Christmas comes early for Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes centre may become architectural treasure by Christmas.

Its grid-pattern layout, concrete underpasses and roundabouts have long made it the butt of jokes for some, but the centre of Milton Keynes could soon be recognised among Britain’s architectural treasures.

The culture minister, Barbara Follett, is considering official recommendations to have the town’s 1970s central shopping area designated as a listed building on the same level as the Tate Gallery in London.
English Heritage is backing calls for the half-mile long covered retail area, known officially as “The Centre”, to be given a “grade II*” listing which would put it into the top five per cent of all buildings in the country.

Surrounded by concrete flyovers and dominated by rectangular glass and steel structures, it could soon be afforded the same protection as stately homes, country churches and grand Victorian railway stations.

Supporters have hailed the geometric complex, one of the world’s longest shopping malls, as a landmark of post-war architecture. But retailers have been privately fighting the listing, believing it is “just a shopping centre”. The decision, is expected before Christmas!

Source: The Telegraph

Tags: 2008, Blog, Christmas, Milton Keynes, Shopping, Shopping Centre

Snap up a pet this Christmas

Christmas is always an anxious time for animal welfare groups as they see an influx of unwanted cats, dogs guinea pigs etc. A recent article published in the Sunday Herald reported a slightly different version of the problem currently facing the Northern Territory in Australia. Abandoned baby crocodiles!!

At £130 each these cute baby reptiles are snapped up in their masses over the Christmas period, however, it becomes apparent that these reptiles do not stay small and cute for very long, with salt water crocodiles capable of growing up to 20ft in length!! Once they reach 30 inches in length it is a legal requirement for the owner to return the croc to the farm or pet shop that it was purchased from, but with no real incentive to do so it is common place for these animals to get released into the suburban jungle. 

It is not uncommon to spot crocodiles outside shopping centres, on golf courses, in suburban streets or in town centres! No wonder online shopping is taking off down under!! 

Tags: 2007, australia, Blog, Christmas, christmas gifts, crocs, pets, Shopping, Shopping Centre, Win