Newport Pagnell Mayor's Chair Counci or Mike Barry
I've had quite a busy month, wearing two hats. Firstly, in my Mayor's duties I had the pleasure of attending the annual Strawberry Fair and crowning the Carnival Queen. It was a lovely day, if a bit hot, but everyone there seemed to be having a good time.
While walking round the event a lady asked if she could take a photograph of me with her niece (whatever for I'll never know!). Of course I agreed and posed. The next minute a queue had formed with several people all wanting photos of me and their various children. It was very surreal.
Due to circumstances beyond my control (a pre-booked holiday), I was unable to attend and host our annual Civic Service. I know from seeing the acceptance list that there were several dignitaries from various parts of the country. My thanks go to the Deputy Mayor Councillor Phil Winsor for standing in for me.
However, I pre-recorded a welcome and some readings from newspaper articles about life in Newport during the First World War. These were obtained thanks to the courtesy of The Living Archive and read by Simon Baines. I shall use a little poetic licence and say that the afternoon was a great success, with invited guests joining councillors for light refreshments at the
Brooklands Centre after the service.
The last week in June was Armed Forces Week. On Monday the 23rd, in my role as county chairman for the Royal British Legion, I attended the flag raising ceremony outside the Civic Offices in Central Milton Keynes. On Saturday 28th, as the Mayor, I was privileged to attend the short service by the War Memorial, laid on by the local branch of the British Legion. It is always a pleasure to see veterans turn out on parade, smartly dressed and proudly displaying their medals. It was then back to the club for some food and drink and the standard group photograph.
Regards the Legion, the Lavendon Branch is desperately looking for another couple of people to join their committee. You don't have to have been a serving member of the Forces to join, so if you have a couple of hours to spare a month give the branch a ring.
Secondly, as I mentioned earlier, as county chairman for Buckinghamshire's Royal British Legion, I had the pleasure of joining the local choir from the University of the Third Age at Newport Pagnell concert, in aid of the Poppy Appeal. It was a glorious evening and, even though I didn't win, the raffle it was very enjoyable.
The next day I attended a moving ceremony
at the MK Rose in Campbell Park in memory of Albert Finch. Albert was a young man from Wolverton, who lied about his age (as indeed many of them did) and joined the Army to fight in the First World War. Sadly he never returned home, but letters from him and his family led to a playlet which was performed by members of Shenley Brook End School and the Living Archive band.
It was a truly moving performance and well received by the audience. If you've never visited the Rose, I suggest you do. It is a wonderful area of remembrance that will enlighten and impress you.
That's all for this month, but let's hope this warm weather continues.
Strawberry Fair
 theWI Newport Pagnell WI I I    
The major event for the Newport Pagnell WI this month was the Strawberry Fair, where plants, cakes and preserves were sold. I t was a hot, s u n n y afternoon a n d t h e crowds came out to enjoy themselves. The group was well supported by members who had baked or grown herbs and flowers, and came along to be on the stand and help sell the produce.
Their July meeting was a picnic on Castle Meadow and, after a day of warm sunshine, they all anticipated a pleasant evening in the open air. However, the British weather had
different ideas!
In the early evening the heavens opened and everything was drenched - not a good start. Perhaps being indoors was the better option after all, and they gathered at the
usual venue - Royal British Legion Club. Not having a speaker, they entertained themselves with a cryptic quiz that someone had the foresight to download beforehand. Despite the weather, they all had a good time, chatting and enjoying our picnics. The raffle winners were Barbara Hilton and Iris Kennewell. As there were so few members at the meeting, there was no competition winner. Everyone who entered
was awarded one point instead.
The Newport Pagnell Women's Institute meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm in the Royal British Legion Club, and is always delighted to welcome new members. In August, Paul Evans will speak about fuchsias at the meeting.
For more information, please call Evelyn Mison on (01908) 615630 orjustturn up on the night
 Phonebox Magazine 43