Some fun facts about Easter...

Whether you're munching on your Easter eggs, going to church or having a roast dinner, you'll hopefully be getting the 4 day holiday from work 0this weekend.

We've got a few unusual facts about Easter to entertain you while you relax...

• The largest Easter egg hunt took place in Florida, and involved finding over 500,000 eggs
• The average child gets over £50 worth of Easter eggs from family and friends
• The UK's first chocolate Easter egg was made in 1873 by Fry's of Bristol
• 19% of children reckon they make themselves ill by eating too much chocolate over the Easter holidays
• In the past, pretzels were associated with Easter because the twists were thought to resemble arms crossing in prayer
• In medieval times, a festival of egg-throwing was held in church where the priest would throw a hard-boiled egg to one of the choirboys. It was then thrown between the choirboys, until the clock struck 12. Whoever had the egg at this point was the winner and would keep the egg.
• When people eat an Easter bunny, 76% bite off the ears first...

However you celebrate Easter weekend, have a great time, just try not to get sick from eating too much chocolate!

How do you spend your Christmas Eve?

We can't quite believe it's here already! The advent calendars are very nearly empty, Santa's on his way and we're looking forward to Christmas Eve tomorrow! While the big day is obviously Christmas day, Christmas Eve has a lot of excitement of it's own, with the anticipation of what the next day will bring and hanging up the stockings over the fireplace and little kids (and big ones!) not being able to sleep for excitement.

Thinking about Christmas Eve, we're wondering- do you have a Christmas Eve tradition? Some people do, others don't, so we thought we'd take a look at some ideas of what you could be up to this Christmas Eve...

Midnight Mass- A tradition which has been around for donkeys years, attending a Christmas Eve church service is something many people do, whether religious or not, to see in Christmas day. There are a number of services being held across the local area, and a few have been listed below for your information:

• St Bedes Newport Pagnell: 8pm for "Midnight Mass" but at an earlier time!
• St Peter and St Paul Parish Church Newport Pagnell: 11.30pm for Midnight Eucharist
• Newport Pagnell Methodist Church: 11.30pm for a Christmas Eve communion shared with the URC.
• St Peter and St Paul Olney: 5pm Crib service and 11.30pm Midnight Christmas service

If a Christmas service isn't your thing, then how about the Christmas Carol Evening with Sutcliff Baptist Church at Olney Infant Academy, for some carol singing followed by a warm drink and mince pie at 6.30-7pm.

Twas the last weekend before Christmas...

Christmas is looming, and with the last weekend before the big day what are you going to do with it?!

Hopefully you've managed to get most of the Christmas shopping done already, if not, this weekend may be your chance. Prepare yourself for the crowds in advance and get your trainers on. Not one for the faint hearted, but if there are gifts to buy, it has to be done! Maybe the gifts are bought but you've left the turkey to the last minute, and a bit like the old TV show 'supermarket sweep' you'll likely be racing around the various supermarkets searching for that roastable bird. If you've seen the movie, 'Christmas with the Kranks' you'll understand!

If shopping is off limits this weekend, here are a few ideas for you to enjoy over the next few days...

Friday 19th:

'Just another star', the U3A Christmas Concert @ the URC Church, Newport Pagnell, from 7.30pm
Come and enjoy a Christmas concert and readings with the MKU3A choir. Seasonal refreshments will be served and there will also be a raffle. Tickets are available at £6 each by calling 07762178379 or from members of the choir. All proceeds will go to the children's A&E department and Milton Keynes hospital.

The Two Brewers presents their annual live music Christmas event from an Olney band, wear a Chritmas jumper for a free drink, and on Saturday there will be an open Mic night.

Saturday 20th:

Open air nativity @ Newport Pagnell High Street, 10.50am
This morning come and join in with the annual open-air nativity service with the local churches, starting outside the Parish church with Mary and Joseph and a real life donkey, followed by a drama and  finishing outside Boots at around 11am for some carols, where you can enjoy a hot drink at the Dolphin pub to finish it off.

Rock n Roll Christmas Hop with Tartan Ted @ Newport Pagnell Football Club, from 8pm
Entrance costs £5.  Bar and raffle. All proceeds to the Newport Pagnell Christmas lights.

Paraffinalia @ Campbell Park, Milton Keynes, from 7pm
You will have seen our blog earlier in the week about this great free event, with walking characters, illuminations, lanterns and fire, and hot food and drinks available. Starts at the open air theatre in Campbell Park.

Sunday 21st:

Perter Pan workshop for kids @ MK Theatre, 10-11am

For children aged 7-12, a chance to learn what it's like to play the part of Peter Pan in a pantomime. Join Peter Pan himself (George Ure) on a musical theatre journey where children will learn actual scenes from Peter Pan including some musical numbers. Costs £7 per child. Call 01908547651 to book

Carols in the Wood @ Howe Park Wood, 3.30pm

Join for an afternoon of carolling, bring a lantern, wrap up warm and wear suitable footwear as it may be wet underfoot. Singing will be accompanied by MK Youth Brass and Willen Hospice will be selling light refreshments. 

All-age Carol Service @ Newport Pagnell Baptist Church, Lovat Hall, Silver Street, 4-5pm

Come and enjoy an all-age, family friendly community carol service with an informal nativity. Come and really get in the Christmas spirit, and enjoy free mulled wine and mince pies afterwards. 

Christmas special featuring Katherine Ryan @ The Canon, Newport Pagnell, 7pm

Arrive at 7pm for the start of the show featuring Tom Webb, Adam Rushton, Paul Revill and more, followed by Katherine Ryan. Katherine has appeared as a guest on a number of shows, including Live at the Apollo and 8 out of 10 cats. A great night of entertainment, tickets £10 on the door.

Carol Services @ The United Reformed Church, Newport Pagnell, @ St Peter & St Paul Parish Church Newport Pagnell and @ Sutcliff Baptist Church Olney, all at 6pm

Come and join in with a traditional carol service, open to all.

A musical weekend!...

It's that time of the week where we give you another great list of what's on this weekend in the local area, it's all rather musical and Christmassy!

Saturday 13th December:

Newport Pagnell and Olney Club Christmas Fair @ The URC Hall, High Street, Newport Pagnell, 10am-3pm.

Free entry. A wonderful selection of local arts and crafts people with something special for those last-minute Christmas gifts.

Olney Village Fair @ The Church Hall, Church Street, Olney, 11am-3pm
'For lovers of original vintage'. Come along for some crafty bargains and items. Entry £1.

Tickford Abbey Christmas Craft Fair @ Tickford Abbey, 2-4.30pm.

A great selection on offer, including Christmas cards, handcrafted Christmas ornaments, hand decorated mugs, edible Christmas treats and more, created by Tickford Abbey's residents and staff members. 

Danesborough Chorus Christmas Concert @ St. Mary's Church, Woburn, 7.30pm.

Combining traditional favourites with a selection of new carols, our Christmas concert will be a feast for your ears and offers plenty of opportunity for audience participation. Tickets cost £10/£8 for adults and £3 for children, including refreshments.

Bozeat Windmill Singers: Unashamedly Christmas Concert @ Bozeat Village Hall, 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £7 and are available on the door.

Carols & Brass @ Parish Church Hall, Newport Pagnell, 7.30pm

The Newport Pagnell Singers and Olney Brass team up to present a traditional Christmas concert with audience participation. Tickets cost £10 and are available from Cambourne Travel, Newport Pagnell or Wilson's Olney.

Sunday 14th December: 

Carol Singing for all @ The R.C Church, West Street, Olney, 7.30pm

A warm welcome to everyone to join the church choir to sing some favourite carols and to enjoy mulled wine and mince pies in the Olney Centre to conclude the evening. Entrance is free, donations to Cafod will be greatly welcomed.

Angels at the Abbey Christmas Fair @ Alston Road, Bradwell Abbey, 11am-4pm.

Come along for some Christmas fun: Santa's grotto, seasonal music and singing, children's activities, mince pies and mulled wine, and numerous stalls offering some great gift choices. Free entry.

Newport Pagnell Lights Switch on- Tomorrow!

The Christmas festivities are getting into full swing this weekend with the Newport Pagnell lights switch on day. As you'll know if you've been before, it's far more than just the lights being switched on, it's a full day of stalls and various entertainment, ending with the lights switch on at 5pm.

The day begins bright and early for all those involved with the stalls being set up at 9am, opening at 10am. There will be a variety of stalls hosting various products, from crafts to foods, to other stalls giving things away and promoting their business or cause. The High Street is set to be buzzing, and we've got a few specific things going on to wet your appetite for the days events...

Visit Santa: The United Reformed Church will be hosting Santa's grotto from 1-5pm, and it costs £3 to visit Santa (gift included). They will also be holding other activities, including bauble decorating, Christmas card making and reindeer food making.

The Parish Church will be hosting their Christmas fair from 10am, with a selection of stalls selling gifts, books, crafts, Christmas cards, hats, scarves and much more. There will also be a raffle, tombola and refreshments served all day. There will be carol singing for all once the lights have been turned on.

Newport Pagnell Baptist Church will have a 'Get in the Picture' stall, where you can come and have your photo taken as part of the Christmas story, either by putting your head in the picture frame or by dressing up as a character from the nativity. You can then download your pictures for free from the website over the following week.

The Methodist Church are asking for volunteers to come and help decorate their three Christmas trees, with your own dedication or wish. Stop by between 2-6pm, tea and coffee will be available.

Brooklands Centre will also be holding their Christmas fair on the day, from 10am-4pm with stalls, hot dogs, chutney tasting, tombola and more. The Historical Society will also have a stall, as well as the Newport Pagnell Town Council, who will be serving mulled wine and Christmas games.

There will be a variety of live entertainment from 1pm, including performances from Diamonds theatre school, singing and more. There will be carol singing around the Christmas tree with Olney brass band at 4pm followed by a parade to the Swan revived hotel at 4.45pm, and then the lights will be switched on. Come along for some great Christmas festivities!

Please note- the High Street will be closed  to traffic for the Christmas Lights Event from 8am-7pm. From the Union Street to Ousebank Street junctions. 

Hope MK is back- Young People Making a Difference in Milton Keynes

Last year you may have read about an initiative called Hope MK in the Phonebox magazine. Well it's that time of year again, and during the half-term break starting tomorrow (27th-31st Oct) more than 130 young people aged 11-17 will be out across Milton Keynes, challenging the negative stereotypes which are usually associated with them. By giving up their school holiday to run a variety of community building & social action projects, they will demonstrate that young people are not lazy, apathetic & good for nothing.

Through an initiative called Hope MK, a small army of 130+ young people will spend their mornings with the Hope MK team being trained & equipped, before heading out to projects taking place in communities across Milton Keynes each afternoon. Projects include children’s work, drop-in cafes, a social media project, Messy Church, community clean-up/gardening, & play sessions. All the activities are free, and everyone is welcome to join in. 

The team will be dressed in purple & yellow hoodies to make sure they stand out, but also to challenge the widely held misconception that wearing a hoodie means you’re a threat or a nuisance. At last year’s event over 100 young invested a total of 5400 hours in communities across the city; this year we anticipate that will increase to 6500 hours!

‘Seeing so many young people committing to give up their half-term break to invest their time & energy to bless communities across MK is amazing. We hear so much about young people leaving the Church, so it’s great to know that these guys are leaving for the right reason: in order to go and serve others & share the hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.’ Ricky Rew – Hope MK Team 

The initiative ends with an event for Year 7-13s from 7:30pm on Friday 31st at St. Paul’s School to celebrate all that’s been achieved through the week, and will feature a variety of activities including sumo suits, inflatable demolition derby & gladiator podiums, and human foosball. 

Twenty churches, six local & four national organisations have been working together for a year to plan & prepare for the event. Look out for the teams of purple & yellow hoodies around MK during half term!

Hope MK is a partnership of churches and organisations across Milton Keynes. 

What's on this weekend

It's the weekend again (hooray!) and as always, there are plenty of events in and around the local area to keep you entertained. 

Saturday: 

Turvey Bloomers Apple Pressing Day @ Turvey Village Hall from 11am-2pm. 

Come along for a great free event at Turvey Village hall, with fresh and bottled apple juice, cider, breakfasts, ploughman's lunches, cakes, honey, bread and pies, all locally produced. There'll also be plants (to buy, not to eat!) and there'll be musical entertainment to enjoy along with your food and drink.

The Ancient Order of Foresters- Annual Charity Brunch @ The Harrold United Reformed Church from 10am-noon.

This event is being organised by Gill and Brian Hillier on behalf of The Ancient Order of Foresters, in aid of Sense for deaf-blind people. Come along and enjoy an English breakfast or danish pastry and tea or coffee, all for a donation. Enjoy the wonderful, foot-tapping sounds of the Bedford Ukulele group as you eat or drink. There will also be a raffle, cake stall and the chance to get in there early and buy some Christmas cards and wrapping paper.

Local Choirs and the Hospice sing @ Newport Pagnell Parish Church at 7.30pm.

Join the Newport Pagnell singers and the Cranfield based Sounds Familiar Community Choir in celebrating the role of the Hospices in our local communities. The concert is organised by the choirs in association with the Friends of Willen Hospice. Tickets cost £8.

Bark in the park @ Ouzel Valley Park at 10am.

The monthly dog-walking social is back, at just £1 per dog, come along and meet other dog walkers and enjoy a new dog-walking route. Walks typically last between 1-1.5 hours and involve on and off lead walking. Meet in the car park on Simpson Drive, off H9 Groveway. 

Flowers and Lakes! This weekend...

This weekend the main events seem to be revolving around flowers and lakes. Slightly random you may think, but the events themselves are some pretty good ones!

SATURDAY:

Great Linford Waterside Festival  started yesterday and runs through to Sunday. It's a free event with the exception of parking which is £2.50. It's set to be a great event, have a look at the website here. Saturday the opening times are 11.30am-7pm and Sunday 11.45am-5.30pm. 


St Laud's Church Flower Festival and Open Gardens 'BYGONES', together with Sherington Historical Society Biannual Scarecrow Competition. Come and see the beautiful arrangements in the St Laud’s Church and then take time to view the gardens and hunt out the Scarecrows around the village. The festival is open both Saturday and Sunday, from 11am-5pm.

Woburn Abbey Garden Show is open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm, and has something for everyone to enjoy. In a friendly and accessible environment, you can enjoy an introduction to gardening, the opportunity to improve or learn new gardening skills and purchase wonderful plants and garden items. Live music entertainment. Tickets are £11 adults, £10 seniors and £6 for children. For more information visit their website. 


And over to the lakes... There are a couple of events happening over at Willen lake On SUNDAY:

Peace Pagoda Anniversary, from 10.30am-3.30pm.  

The programme to commemorate the anniversary will include a Buddhist ceremony, multi-faith peace prayers, speakers on anti-nuclear and non-violent actions, and an afternoon multi-cultural celebration.

Dragon Boat Festival 

The Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival takes place in aid of Age UK Milton Keynes. Join in the fun, raise and boat and compete for the title of Dragon Boat champion or cheer on your favourite team from the lakeside. Find out more here.

Service to remember the 250th anniversary of John Newton's curacy

John Newton, most famous for writing the classic hymn, 'amazing grace', is being remembered tomorrow, with a special service being held in Olney to commemorate the 250th anniversary of his curacy in Olney. The service is being held at St Peter & Paul's church in Olney, where he served as curate for 16 years, from 1764. It will be led by the Revd Claire Wood, Vicar of Olney, and is set to begin at 12.30pm. As well as the service, there will also be a presentation on John Newton by the Rev Mike Swales, discussing Newton's life before his arrival in Olney and how he came to be there. All are welcome to join.

Olney on The One Show!

Incase you missed it- Onley was on BBC's The One Show on Tuesday evening, following the story of John Newton and the famous hymn, Amazing Grace, which was written in Olney. 

If you missed it, have a watch on iPlayer (skip forward to 12 minutes in to watch the part about Olney and Amazing Grace!)

The programme includes an interview with ex-MP Jonathan Aitken who has written a biography about John Newton, titled John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace, and fits in some of Olney's beautiful scenery, as well as a performance of Amazing Grace in St Peter and St Paul's church in Olney by the Gospel Touch choir.

Byrne wins again!

Well hot off the press- she did it! Devon Byrne won the Olney pancake race for the third time running, and broke the record yet again by around a second!

Crowds flocked to see the race, lining the high street in the sunshine, many bustling for a good place to get some photographs from! There was a great sense of community as many came out to watch the race, as well as the children's races which took place in the morning and also received a great support.

There were pancakes left right and centre, with both those being used in the race and also ones being made and sold in the square and by celebrity chef Lesley Waters. Spectators watched and then followed the runners as they crossed the finish line, gathering by St. Paul's church to hear the winners announced before everyone piled into the church for the annual Shriving Service.

The sun was shining for the duration of the race, and it was a great day for it! Watch this space for more photos coming soon!