Page 6 - Phonebox Magazine April 2012

stopped to see what they could do to help.
I agree with GB’s statement of our sad present national moral decline – but not with the diagnosis of its cause. The rot started at the top, not the bottom. Our political and Civil Service leaders were quite right to open up our financial services. They were quite wrong to extend at a bound USA-type credit to an ignorant and trusting electorate. They had clearly utterly failed to carry out the 19th century mantra “We must educate our masters” and allowed short-sighted greed by financiers. What we suffer from is a great failure of leadership. Good leaders do not pander to the mob. Far too many of them now lack moral courage.
Dear Editor
Dear Editor
I would be extremely grateful if the letter below could be included in your next edition.
On behalf of the Friends of Willen Hospice a big thank you for including a piece in the December 2011 Phonebox highlighting our need for new Committee members. We now have six new members and three have come from Olney or nearby thanks to the Phonebox.
the unknown Good samaritans
Late in the evening of Wednesday 22nd February I was driving a rented car along the A509 towards Olney to visit my mother for a few days. After driving around
Many thanks
the Chicheley Roundabout the engine died and left me stranded in a very dangerous position.
Chris
Dear Editor
I had no option but to put on the hazard lights and get out of the car while I phoned for assistance. While I was still making the call a couple
Not only did they push the car to a safer position, but they insisted on remaining with me until help arrived. They were en-route from Dorset to Bedford with a loaded car which had its own engine problems but still found the time, energy and kindness to assist me. They wouldn’t divulge their name or address so I have no means of thanking them other than with the warm handshakes with which we parted when the patrol vehicle arrived.
My hope is that perhaps they, or a friend or family member, may see this and let them know how very much their help was appreciated.
In this modern, fast moving world it is a comfort to know that there are kind folk who are prepared to stop and help rather than “going by on the other side.” I will always remember them for this random act of kindness.
Michael Collis Member, St Peter’s Church, Sharnbrook
Yvonne Thomas
PS: My mother is resident in Olney and is also very appreciative! She enjoys reading the Phonebox.
thank you Geoff
LodGE pLuGs cLocK towER
Hello Geoff
Sorry to nitpick but there is a small error in the article about the Clock Tower. In the penultimate paragraph it says that “at the end of the war the building was acquired by the Maxwell Corporation”. In fact Maxwell did not buy the building until somewhere around the early-mid 1960s.
A brief note to say “Thank you” for you piece in the wonderful Phonebox, on your visit to NPBA.
Fiona Youlton Lavendon
Geoffrey O’Brien
Thanks for that correction, Fiona. [Ed]
Secretary, Newport Pagnell Business Association
Also a member of Newport Pagnell & Olney Lions Club
TTFN
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