It can become the heart and soul of your garden. Our trademarked sloping wall design not only gives the cabins an unmistakable silhouette, it also makes them very comfortable and enables you to sit back and relax whilst enjoying countless days and nights with your favourite people.

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GARDENS

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View from the Allotment

M0862 (Dale Beuford Waste Recycling Q Advert).indd 1

20/01/2017 05:37

Where has 2021 gone? As secretary of Leabrooks Allotment Association (LBLAA) it’s surprising how much administration there is to do on top of working one’s own plot or two as the case may be. Allotment Associations don’t just run themselves whatever some members think especially if one is proactive by applying for grants to buy new equipment.

Over the last couple of years grants awarded to LBLAA have paid for a new communal rotavator, a chipper/shredder and the Lantra training to use it and now for an ex-shipping container to house these communal items and service them.

That’s the pleasant side. Less pleasant is sending out of emails and letters (some members don’t do emails) to chase up rents and to threaten action when tenants don’t keep their plots up to scratch, or light bonfires when the wind is blowing over adjacent properties producing complaints. The only stick the committee can wield is the threat of removing a member’s tenancy which we don’t do lightly. There really is a lot going on behind the scenes by a few people to allow the greater membership to persue their hobby of growing vegetables, flowers and fruit in peace and quiet.

Talking of peace and quiet, by now plots should be dug over and soil exposed to the elements so that frosts can kill off bugs, slugs, snails and larvae over winter. Many of our members spread compost over plots so that worms take it down over winter to enrich the soil. Some plots still have leeks, parsnips and winter cabbage growing-these can be left in the ground until needed though leeks and parsnips can be difficult to dig out if the ground gets really hard. This is the time to plant bare-root fruit bushes and fruit trees and to order your seeds ready for the new season. I get mine online from Seed Parade or Simply Seeds. They don’t come in jazzy packets but they are very reasonably priced and seem to be of good quality. As usual my October-planted Aquadulce broad beans have germinated showing those ‘green shoots of recovery’ and making me look forward to gardening again in 2022. Happy gardening in 2022!

This is a great time to start taking on a plot so contact Mick our Plot Bailiff on 07725 402 033 and ask him what is available.

Martin Rumsby

62

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