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

BRING YOUR

DOG

TO WORK DAY

23RD JUNE 2023

DELIVERY AREAS

Swanwick, Riddings, Leabrooks & Somercotes AMAZING COVERAGE!

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From the Editor

Dear Readers,

I hope you enjoyed our Coronation special last month and indeed, the Coronation itself. We’ve gone in a completely different direction for the front covers this month, as you can see! I really hope they bring a smile to your face like they did for us here in the office! It’s always difficult to follow such a strong event but as every day is ‘bring your dog to work day’ for us (Flake won’t let us leave the house without him!), we couldn’t resist! Well, isn’t this sunshine refreshing? I say that, but in about 6 weeks’ time, I’m going to be boiling hot and moaning that I can’t sleep or eat – actually, not eating might be of benefit! Question – is it just me or since joining the 39+ club, do you only need to look at a profiterole and 2 stone instantly lands on your hips? …. thinking about it, it isn’t really the looking that’s the problem is it?!

Anyhoo, we’ve had a busy old month here at Voice HQ, not really sure where time has gone – weddings, holidays, lots of outings & a 26-mile charity walk. That last one wasn’t me, that was our Office Manager Michelle & her hubby. They hopped on the bus down to London and raised money for breast cancer charities by doing the Walk the Walk, marathon Moonwalk, which is as it states, you walk through the night, past the specially illuminated landmarks of London. She did it in an awesome time to boot, 7hrs 29 mins.

Anybody who knows Michelle, knows that she is a force to be reckoned with and she smashed it as predicted and we’re all incredibly proud of them both.

Our other outings this month were Chesterfield Bowl & Trentham Monkey Forest, you may have seen us out and about via our social media? First things first, Chesterfield Bowl is an impressive hidden gem with all mod cons including air hockey (my favourite!). It’s a great place and the food was excellent – absolutely ideal for a party – or just if you want a fun night out!! We had an absolutely fabulous time, and the stars of the bowling show were Lisa and Danielle, although Liam would like me to mention that he achieved a ‘Turkey’ –whatever that is!!

Monkey Forest is very literally one of my happiest places!! I’ve been a few times before and going with the team was a real treat. I’m not a massive zoo fan, purely because of the concept of animals being contained in small spaces (I was okay with Toronto Zoo as each animal had a space the size of Berkshire to roam freely in!!) but to see Barbary Macaques wandering around freely, is just wonderful. Just to note as well, this is a very peaceful group, they are nothing like the ones in Gibraltar & the little babies were beyond cute!!

Anyways, I’m off for a Mojito (gotta be done, the sun is shining!!) we shall see you next month.

Happy Reading,

IT’S A DOG’S LIFE

It is often said that Britain is a nation of dog lovers - but what happens to our canine friends when we have to leave them at home and head out to work?

Dogs are social creatures, pack animals, and they really do not like being left alone for extended periods. Having their special human seemingly abandoned them for hours at a time must be unbearable, is it any wonder that dogs left alone are often prone to destructive tendencies? The combination of loneliness and boredom leads them to decide that “eating dad’s slippers” is a good way to pass the time!

One solution for the home alone pooch is to take them to work with you; this is becoming more common, especially in office based environments - taking your dog to work in a hospital, factory, or restaurant may not be such a good idea. Research by pet food company EUKANUBA, has revealed that almost one in ten (8%) UK employees – that’s 2.5 million people – already bring their canine companion to work.

Evidence suggests that having an office dog around can be therapeutic for the human workers (unless of course someone is allergic to dogs!). Having a dog in the office has been shown to reduce people’s stress levels, and that means all the employees, not just the dog owner.

The mere fact that a dog is there, needing love, petting and trips outside, can help deflect the mental negativity of a “heads down, crack on with it” work culture. A dog makes people stop and pause in the working day, take 5 minutes to play with the animal, stroke it, take it for short walks…

Dogs also up the humour quotient in a working day - our furry friends make us smile with their silly antics, and their presence sparks conversations. Dogs can bring a workplace together, forging relationships that may not ordinarily happen. In other words, having a dog around lightens the mood and thus improves employee mental health.

This kind of reduction in work stress levels and improvement in mental health obviously has a longer-term effect, both on individuals and the business in general. Less stressed staff means less time off with stress-related illnesses, which has the knock-on effect of increased productivity. Here are five good reasons why taking your dog to work is beneficial:

1. Dogs reduce stress

2. Dogs increase morale and team bonding

3. Dogs encourage regular breaks throughout the day

4. Dogs increase productivity in the long term

5. Dogs increase employee retention and reduce sick days

Words of warning…hard as it may be to believe, not everyone likes dogs, and some folks are downright scared of them, consider this before taking your pet to work. And, if several people in an enclosed office environment decided to bring their dogs to work, chaos could ensue - think about staggering the days.

DO YOU TAKE YOUR FURRY FRIEND TO WORK WITH YOU?

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.

All Around the Shire

When I was young, there were lotions, potions, creams and medicines in the bathroom cabinet, some of which have stood the test of time, while others have not.

Take for example Germoline. It used to come in a small tin and be applied to cuts and grazes, with or without a plaster. Its smell was so pungent that germs dare not intrude into the wound.

What was Milk of Magnesia for? We were given a spoonful of the chalky, milky mixture if we complained of tummy ache. It has now been withdrawn from sale for not complying with EU recommended sulphate levels.

Calamine lotion is still available: pink and cooling for chicken pox sufferers.

Who remembers Delrosa Rose Hip Syrup? The sticky, sweet liquid provided a vitamin boost for young children as did the welfare orange juice and dried milk.

Cod liver oil was universally disliked but helped provide a vitamin D boost - protection against developing rickets. For constipation was syrup of figs, senna pods or liquorice root. For fever, junior aspirin, crushed between two teaspoons

with a drop of milk added.

Virol was a brand of malt extract which included bone marrow and designed as a nutritional supplement for the feeding of infants. This was remembered as having a pleasant, malty flavour.

The most bizarre home remedy by far was the use of butter. On burns and bumps on the head, butter was rubbed into the affected area.

Just some memories of a childhood in which children’s health was of national importance. What are yours?

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.

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✽ 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 Warworth

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

Search ‘The Little Red Hen House’ at:

Ray Bonsall

Claire

02/9/23- Bridlington

24/9/23- Whitby

15/10/23- Shrewsbury

29/10/23- Melton Mowbray and Stamford £19.50pp

04/11/23 - Liverpool

£22.50pp

03/11/23- Birmingham

Christmas Market £21pp

09/11/23- Beverly Christmas

Market £20pp

17/12/23- York Christmas

Market £20pp Contact

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

9 Fed off fixated attempts to get back in the cab (4)

10 Alongside, in stretching out (4)

11 Stack can be safe with hospital treatment (5)

12 Pal in toxic, humble surroundings (4)

13 A while back, with a force to be excited about (4)

Down

2 Employment is a somewhat amorphous exercise (3)

3 Cut up, formerly (3)

7 Wish to happen from eternal springs? (4,3)

14 Personal boomerang post? (1,1,1)

15 Lotto ought to be reduced, also (3)

1 Took it out of the socket, but still stuck at it? (7,4)

5 Abstains from linking school head, say, with gum sticks (7)

14 What’s all this about clarets being red? (7)

1 Big cats hunting in the Alps for landfill nuisance? (7,4)

4 First red space, man? (4,7)

16 Resigned, maybe, like a transformer? (7,4)

6 Case is Mick’s: a bit earthshaking! (7)

8 Few took the earl to be in a state of general health (7)

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

COACH TOUR HOLIDAYS

ISLE OF WIGHT

Channel View Hotel, Shanklin

Sat 29th July - Sat 5th Aug

8 Days • £725

TORQUAY

Riviera Hotel

Mon 17th - Fri 21st July

5 Days • £399

EASTBOURNE

Haddon Hall Hotel

Sat 22nd - Sat 29th July

8 Days • £640

SKEGNESS

Royal Hotel

Sun 23rd - Thu 27th July

5 Days • £340

• £499

MANDY’S TRAVEL PAGE

A MUSICAL PILGRIMAGE

THE ULTIMATE ELVIS PRESLEY AND DOLLY PARTON EXPERIENCE

Hi I’m Mandy your Personal Travel Counsellor. Tap and sway in time to the unending tunes while travelling to the hometowns of two Tennessee-based stars and Americas greatest musical legends - an absolute must for music lovers!

Flights from Heathrow

9 Days

5 Breakfasts

3 & 4* Hotels

7th March 2024 - £2125pp

18th, 25th April 2024 - £2179pp

9th, 23rd May 2024 - £2179pp

6th June 2024 - £2209pp

5th, 12th, 19th, 26th September - £2179pp

3rd October - £2179pp

14th, 21st, 28th November - £2135pp

Deposits £300pp

Stay over in the foodie city of Birmingham, taking advantage of the diverse culinary scene.

Visit Tupelo, Elvis Presley’s birthplace, where there’s a chance to visit his childhood home.

Wander down Memphis’ atmospheric Beale Street, America’s most famous musical highway. Discover the musical highlights of Memphis on an optional tour, encompassing the Sun Studio and iconic Graceland, Elvis Presley’s final resting place.

Join an optional trip to the RCA Studio B in Nashville’s Music Row district and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Call at Sevierville in Sevier County, the birthplace of Dolly Parton, with her bronze life-size statue.

Spend an optional full day at the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, with more than 50 rides and award-winning entertainment. Stop off at the beautiful Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park.

Slimming World Recipe

Portuguese Peri Peri Chicken

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 220°C/fan 200°C/gas 7.

2. Put the sweet potato wedges in a medium-size non-stick roasting tin or baking tray. Stand the cobettes on a board and, using a sharp knife, carefully halve each cobette lengthways, then halve each half lengthways again to make 4 quarters – you should have 16 ribs in total. Add them to the sweet potatoes, spray everything with lowcalorie cooking spray and roast for 20 minutes.

3. While they’re cooking, put the chicken on a board and cut from the thickest side almost all of the way through horizontally, so

This recipe caught the eye immediately. Fresh, tasty, simple to prepare and delicious to eat. Perfect!

that they open up like butterflies. Sprinkle with the peri-peri and set aside. (‘Butterflying’ helps them cook quicker and capture even more of the fiery spice.) Add the chicken to the tin and roast for a further 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. While you’re waiting, mix the salsa ingredients in a small bowl and season to taste.

4. When everything’s ready, spoon the salsa around the tin and serve with the lime slices or wedges, coriander sprigs and a big salad.

Serves: 2 Ready in: 50 mins

Ingredients:

• 2 large sweet potatoes, cut into wedges

• 4 sweetcorn cobettes (or 2 corn cobs, halved)

• Low-calorie cooking spray

• 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts

• 2 level tsp periperi seasoning

For the salsa:

• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped

• 1 small red onion, finely chopped

• ½ small pack fresh coriander, finely chopped, plus sprigs to serve

• Juice of ½ lime, plus slices or wedges to serve

Syns per serving: 1/2

SOMERCOTES VILLAGE HALL

Nottingham Road, Somercotes, DE55 4HQ

PALMER MOREWOOD MEMORIAL CLUB 36 Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BU

CHRIST THE KING CHURCH HALL

Nottingham Road, Alfreton, DE55 7GL

FRIDAY MORNING

SELSTON PARISH HALL

Mansfield Road, Selston, NG16 6EE

Sue: 07738 118 130

Vintage Rambles with rafaand Flake

This month we bring back one of

A fairly difficult walk which should take you and your dog around 3 hours to complete. There are some significant uphill and downhill sections and range of terrains so please wear appropriate footwear. There are several stiles, with at least one being tricky for large dogs. There are also a couple of small sections of road, so as usual please take plenty of care.

1. Facing the church from the road, take the lane and signposted footpath to the left of the church. Continue straight ahead. Pass ‘Delph Cottage’ on your left and just prior to reaching a large metal gate, bear slightly left to continue along a footpath with a hedge on your right and a fence on your left.

2. After a short distance pass through a gap and continue ahead to reach a road. Turn left, then ignore the 1st signposted footpath on your right and just before the road bends to the left turn right onto a signposted footpath going downhill.

5. At the top of the steps, climb over a stile cross a field, staying close to a stone wall on your right. At the far side of the field climb over another stile onto a footpath.

6. Continue along the footpath with a stone wall on your right for some distance until reaching a T junction with a lane. Turn left and continue until reaching another lane on your left. At this point turn right along a bridleway opposite the lane on the left.

7. Continue with a stone wall on your left and right, then continue into some trees going gently uphill for some distance. Then, when you enter a clearing, pass through a gap in a fence and ignoring any paths bearing left or right to continue straight ahead going steep uphill.

8. At the top of the hill, at a marker post, ignore the path going steep uphill and to the right. Continue straight ahead to descend for a short distance and as the footpath levels out continue until taking a signposted bridleway, turning sharp to the left and downhill.

9. Continue along the bridleway, downhill with a stone wall on your right. Follow the path twisting and winding downhill and pass a tall chimney stack on your right. Continue to twist and wind downhill until passing a stone cottage on your right and then the path turns into a lane.

10. Pass some farm buildings on your left and then after the lane levels out you turn left along a lane on your left and continue going gently uphill. Pass a water treatment plant on your left and continue, ignoring a signposted footpath on your left.

11. Just prior to reaching a large house on your right, turn right through a gap to join a signposted footpath. Continue ahead with a wall on your left

and a fence on your right. Pass through another gap to pass through some trees.

12. Continue for some distance until reaching a marker post on your right. Follow the arrow on the marker post straight ahead and continue to cross straight over a crossroads of footpaths, with a fence on both sides.

13. Continue to cross over two wooden footbridges and eventually passing between some houses. Climb down some steps and then continue straight ahead and steep downhill along a tarmac lane.

14. Upon reaching a T junction, turn right, then, just prior to reaching a road, turn right to step over a low stone wall to continue along a footpath, keeping a river on your left.

15. Continue to pass through a gap. Ignore the path crossing over the river on your left and continue straight ahead, with the river on your left. Continue until the path bears right and begins to move away from the river, then, take the next path on your left.

16. After a short distance pass through a gap and thread between a pub and a stone cottage. At a single-track road turn right. Pass ‘Brookside Cottage’ and ‘Oakfield House on your right, and then after passing a stone cottage on your left follow the road around to the right and continue uphill. When the road bends sharp left turn off to continue straight ahead along a footpath.

17. Continue for some distance to cross over a crossroads of paths and then to cross over a lane with a cattle grid and two stone pillars on your right. After a short distance then turn right along a signposted bridleway going downhill.

18. Continue to the bottom of the hill and ahead to cross over a stone river bridge and then follow the path going uphill. Continue until you pass between some houses and to a road. Turn left along the road for a short distance and just prior to a road on your right, and opposite ‘The Old Poets Corner’ pub, turn right onto a signposted footpath going up a driveway towards some houses.

19. Pass the houses on your right and then pass to the left of a large wooden gate. After a very short distance turn left and pass through a small wooden gate into a field. Cross the field and at the far side pass through another small wooden gate and turn left onto a path with a wall on your right and a hedge on your left. Continue straight ahead along the path until reaching a road and the church.

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.

Out & About at

The Voice Magazines team had a blast recently when they were invited to Chesterfield Bowl for an afternoon of fun, food, and games. Having parked up in the ample car park, as soon as we arrived, we were greeted with the sound of crashing pins and the aroma of delicious food wafting from the bowling alley’s kitchen.

After grabbing some tasty snacks and drinks from the bar, the Voice Magazines crew laced up our bowling shoes and hit the lanes. Eager to show off our skills and see who would come out on top. The competition was fierce, with plenty of laughs and friendly banter to go around.

Chesterfield Bowl offers more than just 16 lanes of bowling. Visitors can also enjoy a licensed bar, a piazza café, three American pool tables, and video games. We battled it out on air hockey and other classic games in the arcade. It was the perfect way to unwind after a long day at the office. Overall, Chesterfield Bowl provides a wide range of entertainment options for everyone to enjoy.

Of course, all that fun and excitement worked up our appetites. Luckily, the kitchen at Chesterfield Bowl was more than up to the task of satisfying our hunger (and we all know the Voice Team can eat!). The team was presented with a massive platter of mouthwatering food, featuring all sorts of delicious options. From juicy chicken fillets and crispy fries to other comfort food classics, the team indulged in a feast that hit the spot after all that activity. The scrumptious spread was a perfect complement to the fun and games, and the team left feeling completely satisfied.

As the day wound down, the team reflected on what a great time we had had. We had made memories, bonded with each other, and most importantly, had a lot of fun. We were already talking about when they could come back for another visit.

So, if you’re looking for a fun, friendly place to spend an afternoon or evening, look no further than Chesterfield Bowl. With great food, tons of games, and an all-around good time, it’s the perfect spot to let loose and have some fun.

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Book Review

Barbara Kingsolver has been writing brilliant novels for years. And her most recent – Demon Copperhead - has just won the Pulitzer Prize and been shortlisted for this year’s Women’s Prize for Fiction.

It’s basically a re-working of Dickens’ novel David Copperfield. Kingsolver has described it as a contemporary adaptation and it tells of red-headed Demon’s journey from being born to a teenaged single mother, brought up living in a trailer home, taken into foster care and onward and upward with side slips into downward.

In true Dickensian style it’s passionate, rightly angry, moving and full of humour and totally convincing. And it’s uplifting. It’s set in the Appalachian Mountains in the US – an area with more than its share of problems and this is a very modern take on the age-old story of a child growing up in a challenging world.

The characters are flamboyant. You get so involved with the main character that it’s at times painful to read. He’s got real charm, he may have a lousy start but he’s a fighter and you so much want him to win through. It is superb immersive storytelling and one of those books that as a reader you have to give your full emotional response to.

ALFRETON & DISTRICT HERITAGE TRUST A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL WILLIAM MAURICE

A previous article told the story of the Tibshelf Ambulance Corps. One Officer during its existence was Mr. William Maurice, Colliery Manager at Tibshelf Top Pits which were owned by the Babbington Colliery Company.

William was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, in 1872 and was educated locally. He then went on to study engineering at Manchester Technical College and his technical training brought him to Derby where he was employed by John Davis & Son, themselves Mining Engineers and his work there took him to South Africa.

On his return to England in 1894, he became an Electrical Engineer at Swanwick Colliery but was soon appointed as Assistant to the Manager, under whom he later qualified to become a Colliery Manager First Class. Very talented and hard working he was keen to harness the further use of electricity to improve the safety and working conditions of his fellow Colliers.

It was on the 10th January, 1899 that William was appointed as Manager, at what was then termed, Tibshelf New Collieries (No.3 and No.4 Pits) and it was then

that his association with the Ambulance Corps began. Still keenly interested in improving the lot of his fellow workers, it was in 1900 his paper on Accident Prevention was published by the Institute of Mining Engineers.

He had a passionate belief in electricity for both lighting and engineering as being the only way forward for mine safety and efficiency and in 1912, following a spell at Hucknall Colliery, became Manager of The Wolf Safety Lamp Company of Leeds. In 1916 William was able to purchase the Company and they then moved to Sheffield where they continue in business to this day although sadly, due to the decline in mining, Safety Lamps and Mining Lighting is no longer the focus.

The Company is still a family business, in existence for well over 100 years, based on hard work and innovative product development. A true memorial to its founder, William Maurice, who sadly died in 1951.

Maurice Wolf

The Maurice-Wolf Alkaline Lamp 1915

Mike’sMusings

Mike is back with a tall tale and a punchline that will have you wincing! Enjoy!

Mike is always glad to hear from you at : mike.musings@outlook.com

A tale of how the consumption of alcohol can lead to foolhardy outcomes

A stranger walked into an Alfreton bar and saw a large Bells Whisky bottle on the counter. As it appeared to be stuffed full of £20 notes he was understandably intrigued and after ordering a drink asked the barman if it was a charity jar.

“No,” came the reply, “the money can be won by any customer if they pass three tests and providing they put £20 in the jar, they can take part. It’s open to anyone and you can have a go. I reckon that there must be over £12,000 in there now.”

“What are the tests?” asked the stranger.

“Well,” replied the barman, “you must first put your £20 in the jar. It’s non-returnable though. Those are the rules.”

The stranger thought about it for a while, and after another drink, stuffed a £20 note into the jar, before asking, “Well, what are the rules?”

“OK,” said the barman, “here’s what you do. You must pay for and drink a half bottle of whisky in less than a minute without pulling a face. Then, out the back there is a pit bull chained up. He’s suffering badly from an infected tooth and you have to remove it with your bare hands. Many have tried and failed in the past, but you look capable. Finally, my elderly maiden aunt, who has never ‘been with a man’ will be waiting expectantly

upstairs and you can have the honour of ‘being the first.”

“Ach, a’hm no daeing that. A’hm no an eedjit,” replied the stranger. NB – did I say he came from Arbroath? “Ye’ve jist coast me twenty poonds.”

After a while, and a few more drinks, he changed his mind however, and handed over the money for the half bottle which he downed in 58 seconds flat. Tears were streaming down his cheeks as he staggered out the back door to find the chainedup pit bull.

He’d gone for about ten minutes during which time, those left in the bar could hear loud growling and blood curling screaming. Some felt quite squeamish, especially when the noise gradually ceased and a deathly silence followed.

Just as they were thinking that yet another ‘punter’ had succumbed to the challenge, the stranger came staggering back into the bar. His clothes had been ripped to shreds, with blood seeping from the many cuts and gashes all over his body.

With eyes shining brightly however, he looked straight at the bar and triumphantly, albeit somewhat drunkenly, enquired of the barman, “Noo, whaur’s thon lassie wi’ the bad tooth?”

RASCALS LIFESAVERS OFF TO A GREAT START IN 2023

RASCALS - Top of the Medal table at the RLSS Nationals at Liverpool and Top Youth Team at the SLSGB Nationals at Cardiff – it certainly has been a very successful time for our competitive Lifesavers.

It was with great excitement that March saw the Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) hold the National Speed Lifesaving Championships at the Aquatics Centre, Liverpool. The Nationals is always an eagerly awaited event and this year was no exception with over 39 clubs from all over the UK and Ireland competing, not only for National titles but selection times for the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships taking place in Canada this year. Broadcast live on the RLSS Facebook page, RASCALS showcased superb individual and team performances that tested skill, strength, and stamina. Two long days of competition resulted in the most impressive medal haul – 26 Gold, 14 Silver and 9 Bronze events – a staggering 104 individual medals including relays!! There it was - RASCALS Top of the Medal Table! A fantastic result! Congratulations on their first major National Lifesaving Competition to Hannah Murphy, Maddie Hurst, Harry Minns, Hannah Reast, Emily Hodginkson, Samuel Malcolm, Harriet Moores, Sophie Hodgkinson and Jack Brough.

Two weeks later, it was back to Wales for 19 of our lifesavers to compete in the Surf Life Saving GB (SLSGB) Nationals in Cardiff - another popular gathering of very familiar faces among the 29 teams competing. While Sunday races targeted the Open age group, Saturday saw a very full day of Youth competitions (under 19 yrs). It was a tremendously exciting day of individual and relay races. Competition records were broken with younger competitors Tobias Watson and Riley Baxter taking Gold and Silver in the 13yrs 50m Manikin Carry. Another gold in the 100m Manikin Carry with fins, saw Tobias shave 5 seconds off the existing competition record. Ben Holmes took home his first individual Nationals medal!! More celebrations followed when RASCALS was declared SLSGB Nationals top Youth Club at the end of Saturdays competition – a first for our club!

Head Coach Daniel Woodthorpe could hardly contain his joy, “I am so proud of them all – we’ve never done that before!”. Congratulations RASCALS !

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 squad at the 2023 RLSS UK National Speed Championships in Liverpool

RASCALS – Top Youth team SLSGB Cardiff

Gorse brings colour to moors and heaths across the Peak

One of the region’s most spectacular flowers is something we often take for granted and indeed, barely notice, the common gorse. In the Peak and North Derbyshire, we have two gorse species, the common gorse (a big, bold, brash shrub), and the western gorse (an altogether more subdued species). As its name suggests, the latter is rather restricted to western Britain and so we are on the eastern edge of its distribution, and it is not so common. The name ‘gorse’ comes from AngloSaxon ‘gorst’, and its alternative name ‘furze’ from ‘fyrs’, also Anglo-Saxon. Place-names like Fir Vale in Sheffield derive not from conifer trees but from ‘furze’ on the common, from a time when this plant was very important to local people and the rural economy. This was when most people, and especially the poorer ones, relied on the heath and common for their subsistence.

Being so abundant, gorse was significant to people and figured in folk culture. It was said that ‘when gorse is not in bloom, then kissing is out of season’, the reason of course being that this shrub flowers all year round. That said, its main flowering period is in spring when it can be truly spectacular. Indeed, in times past, before urban sprawl and ‘improved’ farming swept away most of our heaths and commons, the swathes of bright yellow across the landscape were amazing spectacles. It was said that Swedish botanist

Carl Linnaeus, one of the key founders of modern natural history and scientific botany, came to Britain and was profoundly affected by the vista when first seeing gorse in bloom. Not found as a native eastward into Europe, gorse is a denizen of the western seaboard. Linnaeus visiting from Sweden had never seen it en masse before. When shown an entire landscape covered in the yellow of common gorse on Putney Heath, he fell to his knees and gave thanks to Almighty God!

Along with being visually spectacular, gorse or furze, was also especially useful to medieval communities in some places until the 1900s. Many farms in Derbyshire and the Peak would have had ‘furze fields’ where gorse seed was scattered on poorer land to grow gorse. It grew in abundance on poor, sandy soils (because it ‘fixes’ or traps atmospheric nitrogen using nodules in its roots), and thus was a great provider of forage for grazing livestock. Put through a gorse shredder or cutter, the resulting greenery was fed to the animals. Along with this, gorse burns ferociously and cleanly to leave little ash. It was therefore good at starting fires (as kindling), and for communal baking ovens or cloams. The bottom slice of a baked loaf was cut off with its ash, but the rest was good to go. Gorse made good temporary fencing on open land such as common or heath, and when seen in hedgerows today, it often indicates a one-time heathland. Bundled up and tied to a long stick, you could use it to sweep your chimney, a practice described for the Hope Valley in Derbyshire.

Gorse is also excellent habitat for birds such as whinchats, stonechats, yellowhammers, and meadow pipits.

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.

LESSONS FROM OUR FIRST YEAR ALLOTMENTEERING

Despite having a family allotment plot, in various locations, for over 30 years, the 2022 season was the first we’ve been solely responsible for planning, planting, maintaining, and harvesting from our plot. To say it was a learning curve was an understatement. We started the season on the backfoot, with a plot that was overrun with weeds, no plan, and a tin full of inherited seeds. After years of moaning about every windowsill in the house being filled with germinating seedlings, we went one better and moved the staging of a portable greenhouse into our spare room!

As well as the usual allotment culprits we also attempted to grow a few more unusual specimens including Loofahs. When it comes to growing slightly more unusual plants, we found that the internet, in particular Instagrammers/ bloggers to be useful. To get the loofahs to germinate, we followed instructions provided by @Chicksandveg. We cut the end off the seeds using nail clippers and placed them in between moistened kitchen roll placed in a plastic bag in the airing cupboard. We checked the seeds daily and saw germination within a week. Once the seeds had sprouted, they were placed in a pot of compost in a propagator until the true leaves had emerged. Once the plants had a couple of sets of leaves they were transferred into an unheated greenhouse. Be warned if you decide to have a go at growing loofahs, they take up a lot of space and you become a bit obsessive in checking for the co-appearance of male and female flowers! After a lot of waiting, we finally got 6 fruits which we managed to dry out and use as pan scourers. Fingers crossed we at least match last year’s efforts this year!

We had mixed successes with the more traditional allotment crops not helped by the exceptional heatwave we experienced in

2022! Hurst greenshaft peas proved themselves cropping well, but our greatest disappointment was our sweetcorn which failed to grow more than a couple of feet tall and then a mouse ate all the cobs! We also learnt the hard way that garlic crops need to be overwintered; we accidentally mixed up our onion sets meaning for lucky dip harvesting and without realising sowed climbing French beans as well as normal ones explaining why we had tall plants in the middle of our French bean row! We were given a lot of advice from our fellow allotmenteers and we found by observing when people are planting crops and following them you can’t go far wrong! But our biggest bit of advice for fellow newbies is to just have a go and enjoy the process, it doesn’t have to be perfect. This year we are having a go at companion planting, and we hope to build on our successes from last year.

by Shirley Ward

LEABROOKS ALLOTMENT-SHOP

SOME GREAT GARDEN ROOM IDEAS FOR THIS SUMMER

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We should be safe to put summer bedding plants out now and the key to getting a brilliant show is to add some slow release feed when you plant...

unless you’re planting into fresh compost which often has nutrients to encourage growth. Then remember to keep watering until established and in periods of hot dry weather –Water in the morning if possible. A good drench is better than small amounts frequently. Evening watering is next best although it can encourage slugs as the ground will be wet overnight. Preferably don’t water in the middle of the day, it can scorch blooms. Hanging baskets dry out fast and water retaining gel can help counter this.

It might seem odd to talk about pruning when so much is bursting into flower, but there are some shrubs which need it now if you’re going to get the best out of them next year. These include those which flower in spring such as philadelphus (mock orange) forsythia and flowering currant. In order to get a good blossom show year on year they need to be cut back as soon as they’ve finished flowering. Take out dead or damaged stems to ground level and prune up to a quarter of old stems to near the base. On stems which have flowered this year, cut back to a lower strong growth.

If you have still got tulip foliage remaining in pots, and with this year’s cold start to the season that’s quite possible, it’s a good move to lift and plant them in a border. This not only frees up the pot for summer planting, but tulip bulbs which might show again next year have a better chance if fed with tomato feed and given a new home. Leave them in