Voice Magazines - Alfreton & Villages Edition - March 2022

MARCH ’22

ALFRETON, TIBSHELF, SOUTH WINGFIELD, SHIRLAND, CRICH, STONEBROOM, HIGHAM, WESSINGTON & WESTHOUSES

G AMAZIN SEE OUR S ON: OFFER PAGE 2

First Day of Spring 20th March

Other Services Food & Retail Professional Pets

pg4 pg9 pg28 pg40

Health & Beauty Home Garden

pg41 pg47 pg68

Shouting about businesses in the heart of your community

www.VOICEMAGAZINES.co.uk

Check out our Facebook Group

Read our Magazines online https://issuu.com/ambervalleymedia

From the Editor

LTD

VOICE

Dear Readers, As predicted, February has been a long month (at the time of writing, it is still February and it appears to be rivalling January for its endurance)!! So far, the ‘no sugar’ Feb was uphill for the first week and a half but I have been pretty much ok from week 2, the cravings and wall climbing have virtually stopped but it’s the little things that have really gotten to me. For example, Mad Aunty had a significant birthday meal out (well, it was technically a significant birthday last year but thanks to lockdown, she has deferred it a year!) and I ordered a delicious, spritely looking Kopparberg cider (other ciders available) for myself as Mr Emily was driving. It was effervescent and enticing and I was ready for it after a tough week. The waitress handed it over, I happily poured it into the glass complete with a big toothy grin, akin to a lion just about to tuck into its prey, I lifted it up and then said, “Oh bother and balderdash, this has got flippity sugar in it, hasn’t it? This whole thing was a rather silly thing to do and I can’t wait for February to be over, so that one can enjoy lashings of lovely delicious cider again. Here you go mother dearest, please enjoy on my behalf as an early Mother’s Day present” or very similar words to that effect!! All’s well that ends well, I swapped it for a gin and the mad uncle picked up the tab, so a good night was had by all!!

x Emily And all the VOICE MAGAZINES TEAM

HFH Executive Travel All coastal, airport and any trips over £60 return

£20 DISCOUNT Valid until March 2022

The reading is going well, I now seem to be the recipient of everybody’s cast offs, which is great – I’m considering starting my own book club! It’s lovely really, I’m all for recycling/up-cycling and I am very much enjoying it.

I haven’t decided what I’m doing for March as yet, as at the time of writing, the shortest/longest month in the world, won’t end! But I’m sure I’ll come up with something! Maybe something outdoorsy now that we’re practically into spring (apparently)? I’ve had a few outings, so I must be stirring from my hibernation.

See you next month for more fun and frivolity,

Call 07711003885 or 07790009658

Happy Reading, LEISURE CENTRE POST OFFICE

OPEN

Upcoming Submission Deadline for Advertisers & Contributors: April ‘22 Edition - 11th March • May ‘22 Edition - 8th April

To advertise email: info@voicemagazines.co.uk or call us on 01773 549 035 Printed by Warwick Ltd and distributed to 6,500 homes in North Derbyshire. Disclaimer: No responsibility is accepted by Voice Magazines Limited for claims, errors or omissions made in advertisements appearing in this issue. All advertisers are accepted in good faith and we are not responsible for views expressed by contributor or other sources. Reproduction of the contents of this magazine is not permitted without the prior consent of the publisher.

Voice Magazines Limited, 40 High Street, South Normanton, Derbyshire. DE55 2BP. Registered in England & Wales No: 10550557

We started up PULSE EVC due to our shared interest in emerging technology, sustainability, and renewable energy and our desire to help support others achieve there sustainable goals as easily and affordable as possible.

r e h t O s e c i v r Se

With the encroaching deadline to cease production of combustion engine vehicles by 2030, the removal of the private residential grant by March 2022 and the increase in petrol and diesel costs, establishing a company that can help people with the transition both in terms of advice, install and the change in lifestyle seemed obvious.

As a company, we can offer all aspects of electrical work, ranging from house re-wires and additional lights and sockets to the installation of domestic and commercial electric vehicle chargers, Solar PV systems and other renewable technology.

We pride ourselves in being reliable, honest and consider it our mission to help others before it’s too late.

If you would like more information, please check out our website or contact us on the numbers below and we will be happy to let you know what options are available.

Fully certified EV chargers installed from only £900* while grants are still available

daniel@pulseevc.com nathan@pulseevc.com

07746 994072 4

07709 614651

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

OTHER SERVICES

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

5

OTHER SERVICES

The First Day of Spring This year, here in the Northern Hemisphere, the first day of Spring is designated as Sunday March 20th. The date varies very slightly over the years because it matches the Vernal or Spring Equinox - one of two days during a year when day and night are of equal duration.

Although, strictly speaking, apparently that isn’t quite true; daylight is several minutes longer than darkness at both the Spring and Autumn equinoxes. At the Spring equinox the sun crosses over the (imaginary) equator line and begins to head north…much to the relief of most of us! It happens at 11.33am this year should you be interested in the precise time.

The Met office however have a different date for the start of Spring - and it never changes, it is always 1st March, with meteorological Spring ending on May 31st. Meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle, not the movement of the sun, and are matched to the calendar to give clearly marked seasons. However, as we all know - seasons don’t always follow nice predictable dates, do they?

I always think of Spring as being the season of new beginnings, rebirth, regrowth, and the sense of expectation in the air is to me at least, palpable.

Living out in the Peak District I am definitely more aware of the seasons than when I was a city dweller. I only have to peek out my front door to see the new growth in the fields, and the birds are definitely beginning to ramp up the morning chorus.

In a city, although the signs of renewed plant life is visible as the season changes, it tends to be in a more controlled, less abundant way. Spring bulbs, planted in regimented fashion in gardens and public parks, begin to

6

poke their green shoots shyly above ground level, and gardeners begin to fettle their tools in readiness for the first assault on grass and overgrown branch.

Spring is my favourite time of the year, as we break free of the gloom of February and look towards longer, lighter nights.

I love the clean fresh colours of the season, the vibrant greens of new plant life, the clear cerulean blue of the sky, spotted with fluffy white clouds, and the varied colours of newly blossoming trees and flowers. The air is cleansed by spring showers, and rainbows arc across the sky.

We begin to shed the heavy layers of winter, almost as if we humans are shedding our skins and emerging into the new season in the same way a butterfly struggles out of its cocoon.

Spending time outside (without catching our deaths of cold!) becomes pleasant, and we all suddenly want to become more active - as if we’ve woken from our Winter hibernations.

Anything seems possible at the start of Spring…doesn’t it?

These articles are researched and written by Laura Billingham, a local content writer and author. Laura moved to the Peak District several years ago to pursue her passion for writing.

To find out more visit www. landgassociates.co.uk or contact Laura on 07736 351 341

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

SUNDAY 27TH MARCH 2022 (Mothers’ Day) from 10.00 am

On Mothers’ Day, (27th March) this year, the recently convened, hugely talented “ARTSTAND and Friends” group of artists will be staging their Spring Exhibition and sale of work at the Hurt Arms, Ambergate. The group of artists will be showcasing the wide variety of their talents, ranging from local Derbyshire landscapes to

Welcome to YOUR community noticeboard. A dedicated space for you to post notices, events and for not-for-profit community groups advertise in.

Contact Danielle on 01773 549035 or community@voicemagazines.co.uk

For more information contact, David Hunns: 07835 886 595

EVENT

44mm

TITLE Date & Time Contact Contact Contact

Alfreton Male Voice Choir We are still looking to swell our ranks. Two new members testify to the warm welcome they have received and confirm their delight at joining AMVC. Would you like to fill the blue spaces?

To help us get the message across, we propose to have an open evening to give you the chance to see, hear and join in with, what we do and why we enjoy it so much.

You are INVITED to an OPEN EVENING starting 18:30 on the 17th March Palmer Morewood Social Club, Hall Street, Alfreton Where, after a little ‘get together’ with the choir, we can retire to the lounge bar where you will be treated to a Pie and Pea Supper and, hopefully, sign on.

Chairman Mick said, ’It’s great to welcome new members and we hope that this invitation will encourage you to join us.’

So come along for an evening of enlightenment (and a pie).

Please contact John on 07535 359 424 to reserve a place; we look forward to meeting you.

44mm

To place a notice, from a super-low rate of £6+VAT per square

wild-life portraits, hand-made crafts and individual items just perfect for Mothers’ Day gifts. Free admission and on-site parking.

£6.00

+VAT Per Square

YOU CAN MERGE SQUARES TOGETHER AND ALL YOU PAY FOR IS THE SQUARES THAT YOU USE

NEWS • EVENTS • UPDATES • LOCAL INTEREST 7

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

OTHER SERVICES

ARTSTAND - AMBERGATE

OTHER SERVICES

L I E ABS E G N E L L A 022 2 E N U J CH H 25T L A R D E

BY CATH DER

SH ALIN RU N E R D A ATE AL E ULTIM H T E C ATHEDR C N E Y I B R R E E P EX ND L 2FT DOW 1 2 L HOSPITA I E L S A C AB O L R RT YOU - SUPPO NG! L AMAZI E E F D N A

ou y o D re? da This really is a unique opportunity to get a panoramic view of our city £20 entrant fee Please note, entrants must be 14 or over. Minimum sponsorship of £100.

To register and receive a fundraising pack call 01332 788861 email vicky.carey@nhs.net or visit www.dbhc.org.uk/event/abseil-2021 8

Registered Charity Number: 1061812

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

FOOD & RETAIL

ALFRETON INDOOR MARKET

SHOP LOCAL LOVE YOUR LOCAL MARKET

Opening Times – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 8:00am – 4:30pm Covid-19 Compliant – in line with Government guidelines Most stalls taking orders and offering delivery services Card payments accepted Café fully open with the addition of a spacious extra seating area in the Market Hall Visit the market facebook page for updates and offers

Want to start a new business? New trader incentive available.

For more information contact Vicki England on: 07971 126363 or email: vicki.england@ambervalley.gov.uk

D.M. FURNISHINGS

STAIRLIFTS NOW AVAILABLE

YOUR LOCAL RISE AND RECLINER SPECIALISTS ALL OUR RECLINERS

Are made to measure and made to order and can be delivered direct from our factory within 2 – 6 weeks.

Matching sofas and chairs available too.

5 YEAR WARRANTY on all recliners includes mechanisms & motor.

ARE YOU VAT EXEMPT? FREE SERVICE OPEN: Mon - Tues - Thurs - Fri 9.30am - 5.00pm Call now for your free no Call now. You maybe eligable obligation home design service. for VAT free savings

Follow us on twitter

Wed 9.30am - 1.30pm. Sat 9.00am - 1.00pm.

Sunday - Closed

@DMFurnishings Tel:01623 440448

5-7 Low Street, Sutton In Ashfield, Notts, NG17 1DH

(Next to Sutton Market North car park off Brook Street NG17 1AL – FREE parking for limited time)

WE NOW ALSO SELL BEDS & MATTRESSES

Full range including orthopaedic, memory foam, latex & pocket sprung. Bunk, single, double,kingsize, superking,electric beds.

All withfull choice of fabrics.

www.dmfurnishings.co.uk

Please quote THE 50 PLUS VOICE when ringing or bring this advert to get FREE delivery OR FREE arm protectors To advertise please call 01773 549 035

9

FOOD & RETAIL

DKJ (THE FRIENDLY MILK PEOPLE) Ltd

FAMILY RUN BUSINESS SELLING MILK FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS AND MUCH MORE; bottled fresh orange juice • butter • cheeses • fresh cream • cream cheese • cottage cheese • farm fresh eggs • yoghurts • bread • fresh fruit & veg boxes • Carrs Flour • home grown bedding plants & compost • hanging baskets • seasonal gifts and much much more...

NOW AVAILABLE!

Cheese Hampers, Fruit and Veg Hampers & Dairy Diaries.

ALL DELIVERED FREE TO YOUR DOOR!!

Areas we deliver to: Lea Hollloway, Crich, Fritchley, Ambergate, Sawmills, Belper,Heage, Nether Heage, Ripley, Alfreton, Swanwick, Riddings,Leabrooks, Somercotes, Jubilee, Selston Save the Environment and change to Glass Bottled Milk-locally produced in the Peak District

All deliveries completed by 7.30am

www.dkjmilk.co.uk

TO PLACE AN ORDER PLEASE CONTACT JULIE ON T: 07971 530 069

The Shoulder at Hardstoft is a 350 year old country pub that offers traditional home cooked food, cocktails, local ales, good selection of lager and spirits, a beautiful large function room and hotel rooms.

• Hire our function room from £100 • Golden Age 3 course set menu £10.

The Shoulder At Hardstoft Deep Lane, Chesterfield, Hardstoft, S45 8AF

Tel: 01246 850276 • FB: @theshoulderathardstoft 10

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

Cowboy Hotpot

Tasty, filling and easy to make. A feast for all the family!

Method: 1. Preheat your oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6.

2. Cook the potatoes in a saucepan of boiling water over a high heat for 5 minutes, then drain and set aside to cool.

3. Meanwhile, spray a large non-stick saucepan with low-calorie cooking spray and put it over a medium heat. Brown the sausages on all sides for 5 minutes, then add the garlic, onion and peppers and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the tomato purée and smoked paprika and cook for 5 minutes.

4. Stir the stock cube into 200ml hot water, then add to the sausage pan along with the mixed beans, baked beans, sweetcorn, Marmite, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and spring onions.

Simmer for 5 minutes, then transfer to an ovenproof dish and top with the potatoes. Spray with low-calorie cooking spray and cook in the oven for 30 minutes. Serve hot, with your favourite Speed vegetables.

For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk

FOOD & RETAIL

Slimming World Recipe

Ingredients: • 500g floury potatoes, such as King Edward or Maris Piper, thinly sliced • Low-calorie cooking spray • 12 Slimming World Pork Sausages, chopped into chunks • 4 garlic cloves, chopped • 1 large red onion, diced • 2 red peppers, deseeded and diced • 2 tbsp tomato purée

• 2 tbsp smoked paprika • 1 chicken stock cube • 400g can mixed beans in water • 400g can baked beans • 325g can sweetcorn kernels, drained • 1 tbsp Marmite • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1 tsp white wine vinegar • Bunch spring onions, sliced

Serves: 4 Ready in: 1 hour Syns per serving: FREE

TUESDAY MORNING 10am SOMERCOTES VILLAGE HALL, Nottingham Rd, Somercotes, DE55 4HQ WEDNESDAY EVENING 6pm CHRIST THE KING CHURCH HALL Nottingham Rd, Alfreton, DE55 7GL

WEDNESDAY MORNINGS 9am & 10.30am PALMER MOREWOOD MEMORIAL CLUB 36 Hall St, Alfreton, DE55 7BU

Tel : Sue: 07738 118 130

THURSDAY EVENING 5.30pm CHRIST THE KING CHURCH HALL Nottingham Rd, Alfreton, DE55 7GL

Tel : Ben: 07951 157 551

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

11

FOOD & RETAIL

Last month, the Voice team were invited to Booboo Desserts in Alfreton and it certainly didn’t disappoint!

If we had to describe in three words Yummy, Tasteful & Sweet!

There is literally something on the menu for every sweet tooth from:

70 High Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BE

01773 835 754 www.booboodesserts.co.uk

• Cookie Dough

• Specials

• Waffles

• Sundaes

• Crepes

• Milkshakes

• Pancakes

• Gelato

• Cakes

• Mocktails

• Cheesecakes

• Soft Drinks

• Puddings Lotus Biscoff Waffle Freshly baked hot waffle layer ed with melted Biscoff spread and garnished with Bisco ff crumbs. Served with fresh vanilla ice cream. Ask me if there was anything left on the plate!

- PAUL

e Terrys Chocolate Orange Crepthe toppings sounded all I can never resist a crepe and olate orange topping and choc amazing! I chose the Terry’s beautiful. It came filled with I wasn’t disappointed. It was olate Terry’s pieces on top choc le who e chocolate with som ious!

Delic it. ate I - LISA as ed melt that slowly Cornflake Tart Pudding A delicious cornflake tart, mad buttery pastry, with a layer of e with golden crispy fruity jam topped with crunchy cornflakes. Served with Absolutely yummy, I don’t norm thick, creamy custard ally have a sweet tooth but oh my, mmmmm...

- DANIELLE

The Signature Waffle waffle with This was a huge freshly cooked berries drizzled with strawberries, raspberries & blue ice cream, and white chocolates white chocolate sauce, vanilla it crumbs on top! Now that’ biscu lotus for d aske curls! - I even ert!

- HAYLEIGH dess a what you call Movie Night Cookie Dough I couldn’t resist the ‘Movie Nigh popcorn, oreo’s, pretzels and t Cookie Dough’ as I love Absolutely fantastic presenta M&M’s - what’s not to love! awesome, I couldn’t (unbelievtion and the flavours were going back soon to try again!!ably) finish it all.....but i’m

- EMILY

Oreo Pancakes ake fan and these I’m a big American style panc chocolate and oreo in didn’t disappoint. Smothered e raspberries on the side crumbs and I elected to add som oughly enjoyed them. for the ultimate perfection! I thor

12

- LIAM

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

FOOD & RETAIL

CUT OUT THIS TICKET FOR

“BUY ONE GET ONE FREE” (ALFRETON VOICE) *Terms & conditions apply, Please check with member of staff when placing an order. Offer ends 31/03/22

Find us: 70 High Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BE

opening times: monday - friday 5pm - 11pm (dine in) saturday & sunday 12pm - 11pm (dine in)

2022 HOLIDAYS 11 APRIL

5 DAYS

£345

17 APRIL

2 DAYS

£120

2 MAY

5 DAYS

£435

8 JULY

3 DAYS

£245

25 JULY

5 DAYS

£400

29 JULY

5 DAYS

£380

7 AUGUST

5 DAYS

£360

13 AUGUST

5 DAYS

£400

10 SEPT

5 DAYS

£440

26 SEPT

6 DAYS

£480

ALL LOCAL PICK UPS. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR OTHER TOURS AND DAY TRIPS

place orders via telephone or via our website:

TO BOOK CALL: 01623 550 012 or 01773 811 711 E: freewaycoach@aol.com www.freeway-coaches.co.uk

01773 835 754 www.booboodesserts.co.uk

follow us:

10/02/2022, 17:10

Contact Sarah on 0115 849 2386

Contactless ordering Scan here to view our menu: SCAN WITH CAMERA TO VIEW MENU

Local Installation, Repairs and Servicing of Stairlifts

@booboodesserts

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

https://tinyurl.com/yeuv5dmn

Booboo Desserts 70 High Street

available on:

UberEats

delivery service: monday - sunday, 5pm - 11pm (minimum order of £10) about:blank

2 miles radius £1.50, 3 miles radius £2.00, 4 miles radius £3.00, 5 miles radius £3.50,

Page 1 of 1

Local, family-run business Almost 20 years’ experience New, reconditioned and rental available Friendly, personal service Free, no obligation survey 24/7, 365 days call-out Repairs and servicing available Excellent customer feedback

info@prioritystairlifts.co.uk www.prioritystairlifts.co.uk @Prioritystairlifts

/prioritystairlifts

5 miles + (available please call the store)

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

13

FOOD & RETAIL

01246 559331 Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:30pm Saturday 10:00am - 3:00pm

THINKING OF GOING AWAY FOR EASTER? Did you know we offer daily, short & long term wheelchair hire

Now Available: Tracks & Trails Community Service giving you access to your local tracks, trails & parks

Wheelchair and Electric Scooter hire Servicing Battery & Charger Testing Breakdown and repair services Safety checks 14

Driving Tests

Chesterfied Shop Mobility Ltd Ground Floor Multi-Story Car Park New Beetwell Street Chesterfield S40 1QR Company No: 07106728 Registered Charity No: 1136369

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

FOOD & RETAIL

Fleet Scooter

Community Scooter

Power Chair

Boot Scooter Ground Floor Multi-Storey Car Park New Beetwell Street Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

S40 1QR 01246 559 331

Membership - £8.00 per year Daily Hire - £3.00 for 4 hours A daily hire service which you can hire a mobility scooter, powerchair or wheelchair to go into Chesterfield Town Centre to the shops, for appointments or just to get out.

Mobility Scooters & Power Chairs £6.00 per full day & overnight £15.00 per week £60.00 per month

You can hire mobility equipment on a short term hire, from a full day, overnight, week or a month To advertise please call 01773 549 035

15

FOOD & RETAIL

Blinds, Curtains or Shutters Beautiful Plantation shutters

Bay windows are our speciality

Curtain poles and tracking

Blinds & Curtains to meet your budget

Choose from a vast selection of fabrics in the comfort of your own home so you can buy with confidence in the knowledge that we have over 30 years of professional experience.

Call us to book a home visit 01773

771 457 | 07733 184 208

email:premiersales@hotmail.co.uk www.premierblindsandcurtains.co.uk

The all-new Sportage.

Built for endless inspiration.

Now available in Hybrid.

Pre-order your Sportage today.

Draycotts (Sutton-in-Ashfield)

Mansfield Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 4HH | 01623510777 www.draycotts.net

NU 22 REG

MAR 1ST

Fuel consumption in mpg (I/100km) for the model shown: Combined 48.7 (5.8), CO2 emissions 132g/km. MPG figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. The figures shown here are for limited comparison purposes; fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are tested using WLTP. Only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. For more information about WLTP please refer to kia.com/uk. Model shown: all-new Sportage ‘GT-Line S’ 1.6 T-GDI 226bhp 6-speed auto HEV 2WD at £39,445 including premium Experience Green with black roof paint at £800. Kia Sportage range available from £26,745. Specification varies across the range and is subject to change without notice. 7 year / 100,000 mile manufacturer’s warranty. For full terms and exclusions visit kia.com/uk/owners

16

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

£175

CHESTER AND THE WIRRAL PENINSULA 11-16 JULY HB

£450

SCOTLAND, ORKNEYS AND THE CASTLE OF MEY 19-24 JULY HB

£642

Do youSTEAM need...

LAKE DISTRICT & CRUISE 25-30 JULY HB

FOOD & RETAIL

HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW 10-12 JULY HB

£446

COLCHESTER ANDCards CONSTABLE COUNTRY 25-30 JULY HB Business

£410

Flyers EUROPEAN COACHING Website Logo IRELAND CAUSEWAY COASTER 27 JUNE-02 JULY HB Workwear Etc...ROMANTIC RHINE 29 JULY-04 AUG HB GERMANY

£568 £807

GET IN TOUCH TO PORTUGAL PORTO AND DOURO VALLEY 05-14 SEPT HB FIND OUT MORE!

£1057

IRELAND COAST TO COAST 01773 317 148 12-19 SEPT HB

£759

ITALY DOLOMITES 25 SEPT-05 OCT HB

£956

hello@artliffdesign.com artliffdesign.com

BELGIUM BRUGES XMAS MARKETS 29 NOV-02 DEC B&B

£308 Slacks Travel

2022_V14_FINAL.qxp_

Layout 1 14/10/2021

DAY EXCURSIONS 2022 BROCHURE AVAILABLE

15:36 Page 1

Travel

CORONAVIRUS STATEMENT EARLY BOOKINGS ADVISABLE *ADMISSIONS Please INCLUDED OAP/CHILD NT MEMBERS note that all vehicles willADULT be thoroughly disinfected prior to every trip 202

SAT 22 MAY HARROGATE BRITISH COACHING SAT 29 MAY WHITBY

WEYMOUTH 28 MAR – 1 APR (HB)

2

and new air purification systems have been installed

£26 CONTINENTAL COACHING £28

British & Continental Coaching Holidays

ALL TOURS

WITH LOCAL

PICKUPS

£360

HOLLAND, FLORIADE 02 – 06 JUN (HB)

SAT 5ATJUNE LLANDUDNO BRISTOL EASTER 15 – 18 APR (HB)

£357

£28 SWITZERLAND AND THE BERNINA EXPRESS 23 – 30 JUL (HB)

NORTHUMBRIA AT EASTERTIME SAT 12 JUNE YORK 15 – 18 APR (HB)

£340

FRANCE, AUVERGNE £2614 – 21 SEPT (HB)

EASTBOURNE 18 – 22 APR (HB)

£423

IRELAND, KILLARNEY AND THE RING OF KERRY 26 SEPT – 2 OCT (HB) £727

SPIRIT OF KENT 18 – 22 APR (HB)

£453

PORTUGAL, PORTO AND THE DOURO VALLEY 02 – 11 OCT (HB)

WED 2 JUNE CHESTER / CHESTER ZOO (ADMISSION£350 NOT IRELAND INC) DONEGAL£25 25 JUN – 1 JUL (HB)

WESTON SUPER MARE 04 – 08 APR (HB)

SUN 13 JUNE HARRY POTTER TOUR

SAT 19COURT JUNEPALACE BBCTULIP GARDENERS WORLD HAMPTON FESTIVAL 23 – 24 APR (HB)

£181

YORK YORKSHIRE 25 - 29 APR (HB) SAT&26 JUNE COAST WHITBY

£397

THE LION KING - MUSICAL 28 – 29 APR (B&B)

£225

MAMMA MIA THE MUSICAL 28 – 29 APR (B&B)

£212

SIDMOUTH – 07 MAY (HB) SAT 17 03 JULY WINDSOR

£415

LOOE 06 – 12 MAY (HB)

£596

SAT 3 JULY

COTSWOLDS MYSTERY

SAT 10 JULY LIVERPOOL PORTSMOUTH & SOUTHSEA 02 – 06 MAY (HB)

SAT 24 JULY TATTON PARK FLOWER SHOW

£391

£77

£707 £883 £817

£69

£49 DAY EXCURSIONS EARLY BOOKINGS £28 ADVISABLE ADULT *ADMISSIONS INCLUDED

SAT 19 MAR SAT 26 MAR SAT 09 APR SAT 23 APR SAT 23 APR SAT 07 MAY

£528

£27FOR PLEASURE - NEC* SEWING LIVERPOOL £25 STRATFORD £30 SPRING FLOWER SHOW* HARROGATE HARROGATE £50 RHS MALVERN SPRING FLOWER SHOW*

£1057

OAP NT /CHILD MEMBERS

£32 £26 £26 £46.50 £26 £49

K.V.&G.L SLACK LTD. THE TRAVEL CENTRE, UPPER LUMSDALE, MATLOCK DE45LB www.slackscoaches.co.uk E& O.E To advertise please call 01773 549 035

17

FOOD & RETAIL

Eclectic Delights of Serendipity Stockists of unique products

• Leather handbags, wallets and purses from Ashwood Leather and Zatchels.

• Large range of the award-winning Frenchic paint.

• Large jewellery collections in silver and precious stones including the famous ‘Blue John’.

• Educational and fun Children’s products range including Clockwork Soldier, Apples to Pears activity tins, recycle me kits from Inside Out Toys and the fabulous Djecko range.

• Soft toys in all shapes and sizes from Wilberry.

• The Puppet Jomanda.

Company,

Suki

and

• Gifts from some quirky and original British companies including Wot Ma Like coasters and keyrings, enamel pins from Glitter Punk.

• The Curious Pancakes sweary pencils and pens, the beautiful Emma Ball ranges and Waggy Dogz

• My Memento print your own items in store in minutes. Personalised cards, magnets and keyrings from just £2.99.

• We now have a large ladies boutique upstairs and one side of our shop is a fabulous children’s toy area. With great gifts throughout the shop we are the perfect Christmas shopping destination.

• Huge range of helium balloons and cards for all occasions.

• Arts and crafts from Sweet poppy Stencils, Stencil Studio, Faber & Castell and Creative.

Open 7 days a week from 11am - 5.30pm

Matlock Bath, South Parade. DE4 3NR

18

Telephone 01629 593 990 or 07506 681 946

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads www.eclecticdelightsofserendipity.co.uk

Fill in all the numbers!

This is a sudoku 1 square grid 81 cells 9 3x3 blocks 1 simple rule: Use all the numbers 1-9, with no duplicates allowed, in any row, column, or block.

This puzzles has been devised by the brilliant Professor Rebus. For more of his puzzles visit www.pitcherwits.co.uk

6 7 1

!

FOOD & RETAIL

SUDOKU #20

5 8 4

6 3 8 3 6 7 1 9 5 9 6 1 7 2 8 9 6 2

1 6 9 2 4 3 8 6 7

Family owned confectionery store returns to Alfreton MARKET. e ut time w “It is abo ours y e k li ll a had a st arket” in this m

“Goodness me! why are yo ur cakes so cheap?”

“Hope you will be here every week”

“What a lovely selection of old fashioned sweets and caramels”

and “Cheap prices good dates” “Nice big bags of biscuits. I have a lot of kids to feed so you will see me often”

• Those are just a few of the comments we heard when Draycott Confectionery opened their new stall in Alfreton Indoor Market in February.

• All cakes are major brands at reduced prices and they have a large selection of favourite biscuits packed in large family size packets.

• Its worth popping into the market to see for yourselves.

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

19

FOOD & RETAIL

Alfreton & District Heritage Trust

The Hanging Tree Fact or Fiction?

For as long as I can remember there has always been talk of the existence of a Hanging Tree on Meadow Lane, Alfreton somewhere in the region of what is now Tavistock Square. The question really is whether there is evidence to support the Legend.

Let’s look at what we know: In the reign of Edward III which was from 1327 – 1377 the Lord of Alfreton, Thomas Chaworth, claimed a Park and right of free warren at Alfreton, with the privilege of having a gallows, tumbrel and pillory for the manor.

Gallows is a term most of us are familiar with along with pillory or stocks but what of tumbrel? My initial thoughts were of the carts transporting aristocrats to the guillotine during the French Revolution but the name also refers to the old Latin name for a ducking stool. While in some places women (and some men) were ducked on stools in order to establish whether or not they were witches, the more common means of identifying them was to throw them into the water with a rope attached to see whether or not they floated (guilty) or sank (not guilty).

So cart or ducking stool, we’ll never know!

20

But what of the Gallows and Meadow Lane? Well we can say that in the reign of Good Queen Bess (Elizabeth I) who ruled from 1558 – 1603 a Gallows Tree Meadow is recorded at Alfreton and its location is confirmed as Meadow Lane in the early 19C. The land was pasture and consisted of nine and one third acres. The last known owner was a Mr. Holmes.

Why then should gallows be on Meadow Lane? It was the custom to site gallows by a major road to deter would be criminals and of course Meadow Lane was the main route out of Alfreton in ancient times when travelling north towards Shirland.

Sadly no records exist to confirm who, if anyone, met their death there but it is a story engrained in the town’s history.

We are looking for volunteers!

If interested pop along to the Heritage centre Sunday's 2pm - 4pm for more information.

Pop over to our website to see more about the Alfreton Heritage Society on www.alfretonanddistrictheritagetrust.wordpress.com Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

FOOD & RETAIL

OUT NOW DISCOVER OUR 2022 COACH HOLIDAY COLLECTION DOOR-TO-DOOR HOLIDAYS | OR FREE JOINING POINTS

FROM NOTTINGHAM MOUNT STREET, MANSFIELD AND DERBY BUS STATION

SETTLE TO CARLISLE RAILWAY

DATE

SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY & SHREWSBURY

DAYS

FROM

Sat 26 Mar

2

£135

Sat 7 May

2

£139

DATE

Sat 16 Jul

2

£139

Sat 6 Aug

2

£139

Sat 10 Oct

2

£139

PAIGNTON & THE ENGLISH RIVIERA

DATE

WEYMOUTH & THE WONDERS OF WESSEX

DAYS

FROM

DATE

DAYS

FROM

Sat 23 Apr

2

£129

Thu 5 May

5

£345

Sat 8 Oct

2

£135

Tue 14 Jun

5

£385

Tue 9 Aug

5

£365

SCENIC CUMBRIA & THE LAKE DISTRICT

DAYS

FROM

DATE

Mon 18 Apr

5

£359

Wed 25 May

Sat 14 May

7

£525

Mon 19 Sep

5

£359

JACOBITE STEAM & CRUISE

DAYS

FROM

DATE

5

£395

Mon 30 May

BOOK To advertise TO please callCALL: 017730115 549 9770 035 080 |VISIT: WWW.SKILLS.CO.UK

DAYS

FROM

5

£499

21

FOOD & RETAIL

PINXTON CARPETS & BEDS Pinxton Carpets and Beds is a local, family run, business offering convenience, combined with expertise and value for money.

The big chain stores often have high costs as they are in high street or large retail park locations, generating high overheads in terms of rent, rates and advertising, and these costs are passed on to the customer making purchases.

Pinxton Carpets and Beds is located in a lower cost but very convenient site, and thus is able to offer similar products at a lower price.

At the shop, you will not be greeted by a salesman hoping to sell you the most expensive product, but by a flooring expert who will discuss your needs and assist you in finding the right product in terms of quality, suitability, and in keeping with your budget. Customer service is a core value, and customer satisfaction and retention are extremely important to us.

In order to offer the best possible service, in addition to our traditional stock of carpets, vinyls, beds and blinds we have now added a range of high-quality solid oak furniture to our range of products. Once again, we are able to offer these high-end products at a cheaper rate than the big stores. We offer lower prices but never compromise on quality.

Pinxton Carpets and Beds aim to make shopping for your home a pleasant and affordable experience, with top quality products and service.

Do call in to see what we have to offer.

PINXTON CARPETS & BEDS CARPETS  VINYLS  BEDS  BLINDS

�e�s a�� �a�resses at half the price of retail park stores WITH

22

81 WHARF ROAD, PINXTON NG16 6LH OPEN TUE-SAT 9-3 Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads TEL 01773 811878 Don’t forget to mention

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Living Made Easy with Bathroom Adaptations Family-run business established 20 years

Workmanship Lifetime Guarantee Walk-in showers Walk-in baths Anti-slip flooring Custom made for people with mobility issues Beautiful bathroom designs Free CAD drawing on request Wall panelling options

Concessions for over 60’s, Derbyshire Gold Card members and NHS T&Cs: † Calls to our 0800 0855 518 number are free from all UK based landlines & mobiles.

Call freephone† 0800 08 555 18 Or book online: www.flamecare.co.uk Flamecare (Homeplan) Ltd, 65-67 Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield S40 2AL.

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

23

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

MANDY’S TRAVEL PAGE

Hi I’m Mandy your Personal Travel Counsellor.

As restrictions are starting to ease and the World is beginning to open up again, I thought I’d tempt you with a tasty little River Cruise that is simply glorious for Spring time.

Amsterdam, Kinderdijk & the Dutch Bulbfields 5 day River Cruise Experience historic maritime cities, where innovation meets the traditions of the past, plus the authenticity of iconic windmills and the floral masterpiece of the colourful Dutch bulb fields.

The stunning bulbfields really are an amazing sight.

In Keukenhof Park there are a staggering 7 million blooms covering 80 acres in a riot of colour whilst imaginative landscaping shows off mother-nature at her outstanding best with shimmering lakes, water-gardens and flowering shrubs of every hue.

Price Includes:

You will also explore the Ijsselmeer, the inland lagoon created by the damming of the Zuider Zee in the 1930’s and discover the series of beautiful villages along its shore which have made their living from the sea for centuries. It was from here during the 16th century Golden Age, that the Dutch roamed the world in search of the spices, silks and luxury goods which Europe’s aristocracy craved and today they are little changed since this time. Blend this with Amsterdam, one of Europe’s most vibrant and fascinating cities and a wonderful few days are in store.

Flights from Birmingham •

Full board from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day; if you choose to travel with us on any of the full day excursions by coach, a packed lunch will be provided. Anyone choosing to stay on the ship may of course have lunch in the restaurant

•

Morning/afternoon tea and coffee

•

All visits and excursions as mentioned

•

Airport transfers

•

Coach travel as mentioned

•

Travel to and from port of embarkation

•

The services of a Riviera Travel cruise director and concierge throughout

This river cruise is available in April 2022 and April 2023 Lead-in price £1009.00 per person (2nd April 2022) £959.00 per person (1st April 2023) Based on two people sharing Add an onboard drinks package for £59.00 per person

MANDY OLDKNOW T: 01773 318 540 • M: 07939 587 867 mandy.oldknow@travelcounsellors.com 24 www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/mandy.oldknow Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

With us.. its personal

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Direct Factory Blinds Ltd

Bespoke blinds, curtains and shutters Free temporary vertical blinds with any shutter order X3 Verticals fitted from £90 X3 Rollers fitted from £120 (Size and fabric restrictions apply)

Services We Offer Blinds • Shutters • Curtains • Trade Direct Factory Blinds is the name you can rely on for made-to-measure

Free Call Alfreton - 0808 155 8256

dfblinds@hotmail.co.uk • www.directfactoryblinds.co.uk Read our reviews To advertise please call 01773 549 035

on Yell

25

FOOD & RETAIL

CLAY CROSS SOCIAL CENTRE MARKET STREET, CLAY CROSS IS THE IDEAL VENUE FOR:

Wedding Receptions • Small or Large Parties Community Events • Public Meetings • Much More...

WE STILL HAVE A GOOD SELECTION OF DATES AVAILABLE FOR 2022!

Find us on Facebook

BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!

For further information contact the Clay Cross Parish Council Office on:

01246 862 812 or 01246 861 406 www.claycross.gov.uk

COACH TOUR HOLIDAYS

DO OR PIC TO D K U OO P! R

ALL HALF BOARD INCLUDING EXCURSIONS & ENTERTAINMENT! WORCESTER BLOSSOM TRAIL Fownes Hotel Mon 11th - Thur 14th April 4 Days • £299

LLANDUDNO

Tynedale Hotel Mon 18th – Fri 22nd April 5 days • £435

WARNER’S LEISURE

Cricket St Thomas Hotel Somerset Mon 2nd - Fri 6th May 5 days • £475

Mystery Hotel Sat 7th – Sun 8th May 2 Days • £99

Local Pick Up Points

CHESTER

Queen Hotel Sun 15th – Mon 16th May Local Pick 2 Days • £115 Up Points

EASTBOURNE

Haddon Hall Hotel Sun 15th - Thur 19th May 5 days • £360

FOR A 2022 BROCHURE OR TO BOOK: PHONE: 01773 590 808 01246 604 764 or 07483 357 958 Go online WWW.CLAIRSCOACHES.CO.UK

NEW BOOKING OFFICE: Parkvilla,124 Market Street, Clay Cross, Derbyshire S45 9LY 26

WEYMOUTH

MYSTERY BREAK

Prince Regent Hotel Fri 20th – Tues 24th May 5 days • £355

JERSEY BY AIR

Norfolk Lodge Hotel Sun 22nd - Sat 28th May 7 days • £735

YORK & WHITBY

Queens Hotel Sun 5th – Mon 6th June 2 days • £115

MOBILE BOOKING OFFICE LOCATIONS 2nd Tuesday of each month 9am – 1pm | South Normanton Market Place 2nd Thursday of each month 9.30am - 12.30pm | Bolsover Market 2nd Friday of each month 9am – 1pm | Ripley Market Place

Local Pick Up Points

3rd Tuesday of each month 9am - 12noon | Blackwell Community Centre 3rd Thursday of each month 9am – 1pm | Alfreton Severn Square Car Park (Outside B&M) 3rd Friday of each month 9am – 1pm | Sutton-in-Ashfield, Portland Square

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

A COMPLETE LOOK FOR

£2,499.00

S EEP SW ALL Y E C MN NG 8 CHI RVICI 378O! E S 8 & 3 5 9 E INF 011 R MOR FO

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

WINTER PACKAGE DEAL

KIMBERLEY Fireplaces Ltd

INCLUDING FITTING

WHAT YOU WILL GET: • Choice of 2 EcoDesign Approved 5kw Multifuel Stoves

• 316 flexible flue liner & pot hanging cowl

• Front and Inner hearths with choices in various materials and colours

• A paintable cement board chamber • A non-combusible beam in choice of finishes

• Stove pipe & register plate • Waste removal • CO2 alarm • Installation, Commissioning & HETAS certification

£2,499.00 BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!

CONTACT US

www.kimberley-fires-stoves.co.uk • kimberleyfireplacesandstoves@mail.com Please contact us for a FREE no obligation home visit

0115 938 3788

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

27

WILKINSON BROS LTD Independent Family Funeral Directors Est. 1952

l a n o i s Profes s e c i v r e S

A completely professional 24 hour service, covering all areas Private Chapel of Rest in peaceful surroundings We will provide you with a personal and sympathetic service, looking after all your needs and wishes Pre-arranged Funeral Plans, tailored to your specific wishes, are available

Our Family Looking After Your Family Email: info@wilkinsonbros.co.uk Web: www.wilkinsonbros.co.uk

TEL: 01773 811371 10 Church Hill, Old Blackwell, DE55 5HN

Apartments Available to Purchase From £75,000 Bungalows Available to Purchase From £90,000 1 Bedroom Rental Options Available from £525 per calender month (inclusive of service charge) Bond Deposit Required.

Care Packages can be facilitated

28

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

PC SUPPORT Computer Specialist • Problems fixed • Internet setup • Upgrades • Nertworking • Advice • Crashes 3 YEARS WARRANTY ON NEW DESKTOP PCs

CALL OUT SERVICE PROVIDED

“ Any problem just call, maybe I can fix it over the phone”

Open 7 days a week 9:00am - 9:00pm 01773 609 390 07814 665 143

We accept credit card payments

TEL: 01773 424 114 or 07542 981 558

www.pc-support-online.co.uk

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

29

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

ALFRETON CARE HOME SECURE DERBYSHIRE DIGNITY AWARD AGAIN The Meadows care home have scooped the Derbyshire Dignity Award again for another two years, after providing expert support to the residents of the Alfreton home.

This was awarded by Derbyshire County Council after they observed the home's commitment to ‘genuinely improving culture of dignity in services across Derbyshire’. The report also stated ‘All the dignity champions ensure that they treat everyone as an individual and respect their wishes.’

The home on Mansfield Road is a part of the Milford Care group which is known across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire for their Montessori approach to care.

This approach has been proven to help develop resident’s independence and gain confidence whilst being cared for by the Montessori-trained care staff.

Activities to help build this Montessori approach included making the bed, making a cup of tea, helping to fold towels, tending to the garden and many more.

Michelle Sanders, Home Manager of The Meadows said, “I couldn’t be prouder of the staff after they have worked so hard to gain this award. Every decision made within the home is for the residents and it’s so nice to see the residents continue to grow and not let go of who they are or what they like to do.”

To find out more about The Meadows, email enquiries@milfordcare.co.uk or call the home to have a friendly chat on 01773 520491.

30

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Would you like to make a difference in award-winning care homes?

NOW HIRING NURSING STAFF £18.23 - £18.81ph / Visa sponsorship available The Meadows care home (rated Good) are looking for permanent, full-time nurses and senior nurses to join their fantastic, award-winning team.

If you are a registered nurse who treats others with respect, listens to their needs and understands their emotions, we want you!

Please send your applications to hr@milfordcare.co.uk or call 07542940874 w w549 . m035 ilfordcare.co.uk To advertise please call w 01773

31

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Trafford Lowe Funeral Services 24 Hour Personal Service with prompt attention

An independently owned company which offers a traditional and caring service with attention to detail.

Proudly serving Somercotes, Alfreton, Selston and all surrounding areas

Call us on: 01773 602 593 23-25 High Street, Alfreton Derbyshire, DE55 7DR 166 Somercotes Hill, Somercotes, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 4HU

Providers of Funeral Plans

32

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Book Review

Val McDermid, Scottish crime writer extraordinaire, has a new heroine.

Allie Burns is, as McDermid herself once was, an aspiring young journalist. For Allie, getting the story is everything. Are the methods and the human casualties of her passion for getting the front page splash a little iffy? Interesting point.

Ms McDermid sets her novel 1979 in that year. 1979, as we know, became historically tagged as the year of discontent for the strikes and civil unrest which nearly tore “broken Britain” apart. In Scotland thousands of lorry drivers were on strike and it was the run up to devolution. The rich were getting richer and it was a time when businessmen doing dodgy tax deals were actually frowned on, rather than greeted with a shrug.

But this is only the backdrop, Allie works in the newsroom of a Scottish national newspaper, full of sexism, homophobia and three hour boozy lunches, where the news is crammed with clichés and bad puns, miracle babies and sob stories.

It’s a great snapshot of an era, but the storylines are pure crime, with a bit of ethics for good measure. It’s Val McDermid’s 35th book and the first of five moving through the decades with Allie Burns as the protagonist. Watch this space.

Does your Septic Tank need checking?

01773 767 612

Our experienced local team can drop by for a ‘lift the lid’ type survey and discuss your specific situation.

The MPC Services team are here to help make sure that your sewage system is working well, properly maintained, up to date with the latest compliance regulations, working quietly and energy efficient. We can provide you with competitive pricing for your scheduled de-sludging, tank emptying, annual maintenance and repairs to help make sure that you are getting good value for money.

Ask us about:  Annual maintenance, call-outs or repairs � Tank emptying � Any bad smells, noises or other sewage issues � Property transactions & compliance

MPC Services (UK) Ltd

1 Heanor Gate Rd, Derbyshire, DE75 7RJ

enquiries@mpcservices.co.uk www.mpcservices.co.uk Company Reg No. 0608117

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

33

WHO WAS WILLIAM MAURICE? You’ll recognise the name Davy lamp in mines but who was William Maurice and his contribution to mining safety?

William Maurice, who died on the 10th July, 1951, was born on the 11th February, 1872. He received his engineering education at Manchester Technical College and his practical training with J. Davis and Son in Derby. On completing his apprenticeship, he remained with that company for a few years. In 1892-93 he was in South Africa on their behalf, and in 1894 he was appointed Electrical Engineer at Swanwick Collieries, Alfreton, where he subsequently became Assistant to the Manager, under whom he qualified as a colliery manager. In 1899 he was appointed Manager of the Babbington Coal Co.’s Tibshelf New Colliery, and in 1903 he went to Hucknall Collieries, near Nottingham, as General Mine Manager. Here Maurice met a number of influential people that were to shape his life and career in many ways and the way miner’s safety was considered – the Seeley family and Stuart Crawford-Wardell.

As a budding engineer, in 1905 he installed at Hucknall Torkard the first exhaust-steam turbo-alternator to be used in a British mine, and in 1908 he added a booster motor-generator and equalizing battery. He was the first to develop the thin seams of the Leen Valley and the first to use electric coal-cutters in that area. In 1911 he left Hucknall Torkard and entered into an agreement with the firm of Friemann and Wolf, of Saxony, for the purpose of re-establishing the Wolf Safety Lamp Co of Leeds, in Sheffield, and in 1916 he purchased the entire English business of the company. From 1920, for more than ten years, he was also associated with the Concordia Co. (C.E.A.G.) of Dortmund.

In 1912-13 he developed the first “alkaline” lamp to be so called; the first large installation of these lamps was at Grassmore Collieries in 1914. Many important improvements were made

in 1919 and again in 1924, when the first two-part lamps were installed at Birchenwood Collieries, Kidsgrove. The first 4-volt (lead-acid accumulator) miner’s hand-lamp of modern design was produced by his Federation Lamp Co. in 1928; and the first alkaline battery with Edison tubular positive plates and concentric terminals was produced by that company in 1930. In 1932 he formed another company—the Wolf Safety Lamp (Hiring) Co.—and in 1933 he purchased the premises known as the Saxon Road Works, Heeley, Sheffield, which he reconstructed and equipped with new electrically operated machinery for the more economical production of his Wolf lamps and alkaline accumulators.

He joined The Institution as an Associate in 1896 and was elected an Associate Member in 1899 (just as the Boer War started) and a Member in 1909, in which year he organized and founded the Association of Mining Electrical Engineers.The same year saw the publication of his “Shot-Firer’s Guide”—a practical manual on electric blasting apparatus and explosives, and on the prevention of accidents in mines. His paper on “The Evolution of the Miner’s Electric Hand-Lamp,” for which he was awarded a premium, was published in the Journal in 1937. In many ways it was his daughter Monica who was the more famous engineer of the family, but certainly William’s grounding in the north Derbyshire coalfields was where many a miner are indebted to his engineering genius.

Contact: East Peak Countryside Associates CIC Email: eastpeakcic@gmail.com

Tel: 07854 646 742

Pitcherwits

®

Pitcherwits® are crossword puzzles where some of the clues are in pictures.

Sound easy? It’s not called “Pit-your-wits” for nothing!

The mixture of cryptic and picture clues, combined with Professor Rebus’ unique sense of humour, will keep you entertained for hours.

1

2

3

Across 6 It makes for rocky foundations (or rather not!) (4) 7 It used to be agony at first (3) 8 Impact of the bulge (4) 14 High speed panache? (4) 15 One or two, say, in total (3) 16 Two ways in which to hold a number (4)

4 5

6

7

8 9

11

12

10

Down 3 Undulates, with last out being unwarranted (5) 4 Amino compound from the Arab world (5) 12 Humdrum ballet in the middle of the dance (5) 13 As a result of bits of kitchen ceiling coming down (5)

13 14

15

16

17

Across

Down

1

Make up your mind about ice pounded and compacted (6,4)

1

Is this just one big fiddle to dab blouses clean? (6,4)

9

The mint of an empire? (8)

2

Pen Iris a missive to encourage her (7)

11 Make a complete pig, say, of the exploratory drilling (8)

5

Top cover for spin/ pace players? (6,4)

17 Section groups to tie cargoes into (10)

10 Creatures can redecorate and let the cat out (3,4)

ANSWERS FOR LAST MONTHS PITHERWITS Across: 1 Rifle ranges, 5 U-shaped, 9 Earn, 10 Pass, 11 Croci, 12 Isle, 13 Axis, 14 Hen-toed, 16 Powder rooms.

Down: 1 Rocketing up, 2 Flu, 3 God, 4 Soul sisters, 6 Sincere, 7 Account, 8 Expiate, 14 How, 15 Dso.

KIDS & FAMILIES

nd a s d r o w e Guess th d! ! r o w s s o Fill in the cr

36

This puzzles has been devised by the brilliant Professor Rebus. For more of his puzzles visit www.pitcherwits.co.uk

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

for a FREE valuation! www.derbyshireproperties.com

House Prices are at a high!

If you are looking to sell or let your property and would like some expert advice on the current market conditions, please call 01773 832 355 to arrange your Free No Obligation Valuation of your home.

We have genuine applicants registered looking to purchase properties in your area.

PET SERVICES

Call 01773 832 355

Mention Voice Alfreton for a FREE EPC Certificate (When instructing your Property for sale)

What we offer: Residential Sales

Property Valuations

You will work with fully trained staff to achieve the very best possible price for your home, whilst dealing with all enquiries professionally, promptly and with courtesy throughout the whole transaction.

Our experienced valuers will guide you through the latest market trends and conditions and provide you with an honest up-to-date market appraisal of your home.

Residential Lettings

Mortgage Advice

You are in safe hands with our dedicated lettings team. Carrying out comprehensive history and credit checks on potential tenants. Operating regulated client accounts, and offering you piece of mind with Landlords Rent Guarantee and Legal Protection Insurance.

Our qualified mortgage advisers can provide you with expert advice on the very latest mortgage deals. Appointments available either in the comfort of your own home, at our offices or by zoom call.

Alfreton Office: 20a King Street, Derbyshire DE55 7AG T: 01773 832 355 E: enquires@derbyshireproperties.com Belper Office: advertise call 01773DE56 5491AY 035 T: 01773 820 983 E: belper@derbyshireproperties.com 37 9To Bridge Street, please Belper, Derbyshire

This month we revive a walk from back in 2016. We always re walk and rework the walks, which is fortunate as this time a right of way was blocked and we had to make a small detour. And it was well worth the effort as this is a cracking walk, with some lovely views on the way out and a opportunity to walk along a section of the Trans Pennine Trail.

A mid-length walk for you and your dog!

This walk is fairly flat and should take around 2½-3 hours to complete. There is a range of terrain, with some muddy and uneven sections and a few sections of road, so take plenty of care and make sure you wear appropriate footwear.

6-MILE CIRCULAR FROM POOLSBROOK COUNTRY PARK

START: POOLSBROOK COUNTRY PARK EAST CAR PARK, OFF ERIN ROAD (A6192), STAVELEY, CHESTERFIELD, DERBYSHIRE.

1.

38

Go back through the car park entrance and 2. cross straight over the road to continue along a footpath. After a short distance at a T-junction of footpaths turn right following an arrow on a marker posts. After a short distance follow the path around to the left and then continue straight ahead.

Ignoring other paths, continue until the path begins bend around to the left. At this point turn right through some trees and head steep downhill. At the bottom of the hill pass through a width restrictor, a metal gate and then cross an old railway track.

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

Pass through another gate, width restrictor and continue over a footbridge. Now continue ahead with a pond on your left.

4.

Continue straight ahead until reaching a metal kissing gate. Turn left along a footpath just prior to the kissing gate and continue ahead through some trees.

Continue an eventually pass some farm buildings on your right.

5.

After the farm pass through a metal kissing gate and then turn immediately to the left along a signposted bridle path.

6. Continue with a hedge on both sides and when the hedges end continue straight ahead to cross a stone bridge. Turn right and carry on to meet a road. At the road bear left to a t-junction. Turn left along Ralph Road to meet the Main Road (A619).

7. Turn right on the main road and cross when safe. Continue for some distance until reaching a signpost for ‘Cuckoo Way’ (opposite a bus stop), turn left to take the path for Cuckoo Way. 8.

Continue along this path for some distance until reaching a marker stone with the

PET SERVICES

3.

number ‘6’ on it. At this point turn right and continue through the trees.

9.

After a short distance you will come out of the trees and continue with open views to your left. Continue to pass back through the trees and proceed with open views to your right. After a short distance continue with open fields on both sides. Continue for some distance until reaching a tarmac lane. Cross the lane diagonally right and continue along a signposted footpath.

10. Continue straight until reaching a marker post on your right. After the marker post and at a concrete post on your left turn left along a footpath. After a short distance turn left onto a trail.

11. Continue for a long distance and upon reaching a fork in the trail & bear right signposted for ‘Poolsbrook Country Park’. At a crossroads go straight ahead, signposted to ‘Poolsbrook Country Park’.

Continue to cross over a bridge and turn left, again, signposted for ‘Poolsbrook Country Park’.

12. Continue for some distance to pass under a road bridge and to reach a road. Cross the road and continue along the trail. After passing through a width restrictor go under a bridge and then over a road bridge.

13. Continue straight ahead until reaching a left turn signposted for ‘Poolsbrook Country Park’. At this point turn left and continue to a road. Cross straight over the road and turn immediately left downhill. Cross another road and then continue to skirt around the edge of a lake, keeping the lake on your right. Continue with the lake on the right to return to the car park.

This walk is for illustrative purposes only. Voice Magazines takes no responsibility for anyone who chooses to follow this route and encourages all walkers to obey all byelaws and signs and to respect the area they are walking in, ensuring they pick up all dog mess and obey the countryside code at all times.

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

39

Are you looking for someone to care for or pamper your pets?

We’ve got the service for you!

Pets

Fully insured, licensed & certified groomers, we offer a tailored service for each & every pet.

Bathing

Ear Cleaning

Grooming

Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning

Clipping Claws Clipping

For all your pet care needs contact Animal Ark! We Also offer Puppy Calls, Cat Visits, Small Pet Visits, Horse Care, House Sitting, Pet Taxi & More!

Tel:07702 558 104

Thank You NHS & Keyworkers

Info@animalarkpss.co.uk www.animalarkpss.co.uk

An amazing life deserves amazing end of life care.

Mobile vet practice specialising in end of life care.

All veterinary services are carried out in the comfort of your own home or garden.

01773 302 220

40

www.vetcarehome.co.uk

e Made the hardest tim

so peaceful.

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

HOME HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS & BEAUTY

THE FOOT LADY

Mobile Foot Health Specialist ANNA WILSON B.Sc Hons, MAFHP, MCFHP

& h t l a He y t u a e B

£20

app per oint men t

• Ingrowing / Thick Nails • Fungal Nail Infections • Corn Removal • Hard Skin Reduction • Athlete’s Foot • Fully Insured and DBS Checked Professional treatment for those with Diabetes, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis & the “High Risk” Foot.

For appointments, call Anna on:

0779 862 3109 THE PHOENIX FLIES AGAIN OVER SOMERCOTES 2022 SEES LOCAL PEOPLE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO BE COACHED FREE OF CHARGE AND TO BENEFIT FROM FREE CLUB MEMBERSHIP

PHOENIX BOWLS CLUB SOMERCOTES Do you want to make friends and socialise? Do you want to take part in a community sport?

Do you want to drink tea and coffee, over a chat? Do you enjoy being in the open air in a rural park?

If the answers to any of the above is yes!

Then a warm welcome awaits you at the Phoenix Flat Green Lawn Bowls Club

YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE, SO JUST POP ALONG AND HAVE A GO, IT’S FREE

CONTACT US: TEL: 01773 438 077 WWW.PHOENIXBOWLSCLUB.CO To advertise please call 01773 549 035

OUR CLUB WANTS YOU 41

42

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

HOME HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS & BEAUTY

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

43

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND THE 51% THAT MADE ME THINK.

Often when people book in to see me for anxiety issues they also mention a lack of confidence. It makes perfect sense that anyone struggling with unhelpful thoughts or feelings is pretty unlikely to be feeling strong and confident in themselves. It’s really a lack of trust in themselves and this feeling can show up in many people who aren’t necessarily battling a general tendency to worry or worse.

Where this most reliably turns up is in decision making.

Stands to reason that if I’m unsure of myself, then I’m highly unlikely to trust my judgement well enough to be comfortable in making a decision. I heard a story the other day about how Obama makes decisions and it really made me think. As the President of the US we can bet that Obama had a barrage of decisions flying at him not just daily but constantly. He didn’t have the luxury of dodging them or delaying them (ok, hands up all you procrastinators!): he HAD to make those decisions.

His approach was to reach a 51% degree of certainty about the decision and then act. That sounded pretty shocking to me, despite the fact that in our house we make light work of decisions. Obama’s philosophy is that procrastination is likely to cause more damage to the overall effectiveness of the Office of President than making some of the wrong decisions ever could. It set me thinking… if I had to assign a percentage of certainty to the decisions that I make, what would it be? Certainly more than 51%! I plumped in the end for an average of 65%.

Discussing this with my husband (also ‘Mr Speedy’ when it comes to making decisions) we began to speculate the degree of certainty that a couple of our close friends appear to need before jumping in and choosing an option, or making a decision. We both had a ‘lightbulb’ moment in realising that the only percentage these people were

comfortable with was 100%! Ah, OK, and how often can we actually have 100% certainty that a course of action is the right one? Surely NEVER? So looking in more detail at the thoughts and feelings they might go through when attempting to reach a decision it seems to be very different to ours… and ours in turn looks pretty risk averse compared to Mr Obama. What we and the ex President have in common is the expectation that 100% is not realistic.. after that it’s just a matter of degree. Our friends on the other hand painfully and lengthily work up the scale trying to get to a place of comfort in making a choice, but in reality only 100% will bring the comfort they’re seeking. So even 99% brings discomfort if only 100% will do.

I think there’s at least a couple of things going on here.. anxious thoughts are often scattered, making it harder to systematically work through an issue and often people who get caught up in cycles of unhelpful thinking learn to fear the feeling of discomfort or lack of certainty that for others might actually be exciting (adrenaline junkies you know who you are). Another aspect is personalisation.

When I make a decision and it turns out to be the wrong one, I can accept that without it needing to be connected in any way to my identity.. to who I am. Conversely, exploring this just yesterday with a client lacking in self confidence, I asked her what it would it mean if SHE made a decision that turned out to be the wrong one.

“That I am rubbish..that I can’t get anything right..” She could have gone on and on. You see the difference? My bum decisions (and some of Obama’s too) are just that … but hers feels like an indictment of who she is. And that’s why the therapy room is a helpful place for her to be right now.

What percentage certainty do YOU need before making a decision?

Article written by Sarah Kallend.

Sarah is an Emotional & Mental Health Therapist offering a variety of therapies at her base at Ogston Reservoir. You can find out more about Sarah at 44 www.sarahkallend.com Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads or get in touch at sarah@sarahkallend.com

sarah@sarahkallend.com 07707 067300

MOBILE FOOT CLINIC

S & K Doherty DipCFHP MPSPract

Over 10 years experience

Fully qualified and insured local foot health practitioners. All in the comfort of your own home.

Problematic conditions including: • Nails Trimmed • Thick nails reduced

• Callus reduction • Corn removal

Day & Evening Appointments Available

Tel: 07762 243202 To advertise please call 01773 549 035

HOME HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS & BEAUTY

ce fa nts ble to e a e tm ail c n v Fa poi a s p a ay w al

Anxiety Fears & Phobias Study Focus Relationships Sleeping Eating Smoking Trauma

MR MOBILITY UK

Trading Standards Approved Biggest & Best Showroom in Nottingham

OPEN 7 DAYS

Genuine £200 Off only with this advert

New Scooters Rise and Recliner Chairs and Beds

NEW Stairlifts fitted from only £800 Free Home Survey

Large range of used Scooters Servicing on Scooters & Stairlifts available Japanese Water Gardens, 251 Toton Lane, Stapleford, NG9 7JA

Call carol 0800 970 4813 or 07950 919 471 45

HEALTH & BEAUTY

YOUR INDEPENDENT HEARING CARE SPECIALIST Hearing Aids All the latest Aids to suit all budgets

Friendly Service Unlimited aftercare We have our own private carpark at our new clinic in Alfreton. Literally drive from door to door to see us without coming into contact with anyone else.

Tailored to your individual needs

Earwax

We are wearing PPE equipment at the moment so unfortunately you won’t see us smile, but we assure you of a warm welcome.

Safe removal by a qualified Audiologist

using all techniques including microsuction

10 High Street, Alfreton, Derbyshire. DE55 7BN

Home visits made by arrangement

www.stephentoon.org Tel: 01773 687060

One ear £50 both ears £70

S P R I N G N E W

F O R

A

S M I L E !

Spring cleaning for healthy gums & fresh breath

Calm & caring eam

GLENDAIRDENTAL.CO.UK CALL US NOW 01773 832164 info@glendairdental.co.uk

book your consultation today!

GLENDAIR DENTAL PRACTICE LIMES AVENUE, ALFRETON, DE55 7DW

Follow us @glendairdentalpractice

46

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

We are a small family business who offer many roofing related services Friendly and professional team with 35 years of experience Please call us for a FREE quotation

01773 848477 www.countymcandrewsroofing.co.uk

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

ROOFING

FASCIAS-SOFFITSGUTTERING-SPECIALIST ➤Fascia & Soffits Replacements ➤Vast Range Of Colours & Styles ➤Dry Verge-Covers ➤Shiplap Cladding ➤Concrete Gutter Replacements ➤All Maintenance Work Undertaken

Tel: 01773 848340 info@familiarfascias.co.uk www.familiarfascias.co.uk

Now only

£895

*

for a fully fitted electric garage door.

Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Our experienced installers will fit your new door and they’ll take away the old one too, so there’s no mess.

Give us a call today and we’ll come and measure up FREE of charge.

WAS £1,354 INCLUDING VAT.

CALL US TODAY ON:

01773 650 031 MOBILE:

07537 149 128 *Offer valid for openings up to 2.6m wide & including 2 remote controls, 55mm white slats, internal manual override.

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

47

NHS – YOU LOOKED AFTER US Now WE’LL look after you British Gas (per month**)

Central Heating, Plumbing & Drains & Gas Fire. Includes Annual Service

Complete Central Heating, Plumbing & Drains. Includes Annual Service

Standard

(per month**)

FlameCare Over 60s (per month**)

NHS Heroes (per month†*)

£40.81††

£23.95

£20.95

FIRST THREE MONTHS FREE

(Homecare 300)

£17.95

£15.95

FIRST THREE MONTHS FREE

£12.95 was £16.95

£10.95

FIRST THREE MONTHS FREE

£33.00†† (Homecare 100)

Boiler & Controls Cover, Includes Annual Service

FlameCare

£20.50††

was £27.95 was £21.95

was £24.95 was £19.95 was £14.95

Our promise to you JOIN US TODAY

Receive a FREE Initial Service Worth £85 – when you choose one of our comprehensive cover plans

Flame Care endeavour to provide first-class customer service, advice, workmanship and value for money to all our past, present and prospective customers.

Cover plan options We created our cover plans to suit a variety of domestic requirements and budgets. If you are unsure which plan would suit you, visit our website for more information.

Save even more if you’re OVER 60 If you are over 60 you can benefit from one of our dedicated cover plans. Not only will you receive the same level of service and cover, we’ve lowered the overall monthly cost even more. Visit the ‘over 60s’ page on our website for more information.

Why choose Flame Care?

Full Parts & Labour Guarantee.

Free initial service (Worth £85).

No minimum contract.

Price guarantee for first 12-months.

No excess.

Unlimited call-outs.

Accidental damage cover.

Additional discount for landlords with 2 or more properties.

Terms and conditions: †Calls to our 0800 0855 518 number are free from all UK based landlines & mobiles. *Prices may vary our website for our additional terms and conditions. **Prices shown are inclusive of VAT. †† Prices correct as of 01-01-21.

Third-party prices may vary. † cover-plan-deal/

Applying Is Easy

Call freephone† 0800 08 555 18 Or book online:

48

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Complete

Plastering & Damp Proofing Fast, friendly, reliable service with no mess All plastering work undertaken, including: • Artex cover-ups • Repair work • Drylining • Damp

(PCA

Competitive Prices • Fully Insured For a free, no obligation quote or advice call Anthony on:

01773 512209 07902 272541

TRIAL OFFER Try Our Trial Clean

Only £22 for 2 Hours

AL I N O M I T TES TRICAL XTREME

ELEC

Jules and his team have been advertising with me at Voice Magazines for a long time now, certainly in excess of 9 years! They are the ultimate professionals, never had a bad word said against them and I cannot even count how many times they have come to my rescue! I don’t give my stamp of approval lightly but these guys are one of the best at what they do! Thanks again team Xtreme, that’s another fine mess you’ve saved me from!

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore

- Emily Carrington-Morris

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

49

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

FREE* * Georgia toilet FREE

& basin toilet with Georgia Mother-of-one Chloe becomes first every bathroom & basin with order every bathroom bathroom fitter apprentice order

With skilled tradespeople in short supply, more and more women are turning to the tools.

ris

Apprentice Chloe Mor is learning on-the-job

Chloe Morris has joined AHM Installations as their first on-the-job apprentice bathroom fitter.

most sought-after roles after painting and decorating.

(Source: Go Compare Women in Trade Report, 2021)

“I was working in retail and I could see it was dying,” Chloe said. “I’ve always been hands on – I’ll always give DIY stuff a try – so I thought I’d go for it. Now I’m learning something new every day and I love it.”

“The demand for safe, affordable bathing has increased significantly in the last few months and good fitters are in short supply. We know this is a challenge faced by many firms, and we’re doing our bit by training people from the very start of their career, Wet director rooms like with Chloe,” said Charlie•Symcox, at AHM Installations.

• Walk in showers Wet rooms

After leaving retail, Chloe took a role at McDonald’s with flexible hours so that she could study for a Level 2 plumbing qualification while caring for her son.

“We couldn’t do work experience at college because of Covid, so after college I was looking for on-the-job training roles. I needed hours that would work for my son’s drop off and pick up. When I saw the adverts for AHM I was quite surprised.”

Chloe applied for an apprenticeship with AHM Installations, a family-run company that designs and fits mobility bathrooms.

“I love seeing the before and after photos of the bathrooms and how we make the customers so happy,” Chloe said.

“I’ve studied health and social care in the past and grew up wanting to go into the NHS, so the mobility side of things is familiar to me. I love seeing the difference we make to people’s lives. The way AHM deals with its customers is amazing.”

Chloe’s career change reflects a growing trend where women are taking on trade apprenticeships, at a time when tradespeople are in short supply. The number of women training to work in a trade has increased 366% in the last 5 years, with plumbing and heating the second

www.ahminstallations.co.uk info@ahminstallations.co.uk

01773 303 201

50

For AHM, finding the right people for the job has become a challenge.

Bathing a p Bathing a p

“We select our people very carefully – we have • Waterproof wall p Walk inalways showers done – and we think that’s what sets us apart. We want • Slip resistant safep Waterproof wall to continue providing career opportunities that help our • Grab rails, showe Slip resistant safe people fulfil their personal ambitions.”

Grab showe Chloe’s trainer, Dan Newey, •has been atrails, the company Call for friendly advi for 6 years and recently took on the role of training new free survey and advi quot apprentice fitters.

Call for friendly

quot “AHM has always been good free to worksurvey for,” Dan and said. “I’d info@ahminstallati say what’s helped me get ahead is that I’m finicky!

I want * Terms and conditions info@ahminstallatia everything to be done exactly* as it should be and I don’t Terms and conditions a let things slide.

“Chloe is a good worker. She gets stuck in and works to Discover 134 x94.indd think 4 the same standard as everyone else.

I definitely 134having x94.indd 4 some customers feel moreDiscover comfortable a female fitter onsite.”

Chloe sees a bright future for herself as a bathroom fitter.

“I want to do well and progress within the company to get to where Dan is. I’d like to train other people in the future,” she said. “Also, women shouldn’t shy away from doing jobs like this. If we all get the job done to the same standard it really makes no difference.”

Charlie Symcox, director at AHM Installations with apprentice Chloe Morris

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

every bathroom COVID-19 order - SAFEGUARDING CUSTOMERS & COLLEAGUES

COVID-19 - SAFEGUARDING CUSTOMERS & COLLEAGUES FREE*

Mirrored cabinet or high raised toilet with any full bathroom installation

problem? – we can help problem? – we can help • Disabled Facilities Grants

and baths | 9.19/10 panelling and baths ety flooring panelling er seats & raised toilets ety flooring er seats & raised toilets

• Discounts for over Grants 60s and Disabled Facilities Service for personnel • EX Discounts over 60s and • Charity work and grants EX Service personnel • Charity work and grants

Bathing aaproblem?

We –can Bathing wehelp can help 02382 problem?

543308

ice and te and ice te • Wet • Grab rails,Grants shower • Wet rooms ions.co.uk www.ahminstallations.co.uk rooms • Disabled Facilities

02382 543308

seats &

apply, visitinour website for more details. ions.co.uk www.ahminstallations.co.uk • Walk showers and baths • Zero VAT on disabled bathrooms apply, visit our website for more details.

• Waterproof wall panelling • Discounts for over 60s, SSAFA and

raised toilets • Walk in showers and baths Zeropersonnel VAT on disabled • Slip resistant safetywall flooring • Waterproof panelling EX•Service 03/11/2020 08:04 • Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets bathrooms 03/11/2020 08:04 • Slip resistant • Automatic bidet loossafety flooring • Discounts for over 60s • Established familybidet business • Automatic loos SSAFA and Ex Service • Established family business COVID-19 - SAFEGUARDING CUSTOMERS & COLLEAGUES personnel Now taking orders for pre-Christmas • Disabled Facilities Grants fittings Call for friendly advice and free survey and quote

Call for our friendly advice, free survey and quote 01823 729564

Showroom open 7 days, Blackdown Garden Centre, Hockholler West Buckland TA21 9HY 01823 661910

01773 303201

info@ahminstallations.co.uk www.ahminstallations.co.uk

*Terms and conditions apply, visit our website for more information.

info@ahminstallations.co.uk www.ahminstallations.co.uk

Wellington 145 x 215 Sept.indd 1

To*Terms advertise call apply, 01773 visit 549 our 035website for more details. and please conditions

19/09/2020 13:29

51

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

52

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

International Day of Forests There seems to be a designated day for everything now doesn’t there. Cheese Day, Book Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day…on and on, seemingly ad infinitum! One International Day I have only just discovered is International Day of Forests - and this one I wholeheartedly approve of (not that I don’t appreciate Cheese Day - after all, is life worth living without cheese?!).

International Day of Forests happens every year on March 21st. It was created by the U.N. (United Nations) in 2012 in recognition of the fact that our planet needs forests, and WE need to protect and care for them. A theme is selected each year; this year, it is forests and sustainable production and consumption; and people across the world are encouraged to plant trees and look after their local woodlands.

When woodlands and forests are carefully managed, the wood produced is a sustainable and renewable resource that can be used for so many things. We probably all think of the wood we burn in our now fashionable log burners, but what else is wood used for?

Well, obviously, furniture, garden fences, and in construction - but wood can be, and is, used for so many other purposes, and new technology is constantly expanding the things that can be derived from or made of wood.

Did you know that cellophane is actually made from wood (also other organic material), which means that, unlike clingfilm which is oil-based, cellophane products will biodegrade.

It’s a complicated manufacturing process, and therefore cellophane is more expensive than clingfilm, but surely we should be moving back to using it, especially given that 1.2 billion metres, equating to 745,000 miles of clingfilm, is used by households across

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

Britain every year! Most of that plastic winds up in landfill as it is hard to recycle, and it takes hundreds of years to finally break down.

And what about construction? The 20th and early 21st centuries has seen the building industry rely almost exclusively on concrete and steel to construct our towns and cities, but in 2020 a group of Yale University scientists proposed that wood could largely replace these materials. Don’t believe it’s possible?

Google Mjøstårnet (or The Wood Hotel) in Norway, 18 stories and 85.4-metrehigh. The entire building, including the elevator shafts, is made entirely from CLT (cross laminated timber), and columns made from glued laminated timber (known as, glulam made from wood that is planed then glued together to form columns or beams, which can be used in the place of concrete or steel).

The next time you are in woodland, go and hug a tree - I’m an inveterate tree hugger - and thank it and its brethren for the good work they undertake on our behalf. A world without trees is unthinkable; we need them far more than they need us, and we should cherish our woodlands and forests.

These articles are researched and written by Laura Billingham, a local content writer and author. Laura moved to the Peak District several years ago to pursue her passion for writing.

To find out more visit www.landgassociates. co.uk or contact Laura on 07736 351 341

53

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Considering changing your bathroom?

Visit our Showroom in Riddings for inspiration & expert advice • Shower rooms & Ensuites • Bathroom Furniture & Storage • Easy Access Bathrooms • Tiles, Mirrors & Taps • Full Bathroom Suites • Space Saving Ideas

OPEN 6 DAYS www.metrobathrooms.co.uk

Tel: 01773 318 008 • Email: info@metrobathrooms.co.uk Unit 1, Windmill Business Park (off Greenhill Lane), • Mill Lane, Riddings, DE55 4DB (opposite Windlea Road)

Opening Hours: Mon to Fri - 9:00am until 4:00pm Sat - 10:00am until 3:00pm

FEMALE

STEVEN BLAgg

ELECTRiCAL

iNSTALLATioN, MAiNTENANCE & TESTiNg

• Consumer Unit Upgrades • External Power • Fault Finding • Rewires • Showers

• Extra Sockets & Lighting • TV Points (not aerials) • Telephone Points • CCTV & Alarms • Repairs

Gas, Heating & TRUSTED GAS Plumbing By Louise SAFE ENGINEER Ϣ Ϣ Ϣ Ϣ

Boiler installation Servicing & repairs Landlord reports System upgrades

CALL: 07850 258960 REGISTER

All electrical work undertaken Emergency call outs No job too small

For a Friendly & Reliable Service Contact Steve:

07968 337250 01773 741853

slbelec@yahoo.com

54

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

HeatSafe Plumbing & Heating Services

 Domestic & Commercial Works   Installation, Service, Breakdowns   Boilers, Cookers & Fires   Complete Bathrooms with Tiling   Free Quotes & Friendly Advice 

Email: heatsafe@outlook.com

CALL ADAM 07754 685545

@heatsafe1

20 YEAR

RIPLEY RUBBER ROOFING WARRANTY Call Derek Bonser

07812 995 634 • 01773 302 222 info@ripleyrubberoofing.co.uk www.ripleyrubberoofing.co.uk

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

55

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Local Family Run Business

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

NO SCAFFOLD TO BIG OR SMALL!

25 YEARS EXPERIENCE DOMESTIC / COMMERCIAL SCAFFOLDING CALL FOR A FREE QUOTE:

07376 633 210 mmscaffolding@outlook.com

Heritage Window Specialist Enhance the Style, Value and Appearance of your home with the very latest Wood, uPVC and Aluminium Bespoke Windows & Doors.

Unrivalled Quality & Specification, Manufactured in the UK by Craftsmen.

Call our friendly team on 0115 855 6010 hello@hardwickwindows.co.uk • www.hardwickwindows.co.uk SHOWROOM AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL FOR DETAILS.

56

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

57

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

“Where quality matters”

SCAN ME

The Resin Specialists

‘No standing water!

Go to our website and watch the video of how water just drains through our Resin Base’

Look for the Guild emblem, ‘a sign of quality’ which can only be used by accredited members of The Guild of Master Craftsmen. As members we are thoroughly assessed to earn the right to be called master craftsmen

“One of our

The Resin Specialists best performing

Why Choose Buf

Trusted Traders.”

We won’t be beaten Which have awarded us Why Choose a price Resin Drive? on quality and ‘The certificate of distinction’

Buffalo Driveways are the installer of porous for the month ofareas Juneleading and July 2020. resin bound driveways, patios and pathways. Buffalo will 4 Maintenance free transform your driveway old or new.

“A BIG thankyou to all our customers, for 4 Weed resistant your great reviews”

4 asAnti-slip surface As well laying resin on a new base, in many cases we can overlay existing surfaces (subject to survey) which means 4 Completely porous - no more puddles less mess and a faster result.

4

A well-known name yo

4

10 year guarantee on d or alternatively 5 years

4

UV protected - won’t fade or discolour 4 The latest premium looks 4 Many colours to choose from

4

No sinking or cracking

4 4

Full design and plannin

No pushy salesmen, we

4

All Buffalo staff are fully with valid certificates.

4

Over 100 local installat

Don’t just take our word for it, usreviews for a coffee checkJoin out our on… and free advice on colours and designs Unit 1, Amber Drive, Baily Brook Business Park, Langley Mill, Derbyshire NG16 4BE

01773 712 288 a• Resin buffalodriveways.co.uk Why Choose Drive?

•

Call for a FREE

01773 712 28

sales@buffalodriveways.co.uk

Why Choose Buffalo Driveways?

You’d be surprised at how li

Buffalo resin driveway woul ✓ Maintenance free 4 A well-known name you can trust, ✓backed UV protected - won’t fade or discolour by unbeatable service. ✓ Anti-slip surface 4 10 year guarantee on driveways with ✓ The latest premium looks sub-base completed by us or alternatively 5 years on overlay all insurance backed. ✓ Completely porous - no more puddles ✓only, Many colours to choose from Join for asurvey. coffee and free advice 4 Full design and planning service ✓ backed by aus full technical ✓ Weed resistant No sinking or cracking 58 Don’t4forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads No pushy salesmen, we have fully trained surveyors.

Unit 1, Amber Drive, Baily Brook Business Park, L

The Resin Specialists

Driveways • Pathways • Patios “Where quality matters”

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

The Resin Specialists

We won’t be beaten on quality and price

The Resin Specialists

Buffalo Driveways are the areas leading installer of porous resin bound driveways, patios and pathways. Buffalo will transform your driveway old or new.

As well as laying resin on a new base, in many cases we can overlay existing surfaces (subject to survey) which means less mess and a faster result.

ffalo Driveways?

Why Choose Driveways?

Why Choose BuffaloBuffalo Driveways?

Choose Driveways?

4 name A Buffalo well-known you can trust, by unbeatable service. ✓ AWhy well-known you canname trust, backed bybacked unbeatable service.

4 10 year onwith driveways with sub-base completed ✓ 10service. year guarantee on guarantee driveways sub-base completed by us by or us ou can trust, backed by unbeatable

4 A well-known name you can trust,5backed by overlay unbeatable service. alternatively years on only, all insurance alternatively 5 or years on overlay only, all insurance backed. backed. driveways with sub-base completed by us 4 10 year guarantee on driveways with sub-base completed by us 4 Full design and planning service a full technical survey. s on overlay only, all insurance backed. ✓ Full design and planning service backed bybacked a full by technical survey. or alternatively 5 years on overlay only, all insurance backed.

✓ No pushy salesmen, weservice havebacked fullyweby trained surveyors. pushy salesmen, have trained surveyors. ng service backed by a full technical 4 survey.

Full design4 and No planning a full fully technical survey.

e have fully trained surveyors.

✓ All Buffalo staff are fullystaff trained insurveyors. groundworks and resin laying, 4 All Buffalo fully trained in groundworks and resin laying, all 4 No pushy salesmen, we have fullyare trained

all with valid certificates. with valid certificates.

4 All Buffalo staff are fully trained in groundworks and resin laying, all y trained in groundworks and resin laying, all ✓ Overwith 100 local for you to view. valid certificates.

4 installations Over 100 local installations for you to view.

tions for you to view.

quote

88

4

Over 100 local installations for you to view.

Call for a for FREE quote Call a FREE quote Call for a FREE quote 01773 288 01773 712 288 01773 712 288712 You’d be surprised at how little a new

ittle a new ld cost

You’d bebe surprised at how little a newlittle a new You’d surprised atcost how Buffalowould resin driveway would cost Buffalo resin driveway Buffalo resin driveway would cost

Join us for a coffee and free advice on colours and designs

Join usJoin for aus coffee free advice on advice colours and designs and designs for aand coffee and free on colours Unit 1, Amber Drive, Baily Brook Business Park, Langley Mill, Derbyshire NG16 4BE

Unit 1, Amber Drive, Baily Brook Business Park, Langley Mill, Derbyshire NG16 4BE Unit 1, Amber Baily Brook Business Park, Langley Mill, Derbyshire NG16 4BE e on colours and designs 01773 712 288 •Drive, buffalodriveways.co.uk • sales@buffalodriveways.co.uk

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

712 288 • buffalodriveways.co.uk • sales@buffalodriveways.co.uk Langley01773 Mill, Derbyshire NG16 4BE 01773 712 288 • buffalodriveways.co.uk • sales@buffalodriveways.co.uk

59

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

01623 459891 Paul M Longden Ltd Kitchen & Bathroom Installation Services

COLLEDGE AERIALS Established 1965

Digital Aerials, Freesat and Sky Multipoint ww.first4fascias.co.uk www.first4fascias.co.uk 30 years’ experience of Kitchen & Bathroom Design and Installation

FIRST 4 FASCIAS FIRST 4 FASCIAS All works fully Insured & Guaranteed Recommended Installer for Bathstore.com

Installer of Howden’s Fitted Kitchens

All Aspects of Plumbing, Plastering & Joinery Wall & Floor Tiling • Laminate Flooring

Digital Aerials, Freesat and Sky Multipoint

• Local

• Trustworthy • Installers • Free

scias - Soffits - Bargeboards - Cladding Quotes - Guttering - Minor Roof Repairs Wet Floors • Ensuite Conversions scias - Soffits - Bargeboards - Cladding• All - Guttering Knock Throughs • Design Service work fully - Minor Roof Repairs guaranteed

Contact Paul on: 01773 449 754 or 07943 237 824 Email: pm.longden@gmail.com Website: www.pmlongden.co.uk

T: 01773 742387 M: 07973 676799

FIRST 4 FASCIAS Bargeboard Verge 01623•459891 • Cladding •Fascias Fascias • Repair Work • Soffit Undertaken • Guttering

ROWANTREE HOMES

First• Dry

07738 227029 - 07921 081676

Solar Panel Cleaning & Testing

www.first4fascias.co.uk

Spring into Summer!

Free guttering and downpipes with all fascia and soffit orders!

Please call to arrange a FREE, no obligation quotation and survey

Service your solar system to maintain performance & revenue.

BEFORE

Cleaning prevents : • Lichen mould forming on your panels (see pictures)

AFTER

• Poor panel performance • Shortened panel life • Panel failures • Full performance review on solar system

Discount for OAP’s Call Justin on Tel : 01623 459 891 Mob : 07921 08 16 76

60

www.rowantreehomes.com 07968 903 432 mobile 01773 875 200 office line

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

M0537 (First 4 Fascias Q Advert).indd 1

06/05/2016 19:26

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

FREE £90 Worth

boiler service with this advert*

Central Heating Bronze Cover

2

• for new boilers under manufacturers warranty • annual boiler service • unlimited parts & labour on central heating system • hot water, cold water & gas pipework

2

Combi swaps from £1595 Boiler upgrades from £2195 Boiler Smart Controls from £275 Central heating systems from £2795 Industry approved power flushing £545 Call us for all central heating repairs

• unlimited call outs • unlimited parts • unlimited labour • annual boiler service

95h* 4.ont £1per m

h us 45 Fl er £5 w

Po m o Fr

Other Services

Boiler Only Silver Cover

95* 5.onth £1per m

As Silver Cover plus: • boiler controls & thermostats • replacement radiators • hot water, cold water & gas pipework • central heating pumps • hot water cylinder & header tanks

2

95* 0.onth £2per m

Comprehensive Gold Cover

*valid for 30 days

Join Our Team!

We are seeking qualified Gas Safe Engineers to work with us.

Please contact us on the number above if you are interested in being part of one of the fastest growing businesses in the area?

290a Chatsworth Road • Chesterfield S40 2BY

www.blueflameheatplan.co.uk

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

193202

61

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Choose from

Derby’s biggest selection of

windows & doors OPEN Monday to Friday: 10am - 6pm Saturday to Sunday: 10am -2pm

01332 755 551 www.tradewindows.com

PVCu Windows

Aluminium Windows

Lumi Frameless Windows

WHERE TO FIND US Trade Windows (Derby) Limited Navigation Park, 810 London Road, Alvaston, Derby DE24 8WA

62

Don’t forget to @TradeWindowsLtd

mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads Trade Windows (Derby) Ltd @tradewindows

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

ADVERTISING • DESIGN • DISTRIBUTION

SOAR TO SUCCESS WITH

Sales . Spares . Repairs . Servicing

uum Is Your Vac t Working?

Cleaner No

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN YOUR LOCAL AREA!

Vacuum cleaner repairs carried out by our experienced engineers

DON’T DELAY, CONTACT US TODAY T: 01773 549035 | E: info@voicemagazines.co.uk www.voicemagazines.co.uk

Full service on all brands of vacuum cleaner from £35.00 Full safety test on all electrical work carried out We can collect & return your vacuum cleaner from local areas Belts • Bags • Filters • Hoses Cables • Consumables Approved dealer

The Old Miners Welfare, 32 Primrose Hill, Blackwell, Alfreton, DE55 5JF

Tel: 01773 830099

www.fuse-boxelectrical.co.uk

Ian Wilson Electrical Services

Do it Once, Do it Right

Rewires, Extra Sockets, Lights, Fault Finding, Inspection & Testing, Etc.

• Re Roofs - New Builds • Repairs • Lead Work • Natural & Stone Slating • UPVC Soffit, Fascia & Guttering • Velux Windows 01773 602325

• Consumer Unit Upgrades • Landlord Reports Call Ian for a FREE no obligation quote on

07429568864

gbroofingservices@yahoo.com

Tel : 01773 306 460 Mob : 07549 617 536 Email: iwilsonelectrical@gmail.com

To advertise please call 01773 549 035 AVVM1338 (Ian Wilson Electrical Q Advert).indd 1

63

15/02/2018 15

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

64

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Mike’us sings M

I think he might be having us on you know...

Mike is always glad to hear from you at :

mike.musings@outlook.com

George’s Footballing Tales are....... ......seemingly endless.

When Horace Twigg (my old mate George’s grandad – but you already know that!) gave up playing for Hilcote Hacademicals, he became the ‘man with the magic sponge’. On the flimsy premise that he’d once spent three days in hospital after breaking a leg in a fiercely contested match against Brinsley FC, known locally at the time as Brinsley Bruisers, the committee felt that he was well qualified.

Provided with a bucket, sponge and a generous supply of bandages – enough for the mummification of countless Egyptian Pharaohs – Horace was given a brief to ‘revive or patch up’ any injured Hilcote players. For years, he then travelled the length and breadth of the country and was a constant fixture on the touchline whenever and wherever Hilcote played.

Many a player was revived by Horace in that time. He claimed that there were actually days in the likes of January & February, when just the sight of him having to break the ice covered coating in his bucket before rushing on to treat a player, was enough to bring about an immediate Lazarus type recovery.

Horace was asked to stand down in 1919. This was after the committee had decided that another dimension was required and they enlisted the help of Warrant Officer Archibald (Tufty) MacNaughton.

He had returned from WW1 with a reputation as a first class ‘trainer of men’ and someone who had successfully carried out amputations in the trenches.

NB – why they thought that this might be helpful was never explained.

to the role, and Horace was relieved of his duties..... temporarily as it happens.

W/O MacNaughton’s idea of discipline was to insist that all players meet at 12 noon on a Saturday before a home game and take part in training exercises prior to the 3.00pm kick off. Spectators, including Horace, arriving early for the next game, were astonished to see their heroes, carrying a bag of coal on their backs, route marching up and down the pitch. The outcome, that afternoon, was inevitable, as the exhausted Hilcote players suffered a demoralising 8-0 defeat.

The following week, Hilcote, once more at home, were playing an important cup match against Westhouses Wanderers.

MacNaughton, convinced that the previous week’s defeat had simply been a result of a lack of fitness, instructed the players to arrive even earlier, at 11.00am.

According to Horace, there are conflicting reports as to what happened next, but what is certain is that Tommy Flint, captain, and man-mountain of a centre half, was seen chasing Tufty up Berristow Lane shouting ‘encouraging’ words that George has suggested dare not be repeated in Voice Magazine.

There was a happy ending however, as Horace was immediately re-instated, continued to apply the magic sponge for another ten years and upon his retirement, in a very moving ceremony in the Hilcote clubhouse, was presented with a brand new, suitably inscribed, personalised bucket.

Gaining his nickname from a bizarre hair style, Tufty had been asked to bring some military type discipline

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

65

PLUMBING & HEATING Boiler replacements and full central heating systems Installation, servicing and repairs of most domestic gas appliances

Bathrooms & Log burners fitted CALL RITCHIE

01773 580181 • 07837 205531

66

4321

214890

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Reputable & Reliable Family run business Est 1986 DERBYSHIRE’S PREMIER GARAGE DOOR COMPANY Up and Over Doors from £790 fitted - inc vat (Automation Available) Side Hinged Garage Doors - (Made to Measure)

® ENTRANCE DOOR SPECIALISTS

Insulated Sectional Garage Doors (up to 30% Discount) Roller Doors from £750 fitted - inc vat (Automation & Insulation Available)

FOR A FREE HOME SURVEY

Find us on

ALFRETON: 01773 483 088

Alarm & CCTV Specialists • Full alarm system service £63 with 12 months call-out cover • Brand new alarm systems from £499 fitted • CCTV systems from £599 fitted • Older systems upgraded, faults fixed • Any existing system adopted regardless who fitted it MAKE SURE YOUR HOME IS SECURE CALL JONATHAN GEE NOW!

01773 302230

www.stone-security.co.uk To advertise please call 01773 549 035

www.jbdoors.co.uk info@jbdoors.co.uk

INVEST IN YOUR HOME Local family run business Offering high quality workmanship with over 35 years experience ALL TYPES OF BESPOKE BUILDING WORK BRICKLAYING • NEW BUILDS EXTENSIONS • RENOVATIONS • ALL UPVC INC SOFFITS & FASCIA • FIREPLACES LOG BURNERS & FLUES

01773 819933 • 07980 435 236 chris.long7@sky.com

67

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

MHS Electrical Services Over 25 years experience

ECS Gold Card & JIB Approved

Industrial, Domestic, Commercial & Agricultural

NO JOB TOO SMALL ✓ Additional Sockets & Lights ✓ Partial & Full Rewires ✓ Consumer Unit Upgrades & Fault Finding

✓ Letting Inspection & Certification

Friendly and reliable ex British Gas engineer with 19 years’ experience, based in Crich.

• • • • • • •

Servicing Repairs Boiler replacement Powerflushing Plumbing Landlord safety checks Natural Gas, LPG & Oil

Call Jamie on: 07904 451948 Email: info@jmsheating.co.uk Web: www.jmsheating.co.uk

CONTACT MIKE FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION QUOTE on 07720 948 642 or 01773 860 381

s n e d r Ga

Derbyshire tree surgery and hedgecutting contact

T:01773 711 004 M:07968 719 306

E:info@heanorfencing.co.uk

James Hougham info@evergreentreescapes.co.uk www.evergreentreescapes.co.uk FIND US ON:

Heavy Duty Fencing • Wooden Gates • Landscaping • Security Fencing • Concrete Fencing • Hard & Soft Landscaping • Specialising in Maintenance free gardening • Artificial Grass Competitive Prices • Free Quotes & Measuring Service

All Fencing Manufactured In-House & Installed To The Highest Standards

QUALITY FENCING AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

68

CALL

M: 07827 813 476 O: 01629 828 101

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

GARDENS

View from the Allotment

It is good to see that most plots on our allotment site in Leabrooks are dug over ready for planting or are covered with a layer of manure waiting to be dug or rotavated in. Hopefully plot holders have also spread some inorganic fertilizer such as Growmore delivering a balance of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium to be taken into the ground in solution when it rains. My wartime book about allotments makes a big point about applying lime to ‘sweeten’ the soil to balance the fact that organic fertilizers will gradually make the soil acid. Plants grow best in a neutral soil. Apparently, during the war our allotment association could have bought a bulk order of not less than 2 tons of lime for half price under the Government’s Land Fertility Scheme. It is certainly important to lime where brassicas are to be planted to deter club root disease, a nasty fungus which attacks and kills all brassicas and whose spores can survive in the ground for years. Radishes, swedes and turnips are also attacked. There is no cure but a dressing of lime to make soil less acid will help. Another trick is to delay planting out brassica seedlings until they have developed a good root system to provide some resistance to infection.

March is a busy month as the soil should be warming up a bit by now making it possible to sow seeds outdoors. I have already sown another double row of broad beans and some spinach in mid-February. I find that early and late spinach does really well on our allotment but summer sown spinach bolts quickly. Spinach grows quickly and is a tasty iron-rich crop. In April I will get some yellow and red (rhubarb) chard in as the leaves and stems can be picked throughout the year.

Sown in July and August Swiss chard will over winter. Everyone grows beetroot and seed can be sown outside in March if the soil isn’t too cold. My allotment book suggests that as germination can be a bit hit and miss it is a good plan to soak beetroot seeds in warm water for an hour or two to soften them and to rinse off any germination inhibitor. Try ‘Burpees’ Golden beet for a change from the usual red varieties.

If you want to grow delicious beetroot (and other veg) and need a plot give Mick our plot bailiff a ring on 07725 402 033 to ask what is available. Martin Rumsby

Indian paving Setts & Cobbles Reclaimed Paving Circles Barrels Porcelain Paving Troughs Sleepers

H&H House & Garden Maintenance QUALITY NATURAL STONE SUPPLIES H&HAFFORDABLE House &AND RELIABLE, Call Liam on 01298 84173 | M: 07977 589 305 FRIENDLY SERVICE www.penninepaving.co.uk | sales@penninepaving.co.uk | Newhaven, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 0DU Garden Maintenance Nationwide delivery Available

Services include:

SERVICES INCLUDE: RELIABLE, AND Fencing,AFFORDABLE Patios and Decking Fencing, Patios & Decking Garden Maintenance • Jet Garden Washing FRIENDLY SERVICE Maintenance H&H House Painting and Decorating Jet Washing H&H House && Internal and External Services include: Painting and Guttering Cleaning and Replacement Garden Maintenance Maintenance Internal andDecorating Garden External

TS GARDEN SERVICES Our services include

Lawn Mowing • Hedge Cutting Turfing • Strimming • Pruning Pressure Washing • Scarifying

Fencing, Patios and Decking Guttering Cleaning and RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE AFFORDABLEAND AND RELIABLE, www.hhhouseandgardenmaintenance.com Garden Maintenance • Jet Washing Replacement FRIENDLY SERVICE FRIENDLY SERVICE Painting and Decorating Internal and External Servicesinclude: include: Services Hannah & Patios Hanks Office: 01773 741069 Guttering Cleaning Fencing,Patios andDecking Decking and Replacement Fencing, and Mobile: 07943 821016 / 07734 663021 Garden Maintenance • Jet Washing Garden Maintenance • Jet Washing

For a FREE quote please call

www.hhhouseandgardenmaintenance.com

Friendly & Reliable

Painting and and Decorating DecoratingInternal Internaland andExternal External Painting GutteringCleaning Cleaningand andReplacement Replacement Guttering

07852 872 343

tsgardenservicesuk@gmail.com

www.hhhouseandgardenmaintenance.com www.hhhouseandgardenmaintenance.com

Hannah & Hanks Office: 01773 741069 To advertise please call 01773 549 035 Hannah & Hanks HanksOffice: Office: 01773741069 741069 Hannah & 01773 Mobile: 07943 821016 / 07734 663021

Mobile: 07943 07943821016 821016/ /07734 07734663021 663021 Mobile:

69

The Mere Hen or Water Hen A familiar bird of ponds, lakeside, canals, and rivers, the moorhen is distinctive and approachable too. Not a bird of moorlands, their name is a corruption of the old ‘mere-hen’.

They are highly territorial in their ‘patch’ which they need to defend against rivals but also against other birds such as the bigger and more aggressive coot. The pairs of moorhens are not faithful but promiscuous so inter-pair mating frequently take place. Known as ‘skitty coots’, moorhens always seem to be rather nervy and twitchy with a constant flickering of their tails (or scuts) with their striking white undersides that are a visible announcement of presence and ownership of territory. With oversized legs and feet, the moorhen on land can appear almost comical and as they run or walk have a sort of characteristic rhythmical pumping action with head and neck. The call during any anxious moments is usually a ‘krrrruk’ and a highpitched ‘kik-kik-kik’ and this is often the most classic sound of many of our wetlands.

Nationally there are perhaps a quarter of a million pairs breeding and in wintertime with European migrants, the numbers rise to around a million. These birds are found in almost every type of wetland in the lower lying regions including even muddy ditches and sometimes garden ponds. (I had one overwinter in my own garden a few years back). They are absent from higher ground of moors and peat bogs. When they occupy nest sites in less natural situations moorhens love to utilize articles discarded by humans such as shopping trolleys and car tyres for example. There may be more than one nest with one for the eggs and a secondary platform

for the young birds and adults as the chicks hatch out. A little like magpies it seems that moorhens have a penchant for brightly coloured often human objects with which to decorate their nesting platforms.

In the mid twentieth-century, youths might take moorhen eggs from the nest by either wading out or else using a dessert spoon attached to a bamboo cane to scoop the eggs one at a time.

For hungry mouths in the rural countryside, these eggs were a favourite fried treat. Recorded as far back as the 1500s, moorhens were hunted as ‘game’ for the table. Indeed during times of food shortage such as Second World War rationing, the strongly-flavoured dark meat was considered a welcome supplement to the diet of country dwellers. They might be driven into the water by teenagers and then pinned down with a forked stick, dragged out, and their necks wrung. They were then taken home to be presented to mother for stewing with vegetables.

They are still hunted in European countries such as Greece and in recent decades were even seen in Greek-Cypriot butchers’ shops around London; albeit obtained and sold illegally.

Whereas in Britain the moorhen is easy to see and if anything a bit of an extrovert, in Greece and the surrounding countries they have learned (with good reason) to keep out of sight.

Professor Ian D. Rotherham, researcher, writer, broadcaster on wildlife and environmental issues in the Peak District and elsewhere, is contactable on info@hallamec.plus.com. Follow his website www.ukeconet.org, ianswalkonthewildside, & Twitter @IanThewildside 70 Don’t blog forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

GARDENS

STONEBROOM

STORAGE SOLUTIONS LTD

SECURE STORAGE UNITS • Secure storage units & Workshop rentals available now • Low prices and short term leases • Great location • Secure & alarmed yard with CCTV

• 24hr access • Plant & equipment storage both outside & undercover • 20ft container available now from £30+VAT per week

peter@makepakint.com Tel: 0788 771 6236

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

71

GARDENS

Gardener’s Calendar

If you’re lucky enough to have cornus (dogwood) or salix (willow) in your garden you will have been enjoying their vibrant colour during these grey months.

But to ensure they keep on giving you the same show year on year, late March is the time to prune right back close to the ground. Cornus should be left uncut the year after planting, willow can be pruned first year. If you want to propagate new plants in a new spot just push one of your cut stems into the ground. It’s as easy as that.

Cotinus or smoke bush is another plant grown for its colour – in summer you get deep burgundy leaves with paler fluff flowers which do look like smoke around the head of the bush. If you do want to prune it for shape, do it now. You’ll probably get larger leaves but fewer flowers this year. Best position for flowering is a warm and sunny spot.

Dahlia tubers need to go in round about mid to end of March – reckon on about six weeks before the last frost – their tender new shoots are very vulnerable to icy conditions. But if you miscalculate, put a cloche of some sort – a clear plastic container if there’s no glass - over the growth. Alternatively start them off in pots indoors and bring out when it’s safe.

Top Tip:

You can start beans and sweet peas off from seed now indoors or in a cold frame, greenhouse, or conservatory. But they do best with long roots and empty toilet rolls are ideal for this. Be careful with the watering though as the rolls have a tendency to disintegrate quite quickly – great when you’re planting into their final spot, not so good before that.

DRB

Waste Recycling Household, garden, general building and waste metal removal.

Household clearance and removals.

Cost effective alternative to skip hire.

GreenhousesRus VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.GREENHOUSESRUS.CO.UK

YOUR LOCAL GREENHOUSE SPECIALIST

SUPPLIER OF GREENHOUSES & ACCESSORIES. SUPPLIER OF ALL MAIN BRANDS ON THE MARKET.

Household Waste

Metal Waste

INSTALLATION SERVICE AVAILABLE.

01623 443331 Clearance & Removals

Garden Waste

Call Dale on

07581 450572 Licensed Waste Carrier

72

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

GARDENS

Hardwood Logs Ltd Producers & Suppliers of logs for over 30 years

Kiln Dried Ash, Oak & Birch logs for delivery & collection , itable for BBQ’s u S l a o rc a h C n rs & British le for collectio b a Logs, Ecolighte il a v A s it P e ir Chimineas & F Simon & Jackie Ludlam, Holly Grange Farm, Lea Moor Rd, Lea, Matlock, DE4 5RA

Tel: 01629 534 475 sales@hardwoodlogsltd.co.uk

www.hardwoodlogsltd.co.uk

amental E Orn ngineering FREE QUOTES

Plus Open Sack & Loose Housecoal PICK UP A LOYALTY CARD TODAY TO START COLLECTING FOR FREE FUEL! SCAN THIS CODE TO DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR MOBILES & TABLETS

Railings Fencing Hand Rails Drive & Garden Gates Ornamental Fencing

Tel: 01773 533 393

www.ornamentalengineering.com Unit 1a Taylor Lane, Industrial Estate, Loscoe, Derbyshire DE75 7TA

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

73

GARDENS

A garden room isn’t just a room in your garden…

The Perfect Escape.

Holiday at home...

it’s a room that adds value to your life, and your home. With 20 years experience in designing, manufacturing and installing garden buildings throughout the UK you can trust that Cabin Master will deliver you The Perfect Space for your garden, such as a Garden Office, Gym, Mancave, Garden Bar, Entertaining Space or Spare Room.

with a BBQ cabin. It can become the heart and soul of your garden. Our trademarked sloping wall design not only gives the cabins an unmistakable silhouette, it also makes them very comfortable and enables you to sit back and relax whilst enjoying countless days and nights with your favourite people.

Free Site Surveys

Free Design Service

www.cabinmaster.co.uk www.arcticcabins.co.uk Call: 0115 932 8888 74

No Obligation Quotes

Flexible Finance Available

Visit Our Open Air Cabin Master Village With 22 Stunning Buildings On Display Opening times: Monday - Sunday 10am - 4pm The Rose Gardens, 251 Toton Lane, Stapleford, Nottingham NG9 7JA.

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads

GARDENS

FREE

Enhanced marketing & accompanied viewings on every listing

360 FREE

Professional Photography

FREE

360° Virtual Tour

FREE

Professional Floorplan

FREE EPC

REGULAR CONTACT WITH AN AGENT THAT CARES

Call Laura today to arrange a FREE no obligation valuation of your home.

0.75%+VAT (Minimum fees apply)

NO SALE, NO FEE

Unit 2 - 182 Derby Road, Denby, Ripley, Derbyshire. DE5 8RD

T: 01773 748888 E: contact@woodwardea.com

www.woodwardea.com

Woodward Estate Agents is the trading name of Laura Woodward Estate Agents Ltd.

Registered in England at Unit 2 - 182 Derby Road, Denby, Ripley, Derbyshire. DE5 8RD | Registered Number 11820248 VAT Number: 326615995

To advertise please call 01773 549 035

75

GARDENS

Older generations are seeing their wealth diminish before their children and grandchildren get to benefit from their life’s work.

To discover options to help prevent this happening to you, the first step is to get the right advice from someone who will understand your situation.

Call the number below to receive advice and options from your experienced Ripley based advisor:

Mike Waterfall 0800 993 0930 or visit

www.honeyfriends.co.uk/MichaelWaterfall • • •

Fully regulated Legal Firm Excellent 5 Star Trustpilot Reviews Recently supported over 10,000 of our front line services and key workers during Covid

To protect what you have worked hard for, and to ensure your loved ones future is secure contact us NOW!

Quote VMA07 for a 10% Discount Excellent 76

Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads