Melbourne Life February 2023

Editor Vanessa Preece 01530 417739

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Advertising/Accounts Website/What’s On info@lifemagazines.co.uk

www.melbournelifemagazine.co.uk facebook.com/melbournelifemagazine @MelbourneLifeUK

Part of Ashby Life Ltd

Rockleigh House 37 Burton Road Ashby de la Zouch LE65 2LF

Welcome

Welcome to February’s issue, which is packed with practical advice.

We have articles on local gift ideas for Valentine’s Day, top tips on choosing a vet, two delicious seasonal recipes and this month’s essential gardening jobs from Francesca Sinclair.

We’ve also got a whole host of community news. We bring you the latest updates from the National Forest, the National Garden Scheme, Melbourne Assembly Rooms and more.

As always, we also have a round up of events happening in and around the area this month and a fantastic competition to win an afternoon of family fun for four at Sunnyside Adventure.

Melbourne Life is an independent publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the editor. The use of this magazine for canvassing or direct marketing is strictly prohibited. Information is included on the What’s On and Community Board pages subject to space being available. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, Melbourne Life cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions or endorse companies, products or services appearing in this magazine. All adverts are published in good faith using information supplied by each company, on the understanding that relevant permissions have been obtained.

Would you like to advertise with us?

It’s a fantastic way to target potential customers and great value for money. See www.melbournelifemagazine.co.uk or call us on 01530 417739 for details.

Until next time, Vanessa

Later Life Planning – Part 3

Bereavement

If a close family member should die, it may be your responsibility to make the necessary arrangements; including:

• Obtaining the medical certificate

• Registering the death

• Arranging the funeral

• Notifying Government Organisations and Financial Institutions such as Banks, Pension Providers etc

• Applying for a Grant of Probate if one is required and report any potential Inheritance tax obligations.

If your spouse or civil partner has died

If your spouse or civil partner dies without a will, then inheritance will follow intestacy rules. Otherwise, you will inherit according to the will.

You may also be entitled to some or all of their pension, though this will depend on what kind of pension they had.

Financial arrangements after bereavement

Bereavement has many financial implications for the surviving Spouse/Partner. Furthermore, the needs of the survivor may change.

Considerations may include:

• Mortgages and/or loan repayments

• Pensions

• Savings and investments that were not jointly held

• Property and other assets

The surviving partner may be left to sort through a great deal of financial information, which can be an additional stress at an already difficult time. A financial adviser, particularly one that deals with Probate applications and executor responsibilities can take this burden off your hands and

ensure that everything is dealt with correctly.

If you have any questions relating to the above or any other aspects of your financial arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If you

were not married or in a civil partnership

It is vital for partners who are not married (or in a civil partnership) to make wills, as you will not inherit anything unless your partner named you as a beneficiary in their will. Any inheritance received in this way may also be subject to Inheritance tax.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day locally

When planning that special gift for your loved one this Valentine’s Day remember to shop local and support one of the many small businesses in our area. Here’s just a small selection of what’s on offer:

The Stables

This Valentine’s Day, The Stables, based at Staunton Harold, will be offering a 3 course menu, including mouth-watering options such as scallops with crushed hazelnut butter; slow-cooked beef with chef creamy mash and traditional pineapple upside down cake with custard. Priced at just £39.95 per person, with pre-booking essential. Either call in & speak to one of their friendly team, call 01332 864617 or email thestauntonstablesteam@gmail.com to book.

Breedon Priory Spa

A gift voucher for an experience at Breedon Priory Spa would be a thoughtful gift. There’s nothing quite like a visit to their Wellbeing Suite to boost your health and happiness. Gift your loved one the chance to take some much-needed time out in the thermal areas, to experience relaxing showers or to take a dip in one of the outdoor pools before enjoying quiet time in either the relaxation area, sun terrace, spa garden, or slumber room. Prices start from £75 for a Twilight Taster spa evening. See details online at breedonprioryspa.co.uk

Melbourne Deli

Mezze style grazing boxes, freshly prepared by Melbourne Deli, are the perfect accompaniment for a romantic walk in the stunning nearby countryside & can be created to cater for most dietary requirements. They also have a variety of seasonal sweet treats available, including artisan chocolates and truffles. You can find them on Facebook by searching ‘Melbourne Delicatessen & Kitchen’ or by calling 01332 468 019.

Melbourne Florist

Melbourne Florist, located on Market Place, have a great selection of cut blooms and lots of gorgeous bouquets, with something to fit most budgets. They can even create something bespoke if there are flowers with a special meaning for your relationship. While red roses are a classic choice to say ‘I love you’, red tulips also symbolise true love, while their yellow counterparts mean ’there is sunshine in your smile’. See www.melbourneflorist.co.uk

WIN a family afternoon of fun at Sunnyside Adventure!

Sunnyside Garden Centre

has been established on Leicester Road in Ibstock for many years but did you know that in 2022 they launched the brand new Sunnyside Adventure with the largest indoor adventure play frame in Leicestershire?

Their five floor play frame has more than 100 features to explore including a four lane Astra slide, a spiral slide, drop slide, blaster cannons, ball showers, cargo nets, tunnels and even a selfcontained football pitch. They also have separate areas for babies and toddlers.

They are open from 9am to 6pm daily with three sessions running from 9am to 11.45am, 12noon to 2.45pm and 3pm to 5.45pm.

The Adventure Cafe sells freshly made food and drinks for everyone to enjoy including an all day breakfast menu, jacket potatoes, paninis, hot dogs, stone baked pizza and kids snack boxes. All food is cooked fresh and to order.

Sunnyside Adventure is a great place to play, eat and relax. They also have party packages available to help you celebrate their big day with friends. You can find out more about Sunnyside Adventure and book a session online at www.sunnysideadventure.co.uk

WIN, WIN, WIN!

One lucky person could WIN a family voucher for two adults and two children for one play session plus food and drinks up to the value of £40. To be in with a chance of winning simply email competition@lifemagazines.co.uk with the subject line ‘WIN with Sunnyside Adventure’ and let us know your name, address and contact telephone number. Be quick as you only have until midnight on Friday 24th February to enter. See www. melbournelifemagazine.co.uk for full terms and conditions.

The winner will be entitled to one family voucher for two adults and two children for one Sunnyside Aventure play session and food and drink in the café up to the value of £40. The prize must be redeemed within six months of the closing date of 24th February 2023. The winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries. The winners name will be published on our Facebook page. Multiple or automated entries are not allowed. We will not pass your details on to any third party. Terms and conditions apply.

e Dower House Garden

On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February, between 10am and 3pm each day, the garden at The Dower House, in Melbourne will be open to the public in aid of the National Garden Scheme. The garden has a breath-taking view facing south over Melbourne Pool, viewed from a balustraded terrace running the length of the house. Paths and steps descend either side of this terrace down a huge bank covered in roses and shrubs to the lower lawn.

A rose tunnel divides the garden which has numerous paths leading to different areas, each providing a variety of planting opportunities: a bog garden, dry banks, the dappled shade of a glade, an orchard and shrubbery, a small rockery and a little woodland with many island beds. There are many seats around the garden where visitors may pause to take in the views.

The February opening will show a garden full of snowdrops, aconites, winter clematis,

winter honeysuckle, daphnes, witch hazels, irises, crocus, cyclamen and many other winter flowering plants. There will be tea, coffee and cake and we will hopefully have a roaring fire in the cottage to warm hands and feet before or after braving the garden. Admission will be £5 per adult. See findagarden.ngs.org.uk/ garden/20945/the-dower-house.

The National Garden Scheme gives all the money raised at garden openings across the country during the year to various charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Hospice UK, Marie Curie, The Carers Trust, Parkinson’s UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute. Last year £3.11 million was raised nationwide.

Local Events

Up to Saturday 25th

February

Peaks & Moors Exhibition Creative Melbourne Gallery continue their first exhibition of 2023. Make sure to head along to view paintings and prints by a variety of artists including Giles Davies, Zara Lewis, Andrew Mason, Steven McLoughlin, Alison Wake and Peter Watson. The gallery is located at Wellington House, Church Street, Melbourne, DE73 8EJ and is open 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Saturday each week. See www.creativemelbourne.co.uk for details.

Friday 3rd February

Bamford’s

Antiques

Valuation & Discovery Day Join Bamford’s Auctioneers and Valuers on the first Friday of the month at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, Swadlincote for Antiques Valuation Day from 2pm to 4pm. Discover the

true worth of your valuables and any treasures you may have. Free Entry. Donations towards the museum welcomed per item valued. See www. sharpespotterymuseum.org.uk for details.

3rd, 5th, 6th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 17th & 19th February

In the Steps of Servants Tours lasting around 1 hour will be running twice a day at 11am and 1.30pm in the house at Calke Abbey. Follow in the footsteps of the people who made Calke tick. Discover the servant’s stories and the contributions they made to this great estate. Visit spaces specifically connected to the servants, such as laundries and the kitchen and some of the spaces not seen on the normal visitor route. No booking required. Spaces available on a first come first served basis. Free event (admission fees apply).

Sunday 5th February Craft Market

Yours 2 Mine Craft Markets will be hosting their latest craft market at Melbourne Assembly Rooms, High Street, Melbourne, DE73 8GJ between 11am and 1pm. Browse for a bargain and be inspired by the variety of beautiful handcrafted items on sale from home décor to cards, paintings and prints to crafts and gifts or jewellery and accessories. Refreshments available.

Tuesday 7th to Friday 10th February

Stepping Out

Richard Harris’s award-winning comedy Stepping Out is coming to Loughborough Town Hall with a top-class cast from The Festival Players. Stepping Out follows the lives of seven women and one man attempting to tap their troubles away at a weekly dancing class. Over the course of several months, we meet the group, and all of them have a story to tell. Show starts

7.30pm. Tickets cost £16. Book online at www. loughboroughtownhall.co.uk/events

Wednesday

8th to Saturday 11th February

The Little Shop of Horrors Cabaret Theatre Company invites you to see their latest production Little Shop of Horrors, based on the film by Roger Corman at The Brewhouse Centre in Burton. An award-winning musical comedy, Little Shop of Horrors tells the story of a poor florist hungry for change, a young woman hungry for love, and a plant that’s just plain hungry. Join them for a show full of fabulously freaky horticultural happenings but just remember…DON’T FEED THE PLANTS! Matinee Performance on Saturday 11th February at 2.30pm. Evening Performance on all other days at 7.30pm. Tickets £15 - £17. Call 01283 508100 or book online at www.brewhouse.co.uk/ events

Saturday 11th February

Good Old Fashioned Jumble & Table Top Sale Head along to Ticknall Village Hall from 10am through to 12.30pm and grab a bargain while enjoying a tea or coffee and helping to raise funds for the local foodbank. Table available to hire. Please contact Mary Magson at marymagson@aol.com for further details.

Tuesday 14th February

Ticknall Garden Club

Ticknall Garden Club meet on the second Tuesday of each month in Ticknall Village Hall. Meetings begin at 7.30pm. Knowledgeable speakers cover a wide variety of topics of

interest to experienced and not-so-experienced gardeners. The talks are followed by a social half-hour, with refreshments, when plants can often be purchased and gardening tips exchanged. This month sees the return of favourite Darren Rudge talking about ‘Plant Propagation Made Easy’. Members £2, visitors £4. See www.ticknallgardenclub.org.uk

Thursday 16th February

Melbourne Footpaths Group

This local group meet one Thursday of each month and embark on a local walk in and around Melbourne, exploring the heart of the National Forest. This month’s walk will be a circular route beginning at Castle Square, Melbourne and will be a 5 mile walk. Meet at 10.30am. Email melbournepaths@gmail.com to book a place. A small donation is requested to cover Public Indemnity insurance and expenses improving local paths. See their Facebook page for all the latest news.

Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd February

Tales from Acorn Wood

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved Tales from Acorn Wood stories are brought to life on stage at Derby Theatre for the first time in an enchanting lift-the-flap experience. Packed full of toe-tapping songs, puppetry, and all the friends from Acorn Wood, this beautiful show from the team that brought you Dear Zoo Live and Dear Santa promises to be the perfect treat for children of all ages. Show times 10.30am and 1.30pm. Tickets £16.50 adults, £14.50 under 16s. Book online at derbytheatre. co.uk/whats-on/

We always recommend you check with the event organiser before you visit to confirm details.

It’s FREE to feature your event on this page or on our website. Please submit your full event details online at www. melbournelifemagazine.co.uk/submitevent.html. Deadline for submissions for the March issue is Thursday 16th February. Life Magazines cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. For any queries, please email info@lifemagazines.co.uk

e Shirley Monuments

As 14th February is the Feast of St Valentine, this is a good opportunity to tell you a bit more about the largest monument at Breedon, the tomb of Frances and George Shirley. It was erected by George in 1598 to commemorate his wife, who had died in childbirth in 1595. Her epitaph, much longer than that of her husband, extols her many virtues including modesty, integrity and faithfulness.

The elaborate nature of her tomb is a testament to George’s devastation at her death, as well as perhaps being an apology, as in 1598 George married Dorothy, the widow of Sir Henry Unton. She was a remarkable woman who forced George to sign a pre-nuptial agreement heavily in her favour and who commissioned the Sir Henry Unton portrait, one of the most remarkable pieces of Elizabethan Art. George’s second marriage does not appear to have been as successful as his first – the couple lived in separate households and upon their deaths both were interred with their first spouse. Perhaps George would have been better sticking with just the one wife!

If you want to know more about the Shirley monuments installed at Breedon, our Heritage Officer, Dr Rachel Askew, will be giving a talk on them on Tuesday 28th February at St Helen’s Heritage Centre, Ashby (£3 on the door). Entitled ‘Catholic Resistance and Subterfuge at Breedon’, it will explore how the Shirley’s celebrated (and even flaunted!) their faith during a period when being a Catholic was an extremely hazardous occupation.

Images © Martin Vaughan

Pets A vet for your pets

While our visits to the vet may be infrequent, it’s still important to want to feel as if the specialist you choose is as invested in your pet’s welfare as you are. So with that in mind, here are a selection of things to consider when it comes to choosing one who understands both your needs and those of your little buddy.

Word of mouth

Whether your passion is a dog, cat, budgerigar or Burmese python, pet owners are a social community and rarely shy away from sharing opinions, both positive and negative.

That means the pet parents among us will always be the best source for reviews, so rather than just believe the hype of some website marketing, jump on social media and see who is well rated locally.

Read the paw print

Pet healthcare is often pricey, and cost is the biggest factor we attach to our selecting of a vet. That means clarity is key when it comes to arranging healthcare for your dependent, so check detail and ensure the extent of potential fees. And of course, while it’s always wise to have pet insurance, ensure your vet is willing to co-operate with your policy holder to provide a seamless, stress-free service.

Listen to your animal instinct

The best care often means feeling comfortable and happy from the minute you walk in the door, so visit your prospective surgery and make sure it suits you and your pet.

Look out as well for a few tell-tale signs of the establishment’s commitment to the animals it treats. Are there clean bowls of water left out?

Perhaps you can spot blankets and toys for anxious animals? Are posters and information messages up to date? If all these boxes are ticked, it offers good signs your pet will be in good hands.

Follow the pack

It follows that a busy veterinary practice is generally a good sign that they offer decent care for reasonable prices. Therefore, as long they aren’t so oversubscribed that you can’t get an appointment, don’t be put off by a little paw traffic.

Stay on your turf

We all know that medical emergencies rarely fit a sociable timetable, and is vital to know that you can get your pet the help they need any time, day or night. This not only means choosing a practice you can get to easily, but also one that offers emergency care without you having to venture too far afield.

Could give this bundle of hope the best start in life? you

Can you help a puppy to become an amazing assistance dog, to transform the life of someone with disabilities?

We are looking for dedicated people with the time and energy to care, socialise and give basic training to one of our future assistance dogs.

This is a rewarding voluntary role, caring for a puppy from 8 weeks to between 14-18 months. You will learn new skills, make new friends, and be supported every step of the way.

You will receive a puppy starter pack, plus all the puppy’s food and vet bills will be covered.

One of the most rewarding things you could ever do for yourself, for the puppy, and for a person with disabilities, join us as a Puppy Parent volunteer.

Please mention MELBOURNE LIFE when responding to adverts

Canine Partners, registered charity in England and Wales (803680) and Scotland (SC039050).

Lisa Faulkner’s Choux Hearts With Berries

Having met her now husband, John Torode, on the 2010 series of Celebrity MasterChef – on which he was a judge and she a contestant – Lisa Faulkner knows full well that food is the language of love. So, what better way to woo your beloved on Valentine’s Day than with these stunning choux hearts?

Method

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. Put the butter and water in a medium saucepan, add the salt and sugar, and bring to the boil. Ensure the butter is melted. Remove from the heat, add the sifted flour all at once and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes away from the sides of the pan. Return to the heat and cook for 2 minutes until the paste is pale. Cool a little.

2 Add the beaten eggs, a little at a time, incorporating fully with a wooden spoon after

each addition. The mixture will go glossy then back to dull. Add the eggs until the mixture is shiny again and it just drops off the wooden spoon. Cool the mixture for about 10 minutes. Put in a piping bag and pipe heart shapes on to a baking sheet dampened with a little water.

3 Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes then reduce the temperature to 160°C, gas mark 3, and bake for a further 15-20 minutes until golden.

4 Pour the cream into a chilled bowl and whisk, either by hand or with a hand mixer, until stiff peaks form. This may take a few minutes.

5 When cooked, turn the hearts over and pop back into the oven for 2 minutes to dry out a little. Split each heart in half horizontally and then spoon or pipe the whipped cream on the base. Top with the other half and fill the centre with the fruit. Serve immediately.

Ingredients (makes 8)

For the choux pastry

• 90g butter

• 360ml water

• pinch salt

• pinch sugar

• 110g plain flour, sifted

• 3 whole eggs, beaten well

To serve

• 500ml double cream

• 400g mixed fresh berries

Top Tip:

Be careful not to overwhip your cream. As soon as you have firm peaks (you should be able to hold the bowl over your head without it spilling out!) you should stop.

If berries aren’t your thing use whatever fruit you prefer… mango and passion fruit, for example.

Can you help us grow the Forest?

Here in the National Forest, we’re working to create a greener, healthier and more sustainable future for everyone, by creating more natural spaces for people to connect with nature, planting woodland habitats that will help wildlife to thrive, and providing new opportunities for businesses. However, we need the support of our communities, businesses, and landowners in the Forest to continue to make this happen. That’s why we offer a range of grant schemes to help create and manage the Forest across a variety of work areas, from tree planting and habitat creation to tourism and health and wellbeing.

For landowners in the Forest, our forest creation grant schemes, can provide funding to cover, design, planning, and up to 100% of the implementation costs of the creation of new woodlands and other habitats, helping you to increase the potential of your land through better yields and new diversification opportunities, reduced flooding and soil loss, and increased nutrient recycling.

Our Freewoods grant scheme supports the creation of woodlands from as little as 0.25 hectares and woodland blocks can be as small as 0.1 hectares, making them easier to fit into a busy farm, whilst our Changing Landscapes scheme is for projects and woodland creation of 1 hectare or more. We can support environmental and biodiversity improvements through the creation and management of habitats such as meadows, wetlands, ponds, parkland, and hedges. The grant also supports paths, roading, signage, community engagement, and public access. Our Parkland scheme support projects as little as 0.25 hectares

and three trees and offers an easy way to make a difference as wood pasture is a UK and National Forest priority habitat.

Or perhaps you’re a group leader or wellbeing organisation? Our Forest Society grant aims to support the health and well-being of residents and communities within the National Forest, using local woodlands to harness the well-being benefits of spending time outdoors. This year we’re looking to award between five and seven grants of £1,000 and £5,000 with a particular interest in supporting innovative projects that connect people with nature to support their mental health resilience, and those focusing on young people aged 11-18. The deadline for applications for this grant is Monday, 13th February 2023.

Last year we introduced our Sustainable Tourism Grant to support businesses with their continued recovery from the pandemic, and to encourage them to invest wisely now to create a greener future for the sector. The second round of grants will reopen this month, so keep an eye on our website for further updates on this.

If you’re a landowner, organisation, or community group in the National Forest and would like to support our work, you can find out more about our grant schemes and check if you’re eligible for funding by visiting our website or emailing grants@nationalforest.org

© Visit England

Question Time with FISHERS SOLICITORS

The hardest part of getting a divorce is often working out the financial arrangements. The Courts encourage you to agree on these yourselves but will get involved if that isn’t possible. These arrangements usually go together with your childcare agreement so emotions can run high. The aim is to ensure that everything is divided fairly and that your children’s needs are met. Here’s our guide to the factors a Court will look at so that you can try to work things out for yourself.

What will you need in the future?

One of the main aims of a financial arrangement in divorce is to give you a clean break. You need to consider what you’ll both need in the future. If the children are going to live with one parent most of the time that could mean that they keep the marital home. The other might need funds to find somewhere else to live unless you’re moving in with a new partner.

What do your children need?

In a divorce, the children’s needs always come first. Your financial arrangement will go hand in hand with your childcare arrangements.

It’s important to look at your children’s living costs, childcare, and other things such as holidays and after-school activities when working out how much you’ll each need to take care of them.

What’s your earning capacity?

Each partner’s earning capacity and potential earning capacity are important when it comes to your financial arrangement. If you’re both

relatively young and working full-time then a clean break can be easy.

The Court will also look at any future assets you might receive, for example, inheritances, business income or pension income. If you have a pension but your partner doesn’t it’s worth considering giving them additional assets to balance things up.

Your contribution to married life

As a married couple, you worked together to build a life. That could mean that one of you worked full-time while the other took care of the children. The Court considers this to be an equal contribution to the marriage and they’ll award financial assets accordingly. It’s important to remember that if you’re trying to reach an agreement yourselves, it might mean giving up assets that you consider yours to make things fair, for example, an inheritance from your side of the family or money you earned before you met.

How have you both behaved?

It’s a common myth that where one spouse has committed adultery or behaved badly, the other will keep most of the assets. This isn’t generally true, but this can happen in rare cases.

Financial arrangements after divorce can be complex so it’s important to get professional advice. If you need help agreeing on a financial settlement, find out more and contact us today: https://www.fisherslaw.co.uk/family-law/

If you have a question for “Question time with Fishers Solicitors” please send it to enquiries@fisherslaw.co.uk your trusted legal advisers

Or speak to Andrew Robinson, Head of Family Law

I am getting divorced, how can I sort out the financial arrangements with my husband?

Focus on Crocus

The spring crocus is so joyous. They are hardy and perennial so they will keep coming back each year. The leaves are small and die down in late spring disappearing completely so no residual messy leaves are left. Crocus prefer conditions that are free draining rather than waterlogged and can be great for pots and rockeries as well as planting in drifts in the grass or under trees. Generally, they like to be in a sunny aspect.

There are various types of crocus. My favourites are any of the species and hybrids that naturalise well. This means that the number of flowers will multiply year on year and are such good value for money. This group of crocus tend to flower quite early, between January and March, depending on the weather. The size of flower will depend upon the exact variety but the height will be 4 - 10cm. For a white flower with an egg-yoke yellow centre choose crocus ‘Malyi’, it’s very reliable.

For a shock of orange crocus ‘Orange Monarch’ has the Award of Garden Merit (AGM). A stunningly beautiful pale lilac one is crocus ‘De Jager’. This has a light lavender petals with a violet strip in the centre, and the outer petals are very slightly tinged yellow, very beautiful indeed. If you are after a strong deep dark purple then I suggest crocus ‘Ruby Giant’. For a blast of different colours, purple, white and yellow all

Other Jobs in the garden

within one flower, then the easy to remember ‘Tricolour’ is the one for you.

There is a group of crocus known as ‘Large Dutch Flowering’ which are reliably bigger, being 10-12cm tall and are particularly useful for pots and window boxes because they show up above the rim of the pot. These tend to flower a little later, usually in March. From this group there is a yellow variety with the AGM badge called ‘Golden Yellow’. One of the loveliest white forms of all crocus falls within this Large Dutch Flowering group and it is beautifully named Crocus ‘Joan of Arc’; its petals are just pure white. Crocus ‘Pickwick’ is another large variety and is unusual because its petals are silvery white and veined with purple.

To seek a wider and more unusual range of colours the chrysanthus varieties are definitely worth investigating. In particular the Crocus ‘Blue Pearl’ will astonish you with the bright beauty of its light blue petals and pearly blue insides set off with a yellow centre.

Happy gardening.

By local garden designer, Francesca Sinclair

For bespoke contemporary and traditional garden design www.francescasinclair.co.uk 07901 547 360

Legends to perform at the Melbourne Assembly Rooms

For pulling rabbits out of a hat the Melbourne Assembly Rooms has managed to extract not one but two ‘bunnies’ in terms of legendary names of the pop world; booking concerts for legendary singers and chart toppers of the 1970s with first Tony Christie and then Kiki Dee.

Legendary singer Tony Christie first found international fame with hits like I Did What I Did For Maria, Walk Like A Panther, Las Vegas and of course the number one single (Is This The Way To) Amarillo. However, he is appearing at the Assembly Rooms in his new collaboration with crossover folk band Ranagri celebrating his Irish roots with songs that are featured on the album The Great Irish Songbook that came out in 2015. Following on from the success of The Great Irish Songbook, Tony and Ranagri have recorded a second album together, The Great Irish Songbook Vol II.

Kiki Dee will be performing alongside long-time collaborator Carmelo Luggeri. For almost two decades, Kiki and Carmelo have been touring their spellbinding acoustic live show across the UK and Europe. Performing in this stripped back fashion allows each of their exceptional talents to shine through and create a wonderful and warm sense of intimacy for the audience. The set will include new versions of her hits including Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, I Got the Music In Me, Loving & Free and the stunning Amoureuse along with songs from her critically acclaimed album A Place Where I Can Go.

The concerts are being staged as a part of the Assembly Rooms association with local promoters, Village Folk. Assembly Rooms Manager, Andy Heafield, the man responsible for booking them said ‘To get artists of this calibre to come to our venue is a real coup, part of the allure to come here is two-fold; how we treat our performers and

also the reputation the venue now has among artists and audiences alike.’

The Assembly Rooms is proving to be a ‘hit’ venue with many more concerts due in 2023 including the first-time venture, a 4-day festival ‘Big Village Small Town’ over the late May Bank Holiday with its patron, national broadcaster Mark Radcliffe. They have already secured the services of several nationally known performers including Edwina Hayes, the already mentioned Mark Radcliffe, 3 Daft Monkeys and the hit theatre show ‘Simply Dylan’ celebrating the music of Bob Dylan.

Tony Christie and Ranagri are appearing on Saturday 1st April. Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri are appearing on Saturday 11th November. Tickets are available from Melbourne Assembly Rooms or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/mccl

Melbourne Assembly Rooms, High Street, Melbourne Derbyshire DE73 8GF 01332 863522 • info@melbourneassemblyrooms.co.uk www.melbourneassemblyrooms.co.uk

Community Board

Melbourne Area Derby u3a Retired or semi-retired? Time on your hands?

Melbourne Area Derby u3a is open to anyone no longer in full-time employment living in villages and towns near Melbourne. Its members run more than 20 interest groups, ranging from art appreciation to walking, bridge to photography. Volunteers also organise a monthly meeting with guest speakers and hold social events and trips. Join now for just £18 until March 2024. To find out more email madu3ainfo@gmail.com or visit the website www.u3asites.org.uk/melbourne-area

Alex’s Wish – Conquering Duchenne

Alex’s Wish is a local, parent led charity joining the fight to end Duchenne for all children. They have a number of events planned for 2023, which are the perfect way to challenge yourself, have some fun and to raise funds. On 2nd May take to the skies and loop the loop in a small plane. On 17th June pull together a team and enter the six a side tournament for a day of football, beer and BBQ. Fancy jumping out of a plane? Sign up for the Sunday Skydive and face your fears. For details of these events and more see www.alexswish.co.uk

Melbourne Photographic Society

Melbourne Photographic Society is Melbourne’s oldest civic society and meets on Thursday nights at 7.30pm at the Thomas Cook Memorial Hall, High Street, Melbourne between September and April each season. The society welcomes beginners and experienced photographers to enjoy a friendly welcome and a whole host of different presentations. These include speakers covering a wide range of subjects, member’s nights, inter-club and internal photographic

competitions plus occasional summer outings. For more information visit their website at melbournephotographicsociety.org.uk

Warm Space

Every Thursday between 3.30pm and 5pm local families can pop along to Melbourne Methodist Church, Wesley Hall, Potter Street, Melbourne to escape the cold. Enjoy some fun and food with crafts, games and tea. All welcome, although children must be accompanied by a parent or carer. No charge and no need to book in, just drop by.

Concert 4 Kenya

Head along to All Saints Church, Aston on Trent, DE72 2AZ on Friday 10th February to enjoy a fabulous fund-raising Elvis & Friends concert packed with local talent. Tickets cost £10 in advance only. Licensed bar and food available. Email theramsrev@gmail.com Doors open 6.15pm. Show starts 7.15pm. The event will be held in support of Derby County Community Trust’s Rams in Kenya Project 2023. See www. derbycountycommunitytrust.com/fundraisingand-events/rams-kenya

Strictly No Falling

Live stronger for longer with chair based exercise classes held at Newhall Village Hall, DE11 0LH. Join a class to improve your strength, balance and co-ordination with a range of seated and standing strength and balance exercises. Classes run every Friday from 1pm to 2pm and cost £5. Have fun, socialise and maintain your independence. Tea, coffee & biscuits after the class. Contact Sue on 07940 580 891 or email fit4-lifePT@outlook.com

Did you know you can put community information on this page free of charge (subject to space)? So, whether you are looking for new members, volunteers or just have some information that you’d like to let local people know about simply email the details over to us at info@lifemagazines.co.uk

We’d love to hear from you.

e Bene ts of Foraging for Food

February is a time of planning for lots of garden based projects. Enjoyable hours can be spent looking through veg catalogues deciding which seeds to buy. We have our new Community Garden area at Whistlewood which was completed last year so this is really our first full year of veg gardening. We have 7 raised beds to plan and plant. In the spring we’ll start our gardening volunteering sessions on Tuesdays once again, so keep an eye out on Facebook for details of the sessions.

The Community Garden is where we can really share skills on growing annual vegetables and herbs. Most veg will be planted when the soil has warmed up a bit but there will be plants in the garden that have survived the winter like the Kale. Some broad beans which were planted in the autumn are just waiting for a bit of sun to encourage them to poke through the soil.

At this time of year there is always a bit of a ‘hunger gap’. The rest of the site is growing perennial food, fruit and hedgerow plants which can be picked as foraged food. These foraged plants can help to provide nutrient rich leaves to add to a meal and keep us healthy. Even young tree leaves can be useful in this way –Linden (Lime) and Hawthorn leaves have been used to provide food at the beginning of the spring.

I think there is more and more interest in foraging for food and it was a very popular activity at our fermented food festival, it can bring a lot of diversity into our diets. Knowledge is increasing that including some bitter elements to one’s diet has many health benefits. Other cultures have still retained this knowledge, but we seem to have been seduced by much saltier and sweet foods; not something that has helped the general health of our nation.

We hope at Whistlewood to encourage a wide variety of foods to be included into meals. This has been encouraged by Professor Tim Spector

who has been promoting the idea of including 30 different types of plant-based food in your diet each week. This is easier to achieve than you might think and research he’s done supports the health benefits. Try it and see how you get on. Eating more plant-based foods is environmentally beneficial too.

John Torode’s Tru ed Macaroni And Smoked Haddock Bake

Want something that combines supreme comfort with a little decadence this Valentine’s Day? Well look no further than this divine truffled macaroni dish with an extra boost from smoked haddock, created by MasterChef’s John Torode.

Method 1 Blend together all the ingredients for the breadcrumbs in a food processor until roughly chopped, season, then set aside. Boil the macaroni one minute less than the time on the pack, drain, toss in the olive oil and set aside.

2 Tip the onion, milk and the smoked haddock into a pan, and season. Simmer gently for 10 mins, then remove the haddock. Flake the flesh and drizzle with the truffle oil and set aside.

3 Mix the butter and flour together to make a paste. Over a low heat, whisk the paste into the hot milk and bring to the boil, stirring all the time. Remove from the heat and add half the grated cheese and stir well.

4 Take the pan off the heat, tip the pasta into the sauce and mix well, then fold through the haddock and season with ground black pepper. The

Ingredients (serves 8)

For the macaroni

• 250g macaroni

• 1 tsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 500ml milk

• 300g smoked haddock

• 1 tbsp truffle oil

• 50g soft butter, plus extra for the dish

• 25g plain flour

• 100g gruyère, coarsely grated

For the breadcrumbs

• 50g white breadcrumbs

• small pack parsley, leaves picked

• small thyme sprig, leaves picked

• small pack tarragon, leaves picked

• 1 garlic clove, roughly chopped

• small piece of butter

• drizzle of truffle oil, plus extra to serve

sauce may seem a little thin, but it’ll thicken as it cooks. Butter a large ovenproof dish and tip in all the macaroni (I like it piled high), then finish by scattering over the rest of the cheese and most of the breadcrumbs. This can be prepared a day ahead, covered and kept in the fridge.

5 To cook, heat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark

6. Bake for 20 mins until bubbling and sprinkle with the rest of the breadcrumbs. Bake for five minutes more, then drizzle a little more truffle oil on top, and scatter some extra herbs, if you like.

A warm welcome

February can be a difficult month to get through. We are all getting a bit fed up with the winter weather and being wet and/or cold.

I often work from home, but I am worried about the cost of my gas central heating so I sit at my kitchen table with multiple layers on and a hot water bottle on my lap as I watch the temperature on the thermostat drop down to about 12 degrees.

I am not alone. This is an issue faced by households across Derbyshire. It is particularly worrying for people on low incomes that are home during the day and who may need to keep the house warm due to having young children, a medical condition made worse by the cold or are elderly.

Village halls and community buildings have stepped up, with some funding support from Derbyshire County Council, to provide ‘Warm Hubs’. These informal sessions welcome in anyone and everyone from the local area to share the warm space and enjoy the company of others. There are often activities for a variety of age groups and of course the essential hot drinks and biscuits.

I would urge you to seek out a Warm Hub in your local area and go along. Maybe you could volunteer to help run the sessions or just enjoy the company and give your own central heating a rest.

Here is a list of Warm Hubs in South Derbyshire from the DCC website, but I am sure there are others that are not on the list. If there isn’t one in your area, why not

think about setting one up and applying for funding?

• Rosliston Warm Hub, The Bulls Head, 19 Burton Road, Rosliston, DE12 8JU, 01283 362780, warm space and hot drink on Wednesdays from 2.30pm to 4.30pm

• Warm Lounge, Emmanuel Church Hall, Swadlincote, DE11 8LF, Monday to Friday from 11am to 3pm

• Warm Welcome, The Salvation Army Swadlincote, 181 Wilmot Road, Church Gresley, DE11 9BN 01283 216264, warm space and hot drink on Mondays from 1pm to 5pm

• St Helen’s Church, Church Hill, Etwall, DE65 6LW, Wednesdays from 1pm to 4pm

Rural Action Derbyshire has created a Facebook group so that all those involved with Warm Hubs can share suggestions and their own experiences to help others who might be just starting out. facebook.com/groups/warmhubsforum

If you are part of a community building committee, why not sign up your hall to our Village Halls & Community Buildings Membership Scheme. At just £1.73 per week you will have access to a range of specialist support and advice. Drop me an email or give me a call.

Emma Simpson

e.simpson@ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk 01629 592 970 / 07540 736 118

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