Page 70 - Phonebox Magazine March 2012

NEWPORT PAGNELL
ROTARy CLUB
Tunnels, Domes and fedges
Newport Pagnell Rotary club was keen to find an environmental project for the benefit of young people. Coincidently New Bradwell school had a project for year 6 children that they needed help with. Combining those two objectives gave the children and some Rotarians an enjoyable challenge.
The school wanted to construct a variety of sculptures using whip willows. The willows were about the size of a finger, up to 2.4 metres long, and very flexible. The task was to plant them in the ground in differing patterns and then to bend and weave them together to form the finished sculptures, hence the title of this article. So on a cold February morning the four intrepid Rotarians planted the willows and made the basic shapes whilst the very enthusiastic children assisted and tied together every cross-connection, and there were many of those to do.
The tasks were completed to the satisfaction of the Rotarians, but more importantly to the children (and their teachers), who will now use what they helped build. Headteacher, Philip Webster, expressed the school’s appreciation for the valuable assistance of the Rotary club in creating these living sculptures which will enhance the school environment.
The photos show some of the finished sculptures and the rather cool, in more than one sense, Rotarians who assisted. If any of the schools in Newport Pagnell have similar
projects, and would like some assistance, then Newport Pagnell Rotary club may be able to help. Contact details are shown at the end of this feature.
Annual Plant and Gardens Sale
The Newport Pagnell Rotary Club will be holding its annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 19th, 2012. Yes, it seems a long way off, but the warmer weather will arrive eventually and thoughts will turn to balmy days, picnics and gardening. The sale will be held at the usual venue, the town square car park at Olney, and perhaps is now a good time to put the date in the diary.
Thanks for Life
If you are passing close to the Fire Station at Newport Pagnell, have a glance at the display of purple crocus which should give a good display this year. The crocus were planted in 2010 by members of the Rotary Club of Newport Pagnell, along with many other Rotary Clubs throughout the British Isles, to publicise 'Rotary Day-Thanks for Life', an annual RIBI project set up to highlight and celebrate the humanitarian work of Rotarians. Its number one aim is to help eradicate polio throughout the world.
The Newport Pagnell Rotary Club is an active dual gender organisation and welcomes applications from men and women. If you have time to spare and are interested in making a difference in your locally, nationally and internationally, get in touch and come along and meet the club and its members. You would be made very welcome.
The Rotary Club of Newport Pagnell currently has 22 members and meets at The Swan Revived Hotel, Newport Pagnell every Wednesday evening.
For more information, have a look at our website or contact the following
John Neale (President) Tel: 01908 665289 nealebroughton@aol.com
Brian Haigh (Secretary) Tel: 01908 679949 brian.e.haigh@btinternet.com
Newport Pagnell Town Clock officially unveiled
The clock was unveiled at 12.00 noon on the 18th February by Roy Mason Esq, Newportonian. It commemorates the bicentennary (1810 -2010) of the rebuilding of the town’s bridges. The ornamental centre pillar and railings reflect the design of Tickford Iron Bridge, the oldest cast iron bridge in the world remaining in everyday vehicular use.
PhONEbOx COMPETITION wINNERS
Our winners for the February From The Jam Competition were:
Steve McGarry, Olney; Neville Thompson, Olney and Claire Smeets, Newport Pagnell.
Because of an unfortunate mix up, the tickets I had for myself I could not use so they went into the pot!
To answer the question Beat Surrender was their last number one hit single (watch out those that said Going Underground, that was their first!)
Coming up:
Weds 14th March – The Popes – Esquires, Bedford Saturday 24th March – Buster Shuffle - Esquires Bedford
friday 11th May – Dr Feelgood – Bedford Corn Exchange
70 Phonebox Magazine