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

From the Editor

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

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?

Happy Reading!

THE DRIVE(WAY) TO SUCCESS!

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

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!

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

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)

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)

Across:

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

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Age, 15 Fruit market. Down:

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RASCALS SWIM SEASON SUCCESS

Ripley RASCALS squad swimmers have had a brilliant conclusion to the 2022-23 season, with record numbers qualifying for the Regional Championships and multiple fantastic performances recorded across the squad at the club’s Annual Summer Open Meet in July in honour of the club’s founder.

The Regional Championships held across April and May at Corby International Pool and Moorways Sports Village in Derby, saw record numbers of Ripley RASCALS members qualify and compete in the event.

In total 20 members qualified for the event from the Ripley training programme, an increase from the record breaking total of 16 from 2022 and they all swam superbly, recording pbs, making finals and winning medals! Finalists included Eve Connor, Elena Quinn, Ollie Stone and Isabelle Kimber – with Elena also having to negotiate a ‘swim off’ to make the 50m freestyle final. And in what was a fantastic step up in performance from the heats, Eve managed to win a bronze medal in the 50m backstroke final!

The club also entered multiple relay events, the highlights being the 14 & under 200m Freestyle Relay

team of Eve, Elena, Daisy Anton and Aydrian Cope, coming in 8th place, the 14/16 years 400m Freestyle team of Isabelle, Rosie Stone, Mimi Fisher and Saffron Sands also finishing 8th and the boys 17 & over 400m Free team of Joel & Noah Tannahill, Josh Atterbury and Luke Waterfall coming away with a 9th place finish.

In July the club hosted its Annual Frank Mansey Memorial Open Meet at Alfreton Leisure Centre, held in the honour of the club’s founder. The club saw 57 of its competitive swimming members enter from across all squads – which was once again an increase from 2022, which was very pleasing to see.

In what was a fantastic day for the club, hundreds of top six placings were recorded, resulting in multiple medals being won and dozens of County qualifying times being set ready for the short course County Championships in September.

The club’s attention now turns to the Annual Club Championships in October and team swimming events return with the Leicester League taking place throughout the Autumn, where we anticipate further excellent performances and PBs!

If you would like to expand your swimming activities or try something new, please contact us. contact@ripleyrascals.org.uk | www.ripleyrascals.org.uk

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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

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

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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.

“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.”

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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’.

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.

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From plumbers, electricians, gardeners, joiners and decorators to electric vehicle charger installers, accountants, dog walkers, removal firms and will writers – it’s easy to find a registered Trusted Trader to get your job done. And they’re all checked by trading standards.

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Book Review

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.

SEPTEMBER MUSINGS

I have to admit to loving the slide into Autumn September brings - although ironically, the month often seems to be drier and sunnier than August, just in time for the kids to go back to school!

The vernal equinoxes - when we experience equal lengths of daylight and nighttimeoccur in March and September, the Spring and Autumn equinoxes. This year the Autumn equinox occurs on 23rd September marking the “official” start of Autumn here in the Northern Hemisphere.

What else is September known for?

There are several “awareness days” in the month, but I’m going to take a look backwards in time.

Let’s start with the name: September - it sounds like it should be the seventh month in the calendar, “septem” being Latin for seven. And in Roman times, it was indeed the seventh month of the year, until in 153 BCE, they decided to add two extra months at the beginning of the calendar, thus relegating September to ninth place.

I wonder why they didn’t choose to insert the extra months AFTER the numerically named September, October, November and December. OK, it would mean that January would be the 11th month and February the 12th, but it wouldn’t matter - would it?

What else did I find?

According to one online source, 24th September was the day harvesting began in Medieval England - that sounds a little late to me, but I’m not a farmer, so what do I know?

September also sees St Michael’s Day (no, NOT the shop!), otherwise known as Michaelmas. Saint Michael is the patron saint of banking as well as of grocers and the police and is supposed to protect us all from evil…I leave you to draw your own conclusions!

Here are some events that have taken place during Septembers in the past:

➤ 2nd September 1666 - The Great Fire of London began in Pudding Lane

➤ 3rd September 1939 - Britain and France declared war on Germany.

➤ 4th September 1962 - The Beatles started their first recording session at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios, London

➤ 7th September 1533 - Birth of Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.

➤ 11th September 1915 - Britain’s first Women’s Institute opened in Wales.

➤ 13th September 1902 - Harry Jackson became the first person in Britain to be convicted on fingerprint evidence.

➤ 19th September 1839 - George Cadbury (he who founded the chocolate empire) was born in Birmingham.

➤ 23rd September 1848 - Chewing gum produced commercially for the first time.

➤ 25th September 1818 - First transfusion of human blood performed at Guy’s Hospital, London.

➤ 28th September 1745 - ‘God Save the King’ sung for the first time at London’s Drury Lane Theatre.

My eldest was born 19th September and is something of a chocoholic; I wonder if it is pure coincidence that Mr Cadbury was born on the same day 153 years previously - tee hee!

Have a great September folks, remember, only three months until Christmas.

These articles are researched and written by Laura Billingham, a local content writer and author. Laura moved to the Peak District several years ago to pursue her passion for writing.

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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!

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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!

All Around the Shire

BACK TO SCHOOL MEMORIES

September is the time of year that signals the end of the freedom of summer holidays and the start of a new school year.

I remember as a child when children trudged to their new classrooms in squeaky shoes and blazers several sizes too big because they would “grow into it”.

Milk arrived during the morning in a crate outside the school entrance in small bottles that held a third of a pint. It was at the mercy of the elements so in winter it froze, and the silver tops lifted off as the milk expanded upwards from the bottle. The crate had to be put next to the radiator to defrost. Worse was in summer when the milk became tepid sometimes with curdled cream. Occasionally you might find holes in the silver tops which had been pecked by blue tits getting at the cream. I was never a milk monitor, or any other sort of monitor, but their job was to distribute a bottle to each child in the class at morning break, together with a small straw. School milk continued until 1971 when Margaret Thatcher earned the nickname of “Thatcher, Thatcher, milk snatcher” by ending the provision of free school milk.

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School dinners were again contentious. Free for poorer children, subsidised for others. I remember the large aluminium serving dishes and the water jugs. Chocolate concrete and pink custard, Manchester tart and frog spawn tapioca. Lumpy mashed potato, stringy beans and globby gravy. I rather enjoyed them.

The food was served by kindly dinner ladies who smelled like cigarette smoke and mint imperials and supervised after lunch in the playground and nap time for little ones in put-up beds in the hall.

When we do our “Mealtime Memories” session with All Around the Shire, we often hear reminiscence about back-toschool memories. Invariably milk and school dinners feature frequently. What do you remember?

Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire. Find us on or email: oldfield512@btinternet.com for more information.

ALFRETON & DISTRICT HERITAGE TRUST A LOOK BACK IN TIME – ALFRETON HORSE FAIR

harnesses, leathers and whips, others displaying the wares of corn dealers and feeding stuffs, whilst others exhibited horse blankets, coverings, and ribbons. There was even a brand-new cart on which was displayed drawings and pictures of all types of new and fashionable carts and drays, from small pony traps to big hay carts, all of which could be made to a customer’s requirements. Nearby was a wheelwright demonstrating his craft by fitting a steel rim to a wooden wheel amid a cloud of hissing steam. Down another street a Blacksmith and his apprentice were busy shoeing a constant stream of horses whilst working from a large coke brazier, brought to life by a youth working a pair of bellows.

Our account takes us back to one early morning in late September 1925 and for two young Alfreton boys, awaking to the sound of horses’ hooves, there was a great sense of excitement and joy as this heralded the start of the annual Horse Fair. Their home overlooked King Street which along with the Market Place and the High Street was used to exhibit the horses. At that time the horse reigned supreme and at the Fair there were all types of breeds from the Shires, heads held high with mane and tail tied and plaited with coloured ribbons, to the small Welsh Cobs and Shetland Ponies, impatient to be let off to show their paces.

The early part of the day was spent by the ostlers in grooming the horses, some of which must have travelled during the hours of darkness, the kerosene lamps still alight. Some youths were busy carting hay and straw and others bringing pails of water, slopping most of it as they went. The town was truly, a hive of activity.

Hundreds of horses had arrived, the earlier arrivals taking the better sites and the others down the side or back streets away from the main dealing activity. All the trades associated with horses were represented. Several displaying

Horses were everywhere, all restlessly waiting for business to begin. Business was pure and simple, the buying and selling of horses. Many of the dealers were as interesting as their horses, dressed in many strange garbs and speaking in strange dialects. They were to us small boys, tough, heroic figures as they swaggered around and staggered in and out of the pubs who were doing a roaring trade!

There was tremendous excitement everywhere and the yelling and shouting increased as horses on long reigns cantered up and down the streets, youths in knee breeches running gracefully alongside. There were some arguments with lots of shouting over deals but in other corners real pounds were quietly handed over and with a handshake the deal was done. Gradually, as the horses disappeared, we went home, our pockets bulging with pennies and half-pennies willingly earned during the day. Our day wasn’t finished though, from our garden shed we collected a shovel and some sacks to collect the horse droppings to sell to the town allotment holders. The pubs were still very busy, and it was getting dark, suddenly two little boys found they were tired and hungry so back home we went. Our adventures over.

LEABROOKS ALLOTMENT SHOP

After taking our time looking around the new plot, we got started on digging over bed 1 as this seemed the best place to start. As we dug a bed over, we planted it up. Although it was July, we planted potatoes. I have the attitude of giving it a whirl, if it works it works and if it doesn’t a lesson is learned. well, they definitely worked, and we got a good harvest of potatoes.

The allotment became a family effort and we all got stuck in. whilst they dug, my attention turned to the fruit cage. I donned my hard hat, and gloves and tied a guide rope around my waist and I set off with the pruning shears. In the fruit cage, we had several red, white, and black currant bushes plus raspberries which had popped up everywhere and needed taming. The currant bushes were taller than me, which at 5ft 2 inches tall isn’t difficult! There were nettles galore which I soon despatched. The currants were ready for harvesting so we gathered as many as we could before I got to pruning the bushes back. I made red

currant jelly and black currant cordial which went down a treat in the 40-degree heat of last summer.

The plot emerged from the overgrown jungle it had become and was soon planted up with onions, carrots, brassicas, and all manner of crops. This year we have taken on plot number 2 and the hard, but enjoyable work continues. Not only are we producing the crops we use daily, but we have also discovered that the allotment is our happy place. It is a place of quiet for us to get lost away from our busy lives of work. I can’t recommend allotmenteering enough, it’s food for the table and food for the soul.

by Kate Neale LEABROOKS ALLOTMENT-SHOP

JON TAYLOR OUR PLOT MANAGER ON 07591 333871, IF YOU WANT TO DISCUSS STARTING AN ALLOTMENT.

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.

Silver-Washed

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!

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

Fritallary

Essex Skipper

Piurple Hairstreak

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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.