Reflections Magazine January 2025

www.reflections-magazine.com

January 2025

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REFLECTIONS MAGAZINE JANUARY 2025

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

Social Media: Rebecca Bloomfield, E: hello@bannisterpublications.com

Accounts: Helen Holgate, E: admin@bannisterpublications.co.uk

Distribution: E: distribution@bannisterpublications.co.uk

Published by: Bannister Publications Ltd. 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

12,32,36,45

Countywide News

All that’s been happening across the county in words and pictures

14 The 2024 ‘Lovely Landscape’s winner announced

Plus the launch of our 2025 photographic competition

16 ‘The Great Matlock Will Case’

In Victorian Britain, little caused as much interest in ‘one of the most remarkable cases ever known’ involving a fortune worth over £3million in today’s money. Simon Brister reports

36 Top Pet competition

Our pet competition is taking a break this month – but it’s still open for entries and will be back in February’s issue

42 Rising from an arid desert…

In the first of two linked features, Godfrey Holmes examines some of Chesterfield’s news architecture

48 Antiques: Predicting the weather

Our expert valuer Vivienne Milburn looks at the barometers invented by Admiral Fitzroy

50 Spotlight on the Arts

Dawn Anderson meets a fine art photographer –and there’s news on The Derbyshire Makers collective

56 A record-breaking year for Chesterfield Golf Club juniors

Sixteen-year-old Eva Myers leads the way as England Schools’ Champion

58 Cloud inversions: a wonderful sight

Photographer Chris Drabble show some stunning pictures in the Peak District

60 Pitcher Wits

61 Crossword

62 Focus on Food & Drink

Game birds are in season now, as Barrie Farnsworth explains – and as it’s Veganuary, we have a vegan recipe from tennis star Novak Djokovic

Hill Sunrise’ byLeeHowdle

66 A homeopath is ’like being a detective’

From the trauma of losing her family business, Amanda Townend has found her true vocation – and a strong desire to help others, as Fiona Stubbs discovers.

70 Fashion

Our fashion guru Amy Norbury explains how to keep warm this winter in style

74 Out & About

Judith Parker Dixon creates a lovely walk this month across much of the Chatsworth Estate

78 Monochrome Memories

Barrie Farnsworth looks at a Chesterfield railway station that is no more – but a tunnel remains under the town

82 What’s On

Our comprehensive guide to forthcoming events across the county and beyond in January

Urgent Call for Foster Carers in the East Midlands

The East Midlands is in critical need of foster carers.

Over 3,314 children are currently in care across Derby City, Derbyshire, Nottingham City, and Nottinghamshire, yet only half are placed with foster families.

THERE is an urgent demand for long-term and shortterm carers, as well as specialists for children with additional needs. Foster carers for sibling groups and teenagers are also particularly needed.

In April 2024, the Foster for East Midlands hub was launched through a partnership of local councils to address this shortage. This regional hub provides guidance for potential carers from their initial enquiry through the application process, alongside

ongoing training and support throughout the fostering journey.

Take inspiration from Pat, who has fostered for Derby City Council for an incredible 36 years. During this time, she has welcomed many children into her home, offering love and stability. Many still stay in touch, highlighting the lasting bonds created through fostering.

Pat shared, “Fostering isn’t just about changing their lives—it changes yours too.”

Help a child stay safe and connected to their community.

To learn more about fostering for your local council, call 03033 132 950, email hello@fosterforeastmidlands or visit fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk.

Countywide News

Top Pet competition takes a break – but will be back in February

DUE to ‘paw-pular demand’, we’re extending our ‘Derbyshire’s Top Pet’ photo competition until spring 2025!

We take a break from the competition this month, but we will confirm the dates of our entry/voting deadlines in February 2025’s magazine.

You can still submit your perfect pet to us and vote by sending your entry – or who you’d like to win – to: hello@bannisterpublications.co.uk

All submissions will also be on our website for voting in the new year.

The overall winner will be featured on our May 2025 cover!

Chesterfield Library lectures on its 40th anniversary

CHESTERFIELD’S new Library on Low Pavement is 40 years old this year. At the beginning of  1985, the Adult &

the Reference Libraries both moved there from the iconic Stephenson Memorial Hall (once known as Chesterfield’s Victorian Mechanics’ Institute).

At the same time the Children’s Library moved from its newish building in New Square – where the disused Revenues Hall is nowadays – with the useful addition of a vastly-expanded Local History Library.

All very plush and spacious... and at a time when libraries generally were as important as they were valued.

As a key part of the library’s 40th anniversary celebrations, local historian Godfrey Holmes – a regular contributor of Reflections features – is going to present two nearly-identical lectures in the library’s own  Lecture Theatre at the start of next month: ‘Chesterfield’s Changing Architecture, 1985-2025’, first on Thursday, February 6 at 10am; and second on the same day at 5.30pm. Both talks are entirely free of charge, without advance booking. Guests can attend both if they wish, because both talks end with a question time.

Godfrey gave a well-attended lecture on ‘The Changing Face of Chesterfield, 1985-2010’, as part of the library’s 25th anniversary in its new home.

See the first of a two-part series by Godfrey on Chesterfield’s Changing Architecture in this issue.

Stained glass trail…

MORE than 1,000 years of history is being rediscovered as a new project offers a rare glimpse into the lives of our medieval ancestors across nine sites in North East Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.

From cross-eyed owls to apes offering cups of urine, the mysteries surrounding scores of stained glass windows have been decoded as part of a £179,541 National Lottery Heritage Fund project.

Centuries of history are being brought back to life via the new trail, which begins in Dronfield. Highlights of the trail include:

St John the Baptist, Dronfield: Home to some of the finest medieval windows in the region, featuring many animal images seen as ‘God’s messengers’.

St Lawrence Church, Whitwell: A window in the north transept is known as the ‘monkey window’ due to the animals incorporated into the design, thought to date back to the 14th century.

Killamarsh, St Giles: A window in the south wall of the chancel depicts the Madonna and child, with the child depicted with an adult’s head to symbolise wisdom.

The trail leaflet is free, and visitors are advised to check each church’s website for opening hours. As part of the project, Dronfield Parish Church’s stained glass

windows and surrounding stonework are currently being restored. They will be re-installed later in 2025.

Local schools and community groups are also participating, using the windows to help pupils learn about art and art history.

Sue Murphy, Church DPC Project Coordinator, said: “Dronfield Parish Church has been at the heart of the town and a wonderful resource for the whole community for nearly a thousand years. It’s fantastic to know this trail is helping educate the community about their history and meaning.”

Weekday closures of Monsal Trail…

THE Peak District National Park Authority has urged users of Monsal Trail to be aware of expected weekday closures on the route throughout January and February 2025.

Sections of the 8.5-mile trail, which runs between Bakewell and Blackwell Mill, will be shut to public access as the authority and contractors undertake treefelling operations for ash dieback, along with other routine maintenance tasks.

The works will not affect weekends but, during Monday to Friday, it is unlikely the full trail will be available as a through-route. Areas not being worked on will remain open.

The authority says it hopes to then re-open individual sections of the route as works are complete. Initial priority will be on the section between Bakewell and the Headstone (Monsal) Viaduct during January.

Information on sections available for use by visitors will be made available on the National Park’s website.

Much of the ash tree population of the Peak District is likely to be affected by ash dieback in coming years, in particular in the White Peak.

Visitors are asked to observe all closures and not enter restricted areas at any time.

Above: Chesterfield’s Library on Low Pavement –40 years old this year. Picture by Godfrey Holmes

Above: The cross-eyed owl on a window in Dronfield St John the Baptist Church

LISA IS Our 2024 Winner

THE winner of our 2024 ‘Derbyshire’s Lovely Landscapes’ competition is Lisa Hands, of Sheffield, with her picture of climbers queuing at the base of a Stanage Edge rock face in July.

Lisa wins a meal for two at her favourite restaurant and a selection of her pictures published in a future issue of Reflections.

Lisa, who lives at Frecheville and went to art college and now works in Sheffield Carer Centre, is often in the Peak District with her camera – but she has to rely on buses to get there as she doesn’t drive.

Lisa was just ahead of Christine Waddington,

Our 2025 competition details…

OUR readers’ photographic competition for 2025 has a simple theme –it’s ‘Derbyshire Events & Attractions’ – and it includes events, markets and festivals, stately homes, well dressings, sporting events and attractions from escape rooms and caverns

to train rides. The picture(s) you send must be taken in 2025 and must be in Derbyshire; and you can enter as many times as you like. We want entries from amateur snappers – commercial photographers are barred from the competition – and drone images, or pictures

altered beyond recognition via software like Photoshop, will not be accepted.

Please email your entries to barrief@bannisterpublications. co.uk, giving your full name and address, a contact telephone number and a description (including the date it was taken)

of Great Longstone, who was second; while David Thorburn, of Wirksworth, was third; Elaine Marsh, of Bakewell was fourth; and Ian Moorcroft, of Hollingwood, was fifth.

of the image, which should be attached as a high-res jpeg. The winner will receive a meal for two at a top local restaurant, plus the chance to have a selection of their images published in Reflections

The deadline for entries is noon on Monday, October 13, 2025… so there’s plenty of time to take a winning shot!

Left: You could send in a picture of a stately home like Hardwick Hall – inside or out. Picture by Andrew Butler, courtesy of the National Trust. Or you could send in a picture of a youngster enjoying a local river. Picture by Nukshi Velebny, courtesy of Pleasley Canoe Club.

‘THE GREAT MATLOCK WILL CASE’ George Nuttall

Matlock is famous for various things but, in the Victorian age, little could have caused as much public interest as what became known as the ‘Great Matlock Will Case’. The case lasted 12 years from 1856 to 1864.

The case revolved around forgery, fraud and conspiracy, relating to a fortune of over £29,900 – more than £3 million in today’s money. The case went to the highest court in the land, then: the House of Lords. Simon Brister reports.

The House of Lords, where the Great Matlock Will Case – described as “one of the most remarkable ever known” – was finally played out.

George Nuttall, like his father and grandfather before him, was a local land agent working out of Matlock. He was a man of some considerable wealth.

Records show him owning extensive land throughout Derbyshire including the Megdale Estate at Matlock (now Cawdor Quarry), other property in Matlock including Frog Meadow (now Firs Parade), property in Ashover, Darley Dale, Two Dales, Castleton, Hardwick, Wensley and Snitterton as well as properties as far afield as Birmingham, Nottingham and Cheshire. He was a bachelor. However, by the time he reached the age of 52 he was not a well man. He knew this and in 1854 he visited his solicitor for guidance on how to make his will and he then set about handwriting his will in duplicate. The will ran to several pages, in duplicate, and was properly signed and witnessed. The will, after

making various specific gifts, left the bulk of his property to his second cousin, John Nuttall. Why was he so generous to this particular cousin?

Research into his family tree may give a clue to this generosity. The records show that Cousin John’s father was ‘killed by his brother’s horse’. George himself had no children (so far as is known) and in the years up to his death he was living with his housekeeper Catherine Marsden (described in the court papers as ‘on terms more than cousinhood’).

In the 1841 Census, George Nuttall is living at Matlock Green with Catharine Marsden (25) and also her sister Eliza (20).

George’s will

George died on 7th March 1856, aged just 54, and one copy of his will was found in his home immediately after his death. After the funeral the other copy

was found. It was unusual as it had some added words written in between the lines. The hand writing was acknowledged as that of John Else, who was George’s clerk and had married Eliza Marsden in 1842.

The added words made provision for an income payable to both John Else and the housekeeper Catherine (who was Else’s sister-in-law). It looked as though Else was trying to feather his family’s nest.

This will, with the amendments, was then proved in the probate court by the surviving executors named in the will – that is to say Mr Robert Cresswell and Mr John Marriott. So far so good…

Codicils appear

Else then transferred all George’s papers to his own house and in the April 1856 produced a codicil (a written amendment) to George’s will. It was evidently duly signed, witnessed and dated 27th October 1855. In this codicil, a large part of the estate was gifted to Else instead of Cousin John. The codicil was apparently in George’s hand and apparently signed by George and witnessed by two local worthies.

In January of 1857, Else came forward with another codicil – this time dated 6th January 1856 – which left even more of the property to Else and even less to Cousin John. Again it appeared to be in George’s hand, signed, but this time with two different witnesses. Else, claiming the authority of the earlier codicils, appears to have moved into George’s house. One day in October 1857, he was working with a maid servant to free a jammed window and, lo and behold, he uncovered a ‘hole in the wall’ concealing – you have guessed it – a third codicil along with some gold coins and, according to one report, all in a stone pickle jar. This third codicil left virtually the whole of the estate to Else. No explanation was ever given as to why George should have hidden the codicil in a stone

Known locally as “Smedley’s Folly”, because of the difficulty of getting water to the hill summit, Riber Castle was built by the textile manufacturer and hydro owner

jar in the wall of his house nor why Else had not alerted the executors earlier to the existence of these three codicils.

The court case

Naturally Mr Cresswell, as the executor to the original will, proceeded to challenge the validity of these codicils, suspecting Else of forgery. He did this on behalf of the original beneficiaries who were Cousin John’s children; as John himself had died on 21st April, 1856 – little more than a month after George’s death.

The case went to the Court of Chancery. It was transferred from there to the Court Assizes and the case was heard in Derby in 1859 before Lord Chief Justice Earle and a special jury. Perhaps surprisingly, the jury were impressed with the character of Else (he was apparently a church warden)

and the jury found in his favour. However, the Master of the Rolls reviewed the case and was unhappy with the verdict, so he ordered a new trial. The jury at the Assizes in 1860 decided that the codicils were forgeries. Else appealed to the Court of Appeal and after deliberation they were unable to reach a decision. The case was then referred up to the House of Lords. The House of Lords was then the highest court in the land – the forerunner of the Supreme Court. As a result, Lord Chief Justice Cockburn was directed to hear a new trial in London. This trial took place in London in 1864 before his Lordship and a special jury. All the time, the legal costs must have been racking up alarmingly.

House of Lords

This final hearing of the Great Matlock Will Case – known as

‘Cresswell and others v Jackson and another’ is set out in the full 72-page transcript of the case (in which it is referred to as ‘one of the most remarkable ever known’). The court case lasted for eight days from Monday, February 22, 1864 and there were 21 witnesses for Else and 19 witnesses opposing him. Much of the evidence involved cross-examination of the supposed witnesses to the codicils. Some of the witnesses had died in the interim. However, there were clear inconsistencies in the evidence of the surviving witnesses. The clinching factor, however, was the various spelling mistakes which appeared in the codicils as well as in other documents written by Else and produced in evidence. Examination of George writings revealed a man better educated, who rarely made a spelling error.

After eight days, the Lord

John Smedley in 1862 as his private home, before the will case concluded. It has since been a school and a wildlife park.

Chief Justice summed up –apparently taking several hours. The jury, however, returned a verdict very promptly and found that the codicils were indeed forgeries and that there had been a conspiracy between Else and a number of those who would have benefited should the codicils have proved genuine. According to the court records, the verdict was ‘received with a burst of applause, which evidently excited the cordial approval of the great body of those who had heard the case.’

Speculation continued in the township of Matlock as to whether this jury had really uncovered the truth.

Conclusion

21. It seems that this didn’t happen until 1877, when what was left of George’s property was sold at auction. It raised £17,000. One can only guess at the amount of the legal costs incurred but happily, there was at least still quite a fortune left for the intended beneficiaries.

Editor’s Note: The author has taken references from The Andrews Pages; the Making of Modern Law (a transcript of the evidence); and the title deeds to property in Dale Road, Matlock.

Because Cousin John had died soon after George, it was his wife and children who stood to inherit what was left of George’s estate and, under John’s will, the children had to wait until the youngest reached

ELSE GOES ON TO BECOME AN AUCTIONEER

DESPITE the verdict of the 1864 court jury, John Else lived in and around Matlock until his death in 1895 – and became an auctioneer and estate agent in the area.

In the 1861 census, he is described as a Landed Proprietor, and lived with his wife Eliza and two daughters. In the 1871 Census, he is described as an Auctioneer; and in the 1881 Census he is described as an Auctioneer and Estate Agent, with a son, Alfred, also described

as an Auctioneer and Estate Agent, with another son, George, an Auctioneer’s Clerk. Both John and son Alfred are still in the same businesses in the 1891 Census.

There was a report of John Else’s death in the Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald of May 4, 1895, in which it stated that on Good Friday he had attended the funeral of his daughter, Mrs Newbold: “and the respectful observance of funeral rites may, in some measure, have been the precursor of the illness of the deceased”. He was unable after that “to follow his professional duties, gradually became worse, and died after an acute attack of pneumonia”.

Editor’s Note: We are grateful to Alan Piper, of Lumsdale, who has researched the Else family history.

Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle in 2025

AS the New Year approaches, reflecting on our health, and setting plans for the year ahead is natural. Whether you want to eat healthier, move more, or feel your best; having a clear, actionable checklist can simplify the process. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated. Success comes from small, consistent steps in the right direction. With practical tips, insights, and an introduction to how healthy meals can make your journey easier, you’ll be set up for success in 2025.

1. PLAN YOUR MEALS WITH PURPOSE

Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are the primary sources of energy for your body. Getting the right balance of these is crucial for maintaining energy, building muscle and supporting overall health. Protein: Builds and repairs tissues, supports muscle growth, and is essential for hormones and enzymes. Recommended daily amount: 0.8g per kilogram of body weight (56g/ day for men, 46g/day for women). Carbohydrates: Provide energy for your body and brain.

Recommended daily amount: 45–65% of daily calorie intake (225–325g for a 2,000-calorie diet).  Fats: Support brain health, hormone production, and energy storage. Recommended daily amount: 20–35% of daily calories (44–77g for a 2,000-calorie diet).

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR MEAL PLANNING:

Create a weekly menu: Dedicate a day to map out meals and snacks. Batch prep for ease:  Preparing healthy meals in advance can help to avoid unhealthy snacking. Portion control: Keep portions at healthy and sustainable levels.

2. MOVE YOUR BODY REGULARLY

Ways to build exercise into your routine: Find activities you love: yoga, hiking, or even dancing—make it fun! Start small but stay consistent: aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.  Fuel effectively: pair your workouts with meals rich in protein and carbs

3. STAY HYDRATED

How much water should you drink?

Recommended amounts

Men: Around 3.7 litres (or 125 ounces) daily, including water from beverages and food. Women: Around 2.7 litres (or 91 ounces) daily, including all sources of water.

During Exercise or Heat: Add 1-2 extra glasses per hour of activity or exposure to heat to replenish what you lose through sweat.

Hydrate through food: Many fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges, are naturally water rich. Why hydration matters: Proper hydration has far-reaching benefits: improves energy levels and mental clarity; aids digestion and helps prevent constipation; supports glowing, healthy skin; and reduces headaches and fatigue caused by dehydration.

4. PRIORITISE QUALITY SLEEP

Tips for better sleep: Stick to a schedule: Maintain

Start the New Year right with Relate Chesterfield

and North Derbyshire

Relate Chesterfield and North Derbyshire’s high-quality counselling services have recently been awarded the prestigious Trusted Standard Award, so they make an excellent choice if you need support.

Relate Chesterfield and North Derbyshire is an independent centre registered with the Charities Commission and Companies house.

We provide counselling to individuals, couples, children and young people as well as Psychosexual Therapy.

RECONNECT, HEAL

AND THRIVE

For many the holiday season brings underlying stresses in relationships and partners, family, friends and colleagues to the surface.  Whether it’s issues

at school, work, or home, the post-Christmas period is often when people feel the need to reach out and seek support.

The New Year is here – a time for fresh starts, hope, and change. Relate can provide you with support in the ways you need it so you can enjoy thriving relationships in every part of your life.

consistent sleep and wake times. Create a calming environment: Reduce light and noise before bed. Eat wisely at night: Light meals can prevent discomfort.

5. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS

Easy mindfulness practices:

Eat mindfully: Slow down and savour balanced meals to connect with your body’s hunger cues. Feel grateful: Note three things you’re thankful for each day.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

A healthy lifestyle in 2025 is within reach with a clear plan and the right tools. By focusing on meal planning, movement, hydration, sleep, and mindfulness, you can build habits that last all year long.

WHY CHOOSE RELATE?

Relate Chesterfield and North Derbyshire offers quality specialised, confidential counselling to help you navigate these difficult moments.  We understand that each person’s experience is unique, so we offer tailored counselling services. With options for single session therapy to a series of sessions to suit your needs. There are options for faceto-face, telephone, or online sessions.  Getting the support, you need is easy, no matter your situation.  We offer daytime and evening appointments.

YOUR PATH TO BETTER RELATIONSHIPS STARTS HERE. EMBRACE POSITIVE CHANGE

This New Year don’t let unresolved issues hold you back.  Reach out to Relate Chesterfield and North Derbyshire and start your journey toward healthier relationships and a brighter future.  Our caring professions are here to help you every step of the way. Make this year one of growth and healing – get in Touch with Relate today. – 01246 382772

PUBLISHING YOUR FIRST BOOK: A STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH FOR 2025

MANY include becoming an author on their bucket lists, but their hopes get squashed by how difficult it seems. Researching, telling a story, and conveying ideas seem like a challenge in its own right. But, once the book is written, how and where do you find a publisher?

Self-publishing can be hugely rewarding. The author retains ultimate control of every step of the publishing process in a way that couldn’t be achieved with a traditional publisher. Choosing a trusted and experienced publishing house presents the perfect opportunity to combine autonomy as an author with publisher expertise. North Derbyshire-based, Bannister Publications, is a highly regarded regional publishing institution. There are many reasons why they’ve become the publishing partner of choice for local authors: Local network: 32-year experience of publishing has enabled strong and longstanding local connections to be built. Reputation: as the publishers of Derbyshire’s largest circulation

lifestyle magazine Reflections, Bannister Publications offers a well-established platform that can help to promote the book.

Breadth of experience: a comprehensive portfolio of writers, authors, photographers, artists, and others, all with varying levels of experience, have been supported in getting their work published in a professional manner, in a variety of finished book forms.

Personal service: displaying all the hallmarks of a highly reputable familyrun business, Bannister Publications prides itself on offering a friendly and attentive service. From initial discussions to the final printing of the book, Robert Bannister guides authors along their journey every step of the way.

Quality: the editing and design services are unrivalled locally, and the printers, who are used, serve the UK’s major publishing houses.

Value for money: Runs of small books at comparatively low prices are easily attainable – as are longer-run, bigger and more intricate publications.

The first step to publishing a book starts here…

Bannister Publications Limited

Office 2A Market Hall, Market Pl, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. S40 1AR hello@bannisterpublications.com T: 01246 550488

ESTABLISHED in April 2013, Edmund St Activity Centre has now been contracted to Derbyshire County Council since 2016.

In recognition of their excellent standards of care provision, they have recently been awarded a new 5-year framework contract to provide day care activities to adults with varying complex needs in Derbyshire. These needs include adults with a learning disability, older adults, adults with very high needs, such as severe epilepsy and challenging behaviour with 1v1 and 2v1 requirements.

The highly skilled and motivated staff at Edmund St Activity Centre are headed by a vastly experienced and deeply caring manager with a Degree in Social Care. She is supported by a dedicated and committed team of staff – with Natasha as Team Leader and Becky as Assistant Team Leader, as well as a further 3 members of staff, who are trained nurses and have followed careers in nursing previously.

All staff are fully trained to CQC and DCC mandatory requirements and many have NVQ Level 3 in Social Care. They are recruited

based on their skills, but more importantly on their friendly, caring, and empathetic personalities which create a very warm, welcoming, and happy environment and culture. All these qualities make the centre a unique and calming environment – a place to look forward to visiting – for staff, service users, and healthcare professionals alike.

INDIVIDUAL CHOICE FOR SERVICE USERS

The Activity Centre provides day respite care with an appropriate level of support, both practical and emotional. All the individual service users are fully involved in deciding what suits their own needs and enjoyment. This includes social and lifestyle scheduling, domestic skill improvements and entertainment. Whilst the staff have a creative input into the programme, the schedule is bespoke and tailormade to each of the service user’s needs.

IMAGINATIVE PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITY

Guided and designed by service user input, the daily schedule of activities is an interactive programme of projects, tasks, recreation, interests, and pastimes. It’s well thought out and steered by the service users. On Mondays, where appropriate and under close supervision, there may be a trip to the café at the Chesterfield Football Club or a visit to the local shops, library, or park. Tuesdays may give opportunity for beauty therapy, where people can have a foot spa, their nails done, or a body massage. Alternatively, there is chance to learn sign language – Makaton – courtesy of Lucy. All manner of activities take place on a Wednesday – with horse-racing on TV using fake money, a group quiz on the interactive TV screen, or a ‘Movie afternoon’ with hot chocolate. Thursdays has a reading group and Fridays singing lessons and karaoke, as well as a Friday Movers Club with dancing and exercises. But nothing is set in stone or rigid. The timetable is directed by the service users and is often themed around the time of the year. Making Halloween buns and creating

The Edmund Street Activity Centre staff team with a young man who has been a member for six years.

poppies have been popular activities lately. Learning daily living skills in the kitchen plays an important part in the programme of events. Baking, making pizzas, and preparing meals are actively encouraged. People with high needs may need one-toone or two-to-one supervision, support, and encouragement and this is also accommodated at Edmund St Activity Centre.

FACILITIES AVAILABLE

• Daily living skills kitchen

• Two large, dedicated rooms

• Arts, crafts and needlework

• Snoozeling/sensory room

• Indoor games including boccia bowling and snooker

• Beauty treatments

• Meals, snacks and beverages

• TV and computers

• Sensory garden

LIVING SKILLS KITCHEN

Service users have the opportunity to plan a menu, shop for the ingredients and cook the daily main meal for the centre. This gives them a wonderful sense of achievement. Facilities include a state-ofthe-art kitchen and adjustable worktops. The majority of meals served are prepared by service users under supervision.

STIMULATION AND PARTICIPATION

When working on an arts and crafts project, service users are encouraged to use selfexpression in a stimulating atmosphere. They work in a fully equipped and well stocked crafts room, which offers a wide range of activities for exploration and development. Service users are encouraged to enjoy dancing, singing and socialising in order to improve their quality of life and mobility. Participation is encouraged, where appropriate, in a range of indoor sports including table tennis, pool, softball, board games and boccia (indoor bowls specially designed for those with disabilities to compete within a team environment).

SNOOZELING (SENSORY) ROOM

The fully equipped sensory room provides the ideal environment and ambiance for total relaxation and stress release. There’s also a bathing room, which facilitates improvement of personal well-being and maintenance of personal care needs.

SERVICE USER INTEGRATION

One unique and incredibly positive feature of the Activity Centre is the excellent relationships developed between the service users. Service users are encouraged to participate in various social outings throughout the year, including town centre shopping and visits to local places of

interest. Outside bodies, such as ‘Rise’, come in to offer all manner of sports, including hockey and netball. These are also tailored to the capabilities of wheelchairbased service users. Visits from the Fire Service and St John’s Ambulance provide additional stimulation and interest

If you have a family member leaving Ashgate Croft School, Edmund St Activity Centre can offer a safe, friendly, fun, and happy learning environment.

BOOK YOUR FREE TASTER DAY!

Edmund Street Activity Centre

Edmund Street, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 8TD

T: Steve on 07950 634039

T: 01246 260 105

E: enquiries-edmundstac@outlook.com www.edmundstac.com

Biscuit decorating

Experiencing being a fireman

Giggles with support staff

Indoor sports with friends and Sports Facilitator, Rise

Cookery in the Skills Kitchen

Weekly beauty treatments.

Fun in the park with friends

Learning how to save a life with St. Johns Ambulance

Exmoor ponies for Peakland…

DERBYSHIRE Wildlife Trust has launched a new Wild Peak Grazing Network to support smaller landowners in delivering natural patterns of grazing and regeneration of habitats across the Peak District.

Grazing by large herbivores remains the most natural way of managing vegetation.   The Network will support 11 landowners with grazing through a shared group of native Exmoor ponies moved between the sites, covering 45 hectares.

The ponies will browse brambles and trees to create a mosaic of habitats; graze vegetation to different heights, which creates habitats for invertebrates; encourage wildflowers to grow, providing pollen and nectar for invertebrates; and increase food availability for birds.

The Trust’s Wilder Grazing Officer is meeting with each landowner to identify stock-proof walling and fencing needs and repair iconic drystone walls where they exist. Once this is in place, the movement of the ponies will be coordinated between sites and the impact of grazing monitored regularly.

The Trust is keen to set up a group of trained local volunteers who will deliver daily checks and support with animal movement where needed. Anyone interested in volunteering can find out more on the Trust’s website.

Will Week initiative raises £1,130

CHESTERFIELD’S Graysons Solicitors raised £1,130 for Ashgate Hospice recently with its Will Week initiative. The Glass Yard-based firm offered free will writing whilst encouraging a donation

to the charity for each one drafted.

Graysons also offered advice on other matters from powers of attorney to trust arrangements. Peter Clark, managing partner at Graysons, said: “I’m proud to say it was a very successful week. Every donation helps support the specialist care given at Ashgate Hospice, and making a will provides peace of mind that a person’s affairs will be handled in the way they wish in the future.”

Laura Law, senior individual giving and legacy officer at Ashgate Hospice, said: “We were so happy to once again have the support of Graysons Solicitors.”

Graysons were the main sponsor of the Butterfly Appeal at Chatsworth in 2023; and they also sponsored Ashgate Hospice’s 2024 ‘Big Thank You Party’.

They will be sponsoring the 2025 Dragonfly Appeal at Chatsworth.

Costly energy hotspots in Derbyshire

A SURVEY of the East Midlands’ costliest energy hotspots shows five Derbyshire districts in the top ten.

The research was conducted by commercial property marketplace EG Propertylink – and Erewash was top, with the lowest percentage of homes (38.2%) rated EPC Band C or above. The district has less than two-fifths of properties meeting minimum energy efficiency standards, residents are likely to face mounting energy costs.

In fourth place comes the Derbyshire Dales. Homes in this picturesque area could benefit from investments in energysaving technologies to combat escalating bills and reduce carbon footprints.

Eighth place is Derby, ninth is

Chesterfield, with less than half of homes (43.5%) rated EPC Band C or above, and tenth place is Amber Valley.

D-Day veteran to get ‘Freedom of Derbyshire’

DERBYSHIRE D-Day veteran Albert Keir looks set to be honoured with the Freedom of Derbyshire.

The County Council agreed to honour Mr Keir in recognition of his achievements during his life, including the part he played in the Second World War.

Albert, (99), of Bakewell, was an apprentice painter and decorator, and around 1939 he helped to camouflage hydro-electric dams and buildings before joining the Royal Navy in 1943 when he was 18. He carried out general ship and gunnery duties on his ship, the Flower class corvette HMS Potentilla.

He was part of the naval crew that ferried US troops onto Utah beach on D-Day on June 6, 1944, and he was awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honour (Légion d’honneur). Mr Keir received his medal from the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire at a service at Bakewell Church.

Following the war, Mr Keir worked as a painter and decorator for Derbyshire County Council but left to work at Furness and Hassels in Longstone before returning to the county council in the 1960s. He retired around 1990 aged 65.

Albert married Dorothy in 1954 and they were together for 66 years, having one son, Andrew. Dorothy died aged 87 in 2019. He has another son, Michael, from a previous marriage, and two grandchildren from him.

To honour the memory of fallen comrades, Mr Keir sold poppies for the Royal British Legion, becoming one of the longestserving sellers in the country, and he returned to Normandy in June last year with other veterans to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. While there he met King Charles and Queen Camilla among other dignitaries.

Above: D-Day veteran Albert Keir, of Bakewell, is to receive the Freedom of Derbyshire.

Mr Keir will receive his Freedom award this year.

Exmoor ponies will graze in Peakland in future.

POSITIVE CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF OUR BUSINESS!

Don’t take our word for it. This is what our customers think:

“3 weeks from start to finish! – and completely flawless!”

We walk along Chatsworth Road regularly and have passed the stunning 1st Class Kitchens showroom many times, often mentioning how impressed we were with the quality of the kitchens on display. Therefore, when it came time for us to organise a new kitchen for our own home, we had no hesitation in contacting the family-run team at 1st Class Kitchens. On meeting Dave, Helen, and Charlotte, we immediately felt the care, professionalism, and desire to help. This is the beauty of dealing with a company that is family run. You can pretty much guarantee the top level of personal service.

We weren’t quite sure what we really wanted, but on talking to the family, we were given gentle guidance based on our initial thoughts and ideas. This was a real eye-opener, as a

High

well-thought-out plan began to evolve. After this, Dave came to measure up and then created CAD designs. We were completely impressed with how he took our basic thoughts and came up with such creative and practical solutions.

The most impressive thing of all was the planning and project management. We were given a ‘schedule of work’ the week previous to commencement, and the team somehow stuck to it with rigid efficiency. They always turned up on time and finished whatever was scheduled for that day.

This was by no means a straightforward project. Karndean LVT herringbone flooring had to be fitted throughout; the electrics and lighting were moved; the revamp of the utility room was involved; and a brand-new kitchen installed. All within 3 weeks!

Our L-shaped island kitchen with booth

seating is simply sensational. The Carrara quartz is complemented beautifully by the reed green units. The Quooker boiling water taps is the ‘Jewel in the Crown’. There is so much storage. We now have the best of both worlds –a kitchen that is functional and a joy to live in.

To top it all, we wanted a few finishing touches, which were more aesthetic than anything else. To our near disbelief, Derek had completed these within an hour!

We were so happy with the work of 1st Class Kitchens, that we booked them again – within a month! This time they fitted beautiful Heritage green wardrobes in our bedroom. The way they maximised space at the top by extending the wardrobe height to our tall ceilings was really clever.

Excellent!

Sally, Newbold

“Perfect in every way!”

Our kitchen was 15 years old and looked tired. So, we decided to opt for a complete re-vamp with a view to opening the whole kitchen area into an all-in-one kitchen/diner. From initial contact to final installation, 1st Class Kitchens provided excellent service. Dave, Helen, and Charlotte translated our ideas and vision into reality with creative designs and a clear plan. This was a complete re-vamp and entailed fitting a new ‘putty’ colour, Shaker-style kitchen with black handles. The Bosch induction hob with built-in extractor is simply amazing. We can’t praise the tradesmen

enough. They were hard-working, punctual, efficient, tidy, and highly professional. What’s most important of all is that they were all comfortable to be around. We now have beautiful laminate worktops with full splashback, much more storage space, a Bosch micro/combi, the induction hob, integrated fridge freezer, LED underlights rebated into the cabinet, and a Composite sink. What a transformation! And they upgraded the utility room at the same time. Perfection! We would wholeheartedly recommend 1st Class Kitchens!

Mrs T, Somersall

“Highly recommended! They couldn’t do enough for us!”

We had our kitchen from 1st Class Kitchens in the autumn and we would highly recommend them. All aspects of the renovation were taken care of the design and finish processes were easy. Dave, Helen, and Charlotte couldn’t do enough for us! This kitchen consists of a textured slab door on a handless rail system, with Quartz worktops, angled breakfast bar and Siemens appliances. Mr F in Matlock

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49-53 Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield, S40 2AL 01246 271727

info@1stclasskitchens.co.uk www.1stclasskitchens.co.uk

Opening Times

Monday 9am - 5pm

Tuesday 9am - 5pm

Wednesday - by appointment only

Thursday 9am - 5pm

Friday 9am - 4pm

Saturday 10am - 4pm

T&Cs apply

Exhibition

extended at castle…

ANYONE who fancies a rare glimpse into the lives of some of the most influential women in Derbyshire’s history has not missed their chance.

Due to its overwhelming popularity, the ‘Fame, Fashion, and Fortune’ project has been extended and will now be on display at Bolsover Castle until early in 2025.

The project was due to conclude this year, but its popularity has led to venues across the region booking the exhibition well into 2025 and beyond.

The exhibition originally secured nearly £50,000 in National Lottery funding. Organised by Bolsover Parish Church, the project features recreated costumes and historical narratives that have attracted

thousands of visitors.  Graysons Solicitors has been its key sponsor and the firm’s Lacey Bates-Blinkho has played an active part in its success. She said: “To be involved in ‘Fame, Fashion, and Fortune’ has been a great privilege, and we’ve been thrilled to be part of its continued success.”

After its time at Bolsover Castle, the exhibition is set to tour stately homes, museums and venues in the region – more on that later.

A ‘Highly Commended’ Hub at hospital

THE Health and Wellbeing Hub at Chesterfield Royal Hospital has received a prestigious accolade, being named ‘Highly Commended’ in the Staff Wellbeing Award at the HSJ Awards 2024. This annual event celebrates success stories across the health and social care sector.

The Health and Wellbeing Hub opened in July 2023 – and is a free on-site facility supporting both the wellbeing of all 5,613 colleagues. Its purpose is to ‘care for carers’.

The initial predictions expected the Hub to engage with around 15% of the workforce. However, since launch, over 50% of colleagues have been engaged with the Hub.

The facility includes a fully-equipped gym, two studios to host groups and exercise classes, counselling rooms, changing room and shower facilities, bike storage and foyer space for colleagues to take time out, eat lunch and network.

White Ribbon Day Promise…

ON White Ribbon Day (November 25), many of the county came together at Matlock Town Hall to mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The launch event was held by The Willow Project, part of Rural Action

Derbyshire (RAD). RAD’s CEO Beverley Parker opened the event; followed by moving talks from Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, and Detective Inspector Adam Gascoigne, both of whom highlighted the urgent need to end violence against women and girls.

Attendees showed their commitment by signing the White Ribbon Promise: to never use, excuse, or remain silent about men’s violence against women.

The event also shone a spotlight on the shocking reality of violence against women: in the UK, a woman is killed by a man every 2.7 days; and a domestic abuse offence is recorded every 40 seconds by police in the UK.

Best Salon in Derbyshire – again!

MATLOCK salon Aspire Creative has once again proven to be a trailblazer in the hair and beauty industry, achieving remarkable success at the Salon Awards 2024.

For the second consecutive year, Aspire Creative has been crowned Best Salon in Derbyshire, with Aspire Creative also securing Best Customer Experience, Best Colour Salon and Best Salon for Hair Extensions awards.

Adding to the triumph, the talented team at Aspire Creative shone individually, with Creative Director and co-owner Jamie Hadleigh taking home the coveted title of Extension Artist of the Year, and Graduate Creative Gracie Clarke awarded the Future Talent of the Year award.

Ashley Orwin, Front of House Manager and co-owner, said: “I can’t put into words how proud I am of the salon family – from our incredible team members to our loyal guests, supportive family and friends.”

For more information or to book an appointment, call the salon on 01629 818322, go to aspirecreativehair.co.uk or hit their socials on @aspirecreativehair

Below: Celebrating success at the 2024 Salon Awards: the Aspire Creative team.

Above: Lacey Bates-Blinkho of Grayson Solicitors alongside a mannequin in the ‘Fame, Fashion, and Fortune’ exhibition at Bolsover Castle.

Embrace the Elegance and... LET THE LIGHT FLOOD IN!

New State-of-the-Art Glass Conservatory Roofs by HeatGuard

THE charm of a glass conservatory roof is not simply aesthetic – it’s also about the sense of openness it brings to your living space. The sprawling canvas of the sky above, viewable in all its glory, can be a priceless addition to your home.  Beyond the visual appeal, there are many other advantages of glass conservatory roofs, including year-round comfort, self-cleaning properties, reduction in energy bills and beautiful visual options to suit any property style.

Energy-efficient Solar Control Glass Conservatory Roofs

Recent significant technological advancements and improvements in the quality of glass conservatory roofs has resulted in a vast increase in energy efficiency. Modern thermally efficient glass significantly reduces heat loss during cooler months while deflecting the sun’s heat in the summer. Consequently, this provides an evenly tempered space throughout the year, lower energy bills due to reduced need for artificial heating and cooling, and a greener, more sustainable living solution.

Self-cleaning Properties

The self-cleaning products have been certified to EN 1096-5, the new European Standard for self-cleaning glass. Maintaining the pristine appearance of your roof has never been easier.

Longevity and Easy Maintenance

Despite their ethereal appearance, glass conservatory roofs are remarkably resilient. They are built to withstand harsh weather conditions, from heavy rain to snowstorms.

Maximising Light and Space

An integral benefit of a glass conservatory roof is the unparalleled influx of natural light it provides. Not only does this brighten up your space, but studies have also shown that exposure to natural light can improve mood and productivity. More so, the illusion of space that these roofs provide can drastically enhance the ambiance of your interior.

Glare Reduction

The Sunshade Blue is the best performing blue, solar controlled glass to date with fantastic solar and heat reflection properties of up to 82%. It also provides increased glare reduction.

Unrestricted Views and Stargazing Opportunities

One of the unique pleasures of a glass conservatory roof is the opportunity to stargaze without braving the elements. Similarly, during the day, you can enjoy panoramic views of your garden or the passing clouds.

RISING ARID DESERT FROM AN

The very last night club down the dissected Corporation Street, just before the A61 Chesterfield Bypass cuts the town in two.

In the first of two linked features, GodfreyHolmes examines some of Chesterfield’s newest architecture.

EVERY town has its landmark dates as well as its landmarks.

Intriguing it is, indeed, how radically Chesterfield’s town centre has altered in its landscape, streetscape, its skyscape, too, since the crunch date of 1985 – when Chesterfield’s spacious and well-stocked Public Library moved from the Mechanics’ Institute (later known as “Stephenson Memorial Hall”) to its new home in The Pavements.

We are now present at the birth of 2025, forty years later; and we are witnessing changes far more numerous between 2010 and today than between that initially innovative quarter-century 1985 to 2010. Different, perhaps less brutal, buildings: everywhere.

Yet new architecture never rises from the desert of flattened land unless it has front-loaded one or more anchor tenants. Not only guaranteed occupation; a nod towards projected adaptability. That’s where Chesterfield’s brand new Courthouse, built on Rose Hill

“new architecture never rises from the desert of flattened land unless it has front-loaded one or more anchor tenants.”

1963-65, metaphorically fell down. When that Courthouse moved from its fairly stern presence on West Bars opposite, the newer structure designed by Prof. S. Allen and Robert Keenlyside won almost every award available. Passers-by marvelled at its revolutionary use of reinforced concrete covered with decorative stone cladding; lots of glass, lots of roofs. But it never worked for lawyers, the accused, police – or the Magistracy. So it lay empty and vandalised for nine years before being rescued, postCovid, by a developer of apartments.

Any brand new architecture,

Above: United Rental Group: tarting up of an old hospital in a very key position immediately opposite the transformed Do’nut Car Park (truly arid).

Below left: Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre in Chesterfield: the measured “Middle of England”.

frequently redesigned after initially failing redevelopment, has an additional responsibility: to sit adjacent to closed department stores, duplicate coffee-houses, moribund charity shops, abandoned tailors, shut banks, also wooden trestles erected only for the occasional flea market. In other words – as so many home-owners have learnt to their cost – you are only as good as your neighbour. Nor is Chesterfield, a town formerly dependent on coal, steel, light and heavy engineering, able to revive itself overnight. Even with a strong base of commuters heading for the cities of Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield.

Since 2016, “Northern Gateway” has been Chesterfield Borough Council’s trump card: not only to improve entry into the North of England, but also of itself to create 500 new and highly-paid jobs. And this Gateway was announced in a manner nobody could have foreseen: trespassing upon the urban desert known as “The Do’nut”: that huge municipal car park created in the early 1970s at the fortuitous meeting-up of Saltergate, Newbold Road, Brewery Street, Corporation Street, and St Mary’s Gate; the soulless Markham Road Roundabout creating another automobileled desert downhill from the Crookѐd Spire. Therefore, once the clearers of deadly asbestos and archaeologists had quit the site, along came “Enterprise Centre,”

joint-funded by Sheffield City Regional Infrastructure Fund (£5.83 million) and the local council that sacrificed a few of its parking lots (£3.5 million). Also a total surprise: the dreadful Saltergate multistorey car park was totally remodelled, with a bit of that money reserved for the iconic, but mostly derelict, Co-operative Store on Elder Way. In fairness, the Co-operative Group itself chipped in a little cash, perhaps to atone for its former abandonment of so extensive a retail footprint.

But “Northern Gateway” is only half of Chesterfield’s ambition. The other half – a project largely stalled, or postponed, for two decades – is “Chesterfield Waterside,” its Venice of the North. This beautiful £340-million development, allegedly sustainable, incorporates a canal basin, an hotel, waterfront promenades, ice-cream kiosks, a dedicated car park; also 177 highquality homes: many already built, off-plan, on Arnold Laver land beside the old road to Brimington. All this with the promise of concessions for BHP Accountancy, Varley Clothing, and Rosen Wealth Management alongside assorted commercial tenancies, enticed by Waterside’s ambience and unimaginable glamour: incredibly Britain’s 47th largest Act of Regeneration.

And although “Levelling-Up” will go

down in history as a well-intentioned, but largely unfulfilled, national aspiration, the former Tory Government did contribute £20 million to the Borough Council’s third prong of its fork of incremental improvement: an 18-month-long revival of the Heart of Chesterfield Town Centre: three-quarters of that money awarded to Stephenson Memorial Hall; the remainder to tidying up Packer’s Row, Rykneld Square, Spire Walk; and two pedestrian passages: first from the Railway Station to

Above: Fast-food McDonald’s has replaced a terrible GPO car park on West Bars (West Bars is an outlier of Chesterfield Borough Council’s Revival of The Heart of Chesterfield).

Knifesmithgate; second from formerly Dent’s the Chemist to Rose Hill. Editor’s note: In the February issue, don’t miss part two: The quality of Chesterfield town centre’s (umpteen) new buildings.

A posing fox…

Reader Russ Teale, of Newbold, took a picture of this posing fox off Slatepit Lane, Eastmoor, in early December.

Above: Coun Dave Allen, who is retiring this year.

CARPETS

Integrity: The key to lasting success

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

AS 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

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.

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.

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.”

Customer reviews and feedback speak volumes

Here is a recent glowing review on Google: Ste Jay

I have recently used Holywell Carpets in Chesterfield to replace my stairs/landing carpets. I visited their shop; they have a huge range of carpets. Steve who runs the shop, is very helpful and knowledgeable of his trade. On the day the carpet was laid, the fitter arrived on time; he was polite and did an excellent job of fitting the new carpet and underlay,  I am very happy with  Holywell carpets, I would most certainly recommend.

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

Predicting the weather, thanks to Admiral FitzRoy

PREDICTING what lies ahead in the year to come is a difficult job; predicting the weather, however, is easier since Admiral FitzRoy and his barometers. We can be grateful for modern technology and our ability to be able to predict the weather. In earlier centuries, the most you could expect was the reading on the barometer to predict flood or drought.

It was in the 1860s that a famous English sea captain, Admiral FitzRoy, (the former Captain of Darwin’s exploration ship, the Beagle), provided a detailed weather forecasting script that he attached to his barometer inventions.

As a result, FitzRoy is credited with the beginning of the first published weather forecasting in the world. FitzRoy barometers turn up regularly at auction and rare examples will make over £1,000; the one featured here made £220 when sold recently in a specialist auction; and it came from a property in Bakewell. The amount seems disproportionate to the enormity of Admiral FitzRoy’s developments.

In 1854, FitzRoy was appointed as chief of a new department to deal with the collection of weather data at sea. His title was Meteorological Statist to the Board of Trade. This was the forerunner of the modern Meteorological Office. He arranged for captains of ships to provide information, and for computation of the data collected.

FitzRoy soon began to work on strategies to make weather information more

Above: A Victorian oakcased Admiral FitzRoy Royal Polytechnic barometer, with a special remarks panel, from a property near Bakewell. It made £220 in a recent auction.

widely available for the safety of shipping and fishermen. The invention of several different types of barometers was attributed to him. These became popular and continued

By Vivienne Milburn FRICS Independent

Antiques Auctioneer & Valuer

in production into the 20th century, characteristically engraved with Admiral FitzRoy’s special remarks on interpretation, such as: ‘When rising: In winter the rise of the barometer presages frost.’

A storm in 1859 that caused the loss of the Royal Charter ship inspired FitzRoy to develop charts to allow predictions to be made in which he coined the term ‘weather forecast’. The first daily weather forecasts were published in The Times in 1861.

In 1860, FitzRoy introduced a system of hoisting storm warning

cones at the principal ports when a gale was expected. He ordered fleets to stay in port under these conditions. Queen Victoria once sent messengers to FitzRoy’s home requesting a weather forecast for a crossing she was about to make to the Isle of Wight.

Editor’s Note: Perhaps you have antiques and collectables that might be valuable? If so, it is worth getting the advice of an Independent Antiques Valuer to assess them. For further information, please contact Vivienne Milburn on 07870 238788 or go to www.viviennemilburn. co.uk or email vivienne@ viviennemilburn.co.uk

Artist of the Month: John Parker

DawnAnderson meets a fine art photographer whose unique style has captured the atmosphere of some of Derbyshire’s oldest buildings.

IMET up with John Parker at a local café to tell me all about his work. Born and bred in Bolsover, he studied Fine Art in Hull, graduating with a first-class degree in 1989, but then entered the corporate world and his love of art was buried for many years.

Now in his fifties, he is entering his own renaissance period; since 2018 he has had the opportunity to focus on his love of art and, in particular, photography.

He specialises in capturing locations such as Bolsover Castle and Renishaw Hall, using a special infrared technique to create pictures that are both ‘ethereal and atmospheric’. His stunning images have been published in national magazines such as Black and White Photography Magazine and many others.

I ask him what it was that led to his renewed enthusiasm for art?

“I had a period of burnout from work and took some time out. As part of recharging, I started to go walking and actually had the time

Above: John’s photo of the Major Oak at Sherwood Forest.

Left: One of John’s photos in the exhibition John Parker, Following in the Footsteps of John Piper at Renishaw Hall.

Bottom left: John Parker holding his photo of Renishaw Hall garden outside the hall.

to notice the landscapes. Photographing them just seemed the natural thing to do. I’d always loved history, and I started to visit and take pictures of buildings that I loved. The spark came from there…”

This combined passion for history and art have led to the production of many unique images of places in Derbyshire, but it was the pictures of Renishaw Hall that led to a fantastic opportunity and an ongoing association. The images of the hall came to the attention of Renishaw’s manager on social media and (with John’s permission) were used on their own social media. The same manager had also noticed a similarity to the work of another artist allied to the hall, John Piper.

John Piper (1903-1992) was an official war artist who had created paintings and illustrations of the hall in the 1940s. Seventy of his pictures are still displayed there.

“I didn’t even realise that the collection was there,” John said, “but when I saw it, I could see that it had a similar vibe to my own work.”

John was asked to take part in a project celebrating the work of John Piper and spent six months photographing the hall. The output was the exhibition John Parker, Following in the Footsteps of John Piper. It was this alliance that led

CALLING

ALL

CHESTERFIELD ARTISTS:

LET’S PUT THE TOWN ON THE MAP!

FOR almost 20 years Derbyshire Open Arts has held its annual event, celebrating the wealth of creative talent in Derbyshire. It always takes place over the second bank holiday weekend in May (Saturday 24 to Monday 26 May).

Last year there were brilliant events all over Derbyshire, including Holymoorside and Dronfield, but sadly nothing in Chesterfield. It is time to change that and showcase the rich talent that Chesterfield is home to, writes Dawn Anderson.

If you are an artist and are interested in opening your studio in Chesterfield, or live just outside of the town but are interested in exhibiting in Chesterfield, please get in touch. This year I have volunteered to introduce artists and venues to each other in Chesterfield (a similar initiative is happening for other areas in Derbyshire).

If you are previously unaware of Derbyshire Open Arts, the concept is that local artists and makers show their work to the public, attracting art enthusiasts, collectors, and visitors from both local communities and further afield, but perhaps more importantly, stimulating the interest in the art of the local community. Many artists open their studios and give demonstrations of their work. Other artists group together to exhibit their work at local venues, often raising money for charity by providing coffee and cake.

For that one weekend in May you can tour Derbyshire, often plotting your own

route to see all kinds of fabulous art. There are no entry fees for visitors and anyone can participate. It also provides a boost to the local economy because visitors may dine, shop and stay locally.

Derbyshire Open Arts (DOA) is a voluntary organisation with a committee that promotes this mammoth event each year. For a small fee per artist, DOA will extensively market artists and their events in printed media (the brochure), online social media and local and national media, including TV where possible. They even provide banners and balloons for venues and a promotional pack for the artists. Feedback from those who have taken part (and those who have attended) has always been really positive.

Following the event last year, a few local Chesterfield venues got in touch to offer their spaces so it would be great to find artists that would want to exhibit or local artists willing to open their studios.

I am not an artist, although I am a creative (film and words are my bag!), I think that this could be the year that Chesterfield’s artist community could be represented as the vibrant community that it is.

Editor’s note: If you are interested in finding out more about the event, whether you are an artist, or have a venue, then please email info@ derbyshireopenarts.co.uk

Below: An Derbyshire Open Arts postcard for the 2025 event.

Top: One of John’s photos of Bolsover Castle.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS

John to a number of projects, and other opportunities, to explore his passion.

He took redundancy from his job a couple of years ago, which has meant that he has the time to devote to this alongside his carer responsibilities.

The work with Renishaw also gave John the confidence to offer his work for sale and he has several places where you can purchase prints, including the visitor centre at Renishaw.

John is also proud to be a member of Peak District Artisans (www.peakdistrictartisans. co.uk) a prestigious group of artists and designers based in and around Derbyshire who are recognised for their excellence in their chosen field. Through this group, he has exhibited at places including Haddon Hall and the Buxton Dome.

It is when we start talking about John’s plans for 2025 that he tells me about the band that he is in, Gogglehead (a prog rock band that is motivated by political and environmental issues). It seems that his interests and talents lie in more than one direction, but more on that another time!

If you want to see examples of John’s work, the exhibition at Renishaw Hall (www.renishaw-hall.co.uk) is still

running and there are various ways that you can purchase his art. There are plans for more exhibitions in 2025.

As I leave the café with a special Bolsover Castle picture that he has kindly given me, and the latest CD from his band, I am struck

A thriving art and craft collective

THE Derbyshire Makers (TDM) is a thriving art and craft collective with a membership of over 160 artists and makers all living and working in the county.

Sharon O’Connell, who runs TDM, said: “We pride ourselves on showcasing the best of hand-made arts and crafts in Derbyshire. All members produce the amazing original art, gifts and homeware that you see displayed in the shop and at all our events”.

The crowning glory of The Derbyshire Makers is their new shop at Peak Village, Rowsley. Peak Village (part of The Devonshire Group) has been very supportive of The Derbyshire Makers and encouraged Sharon to pursue the dream of opening a shop and gallery to give TDM’s members a permanent outlet for their work.

“After much hard work, the shop opened in May,” Sharon added, “and now hosts over 30 artists and makers, ranging from wood turners, glass makers, silversmiths, textile artists, soap makers, mixed media artists, potters… the list goes on. Our lovely customers are so supportive and happy

that they can buy original handcrafted gifts and art, all made in Derbyshire”.

There is also a rolling programme of exhibitions by TDM members in The Little Gallery (part of the shop) and they hope to start a full programme of art and craft workshops in the New Year.

As well as organising events, The Derbyshire Makers also offer business mentoring to their members, who are often running their creative enterprises alongside other jobs or while looking after families.

Sharon explained: “We try to help wherever we can by giving our members the tools to make their lives easier –whether it is organising markets, helping price their work or introducing them to other Makers. The small businesses that we deal with are predominantly run by women, who are often juggling child/ parent care and another job, too. Trying to create the beautiful art that they do, can often seem like an uphill struggle and any way that I can make that easier for them, makes me happy too!”

TDM’s website (www.

TheDerbyshireMakers.com) is the place to go to find out all the information

by the thought that it is never too late to follow your passions and that by being open to opportunities, they come and find you. Editor’s note: You can check out John’s work at Instagram: johiv1 Facebook: John Parker Fine Art Photography – and you can email him at jparkerphotographs@gmail.com

Above: Sharon O’Connell, who runs The Derbyshire Makers, at their shop and gallery at Peak Village, Rowsley.

about their events and how to join TDM. They also have an excellent Artists’ Directory where you will find links to many of their members’ own websites. So, if you are stuck for present ideas, why not pop along to their shop and discover the Aladdin’s Cave for yourself!

Above: A John photo of Renishaw Hall.

Record-breaking year for Chesterfield Golf Club juniors

YOU might be forgiven for thinking there was something in the water at Chesterfield Golf Club… for the club’s younger members have made 2024 the most successful junior year in the club’s 127year history – including the crowning of an English Schools’ Champion from within their ranks.

SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Eva Myer’s trophy haul during 2024 has been stunning and has led to international recognition. The Chesterfield Golf Club member began the year by being crowned Derbyshire Schools’ Champion. She followed this up with victory in the Midland Schools’ Championships at Trentham Park Golf Club, leading to qualification for the English Schools’ Championship Finals.

During the finals at Stanmore Golf Club in Middlesex, Eva didn’t just win, she smashed the adult course record with a stunning afternoon score of 69 to win the 36-hole competition by five shots.

But Eva wasn’t done. The success led to her appointment as captain of the England Schools’ team for a fixture versus Wales at Stoke Rochford Golf Club. Not only did she win plaudits for her leadership of the team as it secured a 13-8 victory, but Eva scorched to success in both of her games – winning her morning foursomes game alongside partner Emily Dixon by 7&5, and her afternoon singles match against the Wales captain Alicia Kelly by 7&6. At the time, Eva was an incredible five-underpar gross for the 12 holes she’d played.

At the age of 15, she was crowned Derbyshire Ladies’ Matchplay Champion for the second year running. During the year, Eva reached a playing handicap index of -1.8 and usurped Solheim Cup superstar Mel Reid to become the youngest girl to be awarded their adult Derbyshire county colours.

She’s now a member of the England regional squad and is already on the radar of the American colleges which recruit top young players from across the globe to join their scholarship programmes.

It could lead to becoming a professional golfer and is a far cry from first picking up a golf club as a seven-year-old, but Eva’s

feet remain firmly on the ground. After all, she’s yet to complete her GCSE examinations!

Eva, a pupil at Outwood Academy Hasland Hall, said: “I just love playing golf. If I’m not playing golf, I’m at the gym doing the routines I need to improve my golf or thinking about the next time I can play golf!”

If there was ever evidence of Eva’s new-found mental fortitude, it came in the England Champion of Champions event at Woodhall Spa Golf Club. Having struggled to find her form during the 36-hole competition against adults, Eva was languishing down the field. Remarkably, she birdied four of the final six holes to catapult herself into a sixth-placed finish. It is thought this show of maturity helped put her at the forefront of England selectors’ thinking.

Eva added: “I’m now part of the England Regional Squad, which is great, I love it and it is really helpful to my development. With my main golf coach being based in York, it means there is loads of travelling and I’m reliant on my parents. They’re amazing and without their support I simply wouldn’t be able to do what I do. The same with my caddy, Guy Rosewarne, who is a family friend. I’m very grateful.”

Eva said there’s nowhere she’d rather be practicing her skills than at Chesterfield Golf Club – and it is easy to see why among such a vibrant junior section, with over 50 members of all abilities.

“It’s amazing,” said Eva, adding: “I made friends when I first came to the club around eight years ago, and we’ve enjoyed learning together.”

In the school summer holidays mum or dad, Laura or Steve, will drop Eva off at the club early in the morning and collect her at the day’s end.

Steve said: “The junior section –led by junior organiser John Barker – is absolutely outstanding.”

Chesterfield Golf Club has a very clear pathway for junior development. It’s professional coaching team visit local schools to pique young people’s interest in starting golf. On joining the club, they enjoy group coaching sessions on the club’s short Academy Course, before progressing to the main 18-hole course. And Eva’s success was not alone during 2024. Fellow Chesterfield Golf Club junior member successes include: Archie Cole became the Derbyshire Schools’ Champion.

Derbyshire Girls’ Matchplay Champion was Gabby Auld.

Victory in the North Derbyshire Golf Sixes Championship for pre-handicap players for the fifth time in six years.

The club’s first string being crowned Derbyshire Junior League winners, with its second-string runners-up.

Sixth-place nationally in the Junior Champion of Champions.

Nine juniors representing Derbyshire at different age group levels.

Three of the five Derbyshire junior captains for 2025 to come from Chesterfield Golf Club.

Underpinning this success is the professional team of Jon Stacey, Ben Wyatt and Jenson Whitham, who all provide group and individual lessons at subsidised rates for junior golfers.

If you are interested in joining the juniors, contact the club on 01246 279256 or email: enquiries@ chesterfieldgolfclub.co.uk

England Schools’ Champion golfer

Eva Myers (16) with some of the trophies she won in 2024.

cloud inversions in the Peak District A wonderful sight:

Chris Drabble is a writer and photographer who ventures out into the Peak District in search of cloud inversions in autumn and winter.

CLOUD inversions are an incredible and spectacular yet elusive phenomenon that once seen, will never be forgotten.

Imagine climbing a hill on a cold, foggy morning and on reaching the top you suddenly find that you’ve walked out into bright, clear skies and all around you, below your feet, is a blanket of cloud that has poured into the valleys

and enveloped the landscape. Looking out across this ocean of cloud, the higher ground of distant tors and crags stand out like islands in a milky sea.

What causes cloud inversions?

The rule of thumb, under normal conditions, is that the higher you climb, the colder it gets. Conversely, cloud inversions are created by

an inversion of temperature where a layer of warm air at a higher elevation traps colder air beneath it and this results in clouds forming in the lower atmosphere.

Is it easy to predict such inversions?

Cloud inversions aren’t easy to predict, but certain weather conditions are conducive to their formation, for example:

cold, clear, still nights with a weather forecast for high pressure in late autumn, winter and early spring raise the probability factor by a significant degree.

How long do they last?

Cloud inversions usually disperse as the sun rises and warms the ground temperature through the day and so an early

A cloud inversion in the Hope Valley.

An inversion in the Derwent Valley below the Pinnacle Stone, Curbar Edge.

A mist inversion on the Chatsworth Estate.

start is recommended to be in position at sunrise, if you wish to see inversions at their best.

What are the best places to see cloud inversions?

To see inversions at their best you need to be high up and above the cloud. I have seen good inversions

from Kinder Scout, Bamford Edge, Stanage Edge, Mam Tor, Win Hill, Chrome Hill and Longstone Edge.

Editor’s note: Chris is a member of Bassetlaw Hill and Mountain Club and the Over the Hill Photographers Club. More of his photographs can be found at photo4me. com Alamy and 500PX.

A cloud inversion in the Derwent Valley.

Looking down on an inversion from Baslow Edge.

Thornhill enveloped in cloud.

1 The Wonderful Wizard (sand) of Oz! (5,5)

1 Shutting your mouth for road safety? (7,2)

5 They’re losers, so generating a snarl (4,4)

15 Headed towards a big tum, with restricted roots? (3-5)

18 What unaffected folk are, when sewing svelte hems (10)

Stepped on in the introduction (4)

Marco the minty one? (4)

Yippee@www? (5)

Donate four, within example from the Right (4)

Concept revealed by a die-maker (4)

Pitcherwits

2 Dark look as one badly deejayed without a corvid, say (7)

8 They don’t have much of a shelf-life in Hell! (9)

10 Crafty dip in the pool for one well fanned (3,4)

3 Something of an apogee, coming back to yourself (3)

4 A whole layer of apprehension (3)

6 Take a close peek, say, at Oriental hound (7)

7 Fuss, just from a bad omen (3)

13 Overt or not, it’s still beastly, doctor (3)

16 “Not-at-home-right-now” is a bit of a mouthful! (3)

17 Current resistance, starting with “Oh my goodness!” (3)

9 Hen landing clumsily on a wall near Swadlincote (7)

10 Has a whittle here, then trains the cur (7)

11 Pease for dessert in Bakewell? (7)

13 Etiquette dynasty? (7)

14 Heap of kit we sorted in Derbyshire area (5,4)

18 Bizarre roundabout route (5)

19 Looks down on Matlock Bath (but without condescension) (4,3)

22 Reliant on a reshaping of the back of the eye (7)

26 Find out, when left to get money (5)

27 Bradwell inventor caught out by famous lex difficile (9)

28 Village where the shopping is at its peak? (7)

30 Law with a dark twist west of Grangemill (7)

34 Blue base? (3)

35 Feedstuff made with kola and ice (3,4)

36 A horse carrying five, struggling East of Kelstedge (7)

DOWN

1 Pins up the ‘bargain’ (4)

2 We do get upset when it’s due (4)

3 Airs composed for the lady’s wear? (4)

4 Dog in Eyam once? (6)

Crossword

5 Fraud, as revealed bydisc amalgamation (4)

6 Sun operated turbo becomes unusable (5,3)

7 TNT store that blew up, S of Chesterfield (8)

8 Sell rubbish to crews at a place with Crags (8)

12 Said to be eye treatment, literally (3)

15 Short school bobby for teachers? (1,1,1)

16 Let on, foolishly, that it’s in the village (5)

17 Have a drink in Kirk Langley (3)

19 A liitle vacation on the stream just North of Derby? (8)

20 Peg out left wall for building an A617 village (8)

21 Designed again with dry sleet? Impossible! (8)

23 Non-flyer, wading in the mud (3)

24 Adopted relative to dry out inwardly, maybe (2-3)

25 Antagonist from the past (3)

29 Deal unsuccessfully in metal (4)

30 Absent from a wayfarer’s start (4)

31 Roald’s follower sounds like Indian cooking! (4)

32 All Blacks’ vests beginning to show tipple strength (1,1,1)

33 Scottish church at Ireton? (4)

GAME IS GOOD FOR YOU!

Game bird meat is in season now – and Barrie Farnsworth explains what it’s all about – and selects a pheasant recipe. On our other page, as it is Veganuary, we have selected a vegan recipe by tennis star Novak Djokovic, served in his restaurant in Monte carlo.

GAME meat is good for you and rich in flavour – and it’s in season now. Like wild deer, game birds enjoy a varied, foraged diet and plenty of exercise. As a result, pheasant, partridge and pigeon are all lower in fat, and offer more protein, iron, zinc and selenium than chicken.

Pheasant is the most well-known and plentiful game bird in the UK. The flesh has a subtler flavour than many game birds, making it the ideal choice for those taking their first plunge into the world of game. We have a pheasant recipe (right).

As the largest species of wild duck found in Britain, mallard is the most commonly used wild duck in restaurants up and down the country. The flesh has a distinctive rich, gamey flavour which works particularly well with fruits such as oranges and cherries.

There are two types of partridge – red leg and grey leg. Red legs are larger than their grey-legged cousins, and were introduced to the UK from Spain and France. Both are in season now but the native grey partridge (regarded by many as having the superior texture) is harder to come by.

Whichever species you try, both birds have delicate meat without a strong gamey flavour. Being a particularly small game bird, one partridge is the perfect size to serve one person as a main course.

Wood pigeon meat, unlike most game birds, is available all year round and has a firm but tender texture and tastes like a cross between beef and liver, some say.

Pan-fried pheasant breast with orange, cream and spinach

Ingredients

6 pheasant breasts, skinless & boneless

200g smoked bacon lardons

30g butter

250ml freshly squeezed orange juice

2 oranges, 1 zested, both oranges peeled & segmented

250ml double cream

Large handful of baby spinach leaves

Store Cupboard Ingredients

Flour, for dusting

Sea salt flakes

Freshly ground black pepper

200 ml rich chicken stock

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan.

2. Pat the pheasant breasts dry with a paper towel. Put the flour and a little

salt and pepper into a bowl, add the pheasant breasts and toss to coat.

3. Heat the olive oil and butter in a frying pan over a medium heat.  Add the pheasant breasts to the pan and fry for 3 minutes on each side until brown.

4. Transfer the pheasant breasts to an oven-proof dish. Add the bacon lardons to the pan and fry until golden. Using a slotted spoon, add the lardons to the pheasant breasts in the dish.

5. Add the stock and orange juice to the frying pan and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half.

6. Next add the orange zest, cream and mustard and stir well.  Reduce again until the sauce thickens a little.

7. Add a handful of baby spinach leaves to the sauce and cook until wilted.  Season the sauce and carefully stir in the orange segments.

8. Pour the sauce over the pheasant breasts and lardons, cover and cook in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the pheasant breasts are cooked through.

THIS is a lovely pheasant dish by Eat Game Ambassador Rachel Green, which is on the website eatgame.co.uk

It’s

Veganuary

V

EGANUARY is a charity dedicated to promoting a vegan diet across the world. It estimates that around 25-million people worldwide have gone completely vegan, or have at least tried it. Research shows that eating a plant-based diet is one of the best ways to reduce our environmental impact.

Veganuary is working with businesses to help them commit to increasing the proportion of their business that is plant-based. For example, Wagamama became in 2023 the first UK high street restaurant to offer an equal plant-based menu. Half of Ikea’s main meals served in its restaurants will be plant-based in 2025.

Tennis champion Novak Djokovic, (37), adopted a plant-based diet in 2010, motivated by the positive impact it had on his performance and health. Djokovic has credited his diet for his endurance on the court and with his wife Jelena has opened a vegan restaurant, Eqvita, in Monte Carlo, where they used to live. Here is one of Novak’s recipes, served in his restaurant.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC’S

CRISPY

MUSHROOM POLENTA

INGREDIENTS

¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

4 oz. portobello mushroom caps, gills removed, finely chopped

1 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme

1 tsp. smoked paprika

4 cups vegetable stock

1 cup uncooked instant polenta

1 tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1¾ tsp. kosher salt, divided

1 tsp. black pepper, divided

1 lb. oyster mushrooms

1 tbsp. lemon juice

2 cups loosely packed watercress

METHOD

1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add portobellos, and fry, stirring occasionally, until tender and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in thyme and paprika.

2. Bring stock to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat; gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in portobello mixture, parsley,

SERVES

4

1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Wipe skillet clean, and set aside.

3. Pour polenta mixture into a greased 8-inch-square baking pan, and smooth top. Press a sheet of plastic wrap lightly sprayed with cooking spray directly on polenta, and chill until firm, about 2 hours.

4. Heat 4 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cut polenta mixture into 8 (4×2-inch) rectangles. Add polenta, in batches, to hot oil, and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 4 minutes per side. Remove to plate.

5. Wipe skillet clean; add 4 tablespoons oil, and heat over medium-high. Add oyster mushrooms, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining ¾ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper; remove from heat.

6. Whisk together lemon juice and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a small bowl. Toss watercress with 1½ tablespoons vinaigrette. To serve, place 2 polenta rectangles on a plate; top each with ¼ cup oyster mushrooms and ¼ cup dressed watercress. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette, if desired.

A HOMEOPATH

‘IS LIKE BEING A DETECTIVE’

From the trauma of losing her family business, Amanda Townend has found her true vocation – and a strong desire to help others, as Fiona Stubbs discovers.

TO be a homeopath is like being a detective,” muses Amanda Townend, as she introduces her new practice in Chesterfield. “People often think a health issue has happened out of the blue but, generally, it hasn’t. Homeopathy teaches you to really listen to your patients and understand how they’ve got to where they are. Chronic conditions can hold us back in life. Helping restore health to patients is very rewarding and something I am experiencing on a regular basis.”

Amanda’s own journey to her practice, based at the Therapy & Lifestyle Clinic at Ashgate Manor, has been a long and transformative process. While she has been an advocate of homeopathy – an alternative medicine system – for many years, the creation of her own practice followed a devastating period during which her family’s food production business went into liquidation.

The experience led Amanda to reassess her life and to establish her homeopathy practice with a renewed social conscience.

She began a four-year training course through the North West College of Homeopathy in Stockport during Covid-19 lockdown. Initially, it was part of a long-term exit strategy from the business, Ananda Foods, she ran for 15 years with her husband, Russell. But a combination of external factors forced a change of plan.

Initially a photographer, specialising in weddings and

Amanda Townend.

Picture by Helen Rowan Photography.

Amanda in her new role as a homeopath, which she is thoroughly enjoying. She said: “Helping restore health to patients is very rewarding and something I am experiencing on a regular basis.” Picture by Helen Rowan Photography.

parties, Amanda gave up her career to raise her three children which, in turn, led to the creation of Ananda Foods.

“I was a mad baker,” recalls Amanda. “A couple of other mums said I should start a cake business but I didn’t think that was a good idea.

“We’re a vegetarian family and, one Bonfire Night, I was looking to buy some

WHAT IS HOMEOPATHY?

HOMEOPATHY was created in 1796 by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann.

It takes into account your current health condition, your medical history, significant life events and your family medical history.

Homeopathic remedies are made from natural substances such as plants and minerals – believed to trigger the body’s natural defences.

When treating patients, homeopaths ask questions about the patient’s mental, emotional and physical health – and tailor treatment accordingly.

vegan marshmallows to toast – but ended up having to source them from Canada.

“We were living in Sheffield at the time and our local health food shop – Zeds Wholefoods Ltd in Nether Edge – said they were always looking for vegan marshmallows, so I started making them – progressing to vegan wagon wheels.

“We baked our own chocolate biscuits, made the marshmallow filling and, wanting to work with other artisan producers, bought jam from Crewebased Mrs Darlington’s. The business supported our family for 15 years.”

Moves to Dronfield and Chesterfield followed for the family – while Ananda Foods operated from a production unit in the grounds of Gunstones Bakery in Dronfield.

were having European consignments held at customs for about three months,” explains Amanda. “They kept changing the paperwork and the rules on what we had to submit and [European] customers eventually just gave up.

“We used to supply to Selfridges but, due to the sugar tax, they had to limit the space where they could display sweet products and we lost out to their bigger brands.”

“We sold across the UK and in Europe, helped by the growth of the vegan movement throughout the 2010s”

“We sold across the UK and in Europe, helped by the growth of the vegan movement throughout the 2010s and the luxury treats market,” says Amanda. “We’d travel around the country to fairs and events. I really loved what we were doing.”

But a series of events including Brexit, the introduction of the UK sugar tax in 2018 and the cost of living crisis caused irreparable damage.

“When Brexit was implemented, we

The Covid-19 pandemic brought some respite in the domestic market: “To begin with, people were shopping online a lot,” recalls Amanda. “We started to do limited edition wagon wheels and gift boxes which were very popular.

“However, when lockdown lifted, we noticed that sales of everything went down. Even at events, people were holding on to their money.”

The cost of living crisis was the final straw: “As gas and electric prices rose, so did the cost of every single aspect of our lives. The price of chocolate rocketed.

“But people’s wages just haven’t matched these increases and independent businesses really suffer. We witnessed many

businesses closing before we did. Even some high street chains succumbed.”

Ananda Foods went into voluntary liquidation in September 2023 – with Amanda one year away from the end of her homeopathy studies.

“The plan had been for me to graduate before, ideally, selling the business,” says Amanda. “I still had a year of my course to complete, but it gave me time to focus on my training – trying to study and run a business was really hard.”

She adds: “I’d first used homeopathy when I was expecting my first child and, later, I used to take my children to a homeopathy clinic. I read books on the subject and was confident using and administering some treatments myself.

“Something about lockdown made me think I needed to qualify as a homeopath – and I’m really glad I did. It’s a vocation.

“It can be massively effective as my husband discovered after rock climbing falls affected his back and a really highstrength arnica treatment from a homeopath transformed a problem which doctors said could only be helped by major surgery.

“Homeopathy can be used to treat physical, mental and emotional health – it can help conditions from digestive issues to migraines, fertility issues to menopause, ADHD to OCD.

Above: The Wheel Re-invented, one of the Ananda Food products.

“I’m really interested in working with families. I’m already seeing some amazing progress in children struggling with conditions such as autism. I have just received a very moving testimonial from a parent I have been working with. In just five months, we have seen, not just a reduction, but a cessation of regular meltdowns that her daughter had experienced and a move from sleeping in her parents’ bed to being happily back in her own bed.

“I have been criticised for suggesting that autism can be treated with homeopathy, but the results speak for themselves. Autistic patients experience heightened responses and it is these responses that I focus on reducing.”

She adds: “There’s been an explosion of chemical applications in everything – from food to our surroundings. And we are now living in an age of chronic disease. Other cultures embrace homeopathy for treating conditions or ameliorating symptoms. In the UK it’s basically for anyone who can’t find relief from conventional means.”

In her new practice, Amanda has a sliding scale fee for homeopathy based on what people can afford to pay.

Her pricing policy is partly influenced by the financially difficult year she experienced between the end of her food business and qualifying as a homeopath.

“What happened to our food business has, ultimately, liberated me, giving me time to reflect on my life and what I want to do now – what can I give?” she explains.

Amanda adds: “I’m 50 now and have so much life experience … I have three children, I’ve been married for 25 years, I’ve run a business through which I’ve met all kinds of people from all walks of life. Everything we have to offer is enriched by our life experience.

“I genuinely want to make a difference to people’s lives and to establish a community of like-minded people, looking to live healthier, more joyful lives.”

Editor’s note: Find out more at https:// www.derbyshirehomeopath.co.uk

IT’S time to touch grass – quite literally! – as the fashion set takes inspiration from all things outdoorsy as we head into winter. From riding boots and tartan, to the cosiest knits and all things tweed, dressing like you’re heading off for a country house weekend has never been more in style.

Herringbones, checks and argyles conjure Brideshead Revisited’s Sebastian Flyte, Jeeves and Wooster, the Mitford sisters and the relaxed royal style of Balmoral. It’s the season where the best of British heritage brands come into their own – and look just as good on city slickers as they mosey around the Chatsworth Estate.

What’s more, opt for traditional quality and craftsmanship and it means your on-trend pieces will become a fixture in your wardrobe for many years to come. So get your Barbour coats at the ready, pull on your Fairfax and Favor boots and get ready to see winter out in style.

Tweed remains a

Continued from 70 staple in British winter fashion, thanks to its durability, warmth, and timeless style. This winter, tweed is taking the spotlight with fresh styles, patterns, and colours. Designers are embracing tweed jackets, coats, and even trousers, making them essential for any fashion-conscious winter wardrobe. Pair your tweed jacket with a crisp white shirt and tailored trousers for the ultimate in off-duty sophistication, or channel your inner Brontë heroine and invest in a longline tweed coat to

throw over just about any outfit at the drop of a (feather-adorned) hat. A traditional Argyle jumper is one of the best entry-points to this trend, and stylish versions can be found at just about every high street and designer price point, as well as being an easy find for the preloved and vintage shopper. Style yours with a midi kilt skirt and some leather riding boots or team with your favourite dark denim jeans and buckled ballet flats. The heritage trend is all about those muted, earthy tones so get ready for olive green, dark brown and charcoal grey to become your new palette of choice. Invest in a key piece or two to pair with your existing wardrobe favourites and you’re all set for a stylish New Year.

5. Supersoft Slouch Roll Neck Jumper, £139, Celtic & Co. www.celticandco.com

6. Camel cape, £189, John Lewis. www.johnlewis.com

7. Harley Long Puffer Coat, £170, Millie Overhead Fleece, £65, and Ceil Check Dress, £69, all FatFace. www.fatface.com

Judith

TLOTS OF ON THIS WALK great views

Parker Dixon creates a lovely walk this month over much of the Chatsworth Estate.

HIS undulating walk presents outstanding views of the Chatsworth Estate and surrounding area. The route leads upwards through Calton Lees to reach open pasture. We discover the Ball Cross Companion Stone and the ancient guide stoop before descending into Edensor, then heading across pasture back to the car park.

THE ROUTE

1. Leave the car park to turn right on the access road, and walk past the left turn to the Garden Centre. Continue ahead, to the hamlet of Calton Lees. At a grassed triangle, keep ahead on the public bridleway (signpost), whilst ignoring the right fork, which is a private road. With a stream on your left, proceed gradually uphill to a sharp, steep, righthand bend, followed by a sharp, left-hand bend, leading to a cattle-grid and Calton Houses. A short detour on a path (right

of the left-hand bend) leads to a seat – offering a superb view. Go through the hand-gate to the left of the cattle-grid, to walk past the converted holiday cottages. Soon, the roadway narrows to a stony, walled track, with woodland on either side. Continue uphill to pass through a gate and turn right. Follow this path, keeping a wall and woodland (right) and a grassy bank (left). As the grassland opens out, go through a gate in a fence and keep on the path leading towards the tree-line ahead. As the path advances, a solitary ‘Russian’-style cottage comes into sight. When directly opposite the cottage, turn left at the finger-post.

2. Keep to this path/track across the pasture, to cross a stile by a gate. Where the path becomes less clear, maintain direction between a wall and trees (far right), and a fence and grassland (far left); before veering slightly left to meet a gate in the fence to your left. A large pond will

have come into view. Turn right through the gate to go through another gate close to the water. Continue forward towards Ball Cross (waymarked). Keeping a copse of trees on your left, continue across the pasture and up the steep grassy mound ahead. On top of this mound, to the right, is a seat in front of a fence and trees. It is worth the short climb from the path to reach this ideal picnic stop and appreciate the exceptional view. Return to the path, staying ahead to access a walled track through a gate with an adjacent stile (can be very muddy here). Proceed to another gate and stile which lead directly to the road, just above Ball Cross Farm to your left.

3. Turn right and follow the road, firstly uphill, then downhill, to take the right fork at a Y-shaped junction. A few yards into this unmade lane you will meet the Ballcross Companion Stone (right) and the 300-year-old guide stoop (left). This Companion

Stone is circular in shape, etched with a spiral – the poem offering direction towards nature itself. Since its installation in 2010, the stone has become ‘accepted’ by the landscape as mosses and lichens grow on it. The guide stoop can be seen just over the wall, in the corner of a field opposite. This stoop is a Grade IIlisted monument, and is only one of five in the Peak District with lower-case lettering. Its pointing hands direct the traveller: east to Chesterfield, north to Sheffield and west to Bakewell. The name Ball Cross is possibly a version of Bar Cross, where a medieval cross stood at the top of the steep bridleway, or bar. Walk down this stony lane, taking care as it becomes more rutted. Keep ahead where it becomes a tarmac lane and continue downhill into Edensor.

4. At the end of a tall grassy bank, but before the church, turn right at a signed footpath. Take care up the uneven, stone steps to a metal gate which leads onto expansive grassland. Aim for the marker post ahead (diagonally right) and keep the road in sight. Stay ahead, walking between small groups of trees, to skirt the edge of a fenced wood (left). Walk uphill towards the

Edensor – such a pretty village. Picture by Brian Smith.

START: Carlton Lees car park; off the B6012, near Chatsworth Garden Centre. Grid Ref SK 258 685

DISTANCE: 6.5 miles approx

TIME: Allow 3.5 hours

MAP: Ordnance Survey OL 24 Explorer Map. Walking shoes/boots/clothing.

REFERENCES:

The Guide Stoops of Derbyshire, by Howard Smith. For more about Companion Stones go to www. companionstones.org.uk.

tree-line, using the marker post for guidance – to climb a stile by a high gate. Enter an enclosed, stony track and walk upwards to go through another gate onto pasture land. Note the ‘Russian’

style cottage (left). Keeping to the path ahead, retrace your steps downhill, to Calton Houses, Calton Lees and your car.

Editor’s Note: The author of this article, and the publisher,

have made every effort to ensure all the information is accurate. However, they accept no liability for any navigational issues or injuries or accidents, that may occur.

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A Station No More…

BUT THE TUNNEL REMAINS UNDER THE TOWN

THE Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company (MS&LR) opened what was known as the Chesterfield Loop in 1892, and a tunnel was built for the railway to pass below Chesterfield itself, with the station at the northern end of the tunnel on Infirmary Road.

The MS&LR, which was nearly fifty years old by then and ran from Manchester to Grimsby, considered that they should try to extend to London, which was the principal market for coal from its area.

In 1889, Parliamentary permission was obtained for a line from Beighton, where the MS&LR crossed the Midland Railway, to Annesley, and a branch to Chesterfield. This was the first step on the road to London.

The first section from

Beighton to Staveley Works opened in December 1891; and on June 4, 1892, the section from Staveley Town to Chesterfield was opened.

The station is pictured in the advert opposite – which

is from a rival company magazine, a Midland Railway guide to Chesterfield, published in 1899.

It was published a year after a cricket pavilion was erected at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield,

for the staging of a first Derbyshire CCC championship game, and it has since staged over 400 first-class matches.

The station became known as Chesterfield Central when the MS&LR changed its

Top Left:

This picture shows the Infirmary Road, Chesterfield, booking office (with platforms below), after the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway had renamed itself the Great Central Railway in anticipation of opening its new mainline to London –only a change of name for the station from the picture opposite, which is from a Midland Railway guide to Chesterfield in 1899. The entrance to the Chesterfield tunnel would have been just behind the photographer to the right. Picture taken from TP Wood’s Almanac for 1900.

Bottom left:

Chesterfield Midland Station is to the right on this late 1898 map extract – this station still serves the town. The Great Central Railway’s Chesterfield Central Station is to the left. The two parallel dotted lines running from that station are the line of Chesterfield tunnel. Both stations, especially the Midland, once had extensive goods facilities including warehouses. Chesterfield Brewery was latterly the site of the Trebor factory, which was demolished and is now the site of the Chesterfield Waterside regeneration scheme.

name to the Great Central Railway (GCR) in 1897.

The London extension opened to passengers in 1899 and its steam-hauled expresses from Sheffield to Marylebone Station were

the fastest in the country. In 1921, the GCR amalgamated with several other railways to become the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER).

The station closed in 1963 and was demolished

by 1973 to make way for Chesterfield’s inner-relief road, (the A61), much of which was built along the former trackbed of the GCR.

The 410-yard (370m) tunnel immediately to the south of

the station, which ran from Brewery Street to Hollis Lane, remains in place, sealed at its northern end due to the road construction and the southern entrance behind large walls.

Jan 23-25 Room on the Broom

THE SCREEN ON THE GREEN

THE Screen on the Green… returns in the New Year with a  lively comedy that will, hopefully, get us all back on track after a hectic festive period.

The screening will take place at the Loundsley Green Community, Cuttholme Way on Thursday, January 9 (6.30 for 7pm start).

The cost is just a nominal £4, and the film is Thelma, about a feisty grandmother who gets conned by a phone scammer and sets out to reclaim what was taken from her.

& Prejudice* (*Sort Of)  (Lyceum)

(Playhouse)

and Bagatelles  (Playhouse)

Room on the Broom  (Lyceum)

Punk Alley (Playhouse)

Sounds of Now: Quartet for Heart & Breath  (Upper Chapel)

(Lyceum)

(Playhouse)

and the King’s Horseman (Crucible)

SHEFFIELD ARENA

SHEFFIELD LYCEUM

WINDING WHEEL

Jan 17 Milton Jones: Ha! Milton

ENTERTAINMENT

THRILLING adventure – on the big screen! The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is bringing the latest action and adventure films to venues around the UK – including Buxton Opera House on January 31 and April 4, 2025.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival features two new collections of short films packed with extreme expeditions, intrepid characters and stunning cinematography.

“Buckle up for a night of nail-biting adventure – from the comfort of a cinema seat!” says tour director Nell Teasdale.

As well as gripping films, each event

A PACKED PROGRAMME…

AWARD-WINNING classic car museum, Great British Car Journey, has revealed its packed programme of themed classic car events for 2025.

Located at Derwent Works in Ambergate, Great British Car Journey will play host to car clubs and themed days in celebration of all things motoring.

The events are open to everyone, whether they drive a classic or not. However, there is discounted entry for visitors who arrive in a vehicle corresponding to the theme.

There’s even the chance for car owners to win a prize at some of the events with the popular Masters of the Marque Awards, sponsored by Wera Tools UK Ltd, a specialist tool manufacturer, returning for a second year.

Every car at the designated Masters of the Marque events will receive a commemorative metal plaque, while winners will receive a glass trophy and items from the Wera Tools range.

Visitors are encouraged to book in advance for discounted entry to the events. To book or find out more details, visit www. greatbritishcarjourney.com/events-calendar

features a free prize draw for outdoorsy goodies from the tour’s partners.

Banff tour films are chosen from around 500 international entries into the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, which is held every November in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

For more information and to book tickets, see www.banff-uk.com.

High in the Dolomite mountains – one of the Banff Mountain Festival films.

ROCKTASTIC!

STEVE Steinman’s epic new original rock musical Vampires Rock Eternal Love is on at Buxton Opera House from February 6-8 inclusive (shows start 7.30pm daily). It’s thought to be the first rock musical featuring an original score for 50 years.

Eternal Love: The Musical is the latest chapter in the Vampires Rock franchise, and features Steinman once again in the lead role of the charismatic – but very funny – vampire Baron Von Rockula.

A NEW BALLET FOR CHILDREN

NORTHERN Ballet’s heart-warming new ballet for children, Hansel & Gretel, will be touring to theatres across the UK in spring 2025.

In an environmental reimagining of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel take a trip into the forest, unaware of the damage they leave behind. When they get lost, the siblings meet a host of spirited friends who teach them how we can all better look after the planet – and have some fun along the way!

The 40-minute ballet is designed for children aged three and above and their families to experience live dance, music and theatre together.

There are three shows – at 11am, 1pm and 3pm – at Buxton Opera House (buxtonoperahouse.org.uk) on May 27.

dates to whatson@reflections-magazine.com