Willen Hospice have announced plans for an exclusive gala evening of world-class ballet featuring Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes as a fundraiser in partnership with Milton Keynes Theatre.
The event on February 12 is a limited-ticket event promises a spectacular cultural experience while raising vital funds for our Hospice.
Guests will be welcomed on the red carpet and enjoy a champagne and canapé reception before taking premium seats for the performance. Additional gala privileges include access to a private VIP area and interval refreshments, making this a unique opportunity to enjoy a double Olivier Award-winning production in an exclusive setting.
Based on the iconic Academy Award-winning film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, The Red Shoes is a timeless and powerful story of a dancer, driven by ambition, who becomes caught between love and her all-consuming desire to become the greatest dancer in the world. The production features a specially orchestrated score by Terry Davies, featuring the mesmerising music of Bernard Herrmann, alongside striking design, lighting and immersive sound which dazzle the senses and have captivated audiences for generations.
Tickets are £100 per person, with all proceeds supporting Willen Hospice. It costs the hospice £11 million each year to provide expert care services for local people with a life-limiting illness, of which only 12.7% is covered by ongoing NHS funding. The charity says that fundraising events such as this gala are vital in helping them raise the £9.6 million needed each year to continue our care for the local community completely free of charge.
Northampton advanced in the EFL Trophy with a 4-2 win over Walsall at Sixfields.
The Cobblers had fallen behind to Albert Adomah’s goal, but a brace by Kamarai Swyer and a further strike by Sam Hoskins put Kevin Nolan’s side into a 3-1 lead.
Daniel Kanu scored a goal back for the League 2 side, but a late Tom Eaves penalty shut the door on the Walsall comeback attempt as Northampton took the victory and a place in the next round.
The result sees Northampton reach the tournament’s last 8 for the first time since the 2020/21 campaign.
Walsall took the lead after 5 minutes when Lewis Warrington picked out the experienced Adomah for a close range finish.
But Northampton would have multiple chances in their attempts to find an equaliser and they duly found a way through after 18 minutes, as Swyer’s strike from the edge of the box landed in the back of the net.
The tie would be fully turned in Northampton’s favour just after half time, as Swyer got a touch to turn in Michael Jacobs’ corner, although some sources suggested Walsall defender Sam Hornby got the final touch for an own goal.
Nolan’s side made it 3-1 just after the hour mark, as Hoskins received Jack Vale’s pass and rolled the ball into the bottom corner.
Walsall would pull a goal back to 3-2 with 15 minutes remaining as substitute Kanu fired home, but hopes from the away fans of a comeback took a knock when they saw Jake Hollman stretchered off after they had used all 5 subs, meaning they played the final phase of the game with 10 players.
Northampton duly made it 4-2 at the end of regular time, as Priestley Farquharson’s foul on Kyle Edwards saw the Cobblers given a penalty, and Eaves duly scored the spot-kick.
The Cobblers will now await the draw for the EFL Trophy Quarter Final, with the draw taking place on Saturday.
Milton Keynes City Council have announced plans for almost £3m of new investment for improvements at leisure centres in the city.
The investments involve work planned at Bletchley Leisure Centre, Woughton Leisure Centre and Windmill Hill Golf Centre, which the City Council confirmed form part of a new long-term contract with Serco Leisure and More Leisure Community Trust.
- Bletchley Leisure Centre will receive a fun new Splash Pad outdoor water play area which children and families can enjoy during the warmer months. The city council is also installing a new car park lift as the current lift is unrepairable, and this work begins soon.
- Windmill Hill Golf Centre’s irrigation system will be upgraded so a higher‑quality course can be used throughout the year. The driving range will be enhanced, and the main clubhouse will be modernised.
- Around £800,000 will be spent on new energy-saving initiatives designed to cut annual energy use by an estimated 1.1m kWh, cutting emissions by 209 tCO₂e each year. to reduce operating costs at all centres.
Around 600,000 visits were made to the three centres in the last year.
A new long‑term agreement between the city council and Serco Leisure, working alongside More Leisure Community Trust, brings all three sites under one contract for up to 15 years. MK City Council declared that they opted for a long contract so its partners would have greater confidence to invest in and modernise the facilities for residents.
Serco Leisure manages over 50 centres in the UK, on behalf of clients such as local authorities, Sport England, and the national charity for wheelchair sport, WheelPower. In December 2025, it was named UK Pool & Spa’s Water Leisure Operator of the Year for the seventh time.
Since November 2024, Serco Leisure and MLCT have operated Bletchley Leisure Centre on behalf of the city council.
Cabinet Member for Sport and Leisure, Cllr Mick Legg, said, “This is really exciting news and paves a way for a brighter future for our local leisure centres. Well run leisure facilities play an important role in supporting strong, healthy communities, offering places where people can exercise, socialise and take part in activities that improve physical and mental wellbeing.
“I’m pleased to see such strong commitment and investment, along with the contractor’s pledge to work closely with local partners and parish councils to make these facilities vibrant, multi-use community hubs. This new investment will help ensure that these popular centres continue to play that role for years to come.”
Simon Lane, Managing Director for Serco Leisure, added, “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to operate three fantastic leisure facilities in Milton Keynes. Since November 2024, we have already invested over £250k into new gym equipment into Bletchley Leisure Centre, reinforcing our commitment to continually enhance the centres we manage and deliver the best possible experience for our customers.
“Our focus will be to continue delivering exceptional customer experiences, supporting community wellbeing, and ensuring these centres remain vibrant hubs for health and fitness. We look forward to working closely with Milton Keynes City Council to make a positive impact for local residents.”
Brian Taylor, Chair of More Leisure Community Trust, also said, “This contract win gives us the opportunity to further expand our Active Wellbeing programme, working with MKCC’s Sport & Active Communities Team to engage under-represented groups and support improvements in the health and wellbeing of Milton Keynes’ citizens.”
“Our priority as a leisure trust is to create welcoming, inclusive spaces that inspire people to stay active and healthy. I would like to thank Milton Keynes City Council for their continued faith in MLCT and Serco Leisure to provide the high-quality health and wellbeing services the people of Milton Keynes deserve.”
Northampton advanced in the EFL Trophy with a 4-2 win over Walsall at Sixfields.
The Cobblers had fallen behind to Albert Adomah’s goal, but a brace by Kamarai Swyer and a further strike by Sam Hoskins put Kevin Nolan’s side into a 3-1 lead.
Daniel Kanu scored a goal back for the League 2 side, but a late Tom Eaves penalty shut the door on the Walsall comeback attempt as Northampton took the victory and a place in the next round.
The result sees Northampton reach the tournament’s last 8 for the first time since the 2020/21 campaign.
Walsall took the lead after 5 minutes when Lewis Warrington picked out the experienced Adomah for a close range finish.
But Northampton would have multiple chances in their attempts to find an equaliser and they duly found a way through after 18 minutes, as Swyer’s strike from the edge of the box landed in the back of the net.
The tie would be fully turned in Northampton’s favour just after half time, as Swyer got a touch to turn in Michael Jacobs’ corner, although some sources suggested Walsall defender Sam Hornby got the final touch for an own goal.
Nolan’s side made it 3-1 just after the hour mark, as Hoskins received Jack Vale’s pass and rolled the ball into the bottom corner.
Walsall would pull a goal back to 3-2 with 15 minutes remaining as substitute Kanu fired home, but hopes from the away fans of a comeback took a knock when they saw Jake Hollman stretchered off after they had used all 5 subs, meaning they played the final phase of the game with 10 players.
Northampton duly made it 4-2 at the end of regular time, as Priestley Farquharson’s foul on Kyle Edwards saw the Cobblers given a penalty, and Eaves duly scored the spot-kick.
The Cobblers will now await the draw for the EFL Trophy Quarter Final, with the draw taking place on Saturday.
MK Dons have confirmed the signing of defender Curtis Nelson, who joins the League 2 side from Championship outfit Derby County.
The 32-year-old has become the Dons’ third new arrival of the January 2026 transfer window, following the previously announced arrivals of Ben Wiles and Jay Matete. Wilson moves on an undisclosed fee and has signed a contract of undisclosed length at Stadium MK.
The move sees Nelson reunite with his former Derby boss Paul Warne, having signed for the Rams from Blackpool in 2023 when Warne was in charge at Pride Park.
In all, the defender made 83 appearances for the Rams, scoring 4 times in all competitions.
During his career, Nelson has also represented Plymouth, Oxford, Cardiff and Blackpool, making close to 600 competitive appearances in his career.
Nelson told the club’s official website that he was looking forward to helping the club achieve its goals.
He said, “We’re in a good position now to go and push on, and this second half of the season is going to be key for us. It’ll be a busy period this January. So, we’ve just got to make sure that we keep building on the momentum that has already been built and get the job done. There’s obviously an aim in sight, and that’s not going to change.”
MK Dons’ Head Coach Paul Warne added, “I’m really pleased! Obviously, I’ve worked with him before, which makes it less of a risk.
“He brings a lot of quality; he’s a threat in the air in both boxes, which will really help us.
“He’s a really good organiser, he trained today, and the lads certainly heard him pulling them around, which is great.
“As a coach, you want leaders in your team, particularly if you’re going to be successful!
“He’s a really good player and person, and he’s been welcomed warmly into the dressing room.”
