Gulliver’s Land will throw open its doors for February half-term to mark the start of an exciting new season at the Milton Keynes theme park.

Mascots Gully Mouse and his gang are all geared up to show visitors a rip-roaringly great time with a selection of fantastic rides and attractions, including play areas that are perfect for younger children all on offer from the grand opening day of Saturday 14 February and for the following half term week.

The resort will then open at weekends and during school holidays throughout the year.

And in a great deal for families, the resort has announced an Early Season Special, with tickets just £17 per person until March 8, when you book at least two days in advance.

Gulliver’s Land has more than 50 rides, attractions, shows and activities for young adventure-seekers to enjoy, including The Runaway Train, Dragon Siege 360-degree pendulum, and the Grand Prix Racers rollercoaster.

Sue Conway, resort director at Gulliver’s Land, said: “The team has been busy making sure the theme park is ready to welcome everyone back through our doors for February half-term and we can’t wait for the new season to start. We’ve all recharged our batteries and want to ensure families have an extra-special time when they come to see us. We’ve got lots of exciting plans for 2026 so watch this space!”

Families looking to savour their time at Gulliver’s can enjoy a super staycation in the theme park’s variety of accommodation, which includes Princess Suites, Dinosaur and Unicorn-themed lodges, Western Lodges, and Woodland Lodges.

Gulliver’s Land opened in 1999, the third of the four Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts to open, the others being Gulliver’s Kingdom in Derbyshire, Gulliver’s World in Warrington, and Gulliver’s Valley in Rotherham.

For a full year of fun at an unbeatable price of just £99 per person, a Gulliver’s annual passport provides unlimited entry for 12 months to all Gulliver’s theme parks around the country.

For more information and to book your tickets for Gulliver’s Resort, visit: www.gulliverslandresort.co.uk

A luxury Buckinghamshire hotel is marking National Apprenticeship Week (February 9-15) by launching a new apprenticeship programme in partnership with Milton Keynes College Group – further strengthening its commitment to developing local talent.

The partnership between Horwood House Hotel, a 4-star country house hotel and conference venue in Little Horwood, near Milton Keynes, and MK College Group will initially focus on two apprentice roles: a maintenance assistant and a commis chef.

The maintenance assistant will focus on property upkeep through repairs, inspections and safety checks, while the commis chef will assist the kitchen team with food preparation, cooking and hygiene standards.

By bridging the gap between classroom learning and the fast-paced hospitality environment, the initiative will provide young people in the region with a pathway into professional careers in an award-winning hotel setting.

The collaboration underscores Horwood House’s dedication to social responsibility and community investment. Following a recent £6.5million refurbishment, the 38-acre estate serves as a premier training ground where apprentices can learn from industry experts while gaining hands-on experience in a Grade II listed building.

Caroline Morrone, General Manager at Horwood House Hotel, said: “While qualifications of course matter, learning on the job, managing workloads, building professional relationships and gaining confidence during an apprenticeship is just as valuable. The hospitality business is a genuine training ground for life lessons, and supporting young people into our amazing hospitality sector is a big focus for us at Horwood House. We are delighted to be partnering with Milton Keynes College and reaching the next generation of hospitality superstars.”

Milton Keynes College Group is a major local employer and inclusive education provider serving more than 8,000 students across two campuses and national prison services, offering a diverse range of vocational courses, apprenticeships and Higher Education qualifications.

Julie Jeffery, Head of Employer Engagement at Milton Keynes College Group, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with Horwood House to support them with recruiting and training two apprenticeship roles – property maintenance operative and commis chef. Horwood House is an important local employer, and we’re looking forward to supporting them with training their apprentices and developing their talent pipeline for the future.

“At Milton Keynes College Group, we work with a wide range of employers – ranging from global companies to local small businesses – to recruit and train more than 670 apprentices. We see apprenticeships as vital in providing opportunities for people to develop the skills they need to thrive in their careers. We’re looking forward to working with the team at Horwood House on these two apprenticeships, and we hope to continue working with them on more apprenticeships and possibly other roles in the years to come.”

Karim Kassam, Owner of Horwood House, added: “We’re all committed to helping the youth of Milton Keynes to secure jobs and learn skills that will help them in their careers and their life progression. The hospitality sector offers many transferable skills, such as problem-solving and working in a team, and we’re happy to train, pass on knowledge and mentor, bringing out the full potential of our young workforce. Milton Keynes College have excellent facilities and courses steering young people into hospitality, and we’re proud to be partnering with them.”

National Apprenticeship Week is an annual week-long celebration that brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make.

For more information on Horwood House Hotel, please visit https://www.horwoodhouse.co.uk/. For more information on MK College Group, visit https://mkcollege.ac.uk/.

MK Gallery is set to present three major exhibitions by artists whose work encapsulates the spirit of the 20th century. 2026 marks the largest solo exhibition of British painter Euan Uglow in 40 years, an exploration of iconic French photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue’s use of colour and the biggest career survey of L. S. Lowry in fifty years to mark the 50th anniversary of his death. Visitors to MK Gallery will have the chance to enjoy Uglow’s obsessive painting from life, Lartigue’s ground-breaking experiments with the photographic image and the full range of Lowry’s subjects and techniques.

Euan Uglow: An Arc from the Eye

Saturday 14 February – Sunday 31 May 2026

Curated by Catherine Lampert, this landmark exhibition brings together over 70 paintings and drawings by Euan Uglow and includes nudes, still lifes and landscapes, many seen in public for the first time in many years. Renowned for his methodical systems, Uglow was meticulous in painting from life and often took months – sometimes years – to complete nudes and still life paintings in his studio. The artist also painted landscape scenes of Europe in the summer, many of which will be exhibited at MK Gallery in 2026. This retrospective of Uglow’s work will place the artist in dialogue with those who inspired him, including Paul Cézanne and Alberto Giacometti, and his tutors at the Slade School of Art in London, William Coldstream, Victor Pasmore and Claude Rogers.

Jacques Henri Lartigue: Life in Colour

Saturday 20 June – Sunday 4 October 2026

Best known for his black and white scenes of Parisian society during the Belle Époque, Jacques Henri Lartigue was a pioneer of what later became known as street photography. Lartigue captured an age of innovation in the early twentieth century on camera, documenting car racing, aviation and early tourist resorts on camera. This exhibition – the first in the UK in over ten years – focuses on a little-known and rarely seen aspect of Lartigue’s work and explores his lifelong experimentation with colour. The exhibition brings together more than 150 prints, photographs and unique works on paper from the 1900s to the late 1980s that shine a light on Lartigue’s innovative use of colour photography.

This exhibition has been organised in collaboration with the Association des Amis de Jacques Henri Lartigue, Ministère de la Culture, France and diChroma photography.

L. S. Lowry

24 October 2026 – 28 February 2027

Fifty years after the death of Laurence Stephen Lowry in 1976, this will be the much-loved painter’s first major exhibition in over a decade. In addition to his well-known scenes of industrial life, this significant overview explores the full breadth of Lowry’s subject matter, including portraits, seascapes, early academic studies and enigmatic later works recalling Surrealism. Lowry’s career ran alongside huge changes in British society, with much of the industrial landscape he depicted closed, cleared and replaced during his lifetime. The artist’s technique involved just five colours of undiluted oil paint: ivory black, vermillion, Prussian blue and yellow ochre; his use of flake white as a background colour is synonymous with Lowry’s landscapes.

BOOK FOR ALL EXHIBITIONS NOW

Love is most definitely in the air right now, and whether you’re heading out to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a couple, grabbing the girls for a Galentine’s special or celebrating your closest friendships with an epic mate date and the ultimate group hangout activities, there’s only one place you need to visit. From action-packed days out to romantic dinner plans, a visit to Xscape Milton Keynes is sure to level up all your date night.

Just the two of you

Nothing says Valentine’s Day like celebrating the love of your life – and inviting them to take on the challenge of beating your high score. Whether you’re facing off on the bowling lanes to see who can score the most strikes at Hollywood Bowl or inviting them to win you a prize (or two) on the claw machines at Funstation, your next date night doesn’t get any better than this. Ramp up the challenge with a game of adventure golf at Volcano Falls, or relax into a cosier date night by catching Wuthering Heights on the big screen at Cineworld.

Feeling hungry? Share a pizza with PizzaExpress Valentine’s set menu or head to Creams Café to split your favourite desserts – because true love means getting to taste what they ordered too!

Let’s hear it for the girls

You don’t have to be in a relationship to make the most of the season of love! That’s why Galentine’s Day exists after all. It may not be an official holiday, but there’s no better excuse to round up your friends and enjoy the ultimate girls’ day. Taking place annually on 13th February, Galentine’s is best spent with brunch, cocktails and big celebrations. We’re talking VIP treatment at Hollywood Bowl, private karaoke booths at Volcano Falls and group bonding at Escape Hunt – followed by a celebratory drink or two, naturally.

Plus with T4 Bubble Tea to fuel your day, shareworthy bites to eat to enjoy at Slim Chickens and The Moon Under Water, and our on-site MERKUR Casino to help turn your girls’ day into a girls’ night, there’s no better place to plan your Galentine’s date.

All in this together

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples, you know! No matter if you’re single, seeing someone or a deeply committed relationship, this year, why not make the time to fall in love with your closest friends all over again with the ultimate mate date.

Share the thrill of the flight with an iFLY Indoor Skydiving group event, tap into a new skill with a visit to Snozone’s open sessions or turn your trip into a celebration with Volcano Falls’ party packages – cocktails and golf, anyone? When it comes to dining, there’s a whole host of dining options that are designed for sharing too. Pull up a bench at wagamama to swap stories over nourishing ramen bowls, get stuck into mouth-watering nachos, wings and more at Wing Kingz or settle in for flame-grilled chicken favourites made just how you like them at Nando’s too.

Planning your next Xscape date night? They’ve got everything you need under one gigantic roof!

More: https://www.xscapemiltonkeynes.co.uk/en

Milton Keynes City Council has confirmed that the city will bid for the UK City of Culture 2029 title, setting out an ambitious plan to celebrate Milton Keynes’ creativity, world‑renowned design heritage and forward‑looking cultural identity — with the potential to secure up to £10 million of national investment.

The UK City of Culture programme, led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), shines a spotlight on a city’s strengths while supporting new, transformative cultural activity. The winning place will receive £10 million to deliver its programme, with runners‑up receiving £125,000 and all longlisted areas receiving £60,000 to develop their proposals. Securing a place on the longlist would mark the first step in a major cultural opportunity for Milton Keynes.

Milton Keynes City Council is leading the bid, working in partnership with organisations from across the city including Universal, The Open University, Stadium MK and Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture. Residents, communities and cultural partners will be invited to help shape the bid as it develops.

If successful, Milton Keynes’ City of Culture year would coincide with the opening of a major new £76 million, 4,000‑capacity venue in the city centre — an investment from Milton Keynes Development Partnership that will build on the city’s distinctive cultural offer.

Milton Keynes enters the competition with strong credentials. As a city designed from its inception to be innovative, inclusive and future‑focused, its bold urban planning and iconic modernist design have shaped both its identity and the lived experience of its residents.

Today, Milton Keynes is home to one of the most resilient economies in the UK and a high quality of life that many larger cities aspire to. Eight million people can reach the city within 90 minutes, and millions are drawn to cultural landmarks such as Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes Theatre, MK Gallery and major events including IF: Milton Keynes International Festival.

While these strengths continue to grow, Milton Keynes’ cultural identity is still evolving. Gaining City of Culture status would accelerate this journey — unlocking new opportunities, championing local talent and strengthening pride of place. Celebrating the city’s design story, from the original grid roads to contemporary creative industries, will be a central part of the emerging bid.

The developing bid will also champion opportunity and inclusion. Plans include new pathways for young people through creative apprenticeships, support for emerging talent, and ‘Culture Kids MK’ — offering every baby born in 2029 five years of free cultural access. The bid will also explore how the city’s unique interplay of design, technology and innovation can inspire participation and new approaches to creativity.

Cllr Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, said: “Becoming a City of Culture in 2029 would be a powerful moment for Milton Keynes — a chance to build on our bold design heritage, supercharge our cultural offer, and show the rest of the country why this is one of the most exciting, inventive and welcoming cities in the UK. This is about celebrating the spirit of Milton Keynes and shaping our next chapter together.”

The winner of the UK City of Culture 2029 title will be announced towards the end of 2026 after a year‑long assessment process involving longlisting, shortlisting and detailed review by an independent expert panel.

Stadium MK have officially announced Day Two of SMK Live 2026 in Milton Keynes on Sunday 28 June with Black Eyed Peas revealed as headliner with Celebrity Traitors star Cat Burns joining the lineup together with Jaylen Ngonda and Maverick Sabre – Big Narstie will be the Day Two host.

Over 25 years, Los Angeles trio Black Eyed Peas – will.i.am, Apl.de.Ap, and Taboo – have earned six GRAMMY® Awards and achieved sales of 35 million albums & 120 million singles. One of the era’s biggest acts, they emerged as “the second best-selling artist/group of all-time for downloaded tracks,” (Nielsen), landing on Billboard’s “Hot 100 Artists of the Decade.” With multiple anthems that have defined a generation, their exclusive SMK Live appearance promises a truly standout moment in the festival’s debut year.

Also announced for Day Two is London-raised singer-songwriter Cat Burns. Since her breakthrough in the early 2020s, Cat Burns has continued to expand the perimeters of success for Gen Z musical talent. Achieving both chart success and critical acclaim, she is not only a triple-platinum-selling artist but the recipient of three BRIT nominations and a BBC Sound Poll shortlist, as well as a Mercury Prize nomination for her 2024 debut album early twenties. In 2025, she released her second album How to be Human: a body of work that moves through loss and grieving to emotional rebirth, delivering her most refined songwriting to-date. Beyond music, Cat captured the nation’s attention with her appearance on The Celebrity Traitors in 2025.

No matter what sub genre our current crop of musicologists may cite in the very near future to describe Daptone’s Records Jalen Ngonda’s riveting approach, he’s unequivocally a gifted songwriter and artist, blending classic and contemporary soul influences to create a sound that’s all his own. Having been lauded by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Jill Scott, Kehlani and Olivia Dean, as well as Elton John, who predicted last Summer that “he is going to be a huge star”, Jalen is set to bring his enthralling live show to SMK Live and we cannot wait.

Maverick Sabre has long been known for his soulful, honest songwriting and unmistakable vocals. His breakout debut album Lonely Are The Brave earned him a BRITs Rising Star nomination and he has since released four more acclaimed albums and had huge hits like ‘Slow Down’ with Jorja Smith. He’s known for his electric festival appearances and his performance promises to be a very special moment at SMK Live.

Hosting and performing at Sunday’s festivities will be none other than multi award winning national treasure and all round legend Big Narstie. Big Narstie has carved his own path through music, TV, entertainment, film and social media over the last decade, winning BAFTAs, RTS Awards, a record number of Urban Music Awards, presenting his own chat show for five successful seasons on national TV, and being the “go to” guest for many of the highest rated shows including Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel, Big Fat Quiz, Would I Lie To You, Good Morning Britain, Celebrity Bake Off etc., as well as releasing Top 10 hit singles. We can’t wait for him to bring his incredible charisma to SMK Live.

Housed inside Stadium MK’s stunning 30,000 seater stadium, the festival – the first of its kind in the stadium’s history – will offer music fans a jam-packed day to night schedule of high-octane performances, bringing some of the most memorable hits spanning the last two decades to the heart of Milton Keynes.

Whilst taking place in a stadium, SMK Live is not just a sit down show. It is a full festival, with street-food villages, activation zones, live DJs and singers, and two stages packed with amazing artists. Everything you could want out of a festival, including top-tier production, open spaces to explore, hospitality offerings and a crowd that’s there for the full weekend experience.

At just £95 (plus booking fee) for a two day pitch standing weekend ticket, SMK Live offers incredible value and is one of the most exciting new additions to the UK festival calendar. For those who have already purchased a Saturday-only ticket and would like to upgrade to the full weekend, further details on how to do so here.

Group tickets are for those who will be aged 14 and above at the time of SMK Live and offer six people access to the event for the price of five tickets. Offering great value for an all-day festival ticket, a group booking would, for example, bring the overall cost of a general admission pitch standing ticket down from £75 to £62.50 (excluding booking fees) per person. Group tickets for SMK Live are available to purchase here.

Perfect for families looking for a fun day of music and sunshine, the family package includes four tickets – two adults and two children (aged 5-14 years old). The cost of each child’s ticket is just £10 (excluding booking fee) – please note, children under 14 are not permitted into the pitch standing area. Purchase your family package here.

SMK Live is proud to offer an array of perfectly crafted hospitality packages, with offerings set to elevate your experience to one of luxury. There are four hospitality tiers available, starting from £150 – purchase your package here.

New Adventures is delighted to bring Matthew Bourne’s double Olivier award-winning, smash hit production of The Red Shoes to Milton Keynes Theatre, from Tue 10 – Sat 14 February as part of a UK tour.

Playing Victoria Page are Ashley Shaw, Cordelia Braithwaite, Hannah Kremer and Holly Saw, alongside Andy Monaghan and Reece Causton as Boris Lermontov, Dominic North and Leonardo McCorkindale as Julian Kraster, Michela Meazza, Cordelia Braithwaite and Katrina Lyndon as Irina Boronskaya, Liam Mower, Will Bozier and Jackson Fisch as Ivan Boleslawsky and Glenn Graham, Liam Mower and Reece Causton as Grischa Ljubov.

They are joined by Mark Austin, Tom Barnes Standing, New Adventures Emerging Artist Isabella Chandler, Adam Davies, Cameron Flynn, Anna-Maria de Freitas, Christina Gibbs, Thomas Ireson, Rosanna Lindsey, Callum Mann, Daisy May Kemp, Jarrod McWilliams, Matthew Potulski, Molly Shaw-Downie, Kingston Taylor, Shakiera Ward and Daisy West.

Matthew Bourne said: “I’m thrilled to announce that 11 of the original cast of The Red Shoes, which premiered in 2016, are returning for this 10th Anniversary production, performing the roles they created, possibly, for the last time. This is something that no New Adventures fan will want to miss!

The Red Shoes was the culmination of a twenty-year ambition to bring Powell and Pressburger’s seminal 1948 film to the stage. It was also, in many ways, a personal love letter to a life in theatre and dance.  

This production was certainly a landmark event for New Adventures, becoming an instant classic and a beloved addition to our repertoire. I’m so happy to see it return this year, especially as our last tour in 2020 was sadly cut short by the pandemic and left many of our loyal audiences throughout the UK disappointed.

So, welcome back to the Ballet Lermontov and to paraphrase the great impresario himself… ‘It’s time to put on the red shoes, Vicky, and dance for us again….’”

A sell-out before its world premiere season opened in 2016, Matthew Bourne’s triumphant adaptation of the legendary film went on to win Best Entertainment at the 2017 Olivier Awards, with Matthew Bourne winning the award for Best Theatre Choreographer. The show then returned for a national tour in 2019.

A timeless fairytale and Academy Award-winning movie, The Red Shoes has captivated audiences and inspired generations of dancers with its powerful tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Victoria Page lives to dance, but her ambitions become a fierce struggle between the two men who inspire her passion.

Matthew Bourne’s magical double Olivier Award-winning production of the legendary Powell and Pressburger film is set to a score orchestrated by Terry Davies, featuring the mesmerising music of golden-age Hollywood composer Bernard Herrmann, with sumptuous designs by Lez Brotherston (set and costumes), Paule Constable (lighting) and Paul Groothuis (sound).

An intoxicating drama where life imitates art with fateful consequences, The Red Shoes will dazzle your senses and break your heart.

THE RED SHOES is supported using public funds by Arts Council England.

Tickets are on sale now and are available at ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes

LISTINGS

The Red Shoes
Performances: Tue 10 Feb – Sat 14 Feb
Access bookings: 0333 009 5399
Group bookings: 0207 206 1174
Online Booking: ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes*

*Fees may apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge

The British Off Road Grand Prix (MKGP 2026) is one of the largest indoor radio-controlled car racing events in the UK, bringing together 430 competitors from all over the world for three days of high-energy competition in Milton Keynes.

From Friday 6 February to Sunday 8 February, watch the 1/10 scale electric off-road RC vehicles in the racing arena in Middleton Hall at centre:mk – and it’s completely FREE to watch and great fun for the whole family.

Watch the highly skilled competitors race their vehicles in this high-speed competition.

The event is professionally managed, with marshals, race control, commentators and safety barriers in place.

The event is key for attracting young people into science and technology as a career path and several local schools will also be attending the event.

The racing will be live streamed globally by RCTV, the top RC media channel in the world, with over 115,000 subscribers.

“RC racing is one of the most engaging ways to introduce children to engineering and technology without them even realising they’re learning. By bringing the British Off Road Grand Prix into centre:mk, we’re opening the sport, and the STEM skills behind it, to a whole new audience.” Brett Castle – Event Organiser of the MKGP2026

Kevin Duffy, Centre Director added “We are very excited to be hosting this fantastic event once again. It is amazing to watch the skill involved in this competition, bringing an event that is totally unexpected, into a shopping centre environment. It is popular with visitors to the centre who take a break from the shops and restaurants to watch the racing.”

More info HERE

Whether you’re looking to explore local wildlife, learn new skills, or simply enjoy time outdoors, February offers the perfect opportunity to connect with nature and your local parks.

The Parks Trust, the charity caring for MK’s parks, invites you to step outside, slow down, and discover the wonders of the city’s green spaces. From half term adventures at Howe Park Wood to community tree planting, mindful wellbeing walks, expert-led talks, and inclusive activities across the city, there’s something for every age and interest.

Howe Park Wood Open Mornings
Tue 17 – Thu 19 Feb

Explore the wonders of wildlife this half term, with a mammals in winter theme and plenty to explore. Uncover the secret lives of otters, become a nature detective by identifying tracks and trails, and enjoy lots of free nature-inspired activities.

Walk and talk: Wellbeing wander for families
Wed 18 Feb at Howe Park Wood

Find a moment of calm in the buzz of half term, with a range of activities to help all ages unwind and experience nature in a different way.

Green Break
Wed 18 Feb at Willen Lake

An adult-only walk to give staff from local businesses the opportunity to enjoy a lunch break outdoors, be introduced to and explore a green space close to their place of work.

Aside from half term entertainment, there are plenty of nature-inspired events to get closer to the local landscapes too:

Community Tree Planting
Sat 14 Feb at Trinty Church Meadow, Old Wolverton

Celebrating the launch of the Wetland Arc project, here’s a chance to leave your legacy planting native trees that’ll enhance Milton Keynes’ landscape and boost local wildlife habitats. No experience necessary, just enthusiasm. Booking required.

Talk: Rewild Your Residence
Tue 10 Feb at Howe Park Wood

Discover the secrets to creating a habitat haven by making your outdoor spaces wildlife-friendly. You’ll pick up tips from finch-favourite feeders to helping hedgehogs in your neighbourhood.

Talk: Behind the scenes of landscape management
Tue 24 Feb in Campbell Park

Join one of The Parks Trust landscape management team to find out how parks are cared for and some of the challenges that the team face.

Plus, there are lots more events to get you outdoors in the city’s parks this month:

Inclusive Stroll with British Sign Language 5 February at Ashland Lakes

Women’s Walking Network 5 February at Furzton Lake

5 Ways Cafe 10 February at St. Andrew’s Church in Great Linford Manor Park

Great Linford Manor Park 13 & 22 February

MK Rose Corporate Pancake Race 17 February in Campbell Park

Winter Warmer Run 22 February in Newlands

Community Litter Pick 24 February at Linford Wood

Woof Walk 28 February in Campbell Park

Julie Dawes, Events and Community Engagement Manager at The Parks Trust, said “Winter is a wonderful time to explore the city’s parks, and this February we’re offering plenty of ways to get outside together. From wildlife‑themed activities to gentle wellbeing walks, our events are designed to help residents rediscover nature during the colder months and enjoy quality time outdoors.”

To find out more about park events, visit theparkstrust.com/events

Milton Keynes City Council has selected renowned Artist Andy Edwards to create a new statue in the city centre to celebrate the life of Jennie Lee, the trailblazing figure who played a pivotal role in establishing The Open University.

Located near Station Square, the statue will be a lasting tribute to her vision and will recognise how The Open University has transformed education for millions of people across the world. It will be paid for using funding contributions from housing and infrastructure developers.

Andy, Founding Director of Cornovii Edwards was selected due to his outstanding portfolio of previous commissions which includes The Beatles, David Bowie and Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, alongside his knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for the opportunity to celebrate the life and work of Jennie Lee.

Born in Fife, Scotland in 1904, Jennie was elected as MP for North Lanark in 1929. She was one of the first women to be elected to the House of Commons and was also the youngest member of the House at that time, aged just 24. After a lifetime of being involved in politics and campaigning – alongside her husband Aneurin “Nye” Bevan – founder of the NHS – Jennie was made Minister for the Arts in 1964. Her seminal White Paper for the Arts was produced in 1965 insisting that the arts should be central to everyday life and publicly supported for the benefit of all.

In February 1966, she produced the landmark White Paper on the University of the Air, laying the groundwork and effectively founding The Open University, as well as the establishment of a national cultural policy through The Arts Council. She faced challenges to The Open University concept, but fought for a university that was both open to everyone and which operated to the highest standards. Jennie’s actions have benefitted millions of people globally ever since. She died in November 1988 as Baroness Lee of Asheridge.

Cllr Shanika Mahendren, Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking said: “Jennie Lee was a pioneer whose groundbreaking impact on the arts and education in our country has rarely been given the recognition it deserves, with her too often relegated to a footnote as Nye Bevan’s wife. To have a prominent statue in our city celebrating one of the key figures in establishing the Open University is very fitting. With his impressive work and his passion for Jennie’s story, I’m excited to see Andy bring to life a sculpture that reflects both her impact and her character.”

The Jennie Lee Archive collection is based at The Open University, and the Archive team will work closely with Andy on the commission’s development.

Professor Dave Phoenix, Vice-Chancellor of The Open University said:

“Jennie’s leading work in establishing the OU is a landmark event for learning in the UK and globally, and with the 60^th anniversary of her White Paper coming up in 2026, this is a perfect time to recognise her achievements.

“Our institution will be marking the anniversary early this year, and this statue is a great addition to the commemoration. We look forward to seeing it when complete.”

Following a period of research and design development, residents, stakeholders and partners will have the opportunity to meet Andy, hear about his work to date and engage in the process of the sculpture’s final design.

The final commission will be ready for later in 2026.

Further information about the life of Jennie Lee can be found on Exhibition: The Jennie Lee Archive Collection – Open University Digital Archive  and on The Open University in Scotland website.

A Tree of Hope has been planted in the city, marking Milton Keynes’ role in a nationwide initiative to honour the legacy of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree and create a lasting symbol of hope for future generations.

On Friday 23 January, the sapling was officially planted by community representatives and dignitaries including the Lord-lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Countess Elizabeth Howe. The planting ceremony took place in Stanton Low Park, the location chosen for the Tree of Hope due to its rich heritage, tranquil setting and connection to nature.

The Sycamore Gap tree held cultural and emotional significance for people from all walks of life, and the Tree of Hope initiative ensures that its legacy lives on. It’s hoped that each sapling will act as a living reminder of resilience, renewal and the importance of protecting the natural world.

The Parks Trust, the charity caring for MK’s parks, is proudly one of only 49 organisations across the UK to receive a sapling grown from the historic tree. Over time, the Tree of Hope will grow into a place for quiet reflection, community gathering and celebration.

Victoria Miles, Chief Executive of The Parks Trust said: “We’re incredibly proud to have been chosen to be part of this national initiative! Having a Tree of Hope in our city echoes our charity’s purpose, to provide amazing green spaces for our communities to love forever. It symbolises renewal, connection and our shared responsibility to care for nature. I hope that people will find the Tree of Hope to be a meaningful place for our communities for many generations to come.”

Due to the very wet ground at the planting ceremony on Friday, The Parks Trust decided to temporarily care for the sapling in their nursery over the weekend. To give the tree it’s best chances, the sapling will be replanted in a location very nearby in Stanton Low Park with more ideal ground conditions.

If you’ve not been to Stanton Low Park before, discover it here:
theparkstrust.com/stantonlowpark

A free wellbeing showcase aimed at helping people reset after the toughest month of the year is taking place at Unity Place this Thursday, 29 January.

Running from 11am to 2.30pm in the Urban Food Market, the Pop-Up Wellbeing Showcase will bring together local wellbeing experts, community organisations and practitioners offering practical, accessible ways to support mental, emotional and physical health.

Open to the public and free to attend, the drop-in event forms part of Unity Place’s wider Wellbeing at Unity Place programme and is designed to give visitors simple tools they can use immediately — from mindful movement and nutrition to emotional resilience, grief support and mental health advice.

Visitors can enjoy complimentary drink sampling from MOJU, offering daily vitality, immunity and gut-health shots, alongside naturally refreshing live-culture drinks. A variety of interactive wellbeing pop-ups will also be available throughout the event.

Highlights include a cycling-based mindfulness experience from Cycle Your Heart Out, an innovative wellbeing project founded by poet and Heartful Cycling Guide Sarah Bayaidah, which blends gentle movement, creativity and reflection to help people slow down and reconnect. The event will also feature The Man Cave UK, supporting men’s mental health and connection, alongside practical wellbeing advice from a range of local specialists.

The showcase will welcome Sarah Brason, a Grief Navigator and certified grief coach, who supports individuals and organisations to better understand and navigate grief in all its forms, from bereavement to life changes such as relationship breakdowns, identity shifts or changes in health. Her work focuses on helping people move from isolation and fear toward connection, strength and compassion.

Also attending is Hope & Wellbeing Hub, offering a gentle, chair-based five-minute emotional reset using headphones. This simple, self-guided pause is designed to help people settle, reflect and recharge during a busy day.

Visitors can also find out about upcoming community wellbeing workshops including breathwork classes and take away optional resources to continue their practice at home.

Additional wellbeing partners taking part include Mind BLMK, Tiny Terra, Puzzle-Peace Coaching, S.A.M Clinics – Skin, Aesthetics & MediSpa, and more.

Find out more about the free Wellbeing Showcase here:
https://www.unityplace.co.uk/whats-on-milton-keynes/pop-up-wellbeing-event-at-unity-place/

Location: Unity Place, Urban Food Market
Date: Thursday 29 January
Time: 11:00am – 2:30pm
Cost: Free, drop-in