Voice Magazines - Sutton-in-Ashfield and Huthwaite Edition - January 2024

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JAN ‘24 SUTTON & HUTHWAITE

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From the Editor Happy New Year Readers!!!

2024 – let’s see what you’ve got in store for us all in the continuation of this crazy decade?!

It can’t be any worse right??!! To be fair, I’d be ecstatic with interest rates coming down anytime soon (thanks Liz #eyeroll) to make my mortgage into a number that doesn’t spell words upside down on a calculator! It’s only a Semi for crikey’s sake, I reckon I’d get a tasty property in Bel Air for the same monthly cost currently!

Anyway, with that in mind, no predictions from me this year (unlike our resident writer Mike, who has turned into Mystic Meg – God rest her soul).

There is absolutely no point because the way 2023 has unfolded, it’s all a bit beyond my imagination!

Personally speaking, I think I will go back to my resolutions this year – well, for January at least!!

Laura (our other resident writer) is with me on the resolution thing but she is going for ‘finding your inner child’, which is brilliant. My only trouble with that one is, my child is quite ‘outer’ already, so I’m back to the drawing board on what I want to do.

I need to find something that challenges me but is low on cost. Maybe something like decluttering the house – that would be very challenging in our house! Nah, Mr Emily would never go for it!

Oooh, I remember reading about Flo Meiler who is 84 and keeps winning medals at pole vaulting. She didn’t’ start until she was 60! I mean, how inspirational is that! Maybe there is hope for me yet? Although, I’m far too clumsy for pole vaulting. I did consider parkour

(the jumping across buildings thing, not the winter jacket) but I ruled it out for the same reasons…...oh and I’m not that balanced and my head for heights is diminishing as the years pass by!!

As a more sedate but equally as challenging undertaking for me, I have briefly considered taking up ‘knitting’ in honour of my late Grandma. She was fantastic at it and knitted me various garments and even one of those knitted scarecrows that everyone had in the late 80’s/early 90’s. In a bid to try and pass on her knowledge and no doubt, I chewed her ear off about teaching me, she bought me my very own yarn selection and child size knitting needles from Alfreton Market one day. I was very excited about this! She dutifully sat me down on many occasions to try and teach me the knit and purl of this forgotten art. Turns out that the only thing I was any good at was ‘dropping’ stitches. It tested our relationship and sufficed to say (no doubt feeling murderous towards me on more than one occasion), the needles were ‘lost’! So instead we spent our Saturdays watching Bullesye and eating cake! Happy times.

Anyway, I’ll let you know what I decided in the Feb edition – if I can settle on anything, this might be the theme of this year – new monthly hobbies!!

Happy Reading.

x Emily LEISURE CENTRE POST OFFICE

OPEN

WITH 12 MAGAZINES COVERING NOTTINGHAMSHIRE & DERBYSHIRE, WHY NOT ADVERTISE IN ANOTHER AREA? Upcoming Submission Deadline for Advertisers & Contributors: February ‘24 Edition - 12th January ‘24 • March ‘24 Edition - 10th February ‘24

To advertise email: info@voicemagazines.co.uk or call us on 01773 549 035 Printed by Image2Print Ltd and distributed to 5,000 homes in Huthwaite & Sutton. 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

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FEATURE

Welcome to our High Street feature! Christmas has gone but there are loads of bargains to be found in your local area, which boasts a treasure trove of remarkable businesses.

This New Year, make a difference and support your local area. Whether it’s January Sales or a New Year’s resolution to finally get that job done, you’ll find a local shop, business or tradesperson who can help! r lou ar

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NEW YEAR – NEW YOU EMBRACE YOUR INNER CHILD! I celebrated a milestone birthday just before Christmas, and it’s got me thinking “about life, the universe, and everything” (a Hitchhiker’s Guide reference), and how as we grow older we often lose touch with our inner child.

As a writer, I spend a lot of time researching and reading, and I came across an analogy the other day that I would like to share with you. It doesn’t matter if you are 87, or 17, I think the sentiment will resonate with you.

Here it is…

You are like a book - your ages are like the pages. You might be on page 78, but page 7 is still right there, unchanged and accessible to you. The 7-year-old you never went away, they are there, inside you still, so it’s a simple shift of focus to connect with the child you still are, not the child you ‘were’.

Deep, right?

But yet, very simple.

As we grow older, we become enmeshed in the practicalities of living; have the bills been paid, the shopping done, beds made, clothes washed…and so on, ad infinitum. If we’re not careful, we can lose the joy in our lives, as we become subsumed by simply surviving.

Your task for 2024 and beyond is to reconnect with the childlike part of yourself.

Remember how it felt to be a small child, curious, inquisitive, fearless? Allow yourself to live fully in each moment, feel the rain on your upturned face, try something different – a new food, drink, or activity.

Marvel at the way dew glistens on a spider web, as if hundreds of tiny diamonds had been captured in the sticky strands.

Catch snowflakes on your tongue.

Eat candyfloss at the seaside and giggle as it dissolves in your mouth.

Go for a stroll in the countryside and jump in puddles (wellies essential).

Reconnecting with your inner child doesn’t mean you absolve all your responsibilities – we still have to “adult” (sadly!), but give yourself time to play too. What’s that old adage? “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.” But allowing yourself to have fun whilst adulting is a something we should all embrace.

Even mundane tasks can be made more fun.

Put some music on whilst doing the housework and dance whilst you clean. As an added bonus, you’ll be getting some exercise too!

This January, forget New Year resolutions that you will probably give up by the time February appears, and instead take a vow to remember and reconnect with your inner child.

Why not see if you can dig out an old photo of yourself and stick it on the fridge – or some other prominent place? Better yet (if you are a gadget geek like me) turn that photo into your computer or phone’s screen saver. You will have a constant visual reminder of the beautiful child you were, and still are inside…no matter how many love lines now adorn your face.

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.

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Sutton Heritage Society JANUARY 2024

KING’S MILL RESERVOIR PT2 A little more information about Sutton reservoir and its surroundings.

The reservoir itself has mallards, Canada geese, coots and moorhens among many other species on and around the water and a cormorant can often be seen sitting on a rock, its brooding presence at dusk a little spooky!

Among other wildlife is the water vole. I have mentioned this rare species before, but I thought it was interesting that Ratty in Kenneth Graham’s “Wind in the Willows” was in fact a water vole.

I loved reading this book when I was a child!

Photo Courtesy Geoff Fleet

King’s Mill Cottages on the corner of King’s Mill Lane are probably the oldest buildings on Sutton Road – I’m guessing 17th or 18th century!

All the old buildings connected with the mill have now been demolished and it seems strange to think that cattle were kept until comparatively recently in buildings on the right-hand side of King’s Mill Lane quite near the reservoir itself. The buildings caught fire in the early 1950’s. I lived with my parents on Sutton Road almost opposite King’s Mill Lane so we could see the fire. My father and some other men went across to see if they could help with the animals. Luckily, there were none in residence. They were also looking for a tramp who sometimes slept in the stables but fortunately he wasn’t there either!

to spot but many people have managed to photograph them.

Running alongside the lake on the other side of the viaduct is a heronry. The herons arrive in March to refurbish their nests and raise their young at the top of the high trees. There is usually about a dozen pairs and they are wonderful to watch in Spring from the opposite bank of the lake.

They look like small pterodactyls as they fly in and out of their nests on fishing trips to feed their young.

The reservoir has a maximum depth of 23 feet (don’t go for a paddle!) and covers 440 acres.

I think we are quite fortunate to have this rural oasis in what is now a more or less built-up area. It is even possible to get refreshments in the pleasant café within the visitor centre situated very conveniently beside the path which goes completely round the reservoir.

If you have never visited this area before try a walk round. You may be pleasantly surprised!

by Angela Morris

The reservoir is home to many different species of birds including the beautiful but elusive kingfisher. They are so difficult Photo Courtesy Geoff Fleet

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All Around the Shire DASHING AWAY WITH THE SMOOTHING IRON….

If Monday was washing day, then Tuesday was ironing day. One of our recent acquisitions is a small iron with a fabric flex and a bayonet-type plug designed to be connected into a pendant light fitting. I well remember in the early sixties, my very tall dad reaching up to plug in the iron for my mum to iron shirts or for him to press his army uniform. He wouldn’t let mum do it because the only time she did, Dad was put on jankers (confined to barracks) because his trouser leg creases were not straight.

We didn’t have an ironing board, so mum lay a thick blanket covered with a sheet on the table and used a damp tea towel for very crumpled shirts. There was always a certain warm, slightly frazzled smell which I still remember today.

When I was small, my mum taught me to iron, starting off with hankies and tea towels, eventually progressing to shirts which had to be approached in an unchanging sequence: back of collar, front of collar, cuffs, arms, button side front and so on. Even now, I follow the same pattern and find pleasure and relaxation in doing so.

We come across many people during our reminiscence sessions who have living memories of flat irons (sometimes called sad irons) being

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used on a day-to day basis. Two were usually required: one to heat up on the range and the other to press the clothing. Some people even remember using paraffin irons or ones filled with hot coals.

The 1960’s saw many new, manmade polyester-based fabrics such as crimplene and easy-care polycottons. Not so much to iron.

Nowadays, our flat iron is a door stop and our bayonet fitting iron is a curiosity. But I still iron with pleasure and smile to myself when I remember….

Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire.

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

Janet

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FOOD & RETAIL

Slimming World Recipe Cowboy Hotpot Method: 1. Preheat your oven to 200°C/ fan 180°C/gas 6.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Business Sponsors’ Support Helps to Enable Inaugural Season Success for Newly Formed Grassroots Football Club - Annesley AFC

Founded in June 2022, Annesley AFC is a grassroots football club which plays its home games at Sutton Lawn, Sutton in Ashfield. The club focuses on creating a positive environment for player development and last year enjoyed a successful inaugural season as the club’s initial team played Saturday morning football in the YEL East Midlands Sat u10s’ league and went on to win a number of tournaments, a YEL Cup, and also a YEL Fair play Award. The YEL Fair Play Award is an award that’s voted for by opposition managers and recognises good sporting behaviour as demonstrated by players, coaches and parents on matchday - the club were one of only 16 teams in 1300 to win the award.

Building on its initial success the club has also gone on to achieve England Football Accreditation status and heading into its second season the club has added a Sunday u11’s team. Looking to the future the club’s five-year growth plan will see it add girls and boys teams for five and six year olds next spring and the longer-term dream is one day to have its own pitches and a clubhouse to call home.

A large part of the club’s successful start - both on and off the pitch has been because of the support the club has

received from its business sponsors - Clearmark Solutions Ltd, CPC Civils, and Zeppelin System Limited.

Thierry Jahant, Managing Director Zeppelin Systems commented: “As a foundation-owned company, business and community involvement are inseparable. We are proud supporters of our local football club and share their incredible achievements.”

An important part of the club’s development in the local community has been to partner with business sponsors who have operations and/or employees based locally.

Con Cunningham Managing Director of CPC Civils said “We are a Birmingham based company but work all over the country and are delighted to sponsor Annesley AFC, a grassroots team based in the East Midlands, which has one of our employees managing one of the teams and are happy to see them doing so well. Well done to Vincent Higgins, the other coaches and all the players” Mark Cass, Founder and AAFC Head Coach commented “We can’t thank our sponsors enough.

The financial support we’ve received from our business sponsors has enabled the club to overcome a number of financial hurdles in what has been a very challenging, but equally rewarding first season.

John Tierney, Country Manager of Videojet and Clearmark Solutions commented “We believe in giving back to local communities through funding community sponsorship projects. It’s been great to see the growth of AAFC over the past year and we’re proud to have supported them through it.”

For more information please contact: Mark Cassplease at markcass8888@gmail.com To advertise call the team on 01773 549 035 tel: 07912 785 932

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

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s ’ e k a l F s e t i r u o Fav

Re-walking Rafa’s Rambles

At this time of year, with the somewhat inclement weather, walking your dog can feel more or a chore than a pleasure. But it is so good for our dogs and our physical and mental health to get some exercise. This walk makes good use of paths and trials around King’s Mill Reservoir to provide a short but sweet walk, which is perfect in Winter.

The walk begins and ends at the Kings Mill Reservoir.

There is a good-sized car park and there is a café at the Visitors Centre. We then join the Timberland Trail which winds through to the small but pleasant Oakham Nature Reserve. From here we pick up a path alongside the River Maun as it winds back towards the reservoir.

3 1/2 MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM KING’S MILL RESERVOIR A short walk which should take you and your dog around 2 hours to complete. The walk features a number of roads so please take care. There majority of the walk is on trails but please wear appropriate footwear and as always, please follow the countryside code.

START: KINGSMILL RESERVOIR SAILING CLUB CAR PARK, RESERVOIR ACCESS ROAD SUTTON IN ASHFIELD. NG17 4PA 1. From the car park head directly towards the reservoir and a large notice board. Upon reaching a T junction of tarmac paths with the notice board directly in front of you, turn right along the tarmac path with the reservoir on your left. After a short distance you will pass by a sign on your right reading ‘visitor centre’ and then a little further on pass by the visitor centre on your right.

2. Continue straight along the tarmac path keeping the reservoir on your left for quite

20

some distance. Follow the path until reaching a signpost, just before a bridge. At the signpost turn right and very shortly, at a junction, turn right again.

3. Follow the path up a ramp to cross over a metal bridge over the railway line. On the other side at a T-junction of paths, turn right to join the Timberland Trail.

4. Keep on this path until reaching a road. Cross straight over the road, pass by a signboard reading ‘Timberland Trail’, and then continue

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5. Continue along the path for some distance and then pass by a metal gate. keep straight ahead for a short distance. Now continue with a stone wall on your left, pass by another gate and then a house on your left. Walk gently downhill and then at the bottom of the hill, turn left through a metal width restrictor adjacent to a large metal gate onto a well laid footpath.

6. Walk straight ahead going gently uphill. At the top continue along the footpath into some trees and then bear right to descend sharply down some steps heading directly towards a lake. Turn left just in front of the lake to walk along the path until reaching a road. Turn left along the road for a very short distance and then turn right, pass through a width restrictor and along a footpath.

7. After a short distance follow the footpath to the right and then a little further on follow the path to the left. Continue for a short distance and then turn right to cross over a river bridge.

After crossing the bridge turn immediately left and then continue with the river on your left.

8. Continue straight ahead to join up with a tarmac path and then continue with a tall metal fence on your right. Keep straight ahead until reaching a road. Turn left along the road for a very short distance crossing a river and then turn right to pass through a chicane and onto a footpath.

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straight ahead along a path. Continue until reaching another road. Cross straight over the road pass by another sign board on your left and continue straight ahead along a footpath.

9. Walk along a tarmac path with the river on your right. Pass by a fishing lake on your right and then after some distance you will continue with a chain link fence and a railway line on your right. When the chain link fence on your right ends turn sharp right to double back on yourself and then pass through a swing gate, cross over the railway line to pass through a 2nd swing gate.

10. Continue straight ahead for a short distance and then follow the path around to the left signposted for ‘Sutton in Ashfield’. After a short distance cross over a bridge and then upon reaching a stone wall directly in front of you turn right. Now continue with a stone wall and a reservoir on your left.

11. After a short distance bear slightly to the left to continue along a footpath staying close to the stone wall and passing by a notice board on your left. Continue along this path for quite some distance staying close to the reservoir on your left. Eventually you will join up with a tarmac path. Continue straight ahead until reaching a T junction of tarmac paths. Turn left, cross over a bridge, and continue with the reservoir on your left.

12. After some distance pass by a wooden gate and then a little further on pass by Sutton Sailing Club on your right. Continue until reaching the car park on your right.

This walk is for illustrative purposes only. Voice Magazines Ltd 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 the team on 01773 549 035

King’s Mill REser voir

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Down

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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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NATURE NOTES FROM THE PEAK DISTRICT

WINTER BIRDS FLOCK TO THE GARDEN FEEDERS By early December, the cold weather had tipped large numbers of smaller birds towards the garden feeders. A combination of the reduction of the autumnal glut of fruit and berries in hedgerows and woodland edge, means our garden feeders assume a greater importance.

Furthermore, this is where feeding the birds in the summertime really pays dividends because the birds immediately know where to come. The young birds from this year’s garden broods of blue tits and great tits, are already hard-wired to recall where those easy supplies of sunflower seeds, fatballs, and peanuts are to be found. From August through to late October, the numbers of visiting birds certainly dropped as foraging mixed flocks of titmice or of finches roamed the wider countryside.

But since early November, the garden visiting has increased dramatically. In my own case, we have had flocks of around thirty blue tits and good numbers too of great tits and coal tits, alongside the occasional long-tailed tit.

This is all good to see and the party has been joined by finches too, with chaffinches, goldfinches, and now, good numbers of greenfinches. The latter is great to see back, with ten or more visiting at once. This is a species which declined sharply due to a nasty disease probably in part spread through dirty garden feeders causing infection. Absent where I am for about ten years, they are now back, and several pairs bred here last summer. In these days of so much doom and gloom in the news, it is nice to have even small things to celebrate!

The smaller birds are joined by some larger ones too such as the now super-abundant woodpigeon and the stunning, ring-necked parakeet. The former hoover up any seed scattered on the ground or falling from hanging feeders and have even taken to trying an assault on the feeders directly. However, being large and cumbersome, they do struggle with nut-holders, fat-balls, and hanging seed dispensers.

The parakeets on the other hand are amongst the cleverest and most adept of our garden birds.

These are spreading across the region from the first recorded sightings back in the 1980s. They feed on peanut holders and sunflower seed, but simply love spiked apples on the feeders. These are also favoured foods of blackbirds and other thrushes such as fieldfares and mistletoe thrushes.

However, blue tits, coal tits, and great tits also relish the apples.

Another wintertime treat for the birds comes in the form of dried mealworms. The robins love these and become very tame if they are offered regularly. But the other bird to really benefit from the mealworms is the starling. I have spherical wire holders which are filled with small suet pellets and dried mealworms, and these are attracting flocks of twenty or more starlings at any one time. Bearing in mind that this was a bird under threat just a few years ago, and this is quite remarkable; hopefully, another once declining species now on the up.

GREENFINCH

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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 36 www.ukeconet.org, Don’t to mention Voice Magazines when responding to the Ads blogforget www.ianswalkonthewildside.wordpress.com/ & Twitter @IanThewildside

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GARDENS

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Gardener’s Calendar

There’s truly not lots to do in January in the garden, beyond cleaning tools and pots and leafing through garden catalogues with a mug of something hot in your hand.

But if you do want to brave the elements there’s a few tasks to keep you warm. Prune your apple and pears if you haven’t done so already, plant bare root roses, prune overgrown honeysuckle back hard, deadhead flowering winter pansies so they don’t set seed and give up the ghost.

If you have any forgotten tulips in a bag in the depths of the greenhouse they will probably put on a decent show even if you plant them now – so long as you can get them into frozen ground!

Try not to walk on frozen lawns as it can damage grass.

Top Tip:

If you have a heated greenhouse or propagator you can sow lobelia and begonias and pelargoniums now, but make sure there’s some ventilation so they don’t get damped off. Paraffin heaters can produce a lot of moisture which can be too much for tender shoots.

Feed the birdies. Fruits berries, mealworms, suet pellets or fat balls. All high energy content. Bread is not the best idea. But a water bowl is. Dirty feathers lose a lot of their insulation so a clean bird is a warm bird.

38

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GARDENS

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