middleton village newsletter village pump · nelson arms bar and accommodation. alan and jane...

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Middleton Village Newsletter VILLAGE PUMP July 2018 No. 452 Dates Every Sunday Pub quiz in the Nelson Starts 9pm prompt Every Thursday Pub quiz in the Rising Sun Starts 9 pm Friday 13th to Sunday 15th July Midfolk Festival Tickets from Jane at the Nel- son See page 2 Wednesday 18th July Folk Jam at the Nelson Sunday 29th July Community Walk: 10 am from the Village Green Bin Days Blue bin/green bin: 2nd/16th/30th July Grey bin: 9th/23rd July Deadline for next issue: ursday 26th July Please send items by email to [email protected] or leave at the Nelson Thank you Middleton. Let’s Aim for Gold for Our Blooming Great Village This year the Supporters of Middleton in Bloom have been most generous. Without the help of so many individuals and businesses it would be very hard to plant all the tubs and hanging Baskets around our special village, as well as maintaining our lovely Millennium Gardens by replacing the plants where necessary. This year you will undoubtedly notice we have several new tubs in areas, not necessar- ily on the Judges’ route, and we have been delighted that so many people this year have offered to help by pulling out the odd weed and watering them, essential to keep them looking bright and beautiful. A big thank you to the following for their donations: D.S. Insulations; L. Petts, Stonemasons; Greenacres Cottage; Vital Earth; Kane Hunt, Family Butcher; Middleton Ladies Group; Wirksworth Cars/Budget Tyres; Mount Cook Adventure Centre; James Lawrence; Slinter Min- ing; Middleton Knit and Natter; Des Corby; Pickle Cottage; Not Dead Yet (Music Group); Morrisons, Belper; Middleton Environment Group; Pam Jones; Hilary and David Casey; Severn Trent Water; The Hollies Nursery, Bonsall; Staff at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust; Derbyshire Dales District Council; and Rachael and Dan (Climbing Unit). We also thank the many villagers particularly on the Judges’ Route for the particular attention they give to their gardens and allotments - “Every Little Helps”. We still have a way to go particularly in the Millennium Garden, so if anyone can spare just a little time on the 1st or 3rd Sunday between 10 a.m. and lunch time to help with a bit of weeding, pruning or sweeping, please just come along and get involved. It’s surprising how much gets done when there are extra helpers, and fun too. Pam Jones PS This year’s judging takes place on the afternoon of Friday 6th July, walking through the village and finishing in the Millennium Gardens at 3.45pm. After the judging is over we will again have a small village get together and refreshments in the Millennium Gardens.

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Page 1: Middleton Village Newsletter VILLAGE PUMP · Nelson Arms Bar and accommodation. Alan and Jane (825154) Knit and Natter In the Nelson on Mondays, 1-3pm, with Community Luncheon on

Middleton Village Newsletter

VILLAGE PUMPJuly 2018 No. 452

Dates

Every SundayPub quiz in the NelsonStarts 9pm prompt

Every ThursdayPub quiz in the Rising SunStarts 9 pm

Friday 13th to Sunday 15th JulyMidfolk FestivalTickets from Jane at the Nel-sonSee page 2

Wednesday 18th JulyFolk Jam at the Nelson

Sunday 29th JulyCommunity Walk:10 am from the Village Green

Bin Days

Blue bin/green bin:2nd/16th/30th July

Grey bin:9th/23rd July

Deadline for next issue: Thursday 26th July Please send items by email to [email protected] or leave at the Nelson

Thank you Middleton. Let’s Aim for Gold for Our Blooming Great Village

This year the Supporters of Middleton in Bloom have been most generous. Without the help of so many individuals and businesses it would be very hard to plant all the tubs and hanging Baskets around our special village, as well as maintaining our lovely Millennium Gardens by replacing the plants where necessary. This year you will undoubtedly notice we have several new tubs in areas, not necessar-ily on the Judges’ route, and we have been delighted that so many people this year have offered to help by pulling out the odd weed and watering them, essential to keep them looking bright and beautiful.

A big thank you to the following for their donations: D.S. Insulations; L. Petts, Stonemasons; Greenacres Cottage; Vital Earth; Kane Hunt, Family Butcher; Middleton Ladies Group; Wirksworth Cars/Budget Tyres; Mount Cook Adventure Centre; James Lawrence; Slinter Min-ing; Middleton Knit and Natter; Des Corby; Pickle Cottage; Not Dead Yet (Music Group); Morrisons, Belper; Middleton Environment Group; Pam Jones; Hilary and David Casey; Severn Trent Water; The Hollies Nursery, Bonsall; Staff at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust; Derbyshire Dales District Council; and Rachael and Dan (Climbing Unit).

We also thank the many villagers particularly on the Judges’ Route for the particular attention they give to their gardens and allotments - “Every Little Helps”. We still have a way to go particularly in the Millennium Garden, so if anyone can spare just a little time on the 1st or 3rd Sunday between 10 a.m. and lunch time to help with a bit of weeding, pruning or sweeping, please just come along and get involved. It’s surprising how much gets done when there are extra helpers, and fun too.

Pam Jones

PS This year’s judging takes place on the afternoon of Friday 6th July, walking through the village and finishing in the Millennium Gardens at 3.45pm. After the judging is over we will again have a small village get together and refreshments in the Millennium Gardens.

Page 2: Middleton Village Newsletter VILLAGE PUMP · Nelson Arms Bar and accommodation. Alan and Jane (825154) Knit and Natter In the Nelson on Mondays, 1-3pm, with Community Luncheon on

Diff’ from, or %

of, average

Date

Mean maximum’ temp 17.8c +4.5cMean minimum temp 7.9c +1.4cHighest maximum 24.4c 7thLowest minimum 1.1c 1stTotal Rainfall 47.1mm 68%Wettest Day 14.1mm 1stDays with rain 11Total Sunshine 234.7 hrs 160%Sunniest Day 13.5 hrs 14thDays with no sunshine 2

Weather May 2018Sunny and warm

May was much warmer than

average, particularly by day. It

was the warmest on local records

back to 1871, and probably the

warmest since 1833 in this area.

The weather was consistently

warm rather than notably hot but

the maximum of 24.4c on the 7th

was the hottest day in the first

week of May since this record

began 41 years ago. There were

a few cool nights during the first

half of the month and the last

ground frost of the season was

recorded on the 18th.

Rainfall was well below average

and it was the driest month so

far this year and the driest May

since 2010. Rain fell on only 11

days, the fewest for the month

since 2008. The rainfall total for

the first five months of the year is

512.6 mm which is 122% of the 30

year average.

It was a very sunny month, the

sunniest May since 1989 and the

sunniest month of any name

since July 2006.

The spring of 2018 was a little

warmer than average, despite the

cold March, but was much cooler

than in 2017. It was the wettest

spring since 2006 and the 4th

wettest in the last 41 years.

Despite a very sunny May it was

the dullest spring since 2015 with

both March and April recording

well below average sunshine.

Dave Evans

Updates for Midfolk Festival

Time is ticking by and we have some exciting updates for the festival weekend. There will be a free choir

workshop led by an experienced choir leader from Belper. The workshop will lead to a public performance

at the start of Sunday’s Local Vocal slot at 2p.m. Further details will be posted on flyers at The Nelson

Arms and around the village.

In addition we are hoping to have a pony and trap taxi service between the Village Hall and The Nelson.

If you are unable to get to the festival but would like to join in the Festival Ceilidh on Sunday between 5

and 7p.m, you can gain entry to the hall at a reduced price of £4 per person.

Tickets for the festival are still available from The Nelson Arms but they are running out fast so don’t leave

it too late.

Page 3: Middleton Village Newsletter VILLAGE PUMP · Nelson Arms Bar and accommodation. Alan and Jane (825154) Knit and Natter In the Nelson on Mondays, 1-3pm, with Community Luncheon on

Village Groups Contact List

If you have a group that you’d like to include, please email us.

Middleton in Bloom Secretary: Hilary Casey (820076)

Village Green Committee Secretary: Dawn Greatorex (356661)

Middleton Environment Group Chair: Rob Stamper

Allotments Committee Chair: Mike Knott (826075)

Middleton Ladies’ Group Pam Jones (823920) or Christine Gil-mour (822455)

Steeple Grange Light Railway Martin Smith: [email protected] John Cash: [email protected]

Middleton Book Group Lucy Peacock (820831)

MMBG (Middleton Mountain Bike Group) www.mmbg.co.uk

Middleton and Wirksworth Wrestling Club Classes on Monday evenings in the village Hall. Contact Trevor Hoskins (07961 516722)

Middleton Toddler Group Meets Wednesdays 1.30pm-3pm at the Village Hall

Nelson Arms Bar and accommodation. Alan and Jane (825154)

Knit and Natter In the Nelson on Mondays, 1-3pm, with Community Luncheon on alternate Mondays. Brenda Hobson 824600

Yoga Classes Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the village hall. Contact Nicky Mumford 07780 685083

Cinema Middleton News

Coming to a Cinema near you - ‘The Greatest Showman’Great News. Middleton Cinema will be opening its doors on Saturday 22 September @ 7.00pm. in the Village Hall. This will be the launch of the cinema so there will be an opportunity to celebrate. We intend making this a ‘red carpet ‘occasion so it is an opportunity to dress up and polish those tiaras and gold cuff links and sit back and enjoy the film. There will be a bar plus soft drinks and tea and coffee will be on sale.

The Greatest Showman is a bold and original musical that cel-ebrates the birth of show business and the sense of wonder we feel when dreams come true.

Tickets can be reserved online via a new village website (informa-tion to follow about the booking process nearer the time). Alter-native arrangements will be in place for those people who do not want to book via the internet. The cost of tickets will be £4.00 per person and £2.00 for children (sorry no concessions). We are not able to book seats so seating will be ‘on a first come first seated basis’.

Other film dates have been booked for Saturday 20 October, Saturday 24 November, and Saturday 15 December- so get them in your diary.Flyers with more information and details of films will be distrib-uted to all households in the village during August.

This a really exciting venture for Middleton and all members of the steering group hope you will be able to support it and that we will see you there in September for the first of many screenings.

Sue Stockwell on behalf of the Cinema group.

Page 4: Middleton Village Newsletter VILLAGE PUMP · Nelson Arms Bar and accommodation. Alan and Jane (825154) Knit and Natter In the Nelson on Mondays, 1-3pm, with Community Luncheon on
Page 5: Middleton Village Newsletter VILLAGE PUMP · Nelson Arms Bar and accommodation. Alan and Jane (825154) Knit and Natter In the Nelson on Mondays, 1-3pm, with Community Luncheon on

These enigmatic birds are ex-traordinary. They live out their lives entirely on the wing, only landing when they nest. This means that as the young fly off to Southern Africa for the winter, they will stay airborne for the next two years at least. Small tags fitted to a few Swifts have shown the routes they take and that they spend most of the win-ter flying over the huge forests of the Congo.

Only when the new recruits start nesting themselves will they land again, and then only high up on a building and never on the ground, on telegraph wires or in a tree. They feed on the wing (eat-ing insects in their thousands), drink on the wing, sleep on the wing and sometimes even mate on the wing!While House Martins build mud nests under our eaves and Swal-lows on beams, usually inside stables or barns, swifts make no visible nest at all. Instead, they fly up under our eaves, using whatever tiny crack they can find to gain entry into the roof space and tuck their nests away there, sometimes using the top of inter-nal walls.

Swifts are essentially urban birds, nesting only on buildings. And thereby lies the problem; their numbers are declining in the UK mainly because they are excluded

In the nature of swifts - Nick Brown from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

from their nests when buildings are renovated, new soffits or barge boards are fitted, or when a house is re-roofed or has a loft conversion.

Compared to even twenty years ago, swifts are now reduced in number by a half. So, unless we start to look after them, they could become a thing of the past. Our urban lives would certainly be much the poorer without them hurtling over our heads and screaming along our streets. We have advice leaflets both for householders (swifts make no mess and cause no damage) and for builders, architects and de-velopers to show them how easy it is to create small entrances for them.A final thing about Swifts. They are reported to mate on the wing. Indeed, I’ve seen two swifts briefly lock together in flight

myself. However, whether they are indeed mating or just court-ing, reserving full mating for the private confines of their nest, remains one of many myster-ies surrounding this strange but fascinating bird.

Fabulous news for the village - Middleton has swifts return-ing each year around Stile Croft and Churchill Avenue and part of Chapel Lane, nesting closely to the area. In addition they have been seen flying around the fields to the eastern side of Main Street and over the Moor. If you see any swifts let Derbyshire Wildlife Trust know, it helps with record-ing sightings in Derbyshire – they even have a sightings form on their website where you can send sightings to and it doesn’t have to be just about swifts!

Swifts. photo: David Naylor

Page 6: Middleton Village Newsletter VILLAGE PUMP · Nelson Arms Bar and accommodation. Alan and Jane (825154) Knit and Natter In the Nelson on Mondays, 1-3pm, with Community Luncheon on

JS. I started taking Nicky’s classes over a year and a half ago, when she first started up in the village. I would have never thought it possible that I could enjoy such a very slow moving activity as much as I have. And this, coupled to an atmosphere that is still, a delivery that is measured and calming, and a teacher in Nicky that is friendly, playful, and sup-portive. I thought it a good idea if she shared some of her secrets with our readers

JS. How did you get into yoga in the first place? NM. My life has always been full of activ-ity, mostly things that involved being outside and travelling at speed, down mountains - or big hills at least and with an element of adrenaline. Mountain biking, horse-riding, snowboarding, even skydiving - I thought sitting still was a waste of time! Then one day my body decided it had had enough and I became quite ill. I realised I had to find something to compliment all this activity - something that would be relaxing but still give me a feeling that I was physically doing something, even if it was a little more sedate. A friend recommended yoga and I went on a holiday to Crete to learn. it was amazing, I felt great and I was hooked.

2 – JS. What made you want to take up teaching it? NM. After about four years I realised that yoga was giving me more than just a physical benefit. I wasn’t just feeling better, more flexible

and stronger but I realised I had learnt to listen to my body, ac-cepting what I could and couldn’t do. My mental attitude had shifted too. I was calmer, more relaxed and had learned the value of slowing down; of being, not just doing - not that I’ve given up on the adrenaline I just have a lit-tle more balance in my life. I felt that this was something worth sharing with others so decided I would investigate how to train as a yoga teacher. I think a few years ago if I’d suggested to my closest friends that I was going to teach yoga they would have thought I was bonkers! Now it feels like a natural fit and working in an office with a computer seems a world away.

3 JS. It’s obvious to me that in any class you have people who have very mixed abilities. What are the main principles that you follow to get around this? NM. The main principles that I bring to my teaching are that yoga is for everyone and that it should be a fun and enjoyable experience. You might come to a class for some exercise, to feel more flex-ible, for relaxation or any number of other reasons. I’ll include a mix of stretching, gentle movement, more flowing energetic sequenc-es and of course the all-important relaxation which seems to be the most popular part! I like to gradu-ally ease classes into something that might be a little bit challeng-ing and at the same time give individuals a choice about what they are doing, depending on

how they feel that day. And that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be trying anything fancy. It’s sur-prising how challenging it can be even to lie still and let your body relax. Yoga can be whatever you want it to be, for some people it’s just a nice way to stretch and exercise, a chance to have some time for themselves, for others it evolves into something deeper. Everyone is welcome to come to class and give it a try and if you can’t make a class I like to offer a one to one (or one to two) ses-sion.

4.JS. How did you come to live in Middleton? NM. I grew up in Belper and my parents moved to Wirksworth about the time I went off to university and are still there now. I always wanted to come back home but it’s taken a while to be in the situation where it was possible. We had a wide search area, but Middleton is where we found the right place to call home.

Nicky writes:If you’d like to give yoga a try you’d be most welcome to join us. I run two classes a week in the Village Hall, Tuesday and Thurs-day 6-7pm, plus others in Wirks-worth area. For more information give Nicky a call on 07780 685083, email [email protected] or visit nickymum-fordyoga.com

Yoga in Middleton: John Sedgwick interviews Nicky Mumford

Page 7: Middleton Village Newsletter VILLAGE PUMP · Nelson Arms Bar and accommodation. Alan and Jane (825154) Knit and Natter In the Nelson on Mondays, 1-3pm, with Community Luncheon on

Sometimes life throws a ‘curve

ball’ at us. Well at school a curve

ball has been thrown! As you

may be aware we have been

making plans to celebrate our 150

year anniversary as our school

was built in 1868. We recently

took part in Derbyshire Record

Office workshops to find out a

little more about our history.

During the research process it

was discovered that in fact our

school was built in 1846, but the

first admission records held were

from 1868, so we are in fact 172

years old this year!!! Well, we are

not ones for missing a party, so

the party and celebrations will

continue. We did not celebrate

being 150 years old back in 1996,

so better late than never we will

celebrate on the 13th July, as

planned. You really couldn’t write

it!

Anthony Gell Cluster of schools

are a group who have joined

together to form COGS (Cluster

of Gell Schools.) Our main aim

is to ‘Improve the educational

outcomes for the students of all

of the schools in the cluster.’ We

work together closely to provide

new experiences for our children,

share best practice for our staff

and improve transition across

our cluster. Children from all the

schools recently met together

as a Cluster Parliament to make

plans for new activities for the

forthcoming year. It was a great

morning, the industrious children

were a joy to see.

We had team building games.

My favourite was the force field

game – Oliver Year 2

At the Cluster parliament we

were getting to know other

children from different schools –

Amelie Year 2

We discussed days we could plan

with our Cluster of Schools. The

morning was a lot of fun! – Owen

Year 5

We talked about fundraising and

getting fit! – Katie Year 5

Our children have all been on

school trips this week. Our older

children visited Blists Hill Victo-

rian Town at Ironbridge and our

younger children have been to

the Tropical Butterfly House at

Sheffield. They were great days,

super learning and lots of memo-

ries to cherish.

We left at 8am, the coach ride

was definitely worth it. We had a

full experience of being a Victo-

rian Year 5/6 child, although we

felt like 12 year old adults making

bricks out of clay. Our Year 3/4

children enjoyed making candles,

but my favourite part was expe-

riencing the Victorian lifestyle. –

Shannon Year 6

Though the coach journey was

long, it was definitely worth

going, I had an amazing time. -

Hannah Year 6

My favourite part was exchang-

ing new money for old money at

the bank. – Oliver Year 6

I thought our trip was amazing. I

loved going to the Sweet Shop! –

Millie-Rose Year 3

I enjoyed looking at the butter-

flies. – Rory-Lou Year 2

We are all looking forward to our

Sports Day and Summer Fayre

on Friday 6th July. Many thanks

to the Friends of Middleton who

working really hard to prepare for

the Fayre. There will be a range

of lovely stalls, bouncy castle,

BBQ and coffee and cakes. We

are hoping the sun will shine for

us!

Middleton Community Primary – June School News

Page 8: Middleton Village Newsletter VILLAGE PUMP · Nelson Arms Bar and accommodation. Alan and Jane (825154) Knit and Natter In the Nelson on Mondays, 1-3pm, with Community Luncheon on

Middleton Open Gardens seems

to be increasing in popularity

judging by the number of peo-

ple walking up and down the hill

during the weekend. Certainly,

church was visited by a good

number of people, and I’m sure

that the same could be said for

the gardens that were on view.

It’s all a part of the increased

‘visibility’ of the village, along

with such initiatives as ‘Middle-

ton in Bloom’, the arrival of the

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, and the

proposed war memorial which

will be in place for the Centenary

Commemorations in November.

Our thanks are due not just to

those who visited church, but the

team of volunteers who provided

hospitality during the course of

the weekend.

Sadly, the planned concert by

Jonathan Priestly had to be

postponed due to problems with

repetitive strain on Jonathan’s

elbow. Now that he’s had a

chance to rest he’s very willing

to come later in the year, and we

are proposing 20th October, so

please put the date in your diary.

By then, of course, it will be get-

ting colder and we will have had

to install a new heating system

in church as the old boiler finally

died a death during that cold win-

ter (now a long distant memory).

Our intention is to replace the

wet heating system with electric

heaters which will be far more

efficient and economical. We are

currently working on a specifica-

tion and quotes in the hope of

starting the work long before

the winter. Funding, as always, is

an issue, though we are hopeful

that the majority of the cost will

be borne through grant aid. If

we are unsuccessful then we will

have to meet downstairs in the

winter which will leave some of

the bigger occasions at risk.

Hopefully we will be able to have

our harvest, Remembrance and

Christmas celebrations as before,

and we will certainly keep the vil-

lage informed as to our progress.

The family services and Bible

Story sessions continue to try

and attract some of the younger

families in and around the vil-

lage. Please feel free to come

along and see what we have to

offer. We are all looking forward

to the baptism of baby Robert

Park at the Family Service on

19th August where Robert will be

welcomed into the world wide

Christian Family.

With best wishes, as ever,

Canon David Truby

(Wirksworth Team Ministry)

Church News

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Phone or text David on 07900481845

Page 9: Middleton Village Newsletter VILLAGE PUMP · Nelson Arms Bar and accommodation. Alan and Jane (825154) Knit and Natter In the Nelson on Mondays, 1-3pm, with Community Luncheon on

Hello villagers! First off I’d like to

compliment you on your lovely

gardens! What a gorgeous array

of growing madness! Another

huge thanks you to Becki, Sarah

and Jennifer for helping make my

garden less dire, thank you for

the plants, pallets and pots!

With such glorious weather its

only brattish tradition to be firing

up those BBQ’s. I mean you’re

not really brittish unless you love

the ‘caramelised’ sausage and

beer in the garden. Don’t get me

wrong I love a good BBQ, but

this weather brings me joy in

posh picnics. Afternoon tea and a

rather large amount of prosecco.

Here are a collection of my picnic

favourites for a chance to show a

little flare.

Devilled EggsA simple delight with ingredients

most people will already have.

These are lovely to take round to

friends as a rather flashy but easy

to do snack.

Ingredients- 6 large free range hens eggs

- 5 tsp mayonnaise

- pinch of cayenne pepper

- splash of tabasco

- salt to taste (I prefer flakey sea

salt for this recipe)

- 1 tsp of dijon mustard

- a couple of drops of white wine

vinegar

MethodPop eggs in a small saucepan and

just cover with cold water, on a

high heat cook for 12 minutes

total. This works as a general rule

for me, about 6 minutes after

the water comes to the boil is

another method I use, but it’s as

you wish. Cool under cold run-

ning water, peel. Cut eggs in half

lengthways and scoop out yolks.

Mix yolks with mayonnaise, cay-

enne pepper, mustard, hot sauce,

drop of vinegar, add seasoning

to taste. Fill the gap where the

yolks used to be and garnish with

chopped dill.

SconesI love making scones, they’re

quick to make and I prefer shall

we say ‘rustic’ looking ones.

They’re lovely to experiment with

too, maple and walnut, white

chocolate and raspberry, and my

favourite as cherries are com-

ing into season, cherry and dark

chocolate chip!

Ingredients-125g Butter

-500g Self Raising Flour

-tsp of baking powder

-60g Caster Sugar

-Zest of one Lemon, Juice of half

-200ml of milk (room tempera-

ture is better)

-Handful of currants

MethodPreheat oven to 180°C. Cut

butter into thin slices, I actually

prefer to use the ‘slice’ side of

my grater for this. Add in sugar,

baking powder and self raising

flour. Rub together with finger

tips till ‘breadcrumb’ like. Add

in lemon juice and zest along

with a handful of currants. Mix

gently then create a well, add in

milk and kneed together until a

dough. Roll dough out about an

inch thick and cut into desired

shape. Wash scones with milk

and cook for around 10 minutes.

Allow to cool slightly (if you can!)

as they steam beautifully inside

for a fluffy texture. Top with clot-

ted cream and jam for the utterly

mouth-watering experience.

Antipasti SkewersThese really are dead simple but

so pretty to look at, all you’ll need

are some skewers and the follow-

ing ingredients.

IngredientsCherry Tomatoes

Salami Slices (I like Milano!)

Black pitted Olives

Fresh Basil Leaves

Bocconcini Mozzarella (little balls

of)

Emma Rich

Emma’s July Recipes

Page 10: Middleton Village Newsletter VILLAGE PUMP · Nelson Arms Bar and accommodation. Alan and Jane (825154) Knit and Natter In the Nelson on Mondays, 1-3pm, with Community Luncheon on

Middleton Ladies Group

We decided to vary our Summer “Get together and Share Supper” in the Millennium Garden this June.

Thinking we might stretch everyone with a Cheese Themed Supper, it was surprising that no dishes

were duplicated. Just a pity that five Members were on Holiday and a couple unwell, but we had a great

evening, and tucked into Homemade bread, and Pate’...straight from the oven bacon and mushroom

quiche, wonderful scones, cheese and mushroom vol au vents, tasty salads, and many more “cheesy de-

lights” followed by an assortment of both baked and unbaked cheesecakes, and the compulsory glass of

grape juice. Well done “Girls”.

Our next Meeting on Thursday 5th July will be in the Congregational Chapel at 7-30p.m. when we will be

having a talk on the History of Maypole Dancing, and then having a Go.

Middleton Remembers Project – Update

Thank you to all who have given

feedback following the article

in last month’s Village Pump –

here’s a response to some of the

queries.

It has been proposed to site a

memorial on the village green to

those connected with Middleton

who died in the two world wars

for a number of reasons; this

is where the first soldiers to be

called up from the village as-

sembled in 1914 before going to

Cromford station, this is where

the village planned to site a me-

morial following the end of the

First World War; and the Parish

Council owns the Village Green.

At the time of writing, we are

consulting with the Highways

Department to advise on visibility

for vehicles emerging from Water

Lane. Their response will inform

the exact location of a memorial.

The memorial is part of a larger

project which will provide lots

of new opportunities for people

of all ages in Middleton to get

involved in the research and a

commemoration event of the

centenary of the end of the First

World War on Remembrance Day

in November. A new research

group will be created and sup-

port will be provided for Mid-

dleton Primary school to capture

family history and build a clear

picture of what life was like at

this time. An Outreach Worker

from the Commonwealth War

Graves Commission is keen to get

involved and we have started dis-

cussions about how we can work

with them on this project

The Middleton Remembers

project is being led and co-ordi-

nated by the Parish Council and

funding has been secured from:

Heritage Lottery Fund, Tarmac

Landfill Communities Fund,

County and District Councillors’

Local Community Fund, Better

Derbyshire Dales Fund, Steeple

Grange Light Railway, Middleton

Parish Council, Wirksworth World

War 1 Committee and a donation

from Charity Plant Sales.

There are a number of ways to

get an update on how things are

developing, shape what is hap-

pening and express your interest

in getting involved:

• Come to a Middleton Remem-

bers Meeting to be held at the

Village Hall on Wednesday 25 July

at 6pm

• Attend the monthly Parish

Council meetings where progress

is being reported and discussed

• Keep an eye on the notice-

boards in the village for further

updates

Page 11: Middleton Village Newsletter VILLAGE PUMP · Nelson Arms Bar and accommodation. Alan and Jane (825154) Knit and Natter In the Nelson on Mondays, 1-3pm, with Community Luncheon on

Middleton Open Gardens 9th and 10th June

“What a great village!”, “Such friendly people” and “We have got more ideas from Middleton than we got from the Chatsworth Show”, were just a few of the many compliments shared by visitors to Middleton

Open Gardens.

Visitors came from as far away as Germany, Scotland and even Belper! The sun shone as promised, and proud Middletonians worked hard to show their superb gardens and Quirky corners at their very best.

Around 460 very happy visitors had 38 gardens and two cows to visit over the weekend. If you do some sums that means that, in a village half a mile from top to bottom, we could easily proclaim (or sing) that ‘They had walked 500 miles and they should walk 500 more!” (da da da da,da da da da da da da…….….)

Thanks to everyone who helped or took part in this brilliant weekend.

Your efforts have raised over £1300 from ticket sales to be used for village projects. If you have any ideas on how this could be best used to benefit the village please tell the Environment group.

In addition, many gardens provided refreshments or sold bric a brac etc. Together, their hard work raised over £2,200 for a variety of local and national good causes.

That’s over £3500 raised whilst making many people very happy. Well done one and all!

The bed of fly orchids returned to Middleton at the end of May and may still be worth seeing as you read this. The fly orchids I know about are close to the Platformed Bowl Barrow, marked on the OS map as a tumulus. Approaching from Village Green, go up Water Lane, follow the track to the right of the moor and when the path turns left go straight on towards the gate. There is no stile ahead so carefully climb over the gate and continue along the track, eventually heading towards the right hand corner of the field where you will see the orchids on the steep bank to your left, near the fence which separates the field from the back of the mine. You may have to wait until next May to see them as the flowers are beginning to wither.

Wildlife in Middleton

When you see the orchids you will know how they got the name, aping flies to attract them for pollination.Just before the corner of the field you will pass a pond which is an interesting diversion. When I visited a couple of weeks ago I saw many beautifully coloured dragonflies and several newts were splashing about in the shal-low water.

The nationally rare Leadwort, also known as Spring Sandwort, have been out in abundance in May and June. They grow on and close to the spoil heaps in the Gang Mine area but can also be seen nearer to most of us, in the field below Churchill Avenue.

As a corollary to Nick Brown’s

article on swifts we do of course have our own swifts in Middle-ton. Many of you will have seen them flying in the area between Churchill Avenue and the Moor. It’s true, though, that swift num-bers are in decline, partly because they have fewer places to nest as people improve and repair their properties. To help, you may want to build or buy a swift box. The RSPB sell them at their shop at Carsington Water or, if you are handy, they have instructions on their website for you to make your own. If you are extending your property consider includ-ing a swift brick; most building supply merchants keep them in stock.

Page 12: Middleton Village Newsletter VILLAGE PUMP · Nelson Arms Bar and accommodation. Alan and Jane (825154) Knit and Natter In the Nelson on Mondays, 1-3pm, with Community Luncheon on

Green Deal approved

installers of

cavity wall

and loft insulation

01629 824595 07802 845223

www.dsinsulations.co.uk

MP for Derbyshire Dales

RT. HON. PATRICK McLOUGHLIN

Member of Parliament

You can write at any time to:

House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA

[email protected]

Regular advice bureaux

Call for details 0207 2193511.

Working for Derbyshire Dales

Housecoal, Smokeless Fuel, Logs,

Kindling & Firelighters

Quality fuels at unbeatable value

Signal Fuels 01773 747027 07974 434447

07970 215726 Approved coal merchants Our reputation is glowing

PJB Projects

Groundwork and Construction

Minidigger & driver, drives, dropped kerbs, paths,

extensions, garages & conservatories,

landscaping, fencing & stonewalling

15 years experience.

Fully Qualified and Insured.

Call Phil for a free estimate at a realistic price

07977 240223

PARISH COUNCILLORS Tel

Cllr Sandy Clark 01629 822 372

Cllr Dawn Greatorex (chair) 01629 356 661

Cllr Rob Rawlinson 01629 824 655

Cllr John Sedgwick 01629 822 601

Cllr Peter Slack 01629 823 359

Cllr Olwen Wilson 01629 822701

Parish Clerk: John Rowe 07717 137526

www.middletonbywirksworth-pc.gov.uk

DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

Irene Ratcliffe, 47 Yokecliffe Cres, Wirksworth 823023

[email protected]

Mike Ratcliffe, 47 Yokecliffe Cres, Wirksworth 823023

[email protected]

Peter Slack, 31 Chapel Lane, Middleton 823359

[email protected]

COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Irene Ratcliffe, 47 Yokecliffe Cres, Wirksworth 823023

Village Hall

For bookings contact Linda 822511

Village Hall Website www.middletonvh.org.uk

Post Office Opening Times

At the Nelson Arms. Tel 01629 733520 / 07770 662364

Monday 2pm-5pm

Wednesday 2pm-5pm

Thursday 9am-12pm

Parish Council Meetings

Ordinary meetings will be held at 6.30pm in the Committee Room of the Village Hall.

Members of the public are welcome to attend meetings and to raise concerns or make

representations to the Council during the Public Participation section of the meeting.

Police Contact your local team on 0345 123 33 33 or email directly to

PCSO 4413 Sue Lester [email protected]

Village Pump Editors

Lucy Peacock 820831

John Sedgwick 822601

All views expressed are the contributor’s own and unless expressly stated are not necessarily

the view of the Village Pump. We reserve the right to edit or omit contributions.

Ellen Foster ATCL Music Lessons

Singing, Recorder, Cello, Bass Guitar, Piano / keyboard.

Enhanced DBS. All ages welcome,

beginners or improvers.

Competitive rates and discounted

bundles available.

Tel: 07855812753 or

email [email protected]

Finest Grimsby Fish

Suppliers of all Seafood

Cod Trout Haddock

Crab Plaice Lobster

Salmon Cockles Prawns Whelks

We Do It All

Delivering in your area every Thursday

Call Lee on 07984624544

Email [email protected]

Free Range Eggs

Free range eggs £2.00 per

dozen. Can deliver in the

village.

Tel. Sam Kitching 07824469219

Paws on Paths

Dog walking services

Middleton Enhanced CRB,

specially adapted vehicle

Tel. Michael Kitching

07982806741

M J Petts

Plumbing & Heating

Installation – Service –

Repair

07580 457426

[email protected] Gas Safe Registered - 551336