Next Stop MK

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Festive Road was commissioned by Milton Keynes Council to help engage with the local community to inform and obtain views on Milton Keynes’ European Capital of Culture 2023 bid, and culture generally in MK.

In response to the brief, Festive Road created a cycle powered bus, the MK Culture Coach, and a Travel Lounge which 'popped-up' at events and places in Milton Keynes between May and July 2017.

People were encouraged to answer the 4 questions on the Boarding Pass and post in the box - to garner as much information as possible.

The Boarding Pass had a detachable coupon, which people could tear off and keep hold of to use as their ticket to board the Culture Coach; or to just keep as a souvenir.

At some of the locations (layout permitting) there was a map of MK and another of Europe, where people were encouraged to ‘tag’ their favourite places.

Travel Lounge
This was a participatory exhibition, and people were welcome to browse, rummage, play or just soak up the atmosphere.

The Lounge had a quirky old-fashioned feel, a cartography theme, with maps, (present and future), globes, travel trunks, hat stands, a book case with MK related reference material and a specially built tables. The tables featured local maps; and there were lots of objects, trinkets and souvenirs from around Europe for people to pick up and look at, and which served as prompts to people as they were asked to answer the four questions in the brief.

There were also be some travel related and MK related activity books, and colouring and games for children.

The MK Culture Coach
This specially created cycle-powered bus was be operated by a rider and conductor and had the facility for up to 4 passengers pedalling and an additional seat for 2 at the rear. The passengers embarked from the 'pop-up' Travel Lounge on set days and the bus ran short circular trips. Passengers had the option of cycling to help propel the bus or just relaxing and enjoying the ride. The conductor, (a Festive Road performer) engaged passengers, taking tickets and encouraging discussion around the four questions in the brief.

The Travel Lounge was at:

  • MK Library from 17th May to 1st June 2017
  • Middleton Hall, Centre MK from 27th June to 1st July 2017
  • MK Academy from 10th to 20th July 2017
  • Kingston Library from 25th to 29th July 2017

The MK Culture Coach departed from:

  • MK Library on 20th & 31st May 2017 11.00am - 4.00pm
  • Festival of Giants, Campbell Park 25th June 1.00pm - 5.00pm
  • Middleton Hall, Centre MK 1st July 11.00am - 4.00pm
  • Kingston Library - Friday 28th July 11.00am - 4.00pm
  • World Picnic Day, Campbell Park 30th July 1.00pm - 6.00pm