EL Magazine NOV-DEC 2019
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keeping you...<br />

November/December <strong>2019</strong><br />

essentiallylocal<br />

Happy<br />

Christmas!<br />

3rd Place, Lucas, 11<br />

2nd Place, Bea, 7<br />

1st Place, Hermione, 10 3rd Place, Ellie, 8

Home & Garden<br />

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Come and visit us at our fabulous Milton Keynes showroom. With 6000 square foot of inspiration for<br />

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2<br />

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Leisure<br />

CHRISTMAS<br />

AT MAAYA<br />

CHRISTMAS PARTY<br />

17 TH <strong>NOV</strong>EMBER - 24 TH <strong>DEC</strong>EMBER OR AVAILABLE ON REQUEST<br />

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3

Inside this issue<br />

FOR YOUR W<strong>EL</strong>LBEING<br />

11 WIN 1 Year of Free Membership with Happy Bodies<br />

14 Feeling Good this Christmas; Managing Christmas Stress<br />

19 The Benefits of Salt Therapy<br />

essentiallylocal<br />

AT YOUR LEISURE<br />

6 Celebrating Talented Young Artists<br />

8 Emma’s Space<br />

20-21 Deliciously Over-Indulging; Hidden Gem - Fruity Farmer;<br />

Quality Food the Natural Way; Christmas Root Wellington<br />

22 An ARTea Christmas Gift Idea<br />

26-27 Whitehouse Primary; Word Search; Jokes; Happy Christmas<br />

28 Solving Christmas Dilemmas<br />

30-31 Brownies Celebrate; Beryl’s Golden Handshake; New Book;<br />

Bardic Trials; Christmas Celebrations<br />

32 Win a Turkey from Moorgate Farm<br />

34-35 What's On; Towcester & District Art Society; Innocent Hare;<br />

Wicker Wreath Workshops; York House Events; Food Tasting<br />

48-49 Christmas Light Switch-Ons; Pantomime Fun,<br />

Victorian Christmas<br />

54 Antique Fair; MK Christmas Party<br />

6<br />

Callie, 5<br />

Eliza, 7<br />

CREATING YOUR HOME & GARDEN<br />

10 New Homes for all Animals; Improving Dog Mobility<br />

18 In Bloom Teams Bloom<br />

46-47 Christmas at Home; Warm with Accessories; Safety First<br />

52-53 A Winter Wonderland; Vegetable of the Edition<br />

SAFE TRAV<strong>EL</strong>S<br />

58 Skyline’s Party Season Advice; Roads & Parking; Drugs & Driving: The Law<br />

PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING<br />

24 Keep your Children Safe this Christmas<br />

33 Celebrating Local Businesses<br />

36-37 Fair Divorce; Joy of Christmas; The Right Pension; New Year,<br />

New Pensioner<br />

38 Marriage and Wills<br />

H<strong>EL</strong>PFUL CONTACTS<br />

60 Useful Numbers<br />

62 Advertisers<br />

11<br />

Naturally<br />

Beer<br />

23<br />

1 Year Free Gym<br />

Membership<br />

HAPPY<br />

CHRISTMAS<br />

AND A<br />

FANTASTIC<br />

2020!<br />

ADVERTISING & EDITOR<br />

Emma Johnson<br />

emma@essentiallylocal.co.uk<br />

01908 380777<br />

FOLLOW US<br />

/EssentiallyLocal<br />

essentiallylocal.co.uk<br />

DESIGN<br />

Harriet Bull<br />

hello@harrietbull.co.uk<br />

4<br />

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to advertisers

Home & Garden<br />

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5

Children<br />

Celebrating Talented<br />

Young Artists<br />

Celebrating the amazing young artists<br />

who entered our Annual Christmas<br />

Drawing Competition and Soul2Sole<br />

Dancewear Supershoe competition.<br />

Please make sure you visit the Annual<br />

Christmas Drawing Exhibition which<br />

will take place in Stony Stratford<br />

Library throughout December. Pictures<br />

will, as usual, be displayed on our<br />

Facebook advent.<br />

Winners of the Annual Christmas<br />

Drawing Competition<br />

First Place: Naomi S, age 10<br />

Second Place: Bea G, age 7<br />

Joint Third Place: Ellie W, age 7<br />

and Lucas B, age 11<br />

THANK<br />

YOU TO<br />

EVERYONE<br />

WHO<br />

ENTERED<br />

Ruby, 9<br />

Loukas, 10<br />

Nicholas, 4<br />

Soul 2 Sole Dancewear<br />

Pointe Shoe Competition<br />

Winner: Lacey, aged 10<br />

Runners-up: Maisie, aged 10 & Niobi<br />

Special Mentions: Macey, aged 10 & Lois, aged 16<br />

Soul 2 Sole Dancewear Pointe Shoe<br />

Competition raised money for Supershoes.<br />

Supershoes is a volunteer-led organisation<br />

which paints unique shoes for children with a<br />

diagnosis of cancer. The shoes aim to give the<br />

child strength, restore confidence and make<br />

her/him feel special. To find out more about<br />

the amazing work of this local charity<br />

supershoes.org.uk<br />

6<br />

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7

Hello Readers...<br />

essentiallylocal<br />

Welcome to our last edition of <strong>2019</strong>!<br />

What an exciting edition of <strong>EL</strong>! Fireworks<br />

in November followed by an exciting<br />

local Christmas. Lantern-making before<br />

the processions that light our streets for<br />

Christmas, the big red man himself at<br />

Milton Keynes Museum and lots more.<br />

Aim to buy meaningful locally produced<br />

gifts this year – fantastic ideas will be on<br />

show at the craft fayres, Branch-Out MK<br />

CIC shop and Towcester Art Exhibition.<br />

For something a little more foodie our<br />

hidden gem may offer the answer!<br />

Christmas Art Competition<br />

Yet more amazingly talented young<br />

artists entered this year’s art competition.<br />

Pay a visit to Stony Stratford Library to<br />

enjoy the exhibition of their pictures.<br />

Congratulations and thank you to all of<br />

you who entered – you are all winners.<br />

Like our FB page to see each picture on<br />

our daily advent celebrations.<br />

What’s Inside?<br />

This year Christmas has a real feel good<br />

factor about it. Glam up and go glitzy<br />

to be on trend or simply choose natural<br />

style and you’ll still fit in well. Nail art<br />

is essential for the fashion conscious<br />

amongst you – after all, who doesn’t love<br />

sparkly snowflake or two?<br />

Christmas can be a very stressful time<br />

with demands on finances from children<br />

and expectations. If this does result in the<br />

break-up of your relationship, support<br />

from the right agencies can make things<br />

calmer and more manageable. Turn<br />

to pages 15 and 36 to find out what is<br />

out there.<br />

In the meantime support our community<br />

and make sure you keep your business<br />

essentiallylocal - Emma <br />

FESTIVE<br />

WISHES AND<br />

ENJOY THE<br />

HOLIDAY<br />

SEASON!<br />

Thank-you<br />

Mayson, 8<br />

<strong>2019</strong> has been an exciting year for the Essentially Local team<br />

and we can’t wait to show you what we have in store for<br />

2020. In the meantime some ‘thank-yous’.<br />

Firstly, to everyone who took the time to phone and email<br />

to say how much they love the magazine. We work hard to<br />

keep it local and relevant and it is really paying off.<br />

Secondly, thank you to everyone who helps to bring this<br />

great local magazine to you – our delivery people, our<br />

contributors, designer, book-keeper and our advertisers.<br />

Suzanne and I keep a degree of sanity by juggling our work<br />

with coffee!<br />

Finally, an extra special Happy Christmas to Harriet our<br />

designer with her new addition to the family!<br />

8<br />

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to advertisers

Home & Garden<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

9

Feature<br />

New Homes for all Animals<br />

RSPCA Milton Keynes and North Bucks doesn't just<br />

find new homes for animals, it finds new homes for<br />

teddy bears too!<br />

Sadly, when teddy bear owners reach adulthood they<br />

often release teddy bears to the wild or place them in<br />

terrible rehoming sites like ‘The Recycling Centre’.<br />

RSCPA Milton Keynes and North Bucks is the number<br />

one (unofficial) teddy bear rehoming centre of the UK.<br />

All the teddy bears who come to them receive a full<br />

medical (fluff review) and shower (with a short spin) plus<br />

all the food they can eat! They are then presented and<br />

displayed (with a raffle ticket I.D) ready for rehoming.<br />

Even though they are popular, they are pleased to<br />

say that spaces are available and they’d LOVE to have<br />

your teddies. Please be a good teddy re-homer and<br />

drop off all your bears (and any other soft toys) to any<br />

RSPCA charity shop in Bletchley, Newport Pagnell or<br />

Stony Stratford.<br />

For more information visit<br />

mkrspca<br />

www.bit.ly/rspcateddybears<br />

Managing & Improving<br />

your Dog’s Mobility<br />

The Veterinary Centre now have a clinic specifically<br />

designed to help dogs that suffer with reduced<br />

mobility. The clinic offers regular assessment and<br />

management of your dog’s mobility problems by<br />

focussing six areas:<br />

• Pain relief<br />

• Weight control<br />

• Appropriate exercise<br />

• Effective supplements and foods<br />

• Improving environment<br />

• Manual therapies<br />

Month 1<br />

• An on-line questionnaire to gather in-depth<br />

information about your pet’s mobility, carried out<br />

either before or during you first appointment.<br />

• First appointment 30 minutes with your vet and<br />

mobility nurse to determine the most suitable<br />

mobility plan.<br />

• Progress check at 7-14 days to review the plan with<br />

your vet and mobility nurse.<br />

Months 2-5<br />

• Monthly progress check with your mobility nurse<br />

(and vet if required).<br />

Month 6<br />

• Mobility Review and 6-month medication check with<br />

your vet<br />

The clinic costs £60 (incl VAT) for 6 months payable at<br />

the first appointment<br />

For more details:<br />

The Vet Centre, Cherry Lane Garden Centre<br />

NN12 7QN<br />

01280 812057 or 01908 542155<br />

info@thevetcentre.ltd.uk<br />

10<br />

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to advertisers

WIN 1 Year of Free Membership<br />

– Don’t wait till January!<br />

Happy Bodies Gym is offering a fantastic opportunity<br />

to win 1 year of free membership that includes weekly<br />

personal training sessions. This incredible prize will give<br />

you the tools and support needed to achieve better<br />

physical and mental health and wellbeing.<br />

For a chance to win this package, that is worth over<br />

£1500, the team would like to know:<br />

• How you think they can support you and<br />

• Why you think you should win.<br />

Tell them about your health and fitness goals, explain<br />

your barriers and what’s stopping you from starting this<br />

journey? Why would you benefit from their support?<br />

Well-Being<br />

ENTER NOW!<br />

Enter now:<br />

Write in to Happy Bodies and explain how you<br />

believe their support will help you to change your<br />

life for the better. Your commitment to the prize will<br />

entail regular weekly training sessions and to follow<br />

guidance set for you to help you to achieve your<br />

one year goal. For full T&Cs speak to the team.<br />

Send your applications to:<br />

info@happybodies.co.uk<br />

or speak to one of the team 01908 477066<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

11

Well-Being<br />

NON-SCARY DENTISTS<br />

DO THEY EXIST?<br />

If you are lucky enough to live near Milton Keynes<br />

YES THEY DO!<br />

Register with Da Vinci Dental Centre and meet<br />

understanding practitioners who strongly believe<br />

that all dental treatment should be PAIN-FREE!<br />

Telephone: 01908 886 871<br />

email: info@davincidentistry.co.uk. www.davincidentistry.co.uk<br />

Da Vinci Dental Centre, 3 Canon Harnett Court, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK12 5NF<br />

12<br />

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to advertisers

Well-Being<br />

Inhale Pilates<br />

Welcoming, supportive and progressive<br />

STOTT PILATES ® Classes *<br />

Towcester, Silverstone<br />

Old Stratford & Paulerspury<br />

Beginners/Intermediate<br />

Mat Work/Back Care Classes<br />

1-1s & 2-2-1s<br />

Weekly classes Monday-Friday<br />

To book your space:<br />

07547 618987<br />

elizabeth@inhalepilates.co.uk<br />

www.inhalepilates.co.uk<br />

Inhale Pilates<br />

*Trademark or registered trademark of Merrithew Corporation, used under license.<br />

Are you struggling with<br />

the daily challenges that<br />

life is throwing at you?<br />

One-to-one tailored training sessions,<br />

helping you to overcome the daily<br />

challenges you are facing in your life:<br />

• Weight loss<br />

• Stress management<br />

• Sleep and nutrition advice<br />

• Physical activity and training advice<br />

• Personal goals and career decisions<br />

• Balance between work and personal life<br />

To arrange your free initial consultation call or email<br />

James Preston, using the details below.<br />

T: 01908 847400 M: 07568 685231<br />

Midsummer Ct, 314 Midsummer Blvd, Milton Keynes, MK9 2UB<br />

E: j.preston@myhealthfirst.co.uk<br />

James Preston, BSc, MSc, MBPsS<br />

Guilt-free<br />

indulgence this<br />

Christmas!<br />

Burn those calories with our<br />

unlimited class pass for just<br />

£50 for the rest of the year!<br />

There’s something for everyone<br />

in our new class timetable.<br />

Furtho Court | Towcester Road | Old Stratford | MK19 6AN<br />

www.happybodies.co.uk | info@happybodies.co.uk<br />

| 01908 477 066 | @HappyBodiesMK<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

13

Feeling Good this Christmas<br />

There is a real feel good factor for Christmas this year and with that<br />

comes glitz and glamour. Do away with the little black dress for a<br />

bolder more dramatic look - silver, gold, ruffles, feathers and sequins<br />

will ensure you sparkle all the way to the ball!<br />

DRESS WITH STYLE<br />

There is increasing awareness about the<br />

detrimental effects of the throw away fashion<br />

culture and its impact on the environment.<br />

Think differently this year by adding your own<br />

twist or sparkle to old or pre-worn outfits.<br />

You’ll will be truly individual in style, it’ll be<br />

cost effective and obviously very special.<br />

TOP TIP<br />

Before you send<br />

clothes to charity that<br />

may end up in landfill<br />

add some sparkle to<br />

them or swap with<br />

friends.<br />

NAILS<br />

Polish your nails and make them as<br />

Christmassy as you can with different nail art<br />

– snowflakes, glitter, Christmas trees, Rudolf.<br />

The more fun the better! The options for OPI<br />

gel, gel, acrylic and Shellac versus manicure<br />

or pedicure can be confusing so get advice<br />

from one of the great local beauty therapists<br />

or nail studios.<br />

GO METALLIC<br />

Metallic powder is the look for the<br />

holiday season with shimmering<br />

lips, eyes and cheeks! Choose<br />

liquid shimmer for a smudge-free<br />

and stay-in-place look for the<br />

evening. Metallic lipsticks may suit<br />

slightly younger party-goers better<br />

but the more mature of us can still<br />

enjoy some glossy lips!<br />

BE TRUE TO YOURS<strong>EL</strong>F<br />

While it is great to get caught up in the latest<br />

hype of what looks good, make sure you stay<br />

true to yourself. Wear what makes you feel<br />

good and be proud of yourself!<br />

SUPPLIERS<br />

Action Physio 01908 968430<br />

actionphysiotherapy.co.uk<br />

Alchemy Therapy Centre<br />

01908 567766<br />

alchemytherapycentre.com<br />

Da Vinci Dental Clinic 01908 886871<br />

davincidentistry.co.uk<br />

Karate and Kickboxing 07910 154499<br />

karatemk.com<br />

Happy Bodies Fitness Centre<br />

01908 477066 happybodies.co.uk<br />

14<br />

Lanh’s Nail Salon 01908 567796<br />

nailsalonmiltonkeynes.co.uk<br />

Lisa Wiles Pilates 07729 608960<br />

Love Chloe 07815 597159<br />

Love Chloe<br />

Massage in Mind 01908 968430<br />

massageinmind.me<br />

Slimming World 0788 808205<br />

slimmingworld.co.uk<br />

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to advertisers

DON’T FE<strong>EL</strong> ALONE<br />

THIS CHRISTMAS<br />

The Silver Line<br />

A helpline for older people<br />

0800 4 70 80 90<br />

Independent Age<br />

0800 319 6789<br />

Age UK<br />

0800 169 2081<br />

Friends of the Elderly<br />

020 7730 8263<br />

contact-the-elderly.org.uk<br />

0800 716543<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

EMBRACING GREY MAKE IT<br />

YOUR OWN<br />

Silver hair, either natural or bottlehelped,<br />

remain on trend as do<br />

the lilac shades. Styles include<br />

shorter, blunter bobs that flatter<br />

and thicken up thinner hair to<br />

super straight or pulled into a topknot.<br />

Add sophisticated diamanté<br />

hair clips, bows or ribbon to your<br />

glossy locks.<br />

TOP TIP<br />

If you haven’t worn<br />

an outfit for over a year,<br />

sell and use the funds to<br />

treat yourself – nails,<br />

massage or makeover!<br />

Emptyclosets.com<br />

Online community for LGBT<br />

curious or unsure<br />

The Samaritans<br />

24-hour support<br />

116123 (no dialling code needed)<br />

Carers Milton Keynes<br />

Supporting and promoting<br />

wellbeing of family carers<br />

01908 231703<br />

The Milton Keynes<br />

Christmas Day Partys<br />

mkchristmasparty.org.uk<br />

Ruth Seabrook – 01908 647510<br />

Christmas<br />

Stress<br />

Christmas should be time for<br />

merry-making, meeting up with<br />

friends and family and relaxation<br />

but it’s actually one of the most<br />

stressful times of the year. Avoid<br />

some of the stresses:<br />

1. Loneliness – volunteer at one of<br />

the great local parties that brings<br />

together people who may be alone<br />

at Christmas. A wave through the<br />

window or an invite for a drink at<br />

the pub with your lonely neighbour<br />

can make all the difference.<br />

2. Over-eating – stop the vicious<br />

cycle of over-eating, guilt and<br />

more eating to combat guilt. Buy<br />

what you need and donate the<br />

rest to those in need. Over-eating<br />

will affect your skin, self-esteem<br />

and tummy.<br />

3. Over-spending and debt – turn<br />

the TV adverts off and don’t bow<br />

down to the pressures. Overindulgence<br />

isn’t good for anyone.<br />

Agree who to buy for, a price limit<br />

and stick to it.<br />

4. Children – they may not realise it<br />

but your time is far more valuable<br />

to them than the latest must-have<br />

expensive gift.<br />

5. Health – depression, anxiety, heart<br />

disease and accidents don’t go away<br />

just because it is Christmas. In fact<br />

too much to drink and you could<br />

get affected more than ever.<br />

15

Well-Being<br />

| Back pain | Muscle injury | Sore or overused muscles | Muscle cramping<br />

| Pregnancy back and leg discomfort | Headaches | Whiplash | Lymphatic drainage<br />

| Circulatory problems | Anxiety | Depression | Insomnia | Stress<br />

Tailor-made massage<br />

with you in mind<br />

Massage in Mind provides<br />

massage to meet your needs.<br />

Whether suffering from stress or having<br />

muscular discomfort, massage is a powerful<br />

tool to alleviate these and many more<br />

physical and emotional conditions.<br />

Call 01908 968430 to<br />

book your appointment.<br />

Massage in Mind Action Physiotherapy,<br />

54b High Street, Stony Stratford MK11 1AQ<br />

Email reception@actionphysiotherapy.co.uk<br />

www.massageinmind.me<br />

16<br />

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Well-Being<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

www.nailsalonmiltonkeynes.co.uk<br />

<br />

• Acrylics • Nail art • Shellac • Air brush designs<br />

• Hand designs • Gel nails • Pedicures<br />

in Stony<br />

Stratford provides a professional and<br />

relaxing nail care service to fully meet<br />

all your individual needs.<br />

What’s more, we also have free parking<br />

at the rear, free fast wi-fi in the shop<br />

and free tea and coffee.<br />

Wishing a Merry Christmas and<br />

a Happy New Year to all our customers<br />

<br />

CALL 01908 567796<br />

95 High Street, Stony Stratford MK11 1AT<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

17

Community<br />

In Bloom Teams Bloom<br />

Stony Stratford in Bloom and Wolverton and<br />

Greenleys in Bloom teams once again achieved<br />

incredible results in this years’ Britain in Bloom<br />

Competition. While the September results may<br />

seem an age ago, we are all still benefitting from<br />

their winter floral displays.<br />

Their Achievements<br />

It was gold for Stony in Bloom and Silver Guilt for<br />

Wolverton and Greenleys. Both towns excelled in<br />

the floral, edible and community element of the<br />

competition. We cannot praise all the volunteers<br />

highly enough, both receiving impressive<br />

feedback and awards.<br />

Imagination and Involvement at its Best<br />

The teams created imaginative, colourful displays<br />

assisted by voluntary and community groups,<br />

community interest companies and residents of<br />

the respective communities.<br />

Wolverton and Greenleys<br />

Some interesting planters, including 4 made by<br />

Men in Sheds and some repurposed commercial<br />

cooking oil drums, came to Wolverton. The judges<br />

identified The Urb Farm, Community Orchard and<br />

Secret Garden as the town’s jewels, leading them<br />

to win the Regional Award ‘Inspiring Everyone to<br />

Grow’. This category is about inspiring everyone to<br />

grow - with social contact, work experience as well<br />

as delicious produce, this is more than achieved.<br />

Guerrila gardens popped up in previous untidy<br />

areas and more volunteers than ever helped – as<br />

the benefits of the In Bloom ethos are recognised.<br />

Stony Stratford<br />

The judges commented that 'Floral colour<br />

proliferates in the High Street’. They loved<br />

the support that local businesses offer to the<br />

projects, weekly all-year-round work parties<br />

and the commitment to deliver new projects<br />

and initiatives. They gave Level 5 Outstanding<br />

assessments to Mary and Robin's North End Pond<br />

project and York House Community Gardens It's<br />

Your Neighbourhood groups, while Fullers Slade<br />

It's Your Neighbourhood Group gained a Level<br />

4 Assessment, in their first year. Russell Street<br />

Primary School was awarded Highly Commended!<br />

Call for Sponsors<br />

W<strong>EL</strong>L<br />

DONE<br />

ON YOUR<br />

INCREDIBLE<br />

RESULTS!<br />

Lots of local businesses supported the Wolverton<br />

and Greenleys sponsor a bin project. These were<br />

filled with fantastic floral displays to help the parish<br />

to bloom. Could you or your business join the<br />

sponsor scheme?<br />

Get in touch<br />

Wolverton & Greenleys In Bloom 01908 326800 or<br />

office@wgtc.org.uk<br />

Stony In Bloom stonyinbloom.wixsite.com/<br />

stonyinbloom<br />

Congratulations<br />

Thank you for maintaining our beautiful<br />

environments, you all deserve Platinum medals!<br />

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Well-Being<br />

Vitreus Art<br />

Art & Craft Studio<br />

Classes for beginners in:<br />

● Glass Fusing | Christmas Decorations |<br />

Lanterns | Tealights<br />

● Stained Glass | Lanterns | Mirrors | Lamps<br />

● Christmas Scented Candle Making<br />

● Painting & Drawing | Mixed Media<br />

● Silver Jewellery with Precious Metal Clay<br />

Wakefield Country Courtyard, A5 near<br />

Potterspury Northants NN12 7FA<br />

01327 810320 | hello@vitreus-art.co.uk<br />

www.vitreus-art.co.uk<br />

The Benefits of Salt Therapy<br />

The Salt Clinic MK (previously known as The Salt Cave )<br />

is celebrating the transition to full independence and<br />

an incredible 8 years of offering salt therapy (Halotherapy)<br />

treatments.<br />

Salt therapy treatment is effective for a range of lung<br />

and skin conditions like CPOD, asthma and eczema.<br />

Even athletes have found benefits.<br />

The clinic replicates the natural microclimate of a<br />

salt cave, it’s non-invasive, relaxing and follows strict<br />

regulations. This means clients of all ages, children<br />

to the more senior amongst us and those with<br />

disabilities, can use the clinic without problem. Even<br />

the most anxious will feel safe and calm.<br />

It’s easy to do, you simply sit in the salt room breathing<br />

in the salty air for about an hour, while reading the<br />

paper, figuring out a crossword or listening to music.<br />

The salt therapy treatment is believed to destroy<br />

bacteria and reduce mucus and inflammation. You<br />

normally need 10-20 treatments to feel the benefits<br />

but this depends on your condition. Records show that<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

salt therapy has been<br />

used since Roman<br />

and medieval times<br />

and in 1843 a Polish<br />

physician reported<br />

that salt miners<br />

did not suffer from<br />

lung diseases.<br />

See for yourself by taking advantage of the<br />

WINTER OFFER<br />

BUY 1 GET 1 FREE On salt therapy packages<br />

from 5 to 30 sessions<br />

To find out more:<br />

01908 766588<br />

Unit 1, Old Stratford Local Centre, Falcon Drive,<br />

Old Stratford, Milton Keynes MK19 6FG<br />

saltclinicmk.co.uk<br />

19

Deliciously Over-Indulging!<br />

As the party season enters full swing, the calories will no doubt pile on. The<br />

temptation to skip meals in exchange for more Prosecco will be great but<br />

you’ll be losing out on the essential nutrients. The morning after breakfast<br />

could help rid you of the dreaded hang-over. You guessed it – tomatoes,<br />

mushrooms, spinach, onions or fruit smoothies are the answer!<br />

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS<br />

Christmas traditions are changing particularly when<br />

it comes to the festive meal. In part, this is due to<br />

the increased popularity of a vegan diet but it is<br />

also because we prefer less heavy food options.<br />

Turkey remains the king of the table, however<br />

consumers are opting for crowns and joints rather<br />

than the whole bird. Interestingly, our love of<br />

Brussel sprouts stays high and they remain on the<br />

essential list for most Christmas meals. Reports<br />

even suggest they are more popular than pigs in<br />

blankets! And although most people would prefer<br />

a chocolate pudding or pannetone, just under half<br />

the population still buy a proper Christmas Pud!<br />

TOP TIP<br />

Create a plan and<br />

decide what can be<br />

prepared a week before<br />

and the day before.<br />

Share the jobs<br />

out!<br />

SHOPPING LOCALLY THIS CHRISTMAS<br />

If you haven’t been to the Moorgate Farm tasting<br />

days you are missing a treat. This local event draws<br />

together independent food producers. Most are<br />

local but there are some from<br />

further afield where a local source<br />

is not available. Some foods may be<br />

slightly more expensive, however<br />

you are paying for the quality and<br />

care that goes into the production<br />

of the food. You’ll find vegetables,<br />

cheeses, cured meats, puddings,<br />

chocolates, different drinks, and<br />

of course Moorgate Farms own<br />

KellyBronze turkeys. Book it into<br />

your diary!<br />

TOP TIP<br />

It doesn’t matter what<br />

time you eat your meal,<br />

whether at midday or<br />

early evening. Enjoy that<br />

one day of the year<br />

without guilt!<br />

HIDDEN GEM<br />

This edition’s gem goes to the Fruity Farmer’s latest seasonal fruity,<br />

alcoholic beverage! They make the perfect Christmas tipples as<br />

well as a fantastic gift ideas. Their Cherry Brandy is already a firm<br />

favourite in our camp but this orange rum goes to the next level of<br />

enjoyment. You can purchase the reasonably priced bottles from<br />

the farm, when you buy your Christmas tree, as well as in a number<br />

of local outlets like ARTea Room and local farmer’s markets.<br />

The Fruity Farmer 01908 551903 07770 614364<br />

stokegoldingtonchristmastrees.co.uk/fruity-farmer<br />

The Fruity Farmer<br />

20<br />

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PRODUCING QUALITY FOOD THE<br />

NATURAL WAY<br />

Food savvy shoppers will love Cranley Barn<br />

Farm and Shop. It embraces environmentally<br />

sustainable food production - selling cuts of<br />

lamb and pork that are produced on the farm,<br />

along with eggs, honey, pies and more.<br />

Owners Mary and Tom Edmondson, truly<br />

inspirational farmers, use regenerative<br />

agriculture in their arable production methods<br />

to maintain the health and fertility of their soil.<br />

They’ve chosen diverse mixes of cover crops, add<br />

muck from their pigs and grazed native cattle to<br />

replenish the precious nutrients and maintain<br />

the natural balance. This removes the need to<br />

plough or use manufactured chemicals. It also<br />

attracts insects, birds and mammals that then<br />

pollinate flowers and eat crop destroying pests.<br />

Their passion and care shows in all that they<br />

do - from raising the outdoor bred pigs to<br />

the chicken’s freedom to range. They recently<br />

introduced native cattle to complement their approach.<br />

Discover the tasty and thoughtfully produced produce<br />

at Cranley Barn Farm and Shop - lamb and pork joints<br />

and chops, pork sausages, bacon and black pudding. All<br />

prepared and frozen by a local butcher without adding<br />

anything that isn’t necessary. Add their honey, eggs and<br />

pies to your basket and you’ll soon being eating better!<br />

Their ethos is consistent – passion and care in production,<br />

sustainable and truly local.<br />

Cranley Barn Farm and Shop<br />

Cranley Barn Farm and Shop,<br />

Buckingham Road,<br />

Wicken, MK19 6DD<br />

07967 814842<br />

cranleybarnfarms.co.uk<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

Christmas Root<br />

Wellington<br />

Serves 4<br />

Prep Time 40 mins<br />

Cooking Time 30 mins<br />

Ingredients<br />

4 tbsp oil<br />

100g raw chunked beetroot<br />

1 medium sized peeled and finally chopped carrots<br />

1⁄3 peeled and chunked butternut squash<br />

1 finely chopped onion<br />

2 cloves chopped garlic<br />

200g Feta cheese<br />

175g ready-cooked Le Puy lentils<br />

1tbsp of mixed thyme, oregano, parsley<br />

100g baby spinach<br />

2 packs of ready rolled puff pastry<br />

Method<br />

1. Heat the oven to 190C, roast the beetroot,<br />

carrot, squash, onion and garlic with the herbs and<br />

seasoning, until tender. Stir in the lentils and Feta<br />

cheese. Leave to cool.<br />

2. Wilt the spinach over a low heat with a little water<br />

and half a vegetable stock cube, drain, squeeze the<br />

water out when cooled. Season to taste. Mix with<br />

veg/lentil mix.<br />

3. Flour a surface and cut the pastry sheets into six<br />

equal strips, 3 pairs. Divide the roasted veg/lentils<br />

between the pairs of pastry strips. Brush borders<br />

with milk and fold ends to encase the filling. Place<br />

on a baking tray and chill for 1 hr.<br />

4. Brush the tops with milk, bake for 30 mins<br />

until golden. Serve with a tasty vegetable gravy.<br />

ORDER A VEGETABLE BOX<br />

Moorgate Farm Vegetable Box<br />

Delivery Scheme - Local fresh,<br />

quality vegetables delivered from<br />

field to your door in 24 hours<br />

Moorgate Farm,<br />

Potterspury NN12 7QG<br />

01908 543008<br />

moorgatefarm@btinternet.com<br />

21

Leisure<br />

An ARTea Christmas Gift Idea<br />

Christmas is just around<br />

the corner, and are<br />

you still desperately<br />

searching for right<br />

gift for your favourite<br />

but hard-to-buy for<br />

relatives?<br />

No doubt, in previous years<br />

they’ll have loved the usual<br />

scents, flowers, chocolates<br />

and scarves. Yet, as nice as<br />

these gifts are, wouldn’t it<br />

be good to try something<br />

a little different?<br />

Time is by far the most precious gift of all and so, this<br />

year make time to treat them to a delicious luxury<br />

Afternoon Tea at the ARTea Room, Wakefield Farm.<br />

The treat includes a generous selection of sandwiches,<br />

moreish mini cakes and a plain, fruit, cherry or glutenfree<br />

oven warm scone, served with strawberry jam<br />

and Cornish Clotted cream. A pot of tea of your choice<br />

or coffee comes as standard, but<br />

go luxury to enjoy a glass of fizz<br />

as well. Alternatively, gift them a<br />

voucher and let them choose for<br />

themselves from the menu.<br />

The ARTea room brings a clean, modern ambience to<br />

the quirky, converted barn it’s located in. It’s vintage<br />

style is filled with fascinating ornaments as well as<br />

pictures and gifts to buy. For a truly memorable gift<br />

experience book your Luxury Afternoon Tea for friends<br />

and family at ARTea Room.<br />

Book by calling 01327 810245 or visit artearoom.<br />

co.uk or simply pop in and try one of the choices of<br />

light snacks, lunches or cakes.<br />

01327 810245<br />

enquiries@artearoom.co.uk<br />

artearoom.co.uk<br />

Wakefield Country Courtyard, Potterspury NN12 7FA<br />

ARTeaRoom<br />

22<br />

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Leisure<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

23

Leisure<br />

Keep your Children Safe at Xmas<br />

Back in June, local business Argos was the first retailer<br />

to predict the top 10 toys for Christmas this year. From<br />

Peppa Pig items to Harry Potter Lego it seems likely<br />

that the children in our lives might add some of these<br />

toys to their letter to Santa!<br />

The toys your children receive this year have to<br />

be safe.<br />

Check to make sure that there is a CE mark on the<br />

packaging. This is the manufacturers declaration that<br />

the toy confirms to the toy safety legislation. If you<br />

find that the toy you have bought does not display<br />

this mark please return it immediately to the retailer<br />

who sold it to you and ask for a refund.<br />

Make sure you abide by the age warnings on the<br />

packaging, young children may be injured if they play<br />

with toys designed for older children.<br />

You may have received fake goods if:<br />

• the item does not feel right<br />

• the quality is not what you would expect<br />

• the packaging is not what you were expecting<br />

• there are spelling mistakes in the instructions or on<br />

the box<br />

This means they may not be safe. If this is the case,<br />

report it to the<br />

Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454<br />

040506.<br />

Claire Kendall, Trading Standards, Milton Keynes<br />

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Leisure<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

25

I can’t believe we are talking Christmas already. What<br />

a year we’ve had working with the young writers from<br />

Whitehouse Primary. I am sure everyone will agree<br />

they have produced some excellent work. Christmas<br />

can be a difficult time and their ideas on what you<br />

should do and shouldn’t do give great direction..<br />

Emma<br />

Children<br />

Whitehouse Primary<br />

School Writers<br />

Wishing all our young readers a very Happy Christmas<br />

and Fantastic New Year. Please keep sending us details<br />

of all your achievements – no matter how big or small<br />

you think they are.<br />

Malek<br />

Writer in Residence<br />

I`m Malak and I recently<br />

moved to Milton Keynes!<br />

Milton Keynes is quieter than<br />

London where I lived before,<br />

which is great. I like English, playing at<br />

parks and talking to friends! I also like drawing and<br />

art and would like to be a Doctor when I grow up.<br />

Gabriel<br />

Writer in Residence<br />

Hi my name is Gabriel and<br />

I'm 11 years old. My favourite<br />

food is sushi. I am from Brazil<br />

and can speak two languages.<br />

I like to play sports such as: Badminton or tennis.<br />

Also, I can play the drums and a little bit of guitar<br />

and flute. When I'm free I like to read or play.<br />

Whitehouse Primary Favourite Jokes<br />

Q What do you get when you combine<br />

a Christmas tree with an iPad?<br />

A A pineapple!<br />

Q What is an elf’s favourite kind of music?<br />

A Wrap music!<br />

Q Which Christmas carol do new parents<br />

love the most?<br />

A Silent night!<br />

Q Why do mummies like Christmas so much?<br />

A Because of all the wrapping!<br />

Q What kind of motorbike does Santa ride?<br />

A A holly Davidson!<br />

Knock , knock!<br />

Who`s there?<br />

Anna!<br />

Anna who<br />

Anna partridge in a pear tree!<br />

How to say Merry Christmas in other languages:<br />

Spanish - Feliz Navidad French - Joyeux Noel<br />

Polish - Wesolych Swiat Japanese - Meri Kurisumasu<br />

Portuguese - Feliz Natal<br />

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Do’s and Don’ts<br />

for Christmas<br />

Do have your Christmas<br />

money planned.<br />

Do put down the<br />

phone!<br />

Do not shop just for<br />

yourself.<br />

Do a random act of<br />

kindness.<br />

Do have fun!<br />

Do be nice to those people who are working hardest<br />

at Christmas whilst you are off enjoying it.<br />

Do be grateful for what you get.<br />

Do think about those people who may be lonely at<br />

this time of the year.<br />

WORDSEARCH<br />

Look for all the words in the grid that relate to<br />

Christmas. Find every word and then think about<br />

what makes you happy at Christmas.<br />

Y E K R U T R P R D<br />

W O N S L O J S A E<br />

C P P R B C F H T C<br />

C H R I S T M A S E<br />

G G N I P P A R W M<br />

N U T M E G R I Y B<br />

F R I E N D S N L E<br />

M E R R Y O T G L R<br />

T F I G T R E E O C<br />

Y L I M A F U N H C<br />

Don’t work too much!<br />

Don’t spend more money than you have.<br />

Don’t complain about what you did not get.<br />

CHRISTMAS<br />

<strong>DEC</strong>EMBER<br />

FAMILY<br />

FRIENDS<br />

GIFT<br />

HOLLY<br />

MERRY<br />

NUTMEG<br />

ROBIN<br />

SHARING<br />

SNOW<br />

STAR<br />

TREE<br />

TURKEY<br />

WRAPPING<br />

Christmas Books!<br />

At Whitehouse Primary we love to read and thought<br />

we would pass on some Christmas themed book<br />

recommendations for children in Milton Keynes<br />

Key Stage 1<br />

The Snowman - Raynold Briggs<br />

The Night Before Christmas - Clement C. Moore<br />

The Jolly Christmas Postman - Allan Ahlberg<br />

Meg’s Christmas - David Walser<br />

Mog’s Christmas - Judith Kerr<br />

Winnie and Wilber: the Santa Surprise - Laura Owen<br />

The Grinch who Stole Christmas - Dr. Seuss<br />

Key Stage 2<br />

Paddington and the Christmas Surprise - Michael Bond<br />

Winnie the Pooh : Pooh’s Christmas - Andrew Grey<br />

A boy called Christmas - Matt Haig<br />

The Girl who saved Christmas - Matt Haig<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

27

Leisure<br />

Solving Christmas Dilemmas<br />

For the dancers<br />

in your life, young<br />

or slightly more<br />

mature, whatever<br />

their style or level, Soul2Sole Dancewear could offer<br />

the solution to all your Christmas dilemmas<br />

You’ll find what you need for nearly every style of<br />

dance imaginable. They offer the latest in footwear<br />

and clothing as well as a wealth of accessories, bags<br />

and more. Ballet, tap, ballroom, Latin, line dance,<br />

rock and roll, and jazz all the styles we know and love<br />

yet they also cater for contemporary, lyrical, modern<br />

and stage dancers along with ceroc and street.<br />

From classwear to clothing and footwear for special<br />

occasions. Their ranges start from tiny baby size right<br />

up to adult in some of the best brands including<br />

Ballet Rosa, Freed of London, Capezio, So Danca,<br />

Basilica, and Wear Moi. They also offer gorgeous<br />

leotards from smaller brands such as Lulli. All come at<br />

prices you can afford.<br />

Bespoke party bags to<br />

suit all budgets, are<br />

also available, as<br />

are very usable<br />

gift vouchers.<br />

Since taking<br />

over the well-established<br />

Sole2Sole Dancewear in Stony Stratford, Vanessa and<br />

her team have made a real name for their excellent<br />

customer service. They provide the very best personal<br />

service and ensure you will leave with exactly what<br />

you need and want!<br />

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas<br />

Photo courtesy<br />

of Capezio<br />

01908 260909<br />

soul2soledancewear.co.uk<br />

1 Swinfens Yard High St, Milton Keynes MK11 1SY<br />

Soul2Sole Dancewearx<br />

beautiful rural facilities set amongst a sheep farm<br />

Bed & Breakfast<br />

Large rooms<br />

En-suite<br />

24 hour access<br />

Choice of breakfast<br />

WEDDINGS<br />

Licenced for<br />

civil ceremonies<br />

Accommodates 50 – 200<br />

Available all year round<br />

OFFICES<br />

Quality rural<br />

office units<br />

Free parking<br />

STORAGE<br />

Secure units<br />

From 160sq feet<br />

Short and long term<br />

agreements<br />

To view our facilities at Furtho Manor Farm please contact Linda Welton<br />

Furtho Manor Farm, Old Stratford, Milton Keynes. MK19 6NR<br />

01908 542139 07968 004609 linda@furtho.com furthomanorfarm.co.uk<br />

28<br />

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Leisure<br />

FLAN<br />

<br />

LOCAL 8 SEATER MINI BUS SERVICE<br />

<br />

R<strong>EL</strong>IABLE SERVICE<br />

COMPETITIVE PRICING<br />

ALL AREAS COVERED<br />

AIRPORT TRANSFERS<br />

DAYS/EVENINGS OUT<br />

BUSINESS TRIPS<br />

SCHOOL TRANSPORT<br />

CALL BACK SERVICE<br />

ADVANCED BOOKINGS TAKEN<br />

TO BOOK CALL:<br />

077 63 53 19 19<br />

email: amiieiemailm<br />

Book a Free Trial Today<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

29

Community<br />

Christmas Festivities at<br />

Towcester Mill Brewery<br />

Towcester Mill Brewery Ltd, Towcester Mill, Chantry<br />

Lane, Towcester, NN12 6YY<br />

01327 43706<br />

towcestermillbrewery.co.uk<br />

Christmas Party Night<br />

With Jojo & The Mojos with festive buffet<br />

7pm, Saturday 7 December<br />

£15.00 - High-energy based rock covering Bon Jovi<br />

and Prince to Rag ‘n’ Bone Man.<br />

Let The Party<br />

Be-Gin Saturday<br />

7pm, Saturday,14<br />

December<br />

£20.00 - 3 gin<br />

samples, one full G&T<br />

from those sampled,<br />

festive buffet and DJ .<br />

The perfect Christmas<br />

night out.<br />

Charity Christmas Quiz<br />

Tuesday, 17 December<br />

£2 entry collection pp on the door - Book online<br />

Festive quiz night, for Prostate Cancer UK.<br />

Max 6 per teamFresh wood-fired pizzas from The<br />

Little Oven of Joy.<br />

Christmas Tribute Night With The Blueprint<br />

Blues Brothers<br />

7pm, Saturday, 21 December<br />

£20.00 includes a festive buffet<br />

Blues Brothers Tribute brothers - two 45 min shows<br />

full of fun, dancing and attitude!<br />

Live L Comedy Night with Sean<br />

Collins C and Andy Askins<br />

Friday, 27 December<br />

£15.00 - Award-winning<br />

performers<br />

bringing a mix<br />

of offbeat comic songs and<br />

parodies. Hannah Sylvester<br />

supports. Compere -<br />

resident MC, Pete Teckman.<br />

Over 18s only.<br />

Could you be<br />

the next BoSS?<br />

Launch: Saturday,<br />

30 November -<br />

Stony Stratford Christmas<br />

Lights Switch-on<br />

Application deadline:<br />

6 January, 2020<br />

Bardic Trials: 7.30pm, Friday 17 January 2020,<br />

York House Centre, Stony Stratford<br />

The quest for the 10th Bard of Stony Stratford<br />

(BoSS) begins and, if successful, you’ll represent<br />

the community, attending and commenting on<br />

the civic events of Stony Stratford. Since 2015 the<br />

Bardic Posse includes Youth and Junior Bards.<br />

You must live within a day’s walk of Stony<br />

Stratford (12 miles ish) and to meet at least 7<br />

commissions/performances and swear a Bardic<br />

Oath! Bardic Posse, Bard Mitchell Taylor and Youth<br />

Bard Eva McAvoy, will officially launch the search<br />

and perform their Christmas Lights poems.<br />

To apply : bardofstony.weebly.com<br />

Bucks Book Tells Tales!<br />

Stony Stratford resident and<br />

local storyteller Terrie Howey<br />

launched her first book<br />

'Buckinghamshire Folk Tales'<br />

in September. It forms part<br />

of a national 'County Folk<br />

Tales' collection. Terri believes<br />

the fables, fairy and folk<br />

tales from North Bucks are<br />

especially important.<br />

Visitors were treated to an historic Story Stroll<br />

around Stony Stratford and entertainment from<br />

local musicians, storytellers and the Bard of Stony<br />

Stratford before her book signing.<br />

To purchase:<br />

thehistorypress.co.uk/articles/buckinghamshirewhere-old-and-new-sit-side-by-side/<br />

30<br />

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Towcester<br />

Brownies Celebrate<br />

65 years<br />

Beryl’s Golden Handshake<br />

In August, Beryl Briggs sadly passed away at the age of 96<br />

years. An inspiration to many as she continued to provide<br />

keep-fit classes to her dedicated followers until earlier<br />

this year.<br />

Olive Styles and the incredible Eileen Fowler (possibly the<br />

first keep-fit celebrity to be seen on our TVs) handed over<br />

the classes to Beryl over forty-five years ago. Forty women<br />

took part in her first solo class at Russell Street School. They<br />

then moved to the Working Men’s Club on London Road,<br />

where participants usually retired downstairs for a drink<br />

and chat after their work-out! When the club closed the<br />

group moved to York House where it continues to run every<br />

Tuesday evening.<br />

Beryl loved music, particularly from the 60s and 70s, you’d<br />

often hear her say 'on the floor for Elvis'. Daniel O’Donnel was,<br />

however, her favourite. She was over the moon to receive the<br />

signed photograph and personal message from Daniel at her<br />

Golden Handshake Party.<br />

Group members were greeted with a cheerful smile and<br />

welcoming hug to her sociable, friendly and informal sessions.<br />

She was truly remarkable and never ran her classes for profit.<br />

A small subscription covered venue hire and remaining funds<br />

were donated to charity at the end of the year – Stony Health<br />

Centre, Willen Hospice and Air Ambulance.<br />

Beryl was always 'with it', keeping with fashion and enjoying<br />

her bling. She loved any reason to dress up for a party and<br />

organise social gatherings. There were trips to the television<br />

studios to see shows like Last of the Summer Wine and To The<br />

Manor Born. At the end of the shows, she’d go to the stage<br />

door to meet and get autographs from celebrities like Norman<br />

Wisdom, Danny la Rue and Val Doonican.<br />

Beryl was possibly one of the most amazing women you could<br />

ever wish to meet and even though she passed on the reins,<br />

her legacy for keeping local people fit and happy remains<br />

firmly in place.<br />

12noon - 2pm Sunday, 8 Dec<br />

Scout Hut, Baden Powell Crescent,<br />

Towcester NN12 6DS<br />

1st Towcester Brownies are celebrating their<br />

65th year as a unit. Their first official pack<br />

meeting took place on 6 December 1954<br />

and thanks to the fantastic volunteers it has<br />

run successfully ever since.<br />

To celebrate, present and past members are<br />

invited to join the free to attend Anniversary<br />

Celebration Tea Party this December.<br />

Enquiries or to register for as a guest email:<br />

Brownieparty65@gmail.com<br />

Volunteer to support their activities - flexible<br />

solutions are available to suit the time you<br />

can spare. girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/<br />

become-a-volunteer/register-your-interest<br />

Prospective Brownies please register at<br />

girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk/aboutus/brownies/<br />

Brownies offer exciting activities - surprise<br />

visitor nights, pamper evenings, learning<br />

about traditions from around the World<br />

and a Christmas Party. They also complete<br />

the new Brownie program which has<br />

included camping and exploring activities<br />

alongside expressing themselves through<br />

performance art.<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

31

Competition<br />

WIN A CHRISTMAS TURKEY!<br />

Susan Gorst is celebrating 20 years of being a KellyBronze<br />

Farmer at Moorgate Farm, Potterspury. She prides herself<br />

on using traditional farming methods to rear her happy<br />

free-range birds.<br />

They begin life on the farm at one day old, then spend the<br />

next five weeks being kept warm under a brooder. Susan<br />

ensures that from day one until the turkeys reach maturity,<br />

they are kept calm and settled. This involves playing music,<br />

sitting with the birds, holding them and talking to them.<br />

Along with her staff, Susan inspects all elements of their<br />

care throughout the day. Between them they check that<br />

the feeding and drinking containers are kept clean and<br />

full. Gradually as the birds begin to grow, the brooder<br />

temperature is reduced and at 5 weeks old they move<br />

into the free-range pasture. Here they can wander about<br />

amongst apple, pear and plum trees.<br />

ENTER NOW!<br />

M L A C K H E Y F T<br />

L J K E S Z K P R E<br />

H A L E N P L A E R<br />

L L R O O U D T E U<br />

Y F R U C I E U R T<br />

U B H K T V I R A S<br />

M U S I C A X K N A<br />

F R O Z E N N E G P<br />

X N W O R C P Y E M<br />

E Y F T C E P S N I<br />

BRONZE<br />

CALM<br />

CROWN<br />

FREERANGE<br />

FRESH<br />

FROZEN<br />

INSPECT<br />

K<strong>EL</strong>LY<br />

MOORGATE<br />

MUSIC<br />

NATURAL<br />

PASTURE<br />

PLUCK<br />

TRADITION<br />

TURKEY<br />

Moorgate Farm<br />

Potterspury, Towcester<br />

Northants, NN12 7QG<br />

01908 543008 or 07922 134 915<br />

moorgatefarm@btinternet.com<br />

moorgatefarm.co.uk<br />

Susan is committed to giving these birds the best<br />

experience possible, even while being prepared for the<br />

table. Susan proudly offers a quality traditional product<br />

that comes with the passion and personal service she<br />

believes her turkeys and customers alike deserve.<br />

For a Christmas experience you’ll never forget, go to<br />

the tasting days and make sure you buy one of her<br />

fantastic turkey calendars.<br />

10am - 3pm, Sunday, 3 & 10 November<br />

For the chance of winning a Christmas Turkey find<br />

which word is missing from the grid and send your<br />

answer to Moorgate Farm including your name,<br />

address and contact details.<br />

The September/October <strong>2019</strong> competition winner is:<br />

Tracey Hart, Deanshanger<br />

Enjoy your treatment<br />

Competition Rules:<br />

To enter the competition, email moorgatefarm@btinternet.<br />

com, post or telephone your answer to Moorgate Farm,<br />

Potterspury, Towcester.<br />

State which competition you are entering and include your name, address<br />

and telephone number. The competition runs from 1 November, <strong>2019</strong> and the<br />

closing time is 5pm, 1 December, <strong>2019</strong>.<br />

No purchase is required, there will be one winner and no alternative prize.<br />

Please confirm that you would like to receive details about events and special<br />

offers from Moorgate Farm; support local and don’t miss out. Details of full<br />

terms and conditions can be found at essentiallylocal.co.uk<br />

32<br />

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Breathing Yourself Healthy<br />

Eight years ago Linh Vi took the brave step of<br />

setting up her now very successful business.<br />

This year she took the next step by leaving<br />

the franchise she’d been working with to go<br />

independent. She began by changing her<br />

business name to The Salt Clinic and organising<br />

her marketing communications. So far she’s<br />

loving every second of this new challenge.<br />

We’d like to wish her and her team every<br />

success in all that she does.<br />

Building Strength<br />

Building Business<br />

Wishing Rob Cordingley the best of luck. He recently joined the<br />

team at Happy Bodies as a business partner and now will be<br />

working alongside Laura.<br />

Rob will be looking to use his extensive experience in health and<br />

wellbeing and the leisure industry to help further develop Happy<br />

Bodies as well as grow his own Personal Training Business.<br />

He has over 15 years of coaching experience and a passion to keep<br />

fit and see others achieve their life goals. Good luck!<br />

Making a Difference<br />

After 20 years of working in marketing, Claudia Wasko<br />

bravely swapped all that she knew to become a<br />

rehabilitation assistant at the Priory Group Rehabilitation<br />

Centre which specialises in brain injury rehabilitation.<br />

Claudia now work as a senior rehabilitation assistant,<br />

loving her work and the challenges. She works with a<br />

great team and would<br />

encourage anyone who<br />

is looking for a new<br />

pathway to consider<br />

this career.<br />

Wishing Claudia and<br />

the team at the Priory<br />

every success.<br />

If you’d like to<br />

make a difference<br />

visit<br />

jobs.priorygroup.<br />

com/vacancies/<br />

01908 543131<br />

Talking<br />

Numbers<br />

Celebrations<br />

01908 766588<br />

Unit A, Old Stratford Local<br />

Centre, Falcon Drive, Old<br />

Stratford MK19 6FG<br />

saltclinicmk.co.uk<br />

If you’d like to find out more give<br />

Happy Bodies a call 01908 477066<br />

happybodies.co.uk<br />

Keeping the books<br />

in order are often<br />

the hardest part<br />

for any business<br />

but Prime Number<br />

business owner Kristi<br />

Lane just loves all<br />

things numbers!<br />

She worked in London<br />

for many years and recently decided that working<br />

locally with small and medium sized businesses is the<br />

way to go.<br />

If you’d like her to help you get control of your finances<br />

back give her a call! Best of luck with your new venture.<br />

Prime Numbers Bookkeeping Ltd<br />

07585 702912<br />

primenumbersbk.com<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

33

What's On<br />

Old Stratford Annual Fireworks Display<br />

Come along this fantastic community firework display where<br />

you can enjoy a band, BBQ, bar and rides followed by a disco<br />

and bar from 7.30pm. Display lasts for 15-20 minutes<br />

5.30pm-7.30pm, Saturday, 9 November<br />

Old Stratford Community Hall<br />

Free for under 16, £2.50 for over 16<br />

Wolverton Annual Fireworks Display<br />

Food, stalls and entertainment. Please walk to the<br />

recreation ground<br />

Opens 5.30pm, fireworks 6.30pm, Tuesday, 5 November<br />

Western Road Recreation Ground, Wolverton<br />

Free<br />

Danesborough Chorus – Rossini’s Petite Messe Solonnelle<br />

Romance, hair-raising drama and operatic wit. Conducted by<br />

Ian Smith<br />

7.30pm, Saturday, 9 November<br />

St Mary’s Parish Church, Park Street, Woburn MK17 9PG<br />

Tickets £20 & £15 (centre, reserved); £10 (aisles, unreserved);<br />

under 18s £5 (all areas). 01908 583460 post Danesborough<br />

Tickets, 58 Church Road, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes,<br />

MK17 8TA. Give name, address and phone number, and state<br />

number and price(s) of tickets required; please enclose a SAE<br />

with cheque to ‘Danesborough Chorus’<br />

danesborough.org.uk<br />

10th Handmade Christmas Fair<br />

A huge variety of bespoke, unique items on offer over 20 stalls<br />

with something to please everyone - gifts and treats. Delicious<br />

home-cooked food served all day!<br />

10am - 4pm, 16 - 17 November<br />

Cosgrove Village Hall<br />

Christmas Tabletop Craft Fair<br />

Tabletop craft fair supporting Willen Hospice. Over 20 stalls<br />

with handmade crafts - jewellery, candles, cards, artwork,<br />

sweets, cakes and handbags. Raffle.<br />

10am – 4pm, Saturday, 7 December<br />

The Cock Hotel, 72-74 High Street, Stony Stratford MK11 1AH<br />

Free Admission<br />

chris.gregg@willen-hospice.org.uk<br />

TOWCESTER & DISTRICT<br />

ART SOCIETY<br />

Christmas Exhibition <strong>2019</strong>.<br />

Official Opening by Mayor of Towcester,<br />

Drinks and nibbles, all welcome.<br />

Come along to Towcester and District Art<br />

Sale for view and buy their quality framed<br />

original paintings and greeting cards. Every<br />

piece is created by local amateur artists,<br />

making the perfect gift. Reasonable prices,<br />

excellent gifts. Coffee/Tea and homemade<br />

cakes on sale. Raffle.<br />

7pm-9pm, Friday 29 November<br />

9am-5pm, Saturday 20 November<br />

10am-4.30pm, Sunday 1 December<br />

Towcester Town Hall<br />

Free admission<br />

towcesterart.com<br />

The Milton Keynes Community Choir Concert<br />

Specially arranged seasonal music with guest artists.<br />

7.30pm, Saturday, 14 December<br />

The Ridgeway Centre, Featherstone Road MK12 5TH<br />

Adults £10, Children £5 miltonkeynescommunitychoir.org<br />

Raising funds for Keech Hospice Care<br />

34<br />

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CAROLS WITH<br />

INNOCENT HARE<br />

Wolverton folk band<br />

Innocent Hare lead<br />

community carols<br />

in the pubs around<br />

Wolverton and Stony<br />

Stratford. Everyone<br />

is welcome to join<br />

in and words are<br />

provided if you don’t<br />

know them! Pubs<br />

are licensed venues<br />

so check directly<br />

with them for any<br />

restrictions on U18s.<br />

Free entry<br />

Tuesday, 17 Dec<br />

The Stables Bar<br />

(Back of the Bull Hotel,<br />

Stony Stratford)<br />

Thursday, 19 Dec<br />

Fox and Hounds,<br />

Stony Stratford<br />

Friday, 20 Dec<br />

The Biergarten,<br />

Wolverton MK12 5FJ<br />

Monday 23 Dec<br />

Bar Bar Black Sheep,<br />

Wolverton MK12 5DG<br />

Carols in the Pub<br />

<strong>2019</strong><br />

WICKER WREATH<br />

WORKSHOPS<br />

Learn how to create your own<br />

gorgeous natural Xmas wreath<br />

from locally grown and naturally<br />

sourced materials. These will<br />

be 100% eco-friendly and<br />

biodegradeable using grapevine<br />

and willow base for a base and<br />

fabulous seasonal foliages, fruits,<br />

spices and floral materials. Festive<br />

refreshments will be provided<br />

along with mulled wine.<br />

6.30 - 8.30pm Friday, 6 Dec<br />

6.30 - 8.30pm Saturday, 14 Dec<br />

Branch-out MK, York House<br />

Centre, Stony Stratford<br />

£40 per person. Spaces are<br />

limited so book early to avoid<br />

disappointment.<br />

Branch-out mk CIC<br />

LOCAL FOOD<br />

Head to the annual Moorgate<br />

farm tasting days to order some<br />

fabulous local food and produce<br />

for the Christmas table. There will<br />

be turkey tasting, goodies from<br />

small producers, dairy, meat, fish,<br />

vegetables, gift stalls, ice-cream,<br />

puddings, trees and more. Collect<br />

23/24 December between<br />

9am-2pm<br />

10am - 3pm, Sunday, 3 & 10<br />

November<br />

Moorgate Farm, Moorend Road,<br />

Potterspury, NN12 7QG<br />

01908 543008 or 07922 134915<br />

moorgatefarm.co.uk<br />

York House Events<br />

York House Centre, London Road, Stony<br />

Stratford, MK11 1JQ york-house.org.uk<br />

Drinks including real ales available, proceeds<br />

go to York House Centre’s community events.<br />

Eat Street<br />

Quality street food with six or seven vendors<br />

5-10pm, Friday, 6 December<br />

A Bob a Bloody Day!<br />

Living Archive Band launch a new<br />

album, songs inspired by stories of<br />

Milton Keynes residents<br />

2.30pm - 5pm, Sunday, 3 November<br />

Tickets £5 livingarchive.org.uk<br />

0770 802 5534<br />

info@livingarchiveband.co.uk<br />

Stony Tracks<br />

With Peter Waterman, ex-Social Development<br />

Director at Milton Keynes Development<br />

Corporation, talking about his life & memories<br />

8pm - 9.30pm, 13 November<br />

Song Loft<br />

songloft@gmail.com<br />

thesongloft.co.uk<br />

Friends of the Song Loft<br />

Performers Nights<br />

1 and 29 November<br />

Beechey Room, (rear entrance)<br />

Doors open at 7:30pm, starts at 8pm<br />

£5 on the door 01234 742189<br />

Said the Maiden<br />

Award-winning folk trio<br />

7.30pm, 15 November<br />

£8.80 saidthemaiden.co.uk<br />

The Churchfitters Christmas Cracker @The<br />

Song Loft<br />

Folk band and vocals accompanied by a<br />

some interesting tools turned into musical<br />

instruments – frying pans, saws and more!<br />

Traditional tunes, harmonies and jokes<br />

thrown into a high energy show.<br />

8pm-11pm, Friday, 20 December (doors<br />

open 7.30pm)<br />

£13.20 inc booking fee wegottickets.com<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

35

Professional<br />

For The Joy of<br />

Christmas<br />

It’s awful when divorce separates<br />

families but at Christmas it can feel even<br />

worse creating tension, isolation and<br />

resentment.<br />

Divorce disrupts everything whatever<br />

the age of your offspring. The logistics<br />

of present choosing, buying and<br />

opening becomes a nightmare. Your<br />

partner buys the must-have present<br />

that you agreed not to, overstepping the agreed financial limits.<br />

Two set of expensive gifts won’t leave your child feeling anymore<br />

special or lucky.<br />

Double the Christmas dinners with more dreadful cracker jokes mixed<br />

in with the nightmare step-parent - it can’t get worse! But throw in a<br />

step-child or three and the dreaded baby half-sibling that everyone<br />

dotes on, then you realise it has!<br />

The arguments may have subsided but the guilt doesn’t stop. You<br />

should have waited for the children to leave home before divorcing.<br />

Your child prefers your ex over you as their Christmas is more fun. It’s<br />

never ending.<br />

Time heals and while some things won’t change, memories will fade.<br />

Accept that finding the solutions at difficult times will make life easier.<br />

Then sit back, relax and enjoy your Christmas turkey in peace!<br />

Getting Help<br />

During Divorce<br />

For counselling and psychotherapy:<br />

Japsreet Tehara<br />

Jaspreettehara.org<br />

Relate MK<br />

01908 310010<br />

relatemk.org<br />

For parent and family support<br />

familylives.org.uk<br />

gingerbread.org.uk<br />

youngminds.org.uk<br />

Multi-agency support<br />

mkscb.org<br />

citizensadvice.org.uk/family<br />

Solicitors<br />

neeves.co.uk<br />

A Fair Divorce<br />

Thirteen people applied for an<br />

on-line divorce last Christmas with<br />

455 applications received between<br />

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.<br />

Separations occur more often in<br />

January than at any other time of<br />

year. Financial stress and family<br />

pressures, busy lives, increased<br />

alcohol consumption, demanding<br />

children and winter contribute to<br />

the problems.<br />

Problems have usually been<br />

building up for some time and<br />

the desire to avoid disruption for children mean most spouses wait<br />

until after Christmas to divorce. When you decide to divorce, don’t let<br />

the emotions and thoughts of pay-back cloud your sensible financial<br />

decisions. Start with mediation and try to be fair in all your actions.<br />

Most of all get sensible legal advice.<br />

36<br />

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The Right Pension Can Give<br />

You Ultimate Flexibility Over<br />

Cash Flow<br />

I was sitting with a client the<br />

other day who is about to retire<br />

aged 55. For the next 17 years he<br />

is planning to use his personal<br />

pension as a source of income<br />

until his State Pension starts. We<br />

were going through the different<br />

ways he can make withdrawals from his personal pension and the tax<br />

implications of each method. He was fascinated by how flexible pension<br />

drawdown can be.<br />

Now you need to be 55 or over in order to make withdrawals from your<br />

pension. If you are, then there are basically two ways to take money out of<br />

your pension using drawdown. Make a large or small withdrawal as a one<br />

off or when you come to retire set up a regular monthly withdrawal from<br />

your pension that will help replace the money salary you once received.<br />

You can also increase, decrease or stop and restart the monthly payments<br />

anytime you want. This is really handy when you start receiving your<br />

State Pension as you might not need as much income from your personal<br />

pension at this point.<br />

Carl Roberts<br />

For your own personal<br />

Financial Director to run<br />

your family finances call:<br />

Carl Roberts FPFS, Chartered<br />

Financial Planner<br />

carl@rtsfinancialplanning.co.uk<br />

rtsfinancialplanning.co.uk<br />

01908 592544<br />

07702 965275<br />

RTS Financial Planning Limited is authorised and<br />

regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.<br />

Registered in England and Wales. Registration<br />

number 10619163. 21 Fosters Lane, Bradwell, Milton<br />

Keynes, MK13 9HZ<br />

New Year, New Pensioner?<br />

The State Pension won’t give an extravagant retirement but it is still a<br />

useful addition to your retirement income, and something you earn the<br />

right to after years of work. If you are receiving your State Pension now<br />

or know what you are due to receive in the future, you may be surprised<br />

when you compare it to a friend. Your friend may receive or be due more than you<br />

even if you have worked and paid National Insurance Contributions for longer.<br />

Risk warning: Stock market linked investments and<br />

any income from them, can fall as well as rise and are<br />

not guaranteed. Any figures quoted are for illustrative<br />

purposes and should not be taken as a forecast or<br />

guarantee. Past performance should not be seen as an<br />

indication of future returns and clients may get back<br />

less than they have invested.<br />

Under the current rules you need to be deemed to have 35 qualifying years of National<br />

Insurance Contributions by the time you reach State Pension Age. Less than 10 years<br />

and you get nothing. Between 10 and 35 years and you get a reduced State Pension.<br />

In the 1980s and 1990s the government offered a top up State Pension otherwise<br />

known as the ‘State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS)’ or the ‘State Second<br />

Pension (S2P)’. This top up was linked to your earnings and the more you earned the<br />

more that was deducted from your income to pay for a higher pension at retirement.<br />

You had the option to opt out of this second top up pension and this was called<br />

‘Contracting Out’. If you chose to Contract Out you were usually set up with a personal pension, paid reduced<br />

National Insurance Contributions or received a rebate into your personal pension.<br />

By receiving the rebate you were due a slightly lower State Pension in the future but had the benefit of having<br />

control and investing your own pension fund. Whether this worked out for you in the long run depends on how<br />

the investment strategy used in your personal pension has performed over the years.<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

37

Professional<br />

Marriage and Wills<br />

But we’re married, do we really need a Will? Chris<br />

England, Private Client Executive at Neves Solicitors,<br />

talks about the implications of not making a will.<br />

This is a question I’m asked a lot. I think a lot of people<br />

incorrectly assume that if they’re married or in a civil<br />

partnership and they die without a Will, the survivor of<br />

them automatically inherits everything.<br />

If you die without a Will then the Rules of Intestacy<br />

dictate who inherits your estate. These rules state that<br />

your spouse or civil partner inherits the first £250,000 of<br />

your estate, together with your personal possessions.<br />

Anything over and above £250,000 is then split in half,<br />

with one half passing to the surviving spouse and<br />

the other half passing equally between any surviving<br />

children. The Rules of Intestacy don’t provide for<br />

cohabiting couples, regardless of any length of time<br />

they have been in relationship, but they would, however,<br />

include a spouse from whom you are separated.<br />

The Rules of Intestacy tend not to be what people<br />

would actually want to happen given the choice. The<br />

only way that you can control where your estate goes<br />

when you die, and the only way you can decide who<br />

would administer your estate for you, is by making a Will.<br />

The inheritance tax consequences of not having a Will<br />

should also be carefully considered. When you die,<br />

generally speaking your estate pays inheritance tax at a<br />

rate of 40% on anything above the nil rate band (which<br />

is currently £325,000) and the residence nil rate band<br />

(which is currently £150,000).<br />

However, anything that spouses and civil partners leave<br />

to one another when the first of them dies is exempt<br />

from inheritance tax. When the survivor dies, they can<br />

then claim their spouses nil rate bands as well as their<br />

own, leaving maximum of £850,000 in the <strong>2019</strong>/20<br />

UK tax year available to their estate upon which no<br />

tax is paid.<br />

Because the Rules of Intestacy provide for beneficiaries<br />

other than the spouse, e.g. children, to inherit from the<br />

deceased’s estate, this in turn means that the nil rate<br />

band and residence nil rate band cannot be maximised.<br />

By not making Wills, married couples and civil partners<br />

are potentially triggering an inheritance tax liability<br />

where there does not need to be one.<br />

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Regardless of how simple you consider your<br />

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your estate, taking professional advice regarding your<br />

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stress for your loved ones after you’ve died.<br />

Contact Chris on 01908 304560 and quote<br />

Essentially Local for a 10% discount off our fees<br />

for writing a Will.<br />

Neves Solicitors<br />

01908 304560<br />

info@ nevesllp.co.uk<br />

Aurora House, Deltic Avenue, Rooksley<br />

Milton Keynes MK13 8LW<br />

neves.solicitors<br />

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Professional<br />

PRIORY GRAFTON MANOR<br />

Grafton Manor is a Specialised Rehabilitation Centre supporting adults<br />

who have an acquired brain injury, and is situated in the picturesque<br />

village of Grafton Regis.<br />

We are currently looking for:<br />

HEALTH CARE ASSISTANTS<br />

To join our friendly specialist team, and make a real and lasting difference to<br />

everyone we support.<br />

Benefits include:<br />

• Competitive Salary<br />

• Free meals on duty<br />

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays<br />

• Free parking<br />

• Access to extensive training<br />

& development opportunities<br />

If you love to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.<br />

For more information, visit jobs.priorygroup.com/vacancies<br />

and search Grafton Manor, or contact Helen on 01908 543131<br />

for an informal discussion.<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

39

Professional<br />

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kristilane@primenumbersbk.com<br />

primenumbersbk.com<br />

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£38 + VAT per edition.<br />

Call 01908 380777 today<br />

BUSINESS AND PERSONAL STORAGE<br />

• 16ft 2 to 150ft 2 units available<br />

• Easy access and parking<br />

• CCTV monitoring<br />

• Lowest price guaranteed<br />

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The best priced self storage<br />

in Milton Keynes.<br />

20ft containers also<br />

available<br />

Mailbox and post receiving<br />

services available.<br />

Contact us on 01908 319399<br />

jennifer@mkboxselfstorage.co.uk<br />

Do you want to protect your family and loved ones?<br />

Special Offers:<br />

Complete Protection Packages<br />

Including all Wills,unregistered<br />

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For a Couple 599.00<br />

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Simple Wills &<br />

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Book your FREE home visit now on 01908 713989<br />

Churchill Wills LTD Elder House, Eldergate, Milton Keynes, MK9 1LR<br />

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Home & Garden<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

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Home & Garden<br />

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The local, family-run business who have<br />

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Home & Garden<br />

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Christmas at Home<br />

Home trends have evolved and this winter you'll see virtually every possible<br />

style you can think of – Nordic, retro, glamour and global influences<br />

prevail. Natural products are at the heart of all the trends with the<br />

elegance and versatility of wood and ceramics never to be underestimated.<br />

T<strong>EL</strong>L THE STORY<br />

Hand-crafted, custom-made pieces of furniture are<br />

making a revival with more owners wanting to know<br />

the origins of the item. Real wood holds its value, can<br />

be updated with fashion trends and it can be designed<br />

to fit the most awkward of spaces. Mix contemporary<br />

styles with traditional as well as different colours of<br />

wood. Use local joiners.<br />

TOP TIP<br />

Make sure your<br />

Christmas decs,<br />

gifts and lights<br />

are properly CE<br />

Marked!<br />

DON’T FAKE IT<br />

A tree completes the Christmas décor.<br />

Ditch the plastic because nothing beats the<br />

seasonal fragrance of an authentic Christmas<br />

tree! Buy locally grown trees to keep your<br />

carbon footprint<br />

to a minimum<br />

and make sure<br />

you recycle it<br />

after use. Add a<br />

bauble or two<br />

for glamour, but<br />

keep it as simple<br />

as possible for<br />

real style.<br />

I WISH<br />

Create a wish tree for family and friends by asking<br />

them to write a wish on a piece of paper or card that<br />

they tie to the tree.<br />

YOUR LOCAL SUPPLIERS<br />

Add Warmth 07799761693<br />

Antony Thompson Architectural Design<br />

07740 099717<br />

CarpetWise 01908 263330<br />

Colour Schemes 07714 868738<br />

DPL Services 07801 435476<br />

Dream Doors 01234 852151<br />

Eddy Rohan Carpentry 07765 370425<br />

Hickford Construction 07717508 934<br />

KAS Builders 07793 848044<br />

46<br />

Kenneth Hudson 07957 267778<br />

MJ Electrics 07387 166370<br />

On Tap Installations 07766 710240<br />

Pete The Plumber 07742 947011<br />

Rebecca Burchell 07983 413830<br />

SJ Adcock 07803 906016<br />

S Fludgate 07519 015182<br />

The Old Joinery Workshop 01908 563661<br />

Thomas Betts 01908 290427<br />

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WARM WITH ACCESSORIES<br />

Nuts, cinnamon sticks, dried fruit shout<br />

festive season! A gently flickering candle<br />

stood in your window or against the<br />

hearth brings a cosy Christmas warmth.<br />

Choose scented or plain to stand in<br />

decorative glass jars, tealight holders<br />

or lanterns Take care with<br />

where you place your<br />

candles, don’t risk a fire.<br />

TOP TIP<br />

Bespoke furniture is<br />

made to last, fits the space<br />

and is probably less pricey<br />

than you’d believe. Discuss<br />

with local joiners before<br />

going high<br />

street.<br />

Safety First<br />

About 300 deaths occur in<br />

fires at home every year in<br />

the UK. Smoke alarms give<br />

the early warning to get<br />

you out by detecting smoke<br />

or heat from fire. Ask a<br />

qualified electrician to advise<br />

on the type, number and<br />

location of the alarms your<br />

home requires.<br />

The choice includes:<br />

• Ionisation<br />

• Optical<br />

• Heat Alarms<br />

• Combined Optical Smoke and<br />

Heat Alarms<br />

• Combined Smoke and Carbon<br />

Monoxide Alarms:<br />

Battery or mains electricity or<br />

both power the alarms with<br />

a battery back-up. Replace<br />

batteries every 12 months<br />

unless fitted with a sealed 10<br />

year battery. Always buy an<br />

alarm which has been certified<br />

to the British or European<br />

Standard. Test the alarm at least<br />

twice a year, vacuum with the<br />

soft brush to remove dust from<br />

the sensors.<br />

Some alarms link between<br />

rooms and most include a hush<br />

button for false alarms .<br />

SNUGGLE UP<br />

Hints of pattern and texture<br />

will create an effortlessly<br />

stylish look that has impact.<br />

Layer blankets and throws<br />

to add the texture and<br />

colour and you’ll create a<br />

warm inviting space that’s<br />

perfect for snuggling up in<br />

this Christmas.<br />

New builds and all major<br />

refurbished properties must<br />

install mains-powered alarms<br />

with battery back-up.<br />

Hard of hearing? Your local<br />

fire officer will advise. Escape<br />

lights can guide the way out.<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

47

Community<br />

STONY STRATFORD’S CHRISTMAS LIGHTS<br />

SWITCH-ON FUN DAY<br />

All day Saturday, 30 November<br />

Throughout November the Christmas Lights volunteers<br />

dangle from ladders and erect trees and lights all over town.<br />

Switch-On Day and all its activities will bring a real buzz to let<br />

you know Christmas is here:<br />

• Market stalls and fairground rides<br />

• Circus Skills with Concrete Circus in Market Square from<br />

12.30pm – try out juggling, unicycling, tight-rope walking<br />

and more.<br />

• Local poets share their poetic delights in the library and Red<br />

Phoenix weaves tales into her Stony Story Walks at 11am!<br />

• Santa’s Grotto<br />

• Dancing on the High Street – Morris dancers in an array of<br />

colourful costumes and styles from 10.30am-3.30pm<br />

• WatlingFest – local musical talent of all genres on stage in<br />

Market Square, 12.30pm–4.20pm<br />

TOP TIP<br />

Keep your<br />

Christmas Local.<br />

Support the fantastic<br />

local events and<br />

producers!<br />

As the light fades, a magical display of Jungle Bells, exotic<br />

animal, amphibian and flower lanterns will make their way<br />

from York House Centre through the High Street, arriving in<br />

Market Square for the grand Switch-On. Then the countdown<br />

will begin and the lights will illuminate the sky and<br />

carol singing will begin, marking the start of Christmas<br />

celebrations. Be there to share the moment as the festivities<br />

begin. Area gets crowded - please avoid bringing dogs.<br />

stonylights.org<br />

york-house.org.uk<br />

TREASURE ISLAND AND THE PIRATES OF STONY<br />

STRATFORD<br />

Act Out & Act Up Pantomime<br />

York House Centre, Stony Stratford<br />

6.00pm - 8.00 pm, Saturday, 7 December<br />

2.30pm-4.30pm, Sunday, 8 December<br />

£6 adults, £3 children, under 3yrs free<br />

This is the 5th annual pantomime, buckle your swashes and shiver<br />

your timbers as you set sail for high adventure on the high seas<br />

with the talented young actors and Mitchel Taylor, The Bard of<br />

Stony. Visit actoutdrama.weebly.com/events.html<br />

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CHRISTMAS FUN AT THE MUSEUM<br />

4.30pm-7pm, Fridays, 29 Nov, 6 & 13 Dec<br />

1.30pm-6pm, Saturdays, 30, 7 & 14 Dec<br />

1.30pm-6pm, Sundays, 1, 8 & 15 Dec<br />

Turn back the clock by a century to recapture<br />

the sparkle, fun, warmth and wonder of a true<br />

Victorian family Christmas at Milton Keynes<br />

Museum.<br />

• Enjoy mince pies and festive treats in The Granary<br />

tearoom<br />

• Freshly roasted chestnuts in the yard<br />

• Hot buttered toast in the farmhouse kitchen<br />

• Mulled wine from the butler by the roaring fires<br />

• Carols by paraffin lamps in the parlour<br />

• Christmas crafts in the old school-room<br />

• Traditional Christmas market where you can buy<br />

gifts you won’t find on the High Street<br />

Finally, Santa and his elves will be waiting to meet<br />

the young visitors, in his toy workshop, to give<br />

them a special gift to take away.<br />

Wolverton<br />

Lantern Festival<br />

3pm, Saturday, 23 November<br />

Grab a cane, tissue paper, glue and lights to<br />

bring your creation to life at the Wolverton<br />

Lantern Festival. In celebration of the 50th<br />

anniversary of the Moon Landing, this years’<br />

lantern theme is the ‘Out of This World’ so<br />

bring a little space adventure to Wolverton.<br />

Buy your lantern making kit from Mrs B's<br />

Emporium, MK Christian Foundation, Ruth’s<br />

Floral Design or Maisie’s. Workshops will be run<br />

at The Old Bath House from 2 - 5pm, 3, 10 or<br />

17 November.<br />

On 23 November, head to The Square,<br />

Wolverton at 3pm where the fun begins, with<br />

the parade setting off at 4.30pm. All welcome<br />

to get involved! Enjoy the contributions from<br />

local schools, performers and musicians. No<br />

better way to get Christmas started.<br />

Get involved by helping at workshops or on<br />

the day email<br />

lanternfestivalwolvie@gmail.com<br />

or pop in to the Town Council to<br />

find out more.<br />

Show off those extra-terrestrial creations!<br />

WolvertonLanternFestival!<br />

Booking advised, phone 01908 316222, 9.30am-<br />

4pm, Monday-Friday<br />

Santa visits cost £7 per child plus museum<br />

entry, annual tickets available<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

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Home & Garden<br />

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Home & Garden<br />

<br />

CALL CLAIRE TODAY<br />

FOR A FREE CONSULTATION<br />

01908 953309<br />

brightandbeautifulhome.com/towcester<br />

<br />

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To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

51

A Winter Wonderland at Home<br />

Winter gardens can look spectacular and magical by day and evening by<br />

adding movement, colour and scent with grasses, berries and colourful shrubs.<br />

The professionals will advise on design, structures and lights that will enhance<br />

the features, making your space usable all year round.<br />

ILLUMINATING TIMES!<br />

Talk to the professionals to light up your garden<br />

– it’s not just a safety issue. They’ll advise on<br />

directional lighting, features to illuminate and<br />

connecting the elements to lead your eye towards<br />

the focal points. Clever lighting will add an extra<br />

special dimension to your garden throughout the<br />

year including Christmas. Choose LED and solar -<br />

there’s something for every budget.<br />

TOP TIP<br />

Feed the birds by<br />

packing an up-turned<br />

terracotta pot with fat<br />

balls and hanging<br />

from a branch or<br />

grow berried<br />

plants.<br />

CLEAR IT UP!<br />

Cut back the perennials, clear foliage and leaves<br />

and save seed heads from flowers you loved.<br />

Clean paths and paving to reduce risk of slips.<br />

FEED YOUR LAWN<br />

Lawn-care specialists will<br />

treat your lawn to a delicious<br />

micronutrient for a more<br />

robust lawn and to prevent a<br />

build-up of moss. Alternatively<br />

an artificial turf offers<br />

minimum maintenance with<br />

realistic look.<br />

52<br />

BERRY TASTY<br />

Berried shrubs look<br />

good in winter and<br />

keep the birds full too.<br />

YOUR LOCAL SUPPLIERS<br />

Ace Landscapes & Tree Care<br />

01908 615503 or 07736 038 381<br />

acelandscapesmk.com<br />

Bartlett Tree Experts 01767 627532<br />

bartlett.com<br />

Francis Rose 01908 474931<br />

francisrose.co.uk<br />

Hickford Construction Ltd 01908 567716<br />

hickford-construction.co.uk<br />

Maxwell Home and Garden Services<br />

01908 412641 or 07760 413959<br />

maxwellhgs.co.uk<br />

M.Lovell 07736 226891<br />

Prestige Lawns 01908 54242<br />

prestige-lawns.co.uk<br />

Ray Brown Tree Care 0800 862 0863<br />

raybrowntreecare.co.uk<br />

Smith’s Tree Services 07801 434042<br />

The Grass & Resin Warehouse 01908 794889<br />

grassandresin.co.uk<br />

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TOP TIP<br />

AN INSPIRED SPACE<br />

A complete redesign can lift your<br />

garden space as well as your mood.<br />

Get inspiration from the gardens like<br />

Stowe and Woburn, visit shows and<br />

open gardens. Whatever the size of your<br />

garden your imagination, budget and<br />

time are the only restrictions.<br />

If you already have patios, paths and<br />

borders that work carry out essential<br />

repairs this winter. Fix structures like<br />

sheds, fences and gates to keep your<br />

garden secure.<br />

Prune deciduous<br />

trees in autumn and<br />

winter. Check for tree<br />

preservation orders<br />

before doing<br />

anything!<br />

Vegetable of<br />

the Edition<br />

Brussel Sprouts – this little<br />

green cabbage remains on the<br />

essential festive menu. Christmas<br />

feasts gained in popularity in the<br />

1800s and they began to appear<br />

on our plates because this is when<br />

they mature. Over 60% of us still<br />

want them!<br />

Every year fields equivalent to over<br />

3200 football pitches are filled with<br />

this Mediterranean vegetable. Yes,<br />

they began life in southern Europe<br />

from the 13th century before moving<br />

to Holland and Belgium in the 16th<br />

century. There are 110 varieties which<br />

all grow more easily in northern<br />

climates and they love a good frost to<br />

sweeten them.<br />

There are a plethora of healthy<br />

reasons to eat them. They are full<br />

of vitamins and minerals which<br />

protect you against cancers and<br />

they keep your blood, muscles,<br />

nerves and immune system healthy<br />

and working. Their fibres are great<br />

for a healthy gut and their antiinflammatory<br />

properties reduce pain<br />

and inflammation. Low in calories<br />

and glucose makes them perfect<br />

for dieters.<br />

Can’t eat them – then make a door<br />

wreath from them!<br />

CHOOSE YOUR SHRUBS<br />

Corylus avellane 'Contorta' otherwise known as corkscrew hazel is<br />

a favourite because of its contorted branches. Choose a restricted<br />

variety, it’s slow growing and will take up to 20 years to reach up to<br />

5m in height. It’s at its best in winter when the stems stand out and<br />

the catkins develop in preparation for spring.<br />

Cornus or dogwood will add excitement with its vivid crimson<br />

stems. It produces small cream flowers that turn to bluish white<br />

berries in autumn. The leaves turn from green to red before falling<br />

Plant tulip bulbs in the ground during November for flowering<br />

between March-May.<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

53

Home & Garden<br />

Community<br />

QUALITY ANTIQUE AND<br />

COLLECTABLES FAIR<br />

The Old School House, Old Wolverton,<br />

MK12 5NP,<br />

10.30am- 3.30pm, Sunday, 24 November<br />

Parking in Slatted Row School<br />

Militaria, ceramics, coins, glassware, jewellery,<br />

silverware, kitchenalia, lighting and many more<br />

interesting and desirable items.<br />

Refreshments – delicious home-made lunches,<br />

cakes and biscuits.<br />

Entrance £1 in aid of PSP (Progressive<br />

Supranuclear Palsy) Under 16s free.<br />

More information Jane 0794149114<br />

Regular Fairs planned on 4th Sunday of<br />

the month.<br />

THE MILTON KEYNES<br />

CHRISTMAS DAY PARTY<br />

This is a fabulous way for over 60s to enjoy<br />

company and good food on Christmas Day.<br />

Bookings for guests, volunteers and drivers went<br />

live via the website in October, guests will be<br />

confirmed in November.<br />

Around 60 volunteers help to run the party every<br />

year. If you can give some time, driving, cooking,<br />

serving or clearing please get in touch.<br />

Call for Sponsors<br />

The group is desperately looking for sponsors or<br />

donations to help run the party. This is a fantastic<br />

opportunity that means a few more older people<br />

won’t be alone.<br />

www.justgiving.com/mkchristmaspartyelderly<br />

Contact:<br />

Guests Ruth Seabrook – 01908 647510<br />

Volunteers Lou Kullman – 07741 490807<br />

Drivers Brian Nelson – 07740 200826<br />

mkchristmasparty.org.uk<br />

54<br />

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Home & Garden<br />

Gardens to suit your lifestyle<br />

• Landscape design projects<br />

• Hardwood decking specialists<br />

• Professional planting schemes<br />

• Water features and<br />

electrical lighting<br />

• Natural stone patios<br />

• Garden maintenance<br />

Call Danny: 01908 474 931 Mobile: 07532 451 812<br />

email: info@francisrose.co.uk www.francisrose.co.uk<br />

HARRY CLEWLOW<br />

Arborist and<br />

Bartlett Champion<br />

I have very high standards.<br />

About 70 metres, to be exact.<br />

Harry Clewlow champions the trees, landscapes<br />

and property investments of the customers in his<br />

care. And he’s one of the many reasons we’ve<br />

become the premier scientific tree and shrub<br />

care company in the world.<br />

Contact 01767 627532<br />

bedford@bartlettuk.com<br />

bartlett.com<br />

EVERY TREE NEEDS A CHAMPION.<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

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& Tree Care<br />

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DOMESTIC<br />

AND<br />

COMMERCIAL<br />

SERVICES<br />

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<br />

Local suppliers for the trade,<br />

diy’er and homeowners of<br />

artificial grass, weed membrane<br />

and adhesives over 10,000m²<br />

held in stock ready to go<br />

01908 794889<br />

Call<br />

grassandresin.co.uk<br />

sales@grassandresin.co.uk<br />

Unit 29, 54 Goulds Close, Bletchley,<br />

Milton Keynes, MK1 1EQ (Just behind Screwfix)<br />

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Home & Garden<br />

PROPERTY SERVICES LTD<br />

We have the ideal EV Charging Solution<br />

for every requirement, location & budget<br />

Please quote <strong>EL</strong>01<br />

Domestic EV Charging<br />

Workplace EV Charging<br />

Public EV Charging<br />

Charge Point Testing<br />

“SMART EV CHARGING SOLUTIONS AND<br />

OTHER OPTIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE”<br />

Unit 4 Avant Business Centre,<br />

First Avenue, Denbigh West,<br />

Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK1 1DL<br />

01908 639371<br />

sales@fsgps.co.uk<br />

fsgpropertyservices.co.uk<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

57

Motoring<br />

Roads and Parking<br />

Parking is at a premium – more cars on the road yet fewer spaces are<br />

available. Kerbside parking puts pedestrians including wheelchair<br />

and pushchair users at risk. It also has a<br />

significant effect on the response times of<br />

emergency service vehicles as road widths<br />

are reduced and vision is blocked.<br />

The Building Regulations give clear<br />

guidelines for fire service appliance<br />

access to homes:<br />

• a minimum carriageway width of 3.7m<br />

between kerbs, reduced to 2.75m to reach<br />

a fire<br />

• a minimum gateway width of 3.1m<br />

• vehicle access for a pump appliance to within 45m of every point<br />

within single family houses<br />

• fire service vehicles should not have to reverse more than 20m<br />

While developers should make adequate provision for parking<br />

this is not always the case. When street parking this Christmas ask<br />

your guests to think carefully about where and how they leave<br />

their vehicle.<br />

Drugs & Driving: The Law<br />

The legal alcohol limit is 80mg per 100ml of blood in England,<br />

Wales and Northern Ireland and 50mg in Scotland. In reality how<br />

many glasses of wine or pints of beer would take you over the limit?<br />

Alcohol strengths, body size and tiredness can influence the bodies’<br />

metabolism of alcohol.<br />

In 2016, over 9,000 injuries of deaths on British roads were caused<br />

by drink-drivers and the police will stop your car if they have<br />

any concerns. It’s not just alcohol, The Department of Transport<br />

estimates one in six drivers killed in crashes had taken illegal<br />

substances and in one year over half the motorists stopped were<br />

under the influence of drugs. Roadside kits make it easier to test for<br />

alcohol and up to 17 drugs including cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy,<br />

as well prescription drugs.<br />

Skyline’s Party<br />

Season Advice<br />

1. Stay safe by pre-booking a licensed<br />

taxi/private hire.<br />

2. Pre-book your taxi ahead of the<br />

party for the latest time you might<br />

need it. Do not risk not getting one,<br />

you can bring times forward.<br />

3. Register a credit/debit card on the<br />

Skyline Android or iPhone app just in<br />

case you run out of cash.<br />

4. Skyline’s SMS Text Service will<br />

confirm the type, colour and<br />

registration of the car coming to<br />

collect you and you can track it.<br />

5. Do not flag down cabs – always prebook<br />

with a licensed company.<br />

Gav Sokhi, Managing Director of<br />

Skyline Taxis, says: “At Skyline we<br />

understand the dangers passengers<br />

face, especially women travelling<br />

alone at night, from bogus and<br />

unlicensed drivers. We want all<br />

our customers to feel safe in the<br />

knowledge that they are getting into<br />

the right, fully licensed car.”<br />

Bedford: 01234 555555<br />

Milton Keynes: 01908 222111<br />

Northampton: 01604 222111<br />

skylinetaxis.co.uk<br />

Think carefully before you get<br />

into a car and put other road<br />

users at serious risk. Face up to<br />

6 months in prison, a minimum<br />

of a year’s ban and unlimited<br />

fine if you do.<br />

Take a taxi or walk.<br />

58<br />

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to advertisers

Motoring<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

59

Useful Numbers<br />

Health and Wellbeing<br />

Hanslope Practice<br />

01908 510230<br />

theparksmedicalpractice.co.uk<br />

Paulerspury Practice<br />

01327 811630<br />

Towcester Medical Centre<br />

01327 359953<br />

towcestermedicalcentre.co.uk<br />

Stony Medical Centre<br />

01908 260382<br />

stonymedicalcentre.co.uk<br />

Stony Stratford Health Visitors, Physios<br />

01908 565555<br />

The Stonedean Practice<br />

01908 261155<br />

stonedeanpractice.org.uk<br />

Wolverton Health Centre<br />

01908 222954<br />

wolvertonhealthcentre.co.uk<br />

Wolverton Health Visitors, District<br />

Nurses, Podiatry, Physiotherapy<br />

01908 316633<br />

NHS Direct Textphone 111<br />

Milton Keynes General Hospital<br />

01908 660033<br />

mkhospital.nhs.uk<br />

Northampton General Hospital<br />

01604 634700<br />

northamptongeneral.nhs.uk<br />

AgeUK Information and Advice<br />

01908 560822<br />

ageconcern.org.uk<br />

Alcoholics Anonymous<br />

0800 917 7650<br />

alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk<br />

Samaritans<br />

116123 samaritans.org<br />

Victim Support Line<br />

0808 168 9111<br />

Emergency Services<br />

Non emergency calls 101<br />

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111<br />

Emergencies 999<br />

Veterinary Surgeons<br />

The Vet Centre, Cherry Lane<br />

01908 542155<br />

Maids Moreton<br />

01280 812057 thevetcentre.ltd.uk<br />

Children<br />

Rhymetime Under 1s<br />

A Deanshanger Library, Little London,<br />

MK19 6HT<br />

01604 368272<br />

deanslib@firstforwellbeing.co.uk<br />

Stony Stratford & Wolverton Library<br />

Stories, songs and rhymes<br />

Stony Stratford & Wolverton libraries<br />

miltonkeynes.gov.uk/libraries<br />

Brownies, Guides, Beavers & Scouts<br />

South Northants Rainbows, Brownies,<br />

Guides<br />

Emma 01908 571244<br />

Towcester Brownies & Guides Hattie<br />

(Guider in Charge 3rd Towcester<br />

Brownies)<br />

07776 257398<br />

rdtowcesterbrownies@gmail.com<br />

Wolverton and Stony Stratford<br />

Rainbows, Brownies and Guides<br />

wolvertondc@outlook.com<br />

1st Stony Stratford Beaver Scouts,<br />

Cub Scouts<br />

Scouts for boys & girls<br />

1stStonyStratford<br />

alby@backstage.co.uk<br />

Youth Clubs<br />

Act Out & Act Up Term-time<br />

drama group<br />

York House Centre, Stony Stratford<br />

info@redphoenixstory.co.uk<br />

Stony Biz Kids Afterschool Club<br />

Becky Piper 07798 736615<br />

stonybizkids stonybizkids.com<br />

York House Junior Youth Club<br />

Maria 07988 078056<br />

yorkhouseyouthclubs@hotmail.com<br />

york-house.org.uk<br />

York House Senior Youth Club<br />

Tash 07949 402862<br />

tash.youth@gmail.com<br />

york-house.org.uk<br />

Arts & Crafts<br />

Stony Stratford Floral Group<br />

Russell Street School Hall, Stony<br />

Stratford.<br />

Sue 01908 564453<br />

or<br />

Judy 01908 569429<br />

The North Bucks Woodturning Club<br />

Courtyard Arts Centre, Parklands,<br />

Great Linford, Milton Keynes<br />

Pip 01908 311243<br />

pip.watts@btconnect.com<br />

Towcester & District Art Society<br />

Sawpits Centre, Towcester<br />

Len 07957 281493<br />

towcesterart.com<br />

Vitreus Art Courses<br />

4 Wakefield Country Courtyard,<br />

Potterspury NN12 7QX<br />

01327 810320 vitreus-art.co.uk<br />

Dance<br />

Stony Redcaps<br />

Ladies Morris dancing side<br />

Swinfen Harris Hall, Stony Stratford<br />

stonyredcaps.dance<br />

Potterspury Dance Club<br />

Ballroom /sequence dancers<br />

Potterspury Village Hall<br />

John & Di 01604 862632<br />

Rose and Castle Morris<br />

Stoke Bruerne Village Hall<br />

Ian 07860 277046<br />

rose.castle.morris@gmail.com<br />

rose-castlemorris.org.uk<br />

Royal Scottish Country<br />

Dance Society<br />

Bradwell Village Memorial Hall MK12<br />

9AG 07877 153259<br />

History<br />

Milton Keynes Aviation Society<br />

(MKAS)<br />

Kents Hill Community Centre<br />

Frithwood Crescent, Kents<br />

Hill, Milton Keynes MK6 6HQ<br />

Ian Carr 01234 742057<br />

iancarruk@aol.com mkas.co.uk<br />

Milton Keynes National Trust<br />

Association<br />

Monthly meetings<br />

The Cruck Barn, Bradwell Abbey<br />

01908 314151<br />

Milton Keynes Western Front<br />

Association<br />

Monthly meetings<br />

Roman Park Residents<br />

Club, 1, Constantine Way,<br />

Bancroft Park, MK13 0RA<br />

westernfrontassociation.com<br />

The National Museum of Computing<br />

Bletchley Park, The Mansion,<br />

Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 6DZ<br />

01908 374708 tnmoc.org<br />

Wolverton & District Archaeological &<br />

Historical Society<br />

St Mary & St Giles School,<br />

King George Crescent, Stony Stratford,<br />

MK11 1EF<br />

irisday86@yahoo.co.uk.<br />

Yardley Gobion History Group<br />

Village Hall 01908 542322<br />

babskingyg@talktalk.net<br />

Music<br />

New Orleans Jazz Club<br />

01908 569432<br />

trevor.jeavons@btinternet.com<br />

goodtimejazz.info<br />

60<br />

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to advertisers

Terry Marshall and The Hounds<br />

Jazz Jam<br />

The Fox & Hounds, Stony Stratford<br />

fox-hounds-pub.business.site<br />

Junction 14 Ladies A Cappella<br />

Singing for pleasure and fundraising<br />

Drama Studio Shenley Brook End<br />

Secondary School, Milton Keynes.<br />

To join 01908 678558.<br />

To hire <br />

01908 667029<br />

bookings@junction14.org<br />

junction14.org<br />

MK Acapella Men<br />

Barbershop Chorus Rehearsals<br />

Stantonbury School,<br />

Bradville, Milton Keynes<br />

membership mkacapella.com<br />

To hire bookings@mkacapella.com<br />

mkacapella.com<br />

Milton Keynes Acoustic Roots<br />

Guitar, fiddle and penny whistle<br />

Beginners to advanced<br />

Community Centre, Britten Grove, Old<br />

Farm Park, Milton Keynes<br />

johntimpany@aol.co.uk<br />

mkamc.co.uk<br />

Milton Keynes Community Choir<br />

Singing for fun<br />

Tuesday 7.45pm, term time only<br />

Christchurch, Stantonbury MK14 6GU<br />

miltonkeynescommunitychoir.org<br />

Music Makers of Milton Keynes<br />

Choral music and singing<br />

Childrens Centre, Stony Stratford<br />

07889 614386<br />

The Song Loft<br />

York House Centre, Stony Stratford<br />

songloft@gmail.com<br />

thesongloft. co.uk<br />

Scribal Gathering<br />

Music & spoken word open mic.<br />

The Crown, Market Square, Stony<br />

Stratford<br />

ScribalGathering<br />

Towcester Choral Society<br />

The Sawpits Centre, Towcester<br />

towcesterchoralsociety.org.uk<br />

Social<br />

Buckingham Canal Society<br />

Lock Lane, Cosgrove,<br />

MK19 7JR 01908 661217<br />

Athinabec@aol.com<br />

buckinghamcanal.org.uk<br />

Wolverton Community Orchard<br />

Gardening Day<br />

Yvonne 01908 320405 or<br />

Mandy on 01908 319719<br />

Yardley Gobion Coffee Shop<br />

Drinks, cakes and chat, children’s toys.<br />

St Leonard’s Church, Yardley Gobion<br />

Deanshanger Library<br />

Range of activities to enjoy<br />

including lunch, reading group and knit<br />

and natter.<br />

Deanshanger Library, Little London<br />

01604 368272<br />

deanslib@firstforwellbeing.co.uk<br />

Deanshanger Sports Club<br />

Little London, Deanshanger<br />

MK19 6HU 01908 567137<br />

deanshangersc<br />

Stony Stratford Tuesday Night Charity<br />

Curry Club Charity Quiz<br />

Eastern Paradise, Wolverton Road,<br />

Stony Stratford MK11 1DX<br />

Tuesday Night Charity Curry Club<br />

Quiz<br />

Towcester Bridge Club<br />

Friendly duplicate bridge<br />

Towcester Sports & Social Club<br />

Lynda Riecken<br />

lynda@riecken.co.uk<br />

bridgewebs.com/towcester<br />

Senior Citizens Afternoon Tea Coffee<br />

& Home-Made Cakes<br />

All welcome<br />

Last Friday of month, 2pm-4pm<br />

Memorial Hall, Deanshanger Road,<br />

Old Stratford (by village shop)<br />

Havencourt Sheltered Home Bingo &<br />

Coffee Morning<br />

Ridgmont, Deanshanger<br />

Jean jean.miller@<br />

southnorthantshomes.co.uk<br />

Sport<br />

Happy Bodies Fitness Centre<br />

Furtho Court, Old Stratford,<br />

01908 477066 happybodies.co.uk<br />

Feathers Badminton Club<br />

Mill Mead Hall, Wolverton<br />

01908 373966 or<br />

mr.baldwin@btinternet.com<br />

Castlethorpe Short Mat Bowls Club<br />

Castlethorpe Village Hall<br />

01908 510583<br />

keithprestidge@hotmail.co.uk<br />

Paulerspury Bowling Club<br />

Paulerspury Village Hall<br />

Ann 01327 811352<br />

Stony Stratford Bowls Club<br />

Ancell Trust Sports Ground,<br />

Ostlers Lane, Stony Stratford<br />

MK11 1AR 01908 565659<br />

stonystratfordbowlsclub.co.uk<br />

Useful Numbers<br />

Wolverton Town Bowls Club<br />

Bruce 01908 310514<br />

Wolverton Park Bowls Club<br />

Haversham Road, Wolverton,<br />

MK12 5TN<br />

Bob 07988 778248<br />

bowlsclub.org/club/7966/<br />

Stony Stratford Croquet Club<br />

Ostlers Lane, Stony Stratford<br />

MK11 1AR<br />

Roy 01908 566345<br />

Twenty3c CycleRides<br />

01908 260322<br />

Deanshanger Colts & Divas Football<br />

Club<br />

deanshangercolts.co.uk<br />

Karate<br />

07739 707455 karategoju.co.uk<br />

Karate & Kickboxing<br />

Laura 07910 154499 karatemk.co.uk<br />

Jado Kuin Do Family Martial Arts<br />

Emma Bacon 07790 296737<br />

RunStony<br />

Run group runstony<br />

Kiln Farm Squash Club<br />

07729 414000<br />

Haversham Sailing Club<br />

High Street, Haversham<br />

MK19 7DX<br />

havershamsc.org<br />

Towcester & District Table Tennis<br />

Rod Barr 01604 847948<br />

or 07885 108559<br />

tabletennis365.com/Towcester<br />

Wolverton Tennis Club Coaching<br />

Pete Tolaini 0774 0004548<br />

wolvertontennis@hotmail.com<br />

Stony Stratford Walking Group<br />

Meet Mill Lane/ Willow Lane<br />

Mary Kendall 01908 260570<br />

Winslow District Ramblers<br />

bucksvoice.net/winslowdistrictramblers-group<br />

Buckingham and District<br />

Walking Group<br />

John 07921 823189<br />

Deanshanger and Wicken Royal British<br />

Legion Branch Meetings<br />

Monthly meetings<br />

Deanshanger Conservative Club<br />

01908 261107<br />

barbaralangtonb-langton@<br />

outlook.com<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

61

Advertisers<br />

HOME & GARDEN<br />

Building & property<br />

Antony Thomson Architect 42<br />

Eddie Rohan Carpentry 42<br />

Hickford Construction Ltd 43, 57<br />

KAS Builders 41<br />

Morris Roofing 41<br />

Thomas Betts & Co 41, 42<br />

Windows & conservatories<br />

Cloudy2Clear 41<br />

Custom Glaze 42<br />

Thomas Betts & Co 43<br />

Win-Dor 2<br />

Aerial, cable & electrical<br />

MKL Cable Solutions 44<br />

MJ Electrics 44<br />

Plumbing, gas servicing &<br />

heating<br />

Add Warmth 43<br />

On-Tap Installations 43<br />

Pete the Plumber 43<br />

Kitchens & bathrooms<br />

Dream Doors 9<br />

Granite Transformations 63<br />

On-Tap Installations 43<br />

Painters & plasterers<br />

BWB Plastering 45<br />

Colour Schemes<br />

Decorating Services 45<br />

DPL Services 45<br />

Kenneth Hudson Interiors 45<br />

S Fludgate Painting & Decorating 45<br />

SJ Adcock & Son 45<br />

Teal Homes & Gardens 44<br />

Thomas Betts & Co 45<br />

Interiors<br />

CarpetWise 50<br />

Eddie Rohan Carpentry 42<br />

Firewood Supplies 50<br />

Maxwell Home & Garden Service 55<br />

The Old Joinery Shop 44<br />

Thomas Betts and Co 50<br />

Universal Blinds 50<br />

Cleaning & domestic<br />

Bright & Beautiful 51<br />

Bucks Chimney Sweeps 50<br />

Stony Dry Cleaners 51<br />

Stony Oven Cleaners 51<br />

The Stainbusters 51<br />

Vickie's Cleaning 51<br />

Garden<br />

Ace Landscapes and Tree Care 56<br />

Advanced Turf Machinery 57<br />

Bartlett Tree Experts 55<br />

Francis Rose Landscaping & Garden<br />

Services 55<br />

FSG Property Services 57<br />

Green Thumb 5<br />

Hickford Construction 57<br />

Maxwell Home & Garden Services 55<br />

M. Lovell Tree Surgeon 55<br />

Prestige Lawns 55<br />

Ray Brown Tree Care 56<br />

The Grass and Resin Warehouse 56<br />

Removal Services<br />

Man and Van Milton Keynes 54<br />

Waste removal<br />

Rob Bracey, Septic Tanks 44<br />

BEAUTY, W<strong>EL</strong>LBEING<br />

HEALTH, & FITNESS<br />

Action Physio 16<br />

Alchemy Therapy Centre 17<br />

Clive Heayns Podiatry 16<br />

Da Vinci Dental Clinic 12<br />

Dizzy Ears 16<br />

Elanele 12<br />

Happy Bodies Fitness Centre 11, 13,<br />

33<br />

Inhale Pilates 13<br />

Janice Skillman Foot Health 16<br />

Karate & Kickboxing MK 13<br />

Lanh’s Nail Salon 17<br />

Love Chloe 13<br />

Massage in Mind 16<br />

My First Health 13<br />

Salt Clinic MK 19, 33<br />

Slimming World 17<br />

Stony Laser Beauty Clinic 12<br />

LEISURE, FOOD & DRINK<br />

ARTea Room 22<br />

Bamboo Cottage<br />

Chinese Takeaway 22<br />

Branch-Out MK 28, 35<br />

Bucks Star Brewery 23<br />

Cranley Barn Farms 21, 23<br />

Furtho Manor Farm 28<br />

G dad’s 29<br />

Maaya Indian Kitchen and Bar 1, 3<br />

MK Dance Theatre 26<br />

Milton Keynes Museum 49<br />

Moorgate Farm Vegetable Box<br />

Delivery 21, 32<br />

The Old Talbot 25<br />

The Fruity Farmer 20, 23<br />

Towcester Mill Brewery 24, 30<br />

Vitreus Art 19<br />

Accommodation & celebrations<br />

Furtho Manor Farm 28<br />

CHILDREN & YOUTH<br />

MK Dance Theatre 26<br />

Rosemary Lane School of Ballet 29<br />

Soul2Sole 6, 28<br />

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES<br />

ASC Financial Solutions Ltd 7<br />

Baldox Computing 40<br />

Churchill Wills Ltd 40<br />

Furtho Manor Farm 28<br />

MK Box Self Storage 40<br />

Neves Solicitors 38<br />

Prime Numbers 33, 40<br />

Priory Health Care 33, 39<br />

RTS Financial Planning 37<br />

Trading Standards 24<br />

Flowers<br />

Back to The Fuchsia 29<br />

Branch-Out MK 28, 35<br />

Pets & vets<br />

RSPCA 10<br />

The Vet Centre 10, 11<br />

Pest control<br />

Killem Pest Control 54<br />

TRANSPORT<br />

Taxis<br />

Flan’s Mini Bus Service 29<br />

Skyline 64<br />

Motoring & transport<br />

FSG Property Services 57<br />

G & G Autos 59<br />

Stratfords Motorists Centre 59<br />

62<br />

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to advertisers

Home & Garden<br />

RE<strong>NOV</strong>ATE OR SIMPLY UPDATE<br />

IN AS LITTLE AS A DAY<br />

Give your kitchen a stylish new look without going through all the disruption of ripping out your old one.<br />

Our bespoke worktops and replacement doors are made to cover existing surfaces precisely, leaving<br />

a hardwearing and luxurious finish. Known as ‘The Top That Fits On Top’, it’s a winning combination of<br />

strength and slimline dimensions that has made us a household success around the world.<br />

AFTER<br />

BEFORE<br />

Worktops<br />

Granite, quartz,<br />

recycled glass<br />

& porcelain<br />

worktops<br />

Doors<br />

Over 100<br />

combinations<br />

of Made-to-<br />

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For a free consultation call or visit granitetransformations.co.uk/<br />

BANBURY SHOWROOM:<br />

01295 515 880<br />

Unit 8, Swan Industrial Estate,<br />

Gatteridge St, Banbury<br />

Oxfordshire OX16 5DH<br />

WARWICK SHOWROOM:<br />

01926 675 230<br />

Hatton Shopping Village<br />

Dark Lane, Hatton<br />

Warwick CV35 8XA<br />

RUGBY SHOWROOM:<br />

01788 297 852<br />

15 Regent Street<br />

Rugby CV21 2PE<br />

To advertise please call 01908 380777<br />

63

Where do you want to go today?<br />

01908<br />

Bedford • 01234 555 555<br />

Milton Keynes • 01908 222 111<br />

skylinetaxis.co.uk<br />

Est.1985<br />

Northampton • 01604 222 111

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