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

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

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

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

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s story The Smeds and The Smoos is on stage at The Core, Corby

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

Stony Words: Helen Thompson - Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century Thursday, February 3 Join the Professor of Political Economy at Cambridge University as she talks about her upcoming book release; a long history of the present political moment created by the shocks of economic failure by the banks, the rupture of the European Union and political schisms in the United States. Tickets are £5 in advance for the event, which is taking place upstairs at The Crown in Stony Stratford. Book in for the book bash: stonywords.org.uk The Smeds and The Smoos Thursday, February 3 (1pm & 4pm) and Friday, February 4 (10am & 12.30pm) Theatre-time for little folks who will be charmed by the Tall Stories team as they deliver an exciting adaptation of the awardwinning book by Julai Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back? Music, laughs and interplanetary adventures for those aged three years and up. Space time: thecorecorby.com

Stony Words: Performers’ Night Friday, February 4 Visit York House Centre in Stony Stratford for your chance to perform those folk/ roots/acoustic songs that you’ve been perfecting! Entry is £5 on the door – from 7.30pm ready for an 8pm start. Turn up: thesongloft.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

A talk: ‘Different Ways with Clematis’ Monday, February 14 Peter Skeggs-Gooch will be in conversation at Denton & District Gardening Club. Entry is free for members, £3 for visitors. There will also be a raffle and home-made refreshments. Put down roots: Call 01604 890875 or email m.pateman@yahoo.co.uk

Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominee Larry Dean brings the laughter to Derngate this month

Dick & Angel Dare To Do It Sunday, February 20, 7.30pm Join the stars of the hit TV show Escape to the Chateau as they explain who they are, where they have come from, how they met and why they dared to do it! Head to the castle: royalandderngate.co.uk

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

Dan Webster Friday, February 25, 8.45pm Singer-songwriter Dan’s music is influenced by the sounds and storytelling traditions of Americana, which the Yorkshireman melds with an honest northern English perspective. Open your ears: stables.org Space Friday, February 25, 7.30pm During the band’s lifetime, Space have shifted more than five million records, and made their way into the Top 10 singles chart 10 times. After an extended period of downtime because of Covid, the Brit aces are getting back on the stage with a date in Corby. Suburban Rock and Roll: thecorecorby.com

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