Local News

The expert care and support provided by Willen at Home is free of charge and is the only service of its kind in Milton Keynes. Willen Hospice is currently one of the most poorly funded hospices in the country. Only 13.8% of their running costs are met by ongoing NHS funding, which is less than half of the average amount provided to hospices nationally. In fact, their lesser-known Willen at Home service, which costs £1.4 million each year, is entirely funded by donations. This month, the charity will be launching a campaign to raise awareness of the service. Penny, who has kindly shared her story, highlights the difference Willen at Home made for her family. “After a long and happy retirement, my husband Peter was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 85,” says Penny. “He had no problems from the cancer really, until it went into his bones. Suddenly one day..

Harry’s Rainbow has partnered with the children’s charity KidsOut to bring a unique, sports-themed fundraising event to Milton Keynes. Taking place at Stadium MK on 7 February 2025, the event will feature a ‘Question of Sport’-style competition, where teams will battle for top honours. Inspired by the popular BBC quiz show, the evening will include a black-tie dinner, drinks reception, and a three-course meal. Attendees can look forward to fully interactive quiz rounds, challenges, and games, including well-known features such as 'Mystery Guest' and 'What Happened Next?'. Each table will represent a football team, and participants will compete under their team’s name for a chance to win trophies and special prizes, encouraging friendly rivalry among the guests. Alongside the quiz, there will be additional games and auctions aimed at raising funds for the two charities. KidsOut supports vulnerable children, particularly those who have experienced domestic violence or abuse. The charity..

Camphill MK are pleased to announce their upcoming Handmade Craft & Food Fair on Saturday, 9th November 2024, at their Willen Park site. Supporting a vibrant community that provides a meaningful working life for adults with learning disabilities, they will open their doors to the wider community to celebrate craft, art, and food created by its talented residents and local makers and crafters. Hosted inside their expansive community theatre, Chrysalis Milton Keynes, Café and grounds, the mostly indoor event will showcase their artisan baked goods, preserves, traditional textiles and unique one-off art and craft items. It is the perfect opportunity to start festive shopping, eat locally, and meet new friends. Camphill MK has invited 30 hand-selected local crafters, makers & artisans to join them. Expect street food vendors, crafts, preserves, soaps, candles, textiles, upcycled wood, garden crafts, jewellery, festive gifts, and more. A selection of street food will also be available outside on the..

To celebrate the return of Willen on Ice, the popular festive leisure destination at Willen Lake has launched an exciting new schools’ competition this week. The concept is simple – children are invited to design a new ‘cool’ t-shirt for Willen Lake’s mascot, Wilbur. The cuddly character is getting ready for the return of the real ice-skating rink and wants to look the part this winter. This exciting opportunity gives children the chance to unleash their creativity and imagination and design a new look for Willen’s mascot. The prize is a FREE ice-skating experience for the winning design and their school class PLUS the design will be magically transformed into a t-shirt for the winner to present to Wilbur in person. “We're delighted to introduce our 2024 schools’ competition, offering young people the chance to play a role in this Willen on Ice season and win an incredible prize for..

Midsummer Place is proud to announce that last Saturday's Midsummer Market has set a new record as the largest market since its launch earlier this year, with over 28 stalls showcasing an array of independent products, gifts, and services. This milestone highlights the continued growth and success of the Midsummer Market initiative, which has become a premier platform for small businesses to promote their offerings to a wider audience. Held on the first Saturday of every month, the Midsummer Market provides a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs and independent creators to share their passion with the public. From handmade crafts to unique culinary treats, the market continues to attract a diverse range of traders and visitors alike. Since its inception, Midsummer Place has built a thriving portfolio of over 150 small businesses, which are invited each month to participate in the market. With each event offering a fresh mix of stalls,..

As we bid farewell to summer, there’s still plenty to enjoy out and about courtesy of The Parks Trust, the charity caring for MK’s parks. Across almost 50 different parks there’s so much to do, including free and low-cost events as well as the huge choice of free play areas, leisure routes, trim trails and world-class outdoor artworks! Woof Walk Wednesday 11 September 10am – Tattenhoe Valley Come and join us at Tattenhoe Valley for a fun and interesting Woof Walk. Woof Walks are suitable for all ages, tickets are limited and bookable in advance at £1 per dog. Heritage Open Days: An Introduction to Bancroft Roman Villa Wednesday 11 September, 4.30 and 6pm at Bancroft Park As part of Heritage Open Days programme we're inviting people to come along and learn a bit about the Bancroft Roman Villa and the surrounding area. There are two sessions to choose from: 4:30pm and 6pm and..

Nestled in the picturesque village of Lavendon, Buckinghamshire, an exciting opportunity awaits homebuyers. With only four plots remaining, Brampton Valley Homes' exclusive development offers a rare chance to secure a high-quality new home in this idyllic setting. For those seeking modern comfort and timeless design, this collection of homes is perfect for you. Premium Quality and Craftsmanship Each home in Lavendon reflects Brampton Valley Homes’ commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. From the moment you step inside, you’ll be greeted by spacious, well-planned interiors, flooded with natural light and finished to the highest standards. Whether it’s the sleek kitchens equipped with premium appliances or the stylishly designed bathrooms, every detail has been carefully considered. The homes are built to deliver both comfort and efficiency. Expect energy-efficient solutions throughout, designed to meet the needs of modern living without compromising on aesthetics. Contemporary open-plan living areas make these homes perfect for family life, while..

Santander UK has once again been named the headline sponsor for the Milton Keynes Pride Festival (MKPF), which will take place on 14 September. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Santander has backed the annual event. To demonstrate its ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community, Santander will light up its UK headquarters at Unity Place in Milton Keynes for two weeks leading up to the festival. The Milton Keynes Pride Festival seeks to promote visibility, social cohesion, and equality for the LGBTQ+ community in the local area. As the festival celebrates its fifth anniversary, organisers are expecting around 20,000 attendees, a significant increase in footfall as the event continues to grow. MK Pride is free to attend, relying entirely on sponsorship and donations to fund the festivities. Any profits from the event are distributed among local LGBTQ+ charities. Damien Shieber, Head of Culture at Santander UK, said: “We are..

Xscape Milton Keynes will host the ‘Tree of Pride’ this weekend, as part of the city’s Pride Festival on 14-15 September. Visitors are invited to contribute to the installation by decorating it with personal pledges towards a more inclusive and compassionate future. The community art installation, which has already made appearances at Xscape Yorkshire, has been gathering messages of love, unity and acceptance on its tour around the country. Its final destination will be at Xscape Milton Keynes, coinciding with the city’s annual Pride Festival – a celebration of visibility, equality and the LGBTQ+ community in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas. Visitors are encouraged to either select a pre-suggested pledge or leave their own meaningful message, such as a dedication to a loved one, reflecting a spirit of inclusivity and positivity. The Tree of Pride will be on display at Xscape Milton Keynes from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, and..

Ousedale School in Milton Keynes is set to embark on a new chapter as it officially joins the E-ACT academy trust. E-ACT oversees 28 academies across the UK, supporting more than 18,000 pupils and 2,500 staff members. Its portfolio includes two schools in nearby Daventry—E-ACT Parker Academy and E-ACT DSLV Academy—as well as three in South Buckinghamshire: E-ACT Bourne End Academy, E-ACT Chalfont Valley Academy, and E-ACT Denham Green Academy. Every E-ACT academy is rated by Ofsted as either ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ for leadership and personal development, with 97% achieving a similar rating for behaviour and 93% for the quality of education. By joining the trust, Ousedale School’s staff will benefit from enhanced professional development opportunities, including access to best practice across E-ACT’s national network. This will provide valuable learning opportunities at every level, further enriching the educational experience for Ousedale’s pupils. Headteacher Andy Burton said: “Joining E-ACT marks a..

To help improve habitats for bees, butterflies and local wildlife, The Parks Trust have been busy collecting wildflower seeds. This summer, the charity caring for your parks has been trialling a new seed harvesting machine across Milton Keynes’ green spaces. This new piece of equipment connects to a tractor and makes it easier to collect wildflower seed from rich meadows, such as Stonepit Field in Great Linford. The cut hay is sorted with the help of their dedicated conservation volunteers who sieve the seed to separate from the chaff before being spread across parks across the city. Lewis Dickinson, Senior Biodiversity Officer at The Parks Trust says: "Having a machine like this will be a fantastic tool to enriching the biodiversity of our grasslands across the city. Taking seed from rich meadows and spreading it at sites we want to improve will provide more wildflowers on these sites for pollinators..

Everyone loves a freebie, and Heritage Open Days has 100's of opportunities to get out and enjoy a wealth of family events, between September 6th and September 15th. The oft used line ‘something for all’ really stands true with this nationwide initiative. Pulse’s Sammy Jones has dug deep to bring you some of the choice cuts from Northamptonshire. Heritage Open Days Return with 10 Days of Free Fun in Milton Keynes From September 6 to September 15, Heritage Open Days will feature a variety of free events in Milton Keynes. Here are some of the must-see activities: Friday, September 6 Milton Keynes Central Library Exhibitions: Discover a range of exhibitions, including "Ukraine From Past to Future," "Hidden Stories: The Indian Chapter," and "An Ancient Village at the Heart of a New Town," showcasing local history, arts, and crafts. Open until September 14 (except Sept 8). Tour of Unity Place: Explore..

A free family fun day organised by Milton Keynes based Cranswick Convenience Foods, will take place on Sunday 8 September and aims to raise much needed funds for MK homeless charity UnityMK, as it prepares to launch its autumn recruitment drive for more volunteers to help run its night shelters over the winter months. The family fun day will take place at the Middleton Pavilion on Worrelle Avenue, Milton Keynes and will be free to enter.  As well as food, drinks, fairground rides, cakes, games and stalls, arts and crafts and a range of other family entertainments, the UnityMK team will be there sharing information on how to get involved with the charity. Sam Pearl, Site Director at Cranswick Convenience Foods said; “This is the fourth year that we have held the Family Fun Day for UnityMK and we’re hoping it will be bigger and better than ever. Last year’s..

Willen Hospice has appointed Ranjit Singh to a newly created role of Commercial Director this September. As a charity, the Hospice is heavily dependent on income from its shops and fundraising. Ranjit will drive development and growth across these areas to make sure the Hospice is able to continue providing its specialist care to the local community, completely free of charge. Currently one of the most poorly funded hospices in the country, Willen Hospice only receives 13.8% of its running costs from the NHS. This leaves a shortfall of £8.7 million that the Hospice must raise, by appealing to the generosity of local people. Ranjit’s impressive track record in generating diversified income streams and his commitment to community service make him the ideal candidate to take on this challenge. Ranjit is already a well-known and highly respected figure locally. Most recently, he served as Philanthropy Director at the Milton Keynes..

Since January 2022, the number of boys and girls aged 4 to 17 involved in Scouts in Buckinghamshire has increased by over 6% With increases in most of the five sections, Scout Groups and Explorer Units are looking for more volunteers to keep up with the demand for places. There are opportunities for adults to volunteer to help with boys and girls in Squirrels (ages 4 and 5), Beavers (ages 6 to 8) Cubs (ages 8 to 10), Scouts (ages 10 to 14) and Explorers (ages 14 to 17). There are also opportunities to volunteer in the background. This could be as a trustee, as an administrator, fundraising or IT. Children and young people can get involved in over 250 activities. These range from abseiling to firelighting, geocaching to navigation and pioneering to zorbing. Skills they can learn and develop include teamwork, self-confidence, problem solving and social skills. Cub Scout..