MK Digest – Gymnastics Future, 100+ Stalls & Woodland Works

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

MK Community Foundation is seeking a new operator for the gymnastics centre in Kingston after deciding not to offer Milton Keynes Gymnastics a new lease when its current agreement ends in February 2027.

The Foundation says the existing lease and rent subsidy will remain in place until then, meaning Milton Keynes Gymnastics can continue operating from the centre in the meantime.

It says it has supported MK Gymnastics for 26 years, providing more than £1 million in rent subsidy, and is now looking for new or existing organisations with experience of running gymnastics, sports, leisure or similar specialist facilities.

The Foundation says its aim is to maintain a sustainable future for gymnastics provision in Milton Keynes while keeping the Kingston facility accessible to the community. It is also speaking to groups that currently use the site, including the Trampolining Club and Paramount Parkour.

Supporters of Milton Keynes Gymnastics have launched a petition opposing the decision. The petition says the club received a letter on 15 Aug informing it that the lease would not be renewed and calls for the decision to be reversed and for more explanation of the reasons behind it.

MK Community Foundation told MK Digest that its published statement reflects its position in full and asked that coverage link to or quote from it directly.

🕒 Current lease runs until Feb 2027
📍 Gymnastics centre, Kingston, Milton Keynes

Read MK Community Foundation's statement →

View the supporters' petition →

MK Handmade & Vintage is returning to centre:mk for a free two-day shopping event with more than 100 pop-up stalls.

The event takes place in Middleton Hall on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 Sep. Organisers say exhibitors are cherry-picked and individually invited, with the market focused on original handmade and vintage pieces.

MK Handmade & Vintage says its wider mix includes antiques, collectables, jewellery, homewares, fashion, original art, gifts, food and other one-off items, with bought-in retail products not permitted.

centre:mk says the September event will feature more than 100 pop-up stalls. Admission is free throughout the weekend.

The market runs from 9am-6pm on Saturday and 10:30am-5pm on Sunday, giving visitors two days to browse the independent makers, artists and vintage traders.

🕒 Sat 5 Sep, 9am-6pm; Sun 6 Sep, 10:30am-5pm
📍 Middleton Hall, centre:mk, Milton Keynes
🎟 Free admission

Event details →

Tree safety work to remove diseased ash trees is due to begin from 1 Sep at three Milton Keynes woodlands.

The Parks Trust says the work will take place at Howe Park Wood, Shenley Wood and Linford Wood during September and early October as it manages the impact of Ash Dieback, a fungal disease that is killing ash trees across the UK.

As the disease progresses, affected trees can become brittle and unstable, making them more likely to shed branches or collapse. The Parks Trust says only trees that are diseased, unsafe or likely to present a health and safety concern will be removed.

Some paths will need to close temporarily while the work is carried out. Signs and diversions will be put in place, with the woodlands remaining accessible where it is safe to do so.

The Parks Trust told MK Digest that work will begin from 1 Sep, although the detailed schedule for each woodland is still being finalised. It expects to publish further location information on its website and social channels.

After the removal work is complete, the charity plans to replant within the woodlands using a more diverse mix of species intended to support healthier, more resilient woodland in future.

The works do not include Willen Lake, where the free Big Park Hangout for 11–17-year-olds takes place on Saturday 5 Sep. See the What’s On section below for details.

🕒 Work begins from Tue 1 Sep; expected to continue through Sep and into early Oct
📍 Howe Park Wood, Shenley Wood and Linford Wood
⚠️ Some paths will close temporarily; follow on-site signs and diversions

Find out more about Ash Dieback →

Stagecoach East is introducing additional training to help bus drivers recognise and respond safely to violence against women and girls.

The operator says its CPC Training Team will be taught how to deliver the course. Drivers with more than two years' experience will receive a full day's training over the next 12 months, with the programme then continuing on an ongoing basis.

Drivers with less than two years' experience will also receive local training. The course combines awareness of the threats faced by women and girls with techniques for responding without putting the driver at risk.

Stagecoach says the training is in addition to existing safeguarding measures, including several CCTV cameras on each bus. Its press release says Stagecoach East is one of six companies involved in a national trial of the course.

The programme also builds on Stagecoach East's existing Buses and Businesses Against Abuse scheme in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, which allows drivers who believe a woman or girl may be in fear of abuse on the street to stop, offer help and take her to a safe place on the route where appropriate.

🕒 Full-day training to roll out over the next 12 months, then continue
📍 Stagecoach East – including Milton Keynes services
🎟 Additional to existing safeguarding measures such as CCTV

Read the local report →

Stagecoach buses in the MK area →

RWS Global is progressing work on its new £10m+ production hub in Milton Keynes ahead of its planned opening in early 2027.

The company first announced the project in May. The new 40,000 sq ft (3,750 m²) facility will be based at PLP Logistics Milton Keynes Business Park and is planned as a full-service production campus.

Facilities are set to include rehearsal studios, dedicated vocal rooms, a film studio, media production lab, costume shop and music production suite, alongside office and breakout space.

RWS Global says the Milton Keynes site will become a central hub for its European operations. The company creates live entertainment and sports experiences for theme parks, theatre productions, cruise lines and major sporting events.

RWS Global has operated in Milton Keynes for nearly a decade. The project returned to local attention on 13 Aug when when Milton Keynes Chamber announced that RWS Global had joined as a Gold Business Partner ahead of the campus opening.

🕒 Planned opening: early 2027
📍 PLP Logistics Milton Keynes Business Park

Read RWS Global’s announcement →

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

🕒 Tue 1 Sep, 6:30pm–8:30pm:

🖥️ CODE FOR HER
Learn more about AI and technology at this beginner-friendly session in Central Milton Keynes. You can attend in person or join online by Zoom, with the event designed as a supportive space for asking questions and learning together.
📍 100 Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes
🎟 Sign-up required; limited in-person space
Sign up / find out more →

🕒 Wed 2 Sep, 10am–12pm:

Botanical Soap Making For Beginners
Learn the basics of botanical cold-process soap making in a two-hour beginner workshop. The session covers safe handling of lye, oils and butters, recognising trace, and using botanicals and essential oils. After a demonstration, you’ll make your own batch of soap to take home to cure.
📍 Westbury Arts Centre, Foxcovert Road, Shenley Wood, MK5 6AA
🎟 Paid; advance booking required
Workshop details / booking →

🕒 Sat 5 Sep, 7pm:

🎤 John Cleese & The Holy Grail
Watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail on the big screen, followed by an on-stage conversation and audience Q&A with John Cleese, including behind-the-scenes stories from the film.
📍 Milton Keynes Theatre, Marlborough Gate
🎟 Tickets currently available from £47.64
👤 No under-3s; under-16s must sit next to and be supervised by an adult aged 18+
Book / find out more →

🕒 Sat 5 – Sun 6 Sep, 10:30am–4:30pm:

1940s Weekend at Milton Keynes Museum
Step back into wartime Britain with living-history groups, vintage music and dancing, historic vehicles, traders and Home Front displays. The weekend also includes a Dunkirk talk, family activities and the Museum’s usual galleries and attractions.
📍 Milton Keynes Museum
🎟 Adults £17.50; ages 5–16 £12; family £45; concessions £13.50; under-5s free. Last entry 3:30pm; pre-booking is optional
Event details / tickets →

🕒 Sun 6 Sep – approx. 12:45pm & 1:51pm:

Two aircraft flypasts at Bletchley Park
Two aircraft are due to fly over Bletchley Park on Sunday, with a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130J Hercules expected at around 12:45pm, followed by a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota at around 1:51pm.
📍 Bletchley Park
✈️ Flypast times may change or be cancelled on the day
More information →

🕒 Tue 1 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 →

🕒 Sat 5 Sep, 12pm–5pm:

🌳 Big Park Hangout
Young people aged 11–17 can head to Willen Lake for a free afternoon of activities, live performances and community connections. The event includes arts and culture, sport, wellbeing and safety services, creative activities, chillout areas, street food and local youth organisations. No booking is required.
📍 Willen Lake, Milton Keynes
🎟 Free; no booking required. Ages 11–17 must be supervised by an adult; parking charges apply
Event details →

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