Page 47 - Phonebox Magazine July 2014

Olney Town Council
Newport Pagnell Mayor’s Chair
the library no longer had an outlet and said he’d follow up on this. He would also ask that supplies be delivered to OTC’s office.
What emergency?
Ron Bull reported that progress on preparing Olney’s Emergency Plan had stalled due to most of the three person committee being abroad or unavailable, due to work commitments. He stated that he didn’t want to continue on the committee without more help. This will be an agenda item at next month’s meeting.
Table tennis
An outdoor table tennis table, with free bats and balls, will be placed on the Recreation Ground near the children’s play area for a six week program. If the council want, it may be kept. The issue will be passed to the Recreations and Services Committee.
The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Monday, July 7, in the Council Chamber at the Olney Centre. Members of the public are always welcome to attend and, if they wish, speak at the start of the meeting, or at any point that the mayor decides is appropriate.
Fundraising Success
Councillor Mike Barry
It’s hard to believe that one month of my year has already gone. It was symbolic to go along to Milton Keynes Council Chamber to watch our first Muslim being elected as Milton Keynes’ number one citizen. He is a nice guy and we’re looking forward to attending events with him and his wife.
When we woke on June 7, we were slightly concerned by the overcast skies and heavy rain that was forecast, as we had been invited to officially open a garden fête at Castlemead Care Home.
At about ten the heavens opened. However, undeterred and armed with brollies and macs, we turned up as requested and duly cut the ribbon declaring the indoor garden fête open. The home had geared themselves to hold the event inside, but shortly after 12pm, the skies cleared and the sun made an appearance. There was a brisk movement of stalls from inside to the grass, which was still quite wet. It was nice to see so many people there and we hoped they raised a good amount.
Following this, it was a short walk next door to join the 25th anniversary celebrations of the opening of the Westbury Grange. The sun was out with a vengeance and the Thanksgiving Service was conducted in the Atrium, which made it very warm. Singing is now recognised as a therapy for patients with dementia and this was borne out during the service. Everyone, including me, was in fine voice, joining in with some well-known hymns.
After the service we were all invited to a wonderful pig roast. It was so nice to hear people talk about Westbury in its early days when it was the local maternity home, and many people spoke of the day when their children were born there. Newport Pagnell had one of the finest dementia care units in the county, if not in the country, at Renny Lodge. We will never replace that, but at least we know we have several good care homes.
Later that evening we were guests of the Newport Rotary Club at the Chrysalis Theatre, Willen, to watch the Northamptonshire Male Voice Choir. I had to shamefully admit that, while I had seen male choirs on the television, I’d never attended a live performance – but I was gobsmacked. Their rendition of many popular tunes had me foot tapping and humming along with them. It was an evening where I met many old friends who congratulated me on my new role. I am going to be made an honorary member of Rotary for my year in office, a role which I will relish. They do many charitable events locally, nationally and internationally, and I look forward to lending them my support. My charity this year is Brooklands, a day-care centre, and I intend to help place it firmly on the map and raise as much money as possible for their much needed funds. I hope the sun will continue to shine and, in the meantime, enjoy everyday of your life.
Phonebox Magazine 47