Page 26 - Phonebox Magazine October 2012

Newport Pagnell Councillor Corner
A contribution from Cllr Douglas McCall
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As I write this column our exciting summer of the Queens Jubilee and the Olympics and Paralympics has come to an end and Andy Murray has just won the American Open Tennis championship.
Alan Turing and Bletchley Park
A regular visitor to central London told me that people were much friendlier in the capital during the Olympics and this reminded me how lucky we are in Newport Pagnell to have such a good community spirit. We are very lucky in the town to have volunteers to organise events such as the carnival, the Muster, the Christmas Lights and
This year is the 100th anniversary of the birth of war time Bletchley Park war hero Alan Turing. At the September Council meeting I proposed that Alan Turing be honoured
by having a new street, space or
even Remembrance Sunday. I would like to thank them all for their hard work in making Newport Pagnell such a nice place to live.
I am pleased to say that my suggestion was unanimously supported by the Council, and the likelihood is that a new housing estate in Milton Keynes will have the streets named on a Bletchley Park theme so that Alan Turing and others from Bletchley Park can be honoured.
Brooklands Centre
One of the hidden gems of Newport Pagnell which relies on volunteers to run is the Brooklands Centre. The Brooklands Centre is a registered charity and is located in Ousebank Street just behind the Royal British Legion Club at the Northampton end of the High Street. The Brooklands Centre, also known as the Brooklands Club, is a club for the over 55s. It was founded in 1959 and had its wonderful new building opened in 2010.
There are a number of Groups run by the centre throughout the week, including:
• A Day Centre on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for frail and
New footbridge over the river
Alan Turing of Bletchley Park
elderly which has been successfully running for over 30 years.
Design work is now in progress. I objected to the first plans to build the bridge over the historic bathing place next to the bridge, where many older residents learnt to swim as children. The latest plans are to build the new wider bridge in the same location as now in the summer of 2013, with a temporary bridge being built just upstream to allow continued access across the river on this busy pedestrian route.
People are referred to the Day Centre.
• A Tuesday morning ʻPop Inʼ open for coffee and cake and light
lunches. There is also a Tai Chi Class and a Computer Class. • An afternoon Tuesday Club – this is the original group at
Brooklands and has been running for over 50 years. Members enjoy a variety of events, including bingo, fish and chip lunches and a Christmas Party.
• On Wednesday and Fridays there is an Art Class.
• There is the Thursday Exercise Group for our older residents
prominent building named after him. He is recognised by many as the father of Computing Science and a great mathematician.
I have been in talks with Milton Keynes Council since at least 2008 in attempts to get the old footbridge over the River Ouzel (also known as the River Lovat) from Riverside Meadow to Willen Road replaced. The number of complaints about the poor state of the bridge has been increasing in recent years. They agreed to the need for a new bridge and it has bubbled its way to the top of the list.
followed by optional activities such as scrabble or cards.
• There is the Saturday Lunch Club once a month.
• Finally there is a monthly Book Club.
I have been very pleased to support the excellent work of the Brooklands Centre with grants from my small ward budget. Most recently I gave a grant for computer equipment for the Silver Surfers Club at Brooklands and was pleased to visit and be shown the new equipment by Kath Murrer.
The current Riverside footbridge is scheduled to be replaced next year.
Newport Pagnell U3A Choir
Cllr Douglas McCall with Kath Murrer at the Brooklands Centre.
We meet every Tuesday from 2-4 pm at the Cross and Stable Church on Downs Barn. If you are interested either just turn up to a rehearsal or telephone Janice Miles on 01908 397944 for more information. Jennifer Mazzone
For more information about Brooklands phone 01908 614749 or email brooklands.centre@btinternet.com. The centre is available for hire for meetings and private functions.
26 Phonebox Magazine
Ever thought that singing in the bath could turn into singing in a choir or have you harboured a secret ambition to sing but never had the time? The U3A has a very successful choir which now that the new term has started is keen to enrol some new members. As with all choirs we are particularly interested to see tenors and basses join us so how about you men out there brushing off your vocal cords and giving it a try. Donʼt hold back if you are soprano or alto either. We are a very friendly bunch who sing a wide range of music. We are performing our own concert at Christmas and also give performances for local charities.