🌞 Solstice Vibes & Hidden Histories 🏛️

Good morning, Wycombe!

It’s the Wycombe Pulse. Your local newsletter that thinks it’s finally safe to declare: SUMMER IS HERE! 😎🥳

And there’s lots to celebrate in town this week:

• Huge Summer Solstice party at the Hellfire Caves 🌞

• Brand new history talk at the Museum 🏛️

• Downley Day is back 🎉

Plus all the Solstice wellness events you can imagine, loads of family fun days, a couple of open garden events, plenty of live music and much more.

Brought to you by… Thorpe House School

🌟 Exciting News for Parents in South Bucks! 🌟

Little Thorpies - where exceptional journeys begin.

We’re thrilled to announce the opening of Little Thorpies, the brand new nursery at Thorpe House School in Gerrards Cross, opening in January 2026.

Little Thorpies Nursery will provide an engaging, warm and nurturing environment for the very best start to early education. It’s the perfect place to help your children thrive and grow within the Thorpe House community.

Why choose Little Thorpies?

🌟 Specialist teaching in PE, music and languages
🌟 Extensive Forest School
🌟 Weekly swimming lessons
🌟 Year-round childcare
🌟 Curriculum designed and overseen by qualified teachers

Curious to learn more? Call the friendly admissions team on 01753 882474 or follow Thorpe House School on Instagram and Facebook for updates, sneak peeks and all the latest information.

Editor’s Highlights

🏛️ Talk: The Histories & Mysteries of Castle Hill House at Wycombe Museum
🗓️ Sunday 22nd June | ⏰ 1pm
Find out more about the history of Castle Hill House, the site of Wycombe Museum, from Saxon times to the more recent past. FREE!

🍕Flavour-Led Foraging, Wild Dips & Pizza at Oxmoor Farm 
🗓️ Sunday 22nd June | ⏰ 9.30am-1.30pm
A 2.5 hour forage in the hedgerows and ancient woodland followed by a selection of Neapolitan-style pizza, wild dips and drinks.

🌞 Summer Solstice at The Hellfire Caves and Walled Garden
🗓️ Saturday 21st June | ⏰ 4-9pm
An evening of tradition, fire, folklore and festivity with morris dancing, live music, food trucks, craft workshops, and even themed lectures.

🍹 Cocktail Masterclass at Merletto Lounge
🗓️ Wednesday 25th June | ⏰ 6.30pm
Learn how to make a Passionfruit Martini, Long Island Ice Tea and a Mojito. Just £15 and all proceeds to South Bucks Hospice.

🌞 Summer Solstice Celebrations 🌞

👉 Check out our blog post for the full list and details.

• Summer Solstice New Moon Retreat at Lopemead Farm on Saturday 21st June at 2pm — expect a Qi Gong flow, cacao ceremony, gong and crystal sound bath, fire and water ritual, guided meditation, Reiki and more.

• Hartbeats Drummers on Coombe Hill on Saturday 21st June from 7.30pm to sunset — come and hear the moving and atmospheric beats of West African djembe and dundun drumming and dance 🪘

• Summer Solstice at Hughenden Village Hall on Friday 20th June at 7pm — an evening of yoga, Qigong, meditation and a sound journey.

• Summer Solstice Sound & Nature Workshop at Marlow Bottom Village Hall on Sunday 22nd June at 4pm — start with a peaceful nature walk followed by a guided journalling session and a gong bath meditation.

• Summer Solstice Celebration on the Downley School Fields on tonight at 7.30pm — a slow outdoor yoga flow plus sound bath, finishing with tea and snacks.

Family Fun

• Downley Day on Commonside on Saturday 21st June at 12pm — fun for all the family with a dog show, donkey derby, live music, raffle, crowning of the Downley King and Queen, and more.

• Oxmoor’s Birthday Party at Oxmoor Farm on Saturday 21st June from 2pm onwards — celebrate their fourth birthday with great food, good music and dancing.

• Party on the Pitch at Penn & Tylers Green FC on Saturday 21st June from 12pm — a day of live music, DJs, amusement rides, bars, food vendors and stalls.

• GK Funfest at Great Kingshill School Field on Saturday 21st June from 12-3pm — FREE entry for this family funday with giant inflatables, games and crafts, entertainment, food vans, bar and more.

• Wooburn Fete on the Green on Saturday 21st June from 12-4pm — local kids are dancing, the Blend Choir are singing, plus expect stalls and fairground rides.

• Circus Zyair on the Rye from tonight to Sunday 22nd June at various times.

• Summer Fest at Waddesdon Manor on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June — a 2-day festival full of art, music, food and drink, inspired by The Baron’s Treat from the 19th century.

Thanks to everyone who entered our Horrible Histories ticket giveaway! The winner was selected and has now accepted the tickets. If you’re still interested in seeing either of the shows, there are still tickets available to buy — performances start next week.

Grown-Ups Only

• Cabaret with Auntie Ginger at O’Neill’s on Friday 20th June at 9pm.

• Musical Bingo at The Snug on Sunday 22nd June at 9pm.

• Over 65 Lunch Club at The Golden Cross, Saunderton — running weekly from Tuesday to Thursday 12-3pm, 2 courses for £7.65. A warm welcome, hearty food and great company.

• Karaoke Night Party at The Bricklayers Arms on Friday 20th June at 8pm.

Cultural Bites

🏛️ Prestwood History Evening at Prestwood Methodist Church
🗓️ Thursday 19th June | ⏰ 7pm
‘A Journey through Prestwood High Street’ illustrated by photos and presented by Mark Cunnane of the Prestwood Archive.

⛲️ Private Visit to Bledlow Manor Gardens
🗓️ Friday 20th June | ⏰ 2pm
A visit to the winner of the Garden of the Year Award from the Historic House Association. Refreshments including homemade cakes in the tea rooms.

🎨 The Big Art Show at Wycombe Arts Centre
🗓️ Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd June | ⏰ 11am-4pm
This celebration of local art and creativity continues for its second weekend at the Arts Centre. Remember to check out the Lorna Cassidy exhibition while you’re there.

👻 Aylesbury Old House Ghost Hunt at Discover Bucks Museum
🗓️ Saturday 21st June | ⏰ 8pm-2am
A ghost hunt with Haunting Nights UK in one of the oldest buildings in Aylesbury, which has a haunting history dating back to the 1400s.

🪴 The Hidden Gardens of Piddington
🗓️ Sunday 21st June | ⏰ 1-5pm
Some members of the Piddington Horticultural Society are opening their garden gates this Sunday. Pick up a trail map and wristband for £3 from the Village Hall (and enjoy the plant sale while you’re there).

👉 And if you like flowers, why not head over to the Royal British Legion Hall in Amersham on Monday 23rd June at 2pm for a flower arranging demonstration with the Chalfont & District Flower Club.

Sport and Activities

RUNNING

🏃🏻‍♂️ Misbourne 5k & 10K Trail Race on Saturday 21st June at 10am — one of the most picturesque trail runs in the area. Medals for all finishers and prizes for category winners.

🏃🏻‍♂️ Midsummer Murder in Hambledon on Sunday 22nd June at 9am — 10 mile and Half Marathon option on hilly routes through the Hambledon Valley past various TV and movie sights.

Regular runs:
- Parkrun 5km on The Rye (meet at the Lido) at 9am on Saturday 21st June.
- Junior Parkrun 2km on The Rye (meet at Pann Mill) at 9am on Sunday 22nd June.
- Risborough Run In The Park 5km at Wades Park on Sunday 21st June at 9am.

QIGONG

🦢 Qigong in the Park at Higginson Park on Saturday 21st June at 10am. Everyone is welcome, meet by the cricket pavilion.

CRICKET

🏏 Check out all the fixtures and results for HWCC this week.

Business News

Brand new luxury nail spa, Luxe Spa Land, has opened this week on Crendon Street. I popped in for a Deluxe Pedicure on their opening day and, let me tell you, they certainly lived up to their name. I’ve written a full review on the blog but definitely check them out — they’re offering 30% off until the end of June!

Community Notes

CHARITY CAR WASH: RP Detailing are holding a Charity Car Wash at The Crown Hazlemere on Friday 20th June at 12pm. All proceeds go to MacMillan Cancer Support.

CHURCH SERVICE FOR PETS: a celebration of God’s creation at Holy Trinity Church, Penn on Sunday 22nd June at 4pm 🐕

Help Needed! 🙏

To help spread the word about Wycombe Pulse, I’ve had some shiny new A4 posters printed — but now comes the tricky bit… where to put them?

If you know of any local notice boards, cafés, community centres or friendly spots that might be happy to display one, I’d love to hear from you. Just reply to this email with your suggestions — and thanks in advance for helping me share the Pulse! 😊

Weather in Wycombe

Friday

🌤️ 28°C - 💨 25mph - ☂️ 6% chance

Saturday

🌤️ 28°C - 💨 23mph - ☂️ 20% chance

Sunday

🌤️ 25°C - 💨 21 mph - ☂️ 10% 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