MK Digest – Free MK Dons Camp Spaces, Codebreaking and The Bowl

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

Families in Milton Keynes can claim free football camp spaces this summer through a partnership between MK Dons Community Trust and Kellogg’s.

The offer gives households the chance to claim up to two free Kellogg’s Football Camp spaces by purchasing a promotional pack of Kellogg’s cereal and following the booking instructions.

The camps are aimed at children aged five to 14 and are open to young players of all abilities and experience levels.

MK Dons Community Trust says the sessions are designed to help children stay active, learn new skills, make friends and enjoy football during the school holidays.

The camps run on weekdays from Monday 20 July to Friday 21 August at Tattenhoe Sports Pavilion, with free places subject to availability.

Families can find the free camp offer through Kellogg’s Football Camps and select MK Dons when booking.

📍 Tattenhoe Sports Pavilion
🎟 Up to two free spaces per household, subject to availability

More information →

Bletchley Park will host a Polish Codebreaking Festival this weekend, celebrating the early Enigma breakthroughs made by Polish mathematicians and intelligence pioneers.

The festival takes place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July and is included with admission to Bletchley Park.

Across the weekend, visitors can explore how Polish codebreaking helped shape and influence the wartime work later carried out at Bletchley Park.

The programme includes talks and demonstrations, creative family workshops, codebreaking activities, music, dancing and food.

Bletchley Park says the event is being held in partnership with the Polish Cultural Institute, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and the Enigma Cipher Centre in Poznań.

Residents living within 10 miles of Bletchley Park can receive 50% off admission, subject to the venue’s terms.

🕒 Sat 25 Jul – Sun 26 Jul
📍 Bletchley Park
🎟 Included with admission

More information →

Visit information →

Community groups, charities, CICs and sports clubs in Milton Keynes can now apply for a new round of £1,000 grants from Milton Keynes Community Foundation.

The Community Roots Project is offering 40 grants of £1,000 each. Applications will be assessed weekly until all 40 grants have been awarded, with funding due to be distributed in September for projects taking place in autumn.

Eligible organisations must have an annual income below £500,000.

Applicants need a constitution, a bank account in their organisation’s name, and the names and addresses of three unrelated trustees or committee members.

The online form is designed to take around five minutes, and applicants are also asked to submit a 90-second WhatsApp video explaining how their project will help the community.

📍 Milton Keynes
🎟 40 grants of £1,000 available

More information →

A Milton Keynes journalist and author is writing a new book about the history of The Bowl – and is asking local people to share their memories of the venue.

Sammy Jones, who has worked as a journalist in Milton Keynes for more than three decades, is putting together a history of the 65,000-capacity outdoor venue.

The Bowl has hosted major artists including Queen, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Foo Fighters, Black Sabbath, Take That, Robbie Williams, Swedish House Mafia and Pendulum.

Sammy previously wrote Milton Keynes – Wired For Sound, which explored the history of the local music scene. Her new project focuses specifically on The Bowl and the concerts, artists and audiences connected with it.

She is looking for memories, anecdotes, photographs and memorabilia from people who attended events at the venue.

Artists who have already contributed include Foo Fighters, Queen’s Brian May, Bon Jovi, Megadeth, Billy Bragg, Francis Rossi from Status Quo and Sebastian Bach from Skid Row.

Submissions can be sent by email or through the Wired For Sound Facebook page.

📍 Milton Keynes Bowl

More information →

Wired for Sound →

Submit memories by email→

Encore MK has launched a new summer holiday programme designed to help children build confidence through singing, dance, art, filmmaking and team activities.

The programme runs from Monday 10 to Friday 14 August at Two Mile Ash School and is open to children aged six to 11, with sessions taking place from 9am to 3pm.

Created by local parents and experienced educators, Encore MK aims to provide a smaller and more supportive alternative to traditional holiday clubs, where children can make friends, discover new interests and participate at their own pace.

The programme is designed to be inclusive and SEND-aware, with small group sizes, calm sensory resources and quiet spaces available for children who need time to regulate and recharge. No previous experience of the activities is required.

Families can choose a three-day programme from Monday to Wednesday or Wednesday to Friday for £90, or the full five-day programme for £149. Thanks to funding from Milton Keynes Community Foundation, six subsidised five-day places are available for children eligible for Pupil Premium, reducing the cost to £50.

The week will include a family showcase at 5pm on Friday 14 August for children attending the five-day programme or the Wednesday-to-Friday option. Places are limited, and families must complete a registration form before a place can be offered.

🕒 Mon 10 Aug – Fri 14 Aug, 9am–3pm
📍 Two Mile Ash School
🎟 Three days: £90 | Five days: £149 | Limited subsidised places available

More information →

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

🕒 Ongoing until Mon 31 Aug:

Safari in the City Trail
Midsummer Place is running a free summer trail, with 10 safari animals hidden around the centre and trail leaflets available for families to complete.
📍 Midsummer Place
More information →

🕒 Tue 21 Jul – Sun 26 Jul:

Annie
The family musical Annie comes to Milton Keynes Theatre for a six-day run, starring Claire Sweeney as Miss Hannigan.
📍 Milton Keynes Theatre
More information →

🕒 Sat 25 Jul:

Golden Summer Picnic
The Parks Trust and Mid Shires Orchard Group celebrate 50 years of Woughton Community Orchard and the Cider Orchards, with a free family picnic afternoon including performances, crafts and bug hunting.
📍 Woughton Orchard, 1.30pm–4pm
More information →

🕒 Sat 25 Jul – Sun 26 Jul:

Milton Keynes Barrio Fiesta
The annual Filipino festival returns to Campbell Park, with free family entertainment, cultural performances, community stalls, food and live music.
📍 Campbell Park Amphitheatre, 12pm–6pm
More information →

🕒 Sun 26 Jul:

Family Fun Day
The Stables hosts a family day with free art, craft and music activities, plus ticketed performances from comedian and children’s author Olaf Falafel.
📍 The Stables, Wavendon, 11am–4pm
More information →

🕒 Mon 20 Jul:

Green Break: Ouse Valley Park
An adults-only lunchtime guided walk aimed at people working locally, offering a short outdoor break around Ouse Valley Park.
📍 Warren Yard, Ouse Valley Park, 12.45pm–1.30pm
More information →

🕒 Wed 22 Jul:

Summer Holidays Butterfly Stroll
A free introductory butterfly identification stroll at Ouse Valley Park, led by The Parks Trust.
📍 New Bradwell Allotment car park, 1pm–2pm
More information →

🕒 Thu 23 Jul:

MK Health Rides
A free beginner-friendly bike ride from Campbell Park Pavilion, led by The Parks Trust. The ride is around 8km and no booking is required.
📍 Campbell Park Pavilion, 2pm
More information →

🕒 Mon 27 Jul:

Community Litter Pick: Canal Broadwalk
The Parks Trust is inviting volunteers to help keep the Canal Broadwalk area looking beautiful.
📍 Canal Broadwalk, meeting at Canalside car park, 11am
More information →

🕒 Ongoing:

Jacques Henri Lartigue: Life in Colour
MK Gallery continues its exhibition exploring the work of French photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue, with MK residents able to visit for £1 on Tuesdays.
📍 MK Gallery
More information →

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