Page 63 - Phonebox Magazine June 2007

but a factual connection to the poet John Donne.
John Ferris presented a report on behalf of the Olney and Newport Pagnell Lions. He reported that the organisation is struggling for numbers and urgently needed to recruit new people if it is to survive. Despite that, the Lions had raised about £8000 during the year of which about £7000 has been distributed to deserving causes both in the UK and abroad. Over the years these have included the Olney Newton Link with Sierra Leone, projects for helping street children, the Pakistan earthquake, Willen Hospice, MK Hospital Bowel Cancer, Teachers’ resources for drug and alcohol abuse, Books and shelves for Cobbs Garden Surgery Olney, blood monitors for Newport Pagnell surgery and a lifting chair for Westbury care home.
David Coles gave a report on the Olney Health Check. This is a government initiative to encourage towns to create their own vision and an action plan for the future. The Olney Health check had kicked off last year with a ‘post-it’ note exercise at the raft race. Following that a meeting had been held at the URC which was attended by over one hundred people. Since then four groups had been formed to look at different aspects of the town and its hinterland. A questionnaire had been sent out with Phonebox Magazine and the Schools are now getting actively involved. The output from the groups is now being consolidated and another public meeting will be held to decide on the next steps. David said that the Health Check is a ‘grass-roots’ method for the local population to inform Olney and Milton Keynes councils want they really want.
Formation of The Olney Group (TOG)
This agenda item was the subject of much lively debate and input from members of the public present. Dave Price explained that the Floral Fiesta had now been formally wound up and the residual funds of £2,600 handed over to the council until a new committee could be formed. Dave said that there were enough people in town who wanted some of the activities to continue and had offered assistance. If TOG was set up it would be necessary to have £5m of public liability insurance costing £800 - £900, he said. A member of the public asked why did TOG not join with Fiesta to keep it going? Dave replied that he did not think people had the time. David Cole thought that there needed to be a sense of renewal and others present thought that
Fiesta had run its course. Dave said the prospect of another Fiesta committee being formed was remote so proposed that the funds from Fiesta be used to set up TOG. The proposal went to a vote and was overwhelmingly supported by those present.
There then followed a discussion on the manner of the winding up of Fiesta. A member of the public noted that £9,000 had been given away by the outgoing committee, albeit to deserving local causes, and this didn’t leave much for a new organisation to work with. This opinion was echoed by a number of others. Paul Watson asked if there was anyone present from the outgoing Fiesta committee who would care to respond. In the absence of any representatives Paul said it was now time to draw a line under what had gone before. Olney Town Council had no formal connection with the Floral Fiesta, apart from the agreement to temporarily hold the residual funds, and he had no doubt that the outgoing committee had acted in best interests, as they saw it. There was no suggestion that they had acted improperly in any way, he said. A question was asked about the role of the Queen and Princesses, now that there was no Fiesta. How were they being funded? Paul said that he understood that they would continue to be available for attendance at local events to any organisation that wanted to invite them. Debbie Brock said that she had been present at the recent election of the new court and said that they were very keen to represent the town. The Fiesta committee had donated a portion of the residual funds
so that the tradition should continue and she had no doubt that the ‘Queen Mum’ would provide accounts to show that the money was spent correctly. Another member of the public said it was now time to acknowledge the work of Fiesta over the forty years of its existence and move forward with Dave’s great vision. The matter of a few thousand pounds for the Queen and Princesses was ‘peanuts’ compared to the benefit it brings to the town.
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A discussion took place regarding the lack of maps and signage to the many attractions of the town for visitors. Paul Watson explained that the council were in discussion with the Chamber of Trade with a view to providing a large visitor’s map in the Market Place (Mercury assumed that this relates to the size of the map, not the visitors!) The official guide is being updated and should be available from next month.
Farewell, Paul
Paul Watson said he was now standing down as mayor after one year in office, as he had always intended to do. He had been unsure what to expect when elected Mayor after being a ‘new boy’ of only six years residence. However, he had been well supported by his excellent deputy, Jock Smail. He was grateful for the warmth and kindness extended to himself and his wife Dorothy. He thanked all of the councillors and members of staff for their support. Richard Medd thanked Paul and said he felt that he had been one of the best mayors that the town had had. K
Bedfordshire Red Cross Open Gardens Programme 2007
We would like invite you to spend a relaxing and enjoyable Sunday afternoon wandering round the many varied gardens which are being opened to the public on behalf of the Red Cross in several local villages
Dates are as follows:
Sunday 3rd June Sunday 10th June Sunday 1st July Sunday 15th July
A lovely mix of gardens in Milton Ernest.
Several charming gardens in Felmersham.
Four very different gardens to view in Sharnbrook
Three splendid gardens opening for Red Cross for first time in Ravenstone, near Olney, including a very large garden at Ravenstone House.
All gardens are open from 1.30pm – 5pm and the entrance fee is £3.50 per person. Plant stall and delicious home-made teas available at all openings.
For further details or a 2007 brochure please contact Jo Whitney on 01234 721502 or Email her at Jwhitney@redcross.org.uk
The money raised at the Open Gardens will be put towards the purchase of new emergency response equipment to be used by volunteers when called out to any kind of emergency in our local area and to help maintain existing services such as the loan of medical equipment, e.g. wheelchairs.
Phonebox Magazine 63