Local News

Darren Ryan, who is running the London Marathon in April for Willen Hospice, was shocked to see his fundraising total skyrocket from £620 to more than £10,000 in 24 hours this week, thanks to the power of TikTok. Darren, 56, and his son, Callum, 24, who live in Great Brickhill, are both taking on their first-ever marathon to support the Hospice and have been training since last summer. With his creative skills, Darren designed a t-shirt with a QR code for his fundraising page on the back, so he could wear this on runs around the village. On Wednesday, Darren’s son Olly posted a video on TikTok of his dad out training and the donations started to roll in from around the world. The video has had over a million views. More than 1,400 people from Australia, Germany, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, the UK and more have contributed and..

The Stables in Milton Keynes has announced details of an exciting new music week for young people taking place this summer. Running from 11-15 August, The Stables Music Week will offer five days of intensive, fun and creative music making at the popular arts venue, where young musicians can come together to share their love of music, play with other young people and be part of an exciting group exploring different kinds of music – everything from classical to jazz, from rock and pop to folk, as well as trying out new instruments and musical styles. They’ll also have the opportunity to make new connections with other young musicians and build their confidence, teamwork and communication skills. The week will culminate in an end-of-course concert in front of family and friends. The Music Week is for any young musician, aged 11-18, who plays an instrument. There is no minimum grade..

The daffodils are out, we’ve been enjoying some early spring sunshine, and there are lots of events happening across the city’s green spaces to well and truly get you in the mood for spring. The first Parks and Ride event is taking place on Sunday 30th March at Campbell Park. Part of the Mayor’s Cycling Festival 2025, this is a family-friendly activity which promises to be lots of fun! Best of all, it’s free with no booking required – just turn up with your bike and enjoy the ride. Also happening in Campbell Park is a short, guided walk on Thursday 10th April, as part of The Parks Trust’s Inclusive Strolls series. Suitable for all ages and with accessible routes and facilities offered, this wonderful stroll highlights the hidden gems of the city’s green spaces. Easter takes centre stage across the city’s parks throughout April, with an Easter Trail at..

Lane7, the UK's premier boutique bowling and entertainment brand, has officially opened its most ambitious venue to date in Milton Keynes. The grand opening ceremony was officiated by the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr Marie Bradburn, who had the honour of bowling the inaugural ball down the lanes. Located in the former basement of Debenhams within the shopping centre, this state-of-the-art entertainment playground offers an unparalleled array of activities. Guests can enjoy 14 cutting-edge bowling lanes—some of which celebrate strikes with smoke effects—alongside a roller skating rink, golf simulators, bumper cars, karaoke rooms, darts, shuffleboard, pool tables, arcades, beer pong, and ping pong. The venue also introduces 'Playground,' an interactive gaming zone, and 'The Red Room,' a private space equipped with exclusive bowling lanes, ping pong tables, and dartboards, ideal for private events and functions. Simon Martin, General Manager at Midsummer Place, expressed his enthusiasm for the new addition, stating:..

Ride High, a Milton Keynes-based charity transforming the lives of vulnerable children, is thrilled to announce that MK Pulse is an official media partner for their Ride MK Cycling Festival, fundraising event taking place on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at Furzton Lake. This exciting event invites cyclists of all ages and abilities to explore Milton Keynes’ and beyond on scenic redways and road routes, while raising vital funds to support local children. Participants can choose from four routes: 100 Mile Road Route 50 Mile Road Route 20 Mile Red Route (MK redways only) sponsored by Santander Cycles MK 1.6 Mile Ready Set Go Route (for children), sponsored by Brioche Pasquier UK There’s something for all ages, experiences and abilities – you can cycle on your own, in a group or even join a guided group. The festival promises a fun-filled day for the whole family, with a lively atmosphere at..

Mandy Legg, a well-known mental health impact speaker and former Mayoress of Milton Keynes, is set to launch her highly anticipated book and powerful talk titled, “Hold Onto Yourself”, on 25th March at South Central Institute of Technology Hub. The event promises to be an inspiring and thought-provoking experience, offering insights into Mandy Leggs journey of rebuilding a successful life and career after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. “This book is about hope, healing, and finding a way forward when life feels impossible,” said Mandy Legg. “I wanted to share my story to show that life and a career after severe mental illness are not only possible but can be filled with purpose and joy.” The launch event will feature a fireside chat with special guests, Ife Thomas and Debbie Lewis, a book signing, and an opportunity for attendees to connect and share their own stories. The event is free, but spaces are limited. Book..

The Parks Trust and Milton Keynes City Council are proud to launch the 2025 litter poster competition. Below are more details about the competition and how to enter. The Litter Poster Challenge: Your mission is to create a poster that can be the face of The Parks Trust’s anti-litter campaign for 2025. Your design needs to encourage people to stop littering across Milton Keynes. Littering increased last year, polluting our local environment, harming wildlife and damaging our planet. The winning poster will be displayed in the parks, in local parish council facilities and on social media. Milton Keynes City Council’s Environment and Waste team and The Parks Trust are teaming up to launch this competition for all MK Primary Schools to enter. Winners will receive a set of 10 litter pickers for their school, and a free Outdoor Learning session with The Parks Trust if your school can accommodate it. The winning artist will..

Willen Lake announces the return of Flavour Fest, packed with tasty street food and family fun, taking place on Saturday 12 April and Sunday 13 April. This season’s festival of food promises even more to enjoy, with the introduction of market stalls alongside the popular street food offerings, live entertainment, face painting, and an egg-stremely egg-citing Easter Trail . This free-to-attend food festival is set to deliver a fantastic weekend filled with delicious food, great music, and family-friendly fun. Food lovers can indulge in a variety of street food options, with returning vendors from last year including The Rub, Lime Face, La Pitta and Urban Spice Box. Guests can also enjoy stone-baked pizzas and an outdoor bar from the Willen Lake Café, who will have a stall in the square of the festival. New for this year, the festival will feature a market area, showcasing local artisan crafts and produce,..

On Thursday 13 March, local car leasing company Activa handed over a minibus to MacIntyre. The Minibus was gifted to MacIntyre by Activa at the 2024 annual MacIntyre Golf Day at Woburn Golf Club MacIntyre are a local charity which offers support to adults and children with a learning disability and/or autism. Steve Judge, Senior Account Manager at Activa said: “We’ve worked with MacIntyre for many years. Activa is proud to support MacIntyre’s fundraising activity so we were delighted to be able to offer this Minibus at last year’s MacIntyre Golf Day.” Jim McCook, Chair of the MacIntyre Golf Day committee said: “We were delighted to be able to secure this new minibus for MacIntyre and know the difference it will make for the people MacIntyre supports. The MacIntyre Golf Day has raised close to £1m since it started; this year marks the 37th MacIntyre Golf Day at Woburn Golf Club.”..

The New Inn, a beloved local pub in New Bradwell, Milton Keynes, has reopened under new ownership, ushering in an exciting new chapter for the community. Now operated by MK local Oliver Claxton, The New Inn is set to become a welcoming hub for families, locals, and four-legged friends alike. Oliver has deep roots in the area with his parents, David and Tina, both having grown up locally. His grandparents lived at 2A Bradwell Road – right next door to The New Inn – making this venture a true homecoming. With the support of his family, Oliver is dedicated to revitalising The New Inn and ensuring it remains at the heart of the local community. In addition to Oliver at the helm, his brother James has taken on the role of Pub Manager, ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly. James will be a key link with locals, on hand to make..

This week Willen Hospice Consultant, Dr Ben Dietsch, will be trekking across Iceland with his 16-year-old daughter, Phoebe, to help raise funds for the charity’s Willen at Home team. The challenge covers almost 40km – up volcanoes and mountains, and across lava fields. A group of 14 committed Hospice supporters have signed up to take part and been busily fundraising for the trip, which takes place 12–17 March. Money raised from the challenge will help fund the work of the Willen at Home team, who take the Hospice’s specialist care out into the homes of patients with a life-limiting illness. Despite being the only service of its kind in Milton Keynes, Willen at Home receives no NHS funding and is entirely paid for through charitable donations – costing £1.4 million each year. Ben has been the Hospice’s Consultant for nearly 20 years. “Having worked in palliative care for a long..

Milton Keynes is counting down to the highly anticipated launch of "MK Umbrella Project," the largest neurodiversity art installation in the UK. This inspiring event will take place on Saturday, 15 March at Midsummer Place, transforming The Boulevard into a stunning display of nearly 400 vibrant umbrellas suspended overhead. A Celebration of Neurodiversity The launch event promises a full day of activities, performances, and talks, designed to celebrate, educate, and advocate for neurodiversity. The installation is a striking visual representation of the many ways people think, learn, and interact with the world. "MK Umbrella Project is more than just an installation; it's a movement. It signifies Milton Keynes' commitment to fostering a more inclusive and accepting society," said Jane Lambert, Project Manager and CEO of Makewell Clinic. "We invite the entire community to experience this incredible display, take part in the activities, and learn more about the neurodivergent community." Simon..

The MK Festival of Running is set take over the streets of Milton Keynes on Sunday 16th March, with runners of all abilities converging for a day of fitness, community and celebration. To help participants prepare for their 5k, 10k, half-marathon or 20-mile run and support their fitness journey, Nuffield Health at Xscape Milton Keynes is offering all registered runners a complimentary one-week pass to their gym in March. The pass allows runners the opportunity to ramp up their training before the event or enjoy ultimate relaxation and recovery in the spa afterwards. Participants will have access to its fully stocked centre including treadmills, machine and free weights, a hybrid HiiT area and a variety of fitness classes (only bookable on the day of visit if space available) and rejuvenating spa facilities including a swimming pool, sauna and steam room. To redeem the pass, runners can easily submit their details via..

Unity Place proudly celebrates International Women’s Day by highlighting four women who exemplify resilience, leadership, and innovation in their respective fields. These stories reflect this year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, showcasing the impact of passion and determination in breaking barriers. Dipna Anand: Culinary Heritage and Innovation Dipna Anand is the award-winning celebrity chef behind her eponymous restaurant Dipna Anand Kitchen & Bar at Unity Place. Born into a family of chefs and restaurateurs, her passion for hospitality led her to pursue a degree in Catering and Hospitality. Dipna emphasises the importance of financial literacy in building a rewarding career and acknowledges challenges in the industry. Motivated by her parents' support, she advises aspiring professionals to work from the heart, maintain humility, and embrace the rewarding nature of the hospitality sector. Jessica Memon: Amplifying Voices in the Media Industry Jessica Memon, CEO & Founder of Asian Community Radio, operates from co working space..

The historic Olney Pancake Race took place on a fabulously sunny Shrove Tuesday, 4 March 2025. The event was marked by the triumphant win of Eloise Kramer, who completed the 415-yard course with an impressive time of just 1.03.37. Second place was taken by Linda Church, with a closely contested third, giving us a tied placing for Rebecca Budd and Lupe Morera. Eloise was placed second last year and was delighted to win the race for the second time. This year saw a strong turnout, with 25 individual runners and 8 three-legged teams taking part. Dressed in a skirt and head scarf and clutching their frying pan and pancake, the runners completed the packed course from the Market Place, down the High Street, to the race finish outside St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Olney. The race is reputed to have taken place since 1445 and has certainly run..