Local News

Cotels Serviced Apartments celebrated the history and future of Milton Keynes at 701 South Fifth Street by burying a time capsule, filled with 2017 Milton Keynes memorabilia.  The ceremony, attended by The Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr David Hopkins and Destination Milton Keynes, is in celebration of Cotels’ new serviced apartment concept 7Zero1, set to launch in October 2017. Marcia Gomez, Managing Director of Cotels said: “7Zero1 is a huge milestone for us and set to be a flagship for the business.  “We are proud to be launching 7Zero1 in such a key year for the city, with Milton Keynes celebrating its 50th year. To commemorate this momentous occasion and special year, we wanted to capture a snapshot of 2017 for future generations to uncover.” The Mayor, Cllr David Hopkins, commented: “I welcome the fact that the team have selected Milton Keynes for the latest Cotels development and as their Corporate..

Students at The Webber Independent School have shown that their dedication and hard work has resulted in excellent results, with particular success in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths.  With students securing places at top UK universities to study a number of Science, Technology and Business related degrees. Sophie Fretwell was elated with her confirmed place at Imperial College London, one of the world’s top universities. “I am so delighted with my results and securing my first choice university. I am off to study Molecular Bioengineering and I can’t wait to start my degree at such a prestigious university. I’ve really appreciated the personalised style of tuition at The Webber Independent Sixth Form, and I want to say a big thank you to all of my tutors who have worked with me and supported me.” Mrs Fretwell, said: “I am over the moon for both of my children, Sophie and..

The build-up to exam results day can be extremely stressful as young people think the worst and worry about what the future holds.  So, with exam results now just days away and stress levels rising, NHS Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is reminding students in Milton Keynes that help is at hand and not to keep their concerns to themselves.  While it isn’t possible to change the outcome of the exam results, it is possible to reduce the amount of anxiety or stress that young people are feeling by taking the following steps:  •           Relaxation techniques •           Distraction, such as a family meal or board game •           Exercise – stress can produce toxins which exercise helps reduce •           Less coffee or other sources of caffeine •           Less alcohol  Dr Nicola Smith, GP and Chair from NHS Milton Keynes CCG gives this advice: “When we are anxious, we are likely..

Milton Keynes College and Video Production and Media Agency, Movey are working together to bridge the gap between education and employment and support the development of students pursuing a career in digital and creative media. With a severe skills shortage within the sector, limited prospects for local talent and a plethora of young people with the ambition and drive to succeed in this fast moving industry, Movey saw an opportunity to enhance the future of digital media in Milton Keynes.  More than 40 students participated in the Movey Academy Programme in 2016/17 and this number is set to see a significant rise in the coming year. The Movey Academy provides a unique opportunity for students to work on real-life commercial projects and get their first taste of working with clients. This experience helps them to understand briefs, learn on-the-job skills required for a career in video production and the importance..

Marking its 40th Anniversary year, Champneys College celebrated its latest graduation of students last month with yet another successful year of ITEC and CIDESCO practical exams. Successful students came from all parts of the country, including Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Hampshire and Wiltshire. Rachel Halling, Champneys College Principal said: “2016/17 has been a landmark year for Champneys College. In November, we opened a second site in Central London in partnership with LCCA.  We have also been celebrating our 40th anniversary. Last weekend graduates from across the decades joined us for a reunion and a conference - the day was dedicated to the future of the college with demonstrations of cutting edge treatments in medical aesthetics. Champneys always prides itself on being innovative in the industry and the college is looking to move beauty education into the future. Champneys College is currently interviewing for September courses and will welcome students from..

Milton Keynes College has received some very positive feedback following its recent ‘Good’ inspection by Ofsted, with particular praise for the opportunities offered to adult learners. The report, which commended the College on its fast and continued progress since the previous report by Ofsted, said: “Adult students’ achievement has improved in this current year and is higher than that of similar providers nationally.”  Ofsted reported that: “Adult students receive good information, advice and guidance that help them study at an appropriate level and guide them on to their next steps in further study or into employment.” They were particularly impressed by the support provided by tutors to students studying by distance learning and the large number of students who, as a result, “progress into employment or improve their performance within their current job role.”  Teachers on access to higher education programmes also received high praise for their “very detailed, precise..

It’s the biggest showcase of local talent in Central Milton Keynes this year, intuLIVE launches on Saturday 29 July giving local singers, dancers and entertainers the chance to share their talents to people in Milton Keynes. In support of the centre’s charity of the year, The Bus Shelter MK, intuLIVE in association with Unit Nine, runs throughout the summer holidays in Oak Court where local performers can use the space to promote themselves, while entertaining visitors in the centre. The launch weekend will see live acts from 11am until 4pm on Saturday and Sunday and then throughout August from midday. “We wanted to give customers free entertainment to enjoy during their visit to intu Milton Keynes and give local people a platform to show off their talents,” said marketing manager, Kirsty McGiff. “We are working with Unit Nine who have a wonderful range of artistes on their books and we’re..

Two men from Milton Keynes have raised £8,012.82 for Milton Keynes Hospital Charity’s neonatal unit fund.  Richard Hird and Chris Kealy, who both work at MK-based company Felder, wanted to set themselves a unique fundraising challenge to raise funds for the hospital’s neonatal unit. So the duo decided to jump on their jet skis and travel across the English Channel!  Despite force ten gales being forecast the week of their challenge, the pair narrowly missed the weather and made it across the channel safe and sound.  Richard said: “We trained hard in all types of weather to make sure we were prepared for any eventuality. It was great to be able to support the charity and neonatal ward in particular as it’s a cause close to both mine and Chris’ hearts.”  Their jet ski raised a staggering £8,012.82, which will fund a new cardiac monitor. The monitor will make a..

With 40 branches across Europe, the second UK store opened Friday 21st July in centre: mk, 30 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK9 3AG.  Here you’ll find exotic materials including wood, bamboo, titanium, carbon, slate, feathers and the must-have ‘lace’ – all moulded and crafted into the latest frame looks for the season. At the opening celebrations guests including Mayor David Hopkins tried on glasses from the wide choice of frames with the help of celebrated eyewear artist, Frederic Beausoleil, who is renowned for his passion of selecting only the most exquisite but unusual materials to create unique frames that you won’t find anywhere else. Said Mayor David Hopkins, “We welcome another retail business to centre.mk and we’re particularly flattered that Acuitis has chosen Milton Keynes as the first town outside London to host one of their stores.” Said Jemma Johnstone, Miss Buckingham “The have so many colours and styles..

Self-financing charity The Parks Trust has received a prestigious Green Flag Award for all of the parks, woodlands and lakes it manages and maintains across Milton Keynes. This is the first time a complete network of parks across a whole town or city has been awarded the Green Flag. This international award, now into its third decade, is confirmation that The Parks Trust’s green spaces across the city are of the highest possible environmental standards, are beautifully maintained and have excellent visitor facilities. The Parks Trust received the award following a rigorous judging process, which included the submission of a detailed management plan for the full Milton Keynes parks network and a day of visits by the judges to a cross section of different park areas across the city, selected by the judges. Feedback from the judges was received on all aspects of The Parks Trust’s work, including biodiversity, landscape..

Gardeners’ World presenter Adam Frost has transformed a Milton Keynes children’s hospice’s drab concrete yard into a colourful garden paradise for seriously ill adults and children.  The Courtyard Garden, which is a joint project between Keech Hospice Care and Greenfingers Charity, has been officially opened by the landscape designer today and he said he can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction.  “I hope it surprises people to start with and then puts a smile on their faces. It’s a space people can use in many different ways,” said Adam.  Until now the garden at Keech Hospice Care in Luton, which supports adults from Luton and South Bedfordshire, and children from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes, has remained relatively unchanged since the hospice opened twenty-six years ago.  Adam said he designed the new garden to be a vision of bright colours, with a water at its centre and chose bold circular patterns..

Have a ball this summer and get ready for a summer packed with fun at intu Milton Keynes. From competitions and exciting character visits, intu Milton Keynes is helping customers get the most out of those long summer days. First, join in intu Milton Keynes’ fun ‘Have a Ball’ competition. Pick up a free beach ball from the Customer Information Desk, near Debenhams, for your chance to win a £250 intu gift card! Simply take your beach ball away on your holiday, take it on a family day out, or just in the garden, kick back with an ice lolly and share your snap with us via social media. Use the tag #intuBeachBall for your chance to win. Competition ends on 3 September. Next up, get ready for Playmobil playtime from the 29 July to the 11 August. Bring the little ones to the Playmobil play tables in the Kids’..

Willen Hospice is asking people and businesses across the region to get involved in their annual tea party and cake sale event Time for Tea. Taking place between 9th and 15th October, the Hospice is encouraging cups of tea to be made and cakes to be baked at homes, businesses and schools throughout the area to help raise vital funds to support the care provided by Willen Hospice. Willen Hospice is an independent charity that provides specialist end of life care in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas. To continue to provide this care, they need to raise £7 every minute – which works out to around £3.6 million every year - from the local community. Dawn Clark, Fundraising Manager at Willen Hospice, said “Time for Tea is such a wonderful event for individuals and businesses to get involved in. It’s loads of fun, easy to get involved in and..

Earlier this summer local McDonald’s franchise Kaizen Restaurants announced the first annual “Kaizen Football Tournament” in aid of Ronald McDonald House Oxford. Now, with just days to go, local teams are invited to take advantage of the last remaining spaces in a bid to win the inaugural Kaizen Trophy and raise vital funds for the charity. The tournament will take place on Tuesday 25 July at the well known Powerleague facility in Walnut Tree, kicking off at 10am and running through the day.  Refreshments will be available during the day and a charity auction will also take place in the afternoon. The event will raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Oxford, which acts as a home away from home for local families with children in the Oxford John Radcliffe Hospital.  Ronald McDonald Houses around the country give families the chance to stay just a stones’ throw away from the Children's..

Skyline Taxis, a taxi firm with bases in Milton Keynes and Northampton, has invested in a fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) that are now in operation across Milton Keynes. The growing fleet, which includes one Nissan Leaf and three Tesla cars, has been part-funded by the Government’s Plug-in Car Grant for low emission vehicles. The move follows consultations with Milton Keynes Council and a pilot scheme in 2015, which saw Skyline trial a 24KW Nissan Leaf for a four-week period. Following the pilot, which was well-received by customers, it was decided to delay investing in a fleet until the 30KW model was released. Gav Sokhi, Managing Director of Skyline Taxis, said: “Skyline has been at the forefront of the EV taxi market in Milton Keynes for the last few years and was the first taxi company to register an electric vehicle with Milton Keynes Council back in 2011. We have..