MK Dons attacker Stephen Wearne has been sold to reunite with former boss Mike Williamson at Carlisle United.

The 24-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Brunton Park after moving to the Cumbrian side for an undisclosed fee.

Wearne is reunited with Williamson at a third different club, having previously played for the former Newcastle defender at Gateshead and then moved to MK Dons during Williamson’s spell at MK Dons.

MK Dons signed Wearne in January 2024 from Gateshead, with the attacker scoring 5 times in 33 appearances in all competitions for the side from Stadium MK.

The attacker’s only goal of the season had come in an EFL Trophy defeat by Colchester, in what turned out to be Williamson’s final game in charge of MK Dons. Wearne made six appearances under Scott Lindsey, with his final appearance coming during the Dons’ 6-3 defeat by Newport County just before Christmas.

The move to sell Wearne makes him the second player to leave MK Dons in quick succession, after the sale of Tommy Leigh to Bradford City confirmed late last week.

In a brief statement, MK Dons said, “MK Dons would like to thank Stephen for all his efforts while at Stadium MK and wish him the very best for the future.”

Williamson told the official Carlisle United website of his delight to bring his frequent former player to the North West. He said, “Stephen is someone we know and trust. I think the fans will enjoy watching him. He will bring a lot of energy and quality.

“We’re really pleased he’s joined us here at Carlisle after having a lot of interest.”

Milton Keynes Museum will be opening a new, state-of-the-art gallery later this month showing the area’s rich history.

The Ancient Gallery will be opening on January 23rd 2025 and the new site is designed to bring the new city’s past to life like never before, using the latest technology to stir imaginations.

Exhibitions being opened as part of this includes the fossilised remains of an Ichthyosaur.

Discovered during the excavations for Caldecotte Lake, the sea creature, which the museum has nicknamed Iggy, is 180 million years old. It reminds us that many millions of years before the idea of Milton Keynes was conceived, the area was undersea.

The gallery also houses remnants of much more recent dwellers, such as the woolly mammoths and woolly rhinos who once roamed the local area.

Visitors will explore life in the area during the palaeolithic and mesolithic times, and gain a greater understanding of just what those Roman visitors did for us – and how their legacy remains today.

“You’ll see how our ancestors lived, worked and played,” Museum Director Bill Griffiths said.

“A stunning mosaic discovered at Bancroft is displayed in a roundhouse setting – evocatively taking the visitors back in time, and we have more reason than most to do it – the largest roundhouse in the country was discovered here in MK, at Blue Bridge!

“Of all the community developments that began in the early days of Milton Keynes, the Museum is the oldest and the most successful,” Bill said.

“We were started by people in the community for people in the community and we stay true to that today – this is the people’s Museum.

“We are thrilled to still be here, and to now be able to tell the history of Milton Keynes in such a vivid way is so exciting.

“At a time when Museums are struggling with drops in revenue and hindered further by significant running costs, we really hope this gallery invigorates and entertains all who come to see it.

“We couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved so far – and we have even more to come with the launch of our New Gallery later this year, which will shine a light on a very modern city,” Bill added.

The Ancient Gallery has been made possible with funding from Milton Keynes City Council, and support from the Headley Trust, the Hobson Foundation and a bequest from local resident Robert Excell.

It has taken nearly eight years to deliver this new gallery for Milton Keynes, with the museum set to be opened on the same day as the new city celebrates its 58th birthday.

“We are absolutely delighted to be able to share so many rare and precious artifacts with our visitors,” Bill added.

“Gain an understanding of The Bell Beaker People, marvel at the Bronze Age ceremonial sword pulled from the River Ouse locally, and explore the so-called Forgers Hoard on display.

“From weights, looms and flints to toys, jewellery and an insight into the Black Death that devastated the area several hundred years ago, we have delivered an outstanding space with exhibits that have genuine appeal for all ages, and one which really brings the history to life.

“I still think we are pioneers who are making the place better for our children. This gallery is all about a shared identity and knowing that we have all come from somewhere else to build our lives here,” Bill added, “To know your roots and your heritage is important.

“This gallery provides that knowledge – and every part of it should wow you!”

More information is available at https://miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk/

Milton Keynes City Council has announced plans to replace its three aging rubbish tips with new sites that are intended to be more modern facilities.

Proposals by the City Council intend to replace MK’s three current household recycling facilities in Bleak Hall, New Bradwell and Newport Pagnell with larger, greener and more modern Reuse and Recycling Centres in the north and south of the city.

Last year, local people dropped off nearly 25,000 tonnes of waste. MK City Council expects that as the city continues to grow, so will demand, with around 50% more waste and recycling estimated by their research to be taken to its tips by 2050.

At full capacity, the current sites can accommodate around 395,000 visits with no room for expansion, so the city council announced plans to almost double capacity by developing modern new Recycling and Reuse Centres in Wolverton and Snelshall that would accommodate 700,000 visits per year.

The City Council also say that the new facilities should benefit local residents with reduced congestion and noise for local residents as locations would be chosen that are better suited to host facilities, improved access for everyone, including people with mobility issues and those arriving on foot or bike, an extended range of items being accepted such as carpet for recycling and asbestos for secure disposal and a Reuse and Repair Shop where unwanted household items could be conveniently dropped off for reuse, giving them another useful life instead of being thrown away.

The City Council also plans for these new tips to be greener and more sustainable sites using solar power, with at least one site would be fully ‘off grid’ and powered by its own renewable energy provision, and greater weatherproofing with canopies and other considerations.

Interim Cabinet Member for the Public Realm, Cllr Akash Nayee, said, “We’re dealing with more waste and expect even more as the city grows, so it’s essential we plan for this. These modern and greener reuse and recycling centres would offer broader facilities in a better location and as such should be more accessible and pleasant for everyone to use.”

The announcement came in a week where the City Council also published plans to transform its existing waste recovery facilities in Wolverton into a site it has dubbed an Eco Park, with the intent that this will provide more green energy to the city and reduce carbon emissions. One of the proposed new Reuse and Recycling Centres would become part of the Eco Park.

A decision about the future of the MK’s tips will be made on 14 January.

Luton Town have announced the signing of Isaiah Jones from Middlesbrough.

The 25-year-old is the Hatters’ second signing of the January transfer window after the previously announced arrival of defender Christ Makosso.

Jones, who had also reportedly been of interest to West Brom, has signed for an undisclosed fee and signed a deal of undisclosed length to join the Hatters.

The Guyana international was signed in time to be featured in Luton’s matchday squad for their FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest, with Luton later confirming he was in the starting line-up for the game at the City Ground later today (11/01).

The right-sided attacker, who can play as a winger or wing-back, had joined Middlesbrough in 2019 and made 148 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 13 times.

Jones had regularly featured for the North Eastern side this season, making 23 appearances in all competitions.

The deal was confirmed despite a week of change at Kenilworth Road, with Luton boss Rob Edwards leaving the club earlier this week after a slump in form.

Jones told the official Luton Town website of his delight to make the move to Bedfordshire.

He said, “I think it’s the perfect move for both parties. The project here, the success the club’s had over the past couple of years and moving back down south is an attractive proposition for me.

“This season’s been tough for Luton so far but there’s a really strong squad here and hopefully I can put a smile onto the fans’ faces.

“I’m direct, skilful and I like to give the crowd something to cheer. I can’t wait to get started.”