Voice Magazines - Matlock, Wirksworth & Cromford Edition - January 2024

MATLOCK, CROMFORD & WIRKSWORTH

JAN ‘24

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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!

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!!

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.

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.

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!

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!!

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

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 CPUK Ltd and distributed to 5,200 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

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.

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

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

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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

WEDDING & EVENTS PIANIST M: 07716 334 503 E: rdavispiano@gmail.com www.rogerdavispiano.co.uk rogerdavispiano

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SEWING CORNER 135 Dale Road, Matlock

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There's a ŠKODA model for everyone.

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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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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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Slimming World Recipe Cowboy Hotpot 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.

It’s pretty miserable outsaide.

So what you need is something warm and comforting to fill you up on cold winters nights.

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.

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.

For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk

Serves: 4 Ready in: 1 hour

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

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& h t l Hea y t u a e B North Derbyshire Foot Clinic For friendly and professional treatment of: Routine Care Cutting Nails Corns or Callus Heel, Foot & Leg Pain Thickened Nails Verrucae

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16

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

3 TIPS TO HELP YOU STICK TO YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS As January rolls around many of us make ambitious New Year’s resolutions - lose weight, save money, travel more. Yet by February or March, much of that initial motivation has faded and goals are abandoned. This year, make it different with these 3 proven tips to maintain momentum on your resolutions.

First, set mini milestones on the path toward your ultimate goal.

Breaking a huge target down into smaller, manageable chunks makes it less overwhelming. Aim to celebrate small wins along the way. For example, if you want to run a 5K by summer, first focus on being able to run 1 mile without stopping. Mini goals feel more achievable.

Second, get an accountability partner. Whether a friend, family member or co-worker, having someone to check in with regularly keeps you focused. Tell them your goals and have candid conversations about temptations, slip-ups and wins.

An accountability partner can motivate you when willpower weakens.

Finally, track your progress. Use an app, journal or calendar to monitor your effort day-by-day. Quantifying activity makes your improvement tangible. On days you fall short, confront the data rather than ignoring it — then get back on track quicker. Tracking

also clearly displays progress made, boosting motivation during plateaus.

Stick with these 3 strategies — mini milestones, an accountability partner and progress tracking — and watch your New Year’s resolutions evolve from lofty aspirations into actual attainments this year. Consistent effort yields results.

Whatever your plans for 2024, let’s make this the year when we don’t drag old stuff into another fresh one. And it’s never too late: I just came out of a session with a 76-year-old lady finally parting with a super strong belief that has stood her way in many forms since she was 5 years old… 71 years!

with sions ll s e s ng, a ak i e z p a S is am eart of H ce in me cult r e b ht um iffi ren weig nd d r a n he diffe u a e o t t f f a t e en A v th d ys be h an hat I ha ow feel a a w r l a n S ea st nd hing life I e. I hav lcome a e the t hout my m dw om ny ug ed fr rtable an out a d t b thro f a i l k a ul een mfo y spe ce. I wo l n has b o feel co e to op onfiden et c mad een able n b plete ah. e m Joh o v c a r h n i a nd S erns conc recomme ly www.sarahkallend.com high 07707067300

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LTD

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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!

UN

O SC

T

DI

E SAL DIS CO

UN

E

L SA T

T: 01629 583 153 19 Firs Parade, Matlock DE4 3AS

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Heritage of Bakewell JANUARY 2024

TAXES FOR ALL PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS PAID TAXES

The first recorded taxation was in Egypt 5000 years ago.

Coin money didn’t exist, so the Pharaoh claimed approximately 20% of all grain harvested by the people. It wasn’t long before the idea of taxation spread round the rest of the world.

In the 16th century the Diocese of Coventry and Lichfield covered a vast area of land. Ralph Gell was charged with collecting the taxes, tithes, for the Diocese on behalf of the church and clergy.

Ralph lived at Hopton Hall. He appointed Christopher Plant as his agent and to supervise collection of tithes. He owned a cottage in Bakewell that we now know as the Old House Museum.

Christopher was installed there to carry out his work. His task was to collect tithes for our area.

A tithe was one tenth of a worker’s income for the year.

This tax was paid with livestock, grain, vegetable, dairy products or money and barns were erected specifically to hold the produce until it could be moved on. An original tithe barn still stands today in Ashford in the Water, near the lovely packhorse bridge.

Paying tithes was considered a legal and moral

obligation as the money went to support the church and clergy.

Anyone who didn’t pay their tithe could be pursued through the courts, though cheating God and the fear of excommunication would have horrified people.

Nowadays, Christopher would have been known as the tax collector and I imagine he will not have been the most popular person about town.

Ever present throughout history wars were, and still are, expensive. To raise funds for soldiers and weapons Pharaohs, Tsars and Kings taxed their people. Over the centuries various taxes were introduced, some sensible, others more ridiculous than you can imagine.

Around 1535 a beard tax was introduced by King Henry VIII. He had a beard which became a sign of high social class and status. Sporting a beard and paying your tax showed you were wealthy. In Russia the Tsar imposed a similar tax but for the very opposite reason.

He considered beards to be extremely uncultured.

In 1696 King William III ordered that duty be put on the glass in windows. The king taxed people

for having windows and people actually bricked up some of their windows to avoid paying.

There are still houses where you can see an old frame filled with bricks. Ever heard the phrase daylight robbery? Guess where it came from.

In the 1700s a tax was introduced on the number of bricks used.

Of course, this just encouraged builders to use bigger bricks in an effort to pay less tax. It worked for a while.

A hat tax was introduced around 1784. This meant hat salesmen had to buy a license then display the amount of tax to be paid on every hat they wished to sell. As wealthier people bought more hats, they were heavily taxed whereas the poor, only owning one hat, faired a little better.

Between the 16th and 17th century playing a game of cards was popular. King James I, decided this might be a good opportunity to raise revenue. A law was made that an emblem be placed on the Ace of Spades to prove the tax had been paid.

Who knew?

Taxes, tithes, we all hate them, but pay we must.

JOYCE JANES ON BEHALF OF THE OLD HOUSE MUSEUM.

To advertise pleaseWWW.OLDHOUSEMUSEUM.ORG.UK call the Voice Team on 01629 364 015

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NEW YEAR, NEW ME… SERIOUSLY? Ah, the New Year—a time when we boldly declare our intentions to become the best versions of ourselves. Then realise that maybe, just maybe, the sofa, a bar of chocolate, and a good book are more appealing.

Let’s go on a comical journey through the land of resolutions, where good intentions meet reality, and the gym membership card hides in shame.

First up, the fitness frenzy. January 1st marks the grand opening of the “Gym of Good Intentions,” where so many of us transform into temporary fitness gurus. Fast forward to February, and the gym resembles a desert island, with tumbleweeds rolling across the abandoned yoga mats.

Then there’s the kale conspiracy. Every year, kale emerges as the superhero of resolutions—a leafy green beacon of health. We (try to) convince ourselves that kale crisps are a tasty alternative to regular potato ones, only to realise that, in reality, they taste more like disappointment seasoned with regret.

And don’t get me started on dropping the carbs, it simply isn’t possible to go through life without potatoes, bread, and cake…is it? I mean maybe cutback a little, but a roast dinner without roasties and Yorkshire puds is simply unthinkable.

run, or gym workout in the cold, when there’s the cosy warmth of bed?

Those mindset “gurus” have a lot to answer for.

Resolutions are like fine wine—they take time to get right, need a lot of patience to perfect, and there will be spills and along the way. So, whether you’re chasing fitness dreams, embracing kale with a smile (or a grimace), or attempting to befriend your alarm clock, remember: the laughter shared in the pursuit of these resolutions is the true reward.

If you are going to set yourself some resolutions for 2024, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t succeed at the first attempt. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you (and me!) won’t magically transform into svelte, fit, catwalk models simply because we make a few promises to ourselves on January 1st.

Finish the chocolate, eat the cakes, snuggle under your duvet – Spring is a much better time to start something new!

The battle of the bulge extends to the fridge. The New Year brings forth a wave of health-conscious shopping and we stock our fridges with loads of veggies. However, amidst the sea of greens, the leftover Christmas chocolate strategically hides, waiting for the midnight cravings. The quest for a healthier lifestyle becomes a game of hide-andseek with the hidden treats.

And let’s not forget those who pledge to become early birds in order to conquer the world – or at least their corner of it. The plan is flawless, set the alarm for 5am, meditate, go on a run, make a healthy breakfast etc, etc. But many of them will quickly become best friends with the snooze button, realising that their inner night owl is not so easily tamed. After all, who needs the morning

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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.

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MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON - ELIZABETH STROUT

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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.

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NATURE NOTES FROM THE PEAK DISTRICT

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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.

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