Half Term and Halloween Happenings 🎃

Good morning, Wycombe!

It's the Wycombe Pulse. The local newsletter that's ready to dust off its plastic Halloween tat for another year as the pumpkins have already started rotting.

But first, what are we most excited about this week?

• Family ghost hunt at Wycombe Museum 👻

• Bottomless afternoon tea and Prosecco at Air Raid 🍾

• Fright Night at the Hellfire Caves 😈

As you might imagine, this week is heavy on Halloween - so much so that we've compiled a mini-guide to all the spooky happenings and parties around Wycombe - but you can also find plenty of other delights, including nature days, Half Term fun for the kiddos, live music, some special 'me time' events and much more.

This Week's Highlights

• Afternoon Tea with Unlimited Prosecco at Air Raid Shelter Café on Saturday 26th October from 4-5.30pm - a delicious afternoon tea with unlimited Prosecco for 90 minutes, as well as entertainment from Annette Valentine 🍾

• High Wycombe & District Model Railway Society Open Day at Duke Street on Saturday 26th October from 10am-3pm - come and visit the HWDMRS clubrooms, see their layouts and watch demonstrations, join in operating, listen to talks and more. There'll also be a Loco Clinic 🚂

• Street Food Evening at The Walled Garden on Friday 25th October from 5-9pm - it's food truck night again with offerings from Burgervore, Veni & Dough, The Lime Face and Sizzlers Street Food 🍔

• Sushi and Wine Experience at Daws Hill Vineyard on Saturday 26th October from 4.30-6.30pm - an afternoon of pairing wine with sushi and learning how to hand roll your own sushi with Yoko from the acclaimed Sakana Oxford 🍣

• 1 Day Wellness Retreat at Waddesdon Hall on Sunday 27th October from 9.30-5pm - hosted by The Healing Temple, you can expect a day filled with qigong, cacao ceremonies, Epsilon healing energy, sound bath, Yoga Nidra, reflexology and more 🧿

• Finding Fungi in Deangarden Wood on Tuesday 29th October from 2-4pm - join the Chiltern Rangers in this ancient wood exploration, ideal for beginners to the world of fungi 🍄

• Xuefei Yang in concert at All Saints Church Marlow on Sunday 27th October from 3-4pm - Yang is one of the world's finest classical guitarists and will be giving this FREE intimate performance in Marlow this weekend 🎼

Halloween 👻

There is a HUGE amount on in Wycombe this coming week for Halloween so we've compiled a little mini guide for you here...

For little ones and the whole family...

• Halloween Ghost Hunt Family Fun Day at Wycombe Museum on Sunday 27th October from 2-6pm - there'll be spooky crafts, ghoulish games, a hunt through the house, biscuit decorating and more. Recommended for ages 4-11 (smaller kids are welcome although may need help from an adult).

• Spooky Walk and Slightly Frights at the Hellfire Caves from 25th October to 2nd November - get into the spooky spirit with these family-friendly events in the caves for all ages.

• Halloween Breakfast Party at Spindle & Thread on Saturday 2nd November from 10am to 12pm - expect a monsters' buffet breakfast, pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, monster puzzles and a Halloween disco.

• Halloween Kids Party at the Bricklayers Arms on Saturday 26th October from 12-6pm - there'll be face painting, a scavenger hunt, costume competition and more!

• Twilight Tricks at Roald Dahl Museum on Wednesday 30th October from 4.30-7.30pm - it's a Halloween late-night special at the Museum with plenty of tricks up its sleeve: spooky storytelling, a 'twit or treat' trek, mischievous trail and crafting. Make sure to dress up!

• Halloween Rollerize Disco at Hazlemere Youth Centre on Saturday 26th October with various session times - perfect for all ages and skill levels! Skate hire is available for £1.95.

• Kids Halloween Party at The Squirrel Pub on Thursday 31st October from 4.30-6.30pm - the perfect pre-trick or treat stop to grab your own Halloween bucket, enjoy the food and spooky games, all while dressed in your best costume.

• The Black Lion Wizard School at the Black Lion Naphill on Thursday 31st October from 10.30am - kids can learn how to become a wizard through a packed programme of potion making, cauldron designing and more - not forgetting a pizza buffet!

• Fancy Dress Halloween Party at Lane End Youth and Community Centre on Wednesday 30th October from 10am-3pm - 4 to 12 year olds are invited to a day of Halloween fun, including crafting, biscuit decorating, apple bobbing and party games. Just £20 per child.

• Hughenden Halloween Trail from Thursday 24th October to Sunday 3rd November - you can purchase a trail map for £3 from Hughenden Village Store (bring your own pencil!) and there'll be a sweet treat prize on return of your answer sheet at the end.

• Halloween Disco at Cressex Community Centre on Saturday 26th October from 7-11.55pm - a disco and costume competition for different age groups, including teens and adults.

• Halloween Workshop at Wycombe Library on Thursday 31st October from 11am-12pm - Wycombe Tutorial Centre are hosting this workshop featuring puzzles and mask making, designed for kids aged 7+.

• Pumpkin Carving at the Polecat Inn on Tuesday 29th October from 10am-1pm - creative fun at the Polecat in Prestwood.

• Scarecrow Festival in Marlow Bottom from Sunday 27th October to Sunday 3rd November - a map is £3 and can be bought from a few local businesses in Marlow Bottom.

• Halloween Night Party at the General Havelock on Friday 25th October from 6pm - the kids can grab hot dogs and party bags, then its live music from Button singing soul, pop and rock covers from 8.30pm.

• Big John's Scary Halloween at Micklefield Sports & Social Club on Saturday 26th October from 5-11pm - you can expect games, sweets, tattoos, a live DJ and family fun, followed by grown-up scares from 9pm.

• Spooktacular Halloween Party at Wrights Meadow Centre on Saturday 2nd November from 12-3pm - spooky fun for 4-11 year olds.

• Haunted House Treasure Trail around Flackwell Heath on Saturday 26th October from 5-7pm - you can buy trail maps for just £2.50 from Daisy Gift Shop and the Cherry Tree.

And for older ones and the grown-ups...

• After Dark Halloween Fright Nights at Rush Trampoline Park on 25th, 26th October and 1st, 2nd November from 6-8pm - a 'spine-chilling night of scares' is promised with the park transformed into a haunted arena with decorations, scary actors and music and terrifying visual effects.

• Halloween Themed Graze Platter Workshop at the Brunch Lounge on Tuesday 29th October from 6-8pm - create a hauntingly beautiful graze platter perfect for a Halloween gathering. All ingredients and supplies are provided, alongside refreshments and a festive Halloween cocktail.

• Fright Nights at the Hellfire Caves from 25th October to 2nd November from 6.30-11.15pm - dive into the dark and twisted world of the Toymaker's Tunnels of Torment... an intense atmosphere complete with live actors recommended for ages 16+.

• Halloween Party at Yates on Saturday 26th October from 8pm-2am - there's a live DJ from 8pm and amazing drinks deals from 10pm, plus a costume competition.

• Halloween Party at the Dashwood Roadhouse on Saturday 26th October from 7pm-12am - live music from The Lills, a themed buffet and a costume competition with prizes.

• Rags to Witches Halloween Alternative Fashion Show at Wycombe Arts Centre on Saturday 2nd November from 6-9.30pm - enjoy a visual feast of upcycled, recycled and customised costumes and clothing amongst what's promised to be the best Halloween decorations in Bucks.

• Halloween Night Party Celebration at King George V Pub on Saturday 26th October from 7.30pm - guest DJ Greg Joseph will be entertaining you alongside festive drinks and spooky costumes.

• The Green Man Halloween Party on Saturday 2nd November from 8pm-12am - fancy dress is optional at the Green Man but expect themed cocktails and shots, and live music.

• Spooktacular Halloween Party at the Black Lion Naphill on Saturday 2nd November from 8.30pm - fancy dress is encouraged, and there'll be live music, creepy cocktails and spooky shots.

Entertainment

• "Blue Stockings" at Lancaster Arts Centre, Wycombe Abbey School on Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th October at 7.30pm (plus extra 2pm show on Saturday) - a play set in 1896 at Cambridge University, focusing on 4 talented female undergraduates fighting to officially graduate like their male counterparts 🎭

• Millie Manders and the Shut Up at Wycombe Arts Centre on Saturday 26th October at 7.30pm - the band are renowned for their 'ferocious and joyous' live shows and will be joined by special guest, Ramona's Tea Party 🎸

• Drag Bingo with Heidi Wurst at O'Neill's on Friday 25th October from 9pm 🎤

• A Curated Jazz Jam at The Front Room on Saturday 26th October from 7-11pm - Catch 22 present a lineup musicians celebrating black British music from across the decades as part of Black History Month 🎷

Time for You

• Natural Skincare Workshop at The Walled Garden on Friday 25th October from 6.30-8.30pm - you'll be making bath salts, body oil and body scrub with botanical-infused formulations 🌿

• Paint Night at the Green Man on tonight, Thursday 24th October from 7pm 🎨

• Make a Teapot Morning Pottery Workshop at Great Missenden Memorial Hall on Sunday 27th October from 9.30am-12pm - join the team at Bramley Pottery to make a beautiful teapot with patterned exterior 🫖

Get in Touch with Nature

The Chiltern Rangers have got plenty of events on this week - here's a few that look particularly appealing.

• A Morning on the River Wye on Monday 28th October from 10am-1pm - all ages and abilities are welcome (children in Year 9 or below must be accompanied by an adult) to help clear excessive vegetation, cut back the pathways and hedges, and maybe some raking 🏞️

• Gomm's Woodland Day on Tuesday 29th October from 10am-3.30pm - adults and kids alike are welcome to come and join in the coppicing - an essential conservation task to benefit woodland biodiversity 🌲

• Kingsmead Nature Day on Wednesday 30th October from 1-4pm - again, all ages and abilities are welcome for an afternoon of hedge laying, grass cutting and planting a cherry tree 🌳

For the Kids this Week

• Pumpkin Hunt Trail at Wycombe Museum from Sunday 20th October to Sunday 3rd November - pumpkins have been hidden around the museum and gardens for you to find. Just £3 per child with a sweet treat prize 🎃

• Twits and Tricks at Roald Dahl Museum all week - there are Halloween-themed activities aplenty, including tricks-filled storytelling, a mischief makers trail and a Crodswoggling Clay Critters workshop.

• Pumpkin Pop-Up Creative Session at Patch on Tuesday 29th October at various times - Create Your Happy are hosting this kids' event to create some Autumnal crafts.

• Aesop's Fables Half Term Trail and Storytelling at Hughenden from Saturday 26th October to Sunday 3rd November - an interactive trail based on Aesop's Fables. There's storytelling and crafts available through the day too. If you can't make it to Hughenden, they will be hosting an Aesop's Fables session at the Library on Wednesday 30th October from 10.30-11.30 too.

• Rebel Rangers conservation sessions on Monday 28th, Tuesday 29th October and Friday 1st November from 9.45am to 3pm - join the Chiltern Rangers in these FREE conservation sessions for 11-16 year olds.

• Hedgehog Animal Trail at Cliveden from Friday 25th October to Sunday 3rd November - Cliveden is hosting an Autumn animal trail around the gardens to help find Spike the hedgehog. Join in the drop-in crafting sessions while you're there 🦔

• Easely Does It family workshops at the Walled Garden from Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November at various times - check out Easely Does It's websites for all the different workshops they're running this half term, from painting to needle felting, making a mini witch to creating a magic potion 🎨

• Discover and Make: Who Lives in the Woods? at Wycombe Museum on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th October at various times - make an animal mask and learn all about our local wildlife. Tickets are just £4.25 per child.

Sports and Activities

• Wycombe Wanderers vs Leyton Orient at home on Saturday 26th October at 3pm - gates and bars are open from midday, tickets start at just £5 for kids and £22 for adults ⚽️

• HWRUFC vs Windsor away on Saturday 26th October 🏈

• Parkrun (5k) near the Lido, Wycombe Rye on Saturday 26th October at 9am and Junior Parkrun (2k) near Pann Mill, Wycombe Rye on Sunday 27th October at 9am 🏃🏻‍♂️

• Free Football Sessions for Kids in association with the Premier League - girls only on Thursdays from 6-7pm at Cressex Football Centre; mixed for Years 4-8 on Fridays from 5.30-6.30pm at Wycombe Rye Lido; and mixed for Years 9-13 on Saturdays from 5-7pm at Cressex Football Centre.

Do you run a sports team and are looking for players/spectators for upcoming fixtures? Please email me at [email protected] with the details if you'd like to be featured.

Community Notes

• Community Action Day in Wycombe Town Centre on Tuesday 29th October from 11am-3pm - meet Buckinghamshire Council services, the Neighbourhood Policing Team and other partners to discuss any community concerns you may have. There'll also be free face painting and a bouncy castle for the kids.

• Bucks Baby Week is coming from the 14th-20th November. There will be lots of free events for parents, carers and kids under 5, as well as resources to help you give your baby the best start in life. Expect messy play sessions, first aid workshops, young parents' groups, story sessions and more 👶🏻

Business News

We're really excited about a couple of new businesses opening in the Eden Centre soon.

First up, we've got TeamSport which is opening this Friday 25th October in the space above Primark (where House of Fraser used to be). It contains a 500-metre multi-level electric go-karting track, Sixes Social Cricket immersive cricket nets, and e-Darts.

And then Clip 'n Climb will be opening on 23rd November, we believe in the space where Frankie & Bennie's used to be, between Yo! and Hollywood Bowl. The Bucks Free Press reports that it'll feature 22 challenges and 27 climbing lines for all ages and abilities.

Where in Wycombe am I?

Where is Old Mill Cottage, the Summer residence of the (in)famous Mitford Sisters?

Last week's answer: This mural can be found on the exterior covered wall of the Guildhall on the High Street. It was painted by Dan Wilson and really evokes the spirit of William Hannan's 1772 painting of the same view in the Georgian period.

Weather in Wycombe

It feels as though we're oscillating wildly between chilly and curiously mild right now, and I've been caught a couple of times this week sweating into my puffer jacket.

But the leaves are turning, and we're just waiting for the weather to as well...

Friday

🌤️ 15°C - 💨 10 mph - ☂️ 70% chance

Saturday

🌤️ 14°C - 💨 11 mph - ☂️ 17% chance

Sunday

🌤️ 14°C - 💨 9 mph - ☂️ 26% chance

We hope you've enjoyed this week's edition of the Pulse!

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Until next Thursday...

Steph

Publisher and Editor, Wycombe Pulse