Travel information and other tips have been published ahead of the Reggae Land Festival taking place in Milton Keynes this weekend.
The event will take place at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes on August 2nd and 3rd, with over 100 acts from across the reggae genre performing to crowds expected in the thousands.
Reggae Land is located at The Milton Keynes National Bowl, Chaffron Way, Milton Keynes, MK5 8AA. The venue has five entrances.
On both days, performances will start from 12pm and run until a curfew of 10:30pm, with last entry at 6pm.
A shuttle bus service will be in operation linking Milton Keynes Central station to the North Gate Main entrance on Chaffron Way. The option is also available to walk between the station and the National Bowl, which is signposted.
Bus services will be running from Milton Keynes Central to the National Bowl between 11am & 5pm, with return service from the National Bowl running between 9PM and Midnight.
Multiple buses will be running at regular intervals throughout the day to ensure smooth transportation for all festival-goers.
People travelling via this method are advised to arrive early to secure a seat on your preferred shuttle, expect some waiting time during peak hours, to follow all instructions from shuttle staff and remain in designated areas while waiting for your bus.
Car parking is available and operates on a color-coded system for your convenience. Spaces are limited, so it is advisable to book your parking in advance. Parking details and directions will be provided with your parking ticket. Follow the signs and directions to the designated parking areas. Certain measures will be in place for everyone’s safety. These include residential protections, temporary speed, and waiting restrictions around the site.
Both car parking and shuttle buses are to be booked in advance through the website Park Live.
Taxi Drop Off/Pick Up is located at Chesney Wold, while Private Hire, Family & Friends Drop Off/Pick Up is located at Kelvin Drive.
Any attendees with accessibility & mobility needs are advised to use the access entrance on Watling Street.
All entrances will be clearly signposted upon arrival at the festival site. Please listen to the stewards around the perimeter of the site who will be able to direct you to the best entrance.
Once people leave the festival grounds, re-entry is NOT permitted. Ensure you have everything you need before entering.
Festival goers are advised the event is cashless at all food and drink bars, with only card payments permitted.
Visitors are instructed to pay attention to any public announcements made over the festival PA system. These announcements will provide important information, including emergency instructions, if necessary.
If you need assistance during the festival, approach any security personnel, steward, or visit an information booth for help.
Striker Ellis Harrison has returned to Bristol Rovers after being released by MK Dons at the end of last season.
The 31-year-old returns to the Memorial Stadium, where he has signed a one-year deal to return to the club he previously represented at academy level and made his debut with in 2011.
Harrison began his career in Bristol Rovers’ academy and made his first team debut with the Bristol-based club in 2011. He helped them achieve back-to-back promotions from the National League in 2014/15 and from League Two to League One in 2015/16.
After spells with Ipswich, Portsmouth, Fleetwood and Port Vale, Harrison joined MK Dons on deadline day in the 2023 summer transfer window.
Harrison made 59 appearances in all competitions in his two seasons contracted to MK Dons, scoring 13 times. He also spent the second half of last season on loan with Walsall, before being confirmed as leaving MK Dons upon expiry of contract.
Rovers’ Head Coach Darrell Clarke told the club’s official website that he was very pleased to get the move done.
He said, “Ellis is a top professional, a brilliant athlete, and returns to the Club with significant experience and a real know-how of how to win games and progress through the leagues.
“Ellis was excellent to work with in my first spell at Bristol Rovers, and during our time together at Port Vale, and the coaches and I are looking forward to working with him again this season.”
Harrison could play against MK Dons next season, with Rovers rebuilding in League Two after relegation last season.
Flights to and from Luton Airport were affected earlier today (30/07) after a nationwide air traffic control problem.
A national failure of the UK’s air traffic control system occurred for 20 minutes at around 4pm UK time, causing disruption to flights across the UK.
Nats, the company which runs the UK’s air traffic control system, confirmed an issue had affected their centre in Swanwick in Hampshire, but that the system was restored by 5pm.
It is understood this is not viewed as a hacking incident by UK National Cyber Security Centre.
A similar incident was reported in August 2023, with a further incident affected the site having previously happened in December 2014.
The issue was also recorded during the busy summer holiday period, with schools having recently broken up and airports experiencing peak traffic.
Luton Airport said that some flights were affected by the disruption, but in a statement just before 5pm, they confirmed flights had begun running once more.
In a statement, they said, “This was a national issue impacting departures across the UK, flights have now resumed but we recommend passengers check with airlines,”
In a statement, easyJet said, “An earlier technical issue at the NATS air traffic control centre today has been causing disruption to flights to and from the UK.
“We are advising customers travelling this evening to check our Flight Tracker for the most up to date information on their flight and are contacting all impacted customers directly.
“While this is outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused by the ATC [air traffic control] failure.”
Brackley Town’s match against Morecambe has been postponed after Morecambe’s suspension from the National League.
The Saints had been scheduled to play Morecambe in Lancashire on Saturday 16th August, with the game being their first away match of the season.
But the match will now be postponed if it takes place at all amid a major crisis at Morecambe, who were suspended from the National League earlier this week.
Suspension was announced by the league on Monday (28/07) after Morecambe failed to meet a National League deadline to provide assurances they were complying with the league’s rules.
The Shrimps have been suspended until August 20th, at which point the National League will hold a follow-up meeting to determine next steps.
In a statement confirming their suspension, the National League said, “Discussions regarding the Club’s ability to meet its financial obligations for the 2025/2026 season have again taken place.
“It was decided further sanctions must be imposed, with the Club’s membership to be suspended with immediate effect. The Club will also remain under embargo ahead of the new season.
“Morecambe Football Club will also be removed from the National League Cup for the forthcoming season.
“The Committee will meet again on Wednesday August 20 to determine if outstanding items have been satisfied, and to decide the Club’s ability to retain Membership in the Competition.”
The game against Brackley is one three games postponed as a result of the suspension, with Morecambe’s matches against Boston United on August 9th and Scunthorpe on August 19th also postponed.
Earlier today (30/07), it was confirmed that Morecambe have suspended football operations, with a joint statement by prospective buyers Panjab Warriors, minority shareholders, the Shrimps Trust and Morecambe & Lunesdale MP Lizzi Collinge confirming that players have stopped football operations due to the required insurance lapsing. The statement confirmed some players have duly left the club, with others also set to leave.
Morecambe FC were officially put up for sale in 2022 by the club’s owner Jason Whittingham, who first acquired the club through his Bond Group Investments firm in 2018. Three years since the club was officially put up for sale, Whittingham remains in charge, with Morecambe having suffered two relegations in three years to fall out of the EFL for the first time since 2007.
Local people in Milton Keynes are being encouraged to take part in the Big Butterfly Count event to track butterfly numbers.
The Parks Trust, which is the charity that cares for the city’s parks, is calling on residents to take part in the 2025 edition of this event, which will be running until 10th August.
People can do so by simply spending 15 minutes in a sunny spot and recording the butterflies you see.
Tracking this data is intended to help contribute towards a national database that helps track population trends and inform future conservation efforts.
Milton Keynes is home to 32 butterfly species, including the nationally scarce Black Hairstreak which has been spotted recently in local woodland. Other species to look out for include the Red Admiral, Peacock, Gatekeeper, and Speckled Wood.
Sadly, over half of the UK’s butterfly species are in long-term decline, with 2024 being the fifth worst on record for butterfly populations. Factors such as wet spring weather, pesticide use, and habitat loss have all contributed to this worrying trend.
In a statement, The Parks Trust said, “That’s why The Parks Trust and the Butterfly Conservation are encouraging everyone to get involved, from curious nature lovers to seasoned lepidopterists (people who study butterflies and moths).”
Carla Boswell, Biodiversity Officer at The Parks Trust, added, “This is a fantastic opportunity for families, friends and individuals to connect with nature and support our precious wildlife. Every butterfly counted helps to build a clearer picture of how our local and national species are faring.”
There are lots of ways you can help, including
- Plant native wildflowers in your garden or balcony to support butterflies and caterpillars.
- Provide shallow water dishes, butterfly houses, and feeding stations.
- Avoid using harmful pesticides and support wildlife-friendly policies.
- Record your sightings during the Big Butterfly Count and become a citizen scientist.
To learn more and to get involved, visit theparkstrust.com/butterflies
