Rural Voice - Darley Dale & Villages Edition - March 2022

MARCH ’22

DARLEY BRIDGE • DARLEY DALE • DARLEY HILLSIDE • ELTON FARLEY • HACKNEY • NORTHWOOD • ROWSLEY • STANTON IN PEAK TWO DALES • UPPER HACKNEY • YOULGRAVE.

First Day of Spring 20th March

Other Services Food & Retail Health & Beauty

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Home Garden

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Shouting about businesses in the heart of your community

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From the Editor 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!!

LTD

VOICE

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, Happy Reading,

x Emily And all the VOICE MAGAZINES TEAM

PS: Don’t forget to mention the ‘Voice’ when you use any of the companies in this magazine 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 Phase Print 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

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

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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

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

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IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP IN CONFLICT ARE YOU FEELING LOST A THRIVING RELATIONSHIP IS A CARING RELATIONSHIP. LOOK AFTER OTHERS AND THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU PUT THE NEEDS OF OTHERS BEFORE YOUR OWN A ‘ME -ME’ situation is very damaging both individually and to society as a whole.

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

To place a notice, from a super-low rate of 6+VAT per square Contact Danielle on 01773 549035 or community@voicemagazines.co.uk

Ask what you can do for others – it will surprise you how richly rewarding your life will become when you do this.

Jesus said, as He was about to be crucified on the cross:“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.”

(Luke22:42 Luke22:42) Jesus was the perfect selfless sacrifice: a perfect role-model for ALL mankind

ANN POWELL - annandgraham29@gmail.com

OTHER SERVICES

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FOOD & RETAIL

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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

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Telephone 01629 593 990 or 07506 681 946

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FOOD & RETAIL

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In Pursuit of Happiness (for International Happiness Day)

How happy are you? On a score of one to ten, where do you stand?

Does your happiness level change day to day, even hour by hour? Do external events, and people have a bearing on how happy you feel?

That’s a lot of questions that I bet you rarely, if indeed ever, ask yourself - but you should, because all of us deserve to be happy…don’t we?

One of the most important things I think anyone can learn is that happiness has to come from within you. You have to learn to be happy before you can be happy.

It sounds ridiculous, but it’s true! Think about the times you’ve thought to yourself, things will be better when - I’m thinner, richer, have a bigger house, better car; or when any of the other myriad things on your wish list have been satisfied.

Then pause and consider - did you feel better, happier, or more fulfilled when you achieved one or more of them? The chances are that you did for a while, and then you simply moved on and started to focus on something else that would make you “feel better”.

The truth is that no amount of money or stuff can ever make someone happy - or at least not for long. Of course there is the transitory joy at having something new, but newness fades and along with it the joy, leaving you empty again and craving the next fix of “happy”, the next new thing.

There is a reason that so many religious orders take vows of poverty and eschew material possessions, they already know that “stuff” isn’t the route to happiness, and that looking inside themselves is the only way to achieve peace, and joy. It’s essentially what prayer and meditation are all about, block out external distraction

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and commune with yourself (or God, or some other deity) - and you don’t need a flashy car to do that.

International Day of Happiness is a global event arranged by the United Nations annually on March 20th. Why not choose that day as the day you start to work on your mindset? Move yourself away from the concept that things, money and other people make you happy, and instead begin to listen to your inner voice, the one that always, always tells you the truth. If that little voice is usually drowned out by other people, constant noise, or distractions, try heading out into nature.

Go for a walk in the country, or a local park, or even just sit quietly in your own garden; let your mind quieten, ignore the monkey chatter, stop thinking about your to-do list, and just BE. It’s a start towards learning to be happy with yourself and for yourself without the trappings of belongings and external influences - try it and see, I’m sure you’ll soon find out that your internal happiness will become contagious and affect the rest of your family!

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

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FOOD & RETAIL

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FOOD & RETAIL

Slimming World Recipe 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

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

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FOOD & RETAIL

ŠKODA Chesterfield.

Automotive Starts Here.

Sales | Service | Parts | Motability ŠKODA Chesterfield

Find out more

1 Discovery Way, Whittington Moor, Chesterfield, S41 9EG

0330 108 0665 bristolstreet.co.uk/skoda

Library image for illustration purposes only. Bristol Street Motors SKODA is a trading name of Bristol Street Fourth Investments Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Company registration number 00522856. VAT Registration number 902737238. Registered office: Vertu House, Fifth Avenue Business Park, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0XA.

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FOOD & RETAIL

No pre-booking required for restaurants or car-park.

Mainsail Restaurant at Carsington Water

open

F r o m 10 a m

every day.

n?

O s ’ t Wha Spring Dining - Three courses for £13.95

Enjoy a wonderful three course lunch in the Mainsail Restaurant chosen from our Spring Dining Menu for £13.95.

Served Monday - Friday, 11.30am - 2.30pm. No booking required.

28th February - 8th April

Mother’s Day Weekend

Afternoon Tea - Saturday 26th March

Treat your Mum to an afternoon tea of scones, sandwiches, tea and cake in the charming Mainsail Restaurant, overlooking Carsington Water for £13.75.

Make it extra special with our Sparkling Afternoon Tea, which includes a glass of fizz, for £18.50.

Booking essential.

Two Course Sunday Lunch - Sunday 27th March

Treat your Mum to a two course Sunday lunch in our Mainsail Restaurant, overlooking the scenic reservoir, for only £13.25 per person.

Served 11.30am - 3pm. Booking essential.

There’s also...

Watermark Cafe and Gift Shop

with our new extended take away specials menu, and great gift ideas!

Splatz Ice Cream Parlour

for irresistable Kelly’s Ice Cream.

visitcarsington.co.uk - facebook/Carsington 01629 540363 - Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1ST To advertise please call the Voice Team on 01629 364 015

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FOOD & RETAIL

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FOOD & RETAIL

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KIDS & FAMILIES

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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

and Guess the words rd! ! o w s s o r c Fill in the

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

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KIDS & FAMILIES

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

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

To advertise please call the Voice Team on 01629 364 015

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We won’t be beaten on quality and price Buffalo Driveways are the areas leading installer of porous resin bound driveways, patios and pathways. Buffalo will transform your driveway old or new.

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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.

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Mother-of-one Chloe becomes first bathroom fitter apprentice 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, like with Chloe,” said Charlie Symcox, director at AHM Installations.

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

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

“We select our people very carefully – we always have done – and we think that’s what sets us apart. We want to continue providing career opportunities that help our people fulfil their personal ambitions.”

Chloe’s trainer, Dan Newey, has been at the company for 6 years and recently took on the role of training new apprentice fitters.

“AHM has always been good to work for,” Dan said. “I’d say what’s helped me get ahead is that I’m finicky! I want everything to be done exactly as it should be and I don’t let things slide.

“Chloe is a good worker. She gets stuck in and works to the same standard as everyone else. I definitely think some customers feel more comfortable having 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.”

01629 705 657 32

Charlie Symcox, director at AHM Installations with apprentice Chloe Morris

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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.

Top Tip:

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.

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.

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35

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.

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

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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.

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GARDENS

Creating space at home...

Over the last few years many of us have spent more time at home than ever before.

Creating extra space for our families and our work has been challenging. At Cabin Master, they provide a clear bespoke service to ensure you can have extra space which suits your needs and your budget. With over 20 years experience in designing, manufacturing and installing garden rooms and garden offices throughout the UK – you only need to look at their Trustpilot review page to see their customers journeys and experiences with the Cabin Master teams, are outstanding.

The in-house designers will work with you to ensure your building is perfect.

Choose from a variety of cladding, window & door options, internal paint and floor colouring, overall building size and lighting. Their purpose built factories in Derbyshire will then manufacture your building and the 10 year guarantee gives you great peace of mind.

Whether you are wanting to gain office space or a chill zone for the kids, a garden bar to entertain in or a BBQ cabin to cook in all year round…or why not create a space that’s multifunctional for the whole family! And a garden room isn’t just a room in your garden, it’s a room that adds value to your home as well as your life, whilst creating a stunning feature in your outdoor space that you’re proud to show off.

Their Nottingham show site is home to over 25 stunning buildings in a range of sizes and prices to tick all boxes. Get in touch with their team today on 0115 932 8888 or visit the show site next to the Toton Tram station, Nottingham ~ Open 7 days a week.

Visit – www.cabinmaster.co.uk To advertise please call the Voice Team on 01629 364 015

37

GARDENS

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, blog ianswalkonthewildside, Twitter @IanThewildside 38 Don’t forget to mention Voice& Magazines when responding to the Ads

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39

GARDENS

Please call Julian to arrange a FREE no obligation visit: