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“My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole. We were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword against tyranny.”
Winston Churchill, Victory Speech, on May 8th 1945.
It wasn’t my parents who fought in the war but rather my grandparents and with the 80 year celebration of VE day, as the generations roll on, it becomes harder for us to understand exactly what was sacrificed for us to live as we do today. Having researched it a fair amount for this months’ editions, you cannot help but feel in awe of the people who stood tall and fought for their beliefs, freedoms, families or in whatever way they found the strength to battle onwards both at home and abroad. Political parties did not matter, only ‘right and wrong’. If you could truly take ‘self’ out of the equation and put yourselves in those mud entrenched shoes, what would you do if this happened today?
I don’t think I’m alone in acknowledging that this feels closer today than it has in a long time, and
I often wonder, if our ancestors who experienced it first-hand, would recognise the patterns? The famous quote from Hegel springs to mind – “We learn from history that we do not learn from history”. We can only hope that this is the generation which breaks the mould and we educate ourselves and hope that our morality is as strong as our resolve. VE Day, as much as it is a celebration of our Victory, it is also a reminder of what could have been for me, if a brave contingent from different backgrounds, countries and religions, hadn’t all worked together to defeat a common enemy. I often wonder what my grandparents would think if they were still with us today?
Anyway, onto a brighter note, Mr Emily took a lovely phone call from Glenys this month, who, whilst she always reads the magazine, struggled to read ‘From The Editor’
page last month with the small writing and the green writing on the black background (like an old computer). The message has been relayed and received, this is a shorter one this month to enable us to make it larger and we loved the fact you called, so any readers are very welcome to call and provide us with feedback, we always take it on board.
I was also going to relay a lovely little story which involved Mr Emily locking us out of the house, me unhappily walking through Riddings in my slippers, the mad aunty and uncle and the parentals all involved but Glenys has saved Mr Emily further embarrassment on this matter!!
Have a wonderful May everybody, Happy Reading, Emily x
VE Day 80 Years On Remembering the Day That Changed History
On May 8th, 1945, the world awoke to the news that Nazi Germany had surrendered, marking the end of the Second World War in Europe. Victory in Europe (VE) Day was met with an outpouring of relief and joy and millions celebrated after six years of devastating conflict.
On May 8th, 1945, the world awoke to the news that Nazi Germany had surrendered, marking the end of the Second World War in Europe. Victory in Europe (VE) Day was met with an outpouring of relief and joy and millions celebrated after six years of devastating conflict.
80 years later, we reflect on that historic moment, its significance, and why it remains as important as ever.
The announcement of Germany’s surrender came on May 7th, but it wasn’t until the following day that people across Britain, the Commonwealth, and the Allied nations could officially celebrate. In London, enormous crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace, where King George VI and Prime Minister Winston Churchill appeared on the balcony to wave to the cheering masses. Churchill’s famous radio address captured the spirit of the moment,
declaring: “My dear friends, this is your victory.”
Beyond London, cities and towns across the UK, including our local towns and villages, erupted in celebration. However, alongside the celebrations, there was also mourning. The war in the Pacific raged on, and many families grieved lost loved ones, knowing that peace had come at a significant cost.
The Derby Evening Telegraph featured extensive coverage of the VE Day celebrations. The front page of the May 8th, 1945 edition highlighted the surrender of Germany and included reports on local reactions and events. Interestingly, alongside the news of victory, the newspaper also published the first weather forecast since the start of the war, symbolising a return to normalcy, as weather reporting had been banned during the hostilities. I think there is something uniquely
British in this… “the war is over…back to talking about the weather”!
But VE Day was not just a moment of relief—it was the beginning of a new chapter. Europe faced the challenge of rebuilding shattered nations, reuniting families, and ensuring such a conflict would never happen again. The end of the war led to the formation of international alliances like the United Nations, aimed at promoting peace and diplomacy. The division of Germany, the rise of the Cold War, and the rebuilding of war-torn countries all stemmed from this momentous day.
As we mark the 80th anniversary, the lessons of VE Day remain crucial. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by the wartime generation, very few of whom still survive, and the resilience of those who rebuilt in the aftermath.
To many of our younger generation, WW2 is an abstract historical event. The atrocities committed before, during and after the war, are just entries in their history books. Marking events like VE Day helps us keep the memories alive and ensures such global carnage never happens again.
VE Day is an opportunity for us to honour veterans, educate younger generations, and reaffirm our commitment to peace. A peace which hangs in the balance right now thanks to our “friends” across the pond.
“We shall never forget.”
These articles are researched and written by Laura Billingham, a local content writer & 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
Actual picture used on front cover of Daily Mirror on VE DAY
How Farmers and Business Owners Could Be Affected New Inheritance Tax Rules:
By Laura Cowan, Head of Private Client at Graysons Solicitors
Big changes are coming to inheritance tax planning from April 6th, 2026 — and they could have a major impact on farmers, business owners, and high networth individuals.
Currently, Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) offer up to 100% inheritance tax relief on qualifying assets. APR typically applies to farmland used for agriculture, while BPR applies to land or business interests used to generate profit.
But from April 2026, the rules are being tightened. The first £1 million of qualifying assets will still receive 100% relief — but any value above that will only receive 50% relief. And that £1 million allowance isn’t transferable between spouses (though that could change in the future).
For instance, if someone gifts £200,000 of business shares to their daughter in 2024, and then dies in 2026, that gift will
count towards their £1 million allowance — even though it was given before the changes take effect. Any gifts made after 30 October 2024 will be counted if the donor dies after April 6th, 2026.
This means many people making lifetime gifts now may inadvertently be using up their new allowance — even if they didn’t realise it.
There are options. In some cases, a Deed of Variation (a legal adjustment to a will after death) could be used to maximise reliefs across a couple. For example, a wife could redirect part of her late husband’s estate to their children, using up his unused allowance before it’s lost.
Specialist advice is essential. Correct valuations (ideally by a RICS-accredited professional) will be vital to understand what qualifies for relief and what doesn’t.
shares, for example — which were previously eligible for 100% BPR — will now only qualify for 50% relief, though they won’t count towards the £1 million limit.
Tax planning, particularly involving trusts, lifetime gifts, or business sales, is becoming more complex. The potential for capital gains tax (CGT), clawback, and HMRC scrutiny means careful advice from accountants and legal professionals is more important than ever.
If you’re unsure how these changes affect you or your family, seek expert legal guidance now — not after it’s too late.
AIM (Alternative Investment Market)
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Lots of people do fantastic things in their lives but very often they go unrecognised. Derbyshire’s Lord Lieutenant asks, ‘can we change things in Derbyshire?’ They may be doing amazing voluntary work in the community, working tirelessly to safeguard the environment, creating lots of employment in a local company, achieving incredible sporting triumphs or helping people face and overcome health problems.
The aim of the King’s Birthday and New Year Honours is to celebrate all these selfless types of activity. Anyone can be nominated for an Honour at any time.
All you need to do is fill out the nomination form, gather evidence of the impact of the person’s activities and get letters of support from people who know them or have benefitted from their activities.
Why not have a go at a nomination. You might help the person get the recognition they deserve and it will give you a warm glow in doing so!
Elizabeth Fothergill Lord Lieutenant MBE (M) Ladies
More information is available at www.gov.uk/honours. and the Derbyshire Lord Lieutenant’s Honours Panel is here to help as well. They can be contacted by emailing Debra.Heaton - Lieutenancy@derbyshiredales.gov.uk
Summer Organ Concert
by International Organist
Jonathan Scott
A special midsummer organ concert with an unmissable programme of popular classical music, including works by Bach, Mozart, and Handel’s famous Zadok the Priest!
4 pm Saturday 21st June at St. John the Baptist Church Tideswell, SK17 8LF
“Cathedral of the Peak”
Jonathan Scott enjoys a hugely varied international performing career on a diverse spectrum of keyboard instruments, as well as often performing ‘at home’ as Associate Artist of The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.
Admission £12
Tickets available on the door or prebooked at 07958549531
Concert is in aid of the Fabric Appeal
All Around the Shire
CHIPPY DAYS
Wherever we lived as I was growing up, there always seemed to be a local chippy which we patronised regularly. The smell of the vinegar made me salivate in anticipation of a cheap, hot, delicious meal. It never tasted any better than when newspaper was used to wrap the contents. You might buy a cone of chips or a bag which you could eat while walking along.
And what did you call the crispy bits of fried batter you could buy for a penny? Batter bits, scratchings, scraps or something else? Some chip shops would offer a “thruppenny mix” which was a scoop of batter bits with a few mushy peas.
The fishcakes would be home-made by the owner’s wife, or you might have a battered sausage. One chap ran a small chippy from the front room of his terraced house. He only had two fingers on one hand. I used to whisper to my brother “Don’t have the battered sausage!”
Paul knew of a very bad-tempered chippy owner who battered a customer’s watch and fried it because the customer was complaining about waiting too long.
Did you ever order a giant pickled onion or a pickled egg which floated in the great glass jars on the counter? Even when I was too young to see over the counter, I could warm my hands on the hot cabinets. The chip shop was a comforting place to be.
Happy days.
Dale Road South, Darley Dale, Matlock DE4 2RH
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HOW VE DAY HAS BEEN MARKED OVER THE DECADES
The way we mark VE Day has naturally shifted in response to changing social, political, and generational situations. Let’s take a quick look at how VE Day celebrations evolved from 1945 to 2020 in 25 year increments.
VE Day 1945: The Day of Joy and Liberation
VE Day 1970: The Twenty-Five-Year Mark
The first VE Day was marked by overwhelming joy and relief after six years of brutal warfare. There were massive public celebrations. In London, thousands of people gathered to cheer Prime Minister Winston Churchill and King George VI as they appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Street parties were organised nationwide, with people dancing, singing, and waving flags.
By 1970, a generation had passed since
VE Day, and the national mood had shifted. With the country still rebuilding, the euphoric celebration of 1945 gave way to a more sombre reflection.
Ripley & District Heritage Trust
The emphasis was on the triumph of the Allied forces and the liberation of occupied countries. It was a day of national pride, as well as a moment of emotional release for a population that had endured years of hardship and loss.
VE Day 1995: The 50th Anniversary
The 50th anniversary saw a renewed focus on remembrance. The BBC aired comprehensive coverage, including interviews with veterans and public commemorations. There were reunions and special ceremonies for war veterans, with a sense of gratitude for their service. Younger generations participated in community events that allowed them to learn about the wartime experience. The narrative was less about victory and more about the sacrifices made and the importance of preserving peace.
The scale of public celebrations was less exuberant compared to 1945. The 25th anniversary focused more on remembrance and less on outward joy.
To add a political layer, the Cold War was at its height in 1970, and the global political landscape had changed. The significance of VE Day was viewed in the context of ongoing international tensions, which added layers of complexity to its meaning.
VE Day 2020: The 75th Anniversary
By the 75th anniversary, the nature of commemoration had again evolved, especially with the global COVID-19 pandemic restricting physical gatherings. In fact, the pandemic gave VE Day 2020 an unexpected parallel with the wartime experience.
The UK had planned significant events to honour the day, but Covid-19 forced the cancellation of all public assemblies. Television broadcasts, social media posts, and virtual ceremonies became the primary means of observance.
Each of these anniversaries reflects different stages in the collective memory of World War II. As the years pass, the way VE Day is marked has evolved. While early commemorations centred on victory and liberation, today’s focus is more on remembrance, peace, and the duty to protect the freedoms secured by those who fought and died.
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
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS IN 2025
Every great success story starts somewhere, and Voice Magazines is no exception.
The very first edition in 2010 was a 32-page magazine, targeted at a handful of homes in Swanwick, Riddings, and Leabrooks. Fast forward to today, and the magazine is a must-read across 11 editions, from Bakewell to Selston, Ripley to Kirkby and everywhere in between, and reaching a whopping 152,000 residents every month.
MUSEUM THE BELLS… THE BELLS…
But let’s take a trip back to 2010. Picture this: Emily, the founder of Voice Magazine, is staring at her first edition. It’s 32 pages long, and every one of those pages represents blood, sweat, and probably more cups of tea and coffee than anyone should consume in a week. Delivering to 2,500 homes was no small feat either—especially when you’re also holding down another job.
Someone who rings bells is commonly known as a bell ringer. Obvious isn’t it, but did you know they can also be called a ringer, toller, signaller, a campanologist, and possibly other names amongst themselves.
It is said that during the 18th century some behaviour in belfries was appalling, with cursing and swearing considered normal behaviour.
In 2012, Emily took the leap, moving to premises in South Normanton, marking a major milestone. Having an actual office meant fewer late-night sessions at the kitchen table and more room to dream big. From there, things started snowballing (in a good way, not the “rolling downhill in winter” kind).
Waiting to be rehung
The magazine’s reach grew, the pages multiplied, and Emily’s vision for Voice Magazine as a community resource really began to take shape.
But everything has to keep developing and changing in order to flourish and grow, and you may have already noticed that this January 2025 issue looks a little different from previous magazines.
I’ve even heard tell of barrels of beer hoisted up to the bell tower, so ale was, ‘on tap’ for thirsty ringers. During the Victorian era such behaviour would not have permitted and of course nothing like that would go on today…
special religious services. Many cancer treatment centres now have a bell patients can ring to mark the end of treatment, to symbolise the relief they feel and appreciation for the support they have received. Bells are important.
Yes, that’s right—Voice Magazine has had a New Year Makeover!
The brilliant covers are still the stars of the show—it’s the inside that has changed. You’ll notice:
• TOP TIP’S (This month on how to stay healthy)
• DID YOU KNOW? (This month has little known facts about health and fitness)
• SPOTLIGHT ON (An advertiser is spotlighted throughout all 11 editions for the month)
My Grandson loved Bakewell Church and the clock, but especially the bells. One Heritage open day we were allowed into the bell tower where he sat transfixed. For years he spoke about the experience and could even recall the colours of the ropes. One day, as we walked down North Church street the bells started to ring. He ran down the road, fist in the air, shouting ‘thank you God, thank you.’ He would have been about eighteen at the time… no seriously, he was five. He sat on some steps looking up adoringly as we listened. That was some years ago, he’s joined the RAF since then but I’m sure he will love that I shared this memory with you… not.
• WHAT’S ON? (This month is about Park Runs near you)
I see this New Year, New Voice Mags edition as a gym membership for your brain—packed with all the things you need to kick-start the year without actually making you sweat ��
Voice Magazine’s journey from humble beginnings to a monthly staple is proof that with a bit lot of determination, gallons of tea and coffee, and maybe a few “what am I doing?” moments, you can achieve amazing things.
I found old rules for Bell Ringers. They speak of a ‘Captain’ being in charge of settling disputes and ringers being fined, in 1892, one penny for unpunctuality, two-pence for absence and six-pence for every oath uttered. Other rules stated that there should be no smoking, no drink, no quarrelling or bad language in the Belfry and, in one parish, no looker on or strange Ringer shall be admitted. Ringers were expected to attend church thereby setting a good example. Should a Ringer be guilty of habitual neglect of public worship, improper or irreligious conduct, he shall be dismissed. Church bells ring out to call the faithful to worship on a Sunday, but as well as that they symbolise significant events in all our lives. There are peals for celebrations, national events like coronations, or the end of wars. They are rung for personal occasions such as weddings, christenings and funerals, to help us mark the passing of our loved ones.
Though mesmerised by the bells, only a few strides beyond the church was his favourite place of all, Bakewell Old House Museum. The church and museum were absolute musts on every visit. For some years he was the youngest member of Bakewell & District History Society. There was something new to discover every trip to the museum, always a different exhibit to be fascinated by and to talk about.
A small army of people now deliver the 11 editions across 70 towns and villages, and Voice has a team of people all working to create the best magazine they can.
Sombre bells peal for anniversaries such as Remembrance Day, our tribute to the fallen. Joyful peals ring out for Christmas and Easter. Bells herald
If you have grandchildren, or even grown ups who come to see you, why not take them up to the museum to see our wonderful collection of artefacts, I doubt they will have visited anywhere like it before.
Emily and her nearest and dearest no longer have to do everything themselves. Let’s be honest, even superwoman Emily would struggle to produce and deliver all those mags by herself… although I bet she’d have a go.
So, here’s to (at least) another year of connecting communities, sharing stories, and maybe even sneaking in a few more jokes along the way.
Should you be tempted to join Bakewell Bell Ringers, Pauline would love to hear from you, drop her an email pauline.boyle@gmail.com
BAKEWELL OLD HOUSE MUSEUM IS NOW OPEN EVERY DAY FROM 11AM TO 4PM FOR THE 2025 SEASON. ALONG WITH OUR OWN WONDERFUL COLLECTIONS WE HAVE EXHIBITIONS BY CHESTERFIELD EMBROIDERERS AND THE LEVEL CENTRE.
Because if you can’t laugh at life—or your first attempt at a Park Run—what’s the point?
Bakewell
North Church Street
SUDOKU #58
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
Do
inc
Replacement Heritage timber window specialist - to DDDC
Specifications
Guess the words and Fill in the crossword !
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
7 Live just to stick an oar in (2,3)
8 Volume of tiler’s work (5)
9 Stand for the unreasonable terms of the lease (5)
11 Pale hen’s a bad layer (5)
1 A secret perhaps, with inside rent? (7,4)
5 Awful sound of an instrument with a throat problem (7)
12 Play, ending with swansong deed (4,3)
13 Set the limit with a pencil and ruler? (4,3,4)
Down
2 Pre-fix the burial term? (5)
3 Scruffy little goat plays it largo (5)
10 Itemised composer? (5)
11 Conscious of a weak organisation (5)
Colonel had deft plans, but gave no passion. (4,3,4) 4 It’s a problem to hide tension within (2,3,6) 5 Call us a problem? Bit of a sentence! (7) 6 Talk about creating a plan for a ‘chopper! (7)
3 Cola, 4 Grey matter, 5 Crosses off, 8 Adieu, 9 Westbank, 14 Lash, 15 Plea.
2
WHY NOT WRITE A BOOK?
by Roger West
You’ve probably
For years, I struggled with writing, convinced that only Oxford or Cambridge-educated minds could produce books. My poor 11-plus results reinforced that belief. Writers’ guides always advised, “Write what you know.” But what if, like me, you don’t know much?
Fiction eluded me—creating characters, dialogue, and drama felt impossible. Even my granddaughters could probably teach me! Once, I wrote to Spike Milligan for advice. His reply? “I just take my pen in my hand and stare at a blank sheet of paper until I bleed at the temples.” I still have his letter.
Eventually, I found my subject—coal mining. Our mining industry shaped landscapes, fuelled the Industrial Revolution, and provided livelihoods. Yet, many today don’t even know what coal is. I once sat by an open coal fire in a Welsh hotel when a family entered, shocked at the sight. That moment reinforced my desire to write.
This passion led me to write Red Blood for Black Gold, a book that ensures our mining heritage is never forgotten. The sacrifices of miners, the harsh conditions they endured, and the industry’s role in our nation’s history deserve to be remembered. My articles on Derbyshire mining, including South Normanton’s 1937 disaster, reached many—so why not a book?
Three years of research, setbacks, and perseverance later, Red Blood for Black Gold was born. Expect
rejection—mine came 13 times before Spiral Publications believed in my idea.
If you’ve ever thought of writing, take the leap. Red Blood for Black Gold proves that with passion and persistence, a book can become reality.
ROGER WEST
Roger West is a writer and researcher who has written for various provincial newspapers, publications and county magazines for many years. He has also worked with Mansfield 103.2 FM, Centre FM and BBC Radio Derby Sport as a football reporter, broadcaster, and co-commentator. He is determined to keep alive the memory of King Coal and believes that if we do not, then it will soon be forgotten by the generations of today and tomorrow. In Red Blood for Black Gold, Roger sets out to do just that, to never forget a once great and proud coal mining industry.
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The pace of change in the garden at the moment is incredible. So much stuff to do, but quite a bit is controlled by the weather.
Hardening off seedlings and plug plants is probably at the front of most of our gardening thoughts. We can still get sneaky frosts even now. One idea if you don’t have a cold frame in your garden is to use a warm south-facing sheltered spot, preferably at the base of a wall or hedge. If it’s still cold when you read this, then bringing plants indoors at night is a good idea for the first week of hardening off. If it’s not that cold at night cover with fleece, then on warmer nights leave the fleece off, still keeping it handy just in case.
It’s also unfortunately pest time, because tender shoots and roots are especially attractive for grubs and snails. Given that most of us won’t want to use toxic slug pellets, it’s worth trying anything organic, spreading wool pellets or spiky straw around vulnerable plants and shoots. One suggestion my local nursery expert swears by, is taking your pepper grinder out of the kitchen and grinding mixed peppers around target plants. She says it’s totally stopped the slugs around her hostas!
You can use nematodes to fight vine weevils. You’ll know you’ve got adult weevils by seeing the round chomps on the edge of leaves. Visual checks and picking them off will usually work with the fully grown weevils which are unlikely to be fatal. The real killers as we go through spring into summer are vine weevil grubs, which have the ability to totally eat their way through an entire root system. They are a particular problem in pots and baskets and look like little white grubs. If you find any in spent compost make sure there are no others in other tubs and get rid.
Beyond physical removal, nematodes are the best bet. These can be bought in garden centres or online. They are biological and need to be used within 10 days of being made active by adding water according to instructions. Then water them into the soil and keep the soil moist for a couple of weeks after watering.
Good luck!
TOP TIP
Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of daffs – (those which didn’t flower this year). Deadhead, but don’t bend the leaves to tidy them, they need to take the goodness from the leaves back into the bulb for planting next year.
SPRING BRINGS ON THE WOODLAND FLOWERS
Warm, dry weather has triggered a bursting forth of spring flowers in woodland and hedgerow. Suddenly the countryside is full of wildflowers jostling for position, as wave after wave of flowers emerge. Ancient woods are especially rich and full of wood anemones, primroses, bluebells, lesser celandine, and then the pungent wild garlic. Trees and shrubs also burst into life with the glorious white flowers of blackthorn followed by the sweet heavy fragrance of common hawthorn or ‘May Blossom’. The brilliant white of blackthorn flowers en masse contrasts with dark black stems to light up the landscape. The earliest spring flower in woods or shady places is the diminutive lesser celandine, a cousin of the buttercup, with folk name of ‘pilewort’ because of the shape of its nodulelike roots. According to the medieval doctrine of symbols, this was an indication that you could use the plant to treat that medical complaint! Following close behind is the pretty wood anemone whose white or pinkish ‘petals’ are really the sepals that normally encircle the petals. Also known as wood crowfoot on account of the shape of its leaves, its Latin name is ‘nemorosa’ which simply means ‘woodland’. This innocent-looking plant is actually poisonous though herbal medical practitioners did recommend its use. Culpepper for instance suggested it to ‘purge the head mightily’, and a decoction of the leaves was used to bathe the body in an attempt to cure leprosy. In France the extract of the leaves was applied externally as mustard is sometimes used to ease muscular problems. In Roman times it was believed that the anemones only flowered when the wind blew and called it the ‘windflower’. For the Greeks, ‘Anemos’ or the Wind, sent the Anemones to herald the coming of spring, and this often coincided with March storms. In some European countries, the flower is taken as a symbol of bad luck, of ill-omen. Today in the UK we see this plant as a good indicator of an ancient woodland site, i.e. a wood that goes back to the medieval period.
Also, out in many shady, damp woods is the wild garlic a plant that is easy to grow in a shady garden
if you like garlic and want to cook with it. This plant has a subtle garlic flavour and fragrance combined with a texture rather like cooked spinach. It is best to grow it for the pot rather than collecting from the wild. Indeed, commercial collection for restaurants etc is strictly forbidden unless you have permission from the landowner – it is theft! In its natural habitat deep in a humid, shady woodland, the wild garlic brings a heavy and distinctive scent hanging over the whole area, which is wonderful if you like garlic but less so if you do not! Mrs Grieve was clearly not a fan as she states ‘Ramsons, the wild Wood Garlic, but for its evil smell would rank among the most beautiful of our British Plants’, and ‘…. Many [woods] are to be avoided when it is in flower, being so closely carpeted with the plants that every step taken brings out the offensive odour’. In amongst the garlic and anemones are patches of bright purple dog (or common) violets bringing an extra radiance to the woodland scene.
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 www.ukeconet.org, blog www.ianswalkonthewildside.wordpress.com/ & Twitter
LESSER CELANDINE
WOOD ANEMONE
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