Voice Magazines - Matlock, Wirksworth & Cromford Edition - August 2023

MATLOCK • CROMFORD • WIRKSWORTH

12 EDITIONS READ BY OVER 162,000 RESIDENTS

8-PAGEPULLOUTTHE BEST OF WIRKSWORTH,MATLOCK, DARLEY DALE & CROMFORD.

SEE23-30PAGES

GOODWINS KITCHENS,BEDROOMS&BATHROOMS SPONSOREDBY

3RD AUGUST 1792

Richard Arkwright died, one of the central figures of the Industrial Revolution and founder of the factory system that transformed England into the workshop of the world.

Blundstone #587 Rustic Black

Blundstone #585 Rustic Brown

From the Editor

Dear Readers,

So now I’m just starting to think I’m a little bit psychic about the weather (or I’m Storm from X-Men) as last month I said, and I quote; “I just pray for rain”. If ever there was a lesson in being careful regarding what you wish for!! At the time of writing, we are a week away from the Y Not festival and as such, I am whole heartedly, categorically NOT praying for rain. I am a fair weathered camper/ festival go-er and as such, some nice warming sunshine has been requested.

Although one thing I am grateful for regarding the copious amounts of rain – the blasted midgies have gone to ground again! I had a bit of a nasty bite from one of them – obvs left it for a while (like 10days or so, probs shouldn’t have) until needing a killer dose of antibiotics. I wasn’t too worried until the Nurse Practitioner looked at it and went “Oooh, yep, antibiotics and if you don’t see significant improvement in the next 48hrs, get yourself down to A&E”. I said – “OK, what for?” (somewhat naively) and she said, “because you will need antibiotics intravenously by then if the tablets aren’t working”. No panic then #eyeroll. Anyway, a bit of googling and several panic attacks later, it’s all good thankfully.

Another month, another World Cup – Nope not the Football, this time it’s Netballs turn and it is showing

on the Beeb! As an avid fan and (fairweather) player, that’s me sorted for entertainment!

Speaking of entertainment, whilst most people were choosing between Barbie and Oppenheimer this month #Barbenheimer, we ended up at Elemental courtesy of our eldest Niece’s birthday. I can’t say I identified with the story of a fiery tempered young woman but I am now tempted to change my purple hair to red!

Workwise, we’ve created a lovely high street feature in the Matlock & Darley Dale magazines. Honestly, it is such a glorious place to go to and the high street is so beautiful with lots of varied shops –they deserve lots of support to keep them thriving. Our next features are scheduled for Christmas…… sorry to mention it but it is coming around quickly!! That is assuming we can get some people to fill our Sales Vacancies – why wouldn’t you want to work here if you have experience in business-tobusiness sales?!

WHAT HAPPENS IN AUGUST?

August is traditionally holiday time here in the UK, schools are closed, the weather is (hopefully) behaving itself, and Autumn still seems a while away, but what else is the month known for?

Here are a few fun (and not so fun) facts I discovered:

➤ August 1st is Lammas Day; this marked the start of the harvest season during the Anglo Saxon period. The name derives from an Anglo Saxon word - hlāfmæsse - meaning “loaf mass”. Bread was made from the first wheat harvest and blessed before being broken (not cut) into four pieces and buried in each corner of a barn that would be used to store the full harvest. Another loaf would be shared amongst loved ones. Both rituals were thought to protect the upcoming harvest.

➤ In the Roman calendar, August was first known as “Sextilis” - the Latin word for six - as until around 700 BC only ten months were counted. When an extra two months were added, Sextilis was bumped to the eighth month. The name August was not adopted until 8 BC, when it was renamed in honour of Emperor Augustus.

➤ In a non-leap year, August will not share its starting day with any other month. Of course I had to check! This year August 1st will fall on a Tuesday; of the other eleven months of the year, three start on a Wednesday, two on a Sunday, two on a Saturday, two on a Friday, one on a Thursday and one on a Monday. So it appears to be true - but as two other months this year also fall into this solo category, I’m not sure it is such a startling fact.

➤ The Earl of Sandwich “invented” the first sarnie in August 1762 and picnics have never been the same since. To be honest, I’ve always found this “fact” hard to believe - I mean, he couldn’t have been the first person in history to stick a bit of meat between two slices of bread.

➤ August is also the month of…Weeds! In the days of the Anglo-Saxons, August was known as “Weod Monath” or Weed Month, because it was when weeds and plants grew the fastest.

➤ August 26th, 1936, saw the BBC transmit its first high-definition television pictures.

➤ Martin Luther King delivered his famous “I have a dream speech”, August 28th, 1963.

➤ On August 24th, 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, destroying the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. One thousand eight hundred and sixty six years later, on August 6th, 1945, the US dropped atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

➤ August 13th, 1964, Britain carried out the last two executions before capital punishment was abolished.

➤ August 16th, 1977, Elvis Presley packed up his blue suede shoes and left the world behind.

➤ Princess Diana died in a car accident in Paris on August 31st, 1997.

Whatever you do this August have fun and remember that we could have been stuck with a month named Sextilis - imagine the innuendos!

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All Around the Shire

MEMORIES OF MY MOTHER’S DRESSING TABLE

Some of the recent items we have acquired for our reminiscence sessions are a box of Carmen heated rollers with pins and a vanity set for a dressing table (a long-handled mirror and brush set). This has started me thinking about what my own mum held dear.

Although she had no time to sit and preen at the dressing table, my mother always found a small space where she could lay out some special items. Her vanity set had been a gift to her on her 21st birthday, it included a hand-held mirror with a matching brush and comb.

She owned a wooden, shell-encrusted jewellery box containing her earrings: clip-ons or screw-back type were the fashion then. Her beads, necklaces and paste pearls were laid out on a tray, with the longer strings hooked onto the side of the mirror. The tray also held a variety of trinkumtranks like odd buttons, curtain hooks, pins, coins, dry-cleaning tickets, hairpins and hairnets.

A lidded glass pot contained scented talcum powder and a soft puff for dusting after a bath. She also always had a pot of

Lady Manners School, Shutts Lane, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1JA

Pond’s vanishing cream at hand and was never seen without lipstick.

A bottle of Tweed perfume and Avon “Sweet Honesty” stood together with a small flask of 4711.

At the back of the table was a spray bottle of hair lacquer and, later, a set of Carmen heated rollers and a bonnet hairdryer.

Some items came and went as the years passed but the object she treasured most on her dressing table, was an aged photograph of her own mum and dad.

I do hope you have memories of a dressing table that belonged to someone special in your life.

Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire. Find us on or email:

oldfield512@btinternet.com for more information. Janet

Food & Retail

2021 BROCHURE AVAILABLE

CORONOVIRUS STATEMENT

BRITISH COACHING

EXPLORER 07-11 JUNE HB £403

GREAT YARMOUTH 10-14 JUNE HB £424

WARNERS CRICKET ST THOMAS 14-18 JUNE HB £480

HAMPSHIRE HIGHLIGHTS 17-21 JUNE HB £408

ISLE OF MAN 22-27 JUNE HB £514

BABBACOMBE, TORBAY 25-30 JUNE HB £342

SIDMOUTH 04-08 JULY HB £412

HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW 10-12 JULY HB £175

CHESTER AND THE WIRRAL PENINSULA 11-16 JULY HB £450

SCOTLAND, ORKNEYS AND THE CASTLE OF MEY 19-24 JULY HB £642

LAKE DISTRICT STEAM & CRUISE 25-30 JULY HB £446

COLCHESTER AND CONSTABLE COUNTRY 25-30 JULY HB £410

EUROPEAN COACHING

IRELAND CAUSEWAY COASTER 27 JUNE-02 JULY HB £568

GERMANY ROMANTIC RHINE 29 JULY-04 AUG HB £807

PORTUGAL PORTO AND DOURO VALLEY 05-14 SEPT HB £1057

IRELAND COAST TO COAST 12-19 SEPT HB £759

ITALY DOLOMITES 25 SEPT-05 OCT HB £956

BELGIUM BRUGES XMAS MARKETS 29 NOV-02 DEC B&B £308

DAY EXCURSIONS

EARLY BOOKINGS ADVISABLE ADULT OAP NT *ADMISSIONS INCLUDED /CHILD MEMBERS

EARLY BOOKINGS ADVISABLE *ADMISSIONS INCLUDED ADULT OAP/CHILD NT MEMBERS

SAT 12 AUG JAMES HERRIOT WORLD & THIRSK £37*

SAT 22 MAY HARROGATE £26

SAT 29 MAY WHITBY £28

WED 16 AUG STRATFORD UPON AVON £29

WED 2 JUNE CHESTER / CHESTER ZOO (ADMISSION NOT INC) £25

SAT 02 SEP LIVERPOOL £29

SAT 5 JUNE LLANDUDNO £28

SAT 12 JUNE YORK £26

SAT 09 SEP BURTON CONSTABLE & BEVERLEY £39*

SUN 13 JUNE HARRY POTTER TOUR  £77 £69

SUN 24 SEP SKIPTON £29

SAT 19 JUNE  BBC GARDENERS WORLD £49

SUN 24 SEP YARNDALE £45.50*

SAT 26 JUNE WHITBY £28

SAT 3 JULY COTSWOLDS MYSTERY £27

SUN 01 OCT WINDSOR £35

SAT 10 JULY LIVERPOOL £25

SAT 17 JULY WINDSOR £30

SAT 07 OCT BURGHLEY HOUSE & STAMFORD £42*

Please note that all vehicles will be thoroughly disinfected prior to every trip and new air purification systems have been installed *ADMISSIONS INCLUDED

SAT 24 JULY TATTON PARK FLOWER SHOW £50

K.V.&G.L SLACK LTD. THE TRAVEL CENTRE, UPPER LUMSDALE, MATLOCK DE45LB www.slackscoaches.co.uk E& O.E

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Slimming World Recipe

Diet Cola Chicken

Method:

1. Spray a large non-stick pan with low-calorie cooking spray and place over a high heat. Add the chicken, peppers and onion and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes, or until lightly browned.

2. Add the diet cola, stock, passata, tomato purée, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and herbs and stir well. Bring to

This is a true Slimming World Classic and for good reason. Packed full of flavour that will have you going back for more!

the boil, cover, reduce the heat to mediumlow and simmer for 12-15 minutes.

3. Add the sugar snap peas, stir and increase the heat to mediumhigh. Cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the veg is tender.

Ingredients:

• Low-calorie cooking spray

• 4 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks

• 1 red, 1 yellow and 1 green pepper, cut into bite-sized chunks

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 330ml can diet cola

• 200ml hot chicken stock

• 8 tbsp passata with onions and garlic

• 4 tbsp tomato purée

• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 2 tsp gluten-free Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce/tamari

• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs

• 200g sugar snap peas

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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

8 Link ID to URL in a glaringly vivid way (5)

9 Roast boar in five to make sure it’s well done! (5)

10 Secretory organ is the last in England (5)

12 Composer of velar form (5)

Down

2 The 30cm monarch? (5)

3 Dance the tango in Polynesia (5)

11 Bid farewell to aide, in turnaround (5)

13 Sweater pattern found in Ken’s CV (1-4)

1 Sip merchant’s brew to keep time, squaddy! (5,2,4)

5 Lion is a bit put out by attachment (7)

14 Ignore a difficult time? (4,3)

15 Kit destroyed after rum place for ‘apples and pears’ (5,6)

Down

1 Was dismissive about hog, filmed at odd angle (4,5,2)

4 Polly to fight with a difficult bit of sparkling (4,2,5)

6 Increased, and put on a pair, so to speak (5,2)

7 Brie is a dish for cold place (7)

ANSWERS FOR LAST MONTHS PITHERWITS Across:

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

PVC.

Across

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Health & Beauty

If you have elderly parents or are in that demographic yourself then you’ll probably have some awareness of Alzheimer’s, a condition that can really mess with memory and thinking skills. It’s important to be aware of the early signs, so here are some things you might want to keep an eye on.

Memory Slip-ups:

Forgetting things happens to all of us, right? But with Alzheimer’s, it’s like your memory is playing hide-and-seek all the time. People might start misplacing things, asking the same questions over and over, or struggling to remember recent chats or important dates. It’s like their memory went on a holiday and forgot to come back.

Feeling Lost and Confused:

Ever been to a familiar shop and suddenly felt completely turned around, like you’re in a whole different world? Well, people with Alzheimer’s might feel that way, even in places they know like the back of their hand. They can have trouble following directions, doing tasks they used to breeze through, or even understanding where things are in relation to each other. It’s pretty disorientating.

Words, Words, Where Are They?

Imagine this: you’re having a chat with someone you love, and suddenly they can’t find the right words. It’s like a game of hideand-seek in their mind! Alzheimer’s can mess with language skills, making it hard for people to express themselves or understand what’s being said. Reading, writing, and following conversations can become real challenges.

Mood Roller Coaster:

Now, Alzheimer’s isn’t just about memory and words. It can mess with emotions too. People might swing between moods like a crazy roller coaster, getting easily irritated or feeling down in the dumps. Hobbies they used to love might not bring the same joy anymore. It’s like their emotional compass is going a bit haywire. Decisions, Decisions:

Alzheimer’s can turn even the simplest choices into a real brain teaser. Imagine struggling with deciding what to wear or whether to pay bills. Yep, decision-making becomes as tough as a puzzle on expert mode. It’s frustrating and can lead to some pretty strange choices.

So, if you notice memory slip-ups, feeling lost, language troubles, mood swings, or decision-making challenges in yourself or someone you care about, it’s worth getting it checked out by your GP. Catching Alzheimer’s early on can make a big difference in managing the condition and planning for the future.

You can find me at www.sarahkallend.com

LOCAL FACT

DID YOU KNOW...

BLACKPOP have recently been accessioned into the iconic, world renowned V&A Museum and have won many awards for the creation of its wallpapers and fabrics.

2016: ‘Best Licensed Product Award’ - Association For Cultural Enterprise. Won in conjunction with the National Portrait Gallery.

2016: ‘Digital Innovation’ - The English Home Magazine’s ‘New Years Honours List’

2015: ‘Best New Product in Show’ - Decorex International

WIRKSWORTH FARMERS MARKET

MEMORIAL HALL & GARDENS, ST JOHN STREET, DE4 4DS

FIRST SATURDAY OF

EVERY MONTH

• It offers both indoor and outdoor stalls with over 30 vendors.

• Most of the producers are located within a 30-mile radius.

• Wirksworth market dates back hundreds of years.

• Now you can visit the rejuvenated Tuesday Market - from 8.30am to 1pm.

Haarlem Mill, located in the Derbyshire market town of Wirksworth, was built in 1777 by the famed industrialist, Sir Richard Arkwright. It played a significant role in the birth of the Industrial Revolution as it was the very first mill in the world to use the power of steam.

Handmade ceramics by Paul Burton Group Bookings

LOCAL FACT

George Eliot (real name Mary Ann Evans) used Wirksworth as inspiration for her novel “Adam Bede” and it has been suggested the location of her novel “The Mill on the Floss” is in fact Haarlem Mill. -----------

Matlock Bath was once a popular destination for well-known literary figures such as Lord Byron (who nicknamed it “Little Switzerland”), Sir Walter Scott, and Jane Austen. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein novel, Matlock Bath is visited by the character “Victor Frankenstein” describing the “wonderous cave”.

to Sabine Hay Farm, Sausage and Cider Festival. Located in Darley Dale in the heart of the Peak District.

To book tickets please email events@ thefishpondmatlockbath. co.uk

MATLOCK ILLUMINATIONSBATH

A fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent. The 2023 SEASON will run every Saturday and Sunday night from 9TH SEPT to 29TH OCT, with fireworks finales every October Saturday and the final night, 29TH OCT.

Open to the public! Visual art exhibitions, digital Installations and creative workshops

www.levelcentre.com

Voice mag 44mm sq 04 July 2023 11:59:37

BIG SUMMER BBQ

11TH AUG 2023 -19:00

THE WHITWORTH, Darley Dale DE4 2EQ

Come and join us for a Big Summer Barbecue on the terrace, overlooking our beautiful park, all cooked by our Chef, Jayne, and entertainment provided by Jim from The Two Guitar Guys!

See ‘WHAT’S ON’ on www.thewhitworth.org

TAKE A BIRDSWOOD BOAT TRIP

Birdswood is the historical narrow boat belonging to The Friends of Cromford Canal.

Birdswood runs scheduled trips throughout the year.

Please regularly check the Birdswood website booking page www.birdswood.org/bookings/ for availability.

LOCAL FACT

Uttley, Alison (1884–1976)

Prolific British writer who is primarily known for her “Little Grey Rabbit” series.

Alison wrote over 100 books, though best known for a children’s series about LITTLE GREY RABBIT and SAM PIG. She is also remembered for a pioneering time slip novel for children, A TRAVELLER IN TIME, about a plot to free Mary, Queen of Scots from Wingfield Manor.

Born Alice Jane Taylor on December 17, 1884, in Cromford, Derbyshire; educated at the Lena School in Holloway and the Lady Manners School in Bakewell then graduated from Manchester University, B.Sc. (with honours), 1906.

Built by Sir Richard Arkwright in 1771, Cromford Mills revolutionised cotton production with the world’s first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill. Nestled in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales, Cromford Mills is a lasting icon of the Industrial Revolution and gateway to the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During your visit, you can meet Sir Richard Arkwright face-to-face and discover how invention and ingenuity changed our lives forever in the Arkwright Experience or enjoy an expertly led guided tour to find out the hidden secrets of Cromford Mills. Take a break with a lovely slice of cake and coffee in one of our cafes before you visit the great selection of independent shops around the mill yard. The picturesque setting of Cromford Mills makes it a great place to enjoy a picnic, take a stroll along the Cromford Canal, and visit Cromford Village.

Open 7 days a week | Free to enter | Dog friendly

For more details and events

www.cromfordmills.org.ukvisit

It’s the year of fantastic happenings at the Heights of Abraham…

Take

and enjoy a full day

history

Explore underground on guided tours through famous show caverns. Relax and enjoy the dining and shopping facilities while taking in the spectacular views around every corner. Let the kids loose on the two adventure playgrounds, explore the woodland pathways and trails, and make special ever-lasting memories. With live summertime entertainment and seasonal events, there’s always something happening at the Heights.

COMPETITION

To win a family ticket (2 adults & 2 Children) answer this question...

How

can children explore?

home the value &

your home the value &

your home the value &

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Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, a modern town-house or a converted barn, enjoy a 10% our Summer Sale until the end of July 2023.*

discount is applicable on all www.timberwindows.com products.

Please visit us to explore our range of beautifully crafted engineered timber doors and windows, and get expert advice on enhancing the value and beauty of your home.

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*10% discount is applicable on all www.timberwindows.com products.

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SUDOKU #37

Fill in all the numbers!

This is a sudoku 1 square grid 81 cells 9 3x3 blocks

1 simple rule: Use all the numbers 1-9, with no duplicates allowed, in any row, column, or block.

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

Time for a Story!

Enid Blyton stories were a huge part of my childhood, and I would guess the same could be said for many people my age.

Who can forget The Famous Five, Noddy, The Faraway Tree, Malory Towers, and The Naughtiest Girl?

But did you know that she wrote more than 800 books in her lifetime, making her one of the most prolific authors of all time?

Born in London in 1897, she trained as a teacher and in 1918 went to work in a boys’ prep school in Kent before becoming a private governess. In the 1920s she began to write for Teacher’s World magazine and also authored educational books. Her first foray into fiction was a very slim volume of poetry published in 1922, but it was 1938 before her first full length novel for children was published.

During the 40s and 50s Enid wrote prolifically, it wasn’t uncommon for her to write and publish 20+ books in a single year - as an author myself I stand in awe of anyone that can be so creative, so consistently.

Tragically, by the late 1950s, it became apparent that Enid was suffering from dementia. She passed away in a nursing home in 1968 at the relatively young age of 71. I can only speculate, but I expect that without dementia, she may well have continued to write and create her stories well into her 80s and beyond.

Enid’s stories were very much a product of the times in which she lived, they are very white, very middle class, and she expressed attitudes towards race that cannot be condoned in the 21st century. But at their heart, they are cracking good stories that appeal to children even today.

I’m pleased to read that many of her books are being reissued with minor modifications. The original language, which is so appealing to young readers, is being retained whilst words and themes that are not in keeping with today are being subtly changed.

Many of the books have been adapted into TV series and films around the world, and apparently, an Enid Blyton book is sold at the rate of one every minute! In total, over 500 million copies of her books have been sold globally…I bet she didn’t see that coming when she released her first volume of poetry.

Books and reading were a huge part of my childhood and I’m so pleased that my 2 year old grandson seems to be equally as enamoured with the written word. Sadly, not all children are so captivated by books, preferring TV, mobile phones, and online games instead.

They miss so much by not reading. They never get to feel the excitement, the delayed gratification of turning the pages to the next scene. Their imaginations are not fired. They miss out on the joy of sitting peacefully with a book, seeing the story unfold in their head.

If you have children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, do them a favour - buy them a book…please!

Year 1560. Italy. 15-year-old Lucrezia di Cosimo de’ Medici leaves the safety of her family home in Florence to begin arranged married life with Alfonso, Duke of Ferrara. Within a year, she was dead. The rumour was that her husband killed her.

The Italian Renaissance was a time of treachery, plot, power and sumptuous luxury. It was a dangerous time to be alive, but it was especially precarious for women, effectively held captive by their families and by outside society with little hope of release or rebellion. Their lives were largely lived in the shadow of the men at their side.

Maggie O’Farrell’s novel The Marriage Portrait is based in history. She uses historical fact and real characters from the period so finely that you feel totally enveloped and transported to the time and place.

The book is a delight, detailed and compelling – and such a page turner. Lucrezia may be trapped in this world, but she leaps out into your head through this book. A real treat if you like to be captivated by your reading matter.

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Gardener’s Calendar

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Top Tip:

They can encourage blanket and pond weed and blue green algae which can be dangerous for dogs and cause rashes to humans. You’ll know it’s blue green algae if you swirl a stick in the water and it comes out like blue green paint. However bubble fountains such as the little solar ones available in most garden centres help keep a pond healthy. Removing weed with a stick or net will improve its overall health, but leave the weed on the side of the pond overnight to allow any critters to crawl out.

Keeping a decent shape to your lavender for next year needs action once the flowers have gone over – usually around August. Lavenders tend to look straggly if left to their own devices. When trimming don’t cut back into old wood as this may inhibit growth. Cut back to green stem and this will allow an inch or two of growth before winter putting it in a good condition for spring. Prune your blackcurrant and summer fruiting raspberries once they’ve finished fruiting. Cut back this year’s fruited canes and stems and leave the green canes for next year. If you’ve got a glut – what a wonderful thought, having a glut of rasps ! – freeze them on trays and bag for winter glee.

Top tip: Take cuttings of fuchsia, geraniums and pelargoniums for more plants net year. They’ll root easily now. Cut a healthy stem below a leaf node, make the cutting about 3 inches long, take leaves off apart from a few at the top. You can use rooting powder but they’ll probably be okay without. Plant round the edge of a plant pot in a perlite/compost mix and they should be away in no time. Take indoors or keep in a frost free space over winter.

The warm humid conditions of summer are good for many parts of the garden but may not be so healthy for ponds

Peak District Peat Bogs on the road to recovery

The word ‘bog’ doesn’t necessarily conjure up a positive image; in fact, it is downright negative. And yet the peatlands of the Peak are proving vital for our battle against changing climate and in holding back floodwaters through ‘slowing the flow’ when rivers are swollen after storm events. At the head of each main river catchment, the peat-bogs hold back vast quantities of water which are then released over time and alleviate potential droughts downstream. The bog moss alone holds about twenty times its own weight in water. What is more, the peatlands are wonderfully rich biodiversity sites too with unique species of plants, animals, and fungi. However, there is bad news because for over two hundred years people have drained and burned the peatlands, and our atmospheric pollution has killed off the vital sphagnum mosses which when healthy hold the water, provide habitat for rare species, and remarkably too, capture carbon that is laid down as peat. Two centuries of over-grazing by sheep has also done for the peat bogs and this reached its nadir in the late twentieth century. All in all, this is bad news, and a major cause of a collapse of what we now call ‘ecosystem services’ like floodwater control and carbon capture.

But there is good news today because with reduced sheep numbers, lowered air pollution, and some tender loving care, our bogs are bouncing back to life. Some of this is due to major investment in projects to block drains, alleviate soil acidity, and even to

re-seed sphagnum mosses back into the degraded peat landscapes. However, for me even more exciting, is the ability of nature to heal itself. My colleagues and I have been monitoring sphagnum mosses and rare flowers on Ringinglow Bog near Sheffield. It is doing what I call ‘self-rewilding’ as the peat-building bog mosses are returning with ten or more species now recorded in what was described as a ‘sphagnum desert’ back in the 1980s. This is in an area where there has been no artificial introduction of sphagnum, but nature has been left to repair itself.

Furthermore, the flowering plants of moorland and peat bog are also returning. The bog mosses are now joined by the elusive bog rosemary or ‘Andromeda’ which has returned in abundance. Last recorded in the 1960s and 1970s before the North Sea Gas pipeline cut a deep trench though both moor and bog, this plant has made a remarkable and unexpected recovery. Sundew is reappearing in its old haunts, along with one of my favourites, the diminutive upland lily, bog asphodel, and the archetypical flowers of wet bogs, the cranberry, and the cross-leaved heath. Not far away, the once extinct royal fern has reappeared and joins several other upland wet bog ferns such as hard fern, lemon-scented fern, and narrow buckler-fern.

As the bogs recover then so do associated wildlife species such as the upland dragonflies, goldenringed and black darter, and of course that often unnoticed denizen of upland bogs, the water vole. Golden plover, dunlin, and curlew are birds that also depend on these wetlands for their survival. Each visit holds the hope of the re-discovery of a precious species once thought lost forever.

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