Local News

Works are well underway at Crest Nicholson’s Campbell Wharf site in Milton Keynes, where the newly completed marina is beginning to come to life, marking the latest milestone for this impressive development. Campbell Wharf marina was filled with an estimated 25,000 cubic metres of water from the Grand Union Canal over twenty days in January. This followed extensive preparation works, including the installation of 500 metres of sheet piles ranging from 7m to 12m deep. Sheet piles are used to create an underground ‘wall’ in order to retain soil or water. The marina will now be closed for a couple of months, until checks are complete as part of what is called the ‘stilling process’. The marina is due to open at the end of April 2019 and when complete, will boast a high standard of finish to the 111 berths, together with a contemporary facilities building offering a range..

Willen Lake, Milton Keynes’ most popular park, is gearing up for the start of the new leisure season by creating up to 100 jobs, suitable for adults of all ages and abilities, and launching a selection of new activities. With Willen Lake offering such a wide variety of attractions both on and off the water, employees are needed for roles covering everything from wakeboarding supervisors, watersports instructors and Treetop Extreme instructors, to lakeside assistants, boat hire staff and cleaners. Those keen to apply for any of the positions available can do so online; www.willenlake.org.uk/discover-willen-lake/careers/current-vacancies/ The recruitment drive comes as Willen Lake confirms its programme for the season, which begins in April 2019 and runs until the end of October 2019. Alongside popular watersports such as stand-up paddleboarding and canoeing will be a further activity for those visiting the site to enjoy; powerboating. Those interested in this exciting sport can book..

Mayor-to-be, Cllr Sam Crooks is encouraging all cyclists to take part in the Willen Hospice MK to Paris cycle ride this summer.  Following the success of the MK to Amsterdam cycle ride last year, Willen Hospice has arranged a new challenge, MK to Paris. Between 26 – 29 June, cyclists will follow the scenic paths of L’avenue Verte, taking in the beautiful countryside and villages of France as they pedal their way to the country’s capital. Deputy Mayor Cllr Sam Crooks, pictured with MK to Paris cyclist Amy Finch, will be waving everyone off as they leave from the Willen Hospice grounds. Cllr Crooks will then be joined by his family in Paris to cheer the cyclists on through the last leg of this incredible cycle ride.  Deputy Mayor Cllr Sam Crooks says, “My wife and family are from France so this felt like the perfect opportunity to do our..

Local businesses Woolfe Jewellery and charity cards specialists DoodleDoo are spreading some love this Valentines by showing their support for an appeal to help Willen Hospice reach more people living with life-limiting illnesses in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.  ‘Hearts in our Community’ aims to raise money that can help Willen’s specialist community nursing team to support more patients and their families in their own homes - where and when they need it most.  Businessmen John Woolfe and Glenn Wynsor have been supporting the Hospice for a number of years, more recently raising almost £1,000 through the sale of greetings cards that can be personalised online. For every card bought to support the Hospice, DoodleDoo makes a donation of at least 10% of the purchase price after VAT, which is then match funded by Woolfe Jewellery.   Fundraisers behind the Hospice appeal are calling on local people to visit www.doodle-doo.co.ukahead of this Valentine’s..

Willen Hospice is calling on local ladies to sign up for this year’s MK Midnight Moo, taking place on 13 July 2019. The local charity launched its flagship fundraiser this week, announcing the introduction of a brand new Half-Moo, in addition to its popular 10 mile walk. The new route is just over half the distance (6.3 miles) but promises to be just as much fun.  The Moo has become iconic in Milton Keynes, last year raising more than £120,000. Starting and finishing at intu Milton Keynes at midnight, it’s open to walkers of all levels, whether they walk on their own, in pairs or in teams.  Willen Hospice Chief Executive Peta Wilkinson said: “I was thrilled to be part of last year’s MK Midnight Moo walking alongside 1000 other ladies, all raising money to support our care. This is our biggest fundraising event of the year, and we’re so excited..

The winter weather has finally arrived so intu Milton Keynes is turning up the heat with its sizzling spring/summer 2019 model search!  Following the success of its competition last year, the centre is inviting people to apply to take part and model for its SS19 campaign again this year, which will launch in March.  Five lucky winners will live the day like a model which will include fashion fittings from a range of intu Milton Keynes retailers, including Karen Millen, Miss Selfridge, TM Lewin and Superdry. After being styled, each winner will feature in their own short video for the campaign which will be shot in key spots around Milton Keynes and released on the centres Facebook page.  Plus, as well as showcasing the amazing brands within the centre, each video will give an opportunity for followers to win a £50 intu Gift Card by guessing the retailer featured in..

On Saturday 16 March, MK Gallery reopens following a significant development that will see a doubling of exhibition space on the previous building, a new purpose built auditorium that will host independent film and live events, and a new dedicated learning studio.  As part of the development, the Gallery was determined to ensure the building could be enjoyed by all members of the public and so have installed a Changing Places Toilet in the building, thanks to generous funding from the Margaret Powell Foundation Fund through Milton Keynes Community Foundation.  The new facility meets the needs of those with profound learning disabilities and physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy, providing the following:   A height adjustable adult-sized changing bench and hoist systemShower facilities with a non-slip floorSpace for the disabled person and two carers Centrally places toilet with room and support rails either sideTear off paper roll..

MK Gallery reopens to the public on Saturday 16 March following a major development that will see double the exhibition space of the previous building, a new purpose-built auditorium that will show independent film and host live events, and a new dedicated learning studio. This week, the Gallery launches details of volunteer opportunities that will be available when the building reopens.  The range of roles include gallery invigilators, ushers for film and events, learning support and marketing opportunities.  Kate Chadwick, Deputy Director at MK Gallery said “We’re absolutely thrilled to be launching details of all the volunteer opportunities available at the new MK Gallery. As a registered charity, our team of passionate and dedicate volunteers help bring world-class art and cutting-edge cultural activities to life at MK Gallery and we’d be delighted to welcome more volunteers to our team. We offer full training and a unique opportunity to be part..

On Friday, Rheumatology Nurse Gemma Berrill took on an epic 12 hour running challenge in the main entrance of the hospital to raise money for Milton Keynes Hospital Charity’s Cancer Centre Appeal. Gemma, who works at Milton Keynes University Hospital said: “As a nurse I feel privileged to work at such a rewarding, warm and caring hospital and I would like to give something back to the community. I enjoy a challenge and I run in my spare time so thought why not combine the two. Members of our family and close friends have been affected by cancer and received treatment. With a diagnosis of cancer comes all the additional stress on personal relationships, physical and mental health, as well as financial implications of regular and ongoing hospital visits. So helping to raise money for a cancer centre here at the hospital is really important to me.” Jenny Howells, Senior..

Whether you’re a Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool or MK Dons fan, on Saturday 19 January shoppers can get up close to the real Barclays Premier League trophy, at Barclays Bank in intu Milton Keynes. The most sought-after piece of silverware in English football will be on display from 10am until   4pm inside Barclays Bank and all shoppers are invited to have a photo taken with the historic trophy. “This is a free event for anyone to experience,” said Kirsty McGiff, marketing manager at intu Milton Keynes. “The Premier League is especially exciting at the top of the table this season and the pressure is on for the title holders, Man City, to retain their title. Seeing the Premier League Trophy in real life is a great opportunity for children and adults and guaranteed to put a smile on any football fan’s face.” The trophy stands 3ft 5in (104cm) tall and 2ft..

Willen Hospice will once again be offering to collect and recycle real Christmas trees from homes in Milton Keynes early in the new year. The scheme was trialled last year and through donations it raised over £3,000 for the Hospice. Anyone who lives in postcodes MK5, MK9, MK10, MK12, MK13, MK14, MK15, MK16, MK19 or MK46 can make a booking for the collection which will be on either 5 or 6 January 2019. Senior Community Fundraiser, Nikki Poole says “We are delighted to be able to offer collections in more areas this year for our tree recycling. It’s just one less thing you need to worry about over the busy festive period.” Bookings should be made by midday on 3 January 2019. As this is a fundraising initiative, a donation will be welcomed when bookings are made. All money raised from donations for tree collections will directly support the specialist..

Today, the My Bus free employee shuttle bus service for Central Milton Keynes has officially launched. This new city centre transportation service is being provided by MyMiltonKeynes, the local Business Improvement District, and responds directly to the feedback from employers and employees within CMK. The service will run Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm and the circular route, via Silbury and Avebury Boulevards, has ten stops across the city centre from the Network Rail offices by the station up to the shopping centres and leisure districts. Stops include the Civic Offices, The Hub, 12th Street, centre:mk and intu Milton Keynes. Employees located within the city centre can download the free MyMiltonKeynes app (on iOS and Android) to register, ride for free and access live bus times. Melanie Beck, Chief Executive of MyMiltonKeynes commented, “We are thrilled to finally launch the My Bus service. This tangible benefit for CMK employees..

A Wolverton business has won a national award in recognition of its work in making Wolverton a better place to live. Bridgman & Bridgman won the Best Community Partnership with Business award at the Groundwork Community Awards, hosted by the charity in the Houses of Parliament in London on Thursday 22 November. Groundwork, a national charity who works across the UK to support communities to change places and change lives, launched its awards in 2017 to honour small community groups making a big difference to everyone’s quality of life and to celebrate and reward groups who often get little recognition and support. Bridgman & Bridgman are a commercial landscape and living roof services provider. The company lead on the ‘Don’t Rubbish Wolverton’ campaign, with the first clean-up day taking place in 2013 and engaged over 20 resident volunteers, the local council and refuse contractors to help clean up the streets...

Businesses and organisations from Milton Keynes put their grey matter to the test when they took part in Brain Game, the gala quiz night held by Willen Hospice. The event raised almost £15,000 in support of the charity. Twenty teams battled it out over eight rounds in subjects ranging from arts and travel to sport and music. In a close competition, it was Workforce Software Ltd who showed they knew their stuff, as their team Workforce Warriors took the champions trophy home. The event was held in the exclusive Mercedes Benz dealership in Kingston, which underwent a glittering transformation for the evening. It included a live auction and prize draw, both offering fantastic prizes kindly donated by local businesses and supporters. Head of Events and Community Fundraising, Sarah Sweet-Rowley, said: “We had a fabulous evening at Brain Game. It’s a great chance to dress up, socialise and have a bit..

Businesses in Milton Keynes are once again signing up to take part in the Franklins £50 Challenge and use their entrepreneurial skills to raise funds for Willen Hospice. In January 2019 the challenge will begin with each team receiving £50 from Franklins Solicitors. Each team will have eight weeks to invest and re-invest that money to raise as much as possible. Hospice. Amy Shaw, Corporate Fundraiser said “In 2018, teams raised an incredible £32,000 for the Hospice through quiz nights, bake sales, lunchtime yoga and dress down days. We celebrated their achievements at an awards ceremony where the challenge champions were crowned and prizes awarded for best team name and most creative fundraising.“ Willen Hospice is inviting teams from local businesses to take part in the 2019 Franklins Challenge to make this year’s challenge even bigger and better, to support their local Hospice. The Hospice needs to raise £9 every..