What's on: This Bank holiday Weekend

The first of the May bank holidays arrives this weekend, and there are a few things going on you may want to get involved with...

All weekend:

Friday 1st-Sunday 4th May: Luna Flix Outdoor Cinema @ Stanwick Lakes, open 7.30pm
Approximately 30 minutes out from Milton Keynes, the open cinema at Stanwick lakes will be showing 3 different films over the weekend. Friday's showing is: 'Close encounters of the third kind', Saturday 'Moulin Rouge' and Sunday is 'Mamma Mia'. The outdoor screen is over 7 metres wide, and it's a great location to enjoy an outdoor film experience with friends and family. Bring a picnic and don't forget warm clothes and a blanket or picnic chair to sit on. The doors open at 7.30pm for picnics, and the film will start at around 9.15pm, according to dusk light. Tickets cost £9 for adults and £6.50 for children, pre-booking is essential, click here to book tickets.

Saturday 2nd- Monday 4th May: Rushden Cavalcade @ Bedford Road, NN10 0SN, 10am-5pm
The 37th Cavalcade of historical transport and country show; 'The big rally that starts the season'. Bringing over 1000 different exhibits from all over the country, attracting over 25,000 visitors each year, there's something for everyone to see and do, from tractor engines and vintage vehicles, to funfair rides and trade stands. Entry costs £8 for adults, £5 for children and senior citizens. Family ticket of 2 adults and 2 children cost £22. Free parking available.

Saturday 2nd-Monday 4th May: The Crooked Billet Festival @ Newton Longville, every day from 12 midday-10.30pm.
The Crooked Billet in Newton Longville are holding their first festival over the bank holiday period, and are hoping to make it a regular feature for years to come. Doors open at 12pm each day, and there will be 2 large marquees so the fun will be happening no matter what the weather. Saturday there will be face painting from 2-6pm, there will be music from cover band 'Inside job' at 2 and 4pm, and from 7pm will be video horse raising in aid of Willen Hospice. Sunday from 2-3.3pm will be John the jazz pianist performing live, and local musician Luke Ford will be performing at both 4.30pm and 5.45pm. There will be a whole evening of comedy entertainment from 7pm, ending at 10.30pm. Hog roast will be available Saturday and Sunday from 3pm, and BBQ will be available all day. Monday will be more relaxed, with background music, BBQ and plenty of ale.

Friday 1st May:

The Bedford branch of the Royal Anglian Regiment association @ The Keep, Bedford, 8pm
Monthly meeting, on the first Friday of the month. Bar opens at 7.30pm, meeting begins at 8pm. Open to any ex servicemen/women of any arm.

Cupcake Decorating @ Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands, 10am and 1pm
Enjoy a cupcake decorating masterclass with a professional tutor to guide you through piping swirls and hand crafting sugar paste decorations, as well as how to master the iconic butter cream swirl. At the end of the day you'll go home with 6 of your own beautifully decorated cupcakes. The workshop runs for 2 hours and costs £40, pre-booking is a must. The workshop is part of Frosts' gardening and country living workshop series, offering monthly activities throughout the year. Click here for more information and to book.

Bedford art society @ Putnoe Heights Church, 7.15pm for 7.30pm start
Hashim Akib demonstrates the use of acrylics. Learn some new ideas, techniques and approaches to painting with acrylics. Entry is free for members, £5 for visitors.

Saturday 2nd May:

May Day Festival @ Campbell Park, 12-5pm.
The Parks trust annual fair. Dance around the Maypole and celebrate May Day. Free fun for all the family including Morris dancing, folk music, children's entertainment, stalls and children's rides.

Sunday 3rd May:

Dawn Chorus @ Hanson environmental study centre, Linford lakes, 4.30-6.30am
Join the expert ranger for National dawn chorus day, and discover the early morning bird call. Costs £2 per person. Meet at Hanson environmental study centre, Linford lakes, MK14 5AH.

Parks and fun run @ Willen lake north, 10am
Free fun runs for all ages and abilities, with a choice of routes from 2km to 10km. Starting from Willen lake North car park.

Open Mic Night @ The Two Brewers Olney, 8.30pm
A great night of music, and enjoying a great selection of drinks.

That Time Of The Month comedy club @ The Cannon, Newport Pagnell, 7pm
John Hastings and Chris Martin, Edinburgh Preview show. Tickets £5 in advance or £7 on the door.

Monday 4th May:

MK Marathon and half marathon @ Stadium MK, 10am
For runners and spectators alike, it's set to be a great day. With 4,500 acres of woodlands, lakesides, parks and landscaped areas within Milton Keynes, it's the ideal venue for a Green City marathon.

Sharnbrook Bowls club open afternoon @ Lodge Road, Sharnbrook, 2pm
Why not give bowls a try this summer? Come along and give it a try!

Hollington Wood Annual Bluebell Day @ Hollington Wood, 10am-6pm
Open day. Come and enjoy the bluebells and woodland. Admission is free but donations towards the upkeep of the woods are appreciated.

Quiz Night @ The Cowpers Oak, Weston Underwood, 8pm
£1 per person entry, teams of a maximum of 8 people.

...Have a great Bank Holiday weekend whatever you get up to!

Love MK day

The third annual Love MK day takes place tomorrow, aiming to not only promote Milton Keynes as a leisure and business destination, but also to harness the pride that many residents have in their city.

With the aim of spreading the love of the city worldwide, the hope is to also get past residents of Milton keynes involved who may have moved away from Milton Keynes, in order to spread #LoveMK far and wide.

Not only will the Love MK day encourage people to be proud of where they're from or live, but there is also the hope that it will help increase visitors and therefore profits to Milton Keynes. The visitor economy is currently worth over £200 million in Milton Keynes, and hopes are it can be increased further with some good #LoveMK publicity.

People are being encouraged to share photos of themselves either holding the poster or getting creative with '#LoveMK', and there are prizes up for grabs if the pictures are tweeted to '@DestinationMK'. The more creative the better- last year someone cut #LoveMk into their lawn, other ideas include making banners, painting the words on your face and more. Get involved and show some support to your city!

Olney man wins Parks Trust Photography competition

The winner of the Parks Trust 2014 photography competition has now been announced as being Jim Key from Olney, with an amazing photograph of the frozen Grand Union canal in winter. The photograph was taken from the bridge adjoining Stonepit field in Great Linford, and captures the sunrise coming up through the trees. The image is truly picturesque; the untouched snow on the roof of the house and canal boats, as well as the frozen canal, all look so fresh and untouched, it could be a painting.

As well as the overall winner, there were prizes for the categories of:

• Wildlife (won by Jo Angell)
• Parklife (also won by Jim Key with the same image)
• Landscape (won by Tim Skelton)
• young persons category (won by Eden Albiston)

The winning images and all short-listed images will be showcase this June at Milton Keynes Central Library, don't forget to go along and take a look!

Winner of the Parks Trust competition, Jim Key

Live below the line this week

If you've been in to the Phonebox Magazine office in Stanley Court over the last few months, you'll have seen the box where we collect donations for the Food Bank, maybe you've even popped something in there yourself. In thinking about helping those who don't have enough food, we thought we'd share an initiative called Live Below the Line, which is taking place this coming week and helps raise awareness and money for those around the world living in poverty.

Live Below the Line encourages people across the world to join together in spending just £5 on food for the week. From 27th April-1st May you can get involved and live on just £1 a day for your food and drink, using your experience to help change perspectives and behaviours, and raise money for a cause you believe in. The aim isn't to replicate what it would be like to live in poverty, but rather to help connect you to the issues you're fundraising for and help you understand in a very small way how people living in poverty have to live every day. Potentially leaving you a little less full than usual, it'll give you an even better idea of the injustice that 1.2billion people have to face every day living on £1, as well as helping you to save money. We so often spend so much money on food and drink, and this could be a week of reality-checking how much we really need to be spending on food and maybe donating the savings.

Since 2011, people taking part in Live Below the Line have raised over £3 million in the UK alone. To take part in it as a fundraising challenge, you can ask people to sponsor you for the week as well as fundraising and donating the extra money you would have usually spent on food for that week. The Live Below the Line website offers loads of ideas, including recipes, fundraising ideas, school challenge ideas and more, why not take on the challenge and get involved!

The weekend's events

This one's a busy weekend, and so we've collected a list of 'what's on' for you. Bear with it, it may be long, but is filled with great ideas of what to do, including a great selection to suit all tastes and interests!

Friday 24th April

Sausage and mash supper with bingo and quiz @ Lavendon Village Hall. 6.30pm for 7pm start
Bring your own drinks, tickets cost £10.

Friday Night Films- Mr Turner @ MK Gallery, 7.30pm
A pop-up cinema offering an alternative film experience. The film is Mr Turner, which explores the last quarter century of the British painter J.M.W Turner (1775-1851).

Saturday 25th April

Newport Pagnell Singers- Choral Workshop @ Lovat Hall, Silver Street. 9am-4pm
The Sprig of Thyme. Want to sing in a choir? The singers are on the lookout for new members in every voice part. Why not join in for the workshop and see if it's something you would enjoy? You can book a place by clicking here.

The Yardley Hastings Heritage Society @ The United Reformed Church, Yardley Hastings. 10am-4pm
The theme of the open day is Yardley at war. If you have any information, documents or photographs of the village during this time or anything else concerning the village or villagers which you would like to share, then do bring it along. There is a dedicated cupboard for storing the photographs and document sand the facilitates to help you preserve your documents.

Olney Lace Circle- Lace and craft day @ Denton village hall. 10am-4pm
Tickets cost £3.50, this is a ticket only event. Tea and coffee available all day.

Trend:mk SS15 fashion showcase @ Middleton Hall, centre:mk. Saturday- Sunday 
The centre:mk's biggest fashion showcase, with live catwalk shows and great in-store discounts. Find out the trends for spring/summer 2015 and enjoy some exclusive offers from around 30 of the centres shops.

North Bedfordshire NCT nearly new sale @ Bedford athletic stadium, Barker lane, Bedford. 11.30am-1.30pm
Top quality baby and children's clothes and equipment at bargain prices. Opens at 11.30am for NCT members and 12pm for the general public. £1 entry fee.

The Great Sherington Garage Sale @ Sherington. All day.
Come to Sherington to grab a bargain. Sherington is about to open its garage doors for the first time on mass as a fund raiser for St Laud's Sherington. Come and see what bargains you can find. Pick up a pamphlet from Sherington village shop on Church Road, or from one of the participating garages for £1 to see where all the other garages are.

St George's Day All-Dayer @ Bletchley Working Mens Club. Midday-Midnight
Stolen Hours social club presents the annual St George's day all-dayer. DJ's playing Ska, Reggae, Motown and Northern Soul, as well as northern soul dance lessons with Fiona Smith.

Good Dog Owners' guide to MK @ Campbell Park, Milton Keynes. 2pm
An introduction to the parks of Milton Keynes for new dog owners, includes a short walk. Meet at Campbell Park Pavilion. £1 per person.

Foodie quiz night @ Browns of Stagsden. 7pm for 7.30pm start
Tickets cost £10 and includes a sausage supper. Teams of up to 8 people, with a prize for the winners. There will be a bar with local ale served.

Cowper & Newton Museum presents: Old Time Music hall @ Carlton House Club, High Street Olney. 7pm for 7.30pm start
David Pibworth produces a night of songs, variety, music and laughter to commemorate the Great War centenary. 'Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile.' Be transported back in time and reminisce with tributes to great acts such as Laurel & Hardy, Gert & Daisy and more. Tickets just £3, available from the Cowper & Newton Museum shop.

The Pad Presents: The Neville Staple Band + Ruts Dc @ The Corn Exchange, Bedford. 7.30pm
Including New Groove Formation, Hammy & Geoff and DJ Andy Attic. Neville Staple is one of the great figureheads of the second wave of British ska in the last 70s. Best known for his work as the singer in Ska and Two Tone legends The Specials, his solo tour features a selection of The Special's back catalogue as well as tracks form his second chart topping band, The Fun Boy Three, as well as reworking some original Jamaican ska classics and showcasing some brand new solo material.

Bradwell Silver Band Concert @ St James Church, New Bradwell. 7.30pm
Bradwell silver band spring concert and annual awards. The band will perform a selection of music to suit all ages and tastes. Bradwell silver band is proud to support players of any age who wish to learn a brass instrument, with free tuition and instruments. The annual Spring Concert is an opportunity for band members to celebrate and recognise the commitment and hard work of the players and supporters.

Sunday 26th April

Telephone and Post Office vehicle's day @ Milton Keynes Museum. All day
Discover more about the telephone and the ways in which we communicate. Postal and telephone vehicles from the past 60 years. Working telephones and switchboards will be found in the telephone gallery, Post Office films and videos and working telegraph and telephone equipment will also be on show, as well as the usual museum exhibits.

Age UK fashion show @ The Peartree Centre, Peartree Bridge. 2-4pm
Hand-picked clothes from the six local Age UK shops. Fabulous fashions, jewellery and other accessories for sale on the day. There will be live music, and visitors will receive a goody bag, glass of bubbly on arrival and canapés. Tickets cost £10 or £8 in advance.

REVIEW: Lord of the Dance - Dangerous Games at MK Theatre

An electric atmosphere, but maybe needs a little updating 

FUTURISTIC: Lord of the Dance - Dangerous Games is at MK Theatre until Saturday, April 25th. 

An offshoot of the Michael Flatley-famous Lord of the Dance brand, the Dangerous Games production at MK Theatre has been directed by the iconic dancer. Don't expect him to make any appearances though (he's more of a hologram), but lead dancer Morgan Comer is more than up to the job. 

I loved the fantastic energy and skill shown by the dancers, especially Comer who held the show together by engaging with the audience. Surely Irish dancing must be one of the most technical skills to learn? The digitalised backcloth enhanced the impressive dancing on stage too. 

There wasn't much of a storyline, more a series of dances loosely connected, but then that's what everyone is there for anyway. The classic stereotypes of goodie versus baddie were there, but it was a little concerning to see a woman forcibly taken - surely damsels in distress is old hat now?  

However, I was a little unsure of the Barbie-esque nature of the women, with their long flowing locks, fixed smiles and all round glamour, but then maybe I'm just a little jealous?

Personally, a tribute to the dancing's Irish roots would have been appreciated, but then this is for a newer audience. There are even cyber soldiers, even if they were a bit incongruous. The encore had the audience on its feet clapping and cheering, a return to its Lord of the Dance roots. The atmosphere was electric. 

Until Saturday. 

DEBBIE HALL 

Delivered to your door in Milton Keynes...

Food delivery is one of the many aspects of life today which just helps make things that bit easier. From your takeaway dinner to your weekly food shop, companies are answering the call of how to shop when people are often so busy. Having the option of doing your grocery shop during your lunch break at work and then having it delivered one evening, can be a huge help and time saver.

However, it looks as though the food delivery may have gone too far now... forget 'One Direction', there's a new company working in Milton Keynes called 'One Delivery'. This company may be loathed by some and loved by others, as they offer delivery of fast food which is not otherwise offered, including the likes of McDonalds, Burger King and KFC. They apparently deliver with battery powered bags to ensure the food doesn't get cold en route. It does seem to be the answer for the ever present question of why such places don't offer delivery, but there's also the fact that it is meant to be 'fast food', which generally doesn't fare so well being transported very far. If you're a fan of fast food then this might be great news for you, especially if you don't have a car, but if not then it may sound rather ridiculous.

Another local venture doing a similar thing but with much healthier foods, is called Organic Trail. Also based in Milton Keynes and delivering to the surrounding areas, they delivery fresh, organic produce to your door, such as vegetables, meat, fruit and eggs, in a box so minimising packaging and making it even more eco-friendly.

So whether you're a fast food fan or would rather go organic, there's something for everyone without even having to leave the comforts of your home. Of course if it's the idea of not having to leave your home that's the perk, why not get growing your own back garden? With the warm weather we're set to be having it should grown really well, and you can't get much more home-grown than that can you!