Page 60 - Phonebox Magazine April 2010

Councillor Corner
A contribution from Cllr Peter Geary
DUE TO LEGAL technicalities about elections, this month’s article is attributed only to Cllr Peter Geary.
CHANGES TO BUS SERVICES
Following a review by Arriva, the bus services across Milton Keynes will be changing. This has been done for commercial reasons and without consultation with any local councillors. Such action has caused much consternation from all sides.
The changes will take place from the 25th of April, a brief summary of the changes affecting our local services, as much information as we currently know, is detailed below. New timetables will be forthcoming in the next few weeks but if you have problems getting hold of one then please get in touch.
• Service 1 and 1C revised to run every 2 hours Bedford - Astwood - Newport Pagnell - CMK and every 2 hours Bedford - Lavendon - Olney - Newport Pagnell - CMK; and hourly Cranfield - Newport Pagnell - CMK , most journeys running through to Sainsburys, the Hospital and Bletchley.
• Hourly Olney - Newport Pagnell service maintained by additional short journeys.
• Service 42 revised timetable.
• Service X9 unchanged.
• Stagecoach services 36 and P1 unchanged.
• Connections in Olney between service 1 and 36 are improved.
BRIDGE STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Over the past 18 months there have been numerous accidents in the High Street South, Bridge Street, Church Street area. Many of these have involved vehicles leaving the road and in some cases hitting properties. Last year bollards were installed to protect the footpath and houses which worked to some extent but two were knocked over by vehicles in the recent snowy weather. The road is in need of redesigning and we have been involved with local residents to help develop a scheme that will achieve this. The funding of the scheme was an issue that was still outstanding but we have just received
confirmation that this funding will now be forthcoming and hopefully later in the year work will commence.
OLNEY’S SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB
At a recent meeting of Olney’s Senior Citizens Club, held weekly at the Olney Centre, a Good Citizen Award was made to the Honourable Secretary Mrs Pamela Morgan. The Award was presented to Mrs Morgan by Alan Felstead, representing the Rotary International.
Mrs Pamela Morgan
He reminded Club Members present of the time and energy given to the Senior Citizens for more than 30 years by Pam. The former Club was struggling to exist when Pam and some friends, who were under the joining age, said something had to be done to save it.
She has given it her all. Despite some sad family bereavements and her own poor health, she has acted as a Secretary and hardly missed a meeting. It is agreed that due to her hard work and her knack of motivating people, the Senior Citizens now have a most successful club of 160 members. 60 members on average attend weekly meetings, Coach Outings, Annual Parties, Bingo, Bring and Buy sales, Speakers, Birthday Celebrations, the list is endless, and above all of this every year monies are raised for other charities.
No one I’m sure you will agree deserves such an award more than Pamela Morgan. So Congratulations Pam to you, the Committee and helpers for all you do for the Senior Citizens of Olney.
IF MILTON KEYNES INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
In July Milton Keynes will hold an International Festival or the IF as it’s become known. The Stables are taking the lead in piloting the festival which will entertain you with music and sound in surprising ways through an international programme of theatre, dance, performance art, art installations, music and sound installations, promenade concerts & events.
The Festival is set to run from 16 July for ten days and the programme will feature high quality contemporary international and professional artistic endeavour and will centre on the Midsummer Boulevard from Station Square to Campbell Park.
Also featured, though on a longer stay than just the ten days, will be a square Carousel bought over from Senart near Paris, a new town just like Milton Keynes. It can take up to 49 people on board every ride, weighs about 40 tonnes and was created for Senart by the French artist Francois Delaroziere . It features some really lifelike creatures including Buffalos and is a real must to experience. You can see photos if you try www.manegecarre- senart.com
Most of the UK’s major cities have developed a cultural infrastructure with a festival focus that generates significant national media coverage, inward investment, tourism, regeneration and civic pride and it’s hoped that a successful pilot this year will grow into a biennial event for Milton Keynes.
If you would like to find out more then go to www.ifmiltonkeynes.org
SURGERY
Will take place as usual at The Olney Centre from 7.30-8.30 on Friday April 9th and on Friday May 7th. Please feel free to come along if you require assistance on a council related matter.
Cllr Peter Geary, c/o Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, CMK MK9 3HG TEL 01234 714260 EMAIL peter.geary@milton-keynes.gov.uk