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56 Phonebox Magazine | June 2025Denton Patients Group Patients are receiving a helping hand getting to appointments thanks to the success of a Volunteer Patient Transport Scheme operating in West Northants.Denton Village Surgery serves a rural population of more than 6,000 patients across 15 villages, some of whom fi nd it diffi cult to get to surgery or hospital appointments due to transport limitations.Enter the surgery%u2019s Patient Participation Group, which got the transport scheme off the ground with help from local parish councils and our Councillor%u2019s Covid Support Fund.The initiative sees a team of volunteer drivers take patients to appointments they would otherwise struggle to attend, and has proven so successful it has spawned other initiatives, including a fortnightly wellbeing group.The group has also received national recognition for its efforts, last year winning The Corkill Award from the National Association for Patient Participation.Their continued success relies on the dedication of their volunteer drivers, so they are always seeking new members to join the team. To fi nd out more please call 07506 0870135 or email coordinator@dspg.meTheatre open dayA community theatre that has created marriages, partnerships, romances lifelong friendships and children is celebrating its success with a free Open Day on Saturday 7th June, from 10am to 3pm. Sharnbrook Mill Theatre, made up entirely of volunteers, is opening its door to anyone interested in fi nding out more about this unique, award-winning theatre that has been lovingly restored over the years, and puts on up to fi ve shows a year. The former fl our mill is now home to the charity, standalone (5G SA) network. Mobile phone giant EE is ringing the changes in terms of mobile technology, and its roll-out will give customers in the Milton Keynes area improved network performance as they go about their daily lives %u2013 streaming, online gaming, working remotely, or accessing local services online.As well as bringing immediate benefi ts to consumers, 5G SA also provides new capabilities for businesses and will support innovation across the city. %u201cGetting this kind of infrastructure in place early is exactly what we need to grow our economy and attract investment,%u201d said Cllr Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking.%u201cConnectivity is increasingly at the heart of what communities need and expect from their towns, cities and villages,%u201d said Professor Sultan Mahmud, BT%u2019s Director of Health and Communities.New arrival at Gulliver%u2019sAn exciting new attraction based on the muchloved children%u2019s book character Elmer the Patchwork Elephant is launching at Gulliver%u2019s Dinosaur & Farm Park this month.Elmer%u2019s Jumping Pillows is the newest attraction at the park, which is part of the Gulliver%u2019s resort in Milton Keynes, and which opened last week.The Jumping Pillows are a huge infl atable, off ering young guests lots of bouncing fun, as well as great views of all the favourite farmyard animals in the Dinosaur & Farm Park.Elmer will also be a resident at the park for the entire summer for special meet and greet character appearances and photo opportunities.%u201cElmer is such an iconic character who children love all over the world, and we are thrilled that he will be joining us for special character appearances throughout the season,%u201d said Sue Conway, resort director at Gulliver%u2019s resort. Day tickets for Gulliver%u2019s Dinosaur & Farm Park cost from %u00a311.Women footballers fully integrated into DonsMilton Keynes Dons FC have announced that MK Dons Women will now be fully integrated into club operations as part of long-term plans to expand Sharnbrook Mill Theatre, run by a small team which covers many varied roles.%u201cWe have a wide selection of opportunities where people can off er their skills and talents, or learn new ones,%u201d said trustee Sue Beech. %u201cThe day is free of charge, including soft drinks and cake, and will include performances on the stage and an opportunity to join in with some sessions. Visitors can join behind-the-scenes tours and even try on some of our extensive range of costumes.%u201dMayor electionsNewport Pagnell Town Council is pleased to announce the re-election of Councillor Paul Day as Mayor and Councillor Sue Garner as Deputy Mayor for 2025-26.In Olney, Councillor Debbie Whitworth was reelected as Mayor and Councillor Mary Prosser was re-elected as Deputy Mayor.In Milton Keynes, James Lancaster (pictured below) was offi cially appointed at the city council%u2019s annual meeting and will serve as First Citizen for 2025-26. At just 31, Cllr Lancaster has become the youngest ever Mayor of Milton Keynes.Homes to get next generation networkResidents and business owners in Olney and Newport Pagnell will be among the first people in the UK to benefi t from the next generation 5G News Round UpSharnbrook Mill Theatre are hosting an open day in JuneDenton Patients Group host a Wellbeing Group with support from the Fire Service