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

“Laura is a force of nature! Wow. Reliable, responsive, honest, caring, professional, efficient and connected. And most importantly-Laura gets results. You go girl. I wish you all the success in the world, and then some.” – Mrs G.

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From the Editor

Dear Readers, The clocks have changed and I can’t tell you how much happier I am!! I can’t be the only one? And can someone remind me why we send them back in the first place?

As I understand it, it was originally something to do with when we were a country of production and we had farms & mills etc. I am also aware that we had a trial year, where we didn’t change the clocks back in the 60’s/70’s?? and those particular people, at that snapshot in time, didn’t like it – not sure what the reason was, with not being born and all!! So I suppose what my question really is, assuming all this is correct, is it time for a review?! Things have moved on so much as a society and I wouldn’t mind my snapshot in time, two penneth vote please! I mean, we aren’t trees, so why don’t we review things that would make our lives a little easier more regularly. Imagine a December where it isn’t dark at 3pm! Anyways, that’s my soap box for this month…. I have these little chats with you every month because I think some of you might have read my little message (which always surprises me to be honest – ramblings of a mad woman and all that). The reason I know you must have read it last month is because we had a couple of lovely emails and calls, praising both, our little magazines (not so little, there are 11 mags with over 500 pages, delivered to over 60,000 homes currently - eeeekkk) and

more importantly, a lovely bit of feedback for one of our distributors. I won’t embarrass her but the lady in question contacted us to tell us how polite, respectful & well-presented he was and that he was a credit to the magazines. Without our distribution team, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do, so we obviously passed this straight onto the distributor in question and this random act that took this kind lady 5mins to do, really truly made at least 5 people smile and walk with a spring in their step for the day. I ask myself, why wouldn’t you want to be more like that?!

In other news, we are finally launching our longawaited Matlock magazine! It’s never easy to launch new mags, particularly during turbulent times but we are doing such exciting things this year with our features (more to come) and we’re getting such great feedback. We have had quite a few requests for this magazine…….so here we are, working round the clock again, excited to bring you even more fantastic local businesses and information!

See you next month for our Coronation special!

Do You Love to Read?

Do you love to settle down with a novel and escape into a different world, a different reality?

One of my not so guilty pleasures, is to snuggle under a blanket with a cup of tea and a pack of biscuits - M&S almond thins if I’m feeling flush, or Aldi gingernuts if I’m feeling the pinch - and lose myself in a really great book.

It’s something I’ve done since childhood, and yet I don’t do it as much now as I used to. Somehow it is easier to switch the TV on, it’s less strain on the aging eyes, AND brain! TV is the equivalent of a comic book; it takes less brain power to follow pictures than read words on a page. If I’m honest, I am cross at myself for not spending more time reading - I am after all a writer and my craft is as much formed by the words I consume as the words I create.

Looking at a wider perspective, it seems that many younger people have lost - if indeed they ever had - the ability to enjoy reading.

With concentration spans apparently shrinking to an average of 8.25 seconds for an adult (although research is split on this) it isn’t hard to understand why committing to reading an 80,000 word novel may be too daunting for some. And that makes me sad.

There is so much to be gained by reading a book and absorbing the story as the author created it, not the way it was adapted for TV or film. I mean, how often do you hear people saying, “oh the film is SO much better than the book”? I would wager never. It is however common to hear the reverse. I suppose the exception to this adage is a certain series of “housewife porn” novels which were translated to the big screen - I’m sure you know the ones I mean!

With World Book Night heading our way on April 23rd, perhaps it is time to sort out some reading material and reaffirm a love of books. Even better, why not make a concerted effort to encourage younger readers to spend more time in the printed, rather than online world?

A small publishing house I work with has just published two books written by a four year old, and they are incredible. Proof to me that if we imbue our children with a love of the written word from the very beginning, they will continue to be readers…and maybe even authors! My own grandson has been surrounded by books since he was born, and now, at the age of 20 months, he can already recognise his name, letters, colours, and numbers.

Love words. Love books. Love reading!

These articles are researched and written by Laura Billingham, a local content writer and author. Laura moved to the Peak District several years ago to pursue her passion for writing.

To find out more visit www.landgassociates.co.uk or contact Laura on 07736 351 341

Are you a reader - I mean other than this magazine, which you are obviously reading right now, or you wouldn’t have seen the question

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All Around the Shire

RECOLLECTIONS OF A SIMPLER TIME: SPRINGTIME TRADITIONS

As part of our reminiscence sessions, at this time of year we like to celebrate Spring and some of the traditions from the past. Simnel cake being one of them.

It is a light fruit cake with a layer of marzipan on the top and eleven marzipan balls to represent the number of apostles minus Judas. At least that is what I made. I was told in no uncertain terms by several ladies that my recipe was wrong and it should have a layer of marzipan running through the middle as well as on the top. That was me told. There are many theories about the origin of the cake. The consensus is that during medieval times, it was a yeasted bread made with fine white flour. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the recipe had changed into a fruited, spiced batter pudding which was boiled then wrapped in pastry, rather like the Scottish black bun.

By the 20th century, a cake with marzipan was established with disciples for decoration and the top then toasted. Regional variations have some towns boiling then baking the cake, some with a pastry crust made to look like a crown. Regardless of the differences, a Simnel cake is conventionally eaten at Easter time.

Although it has fallen out of favour, the Simnel cake makes a colourful, symbolic and historic addition to Springtime celebrations. So, whether you celebrate Easter or not, let’s make some room in between the myriad of hot cross buns and chocolate eggs, and indulge in a little slice of history.

Ray

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MANDY’S TRAVEL PAGE

Hi I’m Mandy your Personal Travel Counsellor. Mad for Madagascar (and its Lemurs)

How about a trip to another world? Madagasgar offers a truly unique adventure opportunity.

Madagascar is all about its Lemurs. And why wouldn’t it be? Lemurs only live in Madagascar and nowhere else on Earth! Lemurs also happen to be the world’s oldest surviving primates.

Encounter some of the Earth’s rarest and fascinating creatures as you journey through the captivating landscapes of the ‘Red Island’.

Some 250 miles off the coast of Africa, and home to extraordinary mammals, reptiles, bird and plant species found nowhere else on earth, Madagascar, known as the ‘Eighth continent’, is the setting for an adventure-filled travel experience.

Discover the fascinating national parks, UNESCO-listed landscapes, cool, lush highlands, desert scrublands and idyllic beaches, as you get to know this truly remarkable ‘treasure island’.

Included in the 15-day trip:

• Flights from Heathrow

• 35 Meals

• 9 Included Excursions and visits

• Small Group Tour

• Visit 3 National Parks

• 18th September or 6th November 2023 - £4086 per person

• Deposit £300 per person

Highlights:

Tour of colourful Antananarivo or ‘Tana’. Enjoy a rickshaw tour of the ‘City of Water’ Antsirabe.

Discover the UNESCO-listed rice paddies of the high plateau.

The quiet town of Sahambavy, boasting Madagascar’s only tea plantation. Ranomafana National Park, a World Heritage of Humanity Site, home to some of the rarest lemurs.

Desert landscapes and big skies in Isalo National Park.

Rest and relax in laid-back, beach-side Ifaty.

Fly back north from southern capital Tuléar and crown your stay with wildlife encounters in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.

An adventure not to be misssed!

Slimming World Recipe

Piri-piri Beef Noodles

Method

1. Cook the noodles following the pack instructions, then drain and cover to keep them warm.

2. At the same time, spray a non-stick wok or large frying pan with low-calorie cooking spray and put it over a high heat. Working in batches, stir-fry the beef for 1-2 minutes or until browned, then tip into a bowl and cover to keep warm.

3. Spray the wok with more low-calorie cooking spray and stir-fry the garlic and chilli flakes for 1 minute.

For

Quick? Fresh? Tasty? Healthy? And filling? Check, check, check, check & check!

Stir in the paprika, passata, soy sauce and sweetener and cook until heated through. Return the beef to the wok and keep warm over a low heat.

4. Spray another non-stick wok or large frying pan with low-calorie cooking spray and stir-fry the veg over a high heat for 5 minutes or until tender.

5. Divide the noodles, veg and beef between shallow bowls and spoon over any sauce left in the wok to serve.

Serves: 4 Ready in: 20 mins

Ingredients:

• 4 dried noodle nests

• Low-calorie cooking spray

• 400g lean thin-cut beef steaks, visible fat removed, cut into thin strips

• 2 garlic cloves, sliced

• ½-1 tsp dried chilli flakes, to taste

• 1 tsp paprika

• 500g passata

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 level tsp sweetener granules

• Large bag of mixed stir-fry vegetables

Syns per serving: FREE

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STRAWBERRY CUPCAKES

You will need Method

• Preheat your oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4 and put 16 paper cases in a mini muffin tin. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, lowfat spread and sweetener. Sieve the flour into the bowl, then fold into the egg mixture along with the vanilla essence and the strawberry flavouring.

• Divide the mixture equally between the paper cases, then bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked and springy to the touch. Cool on a wire rack.

• Mix a few drops of water and the food colouring with the icing sugar. Divide equally between the tops of the cakes. Decorate with halved strawberries and dust with icing sugar.

• 3 eggs

• 60g low-fat spread

• 6-8 level tbsp sweetener granules

• 110g selfraising flour

• 2-3 drops vanilla extract

• ½ tsp strawberry flavouring

To decorate:

• 8 level tsp icing sugar plus 1 level tsp for dusting

• 2 drops pink food colouring

• 8 fresh strawberries, hulled & halved

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WALKING WITH RAFA & FLAKE

This month we head to Denby for a fantastic walk that takes you past the famous Pottery Centre and through some lovely countryside for some cracking views. As ever there are plenty of opportunities to let your dog run off the lead.

4 1/2 mile circular walk around Denby

A moderate walk for you and your dog. The route should take around 2 – 2 1/2 hours. There are some uphill sections and the terrain is varied with some uneven and muddy parts, which will worsen in the winter months so a good pair of boots or wellies is highly recommended. And, as always, follow the countryside code.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Park in the car park by the park off Church Street in Denby. Exit the car park onto Church Street and turn right before taking a right up Pottery Lane. Continue until you reach a kissing gate on your left with a ‘public footpath’ sign.

2. Take the path across the field to a gate, keeping the fence on your left. Cross two more fields and through two more gates to pass through the hedge at the top. Head diagonally across the field along the path, heading for the gap in the corner.

3. Continue ahead before passing through a gate on your left, halfway up the field then turn right and continue with the hedge on your right. Pass through a gate at the top of the field. Turn left then immediately right onto a wide grass path.

4. Continue along this track as it brings you to Denby pottery. Walk through the car park and past the factory and at the road turn right to walk past the factory. Carry on along the road past two houses and then take a lane on your right marked with a footpath sign before a third house.

5. Carry on along the lane past the houses on your right and continue ahead until you meet another path. Turn left here passing through a gate and walk past a pond on your left. Follow the track as it jinks right, then bends sharply to the left before taking another track on your right, crossing a stile by a metal gate.

6. Follow this track, with hedges on either side, for a fair distance until the hedges end. Pass over a stile and continue straight ahead with the hedge on your left.

7. At the bottom of this field cross a stile and keep ahead on the path through a wooded area, then cross a footbridge and head across another small field then through a wooded area. This will bring you to the back of the cricket club. Carry on past the clubhouse and pitches until this brings you to High Bank road.

8. Turn left and carry on along the road past one set of houses. The road becomes Denby Common and you walk by another set of houses. Before the last house take a track on your right called Dumbles Lane, which is marked with a footpath sigh and a gate.

9. Continue along Dumbles Lane until the track ends. Carry on ahead along a path through a wooded area. At the end of the woods cross a stile to meet another path. Turn right to walk

around a pond on your left. Continue around the pond to meet a farm track, turning right to follow the track as it passes through a gate and along the bottom of a field.

10. Pass through another gate and turn left along the track towards Flamstead House Farm at the top of the hill. Pass through a gate and over a stile on your right. Pass through the farmyard to take a path beside the house. Head diagonally across the field to a waymark post and then head downhill towards a footbridge over a stream.

11. Keeping the hedge on your left walk around the outside of the field to cross a stile on your left. Follow the path around to the left to cross a stile and join a farm track.

12. Walk along the track as it bends around to the right and keep ahead for a fair distance before turning left to join a tarmacked road called Flamstead Lane. Carry on downhill on the lane, then as the road bends round to the left take a footpath sign on your right by passing through a wooden gate by a larger metal gate.

13. Head diagonally left along the path downhill and across a small concrete bridge before heading towards the church to join a path beside the church that brings you back out onto Church Street just across the road from where you began.

SPRINGTASTIC!

And finally, it’s time to look after the most important person....

You spend so much time looking after others, which makes it all the more important to make time for yourself. After all, you can’t run a car without fuel! Take an hour out to treat yourself... you are more than worth it!

KIDS RULE AT BOLSOVER

27TH MAY - 4TH JUNE 2023 Get ready for

right

knees-up at our Kids Rule events this May half-term.

BOLSOVER, CHESTERFIELD, S44 6HD

We have been providing mortgage and protection advice from our office in Ripley since 1998. A lot has changed in the last 25 years, but we believe our advice is as important now as it was when we started the business, if not more, given the changing economic landscape.

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Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is such good fun. It makes you feel good about life and reminds you what is best about being a human being who stays true to themselves.

It’s set in the 1960s, a time when women’s lib was slowly starting to emerge from the kitchen and the typing pool, although the idea that a woman could be a chemist was enough to shock society to its core.

But chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. As she would have pointed out, there is no such thing. However she works with an all-male research team with a decidedly antediluvian approach to equality.

No future there, so exit Elizabeth, pursued by the need to earn a crust. Bizarrely, out of desperation, she accepts a job hosting a minor channel TV cooking show aimed at the bored housewife. But Zott doesn’t do boring. Her scientific and straightforward approach soon wins her an avid army of female viewers and her fame grows. A step along the road to revolution one scientific formula at a time.

Elizabeth is an irresistibly wonderful hero. She isn’t going to be limited by other people’s hang-ups. She doesn’t fit the mould and she sees no reason to change that.

This book is funny and generous and joyful. It’s Bonnie Garmus’ first book. I hope she writes another one fast.

Colemans have been manufacturing bespoke kitchen and bedroom furniture for over 37 years. We are a family run business with a belief in great quality products and service at sensible prices. All our products are built specifically for you and your needs, we can manufacture in any colour and style your heart desires. With Colemans the possibilities are endless.

ALFRETON & DISTRICT HERITAGE TRUST FROM MINERS TO MEDICS

Perhaps a little hard to believe but two local villages and their Collieries were at the forefront of Medical Care both at home from 1872 and on the battlefields of South Africa during the Second Boer War which lasted from 1899 until 1902.

The story begins in 1864 when Charles Seely became the owner of Tibshelf bottom pit and his reputation locally as the “King of Coal” grew from there. He later acquired other collieries including Birchwood, or Shady Pit as it was better known, and in a sense this is where our particular story begins.

Charles Seely ensured that his coal mining enterprises included the provision of colliery doctors and later also nurses who provided free medical care for the colliers and their families later supplemented by an insurance scheme which included sick pay to which the colliers made a weekly contribution. This was known as the Colliery Field Club.

In 1870 an inspired appointment was made by Charles Seely’s Babbington Coal Company. They appointed Mining Engineer, Stuart Crawford Wardell (1845-1916) as Manager to their Tibshelf Collieries. He along with his wife, Kathleen, encouraged both social and cultural enterprise within the local mining community and so it was that in 1872 Wardell and Dr. Stamford, (Colliery Doctor) began first aid classes for

local miners, thus pioneering industrial first aid as we know it today. From this developed the Tibshelf Ambulance Corps of which Birchwood became a part. Later came the sister Nursing Association and by 1886 over 110 women had been trained.

In 1887 the uniformed St John’s Ambulance Brigade came into being, this being ten years after the formation of the St John’s Ambulance Association. In 1898 the Royal Army Medical Corps was formed and within months was plunged into action in the Boer War. Help was needed and miners from Tibshelf and Birchwood answered the call, serving with distinction in South Africa. From Miners to Medics they truly were. Hard to think that local miners led the way in healthcare in the way they did.

It wasn’t just locally they became known however, On Saturday, 6th May 1893 Col. Seely’s Ambulance Corps were invited to Windsor Castle to give a demonstration of their skill to Queen Victoria. The Queen was suitably impressed and Col Seely later received a Baronetcy, Stuart Crawford Wardell, a letter of appreciation and the Ambulance Corps men and woman? They went back to work as usual on the Monday!

Want to know more?

Pop along to the Miners to Medics Exhibition at Tibshelf Scout & Guide Headquarters, Boundary Gardens, Tibshelf. Open 2pm –5pm. Saturday, 15th April, 2023.

Stuart Crawford Wardell

Charles Seeley

Shady Pit

Mike’sMusings

Creative ways of breaking bad news?

I’ve a friend called Maureen who has worked in the retail trade in the same business for over forty years. She’s seen a lot of changes in that time, with the company having been sold on three separate occasions. Each time however, the new employer has elected to retain her services. They’d recognised that with her knowledge, experience and excellent relationship with the regular clientele, she was effectively irreplaceable. That was then, but this is now.

Just before Christmas, an announcement was made that the business was to be wound up and she’d lose her job. A combination of the nationwide move to online shopping and the damage done to product supply as a result of Brexit, meant that it was no longer sustainable. Maureen, was disappointed, but now in her sixties and with her husband about to retire, she philosophically accepted that, if it was going to happen, this was probably the best time.

We met up in February, and she made me laugh when she told me of how her area manager had broken the news, finishing the conversation by saying, “Maureen, I can appreciate that you’ll be unhappy about losing your job, but just look at it in this positive way. We may no longer require your services here in the shop, but you are being promoted to customer”.

Well, I’ve heard a few euphemisms in my time, but this has to be one of the best, and it got me to thinking of the various ways in which bosses have tried to sugar coat the news that someone is to be sacked/made redundant.

Here’s a few that I’m aware of. Perhaps you have your own, even better examples.

“We’re re-balancing the workforce”

“We’ve reallocated our resources”

“We’re giving you time to pursue other options”

“We’re rightsizing the company”

“We’re giving you indefinite unpaid leave with the option to pursue new employment”

“We’re redeploying workers with excess capacity to areas where demand matches the market”

“You’re not being fired personally. We’re simply eliminating this position”

“We don’t know how this office will run without you, but as of Monday, unfortunately, we’re just going to have to try and find out”

“We’re promoting you to a position you’re more suited for, but with a different employer in the future”

“It’s not just you. Right across the company, we’re trimming the fat”

“We’re optimising our source of talent”

“We’ve taken the decision to let you spend more time with your family”

“We’re moving to a smaller office and need your chair somewhere else”

“We’re recycling our creative pool”

“We’re giving you the opportunity to be successful elsewhere”

I’d be delighted to hear of any other weird and wonderful explanations as to how you, or someone you know, has lost a job. Equally, if you’ve not already ordered copies of Julie Sheldon’s books of perceptive poetry as featured in January and February, you can contact me c/o mike.musings@outlook.com

I think he might be having us on you know Mike is always glad to hear from you at : mike.musings@outlook.com

Guess the words and Fill in the crossword ! Pitcherwits®

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 Bishop’s parking spot, understand? (3)

7 Hue’s partner is part encrypted (3)

10 Font-style antennae, say? (7)

14 Swop player on way back to the lane (3)

15 In the evening, she ate discerning fruit! (3)

Down

2 Discount outside, as far as can be seen inside (4)

3 Long ago, you held back the technique (4)

9 Plot end at the disco? (5)

12 Novello’s a bit herbivorous (4)

13 Ripping sound is good for container weight (4)

4

5

10

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

FLAMECARE’S FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN IS ON FULL HEAT!

A years’ fundraising initiative by Chesterfield-based heating engineers, FlameCare, has paid huge dividends for Ashgate Hospice

FAMILY-RUN, independent and local, FlameCare certainly ticks all the boxes in terms of ‘going over and beyond’ the call of duty. In terms of local charities, the commitment is as strong and wholehearted as ever. For instance, during the past year or so, for any new customer signing up to a central heating maintenance plan, FlameCare has donated the first month’s subscription to Ashgate Hospice.

With soaring energy bills and the need to have peace of mind for boiler maintenance and servicing, there has been a surge in take-up for FlameCare’s competitively priced plans. This has been good news all round, and especially for Ashgate Hospice, who have received a grand total of £4288.83 for all the first months’ subscriptions.

“Ashgate Hospice is close to our hearts,” said FlameCare Managing Director, Simon Fletcher. “Many of our staff have experiences of family members receiving the marvellous endof-life care, which they deserve from this amazing charity. Having the privacy and space to spend precious time with loved ones at the end of their lives is so important and special. We are thrilled to contribute to this exceptional service.”

Rachel Broughton, Senior Corporate and Community Fundraiser at Ashgate Hospice, said: “We’re so grateful for the kind and generous support of FlameCare over the last year.

“As only a third of our funding is publicly funded, we rely on the goodwill

and kindness of our supporters in order to provide our vital services to the North Derbyshire community.

“Without businesses like FlameCare choosing to support us, we simply wouldn’t be able to continue caring for the patients and their families who need us most.”

In addition to the subscriptions’ donations, FlameCare has also assisted Ashgate Hospice with the Treecycle initiative just after Christmas, and with leaflet distribution.

Simon is keen to point out that FlameCare’s commitment to Ashgate Hospice is on-going, and that the subscriptions’ donations from the maintenance plans will continue for the foreseeable future.

FlameCare bears all the hallmarks of a successful family business – longevity of staff, meticulous attention to detail, unrivalled personal service, and uncompromising integrity. On March 16th, they celebrate their twentieth anniversary. There has certainly been great progress since those days in 2003, when Simon and a colleague started out on their own.

Simon still remembers the first customers, who signed up for a boiler and central heating maintenance plan. It’s great testament to the value and efficiency of the plans that those first customers, Mr. and Mrs. Baxter, are still subscribing to the plans to this very day!

Over the years, the staff and maintenance plans have mushroomed greatly. There are now ten staff and over 2000 plans! Many of the staff, like Sam

Hudson and Sean Jones, have been there virtually from the start. Many others, like Kate Bower, have been employed there in excess of ten years. The staff is headed by husband-and-wife team, Simon and Vicky Fletcher, and all the rest are either family or close friends. They can, therefore, all rely on each other to achieve excellent results time and time again.

With the current spike in fuel bills, there has never been a more relevant time to get rid of an old inefficient boiler and replace it with a brand-new superefficient one. At Flame Care, they use Ideal Heating boilers, all of which achieve band A levels of efficiency. The good news is that all Ideal Heating boilers attain at least 93% ERP rating as standard and have a full range of controls to suit every possible need. Boilers start with a 7-year warranty and go up to a 12-year warranty. The current superb offer from FlameCare is that, for all new boiler installations, customers will also get a free Halo WiFi. The Ideal Halo Wi-Fi is an internet connected wireless programmable room thermostat, designed to work specifically with the Ideal Boiler. Halo Wi-Fi allows heating control anytime, anywhere through the flexible and intuitive Halo app.

T: 0800 0855 518

E: info@flamecare.co.uk

Above L-R: Rachel Broughton - Senior Corporate and Community Fundraiser at Ashgate Hospice, Simon Fletcher - Managing Director FlameCare, Kate Bower - Office Manager FlameCare and Vicky FletcherSales and Business Development FlameCare.

Charity number: 700636

What is “No Dig” Gardening?

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No Dig is a method of gardening that has been developed by gardening pioneers such as Charles Dowding and others to maximise crop yields, encourage plant health, and not disrupt the soil’s ecosystem. No Dig methods tend to be used by organic vegetable growers, but it has also been applied elsewhere such as growing ornamental plants and flowers.

The main principle as the name suggests is to not disturb the soil, this allows the beneficial organisms and microbes that provide plants with nutrients and moisture to thrive. This is carried out by covering your plot or bed in 10-15cm of mulch rather than digging it over. This could be compost (homemade or bought), well-rotted manure, leaf mould, or a mixture of them all. Where the plot or bed is particularly weedy you could place a few layers of clean cardboard down and then mulch over the top. This helps suppress the weeds by reducing their access to light and the cardboard will have broken down within a couple of weeks.

Once the plot or bed is covered in the mulch you can sow seeds or plant into the plot or bed straight away. Some weeding is required throughout the growing season as No Dig gardening only reduces the number of weeds, it does not eliminate them. It is always best practice to remove weeds when they are young.

During the growing season it is recommended to create your own compost from harvesting, weeding, etc to then use as mulch for the next growing season.

At the end of the growing season, the plot or bed can be cleared of plants and another 10-15cm of mulch should be added to ensure the soil life is fed. This also ensures the plot or bed is prepared and ready for the next growing season.

The additional benefits to No Dig gardening that attracted me to it were the efficient use of time, less weeding, healthier plants, healthier and higher fertility of the soil, elimination of aggressive chemical weed killers, and greater crop yields.

Daniel Gallagher

Spring Arrives Across the Region

From January onwards, the signs of spring have been in the air and all around us. The days are getting longer and warmer, and the nights shorter. The first snowdrops were out in midJanuary and since then, in both garden and in wilder places, other flowers have followed.

Celandine and coltsfoot being two of the earlier flowers to come through along with hazel catkins coming into bloom. Willow catkins also burst into life and woodland edge and smaller copses are full of early birdsong from blue tits and great tits in particular, but with blackbirds, mistle thrushes, and song thrushes joining in. In woodlands and hedgerows, there are early bursts of song from blackcaps, chiffchaffs, and from the finches such as chaffinch and greenfinch. In ancient woodlands, the great spotted woodpeckers and nuthatches announce their presence from the upper canopies of larger trees whilst treecreepers sing a high-pitched sibilant song and then creep mouselike up the bark of bigger oak trees. The persistent loud calls of nuthatches ring out across woodlands and old parks like Chatsworth or Haddon, where veteran trees provide excellent habitat.

Along bigger streams and lower-lying rivers, pied wagtails and grey wagtails have established breeding territories, and nearby, a Peak District special, the dipper produces its rattling song. The dippers fly up and downstream setting out and defending territories along the linear watercourses. Each territory ends abruptly as the neighbour’s patch starts, and the birds stop, sing and bob, and then

head back along their own stretch. The patch is marked out by good rocks or tree roots and stumps serving as song-posts. Dippers sing whilst bobbing to show off their white bib, whilst every so often dropping into the stream and going underwater to feed on small invertebrates. The aptly-named dipper both bobs and dips.

On sunny days in woodlands and in local gardens, early butterflies emerge and display along glades and rides. Green-veined white, orange-tip, peacock, small tortoiseshell, and brimstone are all species out and about early in the year. The food plants of these species are important and dame’s violet, garlic mustard, and honesty are irresistible to orange-tips and green-veined white butterflies for feeding on flowers and egg-laying. Other nectarfeeding and pollen-feeding insects are also active on warmer days with bumblebees, honeybees, and hoverflies for instance, all in search of flowers on which to feed. In the wildlife garden, part of the plan is to ensure a good supply of suitable flowers and mini-habitats to draw in and support these species. Spring is hopefully the season to enjoy the fruits of planning and construction work from the previous autumn. Indeed, flowers like honesty are great for the wildlife garden but being biennials it is a two-year project to bring them to flowering. As temperatures continue to rise, then wildlife and flowers of late spring and early summer will also be joining the early spring activity. Migrant birds will soon arrive to compete with local residents for territories, and this is reflected by the growing dawn chorus and evening chorus rising to a crescendo across the area.

Professor Ian D. Rotherham, researcher, writer, broadcaster on wildlife and environmental issues in the Peak District and elsewhere, is contactable on info@hallamec.plus.com. Follow his

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Gardener’s Calendar

Lawns should be starting to grow. If you do want to mow, put the cutters on the highest cut so you don’t damage growing shoots.

It’s also tempting to think about reseeding or laying patches where your lawn has got worn and bare over winter, but make sure the weather is starting to warm up otherwise you may be wasting your seed and effort - germination needs a bit of warmth in the soil.

Sweet peas can be planted outside now, three to each support. Field seeds such as cornflowers and poppies can also be sown, as can sunflower seeds, although the latter are susceptible to slugs so it may be worth growing in pots and transplanting them.

If you’re turning the compost ready for use make sure there’s no frogs or hedgehogs still hibernating there before you stick the spade in. If you think you have hedgehogs in the garden, try to encourage them –they’re great slug snafflers. They appreciate an offering of wet dog or