Page 12 - Phonebox Magazine September 2015

Out and About with Mark Lancaster MP
VJ Commemorations
Former Prisoners of War and veterans, along with their descendants and families attended special VJ Day commemorative events across the UK.
The event in Horse Guards Parade started in spectacular style with a flypast of historic aircraft; a Dakota and Hurricane of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a Royal Navy Swordfish, together with a current RAF Typhoon.
I had the honour of commemorating the 70th anniversary in Horse Guards Parade alongside men who encountered years of incredible hardship but still found the resolve and strength to carry on. Victor Knibb sums up this pivotal moment in history for those who are no longer with us.
Ninety year old Victor is the Vice-Chairman of the Burma Star Association, who served with the 4th Battalion The Royal West Kent Regiment. He said, “VJ Day means a lot to me, around 97,000 British and Commonwealth troops died out there and more than 120,000 Japanese died in that war. To me, VJ Day is for the memory of those men who didn’t come back. Without them we wouldn’t have had 70 years of peace and comfort”.
Web Ellis Trophy on Tour!
Sought-after by rugby players from across the globe, the Web Ellis Trophy reached Milton Keynes on day 71 and 72 of its 100 day tour of the UK, before arriving at Twickenham Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The coveted trophy made a stop at MK’s own iconic landmark, the Xscape, and dropped in at Daytona in Rooksley.
With less than a few weeks to go, fans have
been given more opportunities to be part of Rugby World Cup 2015 as an additional 30,000 tickets have gone on sale for matches in Pools A and B. Since the end of July a further 25,000 tickets have gone on general sale for matches in Pools C and D. tickets.rugbyworldcup.com
Growth in the Pipeline
Olney civil engineering firm, Chiltern Thrust Bore, is keeping up with increased demand. A helping hand from Yorkshire Bank, has given them a boost with a £185K finance package from a £125m lending scheme aimed at small businesses who require support in achieving their ambitions for growth.
The Olney based firm who employ 14 people, led by husband and wife team, Andy and Louise Howe, specialise in ‘no-dig’ drilling with trenchless technology.
When Andy started working in construction 28 years ago, trenchless technology was a relatively new concept. This allows construction work to be carried out on underground infrastructure with minimal disruption to traffic, business and other surface activity. Chiltern Thrust Bore has worked on major projects including the Olympic Games and Silverstone Race Track.
More recently, the business constructed a 2.5km pipeline for Yorkshire Water.
I’m delighted, it’s another great indication that economic confidence is continuing to grow and it’s even more rewarding to know that small businesses, particularly in MK, are being rewarded for their business acumen.
“Outstanding” School Report
A recent report from OFSTED puts Milton Keynes North primary schools above average on the national league table of standards.
So how did we do? The report shows that 91% of schools across the teaching spectrum were judged as Good or Outstanding for overall effectiveness, meaning our schools are above both national and South East figures, averaging at 86%.
This is such a positive message for our growing city and demonstrates that pupils, staff and parents between them, are proving that working together achieves great results.
Willen Hospice - Regular Giving Campaign
I’ve joined up with the team from Willen Hospice to support their regular giving campaign. Will you join me?
The Hospice needs to raise £3.6 million every year, which works out at around £7 a minute. To keep their specialist end of life services available for the local community, a regular donation will help the Hospice plan for weeks, months and years ahead.
For more than 30 years the Hospice has devotedly served our community and whilst not everyone will require its specialist care, we need to ensure the dedicated service continues to offer support for patients and their loved ones.
Signing up for a regular monthly donation was quick and simple and if you’d like to set up a regular donation for Willen Hospice please visit www.willen-hospice.org.uk/ Support-Us/Donate/Regular-Donation
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