Join in the harvest celebrations at Bradwell Windmill

Everybody is invited to join in the event, called Hærvest, which will include traditional harvest dancing from Rapskallian Morris Dancers and Bhangra One, and music from Bradwell Silver Band. There will be artist-led craft activities, games and a Harvest Table display. Refreshments will be provided courtesy of New Bradwell’s Coco’s Coffee House and the event will culminate with a parade of Harvest crowns.

The project, called Crop Circle, has centred around a living wheat installation in front of Bradwell Windmill. Crop Circle was launched in May 2025, since when more than 800 people have worked with the arts centre through a lively events programme and more than 15,000 people are estimated to have visited Crop Circle.

Residents have helped to make scarecrows and ‘countryman favours’ – tokens woven out of wheat to be given to a loved one. For a Winter Solstice lantern parade in December 2025, children from New Bradwell and Stanton Schools made the headpieces of The Holly and Oak Kings to lead the parade and residents of all ages came together in creating the lanterns. Farmer Richard Heady helped with sourcing and caring for the wheat that was sown in front of Bradwell Windmill in November 2025. Families at Rainbow Family Centre in Bradville and children at New Bradwell Community Centre helped to make the props and to reinterpret the story of The Farmer and the Boggart, in which human and sprite compete over a crop-share agreement. For over 90 adults and children created the plates, napkins, candles and tablecloth for a Harvest Table that will form the centrepiece of the event and the posters, pennants and banners used to promote it.

Hærvest marks the end of the Crop Circle project but many more events and activities are planned as part of the Bradwell Windmill Project, which is led by Milton Keynes City Council. This project involves the restoration of Bradwell Windmill as a key heritage and community attraction for Milton Keynes, as well as a programme of events designed to help people learn more about with the area’s history, the natural environment and food heritage.

Milton Keynes City Council leader Cllr Jane Carr said: "This is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when artists, local organisations and residents work together, and we’re delighted to see Bradwell Windmill continue to be a focal point for creativity, learning and connection.

"We’re proud to support cultural projects like Crop Circle that bring people together, celebrate our shared heritage and create opportunities for residents to get involved in shaping their community.”

Crop Circle was devised by artist and Milton Keynes Arts Centre’s programme and participation manager, Roisín Callaghan. It has involved collaborations with artists Alice Boland-Rhodes, Ciara Callaghan, Robin Clements, Deborah Fielding, Katie Field, Emi Fujisawa, Sarah Hunt, Penny Maltby, Andrew Macdermott and Sveta Sangani, with Bradwell Silver Band, Rapskallian Morris Dancers and Bhangra One.

The event takes place on Saturday September 12, from 12 noon to 4pm. Visit miltonkeynesartscentre.org or call 01908 608108 for details.