EL_JA17 WEB

July/August 2017 

Your FREE copy – Issue 81 

Local youngsters that love to do 

Photos courtesy: Keith Gibbs, Derek Gibbons, Acorn Childcare, Siobhan Burdett 

www.essentiallylocal.co.uk

Building Services 

2 

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts

Wellbeing 

To advertise please call 01908 380777 

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Contents & Welcome 

Inside this Issue… 

Essentially Business and Professional 

40 Overseas travel tips with the sites you will need 

Essentially Children 

16 South African dream for Stony Stratford girls 

22 Local singer triumphs 

24 Children’s fun; Willow Tree Pre-school 

Essentially Leisure 

9 ARTea – a reputation to be proud of 

16 Garden party and craft fair; Stony Stratford Theatre Society 

22 Breast Cancer Charity Concert; Paulerspury Arts Exhibition 

30 Canal Society – Annual festival & craft fair; A resounding success 

Essentially Home & Garden 

8 Pip’s Interiors 

18 Beef and Spinach Lasagne 

32 Asbestos in the home: Reduce your risk; 

Those annoying little drips 

44 Stony In Bloom; Mouth-watering English cherries 

46 Ants in your plants; A garden into a room; Small gardens 

Essentially Health and Well-being 

12 Have fun while getting fit with Karate MK; Going 

natural for summer; Relief from pain 

14 Take care of that perfect smile 

15 New teeth bring confidence 

Essentially Motoring 

50 Keep your cool as the weather warms; Potholes; 

Nostalgia at its best 

Essentially Pets 

10 Lost and found; Is your rabbit at risk of Flystrike this summer? 

Regulars 

6 Reader offers 

20 Competition – Win an Arbonne Calm Facial at Cloud 9 

26 What’s On 

28 What’s on sport 

28 Useful numbers 

48 Advertisers list 

Where we Deliver… 

Towcester 

Paulerspury 

Alderton 

Hanslope Long Street 

Hanslope 

Yardley Gobion 

Castlethorpe 

Haversham 

Potterspury Cosgrove 

Old Wolverton 

Old Stratford 

Wolverton 

Deanshanger 

Wolverton Mill 

Stony Stratford 

Wicken 

Passenham 

Calverton 

Beachampton 

Hello Readers… 

We have some great reader offers and ideas 

to prepare you for your summer break – a 

session at Body IQ, personal training… or 

maybe pizza is more of an idea of a treat? 

The Moorgate Farm Vegetable Box 

scheme’s delicious beef and spinach 

lasagne recipe served with one of their fresh 

salad boxes makes a perfect choice for 

entertaining friends! See page 18. 

Read the advice from Trading Standards 

on page 40 if you would like a stress-free 

summer holiday. And if you are going to a 

French-speaking country turn to page 25 for 

help from Alliance Francaise. 

You could win an exclusive package in our 

competition from Cloud 9 in Potterspury. 

They offer a range of treatments for beauty 

and well-being that will be sure to invigorate 

and prepare you for our sunnier days! 

Thanks to our photographers for the 

gorgeous pictures on the front cover that 

include the famous Brooke Layla, Derek 

Gibbons’ Stony in Bloom Big Lunch and Acorn 

Nursery Forest School. If you have an idea for 

our front cover drop us an email or give us a 

call on 01908 380777. 

Finally, remember 

keep your business 

Essentially Local. 

Emma – Editor 

Get in Touch… 

Essentially Local 

The Office, 5 The Stocks, 

Cosgrove, Milton Keynes MK19 7JD 

Tel: 01908 380777 

Email: info@essentiallylocal.co.uk 

Website: www.essentiallylocal.co.uk 

Essentially-Local 

Essentiallyl 

Design and production: 

Andrew Metcalfe andrew@meticulousdesign.com 

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Motoring Services 


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Reader Offers 

Reader offers and ideas 

Treat yourself, a relative or a friend to one of our great local ideas and offers 

GlamouriZe Salon 

This award winning salon would like to offer new 

and existing clients 20% off treatments throughout 

July and August. Whether its holiday prep or just 

fancy a pamper, we have a range of services including 

all Hairdressing, Shellac nails and Sunbed. 

T.C apply. One per client. Excludes hair extensions, 

packages and products. 

Old Stratford Local Centre, 

Falcon Drive, MK19 6FG 

01908 266152 

www.glamourize-mk.co.uk 

Body IQ 

SPECIALISTS IN CHRONIC PAIN AND STRESS 

RELIEF. 8 wellbeing classes usually worth £10 each 

for just £40 

New clients only 

To claim email enquiries@bodyiqmkpainrelief.com 

and quote ‘Essentially local’. 

The Body IQ Studio 

www.bodyiqmkpainrelief.com 

01908 227768 

Direct Pizza 

Deal 3-4-5 only £15 

Choose any 3 small pizzas from the set menu 

Select your options for crust thickness, sauce and 

toppings. Delivered to the comfort of your home 

within 45 minutes of order. 

Book on line between 

11-00am-11.00pm Mon – Sat 

11.00am-10.00pm Sun 

thedirectpizzaco.co.uk/stores/deanshanger 

Cusacks Cars 

Going on holiday relax and unwind while traveling to 

and from your holiday airport. 

Options for all airports through the UK. Book on-line 

with secure payments through paypal. Child car seat 

storage available and up to 16 passengers 

Stony Stratford to Luton Airport typical price for 

family of 4 only £33. Local and other transfers also 

available. Book now for summer 

www.cusackscars.co.uk 

01908 766500 

Body Fitness Blitz 

Mobile Personal Trainer 

Feel better, feel healthier and take a step towards a 

new you! ‘Silver’ package of 8 Sessions for £290. 

Includes free consultation, weight, body fat and muscle 

percentage, nutritional guidance and a customised 

routine to help you reach your goals. Split the cost 

between 2, 3 or 4 people and train as a group. 

07452 820030 

lee.bodyfitnessblitz@gmail.com 

FaceBook Body Fitness Blitz ltd 

Elanele 

Pre-holiday facial treat – Decleor White Petal 

Moisture Brightening Facial Treatment with a 

Vitamin C power booster for sheer brilliance. 

Skin changing treatment for a natural fresh-faced 

finish... perfect for any special occasion. See website 

for full details. FREE 15ml hydra oral anti-pollution 

hydrating gel cream (£12) with facial booking. Only 

£61.50 normally £79.50. While stocks last 

01908 566565 • www.elanele.co.uk 

10 Market Square, 

Stony Stratford MK11 1BE 

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Leisure 


7

Home 

My name is Pippa and I like to design 

things. (I also like coffee…) 

My true love is interiors and I believe 

everyone should be able to live in 

a space that they love. Ever since I 

can remember I have been creating 

concepts and mood boards and 

lusting over all things interior. Since 

then, I’ve been to university, worked in 

fashion, property and interior design. 

Pip Interiors aims to act as a friendly 

and simple design consultation service. 

Whether it be practical advice, home 

inspiration or a full scheme. I am here 

to help in a no-strings-attached way. 

Gone are the days of intimidating 

interior designers, E-design and 

styling is fast becoming the number 

one alternative to traditional interior 

design services. I try to place myself 

comfortably in the middle, having as 

much or as little input as required by 

my clients. But ultimately designing 

a room or a scheme you will love, all 

within a budget that doesn’t burn a 

hole in your pocket. Be this digitally, 

or on paper – which is where it 

normally all starts. 

If you are interested in how Pip 

Interiors can help you, be it with 

styling, a refresh, moving into a new 

home, or perhaps a total revamp 

(requiring the full works) I would love 

to hear from you. 

You’ll be hearing a little bit more 

from me as we’ve got some exciting 

issues coming up in the next few 

months, so watch this space. For now, 

here are some concepts based around 

all the things we love about interiors. 

07873586990 

hellopipinteriors@gmail.com 

Ping me an email – I’d love to chat. 

8 


Leisure 

ARTea – a reputation to be proud of 

When James Swansborough- 

Smith took over ARTea Room in 

Wakefield Country Courtyard, he was 

determined to build a reputation as 

a venue for delicious home-made 

food and drinks. Watching customers 

return again and again, he has proof 

that he has achieved his aim. As 

its name suggests, local artwork 

adorns the walls and an eye-catching 

mural created from tea has revived 

a little-used corner of the tearoom. 

Mismatched chairs and tables and 

quirky gifts complete the perfect 

setting for a quaint tearoom. 

James, a Pru Leith School of Food 

and Wine trained chef, has developed 

a menu that offers more than cream 

teas. Light bites, heartier meals and 

appetising cakes are all available. 

The early morning breakfast platters, 

delicious sandwiches, jacket potatoes, 

soup and one pot wonders are 

drawing hungry customers with their 

flavour, quality and value. 

The home-made cakes will 

challenge the most sweet-tooth 

customer’s decision-making skills and 

luxury cream tea lovers will enjoy 

the addition of an indulgent glass 

of sparkling wine. Coeliac diners will 

welcome the gluten free scones. 

And thirsty visitors, impressed by 

the selection of loose-leaf teas, 

are delighted to find they are also 

available to buy for home. 

James has firmly stamped his mark 

on this must-go-to tea-room – pop 

over and see for yourselves. 

Opening Hours: Mondays Closed; Tuesday-Friday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm; Saturday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm; 

Sunday 11.00 am – 4.00 pm Bank holiday Mondays 11.00 am – 4.00 pm 

01327 810245 • enquiries@artearoom.co.uk • www.artearoom.co.uk • facebook.com/ARTeaRoom/ 

Wakefield Country Courtyard, Potterspury, Northamptonshire, NN12 7QX 


9

Animal services 

Lost and found 

RSPCA Milton Keynes & North Bucks branch is always busy 

trying to reunite lost and found pets with their families. If 

you lose a pet, make sure you visit their website where you 

will find lots of help on what actions to take. 

Microchips are probably the most effective way to 

reunite you with your pet. Now a legal requirement for 

dogs, it can be crucial for reuniting any pet with its owners. 

Remember though, you 

must also update your 

details if you move home. 

Many pets never find their 

owners simply because the 

microchip information is no 

longer correct. 

The RSCPA always scan for a chip to find the owner as 

soon as a lost animal is brought to their attention. If no 

chip is found they advertise the animal on social media and 

where possible provide it with shelter and care. 

For more information on lost pets or the animals in their care: call the RSPCA Milton Keynes & North Bucks on 

01908 611179 • cathome@mkrspca.org.uk • www.rspcamiltonkeynes.co.uk 

Is your rabbit at risk of Flystrike this summer? 

Summer is great news for our rabbits, 

as they can get outside more often to 

exercise and enjoy the grass. However, 

during the summer months, rabbits 

are at increased risk of suffering from 

Flystrike (Myiasis). Flystrike occurs 

when flies are attracted to damp, 

smelly fur. This is usually caused by 

faeces accumulation or urine scalding 

around the rabbit’s backend. The 

attracted flies lay their eggs on the 

rabbit and when the maggots hatch 

(which happens within hours) they 

eat away at the rabbits flesh, causing 

serious problems very quickly. 

The good news is that Flystrike can 

be prevented by taking a few simple 

precautions: 

1) Remove all wet and dirty bedding 

daily. 

2) Inspect your rabbit twice daily – 

focusing especially on the backend 

to make sure there is no urine or 

faecal staining and that your rabbit 

is clean and dry. If you see any urine 

or faeces then wash and dry the 

area. Seek help from your vet if your 

rabbit is having problems keeping 

himself clean. 

3) Disinfect your cage weekly. 

4) Apply a topical treatment regularly 

throughout the summer months to 

repel flies and prevent any eggs 

that are laid on your rabbit from 

hatching – please contact your 

vet for more advice about these 

treatments. 

Vet Kate from Cherry Lane surgery 

says, ‘’If you notice any maggots on 

your rabbit please contact your vet 

immediately, as this is an emergency.’’ 

Other signs of Flystrike you may 

notice include irritation, loss of 

appetite and lethargy. 

We hope that you and your rabbits 

are enjoying the sunshine and by 

following the above advice you can 

help prevent Flystrike in your rabbits 

this summer. 

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

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

10 


Leisure 


11

Wellbeing 

Have fun and get fit with ECKA Newton Longville and Wolverton 

Students from 5 years upwards, 

any fitness or skill level will enjoy 

training with Sensei Lauren and her 

team. Classes are tailored to ensure 

beginners will feel as welcome as 

experienced members. This exciting 

sport promotes fitness, mental 

awareness and self-control. It also 

expects respect while encouraging 

friendship. 

Students take part in full contact 

karate, using full safety equipment 

during sparring to reduce risk of injury. 

Mitesh, a student at Karate MK, chose 

the sport because it was something 

he and his children could easily do 

together. He explained, “The club has 

a real family feel and it has become 

part of our lives, rather than simply 

another after-school activity.” 

The club offers family time while 

learning new skills and techniques and 

getting fit. It also brings so much more 

– mental agility, technical skills and 

fun. One of Mitesh’s funniest moments 

was watching his 8-year-old son doing 

a jumping back fist on a black belt 

adult. Mitesh has also seen the sport 

build confidence in his children and 

watching them complete their first 

freeform routines in front of the whole 

class was one of his best moments. 

To get in touch and book a class call Sensei Lauren 

07910154499 • karatemk.co.uk 

Lauren is first aid qualified, DBS checked and an WAKO qualified instructor 

(level 3 club coach). 

Going natural for summer 

Alchemy Therapy Centre in Old 

Stratford launched the new 

range of Mii make-up earlier 

this year. It’s designed 

to give wearers 

confidence in 

whatever they’re 

doing – work, 

getting married, 

prom ball or 

simply meeting 

friends. 

Holly Jenkins 

says the minimalist 

neutral look is the strong 

influence for summer and 

she is excited! There are 

plenty of nudes and natural 

shades in the range but you 

can also have fun with colour. 

Eye shadows take on every look 

imaginable – 50s pastel, subtle smoky, frosty and even 

80s bright and radiant. During the day paint your lips with 

softer shades like peach or raspberry but at night you can 

go red! 

Limit the use of powders 

and use yellow toned 

bronzers to highlight your 

features. 

For some great make-up ideas make 

an appointment at Alchemy Therapy Centre, 

Falcon Drive, Old Stratford 

www.alchemytherapycentre.com • 01908 567766 

Relief from pain 

Pain is extremely debilitating and no one treatment 

fits all. A chiropractor aims to reduce pain, improve 

function and increase mobility. 

Chiropractors use gentle, specific spinal adjustment 

to free joints in the spine that are not moving 

properly, often in combination with specific soft tissue 

release techniques and exercise. They consider how 

musculoskeletal disorders affect your nervous system 

and general health. Their assessment includes looking 

at your physical, emotional and social wellbeing. 

While chiropractors are especially interested in the 

neck and back, they are trained to diagnose, treat 

and prevent problems with bones, joints and muscles 

throughout your body. They can help with hip and knee 

pain, shoulder and elbow pain and even headaches 

and migraine. This is more than a do-to-you treatment; 

you may need to follow advice to work on your posture 

and lifestyle and exercise regimes. Satisfied chiropractic 

patients say that the results are worth the extra effort. 

For advice on pain and chiropractic treatments call 

Natalie: Grafton Spa and Wellness, Wakefield Lodge, 

Potterspury, Northamptonshire NN12 7QX 

01327 810058 • www.towcesterchiropractic.uk 

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B 

9 

Wellbeing 

Fitness classes and 

Personal Training in the 

Stony Stratford area 

L 

• 


CHARITY EVENT: 

FRIDAY 11TH AUGUST 

8AM–8PM 

TAKE PART IN OUR 

12 HOUR SPINATHON! 

Book yourself onto a spin bike for half an hour, 

an hour or more and help support 

Liz Miller raising money for 

The Brain Tumour Charity. Or come along 

and buy a cake at our bake sale! 

Members and non-members welcome to join in. 

For full details see our Facebook page or on the Happy Bodies website. 

HAPPY BODIES | FURTHO COURT 

OLD STRATFORD | MK19 6AN 


13

Wellbeing 

Take care of that perfect smile 

A good teeth-cleaning routine should begin as soon as 

your new baby’s first tooth pops through. A regular visit 

to a dentist is also an excellent way to prevent decay and 

identify any problems at an early stage. 

Help your child to clean his/her teeth in the morning and 

before bed for about two minutes. Dentists prefer fluoride 

toothpaste, as this helps to prevent and control tooth 

decay. Your child should spit out excess toothpaste but not 

rinse with lots of water. Brush your child’s teeth until you are 

confident that your child is doing it right without help. 

Some dentists recommend applying fissure sealants to 

your child’s permanent back teeth, to keep germs and food 

particles out of the grooves and protect them from decay. 

Fluoride varnishes can give further protection. 

Children should avoid sweets and fizzy drinks and never 

consume them regularly or in large amounts. Fizzy drinks – 

including sugar-free ones – contain acids which can erode 

teeth. Fruit and raw vegetables are good snacks, whereas 

dried fruit is high in sugar and should only be given as 

a dessert. Juices and smoothies also contain sugars and 

acids, so remember – small quantities only. 

Water and plain milk are the best drinks and plain 

popcorn makes a great snack. Your child may not like it but 

there is no better way to protect their teeth and they will 

thank you in years to come. 

For more advice on your child’s teeth: 3 Canon Harnett Court, Wolverton MK12 5NF 

www.davincidentistry.co.uk • 01908 886871 • 01908 322364 • info@davincidentistry.co.uk 

www.nailsalonmiltonkeynes.co.uk 

LANh's NAiL sALoN 

• Acrylics • Nail art • Shellac • Air brush designs 

• Hand designs • Gel nails • Pedicures 

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! 

CALL 01908 567796 

95 High Street, Stony Stratford MK11 1AT 

LANh’s NAiL sALoN in 

Stony Stratford provides a 

professional and relaxing nail 

care service to fully meet all 

your individual needs. 

What’s more, we also have free 

parking at the rear, free fast wi-fi 

in the shop and free tea and coffee. 

14 


Wellbeing 

13 

New teeth bring confidence 

You can lose the confidence to smile if 

you have missing or broken teeth and it 

can even be a challenge to seek advice. 

There are many reasons why you 

may have lost teeth – an accident, 

disease or even genetics. Let the 

DaVinci team replace your missing 

teeth – it will help you to look better 

and your mouth should feel like it is 

working normally again. There are 


now a variety of choices to easily 

achieve this. 

At Da Vinci Dental Clinic, the 

dentists believe implants are the 

next best thing to having your own 

natural teeth. As experts in dental 

implantology, they use the MED 3D 

computer-guided implantation system. 

This 3D system produces an incredibly 

precise template for the type and 

size of your new implant, as well as 

helping the dentist to place it in the 

best position for maximum stability. 

An additional benefit of this 

approach is that treatment and 

recovery are far quicker, less painful 

and with reduced swelling and 

bruising. Some people even go back 

to work the next day! The incision and 

exploration associated with traditional 

methods are no longer required. 

Implant prices start from £590 and 

0% credit finance is available for the 

following 6-24 months, subject to status. 

The Care Quality Commission oversee 

the work of Da Vinci Dental Clinic. The 

dental team are registered with the 

General Dental Council and insured for 

professional indemnity. 

Put the confidence back into 

your smile by visiting the team to 

find the perfect solution. Call for an 

appointment on 01908 886871 or 

01908 322364 

3 Canon Harnett Court, Wolverton MK12 5NF 

www.davincidentistry.co.uk • info@davincidentistry.co.uk 

15

Community 

South African dream for Stony Stratford 

Girls – a festival of girls’ cricket 

Lunchtime, Sunday, 2 July 

Stony Stratford Cricket Club, Ostler’s Lane, Stony Stratford 

This October the Stony Stratford 

Pearls (under 11 girls) and Sapphires 

(under 13 girls) will be going on an 

exciting cricket tour of South Africa. 

They’ll play cricket matches against 

some Cape Town youth teams, 

as well as receive coaching at the 

Gary Kirsten Cricket Academy. The 

academy focusses on creation of 

sporting ecosystems and healthy 

alternatives for township communities. 

The young players are now actively 

fundraising; they’d love you to join 

them at the Festival of Girls’ Cricket 

for fun activities and food. You 

could even win a great raffle prize – 

including a 50inch Flat Screen Smart 

TV, Lenovo 10inch Tablet Computer 

and a cricket bat signed by South 

Africa legend and World Cup winning 

coach Gary Kirsten. 

Raffle tickets – £1 each, purchase 

from BBQ area at SSCC every 6pm- 

9pm Friday evenings. 

Get in touch – donations can be made via the crowdfunding website: 

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/SSCCGirlsOnTour 

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @SSCCGirlsOnTour 

info@SSCCGirlsOnTour.org • www.SSCCGirlsOnTour.org 

Stony Stratford Theatre 

Society Merchant of Venice 

April 2017 The Masonic Temple, New Street 

SSTS performed their first 

full Shakespeare play, 

The Merchant of Venice, 

in a truly magical space. 

Caz Tricks, SSTS Artistic 

Director, successfully 

led her acting team to 

receive rave reviews: 

‘It’s not a play in a theatre – it’s an experience. Excellent acting in a superb 

location. It draws you in. Paints pictures.’ Kevin 

‘Had a really lovely evening immersed in this story. Great performances 

enhanced by the setting and little musical moments – just wonderful – well done 

to everyone!’ Wendy 

‘Felt I was part of the play and really had to hold myself back from joining in 

at times!’ Pat 

‘We had a wonderful evening ... loved the setting and the closeness of the 

actors.’ Ian 

Caz, who has been directing SSTS plays for the last couple years, said, “I like 

theatre to be intimate, for the audience to be in the moment of the play and in 

the Mason’s wonderful Temple we could achieve that.” 

Congratulations Caz and team and here’s to your next big production in 2019. 

Garden Party 

and Craft Fair 

2.00pm – 5.00pm, 

Saturday, 22 July 

17 Main Street, 

Cosgrove, MK19 7JL 

The beautiful bells of St Peter and 

St Paul Church, Cosgrove are being 

restored. By the end of the year they’ll 

have new fixtures and fittings, a full 

clean and repainted frame. 

Not only do the team behind the 

restoration need to raise funds, they’re 

also looking for new recruits to ring 

the bells. 

Come along to their fundraising 

garden party and craft fair. It will 

include lots of cake and cream teas, a 

variety of craft stalls, hand bell ringing 

and more. 

To learn to ring 

Call Chris or Ruth 01908 563336 

16 


Wellbeing 

Wellbeing 

Need a physio? 

You don’t have to wait! 

Experience you can trust 

Call 

01908 560355 

www.grandunionphysio.co.uk 

Old Stratford Business Park, 

Falcon Drive, Old Stratford MK19 6FG 


| Back pain | Muscle injury | Sore or overused muscles | Muscle cramping 

| Pregnancy back and leg discomfort | Headaches | Whiplash | Lymphatic drainage 

| Circulatory problems | Anxiety | Depression | Insomnia | Stress 

Tailor-made massage 

with you in mind 

Massage in Mind provides 

massage to meet your needs. 

Whether suffering from stress or having 

muscular discomfort, massage is a powerful 

tool to alleviate these and many more 

physical and emotional conditions. 

Call 01908 968430 to 

book your appointment. 

13 

Massage in Mind Action Physiotherapy, 

54b High Street, Stony Stratford MK11 1AQ 

Email reception@actionphysiotherapy.co.uk 

www.massageinmind.me 


15 

17

Food 

Beef and spinach lasagne 

For the filling 

3tbs salted butter 

1 large chopped onion 

680g minced meat 

230g trimmed spinach 

¼ tsp freshly ground nutmeg 

Salt & pepper to taste 

For the sauce 

7 tbs unsalted butter 

3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 

400g tin chopped tomatoes 

1 pint milk 

8 eggs 

Salt & pepper to taste 

Lasagne sheets 

50g parmesan cheese 

100g mozzarella, thinly sliced, or grated cheddar 

Method 

1. Melt 1 tbs butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat. 

Cook onion until golden and transfer to a bowl. Add remaining 

a butter and meat to the pan, stir while cooking until browned 

and transfer to bowl with onion. Wilt the spinach in the pan 

then drain, squeeze and roughly chop. Add to the meat, stir in 

nutmeg, salt and pepper. 

2. Melt 1 tbs butter over a medium heat in a medium 

saucepan, cook garlic until golden, add tomatoes, salt and 

pepper, cook until thickened, cool. 

3. Purée milk and eggs in a blender, add tomato sauce, salt, 

and pepper; pulse 2-3 times until combined. 

4. Heat oven to 375°. Grease dish (24cm by 35cm approx.) with 

butter then cover the base with lasagne sheets, overlapping 

slightly. Place a layer of the filling approximately ½-1 cm deep 

over top and drizzle with a thin layer of the sauce. Repeat 

layering 3-4 times placing a lasagne sheet on top. Bake until 

filling is set and cheese is browned, approximately 45 minutes. 

Serve with a salad of lettuce, broad beans, cucumber, tomatoes 

and more from a fresh Moorgate Farm Vegetable Box. 

To order a vegetable box – Moorgate Farm Vegetable Box Delivery 

Scheme – Local fresh, quality vegetables delivered from field to 

your door in 24 hours Moorgate Farm, Potterspury, NN12 7QG 

01908 543008 • info@moorgatefarm.co.uk 

18 


Leisure 


19

Competition 

Win… 

… an Arbonne Calm Facial worth £60 

Cloud 9 Spa is a contemporary retreat for the mind and body 

set in idyllic surroundings in Potterspury. Natural materials are 

used throughout – limestone, white granite, oak and clear 

glass and the spa is filled with purified air and natural daylight. 

The gentle, holistic health and beauty options will help you 

to achieve complete relaxation and well-being. Your body 

will be cleansed and your soul nourished with only the finest 

organic ingredients and processes. You’ll be in for a real treat 

with the latest technologies and up-to-date spa therapies. 

These technologies include the Angel of Water system 

which is one of the best in colonic irrigation systems. It offers 

advanced, medically proven colonic flushing which can reduce 

bloating, strengthen your immune system as well as leaving 

you refreshed. 

All treatments complement each other, working on your 

body from the inside to the outside. They include an infrared 

deep heat absorption sauna, exercise pool, gym, weight loss 

solutions and anti-aging treatments. You will also find hair and 

beauty treatments with gift vouchers and specials for senior 

citizens and teenagers. 

Relax and unwind in the spa facilities before and after 

treatments and you are sure to leave feeling invigorated and 

ready to achieve your physical and emotional goals. 

It’s your body, treat it well. Get in touch: Potterspury 

House 3 Poundfield Road, Potterspury NN12 7QL 

01908 804 804 • relax@cloud9spa.co.uk 

cloud9spa.co.uk 

Wordsearch winner… May/June 

Congratulations to Diane Paterson from Old Stratford who has won 

a tour of Towcester Mill Brewery. 

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ARBONNE BEAUTY BODY 

CLOUD COLONIC DIGESTION 

EYELASH FACIAL GYM 

HANDS IDYLLIC IRRIGATION 

MAKE-UP MASSAGE NATURAL 

NINE PEDICURE POLISH 

RELAX SAUNA SHAPE 

THERAPY TREATMENT WELLBEING 

For a chance to win this fantastic prize, 

find the missing word in the grid and send 

us your answer. Don’t forget to include your 

name and address. 

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Competition rules 

To enter the competition, email, post or telephone your answer to info@essentiallylocal.co.uk, Essentially Local, The Office, 5 The Stocks, 

Cosgrove, Milton Keynes MK19 7JD. 01908 380777. Remember to clearly state which competition you are entering and include your name, 

address and telephone number. 2. The competition runs from 1 July, 2017 and the closing date is 5pm, 1 August, 2017. No purchase required. 

3. There will be one winner who will be notified by telephone by 29 August, 2017. The winner’s name will be published in the September- 

October 2017 edition of Essentially Local. 4. The prize for correctly identifying the missing word in the word search is a voucher for a treatment 

at Cloud 9 Spa. There is no cash or alternative prize. The winner must take up the prize offered before 31 October, 2017. 5. Entries are limited 

to ONE per household. Competitions cannot be entered by employees or family of Cloud 9 Spa or Essentially Local Ltd. All correct entries 

will be placed in a draw and the winner will be the first randomly selected name that is drawn. 6. The draw will take place on 8 August, 2017. 

Judge’s decision is final. 7. Entrants may be notified of special offers from Cloud 9 Spa; please state if you do not wish your details to be used. 

20 


Leisure 


21

Leisure 

Paulerspury Art Exhibition 

12.00 noon-5.00pm Saturday; 

10.00am-5.00pm, Sunday; 

10.00am-4.30pm Monday 

26 – 28 August 

Paulerspury Village Hall 

Paulerspury Village Hall will be home 

to a selection of quality framed 

paintings over the August Bank 

Holiday weekend. Pop along to 

look or buy an original painting and 

greeting card. The reasonably priced 

works of art have been produced by 

talented local amateur artists and they 

make excellent gifts. 

Refreshments are available within 

the local village Church St James the 

Great, High Street Paulerspury NN12 

7NE and the exhibition is free to enter. 

www.towcesterart.com 

A Breast Cancer Charity Concert 

Boobs and Brass in association with Bradwell Silver Band 

The Venue MK Fyfield Barrow, MK7 7WH 

Saturday, 30 September 

Boobs & Brass in concert with 

Bradwell Silver Band will link female 

players from across the country to 

showcase big-band numbers while 

raising money for Cancer Research. 

Brian Keech, Musical Director of 

Bradwell Silver Band commented 

“This is a truly exciting project for 

Bradwell Silver Band. The opportunity 

to play alongside Boobs and Brass 

for Breast Cancer Now will be 

momentous!” 

This June The Music Day Brass 

Band Award was awarded to Boobs 

and Brass as the band best embodies 

the BBC Music Day 2017 theme 

“The Power of Music”. It was formed 

in 2006 by friends Jane Nichols 

and Margaret Betts and has raised 

£201,154 to date. Now boasting 

three separate bands covering various 

regions in the UK, Margaret Betts of 

Boobs and Brass said, “We would 

like to extend our sincere thanks to 

Bradwell Silver Band for supporting 

our fundraising for Breast Cancer 

Now. We hope you will all enjoy our 

music making”. 

Bradwell Silver Band are expecting 

a sell-out concert. Order your 

Local singer 

triumphs 

On Saturday, 17 June the amazing 

Brooke Layla wowed the judges on 

The Voice Kids with her interpretation 

of Running up that Hill – one of Kate 

Bush’s most successful releases. 

As her parents looked on 

slightly nervously, Brooke’s rousing 

performance saw both Danny and 

Will.i.am spin their chairs. She 

delighted the audience and all three 

judges were amazed by her talent 

and the powerful voice of one so 

young. 

The tension rose further as Brooke 

had to choose between Will.i.am, 

a judge since the show began and 

Danny Jones, lead vocalist and guitarist 

with McFly. Will.i.am was triumphant as 

Brooke made her selection. We all now 

look forward to seeing what happens 

next as we wish Brooke the best of luck 

in The Voice Kids. 

Brooke Layla regularly performs 

around Milton Keynes and supports a 

range of charities. 

Please show your support for our 

own local superstar by heading to her 

page and clicking follow to stay upto-date 

with her progress. Facebook: 

brookelaylasingersongwriter 

tickets for £10 and keep up-to-date 

bradwellband.co.uk. 

For more information 

press@bradwellband.co.uk 

22 


Leisure 

Traditional Tea Room 

@ Wakefield Country Courtyard 

Serving home-made cakes, delicious sandwiches 

& toasties, cream teas and afternoon teas. 

With a wide selection of quality teas, 

coffees and drinks to choose from. 

Opening hours: 

Tuesday to Saturday: 10am to 4pm 

Sunday: 11am to 4pm 

Bank Holiday Mondays: 11am to 4pm 

Telephone: 01327 810245 

Email: enquiries@artearoom.co.uk 



23

Children’s Page 

Charlotte’s Joke Corner 

Why couldn’t the dentist help the girl who ate glue? 

Her lips were sealed! 

What time do you go to the dentist? 

Tooth Hurty! (2.30) 

What’s a dentist’s favourite animal? 

A molar bear 

Send your jokes to info@essentiallylocal.co.uk 

July-August wordsearch 

L E M A N E N N D 

A F P E T S A P E 

C K L L C E J F N 

H H I O L A I G T 

S T E C S L R M I 

U O F C L S O B S 

Word wheel 

Try to find as many words of 

3 letters or more, only using 

the letters in the grid. You can 

only use each letter once in the 

words you make. No proper 

names are allowed. Can you 

find the 9 letter word? 

T T A 

O H C 

H E O 

R O N I K L M Z T 

B T N F A U P T F 

W G A R G T P Q N 

Find the words in the wordsearch and see if you can 

answer the questions below – they’re all about teeth. 

How many types of teeth do you have? 

Good: 8+, Excellent: 10 +, Outstanding: 12+ 

Answers 

Wordwheel: 

3 letter words: Ace, Act, Ate, Cat, Coo, Cot, Eat, Hat, Hoe, Hot, Oat, Tat, Tea, 

Toe, Too, Tot. 4 letter words: Ache, Chat, Coat, Coot, Cote, Each, Echo, Etch, 

Hate, Hath, Heat, Hoot, Oath, Taco, Tact, Teat, That, Toot, Tote. 5 letter words: 

Cheat, Hatch, Heath, Hooch, Teach, Tooth. 6 letter words: Thatch. 7 letter words: 

Hatchet 9 letter word: Toothache 

Wordsearch. 1. Three types: Canines – to tear and rip food, Incisors – to bite and 

chew food, Molars – to crush and grind 2. A three year old normally has 20 teeth. 

3. An adult normally has 32 teeth. 4. No, many birds don’t have teeth 

How many milk teeth does a child normally have by the 

time they are 3? 

How many teeth does an adult normally have? 

Do all animals have teeth? 

BRACE BRUSH CHECKUP 

CLEAN DENTIST ENAMEL 

FILLING FLOSS GUM 

MOLAR PASTE TOOTH 

Willow Tree Pre-School 

Preschools help to develop your 

child’s educational, social, emotional 

and physical skills and each pre-school 

offers something different. 

Rebecca True, Play Leader at 

Willow Tree Pre-school is keen to 

work with your child to help him/ 

her develop. Willow Tree has a good 

Ofsted report and offers structured 

sessions to 3 and 4 year olds. It’s also 

Willow Tree Sessions run 8.30am- 

6.00pm Monday-Friday, they 

also offer a Wrap Club. If you are 

looking for a great local preschool 

or an afterschool club, 

give Rebecca True a call on 

01908 571252 to arrange a visit. 

www.willowtreepreschool.co.uk 

linked to Deanshanger Primary School 

and children make good use of the 

facilities. This can help your child 

prepare for school and make transition 

much easier. Staff make good use of 

the large outdoor space, encouraging 

play in the mud kitchen and bug hotel. 

Pop along and see for yourself all that 

this great local facility has to offer. 

Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) Animal Agent 

Sign up 10am-2pm, Saturday 15 July with Tony Ross, Horrid Henry 

4-11 year olds join the challenge – read books, receive stickers and unlock clues 

to solve the mystery of the criminal happenings at Deanshanger library. 

Friends of Deanshanger Library have six fun-filled Thursdays for crafts, silly 

activities, team games, stories and edible treats to support SRC. You can still 

enjoy the events without signing up! 

24 


Leisure 

Professional childcare with a personal touch 

Looking for local childcare? 

* A non profit organisation - the money 

is invested where it matters 

* Highly qualified, warm and welcoming 

staff team 

* A focus on outdoor and natural play 

* Award-winning Menus 

* Forest School 

Acorn Day Nursery, Castlethorpe 

17 South Street 

Castlethorpe, MK19 7EL 

castlethorpe@acornchildcare.co.uk 

01908 510222 

www.acornchildcare.co.uk 

Leisure 


25

What’s On – July/August 2017 

HISTORY, ARTS & 

CRAFTS 

Wolverton & District 

Archaeological & Historical 

Society 

Paul Blinkhorn A Day in the 

Life of Time Team 7.30pm, 

Wednesday 20 September. 

St Mary & St Giles School. 

King George Crescent, Stony 

Stratford 

Buckingham Canal Society 

Restoration of disused canal– 

practical conservation work. 

10.00am alternate Thursdays 

and 2nd Sunday each month 

Lock Lane, Cosgrove, 

MK19 7JR. 01908 661217 

Athinabec@aol.com 

www. buckinghamcanal.org.uk 

Craft Social Club 

All crafts welcome. Pop in for a 

cup of tea & chat. Old Stratford 

Memorial Hall. Mondays 2.00- 

4.30pm. 01908 380777 

Cosgrove Art Group 

Welcomes new members. 

Cosgrove Village Hall. Tuesday 

10.00am- 12.00 noon. Joy 

01908 677679 

Milton Keynes Aviation 

Society (MKAS) 

Invasion 1940 – What if? 

11 JulyNighfighters over 

Lincolnshire 8 AugustSilver City 

Airways – The first 70 years12 

September. 8pm doors open 

7.30pm 2nd Tuesday each 

month Kents Hill Community 

Centre MK6 6HQ Visitors £3 

www.mkas.co.uk mkasinfo@ 

gmail.com 

Milton KeynesNational 

Trust Association 

Summer Social 7.30pm, 12 July. 

Milton Keynes Museum, its 

collections and the future Bill 

Griffiths, Director, 7.45pm 13 

September. New members and 

guests welcome. 01908 314151 

Cruck Barn, Bradwell Abbey. 

Stony Stratford Floral Group 

Tour of York House Garden4 

July, Floral Gems demonstration 

by Gill Mills 1 August.High 

Days and Holidays by Martin 

Capel 5 September. Visitors 

£8.00 Doors open 7.00pm for 

7.30pm Sue 01908 564453 or 

Judy 01908 569429. Russell 

Street School Hall, Stony 

Stratford 

The North Bucks 

Woodturning Club 

Courtyard Arts Centre, 

Parklands, Great Linford, Milton 

Keynes Saturdays 10.00am- 

12.00pm 01908 311243 

pip.watts@btconnect.com 

The National Museum 

of Computing 

For tours, Colossus Galleries, 

booking recommended see 

www.tnmoc.org/bytes Bletchley 

Park, The Mansion, Bletchley, 

Milton Keynes MK3 6DZ. 01908 

374708 

Vitreus Art Courses 

Variety of art and craft courses. 

Vitreus Art, No. 4 Wakefield 

Country Courtyard, Potterspury 

NN12 7QX 01327 810320 

www.vitreus-art.co.uk 

Westbury Arts Centre 

For art courses Foxcovert Road, 

Shenley Wood, Milton Keynes, 

MK5 6AA 01908 501214 admin@ 

westburyartscentre.co.uk 

www.westburyartscentre.co.uk 

Yardley Gobion History Group 

Meets village hall 8pm, 1st 

Thursday of the month 

01908 542322 

babskingyg@talktalk.net 

CHILDREN 

Act Out & Act Up 

Term-time drama group 

forall levels of 7-14 year olds, 

covering theatrical skills – 

acting, story telling and the 

spoken word etc. Act Out for 

6-10yrs 4.30-5.30pm, and Act 

Up for 11-16yrs 5.40-6.40pm. 

Both on Thursdays. York House 

Centre, Stony Stratford. 

info@redphoenixstory.co.uk 

Brownies and Guides 

South Northants Brownies 

(7- 10yrs) Guides (10-14yrs) 

Every Mon, Tues & Wed. South 

Northants Rainbows (5- 7yrs) 

Every Wed. 

Call Emma 01908 571244 

Wolverton and Stony Stratford 

Rainbows, Brownies and 

Guides. Rainbows 5-7yrs meet 

Thursdays Brownies 7-10yrs 

meet Wednesdays. Guides 

10 – 14 yrs meet Mondays. 

wolvertondc@outlook.com 

Towcester Brownies Brownies 

– Tuesday, Wednesday and 

Thursday.Guides – Monday 

and Thursday. Hattie – Guider 

in Charge 3rd Towcester 

Brownies, 07776 257398 

3rdtowcesterbrownies@gmail.com 

Beaver and Scouts 

1st Stony Stratford Beaver 

Scouts (6-8yrs), Mondays 

1st Stony Stratford Cub Scouts 

(8-10.5yrs), Thursdays 1st Stony 

Stratford Scouts (10.5-14yrs), 

Tuesdays. For boys & girls 

www.facebook. 

com/1stStonyStratford 

Email: alby@backstage.co.uk 

Cosgrove Playdate! 

Drop in and out for under 5s, 

meet friends, share a toy, drink 

and biscuit or bring a snack. 

10.30am-12.00 noon, 3rd 

Thursday of the month. St Peter 

and St Paul Church, Cosgrove. 

Deanshanger Library 

Rhyme time 2.15pm every 

Thursday Under 1s Playand 

Learn 10.30am every 

Wednesday 

Summer Reading Challenge 

(SRC) 2017 

10am-2pm Saturday 15 July 

Introduction to “Animal 

Agents” SRC, sign up 

3pm- 5.30pm Thursday 27 July 

FODL SRC themed fun. 

3pm-5.30pm Thursday 3, 10, 

17, 24 and 31 August FODL 

SRC themed fun Thursdays 

Stony Stratford Library 

Under 5s Rhyme Time 11- 

11.30am, Thursday 

www.miltonkeynes.gov.uk/libraries 

York House Junior Youth Club 

Ages 8 -12 6.00pm-7.30pm 

Mondays during termtime. 

yorkhouseyouthclubs@hotmail.com 

Maria 07988 078056 

www.york-house.org.uk 

York House Senior Youth Club 

Ages 12 – 16 years 6.00pm- 

7.45pm Wednesdays during 

termtime Tash 07949 402862 

tash.youth@ymail.com 

Stony Stratford & 

Wolverton Library 

Stories, songs and rhymes for 

under 5s and carers, free 11.00- 

11.30pm, Thursdays Stony 

Stratford. 2.00-2.30pm, Fridays 

Wolverton.Term time only 

www.miltonkeynes.gov.uk/libraries 

MUSIC 

Jazz – New Orleans Jazz Club 

With Good Time Jazz Trevor 

Jeavons. £3 entry on the door. 

01908 569432 

www.goodtimejazz.co.uk, 

8.00pm-10.30pm, 1st 

Wednesday of month The Cock 

Hotel, Stony Stratford 

Jazz Jam 

Terry Marshall (tenor sax) and 

The Hounds with other local 

musicians. The Fox & Hounds, 

Stony Stratford Free entry. 

8.30pm Every Thursday. 

Junction 14 Ladies A Cappella 

Singing for pleasure and 

fundraising. Rehearsals 7.30pm 

Thursdays Drama Studio 

Shenley Brook End Secondary 

School, Milton Keynes. 

To join 01908 678558. 

To hire01908 667029 

bookings@junction14.org 

www.junction14.org 

MK Acapella Men 

Barbershop Chorus Rehearsals 

every Monday Stantonbury 

School, Bradville,Milton 

Keynes. To join: 

membership@mkacapella.com 

To hire: bookings@mkacapella.com 

www.mkacapella.com 

Milton Keynes Acoustic 

Tuition in roots guitar, fiddle 

and penny whistle. Beginners to 

advanced. 1st & 3rd Thursday 

Community Centre, Britten 

Grove, Old Farm Park, Milton 

Keynes. johntimpany@aol.co.uk 

www.mkamc.co.uk 

Music Makers ofMilton 

KeynesChoral 

Music and singing. Rehearsals 

Stony Stratford. 7.30pm- 

9.30pm Thursdays 

Call Teresa 07928156006 

The Song Loft 

Isla St Clair 8.15, 1 September. 

£7.70 Performers Night 8.15, 

15 September £3.00 songloft@ 

gmail.com www.thesongloft. 

co.uk The Cock Hotel Stony 

Stratford MK11 1AH 

Scribal Gathering 

Stony Stratford’s premier music 

& spoken word open mic – 

hosted by Jonathan JT Taylor. 

Welcomes musicians, poets 

and all performers. Headline 

performances from acclaimed 

acts. Upstairs at The Crown, 

Market Square, Stony Stratford. 

7.30pm for 8.00pm- 11.00pm, 

2nd Tuesday of every month. 

Free entry. www.facebook.com/ 

ScribalGathering 

The Towcester Choral Society 

Rehearsals Towcester Town 

Hall, 7.30pm-9.30pm Tuesday. 

01327 353314 or membership@ 

towcesterchoralsociety.org.uk 

www.towcesterchoralsociety.org.uk 

See Facebook and Twitter 

DANCE 

Old Mother Redcaps 

Ladies Morris dancing side, 

looking for dancers & musicians. 

Swinfen Harris Hall, Stony 

Stratford, 8.00-10.00pm Mon 

Catherine 01908 667112 

Potterspury Dance Club 

Ballroom and sequence 

dancers. New members 

26 



welcome £2.50. John & Di 

01604 862632 8pm-10pm 

Tuesday, Potterspury Village 

Hall. 

Rose and Castle Morris 

New members welcome. Stoke 

Bruerne Village Hall 8.30– 

10.30pm every Wednesday. 

Ian 07860 277046 

ianwelborn@talktalk.net or 

www.rose-castlemorris.org.uk 

Triple K Western Line Dancers 

Improvers class 7.30pm-9.00pm 

Thurs, Haversham Social & 

Community Centre. Beginners 

class 10.45am-11.45am, 

Deanshanger Memorial Centre. 

Kay or Andrew on 

01525 376172 

Royal Scottish CountryDance 

SocietyMilton Keynes 

Classes 8.00pm- 10.00pm 

Mondays, Bradwell Village 

Memorial Hall MK12 9AG. 

New & experienced dancers 

welcome. 07877 153259 

MARKETS 

Monthly Farmers Markets 

Market Square, Stony Stratford 

Last Friday 9.00am- 1.00pm 

Towcester Nr Waitrose 2nd 

Friday 9.00am-1.00pm 

Wolverton Road/Creed Street, 

Wolverton 1st and 3rd Saturday 

9am-1.00pm 

Milton Keynes Country Market, 

Local produce, baking, crafts, 

plants, cafe. The Old Bath 

House, Stratford Rd, Wolverton. 

Free entry. Fridays 8.00am- 12 

noon. 

Timor Court Market, Stony 

Stratford. Fruit, veg, flowers and 

other stalls. Saturdays 

LEISURE 

Coffee mornings 

Yardley Gobion Coffee 

Shop drinks, cakes and chat, 

everybody welcome, toys 

available for children 10.30am- 

12noon 3rd Saturday of month 

Reading Group 

Meet 2.00pm second Friday of 

month, Deanshanger Library 

01908 562889paula.culley@ 

firstforwellbeing.co.uk 

The Knit and Natter 

Learn to knit and natter 3.30- 

4.00pm First & third Friday of 

month, Learn to knit and sewing 

for children. Thursdays (term 

time only) 3.30pm- 4.00pm 

Deanshanger Library, Little 

London, Deanshanger 

MK19 6HT. 01908 562889 

paula.culley@firstforwellbeing.co.uk 

Deanshanger Sports Club 

Social Evenings 

In partnership with 

Deanshanger Colts and Divas. 

Little London, Deanshanger 

MK19 6HU 01908 567137 

Facebook Deanshanger 

sportsandsocialclub 

Stony Stratford Tuesday Night 

Charity Curry Club Quiz 

Fun general knowledge quiz 

and meal – teams of 4 – £15 

per head £24k raised for 

Willen Hospice and Rett UK 

since 2008. Naidni Restaurant, 

Wolverton Road, Stony 

Stratford. 8-10pm, 1st Tuesday 

of every month www.facebook. 

com/groups/StonyStratford 

TuesdayNightCharity 

CurryClubQuiz 

Wolverton Community 

Orchard Gardening Day 

10.00am– 3.00pm Tuesdays 

weather permitting all welcome. 

Yvonne 01908 320405 or 

Mandy on 01908 319719 

Towcester Bridge Club 

Friendly duplicate bridge. Table 

Money £2.50 for members 

£3.50 for visitors. Membership 

£10 annually. 

New players welcome Meet 

7.20pm for 7.30pm, Tuesdays 

Towcester Conservative Club 

Lynda Riecken, lynda@riecken. 

co.uk www.bridgewebs.com/ 

towcester 

Towcester & District 

Art Society 

Meet Thursdays Paulerspury 

Village Hall. Len Lane 01908 

569425 or 07957 281493 www. 

towcesterart.com 

SENIORS 

Senior Citizens 

Afternoon Tea, coffee, homemade 

cakes. All welcome. 

Last Fridayof month, 

2.00pm-4.00pm, Memorial 

Hall, Deanshanger Road, Old 

Stratford (by village shop). 

Havencourt ShelteredHome 

Bingo 7.00pm Mon & 2.00pm 

Weds Coffee Morning 

Fri 10.30am jean.miller@ 

southnorthantshomes.co.uk 

Ridgmont, Deanshanger 

WOMEN’S 

INSTITUTE 

Bradwell WI 

Interesting speakers, tea and 

cake, warm welcome. Olive 

Stewart 01908 310267. 2.30pm, 

3rd Tuesday of month Sports 

& Social Club, Abbey Road, 

Bradwell Village. 

Castlethorpe WI 

Meet 7.30pm, 2nd Thurs of 

month Castlethorpe Village 

Hall. castlethorpewi@gmail.com 

Cosgrove WI 

Meet 7.30pm, 1st Tues of the 

Month, Cosgrove Village Hall 

Deanshanger WI 

Visitors £3.50 7.30pm, 

2nd Thursday of month, 

Memorial Community Centre, 

Deanshanger 

Hanslope WI 

Visitors welcome 7.30pm, 1st 

Tuesday of month, Hanslope 

Village Hall. R. Simpson 01908 

510516 tubs@full-moon.eclipse. 

co.uk 

Potterspury WI 

Visitor fee £3.00 7.30pm, 1st 

Wed of month, Village Hall 

Stony Stratford WI London 

Road, Stony Stratford MK11 

1AJ. 07738 054915 Facebook: 

Stony Nightingales WI 

www.snwi.co.uk 

Stony Nightingales WI 8pm, 

2nd Thursday of month. 

Swinfen Harris Hall, London 

Road, Stony Stratford MK11 

1AJ. 07738 054915 Facebook: 

Stony Nightingales WI 

www.snwi.co.uk 

Towcester Evening WI 

7.00pm for 7.30-9.30pm, 

1st Thursday of month,. 

Riverside Centre, Islington 

Road, Towcester NN12 7AU 

towcesterwi.blogspot. co.uk/ 

www.facebook.com/ 

Yardley Gobion WI 

7.30pm 2nd Thursday of the 

month. Yardley Gobion Village 

Hall. Visitor fee £3 

New Manor WI 

Wolverton 7.45pm 2nd 

Wednesday of the month. 

The Christian Foundation, The 

Square, Wolverton MK12 5DX 

EVENTS 

Roots School 

1st home grown Ceilidh – 

tuition in all ‘roots’ acoustic 

instruments. 7.30pm-10.00pm 

8 July, The Community Centre 

in Britton Grove, Old Farm Park 

Castlethorpe Open Gardens 

Over 18 open gardens to view. 

Park adjacent to Castle Field, 

the Village Hall and Open 

Gardens. Proceeds to Village 

Hall Fund and other village 

projects. Sunday, 9 July 

Hula Animal Rescue 

Children’s Fun Day 

Activities for pets and children. 

Adults £2, Children 50p. 

Proceeds for care & welfare 

of Hula’s animals 1pm– 

4pm, Sunday 9 July 

01908 584000 Glebe 

Farm, Salford Road, Aspley 

Guise, Milton Keynes MK17 

8HZ www.hularescue.org 

MK Feast Food revolution 

Bradwell Abbey, Alston Drive, 

Milton Keynes MK13 9AP 

www. mkfoodrevolution.org 

16 July 

Cosgrove Garden Party 

Saturday 22 July see page 16 

Cosgrove Canal Festival 

& Craft Fair 

Sat 22-Sun 23 July see page 30 

Westbury Arts Centre Comedy 

Cow Festival 

Comedy, music, joke writing, 

food from local street food 

stalls tickets from £10 28-30 

July www.mkcomedyfest.co.uk 

Westbury Arts Centre Kid’s 

Workshops 

Summer workshops for children 

every Wednesday in August. 

www.westburyartscenbtre.co.uk 

Silverfox Dcc Model 

Railway Exhibition And 

Classic Car Display 

Over 30 layouts, trades, 

outdoor train rides, classic car 

display, train simulator. 

Silverfox DCC Model Railway 

Club, Oakgrove School, Brickhill 

Street MK10 9JQ. Adults £6, 

Children £2. 01908 225249 

10am-4pm, 12 August 

Paulerspury Art Exhibition 

26-28 August see page 22 

Milton Keynes Museum 

1940s weekend. 

11.00am-4.30pm, 2-3 Sept 

McConnell Drive, MK12 5EL 

www.mkmuseum.org.uk 

Hanslope Horticultural Show 

Entrants arrive 8am, judging 

12pm and viewings at 2pm 

2 September Facebook: 

Hanslope Horticultural Show. 

Village Hall, Hanslope 

Cosgrove History Talk 

Pictures, stories, artefacts and 

more Saturday 9, Sunday 10 

September St Peter and Paul 

Church, Cosgrove 

Boobs & Brass in concert with 

Bradwell Silver Band 

30 September – see page 22 


27


SPORTS: WHAT’S ON 

Aerobic 

Fitness Happy Bodies www.happybodies.co.uk,Furtho Court, Old 

Stratford, MK19 6AN. 01908 477066 

Badminton 

Feathers Badminton Club 2.00-4.00pm Wed £3. Mill Mead Hall, 

Wolverton. 01908 373966 or mr.baldwin@btinternet.com 

Bowling 

Castlethorpe Short Mat Bowls Club. Castlethorpe Village Hall, 

Tues 2.15- 4.15pm, Wed 7.30-9.30pm & Fri evenings Dave 07731 

670457 

Paulerspury Bowling Club. 7.30pm Tues Paulerspury Village Hall. 

Contact Ann on 01327 811352. 

Stony Stratford Bowls Club. Club Secretary 01908 565659 

www.stonystratfordbowlsclub.co Ancell Trust Sports Ground, 

Ostlers Lane, Stony Stratford, MK11 1AR 

Wolverton Town Bowls Club. Junction with Cambridge Street and 

Furze Way, Wolverton. Joe 01908 562952 

Croquet Stony Stratford Croquet Club 

Ostlers Lane, Stony Stratford MK11 1AR. Roy 01908 566345 

Cycling 

Twenty3c Shop Bike Ride. Meet at shop, 01908 260322 

Football 

Deanshanger Colts & Divas. www.deanshangercolts.co.uk 

Martial Arts 

Karate. Huw 07739 707455 www.karategoju.co.uk 

Karate & Kickboxing. See page 13 

Jado Kuin Do Family Martial Arts. Emma Bacon 07790 296737. 

Stantonbury Judo Club. www.stantonburyjudoclub.co.uk 

RunStony 

Local running group for all abilities. facebook.com/runstony 

Squash 

Turn up and play. 

£3 members,£5 nonmembers. Kiln Farm 077294 14000 

Sailing 

Haversham Sailing Club, all ages welcome. Experienced helms. 

www.havershamsc.org 24 High Street, Haversham MK19 7DX 

Table Tennis 

Towcester and District Table Tennis. All abilities welcome Rod 

Barr 01604 847948 or 07885 108559. www.tabletennis365.com/ 

Towcester 

Tennis 

Wolverton Tennis Club Coaching. Pete Tolaini, 0774 0004548. 

wolvertontennis@ hotmail.com, Facebook, clubspark.lta.org.uk/ 

Walking Stony Stratford 

Local Walking Group, 45-60 minutes at your own pace followed by 

tea, coffee and a chat. Meet Mill Lane/ Willow Lane. Mary Kendall 

01908 260570. Winslow District Ramblers www.bucksvoice.net/ 

winslowdistrict-ramblers-group. Buckingham and District Walking 

Group approx 10miles fortnightly, alternate Saturdays / Sundays. 

Friendly group, new members welcome. John 07921 823189 

Essential Numbers… 

For all the everyday useful numbers you may need 

HOSPITALS 

Milton Keynes General Hospital 01908 660033 

Northampton General Hospital 01604 634700 

HEALTH CENTRES 

Hanslope Practice 01908 510230 

Paulerspury Practice 01327 811630 

Stony Medical Centre 01908 260382 

Stony Stratford Health Visitors, Physios 01908 565555 

The Stonedean Practice 01908 261155 

Towcester Medical Centre 01327 359953 

Wolverton Health Centre 01908 222954 

Wolverton Health Visitors, District Nurses, 

Podiatry, Physiotherapy 01908 316633 

NHS Direct Textphone 111 

INFORMATION SERVICES 

AgeUK Information and Advice 01908 560822 

SUPPORT LINES 

Samaritans 0845 790 9090 

Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 769 7555 

28 

OPTICIANS 

DW Roberts Optometrists 01908 562355 

VETERINARY SURGEONS 

The Vet Centre 

Old Stratford 01908 567272 

Maids Moreton 01280 812057 

POLICE 

Non emergency calls 101 

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 

Victim Support Line 0845 30 30 900 

Emergencies 999 

COUNCILS 

Aylesbury Vale District Council 01296 585858 

Buckinghamshire County Council 01296 395000 

Text phone 01296 383111 

Milton Keynes Council 01908 691691 

Northamptonshire County Council 0300 126 1000 

South Northamptonshire Council 0845 2300226 


Professional Business Services 

The Co-Operative Legal Services estimate that 38,000 

families end up in prolonged probate disputes, with up 

to 10% of the value of an estate lost in fees. If you aren’t 

married to your partner, have children from previous 

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

overseas properties or investments or are unsure about 

inheritance tax, get professional advice. And remember, if 

a professionally written will is later found to be defective in 

any way, your family will have someone to sue. 

For more information talk to Ashley Mirfin 

from Simply Wills 01908 866541 


The Co-Operative Legal Services estimate that 38,000 

families end up in prolonged probate disputes, with up 

to 10% of the value of an estate lost in fees. If you aren’t 

married to your partner, have children from previous 

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

overseas properties or investments or are unsure about 

inheritance tax, get professional advice. And remember, if 

a professionally written will is later found to be defective in 

any way, your family will have someone to sue. 

For more information talk to Ashley Mirfin 

from Simply Wills 01908 866541 

Call Emma on 01908 380777 


29 31

Community 

A resounding success 

The Willis Pipe Organ Restoration and Reach-Out project 

is now complete. After three years of restoration, the organ 

with its Victorian Heritage will look and sound magnificent 

long into the future. 

As part of the restoration project, a fascinating history 

has been compiled, which can be viewed on- line or as a 

DVD. Volunteers will provide on-going educational visits 

and musical events. Post restoration they have already 

organised 26 events using the organ with over 3,000 

participants. They have also trained volunteers to support 

Education and Community Music activities. 

The support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, which 

amounted to £82,700, has been fundamental in achieving 

this goal and Fr Ross Northing said, “The Rector, 

Churchwardens and Parochial Church Council are very 

grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund, the huge number of 

volunteer fundraisers and the countless people who have 

supported fund-raising events.” 

A 3-day Pipe Organ Festival is planned between 8–10 

September as part of Heritage Open Days. It will include a 

Silent Movie with pipe organ, a musical Teddy Bears’ Picnic, 

Hands on Our Willis!, a Gala Organ Concert, a Heritage 

exhibition, a lunchtime recital and a requests recital. 

To learn more visit: www.musicforallsmsg.org 

Buckingham Canal 

Society – annual canal 

festival and craft fair 

Cosgrove Lock, Grand Union Canal 

and Cosgrove Village Hall 

22-23 July 

Once again the annual canal festival is returning to 

Cosgrove Lock. You will be able to enjoy historic 

narrowboats, craft stalls, trade boats, children’s games and 

the popular tombola. There is also an opportunity to go 

on one of the public boat trips up the canal from Cosgrove 

Wharf. This is a free event and everyone is welcome. 

To book a stall or mooring email 

events@buckinghamcanal.org.uk 

For further details please contact 

Athina Beckett 01908 661217 

30 Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts

Professional Services 

Saxon Bridge 

10 year 

celebration 

12 noon – 4pm Saturday, 5 August 

360 Stratford Road, Wolverton 

Head on down to Saxon Bridge to help them 

celebrate their 10 year anniversary. They have 

some great activities planned while raising 

money for local charities like Emily’s Star, Harry’s 

Rainbow, The Hollie Foundation, Rhiley’s Smile 

and MacIntyre. 

These charities work tirelessly to support local 

people and their needs. 

In addition they are collecting tinned food to 

support The Food Bank in MK. 

MKFM will also be at this fun event and so 

you’ll be guaranteed some great music. With 

popcorn and candyfloss, organic ice-creams and 

other local foods and drinks, what’s not to love? 

Hope to see you there! 


31

Home Services 

Asbestos in the home 

Until its ban in 1999, the building 

industry used asbestos for a variety of 

purposes -fireproofing, insulation and 

roofing. Its ban came about because 

of the harmful fibres that are released 

when it is damaged. Without damage 

it is safe but fibres released pose 

a risk of lung cancer, asbestosis or 

mesothelioma. 

Asbestos is found in everyday 

items like artex, floor tiles, rainwater 

pipes and garage roofs. Simple 

home improvements or accidents 

can damage it – a burst water pipe 

could attack the coating on your artex 

releasing fibres. 

Home insurance only covers 

removal of asbestos as part of a 

damage claim, rather than removal 

when identified. Asbestos in good 

condition should be monitored for 

damage and repaired or isolated if 

damaged. Removal, however is the 

only permanent solution. A specialist 

will normally locate your asbestos 

and take samples for analysis at an 

approved laboratory. Asbestos should 

only ever be handled by a competent 

professional who complies with 

current Health and Safety legislation. 

Any concerns call Paul on 01604 240507 or 07738 786572 • www.uk-asbestos.co.uk 

Reduce your risk 

Electrical faults are a common cause of domestic fire and 

while rewiring isn’t cheap it could cost you less in the long run. 

You should rewire or upgrade your electrics every 

25-30 years to bring them in line with current standards. 

Damaged, worn and out-of-date wiring and sockets as well 

as overuse of extension leads can cause overloading and 

risk of fire. 

Tell-tale signs suggesting a rewire include fuses blowing 

and sockets overheating or not working. Evidence of 

vermin like rats or mice is also an indicator. A rewire should 

include new cables, sockets and fuse box. If you haven’t 

had a rewire since 1984 your electrician may also need to 

install an earth cable to prevent risk of an electric shock. 

Under current building regulations home owners should 

have their electrical installations tested every 10 years and 

landlords every 5 years. 

Get in touch Gary Lince 07973 666 436 

www.inspec-electrical-contractors.co.uk 

info@inspec-electrical-contractors.co.uk 

Those annoying 

little drips… 

If you notice water dripping from your tap spout the washer 

or ceramic disc/cartridge may be damaged and need 

replacing. Water leaks around the diverter leaver on your 

shower mixer tap or around the base of the swivel spout or 

around the spindle of your sink tap are likely to be caused 

by a faulty gland. Wear and tear, back pressure or lack of 

grease may be the cause. 

Before carrying out any work on your taps always turn 

off the water supply at the stop cock or the isolating valve 

for the relevant tap. Once turned off, turn on your taps to 

empty the water in the system, then put the plug in the sink 

hole to prevent anything falling down the wastepipe. 

If you don’t know what you are doing or don’t have the 

right tools you could cause further damage and it may be 

cheaper to call a plumber. 

From leaks to new toilets, bathrooms, kitchens or 

central heating issues you can get your problem 

sorted by calling local plumber. See page 34 for some 

great local plumbers. 

32 


Home Services 

Delivery people 

required for 

Essentially Local. 

Good rates of pay. 

Call Emma on 01908 380777 


33

Home Services 


32 Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts 

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts 

34 32 


Home Services 


35

Competition 



39 

To 36 advertise please call 01908 380777 

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts 41

Home Services 


37


adache? 

The UK European Consumer Centre 

is co-funded by the UK Government’s 

Department for Business, Innovation 

and Skills (BIS) and the European 

Commission. 

There is a European Consumer 

Centre in every EU country, as well as 

in Norway and Iceland, so you can get 

help and advice at home for problems 

that occurred abroad. 

So if you have shopped abroad 

and you need some help, contact the 

European Consumer Centre 

E-mail: ecc@tsi.org.uk 

Telephone +44(0)1268 886 690 

(lines open 9am – 4pm) 

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

contact-us/index.cfm 

n Consumer Centre 

-wide network of 30 

umer Centres (ECCformation 

for UK 

ho are having 

th a company based in 

pean country; 

n disputes where the 

d trader are unable to 

ive outcome. 

38 Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts 

To advertise Please mention please Essentially call 01908 380777 Local when responding to adverts

Home Services 

Building Interiors 

33 


39 33

Trading Standards 

Overseas travel tips with the sites you will need 

1 A European Health Insurance Card 

gives free or discounted medical 

treatment in state-run hospitals in 

any European Union country, plus 

a few others. The card is free and 

should be in date – keep it with 

you to use in emergencies. Apply 

through the official site www.ehic. 

org.uk or you may be charged. 

2 Check visa and other entry 

requirements. They take time to 

confirm and have a cost. The USA 

offers the ESTA visa-waiver scheme 

and you may need a ‘chipped’ 

passport. Apply at https://esta. 

cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html. 

Ensure your travel insurance 

provider covers your destination 

or they may refuse to pay out for 

issues if declared unsafe. Get advice 

from foreign travel advice service 

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice 

3 The UK licence is valid in the EU 

but you will need an international 

driving permit for around 140 

countries including the USA, India 

and Thailand. These cost £5.50 

and should only be obtained from 

the Post Office, the RAC or the 

AA. Get to know the local driving 

regulations before you go. Use 

the AA website for information on 

driving laws by country – www. 

theaa.com/european-breakdowncover/driving-in-europe/countryby-country. 

Some European cities 

have restricted driving times, 

emissions charges and require 

emission stickers (vignette). It can 

take 30 days to apply for a vignette 

and you may be fined without it. 

Planning a trip to France: Go to 

www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/en/ 

demande and French Environment 

Ministry at www.certificat-air.gouv. 

fr/en/simulation 

4 Sun cream has limited life and may 

be less effective, check the date. 

5 The star rating system for hotels 

isn’t standardised. It may indicate 

facilities rather than quality and may 

not live up to your expectations, so 

check reviews on Trip Advisor and 

similar companies. 

Claire Kendall 

Trading Strandards, Milton Keynes 

35 

40 


Home Services 

Home Services 


41 37 

Call Emma on 01908 380777 


35 41

Domestic Services 


42 


Domestic Services 

Call Emma on 01908 380777 


43

Gardening 

Stony Stratford in Bloom 

Britain in Bloom Judging – volunteers 

are preparing for the judges to review 

their hard work beginning with the It’s 

your Neighbourhood Groups in Stony 

Stratford on 10 July. 

The Parks Trust Youth Rangers 

helped launch the Britain in Bloom 

year by planting primroses and 

cowslips at the North End Pond 

area. This also contributes to the 

RHS theme Greening Grey Britain for 

Wildlife. 

Change-over 

At the beginning of June, Stony 

Stratford in Bloom and the Stony 

Stratford Business Association placed 

their summer sizzling red and orange 

flowers into baskets with white and 

blues into planters. 

Events 

The Annual SSIB Plant Sale and York 

House Coffee and Cake morning 

made a record £625 for SSIB funds. 

The Town Crier let everyone know 

while the bard celebrated in verse. 

Stony Stratford’s thespians entertained 

visitors who also enjoyed cakes and 

coffee. Children planted York House’s 

new sharing bed. 

Hobby Horse Nursery children 

celebrated the magnificent bluebells 

in the Bluebell Wood. Children 

also enjoyed the hanging basket 

workshops funded by MK Community 

Foundation at The Big Lunch in Stony 

and the Fuller’s Slade party. The gold 

and blue colour scheme reflects the 

50 Years of Milton Keynes. 

St Mary and St Giles school children 

added Mediterranean flavours to 

this year’s seeds – tomatoes and 

courgettes as well as aubergines and 

red peppers. 

Diary date 

• 8 July – Community Tidy Day 

Mouth-watering English Cherries – luscious and local! 

Make sure you pay a visit to the 

English Cherry Co at Aspley Guise 

this summer. For 3-4 weeks between 

July and August you can savour the 

deliciously mouth-watering flavours of 

8 varieties of cherry. 

At the farm shop you can learn 

about the growth and harvest of this 

marvellous fruit, perhaps even swap 

recipes with other customers. This 

season is likely to start from around 10 

July and the shop opens daily during 

this period from 9am-6pm. If you can’t 

make it to the shop, keep an eye open 

at local outlets and in the lay-bys for 

places to stop and buy. 

Three generations of the family 

manage the 2,000 cherry trees, from 

tending to them to marketing and 

selling the product at the end. For the 

most up-to-date information follow 

twitter@englishcherry or sign up to 

their seasonal reminder service. 

The size, quality and taste of the fruit 

has to be experienced to be believed. 

Visit www.englishcherry.co.uk or 

follow @englishcherry for more 

information and to be kept up-to-date. 

44 


Garden Services 


45

Gardening 

Ants in your plants! 

Ants don’t actually damage our 

plants and trees, it is the destructive 

sap-sucking aphids that they protect 

who cause the problem. During 

the summer they are a nuisance – 

building their nests on our lawns and 

disturbing the soil around the roots of 

our shrubs, not to mention the bites 

they can deliver, but they do little else. 

Ants feed on insects but the 

honeydew excreted by aphids is 

their favourite food. As a result ants 

protect them from ladybirds and 

other predators. The aphids can then 

happily munch their way through our 

leaves. 

Destroy a nest and another queen 

ant will take over and establish even 

more nests. Powders and other 

controls have limited effect, as the 

nests go deep into the soil. Best 

advice is to leave them alone! 

Small gardens 

Turning your 

garden into a room 

Gardens are becoming complete rooms featuring 

outdoor kitchens and relaxing, ambient spaces. You 

can fit your own sink, weatherproof kitchen storage, 

grills and pizza ovens. Garden furniture has taken 

on a new lease of life with natural looking materials, 

clever storage, reduced maintenance and lower 

costs. Furniture and accessories are not just functional 

though – colour and style is everything. Look for sofas, 

swing chairs, softer retro, vintage and natural styles 

in wicker, rattan or wrought iron. Complement your 

seating with coffee tables, ottomans and bean bags. 

Create magic and romance with colourful fairy lights, 

fire pits and candles; they don’t just add warmth. 

Install lighting that highlights the structure of your 

plants. Outdoor rugs and sleekly designed seating 

with cushions should come in pastel, natural and 

fresher yellow and fuchsias colours for an up to the 

minute look. Once your plants are in place your room 

will be complete. 

Miniature gardens will bring life and colour to your new 

room, as well as coping in shade. Fill a large container 

with tiny trees and shrubs like lemon cypress, boxwood, 

euonymus japonica and carex berggenii. They’re easy 

to manage and have minimal growth. 

With dry weather, choose drought-resistant plants 

that require minimal effort but give colour and structure 

to your garden. Lavender and jasmine bring beautiful 

aromas, grasses like cortaderia selloana or pennisetum 

alopecuroides offer sound and colour. Fill your borders 

with amaranthus (love lies bleeding) and calendula 

officinalis (marigold). The RHS have more great ideas. 

To add sophistication and glamour fill spaces, soften 

structures and add colour. Pack window boxes with 

bulbs to brighten the wall and pop plants like sedum 

on your table tops. Place terracotta pots with flowers 

and shrubs around the garden. Use vertical gardening 

ideas to impress your friends – hang jars filled with 

herbs on a wall or drill a hole in a plumbing pipe, 

stand it upright and fill it with strawberries or trailing 

tomatoes, securing it against breezes. 

46 




47

Advertisers 

ACCOMMODATION 

Cotels Serviced Apartments 31 

Furtho Manor Farm 29 

AERIAL & CABLE 

MKL Cable Solutions 33 

BUILDING & PROPERTY SERVICES 

Antony Thompson Architect 34 

Three Shires Group Services 35 

Handyman Property Services 36 

Hickford Construction Ltd 36 

KAS Builders 38 

Ian Bodily Building Services 36 

Morris Roofing 38 

Premier Improvements 38 

Thomas Betts & Co 38 

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL 

Cotels Serviced Apartments 31 


MK Box Self Storage 29 

Simplified Accounting 29 

Simply Wills 29 

Trading Standards 40 

CHILDREN & YOUTH 

Acorn Childcare 25 

Milton Keynes Museum 30 

Willow Tree Pre-school 24, 25 

CLEANING & DOMESTIC 

Carpet Pride MK 43 

Cooker Pride 43 

Domestique 43 

Grace Bardin Garments, 

Alterations & Restyling 43 

Haberdashery 40 

Linda’s Sewing Services 40 

Stony Dry Cleaning 42 

Ovenvaleting 42 

Rob Bracey, Septic Tank 34 

The Stainbusters 42 

Quality Care Ironing Service 40 

COMPUTER SALES & REPAIRS 

Baldox Computing 29 

ELECTRICAL SERVICES 

Inspec Electrical Contractors 32 

Microwave Service Centre 33 

MKL Cable Solutions 33 

MJ Electrics 33 

EDUCATION 

Alliance Francaise 25 

FLOWERS 

Branch Out 23 

FOOD & DRINK 

ARTea Room 9 

Bamboo Cottage Chinese Takeaway 21 

Blue Mountain Yard 9 

Direct Pizza Company 6, 19 

English Cherry 11, 44 

Moorgate Farm Local Produce 18 

The Crown, Stony Stratford 19 

The Stony Sweet Shop 25 

The White Lion, Wicken 21 

GARDEN SERVICES 

All Green Lawn Treatments 45 

Bartlett Tree Experts 45 

Creative Homes and Gardens 49 

Francis Rose Landscaping 

& Garden Services 49 

Graham Churchill Plant Ltd 49 

GreenThumb 45 

Hickford Construction 47 

Linnell Bros Ltd 47 

Maxwell Home & Garden Services 47 

Prestige Lawns 49 

Wasp Control 47 

HAIR, HEALTH & WELLBEING 

Action Physio 17 

Alchemy Therapy Centre 12, 13 

Andrew Hill Psychoanalysis, 

Psychotherapy & Counselling 17 

Beauty United 15 

Bee Beautiful 15 

Body Fitness Blitz 6 

Body IQ 6, 18 

Clive Heayns Podiatry 17 

Cloud 9 Spa 20 

Corinne Valor Personal Trainer 13 

Country Court Care 1,3 

Da Vinci Dental Clinic 14,15 

Elanele 6 

GlamouriZe 6 

Grand Union Physiotherapy 17 

Hair Design by Sharon 15 

Happy Bodies Fitness Centre 13 

Janice Skillman Foot Health 15 

Karate & Kickboxing MK 12, 13 

Lanh’s Nail Salon 14 

Massage in mind 17 

Pilates 13 

Towcester McTimoney Chiropractic 7,12 

HOME INTERIORS 

Carpetwise 41 

Daniel Chapman Antique Restoration 41 

Handyman Property Services 36 

Kenneth Hudson Interiors 39 

Linda’s Curtains and Blinds 42 

Maxwell Home & Garden Services 47 

Pip’s Interiors 8 

Table and Bench Co. 41 

Thomas Betts and Co. 41 

Universal Blinds 42 

Whittlewood Stoves 39 

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS 

On-Tap Installations 

34 

LEISURE & HOBBIES 

Alliance Francaise 25 

ARTea Room 9 

Bamboo Cottage 21 

Blue Mountain Yard 9 

Direct Pizza Co 6, 19 

DJ Tullyman 23 


Happy Bodies Fitness Centre 13 

Karate & Kickboxing MK 12, 13 

Milton Keynes Museum 30 

One Stop Craft Shop 23 

Pilates 13 

The Crown 19 

The Stony Sweet Shop 25 

The White Lion, Wicken 21 

Vitreus Art 23 

MOTORING & TRANSPORT 

G & G Autos 50,51 

Saxon Bridge.com 5, 31, 51 

Towcester Garage 50, 51 

PAINTERS & PLASTERERS 

Abercrombie Painter & Decorators 34 

BWB Plastering 39 

DPL Services 39 

SJ Adcock & Son 39 


PEST CONTROL 

Killem 40 

Wasp Control 47 

PETS & VETS 

Medical Detection Dogs 11 

RSPCA 10 

The Vet Centre 10,11 

PLUMBING, GAS SERVICING 

& HEATING 

Add Warmth 34 

On Tap Installations 34 

Premier Heating 34 

TAXIS 

Cusack Cars 6 

Skyline 52 

WASTE REMOVAL 

Graham Churchill Plant Ltd 49 

Rob Bracey, Septic Tanks 34 

UK Asbestos 32, 34 

WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES 

Cloudy 2 Clear 37 

Custom Glaze 37 


Win-Dor 2 

WILL WRITING 

Simply Wills 29 

Disclaimer: We gratefully acknowledge the support of businesses whose adverts appear in Essentially Local and we endeavour to 

make sure that all published information is accurate. The publishers cannot be held responsible for loss, damage or omission caused 

by error in the printing of adverts or other information. All artwork is accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods 

and services are fair and accurate. Advertisers are responsible for checking copyright on all images supplied. Essentially Local has 

not vetted the advertisers and cannot accept responsibility for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. We do not officially 

endorse any advertising material included within this magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval 

systems or transmitted in any form without prior consent of the publishers. The publishers cannot be held responsible for any nondelivery 

of Essentially Local. © Essentially Local 2017. 

48 


. 


49 


49

Motoring 

Keep cool as the weather warms 

Most cars come with air-conditioning 

to make driving on a hot summer’s 

day more bearable. Your car is cooled 

and humidity reduced to your desired 

level of comfort. 

Your air-conditioning system should 

be regularly checked and serviced 

to keep it working efficiently. Most 

manufacturers recommend the system 

is recharged with gas and lubricant at 

least every 2 years. With about 10% of 

the gas passing from the system every 

year, your car’s air-conditioning could 

warm up. If cold air stops blowing out 

through the vents or it becomes very 

noisy you may have a problem. 

Recharging is simple; it involves 

removing the old gas and oil from 

the system and replacing it with fresh 

refrigerant and lubricant. A vacuum 

test should also be carried out to check 

for cracks or damage that will cause 

a leak. In addition, a simple de-bug 

and replacement of filters will remove 

any unpleasant smells that develop if 

bacteria begin to grow in the unit. 

This isn’t normally part of a routine 

service so book your air-con check today. 

Editorial sponsored by 

G&G Autos, Unit 12, 

Beachampton Business Park, 

Milton Keynes, MK19 6EA 

01908 565790 

info@gandgautos.co.uk 

www.gandgautos.co.uk/home 

Potholes 

Potholes can damage cars and bicycles. The 

road controlling authority has a legal duty to 

maintain roads to a fit standard and you could 

make a claim for damage if repairs have not 

been carried out. You must prove that damage 

to your car was caused by the impact. 

• Report the pothole – it must be at least 

40mm deep. 

• Tell your insurer – whether you claim or 

not you must report the damage and it 

may affect your no claims bonus. 

• Take pictures & notes – when it’s safe, 

close-up and distance photos showing 

the pothole, as well as damage to your 

car. Record the time and date, the 

location and weather conditions. Provide 

details of any witnesses. 

• Measure – the hole’s depth, shape and 

circumference except on a motorway. 

• Receipts & mechanics report – To show 

work required. 

• Make a claim – check with the relevant 

authority. 

Nostalgia at its best 

Towcester Garage is possibly 

the oldest purpose – built 

garage in the UK. It opened 

in 1908 and continues to 

offer the same customerfriendly, 

honest approach. 

Steve Fowle bought the 

business 11 years ago and he 

loves the nostalgia and the 

fame that the garage boasts. 

Ferrari and Maserati Grand Prix cars were regulars. In the 1970s, Terry 

Kaby (the previous owner’s brother) and Bob Freebrough used it for 

their rally cars. RAC rally champion Timo Makinen called it the shed! 

Steve has stayed loyal to the original external look. Step inside and 

you’ll find a garage full of the latest diagnostic software and equipment 

essential for modern cars. It offers repairs, servicing and MOTs for all 

makes of cars and vans even those within the manufacturer’s warranty. 

Steve’s customers are equally loyal – since 2003, Steve Jones has 

taken his VW Passat to the Silverstone Garage, also owned by Steve. It’s 

had 48 services, 8 cam belt changes, it’s driven over half a million miles – 

yet the Passat has never broken down or needed a clutch change. 

To make a booking contact Towcester Garage Ltd – 

01327 350614 74 Watling Street East,Towcester, NN12 6AF 

50 


Motor & Transport 


51

Taxis 

52

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