Page 44 - January Phonebox Magazine 2012

Newport Pagnell Councillor Corner
A contribution from Cllr Douglas McCall
John Marshall, chair of Friends of Newport Carol’ dressed in period costume
Introduction
Hello, I am Councillor Douglas McCall and I represent Newport Pagnell South ward. I am a Liberal Democrat councillor and work as a team in Newport Pagnell with my Liberal Democrat colleagues; Cllr Andy Maric, Cllr Derek Eastman and Town Councillor Paul Alexander.
You can follow me online: douglasmccall.mycouncillor.org.uk or follow me on twitter @DouglasMcCall
Firstly, may I wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope all had a good Christmas.
Christmas Lights
The Christmas Lights switch on was on Saturday 3rd December, but this only happens due to the hard work done over many weeks by volunteers lead by Mark Lombardo. Newport is lucky to have people willing to give up their time in this way for the benefit of others. Thankyou to you all.
The Group had a stall at the
Christmas Lights and had a
family quiz. John Marshall
also donned period dress to
read Charles Dickens’ “A
Christmas Carol” in the
Newport Pagnell library on
both the 3rd and 10th
December. John said of their
stall that it gave them “a
chance to talk to people face
to face about our passion for
the library and why we
believe we must keep it for Pagnell L our town and for the
generations to come”.
Green Park School Car Park
Parking around all schools at drop off and pick up times is bad, but Green Park School have address the problem by investing in a new car park. I have fully supported this project and given help where I could. Let’s hope that the car park is well used and that the traffic problems in the local area are resolved.
The new car park at Green Park School
The new car park at Green Park School
Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG)
I chaired the monthly meeting of the Newport Pagnell Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG), the last one of 2011. The main issues for discussion were parking problems and thefts from motor vehicles. The thieves appear to leave no sign of forced entry. It was also noted that a 14 year old girl had been knocked down at the pelican crossing by the motorway bridge.
The police now have a simpler non-emergency number, it is 101.
Town Clock
It is nice to see that work has finally started on the new town clock. Newport councillors have supported this project and made a financial contribution through our ward budgets. Well done to the Town Clock Committee for their efforts in getting this idea off the ground (literally).
Friends of Newport Pagnell Library
The friends of Newport Pagnell Library (FONPL) are a relatively new group set up in the backdrop of a national threat to library services. The Group, chaired by John Marshall, are using varies methods to promote the library service locally here in Newport Pagnell.
Cllr Andy Maric and I joined a recent meeting of FONPL to lend our support and backing to their ‘Save Our Library’ campaign.
On switch on day many groups and organisations run stalls in the High Street and it becomes a real community event. We join in and for years have sold hot chestnuts as our contribution.
Paul Alexander and Richard Curtis cooking chestnuts on the Lib Dem Christmas Lights stall
Parking around all schools at drop off and pick up tim ‘A Christmas Carol’ dresSscehodoilnhapveraioddrecsosstthuempreoblem by investing in a ne supported this project and given help where I could. L is well used and that the traffic problems in the local a
John Marshall, chair of Friends of Newport Pagnell Library, reads
Green Park School Car Park
1st January 2012 New Years Day
Charity Classic
&
Vintage Car Run
The Magic of Motoring (Shell Oil’s Heritage Brand Guardians) are again organising THE FIRST RUN, on New Years Day after a successful first event last year. Throughout the day there will be a number of classic car displays including the run itself, a Charity Run that will see 75 classic or ‘interesting’ cars follow a predetermined route. This year cars will be flagged off from Red Bull Racing in Milton Keynes, drivers and co-drivers will navigate through the Buckinghamshire countryside to a check point at the Stony Stratford Vintage Car Gathering then onto the wonderful Art Deco setting of Sywell Aerodrome.
As well as The First Run cars on display at Sywell, the Aviation Museum will be open from 12.00 noon. Food and drink will be available in the Aviator Hotel and the challenging Murray Walker Pub Quiz will kick off at 1.30pm...Ladies and Gentlemen Please Sharpen your Pencils!
"The continued success of 'The First Run' event is very important to me and all monies raised from the event to will be donated to The Friends of the Walnuts and we are hoping to double last year’s generous figure”, said Michael Pacey, Magic of Motoring.
We look forward to seeing you again.
44 Phonebox Magazine