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38 Phonebox Magazine | December 2025no prospects and no future, despite a lively intelligence. She found a purpose in life in hunting for fossils on the beach, fi rst small ammonites, but then larger remains. She also found an unlikely companion in Mary Anning, a poor young woman from a humble background whose main claim to fame was the survival of a lightning strike as a child - one which killed the woman holding her and two girls standing next to her. Mary was fascinated by the strange %u2018stones%u2019 %u2013 %u2018curies%u2019 was the local name - she found on the beach and scraped a living with her family by selling them to visitors.The two women were not alone on the beach; two men in particular were also interested in the fossils, one nicknamed Captain Cury was interested in obtaining fossils for cash, but the educated Colonel Birch was more Reviewed by Thelma ShakladyRemarkable Creatures by Tracy ChevalierThe %u2018Remarkable Creatures%u2019 of the title are, in fact, fossils found on the beach and surrounding rocks of Lyme Regis bay. It was during the nineteenth century that Elizabeth Philpot and her sisters were forced to leave London after the death of their parents and found cheaper accommodation in the small seaside town. Elizabeth was by then a middle-aged spinster with concerned with their historical and scientifi c signifi cance.The change came when the two women discovered what was thought to be a %u2018stone crocodile%u2019 in the rocks, something which needed to be carved out from the surrounding stones with the help of two labourers. This was bought by a nobleman and put on display, but it was just the beginning as further huge fossilised creatures began to be uncovered, eventually being given the names by which they are known to day %u2013 ichthyosaurus and plesiosaurus. However, in the nineteenth century women were not recognised for their discoveries which were assumed to be made by men, notably Colonel Birch who was instrumental in transporting the massive fossils to be displayed in London. However, BookshopTel: 01234 714592 | Stanley Court, OlneyBOOK REVIEWTracy Chevalier follows the lives of the two women, describing the breakdown of their relationship and Mary Anning%u2019s romantic passion for the Colonel, whom she expected to return for her. These two historical fi gures are brought to life in her vivid account which makes a stunning story, one in which fact is indeed more remarkable than fi ction.Club of the Month: Ousedale Badminton ClubNot one but two great badminton clubs in the area. That%u2019s the off er from this friendly court-based association.D o yo u l i ke badminton? Can%u2019t find somewhere to go and play? Look no further: two clubs for people who are keen to play this friendly yet energetic sport are available, w h e t h e r y o u live in Newport Pagnell or Olney.Newport Pagnell Badminton Club play on Monday evenings from 7.30pm to 9pm at the town%u2019s O u s e d a l e School.With four courts available for action there plenty of space to play men%u2019s, ladies%u2019, or mixed doubles. There%u2019s no match pressure %u2013 just friendly, competitive fun. Mixed age groups, from 18 to 80, are catered for with a range of skill levels on display so there%u2019s somebody to suit your game. Run by our members, annual membership fees are great value-for-money.The club started in the late 1970s with four friends who played regularly on a Monday night. They were approached by an instructor of badminton who had a group of ladies who wanted to join a club, so they got together and formed a group.%u201cMany games have been enjoyed since then and many friendships forged,%u201d said spokeswoman Anne Bacon. %u201cAnd so it continues as you can see from what our current members have to say.%u201d%u2018Monday badminton club is full of friendly faces and great games, welcoming to everyone %u2013 a fun start to the week!%u2019 (Katie Mayes from Olney).%u2018Monday evenings at the badminton club are a perfect reset button for the week ahead. The court buzzes with friendly rallies, laughter echoes between smashes, and for 90 minutes we all forget the Monday blues.%u2019 (Ben Taylor from Milton Keynes).%u201cWe have space for just a few additional members,%u201d said Anne. %u201cSo if you share a love of the game, we are off ering free taster sessions in December.%u201d For more details message Anne on 07947 017145.Olney Badminton Club is a new-comer, but based on the same structure as Newport Pagnell. Held at Ousedale Olney Campus, Olney, on Wednesday evenings 7.30pm until 9pm during school term time, they off four good courts and plenty of opportunity for ladies%u2019, men%u2019s or mixed games. For more details or free taster sessions during December, message Helen on 07476 069166.