Midsummer Place shopping centre in Milton Keynes have launched new Sensory Bags, specially designed to support shoppers with additional needs and sensory sensitivities.
Launched on Purple Tuesday (4 November), the initiative forms part of the centre’s commitment to making shopping a more inclusive and comfortable experience for everyone.
Sensory Bags provided by the shopping centre are free to use and can be borrowed during a visit to the centre by asking a member of the team or calling 01908 557000. Each bag contains a variety of items such as fidget toys, noise-cancelling ear defenders, and sensory aids that help to create a calmer, more manageable environment for users who may find busy shopping spaces overwhelming.
Purple Tuesday is a global movement dedicated to improving the customer experience for disabled people and promoting accessibility and inclusion across all sectors. By introducing the sensory bags, Midsummer Place is proudly aligning itself with the campaign’s mission to make everyday activities – like shopping – more welcoming and accessible to all.
Simon Martin, General Manager at Midsummer Place, said, “We’re committed to ensuring that everyone feels comfortable and included when visiting Midsummer Place. Launching our sensory bags on Purple Tuesday is an important step in helping to make our centre a more supportive space for shoppers with additional needs. This initiative reflects our ongoing effort to create an environment where everyone can enjoy their visit with confidence and ease.”
The sensory bags are available to use from Tuesday 4 November and can be collected by contacting the number provided on signage throughout the centre or by speaking to a member of the Midsummer Place team.
A deposit will be required to borrow the sensory bag, which is fully returned when the bag is returned also.
Milton Keynes City Council have revealed events and activities to celebrating National Care Leavers Month.
The series of events, which are in collaboration with local partners, will see a month of council-led events that includes a football tournament, a wellbeing walk and a party at Bistro Live to celebrate young people’s achievements.
MK City Council revealed that they were rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted for its work to help care leavers in December 2024, which includes providing a personal advisor, help finding a job and support to gain their own tenancy.
Currently, 499 care experienced young people between 18-24 years old are being helped by the City Council, which also employs two care experienced young people in roles within Children’s Services.
The City Council guarantees an interview for any young person with care experience and is encouraging other local organisations to do the same by contacting Katie Connolly.
Councillor Joe Hearnshaw, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said, “Our children in care are so full of potential and deserve the same opportunities as any other young people. This month, we are recognising their achievements and celebrating this exciting stage in their lives. We will continue to develop the support we provide and are proud to employ care experienced young people within the city council.”
Electronic music band The Prodigy will be returning to the Milton Keynes Bowl with their Warriors Dance Festival in 2026.
The Prodigy previously played a show at the venue in 2010, and they will be returning to the National Bowl for the first time in 16 years with a show at the venue on August 22nd 2026.
The show will be part of a 4 date series of outdoor festivals headlined by The Prodigy next summer, who will also be playing shows in Dublin, Edinburgh and Manchester.
Videos on social media released over the weekend hinted at a show at the venue, with videos and photos of the National Bowl featuring in the clip released on The Prodigy’s social media channels.
The Prodigy last played the Milton Keynes National Bowl in July 2010, with the show being the band’s original Warrior’s Dance Festival, which marked the bands 20th anniversary. The sold-out show attracted 65,000 fans and featured support acts like Pendulum and Enter Shikari, with The Prodigy’s setlist including hits from their back catalog. The Prodigy’s headline show was later released as the World’s On Fire live album and DVD.
A full support bill has been announced as part of The Prodigy’s announcement. House and techno DJ Carl Cox, drum & bass star Andy C, reggae DJ Mr David “Ram Jam”, Japanese DJ/Producer ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U and British Trap Metal star SCARLXRD will be performers, with the latter two being special additions for Milton Keynes.
Fan presale takes place Wednesday 5th November at 09:00am with sign up through The Prodigy’s website, with general onsale taking place from Friday 7th November at 09:00am.
Police have released a CCTV image of a man that officers wish to speak to in connection with a theft from a motor vehicle in Milton Keynes.
Thames Valley Police said the release of the CCTV image relates to an appeal into an incident that happened on Wednesday 3 September.
At around 1.47am, a vehicle was broken into at Granes End, Great Linford. A bank card that was stolen from the same vehicle was then used at the Shell Petrol Station in Bradwell Abbey, Milton Keynes, at around 5.22am the same day.
Investigating officer, PC John Turney, said, “We are releasing images of a man who we believe may have vital information about this incident.
“If you recognise him, or if this is you, we would ask that you please call us on 101 or make a report online, quoting reference 43250450867.
“If you do not wish to speak to the police directly, you can call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or contact it via its website.”
Northampton Town are out of the FA Cup after a 3-1 defeat away at Oldham Athletic in the First Round.
Michael Mellon, son of Oldham manager Micky, scored all three goals for the League Two Latics as they progressed to the Second round, with Cameron McGeehan scoring a late consolation for the Cobblers.
The result continues a trend of problems for Northampton in the FA Cup, with the Cobblers knocked out of the competition in Round One for the sixth season in a row.
Things began to unravel for the Cobblers in the opening minutes, as Kevin Nolan’s side found themselves 2-0 down with less than 5 minutes on the clock.
Mellon put Oldham in front of 3 minutes, as he read the flight of an attempted clearance and beat Northampton keeper Ross Fitzsimons with a bicycle kick.
Less than a minute later, it was two. Oldham keeper Matthew Hudson’s long goal-kick was flicked on by Joe Garner to Mellon, who duly beat Fitzsimons in the one-on-one.
Mellon would be denied a first half hat-trick by a save from Fitzsimons, but the Oldham striker would score his third five minutes into the second half. A through-pass down the Oldham right released Oli Hammond, who drew out Fitzsimons before laying it across to Mellon, who tapped into an empty net.
Northampton would score in stoppage time at the end of the second half as Oldham failed to deal with a cross from the Cobblers’ right and McGeehan tapped in at the back post.
But no comeback was forthcoming, allowing Oldham to take the victory and the scalp of a side from the division above, while Northampton are out of the FA Cup as their miserable record in the competition continues.
