Page 68 - Phonebox Magazine April 2012

Out and About with Mark Lancaster
Our local MP
This month we have seen the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee get into full swing, with the Queen and other members of the royal family visiting various towns and Cities across the UK. Also this month the winning entries for City status bid were announced. Unfortunately, Milton Keynes missed out in the Diamond Jubilee City status bid, losing out to Chelmsford which was the English town to be named a City. Whilst it is disappointing, I won’t be giving up on the bid and I’m sure our time will come.
In and around Olney this month I have been to the odd celebration myself. I started off by visiting Irene and Tony at Lui and Lei in Olney, who have celebrated seven years of business. For those of you who don’t know Lui and Lei or indeed Irene and Tony, it is a very popular hairdresser which is situated in Fountain Court, just off Olney High Street. I have met Irene and Tony several times, but it was lovely to get the chance to help them to celebrate their successful business. I particularly enjoyed the celebration cake!
I have to tell you about a personal achievement which I am very proud of and which I was awarded for this month too. As many of you may know I am a serving member of the Territorial Army and have been for 24 years. I was lucky enough to be awarded my long-service medal, which was given to me by the Prime Minister. Normally a call to the Prime Minister’s office brings a sense of dread and the inward panic of ‘what have I done?’ however, on this occasion I could confidently knock on his door.
Mark with Prime Minister David Cameron
chosen areas for Jubilee woodland is Ekney Glen, which is being created in Emberton. I went along to the Woodland Trust planting session at Ekeney Glen this weekend to help plant a few trees. Once I had dusted off my spade, I had a brilliant time planting the woodland. I am so pleased that we will have the legacy of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee for years to come and what better way to celebrate our Queen than planting woodland which generations to come will love and enjoy.
Mark at Ekeney Glen
I have celebrated the completion of the work on the Iron Trunk by British Waterways, who have completed the restoration of this great and historical feature. I had the privilege of giving the award to the winner of a recent competition which British Waterways held to design the new waymaker. The waymaker will be used around the Iron trunk to label new walkways for people. The bright and colourful design by Tom Brown from The Radcliffe School, will certainly help highlight the new walking routes.
L-R: Nicky Saunders, MK Parks Trust, Luke Holes, Steven Cook and winner Tom Brown, Mark and James Clifton from British Waterways
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"welcome to my world"
I recently met with Charlie Wardle who is the founder of the charity, Climb Your Mountain, which helps people who have suffered or do suffer with mental and physical illness. Charlie came to see me to fill me in on his latest challenge, which is a tough one to say the least; he will be completing 30 marathons in 30 days. The very thought of this makes me feel tired, but I have promised to help in any way I can, so I will be cheering him on by walking with him for part of one of his marathons. Charlie needs as many people as possible to help him complete this mammoth challenge, either by donating or sponsoring his challenge at www.runwithcharlie.org or by turning up on the day and cheering him on. Charlie will be completing this challenge in June. You can see more details on the charity website at; www.climbyourmountain.org
the cowper and newton society
Mark at Lui and Lei’s celebration
On Tuesday April 10th at 7-30pm
Mark with Charlie Wardle from Climb Your Mountain
The free craft activities such as egg painting and card making will also be provided to keep the children entertained after they have completed the Trail.
Finally, to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Woodland Trust is trying to get lots of people together to plant a total of six million trees across the UK. One of the
The Trail costs £1.50 and doors open at 10.30am each day. For more information please see the Museum website www.cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk.
Mark Lancaster TD MP
Suite 102, Milton Keynes Business Centre, Foxhunter Drive,
Linford Wood, Milton Keynes MK14 6GD Tel: 01908 686830
The Next Meeting is at The Olney Centre
By William The Butler Entrance £2, Refreshments, Raffle. All Welcome.
Easter at the cowper & newton museum
Visitors will be hopping on down to the Cowper and Newton Museum this April to take part in an ‘egg-citing’ array of Easter activities for all the family! The popular annual Easter Trail will take place over three days between April 7th, 8th and 9th and will include a prize for every child who finds all the hares hidden within the Museum and the garden.