History

Take a step back in time with all things historical from the local area

05th Apr 2019

Make Easter egg-stra special with a visit to Milton Keynes Museum

The hunt will be on at Milton Keynes Museum this Easter, as youngsters search for hidden eggs which lead the way to yummy chocolate rewards! The museum's egg hunt, a modern twist on the traditional search, is an egg-cellent way to celebrate the festive period – and ensures everyone wins something. It's good traditional family fun suitable for little chicks and older bunnies alike! The egg hunt will run 11am daily from Good Friday to Easter Monday (April 19-22), but the Easter weekend is also choc-full of hands-on interaction too. There will be drop in sessions for little folks to have a go at making their very own Victorian peg doll inspired 'peek-a-boo' clothespin eggs, and Easter bunny origami bookmarks. Pop in between midday and 3pm on April 19 & 22. More crafty fun is confirmed on April 20 & 21 with the opportunity to fashion Chick Planters, which can..

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30th Mar 2019

Archaeology Dig to Take Place at Great Linford Manor Park

Milton Keynes Residents Invited to Participate and Examine Findings The Parks Trust, the self-financing charity which looks after over 6,000 acres of green space across Milton Keynes, is holding an archaeology dig at historical site Great Linford Manor Park. The dig is being held between Monday 8th and Saturday 13th April 2019, with seven trenches being dug in front of the Manor House, near the ponds and in the Wilderness garden. Great Linford Manor Park has received funding from The National Lottery, jointly awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund, to Reveal, Revive and Restore this historic landscape. The archaeology dig is being held to inform the masterplan for this project; any historically significant findings will influence the work carried out. This dig has been commissioned by The Parks Trust, and undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology and LK Construction. On Wednesday 10thand Thursday 11thApril a series of..

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10th Mar 2019

Milton Keynes Museum shows off a precious new arrival

A Victorian silver salver presented to a local man credited with revolutionising farming is the latest acquisition by Milton Keynes Museum. William Smith was convinced that replacing horse power with steam power would be a more efficient way to run his farm, and in 1855 he devised a system of winches and pulleys powered by a single steam traction engine to pull the plough around the field; the Steam Cultivation System had been invented. As a result of his work, improvements in ploughing speed contributed to the growth in farm productivity during the 19th century. The salver carries an engraved panel depicting his steam system, and was presented to him 'by his neighbours and other friends of Agricultural Improvement' to mark the achievement. “William's windlass, pulleys and plough are already exhibited at the museum. The salver is a fantastic addition to the collection,” said museum director Bill Griffiths. “William was such..

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25th Feb 2019

Bradwell Abbey – pilgrims, paintings and prayers

When the word pilgrimage in mentioned, your first thought probably isn't of Milton Keynes. But actually, one corner of the city has proved a powerful magnet for not one but two waves of pilgrim – and almost a millennium separates the two. The first pilgrims arrived by foot or on horseback, having spent days slogging along Watling Street to reach the Chapel of St Mary within the grounds of the Benedictine Priory of Bradwell, known as Bradwell Abbey. They sought an audience with a statue of the Virgin Mary which had become famous for its powers of healing – it was even said to work the occasional miracle! The second wave arrived by coach, train and plane: urban designers, city planners and academics from all over the world, visiting the City Discovery Centre - which now occupies the Bradwell Abbey site – to learn how to create a new city,..

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27th Nov 2018

HEADLEY TRUST’S GENEROUS GRANT WILL HELP BRING MK’S HISTORY HOME

A major grant of £60,000 is set to help Milton Keynes Museum tell the full story of this area’s past. The grant, from The Headley Trust – one of 17 grant-making trusts established by the Sainsbury family – will be used to display the city’s rich archaeology and use it to tell nationally significant stories from a local perspective. Until now, much of the treasure trove of objects uncovered when Milton Keynes was being built, has been in storage or in other museums. The creation of two new galleries at the museum – ancient and new Milton Keynes – is a chance to tell the full story of this area in an exciting and interactive way. Explained museum director Bill Griffiths: “Milton Keynes has had more archaeological investigation than any other similar-sized area in England. But until now there have been no galleries in Milton Keynes suitable for displaying archaeology..

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22nd Nov 2018

Step back in time and enjoy A Victorian Christmas at Milton Keynes Museum

Chestnuts roasting in a blacksmith's forge, yuletide carols around the fire tiny tots with their eyes all aglow There's one place in MK you should go! It's the most wonderful time of the year, and Milton Keynes Museum wants to share a little festive cheer with you at the return of its popular A Victorian Christmas event. Step back 100 years and enjoy all of the sparkle, fun, warmth and wonder that the era has to offer. This might be Santa's busiest time of year, but the man in red will be in situ at the museum, hard at work in his toy workshop on site, and little mites will be able to meet the rosy cheeked chap and his elves. And teddy bears will be getting ready for Christmas in their very own toy workshop at the museum, too. Upon arrival, visitors will be greeted by a butler with..

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05th Nov 2018

WWI Centenary and Remembrance Ceremonies taking place in MK this November

Ceremonies, parades, commemoration benches, exhibitions, silent soldiers, Tommies and knitted poppies and wreaths will all be commemorating Armistice Day and the WW1 Centenary in Milton Keynes this November. Communities and Churches will be taking part in the national commemoration, ‘Battle’s Over, with church bells ‘Ringing out for Peace’ and beacons being lit across the UK, including Wolverton, Emberton, Olney, Campbell Park and Bow Brickhill. ‘Silent Soldiers and Tommies’ have also been placed around the city, standing as a tribute to the WW1 Centenary and those who’ve lost their lives or been affected by war. A full list of events can be found on the MK Council website at www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/WW1

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02nd Nov 2018

Join The Parks Trust in commemorating 100 years since the end of the First World War

The Parks Trust, the self-financing charity that organises and enables over 500 events and activities in its parks each year, is hosting a commemorative event marking 100 years since the end of the First World War. The event will be held at MK Rose, Campbell Park in Milton Keynes on Sunday 11th November 2018. The day will begin at 10.45am with a wreath laying and a two minute silence led by The Cenotaph Trust. At 6.45pm a short commemorative service with a choir and readings will then be followed at 7pm by the lighting of the Campbell Park beacon and a specially commissioned fire sculpture coordinated by The Parks Trust. Parking is available at centre:mk car parks (John Lewis end) and visitors can then use the footbridge which leads into the park. This is a free event that is suitable for all ages. Julie Dawes, Events & Community Engagement Manager..

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30th Jan 2018

Just the ticket for model railway fans...

Date: Saturday 10th February 2018 Opening times: 10.00am – 4.30pm. Buses operate from 9.30am – 4.15pm Location: Stantonbury Leisure Centre, Stantonbury, Milton Keynes. MK14 6BN Admission: Adults £7.00, Children £1.00 Website: www.mkmrs.org.uk/exhibitions Promo movie: https://youtu.be/SLH_vDWMQcU   Milton Keynes Model Railway Society unveiled its latest model railway today, when the Mayor of Milton Keynes (Cllr David Hopkins) cut the ribbon during a launch ceremony at the club’s premises. Based on Brinklow, located between Rugby and Nuneaton, the layout is set in the period between 1948 to the mid-1960s.  The new layout can be seen at the Society’s annual exhibition at Stantonbury Leisure Centre on Saturday 10th February, 10am – 4.30pm.  An ex-London Transport Routemaster bus will operate every 30 minutes between Milton Keynes Central rail station and Stantonbury Leisure Centre. Shoppers attending the exhibition may wish to leave their car in town and take the free bus service.  The model railway..

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14th Jan 2018

Enjoy fun lessons in history at Milton Keynes Museum this half term

School is out, but there is no need for parents to worry about how to keep youngsters entertained this half term; Milton Keynes Museum is coming to the rescue! The museum is the perfect place to visit this February, as the new city's living history hub will be offering good stuff for all during the lesson lull. Extraordinary science experiments will wow eager minds, with the emphasis placed firmly on the fun factor, and there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved, with shows happening hourly every day. There will be children's crafts to get stuck into as well, and the weather won't stop play, with the museum hosting all its activities inside. Half term week at the museum (running February 12-16) boasts something for everyone. From sending morse code, to making and then enjoying hot buttered toast over the range in the traditional farmhouse kitchen.  Or how about..

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25th Sep 2017

Soldiers descend as Napoleonic re-enactors come to Milton Keynes Museum

More than 200 years have passed since Napoleon was defeated at The Battle of Waterloo, but time rewinds at Milton Keynes Museum this weekend, when the history hub plays host to a small group of Russian and Prussian soldiers who helped Wellington succeed during the struggle on June 18, 1815. In reality, they are re-enactors of course, and arrive with faithful representations of the arms, uniforms and shelters used by the real soldiers, to provide the public with a true glimpse into life as a soldier in the battle. The infantry and artillery camp will be set up on site on Sunday, October 1st and will be giving talks and demonstrations of musketry and artillery during the day. They will fire muskets and cannons too, but without the use of live ammunition - they might be re-enactors, but have no wish to faithfully recreate the battle itself! “The purpose of..

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12th Sep 2017

Get your motor running for this weekend’s Transport Weekend at Milton Keynes Museum

More than 100 cars, vans, motorcycles and military vehicles will be cruising into MK Museum for the annual celebration of transport past and present this weekend (September 16 & 17). Many of the cars parking up for the Transport Weekend are labours of love for their owners, who have spent significant amounts of time and money to get them looking all shiny and sensational. Those who prefer to travel on two wheels will be thrilled by the large turnout of gleaming bikes (including Vespas), and retro buses and coaches will evoke sunny day trips to the seaside. All of the usual museum attractions will be open throughout the weekend, too. The tea room will serve refreshments and it's famous yummy cakes, and various other snack wagons will be helping to keep hunger at bay. Take your weekend up a gear and journey over with the whole family! Standard admission applies..

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07th Sep 2017

OVER 100 VETERANS RETURN TO BLETCHLEY PARK

Former wartime staff reunited at home of the Codebreakers Seventy eight years to the day since Britain declared it was at war with Germany, a group of over 100 Veterans today returned to Bletchley Park, the scene of their top-secret wartime work. The men and women – all in their 90s or older – came to share stories and show family and friends the place where they made a key contribution to Allied success in World War Two. Of the estimated 9,500 people who worked for Bletchley Park, it is thought that around 300 are still alive, with a third of those gathering at the museum today for the annual celebration of their work. “Today is a very important day in our calendar,” said Iain Standen, CEO of Bletchley Park. “It is our opportunity to host the sadly dwindling number of Veterans and reflect on their service in the Second..

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26th Aug 2017

Bletchley Park unveils bust of key codebreaker and mathematician Bill Tutte

Bletchley Park today honoured the achievements of key codebreaker Bill Tutte by unveiling a bust of the renowned mathematician. Created by sculptor Gabriella Bollobás, who has donated the artwork to the museum, it sits on display in the exhibition ‘Bill Tutte: Mathematician + Codebreaker’, which opened in April to coincide with the centenary of his birth. Tutte played a significant role in breaking Lorenz, the cipher that was used by the German High Command, and after World War Two became one of the most eminent mathematicians working in combinatorics and graph theory. Gabriella Bollobás knew Tutte, who passed away in 2002, through her husband Béla Bollobás, himself a renowned mathematician. Tutte had sat for the Hungarian artist in his later years, but the new bronze depicts him as a younger man in his 20s, as he would have looked when he worked at Bletchley Park. “I had only a few..

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20th Jun 2017

Milton Keynes raises flag for Armed Forces Day

Milton Keynes Council raised the Armed Forces Day Flag outside the Civic Offices of Milton Keynes Council yesterday. The ceremony took place as part of a nation-wide celebration of Armed Forces Day. The Mayor of Milton Keynes Cllr David Hopkins, Council Leader Cllr Pete Marland, and Chief Executive of Milton Keynes Council, Carole Mills were joined by veterans, Lord Lieutenant of Bucks and IV Regiment, Royal Logistics Corp, 678 Rifles Squadron, Royal British Legion and Cadets at today’s Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremony. Pupils from Southwood School, Germander Park School and Premier Academy School also attended to sing “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary”, “Keep the Home Fires Burning”, and “We’ll meet again” The ceremony began with a march past the Civic Offices by the Royal Logistics Corp, 678 Rifles Squadron towards the seated crowd in front of the flag. A speech was given by the Mayor of Milton Keynes..

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