MK Digest – Royal Mail Delays, New Community Larder and 3-Day Film Festival

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

Royal Mail has listed Milton Keynes Kiln Farm Delivery Office among the offices most affected by delivery delays, covering MK8, MK11, MK12, MK13, MK14 and MK19.

The postal service says local offices can sometimes be disrupted by issues including sickness, resourcing or other local factors. Where this happens, deliveries may be rotated to minimise delays, with additional support sent to affected offices.

Residents can check Royal Mail’s live service-update page for the latest position.

📍 MK8, MK11, MK12, MK13, MK14 & MK19

Check Royal Mail service updates →

A new Community Larder has opened at Pebbles Family Centre in Fishermead, offering members a lower-cost way to buy a selection of food each week.

The larder is at 1 Newlyn Place, Fishermead, MK6 2LP, and is open on Wednesdays from 11:30am to 1pm.

Membership costs £4.50 a week for an individual or £9 for a family, plus a one-off £10 joining fee. Members can choose up to 14 food items each week, which SOFEA says have an average value of around £12–£15.

SOFEA says anyone can become a Community Larder member, whatever their income or reason for joining. There are no geographic restrictions, so members can use whichever Community Larder they are able to travel to.

🕒 Wednesdays, 11:30am–1pm
📍 Pebbles Family Centre, 1 Newlyn Place, Fishermead, MK6 2LP
🎟 £4.50 individual / £9 family per week + £10 joining fee

See how to join →

A new independent film festival will bring three days of screenings, talks and filmmaker events to MK Gallery this weekend.

The inaugural 2 Counties Independent Film Festival runs from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August, with independent films alongside filmmaker Q&As, talks, networking and an awards night.

MK Gallery currently lists Opening Night tickets at £15, Saturday and Sunday day passes at £25, a £40 Weekend Pass and a £70 Weekend VIP Pass. The main festival listings are marked 18+.

Tickets are currently available online.

🕒 Fri 21–Sun 23 Aug
📍 MK Gallery, 900 Midsummer Boulevard, MK9 3QA
🎟 From £15

Festival details & programme →

Buy tickets →

Families can enjoy a free community fun day in Downs Barn this Saturday, with three bouncy castles and inflatables free to use.

The MK Melting Pot Community Fun Day takes place at Downs Barn Pavilion, Pannier Place, on Saturday 22 August from 12pm to 5pm, with free entry.

The day will include three free inflatables funded by Great Linford Parish Council – a bouncy castle and inflatable slide, Kids Fun Run and an inflatable football shootout – alongside free tennis sessions from Great Linford Tennis Club from 12pm to 3pm and free cycling sessions from British Cycling from 12pm to 2pm.

There will also be craft, plant, face-painting and games stalls, music, with food and refreshments available to buy.

🕒 Sat 22 Aug, 12pm–5pm
📍 Downs Barn Pavilion, Pannier Place, Downs Barn, MK14 7QP
🎟 Free entry

Find out more →

Lovat Hall in Newport Pagnell has begun a redevelopment expected to take around 12 months.

Newport Pagnell Baptist Church says the hall normally hosts more than 30 regular groups, receives more than 1,200 visits a week and is used around 75% of the time for community activities.

The project will replace the ageing rear section with a modern two-storey space, including new meeting rooms, a kitchen, a flexible upstairs area, additional accessible toilets and a new heating system.

The church says the capacity of the existing main hall will remain unchanged.

During the building work, Newport Pagnell Baptist Church says its Sunday services will be held at Ousedale School in Newport Pagnell until summer 2027, while most other church and community groups previously based at Lovat Hall will meet at venues across the town.

📍 Lovat Hall, Silver Street, Newport Pagnell, MK16 0EJ

See the redevelopment plans →

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

🕒 Tue 18 Aug:

The Beach – Free Punch & Judy
The Beach at Middleton Hall, centre:mk is open from 9:30am to 6pm. Entry is free, rides start from £3, and free Punch & Judy shows are scheduled during the day.
📍 Middleton Hall, centre:mk
🎟 Free entry
More information →

🕒 Fri 21 Aug, 12pm–4pm:

Love Wetlands Day
This free family event at Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve celebrates 10 years of the reserve, with wildlife discovery, nature-themed crafts including heritage weaving, outdoor wellbeing activities and local wildlife organisations.
📍 Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve
No booking required →

🕒 Wed 19 Aug, 10am–1pm:

Work & Focus Session (ADHD-Friendly)
A free structured focus session at Moxy Milton Keynes using body doubling – working alongside others to help stay on task – aimed especially at ADHD and neurodivergent people but open to anyone. Ages 16+; under-18s must attend with a guardian.
📍 Moxy Milton Keynes, 331 Avebury Boulevard, MK9 2GA
Booking is required →

🕒 Sun 23 Aug, 12pm–5pm:

Arthur Ellis Mental Health Wellbeing Festival
The free family-friendly event at Great Linford Manor Park features interactive games and activities with a wellbeing focus, live acoustic music, community stalls and refreshments.
📍 Great Linford Manor Park
More information →

🕒 Sat 22 Aug, 2.30pm:

The Prodigy – Warriors Dance
The Prodigy returns to The National Bowl with Carl Cox, Andy C, Yousuke Yukimatsu, Scarlxrd and David Rodigan also on the line-up. Tickets are on sale. The event is for over-14s only; under-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18.
📍 The National Bowl, Watling Street, MK5 8AA
The National Bowl →
Buy tickets →

🕒 Sun 23 Aug, 8pm:

Tony Christie Farewell Tour Unplugged with Strings
Tony Christie brings his farewell tour to the Jim Marshall Auditorium at The Stables for an unplugged performance; tickets are currently available.
📍 The Stables, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, MK17 8LU
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