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New High Street Market (for real, this time!) 🛍️

The new high street market launches this Sunday, plus a paranormal convention, and who runs Wycombe Pulse?

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Wycombe Pulse
October 03, 2024

Good morning, Wycombe!

It's the Wycombe Pulse. Your local newsletter that's considering dusting off its tap shoes after watching A Chorus Line at the Swan last night.

But first, check out this week's highlights:

  • The launch of the brand new market on the High St is actually happening 🛍️

  • Men's mental health and photography meet-up 📸

  • Rap and poetry workshop for teenagers 🎶

As well as the usual treasure trove of live music, craft nights, cultural titbits, a paranormal convention and so much more.

This week’s highlights

  • High Wycombe Market on the High Street on Sunday 6th October from 10am-4pm - the soft launch of the brand new specialty market is finally happening this weekend after being postponed due to weather. Locals have been asking for a more 'experiential' market and the organisers are hoping to grow it into a regular monthly fixture. We'll definitely be checking it out! 🛍️

  • Wycombe Paranormal Convention at Bucks New University on Saturday 5th October from 10am-8pm - the first ever Wycombe ParaCon explores the centuries' worth of ghostly happenings and mysterious folklore in our town. There are loads of speakers covering topics like hauntings, UFOs and even some healthy scepticism. There will also be an exhibitors' area and after party 👻

  • Mushroom Identification Course in Wendover Woods on Saturday 5th October from 10am-1pm - join the Foraging Mermaid in exploring the local landscape and learning how to find and identify different types of mushrooms, compiling a list of all the different fungi you encounter 🍄

  • Harmony Soundbath at the Guildhall on Monday 7th October from 7.30-8.30pm - an hour of serenity with Hanae Harmony as you listen to the soothing sounds of singing bowls, chimes and gongs 🔔

  • Wellness Warriors on the Rye on Friday 4th October from 6-7pm - run by the Phoenix Lifestyle Foundation every Friday evening, you can expect an hour of fun, friends and fitness. Everyone is welcome and all fitness levels are catered for, plus it's Pay What You Can 💪🏻

  • MenSnap: Mental Health & Photography Workshop at Patch on Monday 7th October from 7-9pm - a photography-based support group for men, led together by a psychotherapist and photographer in a non-judgmental space. Tickets are just £3 📸

  • Free Valuation Day in Marlow at Liston Hall on Friday 4th October from 10am-3pm - RWB Auctions are hosting a free, no-obligation valuation day so head over to Marlow if you've got something you suspect may be valuable 💎

Entertainment

Crafting

  • Paint & Prosecco Night at Holmer Green Sports Association on Wednesday 9th October from 7-10pm - hosted by Brush Party, this always-popular event is back at the HGSA for it's 4th time 🥂

  • Lino Print Workshop at Wycombe Museum on Sunday 6th October from 1-3.30pm - join Jane Peacock, artist in residence, for this beginners linocut workshop where you'll be guided through every step of this fascinating process 👩🏼‍🎨

  • Paint Night at Merletto Lounge on Monday 7th October from 7-9pm - The Paint Club is hosting a relaxed evening of painting, nibbles, drinks and socialising. The masterpiece this week is a rainbow-splattered tree and all materials will be provided in the cost of your ticket 🎨

Culture

  • Wycombe Sinfonia present 'Light and Shade' at All Saints Parish Church on Saturday 5th October at 7.30pm - Eva Thorarinsdottir, associate leader of the Liverpool Philharmonic, will be playing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D, alongside Rossini’s Italian Girls in Algiers Overture and Schubert’s Symphony No 4 ‘The Tragic’ 

  • History on our High Street Walking Tour on Wednesday 9th October at 10am - Wycombe Museum volunteer Denise Lindsay is leading a history walk around town, starting at Pann Mill and ending back at the Museum at around 11.30am. It's FREE to attend but any donations are gladly appreciated.

  • Little Missenden Festival at St John the Baptist Church from Friday 4th to Sunday 13th October - the 64th annual music, literature and art festival is showcasing a packed programme of events this year amidst the surroundings of the 10th century church in Little Missenden. There's something for everyone! 🎼

  • Wooburn Singers Come and Sing Bruckner Requiem at the Beaconsfield School on Saturday 5th October from 9.45am-5.30pm - calling all aspiring choral singers! Join the acclaimed Wooburn Singers for one of their famous Come-and-Sing days where they'll be tackling the Bruckner Requiem. The day will end with a performance for family and friends 🎶

  • Chiltern Kills Crime Writers Festival in Gerrards Cross on Saturday 5th October from 9am-11pm - head a little out-of-town to GX if you enjoy the crime-writing genre. Their amazing programme features such authors as Jeffrey Archer, Ian Rankin, Harriet Tyce, Robert Thorogood and plenty more household names 🔫

And a few for the Kids...

  • Rap and Poetry Workshop with Desree at High Wycombe Library on Tuesday 8th October from 4-5pm - 13-16 year olds are invited to this Rhyme and Reason workshop with Desree as you break down the lyrics of some of the most influential voices in British rap and grime. This event is in support of National Poetry Day and Black History Month.

  • Tiny Talk Time at Wycombe Museum on Friday 4th October from 10-10.45am - 2-5 year olds are invited to come along for stories, crafts and museum fun based on the book 'Down the Back of my Chair' by Margaret Mahy.

  • October Storytelling at the Roald Dahl Museum on Sunday 6th October throughout the day - head to the Wondrous Woods to listen to some extracts from 'The Twits' and 'Revolting Rhymes'. FREE with museum entry and suitable for all ages.

  • 'The Smartest Giant in Town' Storytime and Crafts at High Wycombe Library on Friday 4th October from 11am-12pm - Wycombe Swan are running this session in advance of the Julia Donaldson adaptation hitting the stage on 19th October. This is FREE.

  • Jurassic High Street in Market Square, Chesham on Saturday 5th October from 1-4pm - if you've got any dinosaur fans in the house, it might be worth heading out to Chesham this weekend. There'll be dino eggs, fossils, swamps and much more to discover. FREE to attend 🦖

Who are we?

This is our 11th edition of the Wycombe Pulse and we've had an increasing number of comments and emails over the past few weeks wanting to know a little more about who/what is 'behind' the Pulse.

So, in order to quell any mystery...

I'm Steph, the writer and publisher. I've lived here for a little over 6 years now with my young family. I've noticed over the years that some locals like to bag on Wycombe -- probably because sometimes it doesn't compare especially favourably with some of its smaller, more affluent neighbours -- but actually, there's plenty of treasure here. You just need to know where to look.

This is the 6th place I've lived in my 30-odd years, across the UK and further afield, and one thing that's struck me is the importance of community, wherever you live. Whether you're in the centre of a bustling metropolis, a hamlet out in the sticks or, yep, in a High Wycombe suburb.

So that's what I'm trying to do with the Pulse -- help foster a greater sense of community and even appreciation for the town. We're generally a positive space, but realistic too -- we know it's not all roses out there and I'm prepared to die on the hill that there are way too many vape shops in the town centre.

I have a very tiny team (read: one other person) helping with the technical side and big picture stuff, and we're fully self funded. If anything changes, you'll know about it.

Here's one thing I want to know about you -- what do you want to see in this newsletter going forward? My inbox is always open!

Upcoming Theatre Highlights 🎭

  • Lane End Players presents Nell Gwynn - a witty and lively play with music and dance about the life of Nell Gwynn, the orange seller who became one of the first women on the English stage and the mistress of King Charles II. Venue: Lane End Village Hall. Dates: 10th, 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th October at 7.30pm (plus matinee on 19th at 2pm).

  • RUSH - A Joyous Jamaican Journey - a narrated musical telling the story of the Windrush Generation and the history of Reggae with live ska, rock steady, calypso, gospel, lovers rock and dancehall. Venue: Wycombe Swan. Date: 10th October at 7.30pm.

  • The Whole Pack Theatre present Monologue Slam - calling both performers and spectators! Actors can battle it out with their own choice of monologue in this fundraising night for Whole Pack Theatre. Prizes to be won and casting professionals to impress! Venue: The Front Room. Date: 11th October at 8pm.

  • Hazelmere Players present Absurd Person Singular - a classic comedy by Alan Ayckbourn that documents three couples in their kitchens over three years of Christmas Eves. Venue: Hazlemere Community Centre. Dates: 18th and 19th October at 7.30pm.

  • Queer Diary straight from Edinburgh Fringe and London - a group of LGBTQIA+ adults will be reading their real teenage diaries to a live, friendly audience. The production welcomes both audience and readers (no performing experience necessary and readings don't need to be queer-themed as long as you are LGBQTIA+) and tickets are Pay What You Can. More details about signing up to read can be found here. Venue: Wycombe Arts Centre. Date: 18th October at 7pm.

  • Grease The Musical - arguably the world's best loved musical is stopping in Wycombe on its acclaimed UK tour. Venue: Wycombe Swan. Dates: 21st-26th October at 7.30pm with matinees on 24th and 26th October at 2.30pm.

  • Fourways Theatre Company presents Blue Stockings - it is 1896 and four talented female undergraduates are fighting for their right to graduate from Girton College, Cambridge University. Venue: Lancaster Arts Centre, Wycombe Abbey School. Dates: 24th, 25th, 26th October at 7.30pm (plus matinee on 26th at 2pm).

  • Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity presents Annie - 100 local children and professional adults come together to perform the well-loved, family-friendly musical of Annie, with all funds raised going directly to the Florence Nightingale Hospice. Venue: Wycombe Swan. Date: 2nd November at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Community Notes

  • Plant 10,000 flowers in Holmers Farm Way on Saturday 5th October 10am-12pm - help to brighten up Cressex next Spring by planting 10,000 bulbs this weekend. No gardening experience needed 🌷

  • The Youth Enquiry Service (YES) is a local High Wycombe charity offering FREE counselling and guidance for young people aged 13-25. They're based at 52 Frogmoor and their drop-in services are available Monday to Friday from 12-6pm and Saturday from 11am-3pm. Counselling sessions are available daytime and evening from Monday to Saturday, either in person or online.

  • Kindness in Bucks Christmas Appeal 2024 - the brilliant Kindness in Bucks are launching their Christmas Shoe Box appeal and hope to top the 101 boxes they donated to local families in need last year. You can help by donating via their website, contributing gifts or essentials and even sharing their posts on your social media channels 🎄

Where in Wycombe am I?

Where can you find this very elegant looking gate and Neo-Gothic lodge? And, for bonus credit, where was it originally situated before it moved to this location?

Last week's answer: I was at the bridge overlooking the Hughenden Stream in Hughenden Park.

Weather in Wycombe

Let's manifest keeping those rain showers short and light...

Friday

🌤️ 15°C - 💨 5 mph - ☂️ 0% chance

Saturday

🌤️ 14°C - 💨 15 mph - ☂️ 65% chance

Sunday

🌤️ 17°C - 💨 13 mph - ☂️ 69% chance

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

Have a brilliant weekend, but first...

  • Do you know somebody who would enjoy this email? Please share it ❤️

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Until next Thursday...

Steph

Publisher and Editor, Wycombe Pulse

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