Our guide to open gardens and farms in June

Explore the English countryside this summer

Summer adventures - Throughout June, gardens and farms will be opened up for the public to explore. 

With the summer sun beating down on the English countryside, many gardens are blooming with flowers and plants of all different sizes. The smell of freshly cut grass is in the air and for gardeners it is the time of year when their hard work pays off. Similarly, it’s an important time of year for farmers too. That’s why events are held across the summer to celebrate the hard work that goes into the British countryside, whether it be commercial or just in your own personal space. Many villages hold open garden events where locals open up their land for visitors to explore, and Open Farm Sunday (June 7th) celebrates the work of farmers who provide a quarter of the UK’s fruit and vegetables. Many have open gardens to raise money for charity or a local cause, as well as the National Gardens Scheme. For more information, go to opengardens.co.uk or ngs.org.uk. Open Farm Sunday is a free initiative that encourages families to visit their local farm, with many including guided walks, nature trails, tractor rides and activities for children. Go to farmsunday.org for information. Any open garden event we’ve missed? Just get in touch with us on (01234) 713298.

OPEN GARDENS

Cowper and Newton Museum National Gardens Weekend (June 6th-7th, 10.30am-4.30pm) The Olney museum and garden will be open to the public in aid of the National Garden Scheme, with tickets costing £2.50 for adults and free entry for under 16s. Plant stalls and tea will be on sale, with proceeds going to the museum’s garden fund. Go to cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk.

Stoke Goldington Open Gardens (June 7th, 2-5pm)

Explore eight gardens as part of the Open Gardens initiative, with tickets and maps on sale at the Old Park Barn in Stoke Goldington. Entrance is £3, with tea and homemade cakes in aid of Willen Hospice. Call (01908) 551092 for details.

Castlethorpe Open Gardens (June 20th-21st, 11am-4pm)

Nestled in the Buckinghamshire countryside, this bi-annual event offers a scarecrow trail and refreshments in the village hall. All proceeds go to the village hall fund, with tickets £5 for adults, £2 for children for the weekend. Go to castlethorpevillage.org.uk.

Stony Stratford Open Gardens (June 27th-28th, 12-5pm)

This year, 29 gardens will be on show, including courtyards, community gardens, allotments and wildlife. The Milton Keynes Society of Artists will be presenting an exhibition at Swinfen Harris Hall, with local artists at York House. Tickets: £5 for the weekend, with money raised going to Willen Hospice. Go to stonyopengardens.info.

Yardley Hastings Open Gardens (July 5th, 11am-5.30pm)

In this Northamptonshire village 12 gardens will be open to the public, while children can hunt for hidden teddy bears and learn all about the history in the area. Refreshments are available at the Yardley Hastings Memorial Hall. Tickets: £5 for adults and under 16s go free.Go to yardleyhastingsbenefice.org.uk.

Wollaston Open Gardens (July 12th, 11am-5pm)

Alongside personal gardens, Wollaston Museum, Curiosity Cottage and Beacon Hill will all be open to the public. Refreshments will be available, and there will be a book sale. Tickets: £3 with children going free, with all proceeds going to the museum. They are available on the day or at the museum beforehand.

Aspley Guise Open Gardens (July 19th, 12.30-5.30pm)

With a program highlighting the area and individual gardens, there will be between 8-12 gardens open around the village near Woburn. Tickets: £4 for adults and £3.50 concessions, both being available on the day from the spare or village hall. Call (01908) 583307.

OPEN FARMS

Browns of Stagsden (June 7th)

Based in Stagsden, Bedfordshire, this farm is open to all, with admission being a donation to charity. Families can see cattle, pigs, sheep and baby turkeys. There will also be a bouncy castle, face painting, a barbecue and pony rides. Go to brownsofstagsden.co.uk.

Glebe Farm, Podington (June 7th)

With vintage farm machinery, a working steam engines and displays from bee-keepers, Glebe Farm in Northamptonshire is free entry, but certain activities will be charged for. Visitors can see cows, pigs and sheep, as well as enjoy a barbecue and homemade cakes. Go to facebook.com/openfarmsundayglebefarmpodington.

Grange Farm, Farndish (June 7th)

Visitors to this farm will be able to visit the barn where they produce their own cider and see how it’s made. There will also be farm machinery to explore and sit on, including tractors and a combine. It’s free entry, but certain activities will be charged for. Email phil.saxby@btinternet.com for information.

Scald End Farm, Thurleigh (June 7th)

Try fresh, local produce and meet the animals at this open farm event in Bedfordshire. The free day out will include farm walks, a barbecue, machinery and tractor displays, and a farm shop and team room will be open. For more information, go to scaldendfarm.com.

Escape The Country, Milton Keynes (June 7th)

Based on the Hounslow Hall Estate, families can visit this popular attraction for free, although extra activities such as 4x4 rides and segways will be an extra charge. Visitors can experience guided walks, see the working farm in action and explore the machinery on display. For more information, go to experiencethecountry.co.uk.

Rectory Farm, North Crawley (June 14th)

With tractor and trailer rides, this farm near Newport Pagnell will be open to the public with machinery displays, hosted farm tours and self-guided walks. Refreshments will be available, and families will beable to get up close with cows and chickens. Call (01234) 391874.

Try Wheelchair Rugby, aka 'Murderball'

Wheelchair Rugby is a Paralympic sport, and is played competitively in over 25 countries around the world. The game was first developed in Canada, where it was known as 'murderball', due its aggressive and full-contact nature.

The governing body Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby, have teamed up with Milton Keynes and Stantonbury Arts and Leisure Centre to bring the sport to the town. Unlike wheelchair basketball, which has always been the most popular team sport for wheelchair users, wheelchair rugby allows for full-contact. It is one of the only full-contact disability sports, and was one of the most popular at the Paralympic Games in 2012.

Wheelchair rugby is played inside, on a court with the same measurements as a basketball court. It is a mixed-gender sport, and teams can have up to 12 players, although no more than four from each team can be on the court at any one time. Players score by carrying the ball across the goal line.

If you have a disability and are over 16 years old, there is the opportunity to try this sport in one of four upcoming taster sessions. The sessions will be held at Stantonbury Leisure centre from 1-3pm, and are run by experienced coaches, with rugby chairs provided.

The first session will run on Saturday 31st January, then Sunday 15th February, Thursday 28th February and Sunday 8th March.

Review - MK Theatre's The Full Monty

The Full Monty is at MK Theatre until Saturday, January 24th. 

Last night I ventured out in the cold to Milton Keynes and saw the latest production to grace the stage, an adaptation of The Full Monty. 

The stage production stayed true to the film but was able to add all the subtle nuances that only a live production can offer. The set was the inside of a disused factory and the attention to detail was impressive. The director made good use of the different levels with a few pyrotechnics thrown in to make the audience jump!

What really makes the show is the great casting and the ability of the actors to engage the audience at every point in the story, music and dance scenes. All the actors have a great track record but the little boy who played Nathan really impressed the audience and some of the loudest noise was for him.

But of course you all want to know just how much of a `full monty` did the boys do!? Well, you will have to go and find out! You won`t be disappointed!

The Full Monty is on until Saturday, 24th January, at MK Theatre.

DEBBIE HALL

Big old quiz of 2014

Did you manage to see the Big Fat Quiz of the year this year? It's always a fun way to see how much you can remember from the previous year, and be reminded of some of the most random and most popular news stories.

We've put together a short quiz for you, using a few of the top news stories from last year. Scroll all the way down to see the answers and find out how well you can remember the news of 2014, both local and national.

1. Luis Suárez bit a footballer during one of the World Cup matches, what team were they playing at the time?
2. Which Milton Keynes store last year had over £1 million worth of goods stolen from them in the early hours of the morning?
3. Where was the huge warehouse fire which took place in Buckinghamshire in January last year?
4. UKIP councillor David Silvester declared last year that he believed what had been caused by gay marriage?
5. What was the name of the robotic spacecraft which landed onto a comet, for the first time in history?
6. MK Dons thrashed which football team to which score in August last year?
7. Which animated film in March last year won two Academy Awards and became one of the few films to take more than $1 billion at the box office? (hint: there's a snowman involved)
8. Which ex-MK Dons player featured in this year's 'I'm a Celebrity Get me Out Of Here'?
9. Which famous former boy band member posted a video of his wife's labour, featuring him singing and dancing?
10. What was it that put Milton Keynes into the Guinness World Records last year?  

Indie Go Oak

The Phonebox Magazine team spent the evening at the Cowpers Oak in Westen Underwood last night. IndieGo Oak is held every first Thursday of each month where a collection of artists, musicians, comedians and all around creatives gather to showcase their work. Last nights line up gave us an insight into the world of local artist David Purvis, whom paints vivid local scenes and automobiles. The Beauty Guru's Julie Ward also give a very interesting talk about the benefits of skin care, and the importance of our inner beauty and how that effects and reflects upon our physical selves. We were also kept in high spirits by two comedians, and local musicians and the organiser of the event himself Ian Roberts. The Event is free for all and open to any acts. So if you would like to attend or preform just follow the link here. 

Len Allwood - Phonebox Magazine

B & MK Waterway Trust

The waterways have been a key feature to Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas over the years, providing important navigational arteries through which goods and people have travelled. The roots of the Bedford-Milton Keynes Canal go back over 200 years to October 1811, when a group of Bedford businessmen met with the Mayor of Bedford to discuss the linking benefits.

Nearly 200 years on, in 1994, Bedford resident Brian Young had the idea of getting the canal built as part of the new millennium celebrations. The idea was to have a 'waterway for all' which could improve the quality of the local environment, serving the new industries of leisure, tourism and communications. The B & MK (Bedford and Milton Keynes) Waterway Trust was established in 1995 to promote the development of this broad waterway linking the Grand Union Canal in Milton Keynes to the river Great Ouse in Bedford.

The waterway is set to be a 20 mile link between the River Great Ouse at Kempston in Bedford and Grand Union Canal at Newlands in Milton Keynes. It's a long process set to take up to 20 years, but the first steps are underway.

The new canal route would provide a range of social and economic benefits...

• Recreation: on water and off water activities, including boating
• Green infrastructure- Creation of natural corridors and environmental benefits 
• Regeneration and property- attractive waterfront, appealing to local housing
• Ecosystem services- help in controlling flooding
• Transport- particularly for freight movements
• Tourism- contributing to increase in visitors to the area

Do you like the idea of linking the Grand Union Canal to Bedford? Tell us your views, we'd love to hear what you think! 

For more information, visit the Trust's website.

Milton Keynes Monopoly Board will be revealed tomorrow!

The exciting new Milton Keynes monopoly board is to be released tomorrow, and the secret of which places are being used on the board will finally be revealed. There has been a fair bit of speculation as to which places will feature on the board, particularly what will end up taking the place of Mayfair and Park Lane on the original London monopoly board. Suggestions have included Woburn, Woughton on the Green and Loughton as some of the top places, but the answers are being kept under wraps until tomorrow, where the board will be revealed at 9.30am at into MK, outside Hollister. We're waiting to see whether Olney will feature on the board! The big reveal is set to be done in 'spectacular style', and a giant board will be unveiled in the city for all to see.

Keep your eyes and ears open tomorrow to find out what has been included on the board, and don't forget you can also buy a copy of the game tomorrow, at an RRP of £24.99, at a variety of stores including WH Smiths, John Lewis, The Works, Waterstones, Waitrose and Toys R Us, and from a variety of online suppliers including Amazon. 

Have a laugh tomorrow night @ Stadium:MK

Tomorrow night- comedy night at Stadium:MK

Head on over to the Ret Dot bar at Stadium:MK to enjoy some no-nonsense comedy from headlining comedian Alun Cochrane and sketch duo In Cahoots.

Alun Cochrane has appeared numerous times on television, featuring on shows including 8 out of 10 cats, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, Mock the Week, Soccer A.M and Live At The Comedy Store. He is a great comedian, set to provide an evening of hysterical entertainment.

In Cahoots have been through the London comedy circuit and featured at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and will be presenting some enthralling sketch comedy to enjoy.

Lloyd Griffith, who has appeared at AAA Stand-up Late and supported Rob Beckett on his sell-out UK tour, will be hosting the evening, and the night as a whole is expected to be a great success.

Doors open at 7.30pm for a 8.15pm start, and tickets cost £10. You can buy tickets and find out more by clicking here.

Sunday: Soapbox, Smallspace, Sanctuary & Shopping

Tomorrow (Sunday 13th) brings a host of events to the Milton Keynes area, let's just hope the weather holds out for the ones taking place outside!

Newport Pagnell Soapbox Derby
This year there are a record number of carts entered into the Derby, so even if you're not planning on racing, do come along to cheer on the racers and see the variety of homemade carts on offer; it's always a great morning which involves much of the community. The Working men's club and 'Sew inspiring' will be opening their doors on the day, and the Newport Pagnell Baptist Church will be postponing their usual service to provide refreshments for racers and spectators. The Rose and Crown will have a BBQ on the go, and the awards and trophies will be presented there. Spectators are invited to come along for 10am, and racers need to be at Silver Street for 9am.

Smallspace Model Show
It's the model show for all things space, science fiction and fantasy, and it's being held in the Village Hall, Newport Road, Hanslope, between 10am and 4pm. The day presents an amazing mix of models and props from a wide range of science fiction programs, including: Dr. Who, Blake's 7, Thunderbirds and Space 1999, to name but a few. There will be the opportunity to have your photo taken with a Dr. Who UNIT Land Rover, and face-painting will be available for kids of all ages. There will be a special guest: Dirk Maggs, who is a writer, director and producer of a number of award-winning radio shows, best-known recently for bringing The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy to a theatrical audience. There will also be Daleks in the car park, and maybe the odd Cyberman... and if all that has you working up an appetite, head to the 'K-9 cafe' for some refreshments. There's a lot going on t this event, so if you have an interest in space, science fiction or fantasy, don't miss out!

HULA Animal Rescue: Children's Open Day
The HULA Animal Rescue is holding another of their regular events, and this time it's a children's open day. There'll be fun for all the family, including bouncy castles, fun and games, and children's workshops in rabbit care and mask making. There'll also be bargains in the bazaar and pet bed shed, and once you've worked up an appetite you'll find delicious refreshments on sale in 'The Trough'. There'll also be the HULA dog parade at 2pm. Entrance is £2, children go free. Come along and support your local rescue centre between 1pm and 4pm.

All day: Don't miss the French Food Market, held at the Castle Ashby Shopping Yard. Come and celebrate 'Bastille Day', which is the French National Day, and there'll be a great selection of traditional French market traders with some authentic, freshly prepared French foods. Bastille Day commemorates the start of the French revolution, and the Storming of the Bastille on the 14th July 1789. Foods on offer will include an extensive variety, such as: French breads, pastries, sweets, condiments, charcuterie, croissants, pain au chocolat, baklava, cakes, gateaux, crepes, waffles, tartiflette, Toulouse and merguez sausage and more, as well as some Spanish and Italian treats. The quality and authenticity of the foods on offer, and the enthusiasm of the stallholders makes this a market well worth visiting. The stalls will be open from 9am until 5pm, don't miss out on some tasty snacks!

Midnight Moo 2014

Milton Keynes is well-known for being home to the famous concrete cows, so when you hear of a 'Midnight Moo' you might picture them coming to life at midnight... but actually, the Midnight Moo is a really great event for an amazing cause. If you're from the Milton Keynes area you'll probably be well aware of this event, as it's now in its sixth year, but if you're new to the area, don't worry- we'll fill you in!

The Midnight Moo is a ladies only, 10-mile walk, which starts at midnight and takes place tomorrow night. All the money raised through the sponsorship of these walkers goes to the Willen Hospice, which provides free specialist care to adults and support for their families in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas, so it's for a really great cause.

This year there is a multi-coloured theme, to represent the diversity of people that come into contact with and are helped by Willen Hospice, and the many different ways in which they are helped. Ladies are being encouraged to wear past Moo t-shirts if they have any, and be creative with colour to make it a really bright and vibrant event.

Last year, the Midnight Moo raised over £80,000, which is an amazing total, and since the Midnight Moo event began, over £600,000 has been raised! With the money going to such a worthy cause, the hope is that this year will be bigger and better than the last, and that a record figure will be raised. This year, two competitive prizes have been introduced, for both the team and the individual who raises the most sponsorship money. 

You don't have to walk to support the cause, why not sponsor someone you know who's taking part, or if you don't know anyone who's involved then you can still donate online. If each walker raised £100, then the 10 miles they walk would help fund the cost of a staff nurse for one shift at the hospice. Kicking off from Midsummer Place, it's set to be a great night, why not come along and cheer on the herd?!

Have a look at 'the Herd' from last year's Midnight Moo in the video below!

The Two Brewers Presents: Beer and Cider Festival

The annual Beer and Cider Festival is back again, Friday- Sunday at the Two Brewers in Olney. There will be a large selection of ales and 10 different ciders, including Orchard Pig 'Explora' and Gwyet 'Farmhouse Scrumpy' on offer over the weekend. It's always a great weekend, so make sure you stop by at some point over the weekend.

What's on When?...

Friday 11th: 5.30pm-11.30pm
Music from 8pm with local band 'Spaced Out'

Saturday 12th: 11.30am-11.30pm
Music from 12 midday until around 11.30pm, acoustic music until 7.30pm and local band 'Charlie's Uniform' from 8.30pm

Sunday 13th July: 12 Midday- 7.30pm
Rock with BOFF Band heats- various bands go head to head for a place in the Rock with BOFF Finals, and the World Cup final will be shown at 8pm on the big screen so you can enjoy the music, food, drink and football without having to move a muscle!

The event will be include a BBQ and live music throughout the weekend, and the World Cup final on Sunday night will provide the perfect close to the event. With plenty to eat, drink and enjoy, it will be a really laid-back festival with great music around the clock, and the marquee in the garden will mean you're comfortable whatever the weather!

For more information visit the Two Brewers website, or find them on Facebook.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside...

Milton Keynes and the surrounding area isn't particularly famous for seaside fun... more famous for being about as far from each coast as possible! But don't panic, the beach is being brought to those of us who are stuck in the middle of the country away for the seaside, not just once, but twice!

1. Frosts Garden Centre. All summer there's a beach to be found at Frosts garden centre, and more than that, beach themed activities for the kids! Now this isn't going to be quite the same as the seafront but we'll have to make do, there's even a carousel! There are outside games, sand and refreshments- including homemade fish and chips, so you can really feel like you're (almost) at the beach, and it's all undercover so you can enjoy the beach even on a rainy day. There are also pre-bookable kids sessions, which include storytelling and arts and crafts activities, and it's open all day every day throughout the summer holidays.

2. Secondly, there'll be a beach to be found in the Centre:mk at Middleton Hall from the start of August, and will again provide a covered beach/sand area for the kids (and adults!) to enjoy whatever the weather.

So you don't have to drive for miles to build a sandcastle this summer, make a trip or two to Frosts and the Centre:mk for some beach fun!

Pimms anyone?

Wimbledon is here! It kicked off last Monday, and is now in full swing. If you're a tennis fan and have been watching the games so far, whether on the screens or at the courts if you've been lucky enough to get tickets, you'll no doubt have seen numerous people there eating that famous Wimbledon speciality of strawberries and cream, and sipping glasses of Pimms and champagne. The question we want to know, is just how much do they get through each year?

Strawberries and cream

Last year, around 8615 punnets of strawberries, which contain at least 10 strawberries each, were sold each day of the competition, and over 7,000 litres of fresh cream were served with them. That's a total of around 28,000kg of strawberries, around 112,000 punnets across the whole event! Last year, the cost of one of these punnets was £2.50, and while a bit pricey, they are all picked the night before and arrive at Wimbledon at 5.30am to be expected and then sold that day, so are sure to be the freshest possible!

Pimms

Possibly the most famous trademark drink of Wimbledon, Pimms can always been seen being sipped by the fans. Last year, around 200,000 glasses of Pimms were drunk, and around 20,000 bottles of champagne consumed... that's a fair bit of bubbly!!

Here are some of the other catering statistics for you from last year's event...

300,000 cups of tea and coffee

250,000 bottles of water

207,000 meals served

200,000 glasses of Pimm's

190,000 sandwiches

150,000 bath buns, scones, pasties and doughnuts

135,000 ice creams

130,000 lunches are served

100,000 pints of draught beer and lager

60,000 Dutchees

40,000 char-grilled meals served

32,000 portions of fish and chips

30,000 litres of milk

28,000 kg (112,000 punnets) of English strawberries

25,000 bottles of champagne

15,000 bananas

20,000 portions of frozen yoghurt

12,000 kg of poached salmon and smoked salmon

7,000 litres of dairy cream

6,000 stone baked pizzas

...There's something different for you to think about as you watch the games! Enjoy the Wimbledon season!

Olney Cherry Fair 2014

The traditional Olney Cherry Fair is back again this Saturday, with a host of attractions to keep you entertained all day. The idea of the 'cherry fair' originated many years ago, in times where the town of Olney produced a large crop of cherries which were sold off at the end of harvest, and the town celebrated with a holiday. An event which is now organised by the Parish church, it's always a great day, and this weekend is set to be a success as ever.

There's a fun dog show, open gardens, games and side shows, bouncy castles, organ recitals and choirs in the church, bell tower tours, tug 'o war, children's games, alpacas and a demonstration form MK cheerleading academy, to name a few!

Of course, there will be cherries on offer, as well as many other refreshments including teas, coffees, cakes and a BBQ: braai with real boerewors (South African cuisine)

As you can tell, the day is set to be full of fun and variety, gates open at 1pm with the official opening at 1.15pm. The event will be held at Glebe field, Church Street, Olney, and parking will be limited so parking a little further out and walking in may be advised. The event costs just £1 for adults, and children are free. 

It's a great event and a tradition of Olney, so definitely one not to be missed!

The Great British Tennis Weekend

It's the Great British tennis weekend from tomorrow, which means that there are hundreds of free open days taking place across the country. This weekend is just one of them, you need to book your space online, but there are still some available... so what are you waiting for?! Book yourself on to enjoy some free tennis fun! The tennis venues taking part are offering free coaching and tennis for people of all ages and abilities. There are also free weekends on the 28th-29th June and the 19th-20th July, so if you've not got time this weekend there are still other opportunities! Visit the website to find a location near you. Local tennis clubs taking part this weekend include:

• Olney Tennis Club
• Stony Stratford LTC
• Milton Keynes Tennis Club
• David Lloyd Club Milton Keynes
• Wolverton Sports Club (Tennis Section)
• Newport Pagnell Tennis Club...

...and more! So don't miss out, either this weekend or next, get yourself booked in on the website for a free day of fun with friends or family!

Tuesday events in MK

We've got quite a few events to send your way for tomorrow, it almost feels like the weekend has come early!...

Newport Pagnell Historical Society walk around Woburn Sands, 6.45pm
Meet at the free car park beside the Greens Hotel, Woburn Sands (off Russell Street) at 6.45pm for a 7pm start, or if you need a lift, meet at Bury field car park, Newport Pagnell at 6.15pm. A walk around the beautiful Woburn Sands led by Paul Cox, costs £2 per person.

Olney & District Historical Society @ The Olney Centre, main hall, 7.30pm
A talk by Jeremy Sruehmeyer, professional family tree researcher, entitled: "Starting your Family Tree and where it could lead you". Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month by the Olney & District Historical Society, and membership fees cost £5 plus £1 per meeting. If you would like to visit then it will cost you £2 per meeting. Refreshments are included.

Dodgy Acoustic, supported by Ian Roberts, live @ The Stables, 8.45pm
This acoustic show features the first performances of new songs written for Dodgy's forthcoming album, to be released on Cherry Red Records in the summer, as well as some of their better known tracks. Having started to make a name for themselves on the music scene back in 1989, Dodgy have had numerous successes, including 12 Top 40 singles, and after a brief break, are back together and released their latest album in February 2012. They have created the opportunity at their shows for local musicians to support, featuring five slots of two songs each to showcase local talent. Tomorrow will see Olney's very own Ian Robert's taking to the stage, showcasing some of his songs.

What's on in and around MK this weekend

It looks like summer is actually here, so we'd better make the most of it! As always, check the Phonebox Magazine's 'live and local' listings, in print or online, for ideas of what's on, in and around the Milton Keynes area.

Saturday 14th June

Odell Village Fete and Family Dog Show 
@ Scout field, Horsefair Lane, Odell, MK43 7AA, 2pm
Held in the pretty North Bedfordshire village by the river Ouse near Harrold and Odell Country Park. Come along for a great day out. There will be a number of attractions at the fete and dog show, including:

• Bouncy castle
• Gift and bottle stalls
• Tombola
• 'White elephant'
• Side shows
• Bedford Brass Band
• Children's sports
• Refreshments including ice cream, Pimms and more

Stony Riverside Fair
@ Millfield, Willow Lane, Stony Stratford, 1pm-4pm

Presented by the volunteers of the Stony Stratford Riverside Parks Group, it's the annual family Stony Riverside Fair on Millfield. It's set to be a wonderful afternoon with fun activities and free attractions for children.

World Cup- England's first game, 11pm England v Italy
Chances are you'll be watching this late match from the comfort of your own home, but if you'd rather see it in a crowd there are a few places you can watch the match. Olney Football Club is one such place, where they'll be showing all of the England matches on their big screen. Come along and cheer on England as they play their first World Cup match, against Italy.

Sunday 15th June

HULA Animal Rescue: Purrfect open day
@ South Midlands Animal Sanctuary, Glebe Farm, Salford Road, Aspley Guise, MK17 8HZ, 1pm-4pm

It's national microchipping awareness month, so come and have your dog, cat or rabbit microchipped for just £10. Entry is just £2 for adults, kids go free.
Events during the day include:

• Bazaar and book store bargains
• Meet the resident farm animals
• HULA dog parade at 2pm
• Fun and games for the children
• Delicious refreshments
• Children's toys, books and clothes 

Bletchley Park Presents: Sir John Dermot Turing
@ Bletchley Park, 2pm-4pm

Sir John Dermot Turing is the nephew of Alan Turing (1912-1954), who is well known to have been one of Bletchley Park's leading cryptanalysis, as well as a founder of the science of artificial intelligence. He will present an overview of the family background, life and achievements of his famous ancestor. Ticket-holders are welcome to arrive throughout the day to enjoy Bletchley Park at their leisure. The session will begin at 2pm with a talk from Sir John Dermot Turing, followed by a Q&A session at 3pm and then tea and cake at 3.15pm in the Billiard room, followed by a book signing.

As always, there's a great deal on this weekend, and on top of these events, as the usual things to see in and around milton Keynes, if the sun stays out why not visit a lake, woods or country park?
Whatever you may be up to this weekend, have a good one!

This Month's Recipe

If you're a follower of our monthly recipes then you should have spotted this month's recipe from Hungary, Lángos, and if you haven't already seen them, can I take a moment to remind you to keep an eye out for these monthly recipes- there's always something new to learn from them! This month we're discovering how to make this Hungarian fried flat bread, which looks and sounds delicious, and doesn't seem to be too tricky to make (we hope!) Lángos is traditionally made in brick ovens, but if you don't have one of these (and its unlikely you do if you live in the UK) then don't panic, as today's recipe allows you to fry them and still get the same yummy results, phew! 

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!

National Gardens Festival Weekend

This coming weekend will see a wide variety of gardens across England and Wales opening to the public for the second ever National Gardens Festival Weekend. Over 500 gardens are planning on opening over the two days, with the aim of raising money for nursing and caring charities, such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Carers Trust.

There are a number of different types of gardens included in the weekend, such as:

• urban gardens
• formal country gardens
• designer gardens
• herb gardens
• artist's gardens
• village 'group gardens'
• celebrity gardens

                          and more! 

There will also be demonstrations, stalls, arts and crafts, live music and other events happening at some of the gardens. Why not give them a visit and see what different things you can discover in the gardens this weekend?!

In Olney, the Cowper & Newton Museum gardens will be open for both days of the weekend, with live demonstrations and artists, as well as the gardens to view.

For more open gardens, click here.