We
Boiler Breakdowns
Boiler Servicing
Radiators & Pipes
Tanks & Cylinders
Toilets & Taps
Leaks & Bursts
Showers
Clearing Blockages
Pipework Replacement
Gas
From the Editor
Well, I think we’ve surpassed ourselves with the front covers this month, even if I do say so myself! Come on, hands up if you took a moment to recognise us again? We are certainly enjoying coming up with new looks and we hope you are enjoying it too. Anyway, I digress, the whole point of this front cover was a different representation of Mother’s Day and I’ve think we’ve nailed it. There is nothing like the animal kingdom to highlight that bond between parent and child with the fierce protection and extreme tenderness and humankind (by and large, as there are always exceptions)
We’ve got lots of little snippets of tips, facts and things to do throughout the mags this month, so be sure to pay attention and spoil your Mother’s this month. Whether they are a maternal mother, surrogate mother, step-mother, furry mother, partner who is a good mother or celebrating a mother that is no longer with us, do something nice, as my Grandma always used to say to me – “You only have one mother you know!”.
In other news, I disappeared to Lisbon for my birthday last month. I think I’ve mentioned before, if I don’t have a birthday in this time zone, it doesn’t count right?! We’ll skip right past the bit where I went to Lisbon which is totally in the same time zone…..but it still stands! Anyway, miles walked, lovely place, had the most fabulous time, yada yada – I gets back to work and had a little birthday fuddle as we do for all of us. At the time of writing, Sarah is still to have her birthday and Liam is a summer baby, so there’s ages yet! However, just to give you a flavour…..Lisa got some lovely Adidas Gazelle trainers (her faves) and Michelle was gifted a lovely boat ride excursion when she goes on her joliies. “How lovely”, I hear you all say….. “I wonder what you got Emily”….well that’s a good question and I shall tell you…..an electric heat pad. Oh yes readers, and let me tell you, despite my initial reaction, I am truly blessed! I do some kind of fitness/sport most evenings and every night, I wrap my little heat pad around the offending ache and low and behold, the magic begins to happen! It’s true, I no longer stomp down the stairs like
I never thought it would come to me but…I have reached that age! I’ll be getting excited by Velcro slippers
A Mother’s Love
Becoming a mother is one of the most transformative events in a woman’s life.
The moment you gaze into the eyes of your newborn, you know your world will never be the same. You have a deep, almost animalistic urge to protect and cherish this new life you have created, and this feeling barely changes as your child grows from baby to child, and ultimately to an adult with children of their own.
The desire to care for our children is hardwired into us (well, most of us) and is undoubtedly a vestigial emotion carried in our genes from our earliest ancestor. Ancestor who lived perilously, competing for resources with animals who saw humans as just another source of food.
Human babies are born frail, needy, and totally unable to care for themselves for many years. Contrast this with the animal kingdom when newborns can usually stand, walk, and run soon after birth, allowing them to escape from predators and live another day.
Is it any wonder then, that as a species we appear to have such a special and deep bond with
our offspring? We may not be fighting off sabre-tooth tigers these days, but the need to protect our young is deep and lasting.
But it’s not just we humans that show love and care towards our young, the animal world is full of examples of motherly love. The lionesses fierce protection of her cubs is clear to see — as well as the playfulness shown when she happily allows her cubs to climb all over her.
Elephant mothers are very protective of their babies and the calves stay with their mothers for years. Even though weaned by around the age of 2, an elephant will often try to suckle from its mother up to the age of 10. (I hear a sharp intake of breath from any mums who are currently breastfeeding!).
Even in the world of birds, the act of building a nest and feeding fledglings is a demonstration of maternal (and with birds, usually also paternal) devotion.
A mother’s love speaks louder than words. The loving touch of a mother and the assurances she offers are understood by all, regardless of species. It’s a reminder that love is felt deeply in the heart and doesn’t require elaborate declarations or grand gestures.
I don’t want to cut fathers out of this article because they obviously play a huge role in the growth and development of a child, but a mother grew that child within them. They felt the first flutters of a new life, the fierce kicks and punches as the baby learns how its limbs work. And they experienced the unique joy and pain of childbirth.
Mothers are special—whether human or animal. The day we lose our mother, our world tilts on its axis, the one person who has been with us since conception is gone, and we are suddenly at the top of our family tree.
So, remember, treasure your mum, and tell her you love her.
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.
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Outseats Farm Alfreton
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■ Repair and service all makes of stairlifts
■ Members of Age UK
• Nail trimming & reduction • Hard skin reduction • Corn removal • Verruca treatment • Diabetic advice
AMBER VALLEY RUGBY CLUB
ARE YOU ENJOYING THE SIX NATIONS? WHY NOT GIVE RUGBY A TRY FOR YOURSELF!
If you’re looking for a sport that’s exciting, social, and great for fitness, rugby is a fantastic choice! Unlike some sports that favour height, speed, or a particular skill set, rugby has a place for everyone - big or small, fast or strong, young or old.
Many believe rugby is all brutal tackles and injuries, but it’s just as much about strategy, skill, and teamwork. Safe tackling techniques, strict rules, and respect between players make it far more controlled than you might expect. For kids, rugby builds confidence and teamwork. For men and women, it’s a brilliant way to stay fit, meet new people, and enjoy its unique camaraderie. So, if you’re after a fun, inclusive sport, give rugby a try—you might just get hooked!
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. You can visit our website www.ambervalleyrfc.co.uk, Facebook & Instagram pages to contact us or follow what we do. You can find us at Lower Somercotes, Somercotes, Alfreton DE55 4NQ
SOUTH WINGFIELD SOCIAL CLUB UP & COMING EVENTS...
For further details see our fb page South Wingfield Social Club Group ALL EVENTS MEMBERS FREE, NON-MEMBERS TO PAY ON THE DOOR
EVERY MONTH
NORTHERN SOUL/ MOTOWN NIGHTS
LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH £3 entry on the door DJs Dave/Graham & guests 7:30pm - late 5’s & 3’s MONDAY DOMINO EVENINGS Swanwick & District League approx 7:30pm
DERBYSHIRE BEE SOCIETY MEETING
FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH 7.15PM Start - All welcome
Don’t forget to mention Voice
DERBYSHIRE TR CLASSIC CAR MEETING SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH 7:30pm Start - All Welcome
CHASE THE ACE - EVERY FRIDAY Draw at 7pm - Tickets available SWSC
DARTS NIGHT - EVERY TUESDAY Matlock and District league approx 8.30pm
D.M. FURNISHINGS
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9-11 Outram Street, Sutton- in- Ashfield, Notts, NG17 4BA (Next door to Wilko’s and with Asda car park directly behind us)
Slimming World Recipe Chicken Donburi Yakitori
Method:
1. Put the chicken in a ceramic bowl and sprinkle over the soy sauce. Toss well to coat.
2. Cook the rice according to the pack instructions, then drain well and keep warm.
3. At the same time, spray a non-stick wok or large frying pan with low-calorie cooking spray and put it over a high heat. Add the chicken strips and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until browned.
4. Add the vegetables and stirfry for 4-5 minutes.
5. Pour in the teriyaki sauce and stock and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, or until piping hot and bubbling.
6. Divide the rice and chicken mixture between 4 bowls, and sprinkle over the shredded seaweed, if using, to serve.
Ingredients:
• 3 large skinless and boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 4 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 250g dried long-grain white rice
• Low-calorie cooking spray
• 2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
• 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into thin strips
If you’re a fan of Japanese food then this tasty fakeaway, packed full of flavour, should be right up your street. For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk
Serves: 4 Syns per serving: 1
• 100g mangetout
• 150g shiitake mushrooms, stalks removed, very thinly sliced
• 3 level tbsp teriyaki sauce
• 100ml hot chicken stock
• 1 dried seaweed sheet (nori), shredded (optional)
Ready in: 25 Minutes
Alfreton & District Heritage Trust
MARCH 2025
PONY DRIVER
Last month we talked about the areas Coal Mining Heritage and focused on the Swanwick Collieries, owned by Squire Palmer Morewood and his family of Alfreton Hall. A splendour not shared by his workers who, for the most part, lived in two up, two down, tied houses rented from the colliery owner.
One such family were the Lodge family who lived on Providence Place, Alfreton. In 1918 with three members of the family already employed at Swanwick Colliery, it became the turn of young Jake Lodge, aged 14, to join them.
Up before 5am waking to the sound of low voices and miners walking in their heavy working boots, knocking on the doors of their neighbours to make sure they were up, every penny being needed at home as no-one could afford to lose a day’s pay through overlaying. A quick breakfast, a snap bag of bread and jam, a drink of water and Jake was on his way. Still dark he walked towards the pit, the noise of the winding engine, above the noise and chatter of the men around him. In the pit yard were men waiting for the cage to take them below ground and also a queue of men at the lamp cabin waiting for lamps and motties. Having got his, Jake made his way up the steps to the cage. It was daylight by then and he took one last look at the trees and meadows beyond and got on the cage. Then the cage seemed to lift a bit, the props were pulled out and down they went into the darkness. The pit bottom being some 460 (420m) yards below. It was
a frightening experience for a young lad and felt as if the bottom had dropped out of the cage, such was the speed.
Once underground Jake was taken to the Ostler to collect his pony. The air was dusty and sweaty, and it was like walking in a fog. The pony “Ruff” knew the ropes and the day was spent ganging tubs, three at a time, to the stalls where the miners were getting coal. Danger was ever present and a fall of rock on his first day must have been truly frightening. Little was Jake to know that just five years later his father was to die as a result of a similar fall.
The day over, the pony back in the stables, Jake made his way to the pit bottom eager to see daylight again. What a relief and great joy it was when the cage emerged into daylight and to walk into fresh air and freedom. It had all been like a night of bad dreams. So began Jake’s 48 years down the pit.
COACH TOUR HOLIDAYS
Solo Travel: Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Explore Alone
Travelling alone may seem daunting, but it can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. With the right approach, you can enjoy all the benefits of travel without the worries.
Many solo travellers worry about cost, as hotels and cruises often charge a “solo occupancy” fee. However, more travel companies now offer packages designed specifically for solo travellers, removing extra charges. There’s also the fear of feeling lonely, but joining group tours and meeting like-minded people along the way ensures wonderful connections. If planning feels overwhelming, escorted trips provide stress-free travel with built-in support
Solo travel is liberating, exciting, and completely within your reach. If you’re ready to explore the world with confidence, I can help! Contact me, and let’s plan your perfect solo adventure today.
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Tailoredblinds&curtains
FREEHOMESURVEY"ATION
Chooseyournewblinds&curtainsfromthecomfortof yourownhomewithourfreehomesurveyorvisit ourshowroom(Just2minsfromIKEA)
NORMAL WOMEN, 900 YEARS OF WOMEN MAKING HISTORY BY PHILIPPA GREGORY
Philippa Gregory is best known for her historical novels such as The Other Boleyn Girl which have given a voice to some of our country’s most powerful women across the centuries.
But her most recent book is not a novel. And it’s not about high born ladies or the intricacies of the Tudor courts.
In Normal Women, 900 Years of Women Making History, the writer gives us the real story about the part played by ordinary women throughout British history. She uses research skills she perfected on kings and queens to radically retell the story of how our society has grown - putting women where they have in reality always been - at its heart.
These women flew Spitfires, committed crimes, invented lots of stuff, farmed, rioted (they started the Peasant’s Revolt), held communities together, started businesses, built ships, had children, headed up political campaigns, wrote poetry and plays and were housewives and pirates.
Their stories have mostly been invisible in history books – and also in the skewed way, even now, we look at how society functions. We may have come a long way, but … It’s a story which has needed telling for a long time and because Philippa Gregory is so skilled as a writer; it is constantly fascinating and readable.
A Touch Of Gloss
A dogs Day out
This is one of our favourite walks for this time of year. It makes great use of the trails from the Teversal Visitors Centre to go up around Silverhill Wood Country Park and up to Nottinghamshire’s highest point, ‘The Miner’ statue, where there are great views across the county!
3 MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM TEVERSAL VISITORS CENTRE, VIA THE MINER AT SILVERHILL WOOD COUNTRY PARK.
A gentle walk for you and your dog. This short walk should take around 1½ - 2 hours. It is mostly on trails but as ever make sure you wear appropriate footwear for the conditions. And, as always, follow the countryside code.
Starting Point: Teversal Trails Visitor Centre, Carnarvon St, Teversal, Sutton-in-Ashfield NG17 3HJ
1. With the Visitor centre on your left exit the car park via the path towards the Teversal Trail. Shortly, at the fork in the path, take the left path to cross over a small footbridge then turn left at the T-junction.
2. After a short distance turn right along the Teversal Trail, heading north. Follow the trail for some distance to cross over a bridge over a road. Shortly after the bridge take a path on the left, signposted to ‘The Miner’.
3. Follow the path as it emerges from a wooded section and then around the outside of a large pond, on your right. Ignore any paths off until reaching a T-junction of paths, with another, larger pond in front of you.
4. Turn right at the T-Junction following the path for some distance, uphill and around to the left. The path levels off and straightens before bending around to the right. The path then bends to the left and left again before bringing you to a fork in the path.
5. Take the left-hand path, heading uphill. The path straightens then bends around to the left before straightening again. After some distance you will reach a more open area with ‘The Miner’ statue on a hill on your right.
6. Take the stepped path on the right up to the Miner statue to take in the view, then head back down on the path to your left, to re-join the path you were on.
7. Follow the path downhill for some distance until reaching a loose crossroads of paths. Take the path to the left and follow this for some distance as it brings you back to the larger pond you were at earlier.
8. Follow the path as it goes around the pond on your left, then turn right at the junction to return back along the path you came in on, with the smaller pond now on your left-hand side.
9. Follow the path back onto the Teversal Trail, now heading south and back over the road bridge. Continue for some distance until you reach a path on the left. Take the path for a short distance then turn right to cross back over the footbridge and back towards the car park.
This walk is for illustrative purposes only. Voice Magazines Ltd takes no responsibility for anyone who chooses to follow this route and encourages all walkers to obey all byelaws and signs and to respect the area they are walking in, ensuring they pick up all dog mess and obey the countryside code at all times.
Guess the words and Fill in the crossword !
Across
1 Damaged when pranged, relatively speaking (5,6)
5 Right on? No, it’s not included either! (4,3)
14 Nocturnal canines, one of them had a novel day (7)
15 Shot up, with York deck set out (11)
Pitcherwits® are crossword puzzles where some of the clues are in pictures.
Across
8 Inn, on reflection, is material result (5)
9 Examines the trials and tribulations (5)
10 Nippy set of vessels? (5)
12 Jump over burial chamber (5)
Down
2 Shattered, but everything’s included (3,2)
3 ‘Old Faithful’ sound systems are his, if played well (2-3)
11 Relish unsticking frozen joystick (5)
13 Saddened by unhappy setup (5)
1 Sly fan to grant, perhaps, some accommodation (6,5) 4 Very comfortable to let weld set then tell it wrong (4,7) 6 Caftan I embroidered for a zealot (7) 7 Eight-note partner, Mark Anthony? (7)
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. These puzzles are devised
At Metro Bathrooms we are very proud to be approaching our 10th anniversary of supplying and fitting bathrooms in Amber Valley and surrounding areas.
For all of those (nearly ten) years we have advertised our services in this fabulous magazine and fitted bathrooms for many of voice magazines loyal readers, so a big thank you to everyone who has chosen us to work in your home, and to all our friends at voice magazines who work hard in keeping the magazine both relevant and enjoyable to read.
After a brief spell in our first showroom in Alfreton in 2015 to our current home in Riddings we have continued with the same high
standard of customer care, before and after installation.
Our showroom continually changes as trends and new products enter the market so we can offer you a great choice of bathrooms.
Our online reviews are a testament to the quality of work that our team of fitters produce week in and week out.
We run our business with great pride and a huge amount of hardwork that’s seen us find our way through some uncertain times, changes of government, brexit, large suppliers going bankrupt overnight, and of course the dreaded covid years in which we proudly retained all of our employees throughout.
“Metro Bathrooms did an excellent job renovating our bathrooms. They not only delivered quality work but also impressed us by cleaning up after themselves and efficiently removing all the old bathroom components. Their comprehensive service left us very happy with the results.”
John Whetton
All Around the Shire
LINO AND CARPET
When I was a small girl, no one I knew had fitted carpets in their houses. The best we had was a square of carpet in the middle of a room, leaving a border of painted floorboard around the outside. Parquet if you could afford it. Bedrooms only had rugs and stairs may have a strip of carpet running up the middle of the steps. Vacuum cleaners were available but not everyone had one. You were more likely to see rugs on the washing line being cleaned with a carpet beater.
Bargeboards
Cladding
Rag rugs were an age-old way of cheering up a floor using the make-do-and-mend approach. They became popular again during wartime. My granny had one in front of the sink in the kitchen, or scullery as she called it, where her feet had spent so long standing over the years, that they had made dents in the lino.
Guttering
Minor
A Victorian invention, linoleum was practical, hard wearing, waterproof, non-flammable and available in a multitude of patterns and colours. It was also very cheap to manufacture and was to be found in most households until the 1950s when Vinyl became available.
I remember “Ewbanking” for sweeping up small crumbs from carpeted areas. Or “Hoovering” when the job needed a bit of suction.
Although many people nowadays have reverted to ceramic tiled floors, we have come a long way from scrubbing them on hands and knees.
Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire. Find us on or email: oldfield512@btinternet.com for more information.
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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 10 of
To all avid (?) readers of my regular contribution, I’ve reached the end of the road insofar as this theme is concerned.
Quite simply, some readers have sent interesting and well thought out suggestions, but lately, they have become just a bit too political, often conveying the type of ill-judged and unfounded comments associated with the likes of Donald Trump or Elon Musk.
That being the case I thought long and hard about passing on the thoughts of Callum, from Swanwick. However, and you can be the judge, as he represents a younger view than I’ve been used to receiving, I’ve decided that his voice should be heard, appropriately enough as it happens, in Voice Magazine.
Callum takes exception to the suggestion, as promoted on front pages of print media - which he claims is often blatant propaganda - that all pensioners are struggling. NB – I should point out that Callum is the grandson of Bill, from Westhouses, who featured last July. There is a link.
Callum, teaching history at a local school for the past four years, hopes to get married to Amber once they secure an affordable mortgage, find a suitable house, and when settled, raise a family of their own. A route that many of us can relate to. However, despite them both enjoying reasonable salaries, they have nearly £60k of student debt to repay, are struggling to raise a deposit and still live with their parents.
10)
These difficulties as they start out on life, he states, contrast with the suggestion in some quarters that ALL pensioners are destined to die of hypothermia because they’ve been denied their pre-Christmas gift of up to £300. When combined with many of the 93% of women of a certain age group jumping on the compensation bandwagon, when a mere 7% of their cohort appear to have a legitimate claim that they may have been ‘cheated out of their pension’, Callum doesn’t hold back.
What many pensioners – not all, but a significant number he qualifies - conveniently forget he says, is that most of their generation have enjoyed free education, affordable housing, generally full employment, no world wars, and all combined with a reliable, well-funded NHS and transport network in a society that had banks, pubs and other necessary services in every town and village. To top it all, they had state pension increases of 10.1 % (2023) and 8.1% (2024) when I had to make do with 5% and 5.5%, respectively.
Callum accepts that all older people deserve respect and, particularly if they are in failing health, whatever help they need that the nation can afford via the taxes that he, Amber and other workers pay.
However, for those who he describes as perennial whingers, he’d somehow like to arrange for Dr Who to take them back in time and spend a week living like his great grandparents, when they had a bit of backbone, kept calm, accepted that things could be a lot worse and were thankful for what they’d got.
Tank
Any
Proper
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE HUMBLE BUT FAMILIAR HOUSE SPARROW?
In the early 1900s, across Derbyshire and the Peak District, local farmers would have employed small children to catch house sparrows in their hundreds in order to protect grain – both in the fields and in the barns. Indeed, when the so-called ‘Cockney Sparrow’ was introduced to the United States in the early 1800s, by lonesome British migrants, it rose in numbers to become a major pest of agriculture and the economy. Then, for many of us growing up in the twentieth century, the humble sparrow was perhaps our most common bird around house and home. Not only this, but there was a second species too, the ‘Tree Sparrow’, altogether more refined and to my eye perhaps prettier! That is a bird that has almost totally gone but in the 1970s and 1980s, I regularly watched them in rural areas of North Derbyshire. By the 2000s, the house sparrow had become increasingly uncommon and on a worryingly steep decline. The tree sparrow is probably one of several victims of modern, intensive farming that squeezes some of our more traditional birds to near extinction in the region. This is not the fault of farmers per se, but of the way we demand cheap food production – and it is said that you ‘get what you pay for and what you deserve!’ So, we have lost turtle doves, corn buntings, linnets, yellowhammers, corncrakes, wild grey partridge, and yes, tree sparrows. But people ask what has happened to the ubiquitous house sparrows? Well, it is probably a mix of different factors together with a few more ‘exotic’ explanations that probably don’t hold water – like the adverse impacts of mobile phones for example. The more wacky explanations are probably unnecessary because the explanation is a mix of tidiness with less spillage of grain in fields and around farms, but also more widely. In the 1800s heyday of the sparrow, our transport and cartage was by animal power with horses and oxen, and they ate grain and spilled much of it all over the place for the sparrows to hoover up! But also, our homes and farm buildings are often tidier as roof-spaces are sealed and the holes and cavities favoured for nesting and roosting are closed off. There are also nasty diseases around, like ‘Avian
Pox’ and these might be made worse by climate change and other stresses. These have affected other familiar birds like the greenfinch. Anyway, do try to do your bit for the humble house sparrow. And don’t forget they need untidy places to nest but also, they love old, rambling shrubs and hedgerows to congregate in and to roost. Old beech hedges and privet are wonderful sparrow habitat, and you will hear flocks chattering happily away even if you can’t see them. So, do check and think before you remove that overgrown hedge or an aged shrub. For the local house sparrows that just might be home!
HOUSE SPARROWS BATHING
MALE HOUSE SPARROW
MALE HOUSE SPARROW WITH POX
COCK HOUSE SPARROW
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Spring bulbs may have pride of place in our gardens right now, but it’s also a good time to think about how we’re going to make the most of the coming season. Mulching can help with a number of things – for a start you can put a layer of organic mulch – leaf or bark or home-made compost - around your flowering bulbs – as the foliage dies back. It will feed them and make sure they retain moisture during this important regrowth period.
But it can also help keep sprouting weeds down if you spread thickly enough – a few inches deep. Or if used more sparingly - up to about 5cm - it will enrich the soil. However, if you are using it as an enricher rather than a weed restrictor make sure you get rid of as many weeds as possible before laying the mulch otherwise it will enrich the weeds too – definitely not a positive outcome. And if you’re using animal manure as a mulch, make sure it is very well rotted otherwise the high levels of nitrogen are likely to burn plants. Which brings us on to weeding. It’s good to get a head start, but probably best at this time of year to tackle them individually with a fork rather than using a hoe. The hoe works better in drier conditions when roots will dry out, but wet soil can lead to them re-growing.
And while it’s tempting to cut the grass as soon as possible, roots can be damaged by cutters in soggy soil. If you are going to cut, make sure it’s on a high blade. Once there’s some warmth in the soil you can start repairing any bald patches by removing thatch or dead grass by raking through, so the soil is loose and not compact, then create holes for drainage with a garden fork. Mix the seed with some compost and scatter then tread in and water. Don’t bury the seed – it needs light to germinate but also contact with the growing medium.
we’re all being told about the undoubted environmental benefits of using peat free compost in our pots and hanging baskets but it’s worth bearing in mind that the nutrient value of peat free may not be as high, so you may need more feed in the longer term.
