Rural Voice - Darley Dale & Villages Edition - November 2022

From the Editor

Dear Readers,

So, in the interests of my own sanity (and I suspect yours as well), I am going to completely ignore the ‘elephant in the room’ pertaining to Rome burning around us and not mention anything! Please don’t take that as ignorance - I think we all just need to take the light reliefs where we can currently!!!

Here at Voice Magazines, we’ve been on a bit of a roadshow!! When I started this magazine 12yrs ago now, it was all about shopping local and supporting the small local businesses, who very often have far more outgoings than incomings financially speaking, especially in the early days! These businesses don’t have huge budgets, so we wanted to give them a ‘Voice’ to get their message out.

The real threat of losing the high street altogether is more real today than at any other time and whilst some people may see no issue with that, it is a life line for so many people in so many ways from employment to accessibility (not everyone has the internet or the ability to use it) to company (it might be the only people that someone sees that day) to what happens to the properties and much, much more. Personally speaking, I love browsing a high street and finding little hidden gems or impulsive items that you think ‘Ooooo, Caron would love that!’, you can’t do that on the internet!

Apart from all of that, it is local business that keeps local communities and small areas going. The better our high streets, the more the money flows around

CONTENT

your area to support the local sports team or donate to the local charity for example. So, let’s all pull together this year and try and support our high streets – it’s fair to say that they’ve had a rough run over the last few years and now is the time for the community to support them! Bezos doesn’t need to be any richer but the local shopkeepers need to survive this difficult time, so please turn to our high street feature and join the ‘shop local’ revolution.

In other news, as we were out and about this month, you can also read all about our foot scan experience at another grassroots, small, Derbyshire based business who do fantastically on the global footwear platform - Rockfall. I may have mentioned earlier this year about a small plantar injury! Anyway, my crikey, that footscanner machine was amazing, I could see where my arch has fallen, and the physio kept saying about getting a supportive insole but I thought she was probably just being overly cautious! Having tried it, insoles are the future!! Only issue is, I need to make sure that they can be inserted into my *small* shoe collection!! #fingerscrossed

See you next month when who knows what alternative reality we will be in then? Perhaps Santa will start wearing blue!!!

Tree Huggers Anonymous

As a bona-fide member,

say the founder, of T.H.A. (OK,

up!) I was really pleased

an article about National Tree Week which this

from

November to 5th December.

In a nutshell (acorn cup if you prefer) we NEED trees.

I’m going to chuck in a bit of history now… William the Conqueror took ownership of many of the forests in England, granting hunting rights only to the select few. These woodlands were known as “the Royal Forests” and mere mortals, even land owners, were restricted in their use of forest lands so that the, ahem…”great and good” could “enjoy” a spot of hunting every so often!

Trees nurture and sustain us and the planet we call home in so many ways. From the very air we breathe, to the houses we live in, the furniture we use, and even (some of) the plastic necessary for 21st Century life - trees are essential to our existence.

Without woodlands and forests, land loses integrity and stability. Erosion by wind and water is more extreme without trees acting as wind blocks, and their roots soaking up rainfall. Just look at what happens when forests are cleared in places like the Amazon - biodiversity drops, the soil dries out, there is less rainfall (the Amazon rainforest actually create their own rainfall - did you know that?) and the result is often wildfires.

Trees also soak up carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and when present in towns and cities it has been estimated that they can reduce urban temperatures by up to 7°C. So, not only do trees slow global warming by capturing and containing CO², they also help keep our cities cooler in the summer as they lose moisture and their leaves reflect heat (from tarmac and concrete) upwards and away from the ground.

It’s not only we humans that benefit from trees, one mature oak tree (my favourite species) can be home to as many as 500 different kinds of birds, insects, and small animals. Felling a great old oak will not just kill the tree itself, but will deprive hundreds of other living creatures of their home. Even trees that have died in situ continue to provide both habitats and food sources for other creatures.

These rights were not overturned until The Forest Charter, 1217. Eight hundred years later, in 2017, a new Charter for Trees, Woods and People was launched with the following objectives:

• Sustain landscapes rich in wildlife

• Plant for the future

• Celebrate the power of trees to inspire

• Grow forests of opportunity and innovation

• Protect irreplaceable trees and woods

• Plan greener local landscapes

• Recover health, hope and wellbeing with the help of trees

• Make trees accessible to all

• Combat the threats to our habitats

• Strengthen our landscapes with trees

These

What are YOU going to do in National Tree Week to aid these objectives?

-

OF

JUNE HB £266

PENNINE EXPLORER 07-11 JUNE HB £403

GREAT YARMOUTH 10-14 JUNE HB £424

WARNERS CRICKET ST THOMAS 14-18 JUNE HB £480

HAMPSHIRE HIGHLIGHTS 17-21 JUNE HB £408

ISLE OF MAN 22-27 JUNE HB £514

BABBACOMBE, TORBAY 25-30 JUNE HB £342

SIDMOUTH 04-08 JULY HB £412

HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW 10-12 JULY HB £175

CHESTER

ACTIV-STEP FOOTSCAN SERVICE AT ROCK FALL

We’re particularly fortunate at Voice Magazines to get invited to many different events and places but when we were invited to review a foot scanner at Rock Fall by the Managing Director, we were a little surprised! However, I can report that that it was actually one of the most informative, interesting and unexpectedly fun things we have undertaken as a team.

When we arrived, we were greeted by the Factory Shop Manager, Amanda. We received a lovely warm welcome, which continued when we were handed over to the knowledgeable and highly entertaining Dave, who led the demonstration.

The first part of the presentation was really thought provoking, when asked “Do you suffer from back, hip or knee pain? Everyone one of us answered ‘yes’ to one or all of the above and we were surprised to find out that this could be due to our feet.

We were then each invited to stand on the Activ-Step Foot Scanner machine, which assesses the shape, movement and pressure of your specific feet, to be able to identify the pronation and supination of your feet whilst moving.

The foot scanner is so clever and it truly is revealing to identify what kind of foot support you need to alleviate some of these issues. Once you have completed your assessment, you are pointed to 1 of the 3 insoles which best suit your particular feet and when you test the samples, you can really feel the difference in foot support.

This particular technology was originally identified as specifically relevant for tradespeople and people who spend all day on their feet, but the reality is that there is no-one that this isn’t relevant to, who currently, or has in the past, suffered from any back, hip or knee pain. And the best news is, currently Rock Fall have an offer on the insoles, which currently rrp at £32, but you can have the assessment and purchase these insoles for £25 when you purchase a new pair of shoes.

Team Voice can unanimously endorse this gem of a shop on the industrial estate in Somercotes. They provide such a warm welcome, have a great range of products and are highly knowledgeable about such an important subject that few people probably have any experience of. So, if you have any issues with your back, hips or knees – support a local business and help improve your walk – you won’t be disappointed.

Slimming World Recipe

Sausage Risotto

Method

1. Spray a large non-stick saucepan with low-calorie cooking spray and put over a medium heat. Add the garlic, shallot, leek, carrot, celery and fennel seeds and fry for 10 minutes, adding a little water if anything sticks.

2. Meanwhile, cook the sausages according to the pack instructions and cut each one into 6 pieces.

3. Stir the rice and stock cubes into the veg. Add 700ml boiling water a little at a time – letting the rice absorb each addition

The italian style sausgaes in this dish are the perfect ingredient and add extra flavour as well as leaving you feeling well fed!

Ingredients:

before you add more – and cook for 20 minutes, stirring often.

4. Add the sausages and keep cooking and stirring until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is cooked to your liking (you might need more water). Remove from the heat and stir in the quark, then scatter over the herbs and season to taste. Serve with salad.

For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk

Serves: 4

Ready in: 50 mins

Low-calorie cooking spray

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1 shallot, finely chopped

1 small leek, finely chopped

1 medium carrot, finely chopped

1 celery stick, finely chopped

½ tsp fennel seeds, lightly crushed

6 Slimming World Italian-style Sausages

200g dried arborio rice

2 chicken stock cubes, crumbled

3 tbsp plain quark

Chopped fresh chives or parsley, to serve

Syns per serving: FREE

Black Friday

THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO SPEND YOUR MONEY!

Black Friday, which is November 25th this year, is one of those American imports I question that we really need. Originally coined to mark the Friday after Thanksgiving when traditionally Americans would start their Christmas shopping.

I delved into the history behind the phrase “Black Friday”, and discovered that the first reference in relation to Thanksgiving was in the early 50s when it related to workers calling in sick the day after the celebrations. Around the same time, the terms “Black Friday” and “Black Saturday” came to be used by the police in Philadelphi to describe the crowds and traffic congestion accompanying the start of the Christmas shopping season.

It took a while for the phrase to gain traction, and it only really became a kind of sales vehicle when an alternative derivation of the meaning was suggested in the 80s. This was that retailers traditionally operated at a financial loss January to November and made their profit during the holiday season, beginning on the day after Thanksgiving. In pre computer accounting days it was usual to use red ink to show negative amounts and black to show positive. Black Friday, under this theory, is the beginning of the period when retailers would no longer be “in the red”.

Many large retailers now try to con us Brits out of our hard earned money by promoting “Black Friday Offers”, and it can be quite tempting to spend cash on what look like great deals…but before you part with your dosh, just check to see if the saving is as great as it claims to be!

Even better, ignore the big retailers altogether during the festive shopping period. Instead concentrate on the high streets of our local towns and villages and spend your money with independent small shops, producers, and makers. They are owned and run by people like you and I who are aiming to make a living for themselves and their families. The money we spend in their shops will not go towards funding the pension of a multi-millionaire at the top of a large faceless corporation.

If you’re not a fan of retail therapy and prefer online shopping, look on the likes of Etsy, Not on the High Street, and even Facebook and Instagram for small shops, creatives, and makers. Many local creators will only be selling online or at local craft fairs and events.

We need to support the people in our local economies. We need to prioritise purchasing from independents, be that in a shop or online. Yes, a multinational may appear cheaper, and with the current state of many of our wallets that is appealing, but big corporations seldom help small towns and villages.

Here’s a challenge for you…keep your pre festive spending in your local area. Buy sustainable products. Limit your purchase of plastic toys in favour of books. And if in doubt, buy a gift voucher from a local shop!

Fairtrade pricinG

Fairtrade pricing and how farmers benefit

People are often curious about how Fairtrade pricing works and how farmers benefit. It’s not rocket science, we promise, and chocolate is one of the most straightforward ways to demonstrate this.

Chocolate is one of life’s simple pleasures. A pleasure many of us enjoy every day. But sadly, the cocoa industry has been blighted by persistent problems like discrimination, exploitation, deforestation, and low prices which perpetuate poverty for the farmers who grow the cocoa. Imagine you buy a £1 bar of non-Fairtrade chocolate. Of that £1, just six pence goes to the cocoa producer. So, who did you just give 94p to? About 40p went to the chocolate company, 35p to the retailer and the rest to other parts of the supply chain.

When terms of trade don’t work for farmers, it is impossible for them to escape from the cycle of poverty. Seen like this, it’s obvious that giving farmers and workers a better deal is not about asking you to pay a higher price. It’s about giving ensuring more of the money gets to farmers.

The Fairtrade Premium and Minimum Price

The Fairtrade minimum price defines the lowest possible price that a buyer of Fairtrade products must pay the producer. The minimum price is set based on a consultative process with Fairtrade farmers, workers and traders and guarantees that producer groups receive a price which covers what

it costs them to grow their crop. When the market price is higher than the Fairtrade minimum price, the trader must pay the market price.

The Fairtrade Premium is an extra sum of money farmers and workers receive for the sale of their goods that they can invest in projects of their choice, such as new health centres or schools. In 2021, sales of Fairtrade products in the UK generated £25.2 million (€30m) for farmers and workers to invest in their businesses and communities.

The role consumers play

The unfair status quo of trade isn’t working. With the increasing problems farmers face due to climate change and the cost of living, it is only going to get worse. It’s time for radical change. To make a difference, you can start by choosing Fairtrade.

Book Review

A piece of advice often given to creative writers is to write about what you know. Which is exactly what journalist Robert Peston, has done in his novel The Whistleblower

Mr Peston is probably best known for his scoop that Northern Rock and RBS went with begging bowls to the Bank of England at the beginning of the 2008 crash, sparking queues of panicking customers outside the banks. He’s been economics editor for the BBC and had his own weekly politics discussion programme on TV.

So yes, he does know about politics, money and finance - and journalism. Add dodgy dealings at the highest level and the mysterious death of the hero’s sister, a high flying Treasury official and you’ve got a fast paced political thriller which grabs your attention and hangs on.

It’s based in the Blair years which greatly adds to the entertainment value for those who remember the heady early days of Cool Britannia. You’ll probably find yourself thinking, I know who that’s meant to be. And there’s plenty of interesting nuggets about the workings of certain kinds of journalists at the top.

Definitely worth a read.

FLAMECARE – CUSTOMER FOCUSED, CARING, AND CHARITABLE!

What makes any business stand out from the rest? The answer can be as simple as the level of care and service offered to its customers and the broader community.

FAMILY-RUN, independent and local, FlameCare certainly ticks all the boxes in terms of ‘going over and beyond’ the call of duty. In terms of local charities, the commitment is as strong and wholehearted as ever. For instance, for any new customer signing up to a central heating maintenance plan, FlameCare is donating the first month’s subscription to Ashgate Hospice. FlameCare is also sponsoring Marcella Kirk, owner of Maison Mes Amis restaurant on Chatsworth Road, on a gruelling desert challenge. Marcella, and her friend, Helen Tait Wright, will be faced with

2,200km of extreme off-roading in their 4x4 Land Rover ‘Precilla’. The challenge entails travelling 2,200km across Morocco through all-terrain, desert, mountains, and ocean.

The charitable and warmhearted approach, which is synonymous with FlameCare, is also, of course, extended to its loyal customer base. “Our customers really deserve our support during these challenging times of everincreasing energy bills,” said Managing Director, Simon Fletcher. “That’s why we’ve initiated a price freeze on our central heating and maintenance plans for the next 12 months – starting immediately –from 1st September. This applies to both existing and new customers.” FlameCare’s diversification into bathrooms and bathroom adaptations has been an overwhelming success. Indeed, fitting dates before Christmas are running out fast, so booking early is essential for installations wanted prior to the festive season.

THIS IS WHAT A CUSTOMER HAD TO SAY ABOUT FLAMECARE’S BATHROOM INSTALLATIONS:

“I contacted FlameCare regarding a bathroom adaptation at my dad’s house, as he was starting to feel unsafe.

From initial visit to final completion, the professionalism from FlameCare shone through every step of the way. The communication and project management were excellent throughout. Every member of staff was sincere, honest, and full of integrity.

The new walk-in shower with grab rails and water-proof boarding has given my dad confidence and me complete peace of mind. I would wholeheartedly recommend” Shaun Bennett

FLAMECARE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT ASHGATE HOSPICE

Pitcherwits®

Across

7 Kidney stuff is hard to learn (5)

11 Thing is, it’s kind of a

partner (5)

13 A mark taken as effect of actions (5)

16 Chine set up in alcove (5)

Down

2 Vase produced in blast-furnace (3)

4 Greeting, if included, is a

system (2-2)

10 It’s an approach to earn, roughly (4)

12 Disgusting? Bit of a blast! (4)

15 Strung out axis (shorter for a cab) (4)

17 Bit of barbecue sauce for the potter, please? (3)

As Autumn draws in the spiders emerge…..

Very few British spiders will bite you, and of those which do, most don’t draw blood. With one possible exception, they are not effectively venomous. The exception I write of is the ‘False Widow’, a species spreading since its arrival into southwest England from the Canary Islands back in the 1800s. This can bite and for some people, it does produce a very nasty toxic shock. Other species are perfectly harmless, and even the big ones such as the ‘Cardinal Spider’ (the really big leggy House Spider) is probably more afraid of you than you should be of it. However, it is very large, and those long legs make it look intimidating. The big, fat-bodied ‘Garden Spiders’ which live in circular orb-webs are totally benign, though I recall a local Junior School being closed because parents thought these big spiders were False Widows. This said, I have had False Widows reported from a local allotment garden where someone had suffered a bad reaction to a bite from a big dark-bodied spider in his shed.

However, not everyone likes spiders and yet with autumn creeping in, there is no getting away from them. Once we are into November, then bushes, hedgerows, and even windows are well covered in spiders’ webs of various shapes and sizes. Not all spiders make webs and some such as Wolf Spiders actively run down their prey. However, of those species which are web-makers there are two main types. These are the ‘blanket’ or ‘sheet webs’, and, as mentioned earlier, the orb webs. Sheet webs are constructed by spiders called the ‘Linyphiidae’ and there are 280 British species from tiny ‘Money Spiders’ said to bring good luck if you find one on you. These

spiders hang around under their webs waiting for dinner to just drop in. Some small Linyphids make sheet webs in depressions on the ground, on low vegetation, or on tree bark. Autumn fog or dew highlights these shimmering webs across hedges, herbaceous plants, and on trees or shrubs.

The second big spider group is made up of the ‘orb-web’ spiders, the spider family ‘Araneidae’, and this includes the most common orb (i.e., circular) web builders. These inhabit gardens, hedgerows, fields, and woodlands. They are spiders with eight similar eyes, and eight legs with hairs or spines, and with which incidentally they ‘hear’. The webs are particularly distinctive because they are characteristically constructed to form a framework of non-sticky silk to which the spider adds a final spiral of droplet-covered sticky silk. These webs are natural works of art and engineering and begin with the spider floating a line on air currents to a nearby surface. This first line secured, another dropped from the centre makes ‘Y’ shape, and scaffolding follows. Radii of non-sticky silk are secreted before the final spiral of sticky ‘capture silk’ is in place. These little beasties have specially designed extra claws on each foot to help them manipulate silk whilst they spin and to move across the non-sticky parts of their webs. You often see the big-bodied females with their large spherical abdomens sat at the centre of their web. They are generally much larger than the males. The most handsome of these is the Garden Spider and I used to collect handfuls of these on my way to Junior School where I presented them to our class mistress for the nature table. I’m not sure she was impressed!

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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

Gardener’s Calendar

you don’t

Top Tip:

in water as it will rot the

the ground if possible. You can buy little

or wood will work just as well. Even in winter,

of winter pansies can dry out. But don’t water if it looks like

Bubble wrap is also handy for helping to insulate greenhouses. It’s a good time now for pruning fruit trees such as apples and pears as the trees are less likely to bleed and weaken now the sap has retreated down their trunks. The idea is to take out any damaged branches and cut away those which are crossing and rubbing against each other. Ideally you’re looking for a goblet shape so there is good ventilation in the middle of the tree. Shorten growth from this year by a third and go back to a bud facing the direction you want the branch to grow. But don’t prune cherries or plums –leave them for the summer.

And if you’re tempted in this mood of chopping and lopping, to cut back flowering cherry or forsythia, which suddenly look very leggy around now, be aware that you’ll be removing next year’s blossom branches. They really need to be pruned after flowering...

Terracotta pots are not always winter hardy so if you’re not sure, wrap in bubble wrap to stop them cracking.

Clear debris, moss and algae from drives, flagstones and patios. Not only can it become slippery, it also breeds fungus and pests.