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10 Phonebox Magazine | July 2025Reaff rs%u2019 Le%u001a ersFly TippingDear SirI was horrified when I saw the mess left recently by some thoughtless person who decided it was perfectly acceptable to dump all his (or her) rubbish in a lane in Petsoe End.It makes me sad that people think this kind of selfi sh behaviour is okay. Apart from being a terrible eyesore, it%u2019s also dangerous to wild animals and costs the authorities (the local council presumably) money to clear it up. What is the answer? Making it easier %u2013 and free %u2013 for people to get rid of their trade rubbish? Perhaps, at least, that might reduce the number of these horrible fly-tipping incidents seen so often in the country lanes around Olney and Newport Pagnell.Name and address supplied.Cobbs Garden SurgeryDear SirA common topic of conversation (both positive and negative) around the town is the GP surgery at Cobbs Garden. We have been blessed with a dedicated team that works hard for the wellbeing of the residents and is constantly pushing to improve its services. Eighteen months ago I saw an advert in the Phonebox looking for new members to join the Patient Participation Group (PPG), and I thought, %u201cWhy not?%u201d Since making that decision I%u2019ve found it enlightening to see what goes on behind the scenes and be involved in the future of the surgery. The PPG work with the surgery to ensure the voice of the patients is heard. We provide feedback on ideas, services, clinics and anything relating to the surgery to help improve what it does for us. We would love for some new members to come and join the PPG and provide a wider representation of our community.If you%u2019ve had a grumble previously but done nothing about it, or you%u2019re looking for a way to give back to the community, then now is the time to act on it and come help make a change. I promise we%u2019re a friendly bunch, so come and join us. Contact us at cobbsgardenppg@gmail.comCharlotte Quarrie, PPG member and Olney ResidentBiting back against loan sharksLocal families are being off ered advice about how to stay safe from loan sharksScam experts are preparing to off er families from Olney, Newport Pagnell, and the surrounding villages help to fi ght the scourge of loan sharks during their Bite Back roadshow.Stop Loan Sharks, the national team dedicated to tackling illegal lending, is holding a series of events in July to raise awareness about the dangers of illegal lenders, how to get help and how to borrow safely.Stop Loan Sharks is the community name for the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), which investigates and prosecutes loan sharks and supports borrowers across the country.It is working together with partners, including Milton Keynes Council, the Sofea charity, Acorn Community Bank and NatWest Bank, to organise the week%u2019s activities.%u201cThis Bite Back week enables us to reach people within the local community who may be targeted by loan sharks,%u201d said Dave Benbow, head of the IMLT.%u00a0%u201cMany illegal lenders are well known in communities and may appear to be a friend at fi rst, off ering a favour. Sometimes people don%u2019t realise they have borrowed from an illegal lender until it%u2019s too late, and they end up trapped and facing ever-increasing repayments, threats, intimidation and violence.%u201cBy raising awareness this way, we can keep people safe and ensure those who have been targeted by illegal lenders already know where they can get help. Thanks to all our partner organisations in the area who are helping us reach people in this way.%u201dThe expert team, together with mascot Sid the Shark, will be visiting on:Wednesday, 16th July, 11am-12.30pm, Sofea Larder, Mead Centre, Newport Pagnell and Wednesday, 16th July, 1.30pm-3pm, Sainsbury%u2019s Olney.Loan sharks are lenders who are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), meaning they don%u2019t have to abide by the rules that protect borrowers, such as having to complete aff ordability checks.%u00a0 Warning signs of an illegal lender include:%u2022 Giving you no paperwork or agreement on a loan %u2022 Refusing to give you information about the loan %u2022 Keeping items until the debt is paid, such as your bank card or passport%u2022 Taking things from you if you don%u2019t pay on time %u2022 Adding more charges so the debt never goes down %u2022 Using intimidation or violence if you don%u2019t payAnyone who has been aff ected by illegal money lending should call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 confi dential helpline on 0300 555 2222 or access support online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available on the website from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.