MK Pulse magazine October 23

W

October 2023

e’re delighted to see the return of the City of Codes & Lights Festival this month. We’re so proud of our city’s contribution to innovation, art, science and technology. Put 4th to 7th October in your diary for workshops, symposiums and artist-driven displays. They’ll be full of science, technology, engineering and mathematical ideas to fascinate you. It’s all thanks to Bletchley Park, the South Central Institute of Technology and Milton Keynes central library. Another important local event – ours for over 40 years – is the city’s fun fair and fireworks display. Enjoyed by thousands of people, you’ll like reading about the organisers, the Emmett family. Their great story is set to go down in history with the help of MK Museum. We’re looking forward to 5th November!

Now colder days are on the way, it’s certainly time to look forward to SoupFest23. The campaign supports the great work of the YMCA. It’s the only local charity and provider of supported housing in Milton Keynes dedicated to young adults between18 and 35. To show your support, you can like and share YMCA MK on social media, buy the recipe book from 4th October, or hold your own fundraising soup supper (or lunchtime) event.

This month also sees the arrival of Jeff the Recycled Robot and the Waste Wise Kids resources for teachers. Together they can be used to help our young environmentalists understand more about waste and recycling. A great idea.

Autumn has really arrived. Wrap up in some warm clothes and enjoy yourselves.

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 MONDAY 9TH OCTOBER

Editor FINISHED READING? PASS PULSE MAGAZINE TO A FRIEND OR PLACE IT IN THE RECYCLING.

Kerry 26

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.

Visit your local Milton Keynes Showroom today.

Windows Doors

Available in both uPVC and aluminium, we can manufacture and supply windows in any style to suit your home.

Conservatories

We offer a wide range of contemporary and classic conservatory designs to suit any home.

Whether you are looking for double or triple glazed, sliding or bi-folds, composite doors, our range of doors are fully customiseable.

Established in 1978, Win-Dor is the leading home improvement specialist for Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.

We offer an extensive range of stylish windows, doors, conservatories and orangeries; all of which are available in a wide choice of colours, and are backed by our 10 year guarantee.

We are local company that prides ourselves on going the extra mile for our customers and providing a truly brilliant service.

An orangery from us will not just add value to your home but will also give you a space that exudes stylish, contemporary living.

With a combined floor space of over 15,000 square feet, our indoor showroom is filled with a comprehensive range of beautiful windows, doors and conservatories, all available for you to browse at your leisure.

Bigger, better and brighter: City of Codes & Lights Festival returns to Milton Keynes

Over four days, the City of Codes & Lights Festival showcases the brilliance of innovation, art, science, and technology.

Set for October 4-7, the event promises workshops, symposiums and captivating artist-driven displays, alongside STEM-centric activities presented by the renowned 1001 Inventions.    Centred around the iconic Bletchley Park, the South Central Institute of Technology and Milton Keynes central library (MKC library), the festival delves deep into a rich tapestry of history, art, science, maths, technology and sustainability.

“Our emphasis is on celebrating the diverse contributions of artists, mathematicians, and scientists through history,” said a representative of event organisers, Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture. “We trace the journey from the flourishing times of Muslim civilisation to the pivotal role of Alan

Turing’s codebreaking during WWII at Bletchley Park. All of which has propelled the modern technological world.”

Highlighting the festivities is the dazzling ‘Echoes from the Golden Era’ projection onto the MKC library on October 7, marking the start of a digital light parade. Brilliantly illuminated puppets and adorned lanterns will then make their way in a march to Campbell Park. Capping off the festival will be a lively

Get more stories like this as well as offers, news, reviews and exclusive guides every month...

culmination featuring The Old Savoy Jazz Band, the dynamic Symphonica ensemble, and the electrifying Mr Switch. Together, they’ll merge jazz, classical and dance beats, culminating the 2023 Festival celebrations with a grand laser light display.

Everyone is invited to immerse in this celebration of creativity, innovation, and unity, with free admission to all. Find out more at www.mkiac.org.

Cloudy2Clear, A Local Service With A Smile.

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

All C2C employees operate a strict social distancing policy.

Is a Kitchen re-spray the new way to update and save?

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

Volkswagen revs up inclusion driving Pride forward at Milton Keynes festival

Executives at Volkswagen Group UK’s headquarters have been reflecting on the company’s highly successful sponsorship of this year’s Milton Keynes Pride Festival.

The three-day event in Campbell Park drew hundreds of visitors to enjoy the late summer sun and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. VW’s standout gazebo featured rainbow-themed VW stickers and the rainbow-decorated Tiny Buzz, previously showcased at the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.

Alex Smith, Volkswagen Group UK’s managing director, said: “Sponsoring the Milton Keynes Pride Festival emphasises our commitment to inclusivity. As a part of the local community, we proudly support every community.”

The sponsorship stemmed from Volkswagen’s We Drive Proud UK Employee Network Group, representing LGBTQ+ employees and allies. It’s one of five Employee Network Groups integral to VW’s broad diversity and inclusion programme.

Penny Weatherup, People director joined Mike Orford, head of PR and communications, on the stage of the festival’s Community Tent nd highlighted Volkswagen’s role in promoting employee wellbeing and inclusivity at the festival’s Community Tent.

The festival benefits the local community through providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ people. It also contributes to local projects ranging from educational development programmes to youth groups and Q:Alliance, a local LGBTQ+ charity. Mr Smith said: “Our unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion has resulted in a growing range of initiatives, events and policy enhancements throughout the organisation. Supporting Milton Keynes’ annual celebration and recognition of the LGBTQ+ community is a particular highlight.”

Stay in the loop

VW’s standout gazebo featured rainbow-themed VW stickers and the rainbow-decorated Tiny Buzz, previously showcased at the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022

Let’s get ready for a STEM celebration

Milton Keynes has a growing reputation as a leading UK hub for science, technology, engineering and maths. Now the city is set to applaud the cream of the STEM crop in a new awards competition.

New awards celebrating Milton Keynes as a centre of excellence in science, technology, engineering and maths are under way.

The competition aims to recognise the best STEM activity across schools, further education and business.

And the winners will be announced at a glittering gala ceremony at Unity Place, the new UK HQ of Santander, in February.

Entries are already coming in for the categories, which reflect the work being done by:

• Schools, colleges and adult educational establishments;

• Associations and research organisations, start-ups, incubators and not-for-profit bodies;

• Innovation hubs and funded initiatives;

• National and global businesses.

The MK STEM Awards have been organised by events company Events Together. Its chief

executive Meena Chander says it is time that the STEM-related excellence taking place in Milton Keynes is recognised. Its reputation as a major UK STEM hub and itslong-time fopcus on the subjects in business and education is a major inward investment draw for the city from national and international companies.

“Building our STEM reputation nationally and internationally is vital for our local economy and will cement this city’s position as a critical hub for STEM within the UK,” says Ms Chander.

“The Gala Awards Dinner at Unity Place will be a glittering event, with some of the most prominent and pro-active STEM leaders in the city. It will be an ideal opportunity to bring everyone in our STEM community together, where we can share, recognise and celebrate the amazing developments and initiatives that are happing in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Milton Keynes.”

The deadline for entries is October 29, with the

shortlist of finalists announced on November 15. The awards have the backing of Women Leaders UK and production partner Outlook Creative Group. The Gala Awards Dinner takes place at Unity Place on February 29. The awards are free to enter. For full details of the competition, categories and how to enter, visit: https://bit.ly/STEMMK24

Chief executive Meena Chander - ‘it is time that the STEM-related excellence taking place in Milton Keynes is recognised’

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!

‘We do what we love, and we love what we do...’

The Emmett name is synonymous with entertainment in Milton Keynes. Over the decades they have delighted hundreds of 1000s of people with their events, and there’s every chance that you are among that number. Sammy Jones spoke with Keith Emmett III to learn more about the family's impressive history.

As a new city, and a new town before that, Milton Keynes doesn’t have too much in the way of ‘modern’ history – we’re still busily establishing things that will become traditions.

But one thing that is already anchored is an annual event that sees thousands of people flock to the heart of Milton Keynes to watch the skies above illuminated in spectacular style.

The firework display has been ‘a thing’ here for more than four decades, and the same family has been at the helm for every one of those events – Keith Emmett & Sons.

Entertainment is who they are and what they do, and that keen ability to raise a smile in others can be traced back 150 years.

“My grandfather, Keith Emmett Snr, was in the merchant navy before he married my grandmother, Violet Rose,” Keith Emmett III told

me, “Violet was from a showman family, the Roses, who are still prominent in the Aylesbury and Banbury areas. This is very much an industry you are born into and then carry on the family traditions,” he said.

“Our experience in the industry spans generations and continents. My father, Keith Emmett Jnr, works throughout Europe, the USA and Australia and has been integral to the growth and success of many operators in these countries.”

The family association with Milton Keynes is almost as old as the city itself – the Emmett’s moved here nearly 50 years ago. What is it that makes you carry on those family traditions you mentioned? What’s the allure?

“We do what we love, and we love what we do,” Keith says with no hesitation, “This business is a passion that runs in our veins.

“We love seeing the wonder and smiles on

Three generations of showmen L-R: Keith III , Keith Senior and Keith Junior

Main pic: Gill Prince

people’s faces, we love interacting with our customers. It is amazing to see the same people back year after year - we watch their children grow up, then their children’s children. It truly is a privilege to do what we do.”

Keith’s grandfather must have been quite the character. What did his grandson learn from him?

“He taught me to work hard for things I am passionate about, but most of all he taught me to give back to the community - to always aspire to achieve more and leave my mark on things.

“My granddad was very passionate about helping local charities and community events, which is where his passion for the annual fireworks display was born.

“He always told me to believe in myself and what I am capable of; he wanted me to find something that inspired me and put my all into it.”

Keith heeded that advice and now also works as director of the Milton Keynes Pride Festival: “I am so proud of this event and the visibility it gives my community, the LGBTQ+ community within Milton Keynes and beyond,” Keith said, “If my input can have a positive effect on just one individual and change the trajectory of their life for the better, this is where I want to leave my mark.”

But the illuminations and the fairground attractions that support the event is what the Emmett name is most familiarly associated with. And a whole lot of work goes into the 20 minute display.

“It takes a lot of time and planning, “ Keith agrees, “It is always in our minds and there are always cogs turning in the background to ensure it is well organised and delivered.”

And it’s not all about the fireworks themselves...

Keith said: “One of the largest tasks is the road closures. Ensuring the safety of our attendees is our number one priority. This is why so much planning and thought goes into this. We have been very lucky to have the advice of Milton Keynes Council and the support of Ringway to carry out these closures.

“Obviously the firework display is one of the other large tasks. Making sure we have the correct display and that it can be seen from numerous viewing points is of the utmost importance. We want our fireworks to be enjoyed by as many people as possible, not just those in Campbell Park.

“There are always challenges around large events. Our main one with the fireworks has been the growth of the event and therefore the expectations around the display. The people of Milton Keynes have come to expect the fireworks to be more and more spectacular with each passing year. We always try to deliver, but this drives up our main costs. The funfair used to be very well patronised and enabled the event to support itself, however this is no longer the case. Keith Emmett & Sons have always paid the deficit for the fireworks to ensure they go on each year.”

Let’s talk a little about funfairs; when the very first rides began appearing, back in the 18th century, times were very different.

How can they remain relevant in the 21st century?

“They bring about the nostalgia of memories of the days of old as well as the latest and greatest rides and technology available currently,” explains the man in the know, “We think we bring fun and enjoyment to the people of Milton Keynes year after year.

Funfairs are a great family event that can be enjoyed by the young and old alike.”

The Emmett family also boasts a rather impressive Gavioli Organ which is a popular draw at events in the area, including steam rallies and festivals. It is a star at the annual Organ Festival at MK Museum.

“...that’s our 89-keyless Gavioli, built in Waldkirch in the Black Forest,” Keith says with a smile, “It was purchased by my grandfather in 1984 and underwent a full refurbishment in 2003. It has become a staple in our family, and we are so proud of it.

“The organ is very sentimental to our family and its many familiar songs spark memories for us all, of childhood and family members, some of whom are no longer with us.

“It has just had another full refurbishment this year, and we are constantly adding to the song catalogue to try to engage the younger audience.”

What does the future look like for Keith Emmett & Sons in Milton Keynes?

“Even after 43 years the future is not always certain, and while we plan ahead we can never be sure for how long we can provide the spectacular. But our drive and passion will never be hindered, we will always strive to bring the firework display back year after year,” Keith promised.

Milton Keynes Museum is dedicated to preserving the history, ancient and modern, of MK and director Bill Griffiths is only too aware of the part the Emmett family have played.

“Keith Emmett & Sons are one of the key players, and over a long period of time they have been an intrinsic part of entertainment here,” Bill said, “Few names have held the attentions of audiences across the new city for as long, or as successfully, as the Emmett family.

“They are an important part of our history and simply will have to be part of the story of the new city which we are developing now in the new gallery and around the Museum,” Bill added.

> For more details of this year’s 43rd annual Milton Keynes Fireworks display, and to discuss sponsorship support, visit mkfireworks.co.uk

Milton Keynes Museum is one of the best interactive museums, a perfect outing for all ages, staffed by friendly volunteers, and highly recommended by visitors on TripAdvisor. This feature was written by Milton Keynes Museum. Find out more about forthcoming events and see our opening times at: miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

Keith and Violet

Keith III and Keith Junior

Keith Junior celebrating his 60th birthday with his family

Unfair Financial Settlements following an Overseas Divorce

Explore the complexities of foreign divorces in England and Wales in this article by Heald Law. Learn about the historical hardships faced by spouses, the transformative role of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 and the court’s duties and potential orders.

Prior to the enactment of Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (“MFPA”), some spouses residing in the jurisdiction of England and Wales were exposed to hardship resulting from foreign divorces. This was due to a combination of the liberality of the rules regarding the recognition of overseas divorces, and the restrictive approach of some overseas jurisdictions when deciding financial provision.

good sense. Artemis House, 4 Bramley Road Milton Keynes MK1 1PT

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.

An example of such hardship can be seen in the case of Quazi v Quazi 1. On the facts, the husband and wife lived in a property in Wimbledon with their son, the property was held in the husband’s sole name and when he pronounced Talaq in Pakistan, only limited financial provision was made to the wife. The wife applied to the courts because she wanted to obtain an interest in the property and maintenance from the husband. However, the court’s hands were tied as the overseas divorce was recognised as valid under English law, which meant that the court had no power to make financial provision. The outcome was viewed as unjust, and in their judgments the justices questioned the need for reform. Part III of the MFPA was introduced to alleviate the outcomes in cases like Quasi v Quasi by allowing the court to consider making financial provision in certain situations. The court has two inter-related duties before making an order: first, it must consider whether the courts of England and Wales is the appropriate venue for the application, looking at: i) the connection the applicant has to England and Wales; ii) the financial benefit the applicant (or a child of the family) has received

or is likely to receive as a result of the overseas order; and iii) the length of time which has elapsed since the overseas decree was granted 2. Further, when deciding whether to exercise its powers, the court must consider all the circumstances of the case, with the first consideration being the welfare of any minor child; the s.25(2) Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (“MCA”) factors; and where an order has been made by an overseas court for the transfer of property or payments, the likelihood of the other party to the marriage complying with such an order.

The applicant will need to obtain permission from the court to make the application in the first instance by showing that their application has merit. Proving ‘hardship’ or ‘injustice’ is not a prerequisite to making an application, but it may persuade the court that an application is appropriate.

What orders can the court make?

The court has wide-ranging powers when considering whether to make any of the orders it may have made in matrimonial finance proceedings in England and Wales including: financial provision

orders, pension sharing orders and property adjustment orders contained in the MCA.

The Supreme Court said in Agbaje v Agbaje that where the English connections of the case are very strong there may be no reason why the application should not be treated as if it were made in purely English proceedings3 Notwithstanding the above, any applicant should still proceed with caution; the purpose of the MFPA was not to encourage divorcing spouses to apply to the English courts to “top-up” foreign awards in an attempt to equate them with what would have been awarded by a court in this jurisdiction.

The court will not easily cast aside Financial Orders made in overseas jurisdictions, or readily find the order of a foreign court to be unjust. Careful consideration will be given to the intention behind the overseas Order and the facts and circumstances surrounding the decision. The objective behind any financial award is to overcome any injustice caused to one party.

1 Quazi v Quazi [1979] 3 All ER 897 2 Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 s.16 3 Agbaje v Agbaje [2010] UKSC 13 at 73

Keshini Rajendra and the Heald Family Department deal with separations and divorces with kindness and

A modern twist to exquisite traditional art

MK Gallery’s new exhibition tells the story of miniature painting, a stunning art form from South Asia, through the ages, from the 1600s to the present day.

They are exquisite small paintings, of stunning beauty and created with incredible technical skill.

They depict grand narratives from sacred and secular texts, illustrating classic tales of gods, goddesses, rulers, mythology, romances and political intrigue.

And a new exhibition at MK Gallery features more than 180 works by artists from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Netherlands, the UK and USA. Beyond the Page tells the story of contemporary art’s engagement with the ancient tradition of South Asian miniature painting.

The exhibition, which opens this month, explores how the traditions of South Asian miniature painting have been reinvented by modern and contemporary artists in experimental forms such as installations, sculpture, and film.

The exhibition will feature work by artists from different generations working with the miniature tradition. Contemporary works will sit alongside examples of miniature painting from the mid-16th century, drawn from major collections including The Victoria & Albert Museum and The British Museum, many on public display for the first time.

A highlight of the exhibition will be a selection of pages from the Padshahnama (The Book of Emperors), loaned by King Charles III from the Royal Collection. It is a 17th-century manuscript with illuminated miniatures which constitute some of the finest Mughal paintings ever produced. Many of the greatest collections of South Asian miniature paintings and manuscripts reside in Britain. For more

than 400 years Indian miniatures have arrived in Britain, from Mughal royal portraits presented to King James I in the early 17th century to the fine paintings and manuscripts amassed by employees of the East India Company. The exhibition explores the process of these acquisitions and their central role within British and South Asian art histories.

It includes historic works drawn from major collections, including the

Royal Collection, Tate, The Ashmolean Museum, National Museums Scotland and The British Museum, and private collections including Deutsche Bank. Many are rarely on display and include a number of new commissions from contemporary artists.

Beyond the Page is curated by Hammad Nasar and Anthony Spira with advice from Emily Hannam. The exhibition runs from October 7 until January 28.

Ali Kazim, Untitled (Children of Faith series), 2023. Watercolour pigments on paper, 16 portraits each. 31 x 35 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Jhaveri Contemporary.

Whether you need new taps or a complete bathroom re-fit, Olney Bathrooms make it easy with an experienced team committed to providing the very best solutions within your own budget.

Go with “I

the flow

The chances are that even if you know nothing else about the world of yoga, you’ll have heard of the Downward Facing Dog and the Lotus. But if you aren’t among those who practice it, you probably don’t ‘get’ it.

Yoga teacher Sally Jones has an accessible style that’s a little bit more rock n’ roll than most, and her classes are a safe, inclusive space for everyone, as she explained to Pulse’s Sammy Jones...

t was a desire to improve my fitness and lose weight that first brought me to yoga,” Sally says, recounting her initial interest in the form, “There was a hot yoga studio right next to my office and I figured I could get in a good workout during my lunch break, or straight after work.”

Like many of us struggling with weight issues, Sally had spent most of her 20s jumping from one diet to another, but left feeling frustrated.

“...to begin with, yoga became another way for me to control and restrict my body,” she admits, “But when I learned more about the roots of yoga and began to truly feel into my body for the first time, I’ve stopped being a tool of body control and oppression and instead became a tool of body acceptance and expression.

“I’m not quite at the 100% self-love point, but every time I come to my mat I can explore a little more appreciation for my body.”

A decade has passed since Sally first began making yoga a regular part of her self-care, and she has been leading sessions at The Craufurd Arms in Wolverton for the past five years.

Making the leap from pupil to practitioner wasn’t even a conscious thing, and when she signed up for a 200 hour teacher training in 2017, she was only thinking of extending her expanding knowledge as far as her mother.

“I had absolutely no intention of teaching yoga classes,” she says resolutely, “I wanted to deepen my own practice and be able to share it with my mum, who had been struggling with her health and mobility for a while.

“Something clicked for me when we had to imagine what teaching could actually look like. I realised then that I didn’t particularly want to teach in yoga studios, because I knew how much of a barrier even walking into a yoga studio could be.”

She’s had her share of uncomfortable, confidence affecting situations too: “I’ve had some awful experiences in studios, including hand-on adjustments by male teachers, as well as a sheer refusal by one teacher to adapt a pose for my large breasts,” she admits, “But I knew yoga could be an incredible tool for reclaiming energy and I desperately wanted to share that.”

Sally decided to focus on yoga for people who would otherwise never find themselves in a class: “...I wanted to teach yoga to those who felt, or had been made to feel, that yoga wasn’t for them. I decided a good place to start would be to teach it in a familiar space where people already felt comfortable and safe.”

Wolverton music venue The Craufurd Arms was an obvious choice: “It’s a place where people are supported to truly express themselves and be who they want to be,” Sally said.

But she went one stage further and decided to incorporate some of the fists in the air style of music the venue is best known for!

“It made sense to add rock music to the class, because it fits the vibe of the venue, but also because silence in a class can be another barrier for people trying out yoga. That’s how Rock Flow was born!”

In addition to 200 hours of Hot and Hatha yoga training, she has completed tuitions on Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Teaching Inclusive Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Pregnancy & Postnatal Yoga.

In order to support others on their yoga journey, Sally has been well supported too.

“Nourish Yoga Training has been instrumental in helping me redefine my personal practice and approach to teaching yoga - from one of using it as exercise and therefore punishment, to one of respect for the culture and wisdom of yoga, as well as compassion and acceptance for myself.”

Just like very best tailors don’t have a one size jacket to fit all, no one yoga teacher will be the ideal fit for everyone. But if Sally can’t help you, she will know a great instructor who can.

“It’s possible that I don’t currently teach a class that’s suitable for you, but I’m friends with loads of great teachers in MK and will happily make recommendations.”

Lack of confidence is the biggest barrier between people taking the plunge with any sort of activity driven class, but if you are reading this and think you don’t look good enough, are too old, aren’t bendy enough or have some other mental block stopping you from stepping through the door, you need take a chance – and you’ll be well rewarded.

“If someone is interested in coming to a class but not sure where to start, or if they’re feeling anxious, I’ll always offer a chat – either in person at the Craufurd, over email or on the phone,” she promises.

“The most common thing people say to me is, ‘I’m not flexible enough for yoga’. This is not the point of a physical yoga practice. I also make a point of not praising people for attaining certain poses. I could teach for 50 years and I still won’t know what feels right for your body; why would I praise you if you can touch your toes? Maybe you just have long arms! I often like to demo poses that I can’t do, like the Cow Face Pose.

“The pelvis I was born with prevents me from being able to sit like that, and that’s ok. My classes are never about the poses, but instead about using them to get into your body, into your mind, or maybe just away from the noise of the world outside.

“I want to create an inclusive space where

you can connect with your breath and body, enabling you to feel empowered to move in a way that feels good.

“I try to only use accessible language when describing poses, the movements we’re making, and where in our bodies we may be feeling things. I want you to feel supported and welcome in my classes and encourage people to work with their body rather than against it, to take breaks at any points, to pick more suitable variations of poses, and even to leave if they need to,” Sally said.

“I also try to make 50% of my classes suitable for my elderly mum, and also teach a weekly Gentle Yoga online class and a Restorative class in my home studio in Wolverton.”

And these aren’t sessions just for the girls, so fellas don’t get off the hook that easily either.

“I recently hit a milestone of 50% men joining Rock Flow, which is an achievement as so many men have said they think yoga is for women,” Sally said, “This couldn’t be further from the truth, yoga and my classes are for all gender identities.”

Listening to her talk, it soon becomes clear this isn’t just Sally’s job; it’s her passion, her go-to for wellness, and yours too.

Participants in her classes aren’t politely shooed from the room after the session ends. Rock Flow is about more than clock watching.

“Community is a big part of why and how I teach,” she agrees, “After Rock Flow I invite people to stay for a coffee or hot chocolate and get to know the lovely group of regulars that come to class. I never want this to feel cliquey and will make a point of introducing new people to the group. I also host a monthly brunch for regulars at my house, so we can connect away from class.”

Essentially, Rock Flow is a place where you are free to be you.

“I don’t take myself too seriously, and encourage people to laugh, cry and dance in my classes. Joyful movement through yoga can be wonderful, but I also support those moments when we need to be still and have a bit of a meltdown. If you can’t let sh*t go on your mat, where can you?”

> To find out more about Sally’s classes click to accessyoga.co.uk

The Craufurd Arms - not just for those about to rock!

My classes are never about the poses, but instead about using them to get into your body, into your mind, or maybe just away from the noise of the world outside.

Sally’s yoga sessions are for everyone

WED 25th OCT ‘23

London Museum/Leisure Day

Price: £27 p/p. Includes entrance fee.

Visit the Natural History Museum to come up close with thousands of bones and fossils. If fashion, art and design is your thing then there’s the Victoria & Albert Museum and if you’re interested in things that are out of our world the the Science Museum is a must. The coach will drop you on Cromwell Road (outside The National History Museum) all three museums are within walking distance of each other.

Leaves from... Bill’s Coach Hire at 8.30am CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 8.40am Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 8.50am London at 5.30pm

SAT 18th NOV ‘23

Gloucester Quays Christmas

Market Price: £27 p/p.

Visit this local market with artisan makers, bakers to tempt you with a seasonal pick of festive food and drink, art, gifts, crafts, treats and shopping inspiration. Visit the range of stalls offering delicious street food, bars, and hot drinks. Everything from mulled wine to luxury hot chocolates.

Leaves from... Bill’s Coach Hire at 8am CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 8.10am Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 8.20am Gloucester at 5.30pm

SAT 25th NOV ‘23

Bath Christmas Market

Price: £32 p/p.

From unique homeware to personalised presents, Christmas decorations, handcrafted jewellery and more, you’re guaranteed to find something special for your loved ones. at Bath Christmas Market. With so many local makers and designers showcasing their artisan gifts, you can tick off everything on your Christmas list all in one place and feel reassured that you’re supporting Bath’s small businesses.

Leaves from... Bill’s Coach Hire at 7.30am

CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 7.40am

Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 7.50am Bath at 5.30pm

SUN 26th NOV ‘23

Bluewater Shopping Centre

Price: £32 p/p.

Bluewater Shopping Centre is an outof-town shopping centre in Stone, Kent, traditionally known as the Garden of England. The overall site boasts 240 acres and is surrounded by a 50-acre landscape of lakes, parkland and trees making it the perfect place for the whole family to enjoy. With over 300 stores, over 50 bars, restaurants, and Cafes.

Leaves from... Bill’s Coach Hire at 7.30am CMK K4 bus stop at the Point 7.40am Bletchley Bus Station Bay 1 at 7.50am Bluewater at 5.30pm

Stacey Bushes, 1 Hollin Lane, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK12 6HT

Weigh-ins and bird song, local pop stars in the spotlight and more – here are this month’s Pulse Pics

A huge scale operation got underway at Whipsnade Zoo recently – with all hands on deck (and feet on scales) for the annual weigh in...and with 11,000 animals in the zoo’s care, it was quite the task. Four-year-old domestic Bactrian camel Oakley stepped onto an industrial sized set of scales, while Giant Red legged millipede Tina needed nothing anywhere near as big when it came to weighing her!

In other Whipsnade news, a Francois langur baby has been born at the zoo. While the team get to know him better they have nicknamed the little one ‘Citrus’, due to his brightly-coloured fur.

Fab photographer Colin Kempster has been enjoying life through the lens again, and took this wonderful picture of a singing Jenny Wren at the FloodPlain Forest Nature Reserve. See more of Colin’s work on Instagram – follow @pixbycurvy

The Stencil Pencils are back in the Keynes having hit up a number of festivals over the summer, including dates at the Camp Bestival offerings in Dorset and Shropshire.

When not on the stage themselves, Indiana, Kale and Johnson enjoyed hanging out with some familiar faces, including Craig David, Sam Ryder, Chris Packham and Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Milton Keynes Museum turned back the clock for the return of its popular 1940s weekend, which was a sun-drenched success with many re-enactors participating, and included a spectacular flypast by a Lancaster. Pics: Sammy Jones

Pics: ZSL Whipsnade

Pic: ZSL Whipsnade

Leek & Potato Soup recipe

INGREDIENTS

2 vegetable stock cubes

• 450ml hot water

• 4 leeks

• 4 potatoes

• 330ml single cream

• Salt and pepper

• Pinch of garlic

• Onion powder

• Olive oil

TOP TIP

The smaller you cut the potato cubes, the quicker they will cook.

Recipe provided by the YMCA MK Residents Group

METHOD

#SoupFest23

1 Chop leeks. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat.

2 Add the leeks and cook, stirring often, for 7-10 mins or until soft.

3 Peel the potatoes and chop into small cubes.

4 Add the vegetable stock to the leeks and add the potatoes.

5 Add salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder to taste.

6 Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for approx. 20 mins. Once potatoes are soft, remove from the heat.

7 With a hand blender, blitz the mixture to a smooth consistency.

8 Add cream and blitz once again to ensure the mixture is fully combined.

9 Serve and enjoy!

YMCA launch SoupFest23 fundraising campaign

Two local companies, Cranswick Foods and Brioche Pasquier, have added their support to SoupFest23, sponsoring the recipe book that accompanies the campaign.

YMCA is the only local charity and provider of supported housing dedicated to young adults aged 18-35 in Milton Keynes. Since 1981 YMCA has helped more than 10,000 young people by providing practical, emotional and employment support to enable young people to belong, contribute and thrive. The Milton Keynes campus provides a home for over 200 young adults, while social enterprises such as the YMCA café, HomeGround, offer work experience, training and employment opportunities as well as raising money for the charity.

One resident said: “YMCA means a second chance to me – the trauma I have experienced could have led me to self-destruct but there is more support here than anywhere I have ever been. If you want the help staff will support, you to change for the better.”

The charity is hoping SoupFest23 will be bigger and better than last year and here is how you can #getinvolved;

■ Like, share and follow YMCA MK on social media and engage with their posts

■ Buy the book, it makes a great Christmas gift

■ Host a soup-er fundraising event with friends, family, at your school, community group or in your workplace.

All funds raised will go to support young people in MK to fully realise their potential. Rachel Tudhope, HR Manager at Cranswick Foods, said: “For the second year in a row, we are proud to sponsor this brilliant soup book to support YMCA MK.

Angela Oliveira, Marketing Executive at Brioche Pasquier, added: “We’re so excited to be this year’s co-sponsors of SoupFest23 and be able to support YMCA MK. YMCA play an important role in our community here in Milton Keynes.

Lorraine Devereux, Fundraising Manager at YMCA MK said:

“we are a vital support service for all young people aged 11+ and a safe place for 18–35-year olds with nowhere else to go. It is thanks to your support that young people continue to have access to a safe place to call home and support to help them thrive”. For more information on how to get involved, email fundraising@mkymca.com or visit the website www.mkymca.com

> The SoupFest23 recipe book will be available to purchase online from 4 October via the YMCA MK website and instore at Frosts Garden Centre in Woburn Sands who are a contributor to the book and supporter of the campaign.

And... That’s A Wrap

Oweather’s on its way, so it’s finally time to open our autumn-winter wardrobe. And, for 2023, that means having hero knits and trophy coats battling it out for everyone’s attention.

As noted last issue: basic trenches, varsity bombers, and classic pilot and leather jackets are back ‘in’ (worn best with a good brogue and sock combo) — The Black Coat (long, preferably, like those at Prada, Chanel, Givenchy) being this season’s heavy weight. So, why not combine powers with a long, black leather trench, of which there are plenty to pick from on the high street?

With knitwear, bob and weave away from anything too classic or basic. Instead, aim for standout prints (seen on the catwalk of Issey Miyaki), colours that “kapow!” (like those at JW Anderson and Anna Sui), and shapes that swaddle the body (see Bottega Veneta, Atlien, Blumarine).

An interesting plot twist: the return of the cape — fashion’s perfect meeting of coat and jumper. Think blanket scarves as jackets (a la Etro) or worn underneath light ones; think shrugs thrown over anything (see Balmain and Roksanda) from suits to tees, jeans & skirts.

To wear the look, find your fave scarf hanging out at the back of your wardrobe, or choose a new, wide one at Oliver Bonas. Else look to swathe-y, wrap-up details on tops and dresses (as seen on models at Altuzarra and Giorgio Armani). Judging by the range on Zara’s rails for this season, all style heroes really do wear capes!

Matalan £40

Oliver Bonas £89.50

Oliver Bonas £45

Zara £59.99

Zara £45.99

H&M £84.99 >

Zara £35.99

Eloise Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is well established in our calendar as breast cancer awareness month and people up and down the country are mobilising themselves in a variety of charitable activities. Here at Eloise, we are delighted to be partnered with ‘The Pink Ribbon Foundation’, (Reg. Charity No. 1080839) whose values and missions align perfectly with our own, to help ladies who have been affected by breast cancer. Our recent fund raising efforts included a 5K sponsored walk around Furzton Lake on the hottest day of the year; needless to say by the time we finished it, we wished we had made it a sponsored swim!

If you are looking for an easy way to show your support for those affected by breast cancer this October, the Eloise website, www. eloise.co.uk is now selling these beautiful crystal Pink Ribbon Brooches, of which 100% of the profit is donated to ‘The Pink Ribbon Foundation’ to help further their important work. Each brooch costs £7 and is fully covered with three rows of dazzling crystals in clear (diamond), pale pink and dark pink.

And of course, if you , or someone you know has been affected by breast cancer, then please make an appointment to come and see us at our fitting suite near Furzton lake where we have a fabulous selection of bras, breast forms and swimwear suitable for use following breast surgery.

Our experienced bra fitters, Lisa and Hazel, will be delighted to help you and we have free parking on-site. Every appointment is on a purely one-to-one basis, although feel free to bring a friend along for support if you would like to. If you can’t make it to us for any reason then Lisa or Hazel are always available for advice or sales support on 01908 340 094 If they are busy fitting a customer then they will always call you back as soon as they are free.

Why not make your appointment today or visit www.eloise.co.uk to browse the latest collection of our mastectomy bras and swimwear.

The team at Eloise are all set to raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Pink Ribbon Brooch which can be purchased at www.eloise.co.uk

Trick or Treat Napkins (Set of 4) - £19 sophieallport.com

Witches Legs Halloween Garden Stake Lights lights4fun.co.uk

Spooky season is fast approaching, and we’ve pulled together a collection that’s sure to make your guests scream - with delight of course! Whether you’re going low-key for Halloween this year or giving the Addams family a run for their money, we’re sure there’s a little something for everyone.

Artificial Halloween Wreath - £39 diy.com

FEATURED BRANDS...

If you would like to see your brand or business featured in Pulse, in print or online get in touch: mkpulse@pulsegroupmedia.co.uk

Halloween Biscuit Barrel - £20 elitetins.com

weloveseasons.com

Halloween

Lights lights4fun.co.uk

Hey Boo Ghost Candle- £9.99 thewisteriatree.co.uk

3 Star Lantern Set - £54 paperstarlights.com

String

Bats by Moonlight Lampshade - £65 mountainandmolehill.com

Velvet Pumpkins rockettstgeorge.co.uk

Orange Wide Straw Rattan Pumpkin - £17.50

Green kids are smart kids

If we want to encourage change for the better, we need to educate our future generations – and primary school is the perfect place to encourage learning.

Northamptonshire’s Waste Wise Kids (WWK) is a sustainability and waste resource for teachers that can be accessed by schools throughout the UK and, importantly, it has been developed in partnership with waste management experts and primary school leaders.

The not-for-profit organisation – founded by Encore Environment - will teach children about the importance of recycling and sustainability.

‘Our environment’s future lies in little hands,’ says Waste Wise Kids, whose learning is aimed at youngsters aged four to 12 years old.

A conversation between Encore Environment’s Rachel Rowley and her daughter, Mimi, was the catalyst for starting up this venture. Mimi was just nine at the time and wanted to learn more about how to protect the environment.

“I arranged with Mimi’s primary school in Sywell to do a presentation about waste; what it is and how it can impact the environment, with fun activities. It was a great success.”

Rachel recognised the importance of imparting industry knowledge on the next generation and reached out to primary school teachers for their thoughts and support to help develop the programme.

Why is it important to start learning so young?

“The early years of a child’s education are so important in developing a sense of awareness of their environment,” Rachel says, “As well as experiencing nature, playing outdoors, finding bugs, climbing trees, and jumping in muddy puddles it is also a time when children, through their primary school education, begin to focus on creative thinking, problem solving and developing critical thinking skills.

“Waste Wise Kids helps them understand that everyday items that might normally be put in the rubbish bin can actually be reused - such as old toys, or clothes they’ve grown out of.

“They could be handed to a younger family member or donated to a charity shop. They are also made aware that items such as colourful plastic lids can be repurposed into a piece of art. “Importantly, it shows them what happens if waste isn’t disposed of properly and it can end up on our beaches and in the ocean, so they feel empowered that they can help stop that from happening.”

The trick is to enable little minds to understand the importance of caring, but without scaring them.

“The activities and language used has been really thought about to engage with younger age groups and our resource box gives teachers the tools they need to support their lesson plans. Teachers can use the box as an add on to a subject or the Waste Wise Kids’ team can go in and deliver a workshop.”

Rachel says that pupils are always incredibly receptive and enthusiastic – and it’s easy when the sessions are driven by fun!

They look at waste types and hierarchy, explore what happens to waste after disposal, and encourage little people to think about reducing, reusing, repurposing and recycling waste.

Jeff the Recycled Robot is a striking, cheery character fronting the campaign.

Creativity is key: “Armed with examples of upcycled items, including a skateboard repurposed into a double dog bowl holder, and pencils made from old newspaper, the main creative task is for them to craft a rubbish robot at home – just like Jeff,” Rachel explained.

“Across all age groups, the engagement has been infectious! The WWK team then go back into the school to judge the rubbish robot competition and give out environmentally themed prizes to the winners. This gets parents and guardians involved as well, creating something new out of something old, and has led to school eco groups being set up to do more repurposing and looking at ways schools can be more sustainable.”

Today’s children are those that bring the changes of tomorrow. Waste Wise Kids can set them on the right path, and it’s easy for teachers to integrate the sessions into their lessons.

“The big benefit is that WWK has ready-made resources, which reduces the time and effort to develop their own lesson plans around the subject of waste sustainability and is a great way to involve families,” Rachel added.

> For more details on bringing Waste Wise Kids to your local school, visit wastewisekids.org or call 01604 496987

The Waste Wise Kids resource helps teach children about the importance of recycling and sustainability

M&S bins off plastic responsibly

In the past few years, plastic has gone from being an easy commodity to something we frown upon.

Not so long ago, the thought of reaching for another plastic carrier bag at the till was no big deal, and then we learned more about the devastating environmental impacts and the time they take to decompose, and the tide began to turn.

Nowadays, you don’t get given a plastic bag at the store, you have to buy them, and even if the environmental consequences don’t worry you (which they should), the thought of shelling out pennies for bags every time you visit the shops might make you think twice and remember to take your own.

Marks & Spencer was the first retailer to introduce carrier bag charging back in 2008, and they have since introduced more sustainable choices for customers, including bags for life made using recycled plastic, including material collected in its stores.

More than 70% of M&S customers now choose to shop using their own bags, or don’t use one at all, but the brand says it has acted on the wishes of shoppers who want to avoid plastic altogether when they make a trip that does involve the need for a bag.

Having already moved its rice and grains packaging to paper bags and boxes, earlier this month it applied the same innovation to its carrier bags; every store across the UK will offer Forest Stewardship Council certified paper bags at checkout - replacing the ecoloop plastic ones.

A strong, robust carrier is now available in Food and a simpler one in Clothing & Home to reflect different shopping missions. When we were caught without our usual supply of reusables, we were a little apprehensive that the new Food bag would hold our weighty groceries; would it really take bottles of juice, kilos of potatoes and bags of carrots without tearing?

We voiced those concerns to our store assistant: “They can take more than 15kg in weight,” he patiently told us, pointing to the explanation on the base in a manner that suggested he’d been doing this regularly during the first couple of days of the rollout!

With no other option, we split with the cash and hoped for the best – and we weren’t let down.

“Our paper carrier bags have all the benefits of plastic bags but without the same environmental impact,” explained Victoria

McKenzie-Gould, M&S’ director of Corporate Affairs, “The Food bags are super strong.

“Both are water resistant, thanks to a natural resin applied in the manufacturing process, and have been independently tested to withstand over 100 reuses.

“And importantly they are also more convenient for customers to pop straight into their home recycling bins when worn out – unlike the plastic bags which generally need to be returned to specific soft plastic recycling units,” Victoria said.

“We now have a solution that is better environmentally and which helps customers looking to make small changes to reduce their environmental footprint. For the vast majority who already reuse their own bags, which remains the most sustainable option, not a lot will change. But on the odd occasion when we all need to reach for one more bag, we’re pleased to be offering a more sustainable option for customers,” she added.

Gift and grow!

Christmas is coming – not sure what to buy the person who says, ‘I’ve got everything I need?’

Rather than get them something plastic and not-so-fantastic that will probably find its way to landfill, why not consider taking a ‘leaf’ out of the books of other eco-friendly folks, by purchasing a tree?

It’s a little present that will help to tackle climate change and be ethically sound. Many charities offer the green gifts, including The Woodland Trust and The Future Forest Company.

When other presents are worn out, or broken, you can rest assured that your tree-mendous present is the one that will keep on growing!

DIGGING DEEP

Beat the deep freeze with these top tips

There’s no doubt about it –there will soon be a chill in the air. It’s that time of the year again.

Along with the fading light giving way to darker evenings, the temperature is dropping.

Are you reaching for the cardies and jumpers and resisting the urge to pop the central heating on for five minutes in the morning, just to ‘take the chill off’?

Falling temperatures create their own problems in our outdoor spaces too, of course, and no-one wants Jack Frost to wreak havoc on our prized plants. Luckily, a little forward planning and proper preparation can keep things safe.

Don’t wait until frost is established or you’ll lose plants, and remember that a sudden, unexpected frost can cause havoc with even the hardiest garden greenery.

There are many materials that can be utilised to keep garden growers safe and snuggly; hessian, straw, polystyrene and fleece can all be valuable assets.

Not all plants and trees are to be treated the same, and a conversation with your knowledgeable garden centre staff member or a visit to a trusted online site will get you the right advice.

Cloches are as fabulous as they are simple; little plastic domes that support low growing plants and vegetables and help to reduce some of the worst of the frosts.

View them just the same as miniature greenhouses, but also be aware that if they are small and lightweight, they may need their own support in case of any particularly high winds.

As you’ve probably guessed, the word cloche is French and means ‘bell’ – as far back as the 1800s bell-shaped domes were being used to protect plants, and they were usually made of glass.

How does your garden grow?

After a very successful harvest of crops from the school garden which are sold to village neighbours, we will need to replenish the soil in the raised beds with compost, topsoil and a general fertiliser.

We have planted rows of lettuces, raised in August, and will sow rows of Winter Density and Valdor.

Tomatoes cropped well, in spite of irregular watering; the last half-ripened truss being ripened on the window ledge.

Some ‘Meteor’ pea seeds are to be planted in individual pots for spring planting.

Broad beans Aquadulce, Claudia and The Sutton are hardy and already growing well. They are cloche covered, for bird protection.

Bulb catalogues are arriving! If you lifted, dried and stored daffodils in late spring, now is the time to plant them in the border.

I have two acid-soil lovers, a camellia and an azalea, in large pots. They need to be rain-watered now, as their flower-buds will be developing soon.

As I lift the pelargoniums before a frost,I will take as many cuttings as possible.

Catching and collecting autumn’s leaves is so important. Well-produced leaf bould is such a valuable mulch and soil improver.

As plant growth is reduced, collect up the garden canes and store them to dry, and clean out bird boxes and hang for winter shelter.

We mentioned fleece earlier, and putting the crop covers over, or around, plants can support fragile examples from wind and hail, so is worth consideration and is an easy way for plants to avoid weather stress. When it comes to tender plants there is choice though; you might choose to cut them back, lift them and store, or give protection by covering them with mulch. Do you have plants in lots of containers? They really need to be in a space that affords shelter and if you keep them grouped together they will benefit from each other. There is safety in numbers where plants are concerned too.

Wrapping the pots in straw or with bubble polythene is a simple way to stop roots from succumbing to freezing temperatures. If you have old garden structures in need of a little TLC, getting them sorted now will prevent damage in the coming months, too. Whatever you decide to do to support your garden, do keep a check on things once those changes have been implemented; for example, waterlogging can result in rotting, and if soil becomes too wet, young trees can tumble in high winds.

The days may be shorter, but there is no less work!

Ralph Westmoreland

Protect the crown of Tree Ferns by gently placing straw into the crown of the fern, taking care not to damage any young shoots

A cloche will afford some protection for your small tender plants

Some of the school crops

What could you really save on future energy bills with double and triple glazing?

monthly outgoings, with energy bills high on the list of things that are

As more and more homeowners look at ways to cut costs, save on bills and make it as affordable as possible to simply live, there could be an unexpected solution: Double and triple glazing.

When were your windows and doors last replaced? If it’s been more than five years ago, you’re likely not getting the benefits that modern doubleglazed windows provide. There’s so much more that double glazing can do for you.

And that’s just if you’re replacing like for like, upgrading older double glazing to new.

For homeowners with outdated single-glazed windows, the heat loss will be severe - and the improvements gained from upgrading to double glazed windows will be even more significant.

Energy Saving Calculator

For this reason, T&K Home Improvements, double glazing specialists based in Wellingborough, have developed a bespoke Energy Saving Calculator. Found at www.tkhi.co.uk/energy-calculator

It collates data from leading sources including the BBC, House Beautiful and My First Property to create an easy to use calculator that estimates the potential savings on your energy bills.

“Almost every homeowner we speak to asks us about how we can improve their energy efficiency,” says Adrian Timbers, T&K Sales and Marketing Manager. “It’s the number one reason to replace older windows and doors so it became our top priority to help new and existing customers understand what can be potentially saved.

“Our calculator demonstrates just how effective double and triple glazing is and the real savings that it can be made of future years.”

The average detached UK home upgrading single-glazed timber windows to new double glazing uPVC windows could save an estimated £14,700 over 25 years and almost £30,000 over 50 years.

And that’s with energy costs as they are now.

Why Double and Triple Glazing Works So Well

Energy-efficient double and triple glazing acts as an excellent insulator to keep warm air inside the home and prevent cold air from the outside from getting through.

Compared to single glazing, double-glazed windows benefit from an extra space between two panes of glazing, which is filled with argon gas (or similar). This significantly reduces the transfer of heat in either direction.

As a result, double glazing means the heat you’re generating in your home will stay where you want it and won’t escape. So you’ll find yourself reaching for the thermostat less often. Triple glazing adds a further layer of warmth, improving energy efficiency even further.

T&K Home Improvements’ commitment to the highest-quality glazing is part of a wider focus on sustainability. This includes an investment in fuel-efficient vehicles and their aim to cut all plastics and packaging by a further 30% before 2024.

Sustainability Starts At Home

“We know that our customers are as committed to sustainability and ‘going green’ as we are,” says Adrian. “So we’re encouraging

everyone to be aware of their energy usage and how to reduce it.

“Whether it’s to save money on heating bills, reduce your carbon footprint or protect the planet, it’s clear that double and triple glazing in the home is an excellent, effective investment.”

T&K Home Improvements’ tailor-made Energy Saving Calculator shows real, data-driven statistics and predicted savings that, as Adrian explains, customers have been amazed by. “They can’t believe how much they are actually going to be able to save,” he says. “It will make a real difference to customers’ lives – no exaggeration. Times are hard right now. When we help customers to understand the true benefits of double-glazed windows and what it can save them, we see a weight lifted off their shoulders and a smile on their faces.”

Scan the QR code to use our online Energy Calculator, or head on down to their showroom in Wellingborough, call 01933 677 444 or visit www.tkhi.co.uk

The cost of living crisis has made everyone in the UK take stock of their

just too expensive and are continuing to rise each winter.

You might be shocked how much you could potentially save on your energy bills with Double or Triple Glazing from T&K Home Improvements

Celebrating our diversity

The Mayor and Mayoress reflect on the varied cultural events that have taken place in the city during the first four months of their Mayoral year and look forward to fundraising events planned for their charities.

As Mayor and Mayoress, we have been honoured and privileged to have experienced our city from a whole new perspective. We love Milton Keynes and are very proud of all it has become and its vision for the future. We are a third of the way through our Mayoral Year and we are having an amazing time and meeting some incredible people. We don’t see the role as being about us, it is about raising the profile and shining a light on the tireless volunteers and workers of the numerous community groups all over the city. Had we not have been given the life changing opportunity to carry out this role, we probably wouldn’t have been aware of half the groups and the fantastic work they are carrying out on behalf of their communities, particularly in the current cost of living crisis. They are making a real difference to people’s lives in our city.

Milton Keynes is a home to great diversity, which in turn has created a strong and sustainable community. MK is a mosaic of communities, built by people, for people. We have seen this in our visits to cultural celebrations, such as MKIAC Art in the Park, India Day, Ukraine

Appeal community celebrations, Lithuanian Festival, Pilipino Festival, and many more. We have never seen so many people in Campbell Park, as on India Day, an estimated 15,000 people, a sea of colour, with a carnival parade, spectacular performances and delicious food. What an achievement!

Talking about festival events, what a magical spectacular, we experienced during the IF:Milton Keynes International Festival, with Place des Anges. Featuring circus performers, dancers and climbers it was a truly unforgettable experience of awe-inspiring, high altitude aerial circus and feathers! We have certainly never seen so many feathers in one place! We are still finding them in the house months later!

Milton Keynes is currently at the forefront nationally of tech and artificial intelligence, we have the worlds largest fleet of autonomous delivery robots, the MK AI Report identifies MK as a UK leader in AI and the recent opening of South Central’s Institute of Technology will provide the next generation of talent and we will see the first Global Summit on AI Safety taking place at Bletchley Park in November, when world leaders will be invited to come to Milton Keynes!

We have also seen our first Youth Mayor of Milton Keynes be elected, Chloe D’Souza and Deputy Youth Mayor, Maggie Beckett, who are representing the interests of young people in the city.

Something, to look forward to is MK Food Banks, MK CAN - a world record attempt to smash the Guinness Book of Records for the longest line of cans - to take place on October 16th this year!

The goal is a line of 132,000 cans created by community groups, businesses, schools, churches, each creating a 25m section of the line - 350 cans and providing 5 volunteers to make their part of the line on the day. Please join this by signing up on the Food Bank website and get down to Campbell Park to support them on the day.

The theme of the Mayoral year is health and wellbeing. We are continuing to highlighting the excellent work that Milton Keynes City Council, the local Parish Councils,

the voluntary and charitable sector does, throughout these challenging times and in partnership with other agencies, to make a real difference to ordinary people’s lives. Our two charities for the year are: Harry’s Rainbow, a child bereavement charity which offers help, support and advice to children and families following the loss of a sibling or parent; and SOFEA, a charity providing education, employability and wellbeing programmes for vulnerable young people. They also tackle food insecurity and the disadvantage it causes while having a positive impact on the environment by reducing food waste. We have some events coming up with our charities that tie into our health and wellbeing theme. First, on October 4th we have our Mayors Charity Golf Day, at Windmill Hill Golf Club, a great time for some fresh air and team building! November 8th, we have a Disco Bingo Night at Windmill Hill, a fun night, singing and dancing in your seat to Bingo! Next year, I am running the half Marathon in the MK Festival of Running, March 17th. I am looking for a team of people to join us to raise money for our charities. You can run 5K, 10K, Half Marathon or 20 miles. The Mayoress is also looking to get a team together for a sponsored Dip A Day in November, join our challenge to do a dip a day in cold water to boost your well being! To join in and find out about other wellbeing activities you can experience out and about in the green and blue spaces of our lovely city, go to Mandy’s Well-Being Adventures on Facebook

Councillor Mick Legg, Mayor of Milton Keynes mayorsoffice@milton-keynes.gov.uk 01908 253601 mayorMK @mayor_mk

India Day was a massive success and attended by an estimated 15,000 people (above). Mayor, Cllr Mick Legg with Odette Mould, CEO of Harry’s Rainbow, launching their half marathon appeal (inset, below)

Rail ticket office closures and the return of the Over 55s Fair

It has been a busy month since I returned to Parliament from Summer Recess, but I am working hard to ensure Milton Keynes South gets its fair share of funding from the Government to make our community a better place.

Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

On 8 September, it marked one year since the sad passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. During the day, I took the opportunity to reflect on what a magnificent reign she had, showing magnificent service to the United Kingdom and living an excellent life. I hope you had the opportunity to remember Her Late Majesty and all that she did for our nation.

AI Safety Summit

I am delighted Bletchley Park has been announced as the location for the UK Government’s AI Safety Summit later this year. The home of the WW2 codebreakers and the location of early computer science development will welcome international governments, leading AI companies and experts in research for talks about the AI technology frontier on 1 & 2 November. They will consider the risks of AI, especially at the frontier of development, and discuss how they can be mitigated through internationally coordinated action.

Points of Light Award

It was brilliant to learn that Milton Keynes South sisters Eva and Amaira have been recognised by the Prime Minister for their excellent work in teaching children about the importance of acceptance and diversity. Eva and Amaira started writing short stories during lockdown, finding inspiration from events and their surroundings. They have since gone on to publish two collections of stories, through which they have championed and promoted disabled representation in children’s literature, also pushing

for equal opportunities for those from underrepresented communities. With the support of their Dad, they have also set up a digital platform “Being Purple” and have raised close to £7000 for charities. I would like to offer my congratulations to Eva and Amaira for their achievements and for receiving the Points of Light award.

Rail Ticket Office Closures

On 13 September, the Transport Select Committee, of which I am chair, scrutinised the proposals to close ticket offices at railway stations. I know this is an issue concerning many residents across Milton Keynes. You can view a copy of the transcript from this meeting here: https:// bit.ly/46241cU

Over 55s Fair

Finally, on Friday 3 November, Ben Everitt MP and I are hosting our annual Over 55s Fair at the Hazard Alley Safety Centre (18 Carters Lane, Kiln Farm, MK11 3ES) between 10am – 2pm. After the success of last year’s event, the Over 55s Fair has returned to showcase the local opportunities and organisations available to improve health, safety and wellbeing to constituents and share leisure opportunities. Attendees include Age UK, The Parks Trust, Bucks Fire & Rescue and many more. I am looking forward to hosting another successful event.

As always, if my office or I can be of any assistance, please do get in touch on the contact details provided.

Stronger Starts with Tesco and a campaign to ‘Buy British’

After a busy summer in the constituency meeting folk on the doorsteps or on my village tour, Parliament returned in September. We’re continuing to focus on your priorities. I know that in Milton Keynes that’s tackling knife crime and anti-social behaviour, it’s investing in our NHS, it’s ensuring a world class education for our children. And that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’ve launched Op Deter to tackle knife crime and recruited 784 more officers in Thames Valley, we’re building a new Women and Children’s Hospital by 2030 and much more. So there’s plenty of positives, but that won’t stop me fighting for the people of Milton Keynes who I am so proud to represent.

Funding Boost To Tackle Rough Sleeping

In last month’s column I mentioned the Housing Minister was in Milton Keynes to visit the inspirational homelessness charity the Bus Shelter MK. I’m delighted to say the Government has now allocated an extra £450,000 to Milton Keynes City Council to help tackle rough sleeping across the city. After initially being allocated £3,373,905 through the Rough Sleeping Initiative 2022-25, Milton Keynes will now receive £3,830,710 thanks to an extra £34.6 million nationally announced by the Government.

New 22 Bed Ward For MK Hospital

Milton Keynes University Hospital will be getting a brand new 22-bed ward this winter following the latest significant investment from the Government. Health Ministers are used to me regularly stopping them in Parliament to ensure they continue to invest in healthcare in Milton Keynes and this is the latest in a line of successes. We’ve had £10 million for the Maple Centre which opened last year, the opening of two new Community Diagnostic Centres in MK, and a new Women and Children’s Hospital is set to be built before 2030. And this latest £3 million investment will support a new ward at the hospital and more clinical space as part of wider Government plans to help patients move out of A&E more quickly or to help more patients receive same day urgent and emergency care.

Community Cost Of Living Fund Opens

The Government has opened the Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund for applications. The scheme will provide grants of up to £75,000 to critical frontline services in this financial year and will focus on those organisations delivering core subsistence-level provision around food, warmth, shelter, safety and associated advice so I’d encourage all community groups in Milton Keynes to take a look and see if they could benefit. The deadline for applications is 16 October at 12pm.

Tesco Looking To Support MK Schools With Stronger Starts Scheme

I visited the Tesco store in Wolverton recently to talk to them about their Stronger Starts scheme which funds food and healthy activities – from breakfast clubs to playground equipment, football kits to gardening classes. It provide grants of up to £1,500 and they want Milton Keynes schools to get involved. Find out more through: tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant

Buy British Campaign

I have signed an open letter from over 100 cross-party MPs calling on supermarkets to highlight the very best of British produce by incorporating a ‘Buy British’ section online. The letter states ‘Our ask is simple, create a tab that collates produce from farmers,’ citing consumer choice, environmental benefits and support for farmers as reasons to make the change. The ‘Buy British’ tab would collate produce from across the UK so customers have “greater power in their choices”, enabling them to support the nation’s farmers ‘quickly and easily’.

On a visit to Tesco Wolverton to find out more about Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme which funds food and healthy activities.

Remembering blues rock royalty Bernie Marsden

The music world lost a giant talent with the passing of Buckingham man Bernie Marsden in August. Pulse’s Sammy Jones looks back at the man whose sublime playability saw him respected by everyone. Of course, he was responsible for some bonafide rock classics too.

Bernie Marsden was raised in Buckingham, and it was the place he always called home.

But while he didn’t travel all that far in some regard, his music certainly did, finding its way into record collections around the globe.

As a youngster it was The Beatles that made Bernie want to be a musician, and watching the steady stream of pop stars that used to play Bletchley’s Wilton Hall reinforced it.

“I was playing guitar then, but only a bit,” he had told me, “Watching a band close up every couple of weeks I’d be thinking, ‘I’d like to do this,’ and I guess it’s one of those things that stays with you subconsciously.”

Even without realising it, Bernie was setting the foundations for what would become his lifelong trade.

Bernie captured in 2019 at Under The Bridge in London Pic: Eric Duvet - ericduvetphotography.com

He went from audience member at Wilton Hall to performer, and regularly played Bletchley Youth Centre too, with his band Skinny Cat: “I think we used to get five quid or something,” he said, reflecting on that not colossal pay packet, “It wasn’t much, but it was good because you got to open up for these headline bands, and hang out and see how they worked. I did learn a lot from that. You couldn’t have bought that experience.”

That teen time spent leading Skinny Cat was just the start, and by 1972 he was playing with rock mob UFO. A gig in Cozy Powell’s Hammer, and work with Babe Ruth followed. In 1977 he became an original member of Paice Ashton Lord.

Joining David Coverdale in the newly founded Whitesnake was a career defining moment. By the time he left them in 1981, Bernie had put his stamp on five albums and co-written absolute classics Here I Go Again and Fool For Your Loving.

His departure led to a rich career as a solo artist which saw everyone from Eric Clapton to Paul Weller play with him.

“Every time I hung out with Bernie he was a positive person and always encouraging... I’ve been around a lot of people who have had that kind of level of success and I always appreciate it when people are just down to earth and don’t have any airs or graces about being better than someone else because they’ve made a bit of money, or people know their name.

“Bernie was absolutely that kind of person,” Malcolm said fondly, “He would encourage young up-and-coming musicians, and just be a very positive spirit.”

That same warmth showed itself in his playing.

“Bernie had this thing which was very simple, he wasn’t a technical player in the fact that he wasn’t whizzing all over the fretboard. It was very much feeling the thing and getting inside each note. It was something just very, very simple and very physical, and I loved that about him.”

A forthcoming Cream Acoustic release features blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa, and his input was thanks to Bernie: “He was really good friends with Joe and called him and said, ‘Do you want to do this thing?’ and Joe agreed to it. He facilitated that, with no ego or anything. That was Bernie, he was a lovely guy, and if he could help, he would.

“He had such an incredible life, so rich and full of experience, and he was a really decent person and that should be celebrated.”

Rob Cass had known Bernie for the best part of four decades; first as the singer in Bernie’s post Whitesnake band, Alaska, and later in his guise as a producer.

It was Bernie who invited the young, feisty Dubliner to London to audition for Alaska, and Bernie who opened doors and opportunities for Rob back in those early days.

The band didn’t last beyond a few years, but they kept in touch, sporadically checking in on each other over the years.

But it was during the recording of Bernie’s album Shine, that they rekindled their friendship.

Work took place at London’s famed Abbey Road studios, with a roll call of

classy musicians – from Bonamassa to Deep Purple’s Ian Paice and Don Airey, and Whitesnake’s David Coverdale. Rob was at the production desk.

It was Rob’s suggestion that Bernie play on that aforementioned Jack Bruce album too.

“He very much looked after me in the early days and then in any way I could bring him in on projects that I was working on, I did,” Rob says, “Mainly because, in my view, he was probably the greatest blues rock guitar player in the world.

“He was amazing in the studio, a joy to work with. He was so good,” he says, and he means it, “His tone was amazing, his style was amazing. Some of the other guys out there are technically amazing, but they don’t have Bernie’s feel, it was genuine.

“And he was a huge music fan. Bernie loved music and he really studied it as well.” Rob was producing a record by Cream collaborator Pete Brown earlier this year which featured ‘a whole plethora of amazing people’ including Eric Clapton and Bonamassa.

“I said to Bernie, ‘I’d really love you on the album,’ but he wasn’t well enough – so I went to him.

“I put a little mobile set up together with a laptop, some converters, good mics and headphones and I recorded Bernie in his house in Buckinghamshire.

“It turned out fantastic, he was incredibly ill, but he still played beautifully. He did a brilliant job.”

Poignantly, that session was the last time Rob would see his friend, and Pete Brown passed during the making of the album too.

“As you get older, you look at your life chronologically and you can see the people who made a difference, the people who pushed the needle, and Bernie was definitely there.

“He gave me my break. He was the one who started everything for me in England. He had my back and supported me, and then I went from being the singer in his band to his producer...we’ve got a long history.

“I was really knocked for six when I heard he’d died. I lost a great friend, an amazing musician who I loved working with, and he was a funny guy too; I’ll miss his sense of humour. He was a huge part of my musical life.”

Bernie is survived by his wife, Fran, and his daughters Charlotte and Olivia.

Malcolm Bruce first met Bernie a decade ago when he played on Silver Rails, the final album by Malcolm’s father, Cream bassist Jack Bruce.

Bernie and Rob Cass with Joe Bonamassa (centre)

Bernie and Rob at Abbey Road Studios

Bernie with Malcolm Bruce (right) and photographer Shu Tomioka

Bernie with Sammy Jones

m not censoring myself... I

ve never done that’

Mondo Generator will release their new album, We Stand Against You, this month.

The Californian noise bringers recently stopped off at Corby venue The Raven as part of an extensive European tour, and pre-show they sat down with Pulse’s Sammy Jones to talk about the ferocious release.

Mondo Generator has been ‘a thing’ for more than 25 years; Nick Oliveri founded the band which became an outlet for the bassist to run around his day job during his time with Queens of the Stone Age.

That QOTSA career is a long time in the past. Oliveri moved on years ago, and Nick is always in demand as a serial collaborator.

But today Mondo is his priority and he has a settled rock solid unit in guitarist Mike Pygmie and drummer Mike Amster. It’s an unbelievably taut trio.

Pedigree players each of them. Together? They are in a league of their own.

“From the last album F*ck It to the new record and beyond it is going to be us three and we are going to make sure that it’s intense, good music for the people to grab

onto and have something that’s like ‘Whoa, this is good stuff,’ Nick says, “That’s important to me.

“These guys shred,” he says, giving a nod across the table to his fellow players, “It’s a great band and I am super excited about playing more with Mondo.”

The new album, We Stand Against You, is bursting with nine tracks of gnarly, abrasive perfection. An all consuming slice of the extreme, and lyrically, it’s every bit as uneasy.

“A lot of the stuff is what I went through during lockdowns,” he says about the words, “Everybody went through their own thing, and I’m not censoring myself or what I went through during it,” Nick said, “I’ve never done that before with anything else I sing about, and I didn’t with this either. It’s real and the way I feel.

“I’m not saying nobody else had a hard time, but I had a hard time with it - being locked down I felt imprisoned, I couldn’t leave my house. I was losing my mind...

“I wrote a bunch of lyrics during that time and used a lot of it for this stuff; some of it’s about love lost, and some of it is about lockdowns and things you lose during lockdowns.

“I’d seen a lot of people get divorced, lose their minds, lose their lives. My friend’s sister passed, you know... some of it is about some heavy stuff,” he pauses and reconsiders, “It’s all about heavy stuff.”

The music and lyrics are the perfect fit.

“The music is pretty heavy, and the lyrics have to be as strong and match the heaviness.

I think it really did that

“We’re all putting in on it and the songs are

‘I’

’

Pic: Jessy Lotti

Nick Oliveri, pic: firebird.photo

great because it’s us. A band is a band when it’s everyone pitching into the pot of stew or whatever,” he laughs, “... a weird analogy, but everybody is kicking in on it and it makes it special.

“The delivery and the urgency is pretty apparent; we mean it, and it’s heartfelt. It’s strong, it’s powerful and there are no thrills about it.”

And it was captured in quick time – drummer Amster’s duties with his other musical concern, stoner aces Nebula meant there had to be a swift turnaround: “We had a day to get the drums done. We jammed once a week for three weeks before, so it was pretty quick. It’s to the point,” Mike said.

Even when Covid had closed everything down, Pygmie got his rock fix, albeit in a different fashion; instead of playing it, he was employed doing rockfall mitigation.

“Blowing sh*t up!” Oliveri laughs.

“Drilling and blasting and stuff like that,” Mike says, “At that time there was plenty

of work and you were outdoors. You weren’t getting shut down any time soon, so it was kinda nice to at least be able to make some money.”

Amster did tech and bar work while twiddling his sticks and waiting to get back out: “I was doing a bunch of random jobs and waiting to do this again.”

Now, with the pandemic leash a long time released, Mondo has the fire in their bellies and live they are bringing it, night after night.

“We have a lot of fun,” Mike promises, “We like to joke around and have a good time and have some beers, and we’re good friends, but the only good reason to do this is if you love it. I think it’s easy to see from the outside that we all really love playing music and rocking.”

This music making isn’t what Nick doesit’s who he is: “I don’t want to get old just yet, I want to still enjoy myself. I love playing music, I love playing for people, and hopefully entertaining people and being good enough to come back,” he says, and unquestionably he exceeds that target, “If you are bummed out with what you do, you are not going to be that good - this is fun for me. I always have a good time with this band.”

We Stand Against You

Track by track

Nick talks Pulse through We Stand Against You (intro) / Blast Off!!

About being taken over and destroyed. Life is short. The time bomb is ticking.

Rubber Room

A relationship/friendship gone mad due to another’s insanity.

1 2 3 4

About depression and lack of real help for one’s inner prison by psychologists by prescribing death in the form of pills (drugs) and its side effects. In this instance it’s the true story of a family member hanging herself. It includes words from a song they would sing as a child.

Unglued

Explores my lack of keeping it together and the outcome of my actions when I come unglued.

Death March

A song about protest and not following the cattle (people) as they willingly walk off the cliff, but instead standing up and fighting for what your heart and mind know is worth dying for; human rights, your own voice, your own choice, your own mind, thoughts and life.

Conspiracy (fact or theory)

How I felt during the lockdowns. Everyone is entitled to their own feelings and I’m expressing my disbelief of my country and my friends for falling for and following the fear tactics set by a censored mainstream media with a set narrative, and watching them all turn on each other.

I’ve never trusted a politician in my life. I’m a musician and my heroes are too. Never was and will never be a fan of lying politicians. And simply, some conspiracies are facts, not theories.

I Want Out

Is about feeling trapped in a bad situation. A controlling partner, a controlling social media.

Being judged and wanting out! No I won’t detox, it’s time for me to retox. But most importantly, surprising the ones who believe they have the key to the lock that holds you back from yourself. To break free is the strength they didn’t think you possessed. Feels good.

Sky Valley Meth

Is about drugs (legal or illegal) and which doctor do you choose (if any) who is more trustworthy. The FDA, or the meth cook? Either way you’re dead!

For a Day

About love and dysfunctional partner abuse. Passive aggressive, narcissistic lunatics - and knowing this is the last day I will be in your grip.

> We Stand Against You is released through Heavy Psych Sounds on October 13. Visit heavypsychsounds.com

Pic: Richard Hedge

Pic: firebird.photo

Pic: firebird.photo

Mike Pygmie - ‘The only good reason to do this is if you love it’

Mondo Generator live in Milton Keynes on the tour

Nick Oliveri - ‘It’s all about heavy stuff’

Mammoth Craufurd Arms round-up

Negative vibes and positive play from Eyehategod

You simply can’t knock the worth ethic of Wheatus; the New York mob are back on UK soil with a mammoth tour, and are midway through a run of 47 or so dates here.

As with the whole tour, the Craufurd date (Oct 10) is sold-out.

If you were among those who got tickets, you are in for a great time, promises frontman Brendan B Brown: “We toured the UK, Ireland and Europe eighteen years in a row from 2001-2019, some years more than once. The pandemic has paused that tradition since 2020. This opportunity to return is more precious to us than all the other years combined and we’re gonna throw the kitchen sink at it”.

Guitar master Jared James Nichols returns (Oct 17) and his appearance shouldn’t be taken for granted, after a chipped humerus

bone, the result of longtime stress fractures, resulted in emergency surgery.

There was a chance that the Nashville raised fret-feeler might never use the arm again, much less play the guitar.

After surgery, the rock man turned decidedly more metal in approach – with a plate and 16 screws in his arm!

“If anything, breaking my arm forced me right back to square one and to rebuild into the best possible version of myself I could be,” Jared said.

The results of that ‘rebuilding’ can be heard on his self-titled third album, which came out at the start of the year.

“I made a record to serve as the menu for the live show,” reflects Jared. “There is an element of excitement and danger. It’s my version of rock ‘n’ roll with a little more humanity. The album is a day in the life with the ups and downs, but it musically rings true to who I am as an artist.”

The Wolverton show is the last on these shores, so send him on his way with the ringing of applause in his ears.

In the summer of 2022, The Atomic Bitchwax returned to The Craufurd Arms after a seven year absence, touring with the finery of Nebula. Fans have nowhere near as long to wait for their return, mind you – the US trio, part of the stoner brigade, return on October 19.

The band are heading towards the 25th anniversary since the release of their debut album, and they play with the same passion today as they delivered then. Tour support comes from Daily Thompson.

Irish noise-bringers Gama Bomb (Oct 20) debuted on the scene two decades ago after band members ‘bonded over trash cinema, comic books and 80s thrash metal cassettes,’ which perfectly explains how their own classic metal-influenced thrash came about.

Throw in some tongue-in-cheek humour, pop culture geekery and cutting political commentary and you’ve got a grand Friday night out to look forward to.

Another return that is exciting heavy heads across the new city is the upcoming date by New Orleans’ hardcore-doom deliverers Eyehategod (Oct 21).

Sales have been expectedly swift and a wall of uncompromising noise will greet those ticket-holders, with Mike IX Williams leading the vocal charge, and music from the ‘21 release A History of Nomadic Behavior definitely on the setlist.

“During this recording, I thought a lot about how stupid humanity has become and how America is now completely divided with these people who don’t believe in science and blindly follow liars and nonsensical ideologies,” Mike said, “Some of those feelings maybe found their way into these songs, but it is mostly subliminal... these songs don’t tell any stories, but there are a few themes in there that people can figure out if they listen closely. The riots and the elections and COVID were all happening and all that was in the back of my mind when I did the vocals for the record.”

The band describes the album, the seventh in a career that began in the late ‘80s, as ‘a blowtorch-distortion and bluessaturated combination of mostly mid-paced songs pierced with scarring pain and disconsolate fury.’

But don’t be thinking that Eyehategod is one big pool of misery – you’d be wide of the mark.

Wheatus, pic: Max Skaff

The Atomic Bitchwax - Oct 19

EyeHateGod - Oct 21

Jared James Nichols - Oct 17

“Some people think Eyehategod is completely negative 24 hours a day,” Mike agreed, “And we definitely give off those negative vibes when we play. But really, this band was always meant to be fun for us and it still is fun. Back in the ‘90s, when I didn’t know if I was going to make it another day due to excessive chemical and alcohol abuse, I enjoyed life on the edge and living day by day..., however this is better. I’m actually loving being alive.

“I hate to use the word positive, but I kind of think what we do is about clawing through the misery of life and making it to the next day,” he says. “And there are definitely exciting positive moments along the way... it’s still fun.”

Rising singer-songwriter Andrew Cushin (Oct 25) visits as part of his Waiting For The Rain tour, which will wrap up with a tasty hometown show at Newcastle’s City Hall.

His debut album is released this Friday, but he’s already picked up a fanbase of highflyers, with Noel Gallagher, Pete Doherty, Paul Weller and Sam Fender all finding favour with his material.

One to watch? Undoubtedly.

Yumi And The Weather will colour up the venue (Oct 26) by splicing her technicolour psych-pop with elements of garage rock, shoegaze and indie, and an electronic undercurrent, so plenty going on in the mix. If that piqued your interest, go get acquainted before the show; she released her second album, It’s All In My Head, in autumn last year.

Yumi says the release was inspired by her personal experiences in mental health, relationships and loneliness, and ‘demonstrates the turning of negative situations into positive art.’

October is a mad busy month for the Craufurd Arms, with other shows as follows:

Trilogy & Liaison – Oct 6

Foo Fighters GB – Oct 7

Cellar Darling – Oct 8

An Evening with Honeyblood – Oct 11

The Undercover Hippy – Oct 12

Nick Harper – Oct 13

The Dekkertones – Oct 14

Cherym – Oct 18

Vampires Everywhere – Oct 23

Tigercub – Oct 28

Employed To Serve – Oct 29

Get tickets for events by tapping to thecraufurdarms.com

Prepare for a hillbilly hoo-ha

Bonkers ‘rockgrass’ blokes Hayseed Dixie will be back in the Keynes on October 1, for a date at MK11 - which also happens to be the last night of the venues’ Oktoberfest run.

Since 2001 the Dixie chaps have issued 17 albums of covers and original tunes.

The recordings have been shared digitally, both legally and illegally, so many millions of times that it makes the band want to laugh and cry simultaneously. And they do too, apparently.

Their most recent release, Shattered Grass, is ‘all-original, old-school, hard-country, honkytonk songs delivered with ragged glory.’

Live it will only be amplified. If you’ve seen ’em on one of their previous visits to the new city, you’ll know...

Circa Waves are spending October on the road with a special run of live dates that will

see the band donate a portion of their profits to local food banks in every town they play in –luckily, their itinerary includes Milton Keynes.

The indie rock mob are celebrating the praise afforded their new album, Never Going Under, and spent the summer hitting up festival stages, so their MK11 date – on October 11 –will feel decidedly intimate.

“In this current climate where the cost of living crisis is hitting everyone, we know that being able to feed your family is no longer a given,” said vocalist and guitarist Kieran, talking about the tour.

Tickets are all gone for this one, but do try the venue for returns.

> Head to mk11kilnfarm.com

Yumi And The Weather - Oct 26

Gama Bomb - Oct 20

Circa Waves - Oct 11

Hayseed Dixie - Oct 1

Andrew Cushin - Oct 25

#WhatsOnPulse

Punk: Rage & Revolution

Until Sunday, March 3

An exhibition that explores the fashion, music and Northampton gig scene with punk at its core – see it in The Temporary Exhibition Gallery.

Oi Oi: northamptonmuseums.com

Singing for the Brain®

Monday, October 2, 2pm – 3.45pm

Sessions using singing to bring people with dementia together in a friendly and stimulating activity. Group meets at Heron’s Lodge Guide Centre, Loughton Lodge. Get involved: Contact Chelsea.gadd@alzheimers.org.uk or call 01908 232612 before attending.

Talk: Our Hedgehog Habitats

Monday, October 2

Hedgehog numbers are in sharp decline, and as more of their habitat disappears, urban parks and gardens in the new city become more important to them.

This Parks Trust session will teach you how to encourage hogs into your garden and understand more about the beautiful animals.

Prickly business: theparkstrust.com

Dance and Movement Class for people living with dementia

Tuesday, October 3, 1.30pm-1.30pm

Free taster session for gentle movement classes for those living with dementia and their partner/carer. Led by professional dance artists Kate Taylor at Woolstone Community Centre.

More details: schools@motusdance.co.uk

The Picturedrome Comedy Club

Thursday, October 5, 7pm for 8pm start

Find the funnies with Garrett Millerick, Brennan Reece, Seeta Wrightston and Ben Van Der Velde.

Knock knock: thepicturedrome.com

The Sportsmens Rest at Shenley Leisure Centre

Friday 6th October from 8.30pm Last Laugh Lane

A five-piece Indie band smashing out anthems of 2000s.

Friday 13th October from 7pm Sounds Cool Disco & Karaoke with DJ Moose and Jarvy

Our monthly install of fun, upbeat music and a chance for you to sing (scream and shout) your favourite lyrics.

Friday 27th October from 8pm

The Estrella’s Halloween themed musical cocktail of six, covering soul, rock and pop. From Blondie to Bruno Mars, Dusty Springfield to Daft Punk. Diverse material, you’ll be singing and dancing with us. Halloween costumes encouraged.

Every Friday enjoy 10% OFF bar purchases 7pm-9pm T&C’s apply.

Shenleyleisure.org.uk

Stantonbury Stand-Up Comedy Night

Friday, October 6, 8pm

Headlined by star of ITV’s hit The Chase, Paul Sinha, with Tom Ward and John Baulf also figuring in the line-up. Caroline Mabey is your host. This bloke came up to me: stantonburytheatre.co.uk

Stories in the Park

Saturday, October 7

A half term treat courtesy of The Parks Trust, with Stories in the Park at Linford Wood bringing a selection of autumnal tales from Red Phoenix. Perfect for family groups and all ages. Bring a chair or a blanket and be entertained.

Telling tales: theparkstrust.com

Denton & District Gardening Club

Monday, October 9, 7.30pm

Val Bourne will give the talk, Gardening with the Best Beloved, the story of how her garden developed from being a virtual wasteland to a flourishing organic garden full of wildlife. Free to members and £3 for visitors - plus refreshments and raffle. All are welcome. Denton Village Hall, Vicarage Lane, Denton NN7 1DT Need some ‘blooming’ help? Enquiries to 01604 890875 or m.pateman@yahoo.co.uk

Spooky Halloween Walks - October 27 at Campbell Park Woods in Milton Keynes

Explore Our Hedgehog Habitats - October 2

Rachel Fairburn: Showgirl

Sunday, October 8, 8.45pm

Settle down and let Rachel cast her acerbic eye over everything from your children to her pretentious new alcohol free life – which was accurate at the time of writing.

‘Very much the rock ‘n’ roll star of British comedy,’ reckons Rolling Stone Showing out: stables.org

Great West Groove

Tuesday, October 10

A traditional blues trio, with Bob also working as the main man behind the Ealing Blues Festival.

High quality music with a few surprises thrown into the mix. Get it on: bletchleybluesclub.uk

An Evening of Burlesque

Friday, October 13, 7.30pm

Expect fun, feathers, fan dancing, fabulous costumes plus speciality artistes, cabaret and circus stars, comedians, World Guinness record holders and champagne showgirls!

Scintillating: theoldsavoy.co.uk

Hancock’s Half Hour – The Lost Episodes

Friday, October 13, 7.30pm

Live on stage comedy from the Apollo Theatre Company. The Marrow Contest: stantonburytheatre.co.uk

Quo Connection

Saturday, October 14, 7.30pm

Former members of John Coghlan’s Quo are back in play and ready to deliver the next chapter of Quo classics. Get your Quo-ta: theroadmender.com

Tricky Teddy’s Family Magic Show

October Highlights

Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening

Tuesday 17 October, 8pm

Some of the oldest Northumbrian tunes and songs brought throbbing to life, intermingling them with new material and binding it all together with contemporary resonance and attitude.

Syd Lawrence Orchestra

Friday 20 October, 8pm

An evening of bigband favourites featuring classic numbers by Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey and many more.

Hayley Griffiths Band

Wednesday 25 October, 8pm

Milton Keynes Aviation Society

Present our next Lecture events:

10 October

“What you might not know about Pearl Harbour”

14 November

“The Polish Air Force in the West”

12 December - Film Evening

“Attack on the Sorpe Dam” Special showing - entry charges will apply Visit www.mkas.co.uk/lectures for full details.

Meetings held at Kents Hill Community Centre, Frithwood Avenue, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6HQ

Doors open at 7.30pm with the events at 8pm.

Enquiries to Ian Carr on 01234 742057 Entry is £5.00 for visitors, free for members – annual fee £22.00.

Saturday, October 14, 2.30pm Krisgar & Tricky Teddy are back in Milton Keynes following a sold-out show in 2022, with more mind-boggling ventriloquism, illusion, singing, music and audience interaction.

Who’s talking?: stantonburytheatre.co.uk

Mission – The Songs of Bond

Sunday, October 15, 7.30pm Journey through the decades and enjoy iconic Bond theme songs. The production is set in the HQ of an intelligent unit and the cast are set on a tough mission to perform the 26 Bond themes...

You Know My Name: theoldsavoy.co.uk

Singing for the Brain®

Monday, October 16, 2pm – 3.45pm Sessions using singing to bring people with dementia together in a friendly and stimulating activity. Group meets at Heron’s Lodge Guide Centre, Loughton Lodge. Get involved: Contact Chelsea.gadd@alzheimers.org.uk or call 01908 232612 before attending.

Cinelli Brothers

Tuesday, October 17

Arguably the most popular band to play at the Bletchley Blues Club, this will sell out. Great rhythms, hard guitar and vocals with some keys thrown in.

Blues brilliance: bletchleybluesclub.uk

The band make a welcome return to The Stables with an evening of classic Celtic songs and uplifting, foot-tapping progressive rock.

Alina Orchestra: Golden Strings

Sunday 29 October, 8pm For their first concert at The Stables, the Alina Orchestra perform works by Edward Elgar, Dmitri Shostakovich, Gustav Holst and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

The Stables, Wavendon

Milton Keynes MK17 8LU Box office: 01908 280800 stables.org

Spitfires of 303 Squadron RAF - ‘Kosciuszko Squadron’

Rachel Fairburn

OLNEY AND DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB

Invites you to a Floral Demonstration by Alison Suffolk entitled A Flower Diary at the Carlton Club Olney, on Tuesday 17th October at 7:30pm

Tickets £12.50 to be bought in advance, available from KyeLee Flowers, Olney or call 01234 712883 or 07738 940098

The arrangements will be raffled at the end of the evening. Drinks will be available from the bar

The Atomic Bitchwax

Thursday, October 19, 7.30pm

American stoner rock of a high order. The trio have all spent time in the ranks of Monster Magnet. Come and play!

Scorpio: thecraufurdarms.com

Swiftogeddon –

The Taylor Swift Club Night

Friday, October 20, 10pm-2am Worship at the altar of Taylor Swift, with non-stop Swifty all night long – deep cuts, extended mixes, fan favourites and all the hits.

Taylor-made: theroadmender.com

Visualise - Exhibition of Contemporary Stitched Art Textiles

Saturday & Sunday, October 21 & 22, 10.30am-4pm

The creative group of 13 artists will be showing artwork, accessories, Christmas gifts, creative packs and cards to inspire and buy, at Welford Village Hall. Entry is free. A stitch in time: visualise.online

An Evening with Clinton Baptiste

Sunday, October 22

The useless clairvoyant medium psychic from Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights will visit The Craufurd Arms for stories, jokes and demos of his amazing ability! The spirit world calls: thecraufurdarms.com

Martin McNeil’s Bottleneck Blues

Tuesday, October 24

Martin is a traditional blues artist specialising in slide guitar, but he is bringing his full band to Bletchley to play for you. Get in it: bottleneck-blues.com

Spooky Halloween Walks

Friday, October 27

A spooky guided walk through the Campbell Park woods where you’ll encounter witches, spiders and zombies on your quest to break a terrible curse placed on the park. Complete challenges and puzzles to defeat the Head Witch and escape the woods alive! Designed for primary school age children. Enter if you dare: theparkstrust.com

Psychic Fair

Sunday, October 29, midday-4.30pm

Four mediums will be in situ at The Craufurd Arms, with tarot readings, craft stalls and street food available. I see a great afternoon out: thecraufurdarms.com

Community Litter Pick: Broughton Brook

Monday, October 30, 10am

Join The Parks Trust on a community litter pick at Broughton Brook with a ranger guiding you through the space and litter collection. All equipment will be provided. Meet at 10am at Broughton Fields School in Shackerstone Close.

Rubbish times: theparkstrust.com

Dracula

Tuesday, October 31 –

Saturday, November 4

Carabosse Theatre Company presents a deliciously dark adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic, with the promise that it will be ‘an immersive sensory experience you will not forget.’

Bloody great: stantonburytheatre.co.uk

An Evening with Laurel and Hardy

Tuesday, October 17

Fresh off a European tour supporting The Winery Dogs, singer, songwriter and guitarist, and Gibson Guitar brand ambassador Jared hits the road again – and he’s wrapping up a UK stint in Milton Keynes at The Craufurd Arms. Easy Come, Easy Go:

Cattle Creepy 10K

Thursday, October 26, 6.30pm

Take part in a 10km riverside run through the less well-known parkland of North Milton Keynes, beginning at 6.30pm close to the Wolverton House Pub. A celebratory run to mark Halloween. theparkstrust.com

Antiques Centre

1,

OPEN: Wed to Mon 10am-4pm, CLOSED: Tues

Facebook: @vintiqueltd Instagram: vintique.limited

T: 01327 341 980 E: info@vintique.co W: vintique.co

Tuesday, October 31

Neil Brand is acclaimed as the leading world expert on silent film and silent comedy, and this event will be a joy, with stills, clips, and Neil’s superlative piano accompaniment, before two of the boys’ best silent short films are aired. The best of the best: stables.org

Jared James Nichols

An Evening with Laurel and Hardy presented by Neil Brand - October 31

Building

The Royal Ordnance Depot, Weedon Bec, NN7 4PS

Film Reviews

by Jordan Adcock

FILM OF THE MONTH - Star Rating: 4.5/5

As bold as it is deceptively simple, Past Lives resists any forced conflict or ridiculous twists for a more difficult, ambiguous three-way relationship dilemma. It’s one where no one does anything wrong per se but things still feel unresolved, unfair even on all involved.

Na Young (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) are inseparable as school friends in late 1990s Seoul – that is, until Na Young’s family moves to Toronto, and she adopts the name Nora. Twelve years later, they finally talk again on Skype calls; Nora’s a writer in New York while Hae Sung coasts through life after military service in Korea. Another twelve years pass, and Hae Sung goes to New York, only Nora’s already been married to fellow writer Arthur (John Magaro) for years. She’s thrilled to see her old friend again — but could they, should they have been together instead?

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM

Star Rating: 3/5

Yet another version of the pizza-loving turtle heroes? Not so fast. Mutant Mayhem is obviously and heavily influenced by the Spider-Verse films’ very stylised animation and frenetic action. Yet, it tells its own perfectly serviceable story with the turtles desperate to embrace life beyond the sewers and getting into all sorts of, well, mutant mayhem on the way. Better still, the chemistry between the four turtles is lovably hyperactive and childlike instead of annoying or just trying to sound ‘like kids talk’. They really feel like the Ninja Turtles for today’s kids, overloaded by phones and social media and where pop culture references are practically part of the language (the Avengers: Endgame reference is a bit forced, though). It’s to the film’s credit that it doesn’t lose the heart. ✪

Past Lives

The film frequently references the Korean concept In-yeon, of people who meet and fall in love having already met in their past lives. It could be true, yet it comes across as Nora and Hae Sung failing to reconcile their feelings for each other. The film’s title also poignantly refers to immigrant experience, evoked by the life and friend Na Young leaves behind when she gained her Western name, something that’ll always stay with her and unavoidably out of reach for her husband Arthur.

This is a tremendous first film from writer-director Celine Song, where the direction and camerawork noticeably but elegantly complements the characters’ awkward divide, delicately performed by the leading trio. She presents a genuinely adult drama with a tantalising and sad ‘what if?’ that you’ll hold onto long after the credits roll. ✪

SOUND OF FREEDOM

BLUE BEETLE THE EQUALIZER

Star Rating: 2.5/5

The always magnetic Denzel Washington returns for more rough justice in this third and probably final Equalizer film. He once more plays Robert McCall, who tries to leave behind his vigilante life for a picturesque Sicilian town, only to contend with vicious mobsters terrorising the locals. Even by ‘meat and potatoes’ action standards, this is straightforward stuff. The charismatic leading man, the good community he joins, the evildoers scheming and threatening, the plot turns, it’s all very predictable and reliable. It’s a weirdly cosy film in that sense, including when Denzel’s beating bad guys to a bloody pulp. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of that, too, all achieved seemingly without him breaking a sweat. His triumph’s never in question, so just enjoy the grisly ways he does it this time around. ✪

Star Rating: 2/5

Sound of Freedom makes its message crystal clear before doubling down - child trafficking is horrible. That’s absolutely true; whether that warrants a two-hour-plus film that’s overall basic, maybe even reductive, is more dubious. Loosely inspired by the efforts of former US federal agent Jim Ballard to recover children forced into trafficking rings, Jim Caviezel plays Ballard as stereotypically stoic and unflappable in his mission, with much grit but not much identity. While the film generates palpable dread by not shying away from how traffickers operate and what happens to the captive kids, a docudrama or documentary would better fit this film’s stated ambitions to shine a spotlight on this harrowing topic. Oh, and urging viewers to buy more tickets after you’ve watched it, courtesy of a mid-credits message from Caviezel. ✪

Star Rating: 1.5/5

If this summer’s box office bomb The Flash was Warner Bros. / DC Comics’ embarrassing attempt to scrape together what was left of its cinematic universe, Blue Beetle is their tepid attempt to launch a new superhero. Everything here has been done before and far better in other comic book adaptations, down to the “Hero’s Journey” dialogue copied and pasted from a dozen other films. Plot gears move and click into place because the script says so and the audience expects it, not because there’s any believable characters or compelling themes to show us. The fully anonymous protagonist Jaime only benefits by comparison to his supposedly loving and supportive (actually very annoying) family or to Susan Sarandon’s terrible performance as the corporate overlord villain. ✪

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

Greta Lee and Teo Yoo in “Past Lives” (Credit: A24)

Shows to get your teeth into!

There are some truly fantastic times ahead in theatreland this month, and Carabosse’s Dracula is bloody delectable. Pulse’s Sammy Jones has more...

Are you ‘avin a larf? You certainly will be if you take a seat to Stantonbury’s Theatre’s Stand-Up Comedy Night (Oct 6), with Paul Sinha in the headline spot.

The Chase’s Sinnerman will be joined by Tom Ward and Josh Baulf with Caroline Mabey hosting. Want a ticket? The chase is on, so hurry.

Hancock’s Half Hour: The Lost Episodes will be delivered on the Stantonbury stage on Friday, October 13. Unlucky for some, but not for fans of the master that was Tony Hancock. When it debuted on the airwaves in 1954, it was among the very first in the genre we commonly refer to as sitcoms these days. It was groundbreaking back then.

Did you know that Ray Galton and Alan Simpson penned those Half Hour episodes? They went on to create Steptoe and Son. Clearly they knew how to deliver funny business!

Other shows at the venue this month include Tricky Teddy’s Family Magic Show (Oct 14) and Comedy Club 4 Kids (Oct 22).

One show that definitely isn’t for little folks is Milton Keynes Community Theatre Carabosse’s delivery of Dracula (Oct 31-Nov 4).

“I have always loved the book by Bram Stoker and as a Goth in the 80’s have been inspired by the darker side of life so Dracula seemed an obvious choice, who hasn’t heard of Count Dracula?” says Sally Luff, creative producer and artistic director behind the piece, “This production has been adapted by Tim Dalgleish and myself and has kept to the original story with a few Carabosse twists, but what makes this one different is that it’s a multi sensory show making it inclusive and accessible to everyone.”

This major piece of work boasts a cast and creative team nudging 60 people and includes MK Women’s Choir, Act Out, Act Up youth group, MK College art students, music by singer/songwriter Mark Denman, with live music by Phil Underwood and illusions by BGT face David Penn

As Sally says, “It’s a feast for all your senses,” and one that has taken in excess of a year to write, cast and pull all the collaborators together.”

It’s a passion for all of those involved, not least of all, Sally. If you’ve never settled down for a Carabosse production before, it’s time to put that to rights.

“We will take you on a magnificent sensory and surprising journey exploring the most famous gothic novel ever written,” Sally promises, “This adaptation of Dracula has beauty in abundance alongside adventure, dancing, love, comedy, excitement and of course vampires, so what’s not to like?”

2:22 A Ghost Story has sent chills throughout the West End and it comes to MK Theatre (Oct 3-7), with Joe Absolom, Nathaniel Curtis, Louisa Lytton and Charlene Boyd taking you deep into the supernatural thriller.

Al Murray, Mel Giedroyc, Neil Morrissey and Carrie Hope Fletcher lead the charge in a refreshingly new show for the venue –The Crown Jewels (Oct 10-14).

The new comedy is based on the most unbelievable royal caper in British history, but if Colonel Blood thinks pulling off the heist to end them all – stealing the Crown Jewels – will be easy, he’s got another thing coming.

And no King likes people handling their Crown Jewels, least of all Charles II...

Calendar Girls the Musical is back (Oct 1721) and The Drifters Girl (Oct 24-28) explores the story of the music makers, and the woman who made them.

Naturally a soundtrack of smash hits will feature – from Saturday Night At The Movies to Stand By Me. Last up for October at the venue, a new production of Jesus Christ Superstar (Oct 30-Nov 4).

In 2022 Axel Blake bagged the Britain’s Got Talent crown, and the dude from Dunstable is bringing his observational comedy to The Stables (Oct 1), In Style

Tickets are limited for him, and already sold-out for this year’s BGT winner, Viggo Venn (Oct 23). Check our What’s On pages for much more theatre action for October.

> Book tickets:

The Stables: stables.org

Milton Keynes Theatre: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Stantonbury Theatre: stantonburytheatre.co.uk

Carabosse bring Dracula to the stage from October 31

They don’t call him mellow yellow! BGT winner Viggo Venn plays a sold-out Stables on October 23

The Crown Jewels will twinkle at MK Theatre this October!

View from the Far Kerb

Pain

1 2 4 7 5

It was so close! We had lined up a move to a vacant refurbished property and our buyer was selling their flat to a first-time purchaser. As chains go, it was short and looked pretty good.

Packing became packed. The idea was to box items we could go without for a few weeks and shove all the constantly needed things into ‘last-minute’ boxes just ahead of the Big Day. Not even furniture escaped our attention. The contents of sideboards and TV stands were stuffed away as well removing and carefully wrapping stone or glass inlays which then vanished into various temporary cardboard homes.

Contracts were signed and all looked well. However, our buyer seemed unready. Weeks turned into months. The things we knew we could do without for a short duration were being missed. Boxes were opened and the odd item was fished out. The carefully stacked boxes became a little messy as they were restacked according to their status. If filled with stuff destined to only be opened in our new home, they went in corners. If we were likely to need and reopen them before Moving Day, they tended towards being left in front of those crammed into the corners. If already opened due to the mind-numbingly long delays experienced, they were strewn about the place, seemingly at random. The tardiness of the management company overseeing our buyer’s flat had a great affect upon our arrangement of packedaway-domesticity.

Being ‘only’ a few months overdue, we were glad to see that our buyer’s buyer had finally received answers to questions they had been asking regarding the leasehold. Now we were ready to finalise plans. There was still a slim chance that we could be moved before the end of August.

An update sent to our chosen removals company revealed that the earliest dates now available were during the first week of September. More boxes were going to be reopened…

Excitement grew as we anticipated a phone call or email asking us to green-light exchange of contracts after submitting dates on which we wished to set as Completion Day. When the call came. It wasn’t what we expected. Our buyer’s buyer had pulled out. The reason given was that they didn’t like the answers they got back regarding the leasehold for the flat.

4 6 6 4 1 3 8 2 4 5 7 5 2 8 6 4 8 1

QUICK CROSSWORD

Getting to that point had only taken an extra two months.

It is nice to see that there are people who are happy to charge vast amounts to answer simple questions, but take an extraordinarily long time to do so. Their efficiency must be what has made Britain great. No doubt they sleep well at night regardless of the pain they inflict on the unwary as they behave as if incompetent.

Back to the boxes. Having had the whole process fall through, it doesn’t matter if the property we were aiming to buy, vanishes. We can’t buy it if we can’t sell. Time wasted by pen-pushers isn’t free. It cost us money and hope. Bitter? A bit. Phil

is

to see that there are people who are happy to charge vast amounts to answer simple questions, but take an extraordinarily long time to do so.

Your stars

Flavour of the Times - You may well have spent last month trying to get things in order for the autumn and winter, Virgo style, so it’s probably been a busy period and this continues for a little while longer. The autumn equinox on 30th September is where the days and nights are the same length and Libra marks the moment of change, when we go from the productive part of the year to the winding down towards winter. Humans tend to charge on relentlessly whatever the season, but you may find it helpful to try to live your life more in accordance with the monthly and yearly cycles. I find that things tend to go better like that when you moderate your expectations to the seasons.

LIBRA

September 24 – October 23

Mars’s residence in your sign can be seen in demands for justice and fairness in society at the moment. A lot is coming out from deep down in the form of allegations of past abuse and this is exposing another side of Libra –the urge to maintain a pleasant exterior face to the world even when things may feel as if they are falling apart.

SCORPIO

October 24 – November 22

Some of the harder and more challenging aspects to your sign may have eased now, but you may not be entirely sure where it leaves you. So much activity is trekking back into the past that forward motion seems almost impossible, so the best thing to do is clean up where you are standing and not move at all!

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 – December 22

People around you may not be saying what they mean or they may not even know themselves what to say. Your plain speaking nature finds this really frustrating but there’s not a lot you can do except wait for the energy to change, as it inevitably will. Try not to preach your truth where it may not be wanted.

CAPRICORN

December 23 – January 20

If you are experiencing seismic shocks of one kind or another, you may not really know what to make of them. They are symbolic of deep changes and structural shifts in the fabric of our world that hint at even deeper and hidden changes taking place. It may feel very harsh and that’s because it is. Lessons to be learnt may feel almost overwhelming.

AQUARIUS

January 21 – February 19

Just because you think you can see how things are while others appear to blundering around in the dark, doesn’t mean you should relentlessly bore people with the information. Many people are struggling and it’s not such a great look to appear to be gliding above the carnage. You may also be wrong but I bet you never consider that possibility do you, eh?

PISCES

February 20 – March 20

The dissolving continues. Structures you thought you could depend on may be falling apart. Others talk up a good story, but you probably remain unconvinced by much of what is being said. You probably doubt that anyone has a thorough grasp of events and you’d be right. It feels like the end of an era and it may well be. Luckily you are ok with that. Pisces can be very wise sometimes.

ARIES

March 21 – April 20

Your drive to push ahead may be driven by some unstated fears. I wonder if there are things you are afraid to let go of or stop doing but you distract yourself by being hyperactive? Do you know why that might be? On the other hand, you will be getting some help from Venus now so you might be feeling the love in some way!

TAURUS

April 21 – May 21

The moon close to Uranus in your sign gives you a nice boost on the first day or so of the month so use that to innovate and think differently about your circumstances. Love and such matters may be tricky though, so the main thing is to give yourself time to value yourself and your own way of doing things, particularly when it comes to looking after your health.

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.

GEMINI

May 22 – June 21

You may not be very impressed with what you are being told this month. Words can be cheap and what lies behind them may not be as genuine as you would like. The new moon in Libra may help though even if there is a lot of indecision going around with people being pulled in all sorts of different directions.

CANCER

June 22 – July 23

The new moon in Libra on 14th may feel challenging in what gets to be said. Feelings and emotions seem complex and contradictory so you will need to dig down to see what is going on underneath. Just be your usual caring and nurturing self and provide a safe space for someone to confess some personal fears to you.

LEO

July 24 – August 23

All sorts of adjustments need to be made now as the ground shifts beneath your feet. The times are indeed ‘out of joint’ and your natural enthusiasm for life may not be shared by those around you. Some people may respond quite badly to any insensitivity you show now. On the other hand, you can raise morale by your natural positivity.

VIRGO

August 24 – September 23

All neat, tidy and ready to go? Well, maybe, but these are difficult times to try to get things in order and there may well also be some emotional fall-out from things you have done, which seemed necessary at the time, but may still be upsetting when the consequences are fully understood. Go carefully now and feel into the way the season is changing.

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.

GET INVOLVED...

We are always looking for local stories, news and events.

Send your stories to: mkpulse@pulsegroupmedia.co.uk

For the latest local news visit: mkpulse.co.uk or scan the code.

THE POWER of Three

The Power of 3 runs through the core of OCM as we have three professional disciplines brought together allowing us to deliver such a powerful client focused proposition.

As an Independent Chartered Financial Planning Firm, a Discretionary Asset Manager and Tax planning specialist, we utilise the power of 3, to ensure we deliver a seamless and first class, cost and time efficient service to clients. This is because at OCM we truly believe Our Clients Matter.

CHARTERED Financial Planners

ocmwealthmanagement.co.uk

TAXATION & Accounting

DISCRETIONARY Asset Managers