Voice Magazines - Alfreton & Villages Edition - MAY 2024

• ALFRETON • TIBSHELF

• SOUTH WINGFIELD • SHIRLAND

• CRICH • STONEBROOM • HIGHAM

• WESSINGTON • WESTHOUSES

11 EDITIONS, READ BY OVER 152,000 RESIDENTS

20THMAY ‘24

WORLDBEE DAY

BUZZ… WHY WE NEED BEES

Bees—we all know they are under threat, don’t we?

But why are they so important, and what can be done to mitigate the danger they are in?

At the heart of their importance lies their role as pollinators. This seemingly simple act is crucial for the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. In fact, it’s estimated that one-third of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators like bees. Without them, many of the foods we rely on for sustenance would cease to exist or become prohibitively expensive.

Beyond agriculture, bees play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity. By pollinating a diverse range of plants, they contribute to the reproduction of countless species, thereby supporting entire ecosystems. From wildflowers to trees, bees ensure the survival of plant communities that provide habitat and sustenance for a myriad of other organisms, from insects to birds to mammals…to us humans!

Bees are also indicators of environmental health. Their presence and abundance can serve as a barometer for the overall well-being of ecosystems. Declines in bee populations may signal broader ecological imbalances, such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. As such, protecting bees and their habitats is not only crucial for their survival but also for the health and resilience of entire ecosystems.

In addition to their ecological significance, bees also have profound cultural and economic importance. For centuries, humans have benefited from the products of bees, including honey, beeswax, and propolis. Beekeeping, or apiculture, remains an important livelihood for many people around the world, providing income, sustenance, and even therapeutic benefits.

Despite their immense value, bees face many threats to their survival. Habitat loss, pesticide

exposure, disease, climate change, and invasive species all take their toll on bee populations. The widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides has been implicated in the decline of bee populations worldwide, leading to calls for greater regulation and alternative pest management strategies.

Fortunately, there is growing recognition of the need to protect bees and support their populations. Efforts to conserve and restore bee habitats, reduce pesticide use, and promote beefriendly practices are underway in many parts of the world. From urban beekeeping initiatives to pollinator-friendly gardening campaigns, individuals, communities, and governments are taking action to safeguard bees and their vital ecosystem services.

As individuals, we can help by:

• planting a diverse set of native plants, which flower at different times of the year

• buying raw honey from local farmers

• buying products from sustainable agricultural practices

• avoiding pesticides, fungicides or herbicides in our gardens

• protecting wild bee colonies when possible

• sponsoring a hive

• making a bee water fountain by leaving a water bowl outside

• helping to sustain forest ecosystems

• raising awareness around us by sharing this information within our communities and networks

GO ON, HELP SAVE THE BEES – THE WORLD WOULD BE A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE WITHOUT THEM!

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Our world is at your feet!

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Slimming World Recipe Fish Pie

Method:

1. Heat your oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/ gas 6.

2. Cook the potatoes in a large saucepan of boiling water over a high heat for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain, return to the pan and mash well. Leave to cool then stir in the quark, season to taste and set aside.

3. While the potatoes are cooking, put the leeks and 2 tbsp water in a nonstick saucepan over a medium-high heat. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally, then tip into a large ovenproof dish.

4. At the same time, cook the eggs in another saucepan of boiling water over a high heat for 9 minutes or until just hard-boiled. Cool under cold running water, peel, halve and add to the leeks.

For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk

This fish pie is packed full of delicious ingredients; fish, prawns, eggs, leeks in a creamy sauce, all topped with fluffy mash. Yum!

5. Pour the milk into a non-stick saucepan and bring to a simmer over a medium heat. Add the white fish, reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the fish to the ovenproof dish, along with the prawns, herbs and lemon juice.

6. Strain the milk into a clean pan and put it over a high heat. Mix the cornflour with a little cold water and add to the milk. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to low and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. Pour the thickened sauce over everything in the dish, season lightly and gently mix it all together.

7. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top, making a pretty pattern with a fork if you’re feeling creative, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the topping is lightly browned. Serve with your favourite Speed vegetables.

Serves: 6

Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1kg floury potatoes, such as King Edward or Maris Piper, roughly chopped

• 4 tbsp plain quark

• 2 large leeks, sliced

• 4 eggs

• 250ml skimmed milk

• 600g skinless and boneless white fish fillets, cut into bite-size chunks

• 200g cooked and peeled king or tiger prawns, tails removed

• ½ small pack fresh dill, chopped

• 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 1 level tbsp cornflour

Syns per serving: 1

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All Around the Shire

RUB A DUB DUB

Which soap do you remember from your childhood?

There were many brands to choose from in the 1960s and 70s like Lux or Camay Beauty soaps where the model on the television advert demonstrated how to use the soap by rubbing in circular movements blobs of lather on her cheeks. My granny was not impressed when I tried this method and she told me to go back and wash the whole of my face.

During WW2, soap was rationed as the fat and glycerine from it was needed to make explosives and for other military uses.

From 1942, four coupons were given each month, and each coupon was worth 4oz hard soap, 3oz toilet soap, half an ounce of liquid soap, 6oz soft soap, 3oz soap flakes or 6oz soap powder. Shaving soap was never rationed but became scarce as did the other types.

Soap operas from radio (1930s) and TV (1950s) were so called because they were sponsored by soap manufacturers.

Washing powders like Oxydol and Rinso had to perform more than one household task.

The wartime Rinso packet had instructions for how to use for laundry and dishwashing.

Knight’s Castille, Palmolive, Pears, Fairy, Sunlight, Imperial leather, Carbolic, Lifebuoy, Coal tar, Pit Head

Bath soap if your father was a miner, were the types I grew up with. To imagine my parents and grandparents having to go without what we regard as basic cleaning products and five inches of water in your bath for the whole family a week, makes me glad I didn’t have to live through those times.

Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire.

Flake’ s Favourites

Re-walking

Rafa’s Rambles

Well, it finally feels as if Spring has arrived and with it a bit of drier and warmer weather. So, it’s the perfect time to dig out this gem. It really is a lovely walk, with beautiful views and scenery. There is a nice varierty of terrain as the walk leaves from Calver, along the River Derwent to Froggatt and then as far up as Grindleford, before heading back through Froggatt Woods and along the river to return to Calver.

6-MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM CALVER TO FROGGATT ALONG THE RIVER DERWENT

A mid-length walk which should take you and your dog around 2½-3 hours to complete. The walk is mostly on trails and paths but there are a few short stretches of road so please take care. Please wear appropriate footwear and as always, please follow the countryside code.

START: CALVER MILL GALLERY, BRIDGE COTTAGE, CALVER. DERBYS. S32 3XA

1. Facing the gallery take the single-track tarmac road to the left signposted for ‘Calver Mill’. After some distance ignore the gate to the right into Calver Mill and continue straight ahead passing a sign on a stone post for ‘Stocking Farm’.

2. Just prior to reaching some farm buildings follow the road around to the right. After, turn immediately left and pass through a small wooden gate adjacent to a large wooden gate and continue to cross an open field.

3. Upon reaching a river on your right continue ahead keeping the river close on your right. After a short distance pass through a small wooden gate adjacent to a large metal gate. Now continue along a footpath with the river on your right.

4. Pass 2 bungalows on your left, then after a short distance you will reach a road. Cross the road to pass through a gap and then continue along a footpath with the river on your right.

5. After a short distance cross over a footbridge and then continue with the river on your right for some distance, passing through three more wooden gates.

6. Eventually pass through a wooden gate onto a road. Turn right to cross over the river and after a very short distance turn left at a T junction along a road called ‘Hollow Gate’. Continue ahead until the road bends sharp right and uphill. At this point continue straight ahead along a road and a footpath signposted for ‘Grindleford Bridge’.

7. The road turns into a lane with a dry-stone wall on both sides, then into a footpath. Shortly after this pass through a gap adjacent to a large metal gate, into a field, and continue with a dry-stone wall on your right. When the dry-stone wall on your right comes to an end bear slightly to the right following an arrow on a marker post, to continue to cross an open field.

8. Pass through a gap and then continue with a dry-stone wall on your left for some distance before passing through another gap to cross an open field. Pass through another gap to follow a signpost for ‘Froggatt Wood’.

9. Continue along a footpath through woodland and crossing several streams. Pass through a gap and then continue with a stone wall on your left. Then pass through a small wooden gate adjacent to a large wooden gate and cross an open field going downhill.

10. At the bottom of the hill bear slightly left to cross over a stream and continue ahead to pass a telegraph pole on your right. Cross an open field and at the far side pass through a wooden gate and onto a road. Turn right along the road for a very short distance and then turn right along a lane and signposted footpath.

11. After some distance follow the lane sharp right and after a very short distance pass a marker post on your right. Ignore the path to the left and continue straight ahead to cross over a stream. After a very short distance pass through a small wooden gate just off to your right and enter a field.

12. Cross the field towards a marker post. At the marker post turn left signposted as ‘The Wellington Boot Route’. Pass through a large gap in a wall pass by two marker posts on your right.

13. You will begin to enter some trees. Pass two more marker posts on your left and continue along a wooden walkway to pass through a wooden gate and uphill through the trees until you reach a dry-stone wall in front of you. Bear slightly right and continue with the wall on your left, ignore a gate on the left and contine.Then, following an arrow on a marker post on your right, pass through a large gap in the wall on your left.

14. Continue straight ahead, now, with the wall on your right. After some distance cross over a stream on your left and then continue ahead to cross over a walkway/bridge. Immediately after the bridge pass through a large gap in a wall directly in front of you.

15. Still amongst trees follow the arrow on a marker post on your left to continue ahead. At a marker post with an arrow pointing to the left follow the arrow on a path of laid flag stones.

16. Cross over some stepping stones over a fast running stream, then continue to cross over two more streams. Pass a marker post on your right, then cross over another stream. Continue gently uphill for some distance, eventually the path continues with a wall on your right. Pass through a small wooden gate adjacent to a large wooden gate onto a road.

17. Turn right, then shortly after passing ‘Moorlands Farm Bed & Breakfast’ on your right, turn left along a road called ‘Malthouse Lane’. Continue along ‘Malthouse Lane’ for some distance and then at the far end of the road follow it sharp around to the right and downhill.

18. At a T-junction turn left. Continue ahead, ignoring a road on your right and then look out for a small wooden gate on your right. Pass, through to continue along a footpath with a river on your right. Cross over a footbridge and then continue with the river on your right.

19. Continue for some distance and then at a split in the path take the right split, reaching some steps up to a road. Cross the road, pass through a gap and then continue along a footpath with the river on your right. After some distance climb up some steps, cross over a footbridge and then continue with the river on your right.

20. After some distance cross a wooden footbridge, climb some steps and continue with the river on your right. Further on pass through a small wooden gate along the path.

21. Pass through the wooden gate onto a road. Turn right and continue for some distance, reaching a junction. Turn right along a road and cross over the river to return to ‘Calver Mill Gallery’

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.

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Alfreton & District Heritage Trust

WHAT’S IN A NAME? MAY 2024

Many of you will be familiar with Preston Avenue in Alfreton and indeed many other roads in the town but do we consider how and why they are named? Some names do change over time and of course new road names appear, usually as a result of housing development in the area. Often Alfreton & District Heritage Trust are asked for suggestions and certainly the roads on the Outseats Farm Estate are one result of our input as is “William Carter Close” which is off Mansfield Road, a build still in progress.

What of Preston Avenue then?

Preston Avenue is named after Mr. George Preston, a local Journalist, Historian and Politician who faithfully served on the Alfreton Urban District Council from 1896 until being defeated in the 1926 elections. Born in Lowdham, Nottinghamshire in 1861, George Preston began his career as a trainee reporter of the staff of the Nottingham Daily Guardian, moving to Alfreton around 1885 to become the district representative for Nottingham and Sheffield Newspapers and The Press Association. He later went on to be Editor of the Alfreton & Belper Journal where it is said he wielded such a force in the town, which was not to be

despised and the lash of his pen was feared both by evildoers and local administrators alike.

Whether his marriage on 4th September, 1889 to Miss Mary Ann Terry was to temper his journalistic passion is debatable as George Preston was a formidable speaker at both Public and Political events around the Country. In 1896 he was elected to represent the Alfreton West Ward on Alfreton Urban District Council, a position he held for 30 years before being unseated in 1926. During the time he was Chairman on three occasions. He also was a regional member of the Belper Joint Hospital Isolation Committee, Chairman of the local Housing Board and Warden at St. Martin of Tours Parish Church. A Freemason, he was a member of the Royal Alfred Lodge.

In 1927 he was appointed as a Justice of the Peace for Derbyshire sitting on the Alfreton Bench, a position he held until his death in 1938.

A keen historian he wrote a number of books about Alfreton and is believed to be the first Author to give an account of the Pentrich Revolution.

His death was a huge loss to the town, having unselfishly given it a lifetime of service and it is fitting he should be remembered. He had come to Alfreton intending to stay only a few years but as he himself once said, the town sort of grows on you and so he stayed!

Perhaps the last word on Preston Avenue should go to George…

“We advise the erection of two or three sets of swings on the open-air spaces in that locality. We mention this because the wire fencing in front of the houses is no longer available for this form of juvenile recreation. Again the lengths of loose wire which litter the causeways have placed belated pedestrians in undignified positions, and sometimes caused the use of words not found in modern dictionaries!”

George Preston

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WAKENHYRST - MICHELLE PAVER

There’s nothing like a bit of gothic thriller for immersing yourself in another world and author Michelle Paver has a great talent for suspense and menace. Her other gothic novels, Dark Matter and Thin Air, were bestsellers and Wakenhyrst, the most recent book, is another treat for fans of creepy, gripping and spooky tales.

It’s an engrossing clever story, atmospheric and dark, centred around Maud, a young girl who grows up in a

grand house on the edge of the Fens. Her mother dies in childbirth and her life is ruled by her despotic father who she adores – until she starts to find out about his secrets.

Paver builds tension brilliantly. Maud is a superb brave heroine, her father a perfect villain. Religion, superstition –and a clever narrative around the place of women in Edwardian times. What’s not to love?

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

6 Cut the picture of the harvest (4)

7 Noisiest part of after-dinner speech (3)

8 Abundantly alcoholic? (4)

14 Sky pilot gives up posy for Scotswear (4)

15 Hit, from hot-air propellor (3)

16 Opposed to the freeze of the car? (4)

17

Across

1 Left Vienna to become the last item (5,5)

9 Download a version of wild arboretum? (8)

11 Bit of monochrome shading can be hard to pin down (4,4)

17 Beef, Duke? (10)

Down

3 Bland and quiet Diva? Unlikely! (5)

4 She’s into ballerina diagnostics (5)

12 Tiger-eye? Get away, somehow it’s a nest! (5)

13 A vial, snapped open for help (5)

Down

1 We make lifelong attempts to be in blue state (7,3)

2 Why a car crashed into an architectural feature (7)

5 “Founded a nation, did I? That’s just as well!” (2,8)

10 Losing fluid because of broken linkage (7)

Down: 1 Proposition, 2 T b a, 3 Gas, 4 Non-adhesive, 6 Go to sea, 7 Not here, 8 Engrave, 14 Rev, 15 Sit.

Across: 1 Patrol wagon, 5 Agonies, 9 Omit, 10 Gird, 11 Other, 12 Iris, 13 Ache, 14 Rameses, 16 Naval battle.

ANSWERS FOR LAST MONTHS PITHERWITS

These puzzles are devised by the brilliant Professor Rebus. For more of his puzzles visit www.pitcherwits.co.uk

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Mike’sMusings

Our resident muser has the mike...

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

If I was Prime Minister I would……………..? (Part 3 of………?)

Oh dear, I seem to have opened up a can of worms with these latest musings. Far be it for me to comment but Bill, from Westhouses, has been in touch to say that, if he were PM, he’d insist that all politicians be made to undergo a lie detector test before their name be allowed on any ballot paper.

He was prompted to contact me having seen the headline in a national daily newspaper in March which, in bold type, proclaimed that prior to the General Election due later this year…….

Boris Vows to Campaign on ‘Great’ Brexit Freedoms.

I’m not going to pass judgement on that specific strategy says Bill - other than to ‘wish Boris good luck on that one pal!’ - but do question the wisdom of any political party seeking to appeal to voters by making use of someone whom fellow MP’s have deemed to be, at best, ‘economical with the truth’, and at worst, an outright liar. In Bill’s view, the Conservatives must be clutching at straws if they think Boris is the solution to their current unpopularity.

Over the years, Bill has become disenchanted with UK politics. He accepts however, that some politicians - probably the majority - regardless of whether their political leanings are of the left, right or centre, are sincere in their desire to do what is right for their constituents and the country as a whole. There are, nonetheless, far too many who are not and he wants his lie detector initiative to ‘weed them out’ at source.

Bill, who must sit at home in Westhouses thinking long and hard about how he could improve life for us all, offered another solution. He is seriously thinking of forming his own political party and have candidates stand in every UK constituency. In an effort to keep things simple, these upright men & women would offer no policies but simply represent the None of the Above party. If it gets off the ground, he thinks a ‘landslide’ victory for the NOTA’s might just be possible.

On another topic, Darren from Somercotes has been in touch with a very personal dilemma. He’s been having health problems recently and was advised by his GP to walk a minimum of 10,000 steps on a daily basis. This wouldn’t cure his ailment but would apparently keep things under control.

Darren’s problem however, is that his wife is much smaller and when, keen to provide support, she accompanies him as he takes his daily exercise, by the time he has done 7,000 steps she has done the full 10,000.

Darren is in a quandary and is unsure as to whether or not he should change his GP or his wife. I was unable to comment, other than to commiserate with him, but said that I would seek the views of Voice Magazine readers.

No pressure folks, but there is a lady in Somercotes awaiting the verdict!!

Gardener’s Calendar

Top Tip:

May is such a brilliant time in the garden. Time to plant out, sow for later in the summer, take cuttings to give you more plants for free. It can’t get any better than this.

It’s also a good time to prune forsythia to keep a bright bushy shape and plenty of blossom next year.

Tender plants which have been started off indoors can be hardened off now – take them outside during the day and bring under cover at night for a few days then they won’t be shocked into slower growth. You also need to be careful with baskets and containers. They can be planted up as soon as it feels like the frosts are over but have a couple of rolls of fleece handy if it feels like it’s going to be a cold night.

If you’ve got seedlings growing in rows or pots thin them out once they’ve got a couple of proper leaves (ie not the little leaves that emerge as they start to grow). This way they’re less likely to suffer from fungus and they have a better chance of flourishing if they’re not having to fight for space.

Watch out for bright red lily beetles. They can attack fritillaries as well as lilies and will very quickly decimate your plants.

You can keep on sowing bright summer annuals in beds – they’ll give you bright colour around the end of July and August when bare patches start to show.

Feed your daffs and tulips with a liquid fertiliser now to encourage a good strong display next year.

NATURE NOTES FROM THE PEAK DISTRICT

AS SPRING ARRIVES THE GARDEN BIRDS STILL COME

From autumn into late winter the garden visiting birds have grown in numbers and diversity. Then, a few weeks ago as the first warmth seemed to arrive, many of the birds reduced. Night-time temperatures make a big difference because if it is very cold then small birds burn up body fat. This needs to be replenished the following day and as a matter of urgency – if they don’t refuel then small birds die. Indeed, this is why our garden feeders become so important in wintertime. However, a couple of cooler nights brought the numbers back up and whilst the titmice (blue, great, and coal tits) have never got back to the highs of a couple of months ago, the finches in particular have been doing very well. Usually, a winter visitor I think the siskins may be stopping to breed locally, with several still on my feeders at any one time. They are joined by greenfinches, bullfinches, chaffinches, and goldfinches, all of which will, it seems, breed in or around the garden.

Jackdaws have returned to nest in a neighbour’s chimney stack, and the local carrion crows have a nest and territory in a nearby woodland. Both species are coming to the garden to feast on the hanging fat-balls. Also in the wood, a chiffchaff started singing in late March almost like somebody just threw a switch and the song ‘chiff-chaff, chiff-chaff, chiff-chaff’ started up. This is not to be confused with the bi-syllabic, repeated ‘seesaw’ of the local great tits. Another loud and insistent call is that of the nuthatches that hold territory and occasionally come to the feeders. At this time of year, the repeated ‘chwit-chwit’ and the loud, ‘kee-kee-kee’ are

very distinctive. Much of the bird activity is now settled on establishing a breeding territory whilst attracting and protecting a suitable mate. But levels of activity will carry on growing as summer-breeding migrants pour in from April onwards. As always, the period from May to August promises to be a very busy time for the songbirds of the Peak District!

Along with new arrivals from the south, many of our winter birds will have departed northwards to their own breeding grounds. This may be the far north of Britain or else back into northern Europe or even Iceland. This is a time of great change, and for birds such as the starling for instance, our winter population includes gatherings of hundreds of thousands or even up to a million birds. Some of these breed locally but many head back across Europe for the summer. In Russia for instance, the return of the starling is viewed as a harbinger of springtime, very much as we await the coming of the swallow back from Africa. Even our population of winter blackbirds mixes those which reside here and breed locally, and a big influx of continental birds from across the North Sea. Of course, once all this movement is settled and the birds have bred, then it will all start over again for the next winter period.

JACKDAW

MALE BULLFINCH

MALE SISKIN

CARRION CROW

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

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

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. www.coquetcottages.co.uk