Essentially Local November-December 2017

November/December 2017 

Your FREE copy – Issue 83 

www.essentiallylocal.co.uk

Building Services 

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Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts

Home Services 

To advertise please call 01908 380777 

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Contents & Welcome 

Inside this Issue… 

Essentially Business and Professional 

30 Avoid paying Inheritance Tax on the gifts you make; 

Think before giving vouchers this Christmas; 

A tool to buy at the right price 

32 Councillor David Hopkins cuts the ribbon 

36 Five Festive Scams 

Essentially Children 

24 Children’s fun 

Essentially Community 

14 Your memories of English country dancing in Buckinghamshire 

18 Milton Keynes Community Fridge 

22 Stony Stratford’s Christmas Lights Switch-On Fun Day, 

Wolverton Lantern Festival 

46 The Milton Keynes Song Book 

Essentially Leisure 

8 Tasty Festive Menu at the Old Talbot; Have an Artea Christmas 

9 Gearing up for Christmas at Towcester Mill Brewery 

18 Good Time Jazz 

24 Robin in the Whittlewoods Pantomime 

31 Angels of the Abbey 

Essentially Home & Garden 

18 Roasted Parsnip Bread Pudding 

40 Pip’s Guide to Festive Ideas for the Home 

44 Getting Wreathy Festive 

46 Stony In Bloom 

49 Wolverton in Bloom 

50 Taxi Firm Urges Caution; Winter car check-list 

Essentially Health and Well-being 

12 Christmas Nails; Kicking out for Christmas 

Essentially Pets 

10 Keep your pets safe this Christmas; Remember, remember 

Regulars 

6 Reader offers 

20 Competition – WIN a one day Fusion/Inclusion 

Workshop at Vitreus Art 

26 What’s On 

28 What’s On Sport; 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… 

It’s beginning to feel a bit like Christmas! 

Helped by the fantastic pictures our local 

young artists have produced for this year’s 

competition. Congratulations to our winner, 

Allegra Wilby aged 7. The exhibition of pictures 

will be on display at Stony Stratford library. 

In this edition, you’ll find places to eat, drink 

and party. Support these local independent 

venues that offer fantastic menus, tasty local 

ales and beautiful surroundings. 

Our other features include ideas for your 

wreath. Natural, blingy traditional? Looking 

to decorate your tree? Our resident interior 

designer Pip certainly knows what’s in and 

what’s out – she’s been scouring our local 

independent home and gift shops to find 

festive ideas. Turn to page 40 and 44 for 

some inspiration. 

Time now to get creative with the help 

of our competition from Vitreus Art. Jenny 

and Mike love to share their skills and the 

winner will have the chance to try something 

new. So put your feet up and have a go at 

the wordsearch on page 20 – send in your 

solution and try your luck! 

Have a lovely festive 

season – and remember 

to keep your business 

Essentially Local. 

Emma – Editor 

Get in Touch… 

Essentially Local 

The Office, 5 The Stocks, 

Cosgrove, Milton Keynes MK19 7JD 

Tel: 01908 380777 

Email: info@essentiallylocal.co.uk 

Website: www.essentiallylocal.co.uk 

Essentially-Local 

Essentiallyl 

Design and production: 

Andrew Metcalfe andrew@meticulousdesign.com 

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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 

The Therapy Room Stony Stratford 

Christmas Gift Vouchers Available! 

Good selection of 

• Remedial & Pregnancy Massages 

• Holistic Treatments 

• Facials & Pamper Packages 

for whole family! 

Essentially Local 

10% discount per 

1,000 leaflets delivered 

Delivery with the January-February 2018 magazine 

Double-sided A5 leaflets only 

Flexible opening times & days. 

01908 571 276 

Timor Court, Stony Stratford MK11 1EJ 

www.thetherapyroom-stonystratford.co.uk 

Contact 

Suzanne Megarry 

01908 380777 

www.essentiallylocal.co.uk 

Boutique Organica Therapy Rooms 

25% discount off all treatments 

during January 2018 

Celebrating the relaunch of Boutique Organic 

treatments at 

The Therapy Rooms at The Haven 

70a High Street, Stony Stratford 

The Bell Inn 

10% discount 

on all meals in 

January & February 2018 

Available Tuesday-Thursday 

evenings only (excludes 

Christmas, New Year’s 

and Valentine’s Days) 

www.boutiqueorganica.co.uk 

01908 569259 

07792 227726 

01908 418373 

Main Street, Beachampton, Bucks MK19 6DX 

thebellbeachampton.co.uk 

Miss Havisham’s 

10% off all food and drinks 

in the tea room 

offer ends 31 January 2018 

01908 563270 

6 Timor Court, Stony Stratford, MK11 1EJ 

www.havishamsofstony.co.uk 

Cusack Cars 

Mobile Personal Trainer. ‘Silver’ package of 8 Going 

Stony Stratford to Luton Airport 

£35 for a family of 4 

Have a relaxing journey to your holiday airport. 

Airports throughout the UK. Secure on line bookings 

Child car seat storage available and up to 16 passengers. 

Local and other transfers also available. 

Book now for Christmas and New Year. 

www.cusackscars.co.uk 

01908 766500 

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Leisure 


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Leisure 

Tasty Festive Menu at the Old Talbot 

The Old Talbot, Potterspury is the 

perfect setting for a festive Christmas 

party with friends, family or work 

colleagues. Mark, Craig and their 

families have continued to commit 

to welcoming both local and those 

from further afield with a guarantee of 

quality and excellent value. 

Once inside the warming open 

fire, a selection of local ales 

from Towcester Mill Brewery and 

comfortable seating will make it hard 

to leave. And with its choice of a la 

carte menu or competitively priced 2 

or 3 course festive party menu there is 

reason to stay! 

Their tasty menu caters for meat 

eaters as well as vegetarians while 

those with allergies and intolerances 

can also be accommodated. You can 

choose from a selection of five starters 

and six mains that include meat, fish 

and vegetarian options. The tasty 

homemade spiced parsnip soup is hard 

to resist as is the traditional king prawn 

cocktail. Traditionalists will also love 

the roast turkey with all the trimmings 

while vegetarians will be impressed 

with the delicious nut roast. All the 

dishes are served with fresh seasonal 

vegetables that includes different styles 

of potatoes. 

With two courses priced at only 

£18.95 and 3 courses at £22.95 

per head, it makes truly affordable 

Christmas meal out. This menu is 

available at lunchtime as well as during 

the evening and booking is advisable. 

The team is also planning a 

great New Year Bash that will offer 

entertainment and more. Booking 

is advisable and full details will be 

available on Facebook. 

The Old Talbot, Potterspury 

www.theoldtalbot.pub 01908 760018 Facebook: TheOldTalbot 

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Leisure 

Gearing up for Christmas at Towcester Mill Brewery 

A fab festive menu is waiting for you 

at Towcester Mill Brewery – delicious 

beers, speciality gins, a warming 

single malt, gifts to suit all your loved 

ones as well as great entertainment! 

This year’s festive ale, Santa’s Tipple, 

is bound to be a hit, but you’ll be spoilt 

for choice with 3-bottle gift packs, 

6-bottle jute bags or 5-litre mini-kegs, 

as well as make your own hampers! If 

you prefer gin, the Brewery shop stocks 

classic flavours and modern twists, as 

well as gin goblets and miniatures. 

Alternatively warm yourself with 

Towcester Mill’s exciting new single 

malt spirit, Tove Mill, produced from 

the brewery’s own wort. 

If you’re looking for an experience 

gift then why not purchase a Brewery 

Tour – learn all about the mill, beer 

making and try out the tapas board 

beers. Annual membership means 

you’ll get the tour too and lots of 

benefits to last the whole year! 

Looking for a night out with 

friends, or a staff social? Then GINgle 

all the way on 16 December brings 

all you need to know about gin, 

tasting opportunities and your very 

own gin goblet. There’s also a charity 

Christmas quiz on 19 December, a 

fun Elvis tribute on 21 December and 

a comedy night on 28 December – a 

great gift packed full of laughter! 

Think local and buy local – 

Christmas refreshments, party drinks 

and gifts are available online or 

contact the shop by phone or email; 

they’re open 7 days a week. 

Towcester Mill Brewery Ltd, Towcester Mill, Chantry Lane, Towcester, NN12 6YY 

Call the Brewery on 01327 437060 or the shop on 01327 437560. 

Email info@towcestermillbrewery.co.uk • www.towcestermillbrewery.co.uk 


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Animal services 

Keep your pets safe this Christmas 

Presents, indulgent food and time with family and friends 

are a fantastic way for us to spend the festive period but it 

can be a hazardous and stressful time for your pets. Here 

are three top tips to make Christmas a happy time for 

them too. 

Festive food 

Delicious for us, but much of our festive fare can be highly 

toxic and dangerous for four-footed friends. Chocolate, 

mince pies, Christmas pudding, onion gravy and alcohol 

are all poisonous for your pets. The bones from carcasses 

can be brittle and a choking hazard for cats and dogs. 

Festive decorations 

Poinsettias, holly, ivy, mistletoe and lilies may be beautiful 

and have a special seasonal meaning but as with food, they 

can be toxic for pets. 

Decorations, tinsel and wrapping paper all offer 

temptation to your pets and children – but don’t let any of 

them eat it! 

Christmas Chaos 

Just as you may need to escape the mayhem from time to 

time, so will your pet! Let them have somewhere cosy and 

quiet to retreat to, away from the festive 

excitement. Leave them alone and 

prevent loving children and guests from 

disturbing them. 

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 

Remember, remember 

Firework season is upon us and, 

although it can be fun for people, our 

furry friends can find it a terrifying 

experience. Planning ahead is the key. 

Becky Amos RVN of the Vet Centre, 

Cherry Lane says, “Making a den 

where pets can hide is a really good 

idea to make them feel safe. Cats 

should be kept inside, make sure all 

windows are closed in case they make 

a dash when the bangs start. Playing 

music can also muffle fireworks.” 

If your dog gets distressed then the 

use of pheromone diffusers, which 

disperse calming chemicals, may help. 

In extreme cases it is worth speaking 

to your vet about giving medication. 

Firework desensitisation CDs can be 

used to slowly desensitise your dog 

but these take time to work so might 

be more help for next year. Don’t 

forget small furries – move the hutch 

into the garage to reduce noise. 

Christmas cheer! 

As you look forward to the overindulgences 

of Christmas and New 

Year, don’t forget pets are less used to 

the seasonal food extravaganza. Some 

of our favourite treats are potentially 

harmful to them. Dogs love chocolate 

and raisins which are particularly 

unsafe, occasionally leading to very 

serious consequences. Our feline 

friends are known to be partial to a 

bit of tinsel – less sparkly when it’s 

inside the intestine! If you have any 

concerns over the festive period The 

Vet Centre Cherry Lane vets and nurses 

are available to help, with extended 

opening hours (bank holiday opening) 

and a 24hr emergency service for 

registered clients. 

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

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

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Leisure 


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Wellbeing 

Nail it for Christmas! 

The options for jazzing up your nails 

this Christmas are endless. Forget 

boring single colours and choose 

smiling Santas, red-nosed Rudolphs, 

sparkly snowflakes, tartan patterns, 

even magical fairy lights on your 

nails! 

With endless designs available, 

show off your personality, creativity 

and have a little fun! Don’t forget 

though, creating the perfect nails 

requires painstaking concentration. 

On top of that add a steady hand and 

good vision, as well as special tools 

of the trade. 

Manicure, painting, extending 

the length add glitz and glamour 

with jewels, pictures, glitter and 

ombré effects… The possibilities are 

limitless. Time to have that festive 

spirit at your finger-tips! 

Lahn’s Nail Salon artists in Stony Stratford have designed these fun Christmas nails. You can also visit our other 

beauty salons in the town for nail ideas – Alchemy Therapy Centre, Elanele and Boutique Organica. 

Alternatively ask Bee Beautiful to visit you at home. 

Kicking out for Christmas 

Christmas 

presents don’t 

always have to be 

wrapped up in a 

box, sometimes 

a doing gift can 

bring so much 

more to a child. 

It will last longer 

too. 

Daniel and 

Ruby, two young 

local kick-boxers, 

love kickboxing 

and the benefits 

the sport brings. It 

started as a good 

way to exercise 

but quickly these 

siblings found their concentration and focus had improved 

along with their fitness. They enjoy the competitive side of 

competitions, happily accept that they might not always 

win, yet are always proud of their achievements. Their 

friends are equally impressed and often want to see their 

moves. Ruby is also a dancer and has found kickboxing 

has given her strength and flexibility. 

Each time they work up to a new belt their motivation 

to gets stronger and they share the goal of achieving 

black belt. Finding the right instructor has been key and 

while Lauren Cronin at Newton Longville and Wolverton 

Kick-boxing is strict, importantly she understands the 

individual needs of each child. 

Consider a confidence-boosting sport like kick-boxing 

as a perfect gift for the whole family this Christmas. 

For more details contact Lauren Cronin on 

07910 154499 • www.karatemk.co.uk. 

For more details see the advert on page 13. 

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Wellbeing 

www.nailsalonmiltonkeynes.co.uk 

LANh's NAiL sALoN 

• Acrylics • Nail art • Shellac • Air brush designs 

• Hand designs • Gel nails • Pedicures 

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! 

CALL 01908 567796 

95 High Street, Stony Stratford MK11 1AT 

LANh’s NAiL sALoN in 

Stony Stratford provides a 

professional and relaxing nail 

care service to fully meet all 

your individual needs. 

What’s more, we also have free 

parking at the rear, free fast wi-fi 

in the shop and free tea and coffee. 


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Leisure 

Your memories of English country dancing in Buckinghamshire 

Chloe Middleton-Metcalfe is writing 

her PhD at Roehampton University 

about English social folk dance and 

would like to hear from anyone with 

memories of English country dancing 

and barn dances in Buckinghamshire. 

She is particularly keen to hear from 

people who have reminiscences from 

the 1940s -1970s. 

Perhaps you danced at school 

– did you love it or loathe it? Did 

you go to a barn dance run by your 

church or youth group, or a charity 

barn dance? Did you ever go to your 

local folk dance club? Did you teach 

English country or international folk 

dance? Were you involved in the 

Schools Dance Festival in Aylesbury? 

Chloe is keen to read your 

memories, if you would like them to be 

anonymised, please make this clear on 

the correspondence. By sending written 

memories Chloe understands that you 

will be happy for her to use these in her 

PhD and other research outputs. 

Memories can be posted to 

C. Middleton-Metcalfe c/o Lisa James. 

Departmental Secretary, Department of Dance, Frobel College, 

Roehampton University, London SW15 5PJ. 

Or e-mail: middletc@roehampton.ac.uk 

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Wellbeing 

Wellbeing 

START YOUR NEW YEAR’S 

RESOLUTIONS EARLY 

WITH OUR ALL NEW 

EARLY MORNING CLASSES 

Come along to our new 

Monday and Wednesday 

Complete Body Conditioning 

classes at 6.30am. 

Pay As You Go for non-members. 

HAPPY BODIES | FURTHO COURT 

OLD STRATFORD | MK19 6AN 

See our website for full details. 

www.nailsalonmiltonkeynes.co.uk 

Lanh’s naiL saLon 

• Acrylics • Nail art • Shellac • Air brush designs 

• Hand designs • Gel nails • Pedicures • Waxing 

Lanh’s naiL saLon in Stony Stratford 

provides a professional and relaxing nail care service 

to fully meet all your individual needs. 

What’s more, we also have free parking at the rear, 

free fast wi-fi in the shop and free tea and coffee. 

BooK YoUR aPPoinTMEnT ToDaY! 

CALL 01908 567796 

95 High Street, Stony Stratford MK11 1AT 


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17 15

Wellbeing 

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Wellbeing 

Wellbeing 

Call 

01908 560355 

www.grandunionphysio.co.uk 

Old Stratford Business Park, 

Falcon Drive, Old Stratford MK19 6FG 


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

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

| Circulatory problems | Anxiety | Depression | Insomnia | Stress 

Tailor-made massage 

with you in mind 

Massage in Mind provides 

massage to meet your needs. 

Whether suffering from stress or having 

muscular discomfort, massage is a powerful 

tool to alleviate these and many more 

physical and emotional conditions. 

Call 01908 968430 to 

book your appointment. 

Massage in Mind Action Physiotherapy, 

54b High Street, Stony Stratford MK11 1AQ 

Email reception@actionphysiotherapy.co.uk 

www.massageinmind.me 


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Community 

Roasted Parsnip Bread Pudding 

Ingredients 

• 450g parsnips, peeled 

and cut into 1cm pieces 

• Olive oil for drizzling 

• Coarse salt and freshly 

ground pepper 

• 80g unsalted butter 

• 2 large leeks darker 

green parts removed, 

halfed lengthwise and 

sliced thinly 

• 70ml dry white wine 

• 2tbs chopped fresh 

thyme 

• 500ml double cream 

• 5 large eggs 

• 150g finely grated Parmesan cheese 

• 1 loaf (340g) brioche, crust removed, 

cut into small cubes 

Method 

• Drizzle parsnips with oil, season and arrange on a rimmed 

baking sheet. Roast for approx. 25mins at 200ºc until 

caramelised and tender - shaking occasionally. Remove from 

oven and reduce heat to 180ºc. 

• Melt 28g butter over medium heat in a saute pan. Add leeks, 

stir occasionally until tender. Remove from heat add the wine. 

Return to heat and simmer for 1 minute until reduced. Add 

thyme, remove from heat and stir in roasted parsnips. 

• Whisk 42g melted butter, cream, eggs and 120g Parmesan 

in a large bowl. Season, add leek-parsnip mixture and fold in 

brioche. 

• Pour parsnip mixture into a buttered, shallow baking dish. 

Cover loosely with parchment, then foil. Bake for 50 minutes 

until golden brown and puffed. Remove covers, sprinkle with 

remaining Parmesan and bake for a further 10 minutes. Leave to 

stand for 5 minutes before serving. 

Recipe supplied by Moorgate Farm Vegetable Box Delivery Scheme. Order a small or regular box containing fresh, 

quality vegetables and select specific vegetables. Delivered from field to your door within 24 hours. 

Moorgate Farm, Potterspury, NN12 7QG • 01908 543008 • info@moorgatefarm.co.uk 

Christmas Fayre & Tasting Days: Sunday 12 & 19 November 2017 

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Leisure 


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Competition 

Win… 

… a one day Fusion/Inclusion Workshop 

at Vitreus Art 

With its modern take on decorative glass art and craft, 

Vitreus Art is a hive of creative activity. The centre offers 

courses on jewellery, window hangings, wall art and more. 

The fun, relaxed classes and relaxing atmosphere help 

everyone to find their inner artist and leave at the end 

with their own work of art. All materials, tools, tuition and 

refreshments are included in the price, so all you need to 

provide is enthusiasm! 

With Christmas coming up, why not give someone you 

care for the chance to create something special? Or book a 

course for the two of you and make something more than 

a memory. If a gift to wrap is what you’re looking for, take a 

trip to Vitreus Art at Wakefield Country Courtyard and have 

a look at the lovely works of art that are available to buy – 

you could find the perfect present. 

Call in, for a chat with Jenny or Mike the artists and see 

what it’s all about. 

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ACRYLIC ANNEALING BAROQUE GLASS 

CERAMICS CREATIVITY FLUX 

Vitreus Art at Wakefield Country Courtyard, near 

Potterspury, Northants NN12 7Q 

www.vitreus-art.co.uk • Tel: 01327 810320 

The prize includes all materials, refreshments and lunch 

and you keep your art. Full details of the course 

www.vitreus-art.co.uk/classes/glass-fusing.html 

Wordsearch winner… September/October 

Congratulations to Elissa Hough from Stony Stratford 

who has won a hot drink and a cake for a week at 

Out of Hours Coffee, Stony Stratford • outofofficecoffee.co.uk 

GLASS FUSING PAINTING PATINA 

PHOTOGRAPHY PRINTING SCULPTURE 

STAINED GLASS TALLOW THERMAL SHOCK 

TIFFANY VITREUS ART WATERCOLOUR 

For a chance to win this fantastic prize, find 

the word which is missing from the grid. Then 

send us your answer. Don’t forget to include 

your name and address. 

Competition rules 

1. 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 November, 2017 and the closing date is 5pm, 4 December, 2017. No 

purchase required. 3. There will be one winner who will be notified by telephone by 31 December, 2017. The winner’s name will be published 

in the January-February edition of Essentially Local. 4. The prize for correctly identifying the missing word in the word search is a one day 

Fusion/Inclusion Workshop at Vitreus Art. There is no cash or alternative prize. The winner must take up the prize offered between 10 January, 

2018 and 28 February, 2018. 5. Entries are limited to ONE per household. Competitions cannot be entered by employees or family of Vitreus 

Art 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 6 December, 2017. Judge’s decision is final. 7. Entrants may be notified of special offers from Vitreus Art; please 

state if you do not wish your details to be used. 

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Leisure 


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Community 

Stony Stratford’s Christmas Lights Switch-On Fun Day 

All day Saturday 2 December 

Throughout November the Christmas Lights volunteers 

dangle from ladders, test light bulbs and erect trees and 

lights all over the town, ensuring Stony Stratford will look as 

beautiful as ever. Now Switch-On Day and all its activities 

will bring a real buzz to let you know that Christmas is here: 

• Market stalls 

• Fairground rides 

• Christmas window displays in the shops, pubs and 

hotels, with a competition for the best-dressed window 

• Morris dancing on the High Street 

• WatlingFest – Musical entertainment of all genres in 

Market Square, 11.30am – 4.30pm 

As the light fades, a magical display of Christmas lanterns 

displaying Santa’s Workshop at its best will make its 

way through Stony Stratford. The procession of Father 

Christmas, his sleigh, elves, reindeer, presents, toys and 

other twists, all carefully disguised as lanterns, will make 

its way from York House Centre. The display will meander 

through the High Street and along Church Street to 

Market Square for the grand Switch-On. When everyone 

has gathered, the count-down will begin and the lights 

will illuminate the sky, marking the start of Christmas 

celebrations. 

Be there to share the moment as the festivities begin. 

www.facebook.com/stonystratfordchristmaslights • www.york-house.org.uk 

York House Centre gratefully acknowledges financial assistance from Stony Stratford Town Council, 

Stony Stratford Business Association, Milton Keynes Community Foundation and the York House LocalGiving.Com 

Fund for the Lantern project. 

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Leisure 


23

Children’s Page 

Charlotte’s Joke Corner 

Why can’t Christmas trees sew? 

They always drop their needles. 

What did the little tree say to the big tree? 

Leaf me alone! 

What do you call a tree with lots of friends? 

Poplar. 

What kind of tree can fit into your hand? 

A palm tree! 

Send your jokes to info@essentiallylocal.co.uk 

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 two words that make 

up the name of a tree? 

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

Answers 

Word Wheel: 3 Letter Words - Cot, Net, Tin, Nip, Nit, Not, Pet, Pin, Pit, Pot, Set, 

Sit, Sip, Sin, Tip. 4 Letter Words - Cone, Cope, Cost, Cote, Nice, Nose, Pest, 

Pine, Pint, Poet, Pose, Post, Sent, Site, Snot, Spot, Spin, Stop, Tine, Tone, Toss. 

5 Letter Words - Poise, Scent, Scion, Scone, Scope, Snide, Spice, Spine, Spite, 

Stone. 9 Letter Word - Scots Pine 

Leisure 

Nov-Dec wordsearch 

E N S T A R L D S 

V O E P I N E L A 

E R L Z K C S I M 

R W D E O O N G T 

G A N R G I I H S 

R Y A T I N T T I 

E T C D R F A S R 

E S E L D E E N H 

N S P R U C E S C 

ANGEL CANDLES CHRISTMAS 

COIN DECORATE EVERGREEN 

FIR LIGHTS NEEDLES 

NORWAY PINE SPRUCE 

STAR TINSEL TREE 

National Tree Week – 25 November-3 December 

Oslo, Norway has donated a 50-60 year old Norway Spruce to 

Trafalgar Square for Christmas since 1947. It’s a thanks for help and 

support during the 2nd World War. 

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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 


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What’s On – November/December 2017 

ARTS & CRAFTS 

Wolverton & District 

Archaeological & 

Historical Society 

King John’s Scythe by Mike 

Ingram 7.30pm, Wednesday 

15 November. Sounds Familiar 

by Kevin Varty Wednesday 15 

December St Mary & St Giles 

School, King George Crescent, 

Stony Stratford, MK 11 1EF. 

Contact irisday86@yahoo.co.uk. 

Buckingham Canal Society 

Practical conservation work. 

01908 661217 

Athinabec@aol.com. 

Lock Lane, Cosgrove,MK19 7JR. 

www. buckinghamcanal.org.uk 

Craft Social Club 

All crafts welcome. 

Old Stratford Memorial Hall. 

Mondays 2.00- 4.30pm. 

01908 380777 

Cosgrove Art Group 

Cosgrove Village Hall. 

Tuesday 10.00am-12.00 noon 

Joy 01908 677679 

Milton Keynes Aviation 

Society (MKAS) 

Eric Brown – A Pilot’s Story 

(Britain’s greatest aviator) by 

film maker Nicholas Jones 14 

November. Invasion 1940 – What 

If. 12 December 8pm doors open 

7.30pm Kents Hill Community 

Centre Frithwood Crescent, 

Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK6 

6HQ Visitors £3 www.mkas.co.uk 

Ian Carr iancarruk@aol.com 

or 01234 742057 

Milton Keynes 

National Trust Association 

Behind the Scenes in the 

Sale Room David Fletcher, a 

Fine Arts and Chattels Valuer 

and Auctioneer 7.45pm 8 

November. Christmas Tea 

Party 2.30pm, 6 December The 

Cruck Barn, Bradwell Abbey. 

Whittlebury Golf Club lunch, 10 

January 2018. Tickets in advance 

only. New members and guests 

welcome. 01908 314151 

Stony Stratford Floral Group 

The Life of Flowers – 

Demonstration by Emma 

Remington. 7 November 

Visitors welcome £8 Doors 

open 7.00pm for 7.30pm. 

Russell Street School Hall, Stony 

Stratford.Sue on 01908 564453 

orJudy on 01908 569429 

The North Bucks 

Woodturning Club 

Courtyard Arts Centre, 

Parklands, Great Linford, 

Milton Keynes 01908 311243 

pip.watts@btconnect.com 

The National Museum 

of Computing 

www.tnmoc.org/bytes 

Bletchley Park, The Mansion, 

Bletchley, Milton Keynes 

MK3 6DZ. 01908 374708 

Vitreus Art Courses 

Vitreus Art, No. 4 Wakefield 

Country Courtyard, Potterspury 

NN12 7QX 01327 810320 

www.vitreus-art.co.uk 

Yardley Gobion History Group 

01908 542322 

babskingyg@talktalk.net. 

Village Hall. 

CHILDREN 

Act Out & Act Up 

Term-time drama groups for all 

levels. York House Centre, 

Stony Stratford. 

info@redphoenixstory.co.uk 

Brownies and Guides 

South Northants Rainbows, 

Brownies & Guides. 

Call Emma 01908 571244 

Wolverton and Stony Stratford 

Rainbows, Brownies and Guides. 

wolvertondc@outlook.com 

Towcester Brownies & Guides 

Brownies Guides. Hattie – 

Guider in Charge 3rd Towcester 

Brownies, 07776 257398 

rdtowcesterbrownies@gmail.com 

Beaver and Scouts 

1st Stony Stratford Beaver 

Scouts, Cub Scouts & Scouts 

for boys & girls. www.facebook. 

com/1stStonyStratford 

alby@backstage.co.uk 

Cosgrove Playdate! 

Under 5s. 10.30am-12.00 

noon, 3rd Thursday of month. 

St Peter and St Paul Church, 

Cosgrove. 

Deanshanger Village Library 

Rhyme time 

2.15pm every Thursday Under 

1s Play and Learn 10.30am 

every Wednesday Deanshanger 

Library, Little London, 

MK19 6HT. 01908 562889 

paula.culley@firstforwellbeing.co.uk 

York House Junior Youth Club 

8 -12yrs 6.00pm-7.30pm 

Mondays during termtime. 

yorkhouseyouthclubs@hotmail.com 

Maria 07988 078056 

www.york-house.org.uk 

York House Senior Youth Club 

12 – 16 yrs 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 

See page 18 

Jazz Jam 

Terry Marshall and The Hounds 

with local musicians. The Fox & 

Hounds, Stony Stratford Free. 

8.30pm Thursday. 

Junction 14 Ladies A Cappella 

Singing for pleasure and 

fundraising. To join 

01908 678558. 

To hire01908 667029 

bookings@junction14.org www. 

junction14.org. Drama Studio 

Shenley Brook End Secondary 

School, Milton Keynes. 

MK Acapella Men 

Barbershop Chorus Rehearsals 

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. Community Centre, 

Britten Grove, Old Farm Park, 

Milton Keynes. 

johntimpany@aol.co.uk 

www.mkamc.co.uk 

Music Makers of 

Milton Keynes 

Choral music and singing. 

Rehearsals. Children’s Centre 

Stony Stratford. 

Teresa 07928156006 

The Song Loft 

Music and performer’s evenings 

www.thesongloft. co.uk 

The Cock Hotel Stony Stratford 

MK11 1AH 

Scribal Gathering 

Stony Stratford’s premiermusic 

& spoken word openmic 

– hosted by Jonathan JT 

Taylor. Welcomes musicians, 

poets and all performers. 

Headline performances. The 

Crown, Market Square, Stony 

Stratford. 7.30pm for 8.00pm- 

11.00pm, 2nd Tuesday of every 

month. 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 / Twitter 

DANCE 

Old Mother Redcaps 

Ladies Morris dancing side, 

looking for dancers & musicians. 

Swinfen Harris Hall, Stony 

Stratford. Catherine 

01908 667112 

Potterspury Dance Club 

Ballroom / sequence dancers. 

John & Di 01604 862632. 

Potterspury Village Hall. 

Rose and Castle Morris 

Stoke Bruerne Village Hall. 

Ian 07860 277046 

ianwelborn@talktalk.net or 

www.rose-castlemorris.org.uk 

Triple K Western Line Dancers 

Improvers class Haversham 

Social & Community Centre. 

Beginners class Deanshanger 

Memorial Centre. 

Kay or Andrew 01525 376172 

Royal Scottish Country 

Dance Society 

Classes Bradwell Village 

Memorial Hall MK12 9AG 

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. 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 

Deanshanger Library 

Reading Group,Knit and 

Natter, Learn to knit, Knitting 

and sewing for children. 

Deanshanger Library, 

Little London, MK19 6HT. 

01908 562889 

paula.culley@firstforwellbeing.co.uk 

26 



Deanshanger Sports Club 

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. 

New players welcome 

7.20pm for 7.30pm, Tuesdays 

Towcester Conservative Club 

Lynda Riecken, 

lynda@riecken.co.uk 

www.bridgewebs.com/ towcester 

Towcester & District 

Art Society 

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 

Friday of month, 2.00pm- 

4.00pm, Memorial Hall, 

Deanshanger Road, 

Old Stratford (by village shop). 

Havencourt Sheltered Home 

Bingo 7.00pm Mon & 2.00pm 

Weds Coffee Morning 

Fri 10.30am jean.miller@ 

southnorthantshomes.co.uk 

Ridgmont, Deanshanger 

WOMEN’S 

INSTITUTE 

Bradwell WI 

2.30pm, 3rd Tuesday of month. 

Olive Stewart 01908 310267. 

Sports & Social Club, Abbey 

Road, Bradwell Village. 

Castlethorpe WI 

7.30pm, 2nd Thurs of month 

Castlethorpe Village Hall. 

castlethorpewi@gmail.com 

Cosgrove WI 

7.30pm, 1st Tues of the month, 

Cosgrove Village Hall 

Deanshanger WI 

7.30pm,2nd Thursday of 

month, Memorial Community 

Centre, Deanshanger 

Hanslope WI 

7.30pm, 1st Tuesday of month, 

Hanslope Village Hall.R. 

Simpson 01908 510516 

tubs@full-moon.eclipse.co.uk 

Potterspury WI 

7.30pm, 1st Wed of month, 

Potterspury Village Hall 

Stony Stratford WI 

2.15pm 1st Tuesday of month 

York House, London Road, 

Stony Stratford 

Craft and Chat, Methodist Hall, 

Silver Street, Stony Stratford 

2.15pm 3rd Tuesday of the 

month gill.williams@fsml.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 7.30-10.00pm, 1st 

Thursday of month. Richmond 

Road Towcester NN12 6EX 

towcesterwi.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Yardley Gobion WI 

7.30pm 2nd Thursday of month. 

Yardley Gobion Village Hall. 

New Manor WI Wolverton 

7.45pm 2nd Wednesday of 

month. Christian Foundation, 

The Square, Wolverton MK12 

5DX sandra.brian7@tiscali. co.uk 

EVENTS 

Friends of 

Deanshanger Library 

Family fun. Create pictures of 

fireworks and bonfires. Bonfire 

sweet treats. Free 10am -2pm, 

Saturday, 4 November 

Remembrance Day poppy 

crafts. 2 minute silence at 

11am. All ages welcome. 

Free. 10am-2pm, Saturday 11 

November. AGM Deanshanger 

Village library. 4pm, Friday 24 

November 

Family fun – decorate the library 

and tree for Christmas. Free. 

Seasonal quiz (£1). Saturday 2 

December 

James Hornsby one man show 

“Twist”. Tickets from library. 

7.30pm, Thursday, 7 December 

Westbury Arts Centre 

An Elizabethan Winters Tale – 

Candlelit performance by Mr 

Simpsons Little Consort, mulled 

cider & more 2.00-6.00pm 5 

November. Drypoint Printing 

Workshop 10.00am-4.00pm 

11 November. Time to Write 

2.00pm-5.00pm, 12 November 

Winter Fayre – Craft Stalls, 

Choirs, Refreshments and 

Christmas festivities. 11.00am- 

4.00pm, 18 November 

www.westburyartscentre.co.uk 

Westbury Arts Centre Courses 

Foxcovert Road, Shenley Wood, 

Milton Keynes, MK5 6AA 

01908 501214 

admin@westburyartscentre.co.uk 

www.westburyartscentre.co.uk 

Old Stratford 

Fireworks Display 

Professional display with stalls, 

activities and refreshments. 

5.30 – 7.30pm (display 

approx. 6.30pm) Saturday, 11 

November, £2.50 for adults 

(under 16s free). Community 

Hall, Old Stratford 

Five Men Not Called Matt 

A capella joy, with shanties, 

eulogies to beer and rum. Guest 

singers. Tickets York House 

or www.wegottickets.com. 

www.york-house.org.uk 8.00 – 

11.00pm Saturday, 

11 November. York House 

Centre, London Road, Stony 

Stratford, MK11 1JQ 

Annual Kelly Bronze Turkey 

tasting days 

Christmas Fair and annual 

KellyBronze Turkey tasting. 

Handmade chocolates by Leon, 

Wines from Aubergine Woburn 

Sands, Moorgate Farms locally 

grown veg boxes, Burtree House 

puddings, Jam Moo Kow, artisan 

cheeses, Christmas trees. 

www.moorgatefarm.co.uk 

moorgatefarm@btinternet.com 

01908 543008 / 07922 134915 

Sundays 12 &19 November 

Hula animal rescue 

Meet the HULA dogs, 

refreshments, shop and pet 

shed bargains, fun and games. 

£2 per adult, Children 50p. 

Glebe Farm, Salford Road, 

Aspley Guise, Milton Keynes, 

MK17 8HZ. 1pm-3.30pm, 

Sunday, 12 November 

Christmas Lights Switch on 

and carols in The Square, 

Wolverton 

w/c 13 November 

Milton Keynes Western 

Front Association 

Cheerful Sacrifice by Jonathan 

Nichols 17 November 

Remembrance photos. 

15 December. Meet 7.30pm – 

9.30pm 3rd Friday of month. 

WFA members and members 

of the public welcome. Roman 

Park Residents’ Club, 

1 Constantine Way, 

Bancroft Park, MK13 0RA 

Cosgrove Craft Fair 

26 Artisan Crafters stalls. Full 

range of handmade items for 

home and gifts. Henna Tattoos, 

refreshments. Free. Cosgrove 

Village Hall Bridge Road, 

Cosgrove. 10am and 4pm 

18-19 November. 

Milton Keynes Museum 

See page 31 

Towcester & District 

Art Society 

Christmas Exhibition 2017 

Sale of quality framed original 

paintings and greeting cards by 

local amateur artists. Coffee/Tea 

and homemade cakes. Raffle. 

Free Admission. Preview only 

7.30pm-9.30pm Friday 24 

November. Exhibition Opening 

Times. 9.00am-5.00pm 

Saturday 25 November and 

10.00am-4.30pm Sunday 26 

November 

www.towcesterart.com 

Towcester Town Hall 

Wolverton Lantern Festival 

See page 22 

A Secret Winter Garden 

See page 45 

Robin in the Whittlewoods 

See page 24 

Friends of Stony Stratford 

Health Centre Bazaar 

Bazaar with refreshments and 

more. Stony Stratford Health 

Centre 9am-2pm. Saturday, 2 

December 

Stony Straford Light Switch on 

See page 22 

Innocent Hare 

Communal carols in Wolverton 

and Stony Stratford pubs this 

December. Free 7.30pm. 

The Stables Bar (Bull Hotel) 

MK11 1AQ, Tuesday 12 

Biergarten MK12 5FJ Friday 15 

Fox and Hounds MK11 1AT 

Wednesday 20 

Bar Bar Black Sheep MK12 5DG 

Friday 22 

Christmas Celebrations 

Santa in his North Pole cabin, 

carols, refreshments, BBQ, 

music. Free – donations 

welcome. Yvonne 

01908 320405 or Mandy 01908 

319719 yvonnegalu@gmail.com 

17 December 4.00-7.30pm 

Wolverton Community Orchard. 


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 Mill Mead Hall, Wolverton. 01908 

373966 or mr.baldwin@btinternet.com 

Bowling 

Castlethorpe Short Mat Bowls Club. Castlethorpe Village Hall, 

keithprestidge@hotmail.co.uk, 01908 510583 

Paulerspury Bowling Club. Paulerspury Village Hall. 

Ann 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 15 

Jado Kuin Do Family Martial Arts. Emma Bacon 07790 296737 

Stantonbury Judo Club. www.stantonburyjudoclub.co.uk 

RunStony 

Running for all abilities. facebook.com/runstony 

Squash 

Turn up and play. For members and nonmembers. 

Kiln Farm 07729 414000 

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 Walking Group, 45-60 minutes followed by tea, 

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

01908 260570 

Winslow District Ramblers www.bucksvoice.net/winslowdistrictramblers-group. 

Buckingham and District Walking Group. 

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 



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Community 

Avoid paying Inheritance Tax on the gifts you make 

At this time of year we are all busy 

thinking of presents and gifts to buy 

our loved ones. For some, that gift 

could be passing on a significant lump 

sum of money, perhaps giving the 

inheritance to the children early! 

If you know you already have 

enough for the rest of your life then 

it can make good financial sense to 

start making gifts during your lifetime; 

otherwise your beneficiaries may pay 

Inheritance Tax on your death if you 

die with too much money. A word of 

warning though. If your gift is more 

than £3,000 there may be Inheritance 

Tax to pay straight away. 

There are lots of different 

allowances and rules around gifting 

and some investment plans can 

even help you avoid Inheritance 

Tax altogether. It’s best to seek 

professional advice, so you don’t end 

up making the taxman very happy this 

Christmas. 

Think before giving vouchers this Christmas 

Gift cards and vouchers can be 

useful when it comes to that person 

who is always so hard to buy for. 

But a word of caution, unfortunately 

a number of retailers (think BHS, 

Woolworths) have gone bust in 

recent years and when this happens 

it is likely the vouchers will be 

worthless. 

Importantly, a lot of retailers also 

now have ‘use by’ dates on their cards 

so if you’re waiting for the summer 

season collection, you may find your 

card has run out by then. 

Giving cash may not seem as nice 

but it’s less risky. If you do decide 

to give vouchers, make sure the 

shop or gift card issuer is in a good 

financial position. 

Use this tool to buy at the right price 

If you’re a user of the website Amazon, you will probably have noticed that 

the price of items can change quite significantly from time to time and you 

may be thinking, “How do I know when is the best time and price to buy?” 

Well there is a really useful website that will ensure you are never 

overcharged again! It will show you the previous Amazon price history of 

the item you want to buy and will also allow you to set price alerts. With it 

you can check how cheap the item has been and once the item is for sale at 

the price you would prefer to pay, you will receive an email alert. The site is 

really simple, easy to use and has a strangely memorable name. It’s called 

camelcamelcamel.co.uk – check it out. 

For information and advice about financial planning: Carl Roberts FPFS, Chartered Financial Planner 

carl@rtsfinancialplanning.co.uk • www.rtsfinancialplanning.co.uk • 01908 592544 • 07702 965275 

RTS Financial Planning Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales. 

Registration number 10619163. 21 Fosters Lane, Bradwell, Milton Keynes, MK13 9HZ 

30 Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts

Professional Services 

Angels of the Abbey 

11.00am-4.00pm, Sunday, 10 December 

Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre, 

Bradewell Abbey, Alston Drive, MK13 9AP 

Get into the festive spirit by 

visiting the annual Christmas 

Angels of the Abbey event. It’s 

free and you’ll get to see the 

historic Bradwell Abbey site as 

well as listen to the school choirs 

singing in the barn. There’s also 

a silver band, Santa’s Grotto and 

refreshments – warm yourself with 

a lovely mulled wine and a mince pie! Once again the 

Christmas market will be in full swimng with lots to see 

and buy! 

The limited parking on site is reserved for the lessable, 

however you’ll find plenty of roadside parking 

next to the abbey. 

Want to get involved? Whether you would like 

to perform, help with stewarding, dress up or 

anything else get in touch: 

education.officer@mkcdc.org.uk or 

call Stephen Knight on 01908 227229 


31

Community 

Councillor David Hopkins cuts the ribbon 

Country Court Care were delighted 

to welcome local dignitaries and 

business people to the Grand 

Opening of their state-of-the-art Care 

Home, Lakeview Lodge in Newton 

Leys, near Bletchley. 

Lakeview Lodge Care Home opens 

on 17 January to provide residential 

and essential specialist dementia care 

in a beautiful, homely environment 

tailored to fulfil the needs of the 

residents. 

With 66 tastefully decorated 

ensuite rooms, the stunning 

Lakeview Lodge Care Home boasts 

a beauty and hairdressing salon, a 

private dining room, a family room, 

a relaxation spa, a bar named the 

Enigma Lounge, a shop and cinema 

to entertain residents and their 

families. 

Spacious lounges and dining 

rooms overlook the beautiful Little 

Willow Lake and a variety of events 

and activities offer residents the 

opportunity to socialise and make new 

friends. 

Mayor of Milton Keynes Cllr David 

Hopkins and Country Court Care’s 

Chief Executive Officer Mr Abdul 

Kachra performed the ribbon cutting 

and then guests talked to the care 

team and explored the facilities. 

Managing Director Mr Alykhan 

Kachra commented, ‘With over 30 

years’ experience in the care sector 

our success is based on a simple 

philosophy of putting the residents 

and families at the heart of every 

decision made. We create beautiful 

buildings that our residents can 

call home and provide a dedicated 

team of professionals who deliver 

outstanding levels of care and 

understanding.’ 

A family business established 

in 1983, Country Court Care 

is renowned for delivering a 

considerate, compassionate and 

exceptional level of care. It became a 

proud winner of the Health Investor’s 

‘Residential Care Provider of the Year’ 

award in 2015. 

32 Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts




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Home Services 


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d trader are unable to 

ive outcome. Community 

Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts 

Five Festive Scams 

Who would not like to be given 5 gold 

rings for Christmas? Sadly we can’t 

help with that but we can tell you 

about 5 festive scams that you might 

come across at this time. 

Dangerous E-Cards – e-cards 

are a fun and inexpensive; however 

scammers often send fake versions 

that include malware such as viruses. 

Protect your devices and only open 

cards when you know the sender. 

Holiday SMishing – This is 

phishing with text messages to get 

personal information like your bank 

account details! These scammers 

pretend to be banks or other 

organisations and send texts with 

urgent security warnings that your 

account may be closed if you do not 

respond. Your bank is unlikely to ask 

for information by text so don’t reply – 

call your bank instead! 

Bogus Gift Cards – Social media 

sites often advertise deals on gift 

cards. Buy directly from the retailer so 

that the recipient isn’t embarrassed 

when the store won’t accept an 

unofficial gift card. 

Mobile App Scams – New mobile 

apps are often launched for the festive 

season. Only download from official app 

stores, as new apps can carry malware 

designed to steal personal data. 

Phoney e-tailers – Fake websites 

often pose as legitimate retailers. 

To find out who you are dealing 

with, check names and web 

addresses carefully and look for small 

differences. Try to stick to retailers that 

you know and trust and use a credit 

card to buy items over £100 – your 

bank will have to assist if anything 

goes wrong. 

Claire Kendall 

Trading Standards, Milton Keynes 

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Home Services 

Home Services 

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Home Services 

Home Services 

Home Services 


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Home 

Christmas at home… 

Pip’s Guide to spruce up your home for the festive season. 

From the quirky to the unusual you’ll find so much more in 

our local independent shops 

Christmas Tree 

Bring a festive aroma home with 

a real tree from Stoke Goldington 

Christmas Trees. You choose and 

the elves will cut it. With mulled 

wine and other goodies on offer 

you will definitely get in the 

Christmas mood – but don’t forget 

your to put your wellies on… 

Decorations 

Choose a theme – gold, all 

silver, maybe an eclectic mix of 

decorations passed down through 

the family. Find out what is special 

to you and keep it simple. 

Greenery 

Fresh mistletoe, holly, your 

wreath all shout Christmas. 

Fresh sprigs of festive leaves 

add beautiful touches to your 

home - try Back to the Fuschia in 

Stony Stratford for a natural table 

centrepiece. 

Candles 

As the nights draw in, the glow 

from your Christmas candles will 

add warmth and atmosphere. 

Light the fire too and you’ll stay 

toasty for the whole season. 

Book an appointment with me for extra help, inspiration or styling advice 

for a festive ‘do’. I’m Pippa an interior designer and this is absolutely my bag. 

Give me a call/ email as I’d love to hear from you for any of your home or styling 

needs. Take a look: www.pipinteriors.com 

Suppliers 

Some of lovely decorations and 

candles shown above are on sale at 

The Nest @ No. 9 

9 High St, Olney MK46 4EB 

01234 714809 

www.thenest-atno9.com 

For vintage try 

The Siren Vintage 

83 High Street, Stony Stratford, 

Milton Keynes 

07926 565364 

www.facebook.com/pg/ 

TheSirenVintage 

Pippa Grout • 07873586990 • hellopipinteriors@gmail.com 

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Building Home Interiors Services 


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Domestic Services 

Home Services 


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Domestic Services 

Call Emma on 01908 380777 



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Gardening 

Getting wreathy festive 

There is nothing quite like a wreath to 

welcome in the festive season. This 

year you’ll find a style to suit every 

home and taste – big, bold and blingy 

as well as traditional and natural looks. 

We’ve picked some of our favourites. 

Vegetable inspired wreaths are fun, 

festive and will certainly give your 

neighbours something to talk about! 

This Brussel Sprout design from Back 

to the Fuchsia also features twisted 

willow stems decorated with cinnamon 

sticks, lotus pods and ribbon. The 

pearls in the ends of the brussels 

provide a touch of sophistication. 

For a very natural look, Branch-out MK 

use lots of items found in the garden. 

Traditional wreaths are always 

winners – they smell beautiful, can 

be jazzed up with baubles and other 

festive bits to match your decor or kept 

very simple and green. 

Consider linking your wreath to your 

table or advent candle decoration. Pine 

cones, moss, baubles, ribbons and 

candles all work well. 

For a slightly bolder vegetable look, 

try something like this: 

Order your wreaths – 

Most of the featured wreath, table and advent decorations here have been 

designed by local suppliers: 

Back to the Fuchsia 4 Timor Court, Stony Stratford 

01908 939118 • www.backtothefuchsia.biz 

This simple Scandinavian influenced 

wreath looks good inside and outside 

your home 

Branch Out MK 

York House Community Centre, London Road, Stony Stratford. MK11 1JQ 

07900 88 27 40 • branchoutmk.com 

Sales 9.30am - 3.00pm (Tues - Fri) 

Social & Therapeutic Horticulture Sessions from 9.30am - 2.30pm 

(Tues - Fri; full or half day sessions available) 

Holly Facts 

The mistle thrush guards holly berries in winter to prevent other birds from 

eating them. Holly trees can grow up to 15m and live for 300 years. The 

bark is smooth and thin with numerous small, brown ‘warts’, and the stems 

are dark brown. 

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Community 

Stony Stratford in Bloom 

The beautiful floral displays around Stony 

Stratford are largely thanks to the work 

of the volunteers who give their time and 

green fingers to Stony in Bloom. Their 

efforts have once again been rewarded 

with Gold in the Regional Britain in 

Bloom Small Town Trophy. Their marks in 

all sections exceeded previous efforts. 

Also awarded this year: 

Outstanding – Mary Robinson and 

Robin Nichol’s North End Pond Project 

Outstanding – York House 

Community Gardens 

Commended certificate – St Mary 

and St Giles School 

The judges were impressed with the 

quality of the horticultural impact in 

the town with the planters, baskets 

and beds. They commented on the 

SSIB commitment to environmental 

sustainability and the growing level of 

community involvement. 

Tony Price and the church volunteers 

were given special praise for the 

appearance of the Church Gardens. 

The glorious London Road hollyhocks 

also received their own special mention! 

The judges were delighted by the 

enthusiasm of the pupils who showed 

them around their school gardens. 

Aside from Britain in Bloom, children’s 

involvement in growing and gardening 

has been incredible. Local school 

children enjoyed the autumn vegetable 

harvest and are already looking 

forward to next year. The blooms of 

the 50 sunflowers in the school garden 

celebrated 50 years of Milton Keynes. 

The SSIB younger members provided 

a great bulb-planting activity at the 

October Apple Day. 

Next treat to look forward to is 

the Calcutta Brasserie Fundraiser in 

November. 

The Milton Keynes Songbook 

Over the past 40 years Living Archive 

Milton Keynes (LAMK) has produced 

performances from large-scale 

documentary musical dramas to 

broadcast radio ballads. The archive 

collections have inspired over 100 songs 

composed by local musicians about 

people who have lived in the area. 

To celebrate Milton Keynes’ 50th 

Birthday (MK50) and thanks to funding 

from MK Community Foundation, 

Marion Hill and Craig McLeish and 

selected 36 of these songs in a project 

to share MK’s special heritage and 

create the first accessible 

collection of home-grown 

music. 

The Milton 

Keynes Songbook 

and website www. 

mksongbook.org/ include 

the background to 

each song along with 

a free download of the 

song scores. Living 

Archive Milton Keynes has made a 

complimentary book available to all 

schools in the borough to enable our 

young people to learn and be inspired 

by MK’s founders. 

If you would like a copy of The 

Milton Keynes Songbook, it is available 

through the online shop at 

www.livingarchive.org.uk for just £10. 

To celebrate the launch of the 

songbook and website Two Mile 

Ash Primary School, Caroline Haslett 

Primary School and Denbigh School 

with be performing at Denbigh School 

with the Living Archive Band on 

Thursday 30 November. 

Please check the Living Archive 

website and social media for more 

details as they’re confirmed. 

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47

Advertisers 

ACCOMMODATION 

Cotels Serviced Apartments 31 

Furtho Manor Farm 29 

AERIAL & CABLE 

MKL Cable Solutions 37 

BUILDING & PROPERTY SERVICES 

Antony Thompson Architect 29 

Handyman Property Services 34 

Hickford Construction Ltd 33, 47 

KAS Builders 34 

Ian Bodily Building Services 33 

Morris Roofing 34 

Premier Improvements 34 

Ron Cave Roofing 34, 36 

Thomas Betts & Co 33, 36 

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL 

Cotels Serviced Apartments 31 

Deanshanger Royal British Legion 14 


MK Box Self Storage 29 

RTS Financial Planning 30 

Simply Wills 29 

Trading Standards 36 

CHILDREN & YOUTH 

Acorn Childcare 25 

Robin in the Whittlewoods Panto 24 

Crazy Wizard Fancy Dress 25 

Willow Tree Pre-school 25 

CLEANING & DOMESTIC 

Carpet Pride MK 43 

Cooker Pride 43 

Domestique 43 

Haberdashery 21 

Linda’s Sewing Services 42 

Stony Dry Cleaners 43 

Ovenvaleting 42 

Quality Care Ironing Service 21 

Rob Bracey, Septic Tank 39 

The Stainbusters 42 

Vickie’s Cleaning 42 

COMPUTER SALES & REPAIRS 

Baldox Computing 29 

ELECTRICAL SERVICES 

Microwave Service Centre 37 

MKL Cable Solutions 37 

MKL Electrical Services 29 

MJ Electrics 38 

FLOWERS 

Back to the Fuchsia 21 

Branch Out 21 

FOOD & DRINK 

ARTea Room 8 

Bamboo Cottage Chinese Takeaway 11 

Direct Pizza Company 19 

Milton Keynes Community Fridge 18 

Miss Havisham’s 6 

Moorgate Farm Vegetable Box Delivery 18 

The Bell Inn 6, 9 

The Crown, Stony Stratford 19 

The Folly Inn 7 

The Navigation Inn, Cosgrove 7 

The Old Talbot 8 

The Stony Sweet Shop 24 

Towcester Mill Brewery 9 

GARDEN SERVICES 

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 

Summer Meadow Logs 47 

HAIR, HEALTH & WELLBEING 

Action Physio 17 

Andrew Hill Psychoanalysis, 

Psychotherapy & Counselling 17 

Alchemy Therapy Centre 13 

Bee Beautiful 12 

Boutique Organica 6 

Clive Heayns Podiatry 15 

Country Court Care 32 

Da Vinci Dental Clinic 16 

Elanele 13 

Glamourize 15 

Grand Union Physiotherapy 17 

Happy Bodies Fitness Centre 15 

Janice Skillman Foot Health 17 

Karate & Kickboxing MK 12, 15 

Lanh’s Nail Salon 12, 13 

Massage in mind 17 

Pilates 15 

Towcester McTimoney Chiropractic 16 

The Therapy Room 6 

HOME INTERIORS 

Carpetwise 41 

Handyman Property Services 34 

Kenneth Hudson Interiors 39 

Linda’s Curtains and Blinds 42 

Maxwell Home & Garden Service 47 

Pip’s Interiors 40 

Table and Bench Co. 41 

Thomas Betts and Co. 41 

Universal Blinds 42 

Whittlewood Stoves 41 

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS 

Acorn Kitchens 38 

Kitchen Smart 1,3 

On-Tap Installations 38 

LEISURE & HOBBIES 

ARTea Room 8 

Bamboo Cottage 11 

Crazy Wizard Fancy Dress 25 

Direct Pizza Co 19 

DJ Tulleyman 14 


Good Time Jazz 18 

Happy Bodies Fitness Centre 15 

Karate & Kickboxing MK 15 

Milton Keynes Museum 31 

Milton Keynes Theatre 23 

Pilates 15 

The Crown, Stony Stratford 19 

The Navigation Inn, Cosgrove 7 

The Old Talbot 8 

The Stony Sweet Shop 24 

Towcester Mill Brewery 9 

Vitreus Art 20, 21 

Wolverton Secret Garden Illuminations 45 

MOTORING & TRANSPORT 

G & G Autos 51 

Saxon Bridge.com 5, 51 

Towcester Garage 51 

PAINTERS & PLASTERERS 

Abercrombie Painter & Decorators 39 

BWB Plastering 39 

DPL Services 39 

Kenneth Hudson Interiors 39 

SJ Adcock & Son 39 

Thomas Betts & Co 39 

PEST CONTROL 

KillemWasp Control 49 

PETS & VETS 

RSPCA 10 

The Vet Centre 10,11 

PLUMBING, GAS SERVICING 

& HEATING 

Add Warmth 38 

Glo Central Heating 38 

On Tap Installations 38 

Premier Heating 38 

TAXIS 

Cusack Cars 6 

Skyline 52 

WASTE REMOVAL 

Graham Churchill Plant Ltd 49 

Rob Bracey, Septic Tanks 39 

UK Asbestos 37 

WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES 

Cloudy 2 Clear 35 

Custom Glaze 35 

Thomas Betts & Co 34 

Win-Dor 2 

WILL WRITING 

Simply Wills 29 

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of Essentially Local. © Essentially Local 2017. 

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Motoring 

Winter car check-list 

Wolverton charge about £35.00 for a 

new one. 

Antifreeze – top it up to prevent 

the engine from freezing. 

Phones – charge your phone and 

take a charger/power pack. 

First Aid Kit – keep an up-to-date 

kit handy. 

Road Atlas – a back-up if your Sat 

Nav fails. 

Ice-scraper – front and rear 

windscreens must by law be clear of 

snow and ice before driving! 

Reflective warning triangle – 

warns others of a problem. 

High Vis jacket – keeps you visible. 

Cars are twice as likely to breakdown 

in the winter as in the summer, so 

prepare for wintery conditions: 

Washer fluid levels – fill with screen 

wash to prevent your washer jets from 

freezing. 

Exterior lights – regularly check 

they are working and clean. 

Tyres – check for wear and the 

correct pressure. 

Batteries – don’t like cold and 

damp weather. Saxon Bridge in 

Before going on a long journey: 

Fill the fuel tank, check the oil and 

coolant levels, tyre pressure and 

lights. Pack a torch, blanket, warm 

clothes and sturdy shoes just in 

case… 

Winter checks are available from 

G&G Autos or Saxon Bridge – it’s 

worth it! 

Taxi firm urges caution during Christmas party season 

Christmas and New Year partygoers 

are being advised to stay safe by 

only using official licensed taxis or 

private hire vehicles booked through a 

licensed operator this festive period. 

As the pubs and clubs across the 

UK get busier and many firms hold 

private Christmas parties, Skyline Taxis 

– which operates in Milton Keynes, 

Northampton and Flitwick - is warning 

people of the dangers of flagging 

down bogus cabs. 

Gav Sokhi, Managing Director of 

Skyline Taxis, said: “At Skyline we 

understand the dangers passengers 

face, especially women travelling 

alone at night, from bogus and 

unlicensed drivers. 

“We have taken steps to safeguard 

passengers. We are offering a 

completely free Text-Back service, 

which sees us send a free SMS text 

message to a customer’s mobile 

phone detailing the type, colour 

and registration of the car coming to 

collect them. Customers feel safe in 

the knowledge that they are getting 

into the right, fully licensed car. 

“In addition to this, our app allows 

customers to book their journeys in 

advance from their smartphones in 

less time than it would take to make a 

phone call. It can also be used to track 

your taxi so you know where it is.” 

To find out more, visit 

skylinetaxis.co.uk 

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Motor & Transport 


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Taxis 

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Essentially Local November-December 2017

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