Page 7 - Phonebox Magazine August 2008

DJ Atkinson
PLUMBER
If you are looking for a Plumber who has worked in a local community for more than 40 years – THEN I AM YOUR MAN
~ Bathrooms a speciality ~
All Work Guaranteed – No Call Out Charge FREE ESTIMATES – NO JOB TOO SMALL Special Rates for Pensioners
01933 356036 ~ 07710 900047
Dear Editor
Outraged youths
I am a sixth form pupil at Ousedale in Newport Pagnell and was dismayed when reading in the July issue of Phonebox Magazine the letter regarding anti-social behaviour.
I was completely mortified to find out that everything was getting blamed on my age group and that in the last couple of months we have been put into the category of ‘yobs’. I believe it’s our chance now to fight back to get a little more respect from our community.
I lived in Olney for just over 15 years, until moving to Newport Pagnell, and I do admit that Olney is not one of the most exciting places around. Apart from the youth club which is hardly ever used or open, and the amazing work from Hilary Terry’s ‘Night with no name’, which can, unfortunately, only be run every other Friday night, there is absolutely nothing to do within the community of Olney.
When residents of Olney complain about children and these so called ‘yobs’ hanging around on street corners drinking, do they really think that we haven’t exhausted all other options? When living in Olney I would rarely go out and if I did it would be to go and congregate at the park, or wait for a bus for just over an hour to get out of the town. Olney was an amazing place but at the end of the day there was really nothing to do. And I am sure that everyone at some point has experimented with the use of smoking and alcohol, and because of the lack of things to do in Olney this has obviously become the next best thing.
It’s my belief and view that if there was more to do in Olney this ‘anti- social behaviour’ wouldn’t be such of an issue as it is now, and the facts state that mostly all the people my age who are younger or older, are getting put into this category which I think is unfair for the people who really just want somewhere to go or something to do. I know this is a huge thing to ask of the Olney community because of money and places, as well as finding willing volunteers, but at the end of the day it is possible. For example, upon coming to Newport Pagnell I have joined what I consider is a nice little society. What I am about to say next might shock some readers but at the end of the day it has sorted out the issue of anti-social behaviour within Newport Pagnell.
Thanks to Barry Thornton who owns ‘The Green Man’ pub he has managed, with the help of friends, to convert one side of his bar into a lounge for the youths of Newport Pagnell, which can be shared with all ages. This lounge consists of a juke box, a pool table, a bar which sells coke and food and is something that has really become a great success. Everyone is friendly to one another, the younger and older generation have a chance to socialise, talk, tell stories and even laugh at the little things in life. This amazing ‘project’ which has gone on for some years has given us somewhere to go, something to do and has really helped the community to grow and not burden us with this horrible label everybody has been given.
I go to the ‘Green Man’ most nights to meet with friends, have some non-alcoholic drinks, eat some food and just have some fun playing pool. By doing so I have made new friends of different generations, who I always see around the town of Newport, which to them must make us seem less threatening because they have had the chance to talk to us and get to know who we really are.
I was most outraged when nothing in the letter I read was about the youths of Olney who don’t drink, don’t smoke or do drugs. This really makes us feel like the community of Olney just sees children in one light and of course makes us more of a threat than before.
I was recently at an activity day at my school helping the year 10s when one of them to my disbelief, a complete ‘yob’, said: “Well if I saw an old lady in trouble I would definitely help because it’s the right thing to do.” I think the people around our community have forgotten that we’re not all bad and we don’t all start trouble for no reason. We are human beings who are as equal as everyone else. I think this is just a vicious circle which if not changed soon will perhaps not change at all. It’s really up to the community and society of Olney to do something to help us! And appropriately a psychology question I was given recently read. ‘What is a community?’ and I think this is something the town of Olney needs to decide soon if they want things to change.
Victoria Stean, Newport Pagnell
DAVID SHEPHERD CARPENTER & JOINER
OFFERING A LOCAL & RELIABLE SERVICE FOR ALL YOUR CARPENTRY NEEDS INCLUDING:
• Kitchens & Worktops • Windows • Interior & Exterior Doors • • Supply & Fit of Bespoke Freestanding & Built in Furniture • • Stairs • Property Improvements •
TELEPHONE: 01908 617356 / 07986 463572
Phonebox Magazine 7