Life in Buckingham May issue

May 2018FREE inbusinessmags.co.uk

BUCKINGHAM IN BUSINESS

Life in

WIN T ICKETS

BUCKINGHAM i-Centre,Howard Way, Newport Pagnell Milton Keynes MK16 9PY

Mayfair House, 11 Lurke Street, Bedford Beds, MK40 3HZ

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25 years in business

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Welcome...

MAY 2018 ISSUE There’s nothing that gladdens my heart more than a wedding – and this month’s Royal event brings a tender love story, as well as all the televised spectacle.

As this late-arriving Spring gathers warmth and pace, heading towards a long-awaited Summer, we’re looking at making the most of the lovely weather – entertaining and enjoying family time in the great outdoors.

Delight in all that May has to offer, with two Bank Holidays to enjoy.

Until next time….

Mandy Johnson x

The aim of the monthly Life in buckingham Magazine is to support businesses in order that the local community can flourish.

Next issue June Copy Date 16th MAY Office: 0844 6933228 07899 75 74 73

Email: inbusinessmags@gmail.com Events Email: lifeinbrackley@gmail.com Website: www.inbusinessmags.co.uk Buckingham Garden Centre Living Wall 3

Retired local police officers in Buckingham join forces to provide uniquely trusted and highly vetted maintenance service with ‘Trust in Blue’ Retired police officers with a passion for indoor and outdoor maintenance haven taken up tools to bring peace of mind to people and businesses in Buckingham, tackling the problem of finding a trusted and reliable handyman or tradesperson.

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Handyman, states: “Having served as a police officer I am aware there are a small number of tradespeople who are out to take advantage of clients and I understand it is sometimes daunting for them to allow a stranger into their homes. We provide a professional and trustworthy service at a fair price that is agreed prior to any work being carried out. As a company we will do the smaller jobs that some tradespeople are not prepared to do. However for me it is not all about doing the work and rushing off, sometimes it’s about sitting with the older clients and having a cup of tea and a chat with them. We are also able to offer advice on other topics such as crime prevention.”

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1 9 2

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Have you updated your will lately?

Good! You have set up a will to safeguard your loved ones, but even after you’ve signed your name, life events and circumstances will continue to change around you. As a rule of thumb, many solicitors advise that wills should be reviewed and updated every three to five years to remain relevant.

your death. Having a will in place that states how these assets are to be distributed can help with effective tax planning.

When should I update my will?

There have been changes to tax laws From time to time, new tax and probate laws are brought in by governing bodies. It is good practice to check if any of these new laws affect your estate and management thereof. Additionally, if you move to a new country, certain laws can impact differently.

There have been changes to family members and relationships Births, deaths, marriages and divorces should trigger a need to update a will. Always ensure that the correct people are named on your most current will and people who you no longer want to include in your will are taken off. Updating your will is especially important if you are remarrying as your previous will is automatically invalidated.

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Health & Beauty Section

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It’s BBQ season, are you ready?

At last – it’s warm enough to venture outdoors, to dust off the barbecue and take a good look at the patio furniture, stored away for so many months!

If yours looks as tired and battered as mine did when I dared to peep inside the shed, it might look best to replace it – but it’s probably just in need of a bit of TLC or a coat of paint; a quick fix that takes a few hours of your time, a sunny day and a few basic tools.

The first step is to establish what the furniture is made from, in order to clean and restore it to best effect.

Plastic chairs and tables can become brittle and break easily, with prolonged exposure to sunlight, so it’s worth checking they’re still in good shape, before cleaning away the grime, ready for use this season. A good scrub with soapy water and a nylon scourer can reveal the original colour – add a drop of bleach to improve the appearance of mildewed white chairs – and be sure to wash it off with plenty of fresh water and leave to air-dry.

Cast metal furniture is long-lasting and can be very expensive to buy, so it’s well worth taking a little time to keep it looking fabulous. A good clean with hot soapy water will reveal all, and it may be in much better condition than you’d think.

Chipped paintwork needs repairing to look good and protect the metal underneath – you’ll need to lightly sand the area, apply a suitable primer and allow to this dry, before repainting with a matching shade. If there are a lot of chipped areas, why not give it a colour makeover? There are many garden paints

available, suitable for use on a range of surfaces, which can make your furniture look brand new, for a tiny fraction of the cost to replace it.

Wooden furniture is popular because it’s natural, durable and comfortable in hot weather – it doesn’t attract the heat like metal chairs do, so there’s less need for cushions to prevent scorched skin! Wooden chairs and tables need to be protected from the worst of the weather, so it’s likely that yours will have overwintered in the shed, and are looking quite dry and in need of a little love. I like to gently sand my furniture, wipe with a slightly damp cloth and leave to dry, and then apply a generous covering of teak oil, which waterproofs and nourishes the wood, bringing out the beauty of the grain and its rich colour. The oil soaks in quickly, so you may wish to add another coat once dry, and then buff gently with a dry cloth once all has soaked in.

Once all is looking fabulous, there’s absolutely no excuse not to show it off – and with two Bank Holiday weekends to look forward to this month, there’s plenty of opportunity for some alfresco entertaining!

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BRACKLEY BALLOON Balloons for all occasions ARTISTS ROAD TO THE partyware & birthday cards Face Painting &BALLOON Glitter Tattoos WORLD corporate events CONVENTION

themed Mike Hurst CBA, of Reds parties Balloons & Parties, Brack-

If you’re looking for a fun two filled bronze and trulyawards memorable ley, has just brought home after party then no further.

Our themed party packages competing at look the World Balloon Convention in San include everything that you need for you and your Diego, California.

It isanhard to believe just five guests to have absolute blast ofthat a time. years ago he started his or balloon journeyFootball and was Whether it’s Frozen Superheroes, or Princess, we can ensure your are well creating balloon displays out little of a ones garage, afterlooked after, entertained and have memories to cherish! completing a Qualatex Fundamentals course. He soon became aware what was needed was a Visit that our website for more information: proper outlet to see if this business could really work.

In January 2014, Reds moved into a corner unit at The Courtyard shops and a year later moved to a call. slightly bigger unit and became a Qualatex Balloon email. info@partywithreds.co.uk Boutique. Investing in Qualatex opened up a whole 7 draymans walk, NN13 6df to be a network of support and Brackley balloons were proving successful industry to be in and it was then that it was decided that Reds needed bigger premises to really push forward the business and show what they could offer. So, in January 2016 they moved to

Draymans Walk and shortly after, Mike attended the World Balloon Convention in New Orleans.

Later that year Mike and Jane recorded a Halloween special for a popular industry Youtube channel and Mike attended a convention in Slovenia and passed his CBA exam and became a Certified Balloon Artist.

Becoming a CBA lead to Mike being a designer on an art installation at a gallery in Ipswich and the Royal National Hotel staff Christmas party. He has also entered the world of instructing, by firstly teaching a balloon personalisation course in Israel and then running his own giant balloon numbers course in Brackley, where 14 delegates from all over the country attended.

In March 2018 the World Balloon Convention took place in San Diego and nearly 900 delegates attended

01280 422 144

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from 52 countries across the world. It was Mike’s goal to enter competitions this time, after winning a UK competition in the summer of 2017. He competed in three of the nine categories and scooped two bronze awards, for a Finding Dory themed sculpture, and a World Cup themed column. The level of competition was incredible, especially the teams from Taiwan and Japan. He also attended seminars and networked with the best in the industry and is now fuelled to take Reds to the next level.

Mike is currently planning Reds entry for Brackley Community Carnival procession at the beginning of June, and is hoping to wow the spectators with an incredible display of giant balloon walking costumes for the theme “Animal Kingdom”. Reds are looking for volunteers in the procession and are calling out to their amazing customers to be part of the show. Pop into the shop to register interest.

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GARDENING THIS MONTH

Bring in the sunshine with su

A Royal Wedding is the perfect

excuse to take your containers and baskets to new heights and maybe new colours, says Buckingham Garden Centre’s Chris Day. The Victorian gardeners knew a thing or two about growing and displaying bedding plants. The naturalistic planting style of the Capability Brown era had come to an end and the mood was to go over to a new, formal ‘Victorian style’ with a lavish

palette of colours using bedding plants that were changed each season. Our love of seasonal plants, the new term for bedding plants, continues with relentless fever today. Unsurprisingly, as we have observed at the Garden Centre, we’ve embraced the popular and die-hard summer bedders as well as the many new introductions. Modern breeding techniques have influenced this in recent years with many of the traditional bedders being given a 21st century genetic makeover.

Great examples of these include Afro-French Marigolds, ultra-compact and floriferous Cosmos and recently the blight resistant Busy Lizzies such as the ‘Devine’ range.

Our containers which we use to display our favourites have also seen innovation.

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ummer colour built-in water reservoirs have made the day-to-day care of our plants so much easier. Our choice of glazed and plastic pots, in different new and vibrant designs, have re-invigorated our patios, decking and balconies. The advent of the so-called ‘living wall’ less than a decade ago has seen the use of plants in some very interesting locations, from hi-rise office blocks, shopping centres to, yes even the front of Buckingham Garden Centre’s main shop.

Our living wall uses a clever design, called VertiGarden, which allows you to attach specially designed trays complete with a built-in irrigation system directly to the wall. Planting in the trays is carried out prior to installation and you usually allow a few weeks for the plants to bed in to the compost before placing in position.

Living walls can be foliage themed using the likes of Ivies, Heuchera, Thymes and grasses – all evergreen of course. The choice of flowering plants you can use is huge, however, Violas and Pansies remain popular favourites for long season displays, with Impatiens (Busy Lizzies), Begonias and Lobelia providing show stopping

displays through the summer and into the autumn.

Colour theming your summer displays is always down to personal taste. Harking back to Victorian park displays the colours red, white and blue featured in summer bedding displays; red from Pelargoniums (geraniums), white from Alyssum and blue from the varied shades of Lobelias.

These three ingredients can be set in beds, pots and hanging baskets, so if you want a right royal look this summer then these are a

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possible mix of plants you would need. You can enhance the display by adding silver foliage to bring an air of regency using perhaps some Cineraria ‘Silver Dust’, Helichrysum or Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’. Working in a few foliage plants into your displays will add valuable texture, structure and contrast.

If you don’t fancy the patriotic red, white and blue theme then look at the range of other colours on offer at the Garden Centre. The days of simply selling mixed colours in a tray of plants has been replaced by single or colour themed packs, giving you the freedom to create something individual and special.

A more dynamic, vibrant display is achieved by combining oranges and reds with coppery or dark plum-coloured foliage. Or, if you are aiming for a modern, minimalist look, go for monochromes; select modern planters filled with white flowers

and silvery foliage. Or for a different theme use blue or black ornamental grasses. Sometimes single species plantings can be very effective like pots of Marguerites (pictured) and Fuchsias.

The royal hue of purple is back in vogue – timed, maybe with the forthcoming wedding in mind.

Ever since Pantone named ‘Ultra Violet’ its colour of the year for 2018, gardeners have been eager to embrace it. A perennially popular choice for gardens with over 170 shades of purple in the Royal

Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Colour Chart.

It won’t be difficult to create displays in your containers featuring the likes of Lobelia, Osteospermum, Petunias, including the hugely popular Surfinia, and Verbena. You can temper your displays using foliage plants, perhaps bringing in gold foliage or the use of highly variegated foliage to help boost ‘the look’.

To give your plants the best possible start use a good quality multi-purpose compost, with mixes that include some John Innes Compost such as

Vincent Landscapes of Buckingham est1990

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Levington Multi Purpose with added John

Innes. Oh, but before

adding your compost, we

must consider whether to crock or not to crock. If you read last month’s gardening column you may remember there was some suggestion from the New Scientist magazine that it may not be necessary. Well, to balance the argument its worth remembering that the art of crocking has many benefits and we have received plenty of feedback to suggest that there is something rather comforting about re-used shards of terracotta performing ‘some kind of

magic’ inside the pot. Indeed, I’m sure many will ignore the science, and carry on with this ‘intuitive ritual’ that is part of our gardening heritage. Bulky pieces of crock or polystyrene perhaps in preference to gravels and grits, which may cause reduced drainage

over time. Finally, once planted your displays will need to be fed regularly.

Don’t skimp. Give your containers a liquid feed using a high potash fertiliser such as Phostrogen or Tomorite to keep the flowers blooming and the plants strong and healthy. Once a week is perfect, and that’s it, apart from the other therapeutic ritual of deadheading, i.e. removing those faded blooms to encourage more flowers.

There’s no doubt planters are worth the extra effort, and of course good enough for any royal visitor! You have been warned!

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WIN A Buckingham Garden Centre Gift Voucher worth £25!

Fancy winning one of two Buckingham Garden Centre Gift Vouchers? Here’s your opportunity to win by simply answering the question below in our easy-to-enter competition.

Question: Impatiens walleriana is commonly called: A Impatient Mary B Pouting Pansy C Busy Lizzie Pop your answer A, B or C together with your name and address to: competition@buckingham-nurseries.co.uk Or by post to: Buckingham Garden Centre, Tingewick Road, The closing date for entries is Buckingham, MK18 4AE. 31st May 2018 www.buckinghamgardencentre.co.uk

WIN

www.facebook.com/BuckinghamNurseries Open 7 Days a Week.

Tel: 01280 822133

To advertise at a price thats right for you call 07899 757473

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EVENTS

Beginner Taoist Tai Chi TM Classes:

Buckingham – Embleton Way Scout and Community Centre 52 Embleton Way MK18 1FJ Wednesday 7.15pm – 9.15pm

Ardley (M40/J10) – Village Hall Playing Fields, Ardley Road OX27 7PA Monday 9.30am – 10.30am

Banbury – BGN School

Entrance via Springfield Ave OX16 9DG Monday 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Local Contact: 01295 710213

I want to support people in my community

Drop in Service—No appointment necessary Buckingham Wheeldon House Market Hill Monday & Friday 10.00am to 1.00pm Tuesday & Wednesday 10am to 3.00pm Thursday 12.00pm to 5.00pm Winslow Council Offices High Street Winslow Wednesday 10.00am to 1.00pm Or telephone our advice line on 0344 245 1289

We train all our volunteers to support others.

To join our team contact: admin@buckinghamcab.org.uk

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To advertise at a price thats right for you call 07899 757473

Forest Tots

Bring your little one to our new outdoor adventure parent & toddler group.

Every Friday 10:30am to 11:30am at Wicken Park

There is so much to discover in our exciting forest school and no better playground than the great outdoors. Explore dens and our willow tunnel, meet rabbits, chickens and make new friends along the way.

Forest Tots is FREE and open to all pre-schoolers. No need to book.

Hope you can join us!

01280 860824 events@akeleywoodschool.co.uk Akeley Wood School, Wicken Park, Wicken, MK19 6DA AkeleyWoodSchool

akeley_wood w: akeleywoodschool.co.uk

To advertise at a price thats right for you call 07899 757473

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Sunday Morning

Every Sunday morning the Swan Wheelers have bicycle rides for all abilities. Starting from The Swan Pool 08-45 & Wednesday 9.15am See Swan Wheelers website

Every Monday/Thursday

Buckingham & Stowe Running Club. Please see our website for more information www.buckinghamrunningclub. com or email buckinghamrunningclub@hotmail.co.uk

Every Monday Evening

SCUBA diving with Stowe Sub Aqua Club, see the web for more information. StoweSubAqua.co.uk 16TH APRIL OCEAN DIVER COURSE STARTING Men in Sheds Buckingham Meet every Tuesday (10am to 1pm) Thursday (10am to 2pm) and Friday (10am to 2pm) We meet in our workshop behind the Cote at the Woolpack in Well Street, Buckingham email: buckmshed@btinternet.com Self Defence Classes

Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday’s

of the month 10 am until 12 noon Come for a coffee ,cake and a chat Also speakers, demonstrations and outings Contact Ann 07473766365 or 01280 815441

First Thursday of the Month OPEN HOUSE

(part of Community Care North Bucks)

Living on you own?

Join us at The Centre, Verney Close, Buckingham. 10.30am 12.30pm for coffee and cake.

Occasional speakers and trips out 07473766365

Alternate Thursdays

The Registrars are at Buckingham Library 10am -3pm.

Email registrars@buckscc.gov.uk or phone 01296 383055 to book

every Wednesday

Maids Moreton School. Kids and Teens 6.00 Adults 7.00 cskravmaga@sky.com 07526629955

Alternate Wednesdays

‘Just Friends’ social club for single people aged roughly 45 - 70+ Meet 8.00pm Villiers hotel lounge Walks, theatre, eating out & much more. justfriends2004@gmail.com North Bucks Carers Support Group Social Mornings at Buckingham Community Centre 28

To advertise at a price thats right for you call 07899 757473

EVE

Bucking

Tues Beginner course (ring for da Wed Drop-in: at Lacehill Sports & Yin 8:15-9:30pm Contact Julia@b Visit www.buck

01280 823

www.bucking

MAY 201

01 May 2018 11:00 - 12:00 Buckingham Traditional co

11 May 2018 19:30 - 22:30 Street Tickets Available from Licenced Bar

19 May 2018 All Day Roya Centre The w May 2018 at community h invited. More ham-tc.gov.uk

ENTS

gham Yoga

an appointment to register a birth or death and for giving notice if marriage.

Thursday evenings

Brackley Morris Men Taster Sessions 8.15pm Brackley CE Junior School, Manor Road Brackley Further details from Stephen Ferneyhough 07764 799947

First Saturday of each month

Buckingham Railway Walk Conservation Group 10am in the University Car Park Chandos Road.

http://buckinghamrailwaywalk. ates) Buckingham Community Centre btck.co.uk/ or https://www.facebook. & Community centre Hatha 7-8:05pm, com/Railwaywalk buckingham-yoga.co.uk 07514498053 kingham-yoga.co.uk

3020.

ghamoldgaol.org.uk

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8 0 May Day Celebrations -- Green outside Parish Church ountry dancing and maypole dancing by local primary school children

8 0 Cancer Research UK Quiz Night -- The Cote at The Woolpack, Well s £12.50 to include a 2 course supper. m Buckingham Tea Room / The Woolpack / or telephone 01280 816483 r available Teams of 4-6 which can be made up on the night, Raffle.

CUSHION SALE

FRIDAY 4TH MAY 9AM 12 O’CLOCK in Aid of the Oxford

Churchill Hospital Renal Unit.

Patchwork Quilt to Raffle Plus Mandy Handmade Cushions to sell.

Please come for Coffee & Cake and help people with Kidney Illness.

Hatha yoga with Eva Monday mornings, 9.30-11am, Chackmore village hall Monday evenings, 7-8.30pm, PA room, Buckingham Primary School Small, friendly classes; beginners welcome. Yin/restorative session once every half term.

Contact: 07970 659952, eva@evayoga.co.uk, www.evayoga.co.uk

Tingewick Fete, Beer Festival and Classic Car Show.

Saturday 23rd June starting at 1 o’clock on the Recreation Ground in Water Stratford Road, MK18 4NU. The fun day includes a village fete, 100+ classic cars, dog show & beer festival. A BBQ, a pig roast, cakes, beers, ciders and Pimms will be available. There will be music during the fete, including the band, Jazz Number. Also, the beer festival continues into the evening with music until 11 pm.

The main band, Bang Tail Feather, will play at 9 pm. Free entry!

For more information www.tingewickfete.co.uk

8 al Wedding Community Hall Party -- Lace Hill Sports & Community wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is due to take place on 19 t St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in England. There will be a hall party at Lace Hill Sports & Community Centre and everyone is e details coming soon. Contact: Sam Hoareau (lacehillcentre@buckingk) or call 01280 816 426

To advertise at a price thats right for you call 07899 757473

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KEEPY UPPY

NE / LI ag ON essm R n n i TE bus itio EN .In pet w om w C w

1st Prize

Free Tickets to see the Tempest on the 26th June for a family of 4

SEARCH THROUGH THE BOOKLET AND SPOT BIB

who is cleverly hidden in one of our adverts.

Click onto www.Inbusinessmag/Competition Complete the form below and send back to the address underneath.

OR email to lifeinbuckingham@gmail.com

Congratulations

to Belinda Holmes

Buckingham who has won

free tickets for spotting BIB.

Name

Which was on the

Technovisual Advert

Address

Telephone No. Email Advert which BIB appeared in

Send back to Best Area Magazines Ltd, BIB Quiz, 3 Checketts Close, Pinvin, Worcestershire WR10 2LE Winner will be drawn on the 10th of each month and published in the next edition.

Š 2018. All artwork and copy appearing in this publication is copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. All information published is correct according to those who supplied it and no respon sibility is taken if it is not. Care is taken to ensure all advertisements are truthful and no liability is accepted for errors or omissions. The right to refuse advertisements is reserved. The use of this publication for canvassing, direct marketing or any other activity apart from sourcing local goods and services is strictly prohibited. This title is a division of Best Area Magazines Ltd, 3 Checketts Close, Pinvin, Worcs. WR10 2LE.

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To advertise at a price thats right for you call 07899 757473

To advertise at a price thats right for you call 07899 757473

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