All Things Local - Village Edition - February/March 2023

This year saving money will be at the top of most people’s list which is why we’ve put together these tips for spending less on your car whilst keeping safe on the road

Tip 1 Tyre Checks

Checking your tyres once a month really will save you money and of course, keep you safer on the roads. Making sure your tyres are set to the correct pressures ensures they last as long as possible and improves your fuel economy. Get into the habit of looking out for uneven wear (tyres wearing more on one side) which can often be slowed down by wheel alignment if it's caught early enough.

Tip 2 Free reminders

When you’re busy, it’s so easy to forget that your MOT is due or even that your car is overdue a service Signing up for a free reminder means you won’t have to worry about missing those dates ever again! It takes just a couple of minutes to register, and we'll even send you a discount code with your reminder, so you'll save some money too Visit www edentyres com/reminders to sign up

Tip 3 Get the best deal

Saving money is going to be on everyone’s agenda this year and so making sure you get the best deal on looking after your car is essential Visiting our offers page before making a booking means you won’t miss out on our latest promotions or discounts Visit www.edentyres.com/offers to find out more

Upperdale Road, Derby Alfreton Road, Derby Nottingham Road, Ripley Wimsey Way, Somercotes Giltbrook Ind. Park (near IKEA)

WELCOME LETTER

Welcome to the first All Things Local of the New Year! We hope you’re enjoying 2023 so far. There’s no doubt that this is likely to be another challenging year but, with everything that’s been thrown at us over the past few years, we’ve definitely grown stronger and more resilient. Whatever 2023 has in store, good or bad, we can weather it together!

As a local community we’ve shown tremendous strength and been there for each other throughout tough times and we’ll continue to do so. Our Friendship Blooms presentations are testament to this – we love to be able to say ‘thank you’ to those special people who really go above and beyond for others, selflessly putting other people’s needs first and helping when it’s most needed. Read about this issue’s deserving nominee on page 79 and, if you know someone who thoroughly deserves a floral ‘thank you’, why not send in a nomination? Our bouquets are kindly supplied by Fleur Florist of Belper and I’m sure you’ll agree that they’re absolutely stunning!

Of course, it’s not just flowers that we’re offering –you can win the usual bottle of Champagne with our Champagne Sudoku on page 61 and, if you turn to page 6, you could win a breakfast for 2 courtesy of the newly opened ‘The Gallery’ in Duffield by entering our Prize Crossword competition. Thank you to The Gallery for gifting this wonderful prize!

Now that the flurry of activity that surrounds Christmas and the New Year has died down, it’s a good time to make new plans – if that includes doing some work on your house or garden there are plenty of local trades people within our ‘Homes and Gardens’ pages that would be happy to help you with home improvements. Or, if it’s your car that’s in need of some TLC, our ‘Motoring’ section features garages, tyre suppliers and bodywork experts who’ll help to keep your car in tip-top shape – whatever’s wrong with your vehicle there’s someone who can diagnose and fix it!

Don’t forget Valentine’s Day on 14th February and Mothering Sunday on 19th March – take a look in our ‘Food, Drink and Entertainment’ section to find a special place for a celebration or ‘Health, Beauty and Fitness’ for some pampering or self-care.

And that’s just a selection of the businesses that All Things Local brings you from the local area … there’s plenty more from solicitors to architects, taxis to computer support! Whatever you need, you really don’t have to travel far. By supporting local businesses you’re supporting the local economy which, in turn, will help our wonderful area to thrive. It’s a win-win. Oh, and if you do contact any of our advertisers please do mention that you saw them in All Things Local so that they know you’re reading and enjoying our little magazine. Thank you!

Of course, as well as the competitions and useful local businesses, you can also enjoy all of our articles, many of which are penned by talented local residents. We really hope that this February/March issue brings some joy to the cold winter days and we’ll be back in the spring with our April/May issue when hopefully we’ll be enjoying a little sunshine and warmth. Remember to put your clocks forward an hour on Sunday 26th March … a sure sign that spring’s on its way!

occupied (6)

Musical dramas (6)

Vehicle for hire (4)

Opposite (8)

Not as dark (7)

Old coin (5)

Regularly (5)

Culinary herb (7)

Very cold (8)

Relax (4)

Piled up (7)

Connects (5)

Closer to (6)

Railway coach (8)

Casual (8)

Haggle (7)

Votes for (6)

Scratch (6)

Repairs (5)

Fizzy drink (4)

Legal Matters

Shacklocks Solicitors

Legal Matters: Trusts

Legal Matters: The Importance of Lasting Powers of Attorney

In each edition legal advisors from Shacklocks deal with important legal topics. This month Marion Vesey (pictured) invites us to think about making a decision that will benefit future generations.

Legal Matters: Breakdown of a Marriage or Civil Partnership: Dividing the Pensions

Cassandra Worton, Partner with Shacklocks LLP and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, explains some of the mystery behind Trusts.

70 years later the trust is still providing that accommodation.

The difficulty is that the CETV for one scheme might produce completely different pension benefits to the CETV in another scheme. You might share a particular pension equally but the reality in terms of what you might each receive in your pocket could be significantly different. The court is generally concerned about the effect of a pension sharing order, especially when people might have been together for a long time.

mental capacity to do so for yourself. Your attorneys could make decisions on your day-to-day matters such as diet and clothing, decisions which may help you stay in your own home, or arrangements for residential or nursing care. You are also able to authorise your attorneys to give or refuse consent to life sustaining treatment.

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint people, called your ‘Attorneys’ to make decisions on your behalf. Benjamin Edwards of Shacklocks LLP explains why they are so important.

Making a Will is a serious business. It is a time which gives many people cause to stop and think about how they want to be remembered when they are gone.

Trusts are a very well established part of English law, but are generally not available in many European countries. So what are they, and how did they come about?

When a marriage or a civil partnership breaks down, consideration needs to be given to how the assets of the union are to be divided. Assets can include the home, savings, cars and other valuables but also pensions.

Many people are attracted by the idea of doing something to help others less fortunate than themselves after they pass away, particularly if their family are adequately provided for or if they have no close family. Whilst some still like the idea of supporting major national charities, there are many who prefer to benefit more local causes or causes close to their heart, possibly where they have had a personal involvement or received support during their lifetime.

Another of the trusts we look after was set up by a client who wanted to help people with particular medical conditions. Her kindness has enabled her trustees to provide financial support to a gifted young musician who has experienced a number of health issues that have interfered with her education, to enable that child to be educated in the most appropriate environment.

Put as simply as possible, a Trust will arise where a person transfers property or assets into the name of their chosen Trustees, for the Trustees to hold that property or those assets for certain purposes and on certain terms, for the benefit of specific persons or a group of people.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): Financial Decisions and Health and Care Decisions. The Financial Decisions LPA allows you to appoint people who you trust to act as your attorneys to make decisions about your financial affairs. Your attorneys could open and close bank accounts, withdraw or invest money, claim your allowances and benefits and even sell your property if required.

Indeed the pensions can be the most valuable asset and care has to be exercised in how they are treated and how they are divided. Usually, pensions are dealt with in one of the following ways:

1. Pension sharing. This is where one pension is divided to create essentially two pensions, a reduced pension for the member of the pension scheme and a new pension for the other person.

2. Pension attachment. This is where a court makes an order directing that some of the pension payable to one person is paid to the other.

To better understand Trusts we can take a look back to the times of the Crusades. Trusts first began to take shape in medieval England when men were travelling abroad to join the Crusades. They would transfer their property to a trusted friend for them to look after, manage and protect until their return, which may not be for many years. The moral obligation imposed on the friend is one of the earliest forms of a Trust, which over the centuries has become embedded in our legal system.

Something that our team will discuss with clients in this situation is the idea of setting up their own charitable trust which can continue to provide support for charitable causes of their choosing long after they have passed away. Creating your own charity means that your trustees can provide support to those who need help most. There can be a great sense of satisfaction in knowing that your trustees will carry out your wishes after you have gone and that your name will be associated with such good deeds even after you are no longer around.

A Charitable Trust can be set up either during your lifetime with savings and investments built up already, or alternatively through a specially prepared Will that will only take effect following your death and will therefore not deprive you of capital or income during your lifetime.

3. Offsetting. This is where the pensions are left untouched but the share of other assets are adjusted to take into account the value of pensions.

Before you even think about dealing with pensions you need to know their value. The starting point is often the provision of a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (“CETV”). This needs to be provided in all cases. Whilst the CETV is important, further information is often needed in terms of benefit statements so that the full terms of the pension can be considered.

In our experience, some people try to avoid having an LPA by transferring their bank accounts into joint names, often with one of their children. This has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, it will not allow that person to deal with the whole of your affairs such as insurance or the sale of property. Secondly, a joint account will pass directly to the joint account holder on your death and would not pass under your Will: this can cause difficulties and may mean that your money does not pass to the people you want it to. Thirdly you will be more vulnerable to financial abuse. An LPA is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian to help safeguard against financial abuse.

If we fast forward to the present day, the reasons to use a Trust are broadly the same as in medieval England; there are different types of Trusts and there are many different types of situations which may create Trusts. Trusts may be set up in a lifetime, or through a Will following death. Trusts may provide circumstances in which beneficiaries will become absolutely entitled to the Trust Fund, or they may provide flexibility by allowing for discretion to be exercised as to who should benefit.

At Shacklocks we have set up a number of charitable trusts over the 150 years or so we have been in business and we still look after those trusts today. One of the charitable trusts we look after, for example, was established by a will in the 1940’s to provide accommodation for elderly residents.

The Health and Care Decisions LPA allows you to appoint people you trust to make decisions about your health and care, only if you do not have the

It is important to understand the difference between different pension types. Some pensions are pots of money which can sometimes be converted into cash (subject to tax). Other pensions simply give a person the right to receive an income from a particular date until their death.

www.shacklocks.co.uk

The CETV provided by a pension scheme might not be a true representation of the value of that pension. In some cases, especially some public sector pensions, the CETV provided can significantly understate the true worth of a pension.

With both types of Lasting Power of Attorney, your attorneys can only make decisions that are in your best interests. Rather than taking away your independence, they can give the people you trust the authority they need to help you keep your independence. If you do not have Lasting Powers of Attorney in place and you lose the ability to make your own decisions, the only way people can make those decisions for you is by applying to become your ‘Deputy’ under the Court of Protection. This is a long and complicated process and anybody can apply to be your ‘Deputy’. It may not be the person who you would choose.

There are obviously many different pension schemes in existence. Each will probably be different to the next. It is very important that you receive the right advice and that the true value of each pension is understood and shared fairly. Often it is necessary to involve other experts, for example pension actuaries, who will produce comprehensive reports to assist in the division of pension assets. The information given above is necessarily general and cannot be relied upon in any particular case.

LPAs provide peace of mind so that if you are unable to deal with your affairs, the people of your choice can make the right decisions on your behalf.

Whilst the idea that someone travelling abroad may leave their property in Trust to be managed whilst they are away is still very useful today, Trusts may be used closer to home to protect and manage property or money in other circumstances too. For example, a parent may set up a Trust in their lifetime or through their Will for a child, or for an adult son or daughter who is not able to manage their own affairs perhaps because of disability or mental capacity issues. A married person may provide in their Will for their surviving spouse to have a life interest in their half of the family home thereby protecting that half of the home for the next generation. A Trust may be used where someone receives damages as a result of a personal injury or clinical negligence claim. A couple may set up a Trust to keep their family assets in the bloodline in case of changes in family and marital arrangements which may take the assets out of the family, or someone with a second family may set up a Trust to make special arrangements for their two families. A person with Charitable intentions may set up a Trust in their lifetime or on death for the benefit of those who they particularly wish to help in the future, and by doing so leave a lasting legacy: many of the charities we see now may have been set up in this way. These are all types of Trust.

At Shacklocks LLP we are committed to helping you to understand the true worth of pensions and to help you receive a fair financial settlement which will meet your needs. Shacklocks LLP family law team are currently offering all new clients an initial free half hour appointment. To find out more, contact Ben Stubbins and his team on 01773 822333 or email bens@shacklocks.co.uk.

Our team at Shacklocks have a particular speciality in preparing arrangements of this kind and also of acting as professional trustees to enable wishes to be fulfilled and instructions to be followed.

Benjamin Edwards is a Solicitor with Shacklocks LLP, Solicitors and Investment Advisors, and is one of their team of experienced lawyers working from offices in Allestree, Belper, Ripley and Mansfield advising on Lasting Powers of Attorney, Wills, Trusts, Probate, and the Administration of Estates. To make an appointment to discuss Lasting Powers of Attorney, please contact Benjamin Edwards on 01332 559281 or by email to benjamine@shacklocks.co.uk.

Shacklocks LLP have been dealing with Trusts for many years, though not quite as far back as the Crusades! If you would like to know more about Trusts and how they may be of help in your circumstances contact Cassandra Worton or Richard Farmer at Shacklocks LLP on 01773 822333 or 01623 626141 or email cassandraw@shacklocks.co.uk or richardf@shacklocks.co.uk.

If you are thinking of supporting charities through your Will or during your lifetime with a lump sum, why not talk to us about the different ways in which we can help you benefit those good causes, and how to make the most of the tax rules that enable a charitable cause to benefit.

Call us at Shacklocks to talk about how we can help you to help your favourite local causes.

Telephone Shacklocks on 0845 602 2344 or email me at marionv@shacklocks.co.uk.

Cassandra Worton

Money Matters: What Next for 2023?

us more! Guess what – more inflation impact! And so on – the vicious inflation cycle continues.

Money Matters:

Money Matters: 10 Years of Belper

IFS: Our First Decade

10 Years of Belper IFS: Our First Decade

that the need for financial advice and a solution should not be seen as a one-off. Financial products and solutions were probably right at the time, but just how much has changed since their inception?

By the time you read this we will have left 2022 behind I would like to start by saying Happy New Year!

10 years ago, Belper Independent Financial Solutions was formed after its founder (me, Kevin Glover) was made redundant from The Derbyshire Building Society.

10 years ago, Belper Independent Financial Solutions was formed after its founder (me, Kevin Glover) was made redundant from The Derbyshire Building Society.

that the need for financial advice and a solution should not be seen as a one-off. Financial products and solutions were probably right at the time, but just how much has changed since their inception?

At this point, companies and the public feel uncertain about the future regarding paying the bills and so do the markets. Both share prices in companies and traditionally lower-risk alternative assets such as GILTs and corporate bonds also become unattractive. As a consequence, their prices fall too. This now shows in your pension funds and investments. It was fairly easy to see what went wrong in 2022. The solutions to rectify are painful as unemployment trends start to increase, repossession numbers grow too and people feel insecure.

Since then, Belper has seen the loss of The Derbyshire, Woolworths, Somerfield, Thomas Cook and Britannia Building Society to name but a few long-standing institutions that are now confined to history.

2022 was extremely challenging from a financial point of view. January ‘22 started with the threat of inflation getting beyond the UK Government’s target of 2%. There was an air of inevitability that inflation was likely to resurface largely off the back of the previous decade of low interest rates, the global economic cycle and also Covid.

Since then, Belper has seen the loss of The Derbyshire, Woolworths, Somerfield, Thomas Cook and Britannia Building Society to name but a few long-standing institutions that are now confined to history Generations of people have been served or been customers of these organisations. You are probably one. State Pension Age has changed several times and will most likely do so again At least interest rates have not changed much! Rubbish then and not much better today

Generations of people have been served or been customers of these organisations. You are probably one. State Pension Age has changed several times and will most likely do so again. At least interest rates have not changed much! Rubbish then and not much better today.

Investment funds (whether held in pension wrappers or alternative structures such as Stocks and Shares ISAs), are mostly run by fund managers who are also human beings. As humans they may retire, defect to other companies, or run out of luck! Solutions that may have been right at the start may no longer be suitable or effective. Leading fund managers in 2009 may no longer be leading fund managers as we approach 2020.

Investment funds (whether held in pension wrappers or alternative structures such as Stocks and Shares ISAs), are mostly run by fund managers who are also human beings. As humans they may retire, defect to other companies, or run out of luck! Solutions that may have been right at the start may no longer be suitable or effective. Leading fund managers in 2009 may no longer be leading fund managers as we approach 2020.

Consider this – joining the EU was considered the right decision once upon a time.

Consider this – joining the EU was considered the right decision once upon a time.

In spring 2020 the world almost stopped spinning on its axis and oil processing dropped to record lows as consumption dropped because we all stayed at home. Manufacturing and service industries took turns for the worse. Oil could be bought at less than $0 per barrel! Running the clock forward as the world began to turn again the inevitable impact of energy prices rising (oil mainly) was always likely to see the increase in prices and subsequently feed its way through to us with everything we spend our money on. In short, inflation. Inflation is the rolling 12-month increases in prices, April to April, May to May and so on.

From my dining room in 2009, to an office in Heanor, back to Belper and now to the present location, much has changed including the greyness of my hair and the size of my waistline! Now as a team of 8 we have seen the client base expand over the years. ‘Generous’ successive Chancellors introduce new legislation impacting the public and signposting the need for financial advice.

From my dining room in 2009, to an office in Heanor, back to Belper and now to the present location, much has changed including the greyness of my hair and the size of my waistline! Now as a team of 8 we have seen the client base expand over the years. ‘Generous’ successive Chancellors introduce new legislation impacting the public and signposting the need for financial advice

Then in February ‘22, the Ukraine crisis turned into a war with the sanctions imposed on Russia adding to gas supply issues along with China imposing severe lockdowns if someone so much as sneezed. Almost a perfect storm. So, market forces meant, as supply shortened and demand rose, prices rose again –fuelling more inflation. Central Banks around the world responded by placing a monetary handbrake on the economy by raising interest rates to try and slow down inflation.

What about you – what has changed in your lives over the last 10 years? How many jobs have you had? Has your family extended or tragedy struck? How many times have you moved house? How many pension schemes have you been a member of and simply left, through one reason or another? How many cars, partners and other life events have occurred?

What about you – what has changed in your lives over the last 10 years? How many jobs have you had? Has your family extended or tragedy struck? How many times have you moved house? How many pension schemes have you been a member of and simply left, through one reason or another? How many cars, partners and other life events have occurred?

How many investments have you made and when were they last reviewed and looked at? My point is

So now we have mortgage rates increasing, the cost of borrowing becomes more expensive plus the pound loses value against both the Euro and the Dollar. Imports cost

How many investments have you made and when were they last reviewed and looked at? My point is

In April 2015, pension regulations changed. They will almost certainly change again. Pensions from prior to this time may no longer be suitable – but just how would you know? So, as you sit munching your turkey over the festive period, consider how many of these questions apply to you and see what may benefit from having a review.

In April 2015, pension regulations changed. They will almost certainly change again. Pensions from prior to this time may no longer be suitable – but just how would you know? So, as you sit munching your turkey over the festive period, consider how many of these questions apply to you and see what may benefit from having a review.

Is 2020 the time to take a look at your financial arrangements once again and get them fit for purpose?

Is 2020 the time to take a look at your financial arrangements once again and get them fit for purpose?

But this is 2023. What can we expect? The answer with certainty is unknown. We do know inflation should subside in late 2023 as the steep 2022 increases ‘wash out’ of the rolling 12 months. The likelihood is that interest rates will not keep increasing as the Central Banks look to reverse the uncertainty and cultivate conditions for a recovery. It’s distinctly probable that the interest rates fall too as, bar controlling inflation, not much can be gained to help the confidence grow. The markets will still be jittery at times as company reports will probably show some unexpected numbers but hopefully the Covid scenario with China and the supply issues fade. But, as we get older, we realise these conditions will not last and sooner rather than later the global economy in which we live will grow again from recession because it always does.

Wishing you a happy 2020 and a prosperous next 10 years.

Wishing you a happy 2020 and a prosperous next 10 years

Sit tight for a bumpy 2023. It’s the destination and not the journey, as they say.

Glover, Belper IFS

This information is general only and is not intended to address your particular requirements The data above should not be relied upon in its entirety and shall not be deemed to be or constitute advice No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation

By Kevin Glover, Belper IFS

By Kevin Glover, Belper IFS

This information is general only and is not intended to address your particular requirements. The data above should not be relied upon in its entirety and shall not be deemed to be or constitute advice. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation.

This information is general only and is not intended to address your particular requirements The data above should not be relied upon in its entirety and shall not be deemed to be or constitute advice. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation.

10 Chapel Street Belper DE56

I’d like to be frank whilst also being Fliss and I really think I am getting there. I’ve been thinking about how often we find it difficult to be honest with our nearest and dearest.

Not for one second am I insinuating that we are all guilty of the big lies that cause deep hurt to another. I do think that we all find it hard to say no to people though, and in this we create untruths needlessly. I have done it myself, dodged a phone call from someone, ignored a WhatsApp message, left a voicemail unheard. It is a passive version of hiding behind the sofa when [insert unwanted guest] knocks on the door!

One thing I have come to realise is that usually the reason for this ducking and diving we all do is down to overwhelm, anxiety, depression, fatigue, stress etc. I think it is time we came clean and do as Brené Brown would advocate for (look her up!). Let’s communicate honestly – being always clear and kind. Let’s reply to the message saying, ‘I can’t meet for coffee because

my anxiety is bad today, I think you understand’. Why not listen to the voicemail and reply via text if you can’t talk? ‘I won’t be able to take that on right now, because I am struggling with overwhelm; thanks for thinking of me though.’ How about taking that call and just saying, ‘I’d love to chat but today I don’t have the bandwidth to talk and listen properly. Can I call you at the weekend instead?’

The more we all do it, the easier it is to keep our relationships honest and healthy whilst lifting the taboo that stops us from making mental health an everyday topic of conversation.

Remaining frank as per my promise, I absolutely will be hiding behind the sofa if the double-glazing salesperson comes calling and that has absolutely nothing to do with my mental health – clearly!

By Fliss Goldsmith of Belper

TAROT & REIKI

Readings and Reiki sessions available in Belper£25 reading for £20 with a copy of this advert. Do you want to have some ‘me’ Jme receiving relaxing Reiki healing energy or do you have a burning quesJon or want some general life guidance?

I am located in The 1924 Arcade, Campbell Street, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1AP which has a cafe and other shops. I also offer aWendance at events and distance healing & animal reiki by appointment.

Bookings available by email, text or phone

Email: Oceanoracle22@gmail.com Tel: 07902902030 Web: www.oceanoracle.co.uk

LOL!

February is associated with romance, hearts and flowers. But it doesn’t have to be! There’s no need to despair when you don’t receive anything from a special someone. Forget Valentine’s Day – February is officially National Laugh-Friendly Month.

Established in 2008, its original focus was on encouraging businesses to promote laughter. Laughter is generally frowned upon in professional and formal settings. I have been shunned (told to ‘go and calm down a bit’) in the workplace for hysterical laughter on many occasions. But surely these are the very situations when joy and laughter need to be present?

We generally laugh to express our positive emotions. Other times it might be to express nervousness or embarrassment. I have even been known to laugh when I injure myself, which is rather confusing to those who observe this and I have to convince them I am actually in pain.

Historically – or hysterically – speaking, laughter was associated with ‘abnormal’ mental states and a disconnection with reality. In fact, laughter was first scientifically studied by psychiatrists.

But remember what Alice told the Mad Hatter: “You’re

Poem: February Marches On

The pantomime has ended ‘Festive’s’ into hibernation Dank, dark days of January Seeing off that celebration Biting, bitter is the cold Winter nights still labour long The shortest month arrives again

As February Marches on

A time to market romance

Receive a card (complete with price)

Heart balloons, red decorations Retailers reel you in – entice Too soon they sell us Easter Chocolate, bunnies, eggs and cards

As consumer campaigns countdown Target household funds hit hard

And then – without prior notice Appearing right before your eyes

A hint of springtime teases

Nature’s annual surprise

A glimpse of colour beckons Once again we hear birdsong The seasons show what really matters

As February Marches on

By

www.pencilpoised.com

entirely bonkers. And shall I tell you a secret? All the best people usually are.”

Today, a sense of humour is increasingly necessary to shine a light in our gloom-filled world.

There are plenty of benefits to laughter. It can:

1. Relieve stress 2. Reduce pain 3. Increase happy hormones 4. Boost your immune system 5. Improve relationships 6. Burn calories 7. Potentially make you live longer

Don’t worry if you struggle to see the funny side. Faking laughter will still make you feel happier. I’d recommend discernment regarding the situations in which you practise this technique.

Whether you prefer to titter, chortle, cackle or roll on the floor laughing, get your giggle muscles in gear and find something to laugh about. It’s contagious in a good way!

By Jessica White

07545

All animals need exercise and cats are no different. However, if you are concerned about letting your pet out, you might be thinking about buying a harness and talking your cat for a walk. It may be possible if you start this when they are a kitten, but it’s really not recommended for the following reasons:

• Cats are naturally cautious and want to explore at a pace that feels right and safe for them. They will want to be able to hide, run away or avoid potential threats without restriction.

• Cats are naturally very attached to their home and need to feel they always have access to this. Being taken on a lead takes them into new territory and prevents them from being able to access their own space.

• If the lead is dropped or they escape their harness it is unlikely they will return to you, especially when they

are scared. Cats are more likely to bolt in order to reach a place of safety and will be at risk from cars on the road as well as other threats.

• Dogs have a high chase drive and, if they see a cat, may try to run after them. Being on a lead or harness makes your cat vulnerable to all sorts of dangers like this that they would naturally avoid.

Rather than using a harness and leash to provide access to the outdoors, the RSPCA recommends providing your cat an enclosed outdoor space with cat-proof fencing.

Travel Sustainable Travel

The benefits of travelling are infinite. However, the increase in plane travel and overcrowding of tourist hotspots has undoubtedly had a negative impact on the environment too.

If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, but still want to see the world, don’t lose hope. There are lots of ways to make your trips more sustainable – whether that’s by choosing the right destinations, seeking out eco-experiences or choosing greener modes of transport.

Choose a destination closer to home

You don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to have an unforgettable holiday. There are plenty of awe-inspiring destinations sitting right on your doorstep here in the UK, or just a short plane or train journey away.

With the pandemic putting a halt to foreign travel for over a year, many of us will be more accustomed to holidaying in the UK. However, if your sights are set on somewhere far-flung, reduce your carbon footprint by taking one longer holiday per year instead of multiple shorter trips.

Use efficient modes of transportation

Too often, we choose the easiest option when it comes to travelling, instead of thinking about the journey as an experience in itself.

Air travel tends to be the easiest but least efficient mode of transportation. When visiting destinations that are close to home – such as cities in Western Europe – why not consider travelling by train or coach? You’ll cut your emissions while soaking up the scenery along the way. Once you’ve arrived at your destination, avoid renting a car and travel by bus, rail or bike instead.

Take the road less travelled Nowadays, more and more destinations are becoming victims of over-tourism. This is when there are too many visitors at a particular

destination, resulting in locals being pushed out, damage to the area and more.

While it’s tempting to visit the bucket-list destinations you see on social media, as a tourist you can make a difference by getting off the beaten path. Do some extra research and look beyond the top attractions in the area you’re staying. You could also ask locals or other travellers for recommendations. By doing so, you’ll be spreading the benefits of tourism to more remote communities!

Seek out local and sustainable experiences While you’re enjoying your holiday, take advantage of every opportunity to give back to the local community. Buying gifts for your family? Snap up locally made souvenirs at smaller independent stores. Fancy a meal out? Avoid big hotel chains and find restaurants run by local residents.

Homestays, local guides and programmes that give back to the community are also good ways to ensure your money is injected back into the local economy.

Pack like a pro Plastic waste might not be a huge issue in the western world, but developing countries have been suffering from uncontrollable plastic rubbish in oceans and on beaches for years.

You can avoid single-use plastics on your travels by packing reusables like a water bottle, coffee cup, steel or bamboo straw, collapsible food container and bamboo cutlery.

Quirky Britain Llama Trekking

Feeling stressed out? Take a walk with a llama! According to the advertisement strapline for one of the many llama trekking trips available in the UK today: “You feel calmer when you walk with a llama”.

Llamas originally came from South America, where local people have used them as pack animals for hundreds of years. Their specially adapted feet – padded, like a dog’s – together with their friendly natures made them the perfect companion for long treks across the mountainous Andes region.

What happens on a llama trek?

Although llamas are able to pull carts and carry up to 25% of their body weight, they are not suitable for riding, so your trekking experience will be limited to leading your llama on a halter as you walk along. At first glance this may not seem like much of an ‘experience’, but trekkers report that leading a llama is a surprisingly relaxing and calming experience.

A UK llama trek can involve anything from a half-day trip (ending with a cream tea, of course) to a ramble lasting several days. Brenda Stevens, a member of the British Llama Society and owner of the trekking company UK Llamas, offers visitors the opportunity to halter and groom their llama before leading them into the country lanes and footpaths around the village of Mosterton in Dorset. Llamas are usually well-behaved but have been known to pause on their route if they find a particularly tasty hedgerow plant. Brenda explains: “Our llamas enjoy nothing more than exploring the village and helping our neighbours by ‘trimming’ their bushes and trees along the way!”

What makes llamas so special?

Llamas will also stop in the middle of a trekking expedition if they sense the presence of wildlife, helping their human companions spot creatures they might otherwise fail to see on a countryside walk. With their sharp senses and strong

protective instincts, they are often used on farms to guard lambs, ducks and chickens from attack by predators. Hardy and undemanding, they are also placed in paddocks to provide companionship for horses and ponies.

Perhaps it is this ability to bond with other species that has singled llamas out as ideal travelling companions for humans. In spite of rumours that llamas can spit in spectacular fashion if angered, this rarely happens. In fact, many UK llama owners have become so confident of their animals’ good behaviour that they have started to involve them in animal therapy sessions.

Parties and celebrations are another growth area for the ‘llama experience’. James and Suzanne Benson from Nidderdale Llamas even make their animals available for hen parties and weddings. For hen parties the llamas are equipped with pink ‘L’ plates on their tails, while participants can hire sashes to wear as they walk. At weddings, llamas can meet and greet guests and provide a focus for photographs. Suzanne says: “We can arrange for two llamas or one llama and one alpaca to accompany the bride and groom through the ceremony, walk down the aisle, even carry the rings!”

Paying to lead an animal on a countryside ramble may seem like a slightly eccentric thing to do, but there’s little doubt that llama trekking is a magical and unforgettable experience for those who take part. To quote one happy customer who reviewed his trekking trip on the TripAdvisor website: “Quite simply one of the BEST days out we have had.”

By Kate McLelland

There's always a warm welcome with real fires and home-cooked food. We have plenty of outside seating and a large children's play area

Our large function room with private patio area will cater for any special occasion, accommodating up to 120 people.

FOOD SERVED

Tues - Sat 12 - 7.30pm & Sun 12 - 5.30pm

Booking is advisable and essential for Sunday lunch

30 Wood Lane, Horsley Woodhouse 01332 880385

Walkers and dogs welcome.

To nd out more, contact Ruth 07545 261034 for a chat and advice. No pressure selling.

E: ruth@allthingslocal.co.uk

Beer: Beer Festivals

With the dark nights becoming shorter, it’s time to make plans for getting out and about and enjoying a wide range of beers in a festival and hopefully, sunny environment. Here are three beer festivals that I recommend visiting this year, if you can.

Indie Beer Feast

3rd - 4th March, Trafalgar Warehouse, Sheffield

Claiming the title of ‘first craft beer festival of the year’ Sheffield’s independent festival is back for its fifth year. Previously held in the glorious Abbeydale Picture House, the festival has relocated to a beautiful 1930s industrial event space at Trafalgar Warehouse, whilst refurbishment work is carried out. Expect tasting rooms and pop-up events; already a host of top craft breweries have signed up to pour at this event.

BREW/LDN

5th – 6th May 2023, London

To be held at Printworks, a former newspaper printers, this amazing space will host a huge platform for the industry’s finest innovators in independent brewing and cider production. This is a large event and promises to give everyone an unforgettable beer experience.

Word on Wine

The wine that I would like to introduce to you comes from Australia, where they have just finished their summer barbecues. The wine is ‘Shiraz’ in Australia but originates in France as ‘Syrah’ – one of the noble grape varieties.

It is thought that the vines originated in Persia and entered Europe via Sicily by the Romans. Originally grown around the Rhone Valley in France, the grape’s popularity spread and it is now grown all over France and the world. The vines are thought to have been introduced to Australia in 1832, to the New South Wales area. They were originally known as ‘Scyras’ before being renamed as Shiraz.

This Shiraz wine is made by Dandelion Vineyards in McLaren Vale in South Australia. The vineyard’s name is derived from the fact that the owners allow dandelions to grow between the rows to suppress weed growth, before being mulched in the ground. The wine is ‘Lionheart of Barossa’, named after the area’s lifelong champion of wines made from old vine grapes, Carl Lindner.

These grapes are hand-harvested in April and gently crushed and naturally fermented in open vats for 8 days. The grapes

These Hills Festival

16th – 17th June, South Downs National Park

Hosted by Beak Brewery, TH23 promises to be even bigger, better and more idiosyncratic than last year. Expect your favourite breweries from around the world, plus low-intervention wine, cider and mead – all served up with a soupçon of cigars, folk rituals, DJ sets, fire, live music, street-food, rare bottle shares and, er, the burning of some summer solstice.

By Sean McKeown Twitter: @belperbeerclub

are hand-pushed back into the juice twice a day, before being basket-pressed into predominantly old French oak barrels for 18 months before racking and bottling.

Technical Details: Grapes: 100% Shiraz

Appearance: Deep velvety dark purple colour Nose / Aroma: Dark chocolate freshly grated with earthy undertones, rosemary and violet flowers with a hint of pepper and old oak furniture. (Wine maker’s comments?!)

Taste: Deep fresh fruit on the palate of dark berries with hints of pepper and a smooth finish.

Alcohol by Volume: 14.5%

Food Match: BBQ ribs, spicy sausages and roasted leg of goat. Available from: Hattersley Wines in Bakewell – £14.50 per bottle.

For more information and to buy the wine, visit www.hattersleywines.com or their shop in Bakewell. If you like wine and would like to learn more, please visit our website www.kilburnwinecircle.weebly.com or visit our Facebook page for details of our future tastings in 2023.

By David Savidge, Kilburn Wine Circle

Beat the winter blues – and make the most of the money in your pocket and the everyday ingredients in your cupboard – with this cost-effective yet tasty and satisfying midweek winner.

Serves: 4

95p per person Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 35 minutes Ingredients:

300g potatoes, diced

Olive oil • 1 onion, peeled and chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 x 340g tin of corned beef, chopped • 80g bag of watercress, spinach and rocket, chopped • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1 medium free-range egg, beaten

Method:

Parboil the potatoes in a pan of lightly salted water for around 7 minutes before draining the water – they should be slightly softened but still hold their shape.

In a large, heavy-based pan, fry off the onions in a glug of oil until beginning to soften. Add the garlic and allow to cook for about 30 seconds.

Now add the potatoes, corned beef and chopped salad leaves, and apply a little pressure with a spatula or fish slice.

Occasionally turn the mixture but try not to disturb it too much. Add the Worcestershire sauce and push down on the mixture again. By this point, it should all be nicely browned.

Serve with baked beans or some cookedfrom-frozen vegetables, if liked.

Recipe © www.watercress.co.uk, with photography by Lara Jane Thorpe

Motoring

First Drive: Kia Niro

Kia is back with a three-pronged approach with its hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV Niro, but is it a fitting replacement for the popular original? Jack Evans finds out what it’s like.

What is it?

Kia’s Niro has proved to be a hugely popular car for the Korean firm and has been a consistent bestseller. Sitting on a new platform and with a range of new technologies, the Niro has a host of revisions to ensure it’s as successful as the car it replaces.

What’s new?

Overall, the Niro is longer, wider and taller than before, bringing improved spaciousness and practicality. The styling has been overhauled, giving the Niro added presence and bringing it closer in terms of design to the rest of Kia’s range.

What’s under the bonnet?

Both the regular ‘self-charging’ hybrid or the PHEV we tested have a 1.6-litre petrol engine. The difference lies in the electric motor (more powerful in the latter) and the increased-capacity battery.

Combined, you get 180bhp and 265Nm of torque, and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. 40 miles of electric range is possible and CO2 emissions of 22g/km put this in the business car-friendly category. Kia claim up to 353.1mpg is achievable, though the batteries must be kept topped up.

What’s it like to drive?

It’s straightforward to drive and the steering wheel is similar to other recent Kia models. It’s easy to use, with the PHEV setup switching between electric and petrol power without fuss.

It’s quiet, with good levels of refinement. However, the steering is quite lifeless and the brake pedal feels spongy, while the regenerative braking takes some getting used to.

How does it look?

The new car has a really bold front end incorporating Kia’s latest interpretation of its famous ‘Tiger Face’.

We like the sharp daytime running lights. The rear lights continue the theme, though the large panel underneath them on the sides looks a little ugly.

What’s it like inside?

The Kia Niro has grown considerably and is now 65mm longer and 20mm wider, giving ample headand legroom in the rear seats. The USB-C charging sockets integrated into the backs of the front seats give the back of the car a clean look.

This plug-in hybrid has the least boot space at 346 litres, while the regular hybrid has 451 litres and the full EV 475 litres. Lowering the seats increases this to 1,342 litres.

What’s the spec like?

The Niro is packed with standard equipment. Prices for the plug-in hybrid start from £33,245 in entry-level ‘2’ grade, but the kit level is impressive. All cars get 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Our test car’s ‘4’ specification at £39,175 included a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, heated rear seats and an electric sunroof. However, the ‘2’ model is arguably the strongest proposition.

Verdict

Kia’s Niro is even more practical than before and has a stronger identity through more eye-catching styling, thus strengthening its appeal.

With its excellent level of standard equipment and trio of powertrain options, the Niro should continue to appeal to all manner of buyers.

Fitness Matters Fitness Boxing

A fun and rewarding challenge, fitness boxing involves cardio, agility and strength. Inspired by boxing training, fitness boxing isn’t about preparing for a match but instead aims to improve fitness and health. There is no physical contact with another person, but rest assured holding the pads is not an easy option!

7 Benefits of a Boxing Workout

1. Boost cardiovascular health

Improving your cardiovascular fitness reduces your risks of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic conditions

2. Build muscle and strength all over Throwing a punch correctly involves the whole body and most muscle groups. Your core provides stability, your lower body and hips pivot and give power to the punch, and of course, the upper body delivers the blow.

3. Develop endurance

A boxing workout is an intense experience: a good boxing session should put you through the ringer and be very challenging which helps to build stamina and improve endurance.

4. Support a healthy weight Boxing is proven to beat other types of exercise for burning calories efficiently. As a HIIT workout it triggers the metabolism to keep firing well after the session ends and the strength component

builds muscle, meaning you burn more calories at all times.

5. Improve balance and coordination

The agility component of boxing is great for balance, while punching improves hand-eye coordination. Older clients and those with particular health needs (including Parkinson’s) especially benefit from core strength and improvements in balance.

6. Stay interested in fitness

Make fitness more interesting and varied and you’ll be more likely to stick with it! Boxing is fun when the only thing you hit is a bag or pad. With minimal safety risks anyone can do it.

7. Mental benefits

An intense workout, physical and mental challenge, and the release of hitting something all contribute to the mental health benefits of boxing workouts including releasing stress, lifting a bad mood and better sleep.

Aside from all these, you will also gain self-confidence and enjoyment from meeting other people and getting stronger. Boxing for fitness is great for menopausal women and maybe the other half! Have fun (remember, that’s the most important thing) – oh, and how often do you get to rid your frustration by hitting something?!

By Alex Robinson

Level 4 Personal Trainer with additional qualifications in GP referrals – Pre- & post-natal exercise. Personal Trainer for over 15 years, supporting and helping people to meet their goals in fitness and lifestyle changes, from losing weight to running marathons. 01773 512410 • 07817 337861

ARR - Personal Training

Hatton Boxing For Fitness Classes at

Ripley School Of Boxing

A fantastic class to help get you fit while having fun!

Suitable for all fitness levels

Tuesday 7.30pm

Thursday 7.30pm Booking is essential as places are limited

ARR-Training

Alex Robinson PT

‘If you have been thinking about improving your fitness or want to lose weight, I can help’.

• I have been a Personal Trainer for over 15 years, supporting and helping people to meet their goals in fitness and lifestyle changes, from losing weight to running marathons.

• Over the years I have competed in various amateur sports to a high standard, including 24 hour endurance running to cross training events.

• I am a Level 4 Personal Trainer with additional qualifications in GP referrals - Pre & post natal exercise Master Trainer in corrective exercise Hatton Boxing for Fitness - Boxercise Master Trainer CIMPSA & NRPT registered.

•Menopause Specialist.

Call me on 07817 337861

I can help you change for the better! alex.robinson.pt@gmail.com

Level 4 obesity and diabetes specialist

Book Reviews

Love Is in the Air

From first loves to best friends and journeys of self-discovery, this month’s reads are about love in all its many, messy guises.

The Satsuma Complex

Bob Mortimer Romance, humour and mystery combine to great effect in Bob Mortimer’s first novel. 30-year-old Gary lives a quiet, uneventful life. He’s open to love but hasn’t done too well with it so far. Then he heads out for a drink with his friend Brendan and meets a woman with whom he feels an instant connection. So, when Brendan goes missing, Gary has more than one reason to find the mystery woman and get some answers.

A Scatter of Light Malinda Lo

A coming-out and coming-of-age novel set in California, A Scatter of Light follows Aria as she falls in love for the first time. Aria is spending her last summer before university with her grandmother. It certainly wasn’t the holiday she’d planned, but it turns into a summer of selfdiscovery as Aria finds herself falling for her grandmother’s gardener, Steph. A slow-burning, bittersweet novel.

The Man I Never Met Elle Cook

When Davey misdials and ends up calling Hannah, it sets off a string of texts that has them both hoping for something more, despite the fact that they live thousands of miles apart. But when they finally arrange to meet in person, Davey doesn’t show. His reason is one that seems certain to keep them apart, but neither is ready to give up on what might be.

Maame

Jessica George

Maddie has long been called Maame by her Ghanian parents. It’s meant as an endearment and an acknowledgment of how helpful and dependable Maddie is. With Maddie’s mum so often abroad, Maddie becomes her ill father’s carer, giving up much of her own life in the process. Then Maddie gets the chance to move out. She wants to start living for herself and maybe even to find love, but is she ready to break away from being Maame? At times laugh-out-loud funny, at other times poignant or outright shocking, Maame is a powerful debut novel.

The Switch

Beth O’Leary Eileen and her granddaughter Leena decide to swap homes for two months. While Leena moves up to Yorkshire to de-stress and calm her thoughts, Eileen heads to London to look for love. It’s been four months since her husband left her, and Eileen is more than ready to rejoin the dating scene. And rejoin it she does, with gusto.

We All Want Impossible Things

Catherine Newman

Edi and Ash have been through so many things in their 40-year friendship. Now Edi is dying in a hospice and Ash is, as always, by her side. The two relive their time together, but Ash also has to face up to the fact that her present life is a bit of a mess. And soon, she’ll need to face it alone. While there are sad moments in this book, they’re accompanied by humour and compassion, so it’s surprisingly uplifting.

Derbyshire Walking: Chatsworth Park from Rowsley

Distance: 7.3 miles / 11.9 km

Ascent: 900 feet / 273 metres Time: 4 hours 30 minutes Grade: Easy/moderate

Author: Lou Johnson Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL24

Start: Car park Old Station Close, Rowsley (grid ref. SK258659)

Starting from Rowsley, where the Wye and Derwent Valleys meet, this Peak District walk climbs steadily out of the Wye Valley with some excellent views. The route continues past Calton Plantations to reach the estate village of Edensor. Entering Chatsworth Park, there are views to Chatsworth House before turning south down the Derwent Valley back to Rowsley.

The Route

1. The start is the small car park on Old Station Close (grid ref. SK258659) on the south side the A6. After parking walk back to the A6 and turn left. Continue to the Peacock and turn right onto Church Lane.

2. Continue uphill out of the village. The lane soon narrows and becomes a track (bridleway) with good views across the Wye Valley on your left. After a kilometre from the A6 the bridleway bears right with a plantation on the left.

3. At the next junction (grid ref. SK250668), follow the bridleway left. Continue ahead to reach a metal barrier (grid ref. SK244669) where you fork right (signed Chatsworth) to enter Rowsleymoor Wood.

4. The path follows a twisting route through the trees to enter open pasture. Continue downhill to pass between the Calton Plantations. Once through the trees, the route turns sharp right.

5. Reaching a grassy track bear left and continue towards New Piece Wood. A short diversion to the right leads to the Russian Cottage which is part of the Chatsworth Estate.

6. Continue through New Piece Wood and head downhill passing to the left of a large copse before

reaching Edensor with its neat cottages and church. Pass the tea cottage on your right and continue to the B6012. Cross with care and take the clear path opposite.

7. Continue along this path to reach a bridge across the River Derwent (grid ref. SK257702). Do not cross the bridge and turn sharp right. Follow the grassy path which roughly parallels the River Derwent. You are now on the Derwent Valley Heritage Way (DVHW).

8. Continue south using the upper path to pass a ruined mill beside the river (grid ref. SK259688). Continue on the upper path to reach the B6012. Turn left past a cattle grid and take the right fork towards Calton Lees car park.

9. Continue past the carpark and garden centre (on your right). Follow the lane as it bends right to a junction. Turn sharp right and just after the last building follow the waymarks for DVHW. The route heads south across pastures with the River Derwent on your left.

10. After just over two kilometres of easy walking you reach Church Lane in Rowsley. Turn left to the A6 and then left again back to the start.

Walk supplied by Walking Britain (no. 1986). For GPS file or other walks visit www.walkingbritain.co.uk.

It is advisable to carry the relevant OS map when walking the route, and wear appropriate clothing/ footwear. The publisher accepts no responsibility for any injuries caused to readers whilst following the walk

To advertise contact Ruth: T: 01332 883140 M: 07545 261034 E: ruth@allthingslocal.co.uk

Dear Sir / Madam,

Re

:

Would you like to sell your house this month?

Hi, my name is Amanda I am a local property investor I am buying properties in your area as I am regularly asked by tenants for properties in this area

The differences between selling your house to me and using an estate agent:

• There are no “viewings” - with lots of people visiting your home, bringing with them the possibility of infection.

• I specialise in buying properties very quickly, between 7 and 28 days is my normal purchase period

• I can buy with cash so that you don’t get messed around by mortgage lenders slowing things down

• I pay all your estate agent and solicitor fees - the price I pay is actually what you get

• There is no board outside or advert in the paper, just a fast, smooth, relaxed confidential sale

• To hear how real local people have found our service visit www.ethicalpropertypartners.com

Call me for a guaranteed offer on your property. If you accept my offer before the end of the month then I will either give you £250 cash in advance or pay your mortgage for you until we complete the purchase of your property! This could get the mortgage company off your back immediately!

I hope that you don’t mind my direct approach but I thought that I’d write to ask you if you would like to sell your house quickly? If you are keen to sell within a month with no hassle from agents charging you fees, viewings that waste your time and buyers offering and then backing out, then I can definitely help

I offer a guaranteed purchase of any property which means that all you have to do is give me a call and I’ll give you a price that I guarantee to buy your property at If you decide to sell to me you could have the money in your account within a month.

If you want to sell quickly then give me a call today 01332 289572 I’ll look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards,

Amanda

Amanda Doyle, Ethical, Local Property Investor

P.S. Call me on 01332 289572 TODAY and have the money for your property in your bank account in only 28 days!

P.P.S Don’t delay take advantage of my special offer accept my offer before the end of the month and I can start paying your mortgage for you IMMEDIATELY! Don’t miss out, CALL NOW on 01332 289572 RIGHT NOW!

Ethical Property Partners

An introduction to Amanda from Ethical Property Partners…

Amanda offers a superb service to people across Amber Valley and Derbyshire who are wanting to sell their house and would like an alternative to using an estate agent or going to auction.

Having previously worked as an estate agent, Amanda has been running her business, which is part of a national organisation originating in Belper now with head offices in Duffield, for over 7 years.

Offering a guaranteed sale that can be flexible to meet the needs of the person selling is something Amanda mentions: “Not everyone wants a quick sale, some people just want to know that their property is sold so that they can have time to find the property they want to move to.”

Amanda explained that not everyone is happy with having lots of viewings on their property to find a buyer, nor do they want other people seeing what is normally behind closed doors with pictures all over the internet when you use a traditional method of selling.

One of the other main contributors to sales failing is chains breaking meaning that everyone else in the chain has to wait or pull out. As Amanda isn’t part of a chain, this is never a factor that needs consideration.

Amanda is also happy to buy properties from landlords who are wanting to sell and keep current tenants in the property, whether it is a single property or a portfolio.

Amanda guarantees to buy any property, so if you’re thinking about selling in the near future, have been trying to sell and haven’t had any luck, or your chain has broken or you’ve inherited a property, please give Amanda a call on 01332 289572 and she will give you a no obligation offer over the phone.

Licensed waste carriers so the majority of the time there is no need to have any skips on the drive. Our under tiles fascia system is designed to stop birds going in your roof Variety of colours to suit different styles of property.

Gardening A Rose by

Any Other Name…

The late winter month of February brings into focus the romantic festival of Valentine. Did you know that a gift of a thornless rose is said to represent ‘love at first sight’, and a single rose of any colour other than red means ‘thank you’? The single red rose doesn’t need any explanation, but if you feel generous and buy a bunch of twelve red roses, it could mean ‘I want to marry you’.

Living roses also make a wonderful gift. They can be planted now, provided the ground is frost-free. You can include a dose of mycorrhizal fungi, which will form a symbiotic relationship with any tree or shrub.

Types of roses

There are dozens of different types of roses and thousands of varieties in each category. New roses are being bred every year, but some of the old favourites include:

• Wild roses such as Rosa rugosa and Rosa canina, which can make wonderful informal hedges.

• Old Garden rose varieties, which are often over 100 years old, such as the pink, perfumed Rosa chinensis – the China rose.

• Hybrid tea roses such as: ‘Compassion’, an apricot pink, scented beauty; ‘Claret’, a red/crimson variety with lovely fragrance; and ‘Aphrodite’, a pink rose with good disease resistance. Hybrid tea originate from the old tea roses, which smelled of spiced tea. They have strong, single blooms that are good for cutting.

• Patio roses are smaller than the shrub varieties and suitable for pots and containers. If you have a courtyard garden or even a large window box, this might be the one for you. The Gold Standard, award winning ‘George Best’ is a rather wonderful red, fading to pink. ‘Special Friend’ is the palest of pinks with a delicate fragrance.

• Ground-cover roses can look wonderful at the front of a border or draping across a low wall. Rosa ‘Kent’ is a white variety that has many excellent attributes, including large clusters of rain-tolerant blooms.

• Floribunda roses have a profusion of smaller flowers, which appear in delightful clusters. These flower repeatedly and it is possible to have floribunda roses all through spring and into late summer.

New rose varieties are being bred constantly

• Shrub roses are the modern equivalent to the Old Garden variety. They have been bred to be generally fairly disease resistant, having fairly large blooms that flower for many weeks. An unusual one is ‘Ferdinand Pichard’, being striped in clashing colours of bold pink, crimson and purple.

• Rambling roses are probably not for the faint-hearted! They grow beautifully through trees but might be too vigorous for a trellis or pergola. They generally flower just once a year, but it’s a show worth waiting for, particularly the white ‘Rambling Rector’.

• Climbing roses are a more orderly bunch of characters that love to grow over pergolas and can usually be trained to obey the chief gardener. They often flower more than once per year. Try ‘Gardener’s Glory’, a yellow rose that is a Gold Standard award winner, or ‘Gloriana’, a striking purple rose which flowers almost all summer long.

By Caroline Knight

Floribunda roses have clusters of blooms

PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE.

The moment a fence falls or breaks, you have to deal with third party damage, security and privacy issues, neighbours, quotes, the expense and inconvenience –all at once. Alternatively, a simple call to ColourFence can head off all your problems for the next 25 years! Virtually maintenance-free, before the Spring growing season starts, now is the best time to see our great value, colours & designs.

product is just what we were looking for and wish we had discovered it years ago. No more annual painting or waking up to fallen panels! We are very pleased with our new

Piazzetta is renowned for setting the pace when it comes to designing stoves.

The latest addition to its range, the E228H, features a remarkable hybrid design that allows you to burn pellets and wood in the same stove, with an integrated storage compartment for the pellets. Manufactured in gorgeous majolica, the model featured here is presented in Bianco Antico – Nero Opaco (other colours are available). To appreciate just how impressive this stove is, we would love to welcome you to see it in action at our showrooms in Belper where our specialist team are on hand to answer any queries.

Come and see the stunning range of products from the likes of Rais, Girse, Borek and Max & Luuk. They really do set a standard for design, functionality and ultimate enjoyment.

We also have a range of accessories to complement, you're sure to find everything you need.

Rais Wood bag holder – The ‘Woody’

Just complete the Sudoku grid above, cut out and post to Sudoku Competition, All Things Local, 74 Woodhouse Road, Kilburn, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0NA. Closing date Wednesday 15th February 2023. Remember to include a piece of paper with your name, address and contact telephone number. The winner will be notified by telephone initially. Entrants must be aged 18 or over. All entries are destroyed after the closing date and no information is given to any third party.

From our family to yours

As a family run, independent business with over 30 years’ experience we pride ourselves on being able to provide a fully personalised and

Short Story Bride to

Be

“Have you lost something?” Fiona opened her kitchen window. While having her morning coffee she’d spotted an elderly gentleman in a sheepskin coat and wellington boots in the lane. He’d been peering into the ditch opposite for almost a minute. Within moments she’d pulled on her cardigan and was striding over to join him. “Can I help?”

There was nothing Fiona enjoyed more than a crisis. Where others dithered she jumped in. Her husband complained that she acted first and asked questions later, but she preferred to think of herself as a problem-solver.

“I can manage.” He turned and waved dismissively. “I’ve just dropped my spectacles down here, that’s all.”

Fiona looked into the ditch, which bubbled with murky puddles and rotting leaves. The bank was thickly overgrown, but she could just about see a pair of glasses nestling near the bottom.

“Don’t you worry, I can reach them.” She would have to climb down part of the way and hoped it wasn’t too slippery. “I’ll have them out in a jiffy.”

“Reach them?” The man sounded alarmed. “I’d rather get them out myself if you don’t mind.”

“We don’t want you falling in that water do we?” She smiled and patted his hand. “Not at your age.”

“But I don’t see how that can happen,” he stammered. She took two steps down, and before she could steady herself she’d slid down the bank on her backside. Icy water seeped through the seat of her leggings.

“Silly me,” she laughed awkwardly. “Perhaps I should have changed out of my slippers first.”

“It’s really unnecessary,” he called anxiously.

“I wish you’d leave it.”

“I’m almost there,” she replied irritably. Honestly, she thought, he could be a little bit more grateful. She had no choice but to put her foot in the bottom of the ditch to haul herself upright. Thick mud squelched around it, sucking her deeper. She grimaced; these slippers would be ruined forever.

Holding on to the grassy bank with one hand, she stretched with the other and her fingers closed around the arm of the glasses.

“I’ve got them!” she laughed. They were thick with mud, but seemed undamaged. “Looks like they’re still in one piece.”

“I’m pleased for you, dear,” the man said. “I’d offer you a hand up but you’re rather wet and muddy.”

“I’m fine.” Her scramble back up the bank was quite undignified. She was beginning to think this man had no manners at all.

She straightened herself up and held out the glasses to him. Rather than taking them he backed away.

“I’ve got a tissue in my pocket,” she sighed; clearly he expected her to clean them as well. “We’ll soon get them looking good as new.”

A little gratitude wouldn’t go amiss, she thought, rubbing the glasses furiously with her tissue. The grey mud just smeared around them, refusing to go anywhere.

“They’ll need a proper clean when you get them home.” She carefully slid them onto the bridge of his nose. She was covered in mud, her coffee was cold, and he hadn’t once said thank you. “But apart from that they’re in good shape.”

He stared at her open-mouthed. She stood back and gave them one last rub. The words ‘Bride to Be’ appeared in little pink gemstones across the top of the frames.

“I don’t know who these spectacles belong to,” the man said indignantly, “but they’re certainly not mine.”

“So where on earth are yours, then?” she asked, peering back into the ditch.

“Here, where they’ve always been.” He lifted his foot. “Stuck down my wellington boot.”

By Jackie Brewster

Lee Jayne Nikki Hadley Louise

Charlie Ben Lucas Jake

Parenting Making Family Life That Little Bit

Easier

Ever feel like you’re trying to juggle too many balls, half of which are on fire? Here are a few ideas that might help…

Plan like a pro

If you have school-age children, you no doubt find yourself wishing they had their own personal assistant at times. (And a cook, cleaner and driver.) Between them, my two have drama, yoga, maths club, choir, piano, Taekwondo, dance, computer club, youth club and swimming lessons. And that’s before you factor in play dates, homework and school projects.

I find the easiest way to remember who needs what, where and on what day, is through a Google calendar that I share with my partner. It means we constantly have notifications pinging at us, but we can remind the kids to grab their piano book or swim stuff in the morning.

A wall planner is also handy, particularly a wipe-clean weekly planner hung next to the front door or on the fridge. Use it to keep track of clubs, play dates, homework deadlines, whether they’re on school dinners or packed lunches and so on. You can pick these up quite cheaply or make your own. Now I just need to get my kids to remember to check it…

Encouraging children to put things away Fed up of the kids dumping their bags and coats on the floor when they walk through the door? Make it as easy as possible for them to hang things up by installing extra hooks in your hallway. If the hooks are low enough to reach easily, and only for your kids’ coats and bags, it’s more likely they’ll get used. Once you’ve reminded your children to go back and hang their things up a dozen or so times, it becomes habit.

Help babies to sleep outside your home

When you’re a parenting journalist, you get sent a

lot of press releases. One product that really stood out from the crowd for me is the POD Travel Crib. In short, it’s a travel cot that folds up to become a changing bag. The bag can be used to carry nappies, wipes and spare clothes, and the cot mattress doubles up as a changing mat. Genius, right? It takes less than a minute to turn it from bag into cot (and we all know that every second counts when it comes to sleeping babies). And, unlike a lot of baby products, this one looks rather stylish. Think designer laptop bag, but on a larger scale.

I ordered one for my sister the day I received the press release and it now goes with her pretty much everywhere. My niece sleeps better in it than the car seat and it means my sister doesn’t have to lug the pram around. They start at £59 from www.bizzigrowin.com.

By Kate Duggan

The Diary of a Local Mum That Don’t Impress Me Much

Is it just me, or is everything nowadays bigger and supposedly ‘better’ than it used to be? Is everyone doing more, and more, and more? We’re constantly watching other people taking even the most mundane things to the extreme … from cleaning their homes and organising their cupboards to cooking and fitness and everything else in between.

This relentless observation of other people’s lives inevitably leads you to draw comparisons with your own. You may be on holiday with your family having a lovely time, perfectly content playing board games in a caravan in wet and windy Wales, but a quick scroll online reveals that your friends are sunning themselves in the Bahamas. Hmmph. Suddenly your little break by the sea feels a little sub-par. Should you be doing life ‘better’, somehow?

This phenomenon first struck me on pancake day last year. I’ve always made pancakes for the kids and, over the years, I’ve become a pretty accomplished flipper, if I do say so myself. They had always been quite happy with a flip. Sometimes, we’d manage a double flip … or a flip out of the pan onto the plate. Now, that was a real wow! However, nowadays, that just doesn’t cut it. Don’t try what I’m about to suggest if you’re easily disillusioned but, if you feel you can stand it, just search ‘pancakes’ on TikTok or Instagram or whatever social platform the kids are into nowadays. If you do, you’ll soon see why they were suddenly entirely underwhelmed with the ‘bog standard’ pancakes that had previously kept them happy. All over the internet there are people doing pancake art in pancake stacks presented on hand-designed personalised pancake plates!

And this isn’t just limited to pancakes. Whatever it is you’re doing in life there’s always someone who takes it to another level and then shares it on the internet (presumably just to make the rest of us mere mortals feel inadequate).

This constant comparison of everything we do puts unnecessary pressure on everyone – parents and kids alike – and breeds dissatisfaction. We were all quite happy with our little Pancake Day ritual until we saw what other people were doing, now we’re watching ‘easy pancake art’ tutorials on YouTube. Yes, you could argue that we’re learning a new skill but is it one we really want to learn? Will a pancake taste better if it looks like a minion? I sincerely doubt it. It’ll just take longer and add extra stress to the process.

We’re much happier if we just focus on our own lives and try not to be influenced by these ‘influencers’ but that’s easier said than done when we’re being constantly bombarded! You can try your hardest to not care, but it’s difficult not to be slightly affected. We’re not always striving to be the best at everything, far from it, but it can be a bit deflating when you’ve had a good time, done a good job, then someone comes along and rains on your parade. We’ve somehow created a crazy and very competitive world where we’re all judging ourselves against each other and it worries me that this is the future our kids will grow up in.

The key is to realise that yes, there will always be people doing bigger, better, more impressive things than you, but they’re not you. Celebrate and enjoy what you’re doing or what you’ve achieved. You’ve just climbed Mam Tor – that’s amazing! Yes, a friend may have climbed Snowdon and elsewhere in the world someone’s reached the summit of Everest, that’s great, but it doesn’t take away from what you’ve accomplished. From flipping pancakes to making cakes, swimming in the sea or growing huge sunflowers – just enjoy what you’re doing here and now. Smile and be gracious towards other people’s extraordinary efforts. Good for them. But good for you, too.

By Helen Young

Blue whales are the largest animals on our planet ever (even bigger than dinosaurs) and have hearts the size of small cars.

How did the lobster get to the ocean?

By shell-icopter.

What does a dolphin say when he’s confused?

Can you please be more Pacific?

Little

February:

1st: Belper Historical Society: ‘The Life and Work of a Master Thatcher’ by David Wood. 7:30pm Strutts Community Centre, Derby Road. Members free, visitors £5.

7th: The Arts Society Derby lecture “160 years of London Underground Design and Architecture” Landau Forte College, Derby, 7pm. Guests welcome £6 (free parking onsite). More info: theartssocietyderby.com

9th – 11th: ‘Puss in Wellies’ – a panto for all the family at Christ Church, The Triangle, Belper DE56 1BA. 7.30pm each evening plus matinee 2.30pm Saturday 11th. Tickets £5 (£3 for primary school aged children). Light refreshments included. Tickets: 01773 824974 / 07813 710028 or on the door.

11th: Belper Organ and Keyboard Club concert: Leigh Wilbraham. 2pm, Congregational Church, Church Walk, Belper DE56 1DB. £6 members, £8 visitors. Refreshments available. www.belperorganclub.com

11th: Derby German Group’s ‘Kaffe und Kunchen’ 3pm at Carnero Lounge, 10 St Peter’s Street, Derby DE1 1SH. New members welcome. Basic understanding of German helpful. Info: derbygermangroup.wordpress.com, email: derbygermangroup@gmail.com

21st – 25th: Belper Musical Theatre presents: The Wedding Singer! Tuesday - Friday 7.30pm; Saturday 1.30pm & 6.30pm at Belper Community Theatre, Belper School, John O’Gaunts Way. Tickets from £13 from www.belpermusicaltheatre.co.uk

March:

1st: Belper Historical Society: ‘The Evans family – their local, national and international influence’ by Katherine Everitt. 7:30pm Strutts Community Centre, Derby Road. Members free, visitors £5.

4th: The Sitwell Singers: Come and sing Duruflé’s Requiem 10am – 5pm (informal performance at 4pm), St Peter’s Church, Belper DE56 1FD. Tickets £20, buffet lunch £5. Tickets: www.sitwellsingers.org.uk or barry@watlings.org.uk.

11th: Belper Organ and Keyboard Club concert: David Thomas. 2pm, Congregational Church, Church Walk, Belper DE56 1DB. £6 members, £8 visitors. Refreshments available. www.belperorganclub.com

11th: Derby German Group’s ‘Kaffe und Kunchen’ 3pm at Carnero Lounge, 10 St Peter’s Street, Derby DE1 1SH. New members welcome. Basic understanding of German helpful. Info: derbygermangroup.wordpress.com, email: derbygermangroup@gmail.com

16th: Language Soirée 7-9pm at No.28 Market Place, Belper DE56 1FZ. Conversation in a different language at each table. All welcome from native speakers to students and complete beginners. All languages welcome. £6 on the door (no booking req’d). BYO drinks & language-themed nibbles.

Please check events with the venue/organiser as the publisher accepts no responsibility if events are changed/cancelled following publication. If you have a one-off event or special excursion for April / May 2023 please email it to helen@allthingslocal.co.uk. Deadline is Wednesday 22nd February 2022.

Friendship Blooms

Show your appreciation for a fellow member of the community; it may be a friend, a family member or maybe someone you’ve come into contact with who provides a wonderful service or who works hard to make a difference. Let All Things Local surprise them with a fresh bouquet of flowers.

All Things Local has joined forces with Rachael Collins (pictured) from Fleur Florist of King Street, Belper to offer readers the chance to show their appreciation for a fellow member of the community.

The recipients of this issue’s bouquet are Lucy Cartwright and her mother Marcia Watson from Kilburn. They were nominated by Rose Knox who is also from Kilburn. Here’s what she wrote:

“I would like to nominate my neighbours Lucy Cartwright and her mother Marcia Watson. They’ve helped us such a lot during my husband George’s illness without being asked and it’s nice to know there’s someone keeping us safe. Lucy is so busy with work, 3 children and her dancing and yet she always makes sure we are OK. Marcia took George to the surgery a few weeks ago and one of the doctors wasn’t there, so she waited for George in the car park for 1 ½ hours. They both really deserve a bouquet to say a big thank you and to let them know their help is appreciated.” Rose Knox.

Nominate someone to receive the next bouquet. All you have to do is state, in no more than 100 words, who you are nominating. Include their address and the reasons why you are nominating them. You can nominate more than one person if they are living/ working at the same address… and remember, flowers don’t just have to be for women!

The only rule is that the person receiving the flowers must live or work in the distribution area of All Things Local Village Edition (listed on front cover). Just write your nomination on a piece of paper and send to Friendship Blooms, All Things Local, 74 Woodhouse Road, Kilburn, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0NA or e-mail your nomination to karyn@allthingslocal.co.uk putting ‘Friendship Blooms’ as the subject. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number on your nomination.

Advertiser Information

Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert.

All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. All Things Local does not officially endorse any advertising/editorial material included within the publication.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise – without the prior consent of the publisher.

Advertiser’s details (other than those provided for inclusion in advertisements) are confidential and will not be given to any third party.

Publisher: All Things Local Limited, 74 Woodhouse Road, Kilburn, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0NA T: 01332 882882 M: 07977 272770 E: karyn@allthingslocal.co.uk W: www.allthingslocal.co.uk

Graphic Design: Digital Bear Design

Printer: Buxton Press Ltd

Deadlines for April / May 2023 Edition: Advertisement Bookings, Editorials, Cancellations and Copy

Amendments: Wednesday 22nd February 2023

New Advertiser Copy: Monday 27th February 2023

To advertise contact Ruth: T: 01332 883140 M: 07545 261034 E: ruth@allthingslocal.co.uk

All nominations are kept on file and you will be contacted if your nomination has been selected. Contact information is only used by All Things Local; no information is given to any third party.

Rachael Collins from Fleur Florist

Local History

Belper People of the Past: Matilda Pullein and Thomas Godbehere

Godbehere as a surname may have medieval origins. One theory is that it started as a nickname for someone who regularly used “God be here!” as an expression of annoyance or frustration. Another theory is that it means ‘bright God’. Variations include Godber, Godbert and Godbet. In the nineteenth century the name was found predominantly in Derbyshire, Cheshire and Yorkshire.

During my strolls in Belper Cemetery my attention was caught by an unusual name on an old grave. I looked up Matilda and Thomas Godbehere and discovered that they had an interesting story.

Matilda was born in Sneinton, Nottingham in 1831 to Thomas and Sarah Pullein, one of seven children. Her father was a lace maker from Gloucester and her mother was a Nottingham girl. In 1841 they lived in Chilwell. Ten years later Matilda worked as a cap maker, lodging with a family on Woolpack Lane in the heart of the lace-making industry. It is not clear why the Census describes her and another woman as ‘inmates’ as Census enumerators normally used the term ‘lodger’, but not in this instance.

In any case, she had a great change of fortune in 1855 when she married Thomas Godbehere and they set up home with his widowed mother Sarah on The Scotches. Thomas Henry is described in the Census variously as book-keeper, cashier or accountant at Strutts Cotton Mill during the last quarter of the nineteenth century.

His parents Thomas and Sarah had married in Middleton-by-Wirksworth in 1815 and settled in Belper where Thomas was born in 1824.

Matilda became a full-time housewife and mother, but tragically the couple lost three of their four sons. The first son Albert Henry died at the age of 29 of unknown causes. Their second son William Frederick died in infancy and their third son was named after him, the only one to live a long life. Last came George Edward who died of concussion at the age of seven after he had a fall and hit his head while out playing.

It is hard to imagine the suffering and grief felt by Thomas and Matilda, but they would have rejoiced in the success of William Frederick who emigrated to Australia, where he worked as a commercial traveller. He also became a successful composer and organist and in 1899 the Belper News described him as “the son of a well-known and respected cashier of Messrs W G and J Strutt … had given promise of becoming more than an ordinary musician but was ordered away from Belper for his health”. His performance on the grand organ of Sydney Town Hall was proudly reported to Belper readers. The only surviving child of Matilda and Thomas, he died in 1935 in New South Wales at the age of 68.

I did not discover if he ever came back to see his parents. His father Thomas died in 1902 leaving an estate of £1,469.11s.9d and Matilda survived him by three years. Although far away in Australia, William Frederick commissioned the grave in Belper Cemetery to commemorate his grandmother, parents and brothers. It is neglected now, as there is probably no-one left to look after it, but there has recently been an excellent clean-up of this area by volunteers from Belper & Duffield Rotary Club. Anyone who cares to seek out the grave will find it on the left of the uphill path to the right of the funeral chapels. It’s a large but modest memorial to the Godbehere family.

By Viv Scott

The Godbehere grave in Belper Cemetery

Upbeat

Keep up to date with the latest police messages and advice: your local police officers are using Derbyshire Alert to share fraud prevention advice, as well as other updates.

Derbyshire Alert is our community messaging system, where you can receive updates from your Safer Neighbourhood Teams. You can sign up by visiting www.derbyshirealert.co.uk.

The following was sent by PCSO Gregory after an increase in frauds reported locally.

Ten golden rules to prevent fraud Remember these ten golden rules to help you prevent fraud and beat the scammers.

1. Be suspicious of all ‘too good to be true’ offers and deals. There are no guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes.

2. Don’t agree to offers or deals immediately. Insist on time to get independent or legal advice before making a decision.

3. Don’t hand over money or sign anything until you’ve checked someone’s credentials and their company’s.

4. Never send money to anyone you don’t know or trust,

whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment you’re not comfortable with.

5. Never give banking or personal details to anyone you don’t know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure you protect it.

6. Always log on to a website directly rather than clicking on links in an email.

7. Don’t just rely on glowing testimonials. Find solid, independent evidence of a company’s success.

8. Always get independent or legal advice if an offer involves money, time or commitment.

9. If you spot a scam or have been scammed, report it and get help.

10. Don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam. Because the scammers are cunning and clever there’s no shame in being deceived. By reporting it, you’ll make it more difficult for them to deceive others.

If you think you’ve been a victim of a scam report this to Action Fraud: www.actionfraud.police.uk. Contact the police if you know the suspect or they’re still in the area. Reporting crime, including fraud, is important. If you don’t tell the authorities, how do they know it’s happened and how can they do anything about it? Remember that if you’re a victim of a scam or an attempted scam, however minor, there may be hundreds or thousands of others in a similar position. Your information may form part of one big jigsaw and be vital to completing the picture.

to report a fault 01629 580000

– public transport info 0871 2002233

Following on from previous Tips about being aware of emails asking you to click on links/ authorize etc; they come in all sorts of guises. One of my clients has been receiving emails saying her broadband is going to be cut off and to contact them. It seems, even when we block the email, more arrive around her renewal time. Of course they change email addresses to confuse us. Companies are able to purchase databases and I believe that is how they know who our suppliers are. If you purchase directly through a supplier, be it BT, EE or whoever; it would be them who contact you not a third party. As we are continually saying ‘Be Aware’ For Help, Advice or Training call 07810562532 email computertutor4you@icloud.com

Bereavement Matters

According to the latest Census, fewer people than ever before in the UK consider themselves to be Christian, with other faiths – or no faith at all –stepping into the breach.

How everyone views these matters is, of course, their own business and not for me to comment, but inevitably this shift in beliefs is something which affects our industry because of the nature of how we mark someone’s passing with their funeral service.

It is undoubtedly true that we do not arrange the number of Christian church funerals that we used to and many of those we still make the arrangements for are increasingly moving away from the traditional format.

For many families, however, just like with a wedding, a funeral outside a church doesn’t feel right, which is why they will opt for a religious setting, albeit with hymns and readings mixed in with contemporary secular music and poems.

But it’s in another part of the funeral mix where some of the bigger changes are happening, with an increasing number of families not only choosing not to involve a priest, but to have no form of formal service at all.

This would have been unthinkable a few years ago, but in the past year we have arranged events whereby families and friends simply gather around their loved one’s coffin and chat and swap stories, to the background of some soft music and photos projected onto a screen.

The venue for this is invariably their local crematorium, where they are given an allotted half an hour and are free to do with it what they want, even if afterwards the deceased is taken away to be buried elsewhere.

I have spoken many times about how funerals are becoming more individualised and we are now finally at the stage where I can’t remember a funeral which didn’t have any form of personal touch at all.

Whether it’s a piece of music or photos, a favourite hat placed on the coffin or a half hour chat about the old days, funerals are as much about recognising the person as preparing them for their onward journey – wherever people believe that it is set to take them.

By Anthony Topley Funeral director, Gillotts Funeral Directors, Abbott Street, Heanor

Index

Accommodation: Shining Cliff Hostel 83

Accountant: Easy Accounts Ltd 9

Accountant: Yeomans Accountancy Ltd 4

Aerials: Aerial Technology of Ripley 52

Airport Transfers: Connect Cars 12

Airport Transfers: Holbrook Travel 14

Alterations & Dressmaking: The Duffield Dressmaker 13

Animal Welfare: The Cats Protection League 14

Architect: BDS Architecture 67

Bathrooms: Bathtime Heanor 58

Bathrooms: Belper Kitchens & Bathrooms 65

Bathrooms: Browns Builders Merchants 44

Bathrooms: Paul M Longden 69

Bedrooms: Contour Furnishings 72

Builder’s Merchant/Landscaping Products: Browns 44

Building Work: 3Sixty Property Solutions 50

Building Work: Bennett Construction 61

Building Work: JJN Building Services 62

Building Work: Simon Owen Response 54

Building Work: TDB Builders 49

Car Body Repairs & Servicing: B A Kelf 29

Car Body Repairs: ChipsAway 28

Car Body Repairs: Martin Buxton 29

Car Key Replacement: Belper Car Keys 9

Car Servicing, Repairs, MOTs: 20Ten Garage Services 27

Car Servicing, Repairs, MOTs: Little Eaton Garage 28

Carer Services: Right at Home 84

Carpets & Flooring: Ian Wilson 56

Carpets & Flooring: Spondon Carpets 59

Carpets & Flooring: T Nutt & Sons 7

Cash for Jewellery, Watches etc 17

Chimney Sweep: Paul Fiddes 41

Cleaning/Sanitising Service: BHHDCS 60

Cleaning/Sanitising Service: Janine Cleaning 60

Cleaning/Sanitising Service: Molly Maid 60

Cleaning/Sanitising Service: The Cleaning Lady 13

Cleaning/Sanitising Service: Time for You 61

Computer Support: Eaton PCs 9

Computer Support: PC Support 9

Computer Tuition: Computer Tutor for U 83 Conservatories, Windows, Doors: Abbey Glass 88

Dentist: Glendair Dental Practice 33

Dentures: Beautiful Dentures 34

Door Maintenance & Repair: Door Maintenance & Repair 46

Education: Derbyshire County Council Adult Education 77

Electrical Goods Retailer: Lester & Nix 6

Electrician: Andy Hill 54

Electrician: Devenport Electrical 50

Electrician: McPherson-Davis 46

Electrician: PAS Electrical 64

Electrician: TME Electrical 69

Fencing: ColourFence 48

Financial Advice: Belper IFS 10

Florist: Fleur Florist 78

Footcare: Nahele Holistics 32

Funeral Directors: Gillotts Funeral Services 85

Funeral Directors: Thomas Ryde & Son 83

Furniture Makers: Incite Interiors 40

Garage Doors: Garolla 52

Garage Doors: Ockbrook Garage Doors 50

Garden Heating & Furniture: Robeys 51

Garden Living: Cabin Master 3

Garden Services: Elements Solutions 57

Garden Services: Gardens of Wildlife 53

Garden Services: Lawns & Hedges 49

Garden Services: Pennine 39

Gutter Clearance: Gutter PRO 49

Home Improvements: Next Generation 87

Hotel: The Kedleston Country House 22

Hotel: Morley Hayes 23

Ironing Service: Perfectly Pressed 60

Joinery: Bethell’s Joinery 46

Joinery: L Tansley 50

Joinery: R&D Joinery 54

Kitchens: Belper Kitchens & Bathrooms 65 Kitchens: Dream Doors 37 Kitchens: Holtams 63 Kitchens: Paul M Longden 69

Landscaping: Mount Pleasant Landscaping 73

Log Supplies: Robeys 39

Massage: Equilibrium 33

Osteopath: Osteopathy Derby 32

Oven Cleaning: Ovenclean 56

Painter & Decorator: Duffield Decorators Ltd 49

Painter & Decorator: John the Painter 64

Painter & Decorator: M Bates 72

Painter & Decorator: Roy Milner 37

Personal Trainer: Alex Robinson 31

Pest Control: MW Pest Control 53

Pet Care Services: The Pet Servant 14

Plastering: JM Plastering & Property Maintenance 53

Plastering: McPherson-Davis 46

Plumbing & Heating: Blacks 53

Plumbing & Heating: CB 64

Plumbing & Heating: Dervale Maintenance 46

Plumbing & Heating: LEEVA Plumbing & Heating 71

Plumbing & Heating: Martyn Young Heating & Plumbing 68 Plumbing & Heating: MDA 39

Plumbing & Heating: R Fearn 52

Plumbing & Heating: Scott 54

Plumbing & Heating: Woodward 67

Properties Wanted for Cash: Ethical Property Partners 38 Property Maintenance: 3Sixty Property Solutions 50 Property Maintenance: David Grey 73

Property Maintenance: JM Plastering & Property Maintenance 53

Property Maintenance: Kev Property Services 64

Public House: The Coach at Horsley 23

Public House: The Sitwell Arms 22

Reflexology: Reflexology with Vicky 32

Reiki: Ocean Oracle 12

Residential Care Home: Coxbench Hall 81 Restaurant: Angelo’s at The Kings Head 25 Restaurant: The Coach at Horsley 23 Restaurant: The Gallery 25

Restaurant: The Kedleston Country House 22

Restaurant/Function Rooms/Hotel: Morley Hayes 23 Restaurant/Function Room: The Sitwell Arms 22

Roofing: GB Roofing Services 67

Roofing: Harris Roofing Services 69 Roofing: Ripley Rubber Roofing 64

Security: Prestige 64

Soft Furnishings: Joy Clarke 62

Solicitors: Shacklocks 8

Solicitors: Smith Partnership 11

Tarot: Ocean Oracle 12

Taxi: Holbrook Travel 14

Tree Care: ArborEx 73

Tree Care: Charnwood Tree Services 58

Tree Care: Pennine 39

Tyres: Best Grip 1

Tyres & Exhausts: ETS 2

Walking Footwear: Rock Fall UK 16

Windows, Doors & Conservatories: Clearview Glass 47 Windows, Doors & Conservatories: Smartglaze 42 Windows, Doors & Conservatories: Total Home Improvements 66

Windows, Doors & Conservatories: Trade Windows 55

Woodburning Stoves: Robeys 51

To advertise contact Ruth: T: 01332 883140 M: 07545 261034 E: ruth@allthingslocal.co.uk