EL_JF17 ONline

January/February 2017
Your FREE copy – Issue 78
Our Christmas 2016
drawing competition winners
The Bell at Beachampton
Serving fresh food and well-kept real ales
with a friendly yet professional service!
See page 3 for more details…
www.essentiallylocal.co.uk

Building Services
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Leisure
The Bell – where quality and romance are on the menu
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and
The Bell Inn at Beachampton could be
the perfect setting a romantic evening
with a special person.
The Bell’s manager Jade and her
team have been conjuring up options
for a special evening for two. From
a grand surprise to a simple intimate
meal for two – whatever your desire,
every detail of your experience
will be taken care of to make this a
memorable evening.
Begin with a relaxing drink by the
cosy open fire, watching the glowing
flames. Glance through the options
on the a la carte or set menus – Head
Chef Gheorghe’s passion for designing
and preparing your dishes will offer a
tempting selection for all appetites. .
His selection of starters and mains range
from imaginative vegetarian to a choice
of tender meats and tasty fish, all served
up with a garnish of romance.
To enhance the evening further,
select from a range of New World
or European wines – will it be a crisp
white, or an aromatic red? Maybe
make your evening sparkle with a
glass of fizz?
To finish, you and your partner can
select a refreshingly light dessert, or
perhaps you will indulge in one of a
range of familiar, delicious puddings.
Then it’s time to sit back with a freshly
ground coffee and let the romance
begin…
The Bell Inn is a traditional pub that
has been modernised while retaining
its character and charm, giving you the
perfect atmosphere for every event.
To book your special Valentine night out please call The Bell Inn
01908 418 373 Main Street, Beachampton, Bucks, MK19 6DX
www.thebellbeachampton.co.uk
Leisure
Call us to book a table:
01908 418 373
Main Street
Beachampton
Milton Keynes
MK19 6DX
www.thebellbeachampton.co.uk
Serving fresh food and well-kept real ales
with a friendly yet professional service!
The Bell at Beachampton is a beautiful countryside pub, serving food
that is freshly prepared on the premises using seasonal local produce.
Check out the website for our menu details,
Opening times:
Monday-Saturday 11am-11pm (food served 12.00pm-2.00pm & 6.00pm-9.00pm)
Sunday 12am-8pm (food served 12.00pm-6.00pm)
To advertise please call 01908 380777
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Contents & Welcome
Inside this Issue…
Essentially Business and Professional
29 Cupid’s poisoned arrow;
30 Grandparents can make a real difference to
grandchildren’s futures; Making memories
Essentially Children
24 Children’s fun; A magical drawing thank you
Essentially Community
6 Devastation caused by a mobile phone
20 Local girl is nation-wide singing success
22 Milton Keynes – celebrating 50 years; Wolverton shines on...
40 Weather you like it or not
Essentially Health, Well-being & Sport
12 Calm your mind and body with these simple techniques;
Breathing easily
14 Challenge yourself; Getting help with your training;
Complement your training plan; An exciting challenge
18 Milton Keynes Dance Centre plans exciting Jiveathon
42 A new take on a running race…
Essentially Home & Garden
44 Stony Stratford in Bloom; The most beautiful green roofs
46 Winter gardening
Essentially Leisure
3 The Bell – where quality and romance are on the menu
8 Bygone Stony photo exhibition;
Milton Keynes Philatelic Society Stamp Fair; Good Time Jazz
18 Talking of home…
20 Exciting menus of flavoursome food
32 Bardic Trials 2017; Comedy Cow; The Kings’ Courtesan
36 Swinging Songwriters; Stony Steam Lab
Essentially Pets
10 Abandoned rabbits – a cruel fate;
Chubby pets – weigh too much!
Regulars
23 Competition – Win a meal for two with a bottle of
house wine at The Crown, Stony Stratford
26 What’s on and What’s on sport
48 Essential numbers
50 Advertisers
Where we Deliver…
Towcester
Paulerspury
Alderton
Hanslope Long Street
Hanslope
Yardley Gobion
Castlethorpe
Haversham
Potterspury Cosgrove
Old Wolverton
Old Stratford
Wolverton
Deanshanger
Wolverton Mill
Stony Stratford
Wicken
Passenham
Calverton
Beachampton
Hello Readers…
Happy New Year to you all! Thank you all for
all the positive comments you have sent over
the last year. Essentially Local has grown and
developed because of our great team. The
team includes designer Andrew Metcalfe,
proofreader and garden expert Sheila Harvey
and delivery staff. Thanks also to all the
advertisers and contributors of the content.
Now I love a good challenge and this
year you can be part of several – the
Ultra5K run, see page 42, or maybe a trek
across Vietnam. Happy Bodies Health and
Wellbeing, Old Stratford can give the right
training programme. Laura, Happy Bodies
owner, is working on her own marathon,
take a look on page 14.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s
time to make a plan for a romantic meal.
We are spoilt for choice – The Bell Inn,
Beachampton, The Crown Market Square,
The White Lion, Wicken and the Antep,
Wolverton. Or maybe for something
different, an afternoon tea at ARTea Room,
or a stay-in Chinese Takeway from The
Bamboo Cottage, Old Stratford.
Finally please read the article on
page 6 and stay safe for 2017.
Keeping your business
Essentially Local.
Emma – Editor
Get in Touch…
Essentially Local
The Office, 5 The Stocks,
Cosgrove, Milton Keynes MK19 7JD
Tel: 01908 380777
Email: info@essentiallylocal.co.uk
Website: www.essentiallylocal.co.uk
Essentially-Local
Essentiallyl
Design and production:
Andrew Metcalfe andrew@meticulousdesign.com
4

Motoring Services
To advertise please call 01908 380777
5

Community
Devastation caused by a mobile phone
In December the news reported a push
to increase the maximum sentence
for causing death by dangerous
driving, placing the offence on a par
with manslaughter. Adam Pearson
from Milton Keynes tells his story of
the devastation caused by the use
of a mobile phone at the wheel, and
how crucial the service of the Air
Ambulance is.
My name is Adam Pearson, and on
10th August 2016 I discovered how
lethal the combination of a mobile
phone and a moving vehicle can be.
On 11th August, I gradually
emerged from the void of anaesthesia
to see the hectic environment of a
hospital emergency department and
recovery room. Through my haze, I
was told about a road traffic accident, I
had been airlifted to the John Radcliffe
Hospital in Oxford and had spent the
last few hours in surgery.
Anaesthetic takes away shock and
panic, so I reacted with remarkable
calm. Although I had no memory of
any accident, I established that I had
been alone in the car and my wife and
children were safe.
Some hours earlier, I’d come to a
halt at the back of a queue of traffic
on the A34. At 5:13pm, a heavy
goods vehicle approached the back
of the queue. The driver was busy
changingmusic on his mobile phone.
Later proven beyond doubt to have
been distracted for at least 8 seconds,
with strong evidence that he barely
looked at the road for up to a minute
or more. When being sentenced, the
judge said he “may as well have been
driving with his eyes closed.”
He looked up when 22 metres away
from the back of the queue. Unable to
react in time, he crashed into the rear
of my car at 51mph.
Dashcam footage showed that in
the split second before impact, I had
turned the carto the left, evidently
aware of what was about to happen.
This small but significant movement
caused my car to be pushed towards
the verge and launch into the air after
impact with the van in front, landing
on the roof in the ditch. The footage
shows thatit took a few seconds for my
car to accelerate from 0 to 51mph and
come crashing back to rest.
I’d suffered multiple injuries. An
aortic rupture, 5 thoracic spinal
fractures, 19 broken ribs, a collapsed
lung and multiple lacerations. I was
bleeding heavily both internally and
externally, and was in desperate need
of medical intervention.
I was lucky. Tragically, three vehicles
ahead, a mother, her two sons and a
step-daughter – children of similar ages
to my own – had been killed on impact.
In the vehicle behind them, afather and
son were forced to watch helplessly as
their loved ones – partner, daughter,
sister, friends – died because of a
mobile phone. I’m here to tell the story
because Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Air Ambulance was able to attend.
I later discovered that aortic rupture
has a 90% mortality rate, and of
those, 75% die at the scene due to
internal bleeding and consequential
loss of blood pressure. Of all road
traffic accident deaths, 18% are
relatedto aortic rupture, an injury often
associated with sudden deceleration.
The Air Ambulance doctor and
paramedics took the difficult decision
to leave those already confirmed dead
and attend to me as the only life-critical
casualty. I was cut free from the car,
sedated and transfused with blood
before being flown to the nearest
major trauma centre.
I have no memory of the Air
Ambulance service, butI’ll be forever
grateful for what they did. Because of
their commitment, professionalism and
skill, I’m hoping to make a full recovery
and I’m fortunate enough to be able to
look forward to a future with my family.
If only everyone involved in this
dreadful event could have seen the
same outcome.
The lorry driver was sentenced to 10
years for 4 counts of causing death by
dangerous driving. He’ll serve half of
that time. By most people’s reckoning,
simply not long enough.
Meanwhile, the country’s regional air
ambulances continue to provide such
remarkable emergency trauma care
with no public funding.
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Leisure
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Community
Bygone Stony photo exhibition
(a StonyWords! event)
2.00pm-5.00pm, Saturday, 21 January and Sunday, 22 January
York House Centre, London Road, Stony Stratford, MK11 1JQ
The highly-popular exhibition returns
with more local photos and news
clippings. The images capture Stony
Stratford from Victorian times to not-solong-ago.
Come and spot your granny,
or possibly yourself at York House youth
club, St Mary’s School, in one of the lost
pubs, or on a tram to Wolverton!
Exhibits have been kindly donated
by local residents and ex-residents.
Around 200 items, with some absolute
gems – the trams, the old pubs
and shops, the long-gone houses
and cottages, Jubilee and other
celebrations, soldiers marching to
war, and a High Street with no traffic
(except a horse and cart)!
The exhibition will be in the groundfloor
Beechey Room, so please use
rear entrance.
Watch out for posters in the
town, or visit www.york-house.org.
uk or stonywords.org.uk or email
jukeofstony@gmail.com
FREE entry, but a little donation
to York House’s community projects
would be appreciated.
Milton Keynes Philatelic
Society Stamp Fair
10am-4pm, Saturday, 14 January
Methodist Hall, Queensway, Bletchley,
Milton Keynes, MK2 2HB
This popular stamp fair is back with dealers and members
selling stamps, coins and First Day Covers, including the
former Bletchley Park Post Office. The event offers you the
opportunity to meet members and consider joining this
friendly stamp club, as well buy and sell. Refreshments are
available all day. For further information call 01908 521220
or visit www.miltonkeynesphilatelicsociety.co.uk
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Leisure
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Animal services
Abandoned rabbits – a cruel fate
Do not release domestic rabbits into the wild!
If you become bored of your rabbit and think the answer
would be to release your cuddly pet into the freedom of
the wild – think again. The reality is that you would be
sending your pet to a cruel death. It is actually an offence
to abandon a rabbit, for very good reasons:
• Domestic rabbits are often a variety of colours, including
white. Wild rabbits have an agouti coat that provides
camouflage from predators.
• Wild rabbits forage and create warrens as a family group
for safety. A single, abandoned rabbit rarely strays far
from where it has been left and is easy prey for dogs,
cats and a multitude of wild predators.
• Domesticated rabbits have no idea what plants are safe
to eat or where water can be found to drink.
• Wild rabbits are wary of busy roads. Domesticated
rabbits have no such instinct.
If you are thinking of releasing a domestic rabbit into the
wild – please think again. It deserves better treatment.
Chubby pets – weigh too much!
Our four legged friends are just as
prone as we are to adding a few
extra pounds over Christmas. Treats
and leftovers are too much to resist!
Unfortunately, a few inches on the
waistline can dramatically increase the
number of health problems for cats
and dogs.
Nicky, vet nurse from the Vet Centre
at Maids Moreton, says, “Many of the
dogs that are overweight develop
arthritis at a much earlier age, making
walking uncomfortable and really
impacting on their quality of life. We can
manage the pain once they have it but
we would prefer owners to avoid letting
their pets getting into this situation.”
Overweight pets are also prone
to many other conditions such as
diabetes, respiratory problems and
urinary issues. David, vet from the Vet
Centre, says, “Treats have a very high
calorie count (that’s why they’re so
tasty!) and are one of the main culprits
for causing weight gain. It is so hard
to resist those big eyes pleading for
a treat! A good solution is to either
use low-fat treats or to measure
out all their food for the day in the
morning. Take a few biscuits from their
measured portions to use as treats.
They still get the reward of having a
treat but none of the extra calories.”
The other great way to help shed
a few pounds is to increase exercise
levels. For dogs this means longer
walks and retrieving. Just think of the
benefits that the extra walking can
bring for you too!
It can be a bit more challenging for
cats but playing games with them can
help – Good luck for 2017!
Contact The Vet Centre Cherry Lane Garden Centre, Potterspury, NN12 7QN
01280 812057 or 01908 542155 visit www.thevetcentre.ltd.uk for more information.
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Community
Calm your mind and body
with these simple techniques
Breathing properly helps you to relax.
Yoga, Pilates and meditation teachers
focus on breathing techniques for a
good reason. Breathing in deeply and
exhaling for a few seconds longer
than your inhale sends a message
to your brain and muscles to relax.
By focusing on the sound of your
breath you can help to calm your
overworked mind.
We tend to breathe from the
Breathing easily
Abdominal breathing techniques
can help conditions like asthma,
bronchitis, chest infections and
pneumonia.
As we age our breathing becomes
shallower. The Active Cycle of
Breathing Techniques can help to
improve your breathing by loosening
and moving sputum from your airways.
It consists of breathing control,
deep breathing and huffing. Try the
techniques for yourself:
• Breathing Control – breathe gently
with as little effort as possible,
through your nose if you can. Close
upper chest, which results in a
shallow pattern. If you breathe from
your belly this allows the maximum
flow of oxygen into your lungs and
you will restore energy, improve
sleep and recharge your immune
system.
Simple breathing techniques will
5 High St, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes MK11 1LJ
Phone: 01908 566610 • www.whitespacestudio.co.uk
your eyes, relax and focus on your
breathing.
• Deep Breathing Exercises – with
relaxed shoulders and chest draw
in 3 to 5 long, slow, deep breaths,
through your nose. Breathe out
gently and relax, holding your
breath for 2 to 3 seconds after each
breath.
• Huffing – squeeze air quickly from
your lungs through your open
mouth and throat, without forcing.
Small-long huffs or big-short huffs
help you to relax, deal with stress and
look after your health and wellbeing.
Best of all – you can practise
anywhere, even at your desk!
With thanks to Deborah Berryman,
yoga teacher and founder of
Whitespace Yoga & Wellbeing Studio.
move sputum from different parts
of the lungs. Always do breathing
control after each couple of huffs.
• Coughing – only cough if the
sputum is cleared easily. Avoid long
bouts of coughing.
To get the best results from the
Active Cycle, your physiotherapist
can devise a Breathing Techniques
programme for your needs, detailing
what to do, when and how often,
without risk of injury.
Call Action Physiotherapy for details. 01908 968430. See the full article
on breathing from Action Physio on www.essentiallylocal.co.uk/wisewords
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Wellbeing
BEAT THOSE WINTER BLUES!
Sign up in January and make the most of our
Happy Bodies welcome package. Four free
sessions with a trainer including nutritional guidance.
Contact us now to find out more.
Happy Bodies – helping you make healthy
and happy choices for the New Year.
HAPPY BODIES | FURTHO COURT | OLD STRATFORD | MK19 6AN
To advertise please call 01908 380777
13

Community
Challenge yourself
There are all sorts of crazy challenges for charity – runs, walks, treks, bike rides and even more
mad choices. To select the right event, training and nutrition plan, stay local as help is at hand
to keep up your motivation and set the right targets.
Getting help with your training
With the Happy Bodies
Fitness and Wellbeing
team in Old Stratford you
will reach your sporting
goals with targeted
individual training plans.
This year a little twist is
in place – training your
trainer! When Laura
Bowley discovered her
mum was unable to run the 2017 London Marathon, a mad
moment saw her offer to run. While her mum deferred her
place, Laura decided she’d run a local marathon anyway.
She will be raising money as well but her goal is to highlight
awareness and help others in their quest to run or cycle. Call
Happy Bodies for details on costs and how to join.
Unit 2 Furtho Court, Towcester Road,
Old Stratford, Milton Keynes
Tel: 01908 477066 • www.happybodies.co.uk
An exciting challenge for 2017
One of the local
challenges that you
may like to consider
this year is the
Willen Vietnam Trek
Adventure which
take place between
30 September –
8 October. The
registration cost
is £295.00 and a minimum sponsorship of £2,850 is
required. Flights, accommodation, meals and support are
all included in the cost although there are a few additional
extras. After landing in the capital Hanoi you will trek
through the stunning Vietnamese countryside and jungle.
Willen Hospice is at the forefront of life-limiting care in our
community. Your fundraising will help with the £7 every
single minute of the year required to keep this service
going. If you could take part give Dawn Clark, Fundraising
Manager at Willen Hospice a call for ideas to inspire you.
For more info: www.willen-hospice.org.uk/vietnam
or call 01908 303078
Complement your training plan
Geni Ebbetts, owner of
The Heart Yoga Space,
Wolverton Park, advocates
practising yoga as a really
effective, complementary
partner to running. She
says: “Yoga increases body
strength, and stronger
muscles lead to a better
running performance.’
The long holds in yoga
poses help to develop
stamina and core strength, and the increased flexibility
you gain reduces the risk of running injury. Breathing
techniques that you learn while practising yoga will enable
you to keep a balance; if your breath is controlled it is
easier to run, and if you are breathing deeply – right to the
bottom of the lungs - the oxygen content in the blood
improves and the muscles are better supplied during a
run. This leads to increased running performance and
less discomfort and chances of cramp. After a run, yoga
reduces muscle tightness and helps recovery. Practising
yoga will also help you develop increased mental focus,
which in turn can help you achieve your running goals.
For information about yoga for sports people:
The Heart Yoga Space
Unit 2 The Carriageworks, Wolverton Park Road,
Wolverton, MK12 5FJ
Tel: 01908 579264 • theheartyogaspace.co.uk
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Wellbeing
www.nailsalonmiltonkeynes.co.uk
LANh's NAiL sALoN
• Acrylics • Nail art • Shellac • Air brush designs
• Hand designs • Gel nails • Pedicures
BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!
CALL 01908 567796
95 High Street, Stony Stratford MK11 1AT
LANh’s NAiL sALoN in
Stony Stratford provides a
professional and relaxing nail
care service to fully meet all
your individual needs.
What’s more, we also have free
parking at the rear, free fast wi-fi
in the shop and free tea and coffee.
Need a physio?
You don’t have to wait!
Experience you can trust
Call
01908 560355
www.grandunionphysio.co.uk
Old Stratford Business Park,
Falcon Drive, Old Stratford MK19 6FG
To advertise please call 01908 380777
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L
•
B
B
Wellbeing
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Wellbeing
| Back pain | Muscle injury | Sore or overused muscles | Muscle cramping
| Pregnancy back and leg discomfort | Headaches | Whiplash | Lymphatic drainage
| Circulatory problems | Anxiety | Depression | Insomnia | Stress
Tailor-made massage
with you in mind
Massage in Mind provides
massage to meet your needs.
Whether suffering from stress or having
muscular discomfort, massage is a powerful
tool to alleviate these and many more
physical and emotional conditions.
Call 01908 968430 to
book your appointment.
Massage in Mind Action Physiotherapy,
54b High Street, Stony Stratford MK11 1AQ
Email reception@actionphysiotherapy.co.uk
www.massageinmind.me
15
Need a physio?
You don’t have to wait!
Experience you can trust
Call
01908 560355
www.grandunionphysio.co.uk
Old Stratford Business Park,
Falcon Drive, Old Stratford MK19 6FG
To advertise please call 01908 380777
To advertise please call 01908 380777
17

Community
Talking of home…
It can be a huge challenge to move
to a country that doesn’t speak your
language. Whatever your reason
for moving – job, family or new
experience – learning to fit into a
different culture, find friends and
learn the language can be stressful.
While you can join clubs and sign
up to an evening class or language
school, there are times when talking
to someone in your mother tongue
is important. Luckily for our overseas
visitors and residents, Milton Keynes
has opportunities for you to meet up
with others for a chat.
Les Poussins
De Milton Keynes
Les Poussins is a local French
supplementary school for native
speakers and for over 25 years has
welcomed local native French speaking
children and their families. The aim
is to encourage and develop the
knowledge of the French language
as well as the French culture and
traditions. Les Poussins also offers
an opportunity for children, young
people and families to meet with other
bilingual people. Every Saturday over
100 families and around 180 children
are registered for French lessons.
This is a very sociable group where
parents can pop to the café to get
to know each other. The group also
organise lots of fun activities for
both adults and younger members,
including evenings out, theatre trips,
outings with children and picnics.
They also hold seasonal events for
Christmas, Easter, Mother’s and
Father’s Day.
To get in touch:
secretariat@lespoussins.org.uk
lespoussins.org.uk/
The lessons take place at Entrée:
Portway Building P1-English, Milton
Keynes, MK14 6BN
MeetUp Group
Spanish or South American? If you
are looking to meet people who
share a similar interest in the Spanish
language, come to the Beds, Bucks
and Norths Spanish Meetup Group.
This group started in 2006 as the
Milton Keynes Spanish Meetup and has
grown steadily. People in the local area
who love to learn and speak Spanish,
come from a Spanish-speaking country
or simply like meeting others to enjoy
some Tapas and watch a Spanish film
are welcomed.
The Meetup Group also organises
“intercambio” meet-ups, so that
native Spanish speakers can practice
their English as well.
There are now more than 900
hundred members, offering meetings
in Milton Keynes, Leighton Buzzard,
Northampton, Towcester and Bedford.
All ages and levels of fluency are
welcome at any of the venues.
Join today! For more information
visit www.meetup.com/spanishbedsbucksnorthants/
Milton Keynes Dance Centre plans exciting Jiveathon
12pm-10pm Sunday, 8 January 2017
The Milton Keynes Dance Centre has
planned an exciting Jiveathon. With
dancing beginning at 12 noon you
can expect energetic and exciting
performances continuing right up until
ten o’clock at night!
Dance shows have fuelled our love
of styles like Lindy Hop, Jitterbug and
Jive so if you want to have a go this
is your chance. Absolute beginners
workshops will take place at various
times throughout the day. There is no
better way to get fit and have fun!
If you prefer to watch, join the Kids
of Swing and Junior Jivers for some
spectacular performances. There will
also be nationwide champions, a live
performance from The Bobcats and
Milton Keynes Dance Centre very own
teacher Laura Christie.
Along side all the dancing there’s a
raffle with prizes from some great local
businesses as well as a fully licensed
bar. Tickets are priced at only £10.
Milton Keynes Dance Centre 132 Newport Rd, New Bradwell, Milton Keynes MK13 0AA
Tel: 01908 227772 • www.mkdc.org
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Community
Exciting menus of flavoursome food
A new style of dining is set to arrive at
the ARTea Room in Wakefield Country
Courtyard this year. Owner James
Swanborough-Smith will be offering
Supper Club events to small groups
of people who love exciting menus of
flavoursome food.
James, already gaining a respectable
reputation for providing dinner parties
in your home, promises to deliver
menus with varied choices over three
appetising courses. Mouth-watering
starters will be hard to resist – how
about garlic & rosemary marinated
goat’s cheese served on a toasted
bruschetta on a bed of dressed leaves
with pink peppercorns & walnuts?
Equally luscious are the mains that
include oven roasted pancetta
wrapped free-range chicken breast
stuffed with a mushroom & garlic
stuffing with pomme purée & pan fried
baby vegetables. The standards he has
set are high! Each club will introduce
you to more appealing recipes as
James blends his passion for good
cuisine with his experience.
Add hospitality that is hard to rival
and a setting as warm and inviting as
this quirky converted barn and your
experience will be a real treat. If you
enjoy a blend of friendship and food,
you will love this style of dining. The
limited numbers of diners will give
certainly give you a more intimate
and social experience and sharing an
evening with like-minded groups may
even lead to friendships developing.
While you savour the
tastes of each course, you
will have time to relax and
chat as James and his team discreetly
clear and prepare you for the next
delight. The evening closes with
coffee or a variety of infused teas,
leaving you and the other foodies to
go home delighted after an evening
of excellent food and company.
If you are interested in taking part
in one of James’ Supper Parties, email
your interest or call:
ARTea Room Wakefield Country Courtyard, Potterspury NN12 7QX
www.artearoom.co.uk • 01327 810245 • enquiries@artearoom.co.uk
Local girl is nation-wide singing success
When Brooke Layla steps on stage she
is filled with excitement and the thrill
of seeing her audience. Although only
twelve, she has a voice with the power
and depth of range of someone with
far greater experience.
Brooke has been singing and
dancing since she was two, and
more recently has been writing her
own music. While she has reached
the finals of national competitions,
nothing could compare to her star
performance on Michael MacIntyre’s
Big Show.
After spotting her talent on
YouTube, the team behind the show
organised a visit to an accomplished
fortune-teller who happened to know
a lot about Brooke. She was in total
shock when Michael MacIntyre made
an appearance!
Brooke’s taste of star treatment
was unforgettable. She had her own
dressing room and name on the door,
plus a vocal coach and choreographer
for the afternoon. When she came
out on stage to give a magical
performance of Whitney Houston’s
I will always love you to over 2,000
people in the Drury Lane Theatre, she
received a standing ovation and tears
of pleasure trickled down her face.
Following her performance Brooke
has recorded her first CD with Straw
House recording studio, featured on
Gogglebox and been booked to sing
at the F1 in Silverstone later this year.
She’d love to perform at
Glastonbury and become a successful
artist – and if her talents for creative
writing and song production are
anything to go by, this will be another
dream to come true.
Congratulations to Brooke Layla
and wishing the best of luck for
your future. To find more about this
talented young woman visit:
www.brookelayla.com/
www.facebook.com/
brookelaylasingersongwriter/
Twitter – Brookelayla3
20
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Leisure
To advertise please call 01908 380777
21

Community
Milton Keynes – celebrating 50 years
Monday 23 January 2017 marks the
50th anniversary since the area of
north Buckinghamshire we now know
as Milton Keynes was designated to
become a new town.
Living Archive MK have been
working with more than 40
organisations and volunteers across
the city to organise a collection
of mostly free events from film
screenings, sporting activities,
exhibitions guided tours to special
offers. The birthday weekend of
activities will take place between
20-23 January and you can discover
a new fun activity, learn something
you didn’t know about Milton Keynes,
make new friends and enjoy the
company of old neighbours.
Come and celebrate 50 fabulous
years! Download an online events
brochure from www.livingarchive.
org.uk, www.facebook.com/living.
archive.7 and www.mk50.co.uk.
Wolverton shines on…
The 28th Wolverton Lantern Festival
boasted some amazing creations
in December. This is MK’s longest
established lantern parade and the
display included a spaceman from
Wyvern First School, an Egyptian
Sarcophagus from Bushfield Middle
School, paraffin lit ‘Great Fire of
London’ lantern flats by the children
of Greenley’s First School. There were
also hundreds of ‘horrible history
themed’ lanterns created by visitors.
Stony Stratford volunteers brought
a huge Spike the Dragon lantern to
the parade, after learning how to
make the giant willow creations in
Wolverton’s ‘train to build’ workshops.
Concrete Circus youth troupe
wowed the crowds with stilt-walking
knights and unicycling princesses.
Black Diamond Majorettes spun their
batons at the speed of light. Bushfield
School Samba Band and Nova Guarda
provided carnival beats and sonic
energy during the parade. Audiences
to The Square were treated to
music from local artists including the
Wolverton Town Band, dancing from
local groups and singing from Rock
Choir. A very special guest, Queen
Victoria addressed audiences and
began the parade.
Months of activities were made
possible by the generosity of funders
Wolverton and Greenley’s Town
Council, Wolverton Science and Arts
Institute, MK Community Foundation.
Donations in kind came from Co-op
and Tesco, helping to sustain and
grow the event each year.
If you are part of a music, dance or
community group across MK get in
touch with the Festival team. They’d
love to see even more colour and light
at the parade for MK’s 50th Birthday.
www.facebook.com/
WolvertonLanternFestival
22
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Win…
Competition
…a meal for two with a bottle of house wine
For the perfect antidote to cold winter chills, pay a visit to
the atmospheric 17th century Crown pub in Market Square,
Stony Stratford.
Owner Kabelo Kholokholo, offers the classic ingredients
– the warming flames of a wood-burning stove, fresh and
inspired choices of food, quality wine with seating and
standing areas to serve all your needs. Good company is all
you will need to bring with you!
The first-rate bar and tapas platters are a crucial part of
a casual night out with friends or an after-work snack. For
the ideal family Sunday lunch, the tenderised rib of beef
served with crisp vegetables and all the accompaniments
can’t be beaten.
For a date night, take a seat in the dining room and
sample the a la carte menu. This offers favourites like lamb
roulade served with crushed minted peas, dauphinoise
potatoes and a rosemary jus, as well as vegetarian options.
Combine this with soft lighting and ample space between
the tables and you have a recipe for romance.
Your business meeting, celebration, party or wedding
will be served equally well. Whether you are hosting a sitdown
dinner party or putting on musical entertainment or a
comedy show, you can be sure that close attention is paid
to every detail at this venue.
The Crown, 9 Market Square, Stony Stratford,
Milton Keynes MK11 1BE
Tel: 01908 262 888
www.thecrownmk.co.uk
Wordsearch winner… November/December
Congratulations to David Tolley from Potterspury who has won
two large pizzas from The Direct Pizza Company.
D
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ALES BAGUETTES BURGERS
CHEF CORPORATE ENERGY
EVENTS FRESH INGREDIENTS
INSPIRED KABELO MEMORABLE
PASSION PUB QUALITY
SERVICE SHARING SUNDAY LUNCH
TAPAS VEGAN VEGETABLES
WEDDINGS WELCOMING WINE
For a chance to win this fantastic prize,
find the missing word in the grid and send
us your answer. Don’t forget to include your
name and address.
V
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Competition rules
To enter the competition, email, post or telephone your answer to info@essentiallylocal.co.uk, Essentially Local, The Office, 5 The Stocks,
Cosgrove, Milton Keynes MK19 7JD. 01908 380777. Remember to clearly state which competition you are entering and include your name,
address and telephone number. 2. The competition runs from 1 January, 2017 and the closing date is 5pm, 8 February, 2017. No purchase
required. 3. There will be one winner who will be notified by telephone by 28 February, 2016. The winner’s name will be published in the
March-April 2017 edition of Essentially Local. 4. The prize for correctly identifying the missing word in the word search is a meal for two with a
bottle of house wine. There is no cash or alternative prize. The winner must take up the prize offered between 1 April, 2017 and 12 May, 2017,
excluding the Easter and May bank holidays. 5. Entries are limited to ONE per household. Competitions cannot be entered by employees
or family of The Crown, Stony Stratford or Essentially Local Ltd. All correct entries will be placed in a draw and the winner will be the first
randomly selected name that is drawn. 6. The draw will take place on 13 February, 2017. Judge’s decision is final. 7. Entrants may be notified
of special offers from The Crown, Stony Stratford; please state if you do not wish your details to be used.
To advertise please call 01908 380777
23

Children’s Page
C R L
T A E
B E E
Word wheel
Try to find as many words of 2
letters or more, using only the
letters in the grid. You can only
use each letter once in the words
you make and you must always
use the letter in the middle. No
proper names are allowed. Can
you find the 9 letter word?
Jan-Feb wordsearch
R L L A I T R A M
N X I M A O E R N
B O O O O C D T I
C O G S N A A S Y
Charlotte’s Joke Corner
What is an astronaut’s favourite chocolate?
A Mars bar!
What’s a snowman’s favourite breakfast?
Frosties!
What did one egg say to the other egg?
You crack me up!
Send your jokes to info@essentiallylocal.co.uk
5. Roosters are said to be hardworking, resourceful, courageous and talented.
3. The monkey. 4. January 28th
1. Xin Nian Kuai Le (Mandarin). 2. San Nin Faai Lok (in Cantonese).
cart, late, rate, real, teal, tear, crate, berate, create, celebrate
WORD WHEEL: Ta, bar, bat, cab, car, cat, rat, tea, bare, bate, bear, beat, brat,
Answers
N W T A N F R M C
L E E I R O A M G
R W H N Y D P S O
F C D A N C E G Z
Q G N A Y M D J I
Find the words relating to Chinese New Year and then answer these questions:
1. How do you say Happy New Year in Mandarin?
2. How do you say Happy New Year in Cantonese?
3. This year the Chinese New Year celebrates the Rooster, but what was the
animal in 2016?
4. The start of the Chinese New Year varies every year – what date does the it
start in 2017?
5. What are the characteristics of someone born in the year of the Rooster?
CHINA DRAGON LION DANCE
YANG YIN NEW MOON
PARADE ROOSTER MARTIAL ARTS
A magical drawing thank you
We received
over 80 Magical
Drawing
Competition
entries this
year and every
single one of
them showed
amazing
imagination,
concentration
and skill. Now we’d like to thank all our entrants for
drawing so beautifully and we hope you’ll enter again
next year.
We’d also like to thank all the local people and
businesses that made this competition possible:
• The judges – you know who you are!
• The Stony Sweet Shop – taking care of all the drawings.
• The Crown, Stony Stratford and The Heart Yoga Space,
Wolverton – for the exhibitions
• Vitreus Art, The One Stop Craft Shop and Stony Sweet
Shop -prizes.
Lucas our second prize winner has promised us a review
of his prize from Vitreus Art – I can’t wait to let you know
about that.
24
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Leisure
Leisure
Traditional Tea Room
@ Wakefield Country Courtyard
Serving home-made cakes, delicious sandwiches
& toasties, cream teas and afternoon teas.
With a wide selection of quality teas,
coffees and drinks to choose from.
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday: 11am to 4pm
Bank Holiday Mondays: 11am to 4pm
Telephone: 01327 810245
Email: enquiries@artearoom.co.uk
To advertise please call 01908 380777
To advertise please call 01908 380777 23 25

What’s On – January/February 2017
HISTORY, ARTS &
CRAFTS
Craft Social Club
All crafts welcome. Pop in for a
cup of tea & chat. Old Stratford
Memorial Hall. Mondays 2.00-
4.30pm. 01908 380777
Westbury Arts Centre
admin@westburyartscentre.co.uk
www.westburyartscentre.co.uk
01908 501214, Foxcovert Road,
Shenley Wood, Milton Keynes,
MK5 6AA
The North Bucks
Woodturning Club
Courtyard Arts Centre,
Parklands, Great Linford,
Milton Keynes Saturdays
10.00am- 12.00pm
01908 311243‚
pip.watts@btconnect.com
Stony Stratford Floral Group
AGM and talk on Medical
Detection Dogs Tuesday 7
February Visitors £6.00
Spring is in the Air
Demonstration by Jane Haas
Tuesday 7 March.
Visitors £10.00
March Annual Charity Quiz
Friday 31 March Visitors £6.00
Doors open 7.00pm for 7.30pm
Sue 01908 56453 or Judy
01908 569429 Russell Street
School Hall, Stony Stratford
Milton Keynes Aviation
Society (MKAS)
From Flying Dreadnaught to
Dogfighting by Dr M Fopp.
10 January
Flight Simulation by Barry
Tomlinson. 14 February
Monthly meeting 8pm doors
open 7.30pm, 2nd Tuesday
Kents Hill Community Centre
MK6 6HQ Visitors £3
www.mkas.co.uk
mkasinfo@gmail.com
Milton Keynes National
Trust Association
Local supporters’ group
Talk by Milton Keynes’ own
Poet Laureate Mark Neil. 18
January
The Story of Panama by Richard
Thomas 18 February
The Flora, Fauna and Gardens
of Madeira by Roger Skipper
8 March
New members and guests
welcome. Membership
Secretary 01908 314151 7.45
pm usually 2nd Wednesday of
month. Cruck Barn, Bradwell
Abbey
Wolverton Archaeological &
Historical Society
AGM and local slides by Ron
Unwin Wednesday, 18 January
Lace Making in North Bucks by
Elizabeth Knight, Wednesday
15 February All at 7.30pm
Past, Present and Future of
Stowe House by Anna McEvoy
Wednesday, 15 March
St Mary & St Giles School,
King George Crescent, Stony
Stratford MK11 1EF
Yardley Gobion History Group
Meets village hall 8pm, 1st
Thursday of the month
01908 542322
babskingyg@talktalk.net
The National Museum
of Computing
Museum open 12noon-5.00pm
Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
afternoons. Guided Tours at
2pm on Tuesdays and 10.30am
on Thursdays. Booking
recommended. The Colossus
Galleries open 10.30am – 5pm
daily. www.tnmoc.org/bytes
Bletchley Park, The Mansion,
Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3
6DZ. 01908 374708
Vitreus Art Courses
Full range of art and craft
courses available.
Vitreus Art, No. 4 Wakefield
Country Courtyard, Potterspury
NN12 7QX 01327 810320
See www.vitreus-art.co.uk
for all courses.
Buckingham Canal Society
Restoration of disused canal –
practical task conservation work
parties, alternate Thursdays
and 2nd Sunday of each month.
No experience necessary, all
welcome. Meet 10.00am Lock
Lane, Cosgrove, MK19 7JR.
01908 661217 to confirm or
Athinabec@aol.com www.
buckinghamcanal.org.uk
HEALTH
ASD Coffee Morning
Every Fortnight 9.15am–
10.30am Fridays, call for details.
All welcome. Deanshanger
Sports & Social Club,Little
London. Deanshanger 01908
567137
CHILDREN
Cosgrove Playdate!
Drop in and out for under 5s,
meet friends, share a favourite
toy, a drink and biscuit or bring
your own snack. 10.30am-
12.00pm, 3rd Thursday of
month. 17 November & 15
December. St Peter and St Paul
Church, Cosgrove.
Act Out & Act Up
Term-time drama group for all
levels and abilities of 7-14 year
olds, covering theatrical skills
– acting, story telling and the
spoken word etc.
Act Out for 6-10yrs starting at
4.30-5.30pm, and Act Up for
11-16yrs 5.40-6.40pm. Both on
Thursdays. York House Centre,
London Road, Stony Stratford.
info@redphoenixstory.co.uk
York House Junior Youth Club
Ages 8 -12 6.00pm-7.30pm
Mondays during termtime.
yorkhouseyouthclubs@hotmail.com
Maria 07988 078056
www.york-house.org.uk
York House Senior Youth Club
Ages 12 - 16 years 6.00pm-
7.45pm Wednesdays during
termtime Tash 07949 402862
tash.youth@ymail.com
Stony Stratford &
Wolverton Library
Stories, songs and rhymes for
under 5s and carers, free 11.00-
11.30pm, Thursdays Stony
Stratford. 2.00-2.30pm, Fridays
Wolverton. Term time only
www.miltonkeynes.gov.uk/libraries
Deanshanger Library
Rhymetime 2.15pm every
Thursday Under 1s Play
and Learn 10.30am every
Wednesday Deanshanger
Library, Deanshanger MK19 6HT
Brownies and Guides
South Northants Brownies
(7- 10yrs) Guides (10-14yrs)
Every Mon, Tues & Wed. South
Northants Rainbows (5- 7yrs)
Every Wed. Call Emma 01908
571244
Wolverton Rainbows, Brownies
and Guides & Stony Stratford
Guides. Every Monday.
Stony Stratford Brownies and
Guides Every Wednesday
Stony Stratford Rainbows
Every Thursday Stacey Pond:
staceywpond@gmail.com
Towcester Brownies
Brownies – Tuesday,Wednesday
and Thursday. Guides –
Monday and Thursday. Hattie –
Guider in Charge 3rd Towcester
Brownies, 07776 257398
3rdtowcesterbrownies@gmail.com
Stony Stratford Beaver Scouts
1st Stony Stratford Beaver
Scouts (boys & girls 6-8yrs),
Mondays 1st Stony Stratford
Cub Scouts (boys & girls
8-10.5yrs), Thursdays 1st Stony
Stratford Scouts (boys & girls
10.5-14yrs), Tuesdays
www.facebook.com/1stStonyStratford
Email: alby@backstage.co.uk
MUSIC
Jazz – New Orleans Jazz Club
With Good Time Jazz Trevor
Jeavons. £3 entry on
the door. 01908 569432
www. goodtimejazz.co.uk,
8.00pm-10.30pm, 1st
Wednesday of the month
The Cock Hotel, Stony Stratford
Jazz Jam
Terry Marshall (tenor sax) and
The Hounds with other local
musicians. The Fox & Hounds,
Stony Stratford Free entry.
Every Thursday 8.30pm.
Junction 14 Ladies A Cappella
You don’t need to read
music to have fun singing
and entertaining. Singing for
pleasure and to raise funds for
club and charities. Rehearsals
7.30pm Thursdays Drama Studio
at Shenley Brook End Secondary
School, Milton Keynes.
To join: 01908 678558.
To hire: 01908 667029
bookings@junction14.org
www.junction14.org
MK Acapella Men
Barbershop Chorus Rehearsals
every Monday Stantonbury
School, Bradville, Milton
Keynes. To join:
membership@mkacapella.com
To hire: bookings@mkacapella.com
www.mkacapella.com
Milton Keynes Acoustic
Music Centre Tuition in roots
guitar, fiddle and penny whistle.
Beginners to advanced, exciting
projects – join a band. 1st & 3rd
Thursday Community Centre,
Britten Grove, Old Farm Park,
Milton Keynes.
johntimpany@aol.co.uk
www.mkamc.co.uk
Music Makers of
Milton Keynes
Choral music and singing.
Rehearsals in Stony Stratford.
7.30pm- 9.30pm Thursdays
Call Dianna 07846 972970
The Song Loft
Hope in High Water, 8.15pm,
Friday, 13 January £7.00Said
the Maiden 8.15pm, Friday, 10
February Box Fox Friday, 10
26
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January/February 2017 – What’s On
March £7.00 Perfomers Nights
Fridays, 27 January, 24 February
& 24 March The Cock Hotel,
Stony Stratford MK11 1AH
The Towcester Choral Society
Rehearsals in Towcester Town
Hall, 7.30pm-9.30pm Tuesday.
01327 353314 or membership@
towcesterchoralsociety.org.uk
www.towcesterchoralsociety.org.uk
See Facebook and Twitter
DANCE
Old Mother Redcaps
Friendly Ladies Morris dancing
side, looking for new dancers
& musicians. Meet in Swinfen
Harris Hall, Stony Stratford,
8.00-10.00pm Mon evenings
Catherine 01908 667112
Potterspury Dance Club
Friendly group of ballroom
and sequence dancers. £2.50.
New members welcome. John
&Di 01604 862632 8pm-10pm
Tuesday, Potterspury Village Hall.
Rose & Castle Morris
New members welcome tothis
morris side. Stoke Bruerne
Village Hall 8.30pm-10.30pm
Every Wednesday.
Ian 01908 635133 or
welborn@cmdevelopment.co.uk
www.rose-castlemorris.org.uk
Triple K Western Line Dancers
Improvers class 7.30pm-9.00pm
Thurs, Haversham Social &
Community Centre. Beginners
class 10.45am-11.45am,
Deanshanger Memorial Centre.
Kay or Andrew on
01525 376172
MARKETS
Monthly Farmers Markets
Market Square, Stony
StratfordLast Friday 9.00am-
1.00pm
Towcester Nr Waitrose 2nd
Friday 9.00am-1.00pm
Wolverton Road/Creed Street,
Wolverton 1st and 3rd Saturday
9am-1.00pmMilton Keynes
Country Market Fridays 8.00am-
12 noon. Local produce,
baking, crafts, plants, cafe.
The Old Bath House, Stratford
Rd, Wolverton. Free entry.
Timor Court Market, Stony
Stratford. Saturdays Fruit, veg,
flowers and other stalls.
LEISURE
Coffee mornings
First Thursday each month
from 10.30am. Contact
wendypage1@gmail.com
St Peter and St Paul’s Church,
Cosgrove
Reading Group
Meet 2.00pm second Friday of
month, Deanshanger Library
01908 562889
paula.culley@ firstforwellbeing.co.uk
The Knit and Natter
Learn to knit and natter
3.30- 4.00pm First and third
Friday of month,Learn to knit
and sewing. Aimed at children.
Thursdays (term time only)
3.30pm- 4.00pm Deanshanger
Library, Little London,
Deanshanger MK19 6HT
01908 562889
paula.culley@ firstforwellbeing.co.uk
Stony Stratford Library
Knit and Natter 1st and 3rd
Fridays of monthLearn to Knit
Thursdays 3.30- 4.00pm (term
time only) Book Club 2.00-
3.00pm, 4th Wednesday of the
month www.miltonkeynes.gov.
uk/libraries
Deanshanger Sports Club
Social Evenings In partnership
with Deanshanger Coltsand
Divas. Little London,
Deanshanger MK19 6HU 01908
567137 Facebook Deanshanger
sportsandsocialclub
Scribal Gathering
Jonathan Taylor‘s premier
music & poetry open micevent.
Open-minded open mic
welcomes musicians, poets and
performers of any style, genre
or level of experience. Headline
performances from acclaimed
acts. The Cock Hotel, Stony
Stratford. 7.30pm for 8.00pm,
2nd Wednesday of month. Free
entry! Check each Facebook
event page. www.facebook.
com/ScribalGathering
Stony Stratford Tuesday Night
Charity Curry Club QuizFun
general knowledge quiz and
meal – teams of 4 – £15 per
head £24k raised for Willen
Hospice and Rett UK since
2008. Naidni Restaurant,
Wolverton Road, Stony
Stratford. 8-10pm, 1st Tuesday
of month www.facebook.
com/groups/StonyStratford
TuesdayNightCharity
CurryClubQuiz
WolvertonCommunity
Orchard Gardening Day
10.00am– 3.00pm Tuesdays
weather permitting all welcome.
Yvonne 01908 320405 or
Mandy on 01908 319719
Towcester Bridge Club
Meet 7.20pm for a 7.30 start,
every Tuesday for friendly
duplicate bridge at Towcester
Conservative Club. Price Table
Money £2.50 for members
£3.50 for visitors. Membership
£10 annually. More information
Lynda Riecken,
lynda@riecken.co.uk.
New players welcome.
www.bridgewebs.com/towcester
Towcester & District Art
SocietyMeet every Thursday
throughout the year in
Paulerspury Village Hall. www.
towcesterart.com
SENIORS
Deanshanger Day Centre
Hot lunch, tea, coffee,
bingo& raffle etc for seniors in
Deanshanger, Old Stratford and
Wicken. Transport available for
wheelchairs. Thursday 9.30am-
2.30pm Pat Ridgeway 01908
564420
Senior Citizens Afternoon Tea,
coffee, home-made cakes. All
welcome. Last Friday of month,
2.00pm-4.00pm, Memorial
Hall, Deanshanger Road, Old
Stratford (by village shop).
Havencourt Sheltered Home
Bingo 7.00pm Mon & 2.00pm
Weds Coffee Morning Fri
10.30am
jean.miller@southnorthantshomes.co.uk
Ridgmont, Deanshanger
WOMEN’S
INSTITUTE
Bradwell WI
Friendly afternoon meeting
with interesting speakers, tea
and cake, warm welcome. Olive
Stewart 01908 310267. 2.30pm,
3rd Tuesday of monthSports
& Social Club, Abbey Road,
Bradwell Village.
Castlethorpe WI
Meet 7.30pm, 2nd Thurs of
month Castlethorpe Village
Hall. castlethorpewi@gmail.com
Cosgrove WI
Meet 7.30pm, 1st Tues of the
Month, Cosgrove Village Hall
Deanshanger WI
Visitors and new members
welcome. Visitors £3.50
7.30pm, 2nd Thursdayof
month, Deanshanger
Memorial Community Centre,
Deanshanger
Hanslope WI
Meet 7.30pm, 1st Tuesday of
month, Hanslope Village Hall.
Visitors welcome.R. Simpson
01908 510516 tubs@full-moon.
eclipse.co.uk
Potterspury WI
Visitor fee – £3.00 7.30pm, 1st
Wed of month, Village Hall
Stony Stratford WI
Social meeting 2.15pm
Tuesday, 3 January
Service by Emergency Rider
Volunteers (SERV) 2.15pm
Tuesday, 7 February
The History of Woburn Abbey
by Kirsten Ash 2.15pm Tuesday,
7 March
York House,London Road,
Stony Stratford
Craft and Chat, Methodist Hall,
Silver Street, Stony Stratford
2.15pm Tuesdays, 17 January,
21 February, 21 March
gill.williams@fsml.co.uk
Stony Nightingales WI
Chinese New Year Dinner
with a performance by MK
Chinese Fusion Dance Group.
Members only 8pm, Thursday,
12 January.
Just Dance Academy – Learn
how to Tango or Cha Cha Cha!
8pm, Thursday, 9 February.
Talk by Paula Rastrick from
Brain Tumour Research 8pm,
Thursday, 9 March.
Visitors welcome. Swinfen Harris
Hall, London Road,
Stony Stratford MK11 1AJ.
Julie Clothier – President:
07738 054915 Facebook
Stony Nightingales WI
www.snwi.co.uk
Towcester Evening WI
An active group of women,
meet 7.00pm for 7.30-9.30pm,
1st Thursday of month,
everyone welcome! Donation
for tea/coffee. Riverside Centre,
Islington Road, Towcester
NN12 7AU
towcesterwi.blogspot.co.uk/
Yardley Gobion WI
7.30pm 2nd Thursday of the
month. Yardley Gobion Village
Hall. Visitor fee £3
EVENTS
Vintage Fun In Stony Stratford
Details page 44 10.30am, New
Year’s Day, 2017
Jiveathon Charity Event
for Willen
see pages 18-19 Sunday, 8
January 2017
… continued
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27

What’s On – January/February 2017
Stony Wassail
Story telling, music, fun and
frolics at this great open air
event. Children and dogs
welcome. Refreshments, mulled
cider, apple cakes and more
available to purchase. Free
entry. Community Garden and
Orchard, York House, Stony
Stratford. 4.00pm-7.00pm 14
January
Milton Keynes Philatelic
Society Stamp Fair See page 8
for details Saturday, 14 January
Stony Steam Punk
See page 36 for details
14 January, 11 March
Ladies Only Classes
Make 2017 your year.
£5 per session. Millmead Hall,
Haversham Road, Wolverton
MK12 5TN. Call Lauren on
07910 154499 or email:
lauren.ecka@hotmail.co.uk
Fridays 1.30pm-2.30pm.
50 years of MK
Living Archive MK present films,
sports, tours and offers. See
page 22. 20-23 January
Bygone Stony
Photo exhibition. Page 8 for
details 21-22 January
Bardic Trials
Who will be the next Bard of
Stony Stratford? Special guests
will join candidates to bring you
a full evening of entertainment.
7.30pm, 24 January, York House
Centre, Stony Stratford.
The Kings’ Courtesans
See page 32 for details
28 January
Good Time Jazz
See page 8, 8.00pm,
1 February, 1 March
Swinging Songwriters
See page 36 for details
3 February
Comedy Cow Evenings
See page 16, 8.15pm –
10.45pm, 4 February, 4 March
Milton Keynes Model Railway
Society 2017 Exhibition
Over 40 layouts with a range
of scales and countries, 30
traders – a great family day
out! Free vintage bus service.
Adults – £6.00 Children – £1.00
Stantonbury Arts & Leisure
Centre, Stantonbury, Milton
Keynes. MK14 6BN
www.mkmrs.org.uk/exhibitions/
Stantonbury Leisure Centre
10.00am–4.30pm, Saturday 11
February
Stony Stratford Pantomime
On no he didn’t oh yes he did.
Full bar. York House Centre,
Stony Stratford 6.00pm-8.00pm
17-19 February
Deanshanger Library
Half Term Activities Arts
and crafts using heart
shapes and story. Drop in
session, under 8s need adult
acccompaniment. Free 3.00pm-
5.30pm Thursday 16 February
Monday 13 -17 February
Milton Keynes Museum
Half Term Activities
Five days of holiday activities
for young visitors, special
attractions, demonstrations,
displays including science
experiments, magic
lantern shows, peg doll making.
RSPB visit on Friday 17.
Hands-on Victorian favourites
music, schoolroom, toast over
the range, brass-rubbing, the
stocks, morse code and more.
www.miltonkeynesmuseum.
org.uk/spring-half-term-2017/
Milton Keynes Museum,
McConnell Drive, Wolverton,
Milton Keynes MK12 5EL
01908 316222
Buckingham Canal Society
Cheese & Wine Social Evening/
AGM. Learn about the
restoration of the Buckingham
canal, listen to the illustrated
talk on Anglo Saxon Treasure,
discovering the Ledborough
hoard. Can also be viewed at
Buckingham Museum. 7.15pm
Saturday 18 March
Buckingham Community
Centre, Cornwalls Meadow,
Buckingham, MK18 1RP
Athina Beckett 01908 661217
email
info@buckinghamcanal.org.uk
Potterspury Players
The amateur actors will be
presenting Out of Focus for
your entertainment on Thursday
23, Friday 24 & Saturday
25 March. Tickets £7 (£5 for
concessions) available from
The Cottage Stores,
Potterspury, or 01908 542255
or 01908 542156.
Karate & Kickboxing
For all ages and fitness. First
session free. See page 16.
Sensei Lauren 07910 154499 or
lauren.ecka@hotmail.co.uk
SPORTS: WHAT’S ON
Aerobic Fitness
Over 55s exercise class £5 for non-members. Junior Gym 11-
15yr olds £5 PAYG. www.happybodies.co.uk, Furtho Court, Old
Stratford, MK19 6AN. 01908 477066
Badminton
Feathers Badminton Club 2.00-4.00pm Wed £3. Mill Mead Hall,
Wolverton. 01908 373966 or mr.baldwin@btinternet.com
Bowling
Castlethorpe Short Mat Bowls Club. New members welcome –
experienced or beginners. Castlethorpe Village Hall, Tues 2.15-
4.15pm, Wed 7.30-9.30pm & Fri evenings Dave 07731 670457
Paulerspury Bowling Club. New members welcome 7.30pm Tues
Paulerspury Village Hall. Contact Ann on 01327 811352
Stony Stratford Bowls Club. Social activities during winter. Club
Secretary 01908 565659 www.stonystratfordbowlsclub.co Ancell
Trust Sports Ground, Ostlers Lane, Stony Stratford, MK11 1AR
Wolverton Town Bowls Club junction with Cambridge Street and
Furze Way, Wolverton. Joe 01908 562952
Croquet
Stony Stratford Croquet Club Ostlers Lane, Stony Stratford
MK11 1AR. Roy 01908 566345
Cycling
Twenty3c Shop Bike Ride 30 miles approx 15mph. Meet at shop,
Free. 01908 260322 for time and dates
Football
Deanshanger Colts & Divas. www.deanshangercolts.co.uk
Hanslope Hornets Training. Every Sunday. Alfie 01908 510367
Karate
Wednesday – Beginners & Seniors Thursday – Adults. Both at
Deanshanger Community Hall Little London Rd, Deanshanger.
Friday Beginners, Seniors, Adults Cosgrove Village Hall Bridge
Road, Cosgrove. Huw 07739 707455 www.karategoju.co.uk
Milton Keynes Squash Club
Turn up and play. 5.00pm-7.00pm Sat £3 members, £5
nonmembers. Kiln Farm 077294 14000 david.boyd@mksquash.
co.uk
Stony Stratford Local Walking Group
Guided walks of 45-60 minutes at your own pace followed
by tea, coffee and a chat. Meet at Mill Lane/Willow Lane at
10.00am every Friday. Mary Kendall 01908 260570
Winslow District Ramblers
Max 4-5 mile walks. winslowramblers@gmail.com or see www.
bucksvoice.net/winslowdistrict-ramblers-group
Haversham Sailing Club
All ages welcome to try sailing. Experienced helms will take
you out on the water and explain how inexpensive it can be to
get started. Sailing during winter season from 2pm Sunday or
Wednesday afternoons. If you have a wetsuit come along and
have a free trial. mail@havershamsc.org: www.havershamsc.org
24 High Street, Haversham MK19 7DX
Stantonbury Judo Club
The Old Bath House Wolverton. Ages 5 – 50+. 01908 220748
www.stantonburyjudoclub.co.uk 6.00pm-8.00pm Fridays
Towcester and District Table Tennis League
New players and all abilities. Rod Barr 01604 847948 or 07885
108559 tt.rodbarr@gmail.com www.tabletennis365.com/
Towcester
Wolverton Tennis Club Coaching
Coaching for all. Pete Tolaini, 0774 0004548. wolvertontennis@
hotmail.com, Facebook, clubspark.lta.org.uk/
28
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Community
Cupid’s poisoned arrow
Roses are red,
You’re feeling blue,
‘cause I am a scammer
and I have scammed you!
Potential partners aren’t always who
they say they are. Scammers use dating
websites, apps or social media to take
advantage of people looking for romance.
Scammer profile
• They use emotional triggers to get
you to hand over money, gifts or
personal details.
• They have fake online profiles with
fictional names and some even take
on the identities of real people to
gain your trust.
• They claim to be from the UK but
work overseas.
The warning signs
• Quick to express strong feelings,
asks for a private email to avoid
chat through the dating website, as
this hides communication.
• Inconsistent profiles that don’t
match descriptions on dating
website or Facebook.
• Poor English despite a claimed
university education or poorly
written messages and even address
you by the wrong name.
• Having gained your trust they
tell elaborate stories resulting in
To advertise please call 01908 380777
requests for money, gifts or your
bank/credit card details. If you don’t
react messages or calls become
more desperate or direct, or if you
send money requests continue.
• Promises aren’t kept and excuses
are given for why they can’t travel
to meet you.
Protect yourself
People are not always who they seem:
Do
• An image search of your admirer
to check that they are who they say
they are.
• Use a Skype camera to see what
they look like.
• Look at spelling and grammar errors
and inconsistencies in stories
Do not
• Share personal/intimate pictures
and videos to avoid blackmail risks.
• Send money or give credit card
details, online account details,
or copies of important personal
documents to anyone you don’t
know or trust.
• Arrange up-front payments
via money order, wire transfer,
international funds transfer, preloaded
card or electronic currency.
• Transfer money for someone else.
Money laundering is a criminal
offence and you may be prosecuted.
Always
• Tell family and friends who, when
and where you are meeting. Avoid
overseas travel if you have never
met the person before.
• Limit the personal information
you share on social networks. Your
information and pictures can be
used to create a fake identity or to
target you with a scam.
If you think you have
been scammed:
• Report it to the website, app,
or social media site where the
scammer first approached you.
• Give them the scammer’s profile
name and details that may prevent
others from being scammed.
• Inform the bank/ credit card fraud
team immediately.
• Report the matter to Action Fraud
by visiting their website.
Claire Kendall, MK Trading Standards
29

Business
Grandparents can make a real
difference to grandchildren’s futures
Grandparents can help grandchildren
with the costs of education. According
to a recent ‘Student Money’ survey,
the cost of a 3-year university course,
including living and accommodation,
comes to around £54,000.
Some young people are put off
university by the thought of the debt
they would incur on completion of
the course. Grandparents could gift
the money towards a grandchild’s
education. Correct planning and
management could see benefits in this
investment structure when combined
with your own Trust.
• It is simple and easy to set up.
• You will have played a part in your
grandchildren’s futures.
• A financial burden on your own
children will have been lifted.
• At a personal level, you may make
significant Inheritance Tax savings.
This type of planning is particularly
suited to higher rate Income Tax
payers, as there is little or no tax to
pay on the investment.
Wealth and Tax is offering a
free demonstration of their Money
Forecast system, to show you how
much you can afford to gift and what
the tax savings would be.
Tel: 01908 523740 Email: wealth@wealthandtax.co.uk
For more details http://
wealthandtax.co.uk/financialplanning/free-money-forecast-demo/
The first 10 readers to contact
Wealth and Tax can take advantage
of a free financial review worth £470 –
contact by 14 February.
Making memories
Linda Welton, of Furtho Farm,
diversified into offering her barn as a
wedding venue almost by accident.
After a couple of requests she found
that she enjoyed hosting these events.
Gradually they became a regular
occurrence and the more she held the
greater the potential she could see.
Furtho Manor Farm is a working
sheep and arable farm so there some
restrictions that new couples can’t
avoid, like fireworks and chinese
lanterns and the midnight finish.
However, these are minor concerns
when you look at the idyllic setting and
opportunities to create your own rural
dream. Events are hosted in the large
barn which looks over the beautiful 17th
century St Bartholomew’s Church as well
as a medieval dovecote. The church can
offer a small number of blessings.
Couples can create a truly unique
wedding for any season with a little
imagination and innovative thought.
Even on the coldest winter’s day you
will feel cosy and warm as the barn is
fully serviced with electricity, toilets
and effective heating. From retro to
rustic, sparkling to sophisicated every
style of wedding is possible here.
Catering is equally diverse –
traditional British fish and chips from
the local van, hog roasts, BBQs or
picnics. At one wedding, a classic
French van served afternoon tea while
on another occasion an old horse box
brought a pizza oven! Whatever your
tastes there is an option available.
At Furtho, Linda shares her
knowledge, wisdom and experience
to help you to create an inspired
day. But it’s not just about wedding
celebrations, this is a delightful setting
for any party.
For more information: Northampton Rd, Milton Keynes MK19 6NR
Tel: 01908 542139 • www.furthomanorfarm.co.uk
30 Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts

Business Services
The Co-Operative Legal Services estimate that 38,000
families end up in prolonged probate disputes, with up
to 10% of the value of an estate lost in fees. If you aren’t
married to your partner, have children from previous
relationships, wish to split properties, own a business, have
overseas properties or investments or are unsure about
inheritance tax, get professional advice. And remember, if
a professionally written will is later found to be defective in
any way, your family will have someone to sue.
For more information talk to Ashley Mirfin
from Simply Wills 01908 866541
To advertise please call 01908 380777
WE BELIEVE LIFE IS FOR LIVING YOUR DREAMS
Wealth and Tax Management are chartered financial planning specialists, offering a wide
range of practical wealth-building and protection solutions. We also offer investment and
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Our extensive range of specialist services include:
The • Co-Operative Financial planning Legal Services & individual estimate financial that 38,000 advice. • Estate planning and protection.
families • Comprehensive end up in prolonged financial probate planning disputes, service. with up • Help you protect your wealth efficiently.
to 10% • of Pensions the value and of an investment estate lost planning.
fees. If you aren’t • Will writing for you and your family.
married • Ensuring to your partner, that your have money children is from working previous for you.
relationships, wish to split properties, own a business, have
overseas When properties you require or investments the assistance or are unsure of a financial about adviser in
inheritance Milton tax, Keynes get professional or further advice. afield, make And remember, us your first if port of call.
a professionally written will is later found to be defective in
any way, your family will have someone to sue.
17 Shirwell Crescent, Furzton Lake, Milton Keynes MK4 1GA
Tel: For more 01908 information 523740 | talk Email: to Ashley wealth@wealthandtax.co.uk Mirfin
| www.wealthandtax.co.uk
Wealth from Simply and Tax Wills Management 01908 866541 Limited are regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.
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31

Community
Bardic Trials 2017
7.30pm, Tuesday, 24 January
York House Centre
Come and watch the Bardic Trial as the couldbe-bards
battle it out with wit, words, and
wisdom. Their aim is to win over judges and
audience alike to become the next Bard of
Stony Stratford. Listen, observe the skill of the
contestants and then vote on who you think
should be the next voice of Stony Stratford. At
festivals and events throughout the year, the
winning bard will sound out the town’s praises
through poem, story or music.
If you are interested in becoming the bard this
year you have until Friday, 6 January to complete
the application form, which can be found on the
website www.bardofstony.weebly.com
Comedy Cow
8.15pm to 10.45pm. Saturday, 4 February & Saturday, 4 March
York House Centre, London Road, Stony Stratford, MK11 1JQ
The monthly evening of stand-up
comedy returns after its Christmas
break, featuring stand-up comedians
presented by the award winning The
Comedy Cow. Many of the acts are
top-liners on the circuit, and have
appeared in Live at the Apollo and
other television programmes.
For details of specific acts and ticket
availability visit: www.thecomedycow.
co.uk/venues/york-house-stonystratford/
Doors open at 7.30pm, which
gives time to meet friends for a drink
served by York House’s friendly bar
staff – real ale, cider, wines and soft
drinks. Proceeds from the bar go to
York House.
For more information email
info@thecomedycow.co.uk or visit
the www.york-house.org.uk
Please note – Comedy Cow events
at York House have all been sell-out
shows, they will continue on the
first Saturday of the month until the
summer break.
The King’s Courtesans
8.00pm-10.15pm, Saturday, 28 January
York House Centre, London Road, Stony Stratford, MK11 1JQ
British kings in the 17th century got up to all sorts, as
documented by Princess Michael of Kent. This event
will include readings from her books and from those
of Antonia Fraser and Samuel Pepys. There will also
be interludes of period music from Mr Simpson’s Little
Consort.
Doors Open: 7.30pm. Leave time to enjoy a glass at the
32
York House bar, as the proceeds will enable York House, to
provide the room for free.
Tickets will be available locally in January as well as at
the door or by email sue@pierssnell.force9.co.uk
More information on the York House website: www.yorkhouse.org.uk
nearer the time.
Part of the annual StonyWords! Literature Festival.
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t
charged 6. Deposits and should you are be having 10% of trouble the total price; consumer and trader are unable to
sorting insist out on a the receipt. issue.
reach a positive outcome.
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Community
Swinging Songwriters
8.15pm - 11.00pm, Friday, 3 February,
York House Centre, London Road, Stony Stratford, MK11 1JQ
Many songwriters have shown
themselves to be magnificent
wordsmiths and those who have
written tunes with a swinging jazzy
feel have heard them interpreted by
some of the great voices in popular
music. Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday,
Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughan, as
well as more recent singers including
Norah Jones, Madeleine Peyroux and
Corrine Rae Bailey have all made their
contributions, matched by the men,
of course.
Dirty Bizness are bringing you some
of those songs in their own swinging
jazzy bluesy style, with guests Sharon
Watson and Dick Clarke.
Doors Open:
7.30pm. The
friendly volunteer
York House
bar staff will
be pleased to
serve you real
ale, wines, and
soft drinks – the
proceeds from
which go to York
House.
Tickets will
be available locally in January, and
on-line at www.wegottickets.com/
event/382836 for more information
jukeofstony@gmail.com. Further
information on the York House
website: www.york-house.org.uk.
Part of the annual StonyWords!
Literature Festival.
Stony Steam Lab –
run by The Order of the Teapot
2.30pm – 5pm Saturday, 14 January, Friday, 11 March, and every 2nd Saturday bi-monthly
thereafter. York House Centre, Stony Stratford
Calling all steampunk adventurers,
lords, ladies, pirates, aeronauts and
mad scientists. Mix, meet and mingle
with like-minded creative explorers
to transform clothes, jewellery,
textiles, furniture and accessories.
These workshops include guided
demonstrations, skill sharing, and the
opportunity to seek advice on your
own projects. You can:
• meet up with people with similar
interests in the area
• create your steampunk
masterpieces
• or learn where to start
These workshops will share tips and
encourage experimentation to turn
even the most coggler fumbler into
a confident contraptor and master
textilier.
Some tools provided, but if working
on a specific project please make
contact in advance or provide your
own.
Bring along your own items to
transform, or purchase from our
rummage collection. Be prepared for
Tea Duelling, £5 includes afternoon
tea, served promptly at 3.45pm.
Limited parking for airships! For
more information contact Lady B.
Vine & Professor R. Phoenix via
orderoftheteapot@gmail.com
What is Steampunk?
You will have seen its influences in
productions such as Doctor Who and
Harry Potter films. Its roots lie in the
writings of HG Wells and Jules Verne
amongst others, who embraced the
possibilities of Victorian-invented
steam-powered machinery. Time
machines, earth core diggers, deep
space voyages – suddenly anything
was possible!
Like to know more? Why not go
along to a Stony Steam Lab session at
York House, Stony Stratford and see
for yourself!
36
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39 43

Community
Weather you like it or not, there’ve
been some cold, wet winters
These are pictures from years gone by
– do you recognise them? Floods and
freezing weather have played a big
part in local history. This fascinating
cutting comes from a time when
health and safety was perhaps not so
much of a concern!
Wolverton Express
22 February 1929:
“Skaters had a glorious week-end
on Saturday and Sunday last, and
the centre of activity, so far as
this district was concerned was
the Broadwaters at Cosgrove,
where on Saturday afternoon and
all day Sunday there were four or
five hundred people on the large
expanse of ice, whilst the number on
the bank there were more than that
number of spectators. Sliding was as
much in evidence as actual skating,
and old and young alike delighted in
the pleasure of this sport.
On Sunday afternoon, it was
noticeable that one Wolverton
old age pensioner, who attained
his three score years and ten had
donned his skates and demonstrated
that he had not lost any of the skill
that he evidently developed in his
younger dates. Very few skaters
were on the Buckingham Arm
from Cosgrove to Old Stratford on
Sunday. A few more venturesome
skaters found water in some parts
and except for a drenching suffered
no worse harm.”
Pictures courtesy of Living Archive,
Ken Daniels, Rob Westlake and
Wendy Page
40
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Community
A new take on a running race…
are you up for the challenge?
Ultra5K is a new running format – which
doesn’t involve water or obstacles, just
pure running – is coming to Box End
Park, near Kempston in Bedfordshire,
on Sunday 16th July 2017.
The event format
The format is simple, but challenging.
There are four options on race day…
• Ultra5k individual 5 – 5 x 5k races
on the hour every hour for 5 hours.
• Ultra5k individual 3 – 3 x 5k races
on the hour every hour for 3 hours.
• Ultra5k 5 person team relay –
5 people run one 5K race each.
• Ultra5k 3 person team relay –
3 people run one 5K race each.
During the race, each participant will
have access to nutrition, food and
drink to keep energised, as well as
soft tissue/sports massage to help
prepare for the next part of the race.
42
All included in the entry fee.
“We are determined to give the
runners a great race experience,”
commented Ken Parsons, the race
organiser. “We also want to ensure
that all the participants walk away
from the event satisfied that they’ve
had value for money.”
The five-race options (both
individual and relay) will start at 9am,
the three-race options starting at
11am, and all finishers will receive a
medal. The winner of each race will be
the fastest cumulative time over the
five or three race formats.
“Working with fun runners and elite
runners alike,” said Ken, “we sensed
they were looking for something
different to your average 5k, 10k or half
marathon. Not to replace them, as they
are the lifeblood of amateur running,
but to enhance what is available and
give another option. In particular,
runners were indicating they wanted
something different that didn’t involve
obstacles and water, unless it’s raining!”
Ken also believes that there is a
frustration that quite a few events
are putting profit before participant
experience. “Promises of ‘goodie
bags’ that really turn out to be ‘baddy
bags’ with a green tea bag, leaflets
and an energy gel don’t really cut
it amongst the running fraternity.
Granted, race organisers are running
a business and need to make a profit,
but there has to be a balance between
profit and race experience.”
So what are you waiting for?
Book early to take advantage of
the discounted entry fee. Places are
limited so get in there fast!
To find out more and to book your place, visit www.ultra5k.co.uk
Find the event on Facebook: ultra5k and on Twitter: @Ultra5K
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Community
Stony Stratford in Bloom
I am sure you would love to join me in
wishing the Stony in Bloom volunteers
a very Happy New Year. A big thank
you is also necessary for the effort the
team put into keeping Stony Stratford
looking so attractive. I’m looking
forward to seeing a colourful 2017.
Here is a quick round up with a few of
next year’s plans.
Apple Day bulb-planting
This fantastic event for children last
autumn proved to be so popular
the Stony in Bloom volunteers
had to reduce the number of little
daffodils per pot to ensure there were
enough to go round. MK Community
Foundation gave SSIB a grant towards
the purchase of a printed gazebo,
which they found invaluable for
providing shade from the unusually
powerful autumn sunshine!
2017 major project
This year there will be a re-design
and replanting of the Sensory Bed
on London Road. As the shrubs had
become so overgrown a strenuous
work party had to dig them out! Soon,
Green roofs can be a simple solution
to a need for shade, relaxation
and insulation. They contribute to
biodiversity – and they also look
beautiful.
Wolverton-based green roof
specialists Bridgman and Bridgman
have specialised in installing and
maintaining sedum and biodiverse
roofs for several years. Now their
efforts have been recognised and they
have won two awards that saw them
competing with organisations from all
over Europe. They are responsible for
the green bus stop in Wolverton and
Europe’s largest extensive green roof,
as well as Scotland’s largest wildflower
the exciting part of buying the new
shrubs and digging them in will begin.
New shrubs cost money
SSIB were delighted that this year’s
fundraiser at Calcutta Brasserie was
a huge success. 130 people came to
taste a mouth-watering banquet in
this stunning venue and with a raffle
and extra donations they raised the
fabulous sum of £1,000.
National Grid Grant
Unfortunately SSIB’s original
application for the National Grid grant
didn’t meet their criteria. However,
roof. More recently they installed a
green roof on a pumping station!
Their awards include Best Practice
in Building and Construction at the
Green Apple Environmental Awards
and People’s Choice in the Green Roof
Beauty Contest.
The People’s Choice, displayed
during the IF:MK 2016 Festival was
called Green Chapel. It was a popup
cinema shed with a green roof,
stained glass windows and a 50 square
metre wildflower roof. Bridgman and
Bridgman created it from re-claimed,
locally sourced timber, while the
wildflower blanket was pre-grown using
a shade-tolerant mix of 41 wildflower
great news is that a new application
has been submitted. This will be for a
grant to build a wooden path to the
North end pond wild-life project. The
path will make it easier for Russell
Street pupils and Macintyre clients to
have access to the area.
Looking ahead
As usual SSIB have lots of plans for the
year and are always on the look out
for new volunteers. The projects they
would appreciate more assistance with
include the usual plant bargains in the
SSIB April Plant Sale, in conjunction
with York.
The most beautiful green roofs
seed varieties. It took a year to grow the
blanket to maturity and it then required
the whole bed of an artic lorry to be
transported into position. After IF it was
donated to The Urb Farm, where it is
now used as an amazing teaching room.
Well done to Bridgman and Bridgman!
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Gardening
Winter gardening
Winter pruning
Pruning is much easier and more
effective if you have the right tools
for the job. If you are using secateurs
and find you have to twist, rather
than make a clean cut, you should be
using loppers. When you have to twist
your loppers, it’s time to reach for the
pruning saw.
Make sure you cut cleanly, rather
than allowing the branch to break,
to minimise the danger of disease
entering and remove the branch in
stages if necessary. Make the first cut
from below with larger branches, then
cut from above to meet the first cut.
Take cuttings
Winter is the time to take hardwood
cuttings, an excellent way to increase
your plants. Take cuttings 15 – 30 cm
long from recent growth, making the
cut just below a bud or pair of buds.
Remove soft growth from the top of
the cutting, using a sloping cut to
remind you which end goes upwards
and trimming to just above a bud.
Remove any leaves and bury the
bottom third of the cutting in a trench
that has been enriched with compost.
Make sure the trench doesn’t dry out
and be patient, as it can take a year
for a new plant to grow to a size you
can transfer to its final position.
Cuttings can be started in pots of
compost and kept in a cold frame,
to be moved to a trench in spring.
Buddleia, dogwood, cotoneaster,
forsythia, honeysuckle, weigela and
vibernum can all be propagated
successfully in this way.
Water
Outdoor pots and containers will
need much less water throughout the
winter but as our houses tend to be
warmer don’t forget indoor plants and
anything overwintering in under glass.
Take care not to overwater, as mould
can be a problem when it’s too cold to
ventilate the greenhouse.
If you have a pond with fish, don’t
hit any ice to break it as this will stun
the fish; instead leave a ball floating
on the surface, as breezes blowing it
around will stop ice forming.
Birds will need water in freezing
conditions – keep their bath topped
up with left-over warm water from the
kettle.
Time to get ready for spring
Clearing out the greenhouse is an
excellent chore for a cold, clear day.
Clean pots and seed trays and collect
seed labels. Sharpen your hoe with a
flat file in readiness for weeds to start
springing up. Make an early sowing of
leeks to give them as long a growing
season as possible. Keep fleece handy
for nights when a sharp frost is forecast
and add a thick covering of mulch
around the crowns of more tender
plants. Pour a nice cup of tea or coffee
and reach for those catalogues!
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Community
Essential Numbers…
For all the everyday useful numbers you may need
HOSPITALS
Milton Keynes General Hospital 01908 660033
Northampton General Hospital 01604 634700
HEALTH CENTRES
Hanslope Practice 01908 510230
Paulerspury Practice 01327 811630
Stony Medical Centre 01908 260382
Stony Stratford Health Visitors, Physios 01908 565555
The Stonedean Practice 01908 261155
Towcester Medical Centre 01327 359953
Wolverton Health Centre 01908 222954
Wolverton Health Visitors, District Nurses,
Podiatry, Physiotherapy 01908 316633
NHS Direct Textphone 111
INFORMATION SERVICES
AgeUK Information and Advice 01908 560822
SUPPORT LINES
Samaritans 0845 790 9090
Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 769 7555
OPTICIANS
DW Roberts Optometrists 01908 562355
VETERINARY SURGEONS
The Vet Centre
Old Stratford 01908 567272
Maids Moreton 01280 812057
POLICE
Non emergency calls 101
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
Victim Support Line 0845 30 30 900
Emergencies 999
COUNCILS
Aylesbury Vale District Council 01296 585858
Buckinghamshire County Council 01296 395000
Text phone 01296 383111
Milton Keynes Council 01908 691691
Northamptonshire County Council 0300 126 1000
South Northamptonshire Council 0845 2300226
Using your Library… opening times
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Deanshanger Closed Closed 10am-2pm 2pm-6pm 2pm-6pm 10am-2pm 11am-2pm
0300 126 1000
Stony Stratford Closed 10am-5pm 10am-5pm 10am-5pm 10am-5pm 10am-1pm Closed
01908 562562
Towcester 9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-5pm 1pm-4pm
0300 126 1000
Wolverton Closed 10am-7pm 10am-5.30pm 10am-5.30pm 10am-5.30pm 10am-1pm Closed
01908 312812
Mobile Library Times – South Northants 2nd Wednesday of month
• Information points • Local Enquiries • Council Enquiries • Bus Pass Registration
• A Place to Donate • Large Print Books • Children’s Books • Audio Books
Potterspury Homestead Way 1.00pm-1.25pm
Old Stratford Memorial Hall, Deanshanger Road
1.40pm-2.00pm
Cosgrove Bridge Road/Stratford Road 2.10pm-2.30pm
Grafton Regis 5 Church Lane
3.45pm-4.15pm
Hartwell 11 Blacksmith’s Way 4.35pm-5.00pm
Alderton 10 Pury Road 5.45pm-6.05pm
Enquiries www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries
Deanshanger Branch Surgery
Little London, Deanshanger
Footcare Clinic. Information
and appointments call Janice.
07758633760 / 01908 387021
The Stonedean Practice
Branch Surgery – weekly.
Doctor EVERY Tuesday
afternoon 4.00pm-5.00pm
(with minor exceptions). Nurse
every OTHER Tuesday
11.30 am-12.30pm. Stonedean
Practice on 01098 261155
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Essential Advertisers
ACCOMMODATION
Furtho Manor Farm 25,30
AERIAL & CABLE
MKL Cable Solutions 33
BUILDING & PROPERTY SERVICES
Antony Thompson Architect 33
Handyman Property Services 34
Hickford Construction Ltd 35, 47
KAS Builders 34
Ian Bodily Building Services 34
Morris Roofing 34
Premier Improvements 37
Thomas Betts & Co 34, 35
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL
Furtho Manor Farm 25,30
MK Box Self Storage 31
Simply Wills 31
Wealth & Tax Management 30,31
CHILDREN & YOUTH
Acorn Childcare 25
CLEANING & DOMESTIC
Carpet Pride MK 43
Cooker Pride 43
Domestique 45
Grace Bardin Garments, Alterations &
Restyling 45
Linda’s Sewing Services 45
Ovenvaleting 45
Rob Bracey, Septic Tank 38
Stony Dry Cleaners 43
The Stainbusters 45
Vickie’s Cleaning 45
COMPUTER SALES & REPAIRS
Baldox Computing 31
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
Microwave Service Centre 33
MKL Cable Solutions 33
MJ Electrics 33
FLOWERS
Branch Out 16
FOOD & DRINK
Antep Kitchen 7
ARTea Room 20
Bamboo Cottage Chinese Takeaway 21
Direct Pizza Company 9
The Bell Inn 1,3
The Crown, Stony Stratford 23
The White Lion, Wicken 21
Wharf Distillery Artisan Market 11
GARDEN SERVICES
Advanced Turf Machinery 47
Bartlett Tree Experts 49
Creative Garden Design 49
Francis Rose Landscaping &
Garden Services 47
Firewood Supplies 49
Graham Churchill Plant Ltd 49
Hickford Construction 47
Linnell Bros Ltd 49
Maxwell Home & Garden Services 47
Prestige Lawns 47
HAIR, HEALTH & WELLBEING
Action Physio 17
Andrew Hill Psychoanalysis,
Psychotherapy & Counselling 17
Beauty United 15
Clive Heayns Podiatry 15
Counselling For Change 15
Grand Union Physiotherapy 17
Happy Bodies Fitness Centre 13
Janice Skillman Foot Health 15
Lanh’s Nail Salon 15
Massage in mind 17
Nails by Sally 16
Pilates 16
The Heart Yoga Space 14
Whitespace Studio 13
HOME INTERIORS
Carpetwise 41
Daniel Chapman Antique Restoration 41
Firewood Supplies 49
Handyman Property Services 33
Kenneth Hudson Interiors 39
Linda’s Curtains and Blinds 39
Maxwell Home & Garden Services 47
Table and Bench Co. 38
Thomas Betts and Co. 37
Trading Standards 29
Universal Blinds 43
Whittlewood Stoves 41
Willow Bank Joinery 41
KITCHENS & BATHROOMS
On-Tap Installations 38
LEISURE & HOBBIES
Antep Kitchen 7
ARTea Room 20
Bamboo Cottage 21
Direct Pizza Company 9
Furtho Manor Farm 30
Good Time Jazz Charity Event 8
Happy Bodies Fitness Centre 13
Karate MK 16
MK Dance Centre Jiveathon 19
MK Spanish 19
Milton Keynes Museum 24
One Stop Craft Shop 25
Pilates 16
The Bell Inn 1,3
The Crown 23
The Stony Sweet Shop 25
The White Lion 21
Vitreus Art 19
Wharf Distillery Artisan Market 11
MOTORING & TRANSPORT
G & G Autos 51
Saxon Bridge.com 5,51
The Car Workshop 51
PAINTERS & PLASTERERS
Abercrombie Painter and Decorators 39
BWB Plastering 39
DPL Services 39
SJ Adcock & Son 39
Thomas Betts & Co 39
PETS & VETS
RSPCA 10
The Vet Centre 10,11
PLUMBING, GAS SERVICING
& HEATING
Add Warmth 38
On Tap Installations 38
Premier Heating 38
Jay Gas & Oil 38
TAXIS
Skyline 52
WASTE REMOVAL
Graham Churchill Plant Ltd 49
Rob Bracey, Septic Tanks 38
WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES
Cloudy 2 Clear 35
Custom Glaze 37
Thomas Betts & Co 38
Win-Dor 2
WILL WRITING
Simply Wills 31
Disclaimer: We gratefully acknowledge the support of businesses whose adverts appear in Essentially Local and we endeavour to
make sure that all published information is accurate. The publishers cannot be held responsible for loss, damage or omission caused
by error in the printing of adverts or other information. All artwork is accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods
and services are fair and accurate. Advertisers are responsible for checking copyright on all images supplied. Essentially Local has
not vetted the advertisers and cannot accept responsibility for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. We do not officially
endorse any advertising material included within this magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval
systems or transmitted in any form without prior consent of the publishers. The publishers cannot be held responsible for any nondelivery
of Essentially Local. © Essentially Local 2016.
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