Hello Summer July 2023

SUMMER

leave

sofa

SUMMER OF EVENTS

THE CHESTER HOUSE ESTATE

JUNE 24TH & 25TH ROMAN FEST THE ROMANS ARE BACK FOR A WEEKEND LONG CELEBRATION OF THE HERITAGE

JUNE 28TH A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM OUTDOOR THEATRE

JULY 8TH 21ST CENTURY ABBA LIVE OPEN-AIR CONCERT

JULY 21ST 21ST CENTURY QUEEN LIVE OPEN-AIR CONCERT

JULY 22ND SPIDER TRAINING LEARN HOW TO BE JUST LIKE SPIDERMAN

JULY 24TH, 25TH,26TH.

AUGUST 9TH, 10TH, 11TH, 29TH, 30TH, 31ST & SEPTEMBER 1ST

JULY 29TH & 30TH KIDS SUMMER FESTIVAL

AUGUST 13TH WIZARD OF OZ OUTDOOR THEATRE

FOREST SCHOOL HANDS ON LEARNING IN NATURE. EXPLORING THE BEAUTY OF THE NENE VALLEY.

ADVENTURE INTO NEVERLAND

AUGUST 1ST AUGUST 2ND, 5TH & 8TH GREATEST SHOWMAN WORKSHOP LEARN THE SKILLS OF P.T BARNUM FROM THE SMASH HIT FILM

AUGUST 3RD THE SECRET GARDEN OUTDOOR THEATRE

AUGUST 4TH AIR AMBULANCE OPEN DAY VIEW A REAL AIR AMBULANCE WITH ACTIVITIES FOR ALL THE FAMILY

AUGUST 15TH & 22ND ZUMBA FOR KIDS ENERGETIC DANCING FOR KIDS TO THEIR FAVOURITE TUNES

AUGUST 17TH IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST OUTDOOR THEATRE

AUGUST 18TH SCIENCE WORKSHOP UNIQUE LEARNING FOR KIDS TO GET INVOLVED IN SCIENCE

AUGUST 26TH SENSE AND SENSIBILITY OUTDOOR THEATRE

PRE-BOOK TICKETS ONLINE VISIT: WWW.CHESTERHOUSEESTATE.ORG

Scan the QR code for 10% off in the Farmhouse Café on your next visit

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

It’s time to

the

and get outside this summer, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the locality, as our 12-page summer guide proves...

SUMMER

The sun is shining, school is nearly out and our thoughts turn to fun things.

To make organising easy for you, Pulse has assembled a wealth of things to do this July and August, with many free and affordable options available across Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire.

Whether you want to get involved in lively activities, take the kids to a familyfriendly rave or absorb the culture in a museum or gallery, we’ve got you covered in the pages of Hello Summer.

Kelmarsh Hall & Gardens in Northampton will be jazzing things up in the musical sense on July 6, when the Ducie Jazz Band performs.

Visitors will be able to take a leisurely stroll in the gardens, enjoying the summer borders and striking colours of the walled garden, before making their way to the west terrace lawns for the live music.

Remember your picnic, blankets and chairs, and relax. The event will run from 5.30pm to 9.00pm; For tickets visit kelmarsh.com/whatson

CONTENTS:

Chester House in Little Irchester has a summer of the sensational planned, with a varied programme sure to sate the entertainment appetites of the majority. On July 8, 21st Century ABBA Live will deliver smash hit after another; from Waterloo and Mamma Mia to Super Trouper, but there are other outside events to indulge in too - 21st Century Queen (July 21) will offer a royally ace set, and Spider Training (July 22) will weave a web of wonder around little folks.

Suitable for ages 4+ Spiderman and Spidergirl will offer an hour-long workshop teaching little folks the moves of a real superhero. There are five sessions running across the day.

A Kids Summer Festival (July 29 & 30) will boast inflatables, interactive live stage shows, tractor rides around the estate, a circus workshop, crafts, sandcastle building and a chance to discover the Archaeological Resource Centre.

Youngsters can Adventure into Neverland! (August 1) with games, music and dancing, enjoy The Greatest Showman Workshop (August 2, 5 & 8), enjoy a performance of The Secret Garden (August 3) by Chapterhouse Theatre Company, and if you are in the vicinity, do support the Air Ambulance Open Day (August 4).

There are lots more shows and events (including Zumba for Kids!) upcoming. Visit the website for more details at chesterhouseestate.org

Denton Village Hall will be bustling on Sunday, August 7 when it hosts a Summer Fete for the community.

Enjoy a chippy lunch, play outdoor games and enjoy the bouncy castles which will be set up for the day, and lots of stalls will tempt you.

The event is in support of the charity Deafconnect and will run between 10am and 2pm.

CHARITY Hello

How do you fancy teaming up with your kids for some fun, while simultaneously doing your bit for Harry’s Rainbow?

The Milton Keynes based charity, which supports children, young people and young adults who have been bereaved of a parent or sibling, is hosting its annual Colour Run and Fun Day to swell coffers on Saturday, July 8.

Taking place at the large Recreation Ground on Woburn Avenue in Wolverton, children and adults can choose to run, walk, hop, skip or jump their way through the course – with the choice of a half mile or mile long route.

If you don’t fancy the colour aspect, a noncolour option will be in play too, so don’t worry.

Course aside, the event will boast games, rides, stalls and refreshments – fun for all the family.

Entry is £6 and everyone who completes the course will go home with a medal.

This year is the 13th time that the popular event has been held, and with numbers of participants increasing every year, advance bookings are strongly advised.

> To book tickets visit harrysrainbow.co.uk/events

MK’s biggest night time event is back on July 14, when the Willen Hospice Midnight Moo returns.

Every year the Milton Keynes hospice needs to raise £5.9 million to provide specialist, compassionate care to local people and the Moo is the charity’s biggest fundraiser.

‘Light up the night and walk our five or 10-mile route across Milton Keynes, with fun surprises along the way,” the charity invites.

Enter on your own, with pals or as part of a team – it’ll be moo-vellous fun whatever you decide!

Participants will arrive at Midsummer Place in CMK no later than 9.30pm ready to step to it at 10pm.

Taking part costs £20 which includes a Midnight Moo t-shirt, a ‘Moo pack’ with route map and in-memory bib, and of course when you step over the finish line you’ll get a finisher’s medal.

> To sign up visit willen-hospice.org.uk

You can join the Colour Run on Saturday, July 8

Dress up and have some fun with friends or colleagues at Willen Hospice Midnight Moo

Harry’s Rainbow pics: Tea Cup Pictures

IF:2023 Hello

Tbiennial IF: Milton Keynes International Festival returns this July, with 10 days of colourful, unusual and exceptional events and performances. Free events include The Place Between, which will explore the connection we have to our Earth, to each other, and our contribution to the cycle of life.

Artist Rebecca Louise Law creates immersive installations with natural materials, with preserved flowers frequently featured in her work. This installation – which can be viewed in Middleton Hall in centre:mk – also has soundscapes by Jason Singh

Mechanical sandwriter Blom will draw on the streets, transforming bland pavements with picture outlines – from a flowery carpet to a flock of little hearts.

Small buckets filled with coloured sand will be placed close by, ready for you to add your own touch to the art work.

Get involved: July 21 – City Square, July 22 –Midsummer Place, July 23 – outside Door 18, centre:mk.

The fairground will reveal itself at Festival Central in Campbell Park (July 21-July 23)

courtesy of Belgian theatre company De Machienerie present Carnivale, an interactive ‘fairground village’ with installations, curiosities, mechanical animals all fashioned from recycled materials – and you will operate it!

Disabled-led company Daryl & Co and Mimbre will present performances of Look Mum, No Hands! at the Milton Keynes Rose (July 29 12.30pm & 4pm and July 30 at 11am & 3pm).

The coming-of-age story about two friends testing their own boundaries is visually stunning with acrobatic shapes and unexpected choreography guaranteed to keep you gripped.

Arts, laughs and music

Belgian company Captain Bloomer will take you to a world of pastoral bliss when they take up residence at Fred Roche Gardens (July 21 & 22, 11am- 7pm), and July 23 at 10.30am – 5.30pm).

Pasture With Cows features real bovines and references the new city’s famous concrete moo-vers. The beautiful beasts will graze within an outsized gilt picture frame, inspired by Old Master paintings of livestock. The Stables Spiegeltent in campbell park will be bustling with good things over the course of the Festival, with plenty of the action tailored towards little folks; Comedy Club 4 Kids (July 29 at 2pm) will deliver some of the

best stand-ups and sketch acts from the circuit who will play for an audience age six and up and their families. The only thing missing will be the rude bits, but the humour will be firmly intact!

Organisers say ‘the show is family friendly, but without any patronising idiocy.’

On July 30, the Spiegeltent will welcome the family rave sensation Big Fish Little Fish who are tasking DJ Raks with the job of delivering an old skool drum and bass and jungle set before the assembled.

Suitable for ages two and above, youngsters who need to break from the dancing can get involved in the free craft activity and homemade play dough table while they store up some more energy. If they are in the zone though, they can throw some shapes on the family-only multi-sensory dance floor which will be bursting with bubbles, balloons, snow foam and smoke rings. Fun for all and a sizzling soundtrack to boot.

Other IF goodies to get involved with include the Barely Methodical Troupe with Bromance, a five-star circus about camaraderie and affection (July 21-23), Ireland’s improvising musical comedian Abandoman (July 21) and the world-premiere of Forever?

which is a partnership between The Stables and Olney’s Cowper & Newton Museum. The new work responds to the 250th anniversary of the famous hymn, Amazing Grace (July 22).

An Evening Without Kate Bush will be performed by Sarah-Louise Young (July 23) and Paul Young returns with Los Pacaminos (July 24) delivering the sounds of the Southwest.

More music comes from Karine Polwart & Dave Milligan (July 26), Turin Brakes (July 27) and Toyah Willcox & Robert Fripp (July 28) and the end of the festival party will be in safe hands (July 30) with the Monster Ceilidh Band taking care of business.

> Ten days, but with enough produce to fill a month! For the complete Festival listings visit ifmiltonkeynes.org

Pasture With Cows

Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave

Look Mum No Hands

Pic: Rachel Hardwick, 2022

IF:2023 Hello

21-30 July

Win a Family Ticket for P

lace des Anges will be one of the highlight performances of this year’s Festival - a beautiful, astonishing and breathtaking spectacle to enchant audiences of all ages.

As night falls across the city, angels begin to appear, high up in the sky. They move through the air, magically suspended above the crowd below. The angels start to glide down into the audience, releasing white feathers which float across the sky. Each angel has their own unique character and style and as their aerial antics become more boisterous, the clouds of feathers thicken, creating a sense of awe and wonder.

This is only the third time that Place des Anges has been performed in the UK - the two previous performances took place at London’s Cultural Olympiad in 2012 and for Hull’s UK Capital of Culture programme in 2016.

Performances take place in Secklow Gate D3 Car Park (near The Point) in central Milton Keynes on Friday 28 & Saturday 29 July, starting at 9.45pm.

Gratte Ciel’s Place Des Anges

To win a family ticket (up to 4 people, one of whom must be a responsible adult), answer the following question >>

In what year did the performance of Place des Anges take place at the Cultural Olympiad in London?

Afternoon Tea Al fresco

Indulge in our summer afternoon tea menu with delicious sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries on our al fresco dining area. Enjoy a complimentary glass of Rose Prosecco in June, July and August.

Served daily from 12pm to 5pm

Traditional Vintage £32.95

To book call 01536 416666

Closing date: Friday July, 21

Pic: J. Broadley

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With school out, finding ways to keep the little ‘uns entertained for six whole weeks can feel a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, Milton Keynes Museum is on hand to make things easy for you, and fun for them!

On July 15, the Museum will mark its 50 year anniversary with a special celebration party, and then between July 24 and September 1 the Wolverton based history hub will be offering additional activities to take attention.

All the usual attractions will be open as usual of course; start your visit with a look inside the Victorian farmhouse, play on music machines from the era, make hot buttered toast in the parlour, see what the role of a servant entailed and look back on more than a century of toys.

MUSEUMS Hello History Boys and girls

Then stroll through the Street of Shops with its many original facades from stores that once served residents of Stony Stratford, Newport Pagnell and Wolverton.

While there, pop into the Old Ridgemont Post Office for a quarter of your favourite sweets, and then learn more about how our ancestors used to farm the land.

The Museum has more than 150 phones and communication systems, from the earliest examples to novelty phones and those early ‘brick’ mobiles, so get ready to dial away!

The old Wolverton to Stony Stratford tram is one of the many vehicles waiting for you to explore in the Hall of transport, where you’ll also find a historic fire engine, a Sinclair C5, and many other interesting examples.

Outside, the Museum’s five acres of grounds means plenty of space for kids to use up excess energy – and there’s a play area, plenty of picnic spaces and you’ll meet some famous residents; the original Concrete Cows moo-ved in a few years ago.

The Museum also has a shop and tasty snacks are available at the Granary Tea Room.

Pay once and your ticket is valid for unlimited returns for 12 months!

> For more event details and prices visit miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

Pay a visit to Art Gallery 1 at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery between now and September 1 to view the exhibition, The BFG in Pictures

Since The BFG was first published more than four decades ago it has remained in print, with the tale of orphan Sophie and her giant friend enchanting children and selling more than 50 million copies!

This is the first exhibition of work by Quentin Blake for Dahl’s enduring story, and shows iconic prints from the classic page-turner.

Over at The Temporary Exhibition Gallery, Brick wonders: Around the world in LEGO® bricks uses the Danish delights to recreate some amazing sights from around the world; starting with the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Artist Warren Elsmore has curated the visual feast.

Starting on July 15, the two month show Around the World in 80 Pictures will be in situ at Art Gallery 2 Visit the space and take a journey around the world in this exhibition, which includes works from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

Take in Parisian street scenes, Swiss mountains, Jamaican harbours and so much more.

Abington Park Museum is offering you the chance to enjoy a seaside holiday at home with an art collection bringing windswept coasts and buckets and spades to you. All the enjoyment, but without the sand in your shoes!

> For more details visit northamptonmuseums.com

MUSIC Hello

The ‘biggest party of the summer’ is promised by organisers of a one-day festival set to sizzle in the grounds of beautiful Delapré Abbey on July 8.

Summertime Live – which launched in 2022 with a series of successful events countrywide – has assembled a brilliant line-up of live music and DJs, with performances from Artful Dodger, Rickie & Melvin, Baby D, Sonique and Wideboys ready to roll before a headline set from the Classic Ibiza orchestra

“We cannot wait for the crowd to experience this year’s offering of amazing dance music acts,” said organiser Jonathan Ware, “The reaction we’ve seen so far has been unprecedented...” Tickets are on sale at £37.50 with a limited number remaining.

> To book and for more information visit summertimelive.co.uk/northampton

Enjoy lovely Lamport as the sun shines

Now that we’re into the glorious summer months, the green spaces at Lamport Hall & Gardens are a riot of colour and the sound of birdsong is in the air. To make the most of the hazy afternoons and long evenings, the stunning Northamptonshire space is providing some wonderful entertainment.

On Saturday, July 15 Chapterhouse Theatre will deliver their adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s best-loved romantic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest in the spectacular surroundings of the walled garden. The delightful Cecily, roguish Algernon and the formidable Lady Bracknell are unforgettably larger than life characters who will keep you wildly entertained! Picnic with friends and family and enjoy Wilde’s hilarious tale of double lives and mistaken identities presented in full period costume.

A day later (Sunday, July 16), The Tame Valley Stompers Allstars will go live with traditional New Orleans Jazz from the ‘20s and ‘30s in the Walled Garden. On Saturday, August 5, Lamport welcomes pianist Sophia Rahman and violinist Andres Kaljuste, from Finland, for an evening of Scandinavian music, with pieces by Sibelius, Greig, Stenhammar, Eller and Pärt in the beautiful High Room.

Lamport has just launched the Northamptonshire produce picnic hamper which can be pre-ordered for the aforementioned events at £25 per person. The hamper includes sourdough bread, butter, cheese, charcuterie, pork pie, sweet pastry, cake, chutney and a soft drink, presented in a beautiful ribbontied gift box.

On the August Bank Holiday weekend the venue will host an Antiques and Collectors Fair with more than 80 stalls to browse.

The Hall and Gardens are open throughout the summer on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 4pm, with the café and gift shop open until 3pm. For more information and bookings visit lamporthall.co.uk

Saturday

Sunday 16th July

Jazz in the Gardens with The Tame Valley Stompers - Walled Garden Jazz

Saturday 5th August

Scandinavian Music with a Baltic Twist with Sophia Rahman and Andres KaljusteHigh Room Concert

Sunday 27th & Monday 28th August Antiques and Collectors Fair with Staghead Events

Prepare to party at Summertime Live

Sophia Rahman and Andres Kaljuste

Pigs Might Fly is a new farmyard musical about the joy of unlikely friendships –and the tour comes to a close at Milton Keynes Theatre on July 16.

Based on the book Mudpuddle Farm by Michael Morpurgo (the man responsible for the splendid War Horse), the star of the piece is Pintsize, the most daring piglet on the farm.

Pintsize is great pals with Diana the sheep and the duo love playing together...until a fence is built between them denying them their fun.

Keen to reunite with his pal, Pintsize is determined to fly over it. But can his ingenuity and determination defy the laws of physics?

Catchy songs, imagination and slapstick humour make this 50 minute show a total treat for youngsters aged three to 11 years.

Hoses will be at the ready on July 29 for another adventure with Fireman Sam!

When his friends go away, Norman Price decides to make his own adventure in Pontypandy – by becoming the star of a visiting circus, but with a tiger on the loose and faulty lights, adventure is replaced by danger.

Can Fireman Sam save the circus?

There are two chances to find out, with performances at 1.30pm and 4pm.

> To book tickets click to atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

THEATRE Hello Sparking imagination

Pigs Might Fly brings the Michael Morpurgobook Mudpuddle Farm to life on stage this summer

Catch Fireman Sam and ‘naughty’ Norman Price on stage at Milton Keynes theatre

PARKLIFE Hello

Acelebration of the natural world will take place in the ancient woodland of Howe Park Wood in Milton Keynes on July 1 and is sure to get little minds all fired up to help our wildlife.

Love Nature Day is an all-ages event giving you the opportunity to meet volunteers who are passionate about moths, swifts and bats.

The free session – running between 11am and 4pm – will have opportunities to go bug hunting and pond dipping, and Parks Trust rangers will offer guided walks.

The woodland boasts more than 200 plant species and is home to 30 different species of butterfly.

On July 4, Howe Park Wood will host a Discover Nature Day tailored to those aged 11 to 13 years old.

The five hour session (from 10am, £22.50) will include wildlife identification, biology, bushcraft and more. Participants get to learn new skills, be inspired by the natural world and meet new pals at the same time.

Parents and guardians won’t be required to stay, but children will need to arrive dressed appropriately for the weather, and with a packed lunch – dig out that weatherproof mac and remember the cheese and pickle sandwiches!

Howe Park is proving quite the centre for summer activities; every Tuesday, Wednesday

Stanwick Lakes in Wellingborough has plenty of great things to take your attention through the long summer days.

Nature engagement activities will run every Tuesday and every other Thursday, with youngsters invited to have a go at pond dipping and den building, and you can go on a mystery walk with one of the on-site rangers. Other attractions include a new play tower and a summer trail, and work is continuing on Stanwick’s National Lottery Funded Heritage projects too, with the opportunity to discover the new roundhouse at the Iron Age settlement, watch the Bronze Age boat taking shape at the heritage hub and explore the new pathway around the Bronze Age Round Barrow

Over in the Heritage Barn, the Northants Guild of Spinners - Weavers and Dyers - will be showcasing their work around ancient ancient textiles every Wednesday. There might even be some outdoor natural dyeing taking place with plants from the Heritage Garden. Heritage Trail leaflets can be collected from the Visitor Centre which will lead you on a wonderful tour of the history of the site of Stanwick Lakes.

> For more information and prices visit stanwicklakes.org.uk

and Thursday between July 25 and August 13 the on-site education centre will be open with nests, skulls and feathers found at local Parks Trust sites on display.

Nature-themed challenges and self-guided trails will occupy little minds too. It’s free to attend – just drop in at a time to suit between 9.30am and 12.30pm.

Over at Broughton Brook Magna Park, storyteller Red Phoenix will be back with a selection of summer tales suitable for all ages (July 29, pre-booking essential. One ticket costs £5 and covers a family of four).

Enjoy the local park while being regaled with tales linked to the season and the area. A series of free Parkland Play dates have also been arranged, which will deliver fun and games with a variety of sporting activities, rideon cars, games and a baby and toddler area.

The sessions will visit Ashland Lakes (July 31), Waterhall Park (August 1), Whitehouse Park (August 2), Oakgrove (August 3) and Stony Stratford Millfield (August 4).

Each Parkland Play event runs from 1pm to 3pm and children must be accompanied by an adult – so you can have some fun too!

> For more event details, or to pre-book where applicable visit theparkstrust.com

Storyteller Red Phoenix

Howe Park Wood Nature Crafts

Howe Park Wood Nature Day

The Iron Age roundhouse

The kids will love the new play tower

See ancient crafts at Stanwick Lakes

Pics: ELWJ Photography