REMEMBERING WW1 AT MK GALLERY THIS MONTH

Unique performance inspired by Milton Keynes war stories

Writers and performers involved with the project commemorating the First World War. 

The diaries, letters and images of Milton Keynes residents during the First World War have been transformed into an evening of performance at MK Gallery, taking place on May 29th.

Living Archive has been working with Steven McDaniel and Michèle Welborn of Planet Zyz, as well as other young talented songwriters, musicians and film makers, to commission new works inspired by the war stories. 

This six month project builds on the previous work of the Living Archive Band, and new music, songs and films will be screened and performed live on Friday May 29th, at 7pm in the gallery's event space.

 

The one-off performance, The Great War Remembered, will provide a space for people to celebrate and reflect on the people, the lives and the poignant and powerful stories that are still relevant today. 

 

Steven McDaniel says: "It is wonderful to work with such a passionate group of young people and great that Living Archive has given them this opportunity to work together and perform live." 

This project is just one of a series funded through Great War MK by the Heritage Lottery Fund. 

Go to mkgallery.org or aha-mk.org for more information. 

 

The weekend's events:

Friday and Saturday: 

MK Job Show @ Middleton Hall - FREE

If you're looking for a job, thinking about changing career or want help with your CV, the MK job show is hosting a great selection of employment and training opportunities from some of the most respected International, National, Regional and local employers. There will also be workshops and seminars, making this an event not to be missed if you're interested in improving your job opportunities.

Saturday 24th: 

Olney Rugby Football Club WW1 Commemorative Charity Match @ Olney Rugby Football Club, West Street Olney

In recognition of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of WW1, Olney RFC are commemorating the sacrifices of many members of Olney RFC during the Great War. From 12 noon into the evening, a selection of events including a welcome from the Chairman, drummers, a minute's silence, Olney ladies v British Army and Olney v. the 1st Btn the Yorkshire Regiment RFC, guest lunch, speeches and then a hog roast and disco in the evening to finish off the day.

Talk: Our Changing Wildlife @ Howe Park Wood, 2-3pm

Come and enjoy a talk about how the wildlife is changing, exploring which British species are decreasing and increasing, and why. For over 16's, meet at Howe Park Wood education centre. Tickets cost £2 per person.

T'Pau: Pleasure & Pain Tour @ The Stables MK

T'Pau is a hugely successful pop/rock band fronted by Carol Decker. Most famous for their tracks: 'Heart & Soul' and 'China in your hand', T'Pau celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2013 with a successful UK tour. Back again, they will be at the Stables MK starting at 8pm this Saturday. Tickets cost £21.50 each.

Sunday 25th: 

Complete History of Comedy @ Stantonbury Theatre 

The Reduced Shakespeare Company presents comedy through the ages, from Aristophanes to Shakespeare and Moliere, Nick Clegg to Charlie Chaplin. 90 minutes of rolling comedy should have you laughing in the audacious and outrageous bawdy show. Tickets cost £17.50, concessions are £16.

Alan Turing Institue for Data Science opened

Plans have recently been announced for a new Alan Turing institute for data science, to be based at the British Library. The institute will form part of London's 'knowledge quarter' and will aim to make Britain a world leader in the area of big data research. The world-class institution will work alongside universities across the country, in order to focus on new ways of collecting, organising and analysing large sets of data.

The Alan Turing institute will receive £42 million in funding over 5 years, a stark contrast to the £100,00 Turing had to fight to get during the war in order to build his decoding machine. Part of the institute's role will be to use big data to help businesses enhance their products and manufacturing processes, target their marketing better and provide more efficient services.

A timely announcement following the recent release of the film depicting Alan Turing's life, 'The Imitation Game', where many will have seen the work he did and how unjustly he was treated in the following years because of his personal life. Being described as a 'fitting tribute' to Alan Turing, the father of modern computer science and a national hero, the institute will help ensure that Britain remains at the forefront of and leading the rest of the world in this important field.

The amount being dedicated to the institute seems very high, with £42 million seeming a lot to be spent on research when there is so much else needing money across the country. However, the centre for Economics and Business research estimates that the UK economy could be benefitted by £216 billion as a result of the big data marketplace and create 58,000 jobs by 2017. Taking that into account, £42 million doesn't sound like a bad investment, if it all goes to plan and the projected figures are correct!

As mentioned previously, don't forget there is a year-long exhibition dedicated to the new film 'The Imitation Game' currently at Bletchley Park, where the film was set, right on our doorstep here in Milton Keynes. 

Remembrance day- Today at 11am

Take two minutes to remember all those who have given their lives to helping keep our country safe today...

Today is remembrance day, and although it is celebrated largely on the Sunday, today marks the day back in 1918 when the First World War officially ended, on the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The act of a two minute silence began in 1919 on the first anniversary of the day, known as Armistice day, by those who recognised the importance of not forgetting the millions who were killed, injured and affected by the war.

Today, millions of people will stop what they are doing to observe a two minute silence at 11am, in memory of all those who have been affected in all conflicts that have passed, not just the First World War. Let's join in and show our respects to those who have fought for our country.

WW1 remembered

The campaign: 'lights out', featured in this month's Phonebox Magazine, took place this Monday. The idea was that people across the country would turn out their lights and leave one light or candle on, in order to commemorate 100 years since the outbreak of WW1. A National Grid estimate reckons that over 3 million households turned their lights out on Monday, between 10pm and 11pm, and over 143,000 tweets with the hashtag '#lightsout' were tweeted over the course of the day.

With the aim of the hour to be to create a shared moment of reflection, it seems this was achieved, with not only households but also famous landmarks taking part. Watch the video below to see the significant lights being turnout out across the country to remember this day.

Did you get involved and turn out your lights and light a candle? We'd love to hear from you and see your pictures!

 

This month's book reviews...

If you like reading, you'll probably be acquainted with our book reviews page each month in the Phonebox magazine. This month, we featured a review of the book titled: 'The Absolutist" by John Boyne. Set in the first world war, this is written by the same author who brought us the heart wrenching book; "The boy in the striped pyjamas" and sounds like it is an equally touching story. If you haven't read "The boy in the striped pyjamas" then let us tell you a little about that one as well. Set in the Second World War, the book tells the story of the son of a German commander at a concentration camp and his unlikely friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence. Touching and unexpected at times, it is a story which is well worth a read. Have a read of the review of "The Absolutist" by the same author, either follow the link and read the review here, or click to enlarge the image below, and see if it takes your fancy.

Another book reviewed this month was "Familiar passions" by Nina Bawden. Best known for her children's books, particularly "Carrie's War", she has also written a number of excellent adults books, and this is one of them. A story which explores relationships, pasts, future, deceptions and secrets and more, we think the review will leave you wanting to give it a read! Click here to read the full review.