On Thursday 10th June from 5pm until 9pm, Frosts Garden Centre in Woburn Sands will be hosting a gala evening with expert horticulturalist, Philip Gamble.
Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands

Regional shopping destination thecentre:mk will soon be hosting the La Dolce Vita Italian Market in Middleton Hall. Running from 29 April – 2 May, the market will present a little slice of Italy, offering customers the chance to discover a Mediterranean diet which could help them live longer. Delicious food products on offer will include a deli counter with Parma ham, salami, and cheeses including parmesan and mozzarella, olives and olive oils, Italian sweets and ice cream, nuts, dried fruits, breads – and more!
Middleton Hall, Milton Keynes

Lloyds No 1 Bar on the Theatre District has reached a landmark total for its bid to raise £10,000. The team has raised £6.5k so far through a number of collections and activities in aid of CLIC Sargent, the charity who cares for children with cancer. However, the Lloyds team need your help to meet their ultimate goal of £10k and become the top fundraiser out of all the Wetherspoons pubs.
Lloyds, Milton Keynes

Whistle Down the Wind returns to Milton Keynes Theatre from the 26th April to 1st May and taking part will be twenty-two local children from the Myra Tiffin Performing Arts School. The school is renowned for its professionalism and dedication, as well as the talent of the pupils.It is another wonderful opportunity for these youngsters.
Whistle Down The Wind, Milton Keynes

With the clocks having just gone forward, Arriva Buses is celebrating the longer days by creating the perfect guide for a perfect day out. Arriva Shires and Essex understands that the start of Spring sees more people looking to make the most of the change in season and enjoy days out. Therefore the company has created a free online resource which offers advice, tips and suggestions for everyone to enjoy.
Arriva, Milton Keynes

Michelin starred chef, Alan Murchison, has WON the regional Scottish heat and made it through to the finals of this year's Great British Menu, currently being aired on BBC Two. Murchison, who heads up the 10 in 8 Fine dining Group with his team, runs two separate Michelin starred restaurants outside London, namely L'Ortolan in Berkshire and La Bécasse in Ludlow, Shropshire and has just re-opened the well renowned fine dining restaurant - Paris House set in the idyllic Woburn Estate.
Paris House, Milton Keynes

As the spring weather finally arrives, Frosts Garden Centre welcomes the season with a weekend packed with well-known gardening experts to help people in Milton Keynes get the best from their garden and ‘Grow Your Own'– not matter how large or small your garden. Starting on Saturday 17th April – just a couple of days after Alan Titchmarsh's book signing – Geoff Hodge; writer, author and broadcaster will be speaking about his 20 years of ‘growing his own' at home and on his allotment.
Gardening, Milton Keynes

Manchester United Soccer Schools has announced that it will be returning to Milton Keynes next week following the huge success of its world famous Soccer Schools Player Development Course, which was held in the town last year. Boys and girls aged between six to 16 years old can now sign up for the course which will be held at Powerleague Milton Keynes and ‘Learn to Play the United Way' at the action packed two-day Player Development Course, kicking off on the 15th – 16th April 2010.
Soccer School, Milton Keynes

Reigning English National Table Tennis Champion and Commonwealth Games Double Gold Medallist Andrew Baggaley from Milton Keynes will return to the England National Team for the World Team Championships in Moscow from 23rd -30th May 2010 after a 4 year absence. The last time Baggaley represented the England National team he won a Silver Medal in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March 2006...
Table Tennis, Milton Keynes

Interactive white boards magically turned into working cash machines and giant cheques appeared as pupils from Knowles Junior School in Queensway, Bletchley gained skills for life as they learnt about the basics of banking, thanks to NatWest's MoneySense for Schools programme – the largest financial education programme in the UK.
MoneySense, Milton Keynes

Gather the kids this half term and get out to Airkix at Xscape, Milton Keynes and experience a UK adventure trip of a lifetime guaranteed to make you giggle. Fly with the exhilarating Airkix indoor skydiving, or for the more seasoned extreme seeker, get booked into Air-Sphere for that extra adrenalin rush.
Airkix, Milton Keynes

The Marshall MK Lions basketball team are playing their last home game of the season at Stoke Mandeville Stadium on Easter Bank Holiday Monday (5 April) starting at 6pm. This is against the Plymouth Raiders currently ranked 11th in the British Basketball League (BBL). MK Lions were successful in achieving a place in the semi-finals of both the BBL Trophy and BBL Cup, which resulted in the original fixtures being re-arranged to include two extra games.
MK Lions, Milton Keynes

On Thursday 8 April from 5.30 to 7.30pm, Regis on Sunset Walk in thecentre:mk will be giving free consultations on all hair care aspects, ranging from colours, cuts, extensions and products. Meanwhile, customers will also be able to meet the team from Sculpture Fitness for advice on health, Body Mass Index (BMI), diet and fitness.
Regis, Milton Keynes

Arguably the most famous man in the gardening world, Alan Titchmarsh, is making a personal appearance at Frosts Garden Centre in Woburn Sands on Wednesday 14th April between 2-3pm. The broadcaster, novelist, journalist and gardener will be signing his new ‘How to Garden' book range that includes Greenhouse Gardening; Perennial Garden Plants; Flowering Shrubs; Climbers and Wall Shrubs and Growing Fruit.
Frosts Garden Centre, Milton Keynes

The Entertainer and the Crèche at thecentre:mk are running a variety of events over the weekend of 2-4 April to entertain children this Easter weekend. On Saturday the 3 April from 10 to 5:30, the crèche at thecentre:mk is running an Easter Egg Hunt around the shopping centre. Children can scamper all over thecentre:mk searching out 10 specially hidden Easter Egg Posters cunningly hidden on other shop windows.
thecentre:mk, Milton Keynes

Hard working volunteers at Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust were honoured last week when 17 were presented with Diamond Awards in recognition of over 10 years service. The group, who have totalled an incredible 500 years of volunteering for the hospital between them, have supported the Trust in all sorts of ways, giving between a few hours to whole days of their time every month.
Milton Keynes Hospital

Aerial Extreme will be hosting the region's highest Egg and Spoon 'race' this Easter, and it's open to everyone this Easter Sunday. Remember the old Egg and Spoon race at School? Well now you can take part in the Aerial Eggstreme Challenge version, 40ft above ground, climbing, jumping and zip wiring with a raw egg and an optional spoon! Successfully navigate our entire course and get to the end with a fully intact egg to win a prize. Aerial Extreme, Milton Keynes

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw will visit Bletchley Park on Thursday 25 March to announce the allocation of £250,000 Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) funding for urgent repairs at the neglected World War Two codebreaking centre. The grant, which comes from the re-allocation of under-spends elsewhere in the DCMS budget for 2009-2010...
Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes

Take advantage of the longer days and fresh air with a host of guided walks as part of Milton Keynes' first Walking Festival, organised by The Parks Trust. The city has some great places to walk all you need is a little spare time and a sense of adventure. There are twenty different walks catering for all ages and abilities over four days, from Friday 30 April until Monday 3 May 2010.
First Walking Festival, Milton Keynes

There's something for everyone this summer as Milton Keynes Theatre launch a sizzling hot summer season. Highlights include chart-topping tenor Jonathan Ansell in Whistle Down the Wind, Milton Keynes Theatre favourite Paul Nicholas who returns to star in the Gilbert and Sullivan classic The Pirates of Penzance, and Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity, sure to provide a breathtaking evening for the whole family to enjoy.
Milton Keynes Theatre

Join in the family fun at Bletchley Park on Sunday 30 and Monday 31 May for its annual Bank Holiday ‘Forties Family Festival', celebrating 65 years since VE Day. In 2009 the event attracted around 2000 visitors and over 200 World War Two re-enactors, and had Bletchley Park teeming with activity, so the 2010 event has been extended and will take place over two days, with even more re-enactors due to take part and lots more activities for the whole family.
Forties Family Festival, Milton Keynes

A career with the England Deaf Rugby team could be on the cards for Milton Keynes College barbering student Joshua Sprules. The 18 year old from Bletchley has just completed a gruelling England training session at Stowe School, alongside some of the best deaf players in the country. Joshua, who plays for Bletchley Colts and MK College's own rugby squad, is pressing for a place in the national team after being scouted by Tony Stoyles, Director of England Deaf Rugby.
Milton Keynes College

Despite it being a horrible wet day Milton Keynes ground out another win in the league. Slough started the game Milton Keynes ran the ball back to them, lost possession and Slough moved up field. They were immediately awarded a penalty to take the early lead. It took 20 minutes to pull off the next score with Slough running out of defence the home side won back the ball thanks to Dan Pearson, this week playing at 13 due to several team changes. MKRUFC, Milton Keynes

The staff at TK Maxx cycled and ran 860 miles raising nearly £800 in aid of Sport Relief. The original target was to cover the 351 mile distance from Milton Keynes to Paris from the 19 – 21 March; however, the team broke this target going from Milton Keynes to Paris and back again over the period. TK Maxx is a major sponsor of Sport Relief after being involved in with Comic Relief for the past six years and raising over £6.3 million. TK Maxx, Milton Keynes

Temmy Bamishe (13) and Lewis Maguire (15) from Milton Keynes Academy were announced overall winners when they entered a national freestyle dance competition run by chew brand MAOAM at Move It, the UK's largest dance event. The competition, held at the Olympia in London, gave teenagers and young adults the chance to showcase their grooves and moves with the winners receiving exclusive MAOAM goodies and prizes. Milton Keynes Academy

MILTON KEYNES women are being urged to enter Cancer Research UK's Race for Life and share amazing moments as they become part of the biggest female-only team in the UK. And the charity is asking them to recruit their friends, family and colleagues now that entry to the Milton Keynes event is officially open. Race for Life is the UK's largest women-only fundraising event series where all the money raised goes to fund Cancer Research UK's life-saving work.
Race For Life, Milton Keynes

From 2 - 18 April Middleton Hall, at regional shopping destination thecentre:mk, will be transformed into a village green to host thecentre:mk Easter Village Fete. The events space will be ‘grassed' over and the fete will include children's craft workshops, a petting farm, traditional rides and stalls selling homemade baking.
thecentre:mk, Milton Keynes

Lawrence Dallaglio and his team have cycled from Italy to Scotland during the Six Nations, Christine Bleakley from The One Show is attempting to water-ski across the channel and Eddie Izzard ran 43 marathons in 51 days all in aid of Sport Relief. Now staff at TK Maxx in thecentre:mk are getting in the act by cycling and running the 351 miles from Milton Keynes to Paris from the 19 – 21 March all without leaving the store. TK Maxx, Milton Keynes

This week 121 Bucks students have taken up Peter Jones' challenge of turning £10 into a projected £2,107 in just one month with their own community-minded, enterprising ideas, as part of Enterprise UK's Make Your Mark with a Tenner campaign. A £10 note will be given today to each of the young people aged 19 and under taking part in Buckinghamshire, with the challenge to come up with creative and enterprising ideas..
Make Your Mark, Milton Keynes

Since February 2008, Amway's NUTRILITE division has sponsored Brazilian football superstar Ronaldinho in a ‘Goal By Goal' initiative, part of its global ‘One by One Campaign' to provide children all over the world with a chance to live a better life. Each time Ronaldhino scores in the Italian League, UEFA Cup or for the Brazilian national team, Amway donate $10,000 dollars to a charity aimed at helping children in the country where the game is played.
Amway, Milton Keynes

Holding a contest to guess how many sweets could be stuffed inside a blazer was just one of the bright ideas from young people to raise money for Willen Hospice. Year 8 students at The Milton Keynes Academy were so moved by an assembly given by staff from Willen Hospice that they decided to raise money to support its work in caring for seriously ill people.
Milton Keynes Academy

Schools in and around Milton Keynes are joining a major new campaign to encourage pupils into the garden. The ‘Grow Your Own With Schools' campaign, spearheaded by Frosts Garden Centres, is looking for ‘Growing Gardeners' to take part in its first event; the Sunflower Challenge 2010. Already 10 schools from the area have opted into the campaign and will receive free sunflower seeds, soil, digging tools and a growing guide, as well as badges and car stickers. Sunflowers, Milton Keynes

With April being the perfect time to start preparing your garden for the summer months, be sure to visit the Garden Show at regional shopping destination thecentre:mk to get all the equipment and advice you need. Running from 26 – 28 March in Middleton Hall, the Garden Show will have over 50 exhibitors on hand with solutions to all your gardening needs.
Garden Show, Milton Keynes

On Saturday 20 March at 1pm Milton Keynes Theatre will be hosting a book signing with Lynda Bellingham, star of Calendar Girls, in celebration of the recent launch of her autobiography Lost and Found: My Story. Lynda is a much-loved as the warm, open and quick-witted panellist on Loose Women well as for her appearances in Strictly Come Dancing and Calendar Girls.
Milton Keynes Theatre

Bletchley Park, home to the codebreakers of World War Two, has launched its 2010 programme of events, which includes a range of fun-filled and action-packed activities to suit everyone, from families and computer geeks, to film buffs and plane spotters! As well as many of the old favourites, new events for this year include a Vintage Computer Fair, Armed Forces Day and Golden Age of Cinema.
Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes

Ever keen to develop themselves further, Cadets from 207 (Cranfield) Squadron Air Training Corps (ATC) recently attended a First Aid Course. Joining forces with cadets and staff from 1003 (Leighton Buzzard) Sqn, 7 cadets, accompanied by 2 qualified staff, from 207 Sqn worked hard to complete the 3 day course, supported by St Johns Ambulance, to obtain their Young Lifesaver Plus award. Cadets, Milton Keynes

Amway UK, one of the global leaders in direct selling, based in Caldecotte, has been announced MK Dons official ‘Healthy Living Partner' for the second consecutive year. Throughout the year, Amway provide the first team players nutrition and health products - including Nutrilite Daily, a multi - vitamin and mineral product, and Strive+, an isotonic energy drink for rehydration.
Amway, Milton Keynes

A talented young squad of teenage footballers from Milton Keynes College have been crowned league champions of the SESSA Men's Premier North League. The MK College Football Development Squad beat off the challenge of older university sides to win the Southern England Students Sports Association league by two points.
Milton Keynes College

MK tennis talent, Lauren Armstrong, took the title at the LTA Grand Prix event and ended a 6 month winning spell for her opponent. Eight juniors from across the region gathered at David Lloyd Hertford on Sunday 28th February to compete in the Grade 3 event. In the Under 9's events, the players play a best of 3 tie-breakers, with each tie-breaker going to 10 points.
Tennis, Milton Keynes

The nation is going dance-crazy on Saturday 6th and Sunday the 7th March as venues across England offer free dance classes to support the Department of Health ‘Let's Dance with Change4Life' campaign. energie Fitness is joining in the campaign by offering everyone in Milton Keynes free dance classes on this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, instructors will take classes for people of all abilities, which will include Rock ‘n' Roll, Street and Zumba dance styles.
Energie, Milton Keynes

Come along and enjoy the launch of exciting new designer jewellery from Fabulous, for just £5 a ticket. Be the first to view and purchase exclusive Spring/Summer jewellery from designers including Thomas Sabo, Lola Rose, Swatch and Missoma. New to Fabulous, award-winning collection ‘The Branch' will also be available, offering you its one of a kind wood and silver jewellery.
Fabulous, Milton Keynes

MK Dons fell to their 14th defeat of the season as they were beaten 1-0 by Yeovil Town. Shaun MacDonald's thunderbolt strike in the 23rd minute was enough to earn the Glovers their first ever win over the Dons, who are now nine points adrift from the League One play-offs.
Read the full article at MK News

thecentre:mk's new restaurant quarter, Destination Dining, is now fully let as Carluccio's and Yo Sushi take the remaining 9,000 sq ft. Following the lettings to Café Rouge and Nandos in the autumn last year, both Carluccios and Yo Sushi! have taken 4,500 sq ft units in thecentre:mk's new restaurant quarter, Destination Dining, on 25 year leases.
Destination Dining, Milton Keynes

Local singer/musician Jon Kendall from Milton Keynes has made it to the regional final of the national music competition ‘Live and Unsigned'. ‘Live and Unsigned' is the largest national competition aimed at, bands, groups and solo artists all hoping to make it big in the music world. During the last three years, more than 30,000 acts have auditioned, so competition is tight!
Local Talent, Milton Keynes

National Science and Engineering Week is a 10-day long celebration of science, engineering and technology that sees people of all ages taking part in, and organising, a vast array of events across the country. In 2009, over 1.4 million people took part in 3,500 events throughout the UK. Coordinated by the British Science Association, in partnership with Engineering UK, with funding from BIS (the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills), National Science and...
Science & Engineering week, Milton Keynes

The Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre, based at Bradwell Abbey, has been awarded this prestigious educational award for their work in heritage and geography education. The Chairman of the Trust, Prof David Locke, CBE and the Director of MKCDC, Henk van Aswegen, attended the awards ceremony and celebration on the15th February 2010 in St. George's Hall, Windsor Castle. Discovery Centre, Milton Keynes

This week saw the Orange Multimedia store in Milton Keynes transform itself into a traditional cinema for its very own premiere. The Centre MK store showed off its high-tech facilities as it hosted a late-night premiere screening of box office hit, Adventureland. Luxurious cinema-style chairs, popcorn, red carpet, a customary curtain and even ushers created the unique atmosphere for a handful of competition winners and guests.
Orange, Milton Keynes

Climb Your Mountain, a Milton Keynes charity helping support people with depression, stress and anxiety, is celebrating the return of its Mount Kilimanjaro team who were successful in reaching the 5,895m summit last week. With temperatures down to -20C, the team endured severe weather conditions in a physically and mentally demanding six day trek on the Machame route.
Climb Your Mountain, Milton Keynes

Ross Mitchell and his band will be back in Middleton Hall from 1pm – 3pm on Tuesday 2 March with a selection of classics aimed to get your toes tapping and you moving round the dance floor. The Tea Dance will include Ballroom, Latin-American and many other favourites from Ross Mitchell and his musicians. Ross Mitchell and his band play for the majority of Major Championships in the U.K. and travel worldwide to Australia, America, China, Canada, Hong Kong, Russia and Europe providing their brand of music for Dance Competitions, Shows and Grand Gala Balls. Tea Dance, Milton Keynes

SNO!zone sponsored snowboarder Zoe Gillings proved that she is one of the world's best with a thrilling Olympic run. The 24-year-old took part in the women's snowboard cross event at the Vancouver Games which sees snowboarders race down a demanding course packed with bumps, turns and jumps. After a fantastic qualifying run Zoe took an easy second place in the quarterfinals of the event which was held on Cypress Mountain, Vancouver...
SNO!zone, Milton Keynes

Tennis success is something that Milton Keynes based charity, MK Ace Tennis, are experiencing on weekly basis. On Saturday 20th February, over 100 people gathered at the Ramada Encore Hotel to celebrate the successes of 2009 and award the players for their commitment and achievements. The evening was further enhanced with a very special visit from The Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Euan Henderson, who delighted in presenting the awards.
Tennis, Milton Keynes

From 25-28 February the Lifestyle: Interiors & Exteriors Show comes to Middleton Hall at thecentre:mk providing you with the most contemporary designs to transform your house into the home of your dreams. For four days over 40 exhibitors dedicated to home decorating & design will be at the Lifestyle: Interiors & Exteriors show furnishing you with imaginative ideas on everything from Gazebo's and Handmade Furniture to Designer Kitchens and Soft Furnishings to make your home beautiful. Interiors/Exteriors, Milton Keynes

The Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival is the largest one-day dragon boat event in the country, attracting 60 teams and more than 14,000 spectators. Last year the Festival sold out well before the closing date and, if the interest already generated this time around is anything to go by, the ninth Festival taking place at Willen Lake on Sunday 4th July should be another spectacular success!
Dragon Boat Festival, Milton Keynes

As part of the annual Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans (LGBT) History Month, Bletchley Park will be celebrating the lives and achievements of the LGBT community at a special event on Sunday 28 February. Among other things, the event will focus on the life and work of codebreaker, Alan Turing, during his time at Bletchley Park, with special lectures and films. Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes

The inaugural Race for Heroes Charity Kart Race will speed into Milton Keynes on Saturday the 27th February as stars from British Motorsport gather at the Daytona International Karts Circuit (0845 644 5503 or www.daytona.co.uk) to raise money and awareness for the Help for Heroes Charity, by doing what they do best; racing. The day comprises breakfast on arrival for drivers, press and VIPs, fast paced action and entertainment during the 6hr endurance race, prize giving, auction and dinner.
Help for Heroes, Milton Keynes

An innovative new approach to the adoption process has been trialed in a unique partnership between Milton Keynes based adoption agency St. Francis' Children's Society, The British Association of Adoption and Fostering, and Channel 4. The concept was developed following the Find Me a Family series screened on Channel 4 as part of their Forgotten Children season last May.
Adoption, Milton Keynes

MK Dons has set a marathon challenge for local businesses to raise money for its Sport and Education Trust (SET) and Help for Heroes. The Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr Euan Henderson was joined by MK Dons Chairman Pete Winkelman on Monday 15th February at Midsummer Place Shopping Centre to launch the event, with teams of six from local businesses challenged to cover the greatest distance possible in six hours on static exercise bikes kindly provided by Energie Fitness Milton Keynes. Milton Keynes Dons

On the back of 4 straight wins Milton Keynes were looking to make it 5 by toppling the joint league leaders Amersham & Chiltern, but it was not to be. Milton Keynes struggled to find their exciting form of late and were beaten by 3 tries to 1. After just 5 minutes Amersham & Chiltern went down the right flank to score through their winger, a difficult conversion was slotted over which gave the home side a 7 point lead.
Rugby, Milton Keynes

Top British Junior, Josh Sapwell, continues his terrific form that has elevated him to 28 in the Tennis Europe Rankings with a solid performance in the Winter Cup. This year's winter cup was held in Sweden and 3 British Under 14 Players travel to compete in this event that has 29 different nations playing in 4 separate groups. Great Britain had a tough group with Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and Switzerland, with France receiving a bye to the semi's as No.1 seeds.
Tennis Works, Milton Keynes