Essentially Local May-June 2016

May/June 2016 

Your FREE copy – Issue 74 

Celebrating the traditional British 

pub and our local brewing history 

www.essentiallylocal.co.uk

Building Services 

2 

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts

Leisure 

To advertise please call 01908 380777 

3

Contents & Welcome 

Inside this Issue… 

Essentially Business and Professional 

34 30 years of successful trading; Landlords beware; 

Milton Keynes’ business celebrate success; 

42 Beware the cloners 

Essentially Children 

18 Incredible efforts from Wyvern pupils 

24 Children’s fun 

Essentially Community 

6 Looking forward to seeing you 

10 Dominoes 

12 Comedy Cow; Stony Live! 2016 

18 Nature Day at the Urb Farm 

20 The Rotary Club of Towcester lends a hand; 

Rotary’s Rota Kids Club 

21 National Trust has local benefits 

36 History is brewing 

40 Classic Stony; Automodellismo 6 – Model Show 

46 They’re brave (maybe mad)… now show your support 

Essentially Health & Well-being 

10 Pictures for health; Help the Deanshanger helpers; 

15 Big Wig goes to Bollywood (remove to) 

16 A day in the life… 

Essentially Home & Garden 

48 SSIB news; Flower festival 

49 Hanslope Open Gardens 

50 Plan Ahead 

Essentially Music 

6 Hoping to see you at the concerts! 

2 The Living Archive; TC3 in concert 

Essentially Pets 

8 RSPCA rehoming record breaker; Tick Talk 

Essentially Sport 

14 Happy to help you achieve; Give table tennis a try; 

Anyone for tennis 

Regulars 

17 Win tea and cakes for 2 in the ARTea Room 

spot the difference competition 

26 What’s on 

32 What’s on sport 

52 Essential numbers 

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… 

Words, music, sports, flora and fauna are 

in the air this May and June – Stony Live, 

Milton Keynes full and half marathons and 

of course the open gardens in Hanslope 

and the Stony in Bloom events. For a quick 

overview of all the Stony Live events, pull 

out our centre pages – and remember to 

book to avoid disappointment. This year Big 

Wig goes to Bollywood – the latest fundraising 

treat from incredible organisers who 

are dedicated to raising funds for Cancer 

Research and local oncology services. Their 

reasons are very personal and even while 

still undergoing life-saving treatments 

themselves, they continue their commitment 

to the cause. 

Another great event is the Nature Day at 

the Urb Farm – don’t worry if this is too short 

notice, because The Urb Farm Fest is planned 

for the end of June. You’ll be able to enjoy 

the locally-sourced BBQ, products, plants and 

preserves for sale and pond dipping and bug 

hunting for the young at heart. 

Our local businesses are only here 

because of your support, so remember 

before you go anywhere else, 

make 2016 the year to keep 

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 


5

Leisure 

The Bell Inn, looking forward to seeing you 

Located in the heart of the small, rural 

village of Beachampton, the Bell Inn, 

is known for its fine wines, well-kept 

beers, delicious food and welcoming 

atmosphere. And sure enough, as the 

doors open for first orders on a cool 

day the fire is roaring and on a warm 

day doors are open to let the sun in, 

staff are smiling no matter the weather 

and the aromas of delicious food are 

emanating from the kitchen. This pub 

offers the perfect recipe for a great 

day out with friends. 

Jade Heritage, recently promoted 

to manager, loves pub life and can’t 

wait for the challenges that her new 

position, at The Bell, will bring. 

She has worked her way up in this 

demanding business and from her 

very first job as a waitress she knew 

it would be her chosen career. In 

this role she is working on four key 

ingredients that will give you the 

perfect excuse to keep returning to 

the Bell Inn. 

As a free house, she has the scope 

to satisfy the tastes of drinkers and 

diners with locally-sourced produce 

– food and drink are her first two 

ingredients. She says, “It’s great that 

enlarged and improved there, and then 

purchased for Stony Stratford in 1967 

after a fire destroyed the parish organ. 

Ten years of dedicated community 

fundraising, complemented by a major 

grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, 

have enabled the full restoration of 

the organ, the replacement of missing 

pipes, the addition of new pipes to fulfil 

the vision of Henry Willis III for the tonal 

range of the organ, and new casework. 

The work has been undertaken by F 

H Browne & Sons Ltd and has taken 

eighteen months to complete. 

Events in the Restoration 

Celebration programme are organised 

by Music for All @ SMSG and will be 

held at St Mary & St Giles Church, 

High St, Stony Stratford, MK11 1BD 

Full details and online booking 

available on the Music for All @ SMSG 

website www.musicforallsmsg.org 

Celebratory events during May 

and June include: 

we are a free house as it gives us the 

opportunity to support local microbreweries 

and we can meet local 

demands.” True to her word, there 

will always be at least one locallyproduced 

ale on tap. Diners are 

already drawn to the reputation of the 

excellent menu and Jade will continue 

to work closely with the chefs, to 

provide options influenced by the 

season. Specials change regularly and 

for events like Father’s Day you can 

choose their popular Sunday roast. 

The third ingredient is the 

transformations in the pub. Whether 

Hoping to see you at the concerts! 

After ten years of fundraising and 

eighteen months of restoration work, 

the ‘Father’ Willis pipe organ in Stony 

Stratford’s St Mary & St Giles Church is 

finally ready to reveal its glories! 

A ten-week Restoration Celebration 

programme which began in April 

will show off all aspects of the newly 

restored and enhanced pipe organ. 

With several additional pipes 

and stops, including the distinctive 

‘Waldhorn’, and beautiful new solid 

wood casework, the organ will look 

and sound as never before. 

What’s more, it will play at concert 

pitch for the first time, allowing choirs, 

orchestras and other instrumental groups 

to perform works involving the organ. 

The ‘Father’ Willis organ illustrates 

50 years of technical and tonal 

development by three generations of 

the famous organ-building Willis family. 

Originally built by Henry Willis I for St 

George’s in Edinburgh, the organ was 

Thursday, 19 May – a free ‘dropin’ 

lunchtime concert (12:30–1:15) 

involving The Orphean Singers 

Sunday, 29 May – a short family organ 

recital 

Wednesday, 8 June – a first 

performance of organ with handbells 

as part of StonyLive! 

Sunday, 12 June – a Happy 90th 

Birthday concert for the Queen with 

band and organ 

Thursday, 16 June – a free ‘dropin’ 

lunchtime concert (12:30–1:15) 

involving local schools 

6 


Leisure 

you are out to quench your thirst, 

have dinner with friends or celebrate 

an event, there is an area for you. The 

large, safe garden will provide an ideal 

place to relax with the family or soak 

up the sun with friends this summer. 

Inside, up to twelve of your 

favourite guests can be catered for 

in a stylish, private room and you 

can pre-book your own menu or 

choose from the main one. Perfect for 

birthdays, anniversaries and friend or 

family get-togethers. 

The open-plan, chic dining area 

is carefully laid out to give space 

and privacy whether having a light 

bite for lunch or one of the specials 

for dinner. The décor is elegant and 

the comfortable seats are perfect 

for a longer evening of dining with 

friends. 

On cooler days you can relax on 

the sofas with a pint of ale or perhaps 

a glass of prosecco and enjoy the 

warming wood burner. 

The team is Jades’ final ingredient 

and they support her desire and 

commitment to ensuring you receive 

the same high level of care and 

attention during every visit. If you 

leave happy and satisfied and wanting 

to return over again, Jade knows her 

promise of giving you the best of 

dining experiences will have been 

successful. 

Finally she says, “I’m so excited to 

have been given the opportunity of 

managing the Bell Inn. We’d love to 

see you soon at our traditional inn, to 

taste our delicious food and meet our 

great team.” 

The Bell Inn is now taking bookings 

for Father’s day. 

The Bell Inn Main Street, Beachampton, Milton Keynes, 

Buckinghamshire, MK19 6DX 

Tel: 01908 418 373 • thebellbeachampton.co.uk 

Opening Times: 

Mon - Sat 11am - 11pm. Food served 12noon-2pm & 6pm-9pm 

Sunday 12noon - 8pm. Food served 12noon-6pm 


7

Animal services 

Bob 

Vinnie 

Smudge 

RSPCA rehoming record breaker 

The RSPCA Milton Keynes & North Bucks rescued and 

re-homed a record-breaking 756 cats and 66 rabbits and 

guinea pigs in 2015, a great success for the charity. 

The local branch, a separately registered charity from 

the National RSPCA, couldn’t be happier. Cat Coordinator 

Sue Taft said, “It’s due to the fantastic work of 

our fosterers and volunteers and it’s all done without a 

dedicated animal home! 

“Without a re-homing centre we rely heavily on 

fosterers to care for the animals in their own homes, 

which is why we are so extremely pleased by the figures 

achieved.” 

Jean Kelly, Chairwoman, said, “I’m so proud of the team, 

our animal co-ordinators, feeders, fosterers, volunteers and 

Tick Talk 

A new tick borne disease called babesiosis was found 

in the UK in March. A blood parasite that can affect cats 

and dogs, it latches onto red blood cells. The immune 

system tries to kill the affected blood cells, resulting 

in the animal becoming severely anaemic, sometimes 

dying. Symptoms can be quite vague and include 

lethargy and pale gums. Vet Kate Smith from the Vet 

Centre in Potterspury, says, “Luckily only a handful of 

dogs have been affected so far but with more dogs 

travelling abroad, we are likely to see more of these 

exotic conditions.” 

If you are planning to take your pet abroad, it’s 

important to get advice on preventing these diseases. 

Many of them are transmitted by ticks, so using products 

to prevent tick bites is essential. 

Travelling within the European Union is now much easier. 

our shops, who have all worked 

so incredibly hard. Of course 

this wouldn’t have been possible 

without the help of Essentially 

Local. Thank you to everyone who 

has given our animals new loving 

homes and donated to help provide them with the best 

possible care.” 

To mark their success a celebratory tea was held on 

Sunday 3rd April for all their volunteers. 

If you are interested in joining the team as a volunteer, 

to help the cats or rabbits looking for new homes, please 

call the Milton Keynes & North Bucks RSPCA on 01908 

611179 or visit www.rspcamiltonkeynes.co.uk 

Pets just need a passport (like us), a rabies vaccine (unlike 

us) and a microchip (thankfully unlike us!) before they can 

go on their holidays. They are fit to travel 3 weeks after 

their rabies vaccine has been given and this then lasts for 

3 years. Please ask your vet about precautions you can 

take to protect your pets from tick borne diseases when 

travelling abroad. 

Reminder – it became law on 6th April for all dogs to be 

microchipped, so if you have forgotten, get it done soon. 

Contact The Vet Centre Cherry Lane Garden Centre, Potterspury, NN12 7QN 

01280 812057 or 01908 542155 visit www.thevetcentre.ltd.uk for more information. 

8 


Pets & Vets 


9

Community 

Pictures for health 

For over a decade Arts for Health 

(Milton Keynes) has used the arts 

and creativity to improve health and 

wellbeing for local people. The idea 

originated with the voluntary Hospital 

Arts Committee, who had a vision 

to develop an art collection at the 

hospital to distract patients from their 

health pains and worries. 

The Arts for Health projects now 

work with health, community and 

corporate clients across Milton Keynes 

to manage and deliver art projects, 

artist-in-residence schemes and art-inhospital 

programmes. They introduce 

exciting new artwork and cultural 

experiences to healthcare settings and 

the wider local community. There are 

currently 390 artworks on display in 

the hospital, as well as a programme 

of temporary exhibitions. 

Arts on Prescription programme 

Help the Deanshanger Helpers 

Every Thursday a friendly team 

of volunteers get to work 

to support senior members 

from the local communities of 

Deanshanger, Potterspury and 

Wicken. As the community 

centre opens its doors at 

9.00am to welcome the 

members, the team will have 

already started the process of 

cleaning, preparing food and setting up. 

A warm meal and the opportunity to take part in various activities – or just 

chat with others – is possibly the only social contact many of the members will 

have all week. Many of the volunteers at Deanshanger Community Centre are 

aged over 70 years themselves, yet every summer they take their members 

on a coach trip to an interesting place and include a meal. They also organise 

fundraising events at Easter and Christmas. Now they need your help. 

Could you spare a few hours to: 

• Help prepare and cook food 

• Put out tables and chairs in the morning and clear them away at 2.30pm 

• Help with fund-raising events 

• Support the less mobile members/wheelchair users when going on trips? 

If you can give your time – even just an hour or two – please get in touch with 

Smallwood on 

offers free art workshops on referral to 

people who experience stress, anxiety 

or depression. Over 200 people have 

benefitted, with improvements to 

their health and personal and mental 

wellbeing, particularly confidence, 

engagement in outside activities and 

art. Wolverton-based artist Gabrielle 

Radiguet has worked with the groups 

and has now been invited to show 

her works. From April until the end of 

September, ten large, semi-abstract, 

atmospheric landscape paintings and 

12 cyantype prints will be on display. 

If you are visiting Milton Keynes 

Hospital, why not take a look? 

artsforhealthmk.com/2016/02/17/ 

arts-on-prescription-3/ 

If you would like more information 

or would like a referral form please 

email info@mkartsforhealth.org.uk 

Dominoes 

Saturday, 16 July 

Milton Keynes City 

In celebration of Milton Keynes’ 

people and places, two kilometres 

of domino will weave across the 

city, taking in shopping, leisure and 

residential areas and boulevards 

in what could be the longest line 

of moving super-sized dominoes 

ever seen. There will be sculptural 

features, highlight performances and 

gravity-defying tricks. You are invited 

to take part in building the line and 

promoting the event. You will receive 

a Dominoes T-shirt and backpack, a 

packed lunch and drinks as well as be 

part of a celebratory thank you party 

at the end. Created by international 

company Station House Opera 

brought to Milton Keynes by IF: Milton 

Keynes International Festival (15 - 24 

July). Sign up now! Register your 

interest here: http://goo.gl/forms/ 

SPboqp0Cc7 

10 


Wellbeing 

www.nailsalonmiltonkeynes.co.uk 

Lanh’s naiL saLon 

• Acrylics • Nail art • Shellac • Air brush designs 

• Hand designs • Gel nails • Pedicures • Waxing 

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. 

GET READY 

FOR SUMMER! 

Kick-start your exercise regime 

now at Happy Bodies, the fitness 

centre on your doorstep. 

BooK YoUR aPPoinTMEnT ToDaY! 

CALL 01908 567796 

95 High Street, Stony Stratford MK11 1AT 

HAPPY BODIES | FURTHO COURT 

OLD STRATFORD | MK19 6AN 

| 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 11

Community 

Comedy Cow 

Saturday, 7 May 

Saturday, 4 June 

A night of comedy where no subjects are taboo – strictly 

not for anyone who can get offended at anything! 

Headlining the show is Martin Mor: 

“Martin is the act that has influenced me the most, the 

UK comedy circuit would not be the same without him.” 

Frankie Boyle. 

Martin comes from Northern Ireland, and after a 

successful career as a circus performer, he turned his 

attention on the unsuspecting comedy circuit. With almost 

30 years’ experience as a professional performer, Martin 

has established himself as one of the UK’s most popular 

and comedians. 

Four other comedians in support. 

£10. 8.15 – 10.45pm (Doors 7.30pm. The York House bar 

– real ale, cider, wines and soft drinks will be open.) 

An evening of stand-up comedy featuring 5 stand-up 

comedians, presented by award-winning The Comedy 

Cow. 

Headlining the evening is Britain’s Got Talent Finalist, 

comedy impressionist Danny Posthill. 

Danny’s career began at 16, making people laugh with 

impressions at his school talent show. Since then, comedy 

has become Danny’s passion, taking him all over the world. 

With an act that caters for all audiences, Danny offers an 

unbeatable stand-up and a range of impressions such as 

Jimmy Carr, Michael McIntyre or Lee Evans to guarantee a 

night of laughter. 

Four other comedians are supporting. 

£10. 8.15 – 10.45pm (Doors 7.30pm. The York House bar 

will be serving real ale, cider, wines and soft drinks.) 

Contact and tickets: www.thecomedycow.co.uk/venues/york-house-stony-stratford/ 

StonyLive! 2016 

Saturday, June 4th – Sunday, June 12th 

Ten days of music, arts, walks, music, talks, poetry, 

music, storytelling and family events. 

Traditional favourites return: Street Entertainment and Dancing; Family 

Barn Dance on the Market Square; Classic Car Rally; The Big Lunch, 

bits of Shakespeare, The Riverside Parks Fair, and the StonyLive! Fringe. 

Some innovations, too, including “CSI” (Crime Scene Improvisation), a 

photo competition and a musical tribute to Richard III. It’s not too late to 

put something on – anything arts and entertainment is encouraged – so 

contact us at the address on the website. 

Visit www.stonylive.info – the official website, for updated information. 

12 


L 

B 

9 

Wellbeing 

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 


13

Local Sports 

Happy to help you achieve 

Happy Bodies Gym always supports 

members to achieve amazing 

personal goals and running 

challenges have always formed part 

of the mix. At 81 years, Brian Hird’s 

decision to run Silverstone Half 

Marathon even took owner Laura 

Bowley by surprise! 

On Sunday, 13 March Brian set 

off on a local half marathon where 

the route is exposed and although 

relatively flat, is not one of the most 

scenically inspiring! Brian’s previous 

running efforts included a few 5km 

runs but by the half way mark, Brian 

pointed out to Laura that he wasn’t 

last and went on to finish in an 

incredible 3 hours, 52 minutes. Brian 

ran for Medical Detection Dogs and 

is still accepting donations. Please 

show him your support 

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ 

Brian-Hird 

Other successful Happy Bodies 

members include Alice Bell, who took 

part in the 5km Festival of Running 

event and is now looking forward 

to building up to a 10km run. Colin 

Turner, despite his nerves, managed a 

brilliant 55 minutes for his 10km run. 

From the very youngest to 

the more senior, these are truly 

inspirational achievements and it is in 

part the support and encouragement 

from the team at Happy Bodies that 

has enabled such success. Laura says, 

“Most people can do it but don’t 

think they can. It is about giving 

them the belief, confidence and right 

training programme to make sure 

they will succeed.” 

Wishing good luck to the Yorkshire 

Three Peaks Challengers, and to 

Kelly Blundell and Siobhan Burnett 

who will be taking part in their first 

ever half marathons in May. 

Give table tennis a try 

Towcester Table tennis League 

No matter what your age or 

ability, table tennis is such 

a great sport that whether 

fast and furious or social 

you are sure to enjoy it. 

Easy on the joints and a 

great way to make friends – 

what’s not to like? 

The Towcester table 

tennis league has been 

organising local table tennis 

for more than forty years. 

The games are held mainly in village clubs and the league 

has a great reputation for friendly competition with a 

strong social element. The group cater for players of all 

standards and would love to hear from you if you would 

like to try a game. 

Please contact Rod Barr: tt.rodbarr@gmail.com 

Rod Barr (General Secretary ,TT365 Webmaster) 

01604 847948 (h) 07885 108559 (m) 

tt.rodbarr@gmail.com 

www.tabletennis365.com/Towcester 

Anyone for tennis? 

Wolverton Tennis Club 

offers great competitive as 

well as social tennis. It is 

LTA affiliated, a Tennismark 

accredited venue and a proud 

member of the Davis Cup 

Legacy Coaching Team. 

There is a membership 

package to suit all – families to the more senior in the 

community. It starts with minis (5-10 year olds) at £30 per 

year and juniors (11-18 year olds) at only £35 per year, 

including one hour of coaching every Saturday until the 

end of July. There are also 5 all weather courts, 3 with 

floodlights, social events and a licensed bar. 

Pete Tolaini, the Head Coach, and his highly qualified 

assistants Rob Small, Adam Pattle and Junior Leaders 

manage and run the coaching programmes for junior to 

older rustier players and members. Pete and Rob were 

awarded Highly Commended for their coaching by Bucks 

and MK Sport and Pete has been selected as one of 

1000 coaches in the country to be a Legacy Coach. 

Call Pete Tolaini for more information 07740 004548 

https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/WolvertonTennisClub 

Facebook group: Wolverton Tennis Club 

14 


Community 

Big Wig goes Bollywood 

The Big Wig Ball promises to be 

another fantastic night of fun and 

entertainment in a beautiful themed 

marquee venue on June 11th. to 

raise desperately needed funds for 

Cancer Research UK (Reg. Charity No. 

1089464) and Northamptonshire Adult 

and Paediatric Oncology Services 

(NGH Charitable Funds, Reg. Charity 

No. 1051107). 

In 2014, the inaugural Big Wig Ball 

raised an incredible £72,000, thanks to 

many kind and generous supporters. 

The proceeds not only funded a 

research scientist for a year but also 

10% of the cost of the forthcoming 

Chemotherapy Suite at Northampton 

General Hospital. 

Lindsey Carman, who chairs the 

Big Wig Ball committee, continues to 

receive newly developed intravenous 

drug treatment every three weeks for 

metastatic breast cancer. The treatment 

and support she has received has 

enabled her to return to work as a 

Sister in Critical Care at Northampton 

General Hospital and resume a normal 

life with husband, family and friends, 

something for which she is forever 

grateful. 


Since the first Big Wig Ball in 2014, 

Big Wig’s photographer Lucy, who 

donated her time and skill to the 

event, has developed breast cancer. 

Not only has she almost completed six 

months of chemotherapy, she has yet 

to undergo a bilateral mastectomy, as 

well as removal of her ovaries – all at 

Northampton General Hospital. She is 

38 years old. 

Her mission is to be able to help as 

many people with cancer as possible 

while she is well enough to do so. 

Tickets sold out quickly for 

the evening, which includes the 

fantastic opportunity to bid for some 

incredible prizes – ‘A bespoke garden 

consultation with garden designer, 

broadcaster and RHS judge, James 

Alexander-Sinclair’, ‘An exclusive 

evening with journalist and former 

Beirut hostage, John McCarthy’, 

‘Finals Tickets for the Aegon Tennis 

Championship at Queen’s Club’ ,‘A 

tour of Red Bull Racing’ and many 

more wonderful prizes! To donate 

please log on to: 

justgiving.com/Lindsey-Carman3 

justgiving.com/Lindsey-Carman4 

15

Community 

A day in the life… 

Branch-out MK CIC uses Social and Therapeutic 

Horticulture to improve the emotional, mental and 

physical health in adults with learning difficulties. The 

supportive working environment provides a sense of 

purpose and gives clients opportunity to learn new 

practical skills, interact with others and create community 

links. This helps to reduce social isolation and boosts selfconfidence 

and wellbeing. 

When they moved to York House Community Gardens, in 

September 2014, their space increased and the gardeners 

now grow seasonal flowers for cutting and drying. From 

this they also produce great quality, seasonal flowers for 

teas, pot pourri and other gifts. 

Everyone is involved in all parts of the growing process; 

sowing the seed, maintaining the gardens, harvesting and 

then the creation of the products. Once prepared, they 

package the products ready to sell at farmers markets and 

local events. 

The gardeners start their day at 9.30am with a meeting 

to talk through issues, agree tasks and check on everyone. 

At this time of year the gardeners have to maintain focus 

and take care to sow many seeds, transplant seedlings, 

pot on plants and feed the soil with home made ‘compost Leisure 

tea’. The completely 

organic, chemical free 

and peat-free garden 

involves a little more 

effort than most of us 

make, however looking 

after the soil, the animals, 

birds and the insects are 

key outcomes. One of 

their gardeners has great 

pleasure in nurturing and 

feeding the birds. 

By 10.45am, the gardeners take a break and each 

member takes a turn to prepare tea. This break gives 

opportunity for a chat and talk about any difficulties but it is 

soon back to work until lunch. After lunch, the clients swap 

jobs to vary work and encourage decision-making – these 

individuals often have choices made on their behalf. 

At the end of the day the team wash and put away 

the tools before taking a final break to reflect and think 

about what was good, how they dealt with situations and 

overcame difficulties. As the tired gardeners head for 

home, it is clear that growing beautiful flowers at Branchout 

makes a real difference. 

Seasonal Horticultural and Heritage Craft Workshops 

run throughout the year. Heritage plants, seasonal garden 

products, cut and dried flowers are available for purchase. 

www.facebook.com/branchoutmkcic 

for upcoming events. 

York House Community Centre, London Road, 

Stony Stratford, MK11 1JQ 

16 


Win… 

Tea and cake 

for two people 

The ARTea Room offers 

an accessible and relaxing 

venue where you can enjoy 

breakfast, lunch and afternoon 

tea. This prize, however, 

will give you opportunity to 

indulge your sweeter side 

with a choice from a delicious 

selection of moist sponges, 

melt in the mouth flapjack 

or sumptuous chocolate 

brownie. Accompanying the 

cake will be a choice of loose 

leaf teas, classic to fruity, 

presented in your own teapot 

with vintage china teacups 

and saucers and the essential 

strainer. Now find those 

differences! 

If you miss out on the prize, 

pop along anyway – you’ll find 

lovely gifts, gorgeous artwork 

and a great supply of reading 

material to keep you busy 

while waiting for your freshly 

prepared food. Don’t forget 

there are meat and vegetarian 

options, lighter or more filling 

choices and divine afternoon 

teas. You can now book online 

to guarantee your table. 

Opening times 

Tuesday – Saturday 

10.00am – 4.00pm 

Sunday and Bank Holiday 

Monday 10.00am – 4.00pm 

Wakefield Country 

Courtyard, Potterspury, 

Towcester NN12 7QX 

01327 810245 

enquiries@artearoom.co.uk 

www.artearoom.co.uk 

Spot the 5 differences in the pictures for a chance 

to enjoy an afternoon out with a friend at one of the 

most popular local tearooms. 

Competition 

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 May 2016 and the closing date is 5pm, 30 May, 2016. No 

purchase required. 3. There will be one winner who will be notified by telephone by 17 June, 2016. The winner’s name will be published in the 

July-August, 2016 edition of Essentially Local. 4. The prize for correctly identifying the missing word in Spot the Difference is a tea for two at 

the ARTea Room, Wakefield Country Courtyard, Potterspury. There is no cash or alternative prize. The winner must take up the prize offered 

between 1-31 July, 2016. 5. Entries are limited to ONE per household. Competitions cannot be entered by employees or family of ARTea 

Room, Potterspury 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 10 June, 2016. Judge’s decision is final. 7. Entrants may be notified of special offers from The 

ARTea Room ; please state if you do not wish your details to be used. 


17

Community 

Nature Day at the Urb Farm 

Trainees, staff and volunteers at the 

Urb Farm in Wolverton are excited 

to announce the first ever Urb Farm 

Nature Day – a free event designed 

to get everyone involved in the 

wonders of the natural world. On 

Saturday 30th April, from 10am – 

1pm, residents of Milton Keynes and 

surrounding villages are invited to join 

in activities including pond dipping, 

bug hunting, bird watching and a 

nature trail, as well as the chance to 

craft bird feeders and insect houses 

to take home, all in the peaceful 

surroundings of the Urb Farm. 

Refreshments and homemade cakes 

will be on sale for a small charge, 

as well as Urb Farm plants, produce 

and preserves. For details search for 

“Growing People” on Facebook. 

The farm found between 196 and 

198, Windsor Street, Wolverton, is run 

by Growing People, a project working 

with disengaged young people from 

all over Milton Keynes, training young 

people in a practical setting, helping 

them gain qualifications and supporting 

them to move on to a positive future. 

Growing People Team Leader Florie 

Bryant says, “The farm is a wildlife 

haven, visited by numerous species 

of wildlife, including bats, foxes, 

frogs, hedgehogs and birds such as 

woodpeckers, bullfinches and the everdeclining 

starling. The woodland and 

ponds, as well as the pollinator-friendly 

flowers and crops planted by the 

Growing People trainees, provide vital 

habitat and food for these creatures – 

as well as for our Urb Farm bees!” 

For additional information, please 

contact: Florie Bryant, Growing 

People Project, Milton Keynes 

Christian Foundation, Foundation 

House, The Square, Wolverton, 

Milton Keynes, MK12 5HX, 

florence.bryant@ 

mkchristianfoundation.co.uk, 

07793 589 872. 

Growing People is a horticultural 

social enterprise based in the heart 

of Wolverton. The seasonal and fresh 

fruit, vegetables and flowers are sold 

to the local community through Veggie 

Mail (a produce-ordering scheme 

carried out via email (veggie.mail@ 

mkchristianfoundation.co.uk)) and at 

Wolverton Farmer’s Market, on the 1st 

and 3rd Saturday of each month. 

Incredible efforts from Wyvern pupils 

Last March Wyvern School, Wolverton began a fundraising 

campaign for the Charity Champions project to benefit 

cancer patients at Milton Keynes University Hospital. The 

teachers and pupils have run a variety of events including 

fun runs, an autumn bazaar, a tea party, Christmas cinema, 

a Valentine’s disco and two members of staff even braved 

the Silverstone half marathon. 

The school has so far raised an incredible £4314.46 

which will contribute to improved facilities for cancer 

patients at Milton Keynes University Hospital. Elise 

Muncaster, the teacher who inspired the fundraising drive 

is delighted with the results saying, “I’m really proud of the 

way everyone in the school pulled together to make this a 

success. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed the events. We would 

also like to thank staff at Tesco in Wolverton as they have 

supported every event.” 

Community Fundraiser Sharon Ngwena is grateful to 

18 

Elise and especially the students at Wyvern School for all 

their hard work in supporting the charity. 

If you would like to support cancer services at Milton 

Keynes University Hospital, or any ward or department, you 

can contact the Fundraising team on 01908 996221, email 

fundraising@mkhospital.nhs.uk 


Leisure 


19

Community 

The Rotary Club of Towcester lends a hand 

The Rotary Club of Towcester 

is delighted to have been able 

to help local Girl Guide Helen 

Odams with funding towards 

an exciting adventure to the USA. Helen has self-funded 

the trip, organised by Girl Guiding Midlands, and has come 

up with some innovative ideas. These include abseiling 

down Northampton Lift Tower, running guess the number 

of ping pong balls in a jar, gardening and even organising a 

Bollywood Spectacular curry evening. She has also received 

donations from local councillor Chris Lofts and the Leslie 

Sell Charitable Trust. 

Helen’s trip will include visits to New York, 3 states 

in the US and then Canada and throughout she will 

be taking part in challenges involving team work and 

learning. She will help in a soup kitchen and have a selfie 

with President Obama – and then try to get the picture 

shown on the big screen in Times Square NY. She will also 

dress up as Where’s Waldo and sell cookies and tea. After 

a closing ceremony in Central Park Helen will fly home. 

The Rotary Club and Essentially Local would like to wish 

Helen the best of luck. 

Towcester Primary Schools 

join Rotary’s Rota Kids Club 

Within Rotary 

International there are 

groups for all ages – 

Rotary Clubs, Rotaract 

Clubs for 18-30 year 

olds, Interact Clubs for 

12-18 year olds and 

Rota Kids Schools for 

7-12 year olds. 

Rota Kids began in 

the UK a few years ago 

yet less than 200 Rota 

Kids primary schools are signed up nationally. However, 

Towcester Primary and Schools Nicholas Hawksmoor 

School have received their Certificates of Charters in March 

confirming membership. 

Rota Kids follow similar principles that link with the 

Citizenship aspect of the national curriculum: To endeavour 

to be fair to all, to serve their y community and to 

show respect for others. They also believe that peace, 

achievement, friendship and fun go hand-in-hand. 

Rotarians from Towcester Rotary Club are looking 

forward to working with the schools, meeting at least once 

a term to advise and support them in any projects they 

have chosen to undertake. 

The Rotary Club of Towcester meets at the Saracen’s 

Head on Thursday evenings. Details of the work they 

do in the community can be found on the website – or 

email secretary: secretary@towcester-rotary.org.uk 

www.towcester-rotary.org.uk 

www.facebook.com/RotaryTowcester 

https://twitter.com/RotaryTowcester 

20 


Leisure 

National Trust has local benefits 

Are you a member or registered 

volunteer of the National Trust? Then 

you can make your membership even 

more rewarding! Just join the local 

Milton Keynes association and enjoy a 

programme of visits, lectures, holidays 

and social events especially arranged 

by like-minded volunteers. 

Once a month, members and 

friends are treated to illustrated talks 

with subjects including art, gardens, 

buildings, personalities, collections and 

curios. You can also take part in the social 

meetings and celebrations – this July a 

special lunch will celebrate the end of 

the group’s 30th year. Subscription is 

very reasonable and an entry fee of £1 

(inclusive of refreshments) is charged at 

meetings, with guests welcome for £2. 

Meetings take place at the Cruck Barn, 

Bradwell Abbey, Milton Keynes with free, 

accessible parking. 

During the 2015/16 season outings 

to the Surrey Hills, St. Paul’s Cathedral, 

Anglesey Abbey, The Essex Highlands 

and Avebury took place and visits 

to places not generally open to the 

public may also be arranged. During 

2016, holidays to Suffolk and to the 

north-west to see the Blackpool 

Illuminations are available. Since 

forming in 1985, the group has raised 

over £40,000 to help National Trust 

properties local to Milton Keynes. 

If this sounds right up your street 

and you would like to become 

a member – or even to join the 

committee, give membership 

secretary Annette Tyler a call on 

01908 314151. 


21

Community 

Bradwell Windmill 

Bradwell Windmill will be open and in action on the 

following dates: 1.30-4.30pm, 2 May 14 & 15 May 

(National Mills Weekend) 29 May, 26 June. The windmill 

has a long local history and is maintained and operated 

by volunteers. Well worth a visit. Satnavs MK13 7UE; park 

Nightingale Crescent, off Wheelers Lane. Admission is free, 

donations are appreciated. 

The Living Archive 

A live performance from the 

acclaimed Living Archive Band 

and a unique chance to hear 

songs and stories about what 

life was like in the place that 

became Milton Keynes – and to 

enjoy first-class music that’s both 

home-grown and universal. 

Cost tbc. Time 8.15 – 10.30pm 

(Doors 7.30pm. Why not meet friends at the York 

House bar – real ale, cider, wines and soft drinks.) Saturday, 

21st May 

Email: info@livingarchive.org.uk or Tel: 01908 322568 

TC3 in Concert 

Ian, Irene and Louise 

take a break from 

Taylor’d Country, to 

bring you a relaxed 

acoustic concert of 

their favourite songs. 

REFUNDS 

POLICY: sorry, 

but we cannot 

guarantee refunds. 

We will attempt to 

sell on your “spare” 

ticket and give you 

the money. 

For more information: 

York House website: www.york-house.org.uk 

£5.00 from York House and on-line 

(at www.wegottickets.com/event/351799) 

8.00 – 10.30pm (Doors 7.30pm. 

The York House bar will be open.) 

Saturday, June 11th 

Contact Ian: 01908 563944 or 07932 158106 or 

guitar@ianentwistle.co.uk, or visit the website: 

www.taylordcountry.info 

22 


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 


23

Children’s Page 

Find the words 

Can you unscramble the words to discover some 

musical instruments? 

• NIPOA • MURDS • UTIARG 

• OLIVIN • PRAH 

Charlotte’s Joke Corner 

• What type of music are balloons afraid of? 

Pop Music 

• What’s the musical part of a snake? The scales 

• What do you call a cow that plays a 

musical instrument? A moo-sician! 

Send your jokes to info@essentiallylocal.co.uk 

Word Scramble: Piano, Drums, Guitar, Violin, Harp 

Stalacpipe Organ, Wave Organ, Yabahar. 

these up and find out more: Hurdy Gurdy, Tsabouna, Didgeridoo, Ukelin, 

2.There are lots of unusual instruments from all over the world – look 

percussion, keyboard, idiophones, lamellophones and friction. 

groups but they are generally considered to be: string, woodwind, brass, 

on how they make sounds. Not every instrument fits neatly in these 

however musical instruments are usually grouped into families, based 

1. It is very difficult to say exactly how many different instruments exist; 

Answers: Wordsearch – Missing word is Bowie 

May-June wordsearch 

A D E L E F L L P 

R M N Q U I L A I 

H V H U S W Y C T 

Y B I T O B N O C 

T A E O A S J V H 

H N K L L T A E B 

M D L G U I T A R 

S U O H Y M N K U 

L Y F O N A I P T 

It’s all about music this edition! Can you find the words 

listed in the wordsearch above? One word is missing, 

which is it? A few questions about music: 1. How many 

different types of musical instruments are there in the 

world? 2. Can you think of some of the more unusual 

musical instruments? 

ADELE BAND BEAT BOWIE 

FOLK GUITAR HYMN LISTEN 

LULLABY PIANO PITCH RHYTHM 

SOUND VIOLIN VOCAL 

24 


Leisure 

Leisure 


25

What’s On 

May-June 2016… 

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 

Scrapbook Club 

Preserving your memories 

01908 263864 Fri evenings 

scrapbook-me@live.co.uk 

Stony Stratford Floral Group 

Visit to Preston Bissett Garden 

Centre 3 May. Sunshine 

always follows the rain – 

Demonstration by Sarah Harper 

Flowers 7.30pm, 7 June 

Visitors £6.00 Doors open 

7.00pm for 7.30pm Sue 01908 

564453 or Judy 01908 569429 

The North Bucks 

Woodturning Club 

Courtyard Arts Centre, 

Parklands, Great Linford, Milton 

Keynes Saturdays 10.00am- 

12.00pm 01908 311243‚ 

pip.watts@btconnect.com 

Westbury Arts Centre 

Exhibition ... of sky, land & sea 

FREE entry. Weekends 10.00am 

-5.00pm 16 April – 8 May. 

Weekdays by appointment 

Drawing for the Terrified 

Workshop. £45 Sunday, 

12 June 10am-4pm. 

Felting Workshop £45 incl 

materials – for beginners to 

advanced. 10am-4pm Sunday, 

29 May 

Exhibition – Textiles by Helen 

Dendulk FREE entry Saturday, 

11 June – Sunday 26 June 

Bucks Open Studios Saturday 

11 June – 26 June 

admin@westburyartscentre.co.uk 

www.westburyartscentre.co.uk 

01908 501214, Foxcovert Road, 

Shenley Wood, Milton Keynes, 

MK5 6AA 

Yardley Gobion History Group 

Meets village hall 8pm, 1st 

Thursday of the month 

01908 542322 

babskingyg@talktalk.net 

The National Museum of 

Computing 

The royal hack that made legal 

history by Robert Schifreen. 

£12.50 – £15.00, 7.00pm, 

12 May www.ticketsource.co.uk/ 

date/FGIEKI 

Roots of data processing – the 

Victorians by Professor Martin 

Campbell-Kelly. £12.50 – 

£15.00 7.00pm, 9 June 

www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/ 

FHEIMK 

The Colossus and Tunny 

Galleries 10.30am – 5pm daily. 

Museum open 12noon-5.00pm 

Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 

afternoons. Insight Guided 

Tours at 10.30am and 2pm, 

bookable in advance www. 

tnmoc.org/bytes 

Bletchley Park, The Mansion, 

Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 

6DZ. 01908 374708 

Cosgrove History 

Behind the Map – Pictorial Tour 

of 19th Century Cosgrove. Find 

out who lived where you live 

now! £5 inc light refreshments, 

7.30pm, Thursday, 5 May 

Tickets: 01908 563600, text 

07710497415 or 

wendypage1@gmail.com 

Some availability on the door. 

Profits to Church Repair Fund. 

St Peter and St Paul Church, 

Cosgrove 

National Trust Supporters 

Group Milton Keynes 

Monthly lecture meetings at 

Cruck Barn at Bradwell Abbey 

as well as daytrips and short 

holidays. 

Lecture meetings Wednesday, 

7.30pm 11 May (including 

AGM) and 7.45pm Wednesday, 

8 June 

Visitors welcome. 

Details 01908 366968 

Virtreus Art Courses 

Glass Applique with Jenny 

Timms £60.00 10.30am- 

4.30pm, Wednesday, 18 May 

Needle Felting with Naomi 

Lutman, £70.00 10.00am- 

4.30pm Saturday, 21 May 

Demo Day – Stained glass, arts 

& crafts demonstrations, free 

10.00am-5.00pm Monday, 30 

May 

Bucks Open Studios – 

demonstrations all week, 

glass, oil, watercolour, acrylic 

10.00am-5.00pm Saturday 11 – 

Sunday 26 June 

Vitreus Art – Art & Craft 

Workshop & Art Gallery, No. 4 

Wakefield Country Courtyard, 

Potterspury, Northants, NN12 

7QX 01327 810320 www. 

vitreus-art.co.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 

Act Out 

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. York House 

Centre, Stony Stratford 

info@redphoenixstory.co.uk 

Act Out will be for 6-10yrs 

starting at 4.30-5.30pm, and 

Act Up will be for 11-16yrs 

5.40-6.40pm. ACT OUT at York 

House Centre, London Road, 

Stony Stratford. 

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 Mon 

Stony Stratford Brownies and 

Guides. Every Wed. Stony 

Stratford Rainbows; Every 

Thursday Stacey Pond at 

staceywpond@gmail.com 

girlguiding.org.uk/about_us.aspx 

Towcester Brownie/Guides 

Brownies – Tuesday,Wednesday 

and Thursday. Guides – 

Monday and Thursday. Hattie – 

Guider in Charge 3rd Towcester 

Brownies, 07776257398 

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 

Stony Stratford Library 

Stories, songs and rhymes for 

under 5s and carers, free 11.00- 

11.30pm, Thursdays. www. 

milton-keynes.gov.uk/libraries 

York House Junior Youth Club 

Ages 8 -12 6.00pm 7.30pm 

Mondays. 

yorkhouseyouthclubs@hotmail.com 

York House Senior Youth Club 

Over 12s 5.45pm-7.45pm. 

Wednesdays. 

tash.youth@ymail.com 

07949402862 

www.york-house.org.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, Wednesday, 

4 May & 1 June, 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 Barbershop 

Club For ladies over 16yrs. 

Rehearsals on Thursdays 

TheVillage Hall, Extra Care 

Village, Shenley Wood, 

Milton Keynes. To join call 

01908 678558. To hire call 

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 

… continued 

26 


For more details of these events pick up a 

programme from Odells, the library, venues and shops in Stony. 

Remember that events are being added all the time. 

For even more information, visit www.stonylive.info 

In association with 

Photographs courtesy: Kate Davies, Roddy Clenaghan & Classic Stony Photographers

Stony Live 2016 

Pleased to support Stony Live 

The Extremely Elegant 

Hawthorne Chair 

Just one of the fabulous 

pieces available from 

14 High Street, Stony Stratford, MK11 1AF 

Tel: 01908 568674 

info@morgangilder.co.uk 

www.morgangilder.co.uk 

Opening hours: 

Tuesday – Friday: 9.30am – 5pm 

Saturday: 9.30am – 4pm 

Closed: Sunday, Monday and 

Bank Holiday weekends 

Out of hours appointments and 

home consultancy by prior arrangement. 

Saturday June 4 

Day of Dance 

High Street Cofferidge & Lych-gate, 11.00 – 4.00pm, 

Free. A colourful mixture of traditional and 

contemporary dance. 

Hole in the Head Gang 

Fox & Hounds, 1.00 – 3.00pm, Free 

High energy bluegrass with dazzling musicianship 

and vocals. 

Family Barn Dance 

Market Square, 6.30 – 9.00pm, Free 

Open air family barn dance. 

Comedy Night at York House 

York House Centre, 8.15 – 10.45pm, £10.00 

Headlining BGT Finalist, comedy impressionist Danny 

Posthill. 

2120 


6 piece blues band. 

Sunday June 5 

Classic Stony 2016 

Town Centre, 9.30 – 4.30pm, Free 

Vintage & Classic vehicles and motorcycles. Live music 

and flypast of the RAF BBMF – Douglas C-47 DAKOTA. 

Stony Stratford in Bloom Town Walk 

All over town, 10.30 – 12.30pm and 2.00 – 4.00pm, Free 

A walk round Stony to visit sites created by SSiB. 

The Big Lunch 

Wolverton Road Recreation, 12.00 – 4.00pm, Free 

Spend time with the family and celebrate the Queen’s 

90th birthday. 

Folk Music Workshop 

The Vaults Bar, 12.30 – 3.00pm, Free 

Good Time Jazz 

Conservative Club, 7.00 – 10.00pm, Free 

Syncopated music of the 20s and 30s. 

Monday June 6 

Bonnie Raitt Night 

Cock Hotel (Marquee), 8.30 – 10.30pm, £5.00 

Jenny Salmon and Switch present 

US Band Open Mic 


Chilled out fun night of music and chat. 

Tuesday June 7 


Royal Thai Restaurant, 6.30 – 9.00pm, Free to diners 

Smooth vocals from Cathy, the deep sounds of Dave’s 

big fiddle and Trevor’s jazz piano.

Stony Live 2016 

Wednesday June 8 

Freespirit 

Bull (Stables), 8.30 – 11.00pm, Free 

Collection of self penned songs, covers and traditional 

tunes. 

Thursday June 9 


Calcutta Brasserie, 7.00 – 10.00pm, Free to diners 

Excellent food and spicy jazz. 

Cara Dillon SOLD OUT 

Cock Hotel (Marquee), 8.15 – 11.00pm, £12.00 

Traditional songs from an emotive and captivating 

performer. 

Vaultage Open Mic StonyLive! Special 

Vaults Bar, 8.30 – 11.30pm, Free 

Performers from all disciplines get behind the 

microphone. 

Friday June 10 

C.S.I: Crime Scene Improvisation 

Crown (upstairs), 8.00 – 9.00pm, £9 (£8 conc) 

Improvised murder mystery comedy play. 

3’s A Crowd 

Conservative Club, 8.30 – 11.00pm, Free 

An acoustic 3 piece band covering Beatles, Christy 

Moore, Amy McDonal and more. 

Your local 

cycle shop 

Now stocking 

mountain bikes, hybrids, 

road bikes & accessories 

Drop in to our coffee shop, 

serving delicious home-made cakes 

Located on the high street in Stony Stratford 

42-44 High Street, Stony Stratford MK11 1AQ 

01908 260322 | www.twenty3c.co.uk 

Saturday June 11 

Allotments Open Day 

London Road Allotments, 12.00 – 4.00pm, Free 

Some of Stony’s finest gardeners, free advice & best 

quality plants for sale! Raffle for Willen Hospice. 

Riverside Fair 

Millfield, 1.00 – 4.00pm, Free 

Attractions and activities for children. 

4String at StonyLive! 

Crown (upstairs), 8.00 – 10.30pm, Free (donation please) 

Be prepared for something different with 4 String 

Ukulele Band. 

TC3 in Concert 

York House Centre, 8.00 – 10.30pm, £5.00 

A relaxed acoustic concert. 

Sunday June 12 

Folk Music Workshop 

Vaults Bar, 12.30 – 3.00pm, Free 

The Legendary Ten Seconds 

Cock Hotel, 2.00 – 5.00pm, £5.00 

Songs About Richard III.

What’s On 

The Song Loft 

Paul Downes £7.00 8.15pm, 

Friday, 6 May, Performers’ 

Night with Bearwood Folk Trio 

£2.00 8.15pm Friday, 20 May, 

The Roddy Clenaghan Band 

£7.00 8.15pm, Friday, 3 June 

Performers’ Night with Free 

Spirit £2.00 8.15pm Friday, 

17 June. 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 

Northampton County Beer 

Festival Delapre Abbey, 

Sunday, 22 May Milton Keynes 

Museum Victorian event 

Saturday, 11 June. 

Stoke Bruerne Village Hall 

8.30pm-10.30pm Every 

Wednesday. New members 

welcome. 

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 Stratford 

Last Friday 9.00am-1.00pm 

Towcester Nr Waitrose 

2nd Friday 9.00am-1.00pm 

Wolverton Road/Creed Street, 

Wolverton 1st and 3rd Saturday 

9am-1.00pm 

Milton 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 

Reading Group 

Meet 2.00pm last Wednesday 

of month, Deanshanger Library 

01908 562889 

deanlib@northamptonshire.gov.uk 

The Knit and Natter 

First Friday of month, to knit 

and natter, Deanshanger Library 

01908 562889 

deanlib@northamptonshire.gov.uk 

Stony Stratford Library 

Knit and Natter 1st and 3rd 

Fridays of the month Learn 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 Colts and Divas. 

Little London, Deanshanger 

MK19 6HU 01908 567137 

Facebook Deanshangersports 

and social club 

Scribal Gathering 

Stony Stratford’s premier openminded 

open mic night. Doors 

open 7.30pm for 8.00pm start. 

2nd Tuesday every month, The 

Cock Hotel, Stony Stratford 1st 

Sunday every month, Fox and 

Hounds, Stony Stratford. 

Stony Curry Club Quiz 

Raising funds for Willen Hospice 

and Rett UK. First Tuesday of 

month – 1 March and 5 April. 

£15 per head/tables of four. 

Book via StonyCurryClub@ 

hotmail.com Facebook: Stony 

Stratford Tuesday Night 

Charity Curry Club Quiz Naidni 

Restaurant & Bar. 

Wolverton Community 

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 Society 

Meet 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 Mon 7.00pm & Weds 

1.00pm Coffee Morning Fri 

10.30am Monthly Lunch Club 

£4.20 pp 12.30pm 

linda.wallis@ 

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 month Sports 

& 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 Thursday 

of 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, 

Potterspury 

Stony Stratford WI 

Resolutions for National AGM 

and work of “Home Instead”– 

2.15pm Tuesday, 3 May 

Francesca Skelton – High Sheriff 

of Buckinghamshire 2.15pm 

Tuesday, 7 June 

Both at York House, London 

Road, Stony Stratford 

Coach outing to Salisbury, 

Wiltshire Thursday, 12 May 

Craft and Chat, Methodist Hall, 

Silver Street, Stony Stratford 

2.15pm Tuesday, 17 May and 

Tuesday, 21 June 

gill.williams@fsml.co.uk 

Stony Nightingales WI 

Resolution meeting – members 

only. 8.00pm, Thursday, 12 May 

Tai Chi talk & group session by 

Jenny Wong from Wellbeing 

MK, comfortable clothing. 

8.00pm, Thursday, 14 April. 

Visitors welcome £4.00 

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! Visitors may 

make a 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 

No Strings 

A Cappela Singers – Bach, 

Beatles, Barber shops and 

beyond 4.00pm Sunday, 8 

May Tickets Brian Parsons 

01234 391962 £15 suggested 

minimum donation in aid 

of Church fabric. St Firmins 

Church, North Crawley. 

http://friendsofstfirmins.co.uk 

… continued 


31

What’s On 

Automodellismo Model Show 

See page 40. 

HULA Animal Rescue 

Fete & Fun Dog Show 

Games, dogs parade, bouncy 

castle, pet photo competition, 

refreshments, stalls, tombolas 

& more. Adults £2 Children £1. 

12noon – 4pm Sunday, 15 May. 

Fab Fathers’ Day 

Dogs parade 2.30pm, 

refreshments, bazaar & pet bed 

shed bargains, treats for your 

father. Adults £2. 1.00pm – 

4.00pm Sunday, 12 June. Glebe 

Farm, Salford Road, Aspley 

Guise, Milton Keynes, MK17 

8HZ. 01908 584000 

www.hularescue.org 

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. Thursday 5 & 19, 

Sunday, 8 May, Thursdays, 2,16 

& 30, Sunday, 12 June. Meet 

10.00am Lock Lane, Cosgrove, 

MK19 7JR. 01908 661217 to 

confirm or Athinabec@aol.com 

www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk 

YorkieFest 

See page 22 for details York 

House, London Road, Stony 

Stratford https://www.facebook. 

com/yorkiefest/ 

Milton Keynes Museum 

History Festival 

Re-enactments through the 

years. Many attractions. 

11am-4.30pm, 14-15 May 

Lawnmower Day 

Annual rally promoting the 

collection & preservation 

of lawn mowers from 1830 

onwards. 11am-4.30pm, 22 May 

Look at Life 

Microscope safaris, pond 

dipping for watery mini beasts, 

food chain, rambles on the 

nature trail. 11am-4.30pm, 

28-29 May 

Summer Half Term 

See page 24. 

Victorian Weekend 

See page 25 11.00am-4.30pm, 

11-12 June McConnell Drive, 

Wolverton, Milton Keynes 

MK12 5EL 01908 316222 

www.miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk/ 

Friends of Deanshanger 

Library (FODL) 

Children’s crafts, games 3-10 

yrs, under 8 must have adult 

3pm-5pm Thursday, 2 June 

Fathers Day Crafts 

11am-2pm Sunday, 12 June 

Deanshanger Village Library 

Julie Atkinson 01908 566353 

Wolverton & Stony Stratford 

Rotary Club. 

Annual Charity Golf Day. See 

page 20 for details. 


Riverside Festival 

Family day out with lots of 

fun. 1.00pm-4.00pm Saturday, 

11 June, The Millfield, Stony 

Stratford 

Flower Festival 

Refreshments and music 

10.00am–5.00pm Friday,10, 

Saturday 11 and 11.00am- 

5.00pm Sunday 12 June. 

St Mary and St Giles Church, 


Hanslope Open Gardens 

See page 49. 

Urb Farm 

Nature Day 

See page 18 for details. 

Farm Fest 

Live music, locally-sourced 

BBQ, farm produce/plants/ 

preserves/eggs, bouncy 

castle, homemade cakes and 

refreshments, face painting, 

pond dipping, bug hunting, 

chickens, craft stalls. Free entry 

– all welcome! 1.00-4.00pm 

Saturday, 25 June 

The Urb Farm, Between 196- 

198, Windsor Street, Wolverton, 

Milton Keynes, MK12 5DR. 

Contact Florie on 

07793 589 872 for more info. 

SPORTS: WHAT’S ON 

Aerobic Fitness 

Over 55s exercise class £5 for non-members. 11.00am, Wed. 

Junior Gym 11-15yr olds £5 PAYG. 01908 477066‚ 

www.happybodies.co.uk, Furtho Court, Old Stratford, MK19 6AN 

Badminton 

Feathers Badminton Club 2.00-4.00pm Wed £3. 

Mill Mead Hall, Wolverton. Janet Baldwin 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 

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. For girls and boys, under 6s – under 

16s. 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. First session FREE then £3.50 Huw 07739 

707455 for times at www.karategoju.co.uk 

Newton Longville & Wolverton Kickboxing 

First lesson free. 07910 154499 or lauren.ecka@hotmail.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. More information Mary Kendall 01908 260570 

Winslow District Ramblers 

Max 4-5 mile walks within 20 mile radius of Winslow. 

winslowramblers@gmail.com or see 

www.bucksvoice.net/winslowdistrict-ramblers-group 

Haversham Sailing Club Open Day 

All ages welcome to try the sport of sailing, experienced helms 

will take you out on the water and explain how inexpensive it can 

be to get started. 24 High Street, Haversham. MK19 7DX. The 

event is free between 10.00am 4.30pm, Saturday,14 May 

mail@havershamsc.org www.havershamsc.org 

Stantonbury Judo Club 

The Old Bath House Wolverton. Ages 5 – 50+. 01908 220748 

www.stantonburyjudoclub.co.uk 6.00pm-8.00pm Fri 

Towcester and District Table Tennis League 

Looking for new players to join the league. All abilities welcome. 

Rod Barr 01604 847948 or 07885 108559 tt.rodbarr@gmail.com 

www.tabletennis365.com/Towcester 

Wolverton Tennis Club Coaching 

Coaching for all with a range of memberships. Pete Tolaini, 

0774 0004548. Email wolvertontennis@hotmail.com, Facebook, 

clubspark.lta.org.uk/WolvertonTennisClub 

32 


Home Services 

Business Services 


33

Business 

Landlords beware 

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 

From 1 April 2016 private landlords can no longer deduct 

married to your partner, have children from previous 

the cost of their mortgage interest from their rental income 

relationships, wish to split properties, own a business, have 

when they calculate the profit on which they pay tax. The 

overseas properties or investments or are unsure about 

changes will be phased in over 4 years and means landlords 

inheritance tax, get professional advice. And remember, if 

will now pay tax on turnover rather than profit. Analysts 

a professionally written will is later found to be defective in 

believe that returns for higher-rate taxpayers may be wiped 

any way, your family will have someone to sue. 

out by 2020 and basic rate taxpayers will move into the 

higher-rate For more tax information bracket. Landlords talk to Ashley not requiring Mirfin mortgages 

will from not be Simply affected. Wills 01908 866541 

The Bank of England is also going to make it harder for 

landlords to get mortgages. Private landlords can offset 


mortgage costs and so have a competitive advantage over 

first-time and younger buyers. The vicious cycle caused 

by rental demand pushing up income is forcing potential 

homeowners to stay in rented accommodation, thus 

increasing demand and prices further. By removing tax 

benefits and increasing initial costs (3% stamp duty hike for 

31 

second home owners) demand for rental properties may 

slow and level the playing field. 

However, if landlords abandon the housing market supply 

will reduce and the remaining landlords may increase rents. 

Rent controls may be then needed. Contact Taylor Walsh on 

01908 571 555, www.taylorwalsh.co.uk to get more advice. 

Milton Keynes’ Businesses 

Celebrate Success at Annual Awards 

30 years of 

successful trading 

Morgan Gilder, the independent interior and furniture 

specialist, has achieved an incredible success that only 

those with their positive attitude and hard work will ever 

reach – 30 years of trading. Owners Helen and Jamie 

Hills are as passionate today about furnishing and styling 

homes as when they first started. Over the years they have 

developed an extensive knowledge of brands, furniture, 

fabrics, wallpapers and accessories to bring you a choice 

of contemporary to more classic styles for your home. Pop 

along to take a look for yourself. Essentially Local would like 

to wish Morgan Gilder every success for the next 30 years. 

14 High Street, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes MK11 1AF 

01908 568 674 • web@morgangilder.co.uk 

www.morgangilder.co.uk 

34 

Local people and businesses had a great success at the 

Milton Keynes Annual Business Awards. 

Wolverton Mill based National Locums impressed the 

judges with its sustained growth, including the imminent 

launch of its operations overseas, earning it the title of 

Business of the Year 2016 as well as the Professional 

Practice Award. Dr Ann Limb CBE DL was awarded 

MKBAA Lifetime Achievement Award for her significant 

contribution to the Milton Keynes business community. The 

environmental award went to Wolverton based Bridgman 

and Bridgman LLP who contribute hugely to the local area. 

This is the third year of the awards and Chair of MKBLP, 

Dr Philip Smith MBE said: “Milton Keynes Business 

Achievement Awards continues to go from strength to 

strength, highlighting the dynamic and innovative approach 

taken by so many of Milton Keynes’ inspiring businesses.” 

Essentially Local would like to congratulate the excellent 

work by our local businesses. 


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. 

Bridgman & Bridgman are 

thrilled to have won first place 

in the Environment Category of 

the Milton Keynes Business 

Achievement Awards 2016. Our 

commitment to reducing our CO2 

emissions, through our operations 

and the green services we offer, will 

hopefully have a positive impact on the 

planet for future generations. 

For more information talk to Ashley Mirfin 

from Simply Wills 01908 866541 


31 

ve 

if 

in 

31 


35

Community 

History is brewing 

For centuries the traditional British pub 

has been an essential part of community 

life, yet it was the Roman army who 

introduced tabernae (Italian wine bars) 

to our isles, which became known as 

pubs during King Henry VII’s reign. 

Beer production began from a 

Celtic tradition and was so popular by 

medieval times that it was consumed 

daily throughout the British Isles and 

was safer than water! Commercial 

breweries have ended brewing on the 

premises and changed other great 

traditions but The Campaign for Real 

Ale (CAMRA) continues to promote 

small brewers, real ale, real cider and 

the traditional pub 

Our area has long links with brewing. 

Farmer Amos, (1874-1970) and at least 

two generations before him grew the 

grain that they malted at Castlethorpe 

Maltings. Mr W. Pike, brewer at Frank 

Bull’s brewery, used these malts and 

hops to brew beer and the cooper, 

Mr Branson, supplied the barrels and 

wooden beer bottles to keep it in. 

Frank and his 14 horses carted the beer 

as far as Dunstable as the good water 

was considered to make great bitter 

beer. This beer was also important 

to locals like Danny Dick and his two 

nephews from Hanslope. At 3.00am 

they mowed the hay meadows with 

their scythes, resting from 9.00- 

10.00am with the ‘old’ beer bottle 

before going home between 8.00- 

9.00pm. Farmer Amos believed they 

drunk about 6 gallons (48 pints) of beer 

a day and apparently worked well! 

In the late 19th and early 20th 

centuries there were 3 public houses in 

Cosgrove and one on the Castlethorpe 

Road. Local authors Bryan Dunleavy, 

Ken Daniels and Andy Powell, in 

their book Inns of Stony Stratford, 

discovered 85 inn names that have 

been recorded in Stony Stratford 

at one time or another. During the 

coaching era, over twenty inns thrived 

along Towcester’s High Street and the 

early 18th century 

Saracen’s Head 

survives today. 

In 1801 

Pickering Phipps 

started brewing 

in Towcester, 

opening his 

second brewery 

in Northampton 

in 1817. After 

a fire in 1900, 

production moved 

to Northampton 

and by the end 

of the 1900s 

Phipps was the 

largest brewer in the Midlands, taking 

over several other local brewers and 

then merging with the Northampton 

Brewery Co Ltd. London based Watney 

Mann took over in the 1960s and 

removed traditional hand pumps from 

all the local pubs encouraging the 

formation of CAMRA. In the 1970s 

Carlsberg, the Danish brewer became 

the owners. 

Today brewing history is still being 

made locally. In 1811 an iron trough 

was installed high above the Great 

Ouse to allow the Grand Union Canal 

to flow from north to south. Beneath 

it a small tunnel or cattle creep was 

created to allow livestock to pass. Over 

200 years later and a few metres south 

a cattle creep of a very different nature 

has been created. It takes the form of 

malt spirit, filling an old Madeira cask 

and waiting to complete its journey 

to become Milton Keynes’ first ever 

whisky in October 2018. The whisky is 

the product of a collaboration between 

Milton Keynes’ first brewery, the iconic 

Concrete Cow Brewery and Wharf 

Distillery, Milton Keynes’ first ever 

distillery. This will soon become part 

of our new rich and cherished history. 

Make sure you visit our brewers but take 

care of the history you may be making 

when drinking such local specialities! 

Thanks to Laurence Conisbee, Virtual 

Orchard, Dan Bonner, Concrete Cow 

and Wendy Page, Cosgrove history 

website for their valued contributions. 

Old Photos courtesy of Colin Kightley. 

36 


Building Home Interiors Services 


33 37

Home Services 

38 

32 


Home Services 


Call Emma on 01908 380777 


35 33 39

Community 

Classic Stony 

9.30am-4.30pm, 

Sunday, 5 June 

The Market Square and other 

streets, Stony Stratford 

Classic Stony (formerly Stony Stratford 

Classic Car and Motorcycle Festival) 

is back for its 8th year with more 

fabulous displays of classic and 

vintage cars and motorcycles. 

Such is the popularity of the event 

that the gathering of vehicles is no 

longer confined to The Market Square, 

displays can also be found in Stony 

Stratford’s High Street and Cofferidge 

Close. Proud owners are keen for you 

to see their cherished and spectacular 

cars and bikes – from the concourse 

to the well–used a few fond memories 

will be triggered for even for least carloving 

visitor. 

Classic Stony is run by a team of 

dedicated volunteers in partnership 

with Stony Stratford Business 

Association and aims to raise essential 

funds for Willen Hospice. It is free to 

attend although you are encouraged 

to donate as generously as you can. 

Last year’s event raised an astounding 

£5,150.00 – let’s hope that this year 

the results will be even better. 

If you would like to bring your car 

or bike along – pre 1976 cars must 

be pre-registered for the Market 

Square prestige parking and you 

will be asked for a minimum £10 

donation. Alternatively if you have 

a car of around 25 years of age and 

over, supercar or another interesting 

or unusual vehicle bring it down on 

the day and use parking areas like 

Cofferidge Close or the High Street. 

You won’t have to pre-register, 

however you will be asked for a small 

donation of about £5. 

This year’s awards will take place at 

12.30pm in the Market Square – there 

are categories for best of show, best 

of British, best saloon, best sports 

car and best bike. Could your car be 

amongst the winners? 

As usual The Market Square will 

host live music and many of the 

shopkeepers, publicans and restaurant 

owners are opening their doors for 

you to join the revelry. There will also 

be a vintage fly past. 

If in doubt please contact Classic 

Stony at info@ssccf.co.uk 

For further information and preregistration 

visit the website www. 

classicstony.co.uk. 

This is a very informal gathering 

of like-minded individuals and 

enthusiasts with no company or 

individual profiteering, all donations 

will go to Willen Hospice. Vehicles 

should arrive after 9.30am and go 

to the chosen area, the volunteer 

team of marshals will point you in 

the right direction. Your donation 

will go to Willen Hospice (if you 

haven’t pre-booked). It can get busy 

at peak times with parking spaces 

a rare commodity for those arriving 

in the middle of the day, so please 

show some patience while the team 

get you parked. This might involve 

cruising around the town and even 

parking outside designated display 

areas. 

Automodellismo 6 – Model Show 

10.00am to 3.30pm Sunday 15th May, Hanslope Village Hall 

This is the 6th year that Automodellismo has met at 

Hanslope Village Hall for its display of model kits for 

assembly and assembled with the theme of automobiles. 

The displays offer incredibly realistic models as well as 

some exciting remote control trucks in the car park. This 

40 

year the show is expanding and it will feature the Tamiya 

Truckin display. For more details go to www.hamex.co.uk/ 

The HaMeX events are small and select and are cohosted 

by Mat Irvine; Paul Fitzmaurice and occasionally 

David Jefferis. 



Building Home Interiors Services 

Call Emma on 01908 380777 


41 

37 35 41

Community 

Beware the cloners 

Consumer holiday headache? 

Reports show that due to improved 

number plate checking technology, 

criminals prefer to use cloned number 

plates taken from vehicles that are upto-date 

with MOT, tax and insurance, 

rather than making up false plates. 

Innocent car owners may receive 

speeding tickets for offences they 

have not committed and/or visits 

from the police because their cloned 

number plate has been used on a 

vehicle involved in a serious crime. 

Shopping The DVLA for keeps gifts and a register souvenirs of is 

an number important plate part suppliers, of our who holidays are and 

most required of the by time law to we’re check happy evidence with our of 

purchases. entitlement What and identity happens, before though, selling if 

you a new get plate. home The and suppliers find that must the Gucci also 

sunglasses keep records you and bought enforcement in Italy are officers 

counterfeit, can take action the where phone this you is bought not done. 

in However, France does it is easy not to work, buy or plates the hotel 

you online stayed from in overseas have accidently and avoid overcharged 

checks, so and this you safeguard are having is far trouble from 

these 

sorting fool-proof. out the issue. 

To avoid becoming a victim 

of number plate cloning: 

• Obscure your registration number in 

any photos of your car you upload 

to any website, even if you are 

selling it. 

• If you are buying second hand, 

always ask to see the V5C (the 

vehicle registration document). 

• Check the MOT dates, compare the 

mileage with that recorded on the 

The DVLA European database Consumer and look carefully Centre 

is part at the of vehicle an EU-wide identification network number of 30 

European and engine Consumer identity Centres plates and (ECC- 

Net) stickers who offer: for evidence of tampering. 

• Advice If you are and concerned information for any UK way, 

consumers consider buying who are a different having vehicle. 

problems If you buy with a car a with company a cloned based in 

another number European plate you risk country; losing both 

• Intervention the vehicle and in disputes your money. where the 

consumer and trader are unable to 

reach If you a suspect positive your outcome. car may have 

The UK European Consumer Centre 

is co-funded by the UK Government’s 

Department for Business, Innovation 

and Skills (BIS) and the European 

Commission. 

There is a European Consumer 

Centre been cloned, in every call EU the country, police as and well the as 

in DVLA Norway immediately. and Iceland, Your so number you can plate get 

help will be and entered advice on at to home a “hot” for problems list and 

that traffic occurred police alerted. abroad. 

So Motoring if you have organisations shopped and abroad 

and publications you need such some as help, the AA contact and the 

European AutoTrader, Consumer provide guidance Centre and 

tips E-mail: to help ecc@tsi.org.uk 

when purchasing a used 

car. Telephone The Citizens +44(0)1268 Advice Consumer 886 690 

(lines Helpline open on 9am 03454 – 4pm) 040506 can 

provide Website: advice http://www.ukecc.net/ 

should anything go 

contact-us/index.cfm 

wrong with your purchase . 

42 36 


Building Interiors Services 



37 41 43

Home Services 

44 38 



Groundwork and foundations are the most important part 

of a drive, taking time and money, don’t skimp. 

. 

o 

. 

t 

Reminders 

1. Don’t deal with door to door salespeople. 

2. Don’t agree to work if you only have a 

mobile number and no landline or address. 

3. Check the local press and Trading Standards 

for cowboys. 

4. Check for membership of professional bodies. 

5. Check insurance and guarantees. 

6. Deposits should be 10% of the total price; 

insist on a receipt. 

e 

t 

s 

To advertise Please mention please Essentially call 01908 380777 

Local when responding to adverts 

39 45

Community 

Domestic Services 

Ken 

Daron 

Andrew 

Phil 

They’re brave (maybe mad)… now show your support 

Preparation is well underway for the 

four Run the Country blokes and their 

gruelling 134 mile ultra-marathon 

challenge across 4 days, beginning in 

Whitehaven on 25th August, ending in 

Sunderland on 28th. 

Training is more physically and 

mentally demanding as the run itself. 

They are distance training, building 

strength in their legs for the hills and 

stretching to reduce injury. Andrew 

ran over 280km in March, about 

the same distance as Milton Keynes 

to Liverpool. During April, Daron’s 

running took him up 1,313 metres of 

ascent, almost as high as Ben Nevis. 

All four of the team, including Ken 

and Phil, have suffered set backs with 

injury, but no-one has considered, or 

is considering, giving up. This is real 

endurance training – tough on the 

body, even harder on the mind. 

There is no personal gain from this. 

No big party at the end, no medal 

that you get at the end of a 10K. It is 

simply four very brave – or maybe mad 

– blokes who want to raise awareness 

and money for some really important 

charities that mean a lot to each of 

them for many different reasons. 

Read the story, follow the blog and 

sponsor at www.runthecountry.net 

35 

To 46 advertise please call 01908 380777 

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts 

43

Domestic Services 


43 47

Community 

SSIB News 

Stony Stratford is looking stunning 

and over the last couple of months 

residents and visitors have been able 

to enjoy some glorious displays of 

spring colour: 

• polyanthus and daffodils around 

Wolverton Road Recreation ground, 

• spring bulbs in the Millennium beds 

at the entrances to town, 

• the host of daffodils cascading 

down the bank at the Ostlers Lane 

town entrance (sponsored by Ron 

and Eileen Cox) and 

• spring bulbs and blooms at the 

Galley Hill and Fullers Slade beds. 

Maintenance work 

The never-ending weeding and 

pruning continues around town. Cow 

parsley was threatening to suffocate 

the bluebell shoots at the Bluebell 

Wood, where many have self-seeded 

from last year. Now the cow parsley 

has once again been removed, 

you can look out for an even more 

extensive carpet of blue this May. 

Replacing 

As shrubs get leggy and need 

replacing, SSIB see this as an 

opportunity to re-style and a great 

starting point for a facelift is the oval 

bed on the corner of Calverton Road 

and Ousebank. You will soon see a 

warm, colourful display as lavender is 

replaced by dwarf hebes. 

Big Lunch Events 

There are two big lunch events taking 

place this June, both with the Queen’s 

Birthday as their theme. Stony In 

Bloom has been asked to play a part 

48 

and volunteers will be offering a 

hanging basket workshop – baskets 

will be planted up with red, white and 

blue plants for both events. 

Talk by Alan Marham, grounds 

manager, Open University 

Alan Marham presented an interesting 

illustrated talk on how he planned the 

much admired naturalistic planting in 

the OU grounds and Legacy bed for 

this year’s SSIB horticultural talk. The 

generous donations received from 

those who came to hear him will help 

SSIB to buy William Shakespeare roses 

Flower Festival 

St Mary and St Giles Church, Stony Stratford 

10th, 11th and 12th June 2016 – during celebrations 

to mark the Queen’s official birthday 

St Mary and St Giles Church in 

Stony Stratford is hosting a Flower 

Festival. Pop in to admire the flower 

arrangements depicting the Coronation, 

silver, golden and diamond jubilees, 

the Queen’s visit to Stony Stratford 

and events that have taken place in 

the town. There will also be music, 

refreshments, including cream teas, 

and an exhibition of work produced by 

children at the local school. 

The festival will be open 10am – 

5pm Friday and Saturday and 11am – 

Diary dates 

• 5th June – Big Lunch at the 

Wolverton Road Recreation 

ground. Organised by the 

events committee and 

supported with a grant from 

MK Community Foundation. 

• 11th June – Big Lunch at Spider 

Park. Organised by The Fullers 

Slade Residents Association and 

assisted with funding from the 

Regeneration Fund. 

to commemorate 400 years since the 

Bard’s death. 

School Work 

Children are as enthusiastic as ever in the 

SSIB garden sessions. They have been 

planting out chitted potatoes and sowing 

carrots, spring onions and parsley. 

5pm on the Sunday. No entrance fee 

but donations to the church would be 

appreciated. 


Garden Services 

Garden Services & Home 

Hanslope Open Gardens 

10.30am – 5.00pm Saturday, 25 June 

1.30pm – 5.00pm Sunday, 26 June 

This year the 6th Hanslope Open Gardens is supporting 

the St James Church Bell Restoration Fund. 

This great event will see beautiful gardens open in the 

village and a Festival of Flowers in the Church. Look out 

for the competition in each of the gardens visited and 

the Call plant Emma sale in the on church. 01908 There is 380777 free car parking and 

refreshments at the Village Hall. 


47 49

Gardening 

Plan ahead 

Make 2016 the year when you proudly 

place your items on the show bench 

at your local Harvest Show, instead 

of admiring everyone else’s entries, 

thinking ‘I could have put in a better 

entry than that!’ 

Don’t wait for the schedules to 

appear in Odell’s or your local shop 

but select your best plants now and 

keep them watered, supported and 

harvested until shortly before you will 

need your entries. This is one time 

when big is better if you’re going for 

the largest in show categories, so start 

experimenting with plant tonics and 

read up on what winners do to get 

results. Go along to your local library 

and study the gardening shelves. 

Don’t forget the produce categories 

and keep an eye out for attractive jars 

in which to present your pickles and 

jams. Keep your best separate in case 

they are eaten by mistake before the 

big day! 

Protect fruit crops 

It is bad enough to lose part of your 

berry crops to birds but even more 

annoying when they get stuck into 

your strawberries before they are even 

ripe. Having tried the lazy method of 

draping bushes with netting, I have to 

admit that erecting a rigid framework 

first is time well spent. Birds are less 

likely to penetrate your defences, or 

get tangled up while attempting to 

do so and the fruit itself is less likely 

to grow through the netting when you 

aren’t looking. 

Weed before you start, so that 

vigorous growth doesn’t block sunlight 

from ripening crops and mulch the 

fruit with well-rotted compost. Making 

your own cage from canes is less 

expensive but make sure you prevent 

painful accidents by putting tips on the 

canes. If you will be growing fruit for 

several years consider buying a readymade 

cage, which will save time and 

frustration. It is definitely worth investing 

in good quality netting. Don’t forget 

to remove the netting when you have 

harvested the last fruit, so that you can 

weed the area. And don’t forget to save 

a pot of your jam for the Show! 

Watch out for weather 

A late frost can really go for beans and 

potato tops as well as bedding plants, 

so don’t be tempted to plant out too 

early and keep potatoes earthed up. 

Fleece and newspaper can provide 

some protection if frost is forecast. 

At the same time drying winds can 

do damage to young growth and dry 

out seedbeds, so keep watering cans 

filled and at the ready. 

After the last frosts – don’t you 

love seed packets that tell you to 

sow ‘six weeks before the last frost’? 

– non-delicate house plants can be 

brought outside to a sheltered spot 

in the garden for a fresh air treat and 

prepared pots and window boxes 

brought out from the greenhouse, 

coldframe or conservatory. Harden 

them off for a few days before leaving 

them out overnight and don’t forget 

to check whether they need watering. 

Happy gardening! 

Sheila Harvey 

50 


. 

Garden Services & Home 


To advertise please call 01908 380777 49 

47 


45 51

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 – Drs Younus, Hillier, Moore, Otto, 

Shah, Taylor, Barter & Wedgbrow 01908 510230 

Paulerspury Practice – Dr Ward 01327 811630 

Stony Medical Centre 01908 260382 

Stony Stratford Health Visitors, Physios 01908 565555 

The Stonedean Practice 01908 261155 

Towcester Medical Centre – Drs Ward, 

N. Odwell & A. Odwell 01327 359953 

Wolverton Health Centre – Dr SA Mushtaq 

and Partners 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 

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 9am-7pm 9am-5.30pm 9am-5.30pm 9am-5.30pm 9am-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 

52 


Garden & Home 

Delivery people 

required for Hanslope 

to deliver Essentially Local. 

Good rates of pay. 

Call Emma on 01908 380777 

Garden Services 

Garden & Home 


49 

Delivery people 

required for Hanslope 

to deliver Essentially Local. 

Good rates of pay. 

Call Emma on 01908 380777 


49 53

Essential Advertisers 

ACCOMMODATION 

Furtho Manor Farm 25 

AERIAL & CABLE 

MKL Cable Solutions 38 

BUILDING & PROPERTY SERVICES 

Antony Thompson Architect 43 

Handyman Property Services 44 

Hickford Construction Ltd 45, 53 

Ian Bodily Building Services 43 

Morris Roofing & Leadworks 43 

Premier Improvements 44 

Ron Cave Roofing 42 

Sapwell’s 43 

Thomas Betts & Co 42, 43 

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL 

Bridgman & Bridgman LLP 35 

Ellesse Financial 33 


Magical Maths 25 

MK Box Self Storage 35 

Russell HR 33 

Simply Wills 33 

CHILDREN 

Acorn Childcare 25 

Magical Maths 25 

Youth Bardic Trials 24 

CLEANING & DOMESTIC 

Carpet Pride MK 47 

Domestique 47 

Iron It Out 46 

Linda’s Sewing Services 46 

Oven Pride 47 

Ovenvaleting 46 

Rob Bracey, Septic Tank 38 

The Stainbusters 47 

Vickie’s Cleaning 46 

COMPUTER SALES & REPAIRS 

Baldox Computing 34 

PC Laptop and Computer 35 

ELECTRICAL SERVICES 

Microwave Service Centre 38 

MKL Cable Solutions 38 

FLOWERS & GIFTS 

Branch-Out MK 16 

FOOD 

ARTea Room 17 

Bamboo Cottage Chinese Takeaway 19 

The Bell Inn 6,7 

The Stony Sweet Shop 25 

GARDEN SERVICES 

Advanced Turf Machinery 49 

Bartlett Tree Experts 51 

Bridgman & Bridgman LLP 35 

Creative Garden Design 51 

Firewood 51 

Francis Rose Landscaping & 

Garden Services 53 

Graham Churchill Plant Ltd 55 

Grass Master 49 

GreenThumb 49 

Hickford Construction 53 

Linnell Bros Ltd 53 

Maxwell Home & Garden Services 53 

Prestige Lawns 53 

TruGreen 51 

GOLDSMITHS 

The Goldsmithy 23 

HAIR, HEALTH & BEAUTY 

Action Physio 11 

Clive Heayns Podiatry 13 

Grand Union Physiotherapy 13 

Happy Bodies Fitness Centre 11, 14 

Janice Skillman Foot Health 13 

Lanh’s Nail Salon 11 

Massage in mind 11 

Nails by Sally 13 

Pilates 13 

HOME INTERIORS 

Carpetwise 41 

Daniel Chapman Antique Furniture 

Restoration & French Polishing 39 

G dad’s 25 

Handyman Property Services 44 

Kenneth Hudson Interiors 39 

Linda’s Curtains and Blinds 39 

Table and Bench Co. 41 

Thomas Betts and Co. 41 

Trading Standards 42 

Universal Blinds 39 

Whittlewood Stoves 41 

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS 

Leakfix 37 

On-Tap Installations 38 

LEISURE & HOBBIES 

Advance Travel 1,3 

ARTea Room 17 

Bamboo Cottage 19 

Big Wig Ball 15 

Drury Holidays 21 


Happy Bodies Fitness Centre 11,14 

Magic of Motown 7 

Milton Keynes Museum 23, 24 

New Orleans Jazz Club 22 

One Stop Craft Shop 23 

Pilates 13 

The Bell Inn 6,7 

The Stony Sweet Shop 25 

Vitreus Art 23 

Virtual Orchard and Wharf Distillery 19 

Wolverton Old Bath House & 

Community Centre 35 

MOTORING & TRANSPORT 

G & G Autos 55 

Saxon Bridge.com 5, 55 

PAINTERS & PLASTERERS 

Abercrombie Painter and Decorators 39 

BWB Plastering 37 

DPL Services 37 

SJ Adcock & Son 37 

Thomas Betts & Co 37 

PETS & VETS 

Hand to Paw Pet Services 9 

Rekela Kennels & Cattery 9 

RSPCA 8 

The Vet Centre 8,9 

PLUMBING, GAS SERVICING 

& HEATING 

Add Warmth 38 

Leakfix 37 

On Tap Installations 38 

Premier Heating 38 

TAXIS 

Skyline 56 

WASTE REMOVAL 

Graham Churchill Plant Ltd 55 

WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES 

Cloudy 2 Clear 44 

Custom Glaze 45 

Shaun Barrass & Sons 45 

Thomas Betts & Co 45 

Win-Dor 2 

WILL WRITING 

Simply Wills 33 

STONYLIVE! SUPPLEMENT 

Thank you to the following businesses for 

supporting StonyLive!… 

Morgan Gilder 

Boutique Organica 

Twenty 3c 

Taylor Walsh Property Consultants 

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. 

54 


Motor & Transport 


51 55

Taxis

Essentially Local May-June 2016

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?