Rural Voice - Hope Valley Edition - ??? 2023

DEC ‘23

12 EDITIONS READ BY OVER 162,000 RESIDENTS

THE VOICE TEAM ure have all had a pict e th ng yi jo en taken whilst to d te an w d an s tie festivi ry ve wish you all a AS! MERRY CHRISTeM or m ad Re on page 3

DAN IE

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BAMFORD • BRADWELL •CASTLETON • EYAM • FOOLOW GREAT HUCKLOW • GRINDLEFORD • HATHERSAGE • HOPE LITTLE HUCKLOW • NETHER PADLEY • TIDESWELL • UPPER PADLEY

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Rightio Plumbers 01629 628 004 OUR SERVICES Boiler Breakdowns Boiler Servicing Radiators & Pipes We work in Bamford, Bradwell, Castleton, Eyam, Foolow, Great Hucklow, Grindleford, Hathersage, Hope, Little Hucklow, Nether Padley, Tideswell, Upper Padley & all surrounding areas

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Read our Magazines online https://v/ambervalleymedia

From the Editor Hi Readers, In the words of the immortal Mr Lennon – “So, this is Christmas and what have you done? Another year over and a new one just begun”.

I cast my mind back to the start of this year and as is the case with everyone I suppose, it is littered with ups and downs. I guess the aim of this ‘game of life’ is to try and have more ups than downs and that each time a down packs a punch, we either learn something or come back stronger. If only it was as simple as a Rocky movie for that to be the case! A punch that Liam and myself felt deeply this year was the loss of our good friend Kevin at Seals. Kev and his family have run Seals for more years than I’ve been around but I always remember visiting that small, family run business when I first started up and he greeted me with a new name – Amber (for those who remember the early incarnation of Voice) which has stuck for well over a decade now!! They didn’t need to but they have sponsored Rafa’s dog walk since virtually day one and that early kindness and continuing support from one local business to another can never be repaid. As an incredibly humble man in life, I have no doubt that Kev would have been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people that attended his funeral – not least because, what were we all doing there when we should have been at work!! I think I’d be extremely proud of my legacy if I achieve half of what he has, including

his strong family who continue in his footsteps.

Each Christmas, here at Voice, we always like to bring our avatar characters back out for the yearly Christmas Front Covers. Lisa works hard on them from around July onwards (which is a little strange but that’s print deadlines for you!) to bring something a little different. This year, I tasked her with ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ type theme – so a mash-up between the real world and the cartoon world for those that are old enough to remember! Needless to say, it’s given us a right laugh and is always the highlight of the year – and remember, we all chose our avatars based on our favourite cartoon characters/influences and it always seems to fit our personalities!

Have a look for yourself, we’ve laid them all out below and we hope they make you smile when they land on your doorstep this month. After all, before we get into the flap, panic, expense and craziness of this festive period, it is important to remember that as far as we know, we only get one go around, so there really is no point in taking yourself too seriously!

Let’s leave 2023 with the words of Dolly – “If you see someone without a smile, give ‘em yours!”

Merry Christmas from us all at Voice Magazines.

x Emily

WITH 12 MAGAZINES COVERING NOTTINGHAMSHIRE & DERBYSHIRE, WHY NOT ADVERTISE IN ANOTHER AREA? Upcoming Submission Deadline for Advertisers & Contributors: January ‘24 Edition - 8th December ‘23 • February ‘24 Edition - 12th January ‘24

To advertise email: info@voicemagazines.co.uk or call us on 01773 549 035 Printed by Phase Print Ltd and distributed to 4,500 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

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Meet the Rightio Plumbers

Rightio is a home repair service provider.

offer quick reaction times – often within 1-2

repairs in gas heating, plumbing, drainage, electrics and locks. We have a team of locally based Gas Safe accredited engineers and highly experienced plumbers dedicated to providing an expert local service to the

Additionally, the opportunity to access our exclusive membership options through our sister company, Care Club, which guarantees comprehensive peace of mind for your home all year round.

From tackling your leaking toilets to broken boilers, we specialise in providing expert

residents of the East Midlands.

Rightio blends local engineering expertise with the backing of an established professional company. This combination ensures that all our services come with the added security of being fully insured with a 12-month guarantee, complete job tracking through SMS and email notifications. We

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hours, clear and transparent pricing and over 11,000 trust pilot reviews rating us ‘Great’.

Our commitment to the local roots of our engineers is shown through our locally employed workforce, allowing us to support

the local economy. This is complemented by the strength and resources of our national presence, offering our clients the best of both worlds.

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HELP SPREAD THE WORD ROUNDS AVAILABLE:

BASLOW & CASTLETON 01773 549 035

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

l a n o i s s e f Pro Services

Chartered & State Registered Physiotherapists Registered with all major insurance companies

Clinics in Hope & Totley Back & Neck Pain - Sports Injuries Joint Problems - Muscle & Ligament Strain Workstation Assessments - Acupuncture Post Operative Rehabilitation E: hellohope@activphysiotherapy.co.uk W: www.activphysiotherapy.co.uk A: Bank House, Market Place, Hope, Hope Valley. S33 6RH.

Call us on 01433 623 602 to book your appointment

distribution@voicemagazines.co.uk

Contact Sarah 0115 849 2386

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We’re proud of our reputation.

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COMMUNITY NOTICE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

NEWS • EVENTS • UPDATES • LOCAL INTEREST • NEWS • EVENTS • UPDATES • LOCAL INTEREST

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE OF DRIVING. • Powerful SUVs • 100% electric cars • Innovative city cars

Sales | Servicing | Parts | Motability NISSAN CHESTERFIELD

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

01246 796270 | bristolstreet.co.uk/nissan

Bristol Street Motors Nissan 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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VISIT OUR FOUR LARGE SHOWROOMS Customers Own Car Park or RING FOR FREE HOME SELECTION SEVICE We Specialise In Supply & Install of all Domestic & Contract Carpets Supply & Install of all Domestic & Contract Vinyls Supply & Install of RealWood & Laminate Floorings Supply & Install of Karndean Floorings Supply & Install of Sisal & Natural Floorings Supply & Install Coretec and Quick-Step Flooring

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Does your family bring out the same Christmas tree decorations every year, complete with the ones made by children (and grandchildren) many years ago…a bit tatty around the edges maybe, but full of memories?

Or are you a “buy new each year, depending on décor and trends,” kind of person?

Have you ever wondered what we used to decorate our trees and houses with over the festive period in the dim and distant past, in more “innocent” times before rampant consumerism took hold?

Wonder no more!

The use of “Christmas” decorations is older than I thought. Apparently, 2,500 years ago, the Romans marked a midwinter celebration called Saturnalia by decorating their homes with evergreen wreaths. When the official religion of the Roman Empire became Christianity in 336 AD, the church powers pragmatically decided to embrace the old trimmings of the former pagan celebration and bring them into the church.

Our own pagan ancestors also marked the midwinter solstice by bringing greenery into the home to mark the gradual lengthening of the light towards spring and the promise of new life.

Yule logs – the real wooden kind, not the cake – were common throughout northern Europe and are probably also connected to a pagan midwinter rite. They would be kept burning for 12 days leading up to Christmas (or the solstice) to encourage the sun to rise after the long, snowy season.

Evergreen trees became part of Christian tradition in Germany very early on, and in the Middle Ages “paradise trees” began to appear. Meant to represent the Garden of Eden, evergreen trees were hung with apples and displayed in homes on December 24, the religious feast day of Adam and Eve. Other decorations, all natural of course, made an appearance and by the 16th century, candles had made an appearance.

And thus, the Christmas tree as we know it today, was born.

It was, of course, German born Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, who brought the tradition of decorated evergreen trees to England. Drawings of the royal family gathered around a bedecked and candle lit tree really sparked a desire in the British public to embrace the idea of a lavishly decorated tree as a centre point of their celebrations.

Unlike the plastic and glass baubles, and tinsel we use today, most early tree decorations were more eco friendly (before such a term was invented!). There would be apples and other fruit, sometimes dried and or crystallised.

Flowers, sweet pastries in the shapes of stars and hearts, and at some point candy canes made an appearance. Handmade decorations of made of paper, and small gifts would also be hung on the tree.

Unlike today there was no fashionable “theme” (this year I gather it is “peachy pink and coral, accented by champagne golds, lilac, or mint green tones”) people used what was to hand and reused what they could.

Whatever you decorate your house and tree with this Christmas, I hope you have lots of fun! x

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 advertiseToplease Team on 01629 364 Laura 015 on 07736 351 341 find out call more the visit Voice www.word-witch.co.uk or contact

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Decorations of Christmas Past

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Survey Reveals Alarming Lack of Understanding About Lasting Power of Attorney A recent survey by Scottish Widows discovered that one in three people don’t understand how a lasting power of attorney works.

power of attorney in place, according to a survey of 2,000 adults by Scottish Widows. It also found that one in four couples have no plans to put one in place.

This is an absolutely critical document that gives someone the legal power to make financial and healthcare-related decisions on your behalf should you lose the mental capacity to do it yourself.

Choosing the right attorney – the legal term for the person you appoint to make your decisions if the worst happens could be one of the most critical decisions you make. This could be your spouse, a friend, a family member, or a professional such as a solicitor.

Not having a lasting power of attorney in place can have serious implications if serious illness strikes, as you can only execute one when you have the mental capacity to do so.

A recent survey by Lloyds Bank revealed that thousands of people across the Hope Valley are leaving themselves wide open to problems down the line. They found that over 80% of people over 55 didn’t have a registered lasting power of attorney in place.

Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to grant a lasting power of attorney. If you’re married or in a civil partnership, you might assume that your spouse will automatically be able to deal with your financial affairs if you lose capacity, but this isn’t the case. Just four in 10 married couples have a lasting

Laura Cowan, Head of Private Client services at Graysons Solicitors in Hathersage, said: “Setting up a lasting power of attorney is one of the most important decisions you can ever make in your life. If you don’t have a lasting power of attorney in place and you lose the mental capacity to manage your own affairs, your loved ones will have to apply through the courts, which can be a long and expensive process.”

More information from: www.graysons.co.uk

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service ■ Learn with us to achieve your goals ■ Gain employment skills ■ Meet new people

■ Develop new interests

Scan the QR code or visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/adulteducation to see how we can help you Email: adult.education@derbyshire.gov.uk Phone: 01629 531241 SCAN ME

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

All Around the Shire STIR UP SUNDAY

The origin of this day was nothing to do with puddings or Christmas but everything to do with the Catholic or Anglican Church. It was traditionally the last Sunday in the year before Advent, when the collect for the day from the book of common prayer began “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people...”, Over time, this was taken to signify the day that families prepared the Christmas pudding (Stir up) and gave it its first steaming. Dried fruit, spices, flour and all the necessary ingredients had been bought in the weeks beforehand to spread the cost. Each member of the family would take turns to stir up the pudding and make a wish.

As well as the thirteen or so different ingredients in the mixture, trinkets were sometimes incorporated. Popular additions were a silver sixpence or thrupenny bit. You might also find a thimble, a button, a horseshoe, a wishbone, a bell or an anchor. If you were lucky enough to find one of these in your pudding on Christmas day, it could mean anything from a wedding in the coming year to eternal spinsterhood or bachelorhood.

During our reminiscence sessions, a popular talking point has been the “feeding” of the Christmas pudding or cake. This

refers to the regular addition of alcohol by pouring it over the pudding and allowing it to soak into the mixture. Holes are first made using various implements. People tell us they have used everything from a medical syringe, to a cocktail stick or even a knitting needle! The bigger the hole, the more alcohol in the final offering.

Whatever your festive preparations involve this year, I hope you make happy memories to look back on in the years to come.

Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire.

Find us on or email: oldfield512@btinternet.com for more information.

Janet

There's a ŠKODA model for everyone.

Find yours at ŠKODA Chesterfield.

Sales | Servicing | Parts | Motability ŠKODA Chesterfield

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

01246 796272 | bristolstreet.co.uk/skoda

Library image for illustration purposes only. Bristol Street Motors ŠKODA 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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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Merry Christma and Happy New year t al our customer Froggatt Edge Garage Part of an independent group of family run garages, we offer a full range of services at highly competitive prices.

To book a service or MOT call us on 01433 630291 or you can book online at www.taverngaragegroup.co.uk Make sure your Sleigh is ready for Christmas call in and have your free tyre check

Fully guaranteed servicing, repairs and diagnostics on all vehicle makes and models by professional, continuously trained and friendly mechanics.

MOT testing - all cars, Class 7 vans and campervans

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Main dealer level support which does not affect a vehicles warranty – all at local garage prices Free advice on all aspects of motoring Tyres supplied and fitted

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WOMEN’S FORAGE CORPS order of seniority) Area Inspectors of Women, Assistant Superintendents, Deputy Superintendents, Forwarding Supervisors, Supervisors of Women Labour, Deputy Assistant Supervisors and Gang Supervisors.

The Women’s Forage Corps (WFC) or Forage Corps (FC) was a British military organisation created during World War 1.

Initially based at army camps and depots in the United Kingdom and working in gangs of six, its women assisted with matters relating to horse transport such as hay-making, forage, checking bales on arrival at railway stations and supervising their loading, stable work, driving horse carts, wire-stretching, making and mending sacks and tarpaulin sheets.

Largely drawn from among women servants but also including some women of independent means with their own horses, normal members earned an average of 26 to 30 shillings a week by 1919, drawing army rations and sometimes with a caravan (as a mess facility rather than housing them) and cook assigned to their gang as a mess.

Their uniform – very similar to the Women’s Land Army that was to be eventually created, it consisted of gaiters, haversack, dark green breeches, hats and jerseys, khaki overcoat, overalls and black boots, with brass shoulder insignia of the initials “FC”. Higher ranks wore a khaki tunic and shirt, shoulder rank badges, shoulder “FC” insignia and a brass badge showing “FC” within the eight-pointed star of the Royal Army Service Corps. This wasn’t always the case, sometimes they simply wore their own work wear.

The WFC numbered 8,000 by 1917, though this had dropped to about 6,000 by 1919.

The WFC did survive alongside the WLA until 1920.

The foundations for the Corps were laid in 1915, though it only formally came into being on 1 March 1917 before being further formalised in early November 1918. Led

by Mrs Atholl Stewart as Superintendent of Women, who reported to Brigadier-General Hill Godfrey Morgan, it consisted of civilian women (known as Industrial Members) but was under the control of the Army Service Corps. Below Stewart were (in descending Please get in touch if you have additional information about the Women’s Forage Corps (WFC) or Forage Corps (FC)

14 Don’t forget to mention Voice responding to the Ads Contact Richard Godley on 07854 646Magazines 742 • E: when eastpeakcic@gmail.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Delightful L I V I N G

t R

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FOOD & RETAIL

Slimming World Recipe Honey-roasted parsnip soup with halloumi

If some flavours just jump out at you then honey roast parsnips and halloumi cheese must have a spring board! The perfect soup for a cold Decembers day.

Method: 4. Tip the parsnips into the onion pan. Add a splash of stock to the roasting tin and scrape up all the 2. Cook the parsnips in a saucepan caramelised juices from the base of boiling water over a high heat with a spatula. Add the juices to for 5 minutes. Drain well and the onion pan with the rest of the give them a little shake. Tip the stock and bring to the boil. Put parsnips into a large non-stick the lid back on and simmer for roasting tin, spray with low-calorie 10 minutes. Blitz the soup until cooking spray and drizzle with smooth using a stick blender (or the honey. Sprinkle over some use a food processor and return seasoning, toss well and spread to the pan). Remove from the the parsnips out. Roast for 25-30 heat, stir in the fromage frais and minutes, turning halfway. check the seasoning.

1. Get your oven warmed up to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6.

3. While the parsnips are roasting, put the onion, garlic and 3 tbsp stock in a large non-stick saucepan over a low heat. Put a lid on the pan and cook for 10 minutes or until the onions are soft and golden.

For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk

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5. Spray a non-stick frying pan with low-calorie cooking spray and put it over a high heat. Add the halloumi and cook for 2-3 minutes or until golden, turning often. Divide the soup between 4 bowls and evenly scatter over the halloumi and parsley to serve.

Serves: 4 Ready in: 1 hour

Ingredients: • • 1kg parsnips, peeled and cut into small chunks • • Low-calorie cooking spray • 2 level tbsp clear honey • 1 large onion, • chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1.5 litres hot vegetable stock

150g fat-free natural fromage frais 90g reducedfat halloumi cheese, suitable for vegetarians, cut into bitesize chunks Chopped fresh parsley, to serve

Syns per serving: 4

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Carpets & Soft Furnishings

FREE home consultation Professional measure service for carpets, floorcoverings, curtains, blinds, poles & tracks Full upholstery service All samples sourced for you Samples delivered to your home Professional fitting service

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FOOD & RETAIL

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Welcome to our High Street feature!

Your local area boasts a treasure trove of remarkable businesses. This holiday season, make a difference and support local business.

Find unique gifts, savor delightful treats, and experience the warmth of community. Make this Christmas special while boosting your neighborhood’s spirit.

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Celebrate th e holidays at Matlock Farm Park wi th animal ac tivities, elf adventur es, and a Ch ristmas treasure hu nt. Visit Sant a’s Grotto and enjoy fe stive pony rid es, play areas, and refreshmen ts.

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CHRISTMAS SHOPPING ON YOUR LOCAL HIGH STREET19

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FOOD & RETAIL

LTD

CHRISTMAS FEATURE

FOOD & RETAIL

THE LITTLE RED HEN HOUSE NORTHUMBERLAND STUNNING HOLIDAY COTTAGE IN WARKWORTH, NORTHUMBERLAND Treat yourself to a luxury break at the 4* Gold Award winning Little Red Hen House. An elegant and cosy holiday home just a 7 minute drive from award-winning and dog-friendly Warkworth beach.

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✽ We have fast fibre Wi-Fi and smart TV’s

Search ‘The Little Red Hen House’ at:

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HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Homeme ents Improv

Double glazing repairs including misted up glass units.

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SUDOKU #41

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.

These puzzles are devised by the brilliant Professor Rebus. For more of his puzzles visit www.pitcherwits.co.uk

9!

2

1 4 8 2 3 8 3 5 7 7 2 6 8 1 5 3 8 3 2 4 1 9 1 4 5 7 8

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9 7 5

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HOME IMPROVEMENTS

JW PROPERTY SERVICES Your Local Family Business

DG TV & AERIAL SERVICES

Leaking Roofs & Gutters Tiling, Slating & Chimney Repairs Interior & Exterior Painting All Aspects of Property Maintenance Undertaken

o Big o T b o No J o Small Flat Roofing Or To Roof Cleaning

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07946 275 835

Residential

Working on installation, maintainence, upgrading and rennovation electrics in residential properties.

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HOME IMPROVEMENTS

BOOK REVIEW

THE FELL - SARAH MOSS

It’s surprising how fast you can forget just what lockdown was like during Covid – for those of us who played by the rules at least.

claustrophobic time, following Kate, a single Mum who can’t stand it any longer and slips out of the house to walk up the fells she knows so well.

It seems difficult to imagine that we couldn’t go for a decent walk out in the fresh air in the countryside or be within two metres of neighbours if we were in the garden. And then there was the 14 days isolation period if you’d been in contact….

What starts as a breath of fresh air and a hint of freedom soon descends into something potentially catastrophic when she slips and falls.

Somehow in retrospect it seems even more difficult when you hear the extraordinary evidence currently being given to the Covid inquiry.

Sarah Moss’s slim novel The Fell takes place over a day and night and totally captures that

This is a real page turner but it’s so much more than that. These were difficult times we lived through and the story looks at the effects of a period when a lot of people realised how much they took simple human contact for granted. It’s thoughtful and well written and a reminder of what it was like for a lot of us.

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MPC Services (UK) Ltd

1 Heanor Gate Rd, Derbyshire, DE75 7RJ

enquiries@mpcservices.co.uk www.mpcservices.co.uk

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HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD Every family in the UK will have their own Christmas tradition regarding such things as opening the pressies, how much is spent, how the tree is decorated, what time dinner is served (and what it comprises) etc, etc.

However, we will all do pretty much the same things, irrespective of the order in which they happen. This may lead us to think that all around the world people will be doing more or less the same thing to celebrate Christmas. But is this true?

celebratory meal that day. This feast consists of fish (often a soup made of carp), stuffed cabbage (the leaves are stuffed with rice, mince pork, onion, garlic and other herbs). For dessert, a special kind of poppy bread/cake called Beigli is served.

I decided to have a little dig around online resources to find out how similar, or not, Christmas traditions are around the globe.

In Ukraine Christmas used to be celebrated on January 7th in line with the Russian Orthodox Church. In February this year, Ukraine’s main Greek Catholic church announced a change to December 25th…I’m sure we can all appreciate why the change was made.

Straight away I found my absolute FAVOURITE Christmas tradition – and it’s from the land of ice and fire, Iceland.

On Christmas Eve, Icelanders give the gift of books and spend the rest of the night reading them and eating chocolate, as part of a season called Jolabokaflod, ‘The Christmas Book Flood’.

Now that’s my kind of evening!

In contrast, here is one tradition I could never be on board with.

Christmas in Japan is not a national holiday, less than 1% of the population being Christian, but they do still have a unique way to mark the day, thanks in no small part to Kentucky Fried Chicken. In 1974, KFC started a marketing campaign called ‘Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!’ or ‘Kentucky for Christmas!’ The campaign urged the Japanese to visit a KFC instead of sitting down to a turkey dinner…and they do, apparently in their thousands.

Like many other countries, the main Christmas meal, Sviata Vecheria (Holy Supper) will be eaten on Christmas Eve, and normally has 12 dishes which represent Jesus’s 12 disciples. Presents are brought by Grandfather Frost…but not until New Year’s Eve. However you do (or don’t do) Christmas, I wish each and every one of you a peaceful and happy season of goodwill x

Each to their own.

Our cousins in Oz go to the beach and fire up the BBQ. In Denmark, the big day is December 24th. And here’s something interesting; the irritating “elf on the shelf” could have originated in Denmark. He may be based on the group of Nisse, naughty elves who help Julemanden, ‘The Christmas Man’, Denmark’s Father Christmas. So now we know who to blame.

Over in Norway they don’t decorate their houses until December 23rd, which seems very sensible to me.

The Hungarians leave decorating the tree until Christmas Eve and also eat the main

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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.

Don’t forget Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads To find out moreto visitmention www.word-witch.co.uk or contact Laura on 07736 351 341

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Gardener’s Calendar

Hydrangeas are a bit of a marmite plant – not least because despite their earlier colourful blooms, at this time of year can start to look very bedraggled.

You might feel tempted to tidy them up by cutting back now, but it’s a better idea to leave them until the last of the frosts in spring – the spent flower heads will protect coming buds.

However, it is a good time to prune fruit trees such as pears and apples, trying to keep the shape fairly open so there is room for spring blossom to develop without getting knocked off by branches in the wind. And climbing roses also benefit from being pruned now, removing shoots which are getting leggy and have flowered this year by about half to two thirds. Birches and acers should also be cut back now if you wish – any later and you risk them bleeding which damages the health of the plant.

Top Tip:

Dahlias should be lifted after they go black in the first frosts if you’re in a cold spot, although you can possibly get away with leaving them in if you mulch deeply. If you’re lifting, cut off the stems, remove soil carefully, leave to dry in a cool place then bury in soil or compost in a box and put in a cool frost-free place.

Mulching borders can help to protect vulnerable plants as the worst of winter comes in. You can use bark chips or spent compost or even cuttings from fir tree – anything with a loose structure.

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NATURE NOTES FROM THE PEAK DISTRICT

LADYBIRD AUTUMN The ladybird is one of our most widely known, recognised, and probably liked, insects. Brightly and distinctively coloured these little beetles are regarded as the gardener’s friend because they consume vast numbers of aphids, generally greenfly. However, they are also increasingly known because of the invasive alien species, the ‘Harlequin’ ladybird with its coats of many colours (mostly yellow, red, and black) and an array of sizes and markings. These are the big brutes of the ladybird world and range from quite small to (by ladybird standards) rather large. This species is a recent colonist, boasts a voracious appetite, and being cannibalistic, will consume smaller ladybirds even of its own type. It is this species most often recording as coming into houses to hibernate for the winter.

Ladybird numbers often fluctuate greatly as they follow the populations of greenfly and this is both as they breed, but also as they move or migrate. If summer weather is suitable then greenfly numbers rise in continental Europe to a point where the new-born come with wings and the population rises up to be carried on air currents across the North Sea and the Channel to Britain. The ladybirds then follow although the big ladybirds years of the past, especially the famous invasion of the 1976 drought year, were of the red-coloured Seven-spot not the now abundant Harlequin. As swarms of ladybirds landed on East Coast beaches many people reported being bitten by them! In the winters that followed, it was commonplace to find whole gateposts for example, covered in hibernating ladybirds.

Indeed, the presence of hibernating ladybirds is now a sign of winter on its way. We have had numbers of a rather distinctive yellow and black 14-Spot Ladybird, which because it is tiny, is often overlooked. There

HIBERNATING HALEQUINN LADBYBIRDS BY PHIL HELLIWELL

were swarms of yellow ladybirds reported by Jan Turner and Paul Ardron on one day, and by the next, there were hundreds crammed into every crevice of this old, multi-stemmed elm tree. Probably for safety’s sake, ladybirds often hibernate communally, and these may well spend the next few months in their new home.

Massed together I presume that their hard cases provide necessary protection from both the weather and from would-be predators like the much bigger red and black Harlequin Ladybird pictured next to them.

As noted already, Harlequins are active predators including on other, smaller ladybirds and are a species which readers will see increasingly as in wintertime they come indoors into our homes to overwinter. As their name suggests they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colour patterns ranging from big to quite small. They are mostly either red (or orange) with black spots or black with red spots and the numbers of spots vary dramatically. Like most larger ladybirds they are predatory and feed on insects such as aphids (greenfly) but also other smaller insects like other ladybirds. So, I suspect the one pictured was casing the joint looking for easy pickings but the way the smaller yellow ladybirds were packed in was an effective defence.

It was interesting to see these yellow ladybirds which though fairly common, are one of two yellow-coloured ladybirds with 22-spot being the smaller. The 14Spot Ladybird is bigger and has rounded rectangular markings rather than dots. However, our tiny yellow ladybird is also rather different in that it is an herbivore or more correctly a fungivore, rather than a carnivore generally feeding on mildew on plants. One to look out for!

ANTS MILKING APHIDS BY PETE WOLSTENHOLME

Professor Ian D. Rotherham, researcher, writer, broadcaster on wildlife and environmental issues in the Peak District and elsewhere, is contactable on ianonthewildside@ukeconet.org. Follow his website 32 www.ukeconet.org, Don’t forget to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads blog www.ianswalkonthewildside.wordpress.com/ & Twitter @IanThewildside

IN YOUR OWN GARDEN

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THE PERFECT ESCAPE

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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

5

3

6

8

4

Across 8 Bid farewell to die, in an astronomical unit (5) 9 Utterly beat with a soapless wash?

(5) 10 Grabbing a bit of a religious teacher (5) 12 Exist as a group and constantly annoy (5)

7

9

10

11

12

13

Down 2 Precocious sounding bugs? (5) 3 Mature painter, not at a good place (5) 11 Being around is an over-indulgence (5) 13 Authority of speaking, as it were (3-2)

14

15

Across

Down

1

Where astronauts head for a reality check? (4,2,5)

1

A hybrid ad., as representing those frustrating times (3,4,4)

5

Make happier, drinking from this here cup (5,2)

4

Shouted at the hens to adopt sotto voce (6,5)

14 Darkness frequency for Keira follower, say (7)

6

Indulge in some form of escaping (7)

15 They hold drawings of bets that are OK to shock (6,5)

9

Arbiter, assumed to be a Welsh one (7)

ANSWERS FOR LAST MONTHS PITHERWITS Across: 1 Casablanca, 7 Ruing, 8 Refloat, 11 Tibia, 13 Inane, 14 Colonel, 16 Inapt, 18 Dissuasive.

Down: 2 Ali, 3 Au gratin, 4 Abel, 5 Abatements, 6 Protracted, 9 Families, 10 Okra, 12 Ball, 15 Opus, 17 A B V.

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

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These puzzles are devised by the brilliant Professor Rebus. For more of his puzzles visit www.pitcherwits.co.uk

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