Procession and vigil taking place in Milton Keynes to mark White Ribbon Day

The Orange and White Exhibition and Vigil is a free event which begins at 5.30pm in the Centre:MK, and is being opened by Mayor James Lancaster.

The opening is taking place at the site of a White Ribbon exhibition, which will be displayed in the city centre from November 25.

Following the opening of the exhibition, which will be available to view until December 10, a procession to the Milton Keynes Rose, located in Campbell Park, will begin at 5.45pm.

Here a vigil will take place featuring reflections, readings and the symbolic tying of a white ribbon around the entirety of the Milton Keynes Rose, an open air circle created in 2014 with markings based on the mathematical beauty of a flower.

Weather permitting, local crafters are due to decorate the pillars of the rose earlier in the day, with these installations available for visitors to view from midday onwards.

A total of 50 pieces have been created by organisations, community groups and survivors of domestic violence to decorate the pillars of the rose.

These include knitted items, sculptures, paintings and needlework, with each piece telling a story on the theme of ending violence towards women.

The pieces have been photographed by students from Milton Keynes College and are being used for a White Ribbon photographic exhibition, open in Midsummer Arcade from November 25 for two weeks.

Speaking about the exhibition, founder of Voices of Women MK Jane Whild said: “The response we have had from the communities and individuals across Milton Keynes, some of whom are the victims of violence and sexual abuse, is incredible.

“There is something extremely powerful in the craft and artistic pieces they have created.

“This is ‘Craft Activism’, which is putting a spotlight on the huge problem of gender-based violence and bringing it to the public’s attention in a gentle way.

“Creating awareness, dialogue and action not just in these 16 days but all year round, by constantly working together, with the organisations and communities across the city, will help promote lasting change for a safer future for women.”

Meanwhile, London Northwestern Railway is also supporting White Ribbon Day, and the following United Nations 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs until December 10.

The train operator is encouraging passengers visiting stations across its network, including Milton Keynes Central and Bletchley, to make the White Ribbon promise - a personal commitment to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women and girls.

London Northwestern Railway are also sponsoring a White Ribbon exhibition on display in the Centre:MK from November 25, which spotlights 16 men across the UK who are using their voices to help end male violence against women and girls.

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