New helpline launched

From 31st March 2025 Aurora New Dawn www.aurorand.org.uk have launched a helpline for Royal Naval, British Army, and Royal Air Force personnel and their family members who are victims and survivors of: 

• Domestic abuse 
• Sexual violence
• Stalking

 Coverage is available for all UK forces personnel and their families including those deployed abroad. The service is independent, confidential, and free - with phone and WhatsApp functionality available - please see details on this poster.

Horsa Squadron receive Freedom to Parade - March 2025

At a recent Full Council meeting, the ceremonial ‘right, privilege and honour of marching through the streets of the City of Milton Keynes’ was granted to 261 (Horsa) Squadron of the 158th Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps in recognition of the Regiment’s long association with Milton Keynes. We’re proud to support those who serve.

Veterans ID Cards, have you got yours? 

A HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is a way to prove that you served in the UK armed forces. The card can make it quicker and easier to apply for support as a veteran.

It’s free to apply.

To apply, you’ll need:

• your service number for your last period of service
• your National Insurance number
• the approximate year you started and ended your service - it does not have to be exact
• a recent digital passport style photo, showing your head and shoulders

You can only apply online if you’re applying on your own behalf. If you’re getting a card for someone else, you must apply by post.

Milton Keynes City Council marks anniversary of accreditation

February marks the anniversary of MKCC being given the Pride in Veterans standard award by Fighting with Pride for the support we give to LGBT+ veterans. Visit their website to find out how your organisation can achieve the award.

Find out about the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme and your legal rights with their PDF guide.

Events taking place in and around Milton Keynes

Armed Forces monthly walk-in, third Wednesday of the month

A safe place to find out about, meet and connect with local support services. Find out more here.

Veterans informal breakfast club events

See our Support Directory for locations and information.

What is a Raspberry Pi computer? Free online webinar - 20 May 2025

Armed forces veterans and cadets are invited to join local forces friendly employer, FormaServe for this free webinar. Register your interest here.

VE Day 80 year anniversary events – 8 May 2025, a shared celebration. Register your event. On Victory in Europe Day, or V-E Day, Germany unconditionally surrendered its military forces to the Allies, including the United States. On May 8, 1945 - known as Victory in Europe Day or V-E Day - celebrations erupted around the world to mark the end of World War II in Europe. On Thursday 8 May 2025 we are encouraging the lighting of Beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace at 9.30pm, the raising of a unique VE Day flag at 9am and, where possible, holding parties of celebration throughout the day in the streets, gardens at home, churches, villages, town halls, pubs, clubs, hotels and all manner of locations throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories. Register your event at VE Day 80

Residents across Milton Keynes are invited to join in with local celebrations and festivities, including picnics and street parties as Milton Keynes City Council leads the way in commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day on the May bank holiday.

Local communities can join the nationwide Great British Food Festival on Monday 5 May by holding street parties, cooking up a BBQ or fry-up with neighbours, hosting a curry night or by organising a Big Lunch extravaganza.

The Great British Food Festival will bring together residents, our armed forces, veterans, and visitors to celebrate our rich culinary and cultural history, whilst also honouring the sacrifices and triumphs of the nation’s veterans during the Second World War.

Whether it’s a street or garden party, or a BBQ we are inviting everyone to come together in Milton Keynes for the Great British Food Festival for a day of fun, food and to honour the veterans who ensured we could live peacefully today.

VE Day 80 year anniversary events in Milton Keynes

Civic Office - Thursday, 8 May 2025

Milton Keynes City Council will be marking the anniversary with a flag raising ceremony at the Civic office. If you would like to attend, please email mayorsoffice@milton-keynes.gov.uk.

Wolverton - 8 May 2025, 7.00pm–10:00pm (the beacon will be lit at 9.30pm)

Join us to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. This FREE event is in partnership with Wolverton and Greenleys Town Council. Everyone is welcome. Find out more on our website.

We will be one of many sites across the UK and abroad lighting our beacon to mark this special anniversary. Enjoy live entertainment on the bandstand, cadet marches, plus food and drink stalls.

Milton Keynes Rose, Campbell Park - 8 May, 8pm

Everyone is invited to join the City celebration at the Milton Keynes Rose, where there will singing, dancing and refreshments before a procession onto the Light Pyramid.

Anger management information workshop, Coffee Hall, Wellbeing Hub, 99 Jonathans, Coffee Hall MK6 5DR - 10 May 2025

Following on from the successful PTSD resolution information event in March, join us to find out more about Anger Management and the support available.

Armed Forces Flag Raising event – 23 June 2025, 10am

Our annual armed forces flag raising event, held outside Civic Offices, MK9 3EJ.

Armed Forces Dinner now taking place on 24 January 2026

Black tie dinner event, raffle and entertainment. Postponed until 2026 - more details to follow.

Visit Bletchley Park

Bletchley Park is a vibrant heritage attraction and museum. It was the home of British World War Two code-breaking; a place where technological innovation and human endeavour came together to made ground breaking achievements that have helped shape the world we live in today.

This unique site was previously a vast Victorian estate, where parts including the Mansion still survive, expanding during wartime to accommodate Code-breakers Huts and Blocks.

During World War Two, the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS), now known as the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), was based at Bletchley Park. It grew from a small team of specialists to a vast intelligence factory of thousands of dedicated women and men. This extraordinary combination of brilliant and determined people and cutting-edge technology contributed significantly to Allied victory. In tough conditions, they provided vital intelligence and developed pioneering technological innovation that had a direct and profound influence on the outcome of the war.

There are many events throughout the year celebrating the contributions of the Armed Forces community.

The site continues to reveal secrets and tell fascinating stories of our national legacy.  For more information see the Bletchley Park website or telephone 01908 272673.

Event management

Hosting a remembrance event in Milton Keynes?  Please email communications@milton-keynes.gov.uk and tell us about it.  We are happy to list events taking place across MK on this webpage.

Request a temporary road closure

Hosting a street party or picnic with family, friends and neighbours or a public event?  You'll need to request a temporary road closure - click here to read more about temporary road closures. If you are organising a street party and need a road to be closed, please contact streetworks@milton-keynes.gov.uk. Its important roads are closed formally and emergency services and transport operators are given ample notice for safety reasons.  In celebration of VE Day 80, we will be as supportive as possible to residents and groups holding street parties and will waive our usual costs for closures.  

You will also need to:

• send us any copies of letters issued to local residents and businesses.
• maintain access for emergency vehicles at all times. 
• ensure access to and from people’s properties is allowed at all times.

Funding for events

Find out about applying for community event funding at Home | The National Lottery Community Fund

Mayoral attendance

If you would like to request that the Mayor of MK attends your event, please complete the online Mayoral Engagement Application Form.