Voice Magazines - Selston, Pinxton, Jacksdale & Westwood Edition - July 2023

From the Editor

was a casualty, but we think/hope she can be saved and regain her glorious form in future years!

Oh and Mr Emily has (after 25yrs) finally talked me into picking up a hockey stick again and attending Mansfield & Ashfield Aztecs Hockey Club summer rush hockey. They are great clubs and they are doing some great initiatives for everyone of all ages over the summer, so I highly recommend. My only word of caution, which I am disgracefully and not remotely coming to terms with, is that my 39+1 body of a tubby cherub, apparently refuses to accept what is being asked of it and throwing, what can only be described as, ‘a wobbler’ every time I ask it to do something physical! Who knew that the new ‘Eau de Parfum’ of the 39+1 club is Deep Heat!!

Anyhoo, I hope you enjoy watching the Women’s (football) World Cup this month – based on the success of England’s ladies at the Euro’s last year, it should be good viewing.

Oooh and don’t forget to take a look at our ‘Summer Sizzler’ to help you entertain the kids/ grandkids this summer – it’s a good one!

Happy Reading!

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THE BE AUTIFUL GAME

It may seem that the women’s game is a relatively new thing - at least so far as popularity is concerned, but there is in fact a somewhat “hidden history”, let me explain.

From the late 18th century there are reports describing annual football matches involving the fisherwomen of Musselburgh and Inveresk in Scotland. These matches would have been informal, with no ratified rules - as was true in the men’s game at this point.

The Football Association came into being in 1863, and by the late 19th century women wanted to establish their own teams and leagues. The earliest known match was played at Easter Road, Edinburgh, in May 1881. It was an international match between Scotland and England with Scotland winning 3-0.

The popularity of the women’s game grew…as did the resistance to it! Check out this quote from the London Daily News, 5 March 1895:

It is a great game, and a manly game, and deservedly popular. It must not, however, be forgotten that it was originated and improved by strong young men, and only by strong young men can it with any safety be regularly played

In the face of such misogyny women’s football faded away for a while, only to stage a dramatic resurgence during WW1. With the men’s game suspended, the FA allowed the women’s game to use the facilities and grounds of their male counterparts and attendances soared. Tens of thousands of people attended matches across the UK raising funds for effort in the process.

After the war the popularity of the women’s game was seen as something of a threat to the men. Equivalent men’s games drew much smaller crowds than the women. There were even claims that the ladies were using charity fundraising (millions was raised during the war) to pay the players - a claim strenuously denied.

In December 1921 the FA banned all female footballers from playing and using league pitches and facilities. The financial allegations were cited as the reason, but as the following

comment was recorded, I think we can safely say that at the heart of the issue was the male ego.

Complaints having been made as to football being played by women, Council feel impelled to express their strong opinion that the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and should not be encouraged.

And that could have been that, except ladies football proved popular throughout the world and thus continued. The home nations have now (gratefully) re-embraced women footballers and the game is arguably even more popular than in the early 20th century.

With the Lionesses currently champions of Europe, who can discount them becoming World Champions in this summer’s World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand?

Football may finally be coming home, AFTER ALL, LIONESSES ARE THE HUNTERS!

Women’s football has come a long way in the past few years hasn’t it? In fact I heard a male commentator actually describe the English team as “European Cup Winners” without prefacing the statement with “ladies”.

THE LITTLE RED HEN HOUSE NORTHUMBERLAND

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✽ Close to a range of dog friendly pubs, cafes and restaurants in stunning Warworth

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

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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

7 She’s ‘L.N.’ so to speak! (5)

8 A rota designed for red vessel (5)

14 Sunlight said to lift (5)

15 Plead a cause that’s faded (5)

Down

2 Lute played around the heart of England for the net (5)

3 Managed and kept going (3)

5 It’s a mistake to follow a trial (5)

12 Give a view from a Chopin extract (5)

13 “Gotta run” from cowgirl. However, I’ll do it (5)

9 Charles to cart off stuff? That’s a bit thick!

16 It’s sad to play a hymn with a ‘cello (10)

15 Pale violet colour beginning to look like plastic (3) ANSWERS

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

ELM TREES IN THE LANDSCAPE

This decline is a likely result of the ravaging effects of a recent wave of Dutch elm disease which has affected all of the UK’s elms, killing many mature trees and preventing new trees from growing. Despite its name, the English may well have been introduced into the UK during the Bronze Age, or may only be native in Southern England. Those that do survive send out new shoots and eventually regrowth occurs. If the dreaded disease appears then anything above 2 meters will be affected once more, giving little chance for the towering elms trees we once knew.

HOW TO IDENTIFY

Elms can be recognised by their asymmetrical, oval leaves that are toothed around the edges and have very short stalks; they also produce winged fruit.The English elm has smaller, rounder leaves than wych elm.

DISTRIBUTION

Widespread but scattered distribution in England and Wales and now commonly found more as a hedgerow bush. Often found on farmland, townscapes and mixed woodland environs.

DID YOU KNOW?

Historically, elms have been regularly associated with death, perhaps due to their readiness to drop massive branches without warning, or due to the use of their wood for coffins.

WHAT IS DUTCH ELM

The disease (Dutch elm disease DED) devastated elms throughout Europe and much of North America in the second half of the 20th century. It derives its name “Dutch” from the first description of the disease and its cause in the 1920s by Dutch botanists Bea Schwarz and Christina Johanna Buisman. Owing to its geographical isolation and effective quarantine enforcement,Australia has so far remained unaffected by DED, as have the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia in western Canada.

DED is caused by a microfungus transmitted by two species of Scolytus elm-bark beetles, which act as vectors. The disease affects all species of elms native to North America and Europe, but many Asiatic species have evolved antifungal genes and are resistant. Fungal spores, introduced into wounds in the tree caused by the beetles, invade the vascular system. The tree responds by producing something called tyloses, effectively blocking the flow from roots to leaves.

Please get in touch if you have anything you would like to share about Elm Trees. Contact Richard Godley on 07854 646 742

Mature English elms were once common on the rich, farmed soils of middle England, but are now rarely found as trees and are more common as hedgerow shrubs.

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Slimming World Recipe

Zesty Salmon Pasta

Method

1. Cook the pasta according to the pack instructions, then drain and return to the pan, reserving 100ml of the pasta cooking water.

2. Meanwhile, spray a wide non-stick frying pan with low-calorie cooking spray and place over a mediumhigh heat. Add the salmon chunks and cook for 1-2 minutes or until just cooked, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a plate.

3. Add the peppers, garlic and green beans to the frying pan and cook for 6-8

For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk

Fresh, light and tempting. This dish is perfect for a Summer picnic or as a delicious dinner.

minutes or until tender and lightly charred, stirring often. Add to the salmon cubes and mix gently.

4. Toss the salmon mixture through the pasta and stir in the fromage frais, lemon zest, chopped watercress and as much of the pasta water as you need to make a good sauce. Season lightly and divide between plates or shallow bowls. Scatter over the reserved watercress sprigs and serve with the lemon wedges for squeezing over.

Serves: 4 Ready in: 25 mins

Ingredients:

• 500g dried fusilli pasta

• Low-calorie cooking spray

• 4 skinless and boneless salmon fillets, cut into bite-size chunks

• 2 peppers (any colours), deseeded and chopped

• 1 garlic clove, crushed

• 300g green

beans, trimmed and halved

• 100g fat-free natural fromage frais

• 1 large unwaxed lemon, zested and cut into wedges

• Small bag of watercress, a few sprigs reserved, the rest chopped

Syns per serving: FREE

PINXTON & SOUTH NORMANTON: HISTORY GROUP OLD PINXTON COLLIERY

Although it was given a singular name, Old Pinxton Colliery was in fact multiple shafts located in the area running from modern day Victoria Road to approx. one hundred yards east of Town Street (nearly to the line of the M1. These pits all worked the Top Hard seam from approximately the year 1800 to 1844 when Langton Colliery was sunk. Most of the small pits were sunk in a North - South line to the rear of ‘Pinxton Street’ until 1841 when it was re-named ‘Town Street’.

The most northern shaft was situated just east of the M1 and south of Brookhill Lane. This pit was confined to supplying coal for Brookhill Hall. I suppose you know you have arrived when you have your own coal mine to supply your heating requirements - the Cokes had plenty of fire-grates to justify this, however.

The largest, longest lasting and most important of ‘Pinxton Old Colliery’, shafts was The Green Engine pit. The remnants of this shaft were still visible until the motorway was constructed in 1965. In its latter years it was an important pumping station to keep Langton Colliery workings free of water. An extensive and expensive scheme was embarked upon in 1925, the work of which was the subject of a technical presentation being given to Members of the Institution of Mining Engineers

The End of An Era

Sleight No. 1 This shaft was filled-in October 1961

Sleights 2 was capped in October 1967. It last produced coal in 1948

Sleights 3 As a lad I used to bike from South Normanton - the grey-blue slag waste was dumped in mounds and were perfect for riding around. When I was working at Brookhill around 1959 Syd Vardy, Brookhlll Colliery Manager, got badly burned. He was there with Jim Searson, the Safety Officer, when the mound he was standing

suddenly collapsed. It was only the quick thinking of Jim that pulled him out to safety. The slag heaps had been lowly burning due to internal combustion that only a thin crust remained. A few before I had been riding my bike around these dunes. No doubt some people still remember No. 3 shaft being ‘railed off’. The shaft was eventually filled in, in August 1965 Numbers 4 and 5 shafts were due north of No. 3, near to the line of the A38 road. No. 4 was filled in June 1930 and No. 5 shaft in October 1930. I believe it was No. 4 pit that was nicknamed ‘The Bread-and-Butter Pit’ because the quality of coal and conditions were so bad, it was only worked when the demand for coal was very high.

The remaining Sleights shaft, No. 6, was ‘capped’ and a safety fence erected in October 1961. This detail has been taken from an official NCB plan in the possession of the author and dated 3rd March 1968

There was one more shaft in this area of the village, which should be mentioned - that of the Old Persevere pump engine. This was filled in October 1967.

Written by Norman Taylor on behalf of The Pinxton and South Nornanton Local History Society.

Monthly meeting on 3rd Monday at 7.15pm at The Post Mill Centre

WHY NOT GIVE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE A VISIT? PINXTON AND SOUTH NORMANTON HISTORY GROUP.

Sleights Pit no. 2

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Monkey’ing Around at

Calling all monkey lovers! Recently, the team at Voice Magazine was invited to visit Trentham Monkey Forest, and let us tell you, it was an experience like no other.

The Monkey Forest is home to over 140 Barbary macaques who roam free in a 60-acre woodland. As we entered the forest, we were immediately greeted by the playful monkeys, swinging from tree to tree and enjoying their natural habitat. It was like stepping into a scene from a movie, where monkeys were the stars.

The staff at the Monkey Forest were just as impressive as the monkeys themselves. They were knowledgeable and passionate about the conservation of the Barbary macaques and their environment. We were constantly in awe of their dedication to preserving the natural habitat of these intelligent and fascinating creatures.

As we walked through the forest, the staff were always on hand with interesting facts and information about each monkey, knowing them all by name. It was evident that they had a deep understanding and respect for these animals, which made the experience all the more enriching.

One thing that stood out to us was the Monkey Forest’s commitment to replicating the monkeys’ natural environment as much as possible. They had created a beautiful and expansive forest space, complete with streams and rocks, giving the macaques plenty of space to roam and play.

Overall, our visit to Trentham Monkey Forest was an unforgettable experience. We left with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and intelligence of Barbary macaques and a deep respect for the staff who work tirelessly to protect them.

Trentham Monkey Forest offers ample free parking, a Jungle gift shop, a café, two adventure playgrounds, a Willow Maze, information rooms, picnic areas, and VIP Experiences. Explore hidden trails, enjoy a meadow walk, and get up close with monkeys. It’s a perfect family day out!

If you haven’t already visited, we highly recommend taking a trip to Trentham Monkey Forest. It’s a fun and educational day out for the whole family, and you’ll leave with memories that will last a lifetime.

SUDOKU #36

Fill

all the numbers!

Vintage Rambles with rafaand Flake

This month’s walk is one of my favourites and perfect for a nice summers day. The walk begins at the Creswell Crags Museum Car Park, where there is a nice café if you need refuelling before or after the walk. We head east past the Welbeck Estate across Gouldsmeadow Lake and into White Deer Park before bearing north. Upon reaching the edge of Worksop Manor Park we turn east bearing towards Hodthorpe and then back south towards Cresswell

7.5 MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM CRESSWELL CRAGGS

A medium length walk which should take you and your dog around 3-4 hours to complete. There are a few short sections of road so please take care. Most of the walk is on paths and trails but please wear appropriate footwear and please follow the countrys

1. With your back to the car park entrance walk to the far end to pass a memorial on your left. Ignore a bridleway on your left and walk ahead through a small wooden gate and along a lane.

2. After some distance pass through a small wooden gate to reach a road. Cross over and pass through a gap adjacent to a large metal gate and continue along a tarmac lane and signposted bridleway.

3. After some distance pass a stone house and a marker post on your right. Cross a crossroads of lanes and pass a marker post on your left.

4. After some distance, at a yellow marker post on your right follow the arrow to turn 90 degrees left. Walk along a grassy path with trees on your right and open views on your left.

5. After the trees end continue with a fence on your right. When the fence ends continue ahead with trees on your right and then eventually trees on both sides. Walk through the trees until you reach a T junction of paths with a yellow marker post on your right.

6. Turn right to continue along a lane. After a short distance at a T junction turn left to follow the arrow

STAYCATION OFFERS

EXCITING SUMMER NEWS

Summer is blooming and so is our business so we are branching out!

Due to a huge increase in desire for our beautiful creations, which are designed by our highly skilled florists, we are now sending our fantastic flowers countrywide!

Watch out for our website coming soon. For now, please give us a call on 01623 553736

World Famous Major Oak in Sherwood Forest VISIT THE

The Major Oak is the biggest oak tree in Britain and is thought to be between 800 and 1,000 years old. The world-famous tree weighs an estimated 23 tonnes, has a girth of 10 metres (33ft) and boasts an impressive canopy that reaches a whopping 28 metres (92ft). Legend has it that the mighty oak not only provided Robin Hood with shelter, it was also the place where he and his Merry Men hid and camped on their adventures.

15 minute walk from the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre

Rafa has Rambled around here, check out his walk from our back issues!

WE ARE HERE for your days out this Summer! www.midlandrailway-butterley.co.uk

COLOUR RUN

16TH SEPTEMBER 2023

MARKEATON PARK, DERBY RUN, WALK OR DANCE THROUGH A 5K COLOUR EXPLOSION!

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ADULT: £25 CHILD: £12.50

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EASY ETON MESS

Method

With strawberries, creamy yogurt and crushed meringue, the sweet and simple SLIMMING WORLD ETON MESS recipe is like summer in a bowl!

Ingredients

1. Roughly chop the strawberries, place half in a blender and purée until smooth. Transfer to a bowl with the strawberry yogurt and stir to mix well.

2. Place the remaining chopped strawberries in a bowl, add the fromage frais and sweetener and stir to mix well. Add this mixture to the strawberry purée mixture and swirl through to create a marbled effect.

3. Fold in the crushed meringue and divide the mixture between 4 chilled dessert glasses. Serve immediately, decorated with chopped strawberries.

400g strawberries, plus a few finely chopped strawberries to decorate

320g any no-added-sugar, fat-free strawberry yogurt

400g fat-free natural fromage frais

1 level tbsp sweetener

4 meringue nests, roughly crushed

3½ Syns per serving

10 minutes

Serves 4

MANYHOWOF YOUITEMEACHCAN SEE?

Put answersyour in the circles

on a yellow marker post. After a short distance and upon reaching a large metal gate directly in front of you, turn left following the arrow on a yellow marker post.

7. Walk along a stone path with Gouldsmeadow lake on both sides. When the stone path ends continue along a footpath crossing through open fields in White Deer Park until reaching some trees.

8. Pass a yellow marker post on your left and then pass through a small wooden gate. Immediately after, turn right following the arrow on a marker post. Pass through a small wooden gate and then turn immediately left following a sign for a bridleway.

9. Pass a house on your left, then upon reaching a T junction of paths, ignore the signposted bridleway to the right and turn left. After a very short distance turn right through a small wooden gate adjacent to a large wooden gate along a signposted footpath to ‘Worksop’.

10. You will pass a house on your right and then along the footpath through woodland. Eventually the path turns into a lane and after some distance you will exit the woodland. Keep ahead along a lane with a hedge on your right and open fields on your left, then with a hedge on both sides.

11. After some distance, at a crossroads of lanes, turn left along a lane with a hedge on both sides. Upon reaching a large wooden gate directly in front of you turn left to cross over a stile.

12. Continue with trees on your right and open fields on your left. After a short distance turn right onto a marked path to cross over a wooden footbridge. Look carefully as it may be a bit hidden. Then walk up some steps and then continue with trees on your right and open fields on your left.

13. Keep ahead to pass through a large gap from this field to the next. Immediately after a wooden gate turn right to pass through a gap in the hedge to follow a signposted footpath. Continue along the edge of the field then after some distance turn 90 degrees left following a signposted footpath to cross an open field.

14. Upon reaching a T junction with a lane turn right and then left to pass through a gap in a hedge. Keep ahead to cross an open field. At the far side cross over a stile onto a main road. Cross straight over the main road and then pass through a metal gate into a field.

15. Continue straight, across an open field going gently uphill. At the far side pass through a metal gate and then continue along a lane. Pass 2 houses on your right then ignore the footpath ahead of you and follow the lane around to the left. Continue along the lane going downhill to a road.

16. Turn right along the road and just after passing a 7.5t weight limit sign, turn left along a lane passing a signboard for ‘Hall Leys Farm’. Follow the lane as it bends sharp to the right then turn left along a signposted footpath to cross an open field.

17. Pass through a gap in a hedge to cross another open field. At the far side of the field pass through a gap in the hedge to cross another open field. At at the far side of the field cross over a footbridge and pass through a gap onto a road.

18. Cross the road to continue along a single-track road and signposted footpath, passing houses on both sides until reaching a T junction of roads. Turn right. The road turns into a lane and then narrows into a footpath and you will pass a wooden footbridge on your right.

19. Continue with a stream on your right for a short distance, then turn left through a gap, onto a footpath. Follow the path sharp left, then sharp right and downhill.

20. At the bottom continue with a fence on both sides, then follow the path sharp to the right to continue with a fence on the right and a hedge on the left. Upon reaching a large metal gate directly in front of you turn left through a small wooden gate, cross straight over a road and pass through a gap adjacent to a large wooden gate onto a lane.

21. After some distance the lane turns into a footpath and eventually you will reach a main road. Turn right and after a short distance turn right along a lane and signposted bridleway. Pass through a small wooden gate adjacent to a large metal gate and continue along the lane.

22. After some distance pass through a small wooden

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.

advertise please call Voice Team on 01773 549 035

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Robert Harris doesn’t write boring books. His latest, Act of Oblivion, takes true events from the 17th century and turns them into a clever, tense and thoroughly modern thriller which is a masterclass in storytelling.

If you’re looking for a tale to grip you on the beach or chilling on your staycation this might just fit the bill.

His stories always have a fair bit of intellectual weight but they never fail to entertain and grab your attention. This one involves a manhunt across continents for two men responsible for the execution of King Charles II.

It’s full of political intrigue and might even make you think you could be tempted to do a bit of historical research into the period yourself. And there are some interesting and amusing present-day parallels to be trawled for. But Harris manages always to humanise his characters, giving the reader sometimes teasing insights into what makes his protagonists tick and leaving us to make connections - always fun.

Good immersive reading. He does write well.

SWIMMING CLUB

ONE HOUR MEGA SWIM

The Belper Marlin Swimming Club One Hour Mega Swim, a fundraising event returned this year with a new cause: supporting the Laura Centre, a Midlandsbased charity that offers free bereavement support to parents who have lost a child and children who have lost a parent or significant person in their lives. The event took place on March 26th, 2023, at Belper Leisure Centre.

The Laura Centre provides holistic bereavement support, including bereavement counselling, in a family-oriented, approachable, and welcoming environment. They respect the uniqueness of each individual’s experience of bereavement and consider the spiritual, cultural, and emotional aspects of grief.

Belper Marlin SC One Hour Mega Swim has previously raised funds for various charities, and this year, participants were encouraged to set up individual sponsorship pages to raise funds for the Laura Centre.

The swim was divided into different time slots for different age groups, with Mini Marlins also invited to participate and gain Rainbow distance awards. One participant, Oliver Henshaw, swam an impressive 184 lengths in a 25-meter pool within the hour-long event, showcasing his swimming prowess and dedication to supporting the cause of the Laura Centre.

Belper Marlin SC One Hour Mega Swim for the Laura Centre was a resounding success, raising a total of £6,639. Gail, co-founder of the Laura Centre, personally expressed her gratitude to all the swimmers for their incredible efforts. The Laura

Centre was founded by Gail and her husband 35 years ago after the loss of their 5-year-old daughter Laura to leukemia, which highlighted the lack of support available for grieving parents and siblings. The funds raised will directly support the Laura Centre’s mission of helping families come to terms with their loss.

The generosity and hard work of Team Marlin and all the participants in raising the significant amount for the Laura Centre are overwhelming and greatly appreciated. The Laura Centre continues to provide invaluable support to countless families, and the success of the Marlins One Hour Mega Swim is a shining example of how individuals can make a meaningful difference in their communities by dedicating their efforts to a worthy cause.

If you are interested, please go to our website www.belpermarlin.co.uk and click “Join Us” or email us on info@belpermarlin.co.uk.

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

They’re not what they used to be!

The delightfully attractive lady who looks after me enjoys watching typically British detective/murder mystery type dramas like Midsomer Murders, Vera, Morse, Endeavour etc. So much so, that whilst I’m often doing something else while she watches, I’m familiar with the dialogue and plot lines of many, as she never tires of watching them again and again.

NB – to illustrate the point, whilst I’m typing this, in the far corner of our living room, I know that right now Inspector Morse is listening to some opera music (and probably supping a whisky), as he pontificates on the latest Oxford murder.

I’m digressing a little here to give you a bit of background, because it’s modern-day TV adverts that have got me ‘going’ recently.

Some of you may be too young to remember – but I reckon most of you aren’t – the likes of these from days gone by: -

• Cinzano Bianco with Leonard Rossiter and Joan Collins.

• The fisherman fighting a bear over a salmon to get the ‘the best for John West’.

• The guy trying, but failing, to take a passport photo in a booth who ends up consoling himself with a Hamlet cigar.

• The posh lady who needs a drink of Heineken to enable her to adopt a cockney accent and say, “The water in Majorca, don’t taste like it ought to”.

• The guy getting up in the middle of the night to slake his thirst with R White’s Lemonade.

• The German sentry who acts like a goalkeeper to save a dam from bouncing bombs and is then praised by the British pilot saying, “I bet he drinks Carling Black Label”.

The one thing they all had in common, of course, was a bit of humour.

Now, and I accept that advertisers are well aware of their target audience, all I hear on ITV3 whilst repeats of Poirot, Lewis, Maigret etc., are being watched for the umpteenth time, are people enthusiastically encouraging me to: -

a) Pay in advance for my cremation.

b) Take out life insurance with a ‘Guaranteed Over 50 Plan’.

c) Buy products like stairlifts or mobility scooters.

d) Redesign my bathroom for ‘assisted bathing’. NB – they always have attractive female models who are a long way short of receiving their free bus pass, to illustrate just how convenient these products are.

e) Release the equity from my home.

f) Give generously to various charities.

Now I’m as charitable as the best of them, but when I’m being repeatedly asked to donate money to save bears, wild horses, monkeys, tigers, pangolins, donkeys etc., never mind cats and dogs, and no matter the offer of a free pen, fridge magnet, £100 M&S voucher or even a ‘cuddly toy’, I do tend to switch off.

Is it me, or do the companies using ITV3 to promote their product/service think that typical viewers are warm hearted and generous (or gullible) and/or about to ‘kick the bucket’?

Top Tip:

In the flower garden container plants will benefit from liquid feeds on a regular basis – usually weekly. You can cut back growth on hanging baskets if they’re starting to look a bit straggly. This will revive the plants and encourage new growth, but do always give a feed after the chop to help them get over the shock. It maybe put a short temporary stop on the plants but will keep them going much longer over the summer.

In the veggie area ensure your beans have plenty of water so the seed pods will set. Beans and tomatoes can both be stopped at this stage, so the growth can go into the existing fruit and give you a better chance of getting a good crop. Less is sometimes more. With beans take off any growth beyond the top of the growing cane. With cordon tomatoes cut to the leaf beyond the fourth truss. If you’ve got bush tomatoes they can be left to grow. Going away on holiday can be stressful for houseplants. It’s an idea to move them into a cool room and away from windows. If you’re away for more than a few days try wicking. You can buy capillary wicking matting from garden centres. Fill a water container, - anything will do. Put one end of the wick into the container and the other into the plant pot soil and the plant will draw down water as it needs it. Obviously this will work with several pots if you place them round the container. Alternatively find a nice neighbour!

Top tip: Cut back hardy geraniums and delphiniums now for another late flowering.

A welcome return for the Peak’s starlings

I wrote previously about the Peak’s recovering population of starlings, both those breeding in local woods and gardens, and the flocks of feeding birds on the moors and bogs in late summer, and also the wintertime murmurations. I am re-visiting this species because I was blown away by the stunning springtime plumage of the breeding male birds. For most people, the starling is probably a smallish, dark, or even primarily black bird and often viewed in fast-moving flocks. However, up-close in good sunlight these birds are outrageously colourful with a range of multi-coloured metallic sheens from green, to purple and blue, and gold. As a very young birdwatcher I only had two field guides, the ‘Observer’s Book of British Birds’, and the 1930s, Edmund Sandar’s ‘Bird Book for the Pocket’. Images in the former were mainly black and white, and in the latter, were colour but rather lacking in finesse. I recall spotting my first starlings in bright sunlight on a rooftop and the only bird that had a description and image matching what I saw turned out to be a kingfisher. I knew this was wrong, but my bird appeared to be blue and purple with a shimmering sheen. Well, it wasn’t a kingfisher but a starling. Indeed, at that time river pollution had wiped out most of the local kingfishers and it would be another ten years before I saw one for real!

Starlings went through a major dip in numbers some years ago, but seem to have recovered well more recently. Re-wetting the moors and bogs, difficult in drought years, is a big help for summer-feeding

starling flocks. The birds feast on cranefly larvae (leatherjackets) emerging from wet moors, grasslands, and bogs, so projects like ‘Moors for the Future’ are a big help in this. On a good, wet moor there may be more biomass of cranefly larvae feeding on plant roots underground than there are for example, sheep grazing above ground. These insects emerge en masse in midsummer and are targeted by starlings and by red grouse too.

This is a bird which local people can help through things like garden feeders. Starlings love dried mealworms for example, and imaginative use of feeders filled with these will act as magnets to flocks of them that will descend excitedly and noisily to become a feeding frenzy. Once the birds are used to the feeders being there, then they will return in numbers. They like fat-balls too, but mealworms are their food of choice.

A final confusion with starlings is when the young birds are around during the mid and late summer. Their plumage varies dramatically from the adults, so these very approachable youngsters are highly visible but so very different from their parents that people get rather confused. Of course, the other interesting behaviour exhibited by starlings is their uncanny ability to mimic other bird songs and calls. I remember rushing from my parents’ house to try and spot a green woodpecker I could hear ‘yaffling’, but only to find a starling doing a perfect impression. Similarly, a curlew flying over the house turned out to be another starling. You can actually tell where the starlings have been feeding from their calls based on the birds they associate with, such as a green woodpecker on open heathland, a curlew on the wet moors, or an oystercatcher or redshank on a seashore!

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 website

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