What's On

The Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Trust enthusiastically welcome the publication of the National Infrastructure Commission’s report into the infrastructure and approach needed to underpin the successful economic growth of the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford corridor. The report, published on 16th November, points to the need to promote new east - west road and rail links as a context for housing and economic growth but in doing so it gives very strong emphasis to the need to create inclusive liveable places, connecting people and communities with opportunities for work and leisure – something which the Trust believes the Waterway Park can play..

The Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Milton Keynes witnessed at first hand today how music can have a positive impact on people living with dementia. Councillor David Hopkins and his wife Susan joined an Alzheimer’s Society Singing for the Brain group, which uses music to stimulate memories. The group met at the Peartree Centre for its festive celebrations, which featured traditional Christmas songs, carols and refreshments. As well as seeing how singing can benefit people living with dementia, the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress met regular members to find out more about them and their condition. Singing for the Brain is..

Never have I been sat in a parked car and a total strange has called me Sir, other things maybe…but not Sir, and never the phrase ‘That’s a very nice car Sir!’. I could only be sitting in Rolls-Royces latest motor car, the Dawn. Starting at £220,000 (without local taxes), it currently sits at the entry point for RR ownership, with the Wraith a mere £7,000 more. This Dawn came in at a £268,130 with options - mind you a Riva Iseo speedboat comes in at around £230k, so it’s not bad for the equivalent road going companion. Rolls claim..

Pursuing Excellence Good news is always worth repeating and I couldn't be more delighted to share the incredible efforts made by MKU Hospital.  They've achieved an upgraded rating of "Good" in the recent CQC report. This news comes amidst many other positive developments in the last two years. Becoming a University hospital will encourage and retain the very best doctors and nurses to MK, the building of the new cancer unit will provide focussed support for patients and the new 20 bed ward will..

In celebration of Milton Keynes’ 50th Birthday later this month, let’s take a look at some of the town’s five decades worth of history. 1967 - 1977 On the 23rd January 1967, a Designation Order decreed that the new town of Milton Keynes be built on over 20,000 acres of land in North Buckinghamshire in the South East of England. The new town was to incorporate the existing towns of Bletchley, Stony Stratford and Wolverton, as well as other smaller existing villages. Its name was to be taken from an ancient village being encompassed within its boundaries – Milton Keynes..

Christmas has come early as intu Milton Keynes opens its latest food retailer, the phenomenally popular American burger chain, Five Guys. Opening its doors at 11am, customers were queuing to be among the first to sample the burgers, fries and drinks offer. With as many different toppings as you like, the chain’s custom-built burgers have developed a cult-like following despite only launching in the UK in 2013. Not forgetting the Coca-Cola® freestyle machine too, giving 125+ drinks choices! From Orange Coke® to Raspberry Sprite®. The freshness of Five Guys is one of its unique selling points, the chain doesn’t have..

The Lions Club of Bletchley helped facilitate a £400 donation and a quantity of food from Merkan CIA a transport company based in Northampton to St Mary’s Church Food Cupboard Bletchley, the £400 will help to purchase fresh food and Christmas presents at Christmas , the fresh goods such as milk and cheese .etc. are purchased on the way to the recipient’s location and the food will be used when required, which could anywhere in the MK Post code area. Mr. Carlos Marques UK Manager Merkan Transport said “it was a pleasure to help such a good cause.” All requests..

The latest Peugeot 108 city car incorporates one, together with keyless entry. This means that as long as the key is in the driver’s pocket, they can open the car and drive off (after putting their foot on the clutch and pushing start). One wet Wednesday morning when I take eldest daughter Harriett to school there is, all of a sudden, a frighteningly loud beep, which repeats for a few minutes. I don’t want to be late so I ignore it. We arrive some 10 minutes later in one piece with no punctures. Perplexed, I forget all about it until..

That’ll be the cleverly designed Skoda Rapid because when looking at the side profile you could be mistaken for thinking it’s a saloon but open the boot lid and it’s most definitely a hatch; with a massive amount of space too. The 1.6TDi model travels to 60mph from standstill in 10 seconds; living up to its name. During my time with this vehicle I have discovered that it shares something in common with my ageing fifth generation Ford Fiesta. Its friendly face created by the headlamps and large mouth-like grille. I only realise this as another Rapid heads towards me..

I am in London as I write this month’s column, I love this time of year Regents Park looks amazing with its vibrant colours of the leaves changing and falling, people going about their day, walking their dogs, or jogging and those sipping coffee on their way to work, it’s just another day. And here I am sat beside my sister’s hospital bed in Harley Street as once more she has another round of gruelling treatment in her battle against cancer. Nothing quite prepares you as you watch someone you love suffer, helpless and sad and still remaining upbeat as..

Travel literature has taken this reviewer to some wondrous parts of the world he might not otherwise have visited, from the Hindu Kush to Tierra del Fuego. Never, until now, has it taken me from Norwich to Dungeness by way of Tilbury, Pinner,  and East Grinstead and I feel all the better for it. I have also been granted the privilege, for so it was, of spending sometime inside Mr.Partridge's psyche [not literally, that would be impossible] and an interesting place it proves to be. Mr.Partridge undertakes this epic journey in order to “literally walk in the footsteps of my..

1,2,3,4 ...well how else can you start a review of Bruce Spingsteen's autobiography? For years now the man they call 'the Boss' has given listeners broad hints as to his background and his politics in songs such as 'the River' and 'Ghost of Tom Joad'. We now know that the former was written for his sister and brother-in-law. Escape, usually in cars, is a common motif in Mr.Springsteen's music so it comes as something of a surprise to learn that he couldn't really drive until his early twenties and even then was considered a danger behind the wheel. The early..

A few weeks ago I had cause to be in Ampthill, a charming town, with an MK post-code but of which I realised I knew next to nothing. Time to put that right, so I recently went back to have a closer look. This month`s theme explores the creative offer of our near neighbour Ampthill. Ampthill`s Royal connections go back centuries, starting with Henry III`s charter in 1219 for a market every Thursday. The town`s 200 listed buildings are testament to the extraordinary heritage remaining today. The former castle was built using ransoms from the battle of Agincourt (1415), was..

Ingredients 2 red onions, cut into wedges 385g pack Waitrose Sliced Butternut Squash 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp cumin seeds 400g can essential Waitrose Chickpeas, drained and rinsed 250g bag essential Waitrose Kale 350g pouch Cooks’ Ingredients Tagine Stew Base 100ml hot vegetable stock Couscous and coriander leaves, to serve Method 1. Preheat the oven to 220ºC, gas mark 7. Place the red onion and squash in a large roasting tin, drizzle with oil and sprinkle over the cumin seeds. Roast for 25 minutes until tender and golden. 2. Stir in the chickpeas and kale. Mix together the tagine..