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56 Phonebox Magazine | January 2025It%u2019s swings and roundabouts for Milton Keynes familiesMilton Keynes City Council is continuing with a %u00a3250,000 programme of works to enhance, improve, and refurbish play parks around the city.The majority of parks are managed by MKCC, which has spent almost %u00a32 million in the last fi ve years refreshing and expanding the city%u2019s play areas. Now it%u2019s due to approve a new Play Area Action Plan as part of its overall strategy.A programme of works will follow, including general fi xes and refurbishment, deep cleaning, painting, and landscaping. Milton Keynes has 466 play areas %u2013 one for every 255 children. It%u2019s one of the highest levels in the country. Over the past year the council has opened and revamped several play parks, including the Whirly Pits in Olney and a King%u2019s Coronation-themed play area in Crownhill. %u201cThis signifi cant investment recognises just how important play parks are for the wellbeing of local families, and that%u2019s why we%u2019re investing extra funding to improve play areas in need of some TLC,%u201d said Interim Cabinet Member for the Public Realm, Cllr Akash Nayee.Probus member callThey meet every month (except January), so Newport Pagnell Probus Club are using this period to call for new members. Gatherings are on the fi rst Tuesday at the Swan Revived Hotel, Newport Pagnell, for lunch and a speaker from a broad list of interests. %u201cWhy not start 2025 by joining a group of like-minded men and women enjoying each other%u2019s%u2019 company?%u201d said committee member Neil Beeton. For more information or to visit, contact Neil, 01908 914771, neilbeeton@sky.com, or John Brimley, 01908 605378, johnbrimley37@btinternet.com.NewsMilton Keynes has 466 play areashas been set up where parents can feed their babies and pregnant service users can rest. It has all been made possible thanks to generous donations to the charity.The idea was initiated by Kim Hadjicosta, the hospital%u2019s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) Offi cer. She said parents were struggling to fi nd a suitable space to sit and feed their baby at the hospital%u2019s main entrance. Her observation led to the charity supporting discussions between Milton Keynes University Hospital and Maternity Voices Partnership (MNVP) to make the plan a reality. The new space was unveiled last month by Milton Keynes MNVP, with maternity and charity staff .Free indoor cricketAvailable in Newport Pagnell. For 8-11 year old girls. In partnership with Olney Town Cricket Club.Fun-fi lled, action-packed cricket sessions for girls from 8-11 years old. This condensed Dynamos Cricket camp focuses on diff erent cricket skills to build children%u2019s confi dence and abilithy, off ering all the fun of a weekly Dynamos course over a shorter number of days. Dynamos Cricket will help grow your child%u2019s love of the game and will give them the opportunity to socialise and make friends in a safe environment.Six-week indoor course, Tuesdays 5-6 pm, 7th January %u2013 11th February.Register by scanning the QR code. Please ignore the price shown and use this bursary code to book for Free: Code = FCSWQ Please note the code can only be used once per parent for a maximum of 3 places. Any questions, please contact emma.boswell-harris@buckscricket.co.ukFringe Festival returns An exciting new Fringe Festival has been announced for next year with the goal of bringing heritage and culture back to Milton Keynes. The month-long extravaganza will feature music, drama and art in venues across the city, including some of the parks. The festival was previously a popular feature in MK until the Covid pandemic and has not been organised since then.The July 2025 event is being brought to Milton Keynes by MK Fringe Festival, a Community Interest Company (CIC). It will feature in galleries, clubs and parks across MK.%u201cThe whole concept of fringe is that it%u2019s for everyone, by everyone%u201d said Jay Virgo, chair of directors. %u201cWhether you are a musician, an actor, a performer, a drag queen, a stand-up comedian %u2013 whatever you are, fringe is for you.%u201cIt is by the people, for the people, and it%u2019s meant to be an inclusive space. Our intent is to make the festival completely free and accessible to everybody.%u201dDouble donations joy for WillenDonations to local charity Willen Hospice were doubled during December, meaning they hit their %u00a335,000 %u2018Big Give%u2019 charity target for the end of the year. The Hospice was chosen to be part of The Big Give%u2019s Christmas Challenge, which matches public donations to selected charities. The money raised will help fund the work of the Hospice%u2019s Willen at Home team, who provide expert care and support so that patients with a life-limiting illness can stay in their own home and live well until they die. This service alone costs the charity %u00a31.4 million a year and currently receives no NHS funding. Mum and baby chairs at hospitalMilton Keynes Hospital Charity has unveiled the latest use of donations to help make a diff erence at the hospital.A new seating area in the main entrance Audience members at the last MK Fringe, pre Covid times Round Up