Buddha's Birthday

On Sunday the 5th of April, I went to a ceremony at the Buddhist Temple in Willen and joined the celebration of the Buddha’s birthday. There was a welcome and introduction, invocation and then a scattering of flower petals which were offered to the Buddha. In Japan the date for Buddha's Birthday is April the 8th, but some temples start the celebrations earlier. The festival is different at each temple. The Buddha means the awakened being. He was born as Prince Siddhartha more than two and half thousand years ago in modern day Nepal. When he was young, he was greatly saddened by the sufferings he saw around him and embarked on a journey to free people from pain, disease and old age. 
Through arduous practice, Prince Siddhartha realised through his own experience of enlightenment that ultimate salvation is through freeing oneself from the slavery of his own mind. He became the Buddha –the awakened one and devoted the rest of his life teaching this realisation to his fellow human beings. The essence of the Buddha’s teaching is that true peace begins with making peace with oneself. Clear perception comes when one stops projecting, fantasizing and misinterpreting reality. In my view, this is particularly relevant with the current world situation. Wish more and more people hear the message and make some real efforts to bring lasting peace to the world.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mkbuddhism

Alex Fox

Easter eggs

Easter eggs symbolize new life, rebirth, and the resurrection of Jesus,  combining ancient spring fertility traditions with Christian celebrations. Eggs were historically forbidden during Lent, making them a celebratory treat on Easter Sunday. Decorated eggs, and later chocolate, represent the empty tomb from which Jesus emerged.

Religious Significance: Early Christians adopted the egg as a symbol of the Resurrection, viewing the shell as the tomb and the chick emerging as Jesus rising from the dead.
Lenten Tradition: Because eggs were not allowed to be eaten during the 40 days of Lent, people boiled them to keep them fresh, decorating them for consumption on Easter Sunday

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Springtime Rebirth: Long before Christianity, eggs were used in spring festivals to represent fertility, new life, and the end of winter.

Alex Fox

The Circus

A circus is a traveling or stationary show featuring acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and daredevil acts, typically performed in a large tent (big top) or arena. It also refers to a hectic, chaotic scene (e.g., "media circus") or, in British English, a circular open area where streets meet.

Alex Fox

Camphill Milton Keynes Staff Awards 2026

Our community was invited to vote for their favourite staff member. Nominations were open for several months and peer-nominated, meaning residents and staff could nominate colleagues and/or people that they personally admire at Camphill MK.

Award Winners Are:

Support Worker (12+ months) – Olivia Graves-Morris
Support Worker (>12 months) – Shaun Shadie
Creative Lead – Emi Fujisawa
Leadership in Action – Karen McIntosh
Unsung Hero Winner – Maria Simon
Going Above & Beyond – Carolyn Green
Community Spirit – Garden Team
Impactful Project – Bradbury House

Residents’ Choice – Chris Bradley-Goodship, Ewa Maziarz, Olivia Grave-Morris, Vikki Hodgkinson & Karen McIntosh.

Alex Fox

Pancake races

Pancake races are traditional British Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) events where participants race while carrying a frying pan and flipping a pancale. Dating back to 1445, this custom typically requires runners to toss the pancake at the start and finish, often wearing aprons and scarves, in a fun celebration before Lent.

Key Details About Pancake Races

Origins: Tradition states the race began in 1445 in Olney, Buckinghamshire, when a woman, hearing the church bell (the "shriving bell") while cooking, ran to church still clutching her pan and pancake, according to Historic UK.
How They Work: Participants race along a set course (often 415 yards) while tossing their pancake into the air and catching it again in the pan. The pancake must remain intact to win.
When They Occur: Always on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins.
Rules & Costumes: Many races require participants to wear traditional attire, such as aprons and headscarves.
Purpose: Traditionally, this was a way to use up luxury ingredients like milk, eggs, and fat before the fasting period of Lent.

Alex Fox

Valentine's Day Disco

A Valentine's Day disco is a themed party or dance event held around February 14th, featuring music, dancing, and romantic or heart-themed decorations. These events range from family-friendly kids' parties with games and activities to adult "silent discos," dating nights, or anti-Valentine's events designed to celebrate friendship or being "over it".

Key aspects of a Valentine's Day disco often include:

Music and Dancing: Events feature DJ sets playing romantic hits, pop tunes, or specific themes like "romance vs. rebellion" or 70s/80s disco.

Alex Fox