I’m not sure why in particular – maybe it’s the ladies football, maybe it’s the back to school front covers and articles, maybe I’m just feeling old! Whichever way, I’m feeling particularly nostalgic at the moment. I follow quite a few history pages on the Book of Face (especially the ones that write for us!) and quite a few of the groups release old school pics as well as pictures of local people and the area in general. I’m terrible for taking pictures (or rather not taking pictures) – maybe I should make it this years’ new years resolution?! Anyhoo, I digress! All this retro stuff got me thinking about new school year prep and specifically my early years pertaining to sports in school.
The school prep was interesting in the 90’s, the attire alone was an ordeal. Clumpy kickers heels (as big as was allowed #eyeroll), paired with some kind of Victorianesque abomination of a long heavy skirt (that could have just been me though, mother is a big fan of period dramas!! #doubleeyeroll) and a massively over-sized puffa jacket. The obligatory pencil case and new bag shopping was a highlight of the 6 weeks holidays for me but not being able to sleep the night before due to nerves was horrid – totally
after that!! I also remember Mrs Ingram being equally as encouraging to the boys to join in with the Netball team –which was unheard of before her.
These are the things that stick with you in those formative years – tolerance and acceptance - and whilst I can appreciate that this was only my experience, it really bothers me that not everyone has that same experience. When did it change? Why should it be different for girls and women? Don’t even get me started on Mary Earps and Nike and why her shirt isn’t available to purchase!? SHE WON THE GOLDEN GLOVE! Before anyone even thinks it, it is about nothing else other than commercialisation and sales and they didn’t think they’d sell enough of her shirts to warrant production – not so bothered about equality then are you Nike?! And whilst we’re on the outrage train – let’s also take a second to have a think about how all our senior dignitaries have no trouble clearing the diaries for male football events held in recent times, whereas our Lionesses will have to make do with ‘rousing’ PR video….hmmmm! Thank goodness for the Spanish Monarchy putting in an appearance!
I can’t change the world anymore, I probably can’t even change your perception on this, if it’s different to mine but if I had been lucky enough to have a child and they had wanted to set the world alight, they would have had no bigger champion in their corner, regardless of their gender. Afterall, we’re all only guests here for a short while, is it not our duty to ‘do better’ for each generation that follows us?
As the new school year starts, I thought I’d take a look at what back to school meant in the 1970s/80s when I went to school.
Back to school preparation in the 70s and early 80s always started in the last couple of weeks of the summer holidays with the obligatory trip to Marks and Spencer’s for navy knickers and a selection of socks. For the younger readers, the sturdy navy (or sometimes dark green) knickers were an absolute necessity under the (very) short, pleated skirts we girls had to wear for sports lessons. Their size and construction, being of thick stretch fabric, not only preserved one’s dignity but also kept your bum warm - particularly on those cold, wet days on the hockey pitch!
School uniforms were, for the most part, obligatory, but I don’t recall that schools sold their own branded clothes as seems to be the case now; rather there was a strict code of colours and styles that were purchased from “recommended suppliers”. School ties for both girls and boys were pretty standard (mine was black and gold stripes) and the school badge was available as a sew-on for blazers.
A new school bag, pencil case (or box), and various items of stationery were on the “must buy” list and were the chance for kids to inject a bit of personality into proceedings. I particularly remember things like “troll” pencil toppers, pencil cases that zipped all around and had pens, pencils, protractors, set squares and the like all secured by elastic strips. And those biros with multiple coloured ends… oh, and scented rubbers (erasers) - I can only wonder why we thought they were a good idea!
The only “tech” most 70s and early 80s school kids possessed was a calculator; if you were really fancy, that would be a “scientific calculator”, which enabled you to calculate sines, cosines, and logarithms, And who remembers carefully covering the new exercise books in wallpaper? Often using the
reverse side to hide how hideously garish the “right” side was! I seem to recall woodchip and brown parcel paper were often used because of the lack of pattern. A lack we usually rectified with our own artwork.
Once in the classroom, there were chalkboards and sometimes overhead projectors which used transparent sheets of plastic, often bearing text and images hand drawn by the teacher. Interactive whiteboards, computers, tablets, laptops - in fact, much of the technology now common in schools were still a long way off. Even watching an educational TV programme or video generally involved wheeling in the school’s TV and video player on a custom-built trolley, a TV which was probably shared by a year group, if not the entire school.
If you’ve read this article nodding your head and reminiscing, you are probably of a similar age to me. Our school days are well and truly behind us, and we look back with rose-tinted glasses at our past…even our school days!
After 5 years of continued growth Next Generation Home Improvements based on Butterley Hill in Ripley, have now established themselves as the leading installers of resin driveways & patios in The Midlands. They now have over 50 members in their team from the local area, ranging from resin layers, ground workers, surveyors, administrators, customer care staff and sales & marketing operatives, and have just taken on 4 local trainees who are quickly learning their trade.
To ensure their success continues they have invested in an upgraded operations unit in Sutton in Ashfield and as well as a redesigned display unit on the reception of their head office at Butterley Hill, where prospective customers are welcome to go and view different styles of resin driveways & composite fencing available to them. They firmly believe that their success has been due to the quality of their workmanship. Director Lee Goddard points out “We only use our own highly skilled tradesmen to lay each driveway by hand to make sure we get the perfect finish. On top of this, we will only use the highest quality of materials, meaning that our customers will be left
with a glorious driveway or patio that they can be proud of”. Asked why he believes that the company is going from strength to strength, Sales Manager Bradley Stocks explained “Resin driveways are now the fastest growing home improvement in the UK and are getting more & more popular all the time. This is because how attractive they look, the fact they are non slip, and mainly because they require no ongoing maintenance like traditional surfaces. We get a lot of our work from word of mouth & recommendations so because we make sure our customers are happy, we get more work on the back of it. We also now offer composite fencing which is also incredibly popular due to it not needing to be painted or stained”
Anybody wishing for any help, advice or information is welcomed to call into see their display at 25 Butterley Hill, Ripley or alternatively call on 01773 303181. They are also offer free, no obligation quotations.
The company would be delighted to quote on any customers work involving resin driveways, patios, composite fencing or gates.
Simply drop them a call on 01773 303181
e a ged igh vices. red
I moved into the UK in Sept 2001 for further studies in Glasgow.
I then ventured South and finally made Nottinghamshire my home in 2012.
Our staff are all local and each one of them is matched, designated and specifically trained to understand and meet your needs.
You can choose occasional weekly visits, frequent daily visits or 24/7 care enabling you to make the most of life in your own home.
The idea of working in care was first introduced to me by a friend who runs a care agency in Nottingham who was getting tired of me complaining of how unhappy I was in my job.
We are blessed to have such a wonderful team of care assistants. However, I prefer to call them the Ashfield Gems. The cohesion within the team and a beautiful positive attitude makes me proud of every single member of the team. We support each other and have this wonderful open communication that enables us to support our clients seamlessly.
you, your family and other professionals involved, to package that fits in with your current routine.
He invited me to work with him one weekend, and after my first shift helping people in their own homes, I knew I had found my calling.
We went through the rigorous registration process by CQC and on 1st of November 2012, Leymar was born.
My humbling experience of working in the community in the Ashfield area came with our very first client. A gentleman who had worked hard in the pit and was determined to remain as independent as possible. I realised that being a carer was more about assisting people in the things they can’t do safely as opposed to taking their independence away.
Our desire and aim is to help many more people in the Ashfield Area. We have dedicated our service to this area and are so fortunate to have nearly all of our staff from Ashfield. This gives the clients a lot of comfort as they have a lot to talk about regarding the evolvement of their community.
Will always underscore the work we do with our clients. We will encourage them to be independent and always be there to offer a hand to keep them as safe as possible in their own homes.
Leymar Healthcare are a friendly, locally managed provider that offer high quality Home Care Services. All our support is offered around the clock.
Our staff are all local and each one of them is matched, designated and specifically trained to understand and meet your needs.
You can choose occasional weekly visits, frequent daily visits or 24/7 care enabling you to make the most of life in your own home.
We will work with you, your family and other professionals involved, to design a package that fits in with your current routine.
You don’t have to be a cat person to fall for the million-plus selling The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa. Anyone who has loved an animal will recognise the warmth of this story of that relationship and what it gives us. The Travelling Cat is funny and heart-breaking and generally makes you feel good. Plus it’s set in Japan, a fascinating country. And oddly like the brilliant Studio Ghibli films gives you a real feeling for the culture and people and countryside.
It’s a quirky tale following Nana, the cat, who is taking a road trip sitting at the side of his much loved owner Satoru who is keen to visit some old friends. Nana is not sure where he’s going but who cares, if it means he gets to sit in the front seat of Satoru’s silver van.
It’s a gentle book and says a lot about people and their need for friends and also solitude and generally what makes them tick. It will definitely tug at your heartstrings but not in a cheesy way.
It’s obvious Arikawa knows a lot about cats – but he’s pretty fine on human beings too. Different, but good.
Who can use it? Deposit Unlock is intended for first-time buyers and home movers with a low deposit. It's not available to buy-to-let borrowers. Which homes can it be used on? The offer is available on selected plots only and is subject to conditions. Following the withdrawal or termination of any offer, Wheeldon reserves the right to extend, reintroduce or amend any such offer at any time.
Can it be used in conjunction with other schemes? No, Deposit Unlock cannot be used at the same time as other Wheeldon offers or incentives.
How is affordability calculated? Each mortgage lender using the scheme (currently Nationwide, Newcastle Building Society and Accord Mortgages) will assess affordability in the normal way using their lending criteria.
What do I do next? If you're interested in using the Deposit Unlock scheme on a new Wheeldon home, contact us today… Our friendly sales teams will connect you with a specialist New Build Mortgage Advisor to help arrange your Deposit Unlock application and mortgage. After that, you'll be on your way to moving into a brand-new Wheeldon home with just a 5% deposit.
*limits vary from lender to lender. Wheeldon Brothers Ltd does not offer mortgage advice so any advice should be obtained from the mortgage advisor or lender.
The Enterprising Ashfield project offers FREE training and support for individuals and business who live or work in the Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield Towns Fund area.
Free skills courses to boost your CV.
Growth grants to help new business and sole traders.
Start-up grants to get that side hustle off the ground.
Support to hire apprentice and graduate talent.
Bespoke courses for businesses to plug skills gaps
Find out more at ntu.ac.uk/enterprisingashfield
Find us on Facebook @enterprisingashfield
Contact us at enterprisingashfield@ntu.ac.uk or call 0115 848 2813
I just wanted to thank you once again for the start up grant and support. My company is now live for business, and it wouldn’t be possible without your help.
I wanted to do this course to learn something new and enhance my CV. I now have skills in photo and video editing, photoshop and email marketing. It was really good to meet new people.
BM Carpets launched a new store on South Normanton High Street on August 1st and is already gaining a reputation as the store to visit for Carpets, Beds and Settees.
It’s owned by Billy and Maria, local residents from Hilcote who both have many years’ experience in the trade. In fact, Billy comes from a long line of carpet manufacturers and sellers in the North East that spans over a century and Maria an expert in her own right in the world of textiles and soft furnishings.
Their carpets come in an array of colours, styles, textures and patterns, and if grey is what you’re looking for you will be amazed at the choice of shades.
If carpet is not your thing go along and check out their large range of laminate flooring, they really do have something for everyone.
Did you know that you should have a new mattress every 8 years? Apparently by then you will have lost the equivalent of a bathtub of sweat and the weight of a dachshund in dead skin cells all stored within your bed.
So, when it’s time to change go to BM Carpets and let them help you choose the right mattress for you.
Local resident and Voice Magazines distribution driver Kevin, popped in to see Billy recently for some work he needed doing at home. Here is what he said:
It had always been their dream to show that comfort, craftsmanship and artistry are affordable and available locally. They continue to support small local businesses themselves, using many in the lead up to opening the store. Local people are employed by Billy and Maria and that won’t change, they believe in putting back into the community they live and work in.
“I called in on the Friday and was served by Billy, who had very good customer service and offered me a good price on the carpets and underlay. The following Tuesday, as promised, 2 lads turned up and did a fantastic job – I was Gobsmacked! The work carried out was outstanding and they even tidied up afterwards to a high standard! Later that day, I had a follow up call from Billy himself to check that everything had been done to our satisfaction. I can’t praise this family run business highly enough.”
Wool, Hardwearing, Soft Touch, laminate flooring, LVT Flooring, Vinyl cushion flooring. Free estimates, free planning, free measuring, free delivering, fitting arranged.
Bespoke sofa made to order. Fabric and leather available. Recliners. Any combination.
Our beds are the only approved trading standards manufactory in the UK.
All beds carry a 5yrs Warranty. Lots of choice of mattresses, Storage Bases & Head Board also Electric beds.
If you can’t make it into the store, we can offer a FREE home selection service, where we bring the store to you.
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon - Thurs 9am -7pm
Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6.
2. Put the squash, red pepper and onion in a medium-size non-stick roasting tin or ovenproof dish, sprinkle over the garlic granules and spray with low-calorie cooking spray.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the tomato purée and mango chutney. Brush this mixture all over the pork, then sit the pork on top
Juicy sticky pork and tasty roast veg combine to make this delicious, sticky, mouthwatering feast. Enjoy!
of the vegetables and roast for 30-35 minutes or until the pork’s cooked.
4. Take the tin out of the oven and set the pork aside on a plate to rest, loosely covered with foil. Return the veg to the oven for 5-10 minutes or until lightly charred. Slice the pork and return to the tin. Scatter over the watercress and serve with a drizzle of yogurt
For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk
Ingredients:
• 500g frozen butternut squash chunks (or ½ large squash, if you want to prepare it yourself)
• 1 large red pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks
• 1 large red onion, roughly chopped
• 1 tsp garlic granules
• Low-calorie cooking spray
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 2 level tbsp mango chutney
• 1 lean pork tenderloin (about 300-400g), visible fat removed
• Small bag of watercress, to serve
• Fat-free natural Greek yogurt sprinkled with black pepper, to serve
Serves: 2 Ready in: 50 mins
FREEHOMESURVEY"ATION
Chooseyournewblinds&curtainsfromthecomfortof yourownhomewithourfreehomesurveyorvisit ourshowroom(Just2minsfromIKEA)
Syns per serving: 1.5
Saturday 8.30am & 10.00am
ST. THOMAS’ CHURCH HALL
St. Thomas’ Avenue, NG17 7DX CALL LISA 07707 519947
Thursday 9.30am
BENTINCK MINERS WELFARE Sutton Road, NG17 8GS
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#YesYouCanWithSlimmingWorld slimmingworld.co.uk
#YesYouCanWithSlimmingWorld slimmingworld.co.uk
Thursday 5.30pm
NEW CROSS COMMUNITY CHURCH
Downing Street, NG17 4EF CALL DIANE 07941 808099
MORECAMBE
FOR A 2023 BROCHURE OR TO BOOK:
PHONE: 01773 590 808
604 764 or 07483 357 958
Go online WWW.CLAIRSCOACHES.CO.UK
NEW BOOKING OFFICE: Parkvilla,124
Street, Clay Cross, Derbyshire S45 9LY
Saturday 9.00am & 10.30am
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Church Street, NG17 1FE CALL DIANE 07941 808099
This month’s walk is perfect for a Sunday afternoon stroll. Which is just what we did! With loads of variety, great views and an easy to find carpark to start from, you can see why we thought is was a classic. As we said last month Rafa has retired and is enjoying putting his paws up, with Flake taking over the reins. Rafa has loved hearing your suggestions for the new walk title and would like to thank everyone who has written in. We are going to give it another month before we unveil the new name, so there is still time to get your suggestions in.
A nice, easy going walk which should take you and your dog around 2 - 2.5 hours.There is a range of terrain, with some muddy and uneven sections. There are also a couple of road sections. So, please wear appropriate footwear and as always follow the countryside code.
1. From the car park pass through a metal kissing gate adjacent to the car park entrance and turn immediate left. Bear left, keeping Bestwood winding engine house on your right.
2. Continue straight ahead for some distance until the path splits in two. At this point bear left following a signpost for ‘Adventure playground’. Continue straight ahead and eventually pass a signboard reading ‘Big wood 20 mins’. Continue straight ahead into some woodland and when the path splits in two bear right signposted for ‘Big wood 15 mins’.
3. Continue along this path winding and twisting steep uphill. At the top of the hill turn left at a T junction of paths. Now continue straight ahead with houses on your right and woodland on your left.
4. Continue ahead staying close to the houses until reaching a tall metal fence on your right. Continue close to the fence for a short distance and then follow the path slightly left away from the fence. After a short distance the path splits in two. Bear right and then continue for a very short distance and turn right at a crossroads of paths signposted for ‘Bestwood lodge gardens’.
forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads
5. Continue straight ahead and gently downhill. At the bottom of the hill the path splits in two. Bear right and now continue gently uphill until reaching a metal kissing gate. Pass through the gate and turn left along a lane.
6. Continue along the lane for a short distance going gently downhill. Just prior to a metal gate bear right to continue along the lane. Continue for some distance and then pass through a metal gate to continue along the lane.
7. Continue for some distance and then pass through a metal gate and onto a single track tarmac road. Continue straight along the road. Continue for some distance until passing by a barrier and a signboard reading ‘Killarney Park’.
8. Immediately after the barrier bear left going downhill along ‘Squires Drive’. At the bottom of the hill you will come to a square of tarmac. At this point continue straight ahead along a narrow lane. After a very short distance you will pass by a marker post on your right and over a cattle grid.
9. Continue for a very short distance and then follow the lane around to the left to continue with a tall wooden fence on your right. Continue until the lane bears sharp right. At this point turn left go forward for a very short distance and then pass through a gap into some woodland.
10. Continue straight ahead going uphill. After a short distance climb up some steps and then continue following the path uphill. A short distance after the path has levelled out bear right along a path to come out of the woodland into an open field.
11. Cross the open field diagonally downhill. At the bottom corner pass through a gap and continue straight ahead to cross another field. At the far side, continue straight ahead to pass through a gap and cross a 3rd open field diagonally.
12. At the far side of this field bear right and continue downhill along a lane keeping a hedge on your left. Continue along the lane passing a barn on
your right and then follow the lane to a road and turn left along the road.
13. After some distance turn right off the road onto a lane signposted for ‘Mill Lakes’ Continue straight ahead for a short distance and then pass through a metal kissing gate and continue straight towards a lake.
14. Just prior to the lake bear right along a footpath. Continue to a T junction of paths and then turn left to cross over a footbridge. Shortly after the bridge turn left along a footpath keeping the lake on your left.
15. Continue for some distance and then cross a footbridge over a river with tall railings on both sides. Continue straight for a short distance and then cross a footbridge over a road.
16. Continue for some distance and then upon reaching a marker post on your left, keep left along a path signposted for ‘Bestwood Country Park’. After a very short distance turn left again at a T junction of paths.
17. Continue for a very short distance and then pass through a metal gate. After a short distance and at a T-junction of paths, turn left and continue ahead.
18. Continue for some distance and then at a T junction of paths turn left. Continue ahead passing Bestwood winding engine house on your left. Continue to return to the car park.
This walk is for illustrative purposes only. Voice Magazines Ltd takes no responsibility for anyone who chooses to follow this route and encourages all walkers to obey all byelaws and signs and to respect the area they are walking in, ensuring they pick up all dog mess and obey the countryside code at all times.
To advertise please call 01773 549 035
From supply only to full installation we offer the full package. Our experienced and knowledgeable design teams are here for you, offering a full, free of charge planning and design service. If you’re after a bathroom or kitchen we are serious about creating the best design possible to suit your budget.
Pitcherwits® are crossword puzzles where some of the clues are in pictures. Sound easy? It’s not called “Pit-your-wits” for nothing! The mixture of cryptic and picture clues, combined with Professor Rebus’ unique sense of humour, will keep you entertained for hours.
Across
5 Acquire music from non-flyer (3)
6 Pinch a bit of drink (3)
10 Adjudicator borrowed to host ball (3)
11 Member joining the queue-jumpers club? (5,2)
12 Allow wallet to be thinned down (3)
16 Have some Brownie points for this answer! (3)
17 Go wrong with cherry pip (3)
Down
2 Carefully sizes up, but it’s no use for fasteners (4)
3 She’s well into reform! (4)
8 Basic, low nature of a fool (5)
14 That wink you have, it’s somewhat dark (4)
1 “But I’m zany!” he blurted out in old Istanbul (9)
7 Crises the bottleopener precipitates for journalists (7)
13 Allots, like signals? (7)
Down
1 The perfect places for children’s sleepovers? (8)
4 Tom to persist in trying to see Beatrix film (4,6)
5 Rioting bandoleers can be supported (10)
18 Acres of hay I made from a lounge seat (4,5)
9 Berlin in trouble? Rubbish, that’s what it’s for! (8)
15 Ice cream follower in cowboy’s lasso dance (4) ANSWERS
This puzzles has been devised by the brilliant Professor Rebus. For more of his puzzles visit www.pitcherwits.co.uk
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.
✽ 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
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please call 01773 549 035
From the rear of Annesley Old Church at the side of Annesley Hall, you had a good view of the woods.
But as time moved on, the road to the MI Junction 27 needed to be developed to take, not just the commuter traffic, but all the commercial vehicles that were to be using the Kodak Park Industrial Estate. Farming land was being dug up for the infrastructure for many of the company’s needs.
This was the 1980’s – but the Kirkby and District Conservation Society realized more trees would be removed on route than had been thought. As the tree line went back, a hidden feature, the Icehouse, would be damaged and lost to the area. Some discussions took place, and it was decided to relocate the structure to a small area on the edge of the business park and make it viewable.
Estates had Icehouses set into earth to act as an outside cold room for storing meats and goods that needed to be preserved.
I have seen at Rufford Abbey woodland a larger and more above ground version, whilst Annesley as a smaller country house, it was useful. The lodge house at the bottom of the lane looks across the road, to a small path and a gate, now overgrown. Brickwork and a strong grill are seen, but you can’t go inside and lower. One job sorted.
One issue over the trees brought out a demonstration of people with banners and placquards making their views clear about the loss of a large number of trees, how it affects the native species and the wildlife.
Most of Annesley had been farming land owned by the estate with families farming for generations. Spreading out to Felley and beyond, the Widened road would open up all sorts of changes.
Its now over 30 years and time has moved on. The Conservation Society changed into Kirkby Heritage and social media Kirkby Living memory, with lost of archived material being held at the Centre on Kingsway. The Old Church, although a roofless ruin, had its Tower listed as Grade one, and the Hall was listed Grade 2. 2011 The Old Church has some National Lottery funding for conservation work, it’s still owned by Ashfield District Council. The church site is open with many visitors calling in on their journeys.
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Unit F2, Concept 360, Chadburn House, Weighbridge Road, Mansfield. NG18 1AH
Unit F2, Concept 360, Chadburn House, Weighbridge Road, Mansfield. NG18 1AH
very so often to feed on nectar at ground level. Generally, quite rare they seem to have increased. However, both species are hard to spot until you get your eye in, and so are certainly worth watching out for.
I suspect that 2023 will go down as a remarkable year for our region’s butterflies. Whilst the weather has frequently been wet and cool, there have been some hot sunny periods too. Whatever the cause, the conditions have triggered the spread of many of our butterfly species. Some of these changes, such as the now commonplace speckled wood, are clearly long-term movements northwards. The holly blue is another formerly uncommon insect that is now one of our most frequent fliers in woods, parks, and gardens. Other changes see one species (like wall brown) drop and another close relative (say, hedge brown) increase. The reasons are not always obvious and may relate to weather and climate, to habitat loss or condition, or even to parasites and diseases. The ringlet is a grassland species that has increased in numbers dramatically. But this year has witnessed some remarkable occurrences with for example, fritillary butterflies doing well across the region. One stunning species, the silver-washed fritillary, has done well in wooded parts of the Peak, such as the Dales, but also in the eastern parts of North Derbyshire like Whitwell Wood.
Records have come in north to Sheffield’s southern fringe. This is a very large, orangebrown butterfly and a strong flier, and so is very noticeable, and worth recording. Less so, but also doing very well are two species of the upper tree canopy, the purple hairstreak on oaks, and the white-letter hairstreak on elms. These rather small butterflies flit around the high treetops where the males hold territories and await their females but descend
The Comma is a member of the spectacular Vanessid butterflies, which include red admiral, peacock, and painted lady, and this is a species which is much increased in recent decades. All this group routinely feed on Buddleia which again makes them easy to spot and to count. Other less commonly seen butterflies are the moth-like skippers and whilst there are several species, the most likely to be seen are small skipper, large skipper, and the relatively recent arrival, the Essex skipper. Another stunning species also increasing, is the bright sulphur-yellow brimstone. However, this insect may be restricted by its larval foodplants, the alder buckthorn and buckthorn. Because of this, many butterfly enthusiasts are now actively planting these shrubs in suitable places such as parks and gardens.
Whilst planting foodplants in suitable places helps species to spread naturally, there is also a movement of ‘guerrilla lepidopterists’ now actively introducing rare butterflies to new sites. These places are generally sites that once held them or at least where the enthusiasts think they should be (which is not always the same thing!) Most introductions simply fail and some, like speckled wood, probably get ‘lost’ within the natural spread that is occurring. However, the actively remains contentious with some experts resigned to it happening and others pretty much opposed. There are also, of course, officially sanctioned introduction programmes which are formally planned, funded, and monitored. The guerrilla lepidopterists say these are too little and too slow. I will leave you to make up your own minds!
With over 20 years’ experience in designing, manufacturing and installing bespoke garden buildings throughout the UK, you can trust that Cabin Master will deliver the perfect space for your garden. And the possibilities are endless...
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Lots of this year’s planting will keep going right up till the first frosts, so it’s always worth continuing to deadhead and feed your pots and baskets until then.
But if you’re looking for some autumn colour to fill bare patches, heleniums come in a gorgeous range of reds, yellows and oranges. Keep them well watered and add some garden compost to the soil. Sedums are also lovely and bright and both should survive over the winter. Autumn heathers provide good value – but do remember they need ericaceous compost.
As the weather starts to cool, cut off remaining trusses from tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen.
Pot up tender perennials such as fuchsias and osteospermum which you want to keep and bring them indoors into cool rooms to overwinter. You can also take cuttings, taking about 3 to 4 inches, cutting below a joint and taking off all but the top leaves, dip in rooting compound and push into potting compost around the edge of a small pot. Again you can leave outdoors until the frosts threaten but then bring in for winter.
Rake the thatch from lawns, aerate with a garden fork and re-seed while there is still warmth in the ground to help the seed take.
