Page 20 - Phonebox Magazine October 2012

GLASTONBUR Y
Olney are winners of Small Town Best Kept Village Award
Glastonbury! One of my favourite places. Not for me the festival, but the town itself. I first became fascinated with the Tor after reading Anna Seton’s book ‘Avalon’ for the first time as a teenager. The fictional tales of Rumon and Merewyn were set against the backdrop of Dunstan’s Glastonbury and Edgar’s England. The magic of the era leapt out of the pages and into my heart and has stayed there ever since....
On 11th September Olney Town Council were pleased to welcome the presentation party of the Buckinghamshire Best Kept Village organisers to the Olney. The presentation party were here to present the Michaelis Cup to the council for winning the Best Kept Village – Small Town category.
I find Glastonbury restorative and nurturing for the soul. A church has stood on the site of Glastonbury Abbey since 63AD and legend says it was founded by St. Joseph of Arimathea – Jesus’ uncle.
St. Dunstan, who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 960AD and once Abbot of Glastonbury enlarged the church to become one of the grandest Abbeys in the country.
The Vice Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Alexander Boswell presented the award on behalf of Buckinghamshire Association of Local Councils to the Mayor, Cllr Steve Clark.
The Abbey, which dominates the centre of the town, was ruined in the Dissolution but has now been returned to the Church and is open to visit so you can soak up the atmosphere. Apparently the very last time it was sold into private hands the advert stated that it was a “Gentleman’s residence with interesting ruin in the Gardens!”
Cllr Steve Clark said “I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of the Town Council. The council takes great pride in the appearance of the town and it is pleasing that the town has recognised with an award for the ninth time. It has been a challenging year with the weather and the loss of key personnel; however, it is a testament to the hard work of our staff that we have won this award. Thanks must also go to Cllr Ron Bull who organised all the hanging baskets again this year.”
I first made it to the top of the famous Tor with my daughter who tore up it (pun intended) like a mountain goat, leaving me trailing in her wake. The view from the top is wondrous and seeing two Tornado jets streaking up the valley way below us added to the marvel, though goodness knows what Dunstan would have made of that! The tower at the top, all that is left of St. Michael’s Chapel, provides welcome respite from the winds which often assail the peak, though the lower slopes are better sheltered.
After the ceremony the presentation party were treated to refreshments in the Bull Inn kindly laid on by the proprietor James Lomax.
The Chalice Well Gardens are another beautiful and atmospheric place, tucked under the hill at the side of the Tor. Said to be the place where Joseph of Arimethea buried the chalice from the last supper, the holy spring cascades where the Michael and Mary ley lines cross. It is a wonderful place to sit and meditate on a beautiful day, or just feel the peaceful energy of it all.
So there we are; at the risk of sounding like a travel guide, Glastonbury is one of my favourite places. I find it restorative and nurturing for the soul - after all it is said to be the heart chakra of the earth itself! Sadly, Chalice Hill House, our favourite B&B is on the market, so if anyone can spare me £1.5m I will be off like a shot to run Massage and Reiki classes in luxurious surroundings – and I’ll still have enough energy left over to save the world!
And with all that energy in Glastonbury, anything is possible.... Bliss and Joy....
Jayne Stevens
Advanced Mass Myofascial Release Trigger Point Th
Lower Farm | W
Reiki Master & Reiki Teacher Reiki Practitioner
34 - 712820
20 Phonebox Magazine
Jayne Stevens Holistic Practitioner
and G ma’s Tea Room now serving Cream Teas
Galleon Wharf, Old Wolverton Road, Old Wolverton MK12 5NL
Retro l Collectables l Vintage l Furniture l Glass Jewellery l Textiles l Film, TV & Theatre Props
OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK (closed Tuesdays) 10am -5pm (Friday til 8pm)
gdadscollectable@aol.com www.gdadscollectables.co.uk (01908) 226802
Find us Canal-side at The Galleon Wharf - turn down the side of The Galleon pub off the Old Wolverton Road, Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes. For sat-nav users, please do not follow instructions to the end as this will take you to Dickens Road. Once you are on Old Wolverton Road, keep a look out for The Galleon pub.
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