Voice Magazines - Clay Cross & Surrounding Villages - February 2023

CLAY CROSS, DANESMOOR, LOWER PILSLEY, OLD TUPTON, PILSLEY

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Hello Readers!

Has everyone survived the most miserable month in the calendar?! I feel like every Monday in Jan has an adjective attached to it or at least it should – not sure Blue Monday covers it! Maybe it should be something like:

Pretend Monday – i.e., it’s probably a BH

Same old Monday – i.e., did we even have a break?

Blue Monday – i.e., most miserable and saddest day of the year.

Skint Monday – i.e., it’s been 6 years since the last payday.

Never ending Monday - i.e., how has this month still got another Monday in it!!

Still, we got through it didn’t we! Just about!!

Speaking of getting through, the most unwelcome Birthday came and went – I tried to do nice things and be positive and whatnot but I’m not a fan! It was only about 20 mins ago when I was a whipper snapper and I used to call people of my age ‘old’. Yet, I’m not quite old enough to forget that this was the case!! I’m

also not a ripe cheese or a fine wine! But as my old Grandma used to say – “it’s better than the alternative!” She weren’t wrong! So, I’ll sulk for a little bit longer about it and then I’ll start getting some Botox and all will be well with the world!

Anyhoo, hard to believe we’re in our 13th year of production but we are all hugely looking forward to helping our local businesses this year and we’ve got some good ideas in the pipeline to try and help – so keep your eyes peeled.

I’m off to put my slippers on – yep, gone are the days of bare feet or just socks #sadtimes.

PANCAKE DAY!

A quick recap for those who aren’t sure why we feel the need to stuff ourselves with pancakes on that day!

Shrove Tuesday is a moveable feast, its date is tied to whenever Easter falls as it is celebrated on the last Tuesday before the 40-day period of Lent begins. Easter itself is the first Sunday after the full Moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox. If the full Moon falls on a Sunday, then Easter is the next Sunday.

Lent, as you may recall, is the six-week period in the run up to Easter when traditionally Christians would fast - avoiding meat, fish, eggs, and fats until Easter Sunday. These days we are more likely to commit to giving up just one thing for the duration of Lent - is this something you do, or would consider doing?

Anyways, back to Pancake Day/Shrove Tuesday, which this year falls on February 21st.

As the story goes, our forebears would cook up a storm on the day before Lent (aka Shrove Tuesday) in order to use up any eggs, milk, and other perishable foodstuffs, before beginning their prolonged fast period.

Quite why pancakes have become synonymous with Shrove Tuesday is somewhat lost on me. I can see that eggs and milk may have needed to be used…but not flour, the other vital ingredient in a pancake batter mix.

I wonder if Yorkshire Pud’s were also consumed on Shrove Tuesday - maybe a first course of meat and gravy in a Yorkshire pudding, followed by pancakes…batter overload.

We may have lost many of the traditions connected with Lent, including that of marking the heads of worshippers with ashes taken after the burning of Palm branches (or crosses made from Palm leaves) from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations, but Pancake Day lives on.

Every household will have their own way of making pancakes.

Some will toss.

Some will flip.

Some organised people will make a stack of pancakes.

Some will operate a one at a time production line.

And some won’t bother making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday at all!

As for what goes on a pancake - well, let’s not open that can of worms and simply say that whatever you want to top your pancakes with is absolutely fine.

Unless it’s chocolate spread, in which case you need to go and have a word with yourself <grin>.

Whatever you do this Pancake Day, it is still worth looking back at some of the older, thriftier ways of cooking. Times when nothing was wasted, leftovers were made into another meal and very little food was thrown away.

In these financially tough times, there are lessons to be learned from the past.

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

Pancake Day - Shrove Tuesdaywe all know the origins of the day…don’t we?

Guess the words and Fill in the crossword ! Pitcherwits®

15

!

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.

Across

9 Eats, but not in order to satisfy (4)

10 Acknowledge an outer limit (4)

11 Can is opened up for Peruvians (5)

12 Hang about with a well-licked ice-lolly (4)

14 Maul over salty aluminium? (4)

Down

3 Tree overwhelmingly pollarded (3)

4 Classy way to say goodnight? (3)

6 A get-together? More like a loner! (7)

7 Aim to be listed in ascending order (3)

13 Insect coat made in black (3)

16 A sore head starts with fiery leftovers (3)

1 Place to check your mates’ progress? (5,4)

2 Ace limo driven round to deliver essential fragrance (4,3)

8 Flavour that permits an easy transformation (9)

18 Gave just what was needed? Got the

10 Ceases, in quiet surroundings, and gets away with it! (7)

17 Be painted as being in opposition (3) ANSWERS FOR

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

1 Camouflage experts have chosen a lame strategy (10)

5 Scrambles around in the realm of CBS (8)

Slab to pack out a hearty hello! (8)

bullseye! (3,3,4)

All Around the Shire

This old Derbyshire saying was never more true than during my childhood where we would often have rain, sleet or snow during the month of February. If we were lucky, it would be snow and we could go sledging, snowmanmaking or snowball fighting against the kids from the next street. If we were really lucky, we might get a day off school, but that was rare. Usually, children trudged to school in balaclavas, home-made scarves and mittens on string threaded through the sleeves. The collar would be turned up on your gabardine mac or duffel coat. In the winter of 1963, we got a bit too much snow and people were out with the shovels trying to dig out pathways. Due to the ground

being frozen my grandfather was not able to be buried until Easter, having passed away in early February.

At school, the third-of-a-pint milk-bottles were stacked up in crates in an alcove next to the yard and would often freeze and their contents rise proudly above the silver foil cap.

At home, the old toasting fork would be brought out and some of mum’s home-made bread would be toasted in front of the open fire and eaten with a bit of beef dripping and salt. It might have been crumpets, pikelets or muffins.

My granny used to stand with her back to the coal fire, raise her skirts and warm her backside until her legs were decorated with red rings from the heat.

I have no memory of being cold in my childhood although I must have been at times. I choose to remember the cosy, quirky and happy Februarys from the past.

“FEBRUARY FILLDYKE EITHER BLACK OR WHITE”

2021 BROCHURE AVAILABLE

BRITISH COACHING

DONE ‘N’ DUSTED CLEANING

04-06 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 AND THE WIRRAL PENINSULA 11-16 JULY HB £450

SCOTLAND, ORKNEYS AND THE CASTLE OF MEY 19-24 JULY HB £642

LAKE DISTRICT STEAM & CRUISE 25-30 JULY HB £446

COLCHESTER AND CONSTABLE COUNTRY 25-30 JULY HB £410

EUROPEAN COACHING

IRELAND CAUSEWAY COASTER 27 JUNE-02 JULY HB £568

GERMANY ROMANTIC RHINE 29 JULY-04 AUG HB £807

PORTUGAL PORTO AND DOURO VALLEY 05-14 SEPT HB £1057

IRELAND COAST TO COAST 12-19 SEPT HB £759

ITALY DOLOMITES 25 SEPT-05 OCT HB £956

BELGIUM BRUGES XMAS MARKETS 29 NOV-02 DEC B&B £308

DAY EXCURSIONS

EARLY BOOKINGS ADVISABLE *ADMISSIONS INCLUDED ADULT OAP/CHILD NT MEMBERS

SAT 22 MAY HARROGATE £26

SAT 29 MAY WHITBY £28

K.V.&G.L SLACK LTD. THE TRAVEL CENTRE, UPPER LUMSDALE, MATLOCK DE45LB www.slackscoaches.co.uk E& O.E

K.V.&G.L SLACK LTD. THE TRAVEL CENTRE, UPPER LUMSDALE, MATLOCK DE45LB www.slackscoaches.co.uk E& O.E

Slimming World Recipe

Air Fryer Roast Chicken Dinner

Method

1. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C.

2. Put the potatoes in the air fryer basket, spray with low-calorie cooking spray and cook for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.

3. At the same time, blitz the broccoli in a food processor, add the cheese and some seasoning and blitz again until combined.

4. Put the chicken on a board and cut a large pocket into the long side of each breast. Squash the broccoli and cheese mixture into each opening until it’s all used up, and season the chicken with freshly ground black pepper.

Are you an Air Fryer convert? This simple but yummy recipe works perfectly and is just 4 syns per serving!

5. Remove the basket from the air fryer and shake the potatoes. Put the chicken breasts on top, spray with low-calorie cooking spray and cook for 18-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, carefully turning the chicken after 10 minutes.

6. Make up the gravy. Put the chicken on 2 plates and serve with the potatoes, gravy and your favourite Speed vegetables.

7. TO OVEN COOK: Cook in a nonstick roasting tray at 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6 for 35-40 minutes or until cooked through, adding the chicken after 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

300g baby new potatoes, halved

Low-calorie cooking spray

50g broccoli florets

30g Red Leicester cheese, grated

2 large skinless and boneless chicken breasts

2 level tsp gravy granules

WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU!

If you need help and support maximising your income along with making sure you are receiving all the benefits you are ENTITLED to, come along to Clay Cross Social Centre every Monday from 10AM – 1PM (excluding bank holidays) and see a friendly face from the Derbyshire Unemployed Workers’ Centres and they will do everything they can to help you. A warm space will also be available in the Social Centre lounge area where FREE hot drinks, biscuits and cake will be served.

FUNDRAISING

During 2022, we held several events at the Social Centre to raise funds for kidney research which is a cause very close to our Chair of the Council, Cllr Gerry Morley. Amazon vouchers to the value of £800 have been donated to Sheffield Satellite Unit at Heeley so they can buy equipment for patients receiving dialysis there.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AT CLAY CROSS SOCIAL CENTRE

• Charity Race Night in association with Clay Cross Parish Council and Clay Cross & District Probus Club on Friday, 10 March 2023. Doors/Bar open from 7PM with Racing from 8PM

• Rod Stewart performed by Pete McCall will be making a welcome return to the Social Centre on Saturday, 11 March 2023. Doors/Bar open from 7PM with Rod on stage from 8PM

• Tickets for both events priced at £5 each including Pie & Pea Supper are on sale NOW from the Clay Cross Parish Council office, Clay Cross Social Centre, Market Street S45 9JE

Vintage Rambles with rafaand Flake

We first featured this walk back in 2019. I’ve had it in my mind to redo this walk as it is such a good walk for this time of year. The wet and wild weather can make walking your dog an extreme sport!

This walk makes use of some good paths before returning on the Trans Pennine Trail. Having said this, we appear to have picked the wettest and hence muddiest day we could find! The boys loved it, well apart from the bath when we got them home!

4.5 MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM RENISHAW VIA THE TRANS PENNINE TRAIL

A gentle walk which should take you and your dog around 2 – 2.5 hours to complete. There is one road to cross so please take care, however most of the walk is on paths and trails. Please wear appropriate footwear, especially if it has been wet! And, as always, follow the countryside code.

START: TRANS PENNINE TRAIL CAR PARK, ADJACENT TO SITWELL ARMS, 39 STATION ROAD, RENISHAW. SHEFFIELD. S21 3WF

1. With your back to the car park entrance, walk straight ahead to pass by a large metal gate to a finger board sign. Turn right to ‘Chesterfield’. Follow the path going uphill, then just prior to going under a bridge, turn left along a footpath, with houses over to your right.

2. Follow the path for some distance passing beneath a footbridge then continue with a fence and a pond on your left and houses over to your right. After some distance, when the houses on your right end, continue straight ahead through some trees until reaching a road. Cross the road and continue ahead along a marked footpath.

3. After some distance pass through a gap and down a slope onto a trail. Passing a bench seat on your left cross straight over the trail, pass through a gap and bear around to the right along a footpath. After a short distance the path joins with a lane going uphill for a short distance and then turn right onto a path marked for ‘Westhorpe Hills’.

9. When the fence ends the path gives way to a lane. Continue for a short distance, then just prior to reaching an incline in the lane look for 2 paths on the left. Ignore the 1st path going steep downhill and take the 2nd path which bears to the left but stays at the same level.

10. Walk along this path with a bank on your right and the odd glimpse of the Pennine Trail running parallel down to your left. After some distance pass a large metal gate on your left. and shortly you will come to a road. Follow a sign for ‘Trans Pennine Way’ going downhill along the road.

4. After a very short distance, cross a footbridge and keep ahead going gently uphill. After a short distance pass by a pylon on your right before turning left onto a lane. Now continue with a hedge on your right. Shortly, the lane begins to drop gently downhill. At the bottom continue through some trees to cross over a stream.

5. Now continue uphill with a hedge on your left and after a short distance bear right away from the hedge to cross an open field. At the far side pass through a gap and continue with a hedge on your left. When the hedge on the left ends keep ahead to cross an open field.

6. At the far side continue onto a lane. Follow the lane around to the left and then uphill. At the top of the hill ignore a path on the right and continue straight ahead to follow a sign for ‘Trans Pennine Way N’. After a short distance pass through a gap and onto a tarmac lane.

7. Turn left, cross a bridge and then in a short distance, after a building on your right, turn right onto a footpath. After a short distance stay to the right of a metal gate to continue along the path going downhill with a fence on your left. At the bottom and before reaching a metal width restrictor, turn right, to cross a stile onto a footpath marked ‘Cuckoo Way’.

8. Continue along the footpath with ponds on your right. Pass over a crossroads of paths and keep ahead with the ponds on your right for some distance. When the ponds end continue with a fence on your right.

11. After a short distance turn left onto a footpath signposted for ‘Killamarsh Greenway’ and Trans Pennine Way’. Pass through a metal width restrictor, cross over a bridge and then immediately after the bridge turn left onto a lane. After a short distance bear left off the lane to continue downhill along a footpath.

12. At the bottom of the hill pass a width restrictor on your left and continue straight ahead to join the Pennine Trail heading in the direction signposted for ‘Chesterfield’. Continue along the trail for 1.8miles, until reaching the car park and starting point.

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.

For over 38 years

Tel: 07972 694 645

Sports massage

Suitable for anyone with sore necks – aching legs – lower back pain, hips Painful shoulders and to improve injuries/ post operations.

Individual assessments, massage therapies and after care. Reiki & aromatherapy oils included.

Rehabilitation Pilates: Contact me for venues

Reduces back pain as well as general aches and pains

Improves posture – Increased core stability-Increased flexibility – Reduce Stress levels – increase confidence. Suitable for all levels.

Relaxation Massage

A relaxation indulgence. starting with a meditation and a heart opening cacao. Leading to a massage with aromatherapy and Reiki.

Guaranteed to leave you feeling amazing.

Contact me via: Email: suzanne_lister@yahoo.co.uk

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/fit4fun.sports

IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME!

New Tupton Ivanhoe F.C. announced plans last May that they were planning to rebuild and refurbish the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) found next to the Scout Hut and former youth centre in Tupton. Through the fundraising efforts so far £5600 has been collected towards the £15,000 target. It is hoped to complete the fundraising this year to bring forward a space that will benefit the Tupton community.

The refurbishment will help the children of the village by having a safe contained area to enjoy sport including football. This will support young people’s health and well-being.

Once the funds are raised it will take an estimated two months to complete the project and it is hoped that this will be in place for when the club’s teams move to winter training this autumn.

You can donate towards the project at https://www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/newtuptonivanhoe

Dave Hoult, Secretary of New Tupton Ivanhoe F.C. said “New Tupton Ivanhoe F.C. are extremely proud of what we have achieved in growing the club to more than 300 boys and girls playing in teams from 7 years old through to an adult team. Together with our facilities at our new pitch the next step is to supply our own facilities for winter training rather than paying for expensive 3G pitches and therefore allowing the club to use money it generates to further improve the facilities for the children of North Derbyshire.”

The club are grateful for any donations but would also be happy to talk to businesses who would be interested in making larger donations, offer in-kind support and sponsoring the finished project. To discuss these options please contact Dave Hoult, Club Secretary on 07759 048 037.

If you are interested in Little Ivanhoes, The Wildcat Centre or joining a team please message the clubs facebook page at: www.facebook.com/newtuptonivanhoefc/ visit: www.newtuptonivanhoefc.co.uk or contact the Dave Hoult, Club Secretary on 07759 048 037

In 1842 John Needham produced a polishing paste for the cutlery and Sheffield Plate industries from his home and premises in Harvest Lane in Sheffield, assisted by his niece, Harriet Needham.

Harriet then met Joseph Pickering, the son of a silversmith and they wed. The couple eventually inherited the business, changing the name to ‘Joseph Pickering late John Needham’ and built the ‘Polish Works’ just around the corner in Mowbray Street from where they operated.

The ‘Polish Works’ were damaged in the Sheffield Flood of 1864 and this gave Joseph the opportunity to start planning the ‘Albyn Works’ on Burton Road – which still exists. In time, the business became Joseph Pickering & Sons, and son John Needham Pickering developed new products, including the famous – ‘Blanco’.

Albyn Works expanded to produce Blanco and employed over 100 workers. By 1875 they had a sickness and benefit club and a row of houses in Percy Street, let to his workers at special rates. Joseph’s sister Hannah married Isaac Truelove and his daughter Mary married Isaac’s brother Arthur Truelove. Arthur provided some of the tin packaging used by Joseph Pickering & Sons and in 1900 Joseph brought together the two companies and they were incorporated as Joseph Pickering & Sons Limited. By this stage Blanco was used through the British Empire in particular by the military to whiten their webbing straps etc.

In Moore Street, a new factory for the production of cartons was built in 1906. Faced with terracotta tiles it was designed by city architect – C & CM Hadfield. For three quarters of a century, ‘Blanco’ was the companies’ major product, sold to the Military in over sixty countries. The changes to Kharki after 1900 gave the company another product and then the new RAF created in 1918 a further type of ‘Blanco’ as they were using a blue colour! However, with the end of conscription production of Blanco and other polish products ended and the cardboard box business become their lifeline.

The business was finally sold by the Pickering family in 2005. By 2009 the business failed and finally closed.

Please get in touch if you have anything you would like to share about these fascinating items. Contact Richard Godley on T: 07854 646 742

Bargain Bowl

Available All Day Thurs & Fri

2 Games of bowling

Adults £11.95 Children £8.95

Extra game just £3.50

OAP/Retirement Groups Offer

Get 2 Games of Bowling + Tea or Coffee + Teacake £9pp

Strike & Dine

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

1hr Bowling and a Hot Dog, Burger or 6 chicken Nuggets

£9.50pp

Glow Bowling

Thursday Evening Special 4-7pm

1.5hr £45 • 1hr £30 2hrs £55 (maximum of 6 per lane)

Sunday Evening Special

Every Sunday From 6pm 2 Games of Bowling

Adults £11.95 • Juniors £8.95 Add an extra game for £3.50pp

Bowling Madness

Available All Day Mon, Tues & Wed 1hr Bowling- up to 8 £29.95

1.5hrs Bowling - up to 8 £39.95

2hrs of Bowling - up to 8 £49.95

Bowl & Breakfast

Available Sat & Sun only 1hr Bowling £9.50pp and a Sausage, Bacon or Egg Cob

Available until 11.30am

Last Hour 11.30 till 12.30 (This offer is for a minimum of 2 people)

WE ARE NOW OPEN FRI & SAT TILL 11pm

1 hours bowling for up to 8 people for £30.00. These are subject to availability, only 1 voucher per visit and refer to our website www.chesterfieldbowl.com.

EXCLUDES DERBYSHIRE HALF TERM HOLIDAYS. For further terms & conditions.

*Terms & Conditions apply to all offers

PLEASE QUOTE:“VOICECROSS”CLAYTOOFFERS!REDEEM

THE LITTLE RED HEN HOUSE NORTHUMBERLAND

STUNNING HOLIDAY COTTAGE IN WARKWORTH, NORTHUMBERLAND

Enjoy your next family holiday with a stay at the delightful Little Red Hen House. An elegant and cosy holiday home just a 7 minute drive from award-winning and dog-friendly Warkworth beach.

✽ 2 spacious en-suite bedrooms

✽ A fully enclosed garden

✽ 3 small to medium dogs welcome upon request

✽ Fully equipped kitchen including an American style fridge freezer

✽ Perfect for exploring the stunning Northumbrian Heritage Coastline

✽ Walking distance to a range of dog friendly pubs, cafes and restaurants

✽ We have fast fibre Wi-Fi and smart TV’s

Search ‘The Little Red Hen House’ at:

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 expert local installers will

your new door and they’ll take away the old one too, so there’s

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. *Energy saving based on simply changing your traditional 85W air blower for a modern efficient FujiMAC 47W Japanese one, with electricity at 55p/kWh, for no loss of performance. Additional efficiency savings are typically possible.

FLAMECARE

Also

APPLYING IS EASY

Amazing Turkey-tail fungus in our local woods

A long hot, dry summer has led onwards to a cool and often very wet autumn and winter. This means good times for fungi which have appeared in many places and in a diversity of colours, forms and habitats. When we talk of fungi most people immediately think of typical mushroom-like structures which we see in fields, roadsides, and woodlands across the region. Of course, these mushrooms are merely the fruiting bodies whereas the ‘business’ part of the fungus is made up extensive hyphae that run throughout the soil or perhaps in the deadwood of tree-trunks, stumps, and branches. Indeed, these latter habitats of deadwood, either fallen on the ground or still on the tree, can be rich sites for a variety of fungi. These fungal colonies thrive during periods of cold and drought for example, which kill off most ‘mushrooms’, and furthermore they are often overlooked.

This year, plenty of damp weather and often quite mild temperatures in recent months mean some of our fungi have done remarkably well. When you walk in woods, parks, or along the moorland fringe, you will find tree stumps and rotting trunks covered in fungal fruiting bodies. Even in your own back garden, the autumn and winter can trigger massive growths of fungal bodies. A particularly distinctive species is the Basidiomycete fungus, called the ‘Turkey Tail’ or, to give it the scientific name, Trametes versicolor (formerly Coriolus versicolor or Polyporus versicolor). The upper fungal cap has concentric zones of different colours with the margin always the lightest and nearly pure white. The name ‘versicolor’ means many coloured and overall, this fungus looks like an American turkey’s tail. There is more to this fungus than

meets the eye, and having been used in China for its medical properties for over two thousand years, it is presently under investigation for its potentially useful properties. This common and widespread fungus has a global distribution and is especially stunning when at its peak of growth. The dramatic looking fungus is used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with health issues. Similar but unrelated fungi include False Turkey Tail or Golden Curtain Crust (Stereum ostrea), and Gilled Polypore, Birch Mazegill or Multicolour Gill Polypore (Trametes betulina).

Uses vary from being a general health improving tonic, to treating cancer, and boosting the body’s immune systems. As a drug it is taken as pills or powders in various dietary supplements and contains powerful antioxidants. Research suggests extracts of the fungus have immuno-stimulant and antitumour properties. There is a polysaccharide-K (PSK), as a proprietary product based on Turkeytail, and developed for cancer treatment in Japan. Some Coriolus extracts such as polysaccharidepeptide (PSP) and VPS are available as dietary supplements. It seems the extracts are ‘biological response modifiers’ boosting the body’s immune system, and slowing growth and reproduction of tumour cells. They may also reduce side-effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Clinical use of extracts is being investigated, but whilst available for Chinese medicine, they are not yet fully licenced for other medical usage. Amazing stuff, but of course don’t try it at home.

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

but if you want to bulk up next year’s display, you can lift and divide this year’s clumps while they are still “in the green” – meaning you don’t have to wait for the leafy part of the plant to die back. Just lift the clump out of the ground, divide into several little clumps and plant with the white part of the stem under the soil and the leaves and flowers above. The advantage of doing this now is that you can see where the spaces you want to fill are!

The bright yellow of the Mahonia bush is beautiful during the winter, but it should be pruned once it has finished flowering. Take the flower spears out and prune out any long shoots. It’s also a good time to lightly trim winter heathers, but make sure you don’t cut back into old wood.

Grey mould can be a problem in greenhouses this time of year. Cold and damp is the cause, the worst being damp which is why you shouldn’t start watering again unless the soil in your overwintered pots is properly dry. On warmer days open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate. If you do get mould, take off the affected leaves and if it is bad, remove the plant from the greenhouse to avoid the rot

Tel: 01773600078 Email: shop@rockfall.com