Local News

Loved by canines and their families for over a decade, the Big Doggie Do is paws-itively the city’s favourite annual celebration of all-things dog. The free event organised by The Parks Trust, the charity caring for MK’s parks, returns to Willen Lake on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May - midday ‘til 5pm on both days. This year’s two-day event promises to have more fun than you can throw (and fetch) a stick at, including: Doggie displays Showing classes Flyball Pet supplies Delicious treats (for pooches and people!) Local charities And new for 2024, a Talks Tent programme of tutorials & demonstrations Julie Dawes, Events & Community Engagement Manager at The Parks Trust says “We’re so thrilled to provide local dog owners with a chance to come together with their pets and have fun, whilst picking up tips about how to care for them responsibly”. Big Doggie Do is one..

This Friday 22nd March, acclaimed chef Dipna Anand will launch her new restaurant, Dipna Anand Kitchen & Bar, situated inside the new multi-functional venue Unity Place, in Milton Keynes. Dipna’s involvement will see a new, 150-cover restaurant open under her stewardship, with its very own microbrewery from Toast Brewing. Dipna will be offering her authentic Punjabi and South Indian cuisine alongside a selection of traditional favourites using locally sourced seasonal ingredients for a flavour-rich, planet-friendly experience. Bright, modern and glass-fronted, the restaurant is a step in a new direction for Dipna, with the menu comprising of revisited classics on small plates; her well-loved and familiar curries alongside some new and unexpected menu items; and a grill that will serve tandoori lamb chops, salmon, chicken and paneer tikka, as well as lamb seekh kebab. The restaurant will also serve traditional thalis and biryanis, with plant-based dishes and the best cuts of..

Milton Keynes has unveiled a thrilling opportunity for dancers and choreographers, with the commencement of applications for the Helen Parlor Dance Bursary. Established to commemorate the legacy of the esteemed dance advocate Helen Parlor, this bursary is designed to offer crucial support and resources to burgeoning talents within the local dance community. Open to residents and workers of Milton Keynes, the Helen Parlor Dance Bursary aims to prioritise individuals rooted in the city, though applications from those proposing to engage in dance-related activities within MK will also be considered. While funding rounds are anticipated to be open and un-themed, they may occasionally align with significant city celebrations, such as hosting world-class sporting events or commemorating milestones like MK's birthday. Applicants, regardless of age or background, may be dancers or choreographers. Submissions for the bursary will be evaluated based on criteria including residency and work in MK, demonstration of career progression..

Looking for somewhere in central Milton Keynes where you can grab a quick coffee, enjoy a lazy lunch with friends, throw a birthday party or simply catch up with your mates? The time is right to check out the Holiday Inn Milton Keynes – Central, which is just a short walk from the railway station. While out-of-towners and event organisers have already discovered just what is on offer at the 173-bedroom hotel there are many more ‘locals’ missing out on the venue’s facilities. There is no need to check in to one of the hotel’s 173 bedrooms. This is a hotel with an open-door policy to casual visitors or those looking to plan an event from a christening, family party or funeral wake. The Open Lobby, serving Starbucks, is open all day and through to the evening for visitors who may just want a coffee, or a meal chosen from..

Hop down to Willen Lake during the school break for the launch of the new season and return of the free Easter trail. The popular free trail aimed at primary school children returns this spring, featuring colourful eggs with Easter-themed questions to answer. Look out for some egg-cellent jokes along the way, then return to the Watersports Centre for a treat! The trail will be available between 10am – 4pm every day during the Easter break from 29th March – 14th April. It follows a short route less than 2km on buggy, scooter and bike friendly paths. Also returning this April is the action-packed watersports programme. The first Activity Weeks of the year will take place over Easter, offering kids aged 8-15 a fun week of watersports whilst they work towards a qualification in either Sailing or Paddlesports. Beginner-friendly Discover sessions are also back, offering tasters in a variety of..

Unity Place will be holding an All in Unity Place celebration evening tonight, Wednesday 13th March. The event is FREE for the public to attend and will include a whole evening of celebrations! Expect to see: Live painting from PopCult! - Exhibition artist Food and drink sampling from Dipna Anand Kitchen, Toast Brewing and our food market vendors. Cocktails in the market from Unity Sky Lounge. First Urban Food Market after hours in 2024. The first 100 visitors get a complimentary drink on arrival....plus some musical surprises during the night! The event will run from 5pm-8pm. Find out more about Unity Place here.

A brand-new series of family cycling events are set to uncover the sights and sounds of Milton Keynes’ many parks, the perfect way to swap screens for scenes of the great outdoors. Parks & Ride events are the newest addition to the hundreds of parkland events and activities hosted by The Parks Trust, the charity caring for Milton Keynes’ parks, woodlands and lakes. Pedalling at a steady pace along a mixture of leisure routes and Redways, Parks & Ride events are a guided tour on two wheels – about an hour, with no road riding or substantial hills. Debuting in Campbell Park on Sunday 24th March, the first ride will tour sculptures in the park, wildlife on the Grand Union Canal, the incredible Tree Cathedral, and all the fun facilities at Willen Lake. Through the rest of this year, Parks & Ride events will take place at Waterhall Park in..

The hunt will soon be on at Milton Keynes Museum with the return of its annual Easter egg hunt, where successful searches lead to yummy chocolate rewards! The popular search is an egg-cellent way to celebrate the festive period, and this hunt ensures everyone wins something. And while you search for those egg tokens, you get a wonderful tour of the history hub. This traditional family friendly event - running March 29 - April 1 - is the perfect way to spend some free time, whether you are a fluffy chick, or an older bunny! “Let's be honest, no matter how old we are, we are never too old for a bit of fun, and our egg hunt is definitely that,” said Museum director Bill Griffiths, “Watching family members and friend groups united in the search is great, and everyone enjoys collecting their treats at the end!” As you 'scramble' around the..

Wolverton music venue The Craufurd Arms is used to giving its customers a big night out. But sometimes, the only thing to successfully follow a late night is a big cup of good coffee – and now the Wolverton-based venue is able to deliver that, too! The Green Room opened its doors this week, and is a new coffee shop catering for all. "We're really proud of the space we have created, and want to make this into a centre point for the community," said Craufurd co-owner Jason Hall, who runs the venue with Max Harvey, "Whether you are keen to find somewhere to host your mum and baby group, want to hold a meeting, fancy a coffee and natter with friends, want to enjoy a little bit of 'me time' or maybe you run your business remotely and fancy a change of scene. Whatever it is, we're here for..

Naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham has congratulated Dominic Dyer on his selection as the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for the new seat of Buckingham and Bletchley. Dominic, who has been a resident of Milton Keynes for more than two decades, has had a wide-ranging career working in the agriculture, food manufacturing, plant science and conservation sectors. Unlike many conservationists, he became a wildlife protection and environment campaigner after a career in government and industry, using the skills he acquired in Whitehall, Brussels, and the corporate boardroom to fight for the protection of wildlife and nature at home and abroad. Dominic was CEO of the Badger Trust from 2013 to 2020 and is currently Policy Advisor and Wildlife Advocate at the Born Free Foundation. He is also a Board member of Wildlife and Countryside Link. "I must congratulate Dominic Dyer on being selected as one of the Parliamentary candidates in his..

As part of their initiative to inspire young people about the natural world, The Parks Trust are hosting an exclusive event for MK’s Primary School Teachers to discover learning opportunities available to schools in the city. Packed with information and taster activities designed to inspire the enhancement of primary student’s school experience, the free event for teachers will be held at Campbell Park Pavilion. As an open session, teachers can attend for a duration to suit their availability, between 4pm and 6pm on Friday 8th March. A guided tour of Campbell Park, and refreshments, will be provided and all attendees will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a special prize. Spaces are limited, so Primary School Teachers in MK should head online for more information or email outdoorlearning@theparkstrust.com to secure their space. Find out more here. The Parks Trust, the charity caring for over 6,000 acres..

Need it, but don’t, have it? BORROW IT – Milton Keynes City Council has launched MK’s first Library of Things, a new pilot scheme where residents can borrow useful items for their home for FREE. The city’s first Library of Things scheme has officially opened thanks to Milton Keynes City Council with the help of local partners. Based at The Frank Moran Centre in Bletchley, the new pilot project aims to support the city’s most vulnerable residents impacted by the cost-of-living crisis by helping local people save money and reduce waste by renting DIY and household items for free. Working alongside Foodbank Xtra and local charity providers, the City Council has purchased a limited number of items that will be available for residents to borrow. Not only is borrowing more cost-effective, but it is also more sustainable as it helps to reduce clutter and allows residents to borrow things they..

With leap day on the horizon, Willen Hospice is embarking on a heartfelt appeal to the community, seeking support to raise an additional £16,175 to fund an extra day of care for individuals and families in need. As the hospice prepares to extend its specialist care and support for an extra day this leap year, they are turning to the generosity of the community for assistance. With only 15% of costs met by ongoing NHS funding, the hospice is dependent on local support and is reaching out to rally the community to help them provide an extra 24 hours of care for those who need it most. "At Willen Hospice, every moment counts," says Jackie Young, Associate Director of Nursing at the hospice. “We provide essential care, support and comfort for patients who may be spending their final weeks or days with loved ones. This leap year, with an extra..

RSPCA Milton Keynes and North Bucks (RSPCA MK & NB) branch tell Pulse Magazine about the difficulty of dealing with increasing numbers of unwanted cats and kittens – and every cat owner can play their part in helping to turn the tide, as Pulse’s Sammy Jones discovered... Everyone loves a cute kitten, right? Those little fluffy bundles of beauty melt hearts. Sadly, their cuteness is also their downfall, as people introduce them into their homes without really thinking about those kittens turning into bigger balls of fluff that can sometimes live for the best part of a couple of decades, and the associated expense of food and veterinary costs over their lifetime. We’ve talked about the importance of getting your pet neutered before, and yet the message never quite reaches everyone. It’s not an option. It’s a necessity. People love their pets, but when the household purse strings need to..

Paulerspury Players have kicked off their 34th annual Pantomime “Robin Hood” in Paulerspury Village Hall, Towcester, NN12 7NA from Wednesday 21st February 2024 to Saturday 24th February 2024. Robin Hood is a traditional pantomime full of songs, jokes, slapstick and the odd inflatable palm tree. Robin, our hero and his friends Lady Marian, Dame Freya Tuck and Will and Scarlett are just some of the characters you will meet in this comic adventure. The story is one that everyone knows but with a some twists and turns along the way.  You can join in the fun and boo the Sheriff, King John and Hilda, and our baddie trio. But is panto just for kids… oh no it isn’t, panto is for everyone! There is something for all ages, an enjoyable evening of fun is guaranteed and not to be missed. Tickets are available by visiting paulerspuryplayers.com or by calling the..