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56 Phonebox Magazine | December 2025Local singers raise %u00a35,500 for Children in NeedMore than 300 singers came together for a surprise fl ash-mob in Kings Cross, London in support of BBC Children in Need, with choir attendees from Milton Keynes, Woburn Sands and Bedford amongst them. Led by The Collaboration Choir, the nationwide adult pop choir, the feel-good event delivered two high-energy sets of contemporary pop hits and reimagined classics, fi lling Coal Drops Yard in Kings Cross with music, fun, and community spirit. At least %u00a35,500 was raised with funds still being counted.Music for just %u00a31Music lovers can pick up a bargain this Dickens%u2019 Day while helping to keep Olney%u2019s United Reformed Church singing. Local residents and former professional opera singers Catriona and Tim German will once again be selling their remarkable CD collection, over 4,000 discs spanning classical, opera, jazz and rock, to raise money for ongoing organ repairs.The couple, who both perform with Welsh National Opera, have already raised %u00a31,000 through previous sales. %u201cOlney URC is a wonderfully friendly church with a great tradition of music,%u201d says Catriona. %u201cIt%u2019s lovely that our collection can help keep that going.%u201dWith discs priced at just %u00a31, and Tim on hand to off er recommendations from his eclectic mix, it%u2019s a sale worth singing about.Stables new guideThe Stables in Milton Keynes has announced its latest What%u2019s On guide, showcasing an exciting programme of live performances through to March 2026.This season brings an outstanding line-up of artists spanning jazz, folk, rock, blues, classical and world music. Highlights include performances from acclaimed singer-songwriters, chart-topping bands and internationally renowned performers. Touching, funny and utterly original, Freckle Productions%u2019 delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffl er%u2019s Stick Man is also back in December.Alongside its concert schedule, The Stables continues its mission to inspire and nurture creativity through an extensive range of music workshops and learning opportunities. The What%u2019s On guide is available from The Stables Box Offi ce and at www.stables.org.Funeral date for restaurant ownerThe funeral of Tom Bent, the co-owner of Olney Pancake Parlour who died recently, will take place on 4th December.Tom, 33, died unexpectedly early last month while renovating his house. He ran the popular pancake and coff ee restaurant along with brothers Jamie and Marc Sharp. %u201cTom was the brightest light in every room and had a warmth and humour that touched everyone he met,%u201d said the Pancake Parlour on social media. The funeral will take place at 11.30am at Oak Chapel, Crownhill News Round UpPubs of Olney available now Tom Bent, centre, with brothers Jamie and Marc Sharp Stables Stick Man Liddy%u2019s painting of a peacock in watercolourChristmas Tree Festival at Olney ChurchCrematorium in Milton Keynes. Donations are invited for Thames Valley Air Ambulance who attended to Tom.Writer pub-lishes own bookAn Olney man has published a book describing the past pubs and hostelries of the town. Lloyd Lugsden wrote, designed and released the %u2018Pubs of Olney%u2019 guide himself following a love of the town and its history, in particular its past pubs. Described as %u2018an armchair pub crawl through time%u2019, the handbook looks at Olney%u2019s rich history of inns and taverns.%u201cThe book came from research, which is part of the fun, followed by documenting the buildings with photography,%u201d said Lloyd. %u201cAdded to this I enjoyed the local anecdotes