Debbie Brock Councillor Corner Th is article is from Cllr D ebbie Bro ck, who will not be standing for election in May. The mont hly column should return after the election. Ward Councillor have had the great honour of being an IOlney Ward Councillor for the past eight years and have taken the decision that now is the right time to stand down and not seek re-election. The role as a ward councillor, and indeed as a Cabinet Member for the past three years has presented an ever increasing amount of work and this has strongly conflicted with any family life. I have greatly enjoyed my time as a councillor and I look back on that time with much fondness. In the last few years much has been achieved for this area and I have fully appreciated your support as I have undertaken my roles as Ward Councillor, Mayor of Milton Keynes and latterly Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Health & Wellbeing. David Hosking has replaced me as the local Conservative Party candidate. He is an Olney resident, has a young family and I am sure will do a wonderful job representing you all in Milton Keynes. Ekeney Glen keney Glen in Emberton is one of Eon the official Royal Diamond Jubilee tree planting record . The project, which turns 60 acres of farmland into woodland, aiding conservation and creating a lasting legacy, has reached completion after three years. This momentous achievement was recognised by one of the last trees being planted by the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Brian White. It was a Royal Oak grown from Royal Provenance at Ekeney Glen. The new wood includes over 30,000 native trees, mainly Oak and Ash, as well as six other native varieties and a range of shrubs. These are planted by family , friends, local schools, businesses, clubs, the local community and the Woodland Trust. Mark Lancaster was involved in planting one of the trees in the first batch, and three years later it is an achievement to see the last batch planted. The wood was once covered mostly in trees. After the Second World War, the trees were cleared when the government encouraged farmers to convert woodland to crops. Mr and Mrs Soul, who have lived at Wood Farm for over 40 years, hoped that by planting the 60 acres of woodland, it would help replace some of the trees that were lost and help sustain the land. 50 Phonebox Magazine Elections The elections this year are on May 22nd and are different than they have been for a number of years. Changes to the ward boundaries mean that the Olney Ward is merging with most of the Sherington Ward to create a new larger Olney Ward that will have three councillors representing it. On your ballot paper on May 22nd or when your postal vote arrives you will be able to vote for up to three candidates for Milton Keynes Council. If you are in any doubt please ask the polling clerk in the polling station who will advise you of what to do. This is a bit different to the way it has been done before. Next year the system will revert to voting for one councillor at a time but this year you can vote for three. fourteen elderly residents; it is situated on Weston Road in Olney and is warm and welcoming. Manager, Ann Watts, introduced me to staff and residents, we talked about activities, how residents enjoy some of the themed activities together and about everyday life at Bay House. The building has newer single story accommodation as well as more traditional rooms in the original part of the house that offer great views down Weston Road. If you would like information on Bay House contact Ann Watts (01234) 711356 Surgery We will be running our surgery as normal on the first Friday of the month, May 2nd, at the Olney Centre between 7.30 and 8.30pm. Please do come along if we can help you in any way. Royal Provena nce - Invitation to visit Bay House I was very pleased to be invited to call in at Bay House to meet residents and staff recently. Bay House is home currently to only 60 woods