Page 64 - Phonebox Magazine December 2014

Christmas - A Time For Kindness
Newport Pagnell Mayor’s Chair
I’ve got to start this month with news of our Remembrance Sunday event in Newport. It was a fine and sunny morning with little breeze. I was tasked
to look after our guest, Cllr Derek Eastman, the Mayor of Milton Keynes. He duly arrived at the Royal British Legion Club and together with our other distinguished guests, including Mark Lancaster MP, we walked up to the saluting dais in the High Street. I was amazed at the number of people who were already assembling to watch the parade, including several residents in wheelchairs from Tickford Abbey.
The parade was headed by the Green Jackets Association, who march so fast we
had to let them go in front. We were then treated to a display of Motor trikes and Bikes from members of the Royal British Legion Riders Branch. Next came the Reservists from the Army Air Corps (formerly the Rifles) from Howard Barracks in Blakelands. Then the Royal British Legion Contingent. It was heart warming to hear the crowd clapping as the soldiers and Veterans passed. There next followed what seemed like a never ending procession of Cadets, Scouts, Cubs, Brownies, and the Carnival Court. Our thanks again to MK Brass who supplied the band. The salute was taken by the Hon Richard Godber OBE DL who is the President of the Newport Branch of the Legion.
The names from the War Memorial were again read out by Peter and Phoebe from the Diamond Theatre School. Everyone commented upon how well they had done and how nice it was to see younger members of the community contributing to the event. Our thanks also go to Richard, an unsung hero, who every year supplies the PA system for the event.
After the two minute silence we all moved
into the Church for a lovely service. Interestingly, I was giving a talk to the Mothers Union at Brooklands about the work of the Royal British Legion, just a few days before and I met a lady who is currently researching the history behind the names on the War Memorial in Dover. “Wouldn’t it be a nice idea to do the same for Newport?” was a suggestion, and challenge, that I couldn’t refuse.
However, this is something that I cannot possibly do on my own. So I am asking you for help. Firstly, I need the co-operation of those who have knowledge of anyone named on our Memorial: Maybe it was an uncle, great uncle, grandfather, or just someone that you heard about. Where did they live, what was their trade, were they married, did they have children? Oh the list could go on and on. Can you please, if you have any information, no matter how trivial, pass me the details. That leads me on to the next point. Would you be willing to form, with me, a small team to collate and document this wealth of Newport’s history. Again please get in touch. I know we’re all
celebrated for, then they won’t want an expensive present. A small gift is all that is required at best. £3.99 should do the trick, as Christmas isn’t about all of that. It’s about kindness to others less fortunate.
So what we should all do is not to give presents or cards at all, but to donate an affordable sum to a charity of your choice. I have donated some money to the Ebola crisis on condition that I don’t have to listen to that Bob Geldoff record again. I’ve nothing against it at all and good for you if you go out and buy it, but it’s too miserable for me and anyway I’ve heard it countless times and unlike fine wine it doesn‘t seem to get better with age.
I do exclude children from my rules as they do genuinely love presents, although I do suggest that up to the age of four years you just buy them wrapping paper as that’s what seems to delight them more than anything. Look, I’m suddenly changing the subject a bit here, as I heard a funny story from one of my pals the other day. I had warned him about the seat belt business in Olney. You know – the thing I’m always on about which
Iwill probably be in the Isle of Wight by the time you read this and having a jolly old time being an ugly sister twice a day at the Medina Theatre, so if you happen
to be passing, do pop in and say hello. We’ll be in the bar about 15 minutes after the performance ends.
I do like Christmas in general as people tend to be more friendly on the whole, but there is the tendency to worry about what presents you will be buying for the loved ones.
Well, I have some ground rules that could help you out on this matter.
If your friends are atheists then there is no requirement to buy them a present at all. Even more so if they’re the types who are constantly banging on about there being no God. They annoy me just as much as those strange coves who used to come around knocking on your door telling you that you’d be going to hell if you didn‘t buy their booklet on religion. I was always a bit torn on that as many people I have known – assuming the concept of heaven and hell is right – could well be down there, and it would be a shame not to bump into them again. They might 64 Phonebox Magazine
even be running a poker school so I could win back some of my money.
As a confirmed ‘I’m not at all sure about anything’ I’ve always been concerned about those people who are adamant either way. Considering I can’t use our DVD recorder yet I’m not qualified to work out the larger problems.
So that’s the atheists dealt with.
If your friends are religious and celebrate Christmas for what it really should be