MK Digest – Comic Con returns, wedding show next week & police ATM appeal

Here’s what’s worth knowing this week – from guided walks to a new city-centre voting hub.

A new outdoor art event is coming to Milton Keynes this summer, giving local artists, beginners and families the chance to get creative in one of the city’s most scenic park settings.

The Parks Trust has announced the MK Landscape Artist Quest, a free live art competition taking place at Great Linford Manor Park on Saturday 13 June.

Participants will spend the afternoon creating original artwork inspired by the park’s landscape, history and natural surroundings, with finished pieces submitted for judging later in the day.

The competition is open to all ages and abilities, with entrants able to work in any 2D medium – including drawing, painting and mixed media – and prizes available across three age categories: under 11s, ages 11–17, and adults.

Winning pieces will go on display in a public exhibition hosted by Eco Design Consultants, giving successful artists the opportunity to showcase their work in a professional setting.

Alongside the competition itself, visitors can also enjoy additional creative activities and stalls from local charities and arts organisations, making it a wider day out for families and art lovers.

Sandra Adjei, Events & Community Engagement Assistant at The Parks Trust, said the event is designed to help people slow down, reconnect with nature and see the world around them differently through creativity.

The event is free to attend, and spectators do not need to book. Artists wishing to enter the competition, however, must register in advance.

More information →

Willen Hospice has officially reopened its Woburn Sands shop and café following a refurbishment designed to create a more welcoming space for shoppers, supporters and the wider community.

The updated High Street store now features a redesigned café seating area, improved shop layout, modern décor, and expanded space for women’s clothing and accessories – some of the shop’s most popular items.

The reopening was marked by a launch event attended by Milton Keynes Central MP Emily Darlington, alongside local civic representatives, as the hospice welcomed customers back into the refreshed space.

Willen Hospice says the changes are about more than appearance. Behind the scenes, the refit has also created additional space for staff and volunteers to sort and prepare donated stock more efficiently, helping keep shelves better stocked and improving the shopping experience.

To celebrate the reopening, the café has launched a new hot drinks loyalty card, giving customers a free tenth drink after nine purchases.

Ian Palmer, Associate Director of Retail at Willen Hospice, said the aim was to create a space where people could spend time as well as shop – whether catching up over coffee or browsing for bargains.

Willen Hospice says its network of 15 charity shops generates more than a quarter of the income needed each year, helping fund its free specialist care for local people living with life-limiting illness.

More information →

One of Milton Keynes’ biggest pop culture events is returning to centre:mk later this month, as Collectormania takes over Middleton Hall from 29–31 May.

The long-running event – described as Europe’s largest free-to-enter comic con – will bring together film and TV stars, autograph sessions, professional photoshoots and hundreds of stalls selling memorabilia, collectibles and rare fan merchandise.

Among the first special guests announced are Brian Blessed, Kenneth Cranham, Leslie Ash, Mathew Horne, Clive Mantle and Colin Baker, with more expected to be added closer to the event.

As well as celebrity appearances, visitors can browse trader stalls packed with rare and unusual items, from vintage toys and comics to film props, artwork and signed merchandise.

Collectormania has strong roots in Milton Keynes, with organiser Showmasters calling it “where it all began” – and the event has grown into one of the city’s most recognisable annual attractions.

Collectormania runs from 29–31 May at Middleton Hall, with free entry for visitors.

More information →

Couples planning their wedding will have the chance to meet more than 50 suppliers under one roof at a free wedding show coming to Unity Place next weekend.

The Milton Keynes Wedding Show takes place on Sunday 10 May, running from 11am to 3pm, and will bring together a wide range of local and regional exhibitors – from photographers and florists to venues, dress specialists and entertainment providers.

Organised by Central Exhibitions Ltd, the event is designed to help couples compare suppliers, gather ideas and plan key parts of their wedding in one place.

The event will be held at Unity Place in central Milton Keynes, with organisers expecting a busy turnout and encouraging visitors to register in advance through Eventbrite.

Whether you’re newly engaged or finalising plans for the big day, the show offers a practical way to meet experts face-to-face and gather inspiration.

Organisers say early registration is recommended, with free tickets available now via Eventbrite.

More information →

The organisation responsible for caring for much of Milton Keynes’ parks, lakes and woodland has been recognised at this year’s SME MK and Buckinghamshire Business Awards.

The Parks Trust has won Community Business of the Year, with judges recognising its work maintaining more than 6,000 acres of green space across the city, alongside its focus on accessibility, volunteering, education and long-term sustainability.

The charity, which operates independently of council funding, manages many of Milton Keynes’ best-known green spaces through a long-term funding model based on commercial property and investment income – a model designed to protect the city’s landscapes for future generations.

Judges highlighted The Parks Trust’s work to make parks more accessible, including its award-winning Access Ambassadors initiative, its outdoor learning programmes and the hundreds of community events it helps deliver each year.

Chief Executive Victoria Miles said the award reflects the dedication of staff, volunteers and partners who help care for Milton Keynes’ parks and open spaces.

The regional win now puts The Parks Trust into the finals of the SME National Business Awards later this year.

As Milton Keynes continues to expand, the charity says it will continue taking on new green spaces from developers – helping preserve the city’s reputation as one of the greenest urban areas in the UK.

More information →

Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses after thieves used a chainsaw to break into an ATM outside Asda in Newton Leys.

Thames Valley Police said the incident happened at around 12.20am on Tuesday 29 April, when a group of four men broke into the cash machine outside the store on Islay Court in Bletchley.

According to police, the group used a chainsaw to break into the ATM before leaving the area in a dark-coloured vehicle.

The suspects were described as wearing all-black clothing and balaclavas, with one man reported to be wearing a high-visibility orange jacket.

Officers say they are carrying out enquiries, including reviewing CCTV footage from the area, and are now asking anyone who may have seen what happened – or who may have dashcam footage – to come forward.

Anyone with information, particularly drivers who may have captured dashcam footage in the Newton Leys area, is asked to contact Thames Valley Police on 101 or via the force’s online reporting page, quoting reference 43260208676.

More information →

Looking for something to do locally? Here are a few ideas for the week ahead:

Angela Barnes: Angst at The Stables (Sat 9 May) – £19.50
Comedian Angela Barnes brings her latest stand-up show to The Stables.
More information →

Blake: Live in Concert (Sun 10 May) – £31
Classical vocal group Blake perform at The Stables.
More information →

Candle Making Workshop at Unity Sky Lounge (Fri 8 May) – £45
A beginner-friendly candle-making workshop, including all materials, step-by-step guidance, a welcome drink and your handmade candle to take home.
More information →

Bright Ideas Kids Club at centre:mk (Sat 30 May) – FREE
A family craft session for children returns to centre:mk this May, with themed spoon ladybird and bee activities.
More information →

Explore more local events on Eventbrite and Destination Milton Keynes.

What kinds of stories would you like to see more (or less) of in MK Digest?

Just hit reply – I read every message.

See you next issue.

Toby
MK Digest
[email protected]