Page 26 - Phonebox Magazine March 2016

A Message from the Mayor
Spring is in the air! With the daffodils and crocuses having been a picture along the grid
roads of Milton Keynes, the rural north is waking up from the mild winter quite early so I hope that there are no late frosts. My own agricultural effort – the allotment,
is sadly like many gardens in need of some TLC. The last beetroot has been pickled and the greens that the pigeons have left me will be enjoyed. Once the ground warms up the hard work of digging will commence hopefully resulting in a ne tilth for the seeds.
From my allotment I have been able to view the construction of the Kickles solar farm. This venture has taken a long time to get to fruition but that seems normal in the alternative energy market.
During 2015, the Town Council gave permission to a local beekeeper to place a single hive at each site as a ‘pilot’. This has been deemed to have been a success, so for 2016 an additional hive is to be allowed. This helps the local bee population which has been at risk recently and the plot holder’s crops receive better pollination resulting in higher crop yields. I think the bees lived on my runner beans owers last year. Next to the allotments is a community orchard that allows any resident to enjoy a fresh apple for free as long as you leave some behind. Some trees are being replaced as they were in the way of the mowing man and others need re-staking due to the recent high winds.
I attended the opening of the new Sixth Form study centre at Ousedale school. This has been designed by adapting an existing building and an extension. This is a university standard facility and even has a spiral staircase due to the inspiration of the Headteacher. It was formally opened by local space scientist Professor Monica Grady
Olney-Newton Link
Last month I reported on the progress that has been made by our committee in Newton with the Institute and the Preschool/Day Care Centre. Thanks
to the generosity of many people from Olney we have been able to send more funds for the Preschool, important at this time of the year as it is the dry season in West Africa. We aim to get at least a roof on the building before the rains begin in May.
Our projects in Newton are of course only a tiny drop in the ocean. Sierra Leone has huge problems due to a chronic lack of investment made worse by the Ebola emergency last year. This saw the withdrawal of rms involved in mining along with many of the NGOs, for example. The Chinese had built some good metalled roads across the country and have recently donated a eet of quite modern coaches which travel between Freetown, Lungi Airport and other towns such as Bo and Kenema. If you have to venture off the main roads, however, onto the minor 26 Phonebox Magazine | March 2016
CBE of the Open University whose YouTube clip went viral when she was shown to be ecstatic as the robotic probe Philae actually landed on the Rosetta comet after 10 years getting there. Her message to the students was ‘live your dream’ just as she had after studying at Cambridge University.
Places for People, our leisure partner, is getting the good folk of Newport Pagnell tter and tter with increased use of the pool, gym and the new tness studio that has been created within the Community centre building. The net increase of 35 car parking spaces has come just at the right time.
At the end of January, a planning examiner chosen by the Town Council (choice of two!) and engaged by Milton Keynes Council, listened to a range of viewpoints on our Neighbourhood Plan. He took half the time to fully understand the issues and the extent of stakeholder dialogue, so ngers crossed he is content and the referendum can take place in May. This should take place at the same time as local elections, and you will get your choice in a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote for the Neighbourhood Plan.
At the time of writing, Redrow Homes South Midlands have not submitted a planning application for the Tesco site but it is expected imminently. Failure to do so would see Tesco reconsidering the disposal of the site.
Still on the planning front we had a packed Council Chamber recently in respect of the application by JD Wetherspoon’s PLC to turn the Ex Robinson’s Restaurant and Wine Bar into a mega pub. Social media coverage went into overdrive and a whole range of reservations were raised by those residents and businesses attending. These were understood and accepted by the Town Planning Management Committee; so we will be formally objecting to the two applications made – democracy rules OK!
The Town Council has been advised that Newport Pagnell Youth Club
roads, they are deeply rutted and impassable by all except robust 4x4 vehicles and the small motor bikes which are the ‘vehicle of choice’ for getting around. Our photograph shows the main road into Kenema – in the dry season! Roads to what few hospitals there are are in a similar or even worse state and
put the few ambulances that have survived the last 12 months well and truly to the test. Pity the poor patients!
Schools too are in desperate need of repair and investment. Roofs and ceilings are in a very poor condition and toilet facilities are totally lacking in some schools. Bo,