Page 74 - Phonebox Magazine November 2010

Out and About with Mark Lancaster
Our local MP
I AM ALWAYS in favour of traditional crafts being preserved, and it is a little known fact that Newport Pagnell is home to the last parchment and vellum makers in the UK, William Cowley. The family business has been based there for 150 years, and their produce continues to be used for certificates, paintings and legal documents, including every Act of Parliament. I was lucky to meet the five specialists who keep this tradition going, and even have a go at the highly skilled (and highly tiring) work myself. Some may be alarmed at the sight of calf
Mark making vellum at William Cowley in Newport Pagnell.
and goat skin (vellum) and lamb skin (parchment), but we must remember these are by-products of the meat industry and would otherwise be discarded. Each skin takes four to five weeks to turn into parchment/ vellum. It is well worth it, as the final product lasts 2,000 years and looks stunning. I
Mark at the Wolverton Park development with Places for People facilities manager John Saunders.
Those who have heard about my ‘infrastructure before expansion’ (I before E) campaign during my five years as MP may wrongly assume I am against housing growth in Milton Keynes. I actually am in favour of housing as long as it is the right type, in the right place, at the right pace for our city. There is one development I visited this month which proves how necessary housing is, in a place which certainly doesn’t lack infrastructure. Wolverton Park, which has regenerated the railway works area, has a train station on its doorstep and a bustling town centre a stone’s throw away. Innovative schemes such as this are really encouraging and I welcome more housing in Milton Keynes when it is right for Milton Keynes. After all, it is worrying that the average age of unsupported first time buyers is now 37. We need to provide more opportunities for younger people to get on the housing ladder, particularly as this is such a young city.
Some readers may know that I have an extracurricular role: serving in the Territorial Army. I am proud to do my bit and believe that my continued involvement informs my work in Parliament. I think it’s right that politicians have outside interests and expertise in a range of areas, otherwise the Commons would become insular. When the results of the Strategic Defence and Security Review were announced last month I was keen to seek reassurances for our reserve forces, particularly as we have the brilliant E Company The Rifles based in Blakelands. I am determined to play a key role in this review, not only for the people at the TA Centre and my own colleagues, but from every resident of Milton Keynes who benefits from the bravery of the people who defend our nation.
Please do not hesitate to contact me by post (Suite 102, Milton Keynes Business Centre, Foxhunter Drive, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes, MK14 6GD), phone (01908 686830), internet (www.lancaster4mk.com or appointment (book by phone). My team and I are happy to help you with your issues and concerns.
have pledged to do everything I can to support this fine craft and hope to see William their business continue to flourish.
One hundred years younger than William Cowley is the famous Newport Pagnell Services, which is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. I met manager Mike Ashton to find out the plans for improving the site, which employs 200 staff and gets three millions visitors each
Mark with charity parachute jumper Nicky Maclean at Newport Pagnell Services.
year. While I was there I was accosted by Starbucks staff member Nicky Maclean from Stantonbury, who is doing a parachute jump this month for Children in Need. He quite simply asked me to cough up some sponsorship money. As a supporter of the yearly charity event – and an admirer of those with the gall to ask for money for good causes – I duly handed him some cash and promised to mention his jump to the generous readers of the Phonebox. Please contact my office if you would like to sponsor Nicky and help the great work done by Children in Need.
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74 Phonebox Magazine