Here’s what’s worth knowing in Milton Keynes this week.
Full Fibre now available to 110,000 MK homes and businesses
Openreach says Full Fibre broadband is now available to 110,000 homes and businesses across Milton Keynes following investment of around £33 million.
Openreach says almost 80% of properties across Milton Keynes can now upgrade. Availability is address-specific, so residents and businesses need to use the Openreach Fibre Checker to see what can be ordered at their property.
An upgrade is not automatic. Where Full Fibre is available, customers need to choose a broadband provider and place an order for a Full Fibre package.
Openreach says Full Fibre can provide faster downloads, more stable connections and better performance when several devices are being used at once.
Residents can enter their postcode and select their address in the Fibre Checker to see whether Full Fibre is available now, coming soon or planned for their property.
Credit: Openreach
Free Heritage Open Days events return to Milton Keynes parks
The Parks Trust is running a series of free Heritage Open Days activities across Milton Keynes this September, with walks, volunteering, cycling, crafts and local-history events taking place in several parks and green spaces.
Two no-booking activities taking place this week are Heritage Heroes at Great Linford Manor Park on Saturday 12 Sep and a Heritage Ride from Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve on Sunday 13 Sep.
Heritage Heroes runs from 10am to 12:30pm and invites volunteers to help restore and protect Blisworth Limestone habitat at Great Linford Manor Park. The event is suitable for all ages and no booking is required.
The Heritage Ride starts at 11am on Sunday and covers around 12km (7 miles) over roughly 90-120 minutes. The route passes sites including Bancroft Villa, Bradwell Abbey and Bradwell Windmill, using a mix of leisure routes, Redways and short on-road or trail sections.
Some other Heritage Open Days activities have already filled up, so readers should check the current Parks Trust listings before travelling or booking.
🕒 Sat 12–Sun 13 Sep
Credit: The Parks Trust
New closed-road triathlon comes to Willen Lake
A new closed-road triathlon is taking place at Willen Lake on Sunday 13 Sep, with Sprint and Standard-distance races using the lake, a traffic-free bike course and a flat lakeside run.
ATW describes the event as the UK’s newest closed-road triathlon. The Sprint race starts from 7:45am and consists of a 750m open-water swim, 20km closed-road bike course and 5km run.
The Standard-distance race starts from 8:30am and combines a 1,500m swim, 40km bike course and 10km run. Sprint and Standard Aquabike options are also available, along with a Standard-distance team relay.
Drivers should also be aware of road closures for the event. ATW says closures will be in place from 7am until midday on Sunday 13 September, including sections between V11 Tongwell Street roundabout and V8 Marlborough Street, and between H6 Child’s Way and Willen Lake Car Park 2.
Roads planned for closure are yellow. Credit: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Willen Lake lists the event from £85. ATW says race HQ is at Willen Lake on Brickhill Street and that spectator and drop-off information will be included in the final race information.
Anyone considering entering should check the live event page for current availability, entry requirements and race information before booking.
🕒 Sun 13 Sep, from 7:45am
📍 Willen Lake, Brickhill Street, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DS
🎟 From £85
Stony Stratford Oxfam seeks clothing donations for Second Hand September
Oxfam’s Stony Stratford shop is asking local residents to donate good-quality clothes they no longer wear as the charity’s Second Hand September campaign gets under way.
Shop manager Angie Thomas told MKFM that the store depends on the local community to keep its rails stocked and would welcome both donations and people coming in to browse pre-loved clothing during September.
Oxfam’s national Second Hand September campaign encourages people to shop and donate second hand. The charity says donations give clothes a second life while helping raise funds for its work.
The Stony Stratford shop accepts donated clothing as well as books, homewares and music. Oxfam says donations should be quality, undamaged items.
Anyone planning a visit can check the official shop page or call 01908 567941 for current opening times.
🕒 Throughout September
📍 Oxfam, 12 High Street, Stony Stratford, MK11 1AF
Credit: Oxfam / Zara Canfield
What’s on in Milton Keynes
Looking for something to do locally? Here are a few ideas for the week ahead:
Jobs & Practical ::
🕒 Fri 11-Sat 12 Sep, 11am-5pm:
Milton Keynes Job Show
Meet employers face-to-face at the two-day careers fair, with roles ranging from apprenticeships and entry-level jobs to professional and senior positions. Organisers also list free career talks and the chance to apply for jobs and progress towards interviews.
📍 centre:mk, Milton Keynes
🎟 Free entry; registration available online
📄 Visitors must already have the right to work in the UK; sponsorship jobs are not available
More information →
Film & Live Events ::
🕒 Tue 8-Sat 12 Sep:
Barnum
The touring musical about showman P.T. Barnum comes to Milton Keynes Theatre for five days. Evening performances are at 7:30pm Tue-Sat, with 2:30pm matinees on Wed, Thu and Sat. Age guidance is 8+, and under-threes are not admitted.
📍 Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, MK9 3NZ
🎟 From £15.60
More information →
🕒 Sat 12 & Sun 13 Sep, 10:30am:
Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie (U)
After a mysterious storm leaves the PAW Patrol stranded on a tropical island full of dinosaurs, the pups team up with dino expert Rex to stop Mayor Humdinger after his mining operation triggers a volcanic eruption.
📍 MK Gallery, 900 Midsummer Boulevard, MK9 3QA
🎟 £8 child / £9 concession / £10 adult; accompanying carers free
💬 Sunday’s 10:30am screening is captioned
More information →
🕒 Fri 11 Sep, 4.30pm; 🕒 Sat 12 Sep, 7pm; 🕒 Sun 13 Sep, 1pm:
🦖 The End of Oak Street (12A)
After a mysterious cosmic event tears Oak Street out of suburbia and transports the neighbourhood somewhere unknown, the Platt family must stick together as they try to survive their strange new surroundings.
📍 MK Gallery, 900 Midsummer Boulevard, MK9 3QA
🎟 £8 child / £9 concession / £10 adult; accompanying carers free
More information →
Festivals & Family ::
🕒 Sat 12 Sep, gates 12pm:
Milton Keynes Pride Festival
The free community festival returns to Campbell Park with live stages, community organisations, a Rainbow Market and a daytime kids stage. The daytime programme runs to 5:30pm; the evening programme is 18+ and continues to 10:30pm.
📍 Campbell Park, Milton Keynes
🎟 Free; registration required for entry
More information →
🕒 Sat 12-Sun 13 Sep, 10am-5pm:
Wolverton Scarecrow Festival
Scarecrows created by residents, schools, businesses and community groups will form a free trail across Wolverton over the weekend. A map can be collected from Wolverton Community Orchard, which is also hosting a Heritage Day Autumn Celebration from 11am-5pm.
📍 Across Wolverton; map available from the Community Orchard off Woburn Avenue, MK12 5AY
🎟 Free
More information →
Walks & Outdoors ::
🕒 Wed 9 Sep, 6:30pm:
Midshires Way: Bradwell Abbey Loop
A roughly 4.5-mile moderate evening walk taking in local landmarks including Bradwell Abbey Pilgrimage Chapel, the Concrete Cows and Bancroft Roman Villa.
📍 Loughton Valley car park, Constantine Way, Bancroft Park, MK13 0RA
🎟 £1 organiser fee
🌐 Check the Meetup listing before travelling for the current RSVP status
More information →
🕒 Sat 12 Sep, 11am:
Wheelchair Ramble: Lodge Lake
Join Parks Trust Access Ambassador Kerry Thompson for an inclusive guided ramble designed for wheelchair users, with families and caregivers welcome. The route lasts around 90 minutes and uses surfaced paths as far as possible, with no gates or cattle grids.
📍 Lodge Lake; meet at Lodge Lake car park on Bradwell Road
🎟 Free; book online
♿ An accessible toilet will be available, and a portable hearing loop can be requested in advance
More information →
Arts & Culture ::
🕒 Tue 8 or Sat 12 Sep, 2pm:
Guided Tour | Jacques Henri Lartigue
Explore MK Gallery’s Jacques Henri Lartigue: Life in Colour exhibition with a guided tour covering the works on display and the stories behind them.
📍 MK Gallery, 900 Midsummer Boulevard, MK9 3QA
🎟 Tour free with an exhibition ticket; booking advised
More information →
Free at Libraries ::
🕒 Tue 8 Sep:
Tuesday library drop-ins
Baby Songs and Rhymes for under-twos runs from 10–10.30am at Central Library and is free with no booking. Knit, Natter and Stitch follows from 1–3pm at Central Library, while Olney Library’s all-age Games Club runs from 2.30–4.30pm; parents must stay with children.
📍 Central Library and Olney Library
Songs & Rhymes for Under 2s →
Knit, Natter and Stitch →
Games Club at Olney Library →
Explore more local events on Eventbrite and Destination Milton Keynes.
Quick question for you
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See you next issue.
Toby
MK Digest