Voice Magazines - Broadmeadows, South Normanton, Blackwell, Newton & Hilcote Edition - May 2025
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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.
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
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
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7 SESSIONS COVERING GRIEF
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Slimming World Recipe
All-In-One Pasta Bolognese
Method:
1. Spray a large non-stick saucepan or casserole pan with low-calorie cooking spray and put it over a medium-high heat. Add the bacon, onions, carrots, celery, garlic and 2 tbsp water and cook for 7 minutes.
2. Add the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes or until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
3. Add the tomato purée and dried herbs and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in the chopped
tomatoes and stock and add the bay leaf, stirring to combine. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Tip in the pasta and simmer for another 15 minutes or until it’s tender, stirring occasionally. Season to taste.
4. Ladle into 4 bowls and scatter over the basil leaves to serve.
All the joy of a regular Slimming World bolognese but just one pot to wash up after... Count me in!
Ingredients:
• Low-calorie cooking spray
• 4 back bacon medallions or rashers, visible fat removed, roughly chopped
• 2 medium onions, roughly chopped
• 2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 celery sticks, roughly chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
Serves: 4
Syns per serving: FREE
• 500g lean beef mince (5% fat or less)
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 2 tsp dried mixed herbs
• 400g can chopped tomatoes
• 1.2 litres boiling beef stock
• 1 bay leaf
• 300g dried small pasta shapes (we used conchigliette)
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AMBER VALLEY RUGBY CLUB
TRY RUGBY THIS OFF - SEASON WITH AMBER VALLEY RFC!
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AMBER VALLEY JUNIORS HEAD TO CHESTERFIELD FESTIVAL
We’re thrilled that all junior teams will attend the CHESTERFIELD RUGBY FESTIVAL 2025. It’s a brilliant way to close the season with a weekend of rugby, laser tag, bowling, and camping adventures, it’s set to be a memorable time for players, coaches, and families alike. For the under-8s, this marks the end of tag rugby and the start of their contact journey. WE’RE SO PROUD OF THEIR PROGRESS THIS YEAR!
Interested in having a try call Stuart on 07966 867 946 for the men, Gareth 07595 520 537 for the ladies and Paul 07790 403 043 for the Minis and Juniors.
More than just a club, we are the #ValleyFamily. You can visit our website www.ambervalleyrfc.co.uk, Facebook & Instagram pages to contact us or follow what we do. You can find us at Lower Somercotes, Somercotes, Alfreton DE55 4NQ
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A dogs Day out
With the spring quickly turning into summer, it’s the perfect time to get out and explore some of the wonderful countryside our region has to offer!
Unbelievably It has been around 10 years since we last did this walk and I am sure it won’t be that long again as this is a cracker, with a great range of countryside and lovely views! Flake loved every step and he took a great many more than we did!
7.5 MILE CIRCULAR FROM POULTER COUNTRY PARK
A moderate walk which should take you and your dog around 3-4 hours to complete. There are sectiona of road so please take care, however most of the walk is on paths and trails. Please wear appropriate footwear, especially if it has been wet! And, as always, follow the countryside code.
Starting Point: Poulter Country park car park, South Whaley Road off the A632, Langwith. (South car park is situated at the Langwith end of Whaley Road).
1. Standing in the car park with your back to the road, pass through a wooden gate on your left adjacent to a sign reading ‘Country park walks’. Continue straight along a footpath passing a pond on your left. After a short distance ignore the path that splits right and uphill and continue straight ahead.
2. A little further on the path takes a slight detour left and then right. After, continue for some distance and then pass through a wooden gate, a car park and onto a road.
3. Turn right and continue along the road for some distance. Follow the road around to the left signposted for ‘Whaley’ and then a short distance after passing a house on your left, turn left along a lane and signposted bridleway.
4. After a short distance and just prior to reaching a large wooden gate, bear left away from the lane keeping a stone wall on your right. After a short distance and just prior to another large wooden gate, bear right to cross an open field.
5. At the far side continue straight into some woodland. Continue along this path for some distance crossing over 2 crossroads of footpaths, both with a marker post on your left. At the 2nd footpath cross diagonally, ignoring the private paths left and right.
6. Eventually you will reach a T junction of paths. Turn right and follow this path out of the woodland to continue with a hedge on both sides.
7. Continue straight ahead until you reach a farm house on your right. When you draw level with the farmhouse, turn left onto a signposted footpath for ‘Whaley Thorns’. Continue for a very short distance with a fence on your right. Where the fence ends, ignore the path to the right and continue straight ahead to cross an open field.
8. At the far side continue for a short distance along a stone lane. Upon reaching a large metal gate turn sharp right and back on yourself to continue uphill with a fence on your right.
9. After a short distance pass through a width restrictor and then cross over a metal bridge. Continue straight ahead passing houses on your left. After leaving the houses behind you will pass over a short concrete section of the path with a large wooden gate on your right. After this bear left and gently uphill along a path running parallel.
10. At the top of the hill pass through a width restrictor and then turn left. Continue straight and cross over a railway bridge. Further on cross straight over a crossroads of footpaths and then continue with a hedge on your right and trees on your left.
12. Continue for some distance and then pass a farm on your left. Upon reaching a road cross straight over to continue along ‘Limes Avenue’.
13. Continue straight ahead and when the road bends sharp left, turn right along a lane and sign posted footpath. Continue straight along the lane and then when the lane bends sharp left continue with the lane around to the left. After some distance the lane bends sharp right. At this point continue straight ahead, over a stile and continue with a stone wall on your left.
14. Continue until reaching a large opening in the stone wall. At this point turn left and continue with a hedge on your left. Continue with the hedge on your left until passing through a wooden gate onto a road. Turn left along the road and then take the 1st right into ‘Woodland View’.
15. Continue along this street for some distance. Continue when the street narrows and then cross straight over a road to continue between the houses and up some steps. At the top of the steps turn left.
16. Continue straight to pass through a width restrictor and then pass by a metal gate onto a road. Continue straight ahead and turn right at a mini roundabout.
17. Continue straight ahead along a tarmac path with a car park on your left. Continue straight along the path to cross over a railway bridge and into Poulter Country Park.
18. Once in the park, turn left following a red arrow on a marker post. After a short distance, turn right uphill. Continue straight ahead until arriving at a sharp left turn. Take the path left following the path with the trees on your right for a short distance before bearing right.
19. Continue straight ahead to pass by a viewpoint, indicated by a ‘Rhino Horn’ sculpture, up to your right and at a split in the path bear around to the left.
20. Further along, following the red arrow on another marker post on your left, bear right to follow the path downhill. After continuing to bear gently to the left, keep to the path, bearing right, to follow the red arrow and return to the car park.
11. Continue and pass a short yellow marker post on your left. After a short distance, keep your eyes peeled for a path off to the left into some woodland. Take the path. After a short distance, the path splits. Take the right hand split and continue to reach a T junction of paths. Turn right and continue until coming out of the woodland to a lane. Turn left and then straight along the lane.
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.
HERITAGE TRUST
CAN YOU HELP?
Alfreton & District Heritage Trust has recently secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to delve into the rich built and natural heritage of the town. This exciting project aims to produce a variety of resources that will engage the local community and foster a deeper understanding of the area’s history. Among the initiatives planned are investigations into the lives of individuals buried in the cemetery where the Heritage Centre is located, as well as efforts to raise awareness about the natural environment surrounding it. The Trust will focus on the Palmer Morewood family and their significant impact on the town’s development. The project will include the creation of podcasts and ten oral histories that capture the essence of the Palmer Morewood legacy.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
- The Trust will be organising activities that will enhance research skills within the community, while also providing educational opportunities for local schools, families and other young people. The project, which is set to conclude in April 2027, will also feature:
• the publication of two themed books
• four walking trails
• a portable exhibition
• a children’s heritage interpretation pack.
CAN YOU HELP? - The Trust is eager to gather stories and memories from the community, so if you’re interested in contributing, please reach out through the website, email or social media channels.
John Rayson: ajrayson@outlook.com • Fb: Alfreton & District Heritage Trust
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.
Janet and Paul Barrass are
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MIKE’S MUSINGS
If I was Prime Minister I would………..? (it’s time to move on – Part 2)
Despite last month’s article resulting in even more gripes being sent to me, it really is time to move on now and you’ll just have to find another outlet for getting things off your chest.
1. Anti-social drivers who chuck things out of the window. It may not currently be a credible deterrent throughout the UK, but ANPR (Automatic Number-Plate Recognition) to be used wherever possible, and the drivers, once apprehended, placed in stocks for twelve hours and passers-by encouraged to throw decomposing vegetable matter at them.
2. People who constantly stand or jump up at the slightest bit of excitement at football matches. This came from a Pride Park season ticket holder who accepts that it may be less of a problem, at other, less well attended grounds. The Club Safety Officer who, during the match can view CCTV coverage of various parts of the ground from the Police Control Room, will look for persistent offenders. Those who are guilty of this unnecessary and anti-social behaviour will receive an initial warning, but if they continue, a seat belt, similar to that found on planes, will be fitted to their seat and stewards asked to make periodic checks to ensure that they are properly strapped in throughout the game.
3. Theatre audience members who ‘sing a-long-a’ at musicals. The gentleman who raised this with me accepted that this was not a particular issue at ‘juke box’ musicals like Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys, We Will Rock You etc., but he strongly
objects to e.g. the woman sitting next to him lustily singing along to the likes of Don’t Cry For Me Argentina (Evita), Music Of The Night (Phantom of the Opera) or Tell Me It’s Not True (Blood Brothers) especially as she’s invariably off key. At specific shows/performances, the audience are forewarned not to sing-along during certain numbers. Anyone failing to follow this reasonable request, will suddenly find a spotlight brightly illuminating them as the performance is temporarily suspended. They will then be invited up onto the stage to give a solo performance the next time they feel the urge to sing out.
4. Vehicles being driven when it is foggy, misty or raining i.e., in impaired viewing conditions, without using their headlights (or at best, simply side lights) with the driver thinking all is well with the world because he/she can see fine without realising that other road users may be struggling to see them. No messing about with this lot. Providing they have been seen - and that’s not always easy of course - the Police are encouraged to pull them over and issue a first and FINAL warning. Should the Police catch the driver again driving without sufficient illumination within the next five years, they will have the authority to impound the car and issue a mandatory fine of £500 to be paid within 5 working days. Should they fail to meet that deadline, the vehicle is sent to the scrap yard.
Mike is always glad to hear from you at: mike.musings@outlook.com
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
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.
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.
VE Day 1970: The Twenty-Five-Year Mark
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.
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
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)
Across
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
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)
1 Colonel had deft plans, but gave no passion. (4,3,4)
Do you know an unsung hero who you think should be put forward for a National Honour?
There are many brilliant people across Derbyshire who do amazing things in our communities but they very often go unrecognised.
Honours lists are published twice a year at New Year and on His Majesty King Charles’ Official Birthday in June.
The national media often showcase celebrities receiving medals but the lists are certainly not about celebrities. In fact nearly all are unsung heroes from every corner of the land who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and done something special for their community.
They may be doing amazing voluntary work to enhance the lives of others, working tirelessly to safeguard the environment, creating lots of employment in a local company, achieving incredible sporting triumphs or helping people to face and overcome health problems.
Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Derbyshire says “Nominating someone for an honour is relatively easy. As well as completing a nomination form, applicants are expected to provide evidence of the impact of the individual’s activities together with letters of support from people who know them or have benefitted from their work.
which is why you should do this in confidence and without telling the person you are nominating, but why not have a go.”
“You also need to be patient. From a nomination being submitted to the Cabinet Office to the nominee being notified of the outcome often takes a year or so, but the wait can be worthwhile for the individuals involved and the local communities they serve”.
“If you know someone whose efforts deserve to be recognised, please think about nominating them. You might help the person get the recognition they deserve and it will give you a warm glow in doing so”.
“Of course not every nomination is successful
Elizabeth Fothergill Lord Lieutenant
A nomination form can be downloaded from the Government’s websitewww.gov.uk/honours. It’s a fairly straightforward form but if anyone is a bit bewildered please contact the Derbyshire Lieutenancy who will be more than happy to give help and advice. They can be contacted by emailing Debra.Heaton - Lieutenancy @derbyshiredales.gov.uk
MBE (M) Ladies
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GARDENERS CALENDAR
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
