Page 47 - Phonebox Magazine September 2008

CONTACT INFORMATION
Mark Lancaster TD MP, 13a High Street, Newport Pagnell, Bucks MK16 8AR Tel: 01908 615757 Fax: 01908 618433
instead. The image of literally tonnes of earth being moved by hundreds of picks and shovels will remain with me forever. Back breaking work in the African sun, but the results were remarkable.
For my own part, 20 years experience as a Royal Engineer came in handy and whilst I struggled at times to explain the concept of a ‘French drain’ to the locals, (I had in fact to rename it an ‘English drain’, diplomatic relations with the French remain poor after accusations by the Rwandans that the French participatedinthegenocide),theeffortproved
worthwhile as the terraces remained intact and the first rains drained away.
Midweek, along with other MPs I met the President and cheekily asked if he would come and open the community centre. The President is an ardent Arsenal supporter and I’m convinced that it was the mention of my five-a- side football pitch that swung the deal.
The grand opening came and with it literally thousands of people. The pitch had been finished a couple of days before but had proved so popular that we had to repaint the goalpoststwice.Seeingthekidshowever
tearing about in their (briefly) immaculate white MK Dons football kits, kindly donated by Pete and Berni Winkleman, really was a sight to bring tears to the eyes, even the President joined in with a brief kick about much to the horror of his security.
I am realistic enough to know that my brief spell in Rwanda made only the smallest of contributions, but as I return home the memories will last forever, not least those of a country that against all the odds, seems somehow to be coming to terms with its turbulentpast. K
Tuesday 9th
11.20–11.40am – Moulsoe
On the bend near the church
11.55 –12.10pm – Astwood
Outside the Swan pub
12.15–12.30pm – Hardmead
By the Parish notice board
12.35–12.50pm – Chicheley
Outside the Village Hall
1.00–2.00pm – Newport Pagnell
Constituency Office, 13a High Street
3.00–4.00pm – North Crawley
North Crawley Institute
4.10–5.10pm – Sherington
The Knoll
5.15–5.30pm – Lathbury
Outside the Village Hall
Wednesday 10th
11.10–11.40am – Haversham
Outside the first school
11.45–12.00pm – Gayhurst
By the Parish Notice Board
12.05–12.35pm – Weston Underwood
Outside the Village Hall
12.40–1.00pm – Ravenstone
Outside the Church
2.00–2.50pm – Stoke Goldington
Village Hall
3.00–4.00pm – Castlethorpe
Village Hall
4.30–5.30pm – Hanslope
Outside the Village Hall
Thursday 11th
9.50–10.05am – Tyringham
At the entrance the Woodyard
10.10–10.25am – Filgrave
By the Clock Tower
10.30–12.00pm – Olney
Market Place
12.10–12.40pm – Emberton
Outside the Village Hall
2.00–3.00pm – Lavendon
Village Hall
3.10–3.40pm – Newton Blossomville
By the School
3.45–4.00pm – Clifton Reynes
Outside the Robin Hood pub
SEPTEMBER MOBILE SURGERIES
Pictures of some of the missing at the Kigali UN Refugee camp, Congo Border. Finished Community Centre. Genocide Memorial.
Mark and kids waiting to use the football pitch. New MK Dons supporters on the pitch. Mark and President Paul Kigami at the football pitch opening.
Phonebox Magazine 47