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Stony Words: Selina Todd – The great British social mobility myth February 1, 7pm The Stony Words Festival continues with a Zoom event in the company of Selina Todd, a Professor of Modern History at Oxford University. She will show ‘how a powerful elite on the top rungs of the social ladder have prevented others from ascending, and argues greater opportunities for all to thrive to ensure the survival of our society.’ Click and connect: stonywords.org.uk

Walk & Talk: Wonderful Willen –A Sociologist’s View Wednesday, February 2, 1.30pm-3.30pm Take a guided walk around Willen Lake and the Tree Cathedral through a sociological lens, as The Parks Trust explores how the landmarks around the lake reflect the social makeup of Milton Keynes. The brisk two hour walk is suitable for adults and children aged 12+ Check out the greenery: theparkstrust.com

Shaparak Khorsandi: IT WAS THE 90S! Wednesday, February 2, 8pm Join Shaparak as she steps back in time, ‘to the decade where ‘kinky’ was nurse roleplay and whipped cream’ when our lady at the mic found herself navigating London with hope in her heart, a tenner in her pocket and spare knickers in her handbag! Suitable for over 16s. We were young, we were free: stables.org

Stony Words: Kehinde Andrews – The New Age of Empire Wednesday, February 2 Kehinde is the UK’s first Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University. Join him for an evening exploring his current book, The New Age of Empire – How racism and colonialism still rule the world. ‘This is not a book that offers easy answers but forces us to think about the legacy of our history.’ Books will be for sale at the event, being hosted upstairs at The Crown in Stony Stratford. A new chapter: stonywords.org.uk

Women’s Walking Network Thursday, February 3, 10am-midday The Parks Trust organised event visits Tattenhoe Valley Park this month. The parkland is well known for its necklace of ponds which provide a great habitat for insect, bird and water life. Participants will also get to explore the ancient woodland of Howe Park Wood during the walk, which is a little less than four and a half miles long. Best foot forward: theparkstrust.com

Shaparak Khorsandi delivers a funny look back at the 90s at The Stables this month

Stony Words: Helen Thompson - Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century Thursday, February 3 Join the Professor of Political Economy at Cambridge University as she talks about her upcoming book release; a long history of the present political moment created by the shocks of economic failure by the banks, the rupture of the European Union and political schisms in the United States. Tickets are £5 in advance for the event, which is taking place upstairs at The Crown in Stony Stratford. Book in for the book bash: stonywords.org.uk

The Smeds and The Smoos Thursday, February 3 (1pm & 4pm) and Friday, February 4 (10am & 12.30pm) Theatre-time for little folks who will be charmed by the Tall Stories team as they deliver an exciting adaptation of the awardwinning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back? Music, laughs and interplanetary adventures for those aged three years and up. Space time: thecorecorby.com Stony Words: Performers’ Night Friday, February 4 Visit York House Centre in Stony Stratford for your chance to perform those folk/roots/acoustic songs that you’ve been perfecting! Entry is £5 on the door – from 7.30pm ready for an 8pm start. Turn up: thesongloft.com

Hairspray Northampton Derngate Until Saturday, February 5 The musical with big volume and even bigger songs is back. You still can’t stop the beat: royalandderngate.co.uk

Stony Words: Alfie Moore – Fair Cop Unleashed Saturday, February 5, 7pm Alfie is an original and distinctive comedian with his niche area as a recently retired police sergeant – book for an arresting evening in his company at York House Centre, Stony Stratford. Tickets are £10. Guilty as charged: stonywords.org.uk

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Sunday, February 6, 3pm Enjoy the RPO at Northampton’s Derngate Theatre as they deliver work by Walton (Portsmouth Point Overture), Elgar (Introduction and Allegro for Strings) and The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, by Jenkins A classic afternoon: royalandderngate.co.uk

Stony Words: Tales Tattled & Told Sunday, February 6, 7.30pm An evening of wicked words and mind-blowing music is promised with stories and songs by and for adults upstairs at The Crown in celebration of National Storytelling Week. Stony Storytellers and the 2022 Bard of Stony Stratford will be among those present, and the Hatstand Band will take charge of the folk and rockabilly. Tickets are £5. Naughty but nice: stonywords.org.uk

Parks & Run: Great Linford Manor Park Sunday, February 6, from 10am Get that body moving with a choice of either a 2, 6 or 10km route at the historic park. Be sociable while getting the blood pumping. Want to participate? Meet at the Arts Centre Parklands, off St Leger Drive – there’s no need to pre-book. Jog on: theparkstrust.com

The New Scummy Mummies Show Thursday, February 10, 8pm Comedians Ellie and Helen return to the Wavendon venue with new songs, new jokes and new catsuits as they celebrate the scummier side of parenting, from drinking wine at teatime to hiding from the PTA. Find the funnies: stables.org

A talk: ‘Different Ways with Clematis’ Monday, February 14 Peter Skeggs-Gooch will be in conversation at Denton & District Gardening Club. Entry is free for members, £3 for visitors. There will also be a raffle and home-made refreshments. Put down roots: Call 01604 890875 or email m.pateman@yahoo.co.uk Dick & Angel Dare To Do It Sunday, February 20, 7.30pm Join the stars of the hit TV show Escape to the Chateau as they explain who they are, where they have come from, how they met and why they dared to do it! Head to the castle: royalandderngate.co.uk

Larry Dean: Fudnut Friday, February 25, 8pm The double Edinburgh Comedy Awardnominee takes to the Underground stage with a new hour-long show of stuff guaranteed to turn frowns upside down. The show is suitable for those aged 16+ Get the giggles: royalandderngate.co.uk

Dan Webster Friday, February 25, 8.45pm Singer-songwriter Dan’s music is influenced by the sounds and storytelling traditions of Americana, which the Yorkshireman melds with an honest northern English perspective. Open your ears: stables.org

Space Friday, February 25, 7.30pm During the band’s lifetime, Space have shifted more than five million records, and made their way into the Top 10 singles chart 10 times. After an extended period of downtime because of Covid, the Brit aces are getting back on the stage with a date in Corby. Suburban Rock and Roll: thecorecorby.com

Bob Dylan Night Saturday, February 26, 8pm Enjoy local performers as they deliver their own interpretations of Dylan’s marvelous music; from Freewheelin’ to Street Legal. Those taking the stage at York House in Stony Stratford will include Rd Eyre, Sue de Souza, Chrissy Leonhardt, Monty Lunds, David Mains, Paul Manning, Miller & Walker and Pat Nicholson. The bar opens from 7.30pm, the music starts at 8pm, and ‘those times are not a-changing,’ say organisers. Nice work. Going, Going, Gone: wegottickets.com/event/531645

February Highlights

Count Arthur Strong Friday 11 February From his breakthrough Edinburgh Fringe show Forgotten Egypt in 2002, Arthur has two decades of memories from his ten national tours, 15 years of his multi-awardwinning radio show and three series of his BAFTA nominated TV sitcom.

Harriet Saturday 12 February Following numerous sold out shows across the UK including her hugely popular ‘Piano Sessions’ series and opening for Michael Bolton on his UK tour, Harriet returns to The Stables for a special one-off show with her live band.

Sharon Shannon Quartet Tuesday 15 February The accordionist from Ireland has achieved legendary status throughout the world and has made the muchmaligned accordion ‘cool’ in her home country. Sharon has recorded and toured with a who’s who of the Irish and global music industry including Bono, Adam Clayton and Sinead O’Connor.

Ian Ashpitel & Jonty Stephens as Eric & Ern Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 February A show for all the family from 8 to 108! A brilliant homage crammed full of those famous comedy sketches, much-loved Morecambe & Wise routines and songs and, of course, a musical guest!

Fairport Convention Tuesday 22 February Fairport Convention have been entertaining music lovers for over half a century, with 2022 being their 55th anniversary! This year’s Winter Tour will present a mix of long-established Fairport favourites and some surprises from albums old and new.

The Stables, Wavendon Milton Keynes MK17 8LU Box office: 01908 280800 stables.org