All Things Local - Village Edition - June/July 2024

Miss Joy Russell from Belper who has won a 2-course Sunday roast for 2 people at The Kedleston Country House.

WELCOME LETTER

Hello readers

Welcome to the June/July issue of All Things Local. As we go to print, we’re in the midst of some very changeable weather so we’re hoping that by the time you read this the wind will have dropped, the rain eased, and the temperature warmed up a little!

June and July can often be the warmest months of the year in the UK so, with any luck, we’ll be treated to plenty of early summer sunshine.

The warmer weather encourages us all out into our gardens so, if you need a little help tidying yours this summer or if you have a big garden makeover planned, don’t forget there are plenty of experienced and talented local tradespeople out there willing to help you make your garden dreams come true. Turn to the ‘Homes and Gardens’ section to find the right person for the job.

Of course, the beauty of nature can be enjoyed indoors too … and our Friendship Blooms bouquet gives you the chance to nominate someone deserving for a stunning floral ‘thank you’ courtesy of Fleur Florist, Belper. If you know someone who deserves a token of your appreciation, then send in a nomination and they could be the lucky recipient of a Friendship Blooms bouquet. You can nominate anyone who lives or works within All Things Local’s distribution area, for any reason – perhaps a reliable friend or relative who’s always there for you and your family, a helpful neighbour, a volunteer in the local community who works tirelessly to make a difference, a carer, nurse, doctor or teacher who’s been exceptionally supportive, or someone from a local business who goes the extra mile to provide a truly exceptional service … there are so many

wonderful people who make a difference to our lives, in many ways, and it’s an honour for us to help you thank them! Turn to page 81 to read about what makes this issue’s nominee special, and find all the details to apply.

Flowers aren’t the only thing we’re giving away though! As always, you can win a bottle of Champagne in our Champagne Sudoku on page 31, or turn to page 6 to have a go at this issue’s Prize Crossword and you could be in with the chance of winning an afternoon tea for two, courtesy of Morley Hayes. Now, that would be a lovely summer treat.

On that note, we won’t keep you any longer! We hope you enjoy perusing the pages of our June/July issue and we’ll be back in a couple of months when summer’s in full swing (hopefully!).

All the best,

Team ATL

Pictured l to r: Karyn Milner (Publisher/Editor), Ruth Brown (Advertising Sales), Helen Young (Editorial Copywriter & Coordinator)

Advertising Enquiries: Ruth Brown

E: ruth@allthingslocal.co.uk

T: 01332 883140 or 07545 261034

W: www.allthingslocal.co.uk

AllThingsLocalMagazines

Just complete the simple crossword, cut out and return to: Prize Crossword, All Things Local, 74 Woodhouse Road, Kilburn, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0NA. Remember to provide your name, address and telephone number. Closing date: Wednesday 12th June 2024. All entries are destroyed after the closing date and no information is given to any third party.

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Business & Professional

Shacklocks Solicitors

Legal Matters:

Legal Matters:

Legal Matters: Trusts

Breakdown of a Marriage or Civil Partnership: Dividing the Pensions

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.

Lasting Powers of Attorney: Choose your Attorney Wisely

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

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.

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document by which you give authority to someone to make decisions on your behalf if, at some time in the future, you are unable to make decisions for yourself. The person who makes the Lasting Power of Attorney is called the ‘Donor’ and the person given that authority is called an ‘Attorney’.

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.

The Donor’s level of capacity will dictate what level of involvement they have in any decision, and more detailed guidance can be found on the Government website, but undoubtedly a good Attorney needs to be able to listen.

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.

It will be necessary for an Attorney to stay on top of bills, to ensure that you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to, and maybe even to sell your house, so an Attorney needs to have the time to carry out the role properly, and an Attorney who lives far away from you might not be an ideal choice.

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.

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.

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:

There are two types of Lasting Powers of Attorney: one for Property and Financial Affairs, and one for Health and Care decisions. This article focuses on Lasting Powers of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An Attorney needs to understand the scope of their role and the boundaries which apply. For example, an Attorney may need to have sight of your Will, but they do not have the right to change it without a Court Order. If you are a Trustee of any Trust, the Attorney cannot make any decisions you have to make as Trustee.

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.

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.

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.

Your Attorney must be over 18. An individual who is Bankrupt or subject to a Debt Relief Order cannot be an Attorney. You might want to think carefully and take advice before appointing someone with certain criminal convictions. After that, what characteristics might you look for in your Attorney?

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.

An Attorney for Property and Financial affairs will be responsible for keeping your finances in good order and will need to have a good grasp of the everyday ins and outs. Your money does not become their money, so they should be disciplined and be good record keepers.

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.

An Attorney should consult and involve you whenever possible and ask themselves ‘What would the Donor do?’ in any given situation.

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.

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.

www.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.

It may be that you struggle to find a person with the right skills to be your Attorney. Shacklocks’ Partners provide a valuable service acting as Professional Attorneys for many of our clients and may also be able to act as your Attorney for Property and Finances.

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.

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.

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.

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

Ben Stubbins

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

Ben 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. To make an appointment to discuss your Lasting Powers of Attorney, please contact Benjamin Edwards on 01332 559281 or by email to benjamine@shacklocks.co.uk .

Cassandra Worton

Business & Professional

Money Matters:

Money Matters: My Mate Down the Pub Knows

our retirement?”. The answer to this is, it depends. “How much do you want?”, could yield completely different replies.

10 Years of Belper IFS: Our First Decade

a Man…

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

We all know someone who will come along to give us advice that was probably never asked for, or fail to give us advice when we do need it.

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

Our friend in the pub may stretch the truth somewhat or, indeed, have lost touch with reality … but then again, he is the man in the pub! His view, such as “My house is my pension” or “The state will look after me when I am old” are the pearls such a voice may deliver. This may be true, of course, for some.

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

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?

A starting point is establishing retirement income needs on 3 bases – primary (day-to-day essentials such as utilities, food and house maintenance), secondary (social, internet/tv, dining out, hobbies, car) and luxuries (the ‘nice to haves’ and the dreams, such as big holidays or leaving legacies). Each of these categories has a cost, which differs between people, but it is something we try and establish. We seek to find the reality (not necessarily the same view as man at the pub!).

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.

As Financial Advisers, our job is not to press-gang the client into something they don’t want, but maybe to explain about some of the things they need (but may not want), such as life cover, wills or similar. Needs and wants are often completely different.

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

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.

As regulated Financial Advisers, we are trained to look for needs. Often, we are approached to meet the client’s agenda (which we would do). However, we have a duty of care to suggest other areas of financial needs which we identify, that may not be considered or perhaps dismissed by a client as “It won’t happen to me and if it does, it’s a price I am willing to take.” Some may call this ‘burying their head in the sand’.

In essence, part of our duty as Advisers is to make the client aware of what would be wise for them, even if they do not want it. A new client may ask for advice on their pension options but, I will often explain, their pension is just one part of their retirement solution.

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?

This could include pensions in part, but also other assets such as savings, investments and property. We are asked, “How much will we need to live comfortably in

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.

Completing a budget planner would help here. This is not the easiest for some folks, while others run their own budget as a matter of a lifetime habit. Two budget planners are even better: the first reflecting today’s costs of living, the second maybe forecasting what those costs will be when retired (perhaps minus mortgage costs or running two cars, for example). Knowledge of a situation counts for little without the wisdom to apply it.

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

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

From here, we can formulate real, regulated financial advice based around existing plans and income shortfalls, and give real advice based upon substance and knowledge of you, the client. Meanwhile, our friendly ‘Bard’ in the pub might be waxing lyrical about his own experiences but his solution may not reflect your particular circumstances. This is why we go into depth about your own situation before providing proper, regulated advice.

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.

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

Look up to the Skies

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered if we are truly alone in the universe?

I know I have. I’m sure there are other beings out there, or maybe they’re here already. A YouGov survey in 2021 revealed that half the British population believes in the existence of extraterrestrial life. And 1 in 14 people believe they’ve seen an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO).

Myself and a friend became convinced that alien contact would be made at the Olympics in 2012. So much so, that we actually put a bet on it. Although we didn’t receive any winnings, we did cause great hilarity in the betting shop. Plus, we almost convinced a few others to place a bet too.

If aliens intrigue you, then July the 2nd is the time to investigate. World UFO Day was originally designated as June the 24th. This marks the first modern sighting of unidentified flying objects.

In 1947 pilot Kenneth Arnold spotted a group of 9 flying discs over Mount Rainier in the US. He estimated that they were travelling at speeds of over 100 miles an hour.

The incident was covered extensively in the press and led to the creation of the term “flying saucer”.

However, the date was shifted to July the 2nd, coinciding with the occurrence of the Roswell incident at Area 51 in New Mexico. This pivotal moment in 1947 marked when a military airbase reported the capture of a flying disc. The statement was later retracted but the fascination with other-worldly visitors, unexplained aircraft and the potential for life in other galaxies continues.

Celebrating this special day is really easy. You can watch some classic UFO films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial or, my personal favourite, The X-Files. Why not gather some friends and grab some retro Flying Saucer sweets to mark the occasion? However, you might want to avoid films that aren’t as positive about our faraway friends. Perhaps cross Alien, Predator and Independence Day off the list.

Alternatively, step outside at night and gaze up at the vast expanse of the skies. Who knows what mysteries await you or what marvels you might encounter…

By Jessica White

Just a Thought... Disappointment

Well, that was disappointing.

Such a visceral word – disappointment. It’s like you can feel the hiss of deflation as you are left flat after something does not pan out as expected. Then there’s the knife-like cut of those words, ‘I’m not annoyed with you, just disappointed.’ Oh, my goodness, anything but being disappointed in me, please!

I can describe disappointment – but what is it really? Simply, disappointment is unmet expectations and the greater the expectation, the more significant the disappointment. This is where arguments start!

The key to reducing disappointment in our lives is to clearly express what our expectations are. To do this, of course, you have to examine things for yourself, so you KNOW what you are expecting. Equally though, if you do this, there is potential for hurt because you are being vulnerable in sharing your needs and often

this is where the sabotaging behaviour forms. ‘If I lower my expectations, then anything else is a bonus’ – we’ve all trodden that line a million times, right?! Yes, it does seemingly protect against disappointment but what actually happens is this, ‘People would rather live disappointed than risk the feeling of disappointment,’ (B. Brown Atlas of The Heart 2021.)

And that, my friends, is a hard realisation. If you continually settle for less in a bid to avoid disappointment then your whole life becomes a half-lived, underwhelming drone of disappointment. So, get curious on what you need, clear on what you want and hopefully things will work out a lot more often. Sometimes they won’t and that’ll leave you feeling disappointed for a while – but it’ll stop you living disappointed forever.

By Fliss Goldsmith of Belper

Pets: Adding to the (Cat) Family

As social animals, humans imagine that every other creature must always feel the need for a companion. However, that’s not the case with cats. In the wild, cats usually live alone, guarding their territory against other felines so that they always have enough food and water.

Nevertheless, if you’ve decided that you want another cat, knowing how to handle the new duo is not dissimilar to bringing in a new baby!

• Introduce your new pet slowly. The cats need to see each other as belonging to the same social group.

• Give them a bit of space. They will need room away from each other when they need it, including space up high.

• You should ensure there is no competition over resources such as food, water, beds and toys.

swiping at one another and fighting, avoiding each other, or fighting over food or spaces, don’t just expect the conflict to disappear without some action from you.

Again, it’ll be space and resources you need to separate. Don’t force them to spend time together as this will only make things worse. Given enough time, they should learn to cohabit. They should start seeking each other’s company, grooming and sleeping close together.

Lifestyle

Travel The Magic of Malta

From ancient megalithic temples to beautiful lagoons, Malta is a compelling choice for anyone seeking a sun-sea-sand destination with a difference. Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, the archipelago consists of three main islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Together, they have a fascinating heritage that dates back thousands of years, with influences from the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Knights of Saint John and the British Empire.

Particularly appealing for Brits is that English is widely spoken. They use the same 3-pin plug points as we have in the UK and even drive on the left. Top that off with a cost of living around 25% less than the UK –what’s not to like?!

Here are a handful of the islands’ highlights.

Valletta

Valletta is the archipelago’s capital city and is a classified UNESCO World Heritage site. St John’s Co-Cathedral is the city’s crown jewel. Built between 1573 and 1578 by the Order of Saint John, the architectural masterpiece is a lavish display of the knights’ wealth with ornate chapels, a series of tombs and a gigantic painting by Caravaggio.

The well-preserved temples of Mnajdra and Hagar Qim are the most popular with visitors, especially when you factor in their beautiful coastal location.

Have an underwater adventure

Malta is known for its exceptionally clear water –so much so that it’s been coined as one of Europe’s top diving destinations. With numerous dive schools dotted across the islands, there are ample opportunities to discover Malta’s vibrant underwater reefs, caves and shipwrecks.

Malta’s famous Blue Lagoon is also worth a visit. This slice of paradise off the coast of Comino is a perfect spot for swimming, snorkelling and soaking up the sunshine. It does get very busy during summertime, so head there early to get a good sunbathing spot.

Then there’s Valletta’s old town, with its honey-toned limestone buildings and centuries-old stone walls. Head to the Upper Barrakka Gardens to see the cityscape from afar and soak up the views of Grand Harbour and Fort St Angelo.

Megalithic temples

Malta’s Megalithic temples are some of the oldest freestanding stone buildings on Earth. Predating even Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, the temples were built using enormous limestone blocks and feature doorways, curved rooms, stone furniture and statues – the originals of which are housed in Valletta’s National Museum of Archaeology.

Take a boat tour

Much of Malta’s natural beauty lies in its surrounding shores. So, get out into the open ocean in a brightly coloured luzzu to explore the coastline’s hidden gems –from Malta’s Ghar Lapsi caves and Blue Grotto to Gozo’s Inland Sea.

Alternatively, take a shorter cruise on the ferry across Valletta’s Grand Harbour to the Three Cities. These picturesque neighbourhoods (Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua) were the first homes of the Knights of Saint John and are older than the capital itself.

INSTANT CASH WATCHES, JEWELLERY, GOLD

Beer

The Fellowship of Beer: A Unique Craft Beer Experience

The Fellowship of Beer, an initiative by Steam Machine Brew Co. in Newton Aycliffe, Durham, offers a distinctive take on beer subscription services. This exclusive club provides members with a hands-on approach to brewing, allowing them to participate in key decisions such as ingredient selection and barrel aging.

Every two months, members receive a selection of at least ten diverse beers, many of which are influenced by their input. These beers are presented in hand-bottled 375ml champagne bottles, emphasising quality and exclusivity. The assortment includes a minimum of six imperial strength beers, ensuring a rich and flavourful tasting experience.

In addition to the core offerings, members are treated to bonus collaborations and surprise beers. Each shipment is accompanied by detailed documentation, including tasting notes and food pairing guides, enriching the overall beer exploration journey.

With a membership cap of 450 individuals, the Fellowship of Beer maintains a close-knit community, allowing for

Word on Wine

While shopping recently, I came across a wine that I had not tasted before. This was a wine made using the ‘furmint’ grape.

‘Furmint’ is a grape variety widely grown in Hungary and just over the border in Slovenia. Its fine, fiery white grapes are used to produce the region’s famous ‘Tokaji’ wines. The grape has been so well established in Hungary that the exact origins have been lost. It is thought that it originated from Austria’s Burgenland region before being introduced to Hungary by wine-making immigrants and was encouraged by King Bela IV in the 13th century. DNA profiling has shown that it is the same grape known as Mosler in Austria and Moslavac in Croatia.

For centuries, the furmint grapes were normally used to produce a sweet dessert wine, ‘Tokaji’, from Hungary’s Tokaj-Hegyalja region. However, today the region is gaining a reputation for producing dry wines. The wine that I found is Royal Tokaji ‘Dry Tokaji’ 2021 from Majestic Wines. Royal Tokaji is trying to achieve the Gold Standard for wine-making and was co-founded by wine writer Hugh Johnson. It produces a crisp dry wine, similar to Chablis and Loire Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas of apple, pears, honey and blossom, and flavours of rich apricots and peaches.

personalised attention and fostering camaraderie among members. This limited membership ensures that each member’s voice is heard and valued in the brewing process.

There are many different beer subscription services, but the Fellowship of Beer stands out as a unique proposition for beer enthusiasts to engage actively in the brewing process. By combining member involvement with diverse beer offerings and exclusive extras, this club offers a one-of-a-kind beer experience for those passionate about exploring the world of beer. Visit www.fellowshipofbeer.org for more details.

By Sean McKeown Twitter/X and Instagram: @belperbeerclub

Technical Details:

Grape: 100% Furmint

Appearance: Clear white wine

Characteristics: Aromas of pears, citrus fruit, green fruits and herbs with fresh acidity

Alcohol by Volume: 13%

Food Match: Good on its own, or the acidity can stand up to rich dishes like roasted belly pork with a honey glaze. Available from: Majestic Wines, Ashbourne Road, Derby. £12.99 per bottle or £8.99 as part of a box of 6.

For more information visit Majestic Wines www.majestic.co.uk or visit the store in Derby.

If you like wine and would like to learn more, please visit our website www.kilburnwinecircle.weebly.com for our 2024 programme.

By David Savidge, Kilburn Wine Circle

Recipe Jewelled Stovetop Rice

Rice, spice and all things nice! For a dish that looks so classy and tastes so complex, it’s hard to believe that everything happens in one pan.

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15-20 minutes

Cooking time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 200g basmati rice

• 1 tbsp butter

• 2 tbsp rapeseed oil

• 2 onions, peeled and finely sliced

• Salt and ground black pepper

• 500g golden beetroot, peeled and cut into 1cm cubes

• 150ml white wine

• 50g cashew nuts, roughly chopped

• 2 green chillies, finely chopped

• 6cm piece fresh root ginger, peeled and grated

• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped

• 2 bay leaves

• 40 curry leaves (if you can’t find them, leave them out)

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• 1 tsp black mustard seeds

• Pared peel of 1 unwaxed lime

• 400ml vegetable stock

To serve

• 1 small Chioggia beetroot, finely sliced on a mandolin

• Juice of 1 lime

• 3 tbsp pomegranate seeds

• ½ small bunch of fresh coriander, leaves and tender stems roughly chopped

• Greek yoghurt

Method:

Place the basmati rice in a sieve and rinse under a running tap, agitating the rice grains with your hands to rinse away as much starch as possible. When the water that runs through the sieve is no longer cloudy, tip the rice into a bowl and cover with 2cm fresh water. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat the butter and oil in a large, deep frying pan over a medium heat. When the butter is melted and bubbling noisily, add the onions along with a pinch of salt and a generous grind of black pepper. Cook, stirring regularly, until the onions are soft and well on their way to being caramelised, about 12-15 minutes. Turn the heat up to high, then stir in the beetroot, pour in the wine and cover the pan with a lid. Cook, without peeking, for 8 minutes, then remove the lid and check the tenderness of the beetroot with a sharp knife. If it still feels hard, continue to cook for a few minutes with the lid on (adding a splash of water if all of the wine has evaporated). Once tender, turn the heat down to medium and stir through the cashews, chillies, ginger, garlic, bay leaves and curry leaves (if using). Cook for a minute until fragrant, then add the dried spices.

Drain the rice, then stir it through the spiced vegetable mixture, along with the lime peel. Pour over the vegetable stock, cover the pan with a lid and cook for 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss the sliced Chioggia beetroot in the lime juice in a small bowl and set aside.

Remove the pan from the heat and leave it with the lid on, without peeking, for 8 minutes before serving. This will help a crispy rice base to form.

Serve the rice in the pan at the table with the pomegranate seeds and coriander sprinkled over the top. Arrange the Chioggia beetroot slices in the middle of the rice and serve immediately with a dollop of Greek yoghurt on the side.

Recipe extracted from Love Vegetables by Anna Shepherd, out now, published by White Lion Publishing. Photography

© Liz and Max Haarala Hamilton.

Served 10am-2pm Wednesday to Saturday Afternoon Tea Served 2-4 pm Thursday to Saturday

Fitness Matters

Cold Water Therapy

As I am writing this, I have just been in my cold-water tub. Currently it’s at 8 degrees, and I do wonder about my sanity at times!

According to a review published in 2022 in the ‘European Journal of Applied Physiology’ cold plunging, a type of cryotherapy, happens when you immerse your body in cold water at varying temperatures and duration. Exposure removes the body’s heat, drops internal temperature and changes blood flow.

The benefits of cold plunges: May decrease inflammation and improve immunity Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection, but this can become chronic. Cold temperatures / ice baths can help restrict blood vessels and reduce flow to affected areas. Healing begins once you get out of the ice bath, as your body’s natural reaction is to push blood back to these areas as soon as possible. It also increases the production of white blood cells, responsible for fighting off infections.

Boosting moods

When the body endures cold, it triggers neurotransmitters to help regulate stress, boosting mood and helping with anxiety and depression. Some people say they get a high

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feeling following a cold soak … but I’m still waiting for this! If I feel anxious or stressed, I jump in the tub for 5 mins and it’s so cold that I focus on my breathing and almost meditate for 5 minutes. Once I get out, the feeling has gone.

Post workouts

Many athletes turn to cold tubs as a way of preventing muscle soreness and improve recovery from training sessions.

There are many articles on how long is beneficial and what temperature is best. My tub is dependent on the outside temperatures so can’t be regulated. I have built up to 5 mins and I have no medical conditions to contend with at all. I must stress, if you fancy having a go, there are local businesses offering cold water therapy where you could try it under safe supervision.

I use the tub 3 or 4 times a week and, although I don’t get out feeling on top of the world, it’s definitely something I will carry on with. An even better way would be to take up cold water swimming, then you’d also get the benefits from the exercise … double whammy.

Happy testing the waters!

By Alex Robinson

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Short Story

The Winds of Chance

“I don’t suppose there’s any chance we could do a deal?” Laura said sweetly. “You know, woman to woman?”

The lady in charge of the tombola rolled her eyes. “It’s five goes for a pound or one for twenty-five pence.” She gave Laura a withering look. “No deals.”

“I know, but I’ll really like to buy that.” Laura pointed. She’d spotted a bottle of perfume, The Winds of Chance, on the tombola table. Her mother used to wear it when Laura was a girl. It was discontinued years ago. Just a cheap perfume, worth nothing to anyone, but so many happy memories to Laura. “This is not a shop,” the woman snapped. “Do you want to buy a ticket or not?”

“I’ll have five then,” Laura nodded anxiously. The woman took Laura’s pound without even looking at her.

“Fetch me a cuppa, Janice,” she shouted across to the refreshments tent while rolling the tombola barrel.

“I’m spitting feathers over here.”

Laura allowed the barrel to stop and reached in, praying that number ten was somewhere between her fingers.

She had two winning tickets – a carton of long-life milk and a bottle of anti-dandruff shampoo – but number ten was not among them.

“I don’t suppose I could do a swap, could I?” “No swaps,” the woman grunted.

Laura had one pound left in her purse, the odds weren’t good. A young boy nudged her aside, threw some change on the table and said, “One ticket please.”

“Feeling lucky?” Laura smiled. “Yep, I’m going to win those sweets.” He thrust his chin at a tall jar of cola cubes with all the confidence of youth.

“Be lucky,” she laughed. He opened the ticket in his sticky fingers. It was number ten.

“It’s that bottle of cheap scent.” The lady smirked at Laura as she handed him the perfume.

“What am I supposed to do with that?” The boy looked at the perfume with disgust.

“Give it to your mum,” the woman shrugged, “or bin it, for all I care.”

“Can’t I swap it?” the boy asked hopefully. “No swaps,” the woman snapped. “I don’t do deals.”

“Or,” Laura interjected quickly, before the boy started crying, “you could swap it with me?”

She held up the milk and shampoo enticingly.

The boy pulled a face. Fair enough, Laura thought.

“How about I buy you a ninety-nine instead?” she suggested, wondering if she even had enough money for that. “Raspberry sauce and a flake?”

He contemplated the offer for a moment. “Don’t like ice cream,” he said finally.

“No?” She remained calm. “What do you like then?” “Them sweets,” he said, nodding at the jar. “Okay,” Laura sighed, handing the woman her last pound coin, “let’s have another go then, shall we?”

Four tickets later and Laura was the proud owner of a jar of piccalilli. There was only one ticket left to open. The boy fidgeted at her side, staring hard at the jar of sweets as though willing it into his possession.

“You’re not going to be happy,” Janice called over shrilly from the refreshment tent. “We’re all out of milk.”

“You know I can’t abide tea without milk,” the woman huffed. “Good job I’ve got some on here somewhere.”

She searched the tombola table as Laura peeled open the last ticket. It was not a winner. The boy’s bottom lip wobbled, but Laura realised she had one last card to play. “I think you’re looking for this.” Laura held up the carton of long-life milk she’d won and smiled sweetly. “Now, are you finally ready to do a deal?”

By Jackie Brewster

Strictly by appointment only. All measures possible will be taken to protect the safety of our patients with the guidelines provided.

Derbyshire Walking:

River Dove & Reynard’s Lane from Hartington

Distance: 5.6 miles / 9.1 km

Ascent: 800 feet / 242 metres

Time: 3 hours 40 minutes

Grade: Easy/Moderate

Author: Lou Johnson

Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL24; Anquet OS Explorer OL24

Start: Centre of Hartington – Pay & Display Car Park

The pretty Derbyshire village of Hartington on the B5054 is an excellent centre for walking particularly along the Dove Valley. The village, with its village pond complete with ducks, has a variety of shops and refreshment opportunities. This Peak District walk explores three limestone dales before following Reynard’s Lane across the upland lying to the east of the River Dove. The walking is easy and route finding straightforward. The centre of Hartington offers adequate parking, including a pay and display car park, although at busy times of the year space may be at a premium.

The Route

1. From the centre of the village walk south along the B5054 towards Warslow. Reaching public toilets on the left, take the signed footpath to the left of the toilets. This leads into a field with a clear path heading south.

2. Cross the walled lane (grid ref. SK128599) and continue across more pastures rising slightly past the limestone outcrops on the flanks of Pennilow.

3. The path then descends and enters pleasant woodland to reach the east bank of the River Dove. The path crosses the river on a bridge and continues south with the River Dove now on your left. You are now in Beresford Dale.

4. Reaching Beresford Lane (grid ref. SK128586), cross the Dove using the narrow footbridge or the stepping stones that run parallel on the right. Once across the river, continue across a large meadow with the river away to your right. The path soon re-joins the river and enters steep-sided Wolfscote Dale, with its limestone outcrops adding interest to the scenery.

The River Dove is very pretty with small cascades and excellent limestone scenery.

5. Reaching a path junction at grid ref. SK142569, turn left into Biggin Dale. The path follows the floor of this dry valley; in places the going is quite rough underfoot.

6. Continue up Biggin Dale, passing a small cave on your right (grid ref. SK142574). Continue ahead on the obvious path following the valley floor. Some way up the dale you pass through a gate to continue walking up dale with a wall to your left.

7. Biggin Dale opens out just over a mile from leaving the River Dove. Reaching a footpath sign in the wall on the left (grid ref. SK145587), turn left signed to Hartington.

8. The path soon divides. Take the rising path heading half left. The path rises quite steeply to reach a gate. Go through the gate and continue up between walls along Reynard’s Lane.

9. After half a mile, you reach tarmac (grid ref. SK137594). Continue straight ahead along this quiet lane.

This section of the walk offers some fine views to the left over the Dove Valley and the surrounding countryside. All that remains is to enjoy the views and continue along Reynard’s Lane as it descends into Hartington.

10. Reaching a T-junction, turn left and complete the final descent back into the village. Turn left along the main road and you are soon back in Hartington village centre.

Walk supplied by Walking Britain (no. 2682). 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

Motoring A History of the Mini

From dinky ‘60s car to a modern electric hatchback, the Mini has done it all, while never losing its focus as an affordable and fun car. With Mini introducing a new version of its iconic hatchback, we take a look back at its history.

1959 – The original Mini

When fuel prices skyrocketed in the late 1950s, the Morris Motor Company challenged its top engineer, Alec Issigonis, to create a small, affordable, fuelefficient car capable of carrying four adults.

The result was the aptly named Mini, with the wheels at the far corners and the engine mounted sideways, to improve stability and free up interior space. It was built at Longbridge, Birmingham, and also at Cowley, Oxford.

1961 – Racing success

The Mini quickly grew a fanbase, in part due to racing success. British racing legend John Cooper developed the easily-modifiable car, leading to the introduction of the more powerful Cooper and Cooper S models. The Mini chalked up impressive racing victories, including three wins at the Monte Carlo rally. By 1965 the millionth Mini had been produced.

1970s and 1980s – the Mini would just keep plodding on

Demand for the small Mini continued, with cumulative sales passing three million and four million in 1972 and 1976 respectively, helped by the addition of new versions such as the Clubman estate.

1994 – BMW buys Mini and the final Classic Minis are produced

BMW acquired Mini’s owner, Rover Group, in 1994, and the original Mini was finally discontinued in 2000, following lots of special editions. More than 5.3 million Classic Minis were produced.

2001 – The New Mini

The New Mini began production at the firm’s Oxford factory in 2001 and sold well despite being quite a lot bigger than the original. Convertible, sportier Cooper S and John Cooper Works models

all followed. The 2006 special edition GP had the rear seats removed and power increased to 218bhp.

2006 – The second New Mini

The second-generation model looked similar but was larger, better equipped and featured new engines. A reincarnated Mini Clubman was introduced in 2007, and this generation also provided the setup for the ‘Mini E’ in 2009 – an electric Mini trialled for 12 months, which helped pave the way for the introduction of BMW’s electric i3 in 2013.

2014 – The third innings

In 2014, a brand-new, more modern-looking Mini was launched. Based around a new platform and with a broad range of new engines, new features included a head-up display and LED headlights – both fairly advanced technology at the time.

The first five-door hatch followed shortly after, improving interior space further. 2020 saw the launch of the Mini Electric with a range of around 145 miles, as well as the latest John Cooper Works GP – a 302bhp hot hatch that remains the most powerful Mini hatchback ever.

2023 – A simplified, digital Mini

Offered in just a three-door guise, Mini’s new Cooper has a modern, simplified design. The plastic wheel-arch trim and Union Jack rear lights are gone, while inside is a new circular touchscreen display and a simplified layout. Only revealed in electric guise –with petrol versions arriving later – the Mini Cooper can now travel up to a claimed 250 miles on a charge.

Picture credit: Mini

Book Reviews

The Great Outdoors

As we head into summer, get active with our books on pursuits to enjoy in the great outdoors.

The Little Book for Wild Swimmers

Laura Silverman

Whether you’ve already taken the plunge or simply want to dip in a toe, this book gives you all you need to reconnect with your wild side. From how to plan safe swims to taking the perfect underwater photo, the great outdoors is waiting for you.

Caving, Canyoning, Coasteering …30

Exhilarating Adventures around Britain

Patrick Kinsella

Pump up the adrenaline, get out of your comfort zone and take a highly adventurous tour of Britain’s extraordinary cliffs, caves, canyons, coasts, forests, fells, beaches, Munros, moors and tors – places

Best Day Walks Great Britain

Lonely Planet

With colour maps and images throughout, this is your passport to 60 easy escapes into nature. Discover what the country has to offer in this comprehensive guide –cross misty moors, hike wild landscapes, and explore the highlands. Get into the heart of Great Britain and begin your journey now!

people may never have considered exploring – via a range of outdoor pursuits.

Big Trails: Great Britain & Ireland

Edited by Kathy Rogers & Stephen Ross

This guide features 25 routes along the most iconic, spectacular and popular long-distance trails in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland and the Isle of Man. Whether you’re walking, trekking, fastpacking or running, this book is designed to inspire big adventures and features stunning photography.

Camping: Explore the Great Outdoors with Family and Friends

Don Philpott & National Trust Books

A practical and inspirational guide to camping, which includes a guide to all the National Trust’s sites. It’s about getting outside and enjoying the Great British outdoors, whether you want to do it under canvas or in a glamorous yurt. Guaranteed to bring out the adventurer in everyone!

Essential Bushcraft Ray Mears

Ray Mears is well-known to millions of TV viewers through his acclaimed series Tracks, Ray Mears’ World of Survival and Extreme Survival. This handy portable compendium is an invaluable companion on any expedition and is packed with essential wilderness techniques and vital survival skills from around the world.

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Re: Would you like to sell your house this month?

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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!

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.

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Gardening Welcome Guest or Garden Pest?

How do you decide whether an insect you find on or around your plants is a pest or a welcome guest? Please don’t assume they are out to sabotage your plot; we need to encourage all sorts of wildlife into the garden, as biodiversity is key to a balance of life.

A very simple test for insects that don’t fly could help you decide if they might be friend or foe: if it moves quickly, it is more likely to be a beneficial predator, while if it is slow-moving, it could be a plant-eating nuisance.

Common pests

Try to remove vine weevils, lily beetles and box tree moths before they have a chance to lay eggs. Numbers of these pests have proliferated over the past decade. Box caterpillars are destroying many of our native box plants (Buxus sempervirens), which are popular for garden and landscape use as well as occurring in the wild. Use biological controls, where available, and pick off adult beetles or caterpillars by hand.

Aphids are not a huge problem, even though they might affect plant growth. Ladybirds, lacewing, hoverflies and birds make excellent aphid eaters, and nurturing your garden ecosystem will encourage these beneficial creatures.

Cabbage moth caterpillars are probably the most common problem in the allotment, and netting susceptible plants is

the most efficient way to prevent damage to brassica plants. But, once again, a healthy ecosystem to encourage natural predators will help with the control. Planting marigolds as companions nearby also helps to repel them.

Sawflies belong to a large group of insects related to bees and wasps. Their caterpillar-like small larvae feast on leaves of plants such as willow, gooseberry, rose, Solomon’s seal, geranium and even on the young fruit of apples. They can defoliate plants relatively quickly, but they are a nuisance rather than a serious threat. Picking them off by hand is probably the best way to deal with them, together with attracting natural predators to help control numbers.

Soldier beetles can be red, brown, yellow, or black and are distinctive because of their slim, elongated, soft bodies. They are a gardener’s friend, feeding on aphids, red spider mites, and caterpillars.

There are more than 35 species of tiny pollen beetle in the UK. These beetles develop and live in the flower buds of many different plants. They are small, dark beetles with a metallic sheen, and they do no harm. They eat pollen and might also help with pollination.

Ground-dwelling beetles and beetles known as rove beetles are friends! If you find any of these dark beetles hiding under leaf litter or rocks during the daytime, leave them be. They feed on smaller insects, garden pests such as aphids, fly eggs and various larvae.

If you see Britain’s largest beetle, the stag beetle, consider yourself very lucky and protect them at all costs.

By Caroline Knight

Euro 2024 Euphoria!

30 million ticket applications, 24 nations, 51 matches, 10 host cities – it can only mean one thing: UEFA’s Euro 2024, which kicks off at Munich Football Arena, Germany on 14th June.

For a month from 14th June to 14th July, football fans around the globe will be cheering on their home nation as 24 teams compete to be crowned Euro 2024 champions.

The 2020 competition (postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic) saw a great performance at the finals for England, with a runner-up finish when they lost on penalties to Italy. This year, both Scotland and England will be at the tournament, with hosts Germany having booked their place too.

There will be 24 countries competing at Euro 2024, where Germany will be looking for their fourth tournament win. Sixteen games will take place before the quarter-finals, with the top two teams from the six groups going through, to be joined by the four best third-placed teams to form the last 16. The knockout rounds then progress until the final, and there will not be a third-place play-off. The final will take place at the Olympiastadion, Berlin on 14th July.

Ticket Frenzy

During the first ticketing sales phase in October 2023, more than 20 million tickets were requested by fans worldwide, with just 1.2 million tickets available to the general public.

After the final UEFA Euro 2024 tournament draw on 2nd December, over 30 million ticket applications were received from 206 countries between 2nd and 12th December.

LUCK OF THE DRAW

Results of the play-off draw, held in 2023:

Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland

Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania

Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England

Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France

Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine

Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czechia

DID YOU KNOW?

• The UEFA European Championship (commonly known as Euro and not to be confused with the European Cup) was first held in 1960. However, it was back in 1927 that the French Football Federation’s administrator, Henri Delaunay, first proposed a pan-European football tournament.

• The tournament in 1960 included only four teams – Czechoslovakia, France, the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia – but it expanded to eight teams in 1980 and 16 teams in 1996. Today, 24 nations participate.

• This year’s tournament marks the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship, and it is also set to be one of the biggest sporting events of the year. The total revenue of EURO 2020, the previous tournament, was nearly 19 billion euros.

• Germany and Spain have been the most frequent winners of the championship – three times each – while Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time top scorer in the UEFA Euros, netting 14 goals.

• The competition has been held every four years since 1960, except for 2020, when it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Parenting Have Kids, Will Travel

Travelling with children can be a stressful experience. It’s less about browsing duty free, and more about staying one step ahead of a possible meltdown. We can’t promise you there won’t be any tears (yours or theirs), but our travel tips will at least give you a better chance of avoiding a full-on screaming fit.

Keeping them entertained

Smart phones, games consoles, tablets… Digital technology can be great for keeping kids occupied while you’re travelling. They can also make children a bit ‘wired’ and cranky though, so you might want to consider limiting screen time and making sure your kids take regular breaks. Pack a small bag with age-appropriate activities. Younger children usually love sticker books. Older kids might enjoy puzzle books or card games. Most ages will join in with games of I Spy, though you may struggle to guess your toddler’s ‘green elephant in my head’ or ‘biscuit in my tummy’.

Do feed the animals

There is an unwritten rule of childhood – a child must declare themselves to be ‘reeeally hungry’ within half an hour of embarking on a long journey. Bonus points are awarded for announcing this after being ‘too full’ to finish breakfast. So, be prepared. Pack plenty of travel-friendly snacks, such as fruit, oat bars and mini sandwiches, and keep them somewhere easy to access. A lunchbox is ideal. Keep a plastic bag handy for rubbish. When it comes to drinks, stick to water, or they’ll need the loo even more frequently.

All about the comfort

If something is bothering a child, they find it harder to block it out than an adult. So, an itch, ache or cold feet can easily end up ruining a journey. Layers are key. Think hoodies with zips, slipper socks that can be pulled on easily, and a snuggly blanket. Go for cotton clothing, as it’s less likely to cause irritation. Fleecy onesies might be comfy, but they can make children overheat, so are best kept for home. If you’re flying, try breast or bottle feeding your baby

on take-off and landing to stop them getting earache. Older children can avoid ear pain by sucking a sweet.

Stay one step ahead

Spilled ketchup? No problem, you have a wet wipe. Too cold? Lucky you packed a jumper. Headache? Bring out the magical pink Calpol. Try to imagine everything that could go wrong, and work out how you can prepare for it. Because, in all likelihood, it will. Children have a habit of wandering off, so Which? advise attaching a luggage tag to their clothing with your mobile phone number on it. You can also buy wrist tags that serve the same purpose. If you don’t have space for a pushchair, consider packing a sling. As well as stopping a toddler from running off, it gives them somewhere to sleep or rest while keeping your hands free.

Allow extra time

Everything seems to take longer when there are kids in tow. Teddies get lost, drinks get spilled and bladders get filled. Waiting around for a plane or train is never fun, but it beats running full pelt across an airport dragging a screaming child behind you. So, it’s a good idea to allow plenty of extra time to get where you’re going.

And relax…

By Kate Duggan

Nursery and Reception classes

September 2024

‘Children in the early years get off to a flying start’ Ofsted 2023

At William Gilbert School we can provide your child with rich, memorable and engaging learning opportunities. is to see every child flourish in all areas of their development; spiritually, mentally, physically and academically.

Our Aim

Musical excellence – opportunities to sing in the school choir, take part in whole school productions or play a variety of musical instruments.

Our ‘Eco-Schools’ Green Flag award recognises our commitment to a more sustainable future driven by our pupil Eco Committee.

School Games Gold Award - recognising our ethos and commitment to ‘Sport for all’.

High and sustained academic results across the whole curriculum –consistently above the National average and in the highest 20% of schools.

We warmly welcome prospective parents to come and see us and take a personal tour with the headteacher Mrs Helen Britten. For more information, please call or email the school on:

Tel: 01332 840 395

enquiries@williamgilbertend.derbyshire.sch.uk

www.williamgilbertend.derbyshire.sch.uk

We are proud to share Designed

Ofsted Grade: Outstanding –November 2023

Scan the QR code to read the full report.

CHILDREN’S PUZZLE PAGE

HOW MANY FOOTBALLS CAN YOU FIND ON THIS PAGE?

A 5 B 9 C 11

Why didn’t the dog want to play football? He was a boxer!

CAN YOU KICK THE BALL AND SCORE A GOAL?

Use each hint to write the word that is only one letter different from the word above it.

BALL

.......................... The opposite of short

.......................... The hind part of an animal

.......................... Put to sea

.......................... Dirt

.......................... Wind into a spiral

.......................... Carbon rock used for fuel GOAL

Which insect didn’t play well in goal? The fumble bee.

BALL CARD CORNER FANS FOUL GOAL HEADER KICK MANAGER MATCH

NET PITCH REFEREE STADIUM STRIKER

TACKLE TEAM WHISTLE

The Diary of a Local Mum

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3…

As I write this, we’re knee deep in exam season and stress levels are running high in the Local Mum household. If your kids are going through the same – whether that’s SATs, GCSEs, A-levels, BTECs, university exams or any other qualification – you have my sympathies, kids and parents alike.

Exams are stressful, there are no two ways about it. There’s a pressure on kids to prove what they know, or what they’re capable of, within a short time-frame. That piece of paper (or practical assessment) results in some kind of value judgement which, however we try and frame it, appears to them to say how ‘good’ they are at whatever it is they’re being assessed on.

Now, I’m not here to open up a debate on exams –everyone has their own opinion on whether or not they’re the best way to assess children (or adults) from primary school upwards. As it stands, there’s no escaping the fact that they’re used frequently throughout a child’s school career. As that time draws to a close, the series of numbers (previously letters) that are handed to them in an envelope in August seem to be the culmination of all those years of work, from age 4 upwards. As much as you tell children that their results don’t define them, or dictate their future, it can often feel to them – for a short period at least – like they do.

So, as a parent, how can you handle the household exam stress and support your kids through this turbulent time? Well, I’ve found that you apparently never quite get over that exam anxiety yourself! The fact that it’s your offspring going through it and not you personally, doesn’t seem to matter –the very mention of exam timetables and revision and you’re transported immediately back to your school memories of sitting in exam halls, and those old emotions are stirred up. It’s a daunting prospect … and this time you’re one

step removed, watching your child deal with the torment instead of you!

Whether you’ve got a child who’s non-stop revising and needs to take a moment to chill out, or one that has their head firmly in the sand and has barely picked up a book, trying to either motivate or relax them is not easy. There’s a 95%* chance that whatever you do or say will be wrong. (*Not official figures … but if there was a YouGov survey I’m sure it’d be somewhere close!) It’s like walking a tightrope. They need to know that you care and support them, but without being overly invested or too pushy. They need to know that exams aren’t the be-all and end-all and you’ll love them whatever the outcome, but they are, nonetheless, important. They need to know that you’re there for them, but without actually physically being there. Of course, you can’t be too far away, just in case they need you urgently in the event of an emergency (e.g. ‘my pen’s run out’, ‘there aren’t any biscuits left’ or, horror of horrors, ‘the Wi-Fi’s stopped working!’).

And then, of course, there’s the subject matter. “Oh, I can help you with that!” you confidently say to a confused and stressed-out child. Ha. You may have aced your biology exam once upon a time in the dim and distant past, and you assume a quick refresh will get you up to speed … but the realisation hits that either the syllabus has got a lot harder or your brain has turned to mush during the intervening years. Thank goodness for Google!

So, whatever level of testing your child is undergoing this exam season, I wish you all the very best as, together, you attempt to make it through unscathed. Deep breaths and good snacks will help!

By Helen Young

Our Cubs are looking for the future makers, dream builders and inspirers.

Looking for FREE holiday clubs? FREE holiday clubs are running across Derbyshire for children aged 4-16 who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. BOOK NOW itsaboutmederbyshire.co.uk

Local History

Belper People of The Past

Sarah Ann Siddons, aged 12

This young girl lived in the Market Place and in 1851 was a box maker. When she was just twelve years old, she worked in the shop, putting together the boxes her father needed in his trade as a felt hatter. What kind of life did this girl have, making boxes all day with her father, who was cutting and sewing, while her younger brothers and sisters were lucky enough to be at school? It’s hard to be certain, but it can’t have been an easy childhood. Sarah was born in Doncaster in about 1838, the first child of her parents, Joseph and Ann, who worked and lived in Doncaster and Ashton-underLyne before moving to Belper, where there was plenty of business in the hat trade. By the 1830s and 40s the economy of Belper had picked up after the Napoleonic Wars. Hats were worn for all occasions and probably men’s felt hats would have been their main business. Sarah had five younger brothers and sisters: four were at school and their parents could probably afford to keep them in education until they were 11 or 12, learning basic literary and numeracy skills before starting work to support the family.

Basic compulsory schooling would not become law until about twenty years later, but there were a number of schools in Belper. In 1857 a trade directory listed eleven, all fee-paying. Strutt’s school at the Mill was free to some, although child mill-workers paid one penny a week. Other pupils, presumably free of charge, included the children of framework knitters, nail makers, stockingers, colliers and workhouse inmates. Girls were taught sewing skills as well as the three Rs. What I found surprising is that Strutts enrolled children as young as one or two, so for them the school would have served as a nursery, perhaps to support women working at the Mill.

I had a look at the Census to see what was happening to children in the Market Place in 1851. There were 26 girls aged between 2 and 15 and

it is interesting to see what they were doing. Of the girls, 19 were at school and 7 were at work, including 12-year-old Sarah the box maker, Hannah (8) errand girl, Alice (11) employed in a hosiery warehouse, and four house servants, Eliza (12), Sarah (13), Maria (14) and another Alice (14). Of the 18 boys between 2 and 15 it’s a different story. Only 3 were working: John (12) an errand boy, Frank (15) a general servant at a beer house and John (15) a draper’s apprentice. Boys may have been allowed more years at school than girls because they would be the family breadwinners.

What happened to Sarah Ann? In 1861 she was a kitchen maid with five other staff at Duffield Bank House. It seems that she kept contact with her family in Yorkshire, and in 1865 she married Arthur Fields, a Doncaster coach builder. She went on to have five children, but by 1891 was widowed, working as a charwoman and living with her daughter Janet. By 1901 she had moved in with her son Robert in Derby and, at last, was no longer working. She died in Doncaster in 1916 at 78 – a good age for anyone born in the 1830s.

By Viv Scott

The Siddons family house and hat shop today, at the top of the Market Place

The Siddons family house and hat shop today, at the top of the Market Place

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 members of staff at Kilburn Care Home. They were nominated by Anne Lamb of Little Eaton. This is what Anne wrote:

“I wish to nominate the staff members of Kilburn Care Home who came to my aid when my car wouldn’t start after visiting. Whilst I waited for the rescue services, they invited us inside and offered us a cup of tea. My friend needed to get home and as no taxis were available, the staff drove her home. Really exceptional kindness, making a difficult situation manageable.”

Anne Lamb

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.

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

Rachael Collins from Fleur Florist

Pictured is Georgia Benniston, receiving the bouquet on behalf of staff at Kilburn Care Home by All Things Local; no information is given to any third party.

Upbeat: Three Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe This Summer

We’re sharing an important message for dog walkers: protect your dog, protect livestock.

This supports a national campaign: Operation Recall, a campaign to remind dog walkers of their responsibility to keep their pets under close control around livestock.

A dog chasing or attacking livestock is a crime and can cause emotional and financial damage for both the farmer and the dog’s owner.

As part of Operation Recall, we spoke to Derbyshire farmer Gaby: “It can actually cause people to choose to leave farming altogether, after a serious dog attack. The stress can be that much financially, and emotionally, that people choose not to do it anymore.

“You don’t always find out about an attack initially, so you might go to check on your animals and find out that one of them has been injured or killed. And that is the most horrendous thing to come across.”

PC Emma Swales, from our Rural Crime Team, said: “Livestock worrying is a crime and the consequences can range from Restorative Justice including dog control orders, a fine to cover the farmer’s losses which could go into the thousands, and/or a court summons. No one wants to think that their dog can hurt other animals, but we do see cases of family pets going back to their predator instincts and chasing livestock when given the opportunity. Don’t take that chance.”

Here are our top tips to keep your dog safe:

1. Plan ahead - Know your route, make sure you take enough water and supplies for you and your pet.

2. Be present on your walk and keep your attention on what your dog is doing. Keep your dog under closer control when you spot hazards, such as another walker or livestock.

3. Understand your dog – even the best trained dog can have a predator instinct. It’s an owner’s responsibility to take precautions, not the dog’s fault that they have these instincts.

For more details, visit www.derbyshire.police.uk and search ‘Operation Recall’, or search YouTube for the ‘Derbyshire Constabulary’ channel where you can watch an informative video from Gaby and Caroline, a local dog trainer.

Community Diary June / July 2024

June:

4th: Arts Society Derby lecture: “She Loves You: The music of the Sixties 1960 - 1964” by Steve King. 7.15pm (doors 6.30pm) at Landau Forte College, Fox St, Derby DE1 2LF. Cost £6; free parking. Info: www.theartssocietyderby.com.

7th – 9th: Transition Belper’s ‘Belper Goes Green’ community, eco & arts festival at Belper Meadows Cricket Club. Stalls, talks, eco info, lots of music, real ale & cider festival and more! Info: transitionbelper.org or search ‘Belper Goes Green’ on Facebook. Tickets via ticketsource.co.uk

8th: Belper Organ and Keyboard Club concert: Glyn Madden. 2pm, Congregational Church, Church Walk, Belper DE56 1DB. £10 admission. www.belperorganclub.com

22nd & 23rd: Flower Festival (theme: Bible stories). 10am-3pm on 22nd, 12-4.30pm on 23rd. Christ Church, The Triangle, Belper DE56 1BA. Free entry.

28th: Belper Welcome Meal 12-2pm at No.28 Market Place, Belper DE56 1FZ. Soup/bread & pudding, No need to book, pay what you can. Welcome Meal Project volunteers supported by Unite, Belper Town Council, Co-op.

29th: Sitwell Singers Summer Concert, celebrating 5 centuries of choral music. 7.30pm Broadway Baptist Church, 166 Broadway, Derby DE22 1BP. Tickets £15 (£5 u18) from www.sitwellsingers.org.uk or on the door.

29th: Ship of Fools stand-up comedy at No.28 Market Place, Belper DE56 1FZ. 7.30 for 8pm, BYO drinks. £10 book online at www.wegottickets.com.

Info: shipoffoolscomedy@yahoo.co.uk.

July:

5th – 7th: The Eyes Have It Music Festival, Eyes Meadow, Duffield DE56 4BA. For line up, tickets & info visit www.theeyeshaveit.co.uk

6th: Little Eaton Carnival, 2pm St Peter’s Park, Little Eaton. Also, 13 ‘Carnival Week’ events over 7 days prior, from 30th June – 6th July. Search ‘Little Eaton Carnival’ on Facebook or see littleeatoncarnival.com for info.

13th: Belper Organ and Keyboard Club concert: Ian Griffin. 2pm, Congregational Church, Church Walk, Belper DE56 1DB. £10 admission. www.belperorganclub.com

20th: Horsley Woodhouse Village Carnival, 12-5pm, Sitwell Recreation Ground, Horsley Woodhouse DE7 6PZ. Also, Music Night Friday 19th. Info/tickets: hwca.org.uk

20th: Afternoon tea 3-5pm, including sandwiches, cakes, scones, tea and coffee £15. Bateman Hall, Christ Church, The Triangle, Belper DE56 1BA. Places must be booked by contacting Alison Roome on 01773 825635.

25th: Thursday Edinburgh preview! Ship of Fools stand-up comedy, No.28 Market Place, Belper DE56 1FZ. 7.30 for 8pm, BYO drinks. £10 book online: www.wegottickets.com. Info: shipoffoolscomedy@yahoo.co.uk.

26th: Belper Welcome Meal 12-2pm at No.28 Market Place, Belper DE56 1FZ. Soup/bread & pudding, No need to book, pay what you can. Welcome Meal Project volunteers supported by Unite, Belper Town Council, Co-op.

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 August/September 2024 please email it to helen@allthingslocal.co.uk. Deadline is Wednesday 19th June 2024.

Bereavement Matters

It’s always nice to receive thanks, but this month one of our families has really spoiled us by presenting personalised cufflinks for myself and my colleagues, Helen and Amanda.

They’re beautiful and it’s a real honour to have been given them, as a token of gratitude, they told us, for our work organising funerals for them over the past few years.

I won’t name any names, but one of the funerals was particularly tragic and difficult and was one of those occasions, I think, that we demonstrated how a familyrun independent funeral firm that is embedded in its community knows instinctively what’s right and fitting.

We receive a number of gifts each year, including bottles of drink and chocolates, and, as I often remark, it’s this kind of day-to-day stuff that shows me how much the funeral industry has changed down the years.

My father-in-law set up our practice back at a time when the role of the undertaker, as he would have been known, was more of a practical service. That’s not to say he didn’t care for his customers – he most certainly

did – but his work focused more on providing a standard set of products and services that didn’t vary from person to person.

The shift to more personalised funerals has meant that we get to know more about the loved ones so that we can build up a picture of them and then suggest – or ask the families for ideas about – the individual touches that will make the service unique. This has broken down some of the formality associated with funeral directors of my father-in-law’s generation, with the result that we often feel like we’re members of our customers’ own families, sharing their bereavement journey with them.

I think this is why, even though they don’t have to and we don’t expect it, our families often go out of their way to visit us at our office in Abbott Street to deliver thank you gifts in person. It’s lovely to welcome them and touching that they think of us so highly, which is all the more reason why we will all wear our new cufflinks with pride.

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

Anthony

Helen

Amanda