Voice Magazines - Ripley & Marehay - November 2024
Hello Readers!!
Did everyone enjoy October, which was over in the blink of an eye? Just one more blink and it’ll be Christmas!!
Couple of bits to update you on this month. First things first, forget Kate and Wills, the wedding of the century went off without a hitch – well except their hitch!! Sarah and Neil had a wonderful day, much food and drink was consumed by all and we certainly felt very honoured to be a part of their special day. They were even lucky enough to bag the only day in the whole week, that it didn’t rain. That’s got to be a good omen for the future?!
Usual busy month here both at work and personally but I don’t suppose anything is new with that! But what is new, coming in January, is a new look and revamp to the magazines, and yet still more newness before that, we are putting together a lovely 4-page Christmas pull out in December. This is not like a feature we have done before. This is going to include lots of Christmas silliness and a chance to win a rather special prize!! Make sure you tune in next month and all will be revealed.
all editions this month from Bakewell Heritage. Like all our Heritage articles, it is written by a wonderful volunteer local to that area but I wanted to share it with everyone this month. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Right, I’m off to hold my eyelids open, Clockwork Orange style as I’m really really really not ready for it to be Christmas just yet!!
Happy Reading,
PS: Don’t forget to mention the ‘Voice’ when you use any of the companies in this magazine
I often find November to be quite the poignant month, not only because of the changing of the season but because of Remembrance Sunday. ‘Lest We Forget’ continues to be an important reminder to us all and our freedom today is only assured because of the bravery of many yesterday. With this in mind, I’ve included a lovely article in
ASMR - A BALANCE OF REACTIONS
This month, our magazine covers are based on a unique art style…layered paper art. It’s bold, textural, and for some, quite polarising. People like Emily, MD of Voice Magazines, who has visual misophonia, find these kinds of visual stimuli incredibly off-putting…in fact they make her shudder.
Visual misophonia is triggered by certain patterns, repetitive movements, or high-contrast visuals, and it’s fascinating how it affects one’s perception of art. To Emily, these layered pieces evoke a sense of agitation and discomfort rather than appreciation.
On the flip side, there are those who find this layered art quite soothing, almost like a visual version of ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response).
Just as some experience “tingles” from soft sounds like whispering or tapping, certain visual patterns can create that same calming sensation. The intricate details and layering of paper art can feel almost hypnotic, giving viewers a sense of peace and relaxation.
So why do people react so differently? It all comes down to how we’re wired. For someone like Emily, these designs trigger a heightened discomfort, almost like nails on a chalkboard but for the eyes! For others, this type of art can feel serene, like watching waves ripple or leaves fall—drawing them into a meditative state.
Just like ASMR isn’t for everyone (see below), neither is layered paper art. While some find comfort in these complex visuals, others are more likely to feel irritation or sensory overload. It’s a testament to how diverse our responses to art can be.
Personally, I find the layered paper art intriguing. It might not hit the mark for everyone, but there’s something beautiful about how art can evoke such strong, contrasting reactions. Whether you love it or can’t stand it, it’s certainly a conversation starter!
What do you think? Do these kinds of designs make you feel relaxed, or do they grate on your senses?
And how about the trend for ASMR focused videos? I may appreciate the idea of layered paper art, but I really don’t understand why anyone would want to watch a video of someone whispering into a microphone, or chomping and crunching through food, or tapping a nail on a countertop (or any of the other things ASMR video makers create).
Quite the opposite, in fact, I find them incredibly irritating, and people with auditory misophonia (often triggered by the sounds of others eating) would find a sound clip focused on someone chomping and crunching the very reverse of therapeutic and calming.
So, whilst ASMR videos do nothing for me, I know people who find some relief from these videos and I’m all for personal choices. Somewhere out there, right now, someone is making another video aimed at soothing someone else… and that’s actually kind of nice…isn’t it?
A note to the Voice design team though…maybe, stay away from layered paper art for future covers!
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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WORKSHOPS & GROUP SESSIONS
For overwhelmed & guilt-ridden individuals to help them do their best for a vulnerable relative so that they can enjoy life again.
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Heritage of Bakewell
NOVEMBER 2024
GRANDAD WERE YOU IN THE WAR?
‘Yes lad, I was part of the allied invasion of France, the D-day landings, as it became known. It began on 6th June 1944. Troops set off from the south coast of England and landed on the French beaches. We needed to repel the German army, stop them from coming over here. D-day was a real turning point in WWII.’
Grandad sits in a chair his walking stick tapping on the floor. He chuckles, ‘I was only a young ‘un when I joined the Allied forces.’
‘Who were the Allied Forces?’ asks the boy.
‘The countries who didn’t agree with what the German forces were doing, the ones who supported Britain. Many countries joined the allies, but the forces involved in the D-day landings, were Britain, Canada and America. There were two plans, the D-Day landings, code name Operation Overlord, but we had a second one called Fortitude. Operation Fortitude was meant to fool the Germans into thinking we would cross the channel and land at Calais.’
‘Fool them?’
‘Yes, Fortitude was devised deliberately to mislead the Germans. The British transmitted and broadcast false messages from radio stations in Kent. We built fake army camps with dummy tanks and aircraft, to give the impression the invasion was going to be across the channel to Calais. It worked. The Germans concentrated their most powerful force, the 15th Army, in the
Calais area. That left the Normandy coast that we intended to go to protected by the smaller, 7th Army.’
‘What happened?’ the boy whispers.
‘Oh, we was all on edge. The Normandy coast is further south and that was our real target you see.’ Grandad leans forward. ‘It was dark when my convoy set off. Packed in like sardines we were, tossed all over the place, I was thinking that any minute we’d capsize.’
‘Were you frightened?’
‘Lad, I were terrified, but we were soldiers. We arrived, the ramps dropped, and the doors opened. We were supposed to land on the beach, but we were yards away. We had to wade chest deep holding our guns in the air through swirling waves. Flashes of mortar bombs, bursting shells, gun fire, erupted around us as we reached the beach. Heavy black smoke hung in the air, choking us and blotting out the early morning sun.’
Grandad pauses and shakes his head.
‘There were so many casualties, in places the sea ran red with blood. A shell exploded right next to me, the blast knocked me right off my feet. I was covered in sand. The smell of explosive was all round. I’ll never forget that smell. I ran past bodies of the lads who beat us ashore. It dawned on me then that a few seconds or just a few steps can mean the difference between life and death.’ He pauses.
‘They fought us hard on the beach where I landed, but we did it.’
He laughs.
‘Then about 5 o’clock, we were resting waiting for orders when a woman came out of a house at the top of the beach. She collected her washing from the line, then disappeared inside again, calm as you please. We all burst out laughing. The house stood right in the middle of the fighting. She must have been in there all that time.’
The boy sits, his head full of images of the D-day landings and all his Grandad has told him. He thinks about the beaches in France, the fierce battles, the brave soldiers fighting for their country and the terrible casualties on the day the sea ran red.
Bakewell Old House Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm. You can contact us on 01629 813642 or go to our website www.oldhousemuseum.org.uk Please see the website for opening hours and prices. Alternatively contact the museum to book or for details of tours.
Rowsley War Memorial
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AMBER VALLEY RUGBY CLUB
STRONG SPIRIT, NEW BEGINNINGS AND RISING STARS
Despite three tough defeats, the spirit of Amber Valley remains strong. Our team’s resilience and determination shine through, backed by unwavering community support. Congratulations to Luke Robinson, our Player of the Month, for his outstanding efforts on the pitch. Luke’s dedication reflects the heart of Amber Valley, and we’re confident we’ll bounce back stronger!
Contact Stuart at 07966 867 946.
Our September taster session was a great success! We welcomed four new players, and two ex-players rejoined us, adding to the excitement. With growing interest from our Voice article and social media, we’re thrilled to plan another session on October 28th. The future looks bright!
Contact Gareth at 07595 520 537.
Our 4-week recruitment drive was a huge hit, with over 200 kids joining matches against Mansfield and Ashfield. The U13s/U14s also had their first game against Chesterfield, showing great promise despite a loss. Exciting moments are just around the corner!
For those interested in joining, call Paul at 07790 403 043.
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Your community needs more foster carers. Currently there are over 3,314 children in care across Derby City, Derbyshire, Nottingham City, and Nottinghamshire, with only half finding foster homes. There is a high demand for long-term carers, short-term carers, and specialists for children with special needs. Carers for sibling groups and teenagers are also critically needed.
In April 2024, a regional fostering hub was launched through a collaboration between local councils to boost recruitment and support for foster carers. The “Foster for East Midlands” hub guides prospective carers from enquiry to application and enhances support for existing carers.
YOUR SUPPORT CAN TRANSFORM A CHILD’S LIFE! To learn more about fostering in the East Midlands, call 03033 132950, email hello@fosterforeastmidlands or visit fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk.
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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 4 7 1 3
Slimming World Recipe
Minced Beef Hotpot
Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6.
2. Spread out the potatoes in a large non-stick baking tray, spray with low-calorie cooking spray and roast for 25-30 minutes or until cooked and browned all over. Season lightly.
3. At the same time, put a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the beef and cook for 8-10 minutes or until browned, stirring to break up any lumps. Drain off any fat, then transfer to a plate.
4. Add half the onions and half the carrots to the saucepan and cook for 4 minutes, stirring
What the world needs now is love, sweet love. That and a whole pile of comfort food. The tasty dish will fill you up and you can stay on plan. Enjoy!
occasionally. Add the garlic, tomato purée, stock cube and 600ml boiling water. Bring to the boil then turn the heat down to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Blend the mixture until smooth with a stick blender (or use a food processor and return to the pan).
5. Return the beef to the pan, add the rosemary, swede and the remaining onions and carrots, and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Stir the balsamic vinegar and soy sauce through the beef mixture and cook for 10 minutes more. Check the seasoning, pile the potatoes on top and serve with your favourite veg.
Ingredients:
• 1kg potatoes, cut into small chunks
• Low-calorie cooking spray
• 500g lean beef mince (5% fat or less)
• 2 large onions, diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
in: 1
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 beef stock cube, crumbled
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 small swede, peeled and diced
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 4 tbsp dark soy sauce
EUROPEAN COACHING
DAY EXCURSIONS
COACH TOUR HOLIDAYS
WARNERS TINSEL & TURKEY FESTIVE FUN
Holme Lacy House, Herefordshire
Mon 16th - Fri 20th Dec
5 Days - Half Board - £475
MORECAMBE - MISTLETOE & WINE
Auckland Hotel Fri 13th - Tue 17th Dec
5 days - £325
Haddon Hall Hotel Mon 10th - Fri 14th Feb 5 Days - £275 (½ Price Evening Bar)
- CHRISTMAS
2 Days - Half Board - £245 DURHAM Radisson Blu Hotel Sun 16th - Mon 17th Mar 2 Days - £140 EASTBOURNE
Manor Hotel Sun 1st - Mon 2nd Dec 2 Days - Half Board - £235 Knights Hill Hotel, Kings Lynn Sun 8th - Mon 9th Dec
Littlecote House, Wiltshire Mon 13th - Fri 17th Jan
5 Days - Half Board - £315
Mystery Hotel Sat 22nd - Sun 23rd Mar 2 Days - £130 WARNERS
If you can’t make it into the store, we can offer a FREE home selection service, where we bring the store to you.
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All Around the Shire
A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING TOP
In every group we meet on our travels there will be at least one person who worked in the hosiery trade either as a seamer, a finisher, a dyer, an examiner or someone who sewed the seams into stockings. People still remember the shops or market stalls which provided the service of invisible mending for fine stockings. They were too expensive to discard just for a ladder.
A question I always ask is “What did you do if you couldn’t afford stockings?” People invariably answer and tell me about drawing a line up the back of your leg with a pencil or dying your legs to make them look like you were wearing stockings.
We have heard a multitude of things used for staining the legs: gravy browning, coffee, tea, soil and, the strangest of all, rubbing in red sand. I often wondered if dogs would come and lick your legs, but no one remembers that.
Talking about suspenders also provokes many memories: if you lost the little white button, you could replace it either with an aspirin, or a coin, usually a
sixpence. I had a story from a woman who used to hold her stockings up with three sixpences, so she always had one and six for her bus fare home!
They have never completely gone out of fashion, and we met a man at Tibshelf a couple of weeks ago who still repairs the machines used for manufacturing stockings.
The wearing of nylon stockings still evokes a feeling of postwar euphoria. They have always stood for the opposite of scarcity, austerity and making do.
Janet
Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire. Find us on or email: oldfield512@btinternet.com for more information.
Flake’ s Favourites
Re-walking Rafa’s Rambles
I have been trying to dig this walk out for a while and eventually found it! It’s a great walk for this time of year with a lovely mix of trails and cross country walking, with some cracking views. The Teversal Visitors Centre is a good stop for a drink and maybe a bite to eat.
Flake is back and firing on all four furry cylinders (paws) after his recent injury and gave the walk four paws, big licks and a waggy tail. I’m not sure exactly what that means but I’m pretty sure he loved it!
61/2 MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM TEVERSAL VISITORS CENTRE
A moderate walk which should take you and your dog around 3 hours to complete. There is a section of road 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.
STARTING POINT: TEVERSAL TRAIL VISITOR CENTRE, CARNARVON STREET OFF FRACKLEY ROAD, TEVERSAL, SUTTON IN ASHFIELD, NOTTS. NG17 3HJ.
1. With the visitor centre on your left, walk through the car park and on through the ‘Teversal Coal Garden’. After a short distance bear right adjacent to a metal gate and continue along a footpath.
2. After a very short distance at a ‘T’ junction of paths turn right along a trail signposted for ‘Skegby’. After some distance pass underneath a metal bridge and then continue straight along the trail.
3. Further on you will pass over a road bridge and then after some distance you will pass a wooden signpost on your right reading ‘Link Trail’. At this point bear left and continue along another trail.
4. After some distance you will pass underneath a metal bridge and then further on you will cross over a road bridge. Continue along the trail until reaching a road. Cross straight over the road, pass through a width restrictor and bear left to continue uphill. After some distance pass through a width restrictor beside a wooden gate and turn left onto another trail.
5. After a short distance pass over a crossroads of trails. Continue straight for some distance, ignoring a stile on your right, until reaching a crossroads of footpaths. At this point turn left onto a path alongside a field, with a hedge on your left.
6. Continue to cross the field and reach a road. Continue straight along the road, keeping your eyes peeled for a signposted footpath and a gap in the hedge on your left. Turn left along the footpath and continue straight to cross a field with a hedge on your right. At the far side of the field pass through a gap to cross straight over a road and through a gap into another field.
7. Continue straight to cross an open field, pass through a gap to cross another open field and then pass through another gap to cross another open field. At the far side enter a small wooded area and cross over the ‘Rowthorne Trail’. Then take a slight diagonal left to cross an open field.
8. Continue to cross a wooden footbridge into some woodland. Continue along the woodland path and uphill through the woodland area. At the top of the hill you will come out of the woodland. Continue straight ahead to cross an open field. At the far side of the field pass through a gap in a stone wall and continue along the path between two houses.
9. Pass through a large wooden gate and onto a lane. Turn left along the lane for a short distance and then turn right over a stile onto a signposted footpath.
10. Continue straight to cross an open field and upon reaching a hedge bear left keeping the hedge on your right. Continue straight for a short distance and then pass through a gap to continue with a hedgerow on either side. At a split in the path bear left and continue until you reach a brick built bridge. Just prior to crossing the bridge turn left and down some steps onto a trail below.
11. Turn right along the trail and after some distance pass underneath an arch bridge. Further on you will cross over a road bridge and then after a small distance you will see a finger board signpost on your right. At this point bear left and then right to cross over a wooden footbridge. Continue ahead and back to the visitor centre car park.
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.
Rowthorne
Stanton Hill
Ripley & District Heritage Trust
NOVEMBER 2024
HAPPY CLOCKING IN
Before the days of smart cards and electronic locks, there was a much more basic way of checking on employees’ punctuality: the clocking-in machine.
Butterley had several, situated at the entrance to each department, apart from the offices where workers didn’t have to clock in. When the blower went off just before half-past seven, there would be a queue to clock in. There was a rack of cards next to the machines: you took your card, inserted it into the machine and pulled a lever which punched the time on the card, which was then replaced in the rack. You did the same on your way out, clocking off.
At the end of the week the cards were collected and used to work
out the wages of each man or woman.
John Chambers, a former Butterley man, says that if you were late, the trick was to hold the card at a certain angle and punch it twice, which over stamped the card and made it difficult to read the time, and thus to prove when you clocked in.
Butterley had another innovation: beside the clocking-in machines was a brass plaque, with space for a card in a slot. It read “Happy Birthday from the management and employees of the Butterley Company to the following:” with the name(s) of the workers inserted in the slot. John thinks there were several of these plaques alongside the clockingin machines in each department.
A queue for clocking in at a different works
It would appear that you didn’t get a choice as to whether everyone in your department knew it was your birthday; the office staff took the information from their personnel list and in the card went. I wonder how many people had birthday tricks played upon them?
An older clocking in machine
The Butterley birthday plaque
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THE WONDERS OF THE UK COASTLINE
The UK coastline stretches over an impressive 22,000 miles, offering some of the most diverse and spectacular landscapes in the world. (Note this measurement varied depending what sites I looked at – this calculation is from The Marine Conservation Society).
From towering cliffs and sandy beaches to rugged rocks and hidden coves, our coastline is a treasure trove of natural beauty and wildlife.
Given that the UK is only the 11th largest country in Europe and the 80th in the world, it may come as a surprise that the coastline is so huge. But look at a map and it becomes easier to understand. The UK is an irregular shape, and has many inlets, bays, and islands. Scotland alone boasts thousands of islands, contributing significantly to the length of the overall coastline.
One interesting fact I uncovered is that, thanks to the wiggliness (technical term!) of our coastline, all of us are within 70 miles of the coast. The location identified as being the most landlocked is right here in Derbyshire. Coton in the Elms, with a population of less than 1,000 (2011) is 70 miles from the mean low water line at Fosdyke Wash, on the edge of The Wash, south of Boston, in Lincolnshire.
But it’s not just about the size—what really sets the UK coastline apart is its variety. From the chilly waters and towering sea stacks of northern Scotland to the warm, sandy beaches of Devon and Dorset in the southwest. From windswept cliffs in Cornwall to pebble beaches in Brighton, and the white sands and crystal clear waters of the Western Isles of Scotland.
The geology of the coastline is just as diverse. You’ll find dramatic limestone cliffs, volcanic rock formations, and chalky white cliffs like those at Seven Sisters and Dover. Each coastal stretch tells a unique story, shaped over millions of years by natural forces.
The UK coastline is also a haven for wildlife, thanks to its wide range of habitats. It’s home to seabirds, seals, dolphins, and a rich marine ecosystem. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a basking shark—the world’s secondlargest fish—cruising through the waters off the Cornish coast. Coastal nature reserves, such as the Farne Islands in Northumberland, famous for its puffins, attract thousands of migratory birds each year.
The shores of the UK are also home to seals, both grey and common, with colonies scattered along the east coast of England and in Scotland.
As you would expect, the UK’s coastline experiences a variety of climates! In the far north, places like the Shetland Islands are known for their cold, rugged conditions, while the southwest of England, especially Cornwall, enjoys a relatively mild and even subtropical climate in some areas. The Isles of Scilly are the warmest place in the UK with an average annual temperature of 12.0°C, as opposed to the UK average of 10.89°C.
We may be heading into winter now, but any time is a good time to enjoy a trip to the coast…mmmm – fish and chips!
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
341
Guess the words and Fill in the crossword !
1 Set to a previous time when tacked on to bad planning (4-5)
7 Balls! And that’s not being rude! (7) 13 Had a bio-op. against Jezebel (7)
Drew clear plans for sticky gear? (3-6)
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
5 Antelope harvesting nuts to store (3)
6 Go down with sauce, not style (3)
10 Nothing with vanilla in it! (3)
11 Well set in when ace ends the play (7)
12 Basmati recipe generates fury (3)
16 Take in estimated arrival time at first? (3)
17 An individual from Indonesia (3)
Down
2 Encamps, with men leaving for the tops (4)
3 Each upset is a pain (4)
8 Old cinema, with a square screen in Spain? (5)
14 Sketched in a good reward (4)
15 Assumed the shielded ones to be offside (4)
COLLEDGE AERIALS
BOOK REVIEW
THE FRAUD - ZADIE SMITH
Zadie Smith is best known for critically admired novels such as White Teeth and Swing Time.
With The Fraud she’s travelled back to the 1870s when all London was gripped by the Titchborne inheritance court case – a true case - involving a cockney born butcher who claimed to be the lost heir to a wealthy Hampshire estate.
This tale of early identity theft is interwoven with the story of an enslaved man on a sugar
Paul M Longden Ltd
plantation who supports the butcher’s claim. It’s also, surprisingly comedic in a sharply satirical way – not something you can often say about a book featuring slavery as one of its themes.
And it’s about how we present what seem like facts depending on what side of an argument we are on. Will the Jamaican version win or the British one? Who decides the truth?
The Fraud is quite a complex book, but a satisfying read.
October 5th saw a very early start for our 42 Lifesavers competing at the Yorkshire Speeds in Leeds. Our RASCALS squad had an incredible showing of first-time competitors and seasoned Lifesavers. Many of our 11 year olds were competing for the first time gaining valuable experience as they prepare for the RLSS Nationals next March. Encouraging the young athletes throughout the day, keeping them focused and motivated was Head Coach Daniel Woodthorpe, supported by Dawn Lockwood and Paul Postlethwaite. For the more experienced competitors, the Yorkshire Speeds marked a return to competition after a six-month break and it was clear they were eager to gauge their current performance. After a very long day of competition, the RASCALS squad did not disappoint with numerous PBs recorded! Their stellar performance not only clinched the top spot on both the points and medal tables, but saw Harry Pollicott set a national record in the process. Exceptional results!
• Top club for points: 2191 (winning by over 700 points)
• Top club for medals: 32 Gold, 23 Silver, 18 Bronze
• Ranked Top in age group: Terry Fox, Freddie Postlethwaite, Harry Pollicott, Sally Carter, Heather Watson, Elena Quinn
• Ranked Top 5 in age group: Riley Baxter 2nd, Tobi Watson 3rd, Dylan Nightingale 5th, Luke Waterfall 2nd, Cillian Lamont 3rd, Rachel Healy 3rd, Mimi Fisher 2nd, Aydrian Cope 3rd, Hannah Murphy 3rd, Sophia Frogatt 4th
But this versatile bunch of Lifesavers are not only impressive in the high adrenaline speed races but also in the slower, more
methodical Traditional competitions. September saw 19 intrepid Lifesavers heading to Retford for the Traditional Lifesaving Regional Championship. This competition has a very different feel to the usual fast and furious speed events - it is designed to test the lifesavers skill, knowledge, ability to prioritise and work as a team during simulated emergency scenarios. Team manager on the day, Karen Clark was pleased to see that all the lifesavers kept a cool head and showed sound judgement and CPR / First aid skills. Congratulations to pairings Sophia Froggatt/Hariett Moores and Harry Pollicott/Tobi Watson who qualified for the National Finals in November along with individual qualifiers Rachel Healy and Thea Bednall who both topped the scoreboard in their categories.
RASCALS lifesaving achievements extend well beyond national borders and 2024 was no exception with Heather Watson selected for team GBR (Youth) at the Lifesaving World Championships in Gold Coast, Australia. Accepting her third GBR cap, Heather was also honoured with the role of Vice Captain (Youth). With RASCALS/GBR coach Daniel Woodthorpe not far from the action, Heather reached the finals in all five of her relay events, the “A” finals in three of her four individual events showcasing her exceptional talent. She secured a silver medal in the Female Line Throw (Youth) and a Bronze medal in the Team SERC (Youth), cementing her place as a top competitor. Congratulations to Daniel and Heather for their accomplishments on the international stage.
If you would like to expand your swimming activities or try something new, please contact us. contact@ripleyrascals.org.uk • www.ripleyrascals.org.uk
RASCALS Yorkshire Speeds squad 2024
Heather Watson
Ornamental Engineering Premium GATES
Gardener’s Calendar
Top Tip:
This is a good time for pruning most types of roses, including climbers which will flower on shoots grown the same spring. You can cut them back fairly hard.
Tulip planting time is on us. Plant them deep if you want them to flower year after year, but even if they’re just going in for one glorious show, do plant them at least six inches and if you have heavy or clay soil add sand for drainage – they don’t like sitting in clag.
November is also clear-up and prep time. Bubble wrap your terracotta pots. Terracotta absorbs moisture which means in freezing conditions they’re quite liable to crack as the water expands into ice. Gather leaves for leaf mould – a good element of compost. Run the mower or shears over them to give them a head start and pile into a heap, a simple container from chicken wire would do. Cut back oregano and chives which have gone to seed to give them room to grow early.
Don’t leave old plastic pots lying around in the garden unless you’re a lover of slugs. They make a great winter hiding place for the voracious little beasties and you’ll regret your lack of housekeeping come the spring.
THE FUNGUS SEASON
Wet weather and falling temperatures, make Autumn the mushroom season. Though hugely important as they breakdown dead organic matter, recycling nutrients into new life, fungi are frequently unseen biodiversity. Now, often following early frosts, fungal fruiting bodies (mushrooms or toadstools) suddenly appear in grasslands, woodlands, and gardens. The latter may be particularly rich if you use forest-bark or woodchip-mulch which fungi love. The mushroom or toadstool is just the fruiting body like fruit on a fruittree. The business end of the fungus is the almost invisible massed hyphae, which power the ecological world. Some of these unseen fungi form so-called mycorrhizas with great trees to help their nutrition and survival. Fungi scavenge soil around old trees and pass vital mineral nutrients into their roots; by way of return fungi gain sugars from arboreal photosynthesis. Neither plants nor animals but are a separate kingdom of fungi, they are probably more closely related to animals than to plants. Because of these remarkable relationships, searching under old oaks, beeches, birches, and pines, is a good way to find autumn mushrooms. When they appear, depends on weather with frosts, warmth, and moisture, all important.
I spotted a fungus or mushroom known as Spindleshank (one of the ‘toughshanks’) or scientifically, Collybia fusipes in a local ancient woodland. This parasitic fungus grows on the basal roots of deciduous trees like oak, and identification was by my friend Dr Paul Ardron. As explained, the ‘mushroom’ is merely the fruit-body of the fungus the hyphae of which are inside the wood of the roots breaking them down. Underneath the cap of this mushroom, the gills bearing reproductive spores, are distinctively widely spaced. This parasite potentially causes root-rot in deciduous trees, especially oaks and beeches, both of which are in this woodland. It may cause dieback of the tree’s crown, and occasionally they also attack conifers. The spindles (with stems swollen but then tapering sharply towards the base) and which give the fungus its common name, are generally hidden under soil and root-wood. When young mushroom clusters emerge, they look rather like a mass of copper nails. Mushroom enthusiasts are frequently interested in finding and eating them (which can be risky) and whilst the Spindleshank is noted in guidebooks as ‘edible’ it is also described as ‘not worthwhile’ on account of its toughness.
Another find was a southern Bolete toadstool (Boletus radicans) and it has turned up abundantly under beech trees. This is a spectacularly large, colourful, but sadly inedible mushroom. The massed growths on the tree-roots look almost brain-like when they emerge en masse. The Boletes are characterised by incredibly complex organic chemicals, some of which are hallucinogenic and others seriously (sometimes deadly) poisonous. This particular species turns bright sky-blue when cut open as the organic chemicals react with the air’s oxygen to oxidise and change colour. This toadstool is spreading northwards perhaps driven by climate change. Whatever the reason, it is becoming more common. As we head into November, more and more exciting and interesting mushrooms will appear, although heavy frosts may bring things to a close rather sharply.
Growing in mown grassland and feeding on animal dung are a range of fungi called the ‘Inkcaps’ including the ‘Lawyer’s Wig’. These auto-digest their own mushroom cap to produce a black spore-rich black fluid once used as ……. ink.
Professor Ian D. Rotherham, researcher, writer, broadcaster on wildlife and environmental issues in the Peak District and elsewhere, is contactable on ianonthewildside@ukeconet.org. Follow his website www.ukeconet.org, blog www.ianswalkonthewildside.wordpress.com/ & Twitter @IanThewildside
SHAGGY INKCAP
SHAGGY INKCAP
BOLETUS
COLLYBIA FUSIPES
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