Page 5 - Phonebox Magazine March 2009

HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters
Dear Editor
Hello, some time ago I was helped by readers of Phonebox in identifying a trade token from Olney. I have found two more tokens at Lathbury and I hope that readers may be able to help me again. The first token was issued by “JOHN PEIRCESON” with a set of scales centrally on the obverse and has “IN EMERTON” (letter B omitted) and 1668 centrally on the reverse. The other has “THOMAS PERROTT” with a heart centrally on the obverse and “NEWPORT PAGNELL” with initials TEP and two stars centrally on the reverse, undated, but believed to be early 1600s. They were both used as farthings. If any of your readers can help I would be most grateful if they could phone me, Geoff, on 01908 616640. Thank you.
Geoff
The Thursday Market is a refreshing alternative to the tedious supermarket visit, which consists of piped music, overpriced and pre-packed produce and unhelpful staff. I really enjoy visiting the market as often as my job allows. I can buy quality fruit and vegetables, cheese, meat and flowers (considerably cheaper and fresher than elsewhere) from friendly, hard-working people!
Olney is a traditional market town, but it would appear that we could be in danger of losing our market completely as the traders have reported a marked decline in trade. And what do they want to do about it? They want to trade one Sunday a month, brilliant idea! But apparently this could take away trade from the ‘farmers’ market on the first Sunday of every month. Surely, it is the other way around? The Thursday market is the trader’s livelihood, to the ‘farmers’ their Sunday morning market is an added bonus, and some of those ‘farmers’ travel a suspiciously long distance?
Working families need the opportunity to be able to visit and support the market and not just at
6 o’clock in the morning, as suggested by a Councillor in the February Phonebox Mercury Report! Derek Scott is absolutely correct. Shopping is now more of a weekend activity and I for one applaud his spirit and commitment for wanting to trade on additional days and keep Olney a market town.
So come on Olney! Support the Market Traders! And Councillors, please give us busy professionals the chance to support local business, rather than forcing us through the Big 4’s doors!
Phillippa, Olney Dear Editor
As a “responsible dog owner”, I have two comments relative to the dog fouling question. Firstly, there doesn’t seem to be any dog bins in Olney High Street and Market Place. Secondly, there is no problem educating the “non-picker-uppers”. I simply say to them:
"O dear, have you run out of bags? Do have one of mine.” They look embarrassed, accept the bag, and quickly learn the noble art of picking up!!
Sheila Hargreaves
Dear Editor
Write to: The Editor, Phonebox Magazine, Unit 2 Stanley Court, Olney, Bucks MK46 5NH Email: yvonne@olney.co.uk Tel: 01234 713298
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