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DEVELOPMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

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The 2012 Events Calendar gives details of events being held in and around Milton Keynes. If you would like to include your event please email me at carmel.blyth@mkccm.org .  

thecentre:mk

Middleton Hall (near John Lewis)
‘Campaign 12’ – 12 – 13 May – participate in or watch the National War Games League as they conduct table-top skirmishes on elaborate and detailed battlefields.
Milton Keynes Garden Show – 18 – 20 May – see excellent ideas for sprucing up your garden, allotment or patio area.
MK Handmade & Vintage Weekend Extravaganza – 26 – 27 May – See 100 large indoor market stalls with one off vintage and handmade goodies. For more information see: thecentre:mk

HeartSwitch – 26 May – Join the six hour mini festival with live music and entertainment through the day in aid of Harefield Hospital. Admission is free, you are asked to make a small donation and add your name to the UK Donor Register.

For more information see: thecentre:mk

Midsummer Place Shopping Centre
To find out more see: Midsummer Place

Theatre District
For more information on venues and events see: Theatre District

Milton Keynes Gallery 
MK Gallery Exhibitions
Current Exhibition - Olivia Plender, Rise Early, Be Industrious - Until 17 June 2012
Through sculpture, embroidery, posters, board games and architectural models the exhibition explores how attitudes towards mass education have evolved over time, and includes a replica TV studio from the 1970s and a Google style workplace

MK Gallery Video Space
A monthly programme of free films and videos will be shown daily in the Gallery’s first floor Video Space during advertised opening hours in May:
1 - 10 May - Curated by Olivia Plender. Films by artists including Nick Laessing, Candice Lin, Matthew Noel Tod, Anja Kirschner & David Panos.
11 – 27 May- Admitting the Flats, Scratch Nights in March
Highlights include an evening of live audio-visualFriday Night Films in May
Screenings this month include a double bill of two Buster Keaton classics, The Play House Finally on 25 May, an MK Film Makers eventFor Children and Families
Start the ArtProject Space Exhibition Station X 4 - 27 May / Preview, 3 May, 6 - 8pm Station X  offers a multi-sensory insight into the derelict buildings of Bletchley Park, the home of the World War Two code-breakers, and arguably one of Britain’s most important historical sites. Read more / Hear the artists talk about the project
For more information see: Milton Keynes Gallery  opening times for the Gallery: Tuesday – Friday 12pm till 8pm, Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday 11am-5pm, closed Mondays.  Every Tuesday, 11am - 12 noon
Free Parent and Toddler Sessions for under 4’s. This month's activities include making Mother's Day Cards and a rhythm and rhyme workshop.
Mini Makers - Every Saturday, 1 - 3pm / Ages 4+
A weekly programme of artist-led sessions. This month's activities are all inspired by our Festive Road exhibition in the Project Space.
Project Space Exhibition -  showcases the best in local filmmaking talent. See full listing of events, All screenings start at 6.30pm / £5, £3 concs.
 and The Electric House, screened with a live music score, a stunning feature length documentary chronicling the life of suffragette and revolutionary Sylvia Pankhurst, and Nosferatu the Vampyre, a 1979 West German vampire horror film. as part of the Fishmarket at... offsite season, live music from Longmeg, the first of two events by Open File and a film screening and talk, which asks the question, "Is traditional art doing something to our minds that contemporary art can't do?"
curated by Open File, a curatorial conversation between artist Jack Brindley and curator Tim Dixon. Films by artists including George Barber, Olivia Plender, Rachel Reupke and Jamie Shovlin. Find out more
 

You are invited to participate in a selection of cultural activities, workshops, talks, tours, performances and exhibitions over this 10-day festival. Participating venues include: artworks-mk, Discover MK, MK Gallery, CMK Central Library, The Buszy, Chrysalis Theatre, Milton Keynes City Church and many more across Milton Keynes. For more information see: www.mksummerofculture.co.uk or call 01908 614638

For more information on their programme see: www.mkco.org or contact the MKCO Box Office on 01908 558311.

 

Parks Trust March Programme
For more information on what events are on in the park visit: www.theparkstrust.com

 

FRINGEMK  

Project space 2 (located next to TGI Friday, Theatre District) 
Exhibition by Zoe Petersen, ‘Wide Open’ – 13 May – 24 June 2012

Zoe engages with social and architectural spaces using photography, sound and dialogue. The photographic exhibition is an installation of cyanotype prints.

Julie’s exhibition is a series of photographs taken over five years.

For more information see: FringeMK  

Milton Keynes Theatre.  To find out more or book tickets call Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office on 0844 871 7652 or visit  www.ambassadotickets.com/miltonkeynes  (booking fee applies) 

 

Milton Keynes is celebrating a "Summer of Culture" in 2012 as part of the Cultural Olympiad and the International Festival.  A range of different events are taking place across the city from May to September, all of which you can be a part of.  Find out more here www.mksummerofculture.co.uk

You can also follow on Twitter @MK_SofC and via Facebook www.facebook.com/mksummerofculture

2012 promises to be a spectacular year for the annual Theatre District Mascot Olympics and Family Fun Day being held on Saturday 16June.  A free charitable event which is hilarious to watch as mascots from around the country compete throughout the day try to become Olympic Champion.  If you have a mascot you would like to bring along (proper mascot costumes only please), would like a stall at the event or could spare some time on the day to help, please get in contact with the organiser.  They are also looking for a charity partner for the day, ideally with some link to children and/or sport, who can provide volunteers and feel could really make use of this incredible event to raise funds and their profile.  Contact Sara Mills – sara.mills@theatre-district.co.uk / 07500 939 387. 

Olympic Torch Relay – 09 July
Departing from Luton, the Olympic Flame convoy will arrive in Milton Keynes on the morning of
9 July. The Olympic Flame is driven between destinations, arriving at its official 'torchbearer' point, each torchbearer will carry it for 300m. Three torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame in Central Milton Keynes, starting at 8.32am on Childs Way, travelling along Saxon Gate and Silbury Boulevard, and finishing where Silbury Boulevard meets Grafton Gate. The Olympic Flame convoy will then drive to Bletchley. For more information see:Milton Keynes Council

Midnight Moo - 14 July
This is the 4^th year that Willen Hospice have run the event, already 1,700 women have registered to join in at a cost of £15. The 10 mile route takes you around Milton Keynes starting and finishing at Midsummer Place Shopping Centre. For more information see: MK Midnight Moo

Swedish House Mafia Concert – 14 July
Playing at the National Bowl, for more information see: Destination Milton Keynes

A community parade in partnership with Festive Road see giant figures and structures including sporting icons; dragons; elephants; mythical creatures and famous people.  Participants and giants will proceed along Midsummer Boulevard through the Hub, Midsummer Place and up to the Theatre District. Festive Road are the organisation behind this venture and they are keen to hear from any companies who would like to build their own giant to participate in the parade or would alternatively sponsor a school to build one for them.  Contact Simon Tipping by emailing simon@festiveroad.org.uk

IF Milton Keynes International Festival – 20 – 29 July
10 amazing days in 2012, see the website www.ifmiltonkeynes.org, for further details, bookings are already being taken.

Godiva Awakes – 01 – 02 August
Godiva will journey to London to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games. Godiva Awakes will be powered by 100 cyclists and is part of Artists taking the lead, a series of 12 public art commissions across the UK. For more information see: www.imagineerproductions.co.uk

  

A new café has opened on Sundays in Campbell Park, off Silbury Boulevard.  Visitors to the park will now be able to enhance their walk, cycle ride or family day out by enjoying a relaxing cup of tea, a homemade cake or tasty treat. Café in Campbell Park is open from 12 noon until 4.30pm and is run by Annie Reeves and Mo Williams, offering a menu of wholesome homemade cakes and light refreshments as wells as a friendly place to visit. Parking at the Pavilion is free. For more information see: The Parks Trust

 

Last week it was announced that University College Milton Keynes will open to students in September offering higher education in a partnership between MK Council and the University of Bedfordshire. Professor Keith Straughan who was vice-principal of the University Centre Milton Keynes has been appointed interim dean of the University College. For more information see: University College Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes’ investment success total for 2011/12 now stands at 111, thanks to a further five new or expanding businesses during March.  All are from our target group of high growth, high-value, knowledge-based businesses and operate in areas such as IT and Solar Panel Technologies.  The five successes contributed a total of 485 new or retained jobs to our local economy.  Attendees to a recent Inward Investment Workshop held at The Open University, were invited to provide ideas and suggestions on ‘where we are now’ and ‘where we would want to be’ in relation to Inward Investment in Milton Keynes. These ideas will assist with structuring the new marketing campaign.  Keep in touch by following the Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/InvestMK

 

Thames Valley Police
In the last week members of the neighbourhood police team have carried out an operation specifically targeting bicycle thieves, by making use of officers in plain clothes as well as in uniform. As a result a man has been arrested while trying to steal a bike, and he has been charged and is due to appear at Milton Keynes magistrates court. These proactive police operations will continue, but there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of your bicycle being stolen. This video contains useful tips on bike security: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xzhsvT0mLw

Also, Inspector Helen Corbett is moving on to a new job and so the Neighbourhood police team welcome Inspector Paul Halstead. For more information see: Thames Valley Police

 

  

Pay by Phone is available across CMK on all red premium and blue long stay bays.  To register - call 01908 880880 or go to www.ringo.co.uk . Once you have registered you can either pay by calling 01908 880880 or by sending a text to 81025. Each zone has a reference: Premium rate - Red - use code 8650, Long stay rate – Blue use code 8672, North 8^th Street – Red – use code 8661.  

You can also get up to 60% off your parking with a RingGo Commuter Permit or RingGo Business Employee Permit. Once registered, you can either go online and book your parking slots for the next 5 days ahead, or call up on the day. Virtual parking slots will cost exactly the same as physical scratch-cards, i.e. 60p per half day or £1.20 per full day. There is no additional transaction fee for using the virtual service.   To register for the service or for more information go to see www.myRingGo.co.uk/permits. For more information see: Milton Keynes Council - Pay by Phone Parking

The European Regional Development Fund has just £147,000 remaining to help businesses across the South East with fewer than 250 employees cut their travel costs. If you have been trading for at least two years, why not take this opportunity to claim your share of up to £1,000? The options for spending the grant are as wide as your imagination. Many companies opt for IT related expenditure (e.g. laptops and software to enable home working) or cycling related interventions (e.g. showers and secure storage) – but one Oxfordshire based company decided to be a bit different and opt for an electrically-assisted but human powered “velomobile” to increase their bottom-line benefits. The list really is endless! Find out more at www.sustainableroutes.co.uk.

 

 

MKCCM CITY CENTRE OPERATIONS UPDATE 

Following a recent cross agency walk about - work on the main underpass leading to Campbell Park will commence end of May /early June ready in time for the Festival July 2012. The following work will be done:

·         Granite fascias will be repaired and replaced (if missing)

·         The paving slabs will be made ‘Safe’. This will include repairing loose/rocking slabs, replacing tarmac areas with slabs, infilling cracks between paving slabs.

·         Painting the ceiling of the underpass

·         Landscaping quadrant bays and crown lifting trees

·         Cleaning marble slabs of underpass

·         Weeding underpass

 

Between 1 February and 30 April 2012, 61 highways enquiries have been received and actioned for Central Milton Keynes. Currently the Highways Team are working in CMK 16 defects are prioritised within CMK for repair, these should be fixed over the next few weeks.

Through the month of March and some of February, 43 granite kerbs in various locations throughout CMK were repaired, other locations have been identified and are part of an ongoing work programme. 

Landscaping
Between 1 February and 30 April 2012 - 12 landscape enquiries were received and resolved. These were mainly related to winter shrub bed pruning and overhanging vegetation. Winter bed work has now finished in CMK and the crews have also completed shrub bed, obstacle and edging weed spraying.  They are now on grass cutting work throughout the borough including CMK. Serco’s sub contractor will be starting weed spraying on hard surfaces in CMK towards the end of May. This is dependant on the weather. The planting enhancements have been completed in the large bed at the front of Marks and Spencer and also two smaller beds. Existing shrubs were trimmed and shaped and Lonicera, Choyisa and Eleagnus shrubs planted. Ascot railing was also replaced.

Community Payback
The Community Payback team, continue to work across CMK, all top sections of the boulevards to first sets of lights are complete with small areas on Avebury and Midsummer remaining to be touched up, on average 7 workers have attended each week. Additional work was requested by Jury Inn to include railings, shutters and central road barriers, this task was completed and the hotel was delighted with the outcomes as it’s a high footfall in that area, the next stage will cover Silbury, Midsummer, Avebury Boulevard from Saxon Gate to Witan Gate. Preparatory work carried out in January and February means that works will now speed up and the team will move on faster, also it is hoped that the team will allocate some time to the underpass at Campbell park in preparation for the summer arts festival.

Graffiti Removal

Removal has been slow due to a smaller crew working across MK. Major issues in all the underpasses in and around the train station have been identified with at least 35-40 tags. The graffiti team will be in CMK to resolve this week commencing 7 May. Also, around CMK there are 6 silver tag faces on shutters and underpasses which will be dealt with. Should you see any graffiti please report it the Council’s Waste and Recycling Department

 

11 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued littering offences in CMK. 

 

For those interested Milton Keynes Council have a log of highway minor maintenance works that have been identified, it is borough wide and available on-line for more information see:  Milton Keynes Council - Highway Minor Maintenance Works . If you have any faults to report please do so via the Council’s online reporting system: Milton Keynes Council Problem Reporting

                                                                                                                         

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