Mothers Day Gift Ideas

If you haven't got round to getting your mum a gift for mothers day, don't panic, you've still got time and we've got a few ideas for you... If you've got a copy of this month's Phonebox magazine, flick to pages 34-35 to get some great inspiration for mother's day gifts, many of which you can buy locally...

Personalised and handmade gifts always have that certain special touch, and homemade gifts can also help when there isn't much money to be spared. Gifts don't have to necessarily be material, why not treat your mum to a nice meal, or a day trip out. If you're the artistic type you could sew, paint or create something really unique for your Mum this year.

If all else fails, chocolates or flowers (or both!) tend to go down well, and if your Mum's a gardening fan then why not get a potted plant or even seeds as a twist on buying flowers, that way they'll last and will be a constant reminder of the gift you gave her.

I'm a Celebrity... Get me out of here! Starts tomorrow night!

It's that time of the year again, where we get to watch celebrities make a fool of themselves and get scared to death out in the Australian jungle. This is the fourteenth year of the show, we're wondering what twists and surprises there will be this year in order to keep it interesting.

The 'celebrities' involved each year get less and less famous, and are generally people who are wanting to make a bit of a comeback in one way or another. This years contestants have been revealed as:

• Newsman Michael Buerk
• Presenter Melaine Sykes
• Footballer Jimmy Bullard
• Model and singer Nadia Forde
• Actor and DJ Craig Charles
• Rapper Tinchy Stryder
• Superbike champ Carl Fogarty
• 'Allo 'Allo actress Vicki Michelle
• TOWIE star Gemma Collins and
• Reality star and model Kendra Wilkinson

The closest link to us here in the Milton Keynes area is footballer Jimmy Bullard. Now retired, Jimmy played for a number of teams including Fulham, Hull City and Ipswich Town, before a short-term contract with MK Dons. He then retired from football just 2 months after signing for the team, having had his football career brought to a close by a series of injuries. Bullard has been rumoured to have lost a large sum of money recently, perhaps explaining his accepting the invite to the jungle. Known for being quite the prankster, it looks like he may create some entertainment, which is good news as it could get boring watching them sit around chatting all day... 

One twist to the show this year is that viewers get to vote before the series has even started on who gets to go to the 'celebrity slammer'. An interesting spin, seeing as the viewers won't yet have 'viewed' anything, and may not even know who the celebrities are, probably a scheme to get more money through the phone calls. Either way, it's something of a tradition for many to watch I'm a Celeb, and it highlights the real start of winter, signalling the end of the series for Downton Abbey and the start of the buck tucker trials, enjoy!

Open Farm Sunday

Tomorrow is 'open farm Sunday' and sees farms across the country opening their gates to the public. It's a great opportunity for everyone to see how farms are run, and to meet some of the farmers who grow our food and take care of the countryside. Different farms are offering different experiences, some providing just a simple walk-through and look around the farm, while others will be hosting a variety of actives to entertain the whole family. Between them, the open farms show the real diversity which exists amongst British farming, and allow the public to understand a bit more about how it all works.

With recent studies finding that one in three children have never heard a cow moo, it's more important than ever to get involved in the countryside, particularly to educate our children in their surroundings and in the nature which is often right on our doorsteps or just a short trip away.

One of the farms open, local to Milton Keynes, is Browns of Stagsden, Bedford. They will be opening their gates between 10am and 4pm for the day, and visitors will be able to see how food is produced and what goes on at the farm. There will be something to do for all the family, including bouncy castles, face painting, craft stalls, local food and demonstrations. There will be animals to see, and tractors and combines to climb on, it's set to be a fun and interesting day out!

More open farms can be found on the official event website, so why not take a trip out this Sunday and find out something you didn't know before about how the farms around you work?! Don't forget to pack your wellington boots!

What's on?

There were a couple of events advertised in the Phonebox magazine for tomorrow night, so we thought we'd draw your attention to them now... 

Castle Ashby Church Fete and Fun Dog show @ The Castle's Italian Gardens

Gates open at 12 midday. Fun for all the family, classes for all dogs. Admission £3, concessions £2 which includes entrance to the gardens. Children under 12 are free and there is free parking. 

Fancy some sport? Arsenal ladies vs. Everton ladies FA Women's cup final @ Stadium MK

The party begins outside the stadium, with the FA Junior Fanzone, and free interactive football-based games. The FA Girl's Youth Cup Final between Everton and Liverpool will take place before the main event, at 1pm. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children/concession. 

In the evening...

That Time Of The Month comedy club @ The Cannon in Newport Pagnell. Joel Dommett and John Hastings preview their new shows for the upcoming Edinburgh festival. Tickets are £5 in advance or £7 on the door. 

Sunday in Milton Keynes

Don't get those post-Monday blues today, there's still a whole day of the weekend left to be enjoyed! As always, Milton Keynes is home to a variety of different events, and we've rounded up just a few of them to give you an idea of how you could spend the day...

HULA animal rescue are holding a fete and dog show at South Midlands animal sanctuary, Glebe farm, Aspley Guise, from 12-4pm. There will be a fun dog show (entries from 11.30am), doggie games, car boot and assorted stalls, pet photo competition (bring your best photos), bargains in the bazaar and pet bed shed. Come and meet some of the animals in search of a new home, there'll also be fun games for the children and delicious refreshments. Admission is £2 per adult and £1 for children. All proceeds to the care and welfare of HULA's animals.

Hackleton and District WI plant sale is being held at Hackleton village hall, from 10am-1pm. If you're sorting out your garden or just need a few extras to go in it, head over to the plant sale where you'll find a variety of shrubs, perennials and bedding for your borders, tubs and baskets. Homemade cakes and tea will also be available.

Lawnmower day. Milton Keynes museum have a selection of old mowers and their machines and are open from 11am-4.30pm. Family tickets cost £22 for 2 adults and up to 4 children.

Aspley Guise Open Gardens. Gardens will be open around the village from 12.30-5.30pm. The gardens range from those tucked behind small Victorian terraces to larger modern landscaped vistas and some classic gardens with period houses. The amazing gardens at Flaxbourne farm are also included. £4 admission. Light lunches, teas and plants for sale in the village hall where there is also plenty of free parking.

What's on this weekend in MK

There are a number of events for you to have a look at if you're interested this weekend.

During the day on Saturday, why not head over to the Milton Keynes Museum where there is a telephone and post office vehicle exhibition. Or Saturday and Sunday from midday there is a poetry book signing by Janet Furniss (nee Dennis) who is originally from Weston Underwood. This will be held at Cowpers Oak, Weston Underwood and costs £10.

Saturday night at the Carlton House Club there's a 'night of music' featuring The Bolivian Sunshine Dogs, Paul and Laura, Topped by ERROR 404. Tickets are £15 and the night is in support of the Sick Children's trust and Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start.

At the Olney centre at 7.30pm the Windmill Singers are performing, hosted by the Friends of Cobbs Garden Surgery. Tickets are £10, including an interval drink. The Windmill singers from Bozeat will perform a concert of music including a variety of popular songs.

Whatever you end up doing this weekend, have a great one!

 

Happy Mothers day!

We at the Phonebox would like to wish all Mothers out there a very happy Mothers Day! Whatever you may be doing today, we hope that you feel valued and appreciated for all that you do every day!

Mothers day is celebrated across the world on different days, and is all about showing respect and acknowledging the hard work mothers do each day, and remembering those mothers who are no longer with us.

Mothers day is an opportunity which it would be nice to continue throughout the year, of showing appreciation to those who care for and gave birth to us, or for those who have played mother-like roles in our lives.

Mothering Sunday in the Christian church was originally (as early as the 16th century) where people returned to their mother church for a service on the fourth Sunday of Lent. As children would also be returning to their 'mother church' with their parents, they would often pick flowers for their mothers. Eventually, the tradition evolved into the modern, secular Mothering Sunday where children traditionally give cards and gifts to their mothers.

Whatever you do today, have a great Sunday!