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From the Editor
Hello Readers, Vole is in the air this month…..ooops,
As you may have noticed, we’ve been playing with our front covers of late and this month had us all in stitches because you can’t help but read ‘Vole’. We considered this deeply and thought it was too amusing to change and as such, as the famous song now goes, “Vole is all around us”!
We hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and New Year and our new look magazine. The feedback on the street is that it looked so different in Jan, you didn’t recognise us (in a good way of course)!! Hopefully, our spangly new website tickled your fancy
Anyways, I’m not usually one to talk about TV with you guys but what do we all think to ‘The Traitors’ on BBC 1? Apart from the walking fringe, which has me manically swooping my hair back from my eyes (I honestly don’t know how it doesn’t annoy her!), is the herd mentality irritating anybody else? *Spoiler alert* A good half of the Faithfuls had enough evidence to be able to get Linda out far earlier, but because some of the more ‘extroverted’ in the group spoke loudly about how they ‘felt’, with little to no evidence to back it up, the others got carried along with the crowd and it resulted in the eviction of multiple Faithfuls instead. I suppose the resounding message is that sensible people prevailed in the end but at what cost? I honestly don’t know why I watch this programme, it is not good for the blood pressure. Bring back ‘Bake Off’ it’s much gentler for the heart and soul!
So, I’m off to declutter some more (new years resolution, you’ve got to haven’t you!!). See you in March when it’s hopefully a lot less cold and we see much
PS: Don’t forget to mention the ‘Voice’ when you use any of the
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) 8 Plead to adopt the little frog (7) 14 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.
Wicket gates, 2 Endow, 3 Radon, 4 Snowy orchid, 6 Bluejay, 8 Gas pipe, 10 IOU, 14 Chert, 15 Zebra.
Derwentside Belper
Buttercup Fields Belper
The Standings Crich
Outseats Farm Alfreton
Nutt (Managing
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.”
PAUL’S CLEANING SERVICE SINCE 1985
I am proud to share that Paul’s Cleaning Service has reached a remarkable milestone—40 years of providing top-quality carpet and upholstery cleaning services.
Established in 1985 in Chesterfield during the miners’ strike, the journey began with a passion for excellence. I still recall requesting a carpet cleaning machine as a present for my 21st birthday, a decision that would set the foundation for decades of dedication and growth.
Initially trained by industry leaders such as 3M, Victor, Hydromist, and Prochem, I have spent the last 40 years perfecting techniques to deliver the highest standard of cleaning for carpets and upholstery. Over time, I adopted advanced methods like rotary extraction, utilizing five different brush strengths and up to 70% less water, ensuring exceptional results and faster drying times.
Staying current with the latest industry developments has been a key focus for me. I’ve tested new fluids, equipment, and processes to ensure that our services evolve with the times while benefiting from the deep experience that comes only with decades in the field.
In 2023, my son George officially joined the business. Having worked with me on larger jobs for nearly a decade, he brings a fresh perspective while ensuring the legacy of Paul’s Cleaning Service continues into the next generation.
Additionally, I am honoured to hold the distinction of being Derbyshire’s longest-established carpet and upholstery cleaning provider. Reflecting
on this journey, it’s humbling to consider that PCS predates major historical events like the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the creation of the World Wide Web, and even Amazon’s existence!
Our loyal customers have been instrumental in our success, and I take immense pride in continuing to serve many who have been with us since the very beginning.
Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to the future!
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Heritage of Bakewell
SHIVER MY TIMBERS…
In 1939 when the second World War broke out many male agricultural workers joined the armed forces. The Women’s Land Army was created and women stepped up to work on the land. These girls made a fantastic contribution to the war effort working on farms and growing much needed food for those on the Home Front.
During WW2 Norway was occupied by the Germans which caused a shortage of imported timber to Britain. Timber was needed to meet heavy demands at home to build Army camps, field hospitals, provide telegraph poles, pit props and railway sleepers. All these requirements still had to be met so the Forestry Commission recruited a number of women, from the Land Army, to work in woods and sawmills up and down the country.
In 1942 a Women’s Timber Corps was set up as a subdivision of the Women’s Land Army, they became known as Lumber Jills. After a strict medical examination, the girls received a month’s training before being set to work. The work was hard, hot in summer and unbearably cold in winter. They lived in camps, often huts housing 20 to 30 girls.
Throughout England, Scotland and Wales women were trained to identify trees. They became adept at felling, measuring, handling, hauling out and loading trees.
Lumber Jills drove the heavy lorries between sites, they worked in sawmills levering logs into position on saw benches, they learned to manipulate different types of saws and generally undertook any duties required of them.
By December 1943 there were around 8,500 Lumber Jills employed in Britain. Unlike members of the Women’s Land Army, who were paid volunteers, the Timber Corps girls were bound to the service by what was known as an Essential Work Order, which meant they couldn’t be diverted to do other, less important work.
Lumber Jills worked a system of piece work and usually earned more money than the Land Army girls, who received a set salary. The Timber Corps had a different uniform too, similar breeches, shoes and jumpers, but the Lumber Jills wore a green beret with a cap badge featuring a fir tree surmounted by a royal crown. The women who felled trees also
sported a badge, worn on their sleeve, composed of two crossed axes.
The work was physically demanding. The fellers wielded axes weighing up to seven pounds, (just over 3kg) they operated cross saws and loaded timber by hand. Working from 7am to at least 5pm their day often began with a long cycle ride to work.
During the Second World War over 240,000 Lumber Jills and Land Girls worked to provide Britain with timber and food for the war effort.
A bronze sculpture at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas celebrates the contribution made by both the Women’s Land Army and the Women’s Timber Corps, the Lumber Jills (See picture)
In Bakewell Old House Museum, we have an interesting collection of memorabilia from both world wars.
Lumber Jill’s Cap Badge
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!
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.
WINTER WARMER!
1stJan-31March2025
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BOOK REVIEW
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.
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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
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Visit our open-air show site just off junction 25 of the M1 to see our wide range of buildings. Bring the whole family to our dog friendly show site, wander through our village and chat with our team about our extensive range of building sizes and finishing options. You can also explore our range of popular BBQ Cabins and visit our Hydropool Midlands showroom, with a range of Self-cleaning Hot Tubs and Swim Spas on display.
SCAN ME
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.
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