UNDER THE EDGE INCORPORATING THE PARISH MAGAZINE GREAT LONGSTONE, LITTLE LONGSTONE, ROWLAND, HASSOP, MONSAL HEAD, WARDLOW www.undertheedge.net No. 265 February 2021 ISSN 1466-8211 Winning Smiles! Katt Dean was the clear winner with 25% of the votes in last month’s ‘Family Portrait’ category of the Virtual Photo Competition, with this charming Christmassy family group of herself with husband Tom and eight month old Harry. Ron Meades 1920-2021 We are sad to announce the death of Ron Meades, a former resident of Great Longstone, on Friday 8th January 2021 in Weymouth, aged 100. Ron was born in Cardiff on 9th December 1920. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1940 and served in Burma as ground crew with a number of RAF squadrons. After returning home in 1945, Ron played football professionally for Cardiff City. In 1948 he married Kitty, and over the football coach in 1950 and coached in many countries, including India, Ceylonnext twelve (Sri Lanka),years they Barbados, had five Iran, children. Kuwait, He qualifiedRomania asand a professionalNorway. In 1958 Ron was appointed Football Coach at Torquay United Football Club and the family settled in the town. During the following years, gifts of piano and organ playing. Sadly, Kitty died suddenly in 2003. TheRon qualifiedfollowing as year, a music Ron movedteacher from and wasTorquay much to sought the Peak after District, for his where he soon became involved in local life as a deputy organist at a number of churches and chapels, including Great Longstone, Wardlow, Stoney Middleton, Curbar, Little Longstone Congregational Chapel, and the Methodist churches at Great Longstone and Darley Hillside. As a member of the Burma Star Association, he honoured his fellow comrades by taking part in the the annual Poppy Planting Ceremony at Westminster Abbey and the Remembrance Sunday Parade in Whitehall. The photo shows Ron with Prince Harry in November 2016. In 2014 Ron moved to Weymouth, where three of his children live. In December 2020, he celebrated his 100th Birthday, but because of COVID-19 restrictions the family celebrated with him via Zoom, a new experience for him. With his musical skills and his talent as a raconteur, Ron was always entertaining company, and will be sadly missed by friends and family alike. Sue Coe A Grand Age February Garden Notes I had no idea I had reached a grand It’s still very wet everywhere and heavy rain is forecast so I am not in any rush to age until reading the exploits of the get back on the soil. I remember last February as being exceptionally wet, so we youthful looking 77 year old Lynne will just have to stay patient. At least the garden centres are still open. If you did Walker in November’s UTE. It is of not manage to plant any bulbs last autumn the garden centres will have plenty course the age of the man who has of pot grown bulbs, which will make a great display planted up in containers. taken on the most important job in the You could also take the opportunity to stock up on items you are likely to need in world, namely President of the USA. the spring such as compost and fertiliser. Whilst the borders are relatively bare, The inauguration of Mr Biden on 20th January left me feeling strong pelleted chicken manure. When we do get a drier spell, I will still be pottering pangs of conscience, as along with aroundI will be picking spreading up leaves, organic trimming fertilisers back such spent as perennials,blood, fish and diggingbone, seaweed out weeds or many others I will have been retired such as buttercups that are more visible at this time of year. Cut back clematis: for over a dozen years, although in common with many other people, I think “Sooner him than me”. the late spring and early summer flowering varietiesI grow can a variety be trimmed of succulents back hard Had we been in happier times I whilst the early spring and winter flowering types can be left as they are. might have suggested those of this of winter (see photo). They are easy esteemed vintage gather at a local tothat grow, will flowerkeep frost-free even in the and depths need hostelry on that day and drink a toast watering very sparingly during to Mr Biden, wishing him well for his the winter. I water the greenhouse onerous duties. It may also have been plants once a week although quite a an occasion to draw some mutual number will not require any water inspiration and encouragement for the at all, such as cacti and echeveria. I years ahead. Andrew Roddis also keep an eye out for pests such as slugs, which love my echium Hillsprings become a problem, you can put up LAUNDRY yellowplants! sticky If greenfly traps. I will and continue whitefly to AGENT FOR DRY CLEANING sow seeds such as sweet peas, hardy Service Washes Bed and Bath Linen annuals, parsley and coriander, Table Linen Workwear & Overalls as well as sowing peas and broad IRON ONLY SERVICE peas for an early crop. I am still Uniforms Sleeping Bags Sports Kits Duvets harvesting brussels, cabbage and kale but will be pulling them out Open Monday-Friday 7am-5pm Collection and delivery available shortly and digging the area over The Dale, Stoney Middleton, Hope Valley S32 4TF when the weather allows. www.hillsprings.co.uk ( 01433 631442 Andy Hanna E-mail: [email protected] 2 Virtual Photo Competition there is a different theme each month, which is then subject to a public vote. December’s theme was Family portrait. There Wewere had 21 a entrants; great response the quality to our of first the onlinesubmissions photographic was outstanding competition and this it was month. lovely Entrants to see so are many invited different to submit interpretations a photo and of the theme. This month’s winner was Katt Dean’s lovely photo of the family all dressed up in their Christmas PJs! January’s theme is Still Life and we are hoping that we will have even more entrants this month. Photos can be taken on any device and emailed to [email protected]. We can also scan prints for you. All the photos can be seen on the GL community website www.greatlongstone.net/GL-Photographic-Competition. Jane Littlefield Jenny Croft came in 2nd place with this photo of the James Wang’s photo of Annie Davey’s daughter and granddaughter was 3rd. Shimwells’ Highland calf November. “Eating for two!” “It’s good to know there’s someone walking beside us for our first steps in life” Andy Hanna was joint 4th with “Pinkie and Perkie follow me everywhere” Chris Waddington was also in joint 4th place with “Having a laugh!” VIRTUAL PHOTO LITTLE LONGSTONE Census 2021 PARISH MEETING Jobs available! COMPETITION 22nd February (online) Play an active part in this Contact Sarah Stokes for once in a decade operation further details VOTE! Full information online at: ( 01629 640851 online for your favourite censusjobs.co.uk “Still Life” [email protected] before February 15th The Village Shop SUBMIT! Opening Times entries online for category Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am-4pm “Garden Creatures” Sunday 10am-1pm before February 28th Fresh vegetables, fruit, biscuits, bread, Full details at: milk, cheese, yoghurts, ice cream, pastries, puddings, raw & cooked meats, logs, household supplies, www.greatlongstone. cleaning products, tinned & dried goods, and much more! net/GL-Photographic- Free delivery or Collect at Shop l 07890 205544 Competition Main Street, Great Longstone ( 01629 640507 3 Thornhill House In Great Longstone we have a Nursing and Residential Home with nineteen single rooms. Many of you may not even be aware of its existence unless you happen to have visited a friend or relative staying there. It was built in 1994 by The John wife, Molly Thornhill. Molly had been deeply saddened by the death of her friend’s mother Marjorie Birch, who was unable toThornhill spend her Memorial last days Trust close which to her is familya ‘not forand profit’ friends, organisation. and she realised The driving the need force for behind a Home the in thetrust’s village creation to provide was John’s both residential and nursing care, especially for local people so that they could remain within their community. Due to the current restrictions relating to COVID-19, Thornhill House is closed to all visitors. There were two gazebos outside where residents were able to meet visitors during the warmer months but with the onset of winter a temporary conservatory with a COVID-19 safe Visiting Pod has been installed so that residents can meet safely there with friends and relatives. The staff have been very careful at dealing with the virus but nevertheless there was a case of one person testing positive. This was a person coming in from another care home, who was immediately isolated until test results came back negative. The staff and the residents are tested on a very regular basis, currently twice a week. It was good to hear that the I have personal experience of Thornhill House as my father-in-law spent two years there. Residents are made to feel as comfortableresidents and as staff possible received by bringing their first personal vaccine andagainst loved the items virus from in the home second and week they of are January. very well looked after. There are also activities organised such as trips to local places of interest, as well as social events and exercises to take part in, though these will have been slightly curtailed under current restrictions.