Events

The Milton Keynes Rose is used throughout the year for events and gatherings.
Everyone is welcome to come along. You can also visit at any time simply to enjoy the space.

Annual Event: Albert French Commemoration

Held on 15 June each year, Albert French Day commemorates Rifleman Albert French who died aged 16 in the First World War and all those who served.

The 2020 event was unable to be held publicly as usual however reading by Chris Roberts and wreath laying was filmed to share.
View the film here.

Due to restrictions the 2021 commemoration will be very small with wreath laying by Mayors of MK and Wolverton & Greenleys Town Council and the Western Front Association.

Annual Event: Disability Awareness Day

Next event: Friday 16 July 2021 12noon

With welcome and speeches, collaborative art, music and picnic.  All welcome.

14th July
Disability Awareness Day is recognised at The Milton Keynes Rose annually and in wider associated community events organised by; MK Snap, Camphill Community Milton Keynes, MK CIL, Milton Keynes Arts for Health, MK Dons SET, Milton Keynes Cenotaph Trust and with support from many partner organisations.  The MK DAD steering group work to bring about individual and community change through awareness raising and celebrations of people with disabilities in our area.

New Event: MK Mandalas Kinetika Flags

Friday 16 July – Sunday 18 July and Friday 23 July – Sunday 25 July 2021

Presented by IF: Milton Keynes International Festival view work of 30 large-scale hand-painted flags. Internationally renowned UK company Kinetika is working with over 150 people from community groups in Milton Keynes to create a set of 30 large-scale, hand-painted silk flags for display at The Milton Keynes Rose.

Continue reading “New Event: MK Mandalas Kinetika Flags”

Annual Event: Heritage Open Day Tours

Next Event: September 2021 Exact dates and times to be confirmed
Visitors will be given a short walking tour of some of the pillars at the Milton Keynes Rose which demonstrate the wealth of heritage in the city, including the history of the hymn Amazing Grace which was written in Olney, and the story of Albert French, a young man from Wolverton, who was killed in action in World War 1
Tour lasts approximately 40 minutes.
Location: Access is via the pedestrian bridge from the John Lewis end of the Centre:MK.
Access: Full wheelchair access. Car parking available in CMK car parks.

Annual Event: Armistice Day

Next event will be on Thursday 11 November 2021
Previous years:
11th Nov 2017
Citizens of Milton Keynes, including many young people formed an impressive procession down to the Milton Keynes Rose from MK Theatre. Francesca Skelton, Chair of MK Arts and Heritage Alliance said, “A ceremony that embraces all and allows us to gather together in remembrance, across all faiths and non, in the shared value of the respect for the courage and suffering for those who died and the loss to their families and the country.”
11th Nov 2017

Annual Event: Holocaust Memorial Day

27 January 
Holocaust Memorial Day is a national commemoration day dedicated to the remembrance of those who suffered in the Holocaust under Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides.  A short service is held at The Milton Keynes Rose annually with readings and performance from a local choir.

Annual Event: International Women’s Day

8th March every year

In 2019 guests gathered at the MK Theatre and then the Milton Keynes Rose to attach their #PressForProgress pledges to the International Women’s Day pillar. Nikki Ross, assistant chief constable of Thames Valley Police, and Debbie Brock, Chair of the Cenotaph Trust (Milton Keynes Rose) gave inspiring speeches and two students from MK Academy read extracts from ‘Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls’ by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo. Read more in the MKCitizen online

Past event : Tea Party for First Tea Bag Day

Friday 5th July 2019

The first tea bag produced in Britain from Tetley’s factory in Osborne Street, Bletchley.  The tea bag was brought to Britain by Tetley, who produced them in the UK for the first time in 1953 in Bletchley. By 1968, Tetley tea bag sales had soared to 5,000 tonnes a year.

Past Event: Commonwealth Picnic 

21st April 2018

Over 100 people celebrated being part of the Commonwealth by sharing food, friendship and flags on HM The Queen’s Birthday, joining in with Commonwealth celebrations that took place right across the globe.

Past Event: Vigil for Manchester Bombing

23rd May 2017

Milton Keynes’ new Mayor, Cllr David Hopkins, held a short public vigil in honour of those who lost their lives at Manchester Arena. Twenty-two people, including children, died and 59 others were injured after an explosion at an Ariana Grande pop concert at Manchester Arena in a suspected terror attack.