20 minute read
PULSE PICS
from MK Pulse May 2022
We’ve enjoyed a baby boom (of sorts), brilliant fashion, a meeting with the Body Coach and more...here are this month’s Pulse Pics.
Congratulations to Bradwell Silver Band who came away triumphant from the London and Southern Counties Regional Championship – our brass band took first place and now get to represent the region in Cheltenham later this year.
Pic: Sammy Jones
This stunning butterfly was snapped enjoying the greenery on a beautiful summer morning in Campbell Park.
Pic: Woburn Safari Park
Pic: Sammy Jones
The catwalk returned to the centre:mk for its Spring Fashion Weekend, exploring this season’s must-have styles. Shoppers were treated to makeup masterclasses, talks from stylists and giveaways, and of course those all-important fashion shows.
The Body Coach paid a visit to Milton Keynes to meet fans and sign copies of his new best-selling page-turner, Feel Good Food. Joe Wicks, whose exercises helped to keep the nation healthy and motivated throughout lockdown, was greeted by a great crowd of supporters when he popped to Waterstones bookstore in Midsummer Place – the store sold out of every last book! The baby boom has begun at Woburn Safari Park – with 11 new adorable arrivals. Leading the way was an endangered ring-tailed lemur baby, weighing a tiny 30 grams at birth. Other fresh faced babies include four meerkat pups and six wallaby joeys, joining the troops at home in the Foot Safari.
Star baker and television presenter Nadiya Hussain has launched a new range of headscarves and turbans in collaboration with Next. “I have been part of the design process at every stage, from colour to fabric and size,” said the Milton Keynes resident, “... My headscarf is an extension of me, just like hair, but not hair.”
Leave a lasting legacy...
If writing a Will is on your to-do list, help is at hand.
This May, Willen Hospice is partnering with local solicitors and Will-Writers who will waive their usual fee to write your Will in return for a suggested minimum donation to the Hospice.
To make an appointment with one of our partner solicitors visit www.willen-hospice.org. uk/willmonth. Alternatively, email legacies@ willen-hospice.org.uk for further information.
In the words of one of our supporters:
“We have pledged a gift to Willen Hospice in our Will as a way to thank them for the love
20% OFF Selected bridalwearfrom 15-31 May
In the Willen Hospice Bridal Boutique, Dresses range from just £50 to £600 and care they provided to dad during his final moments, It’s our way of giving something special back to them after we are gone, having the confidence knowing that our gift no matter how big or small will make a huge difference to the lives of patients and their loved ones long into the future”.
Planning a wedding?
Find the dress of your dreams! Browse the vast selection of new, vintage and pre-loved wedding gowns in the Willen Hospice Bridal Boutique, in Leighton Buzzard. Dresses range from just £50 to £600. You’ll also find beautiful bridesmaid, mother-of-the-bride, proms and party dresses.
Book an appointment in-store or by calling 01525 854420. Donate your dress Once your big day has come and gone, why not free up wardrobe space by donating your dress? You could be helping someone else to make beautiful memories whilst raising vital funds for Willen Hospice. You can donate your dress at any Willen Hospice shop.
Willen Hospice partners with MK College to promote sustainable fashion
As part of their vision to promote sustainable fashion and offer affordable clothing, Willen Hospice have launched an exciting new partnership with MK College fashion and photography students. The students have been busy helping the Hospice to select seasonal ranges of clothing which are now available in the Midsummer Place flagship store. The students enjoyed modelling some of their selection while their fellow photography students helped to document the process. The collaboration will continue with a unique upcycling project and a new co-brand which will be launching soon.
Dying Matters Awareness Week
Willen Hospice will be proudly supporting Dying Matters Awareness Week, 2-6 May, it is an opportunity to get the Milton Keynes community talking about dying and grief. It is only through these conversations that Willen Hospice is able to personalise its specialist palliative care and respect individual wishes. The local charity wants everyone to be #InAGoodPlace when they die – whatever that means for them. Look out for updates and opportunities to join in the conversation.
Milton Keynes
✓Friendly in-home service ✓ Options for every budget ✓ Price includes measuring & fitting
“My local advisor helped me find a blind to fit my budget. The service was second to none”.
Laura Jackson, customer
YOUR LOCAL BLINDS, CURTAINS & SHUTTERS SPECIALIST
• I provide expert advice on the best window solutions
• Flexible appointment times • Blinds & curtains tailor-made here in the UK
• Ask me about multi-blind discounts
• I won’t be beaten on price* • Electric blinds available
ROLLERS | ROMANS | VERTICALS | VENETIANS | CURTAINS | SHUTTERS | WOODEN BLINDS Call me for a free in-home appointment:
Peter Grinnell 07823440096
Sustainable Energy at Home
With energy bills rising, and cheaper tariffs being tough to find because of the increase in the regulator’s price cap, the main way to save during this energy crisis is simply to use less.
There are a range of things that we can all do to reduce the amount of energy that we use in the home to cut spending on energy bills and to bring down our carbon emissions for the planet. Here are a few ideas to get started:
Cut down on how long you spend in the shower – amazingly, for most of us the shower is the item that consumes the most electricity. It’s important to consider how energy-intensive it is to deliver, treat and heat the hot water for your shower, so shaving off a few minutes from your shower time will save on energy as well as precious water.
Turn down your heating thermostat - just turning this down by 1 or 2 degrees saves CO2 and money. After all you can always improve your own insulation with an extra jumper. For bonus savings, smart control systems and improving your home’s insulation to keep heat trapped inside in summer and out in winter can help massively. (We just have to balance the savings against the cost of buying the kit.)
Only boil sufficient water in your kettle for your needs. For bonus savings, heat a mug of water for tea or coffee in the microwave which uses a lot less energy than most kettles.
Switch to a 100% renewable electricity supplier – One of the simplest and biggest impacts that we can make to reduce our carbon emissions in our homes is to switch to an electricity supplier that utilises 100% renewable electricity. The Energy Savings Trust identified these companies as reputable suppliers of electricity from 100% renewable sources: www.goodenergy.co.uk www.greenenergyuk.com www.ecotricity.co.uk www.octopus.energy
When replacing appliances, opt for A-rated goods – Although they can be slightly more expensive, in most cases the additional energy savings A+ appliances make over 1 – 2 years will cover the original additional expense.
Replace your old gas boiler with a more efficient heat pump or air-source or ground-source heating system. If your home is properly insulated, installing a heat pump is one of the most efficient “green” renewable heating technologies you can use to replace your old boiler to heat both your hot water and central heating and make long-term cost savings. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a newly launched government grant to help property owners with £5,000 - £6,000 off the upfront cost of installing a heat pump.
Consider fitting solar panels - Solar is a renewable energy source and by having panels fitted to your house will mean that you can create your own electricity and not have to rely on the national grid; protecting yourself against price hikes from big utility providers and reducing your electricity bills each month in future.
> For more information on Transition Town Milton Keynes, visit: www.transitiontownmk.org or email: transitiontownmk@protonmail.com
A sporting book to go bat-ty over
Cricket fans will be bowled over by an in-depth new book, which explores the rich and colourful history of Thornborough Cricket Club (TCC), writes Sammy Jones.
The page-turner has been pieced together by two generations of former players from the club; Brian Goodger, who enjoyed a five decade link with TCC and his nephew, Pulse Magazine’s designer Simon Goodger, whose love affair with the village club began as a young supporter in the 1970s before he went on to play for them.
“It will appeal to cricket fans at large, but also to anyone interested in social history,” explained Simon, “It’s a really interesting story to see how a little village produced the club, and just how everything evolved.”
Cricket As It Should Be Played: An Anecdotal History of Thornborough Cricket Club is brimming with recollections and stories, and with 70 years of memories there is a lot to say, and a fair amount of humour features too.
The book has been illustrated with many charming images; one favourite must surely be an image of the team from the early 1900s, in obligatory bowler hats, with one player puffing on a pipe!
The idea of a book came about in the summer of 2021 when Simon started a Facebook group for former players and supporters as a way of ‘passing the legacy on and enjoying some reminiscences’ and as group numbers swelled it became clear there was a desire to compile the history in a book. By the time it was suggested, Brian had already been putting the recollections to paper.
“Brian, my dad and I have prodigious memories and can recall amazing detail – including stuff that we probably shouldn’t remember. Some of it is borderline libellous, I’m sure!” Simon laughed.
“The old umpires and the things they got up to make for great reading. In the old days, both teams had an umpire and each would cheat as bad as the other.
“That changed over time when the league would send a neutral umpire, but even then they were open to persuasion. There is a story of a captain plying an umpire with ale before the game, just to make sure they got all the decisions they needed in the match later on!”
The book collates memories of its earliest recorded days from the early 1950s, before giving a fascinating insight into a small rural community beginning to find its feet in the modern world in the 1960s and 1970s, through to the here and now.
All proceeds from the £10 read will be going to the venture founded by the club; Allstars and Dynamos which offers children a chance to have fun while playing sport - with a definite nod towards cricket, of course.
They are on course to raise close to £1000 for this good cause, thanks to the generosity of everyone who has already purchased a copy.
“It’s an initiative started by the club some years ago to get kids having a bit of fun, getting out there and enjoying themselves. I think it is brilliant; that’s how you learn to play a sport. It appealed to mine and Brian’s sense of where the proceeds should go,” Simon added.
> There are just a handful of copies left of Cricket As It Should Be Played: An Anecdotal History of Thornborough Cricket Club, to order drop an email to brian_goodger@sky.com or simon@simongdesign.co.uk
Meta-Noya is the brainchild of students at Denbigh School in Shenley Church End who ared taking part in this year’s Young Enterprise National Business Challenge.
Meta-Noya translates from Greek as “the journey of changing one’s mind, heart or way of life”. The team, pictured, have created ‘peace of mind packs’ which aim to stimulate the senses and relieve stress as they focus on the wellbeing of young people in light of the challenges they have faced during the pandemic.
Every year the Young Enterprise organisation tests the enterprise skills of students across the country by challenging them to create a product and sell it to the public. Students must produce a business plan, a marketing strategy, conduct consumer research and sell as many products as they can.
‘Meta-Noya’ has been selling its ‘peace of mind packs’ – which contain incense sticks, herbal tea, candles, oils and sweet treats – at school events and through social media (@meta-noya on Instagram, Pinterest, & Tik Tok).
Head of school Andrea Frame said: “Meta-Noya has taken every opportunity both in and out of school to spread the word about its ‘peace of mind packs’ and they are proving popular. It is great to see that they have developed a product that focuses on the wellbeing of young people after the challenges they have faced over the last two years.
Denbigh Young Enterprise Entrepreneurs focus on Wellbeing
Wellbeing of young people is the focus of a new enterprise aiming to make it big in a national competition.
The team from Denbigh School alongside their ‘peace of mind packs’
Unit 5 Darwin House, Corby Gate Business Park, Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 5JG
Covering the entire marketing mix
Qoob group helps businesses to market themselves effectively. We offer a truly holistic and allencompassing marketing approach, combining traditional media with cutting edge digital marketing, all underpinned with a strategic plan designed to help your business grow.
As a group agency, our brands provide consultancy, strategy, and advice, through to implementation across print, media, and digital.
...And we don’t just aim for good. We aim for marketing excellence.
To claim your FREE one-hour Marketing Consultation, scan the QR code and book your appointment.
Scan me!
BESPOKE WEBSITES SOFTWARE INTEGRATIONS MOBILE APPS INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLOUD WEBSITE APPLICATIONS ECOMMERCE ONLINE SHOPPING SOLUTIONS PLUGINS AND MODULES HARDWARE INTEGRATIONS BESPOKE WEBSITES SOFTWARE INTEGRATIONS MOBILE APPS INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLOUD WEBSITE APPLICATIONS ECOMMERCE ONLINE SHOPPING SOLUTIONS PLUGINS AND MODULES HARDWARE INTEGRATIONS BESPOKE WEBSITES SOFTWAREINTEGRATIONS MOBILE APPS INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLOUD WEBSITE APPLICATIONS ECOMMERCE ONLINE SHOPPING SOLUTIONS PLUGINS HARDWARE HARDWARE INTEGRATIONS BESPOKE WEBSITES INTEGRATIONS BESPOKE WEBSITES SOFTWARE INTEGRATIONS MOBILE APPS DATA BANKS INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLOUD WEBSITE APPLICATIONS ECOMMERCE ONLINE SHOPPING SOLUTIONS PLUGINS AND MODULES HARDWAREPLUGINS AND MODULES INTEGRATIONS BESPOKE WEBSITES HELPFUL FUL SOFTWARE INTEGRATIONS SOFTWARE INTEGRATIONS MOBILE APPS INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLOUD ECOMMERCE ONLINE SHOPPING SOLUTIONS CLOUD WEBSITE APPLICATIONS WEBSITE APPLICATIONS PLUGINS AND MODULES HARDWARE INTEGRATIONS FAST SERVICE BESPOKE WEBSITES SOFTWARE INTEGRATIONS MOBILE BESPOKE WEBSITES APPS INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLOUD WEBSITE APPLICATIONS WEBSITE APPLICATIONS ECOMMERCE ONLINE SHOPPING SOLUTIONS PLUGINS AND ECOMMERCE ONLINE SHOPPING SOLUTIONS PLUGINS AND MODULES HARDWARE INTEGRATIONS BESPOKE WEBSITES SOFTWARE INTEGRATIONS DATA BANKS MOBILE APPS INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLOUD WEBSITE MOBILE APPS APPLICATIONS ECOMMERCE ONLINE SHOPPING SOLUTIONS PLUGINS AND MODULES HARDWARE INTEGRATIONS BESPOKE WEBSITES SOFTWARE INTEGRATIONS MOBILE APPS INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLOUD WEBSITE APPLICATIONS ECOMMERCE ONLINE SHOPPING SOLUTIONS PLUGINS AND MODULES HARDWARE INTEGRATIONS BESPOKE WEBSITES SOFTWARE INTEGRATIONS MOBILE APPS
Solving problems Your Unlocking the through outsourced value of technology technology! marketing team! for business!
www.qoobgroup.co.uk
Sustainability in dentistry
How is sustainable dentistry eliminating toxic substances from your body?
The UK uses 300 million toothpaste tubes every year, equal to around 75,000 kilometres of plastic. This is approximately 1/5 of the distance from the Earth to the moon!
Similarly, amalgam filling in restorative dentistry has led to an increase in mercury emissions, which pollutes the soil and water resources and has negatively affected 50,000 people in 2017. With sustainable practices embedded into everyday work lives, green dental clinics aim to protect their patients from harmful substances by opting for environmentally friendly healthcare resources, reducing wastage and pollution.
Why are we concerned? Plastic is a hazardous waste due to its long decomposition process and slow degradability. Did you know that it typically takes 500 years for a toothpaste tube to biodegrade in a landfill fully? This means that every tube we have ever used in our lives is still out there somewhere, adding to the ever-increasing plastic footprints in the ecosystem and spreading harmful toxins.
On top of this, mercury from amalgam filling contributes to around 10% of overall mercury consumption worldwide; Its discharge contaminates water and threatens the aquatic organisms we consume. By ingesting these organisms, we are put at risk of developing mercury poisoning and other health problems that are considered fatal.
Embedding sustainable practices in our dental clinic is an absolute priority. We ensure our planet is liveable and safe for ourselves and the next generations!
What are we doing to help? Sorriso Design Dental Clinic was mostly built with sustainable sources such as eco-friendly paint and recycled material.
Instead of using the harmful amalgam filling, we have opted for safer substitutes such as composite resin filling. We have also installed filters that provide clean water free from toxins, avoiding wastewater pollution into our oceans.
Not to mention that the clinic is mainly paperless. Our dental software allows us to manage our business electronically. Receipts, consent forms and treatment plans are emailed to patients, which reduces paper wastage and pollution.
Most importantly, we collect plastic toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrush packaging, electric and battery toothbrush heads, and toothpaste cartons to send to the correct recycling centre. This will help to reduce carbon and plastic footprints that negatively affect the environment.
As a green alternative, we are promoting Parla toothpaste tabs. They provide a sustainable range of plastic-free oral products to reduce plastic pollution in the UK. What’s more, you can use their glass packaging to refill toothpaste tabs, avoiding unnecessary consumption.
We hope to inspire change and encourage our patients to think about the impact of plastic wastage on the environment.
How you can get involved: If you want to create a greener planet, bring your used toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes to your next appointment for recycling. >> To make an appointment: Call us on 01908 731 012
A hell-ish night out that is rock ‘n’ roll heaven!
The music world was shocked by the announcement of the passing of Meat Loaf in January. He was one of the biggest characters in the industry, and his music was even bigger.
Now the perfect tribute to the music legend, and his musical collaborator Jim Steinman who passed away in 2021, is coming to Milton Keynes.
Bat Out Of Hell will turn up the volume on their amazing anthems when it plays at Milton Keynes Theatre between June 14 and June 25.
Bat Out Of Hell actually started life as a musical called Neverland, which isn’t hard to believe when you listen to those anthemic, theatrical tracks.
Steinman penned the musical back in 1974, with the premise being a futuristic Peter Pan story.
But back then, producers didn’t bite, so three years later the album was recorded instead. It went on to enjoy an eight-year tenancy in the UK charts and made Meat Loaf one of the most recognisable stars in the world.
It took until 2017 for the show to hit the stage, but when it did, it did so in style – with two sellout West End seasons.
Having lost both Steinman and Meat Loaf in the past year, this current UK tour is now serving as the perfect tribute to their huge talent.
“The show has always paid tribute to both Meat and Jim’s work,” said Martha Kirby, who stars as Raven on stage, “It is now our place to continue sharing their legacy and greatness.
Glenn Adamson, who plays the forever-young Strat, said: “Meat was a true inspiration of mine and I always hoped that when he was well enough to perform again that he would join us for a song or two,” he said, “He was famous for never performing a song the same way twice. I hope we can carry that with us – he was my type of performer.”
Of course many of you will know the music, but it’s not a prerequisite that you do in order to appreciate the show.
Bat Out Of Hell: The award-winning musical will raise the temperature in Milton Keynes next month
“It is just a great night out; high octane, high energy and like a party,” Glenn promises, “Just what we need after all that we have been through lately. Yes; it’s nostalgic for people who grew up with the album, but it is also a really great story that resonates with younger audiences.” Martha agrees: “The music was what initially drew me to the show,” she admits, “I’d never heard it, but I listened to it before I auditioned and just loved it. Singing and being engulfed by such incredible music every night is something I will never take for granted.” As we mentioned, the story has its roots in JM Barrie’s Edwardian classic, but there’s more. “A group of teens have been frozen at the age of 18 and can’t age past that point,” Glenn says,
“But Raven manages to evade the virus and to age. She meets Strat, one of ‘the Lost’, and we follow their love story.”
Martha adds: “The fact that Raven can’t age because of a strange virus is almost too scary really – she’s confined to her room and her family are shielding her.”
All pics: Chris Davis Studio
You might say it is a production that pairs pure musical brilliance with a modern reworking of a classic, garnished with a hefty pinch of art imitating life.
“And it is almost funny that when the script was written people thought it was far-fetched!” Glenn agrees.
The album by the same name remains one of the most successful of all time – with sales in excess of 50 million worldwide.
Its sequel, Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell didn’t fare too badly either; delivering the gargantuan hit, I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That).
“Great music is timeless and ageless,” Glenn says, “Queen, Bon Jovi, Tina Turner – this album is in the same bracket as releases by those classic artists. New audiences are coming to older music all the time. And nobody wrote rock anthems that are essentially musical theatre numbers like Jim.
“I think this was his finest work and I’m just so glad that he got to make this show before he died.”
The tour continues through to October, with new dates still being added, so ‘going to hell’ is going to be easier than ever!
Glenn will be particularly happy to take the stage in Milton Keynes, though: “I’m a local boy, so all my family will be coming along,” he said, “It’s going to be so good to be at home and to see everyone.”
