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56 Phonebox Magazine | July 2025Olney Riverfest fl ows inThe town%u2019s big summer weekend of river fun is almost here %u2013 Olney Riverfest is back this month, and there%u2019s more laughs coming with it. The weekend starts on Saturday, 5th July, with the Riverfest Comedy Night at 7.30pm in the Marquee on Riverfest Field. Tickets from %u00a310.Then on Sunday 6th it%u2019s the full Raft Race along with Duck Race, fairground, food and drinks stalls, craft and charity tents. More details: www.theolneygroup.org/riverfest-2025.Calling all garden lovers!Bozeat Open Gardens takes place on Saturday, 19th July, 12-5pm. Starting at St Mary%u2019s Church, you collect your guide and can enjoy a cream tea and refreshments. Enter a raffl e with prizes from local businesses; there%u2019s a plant sale, guitar music and a chance to explore the churchyard. The conservation nature group will be on hand to off er you nature activities before you begin your village tour.Along the way, The Red Lion pub will be open for drinks and meals and a few of the open gardens will be off ering Prosecco for a small donation. Head back to the church at 4pm, for a bell tower tour, spotting the large caterpillar on the way.Organised by Friends of St Mary%u2019s, all profi ts help to preserve and maintain the beautiful historic 12th-century church and churchyard.Happy birthday ChicheleyChicheley Hall is celebrating its 300-year anniversary this month with an open day and summer fayre on Sunday, 20th July. The day will include local stalls, food vendors and a chance to see the stunning historic venue in all its glory. The venue will be open to the public between 11am and 6pm.Gilbert & Sullivan%u2019s half-centuryWolverton Gilbert & Sullivan Society will celebrate its 50th-anniversary concert in relaxing style with a picnic at York House in Stony Stratford. The drama group are planning a concert to conclude a year of celebrations, marking 50 years of the society, on Saturday 2nd August 2025 at 5pm. It will include many G&S favourites %u2013 the Three forms at: www.holidaybibleclubolney.org.uk. Paper copies available from: hilary@holidaybibleclub.org.uk.WI in therapy centre visitMembers of the Olney WI committee recently enjoyed an enlightening visit to the Milton Keynes Therapy Centre, home to the MK Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Group Ltd, a local charity dedicated to supporting individuals with a wide range of physical and mental health conditions.The group was welcomed by Dr Vasco Fernandes and his team, who off ered a guided tour of the centre%u2019s facilities, including a close-up look at the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, used to relieve symptoms of various acute and chronic conditions.%u201cWe are extremely grateful for the time and hospitality extended to us,%u201d said Joanne Eley, WI president. %u201cThe visit gave us valuable insight into the centre%u2019s services and the therapeutic benefi ts they off er. We look forward to holding a local meeting with Dr Fernandes speaking to a wider audience.%u201dSoul Garages Achieves Ombudsman AccreditationSoul Garages has offi cially achieved membership of The Motor Ombudsman (TMO), becoming the only garage in Olney to hold this prestigious endorsement. It reflects the business%u2019s commitment to delivering professional, reliable, and high-quality automotive services to the local community.The garage had a comprehensive review of working practices, an in-depth assessment of its customer care and complaints procedures, staff training plans, and business processes. As Little Maids and Koko from The Mikado, the Pirates of Penzance and the crew of HMS Pinafore, before heading off to The Zoo. There%u2019s a bar available and time for a picnic. Tickets %u00a312 (%u00a310 concession, %u00a35 child) from www.wolvertongands.co.uk or 01908 510452. Punk Rocker wins %u00a31500 bursary A young punk musician from Milton Keynes has won this year%u2019s Fresh Sounds Music Bursary. Crafting bass-heavy songs, BEX sings about her experiences in the world as a woman, emphasising ongoing inequality. Taking her inspiration from Vivienne Westwood and the punk movement of the late 1970s and early 80s, she loves being on stage. The Fresh Sounds bursary, organised by The Stables venue, is worth %u00a31,500 and will help BEX to develop her music career by investing in recording and releasing a physical %u2018EP%u2019 of new songs, along with marketing and promotion.%u201cThis bursary gives me the opportunity to share my work with new audiences who will relate to my songs,%u201d said BEX. %u201cIt%u2019s fantastic to get this support from a local venue that I%u2019ve got such great memories of going to as a younger musician.%u201dHappy Holiday! Bookings are now open for the Holiday Bible Club, which has proved popular in the past. The Club, at Olney Baptist Church, from Monday 11th to Friday 15th August, from 9.30am to 12pm. There%u2019s also a barbecue on the Friday.Children aged 5 to 12 years will enjoy crafts, bible stories, songs drama and fun as they travel to %u2018lands of ice and snow. Download application News Round UpBeautiful blooms on show in BozeatOlney Riverfest is back this month - look out for wacky raft race entries