Off to a Great Start!
Olney's Soul Time Projects
ff to a great
start are St 0 Peter and St Paul's SoulTime
community
projects in the refurbished church hall. "Truly uplifting " is how the cafe run
by Secondary School pupils on Thursdays during school time has been described, and equally popular is the Memory Club for those suffering from memory loss.
Now the SoulTime Team has identified another need - for a sensory garden. "We need a designated garden space in which people with challenging needs , can rest or engage with the environment ," said the Rev Wood.
"An area behind the church hall has been ear marked for this purpose and the SoulTime team are developing the space into just such a garden . It has already been cleared and plans are being drawn up, with the first section designed to provide a place for the frail to sit and enjoy the benefits of a garden, and the second section to provide a place of peace and interaction with the environment. Special plants and natural environmental supports such as bee homes, bug farms and plants that stimulate senses of sight , smell , sound and touch are all to be incorporated .
"Several groups have been identified as beneficiaries," she added. "Some are already users of the Church Hall, such as the SoulTime memory club, the nursery and others with particular needs, such as the frail and vulnerable , those with restricted mobility , and those who struggle with the environment, perhaps on the Autism spectrum ."
The Rev Wood invited those who would like to know more, or felt they might be able to volunteer in the garden's development or could support the project in any other way, to contact her through the church office , phone : 01234 241 721 .
Cobbs Garden Surgery
36 Phonebox Magazine
The Windmill Singers
Following the success of their sell-out concert last September , The Friends of Cobbs Garden Surgery , the registered charity associated with Olney's GP Surgery, have organised another concert at the Olney Centre , in the High Street on Saturday 28th April at 7.30. The tickets are £10 including an interval drink and will be available from Cobbs Garden Surgery, West Street; C.T.Wilson 84 High Street; Stephen Oakley & Co, 35 High Street and Allen's of Olney, 2 Market Place. On this occasion , 'The Friends ' are delighted to welcome The Windmill Singers from Bozeat who will perform a concert of music including popular songs and hits from West End Shows alongside music by Mozart, Karl Jenkins and John Rutter.
Founded over 20 years ago the Windmill Singers is a mixed choir of approximately thirty-five members, that perform a wide variety of repertoire from popular songs to classical. 'Old ones, new ones, loved ones, neglected ones....'
Mercury Report
Public participation
The only member of the public to speak at this month's meeting was Andrew Harris, of Olney Brass, in support of a funding application which had recently been submitted . Andrew explained that the band is a registered charity that charges adult members £180 a year but is free to under 18s. The band had raised its profile in the last 12 months he said, having given a number of public performances and taken part in competitions. They had also become more financially prudent , but there are a number of costs to be met, particularly with respect to running the junior band. Last year they had received a grant from Olney Town Council (OTC) of £2500 but controlling costs meant that they would only need to apply for a £1250 grant for the coming year.
Goo sey Field footpath
At the January meeting local resident Mrs Holsten had asked about the sign identifying a footpath across the Goosey Field which had been removed at some time in the past. The path is not marked on any current maps but the council agreed to look at the 1929 map to see if it was shown on there . John Smail said he recalled that a stile used to exist over the fence on the right hand side before the bridge and the path ran across the field parallel to Weston Road, but it is now blocked and overgrown. Milton Keynes (MKC) ward councillor Peter Geary said that unless there was evidence that the path had been accessed within the last 20 years then the right of way would have lapsed and in order for it to
be reinstated the council would need to make a Definitive Map Modification Order. It was agreed not to proceed with such an application .
Parking restrictions
Debbie Brock reported that she had received an email from a resident of Timpsons Row complaining of a number of 'near miss' traffic accidents caused by inconsiderate parking at the Coneygere junctions with Palmers Row and Church Street and also at the junction of the one- way system in East Street. The resident had requested that consideration be given to providing double yellow lines at these junctions. John Boardman thought that this was further evidence of a growing trend of inconsiderate parking in the town and Ron Bull agreed, but didn't think that the Coneygere junctions were particularly bad. He agreed that East Street visibility could be a problem, but didn't think it warranted double yellow lines. Deidre Bethune was of the opinion that parking in the whole Coneygere/Timpsons Row area needed addressing , saying that she had received complaints from the allotment holders. Joe Stacey observed that Church Street was effectively a single track road for much of the time , due to cars parked on both sides. Jeremy Rawlings said that double yellow lines were not always the best solution as they simply moved the problem elsewhere. Peter Geary said the council must consider if there is an issue that needs addressing and if so it should go through the correct process. Joe Stacey proposed that the council should not take any action and the proposal was passed by a majority. While