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I am fortunate to be asked into BBC Radio Derby once a month to comment, with another invitee, on issues in the news on the mid-morning show with Iain Skye at 10.00am. In February I was delighted to be paired with Nigel Vardy (see March edition and Sally Pepper’s interview) and we were asked what advice would we give our younger selves considering our years of knowledge. I said that I would have loved to have learnt the piano properly…. I did take lessons once but curtailed the course prematurely…and that you should always look after your extremities. I.e. good hats, good gloves good shoes and the like. Nigel who whilst climbing in Alaska 25 years ago, in temperatures of -60°C, got severe frostbite in his fingers, toes and nose (all were ultimately lost to surgery) laughed at that suggestion but took my comments in good humour and said that he wished he had known the phrase ‘Life is hard Kid so be Hard with it!’. It was a jolly encounter and we even learnt that we have another thing in common…we were both disc jockeys (of differing success I should add) in the early 80s!

There are lots of stories in the press about the ‘Missing parcels of Amazon’ as if they were a rocky outcrop somewhere in South America. But I must report the two microwaves that were allegedly delivered to Tissington in January but I have yet to locate them. I happily ordered online a new Panosonic microwave for use in the tearooms then to receive notice that it would be delivered within 24 hours. Consequently, I was notified that the parcel was outside the front door but, on inspection no package was apparent. Had it been dropped off at a neighbour’s I was asked but no it had not….  so, I re-ordered. Subsequently the second parcel was signed for by a ‘Mr Jam’ and left in reception. Regular visitors will know that we have no ‘reception’ here and we do not employ a mysterious Mr Jam. Fortunately the result was that I cancelled this order, achieved my refund and took my business elsewhere. However, I do wonder what the wonderfully named ‘Mr Jam’ is doing with his surfeit of microwaves!

After nine years our regular organiser of the Tissington Craft Fairs gave notice owing to a change in circumstance leaving a hole in the schedule so we are delighted that local Ashbourne team ‘Makers Haven’ announced that they would be utilising our Village Hall on selected weekends in the summer showcasing incredible local talent and unique creations opposite the pond. Entrance is free and of course our other village attractions will be open including Herbert’s Tearooms, the candle workshop On A Wick And A Prayer and Craft Corner at the northern end of the village. Makers Haven want to highlight the creative artisans that live locally so please do check out their Facebook page and follow their postings online. The first day is Saturday 26^th April.

One of the last functions that the outgoing High Sheriff, Ian Morgan, hosted was a wine tasting evening at the Incora County Ground at Derbyshire Cricket Club. Ian ‘s son Joe is the self-titled ‘Wine Guy ‘and has a penchant for grapes and bottles. Using his knowledge he has developed a ‘Wine Bluff’ evening when he shows individual wines (two reds and two whites) where there are four possible answers which are all delivered by a bacchanal quartet. Only one of the speakers is correct of course and teams of five are asked to write down their answers. With previous as a wine merchant from the 1980s I thought that our team, ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ had a good chance but my ability was left wanting and we only guessed one wine correct. Sponsored by Barry Lewis and his excellent Amber Valley Wines the evening raised over £2000 for Foundation Derbyshire. Thank you to Ian and his wife Sylvia for hosting and thankyou for being such a splendid champion of our wonderful County over the last year.

Finally, you may notice a change to this column next month as it changes its name to The High Sheriff’s Diary. All being well I will be installed in the position on Thursday April 3 in a ceremony at St Mary’s Church in Tissington. As I write both the Under Sherriff Sue Jennings and her Deputy Chris Birds are organising both the guest list and the order of the service where I shall swear an oath to oversee and uphold law and order in the County. It is an auspicious time but I trust the next year is rewarding not just for myself and our family but for all the people of our great county.