MK Pulse magazine May 23

M

ay will be all about the Coronation but there are also lots of other things happening around our city and further afield too during the next few months. For example, our very own apprentice greenkeeper at Abbey Hill Golf Club, Sam Norman, is helping to prepare for the Open Championship at the Royal Liverpool course. He’s one of just two apprentices to be chosen. He’ll be heading north in July to lend a hand and will be hand-mowing greens and raking bunkers during the tournament.

Willen Hospice’s Midnight Moo fundraiser will be back on Friday 14 July. Over 600 people have already signed up for the five-and 10-mile night time charity walks. There is a ‘City of Stars’ dress-up theme, music, warm ups, and mile marker surprises along the way. You can still sign up.

If you want to join others at our many local Coronation celebrations this month you won’t be disappointed. The city’s newest orchestra, Alina, will be performing at the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Newport Pagnell, with the Polymnia Chamber Choir and soprano Jessica Wise. Or you might like to join the Paulerspury community or the Right Royal bash at Bury Common in Newport Pagnell.

As we all look forward to spending more time outdoors you could win a pair of tickets to visit BBC Gardeners’ World Live on Sunday in June. You could find all the gardening inspiration you need –just send us your answer to a simple question by the end of the month.

Kerry 36

Read previous editions online: www.pulsemagazine.co.uk 01908 465488 mkpulse@pulsegroupmedia.co.uk 17 Stilebrook Road, Olney, Bucks MK46 5EA Connect with us on socials: /pulsemagazines @pulsemagazines mkpulsemagazine The edition Pulse is WEDNESDAY 10TH MAY

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MK Pulse is distributed door to door to 32,000 homes and businesses in: Aspley Guise, Aspley Heath, Blakelands, Bolbeck Park, Bow Brickhill, Browns Wood, Caldecotte, Carlton, Castlethorpe, Clifton Reynes, Deanshanger, Emberton, Emerson Valley, Filgrave, Furzton, Gayhurst, Giffard Park, Great Linford, Hanslope, Harrold, Haversham, Kents Hill, Kingsmead, Lavendon, Lathbury, Loughton, Middleton, Monkston, Monkston Park, Newport Pagnell, Newton Blossomville, Oakridge Park, Oakgrove, Odell, Old Farm Park, Olney, Pennyland, Ravenstone, Shenley Church End, Shenley Brook End, Shenley Lodge, Sherington, Simpson, Stoke Goldington, Tattenhoe, Turvey, Tyringham, Walnut Tree, Walton Park, Wavendon Gate, Wavendon Village, Weston Underwood, Whaddon, Willen, Willen Park, Woburn, Woburn Sands, Woughton on the Green and pick up points across MK.

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Abbey Hill Golf Centre greenkeeper chosen for support team at The Open Championship

Meet Sam Norman, greenkeeper at Abbey Hill Golf Club in Milton Keynes, who is set to prepare the stunning Royal Liverpool GC course for this year’s Open Championship.

He is heading for Merseyside in the run-up to the tournament in July and will join the greenkeeping support team, hand-mowing Royal Liverpool’s greens and raking bunkers during the tournament itself.

Sam, pictured, is one of only two apprentices to be chosen for the team. He began studying for a NVQ Level 2 in Sport Turf Management last year and is now a registered Apprentice British and International Greenkeepers Association Member.

His BIGGA membership gave him the chance early this year to apply to be part of the greenkeeping team at The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool. Sam was one of more than 60 applicants.

“To be selected as one of just two apprentices to join the greenkeeping team in July is a great honour, and I’m looking forward having the chance to represent

Abbey Hill and hopefully learn a huge amount at such a high-profile event,” he says.

San has worked full-time as a greenkeeper at Abbey Hill since 2021, having joined as a part-timer in 2018. He was named Abbey Hill’s Employee of the Year for 2022.

“Sam is an ambitious young man and this is an incredible opportunity for him,” says Abbey Hill’s course manager Ross Edmonds. “We cannot wait to find out what he learns from his time at Royal Liverpool in July.”

Abbey Hill GC is run by Burhill Group Ltd. Its chief executive Colin Mayes adds: “We are extremely passionate and committed to supporting our staff in their endeavours to develop and further their careers. Whether it be via our internal learning platform or through national programmes such as this one, we are delighted to offer opportunities for personal and professional development and champion the success of our people.”

Sam is one of only two apprentices to be chosen for the team

Home Counties Loft Ladders, Quality You Can Trust!

These days most homeowners suffer from a lack of storage space. So many precious items that need to be kept – but where to store it all? That’s where Home Counties Loft Ladders come in.

The company, based locally, offers homeowners the opportunity to maximise their storage space with a loft ladder, 50sqft of boarding and a lightall fully fitted in less than a day from just £444! But it’s not just the affordability of the package that makes Home Counties Loft Ladders stand out, as manager Jamie Oakley explains: ‘Our watchwords

are Quality, Integrity and Value. Quality in the materials that we use for all our installations and the fact that all our loft packages are fitted by time served tradesmen, so our customers are assured of the best job.

Integrity in that we will turn up at the time we say and make sure the house is spotless when we leave, and value in that we offer our services at a price people can afford.

Our business relies on referrals and we get a huge amount of our calls from people who have been

referred to us by our existing customers - that simply wouldn’t happen if we didn’t adhere to our overriding principles.

At the end of the day the old adage that happy customers lead to more happy customers is true and we work hard to make that happen for every installation we carry out!’

So, if you want to make use of your loft space, call Jamie free on 0808 301 9552 and he’ll be happy to pop round and give you a no obligation quote so you too can make use of your loft!

Established for over 16 years, Cloudy2Clear windows have become the UK’s leading company for domestic glass replacement. Customers are no longer needing to risk their windows by using the dreaded double glazing cowboy down the road, instead, now they can join over 320,000 happy customers and have their glass replaced in an affordable and ethical manner. Remember, a failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have

any failed double glazing? If you act now you can avoid any future costly problems.

When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Stephen Moon it became clear that these values have been held dear for a number of years. Since starting the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money. The Cloudy2Clear service only requires the glass to be replaced and not the whole window

once the unit has failed. Stephen commented “Cloudy2Clear were able to assist our community through the last financial crisis in 2008 due to the savings that can be made in using our service. Unfortunately we might be going through something similar again soon and the public can rest assured that we will be there to help once again”.

For a free quotation please call 0800 61 21 118 or visit www.cloudy2clear.com

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Celebrate!  Music for the Coronation

Alina Orchestra will perform popular pieces by Handel, Mozart, Elgar and Walton

Popular classics herald a Coronation celebration

Music to mark the Coronation delivers a rousing start to the weekend of celebration at The Church of St Peter and St Paul in Newport Pagnell.

Alina Orchestra, led by musical director Hilary Davan Wetton, will perform popular pieces by Handel, Mozart, Elgar and Walton in a show to remember on a historic weekend. And the concert will be a double celebration, of the Coronation of King Charles III and The Queen Consort and of Milton Keynes’ achievement of city status.

“Community is at the heart of every performance by the Alina Orchestra so it was only fitting that we put on a big event that not only celebrates the King’s Coronation but is also a fitting toast to Milton Keynes’ City status,” says the Alina Orchestra’s founder and chief executive Nick Cutts. “It’ll be one to remember.”

Tickets to the concert, at 7.30pm on May 5, are £22.50. Find out more at www.alinaorchestra.com

Friday 5 May 7.30pm

Join us for a very special concert to honour the coronation of HRH King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen Consort and kickstart a weekend of national rejoicing. The orchestra is joined by Polymnia Chamber Choir and soprano Jessica Wise, to perform favourites such as Zadok the Priest, The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Handel’s Water Music and works by Elgar, Walton and Mozart

Tickets: £22.50 (concessions available) at Church of St Peter and St Paul Newport Pagnell MK16 8AR

www.AlinaOrchestra.com

Welcome to the magical Place des Anges, created and performed by leading French theatre company Gratte Ciel. The performance takes place on July 28 in Central Milton Keynes and will be only third time the show has been performed in the UK. It previously wowed audiences at the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad and in 2016 at Hull UK Capital of Culture. Other highlights of the programme announced so far include the world premiere of a new work for voice and chamber ensemble with music by composer Roderick Williams and text by celebrated poet Rommi Smith. It is a contemporary response to the globally renowned hymn Amazing Grace, Forever?, commissioned by the Cowper & Newton Museum, Olney with The Stables, and is part of Amazing Grace 250, a year-long programme of activity led by the museum to mark 250 years since the hymn was written by John Newton in Olney.

The premiere will be performed by the Chineke! Chamber Ensemble, part of Europe’s first majority-Black and ethnically diverse orchestra, on 22 July at The Stables.

The Spiegeltent in Campbell Park is, as ever, a focal point of the Festival and a grand setting for live music, comedy, contemporary circus and late-night cabaret. First up in the tent this year is Barely

IF: Milton Keynes International Festival is back!

For ten days from 21 to 30 July, audiences will be treated to live music, large-scale outdoor events, circus shows, comedy, cabaret, installations and free family activities.

Snappy (July 25), the latest show from comedian Suzi Ruffell, focuses on her experiences of settling down, becoming a mother and worrying about everything.

July 27 sees the band Turin Brakes take over the Spiegeltent as part of a nationwide tour marking the release of the band’s ninth studio album, Wide-Eyed Nowhere. And the music continues the following evening when music legends (and husband and wife) Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp perform a set of hits and much-loved rock classics with a full band.

Methodical Troupe’s award-winning show Bromance (July 21-23). Audacious, touching and exhilarating, this is a show about trust, intimacy and male friendships complete with acrobatics, eye-watering feats of hand-to-hand balancing and a breathtaking Cyr wheel routine, all set to a soundtrack of original and found sounds.

Britain’s funniest redhead – she says so herself – and festival favourite La Voix swings into town on July 29 with her most ambitious show yet and the nightclubinfluenced Monster Ceilidh Band push the boundaries of contemporary folk with an infectious blend of folk and drum & bass to provide the soundtrack for a Festival Wrap Party on July 30.

>> www.ifmiltonkeynes.org

Gratte Ciel, Place des Anges. Credit: Miastio Aniolow

The Midnight Moo is a 5 or 10 mile charity walk through the night, starting at 10pm from Midsummer Place, Central Milton Keynes. 5 milers finish at the half way mark, énergie Fitness gym in Kiln Farm, and the 10 milers continue on to complete a circular route, returning back to the start. There will be a fun party atmosphere with a ‘City of Stars’ dress-up theme, face painting, music, warm up, and surprises at each mile marker.

The Midnight Moo was previously a women-only event, but since 2020 everyone has been welcome to take part. The event is incredibly safe, with welllit routes and 25 - 40 volunteer marshals between each mile. There is also a ‘tail-end Charlie’ who walks the entire route from the back to make sure no one is left behind, and Willen Hospice nurses and staff volunteer to walk at the front, leading the way. There also a support crew and vehicles if any assistance is needed.

Nikki Poole, Willen Hospice Community and Events Fundraising Manager says, “The

Don’t miss the Willen Hospice Midnight Moo this summer

Willen Hospice’s biggest fundraiser, the Midnight Moo returns on Friday 14th July - and with over 600 people signed up already it promises to be bigger and better than ever.

encourage you to sign up and take part for your local Hospice.” Willen Hospice needs to raise £5.9 million every year to provide specialist, palliative care for local people affected by a life-limiting illnesses. To help fund this care, the charity are kindly asking everyone taking part to set themselves a fundraising target of £100.

Midnight Moo is such a fantastic, local event. We have people returning year after year and that’s because the atmosphere is just amazing. If you haven’t walked the Midnight Moo before, then I

>> Registration costs £20 and includes a Midnight Moo fundraising pack, Midnight Moo 2023 t-shirt to walk in and a finisher’s medal. This event has been kindly sponsored by Specsavers Milton Keynes. Visit www.willen-hospice.org. uk/moo to sign up or scan the QR code on the left.

There will be a fun party atmosphere with a ‘City of Stars’ dress-up theme, face painting, music, warm up, and surprises at each mile marker

Many of us have thought about repainting our kitchen cupboards as a way of refreshing them without replacing, especially since we have had more time at home.

But concerns over the finish achievable and how well the paint would last usually puts us off making a mess of things.

Now local company FX-SPRAY MK is offering a complete professional paint spray service for kitchens.

It is a quick and simple process that leaves your kitchen looking brand new, says FX-SPRAY MK. The company removes and sprays 90 per cent of the kitchen off site, which means that very little work has to be done in your home, in turn meaning minimal disruption. An average kitchen can be completed within a week and home owners continue to use it during the process.

FX-SPRAY MK only use specialist products and having the latest spray equipment means the company delivers that brand new factory finish. A colour matching service to all major paint brands gives a huge choice - you can even go with a two-colour scheme.

“Can any kind of kitchen can be refinished or is respraying just for solid wood?” As long as your kitchen is in reasonable condition, FX-SPRAY MK can refinish it., even carrying out minor repairs and changing handles as part of the process.

FX-SPRAY MK also treats doors, windows and furniture. For more information or a free quote, email jason@fxfinishing.co.uk or visit www.fxfinishing.co.uk

Jason Thompson, FX-SPRAY MK

Wardrobes, internal doors, Media units and other bespoke joinery...

£1.6m investment in new electric car charging points in Milton Keynes

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the city is set to improve with a £1.6 million boost from the government.

Ministers are to provide funding from the Indicative Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure fund, with £382,000 allocated in capability funding as they continue to focus on phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030. Industry statistics show that more than one in five new cars sold in 2022 had a plug.

The news has been welcomed by the city’s two MPs. Ben Everitt, MP for Milton Keynes North, said: “We have led the way on this for so long and I have been championing the cause down in Parliament, so it is great to see we are being listened to and we can make sure it becomes easier and easier to own an electric car in Milton Keynes”

‘Race for Ukraine at Daytona Milton Keynes’

Karters will be competing to take the chequered flag at a fundraising race day for the people of Ukraine at the Daytona go-karting venue in Milton Keynes in June.

Teams from local businesses will join karting fans and the public to take part in a two-hour team endurance race.

All profits from the event will be donated to Siobhan’s Trust, a charity dedicated to feeding families near the front line. Daytona are also hosting a silent auction at the event, with prizes donated by local businesses. To enter a team or to donate a prize, contact Daytona on 033 033 27870.

Stony Stratford’s happy and glorious streets

The small market town of Stony Stratford, now part of the City of Milton Keynes, has already decorated its streets and arcades with union flags and bunting in celebration of the forthcoming coronation. The town is well known for its flamboyant decorations and has a rich history of dressing its retail centre for grand occasions.

“Stony Stratford doesn’t need much excuse,” says Ross

Ellens, chairman of the local Business Association which has arranged the spectacle.

“We like to celebrate as much as we can and give our residents and visitors a great experience when they visit. While the recent economic uncertainty has undoubtedly affected our high street, we have weathered it well. There’s no better time to look forward in this new Carolean age by getting the flags out.”

Iain Stewart, Grant Shapps and Ben Everitt

British-made… and just beautiful

It is being hailed as the coolest and most in-demand electric bike in Britain. Some of the most affluent clients are queuing up to pay up to £5,000 for an Olney-made E-Champ superbike.

Moguls from the Middle East are vying with fellow buyers from around the world to acquire the retro-looking bike that is taking zero-emission travel by storm.

Launched only two years ago from a factory in Olney, the E-Champ collection

is being sold via London department store Selfridges. E-Champ Superbikes is the brainchild of founder and managing director Jeff Collins, who was in the USA after selling his previous fashion business and looking for new opportunities when he saw e-bikes on the streets of California.

“It has taken two years to get to this point, to get the frame, the fabricator, the top-end upholstery just right,” he says. Today the E-Champ factory in Olney manufactures up to 25 bikes a month, each built bespoke to the client’s specific requirements. The company employs a total of five specialist staff, including two expert fabricators and, says Jeff, “probably the best electric bike technician in the country”. Selfridges displays the e-bikes at the heart of its Oxford Street store’s technology floor and intends to launch the bikes in stores across Europe by the summer, including in Paris and Berlin. The bike frame comes with a lifetime warranty, with other components protected with a five-year deal.

“Each bike is unique,” says Jeff. “They are all Britishmade and are just beautiful machines. They are the ultimate green transport too, with zero emissions so the owner pays no road tax or insurance.”

Such has been the demand – clients include former England rugby internationals Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson, as well as Lewis Ludlam, the current captain of Northampton Saints – that Jeff envisages having to upscale the E-Champ operations to keep pace with orders that take up to three weeks from placement to completion and delivery.

“People order them and they simply cannot wait to get their hands on their bikes,” he says. “The way it is going, we need to upscale our production to accommodate demand. But the bikes will remain exclusive.”

Announced at an awards ceremony during the New York International Auto Show, the recognition came from a jury of 100 distinguished international automotive journalists representing 32 countries.

Having evaluated a broad range of vehicles from around the world, including many from established premium manufacturers, the judges’ recognition of Kia’s vehicles serves as further validation of the brand’s dedication to producing innovative mobility solutions that benefit society, in line with its ‘Movement That Inspires’ ethos.

Speaking of the award, President and CEO of Kia Corporation Ho Sung Song said: “To be recognised in this way by the World Car Awards’ judges is a tremendous honour. As Kia transforms to become a world-leading sustainable solutions provider, we are leaving no stone unturned to create vehicles which deliver exceptional practicality while also inspiring customers through their ingenuity, technology, and design. This latest prestigious accolade

Kia EV6 GT crowned World Performance Car of the Year 2023

range capability, spacious interior, and sophisticated design saw it beat stiff competition from more traditional petrol-powered sports cars.

provides further confirmation of the success of our strategy.”

Winning the coveted 2023 World Performance Car of the Year award, the Kia EV6 GT builds on the exceptional offering

of the standard model, which has already been awarded the 2022 European Car of the Year and the 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year titles, in addition to other distinguished accolades.

With a combined power output of 430 kW (577bhp), enabling a 3.5-second 0-62mph acceleration time and a top speed of 162mph, the all-electric EV6 GT’s long-

The design of the EV6 GT is in keeping with Kia’s new brand direction, which emphasises that movement is at the genesis of human development, enabling people to see new places, build new relationships, and have new experiences. Kia seeks to empower customers to make these connections by providing exciting products, innovative in-car spaces, and convenient services that inspire customers and free time for them to pursue the activities that they enjoy most.

>> For further information, speak to a member of our team today. Bells Kia Bedford 01234 360666 or visit www.bellskia.co.uk

The judges’ recognition of Kia’s vehicles serves as further validation of the brand’s dedication to producing innovative mobility solutions that benefit society.

Kia has achieved an outstanding result in this year’s World Car Awards, with the Kia EV6 GT being crowned the 2023 World Performance Car.

“I have always wanted our agency to be the best”

Darren Isaac, Managing directorof TFA Marketing

People have always been at the heart of TFA, the multi-award winning branding and creative marketing agency based in Milton Keynes.

Managing director Darren Isaac has built a thriving agency which currently has a 28-strong team of professionals who boast an extensive range of skills and experience.

The agency’s divisions cover many individual services including brand, strategy, marketing, creative, advertising, web, digital and video. This wealth of experience and skills mean each client can ‘pick and mix’ what services they want and, through working together they can deliver the agency’s pledge: Building better brands.

“It is so important to listen to the client. Each will have different ideas so, rather than acting like a bull in a china shop, we can look at the best ways to build their brand,” said Darren, who has a strict policy that no work is out-sourced.

This approach means the agency keeps control of the project from start to finish.

Darren said: “It makes sense. There is a lot of cross over in the teams which means we can deliver on our promises to clients. It is all about service, service, service.

“We have been able to grow the business but to me it is more about looking after customers you have and making sure they are happy with what we are delivering rather than going out and finding new ones.”

The agency works with a wide range of clients from SMEs to multi-national companies. Each can expect the same attention to detail with the client at the heart of the process.

“It is important to listen to a client. We find some clients may not be too bothered about how social media works but they do want to know their money is being well spent and how we can add value to their business.”

“And, although it is important to listen first and hear in detail, our value is in providing the expertise, skills and strategic delivery that truly benefit their business. To work with them in a way that they find comfortable and harmonious, not difficult and divided. Some agencies, too many in fact, are very bad for the “my way or the highway” approach which is deeply misguided as far as relationship building is concerned.”

To be able to deliver to the clients, Darren recognised he needed to invest in the agency and its people. The arrival of a silent partner nearly two years ago has given him not only the money but the confidence to grow.

Darren said: “It has made a big difference. He has taught me a lot about how to scale up a team. He made me realise that I had to take opportunities.

“I have always wanted our agency to be the best but that doesn’t mean it has to be the biggest. To be the best you have to be the agency that can attract the best people and can then keep the best people. These people want to do their best. Their work matters to them. A really great mix of people which means they can contribute different ideas and views, but we share a common goal.”

And he added: “I like to think we really are a nice bunch.”

TFA Marketing has built a solid reputation from its base in the old Wolverton carriage works, with a strong emphasis on listening to their clients and keeping branding in-house.

Work is now complete on a hi-spec’ media room at the agency’s base at The Carriage Works which brings yet more opportunities to grow their digital services from podcasts to video and animation.

Selling your Property?

How instructing your solicitor early can save time and stress

Instructing a solicitor early in the property selling process can save you time and stress. They can handle legal issues, provide advice on contracts and paperwork, and ensure everything is in order for a smooth sale. This article explains why waiting until later can cause delays and complications, so it’s best to involve them from the start.

Kirsty Szulc and the Heald Residential Department deal with residential and conveyancing matters whether you are buying or selling a property.

Selling your property can often seem like a long and complicated process. You may only consider it necessary to instruct a solicitor on your sale once you have accepted an offer; however, this is a mistake. Having your solicitor lined up and ready to send the contract pack out to the buyers’ solicitors as soon as possible can save weeks because work must be done before the contract can be sent. Below is an outline of what can be done before an offer is accepted.

1. Choosing your Solicitor

Artemis House, 4 Bramley Road Milton Keynes

You probably considered several estate agents before putting your property on the market. You should take the same approach to instructing a solicitor. Just because your estate agent recommends a solicitor does not mean they are the best fit for you. Similarly, you should not choose your solicitor purely based on price. You should take your time to obtain quotes and talk to the people who will be acting for you. If you struggle to get through to them at the quote stage, this may indicate that you will struggle when they are instructed. Also, if it is not a ‘standard’ sale, i.e. involving Shared Ownership, Unregistered Land, or a Court Order, you need to ensure your solicitor is experienced in dealing with this.

3. Protocol Forms

You will need to complete several forms that form part of the Contract Pack for the buyer, including;

• TA6 Property Information Form, providing information about the property, such as boundaries, building work and utilities.

• TA10 Fittings and Contents Form, a list of the items you are including in the sale.

• TA7 Leasehold Information Form (if you are selling a flat), providing further information about leasehold aspects, such as service charges and shared facilities.

and boiler service documents. These can take time to locate; you may have to request a replacement if you no longer have a copy.

5. Management Packs

If you are selling a leasehold property, such as a flat, you will have to obtain a Management Pack – known as an LPE1. This is provided by the landlord and managing agent, who will charge a fee. It can take several weeks, and even months, for this to be provided; therefore, the sooner it is requested, the better.

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.

2. Formalities

After instructing your solicitors, you will need to undertake ID checks, sign a Client Agreement and provide more details about you and the sale. Regulations regarding ID are becoming increasingly strict, with most solicitors now, at a minimum, asking for photo ID and address ID as well as conducting an online check. Problems with ID can often take several days to rectify; therefore, the sooner they are identified, the better.

These documents are long and detailed, meaning they can take a while to complete. However, they must be completed thoroughly and accurately to stop further questions from being raised later. You must complete the forms as they form part of the contract. Following completion of the sale, if you have provided incorrect information, the buyer could sue you for misrepresentation.

4. Documents

The Protocol Forms will refer to other documents you have to provide, such as planning permissions, guarantees

By having all of the above organised before an offer is accepted, your solicitor can review it and advise you upfront of any potential issues or what you should deal with now, which can reduce delays later. It also means the Contract Pack can be sent to your suyers’ solicitors as soon as the Buyer instructs them.

For further assistance with the sale of a property, our expert team would be delighted to help you.

Find out more by visitng our website, scanning the QR code on the left, or telephone us on 01908 662277.

WED 17th MAY ‘23

Audley End House & Gardens

Price: £50 per adult, £47 over 65s. Includes entrance fee.

Explore life above and below stairs at this decadent mansion. Explore this impressive house and uncover the story behind the Braybrooke’s unique natural history collection. Great houses need an army of staff to keep everything running smoothly, and you can meet Audley’s in the Victorian Service Wing and nursery.

Leaves from... Bill’s Coach Hire at 8am CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 8.10am Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 08.20am Essex at 3pm

SAT 20th MAY ‘23

The National Flower Show

Price: £40 per person. Includes entrance fee.

Celebrating the very best of our homes and gardens with incredible flower displays inside Hylands House. Hundreds of exhibitors sell everything you need to create the perfect outdoor space and heavenly home interiors.

Leaves from... Bill’s Coach Hire at 8am

CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 8.10am

Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 08.20am Chelmsford at 4.30pm

Stacey

WED 17th MAY ‘23

Berkley Castle - Gloucestershire

Price: £45 per person. Includes entrance fee and guided tour (75mins).

Travel through time and history, from the keep with its dungeon and the cell where Edward II is said to have been murdered, to the drawing rooms with their fine upholstery, chandeliers, and silver lamps. Discover the colourful Berkeley family, who were involved in many major events in England’s history. Stroll in the terraced gardens or relax by the beautiful Lily Pond.

*This is a medieval building. In the gardens there are uneven surfaces, steep terraces, steps, and slippery surfaces in wet weather. In the Castle there are steep stone steps, uneven and slippery floors, other steps not immediately obvious, low doorways.*

Leaves from... Bill’s Coach Hire at 8am

CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 8.10am Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 08.20am Berkley Castle at 3.30pm

WED 24th MAY ‘23

Rutland Water cruise with Lunch & Garden centre visit. Price: £60 per person. Includes 90min cruise with fish and chip lunch and a visit to Gates Garden centre.

Enjoy the scenery of Rutland Water onboard the Rutland Belle which plies from Whitwell on the North Shore and calls in at Normanton on the South Shore. Following lunch browse the extensive range of indoor and outdoor plants at Gates Garden Centre in Leicestershire.

Leaves from... Bill’s Coach Hire at 10.30am CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 10.40am Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 10.50am Rutland at 4.30pm

Incredible stories of going for gold

The current exhibition at Milton Keynes Museum celebrates the Paralympic Games; its origins, its future and those incredible individuals who have become Paralympic podium stars. Sammy Jones explored the show and the amazing stories of triumph.

Paralympic Heritage: Stories from Milton Keynes explores the legacy of the international sports competition, while also shining a light on the Paralympians and those accessible sporting clubs here in the new city.

But were it not for the vision and foresight of one man, the Paralympic movement most certainly wouldn't be so far advanced. German-British neurologist Professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann established the very first Stoke Mandeville Games, for disabled war veterans, in 1948.

It was those games that evolved into the Paralympic Games we enjoy today – and which is now the third largest sporting event in the world.

Professor Guttmann's remarkable work as a medical pioneer could make its own feature with ease and his story and vision is explored in this exhibition, which is housed in the New Galleries at the Museum.

The show also recalls the excitement that united the country during the 2012 games. It smashed preconceptions and helped to knock down walls. Para athletes were now being seen for their amazing abilities, and no longer for what were seen as disabilities.

In the UK, two thirds of the population watched coverage of those games, which worldwide reached a cumulative audience of 3.8 billion people.

They saw Para athletes break 251 world and 314 Paralympic records. One can only imagine how proud Professor Guttmann would be to see the continuation of the work he started, and the giant leaps it has made.

Essentially, the Paralympic games isn't about disability, it's a celebration of ability, and there is so much to celebrate in this exhibition, which shines a light on the nation's own journey in supporting the sport, and on some of those competitors who have brought about the change.

Dima Aktaa - 'Nothing is impossible'

Jonathon Broom-Edwards MBE Pic: Nafees Daradia

Paul Hancock's inspirational story made the national magazines

Para-athlete Dima Aktaa is one of those whose story is highlighted.

For Dima, running was her 'happy place,' but when a bomb exploded in her home in Syria, happiness turned to horror and she lost her leg. When an operation proved unsuccessful, she was told that she wouldn't walk again.

But Dima fought back, and strength training became her 'go to'. In 2017 Dima moved to the UK with her family, and thanks to the NHS she received her first prosthetic leg.

Dima fundraised for a prosthetic blade and trained for two years and her determination is proof that you can fight back and win – she now runs daily and has completed a half marathon. Right now, she is eyeing up the 2024 Paris Games.

Dima tells her story in the video for AnneMarie's track, Beautiful, which takes the viewer through her journey in just three and a half minutes of music. It shows how you can triumph over adversity.

The single – taken from the album Therapy - was co-written with Ed Sheeran and when it was released in 2021, Anne-Marie took to social media to share her admiration for Dima, writing 'I am so inspired by your strength.'

Dima has some wise words of her own that everyone can take and use: “Nothing is

impossible if you have a dream and passion,” she says, “Fight for it!”

Jonathan Broom-Edwards MBE is a Gold Medal Paralympic Champion who runs a soft tissue therapy clinic, works as a charity ambassador and delivers educational school visits. Last year he was awarded an MBE for his Services to Athletics.

“Disability is a part of life, regardless of it if you have a titled disability or not,” he reasons, “Everyone experiences some level of impairment at some point of their lives. The trick is to learn how to work beyond both the physical and mental limitations that an impairment can put on us, and that starts with conversation and acknowledging it.”

The Museum has its own unique connection to the Paralympics too; Volunteer Janet Hancock watched on as her son took Silver Medals at the Seoul 1988 Paralympics in the 50m backstroke and 100m freestyle.

Paul has Cerebral Palsy and has been swimming as therapy since he was five years old. At the age of 13 a teacher recognised his talent and encouraged him to compete. His achievements are even more remarkable when you learn that he faced fundraising challenges, a lack of access to an Olympic size pool and he was unable to swim with able-bodied children at the local leisure centre.

“I was told to put my son in a home, but Paul has gone from one challenge to the next,” Janet says, “It is every mothers dream to watch their son win two medals for his country. I've never before felt such pride.”

Visitors will be able to learn more about these exceptional competitors, and the similarly inspirational stories of others at the show. Displays and memorabilia will be available to view, and you'll get the opportunity to get hands-on with objects.

Other people and projects also featured include Herman Fung, who has coached 100s of players and brought badminton to adults and children with disabilities in Milton Keynes. The sight loss charity BucksVision is also highlighted for its work.

“We are thrilled to be able to share so many truly impressive stories with this exhibition,” said Museum director Bill Griffiths,

“My first recollection of a Milton Keynes athlete to reach national and international status was Rose Hill, who beat Tanni GreyThompson to win the wheelchair London Marathon in 1993. She also won two silver medals as a paralympian. We need to preserve the legacies of incredible people like Rose. This exhibition is one way of reminding people of contributions already made by truly inspiring people.

“There is so much more that we have to learn,” Bill added, “We did not know that athletes come from all over the country to train with organisations and use the facilities here in Milton Keynes.

“There are many individual accounts and personal recollections of overcoming obstacles to triumph. We are incredibly grateful to those people and organisations who have shared their stories with us."

> Paralympic Heritage: Stories from Milton Keynes is fully accessible, with braille and audio descriptions provided. The exhibition continues until the end of May.

Additional information: paralympicheritage.org.uk and paralympic.org

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

Dima has some wise words of her own that everyone can take and use: “Nothing is impossible if you have a dream and passion,” she says, “Fight for it!”

The Paralympic Exhibition

The exhibition runs until the end of May

These incredible pictures of a barn owl were captured by photographer James Smith at Goosey Island at the meadows just outside Emberton Country Park

“It was a 6am start to try to spot this beautiful bird,” James told Pulse, and his early efforts were clearly rewarded, “It was a brilliant result and I was very happy.”

Follow James on Instagram for more great pictures: james_smithphotography

Malcolm Levey was in the right place at the right time to grab these splendid images of an otter pup having his dinner in Stony Stratford.

But after a flurry of activity by the youngster and his or her sibling, sightings of the wonderful mammals in the area are rare again - the two juveniles have recently moved on to pastures new.

This new image from Whipsnade Zoo shows baby elephant Nang Phaya trumpeting in her first spring at the conservation zoo. The sevenmonth-old Asian elephant showed her playful side as she soaked up the sunshine in the Dunstable hills. “She’s also worked out she can get extra helpings of dinner if she stands below the hay nets while the rest of the herd are eating; it’s to her advantage that elephants are very messy eaters,” said keeper Stefan Groeneveld.

Strike a pose! centre:mk proved that it is bang on trend with the return of its spring fashion weekend which transformed Middleton Hall into a fashionable quarter, giving shoppers the latest style and beauty trends and advice. The popular two-day event delivered catwalk shows, talks, pop-ups and special offers from some of the biggest brands in the centre. The Autumn/Winter show will run September 30 - October 1.

There is nothing quite as splendid as nature, and otters and owls are stars in this month’s Pulse Pics

...

Pic: Ian Jamieson

Pic: ZSL Whipsnade

The shop in Market Place, which unveiled its new look to customers last month, specialises in styles for women of all ages and children aged up to six.

Established for more than 40 years, the Noa Noa brand champions an ecofriendly ethos, using natural and recycled materials which are sourced sustainably to create its bohemian style of clothing.

New owner Jane Sumner has worked as an image and style consultant and Colour Me Beautiful expert for 26 years. “I am proud to be working with this fabulous brand,” she said. “The company have been incredibly supportive and have made it possible for me to continue to bring their unique

Blackthorns Sun Club

A peaceful 15 acre woodland setting in which to spend the day, or bring a tent or caravan. Enjoy the heated pool, various sports, clubhouse, play area, sauna, BBQ, sun lawns & socials with meals & live music. Your membership will allow you unlimited attendance throughout the year. Feel at ease in a contained, safe environment, top up your Vitamin D levels and learn to relax. We have the naturist lifestyle for the whole family, just north of Bedford.

collection to local residents and visitors to the area, thanks to a positive and realistic working arrangement at a time when many other retailers are struggling.

“New styles and products are on the way in the next few months,” she added.

Businesswoman Jane Sumner is the new owner of Danish fashion brand Noa Noa’s shop in Olney.

Jane Sumner has worked as an image and style consultant and Colour Me Beautiful expert for 26 years

Knee Injuries and osteoarthritis are becoming more common, the top three knee treatments we offer are:

 Total Knee Replacement

 Partial Knee replacement

 Repairs that often stem from sports injuries, such as meniscal tears, and cruciate ligament ruptures

Knee Replacements and Treatments In Milton Keynes

Mr Julian Flynn Consultant Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgeon

(With a special interest in knee and sports injuries)

Why do you place an important focus on minimally invasive surgery?

Many knee operations can now be done will smaller incisions, particularly partial knee replacements. With smaller incisions, fewer tendons and muscles are cut, reducing pain and speeding up healing with fewer risks of infection, and simpler rehabilitation.

Why do you believe it is important to create personalised rehabilitation plans with physiotherapists?

Every patient is different in terms of how they present and how they are likely to recover. Whilst standard rehabilitation plans often work, there are usually personalised variations that need to be included to ensure each individual gets the best result they can.

What do you love most about being an Orthopaedic Surgeon?

It is extremely rewarding to hear patients say, ‘The operation has changed my life’. For example, hearing of patients managing to climb mountains and hills again after not being able to, or simply being able to go for a walk and be more active without their previous pain.

If you would like to learn more about our specialist consultants or to book an initial consultation, please call us on 01908 036 526 or search our website at www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/saxon

The resources will provide information and ideas to inspire lessons and homework tasks. Combining important information with fun ways to learn, some of the resources were co-authored by teachers from Shenley Brook End School, and cover topics like tree identification, balancing lakes, map reading, pollinators and even forest bathing - the popular mindfulness activity.

One of The Parks Trust’s key objectives, as well as managing the city’s greenspaces, is to deliver environmental education to the community. This involves running sessions for school children in the parks, delivering assemblies and producing materials for teachers to use when creating lessons.

Last year the trust’s Outdoor Learning team worked with thousands of local young people from schools to build a deeper

GCSEs go back to nature

A new GCSE course on natural history is being prepared by curriculum chiefs… and The Parks Trust has created a new series of free learning resources tailored to the needs of secondary school students Milton Keynes.

understanding of the local environment and how to protect it.

“Our new resources will provide local teachers and home learners with up-todate insight and inspiration to support a wide range of lessons such as geography, art and science,” says outdoor learning leader Laura Beechey. “We’ve included templates, lesson plans and ideas for getting

Thinking of relationship support?

Making the decision to transform your relationships and wellbeing can feel like a big step but it’s also a really positive one. So, whenever you’re ready, we can Relate.

We offer a range of services

From romance to roommates, from colleagues to co-parents our highlyskilled therapists can give you the support you need in a way that suits you. At Relate Milton Keynes our services include:

• Relationship Counselling for individuals or partners

• Family Counselling

• Young People’s Counselling (from 11 years of age)

• Sex Therapy

• Couple Therapy for Depression

• Family Mediation

Find out more and get started:

E appointment@relatemk.org

T 01908 310010

relatemk.org

outdoors in the city’s parks to enrich pupils’ experiences.”

She and colleagues worked with Shenley Brook End teachers Carla Knapper and Nigel Cross to produce some of the new resources. “Their understanding of the current curriculum demands has helped us to produce resources that really meet the needs of teaching staff today.”

To read and download the new resources, scan the code.

Milk & Baby screenings at MK Gallery

Pssst… Did you know that MK Gallery has a Cinema? More importantly did you know that every Friday at 10.30am it hosts a Milk & Baby screening so you can watch the latest film with your under-one-year-old?

Shhhhh... Don’t tell everyone but you also get free tea or americano to sip while watching the film, free buggy parking in the cinema, a great changing facility, and lunch in the café afterwards (that bit is not free, but it is reasonably priced and very friendly).

Milk & Baby is supported by Milk & Beans, Milton Keynes’ first and only specialty coffee roasters.

Tickets are £5 child, £6 concession, and £7 Adult. Each adult must be accompanied by a baby to attend. Go to www.mkgallery. org to book your seat and see what else is going on at the gallery.

MK Gallery’s Sky Room Cinema

Coronation Celebrations

It’s time to get busy with the bunting as the nation prepares to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen Consort. You might choose to put your feet up and watch the historic occasion at home, but if you want the company of others, there are many events happening in and around Milton Keynes. Here are a few of them...

Friday, May 5

The new city’s newest orchestra, Alina – still a wee babe at just five years young – is all about making classical music accessible to all, and its upcoming concert of music for the Coronation is a perfect example.

The event – Celebrate! - will be hosted in the striking confines of the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Newport Pagnell, and Alina will be joined by Polymnia Chamber Choir and soprano Jessica Wise, with the distinguished talent of conductor Hilary Davan Wetton in place as Musical Director.

Trumpet player Tim Hawes – who spent 14 years with MKCO – will also perform. Music to air includes pieces by Elgar (Allegro), Walton (pieces from Henry V), Handel (The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and Let thy hand be strengthened).

Tickets for Celebrate! are on sale now at £22.50 with concessions available. Visit alinaorchestra.com

Saturday, May 6

Anyone for afternoon tea? The Paulerspury community is choosing to celebrate King Charles IIIs big day with tea, sandwiches and cake in the village hall, between 2pm and 5pm. A licensed bar will be open so that you can toast the King, and if you pop over for sandwiches you won’t miss the main event at Westminster Abbey – the Coronation will be shown on the big screen.

Tickets are £10 (adults), £6 (under 12’s) with proceeds going towards the upkeep of the village hall. Head over to ticketsource. co.uk to book or call 07789 995172

The community of Newport Pagnell will be celebrating the King’s Coronation with a right royal bash on Bury Common

The coronation will be screened live on the common, and there will be many supporting events to mark the special day; May Blossom will be in song, music will come from Bradwell Silver Band, food and drink will be served and memorabilia will be available.

Fancy letting a chair take the strain? A covered seating area and tables will be available to hire while you soak in the event. Kids will be kept entertained with an amazing colour maze, ‘last man standing’ inflatable attraction, face painter and glitter tattoos

There’s no need to book, just get along early to secure one of the undercover seats – or take your own. Want to know more?

Call Newport Pagnell Town Council on 01908 618756

Residents of MK3 are invited to its West Bletchley King’s Coronation Street Party. You can watch the Coronation at the Frank Moran Centre, and enjoy music and refreshments.

Knitting Nana’s nice touch

There was no way that the King’s Coronation was going to happen without Knitting Nana creating something special!

The mystery lady with the woolly touch has created a stunning postbox topper for Newport Pagnell, and a regal display for the AgeUK shop in the town, which includes a very special cake.

Residents might also find a few hidden treats from her needles while they are out and about.

“I feel the Coronation is a very important event to celebrate,” she told Pulse, “I’ve designed and made a card and wreath which I have sent to His Majesty too.”

Knitting Nana has been busy making these special Coronation dolls

The Alina Orchestra

There are a host of events on in the area to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen

There will be activities to keep the youngsters royally entertained too. All ages are welcome at the celebrations which run midday to 4pm. Why not bring your own picnic food to the Melrose Avenue event?

More details will be posted on the FB page: frankmoranMARC

Olney Baptist Church will be showing the Coronation on its big screens, and the invitation to view the historic event is extended to all. Refreshments will be available.

Sunday, May 7

Bow Brickhill is holding a Coronation Lunch and Village Fayre (2pm-6pm) with lots of good things to while away a celebratory afternoon. If you have a pooch, you’d be barking mad not to enter them in the dog show; with categories

What’s

The Coronation

including scruffiest, naughtiest, golden oldie and dog who hasn’t won a rosette yet.

Relive your PE days with Wacky Races for those brave enough to sign up for the egg & spoon race, or might you prefer trying your luck with welly wanging, three legged race, or tug of war?

Get your face painted, peruse the stalls and grab some food while Old School soundtrack the event by playing live for you.

All the fun of the fayre is happening at The Pavilion on Rushmere Close

St Mary’s Church in Wavendon will hold a special service in the afternoon, to be followed by The Big Cream Tea at The Rectory

More details will be available online at wavendonparishcouncil.co.uk

In Woburn Sands, a big street party will welcome all (1pm-4pm) with everyone in the community encouraged to bring food and drink to share in a lunch with neighbours and friends.

There will be a musical accompaniment to the day, with Miss Lily Lovejoy and the Woburn Sands Band delivering a medley from the last Kings Coronation (back in 1937) all the way through to the present.

And it will be eyes to the sky at 1.35pm for the flypast by a Lancaster Bomber which is always a treat.

The WVS ladies from vintage pop-up events company The Jambusters will be serving tea and soft drinks with some of the proceeds going to benefit local causes.

Food won’t be available to purchase on the day, but take your own or pre-order a Coronation Box which will be packed with sandwiches, a fruit scone and Coronation Cupcake.

A bottle of limited edition Coronation prosecco will also figure, and to top it all off the box will include a limited edition Union Jack party hat. The boxes are £20 each – heads to eventbrite.co.uk and search Woburn Sands Coronation Street Party Ration Box.

Hanslope will host its Coronation celebration (5pm) at the Recreation Ground on Castlethorpe Road with a picnic and party in the park with a warm welcome extended to all.

Whitehouse Community Council invites you to join their celebrations (midday-4pm) with live music, fairground games, a children’s entertainer, magic show, bouncy castle, arts and crafts and treasure hunt

Food vans and stalls will be serving, or pack your own picnic.

Bank Holiday Monday, May 8

Gather your neighbours and friends together and make tracks to Milton Keynes Museum in Wolverton for a special volunteer event in the grounds. Entry is free.

The Big Help Out is being adopted in Olney, with Brownies street cleaning, and Guides and Rangers turning dull signs into sparkling ones. The session will start and end at St Peter and St Paul Church, and litter picking kits will be loaned to anyone wanting to get stuck in.

Back in Wavendon, the village will be calling on volunteers to take part in its Big Help Litter Pick, which will be followed by the official opening of the new Community Hub on Dankworth Way. For the latest information visit wavendonparishcouncil.co.uk or email Cllr Levermore: marlese.levermore@ wavendonparishcouncil.co.uk

happening, when: The Coronation Weekend at a glance

On Saturday, May 6 The Coronation of The King and The Queen Consort will take place at historic Westminster Abbey in London, where the Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct the Coronation service.

Later, The King and Queen Consort will be joined on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to bring the ceremonial events of the day to a close. Get your flags at the ready!

The Coronation Concert

A special Coronation Concert is being hosted at Windsor Castle on Sunday, May 7, which will be broadcast on television.

The Coronation Big Lunch

The same day, people around the country will partake in the Coronation Big Lunch, a chance for communities and neighbours to share food and company. Visit edenprojectcommunities.com/ the-big-lunch for more details on how you can take part.

The Big Help Out

Can you spare an hour of your time? As part of the Coronation festivities, members of the public are being invited to do something amazing; ‘Join in. Lend a hand. Make a change.’

Perhaps visit a neighbour who could benefit from your company, or get stuck in with one of the many charities who could benefit from your support. It might be a little bit of your time, but it can make a world of difference to others. More details at thebighelpout.org.uk

Pic: Hugo Burnand, Buckingham Palace

Woburn Sands Coronation Street Party Ration Box

Coronation bunting £27.95 nessafoyedesigns.co.uk

Coronation

The King’s Coronation

Are you ready for the big day?

Whether you’re hosting a street party or just looking for something to mark the occasion, this curated collection will have everything you need to commemorate the King’s official coronation on the 6th May!

biscuit barrel £19.95

King’s Coronation plate £18 portmeirion.co.uk

celebration Bundle £65 paperstarlights.com

Jubilee party paper plates £4.99. Paper cups £4.49 gingerray.co.uk

Crown Jewels caddy £9.95 annabeljames.co.uk

Coronation paper cups £5 talkingtables.co.uk

Union Jack paper fancy dress glasses - 6 pack £6 talkingtables.co.uk

Union Jack luxury Merino throw/picnic blanket £169.95 annabeljames.co.uk

London Cushion cover £29.95 nessafoyedesigns.co.uk

Coronation party balloon arch decoration £17.99 gingerray.co.uk

Let’s go skin Deep

From supercharged skin care experts Farmacy, try the Honey Halo UltraHydrating Ceramide Moisturizer to hydrate dried, distressed skin. If your skin is feeling dehydrated, this will restore balance and make you feel comfortable again. Use morning and night to assist the moisture barrier. Be good to yourself.

RRP: £42 Get it: cultbeauty.co.uk

Wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes can knock the confidence, but The Jojoba Company has a little pot of plenty to fight the pests – Transformative Eye Serum Easily absorbed, the serum can help to smooth lines, brighten and refresh and ‘reduce the volume of eye bags and circles,’ and who doesn’t want that, right? Want to see an improvement to those delicate areas? Say ‘eye do’ to Transformative Eye Serum.

RRP: £42.50

Get it: thejojobacompany.co.uk

If the only thing you’ve used orange and lemon peel for in the past is to garnish your cocktails, Decleor’s Green Mandarin Aromaplastie Glow Booster Mask will be quite the revelation.

If your skin is in need of a perk up, this mask – which also makes use of green mandarin essential oil, vitamin CG and vitamin E – will replace the tired vision with luminous looking. A quick and easy 10 minute treatment to boost radiance.

RRP: £44.50

Get it: facethefuture.co.uk

Embryolisse’s Hydra-Serum is the perfect way to boost moisture and hydration without clogging the skin. It’s refreshing and lightweight, and the only thing it leaves behind is glowing, soft, radiant skin. The perfect plump up. Use it with its co-star, Hydra-Cream Light to lock in that moisture. A simple quick work into the skin and you’ll have a barrier against aggressors that will last all day long.

Two products with one awesome aim – to give you ‘glow to’ skin.

RRP: Serum (£22.95) Cream (£18) Get it: beautybay.com

Sol de Janeiro is the most fabulously fragrant brand and their body creams are gorgeous – we’re a little bit in love with these! Which to choose though? Bom Dia Bright is a daily body cream with black amber plum and vanilla woods (you can almost smell it, right?) while Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (also good for your legs and arms) will leave you soft and shimmering. Or perhaps you’d rather Beija Flor Elasti-Cream to leave your skin plump and soft. This one truly is aromatic heaven!

RRP: £21 (75ml), £35 (150ml)

Get it: boots.com

When we’re tired, stressed, under the weather (or at the mercy of the weather!) our skin can give the game away. But these choice picks will hydrate, smooth, plump and leave you altogether perkier!

Flower Power

But of course! Florals. In Springtime. Again. Although, not quite as we’ve had them before...

The catwalks for this season unearthed a new thinking around flowers: go big or full grown, with textured fabrics and 3d accessories that will have you feeling like you’re walking with nature.

At Bottega Veneta, there were botanical prints finished with heaps of fringing; flowers in bloom down the bodies of dresses; and skirts made of cutout leather petals. At Acne Studios, metal-thorned accessories were softened by roses, badged about the body. Meanwhile, Carolina Herrera had LBDs with skirts like upside down poppies; kitsch floral prints made cool by oversized corsages. And who could forget the wild designs at Loewe – Anthuriums clearly inspired by Little Shop of Horrors? The It Girls haven’t stopped giving the designer his flowers since the showcase, with Emily Ratajkowski, Kendall Jenner, Zendaya and more having plucked the best pieces from the collection.

To wear the trend, simply look for oversized ruffling (see: elevated vest bodysuit), flower appliques (H&M ’s Isla Hennes collection is full of gorgeous cutwork garments) and embroidered buds, or plant one standout flower accessory in your wardrobe. My pick is the corsage: back like a fever dream starring SATC’s Carrie Bradshaw, and spied recently on models at Prada

Otherwise, try digging out one of the old floral print pieces you’ve left hiding in your wardrobe at homesave money and time trawling the shops. Good thing that, despite not being “groundbreaking” for spring, when it comes to fashion, flowers have real staying power.

By Cindy LGH @CindyLGH FASHION

All items Zara Corsage £12.99

^ Monsoon £25

Monsoon Top £49 Shorts £45 Papaya @ Matalan £30

^ H&M £12.99

Unmade by Noa Noa £44.95 >

Zara £32.99 >

Matalan £23

Zara £45.99 >

H&M Top £29.99 Skirt £49.99

Zara £29.99

Lamb and caramelised onion pide

Makes two large pides, perfect for 4 as a starter or for 2 people as a main

Preparation time 25 min

Bake time 25 to 30 min

INGREDIENTS

Vegetable oil for frying

2 shallots thinly sliced lengthways

250g minced lamb

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground turmeric

2 tbsp tomato puree

1 roasted pepper diced - optional

1 pack of ready-rolled puff pastry

Salt and pepper to taste

To serve:

Thinly chopped flat leaf parsley

Chopped pistachios - optional

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 200 C - Gas Mark 6

2. Place a frying pan over medium heat, once hot, drizzle in little oil and fry the shallots until caramelised and soft.

3. Add the minced lamb to the pan and make sure to break it through to avoid big clumps. Once still uncooked, add your spices and the tomato puree. Cook the mince until browned and add your diced pepper. Combine fully and set aside.

4. Cut the pastry in half lengthways to make two long rectangles. Lay on a baking tray and divide the mince evenly between the two, leaving some pastry around the edges.

5. Rise slightly and crimp on the side, to form a boat shape.

6. Bake for about 25 min or until the pastry is golden brown. Before serving add the pistachios if using and the parsley.

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.

Follow Sofia:

Instagram: @in_cucinacon_sofia FB: incucinaconsofia www.lamiacucina.co.uk

Win a pair of tickets for BBC Gardeners’ World Live

At the height of the summer season, there’s no better time or place to indulge your love of gardening, see your favourite gardening experts and enjoy a day with friends and family, at BBC Gardeners’ World Live, from 15-18 June at the NEC, Birmingham. This year’s Show will be bursting with plenty of garden inspiration from the Show Gardens and Beautiful Borders, expert advice from Monty Don, Carol Klein, Adam Frost, Frances Tophill plus Alan Titchmarsh, live entertainment and the delicious BBC Good Food Show Summer

What’s more, there’s a Show-load of new features this year which aren’t to be missed. Joining the line-up on the BBC Gardeners’ World Live Theatre include Mr Plant Geek and Chris Collins of Garden Organic and previous Blue Peter Gardener. Don’t miss the new House Plant Hub with host Ellen Mary

and talks from Joe Bagley and more. Plus, drop into the new Let’s Talk Plants Stage with the gardening presenters and Sue Kent, who will share insights into her Beautiful Border at the show.

You’ll also be able to enjoy gardening advice alfresco in the Show Gardens, with expertise on the Liz Earle Beauty Co.’s Botanical Show Garden with their Ethnobotanist James Wong, to talks on grow-your-own at Lucy Hutching’s Secret Homestead Garden, with CloudGardenerUK, Stephanie Hafferty, Lydia Lakemoore and many more!

A haven of colour and scent, head to the Floral Marquee and discover new plant varieties from specialist growers at the new Hot Off the Potting Bench feature and be inspired by Ashwood Nurseries’ walk-through garden and a 40th anniversary display by Barnsdale Gardens

It’s the ultimate gardening day out! Book tickets today at bbcgardenersworldlive.com

For your chance to enter the draw for a pair of tickets to visit BBC Gardeners’ World Live on Sunday June, 18, answer this question: What is the name of Monty Don’s newest dog?

Email your answer to: mkpulse@pulsegroupmedia.co.uk

Subject: BBC Gardeners’ World Live along with your name, address and contact telephone number.

Closing date: Wednesday May, 31

Find new plant inspiration in the Floral Marquee

Monty Don and his fellow Gardeners’ World presenters will be on hand at the show

DIGGING DEEP

Our perennial garden favourites

Sharing knowledge is always a positive, and gardening is a prime example of an activity where communal learning leads to greater satisfaction. Unless of course, you are trying to cultivate a prize-winning specimen for a competition!

When it comes to flowers, The Hardy Plant Society (HPS) is a nationwide charity which promotes the joy of herbaceous plants, and the society’s roots are all over, with more than 40 groups in all, including locally in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire.

It exists for people who love hardy perennials for their variety, colours, shapes, sizes and longevity, and also has a number of interest groups, such as Geranium and Galanthus. Members support each other to grow better examples, and different species.

Margaret Pateman, from Northampton, is well invested in the HPS – she has been a member for 35 years.

What drew you to perennials?

“The fact that many hardy herbaceous plants are deciduous means they disappear for several months at different times of the year in their dormant state, and even the evergreen ones tend to look a bit ragged in the ‘off’ season.

“Whether they are dormant in the summer or the winter, there’s a feeling of anticipation when looking for the first green shoots, and signs the plants are still alive - the excitement when an old favourite is seen to be emerging from the soil!

“There’s just as much pleasure attached to the expectation as there is to the actual

flowering spectacle, and if things don’t go as well as they might, perhaps due to marauding slugs or heavy feet, there’s always next year to look forward to,” Margaret told Pulse.

“There is an amazing variety of scents and colours and most can be grown from seed, cuttings or division. Most people have different favourites depending on the time of year, and are only too pleased to propagate them.”

With so many possibilities, which is Margaret’s favourite of all the perennial flowers?

“To choose a favourite is like trying to choose a favourite child, impossible, but if I could only have one, it would probably be the taller Phlox, Phlox paniculata and various hybrids,” she

decides, “Not only are the flowers lovely and have a long season with different varieties, but they smell absolutely gorgeous! If only I could find it made into a perfume. I once saw a hummingbird moth with a white Phlox and it was a perfect picture.”

You must belong to the national society in order to join the regional groups. Perhaps you like the idea but are apprehensive about being the new flower in the bed, so to speak. Worry not, says Margaret –dig in and grow your confidence.

“Apart from at shows, gardening is not competitive and most people are only too happy to give beginners the benefit of their wisdom and help out with both advice and plants,” she promises.

> Plant the seed: hardy-plant.org.uk or visit FB: @hpshome

The Northamptonshire branch meets on the first Saturday of each month from 2pm, at Moulton Community Centre. Contact northants@hardy-plant.org.uk

The Buckinghamshire arm is hosted at East Claydon and Botolph Claydon Village Hall. Email bucksandoxon@hardy-plant.org.uk

Phlox Paniculata Peppermint Twist- Pic HPS

Phlox Paniculata Rembrandt pic - HPS

Stop intruders with the highest level of security

With burglary rates on the rise during the cost of living crisis in Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, what can you do to help stop unwanted intruders? When it comes to securing your home, the most likely place for burglars to attack are your through your windows and doors, where older products are easily accessible.

You never know what kind of danger may lurk around your neighbourhood, and having peace of mind when it comes to your home security is essential to keeping your family safe. Luckily, there are tested products and services who recognise the importance of security in the home and offer only the highest level of security which includes police approval. Statistics show that homes with no security

So why is Window and Door security so important?

SBD is especially important because it has stringent burglar tests that must be met before the company’s products - like doors and windows - can be considered for police preferred specification. It means that you can be certain that your door or window installation is of the highest quality with the best security measures in place.

Luckily, leading manufacture and installer T&K Home Improvements has a wide range of ultra secure Doors and Windows that can provide you with the best protection for your home.

For instance, they have multi-point, bi directional, stainless steel locking mechanisms that are installed into all their doors and windows to exceed the specification required. All of their locks have undergone extensive testing to ensure that they meet police approvals which include

Anti-Bump, Anti-Drill, Anti-Pick and Break Secure technology.

T&K Home Improvements also offer other additional security measures, such as double or tiple-glazed, laminated windows that add an additional layer of security as well as insulation and soundproofing. Their team of experts can provide you with advice how you can secure your home, and lower your energy bills in one go.

Additionally, their focus on providing their customers with only the best security solutions has earned them an excellent reputation throughout the area. So, why not make your home security a top priority and get in touch with T&K Home Improvements today?

T&K have a stunning outdoor showroom in Wellingborough with 13 Living spaces demonstrating their full range of products. Visit www.tkhi.co.uk to find out more.

measures in place are five times more likely to be burgled than those that do, and having extra security measure will also help with the rising cost of home insurance too. Therefore, it’s crucial to have the right security solutions in place to protect your home, belongings, savings and your family.

When considering new Windows and Doors always look for the Secured by Design (SBD), the official police security initiative in the UK, accreditation. This system is designed to help reduce crime and promote safer living. Always remember to check online that any company claiming has the accreditation on their website, for complete peace of mind

T&K have a stunning showroom based at Wellingborough so why not come on down and take a look at some ideas in real life? Visit www.tkhi.co.uk/find-showroom to book your appointment today.

Visit the stunning new bathroom showroom which has come to Towcester

Luxury bathroom design company, Ripples, has opened a new showroom in Towcester, showcasing a range of contemporary and traditional bathroom fittings and accessories. The perfect destination for those seeking inspiration and expert advice on creating their dream bathroom.

Ripples Towcester, which opened earlier this year, features a vast array of quality products from some of the top luxury bathroom brands in Europe. From hand-painted boat baths and stylish concrete basins to brushed gold brassware and marble tiles, the showroom features products and design solutions to surprise and delight.

Once customers have browsed the product selection, an in-house designer will be on hand to expertly guide them through their bathroom project, creating a unique design specifically tailored to their needs.

Ripples works with renowned bathroom suppliers across Europe to offer clients a collection which is vast and of exceptional quality. Its product range includes baths, showers and enclosures, WCs, basins and brassware in almost every style, colour and design imaginable. It also offers unique

collections and materials that provide something a little bit different including copper baths, special finish brassware and bespoke solid wood furniture. With styles to suit all tastes, Ripples showrooms act as the perfect showcase to spark the imaginations of clients before the design team get to work creating bespoke bathroom solutions for them.

Founded in 1988 by Roger and Sandra Kyme, Ripples has 35 years’ experience in designing bespoke bathrooms for customers up and down the country. With an impressive collection of 15 showrooms nationwide, Ripples has built a reputation for creating innovatively designed and beautifully finished bathrooms, earning over 60 coveted industry awards across the group.

Ripples Towcester is open now at 2 Roman Corner, Northampton Rd, Towcester NN12 6LD. For more information, visit ripplesbathrooms. com or call 01327 368233.

Ripples’ showroom features a vast array of quality products from some of the top luxury bathroom brands in Europe

‘It’s made such a difference for all of us’

When you’re updating your bathroom, naturally the style of shower, basin and tiles are important. But there may be structural work needed too –AHM Installations can do it all. For example, you might want to create more space by removing a wall. If you wanted a more powerful shower the electric cables could need updating. Or a floor might need taking up to examine the pipework.

AHM Installations does all types of renovation work to ensure that your bathroom is safe, that it meets regulations and that it works for you.

The Booth family wanted their downstairs study and toilet knocked together to form a large wetroom for their father. This may sound like a job for

a builder, but AHM had all the skills and experience needed.

“We created a completely new space from scratch”, said Charles Weeks, Bathroom Surveyor at AHM.

The dividing wall was knocked down, a new ceiling was put in and the light switches were moved to make the room easy for Mr Booth to use.

The family are delighted. “It’s made such a difference to Dad and to all of us. AHM is an absolutely wonderful company – we couldn’t recommend it more.”

AHM is a family-run accessible bathrooms firm that takes the hassle out of organising the tradespeople you need for the job. All our fitters are members of BIKBBI which means they are DBS checked and fully insured. Call us on 01908 850377 to discuss your needs.

AHM is a family-run accessible bathrooms firm that takes the hassle out of organising the tradespeople you need for the job.

Garden Design &

Designing for the future

As we become increasingly environmentally conscious, sustainable interior design grows in popularity. The focus of sustainable interior design is to reduce the negative impact that human activity has on the environment, while creating beautiful and functional spaces. The goal is to create spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also socially responsible and environmentally friendly.

One of the most important aspects of sustainable interior design is the use of eco-friendly materials and products. The materials used should be non-toxic, recyclable or recycled, and sustainable. This means using materials that are renewable, such as bamboo or cork, and avoiding those that are not, such as plastics. Products should be chosen for their durability and longevity, to reduce waste and promote greener living. Consider the current conflict in fast fashion. Cheaper, mass-produced items have a short life cycle and haven’t been made with the environment in mind. Spending a bit more money on a piece that will have longevity will earn its money back, while also leaving a more environmentally friendly footprint behind. Choosing trends which have a timeless look rather than satisfying a fleeting moment in fashion will also be more beneficial to a sustainable lifestyle.

One example of sustainable interior design is the use of reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood is wood that has been salvaged from old buildings, furniture, or other sources. It is an eco-friendly alternative to newly harvested wood and can add character and uniqueness to a space. Enlist a cabinet maker, carpenter or joiner to restore an old dining table, potentially giving it a new lease of life by sanding it back and staining it or by applying oil or wax to it. If you are feeling like taking on a challenge yourself, then restoring furniture from the 50s, 60s and 70s (such as Ercol and G-Plan) can be very rewarding. Updating door handles on a sideboard or reupholstering dining chairs, can help breathe new life into pieces by giving them a contemporary update.

Rosie Kinsella Interior Designer 01604 751262

Furniture and accessories are essential components of any home. If you must buy new, try to avoid synthetic materials which can release harmful chemicals into the environment. There are many more options available on the market today than in previous years, especially when it comes to buying carpets and rugs. Natural backings and bamboo fibres will help avoid some chemicals. Bamboo is a very sustainable material when compared to cotton, wool and acrylic as it grows quickly and needs much less water to be processed. However, in carpets and rugs it comes with a price tag to match! Look for furniture made from natural materials, such as solid wood, bamboo or rattan, rather than laminate finishes and cheap processed wood which can splinter and break more easily. Rattan was a staple aesthetic in the 1970s giving furniture a bohemian style, a look which has come back into fashion over the last few years. You don’t have to search far to be provided with plentiful options for rattan side tables, headboards, dining chairs and bookshelves. With rattan objects likely to be available from vintage shops, you may not even have to buy new.

You could consider decorating your home using recycled glass or metal. This not only reduces waste but can also add a unique and creative textural element to your interior. Not everyone wants bold splashes of pattern and colour. If that’s you, and you hanker after a more sustainable existence, then make such a statement in your home using a striking recycled metal sculpture or a repurposed set of glass vases.

Lighting is another crucial aspect of sustainable interior design. By using energyefficient lighting, such as LED bulbs, you can

Stephanie Harvey, unsplash

Alyssa Strohmann, unsplash

Josh Hemsley, unsplash

Mmicheile Henderson, unsplash

reduce your energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint. Natural light can be used to reduce energy consumption further. Large windows, glass doors or skylights can help to bring natural light into a space and reduce the need for artificial lighting. Light tubes are a further way to achieve natural light in a space with few or no windows. A reflective tube is connected from the ceiling of the room to the roof, enabling the natural light to cascade in through the pipe. Re-covering or replacing an existing lampshade can prevent an old light fitting going to waste, as you can easily update the existing shade to suit your new décor.

For an extra step in creating a home that runs as sustainably as it looks, consider water conservation. Low-flow toilets, taps, and shower heads can be installed to reduce water consumption, even something as simple as a brick placed in the cistern can reduce the amount of water required to fill the unit each time. Additionally, rainwater systems can be installed to capture and use rain in place of turning on the tap, either in the garden or for some of your household water such as in toilet cisterns.

Reducing waste is another crucial aspect of sustainability within the home. This can be achieved by using reusable products, such as cloth napkins and beeswax food wrap, and avoiding single-use products, such as paper towels and plastic clingfilm. Additionally, incorporating recycling and composting into the design of a new kitchen or utility room must be made a priority - reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, whilst keeping the bins hidden away from view, can only be a good thing! Ensure you have adequately labelled bins for each different type of refuse, and check with your local council on what you can and cannot recycle. Ask if they collect compostable kitchen waste – many do. Alternatively, a garden compost heap is a great way to avoid any vegetable offcuts and trimmings going to landfill. The compost can be used in your own garden to provide natural nutrients for your flowerbeds.

Sustainable interior design is not only good for the environment but can also create beautiful and functional spaces. By choosing eco-friendly materials and products, reducing water usage, improving indoor air quality, and reducing waste, you can promote sustainable living and create a healthier and more environmentally responsible home.

Contemporary art inspired by London

We are always thrilled to explore works which capture our capital city, with each artist brings their own perspective and focus to these familiar scenes. Let’s take a look at four cityscape artists and explore how the city has inspired their work.

Alena Carvalho, who was born and raised in Prague but has lived in the UK for over 20 years, describes her style as “Impressionistic realism, if there is such a style.” She aims for a fairly realistic portrayal, but with some flexibility to ensure she captures the atmosphere, mood and light of the place.

Alena’s pieces often include the double deckers and black cabs which are iconic, not to mention architecture and places we’ll recognise such as Big Ben, St Paul's and the South Bank. Within these scenes, however, she uses the light and weather (with rain playing a prominent role in many of her works) to explore different feelings and tones.

Tom Butler introduces mixed media into his work, using the texture and words within his cuttings to tell stories of places and the people within them.

Tom describes London’s charm and bustle as a place ‘you could never tire of returning to’ Deliberately bringing us back to places we know, such as Piccadilly Circus with its fleet of red buses, we are then drawn into the place to explore the detail within it, such as the ‘Roar’ of the lion in his painting Brolly Good.

We love the narratives Tom shares, creating details and characters in places we love, knowing that each time we return we’ll find something new.

Award-winning artist Jo Quigley says her “inspiration comes from life itself” more recently becoming fascinated with people in an urban environment.

While Jo’s art presents some familiar views, including the London South Bank and Thames; in her paintings, the city is a background for the lives and stories she presents for us to explore. Using colour, light and particularly shadow, we are experiencing the capital alongside her subjects, drawn into their moments.

Like many of our favourite artists, the beauty of Jo’s work is its ability to pull you into a story,

encouraging you to take time within the scene and get to know its characters.

Samantha Ellis is an artist from our own home town; born in Northampton she now lives and works in Cambridgeshire but has consistently drawn inspiration from the capital. Having fun with recognisable designs, she uses Big Ben, black cabs and red RouteMaster buses to inspire, and bring her own energy to her pieces.

Developing her paintings of London, Samantha starts with a photograph but the final work takes as much from her own imagination with dribbles, splats and a bold colour palette. While her representation may not be an accurate depiction, there is no doubting the influence of the place.

Samantha’s London cityscapes reflect the design and personality of the capital as well as her own style, they show us a place she loves and bring us some of her effervescent joy.

London art will always be popular, telling timeless stories of a vibrant city. If you would like to explore more of our cityscape paintings please get in touch.

Celine Lee Gallery Correspondent www.therosegallery.co.uk

Summer in Covent Garden, Alena Carvalho

Brolly Good, Tom Butler

Embankment, Jo Quigley

Playing for Time, Samantha Ellis

Svitlana, unsplash

Looking back on an eventful year

As she draws near the end of her term in office as The Milton Keynes City Mayor, Cllr Amanda Marlow looks back on what has been an exciting and productive year for our vibrant new city.

It’s been a privilege to have served as the Mayor of Milton Keynes during 2022/23, and before I handover the chain of office to my Deputy; Cllr Mick Legg, I would like to reflect on the year that I have had as your mayor, which began with a Royal Announcement and finished with a Royal celebration.

In May 2022, just as I had taken office, we received the momentous news that Milton Keynes had been granted City Status by HM The Queen as part of her Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. It’s difficult to put into words to describe the elation that we all felt about winning the competition. This was the fourth attempt, and there were many who said that it was pointless trying, but those of us who were to become part of the City Bid team felt that

it was worth throwing everything at it. And so we did. To watch Milton Keynes and the world waking up to the news on 20th May that our town that was only 55 years old, had struck gold and gained its rightful recognition was incredible. Suddenly I was on BBC News 24 as the mayor, who’d only been in post a mere two days, being asked why this news was so important, swiftly followed by interviews with international television news channels and radio stations. It was honestly quite surreal, but all of us who were interviewed proudly spoke about our delight that we’d formally been recognised as a city.

At the start of June we celebrated across the city, HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with parades, fetes, garden parties and thanksgiving services. The parade that I organised with My Milton Keynes was a highlight for me, as it was wonderful to see so many community groups and voluntary organisations mixing with charities, scouts and guiding associations along with

The Mayor, Cllr Amanda Marlow with Debbie Brock, the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire 2022/23, at the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations in Campbell Park.

Armed Forces Reservists and Cadets, as they processed and marched through the city centre. It was a joyful display of noise, colour and people.

The Women’s Euros juggernaut rolled into Milton Keynes, and for a month it was all things UEFA and of course football. With one of our own, the indomitable Leah Williamson leading the England Lionesses, it has shone a light on the work that grassroots football clubs do in Milton Keynes in order to engage with girls and women to play football; and indeed the MK Dons Women are having a better season this year than the men. Newport Pagnell Town FC winning the FA Vase last year was an outstanding success, and I hope that as they have booked their place to defend their title at Wembley that they do it again on Sunday 21st May.

In September we had the sad death of HM The Queen. When I became Mayor, I’d never anticipated leading our city in mourning for the monarch. So it was immensely humbling to represent you all by laying flowers, to open the

condolence book for the city, to read aloud the official document of the Accession Proclamation for the city, and to hold a special service of commemoration for HM The Queen at our city church; Christ the Cornerstone, which had been dedicated by our late Queen in 1992.

2023 started with the news that Leah Williamson had received an OBE for services to Association Football and that she would be coming to receive the Freedom of the City, which was to be presented at a special meeting of Milton Keynes City Council. Leah was a delight to meet, and she spoke beautifully and humbly about how much football meant to her, how her Newport Pagnell and Milton Keynes roots were important to her, and how she recognised the power and good of football. As a child growing up, she had been taught to chase her dreams and she hoped that her success would inspire boys and girls everywhere.

In March we had the annual Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards which was a glittering and dazzling occasion, filled with business representatives from right across our region.

A great evening was had by all, with winners celebrating into the small hours. Another great evening full of dazzle and glitz was the Mayor of Milton Keynes Awards, which the Mayor’s Office organised to celebrate the many people, organisations and businesses who you nominated, that put so much into Milton Keynes. My thanks to Stadium MK for the use of the Ballroom, Ellievision AV, and to my sponsors M&M (Food) Supplies, My Milton Keynes and Peter Wilson for their generous help with making the night an outstanding success. While it has been an unforgettable year for me, more importantly it’s been a history making year for Milton Keynes. Welcoming HM The King to Milton Keynes so that he could formally confer City Status, will be something that I will never ever forget. With the coronation of their Majesties on the 6th May and all of the activities that so many of you have planned to celebrate, what a way to finish my mayoral year. Thank you Milton Keynes; it’s truly been an honour to serve as your Mayor for 2022/23.

With Odette Mould founder and CEO of Harry’s Rainbow - a children’s bereavement charity at their 10th birthday celebrations (above). Leah Williamson receiving the Freedom of the City at a special meeting of Milton Keynes City Council (left)

Alongside Pete Marland, leader of MK City Council and HM King Charles III as a pupil from Falconhurst School presents him with a gift.

Holding the FA Vase Trophy last year after Newport Pagnell Town FC won the tournament.

Wheelie bins on the way

In just a few months, the way that Milton Keynes City Council collects waste and recycling will be changing. Households across the city will be switching from the current plastic sacks to four wheeled bins, which is a far more modern and sustainable approach to disposing of waste. Most local authorities already use wheelie bins and making the switch will mean less rubbish on our streets and increased recycling levels.

From September, the majority of residents will be using wheelie bins. Households will continue to use their alreadyexisting green bins for food and garden waste, but also receive:

Black wheeled bin – This will be used for waste that cannot be recycled

Red lidded bin – This will be for recycling dry paper and card Blue lidded bin – This will be for recycling plastic, metals and glass

Separating paper and card recycling from plastic, metal and glass before collection has been proven to improve the amount of waste that can be recycled, and will put Milton Keynes ahead of expected new legislation that will require all councils to collect household recycling this way.

Inevitably there will be a small number of homes that aren’t suitable for wheelie bins, so we will be working with residents to find out the best option. This could mean they continue with sacks or have a mixed collection, with sacks for recycling and a wheelie bin for other rubbish. Apartments or town houses could continue with their current arrangements or use larger communal bins.

If you’d like to find out how your waste will be collected later this year, you can use the new postcode checker by visiting https://tinyurl. com/wheelie-bins. It should tell you what collection method you’ll be having within seconds, and also give you the opportunity to request a review for a different solution. Eligibility for review will be based on specific criteria around storage space and access. For example, you can’t request a review based on your personal preference but can request a review if access is greatly restricted. We will be starting reviews in May and will keep residents updated if their collection type will change. Those who have disabilities or medical conditions that require assisted collections can also request them through the postcode checker link. Over the next month, every household will also be receiving a letter confirming what type of collection they’ll receive.

Completely overhauling how we collect waste is no easy feat and I’d like to thank everybody for their patience while this complex rollout is completed. Switching to wheelie bins will avoid producing 11 million single-use plastic recycling sacks each year, and will ultimately help us with our plans of becoming the greenest city in the world.

To find out more information on the City Council, and the support it provides, visit www.milton-keynes.gov.uk

CONTACT DETAILS: Tel: 01908 252442

Email: peter.marland@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Facebook: @mklabour

ADDRESS: c/o Milton Keynes City Council, Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes MK9 3EJ

Pete Marland Leader of Milton Keynes City Council

Plenty to feel positive about in MK economy

As we enter May some households in Milton Keynes will already have received the first of three Cost Of Living payments to those on means-tested benefits.

29,600 households across the city are set to receive a £301 Cost Of Living payment from the Government between 25 April and 17 May. On top of this a further £3,585,033 has been confirmed for Milton Keynes as part of the Government’s Household Support Fund which supports families most in need with essentials such as food, clothing and energy bills.

Children’s Minister Visits Milton Keynes

I was delighted to welcome Children’s Minister Claire Coutinho to Milton Keynes on to visit a children’s centre and nursery following the Government’s announcement of a childcare revolution. The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced 30 hours of free childcare for every child over the age of 9 months, with support being phased in until every single eligible working parent of under 5s gets this support by September 2025. The Government will also pay the childcare costs of parents on Universal Credit moving into work or increasing their hours upfront, rather than in arrears – removing a major barrier to work for those who are on benefits. And to discuss the announcement, the importance of early years learning and concerns in the sector, the Children’s Minister Claire Coutinho visited Pebbles Children’s Centre in Fishermead and Acorn Day Nursery and Outdoor Learning Centre in Emberton to meet with parents, children and staff. It was fantastic to show the Minister the amazing childcare providers we have here in Milton Keynes and for her to take on board their feedback.

Energy Efficiency Funding

We want to build a greener future and help cut energy bills for people across Milton Keynes so I am pleased the Government is providing £22.7 million to Milton Keynes City Council to boost heating efficiency and cut heating costs in social housing across Milton Keynes from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF). This is so important for helping us support those on the lowest incomes across the city. Milton Keynes University Hospital will also receive £4.8 million funding to improve the comfort and environment for both patients and staff from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Job Shows Returns To MK

It was brilliant to catch up with local and national employers at the latest MK Jobs Show in Milton Keynes. The twice annual event aims to bring employers and job seekers together, and even has a space for job interviews to be conducted on the day. It was fantastic to see Middleton Hall packed with a diverse range of businesses and charities from British Transport Police and the Haas F1 team to Macintyre and MK Act. The jobs market in Milton Keynes is absolutely thriving at the moment so if you weren’t able to attend I would strongly encourage you to check out their website and to find some of the employers that attended.

Business Brewing A Local Success Story

XpressCoffee Group, based in Castlethorpe, a real success story for our local business sector. Their business focuses on high-end commercial coffee machine and servicing and already works with BMW, Ralph Lauren, Aston Martin and other household names. I was delighted to visit their HQ and meet with Tristan, who has now also launched FreshCoffee2Go, a new standalone coffee and confection vending business. I’m so proud of our business sector here in Milton Keynes and I want to see it thrive as the economy recovers from the impacts of the pandemic and Russia’ war in Ukraine.

Also this month…

• The Government has provided Milton Keynes City Council with an extra £1.6 million to boost electric car charging infrastructure across the city

• I have written to Health Secretary Steve Barclay to call on the Government to expand the rollout of opt-out HIV testing to Milton Keynes

Ben Everitt MP for Milton Keynes North

Ben talking to one of the exhibitors at the MK Jobs Show

Ben with Children’s Minister Claire Coutinho

No Mickey Mouse operation here!

As far as gigs go, it’s a typically busy month ahead for Wolverton haunt, The Craufurd Arms and it’s down to New Yorkers The Toasters to set the bar high when they play a midweek show (May 3).

Spear of Destiny, who have been around almost as long as The Toasters, celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2023, and come back to the Keynes as part of an extensive tour (May 4).

This current SoD lineup is also the longest serving to date. With Adrian Portas (New Model Army), Craig Adams (Sisters of Mercy/The Cult) and Phil Martini (Jim Jones and the Righteous Mind) joining Kirk Brandon to bring the goods.

This gig falls in-between their dates as support to fellow scene survivors, Big Country.

The Quireboys are back on the stage (May 5), and the sleaze rockers still have A Bit Of What You Fancy on offer, three decades on from that debut delivery.

Not everything remains the same, mind you, and following ‘the difficult decision to part company with the band’s original frontman,’ the mic spot formerly occupied by Spike has now been taken by guitarist and band mainstay Guy Griffin. Support will come from Blackballed

A retrospective celebration of Daft Punk (May 6) will once again bring the essence of the infamous house masters to the stage, following a packed out show 18 months ago.

So far as the stage production for Daft Funk is concerned? It is meticulously crafted, paying the utmost respect to the infamous and illusive robots.

Expect a night that will be Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger. Obviously.

We’ve got a lot of scene stalwarts coming through these parts this month – and Mad Sin (May 7) are another, a German rabble peddling an ‘uncompromising hard-hitting totally right in your face real deal’ and while they are associated with the psychobilly tag, they veer into country, punk, trash and metal influences too. Mad Sin; giving you more for your money. Craufurd pal Jamie Lenman (May 10) will doubtless use his set to plug the new single, Word of Love, and there’s a tribute to all that emo stuff that blew up in the noughties, with Ten Years Too Late (May 20) who will cut loose a 90 minute set of material by artists including My Chemical Romance, Jimmy Eat World, Fall Out Boy and Paramore. You get the idea.

Gigs to get in the diary

It’s been donkey’s years since stoner-punk aces Mondo Generator graced the new city with their presence, but the drought is soon to end.

Nick Oliveri’s band have recently been in the studio laying down a much anticipated new album, and they will be back in the Keynes on July 24 as part of a UK tour – tickets for their Craufurd Arms date are on sale now at thecraufurdarms.com/gigs

Jah Wobble & The Invaders of the Heart will play MK11 in Kiln Farm on November 11. The founding member of PiL played on some of the band’s most acclaimed albums including

Metal Box and First issue before leaving to pursue a solo career. Since then the bassist has collaborated with artists including Brian Eno, Bjork and Sinead O’Connor. Jah’s latest album, The Bus Routes of South London, was issued at the start of the year. Tickets are available through songkick.com

Danger! Danger! Detroit’s Electric Six are coming to town. They have announced they will play The Craufurd Arms on July 5. Support will come from Northampton’s Sarpa Salpa. High voltage tickets are yours from thecraufurdrms.com/gigs

The same evening, the unofficial Disney themed club night Dis-obey will run from 10pm and you are encouraged to show your Disney side by dressing up.

This is no Mickey Mouse operation either; Dis-Obey runs through to 1am and then Party Anthems will take over until 2am. Strictly over 18s, as you might imagine.

The Primitives (May 22) are celebrating 35 years in play and will play all the classics plus a lovely acoustic interlude for you, no doubt because if they don’t take some time to slow down, they might well Crash....

Last up this month, the grand final in the local arm of the Metal 2 The Masses competition (May 27).

> Tickets at thecraufurdarms.com

Mad Sin hit the Craufurd Arms stage on May 7

Electric Six are at The Craufurd Arms on July 5

Jah Wobble & The Invaders of the Heart

Nick Oliveri

What’s on the setlist?

The Tiger Lillies

The Olivier Award-winning godfathers of cabaret are back in Milton Keynes in May, and Pulse Music can’t wait for a session with the trio and their dark and deviant theatrics.

This time, the alt-rock attack known as The Tiger Lillies are taking to the stage to plug their upcoming ‘best of’ album, cunningly titled The Worst of The Tiger Lillies.

The tour, From the Circus to the Cemetery, is an opportunity for Lill-ettes (did we just make that up?!) to revel in choice picks from their extensive back catalogue; clever moments like Roll Up, Danced All Night and Boatmen

Collectively Martyn Jacques, Adrian Stout and Budi Butenop will suck you into their crazy, dark world which pushes ‘a signature blend of chanson, opera, and Romany Gypsy music.’

We’ve been stage front for their Stables performances before now, and we can recall a wonderful night in a spiegeltent in Brighton with their theatrics. They are truly unique.

We’ve already teased a little of the setlist to come, but Martyn shared three more musical morsels that will definitely figure during the Wavendon show.

> The Tiger Lillies play The Stables on May 5. To book your ticket visit stables.org

Get yourself in a Spin >>

We were the first to put pen to paper and wax lyrical (pun intended) about our favourite new record store, with the arrival of Willen Hospice’s fundraising hub, Off The Record

Now it has gone national with a nice editorial in the pages of Record Collector magazine,

the bible for all fans of vinyl. Our little space has been afforded a feature as the Shop Of The Month. Nice work.

Have you popped in to look around yet?

The Point, 602 Midsummer Boulevard, CMK, MK9 3GN.

Dust

I have taken a keen interest in the works of the Carmina Burana, and this song sums up one of the central themes of that work. Basically it is a song about our mortality and how we live our lives with the shadow of death hanging over us.

Banging in the nails

Our great party song, a sing along, so much fun, dealing with the barbarism of the crucifixion with a cheerful tune.

In the film Clockwork Orange Alex is sitting in a library reading the bible. The prison chaplain congratulates him, and we are then shown Alex’s imagination. He is a Roman Centurion whipping Jesus with sadistic enthusiasm.

Crossroads

The legend of Robert Johnson and his selling his soul to the devil at the crossroads. For anyone not familiar with the story Robert was a very average guitar player. He disappeared and when he came back he could play the guitar amazingly well. The rumour was he sold his soul to the devil for his guitar skills.

The Tiger Lillies

A ‘groovy’ kind of love

In the same way that flies gather around you know what, we’ve always been among those making a beeline for a record fair, writes

Sammy Jones

In the six years since The Craufurd Arms established its regular quarterly fair for people to indulge in their musical passions, the numbers of those attending to buy and sell have only ever continued to rise.

The next chance to show some love for the event arrives on Sunday, May 14, and organisers are promising this event will be the biggest to date.

“Record fairs are a great way of finding records, whether they are standard releases, re-issues or mega rarities,” said organiser Jim Mallard, “Plus you can mingle with like minded individuals, and the dealers are always extremely knowledgeable about their stock.”

And for those poor souls who take their music digitally and can’t understand the appeal of a physical copy of the latest release, Jim explains the buzz: “That first play, the static, the smell and the feel of the product; it’s a reverent ritual,” he says.

The Craufurd Arms Record Fair runs from midday to 4pm.

Entry is free, the bar will be open and you can get your lunch while you shop those discs –Fries Above will be serving up the good stuff.

As we look forward to the return of the fair, we ask a couple of ‘Crauf’ shoppers and sellers for their favourite purchases from previous events.

“I can’t pick one, I have two that I’m equally passionate about; Sigur Ros – Valtari which was originally released in 2012 and PJ Harvey and Jon Parish with Dance Hall at Louse Point, from back in 1996.

Both are mint copies and they are albums I’ve genuinely been searching for and wanting for years.

I was over the moon when I found them!”

Paul Rivers, Craufurd Arms

“I was so pleased to find this at the Craufurd record fair last year. I never knew it even existed and it wouldn’t excite most collectors, but the photo on the front of this compilation album released in 1979 was taken in my grandparents front yard!

They lived in the house from where the photo was taken for over 40 years and I spent pretty much every summer holiday there in what is one of the most beautiful places in the Lake District. I really couldn’t believe it when I found it as it features Kirkstile Inn on the right and Loweswater Church (where both my grandparents are buried) in the middle.

The sleeve is now framed in my studio. One of the best £1 buys I have ever made at a record fair.”

Shane Quentin, Record obsessive and trader

> Check out his radio show for more of the weird and wonderful at gardenofearthlydelights.com

“The best record we have bought there is Frightened Rabbit ‘State Hospital’, the 2022 reissue on silver vinyl. I find that I haven’t been able to listen to them since singer Scott Hutchison’s suicide (the lyrics are too close to the bone) despite loving them. One day maybe. However, my partner Manda is still in awe of them. This was her purchase.”

Moz, The Better Dog Records

> The Wolverton-based vinyl specialists will be set up for business at the event on May 14. Contact

Paul Rivers with his choices

Canny Cumberland has a personal connection to Shane Quentin

Frightened Rabbit’s State Hospital - the choice of The Better Dog Records

Saturday 10th June

From 12 Noon to 7.30pm

Racecourse Park

Northampton, NN1 4LG

Live Entertainment on stage

Spectacular Parade

Exciting Fun Fair

Wide range of Stalls

Celebrating the People Who Came #Carnival 2023

Carnival is coming… and we’re getting into the rhythm

75 years ago, the first influx of people from the Caribbean to the UK arrived in London aboard the HMT Empire Windrush. They became known as the Windrush Generation and the anniversary of their arrival is being celebrated at Northampton Carnival next month.

Prepare yourself for spectacular eye-catching costumes, beautifully created floats and vibrant, spirited troupes of performers on the streets of Northampton… yes, the town’s annual carnival is back next month.

This year’s theme promises a memorable and colourful occasion. Celebrating The People Who Came is Northampton’s contribution to the 75th anniversary of the arrival in the UK of the first influx of Caribbean nationals aboard the ship HMT Empire Windrush.

It arrived at the Port of Tilbury in London on June 21 1948 carrying 492 Caribbean migrants - many of them veterans of the Second World War. The ship and its passengers have a symbolic status as the start of the Windrush Generation.

The carnival, revived by Northampton Carnival & Cultural Arts in 2005, aims to deliver another high-quality event that promotes multi-cultural understanding and celebrates the creative and multicultural skills of Northamptonshire and its people.

Costumes Performances Music

Northampton Carnival is an event for the whole family and continues to grow and develop over the years, attracting crowds of thousands of onlookers along the parade route and at the venue in Racecourse Park.

This year, the park will play host to a range of activities, including a funfair, food stalls catering for all tastes and palates, arts, crafts and the top local talent on the main stage.

And headlining the day is reggae and ska band Reggaematik, which has headlined shows in Holland, Belgium, and Poland. Their music is covers of reggae and ska hits from down the years.

“The community gets totally involved through participating in and attending what is undoubtedly the biggest summer event in Northampton,” says a NCCA spokesman.

Put the date Saturday 10th June in your diary to attend the Northampton Carnival at The Racecourse, Kettering Road, Northampton, NN1 4LG. You won’t want to miss this magical day … the perfect outing for the family!

Find out more at:

northamptoncarnival.co.uk

The Bodyguard? Don’t Cha want a ticket for

A perfectly timed dash through 1000 years of royal history, a visit from the world’s longest running play, and a purr-fect performance from a Pussycat Doll. Sammy Jones takes you through the on-stage treats in theatre-land this May.

Michael McIntyre’s Work in Progress visits Milton Keynes Theatre this May (4 & 5), but the funnyman, most recently seen on TV screens bursting into the bedrooms of celebrities in the dead of night, and accessing personal info on their phones (you can usually get a police record for this stuff!) is a popular chappie, and the shows are a long time sold out.

Steel Magnolias was set to visit the theatre as part of its UK tour, but the final curtain for the stage-play based on the eighties film came three months early.

If it’s music you are after though, Mike & The Mechanics (May 21) won’t let you down. Mike Rutherford, founding member with Genesis, Andrew Roachford (who gave us the smash hit Cuddly Toy) and Canadian-born singer Tim Howar will lead fans through classics including The Living Years and Over My Shoulder

And in a nod to Mike’s former band, they are also promising ‘a drop of Genesis’ will feature among the setlist for Refueled!

The world’s longest-running play is out on tour to mark its 70th Anniversary and comes here for a five-day stay from May 22.

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is, says The Telegraph, ‘The cleverest murder mystery of British Theatre,’ and as the years pass, the passion for this ‘youdunnit’ continues to grow.

As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at a remote countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover that a killer is in their midst. Bad times. But who is the murderer? And who will be their next victim?

It’s the undisputed Christie classic. If you’ve never seen it, this is your opportunity to make good.

The Bodyguard (May 29 – June 3) is back too, and this time Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton is starring as Rachel Marron with Ayden Callaghan (Emmerdale/Hollyoaks) in the role of Frank Farmer.

The romantic thriller, which famously starred Kevin Costner and the powerhouse vocals of the late Whitney Houston, comes with added ‘Whit’; classics including So Emotional, Saving All My Love, Queen of the Night and some number called I Will Always Love You

A word of warning for anyone going to see Melody in play though; she will only be performing at the evening performances. And no, don’t sing along - stay at home with the CD if you want to warble!

Over at The Stables, bumbling wordsmith Ivo Graham (May 10) presents My Future My Clutter, a chance for the funny fella to discuss three years of heavy-duty pranking/ parenting/procrastinating.

There is more funny business a week later (May 17) when your compere Andrew Bird introduces Julian Deane and Kelli Taylor as part of the Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club season.

As preparations for the Coronation of King Charles III near completion, Tracy Borman, Royal Historian, broadcaster and Chief Curator at The Tower of London and Hampton Court visits the Wavendon venue to explain How to Be A Good Monarch, with 1000 years of Kings and Queens, including the good, the bad, the great and the mad.

The British monarchy has survived rebellion, revolution and war, and this evening will also

feature birth, romance, beheading, coronation, abdication, marriage, divorce, disaster and triumph.

Tracy’s audio visual show will be as gripping and informative as it is entertaining, promises the press bumf, and we’ve no reason to expect otherwise – her exploration of Royal Palaces on Channel 5 kept us tuning in.

Wolverton Gilbert Sullivan Society are promising a boatload of trouble with their upcoming production of HMS Pinafore, which sails into Stantonbury Theatre for performances between May 10 & 13.

This G&S classic will raise smiles in this tale of forbidden love, honour and duty.

Josephine, daughter of Captain Corcoran, has fallen for lowly sailor Ralph Rackstraw which puts her in quite the awkward position; torn between her true love and her father’s desire for her to marry the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Joseph Porter.

There is much to overcome before our hero and heroine can be together. And wait for the dramatic twist at the end!

Our local society brings this story to the stage almost 145 years since the work debuted in London, on May 25, 1878. It enjoyed phenomenal success then, and is still taking money at theatres today.

Times change, but you can’t mess with quality.

> Book your seats:

Milton Keynes Theatre: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

The Stables: stables.org

Stantonbury Theatre: wolvertongands.co.uk

Royally entertaining - Tracy Borman

Pic: Paul Coltas

Wolverton G&S Society presents HMS Pinafore

Melody Thornton and Company in The Bodyguard

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#WhatsOnPulse

Art exhibition

Wednesday, May 3 - Saturday, May 27 (open Tues-Sat, 11am-4.30pm)

Motoring artist David Purvis and landscape artist Chris Madeley hold a joint exhibition of original paintings in the Three Hares Gallery, Cowper & Newton Museum. The show features many new works of local scenes, and those from around the world. It’s also the place to go for printed mugs and Olney jigsaws. Making a splash: cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk

The D-Day Darlings:

King’s Coronation Celebration Show

Wednesday, May 3, 7pm

The nation’s sweethearts who wowed us on Britain’s Got Talent are back with a brand new show in celebration of the King’s Coronation – and it comes with a particularly patriotic finale! Class for the Coronation: thecorecorby.com

The Toasters

Wednesday, May 3

One of the true second wave of ska bands from the US, who came together in New York more than 40 years ago. One slice or two: thecraufurdarms.com

Spear of Destiny

Thursday, May 4

Stalwart British rock band fronted by Kirk Brandon visit Milton Keynes to pull songs from their extensive 37 year career - expect to hear numbers including Liberator, Mickey, Rainmaker and Never Take Me Alive Age of Unreason: thecraufurdarms.com

Women’s Walking Network: Stanton Low

Thursday, May 4, 10am

An opportunity to explore three parks; Stanton Low, Stonepit Field and Great Linford Manor Park on this 4.5 mile walk at an active pace. Remember the boots and brolly: theparkstrust.com

The Picturedrome Comedy Club

Thursday, May 4, 7pm

Find the funnies with Roger Monkhouse, Jen Brister, Kwame Asante and James Cook. This horse walked into a bar: thepicturedrome.com

Torus

Friday, May 5

Promising rock trio bring the noise to Northampton’s Black Prince hub. Did It Again: sbdpromotions.com

Celebrate! Music for the Coronation

Friday, May 5, 7.30pm

Kickstart a weekend of celebrations with the Alina Orchestra who will be in concert at the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Newport Pagnell. Polymnia Chamber Choir and soprano Jessica Wise will join them. Hilary Davan Wetton is your musical director. Coronation Celebration: alinaorchestra.com

Workshop:

Wilderness Wellbeing For Adults

Friday, May 5, 2pm-4pm

A relaxing walk through the woodland of Linford Wood to step away from the bustle and reconnect with the natural world around us. Happy place: theparkstrust.com

The Tiger Lillies: From the Circus to the Cemetery

Friday, May 5

The Grammy nominated Godfathers of alternative cabaret return with a career spanning show – with dark and deviant theatrics as standard!

Banging in the nails: stables.org

Best of British Coronation Party

Saturday, May 6, 8pm-1am

Celebrate the Coronation of King Charles at The Picturedrome with the best tunes from the 80s, 90s and 00s. Flags, streamers, confetti canons and cake will be on the menu.

Royal knees-up: thepicturedrome.com

Daft Funk

Saturday, May 6, 7.30pm

‘Playing’ tribute to the defunct French electronic muso aces who called time on their super successful career back in 2021 after lighting up dance floors with tracks like Get Lucky and Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger. One More Time: thecraufurdarms.com

Bow Brickhill Coronation Lunch & Village Fayre

Sunday, May 7, 2-6pm

A dog show, wacky races, live music, catering and stalls are planned for Bow Brickhill Pavilion, and all are welcome to attend. Coronation Celebration: Search FB for details

Coronation Party at MK Museum

Monday, May 8

Gather your family, friends and neighbours and head to the Wolverton-based history hub to celebrate the start of King Charles III’s reign. Entry is free. Crowning glory: miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

Fighting it out at MK Museum with the return of the history festival

Pic: Sammy Jones

Olney Pancake Race by David Purvis will be on view at the art exhibition in Olney from May 3 until May 27

Fran McGillivray Band

Tuesday, May 9, 7.30pm

Compelling blues trio with a strong following on the scene who have developed a unique take on roots music visit Bletchley Blues Club.

Still got the blues: bletchleybluesclub.uk

Blues Jam Night

Wednesday, May 10, 6.30pm

A masterclass at 7pm, followed by a jam soon after. Amps and backline are provided, so if you fancy showing out, just bring your sticks, guitar, bass or mic. Don’t be shy: bletchleybluesclub.uk

James Walsh

Friday, May 12

Join the singer-songwriter with Starsailor as he steps out solo in the intimate confines of The Black Prince. Charlotte Carpenter is also on the billing. Way to Fall: sbdpromotions.com

Richard Hardisty

Friday, May 12, 8pm

Join Richard on his intimate and highly anticipated debut tour when Silly Boy calls in at Northampton Underground, with anecdotes and observations about movies, missing dads and mania. Finding the funny: royalandderngate.co.uk

The Blockheads

Saturday, May 13

One of the best live bands you will ever see. And we mean it. Musicality, cheekiness and songs so well formed that most bands could only dream of delivering anything anywhere close.

The Roadmender beckons.

Oi Oi: theroadmender.com

History Festival at MK Museum

Saturday, May 13 & Sunday, May 14

The return of the popular family event taking visitors through the centuries – from the Romans to WWII. If I could turn back time: miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

Spear of Destiny visit Wolverton as part of their current UK tour

Plant Sale

Sunday, May 14, 10am - 1pm

Professionally grown basket and bedding plants, shrubs, perennials, herbs for a beautiful garden. WI Homemade Cake/ Produce Stall, Refreshments and Free Parking available and free entry.

Deep rooted: Hackleton Village Hall, Chapel Lane, Hackleton, Northamptonshire NN7 2AH

Record Fair

Sunday, May 14, Midday-4pm

It’s time to rifle through the racks and get in a spin with the return of the Craufurd Arms record fair.

Whether it’s a Shakin’ Stevens picture disc, or that limited edition Slayer blood splatter pack you’re after, you might just find it here! Wax lyrical: thecraufurdarms.com

Black Sabbitch

Sunday, May 14

When the Foo Fighters invited Black Sabbitch to play with them, Dave Grohl’s mob were left – by their own words –spellbound. Now it’s your turn to be wowed by their Sabbath imitations. Paranoid: stables.org

Brafield on the Green Open Gardens

Sunday, May 14, 11am-5pm

The suggested walking route round the village includes the pond and the allotments as well as around 10 Open Gardens. A ticket to visit the gardens is £5 from Brafield Club – accompanied children under 16 years free. Well behaved dogs welcome. Proceeds to the Village Jubilee Fund. Parking is free. Bloomin’ great: 07802 533137 or email gillager@btinternet.com

Walk & Talk:

Woodland Wildflower ID for beginners

Tuesday, May 16, 2pm

A guided walk in the ancient woodland of Shenley Wood where you will discover how to recognise and identify bluebells, orchids and other woodland flowers. Petal power: theparkstrust.com

May Highlights

Tracy Borman: How To Be A Good Monarch

Thursday 18 May, 8pm

Royal historian and chief curator of Hampton Court and The Tower of London, Tracy Borman takes us on an entertaining and informative audiovisual tour of 1000 years of the British monarchy.

King For A Day: The Nat King Cole Story

Thursday 25 May, 8pm

This thoughtful and entertaining new show takes a fresh look at the life and work of the timeless Nat King Cole.

Antonio Forcione Quartet

Sunday 28 May, 8pm

Critics describe Antonio as “an Italian hybrid of Michael Hedges, John McLaughlin and Django Rheinhardt who performs with ferocious, controlled power, meticulous precision and clarity of expression.”

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Bar

Wednesday 31 May, 8pm

Bassekou is one of the true masters of the ngoni, an ancient traditional lute found throughout West Africa, and he is respected as one of Africa’s premier global artists.

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

Big Doggie Do

Saturday, May 20

& Sunday, May 21, midday-5pm

One for you and Rover to enjoy together. The free two-day pooch party returns to Willen Lake with dog shows, specialist stalls and lots of tail wagging entertainment, including K9 Aquasport’s dock diving and have-a-go agility.

Yappety yap: theparkstrust.com

Mike and The Mechanics Refueled!

Sunday, May 21

Genesis founding member Mike Rutherford and his band deliver smash hits like Over My Shoulder, while sating the appetites of Genesis fans with some classics from their catalogue at MK Theatre.

The Living Years: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Lawnmower Festival

Sunday, May 21, 10.30am-4.30pm

Machines aplenty will be lined up for inspection at this popular mechanical bash at MK Museum.

Close shave: miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

The Mousetrap

Monday, May 22 – Saturday, May 27

The world’s longest-running play – the genredefining murder mystery from the pen of the best-selling novelist of all time comes to the new city for a five day stay. Christie classic: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Hugh Budden & The Blue Chords

Tuesday, May 23, 7.30pm

Hugh is a harmonica player and showman bringing joyous swing, jump, jive, rock n roll and soul, all within the blues genre. Jump to it: bletchleybluesclub.uk

Boyzlife

Thursday, May 25

Join Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden as they perform songs from their studio album, Old School, and yes, they will treat the assembled to the songs of Boyzone and Westlife, too. No matter what: royalandderngate.co.uk

The Art of Abstraction

27th May - 4th June 2023

10 - 4pm daily

Free Admission

Yardley Arts, The Square, Yardley Hastings, Northampton, NN7 1EU Email: info@yardleyarts.org

Yardley Arts present an exciting and colourful exhibition prioritising colour, shape or movement over the representational story. Showcasing the work of over a dozen established artists - this is an exhibition not to be missed! All artwork, prints and cards are available to purchase. Please visit our website for the full list of classes and explore your creativity in our beautiful arts centre. www.yardleyarts.org

The Proclaimers

Friday, May 26

Incredibly, more than 35 years have passed since twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid delivered their debut album which featured the hit single Letter From America. Timeless songs with poignancy, emotional honesty, political fire and wit.

Sunshine on Leith: royalandderngate.co.uk

Big Country & Spear of Destiny

Saturday, May 27

Big Country marks the 40th anniversary of their debut album The Crossing by hitting the live circuit, and they are bringing Spear of Destiny along for the ride. The Storm: theroadmender.com

Curtis Stigers

Monday, May 29 & Tuesday, May 30

The award-winning singer, songwriter and saxophonist is back at one of his favourite venues with a two night stay. Curtis released his latest album, Gentleman, back in 2020. I Wonder Why: stables.org

The Bodyguard

Monday, May 29 – Saturday, June 3

Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton steps into the role made famous by the late Whitney Houston in the stage version of the smash hit film, but be warned; she will only appear during the evening performances.

One Moment in Time: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba

Wednesday, May 31, 8pm

Kouyate is one of the true masters of the ngoni, an ancient traditional lute found throughout West Africa, and is one of Africa’s premier global artists. Together with his band, Ngoni Ba, he has revolutionised the sound of the ngoni, and worked with Damon Albarn and Paul Weller.

They’ve got the lute: stables.org

Curtis Stigers is set for a two-night stay at The Stables

The Proclaimers would walk 500 miles to see you in Northampton

Film Reviews

by Jordan Adcock

AIR

OF THE MONTH - Star Rating: 4/5

Sport is big business, in case you haven’t heard. Seemingly no aspect of it is free from commercialism’s claws and (apart from their favourite’s closest rivals) it’s often the profiteering that fans hate most. But even sports tie-ins can become iconic, none more so than Michael Jordan’s name branding Nike’s ground-breaking, deliberately rule-breaking basketball shoe which saw incredible unparalleled success. Air is the story of how Nike developed the shoe, with unfulfilled talent scout Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) moved enough by Jordan’s virtuoso talent to argue against the scepticism of his colleagues and his boss Phil Knight (Ben Affleck, who also directs the film) to snatch Jordan’s endorsement from the grasp of competitors Converse and Adidas. What makes Air so much fun is the struggle and joy it captures in these very flawed people whose triumphs are destined to be completely overshadowed

by Jordan and the other titans of their sporting arenas, as they fight their own contest and think tactically to beat the competition. The script isn’t just acerbically funny as they all verbally tear chunks out of each other before eventually working together, it finds its emotional core in Sonny, with Matt Damon’s winning, slightly cocky charm perfect for the character’s self-belief and maverick thinking needed to bring the Air Jordan to life. Perhaps the most pleasant surprise is Jordan’s mother Deloris, played with unflappable sincerity by Viola Davis, whom Sonny visits to try and persuade them. By steadfastly arguing for her son’s true worth to be reflected in the deal with Nike, she provides the finishing touch to a product that goes beyond the merely commercial, something that’s actually fitting of a once-in-a-lifetime sporting legend.

THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE

Star Rating: 3/5

Video gaming’s most popular Italian plumber has now produced the biggest box office opening for an animated film ever. It might be the biggest triumph yet of animation studio Illumination Entertainment, the folks behind Despicable Me and those inescapable Minions, and their can’t-miss formula: totally inoffensive story and characters rendered with candy-coloured, perfectly polished digital 3D animation. Okay, that’s damning with faint praise – the film at least distils the essence of the games and their characters rather than going on a tangent of sheer weirdness that the 1993 live-action Mario film took. Of the inevitable celebrity voice cast, Jack Black’s the highlight as the tyrannical Bowser out to marry Princess Peach. It’s perfect for any kids who love Mario, diverting enough for the adults. ✪

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: HONOUR AMONG THIEVES 65

Star Rating: 2.5/5

As for tabletop games, none are more famous than Dungeons and Dragons. Any adaptation seems doomed to not capture its magic given the main appeal is creating your own characters for your own curated adventures. Nevertheless, this attempt is certainly better than the awful 2000 adaptation, though it’s not as much fun, especially without that film’s Jeremy Irons hamming it up to the heavens. Led by the reliably charming Chris Pine as the thief on a quest to rescue his daughter and resurrect his wife, Honour Among Thieves is competently made with neat digital and practical effects plus serviceable action featuring, yes, some dungeons and dragons. It’s never great, though, with jokes floundering as much as they land, big plot holes and some characters more annoying than others (especially Hugh Grant’s insufferably smarmy villain). ✪

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4

Star Rating: 2/5

The always welcome Adam Driver plays a space explorer who crash-lands on Earth, 65 million years ago (hence the title). This sci-fi film glosses over the genuinely intriguing part of its premise (an identical human race that exists before ours, light years away from Earth) to deliver a straightforward survival story of him escaping the planet and the dinosaurs about to meet their asteroid apocalypse. Sounds not too shabby, except it’s a little too straightforward and perhaps the smaller budget means that the dinosaurs don’t regularly feature in a brief film, instead being mostly focused on the vague relationship between him and a little girl who’s the only other survivor. Driver’s soulful charisma makes the film fine enough to sit through, just not on the edge of your seat. ✪

Star Rating: 1.5/5

From the unexpected hit that was the first John Wick, a widowed hitman out to avenge his dog getting killed, has sprung multiple sequels ridiculous enough to make the Fast and Furious films blush. This fourth film is deadening overload; too repetitive, too long, and too lost from any sort of reality that would make the interminable fights compelling or make the film’s bonkers worldbuilding about secret assassin societies enjoyable, let alone plausible. As it is, there’s no suspense in the umpteenth time Keanu Reeves as John Wick gets shot, thrown from multiple storeys or hit by a moving car for more than two-and-a-half hours while still being completely fine. Reeves doesn’t exactly elevate the flat action cypher John Wick’s now become either; let this be his last chapter. ✪

You can follow Jordan on Twitter (@JordanReview) and read his blog at www.reviewsreflections.wordpress.com

FILM

Ben Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight in ‘Air’(FT.COM)

Proving the staying power of the electric vehicle

Going on holiday in the UK with an EV. Sounds simple, right? Well, you won’t believe the number of people that still have range anxiety or think that EVs can’t go the distance. So, with some simple planning, we took a 400-mile staycation with a CUPRA Born.

It all came about when Dorset Cottage Holidays pinged my in-box asking if I’d be interested in staying in one of their properties with an EV charger installed. Great idea.

Setting off on the 148-mile jaunt from Buckinghamshire to Dorset, there was plenty of watts to get us there with ease. A full charge will see you right for around 189 miles.

Born packs plenty of torque, 310 Nm to be precise, and accelerates from 0-62 in 6.6 seconds. So let’s say warm hatch quick. But even when up to speed at 60 mph, there’s still plenty of shove to despatch overtakes efficiently.

Our first stop was The Blue Pool, a nature reserve and restaurant for a much needed lunch. We then spent the afternoon checking out the other-worldly Winspit Quarry and rambling along the Smugglers Way circular walk.

Arriving at the incredibly spacious ‘Daisy’s’ in a quiet Swanage close. We opened the gates to the courtyard area to give Born some much-needed rest. Plugging in was easy, using a supplied RFID card.

Now it’s not what you’d traditionally think of as a ‘holiday cottage’ in Dorset, with it being a relatively modern house. But it felt like a home from home nonetheless. Spotlessly clean with an eclectic mix of antique and modern furniture, there was the choice of three bedrooms, all with ensuites. It can cater for six, making it ideal for larger families.

Waking up the following morning, Born was happily charged and ready for the day ahead. But that only involved a 20-minute drive before we headed off to explore Brownsea Island. Which isn’t a place for cars, even if they are all-electric.

So Born was relegated to a car park ornament while we took a boat across to the island and did much exploring. Unfortunately, only seeing two of the famed red squirrels in the process. On the way back to base that evening, the augmented reality Head Up Display really stood out in the dim darkness. It’s unlike any other HUD I’ve seen before you actually get arrows that hover in front of you, where you need to turn. As you get closer, they get bigger and bigger, then vanish as you turn the corner. It takes distraction-free driving to another level.

Back on charge at ‘Daisy’s’ ready for the long journey home the next day.

Settling down for the evening, the living room, with its colossal sofa, made for the perfect reading spot with a cup of tea in hand.

Up early, packed, tidied and ready to leave for the check-out time of 10am. Saying goodbye to ‘Daisy’s’, we reflected on how easy the whole thing had been. From checking in to not worrying about finding a charger ‘in the wild’ and having somewhere so homey and snug to call base for the last two nights. But we weren’t heading home quite yet. A little detour on the way back saw us stop at Clouds Hill, the National Trust-owned property home to T.E. Lawrence.

Range on the CUPRA Born showed a healthy 175 miles. We had 147 to go until home. Sitting at 70 mph or just above for most of the journey, the range started to dip slightly. We still would have made it, but the consistently higher speeds were sapping the watts a bit quicker than I’d have liked. Backing off a little for the final 30/40 miles saw us home with 26 miles to spare.

While you still find plenty of naysayers regarding electric vehicles, how they’re a fad, they aren’t the answer, etc., using one in 2023 as an everyday, normal car is perfectly possible. Driving over 400 miles in most petrol or diesel vehicles would have required a petrol station fill-up. But choosing the right destination and charging where you’re staying just feels so much more convenient. Wake up every morning, and you’re refuelled and ready to go. All while emitting zero emissions when driving. Win, win.

A huge thanks to CUPRA UK for the press loan and, of course, Dorset Cottage Holidays for the two-night stay - dhcottages.co.uk

The CUPRA Born enjoys a rest and re-charge at the holiday home in Swanage

Winspit Quarry

The living room at ‘Daisy’s’

Brownsea Island

The CUPRA Born features Head Up Display

View from the Far Kerb

Cat Videos

Are you sitting comfortably? Yes? Good, then I’ll begin.

A cute black and white kitten is on a dining table, playing with a napkin. He is engrossed in playing and unaware of how close he is to the edge. He falls off the table, looks surprised, then walks away as if all was normal.

I agree, it isn’t quite the same as watching a cat video online. However, the written word has the advantage of being available without mains electricity.

Need an electrician because the main fuse box has made a funny sound and plunged the whole house into the 1820s? No problem, just pop online and have a look. Given that some sources on the internet state, with great authority, that the earth is definitely flat, square, oblong or banana-shaped, you might want to connect to others and ask for recommendations.

Social media is a great tool for finding the truth and best lifestyle choices. A-hem, yes… Sorted. That wasn’t a drama, was it?

indication of no electricity. Ah, that would be the result of the previously mentioned funny sound from the fuse box.

It’s chilly outside. Do you want to turn the heating on for an hour to drive out the cold? What do you mean, the boiler won’t run? Oh, the system is down due to a lack of electrical power to the controller. Have a cup of tea while establishing what to do next. The electric kettle won’t boil, whether you watch it or not. No electricity. Remember that strange noise from the fuse box? Blah, blah, blah.

Hah! Boil some water in a saucepan and make tea in a mug. The gas hob won’t light because there is no spark. Are you sure you remember that funny sound the fuse box made?

Matches. There must be some in the house, somewhere. You remember buying a box. Was it before or during the pandemic? Maybe it was cocktail sticks? Or candles for a birthday cake. Whichever, you can’t find any matches.

At least your mobile phone is working. The problem is that you now need to wrestle with a small screen and a fiddly virtual keyboard to find anything and you need to go outside to get a decent signal so as to be able to load any web pages. It’s raining and cold. If only that router was up and you could connect to the WiFi in your house…

Who do you call? If anyone says, “Ghostbusters!” then go to the back of the room.

Fill

9 2 7 5 8

1 9 7 8

2 4 3

1 4

6 3 8 4 7

2 1 9 7

QUICK CROSSWORD

Except, the computer is down. No power, you see. What? You have a laptop and the battery is 93% charged and ready for action? Off you go! See if you can connect to the internet with a dead router. Its lack of status lights is a sure

Or, maybe just pick up that copy of Pulse that you have readily available for reference and phone someone real enough to appear in print rather than be an avatar on social media. PHIL

Clues Across

1. Unpredictable

4. Large sea mammal

7. Lift

8. Chores

9. Picturesque

12. Lengthen

15. Role models

17. Pass (of time)

18. Dock

21. Word jumble

22. Shaving cuts

23. Earth’s mid-line

Clues Down

1. Unmasking

2. In poor health

3. Zodiac Cancer symbol

4. Sharpen (appetite)

5. Extremely bad

6. Dines

10. Prison rooms

11. Pickle

13. Outward

14. Over-zealous supporter

16. Yellow fruit

18. Caution

19. Cooling appliances

20. Story

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!

Social media is a great tool for finding the truth and best lifestyle choices. A-hem, yes…

Your stars

Flavour of the Times - Flexibility of mind is the very best skill to develop during this period that we find ourselves in. If you are a bit stuck in your ways and routines, the disruptions and changes of direction and perspective that occur now will be much harder to cope with unless you can adjust to them with a measure of acceptance. There really is no point in continually repeating to anyone who will listen how things should, in your opinion, be because the past is the past.

We get a chance to adjust to the new realities of Pluto in Aquarius now for about six weeks before the god of the underworld retreats into Capricorn until next winter. Once he returns to Aquarius, it will be a roller coaster of change for about 20 years so the sooner we change our mindsets the easier it will be. Ride the wave or be swamped, I guess.

TAURUS

April 21 – May 21

This month is a great time for you to get planting seeds, either literally or symbolically. Jupiter moves into your sign to add to a bit of a traffic jam of planets on 17th and the new moon two days later should be fertile ground for new plans. Don’t be afraid to get a bit more radical than you usually are as some excellent opportunities are there for you now. The 19th is a particularly powerful day.

GEMINI

May 22 – June 21

Your social world is opening up a bit now but will be better next month. May is much more about doing some hard physical work rather than talking about it (for a change?!) Venus departs for Cancer on 8th May so you should take advantage of any romantic (or moneymaking) opportunities before then, unless you want them to become serious, that is.

CANCER

June 22 – July 23

Venus moves into your sign on 7th while Mars departs it for Leo on 19th. In between, the Taurus energy rules strongly, and you can use this to put in place some procedures either for family security or financial. Grounded protectiveness seems like a phrase to describe this so, for example, children may appreciate your strong support (even though they complain about it, of course!)

LEO

July 24 – August 23

May is all about Taurus, the image of the bull ploughing the field. He does it thoroughly, slowly and without fuss, grounded and in touch with the soil. Not exactly how you go about your life with your taste for ‘look at me’ dramas, but there is always something to be learnt from people very different from you. Try a different approach, you might actually enjoy it and you can always tell people about it later.

VIRGO

August 24 – September 23

Your mind may find the narrow, plodding and rather uncritical mind of Taurus a bit frustrating this month, but maybe you would benefit from letting go of all that relentless sifting and analysing and just experience the simplicity of life. Visits into nature will refresh you and help you to experience a bigger picture in how our world is structured than you could ever achieve by analysis.

LIBRA

September 24 – October 23

There is a whole lot of Taurus this month so you should try to stay light and airy and not get dragged down into the muddy plod of the everyday. Both Libra and Taurus love beauty so you will benefit so much from seeing the bluebells in spring and all the other wonders of nature. Money is also gently favoured, so spend a little on a special thing of beauty to treasure forever.

SCORPIO

October 24 – November 22

Taurus is of the ground, the earth, the mud, so the challenge of this month is to put in place a few boundaries to limit how far you let your deep emotional intensity spread. Possibly recognise that your fears are actually groundless, that people are not necessarily plotting behind your back and that all you actually have to do is do what you need to do without thinking too deeply about it.

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 – December 22

This month is not going feel all that comfortable for you because Taurus is slow and you are fast! This is frustrating, so get help from those who like to put one foot in front of another rather than rush ahead over the next hill. Yes, that’s you! Time to feel the solid earth under your feet rather than scorch it with your crazy urges for something… anything, except what you’ve already got. Be here now.

You are bound to be affected personally by some if not all of the massive changes that are taking place this year. An astrological reading of your chart can forewarn you about how these changes might affect you. To really understand what they mean for you on a personal level during 2023, I would recommend that you consider booking a comprehensive personal astrological consultation with me. This is completely specific to you and your life. This 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.

CAPRICORN

December 23 – January 20

Your organised world is being rocked again now that Pluto has left Capricorn for Aquarius. It’s a time for innovation, thinking outside the box. This may feel unsettling at first, but you’ll soon find ways and means to make it all work for you, particularly after June. Take a little time this month to put your house or business in order so that creativity and new ideas can take off.

AQUARIUS

January 21 – February 19

The sun entering Taurus is always a challenge for you. Aquarians like to be up in their heads, thinking things out, imagining all sorts of weird and wonderful schemes. May will let you know whether any of those are at all practical. Best to run anything you think you are serious about past people more down to earth than you are. Let them do the heavy lifting.

PISCES

February 20 – March 20

May is always down to earth and practical, which helps you, even though you may not admit it to yourself. You can’t always be floating away on a cloud and sometimes it’s good to come down and deal with the prosaic stuff of being alive, of having a body that needs looking after and finding routines to help you get through those todo lists that you’d rather not have to bother with.

ARIES

March 21 – April 20

The energetic surge of Aries energy in March and April always gets grounded in May when the Taurus bull brings us down to earth. OK, so you have been fired up with all sorts of great ideas. Which ones are you actually going to make happen? I mean really, really happen. This means you cant just rely on your own skills and aptitudes. You are going to need help. Go, find a Taurean.

Chart readings with me start at £67 and last for an hour on Zoom or Skype. Please go to 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.

If you are interested in discussing and learning more about astrology, why not pop into my Facebook group The Astrocafe | Facebook.

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