Happy New Year

A very special New Year greeting from West of Watling Street.

Due to various computing problems and other demands on my time – 2013 saw the absence of this blog for long periods of time. The last included five week lack of access to the internet from my office at home – so no access to online research materials about Milton Keynes history; or events in the area   😦

But the good news that we have a new internet provider (BT), and an exciting year ahead – There’s always something going on in Milton Keynes – or another interesting place to visit. Hopefully the weather will improve soon!

I intend to publish a lot more about the history of our area – and to keep you up to date with events coming up. I’ll also be providing information about local services.

Over the last year more members of our family have joined us in MK. My daughter and her husband were the first to move. They are now living in Oldbrook. Earlier in 2013 my mother-in-law moved up from Kent to the Shenley Wood Retirement village. It’s a great place to live, with lots to do. Last night we joined her for the News Year Eve party, which was packed out. There was some excellent music from Tess & the Durbervilles. On the Friday before Christmas, my son and daughter in law moved into a new house in Stratford Park, Wolverton.

So, from myself – and behalf of my Milton Keynes based family – I wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year.

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A great evening

We thoroughly enjoyed last night’s “Classical Concert” at Shenley Wood Village. The Ben Westlake Ensemble put on a superb programme – what talent was on display! (See the recent article from the MK Citizen)

Ben, who was a Woodwind finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2009, has just returned from a year in America studying clarinet with the internationally renowned player, Ricardo Morales. He is finishing his degree at the Royal Academy of Music; is frequently in Milton Keynes and teaches clarinet in Stony Stratford. He has a website – http://www.benwestlake.co.uk/index.html

The other two members of the ensemble are Tyler Hay, a concert pianist with an already impressive solo career, and Sara Cubarsi Fernandez – a postgraduate at the Royal Academy of Music, who has been a regular leader of the National Youth Orchestra of Catalonia. She plays the violin – magnificently!

If you get the opportunity to hear these very talented young people – as an ensemble, or on their own – take it. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening – as clearly, did everyone else present.