Page 58 - Phonebox Magazine December 2009

Out and About with Mark Lancaster
Our local MP
Locally itʼs been a particularly busy month with some with really good news coming especially from the villages:
Territorial Army
Desert Rat returns to Tunisia
Away from Milton Keynes the big
story of the month personally in
Westminster has been the
success in getting the
Government to reverse its
decision over cuts to the TA. As
I wrote this article last month I
mentioned how I was preparing
for my debate with the Minister
and I am pleased to say that it
turned out to be one of the rare
occasions in politics when it appeared that the Government actually listened to the arguments and changed its mind.
I was particularly pleased to discover that Newport Pagnell resident Ron Groom, who served in the RAF as a Desert Rat in Tunisia during World War Two, has been awarded a National Lottery Grant for him and a companion to revisit some of the locations he served in during the War.
Mark holding the ribbon as Pete Winkleman does the honours opening the new facilities at Sherington Pavillion.
Photo by M Jeeves
The National Lotteryʼs Good Causes grant was awarded to Mr Groom, who was a Radar wireless operator in Tunisia, which means he will now be able to return back to the old battle fields with The British Legions “Poppy Travel”.
I found it particularly moving to meet Mr Groom and visit the Newport Pagnell war memorial just outside my office, where he showed me the names of the four other local men with whom he joined the RAF at the start of the war, he was the only survivor.
I appreciate that not everybody is as interested in the TA as I am but, having been a member of the organisation for nearly 22 years, Iʼm sure people at least appreciate why I am so passionate about it. To anybody that understands even the first thing about the TA the decision to cut all training was always a none starter, but credit where credit is due, Minister Bill Rammall took the brave decision to admit that he was wrong and changed his mind. I would simply like to thank the very many people who provided me with the ammunition to be able to gently point out the error of his ways!
And finally without wishing to lower the tone, at a personal level can I say what a relief it has been one of the minority to have been given the ʻall clearʼ as a result of the forensic eye of Sir Thomas Legg and his investigation into MPʼs expenses. Parliament has not been basking in glory over the issue and I am certainly not seeking to make any excuses for colleagues who have been asked to pay money back. I do however commit, as I always have done, to continue to publish my expenses in full on a monthly basis to ensure that the process is as open and transparent as possible.
It is fantastic to see that National Lottery money is being used for the purpose it was first intended. As a serviceman myself I think it only right that we should enable veterans to visit places they served during the war and I hope that Mr Groomʼs success will encourage others to apply.
If anybody is interested please contact my office as we are more than happy to help with the application.
Expenses
Olney Fire Fighters
May I add my congratulations to the 10 retained firefighters from Olney who efforts have been recognized recently? To have managed to achieve a 96.7% availability over the last two years really is a fantastic achievement for what is effectively a second job for these volunteers and I think their efforts are worthy of praise locally. I know that the whole town are very proud of them.
Remembrance Sunday
I was equally proud to see such a high turnout this year at the various Remembrance day services that I attended. For my own part I was at both Newport Pagnell and New Bradwell and the crowds were visibly higher than last year.
And Finally.....
It has been a particularly difficult
year for our servicemen and
women on operations in
Afghanistan, not least with the sad
news of the loss of Rifleman
Andrew Fentiman in Afghanistan
mid November. Whilst not a local
lad, Rifleman Fentiman trained at
ʻEʼ Company based in Blakelands
in the city and I know that his death has hit the unit hard, he was by all accounts a fine soldier and will be sadly missed.
As I write may I simply take this opportunity to promote the annual ʻDickens of a Christmasʼ in Olney on the first weekend of December which promises to be as busy as ever and offer my support to the Olney Business fair to be held at the Bull late November, both excellent events which deserve support. As ever if I can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to get in touch with the office on 01908 615757.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Mark Lancaster TD MP
13a High Street, Newport Pagnell, Bucks MK16 8AR Tel: 01908 615757 Fax: 01908 618433

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Sherington
I was delighted to be invited to the official opening of the refurbished Pavilion at the Perry Lane recreation ground along with MK Dons Chairman Pete Winkelman. It was great to see so many people there and indeed to discover that apparently I was the first person to use it at our ʻSave the Village Pubʼ meeting back in the Summer, which links nicely to the great news that I understand the pub is due to re-open on December 4th. Can I encourage as many residents as possible to use the pub once it is re-opened to make sure it stays open!
58 Phonebox Magazine
Mark with Ron Groom at NP memorial.