Voice Magazines - Swanwick, Riddings, Leabrooks and Somercotes Edition - January 2023

From the Editor

Britain went into meltdown – literally.

Dear Readers, “Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne?”

If you didn’t sing this whilst smashing a prosecco with Jools Holland on the tellybox – how do you even know it is New Year!?

I’m embracing the year of the Rabbit and going for a year of hope! With that in mind, I’d thought I’d have a bit of fun and make some predictions for 2023 –channelling my inner Nostradamus.

• We will have fewer Prime Ministers than in 2022

• Everyone will own an Oodie as a replacement for our central heating

• Elon Musk will propose a duel to Mark Zuckerberg for Facebook & the whole of the Metaverse

• David Beckham (the National Labrador) will join another queue and he will finally be granted his longsolicited Knighthood

• Donald Trump has a DNA test and it is discovered that whilst he is a descendent of an actual orange from Spain his hair is in fact actually one of those really furry caterpillars. And yet he is still on the Republican ballot for POTUS nominees

• Having had the coldest winter in record, we follow the summer with the hottest year on record again and

• These seasonal record temps are attributed to global warming and, after the success of the covid rules, the govt panic and introduce a national mandate for ‘us’ (not ‘them’) to stop travelling, stop eating Beef specifically and trying to only breathe outwards on every other breath.

• Kanye West moves to Qatar to “become at one with his personal values”

Just a few of my thoughts for this coming year. If you have a mind to, send me over some of your predictions for next year. Only tongue in cheeks ones though –our inbox now has a filter that removes emails that sound too grumpy!!!!

Anyhoo, I’m off to drown my sorrows as 2023 brings a most unwelcome birthday – no dry January for me!!

Raising a glass to you all for a most wonderful 2023,

Happy Reading,

Professional Services pg10 Food & Retail pg18

Health & Beauty pg23

Pets pg26 Home pg27 Garden pg43

I am, of course, referring to Chinese Zodiac signs and their twelve-year cycle.

This year the Chinese New Year is 22 January, and we are moving into the “year of the rabbit” … actually, the full title is Year of the Water Rabbit, as Chinese astrology is based on five elements - Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth - as well as the twelve animal signs.

The sign of Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture and 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope (not before time!).

Yours truly was born in the Year of the Water Rabbit several decades ago, so I was hoping that the predictions would say 2023 is going to be a banger of a year for me.

Sadly, even though “people born in the year of the Water Rabbit year are predicted to enjoy good fortune and have a peaceful mind throughout their lives”, I also spotted a warning, “you are predicted many challenges with frequent life changes. You’re advised to be more careful about all aspects of your lives in 2023.”

Ho hum…another year of upheaval on the cards then?!

The web page with that slightly confusing information for us rabbits, did suggest a way to mitigate the less pleasant possibilities of 2023 - namely, to “wear red underwear and carry or wear lucky dog trinkets”!

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

That’s me off to M&S for some sale price red undies then, although I’m not sure they stock “lucky dog trinkets” …I’m not even sure what they are.

Some other things said to bring good luck to us rabbits are…

• Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 6, and numbers containing them (like 34 and 46)

• Lucky colours: red, pink, purple, blue

• Lucky flowers: plantain lily, jasmine

• Lucky directions: east, south and northwest

• Of course, there are also some unlucky things (everything in balance, eh?)

• Unlucky numbers: 1, 7, and 8

• Unlucky colours: dark brown, dark yellow, white

• Unlucky directions: north, west, and southwest

I have to admit to being more than a little confused by some of this “advice”, particularly the directions. If northwest is lucky…how can north and west be unlucky?

Fortunately, I like lilies and jasmine and can deal with red, purple and blue (though not fond of pink) so maybe I’ll have to surround myself with flowers and start dressing in more flamboyant colours to keep my luck alive in 2023.

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

Are you a rat, ox, monkey, goat, or pig…? Do you even know what I’m talking about?

Contact me today to discuss how RF&Os, friendly and personal awarding winning service can ensure that your rental property is let quickly and securely in 2023!

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WINTER WARMER

As many of us struggle to manage the cost of fuel bills this winter, my mind is cast back to winters during my childhood. There was no central heating and bedrooms were not heated. Instead, our beds were covered with layers of blankets acquired from various sources: a grey army blanket, one acquired from a hospital, a crocheted cover topped off with an eiderdown. If it was especially cold, a warm coat would be laid over the top. Typically, only one fire in the house was lit in the living room. In the mornings after Dad had gone to work, mum would bring us downstairs and huddle us on the settee, covered with a blanket while she lit the fire. There we would watch as she rolled up lengths of newspaper into either a baton or a doughnut shape and use that atop a firelighter. The kindling went on next and, once that was alight, a couple of pieces of coal. To get it going, she used a sheet of newspaper to draw the fire, usually managing to whisk it away before it caught light, but not always.

The fireguard was always securely fixed in place through which we could still watch the dancing of the orange flames. Coal would be delivered by flat-bed lorry and the coal men, blackened and bent, carrying huge heavy sacks of coal to each house and depositing it either in the coal cellar or the coal bunker. It was free if your dad worked in the colliery.

Nowadays we have storage heaters and a wonderful small log-burner called a “Hobbit” stove, still using some of the same methods of firelighters, newspaper and kindling to get it going in the morning. Happy days.

Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire. Find us on or email: oldfield512@btinternet.com for more information. Janet

MANDY’S TRAVEL PAGE

Hi I’m Mandy your Personal Travel Counsellor.

As it’s the new year I thought I would take a moment and reintroduce myself to you all.

I’m sure I am a familiar face to many of you, some because you see me in the Voice each month and others because I’ve always lived in Alfreton.

I’ve worked in travel since I was 17 years old starting as a YTS for an independent agency moving on to Bolsover Cruise and then the Co-op before finding my dream job and becoming a Travel Counsellor back in September 2000. As you can see, I’ve been doing this for a long time, so I’m a safe pair of hands for your next adventure. My aim in my business and my article each month is to bring you the best holidays and the best travel experiences you can get.

Holidays are such a personal thing and something you save hard for, so it has to be perfect, that’s where I come in. As a Travel Counsellor I look after every detail of you holiday from beginning to end.

Don’t take my word for it, just look at what my clients have to say:

Mandy has always done a terrific job for us, from suggestions about possible holidays, to being really responsive to our ideas and requirements. It makes travelling fun and takes away all the hassle. Great service.

I have already recommended Mandy to friends and family who got the same excellent service that I continue to receive.

Mandy has been great - really helpful and very quick - especially when we completely changed our minds about which cruise, we were interested in. Would definitely recommend. Thanks.

Always excellent service from Mandy.

I’m really looking forward to helping you plan your next trip.

Mandy did all the hard work in organising my holiday and sorting out all the paperwork. Nothing was too much trouble for her, and she always went that extra mile even to the welcome home pack which was much appreciated. She has found me a brilliant holiday for next year and I have recommended her to all my friends.

Brilliant, fab holiday booked, so straight forward

Mandy has helped us to arrange a special holiday, joining our friends. She has kept us updated with what we need to do and it was good to introduce each other via a phone call.

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

Smoky pork and pepper casserole with carrot and parsnip mash

1. Start by making the mash. Bring a saucepan of water to the boil over a high heat and cook the carrots and parsnips for 20 minutes or until tender.

2. Meanwhile, spray a large nonstick casserole pan or frying pan with low-calorie cooking spray and place over a high heat. Add the pork, peppers and onion and season lightly. Cook for 5 minutes or until the meat begins to brown, then cover, turn the heat down a little and cook for a further 10 minutes.

3. At the same time, cook the barbecue sauce according to the pack instructions.

4. Add the barbecue sauce to the pork along with 300ml boiling water, cover and simmer gently for 5 minutes or until the meat is cooked and tender.

5. Drain the carrot and parsnips, reserving 6 tbsp cooking water, and return to the pan. Mash the carrots and parsnips with the reserved cooking water and season with plenty of freshly ground black pepper and a little salt.

6. Divide the mash between plates or bowls and top with the pork casserole. Scatter over the parsley and serve hot with Speed vegetables.

Vintage Rambles with rafaand Flake

It has been over 3 years since we first did this walk. It is well suited to this time of year as it makes use of some good tracks and trails. This walk also boasts some great views and varied terrain. For these reasons we have been back along this route a few times, making sure we stop at a nice pub nearby for a well earned warm and some refreshments.

5-MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM WATCHWOOD VIA CALVERTON COLLIERY AND SANSOM WOOD

A mid-length walk which should take you and your dog around 2½ hours to complete. There are a couple of roads to walk alongside and cross so please take care, especially crossing the A614. Most of the walk is on paths and trails, so it may be muddy and will require appropriate footwear. And, as always, please follow the countryside code.

1. Exit the car park onto the road and turn left along the road. After a short distance turn left to pass through a gap and then, ignoring a marked footpath on your right, continue with woodland on your left and open views on your right.

2. After a short distance you will begin to climb gently uphill. Keep ahead with woodland to your left and open views to your right and then at the top of the hill continue straight ahead on the same level for a short distance. After the footpath begins to descend you will reach a T junction of paths. At this point turn right and now continue downhill with a

few trees and open views on your right and woodland on your left.

3. Continue for some distance, then follow the footpath around to the left, staying on the edge of the woodland with a fence on your right. Upon reaching a T junction of footpaths ignore the footpath diagonal right, and turn sharp right to pass a telegraph pole on your left. Continue ahead, away from the woodland and keeping a fence on your right.

4. When the fence ends cross straight over a tarmac lane and continue along a footpath around to the left passing through some bushes. After you clear the

bushes continue straight ahead to cross a wide-open space. Eventually you will reach a tarmac lane. Cross the lane diagonal right and then continue straight ahead with a fence over to your left.

5. After a short distance turn left onto a footpath, just prior to reaching a signboard on your left that reads ‘Calverton Colliery Tip’. Pass the ‘Calverton’ signboard on your right to continue along the footpath going uphill. After a short distance the footpath widens to a track then, near the top of the hill, pass through a open wooden gate. At the top of the hill you will reach a T junction of tracks. Turn right along the track going gently downhill, with views to your right.

6. Pass by a large wooden gate and then continue straight ahead for some distance until passing by a 2nd large wooden gate. Continue straight ahead for a long distance staying on the track to pass 3 more large wooden gates. After the 5th of these gates after some distance and when the track begins to curl to the left, turn right along a track going downhill.

7. At the bottom of the hill pass a sign board on your left and by a large metal gate. After a short distance, upon reaching a T junction of tracks with woodland directly ahead of you turn right to walk along a well laid track. After a short distance the track curls around to the right. Ignore two footpaths to your left to continue along the track going downhill. At the bottom of the hill and just before the track begins to climb again, turn left onto a footpath going downhill.

8. Continue walking along this path until you pass by a metal gate and to a road. Cross straight over the road and then turn left. Walk along the road for a short distance and then turn right onto a footpath marked for ‘Papplewick’. Continue ahead with a hedge on your right and a fence and open views on your left. When the fence ends continue ahead with a hedge on your right.

9. Walk ahead until reaching some woodland. Now continue along the edge of the woodland, keeping a fence on your left. Continue until you can go no further and follow the footpath to the right, away from the fence and towards the trees. Immediately you will come to a T junction of paths. Turn left and now continue straight ahead along a footpath through woodland. Ignore a fork to the left and keep ahead to pass under some power lines.

10. Continue until reaching a track. Ignore the path to the left and continue ahead along the track going downhill. After some distance pass by a metal gate and to a road. Turn left along the road for a very short distance and then turn left again to continue along a track going through woodland. Continue along the track as it turns into a tarmac lane until reaching a road.

11. Turn left along the road and after a short distance cross over the road to continue on the footpath on the opposite side. Continue until reaching a T junction with a main road. Cross straight over the main road to pass through a gap in a fence and make your way around to the left to a tarmac road. Walk along the tarmac road until reaching the car park on your left.

This walk is for illustrative 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.

Gravely Hollow

Book Review

The Dressmaker’s Gift by Fiona Valpy is a potent and absorbing tale to counter these cold and dark winter days.

It’s set in France, mostly Paris, during the Second World War and focusses on three young women who produce dresses for the high end of the haute couture market. - It may have been the middle of a war but there was still a market for posh frocks, not least among the wives and mistresses of the Nazi occupiers.

And while, with hindsight, we understand what was happening during that period, it may not always have been so obvious to impressionable young people at the time and one of the girls becomes involved with a German officer.

At the same time the resistance is growing and inevitably the girls become caught up in that – and suffer the consequences in the worst ways. Interwoven with this is the story of a young woman in our present day who is trying to uncover her family’s history.

It’s well researched historically and is interesting on the complexities of living in historic times. But it’s also full of heart and the strong relationships of these women in the face of almost daily terror makes it an uplifting story.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT ALFRETON & DISTRICT HERITAGE TRUST

A New Year is with us, so may I on behalf of everyone connected with The Alfreton & District Trust, wish you all a very Happy 2023.

I thought I’d begin the year by perhaps telling you a little of what goes on behind the scenes at the Heritage Trust. Many of you will be familiar with the Heritage Centre. Our centre in the Cemetery Chapel in Rodgers Lane Alfreton has been open since July 3rd, 1993. The Chapel, built by Alfreton Burial Board in 1891, is substantially in its original form. The centre houses an extensive collection of local artefacts, documents and photographs and is open on Sundays from 1.30pm until 3.30pm during the Winter and from 2pm until 4pm during the lighter months. The Centre has an extensive collection of artifacts and associated documents. If you haven’t been, please add a visit to any New Year resolutions you may have made! Admission is free and we may even have a Jaffa Cake for you along with books etc to purchase!

The work for the Heritage volunteers doesn’t end there though. We are adding to our document and photo collections all the time. Documents need indexing or digitising and new photographs need scanning or old ones repairing. If you fancy helping us out in any capacity, please pop along and see us.

We receive many enquiries from people seeking assistance with matters Alfreton related and these come from all over the world. One recent enquiry was from someone in Victoria, Australia

and concerned a watch they’d purchased which was engraved “N. Wray, Alfreton.” No other clues of course. Case then of putting on the History Detective hat and doing some digging. No trace of an N Wray in Census Records at all, eventually sorted when I found out N was Nellie and she had been a teacher at the Church of England School on Chesterfield Road. Except her name wasn’t really Nellie, it was Ellen. No wonder I couldn’t find her!

Just to add another twist to the Wray story. In December 1920 Mr. W H Carter of Needham, Massachusetts, visited Alfreton staying with the Misses Wray and Mrs. Ellen Wray on High Street. William Henry Carter was the son of William Carter from Alfreton, who made his fortune in America and sadly is largely unknown here. But what is the connection between the two families?

If you know please get in touch!

One further twist was to come when, in December 2022 a photo album was donated to the Heritage Trust, there were no real clues as to the identity of those shown except one address on Cressy Road. Some photos in the album were simply marked G and K and they have been identified as George and Kathleen Dagmar Eyre nee Abbott. George’s father was Thomas Eyre of Stanley House, Hall Street, Alfreton and Kathleen’s as Samuel Abbott, Auctioneer and Valuer on High Street. Where’s the Wray connection then? Well Kathleen’s mother was Mary A. Abbott nee Wray. Odd then that these enquiries should turn out to be inter-related but interesting all the same.

Interested in becoming a member of the Trust?

Mike’sMusings

Let me know what you think If favourable, I’ll reproduce another in Februar y, and provide details on how YOU can help Julie’s fund raising effor ts.

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

If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll remember that in the October edition of Voice Magazine, I gave some advice on how best to deal with nuisance phone calls. This generated a bit of interest.

Julie Sheldon, in particular, who unfortunately lives just outside the magazine’s distribution area, happened to read a copy whilst having lunch in Pauline’s Pantry in Jacksdale, and my musings struck a chord. So much so, that she sent me a copy of a poem, taken from a series of three books that she has self-published and is selling to raise funds for a worthy cause. I was so impressed, that I felt it deserved a wider readership. See what you think.

Who’s calling please?

When I was so much younger ..... and the phone rang in the hall We all got so excited! ..... couldn’t wait to take the call We’d answer with our number ..... polite and clear in tone To confirm to the caller that ..... indeed, we were at home

The caller could be our best friend ..... or someone else we knew Perhaps the operator with ..... “long distance call for you” We might get calls from doctors or ..... the dentist, or the bank Or someone phoning for a chat ..... or just to tell us ‘thanks’

We’d ring the ‘Speaking Clock’ for fun ..... or even ‘Dial a Disc’ If we were on a ‘party line’ ..... we had to take the risk ..... That neighbours might hear something that ..... we’d rather they did not So for those ‘lovey dovey’ calls ..... to the phone box ..... off we’d trot

Fast forward half a century ..... the phone rings in the hall ‘Well who the bl**dy hell is that?’ .....we don’t want to take the call “HELLO!” We shout out loudly... “I can’t hear you very well!”

‘No I DON’T want life insurance! ..... and you can go to Hell!

Have I had any accidents? ....”YES! ..... I’ve had twenty nine!”

“And I DON’T need a new boiler ..... ‘cause the old one works just fine!”

“My broadband’s been hacked into? ..... well go on then ..... cut me off!” “And NO .....I don’t want PPI! ..... so why don’t you get lost?”

“I can’t tell what you’re saying! ..... where are you ringing from?” “However can you do this job? ..... it really can’t be fun!”

So ..... do I want a funeral plan? “well NO ..... I bloomin’ DON’T!” “And if you phone me back again ..... I’ll have you by the throat!”

However did we get to this? ..... with all these nuisance calls? We don’t seem to have privacy ..... within our own four walls I wish it was like olden days ..... when phones were used to chat Instead of thinking every time ..... ‘just who the Hell is that?’

DRY JANUARY

Where do you stand on the “Dry January” challenge?

Are you for it? Against it?

Haven’t got a clue what I’m talking about?

For those that aren’t aware, Dry January is a month-long challenge established by Alcohol Change UK where you commit to not drinking alcohol. The very first one of these was in 2013, so relatively speaking it is a newish annual event.

In January 2022, over 130,000 people signed up to take part in the challenge via email or a phone app and many more probably joined in on a more ad hoc basis.

There is ample evidence that staying off the booze is great for your physical and mental health. Benefits such as losing weight, improved concentration, and sleep patterns, as well as the positive impact on blood sugar levels, blood pressure and the liver, are cited.

Past participants have also reported that they are still drinking less six months after the challenge and can definitely feel an overall improvement in their health and wellbeing.

Going alcohol free for 31 days in January aims to re-educate us to accept that we don’t have to drink to have a good time. And, of course, scheduling the challenge for the New Year after the boozy excesses of Christmas, ties in wonderfully well with our annual “must-do better resolutions”!

There is though another side to this story… the small breweries, distilleries, and pubs that see a drop in their revenues during this time. With everything else that’s gone on over the past

few years, it would be fair to say that most of those businesses are not fans of Dry January. Interestingly, since the inception of Dry January, major pub chains have started to stock more alcohol-free beers, obviously trying to recoup some lost income.

Drinking alcohol is very much a part of British culture. Having a pint in the pub, a bottle of wine over dinner, or a G&T in the garden is so normalised that most of us don’t see it as anything unusual or untoward.

However, alcohol IS a drug, and like all drugs, it can be addictive for some individuals. We wouldn’t condone someone snorting cocaine, shooting heroin, or sniffing aerosols for kicks, and yet getting completely mullered on a regular basis is seen as “normal.”

According to Alcohol Change UK, one person every hour dies in the UK as a result of alcohol… that is a scary statistic, isn’t it? It’s also not one to take any pride in!

I enjoy a drink or three, and will continue to do so, even in Dry January; however, I am much more aware of my limits these days. Whether this knowledge was sparked by the idea of an alcohol-free month or simply by the realisation that I actually don’t enjoy the after-effects of alcohol as much as the drinking is a moot point.

If you drink, do so sensibly.

If you want to do Dry January - go for it!

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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View from the Allotment

I remember that about this time last year I described in some detail the benefit of leaving parsnips in the ground after a cold spell so that they sweeten up. This sweetening is part of the plants defence mechanism against freezing. The cold stimulates the breakdown of starch in the plant cells to sugars, making the water in the plant cells less likely to freeze preventing damage to plant cell membranes. In fact, parsnips can be left in the ground all winter, so you lift a few when needed. It’s not just parsnips that get sweeter after a cold spell - carrots, turnips, cabbage, brussels, Swiss chard, kale, beetroot, leeks and celeriac all taste sweeter after a cold spell. What I have just discovered though is that if the temperature drops too low it is very difficult getting parsnips out of the ground without breaking them because the ground is frozen so is difficult to dig. So take care getting them out.

A cold spell is a good time to sit down with one or more seed catalogues and plan for the growing year. I get several free catalogues come in the post-the ones from D T Brown’s and King’s seeds being especially good for growing tips. I get my seed from online sites like Seed Parade with their free offers or Simply Seed which are better packaged.

At Leabrooks (Bridle Lane) Allotment Association the plot manager Jon will be pleased to tell you about plot availability if you phone him, on 07591333871.

I wish you good gardening in 2023.

Martin Rumsby, Secretary, LBL

It’s a kind of fungal infection which weakens the plant and at this time of year hellebores – a winter favourite - are particularly vulnerable to it. As with roses the only answer is to remove any leaves which have black blotches and bin them. (Don’t compost as this will only spread the rot).

Keep deadheading winter pansies to encourage more flowers. You can prune roses now while they are still dormant. Cut back branches to just above a bud, cutting on a slope to avoid wet lying on the surface.

Cut old sedums back now but watch out for new growth which may be starting to push through. You can push bare-root fruit canes into rich soil now, so long as the ground is not frozen.

Winter birds in the gardens

Colder weather has brought lots of small birds into wildlife garden across the region. From a period of marked quiet in October and November, December saw a big increase with blue tits, great tits, coal tits and long-tailed tits in abundance. The robins and dunnocks remained throughout, and they are territorial in winter as well as summer, they even manage to sing a little too. Blackbirds have also returned to the garden with local birds back from foraging in hedgerows and woodlands across the area joined by migrants from Europe. The local birds are quite aggressively territorial and object strongly to intruders, the continental birds perhaps having travelled together for hundreds of miles, seem happy to flock. The locals take a dim view!

Finches have also arrived in good numbers with chaffinches, greenfinches (now seemingly recovering from the devastating ‘fat finch disease’), goldfinches, and bullfinches. The smaller siskin and redpoll are also in flocks across the Peak District and nearby areas and will come to gardens as the winter draws on. Feeders of peanuts, fat-balls, and sunflower seeds provide a mix of food sources to suit all tastes, but interestingly, whereas at one time niger seed were guaranteed tract goldfinches, they are now totally ignored. Instead, the goldfinches only take sunflower hearts, which a of course are the most expensive too! Dried mealworms are good for the robins although, being short-lived, my favourite birds which used to come down and ‘talk’ to me, I think has passed on. I am now trying to gain the trust of a new bird.

Along with the smaller birds, my great spotted woodpeckers, male and female, are now regular visitors. I have heard nuthatches calling nearby but not seen them in the garden so far. Overhead, small groups of black-headed gulls and lesser black-backed gulls are now regular as are flocks of woodpigeons moving through. There don’t yet seem to be any big flocks of the corvids (crows) heading to afternoon roosts, but perhaps that will come with colder conditions. Several big flocks of pink-footed geese passed over and were heading south-east in late November. By February and March, these birds will be on their return migration heading north-west across the Peak and back to the Arctic via Britain’s west coast. Nature’s annual cycle goes around again and the birds reflect this with some staying put, others moving locally, and then many more covering hundreds if not thousands of miles.

Watching and recording birds in, over, and around the garden provides a remarkable insight into the bigger patterns throughout the seasons. You can also witness how bird behaviour gradually changes and evolves as well. So, the goldfinches abandon one seed to feed preferentially on a different one. Robins and chaffinches for example, have taken to feeding on hanging foods such as seed holders and fat-balls, which they never did before. Even magpies now try to feed on peanut holders, and magpies, carrion crows and jackdaws all feast on the fat-balls. The magpies also chase my robin off the mealworms.

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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