Go Blue For Willen!

Go Blue for Willen week runs from the 2nd- 8th March this year, and is a week of fundraising for a very worthy cause.

Willen Hospice provides complex and individual care to adults affected by life limiting conditions and illnesses. They also provide a great deal of support to the family and friends of those affected. Less than a quarter of funding comes from the NHS, meaning that the rest needs to be raised from donations and the support of the local community. 

Go Blue for Willen week is an opportunity to help raise vital funds for the hospice. The week will include a variety of events and activities with the go blue theme, for all the family to get involved with. People will be encouraged to wear blue, bake blue and take part in the organised activities throughout the week.

There will also be collections taking place at Milton Keynes, Bletchley and Wolverton stations between the 2nd and 6th, and at Kingston Shopping Centre on the 7th-8th March.

Across the week a special auction will be held where people can take part in an online auction and bid on Willen Hospice's ebay page for some amazing items donated by local businesses. These include a day trip for five to Centre Parcs, a signed MK Dons football, a hamper with wine from Harrods, a weekend pass to a British super bike event, a giant teddy, a Burberry watch, a family pass to Snozone, a HD TV and an amazing digital hamper including Xbox and laptop. 

On Saturday 7th March there will be a day of activity at Walton High in Walnut Tree. From 8am-12pm, the Hospice will host its first ever fill-a-bag sale, where people can pay £10 for a bag which they can fill with second hand and retro clothes. Later in the afternoon will be the Willen Hospice 'Zumbathon', with two hours of Zumba with three local instructors for just £10.

People are being encouraged to get their workplaces and schools involved, with wearing an element of blue during the week and making a donation to Willen Hospice. Whether that be a pair of blue socks or a bright blue wig, there are plenty of ways of getting involved. Blue-themed baking is another way of making money, you could arrange a blue-cake competition, or just bake something blue and donate the money, you could hold a blue bake sale in the office and donate the money to Willen.

If you would like to make a donation, please text: GBFW15 £5 to 70070 donate £5 and help Willen Hospice continue to offer its specialist care and support to patients and their families.

For more information about getting involved, click here.

Saturday in the Olney area

As autumn begins to hit home and the nights start to draw in, there are a number of events on this weekend to get you out and about in the mild weather in the local area. You can enjoy the picturesque falling leaves alongside the sun (it looks like it's sticking around for a little bit longer!) which will make a beautiful scene, so even if you're just heading out for a walk in the wood, why not grab your camera and take some autumnal snaps!

Saturday 20th:

'We're in the Pink', the breast cancer support charity, are holding their annual auction night at 7.30pm, in conjunction with Willen Hospice. There will be music from 'Error 404', a raffle, hog roast and of course the auction, where there are a number of great lots to be auctioned. Tickets cost £15 for adults and £7.50 per child. All proceeds will be split between We're In the Pink and Willen Hospice. The event will be held at the Olney rugby football club (MK46 4DW)
For more information visit the Facebook event here.

There's another charity event on Saturday, a Macmillan coffee morning at Cold Brayfield village hall in Olney. Come along from 10am to enjoy the coffee morning and village fete with your friends, while raising money for a great charity.

This Saturday, Wollaston Courtyard is holding their first ever food fair. Running from 10am until 4pm, there will be a variety of foods on offer from a great selection of local producers. From specialist cheese makers, to micro brewers, a chocolatier, cakes, biscuits and confection, local honey and fresh vegetables, there will be something on offer for whatever tastes you prefer. As well as all of these foods on offer, there will be a barbecue serving up local meats, and a selection of tasty Cajun and Indian foods. Tea and coffee will be served throughout the day from the tea shop, and there will be an array of vegetarian and vegan snacks available form the 'eyetoeye' shop. Come along and let your senses be tingled by the products of the local area and try something new!

Explore the heritage of Milton Keynes this weekend

Starting today, there's a whole weekend of free family fun in and around Milton Keynes as part of the MK Heritage Open Days, which celebrates its 20th year this year. Milton Keynes is home to a lot of history, and there is much to be learnt and discovered from this central place. Have a look at the website for a full list of what's on, there are numerous open days, tours and events, and we've included just a small selection below...

There have been a few events on today so you may have spotted a few, if not then don't worry you've got a few days left and there are some events on this evening for you to enjoy if you have the time.
This evening there is a talk from Kevin Varty; 'The Great War in 10 Objects' held at Milton Keynes Library from 6-7pm. There's also an evening ramble held at Ouzel Valley Park which costs just £1 or is free if you have the MK Heritage Open Days leaflet. Enjoy a tour with the Parks Trust rangers from 6-7pm.

Friday

Again, there are a great number of free events to choose from, including a number of walks, such as a heritage hunters walk around Willen lake, a railway walk and Stoney Stratford town and riverside walk to name just a few.

The Milton Keynes Museum will be holding open days, which today will include their annual beer festival, from 11am-4.30pm with a selection of real ales and cider and a BBQ. Check this out on any day of the open weekend.

There's also the beer and cider festival at the York House Centre with the 12th Cock and Bull real beer and cider festival from midday to 11pm, again it will be continuing over the weekend.

This evening, head over to Milton Keynes gallery for an hour long film titled 'Milton Keynes through the lens', showing images from the 1940s through to the present day. 7.30-9pm.

Don't forget to check the website for the full list of events.

Saturday

A number of the events will follow through from yesterday, but again there is a great selection of free things to do and see.

Bark in the Park, organised by the Parks Trust, is on from 10-11.30am at Tattenhoe Valley and is a chance to walk your dog while meeting other dog owners. Free with the presentation of the Milton Keynes Heritage Leaflet.

Have a look at the Bradwell Windmill at their open day, where you can see the early 1800s windmill restored to working order between 1.30-4.30pm.

Sunday

There's much of the same at the previous days today, so if you've missed something you liked the look of then make the most of the last day of the event today, as well as a few other items, including the exhibition at Double Tree Hilton Hotel celebrating the history of women's football from 7.30am-10.30pm, and a guided walk around the Homeworld '81 exhibition at 11am showing how the buildings have faded over the last 30 years.

There's a great variety of events and activities taking place over these 4 days of the Heritage Open Days, so you've got plenty of opportunities to get involved in something over the weekend.

Download the pdf brochure here.

Time travel this weekend with some great local events

As August draws to a close (where has the time gone?!) were coming to the end of the summer holidays but there's another day filled with fun activities tomorrow, so make the most of it as summer comes to an end (we're still in denial!) and hopefully enjoy some summer sun before the kids go back to school...

Georgian Tea Party
@ The Cowper and Newton Museum, 10.30am-4.30pm
Travel back in time 250 years and feel Georgian for the day! You're encouraged to come in costume if you can, to really get into the mood! Enjoy the fascinating museum and beautiful gardens with some additional attractions...
Barabara Segal, specialist in Baroque dance, a fashionable dance of Europe from 1650-1750, will be performing with her dancers, and you can relax while drinking blended teas  and eating delicious cakes. The teas will be served in order to remember the significance of tea in the 18th century, where women were only allowed to drink it in their homes while men could enjoy it in tea houses.
Tickets cost £5 for adults and £2 for children.

Wicked Water Fun day 
@ Willen Lake, 11am-3pm
Great fun for all the family at Willen Lake tomorrow. There will be a variety of free taster waterspouts from 11am-1pm, on a first come first served basis so make sure you get there early on if you want a go! Come along and try pond dipping, canoeing, rowing and fishing at the lake. It's a free event so why not come along and combine it with a walk around the lake, a play in the park or even lunch by the waterfront?

Open Air Theatre: Alice in Wonderland
@ Willen Lake South, Mini-Bowl, Gates 3pm for 4pm start
This is something great for a warm summer evening, come and see the Cambridge touring theatre perform Lewis Carroll's classic Alice in Wonderland. Filled with catchy tunes and great laughs, it's one for all the family to enjoy. You'll need to bring your own seating, and please bring warm clothes for when the sun goes down! The performance lasts around 2hours 30 min. There will be a children's workshop with the actors prior to the show, for a small charge, spaces are limited so check before you go! The show costs £12 per adult, £8 per child or £32 for a family of four.

1940's weekend: 'Skip down memory lane with our Violet'
@ Milton Keynes museum Saturday and Sunday
If the Georgian era isn't for you and you'd prefer to go back a little in time, then come along to the Milton Keynes museum where you'll be transported back to the 1940's for their 5th wartime weekend. Experience the flavour of the wartime period with music, re-enactors, exhibits and living history displays. Enjoy a trip down memory lane or an education of the past, there'll be vintage vehicles, a vintage tea room, a vintage street of shops and more.

'Let it go, let it go'

The film 'Frozen' by Disney has gone down a storm since it's release, and children everywhere (and adults, come on admit it!) have been singing that song 'let it go' for a number of months now. Well, if you're not bored of the film yet and want to join others who love it too, why not come along for a Frozen sing-along at the Chrysalis theatre at Willen Park South tomorrow (Friday 8th August).

There are two showings, one for kids and another exclusively for adults. The kids showing is at 4.30pm and will be followed by the adult screening at 8pm, with the bar opening at 7pm before the adult's screening. The film will feature subtitles to aid you in your singing (incase you don't already know the words off by heart) and it's sure to be a great atmosphere. People are encouraged to dress up to the theme of the film (no real-ice snowmen though please!) to really get you into the spirit of things.

With popcorn, singing and costumes, it's set to be a lot of fun. If you haven't managed to see the film yet make every effort to come along, watch the trailer below for a sneak peak...

 

Au revoir MKIF 2014!

Today brings us to the end of the Milton Keynes International Festival, and what a great 10 days it has been! We hope you were able to get along to one of the many events that have been on offer throughout the festival, and made the most of the great weather we've had for it!

One of the highlights for many was the 'Iltopie: Fous de Bassin' (water fools), where Willen Lake was lit up with fire and taken over by people and vehicles walking across the water. There was a bit of confusion with seating, it turned out you didn't really need a ticket to see the show, and yet some who had bought tickets ended up sitting where they could hardly see. Despite that, and the thunderstorms which took place during the shows (adding to the effects!), it was a great event, something unusual and definitely not something you see everyday- showing a good example of what the international festival has been about. It was an interesting show, especially when the car caught fire and people were voicing questions of whether it was meant to happen or not! (don't worry, it was!)

This was just one of the many events which was part of the festival, and there were lots of other amazing events and activities taking place. Gigs in the Spiegeltent have been sold out for much of the festival, and the Architects of Air's Pentalum in Middleton Hall has been popular throughout, drawing large crowds to both visit and enjoy music and classes within the luminarium. The lock shift songs is another of the more bizarre parts to the festival (although it's all a bit quirky really!) and has also been particularly popular with shoppers in centre:mk. If you haven't managed to pay it a visit, it's there today as well so do pop by if you are in the centre! Have a look at the official website to what what else is still on today if you fancy getting involved for the last few hours of the festival!

We hope you enjoyed this year's International Festival, we at the Phonebox Magazine certainly did and we can't wait to see what will be in store for next year!

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.

Flowers and Lakes! This weekend...

This weekend the main events seem to be revolving around flowers and lakes. Slightly random you may think, but the events themselves are some pretty good ones!

SATURDAY:

Great Linford Waterside Festival  started yesterday and runs through to Sunday. It's a free event with the exception of parking which is £2.50. It's set to be a great event, have a look at the website here. Saturday the opening times are 11.30am-7pm and Sunday 11.45am-5.30pm. 


St Laud's Church Flower Festival and Open Gardens 'BYGONES', together with Sherington Historical Society Biannual Scarecrow Competition. Come and see the beautiful arrangements in the St Laud’s Church and then take time to view the gardens and hunt out the Scarecrows around the village. The festival is open both Saturday and Sunday, from 11am-5pm.

Woburn Abbey Garden Show is open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm, and has something for everyone to enjoy. In a friendly and accessible environment, you can enjoy an introduction to gardening, the opportunity to improve or learn new gardening skills and purchase wonderful plants and garden items. Live music entertainment. Tickets are £11 adults, £10 seniors and £6 for children. For more information visit their website. 


And over to the lakes... There are a couple of events happening over at Willen lake On SUNDAY:

Peace Pagoda Anniversary, from 10.30am-3.30pm.  

The programme to commemorate the anniversary will include a Buddhist ceremony, multi-faith peace prayers, speakers on anti-nuclear and non-violent actions, and an afternoon multi-cultural celebration.

Dragon Boat Festival 

The Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival takes place in aid of Age UK Milton Keynes. Join in the fun, raise and boat and compete for the title of Dragon Boat champion or cheer on your favourite team from the lakeside. Find out more here.