Two late goals saw Luton Town take a point as they drew 2-2 with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

A double by CJ Hamilton had given Blackpool a two goal lead, but Jordan Clark scored a goal back before Gideon Kodua scored a stoppage time penalty to equalise for Matt Bloomfield’s side in Lancashire.

The point means Luton draw a match for the first time this season, with the Hatters rising up to 7th as they played a match previously postponed due to international call-ups.

Luton had arrived chasing back-to-back victories after a weekend win over Doncaster at Kenilworth Road.

At Bloomfield Road, however, it was Blackpool who began on the front-foot and they took the lead after 9 minutes. One-time Hatter Josh Bowler played in Hamilton, whose shot crept beyond Josh Keeley to put the home side ahead.

Keeley made a solid save to keep out Ashley Fletcher, before Luton had an opportunity when Bailey Peacock-Farrell made a flying stop to keep out Lamine Fanne.

Late in the first half, Zack Nelson had a shot blocked at close-range by Olly Casey, with Millenic Alli missing the target with the rebound.

With 8 minutes of the second half played, it was Blackpool with the second goal of the game. Alli was dispossessed on the edge of the Blackpool box and the hosts began a forward charge. Jordan Brown lead it, with his pass releasing Hamilton to advance and then fire past Keeley for his second of the night.

Both sides created and spurned a variety of opportunities before one did find a way through in the 78th minute. It was Luton with the game’s third goal as they got back to 2-1, with substitute Clark lining up a shot from outside the box and seeing his effort find the back of the net via a deflection.

There would then be a further twist when Luton were awarded a penalty in the final minute of the 90. A foul by Casey on Kodua was penalised by the referee, and from 12 yards, West Ham loanee Kodua beat Peacock-Farrell to bring the Hatters back on level terms.

It saw the Hatters recover a point, with the team now hoping to make it 3 unbeaten when they visit Stevenage at the weekend.

Local political figures in Milton Keynes have provided their reactions to the announcement that the city is under consideration for a new town scheme launched by the government.

A report published by the national Labour government on Sunday (28/09) listed Milton Keynes as one of 12 areas of the UK recommended as a possible location for a new town. Locations as well as MK included new sites in Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, as well as urban development plans in London, Plymouth, Leeds and Manchester.

The report by the government’s New Town Taskforce was to meet a pledge in the government’s manifesto during last year’s election to build 1.5 million homes by the time of the next election, scheduled to take place in 2029.

When the report was published, the government said that an environmental assessment will take place before a final decision is made on whether to proceed.

Proposals for Milton Keynes would see new houses built in areas to the north and east of the city’s existing boundaries, along with proposals for a mass public transit system that would reach Central Milton Keynes.

In a statement, Cllr Pete Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, said, “The announcement that Milton Keynes could be part of the next generation of new towns is a massive opportunity for our city. We know here that to do growth well, it needs to be done properly. We welcome the change to discuss investment in a new public transport system, more affordable homes and more powers to deliver community infrastructure with the government, and will be working hard to get started as quickly as possible.”

The report was also praised by Milton Keynes’ 3 MPs.

Chris Curtis, MP for MK North, said, “I am delighted that the success of Milton Keynes so far has been recognised, and that the New Town Taskforce has identified our city as a prime location the build new affordable homes the next generation of people who grew up here need.”

Emily Darlington, MP for Milton Keynes Central, added, “We know that we need to carry on attracting that inward investment and supporting local businesses to grow in a vibrant city centre. I’ll be working with the taskforce and council to ensure that our city centre gets the investment it needs to supercharge our economy.”

Callum Anderson, Buckingham and Bletchley’s MP, also commented, “The report by the New Town Taskforce is a massive chance to really work with the government to ensure we get the right investment into our area, not only for the fantastic new communities we can develop, but for areas like Bletchley, so everyone can benefit from growth.”

Meanwhile, the proposals were criticised by leaders of the Milton Keynes Conservative party, who described the proposals as “reckless expansion”.

Cllr Shazna Muzammil-Cook, Leader of the Conservative Group, said, “Of course, we need more homes, and I am not a NIMBY. But I am worried that we are losing everything that makes Milton Keynes unique and running the risk of just becoming another crowded city like Manchester. It’s great that investment could come to MK – but why don’t we fix the basics first? Our roads are collapsing, flooding gets worse every year, schools and GPs are already overstretched, and we still only have one hospital. Building at this scale without fixing what’s broken first is reckless.”

Plans have been announced for the Milton Keynes City of Codes and Light Festival, which takes place in the city this month.

Organised by the Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture, the festival takes place between October 1 and 22, and features a city-wide celebration of culture, science, technology and creativity.

Venues across Milton Keynes will host Constellations of Stars: Echoes Across the Sky during the month, with this year’s festival celebrating the work of Islamic astronomers such as al-Sufi and Ali Qushji and invites visitors to experience the night sky as a shared story connecting cultures and generations.

The festival features interactive installations, immersive projections, live performances, workshops, exhibitions, and community events.

Locations hosting events include Bletchley Park, MK Central Library, the centre:mk and multiple over locations across the city.

The two centre-piece events take place on October 4 and 21/22.

On Saturday (4/10), Mind & Matter Projection will see a large-scale projection by multimedia creative studio Limbic Cinema, illuminating the MK Central Library with the story of astronomy from ancient stargazers to modern discovery. The projection will start at 7:15PM.

This event is then followed by the Lantern Parade, which is a procession led by artist Emma Garofalo, featuring willow lanterns created by local school groups inspired by stars and constellations. Starting from the MK Central City Library at 7:35PM, the parade will weave through the city ending at the John Lewis Car Park, Milton Keynes.

In addition, there will also be a display entitled In Infinity, with an immersive galaxy installation created with Open University students combining a solar system of stars with thermal imaging. This show is available for guests to see from 6PM at the John Lewis Car Park, Milton Keynes.

Street food and live music will also be held at the John Lewis Car Park as part of the event.

The 21st and 22nd, meanwhile, features TEAM Workshops, with interactive science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics activities designed to inspire young people.

Talks will also be held in the form of presentations from Ruhee S Kahar and Dr. Alice Dumford exploring astronomy and space science.

Exhibitions showcasing interactive installations and artworks, while there will also be an evening performance featuring a universe of stars, music, and movement with the Turkish Whirling Sufi Dancers on Tuesday 21st October, 6–7.30pm at Middleton Hall, centre:mk

All the main events are free for spectators to enter. For more event information and participation opportunities contact: [email protected]

The Milton Keynes-based radio station MKFM has celebrated 10 years of broadcasting on FM radio.

The community radio station began broadcasting on FM radio in 2015, having previously had online and digital radio broadcasts after its launch in 2011.

Now based from a broadcast studio at Stadium MK, home of football club MK Dons, the station plays breakfast, midday, afternoon and evening shows, with shows offering news, chat, music, sport, business and community outreach for local organisations.

In a statement, MKFM’s director Joanne Ronan said, “It has been an exciting and successful 10 years as an FM broadcaster.

“I can’t believe a decade has gone by so quickly and, within that time, we have made so many brilliant in-roads into the work we wanted to achieve.

“That includes providing a first class radio station that local people want to tune in and listen to. It means supporting local businesses and helping them to grow with us in Milton Keynes. And it means backing the city’s schools and charities as we all try to make Milton Keynes an even better place to live.

“I am excited and looking forward to the next decade of MKFM.”

The station broadcasts in the Milton Keynes area on 106.3FM, along with 95.0FM in the Wolverton and Stony Stratford area and on 102.1FM in the Bletchley area.

MKFM can be found on DAB Digital Radio across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, and online on the MKFM website.