Life through the eyes of Scrambles, a Belper-based Cairn Terrier

Firstly we must apologise for missing our column in the last edition – all our doggie friends have given us a good telling off and wondered what had happened to us. We in turn have given our Mum a good telling off and told her we HAVE to get a column done for this edition.

We are at the moment two quite worried little doggies because our Mum is putting all our stuff into boxes and we are sticking like glue to her because we suspect she is going somewhere and we want to make sure she doesn’t forget to pack us. Chaos climbed into one of the boxes last week and went to sleep but Mum said she couldn’t stay there and gave us both a big cuddle.

Our Mum says we are moving and that we are going to love it (we, on the other hand, are not convinced). She says we are going to be moving to a house that is 100 yards from our very favourite park and we will be able to walk for ages and ages without having to drive to it so we are very, very excited about that but can’t help worrying that with all these boxes and things that two small doggies might get overlooked.

We have never lived anywhere else before but so long as our Mum is there we know we will be OK. She has promised to bring my ‘Sluggie’ with us and Chaos’s ball so we will have our favourite toys. She also says there’s something called a conservatory so we will be able to see outside all the time even if it is chucking it down with rain. That will be nice because these humans do have a rather silly habit of putting windows halfway up the wall so we can’t see out – there’s no consideration for us at all!

We did go to have a look at our new house last week (from the outside) and our very best friend Schubert came with us. It was great because our Mum and Schubert’s Mum and Dad took us all for a walk through the park afterwards. We had lots and lots of fun saying hello to everybody and running through as much mud as we could find.

We are fairly sure we are not going to get forgotten but until then we aren’t letting our Mum out of our sight.

We will hopefully be moved and have this all over with by the time we write our next column, so we will give you a further update then and let you know how we are settling in.

Scrambles xx

Leabrooks Gallery & Picture Framing

An oasis of culture and calm amidst urban bustle.

Leabrooks Gallery is situated in a secluded, garden courtyard setting in the bustling area of Somercotes. The gallery offers original art works in oil, watercolour and mixed media together with limited and open edition prints. In addition, it also offers a wide range of hand made greetings cards, jewellery and a range of pottery.

The gallery also provides the facilities and skills of a bespoke framing service of the highest quality with an extensive choice of frame and mount designs at very competitive prices.

Owner, John Carnall comments: “When we moved to Somercotes eleven years ago, we became the owners of two ‘ugly ducklings’; a house and a group of collapsing farm buildings. Both were intrinsically beautiful but required work; both evolved around us, the house became a comfortable living space, and the barns, somehow a Gallery, where our two, very different, sets of interests and experiences found perfect fusion.”

The gallery regularly hosts exhibitions and boasts over 1,000 square feet of exhibition space. The next exhibition will be held from 7 to 28 August and will feature Derbyshire Landscapes in watercolour by local artist June Haywood. On 14 August, Jo Walters will be giving a jewellery making demonstration alongside Helen Meakin who will be demonstrating the art of textile design.

The onsite Coffee Shop, which is wheelchair accessible, offers visitors the opportunity to relax with a choice of beverages whilst considering the exhibitions and their purchases.  It is a pleasant room in which a further selection of prints is available together with a large range of cards.  In warm weather seating is extended into the Courtyard and gardens, where visitors can find peace as well as inspiration

If you’re looking for a meeting/conference room, there is also a conference centre available for hire based in the grounds of Leabrooks Gallery – for further information go to:
www.creative-conferencing.co.uk

More details about the gallery and forthcoming exhibitions can be found online at: www.leabrooksgallery.co.uk
Owners: John Carnall & Carol Barton-Jones
Location: 36 Leabrooks Road, Somercotes, Alfreton. DE55 4HB
Open: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4.30pm
Open Wednesday by appointment only
Contact: leabrooksgallery@tiscali.co.uk
Telephone: 01773 602961

Word on wine - Louis Jadot Chablis

Hello again

Well, it has been a busy couple of months since the last edition of All Things Local and I have been reflecting on Word on Wine which I have been writing now for three years. Due to work pressures, I have decided to step down from writing this column.

As I write, the sun is shining through my study window, so I decided to put a bottle of Chablis in the fridge to chill, ready for sitting in the garden at the weekend with friends, enjoying a cool glass of wine.

My thought for this month is… is Chablis overrated?

At a recent Kilburn Wine Circle we had a speaker presenting a variety of Burgundy wines, one of which was Chablis. Now I don’t know about you, but I have always found the French way of labelling wine somewhat challenging, as it rarely tells me on the label what grape is in the bottle. However, they are beginning to recognise that us Brits like to know what we are buying and are increasingly realising they need to let us know so that we can make an informed decision on which wine to buy.

The Chablis we tried was crisp and fresh and from the most northerly tip of the Burgundy region, and as a result the grapes grow in a slightly cooler climate. This gives the Chardonnay grape from that area a fresher, crisper taste; more so than a Chardonnay grown in more southerly areas, where the heat generally makes the grapes more sweet, rather than acidic and the wines taste heavier.

On my earlier question about Chablis, having tasted this wine at Wine Circle, I don’t think this one is overrated…so let’s see what you think!

Brand: Louis Jadot
Type: Chablis
Region: Burgundy
Year: 2008
Grape: Chardonnay
Alcohol Strength: 12.5%
Style: Crisp, dry, elegant white
Flavour: Clean, fresh, light-bodied and rich in flavour
Price: £12.99
Available: www.everywine.co.uk

Ideal with Shellfish, smoked salmon and light meals

Anne Kennedy - Kilburn Wine Circle.

View from the Projection Box with Ritz Cinema - Belper

The View from the Projection Box with Ritz Cinema projectionist Paul Winfield.

I hear there’s a big football tournament this summer, but for those of you who want to escape the big screen TVs, there are some cracking films coming to our really big screen. A definite antidote to the World Cup will be the return of the girls in Sex and the City II. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis are all back in this sequel with writer/producer/director Michael Patrick King.

For those who like adventures of a different kind, the latest reincarnation of Robin Hood is with us soon. This time the legendary hero is played by Russell Crowe. Only a few weeks ago we played the original version as our Sunday Classic Film, with Errol Flynn donning the green tights. To me that will always be the Robin Hood, but the new one looks to be a great action movie and a lot of the location was done here in Derbyshire.

Despite its rather morbid title, Cemetery Junction is a 1970s set comedy centred on three upstart professional men working at an insurance company. Ralph Fiennes stars alongside Ricky Gervais who also directs.

Now we come to Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. Some of you may remember the 1992 version, set in New York. This time the action moves south to steamy post-Katrina New Orleans, where a drug and gambling addicted detective is investigating the killing of five Senegalese immigrants. For those of you who like dark and gripping drama this is a must-see and the soundtrack music is really cool.

Looking a little further into the summer months, there’s a new Shrek movie and Woody, Buzz and the rest of the Toy Box friends return in Toy Story 3. And, wait for it, there’s a new big screen version of the 1980s hit The A Team.

So, there’s plenty of choice for all tastes at The Ritz. Looking forward to seeing you.

Walk around the Manifold Valley

Around the Manifold Valley

Walk supplied by Angela Clarke of Belper www.peakwalker.net

Start: Free car park in Wetton (SK 1089 5513)
 
Route: Wetton - Thor's Cave - Manifold Valley - Ladyside Wood – Grindon
- Ossoms Hill - Wetton Mill - Wetton Hill - Wetton

Map: Explorer OL 24: The Peak District White Peak Area.
 
Distance: 5.5 miles.

Terrain: Good paths, fields and quiet lanes. 

Refreshments: Pubs in Wetton and Grindon. Cafe at Wetton Mill. The pub in Grindon is not passed following this route.

Toilets: Car park in Wetton and at Wetton Mill.

Please note that the cliffs around Thor’s Cave are exposed with a steep drop below them.

The walk:
This walk explores the hills above and around the Manifold Valley. Whilst it involves two long but straightforward climbs the views are both extensive and ever changing. With two caves to explore and the possibility of an ice cream during the walk it makes an ideal family summer walk.

Turn right out of the car park and then right at the first junction, signed Wetton Mill. At the next road junction bear left to find a lane and public footpath sign on the left.

The views will have now opened up to reveal both the prominent top of Thor’s Cave, on the left, and the magnificent view across the Manifold Valley to Grindon, identified by its church spire.

Ignore the public footpath sign; across the field, instead take the concessionary footpath along the lane, signed for Thor’s Cave, to the left of the field. After a short while you will reach a stone stile in the wall on the right, which once again is signed Thor’s Cave.

Take the stile and follow the wall, on the left, downhill where the view to your right will soon include Wetton and Sugarloaf hills. Looking across the valley can you spot the limestone Nan Tor Cave behind Wetton Mill?

The path will take you to a gate, which you go through, but where are you going to go now?

If you take the path to the left you will head up above Thor’s Cave, which will give you arguably the best views of the Manifold Valley and the surrounding area. The cliffs below here are both steep and dangerous but it is possible, with care, to walk along the top of the escarpment to find the entrances to caves where ancient remains have been found but do not enter the caves. Whilst this is an interesting area to explore be very cautious if you choose to do so.

Having visited the top of Thor’s Cave return to the gate and take the path heading downhill to find the magnificent entrance to Thor’s Cave. A short scramble will get you into the cave itself, which can be explored. However do remember that there are steep drops below you, especially when you are near ‘the window’, another large opening allowing light into the cave.

From the entrance to Thor’s Cave take the stepped footpath downhill through the woods. When this path meets another path turn left and continue downhill to the bridge across the, usually dry, River Manifold. From here you can look back up to Thor’s Cave sitting high above the valley.

Crossing the Manifold Way path, take the stile opposite onto ‘Ladyside’ and follow the clear path uphill, through woods, to another stile into a field. From here you have a superb view of Thor’s Cave and the cliffs above it.

Continue uphill to a stile across the fence to your left, which takes you back into woodland. Follow the path through the wood to reach first a wooden stile and then a stone squeeze stile.

Immediately in front of you is a steep bank, initially follow it round to the right and then head up it. From the top of the bank the path follows the line of trees, to the left of the field, into a small depression after which the path splits.

Take the lower path, on the left, to cross the brook and then turn left, to skirt around trees before turning right and heading uphill. The stone stile you want is out of sight, in the top left hand corner of the field but once you reach the summit of the hill it will come into view.

Cross the stile and continue straight ahead, to the left of the barn in the corner of the field, to a stile onto the road.

Turn right into Grindon to find a junction, in front of Ivy Cottage, where you bear right. At the next junction bear right and then almost immediately right again, to follow the public footpath sign to a squeeze stile by a gate.

Continue straight ahead, to a fence crossed by two stiles. Take the stile on the left and then bear left to a wooden bridge crossing the brook crossed earlier in the walk. Continue in the same direction, uphill, to find both a squeeze stile and a wooden stile into the next field.

The path continues straight ahead to a gate onto a road. Turn right along the road and follow it to the entrance to Ossoms Hill Farm. Turn left along the farm track towards Ossoms Hill Farm, passing the barn on the left, to find a sign for Wetton Mill on the right.

Take the squeeze stile behind the farm building and continue straight ahead to a second squeeze stile. The route continues in the same direction to a third squeeze stile from where you follow the path, which is clearly marked by yellow topped posts, around the side of Ossoms Hill to a wooden stile.

As you make your way around Ossoms Hill the view away to your left extends across the valley to Butterton, identified by its church spire and on a really clear day to the moors beyond. As you continue round the hill Butterton disappears to be replaced first by views down into Waterslacks and then with views along the Manifold Valley.

Cross the stile and then bear right continuing round and down Ossoms Hill. As you follow this path downhill your view is dominated by the three hills on the far side of the Manifold Valley. To the left is Ecton Hill; in the middle is the narrower, double-topped, Sugarloaf, with the domed Wetton Hill to the right.

The path reaches another stile and continues downhill, swinging left, to a wooden stile near the bottom left hand side of the field.

Cross the stile, take the bridge across the stream, turn right at the road and then almost immediately right again to take the bridge, on the left, across the River Manifold to Wetton Mill.

Pass in front of, or perhaps call into, the teashop at Wetton Mill to find a signed footpath between the buildings, which takes you uphill to a gate. Go through the gate and turn left if you wish to explore Nan Tor Cave, which is above Wetton Mill.

From the gate continue straight ahead uphill before turning right to emerge at a post above the dry dale, which runs between Sugarloaf and Wetton Hill. Turn left at the post along a path to a gate, which continues down to the dale floor. Continue straight ahead (left) along the dry dale until you reach a gate at its far end.

Shortly after passing through the gate take the squeeze stile on the right, signed Wetton. Cross the brook by the stone slabs to follow the path uphill keeping the wall to your right. When the wall turns right follow it, continuing uphill, to reach an awkward wooden stile. To visit the summit of Wetton Hill take the stone stile, on the right, across the wall you have been following uphill.

Having crossed the awkward stile head diagonally left, across the field, to another stile. The path bears right, around the hill, to a squeeze stile. Continue straight ahead to find that you have now reached what must be a serious contender for the title of ‘Narrowest Squeeze Stile in the Peak District’.

Once through the stile continue straight ahead along the track to emerge onto the road in Wetton. Turn left and continue past ‘Ye Olde Royal Oak’ until you reach the road on the right, signed for the car park, which you take.

We have taken reasonable steps to ensure that this walk is safe and achievable by walkers of a realistic level of fitness. The publisher accepts no responsibility for any injuries caused to readers whilst following the walk. Always wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

There's a popular Derbyshire walk in every edition of All Things Local

Jessica's column - In my good books...

It’s 3am and I’ve just noticed the time. Argh! I determinedly fold down the page of my book and try to stop feeling guilty. ‘It’s only 3am, Jessica, I’m sure you won’t be tired tomorrow...’ yeah right. This is the problem with me and books. I read them like I eat packets of biscuits. Each chapter is another sweet chewy circle of joy and I don’t stop consuming until they’re all gone. I sometimes enjoy reading a little fiction before bed, as many do, to give some time for the brain to relax and unwind. I’ll pick a book from my shelves, wriggle under the duvet and start to read… and don’t stop. Oh look, 4 hours have slipped by!

Thankfully I don’t own any of my very favourite books, or these late night reading sessions might occur more frequently. My bookcase is crammed with retired favourites: colourful paperbacks (Jacqueline Wilson was my primary school author of choice), holiday reads and other assorted teen fiction. The school library is the real residence of all my top favourites. To me, a long-awaited book becomes more tempting when it’s wrapped in protective plastic and has a paper record thingy stuck in the front - and it’s free you know! As a lower school student I spent many a lunchtime there with friends, but now I swan in and stagger out again a short while later, somewhat less stylishly, with a healthy stack of books. The librarians are always friendly and helpful, and there’s a book club for all years on Tuesdays where we often read book award nominees.

For years I was slightly put off mainstream books with loads of awards, but then I realised that these books won because they really are fantastic! Take “The Knife of Never Letting Go” by Patrick Ness, as an example. It won the Booktrust Teenage Prize and the Guardian Award, as well as being shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. I remained sceptical, despite numerous members of the aforementioned book group singing its praises. It was only when I actually got round to checking it out (of the library) did I see what the fuss was about. Patrick Ness’ whole “Chaos Walking” series so far is imaginative and thought-provoking. The third book came out this May. Another incredible trilogy that I’m excited for the conclusion of is “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins. This is action-packed and fascinating fiction at its best. It’s just a shame I have to wait for August 2010!

I love books, especially those that allow me to escape into another world, like lovely fat fantasy series such as “His Dark Materials” by Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld’s “Uglies”, “Pretties”, “Specials” and “Extras” - and the one with “Mortal Engines” by Philip Reeve, all set in some enthralling but troubled alternate world. I’m not too picky; I enjoyed the “Twilight” saga by Stephenie Meyer too! Maybe if you’re looking to buy a present for a literary teen I’ve been of some help...

When my family are on holiday or a long car journey, I have become quite the expert at stealthily peering over my younger brother’s shoulder to borrow a bit of his entertainment should I finish my own. There’s nothing wrong with reading below your age every now and again. After all, Ben has reasonable taste; Frank Cottrell Boyce for the win! At the other end of the spectrum is the kind of literature we read in English, like “The Great Gatsby.” Fun too, I guess, apart from the fact we have to read into all the deep meaning and dissect it to death.

Learning to read as a young child is like being given the key to the Tardis. You can go anywhere and do anything. The possibilities just keep on multiplying as you progress from big picture books read by Mum, to ingenious stories and adventures. Just keep turning those pages.
Jessica

Jessica is a regular columnist for All Things Local and currently a sixth form student at Ecclesbourne School, Duffield.

Fashion with Shona Harding from Pearls & Scarlett

Summer has finally arrived and at this time of year we are always reminded of re-growth and nature’s way of renewing everything around us. So why not use fashion in the same way, recycle from nature and find new ways to shop ethically. Budget shops are big culprits of offering cheap goods in a constant flow of ever-changing styles but there is a big trend towards fashion with better morals. The business I am in supports this and even the high street giants are starting to realise that customers want fashion with a conscience. So how do we shop safe in the knowledge our fashion is not harming the environment around us?

Look out for eco fashion websites – they are great for sourcing their products direct from the craftsmen that make them, ensuring they receive the bulk of the profit from items sold. ascensiononline.com is one that offers a great range of clothing, accessories and homewares which fall within the criteria whilst not compromising on quality and look. fashion-conscience.com is also a great site which offers vegan, sustainable, fair trade and recycled fashion.

High Street – although they are generally lacking in nearly every area of ethical fashion some are trying to change the way it sources its suppliers. Next, M&S and Monsoon are to name but a few, but the ranges in store are limited and cost more. They are also starting to use organic cotton more in their products which is always a great step towards a more natural product. It’s also great for babies whose skin reacts badly to chemical interference.

Eco Shopping – there are a great many independents around that use a range of local artisans who produce items from recyclable products. These include drinks cans being made into handbags and newspaper pulp used to make handmade jewellery. This style of fashion is always going to appeal to one section of the fashion market as not everyone wants to buy into these kinds of fashion pieces – but it’s becoming an increasing trend for those who wish to ease their own conscience whilst not compromising on their love of fashion and shopping.

Dress agencies, hiring and charity shops all offer a way of recycling your clothes whilst buying new items to add to your wardrobe.

See you in a couple of months, Shona xx