Page 5 - Phonebox Magazine August 2009

HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters
Dear Editor
I am sure that all the serving and retired members of HM Forces, who were present at the excellent lunch given by the Mayor and Town Council of Olney on Armed Forces Day, would like to show their gratitude for this generous gesture.
It was a wonderful occasion when old comrades and their wives could get together with a drink and splendid buffet to remember old times.
In a world which seems to be in turmoil, the British Armed Forces as well as the Ex-Service community both stand out like a beacon of stability and good order.
It is a crying shame, however, that the Ministry of Defence seems both unwilling and incapable of supporting our forces in the field and caring for the casualties in a proper manner.
Captain John S Stewart
Dear Editor
Those of us who live in Olney are truly blessed. Not for us the derogation of the inner city. Even the traffic congestion we experience from time to time can be seen as an indicator of the wealth of this area. The courtesy given by the shop assistants is a measure of the respect we have for one another. Our churches flourish, social activities abound.
Inevitably some of our citizens will not see our town through my rather rose coloured spectacles, yet I guess most will recognise my sentiments. We are rightly proud of this community.
Imagine my shock then when a visitor to the town was heard to make a complaint. Our town welcomes visitors. It prides itself on its hospitality. We have an abundance of restaurants providing a range of sevices to meet everyone’s needs. We have history. We have scenery. We have walks. We have... need I go on?
So what was there to complain about? Evidently it was our public toilets. The visitor, a young man, not a grumpy old man like me, said the Gents in our town was disgusting. He went on to give details. I will save the reader the facts but shall we say his memory of Olney was somewhat tarnished.
A lesson to us all perhaps to step back occasionally to see ourselves as others see us.
David Harding Dear Sir or Madam
Walking around Olney this week I have yet to find a Horse Chestnut tree without one of the several diseases that are decimating this icon of childhood. Many of these trees will die.
I would like to suggest that where at all possible they are replaced with edible nut bearing trees such as the Sweet Chestnut. Planting for the future now could give future generations of children a charming tradition of chestnut gathering and an extra source of nutrition in hard times.
Olney Transition is forming now to discuss, promote and act for a more self sufficient Olney in a post Peak Oil world.
olney-transition@googlegroups.com
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Phonebox Magazine 5
Write to: The Editor, Phonebox Magazine, Unit 2 Stanley Court, Olney, Bucks MK46 5NH Email: yvonne@olney.co.uk Tel: 01234 713298