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From the Editor
Dearest Readers
This writer has just finished watching the third season of Bridgerton and is now considering turning this into a gossip column (Society Paper). I am terrible at gossip though and not particularly observant, so I’m not entirely sure what this Lady Waffledown would discuss?! Obviously, if you have any interesting gossip, I’m all ears – pen poised!
At the time of writing England (and Scotland) are still in the Euro’s and the General Election is still up for grabs. So, forgive me if I steer clear of football and politics, not least because I imagine by the time you are reading this, everyone may be a little sick of talking about both these things!
So, onto more worthwhile pursuits… I promised you all an update on my adventures at Ninja Warrior. Let’s be clear it was the family friendly pay-to-play adventure park, not the TV show. Don’t expect me to show up on your telly-box, swinging from a monkey bar and trussed up in lycra… based on my exploits it would be a brief appearance, although I will say it was great fun, with lots to do for kids of all ages and good value for money. My little tip though… don’t go to Meadowhall food court for lunch on a bank holiday Monday… feeding time at the zoo is an apt description!
I am looking forward to the Olympics though… I love watching all those sports and athletic disciplines which you don’t normally get to see on TV. Although, I will say I don’t look forward to Mr Emily pretending he is an expert on each event based on his 30 minutes of watching, along with his insistence on telling them (me) on
how to do it better… #eyeroll
Until next month gentle reader, I await tidings of your juiciest gossip,
Happy reading,
STEAM RALLY CROMFORD
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2023 was a record breaking year for turnover for Next Generation Home Improvements in Ripley and the company have continued to provide customers with great service in 2024.
They also made an appearance on television’s DIY SOS, providing a new resin surface for Treetops Hospice in Risley as well as featuring at The Newark Garden Show. So all in all things are going well for this local business and Director Lee Goddard wants to continue moving forward. He states “we put our success down to the high standard of work that our installers adhere to. It is important to remember that a driveway is the main focal point at the front of a customer’s
home so it is essential that we make sure it looks fantastic. With this is mind, we have continued to keep our installers trained to the highest of standards and make sure they keep a pride in their work. Our installers are a credit to the company and our 1000’s of satisfied customers speak so highly of them which is lovely to hear.”
As well as specialising in resin driveways, paths & patios, Next Generation also offer Aluminium gates, composite fencing & garage doors. They are more than happy to offer help, advice or no obligation quotes. They welcome customers to call into their offices on Butterley Hill or call them on 01773 303181.
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WEIRD OLYMPIC SPORTS OF THE PAST
We’re all familiar with the athletic events at the modern Olympic games, plus all the other sports included today—gymnastics, swimming, basketball, football…etc. etc. etc!
There are also more random events such as breaking (break dancing), skateboarding, surfing, and BMX biking on the menu at this month’s Paris games. But have you ever been tempted to investigate some of the odd “sports” that formed part of previous Olympics?
I looked and was both surprised and horrified by some of the weird events that have been deemed Olympic worthy in the past…
Let’s have a look:
Live pigeon shooting – yep, you read that correctly! In 1900, which coincidentally was also held in Paris, competitors assembled to shoot pigeons. The winner was the one who shot down the most birds from the sky. Nearly 300 birds were killed. Unsurprisingly, it turned out to be quite messy, with dead or injured birds on the ground and blood and feathers all over the place.
Canon Shooting – this was at the 1900 Paris Games (must have been something odd in the water that year!). There were 17 events, all for men, and (oddly enough!) only French competitors participated. No specific results are known; indeed, no one really knows what the competition involved.
Town Planning – I kid you not, medals for town planning were awarded during the Olympic Games held in Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Berlin, and London between 1928 and 1948!
Men’s 200m swimming obstacle course – unbelievably, this is another from the 1900 Paris games – there was definitely something amiss with the French psyche that year. There were three obstacles; first the competitors had to climb over a pole, then over a row of boats, and then swim under another row of boats. Bizarre.
Solo Synchronised Swimming – surely the most obvious oxymoron ever! How can a solo swimmer synchronise with something? Regardless, Solo Synchronised Swimming was a sport at the Olympic Games between 1984 and 1992. Perhaps it would still be around if renamed, “Pool Dancing” – or similar!
Men’s Sailors 100 meter Freestyle – this one is bonkers! In 1896, at the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens, a swimming event open only to Greek Royal Navy sailors was held. The suspicion was that Greece included this event to boost their medal haul!
Roque – no, I’ve never heard of it either! Apparently, it was (is?) almost identical to croquet but played on a hard surface with solid boundary walls. It made an appearance in the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri. Only Americans competed in the event, drawing complaints that the host country was trying to inflate its medal count, just like Greece in 1896.
Enjoy this year’s Olympics, and be grateful that these days, the events require a huge amount of athletic skill and dedication on the part of the competitors. And, as an added bonus, there will not be a bloodied pigeon feather in sight!
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.
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BOOK REVIEW
Natalie Haynes book A Thousand Ships is one of a series of recent novels re-telling ancient history from a different perspective to the one we got at school. This no longer the Trojan War seen through the eyes of soldiers, conquerors, invasion, land grabs and loot. Instead, it’s the story of the women who, as so often in history, have been relegated to the side-lines – as if the only important thing is heroic tales of fighting and victory. This is a feminist re-writing of history. There are heroes, but they are largely the underdogs, the slaves, the people – often female - who are the spoils of war.
If you’ve enjoyed Pat Barker’s the Silence of the Girls or Madeleine Miller’s Circe, this will almost certainly be a book for you. Natalie Haynes is a classicist by training – she knows the history, but she digs into the areas around the existing texts to tell wider stories. And her approach is not all grimly serious – it’s witty and sarcastic but doesn’t pull any punches about the horror and enslavement if you’re a bit player in war. And it gives a voice to the voiceless.
And it’s definitely a different kind of page turner for your beach or deck chair read this summer.
*T&C’s apply. Please see website for details **carehome.co.uk scores are based on independent reviews with a maximum score of 10. Rating correct as at 01/06/2024.
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OPEN DAY AT CHESTERFIELD SHOP MOBILITY
We were delighted to be invited to the open day at Chesterfield Shopmobility, where we had the opportunity to test and enhance our mobility skills. Sarah and I took our scooter and electric wheelchair tests, and we are proud to share that we both passed with flying colours.
Chesterfield Shopmobility provides a range of services designed to enhance the independence and mobility of individuals with disabilities. They offer the rental of mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, and manual wheelchairs, ensuring that everyone has access to the necessary equipment to navigate the town with ease. Additionally, they provide valuable training sessions, like the ones we attended, to help users gain confidence and proficiency in using these devices.
One of the standout services they offer is the transportation of scooters to and from your destination, so you don’t have to worry about the logistics. This includes all-terrain scooters, which are perfect for outdoor excursions. They also offer short-term scooter hire for individuals recovering from injuries, providing a crucial service for temporary needs. Furthermore,
Chesterfield Shopmobility provides maintenance services, ensuring that all equipment is in excellent working condition.
The staff at Chesterfield Shopmobility are incredibly friendly and supportive. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and a welcoming atmosphere. They patiently guided us through the tests, offering tips and encouragement along the way. Their dedication to helping individuals achieve greater mobility is truly commendable.
Chesterfield Shopmobility is now part of The Hub’s mobility services. This partnership means that users can benefit from a wider network of support and resources, making it even easier to access the mobility solutions they need.
The open day was both great fun and informative, we left understanding more about the excellent services provided by Chesterfield Shopmobility. We highly recommend their services to anyone in need of mobility assistance.
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TRACKS AND TRAILS TASTER DAYS - Further dates coming soon!
Slimming World Recipe
Chocolate Banana Bread
1. Heat your oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6 and line a small loaf tin with non-stick baking paper.
2. Put the bananas in a mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Add the almond drink and stir well. Sift in the flour and cocoa powder, then add the vanilla, baking powder and sweetener, followed by the eggs. Mix until smooth.
The collective ‘oooh’, followed by ‘so when are you going to make some?’ when I suggested this recipe confirmed it was the right choice for this month... Hopefully it tickles your fancy too!
3. Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes.
4. Take the loaf out of the tin and peel off the baking paper. Cover the top with the sliced banana, sprinkle over a light dusting of cocoa powder and cut into 10 equal slices to serve.
Ingredients:
• 2 ripe medium bananas, plus 1 banana, sliced, to decorate
• 60ml unsweetened almond drink
• 100g self-raising flour
• 20g cocoa powder, plus extra to decorate
• 5 drops vanilla extract
• 2 level tsp baking powder
• 4 level tbsp sweetener granules
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
Flake’ s Favourites
Re-walking Rafa’s Rambles
This month we have picked a walk which I think is perfect for a ramble whatever the weather, making use of some of the paths and trials to the north of Derby’s city centre. We begin our walk in Darley Park, heading down the side of the river Derwent, before crossing the river and turning to head back up, alongside the Racecourse Park. From here we pick a section of the Great Northern Greenway, turning off before we reach Breadsall. We then cut across to meet up with the River Derwent again, before heading south to pass through the West Mill and back to where we began.
4 1/2 MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM DARLEY PARK, DERBY
A short walk which should take you and your dog around 2 hours to complete. There are a few sections of road so please take care. There majority of the walk is on paths and trails but please wear appropriate footwear and as always, please follow the countryside code.
START: DARLEY PARK CAR PARK, POPLAR ROW, DERBY. DE22 1DU.
1. Standing with your back to the entrance cross the car park diagonal left passing some recycle bins on your left and taking the well laid footpath to pass behind the cricket club house. Follow the path with the river on your left for some distance and cross over a small wooden footbridge.
2. Continue ahead staying close to the river for some distance and eventually you will begin to pass houses raised up on a bank to your right. Eventually the footpath will turn into a road. Continue straight ahead to pass Derby Rowing Club and a small car park to your left. At this point keep left and take a tarmac footpath straight ahead of you keeping the river close on your left.
3. After a short distance, just before passing under a bridge, turn right. Then after a short distance turn left and up some steps. At the top of the steps turn left and cross over the bridge. At the other side of the bridge continue ahead and at the crossroad turn right, signposted for Allestree, Darley Abbey & Little Eaton. Follow the path keeping some industrial buildings on your right.
4. Continue until reaching a T junction with a road. Turn right and then immediately left to continue along ‘Chester Green Road’. Continue straight ahead with a row of houses on your left and a recreation area to your right until reaching a T junction with a main road. Cross over a zebra crossing in front of you and turn right along the main road. After a short distance take the 2nd left into Caesar Street.
5. When the houses end and the road narrows continue straight ahead to pass beneath a bridge and walk on until reaching a main road. Cross straight over the road and then continue straight ahead along a footpath to pass through an underpass. Immediately after the underpass at a fork in the path bear to the left. After a very short distance at a crossroads of paths turn left again. Now continue along a footpath with playing fields on your right.
6. Continue straight ahead for some distance and then at a fork in the path bear right and continue to a main road. Cross over the road following a signpost for ‘Breadsall Hilltop’ and then continue along a tarmac footpath for some distance.
7. Eventually you will reach a road. Continue straight ahead along-side the road until reaching a T junction with another road and a pub directly opposite. Cross straight over this road, turn left to continue for a short distance along the road and then turn right through a width restrictor onto a footpath, keeping the pub on your right.
8. Continue along this footpath for some distance passing a signboard on your left reading ‘Great Northern Greenway’. After some distance, at a crossroads of footpaths, turn left through a gap in a fence adjacent to a large white gate, along a footpath. Continue along this path going gently downhill until passing through a metal width restrictor and onto a road. Cross over and then turn left along the road.
9. Continue along the road for a short distance, then upon reaching some large stones on the righthand side of the road turn right along a cycleway. After a short distance cross over a main road and pass through a metal swing gate to follow a footpath through some trees to cross a field.
10. After some distance on the footpath you will reach some steps. Climb the steps cross over a rail bridge. On the other side turn immediately to the right and then to the left to cross over a wooden footbridge. After the footbridge continue
straight ahead across a field keeping a dyke on your left. Upon reaching a T junction with a lane turn left keeping a river on your right.
11. After some distance pass over a stile and continue ahead for a short distance until you have a fence in front of you. Bear left and continue with the fence on your right. Stay close to the fence for some distance, then shortly after the fence begins to curve to the right follow the footpath straight ahead peeling away from the fence as straight as possible.
12. Continue straight to cross a stile. Now continue with a wire fence on your right. When the path bends to the right, continue straight staying close to the fence. When the fence ends keep to the path, around to the left to pass over a stile adjacent to a large metal gate. Walk along a tarmac lane until reaching a road with ‘Haslams Rugby Club’ opposite.
13. Turn right along the road to pass a 2mph sign as you enter an old mill. Continue along the narrow road through the mill passing a ‘Toll £1’ sign and eventually cross over a river bridge with the weir on your left.
14. Immediately after crossing the bridge the road curls to the left. Follow the road around to the left and then when the road bends right take the first turning on your left into ‘Darley Street’. Continue along ‘Darley Street’ passing ‘Mill View Gardens’ on your left and then after a short distance turn left into ‘Poplar Row’ to continue back to the car park.
Darley PARK
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Heritage of Kirkby & Annesley
JULY 2024
PUBLIC SNOOKER HALL CHAPEL STREET OLD KIRKBY
In 2022 I walked around Old Kirkby this was the first village of Kirkby. St Wilfrid’s Church on a hill overlooking Derbyshire, stone cottages in yards off the one main street, Church Street.
Back in the 1800’s there had been interest in religions other than Church of England with Methodism spreading. Finding a place of Worship was important, friends began holding meetings in the Club Room of the Green Man Pub, Church Street. The pub was not serving on Sundays although the licensee had a seven day license, unusual for a village the size of Kirkby.
When the publican died, Thomas Davenport, who had a house on Church Street, offered the use of the large upstairs room that held two stocking frames and two beds, it could hold more than 40 people.
Over time Sunday meetings and evening meetings progressed, with funds being raised for a Chapel. In 1834 on Town Street, now Chapel Street, the new Chapel was built. With extensions at various times to accommodate the increase in use, with the education and Sunday Schools, by 1900 a bigger Chapel was discussed. Land purchased on the Hill 1902, led to a stone laying ceremony on 6th October 1909, opening in 1910.
Pictures of the Chapel in the Kirkby and District Books, say the empty building took on use as a billiard and snooker hall, with no date mentioned, it is likely that it was soon after the Chapel on the Hill opened.
Inside was stone floors and old tables, yet many of the locals in the 60’s would shout up to Alf’ the caretaker to let them in. Joe
Davis, a world champion, played an exhibition match maybe in the 1930’s. Stories say the chipped balls were often brought out for games with Alf saying ‘if they were good enough of Joe Davis, they are good enough for you’.
If you look at the side of the doors, some billiard balls have been set inside former open spaces. They may have been used to scrape boots.
There is living accommodation to the side and above the Snooker Hall, but 2023 has seen a request granted for the inside to be made into more flats, this has been granted, so before long there will be another lost historical site.
See Kirkby in Ashfield An Interesting Township, by Bill Clay Dove for more information of the Chapel and names of people connected.
Guess
the words and Fill in the crossword !
Pitcherwits® are crossword puzzles where some of the clues are in pictures. Sound easy? It’s not called “Pit-your-wits” for nothing! The mixture of cryptic and picture clues, combined with Professor Rebus’ unique sense of humour, will keep you entertained for hours.
1 Consign ace to the bin for awareness (10)
5 Income minus outgoings equals runny money? (8)
15 Aim to nurture sloth with postal advertising (8)
18 Prayed for Terence, who did a bad thing (10)
Across
9 One in an army patrol (4)
10 Bit sarcastic, say, about story writer? (4)
11 Collapsed arch gets no fish (5)
12 Coming from across town in Herefordshire (4)
14 Story recounted at the end (4)
Down
3 Has difficulty this Wednesday (3)
4 Foregone part of the trip (3)
6 Itch treatment to be up to? (7)
7 Pleads on behalf of meadow (3)
13 Masking off some of the jump (3)
16 Boxer hailing from Somalia (3)
17 Rushed in to get the lady (3)
1 Riddle of company sister, that’s got one beaten (9)
2 Recants over sweet fluids (7)
8 Rumoured sotto voce (9) 10 Local transport, thus let out (7)
8
Ski,
Sub,
Close-up, 10 Breeder, 11 Utopian, 14 Vie, 15 Goo, 16 Right amount.
Sparing, 9 Steep, 12 Oust, 13 Item
The Crew of Short Sterling EH988
Squadron Leader Stephen Legh Cockbain DFC
Many readers have shown interest in the fate of Short Sterling Aircraft EH988, which crashed into Annesley Forest eighty years ago. In remembrance, we honour the five young airmen who perished that day.
The Pilot:
Squadron Leader Stephen Legh Cockbain DFC had roots in Scotland, Cumberland, and South Africa. Born in Lilliput, Dorset, in 1916, Steve was the son of Thomas Herbert and Edith Clara Byng Cockbain of Verwood. He was educated at prep school in St. Leonard’s on Sea, Mill Hill, and St. Wendelin’s in Arundel.
Steve enlisted in the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1940. His training began at RAF Ansty in Warwickshire and concluded at RAF Brize Norton in 1941. Commissioned as a Flying Officer, he joined No. 106 Squadron at RAF Coningsby in October 1941. Under Wing Commander Guy Gibson, Steve completed nineteen bombing operations, including three “1000” bomber raids on
Cologne. Despite being shot up by enemy fighters during a raid to Essen, he managed to crash-land his Manchester L7461 back at base.
Promoted to Flight Lieutenant in June 1943, Steve served as an instructor at No. 1661 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) at RAF Winthorpe. In January 1944, he was posted to No. 44 Squadron at Dunholme Lodge and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in June 1944. His citation highlighted his skill and bravery during a mine-laying mission in March 1944, where despite severe damage and a failed engine, he completed his task.
Steve’s courage was tested again on June 21, 1944, during an operation to Wesseling. Attacked by an enemy fighter, his Lancaster’s control column jammed,
causing a dive. He regained control at 8,000 feet and returned the aircraft to base.
Steve piloted Lancaster ND578 “Y”-Yorker, completing over one hundred missions, a rare achievement. On August 17, 1944, while returning a Sterling from RAF Swinderby to RAF Winthorpe, the aircraft crashed on the airfield.
In January 1945, piloting Short Stirling EH988 from RAF Winthorpe to Northern Ireland, Steve tragically crashed into Annesley Forest, ending his distinguished career. He was laid to rest in Botley Cemetery, Oxfordshire, among 516 RAF aircrew.
This article is presented by Roger West on behalf of Rose and Malcolm Bryan, authors of “Passage To Destruction,” with thanks to Chris Kidger of the Kirkby Heritage Centre (Living Memory).
Steve “unidentified” with fellow crew members of No 106 Squadron with Guy Gibson at RAF Coningsby in the Summer of 1942
Botley Cemetery Oxfordshire
Squadron Leader Stephen Legh Cockbain DFC - Headstone
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All Around the Shire
“GOING
TO SEE A MAN ABOUT A DOG”
When I was a child, some things my parents used to say puzzled me. I understood all the words but not the meanings.
My Dad used to say “I’m going to see a man about a dog”. Where was this elusive dog? He never came home with a dog. My mum seemed to be in on the secret too. Dad would return home later that day, rather merry, but I never worked out that it had been a euphemism for “going to the pub” or in the broader sense “mind your own business”.
Another question I pondered: where was the birdie when you were having your photograph taken? I never found the birdie, but I do know where the saying came from. Photographers from 1879 would sometimes use a brass tweeting birdie to capture the attention of children while taking the photograph.
And who was “Soft Mick”? My father would regularly roll out his saying by complaining “She’s had more holidays than Soft Mick“. This character appears to have been an Irish shoe pedlar who travelled around Lancashire around the 1930s.
So originally the saying would have been “He’s got more shoes than Soft Mick”.
What a rich, tapestry of language we all grew up with. Mine was a delicious hodge podge of a Derbyshire Dad with his many strange sayings like tuttoos, bit black over Bill’s mother’s and loads of rammel, and my Belfast mum’s mutton dummies, wee cup of tea in your hond with a piece and jom. It’s actually a wonder I grew up literate at all.
Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire. Find us on or email: oldfield512@btinternet.com for more information.
Janet
THE BUTTERFLY BLUES
The spring and summer of 2024 will not go down as a great period for many of our butterflies. Often cool and generally wet, this has not been good weather for most butterfly species. Nevertheless, across the Peak District and surrounding areas, are some butterfly hotspots, but you may have to seek them out. Wherever there are grasslands, (i.e., meadows and pastures), rich in wildflowers and in sunny locations, then there are opportunities. If soil is dry and low in nutrients then it is likely to favour yellowflowered Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil, one of the pea family, and the foodplant for the Common Blue Butterfly. Incidentally, the orange-coloured trefoil flowers are associated with the plant’s defence mechanism called cyanogenesis. Producing a bitter taste and releasing toxic hydrogen cyanide and glucosides when insects cause damage, which discourages generalist herbivores. However, grassy areas favour butterflies including moth-like skippers whose caterpillars feed on grasses, and day-flying moths like Burnets feeding on trefoils and other legumes. Habitats for these and other grassland butterflies are found on Peak District limestone pastures, moorland-fringe areas, or old meadows like the National Trust estate at Longshaw, close to the Grouse Inn. Surprisingly perhaps, some of the best sites for these pretty insects are along roadside verges, effectively wildflower-rich, linear nature reserves throughout the region. Rich wildflower areas provide foodplants for larvae and sources of nectar for adults too. So, during the summertime months these are wonderful places to see a diversity of colourful species. As I hinted earlier, this has not been a good year for many species of butterflies in gardens or woodland edge perhaps,
apart from the now ubiquitous Speckled Wood. The Holly Blue, sometimes abundant in spring has been noticeably absent, but its grassland cousin the Common Blue seems to have done pretty well, such are the vagaries of butterfly watching!
It is always good to see butterflies especially when they are relatively abundant and can easily be spotted on a daily walk around your patch or else in your garden. However, there is rather more to butterfly watching than meets the eye. Research at the University of Derby has shown how spotting butterflies really is good for you and helps improve both health and your sense of wellbeing.
Researchers working with the Butterfly Conservation Society found that as little as fifteen minutes of butterfly watching whilst counting butterflies for a survey, reduced stress levels by around 10%. They also discovered that even activities like a short time observing and counting butterflies, enhanced the participants’ feelings of being connected to nature. These observations are similar to those for other wildlife groups such as birds and really emphasise that nature and a good, rich environment bring many benefits. Furthermore, people’s positive feelings led to an increased desire to support the conservation of these species and to be actively engaged. This might for example, include being a member of a Wildlife Trust or other conservation group, helping create a wildlife space in your local area, or perhaps making your garden a butterfly-friendly place. So, all in all, it is great to have butterflies around, and enjoying the experience will encourage you to take positive eco-action too!
SCAFFOLD BOARDS
Gardener’s Calendar
Top Tip:
There are two radical opportunities to increase bloom production in the garden.
One is the Chelsea Chop when you cut back your emerging perennials at the same time as the Chelsea Flower Show late May or early June, thus delaying flowering. The other is in mid to late July when you can cut individual shoots of perennials by about a third of their height. Both are reckoned to prolong the flowering period and promote later strong growth. If you prune about half the shoots on any plant just now – a phlox or helenium for example - it will give you a display of flowers now and the rest will come into bloom as the first ones go over.
We’re well into the holiday season and keeping houseplants happy if you haven’t got a house sitter means more direct action. If you’re just going for a short break, you can cover individual plants with a plastic bag which will create moisture and keep it watered – don’t let the bag touch the plant though. For longer periods, move your plants from sunny spots such as windowsills and if possible, use a bit of capillary matting to create a reservoir to water the plants. You need a water container, insert a strip of the matting into the plant soil and the other into the reservoir container and it will draw down water as needed. And if you have enough strips, you can water any number of plants through this method.
If you like to use lavender to sweeten your home, cut it when it is a newly opened flower – the smell is particularly strong and hang in a cool dark place for it to dry out.
Pick your sweet peas every day – they have a lovely scent, but importantly they will stop flowering if they go to seed. This can happen quite quickly, so keep checking every day.
