Sticks Nov 2014

Issue 25 November 2014

In this edition of The Sticks Exclusive interview with Alison Wheeler of The South and Magician Paul Daniels Win 2 tickets to a Christmas themed night at The Forum, Stevenage Our new Hero Cheese of the Month BBC Radio 2’s Janey Lee Grace on Christmas presents We road test the Honda CR-V And much more Plus pages of events listings across Herts, Beds & Bucks

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Welcome to the November edition of The Sticks Magazine!

The most talked about magazine in Herts, Beds & Bucks With over 16,000 readers a month

In this issue: Exclusive interview with Alison Wheeler Paul Daniels Interview Curwens Column 1.5 million men facing loneliness in old age Art Column Win 2 places for Christmas themed night Panto time - Part two Car Test – Honda CR-V Janey Lee Grace – on Christmas presents Big Barn Food Column Hero Cheese of the Month Listings – Herts, Beds & Bucks

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Contributors: Janey Lee Grace, Terry Sullivan, Andrew Merritt-Morling, Julia Cooke, Sharon Struckman

See you in December!

Editor & Sales: Terry Sullivan Tel: 07756 274444 Email: thesticks9@gmail.com www.the-sticks.co.uk Follow us on twitter @thesticks9 www.facebook.com/sticksmag

Listen to The Sticks Radio Show at 10am on Mondays on Secklow Sounds www.secklowsounds.org

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Exclusive interview with Alison Wheeler of The South Brought into The Beautiful South by Dave Hemingway, Alison went on to feature on the “Gaze”, "Goldiggas Headnodders and Pholk Songs" and "Superbi" albums and perform gigantic live shows with the band. Describing herself as “Front female vocalist and surrogate Mum to the band,” Alison loves performing with The South – “I wouldn’t do anything else if given the choice.” Alison is thrilled but not surprised that the music has stood the test of time, and The South have kept the fans that have always loved the songs. “The fans still make the pilgrimage. Visually we look pretty much the same onstage and of course the music still sounds fantastic,” she says. “We continue to perform and play the songs because we love it; we don’t want to stop – and why should we?”

What is The South as a group all about? For people who don’t know who we are, in 2007 the group the Beautiful South (of which I was a member) called it a day and split up, we had a couple of years in limbo and then a few of the original members suggested we might reform and the new incarnation is The South. We have been together since 2009, we are moving forward trying to write new material also playing the old hits at the same time and we have had a great response so we are really chuffed with the feedback we are getting, thus we are on a mammoth tour this year covering every corner of the UK it seems.

Have you any new material coming out? We are on the road for a total of 64 dates also we released an album in 2011 called “Sweet Refrains” which we will be playing on the tour. The trouble with being on the road is it makes it difficult to get in the studio but we will be recording come January 2015 as the fans of course want to hear the old hits but they are ready to hear a new album as we keep getting lots of request for new material.

How did you get involved with the Beautiful South? They were a bit of a household name and most people knew them, before I joined I checked to see how many of their albums I had and I don’t know any family that does not have one in their collection, but it was a lot of luck and a lot of graft, being in the right place at the right time. I left university and came to London with the aim to try and make it in music and gave myself 4 years, and 7 years later I was still trying, you just keep knocking on doors. I was working at a record company during the day, it helped me see the other side of the coin, it helped me see the mechanics of music. I was just working in the sales department and one of the girls in the team said “I am in a gospel choir would you like to join?” Initially I said “not really as I am not really religious” but it is about bringing gospel music out of the Church so I joined that choir. There were 30 of us, we had some experiences we did the MOBO’s and a few other high profile gigs and, then during that time 3 of us got asked to do a session for Dave Hemmingway’s (Housemartins and Beautiful South) solo album “Cruel World” and it was through that session that I got to meet Dave and he fortunately took me to one side and said I think your voice would fit in the Beautiful South would you like me to recommend you? It took me a nano second to say you bet, yes please and I did not hear anything for a year, so I just presumed it was a no go but now I realise that things don’t move along at the same speed in the music industry. I was literally ready to throw in the towel; I had been on holiday with my boyfriend and we decided it 4

might be time to stop following that dream and get a real job and I got home from that holiday and there was a letter on the mat from Paul Heaton, handwritten with some weird doodles of him smiling and singing, saying “I know you can sing, we would love to have you on board in the band but, bearing in mind they had lost 2 female singers along the way, he wanted to make sure the chemistry was right so he said come up and meet the band and see how you get on with the boys and we will take it from there and the rest is history as they say. That’s how I joined the Beautiful South. Lots of people say aren’t you lucky but I say the more you knock on doors the luckier you get, if I had sat at home and not learnt my trade I might not had made that connection.

When people come to see you do they expect to hear you sing the naughty version of “Don’t Marry Me”? yes, there are limited situations where councils get involved when they request we don’t do that version, I have my kids and they are the age where they came to see me during the summer and I said Mummy is going to say a rude word and you do as I say not as I do, Mummy wrote the song so please don’t think it is acceptable to use the word in normal situations. Even if I did not sing the rude version you can guarantee the audience will. I was recently contacted via Facebook by a guy who wanted me to record a version of the song with words with lots of references to their relationship so he could play it to the girlfriend as a proposal, which I did but don’t know if he has picked up the courage to play it to her yet.

What is the biggest crowd you have performed to? A few years ago we opened for Robbie Williams at Crooke Park, Ireland in front of 90,000 people, I can even process that number in my head and I had the misfortune of having acute laryngitis so they had to cut all my lead songs out of the set, I was so gutted. We also opened the Rewind festivals both in Perth, Scotland and Henley and that was in front of 30,000 people, but I like doing small venues too as at a smaller place you can see the white of the crowd’s eyes and you can feed off their energy.

Is there anyone you would like to play with? Well some think she is past her best but for me she is a ground breaking, Madonna is an inspirational artist and if she could take me under her wing it would be fantastic. I aspire to play the guitar and I have been teaching myself for years so would love to play with her or just have a pow wow with her. My musical icons are not around anymore - I like Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday and Doris Day and I am a fan of cheesy musicals.

Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions? I would like to master singing and playing an instrument at the same time but at the moment it is like patting your head and rubbing your tummy.

What is your favourite song? With the band it is hard to decide it would have to be “Perfect 10”, “Don’t Marry Me” or “Rotterdam” purely because of the response you get from the audience and could not separate them.

You can see The South on their Sweet Refrains tour on Saturday 8th November at The Swan in High Wycombe 5

Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee Back Despite Popular Demand

By Veronica Lee

Paul Daniels is just as much a live-wire in real life as he is on stage - he's not one of those entertainers who switch off their personality the minute they leave the theatre - and when we meet at the Savoy Hotel in London to discuss his new show he is straight into the jokes, most of them at his own expense.

“Comic, magician, international sex symbol...” the diminutive funnyman says by way of introduction, as “the lovely Debbie McGee” - as we all surely call his wife and onstage-partner – looks on. I ask if he is ever “off”. “No,” Debbie says with a smile. “Paul is exactly the same at home as he is on stage. I don't know anyone else so resolutely positive about life.”

The couple, who married in 1988, are about to tour/touring a new show, Back Despite Popular Demand! – which, they tell me, contains some old favourites as well as new tricks. “People complain when we don't do tricks they expect to see every time they come to see us, so we've included two oldies, my signature illusions as it were, but everything else is different,” says Paul. “And the great thing about a live show is that it's never the same twice because the audience is different each night.”

In a previous tour the couple introduced a Q&A as part of the show. “Some of the questions were really left-field and kept me on my toes,” says Paul. He enjoys the contact with fans, and is a keen tweeter and blogger, but even though he's very much a fan of modern gizmos, says about using it his act: “You can use technology, providing it’s not technology that does the trick.”

Paul makes most of his own props and is also a keen handyman at home; during the floods last winter their Thames-side Berkshire home was not seriously affected, as he had built a system of gates and pumps - even though their garden was under water for several weeks. And once Debbie came home from shopping to find he had installed a mezzanine floor in his large workshop. Why? “I thought, well, it has a high ceiling, so why not?” says Paul.

The Middlesbrough native, who started doing magic tricks at the age of 11, has developed illusions for several shows in London's West End, including Cats and Phantom of the Opera. He and Debbie like to go to Las Vegas to see the big magic shows and Paul is a keen student of the artform – and he has an extensive collection of books and artefacts. “Lots of people contact Paul if they need to know anything about the history of tricks and illusions,” says Debbie.

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With more than 40 years in the business, Paul says he rarely doesn't know how another performer does a trick, but occasionally even he is foxed. “Then I break it down, bit by bit, and eventually I will work it out,” he says. “And I tip my hat to anyone who could stump me.”

As a member of the Magic Circle would he ever reveal the mechanics of a trick? “Oh no, why spoil the illusion? What people are seeing defies the laws of nature and of physics – matter can't disappear and then reappear, for example - so they know it's not real but can't understand how it's done and that makes great entertainment. And a lot of what makes it fun is the chat that goes with it, of course.”

He also does occasional “mentalist” tricks – mind-reading – and talks with awe about some of the great performers in this field, but Paul is less keen on psychics, who, he believes, use the same tricks but for less noble purposes. “If they are talking to those who have passed, why do they never ask them, 'What's it like?'” he says scathingly. “A lot of them may think they're not doing any harm, but for me they are continuing the sorrow [of the bereaved]. I believe once you're gone, you're gone.”

I ask if anything ever goes wrong with a trick and they both laugh. “Not that the audience would be aware of,” says Paul. “When I'm creating a show, I plan the routines and then I plan the get-outs: so if anything goes wrong, I'm ready.” Debbie adds: “It rarely happens that anything goes wrong but when it has – someone fainted in the front row once – Paul was completely unfazed and carried on cracking gags while he was being helped out.”

Back to the tour, which Paul and Debbie are looking forward to enjoying as they travel around the country. “We love doing the show but travelling can be a pain,” says Paul.

“So we stay in nice hotels and eat lovely food, and explore an area when we possibly can. This is a great country and we love discovering new parts of it.”

See Paul and Debbie on Sun 2nd November at Gordon Craig theatre, Stevenage

pauldaniels.co.uk

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Thought You Couldn’t Afford to Buy a Home or Move?

Think again………

The Government’s Help to Buy: Mortgage Guarantee scheme is still available - until December 2016.

There are now loads of well-known lenders now using the scheme, so help is available to more people. The main points to note are:•

The scheme is designed to help you purchase a home when you only have a small deposit (at least 5%)

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It is available on most properties in the UK (not just new builds) costing up to £600,000

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It is available to everyone provided you do not already own another property (even if it is abroad)

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You must intend to occupy the property as your own residence (i.e. it cannot be used for Buy to Let properties)

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You must obtain a repayment mortgage, not interest only

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The lender must check you can afford the mortgage, and you have no history of payment difficulties

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The mortgage must be less than 4.5 times your income

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There is no additional fee to pay to the Government

There is more information available from www.helptobuy.org.uk The Government also runs a Help to Buy: Equity loan scheme. This is only available if you want to buy a newly built property - with a price tag of up to £600,000. You won’t be able to sublet this property, or enter into a part-exchange deal on your old home.

You must not own any other property at the time you buy your new home with the scheme and this scheme is only available in England.

At Curwens LLP, we are always happy to provide you with a quote for conveyancing work without any obligation to instruct us. So contact one of our offices today – all contact details are on our website www.curwens.co.uk Curwens LLP are your local solicitors based in Royston, Hoddesdon, and Enfield.

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1.5 MILLION MEN FACING LONELINESS IN OLD AGE BY 2030 Julia Cooke, Counsellor at Local Counselling Centre Letchworth and Welwyn, reflects on loneliness and old age.

“The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.”

This was stated by Mother Theresa when reflecting on her work with the destitute and perhaps we might reflect on this ourselves in the light of information that has emerged this week about loneliness in Britain, particularly amongst older men.

New research this week predicts that the number of men aged 65 or more living by themselves in England will rise by 65% sparking concerns for the prospect of a lonely old age for a generation of pensioners.

According to the report, “Isolation: The Emerging Crisis for Older Men” more than 1.2 million men over 50 reported a high degree of social isolation in 2012/13, with 710,000 men in the same category reporting a high degree of loneliness. Contributing to these figures is the fact that men were found to have less frequent contact with family and friends than women. In general men tend to rely on their partners to remain socially connected and when the partner dies, a man’s social life often shrinks. At the same time the evidence shows that older men are less likely to seek help or ask for support from medical or social services.

Loneliness is not only a cause of misery for many but also poses a significant health risk. Janet Morrison, chief executive of health and support charity Independent Age states that loneliness has the equivalent impact to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and that it is as big a risk as obesity.

We already know that men are 30% more likely to die after being widowed. The implications for society both socially and financially are clear and last year the health secretary Jeremy Hunt admitted that society has “utterly failed” to address the problem leaving “a forgotten million who live among us to our national shame”.

Calls have been made on professional bodies to consider creating post-retirement clubs for their workforce with a view to helping older men and women remain socially connected in post-work life. Local councils and agencies could also step up to offer more support, particularly at stressful times such as bereavement when the recently widowed face both the loss of their partner and also maybe their gateway into a wider social circle.

The story of Fred, 85, featured in the Guardian this week. He reported feeling trapped since the death of his wife 7 years previously. His description of closing his curtains at 6.30 pm and existing in the dark for 12 hours night after night with only the television for company was a poignant one. He identified his desire to connect with others but found it impossible to achieve this.

Although the research this week highlights the position of older men, the same issues exist for women who have longer life-expectancies and who are therefore more likely to outlive their partners. Lower incomes and poor housing may also contribute to the risk of both social isolation and poor health.

What we may be missing in our reluctance to engage with the elderly, perhaps due to our own fears of the ageing process, is the wisdom and knowledge that is available to be passed on to younger generations. Bridging the generation gap by fostering relationships between younger and older relatives and running programmes in schools which bring in older adults to talk about their experiences with children are to be encouraged for the benefit of all. Perhaps we may begin to see the satisfaction of a life well lived rather than fearing the prospect of old age.

At Local Counselling Centre we are interested in helping our older clients to maintain connection in their lives to prevent social isolation and loneliness. Please get in touch if you would like to talk to us about this. As well as individual counselling we offer the chance to meet with a group of older people in similar circumstances to explore the challenges together.

Local Counselling Centre T: 01462 674671 E: hello@localcounsellingcentre.co.uk W: www.localcounsellingcentre.co.uk

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Art Column featuring - Ray Postill I have lived in St Albans for over 40 years.

Prior to retirement I was a Civil Engineer; from an early age my education took me away from art as a subject. Nevertheless I never lost my interest and in my late 50’s I began painting for my own pleasure. Initially painting in the Naive style I found that I could produce pleasing images which created a different reality, allowing freedom to tell a story without following the normal rules relating to scale or perspective. These paintings often combine a mix of nostalgia and humour and can best be described as “Quirky”.

Later works concentrated on Art Deco fashion and more recently on a series which I call my Iconic Portraits.

I have exhibited at Haileybury School and the Art Van Go gallery plus the Redbourn Annual Art Show.

Examples of my work can be viewed on the following websites: www.postillioart.com www.saatchionline.com/profiles/index/id/92920 www.pictify.com - search box- “postillio”

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Win 2 places for any Christmas themed night at the Forum, Stevenage When you are making plans for a company Christmas party there are a number of ‘boxes’ that have to be ticked but in order of preference the top three have to be venue, venue and venue.

No matter what your theme, whether you are planning to have awards, complicated dress codes, entertainment or even goodie bags and a photographer, the most important decision comes at the beginning because you simply must make sure that your venue is the right place to host the event that you really want to hold.

There’s no point choosing a historic country manor house that can’t cater for the numbers or the entertainment that you had in mind. Along with being able to host the right number of people (and that can be done by subdividing some larger spaces) your venue should also be able to handle the needs of entertainment groups (that often means power supply and space), caterers (that requires a purpose built functioning kitchen) and vital extras such as good transport links like being close to a railway station or taxis and having access to hotel rooms (preferably on site).

For this reason there has been a long tradition of high quality Christmas events at The Forum in Danestrete, Stevenage. It’s predecessor was the Hertford Park Hotel and it was renowned as the place for superb Christmas and New Year entertainment. Now having undergone a spectacular refurbishment the venue is once again set to be the place for seasonal parties and the events planned are booking up fast.

Along with availability for private parties, the venue that can cater for in excess of 600 people is hosting a number of Christmas themed events such as a Calypso party, an Elvis night and a Bollywood Xmas. When it comes to a company Christmas bash, how many times do you hear the lament that ‘this is the fifth turkey dinner I have eaten this week’?

The Forum is hoping to change that with a change of menu and also a change of scenery and of course if you want to make a long night of it, there are rooms available as well.

So if you are still on the verge of making that vital decision on venue, call The Forum on 01438 533012 or email fcb@fairviewhotels.com and see just how this purpose built facility could make your Christmas party 2014 one to remember. See pages 18-19 for more details.

Win 2 places for any Christmas themed night please answer this simple question: In which town is the Forum?

The first correct entry drawn will win 2 places for any Xmas themed night (subject to availability), Send your answer by email with your name, address, email address and daytime phone number to: thesticks9@gmail.com Closing date: Noon Wednesday 5th November.

There is no cash alternative. Usual your publication rules apply. Editor's decision is final.

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Panto Time – Part Two Aladdin Preparations are already well under way for this year’s magical pantomime, Aladdin, and we are all very excited by this year’s star name. The public will know him as Barry Evans from Eastenders or for playing himself on Ricky Gervais’ Extras and Life’s Too Short; it is of course the multi-talented Shaun Williamson!

As well as being known for his dramatic and comedic performances on television, Shaun has proven himself time and time again as a talented singer and stage performer. His stage CV not only includes plenty of pantomimes and hugely successful adaptations of Porridge and The Ladykillers but also a host of musicals including Saturday Night Fever, Guys and Dolls and the Take That musical Never Forget!

In Aladdin, Shaun will be showing us his evil side as Abanazaar – the man determined to spoil all our hero’s plans and at the theatre we are certain he is the right man for the job!

We are also delighted to announce the return of Stevenage’s favourite Dame, Paul Laidlaw, as Widow Twankey and Junix Inocian from Sky 1’s Sinbad as the Emperor. So with these three at the helm, Aladdin has more Eastern Promise than a box of Fry’s Turkish Delight!

Aladdin runs from Friday 28 November 2014 – Sunday 25 January 2015. For tickets that start from £15.50, please call the Box Office on 01438 363200 or visit our website www.gordon-craig.co.uk

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Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood

What would Christmas be without a traditional family pantomime? It simply wouldn’t be Christmas! This year, Magic Beans Pantomimes are putting the sparkle into the festive season with Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood at the Grove Theatre from Friday 12 December – Sunday 4 January!

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood tells the story of an evil Sheriff and a hero…in tights. The Sheriff of Nottingham is spreading misery throughout Sherwood Forest placing taxes on the residents as part of his wicked scheme to take the Crown of England. What they need is a hero, but will Robin Hood reach the mark?

This year’s pantomime sees the biggest line up yet with a host of stars set to take the stage. Legendary soap star Alan Fletcher (Neighbours’ Dr Karl Kennedy) is flying half way across the world to play the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham over the festive period. Alan will be joined by the UK’s favourite ventriloquist Steve Hewlett, who won Britain’s Got Talent in 2013. X Factor singing sensation and West End star Andy Abraham also joins the line up along with BRIT awarding winning Anna Kumble (90’s pop star Lolly).

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood is an unmissable festive treat for the whole family! This sensational pantomime will be at the Grove Theatre from Friday 12 December – Sunday 4 January. Tickets start from £12 and can be purchased from the Box Office on 01582 60 20 80 or online at www.grovetheatre.co.uk Panto focused website: www.dunstablepanto.com 15

Return of the Honda CR-V – after a 16-year absence Sixteen years after the demise of the original HR-V, Honda is set to make it available once again. The return to the market is in recognition that it wants to reap the benefits from the popularity of the crossover sector that the original HR-V almost single-handedly invented. In the UK, baby SUV’s account for 3.6% of all new-car registrations – equivalent to more than 87,000 in 2013. At a time when Honda’s popularity has waned and its products have attracted mixed reactions, this is no longer a market Honda can afford to be out of.

Those familiar with the original HR-V and reviewing our pictures will see that the new incarnation of the car is a lot more reserved and at first glance seems to be identical to the weirdly-named Honda Vezel which went on sale at the beginning of the year in its home-market of Japan. Although Honda is billing the introduction of the HR-V as a concept, the pictures suggest that it looks pretty much production ready.

Conceptually, the original HR-V matches today’s HR-V in that both are supermini-sized, high-riding hatchbacks based on Honda’s supermini of the time. When it was first revealed in 1998, the original HR-V was very much a unique proposition, not just by creating the crossover sector in which no-one else competed, but because of its quirky looks. However, the HR-V proved to be too far ahead of its time since the would-be competition didn’t take the bait and start producing their own crossover interpretations until after production of the HR-V ceased in 2006.

Underpinning the new HR-V will be the same platform that is used in the company’s Jazz hatchback.

The European HR-V will go on sale in the summer of 2015 and will be positioned below the company’s other but larger SUV, the CR-V. It will compete against the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Vauxhall Mokka and will be priced accordingly. Therefore, at this 16

stage and in the absence of any confirmation from the company, we are estimating a starting price in the region of £15,000.

No details have been released about what will be powering the new model. However, we would be inclined to bet that the company’s smaller units would be called into action.

Honda is readying a new turbocharged petrol engine family comprising 1.0-litre 3cylinder variants, as well as 1.5- and 2.0-litre fours. We also tip the inclusion of the company’s new 148bhp 1.6-litre diesel, and we wouldn’t rule out a petrol-electric hybrid version too.

Similarly, there is no confirmation from Honda on whether an all-wheel drive version will be available to match the rugged looks of the new model. However, since it is Jazzbased, this suggests that the new iteration will be front-drive only – although a small handful of insiders we spoke to refused to rule out an all-wheel drive variant. The original HR-V came in both 2WD and part-time 4WD variants and with a choice of three or five doors.

We would imagine the Honda HR-V to have a versatile cockpit capable of comfortably accommodating five people. As well as the chassis, the HR-V will also retain the Jazz’s ‘Magic Seats’, which offer astounding levels of practicality above and beyond being able to fold the rear bench flat. In addition, you are able to fold the rear squabs upwards against the seat backs so that you are able to carry tall items like pot plants in the rear foot-wells. This is achievable because the fuel tank has been mounted centrally.

The new HR-V will be revealed in the flesh at the Paris motor show in October and will not arrive in showrooms until the summer of 2015. The HR-V will be a world-car for Honda, with the badge being used across Europe and North America.

Honda’s Leon Brannan told first4auto: “The HR-V is a very welcome addition to our current model line-up. It is a very popular and growing market segment that appeals to both retail and corporate customers. The dealer network is very much looking forward to receiving the car in their showrooms and every UK dealer will be making the trip to Paris to see the car on show.”

Rest assured, this will be an important car for Honda – a company who has definitely lost its way and has mysteriously chosen to mismanage some of its best-loved labels over the past decade, such as the Civic Type R, NSX, S2000, FR-V, Legend executive saloon. Let’s hope this is the dawn of a new beginning for the company.

This article has been taken from the first4auto website – the only independent car and van portal on the web. For more news and reviews of cars and vans, visit first4auto at www.first4auto.com

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Janey Lee Grace on Christmas Presents It’s the thought that counts isn’t it regarding presents – well I’m thinking of simplifying everything this year, I’d love to give everyone home made gifts or ‘vouchers’ that can be exchanged for skills or time – the best intentions don’t always work out so given that I probably won’t get round to rolling as many natural beeswax candles as I’d like to, and I almost certainly won’t get my act together to make jams and preserves, here’s a few suggestions for one hundred per cent natural gifts that will be much appreciated

Lets start with candles, they’re still the bees-wax knees of Christmas presents – but opt for the natural ones, ditch the petrochemicals and ensure you buy the lovely Beeswax or Soy based candles, you can buy the gorgeous Natural Empathy Wild fig and Patchouli scented candle from Crystal Spring from health stores across Herts, Beds and Bucks and from www.crystalspring.co.uk

If you want to stick with beeswax but fancy some gorgeous skincare check out the excellent Simply Bee “Clean Bee” gift pack consisting of a Hand and Body Wash and soothing Hand and Body Lotion Only £19 from www.simplybeeswax.co.uk

For the guys the new trendy aroma on the block is Sandalwood, check out the great Sandalwood and Spice Aftershave from The Summit Vanuatu, I’m a huge advocate of sandalwood for many reasons, not least that it truly is a product with hundreds of uses – sandalwood essential oil can help to prevent cellular damage and has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

Look for some great products at www.thesummitvanuatu.co.uk For new mums you won’t far wrong with the brilliant new book Comfort Settle and Sleep by Samantha Quinn founder of Mummalove Organics, she is an expert in Baby Massage and there are some gorgeous products such as the Baby Massage Oil, a great gift is the Comfort Settle and Sleep gift box which contains Baby Bedtime Bath Wash, Baby Massage Oil, Easy Breathe Baby Balm Baby Aromatherapy Miracle Oil and a little Pillow Heart www.mummaloveorganics.co.uk When you’ve finished opening the presents you will need some chocolate – keep it guilt free and tick the ‘home made and creative’ box. Get the brilliant Starter kit from Choc chick, it contains organic raw cacao, recipes and everything you need to create by preparing in advance some totally yummy guilt free chocolates www.chocchick.com

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Beetroot

Wonder veg Beetroot - wonder food. You can cleanse your liver, lower blood pressure, fight cancer with anti oxidants. It contains a natural chemical present in many anti-depressants as well as providing a natural way to test the quality of your stomach acid. If your urine turns pink after eating beetroot you are in good condition!

As for proof: research published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension showed that drinking 500 ml of beetroot juice led to a reduction in blood pressure within one hour.

sliced wonder veg In studies conducted by Exeter University, scientists found cyclists who drank a half-litre of beetroot juice several hours before setting off were able to ride up to 20% longer than those who drank a placebo of blackcurrant juice.

Luckily it grows really well in the UK so plant some in your veg patch.

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Hero Cheese - Bedford Blue

Bedford Blue, our most local cheese, made by the Wodehill dairy based in Odell, Bedfordshire, their pedigree herd of Jersey cows roam the green pastures producing rich and creamy milk.

The cheese itself, with curds cut by hand, is a smooth and mellow blue with slight earthy undertones and a pleasant salty finish, raw milk and traditional rennet makes this a true great among the new, up and coming English blues.

Soft enough to spread and superb on any cheese board, try with a honey mead or as the evenings are now drawing in, a hot toddy.

26 High Street, Buntingford, Herts, SG9 9AQ www.thecheeseplate.co.uk Tel: 01763 271533 Email: Toby@thecheeseplate.co.uk

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Wheathampstead Fireworks - Sat 1 Nov Beech Hyde Primary school, Nurseries Road, Wheathampstead AL4 8TP

Herts Listings Captain Murderer - Sat 1 Nov Based on the marvellously macabre tale by Charles Dickens.

The well to do gentleman of the title is a serial woo-er… but all his brides come to a deliciously sticky end. Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE

Autumn Bazaar – Sat 1 Nov This months ’first Saturday in the month event’, will have all our usual stalls, plus an ’Early for Christmas stall’.

This will have Christmas cards, decorations.

Letchworth Free Church Hall, bottom of Leys Avenue, on Norton Way South, Letchworth, SG6 3HS

Arts & Crafts fair and sale - Sat 1 Nov 10am and 4pm. We have lots of exciting new stalls this year for you to browse. Tewin Memorial Hall Lower Green Tewin AL6 0JX

Distracted by Art - Exhibition - Sat 1 and Sun 2 Nov Fund raising art exhibition - oil paintings, watercolour and acrylic. It’s not just paintings though – there’ll be glass art, jewellery, photography and greetings cards. Shopkit, 100 Cecil Street, Watford WD24 5AD

The Nutcracker - Sat 1 Nov Audiences have the opportunity to catch one of Tchaikovsky’s world famous classical ballets The Nutcracker when the highly acclaimed Vienna Festival Ballet company returns to town. The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL

Rothamsted Manor Wedding Fair - Sun 2 Nov Brides and grooms-to-be; bring the whole family and relax in this stunning venue in Harpenden. A wonderful wedding venue tucked away up a small private road.

Rothamsted Manor, Harpenden AL5 2JQ

Champions of Magic - Sat 1 Nov 7.30pm Join the award winning team of tricksters, swindlers and cheats for a spectacular night of mystery you’ll be trying to work out for a very long time to come. Champions of Magic includes 5 world class, award winning entertainers performing everything from stage filling illusions to magic right in the palm of spectators’ hands. Along with a live video feed, fiery pyrotechnics and stunning lighting, the show is an immersive experience in the art of magic. Tickets £22.00 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Concert of classical music by the Welwyn Garden City Orchestra - Sun 2 Nov The programme is as follows: Beethoven Overture: Leonora No.3, op.72a, Grieg Symphonic Dances, op.64, Dvorák Czech Suite, Bizet L’Arlésienne Suite. Tythe Barn, Tewin Bury Farm Welwyn Garden City AL6 0JB Gregory’s Gift: Plainsong and history - Sun 2 Nov Sandridge 900+ musical programme draws to a close with David Ireson’s exploration of plainsong and its history, ending with Compline by candlelight. St Leonard’s Church, Church End, Sandridge, St Albans AL4 9DL

Craft Fair - Sat 1 Nov A lovely variety of crafts including wood, all sorts of sewing, bags, preserves, cakes and savouries, cards, jewellery, paintings, glass and more. Kings Langley Community Centre, The Nap, Kings Langley WD4 8ET

The Snow Queen - Sun 2 Nov Filled with the strange beauty of ice-cold winter and the warmth of true love, this Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale translates perfectly into one of Image Musical Theatre’s much loved shows.

Hawthorne Theatre, The Campus, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX

Potters Bar Baptist Church Christmas Fayre Sat1 Nov Fun for all the family with children’s games, cakes, handmade cards and gifts, nearly new stall, toy stall, jams and preserves and more. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a light lunch.

Potters Bar Baptist Church, 62, Barnet Road, Potters Bar EN6 2RB

Hertford Castle Fireworks Party - Sun 2 Nov Gates open at 5pm with live entertainment from the likes of; Dave Pearce, The Mitchell Street Band Hertford Castle, Castle Street, Hertford SG14 1HR

Halloween Haunt - Sat 1 Nov The 6th Welwyn Garden City Scout Group are holding a Halloween Haunt from 6pm to 8.30pm (come between these times) at the Scout Hut, Autumn Grove, WGC AL7 4DB

Lonnie Donegan Jnr’s Skiffle Party - Sun 2 Nov Lonnie Donegan Jnr pays homage to his late great father. Featuring all the hits including My Old Man’s a Dustman, Battle of New Orleans, Have a Drink On Me, Putting on the Style. The 24

Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL

car, parked just outside. The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL

Fireworks Display - Sun 2 Nov Rowans Primary School, Rowans, Welwyn Garden City AL7 1NZ

Jim Davidson – No Further Action - Fri 7 Nov 8.00pm Very few comedians could turn the worst year of their life into a resounding success. Fresh from winning the most successful ever series of Big Brother by a landslide, comedy king Jim Davidson has done exactly that. ‘No Further Action’ will see Jim tell the story of his arrest and the nightmare 12 months that followed, the clearing of his name and winning the heart of the nation all over again. It promises to be the most outrageous, hilarious and insightful show Jim has ever performed, but most of all it will be the truth. Age restriction 16+ Tickets: £23.50, £20.00 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Educating Rita - Tues 4 and Wed 5 Nov The written word is unique. Only we humans are capable of producing it. It can be inspirational, moving and exciting. But it is so often hidden and inaccessible. The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL Ha Ha Hood! Weds 5 Nov 8.00pm Ten years after a messy divorce Robin and Marian are forced back together to fight the Sheriff once more. Little John and Friar Tuck, now considerably older and rougher around the edges, join the merry pair to try and save the citizens of Nottingham. Starring comedy queen Su Pollard (Hi-de-Hi!, You Rang, M’Lord?) and comedy duo Cannon and Ball, the arrow splittingly funny Ha Ha Hood! also sees the welcome return of Ben Langley as Robin Hood and Andy Pickering on piano. Notorious for their innovative and unique story-telling style, this new adventure from Ha Ha! is not to be missed.

Tickets £21.00, £18.50 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Alfred Russel Wallace: Curiouser and Curiouser - Fri 7 Nov 6 - 9pm. Wallace, schooled in Hertford, is renowned for his discovery of evolution by natural selection at the same time as Darwin and as the father of biogeography. The River Room, Hertford Theatre, The Wash, Hertford SG14 1PS Mata Hari: Female Spy - Fri 7 Nov Written and directed by Gavin Robertson. The Great War: while millions of men struggle and fight in the mud and hell of the trenches, one woman’s story begs to be told. Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE

Continental Market in Watford - Thurs 6 to Sat 8 Nov The town centre will come alive with the tastes, smells and products of Continental Europe - and beyond - when the Traditional European Food and Craft Fair arrives in town.

High Street, Watford WD17 1AZ

Chorleywood Community Arts Centre Annual Exhibition and Sale - Fri 7 and Sat 8 Nov Chorleywood Community Arts Centre is a community enterprise providing facilities for participation in the Arts. Local artists meet together to produce ceramics, paintings, silk paintings and mosaics. Colleyland, off Common Road, Chorleywood WD3 5LL

An Evening with Noel Fielding - Thu 6 Nov 8 pm Expect a magical mix of Noel’s unique brand of stand up comedy, live animation, music and some of Fielding’s best known TV characters (such as The Moon and Fantasy Man). Fielding’s comedy has seen him perform in venues all over the world (such as The Royal Albert Hall, The Sydney Opera House and Radio City Music Hall) win numerous awards (including Perrier Best Newcomer, The Barry Humphries Award at The Melbourne Comedy Festival and The Douglas Adams Award for innovative writing) and appear on TV shows such as Michael Mcintyre’s Roadshow, Big Fat Quiz Of The Year and QI. Age restriction 12+ .Tickets £26.00 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Art exhibition - Fri 7 Nov to Weds 24 Dec A variety of work will be on show including paintings in oil, watercolour, mixed media .

Artists taking part are Linda Cavill, Clare Cammack, Bridget Tompkins & Sarah Evans. The courtyard cafe 11 Hatfield Road St. Albans AL1 3RR Frank Skinner - Sat 8 Nov 7.30pm Frank Skinner has hosted three series of BBC One’s Room 101 and will present a second series of Portrait Artist of the Year (Sky Arts) in late 2014. As a radio presenter his Sony Award winning Absolute Radio show attracts over 600,000 listeners every Saturday morning and won Speech Programme at the 2014 Radio Academy Awards (formerly the Sonys). It was recently announced that Frank has

Seann Walsh 28 - Thurs 6 Nov The Lie-In King is back! Seann Walsh has managed to search deep inside himself to find the inner strength to get out of bed and all the way into his support act’s

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fantastic live band who have worked with a range of major international artists, numerous costume changes, dance routines and stage props help Maaike amaze her audience as she effortlessly performs songs spanning the whole of Kate Bush’s career. Dreaming of Kate is a rare opportunity for the audience to see Kate Bush’s songs brought to life in a show with the attention to detail her music so deserves. Dreaming of Kate is not just a tribute band: it is a live experience. Tickets £20.00, £17.50 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

created and will host a brand-new comedy panel show The Rest is History for BBC Radio 4.

Tickets: £28.50 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Discover the Discoverers at Hertford Museum! Sat 8 Nov 10.30 am – 3.30 pm Take part in free family craft activities, listen to amazing storytelling and meet some notable discoverers from times past...what will you discover?

Hertford Museum, 18 Bull Plain SG14 1DT Pop! A Magical Comedy Show - Sat 8 Nov With his faithful teddy bear, deckchair and fantastic basket of tricks, Christian Lee is all set for a lovely day at the seaside…until the day takes a turn and things don’t quite work out as planned.

The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL

Wife After Death a Comedy by Eric Chappell Thur 13 to Sat 15 Nov Take one recently deceased, hugely successful TV comedian - a national treasure who was loved by the public and devoted to his wife; a throng of grieving friends and colleagues. Broxbourne Civic Hall, High Street, Hoddesdon EN11 8BE

Ashwell Fireworks and Bonfire Night - Sat 8 Nov Gates open at 5.00pm for refreshments, including Crumps Hot-Dogs and bar (mulled wine, beer, soft drinks, cake and treats). Smallgains, Station Road, Ashwell SG7 5LT

Charity Quiz in Aid of Asthma UK - Fri 14 Nov A Fun Charity Quiz Night in memory of well-loved football and badminton referee, Carl Couzens.

The beneficiaries will be Asthma UK. Canary Club, Hitchin Town Football Club, Nightingale Road, Hitchin SG5 1NU

The Brothers Gibb - Sat 8 Nov A stunning live concert production celebrating the greatest hits of the world’s foremost songwriters and the undisputed champions of popular music – The Bee Gees. With breathtaking authenticity. The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL

An Evening of Burlesque is coming to Watford Fri 14 Nov We dare you to come...Britain’s original Burlesque extravaganza hits town.

Flushed with success, now entering its fourth fabulous year.

Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford WD17 3JN

Hertford Choral Society - Sat 8 Nov Concert ’In Remembrance’ Works by Vaughan Williams Tavener Stanford and Ireland Soloists; Fiona Hammacott (soprano), Leandros Taliotis (baritone) Peter Jaekel (organ) All Saints Church Hertford SG13 8AE

The Knebworth Christmas Fair - Fri 14 to Sun 16 Nov Arts, Crafts, Gifts, Food & Drink Fair Knebworth House, Knebworth SG1 2AX

Rare Productions Presents: The Wizard Of Oz Thur 13 to Sat 15 Nov The classic musical for all the family, featuring all the well-known songs including Yellow Brick Road, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Merry Old Land of Oz. The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL

Watford Philharmonic Society – Poulenc, Fauré, Mozart - Sat 15 Nov 7.30pm Watford Philharmonic Society Choir and Orchestra celebrate their 80th season in 2014/2015 with a series of varied concerts highlighting Hertfordshire’s musical talent.

In this first concert of the season, the Society welcomes David Pyatt, world-renowned horn player who will be performing Mozart’s Horn Concerto No 2.

Watford Philharmonic will be performing Poulenc’s Gloria and Faure’s requiem with concludes with the heavenly ‘In paradisum’.

Tickets: £18.00, £17.00, £15.00 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Dreaming of Kate - Thur 13 Nov 7.30pmWith a remarkable resemblance to Kate Bush in vocal style and appearance, the extraordinary singer and performer Maaike Breijman brings the music of Kate Bush to live stages all over Europe. A

Methodist Market - Sat 15 Nov 10 am - 1pm.

Stalls selling books/DVDs, used stamps, cakes, Christmas cards and stationery and wrapping.

Hoddesdon Methodist Church Middlefield Road Hoddesdon EN11 9ED

Pennyfarthing Antiques & Collectors Fair - Sun 9 Nov Pennyfarthing Fayres presents a quality range of 70 stalls, including Porcelain, Jewellery, Glass, Small Furniture and much more. Ideal for finding that individual gift. Wyllyotts Theatre Darkes lane, Potters Bar EN6 2HN

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Judas Maccabaeus – Sat 15 Nov The North Herts Guild of Singers accompanied by Donum Dei will be performing this oratorio by Handel.

Letchworth Free Church, Norton Avenue South, Letchworth SG6 1NX

Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Clark Tracey Quintet - Thur 20 Nov Clark Tracey - Drums, Henry Armburg Jennings Trumpet, Chris Maddock - Saxes, Harry Bolt Piano, Daniel Casimir - Bass Having just released his latest CD “Meantime” to critical acclaim. Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE

Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope - Sat 15 Nov Written and performed by Mark Farrelly.

Directed by Linda Marlowe. From a conventional Surrey upbringing to international notoriety via The Naked Civil Servant. Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE

Jools Holland & his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra with Special Guest Marc Almond Thur 20 Nov 7.30pm Jools Holland is bringing the greatest boogie-woogie party to Watford Colosseum once again. The piano master and his much loved Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will be joined by special guest, British music icon Marc Almond. Having sold over 30 million records world-wide, Marc has made an unprecedented contribution to British Popular music. In addition to numerous hits during his time in Soft Cell, including Tainted Love, and Say Hello Wave Goodbye, Marc went on to become an international acclaimed solo artist with charttopping success around the world, and is an icon and influence to a generation of musicians. With the vocal power of Ruby Turner, the Soul tones of Louise Marshall, and the tireless drums of original Squeeze member Gilson Lavis, along with the inimitable musicianship of the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Jools Holland will perform tracks spanning his entire solo career as well as songs taken from his new album, due to be released this Autumn. Tickets: £36.00 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

A Vintage Affair Hitchin - Sat 15 Nov A wonderful couple of hours browsing through our vintage fair! An array of vintage clothing, jewellery and homeware. Church House, Churchyard, Hitchin SG5 1HP The Circus of Horrors - Tues 18 Nov 8.00pm The show that stormed into the finals of Britain’s Got Talent and now a West End smash is back to mark its 20th Anniversary in spectacular style.The show started it’s gruesome begging’s at the 1995 Glastonbury Festival and became an instant hit, touring all over the world from Chile to Chatham, Argentina to Aberdeen, Japan to Jersey including festival appearances with Alice Cooper, Eminem, Motley Crue, Oasis, Iron Maiden, Manic St Preachers, Marilyn Manson and many more. The latest incarnation ‘The Night of the Zombie’ is set in 2020, in a decrepit & corpse ridden London, plagued by a swarm of Zombies.

A city ruled by the undead, climaxing in an awesome flaming apocalypse. The story twists and turns with grisly murders and sensational shock’s – all interwoven with some of the greatest and most bizarre circus acts on earth, sword swallowers, knife throwers, daredevil balancing acts, astounding aerialists, a demon dwarf, a Guinness World Record holding ‘hairculian’ hair hanging beauty, Sinister Sisters, gyrating & fire limbo-ing acrobats & much more.

Performed by an almighty cast with a forked tongue firmly in each cheek and the devil driver rock n’ roll of Dr Haze & The Interceptors from Hell. Tickets £23.50, £21.00 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Dancing Queen - Fri 21 Nov 8.00pm Dancing Queen “The Christmas Party” is the perfect show to get you all in the spirit of Christmas as we approach the festive period. With a fantastic cast of singers and musicians, Dancing Queen “The Christmas Party” is the ultimate show that will have the whole family dancing in the isles.

Featuring songs such as Dancing Queen, Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Knowing me, knowing you, Thank you for the Music along with Christmas favourites such as All I want for Christmas is you, Last Christmas, Do they know its Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Dancing Queen “The Christmas Party” will give everyone the festive spirit they are looking for!! Tickets £19.50, £18.00 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Hellfire comedy club - Weds 19 Nov 8.00pm What a great night! A curry and three of the finest up and coming comedians to entertain you. Joining us in November will be Joel Dommett, English Comedian of the Year finalist and general heart throb, Sara Pascoe, a charmingly quirky comedian and Rob Rouse, known and loved for his lively, loveable and seriously funny stand-up comedy. A great night not to be missed! Tickets: £18.00 (includes curry and the evening’s entertainment) Watford

Hendrix and Cream Classic Rock/Blues Night, featuring Voodoo Room - Fri 21 Nov Classic rock and blues from this exciting new classic power trio featuring the music of Hendrix and 27

his future health. Come and find out whether or not a leopard can change its spots, or if they are doomed to be angry forever not to have been given a more uniform and symmetrical fur pattern. Tickets: £20.50 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Cream. Letchworth Arts Centre, 2 The Arcade, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3EW The Manfreds - Sat 22 Nov 8.00pm The Manfreds boast some of the finest quality talent ever assembled on one stage. Since Manfred Mann formed in 1962, they have firmly secured their place in the history books of British popular and R&B music. After the successful reunion in 1991, The Manfreds have toured extensively and received standing ovations nationwide. Now they are live at Watford Colosseum to inject all of the enthusiasm back into their timeless anthems including Do Wah Diddy Diddy, 5-4-3-2-1, Mighty Quin, Pretty Flamingo and many more! Tickets £27.00, £25.00 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Sadleir Drama Club presents The Farndale Avenue’s Townsomen’s Guild Macbeth - Tue 25 to Sat 29 Nov An uproarious hilarious comedy which follows the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s attempt to win a place in the Drama Finals at Welwyn Garden City. Standon Village Hall SG11 1LE Radlett Music Club: The Pomegranate Piano Trio - Weds 26 Nov The violinist, cellist and pianist in this trio are each award-winning musicians. They have a passion for chamber music and this evening’s concert has a Viennese theme. The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL

An Evening of Burlesque is coming to Bishops Stortford - Sat 22 Nov We dare you to come...Britain’s original Burlesque extravaganza hits town. Flushed with success, now entering its fourth fabulous year. Rhodes Arts Complex, South Road, Bishops Stortford CM23 3JG

A Christmas Spectacular at Hertford Museum Fri 28 Nov 4 – 8 pm To celebrate the Christmas lights switch on in Hertford, drop in for some festive fun! Visit Santa’s Grotto, listen to carol singing. Hertford Museum, 18 Bull Plain, Hertford SG14 1DT

Tom Stade: Decisions Decisions - Sat 22 Nov Comedy Store Management. Plus support act.

The free-thinking philosopher returns to ponder timeless questions and reflect upon life’s choices and decisions. He’s recently stormed BBC One’s Live at the Apollo. Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE The Err... Yeahs! - Sat 22 Nov From 8pm Punk and New Wave classics. The King William IV Pub, (Better known as the King Willy) Vantorts Road, Sawbridgeworth CM21 9AJ

Hertford Christmas Gala - Fri 28 Nov Get down to Hertford to stroke reindeer, visit Santa, try a funfair ride, sample the festive Christmas market, have a mulled wine and enjoy the live entertainment.

Hertford Town Centre Hertfordshire SG14 1DF

Octagon Music Society: Galliard Wind Quintet Sun 23 Nov The Galliard Wind Quintet will be performing Ibert: Trois Pieces Breves, Britten: Six Metamorphoses after Ovid, Barber: Summer Music, Bozza: Scherzo Op. 48. The Clarendon Muse, Watford Grammar School for Boys, 70 Rickmansworth Road, Watford WD18 7JA

The Many Apologies of Pecos Bill: Live show Fri 28 Nov A performance with storytelling and live music, featuring Greg Wohead with music written, and performed by Mat Martin. The Many Apologies of Pecos Bill is a show about being far away from home. Letchworth Arts Centre. 2 The Arcade, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3EW

The National Youth Harp Orchestra - Sun 23 Nov A musical feast for the eye and the ear!

Experience the captivating sound of this 25-piece harp orchestra as it journeys through a musical landscape. St Mary’s Church, Ashwell SG7 5QQ

Alan Davies – Little Victories - Sat 29 Nov 8pm Much lauded as resident dunderhead on QI or the charming but reticent crime solver Jonathan Creek, Davies’ virtuosic story-telling and whipsmart funny bones combine to make this a show not to be missed. Age Recommendation +15 Tickets: £25.00 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Jon Richardson - Nidiot - Mon 24 Nov 8pm Jon Richardson is checking his tyre pressures, hoovering his floor mats and putting an emergency packed lunch in the boot of his car, ready to hit the road again with a brand new tour Nidiot.

The perennial singleton and misanthrope is determined to become a more easygoing person for the sake of his friends and

Santa Claus and the Christmas Adventure - Sat 29 November – Weds 24 December Do you believe in Santa Claus? If so, join us for a fun filled show at Watford Colosseum this Christmas.

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the St. Ippolyts Church Nativity Crib Festival. St Ippolyts Church SG4 7PE

The adventure takes place at Santa’s HQ in the North Pole. The Reindeer Sat Nav is programmed, the toys are piled high on the sleigh and Santa is ready to go when suddenly… chaos strikes! Rudolph is missing and the Elves are up to no good. Will Santa ever deliver the presents to all the boys and girls?! Santa needs some help from all the good boys and girls in the audience to help him find his way. This new magical adventure filled with songs, nursery rhymes and stories promises to be the Christmas treat you won’t want to miss.

A truly unforgettable experience which includes the magical moment when snowflakes fall over the audience – a guaranteed white Christmas at every show! As an added Christmas treat, all of the good boys and girls in the audience will meet Santa after the show and receive a special present of their own. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the magical moment when your little ones meet Santa Claus for the very first time! Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993

Elaine Delmar - S’Wonderful!...It’s De-Lovely! Sat 29 Nov One of the great British jazz voices, Elaine Delmar brings her acclaimed interpretations of two of the greatest songbooks of all time back to Radlett. The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL Christmas Bazaar - Sat 29 Nov Get the Festive Season off to a good start this year by visiting our Christmas Bazaar where you will find Santa’s Grotto and a Christmas market. St Elizabeth’s Centre, Much Hadham SG10 6EW Christmas Fair - Sat 29 Nov Fantastic Christmas fair with over 70 stalls selling a variety of unique gifts for all the family. Have a leisurely browse and enjoy your Christmas shopping .The Royal Masonic School for Girls, Rickmansworth Park, Rickmansworth WD3 4HF Christmas Craft Market- Sat 29 Nov 1-3:30pm Local craft maker stalls, including jewellery, Christmas decorations, stained glass, gifts, Phoenix cards and much more. High Street, Meldreth, Royston, Herts, Hertfordshire SG8 6LA

Christmas Charity Event In Aid of NSPCC - Sat 29 Nov Award Winning "Boutique Jeweller of the Year" 2013 Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery are hosting a Xmas Charity Event in aid of NSPCC. Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, Weston, Hitchin SG4 7DP

Madama Butterfly - Sun 30 Nov 7.30pm Opera & Ballet International Presents an Ellen Kent Production, The Chisinau National Philharmonic Orchestra with International Soloists, Puccini Madama Butterfly Starring the Korean soprano Elena Dee .Back by overwhelming public demand, this award winning, fully staged Opera returns with exquisite sets and includes a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan. Highlights include the melodic Humming Chorus, the moving aria One Fine Day and the unforgettable Love Duet. Sung in Italian with English surtitles. Tickets: £35.00, £31.00, £24.00.Under 16s: £17.50 Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Jack and the Beanstalk - Sat 29 Nov Lyngo Theatre. Fee Fi Fo Fum! It’s a giant of a show; we’d love you to come! This classic fairytale now gets the Lyngo treatment so expect lots of surprises and a gripping story. Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE Larry Miller - Sat 29 Nov The must-see blues/rock guitarist makes a welcome return to Letchworth with this smash hit of a gig.

Letchworth Arts Centre. 2 The Arcade, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3EW Craft & Gifts Fair- Sat 29 Nov 11am – 3pm Free entry. Come and browse the stalls for ideas for Christmas gifts in the beautiful Grade I Place House Hall in the heart of Ware. Jewellery, greetings cards, décor. Place House Hall Bluecoat Yard, East Street, Ware SG12 9HL

Christmas Shopping Event - Sun 30 Nov High Street, Waltham Cross EN8 7AN

Beds Listings Hoddesdon Loves Christmas- Sat 29 Nov A Christmas shopping event will be held in Hoddesdon town centre and will see an array of craft/charity stalls in the High Street selling a selection of gifts/goods for the festive season.

High Street, Hoddesdon EN8 8TL

Harpers Craft Fair - till Sun 2 Nov Visit our Craft Fair Free Admission. Twenty stalls of local and national crafts of: Pottery, Woodwork, Fashion, Cards, Home Wares, Jewellery, Needle Crafts, Toys, Gifts & more. Harpers Food, Half Moon Lane, Pepperstock, Slip End, Luton LU1 4LL

Nativity Crib Festival - Sat 29 and Sun 30 Nov Get into the spirit of Christmas and pay a visit to

The Beauty of Clophill - an Exhibition of Art & Photography - till Sun 2 Nov An Exhibition of 29

Tea Dance at Bedford Corn Exchange - Wed 12 Nov Join Annie and friends for a pleasant afternoon of dance in the elegant Bedford Corn Exchange Complex. Meet friends old and new. 13 St Paul’s Square, Bedford MK40 1SL

Art and Photography by our own local artists from 11am - 3pm. St Mary’s Church, High Street, Clophill, Bedfordshire MK45 4BE Meppershall Winter Fair & Fireworks Display Sat 1 Nov Under cover Winter Fair with stalls including handcrafted gifts, home baking, preserves etc. Competitions for Halloween Pumpkin and the Best Guy . Winter warming refreshments such as jacket potatoes.

Meppershall Village Hall and Fosters Field behind hall, High Street, Meppershall SG17 5LX

Thank you for the Music is coming to Dunstable - Fri 14 Nov Celebrating the 40th anniversary of ABBA’s Eurovision triumph, hit stage show Thank You for the Music is coming to town. An all-new, Spandex and sequins spectacular is promised for 2014. Grove Theatre, Grove Park, Dunstable LU5 4GP

Blunham Firework Display - Sat 1 Nov Blunham Playing Field, 36a Barford Road, Blunham MK44 3ND

Photography and Art Exhibition - Fri 14 and Sat 15 Nov Bedford Camera Club and Bedford Art Society. A Joint Exhibition of Art and Photography work. On show will be 180 mounted photographs, 200 projected Images and 30+ pieces of Art Work. The Harpur Suite, St Pauls Square, Central Bedford MK40 1LE

Madness Tribute - Sat 1 Nov Join in our payday weekend entertainment with Badness, our renowned ‘Madness Tribute’ performing in our bar area. Grosvenor G Casino Luton, 35 Park Street West, Luton LU1 3BE

In Touch Halloween Party - Fri 14 Nov Open to anyone over 18 with a disability! Activities include fancy dress competition, Local bands, Disco, Fun and games. Also included will be a quiet area and refreshments .Kempston Centre, Carnell Close, Kempston, Bedford MK42 7HP

Gamlingay Fireworks Spectacular to music Sun 2 Nov Bring the whole family to enjoy our professional display by Fantastic Fireworks. The sky will be alight with colourful and exciting new fireworks to music. There will be a BBQ & soup.

Eco Hub, Stocks Lane, Gamlingay SG19 3LW

Crafts, Cake and a Cuppa - Sun 16 Nov There’ll be a wide variety of high quality local handmade art and craft items, with many different crafters attending as well as a charity stall. Tea, coffee and light refreshments available. Woburn Village Hall, Crawley Road Woburn MK17 9QD

Remembrance Concert (in aid of the Royal British Legion) by The Arthesis Duo (Piano & Guitar) - Fri 7 Nov Guitar & piano recital in St Mary’s Church in Studham by The Arthesis Duo (Dario van Gammeren & Maurizio Stefanìa). The performance will include Grande sonata brillante

by Anton Diabelli. St Mary’s Church, Church Road, Studham LU6 2NW

Christmas Fair - Tue 18 Nov Traditional Christmas Fair - come and buy your presents: Cakes, plants, toys, craft stalls, gifts for Christmas. Refreshments & lunches - including bacon butties. Eaton Bray Village Hall LU6 2DJ

Healing Wounds - Play to Commemorate WW1Fri 7 Nov ’Healing Wounds’ will be performed at Wardown Park Museum an ex World War One Military hospital. Set in a ward in 1916 during WW1, it focuses on the relationship between three officers. Wardown Park Museum, Old Bedford Road, Luton LU2 7HA

British Red Cross Bedfordshire Christmas Fair Sat 22 Nov Beautiful gifts and products to buy, school choirs singing, art competition, Refreshments, homemade cakes, raffle and tombola. Also chance to win a Holiday in Turkey.

Erskine May Hall, Bedford Boys Preparatory School MK40 2TT

Poppy Prom - Sat 8 Nov A concert celebrating the best music from The Festival of Remembrance and The Last Night of the Proms.

Featuring South Beds Concert Band, St Mary’s Choir and the Dagnall Community Choir. St Mary’s Church Eaton Bray LU6 2DJ

St. Mark’s Church Annual Christmas Craft Fayre - Sat 22 Nov 10.30am. - 3.30p.m. Grand Prize Draw - 1st prize a LED freeview digital television & various other prizes Entrance 50p. St Mark’s Church & Community Centre Calder Rise/Avon Drive Bedford MK41 7UY

An Evening with Elvis- Sat 8 Nov A tribute night with the "king of rock n roll" happening right on your doorstep! Raising funds for two very worthy charities; National Deaf Children’s Society and Flitwick Combined Charities. The Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick MK45 1AH

Christmas Craft Fayre - Sun 23 Nov 3rd year of holding this Christmas craft fayre selling a wide range of products with over 60 stalls, selling fresh meat from our school farm, many local 30

square with marvellous materials to help us make a giant quilt for Grandpa Joe. You’ll make two squares, one for the quilt and one to take home to keep. 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden HP16 0AL

companies selling. Stratton Upper School, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade SG18 8JB Winter Trail - Sun 23 Nov to Thur 1 Jan 2015 Explore the Woodland Winter Trail. Get a map and clues from the Visitor Centre to help find your way. National Trust Chiltern Gateway Centre Dunstable Road Whipsnade Dunstable LU6 2GY

Vintage and Handmade Christmas Fayre- Sat 1 Nov Mercy in Action are holding a Vintage and Handmade Christmas Fayre in Olney. We have more than a dozen stalls run by local craft makers who will be selling handmade gifts. The Carlton Club, 38 High St, Olney MK46 4BB

A Touch of Holly at Christmas - Sun 23 Nov A Touch of Holly at Christmas will recreate and celebrate the music of the man himself, Buddy Holly. Marc Robinson with his horned rimmed glasses, authentic costume changes and Stratocaster guitar. Luton Library Theatre LU1 2NG

Debbie Brown Cake Decorating Masterclass- Sat 1 Nov The World’s Best selling author of cake decorating books is joining Victoria Sponge for a Masterclass!!! Learn to recreate Debbie’s Puffball Winter Princess! The Buckingham School MK18 1AT

Stir Up Sunday - Sun 23 Nov Make a Christmas wish as you stir the giant pudding. Christmas Puddings, tastings and treats to take home.

National Trust Chiltern Gateway Centre, Dunstable Road, Whipsnade, Dunstable LU6 2GY

Bonfire & Fire Work Display - Sat 1 Nov Free entry!!! Buckingham Town Council’s annual Bonfire & Firework Display. There will be a BBQ starting at 6pm run by the local Guides, as well as a Musket Volley from the Sealed Knot. Bourton Park, Buckingham

Pink Ladies Night - Weds 26 Nov Gift stalls, cakes, licensed bar and a huge raffle in aid of various cancer charities. Haircuts, tarot readings and topless men! From 7pm till late. Marston Vale Forest Centre, Station Road, Marston Moretaine MK43 0PS

Christmas Craft Fayre- Sat 1 Nov The Chalfont St Giles Twinning Association invites you to join them and get into the Christmas spirit. So why not start your Christmas Shopping early and view our range of hand knitted stockings. Reading Room, High Street, Chalfont St Giles HP8 4QH

The Magic of Motown is coming to Dunstable Thur 27 Nov Celebrating 50 years of UK number one hit singles, the Magic of Motown brings its brand-new 2014 REACH OUT® Tour to town.

Motown singles first topped the UK charts in 1964. Grove Theatre, Grove Park, Dunstable LU5 4GP

Michele Welborn & Steven McDaniel- Sat 1 Nov Michèle Welborn, Steven McDaniel and their guest Gerald Claridge invite you to share an entertaining afternoon of music. £3, refreshments available. York House Centre, London Road, Stony Stratford MK11 1JQ

Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra - A Tchaikovsky celebration - Sat 29 Nov Borodin In the Steppes of Central Asia; Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D Major; Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5 in E minor. Soloist: Jaroslaw Nadrzycki; Conductor: Michael Rose. Bedford Corn Exchange, St Paul’s Square, Bedford MK40 1SL

Craft Fair- Sat 1 Nov Annual Craft Fair at the museum, a great opportunity to do your Christmas shopping early! The stalls will be on two levels in the exercise yard with its glass roof. Buckingham Old Gaol, Market Hill, Buckingham MK18 1JX

Christmas FayreSat 29 Nov Stalls, Refreshments, Raffles, Tombolas Craft Stall – Lunches. St Anne Church, Crawley Green Rd Luton LU2 0RB

International Belly Dance Star to Milton Keynes! - Sat 1 Nov Mosaic Arabic Dance Network UK (MADN UK), which celebrated its 20th anniversary recently, exists to promote standards and knowledge of all types of Middle Eastern Dance. Stantonbury Theatre MK14 6BN

Christmas Fayre @ Wyboston, Chawston & Colesden Village Hall- Sat 29 Nov Morris Walk, Wyboston MK44 3AU

Clayton’s Marlow Presents... Trick or Treat?

The BIG Halloween Party - Sat 1 Nov Dress up as your worst nightmare and get ready to dance til you drop dead (and then come back to life as a zombie or something) because it’s time for...

Bucks Listings Grandpa Joe’s quilt at The Roald Dahl Museum - Sat 1 Nov For 5+ years: decorate a fabric 31

StonySwings! 2 - Sat 8 Nov Something special for all you jazzers and swingers: return of the StonySwings! concert, this time with music and songs from the Husborne Crawley “White Horse Jazz Collective” York House Centre, London Road, Stony Stratford MK11 1JQ

Trick or Treat? Clayton’s Marlow, 16 Oxford Road, Marlow SL7 2NL Fantastic Family Fireworks - Sun 2 Nov This is a wonderful event aimed at families with younger children. The firework display starts at 18:00.Holtspur School, Cherry Tree Road, Beaconsfield HP9 1BH

Chamber Music Concert: The Dante Quartet Sat 8 Nov Amersham Concert Club presents the outstanding Dante string quartet in a programme of 3 great quartets: Haydn Quartet in D Major "The Lark" Kodaly Quartet No.2 in D Schubert. Dr Challoners High School, Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont HP7 9QB

Steaming Day at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre - Sun 2 Nov Buckinghamshire Railway Centre occupies an extensive site in rolling Buckinghamshire countryside. Exhibits range from large express passenger locomotives to the humble shunting engine. Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4BY

Great Missenden Antiques, Vintage and Collectables Fair - Sat 8 Nov Long established, small local Antiques Fair. Great Missenden Memorial Centre - Link Road - Great Missenden HP16 9AE

Olney Fireworks Display - Sun 2 Nov The historic market town of Olney near Milton Keynes has held its fireworks event for many years, the display is organised by a local community group.

Recreation ground, East Street, Olney, MK46 4DW

Marlow Festival of Music & Drama - Sat 8 to Fri 21 Nov Shelley Theatre, Court Gardens. All Saints Church, The Causeway. Liston Hall, Marlow SL7 2AE

Discover Dahl’s archives - Sun 2 Nov For 10+ years: a behind-the-scenes look at our archive store which houses Roald Dahl’s unique collection of manuscripts and letters, with Collections Manager and Archivist, Rachel White.81-83 High Street, Great Missenden HP16 0AL

Mike Teavee trail at The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre - Sat 8 and Sun 9 Nov hunt for Mike Teavee’s sunglasses to find out facts about the Museum. 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden HP16 0AL Militaria Fair - Sun 9 Nov Stantonbury Leisure Centre MK14 6BN

Lucky Stiff at Duke Street Theatre - Wed 5 to Sat 8 Nov Renegade Theatre Company’s second production is the brilliant musical comedy ’Lucky Stiff’. Based on the book ’The Man who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo’ Duke Street Theatre, 11 Duke Street, High Wycombe HP13 6EE

Old Macdonald Had A Farm- Sun 9 Nov Old MacDonald had a farm E-I-E-I-O. But Old MacDonald’s animals have gone missing! Can you help a friendly scientist and his amazing time machine get them back for him? Stantonbury Theatre MK14 6BN

A Slave’s Story - Wed 5 to Fri 7 Nov written by Yaw Asiyama. A daughter stolen. Early one morning a young woman left with her village for the farm in West Africa. She was never seen again. Over 300 years later, her legacy lives on.

Stantonbury Theatre MK14 6BN

English National Ballet - Swan Lake Autumn Tour - Tue 11 to Sat 15 Nov Swan Lake - The world’s favourite classical ballet. Perhaps the most famous of all ballets, it tells the story of Prince Siegfried’s lover for the Swan Queen, Odette and their battle. Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate MK9 3NZ

Apple Day Green Dragon Rare Breeds & Eco Centre - Sat 8 Nov The first event for this new attraction, lots of apples to enjoy, Apple pressing, chutneys & jellies, pies. Green Dragon Rare Breeds & Eco Centre, Hogshaw, Nr Quainton MK18 3LA

Comedy Cow Cabaret Night - Thur 13 Nov A comedy cabaret evening in an intimate venue sat at candlelit tables. Headlining the evening is Barbara Nice, the comedy creation of Janice Connolly. The Crown, 9 Market Square, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes MK11 1BE

Little Chalfont Farmers’ Market - Sat 8 Nov Great selection of quality, locally produced food at this monthly market. Buy rare-breed pork, bacon and sausages, buffalo meat, lamb, game and poultry. Plus seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Village Hall car park, Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont HP8 4UD

Ruby’s Vintage & Retro Fair - Sat 15 Nov The Old Town Hall, Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe HP11 2XE

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Mike Teavee trail at The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre - Sat 15 and Sun 16 Nov Hunt for Mike Teavee’s sunglasses to find out facts about the Museum.81-83 High Street, Great Missenden HP16 0AL

Christmas Craft and Food Fair - Sat 29 Nov A Christmas Craft and Food Fair with a large array of stalls selling gifts, crafts and delicious food.

Everything you could want for your Christmas shopping and Christmas celebrations.

Stantonbury Leisure Centre MK14 6BN

Christmas Lights Switch On - Thur 20 Nov A popular event providing free family entertainment from 5.30pm. The lights will be switched on at 6.50pm, followed by fireworks and music. There will also be a small funfair.

Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 1TW

Mursley Wine, Beer & Produce Festival - Sat 29 Nov Mursley Village Hall, Main Street, Mursley, Milton Keynes MK17 0RY Gloriumptious pre-Christmas event at The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre - Sat 29 Nov For all ages: As part of Great Missenden’s Village Christmas Festival which takes place in the High Street from 3pm to 8pm. Pop in to the Museum for storytelling and crafts.81-83 High Street, Great Missenden HP16 0AL

Gregg Wallace - Strictly Live and Cooking for Scannappeal - Thur 20 Nov This exclusive event explores the career of masterchef presenter and judge Gregg Wallace. A capacity audience is anticipated so book your tickets early. Sytner, London Road, High Wycombe HP11 1EZ Comedy Night - Fri 21 Nov An evening of live stand-up comedy sat at candlelit tables in the stylish setting of the red dot bar. Opening the show is Ian D Montfort. Red Dot Bar, DoubleTree

by Hilton, Stadium:MK, Milton Keynes MK1 1ST

Christmas Craft Fair - Sat 29 and Sun 30 Nov Courtyard Christmas Craft Fair in Wendover High Street is the perfect place to start your Christmas shopping. With a wide variety of craft and food stalls form local makers and artisans.

The Barn Courtyard, 25 The High Street, Wendover HP22 6EH

Aylesbury Grammar School PTA Art & Craft Fair - Sat 22 Nov Aylesbury Grammar School, Walton Road, Aylesbury HP21 7RP

Movies and Musicals Sing Christmas - Sat 29 Nov 8pm Kick start the Christmas season with an evening of wonderful popular seasonal songs from Hollywood and Broadway. Suitable for all ages. St Paul’s Church Hall, Wooburn Green HP10 0PW

The Music of Amadeus - Sun 23 Nov Come and listen to the wonderful music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as heard in the hugely popular 1984 film Amadeus. Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe HP11 2XE

Santa’s Parade - Sun 30 Nov Santa and all his friends parade through the town at 10.30am from the High Street, around Market Square and into Friars Square. Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 1TW

Aylesbury Farmers’ Market - Tue 25 Nov Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 1TW Guys & Dolls Jnr - Thur 27 and Fri 28 Nov Set in Runyon’s mythical New York City, Guys And Dolls Junior introduces us to all colourful characters who have become legends in musical theatre including Sarah Brown. Stantonbury Theatre MK14 6BN

Day Out With Thomas at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre - Sun 30 Nov Make Their Day- A Festive Day Out With Thomas at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. Santa’s steam train will be pulled by Thomas the Tank Engine™, under the watchful eye of Sir Topham Hatt the Fat controller. Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4BY

Miss Over 50 & Fabulous 2014 Pageant - Fri 28 Nov Celebrate with us for the 1st pageant for women age 50 & over, this stylish event see the ladies strut their stuff, this pageant is aim at women who love to live life to the full. The Club House, Emerson Valley Rugby Club, Milton Keynes MK4 2DN

Christmas tree trail at The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre - Sun 30 Nov Hunt for the Christmas trees throughout the Museum, and find out about Roald Dahl’s marvellous motherland, Norway. 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden HP16 0AL

Buckingham Christmas Light Switch On - Sat 29 Nov Annual Christmas Light Switch on and Carols around the tree outside the Old Gaol. The lights will be switched on at 6pm by Buckingham’s Mayor, Cllr Lisa O’Donoghue, MK Dons mascots.

Buckingham Town Centre MK18 1JX

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