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10 Phonebox Magazine | December 2025Solar woes highlightedDear SirI wanted to make you aware of a National Signifi cant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) called Green Hill Solar, which is a proposal to build a 3000 acre solar farm on agricultural land between Walgrave and Lavendon, spanning nine rural villages. One of the things that we have become aware of is that all of the HGVs and Abnormal Load Vehicles, some with 16 axles, taking solar panels and machinery to Lavendon, Easton Maudit, Bozeat and Grendon will travel from Junction 14 of the M1 and pass through Olney High Street for up to two years. The abnormal loads will need the road to be closed and the street furniture at Whirly Pit Roundabout to be removed to get round.We are concerned about the impact on approximately 3000 acres of agricultural land, which will be irrevocably altered by the installation of cables connected to Grendon. The implications for our rural landscape and heritage villages such as Easton Maudit and Mears Ashby, as well as the potential fi re risk from Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), are signifi cant. We wanted the residents of Olney to know what is ahead and we are asking for everyone to write to the Planning Inspectorate to object to this transport route. Stop Green Hill Solar are a small group of dedicated volunteers fi ghting against this development, but we cannot do it alone. We need donations to cover professional fees for the necessary experts to support our objection, including a King%u2019s Counsel, planning consultants, and specialists in ecology, fl ooding/hydrology, battery storage, and transport. Our target is to raise a minimum of %u00a350,000, to ensure we have the resources needed to mount a strong opposition. If everyone aff ected just gave %u00a310 it would make a big diff erence. Please see: www.stopgreenhillsolar.co.uk. Lynne Smith, Stop Green Hill SolarAutumn concert successDear SirOur concert on 8th November in support of MacMillan Cancer Support took place at the Cowper Memorial Reform Church in Olney and was very well attended. Money collected plus donations raised another %u00a31,000 for the trust. I featured with Richard Heyes on the piano and Carolyn Ridout on the cello and the energetic and talented Olney School of Dancing. Special guests for the evening were the internationally acclaimed operatic tenor and coloratura soprano Bonaventura and Jennifer Bottone, the fabulous Sarah Jones Jazz, the rhythmic melodic MK Acapella and the entertaining saxophonist John Pinkerton. Catering by the Little Hermitage in Olney was delicious and sponsored by BTM Language Services. I%u2019m grateful for the support and donations.Blandine PluckWI%u2019s poppy updateDear SirOur 5th November Annual Meeting, with a delicious supper featured had no fi reworks. But earlier in the day our Poppy Cascade was displayed on the Market Place. We are very proud of what Olney WI members have achieved, with knitted, crochet and felt poppies, and many hours of assembling has brought so many lovely comments from passers-by.A poignant moment came on Remembrance Day for Mrs Susie Humphrey who laid our poppy wreath. Susie, 94, is our oldest member. She was eight when war was declared, evacuated to Somerset at 10, back for the London Blitz at 12 and out to work at 14 when war ended.We will miss Jan and Judy who have stepped down from our committee this year. Remaining committee members were re-elected and will be joined by Sue. Janet Smith, Olney WINew sponsor announced for Pancake RaceLocal business backs historic race with marquee support.Olney%u2019s historic Pancake Race has welcomed a new main sponsor for its 2026 race.George Davies Turf & Stone, a long-standing local business, has joined the race as sponsor of the Marquee. The company joins other main sponsors for 2026, Bonne Maman, Kingsley Healthcare, Blackstone, and Whitworth Bros. Ltd, who help to make the famous event possible. Next year%u2019s race takes place on Shrove Tuesday, 17th February 2026 and follows a great tradition; the race is reputed to have taken place since 1445 and has run every year since 1948, except for Covidaff ected 2021. %u201cOver the last 25 years we have made so many friends and supported many local events and to be asked to help with the Pancake Race was truly an honour,%u201d said George Davies. %u201cI have watched and supported for many years, as well as cheered on friends taking part, and I love the buzz it brings to the town. I want to help the race continue.%u201dEntries for the event will begin in early December. The race is open to women over 18 who work or live in Olney. Details will appear on social media and via the race website: olneypancakerace.org.On the day, the focus will be on the Market Place, with a special pancake breakfast, prepared by Ben Francis, Head Chef of the Cherry Tree Pub & Restaurant. This will be followed by a cookery demonstration and, as the race takes place in school half-term, we%u2019ve got lots of extra activities planned. The children%u2019s races will take place at 10am and the main race at 11.55am. All the runners join visitors in a Shriving Service which is held in the church immediately after the event. Stop Green Hill Solar are a small group of Rea%u0016 rs%u2019 Le%u0010 ers