MK Digest – FREE Bus Travel for Kids, Road Resurfacing and Summer Festivals

Here’s what’s worth knowing in Milton Keynes this week.

Children aged five to 15 can travel free on participating local bus services across England throughout August, helping families reduce the cost of school-holiday trips and days out.

The offer runs from 1 to 31 Aug as part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme. Arriva and Red Rose Travel have confirmed that they are taking part, while Stagecoach says children can travel free on most of its local services in England.

Some exclusions and operator-specific conditions apply. Arriva says school services are not included, children may be asked to show proof of age, and those under 11 must travel with someone aged 16 or over. Stagecoach excludes certain longer-distance coach services, dedicated school buses and some other routes.

Families using Uno, Z&S, Grant Palmer or another operator should check directly before travelling, as a clear participation statement was not available from every operator when MK Digest checked.

The wider Summer Savings scheme also temporarily reduces VAT from 20% to 5% until 1 Sep on eligible children’s meals, children’s and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, shows and exhibitions, and admission to attractions including theme parks, adventure centres and soft-play venues. Businesses decide whether and how fully to pass on the saving, although Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes says reduced-VAT prices are available for summer visits.

Find out more about free August bus travel →

More than £6m is being invested in Milton Keynes’ road-resurfacing programme, with 11 roads around the city due to be fully resurfaced during August.

The programme includes Aspreys in Olney; V10 Brickhill Street between H8 and H9; Kingsmead Roundabout; V6 Grafton Street and North Grafton Roundabout; Stratford Road in Wolverton; Garamonde Drive; Snowdon Drive; Chesney Wold; Wolverton Road in Newport Pagnell; Cricket Green and Green Lane Roundabout; and South Witan Roundabout.

Full resurfacing involves removing the existing road surface and laying a new layer of asphalt. Milton Keynes City Council says the locations were selected following inspections and feedback from residents about roads most in need of repair.

Temporary road closures and signed diversions will be introduced while the work takes place, although access for emergency-service vehicles will be maintained. Drivers are advised to allow extra time when travelling through affected areas.

The Council has not published a complete road-by-road timetable in its announcement. Exact dates and current closure details will be listed on One.Network and should be checked before travelling.

See the full list of roads due to be resurfaced →

The Old School in Old Wolverton will remain in community use after Future Wolverton successfully sold the building to Wolverton & Greenleys Town Council.

The Town Council says it intends to maintain and build on the Old School’s legacy as a community resource, with further information about its plans for the building expected to be announced in due course.

Future Wolverton purchased the Old School from the Radcliffe Trust in 2017 after raising more than £1 million to bring the historic building back into active use. It opened to the public in 2018, providing a community hall and café alongside guest accommodation.

Since reopening, the building has hosted activities including Forest School sessions, summer play schemes, events and community health and wellbeing programmes. It has also been home to Future Wolverton’s work-related learning programme for young people who struggle in mainstream education.

Future Wolverton says more than 60% of the young people supported through the programme returned to full-time education or moved into paid employment. The organisation is now moving its services to Market Hall on Glyn Square in Wolverton town centre.

Read the Town Council’s Old School update →

MK College is set to receive £410,000 from Milton Keynes City Council to provide new specialist training for adults from September.

The courses will focus on health and social care, construction, logistics and the creative industries, helping residents develop industry-specific skills and prepare for skilled employment or further education.

The investment forms part of a £1.04m Adult Skills Fund allocation awarded to the City Council. The Council says MK College was selected because of its specialist facilities, experience and links with local employers.

The new programme will complement Community Learning MK, which already offers adult courses including English, maths, employability and early-years subjects.

MK College is currently inviting adults to explore courses starting in September. However, the Council announcement does not yet provide a course-by-course list for the £410,000 programme or confirm that every funded course will be free, so fees and eligibility should be checked when individual details are published.

Read about the new MK College training investment →

Milton Keynes author Rob Flannery has launched a children’s book created in partnership with Harry’s Rainbow to help younger children talk about grief, separation anxiety and loss.

Craig the Crayon Leaves a Mark follows a young boy and his favourite crayon, using the feelings that arise when the crayon disappears to introduce difficult emotions in a gentle, age-appropriate way. The book is illustrated by Samie Iliffe.

Copies are available free of charge through Harry’s Rainbow as a resource for families supported by the charity. Rob said it was important that the book was made available first to the charity’s beneficiaries, before it was offered for general sale.

The book is also available to buy for £9.99 through Rob’s website, and 15% of all book profits will be donated to Harry’s Rainbow. The charity supports children and young people in and around Milton Keynes following the death of a parent or sibling.

Free printable activity sheets are also available on Rob’s website, helping children continue exploring the feelings, memories and conversations that the story may bring up.

Find out more about Craig the Crayon Leaves a Mark →

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

🕒 Fri 7 Aug, 4pm–11pm:

🎸 Diaspora Calling Festival
Presented by Ms. Lauryn Hill, this new music and arts festival features Wyclef Jean, Erykah Badu, YG Marley, Giggs, Fireboy DML and more, with Dave Chappelle hosting. Gates open at 4pm, with last entry at 8pm. The event is strictly 14+, and anyone aged 14–17 must attend with a legal guardian.
📍 Milton Keynes National Bowl
🎟 Standard, group and VIP tickets available ^{(checked 2pm Sun 2 Aug)}
More information →

🕒 Wed 5 & Fri 7 Aug, 11am–3pm 🕒 Thu 6 Aug, 11am–4pm:

🎨 Free Summer Kids Workshops
Try free circus skills in Queens Court on Wednesday and Friday, or make Sea Creatures at Thursday’s craft workshop near Door 1 by Oliver Bonas. The sessions are drop-in, and children under six must attend with an adult.
📍 centre:mk
🎟 Free; no booking required
More information →

🕒 Sat 8 Aug, 12pm–10.30pm:

🎸 Electric Paradise Festival
Grace Jones, Candi Staton, UB40, Kool & the Gang, Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge and other disco, funk, soul and house acts come to the Bowl. The event is strictly 18+, with last entry at 6pm.
📍 Milton Keynes National Bowl
🎟 Standard tickets from £34.20 including booking fee ^{(checked 2pm Sun 2 Aug)}
More information →

🕒 Mon 10 Aug, 12.30pm–2.30pm:

🌲 Whitehouse Pop-up Play
The Parks Trust is hosting free nature activities and games for families. No booking is needed, and visitors can bring a picnic because refreshments will not be provided.
📍 Whitehouse Park Play Area, Longhorn Drive
More information →

🕒 Fri 7 Aug, 10am–12pm:

🎨 Art Explorers — age 8+
Children can move between different arts-and-crafts stations and try a range of materials. Tickets cost £10 per child and £5 per adult; advance booking and adult supervision are required.
📍 Arts Central, 20 Burners Lane, Kiln Farm
More information →

🕒 Wed 5 Aug, 10am–1pm:

📖 The Dopamine Lounge: Study Club
A free body-doubling session for GCSE, A-level and university work, using Pomodoro study rounds and brief check-ins. It is ADHD-friendly but open to anyone who finds it difficult to study alone. Booking is required; under-18s must attend with a guardian.
📍 Moxy Milton Keynes
More information →

🕒 Thu 6 Aug, 8pm–11pm:

🎤 Funhouse Comedy Club
British Comedian of the Year finalist Lindsey Santoro headlines the evening, with Jay Handley also on the bill. The advertised line-up may change.
📍 The Residence Bar & Kitchen
🎟 Advance tickets cost £10
More information →

🕒 Wed 5 Aug, 6pm–8pm:

🏸 Wednesday Badminton — all levels
Join a friendly social badminton session for beginners, intermediate and experienced players. Free parking and spare rackets are listed.
📍 Ousedale School, Newport Pagnell
🎟 £5 for one hour; £7 for two hours
More information →

🕒 Tue 4 Aug, 11am–12.30pm or 2pm–3.30pm:

🎨 Summer Studio — Printmaking
A free small-group printmaking workshop for disabled and neurodivergent young people aged 14–19 with an EHCP. Booking through Eequ is required.
📍 MK Gallery
More information →

🕒 Tue 4 Aug:

👶 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.

What kinds of local events would you like to see more of in MK Digest?

Just contact me at [email protected] – I read every message.

See you next issue.

Toby
MK Digest