Reflections Magazine December 2023

Reflections Derbyshire’s largest-circulation lifestyle magazine

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VOL. 32 ISSUE 379 DECEMBER 2023 £1.00 WHERE PURCHASED

CROSSWORD

10-PAGE SPECIAL!

WHAT’S ON ANTIQUES

GIFT GUIDE

HISTORY ARTS

Vol.32 Issue 379 December 2023

Happy

STARTS P68

Christmas

TO ALL OUR READERS

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Make sure you sparkle in the festive season!

So, how did the ‘Full English’ come about?

HELP US DECIDE WHO WINS OUR 2023 PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION: P16

Derbyshire’s largest-circulation lifestyle magazine CHESTERFIELD–DRONFIELD–MATLOCK–BAKEWELL AND SURROUNDING AREAS

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CONTENTS

December 2023 60

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54 Puzzles

8,46,52,93 Countywide News All that’s been happening across Derbyshire in words and pictures

64 Recipe of the Month It’s a superb signature dish from Blake Arnold, head chef at The Bulls Head Inn, Foolow

16 Help us decide who wins our 2023 photographic competition We reveal the finalists in our ‘Derbyshire’s Wonderful Flora & Fauna’ competition – but we need your help to select a winner 22 Property of the Month 30 An expert on the Peak District’s past now has a key role in its future Fiona Stubbs talks to the new chair of the Peak District National Park Authority, archaelogist Ken Smith 38 It still has the largest unsupported dome in the UK… The Devonshire Dome in Buxton has been a stable block, a hospital, a campus and a celebrity wedding venue, as Barrie Farnsworth discovers 48 Fashion You need to sparkle this festive season, says our style guru Amy Norbury 4 Reflections December 2023

55 Crossword 60 Photographer of the Month Stunning images from James Ellis

66 Focus on Food & Drink It’s English Breakfast Day in December – so Barrie Farnsworth looks at the history of the ‘Full English’ 68 Christmas Gift Guide A ten-page special on a selection of gifts from businesses in and around Chesterfield that will really inspire you 78 Wonderful winter walks… Claire Lyons has ideas a-plenty for getting out and about in the colder months 80 Storm Babet flooding leads to a tragic death Barrie Farnsworth looks back to some of the worst flooding the county has ever witnessed 84 Antiques: Watch out for some very high prices Our expert valuer Vivienne Milburn looks at must-have watches that make more than their face value at auction To advertise call 01246 550488

CONTENTS

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86 Artists of the Month We feature two Derbyshire artists with exciting new projects this month. Dawn Anderson finds out what inspires them 90 Out & About We are walking in the footsteps of Charlotte Bronte this month! 93 Guidebook winners We reveal the winners of our competition to win Cicerone Press walking guides to Derbyshire

68 94 What’s On Our comprehensive guide to forthcoming events this December

REFLECTIONS MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2023 Editor: Barrie Farnsworth, E: barrief@bannisterpublications.co.uk Advertising: Mike Snow, M: 07966 445452 E: mikes@bannisterpublications.co.uk Advertising: Helen Wragg, M: 07973 672582 E: helen@bannisterpublications.co.uk Managing Director/Photographer: Robert Bannister,­ E: robert@bannisterpublications.com Art Editor: Ben Fletcher-Bates,­ E: design@reflections-magazine.com Accounts: Helen Holgate, E: admin@bannisterpublications.co.uk Distribution: E: distribution@bannisterpublications.co.uk Published by: Bannister Publications Ltd.

Cover: Bakewell in winter, by James Ellis, our Photographer of the Month (see Page 60).

Tel. 01246 550 488 (3 lines). Bannister Publications Limited, Office 2A Market Hall, Market Pl, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. S40 1AR. Reflections is published monthly and delivered directly to homes which fall into tax bands D to H and the following postcode areas: DE4 - 2, 3, 4, 5 / DE45 1 / S18 5 / S30 1 / S40 - 1, 2, 3, 4 / S41 0, S41 7, 8, 9 / S42 - 5, 6, 7 / S43 - 1, 2, 3 / S45 0, S45 9. All Rights Reserved: Reproduction in whole or in part without written consent is strictly prohibited. The publishers do not accept responsibility for any views expressed, or statements made, in signed contributions or in those reproduced from any other source. No responsibility is borne for any errors made in any advertisement, or for incorrect claims made by any advertiser. The publishers reserve the right to refuse any advertising deemed unsuitable for any reason. All material submitted for publication is done so at the owner’s risk and no responsibility is accepted for its return. Reflections Magazine, Bannister Publications Ltd.

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Countywide News

Above: A computer-generated image of how the new Trans-Pennine Trail bridge will look at Staveley.

Chesterfield Canal crowdfunder launched THE Chesterfield Canal Trust has launched a Crowdfunder Appeal to create brilliant new community spaces by the canal at Staveley. This is in association with the AVIVA Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund. AVIVA will kick-start the appeal with £500 and will give the Trust £2 for every £1 it raises, up to a maximum of £15,000. This means that if the Trust can raise £7,500, AVIVA will turn it into £23,000, or up to £24,500 with Gift Aid. To see full details and make a donation, search for Chesterfield Canal Trust and follow the links. The appeal only lasts until December 19. The works will take place at Hartington, Staveley. Over the next 18 months, a new Trans-Pennine Trail bridge and a new lock will be built, and the canal will be restored. The Trust wants to create a great canalside environment for people and wildlife around the new bridge; and the new lock will be built early in 2025. The Trust needs to raise funds for 60 trees (some semi-mature), 200 metres of hedging, 12 benches, wildflowers, signs and information boards, accessible paths and landscaping work. The information boards will encourage people to learn about and help tackle climate change.

House prices up, sales down in county THE average property price in Derbyshire county is now £245,000, according to data from the website www.plumplot. co.uk – but the average price has increased by £7,300 (three per cent) over the last 12 months. There were 8 Reflections December 2023

11,300 property sales in the county over the last 12 months, which is down by 35 per cent on the previous 12 months. An examination of Land Registry Data shows that the county of Rutland has seen England’s biggest increase in property prices over the past 12 months, going from £379,817 to £430,288, a 13 per cent increase. This is the second biggest percentage increase in the UK, behind only East Lothian in Scotland.

Jillian’s a ‘game changer’ CHESTERFIELD firm EcoTech Engineers won the ‘Outstanding Growth’ category in the Derbyshire Business Awards. The firm, based at Dunston Innovation Centre and founded by Laura Holland – who was featured in Reflections last month – picked up the award at a gala dinner at Derbyshire CCC headquarters in Derby last month. And the Apprentice of the Year award went to Leah Bancroft of Longbow Bars & Restuarants, owners of the The George at Hathersage and The Maynard at Grindleford, where Leah works. Future Life Wealth Management scooped a major regional award in the earlier British Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2023. The Renishaw-based company won the ‘Game Changer’ category for the East Midlands in recognition of the outstanding work undertaken by founder, Jillian Thomas (pictured), who took the ‘Derbyshire Entrepreneur of the Year’ award in 2022 Jillian said: “What a wonderful honour and I’m humbled to receive this award given the calibre of entrepreneurial businesses that exist in the East Midlands.” Future Life Wealth Management has

achieved outstanding growth since it was established by Jillian in 2009.

New Opera House sponsor BUXTON Opera House and McCarthy Stone are thrilled to be joining forces in a new annual partnership which sees the retirement property developer become the lead sponsor of iconic ‘theatre in the hills’. McCarthy Stone will be sponsoring all of Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre’s home-produced productions over the next 12 months, including the upcoming family pantomime, Cinderella, the brand-new children’s production of Hare & Tortoise, a much-anticipated sequel to 2020’s commissioned play Deep, and Evita, the community production in spring 2024. The support from McCarthy Stone will also allow the Opera House to make continual improvements to the 120-year-old venue.

Three awards for hospital trust CHESTERFIELD Royal Hospital Trust added to its awards collection with three accolades last month. The Emergency Department building was declared winner of the ‘Best Interior Design category’ in the national Building Better Healthcare Awards, held in London. The Trust was also shortlisted in two Best New Project categories for both the Emergency Department and the Health and Wellbeing Hub. Secondly, at the tenth annual Chesterfield Volunteer Awards held at the Winding Wheel Theatre, the Royal Rider volunteers – who drive the internal golf buggy which takes patients and visitors across the site – and Emma Costello, Volunteer Coordinator, won two of the awards for their contributions. For more information on volunteer services, go to www.chesterfieldroyal. nhs.uk/workforus/volunteer. To advertise call 01246 550488

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Floods disaster prompts Blanc to open a pop-up shop! NNE-MARIE WHITE, who was flooded out of her independent womenswear shop on Chatsworth Road a matter of a month ago, has turned the tragedy into something positive by opening a pop-up shop at 36 Knifesmithgate in Chesterfield town centre. Just as the immediate future

Jayona wool mix coat by Bariloche WAS £239 NOW £119

for Blanc looked uncertain, the temporary, ephemeral shop has provided Blanc with fresh opportunities in the run-up to the festive season. Blanc’s customers have been overjoyed with this news, as the popular independent womenswear retailer has become well-known for its quality yet affordable

Black Sparkle Carbon Jumpsuit by ‘Atom Label’ RRP £199

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Olivia shirt by Kate & Pippa RRP £42

casual and evening wear. There’s even better news for Blanc’s loyal band of customers. There will be a super sale on in the opening weeks offering 50% and less off selected stock items. There will also be a stunning collection of current season casual and occasion wear. All the normal leading brands will be on display, including stylish

Red Eliza dress by ‘Diva’ WAS £129 NOW £59.99

Zirconian Crepe dress by Atom Label RRP £199

and versatile casualwear from Naya, trousers from Up! Pants, elegant jackets from Bariloche, and fashionable leather boots. Blanc’s wedding and special occasion collections include stunning brands, such as ‘Veni Infantino’ by Ronald Joyce, Luis Civit, Carla Ruiz, Lizabella, Couture Club, Marfil and Claudia C. These are available by appointment only. Partywear is well represented too. Jumpsuits from Atom Label make the ideal standout piece for any swanky party. Blanc, 36 Knifesmithgate, Chesterfield, S40 1RQ Tel: 01246 767220 www.blancouture.co.uk. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

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PICTURE COMPETITION

help us decide who wins our

2023 Competition! H

ERE they are: the finalists in our 2023 ‘Derbyshire’s Wonderful Flora & Fauna’ photographic competition. It has been really tough choosing the finalists – and we really need your help to select the overall winner, who will receive a meal for two at a top local restaurant, plus the chance to have a selection of their images published in Reflections next year. What we need you to do is take a good look at all the finalists’ pictures, then send in your 1-23 by email to barrief@ bannisterpublications. co.uk by noon on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. We really need you to select your 1-2-3; as those who vote for only one person will not be counted.

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The winner, and those in second and third places, will be announced in our January 2024 issue. So here are the finalists’ pictures…

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Taken on New Year’s Day 2023 was one of starlings murmurating on Middleton Moor, near Stoney Middleton. It was taken by Andy Hanna, of Great Longstone, who says: “Thousands fly into the reed beds every day at sunset in the winter there.” This image was taken at Holmebrook Valley Park early in January by Dave Miller, of Chesterfield, who says: “The swans were in the mood for posing!”

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‘Snowy’, a lone fallow deer who the stags have taken in as ‘one of their gang’ on our Eastern Moors, which is where reader Peter Wigglesworth, of Matlock, took the picture on March 12. There can’t be too many oystercatchers who visit the River Derwent at Chatsworth Estate, but this one was pictured in late April by Brian Smith, of Upper Newbold. A lovely image of a robin taken at Fairholmes, by Philip Mansbridge. Two emu chicks at Matlock Farm Park, pictured on April 29 by Alastair Newton, of Matlock. New arrivals – seven little bundles of fluffy cuteness – were pictured by Janice Dyson, of Wingerworth, on May 27. Kathleen Moore, of Chesterfield, used her phone to get this picture of fallow stags on August 9 on the Chatsworth Estate.

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PICTURE COMPETITION

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A sheep clearly enjoying the view from Derwent Edge, surrounded by glorious heather, on August 20. It was taken by Lorraine Baker, of Matlock. Caterpillars of the black and red Cinnabar moth feeding on ragwort in Leashaw Wood, Holloway, taken by Dave Wright, of Cromford. This bunch of bananas was growing this summer in a North Wingfield back garden! Glyn Ashley, who lives in St Lawrence Road, says: “Five years ago, I transplanted my banana tree into the garden. Imagine my delight when in August it rewarded me with a flower and bananas.” Pictured at Chatsworth is this herd of deer, taken October 14 by Russ Teale, of Newbold. Next, a cormorant was also pictured at Chatsworth on October 14 by Mark Ward, of Brassington. A wren defending its territory at Calver, pictured by Steve Wood, of Dronfield Woodhouse.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

LEONIDE INTERIORS:

RISES LIKE PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES FOLLOWING THE FLOODS! THE FLOODS, WHICH CAME TO A HEAD ON FRIDAY 20TH OCTOBER, WERE BAD ENOUGH TO IMPACT DISASTROUSLY ON MANY BUSINESSES. SOME, HOWEVER, LIKE LEONIDE INTERIORS, EMERGED FROM THE CATASTROPHE STRONGER, SMARTER, AND MORE POWERFUL.

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AUL PEARSON, owner of Leonide Interiors, will never forget the day that the water gushed up through the manhole covers and descended torrentially like a river into his bathroom and kitchen showroom. “The floods were horrific,” said Paul. “There was absolutely nothing we could do about it. I’ve never experienced anything else quite like it in my life. Afterwards, all I could see in front of me were ruined displays, stock, computers, and flooring. The electrics were totally wiped out. The whole showroom was a complete mess.” The Leonide Interiors showroom, located on Spa Lane in Chesterfield, took the full brunt of the flooding. The cleanup process, which is now in full swing, is no mean feat. “So much stock has had to go into skips,” said Paul. We have used gallons of bleach and disinfectant and hosed the shop out. And then we’ve had dehumidifiers and heaters on constantly to try and dry the place out.” The silver lining for Leonide Interiors is that it still very much open for business. Orders are being fulfilled as usual, stock is still available from all the manufacturers, and anyone in the market for a stunning bathroom or kitchen can still be seen by Paul simply by ringing him on his mobile. “We could have sat there and licked

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our wounds,” said Paul.” But we decided to use the disaster not as something to defeat us, but as something which to inspire us to push on again. Nothing has stood in the way of us fulfilling the installation, design, and quoting process. We are in full operation and immensely proud of that.” Paul is temporarily operating from Unit 24 on Avenue 2 of the Storforth Lane Trading Estate in Chesterfield. “We are on track to reopen our Spa Lane showroom early in the New Year,” said Paul. “That will have been quite some achievement based on what we were faced with.” Paul still has access to all the latest bathroom and kitchen products, including the superb ranges from Ambiance Bain, Pelipal, Carissa, Aqualisa, Geberit, Vogue, and Sanijura. In addition to outstanding bathroom designs, high-end kitchens from Rempp and other exclusive German suppliers are available on order. “We pride ourselves on offering the very highest standards of customer service,” says Paul. “Because of this, many of our loyal customers, who originally had a new and beautiful bathroom fitted, have come back to us time and time again to renovate, refurbish and overhaul other rooms in their homes. Quite often, what started as a bathroom project, has developed into a complete home rebuild, involving new kitchens, bedrooms, office spaces,

cloakrooms, utility rooms, hallways, and, for that matter, any room imaginable!” “Everything we do here is based around giving our customers the best products available along with the best possible service and advice,” continued Paul. Whether it’s the ultimate contemporary, sleek and streamlined look or the traditional carpentry of a bespoke craftsman’s rustic masterpiece, Paul has the tools and inspiration to produce a bespoke design custom made to each customer’s individual requirements. The range of materials for the walls and panels is quite staggering. Marble, travertine, splash panels made from waterproof foam resin, natural slate, onyx, acrylic composite, and glass are always available. The choice goes on and on. At Leonide Interiors traditional craftsmanship meets modern technology. Therefore, an individual or special design for a bathroom or kitchen is no problem. Through the interplay of thoughtful functions, selected materials, a variety of colours and exciting details, bathrooms and kitchens are designed to all requirements imaginable. TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT OR FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES: M: 07746 720071 E: info@leonideinteriors.co.uk www.leonideinteriors.co.uk

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FIGHTING CANCER:

FUNDRAISER

Rachael’s brave journey In December 2021, Reflections’ much appreciated and loyal advertiser, Rachael Holmes, owner of Dream Doors Chesterfield, was dealt a devastating blow when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

THE news shook Rachael, her husband, and her two children to their core. Despite the dire predicament, Rachael showed incredible resilience and strength, successfully combating cancer once through a series of intense treatments, including a gruelling chemotherapy regimen. She then had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. It was hoped that Rachael and her family could begin to rebuild their lives and business, which had suffered during the Covid era. However, this respite was short-lived. Sadly, due to a BRCA 1 mutation, the cancer made a resurgence in both axillary lymph nodes and her lungs, leading to a dreaded terminal diagnosis. While the NHS can provide conventional treatments to manage the cancer, they cannot offer a cure. However, there are other viable options available that could dramatically improve Rachael’s situation. In April 2023, NICE approved a drug named Olaparib1, a PARP inhibitor. Although it is accessible for primary BRCA on the NHS, it is not provided for secondary cases. This drug, however, is privately available at approximately £5000 per month and holds the potential to significantly enhance Rachael’s quality of life by suppressing and hopefully reducing the cancer. This treatment could provide Rachael with a fighting chance to control this disease long-term, 26 Reflections December 2023

opening up an extended window for new medical advancements to emerge that could help conquer the cancer permanently and, crucially, allow her more precious time with her family. But it comes with a significant financial burden, including treatment costs and potentially additional expenses related to travel, loss of work, and more. The amount, which the fund-raising team aim to raise, would only cover almost a year of treatment. They understand this could be an ongoing process, so any contributions exceeding the initial goal of £60,000 would be enormously appreciated. This is a fight worth every effort. Without your generous support and these critical funds, this life-extending treatment for Rachael simply isn’t viable. The whole team at Reflections magazine would deeply value any donations. Rachael has bravely faced and defeated this cancer once before, and there is every chance that, with this advanced therapy, she can triumph again.

Please join us at Reflections magazine in our mission to save Rachael’s life. https://www.gofundme.com/f/fighting-cancer-rachaels-journey

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Dream Doors, 197 Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, S41 7JQ T: 01246 221299 E: chesterfield@dreamdoors.co.uk Visit our website at www.reflections-magazine.com

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LEGAL SERVICES

MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT MATTER

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HRISTMAS is around the corner and you’re probably thinking what Christmas gifts to buy. It’s never easy. Of course, you don’t have to give socks, a jumper or perfume – you could gift people something in your will, or even give it to them now. Whichever you do, don’t forget to consider the inheritance tax (IHT) implications. Our experts are regularly asked to offer advice relating to gifts – especially at Christmas time – so here, we offer some guidance. Gifts can be anything of value, such as money, property or other possessions. They can also include loss of the value of an asset, such as if you gift your home to your children. You can make as many gifts of £250 per person as you like at this festive time (or any time during the year), exempt from IHT, as long as a person does not benefit from one of the other exemptions. Each person has a £3,000 annual exemption per year, which can be rolled over to the next year. This is the amount they can give away each year without any IHT implications.

In addition, you can give wedding/ civil partnership gifts each year of £5,000 per child, £2,500 per grandchild and £1,000 to anyone else. The wedding gift recipient can also receive other gifts from within your £3,000 annual exemption. Birthday or Christmas gifts, and regular payments to someone to help with their living costs, such as paying rent for a child, paying into a savings account for a child under the age of 18 or supporting an elderly relative can be IHT-free if they are given out of your regular income and you can still afford your own living costs after giving them. You may be considering a larger Christmas gift and be thinking about passing your home to your family before you die. If you make a gift of your home, you should always take advice, especially if you wish to gift it to your children/grandchildren and wish to continue living in it as it could attract IHT as well as capital gains tax – for you or the person you gift it to. You may also be at risk if your children were to get divorced or become bankrupt in the future. You could also consider a transfer of

Laura Cowan, head of private client department. equity – where all or part of the equity in your home is transferred to one or more people. Its value may not then be counted as part of your estate when you die. Again, there are potential risks and tax implications involved and you should take advice before doing this and you will need a conveyancing solicitor to complete the legal requirements necessary. Another valuable Christmas gift to consider is a trust. With the right conditions set, the value of the cash or assets you put into the trust will not count as part of your estate when you die, as they belong to the trust and not to you, so no IHT will be payable on them. Trusts are useful for children under a certain age, for example, as the trustees (which could include you), control the assets until the beneficiary reaches a specified age. Finally, if you are considering gifting to charity – and many do at Christmas, these gifts will be exempt from IHT. Laura Cowan, head of Graysons’ private client team says: “Whatever gifts you give, make sure you keep a record as your executors may need to declare any gifts you made in the last seven years and IHT may be payable if your threshold is exceeded. Our experienced private client lawyers can advise you on any issue relating to IHT, how to reduce your liability and how giving gifts in your lifetime or leaving them in your will can affect your IHT position. We offer a holistic approach, whereby we can work closely with your financial advisor or accountant to ensure that we find the right solution that works for you and your family.” LC

Contact the Private Client Team: 01246 229393

Excellent 4.8 out of 5

RECOMMENDED LAWYER

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FEATURE

Expert on the Peak District’s past now has a key role in its future Ken Smith devoted his professional life to studying and conserving the Peak District’s past. Now he has a key role to play in its future. Fiona Stubbs meets the chair of the Peak District National Park Authority.

Ken Smith, now chair of the Peak District National Park Authority. Picture by Tom Marshall.

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EW people involved in the management of the Peak District can claim such intricate knowledge of the UK’s original national park than Ken Smith… quite literally! From young archaeologist to chair of the National Park Authority (NPA), Ken has lived and breathed the Peak District for over 40 years. Throughout that time, he has witnessed some positive changes – while other issues facing national parks remain timelessly stubborn. His appointment as chair coincides with particularly challenging times as, like other national parks and local authorities, the NPA has to operate within ever-reducing budgets. Ken says: “Here in the Peak District, there is a constant balancing act between the needs of the visitor, those who live, work and do business here, and the duties rightly placed on us as an authority to safeguard landscapes and our natural and cultural heritage in the face of global issues such as climate change. “These responsibilities and pressures have been stressed close to their limits in recent years through an unprecedented pandemic and the need for continued delivery within budgets that are, without question, reducing significantly in real terms.” 30 Reflections December 2023

Nevertheless, he approaches his new role with characteristic enthusiasm and rigour. Originally from West Bromwich, Ken moved, aged 13, to Suffolk where his family ran a smallholding. After leaving school in Beccles, he studied at Sheffield University, graduating in 1974 with a degree in Archaeology. He spent seven years with the government’s Central Excavation Unit, part of the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments, working mostly in Hampshire and Dartmoor before moving north once more. “I came to Derbyshire in 1982 as Sites and Monuments Record Officer – a role shared between Derbyshire County Council and the (then) Peak Park Joint Planning Board,” he recalls. “I was the first archaeologist employed by Derbyshire and the Peak Park. The job was to create a record of sites and monuments, to be used in planning and conservation processes. “In 1987, each decided they wanted their own archaeologist. I was offered both posts and chose the National Park.” Ken went on to build – and manage – an archaeology team, which developed into a wider cultural heritage unit. He enjoyed roles across archaeological and heritage

management, with a strategic focus on the benefits of the nation’s historic environment. His experience has encompassed planning and mineral development, farming, communities, landscape, climate change and cultural heritage while also touching on information/communication, biodiversity, economy, tourism and access. “Cultural heritage was a poor relation and we raised its profile at a strategic level,” says Ken. “It was a combination of efforts by members of the team, senior staff, planners and English Heritage – or Historic England as it became. “We were fortunate that we had particular skills in the team – particularly in archaeology – that made us attractive for national heritage investment. We had the people, we had the skills – and we delivered. “We were commissioned to do work, while projects that we raised were well resourced. We published books and articles about our work. Now, with digital channels, there’s a job to be done distilling information so that people can learn more easily about cultural heritage.” After 35 years at the National Park, Ken took voluntary redundancy in 2017. “I spent the first six months working on our three To advertise call 01246 550488

FEATURE

Ken Smith came to work in Derbyshire in 1982 as Sites and Monuments Record Officer – and has never left the county since! He is pictured on Eyam Moor monitoring a Scheduled Monument. allotments – it was bliss,” he laughs. “Then I started getting knocks on the door!” The first invitation led Ken to become trustee and chair of trustees for the Council of British Archaeology – and others followed. He is a member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and, locally, he is honorary vice-president of the Derbyshire Archaeological Society and chair of both the Bakewell and District Historical Society (with its Old House Museum) and Sheffield’s Hunter Archaeological Society. “These opportunities are very flattering and draw on my knowledge and skills,” says Ken, who has also held advisory positions at the National Trust and Historic England. In 2018, he returned to the Peak District National Park Authority, appointed by Defra as a ‘national’ member, with an emphasis on landscapes. Members set national park policies and objectives and make decisions. National members are appointed by the Secretary of State, to reflect their specialisms in matters which affect national parks. Others are appointed by county, district, city and borough councils while parish council representatives are also approved by the Secretary of State. By law, the National Park Authority is required to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Peak District and to promote opportunities for people to understand and enjoy its special qualities. While well-versed in these statutory duties, Ken admits it took a while to adjust from his long experience as an employee to the role of authority member. “It’s easy to say that members are strategic and officers are operational but there’s more to it than that,” he says. “They are very different roles. One key benefit of having

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been an officer is that I’ve always felt a strong commitment from staff to the conservation and enhancement of the park and enabling people to enjoy it. People often come to Above: The Peak District National Park work here because of the place itself.” attracts more than 13-million visitors each Ken served as deputy chair of the year – and Mam Tor is a popular place to planning committee before being take pictures from! Picture by Russ Teale appointed chair of the authority in July. With a 40 per cent ‘real terms’ is on social housing but we also need to government grant cut over the last decade, look at local services and transport. there are challenges and opportunities “We are in the process of recruiting a for Ken and the wider membership to sustainable transport officer to try and tackle – alongside chief executive Phil organise ourselves and partners to take Mulligan and his management team. a strategic approach to transport, which “When I started in the 1980s, money we hope will lead to an improvement. was tight, then in the late 1990s we were It’s important that we try.” well-resourced,” explains Ken. “We are now Climate change affects us all – and hugely impoverished compared to then. National Parks have a role to play in fighting “Our principal challenge has to be it. For 20 years, the Peak District-based Moors resourcing. Although I’m not keen on income for the Future Partnership (MFFP) has been generation being leading the way, raising £50 the driver for a million of investment to restore local authority, it’s moorland damaged by centuries Climate change affects of industrial pollution and other becoming more and more important, factors, including wildfires. us all – and National whether through Healthy peatland stores Parks have a role to organisations like carbon, reduces flood risk the Peak District by slowing the flow of water play in fighting it. National Park from the hills, filters drinking Foundation or water and provides a home other initiatives. for a diverse range of plant We’ve got to and animal species. face up to the fact that we need to Funding achieved last year through generate significantly more income.” the Great North Bog coalition will also Transport is another challenge for boost upland peatland restoration both visitors and locals, as Ken concedes. and conservation in protected “The majority of visitors come by car. It’s landscapes of northern England, convenient but also forced on people by a including the Peak District. lack of adequate public transport. That’s “In the last five to 10 years, the climate been a problem for decades and I don’t change issue and the role national parks see it going away in the short term. can play has been raised considerably,” “We want our communities to be says Ken. “I think there’s an increased thriving and sustainable. A lot of focus awareness in government about what

31 Reflections December 2023

FEATURE national parks can do. But work is needed to maintain that awareness along with actions on the ground and resources to deliver them. Initiatives like the Great North Bog and MFFP project are crucial.” He sees further opportunities for ‘a sensible way forward’ in farming and land management. “We must acknowledge farmers as managers of the land,” says Ken. “They are vital to the conservation and enhancement of Peak District landscapes. People see the countryside as scenery but it

is actually the product of past and present human activity. It’s a historic landscape.” The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) initiative is a grant programme for farmers and land managers in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Grants are made for value-formoney projects to make improvements in the Peak District that deliver on at least one of four themes: nature, climate, people and place. Ken explains: “Agri-environment schemes are just as important as the

planning process in managing landscapes, in terms of wildlife and cultural heritage.” He adds: “I am where I am because of my experience, skills and expertise. More than half of my life has been devoted to the Peak District National Park but I have to recognise how inevitably things have changed over the decades. “I’m privileged to have an understanding of how the landscape has developed over time and equally privileged to have a role in how we progress for the future.”

Hill fort – and a mass grave THE Iron Age hill fort at Fin Cop – that archaeologist Ken knows so well – is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It’s a fort with its north and west sides formed by the steep scarp above the River Wye, and its east and south by two banks and ditches. Lottery-funded excavations in 2009 by Longstone Local History Group had the aim of dating the fort – but they instead exposed the body of a woman who was either heavily pregnant or had a very small infant with her. Her body was dated to around 300 BC

32 Reflections December 2023

and had been thrown into a ditch. Other perfectly-preserved skeletons were also uncovered in later excavations in 2010, 2012 and 2014. The skeletons were all identified to be women and children which added further mystery to what was clearly a mass grave. Animal bones were also found on the site, along with thousands of stone tools which established Fin Cop as a centre of activity long before the fort was built. Carbon dating of the site suggests it was constructed between 440BC and 390BC.

Above: The remains of the hill fort at Fin Cop.

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SMART HOMES ELECTRICAL SOLAR PV SYSTEMS STARTING FROM £4600 In the face of high energy costs and environmental concerns, turning to solar power offers a compelling solution. Solar panels provide a sustainable, renewable energy source by harnessing the power of sunlight to generate electricity for homes. Here at Smart Homes Electrical, we offer bespoke solutions suitable for your home, allowing you to:

DO YOUR BIT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Going solar has a significant environmental impact. Solar panels enable individuals and companies to become more independent from the National Grid, reducing your carbon footprint and providing greater control over how and when energy is used.

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See savings of up to £900 per year. Introduce Battery storage for further savings at night time or on night time cheap grid charging.

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EARN MONEY BACK

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INCREASE YOUR HOMES VALUE

Solar panels have a tangible value, adding equity to your home.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at tom@ smarthomes electrical. com to arrange your free detailed survey and find out more about the benefits of solar energy.

33 Reflections December 2023

LOCAL BUSINESS

SPRINGMOUNT: A COMMITMENT TO DENTAL EXCELLENCE!

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AVING created an ambient environment to reflect the quality of their service, Springmount Dental Practices have invested in the latest technology and equipment to keep them at the forefront of modern-day dentistry. Having opened a dental and aesthetics practice on 41 Bank Road in Matlock on December 4, 2017, husband-and-wife team, Dr Malcolm and Katie Campbell, broadened their horizons about 18 months ago by taking over Christopher Holden & Associates, a dental practice based on Tennyson Avenue near the centre of Chesterfield.

Creating a practice fit for the future Since taking over the Chesterfield practice, Malcolm and Katie have embarked on a programme of renovations and refurbishments to transform the 34 Reflections December 2023

interior décor, layout, and furnishings to reflect the ethos of their vision and the quality of their service. “We believe that the practice in every aspect should represent our vision,” said Dr Campbell. We aim to provide excellent dentistry centred around a relaxing patient experience, tailored to the needs and expectations of the clientele we attract. This starts with the appearance, which should immediately help our clients feel at ease, comfortable, and calm. Stepping into the new-look practice instantly gives the reassurance of being in the best possible hands. The soothing, calming, and warm environment makes the first impressions uniquely special. “As an independent, family-run practice, our approach is patient-orientated – from the moment they walk through the door,” said Katie. “We have the flexibility and

technical experience to provide the ultimate in dental care, backed up by caring and sensitive staff committed to providing the best possible customer experience. We offer an extensive range of dental services and facial aesthetics that have been designed to leave our patients feeling like the best possible version of themselves.”

Full range of treatments by highly-qualified professionals Springmount Dental & Aesthetics offers the whole range of treatments from general restorative dentistry to complex, high-end dentistry, focusing on dental implants, endodontics, cosmetic dentistry, facial aesthetics, and luxury general dental care. Dr Malcolm Campbell has a special interest in dental implants and has been awarded a Diploma in Implant Dentistry from the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. He has undertaken extensive training in providing complex techniques to enable the practice to offer the full choice of dental implant options – from a single tooth to full mouth (All-on-4) cases. This means the practice can offer same day implants and teeth – so after the initial planning, a patient can arrive with no teeth, then leave with a full set of fixed teeth on implants. So, clients who wish to find an alternative to dentures, or are in the process of losing a To advertise call 01246 550488

LOCAL BUSINESS tooth, can rest assured that Dr Campbell and his team will help them every step of the way. When it comes to endodontics and root treatments, Dr Frederick (Freddie) Bingham and Dr Nikhil Arolker have the expertise to ensure that the surgery is carried out to the highest possible standards – in a relaxed and friendly manner, of course. Both Dr Bingham and Dr Arolker have undertaken further training in endodontics, gaining postgraduate qualifications. Associate Dentist, Jamie Rutherford, who graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2014, is well experienced and highly regarded in general dentistry, providing routine treatment such as fillings, extractions, crowns, and bridges. He has a special interest in providing high-quality dentures and has undertaken further training in this field. As well as being a qualified and experienced Hygiene Therapist, Katie Campbell, in common with Malcolm, is also fully trained in providing anti-wrinkle injections, dermal filler procedures, microneedling and chemical facial peels. Using top brands like Medik8® and Jane Iredale, they provide ethical and minimally invasive solutions to facial aesthetics. Both Katie and Abbey Ashley are GDC registered & experienced in full facial rejuvenation. With the solid foundation of a committed team, both the Chesterfield and Matlock practices now have access to an even more extensive range of complex and innovative treatments. As well as general restorative dentistry, the practice provides treatments such as dental implants, cosmetic dentistry (like composite bonding and porcelain veneers), teeth whitening, root canal procedures, same-day crowns, Invisalign® ‘invisible braces’ and hygienist services. The past two years have also seen the practice attain the accolade of an Invisalign® Elite provider.

Investing in the very latest equipment and equipment Springmount Dental & Aesthetics is always looking to explore new horizons in dentistry. Filled with zeal to usher in efficiency and elevate the quality of patient care, Malcolm and Katie have achieved a remarkable transformation by the incorporation of a CT scanner and 3D printing dental solutions. This journey epitomises the fusion of modern technology and dental excellence.

Dr Campbell’s forward-thinking mindset was captivated by the potential of 3D printing. He believed it to be the future of dentistry – a game-changer in the dental industry. The CT scanner, 3D printer, and postprocessing capabilities were meticulously tailored to meet the specific demands of a busy dental practice like Springmount. Moreover, the improved speed and efficiency of the printer has resulted in rapid turnarounds. This is a crucial factor for a practice committed to excellence. Nowadays, a patient can come in for full-mouth implant surgery, or crowns, and have the entire treatment completed on the same day! Taking dental hygiene treatments to a whole new level, Springmount Dental & Aesthetics has invested in an EMS Airflow, a piece of equipment which has revolutionised teeth cleaning. The refreshing power of Airflow provides a meticulous process that ensures thorough and precise removal of harmful biofilm, plaque, and stains from teeth and gums in a far more comfortable and less intrusive way.

have everything they need during their time at the practices. In short, a treatment coordinator is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with patients and providing support to the clinical team.

Treatment Coordinators in both practices

NEW PATIENTS ALWAYS WELCOME

At Springmount Dental & Aesthetics, they always put patients first. That’s why they have a treatment coordinator at both practices. For the Chesterfield practice, the treatment coordinator is Emily Swallow, whilst at Matlock the role is fulfilled by Sinead Tabor. Emily and Sinead play a vital role in the day-to-day running of the practice. Available on a business mobile phone, they are an immediate point-ofcontact to discuss anything that may be of concern to their patients. From scheduling appointments to providing care and ongoing support, as well as handling finances, they are there to make sure that patients

COMPLIMENTARY assessments available for Dental Implants, Cosmetic Dentistry and General Dentistry. Membership plans from as little as £12.90 per month.

Affordable and accessible To spread the cost and make private and cosmetic dentistry more affordable and accessible, Springmount Dental Practice offers bespoke and tailor-made membership plans, which also provide members with enticing and regular offers. They also offer 0% finance options.

Awards and Accolades Springmount Dental & Aesthetics has been nominated, once again, for three categories at the prestigious Private Dentistry Awards. The categories are Practice Brand and Design, Team of the Year, and Practice Principal. Such accolades reflect the standards of excellence maintained at the practices.

Springmount Dental & Aesthetics 32 Tennyson Avenue, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 4SP, t: 01246 230 230 e: info@springmountdental.co.uk Springmount Dental & Aesthetics, 41 Bank Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3GL t: 01629 56558 www.springmountdental.co.uk Visit our website at www.reflections-magazine.com

35 Reflections December 2023

LOCAL BUSINESS

HOLYWELL CARPETS Integrity: The key to lasting success

Chesterfield-based Holywell Carpets believe that honesty and trust are integral to meeting and exceeding customers’ expectations.

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S can usually be expected from a long-established family business, Holywell Carpets has stood the test of time through displaying the hallmarks of unparalleled customer service, uncompromising integrity, and unswerving reliability. Brothers Reg and Steve Hinde took over Holywell Carpets in 1989. Steve now manages the business in conjunction with long-standing and loyal employee, Martin Howroyd. Together, Steve and Martin have been working together at this highly reputable carpet company for 33 years. Previously, Steve had worked elsewhere in the carpet trade in a fitting capacity for ten years. Martin was at the company three years before Steve’s arrival. It’s fair to say that they know the business inside out. And they have done the hard yards! Both are

trained fitters and have many years fitting experience between them, Steve was ‘on the tools’ for 20 years and Martin 25 years.

Traditional values Steve is proud of the old-fashioned values which have underpinned the success of Holywell Carpets. “If I wouldn’t have a particular carpet in my home, I won’t put it in yours,” said Steve. “Martin and I always tell customers the truth. Our business is based on a high moral code and honesty and truthfulness are at the very core of this.”

Carpet Foundation Membership The Carpet Foundation is the UK carpet industry’s lead body. As a member of the

Carpet Foundation, Holywell Carpets is bound by a Code of Practice approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. The Code gives customers peace of mind that they are dealing with people they can trust. Carpet Foundation retailers are audited annually by the TSI to ensure compliance. These are the benefits of buying from a Carpet Foundation retail member: • Written quotations • Deposit safeguards • Written terms of business • Impartial professional advice • Free extended guarantees • A free installation guarantee • After sales procedures

Better Prices through Associated Carpet Group Membership (ACG) With over 320 members, ACG is a national buying group dedicated to supporting independent flooring retailers. With a massively increased buying power, the ACG can secure the best trading terms with the best selection of flooring suppliers. This means that carpet retailers like Holywell

36 Reflections December 2023

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Carpets can pass on the savings to customers, making their prices much more competitive. ACG membership has a good number of benefits for Holywell Carpets, including enabling them to trade on equal or better terms than members of other groups or multiple outlets.

Derbyshire Trusted Trader Membership Being a Derbyshire Trusted Trader tells customers that they are dealing with a fair and reliable business, which follows a code of practice. The scheme also establishes a vetting procedure and a framework for stringent quality standards. Here is a recent Derbyshire Trusted Trader review: “Very efficient from purchase to fitting. Very courteous and they did everything they said they would. I highly recommend them and will not look anywhere else when I replace the next carpet. Excellent carpets.”

Premium quality carpets and flooring from all the leading manufacturers Whilst catering for a wide range of tastes, preferences, and budgets, Holywell Carpets uses most of the highest-quality suppliers of carpets and flooring. When it comes to carpet displays in the showroom, Cavalier, Adam, Westex, Ulster, Abingdon, Penthouse, Cormar, Whitestone Weavers, Hugh Mackay, and Brockway are all well represented. Visit our website at www.reflections-magazine.com

Steve is keen to point out that there are quality ranges for each of these suppliers. “I can show customers the difference in quality even within the Ulster range,” said Steve. “The key measurements they need to know to assess a carpet’s durability are its density, that is how closely knitted together its fibres are, and its pile height. In general, short, dense, heavy carpets are more durable and hard-wearing than those with loose, shaggy fibres. LVT flooring is ever more popular these days and Holywell Carpets has certainly got this covered. With premium brands like Camaro and Distinctive, backed up with vastly experienced and highly knowledgeable fitters, customers can rely on an immaculate finish to their superb new floor. Holywell Carpets also stocks and fits quality ranges of vinyls, laminates, and carpet tiles.

11 widths of carpets - how to save money and avoid waste Measuring floor space and estimating the amount of flooring or carpet needed is a skill. “Customers should never really buy a carpet until a room has been professionally measured,” said Steve. “We can save customers hundreds of pounds by using carpets which come in smaller width sizes. With eleven widths of carpets now available, choosing the most cost-effective width option can make a whole load of difference. Selecting the optimum width of carpet available in a given carpet range can minimise waste and save a small fortune!” Giving genuine, objective, and honest advice is at the heart of everything

they do at Holywell Carpets. “If we can save our customers some of their hardearned cash, we’ll do it,” said Steve. “With our price quotations, we also include the often-hidden extras. With us, underlay, grippers, doorplates, and fitting is always included in the cost.” If an honest, reliable, and courteous service is what you’re after, look no further than Holywell Carpets. Holywell Carpets, 40 St Mary’s Gate, Chesterfield, S41 7TH T: 01246 272 835 M: 07733 889430 E: enquiry@holywellcarpets.co.uk www.holywellcarpets.co.uk 37 Reflections December 2023

FEATURE

Still the largest unsupported dome in the UK… What building in Derbyshire has been a stable block, a hospital, a campus and a celebrity wedding venue? It’s none other than the Devonshire Dome in Buxton, as Barrie Farnsworth explains.

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HE Devonshire Dome was most famous for having the world’s largest unsupported dome when it was constructed in the 1880s. Its diameter of 44.2 metres (145 ft) surpassed that of the Pantheon (43 metres/141 ft) and St Peter’s Basilica (42 metres/138 ft) in Rome, and was much bigger than the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral in London (34 metres/112 ft). Its world record was surpassed by the West Baden Spring Hotels, Indiana, USA, in 1902, which had a dome of 59.45 metres (195ft). The record is now routinely surpassed today by space frame domes, such as the 38 Reflections December 2023

Georgia Dome in the USA, home of the NFL team the Atlanta Falcons, which has a dome diameter of a staggering 256 metres (840 ft), but the Devonshire is still the largest unsupported dome in the UK. Its dome has an area of 1,534 square metres (16,510 sq ft). But the dome wasn’t part of the original building, which was built by John Carr of York between 1780 and 1789 as a stable block for William Cavendish, the 5th Duke of Devonshire. Octagonal in shape, it housed up to 120 horses and the servants of the guests of the Crescent Hotel, built at the same time as part of the Duke’s plan to promote Buxton as a spa town. Its

Above: Still the largest unsupported dome in the UK, that’s the Devonshire Dome in Buxton.

Above: Such an impressive building: the Devonshire Dome. To advertise call 01246 550488

FEATURE

Above: A postcard from Buxton in the late Thirties, showing The Devonshire Royal Hospital. interior façade was described as an almost exact copy of The Palace of Christian Kings at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. In 1859, the Buxton Bath Charity persuaded the Duke to allow part of the building – by then accommodating nothing like the 110 horses for which it was designed – to be converted to a charity hospital for the use of the ‘sick poor’ coming in for treatment from the ‘Cottonopolis’ regions of the north. The Devonshire Estate architect, Henry Currey, who was the architect for St Thomas’ Hospital in London, converted two thirds of the building into a hospital. In 1881, the Buxton Bath Charity trustees persuaded the 7th Duke of Devonshire to give them the use of the whole building in exchange for providing new stables elsewhere in the town. Local architect Robert Rippon Duke was commissioned to design a 300-bed hospital to rival Bath and Harrogate for charity medical provision. The Cotton Districts Convalescent fund put up £25,000 for the conversion. Visit our website at www.reflections-magazine.com

Dominating the Buxton skyline, that’s the Devonshire Dome. The steel structure was clad in slate and proposed to be supported by 22 curved steel arms. However, during construction the Tay Bridge disaster – when the rail bridge collapsed during a storm and all on a passenger train were killed – occurred in 1879, and so the number of arms was revised upwards. Duke, born in Hull, moved to Buxton and was architect, surveyor and building inspector for the Devonshire Estate for 45 years. The hospital was renamed The Devonshire Royal Hospital in 1934 and became part of the National Health Service on its foundation in 1948. It was the last of the eight hydropathic hospitals in England to close, in 2000. In 2001, the University of Derby acquired the Devonshire Dome and associated buildings. The university received £4.7m from the Heritage Lottery Fund for restoration and redevelopment. Reopened in 2005 as the University of Derby’s Buxton campus and Centre for Contemporary

Hospitality & Tourism; and as the new base of the Buxton & Leek College. During 2020/21, all University courses moved back to Derby but the College remains on site. Of course, the Dome has housed more than students in recent years. As a commercial venue, it is frequently used for large weddings and has hosted celebrity weddings, including that of Hollyoaks star Kieron Richardson who, in April 2015, married his long-term partner Carl Hyland. Open to the public, the space houses cafés and a restaurant. The Devonshire Dome is also home to the award-winning Devonshire Spa. Among the accolades it has received, it won the ‘Luxury Emerging Spa in Northern Europe’ title in 2017 at the World Luxury Spa Awards; and was named Professional Beauty’s Day Spa of the Year in 2016. All in all, the Devonshire Dome offers private meeting rooms through to the 1,300ft exhibition space beneath the Dome. 39 Reflections December 2023

LOCAL BUSINESS

Home Instead Chesterfield: Because Care begins at home... Chesterfield-based Home Instead was set up in 2011 by Nigel and Stephanie to provide care and enable people to continue living independently in the comfort of their own homes. They say ‘home is where the heart is’ – the place where most people feel safe and happy. However, as people age, they may feel that, at

Nigel and Stephanie, founders of Home Instead Chesterfield. 40 Reflections December 2023

some stage, they are faced with the possibility of having to move out of the place they call home, as they are no longer able to adequately care for themselves and their surroundings. This doesn’t have to be the case. With dedicated home care services from Home Instead Chesterfield, people of all ages and disabilities often remain living comfortably at home for many years. The home care services provided by trained, caring, and experienced Care Professionals can be tailored to each individual’s needs. So, whether it is companionship care, home help, personal care, specialist care or Dementia and Alzheimer’s care, Home Instead Chesterfield can help in all areas. Home Instead Chesterfield has received many accolades and awards regarding their standard of care provision. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated the service as “outstanding”. The team received high praise from people involved in the inspection. They achieved this by using innovative ways to maintain Clients’ quality of life, building relationships between Clients and Care Professionals and enriching people’s lives. Care Professionals encourage Clients to make valuable contributions in their community often taking part in local activities,

such as going to the theatre, visiting the town, attending church, or other local events or day centres. This helps maintain and improve people’s selfworth and enjoyment of everyday life. The ethos and culture at Home Instead Chesterfield is inspiring and Clients sit at the heart of the service. We are a Home Instead ‘family’ and take pride in the achievements of our Care Professionals. We base our visits and support on “would we want this for our family?”

Supporting family Care Professionals There are an estimated 5 million people providing unpaid care in the UK. These are often sons and daughters with families of their own as well as demanding jobs and careers. This is where Home Instead Chesterfield can help and relieve some of the pressure. From companionship and light-touch support such as household tasks to complex care situations, Home Instead Chesterfield has a network of trusted Care Professionals who can provide the much-needed assistance families require. From 4 hours a week up to 24 hours a day, Home Instead Chesterfield can offer an outstanding care solution. To advertise call 01246 550488

LOCAL BUSINESS Review from Ian T (Son of Client)

Supporting people with Dementia at home With the right support in place, Home Instead believe the best place to receive most Dementia care is at home. With professionally trained Care Professionals, Home Instead Chesterfield can assist in practical day-to-day assistance, as well as offering emotional support and comfort. By devising a care plan tailor made to each person’s needs, Home Instead Chesterfield can provide bespoke care in accordance with individual needs. Continuity is critical to providing exceptional care, so Home Instead Chesterfield ensures that Clients see the same Care Professionals. This helps both parties’ bond and forge a strong relationship, particularly since they are matched according to personality traits and shared interests. Dealing with what comes following a Dementia diagnosis can be a stressful time. Home Instead Chesterfield can introduce another pair of safe hands to support you or your loved one and help families to continue enjoying their time spent together.

Live-in Care Live-in care is where our Care Professional lives with our Clients providing support throughout the day. It’s a brilliant way of helping our Clients stay at home receiving support and care from a familiar face. Care Professionals can help with almost everything, including personal care, medication assistance, meal preparation, pet care, housekeeping, errands, appointments, and companionship and much more. Live-in care enables people to remain at home while receiving continuous support from a dedicated Care Professional – a person who in some cases feels like part of the family. Live-in Care can also be an affordable alternative to many hours of hourly care or residential care.

published on 14 March 2023 Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

be avoided, our team enable older people to live long and happy lives, whilst promoting their autonomy and independence in their own home. If you want to make a real difference to someone’s life, then why not consider a hugely rewarding career as a Care Professional. Staying with the same Clients and having time to build trust and quality relationships enables us to enrich Clients’ lives. Home Instead Chesterfield is currently looking for more people with kind, compassionate hearts who genuinely want to make a positive difference to our Clients. You will be reliable, trustworthy, and respectful. You will enjoy building professional friendships and will be comfortable in spending time in the company of others and have a passion for supporting them. You will pride yourself on delivering an outstanding service. Interested? Then give our team a call on the number below.

We have been using Home Instead for just over 18 months now – they provide 3 hours of care every day for my elderly mother. She suffers from Alzheimer’s and is finding it increasingly difficult to manage many aspects of her everyday life. We are extremely happy with the high quality of service that the Home Instead team are consistently delivering – in particular, we are consistently impressed by the high level of professionalism that is on display, every time we meet, or speak with anyone who is associated with Home Instead. Furthermore, because I’m not living close by, I rely on Home Instead stepping in for every single issue that might arise. This is key for me, and therefore, good communication is an absolute priority for me. They are exemplary in this regard and for this, I’m very grateful. Well done and keep up the good work!

T: 01246 580187 E: info.chesterfield@ homeinstead.co.uk

It’s not working, it is CARING with Home Instead Chesterfield Being a Care Professional is a rewarding and fulfilling career. Growing older can be incredibly stressful for some people, so can you imagine taking someone out of their home too? With home care services provided by Home Instead Chesterfield, this can Visit our website at www.reflections-magazine.com

41 Reflections December 2023

LOCAL BUSINESS

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS

WITH AN IDEAL NEW BOILER! Simon Fletcher, Managing Director of FlameCare, explains more… NOWADAYS, heating up the home takes up a substantial proportion of energy bills, which means that having an efficient boiler is a must. The better the ERP (or Energy Related Products Directive) boiler rating, the cheaper energy bills will be in the long run. “There has never been a more relevant time to get rid of an old inefficient boiler and replace it with a brand-new super-efficient one,” said Simon Fletcher, Managing Director of familyrun, independent and local

42 Reflections December 2023

heating engineers, FlameCare. attain at least 93% ERP rating “It’s important to consider the as standard and have a full ERP rating of a boiler before range of controls to suit your purchasing needs. Boilers or installing start with a 7-year to ensure warranty and go “Currently, we you’re up to a 12-year doing your warranty.” have some bit for the “Currently, exceptional deals environment we have some on new boilers.” and lowering exceptional your heating deals on new bills. At boilers; simply FlameCare, we use Ideal contact the office to find out Heating boilers, all of which more. We are also offering achieve band A levels of a free maintenance and efficiency. The good news is service plan for a year for all that all Ideal Heating boilers new boiler installations.”

An added accessory is the Ideal Halo Wi-Fi, which is an internet connected wireless programmable room thermostat, designed to work specifically with the Ideal Boiler.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FLAME CARE:

FlameCare

67-77 Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield, S40 2AL T: 0800 0855 518 E: info@flamecare.co.uk www.flamecare.co.uk

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Visit our website at www.reflections-magazine.com

43 Reflections December 2023

LOCAL BUSINESS

It’s all about Trust! When it comes to choosing the right tradesmen and businesses for home improvement projects, it’s all down to trust and reputation.

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LANNING the next home improvement project is always an exciting, yet daunting, challenge. Mulling over the various options and configurations, looking at budgets, and dreaming about the end product raises so many questions, whilst at the same time stimulating the creative juices. That’s why selecting the right company to carry out the work is of paramount importance. Never has it been more vital to use tradesmen who uphold the traditional virtues of honesty, integrity, reliability, and transparency. Old-fashioned values are very much in the ascendency as the mantra of trust is key. Endorsing and promoting these values is Derbyshire Trading Standards, who set up the Derbyshire Trusted Trader scheme twelve years ago in November 2008. The Derbyshire Trusted Trader scheme was established to help local people find traders and businesses who agree to do a first-rate job at a fair price and commit to providing good customer service. Its goal was, and still is, to protect consumers, and, in particular, older and more vulnerable adults, by making it easier for them to use Trusted Traders rather than rogue traders who typically cold-call and use high-pressure sales techniques. “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” The scheme provides customers with a reputable resource of tradesmen and women, in whom they can have total confidence and peace of mind. A spokesperson from Derbyshire Trading Standards said, “The scheme helps to put consumers’ minds at ease and allows them to feel much more secure and protected when choosing a trader. “We all hate the feeling of being taken for a ride - so the fact that traders are vetted beforehand, and you can see feedback from other customers who use the scheme, is priceless.” One of the first home improvement companies to register for, and become validated as, genuine Trusted Trader members is Heatguard Windows. A

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long-established and well-respected company, Heatguard Windows embraces and embodies the principles of the scheme, by offering impeccable service, meticulous attention to detail, and a competitive and fair pricing structure. From initial visit and inception right through to final installation and after-sales service, Heatguard Windows prides itself on having the most exacting of standards. For every home improvement project, customer satisfaction is everything. And Derbyshire Trading Standards recognises this fact by promoting customer feedback on the Derbyshire Trusted Trader site. All customers of Trusted Traders are encouraged to fill in feedback forms and return them to the scheme. This means that all members are accountable and must maintain good practice to ensure that the highest standards of craftsmanship are kept up. With literally hundreds of positive and excellent reviews on their profile page on the Derbyshire Trusted Trader site, Heatguard Windows can call on a plethora of verifiable and bona-fide references - enough

to satisfy even the most discerning of customers. That’s why Heatguard Windows has gained, over the years, a portfolio of over 13,500 satisfied customers. From vital window repairs to whole-house window and door installations and brandnew conservatories, Heatguard has got it covered. Using only top-quality products, such as triple glazing and Warmroof roofing, perfection comes as standard for the highly experienced fitting team. A spokesperson from Heatguard Windows said, “We are proud to be part of, and promote, the Trusted Trader scheme in conjunction with Derbyshire Trading Standards. Being members of the scheme gives our customers total reassurance and complete peace of mind that they are dealing with a trustworthy and honest company.” It’s not only Trusted Trader membership that sets Heatguard Windows above the rest. Failsafe warranties, accreditations, adherence to consumer protection legislation, and comprehensive indemnity insurance are also testimony to excellence in workmanship and integrity.

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COUNTYWIDE NEWS AMONG THE FINALISTS ARE: Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award: Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington; LEVEL Centre, Rowsley; Matlock Farm Park. B&B and Guest House of the Year: The Coach House, Derby; Sheldon House, Monyash; Underleigh House B&B, Hope. Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year: Darwin Forest Lodges, Matlock; Longnor Wood Holiday Park; Rivendale Lodge Retreat, Ashbourne. Experience of the Year: Great British Car Journey, Ambergate; Pub Tours Ltd, Darley Dale; Pure Outdoor, Bamford Hotel of the Year: The Maynard, Grindleford; Peak Edge Hotel, Stonedge; Wildhive Callow Hall, Ashbourne.

Larry Lamb meets youngsters at a YHA hostel in London.

Larry backs YHA appeal

Tourism awards finalists…

EASTENDERS and Gavin & Stacey star Larry Lamb has given his support to a fundraising appeal by Matlockbased YHA (England & Wales). YHA’S No Child Left Behind appeal aims to raise £1million to enable pupils from low-income families to go on school residential trips to youth hostels. Larry said: “I have very fond memories as a boy of staying in youth hostels and being in places the like of which I had never set foot in before. It’s so important that all young people experience the wonderful environments in and around youth hostels.” Originally launched in the wake of the Covid lockdowns, YHA has since reimagined its No Child Left Behind campaign in response to the cost-of-living crisis, which is seeing an increasing number of pupils unable to afford school trips. To date, more than two million young people have missed out on a residential school trip since 2020. The No Child Left Behind fund provides bursaries to schools to help support pupils whose families are unable to afford the cost of a residential school trip. Through donations to the No Child Left Behind fund, YHA wants to enable a minimum of 10,000 young people to have a residential school trip. As part of his support, Larry Lamb visited YHA London Lee Valley and met with a group of Year 11 students from the Bobby Moore Academy in Stratford, London, an area of high deprivation. A No Child Left Behind bursary funded a day stay at the youth hostel for the young people. While £50 pays for a child from a lowincome background to have a place on an overnight trip in a youth hostel, YHA is appealing to people to give what they can. To donate to the campaign, visit yha.org.uk/child

THE shortlist for the 2024 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards has been revealed. Finalists have been announced in 14 categories celebrating the best of the local visitor economy. After independent judging, the winners will be revealed at a ceremony at the Museum of Making in Derby on March 7, 2024. Organised by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, in collaboration with Visit Derby, the 2024 awards are sponsored by Derbyshire-based C W Sellors Fine Jewellery & Luxury Watches, who will be handcrafting bespoke awards for all gold winners. Gold winners will automatically progress onto the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2024.

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New Tourism Business of the Year: The Bull I’ Th’ Thorn, near Buxton; Muse Escapes Ltd, Buxton; Pub Tours Ltd, Darley Dale. Pub of the Year: The Blind Bull, Great Longstone; The George, Hathersage; The Prince of Wales, Baslow. Taste of the Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Award: Fischer’s Baslow Hall, Baslow; The Maynard, Grindleford; The Patternmakers, Duffield. Team of the Year: The George, Hathersage; Matlock Farm Park; Muse Escapes, Buxton. Unsung Hero: Adrian Gagea, Longbow Bars and Restaurants; Alan Hobson, The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop; Jane Redfern, Wildhive Callow Hall. Visitor Attraction of the Year: The Children’s Country House at Sudbury; Matlock Farm Park; The Museum of Making, Derby.

FANCY THAT… BELIEVE it or not, sneezing while driving could have you facing a hefty fine in the UK. Dominic Wyatt, from the International Drivers’ Association, says: “Under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, drivers are legally responsible for being fully in control of their vehicle. This extends to any activity that may divert your attention or cause physical disruptions, such as sneezing.” He adds: “Studies have shown that sneezing can cause your eyes to close for up to three seconds. At 70mph, a car can travel up to 103 metres in that time – a lot of distance to be blind on the road.” Drivers can face fines between £100 and £1,000 if they are deemed to not be in full control of their vehicle.

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FASHION

sparkle

MAKE SURE YOU

THIS FESTIVE SEASON! ’TIS the season to sparkle, says Amy Norbury, so add some glitter to your wardrobe, whatever the occasion this festive season

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F you’re going to make an impact this Christmas party season, do it in sequins. The pinnacle of after-dark dressing, sequins are leading the way for your festive sartorial style so whatever the occasion, just add sparkle. Sequins have long been go-to for statement dressing. From the Studio 54 disco heyday of the Seventies, to Nineties slip dresses right through to the current resurgence of heavy embellishment and over-the-top styling, sequins are here to stay. And what better time of year to show off your shiniest ensembles? Take inspiration from the tinsel and glitter which adorns your Christmas tree and put your best foot forward - sequinned, of course! Whether you want to ease gently into a sequinned wonderland, or are ready to embrace the glitterazzi life from head to toe, there’s a sequin out there for you. After seasons of laid-back luxe and louche lounge dressing, we’re seeing the fun and flamboyance back at the forefront of festive dressing. Need help getting into a festive mood? Well, it’s time to embrace the mood-boosting power of fashion.

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1. FatFace Jasmine Sparkle Jumper £56 and FatFace Geo Jersey Skirt £46 2. Silver sequin midi skirt, £19.50, F&F at Tesco 3. Disco midi dress, £49, Lipsy. www.next.co.uk 4. Solange sequin jacket, £350, and Cordelia sequin jumpsuit, £300, Monsoon. www.monsoon.co.uk 5. Brighten black sequin grab bag, £95, Dune London. www.dunelondon.com

FASHION

With a few carefully chosen glitzy pieces added to your wardrobe, you can’t help but be filled with the party spirit. If you’re looking to turn heads at your Christmas bash, then a sequin maxi dress or jumpsuit will make sure you stand out from the crowd in the best possible way. Layer with a sequin blazer or on-trend bomber jacket for added decadence – it is Christmas, after all! But it’s not just statement numbers which are getting the glitter treatment. Believe it or not, a sequin midi skirt can be your go-to wardrobe

hero for the season; team with your favourite festive jumper and trainers for a glam take on casual cool, or pair with a silky cami and heels to dazzle on the dance floor – the choice is yours. And for an effortless nod to the party wear trend, give your faithful ‘jeans-and-a-top’ a sequin upgrade. An all-over embellished blouse can brighten up even the greyest winter days; keep the rest of your outfit pared back and let your sequins do the talking.

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6. Moviestar black sequin mules, £129, Dune London. www.dunelondon.com 7. Et Vous multi sequin blouse, £27, Matalan. www.matalan.co.uk 8. M&S Collection jacket, £79, trousers, £55,

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COUNTYWIDE NEWS together to make a wonderful sound. On December 10, there is a Bells’ Centenary Celebration at Old Brampton St Peter and St Paul’s Church. The bells will ring out from 8.45am, there will be a bell-celebration Communion Service with the Bishop of Repton at 9.30am; then the bells will be rung for 15 minutes after the service about 10.30am, while ‘bell-themed’ refreshments are served in the Schoolroom; before a bell-ringing ‘relay’ starts at 11.30am. CCTV will also be set up, and screened at the back of the church, so the bells themselves can be seen as they are ringing! North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley recently had a go at bell ringing at All Saints Church, Wingerworth, which now has an active team of bell ringers, mainly thanks to ringers from Old Brampton and Alfreton training new ringers. The MP attended one Tuesday evening practice and said: “I very much appreciated it! It was also genuinely fascinating to hear about what you do and to see everyone having such a good time.” Pictured second row, from left, are Nick Wood, Dukes Barn trustee; Andrew New, of sponsors Close Brothers; golf club ladies captain Judith Mason; the Duke of Devonshire; golf club mens’ captain, Yac Latif; and centre manager, Jason Higginson, together with children on a course at Dukes Barn.

Golf club smashes charity record MEMBERS of Chatsworth Golf Club have, this season, broken all their previous records in raising £14k for a local charity. The beneficiary is Dukes Barn at Beeley, which creates inclusive adventures for children with diverse needs. These include Autism, Asperger’s, Down’s Syndrome, hearing and sight impairments and physical disabilities, as well as for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Presenting the cheque to centre manager, Jason Higginson, the Duke of Devonshire commended the sterling work undertaken by the organisation and also thanked the members of Chatsworth Golf Club for their endeavours in raising such a large amount. Over the past four years Chatsworth Golf Club has raised over £40k for charity.

A healthy place to live – that’s the Dales A STUDY by the health and wellness experts at bluehorizonbloodtests. co.uk put the Derbyshire Dales as the third healthiest area in the UK. The study put South Hams in Devon as the healthiest area in the UK this year, with South Lakeland second. Peterborough was the least healthy area. The rankings were based on a meticulous analysis of 12 distinct criteria: 52 Reflections December 2023

air quality, adult smoking rates, alcohol misuse, the prevalence of cancer and diabetes, drug misuse, healthy eating habits, high blood pressure, kidney and liver diseases, adults with mental health problems, obesity rates and physical activity levels. All the data used was from The Office for National Statistics. The Derbyshire Dales ranked third with 76.3 points (South Hams scored 80). The air quality was poorer there than the top two council areas, and there were more adults who smoked, at 13.3 per cent of the population. High fruit and vegetable consumption in South Hams and Derbyshire Dales contributed to their top health standings – and all the healthiest areas, including Derbyshire Dales, highlighted the crucial role of physical activity in health.

Centenary of Old Brampton church bells… OLD Brampton’s church bells are 100 this year! In 1923, the then High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Edwin Clay Barnes, of Ashgate Lodge, paid for the five old bells at Old Brampton Church to be recast, with an extra half ton of bell metal added, into a ring of six bells (weighing about 2 tons altogether), that are still regularly rung today. The smallest bell has the inscription: ADDED BY EDWIN CLAY BARNES. HIGH SHERIFF OF DERBYSHIRE 1923 The current bell ringing team is very active and includes both non-Christians and Christians, young people and adults, and people from different backgrounds ringing

New hotel becomes a patron… A NEW dog-friendly hotel is the latest business to become an official patron of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire. The Bike & Boot Hotel, near Hope, has joined a network of tourismrelated businesses who share Visit Peak District & Derbyshire’s core aims to grow the visitor economy. Bike & Boot boasts 60 spacious rooms, including fully-accessible rooms, a Continental buffet breakfast, free hot drinks and tea-time cake for guests, a film club showing films three times a day, dog grooming facilities and secure cycle storage. Its Bareca bar-restaurant-café is open to both hotel guests and nonresidents for lunch and dinner. The hotel has partnered with local experience provider, True North, to provide bike hire and maintenance onsite and there is also an area for walkers to clean off mud and dry their kit. The hotel has already created 40 jobs and follows the successful opening of Bike & Boot’s first hotel in Scarborough, which launched in July 2020. Bike & Boot joins existing patrons: The Bakewell Bakery; Bluebell Dairy; Chatsworth / The Devonshire Group; Casa Hotels / Global Brands; The Heights of Abraham; Losehill House Hotel & Spa; Matlock Farm Park; The Pinelog Group/ Pinelodge Holidays; Thornbridge Hall & Brewery; Poole’s Cavern; Ensana Buxton Crescent Hotel & Thermal Spa; The Great British Car Journey; Longbow Bars & Restaurants; Wildhive at Callow Hall; Treak Cliff Cavern; Hattersley Wines; Fischer’s Baslow Hall and Coverland UK. To advertise call 01246 550488

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Pitcherwits 1

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1 Nevada, slid into

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17 Repro. furniture

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words (10)

up, they’ll keep your bearings (8)

complicated (8)

that’s upset? (10)

ACROSS 6 Rave about some antiperspirants (4) 7 Half the population to finish the prayer with a start (3) 8 Slipped one so that computer can’t read it? (4) 14 Loosen rotund, oversized middle (4) 15 Grab a bite in the backseats (3) 16 Rip rate to pieces (4)

decay and wantonly destroyed (10)

radiator? Or a coil perhaps? (7)

the day, its just oats bonded together (3,2,2,3)

of making runs, see? (7)

DOWN 3 Flower that made us a lot? (5) 4 Conundrum, backing out of the dance (5) 12 Dish is kind of a ripe, end product (5) 13 Disorganised, chaotic etc, to make up the group (5)

The solutions for the December 2023 Pitcherwits will appear in the January 2024 issue.

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For more free puzzles go to

www.pitcherwits.co.uk

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Prize Crossword 1

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Unusual portent to have a top-up for Ladybower (6) 4 Bends low to reach our bollards (6) 9 Footwear said to drive the geese away? (4) 10 See garland as being made into lovely rhodo spot (3,7) 11 Norm to revolve around North East village (6) 12 Statute of Murphy (and Sod!) (3) 13 Discount offer, as far as can be seen from the inside (4) 14 Generating a self-starting fuel (3) 15 Snake in a Christmas pudding? (3) 16 Takes off oat-free fast food maybe? (5) 18 Boy, growing into youth (3) 19 The job of taking off pasta skins? (4) 20 Idle floundering at the meat counter (4) 22 Rub back to a rough edge (3) 23 Cromford water passage rooted in the mouth? (5) 25 Central heating, when Olive, say, is sacked? (3-5) 26 In step with primary architectural section (4) 27 Nullify the annuals, but not as we know them (5) 28 Angela’s crazy for local lead (6) 30 Admissible ending for hamlet

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South of Winster (4) 31 All played out above Grindleford (6) 32 They have quite a pull at Peak Rail! (6) DOWN 1

Godfathers get out and about near Bakewell (7) 2 Petal crushed into neat fold (5) 3 Gin could slur the judgments! (7) 5 Wary of wearing out a tam at the museum (7) 6 Dolt not up to creating an A61 village! (3,6) 7 Santa is so puzzled by classical compositions (7) 8 Re-learned in the last mistake, about r. Dove place. (4,9) 17 Fir failed to suit a place near Buxton (9) 21 Less angelic aspect of the prophet (3) 22 Appalling bugbear on Hathersage moor (7) 23 Whittle round here about getting big game type (7) 24 Venues a cello’s made for (7) 26 A reason for absence from Diwali bicentennial (5) 29 Hampered by a bit of a current (3)

Name:............................................................ Address:................................................ ...................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................... .................................................................. Telephone:................................................ We will give a prize of £25 to a randomly-drawn correctly completed crossword. Cut out the completed puzzle and send by December 6, 2023, to: Bannister Publications Limited, Office 2A Market Hall, Market Hall, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1AR. The solutions for the December 2023 crossword can be found on page 98 of this issue.

Crossword by Prof Rebus

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Photographer of the month

PHOTOGRAPHER: James Ellis IMAGE LOCATIONS: Bakewell

TITLES: Angelic Robin. Do you want to build a snowman? PHOTOGRAPHER’S DESCRIPTION: Photography has been a way to truly enter into the present moment, to feel a stillness, a connection with the world and to remind myself of all the good in it. Love, live, laugh for life is precious and you are incredible. You can find me on Instagram, james_r_ellis My gallery is a collection of memories I hope you find joy in the moments you spend there.

Hit us with your best shot! Are you a professional photographer and would like a chance to be featured as our ‘Photographer of the Month’? Submit your photograph to robert@bannisterpublications.co.uk. 60 Reflections December 2023

Images are to be supplied as high-resolution JPEG or TIFF files at 300dpi. Please don’t forget to include your name, image title, photograph location and social media/website links.

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RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Slow Braised Featherblade of Beef with Pommery Mustard Mash, Roasted Root Vegetable and Stout & Black Treacle Sauce

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HIS month, we have a chef’s signature dish – and what a delicious one it is! It’s a wonderful beef dish from Blake Arnold, chef at The Bulls Head Inn at Foolow. This family-owned pub is all

about, as it says on the home page of its website, “the old school done exceptionally well!” Check out the menus at thebullsheadfoolow.co.uk and you can see why they offer “meals fit for a king”!

INGREDIENTS:

METHOD

BRAISED BEEF

FOR THE BEEF

2 8oz feather blade steaks 2 carrots 1 celeriac trim 2 shallots Bunch of thyme 4 garlic cloves 1litre beef stock 440ml stout 100ml Henderson relish 1 tbsp black treacle 1 tsp neutral oil 1 tsp plain flour 1 tbsp tomato puree

POTATOES 6 large red potatoes 200g unsalted butter 100ml whole milk 50ml double cream 1tsp Pommery mustard

ROOT VEGETABLES 2 carrots 1 small celeriac 2 parsnips 1 tsp honey Thyme 1 tsp neutral oil 50g butter Maldon sea salt Cracked black pper 200g cavolo nero cabbage

STOUT & BLACK TREACLE SAUCE Cooking liquid Sherry vinegar

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Preheat your oven to 160C/325F/Gas mark 3 Start by roughly dicing the carrot, shallot and celeriac trim, crush the garlic cloves and slightly bruise the thyme and set to one side. Heat the oil in a casserole dish over a medium-high heat, lightly flour the beef and sear off on all sides until the meat is browned, remove and set to one side. In the same dish, sweat off the vegetable mix until starting to soften, add the tomato paste and deglaze the dish with the stout. Reduce slightly and add the Henderson Relish, treacle and enough beef stock to cover. Return the beef to the dish. Cover with a lid and cook for four hours or until the meat is tender. Gently remove the beef from the pot and pass the remaining liquid into a saucepan, allow to settle and skim off any fat that rises to the surface. Reduce over a medium heat until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, finish with a splash of sherry vinegar and season to taste.

FOR THE POTATOES Place the potatoes on a wire rack in the middle of the oven and bake until soft: roughly one hour (depending

on the size of the potatoes, better to slightly overcook rather than undercook). While still hot, cut each potato in half and, using a kitchen towel to hold the potatoes in your palm, scoop the insides into a large saucepan. Add the butter and gently mash until smooth (ideally, pass through a sieve to remove any lumps). Warm the cream and milk over a low heat and slowly incorporate into the potatoes until the butter has emulsified and the mash is creamy. Season to last and then add the Pommery mustard.

FOR THE VEGETABLES Peel and roughly dice the

Top: Blake Arnold, chef at The Bulls Head Inn, Foolow. carrots, celeriac and parsnip, add to a bowl and toss in oil, salt and pepper. Add to an overproof dish, cover and roast for 30 minutes until vegetables are tender, remove cover, add butter, picked thyme and honey and then roast for a further 20 minutes or until golden brown.

TO PLATE Heat the meat slowly in the sauce, glazing as you go. Optionally, top with crispy onions and fresh chives. Warm the mash over a low heat and heat the vegetables in the oven. Then plate up. To advertise call 01246 550488

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FOCUS ON FOOD & DRINK

History of the ‘Full English’ It’s English Breakfast Day this month – so Barrie Farnsworth looks at the origins of the ‘full English’ and its regional variations.

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NGLISH Breakfast Day takes place on December 2 each year since 1975 and is celebrated by millions of people internationally. The Day was started by the chairman of The English Breakfast Society, Guise Bule, to drum up support for a centuries-old tradition and teach others about the history of the full English breakfast. The ‘full English breakfast’ – literally breaking the fast of the night – is regularly enjoyed in all four corners of the earth and has journeyed down a long road. It began in the 14th or 15th century with the landed gentry and their grand hunt breakfasts. The gentry were famous for their breakfast feasts – but they were not sitting down to the ‘full English’ that you and I would recognise today. Instead, they would have had

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a magnificent feast laid out before them containing dishes like baked halibut steaks, fried whiting, stewed figs, pheasant legs, broiled kidneys, pulled fowl, sheep’s tongues, potted pigeons, collared tongue, kidneys on toast, sausages with fried bread, pigs cheek and Melton pork pie, as well as the more familiar sausages and bacon. But it was the Edwardians – in the early 1900s – who standardised the ingredients of the ‘full English’, giving us the breakfast that we mostly eat today; which is a globally recognisable icon of British cuisine. The middle-class Edwardians, in particular, thought it sensible to eat a full breakfast before starting the day. Its standard ingredients were bacon, eggs, sausage, black pudding, grilled

tomato, fried bread and toast, served with jams, marmalades, tea/coffee and orange juice. It is worth pointing out at this stage that baked beans and hash browns – which many regard now as part of a ‘full English’ – are foreign interlopers. Of course there are regional variations, including the oatcake – still ‘claimed’ by both Derbyshire and Staffordshire – as well as the traditional breakfasts of the other nations that make up the United Kingdom. The full Welsh breakfast is complete with bacon, sausages, cockles and laverbread, oatmeal, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes and sometimes smoked fish. Laverbread is made from boiling the seaweed for up to

12 hours, then making it into a puree. The result can be served as it is, rolled in oats and fried, or made into cakes. The full Scottish breakfast usually contains local black pudding and even, on occasions, a slice of haggis, whereas a full ‘Ulster Fry’ in Northern Ireland – giving you all the carbs you need that day! – usually contains eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, soda bread and potato cakes (or farls as they are known). Editor’s Note: For a full history of the traditional English breakfast, check out the English Breakfast Handbook, produced by the English Breakfast Society.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

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GIFT GUIDE

Christmas Gift Guide 2023

CHRISTMAS is just around the corner, and what better way to spread the festive cheer than with a gift from one of the fabulous retailers, attractions, and food and drink businesses in and around Chesterfield? We’ve handpicked a selection of gifts to spark your imagination and get your Christmas shopping started.

Dotique For fashionistas looking for something fabulous, this independent retailer on Chatsworth Road is providing all the festive sparkle your loved one could possibly need this Christmas. Get them this Chalk Taylor Star Jumper so they light up the room for those festive parties! Available in navy, dark olive green and black. Price: £49.99 Purchase in-store or online: www.dotique.co.uk/

John Stevenson Jewellers John Stevenson Jewellers has worked with the finest sculptors in their field to bring their limited edition ‘Roar of The Highlands’ pieces this Christmas. Designs are produced in fine foundry bronze using the ancient method of lost wax casting, and finished in the traditional way of patination, where various acids are fired into the surface of the sculpture to create layers of beautiful rich colours. Price: £1,250 Purchase at: www.johnstevensonjewellers.com/ bronze-sculptures

Vanishing Point Records

Adorn Jewellers Voted Britain’s favourite bird, the Robin is enduringly popular – and it’s synonymous with Christmas! Get this brooch with hand-painted enamel detail to add some style to your winter coat. Price: £48 Available at Adorn Jewellers in The Shambles or online: www. adornjewellerschesterfield.co.uk

Stanedge Golf Club For the golf lover in your life, Stanedge Golf Club’s clothing range will make them stand out on the course. Designs include performance fabrics which suit all weathers, and include the Stanedge Golf Club logo. Glenmuir Ayla padded gilet - £85

Get your hands on classic albums and music memorabilia at this quirky record store in Chesterfield town centre. There are plenty of festive classics in the store’s film soundtrack section – including ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ by the Vince Guaraldi Trio on exclusive Snowstorm Vinyl! Price: £32.99 Available from the store in Theatre Yard or online: www.vanishingpointrecords.com

M’s Gallery This unique ring concept allows the wearer to change the stone on their rings to coordinate with every outfit! Qudo ring from £24.50. Stone toppers from £22. Purchase in-store on South Street in Chesterfield, or online at: www.ms-gallery.co.uk

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GIFT GUIDE

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Experiences Chesterfield Canal Trust Dronfield Hall Barn

Little Ark Light up the faces of your loved ones with this Little Dutch Nativity Playset, featuring all the characters from the traditional Christmas story. A statement piece to help your loved one deck the halls for many festive seasons to come. Price: £19.95 Purchase in store at The Little Ark, 20-22 Steeplegate, Chesterfield, S40 1SA.

Abocada_HM Offering a range of handmade gifts, including knitted clothes, wreaths, colourful babbles, and jewellery. Festive wreaths from £10, Jewellery from £35. Purchase via Direct Message on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ abocado_hm?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2O Dk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

If your loved ones enjoy getting out in nature, a Chesterfield Canal Cruise will certainly float their boat! Purchase an electronic gift voucher for a cruise on the John Varley II or the Madeline via the Chesterfield Canal Trust website. The recipient can then choose to go on any of the hundreds of cruises offered by the Trust over the next 12 months. Vouchers can be purchased for any amount. Purchase online at: https://beyonk. com/provider/tl6ik513-chesterfieldcanal-trust?portal=true

DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park

Why not treat your family and friends to an afternoon tea at the picturesque Dronfield Hall Barn? Sweet and savoury options are available, with or without prosecco. Price: Vouchers can be purchased for any amount. Vouchers are available at the Barn’s coffee shop, or by emailing: andrea@dronfieldhallbarn.org.

Ringwood Hall Hotel and Spa Help your loved one beat those winter blues with this indulgent one-night Energy Spa & Stay Package. Includes a two-course evening meal and breakfast, overnight accommodation, afternoon tea for two, a 60-minute treatment from the spa brochure and more. Price: £209 Sunday to Friday, or £229 Saturdays To book, please call the spa on 01246 284 750 or email spa@ringwoodhallhotel.com

Nothing beats a good pamper session, and DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park Hotel is offering people the chance to treat their loved ones to a night of luxury. The One Night Pamper package includes a pamper treatment, overnight accommodation, three course dinner in the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, breakfast and more! Price: £200 based on 2 adults.

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Gift vouchers can be purchased online: https://doubletree-byhilton-sheffield-park.mytoggle.io/ shop/overnight-pamper-package

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GIFT GUIDE

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Chesterfield Escape Rooms

Dronfield Wine World

Spend some quality time with your loved ones this festive season, by getting your thinking caps on at Chesterfield Escape Rooms. The Escape Rooms has a special new game, ‘Elves on the Shelves’ for you to try. You will have to solve the maze of puzzles in 60 minutes, but you must ask yoursELF, are you good enough?? Price: From £55 for 2 players to £120 for 6 players. Book your game at: www.chesterfieldescaperooms.co.uk/

Food and drink

Hogg Norton

Brampton Brewery

You can’t go wrong with a Christmas hamper! These bespoke hampers from Dronfield Wine World will make the wine connoisseur in your life very happy! Price: Cheese and Wine Hamper £45.99. Bespoke options may vary. Purchase in-store or online at: https:// dronfieldwineworld.com/39-hampers

The Tickled Trout Christmas is a time to eat, drink and be merry! Brampton Brewery’s ales will help to get you into the festive spirit. Price: £29.00 per pack of 12 bottled ales. Purchase directly from the brewery in-store on Chatsworth Road, or online: www. bramptonbrewery.co.uk/shop/

RP Davidson Cheese Factor For the cheese lover in your life, RP Davidson has the answer. A wide range of cheeseboards are available from this traditional shop based at Chesterfield’s historic market hall. What’s more, you can customise your cheeseboard to make sure their favourites are on there!

Raise a toast to a very merry Christmas with this gift set from Hogg Norton. You can make it even more special with a personal message for your loved one. Includes a 200ml bottle of Prosecco and 2 x 50ml bottles of awardwinning Hogg Norton Fruit Liqueurs. Price: £17.50 Purchase online: https:// hoggnorton.co.uk/collections/all

Gin lovers can get their hands on this new product produced by the Tickled Trout in Barlow, in collaboration with Locksley Distillery, Sheffield. The gastropub’s head chef, Chris, worked closely with the distillers at Locksley, choosing some very interesting botanicals for the gin, including honey from Sudbrook Hall, fennel pollen, Barlow hay and woodruff. Price - £41 Purchase directly from the restaurant. Find out more: www.tickledtroutbarlow.com

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Price: Cheeseboards available from £10 Find out more: www.cheese-factor.co.uk

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Continued from 74

Northern Tea Merchants

Chatsworth

Warm the heart of a tea and coffee lover with a tailored hamper from Northern Tea Merchants. From rich and robust coffee beans to a wide selection of exquisite teas, this independent trader on Chatsworth Road has something to delight every palate. Prices start from £15 Purchase in-store or online at: https://www.northern-tea.com

Discover Derbyshire delights this Christmas, with produce from the Chatsworth Estate. Chatsworth also offers a range of shopping, dining and experience gift vouchers, offering everything from an unforgettable day exploring the house and garden to an indulgent Champagne afternoon tea. Price: Christmas Treats Gift Box £60, Vouchers from £5 Find out more: www.shop.chatsworth.org

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FEATURE

r e d f u n o l winter walks W

Winter starts on December 1, says the Met Office, so Claire Lyons, of The Woodland Burial Company, Granville’s Wood, Walton, looks at some wonderful winter walks.

Stay Local

Councils usually list parks, reservoirs, open spaces and walks under their management on their website – so you may be closer than you think to a new walk. You can also access walks like the Monsal Trail on the Peak District website, www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

Try Something New The wonderful walled garden at Calke Abbey in the south of the county is worth exploring.

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RESH air and exercise are both excellent ways to look after our mental health and, during winter, that can be a little more difficult. With a bit of research, there are still some lovely walks around the county and beyond that can promote wellbeing and positivity even on the darkest or coldest of days. As well as Granville’s Wood, which welcomes visitors and dogs (on a lead) for a woodland walk, here are some other ideas:

National Memorial Arboretum

Not too far away in Staffordshire is this huge outdoor site with some beautiful walks. It contains hundreds of large and small memorials, each unique, as well as a visitor centre and café. There is also a children’s trail and dogs are welcome in certain parts of the space. The only charge is for parking. Check out their website at www.thenma.org.uk

The British Heart Foundation encourage walking to keep our hearts healthy and have a list of safe sections of old railway track – like the Tissington Trail –for some walks with a difference. In a country full of rich industrial heritage, this could make for an interesting day out. Go to www.bhf.org.uk

Edible Offerings

It often feels as if there’s nothing going on in nature during the winter, but a visit to a walled or kitchen garden will prove how much is still growing or being sown. Locally, there is a wonderful walled garden at Calke Abbey, the National Trust property, and if you’d like to check further afield, there is a website dedicated to just that: www.walledgardens.net

Tree Walks

If you are as obsessed with trees as we are at The Woodland Burial Company, then you may want to become a volunteer tree warden for The Tree Council? (www.treecouncil.org.uk) To visit a famous or ancient tree you can search the list online at countryfile.com or a local option would be to visit (or revisit) The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest. 78 Reflections December 2023

Top: The Headstone Viaduct over the Rover Wye is now part of the popular Monsal Trail. Above: Synonymous with Christmas, that’s the wren. Bottom left: The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest is worth a visit. As with all outdoor activities in the UK, the weather can be unpredictable, always make sure you are wearing suitable clothing, boots and have a map. Take any litter home (remember the Countryside Code) with you and enjoy! Editor’s Note: Granville’s Wood sits inside Walton Woods and we welcome walkers. Dogs must be kept on a lead and visitors should keep to the paths and not enter private nooks. You can have a memorial tree planted for any reason, and we will be adding a public bench to the entrance way in 2024. If you would prefer to be shown around by a member of staff, you can book that in by calling Beccy on 07422 655116. To advertise call 01246 550488

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FEATURE

Storm

Babet flooding leads to tragic

The flood defence wall in Matlock did its job as the River Derwent rose during the storm.

death

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BOUT 1,700 homes were evacuated on October 20/21 after torrential rainfall led to flooding across Derbyshire. The County Council said 200 roads were also closed at various times after Storm Babet hit the UK on Friday, October 20. The Met Office reported that Derbyshire, along with 12 other counties, broke its daily rainfall record on that Friday. In the Commons, Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said at least seven UK people had died in the wake of the storm, including Maureen Gilbert in Chesterfield. The 83-year-old was found dead in her flooded home in Tapton Terrace, on Saturday, October 21. Mrs Gilbert’s neighbours said five feet of water had engulfed the inside of their properties ‘within minutes’ of the River Rother bursting its banks. As well as the emergency services and council staff across Derbyshire reacting to the flooding, a group of 30 people also played a key role in efforts to mitigate the suffering. They are Derbyshire’s 4x4 Responders – and their main role was to transport doctors and nurses, who couldn’t use their cars because of the floods, to extremely ill patients, especially those on dialysis. 80 Reflections December 2023

They also, on the evening of October 20, drove people whose homes were flooded in Brampton and elsewhere in Chesterfield, to Queen’s Park Sports Centre for the night. Sam Vincent of the Derbyshire Responders said they needed more

volunteers to deal with such incidents – you can become a member through their website d4x4r.co.uk and receive full training. The River Derwent burst its banks in many places as Storm Babet struck – including the middle of Derby and

All Saints Church, South Wingfield, after Storm Babet struck. Picture by Roy Goodall.

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FEATURE The Museum of Making, in the former Silk Mill alongside the River Derwent in Derby, was also underwater for days.

flooding once again the Belper FC ground – but the newly-completed flood defences in Matlock did their job. Derbyshire County Council’s Deputy Leader, Coun Simon Spencer, said: “The River Derwent got pretty close to the top of the flood wall in Matlock, but did not breach it. And our pumps, which we sited on Bakewell Road, dealt with the excess surface rainwater so that those businesses who were flooded previously were protected.” Minister Rebecca Pow visited Matlock on October 26 to see those flood defences

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for herself, as well as visiting the home of livestock farmers John and Grace Gadsby, who showed her the impact of flooding on their land. Mr Gadsby told her: “Every time the land does flood, we lose several weeks use of the fields due to the dirt and rubbish, which we have to clean up at our own expense despite reducing the flooding in Matlock, which is down-stream.” The Minister also met NFU county adviser Andrew Critchlow, who said: “In high rainfall events, a lot of water is stored on farmland, but farmers are not being rewarded for that public good. Farming is on the front line of climate change and the sector is experiencing severe weather events more often.” County Council leader Coun Barry Lewis praised Derbyshire residents for their resilience and community spirit during Storm Babet. He said: “In recent times, Derbyshire has faced many challenges in relation to the weather and I am always humbled by the resilience of our residents, who have a real capacity to bounce back from adversity.” It was in our September issue that we looked at the floods in Chesterfield

Above: The floods severely affect local rail services, too, with this picture showing the tracks under water under a bridge near Clay Cross. Picture by Network Rail. Left: The Derbyshire 4x4 Responders played a key role as serious flooding hit the county in late October. in 2007 – and the same areas suffered again from the October floods, with the River Hipper flooding streets in Brampton and the River Rother affecting properties around Derby Road – as well as the tragic flooding at Tapton Terrace. The retailers at Ravenside Retail Park were also hit again, as they were in 2007. 81 Reflections December 2023

LOCAL BUSINESS

HANDCRAFTED HOLIDAYS TO L E S S ER - K N O W N P L A C E S

Sunvil is Martins World Travel’s premier travel partner for specialist and tailor-made holidays to Greece, the Azores and beyond. Carefully chosen hotels and apartments renowned for value and high standards of personal service are located in characterful and off-the-beaten-track locations. There is a huge choice of flights ranging from schedule airlines to regional flight offers with Jet2

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SELECTION of tailormade rail-based holidays are available for selected resorts in Greece. These railbased itineraries even allow for stopover stays creating unique unpackaged holidays to suit your personal requirements.

THE AZORES

The Azores form an enchanting archipelago of nine emerald, green islands set in the Atlantic Ocean between Portugal (1,500km) and North America (3,900km). The islands were discovered in the 15th century by Portuguese navigators en route to the New World and became the link between Europe and the Americas. In fact, they belong to Portugal and are part of Europe.

FAIAL

The Blue Island – 21km long and 14km wide with an area of 173 sq. km, this five-sided island has become the resting place of transatlantic sailors. Horta, the main port, has a cosmopolitan and exciting feel with buzzing bars and restaurants. The island is dominated by the 1,043m cone of its vast Caldeira (volcanic crater) which is accessed through a tunnel in the cone’s side. From midJune to August the island is a riot of blue as the hedges of hydrangeas burst into bloom. All visitors to Faial must try the famed Gin & Tonic at Peter’s Café. This colourful bar attracts locals, international sailors, and tourists alike – a veritable hive of activity. Other attractions include the fabulous Capelinhos museum and Horta’s marina with the colourful artwork left by international sailors passing through. The Blue Flag beach of Porto Pim is located within a 5-minute walk of the centre of Horta.

Faial is an important base for whale and dolphin watching excursions.

PICO

The Grey Island – 42km long and 15km wide, with an area of 447 sq. km, Pico is dominated by its volcano (snow-capped in winter). At 2351m, it’s the highest point in Portugal. The views to and from the volcano are spectacular. Between Madalena and Lajes the labyrinthine black walled enclosures protect the famous Pico Verdelho grape (fortified Verdelho wine). An area of 987 hectares of vineyards and its surrounding landscape, has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Pico and Faial are now the centre for the growing interest in whale watching and the conservation of these magnificent mammals. A visit to the fascinating whaler’s museum at Lajes, as well as the ascent to the summit of the volcano is highly recommended.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

agricultural town of Ribeira Grande with its black shingle beach – a haven for surfers. Here, too, is the dramatic lake of fire “Lagoa do Fogo” and delightful beaches nestling under high cliffs.

CORFU, GREECE SAO MIGUEL

The Green Island – Sao Miguel, located on the eastern side of the archipelago, is by far the largest of the nine islands. It is made up of six volcanic complexes and municipalities.

To the west, Ponta Delgada, the main town and port, has preserved its historical beauty. Ponta Delgada is the hub for all public transportation and tours. Within this municipality are the Sete Cidades, an extinct volcano crater of 40 sq. km, within which are two magnificent lakes, one deep blue colour and the other emerald green. To the north lies the

Sunvil’s holidays to Greece offer authentic tavernas, secluded beaches away from the crowds and a real taste of local life. This most northerly of the Ionian islands is the greenest and, perhaps surprisingly, one of the most traditional of them all. Corfu’s charm and beauty have captivated visitors for generations and remain as intoxicating as ever. Corfu’s variety also plays a part in its enduring popularity. With over 200km of coastline and stunning beaches, the island really can offer ‘something for everyone.’ In the north of Corfu, there’s a rocky, twisting coastline of cliff and ravine, curling round the great mountain called Pantokrator, ‘Lord of Creation’. The Corfu trail winds from north to south through some of the island’s most beautiful and enduring landscapes. Corfu town is different again, and different too from all other Greek towns, the result of long successive years of Venetian, French and British rule.

CALL AND DISCUSS YOUR TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS WITH OUR FRIENDLY AND EXPERT TEAM ON: 01246 220020 or 01246 823763 Martins World Travel, 46 Knifesmithgate, Chesterfield, S40 1RQ T: 01246 220020 Martins World Travel, 25 Market Place, Bolsover, S44 6PN T: 01246 823763 martins-world-travel.co.uk www.1st4Cruises.co.uk ABTA bonded and ATOL protected.

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ANTIQUES

WATCH OUT FOR SOME

VERY HIGH PRICES! By Vivienne Milburn FRICS Independent Antiques Auctioneer & Valuer

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OLLOWING my September article in Reflections and the £11,800 achieved at auction for the rare Omega ‘Speedmaster Pre Moon’ wrist watch, readers have been prompted to auction two more wrist watches with interesting back stories. These are included in a preChristmas auction and as wrist watches are very fashionable, they could be the answer for the always difficult “what to buy for men” at Christmas.

The Ebel 1911 ‘Miami Vice’ Sport Classic chronograph wrist watch we have pictured, which dates from around 1986, has a signed circular white dial with centre chronograph sweep; subsidiary dials for running seconds, hours; and a date window at 4 o’clock; with an outer tachymetre track – used for measuring the speed of a vehicle. On its original two-tone ‘Wave’ bracelet, presented in the original suede pouch with outer box and instruction booklet, it has a pre-sale estimate of £500-700. ‘Miami Vice’ was an American TV crime series, hugely popular in the Eighties and was the first TV show that combined rock music, fashion, fast cars, beautiful women and great watches into one package. Guest stars included Frank Zappa, Phil Collins, Julia Roberts and Little Richard. The Ebel wristwatch was initially produced on a very low budget – the original props included a ‘fake’ Ferrari and a ‘fake’ Rolex watch – but following the series’ overwhelming success, Ferrari happily supplied real cars and the main character from the series – James ‘Sonny’ Crockett, played by Don Johnson – wore an Ebel 1134901, initially with the famous ‘wave’ bracelet; and he later wore an all-gold version with a newer link bracelet. It is said that James Bond made Omega watches ‘cool’ and ‘must have’, and the same Left: The Ebel 1911 ‘Miami Vice’ Sport Classic chronograph wrist watch, circa 1986, which is expected to make £500-700 in the pre-Christmas auction.

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Left: The Breitling steel ‘Emergency’ chronograph wrist watch is expected to make £1,000£2,000 in the preChristmas auction. Below inset: The reverse of the Breitling ‘Emergency’ wrist watch.

could be said for Crockett and Ebel at that time. They went from an almost unknown niche watch brand to one of the most successful watch companies of the 1980s, with five factories and 500 employees. The Breitling ‘Emergency’ chronograph we have pictured brought a new dimension to wristwatches, with its built-in tracking device circa 2006, with a signed silvered dial, with luminous hands, subsidiary dials and tachymetre inner bezel. The ‘superquartz’ movement with start/stop and reset pushers and screw-down emergency release cap at 5 o’clock, with a steel ‘professional II’ link bracelet. The one we have pictured

is presented in its original flight case with instruction CD, warranty booklet dated 17/11/2006, chronometer certificate, frequency tester and screwdriver. It is expected to make £1,000-£2,000 in the pre-Christmas auction. In 1995 Breitling introduced the ‘Emergency’, the very first wrist watch with a built-in personal locator beacon (PLB). To advertise call 01246 550488

ANTIQUES It was originally designed to enable the accurate location of pilots or passengers following a plane crash, but it is equally useful as a safety and survival instrument in all distress situations on land, at sea and in the air. Equipped with a dualfrequency transmitter compliant with the specifications of the Cospas-Sarsat international satellite alert system; and serves both to issue alerts and to guide search and rescue missions. The built-in micro transmitter alternately operates on two separate frequencies. It transmits a first digital signal on the 406 MHz frequency intended for satellites and lasting 0.44 seconds every 50 seconds; and then a second analog signal on the 121.5 MHz homing and rescue frequency, lasting 0.75 seconds every 2.25 seconds. Around 40,000 ‘Emergency’

watches have been sold and many have already been instrumental in saving lives. Unscrewing the cap to the lower right of the case deploys the aerial and activates the transmitter. Following activation, the watch needs to be returned to the manufacturer for re-arming. In the case of a genuine activation, this is usually free of charge. False alarms are chargeable and will also incur the $100,000 fine assessed by the Federal Aviation Administration, plus all the costs that go with a full-scale search and rescue operation. These must-have accessories continue to make more than their face value at auction. It is the stories that go with them that appeal. From the lunar landings to Miami Vice and Emergency trackers, it is all about style! Editor’s Note: Perhaps you also have jewellery, antiques

Right: The rare Omega stainless steel ‘Speedmaster Pre Moon’ wrist watch – which appeared in the September issue – was brought by Vivienne’s client in 1967 and despite being in a very worn condition, it made £11,800 in a specialist auction. Below left: The Breitling ‘Emergency’ wrist watch in its original packaging.

and collectables that might be valuable? If so, it is worth getting the advice of an Independent Antiques Valuer to assess your items. For further information, please contact Vivienne on 01629 640210 or 07870 238788; alternatively, go to www.viviennemilburn. co.uk or email vivienne@ viviennemilburn.co.uk

Have you discovered something valuable? To have your find valued and sold in a suitable auction, contact Vivienne on 01629 640210. Visit our website at www.reflections-magazine.com

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ARTISTS OF THE MONTH

Jennie and Sally both have exciting new projects

This month we feature two Derbyshire artists, at very different stages in life, but both with exciting new projects. Dawn Anderson finds out what inspires them.

Jennie Merriman

Jennie Merriman. DARLEY Dale-based artist Jennie is predominantly known as a mixed media textile artist and is familiar to the local arts scene, as she has been a stalwart of Derbyshire Open Arts for many years. At 73, she is probably at an age when most people would be slowing down a little – but not Jennie. She has recently opened the ‘Gallery at the Willows’, a delightful workshop and studio nestled at the bottom of her garden. She sparkles with excitement

Jennie’s creation called ‘Elizabethan Hand’. as she tells us about it. My son, aged 11 is with me as it’s half term, but he is keen to meet Jennie, whom he describes as producing ‘cool stuff’. Jennie was late to the world of

art, having had a career in youth work where she met Chris, her late husband. At 46, she had a serious accident and took early retirement, but a chance meeting with an artist awoke her passion. “I met Peggy Fearne, a textile artist and was absolutely wowed by the work that she did. I really wanted to do it!” she smiles. As well as being an artist, Peggy also delivered a fouryear course and so Jennie, then retired, had the opportunity to take part. From this fortuitous meeting Jennie was then on the path to creating her own artwork Left: Jennie’s ‘community gallery’ behind the palm in her garden.

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and also teaching at City and Guilds level. That was over 20 years ago now and Jennie has been exploring work with textiles and experimenting with textile techniques on acrylics ever since. So how did the idea for the workshop and studio come about? “It really stemmed from my husband Chris, when he was being cared for in Ashgate Hospice and he said to me ‘Don’t get rid of the workshop’.” Chris sadly died in September 2021. Jennie’s work had taken a back seat for 18 months prior to his death while she cared for him. Now finding herself alone, she pondered on what to do with the workshop. To advertise call 01246 550488

ARTISTS OF THE MONTH “Chris built the original structure many years previously and it had been the home of his engineering equipment and our motorbikes,” a passion that Jennie and Chris both shared, “but it was in a sorry state, messy inside and flooded from a leaky roof.” Jennie was not even sure if it could be salvaged. Fortunately, David, Chris’ son, offered to renovate and Nicola, his daughter, offered to help with the removal of the equipment. The plan for renovation was taking shape but was then halted when Jennie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Detected by screening at a very early stage, it was treatable. Jennie’s initial reaction was to postpone the work while she was treated but then she felt a sense of urgency to get the project done; so David, a builder by trade, began to work his magic while Jennie underwent treatment. As the workshop was reborn, the idea for its future was also forming. Such a large space

would make a great gallery space; Jennie had previously had several artists exhibit in her house as part of the Derbyshire Open arts, but it was a size that also made it suitable for working artists or small groups. Jennie had an interest in print work, and a printing press – usually too big and expensive for any individual – could easily be housed in the workshop and could then be shared by other artists. In particular, Jennie has been exploring Collagraph Printing (a new technique of making prints from a plate that has collaged materials with different textures on it). “This is new, so there are few rules and it is really great to be able to experiment.” She isn’t just experimenting with visual art, she has also started to develop written narratives to some of her works and she shares a poem that has been written for one of her pieces. Fast forward a few months and the gallery has already had its first exhibition and

has workshops pencilled in the diary. Jennie loves that the workshop is a space for her to work, but also somewhere that she can support others to do their creations. Looking at the structure now, it is hard to believe it was so dilapidated. It stands proudly behind a Chinese palm. “I like the idea of it being a community resource,” she says and then adds with a twinkle “it is a fantastic way to keep in touch and, although

Above: Another Jennie creation called ‘A Timekeeper’s Quilt’. I now live alone, still be part of the community. “ As we leave, my son whispers: “Jennie is really inspiring, she had those horrible things happen and yet she is still really positive.” I can’t help but agree. Editor’s Note: Gallery at the Willows, The Willows, Station Road, Darley Dale, DE4 2EQ. Her website is www.jenniemerriman.

Sally Anderson

Sally Anderson. IN a different part of the county, we meet Bramptonbased artist and illustrator Sally Anderson. In her early forties, she juggles being a busy mum of four children (aged 7 to 17) with work as a freelance artist and illustrator. She shares that same sense of excitement as Jennie has, even though the two have never met. She tells me about her latest project. Libby, the

owner of Libby’s of Chesterfield (an independent shop and café on Chatsworth Road), has asked her to be involved with delivering workshops in the newly-refurbished Walled Garden Workshop. The space will be used to deliver art and craft workshops and Sally feels lucky to be one of a select few who will be working there. She already has a drawing and painting workshop planned before Christmas. It is made even more perfect by the fact that it is next door to where she lives!

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Above: A book illustration of Santa by Sally. Left: Another lovely illustration by Sally of a girl painting. The Workshop, like the one in Jennie’s garden, has been recently renovated. It was officially opened on November 9, despite having been a fixture in the garden for years. It is a space big enough for workshops, but small enough not to lose the warmth and cosiness that Libby’s café and shop embodies. Sally is beaming as she

reveals her plans: “I am hoping to have a Friday art club, and do workshops in six-week blocks for adults.” She is not new to teaching, having taught for a long time. “I really enjoyed it, so it’s nice to get back to that, but in a more relaxed way.” “This year has been really strange,” she tells me. “It was so quiet until May and then 87 Reflections December 2023

ARTISTS OF THE MONTH everything seemed to take off. I was asked to do workshops at a few places and also had some commissions come in. And then the workshop opportunity came along.” Like most creatives, marketing often takes a backseat and she relies heavily upon word of mouth. This can make it hard to plan. Although primarily known as a children’s book illustrator, Sally doesn’t let that define her. Her great love is painting and drawing, and by her own admission she will paint on almost anything; as demonstrated by the mural she has done at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Westfield Infants School (a collaborative project with the children) and the windows at Duckmanton Primary School and the Den, the children’s area of the Royal Hospital. Thanks to her, the Den at the hospital looks so much brighter and nicer than the stark space it had become when the toys were removed due to Covid-19. Born and bred in Chesterfield, she met her husband while at university studying illustration.

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He is of mixed race and so are their children. One of the most significant motivators in Sally’s work is diversity: “It is really important to me to illustrate my kids and represent them in the work that I do.” Aside from all of these projects she is also busy with her own endeavours which include a book that she is writing as well as illustrating: “I love painting and drawing and I am so grateful this is my job! I love sharing this with others” – and her enthusiasm is palpable. • If you are looking for inspiration or wanting to be a little more creative, then you don’t have to look further than these two amazing artists and their old, new spaces. Editor’s Note: The Walled Garden Workshop is at Libby’s, 479 Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield, S40 3AD. Check our more of Sally’s work on Instagram @sallygingerillustration or go to her website www. sallyandersonillustration.com!

Above: The Den, the children’s area of Chesterfield Royal Hospital, looks so much brighter thanks to Sally paintings and murals.

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89 Reflections December 2023

OUT & ABOUT

WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHARLOTTE BRONTE…

‘Kiera’s Rock’ on Stanage Edge. Keira Knightley as Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet felt freedom on the rock in the 2005 film

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HE Jane Eyre Hathersage Trail is a circular walk that takes you to the places visited by Charlotte Bronte and appear in her book Jane Eyre. You can also recreate a famous scene from Pride & Prejudice ‘on location’ above Stanage Edge and visit the grave of Robin Hood’s sidekick Little John.

ROUTE

Above: Start of the walk, The George.

1. The George Inn In 1845, Charlotte Bronte arrived at Hathersage by stage coach to stay with her friend Ellen Nussey at the Rectory, while Nussey’s rector brother was on honeymoon. The George was the village coaching inn. Bronte used pub landlord Morton’s name for her new novel. Morton is the village where Jane Eyre works as a schoolteacher, after fleeing from Rochester and Thornfield. Head up the main street through the village, past the National Westminster bank and courtyard cafés. Turn left onto Baulk Lane, a signposted public footpath. In May and June the pastures along the path are radiant with yellow buttercups. Follow this footpath for nearly a mile (1.5km) until you see a large house with towering chimneys.

2. Brookfield Manor/Vale Hall The manor features as Vale Hall in Jane Eyre. In the novel, Mr Oliver of Vale Hall made 90 Reflections December 2023

his money from a needle factory and, in fact, Hathersage was famous for producing needles at the time. Daughter Rosamond Oliver funds the village school, where Jane teaches under the false name Jane Elliott and pays Jane’s £30 a year salary. Continue along the footpath and at the road, turn right onto Birley Lane. After about 200 metres turn left onto the public footpath. Follow this tarmac road up to North Lees Hall.

3. North Lees Hall/Thornfield ‘Three stories high... a gentleman’s manor house... battlements around the top gave

it a picturesque look.’ This is Thornfield, home of Edward Rochester, Jane’s destined love. In the book, Thornfield is far to the south of Morton, but North Lees Hall is undoubtedly the template for the building Bronte describes. It is one of the many Eyre family homes in the area. Robert Eyre built North Lees Hall in the early 1590s, with a further wing added in 1750. A local legend is that Agnes Ashurst, an early mistress of the hall, was imprisoned as a mad woman in the attic and died in a fire. Continue along the footpath running behind the hall, and take a sharp right by an information board into a field. About halfway along the top field walk, to your left, is a stile. Cross it and follow the path about 50 metres until it kinks to the left.

4. Romano-British Village

Above: North Lees Hall, undoubtedly the template for the building Thornfield that Bronte describes in Jane Eyre.

Look right and you’ll see what looks like a standing stone. This was once the end of a wall marking out a terrace. The terrace is one of five that were filled with Romano-British houses almost 2,000 years ago. Archaeologists have found pottery made in the Derbyshire potteries set up after the Romans arrived. They also found a corn-grinding stone, so we can be certain that, back then, villagers grew grain in the fields around To advertise call 01246 550488

OUT & ABOUT

FACT FILE

START: The George, Hathersage (SK 230 815). There is a pay and display car park in the village DIFFICULTY: Moderate, with some steep ascents and descents © Crown copyright, 11/2022, Ordnance Survey 200314.

DISTANCE: 5.5m (8km) TIME: Allow at least 3 hours MAP: OS Dark Peak Explorer, OL 1 TAKEN FROM: The website peakdistrict.gov.uk

Above: Hathersage Church. Picture by Nicola Lisle. you. Most probably the people who lived here were native farmers. The Roman invaders had a fort a few miles away. The ruined wall with the arched window across the field was once a Catholic chapel. Cross back over the stile and head left and uphill along the woodland path. At the road, just before the public toilets, turn left and then right onto the bridleway. Cross the road and follow the bridleway up through woodland. Bear left, staying on the most obvious path and ascend up on to Stanage Edge.

5. Pride and Prejudice On Stanage Edge, Keira Knightley as Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet felt freedom and air to breathe. So can you find Keira’s rock? Listen out for curlews and red grouse on the high moorlands to your left. Rare ring ouzels are among the birds that nest in the cliffs at Stanage – a conservation success story! Some 4,000 to 2,000 years ago, people lived in the valley below and the moorland hills opposite you. They left us traces of their lives – burial mounds, stone circles and standing stones. As you walk, you will pass Robin Hood’s Cave tucked in to the Edge below. Follow along the top of the Edge for about 1 kilometre, heading south. Visit our website at www.reflections-magazine.com

6. Jane Eyre on the Moor Here, Ruth Wilson as Jane Eyre in the BBC series, finally collapsed after fleeing Thornfield, only to be rescued by the Rev St John Rivers, nursed back to health by his sisters and begin a new life teaching at Morton. Take the concessionary path to your right, which heads diagonally down off the edge. Turn left out of the car park and immediately right onto the Hathersage road. After about 200 metres take the right-hand footpath across heather moorland. When you leave the moorland, turn right onto the track and continue down through a wooden gate, then a metal gate and into the grounds of Moorseats house. It feels like private property, but it is okay to pass through on this public footpath.

7. Moorseats/Moor House Charlotte Bronte created Moor House out of Moorseats. The Rev Rivers lived here with his sisters and it becomes Jane Eyre’s protection and retreat. Walk through the grounds and turn immediately right after you exit. The footpath is through a small wooden gate between two sets of stone gate pillars. After 50 metres or so, go through the blue-grey gate to your left and then follow the path down through Moorseats Wood. Continue straight on where the path forks, ignoring the left turn to the metal kissing gate. Immediately after the fork you will see the

grass and tree-covered ground rise up two or three times head height, in front and to your left. It blocks the view of the church.

8. Norman Fort This is the earth wall of a 1,000- yearold Norman Fort built shortly after the Battle of Hastings and the Norman invasion. William the Conqueror granted all Hathersage to one of his lords. Continue along the path with the remains of the fort wall on your left until you reach a gate and stile. The church is in front of you. Turn left onto the road and enter the churchyard through the second gate on your right (the gate with the wooden roof).

9. Robin Hood and his Merrie Men Hathersage churchyard is most famous for the grave of Little John, Robin Hood’s right-hand man. Local legend claims Little John’s bow, hat and mail shirt once hung inside the church. You will also find many Eyre family graves in the churchyard, confirming the importance of this name and family to Hathersage. There’s been a church at Hathersage for at least 1,000 years. The church you see today dates from 1460. It was restored again in the mid 1800s. Leave the churchyard by a gate more or less opposite where you came in. Take the path down to rejoin Baulk Lane to head back into the village. To return to the George, turn right out of Baulk Lane. 91 Reflections December 2023

OUT & ABOUT

ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP FOR BOOK LOVERS QUIRKY Campers, a unique British camper van hire service, has unveiled Northern England’s ultimate road trip for book lovers with three Peak District locations on the 400-mile circular route. Chatsworth House, The Jane Eyre Trail, and the High Peak Bookstore and Cafe have all been highlighted as follows: Chatsworth House: A classic stately home, famously the setting of the BBC’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice for Pemberley. The extensive grounds will transport you straight into Austen’s novel. The Jane Eyre Trail: It’s recommended that you allow for at least 3 hours to complete this 8 km hike, where you can also recreate the well-known scene from Pride & Prejudice on ‘Kiera’s Rock’ on Stanage Edge. High Peak Bookstore and Cafe: You could easily spend a whole afternoon at this venue on the A515 at Brierlow Bar, two miles south of Buxton. Browse

92 Reflections December 2023

their eclectic selection of books, gifts and puzzles, before heading into the cafe for a drink and home-made cakes. The majority of their books are less than half the original price. Beyond the Peak District, there are 16 other recommended spots, including the home of the Brontë sisters in Haworth, Beatrix Potter’s cottage in the Lake District, the

Above: Beatrix Potter’s former home, Hill Top, at Near Sawrey in the Lake District, now a National Trust property. Minster Gate Bookshop in York, and The Book Case in Hebden Bridge. To view the full road trip, visit quirkycampers.com/uk/blog/quirkyroutes-the-ultimate-book-loversuk-road-trip-northern-edition.

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COUNTYWIDE NEWS

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93 Reflections December 2023

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2023-24

WINDING WHEEL

BUXTON PAVILION ARTS CENTRE

SHEFFIELD CITY HALL

Dec 1-Jan 2 Aladdin

Dec 14: Cara Dillon: Upon A Winter’s Night

Dec 10 Dave Gorman: Powerpoint to the People

ICON KEY  Film

 Music

 Kids

 Live

  Dance Comedy

 Talk

BOX OFFICE: 01246 345 222 www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk

DEC

1 – Jan 2

Aladdin Pantomime

BOX OFFICE: 01298 72190 www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

DEC

3

Andy Powell: A Man and his Music  (Pavilion Arts Centre)

8

Benjamin Pinto & Treske String Quartet  (Pavilion Arts Centre)

19-20

Home Alone (PG)  (Pavilion Arts Centre)

8

Buxton Buzz Comedy (Club)

19-21

9

Trolls Band Together  (U) (Pavilion Arts Centre)

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes  (12A) (Pavilion Arts Centre)

11

On The Adamant  (PG) (Pavilion Arts Centre)

20

Brighouse & Rastrick 

21

12

The Holiday  (12A) (Pavilion Arts Centre)

The Muppets Christmas Carol (U)  (Pavilion Arts Centre)

22-31

Wish  (U) (Pavilion Arts Centre)

13

Cinderella (Autism Friendly Performance)

22

It’s a Wonderful Life  (U)

22

14

Cara Dillon: Upon A Winter’s Night (Pavilion Arts Centre)

Burbage Band: Brass Christmas (I Gave You My Heart)  (St Johns Church)

26

The Grand Boxing Day Concert 

16-24

Hare & Tortoise  (Pavilion Arts Centre)

29- Jan 2

18

The Red Shoes  (U) (Pavilion Arts Centre)

The Marvels (12A)  (Pavilion Arts Centre)

31

New Year’s Eve Gala Concert

MERRY CHRISTMAS… IT’S SLADE! SLADE celebrate 50 years of ‘Cum On Feel The Noize’ and ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ with a UK Tour which is in the Foundry, Sheffield, on Saturday, December 16. With their unique blend of pop-rock’n’roll, flamboyance and fun – and no less than 23 Top-20 singles plus 6 smash albums – Slade have become a firm favourite in the hearts of pop fans all over the world. The band first hit the road in 1966, touring throughout Great Britain and Europe; and achieved their first chart hit in May 1971 with the Bobby Marchan song ‘Get Down and Get With It’ then, later in the same year ‘Coz I Luv You’, which was the band’s first No 1 hit. Now in 2023, they celebrate 50 years of ‘Cum on Feel the Noize’ & ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ reaching No1 in 1973! The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets from foundrysu.com Right: Slade, appearing in Sheffield to celebrate 50 years since ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ was a smash hit!

94 Reflections December 2023

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ENTERTAINMENT BOX OFFICE: 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

DEC

2 2 8 8- Jan 7 9-23 9 – Jan 13 12-14 15-30 9- Jan 13

Guitar Classics  (Playhouse) Sounds of Now  (Playhouse) Focus on the Viola  (Upper Chapel) Beauty and the Beast (Lyceum) Santa’s Grotto  White Christmas (Crucible) A Christmas Carol (University of Sheffield Drama) A Town Called Christmas (Playhouse) The Nutcracker (Lyceum) BOX OFFICE: 0114 2 789 789 www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

DEC

2 3

Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny 2.0  Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Christmas Kitchen Disco  4 Love Actually in Concert (Film with Live Orchestra)   5 The Muppet Christmas Carol (Film with Live Orchestra)   6 Leona Lewis  7,8,9,14,15,16,21,22,23,31 Last Laugh Comedy Club  7 The Magic of Motown  8 Fairytale of New York 9 The Music of Hans Zimmer and John Williams  10 Dave Gorman: Powerpoint to the People  10 Lucy Beaumont  13 My Effin Life: Geddy Lee  14 Kate Rusby  16 Christmas Carol Concert: Black Dyke Band and Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus  16 Atomic 80s  27-31 Manor Operatic Society presents Robin Hood BOX OFFICE: 01142565656 www.sheffieldarena.co.uk

DEC

1-3 8 9 14 16 23 26 30

Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Wonder  Sh**ged. Married. Annoyed. Live!  Steelers v Guildford Flames Madness plus Lightning Seeds  Steelers v Fife Flyers Steelers v Cardiff Devils Steelers v Nottingham Panthers Steelers v Manchester Storm

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Other Events

1-3

Victorian Matlock Christmas Market. Experience the official start of the festive season in Matlock! Over 200 stalls – an incredible array of unique gifts, crafts, and goodies for everyone on your Christmas list. Delight in specialist foods and culinary delights! Entertainment for the whole family, from festive performances to fair rides. 1-23 Christmas Light Walk-Through at Poole’s Cavern. See the cavern lit for Christmas – perfect for ‘big kids’ (adults) and the little ones. This is a self-guided walk through Poole’s Cavern; while you will see our Grotto and chambers lit with festive LEDS and decorations, but Santa and his elves are very busy and will not be around for the event. 2 Christmas Market Holymoorside Choral. 10am – 12am at Holymoorside Village Hall. Stalls, refreshments, live music, carols. 2-23 Christmas at Calke Abbey. 9.30am-6pm. Make magical memories at Calke Abbey this Christmas. Family favourites are back this year, making it the perfect place to celebrate the festive season. As darkness settles, see Calke lit up in festive lights around the stableyards, pleasure grounds and St Giles Church. 2-3 Christmas Market Weekend at Peak Village. Peak Village has teamed up with The Derbyshire Makers for their Christmas Market weekend, which means you can shop for interesting gifts while supporting local producers. With stalls indoors and outdoors, street food and live music, it’s the perfect way to get into the festive spirit. Free event, free parking and dogs welcome! 2-23 Storytime with Father Christmas at Chatsworth. Father Christmas will captivate little ears with the story of the first Christmas. Children will then be able to help our elves make some reindeer food and receive a small gift to take home and enjoy. For more information visit: www.chatsworth.org 2-23 Festive stories with Father Christmas at Bolsover Castle. Join in the festive fun with Father Christmas at Bolsover Castle as the man himself tells seasonal stories among the traditional decorations. Tickets cost £9.50 per child, which includes the group storytelling session and a small present. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17 Christmas Weekends at Cromford Mills. Three weekends of Christmas markets, offering unique gifts and decorations, live music, refreshments, Medley Arts and Crafts Show, and much more family fun! 4 Bakewell Photo Club meeting. 7.30pm at the Friends Meeting House, Bakewell DE45 1EL (behind the Methodist Church). Don Stazicker talks about

Above: Nigel Clarke plays Aladdin in the Winding Wheel Theatre panto this Christmas.

ALADDIN TAKES TO THE STAGE IN CHESTERFIELD MAGIC, mystery and make-believe is on the agenda this Christmas, as we welcome Aladdin as our pantomime at The Winding Wheel. The production begins on December 1 and runs through to January 2, so there are lots of opportunities for you and the family to escape in the shimmering scenery, enjoy the singing and dancing and join in the fun of cheering for your favourite characters. The pantomime has an all-star cast including ITV’s The Chase star Anne Hegerty, CBeebies Nigel Clarke, Jo Osmond from Dhar Mann and a faraway galaxy, Britain’s Got Talent’s Tony Rudd and Darren Clewlow-Smith, as well as the voice of Brian Blessed as the Genie. Nigel Clarke said: ‘We’re all really looking forward to putting on something really special for everyone around Christmas. I can’t wait to rub that lamp and get this party started!” The story of Aladdin is based around a boy with three wishes and all the adventure they bring. Asked what she would do with three wishes, Anne Hegerty from ITV’s The Chase commented: “I would use my first wish to wish not to have the other two wishes. I don’t trust myself with wishes. I’d phrase something badly and it would all go wrong. I was brought up on children’s books about unwise wishes, so I’d avoid them!” Tickets are on sale now for Aladdin by visiting www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/panto or by calling the book office on 01246 345 222.

‘Pushing the Limits’, capturing the impossible shot using modern camera technology. Don makes a welcome return after his excellent presentation on underwater photography last year. Visitors and new members very welcome. Go to www.bakewellphotographic. co.uk for more information about the club, and examples of our images. Continued on 96 95 Reflections December 2023

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2023-24 Continued from 95

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7-10, 14-17, 21-24 Christmas at Revolution House. See Revolution House decorated for a 17th Century Christmas with displays of greenery, a kissing bough, and colourful flower arrangements created by the volunteers. Entry to the house and garden is free, however donations are welcomed. There is disabled access to the ground floor only. Open Thursday to Sunday, 11am to 3pm. 9 Wyns Tor Singers Christmas Concert. 7.30pm at St Helen’s Church, Darley Dale. A concert of Christmas music. The guest artist will be young Welsh harpist Elfair Grug Dyer, who will accompany the choir for some of Ben Britten’s carols, as well as her own solo pieces. The concert will support two groups meeting at St Helens – Chill and Chat for parents with pre-school children, and Open Door services for all, including those with complex needs or disabilities. Tickets £10, including refreshments, from St Helen’s on Sundays, members of the choir, or on the door. 9 Christmas Disco at The Pav, Matlock Bath. A festive disco to launch the season! Dodgy Christmas jumpers at the ready, there will be mulled wine,

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mince pies and of course a fabulous DJ playing hits of the 70s/80s/90s and today… as well as the odd Festive Banger to get you in the Christmas spirit. Please purchase your ticket in advance at thegrandpavilion.co.uk Doors open 6pm, disco 7.30-11.30pm Christmas Nutcracker Concert. The Fishpond Choir offer a joyous feast of carols and Christmas song at the Cavendish Hall, Edensor, DE45 1PJ. Tchaikovsky would have laughed to see how tunes from his Nutcracker Suite have been arranged to celebrate Christmas! Tickets £10 (children under-16 admitted free), includes interval refreshments from events@fishpondchoir.com or call 01246 583366. See also www. fishpondchoir.com or www.facebook. com/fishpondchoir. Concert starts 7.30pm (doors open 7pm) Merry Christmas at Haddon Hall. The

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hall will be beautifully decorated and for the season. Photograph your Blair loved Dunlop. ones against our beautifully created backdrops. And, while you are here, enjoy a visit to the Haddon Restaurant and Tearoom. Then, before you leave, make sure you call in to the Mercatum Artisan Gift Shop and Gallery in the Gatehouse where you can find beautiful and unusual gifts. A magical day out for all the family. For tickets and more information, visit www.haddonhall.co.uk Carol Concert by Staveley & District Churches United Choir at Storrs Road Methodist Church. Coffee Morning at 10.30 am followed by Concert from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm. Donations to Charity. All welcome. Great British Car Journey, The ‘Almost’ New Year Great British British Car Meet. All makes and models welcome (classic cars, vintage cars or modern cars)…with their owners!

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Please email your information including dates to whatson@reflections-magazine.com before December 5th, 2023, to appear in the January 2024 issue.

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THE DIRECTORY

Prize Crossword Across: 1 Derbys, 4 Foolow, 8 Residue, 9 Tannoys, 11 Idridgehay, 12 Coat, 13 Dogma, 14 Steaks, 15 Vowel, 16 Toffee, 18 Riber, 20 Fun, 21 Littlemoor, 24 Peveril, 25 Ashover, 26 Danish, 27 Bradda. Down: 1 Dread, 2 Railing, 3 Youlgrave, 5 Ovary, 6 Linacre, 7 Waymarker, 10 Chisworth, 13 Dronfield, 14 S L R, 17 Findern, 19 Bamford, 21 Lairs, 22 Laser, 23 Omega.

Congratulations to Penny Ackland of Matlock Bath, who won the December 2023 crossword. She won £25. Why not have a go at the December 2023 crossword on page 55?

98 Reflections December 2023

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99 Reflections December 2023