Page 48 - Phonebox Magazine October 2009

Councillor Corner
A contribution from Cllr Debbie Brock and Cllr Peter Geary
BOFF09
Olney Market Place was buzzing with activity on the day of the first Big Olney Food Festival. Many congratulations to Sophia Sanger of onleyonline and Kim
Durden of Davis Optometrists and Chair of The Olney Chamber of Trade for drawing up and organising such a great event, also to all those businesses supporting and involved on the day. Sophia had approached Debbie about taking part in a “cook off” against Olney’s Town Mayor, Cllr Mike Hughes. Something like “Ready Steady Cook” she mentioned, which Debbie confessed to not having
seen, so thinking she was assisting an Olney Chef turned up at the appointed hour to find out to her great surprise what was in
store! Yes, she was the one being assisted and had not prepared a thing.
Saving her bacon was Lynne Balletta from Much Ado – luckily her fellow “Orange” team mate had fully organised what they were doing, bringing all the delicious ingredients with her. Fellow competitor Mike, in the green team was being ably assisted (organised like Debbie!) by Pete Matthews, chef from The Swan. It really was quite something to see a commercial kitchen stove on the Market Place but after they’d finished slaving over it, creating fillings for their pancakes, a team of able tasters declared the result a draw.
For more chat about the event, visit www.olneyonline.com
BUSES
When the timetables change in October there will be some changes to expect. The service from Northampton to Milton Keynes that comes through Olney will be changing providers. This
route is currently operated by MK Metro but the section from Olney to Northampton is funded by Northamptonshire. Northants recently re- tendered for the route and this has now been awarded to Stage Coach for the part of the route from Northampton to Olney. The route from Olney to Milton Keynes will still be run by MK Metro but if you are coming from Weston Underwood, Ravenstone or Stoke Goldington it will involve changing bus in Olney to get to Milton Keynes. This is very disappointing for those who currently use this service but was completely outside the control of Milton Keynes Council. Officers did try to retain the through service but they could not persuade Northants of the benefit.
There will however, at the end of October, be more bus services laid on at the peak times with a new fast service to Milton Keynes from Lavendon via Olney. This should provide people who work and study in Milton Keynes with a much faster route to work and take some of the pressure off the crowded existing services.
LAVENDON SHOW
The Annual Lavendon Show incorporated a Scarecrow Competition this year and we were thrilled to be asked to judge it. Some really creative entries made judging a difficult task and the event had clearly captured the imagination of those taking part. Amongst the entries there was a Michael Jackson Scarecrow, a Fisherman, a Gardener and a Cyclist Scarecrow who caused a call out to the Police as he was so convincingly put together! However we did succeed in naming our winner, it was the Sunflower Family made by Mrs Kathleen Collins of The Lavendon Railway where you should be able to see the sunflower children on display.
Jenny Hopkirk. Well
done Weston
Underwood village for all your efforts. This occasion marked the 16th win in the competition.
Cllr Richard Pushman and Vice Lord Lieutenant Mrs Jenny Hopkirk presenting the Tindall Cup to Cllr John Covington of Weston Underwood Parish Council.
BURGLARIES
Olney has recently seen a spate of burglaries in residential properties; in conjunction with our safer community wardens we’re circulating a letter along with a Police “Bolt out the Burglar” leaflet. Please do make sure you keep your properties secure and if you see anything suspicious then call the non-emergency Police number on 0845 8 505 505 or 999 if a crime is being committed.
CHILDHOOD EXHIBITION EMBERTON
Emberton’s Well and Towers History Society staged a Childhood Exhibition at the village’s All Saints Church for the weekend of the Street Fayre. A great deal of hard work and effort had gone in to make a really nostalgic and thoroughly absorbing exhibition with many great personal touches.
We were invited along to open the Exhibition, named a Childhood Tapestry and Debbie as Milton Keynes Deputy Mayor cut a celebratory Christening Cake.
MACMILLAN BIG COFFEE MORNING
A well attended Coffee morning at the Old Forge in Ravenstone in aid of Macmillan raised £600, many congratulations to Annie MacGowan and all who supported her on the terrific sum to go towards a thoroughly deserving cause.
NON-STOP RUGBY
Marking the opening of their new pitches Olney Rugby Club held a fun event with many appearances on the pitch of past and present players. Congratulations to the hard working committee for the success of the inaugural event.
Debbie in the cook off with the mayor watching closely.
The food festival.
Debbie with the winning entry, the sunflower family, and its creator, Kathleen Collins.
The sunshine bought everyone out to enjoy the show, congratulations to the organisers John Salter and his team for an excellent event.
WESTON UNDERWOOD
A glorious Autumn Day greeted the judges of the Best Kept Village competition to Weston Underwood’s Village Green. Having won the competition last year this year the village scooped the Tindall Cup – the Cup winner’s Cup. The presentation to Councillor John Covington, Chairman of Weston Underwood Parish Council was made by The Vice Lord Lieutenant, Mrs
Opening the Emberton Childhood Exhibition.
Our next surgery will take place at the Olney Centre from 7.30-8.30pm on Friday October 2nd. If you feel we can assist you in any way then please do contact us.
Cllr Debbie Brock and Cllr Peter Geary, c/o Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, CMK MK9 3HG
TEL 01234 714260 EMAIL debbie.brock@milton-keynes.gov.uk peter.geary@milton-keynes.gov.uk