Shenley
Leisure Centre
April - June 2025
Editorial from the Chairman, Chris Brown
Updates from The General Manager, Chris Passfield
Fitness Class Information
Online Booking Information
Buttons Pre-school Report
Shenley Fairways Information
Charlotte Briant, Personal Trainer Profile
Jill Foster Dance Centre Advert
Teen Fit Information
Weekend Parent & Teen Fitness Room Information
Buttons Pre-School Advert
Easter Bank Holiday Opening Hours
April 2025 Price Guide
April and May Bar Entertainment
Book Your Function
Advertising/Contact Us
An Editorial from the Chairman of the Trust, Chris Brown
Milton Keynes is the place to be if you listen to Rachel Reeves and read a recent article in the February 2nd Sunday Times as new travel links between the two Technology hubs of Oxford and Cambridge will run past our door, which got me thinking?!
Recently I paid my first visit to Bletchley Park home of the code breakers with my Aussie relatives, disgraceful really when it is right on the doorstep! Anyway, I was explaining away the history of the place, yes, I have also seen the film with Dominic something or other. “You know, sounding the real expert, the acorn of the digital age started in these grounds and to think the council were going to demolish the site 20 years ago”. The Colossus, I went on, was a creation of the brilliant mind of Alan Turing and the birthplace of the modern computer, wow was the reply. in a queue to get in I at there was a problem, enquired to the lady at esk. Oh, the system has n and we are having to t all admissions, I felt such a berk!
Picture; Chris Brown and Wife, Caroline at Bletchley Park.
Picture; Old office at Bletchley Park.
So, as I write this piece I am sitting in my brother’s house in Sydney, emailing back and forth to Chris Passfield who is sending me regular updates on the progress of the new golf simulators. After encountering a few hiccups along the way the new facility looks fantastic and thanks must go to our architect Jagdeep Bhavra of Hinton Cook and our builders Furlong & Higgs for their valuable contributions in creating our wonderful new development which I hope will be enjoyed by all local golfers’ whatever their age or ability.
The golf simulators are the first in the line of several planned additions to the Shenley Leisure Centre over the next few years and we hope there will be exciting times ahead for our Leisure Centre!
Chris Passfield has further information on Shenley Fairways included in his update and there’s more later in the issue.
Lewis Waldron obviously reads our newsletter as he dropped off his CV at reception to become a new Trustee after having his appetite stimulated for charitable work by a previous edition that asked for applications to join the board. Lewis 35 years old officially becomes a Trustee at our next meeting in April and he will be the youngest Director, gratefully bringing the average age down. I have also to report that Ken Brewis who represents Shenley Parish council and has been on the SLC board for several years has resigned as he will be moving away from the area, we thank him for his contribution to the Centre. Ken will be replaced by Peter Loose who is also on the Parish council and we wish him a warm wel
Finally, on my trip down-under, my wife Caroline and I decided to stop in South Korea to break th horribly long journey and catch up on sleep thus trying to limit the dreaded Jet-Lag! Whilst in Seoul we thought we would tak an organised tour to the DeMilitarized Zone (DMZ) where th South borders the North. On ou way to the DMZ check-point we took a slight detour to an area where British troops held Communist fighters at bay long enough for the southern line to be re-enforced by allied troops The area is called “Gloucester Hill” and 600 troops from the Gloucester regiment gave their lives to the last man. I thought that was worth a mention!
Picture;
Chris Brown Gloucester Hill
Picture; Chris Brown and Wife, Caroline on Gloucester Bridge.
ChrisPassfield GeneralManager
The Sport MK Sports Achiever of theYear 2024 event took place in January. It’s always
Welcome to the latest of Shenley Leisure Centre’s newsletter. Where to start, it’s been a busy few months behind the scenes at the centre, new Trustee’s being welcomed, changing rooms and toilet refurbishment planning, aerobics instructors returning and the near completion of our new indoor golf facility Shenley Fairways to mention a few, wonderful to see so many talented sports people, coaches and volunteers across Milton Keynes. Hearing of their accomplishments from a wide range of sporting backgrounds never ceases to amaze. Peter Taylor, founder and chairman of MK Breakers presented
Picture;
Sadie Whiteland, Coach of the Year.
Shenley Leisure Centre’s award alongside me to Sadie Whiteland, who won Coach of the Year from Bletchley Boxing Community Hub. It was fitting really as Peter originally set up the basketball club before it became MK Breakers at the Leisure Centre. Sport MK has funding opportunities so please contact them for any equipment grants or help with your clubs/activities.
In April we welcome back two of our aerobics instructors that have been off for two very different reasons. The reason why I mention this is that while they have been off the instructors that have stepped in to fill the gaps have been amazing, the customers have been very supportive and complimentary as well. It just proves our instructors are the best and willing to step in when they can to cover each other. This results in very few classes that need to be cancelled and minimal disruption to the customers. Thank you. April also brings changes to some of our prices, amongst challenging times you will see a slight increase on some of the activities.
However, what we have been able to do is provide another year of frozen monthly Direct Debit prices. You’ll also notice that the Annual User Card price remains the same, meaning to get the best prices on activities you will not be hit with a double increase. Please use this QR code to see the membership options. The new price guide is later in the issue.
Another price freeze has also been applied to the personal training sessions on offer. You can see details later in the issue but for a block of four sessions for only £25 per session, there's not much better value out there.
Starting again in February, the Sportsmens Rest Bar has held it’s monthly Disco / Karaoke, Disco Bingo and Band nights. Along with the regular Tuesday afternoon Bingo sessions and Monday Quiz nights. All of which continue to be well attended so pop down and see for yourself.
I’ll end with news that Shenley Fairways will soon be opening it’s doors for testing, we want to ensure we have it right before announcing an official opening date so please bear with us.
If you‘d like to take a look inside please see a Duty Manager, I hope you’ll agree it looks the part and is a huge improvement on how the area looked before.
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Picture; Garages before.
Picture; New look garage conversion.
Pre-school Report
After a long, tiring, but fun 7 weeks of preparations and refurbishing we finally opened the doors to Buttons @ Shenley Church End and have been open for a whole term and a half now! We are thrilled with the new preschool and we have had so many lovely comments and compliments from parents, grandparents and visitors to the setting. We did have a few tears on the 1st day but these soon turned into smiles as the
gorgeous building, resources and of course the garden. children explored the
The children are learning all the golden rules we use in preschool, they are quickly picking up on the way the day runs for them, as a free flow in the moment provider there are always lots of lovely things available for the children to explore. We have ventured out into the community, explored the local shops, purchased our weekly snacks and some real items for our mud kitchen and playdoh station.
We have visited playful pottery and had a lovely session, we have walked to the woods and collected leaves, sticks and stones for the outside space and of course we have had lots and lots of fun. Our setting manager Charley and her team are always available to support the children, the relationships that they are building are lovely to see and children have made amazing progress, its very exciting to watch as they grow and develop into little people who will undoubtedly be ready for big school when the time comes.
We are now accepting children ready for September 2025 and beyond, you are welcome to visit any day (no need to book) and we cant wait to meet more children and families as we grow.
Teen Fit Teen Fit Teen Fit
Tuesdays & Thursdays. Tuesdays & Thursdays. Tuesdays & Thursdays.
Exclusively for 12-15 year olds. £4 per session 15:30-16:15 or 16.15-17:00
Pre-booking is essential. A PAR-Q with parental consent must be completed before attending the induction on the first session. Payment is required at the time of booking. e register your interest at recep or call 01908 502488.
New for 2025. From 9am to 4pm 12-15 year olds = £4 per session
Normal booking procedures and prices apply for the parent/legal guardian. The 12-15 year old must have had an induction during a weekly Teen Fit session prior to using the room with a parent/legal guardian.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue. If you would like to be part of future editions please contact us using the details below.
If anyone is interested in advertising, whether a club, regular user or business please get in touch or to leave any feedback please email enquiries@shenleyleisurecenre.co.uk.
If you run a club/activity and do not have your clubs details on our website please email and provide a brief description to blockbookings@shenleyleisurecenre.co.uk.
