Page 5 - Demo

March 2025 | Phonebox Magazine 5ContentsPhonebox Magazine is owned and published by Phonebox Magazine Ltd, Unit 2, Stanley Court, Olney, Bucks MK46 5NHAdvertisers: We gratefully acknowledge the support of firms whose advertisements appear in this publication and, whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers regret they cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advertisement. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. All artwork is accepted on strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. Any reproduction of material, either advertising or editorial, is forbidden without written consent of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for views expressed by contributors, or for the accuracy of claims made by advertisements appearing in this publication. Distribution may vary at the discretion of Phonebox Magazine Ltd.To advertise telephone (01234) 713298or email sales@phoneboxmagazine.comEmail articles and news to editorial@phoneboxmagazine.comwww.phoneboxmagazine.comTwitter: @Phonebox_magFacebook.com/PhoneboxmagDeadline for April 2025 edition - 14th MarchMonday, 3rd of March sees the monthly Olney Town Council (OTC) meeting, which will include on its agenda the fi nal vote to decide if and how the Big Olney Food Festival, BOFF to most of us, will or will not go ahead. The decision will be taken at this meeting because leaving it any later would be diffi cult for the committee who are already behind in bookings and event planning. Apparently a letter from traders in the town has gone out to the council with their viewpoints on any decision. Phonebox hasn%u2019t seen the letter, but I hope that in the fi nal conclusion there is also consideration for the thousands of people who enjoy BOFF, thus providing a balanced decision.%u00a0Of course it%u2019s easier for the town to have limited events, or even no events that could be inconvenient%u00a0 to those in the town. But, we have to ask ourselves, what would Olney be without the likes of the Pancake Race, Dickens of a Christmas, Raft Race, Market Day, the Sunday Market, and of course, BOFF?There must be plenty of towns and villages that do not have the benefi ts of such events that we have, that would surely love them. So yes, I enjoy the events the town off ers, and I%u2019m biased because I%u2019m also a fringe member of the BOFF committee, having supported the event since its inception. And with that in mind I hope that OTC can make a decision that will please all of us. Let us not forget that the Market Place is a communal space and not just a car park. So I hope to see you at the Pancake Race on Tuesday 4th March, when I and my merry team will be out with our cameras, so keep smiling.Oh, and don%u2019t forget Mother%u2019s Day where we remember all that our mothers do for us all year round.See you next month.Ron Hall, Editor06 Rivers and Waterways Safeguarding our future 08 Olney Camera Club Photographing the wild side of life 10 Readers LettersHave your say, it%u2019s your magazine 12 Entertainment Swan Lake revived 14 Entertainment 2Dancing duos 16 Mercury Olney%u2019s regular Town Council meeting 18 Local poetry author Animal Blues 20 Ailsa%u2019s Aim New premises 22 Newport Pagnell Council NewsThe latest from Newport%u2019s councillors 24 Olney Ward CouncillorsReports from our MK team 26 Phonebox Diary Events from our local clubs and societies29 Phonebox Foodie Shell out this month30 It%u2019s all theatre Local roundup of shows 32 Mother%u2019s Day Ideas to treat that special person35 Pibworth ColumnFree speech for all?36 Chris Curtis MP Our local MP has his say37 AI Bletchley Exhibition A Minister visits 39 CRMK Wash day blues 41 Newport Pagnell & Olney Lions ClubNews from the charitable group42 Churches together Olney and Newport Pagnell Churches 45 Phonebox Gardening Spring jobs 48 Phonebox MotoringUsed or not? Your choice50 Book Review This month%u2019s top read 52 Olney Ukraine News Help needed more than ever54 SportRoundup55 Club of the Month Singing for the Brain featured56 News Roundup Lots more local stories 62 Quiz Corner Spring puzzler