World Spay Day: Discounted cat neutering in Milton Keynes

World Spay Day is the last Tuesday of February each year, and shines a spotlight on the lifesaving power of spay/neuter and the need for these services to be more affordable.

World Spay Day is an opportunity to promote cat neutering. The Milton Keynes and North Bucks RSPCA are offering benefit claimants in Milton Keynes the chance to neuter their female cats for just £10.

Neutering female cats can help tackle feline overpopulation, as allowing them have kittens just creates more unwanted cats. Cats can become pregnant at just five months, and can become pregnant again almost immediately after. Therefore, the RSPCA recommends you neuter your felines as young as possible. In a study of cat owners, the RSPCA found that 85% of litters are unplanned, that's a lot of unplanned and potentially unwanted kittens.

For more information please call 01908 611179 and leave a message. A volunteer will return your call as soon as possible.

Dartmoor pony on your plate?!

Following the scandals of horsemeat getting into our foods last year, you'd be surprised to hear that there have been recent discussions suggesting that such meat is actually deliberately introduced to our shelves... One conservation group has suggested that the only way to save Dartmoor's hill ponies is, ironically, to eat them. The Dartmoor Hill Pony Association has proposed that the best way to encourage the pony herders to keep their herds is to create a market for their meat. The reasons behind it is simply that they believe the ponies will have a much higher chance of finding a new home at sales if money can be made through their meat. The fear of the Dartmoor ponies disappearing from the hills appears to have driven people to the extreme, stating that the only way of keeping them is to allow their meat to be used for human consumption.

An emotive subject amongst many, it seems highly unlikely that pony meat will become something of a commodity in the UK, especially as ponies and horses are more often seen as companion animals rather than a source of food. However, the view of many societies and conservation groups appears, bizarrely, to be in favour of the introduction of horsemeat in the UK, saying that:

 “As there is so limited a market for ridden ponies, show ponies and conservation grazers, why not promote the free-living Exmoor ponies as a food animal as much as an amenity or aesthetic resource?”

What do you think? Would you eat the horsemeat?! 

What else is on this weekend?

We've already mentioned the Olney Cherry Fair, but what else is there to entertain you this weekend around the area?... Well, the Phonebox Magazine have found quite a lot of events for you to get involved with, and as summer becomes more of a reality for us, there seem to be a lot of seasonal fetes and fairs around, so take your pick!

SATURDAY

Newport Pagnell Summer Fete @ The Parish Church, High Street, Newport Pagnell 
This is a family event which will have the usual mix of stalls, including crafts, puzzles, bric-a-brac, toys, tombola and raffle. The cake stall will be filled with yummy treats, and there will be the ever popular second hand book stall for you to browse and buy. Pop in on your way up the high street, any time between 10am and 2pm.

MK RSPCA Summer Fair @ Memorial Hall, Great Linford
Raising funds for the local RSPCA, the event will include a great variety. From unique and handmade gifts to raffles, tombolas, plants, bric-a-brac and jewellery, there's something to interest everyone. Refreshments will include homemade cakes, cream teas and a bar. Admission is free and parking will be available. Pop in anytime between 2 and 4.30pm this Saturday

Danesborough Chorus Summer Concert @ St. Mary's Church, Woburn 
An exciting summer concert, local choir Danesborough Chorus will be performing Howard Goodall's: Eternal Light, a Requiem, with Howard Goodall himself conducting. The event kicks off at 7.30pm. Tickets cost between £20 and £10, call the box office on 01908 583460 for more information.

...And as we've already mentioned but it's worth a reminder; the Olney Cherry Fair from 1pm @ Glebe Field, Church Street Olney and is well worth a visit!


SUNDAY

Churches together in Harrold and Carlton: Harrold Open Gardens
Come along between 1.30 and 6pm, start at Harrold Village Green to enjoy the many open gardens to view and enjoy. There's also a vintage and classic car display, ukulele band, cake stall, tea and coffee, homemade cakes and more. Admission costs £3 for adults, £2.50 for concessions and £1 for children over 12. All proceeds go to local charities.

Newport Pagnell Historical Society Musueum Opening @ Chandos Hall, Silver Street
Exhibition marking the centenary of the outbreak of WW1. Also, come along and see our recreation of a Victorian kitchen. books, maps, photographs and other items of general local interest on sale. Admission is free.

Free Fun Day raising funds for the Olney Town Colts @ Olney Recreation Ground
Come along from midday- 5pm and enjoy a free fun day with stalls, bouncy castles, food, a licensed bar and ice cream. The Ian Bufton big band will be playing throughout the afternoon. Bring a picnic and come and enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Holistic Pamper Day in aid of Willen Hospice @ The Well in Willen, Newport Road, MK15 9AA
Get pampered and raise money for charity at the same time. Local therapists are holding a pamper day to support Willen Hospice. Reflexology, manicures, swedish massage, gong sessions, Reiki and angel cards re just some of the treatments on offer at the Well in Willen. Treatments are offered at reduced rates; most are £15 for 30 minutes, and all proceeds go to Willen Hospice. Booking isn't required so feel free to pop by anytime between 10am and 5pm, cakes and other refreshments are also available.