Page 10 - Demo

10 Phonebox Magazine | October 2025Reaff rs%u2019 Le%u001a ersDuchess rememberedDear SirIt was with great sadness that I read the news that the Duchess of Kent had passed away at the age of 92.Many of your readers will remember the day that the Duchess came to Olney in 1992 to offi cially open the Olney Centre after the considerable works to convert the old school building into its present use, including the part used by the pre-school.The visit, on 1st October, was a great honour for the town and I have to pay tribute to Joan Jones, the Town Clerk at the time, for her determination to get a %u2018Royal Opening%u2019.Viv and I, as Mayor and Mayoress at the time, had the great honour of hosting the Duchess during the opening and on her brief walkabout in the town afterwards.The Duchess of Kent will long be remembered as a very warm and hardworking member of the Royal Family, and this was represented during her visit to Olney when she touched the hearts of the many people she met and made time to talk to.Can I fi nish by saying what a great pleasure Viv and I get when using the Centre and see how well it is being looked after by the Council, and particular mention should go to Jane Brushwood, our clerk, and the council staff for the excellent way the Centre is presented for all of us to use. Tony EvansShoebox AppealDear SirOlney Baptist Church is appealing to residents to take part in the annual shoebox Christmas gift appeal organised by Blythswood Care. Blythswood is a UK-based Christian charity which encourages sending Christmas gifts to all ages of the community, not just children. They aim to send Christmas presents to those of all ages in challenging situations, in countries such as Ukraine, Serbia and Albania. This is one way in which you can help to make a diff erence, as every shoebox gift donated ensures that one more person gets a present this Christmas. Full instructions for completing your shoebox can be found here: shoeboxappeal.org.Please deliver your Christmas shoebox gifts to: Olney Baptist Church, Market Place (using the side entrance) on Saturday, 8th November, 10am-5pm or Sunday, 9th November, 1-5pm. For more details, or if you can%u2019t drop off at these times, contact: shoebox@olneybaptist.org.uk.Hilary TerryBus injury requestDear SirMy wife had a bad injury getting off the number 2 bus near the Dove Public House on Poets Estate, Newport Pagnell on the morning of 30th August.Would anyone who was there and witnessed this especially the lady who did such an excellent job of staunching the blood fl ow, please contact me urgently. Robert Coleman, 01908 612470Rubbish serviceDear SirI have enjoyed visiting the new playpark that has been built on the Yardley Manor estate and congratulations to the house builder for organising it and the playpark equipment fi tter for the quality of the swings and climbing frames there.So it was disappointing to see the litter bins over-fl owing on the play sites with no sign of them being emptied. I realise that these rubbish bins are new on the scene and maybe haven%u2019t made the list for emptying and cleaning yet, but I hope they will be listed soon. The sight of two overfl owing bins and strewn rubbish ruins an otherwise impressive play area befi tting of the new estate. Name & address suppliedEmmaus Village Carlton Charity Fashion ShowGrab a bargain in October at the Carlton Club and all for a good cause at an Evening of Preloved Style & Christmas Sparkle Bedfordshire homelessness charity Emmaus Village Carlton is excited to announce its Charity Fashion Show on Wednesday, 19th November at 7pm, at the Carlton House Club, Olney.The charity is inviting members of the public to join them for a fabulous evening of runway fashion and retail shopping, all styled from beautiful, preloved fi nds. Tickets are just %u00a310 %u2013 this includes entry into a raffl e on the night, and the bar will be serving refreshments throughout the evening. Every penny raised will go directly towards the charity which provides a home, ongoing support and work-related training opportunities for people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion. Emmaus off ers more than just a bed for the night. People supported by Emmaus receive a home, tailored support, and the opportunity to gain skills and work experience through social enterprises run by the charity. This package of support helps people regain stability, rebuild their confi dence, and work towards independence.The charity%u2019s Chief Executive Offi cer, Donna-Louise Cobban, said: %u201cA huge thank you to the Carlton Club for generously donating the venue for this exciting event. Every ticket purchased makes a real diff erence. Come along, bring your friends, and enjoy an evening of style, sparkle, and community spirit!%u201dTickets will be available from 1st October at both the Carlton Club (High Street, Olney) and Emmaus Village Carlton (School Lane, MK43 7LQ). You can also call Emmaus directly to arrange your tickets on 01234 720826.