Page 54 - Demo

54 Phonebox Magazine | February 2025Warm weather has led to great fi shing, is what I would have loved to have written, but as we all know the rains and frosts came instead, and once again fl oods were everywhere and little fi shing took place. Annoyingly in the week before Christmas things looked promising. I witnessed Steve Cornwell catch a 6lbs 10oz pike from the Pensioners, but within a few days all fi shing was off which resulted in the fi rst pike and perch match of the season being put back again. It was fi nally fi shed in atrocious conditions with four brave (foolhardy) souls taking part. Only two fish were caught with Simon Martin claiming the victory with a 4lbs 12oz pike.Unfortunately, all our other scheduled matches for the month had to be cancelled so there is nothing else to report this month, But this is where I%u2019m asking for your help. The cost of materials has gone up sharply since LOCAL SPORT ROUNDUPLockdown, and the amount of fl ooding we%u2019ve suff ered in the same time frame has meant that we have to be more careful in how we spend the money coming into the club, so we would like your input as to what you would like to see done so we can plan ahead.If a platform is in need of repair then that takes priority, but after that then what should we do? If you%u2019re the only angler that fi shes a particular peg then it%u2019s highly unlikely that we%u2019d put a platform there, but if 20 or 30 of you got in touch and said you%u2019d all like a platform on the same peg at the Pensioners, for instance, then we%u2019d look to build one. We are looking to put a questionnaire on our Facebook page but any of you who do not use that then feel free to message me telling me which sections of our waters you use the most and what improvements (if any) you%u2019d like to see. So here%u2019s hoping to hear from you. Cheers, DamonOLNEY & CLIFTON FISHING ASSOCIATIONWalkers planning to take part in one of Milton Keynes%u2019 big charity events can take advantage of a reduced entry before 31st March, organisers have announced.With more people taking part each year, the 2025 Midnight Moo event will start from its new location at Middleton Hall in Centre:MK and earlier in the summer than usual, on Friday 20th June. More space means the event promises to be bigger and better than ever. Midnight Moo-ers will be welcome to arrive as early as 8.30pm to soak up the atmosphere with extra entertainment. Last year more than 1,200 people joined the herd and the event raised more than %u00a3130,000 for the Hospice. %u201cWe%u2019re absolutely dependent on people taking part in our events, like the Midnight Moo,%u201d says Hospice Matron Amy Malburn. %u201cBy doing so, you%u2019re helping raise the funds we need to keep providing our specialist care and support for local people with life-limiting illnesses.%u201dOnly 13.8% of Willen Hospice%u2019s running costs are met by ongoing funding from the NHS, which means the charity relies on the Milton Keynes community to help raise %u00a38.7 million each year. The %u2018early bird%u2019 off er for entry is %u00a315 including a Midnight Moo T-shirt and %u00a310 without a T-shirt.Get in early for the Moo Willen Hospice has opened online bookings for its biggest fundraiser of the year %u2013 The Willen Hospice Midnight Moo walk.Christmas Day lunch 2024Olney%u2019s annual Christmas Lunch went ahead again during the festive season. Organiser Pat Pankhurst describes 2024%u2019s event. All was calm on Christmas morning in the Olney Centre, and warm too when the team arrived, thanks to Town Clerk Jane Brushwood. The helpers arrived, jobs were allocated and still they kept coming. We had 48 guests sitting down for lunch. It was a mixture of all ages, and the atmosphere was just amazing. Meals were delivered; one even went to hospital as one of the attendees had been taken in just before Christmas Day. Apparently it was most welcome.I am so grateful to those in our community who support this event, be it fi nancially or with their time. A big thank you to the volunteers for supporting our 11th Christmas Day Lunch; without you this would not be possible. I am thankful to Naomi Brock for her support and contacts for the lunch. It can be frustrating at times, and we just laugh it off , but we get through it to ensure everyone has a good time. Does this all sound like a goodbye? Well, yes it is. After 11 years organising, sorting and preparing food, it%u2019s time to hand over to someone else. I have been told that the lunch will continue, and I can only say thank you to Olney is Kind for taking this on fully now. Olney is Kind continues to support the community and its surrounding villages throughout the year, not just for Christmas. The support for those who need it continues and is growing not just at Christmas time but throughout the year.Your continued support for Olney is Kind is something we, as a community, should be proud of. If anyone wants to know more or get involved please contact me or, of course, Naomi from Olney is Kind.