Fishermead celebrates 50th birthday with joyous carnival, new song and new film

On Sunday 2nd July, 850 Fishermead residents took part in a celebration of the estate’s history, diversity and positivity. There was dancing, singing, a portrait photo booth, sports competition, games, an array of cultural dress and abundant world food stalls supported by donations from local businesses. In the first screening of a new film, hosted … Continue reading Fishermead celebrates 50th birthday with joyous carnival, new song and new film

Fishermead Citizens Assembly with Lord Lieutenant 23.2.23

More than 100 Fishermead residents and leaders of local civil society institutions – churches, mosque, schools and other community groups – attended a meeting with the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, The Countess Howe, hosted by the Chinese Overseas Church Mission (COCM) on Padstow Ave. They wanted to know if she could help them get a … Continue reading Fishermead Citizens Assembly with Lord Lieutenant 23.2.23

Fishermead shopkeepers pledge to support 50th birthday celebration

(Pictures by Sagar Kharecha.) On 27th January six shopkeepers in Fishermead met at Frank Howe Court and agreed to work together to organise a celebration of the estate’s 50th birthday this summer. The meeting was organised by Ruth Legh-Smith, a resident of Frank Howe Court, and attended by Cllr Terry Baines, Chair of Campbell Park … Continue reading Fishermead shopkeepers pledge to support 50th birthday celebration

Fishermead residents get High Sheriff support for royal visit

125 Fishermead residents and guests filled Trinity Community Centre for a celebration assembly and meeting with powerholders including the Mayor of Milton Keynes (2nd from left below) and High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire (far left below).  The assembly was organised by a group of Fishermead residents and workers who are building a citizens alliance of Fishermead … Continue reading Fishermead residents get High Sheriff support for royal visit

Fishermead citizens appeal to High Sheriff for big 50th

On Friday 18th November, 50 Fishermead residents will meet with Debbie Brock, the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, in a special assembly to celebrate the estate and make plans for its 50th anniversary in 2023. They will present a petition of 500 signatures asking for a royal visit. In 1973, the first house was built in … Continue reading Fishermead citizens appeal to High Sheriff for big 50th

Fishermead Community Walk part 9.10.22

Fishermead leaders enjoyed another Community Walk on Friday 9th September, visiting and hearing testimony from others of their experiences, power and interest in Fishermead: …and Hayley Jones-Seal, Headteacher of New Bradwell SEN Department, third from right in main photo above. Several actions were agreed, including collaboration to rally further support for the ’20 is plenty’ … Continue reading Fishermead Community Walk part 9.10.22

Fishermead residents petition to reduce car speeds

Following a serious car accident and a series of near misses involving children, more than 500 residents of Fishermead have signed a petition demanding slower car speeds. “My 12-year-old niece was killed in a car accident and my own kids have had their own near misses,” said Sophie Richens (photo below). “For the climate we … Continue reading Fishermead residents petition to reduce car speeds

Fishermead break dancer Kevin Kallon performs at Commonwealth Games

27-year-old Meaway Kevin ‘MK’ Kallon, who grew up in Fishermead and attended Stantonbury International school, performed his break dancing routine live at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last week.  This is the first time the Commonwealth Games has showcased break dancing, which will be introduced as a new sport in the Olympic Games in Paris … Continue reading Fishermead break dancer Kevin Kallon performs at Commonwealth Games

Fishermead Community Walk part 2

Five leaders from four Fishermead institutions visited four others on another sunny day in Fishermead. Those giving short talks at their institution’s doors were: Mike Kelly, Director of MK Samaritans; Jo Orbell, Headteacher of Willows First School; Clare Doughty, Assistant Support Worker at the Salvation Army Life House; Don Mahon, Treasurer of Fishermead Trinity Church; … Continue reading Fishermead Community Walk part 2

Learning from Fishermead Community Walk

Nine leaders from Fishermead institutions took part in a Community Walk to find out from one another how they see life and times in Fishermead. The group stopped off at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pebbles Nursery (pictured above), the playing field, Campbell Park Parish Council office (main picture), Frank Howe Court and the Chinese … Continue reading Learning from Fishermead Community Walk

Councillor pledges to support Fishermead citizens’ agenda

23 Fishermead residents and workers representing 12 institutions attended an Accountability Assembly to engage with local Councillor Donna Fuller (top right of main picture and below). Following a live BBC Look East broadcast from the Trinity Centre earlier in the week, they wanted her reaction to their agenda for change developed at a Delegates Assembly … Continue reading Councillor pledges to support Fishermead citizens’ agenda

Fishermead leaders talk to BBC TV Look East

Four Fishermead leaders took part in a live BBC TV Look East broadcast from Fishermead Trinity Centre, answering questions about the issues facing Fishermead in the upcoming Council elections. David Hart (Fishermead Community Association), Sophie Richens (Fishermead Trinity Centre), Ruth Legh-Smith (Frank Howe Court) and Thajudeen Lebbe (Fishermead Islamic Centre) all talked individually to BBC … Continue reading Fishermead leaders talk to BBC TV Look East

Fishermead Delegates agree agenda for action

As the building of the Fishermead Citizens alliance progresses, 23 leaders from eight Fishermead institutions and six guests attended a Delegates Assembly at Frank Howe Court to plan actions on four issues affecting residents and workers in Fishermead: Road safety, Crime, Community and Environment. The organisations represented (and no. delegates) were: 7th Day Adventist Church … Continue reading Fishermead Delegates agree agenda for action

Lynx lays on cabling for Fishermead Community Centre

(Pictured above: Connor O’Dell, Bertie Canavan and Lee Mould of Lynx Networks) Fishermead Trinity Community Centre now has fast speed connection to the internet and is a step closer to its vision of providing an internet cafe for local residents. Technicians from Bletchley-based Lynx Networks Plc laid the cables as an in-kind donation to the … Continue reading Lynx lays on cabling for Fishermead Community Centre

Fishermead Citizens first Leaders Forum 9.12.21

On Thursday evening Fishermead Mosque hosted Fishermead Citizens first forum bringing together 20 leaders from nine local civil society institutions: 7th Day Adventist Church, Action Speaks, Chinese Overseas Church Mission, Fishermead Community Association, Frank Howe Court, Fishermead Mosque, Salvation Army Lifehouse, Trinity Community Centre and Trinity Church (apologies received from Jubilee Wood Primary School). Leaders … Continue reading Fishermead Citizens first Leaders Forum 9.12.21

Fishermead Citizens Leaders Forum

Thursday 9th December, 7-8.30pm hosted by Fishermead Mosque, Fishermead Blvd MK6 2LA, bringing together leaders from the following Fishermead ‘s civil society institutions, also leaders from partner institutions. Civil society institutions Leaders 7th Day Adventist Church Arnold Best, Bryan Maxwell Action Speaks Ophelia Cole Chinese Overseas Church Mission Rev Henry Lu Fishermead Community Association Darron … Continue reading Fishermead Citizens Leaders Forum

Fishermead residents help clear walking route to school

Residents from Frank Howe Court and leaders of the new Fishermead Community Alliance joined school staff and pupils on Saturday morning to clear bushes and weeds from the walkway between Porthleven Place and Willows First School. “It was fantastic to get the help of residents on a weekend,” said headteacher Jo Orbell. “The children who … Continue reading Fishermead residents help clear walking route to school

Mayor presents laptops to Fishermead school and community centre

At a celebration breakfast organised by Citizens:mk and hosted by Fishermead Trinity Community Centre, MK Mayor Mohammed Khan presented community leaders with 35 laptops.  The devices were donated by Circular Computing, through Veritas Digital Services Ltd.’s Laptops4learning scheme www.laptops4learning.co.uk which tackles digital inequality by the repair and reuse of surplus technology.  30 devices will be … Continue reading Mayor presents laptops to Fishermead school and community centre

Fishermead Citizens Alliance

Funded by a large strategic grant from MK Community Foundation and the National Lottery 2020-23, this project aimed to create a new broad-based alliance of faith, education and other community organisations, to tackle together the social issues faced by residents in Fishermead estate.  Using the concepts and tools of Community Organising, developed by national charity … Continue reading Fishermead Citizens Alliance

Building Bridges across Fishermead – 4.11.17

34 people attended a Weaving Trust event at Jubilee Wood Primary School.  While their children joined a football tournament organised by Galaciticos FC, parents and others from the Fishermead community enjoyed eight short one-to-one conversations with guests including Citizens:mk members and representatives from Fishermead Residents Association and Thames Valley Police. Head teacher Tony Berwick said:  … Continue reading Building Bridges across Fishermead – 4.11.17

Cyclists rally to praise Council

Following last year’s inaugural city status celebration ride (photo story & video), 90 cyclists from across the city rallied at The Old Bus Station to thank MK City Council for its leadership and ambition in recent efforts to promote cycling to school and work. Business and school leaders were welcomed by the High Sheriff of … Continue reading Cyclists rally to praise Council

Cycling Santas bring joy to city centre

On 22nd December, 42 Cycling Santas left The Old Bus Station for a short ride through Central Milton Keynes to Campbell Park and back and made many friends. This was the second year of preparation for a world record-breaking attempt in 2023 (see video and photos of last year here). The event was reported by … Continue reading Cycling Santas bring joy to city centre

Projects

From time to time Citizens:mk receives grant funding for projects using the concepts and tools of Community Organising. Two current projects are:

Delegates Assembly agrees campaign Goals

On 23rd March, Thames Valley Citizens held its annual Delegates Assembly online. This followed deeper research by campaign teams formed at Leaders Forum on 10th November. 45 leaders from developing citizens alliances in Oxford and Reading, and 12 Citizens MK member institutions, gave consent for five campaign action teams to present to the Police & … Continue reading Delegates Assembly agrees campaign Goals

Police & Primaries Together

At the Delegates Assembly on 5th February 2019, campaign goals were presented by Headteachers Tony Berwick of Jubilee Wood and Kate Mathews of Southwood Primary schools (pictured), and formally approved by delegates (see below). These goals were based on a survey undertaken by 366 junior children across Jubilee Wood and Southwood primary schools (including children … Continue reading Police & Primaries Together

Leaders Forum 2017 sets off new campaign research teams

This year’s Leaders Forum was hosted by Jubilee Wood Primary School and attended by 55 leaders from 15 member institutions. 17 issues were raised and four campaign research teams established: Homelessness & Housing (led by Suzanna Raymond of Q:alliance, Paul Griffiths and Brett Farrier-Smith of MK YMCA) Mental Health & Isolation (led by Meghan Taylor and … Continue reading Leaders Forum 2017 sets off new campaign research teams

20 leaders complete Two-Day Training, 6-7th October

20 leaders from 12 institutions (10 member institutions) completed Two-Day Training on 6-7th October 2017. In post-event evaluation, the trainees gave an average score of 9.5 out of 10 for the Two-Day Training course as a whole, higher than last year’s score. A short questionnaire a few days after the course, asking about self-perception Before … Continue reading 20 leaders complete Two-Day Training, 6-7th October

Day of Action, 18.10.17

The Fight Against Hate campaign team is planning a Day of Action on 18th October 2017 to achieve the following goals: publicly celebrate the children’s hate awareness posters by displaying them in front of the Church of Christ the Cornerstone in MK city centre launch new hate awareness posters on Arriva Buses engage with power … Continue reading Day of Action, 18.10.17

Wins

2019 Refugees Welcome, Autumn 2019 – Independent Pillar Panel approves application for World Refugee Day Pillar at MK Rose. Action on Climate Change, Autumn 2019 – five schools meet to begin first joint action on climate change at thecentre:mk. Action on Climate Change,  Summer 2019 – canteen at The Radcliffe School goes plastic free. Weaving … Continue reading Wins