Page 42 - Phonebox Magazine November 2015

A Message from the Mayor
Iam now realising what the role of being Mayor actually entails. Invitations are received to attend a diverse range of functions. In recent days my wife, formally
known as my consort and I attended the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire Justice’s Service in the Church of Christ the Cornerstone in Central Milton Keynes. This brought together High Sheriff’s, Lord Lieutenant’s, the ‘Civils’ like me also known as the ‘Chain Gang’ from the local authorities along with the Judges who sit locally, many barristers, Her Majesty’s Coroner for Milton Keynes along with other dignitaries. After the service, whilst enjoying
refreshments provided by Milton Keynes College I struck a conversation with a prominent national businessman who turned out to be Winston Churchill’s grandson!
In recent weeks I have attended the Town Mayor’s Civic Service in Rushden, The Leighton and Linslade Mayors Charity Ball. A charity evening of musical entertainment provided by the Newport Pagnell Singers in our Parish Church in support of Willen Hospice. Along with the Annual Review and Awards at St John Ambulance – Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.
The Town Council is going out to tender for the carpark extension at the Middleton Pool and Fitness Centre. This is timely as the adjacent Community Centre building will be re-opening shortly with a wide range of studio based exercise classes during the day and reverting to its original community centre use in evenings and weekends.
As to the Neighbourhood Plan, Milton Keynes Council are recruiting a planning examiner to deal with the next stage of the process.
The Tesco site has been the subject of some surveying recently so that the sale of the land can be agreed but we have no more information to date.
Newport Pagnell Town Council won a Silver
Gilt in the Thames Valley Region of the Britain in Bloom competition. A big well- done to everyone who looked after their front gardens, local flower beds, and communal areas. We have had the feedback sheet so we are going for GOLD in 2016 and will need to address some non-horticultural issues that lost us points this year. Volunteers will be required with black sacks!
A review of the Play Areas in Newport has been completed by the Town Council as our partners at Milton Keynes Council have indicated that they do not have the budget to maintain all the existing play areas in Milton Keynes. We have had a close look at the locations, the ‘play value’ and standards of equipment and maintenance of the hard standings etc. and have concluded that some are no longer fit for purpose and should be removed and the sites used as public open space or other appropriate use. A public consultation on the final proposals will take place before any final decisions are made. The infrastructure works for the Kickles Lane Solar farm are nearing completion and electricity will soon be flowing through the new cables to the National Grid and we will be a small part of making the UK a more sustainable country.
Willen Hospice appeals for volunteers
Olney Shop Re-opens
The Willen Hospice shop in Olney reopened on Saturday 17th October following a refurbishment that sees the launch of a new downstairs furniture department and a second hand clothing boutique on the first floor. The shop
was officially reopened by members of the Ride for Willen team. The new shop will also host craft workshops and knitting circles and the Christmas card range stocked instore features a watercolour Christmas scene of Olney.
Kate Thompson, Retail Area Manager at Willen Hospice, said: “Our shops are so crucial in raising funds for patient care at Willen Hospice and we can’t wait to welcome both existing and new customers to our new look Olney shop. I’d like to say a massive thank-you to all the organisations and individuals in the community who have helped make the refurbishment possible by donating products, paint, shop-fittings as well as their precious time. We have an incredible network of volunteers in Olney whose support has helped raise so much for Willen Hospice over the years but we are in desperate need of more to keep the shop open and running. If you think you can help, even just for one short shift a week, please call into the shop for all the details.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can find out all the information in the Willen Hospice Olney shop or via www.willen-hospice.org.uk 42 Phonebox Magazine