Page 36 - Phonebox Magazine January 2007

Olney Town Council
Introducing Councillor Dave Price
Profile: Dave Price
Christmas Lights go on in Olney
On Thursday 30 November members of Olney Chamber of Trade and Olney Town Council met at the Market Place to switch on the Christmas Lights. As it happened the lights were already programmed to come on automatically so a formal “switching on” of the lights proved unnecessary. This in no way reduced the enjoyment of the occasion and the lights on the Market Place and up and down the High Street brought about a very festive air to the town. We all hoped that the lights and late night shopping on Thursdays in the run up to Christmas would bring additional shoppers to Olney and boost trade for the
town’s retailers. Neal Bowdidge, our Thursday Market Co-ordinator, was on hand to kindly act as photographer and pictured from the left are Cllr. Tony Evans, Mayoress and Mayor Dorothy and Paul Watson, Olney Chamber of Trade Chairman John Perkins, Loie Perkins, Chamber of Trade Member Sandra Wingerath and Chamber Secretary Bob Wingerath with young Samuel Wingerath also enjoying the occasion. n
Olney Art Group
During September the Olney Art Group held its summer exhibition. The organiser and initiator of the Art Group is Ken Knowles. Ken started the Group eight years ago and it has grown and flourished ever since. Councillors were invited to the preview of the exhibition and were impressed at the variety and professional quality of the paintings on show. The Group is a self-help group with one member, Robert Newcombe winning a regional round of the Watercolour Challenge Programme. The organiser, Ken Knowles is pictured at the preview. n
CONTACT INFORMATION
Olney Town Council Tel: 01234 711679 www.olneytowncouncil.co.uk
36 Phonebox Magazine
Born in Rugby in 1954, where I met my wife Iris in our latter years at Secondary School, the Harris C of E. Iris became, and
still is an SRN. She now cares for the elderly in a residential home in Milton Keynes. I Joined the G.P.O. or ‘Gods Poor Orphans’ as we were called in 1970. I rose through the ranks, including several re- locations around the UK as a trainer, during which time we were blessed with two fantastic children.
Emma who has her own child minding business in Hemel Hempstead, and has provided Iris and I with so much joy with
our first grandchild Jack, - with a little help from her partner Anthony, a Chartered Surveyor.
Richard, now married to Lisa who is a teacher, is now a Police officer in Luton and loving every minute of it. He helps promote a positive impression of the local ‘Bobby’ by visiting Lisa’s school and chatting with the youngsters who are from a multicultural background.
I decided in 2000 to leave BT and follow my star. This led me to the care sector, specialising in adult Learning Disability. Ultimately I ended up managing three homes for a national support organisation in Milton Keynes. Training has always been in my blood, and in 2005 I took the opportunity to join a fledgling care sector company based in Watford and put my care experience, as well as over thirty years of voluntary work (many thanks to BT for that) to use. I now train carers in basic skills, ranging from Health and Safety to Protection of Vulnerable Adults, and travel all over the South East.
Having taken leave of absence from Milton Keynes Bench in order to devote time to the
new company, I shall be returning shortly to further my interest in local justice.
My other interests include motoring. Iris and I own a Morgan + 4. In addition I have recently acquired a Haflinger – a small, two cylinder Austrian built 4X4 which is undergoing an extensive rebuild as and when time permits, and oh yes a Citroen 2CV which Iris refuses to have any thing to do with since it caught fire in her first outing in it!
Having been on Olney Town Council for over ten years now I have seen many changes, most of which have been in regard to the increasing stranglehold of National and Regional Government in terms of an increasing burden of bureaucracy in local democracy, no matter what the colour of the political masters. This set against a background of no cohesive policies on long term issues such as an integrated transport policy for the UK can be very frustrating at times. However, I pledge that whilst on Olney Town Council, and in unison with my Council colleagues I will maintain my vigilance, and continue to challenge those who do not listen to the people that matter....you the Townsfolk of Olney! n