Top events this weekend in Milton Keynes

Friday 17th:

Milton Keynes through the lens @ The Parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Olney, 7-9pm
Milton Keynes through the lens, presented by Living Archive MK in connection with Independent Cinema MK, shows a collection of documentary films made over the last 70 years, as well as a short Olney heritage film. The films will be introduced by Roger Kitchen and will last approximately 2 hours. Tickets cost £4.

Newport Pagnell Farmers Market @ Newport Pagnell High Street, 8.30am-1.30pm
Held on the third Friday of every month. Get some fresh food from the farmers market this weekend!

Darling digits @ Frosts garden centre, 10am-2pm
'Little prints' allows you to make a hand or foot plaster cast of your child's hand or foot, to have as a keepsake and remember how small they once were! The casts can also be painted before being taken home to display. Tickets cost £9.99 per child and are available by clicking here.

Wine tasting evening @ The Two Brewers, High Street, Olney, 7pm
Introducing a new wine list. Booked tables only.

Crafts, art and gift exhibition @ Middleton Hall, Centre:mk, All day Friday-Sunday
Springtime creation is an annual event which presents some of the best in the world of arts and crafts. There will be something for everyone, from cakes to sculptures, sewing to fudge and much much more. It's a great place to come and browse, or to find a really unique gift for a friend or family member. Entry is free.

Saturday 18th:

Spring Sale @ St. Margaret's Church, Denton, 11am-3pm
There will be a wide selection of previously loved items such as books, toys, games, dvds, cakes, cards, potted plants and more. There will be a raffle, and refreshments will also be available, with homemade soup and fresh bread.

50/50 auction @ Yardley Hastings Memorial Hall, 2pm
Goods will be accepted from 8.30am-1pm and viewing will be from 1-2pm. Proceeds will go to village funds.

Clothes swap evening @ Lavendon Village Hall, 7pm
Ladies and children's clothes swap evening. Come along for a fun evening, and enjoy a pudding and first glass of wine included in the ticket price. Tickets cost £10.

Museum spring quiz @ The Olney Centre, 7.30-10pm
The Cowper and Newton museum hold a quiz evening with buffet. Hosted by the regular quiz-masters, Neil and Pat Hodges. Buffet will be provided but please bring your own drink and a glass. There will also be a raffle.

Meet Alan Titchmarsh @ Frosts Garden Centre, 11am-4pm
Famous garden writer and television presenter, Alan Titchmarsh, will be at Frosts garden centre this weekend, in celebration of National gardening week. He will be doing gardening talks, a book signing and a meet and greet for fans. There will be two 40 minute talks which cost £5 to attend, one at 11am and the other at 3pm.  The 11am talk will be entitled 'Gardening for wildlife', and the 3pm talk will be entitled 'Small garden secrets'. Each will be followed by a Q&A session. All money raised from the tickets will go to the local charity, Supershoes, which aims to bring hope and a smile to seriously ill and disabled children.


Home composting workshop @ The Hanson Centre, Wolverton Road, Great Linford, 10am-12pm and 2-4pm.
If you're new to home composting or want to learn more about it, come along to the free workshop this weekend and find out more about disposing of fruit and vegetable waste. This is a free event, booking is essential and you can book by clicking here.

1940's Boutique @ Bletchley Park, 9.30am
Enjoy a day of 1940's glamour, and learn to style your own hair and makeup to achieve that iconic 1940's look. Create a fresh and versatile spring-time do. You will learn how to create some iconic styles, such as the famous victory rolls, and makeup to match. The day includes demonstrations, practical sessions, food and refreshments and time to enjoy Bletchley Park. Tickets are £70 per person and must be booked in advance, click here for more information.

Sunday 19th:

Sing-along Frozen @ MK Theatre, 11am, 3pm and 6.30pm

If you love the movie Frozen, it's a great opportunity to join in the experience at MK Theatre this weekend. Come dressed as your favourite Frozen character, and sing along with the lyrics on screen. There will be a live host who will show you how to use your interactive fun pack and judge the fancy dress competition. Tickets are available here.

Orienteering @ Shenley Wood, Milton Keynes, 10am-1pm

Learn how to use a map while having fun out in the parks. Run by South Midlands Orienteering club. Open to beginners, more experienced orienteers and runners alike. No need to pre-register, just turn up on the day. There are a selection of courses available to suit all needs, from a 2.5k amble to a 7k run. A great opportunity to try something different and enjoy the outdoors at the same time. Parking is available in the public car park on Merlewood Drive, Tattenhoe Street. Entry costs £5. 

Bletchley Park Presents: Victor Madeira @ Bletchley Park, 2-3pm

Victor Madeira talks about his book: 'Britannia and the Bear- The Anglo-Russion intelligence wars, 1917-1929.' Victor is a lecturer in National security and intelligence studies at the University of Buckingham, and has 15 years experience in international security affairs. The talk will be followed by a question and answer session, and then tea and cake will be served, followed by a book signing. Guests can explore Bletchley Park's exhibitions from 9.30am. Tickets cost £25, or £20 for season ticket holders. 

GP surgery ratings- How does your surgery compare?

Recent findings have been published online regarding the rating of GP surgeries. Nationwide rankings have been collected and compared, allowing patients to see how their surgery compares to others in the area. We decided to have a look at how some of the GP surgeries in the Olney area had rated...

[The percentage is the proportion of patients who would recommend the surgery, and some of the surgeries also have a 'band' to rate them overall, from data published by the Care Qulaity Commission (CQC), with band 6 being the highest (best rated) and band 1 the lowest.]

Cobbs Garden Surgery, Olney: Band 4, 96.1% - Among the best

Newport Pagnell medical centre: 80.2%

Denton Village surgery: Band 6, 89.1%- Among the best  

Harrold Medical Practice: Band 6, 80.5%

Kingfisher Surgery, Newport Pagnell: Band 1, 34.2% - The worst

Wollaston surgery: Band 6, 67.2% - Among the worst in percentage but among the best in the banding.

It's interesting to see how your surgery compares to others in the area. Equally, if you are looking for a new surgery to attend then this can be a particularly useful tool in helping you make an informed decision.

If you want to have a more detailed look, the percentage ratings were taken from the NHS website, and the bands can be found on the Care Quality Commission website.

Do these ratings surprise you at all? How does your surgery compare?

The Weekend in and around MK

It's the weekend again, and we're back with a list of events and activities to enjoy in and around the Milton Keynes area. There's a great selection of events on, and the Christmas themed activities are starting to appear already (and it's not even December yet!)

Friday 21st:

Newport Pagnell Farmers Market @ Market Place, Newport Pagnell High Street. 8.30am-1.30pm

Don't miss out on some great local produce this Friday morning, found on the third Friday of each month.

Harrold Twinning Association Wine Tasting @ Harrold Cricket Club, 7.30pm

An informal evening of wine tasting, hosted by Margaret Morley of Choice Wines, Little Addington. Tickets cost £8, email: mail@kit4kidz.com for more information.

The ride for Willen, Big Party Clothes Swap @ Olney RFC, East Street, Olney, 7pm

Grab a bargain and a gorgeous new outfit for the Christmas party season, as well as making some money from selling your old party clothes. Donate a percentage of the sale price to Ride for Willen. It's set to be a great night with your friends, trying on new clothes and having a few drinks while helping raise money for a great cause. Bring your old party clothes- party outfits, prom dresses, wedding outfits, dinner party, kids party clothes, designer or high street, all styles and sizes at a range of prices. Invite your friends and encourage them to bring clothes to swap too. Email vickibeynon@yahoo.co.uk for more info.

Saturday 22nd:

St Mary's church, Christmas Bazaar @ Carlton Village Hall, 10am-1pm

Come and get festive with the Christmas bazaar this Saturday. The grand draw will be at 12.30pm. Entry is £1 for adults, children go free.

Autumn Fair @ St. Margaret's Church, Denton, 11am-3pm

A great variety of items on offer, including books, cakes, cards, gifts, pot plants, raffle, tombola and more. Refreshments, tea and coffee and homemade soup with fresh bread will be served.

Sunday 23rd:

The Pad Presents @ Bedford Corn Exchange, St Paul's Square, Bedford, MK40 1SL, 7pm 

Animals + Friends ft. special guest 'Stax legend' Steve Cropper + Cherry Lee Mewis. Animals + Friends were one of the most improtant British bands of the 1960s, with American and British chart topper 'House of the Rising Sun' among others. Guitarist Steve Cropper was voted among the top 100 guitar players of all-time by Rolling Stone Magazine readers in 2003, and so the combination of the two sets the scene for a great night.