This Weekend in and around Milton Keynes

Tonight 16th Oct: 

The Pad presents: Chas and Dave & The Ouse Valley Singles Club @ Bedford Corn Exchange, ST Paul's Square, Bedford. 7.30pm
Following on from the release of their brand new album 'That's what happens' on Warner Brothers Records, which entered the top 20 in it's first week and saw the duo Headline at the Royal Variety Show 2013, Chas and Dave are now on their 'on the road' tour. Chas and Dave began writing music and performing together in 1972, and have now recorded their first original album in 27 years- a mixture of vintage rock and roll songs and new renditions of their own classics. Due to public demand, they are now to be seen performing together on the stage again. Support comes from The Ouse Valley Singles Club. For more information visit www.thepadpresents.com

Tomorrow 17th Oct:

Barn Dance and concert- Singing for all with Cut a Caper @ The Carlton Club in Olney. 7.30pm

The night is raising money for 'Family Futures' for their 'Families in Crisis Fund'. Tickets are available in Wilson's, 84 High Street Olney and from choir members. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children, to include a ploughman's supper. 

Gary Beckwith @ The Newport Pagnell Football Club. 8pm- late

Tickets cost £5.

Saturday 18th Oct:

Pink Party Disco for charity @ The Crown, Stoney Stratford. 7pm- midnight 

The pink party is being held to raise funds and awareness for the breast cancer unit at Milton Keynes hospital. Get your best pink party outfit on, you don't have to dress in pink but you'll have the chance of winning a prize for best dressed if you do. There'll be pink drinks, nibbles and cakes available to satisfy your thirst and hunger, as you dance the night away. Pink balloons and decorations will bring the room alive, and there will be various fundraising activities including a silent raffle. The evening is open to all over 18s, male and female, and entry is priced at £4 with all proceeds going straight to the cancer unit.     

Sunday 19th Oct:

Bletchley Park Presents Gary Ayton @ Bletchley Park. 
Gary Ayton is a Curator at the crime museum, which may not sound like much unless you know that it was once called the Black Museum... He has 30 years experience in the investigation of major crime and homicide and is a qualified trainer at the world-renowned Crime Academy. This event is now sold out but if you have managed to get tickets, it's set to be a great event.

Great Linford Apple Day @ Community Orchard, Loriner Place, Downs Barn, Milton Keynes. 12-3pm
Apple day is a chance to celebrate the apple and other traditional orchard fruits with apple pressing, bouncy castle, herb garden, games for the children and an apple product competition. Bring your apples to press into juice. A free event for all the family.

British Food Fortnight ends today!

Have you been aware that today is the last day of  British Food Fortnight?! Well, it began on the 20th September and ends today, but what it is all about?

British Food Fortnight happens every year and is the opportunity to celebrate some of the best food and drink in the world, which Britain produces. On top of that, the fortnight is also home to the 'Bring home the harvest' campaign, which aims to bring back the celebration of harvest and British foods across the nation.

If you've been aware of the fortnight then maybe you've been getting involved like many others across Britain. From making sure you buy local produce, to growing your own, to getting involved in a local harvest festival, there have been a variety of ways to get involved.

British Food Fortnight was started in 2002 with a group of 10 vicars who wanted to organise activities in communities across Britain for the national food promotion. It provides a good opportunity for individuals and those working in retail and catering to pay attention to where their food comes from, and to take steps in making their produce more locally sourced. More and more pubs and restaurants can be seen to proudly advertise their British produce, and the positive reaction this tends to have has in itself become a selling point.

Many retailers, large and small alike, have held special events over the fortnight to celebrate British food, and even schools and hospitals in some areas have had a special seasonal British menu to celebrate.

If you've missed the British Food Fortnight, don't panic, the aim is mainly to raise awareness of British produce, so why not see if you can buy all British grown products the next time you're in the supermarket to show your support, or buy from a local greengrocer, butcher, baker etc. You might be surprised at how much British produce you already buy. With food produce quality as high as it is in Britain, it's well worth it, and will taste great too!