Page 43 - Phonebox Magazine June 2009

Spring is here again, and again we shall be serving
Cream Teas in the Conservatory ON SUNDAYS AND BANK
HOLIDAYS
from Sunday 3 May until Monday 31 August
Cream Teas will be served in the Garden and Conservatory of the United Reformed Church, 1 Castle Ashby Road, Yardley Hastings
From 2.30pm till 5pm
The United Reformed Church in Yardley Hastings is once again serving Cream Teas in its lovely conservatory, and in the garden, every Sunday and Bank Holiday thoughout the summer, finishing on Monday 31 August.
Offering home-made scones with jam and cream, tea or coffee, squash, home- made biscuits and flap-jack from 2.30 until 5pm. We would love to see anyone who is passing through Yardley Hastings or would like to come and visit our attractive village.
for grants should be made to Mr D Saunders, 17 Long Lane, Olney.
Cowper and Newton Museum
Taking just the main points from what was a most comprehensive report, visitor numbers and shop sales were less than in 2007, the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade, but greater than in other recent years. A new CCTV system, purchased with grants totalling £7,500 from OTC and the Museums Libraries and Archives Council, was installed in September. A cottage attached to the museum and rented out became vacant and, refurbished following the advice of the letting agent, has now been rented again. The new Three Hares Gallery, dedicated to exhibitions by local societies, groups and individuals, has been in constant use all year and is now fully booked for 2009.
Newport Pagnell and Olney Lions
Bob Benbow introduced this section, saying that the Lions has 1.5 million members worldwide and its motto is 'we serve', All members pay a small monthly contribution towards running costs, thus ensuring that
every penny raised goes to charity. The local group raised around £6,000 last year with 70% going to local, 20% to national and the remainder to international charities.
Notable events organised in the past year included the Motorama in June 2008, the craft stalls at Dickens of a Christmas and distributing around 300 Christmas parcels to the elderly.
The Olney Group (TOG)
Dave Price started by noting that it was two years since TOG had been created to continue running the Raft Race and Fireworks Night events, also helping erect and dismantle the Hanging Baskets, organised by Ron Bull. This year had been challenging, with Fireworks Night suffering from extremely wet weather and, as a result, the agreement under which OTC underwrites the event against losses having to be called upon for the first time since the event started. He finished by saying that he was stepping down as TOG leader, but that others in the Group were capable of taking his place.
Phonebox Magazine 43