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

“Wow, what a fabulous estate agent|! Laura was an absolute star. Laura went above and beyond to fit in extra viewings for us and maintained fantastic communication between all parties. She helped push the sale through so smoothly and stress free. Would HIGHLY recommend.” - Mrs R.

Hi Readers,

Do you like our Front Covers this month?

The whole team has made an appearance as our alter ego characters, including our distribution trio! Not sure what our designer Lisa is saying about Jude and Danielle hanging around a lamp post but we’ll leave that there for now!!!

In terms of the years round up - for the third December in a row, my year end message is more about surviving rather than enjoying this year!! As a glass half full type of person, whilst we cannot ignore the reality of how challenging the last few years have been and looks like it’s going to easily drip into 2023, I am still extremely grateful for the year I’ve had and the lessons I’ve learned! So here is the list of things I’m grateful for:

• My health

• Realising a 10yr goal which has aged me/us but worth it!

• Never being too old to make new friends & having some wonderful old friends in our lives that support us irrespective of our crazy shenanigans!

• A new boiler! Which is not only more economical and effective but has also prevented my water tank from falling through the floor into the bathroom below!

• Failing at my new year’s resolution (which has been partially due to not taking a proper holiday this year, when I usually eat a few books in a couple of weeks!) but by having the resolution, it has meant that I’ve probably read 5 more books than I would have done!

• Going to see England Netball play live for the Commonwealth Games.

• Going to Y Not festival with my work family (even though it was camping!)

• Being a bridesmaid for probably the last time – and –more specifically for my fast-healing body not ruining the aisle walk with crutches!

• Actually getting to see a couple of cracking shows at the Theatre this year.

• Lots of UK beach trips with our dogs.

I like to have some headlines to look back on for the year that has been and gone and I can’t help but look back with a smile, mostly! Don’t get me wrong, there have been some nail biting, painful and down-right horrible moments this year and because of the ongoing economic climate, we, like many other small businesses are worried – it’s going to be tough. But for now, I’m choosing to smile about what has been, concentrate on what is happening currently and refuse to worry about what might be and as usual, I will raise a glass on New Years Eve with Mr Emily, Rafa and Flake and hope for better times to come.

Thankyou for all your support this year and all years previously, wishing you all a fabulous Christmas and a superb New Year.

Kids & Families pg8 Professional Services pg12 Food & Retail pg17

Health & Beauty pg23 Pets pg23 Home pg26

Garden

Christmas Jumpers

Love them or Loathe them?

Whichever category you fall in, love them or loathe them - Christmas jumpers (or “Ganseys” as my dad used to say) seem to have become a fixture during the festive season.

There is even a “Christmas Jumper Day”, a charitable day in support of Save the Children, this year it falls on the 8th of December. The first “Christmas Jumper Day” happened in 2012 and the event has run every year since. The idea is simple, everyone in a workplace, school, community centre - in fact anywhere a group of people gather - dress in the best (or worst) Christmas jumper and pledge £2 which is donated to Save the Children.

This year is a bit special because the UK government has promised to match the donations. As the charity’s page says, “double the funds, double the fun”.

If you are planning on taking part on the day, remember you don’t have to go out and buy a brand new jumper. Dig out an old one and wack on some decorations…the sillier the better. How about sticking on some tinsel, Christmas tree baubles, googley eyes, fake snow, jingly bells… go crazy.

Sure you might look and feel a bit of a twit, but you’ll probably make someone laugh (including yourself) and you’ll be raising money for a very special charity. With most of us having to tighten our belts this year, this is a really easy, fun, and cheap way to help a charity.

But back to Christmas jumpers…

When did the tradition of wearing them really start?

Some online sources seem convinced that the trend for glitzy Ganseys (sorry dad!) comes from the jumpers worn by Scandinavian fisherman back in the 19th century.

These were knitted in two or more colours with bands of geometric patterns and became popular in the 1940s and 50s when celebrity tourists such as Clark Gable, Ingrid Bergman and Gary Cooper were often pictured wearing them. The public then imitated the designs and knitted their own versions.

Our American cousins have embraced “the ugly Christmas jumper” for many years, even hosting ugly Christmas jumper parties and creating greeting cards featuring their family sporting glorious examples of bad taste knitwear. In the UK, Christmas jumpers as we know and love them today, probably didn’t hit mainstream culture until Colin Firth wore the infamous “reindeer jumper” in a scene from Bridget Jones’s Diary in 2001. We appear to have made up for lost time, the shops are full of garishly decorated and embellished knitwear from the beginning of November onwards. Want your sweater to play a seasonal tune? No problem. Fancy some lurex and sequins? Oh, go on then! How about some flashing fairy lights? You asked - they delivered.

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

I say, wear your jumper if it makes you happy, but do try to make a donation to Save the Children too.

Do you love a Christmas jumper? Or are you someone who would rather poke their own eyes out than be seen in one?

We couldn’t be happier to announce that after a two year break, due to Covid, our much-loved Duck Race will be back on 1st January.

All our ducks have been keeping fit and are raring to go!

What a better way to meet family and friends over the festive season than at the Annual Duck Race.

Enjoy a warming cup of mulled wine with a mince pie, tea or coffee or a delicious hot donut. Have a go on our tombola with some lovely prizes to be won, for the little ones we have a Cuddly toy tombola with a prize every time.

Some new stalls for 2023, including a face painter for the little ones...definitely worth a look!

What a fantastic start to the new year, socialising and supporting a local charity.

This popular event is now in its 32nd year and is always a great fun day.

It takes place at Manor Park Toton, courtesy of Broxtowe Borough Council and sponsored by Michael Key MOT, Servicing & Repair, Long Eaton.

We will shortly be contacting all local businesses and requesting that they participate in our ‘Corporate’ race –for just £25 they can sponsor a duck or 2 for the bargain price of £40. They will have a chance to win a prize to share around their employees. This race which takes place immediately before the main race has become a popular and integral part of the day!

Book Review by Sarah & Harriet

The Snowman’s Nose, a beautiful story of Basil the border terrier written by local author, artist and Grandmother Beverly Chenford.

My Daughter Harriet and I were very excited to be asked to read this wintery tale. A tale aimed at all dog lovers and younger children with a love for beautifully drawn pictures that complete the story and guide the imagination.

Not wanting to give anything away about this adventure, suffice to say we curled up, looked at the wonderful pictures and fell into the story together.

At the end of the book, Harriet whispered ‘Oh Mummy that was really lovely’.

Basil’s adventure was a wonderful feel good story that had Harriet gripped from the start, which as most parents know, keeping hold of the attention of a 4 year old can be somewhat challenging.

Many of our favourite moments together are when we curl up for a bedtime story, so thank you Beverly, for sharing Basil’s adventures with us this evening.

When a snowman accidently loses his nose on a cold winter’s day, Basil the border terrier is more than happy to help. Along with his friends, our scruffy hero comes to the rescue.

Book available from local store Withlovefromderbyshire Amazon, WHSmith and all good bookstores

https://www.austinmacauley.com/book/snowmans nose

https://g.co/kgs/HK4b1q

When a snowman accidently loses his nose on a cold winter’s day, Basil the border terrier is more than happy to help. Along with his friends, our scruffy hero comes to the rescue.

All Around the Shire

When I was a girl, one of the most special and enduring traditions of Christmas was the hanging of stockings from the mantlepiece. After all the preparations had been completed, it was the final task before we children attempted to sleep on Christmas Eve. Not forgetting the glass of sherry and mince pie for Father Christmas and a carrot for Rudolph left on the hearth.

The tradition stems from the legend of St Nicholas (who later becomes Father Christmas), a Turkish bishop in the 4th century. He had the habit of secret gift-giving and many miracles were attributed to him. He is the patron saint of children as well as sailors and pawnbrokers (among others).

One of the stories involves St Nicholas throwing bags of gold down a chimney and into stockings hanging by the fireplace to save the daughters of a poor man from being sold to feed the family. This is possibly why children traditionally leave their stockings out on the night before Christmas: in the hope of having them filled.

My father tells me that his only gifts were contained within his stocking. Always an orange, an apple, some nuts, a small toy, “tutoos” and a half a crown piece. This precious coin was always reclaimed by his father before Boxing Day so that he could visit the pub. My Christmas stocking was also filled with the same items, but my brothers and I also received a large pillowcase stuffed with gifts.

Whatever you receive this Christmas, whether it be in a stocking or a pillowcase, I hope that you find joy in the season and remember the good times shared from long ago.

MANDY’S TRAVEL PAGE

Hi I’m Mandy your Personal Travel Counsellor.

Following on from last month’s article providing you with some Christmas gift ideas, I thought I’d give you a few more snippets of inspiration to mull over as you still have time - just about!!! We have options to suit all budgets, so why not make 2023 the year of making memories with your loved ones?

Design Your Own Perfume Gold Experience for One (Nottingham and nationwide)

From £37.00 per person

Have you ever wanted to design your own signature scent? Now’s your chance with this introduction to perfume making.

Start your experience with a group consultation from a perfume stylist, who will talk you through the discovery and enjoyment of perfume making. This knowledge will help you to create your very own fragrance from a range of 21 different blends. You’ll be provided with a pretty 5ml bottle to store your perfume, ready to take home with you. You’ll also get a certificate to record your unique formula. Now all you need to do is think up a name for it!

Tour of Twickenham and Entry to The World Rugby Museum for Two*

From £52.00

During your expertly guided tour, you can soak up the atmosphere in the players’ dressing room, see the breathtaking view from the very top of the North Stand and almost hear the roar of the crowd as you run onto the pitch through the players’ tunnel. Also included is a visit to Twickenham’s Museum of Rugby, chronicling the history of the game across the globe, challenging myths, and legends, setting records straight and giving hands-on entertainment to visitors of all ages.

*Other stadium experiences and locations available – as well as other sports such as Football & Cricket*

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two (Derbyshire and nationwide)

From £280.00

(Weight limit and height restrictions apply)

Imagine watching the world wake up from 2000ft as you drift serenely in the early morning sky. Enjoy the sun rise over your county of choice is guaranteed as unforgettable views of beautiful scenery unfold. By taking a midweek flight you have the comforting thought that everyone else has to get up for work and will also benefit from improved availability - it certainly beats the commute into work

What about theatre breaks and other types of short breaks?

• Walking Breaks

Pack a picnic, grab a map, and set off on an adventure! Our walking breaks are ideal for those looking to discover the best of the UK countryside.

• Dog friendly Breaks

We have a selection of hotels where your four-legged friend is more than welcome.

• Romantic Breaks

Our romantic breaks provide the perfect excuse to take a break away together.

• Theatre Breaks

London’s West End is an amazing place with so many shows to see. If you want to see the longest running show or one of the newest, I can get you the best tickets.

Travel Counsellors Gift Vouchers (Worldwide)

If you just don’t know what to give the people in your life, why not give them a travel gift voucher.

Slimming World Recipe

Christmas Soup

1. Cook the sausages according to the pack instructions.

2. While the sausages are cooking, make the soup. Roughly chop 400g of the sprouts, then finely shred the rest and set aside. Put the chopped sprouts, onion, garlic (if using), cauliflower, nutmeg (if using) and 200ml boiling water in a large nonstick saucepan. Cover, bring to the boil and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

3. Add the stock, then take the pan off the heat and blitz with a stick blender until you have a smooth consistency (or use your food processor and

return to the pan). Season to taste and put the soup back over a low heat to keep it hot.

4. Spray a non-stick frying pan with low-calorie cooking spray and stir-fry the shredded sprouts, bacon, turkey and sage for 2-3 minutes or until the sprouts and bacon are cooked. Slice the sausages and stir into the turkey mixture to heat through.

5. Ladle the soup into bowls, top with the turkey mixture, add a little freshly ground black pepper and evenly dollop over the cranberry sauce to serve.

Ingredients:

450g Brussels sprouts, trimmed (or use broccoli florets)

1 large onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, crushed (optional)

½ medium cauliflower, chopped Pinch of grated nutmeg (optional)

700ml hot vegetable stock

What to do with all those leftovers? Well how about this delicious and filling soup to tantalise those tastbuds on Boxing Day? For

For the festive toppings:

2 Slimming World Pork Sausages (available from Iceland stores – if you can’t get them,

use another low-fat sausage and count any Syns)

Low-calorie cooking spray

3 lean bacon medallions, visible fat removed, chopped

120g cooked roast turkey, skin and visible fat removed, shredded 3 fresh sage leaves, shredded 3 level tbsp cranberry sauce

serving: 1 Syn

Vintage Rambles with rafaand Flake

Rafa has been saving this little walk as a Christmas special for you all. He loves a walk in the woods and a bit of history too, so this walk is a favourite! Half way round this walk you pass the Parliament Oak, which, it is reputed, was the site of impromptu assemblies of Parliament by King John and latterly King Edward in the 13th Century. I hope you enjoy it as much as Rafa does.

5 MILE CIRCULAR FROM WARSOP, VIA PARLIAMENT OAK

A moderate walk for you and your dog. This walk should take 2 to 21/2 hours. There is a major road to cross, twice, so take plenty of care. Make sure you wear appropriate footwear for the conditions. And as always, follow the countryside code!

1. Standing with your back to the recycling centre turn right and continue gently uphill along a gravel lane. Continue straight ahead for some distance and then pass ‘Greenacres’ on your left-hand side. Continue straight ahead along the lane for a long distance and eventually you will reach a main road. Cross straight over the road and continue along a footpath entering into some woodland.

2. After a short distance ignore a footpath sharp to the left and continue straight ahead through the

trees along a footpath running parallel with the road over to your right. Continue straight ahead for some distance and eventually you will reach a T junction with a lane. Turn left to continue along the lane. After a short distance the lane bends around to the left and a little further on the lane narrows to a footpath. At this point ignore the path to the left and continue straight ahead going through the trees.

3. Continue straight ahead for some distance and then just prior to the path bending to the right,

turn left onto another footpath. Continue along this path with just a few trees and then open views to your right and woodland on your left. After some distance ignore a major path on your left and then continue for a long distance being sure to stay close to the open views on your right.

4. Continue until you reach a clearing and then at this point continue straight ahead and pass beneath some power lines. Continue straight ahead back into the trees and eventually you will reach a T junction with a tarmac lane with a metal gate just to your right. Turn left at the T junction and continue for a very short distance to a main road passing a signboard for ‘Parliament Oak’ on your left.

5. Cross straight over the main road and continue along a lane for a very short distance. Then turn left onto a footpath (WARNING: THIS PATH IS HARD TO SPOT) to go back into the trees. This path runs parallel with the road over to your left. After some distance you will cross over a lane with a wooden gate and the main road over to your left to continue back into the trees along a footpath running parallel with the road.

6. After some distance you will come into a clearing. Continue a little further on to reach a T junction with a lane. Turn left along the lane for a short distance and then just prior to reaching a wooden gate and a main road, turn right to continue along

a footpath going through the trees running parallel with the road. Continue along this footpath for some distance until reaching a T junction of footpaths with a fence directly in front of you. Turn right to continue along a footpath going gently downhill with a fence on your left.

7. Ignoring any paths to the right continue straight ahead for some distance until reaching a clearing. Continue straight ahead passing underneath some power lines and close by to a pylon on your left. After, head back into the trees and be sure to ignore the path immediately to the right and continue straight ahead keeping, and staying close to open views on your left.

8. Continue straight ahead for quite some distance being sure to stay close to the open views on your left. Eventually you will reach a T junction of paths. Turn left and then continue straight ahead with a hedge and open views to your left. Continue straight ahead for some distance until reaching and passing underneath a railway bridge onto a road. Follow the road for a short distance to a T junction of roads and then turn left.

9. Follow this road for quite some distance until reaching another T junction of roads. Turn left and after a short distance pass underneath a railway bridge to continue back to the start/finish.

purposes only. Voice Magazines Ltd 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.

PARLIAMENT OAK

MansFIeld Woodhouse Warsop Clipstone

Sherwood Forest

Book Review

The idea of the spy novel almost seems like something from the past. And in way it is. When John le Carre wrote his first story in 1961 he wasn’t just a thriller writer - he was still a spy. Then The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, arguably one of his most famous books, was written after his name was given to the Soviet Union in 1964 by a double agent, ending his secret service career.

And in these days of digital spying and phone hacks those early novels capture a shady world of human intrigue from a different era.. But le Carre always wrote like a grown up about people not just plots and that has been the great delight of his engrossing and clever novels.

The latest, Silverview, was published not long after his death last summer, and shows that he had lost none of his power to draw his reader into a different world.

It’s a short sharp and subtle study into loyalty and betrayal and how people can do the wrong thing for the right reason, it gives you plenty to puzzle over – and to wryly smile over at the same time. He’s a fine observer of the human condition but as a writer is always the spymaster in his novels, always the person knowing more than you but providing you with enough to make you work a bit.

He’s a great writer and this book is a fitting finish. – Then, if you’re a newcomer, you can work backwords through the many others.

Mike’sMusings

Mike is always glad to hear from you at : mike.musings@outlook.com

Unless you’re a recent Lotto winner, or perhaps more controversially, a close friend of the current Government who has been given a life changing contract for a product or service, I’m fully expecting you all to be ‘feeling the pinch’ as the so-called cost of living crisis hits.

Well, I’ve given some thought to this, and as a free service to Voice Magazine readers, I’ve come up with a few simple suggestions to help you eke out whatever little disposable income you may have in these fiscally challenging times. In no particular order, here are a few tips that, if followed, will save you a few pennies. And what do pennies make........?

• Go to bed as soon as it gets dark.

• When you go out on a social outing, why not ‘accidentally’ forget to take your purse, wallet, credit card or sporran. NB – you’ll probably only get away with this once, but to coin a phrase from an Alfreton based supermarket, ‘every little helps’.

• Stop taking showers. You will likely soon begin to give off an offensive odour and subsequently lose out on an active social life. So what? It’s clearly a win/win outcome when it comes to saving money. If this becomes unbearable, you could try going to a local leisure centre and say that you’ve left something in the shower area. When they let you in, it would be a real shame not to use the opportunity to try out the facilities!

very expensive time of the year.

• Remove the internal bulb from your fridge.

• Spend a bit of time at the Swanwick Crematorium to establish which kind of funeral party is most likely to have a generous wake. Before too long, you’ll be able to tag along as an old schoolmate/ neighbour/colleague/whatever and have at least one good meal a day.

• If you’ve got a Smart Meter, just switch it off. It’s not only the bearer of bad news, but.......... it also uses electricity.

• Abandon cooking altogether, and take delight in eating only raw food.

• If you have a bus pass, knock the central heating off at 0930 every weekday and get the bus. There’s no need to be going anywhere particularly. Just travel around all day on various busses and you’ll not only stay warm but, with a bit of luck, you’ll find others doing the same, and it will become a regular social gathering.

• Don’t forget of course, that when you go out and the house is empty, you should remove the battery from the doorbell. It will last a lot longer that way.

• Do your best not to die. Have you seen how expensive funerals are?

With that final piece of thrifty advice I sincerely hope that all Voice Magazine readers keep both warm and solvent over the coming festive season, and providing I survive, I’ll bring you more ‘musings’ in 2023.

I think he might be having us on you know

Pitcherwits®

African dug Anna out of trouble (7)

Put on University type, but not so as to use him (3)

How does one write ‘prophet’ in Gaelic? (3)

Lied about being lazy (4)

Fish that’s bad for Aunt (4)

The woman can stay, otherwise it’s a bit fruity (5)

Dance at the end of a rod? (4)

Rip the eye-drop? (4)

A Different Christmas

As this edition of the magazine will be with you during the early part of December I’m guessing that many of you will be organised, but for those less prepared here are some ideas!

One of the first things I would like to say here, is that we all need to get over the idea of “a perfect Christmas”…you know the sort portrayed in movies and festive adverts. Christmas Day is just that… ONE DAY! We should stop stressing about it and instead enjoy what is actually the true spirit and meaning of Christmas, and that is spending quality time with the people we love.

So, presents…

We’re all feeling the pinch this year aren’t we? Why then do we think we need to buy expensive gifts for all and sundry? In my family we only buy gifts for immediate relatives. I have two sisters, we each have two children, so we decided many years ago to concentrate on our own families and stopped buying pressies for nieces, nephews and each other. This immediately lessened the purchasing pressure.

I’m trying something new this year for my grownup daughters and my other half…I’m going to concentrate on giving “experiences” instead of actual wrapped up and tied with a bow pressies.

What does this mean?

Well, things like homemade vouchers printed with “IOU a picnic in Chatsworth park”, “IOU a daytrip to Scarborough”, “IOU a long walk in the woods”, “IOU a home cooked meal”

What I’m aiming for is things that involve us spending time together over the course of the year, rather than just a couple of hours over the Christmas hols.

Don’t get me wrong, actual gifts will be given and received within my family, but they will be on a smaller scale this year…except for the grandson, who will naturally be spoilt!

If you are at the “last minute.com” stage and are looking for gifts, my advice would be to shop locally and to avoid the big chains. Keep your cash in your community. Buy gift cards and vouchers from your local shops; I always like to receive a voucher for a treatment in a local beauty therapist (they often don’t get redeemed until the following September…a gift that keeps on giving!).

And what about homemade gifts? Are you good at cooking? Make cakes, buns, pies, biscuits, jams, chutneys…whatever you fancy! With a little bit of imagination you could package all these things up beautifully in recycled jars etc.

As for Christmas Dinner itself, it’s nothing more than a glorified Sunday lunch, so don’t stress over it! If no one really likes turkey (we don’t!) have something else. If it’s just the two of you, don’t bother cooking at all! Be lazy and spend the day eating cheese and drinking wine, if that’s what makes you happy!

Whatever you end up doing, I hope you enjoy it and don’t break the bank in the process!

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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A year to remember for autumn fruits & berries

In wildlife gardens, hedgerows, and around woodlands, honeysuckle has flowered late and carried lots of red berries too. With flowers that are highly fragrant, this is a bonus of the late summer, but the berries are also wonderful for wildlife. They are especially favoured by birds like blackcaps and garden warblers as they fatten up before winter or prior to southward migration. Indeed, this year has been a splendid one for the profusion of fruits and berries across the countryside as along old lanes, parks, woodland edges, and in other open spaces and gardens, wild fruits have done amazingly well. No doubt this reflects the long spells of hot, dry weather and perhaps some of the intense rainy periods we have had. Berry bushes such as hawthorns, blackthorns, and rowans have all been weighed down by exceedingly heavy crops. The hawthorns, rowans, cotoneasters, and pyracanthas all have their typical rich red fruits.

On the other hand, elderberries and blackthorns display dark, richly blue-black berries that are so popular with gin drinkers for making sloe gin. I recall walking the lanes around Holmesfield with the venerable ‘lady of the manor’, Miss Elsie Wilson of Wilson’s snuff fame, as she filled a large basket full of sloe berries. Well, for all these species 2022 has been an exceptional year.

This all put me in mind of how a local television channel many years back, (older readers may recall this), used to consult with an elderly countryman to forecast the weather to come. He could, he claimed, predict the severity or otherwise of the forthcoming winter by inspecting crops of berries on

hawthorns and other shrubs. However, sad to say, this system does not actually work in practice. This year’s berry and fruit crops reflect the year and weather just gone and the condition of trees and shrubs influenced by previous years. It is a nice idea, but the plants have no ability to predict or foretell the future. Nevertheless, if this was not the case, and fruits and berries did predict the weather to come, then clearly, we would be looking ahead rather worryingly. This winter now nearly upon us would certainly be shaping up to be a bad one.

Blackberries or brambles have produced exceptionally heavy crops of full, ripe, sweet blackberries. These are feasted on by small mammals like wood mice, by birds, by insects, and of course by berry-pickers. Similarly, the elder bushes are almost weighed down by the luxuriant crops of purple-black bead-like berries and I suspect that amateur winemakers will be having a good year. In hedgerows and along woodland edges, the pretty guelder rose hangs its rich red berries almost like droplets of pure blood. Also called ‘red elder’ or ‘rose elder’ this delicate shrub was once recommended as herbal tonic by writers such as Geoffrey Chaucer. Suggested that you ‘picke hem right as they grow and ete hem in’. However, this is not good advice since the fresh berries are bitter and smell rather unpleasant. Nevertheless, an extract was used in herbal medicine and guelder rose bark (known as ‘cramp bark’) was used in Britain and in North America to treat cramps, spasms, and old-fashioned ‘lockjaw’ (i.e., tetanus).

Something of a cure-all, it was also advocated for heart palpitations, rheumatism, and heart disease.

Professor Ian D. Rotherham is a researcher, writer and broadcaster on wildlife and environmental issues. He is contactable on info@hallamec.plus.com and you can follow his website and blog: www.ukeconet.org & https://ianswalkonthewildside.wordpress.com/ and he can be followed on Twitter @IanThewildside

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View from the Allotment

Surely there cannot be a better time to have an allotment! What with overall inflation being over 11% and inflation on food being way higher, having an allotment to grow your own vegetables and fruit must help in saving money. And unlike many city allotments our plots at Leabrooks (Bridle Lane) Allotment Association (LBLAA) are cheap to rent at £5.00 per 100m2 including water and insurance. The Treasurer hints that charges may have to go up next year but it won’t be by much. On our plot we are still picking red kale and yellow chard and we still have lots of potatoes and squash left in storage……and that’s not to mention the two rows of parsnips waiting for a frost to sweeten them up. There are a couple of cabbages left but the kalettes have not developed well - I won’t be growing them again. It’s much the same on other plots where leeks are also ready. Big dark red juicy Spartan apples have cropped well for us this year as did conference pears. Allotments are a money-saving venture, not forgetting the healthy physical exercise involved. At LBLAA our new plot manager Jon has asked me to say that this is a good time of year to start getting an allotment into condition ready for the spring and that he has created some new small plots for anyone taking up allotmenteering for the first time and not wanting a full 400m2 or half 200m2 plot to start with. Contact Jon on 07591333871, email: TaylorJon207@ gmail.com for more information. Finally, I should record my thanks to Mick, our retiring plot bailiff of many years standing, for his efforts to keep the LBLAA site in good order and for offering advice and help where and when necessary. Mick also started up the Saturday allotment shop which has done really well. Thanks Mick!

Martin Rumsby, Secretary, LBL

Gardener’s Calendar

While it may be a bit nippy to be outdoors you can always bring the garden in with some indoor winter flowering plants.

Amaryllis are beautifully showy. Feed with tomato feed while they’re growing for more blooms, let them die off in summer and bring them back into growth next year. Cyclamen are also a real burst of colour but be careful not to overwater them as they have a tendency to rot and always water from the bottom and don’t let them stand in water. Again let them dry out in the summer and bring back to growth in autumn. And for smell there is jasmine whose flowers are amazingly scented and which you can plant out in the garden after flowering if you have a protected south facing wall.

Prune acers, vines, both edible and decorative and lime, birch and hornbeam trees now if they need it. Any later and you risk them bleeding and their growth being weakened.

In this cold weather it’s good to think about wildlife which might be calling your garden home. Birds need high calorie, high fat food to get them through the cold nights – that’s anything with suet, peanuts and sunflowers. And don’t turn your compost until the spring as there may be hedgehogs, mice and toads sheltering.

If you’ve got tender plants which can’t be moved, pile bracken or straw around the base and hopefully it will minimize the chance of the ground freezing and the plant being harmed.

Know

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consumer rights

A LEGAL GUIDE TO RETURNING YOUR PURCHASE

Knowing your basic rights as a consumer can ensure you know what to do if it is defective, not fit for purpose or causes you property damage or personal injury.

> Item was faulty? You have 30 days to demand a full refund But you must prove the goods were faulty when you purchased the item

> Item was missold? You have a 30 day period to demand a full refund.

> Has it been longer than 30 days? You can demand a repair or replacement, but not a refund

> Has it been repaired or replaced once? You can demand a full refund if you purchased it less than 6 months a go.

> They aren’t required by law to have a returns policy for non-faulty goods. But if they do have one they must stick to it.

> No receipt, but the goods were faulty? You can still demand a full refund

> Simply changed your mind? You do need a receipt, but most stores will still offer you an in store credit.

> Did you purchase the goods with your credit card? You can claim a refund directly with your credit card company.

> Did you purchase the goods online? You have 14 days to demand a full refund for ANY reason at all But you are responsible for the cost of returning the item.

> What if there was unfair terms hidden in long T&C’s? You can challenge them!