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Hello Readers,
This month the team and I really wanted to focus on Remembrance Day. The local heritage groups across all the mags have been exceptional with their kindness and generosity in supporting us with local stories of war veterans and their historical articles, we are grateful to them as always. We also have a local poet in our midst, who has come to poetry later in life and sent us one of his poems regarding the fallen.
Our intention is not to be macabre this month but rather to highlight where we have come from as a nation and take a moment to give thanks to all those who gave their tomorrow for our today. One of the interesting facts that we found when we were researching was that commemorations around Remembrance Day were not always as well observed, with interest amongst the general public fading over the post war years. Indeed, it was the 50th anniversary celebrations around D-Day in 1994 and of VE and VJ Day in 1995 that reinvigorated interest in the wars and a desire to commemorate the sacrifices made. Following this the Royal British Legion and other organisations pushed for a renewed observation of the 2 minutes silence on 11th November. That isn’t to say it wasn’t observed locally in some cases and obviously was carried out at the cenotaph but it still surprised me that it wasn’t always an important part of our countries commemoration. Just goes to show that everyday is a school day!
Here at Voice HQ, as soon as the November mag goes out, we begin feverishly trying to get our Christmas edition into place. I can’t tell
a lie, despite it arriving at precisely the same time each year, it genuinely does feel like it has sneaked upon us (again) this year! As last year though, we have some wonderful prizes donated by ourselves and our generous advertisers and supporters which will be up for grabs, so please keep a look out for that edition – as I always say, you’ve got to be in it to win it!!
On that note, if you want to give your business one last push for 2025, don’t delay and get in touch today! We still have space and I must say our Christmas editions have traditionally been one of my favourites! We always try to do something special and this year will be no different!
Happy Reading,
Emily x
A NATION REMEMBERS
Each year in November, communities across the country pause to reflect, to honour, and to remember. Remembrance is more than a tradition; it is a deeply rooted moment of gratitude and reflection for those who have served, and continue to serve, in our Armed Forces.
From the battlefields of the First World War to the conflicts of today, men and women have stood in defence of our freedoms, often at great personal cost. They have faced danger, endured hardship, and in too many cases, given their lives so that others might live in peace. Their courage and sacrifice form part of the very fabric of our nation’s story.
As we gather at memorials, wear our poppies, or simply take a moment of silence in our daily lives, we join together in unity to say thank you. Thank you to those who have gone before us, and thank you to those who still serve today, at home and overseas.
The words of the traditional Ode of Remembrance, taken from Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen, continue to resonate with us all:
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.”
These lines remind us that remembrance is not confined to one day in November but carried in our hearts always. Each name etched on a memorial, each wreath laid, and each moment of silence speaks of a nation’s enduring gratitude.
As we bow our heads this Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the debt we can never repay but must always remember. Their service, their sacrifice, and their unwavering commitment to duty remind us of the true cost of freedom.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
HERITAGE TRUST
THE FIGHT AGAINST SLAVERY – THE BLACKWELL CONNECTION
Abraham Booth was born at Blackwell, on 20 May 1734, the son of Robert Booth and his wife Elizabeth. Robert, was a tenant farmer, believed at Twin Yards Farm, in the Parish of Blackwell, to which there is a known family connection.
While an infant Abraham and family moved to Annesley Woodhouse, where his father had taken a small farm as a tenant of the Duke of Portland. As the eldest of a large family he assisted them until his sixteenth year, up to which time he was never more than six months at school.
On leaving the farm he was employed as a stockinger and was able to support himself and get some further elementary education. On reaching his twenty-fourth year he married Elizabeth Bowmar, a farmer’s daughter, and soon afterwards opened a day school at Suttonin-Ashfield along with his wife.
Early in life the preaching of some Baptists drew him over to a sense of religion, and in 1755 he was baptised by immersion. In 1760, when the Baptists were first collected into churches, Booth became superintendent of the Kirby Woodhouse congregation, but declined to be their pastor. Soon after he began to preach on Sundays at Sutton-in-Ashfield, Chesterfield, and other midland towns and villages, sometimes walking up to 40 miles to do so. keeping school
through the weekdays being his only source of income.
In 1768 Booth published a book entitled ‘The Reign of Grace’ Of this work there have been nine English, one Edinburgh, and three American editions which are still in print over 250 years later!
Soon after its appearance the Baptist church of Little Prescot Street, Goodman’s Fields, invited Booth to be their pastor. He accepted the call and was ordained on 16 February 1769. During his life there he was to publish numerous further books and sermons, all of which are highly treasured by the present Baptist community.
Booth was a strong supporter for the abolition of slavery. Though the eradication of the slave trade was slow, Booth, through his sermons, together with his congregation (who were for the main part quite prosperous) took tremendous strides to abolish the slave trade by making generous donations towards the expenses needed to petition Parliament. A strong supporter of William Wilberforce, Abraham Booth was certainly in the forefront of the fight to abolish the slave trade, both by word and deed, but sadly he did not live to see his efforts rewarded.
He died on 27 January 1806, in the seventysecond year of his age, having been a minister fifty years. A neat marble tablet was erected to his memory in the Prescot Street chapel, of which he had been Pastor for some 35 years. He was buried in the Maze Pond Baptist Chapel Burial Ground in Southwark, London alongside his wife who had died some four years earlier.
Kate Atkinson’s new novel, Death at the Sign of the Rook, is good fun; the perfect book antidote to the autumn blues. It keeps you on your toes mentally, has some brilliant characters and is a smart and knowing detective story which gives you the clever chills and some proper funny moments.
We’re back in Jackson Brodie country, the grumpy detective hero of some of her earlier books. Now a private detective almost dying of boredom in his search for a stolen painting he arrives at Rook Hall, which seems like the setting for the perfect murder mystery – in fact it’s a hotel where they put on murder mysteries weekends to entertain the guests.
So we have all the Agatha Christie favourites, the butler, the policeman, the vicar. Kate Atkinson may have quite a bit of fun with the classic Cluedo idea but the story soon spirals off into a real murder and a blizzard – literally - of loose ends and diversions.
It’s a lark, but one where you need the little grey cells on high alert and as with all her books the characters are at the heart of things. And again, as always, the book entertains us with thoughts on politics, TV, violence – you name it. You won’t be bored.
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SEASON IN FULL SWING!
Amber Valley Men - The men’s team are showing great progress, improving every game. It’s been brilliant to see new players joining the squad and keeping training lively on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The effort, spirit, and banter are all top-notch – bring on the next fixture! Amber Valley Women - The ladies have had a tough start to the season, but the mood is positive and the numbers at training are fantastic – slow and steady wins the race, after all! The team is building momentum and ready to make their mark going forward. Big congratulations to Karen, our longest-serving women’s player, and to long-standing men’s player Scott Morgan, who’ve just tied the knot – proof that love really does conquer all, even rugby training nights!
Minis & Juniors - It’s been a brilliant start across all our junior age groups, with plenty of energy, smiles, and mud flying about! The U10s are thriving after a summer of rebuilding and had an impressive 14 players out this weekend. The U9s are on the lookout for new recruits to join the fun, while the brand-new U7s have made an amazing start under the guidance of ex–first team coach Chris Locke. The U9s even had their first-ever home contact match, complete with a pre-match team talk – and every player got stuck in, with no one shying away from their tackles!
So whether you’re mini, mighty, or somewhere in between, there’s always room for you at Amber Valley — and the clubhouse fridge is always stocked for a post-training pint!
Interested in giving rugby a try? call Stuart 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,
pages to contact us or follow what we do. You can find us
If you can’t make it into the store, we can offer a FREE home selection service, where we bring the store to you.
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LOCAL WAR TALES
Born on 17th August 1921, Clifford Hawkins of 580 Pilsley Road, Morton, enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve in December 1940. After training in Blackpool and Wiltshire, he joined 769 Home Defence Squadron, later posted overseas to Singapore. Their arrival coincided with the fall of Singapore, forcing evacuation to Java, where Clifford was captured by the Japanese at Tasik Malaja on 8th March 1943.
He was taken to Kuching, then to Sandakan, Borneo, where prisoners were forced to build an airfield under appalling conditions. The camp commandant, Captain Hoshijima Susumi, was later executed for war crimes including starvation, torture, and neglect of prisoners.
In 1945, as Allied forces advanced, the Japanese forced prisoners on the infamous Sandakan death marches. Those too weak to march, including Clifford, were left behind when the camp was burned. He died there on 15th June 1945, aged 24, officially of gastroenteritis. Clifford has no known grave and is remembered on the Singapore Memorial. Of 3,200 prisoners held at Sandakan, only six Australians survived.
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Method:
1. Spray a non-stick saucepan with low-calorie cooking spray and put it over a medium heat. Add the onion, pepper and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened.
2. Stir the tomatoes and oregano into the mixture, and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to pack instructions, and heat your oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/ gas 6.
For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk
Autumn and pasta bakes go together like... well... pizza and pasta! Which makes this the perfect combo. Enjoy!
4. When the pasta’s cooked, drain and stir it through the tomato sauce. Spoon the mixture into a shallow ovenproof dish and top evenly with the pepperoni and mozzarella. Bake for 1520 minutes, or until bubbling and golden.
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LLANDUDNO
A dogs Day out
This classic ramble takes us back to March 2017. We begin and end near Portland Country Park, which just so happens to have a dog friendly visitors centre. Perfect for a cuppa after a good walk, and maybe a snozzage for your pup! Just check the opening times to avoid disappointment. The walk itself is lovely with a nice range of scenery, including some beautiful views. A special thanks for Michelle and Dean for refreshing the walk and keeping us all on track!
3.5-MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM PORTLAND COUNTRY PARK
A steady walk for you and your dog, which should take around 1½ hours to complete. There is a range of terrains and a couple of steep inclines, along with the seasonal mud and puddles so make sure you wear appropriate footwear. There are also a couple of sections of road, so please take plenty of care and as always, follow the countryside code.
START: Portland Country Park, Lindley’s Lane, Kirkby in Ashfield. NG17 9AL. Access to the car park is best down Lindley Lane, which can be reached from the B6020 in Kirkbyin-Ashfield town centre
1. Standing with your back to the car park entrance, continue straight ahead, along a well laid footpath, passing a signboard on your left.
2. Continue straight ahead until the path passes into some trees, bends around to the left, and then to a T junction of footpaths. At this point turn right and continue along a footpath with a steep drop to your left.
3. A little further on, the path begins to descend. At the bottom of the hill you will reach a T junction of paths with a metal fence, and railway line directly in front of you. Turn right to continue along a footpath, keeping a metal fence and railway line on your left.
4. Continue along this path for some distance, ignoring any paths leading off. Eventually the path bears slightly to the right and away from the railway line. Continue straight ahead until reaching a T junction of paths. At the T junction turn left, climb up some steps, and cross over a railway bridge.
5. As you climb down the steps from the bridge, continue straight ahead, ignoring the path on the right. Continue straight ahead for some distance until passing through a metal width restrictor. Continue straight ahead staying close to some trees on your right.
6. Continue straight ahead until passing through a gap in a fence. After, ignore a path to the left, and continue straight ahead with a fence on both sides.
7. Continue until you reach a cream coloured house on your left. At this point, keep right and begin to climb gently. Follow the path into a field, and now continue to climb with a hedge on you left.
8. After a short distance, turn right, pass close by a pylon on your left, and continue to cross an open field. Continue straight ahead until passing a grave yard on your left. After, continue straight ahead to pass by a metal gate and into a church yard.
9. Continue along a path and pass the church on your right. Pass through a wooden gate, out of the church yard, and onto a road. Turn left along the road, and begin to head downhill.
10. Continue along the road for some distance. After passing a bus stop on your right, and just prior to a bus stop on your left, turn left along ‘Laburnum Avenue’.
11. Continue along ‘Laburnum Avenue’ until the road bends sharp around to the right. At this point, continue straight ahead along a road for a short distance, and then continue as the road turns into a lane.
12. A very short distance along the lane, bear slightly left to continue along the lane with a wall on your right and a fence on your left. Upon reaching a metal gate directly in front of you, bear slightly left again to continue along a footpath with a fence on both sides.
13. After a very short distance the path splits in two. Take the right hand split and continue with the fence on your right. Continue for some distance and after passing a ‘managing grasslands’ info board on your left continue straight along the path until reaching a wooden post on the right-hand side. Turn right immediately after the post through the hedge heading downhill across the field.
14. At the bottom of the hill cross over a wooden footbridge, pass through a gate, and then continue uphill to cross another field.
15. At the top of the hill, pass through a metal gate, cross over a railway line, and then pass through another metal gate. Continue straight ahead along a tarmac footpath. After a short distance pass by a sign board on your left, and begin to gently climb uphill.
16. Continue straight ahead for some distance until passing ‘Portland Country Park Visitor Centre’ on your left. The tarmac footpath now turns into a single track road.
17. Continue straight along the road, after a short distance the road bends to the left continue past the Portland Country Park Visitors Centre sign. Turn left around the bend back into the car park at the starting point.
This walk is for illustrative purposes only. Voice Magazines Ltd takes no responsibility for anyone who chooses to follow this route and encourages all walkers to obey all byelaws and signs and to respect the area they are walking in, ensuring they pick up all dog mess and obey the countryside code at all times.
•
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My name is Paul Booth. I am an autistic 43 year old man. I have rediscovered my talent for writing recently. It is something that has always been with me since childhood. I have had a busy life, as such my poetry and writing skills remained hidden and forgotten over the years. Now I have written over 30 poems in the last few months. With a take on the world, from an autistic point of view.
Poem for Remembrance Sunday:
TAKE THE HARD ROAD
Sometimes in life we have all followed roads filled with dirt.
Paths filled with sorrow, with great pain, great sacrifice and hurt.
What i would say if those that have past didn’t follow these paths, would we be facing such an untold wrath?
More often than not, these paths create a sense of freedom and humanity, for a society to be free against those who don’t stand for democracy.
But against those that only stand for pain, suffering and untold tyranny.
The hard road of sorrow and pain most often creates the humble, strong, and the oh so brave.
For those are the ones, who shall not ever forgotten, nor betrayed.
They fight for our liberty, for our freedom to be saved.
They fight for country, kings and queens and for all of the beautiful things that freedom brings.
With this In mind, don’t ever be ashamed to say what dark path you walked upon, when you walked that hard road to our freedom.
For this is the place that you defended.
Our home, our place our proud foundation.
A place if you look, that you will find a great proud nation.
A place we are all so grateful that you chose to defend, even until the bitter end.
A place of great beauty and such wisdom.
Our great, beloved United Kingdom.
LEST WE FORGET
BY PAUL BOOTH, ALFRETON - COMWONDER@GMAIL.COM
4 FASCIAS
• Windows/Doors
• Painting
The Toronto Star newspaper dated 1945 told the story of how Lieutenant Harry Shardlow, fighting with the Canadian forces in the Second World War, visited Ripley on leave and left a watch to be repaired. Upon his return to the jewellers to pick up his watch he was given his father’s watch, which his father had left at the same jewellers, Browns of Oxford Street, for repair back in 1916.
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
9 Seep out from menagerie sent back to the Orient (4)
10 It marks the spot in beer for holding wheels (4)
11 Mate’s attempts at vapour (5)
12 Fortunately it’s a bit of fish? (4)
13 Feline with legless plumage (4)
Down
2 Grimacing slightly at the coat (3)
3 It’s rubbish going up the hill (3)
7 Prude is taken aback and is speechless (5,2)
14 Moose spotted in Selkirk (3)
15 Indefatigably, it’s a bit of a gift, talking (3)
Behaviour in front of an orchestra? (7)
Grasp firmly that it could be a hot old night (4,2,5)
Home runs are, or maybe good for the roses! (5,6)
Sell on a dud, if it’s everything you have (4,3)
All Around the Shire
MY GRANDFATHER’S BEDSIDE TABLE
As a child I spent a lot of time with my grandparents. They lived two streets away and my mum was busy with the twins, so it was my home from home.
In my grandparents’ bedroom, as well as a piddle pot there was a small, wooden table next to his pillow which, among other things, held an ashtray with a half-smoked woodbine and box of England’s Glory matches. Smoking in bed was not unheard of, nor was the bottle of bronchial mixture for his persistent cough set next to it. His dentures were in a glass of steradent close by.
There was no lamp because the light could be turned on and off by pulling the string which hung from the ceiling.
What he did have was a folding travel alarm clock which is what sparked this memory. Today, we performed a session called “My dad had one of these” and one of our latest acquisitions proved very popular and recognisable. It was one of these clocks. They were so popular in many homes and could be taken on holiday.
This clock woke him for the early shift at Ley’s foundry until he retired with a gold watch. He only lasted for three years after retirement but the memories of a kind, loving grandfather endure.
Janet and Paul Barrass are All Around the Shire. Find us on or email: oldfield512@btinternet.com
Ian Wilson Electrical Services
MIKE’S MUSINGS
What
would you rather have, a wife, husband, live-in partner or………. a pet dog?
You may remember that earlier this year, much publicity was given to a study carried out by economists at the University of Kent into ‘the value of pets.’ Now normally, that sort of thing wouldn’t catch my eye, and were it not for the headline claiming that pet ownership was worth the equivalent of a £70,000 a-year pay rise, those groundbreaking findings would probably have passed me by.
NB – if you were unaware of this important (?) research at the time, I imagine that as you read this, you’re probably weighing up the benefits of swapping he/she, or whoever you currently share your living space with, for a pet dog, cat, terrapin, goldfish or whatever. You won’t be alone!
As for myself, when our two girls were very young, we had a budgie, which soon fell off its perch, a hamster which died in mysterious circumstances and a gerbil, which my wife, to this day, claims that I murdered. Look, it’s a long and complicated story, but I can tell you that our loving relationship was sorely tested when I heard her say the following morning to a pair of crestfallen little girls, “Gary has gone to Heaven because Daddy killed him!” Since then, as our various houses have remained pet free, I’m in no real position to query the repercussions of the Kent University study.
Mike is always glad to hear from you at: mike.musings@outlook.com
However, thinking specifically about our traditional relationship with man’s (or woman’s) best friend, how many of you can confirm that: -
• You’ve never been woken by the dog snoring?
• Your partner is always happy to let you rub their tummy?
• Whenever you return home, does your partner get excited, run around in circles and try to lick you clean?
• Does your dog sulk when he/she has been told that ….’you’ve been a very naughty boy/girl?’
• When you’re about to go out, does your partner get very excited and rush to the door and look up at you with expectant eyes?
• Does your partner chase cats, squirrels, pigeons, other dogs or, more worryingly, other men/women?
• Does your partner play nicely with other humans and NOT jump up at children?
• Does your partner do his/her toileting inside or outside?
Once you’ve answered all these questions then, and only then, will you be able to determine whether or not you’re happy to swap or………………. be prepared to forego the extra £70k/annum!
WINTER ROBINS ACROSS THE PEAK
As autumn and winter blend together, the region’s gardens provide habitat and sustenance for local Robins. After a hectic breeding season, these highly territorial birds are quiet during late July and August but begin singing again in early September. At this time of year, the song is subtly different from the breeding season singing. The change is hard to define but perhaps less tuneful and slightly harsher. It is also delivered by both males and females which hold separate and independent territories. Territory size and quality are vital to Robins as the chosen area must provide food in the form of insects and other small invertebrates sufficient to support the individual in possession. The boundaries between adjacent territories are lines invisible to our eyes but discernible to the birds, so that dominance and subservience generally change as the birds move from their patch and into the neighbour’s. However, if one bird intrudes into the adjacent territory but doesn’t follow protocol, in other words makes displays of dominance, then a fight may result. Indeed, territorial Robins may battle to the death and be so preoccupied with the conflict that they can be picked up whilst still engaged.
The trigger for their aggressive behaviour is the bright red breast which leads to response for the birds, especially during the breeding season. When hyped up, a Robin will even attack with a degree of vigour, a tennis ball marked with a red circle! Garden mirrors can also play havoc with this territorial behaviour for both Robins and Dunnocks, and this is because the mirrorimage sees an aggressive intruder. Moreover, the response from the reflection is increasingly provocative the more irate the owner of the home-patch. So, the more excited and combative the intruder then the more energetic the reaction and the process goes on.
Despite the high octane behaviour of our garden Robins, this contrasts with their interactions with us, where they are the gardener’s friend. Particularly if offered dried mealworms or calci worms then the local Robin will approach and
follow the gardener around the plot. Making a pursing noise with your lips whilst putting food out helps train the Robin to know what you are doing. Association of the sound with food availability will soon be learned, and furthermore this understanding and expectation can be passed down to the next generation during the summer months. Such behaviour develops from Robins following the gardener at work in the garden when they are watching for insects and worms being disturbed. This probably evolved from the birds simply following large herbivores blundering through the ancient forest!
Professor Ian D. Rotherham, researcher, writer, broadcaster on wildlife and environmental issues is contactable on ianonthewildside@ukeconet.org. Follow his website www.ukeconet.org, blog www.ianswalkonthewildside.wordpress.com/ & Twitter @IanThewildside Bluesky @ianthewildside.bsky.social
WINTER ROBIN
WINTER ROBINS
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Hopefully the sunny summer has given us good crops from our fruit bushes, and now is a good opportunity to prune them back. This applies to blackcurrants, blueberries and gooseberries. Take out old wood and keep healthy looking young shoots and branches. Cut above a bud with a sloping cut so that water runs away from the wound.
November is also probably the prime time for tulip and other spring bulb planting, although you can go into early December. Twice as deep as the height of the bulb is the minimum rule, although you can go deeper with tulips and quite a bit deeper with the likes of fritillaries and anemones. If you haven’t got your daffs and narcissus in yet, do it now. They mostly don’t like late autumn planting.
Last grass cut should be around now before the frosts set in. Do it on a higher cut and on a dry day and don’t leave clippings on the grass. Earlier in the year they can provide nutrients but this time of year they’re likely to matt and block air and light from the roots.
TOP TIP
It’s always tempting, once you’ve got the secateurs in your hand, to remove all this year’s dead growth from perennials, but if you do have some with good seed heads like teasels it’s a nice thought to leave some for the seed-eating birds over winter. And they can look interesting in a bare winter landscape.
