MK Pulse March 24

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Issue 173 | March 2024

The magazine at the heart of Milton Keynes and Bucks

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County-wide news, views and stories

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CONTENTS

From the

Editor

MARCH 2024

Kerry Lewis-Stevenson

I

t’s time for Easter treats and you’ll find plenty of egg shaped excitement in our round up of activities. The annual egg hunt at Milton Keynes Museum is running from 29th March to 1st April. At Oakgrove there’s the Parks Trust Easter Eggstravaganza and Emily’s Star egg hunt at Wolverton. In Northampton there’s Abington Park’s Easter Egg Trail and Spring Wreath making at Delapré Abbey. Animals in Need are holding their Spring Fayre on 31st March.

We’ve taken a trip down Memory Lane this month, looking back on the work of Bill Billings. If the name isn’t familiar, take a look at the triceratops sculpture at Peartree Bridge and you’ll know what we mean. His work is all around the city and it always raises a smile.

Are you feeling creative? The MK Food Bank has come up with a clever idea to help restock the shelves. They’re inviting community groups and businesses to make murals of their names or logos out of essential food. You can take part and help them collect 100,000 food items from 25th March to 5th April.

You won’t want to miss Coleen Nolan this month who is ‘Naked’ in Northampton – sort of. She tells Sammy Jones all about the butterflies she still feels every time she performs. Supported by her son, Shane, you can see her at The Old Savoy in Northampton for some ‘get up and dance’ music.

What do you know about garden gnomes? Did you know, for example, that they date back to Roman times or that they were a status symbol 100 years ago? Charles Isham at Lamport Hall was the first person recorded using them in his rockery in 1870.

Dr Twigs Way can tell you all about it at Denton Village Hall on 11th March.

Happy Easter!

Kerry Read previous editions online: www.pulsegroupmedia.co.uk 01908 465488 mkpulse@pulsegroupmedia.co.uk 17 Stilebrook Road, Olney, Bucks MK46 5EA Connect with us on socials: /pulsemagazines @pulsemagazines mkpulsemagazine FINISHED READING? PASS PULSE MAGAZINE TO A FRIEND OR PLACE IT IN THE RECYCLING.

The deadline for advertising in the next edition of Pulse Magazine is MONDAY FRIDAY8TH 8THFEBRUARY MARCH Published by Lunar Publishing Limited MK Pulse cannot take responsibility for the content of the advertisements, editorial or the services provided by the advertisers. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are accurate. All artwork is accepted on condition that permission has been given for use in MK Pulse. Reproduction, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. ©MK Pulse

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28 8

NEWS

12

HISTORY

16

PROFILE

18

COLEEN NOLAN

24

LEGAL

26

PULSE PICS

24

BRIDE GUIDE

28

EASTER

32

BEAUTY

34

FASHION

36

FOOD & DRINK

38

COMPETITION

46

MUSIC

49

THEATRE

50

FILMS

52

WHAT’S ON

58

YOUR STARS

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49

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Are you on board?

Some bus routes in MK are at risk of being withdrawn due to very low passenger numbers.

If you don’t want this to happen, then use the buses when you can. If enough people ride, we’ll be able to keep the route running. It’s that simple!

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March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

LOCAL NEWS

Yes, you can… Let’s get creative with Food Bank’s new challenge MK Food Bank is calling on schools, community groups, councils and businesses to take part in its latest food collection campaign.

Take a photo or make a video to promote your organisation and the Food Bank collects the cans of food to add to its stock for families in need across the city. It’s a win-win, the charity says.

The MK Can Logo Challenge takes place from March 25 until April 5.

“It can be as big and imaginative as you like,” says MK Food Bank’s fundraising and communications coordinator Poppy Cheetham. “Don’t worry if you don’t have a logo – you can write your name or create a picture relevant to you.”

Scan the code to find out more about what’s involved.

The MK Can Logo

Take a photo or make a video to promote your organisation and the Food Bank collects the cans of food to add to its stock for families in need across the city

I

t’s time to get creative and help the great work of MK Food Bank.

They are calling on community groups and businesses across Milton Keynes to take part in the Food Bank’s new campaign… to create a mural of your organisation’s name or logo out of essential food items.

Challenge is looking to collect more than 100,000 food items from the Logo Challenge, which follows the charity’s successful bid in October to set a new world record for the longest line of food cans – it amassed a total of 102,447 cans of food in a line stretching more than 7km around Campbell Park.

The world record attempt collected more than half of the canned food MK Food Bank needs for an entire year, supporting thousands of families over the winter. “Due to a very busy winter, most of the cans from the MK Can event have already been distributed,” says Poppy. “To restock our shelves, we’re hoping to collect another 102,000 food items from the Logo Challenge.”

During the first half of 2023, demand for the Food Bank’s service increased by almost 40% on the same period as last year and the number of households receiving support doubled. The Food Bank needs a minimum of 4,500 food items, £530 and 55 volunteer hours each day just to maintain its work.

Love to explore? Scan the code to sign up

Stay up to date with the best places to go and the most epic events happening across Milton Keynes.

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For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024 14:24 11 06/09/2022

LOCAL HISTORY

The maverick brilliance of Bill I

Those settlers new to the city might not have heard his name before, but they will know Bill Billings' work. It's scattered all over the expanse of Milton Keynes, raising smiles, still triggering conversations and reminding us of the important role art has to play in everyday life. Because, simply, art matters and no-one understood that better than Bill. In this month's Museum feature, Sammy Jones looks back at the man and his incredible legacy...

t is his work that provided Milton Keynes with some of its more fun, unique and off the wall pieces of public art. Those same words are perfect to sum up the creator behind wild and wonderful works like the Peartree Bridge Triceratops, which is part of our new city’s fabric, but still thrills visitors as they drive by it on the V8.

Bill was a passionate advocate of the new town and spent decades here, colouring up its landscape with his creations. His influence, paired with an unkempt passion and refusal to be tamed made him all the more essential.

And Bill’s generosity of time and knowledge meant that he worked with everyone; from prisoner to pupil to dignitary, treating one and all the same.

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Bill with the Peartree Bridge dinosaur

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

Born in Islington in 1938, he left school at 15 years old, going on to serve an apprenticeship as a printer. In the 1960s he served with the SAS in Aden in Yemen, receiving not one, but two Arabian Service Medals for his work.

He later worked as a telephone engineer, but his introduction to the locality came during his time as a lorry driver on the building sites that would become early estates in Milton Keynes.

It wasn’t only sculpture and painting that Bill could do with what appeared to be enviable ease, but he also drew and worked in music and his introduction to the arts was as a poet - working under the guidance of Jack Trevor Story whose creative space was here at Milton Keynes Museum. In fact, Bill styled himself as the Poet Lorryate. Nope, that’s not a spelling mistake!

LOCAL HISTORY

The Peartree Bridge Triceratops today

The Leon Dinosaur - now sadly missing from the landscape

Here at the Museum, he had helped with the creation of the concrete cows, and the snowman that greets visitors daily as they arrive to enjoy our history is another lasting tribute to Bill’s work.

The Lakes Estate dinosaur, Leonasaurus Rex, was built by Bill with students from Bletchley’s Leon School, in the early 1990s. The sculpture was the idea of former headmaster Bruce Abbott, and David Ashford worked as project coordinator.

Despite opposition, the Jurassic structure was later moved to Warren Park in Bletchley, where it wasn’t afforded the maintenance it deserved.

Pic: Living Archive

Bill passed away in 2007, but I still remember with fondness our colourful conversations.

During one visit to his working home, at The Old Telephone Exchange in Newport Pagnell, he became ever more animated as he asked my photographer and I to guess the name of the swirl and splatter of the multi-coloured paints on one particular canvas. Eventually, he gave up the game, “It’s the female orgasm!” he declared, with a wide grin. Of course.

Bill spent 18 years working with Milton Keynes College, and it was that role which saw him engaging with prisoners at Woodhill College – something he did for a decade.

“I felt that I was needed,” he had told me, “I was born into poverty. I was very poor as a kid and I have an affinity for deprived people, and I worked with them all, from every spectrum – from those with no TV licence to the heavies, the quite dangerous. You’ve got to occupy tigers...” he had said, by way of explanation.

There was a mutual appreciation between pupil and teacher.

“If you are respectful to them they are respectful back,” he said, “and I’ve never betrayed anyone, never sold anyone out.”

Perhaps Bill’s most notorious pupil was Charles Bronson, and they got on just fine: “I found him very humorous. I didn’t dislike him at all...I found Charlie fair with me.”

By all accounts, Bill was more than ‘just’ a teacher, he was a person who made a connection with people, someone who teased the best from everyone – and he left an impression.

“They’ve grown up to be policemen, villains, teachers, headmasters, but people still write to me or come to find me,” he recalled.

It wasn’t only former pupils who looked to get in touch with him. He reached Hollywood too – receiving a letter from Steven Spielberg, and what about the time that rock superstars Bon Jovi joined Bill to paint that Jurassic creation we mentioned a little earlier?

Not all of his creations have survived, but the Caldecotte Fossil Park and Wolverton’s famous train mural are among those that can still be seen, and while it’s not always appreciated for you to climb on his precious artworks, you are encouraged to take a pew with the seated couple in Wolverton’s Secret Garden. That sculpture was his last piece of work, completed shortly before he passed away.

Kids painting the staircase at Bletchley Car Park

Pic: Sammy Jones

The cost to restore and remove the statue was recently considered ‘prohibitive’ and so Leonasaurus has been lost forever.

Just like those real Dino’s it represented, its extinction was recently announced to make way for development. You might say it was a loss of monstrous proportions.

When I last interviewed him, I had asked Bill for his thoughts on the ‘modern art’ of the time: ‘Does a sawn-though, pickled cow float your boat?’ I had enquired.

“I want to do that to the concrete cows, to see the bedsprings in them,” he replied with a mischievous giggle, “I’m into every medium, I love it all, it overlaps...people who don’t like modern art go to IKEA, they wear it, they are still living it. They don’t understand that their logos are abstractions!

“As an artist you have to have the whole pot pourri,” he had insisted.

Despite the volume and quality of his creativity, as is so often the case with pioneers and those who refuse to conform, Bill didn’t make a fortune from his art.

He did receive an MBE though. Pretty good for a maverick. He also enriched the lives of more people than he could have imagined, raising cheer with all those fortunate enough to come into contact with his work, and enthusing those youngsters who he inspired with his teaching.

“Although I’ve never made much money, I’ve got a lot of riches in my kids and my work. I feel I’m one of the richest people I know,” he said.

His character and passion drew people to him, and whether or not people agreed with him, they couldn’t help but respect Bill and his no airs and graces style.

“If I have had any enemies it’s because I’m crude and scruffy,” he had laughed, “But I’ve always stayed true to myself.”

And he always had the best interest of Milton Keynes at the heart of all he did.

Unless stated, all images are courtesy of The Living Archive - livingarchive.org.uk

Milton Keynes Museum is one of the best interactive museums, a perfect outing for all ages, staffed by friendly volunteers, and highly recommended by visitors on TripAdvisor.

This feature was written by Milton Keynes Museum. Find out more about forthcoming events and see our opening times at: miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

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March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

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PROFILE

T

Care delivered with a smile

he health of you and your loved ones is a priority. We are proud of our NHS but increasing pressure on these services often means delays with long waiting times for appointments, tests and treatments which is why many patients already turn to @MK18, a practice headed up by its founder Dr Kevin Barnett MBChB MRCGP. GP Dr Kev, as he is affectionately known, opened the practice’s doors in 2018. Since then, the service has gone from strength to strength. Located at Stowe Castle Business Park, just outside Buckingham, @MK18 provides a wide range of services including minor surgery, minor injury assessment, joint injections, botulinum toxin for migraines and hyperhidrosis, medicals (including wellbeing, shotgun, racing and HGV medicals), vaccinations and much more. The practice itself is in a beautiful location with ample free parking.

Dr Kevin Barnett

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@MK18 also provides a sexual health service which includes risk assessment and all required tests – results for the majority of tests are available next day enabling rapid peace of mind or early treatment. Dr Kev also specialises in sexual health for MSM including prescribing and monitoring PrEP. All with complete discretion assured.

The team at @MK18 are also proud to have Dr Clare Turner working with us. Clare provides standard GP consultations but also has a specialist interest and experience in services and clinical support for women including initiating and monitoring HR, support through the menopause and contraceptive advice.

She also fits coils and contraceptive implants.

• Appointments usually available same or next day • Face-to-face, video and telephone consultations • Evening and weekend appointments available • Discount for Blue Light Card holders • Most blood test results available within 48 hours

SCAN ME • Friendly, approachable team tions, botulinum toxin for migraine and hyperhidrosis, March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk 16 ic, private referrals to specialists and for scans

PROFILE

Dr Kev, who grew up locally in Buckinghamshire, took the decision to move to the private sector after 23 years working across the NHS. “I am very proud to have worked for the NHS gaining experience as a GP in Buckingham, working in Accident and Emergency, providing medical cover at a rugby club and spending time as Medical Director for Urgent Care services in Buckinghamshire and London.

“I still value the NHS and have enormous respect for my colleagues (many of-whom I still work closely with) but took the decision to open a private practice after realising I wanted more continuity of care with patients. I wanted to spend time with patients rather than rush them through an appointment,” said Dr Kev, who has a reputation for his friendly, reassuring and approachable manner.

“Uniquely, at @MK18 we believe in offering a ‘one-stop’ solution where possible so that patients can have blood tests on the same

day with results often back within 48 hours.

Many minor procedures including steroid injections are also completed during the initial appointment” Patients can book face-to-face appointments at the clinic which is less than 25 minutes from central Milton Keynes or opt for an a remote appointment, which is often more convenient for patients with busy lives.

Online or face-to-face, people can expect swift, effective treatments for themselves and their families.

Dr Kev said: “Patients no longer need to be limited by geography or time. Patients are more than welcome to visit the practice to experience our high-quality care, but we also offer telephone and video consultations. This is coupled with a UK-wide remote prescribing solution enabling us to manage many situations without face-to-face consultation.”

Further expansion plans are currently underway with a second clinic, @MK9 Private

@MK18 is set in beautiful countryside

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Stowe Castle Business Park, Buckingham, MK18 5AB For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

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INTERVIEW

Col’s in the mood for singing!

Coleen Nolan will be getting Naked in Northampton this March, in a manner of speaking. She told Pulse’s Sammy Jones what’s on the musical menu...

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S

he’s the Loose Woman with the quick wit and the empathetic nature, and she’s super confident.

Or so we thought, but talking to Coleen Nolan she assures us that she struggles with confidence.

“I am scared of everything. I have been doing Loose Women for something like 23 or 24 years, and before every show I get nervous,” she admits, “Even the Loose Women are like ‘I

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

can’t believe you still get nervous.’ But I don’t necessarily think nerves are a bad thing and it’s because whatever I set my mind to, I want to do it well.”

Right now, Coleen is out on the road starring in her own theatre show, Naked, and those nerves are bristling. Incredibly, this is the first time she has stepped out solo.

Which begs the question; ‘Why do it?’ and ‘Why now?’

INTERVIEW

“...because I don’t want to get to an age where I can’t do it and it’s a regret,” she considers, “Singing is what I grew up with and it is the love of my life in a way.

“There is no denying I am scared to death,” she admits, “I sometimes wake up and think I’ll just get in my car and drive away somewhere, but equally I am excited and looking forward to it because it is not the end of the world. No-one is going to get hurt.

“I don’t want society to say to me, ‘You are too old to be doing that now.’ You are never too old – if there’s something you want to do, just do it.”

Worrying about the curtain rising every night is a drag, and she can’t even reach for a cigarette to have a different sort of drag; after a lifetime of smoking, Coleen stubbed the last one out before Christmas.

“Oh you have no idea!” she says when we ask her how it’s going, “The times I have got in my car to run out and buy 1000 cigarettes is unbelievable with the stress!” she laughs, “...but I haven’t. It’s hard, I’ve been smoking since I was a kid, but I got such a bad chest infection at the beginning of December, and they were talking about, you might have COPD, or you might end up with emphysema. I was on inhalers and steroids and thought, ‘What am I doing?’

“I want to be around for as long as possible for my family, my kids and grandkids, so I thought ‘I need to stop’.”

Naked is a concert with some nattering in between, not the other way around. Reaching for the mic and belting out an earworm is hardly a novelty for Coleen, who made her name as the youngest of family supergroup, The Nolans. “...every kind of girly anthem you can think of,” is the setlist promise, “I want everyone up dancing and singing, but obviously there will be bits in between where I speak, I am not just going to sing for an hour and a half.

“I’d like to maybe take some questions from the audience, but the vast majority of it is a concert with a band and backing singers.

“Some of these songs do have a meaning to me and fit into things that have happened in my life, whether it’s my marriages breaking down, or amazing things that have happened, or a song I used to dance round my kitchen to...”

It will be a jukebox of banging tracks: “I do a bit of Cher, I’ve got Whitney in there, I’ve got Miley Cyrus, a girl band medley, another girl band instead of us, obviously I’ve got some Nolans stuff in there, a bit of everything...”

There will still be a family connection in the show too – son Shane is supporting and might well join his mum for a duet.

“We are so close anyway, but we also really bounce off each other, and he is a brilliant entertainer himself. He’s really, really good....”

When it comes to having a good old chinwag, Coleen excels – it’s what Loose Women is all about, after all. Is there any subject that would make her squirm?

“I think it depends on the timing of it. There’s no subject I’m scared of talking about, but, for example, before I started talking about my second marriage when it was coming to an end, I waited until it did come to an end, because I don’t think that would have been fair on me or him.

Coleen is looking forward to being on stage once again

“There is a time when it’s the right time, but as far as topics go, I am a bit of an open book. Obviously nowadays you have to be very careful about what you talk about, because we are a cancelling culture and you can say one thing that is slightly controversial and that’s you done.”

Does that make you think before you speak?

“It makes us all wary now. We were talking about this recently on Loose, I think it’s the 25th anniversary this year, and compared to 25 years ago, the things we could discuss openly then – even if you didn’t agree with someone’s opinion – you just can’t do that anymore to a degree.

I was always scared of upsetting people and said yes to things I didn’t want to do because I was too frightened to say ‘no’. All of a sudden I got to an age, probably only in the last two years, where I thought ‘I’m gonna learn to say ‘no’ and be ok with it.’

“In some ways it’s a shame, although I do think all the change that has happened has been for the better really, and it’s a learning process.

“Even what I thought 25 years ago, I wouldn’t think that now, because you learn yourself and you grow, and if you can’t do that, then you should be cancelled! she says.

Age is a big conversation starter on Loose Women, and for us all, but Coleen - who is nearly 60, but ‘I feel 25’ – has accrued wisdom aplenty during her days on planet earth.

Recently, she’s learned how to say ‘no’. A little word, but using it can have a big impact.

“I was always scared of upsetting people and said yes to things I didn’t want to do because I was too frightened to say ‘no’. All of a sudden I got to an age, probably only in the last two years, where I thought ‘I’m gonna learn to say ‘no’ and be ok with it.’

“I don’t intentionally ever want to upset people, but if I do, then I do, because I spent a lot of time where I would walk away and go ‘I’m not comfortable doing this’ or, ‘I don’t really want to do this’ but it makes them happy so I’ll do it. And I’m not doing that any more.

“Losing a sister and having another one with brain cancer, you realise, ‘God, how fragile life is’,” she says, about doing what she wants to do.

One of those things she is committed to supporting is The Real Full Monty annual television specials, which sees celebrities

For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

19

INTERVIEW

Coleen and son Shane, who will be supporting her in the live show

stripping off to swell the coffers for cancer charities. If you tune in, you’ll laugh and cry. Guaranteed.

“It is a really hard show to do because your emotions are everywhere, and it’s a lot of filming, it is hard work leading up to it; it’s a good two or three months of filming.

“I love that even while I’m sitting watching it I have people messaging me saying, ‘I’ve just examined myself and I’ve found a lump and I wouldn’t have found it if you hadn’t reminded me to check.’ Loads of them text back and go it was just a cyst or whatever, and some people have said, ‘It’s cancer but I’ve caught it early, and I wouldn’t have, had I not watched the show. And that’s why I do it.”

Coleen’s life is laid bare on Loose Women; her time in the spotlight, her personal life, her family’s brave battles with illness.

Even the day to day business of feeding her pet goats. Seriously.

These days she shares her wisdom working as an Agony Aunt on a national newspaper.

“I like to think of myself more as an agony friend than an agony aunt,” she confesses, “Some people haven’t got friends or family members to talk to, or they just can’t talk to people.

“I base it on my own life experiences, and what I would say to any friend of mine going through anything – and it’s always easier when you are not emotionally involved to give advice, but it’s really hard to listen to that advice sometimes; people did it with me and I was walking away going, ‘You don’t understand,’ but actually they were right.

“I’ve had therapy loads of times throughout my life and it’s been brilliant.

“You need somebody that has no preconceived ideas about you, or the person or people you are talking about. I find that a lot of the problems I get is because of the lack of communication between people who find it so 20

hard to talk; whether it’s to a partner, to kids, parents... they just can’t talk.

“I find it hard to stop talking!” she giggles, “That thought is mind-blowing for me – ‘what do you mean you can’t talk?’”

Quite rightly, she takes the role seriously.

“I would never give somebody advice if they wrote to me and they were drug addicts or alcoholics or abusers or whatever, I would always direct them to the professionals, because that’s where I don’t have a right, I don’t know enough to deal with someone like that,” she admits, “But if it’s to do with relationships or kids or anything day to day life, menopause...I’ve been there and done it. I can only say how I got through something, and if that helps them, then great.”

When it comes to her own problems, Coleen has to head to the magazine aisle in the supermarket to learn more.

“I love going into Tesco’s and reading about my life in the magazines, and the things that even I didn’t know were happening!

“Like you said, they will make a really big headline out of nothing. I saw one last week and it was something like, ‘Coleen; I can’t do this any more’ and I thought, ‘Jesus Christ, what can’t I do? I had to stop and read it!

Just to come out and forget your troubles for a couple of hours and to get up and dance and have a fun night out would do everyone good I think, and I’d love to provide that for everyone.”

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

“The only ones that upset me is if they have got it so wrong and it’s a defamation of character, or they really have taken something out of context that could be dangerous for what I do. Then I have a problem with it.

“But if it is just gossip that has got a bit exaggerated that’s fine.”

Now Coleen is saying ‘no’ more, she spends more time in her happy place at home, but the animal mad lady has her hands full there, too: “Four dogs, three cats, two goats and a pony,” is the current non-human tally.

And a house move is on the cards: “I have bought a smaller house with a bit more land because I am animal crazy. Ciara (Coleen’s daughter) has had a pony since she was 10 years old and she’s 23 now, and I want to get the pony to the house, with a little friend. That has always been my dream.

“I would love to open a small sanctuary.

That’s on my bucket list, to open a sanctuary of some kind. I’ll look into that as soon as I move.”

And the pecking order will change with the move - literally: “At the house I am moving to I am inheriting ducks and chickens...”

But back to the here and now, and Coleen will bring Naked to The Old Savoy on March 2.

“The climate we’re in at the moment is all very depressing. Just to come out and forget your troubles for a couple of hours and to get up and dance and have a fun night out would do everyone good I think, and I’d love to provide that for everyone.”

And she does mean everyone – this ain’t just for the girls...

“Oh god, no, the more men the merrier!” she laughs again, “I’m very open to men turning up as well!” > Coleen Nolan, ‘Naked’ comes to The Old Savoy on March 2.

To book, visit theoldsavoy.co.uk

TUE 12th MAR ‘24

FRI 5th APR ‘24

£45 Per person. Includes entrance fee and one hour guided tour of the cathedral.

Leaves from...

Bill’s Coach Hire at 7.45am CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 8.05am Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 8.25am Lichfield at 15.30pm

£70 Per person. Includes light meal followed by seven puddings.

Leaves from...

Bill’s Coach Hire at 16.30pm CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 16.50pm Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 17.10pm Chipping Campden at 22.00pm

Lichfield Cathedral

The Pudding Club

SUN 17th MAR ‘24

FRI 12th APR ‘24

£35 Per person. Includes entrance fee.

If you have a passion for sewing, knitting or patchwork then this show is the place for you.

Join us for the latest stitching supplies and plenty of ideas to inspire. Find must have fabrics, fabulous yarns, gorgeous patterns, and threads.

Leaves from...

Bill’s Coach Hire at 8.45am CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 9.05am Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 9.25am Birmingham at 16.00pm

£27.00 Adult £17.00 Child 16yrs or below.

Home to a vast variety of plants, gardening tools & accessories, alongside a range of 20+ fabulous boutique independent retailers this really is a unique shopping experience.

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Bill’s Coach Hire at 9.00am CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 9.20am Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 9.40am Hatton Garden Centre at 15.00pm

Sewing for Pleasure

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£27 Per person Visit the largest Primark in the world, with a beauty studio, Barbers salon and 3 amazing dining experiences, including the Disney Café.

Leaves from...

Bill’s Coach Hire at 8.30am CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 8.50am Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 9.10am Birmingham at 17.00pm

Hatton Garden Centre

SUN 14th APR ‘24 Day Trip to Hastings

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Leaves from...

Bill’s Coach Hire at 7.30am CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 7.50am Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 8.10am Hastings at 16.00pm

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For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

21

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March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

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he long awaited landmark visitor destination, Unity Place, is now open to the public in the city of Milton Keynes. Directly opposite MK Station Square, the multi-purpose public venue boasts a vibrant Urban Food Market with multiple street food vendors, cafés, a rooftop terrace bar - Unity Sky Lounge, and the new celebrity chef, Dipna Anand’s Kitchen and Bar. Only just scratching the surface, there’s a barbershop, a Corner Store for grabbing the essentials and a Baker’s Room which bakes freshly made bread, pastries and cakes with

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Unity Sky Lounge. Photo Credit Binky Nixon Photography

that serves tandoori lamb chops, salmon, chicken and paneer tikka, as well as lamb shish.

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For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

23

LEGAL

Powers of Attorney - An Introduction Often overlooked but immensely important is the topic of Powers of Attorney (PoA).

Discover how this legal instrument can safeguard your interests, ensuring crucial decisions are made by someone you trust when you’re unable to. From finances to healthcare, learn about the different types of PoA and their advantages.

Sara Taylor and the wills, trusts and probate team provide effective and proactive guidance when dealing with estates and estate planning.

Whether it is, or dealing with your money, a house sale, a utility provider, your GP or care home, if you are not able, you can choose for an Attorney to be appointed to act on your behalf. The Attorney should be someone you know and trust. A PoA empowers who you have chosen with the legal authority to assist you (the Donor) in making decisions or acting on your behalf if you are no longer able to. Your family, including your spouse or civil partner, will not automatically have this right; therefore, you should grant authority to whoever you want to act for you. There are two main types of PoA: 1. Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)

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EPAs are a form of authority popular in the 1980s and 1990s; they are valid and can last a lifetime, enabling your appointed Attorney(s) to make property and financial decisions on your behalf.

If you lose capacity, an EPA cannot be used until registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.

Whilst now replaced, they still remain valid for financial matters.

2. Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

The above information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.

Heald Solicitors disclaims and excludes any liability in respect of the contents of this article or for action taken based on this information. If you need legal advice, please contact a solicitor.

24

LPAs replaced EPAs in 2007. An LPA continues to have an effect even if you lose capacity, which allows your chosen Attorney to make decisions on your behalf when you are unable. You can choose whether the LPA comes into effect immediately or when you lose capacity, limit what decisions your Attorney can make or express a preference on how decisions are made. There are two types of LPA:

a. b.

Property & Financial – allows for any financial and property decisions Health & Welfare – allows for health and social care decisions

Should I replace my EPA? EPAs are still valid and can be used if you have capacity without being registered. However, they cannot be used for health or welfare decisions and cannot express preferences or wishes like an LPA. To use an EPA when you lose capacity, it must be registered at the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). This can be a long process as notices must be served upon family members and the Donor in addition to the OPG procedures.

It is good to review any EPA to ensure that it reflects who and how you want to make decisions for you. It may be a good time to change to an LPA if it doesn’t.

If you have an EPA you may wish

to in addition complete a Welfare LPA to cover both financial matters under the EPA and Welfare matters under the LPA. What are the advantages of an LPA? An LPA once signed does not work and requires registration at the OPG. It can be registered at the time of creation or left signed in abeyance and then registered when needed.

If you don’t have an LPA and you lose capacity, a Court of Protection application will be needed and this can be a lengthy and expensive application.

If you are looking for further assistance or information that will give you peace of mind, our private client team would be delighted to help you. You can find out more by visiting our website or calling Sara Taylor, our Probate Manager or anyone of her team of Tracy, Abi and Mia on 01908 662277 who would be happy to help you.

Find out more at: www.healdlaw.com

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

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25

PULSE PICS

The leader of the opposition, a beautiful Bird of Prey, a stunning sunset, a ‘pan-tastic’ tradition, a lucky moggy, and a visit from the Ghostbusters. Here are this month’s Pulse Pics…

There was something strange in Owain Wilks’ neighbourhood recently, and he was thrilled! ‘The best birthday ever!’ was how he described his birthday surprise – a visit from the Ghostbusters team.

“Owain has Noonan Syndrome which has meant lots of challenges which he always faces with a smile,” his mum Gemma said, “He loved going out in the Ecto 1!”

Owain is pictured with members of the Southend-on-Sea Ghostbusters who helped organise the treat.

This lucky little kitty ended up in the refuse depot in Milton Keynes, having travelled from one of the 32 London Boroughs in a refuse collection vehicle.

A severe injury to one of his legs meant that amputation was the only option, but the lucky little boy is now in the care of the MK & North Bucks branch of the RSPCA, who have named him Stig of the Dump.

Majestic Red Kites are a familiar sight in our skies today, but seldom is their beauty captured like this! These amazing pictures are from Joshua Stevens, who caught the bird in flight over Emberton Country Park. See more of his work on FB by heading to Joshy’s Photography

Photographer Oliver Shute grabbed this spectacular sunset from just outside Castlethorpe. What stunning colours.

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Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, visited the city to meet key business, community and industry leaders at a breakfast meeting for roundtable discussion.

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

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For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

27

EASTER

Enjoy all the r e t s a E f o t n e m egg-cite Looking for some family friendly ways to celebrate Easter? You can’t beat a cracking good Egg Hunt, and we’ve found a few of them for you. Why stop at just the one search? After all, there’s no need to put all your eggs in one basket, says Sammy Jones...

T

he hunt will soon be on at Milton Keynes Museum (March 29-April 1) with the return of its annual Easter egg hunt, where successful searches lead to yummy chocolate rewards!

The popular search is an egg-cellent way to celebrate the festive period, and this hunt ensures everyone wins something. And while you search for those egg tokens, you get a wonderful tour of the history hub, too.

This traditional family friendly event is the perfect way to spend some time – whether you are a fluffy chick, or an older bunny!

“Let’s be honest, no matter how old we are, we are never too old for a bit of fun, and our egg hunt is definitely that,” said Museum director Bill Griffiths, “Watching family members and friend groups united in the search is great fun for us, and everyone enjoys collecting their treats at the end!”

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As you ‘scramble’ around the Museum, you’ll get to enjoy everything the site has to offer; from fascinating examples in the Transport Hall, including a canal boat and a Penny Farthing bike, and in The Connected Earth Gallery you can explore the story of human communication - the Museum’s amazing collection of telephones always prove irresistible to visitors of all ages, and you can get hands-on with many of them.

There’s more than a century of toy examples to peruse and play with in the Story of Childhood exhibit, too.

Elsewhere, do a spot of window shopping in the Street of Shops, take a seat for a Victorian school lesson, and discover parlour games – the entertainment of choice in an era long before the small screen and smart phones ruled the world.

You will even be able to pop to the family privy, where everyone could spend a penny at once!

If the hunt leaves you all eggs-hausted, the Museum’s Granary Tea Room will have a selection of hot and cold drinks and tempting snacks to stop bellies from rumbling.

Milton Keynes Museum is the place to go for a cracking day out this Easter. Guaranteed! > Visit miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

There will be plenty of fun to be had by all at Delapré Abbey (main image above) and the Milton Keynes Museum Easter egg hunt is always popular with the children (above and right)

The Parks Trust invites you to pop along to Oakgrove on April 3 for its annual Easter Eggstravaganza, and they’ve organised a heap of fun things for you to get stuck into; including themed crafts and activities, and the opportunity to have your face painted, and you might just meet the Easter bunny. That’s worth hopping along for!

EASTER Then head off on an adventure by partaking in the Easter Trail to win a yummy prize.

No booking is necessary for the event, which will run between 10am and midday in Ouzel Valley Park.

Use the Waitrose car park and follow the signs to the festive family fun. > For more information head to theparkstrust.com Emily’s Star will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Good Friday, March 29, at Wolverton’s Secret Garden.

Participants will hunt around the garden in search of letters that, when rearranged, reveal the hidden word.

All children will receive an Easter Egg or non-chocolate alternative, and a certificate. > Visit emilysstar.co.uk to sign up.

In Northampton, the Easter Egg Trail will take participants off around Abington Park Museum with every child receiving a chocolate egg prize. The trail will run from March 29 – April 14 and costs £2.

Or how about getting creative with the Pom Pom Animals workshop? Choose from Easter chicks, bouncing bunnies or silly sheep.

Alternatively, make your own weird and wonderful new creature.

The workshop costs £5 and will run on April 9. There are two sessions, choose from 1-2pm or 2.30-3.30pm. All materials are provided and booking is essential. > Head to eventbrite.co.uk Delapré Abbey will show you how to make good use of the natural materials sourced from its grounds at its Spring Wreath Making Workshop – because wreaths aren’t just for Christmas, you know!

There are two sessions – 10am-midday and 2pm-4pm – on March 22 and March 24, so that you can learn the art of making a wreath from scratch using buff willow as the base, before decorating with natural foliage and pretty spring flowers.

The historic setting also has its Easter Eggstravaganza from March 29 – April 1, with a Walled Garden egg hunt, or a house trail including a petting zoo. Or purchase the package that entitles little folks to do both activities.

Find the eight decorated eggs hidden in the Walled Garden, follow the trail and match the patterns to your bingo card to win a chocolate prize. Dairy free options will be available. > To book in visit delepreabbey.org

Animals in Need is holding a Spring Fayre on March 31, with all proceeds going to provide vital funds for the animals in their care while they wait to find their forever home.

Try your luck at the tombola and raffles, enjoy a BBQ, face painting, bouncy castle, hook-a-duck, bric-a-brac and cake stall – and plenty more.

The seasonal bash will run from midday-4pm and admission is just £2 for the fun afternoon out. > More information over at animals-in-need.org

For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

29

PROFILE

A 16-metre indoor pool is at the heart of the Spirit Club where members can work out in the gym or relax in the steam room.

Come on in... our doors are open L ooking for somewhere in central Milton Keynes where you can grab a quick coffee, enjoy a lazy lunch with friends, throw a birthday party or simply catch up with your mates?

The time is right to check out the Holiday Inn Milton Keynes – Central, which is just a short walk from the railway station.

While out-of-towners and event organisers have already discovered just what is on offer at the 173-bedroom hotel there are many more ‘locals’ missing out on the venue’s facilities.

There is no need to check in to one of the hotel’s 173 bedrooms. This is a hotel with an open-door policy to casual visitors or those looking to plan an event from a christening, family party or funeral wake.

30

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

The Open Lobby, serving Starbucks, is open all day and through to the evening for visitors who may just want a coffee, or a meal chosen from the bar menu.

But the open invitation is not just for the lobby. Head up to the 2nd Floor Terrace where visitors can relax on the outside balcony. Enjoy a game of pool, darts and table football or watch live sports through Sky Sports and TNT on the 98-inch television screen. Watch the Six Nations or the Fury v Usyk fight schedule for May. The summer of sports continues with the Euros, the Olympics, Paralympics and Wimbledon.

The terrace is open from noon to 9.30pm daily. It is just one of the spaces available for private hire. The hotel boasts nine

PROFILE

functions room with the flexibility to meet the needs of larger groups of up to 120 to smaller rooms where families, friends and colleagues can come together to mark those memorable occasions.

Bespoke packages are available to ensure the occasion meets all expectations from the food to the entertainment.

What can be guaranteed is the warm welcome by the hotel team.

General Manager Kevin Coombes said: “We really welcome people who live and work in Milton Keynes to come and take a look at what we have to offer. Our doors are open for anyone who wants to take time out on their visit to the centre of Milton Keynes. We look forward to welcoming you.”

Italian heritage is the inspiration behind the family friendly, affordable restaurant Marco’s New York Italian.

The menu is a mixture of Italian inspired dishes from fresh pasta and handmade pizza to American classics like ribs and the best-selling New York style cheesecake.

The restaurant is open from 5.30pm to 9.30pm, Monday to Saturday or order a burger or small plates which are readily available outside these hours in the Open Lobby and on the 2nd Floor Terrace.

> For more information please get in touch: Email: specialevents@himiltonkeynes.co.uk Phone: 01908 698500

Meet, eat, drink & celebrate

Functions spaces to hire for events Marco’s New York Italian Open Lobby, serving Starbucks 173 bedrooms Spirit Health Club Parking Free WiFi

NEW - 2nd Floor Terrace with outdoor space Open for food & drink, 12:00 - 21:30 98-inch screen showing Sky Sports & TNT Pool, darts & table football Available for private hire

For bookings & enquiries specialevents@himiltonkeynes.co.uk 01908 698500 500 Saxon Gate West, Milton Keynes, MK9 2HQ For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

31

BEAUTY

Outside in and inside out No7 yet again shows why it is the No1 choice for many with its HydraLuminous Range. It now features 3-in-1 technology, with hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, strengthening Niacinamide and protecting Pollution Shield Technology.

Eight new products have launched, including a Whipped Day Cream, Cooling Eye Gel and Night Gel, all guaranteed to give relief where needed.

Our skin takes a real battering during the winter months, with that lethal combo of harsh weather and central heating playing havoc, making parched skin very much ‘a thing.’

Some of this months beauty-ful best buys address that irritation...

Get it: Boots stores at centre:mk in Milton Keynes, the Grosvenor Centre in Northampton and online at boots.com RRP: £17.95 (Night Gel & Whipped Day Cream) £14.95 (Cooling Eye Gel)

Swap clogged up lashes for luscious ones with No7’s Define & Enhance Mascara.

A clump-free formula will make lashes feel thicker and effortlessly volumised.

Application is a breeze too, with its conical shaped brush. Struggle with sensitive eyes? This weightless formula won’t irritate and washes off easily. Be wide eyed and wonderful!

Get it: Boots stores at centre:mk in Milton Keynes, the Grosvenor Centre in Northampton and online at boots.com RRP: £15.95 Sol de Janeiro has two new deliveries causing excitement among the brand’s many devotees, of which we are one; it has introduced Delicia Drench Body Butter to its range of gorgeousness.

This whipped, ultra-rich body butter will penetrate deep below the surface to relieve extra dry skin, with its Brazilian Soothing Complex, Prebiotic hibiscus and Bacuri butter working hard for us.

If you need something uplifting and delicious, Cheirosa 59 Perfume Mist has top notes of velvet plum and sugared violet and also includes whipped amber, vanilla orchid sheer sandalwood and fresh vetiver among its fragrances. And – get this – it has been scientifically shown to boost your mood. Spritz away the drear and let Cheirosa bring the cheer!

Phyto Teint Perfection is a new make-up and skincare hybrid foundation from skin experts Sisley, which is a little bit magical – in time, the skin benefits from the foundation, meaning the more you wear it, the less you need to apply; the complexion’s natural radiance is preserved and reinforced day after day, thanks to a powerful mineral mix.

Sisley says ‘Radiance is boosted, skin is luminous, fresh and flawless,’ and we all want that.

We can all have it, too – with 29 shades catering for everyone.

Get it: H Beauty in centre:mk or soldejaneiro.com RRP: £48 (Body Butter) £35 (Perfume Mist)

Get it: sisley-paris.com and H Beauty in centre:mk RRP: £81 32

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

Do away with those sticky wax trends in favour of perfectly defined eyebrows urges Space NK. Back2Brow is lightweight and designed to work synergistically with the skin, and will deliver natural-looking results – especially when the dual-sided Back2Brow Brush is enlisted to get the job done.

Available in light, medium and dark shades, the powders are free from parabens, sulphates, phthalates, silence, talc and made to a cruelty-free formula.

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For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

33

River Island > £14

By Cindy LGH @CindyLGH

FASHION

Zara £29.99

M&S > £29.50

F&F @ Tesco £22.50

Zara £12.99

F&F @ Tesco £22.50

F&F @ Tesco £29.50

Zara £35.99

Practical Magic

F&F @ Tesco £19.50

J

ust as we get into the swing of 2024, Spring/Summer’s at our heels with a mob of new trends to keep up and in step with.

According to the runways for this season, we’re going back to basics, but up a gear, simultaneously. Think practical pieces with a little excitement in the mix. Basics, but not boring.

Anyday @ John Lewis £39 AND OR @ John Lewis £129

Easy to achieve (and wear while we’re still searching for warm weather), the look is about utilitarian separates in earthy tones, souped up with metallic or leather details, and a sprinkling of Western staples – a wild mix we can all pull off.

For inspiration, see the khaki colours at Victoria Beckham and JW Anderson; the belted jackets, wide and barrel leg

trousers at Max Mara and Saint Laurent. Or why not take Alexander McQueen’s lead and step out in double denim – or lasso yourself a pair of boots that hit the thigh, cowgirl style, like the ones made for walking KNWLS’ catwalk?

Keeping up with this trend can be as simple as wrangling together old wardrobe faves; your best jeans, denim jacket, and your most worn boots.

Take them for a ride down to your local charity shop in search of a 90s ‘penny belt’ and an old bandana to wear as a neckpiece. Top these with Spring’s hero piece – a loose fit parker, bomber jacket or shacket – and style-wise, you’ll run this town. Extra points awarded for patch pockets down legs or jacket fronts. Add suede or quilted details for a bit of styling magic.

^ M&S £65

M&S £35

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March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

*Prices correct at time of print

E S T . 1 9 8 8

D E S I G N E R

B A T H R O O M S

C R E AT I N G B E A U T I F U L B AT H R O O M S S I N C E 1 9 8 8 | r i p p l e s b a t h r o o m s . c o m R I PPL E S TO W C E S T ER , 2 R O M A N CO R N ER , N O R T H A M P TO N R OA D, TO W C E S T ER , N N12 6 L D | 013 2 7 3 6 8 2 3 3 S H O W R O O M S N AT I O N W I D E

For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

35

FOOD & DRINK

Jerusalem artichokes and chestnut velouté INGREDIENTS Makes 2 portions Easy - Time 20 min 250g sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes) 65g chestnut already cooked 250ml vegetable stock ½ shallot finely chopped Salt and pepper to taste Olive oil Fresh thyme

METHOD Step 1 Prepare your Jerusalem artichokes, no need to peel them. Just wash them and rub the dirt off before roasting. I have seasoned them with olive oil and salt, wrapped in foil, and baked for about 20 min.

Step 2

Our recipes come from MK Pulse food writer, Sofia Gallo, an acclaimed local chef, food writer and teacher at Milton Keynes Cookery School.

She has recently won the ICG Cooking Competition and was a contestant on BBC’s Masterchef.

Whilst the artichokes are roasting, prep your chestnuts. In a frying pan over medium heat, add olive oil and the shallot. Let the shallot sweat and add your chestnuts. Season with salt and a few thyme leaves. Set aside. Once the artichokes are ready, place them in a blender together with most of the chestnuts and blend, adding the stock to the right consistency. For the velouté add cream for a smooth consistency.

Step 3 Serve with some of the chestnuts as decoration, fresh thyme and a few drops of truffle oil, optional, for additional flavour. I also added some parsnip crisps left from another meal, but you can add some croutons of your choosing.

Follow Sofia: Instagram: @in_cucinacon_sofia FB: incucinaconsofia www.lamiacucina.co.uk 36

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

RESTAURANT & BAR

Come and dine in our exquisite Olney restaurant or order from our take away menu

Book now for Mother’s Day March 10th

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Starters, Speciality Burgers, Pizzas, Calzone, Pasta Dishes, Salads or something from the Grill We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Book your table 01234 717000 info@olneyskitchen.uk 36a Market Place, Olney, MK46 4AJ

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39

HOME & GARDEN

DIGGING DEEP

Gnome Sweet Gnome?

T o have gnome or not to have gnome?

If that is the question posed to gardeners, you may hear some choice replies, because these little folks are incredibly divisive.

They are loved by some and loathed by others, but the idea of small stone figures in our garden spaces is hardly a new thing, and actually dates back to Roman times.

Indeed, Priapus, the ancient phallic god of fertility, was a regular feature in the gardens of the time.

During the Renaissance period, gardens of wealthy villas sported groups of stone ‘grotesques’ including Punch style figures typically a metre tall and garishly painted.

In Germany the history of these garden figures has become inextricably confused with the tradition of ‘little folk’ or dwarves who were believed to help in the mines and around the farm.

Dr. Twigs Way ‘gnomes’ more than most about the little beings – the garden and landscape historian has even issued a book on the subject, Garden Gnomes: A History.

Northamptonshire is home to what is believed to be the oldest surviving example.

Ain’t gnome doubt they are kitsch and cool!

40

“Who brought the first gnome to England will probably never be proven, but the first to record using the figures in his garden was Charles Isham at Lamport Hall who by the 1870s had a series of gnome tableaux in amongst his giant rock garden,” Twigs said, “‘Lampy’, the sole survivor of the once numerous Lamport gnomes, now lays claim to being the oldest garden gnome in England and regularly attends gnome conferences around the world, with a suitably high holiday insurance of a million pounds!

“Sir Frank Crisp at Friar Park in Oxfordshire was another ‘early acquirer’ of the garden gnome, with his grand country house garden housing several of the larger one metre tall gnomes by the late 1890s,” Twigs said, and they are a little bit rock n’ roll too: “It was Sir Frank Crisp’s gnomes that featured so prominently on the cover of the George Harrison album, All Things Must Pass,” she explained.

In the first decade of the 20th century gnomes became popular and high status features of country house gardens and venerable vicarages, but the reputation of the Germanic gnome suffered with the outbreak of World War I. Disney eventually revived the dwarfish fashion with their now classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

“In the 1970s a whole new gardening generation rushed to buy multi-coloured plastic gnomes dressed in football strips, beachwear and even disguised as Smurfs,” said Twigs, “Solar driven gnomes whistled and farted, and ‘naughty gnomes’ boasted areas of the gnomish anatomy that Priapus would have been proud. Perhaps not unconnected with the spread of gnomish undress, the late twentieth century also saw the much awaited arrival of the female gnome.”

These days you can even get punk rock icons The Ramones and indie fellas Oasis in gnome form!

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

Twigs with one oversized pal

Love ‘em or loathe ‘em? How does Twigs view the chaps and ladies in the red pointed hats?

“I see gnomes in the context of the wide variety of features that have graced our gardens over the centuries as the height of fashion at the time but were later derided... until of course fashion turned again!” > Twigs will talk about ‘The Unexpected History of The Garden Gnome’ at Denton Village Hall in Northampton on Monday, March 11.

Entry is free to members, £3 for visitors – all welcome.

For more information call 01604 890875. > Garden Gnomes: A History is available through Amazon.

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March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

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43

MPS OUT & ABOUT

Iain and Gillian Keegan MP speaking to a student at the SCIoT (above), presenting the winner’s shield to Denbigh School (left) and with the Friends of Bletchley Station (below)

Top marks for AQA and School Debate Competition

I

hope this article finds you well and that your start to the New Year has been positive. It has been brilliant to return to Parliament to lobby and fight for the constituents of Milton Keynes South.

Ministerial Visit to the SCIoT

I was delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan MP, to the South Central Institute of Technology located in Bletchley. It was an excellent opportunity to showcase the brilliant facility and how it is training local students to get the skills needed today, as well as the future, to fill the gaps in our workforce and meet the needs of employers. The SCIoT is providing students a hands-on approach to learning about technology, digital subjects and coding, and the Secretary of State really enjoyed meeting the staff, students and leadership team.

School Debate Competition Along with Ben Everitt MP, we hosted the Grand Final of our annual Parliamentary School Debate Competition in the Houses of Parliament. The final debate took place in the Grand Committee Room and was contested by Denbigh School and Radcliffe School, where they debated the benefits and threats of artificial intelligence. I would like to congratulate Denbigh School as this year’s winners. Upon the conclusion of the final debate, we provided all of this year’s participants a tour of Parliament.

AQA It was fascinating to visit AQA’s facility in Milton Keynes to learn about the operation they run during exam seasons to process papers from across the country, scan them and distribute for marking. In particular, I learnt their Fire Suppression System is the largest in Europe, another example of Milton Keynes leading the way. Whilst discussing AQA’s operation, I heard about their vision of incorporating artificial intelligence into the exam process to develop an adaptive approach to grading students.

Friends of Bletchley Station As many of you know, in Parliament I chair the Transport Select Committee which involves me scrutinising the big travel issues we face.

However, I was delighted to visit the Friends of Bletchley Station who do so much like their planting and heritage posters to make our train station more welcoming. It was wonderful to meet the volunteers and thank them for their kind acts that make our rail journeys a little bit better.

As always, if my office or I can be of any assistance with an issue, query or invitation, please do get in touch with us on the contact details provided and we would be happy to help where we can.

Girl Pack Local charity, Girl Pack, invited me to their premises to tell me about the amazing work they are doing to provide sanitary care packs to primary schools, secondary schools and community buildings. In each pack is a full packet of sanitary towels, feminine wipes, a pair of knickers and hand sanitiser. Following this meeting, I have written to Government Ministers and grant-funding organisations to investigate whether there are any available pots of funding for the charity to apply for and continue their work.

44

Iain Stewart MP for Milton Keynes South CONTACT DETAILS: Tel: 01908 686830 Email: iain.stewart.mp@parliament.uk www.iainstewart.org.uk Suite 102, Milton Keynes Business Centre, Foxhunter Drive, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes MK14 6GD

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

MPS OUT & ABOUT

Health care improvements are on the way for the city

S

ince I last wrote my column I was delighted to be able to welcome Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, to Milton Keynes to meet with students and staff at Oakgrove School. Last year it was a pleasure to support the school’s successful bid to the Government to expand their sixth form capacity and it was excellent to be able to show the Minister the fantastic work the school, under headteacher Ian Tett, are doing.

Under the last Labour Government in 2010 the number of ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ schools in Milton Keynes North was just 66% and we’ve increased that to 98.1% so it really is an achievement to be proud of.

I would also like to encourage schools across Milton Keynes to get involved in the MARSBalloon project which gives young people practical experience of designing and testing ideas to go into space that could one day be destined for Mars. Great Linford Primary School previously took part in the project and it was lovely to meet the students and see how excited they were to be involved.

Gillian Keegan speaking to students at Oakgrove School

Dentistry Campaign Success In last month’s MK Pulse column I spoke about my campaign to ensure Milton Keynes residents get better access to dentistry across the city and our rural areas. I met with the Dental Minister Andrea Leadsom again to reiterate the importance of this issue to local people so I was thrilled to see the Government announce its NHS Dental Recovery Plan which will create 2.5 million more dentist appointments across the country over the next year. To help improve access in the short term, new dental vans are being launched to help reach more isolated communities. In the longer term, around 240 dentists will be offered one off payments of up to £20,000 for working in underserved areas for up to three years, helping to attract new NHS dentists and improve provision of care in areas with the highest demand. Further measures include introducing a New Patient Premium payment to incentivise dentists to treat around a million new patients who have not seen an NHS dentist in two years or more, while trainee dental places will be expanded by 40 per cent as part of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.

New Hospital Update As you will probably know by now we have secured a brand new hospital for Milton Keynes which is set to be built before 2030.

While we have funding agreed in principle I am absolutely determined to get spades in the ground as soon as possible and get construction underway. So I secured an adjournment debate in the House of

Commons to highlight the fantastic opportunities the new hospital will bring. The new Women and Children’s Hospital will have a focus on maternity services, which will also mean capacity is freed up in the current hospital, while the new build also includes funding for a new surgical ward block and imaging centre. I’m delighted that the Health Minister Andrew Stephenson confirmed to me in the debate that the Government plans to deliver our new hospital ‘at pace and with rigour’.

School Debate Competition Winners Crowned Congratulations to Denbigh School who were crowned the winners of our Milton Keynes Schools Parliamentary Debate Competition after a real quality grand final against the Radcliffe School. We held the final in the Grand Committee Room in Westminster before taking students and staff from schools who had participated throughout the competition on a tour of Parliament. The contest is always full of such high-quality and well-research debate and this year was absolutely no different as they debated the pros and cons of artificial intelligence.

Congratulations to everybody who took part this year!

Also this month…

• Milton Keynes City Council is set to receive a £20 million boost from the Government for its core spending next year • We have secured more than £650,000 from the Government to invest in sports facilities across Milton Keynes, including a new artificial sports pitch at Ousedale School

Ben Everitt MP for Milton Keynes North

Ben Everitt MP and Dental Minister Andrea Leadsom

CONTACT DETAILS: Tel: 01908 686830 Email: ben.everitt.mp@parliament.uk www.beneveritt.com | Facebook: beneverittmk Suite 102, Milton Keynes Business Centre, Foxhunter Drive, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes MK14 6GD

For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

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MUSIC

Have a ‘Cull’ of a time

with Verminthrone

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erminthrone released their debut album in mid-February, and they are holding the official album release show for The Cull at The Craufurd Arms on March 16.

The band – vocalist Dan Banshaw, guitarists Matt Duffy and Alex Stephenson, bassist Pal Losanzki and drummer Adam Connell – says the release is ‘for all those who are fiends of the groovy, riffy, miserable soundscape.’

A special mention for the clever creative behind the super smart album artwork, Hungarian tattoo artist Sebo Krisztian, who can be found on the usual social channels under the guise, Shapefromhell.

If you like Eyehategod, Mastodon and Pantera, Vermintrone is for you, and if you saw the former at their immense Craufurd Arms gig late last year, you’ll have seen Verminthrone kick the night off in fine fettle.

At their return to the venue Verminthrone will be supported by Voidlurker and Space Between. Tickets are a snip at just a fiver.

Dan and Matt talked Pulse’s Sammy Jones through The Cull, track by track...

Don’t Trust Morning People

This is about not understanding people who can wake up full of energy and ready to take the day on. What is their secret, do we even want to know? Most of the riffs are just straight up High on Fire worship!

It Always Snows In South America

Pulling Teeth (Spitting Blood)

This is just basically a song inspired by Nihilism.

It’s about substance abuse, and how the short term fix is slowly destroying those who partake.

Youth for Euthanasia

Kuru

Aorta

Kuru is a degenerative disease originating from Papua New Guinea, that is spread through endocannibalism. The main riff in this is something Matt wrote over 15 years ago and just never used, which is a good reminder to always document your ideas as you never know when they’ll be useful!

Birth Is A Rope//Death Is A Knot

When we are born we are given a rope which is only long enough to take us to when we die.

The knot represents the inevitable, death.

It’s a very personal song about feeling your lowest.

This was written when I was going through an Acid Bath fix. It’s very inspired from the Louisiana sludge legends. The main riffs and ideas were hashed out in about 20 minutes during a random practice when we were just messing around during a break.

Feral

A song about when you’re not feeling yourself.

“What is man, more than beast?”. This is actually the first song we ever wrote and one of the first riffs we jammed out together!

Reggae, Steady, Go!

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fter its epic National Bowl debut in 2023, with more than 80 artists playing across four stages to an audience of 30,000, Reggae Land returns to the venue for another two day stay on August 3 and 4.

The full line-up has been announced and features Shabba Ranks, Burning Spear, UB40 ft Ali Campbell and Morgan Heritage.

This year things will be even bigger, with the addition of a new fifth platform, the Dub Stage, promising to take you ‘on a journey through

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deep basslines, echoing drums and intricate soundscapes that define the dub genre.’

More than 70 food traders will tickle taste buds, and if you are partial to the Caribbean’s liquid treasures, the Reggae Rum Shack will wow you – with more choice than you could wish for.

‘Come for the music, stay for the flavours, and leave with memories that resonate with the spirit of reggae,’ urge organisers.

A sell-out is more than a possibility.

Head to Skiddle for your tickets.

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

Reggae Land will be back at the National Bowl on August 3 and 4

MUSIC

Pearl Handled Revolver

A Crowbar to the Craufurd

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ther meaty moments to savour at The Craufurd Arms this month include Pearl Handled Revolver (March 9) who play a double headliner with Emerald Dawn.

PHR fans are in for a treat too, with the band ready to reveal tracks set to feature on their sixth album, which is in production just now.

As the band succinctly says of its own path so far, ‘it charts a journey from the limits of primal blues, via unlikely liaisons between cult film scores and bare bones stoner rock, to blackened psychedelic soul music.’

With lots upcoming for the locals, you need to add pearlhandledrevolver.co.uk to your bookmarks and keep checking in for news on that upcoming release and future shows.

The Emerald Down will bring lots to the live party at the Craufurd too – the multi-instrumentalist,

symphonic progressive rock quartet combine elements from classical music, jazz and rock, delivering a decidedly distinctive and original sound.

US sludge metallers Crowbar (March 11) will be the best Monday night out you’ll have had in aeons!

Still led by Kirk Windstein (who also assumes guitar duties with Down), the hugely influential New Orleans mob and their slow, heavy and brooding style are a magnificent fusion to savour, and this will be the last opportunity to do so on this UK tour. The Wolverton bash brings the 17 date trek to a close.

Tickets are selling fast.

More than 20 years have passed since Tom Meighan signed his first record deal with Kasabian. He was just 21 years old, and when success came, it came good; album sales of four million, Tom Meighan five consecutive number one albums, and awards?

There were more than a few; A BRIT, seven NME gongs, five Q Magazine awards, and others from Mojo and Music Week.

With Kasabian he headlined Glastonbury, V Festival and twice topped the billing at Reading and Leeds.

But it was far from plain sailing and several years have passed since his departure from the band with which he made his name.

His debut solo album didn’t shy away from the difficulties, with themes of addiction, remorse, recovery and redemption.

Don’t Panic visit on January 30

Crowbar - Sludgy and sensational

Having joined Noel Gallagher on his arena tour at the end of 2023, Tom has been working on album number two and is now heading out on the road on his first ever acoustic tour – catch him at the Craufurd on March 21.

Pennsylvanian pop punk favourites Don’t Panic return (March 30) are back on this side of the pond as they tour to promote the third elpee, Setting Up To Fail, and the new single The Long Way, taken from the aforementioned opus.

Don’t Panic aren’t going it alone though – this co-headline Naked AttracTour also features the Thomas Ian Nicholas Band. Remember Kevin in the American Pie films? Aye, you do.

Tour support for Thomas and Don’t Panic is coming from pop-punk trio Who Saves The Hero? > Get tickets for all shows at thecraufurdarms.com

For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

47

MUSIC

(L-R) Rob Johnson, Malcolm Bruce and Kofi Baker

The Cream of the Crop S ons of Cream visit The Stables at Wavendon on March 5 as part of a 20 date European tour celebrating the music of their fathers, and Malcolm Bruce and Kofi Baker have quite the pool of produce from which to choose – Jack and Ginger were two thirds of one of the most influential rock bands ever.

Together with Eric Clapton they produced four albums during a brief three year career.

The Cream story is the stuff of legend and crammed into record collections the world over, and their music is reimagined on stages far and wide. But none can play it quite like this lot – after all, it’s in their blood!

Drummer Kofi is every bit the player his father was, and how could he not soak in the playability that Ginger – a self-confessed jazz lover – possessed? Indeed, his first live performance was with his father on The Old Grey Whistle Test. Not bad for a six-year-old!

In the early 1980s he was playing drum duets throughout Europe with his dad, and later toured Europe with Steve Marriot’s Humble Pie. Kofi spent time living with his father in Colorado, before swapping the Centennial State for LA, where he set up his own successful drum school, and from 2017 he spent five years as an integral part of The Music of Cream 50th Anniversary Tour.

Malcolm Bruce is a composer, singersongwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has toured, performed, recorded and appears on records alongside a ‘Who’s Who’ of music,

including Little Richard, Elton John, Dr John, Joe Satriani, Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward, and of course, his father.

Back in 2016 he curated a tribute show to Jack, with Lulu, Eddie Reader, Paul Young and Ginger Baker among the many who gave performances.

He also joined Kofi on that aforementioned The Music of Cream tour, with artists including ‘the voice’ Glenn Hughes and Robben Ford showing out.

Malcolm was the co-executive producer, arranger and performer for the album Heavenly Cream, with a roll call of artists including Joe Bonamassa, Deborah Bonham, the late Bernie Marsden, Abass Dodoo and many more, which was produced by Rob Cass.

Prolific, Malcolm? And the rest! When he’s not on the road, he is working on his next album, Fake Humans and Real Dolls, which will be cut loose later this year.

Malcolm and Kofi will be joined in play by Rob Johnson, a guitarist specialising in the genres of folk, country and blues. He is also an instrumental tutor at Liverpool University with extensive experience as a session guitarist, co-producer and live player. Oh, and he just happens to be Kofi’s nephew. Pedigree players one and all. > To book tickets for the Stables date visit stables.org

A cowardly return

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K metallers Heart of a Coward are out on the road again in March, hitting stages in support of 2023s album release, This Place Only Brings Death. HOAC will play:

Waterfront Studio, Norwich – March 26 Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff – March 27 Dust, Brighton – March 28 The Junction, Plymouth – March 29 Roadmender, Northampton – March 30.

Rock City Beta, Nottingham – March 22 The Holroyd, Guildford – March 23 The Key Club, Leeds – March 24 Cluny 2, Newcastle – March 25

Self-proclaimed ‘Geezacore’ fellas Pintglass appear on all dates, with the exception of Northampton.

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March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

What’s on the setlist?

Malcolm talks us through five of the songs that will definitely air at The Stables date.

I Feel Free

Cream’s second single from 1966 (the first being Wrapping Paper), not actually included on the U.K. release of their debut album Fresh Cream.

It was subsequently included on the USA release of Fresh Cream, replacing their studio version of Willie Dixon’s Spoonful. Listen for an almost Motown influence combined with a whole lot more. Possibly the first Jack Bruce / Pete Brown co-written song to be released.

We’re Going Wrong

One of the few Cream songs written solely by Jack Bruce. The song was written after an argument with his wife Janet, but has since taken on a more expanded sociopolitical meaning within the lyric. A great one for extended improvisation.

Crossroads

A classic and one of the most famous blues songs. Originally entitled Cross Road Blues

by Robert Johnson (not to be confused with Rob Johnson our guitarist!). The song has gone through many iterations with perhaps the most famous version by Cream, with Eric Clapton’s arrangement bringing a more riff based approach.

Toad

Ginger Baker’s signature drum solo from Cream’s debut. When listened to now it is truly astounding in its content, bringing jazz, blues, rock, psychedelia and African elements together. In our band Kofi Baker has crafted his own version that sometimes lasts up to 20 minutes. An epic polyrhythmic drum exploration!

Sunshine Of Your Love

Perhaps Cream’s best known hit, that has been covered by everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to George Clinton and Funkadelic. Our version is complete with an epic jamming journey in the spirit of our Dads.

Pretty Woman F

THEATRE

is pretty fantastic

ollowing record-breaking runs on Broadway and in the West End, as well as on a US tour and in cities around the world, Pretty Woman is now on the road in the UK – and will be at Milton Keynes Theatre this March.

According to his wife Barbara and daughter Kathleen, director of the film and co-writer of the musical Garry Marshall would have been thrilled to learn of its ongoing success. He passed away in 2016 after working on the production with the movie’s writer J. F. Lawton for many years and dreaming that it might open in New York some day.

“Had someone told him it would be such a hit around the world he wouldn’t have believed it,” Barbara said, “Not only did it make it to Broadway, it’s bringing joy to so many people in so many other places.”

Kathleen agreed: “As well as being a director my dad was a writer, which he saw as a lonely profession. He always said, ‘Once you finish writing something you just have to bask in it because you’re going to be back in the room writing again soon’. So he would be just basking in the excitement that the show is doing so well.”

Bronx-born Garry was a Hollywood legend who studied journalism and in the late 1950s landed a job writing gags for Rat Pack funnyman Joey Bishop. He broke into TV on the writing staff of The Tonight Show before adapting Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple for the small screen. An even bigger breakthrough came when he created Happy Days in 1974, followed by spin-offs Laverne & Shirley (starring his sister Penny) and Mork & Mindy.

Garry had already directed movies including The Flamingo Kid and Beaches before he had the biggest hit of his career with Pretty Woman.

Set in the late-80s and released in 1990, it was conceived as a much darker story, with LA streetwise sex worker Vivian (famously played by Julia Roberts) struggling with a cocaine addiction and Edward (Richard Gere), the rich businessman who hires her for a week, abandoning her at the end.

Known for his heart-warming stories and flair for comedy, Garry worked closely with screenwriter J. F. Lawton to refashion it as a fairy tale rom-com in which Vivian falls for Edward’s charms and she rescues him right back.

Marshall decided to make Vivian a more resilient character than she was in the preliminary draft. “After he got the script,” Barbara recalls, “he freshened it up and he made her into this strong woman.”

Garry was a canny choice to direct the movie, given his track record with uplifting women’s stories. “And it’s sort of my dad’s story too,” his daughter points out, “because he came from the Bronx and he went to Northwestern University, where everybody was sort of a little fancier. Then he came to Hollywood and he was constantly his own fish out of water.”

Bryan Adams and his songwriting partner Jim Vallance were commissioned to write the all-new score, which is very much influenced by late-80s and early-90s rock and pop. Roy Orbison’s ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’ was added a few months into the show’s Broadway run, and Wesley and Alex Orbison even joined the cast on stage to perform the track as a tribute to their late father.

“I think everybody remembers that movie as a happy moment or it helped them with something in their life,” Barbara smiled, “Now people come to this musical wearing the clothes, like the famous red dress or the trench coat with the same Julia outfit underneath, in the high boots and blonde wigs.”

And, as Kathleen points out, it’s not just for female audiences. “They bring their husbands and boyfriends, who then end up really enjoying it too. There’s a lot there in the storytelling that’s really beautiful and romantic and uplifting, and I think everyone can connect to that.”

Pretty Woman: The Musical will play at Milton Keynes Theatre, from Tuesday, March 19 – Saturday, March 30.

To book your seat visit: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Relive the cult 90s movie, Pretty Woman on stage, starring Amber Davies, Oliver Savile and Ore Oduba.

For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

49

THEATRE

s w o h s t n a i l l i y Bra A feel-good month of upbeat musicals and comedy awaits on our local stages – just what the doctor ordered to banish any dull moods. Pulse’s Sammy Jones talks you through what’s on, where...

The Shrek-tacular is back at Milton Keynes Theatre

y it c w e n e h t o t g comin

Pop-pickers will revel in floor fillers from Rick Astley, Jason Donovan, Bananarama and a certain Miss Minogue.

Aside from being an unbeatable 80s pop jukebox musical, there is a story to get stuck into; the rib-tickling tale of Nathan and Ella – a star-crossed couple with wedding jitters and tropical dreams. hrek the Musical is the perfect pickDebbie Isitt, the lady behind the Nativity! me-up for this dreary time of year, and franchise, has penned this, and Jason Gilkison, it’s a show the whole family will be creative director with Strictly Come Dancing is in wowed by. charge of choreography. Quality assured.

Join Shrek – the most famous green If you are a fragile little flower, be warned star of stage and screen since Kermit – and – there will be bad language throughout his trusty sidekick Donkey as they set out on a the performance! quest to defeat the fearsome dragon and rescue Drop the Dead Donkey, the Reawakening Princess Fiona, in the hugely popular tale.

(March 12-16) reunites the Globelink News Antony Lawrence has previously brought the team 30 years on from the launch of the goods to leading roles in The Lion King, We Will trailblazing, small-screen hit.

Rock You and Matilda the Musical, and now Comedy fans will be in giggle-heaven with this he’s Shrek, while Strictly star Joanne Clifton show, which once again brings together the (now a seasoned stage star herself) is sterling line-up of original cast members; Princess Fiona.

Susannah Doyle, Robert Duncan, We asked Donkey why people Ingrid Lacey, Neil Pearson, Jeff should take in a performance Rawle, Stephen Tompkinson and he said that if you miss and Victoria Wicks. out you’ll be a bit of an ass.

It has been put together by Allegedly! the same award-winning writing Get set for an ogre-sized team of Andy Hamilton and spectacular as performances Guy Jenkin, and ‘explores the continue at Milton Keynes underside of the broadcasting Theatre until March 3. industry in all its riotous glory.’

I Should Be So Lucky (March 5-9) Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice Lee Hurst at The Stables is the official Stock Aitken Waterman (March 17) will be joined by a musical, and of course it is crammed with cast of professional dancers and West End chart-bothering moments from their exceptional performers for his 2024 show, Let Me Entertain career. In fact, there are 10 number one singles You, and then Pretty Woman The Musical and more than 30 era-defining tracks from the (March 19-30) takes over – more about that Hit Factory. across the page.

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Over at Stantonbury Theatre, The People’s Theatre Company present There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly (March 2).

Take a seat and enjoy this classic tale from Pam Adams’ best selling book which is celebrating half a century of enchanting youngsters, and includes singalong moments like If You’re Happy and You know It, and Incy Wincy Spider.

It’s been a while (in fact it has been six years), but funny fella Lee Hurst is back on the stage again with the show, Sweet, Sorted, Lovely which comes to The Stables on March 10.

What will he be doing? Over to the show blurb: ‘Mostly he will be taking a positive spin and arguing for people to always take the mickey to make the world a more fun place to be in.’

More comedy comes courtesy of the Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club (March 20) with your compere Andrew Bird introducing Mark Maier and Joey Page, and then Britain’s Got Talent title taker Jon Courtenay (March 22) stops off in Wavendon.

You’ll get lots in exchange for your pennies too; all new comedy material and an updated version of his one-man musical which was acclaimed at the Fringe in 2022.

Jon has accurately named this road run, Bigger.

The laughs most definitely Jon Courtenay will be.

> Get tickets:

Drop the Dead Donkey, the Reawakening

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Milton Keynes Theatre: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes The Stables: stables.org Stantonbury Theatre: stantonburytheatre.co.uk

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

Film Reviews

by Jordan Adcock

AMERICAN FICTION FILM OF THE MONTH - Star Rating: 4.5/5

I can imagine an alternative, more absurd, version of this film which focuses more on just this storyline and its comedic potential. There’s some great laughs and indeed satisfaction from seeing the film confront how people eager to prove their ‘anti-racist’ credentials are inadvertently reinforcing racial divisions and boxing writers into them. But Monk’s very relatable family drama more than redeems the character’s irritations and vanity as he’s forced to take more responsibility for his mother’s care, finds love and reconnects with his brother Clifford (a very funny Sterling K. Brown).

It helps that Wright performs with expressive understatement that balances both the serious and ridiculous near perfectly, making Monk more a real person than just a vehicle for the satire. It also means the film neatly fulfils, on a meta level, the sort of non-stereotypical story that Monk desires. ✪

Credit: Netflix

To call American Fiction timely would damn it with faint praise. The film satirises, perhaps sharper than anything else to date, the current anxieties over equality and cultural representation. It also adds the suspicion that, in the corporate world’s hands, it’s conformity wearing revolutionary clothing.

At the film’s heart is Jeffrey Wright’s excellent performance as Thelonious (nicknamed ‘Monk’ after the jazz musician), a poorly-selling writer and academic who’s pushed into temporary leave over his handling of racial issues in his seminars. After his sister’s sudden death and his mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, he vents his frustrations at the publishing industry indulging black stereotypes by rushing out a novel containing nothing but that to scorn them. The result? To Monk’s exasperation, it’s easily his biggest success.

Jeffrey Wright as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison and Erika Alexander as Coraline in writer/director Cord Jefferson’s “American Fiction.” Claire Folger/Orion Releasing.

THE KILLER

CHICKEN RUN: DAWN OF THE THE BEEKEEPER NUGGET Star Rating: 2.5/5

Star Rating: 1.5/5

Star Rating: 1/5

David Fincher (Fight Club, The Social Network) directs this dark, unconventional crime thriller on Netflix where Michael Fassbender plays a contract killer who misses his shot and spends the rest of the film globetrotting to clean up the mess he made. The main character’s flaws, despite all his self-centred narration and ‘wise’ quotes, ground the episodic but clever story.

He’s clearly competent in many ways but still makes mistakes and breaks his own rules as he tries to survive. Michael Fassbender remains compelling as ever, playing a stoic facade like a mask that constantly slips as things keep going wrong for him. Look out also for a brief but delightful appearance from Tilda Swinton as one of the killer’s targets. ✪

This Aardman-made sequel, made for Netflix, doesn’t exactly tarnish the original Chicken Run but it’s ultimately a weaker retread of that classic. Where Rocky and Ginger once escaped Mrs Tweedy’s tyrannical farm, they now must break in to rescue their daughter and loads more chickens from the chop.

While Aardman’s stop-motion animation can’t be faulted (I suppose it’s a small mercy this wasn’t made in CGI), there’s some decent gags and the characters’ basic personalities are still there, they lack purpose and meaningful arcs like they had to varying degrees in the original.

Those and the original’s sense of danger are sorely missed here – not to mention Ginger’s inexplicable voice recasting from Julia Sawalha to Thandiwe Newton (Mel Gibson as Rocky getting recast? That’s a bit more understandable). ✪

‘Simplistic’ doesn’t cover how straightforward this Jason Statham actioner is throughout. Statham, a former Beekeeper operative, now keeps bees (what else?) on a kindly old lady’s estate, someone scams said lady out of her money, driving her to suicide, Statham takes revenge on everyone involved. The script has little more detail than that, let alone depth, instead stringing everything together with a cloying beehive metaphor for society. That, plus pasting in references to NFTs and other things ripped from the headlines as Statham takes down criminals in one-sided brawls. Apart from one halfdecent fight near the end, the main interest is in comparing Statham’s mumbling halfattempt at an American accent with Jeremy Irons’ full attempt; which one’s worse? ✪

At least The Beekeeper keeps to about 100 minutes – Argylle is even worse and somehow lasts well over two hours.

Its story, about a spy novelist roped into a worldwide plot where her next chapter could help beat the bad guys, is frankly convoluted enough without all the half-hearted twists thrown in to try and wrong-foot audiences rather than actually engage them. The film’s sheer bloat, from its dragged-out action scenes to the egregious overuse of garishlooking CGI, only draws more attention to how thinly written the characters are.

Add some infuriating reminders of how much Hollywood’s wasted Henry Cavill and this is very disappointing form from director Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake, Kingsman). ✪

Star Rating: 4/5

ARGYLL

You can follow Jordan on Twitter (@JordanReview) and read his blog at www.reviewsreflections.wordpress.com For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

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WHATS ON

#WhatsOnPulse

The cast of Drop the Dead Donkey will bring laughter to MK Theatre - March 12- 16

Hejira: Celebrating Joni Mitchell Friday, March 1, 8pm A seven-piece band set up to celebrate and honour the masterpiece works of Joni Mitchell, mostly from the late 1970s.

Woodstock: stables.org Abstract Art from the Collection Saturday, March 2 – Sunday, September 1 A celebration of the 20th century paintings, prints and sculptures in the museum collection that all share an abstraction of form, from large oil on canvas paintings to angular metal sculptures.

Making a splash: northamptonmuseums.com Danesborough Chorus Choral Workshop Saturday, March 2, 10am-4pm The chorus invites singers of all ages and abilities to join them in exploring Carl Orff’s epic cantata, Carmina Burana. A perennial favourite, the famous ‘O Fortuna’ opening has featured in film battle scenes and TV advertisements and will be familiar to many from a well-known aftershave advert!

Tune up: danesboroughchorus@gmail.com NMPAT: Orchestra Spectacular Sunday, March 3, 6pm A chance to enjoy three generations of orchestras; the County Junior, County Training and County Youth.

Sounds fine: royalandderngate.co.uk

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Go walkies with The Parks Trust - March 13

Sons of Cream Tuesday, March 5 A family affair playing tribute to the masters responsible for classics including I Feel Free and White Room, Kofi Baker and Malcolm Bruce lead the sounds.

Strange Brew: stables.org I Should Be So Lucky Tuesday, March 5 – Saturday, March 9 The world premiere of the Stock Aitken Waterman musical with all the hit factory songs you know and love, set against a heartwarming and rib-tickling story.

Never Gonna Give You Up: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

Steve Summers Band Tuesday, March 5, 6.30pm Blues rock in the tradition of Cream and Hendrix will make for an evening of nice sounds on the ear, and Steve is the one to give it to you.

The White Room: bletchleybluesclub.uk Walk & Talk: Nature at Night for Families Wednesday, March 6, 6.30pm Explore the habitats within Howe Park Wood – learn why animals are nocturnal, how they adapt to life in the dark and how to tell what animals have visited an area while we sleep.

Suitable for adults and children aged eight and above.

Bark at the moon: theparkstrust.com

Rhythm of the 90s Saturday, March 9, 7.30pm Join the 90s dance anthems band as they deliver classic hits from Darude, The Prodigy, Sash, Faithless, N-Trance and plenty more.

The dance floor will be jumping!

God Is a DJ: theroadmender.com Alina Orchestra Young Conductors Weekend: Final Performance Sunday, March 10, 3pm Conductor Hilary Davan Wetton leads the culmination of the first Young Conductors Weekend with a performance featuring all the participants who have taken part in an intensive three-day course.

The programme will include Mozart’s Symphony No.29 K.201 and Holst’s Brook Green Suite.

Pass the baton: stables.org Crowbar Monday, March 11, 7.30pm American aces visit Wolverton venue The Craufurd Arms with a heavy load of sludge metal, doom metal and stoner for you.

Zero and Below: thecraufurdarms.com Denton & District Gardening Club Monday, March 11, 7.30pm Dr Twigs Way will talk about ‘The Unexpected History of the Garden Gnome,’ at Denton Village Hall, Vicarage Lane, Denton. There will be a raffle and home-made refreshments.

Entry is free to members and visitors are welcome at £3.

Digging deep: 01604 890875 The John Doe Trio Tuesday, March 12, 6.30pm The tight-knit three excellent musicians make their return to the venue on Bletchley’s Queensway.

Hard rockin’: bletchleybluesclub.uk

Drop the Dead Donkey Tuesday, March 12 – Saturday, March 16 Three decades since the launch of the hit TV series and the original Globelink News team are back. A hilarious revival of an all-time comedy classic.

Sitcom silliness: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes Woof Walk: Tattenhoe Valley Park Wednesday, March 13 A ranger-led walk to explore green spaces with your dog, and for both of you to socialise and meet others.

Dogs must stay on leads.

Don’t forget the poo bags: theparkstrust.com Treading The Duckboards Thursday, March 14, 10.30am-midday As the Great War raged amid shot and shell, songs, dance and laughter were created by the troops themselves. Kate Wills tells the story of their shows at the front.

Tunes by troops: northamptonmuseums.com The Blackheart Orchestra Thursday, March 14, 8.45pm Multi-award winning multi-instrumentalists Chrissy Mostyn and Rick Pilkington make their Milton Keynes return; a two person ‘orchestra’ playing up to 13 instruments in their unique live show. Motörhead’s Phil Campbell is among their many fans.

Violet: stables.org Cara Dillon: Coming Home Thursday, March 14, 7.30pm The acclaimed Irish singer takes the stage at The Royal, playing in support of her new album, Coming Home.

Bright Morning Star: royalandderngate.co.uk

March Highlights Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band Sunday 17 March

Regarded by many as the best in the world, this famous brass band presents a highly entertaining concert featuring a host of much-loved tunes.

The Dublin Legends Thursday 21 March

The Dublin Legends perform Irish folk music as it’s meant to be – pure and straight from the heart.

The Coral: The Making of That Debut Album Saturday 23 March

The Coral are celebrating the 21st anniversary of their eponymous debut album. Singer James Skelly and keyboardist Nick Power perform an evening of acoustic tracks.

Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham Tuesday 26 March

Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham continue to charm audiences with their stunning music and on-stage charisma.

Expect an evening of tunes that will tug your heartstrings alongside joyous reels that will have your feet tapping.

The Stables Wavendon Milton Keynes MK17 8LU Box office: 01908 280800 stables.org Enjoy the sounds of the NMPAT Orchestra Spectacular - March 3

For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

53

WHATS ON

Verminthrone play for the home crowd at The Craufurd Arms - March 16

Verminthrone Saturday, March 16 Official launch party for the debut album by rising MK heavies at Wolverton venue The Craufurd Arms.

The Cull: thecraufurdarms.com Vivienne Westwood: A Personal Collection Saturday, March 16 – Sunday, June 9 An exhibition showcasing a small part of an extensive personal collection that includes Westwood’s iconic shoes and outfits from her career defining collections such as Seditionairies, favoured by the Sex Pistols.

Style icon: northamptonmuseums.com Justin Hayward Monday, March 18, 7.30pm The voice of the Moody Blues plays for us as part of The Harmony Tour. Hits aplenty.

Nights in White Satin: royalandderngate.co.uk

Staffell & Stewart Tuesday, March 19, 6.30pm Tim Staffell & Paul Stewart were original contributors to the Rhythm & Blues explosion of the sixties; Stewart was lead singer and harp player with legendary R&B band ‘The Others’, while Staffell was lead singer and bass player in the pre-Queen power trio ‘Smile’ with Brian May & Roger Taylor. Rhythm & Blues: bletchleybluesclub.uk Discovery Stroll: Stony Stratford Nature Reserve Tuesday, March 19, 2pm A Parks Trust guided tour of the nature reserve which will show you interesting features of the park and some of its wildlife.

The closest car park is off Queen Eleanor Street and the event will last for 1-1.5 hours.

Walkin’ back to happiness: theparkstrust.com

Antiques Centre

Building 1, The Royal Ordnance Depot, Weedon Bec, NN7 4PS

The Time Machine March 26-March 30

OPEN: Wed to Mon 10am-4pm, CLOSED: Tues Facebook: @vintiqueltd Instagram: vintique.limited T: 01327 341 980 E: info@vintique.co W: vintique.co 54

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

Pretty Woman the Musical Tuesday, March 19 – Saturday, March 30 The stage version of Hollywood’s ultimate rom-com has already sizzled on the West End stage, and this MK visit, as part of a UK tour, has long been anticipated.

Slippery little suckers: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes Tom Meighan Thursday, March 21, 7.30pm The former Kasabian man steps out in Milton Keynes as part of an acoustic tour.

Don’t Give In: thecraufurdarms.com Livewire Saturday, March 23, 7.30pm For those about to rock, AC/DC tribute mob Livewire salute you! Hit after riff after fist in the air fabulousness.

Let There Be Rock: theroadmender.com

WHATS ON Denton & District Gardening Club Spring Flower Show Saturday, March 23, 2.30-4.30pm View exhibits, enjoy homemade refreshments, a raffle and a plant stall. It is an open show and anyone is welcome to exhibit.

Entry is free.

More details: m.patemen@yahoo.co.uk or call 01604 890875 Lottery Winners Sunday, March 24, 7.30pm Last year their elpee Anxiety Replacement Therapy made it to the top spot in the Official UK album charts, and they are still riding high and accumulating fans in high places - Shed Seven and Frank Turner among them.

Times Are Changing: mk11kilnfarm.com

Danesborough Chorus presents

Bach St John Passion Saturday 23 March 7.30pm St Mary’s Parish Church, Woburn Danesborough Chorus with Alina Orchestra and soloists will perform Bach’s passion masterpiece just before Easter in the glorious setting of Woburn Parish Church.

Tickets: www.wegottickets.com www.danesborough.org.uk

An Evening with Anton Du Beke and Friends Tuesday, March 26, 7.30pm Anton will perform with his live band and a guest singer in an evening of song, dance and laughter, and stories from behind the scenes of Strictly.

Ballroom Blitz: royalandderngate.co.uk

Happy Mondays Thursday, March 28, 6pm A mammoth show with Shaun Ryder, Bez and the gang, and support from Inspiral Carpets and Stereo MC’s on the Been There Done That tour.

Step On: royalandderngate.co.uk King Prawn Friday, March 29, 8pm Ska punk fusionists head back to MK11 for their first visit in too long, and they still have a fire in their belly and skank in their soul!

Be Warned: mk11kilnfarm.com Easter Egg Hunt Friday, March 29 – Monday, April 1 Milton Keynes Museum hosts its annual Egg Hunt with participants of all ages searching inside and outside the Museum, and choccy treats awaiting those who find the clues and retrieve the paper eggs.

Cracking family fun: miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

The Time Machine Tuesday, March 26 – Saturday, March 30 H G Wells’ comic deadly serious masterpiece will never be the same again as this hapless highly skilled group of actors embark on a journey of a lifetime! Might also contain Cher tunes.

Comedy moments: royalandderngate.co.uk

Egg-cellent fun at the annual Easter egg hunt at Milton Keynes Museum - March 29- April 1

Strictly speaking, it will be fabulous An Evening With Anton Du Beke - March 26

For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

55

MOTORING

Thinking of going electric in 2024?

Bells Motor Group outline the five things you need to know when buying your first electric car.

W

ith the electric car revolution in full swing and only set to get bigger in 2024, the number of people swapping their petrol or diesel car for an electric vehicle is increasing rapidly.

Yet, despite predictions that electric vehicles will account for 25% of all new passenger car sales in the UK in 2024*, many people still have some niggling uncertainties around purchasing an electric car. To answer these questions, Bells Motor Group is providing their top tips to debunk the myths and help drivers figure out exactly what they need to charge ahead with their first EV. Clive Bell, Managing Director from Bells Motor Group said: “Drivers are welcome to drop in and speak with our expert team about purchasing their first electric car at any time, but for those too busy to visit, we’ve included our five top tips to help you start the new year off in the right gear.”

1. Work out what you actually need “It’s often easy to pick your new car based on aesthetics alone, but it’s important to make sure that the car you’re looking at fits all aspects of your lifestyle, too. Size is an important consideration. Do you need plenty of space in the cabin and the boot, or is one more important than the other? Generally speaking, the larger the car, the larger the battery will be, and so this will take longer to recharge.

The interior of the Volvo EX30

“If you’re someone who has a long commute to work every day, or if you regularly go on long-distance trips, you’ll definitely need to factor in a car that is smooth and comfortable to drive, efficient and has a good electric range. Many people tend to The Volvo EX30 looks striking in Moss Yellow overestimate how much they actually drive – on average, the majority of people drive only around 20 “Chances are, if you buy an electric car, miles a day.** Taking a detailed look at what at some point you’ll need to use public you use your car for on a daily basis and charging spots, too. To save yourself getting observing how many miles you add each caught out, it’s a good idea to look at the week are great ways of staying realistic with different public charging facilities available your requirements.” and get to grips with them – there are almost 54,000 public charging points in the UK****, so have a look at downloading 2. Budget to spend less on maintenance charging provider apps so you’ll be ready when you need them.”

“One of the main selling points of an electric car is that maintenance is generally much simpler and cheaper than that of a petrol 4. Know your budget or diesel car. With fewer moving parts in an electric car, there is less to go wrong, “Making sure you have a good idea of your meaning maintenance costs could be up to available budget is incredibly important – half the price you’re used to.*** that way, we as retailers can help you find “Thanks to regenerative braking, which the most suitable, affordable option for you, in many instances uses the electric motor and you know your limits. to help slow the car rather than the brakes “Don’t be put off by the initial upfront cost themselves, the brakes on your new car will of an electric vehicle – electric cars tend to be exposed to less wear and tear, meaning cost slightly more to purchase than a petrol they won’t need to be replaced as often***. or diesel car, but the costs of running are “While electric cars do still need annual MoT much lower, with the likes of fuel, tax and checks, as with all cars, this is generally a maintenance being much cheaper.”***** pain-free experience, with exhaust emissions tests being a thing of the past.”

5. Go to see the car in person

3. Get set up for charging “We know that charging is the number one deterrent from people purchasing an electric vehicle – with so many different options and types, it’s no wonder!

“It’s worth doing your research and familiarising yourself with the charging process before purchasing, which may include getting a home charging point fitted.

Nearly every electric car owner will find a home charging point beneficial, because charging your car overnight is the most timeeffective option to ensure you’re fully charged for the day ahead – and there’s no waiting around because you and your car will be recharging your batteries overnight together.

“We would always recommend popping into your local retailer to have a thorough look at the car you’re considering – whether you’re certain you know what you want, or you’re stuck between a couple of options, it’s a great way to make sure you’re confident in your decision.

“We strongly believe that buying a new car should be an exciting time, not a stressful one, and so we’re thrilled to see 2024 off to an electrifying start!” *Information from GreenMatch in 2023 **Research by Car Analytics in 2023 ***Research by EDF in 2022 ****Research by Zapmap in 2023 *****Information from RAC in 2023

For anyone interested in learning more, please contact Bells Motor Group or visit our website bellsmotorgroup.co.uk/volvo 56

March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

PUZZLES

View from the Far Kerb

Unexpected

SUDOKU PUZZLE Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats. Good Luck!

9

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P

lease accept my apologies for having inflicted the trials and tribulations of the O’Hara Household Move upon you, dear readers. I promise I won’t do it again.

Well, when I write promise, what I really mean is, I will try not to do it again. Okay, let me be plain and open about this: I will endeavour to avoid not trying to eschew the imposition of woe and trouble, in the form of the written word, on, at or via any third party, on the readership of Pulse.

The reason I am loathe to make such a promise isn’t because I am seeking election to High Office somewhere. No, it is because the grown-up members of the O’Hara Household didn’t fully appreciate what they were told about the property they purchased. My desire is to pass on what we are suffering to ensure the Pulse readership is not similarly hurt.

Advised: Surface water collects in the garden.

Simple, and nothing of much import when presented in such a short and concise manner.

Unfortunately, there was more to it.

For instance, most of the garden is woodchip and it turns into a pond when three or more raindrops collect together and identify as rainfall.

The “surface water” can be four inches deep.

When you add that we have dogs, it becomes a bigger problem and is a nightmare. What is supposed to be a last-minute ejection of the dogs immediately prior to bedtime can become a protracted episode involving towels, lest the dogs be forced to sleep the night in wet beds.

Something had to be done. The recent storms both illustrated the

nature of the problem and gave the local ducks somewhere to frolic.

It wasn’t going to be our hoped straightforward fix involving the laying of an artificial lawn or slabs.

The water needed to go somewhere other than the garden. Shouting at it wasn’t working and the neighbours were beginning to talk and give me looks.

Clearly, some proper groundwork was going to be required. Digging out lots of earth and replacing it with something less impervious to water was needed, along with doing magical and mysterious professional things resulting in excess water making its way to the drains helpfully located at the wrong end of the garden.

Professionals needed to be asked what would be the best resolution.

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QUICK CROSSWORD 1

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Professionals needed to be asked what would be the best resolution. My first step was to bodge a temporary fix. Off-cuts from an artificial lawn were laid on a concrete hardstanding that didn’t join in with the rest of the garden’s game of hiding under the water.

Then bamboo sticks left behind by the former owners were stuck in the ground to serve as a makeshift ‘fence’ between the new ‘lawn’ and the unexpected swimming pool. At least bedtime no longer requires the use of towels.

I now wanted three or more professionals to come in to assess and quote the likely cost of a proper solution. Luckily a copy of Pulse fell to hand and I found the experts…

Clues Across 1. Diabolical (8) 5. Gateau (4) 9. Incinerator (7) 10. Small fragment (5) 11. Denims (5) 13. Ocean trip (6) 15. Incisive (5) 17. Slightly open (4) 19. In the past (3) 20. Concludes (4) 21. Print media (5) 23. Run out (6) 24. Rustling sound (5)

Phil O’Hara

Solutions to Sudoku and Quick Crossword can be found on page 58

30

31

28. R un away to marry (5) 29. East Anglian city (7) 30. Ooze (4) 31. Pincers (8) Clues Down 1. Resist, challenge (4) 2. Vitality (5) 3. Acquires knowledge (6) 4. Look for (4) 6. Put on trial (7) 7. Type of coffee (8)

8. T ake control unjustly (5) 12. Portion (5) 13. Christian symbol (5) 14. Unidentified (8) 16. Mature (3) 18. Sanction (7) 21. Groom (5) 22. Veer (6) 25. Skid (5) 26. Was aware of (4) 27. Hence (4)

For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk | MK Pulse Magazine | March 2024

57

Your stars

HOWARD PARKER

THE ASTRO-GUIDE

Flavour of the Times - If you’re hoping for a respite from the general oddness unfolding around you (and perhaps in your personal life too, especially if you’re a Leo, Aquarian, Taurus, or Scorpio), don’t set your expectations too high! That will continue in the background, but at least in March, there are other elements that provide some stabilisation to the cosmic landscape. You won’t be able to resolve everything since much is beyond your control, but you can introduce a measure of order and structure to certain areas of your life, at least temporarily. You can get some of your ducks in a row! Focus on what you can influence.

PISCES February 20 – March 20

CANCER June 22 – July 23

SCORPIO October 24 – November 22

ARIES March 21 – April 20

LEO July 24 – August 23

SAGITTARIUS November 23 – December 22

TAURUS April 21 – May 21

VIRGO August 24 – September 23

The symbol for your sign is two fish swimming upstream and downstream, and it must feel as if you are doing both simultaneously! Indecisive, much? The recent full moon will have presented you with several opportunities to sort things out, but I’m afraid that with so many planets in your sign as the next new moon approaches on the 9th, getting lost in the mix is likely.

Simply being there for people in your life who are hopelessly adrift right now is where you need to be. Caring is neutral; it’s not judgemental, so you can listen to some hopelessly unrealistic ideas and notions and just empathise with the person behind those notions. It is often called ‘holding space’, and I think that’s a constructive way of dealing with these situations.

Leos appear to be struggling at the moment as the Aquarius challenge pokes at their egos and self-esteem (however much they try to hide it or deny it!). You are probably being quite demanding and testing the patience of people who are forced to listen to you. Empathy may be scarce, even though I’m sure you pride yourself on being a real empath.

Attempting to knit fog is almost always impossible, so I wouldn’t even try. You will find yourself treading water this month, although ideas may be forming for future changes. However, this is no time for action. Use this period to cultivate some personal practice like Pilates or the more vigorous forms of yoga, where you can expend your energy while fostering a calm mind.

You will continue to be disrupted, and the ground beneath your feet is shifting. It’s muddy, and you slip and slide all over the place as you try to gain some traction. But sometimes, you just have to yield to the way things are and let yourself go with the flow for the moment. Rigidity will not serve you well this month, but spring is not far off now, and that is when you will be able to find some stability.

The recent full moon in your sign likely helped you address a few practical issues, but finding order with Neptune in the deep blue depths of the ocean is definitely not on the agenda this month! If you can manage to break lifelong habits and let go, it’s best to swim with the fishes until the end of the month, by which time, spring will officially have arrived.

GEMINI May 22 – June 21

LIBRA September 24 – October 23

Your thoughts will be scattered this month. It’s almost as if you will be inundated with them, and you should treat all of them with a degree of scepticism until the seasons transition into an Aries-led spring later in the month. The new moon on the 9th will be particularly challenging, so find ways to calm your mind and observe what surfaces without jumping to conclusions.

Now is the month for dreams, as the time for action arrives with the onset of spring at the end of March. Dare to dream, and dream big, at the new moon on the 9th March, when all sorts of options and ideas will come into view. Relationships and romantic encounters may be a bit unusual and not what you expect, but at least they’ll be interesting!

See where they lead but tread carefully.

Your Own astrological Forecast for 2024

58

PUZZLE

SOLUTIONS

You are bound to be affected personally by some, if not all, of the massive changes taking place this year. Not everyone will be equally affected on a personal level, but you will certainly feel it if you are an Aquarius, Leo, Scorpio, or Taurus.

An astrological reading of your birth chart can help you understand how these changes might affect you. To really understand what they mean for you during 2024, I would recommend that you consider booking a comprehensive personal astrological consultation with me. This is completely specific to + , = ,

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I wonder how you Sagittarians will fare this month. You can be quite opinionated, but the strong water energy in March may leave you feeling less confident than usual. The peak of this will be around the new moon on the 9th, so be on the lookout for how things unfold then. Better energies for you kick in at the spring equinox on the 20th, which should reinvigorate you.

CAPRICORN December 23 – January 20

Your sign is being somewhat left behind now.

Pluto is in Aquarius, and all around you, life is marching to a different rhythm. The spring Aries energy will challenge you to join in or get left behind, so you may feel compelled to commit to some new things that make you a bit uneasy.

Do you dive in, or just dip a toe in the water?

The choice is yours!

AQUARIUS January 21 – February 19

You may have been charming and eccentrically attractive at the end of last month, but things are changing quite rapidly now. The world of exciting ideas in your head shifts to the murky underwater world of Pisces, where nothing is quite as it seems, and uncertainty reigns. Sink, swim, or float?

Try all three, and you should be okay!

you and your life. It will illuminate many things that you may not have considered up to now, and it will enable you to really take advantage of the positive energies and avoid the negative ones throughout the year.

My prices for chart readings remain the same as they have been for the past five years: starting at £67 for an hour on Zoom or Skype. Please visit www.astroguidance.co.uk for more details and to book a session. You can also text or WhatsApp me on 07866 727743 or email me at howpark@aol.com for more information.

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You may find exciting and out-of-the-ordinary ideas and thoughts coming to you, but some may be quite unsettling. The key here is to examine what makes you so resistant to them. This month at least gives you the chance to ponder them in your mind without committing to any course of action until you’re ready.

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March 2024 | MK Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.mkpulse.co.uk

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