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56 Phonebox Magazine | November 2025Jean checks out of the Co-opA loyal Co-op shop worker is stepping away from the aisles after an incredible 48 years of service. Jean Crouch has hung up her apron and is heading into a well-earned retirement. Jean began her career with the Co-op almost fi ve decades ago, where her early mornings and friendly smile became a familiar part of daily life for customers and colleagues alike. Over the years, she turned her hand to many roles, from baking fresh bread to helping customers on the checkouts, always with the same warmth and dedication. %u201cJean%u2019s kindness, good nature, and hard work have made her a much-loved member of the Co-op family,%u201d said a store spokesperson. %u201cShe%u2019ll be greatly missed by everyone who%u2019s had the pleasure of working with her.%u201dAutumn Concert An evening of great music, along with cheese, biscuits and wine, will be the order of the day at a special concert in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support.The night includes international tenor Bonaventura Bottone, the enchanting Sarah Jones Trio playing jazz, singer Blandine Pluck, Richard Hayes with MK Acapella and The Olney School of Dancing. The event takes place at the Cowper Memorial United Reformed Church, Olney, on Saturday, 8th November from 7pm. Tickets: %u00a310 (cash), children free. More details: Teresa 07958 680325.Theatre awards successNorthampton%u2019s Royal & Derngate has been named the UK%u2019s Most Welcoming Theatre at the prestigious UK Theatre Awards 2025. UK Theatre member venues were invited to apply for the coveted Most Welcoming Mice to see you%u2026A church toddler group is opening its doors to more interested families who want to take advantage of its playgroup.Church Mice is a baby to preschool group that meets on a Thursday morning, from 10am, in St Peter & St Paul%u2019s Church, Olney. There are crafts, playtime, refreshments for children and adults, story time, singing and instruments, and a brief quiet time with a short prayer at the end. Entry is free, but the Mice are happy to take a %u00a32 donation per family, and there%u2019s no need to book %u2013 just come along, says the group.Local home ready for big light upOlney%u2019s well-known Christmas House is getting ready for its annual festive switchon and is looking forward to welcoming visitors to see the place light up this month.The house, in Lime Street, is well known locally for its dazzling displays and amazing light shows. This year organisers are raising money for Olney%u2019s Al%u2019s Pals charity, supporting cancer patients and their families in Milton Keynes and Northampton. The event, on 23rd November at 6pm, will feature Christmas carols, mulled wine, mince pies and a special %u2018Elf%u2019 cocktail for children. More details: Suzanne Brown, suzanne@alspals.org.uk or Hazel Edwards, hazel@alspals.org.uk.Theatre award, and the three fi nalists were selected based on how welcoming the venues are across multiple factors. The judging panel made their fi nal decision after visiting the venues in person to determine the overall winner. %u201cIt%u2019s wonderful to see the hard work, professionalism and enthusiasm of our teams and volunteers acknowledged in this way,%u201d said Jo Gordon, Royal & Derngate Chief Executive. We%u2019re absolutely delighted to have been named the UK%u2019s Most Welcoming Theatre in the UK Theatre Awards.%u201dHospice meets MPs in urgent reform pushA Milton Keynes charity has joined parliamentarians in Westminster as part of Hospice UK%u2019s national campaign launch, calling for urgent reform of hospice funding.Willen Hospice is backing the scheme %u2013 Fair Funding for Hospices %u2013 which sets out a four-point plan to make hospice funding fair, transparent and sustainable, ensuring everyone in the UK can access high-quality palliative and end-of-life care.Willen Hospice Chief Executive Kate Broadhurst met with local MPs Chris Curtis, Callum Anderson and Emily Darlington to share how national reform could transform hospice care for people across Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas.%u201cWe%u2019re proud to represent Milton Keynes in Westminster, standing alongside Hospice UK to call for a fair and sustainable funding model for hospice care,%u201d said Kate Broadhurst.%u201cAt Willen Hospice, we provide vital support for many local people every year, yet only 12.7% of our costs are met through ongoing NHS funding. The proposed reform would allow us to focus on caring for patients and families rather than constantly bridging the funding gaps.%u201dMore information on Willen Hospice here: www.willen-hospice.org.uk/strategy.News Round UpSeussical play Sherington Belles Jean Crouch retiring at the Co-op