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From the Editor
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,
NEXT GENERATION TV STARS
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.
The company would be delighted to quote on any customers work involving resin driveways, patios, composite fencing or gates.
Simply drop them a call on 01773 303181
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!
SUDOKU #48
Fill in all the numbers!
This is a sudoku
1 square grid
81 cells
9 3x3 blocks
1 simple rule:
Use all the numbers 1-9, with no duplicates allowed, in any row, column, or block.
These puzzles are devised by the brilliant Professor Rebus. For more of his puzzles visit www.pitcherwits.co.uk
Slimming World Recipe
Chocolate Banana Bread
Method:
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.
For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk
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.
Serves: 10 Syns per serving: 3
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
Ready in: 55 minutes
“Visited T Nutt and Sons showroom to look for new carpet for our lounge/dining room. We were met with a warm welcome and invited to browse the extensive collection on display. The staff were very attentive and invited us to take samples home if required. We duly made an appointment for a measure up and quote and placed our order. At no time were we pressured or asked to pay money up front - which is refreshing in today's market. The fitting team arrived promptly on the agreed date and were polite and professional throughout. They made a terrific job and we were highly satisfied with the work. It makes a change to deal with a such a friendly efficient company who are happy to deal with you. We would certainly go back for more.”
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.
CHESTERFIELD SHOPMOBILITY LTD
Ground Floor, Multi-Story Car Park, New Beetwell Street, Chesterfield, S40 1QR
GOING AWAY FOR A HOLIDAY OR SOMEONE COMING TO STAY?
If you require a Manual Wheelchair or a Boot Scooter to hire to take away or stay at home we can help you
Wheelchair and Electric Scooter hire
Servicing Battery & Charger Testing
Breakdown and repair services
Safety checks
Driving Tests
TRACKS AND TRAILS TASTER DAYS - Further dates coming soon!
Opening Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri: 10.00am - 4.30pm Wed: Closed & Sat: by appointment only
Summer Saturdays at Peak Village
your home the value &
VISIT
Visit Our Showrooms
The Old Church, 31 Nottingham Road, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3AS
Tel: 01773 747 456
The Old Church, 31 Nottingham Road, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3AS Tel: 01773 747 456
The Old Bank, 1 Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, NG2 5FF
Tel: 0115 9818 777
The Old Bank, 1 Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, NG2 5FF Tel: 0115 9818 777
Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Email: info@derwentwindows.co.uk www.timberwindows.com Visit
Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Email: info@derwentwindows.co.uk www.timberwindows.com
AWARD WINNING timber windows & doors
AWARD WINNING timber windows & doors
Natural, sustainable, and ethical, our beautiful timber windows and doors are the logical choice. Constructed from engineered timber slow grown in cold climates, their strength, stability and beauty are guaranteed.
Natural, sustainable, and ethical, our beautiful timber windows and doors are the logical choice. Constructed from engineered timber slow grown in cold climates, their strength, stability and beauty are guaranteed.
Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, a modern town-house or a converted barn, enjoy a 15% discount off all timber windows and doors in our Summer Sale until the end of July 2024.* Please visit us to explore our range of beautifully crafted engineered timber doors and windows, and get expert advice on enhancing the value and beauty of your home.
Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, a modern town-house or a converted barn, enjoy a 15% discount off all timber windows and doors in our Summer Sale until the end of July 2024.* Please visit us to explore our range of beautifully crafted engineered timber doors and windows, and get expert advice on enhancing the value and beauty of your home.
Our showrooms are housed within a fantastic former church building in Ripley, Derbyshire and a former Bank in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire. Both showrooms provide a welcoming and spacious environment to see and experience the full range of timber windows and doors.
Our showrooms are housed within a fantastic former church building in Ripley, Derbyshire and a former Bank in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire. Both showrooms provide a welcoming and spacious environment to see and experience the full range of timber windows and doors.
on www.timberwindows.com products.
*15% discount is only applicable on www.timberwindows.com products.
THE OLYMPIC GAMES – WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
The ancient Olympic Games trace their roots back to 776 BCE in Olympia, home of the Gods, and until 550 BCE, the events took part in the sanctuary itself, with the finishing post being the sacred olive tree of Zeus, from which the victory wreaths were cut. Legend has it that the games were founded by Hercules, the ultimate strongman of mythology.
The stadium at Olympia had four iterations once it outgrew the original home in the sanctuary itself. Throughout these reincarnations, the length of the track in the stadium remained constant at 600ft/192.2m.
Stories say this distance was selected as it was how far Hercules could run on a single breath. Impressive, if this was the case!
Events included foot races, long jump, discus, javelin, and wrestling. The pentathlon, an ancient precursor to the modern decathlon, combined five events to find the ultimate all-around athlete. The wrestling matches, known as pankration, were particularly brutal—a mix of boxing and wrestling with virtually no rules. Biting and eye-gouging were frowned upon, but almost anything else went.
Far from the cushioned running shoes and Lycra outfits of today; the original athletes competed stark naked! This wasn’t some ancient precursor to modern naturist trends; it was believed that competing in the altogether honoured Zeus.
Olympic athletes were the rock stars of their time. They trained for months, adhering to strict regimes. Victorious athletes were immortalised in statues and songs, showered with gifts, and sometimes even given the ancient equivalent of a lifetime supply of pita bread… lucky them!
Unlike our modern games, all the competitors were men, and married women weren’t even allowed to attend as spectators. In fact, they were barred on penalty of death
from the Sanctuary of Zeus on the days of the athletic competitions. Presumably the sight of so much naked male flesh may have made their husbands appear lacking by comparison!
Single girls were allowed to attend, and there was even a separate festival dedicated to Hera, Zeus’s wife, with foot races specifically for unmarried girls.
Spectators from all over the Greek world would flock to Olympia to watch the games. Vendors sold food, drinks, and souvenirs, making the games a bustling festival rather than a solemn religious observance.
Winners were awarded olive wreaths, also known as kotinos, made from the sacred olive tree of Zeus. While modern athletes dream of cash prizes and sponsorship deals, their ancient equivalents were content with their wreaths and the promise of lifelong fame.
The original Olympic Games continued for over a millennium until they were abolished in 393 CE by the Christian Emperor Theodosius I, who decided the pagan festivities surrounding the games were contrary to his beliefs.
Yet, the spirit of the games lived on, inspiring the modern Olympics we know today.
As you settle down to watch the Paris Olympics, spare a thought for their ancient predecessors, who ran barefoot and naked for honour, glory and an olive leaf crown. Today’s competitors have it easy by comparison!
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)
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)
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)
1 Riddle of company sister, that’s got one beaten (9) 2 Recants over sweet fluids (7)
Rumoured sotto voce (9)
Local transport, thus let out (7)
5 Ski, 7 Sub, 8 Close-up, 10 Breeder, 11 Utopian, 14 Vie, 15 Goo, 16 Right amount.
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.
HERITAGE SKILLS LEADWORKING
Lead has been used since antiquity. The Romans used lead casting techniques to construct water pipes, and in England the Worshipful Company of Plumbers received its Ordinances in 1365.
Lead can be easily melted, cast, jointed and decorated which makes it suitable for a wide range of uses. Decorative plumbing leadwork was used for rainwater pipe heads, down pipes, soil, vent and waste water pipes, as well as other lead elements such as gutters, strainers and supplementary lead cellar bin labels, sculpture or plaques. After the dissolution of the monasteries, decorative leadwork was principally confined to the embellishment of country houses. In the eighteenth century leadwork was added to churches in a more reserved fashion and it wasn’t until the late nineteenth century that there was a resurgence of interest in decorative architectural leadwork (P T J Rumley).
Techniques
Traditional leadworking skills include: wiped soldered joints (underhand, upright, splash joints), lead pipe fabrication, gilding, wrought lead, tinning, soldering, pipe bending, repoussé work, casting (in all its forms), incised work, filigreé work etc.
• Solder wiping: Solder is melted in crucible and the hot metal is ladled around the prepared joint with one hand, while a moleskin cloth is used in the other hand to work the hot solder. This technique is dying out.
• Lead burning: A more modern technique, dating from circa 1900, in which a fine flame from an acetylene blowtorch is used to melt the lead and fuse the two pieces together at the same temperature. It is possible to cut out a section of the defective lead and lead burn (or weld) in a new piece.
Tools of the trade
• Flat dresser | Required for dressing lead flat when setting out and finishing in position.
• Bossing stick | A time served piece of equipment for bossing rolled lead sheet around timber forms.
• Bending stick | Traditionally used by Plumbers for bending lead pipe. However, today, a bending stick is handy for bossing lead to roll ends for example.
• Bossing Mallet | Used in conjunction with the bossing stick and bending stick, this mallet can help create a neat finish to detailed areas.
• Setting in stick | used to form a crease in the lead at a fold. Used when forming a bay up to the edge of a wood roll or abutment.
• Chase wedge | Designed to setting in lead into creases or folds.
Heritage leadwork often refers to leadwork carried out on listed or historic buildings. The work comprises traditional methods and materials. This can include lead roofing and guttering. As well as decorative leadwork found on domes, spires, churches, castles and stately homes.
Lead Codes – Lead codes refer to the thickness of the lead sheet, Starting from code 3 up to code 8. Code 3 is the thinnest code and often used for flashings. Whereas code 8 is the thickest and used where resting water is common on parapets and valleys. Selecting the correct lead code is vital for heritage leadwork repairs or restoration. The correct code ensures the longevity of the finished product. Most lead applications fail when the roofing lead of the incorrect size is used.
All training in plumbing leadwork ceased around 1950, when copper was becoming more prevalent, and today technical colleges have thrown out traditional leadworking in favour of copper and plastic installation techniques. The colleges have discarded all their traditional leadworking plumbing tools and there are no lecturers or craftsmen to teach the skills except two or three old plumbers. The Lead Sheet Association and Lead Contractors’ Association run a ‘heritage training course’ but this concentrates on replacing new lead on historic buildings and not the training of conservation of historic leadwork and those traditional plumbing skills associated with it.
The architects, surveyors and specifiers do not understand historic leadwork as they have no training in this niche area.
There traditional plumbing craft skills training associated with decorative leadwork have almost completely disappeared. The craft skill set required for the plumber is wider ranging than for lead sheet roofing.
Within another 5-10 years the senior practitioners who may have had training in traditional plumbing craft skills will have passed away and the skills lost.
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.
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!
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THE LITTLE RED HEN HOUSE
NORTHUMBERLAND
STUNNING HOLIDAY COTTAGE IN WARKWORTH, NORTHUMBERLAND
Treat yourself to a luxury break at the 4* Gold Award winning 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
✽ 2 small to medium dogs welcome (3 upon request)
✽ Fully equipped kitchen, including an American style fridge freezer
✽ Perfect for exploring the stunning Northumbrian Heritage Coastline
✽ Close to a range of dog friendly pubs, cafes and restaurants in stunning Warkworth
✽ We have fast fibre Wi-Fi and smart TV’s Search ‘The Little Red Hen House’
