The winners of the Christmas Tree Festival at Midsummer Place have received prizes from the Milton Keynes based shopping centre.
The winning charities were awarded their prizes on Thursday 9 January to celebrate the efforts of all participants.
In all, 4,444 unique votes and 12,132 overall votes cast, representing a 47% increase compared to last year’s event.
Slimming World Milton Keynes with Jane, supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK, were the competition winners with 1,845 votes, winning the grand prize of £1,750 for their charity.
Probadge Limited, supporting Medical Detection Dogs, were runners up with 1,350 votes, earning a £1,050 prize.
Samaritans Milton Keynes, supporting Samaritans Milton Keynes, came third with 1,078 votes, taking a £700 prize.
In all, 14 trees decorated by local businesses were in Midsummer Place for the Christmas season. The shopping centre have confirmed the event will return for 2025.
Kirsty McGiff, Marketing Manager at Midsummer Place, said, “The response to this year’s Christmas Tree Festival has been extraordinary. Not only did we see a significant increase in votes, but we also heard so many heartwarming comments from shoppers who were inspired by the creativity and causes represented. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the local sponsors, participants, and visitors who came together to make this festival a highlight of the season. Your support truly reflects the spirit of Christmas.”
Jane Hammonds from Slimming World Milton Keynes, added, “We’ve been delighted to take part in the tree festival again this year and are so thankful to have won for our charity, Alzheimer’s Research UK, to support further research to find a cure for this dreadful disease.”
Kathy Lewis, from Probadge supporting Medical Detection Dogs, said, “This has been a wonderful community event to be part of and has helped to raise our profile to a new audience in one of busiest times of the year. We’re delighted to have placed 2nd and would like to congratulate all entries for their amazing and festive spirit.”
Clair Roberts from Samaritans Milton Keynes, added, “It’s been amazing to be a part of this brilliant competition. It’s great exposure for our branch of Samaritans and lets people know we are always there. This will help us save lives and support people in their darkest time.”
Police have released CCTV of a man that officers would like to speak to following an incident of exposure in Newport Pagnell.
The incident happened at around midnight on Sunday 12 January, when a man was reported to be disruptive in a pub on Newport Pagnell High Street. He was asked to leave by staff and exited the premises.
When the pub closed for the night, customers left and the man was across the road shouting at them. He proceeded to expose himself at the group whilst shouting at them.
Thames Valley Police have released the picture as part of their appeals to trace an individual they believe may help with their enquiries.
Investigating officer PC Ryan Dunne said: “We are releasing images of a man who we believe may have vital information with regards to our enquiries.
“If anyone recognises the man, or if this is you, we would ask you to please get in touch by calling 101 quoting reference 43250017587.
“Or if you do not wish to speak to the police you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and they will take your information 100% anonymously.”
Former MK Dons star Dele Alli has moved to Italy to sign for Serie A side Como.
Dele, 28, has joined the Italian side after a month training with the team, with the former MK Dons, Spurs and Everton man signing an 18-month contract to the end of next season with the club from Lombardy. The deal also had an option to stay with the club for an additional 12 months.
Como have opted to sign Dele on a full basis after the midfielder had spent the previous month training with the club. The Italian side currently sit 17th in the Serie A table ahead of a match against Udinese later today. The club were promoted as Serie B runners-up last season.
His new employers are managed by former Spain international and Arsenal, Barcelona & Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas, who along with his former Arsenal and Barcelona team-mate Thierry Henry is a minority investor in the club.
Fabregas said in a statement, “The club believes in Dele’s potential and is committed to helping him find his best form. His experience and leadership qualities will certainly be useful to the team.”
Dele hasn’t played a senior first team appearance since February 2023, which came during a loan spell with Turkish side Besiktas. The midfielder had been released by Everton last summer, with injury issues preventing him from featuring for the Toffees last season.
In an interview on Sky’s The Overlap podcast with Gary Neville in July 2023, Dele revealed he had suffered sexual abuse as a child and had spent time in rehab for sleeping pill addiction and mental health issues.
Dele had began his career at MK Dons, making his first team debut for the club in the FA Cup in 2012 and becoming a regular with the club before joining Spurs in 2015. He would make over 260 appearances for the club, earning acclaim in his early seasons and showing form that would see him receive 37 caps for the England national team, including appearances at Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.
Approval has been given to a project to build a new women’s and children’s hospital in Milton Keynes.
It was today (21/01) announced that the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital at Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) will be delivered, with construction taking place between 2025 and 2030.
The decision to proceed with construction came following a review of the previous government’s New Hospital Programme (NHP) by Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting.
Plans for a new hospital building are intended to increase clinical capacity and meet the future healthcare needs of the growing city.
Joe Harrison CBE, CEO at MKUH, said, “We are thrilled to receive confirmation that, as part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme, a new Women’s and Children’s Hospital will be delivered as planned for the people of Milton Keynes.
“This addition to our hospital estate is a key strand of our future strategy which has been built around the needs of this fast-growing city. MKUH is now in a position to re-imagine how it sees and treats patients, and to deliver improved patient experience across the board. We are excited to move forward with our plans and would like to thank everyone in Milton Keynes for their ideas and support over recent years.”
The NHP-funded work at MKUH will also enable the introduction of new technology that will create ‘smarter’ hospital facilities.
To date, NHP enabling work has resulted in a number of site improvements getting underway at MKUH including the construction of a new Imaging Centre and an additional multi-storey car park.
The full line-up has been revealed ahead of the 2025 Reggae Land Festival held at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes.
Over 100 artists will perform across two stages during the two day event, which will be held on Saturday August 2nd and Sunday August 3rd.
The event will be the fifth Reggae Land event and will also mark its third time being held at the MK Bowl after first appearing there in 2023.
Tickets go on sale Friday 31st January 9AM. Day tickets start at £59.50 with weekend tickets from £110. People seeking to sign up for access can do so via www.reggaeland.co.uk.
Event promoters JBM Music said in a statement that they were excited to bring the festival back for another year.
They said, “Reggae Land has grown into something truly special over the past five years and we couldn’t be prouder of what it’s become. Starting as a dream to celebrate reggae music and Caribbean culture, it has now become the UK’s biggest reggae festival, attracting tens of thousands of people from all over the world.
“The incredible growth we’ve seen reflects the passion and love for reggae, as well as the unique atmosphere we’ve created – one that brings together iconic artists, amazing food, vibrant cultural experiences, and a sense of community you won’t find anywhere else. Year five is set to be our best yet!”
The Main Stage line-up will include reggae and dancehall legends and global stars such as Chronnix, YG Marley, Protoje, Capelton, Steel Pulse and Kabaka Pyramid, as well as a return for “Hold You” hitmaker Gyptian, who was one of the most in demand acts from last year’s event, with a very special guest still to be announced later in the year. The organisers have also said they intend to bring an increased production with sound and screen improvements for 2025.
In addition, the One Love Stage offers up more reggae icons, including Morgan Heritage, Etana, Spragga Benz, Christopher Martin, Israel Vibration, Marcia Griffiths & Tanya Stephens, while the Carnival Stage is catered to the ravers, featuring jungle heavyweights including Serial Killaz, Mampi Swift, Ed Solo, Benny Page and Ragga Twins.
Rompa’s Reggae Shack will host special takeovers from Iration Steppas and Channel One, while the dub lovers can head over to record store themed Dub Stage soundtracked by the likes of Mungo’s Hi-Fi, Mad Professor, Trojan Sound System and many more.
Festival goers can also expect a wide variety of attractions celebrating Caribbean culture, including a Caribbean food village that contains over 50 food vendors, a reggae flea market, reggae museum, VIP zone, festival merchandise stalls, Rum Shack and Caribbean cocktail bars.
