Page 56 - Phonebox Magazine June 2024

MK Gallery: An installation by Lucy Gregory: The Blame Game and Heritage Matchboxes by Sofia Fox Barton
In Brief
Book Your Place
Plans for a literary festival in Olney are well underway and organisers can confirm the date for your diary – Saturday 14th September. To be held in the Olney Centre, the ‘Olney WordFest‘ will be a celebration of books, reading and writing, including publishing, editing, photography, music and lyrics.
Organisers are looking for volunteers to help on the day and have planned a meeting on Wednesday 12th June, 7.30pm to which anyone interested is invited to attend. Committee chair, Olney-based author Sue Upton, is also asking for support and ideas from individuals or businesses. For more information on any of this, contact Sue: 07963 836689, info@olneywordfest.org.
Funding still available
There is still time to apply for a grant if you’re embarking on higher education or an apprenticeship, say organisers at Heart of Bucks Community Foundation. To be eligible, you must be under 25 years old, you or your parents must reside in Olney, and you must be in education or undergoing an apprenticeship, either now or starting in the 2024/25 academic year. Go to youngfuturesfund.org for more information and to apply. Any questions, see emailgrants@ heartofbucks.org.
Transport Show steaming ahead
Planning for the Earls Barton Transport Show is well underway.
Organisers continue to take exhibit entries, and bookings for trade, charity, and craft stands. To join in, the forms can be downloaded here: www. earlsbartontransportshow.co.uk.
The show is at Whites Nurseries, Earls Barton, from 24th to 26th August, 10am to 5pm. The Molten Magnets Flyball team will again be giving their displays in the ring; there will be the Vikings encampment with have-a-go archery, model boats on the pond, a fairground, singer Lissie, Bernese Carters, vehicle parades, auction, exhibits and trade stalls.
56 Phonebox Magazine | June 2024
MK Calling
MK Gallery is celebrating 25 years at the heart of Milton Keynes’ art and culture scene by working in partnership with five local community groups to co-curate this year’s open call summer exhibition, MK Calling.
It features artworks spanning sculpture, painting, photography, installation and film. More than 120 established and emerging artists explore will themes including identity, inclusivity, heritage, and significant moments across five thematic gallery spaces.
Running from 22nd June until 29th September at the 900 Midsummer Boulevard venue, the exhibition costs £3 to visit. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm. More details: www. mkgallery.org/event/mk-calling-2024.
D-Day raffle call
Organisers of the D-Day 80th Anniversary event in Olney are asking for donations of gifts for raffle prizes. The event, on Saturday 8th June, will commemorate 80 years since the largest amphibious invasion in the world took place. It’s at the Carlton House Club where music from the 1940s will be played as guests enjoy celebratory food and wine.
“I must emphasise that all monies raised from the raffle are going to the Royal British Legion to give life-long support to every generation of our Armed Forces,” says Olney Mayor Debbie Whitworth. Anyone who can donate a prize should contact Debbie on 07494 681907.
New releases
Olney author Beryl Lavender has brought out two books within a few weeks of each other. The first is ‘A Warning for Our Times’, the final volume of her commentary on the Old Testament. A few days later came a new edition of the first volume, ‘The Story of the Torah,’ originally published in 2017, now re- published by Austin Macauley.
Beryl signed copies of her books at the recital by the St Andrews University Madrigal Group in St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Olney, last month. All proceeds from book sales will go to the church.
Beryl Lavender
The Northern Lights - did you sleep
Jamboree joy
Scouts, Brownies, Beavers, Rainbows, and Guides will gather at Gulliver’s Land theme park this month for a fantastic Jamboree Weekend. The Milton Keynes resort will welcome all uniformed groups for the weekend of 22nd- 23rd June for two days of theme park fun. There is a special discounted admission price for Jamboree Weekend of £12 per person for groups of 20 or more, with one free ‘leader’ place with every nine children. The price includes access to all the park rides, attractions and shows.
The event is the second of a three-year partnership signed with The Scout Association and builds on the importance of friendship, leadership, adventure and community through practical skills, outdoor learning and indoor activities and a series of special experiences and adventures. As part of the partnership, Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts is sponsoring a Beavers ‘My Outdoor Challenge’ Badge.
Castle award
The Castle Theatre, Wellingborough, are delighted to have won the regional finals of the ‘Muddy Stilettos’ award for best ‘Arts, Culture & Theatre’ 2024. This accolade relies on a public vote, so they had a huge public backing, which means a lot to the theatre staff.