The Parks Trust have invited the local community of Milton Keynes to take part in outdoor events this month.

The charity caring for MK’s green spaces have sought to highlight a variety of events taking place in the first month of the new year, alongside established events such as the Parks & Run and Women’s Walking Network.

There are also talks about Mammals of MK, the Benefits of Bird Ringing plus a whole heap of other activities.

Activities highlighted include the Inclusive Stroll with Sensory Narration, taking place on Tuesday 13 Jan at Campbell Park in Milton Keynes.

Designed for all ages and abilities, this short descriptive and introductory walk offers accessible routes and facilities, aiming to raise awareness and provide an enjoyable experience while discovering the hidden gems of Milton Keynes’ green spaces.

The Golden Wassail takes place on Saturday 24 January at Woughton Orchard, with the event celebrating 50 years of the community orchard.

This special edition of the traditional Wassail ceremony encourages people to bring whistles, drums, musical instruments or anything noisy to help chase away pesky spirits and wish for a bountiful harvest, as well as good health and wealth for communities. Visitors can also tuck into tasty treats and enjoy a guided tour of the orchard led by the Mid-Shire Orchard Group.

A Community Litter Pick will also take place on Monday 26 January at Canal Broadwalk, with all equipment for a safe litter collection provided. This 1-hour session is led by Parks Trust staff, who also take the rubbish away for disposal.

Looking a little further ahead, February will include The Parks Trust’s first Night Hike, which offers a chance to safely stay active after dark.

There will also be the annual Corporate Pancake Race at Milton Keynes Rose, in a yearly tradition that provides a pan-tastic team building activity for local organisations wanting to get involved with their community. The Trust confirmed that team registrations are now open for the 2026 edition.

Julie Dawes, Events and Community Engagement Manager at The Parks Trust, said, “January is ideal for making memories together, and for kickstarting a healthy year in the great outdoors. From magical orchard celebrations to gentle strolls and helpful litter picks, there’s something for every age to enjoy. So wrap up warm, gather family and friends, and join us for adventures that bring people closer to nature in Milton Keynes’ beautiful parks.”

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

MK Dons boss Paul Warne was left disappointed and feeling that his side had dropped two points late on as they drew 2-2 with Chesterfield.

Callum Paterson and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy had scored the goals that had given the Dons a 2-0 half-time lead, but second half strikes by Sam Curtis and Will Grigg saw Chesterfield swipe a point at Stadium MK, with Grigg’s equaliser coming right at the end of stoppage time.

A disappointed Warne told the media afterwards that he felt the team had should’ve seen the game out.

He said, “Hugely disappointed. I did feel like it was two points dropped.

“I thought we were really good and that its the best 45 minutes at home. I really liked the way we played, we created chances, scored two good goals, could’ve had more, then second half, they make changes and throw more bodies at the top of the pitch.

“I thought we answered most of the questions really well but concede off two set-pieces, which isn’t like us. First one, we don’t attack the ball round the back and it looks like we’re trying to shield it, which is disappointing.

“Then late on, I thought politely that they were running out of ideas, which isn’t disrespectful – we defended really well and I don’t think Craig (MacGillivray) made any saves in the last 10-15 minutes. But we jump out of line, give away a foul, they put the free-kick in, we don’t get first contact, they win a corner and we don’t win first contact on that. Without sounding like a broken record, if you don’t win first contacts off set-pieces, you’re always vulnerable to conceding. Unfortunately, we were today and that’s really disappointing.”

With ten of League Two’s games postponed due to cold weather, including all of the games involving the teams around MK Dons in the table, Warne said he felt the team missed an opportunity to take advantage and move into League Two’s automatic promotion places.

He said, “We’ve dropped two points. We could’ve gone into third with only us playing and with an FA Cup game to look forward to next week, and its disappointing to say the least. I think I can speak for everyone in the dressing room that they gave everything physically but in the most important moment, we let ourselves down.”

Warne also voiced a disappointment that the Dons had dropped 3 points in stoppage time in their last two games, having conceded a late goal to lose at Colchester in their previous match.

He said, “I wanted 8 points, minimum, and we’ve got 5. We would’ve had 7. In fairness, from a performance point of view, I don’t think there was anything in the game at Colchester. It’s ifs and buts, but if we didn’t concede there and won today, we would’ve had 8 and I would’ve been happy, but games are judged by goals and we concede two late goals in both games. Both of them are stoppable.

“It feels like a wasted opportunity because I think our performances deserved more than what we’ve got, but at the end of the season, people don’t say that you’ve finished 5th but deserved third or top. You don’t get it like that. We need to be harder to beat. Overall, I’m disappointed as I think we should’ve accrued more points and that lays at my feet, no one else’s.”

Ahead of the FA Cup tie against Oxford United later this week, Warne said he was hoping to welcome new faces to Stadium MK in time for that contest.

He said, “I spoke to 2 players yesterday and 2 the day before. I’d like to think that by the time we come back in, I’ll have 1 or 2 new faces. But this group’s an excellent group. It does need help and it does need an injection of new personalities and faces.

“We want to sign new players that will improve us for now and going forward. A lot of work has gone into trying to convince these players to come and hopefully, by the time we play Oxford, I’ll have one or two new faces to select from.

“We have a type that we like and have already earmarked 3/4 players who we think will have a positive effect on us. If we can get them in, well happy, but I do know the players I’m after, other teams are after because they’re good players. We have to be realistic but I do believe we’ll have new faces in soon.”

Cineworld has reopened its cinema in Milton Keynes after a heating system issue.

The cinema located in the XScape leisure complex in Central Milton Keynes had been shut for two days after what was originally announced as “unforeseen circumstances”. It was suggested by multiple commenters on social media that the primary reason behind the closure was an issue with the cinema’s heating system.

In a statement released on social media earlier today (06/01), the cinema’s management confirmed that the issues had been resolved and that the site was now open again for people wishing to watch movies.

Cineworld Milton Keynes said, “We’re pleased to say we’re open again and can’t wait to welcome you back to Cineworld Milton Keynes. Following a temporary closure due to temperature issues, our screens are ready and we’re looking forward to seeing you. Check out today’s film times and what’s on for the rest of the week via the Cineworld app.”

Former Northampton Town manager Jon Brady has been confirmed as the new manager at League One strugglers Port Vale.

Brady, who turns 51 later this month, has signed an initial 18-month contract to take over at the side currently sat bottom of the third tier table. Brady’s first game in charge will be an FA Cup tie against Fleetwood Town on Friday night.

He replaces Darren Moore, who left the Valiants in late December after a run of seven defeats in nine outings.

The news sees Brady return to first team management for the first time after resigning as Northampton Town boss in December 2024.

Brady managed the Cobblers between February 2021 and December 2024, winning 75 out of 200 games in charge. His time in charge of Northampton included winning promotion in the 2022/23 season and comfortable survival in League One during the 2023/24 campaign.

Before being in charge of the Cobblers, Brady had managed Brackley Town, where he lead them to the National League North for the first time as well as winning the Northamptonshire Senior Cup on three occasions.

Brady will make his first return to Sixfields as an opposition manager on February 24th, when Port Vale are scheduled to visit Northampton for a League One fixture.

Port Vale Chief Executive Matt Hancock told the club’s official website, “We’re delighted to welcome Jon to Vale Park as the club’s new manager. Jon was the standout candidate at the end of what was a thorough recruitment process, with his experience and passion for returning to management here at Port Vale really shining through.

“Jon is someone who we believe can make a real difference here in both the short and long term, and he will have our full support as we focus on achieving our objectives this season.”