This month, we’re taking you all into the blocky world of Minecraft. With the film release and the fact that this is one of the most successful games of all time, we couldn’t ignore the theme for this month but in our true style, we’ve built our own characters and brought the Easter feels to it as well, it is “a world where anything is possible”, after all!
So, we’ve made this month into an Easter Eggstravaganza and we’ve got some lovely giveaways from some fabulous local companies! We’ve got S42 Café giving away a grazing board and a glass of fizz for 2, family tickets for a visit to Heights of Abraham, Midland Railway & Crich Tramway Museum and £20 off camping/events at Golden Valley Caravan Park! We are also giving away a Cadbury Ultimate Easter Egg Chocolate Basket for one lucky winner too! As I said at Christmas, you’ve got to be in it to win it, so check out our centre pages and send us your answers!
Myself and Mr Emily are actually low level gamers, we love everything from platformers and kart racers to RPG’s and everything in-between, we have played since our Uni days but we’ve never partaken in Minecraft, it was always SIMS back in our day! The Nieces and Nephews are partial to these types of games though and I’m definitely not adverse to playing, given enough time. I love the idea that it is completely down to your imagination and I think we need more of that, in today’s world more than ever!
It’s been quite a busy month in our house, I feel like we’ve barely been home! Anyway, based on some of the activities I have undertaken, here are some burning questions… if you want to send us some answers over, always happy to discuss!!
1. Why do Easter Eggs taste better than ‘normal’ chocolate?
2. If heat pads work so well, why has nobody invested in a full heat suit? (A sauna doesn’t count!)
3. If Bingo is supposed to be relaxing, why don’t they shout the numbers slower?
4. As mini-golf and golf are essentially the same, why isn’t Tiger Woods (insert pro golfer name) a World Champion of Mini Golf with an unbeaten score?
5. If Tomatoes are fruit, who classified it as such and why don’t we have it in a fruit salad?
6. So, scientists discovered that we evolved through genetic changes to our DNA, then why have I evolved so that Coriander tastes like washing up liquid?!
As always, I really hope you have a fabulous Easter, whatever your plans. Happy Reading, Emily x
Minecraft: A Grand Adventure in Blocks
When the team asked me to write about Minecraft for this month’s edition, I confessed I was more than a little worried. I’d heard of it – but genuinely had absolutely NO idea what it was. Unlike my other half, I am no “gamer” – well, apart from Wordle and a gloriously infuriating “bottle filling” game on my phone!
So, I did what I always do: I turned to “Mr Google” …and was directed to the official Minecraft website.
This is how the game is described: Minecraft is a game made up of blocks, creatures, and community. You can survive the night or build a work of art – the choice is all yours. Still no clue? Me neither!
So I read on and discovered that Minecraft can be played however you like – that is, there are no set goals, no set in stone missions to complete. This is why it’s sometimes called a “sandbox game” – there are lots of things for you to do and lots of ways that you can play. If you like being creative, you can use the blocks to build things from your imagination. If you feel brave, you can explore the world and face challenges. Blocks can be broken, created, and placed to reshape the landscape, or used to build fantastical creations straight from your imagination. You can even share your creations with other players or play in community worlds.
OK…so what I am deducing is that Minecraft is akin to online Lego building, sprinkled with a vast amount of imagination and, dare I say it… ”world building”, and here’s where it gets really interesting. In a world where AI-generated games and hyper-realistic graphics are the norm, this simple, blocky game has somehow maintained a massive
audience across all age groups. Why? Because of its very simplicity. Minecraft gives the players’ minds a break from the overload of fast-paced, complex games and lets them build something entirely their own.
It’s creativity at its purest.
And let’s not forget Minecraft’s impact outside the game itself. It was one of the first games to become a YouTube sensation, with millions of people tuning in to watch others build their own worlds. This phenomenon then paved the way for a whole new genre of online content – people streaming themselves playing games, unboxing products, and sharing their hobbies. Minecraft was a pioneer, not just in gaming but in online entertainment.
Absolute respect to anyone who regularly plays and enjoys Minecraft. From what I’ve gathered, it’s certainly less aggressive and far more creative than many computer games, and that has to be a good thing.
Having been around since 2011, Minecraft obviously isn’t going anywhere. It’s a simple game with an extraordinary impact – and that’s something worth celebrating. So, play on all you fans, and enjoy your blocky worlds, and maybe, just maybe, one day I’ll have a go myself – or perhaps encourage my eldest grandson to give it a try!
AMBER VALLEY RUGBY CLUB
VALLEY RUGBY CLUB ROUND - UP
The men’s team put in a brilliant performance on March 8th, securing a 24-19 victory against Matlock 2s RUFC. With fantastic teamwork and some outstanding tries, they showed true determination to come out on top. The team spirit was strong both on the pitch and in the clubhouse, where celebrations reflected the camaraderie that makes this squad so special.
It’s been a long time coming, but Valley Ladies finally secured their first two wins of the season in a tense league and cup double-header against Ashfield RUFC With sheer determination, they scored in the final play of the game to take the victory. This result all but guarantees their league position and highlights the effort put in behind the scenes.
A huge thanks to Lee Bown at Amber Valley MMA Gym for providing training space during frozen - pitch weeks. Our Minis & Juniors continue to thrive, with young players developing their skills every week. We’re always on the lookout for new players and coaches across all age groups - whether you’re experienced or completely new to the game, there’s a place for you at the club. Get in touch and be part of something special!
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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WHY NOT WRITE A BOOK?
by Roger West
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. You’ve probably
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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Slimming World Recipe
Spanish-style chicken and rice
1. Spray a large, deep, non-stick frying pan with low-calorie cooking spray and put it over a medium-high heat (use a pan you can cover with some sort of lid). Add the chicken and brown all over for 5-6 minutes, then set aside on a plate.
2. Tip the onion into the pan along with 3 tbsp stock, then cover and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft. Remove the lid and add the garlic, paprika and chilli and cook for 1 minute, stirring often. Stir in the tomatoes, turmeric, the remaining stock and a little salt, then bring to the boil.
One pan dishes are always a win and this paella style recipe combines loads of flavour with satisfying simplicity.
3. Sprinkle the rice evenly around the pan and add the chicken, then simmer vigorously over a medium heat for 6 minutes. Scatter the red peppers on top of the rice and shake the pan to mix them in slightly, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently for 12 minutes, or until all the stock has been absorbed.
4. Cover the pan, turn off the heat and leave for 10 minutes before serving (this will help unstick any rice on the bottom of the pan). Top with the chopped parsley and sprigs, then serve with the lemon wedges for squeezing over.
Ingredients:
• Low-calorie cooking spray
• 600g skinless and boneless chicken thighs, visible fat removed, cut into large chunks
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 750ml boiling chicken stock
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Large pinch dried chilli flakes
• 400g can chopped tomatoes
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• 300g dried paella rice
• 300g roasted red peppers in brine from a jar, cut into thin strips
• Chopped fresh parsley, plus sprigs to serve
• Lemon wedges, to serve
Ready in: 50 Minutes
Bespoke blinds, curtains & shutters
EGG-CELLENT EASTER TRADITIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD!
Around the world, Easter is celebrated in a wide variety of quirky and unique ways…it’s not all about the chocolate, sorry chocoholics!
Egg Rolling
In several places in the UK, on Easter Monday, children (and adults) gather to roll brightly painted eggs down a hill, competing to see whose egg travels the farthest without cracking. Known as “pace-egging”, from the Old English word Pasch, which comes from the Hebrew word Pesach, meaning Passover.
Water Fights
In Poland and Hungary, Easter Monday is known as “Wet Monday” or “Śmigus-Dyngus”. People use buckets, water guns, and water balloons to soak each other. The tradition is thought to date back to the 14th century and has roots in Slavic mythology, symbolising the cleansing of sins and the welcoming of spring.
Easter Fires
In parts of Germany, the arrival of Easter is marked with large bonfires known as “Osterfeuer.” These fires are built on Easter Sunday or Monday and are often lit at dusk. The tradition is said to represent the triumph of light over darkness, with the fire burning away the remnants of winter’s chill and welcoming in the warmth of spring.
Easter Bread
One of the best loved Easter traditions in Greece is the baking of tsoureki, a sweet, braided bread often flavoured with orange and sprinkled with sesame seeds and typically decorated with red-dyed eggs, symbolising the blood of Christ.
Easter Egg Trees
In Finland, Easter isn’t complete without an Easter Egg Tree. The branches are decorated with colourful, painted eggs, and sometimes even feathers. The tradition goes back centuries to pre-Christian times, when branches symbolised fertility and rebirth.
The Easter Witch
In Sweden, children dress up as påskkärring, or Easter witches, and go door-to-door with branches decorated with feathers, exchanging their “witchy” art for sweets.
Easter Bonnet Parade
On Easter Sunday in New York, locals and tourists alike take to the streets wearing outrageously decorated hats. The tradition dates back to the 1800s.
Easter Lamb
In Italy, lamb is often served as the star dish during Easter Sunday meals, just as it is in the UK. The lamb is thought to symbolise the sacrifice of Christ and the hope for new life. In some regions, people make a cake beautifully decorated to look like a real lamb.
Easter Monday Cheese Rolling
Gloucester may roll their cheese on the Spring Bank holiday, but in the United States, a small town in North Carolina has an Easter cheese rolling event. Just as in Gloucester, the idea is that the first person to reach the bottom of the hill wins the cheese—hopefully not breaking any bones in the process.
Easter is forever associated with chocolate eggs and the Easter Bunny here in the UK. Isn’t it nice to know there is such a variety of other traditions around the world?
Dawn of INDUSTRY
A Look Back at Alfreton’s Iron Works Celebrates Lottery Windfall
Leading local historian Phil Fearnley is set to kick off Alfreton & District Heritage Trust’s £85,310 history project next month.
He’ll be doing a free talk on the early days of the Alfreton Iron Works which originally opened in 1802. The session – which is funded by the grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will cover the history around its establishment, its enduring legacy and its key role in Derbyshire’s industrial development.
The event will take place on Saturday, April 5th, from 1pm-3pm at The Palmer Morewood Memorial Social Club.
Phil Fearnley said: “The ironworks were pivotal in shaping the industrial landscape of the country, providing significant employment and development in the region. Today, this historic site’s legacy continues to influence the community, and with the recent £85,310 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Trust is set to delve deeper into our town’s remarkable history and environment.”
The wider project is set to explore and preserve the built and natural heritage of Alfreton. The town’s heritage, centred around the historic Rodgers Lane Cemetery Chapel and its associated Heritage Centre, is a crucial element of the town’s identity. The chapel, which has stood since 1891, houses a collection of local artefacts, documents, and photographs that together tell the story of the area’s past. The project is aiming to deepen the connection between the community and its heritage through extensive research and educational activities.
John Rayson, Secretary of the Alfreton and District Heritage Trust, said: “We are delighted to kickstart our project with Phil’s talk. This grant allows us to enhance our research, engage the community, and ensure our heritage is not only preserved but celebrated.”
Founded in 1984, the Alfreton and District Heritage Trust has been at the forefront of preserving and promoting the heritage of Alfreton and its surrounding areas. The Trust operates the Heritage Centre in Rodgers Lane Cemetery Chapel, providing a vital resource for education and engagement with local history.
The Palmer Morewood Memorial Social Club is situated at Hall Street Alfreton, DE55 7BU. The talk is open to all and entrance is free.
EasterGiveaway
MINEVERSE EASTER WORDSEARCH
THE TEAM HERE AT VOICE MAGAZINES ARE GIVING AWAY
A CADBURY ULTIMATE EASTER EGG CHOCOLATE BASKET
Simply complete the wordsearch to find which of the items is missing from the grid. Then follow the instructions below to enter.
To celebrate Easter we have continued our fun Minecraft theme to bring you this eggstra special 4-page Easter giveaway! So, get puzzling and send in you answers to be in with a chance of winning one of our fabulous prizes! Easter April Chocolate Egg Chicks Spring Basket Bunny Grass Sunday Egg Hunt Lily Holiday
To enter, email the missing item, which is NOT in the wordsearch to community@voicemagazines. co.uk Please ensure you give your full name, address and telephone number so all winners can be notified. Closing date – 21st April 2025. Prizes are to be collected from Voice Magazines Ltd offices at 81 High Street, South Normanton, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 2BP.
The Voice Magazines Team have been transported into the Mineverse for this puzzle. We’re having a great time hanging out with our cube shaped pals but can you spot the 10 differences between the two pictures?
We have some fabulous prizes to give away from some of our very generous local businesses which can be seen on the next page! If you want to enter the prize draw to be in with a chance of winning one of these prizes simply follow the instructions below:
FAMILY DAY OUT SPOT THE DIFFERENCE ON OUR TEAM DAY OUT SPOT 10 DIFFERENCES
To enter the FAMILY DAY OUT PRIZE DRAW, email A PHOTO OF PICTURE No: 2, INDICATING WHERE YOU THINK THERE IS A DIFFERENCE, to community@voicemagazines.co.uk. Please ensure you give your full name, address and telephone number so all winners can be notified. Closing date – 21st April 2025. Prizes are to be collected from Voice Magazines Ltd offices at 81 High Street, South Normanton, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 2BP. 1
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FOR 2 ADULTS & UP TO 2 CHILDREN
Ride iconic cable cars over Derwent Valley to a historic hilltop park. Explore fascinating caves, scenic woodlands, and uncover hidden history!
WIN A FAMILY TICKET FOR 2 ADULTS & UP TO 3 CHILDREN
Step back in time with vintage tram rides, scenic trails, a cozy café, pub, play areas, exciting events, and more fun!
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Enjoy heritage train rides, a railway museum, signal box, Victorian church, model railways, shops, playground, country park, and free parking!
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BETWEEN THE TWO PICTURES
FLAKES EGGVENTURES IN THE MINEVERSE
EGG DYEING & CRAFTING
Gather supplies for dyeing eggs, try natural dyes or paint the eggs with intricate designs for a personal touch. You can also make Easter crafts, like bunny masks or wreaths, to entertain guests or kids.
PLAN EASTER EGG HUNTS EARLY
Organise a scavenger hunt or Easter egg hunt for kids. Choose a location, prepare the eggs (plastic or real), and hide them strategically. For extra fun, use clues or riddles to guide the search.
CATCH FLAKE!
Flake has run away again and made it through the maze....! Which route, A, B or C, takes one of our Voice team to Flake through the maze!
GOOD LUCK!
To enter the draw for the and glass of fizz for 2 to community@voicemagazines.co.uk ensure you give your full name, address and telephone number so all winners can be notified. Closing date – 21st April 2025. Prizes are to be collected from Voice Magazines Ltd offices at 81 High Street, South Normanton, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 2BP. You must be aged 18 or over to enter.
FLAKE
SAYS STAY SAFE WITH CHOCOLATE
I can’t eat chocolate, please don’t leave it lying around, it is poisonous to me.
Prepare Easter baskets filled with chocolates, candies, small toys, and personal items. You can personalise them with the recipient’s favourite treats or themes.
DECORATE WITH SPRING THEMES EASTERCREATEBASKETS
S42 Cafe is a cozy gem located at 184A Queen Victoria Road, Tupton. Serving high quality, locally sourced produce with a smile and offering specialty coffee, tea, treats, breakfast, brunch and lunch.
Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM WIN! A GRAZE BOARD & A GLASS OF FIZZ FOR 2 AT S42 CAFE
Use pastel colors for Easter decorations, such as table settings, floral arrangements, and even painted eggs. You can also make bunny ears, spring flowers, and chicks part of your décor.
Ripley & District Heritage Trust
APRIL 2025
THE DISAPPEARING GARDEN
Ernest Ellis-Fermor moved to Ripley in 1893, joining an established solicitor’s practice. He quickly became the principal, and in 1896 was elected councillor, a role he filled almost until his death. The firm bearing his name survives to this day.
He died in 1933, leaving £500 (around £30,000 today) in his will to create a memorial garden for the town. In 1936, his trustees bought two old cottages on the Market Place which were demolished, the site being originally intended for a new public library.
The war intervened and it wasn’t until 1952 that the council decided to create the Memorial Garden on the site, the library having been established in the old chapel in Co-op Square.
Originally, there was a plaque in the garden which read: “This garden was provided mainly out of monies left by the late E.J. Ellis-Fermor, Esq. (1860-1933), in memory of old pleasant Council meetings.”
The reference to “old pleasant Council Meetings” was later removed; it is possible that the Council decided that it could be read ironically!
The garden was officially opened by J.P. Gee, Chairman of the Council, on Monday 31st August 1953.
Nearly forty years later, the council, now Amber Valley, published its intention to “appropriate” the garden, initially for use as a temporary car
park, later part of the council’s new headquarters building.
The garden was moved to Crossley Park, as a rose garden, but later this was found to be too shady and it disappeared altogether. All that remains now is a different plaque, without the Ellis-Fermor name, as part of the War Memorial around the bandstand.
Opening of the Ellis Fermor Memorial Garden 1953
Ernest Ellis-Fermor as a young man
The new headquarters being built in 1993.
Celebrating 20 Years of Gliderobes: A Legacy of Quality and Craftsmanship
This year, we’re thrilled to celebrate 20 incredible years of Gliderobes, designing and manufacturing made-to-measure sliding wardrobes and bedroom furniture right here in the UK. Over the past two decades, we’ve had the privilege of transforming homes across the country, delivering bespoke storage solutions that perfectly balance functionality and style.
From our humble beginnings, we’ve grown into a trusted name in the industry, known for our commitment to quality and personalised customer service Every wardrobe we create is crafted with care and tailored to meet our customers’ unique needs, ensuring their spaces are not only organised but also aesthetically stunning.
One of the things we’re most proud of is the journey we’ve taken with our customers. Whether it’s creating sleek wardrobes for new-build homes or helping families maximise storage in older properties, every project has been a chance to bring visions to life
Over the last 20 years, can you imagine how many miles of sliding wardrobe tracks we’ve sold? We’re talking hundreds, maybe even thousands of miles enough to stretch across the UK and beyond! That’s a lot of perfectly gliding doors!
As we look to the future, our mission remains the same: to provide quality, custom-built furniture at factory-direct prices here in the UK Helping homeowners make the most of their spaces. We’re incredibly grateful to all our customers for trusting us with their homes and for being part of our journey.
Here’s to the next 20 years of innovation, craftsmanship, and creating beautiful, functional spaces together!
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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
5 Come across motor in Monte Carlo (3)
6 Jewels, bedecking woolly one (3)
10 The lady’s a bit crushed (3)
11 No saints could be in such states (7)
12 Add up then drink, right? (3)
16 Meadow owned by Local Education Authority? (3)
17 A bit ignorant (and not the answer!) (3)
Down
2 Ended in poverty (4)
3 Protocol accepted generally for having a drink (4)
8 Dialogue log-off becomes final farewell (5)
14 How the rain can whip you? (4)
15 Prayer for some simple action (4)
1 Bringing fourth, say, not fifth (9)
7 Escaped form a war, any old how (3,4)
13 Enlarge point in order to upsell (5,2)
18 Actively resist an attempt at retaliation (5,4)
1 Just being there will do instead of gifts, say (8) 4 For thinking about a retreat to the gym! (4,6) 5 Takes from list all the kisses backstage (7,3)
Newt to bask in style on Jordan’s l.h.s. (8)
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ORBITAL, BY SAMANTHA HARVEY... IS OUT OF THIS WORLD – LITERALLY.
Living on an international space station 250 miles above the earth is not something most of us give much thought to. The odd bits we might have already learnt are that you can somersault through the air, free of gravity; that you might get to walk in space outside the craft, attached only by tethers which stop you floating away into the universe and that you have to swallow your toothpaste – you can’t spit it out because like everything else inside this metal can, it will float.
The author of this Booker Prize winning novella gives us that kind of information but so, so much more in her deep dive into 24 hours of life and thoughts of six astronauts as they experience sixteen orbits of the earth, sixteen sunsets, sixteen sunrises.
It is a story. These are not real people. But a superb level of NASA level research means we follow a faithfully true daily existence on board, the experiments, the observation, the collection of data, testing the limits of the human body and mind. Even joyfully watching the mice learning to fly around their cages.
A lot of it is about the mind – not just the mundane difficulty of living through a human day and night on the space station when you have days and nights flashing past you continually outside. Or watching a super typhoon build on earth which you know will bring death and destruction to those it hits. But also they fret over their earthly lives, whilst at the same time seeing the extraordinary beauty of the planet and getting a sense of the fragility of human life and even of the solar system.
This is a stunningly beautiful book, a travelogue of another kind of life, intriguing and astonishing, one that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
BOOKREVIEW BOOKREVIEW
All Around the Shire
SUNDAY TEATIMES
One of the warm memories I have is having family tea on a Sunday afternoon. Sandwiches were always involved. Probably spread with meat or fish paste and always white, sliced bread.
Mother’s pride had been a staple since before the war.
We would also have tinned fruit, usually fruit cocktail in heavy syrup, with evaporated milk. On special occasions we might have Nestle tinned cream instead.
If we had family for tea, we might have a little ham salad with lettuce, tomato, and a dish of cucumber and onion in vinegar. Do you remember Heinz tinned vegetable salad? “Bought cake” by Mr Kipling became available in the 1960s. Cherry Bakewell and jam tarts didn’t last long in our house.
Children might have vividly coloured pop which had been delivered by Corona “the pop man”. Dandelion and Burdock and Cream Soda were my favourites.
Every family had their own Sunday traditions. What were yours?
Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire. Find
Tank
Any
Proper
SPRING BUTTERFLIES EMERGE FROM THEIR WINTER SLUMBERS
With a few weeks of warmer, sunnier weather the early butterflies are out and about. Some of the earliest species to emerge are the pretty Small Tortoiseshell, and the splendid Peacock, and these can be seen on warm days in late February and early March. However, another quite stunning butterfly is the appropriately named Brimstone, the male being a bright sulphur yellow. This species, the Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) is a brilliantly-coloured butterfly seen in local gardens, along woodland edges, on old country lanes, and in or around parklands. This large, quite stunning species tends to be spotted on warm, early spring days when they emerge from their winter hibernation. Regarded as one of the heralds of springtime, this species appears to be increasing, perhaps with climate warming. This rather spectacular butterfly, which is actually a member of the ‘White’ butterflies, is also an early species, already out and about in February and March this year. The Brimstone has two broods with the first being early emergent adults that overwintered, and then a second in summer through until around September.
They are most common in the south and in areas with limestone vegetation such as the Dales. Their restricted distribution is related to the occurrence of their favoured food-plants for egg-laying which are purging buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and alder buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula). These are both quite uncommon except in woods and hedges on
limestone areas and also in urban planting schemes such as around shopping centres. Especially in early spring, they are flying in woodlands, wetlands, and gardens, across suitable areas of habitat and they are easy to spot. As I said earlier, the males are bright sulphur-yellow (hence the ‘Brimstone’ name), and the females, also distinctive and pretty, are pale green. Small amounts of alder buckthorn, one of the food-plants, were grown in some coppice woods associated with the manufacture of highquality charcoal.
The Brimstone is pretty much unmistakeable with perhaps one exception for the beginner. There is one other ‘White’ butterfly that sports some yellow, and this can look quite bright in sunlight. This is the ubiquitous Large White or Cabbage White. This has very yellow rear underwings and a patch on the underside forewings. Again, this is a large species, but the wing shape is very different from Brimstone which has distinctive points in the wing-tips. Once you have seen a Brimstone, then you really won’t mistake any other species for them.
Planting buckthorn in gardens and other greenspaces may help this stunning insect spread. You can help their conservation by planting buckthorn in your garden but don’t eat the berries. It is well-named ‘purging buckthorn’ because of its strongly laxative properties formerly employed in herbal medicine!
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
GARDENERS CALENDAR
We’re still keeping tender plants indoors. Garden centres are full of lovely looking plug plants around Easter but there’s too much of a risk of frost yet to put them straight into the soil or containers. Grow on indoors or in a warm greenhouse.
But April is a great time for sowing hardy annuals such as nigella, indestructible nasturtiums, Ammi majus which gives you lovely white lace heads and is really attractive to bees, and sunflowers, (though you seriously need to protect the latter from slugs)
It’s also a good time to think about wildflower areas, which you can sow direct into prepared soil. If the soil is compacted fork it over and rake and if you’re adding new soil to a patch, tread it down lightly. Water lightly before sowing to give the seed a head start. You can broadcast seed easily with a sweeping motion – mix the seed with some sand then you can see where you’re spreading. Then rake over and water again. If you have a lot of birds visiting your garden it may be an idea to peg some horticultural fleece over the area to stop the birds getting first dibs. As the seedlings grow don’t be tempted to let the plants become overcrowded, it’s more likely to hinder growth, so pull out the weakest looking seedlings. Keep watering as they become established.
Prune lavender but don’t cut into the woody part of the plant. Deadhead winter pansies and they’ll keep flowering into the summer. Prune back Cornus hard, to within a couple of buds of the base and they’ll give good colour next year.
TOP TIP
As you grow on bedding plants nip out the growing tips to provide bushier plants and more flowers later and avoid leggy plants as the season moves on.
