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

Dear Readers,

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

equally as encouraging) much to the boys annoyance. I really loved it but then shamed myself by catching a ball instead of heading it into the goal from a corner – absolutely mortified, not sure I went back 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

Back to School - Old Style!

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!

The Kia Electrified Event.

Guess the words and Fill in the crossword ! Pitcherwits®

7 Crises the bottleopener precipitates for journalists (7)

13 Allots, like signals? (7)

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)

15 Ice cream follower in cowboy’s lasso dance (4)

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)

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

The Key to Unlocking Your New Home!

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.

NEW SHOP IN TOWN!

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.

Customer Testimonial:

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.

01773 462 826

“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.”

Family Business

CARPETS

Wool, Hardwearing, Soft Touch, laminate flooring, LVT Flooring, Vinyl cushion flooring. Free estimates, free planning, free measuring, free delivering, fitting arranged.

Sofa

Bespoke sofa made to order. Fabric and leather available. Recliners. Any combination.

BEDS

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

Friday - Saturday 9am-5pm

01773 462 826

Sunday 11am - 3pm

34, Market Street, South Normanton, DE55 3EL

Bespoke blinds, curtains and shutters

Free temporary vertical blinds with any shutter order

X3 Verticals fitted from £90

X3 Rollers fitted from £120

(Size and fabric restrictions apply)

Services We Offer

Blinds • Shutters • Curtains • Trade

Direct Factory Blinds is the name you can rely on for made-to-measure

Free Call Selston - 0808 155 8256

dfblinds@hotmail.co.uk www.directfactoryblinds.co.uk

Read our reviews on Yell

Slimming World Recipe

Sticky Roast Pork

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

FRIDAY 9am & 10:30am

SELSTON PARISH HALL

Mansfield Rd, Selston, NG16 6EE

Sue: 07738 118 130

THURSDAY 5:30pm & 7pm

SELSTON PARISH HALL

Mansfield Rd, Selston, NG16 6EE

Maria: 07860 830 095

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

Syns per serving: 1.5

Vintage Rambles with rafaand Flake

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.

5.5 MILE CIRCULAR FROM BESTWOOD COUNTRY PARK

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.

START: BESTWOOD COUNTRY PARK, PARK ROAD, BESTWOOD VILLAGE NG68ZA

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 Voice Team on 01773 549 035

#38

Fill in all the numbers!

free Timber Alternative Sash Windows from the Bygone Collection. The most energy efficient, authentic, timber alternative sash window on the market. Exceptional build quality, with an unprecedented 12 year guarantee.

ur h o m e the v a l u e &

o u r h o m e th e v a lu e &

Award winning Timber Windows & Doors. Natural, Constructed from engineered timber, their strength, stability and beauty are guaranteed. Sustainable and ethical, our beautiful timber windows and doors are the logical choice.

ther your home is a country cottage, a Victorian a modern town-house or a converted barn, enjoy 10% discount o all timber windows and doors in Summer Sale until the end of July 2023.*

Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, a 10 our Summer Sale until the end of July 2023.*

Please visit us to engineered timber e on enhancing discount is app

Please enginee advic *10% d

Aluco manufactures iconic steel replica, heritage, Art-Deco or industrial-styled glazing solutions. Aluco delivers expertly crafted, cleverly designed, and above all, authentic in style, steel-look windows and doors.

01773 747456

Email: info@derwentwindows.co.uk

www timberwindows.com

Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm

Visit Our Showrooms

The Old Church, 31 Nottingham Road, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3AS

The Old Bank, 1 Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, NG2 5FF

Opening T imes: Monday - Saturday 9:30am -

The Old Bank, 1 Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, NG2 5FF

One of the largest showrooms in Nottinghamshire established over 30 years

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.

PINXTON & SOUTH NORMANTON: HISTORY GROUP THE EARLY HISTORY OF SOUTH NORMANTON

The following article is from the writing of Mr. John Spencer, who many people who attended New Street Secondary School, prior to its closure In the 1960’s, will remember principally as the geography teacher.

John was also a noted local historian and researched the history of the village.

When the Romans, and later, the Saxons began to settle England, they left South Normanton severely alone. The area of the current village formed part of the vast forested area which later became to be known as Sherwood Forest.

After the Norman Conquest it became a Royal Forest. In 1261 the Northern parameter of the Forest ran along Berristowe Lane (‘B’ Winning). On the edge of this forest stood Pinxton Castle, built in 1150/1151, during the disputed monarchy following the death of King Henry, known as the period of The Anarchy. Another similar ‘Motte and Bailey’ castle was built at Annesley.

The Danes (Norsemen) were the first settlers, however. They entered the forested area near to what is now Alfreton Station then known as Carlingthwaite (Old Woman’s Clearing).

A further group penetrated further into the forest and founded another settlement around the area we know today as Water Lane, beside the same stream.

It was this group which the village’s name derived, ‘North Man’s Farm’, and nothing to do with The Normans as it was settled well before The Conquest. The South was added later to differentiate it from Temple Normanton, near Chesterfield. This settlement probably dates from c900 AD. By the date of The Norman Conquest the population has been estimated to have been less than fifty people.

The area of occupation started to widen when it was realised the sub-structure contained a bed of clay which meant water could be obtained by digging holes; this resulted in the ‘settled’ area being extended.

The centre of the village became the area where Spartan Lane, Main Street and the bottom of Church Street meet. This was called locally at Post Office Yard, the birthplace of the celebrated Jedidiah Strutt. The original village green was between Albert and Victoria Streets.

In more recent times the centre of South Normanton moved to its present location, another unusual feature of the village but by no means unique.

Article provided by The Pinxton and South Normanton Local History Society, which meets on the third Monday (7 pm) of each month at The Post Mill Centre with speakers on topics of interest.

SOUTH NORMANTON HERITAGE DAY - THIRD SATURDAY IN

OCTOBER 10-4 PM

The Society meets on the third Monday, monthly at The Post Mill Centre at 7pm. Visitors welcome.

WHY NOT GIVE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE A VISIT?

PINXTON AND SOUTH NORMANTON HISTORY GROUP.

Mike’sMusings

Awk ward but over at Voice HQ barely an hour passes without one of us ut tering one of the phrases below Anywho, my bad!

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

Is it me or…..

……….perhaps it’s just my age, but there are now lots of little, some would say inconsequential, things in the modern world that trouble me. You see, in my youth I was brought up to always do as I was told, and to be polite and respectful. You know the kind of thing, say ‘please and thank you’, eat your greens, never fart in a crowded lift, respect your elders, and always walk on the outside of a girl/lady when on the pavement etc., etc.

Now, and I know this is only language, but when I go to the pictures and am advised that before the ‘show’ begins, there is just enough time for me to grab a treat from the concession stands in the foyer, I roll my eyes and can feel the blood beginning to rise.

You see, putting aside for a moment the fact that I’d support any politician proposing to put forward a Private Members Bill outlawing the practice of eating and drinking in cinemas, as the noise of crunching and slurping is highly offensive to the senses, it is the use of the verb ‘grab’.

When I was but a lad, if my parents had seen me coming out of a shop carrying a bag of crisps and heard me say that I’d simply gone in to grab a snack, they’d have sent me back in to either pay for or return the crisps. If I close my eyes, I can hear them now, “………you don’t ever GRAB things Michael!”

Other modern phrases/uses of language that annoy me include: -

Why is it that nowadays youngsters (and occasionally, the not so young) when they are really looking forward to something, say that they are ‘super’ excited? Whatever happened to the adjective ‘very’?

When asked a question that simply requires a yes or no response, why do so many people simply say “Absolutely” when in the affirmative but “Absolutely not” as a negative?

As for the phrase ‘my bad’, which didn’t make sense to me when I first saw it – but I’m now enlightened! –what’s wrong with “It’s my fault?”

Whilst I’m having a rant, the next time I hear an individual or organisation commit to ‘……..reaching out’ to me, I swear I’ll take off all my clothes and run all the way from Alfreton up through South Normanton to Junction 28. Don’t tempt me. It wouldn’t be fair on the people who live on that stretch of road.

On a similar topic, I have trouble with some of the phraseology used by mainly right wing (although not exclusively) media outlets and view headlines such as ‘Fury in the Cabinet’, ‘Boris dumbfounded’, ‘Jacob Rees-Mogg blasts whoever’, ‘Fury with the BBC’, ‘Farage outrage’ etc. as simply being inflammatory.

Right, having got that off my chest, I’m going to treat myself to a lie down in a darkened room and try to establish why it is that marmalade is called marmalade and not orange jam!

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.

Please call FREEPHONE 0800 747 1902

01623 859932 for a no obliga�on quote

for a FREE no obligation quote

Please call FREEPHONE 0800 747 1902 or 01623 859932 for a no obliga�on quote Unit F2, Concept 360, Chadburn House, Weighbridge Road, Mansfield. NG18 1AH

£16

Prompt Delivery

Contact Kevin at KS Timber on 07919 273909

Gardener’s Calendar

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.

Top Tip:

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.

Plant bare root wallflowers now – it gives them a head start for next year

Butterflies galore across North Derbyshire and the Peak

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.

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.

Silver-Washed Fritallary

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

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!

Professor Ian D. Rotherham, researcher, writer, broadcaster on wildlife and environmental issues in the Peak District and elsewhere, is contactable on ianonthewildside@ukeconet.org. Follow his website

Hedge Brown

Comma

Essex Skipper

Piurple Hairstreak

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...

• Garden Bar

• Home Gym

• Office Space

• Family Room

• Arctic Cabins BBQ Huts

• Hot Tub and Swim Spas