From the 1st April 2025, the amount you pay in Stamp Duty is changing. The amount you pay depends on: when you bought the property? how much you paid for it? whether you’re eligible for relief or exemption.
The Language of Flowers For Valentine’s Day & Beyond
In the Victorian era, flowers were more than just beautiful gifts. They were a secret language, a way for people to express emotions and sentiments without speaking a single word. Known as floriography, this “language of flowers” gave symbolic meanings to different blooms, creating a romantic and subtle form of communication.
Roses: The Eternal Symbol of Love
Among the most iconic flowers, roses carried a multitude of meanings based on their colour. Red roses signified passionate love, making them the timeless favourites for romantic gestures such as at Valentine’s Day. Pink roses conveyed admiration and gratitude, while yellow roses represented friendship or jealousy, depending on the context. White roses, often called bridal roses, stood for purity and new beginnings.
Daisies: Innocence and Purity
Simple yet charming, daisies symbolised innocence, purity, and loyal love. Their association with youth and honesty made them popular tokens of affection among close friends and family. To receive a daisy was to be reminded of someone’s genuine and heartfelt care.
Tulips: Deep Affection and Perfect Love
Tulips, especially in red, symbolised deep affection and perfect love. Their elegant shape and vibrant colours made them a bold choice for expressing devotion. A bouquet of tulips was often a declaration of sincere and lasting feelings.
More Floral Meanings
Floriography extended far beyond romance, capturing a wide range of emotions and messages.
Ivy: Fidelity and eternal life, a symbol of strong and enduring bonds.
Lily of the Valley: Sweetness, humility, and the return of happiness.
Forget-Me-Not: True love and remembrance, a simple yet powerful sentiment, and the reason the flower is the symbol of Alzheimer’s UK.
Peony: Prosperity, romance, and good fortune.
Lavender: Devotion, calmness, and purity.
Snapdragon: Strength or grace under pressure.
Less positive emotions were also expressed through flowers:
Yellow Carnation: Rejection or disdain.
Marigold: Grief or jealousy.
Anemone: Forsaken or fading hope.
Though the practice of floriography has faded and few of us these days are aware of the meanings ascribed to flowers, its charm endures. Today, understanding the meanings behind flowers can add a thoughtful touch to gifts for loved ones. Whether it’s a bouquet of roses for a partner, daisies for a friend, or tulips for someone you admire, the language of flowers offers a unique way to communicate emotions.
But be aware, during Victorian times, the way you presented flowers also mattered. Giving flowers upside-down could reverse their meaning entirely, turning a romantic gesture into a rejection! Who knew a bouquet could carry so much weight?
This Valentine’s Day, why not bring a little floriography into your life? Share a bouquet with someone special and include a note explaining the symbolism of each flower.
After all, flowers speak a language all their own—and it’s one worth reviving. Just be careful to choose the right flowers for the emotion you are trying to convey. Sending a loved one a bunch of yellow carnations may not necessarily be a good move!
Welcome to Hair & Beauty at Slimming World a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ salon experience based in Alfreton and open to all
Our skilled, friendly and experienced team are ready to pamper you from head to toe while you relax in total comfort. With free on-site parking, a deluxe complimentary drinks menu and a luxurious atmosphere, we’ll make sure you leave us looking and feeling fabulous.
new year, new look
Perfectly packaged to save you money on your new year glow up* Choose from…
★ Classic lashes • Gel overlay** • Brow wax and tint With Georgia, only £68 (usually £87)
★ Any 1-hour facial • Gel overlay** • Gel toes or back massage With Jane, only £95 (usually £120)
★ Skin peel • Skin needling • Skin booster With Dawn, only £190 (usually £250)
★ Brow lamination • Manicure with file and polish** • Lash lift With Lucy, only £83 (usually £105)
Quote ‘Voice’ to book your appointment
For more information on our full range of services or to book, call 01773 546 382 or visit hair-and-beauty-salon.co.uk
We stock industry-leading hair care and beauty products
*Appointments can be spread from now till 31st March 2025 **No nail art or soak off included
Opening hours: Monday 9.30am – 6pm • Tuesday 9am – 6pm • Wednesday 11am – 8pm Thursday 10am – 7pm • Friday 10am– 6pm • Saturday 9am – 2pm • Sunday Closed Clover Nook Road, Somercotes, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 4SW
Hair and Beauty at Slimming World hairandbeautysw
ROCK FALL UK DONATES 172 PAIRS OF SHOES TO SHOE AID
As part of our initiative emphasising the importance of community and giving back, Rock Fall UK has once again donated 172 pairs of shoes to Shoe Aid, a charity dedicated to providing footwear to those in need. This contribution of footwear not only showcases Rock Fall’s commitment to social responsibility but also highlights the vital role footwear plays in enhancing quality of life, especially for vulnerable populations.
WHY SHOES MATTER
Footwear is often taken for granted, yet it is a crucial element of everyday life. Proper footwear can prevent injuries, provide comfort, and even boost self-esteem. Unfortunately, many individuals, particularly those facing financial hardship, lack access to suitable footwear.
Shoe Aid is a UK-based charity that collects and distributes shoes to those in need, including children, the homeless, and refugees. With a mission to ensure that everyone has access to appropriate footwear, organisations like Shoe Aid work tirelessly to bridge this gap, ensuring that everyone has the footwear they need to thrive.
Shoe Aid is continually grateful for business support. “Expressing gratitude for the work that they do in the UK and in supporting communities both locally and abroad”. They emphasised, “without the support from companies like Rock Fall, Shoe Aid would not be able to make the impactful changes in people’s lives that they do”.
Rock Fall UK, renowned for its high-quality safety footwear, has always prioritised the well-being of its customers and community. This donation is part of a larger effort to engage with and support charitable causes. By consistently donating footwear to Shoe Aid, year after year, the company reaffirms its dedication to making a positive impact on society at large.
Rock Fall UK Wimsey Way, Somercotes, Alfreton DE55 4LS *Down the road from McDonald’s Mon - Fri | 8:00am - 4:30pm Sat | 8:00am - 2:00pm 01773 600078
Derwentside Belper
Buttercup Fields Belper
The Standings Crich
Outseats Farm Alfreton
We
We
Whether
To all staff of T. Nutt & Sons
“After having a living room carpet fitted and then vinyl flooring in our hall and kitchen diner, we had to write to express our thanks. All staff were polite, helpful, knowledgeable and professional. In this day and age it is refreshing to have such excellent service.
A few unforeseen glitches (no one’s fault!) were sorted promptly and to our satisfaction.
Once again everyone, thank you – it has been a pleasure doing business with you. You get a big gold star from us.”
This is a sudoku 1 square grid
81 cells
9 3x3 blocks
1 simple rule:
Use all the numbers
1-9, with no duplicates allowed, in any row, column, or block.
These puzzles are devised by the brilliant Professor Rebus. For more of his puzzles visit www.pitcherwits.co.uk
7 SESSIONS COVERING GRIEF
This is for anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one, even if it was years ago. (There is no charge for this course.) Topics include:
Attachment, separation and loss, The pain and responses of grief, Anger and Guilt, Coping with others’ reactions, Delayed and suppressed grief, Adjusting to Change, Moving forward healthily and Faith questions (optional).
Running soon:
Thrive Building, 39 High Street, South Normanton, DE55 2BP
For further details please contact Email: admin@sncc.uk.com Tel: 01773 687044
Flint’s Florist
We have been established for over 40 years and are still going strong. Helping the Community. Giving our elderly members support, live entertainment, quizzes, guest talks, bingo and much more. We meet at the Post Mill Centre every, Tuesday 1pm - 3.30pm. Free tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes at every session. We have day trips away, also weekends and 4-5 day breaks.
Please come and join us, Men and Women are both welcome. Pop in, first session is free!
SHAUNS FRUIT & VEG
WE NOW TAKE CARD PAYMENTS
EVERY TUESDAY & FRIDAY
Retail supplied also with wholesale orderseg cob shops, nursing homes, bars, restaurants
Market Place, South Normanton
Call/Text: 07957 355 494
You can also contact us on whatsapp or Facebook Messenger
Slimming World Recipe
Teriyaki Chicken Bake
Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 220°C/fan 200°C/gas 7.
2. Put the teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, spring onions and vinegar in a large mixing bowl, then add the chicken and mushrooms and toss well. Tip it all into a non-stick roasting tin (about 30cm x 20cm), spray with low-calorie cooking spray and roast for 15 minutes.
When I saw this recipe was a ‘one pan’ meal I was all in... simple to prep, easy to bake and tasty to eat... the perfect bake/fakeaway!
3. Add the pak choi, edamame and sesame seeds to the roasting tin and return to the oven for 5 minutes, or until everything is cooked. Stir through the carrots and mint and serve with the lime wedges for squeezing over.
For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk
Serves: 2
Syns per serving: 3
Ingredients:
• 4 level tbsp teriyaki sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 4 spring onions, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar or cider vinegar
• 300g skinless and boneless chicken mini fillets
• 200g exotic or chestnut mushrooms
• Low-calorie cooking spray
• 2 pak choi, roughly chopped
• 250g frozen soya beans (edamame)
• 2 level tsp sesame seeds
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and shredded lengthways
• ½ small pack fresh mint, leaves picked
• Lime wedges, to serve
Ready in: 30 Minutes
Pinxton & South Normanton History Group
Everything evolves from something else. How porcelain came to be made at Pinxton – the Derby connection.
On 1st April 1756, John Heath, Banker and Entrepreneur of Derby started the Derby Factory. As an entrepreneur Heath was an avid reader of the news. Within a few months of the inauguration of the Derby factory, the Seven Years’ War started. Heath realised this would affect the ability of the celebrated Meissen factory getting its produce onto the London market. He advised Duesbury reproduce figurines based on Meissen models. These were acclaimed at the next exhibition in London (one of Europe’s most important markets). The Derby figurines were very well received which encouraged ‘Derby’ to extend its product range by making useful wares (tea sets, etc.). The Derby manufactory was up and running and proving to be a market leader. Its main advantage over the Meissen manufactory, was the different porcelain paste it used. Meissen manufactured hard-paste porcelain whilst Derby, and later, Pinxton, manufactured softpaste porcelain. Soft paste partially absorbed the enamel paint giving figurines a more realistic appearance, whilst Meissen produced a ‘brassy’ appearance. The former was much more to the taste of British customers. Pinxton also produced a soft-paste porcelain to William Billingsley’s unique formula. It is this which made Pinxton porcelain unique.
Heath was also behind the acquisition of the Chelsea porcelain manufactory in 1770 gaining a prestigious clientele, enjoying the patronage of the aristocracy and
the Royal Family. This had immense benefits to the Derby manufactory as it was able to re-use models from Chelsea and gained access to its modelling and decorating expertise. One year after buying the Chelsea works, Derby introduced a new biscuit body specifically designed for figurines. It is also believed that the Derby management a year later bought the London Bow works. Haslam’s handiwork is behind all these developments, and yet, when ‘Derby’ is mentioned the only name it is associated with is that of William Duesbury Snr.
This is because in February, 1779, Heath’s bank overextended its borrowing, could not meet a repayment which resulted in a run from investors. To avoid the dreaded Debtors’ Gaol, John and Christopher Heath disappeared.
There is a connection, never revealed. It involves Colonel Tristram Revell of Carnfield Hall. He was illegitimate. His father Edward never married. Tristram’s mother was MARY HEATH, the sister of John and Christopher Heath. Where better to disappear than the large three storey Tudor mansion in the quiet backwater of Carnfield?
Tristram Revell and Reverend D’Ewes Coke, were friends, each Squire of their respective neighbouring
Parishes and Reverend Coke, was Rector of both Parishes. It is recorded they went hunting together and socialised.
It is not difficult to imagine the Heaths speaking of their former exploits and relating their experiences and triumphs in the manufacture of both porcelain and pottery at Derby.
Is this where The Reverend Coke first got the idea that given the means, he would get involved with the manufacture of porcelain. What is little known about Rev D’Ewes Coke is that he was a botanist of some note, even writing on the subject. In those days this meant he would have to sketch and colour his examples; i.e. he had an artistic bent! If only he had the financial means to manufacture porcelain! In November 1780, Miss Lillyman of Brookhill Hall, died leaving everything she had inherited from her brother to Reverend Coke.
What better way to add to the fine art legacy of the country? It is a pity it has only just been recognised!
D’Ewes Coke and his wife, Hannah, behind his cousin Daniel Coke in a painting by
Joseph Wright
COACH TOUR HOLIDAYS
DURHAM
Radisson Blu Hotel
Sun 16th - Mon 17th Mar
2 Days - £140
MYSTERY WEEKEND
Mystery Hotel
Sat 22nd - Sun 23rd Mar
2 Days - £130
Treat the one you love to a Special Mother’s Day Break in LYTHAM ST ANNES Inn On The Prom Sun 30th - Mon 31st Mar • 2 Days - £135
FOR A 2025 BROCHURE OR TO BOOK:
PHONE: 01773 590 808 01246 604 764 or 07483 357 958
Go online WWW.CLAIRSCOACHES.CO.UK
TENBY
Clarence House Hotel
Mon 31st Mar - Fri 4th Apr
5 Days - £435
SCARBOROUGH
Crown Spa Hotel
Mon 31st Mar - Fri 4th Apr
5 Days - £499
ST AGNES
Rosemundy House Hotel
Wed 2nd - Sun 6th Apr
5 Days - £425
NEW BOOKING OFFICE: Parkvilla,124 Market Street, Clay Cross, Derbyshire S45 9LY
Mercure Atlantic Tower Hotel
Sun 6th - Tue 8th Apr
3 Days - £245
KINGS LYNN, NORFOLK
Dukes Head Hotel
Mon 14th - Fri 18th Apr
5 Days - £475
ISLE OF MAN
Chesterhouse Hotel, Douglas Tue 22nd - Sat 26th Apr
5 Days - £625
MOBILE BOOKING OFFICE LOCATIONS
2nd Tuesday of each month 9am – 1pm | South Normanton Market Place
2nd Friday of each month 9am – 1pm | Ripley Market Place
3rd Tuesday of each month 9am - 12noon | Blackwell Community Centre
D.M. FURNISHINGS
All our BRITISH MADE sofas, chairs & recliners are made to order and normally delivered within 6-8 weeks. Choose from over 2000 fabrics and leathers.
Only 100% genuine leather used on all our Italian suites, which are made to order in any colour and normally delivered within 8 - 10 weeks
Reupholstery, repairs & cushion replacement service available - call for appointment
Your local rise and recliner specialists • We have recliners that can be delivered within 48 hours
Electric adjustable beds available along with divans and headboards in ALL sizes
3rd Thursday of each month
9am – 1pm | Alfreton Severn Square Car Park (Outside B&M)
3rd Friday of each month 9am – 1pm | Sutton-in-Ashfield, Portland Square
9-11 Outram Street, Sutton- in- Ashfield, Notts, NG17 4BA (Next door to Wilko’s and with Asda car park directly behind us)
Full range of mattresses inc. orthopaedic, pocket sprung, memory foam, etc in ALL sizes
OPENING HOURS: Mon: 9.30am - 5.00pm | Tues: 9.30am - 5.00pm | Wed: 9.30am - 1.30pm Thurs: 9.30am - 5.00pm | Fri: 9.30am - 5.00pm | Sat: 9.00am - 1.00pm | Sunday - Closed for family time
COMMUNITY
John Moody Bsc (Hons) Podiatry
HCPC registered Podiatrist/Chiropodist
Member of the Royal College of Podiatry (RCPOD)
Over 13 years of international, NHS and private practice experience.
We specialise in:
General foot healthcare
Diabetes and high risk foot conditions
Muscularskeletal conditions
Blood flow and nerve assessment
Calluses / Corn / Verruca treatment
Ingrown toenail management
Walking and running assessment
Insoles supply
**Parking is available at the premises
AMBER VALLEY RUGBY CLUB
AMBER VALLEY UPDATE
The Minis and Juniors enjoyed an amazing Christmas party, bringing the community together for festive cheer.
Although bad weather has limited matches, the young players have remained dedicated, training at the Genesis Centre and Amber Valley Jujitsu Dojo to sharpen their skills.
For the Men, Amber Valley hosted Riddings Cricket Club for the annual Christmas game, played in great spirits with plenty of laughs and a lively atmosphere in the clubhouse. Despite January’s cancelled games, the team remains focused and eager to build on their progress as the season continues.
The Women’s team have faced similar weather challenges, but off-pitch training has been productive, with players developing new skills. Although match play has been limited, their determination to improve is evident. The team is eager to return to the field and is welcoming anyone interested to come and join a session.
Interested in having a try call Stuart on 07966 867 946 for the men, Gareth 07595 520 537 for the ladies and Paul 07790 403 043 for the Minis and Juniors.
More than just a club, we are the #ValleyFamily.
Local Installation, Repairs and Servicing
■ Local, family-run business
■ Almost 20 years’ experience
■ New, reconditioned and rental available
■ Friendly, personal service
■ Free, no obligation survey
■ 24/7, 365 days call-out
■ Repair and service all makes of stairlifts
■ Members of Age UK
THE FOOT L ADY
Mobile Foot Health Spe cialist
• Ingrowing / Thick Nails
• Fungal Nail Infections
• Hard Skin Reduction
• Corn Removal
• Athlete’s Foot
• Fully Insured and DBS Checked
Professional treatment for those with Diabetes, Peripheral Ar terial Disease, Rheumatoid Ar thritis & the “High Risk” Foot.
For a p pointments, c all Ann a on :
77 9 8 6 2 3 1 0 9
THE TRAINING ROOM, ENTERPRISE HOUSE, NEWTON, DE55 5PH
A dogs Day out
This walk is perfect for this time of year as it makes really good use of quiet country roads and paths such as the Linby Trail and the area around Newstead Abbey to combine beautiful scenery with a good leg stretch and more reliable terrain.
7 MILE CIRCULAR FROM NEWSTEAD VIA NEWSTEAD ABBEY AND THE LINBY TRAIL
A moderate walk for you and your dog. This medium length walk should take around 2½ - 3 hours. There may be some sections of uneven terrain depending on the weather and there are a couple of road sections, so take plenty of care and make sure you wear appropriate footwear for the conditions. And, as always, follow the countryside code.
Starting Point: Car park adjacent to the Newstead Centre, Tilford Road, Newstead Village, NG15 0BS
1. Walk back through the car park entrance, turn left and then immediately right to cross over a level crossing. After the level crossing take the first road on the right.
2. Continue along the road until it bends sharp left. Continue around to the left, pass under a bridge pass by a metal gate and between two stone pillars. Continue straight for some distance and pass between two more stone pillars. Continue straight to eventually pass a pond and waterfall on your left.
3. Further on you will pass Newstead Abbey on your right and then a car park on your left. Continue straight and cross over a crossroads. After a short distance turn right onto a footpath.
4. Continue into the woods along the path until reaching a tarmac road. Turn left along the road and continue straight for some distance.
5. Upon reaching a large pair of metal gates directly in front of you, take a footpath to the right of the gates and continue straight with a tall hedge on your left. Continue to pass through a metal gate and then continue straight along a farm track for some distance, ignoring any farm roads off to the right until reaching a junction with a main road.
6. Turn right along the road signposted for ‘Village Centre’. After the road bends sharp right and then sharp left, turn immediately right along a tarmac lane signposted for ‘Linby’.
8. Continue to pass through a metal gate, over a stone bridge and pass by a pond on your left. Continue along the path until reaching a road. Turn right along the road into Linby village.
9. Pass the Horse and Groom pub on your right and continue along the road until reaching a roundabout. At the roundabout, turn right and join ‘Linby Trail’.
10. Continue along the trail for quite some distance until eventually passing a wooden signboard on your right reading ‘Linby Trail’. After the signboard, continue straight to cross over a bridge and then after a short distance bear left away from the trail and onto a playing field.
11. Head diagonally across the playing field towards the clubhouse building, near the clubhouse pass through a wooden gate onto a road. Turn left along the road and cross over a level crossing back to the car park.
7. Pass by a large wooden gate and then before reaching a double metal gate take the first wooden gate on the left and follow the path until passing through a gap in a hedge and then turn immediate right onto another footpath.
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.
BOOK REVIEW
THE HEART OF WINTER - KEVIN BARRY
If you’re looking for something different, fast paced, funny and richly well written, you could do worse than Irishman Kevin Barry’s The Heart of Winter.
Set in Butte, Montana in the 1890s, it’s the story of Irish immigrant workers in the pretty wild Wild West, but it’s also a crazy love story between a poetic young chancer living in the town and a bride shipped in from the east coast for another man.
Shockingly - but not too surprisingly, considering that the man the young girl is destined for is a 60-year-old religious nut with a penchant for
self-flagellation – the star-crossed young lovers are soon fleeing with a stolen horse and stolen money and with a posse of mad Cornish gunmen in hot pursuit.
Mad as it sounds this is a beautifully written, sometimes funny and sometimes savage little book, which also contains brilliant descriptions of the harsh Montana winters. It’s a cracking story but one you can’t ignore and one which definitely won’t bore you.
The atmosphere rackets along, the language is rich and it’s wonderfully dark and pulls no punches. Rambunctious winter reading.
ON EVERY JOB WE PROVIDE:
✓ EXPERTISE and advice on a range of floor
✓ Superb ATTENTION TO DETAIL from time-served flooring installers.
✓ FREE estimates, with no obligation to buy.
✓ PROFESSIONAL quality fitting service with clean and tidy workmenship.
✓ Full manufacturer’s GUARANTEE.
✓ UNRIVALLED customer service.
DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL WORK UNDERTAKEN
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 9 of………?)
I thought I’d exhausted this theme, particularly after last month’s rant from Wendy in Alfreton who wanted to stop concert goers from using their mobile phones in the auditorium. She wanted to ban the taking of pictures/filming of the act, and more controversially, regulate exactly when people, desperate or otherwise, could go to the toilet. I was wrong!
Kelly, who lives in Wessington – you may remember her from April when she went on, and on, and on again, about people spending all day on their laptop in a café – has, once more, been in touch, clearly upset about another anti-social practice. Her gripe concerns those who use the drive-in option at fast food restaurants – she mentions McDonald’s, but accepts it applies to any number – not with the intention of taking their order home, but to sit somewhere in their vehicle and eat. She has no problem with that in itself, but it’s what they then do with any food/ drink that has not been consumed that bothers her as, along with the packaging, it invariably ends up in the gutter, hedgerow or chucked over a fence into some unsuspecting person’s front garden.
We are all victims, says Kelly, as our neighbourhoods not only look a mess and attract vermin, but once it starts, others seem to think it’s all right to do the same and things just get worse. Meanwhile the lazy culprits – this was not the phrase Kelly used, but you can probably work it out for yourselves – just go on their merry way.
Now Kelly thinks that the restaurants themselves have some responsibility, and should use some of their huge profits to come up with a solution. She admits that she’s no scientist but suggests might it not be possible to have fast food packaging impregnated with some chemical that picks up the DNA of the customer, and that be used to track down the guilty parties via a national database. It needs working on, but could act as a deterrent if those tempted to just throw their rubbish away, knew there was a good chance of being identified.
Kelly’s suggestion as to what to do with them when they’re caught is too gruesome to repeat. Suffice to say, it involved some sensitive part (s) of the culprit’s body!!
On a personal note, and just to allay concerns that some readers may have about the relationship with my wife. We’ve been blissfully happy together – and she’ll back this up, if she ever gets to meet Voice Magazine readers – for many years.
We were clearly destined to be together, and just to illustrate the point, you ought to know that Mrs Musings and myself first met at an evening class. There, we were taught how to make jellies in the shape of US Presidents, and I knew instantly that she was the ‘one’.............................. from the moment I set Eisenhower.
Guess the words and Fill in the crossword !
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
7 Rubber that’s trendy but expensive, say (5)
11 Anglo-Saxon title after me. What a gas! (5)
13 Miami dealer in a perfect state (5)
16 Said to be banned from the desert? (5)
Down
2 Credited with a bit of colour (3)
4 Support for quiet get-together (4)
10 Legato, but not at liberty to leer at (4)
12 Against steak, say (4)
15 Metallic bit of fizz, in cordial (4)
17 Title spawned by Dies Irae (3)
1 Scrap a pleb’s plans to grow fruit (10)
Plead to adopt the little frog (7)
Adopt firmly the ‘one-size’ policy (5,2)
Doctors join IMF in bid for pain solution (10)
Ate a bees’ nest in order to chill? (2,2,4)
Let’s have less talk of being lost for words (10)
Repro. furniture that’s upset? (10)
Remove liquid in order to get rid of fan (5,3)
1 Wage earners, 5 Cubed, 7 Doggo, 9 Unwinds, 11 The, 12 P T O, 13 Jacuzzi, 16 Thyme, 17 Beech, 18 Shorthaired. Down: 1 Wicket gates, 2 Endow, 3 Radon, 4 Snowy orchid, 6 Bluejay, 8 Gas pipe, 10 IOU, 14 Chert, 15 Zebra.
All Around the Shire
VICTORY VS AND THE LIKE
It’s that time of year when coughs, colds and sore throats are all around us.
My grandad used to ward them off by always having a packet of Victory Vs in his jacket pocket. Invented as a throat lozenge in 1864 in Lancashire, they originally contained Ether, Liquorice and Chloroform. No wonder both lozenges and gums were popular.
The following year, again in Lancashire, Fisherman’s Friend were developed. Menthol and Eucalyptus Oil were the main ingredients to help fishermen with respiratory problems when enduring savage winter trips on the North Sea. Many versions are now available and in numerous countries. They are easily identifiable as the packaging has remained essentially the same: a paper packet bearing the image of the trawler Cevic. Recognisable to a small girl rummaging around in her grandfather’s suit pocket.
Smaller still were liquorice imps. Teeny tiny black squares of strong liquorice laced with menthol. A mighty assault on your taste buds. Advertised as beneficial for singers “For clarity of voice” was the slogan.
Sweet shops would stock bronchial mixture sweets, Army and Navy, Tunes, Halls and Hacks. There was something for everyone.
In our latest talk by All Around the Shire, we will be covering these splendid little pieces of social history. I am sure our audiences will have lots of stories about these and many other winter warmers.
Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire. Find
• Secure storage units & Workshop rentals available now
• Low prices and short term leases
• Great location
• Secure & alarmed yard with CCTV
• 24hr access
• Plant & equipment storage both outside & undercover
• 20ft container available now from £30+VAT per week
Gardener’s Calendar
Top Tip:
Some of us will have been gifted houseplants – or have used them to cheer the house during the winter months, so they deserve a little TLC to keep them fit for the rest of the year.
Amaryllis are a particular Xmas favourite, but you don’t need to throw them after just one season. Deadhead the flower, and let the stalk die naturally. If you keep feeding and watering you may actually get a second flowering in summer and they should flower again next winter. Azaleas don’t like tap water – use rainwater if possible. Indoor cyclamen can be very sensitive to the wrong kind of watering. Always water from the bottom – i.e. from the saucer. Don’t ever overwater – their stems rot very easily, if the plant has not drawn water from the saucer in an hour, it doesn’t need it so empty the saucer... And finally don’t leave any houseplants behind a curtain on a windowsill at night. Frosts can be deadly even through glass.
If you missed the boat and didn’t get round to planting allium bulbs in autumn, it’s not too late now. They will flower a bit later – late spring/early summer, but they’ll still give a good show. Likewise with lilies. Plant the bulbs about 8 inches deep in fairly light soil or compost. But remember they are poisonous to cats.
Strawberries are hardy, so to give them a good start for this year and clear away dead foliage. If you cloche them they’ll give you an earlier crop.
A COLD SNAP AND HEAVY SNOW BRINGS THE BIRDS IN
I wrote previously about the birds in autumn ranging around the countryside, particularly along woodland edge and hedgerows, but by December being drawn back to garden feeders. Although we had a generally mild, damp autumn and early winter, the suddenly plunging temperatures quickly pushed smaller birds back into gardens and to garden feeders. Indeed, the early mornings following a particularly cold night have been characterised by feeding frenzies and birds feverishly stocking up on food in order to replenish their vital stores of body-fat. The ability to keep warm relates to body mass and surface area so that a larger bird has more mass and greater surface area, but in proportion by comparison to a smaller bird, the ratio of area to mass is less. With a greater area to body mass ratio, small birds lose heat very rapidly and overnight can burn up their body-fat levels to a point which is critical. In severe circumstances, run out of energy and you perish! So, feeding becomes of the utmost urgency, and early morning after a nighttime chill is a key time when competition for space on the feeders is at a premium.
The result of the above is more birds visiting gardens and a greater variety of species. I have had eight or more male greenfinches along with several females, and similar numbers of goldfinches. These have been joined by a pair of chaffinches and of bullfinches, and a host of blue tits, great tits, and coal tits, all eagerly seeking the
peanut holders, sunflower heart dispensers, and fat-balls. More occasional visitors have included a female blackcap, the only one so far this winter, a pair of collared doves, a single stock dove, and a reasonably regular nuthatch. They have been joined, mostly on a mixed suet dumpling and fat-ball dispenser, by a male great spotted woodpecker. This latter visitor comes over from the nearby woodland to the big oaktree and then down to the feeders. Sometimes joining the communal feasting are magpies and these are occasionally in flocks of twenty or more, but also a carrion crow and a jackdaw, both of which struggle on the hanging feeders – simply because of their bulk. They are noticeably cagey and watchful and tend to leave as soon as the camera is pointed their way. Or maybe they are just shy. Our visiting jay is now quite regular too.
Another major change in recent weeks was the sudden appearance of a good numbers of migrant blackbirds with up to eight males, three or four females and two or three of what look like immature males. I do wonder if the latter were latefledging birds because of the climate-induced, extended summertime. These migrant birds may be from northern Britain, but mostly they will have come here to escape the deep-freeze in northern Continental Europe. These individuals are relatively comfortable with flocking together whereas our resident, breeding pairs are on territory and quite aggressive to intruders.
MALE BLACKBIRD
COCK HOUSE SPARROW
MALE BLACKBIRD
MALE GREENFINCH
We
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