Voice Magazines - Ripley & Marehay - MAY 2024

BUZZ… WHY WE NEED BEES

Bees—we all know they are under threat, don’t we?

But why are they so important, and what can be done to mitigate the danger they are in?

At the heart of their importance lies their role as pollinators. This seemingly simple act is crucial for the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. In fact, it’s estimated that one-third of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators like bees. Without them, many of the foods we rely on for sustenance would cease to exist or become prohibitively expensive.

Beyond agriculture, bees play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity. By pollinating a diverse range of plants, they contribute to the reproduction of countless species, thereby supporting entire ecosystems. From wildflowers to trees, bees ensure the survival of plant communities that provide habitat and sustenance for a myriad of other organisms, from insects to birds to mammals…to us humans!

Bees are also indicators of environmental health. Their presence and abundance can serve as a barometer for the overall well-being of ecosystems. Declines in bee populations may signal broader ecological imbalances, such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. As such, protecting bees and their habitats is not only crucial for their survival but also for the health and resilience of entire ecosystems.

In addition to their ecological significance, bees also have profound cultural and economic importance. For centuries, humans have benefited from the products of bees, including honey, beeswax, and propolis. Beekeeping, or apiculture, remains an important livelihood for many people around the world, providing income, sustenance, and even therapeutic benefits.

Despite their immense value, bees face many threats to their survival. Habitat loss, pesticide

exposure, disease, climate change, and invasive species all take their toll on bee populations. The widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides has been implicated in the decline of bee populations worldwide, leading to calls for greater regulation and alternative pest management strategies.

Fortunately, there is growing recognition of the need to protect bees and support their populations. Efforts to conserve and restore bee habitats, reduce pesticide use, and promote beefriendly practices are underway in many parts of the world. From urban beekeeping initiatives to pollinator-friendly gardening campaigns, individuals, communities, and governments are taking action to safeguard bees and their vital ecosystem services.

As individuals, we can help by:

• planting a diverse set of native plants, which flower at different times of the year

• buying raw honey from local farmers

• buying products from sustainable agricultural practices

• avoiding pesticides, fungicides or herbicides in our gardens

• protecting wild bee colonies when possible

• sponsoring a hive

• making a bee water fountain by leaving a water bowl outside

• helping to sustain forest ecosystems

• raising awareness around us by sharing this information within our communities and networks

GO ON, HELP SAVE THE BEES – THE WORLD WOULD BE A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE WITHOUT THEM!

We are proud to have offered our services to the area for over 20 years building up our reputation by offering a high service at affordable, honest and reasonable prices to both residential and commercial customers. Many of our customers are return customers or gained through ‘word of mouth’ and we welcome this loyalty. 24 HOURS 7 DAYS A WEEK

BOOK REVIEW

There’s nothing like a bit of gothic thriller for immersing yourself in another world and author Michelle Paver has a great talent for suspense and menace.

Her other gothic novels, Dark Matter and Thin Air, were bestsellers and Wakenhyrst, the most recent book, is another treat for fans of creepy, gripping and spooky tales.

It’s an engrossing clever story, atmospheric and dark, centred around Maud, a young girl who grows up in a

grand house on the edge of the Fens. Her mother dies in childbirth and her life is ruled by her despotic father who she adores – until she starts to find out about his secrets.

Paver builds tension brilliantly. Maud is a superb brave heroine, her father a perfect villain. Religion, superstition –and a clever narrative around the place of women in Edwardian times. What’s not to love?

RASCALS Top the RLSS Speeds Medal Table

March saw Birmingham transform into a hub of aquatic excellence as the RLSS National Speed Lifesaving Championships (Speeds) took centre stage at the illustrious Sandwell Aquatic Centre. Purpose built for the Commonwealth Games in 2022, the facility provided the backdrop for the largest event in Speeds history with over 550 individual competitors, including teams from the Irish Republic and Norway. Broadcast live on the new RLSS UK YouTube channel, the two-day event was set for some superb individual and team performances that would test skill, strength and stamina. The 40 strong RASCALS squad, the largest representation to date, were ready to race!!

Divided into various age categories, the competition kicked off with the 12-14 year olds diving into action in the 25m pool while the older athletes launched their races in the larger 50m pool. Despite the simultaneous races, parents and coaches adeptly split their attention ensuring that every RASCAL received the vocal support they deserved. For many of these young athletes, it was their inaugural appearance at the Nationals and they certainly rose to the occasion, representing the club in and out of the pool in an exemplary manner.

Over the course of the two-day event, accomplishments came pouring in with PBs and medals galore. It is impossible to cover every success, but standout performances in

the Line Throw competitions deserve a mention. It was a triple Line Throw celebration by 12-14 year old males taking Gold, Silver and Bronze in the individual event then teaming up to take Gold in the Line Throw Relay. It was Bronze for the 15-18 year old males, 40-49 year old males and then another Bronze in the over 19 years Line Throw Relay. Not to be outdone, it was Gold for the 15-18 year old females and again, Gold for the over 19 years females. What a tremendously proud moment for RASCALS Line Throw coach Tim Dening!

After two long days of competition, RASCALS showed no signs of slowing down in the final race of the event – the 200m Medley Relay. It was Gold for both the 12-14 year old males, 15-18 year old females and Silver for the 12-14 year old females – unwavering commitment to the end!

The collective effort of the RASCALS squad secured a commendable second place overall, but topped the medal table winning 19 Gold, 19 Silver and 21 Bronze events (a staggering 107 medals including relays).

Congratulations to RASCALS athletes on an inspiring performance, motivated and supported over the weekend by Head Coach Daniel Woodthorpe, Coach Mike Waterfall and Team Manager Dawn Lockwood. Thank you also to our parent volunteers and the Coaching team back in Ripley who all play such a crucial role in the success of the club! Next stop, Cardiff!

If you would like to expand your swimming activities or try something new, please contact us. contact@ripleyrascals.org.uk • www.ripleyrascals.org.uk

Some of the RASCALS squad attending the RLSS Speeds in March 2024

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All Around the Shire

RUB A DUB DUB

Which soap do you remember from your childhood? There were many brands to choose from in the 1960s and 70s like Lux or Camay Beauty soaps where the model on the television advert demonstrated how to use the soap by rubbing in circular movements blobs of lather on her cheeks. My granny was not impressed when I tried this method and she told me to go back and wash the whole of my face.

During WW2, soap was rationed as the fat and glycerine from it was needed to make explosives and for other military uses.

From 1942, four coupons were given each month, and each coupon was worth 4oz hard soap, 3oz toilet soap, half an ounce of liquid soap, 6oz soft soap, 3oz soap flakes or 6oz soap powder. Shaving soap was never rationed but became scarce as did the other types.

Soap operas from radio (1930s) and TV (1950s) were so called because they were sponsored by soap manufacturers.

Washing powders like Oxydol and Rinso had to perform more than one household task. The wartime Rinso packet had instructions for how to use for laundry and dishwashing.

Knight’s Castille, Palmolive, Pears, Fairy, Sunlight, Imperial leather, Carbolic, Lifebuoy, Coal tar, Pit Head Bath soap if your father was a miner, were the types I grew up with. To imagine my parents and grandparents having to go without what we regard as basic cleaning products and five inches of water in your bath for the whole family a week, makes me glad I didn’t have to live through those times.

Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire. Find us on or email: oldfield512@btinternet.com for more information.

Slimming World Recipe Fish Pie

Method:

1. Heat your oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/ gas 6.

2. Cook the potatoes in a large saucepan of boiling water over a high heat for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain, return to the pan and mash well. Leave to cool then stir in the quark, season to taste and set aside.

3. While the potatoes are cooking, put the leeks and 2 tbsp water in a nonstick saucepan over a medium-high heat. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally, then tip into a large ovenproof dish.

4. At the same time, cook the eggs in another saucepan of boiling water over a high heat for 9 minutes or until just hard-boiled. Cool under cold running water, peel, halve and add to the leeks.

This fish pie is packed full of delicious ingredients; fish, prawns, eggs, leeks in a creamy sauce, all topped with fluffy mash. Yum! For

5. Pour the milk into a non-stick saucepan and bring to a simmer over a medium heat. Add the white fish, reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the fish to the ovenproof dish, along with the prawns, herbs and lemon juice.

6. Strain the milk into a clean pan and put it over a high heat. Mix the cornflour with a little cold water and add to the milk. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to low and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. Pour the thickened sauce over everything in the dish, season lightly and gently mix it all together.

7. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top, making a pretty pattern with a fork if you’re feeling creative, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the topping is lightly browned. Serve with your favourite Speed vegetables.

Serves: 6

Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1kg floury potatoes, such as King Edward or Maris Piper, roughly chopped

• 4 tbsp plain quark

• 2 large leeks, sliced

• 4 eggs

• 250ml skimmed milk

• 600g skinless and boneless white fish fillets, cut into bite-size chunks

• 200g cooked and peeled king or tiger prawns, tails removed

• ½ small pack fresh dill, chopped

• 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 1 level tbsp cornflour

Syns per serving: 1

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Flake

’

s Favourites

Re-walking

Rafa’s Rambles

Well, it finally feels as if Spring has arrived and with it a bit of drier and warmer weather. So, it’s the perfect time to dig out this gem. It really is a lovely walk, with beautiful views and scenery. There is a nice varierty of terrain as the walk leaves from Calver, along the River Derwent to Froggatt and then as far up as Grindleford, before heading back through Froggatt Woods and along the river to return to Calver.

6-MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM CALVER TO FROGGATT ALONG THE RIVER DERWENT

A mid-length walk which should take you and your dog around 2½-3 hours to complete. The walk is mostly on trails and paths but there are a few short stretches of road so please take care. Please wear appropriate footwear and as always, please follow the countryside code.

START: CALVER MILL GALLERY, BRIDGE COTTAGE, CALVER. DERBYS. S32 3XA

1. Facing the gallery take the single-track tarmac road to the left signposted for ‘Calver Mill’. After some distance ignore the gate to the right into Calver Mill and continue straight ahead passing a sign on a stone post for ‘Stocking Farm’.

2. Just prior to reaching some farm buildings follow the road around to the right. After, turn immediately left and pass through a small wooden gate adjacent to a large wooden gate and continue to cross an open field.

3. Upon reaching a river on your right continue ahead keeping the river close on your right. After a short distance pass through a small wooden gate adjacent to a large metal gate. Now continue along a footpath with the river on your right.

4. Pass 2 bungalows on your left, then after a short distance you will reach a road. Cross the road to pass through a gap and then continue along a footpath with the river on your right.

5. After a short distance cross over a footbridge and then continue with the river on your right for some distance, passing through three more wooden gates.

6. Eventually pass through a wooden gate onto a road. Turn right to cross over the river and after a very short distance turn left at a T junction along a road called ‘Hollow Gate’. Continue ahead until the road bends sharp right and uphill. At this point continue straight ahead along a road and a footpath signposted for ‘Grindleford Bridge’.

7. The road turns into a lane with a dry-stone wall on both sides, then into a footpath. Shortly after this pass through a gap adjacent to a large metal gate, into a field, and continue with a dry-stone wall on your right. When the dry-stone wall on your right comes to an end bear slightly to the right following an arrow on a marker post, to continue to cross an open field.

8. Pass through a gap and then continue with a dry-stone wall on your left for some distance before passing through another gap to cross an open field. Pass through another gap to follow a signpost for ‘Froggatt Wood’.

9. Continue along a footpath through woodland and crossing several streams. Pass through a gap and then continue with a stone wall on your left. Then pass through a small wooden gate adjacent to a large wooden gate and cross an open field going downhill.

10. At the bottom of the hill bear slightly left to cross over a stream and continue ahead to pass a telegraph pole on your right. Cross an open field and at the far side pass through a wooden gate and onto a road. Turn right along the road for a very short distance and then turn right along a lane and signposted footpath.

11. After some distance follow the lane sharp right and after a very short distance pass a marker post on your right. Ignore the path to the left and continue straight ahead to cross over a stream. After a very short distance pass through a small wooden gate just off to your right and enter a field.

12. Cross the field towards a marker post. At the marker post turn left signposted as ‘The Wellington Boot Route’. Pass through a large gap in a wall pass by two marker posts on your right.

13. You will begin to enter some trees. Pass two more marker posts on your left and continue along a wooden walkway to pass through a wooden gate and uphill through the trees until you reach a dry-stone wall in front of you. Bear slightly right and continue with the wall on your left, ignore a gate on the left and contine.Then, following an arrow on a marker post on your right, pass through a large gap in the wall on your left.

14. Continue straight ahead, now, with the wall on your right. After some distance cross over a stream on your left and then continue ahead to cross over a walkway/bridge. Immediately after the bridge pass through a large gap in a wall directly in front of you.

15. Still amongst trees follow the arrow on a marker post on your left to continue ahead. At a marker post with an arrow pointing to the left follow the arrow on a path of laid flag stones.

16. Cross over some stepping stones over a fast running stream, then continue to cross over two more streams. Pass a marker post on your right, then cross over another stream. Continue gently uphill for some distance, eventually the path continues with a wall on your right. Pass through a small wooden gate adjacent to a large wooden gate onto a road.

17. Turn right, then shortly after passing ‘Moorlands Farm Bed & Breakfast’ on your right, turn left along a road called ‘Malthouse Lane’. Continue along ‘Malthouse Lane’ for some distance and then at the far end of the road follow it sharp around to the right and downhill.

18. At a T-junction turn left. Continue ahead, ignoring a road on your right and then look out for a small wooden gate on your right. Pass, through to continue along a footpath with a river on your right. Cross over a footbridge and then continue with the river on your right.

19. Continue for some distance and then at a split in the path take the right split, reaching some steps up to a road. Cross the road, pass through a gap and then continue along a footpath with the river on your right. After some distance climb up some steps, cross over a footbridge and then continue with the river on your right.

20. After some distance cross a wooden footbridge, climb some steps and continue with the river on your right. Further on pass through a small wooden gate along the path.

21. Pass through the wooden gate onto a road. Turn right and continue for some distance, reaching a junction. Turn right along a road and cross over the river to return to ‘Calver Mill Gallery’

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.

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Guess the words and Fill in the crossword ! 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.

Across

6 Cut the picture of the harvest (4)

7 Noisiest part of after-dinner speech (3)

8 Abundantly alcoholic? (4)

14 Sky pilot gives up posy for Scotswear (4)

15 Hit, from hot-air propellor (3)

16 Opposed to the freeze of the car? (4)

Down

3 Bland and quiet Diva? Unlikely! (5)

4 She’s into ballerina diagnostics (5)

12 Tiger-eye? Get away, somehow it’s a nest! (5)

Across

1 Left Vienna to become the last item (5,5)

9 Download a version of wild arboretum? (8)

11 Bit of monochrome shading can be hard to pin down (4,4)

17 Beef, Duke? (10)

Down

1 We make lifelong attempts to be in blue state (7,3)

2 Why a car crashed into an architectural feature (7)

5 “Founded a nation, did I? That’s just as well!” (2,8)

10 Losing fluid because of broken linkage (7)

Down: 1 Proposition, 2 T b a, 3 Gas, 4 Non-adhesive, 6 Go to sea, 7 Not here, 8 Engrave, 14 Rev, 15 Sit.

Across: 1 Patrol wagon, 5 Agonies, 9 Omit, 10 Gird, 11 Other, 12 Iris, 13 Ache, 14 Rameses, 16 Naval battle.

13 A vial, snapped open for help (5) ANSWERS

MAY 2024

Ripley & District: Heritage Trust MONUMENTAL CELEBRATIONS

The Jessop Monument was built in 1854, just after the death of the man it commemorates, William Jessop the Younger. He had been in charge of the day-today operations of the Butterley Company from Benjamin Outram’s death in 1805 until just before his own death in 1852. He was successful and popular with the workers, building houses, schools and a church for them.

In spite of being struck by lightning in 1861, the Monument, its grounds and the Hall built in 1865 provided a venue for all kinds of celebrations for nearly 100 years. The rules set by the Butterley Company specified that “no intoxicating drinks to be allowed on the Grounds, except with special permission”, and it was especially popular for temperance rallies and the annual fetes of The Codnor Park and Ironville Artisans and Mechanics Library (another Butterley construction) and the Erewash Valley Floral and Horticultural Society Show.

A look at one of the latter shows gives a flavour of the event. In 1901, the 57th Fete was held. There were exhibitions of flowers, fruit and vegetables, as well as crafts, with prizes for the best in each class, totalling nearly £100. There was a sit-down luncheon in a marquee next to the hall, with formal speeches.

In the afternoon there were entertainments, a range of music-hall acts provided by an “Amusement Caterer” based in Sheffield. They included contortionists, knockabout comedy, a singer, a ventriloquist and Carl Waini, “the Clever Bender, Hand Balancer and Glass Manipulator.” In the evening there was dancing to the Riddings United Prize band from 7 until 10.

Events like this often attracted thousands of people and for some, special trains were laid on from Sheffield, Nottingham or Mansfield to Codnor Park station.

It is sad that, in spite of repairs in 2006, both Hall and Monument remain locked and unvisited.

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May is such a brilliant time in the garden. Time to plant out, sow for later in the summer, take cuttings to give you more plants for free. It can’t get any better than this.

It’s also a good time to prune forsythia to keep a bright bushy shape and plenty of blossom next year.

Tender plants which have been started off indoors can be hardened off now – take them outside during the day and bring under cover at night for a few days then they won’t be shocked into slower growth. You also need to be careful with baskets and containers. They can be planted up as soon as it feels like the frosts are over but have a couple of rolls of fleece handy if it feels like it’s going to be a cold night.

If you’ve got seedlings growing in rows or pots thin them out once they’ve got a couple of proper leaves (ie not the little leaves that emerge as they start to grow). This way they’re less likely to suffer from fungus and they have a better chance of flourishing if they’re not having to fight for space.

Watch out for bright red lily beetles. They can attack fritillaries as well as lilies and will very quickly decimate your plants.

You can keep on sowing bright summer annuals in beds – they’ll give you bright colour around the end of July and August when bare patches start to show.

Feed your daffs and tulips with a liquid fertiliser now to encourage a good strong display next year. Top Tip:

NATURE NOTES FROM THE PEAK DISTRICT

AS SPRING ARRIVES THE GARDEN BIRDS STILL COME

From autumn into late winter the garden visiting birds have grown in numbers and diversity. Then, a few weeks ago as the first warmth seemed to arrive, many of the birds reduced. Night-time temperatures make a big difference because if it is very cold then small birds burn up body fat. This needs to be replenished the following day and as a matter of urgency – if they don’t refuel then small birds die. Indeed, this is why our garden feeders become so important in wintertime. However, a couple of cooler nights brought the numbers back up and whilst the titmice (blue, great, and coal tits) have never got back to the highs of a couple of months ago, the finches in particular have been doing very well. Usually, a winter visitor I think the siskins may be stopping to breed locally, with several still on my feeders at any one time. They are joined by greenfinches, bullfinches, chaffinches, and goldfinches, all of which will, it seems, breed in or around the garden.

Jackdaws have returned to nest in a neighbour’s chimney stack, and the local carrion crows have a nest and territory in a nearby woodland. Both species are coming to the garden to feast on the hanging fat-balls. Also in the wood, a chiffchaff started singing in late March almost like somebody just threw a switch and the song ‘chiff-chaff, chiff-chaff, chiff-chaff’ started up. This is not to be confused with the bi-syllabic, repeated ‘seesaw’ of the local great tits. Another loud and insistent call is that of the nuthatches that hold territory and occasionally come to the feeders. At this time of year, the repeated ‘chwit-chwit’ and the loud, ‘kee-kee-kee’ are

very distinctive. Much of the bird activity is now settled on establishing a breeding territory whilst attracting and protecting a suitable mate. But levels of activity will carry on growing as summer-breeding migrants pour in from April onwards. As always, the period from May to August promises to be a very busy time for the songbirds of the Peak District!

Along with new arrivals from the south, many of our winter birds will have departed northwards to their own breeding grounds. This may be the far north of Britain or else back into northern Europe or even Iceland. This is a time of great change, and for birds such as the starling for instance, our winter population includes gatherings of hundreds of thousands or even up to a million birds. Some of these breed locally but many head back across Europe for the summer. In Russia for instance, the return of the starling is viewed as a harbinger of springtime, very much as we await the coming of the swallow back from Africa. Even our population of winter blackbirds mixes those which reside here and breed locally, and a big influx of continental birds from across the North Sea. Of course, once all this movement is settled and the birds have bred, then it will all start over again for the next winter period.

JACKDAW

MALE BULLFINCH

MALE SISKIN

CARRION CROW

BLUE TIT