Author - Stuart | YLF

Mark Lancaster, MP for Milton Keynes North, has visited leading children’s charity World Vision UK.

Mark Lancaster MP at World Vision UK’s head office. From left to right: Rosalind Elliott (Policy & Advocacy Advisor), Amy Johnson (Political Advocacy Officer), David Westwood (Director of Policy & Programmes), Mark Lancaster MP, Graeme Newton (acting CEO, World Vision UK) and Jacquelyn Udeh (PR Manager)

The Member of Parliament met with directors of the organisation on Friday 21^st June, to learn more about the charity’s work with children overseas.

Graeme Newton, acting CEO at World Vision UK, said: “We were delighted to host Rt Hon. Mark Lancaster MP at our office in Milton Keynes today. It is great to see Members of Parliament taking an interest in the work that we do.

“UK aid continues to play a vital role in efforts to save lives in some of the world’s harshest places,” he continued.

“The UK public’s generosity has enabled World Vision and other aid agencies to bring relief to people in countries marred by wars and natural disasters. UK aid has also helped lift millions of people out of poverty and provide access to health services and education.”

Mark Lancaster MP said: “It was great to be able to return to World Vision, an organisation based in the heart of my constituency, an agency that brings intervention, impact and hope to change children’s lives across the globe.”

Mark Lancaster MP with Graeme Newton (acting CEO, World Vision UK) and David Westwood (Director of Policy & Programmes)

The Christian organisation is working in almost 100 countries to bring real hope to the world’s most vulnerable children and their communities. The UK branch was set up in 1982 in response to the Ethiopian famine and moved to Milton Keynes in 1997. World Vision UK currently employs around 250 staff in the heart of Milton Keynes.

Recent hightlights for World Vision UK include its advocacy campaign It Takes A World… To End Violence Against Children in Emergencies, which aims to see greater protection of children in emergency situations, and has the support of over 34,000 members of the UK public.

Mark Lancaster, MP meets World Vision Programme Managers Naomi Opiyo and Catherine Marangu

Last month, the charity held its first Global 6K Walk for Water event here in Milton Keynes. Over 350 people joined the family-friendly walk, which aims to raise awareness on lack of clean water in developing countries. Last year, more than 48,000 people in 30 different countries walked or ran the distance.

Can’t decide what to get the special men in your life for Father’s Day? Well look no further, because Aqua Parcs is here to give them the kind of fun, thrills and excitement they thought was just for kids!

The giant, 300-metre, inflatable assault course at Willen Lake is one of MK’s biggest attractions and, especially for Father’s Day, get 25% off when you book for Sunday 16 June! 

To take advantage of the Father’s Day offer, just book online for Sunday 16 June and use the code DAD at the checkout. Plus, fancy taking home a memento from the day? Aqua Parcs now offer professional photos of your group which you can buy to take home after your session. Make memories with your Dad this Father’s Day and enjoy 50% off your professional photo, on Sunday 16 June only! 

Joe Grix, co-owner of the park, said: “This is such a fun activity to do as a family – it would definitely make this Father’s Day a memorable one for both dad and the kids!”

Now bigger and better than ever, Aqua Parcs has four new obstacles and 100 extra metres compared to last year. There’s a new s-shaped Apex 30, a steep-sloping Apex 20, and The Diamond – a 4’ tall, 18”-wide, dual-route obstacle. Not forgetting the piece de resistance – the 16ft high Freefall Surpreme! There are climbing ladders, slides, play spaces and challenges galore that will have guests laughing their heads off from start to finish.

Aqua Parcs is suitable for ages six and up and will be open seven days a week until September. It is patrolled by trained lifeguards at each section, but participants must be able to swim 25m unaided. Wet suit hire is included within the £20 fee and each session lasts one hour. After the safety brief, participants swim 10 metres out to the park where they will start exploring and get wet and wild!

FROSTS GARDEN CENTRE are delighted to announce the return of The Land of Fairies & Dragons at Woburn Sands!

The Land of Fairies & Dragons will run weekends from Saturday 6th July through until Sunday 21st of July and then will be open every day from Monday 22nd July through until Tuesday 3rd September.

The land of Fairies & Dragons makes it return to Frosts Woburn Sands this summer! With brand new activities you will be transported into a magical realm of wonder and awe! Meet our new resident Dragon Greentooth and find out why he is so grumpy… You will get your very own book to take home so you can share the story with your family and friends. Then it’s onto the Fabulous Forest of Frosts where you will hunt out the hidden Fairy Tales. There will be time to create a dragon or fairy rock for your Garden and every child will get their very own pack of wild flower seeds to take home.
The Land of Fairies and Dragons is open for young and old alike because you’re never too old for a fairy-tale!

Tickets cost £8.99 per child price includes activities in The Land of Fairies & Dragons, A book, A packet of Seeds and a voucher for £2 off a child’s meal or food box within our garden room restaurant.
Adults £1.99 entrance only (maximum 2 adults per child)

The Land of Fairies & Dragons is located within our plant department with sessions starting every 30 minutes daily from 9.30am to 16.00pm (*Sunday 10.00am and 15.00pm)

This half term, intu Milton Keynes will be celebrating the first birthday of the intu family club – and you’re all invited to join in the fun from 25 May-2 June.

Bring the whole family for a spin as the fairground teacups make a visit to the centre.  They’re completely free to ride for intu family club members – don’t worry if you’re not a member, it’s free and easy to join online at www.intu.co.uk/miltonkeynes/families/family-club

Then head to the mall for giant games galore – think Connect 4, snakes and ladders, chess and table tennis. There will also be a fossil hunt where little ones can make like explorers and get a sweet treat if they uncover the historic finds hiding around the centre.

Or pop to Waterstones where you’ll get to celebrate another important event, because it’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s 50^th anniversary, for which Waterstones will be running daily events including competitions and story time, colouring and craft sessions. There will also be a treasure hunt and Liz Pichon, author of the Tom Gates series, will be at the store on Friday for a book signing and activities. On 1-2 June, Elmer will be roaming the store, and you’ll be able to enjoy story times, activities and discounts off Elmer goodies, too!

The intu family club gives families access to exclusive offers and discounts while encouraging families to take part in activities and spend time together. Its first birthday will be celebrated across the other intu shopping centres across the UK. By signing up at the customer information desk, you’ll make sure that you’re always the first to learn about events, plus you’ll get a fabulous free gift as well as a free teacup ride if you sign up this half term.

Kirsty McGiff, marketing manager at intu Milton Keynes, said: “At intu Milton Keynes, we like to bring family fun to the centre for all to enjoy together and make sure everyone leaves with a smile on their face! With our brilliant events, family-focused areas and family-friendly eateries, we are totally geared up for families to spend enjoyable time together. The intu family club has been a great success in its first year, and we are looking forward to celebrating with you this half term. If you’re not a member yet, now is the time to sign up. See you there!”

Find out more about intu Milton Keynes at www.intu.co.uk/miltonkeynes or discover the Family Club at www.intu.co.uk/miltonkeynes/families/family-club.

A Freshfields dad is celebrating five years on from his diagnosis with an aggressive brain tumour by organising a Big Little Walk of Hope with his young family.

Out of the blue, Tom Meager, then 26, had a seizure while working out at Pure Gym, Winter Hill. After the devastating diagnosis, Tom was given a survival prognosis of three to five years. His wife Tanya was then 14 weeks pregnant with their daughter Sienna, now aged four.

Tom, who works as a car mechanic, said: “It is such a great feeling to be fit and well and to have reached this significant five-year milestone. And we are delighted to have the added bonus of our miracle son Roman, born 10 months ago after doctors told us I would be infertile following my radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.

“To celebrate all my scans being clear to date, we will be taking part in the Brain Tumour Research charity’s Big Little Walk of Hope and we are inviting friends and family to join us, including Sienna’s little friends at Huggles childcare.

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet, historically, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

The Big Little Walk will be held across the UK on 24 May, the last day before the summer half-term, although if this is not suitable, another date in May or June can be chosen. It is particularly aimed at little people up to the age of 12 in schools and pre-schools, giving them the opportunity to make big steps towards finding a cure for brain tumours while discovering more about the environment, enjoying fresh air and gaining exercise outdoors. 

Paula Rastrick, community fundraising manager for Brain Tumour Research in the Central region, said: “We’re delighted that Tom is doing so well five years on and that the family are celebrating by organising a Big Little Walk of Hope in Milton Keynes.

“With Big Little Walk of Hope, we are calling on families, pre-schools and schools to create a simple walk around an outdoor area which could be through a local woodland, along a river or nature trail, around a park or even laps around a school field. Our website has some useful ideas for families and teachers alike which you’ll see once you’ve completed your registration.

“By signing up to participate in a Big Little Walk of Hope, you will be helping us raise awareness of the fact that less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years, compared with an average of 50% across all cancers. We cannot allow this situation to continue so please join in the fun and help fund the fight against brain tumours.”

Funds raised will develop the charity’s network of world-class brain tumour research centres in the UK where scientists are focused in improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.

For more information and to register for materials, including a lesson plan and sponsorship forms, go to www.braintumourresearch.org/big-little-walk

On #LoveMK Day (Thursday 2 May), intu Milton Keynes will be sharing the love with a day packed full of random acts of kindness – this year’s theme.

Throughout the day, excited members of the intu team will be handing out goody bags to lucky shoppers stuffed with freebies, including free parking. Plus, some have pockets full of coins to play the Fun Ball machine, which spills out a whole manner of prizes and treasures.

The fun doesn’t stop there as lunch could be on intu Milton Keynes on this day. As you’re queuing to pay for your Pret, Wrapchic, Kokoro, Starbucks or other, you could get a tap on the shoulder and a friendly intu face will buy your meal for you.

“We have seen LoveMK day grow year after year and it’s something we always get involved in and put smiles on people’s faces,” said Kirsty McGiff marketing manager at intu Milton Keynes. “Throughout the year we give surprise and delights for our shoppers, but on LoveMK day, there are even more surprises and plenty of delights around each corner.”

Bobby Bubbles, the intu Milton Keynes mascot, will also be making an appearance on the mall to give little ones a big high five (or high ‘four’ for a frog).

Find out more about intu Milton Keynes at www.intu.co.uk/miltonkeynes

A company from Milton Keynes has announced a takeover of Z Cars, a Northampton-based taxi firm.

The acquisition is the fourth for Skyline Taxis in just 18 months, which has seen it expand into Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.

Managing Director of Skyline Taxis, Gav Sokhi, has confirmed that the deal will see 20 drivers and office staff move over from Z Cars to Skyline Taxis and that additional jobs will be created in Northampton.

“We are delighted to announce this latest acquisition,” said Gav. “Z Cars has a great team of dedicated staff who are highly experienced in the industry and we welcome them into the Skyline family.

”This latest deal is part of Skyline’s wider expansion plans, which will see the company invest further in Northampton in the coming weeks and months and create even more driving jobs.

“We’ve invested heavily in Northampton recently and we’re seeing excellent growth in this area week on week as a result,” reveals Gav. “And, as we grow, our coverage grows, which improves our response times across Northampton and the surrounding villages. We would like to invite any Northampton taxi drivers looking for work to come in and have a cuppa with us and discuss driving with the Skyline team.

”As part of the deal, Z Car Customers will benefit from a faster service, have access to Skyline’s VIP fleet of Mercedes, Audi and Tesla vehicles, and will receive a 10% discount when booking through the Skyline’s Android and iPhone apps.

For more information about Skyline Taxis, visit www.skylinetaxis.co.uk

With hopes of a summer like 2018, there’s great news for outdoors fans as Aqua Parcs at Willen Lake announces its return for 2019.

Opening on Saturday 4 May, the team are back for the summer months with the promise that the park is even bigger and better this year, with new obstacles, slides and surprises.

Aqua Parcs was already one of the biggest inflatable water courses in the country, but this year it’s just got a whole lot bigger says owner, Joe Grix. “We’ve looked at what worked last year and what didn’t work so well and made changes to the course to make it even better. Plus, there are some exciting new obstacles and we’re the first to have them in Milton Keynes.”

Aqua Parcs has also made the 2019 park suitable for ages six and up (previously from eight years old) and will be putting on dedicated junior sessions to ensure little ones can explore without a worry.

The spectacular inflatable course is in excess of 120 metres long, and boasts more than 30 obstacles – including the super-fast Figure-of Eight slide, Ninja Jump, the all new Diamond, Apex and more – details and pictures will be revealed nearer the opening date.

Entrepreneurs Kieron Murty and Joe Grix are responsible for bringing the on-lake adventure to Milton Keynes.

Kieron said: “We were thrilled with the reception to Aqua Parcs last summer. People came from far and wide to have fun on the water with the obstacles, and we want to give them even more smiles this time around. We’ve put together a course that will do just that, and we can’t wait for people to see the new sections.”

The gargantuan course doesn’t just offer fun in the sun, either – as an all-weather hub, it is the perfect place to make a splash come rain or shine. 2019 also sees the introduction of exclusive hire for parties, corporate days and for school trips.

Joe added: “This really is the ideal adventure for kids of all ages. At Aqua Parcs you can let your inhibitions go and have a truly terrific time. Milton Keynes, get ready to be wowed on water!”

Aqua Parcs is patrolled by trained lifeguards at each section, however participants must be able to swim 25m unaided and be aged 6+.

Wet suit hire is included within the £20 fee and each session lasts one hour. Once given the safety brief, participants swim 10 metres out to the park and can explore and get wet and wild!

Aqua Parcs will re-open on Saturday, May 4. For more information visit www.aquaparcs.co.uk

Connect with Aqua Parcs on social media at:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AquaparcsUK
Twitter: @aquaparcs
Instagram: @aquaparcsuk