Pillars
68 pillars have been engraved with dedications, with 38 left blank for future dedications.
1 January 1773
Amazing Grace
This world-famous song was written in Olney in 1772 by John Newton, who while working on a slave ship had an epiphany and became a curate working to outlaw the slave trade. Continue reading “1 January 1773”
23 January 1967
Milton Keynes designated as a New Town/ The Founders
Development of Milton Keynes began following its formal designation as a new town on January 23rd. Its purpose was to help alleviate London’s chronic housing problem. Continue reading “23 January 1967”
27 January
Holocaust Memorial Day
I swore never to be silent whenever wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor
Continue reading “27 January”
6 February
Any place I hang my hat is home
The Stables held their first public performance on the 6 February 1970. It was set up by Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth who created the live music venue in the garden of their house. Their influence is felt all over the world. Continue reading “6 February”
14 February
St Valentine’s Day
It’s the day for love! Propose to your intended at the Milton Keynes Rose.
22 February
World Thinking Day
Since 1926 Girl Guides and Girl Scouts have celebrated this day with changing annual themes affecting girls and young women around the world.
24 February 1935
Burying The Hatchet
At the Knoll in Sherington, peace was made between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge at a spot equidistant between the two cities. Continue reading “24 February 1935”
February / March
Shrove Tuesday
The Olney Pancake Race has been run since 1445. The ringing of the Town Crier’s Bell starts the 415 yard race at 11.55 am.
1 March
St David’s Day
All a Creu gwir fel gwydr o ffwrnais awen. In these stones horizons sing. A traditional celebration day for nation of Wales.
St David was the greatest figure in the 6th century Welsh Age of Saints, founder of scores of religious communities, and the only native-born patron saint of the countries of Britain and Ireland.
2 March
Toddle Waddle Day
A day that supports fund raising for meningitis research through toddler walks. Supported here in Milton Keynes. Continue reading “2 March”
7 March
World Maths Day
With Alan Turing, Bletchley Park, sacred geometry, Hanslope Park, design of grid roads, the Open University, birth of computing – Milton Keynes is made of maths. Continue reading “7 March”
8 March
International Women’s Day
“One should honour women. Women are heaven, women are truth. Women are the supreme first of transformation. Women are Buddha, women are religious community. Women are the perfection of wisdom.” Candamahoroshama Tandtra. Continue reading “8 March”
13 March
Christ the Cornerstone Church
In 1992 HM The Queen attended the opening of Christ the Cornerstone Church, the first city centre ecumenical church in the UK. The Archbishop of Westminster preached at the service – the first time a Roman Catholic had preached to the monarch since Henry VIII’s days.
15 March
National Skipping Day
Skipping was a Good Friday tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. “In Brighton, skipping took place towards the end of Lent on Long Rope Day which was the local name for Good Friday. Continue reading “15 March”
17 March
St Patrick’s Day
AN • GHAOTH • ANIAR • BÍONN • SÍ • FIAL.
The west wind is a generous wind. Milton Keynes has a large local Irish community that support this day.
21 March
World Poetry Day
Poets craft words;
make them sing,
dance and dazzle,
Help illuminate life,
death and every
experience in between.
Continue reading “21 March”
22 March
World Water Day
“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.” Lao Tzu. We are lucky in Milton Keynes to have so much water to admire, play and enjoy.
5 April
Father of Loud
A tribute to a local man Jim Marshall OBE, the Father of Loud. He was the founder and chairman of Marshall Amplification plc, one of the most recognised brands in music. Continue reading “5 April”
23 April 1969
The Open University
Milton Keynes gains Royal Charter. Learn and Live. The Open University is the largest academic institution in the UK and a world leader in flexible learning. Continue reading “23 April 1969”
23 April
St George’s Day
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England. William Shakespeare. A traditional day to celebrate England. Gordon Young said “this is one evocative line about England!”
26 April
William Cowper Day
William Cowper was a nationally renowned and respected poet living in Olney, who changed how poetry was written and enjoyed during the 18th Century. Continue reading “26 April”
27 April
Meditation Day
“Meditation here may think down hours to moments. Here the heart may give a useful lesson to the head, and learning wiser grow without his books.” William Cowper, 18th Century Poet. Continue reading “27 April”
28th April
Worker’s Memorial Day
Remember the dead. Fight for the living. The purpose behind Worker’s Memorial Day is to remember those killed through work and ensure that such tragedies are not repeated.
29 April
International Dance Day
This day is a celebration day for those who can see the value and importance of the art form ‘dance’, recognising its value to people and the individual.
1 May
May Day
For spring picnics and Morris dancing. May Day is the day when people celebrate the coming of summer with lots of different customs that are expressions of joy and hope after a long winter.
10 May
Pangea Day
In 1986, having made the film The Fourth Protocol in Bradwell Common and Heelands, Michael Caine presented Summerfield School with a video camera to say thanks for letting the production team park at the school. Continue reading “10 May”
24 May
Heartwarming Day
John Wesley was an English Anglican cleric and theologian who, with his brother Charles and fellow cleric George Whitefield, founded Methodism. John Wesley visited Stony Stratford on a number of occasions in the 1770s, preaching beneath a great elm tree in the Market Square. Continue reading “24 May”
25 May
Black Lives Matter
25 May is the second anniversary of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, an event which was instrumental in the development and spread of the Black Lives Matter movement. Following a public consultation exercise in 2021, a new pillar inscription in 2022 at the Rose marks 25 May and Black Lives Matter.
Continue reading “25 May”1-7 June
Volunteers’ Week
Celebrating the work of volunteers in Milton Keynes who make such a difference to people’s lives in our communities.
‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.’ Mahatma Gandhi
5 June
World Environment Day
There are no passengers on Spaceship
Earth. We are all crew.”
Marshall McLuhan. Milton Keynes has many eco houses and a great track record in recycling.
15 June
Albert French
Age 16, killed in action, Ploegsteert Wood, Belgium. ‘A’ Company, 18th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Born 22 June 1899, New Bradwell. Continue reading “15 June”
20 June
World Refugee Day
‘People from around the world have helped build this city.
Milton Keynes welcomes refugees.’
21 June
Summer Solstice / Solar Day
Midsummer Boulevard is aligned with the rising sun on the summer solstice and The Milton Keynes Rose sits on this line. Continue reading “21 June”
22 June
Windrush Day
Unveiled on 22 June 2022, nominated by local community group Friends of the Caribbean with Windrush Day pillar to celebrates the contribution of the Windrush Generation.
Marking the date in 1948 that the HMT Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in London.
Continue reading “22 June”June
Knit in Public Day
From old to young, enjoyed by all. Knitting is the process of using two or more needles to loop yarn into a series of interconnected loops in order to create a finished garment or some other type of fabric.
1 July
International Joke Day
Local comedy clubs, the Stables and MK Theatre are all great vendors of mirth in Milton Keynes. MK Theatre of Comedy regularly presents stage versions of TV shows. Continue reading “1 July”
5 July 1953
First Tea Bag Day
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.
7 July
Taranis Day
Lord of the Wheel. Carved wooden sun wheel found at Wavendon Gate, 1989. Also found on 7 September in 2000: the ‘Milton Keynes Hoard’, Bronze Age gold, now in the British Museum. Taranis is the Celtic God of Thunder & Sky, Lord of the Wheel.
10 July 1992
Formation of the Parks Trust
The Parks Trust is the reason why we have such beautiful parks and green spaces here in Milton Keynes. Campbell Park is one of the many areas of green space managed and maintained by The Parks Trust, the self-financing charity that looks after over 6,000 acres of parks, woodlands and lakes across Milton Keynes.
14 July
Disability Awareness Day
We must all be aware of the barriers this world can place for people with disabilities and work together for access for all, for sport, living, working and play. Continue reading “14 July”
18 July
Mandela Day
We must use time wisely and forever realise that the time is always ripe to do right. Nelson Mandela. One of the world’s modern fathers, we must remember what he taught us.
1 August
Lammas
Lammas Day (“loaf-mass”), the festival of the wheat harvest, is the first harvest festival of the year. On this day it was customary to bring to church a loaf made from the new crop, which began to be harvested at Lammastide. Continue reading “1 August”
4 August 2012
London 2012 Olympic Games
Gold Medal Winner Greg Rutherford – men’s long-jump. Greg Rutherford is from MK Athletics Club.
6 August
Hiroshima Day
After World War II, most of Hiroshima was rebuilt, though one destroyed section was set aside as a reminder of the effects of the atomic bomb. In Milton Keynes, Hiroshima Day is remembered at the Peace Pagoda at Willen. Continue reading “6 August”
August
First Wednesday in August
National Playday
National day of play. Play is how we learn, relax and make friends.
3 September 1978
Concrete Cow Day
Concrete Cows by Liz Leyh unveiled. Tea and cucumber sandwiches were served. Our famous cows. Artist Gordon Young said, “This was the biggest detective work I did. Continue reading “3 September 1978”
17 September 1838
Wolverton Railway Day
During the Victorian era, trains had to be inspected every 50 miles. The first passenger train from London to Birmingham therefore had to stop at Wolverton. Back then, the 112 and a half mile journey took five and a half hours. Continue reading “17 September 1838”
18 September
Bletchley Park Day
This was the date that ‘Captain Ridley’s shooting party’ arrived at Bletchley Park in 1938 – a cover name for the first visit by the Government Code & Cipher School, and others from MI6. Continue reading “18 September”
21 September 1980
International Day of Peace
Inauguration of the first Peace Pagoda in the Western Hemisphere on 21st September 1980 in Milton Keynes. A day celebrated in many ways in MK.
1 October
Older Persons Day
Grow old with me! The best is yet to be. Robert Browning. With age comes experience and knowledge, we will all get old.
4 October
World Animal Day
Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains un-awakened. Anatole France. Milton Keynes has farms, stables, sanctuaries and pets all to be loved and cared for.
16 October
World Food Day
First we eat, then we do everything else. M.F.K. Fisher
Whilst we are surrounded by countryside growing food, we still have people going hungry. Hunger is not just a third world problem. Even in our prosperous new city of Milton Keynes, there are many people living on the edge of poverty.
October
World Hospice Day
Willen Hospice registered with the Charity Commission, October 1975. Based at a peaceful lakeside location in Milton Keynes, Willen Hospice is an independent charity offering specialist care to individuals with life limiting illnesses. Continue reading “October”
4 November
Diesel Engine Day
Bletchley-based Herbert Akroyd-Stuart was granted US patent No. 439702 for the first engines operated by the explosion of mixtures of combustible vapour or gas and air, three years before Rudolf Diesel’s invention. Herbert Akroyd-Stuart is the father of the diesel engine.
11 November
Armistice Day
The men and women from Milton Keynes who have died in wars. We will remember them.
A public place to remember our fallen, every year we will lay wreaths and observe the silence, on the 11th November, 11am at the Milton Keynes Rose
20 November
Computing Day
Rebooting of the Harwell Dekatron at The National Museum of Computing in Bletchley Park. Also known as the WITCH, it is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest original working digital computer. Milton Keynes is the home of computing.
27 November
Idea Day
International Drama/Theatre and Education Day. ‘All the world’s a stage.’ William Shakespeare. Milton Keynes has one of the best regional theatres in the country
30 November
St Andrews Day
The rose of all the world is not for me. I want for my part only the little white rose of Scotland that smells sharp and sweet – and breaks the heart. Hugh MacDiarmid. Traditionally celebrated by the Scots.
November
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Whilst we see roadside tributes this is a safe place to remember those lost on the roads locally.
1 December
World Aids Day
We must support and educate. This World AIDS Day, help put HIV stigma firmly in the past where it belongs, by joining the Not Retro, Just Wrong campaign. Continue reading “1 December”
5 December 1991
Jack Trevor Story
Died in Milton Keynes, the first writer in residence. He came to Milton Keynes and never left. Jack Trevor Story (1917 – 1991) was a British novelist, publishing prolifically from the 1940s to the 1970s. Continue reading “5 December 1991”
Human Rights Day
10 December
Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone’s rights! Disrespect for basic human rights continues to be wide-spread in all parts of the globe.
10 December 2011
Red Bull Home Run
In celebration of the team’s back-to-back World Championships, Red Bull Racing drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber drove RB7s on the streets of Milton Keynes. The local area has been the heartland of motor racing for many years.
13 December 2009
Unsung Hero Day
Doreen Adcock BEM was voted the Unsung Hero at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. She taught Milton Keynes to swim. Saluting all the ‘unsung heroes’.
31 December 1958
DB4 Day
The first DB4 manufactured by Aston Martin Lagonda Limited was registered. Aston Martin cars were made at Newport Pagnell until 2007. A legend born in Newport Pagnell.
Diwali
Festival of Lights. Diwali is a Hindu festival which spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair
Eid Al-Fitr
Festival of Breaking the Fast.
Eid Al-Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
Covid-19
Engraved in May 2020 to commemorate the Covid-19 pandemic and particularly those who have lost their lives in Milton Keynes.