MAGDALEN COLLEGE SCHOOL

We are a co-educational, comprehensive secondary school and sixth form centre located in the community of Brackley, Northamptonshire.
In September 2004, MCS achieved specialist status in Maths & Computing. We aim to use our specialisms to promote and enrich teaching & learning on a school wide basis.

www.magdalen.northants.sch.uk

TOWN CRIER

My name is Anthony Church (BEM) and I am the official Town Crier to the Town Councils of Banbury, Chipping Norton and Daventry. I am a Fellow of the Loyal Company of Town Criers (FLCTC), a member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers (MAHGTC) and a member of the European Contingent of Town Criers (ECTC). I am also a Fellow of the Britannic Guild of Toastmasters (FBGTM).
I became a professional Toastmaster in 1995 whilst working for Oxford City Council and trained as a Butler for their Civic and Corporate events, I was trained under the watchful eye of Alan Myatt who is a professional Toastmaster and the Town Crier of Gloucester and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the worlds loudest Crier. It was Alan who got me into Town Crying when he could not fulfil a function in Oxford and asked me to stand in for him, he lent me a hat, a coat and a bell and away I went and the rest is now history.
In 2003 I applied for a job as Mace Bearer to the Mayor of Banbury but when they found out I was a Town Crier they decided to appoint me as the Official Town Crier for Banbury Town Council.

www.oyez-oyez-oyez.com

UP 'N' OVER DOG TRAINING CLUB

Up 'N' Over DTC was founded in April 2000 for the training of Dogs in Obedience and Agility. The nine founding members who had worked for dog rescue for some years, recognised the need for a Fun Club, which allows dog owners not wishing to compete in these disciplines to still be able to train their dogs in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We accept all breeds - not just Collies! It is encouraging to know that most members join by recommendation of existing members or local veterinary practices. We believe that in today's environment it is important that our dogs are trained to be acceptable members of society and consequently our three obedience classes aim to achieve the Kennel Club Good Citizen Awards for Bronze, Silver and Gold. Our aim is to promote and encourage responsible dog ownership

www.upnover.freeserve.co.uk

Soapbox Derby

The first Sunday in June for the last six years has seen the annual Soapbox Derby. It is organised each year by Councillor Peter Stocker and a committee of other enthusiastic people.

For more information about the event in 2010 please contact Councillor Peter Stocker by email at
phstocker@btinternet.com

Brackley Music Festival

Brackley Music Festival started with a week-end in July 1996. The founder, Norman Teager, had the idea of bringing together music for all tastes, presented by local musicians young and old, amateur and professional. Since then, every summer the Festival has provided a platform both for the great variety of music groups and musicians who live in and around Brackley and also for those who are nationally and internationally recognised.
A much loved contributor to those early music festivals was Edward Palmer, Conductor of the Jubilee Choir (also well remembered by students in the MCS Maths department). The Festival in 2001 was dedicated "to the memory of Eddie Palmer, a stalwart of music and the festival in Brackley for many years". His family set up a scholarship for talented young organists, one of whom, Nicholas Prozillo, we had the pleasure of hearing in a recital in July 2005.
In 2007, Brackley Music Festival expanded to cover two whole weeks. They celebrated their 12th anniversary with some of the original groups who are still going strong, the Jubilee Choir, the Music Schools, and Brackley and District Brass Band. Joining them over the two weeks were jazz bands, barbershop and chamber music ensembles, country and western, opera and flamenco performers.

The event in 2010 starts on Friday 25th June.

www.brackleymusicfestival.co.uk

BRACKLEY FESTIVAL OF MOTORCYCLING

In the summer of 2009 Brackley resonated to the sound of over 12,000 people, including 5000 motorcycles enjoying the inaugural Brackley Festival of Motorcycling. The town centre was closed off for the day and the local school also opened up their playing fields for the festival. Headlined by Craig Jones performing on the High Street and with attractions for all ages the event was a resounding success, provided a great family day out and also raised some money for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and the National Association for Bikers with a Disability.

The next event will take place on 22nd August 2010.

www.brackleyfestivalofmotorcycling.co.uk

BRACKLEY AND DISTRICT RUNNING CLUB

Brackley & District Running Club started life in early 2008 with a simple idea from a handful of likeminded individuals who saw an opportunity to bring together a community of local runners for the purpose of sharing training tips, resource and contributory skills for the benefit of everyone interested in the sport. The idea was soon underpinned by the efforts of a number of dedicated individuals and the continued support of a group of motivated and enthusiastic runners with a broad spectrum of running skills ranging from fun runners through to competitive racers.

On Saturday 12th June 2010 the Club is organising the 'F1 Chicken Run Challenge' which will take place before Brackley Carnival. Please contact them for more details of the event.

www.brackleyrunningclub.co.uk

DRIVING AMBITION

Driving Ambition was established by Mark Prewett in 1990 and originally covered the Thame/Aylesbury area. Mark is a Grade 6 Driving Standards Agency approved instructor (cars) - instructors are graded from l to 6 (highest).
Before training as an instructor Mark managed Audio & Visual Systems (Audvys Ltd Aylesbury) and also worked in radio - producing and presenting programmes on BBC Radio Oxford.
From 1993 to the present day Driving Ambition covers Brackley, Silverstone,Towcester and Buckingham and surrounding areas .Local Villages covered include : Turweston, Evenley, Helmdon, Croughton, Middleton Cheney, Mixbury, Syresham, Whitfield, Halse, Farthinghoe, Marston St Lawrence, Greatworth.
Driving Ambition also offers Under 17's off road driving lessons at Turweston Aerodrome. These are available for under 17's or anyone needing a quiet safe environment for a first lesson. We also do off road driving experiences for the blind / partially sighted.

www.drivingambition.info


Many thanks to Mark Prewett for providing many of the pictures on this website.