Page 5 - Phonebox Magazine August 2010

HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters
Dear Editor
In reply to Mr Trend's usual tribal rant, I wondered how he accounted for the fact that the Lib Dems gained another three seats on Milton Keynes Council in the May elections; the fact that our Olney vote held up and that Jill Hope increased our vote in the General election?
I was disappointed that the Mercury report on the Olney Town Council meeting of the 10th May did not get into Phonebox! At the beginning of the meeting I spoke about The Action Plan for Olney document which has at last surfaced! The main finding in the document was that the bypass was the project which 'received overwhelming support at all consultation stages'!
The amount of traffic and size of lorries will only increase, as will the damage and pollution! Despite the economic situation, the problem must be kept on the agenda, resulting in at least, a lorry ban or weight restriction being placed on the A509 in Olney High Street!
If people have ideas on how to do this in a non political way my email is val.menzies@btinternet.com
Valerie Menzies
Dear Editor
As a resident of Newport and a keen walker I was pleased to see an article about Bury Field Common (July issue of Phonebox). However, having struggled to read the whole of Maurice's diatribe, I am concerned that unless someone responds, his view will be taken as that of the majority, which I do not believe to be the case. I am considered a newcomer to Newport - having only lived here for 20 years! - which perhaps allows me to see the wider picture for to- day's and future generations. I applaud the efforts being made to encourage more people to appreciate and enjoy the valuable resource we have so close to the town. Gone are the days when children walked three or more miles to school each day or, similarly those going to work or to market. The car, TV and computers reign and we have to try and get people off their backsides and out into the countryside to show them the pleasure that can be gained from being outdoors in our local green spaces, with its wild life and rich history.
When I go walking in Bury Field and beyond I usually wear walking boots, because in many places the paths are uneven and in the Winter are boggy, particularly where the horses also share the paths. To provide one firm surfaced path to encourage the elderly, infirm, wheelchair bound and mums with buggies to come and wonder at the area is surely not "urbanisation". I have seen that the new paths through Ousebank Gardens, the old cemetery, the footbridge over the river, and in Castle Meadow and Riverside (Tickford?) Meadow are now used much more. All power to the Bury Field Commoners and the MK Council (in the role of present day Lords of the Manor), with support from the Historical Society, for initiating improvements and activities aimed at encouraging all ages and abilities to get out into Bury Field and appreciate our local open spaces and their history. The Newport Muster also has the latter aim. You can't keep it all to yourself Maurice. If no-one else cared it would become unloved and probably vandalised and no-one would want to use it. I think there are enough individuals and organisations in Newport who will not let the area be despoiled.
As to accessibility for mobility scooters, it must be difficult to find a means of allowing such vehicles in without also allowing motorbikes etc, which is surely not acceptable for the quiet enjoyment of the area.
Whilst writing, I must congratulate Olney on having such an excellent magazine. I do wonder however how many people in Newport Pagnell actually read it. It would be good to know. Perhaps you might get some idea if people bother to respond to this.
Jill Allison
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Phonebox Magazine 5