Page 10 - Phonebox Magazine December 2007

MEGEARY BUILDERS LTD
• New Build
• Extensions
• Renovations
• PVCu Windows and Conservatories
TEL 01234 714508/240200 MOBILE 07775 700151 EMAIL paulmegeary@tiscali.co.uk
Meadow Rise, East Street, Olney, Bucks MK46 4DH
ALAN TOURLE DECORATING SERVICES
1A HARROLD ROAD, LAVENDON, OLNEY
a FREE ESTIMATES a NO JOB TOO SMALL
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01234 241965 ~ 07954 287870
M W BREEDS
BUILDING AND CARPENTRY/JOINERY
a EXTENSIONS
a LOFT CONVERSIONS
a GARAGE CONVERSIONS
a CONSERVATORIES/PORCHES -
UPVC/TIMBER
a GRP FLAT ROOFING SYSTEMS (GLASSFIBRE REINFORCED POLYESTER - 20-YEAR INSURANCE-BACKED GUARANTEE AVAILABLE)
a KITCHENS - SUPPLY AND FIT (GRANITE AND WOODEN WORKTOPS AVAILABLE)
Contact Matt
01234 717011 (Phone/Fax) 07803 011637 (Mobile)
10 WEST SIDE RISE, OLNEY, BUCKS, MK46 5HP
10 Phonebox Magazine
OLNEY-NEWTON LINK
The Skills Centre
YES folks it’s there. We’ve seen it with our own eyes!!
On Sunday 14 October 2007 we drove into the village of Newton in Sierra Leone and there was our Skills Centre, or at least the part that has been built so far. ‘We’ being my husband Brian and I,
Dr Brian Partridge and Mrs Sheila White (Olney Infant School).
As I’m sure most people in Olney will know by now we have been collecting money for a Skills Training Centre in Newton for just over a year and have sent £6,000 to date. As communications with countries such as Sierra Leone are still difficult, although improving all the time, it has been a matter of faith that what we were told was happening actually is. The building is U-shaped and is being constructed in three phases. The photograph below right shows that the base of the U is now approx two metres high and contains guest rooms, a kitchen, a store, an office and a toilet (this will lead out to a septic tank). It is being constructed of concrete blocks by a contractor.
The photograph below shows local unemployed youths clearing the ground and digging the foundations for the other three phases which will contain the tutor rooms. These lads are being paid the equivalent of 80p a day or £1.20 if they have to travel by poda- poda. They also supply their own tools and they will be the first beneficiaries of the training.
The plan is to start with carpentry, hairdressing, dressmaking and construction skills. Tutors are being lined up and the project will be supervised by the Olney-Newton Link committee in Newton.
We were able to visit six primary schools and two scondary schools, a clinic and the local hospital. To round off our visit we were introduced to the new President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma who thanked us and the people of Olney for all their support. A proud moment indeed.
Rachel Lintern
The project is approximately one third complete so keep the money rolling please. To make a donation please contact Tricia Selwood (01234 712919) or Rachel Lintern (01234 711751) and visit our website www.olney-newtonlink.co.uk
Map of the Skills Centre