A Fresh Look at Local Life

Issue No. 35 Spring 2014 Northby NorthEast News from your Parish Council www.great-linford.gov.uk

Redhouse Park

Giffard Park

Great Blakelands Linford

Bolbeck Tongwell Park

Willen Pennyland Park

Neath Hill

Downhead Park Downs Barn

Conniburrow A fresh look at local life

contacts magine life without a park on the doorstep. Where would we go Below is a list of GLPC for walks with the dog, enjoying nature or kicking a ball about parish councillors, the wards they I with friends? Thankfully the founders of Milton Keynes created represent and their contact details. a superb network of parks so that everyone lives within easy reach spring2014 of fresh air. Eirwen Tagg, GLPC Parish Manager, says “In our own Conniburrow district we have a surprisingly rich variety with everything from lakeside to woodlands to big open spaces. It’s a wonderful resource. Claudius Munangati 07581 445089 As more people are interested in healthy exercise, Forest Schools [email protected] and so on, it’s really important to keep our local parks up to scratch.” Downhead Park & Willen Park The Parks Trust looks after most of MK’s parkland but GLPC is Ken Croucher 01908 235750 also active locally, especially in the area of recreation for adults and [email protected] councillor comment children. While the parks at Downs Barn, Pennyland and Downhead Park have seen a lot of improvements in recent years others are Simon Teesdale 07904 017255 showing their age. This includes the large District Park off Marsh [email protected] New powers for Parish Councils Drive and Dragon Park, a small park in Great Linford village. Downs Barn Just four years ago when I joined the Parish Council its work was quite modest. We managed the allotments, Kathy Windle [email protected] commented on planning applications and worked at a very local level. In a remarkably short time all that has changed. Austerity measures Giffard Park & Blakelands mean that this year alone MK Council has had to find nearly £15m of savings. Allan Calverley 07720 467334 Key departments such as education, transport, planning and adult health and [email protected] social care have had their budgets cut. Every resident is likely to see the impact Fresh start as services are curtailed. For example, neighbourhood wardens, with powers Keith Panes 07921 240447 [email protected] to fine people for offences such as dog fouling, will disappear from our streets. This is why the Government is looking for Parish Councils and the voluntary Peter Widdowson 01908 617078 [email protected] sector to step in and take on more responsibility. for parish parks Nevertheless, we are still a group of volunteers and although GLPC is non Great Linford party-political, and our Councillors bring a wide range of experience to their Sam Crooks 07803 036656 work, we must be more careful than ever to represent the needs of our 20,000 l New changing rooms and a café little ones but teenagers had other ideas!” [email protected] Marsh Drive District Park residents. l A new green for bowls or croquet GLPC has already started work with MK Ian Foskett 01908 606613 Tennis, football and cricket are well l Climbing area or outdoor gym Parish Council resources are limited and no significant additional funding has Council’s leisure department on plans for [email protected] established at the core of Marsh Drive l Nature trail through Millennium Wood been made available. Therefore, given our limited resources, we have to make three distinctive play areas. One area offers Jackie Spalding 01908 662755 District Park, but the park is designed a good case for taking on any new project. Certainly, we will try to find new “It was enlightening to meet different ‘Traditional’ play. Another theme is ‘Wild [email protected] for a wide catchment area, including the ways to deliver services by teaming up with other parish councils or voluntary growing population of Redhouse Park. groups with similar aspirations, and Play’ centred on the magical woodland organisations. However the best way to reduce the impact of budget cuts is for comforting to know that the Parish and pond. The third is for ‘Urban Action’ Neath Hill GLPC held a recent workshop inviting you, the local community, to tell us what matters most. Please take part in the local groups to look at the big picture. Council want to ‘add value’ to this local games, around the football area, with new David Stabler 01908 672599 upcoming consultations on the Neighbourhood Plan (see page 7) and later resource,” says Harry Catherall, of Great embankments for BMX bikes, skateboards [email protected] on in the year for the next GLPC strategic plan. As well as shaping the future Fresh ideas for improving the park include: Linford Football Club (GLFC). These and Parkour. proposals do not involve any ideas the of your local area, your feedback is vital as we start setting priorities for GLPC “With budget cuts biting we cannot Parks Trust may have for their own land in Pennyland & Bolbeck Park over the next five years. expect MK Council to fund all these the area. GLPC leases the Marsh Ray Yeates 07525 759815 improvements,” says Eirwen, “so we’re KEY to map: Drive grounds from MK Council [email protected] Keith Panes OBE finding new partners and looking to local Parks Trust GLPC MK Council (see map) and is looking to people to get more involved. Volunteers Chair of Great Linford Parish Council purchase the freehold to secure Redhouse Park from the Green Gym have already started its future as a community asset. Cathy Goodman 01908 606613 a clean-up operation to bring wildlife back [email protected] Dragon Park to the pond, and GLPC has just applied for a national grant. If we succeed, we “Last summer residents hope to completely refresh this much- came to us complaining loved park.” about vandalism, anti-social www.great-linford.gov.uk behaviour and rusty equipment in Dragon Park,” says Eirwen. ABOVE: Precious local parkland. Parish Manager “We invited everyone to a Photo by Tony Bedford. Eirwen Tagg [email protected] Front Cover: brainstorming session and had Left: Map of the Marsh Drive District Park a fantastic response. Traditional Parish Council Office Parish map showing approximate boundaries for GLPC- swings and roundabouts proved managed areas, MKC landholdings and PT 10 Tower Crescent, Neath Hill Local Centre, Neath Hill MK14 6JY by Robert Rusin surprisingly popular with the landholdings. Tel: 01908 606613 Reporter: Linda Inoki

2 NorthbyNorthEast SPRING Spring NorthbyNorthEast 3 information feature

Taxing Times By Councillor David Stabler with van and equipment, all managed increase parish grants for community by Eirwen Tagg, our dedicated Parish projects and prepare for the possible ocal taxes reflect changing times Manager. acquisition of community assets. and your Parish Council has certainly changed in recent years! Ten years ago the precept for each What about this year? After careful L household was just £14.34 a year. Most of consideration, the Parish Council’s net Ten years ago we employed just one clerk, this was spent on maintaining the High expenditure will be £292,169, up £12,734 who worked from home. Although we Street, Marsh Drive and Downs Barn on last year. Due to Government cuts the had sports grounds and four underused sports grounds. Last year it was £34.04 Local Authority grant of £26,374 is likely allotments to look after, we managed but, considering the services we now need to be the last we get from MK Council, so to get by. Council meetings were held to provide, a rise of £20 in ten years is not we have added £23,100 to reserves to help in the cricket pavilion and we had just excessive! with shortfalls in future years. Ranger’s started producing a small black and white newsletter for residents. Then there is the impact of government We hope you will now understand why we cuts. Last year we used £58,500 from have had to increase the precept to £45.78 Fast forward a decade and we have a busy reserve funds to keep the precept lower for a Band “D” property, which equates to office and meeting room at Neath Hill, six and still managed the budget to employ £3.82 a month. popular allotment sites, a Parish Ranger, a Ranger, start up a Neighbourhood Plan, report website and colour magazine. We hold a five week Summer of GLPC Precept Chart 2014/15 Fun activity programme Social behaviour see more residents join in attended by hundreds of 2013/14 2014/15 happily planting bulbs this year. It’s also a good way children, and throughout Expenditure Income Expenditure Income to get to know each other. We managed to tidy up in the year we are out Operating Costs Anti-social behaviour and about cleaning up Office, salaries, Ranger, NbyNE and website 118,203 144,643 Blakelands, Bolbeck Park, mindless vandalism Downs Barn, Great Linford, graffiti, litter, overgrown Residents’ Facilities Costs and Pennyland. paths and street Allotments, sports grounds, dog bins, ith MK Council and the Parks Trust signs. We encourage community events and street care. 54,771 80,960 undertaking major coppicing works over I lost count of how many responsible disposal of Income from hire of halls and pitches 22,528 20,334 W winter, I have been venturing where few bollards I painted last year but dog waste by providing Project Costs people have trodden for many years. My target was it is well over 80. It’s important dog bins and subsidise Includes Summer of Fun, Community litter and fly tipping. You can’t imagine some of the to keep these bright so that poo bags. Plus the parish Asset Transfer, Neighbourhood Plan horrid things that turn up. cyclists know when they’re is actually bigger; it now and project support 128,989 63,800 approaching a junction. This Graffiti is another type of anti-social behaviour that includes Redhouse Park! Add to reserves nil 23,100 is a big parish and there are gets people down, so I have been removing graffiti more on my list, but if you To deliver this level Sub Total 301,963 22,528 312,503 20,334 in Conniburrow & Downs Barn. know of any needing attention of service to 20,000 Net Expenditure Required 279,435 292,169 please contact the Parish residents we now Deduct MK Council Grant 26,969 26,374 Sadly we have had a spate of ill-natured vandalism employ three part time at four of the six parish allotment sites. On Office. Less transfer from Reserves 58,507 nil staff, plus Simon our three sites vandals cut the fences to get into the Total Precept Charged 193,959 265,793 With a few dedicated Parish Parish Ranger, complete allotments then smashed greenhouses, damaged Guardians we also planted sheds, tools, frames and produce. On the fourth a quarter of a ton of daffodil site they smashed up two beehives, which was very bulbs! These went into cruel. This killed over 2,000 of our precious bees. Downs Barn Boulevard and They also smashed the electrics in street lighting St Stephens Drive, Bolbeck Park. The Great Linford columns and cut live wires with garden shears. Scouts and Beavers spent the day planting on SummerofFun2014 - see back page Stupid and shocking behaviour! We had already Hainault Avenue, Giffard Park. If you are passing by, replaced fences on one allotment site, as planned, we hope the spring flowers will brighten up your day. Get ready for all your old favourites and some new but after this criminal damage we decided to bring Top: Simon – the man activities too in GLPC’s ever popular Summer of Fun the schedule forward. This year we are planning more ranger days and I will be out dealing with safety issues and trying with the van! Ranger days and tidy up days have gone well and programme of school holiday events. to reduce dog fouling. If you see me in my yellow above (top): Bulb considering the small number of volunteers we jacket or unloading my freshly painted GLPC van, Planting in Downs Barn. cleared large amounts of litter. It is a satisfying way please come up and say hello! above: Vandals smash to spend an hour or two and it would be great to By Simon Bates allotments.

4 NorthbyNorthEast spring Spring NorthbyNorthEast 5 feature information

Fresh views of The Milton Neighbourhood Your community, Keynes Plan your future, your say!

GLPC has commissioned artist Robert Rusin to hether you live in an Local Businesses, Transport Routes, Parks draft plan, which is amended where produce a fresh series of images celebrating established neighbourhood and Open Spaces could be preserved, necessary the rich variety of our parish. The first is the W such as Downs Barn, or a new developed or improved over the coming l An independent examiner checks colourful map on the front cover of this issue. one such as Redhouse Park, the one thing years. that the plans are consistent with MK you can be sure of is change. Transport, The plans must be realistic, meet the Council’s Local Plan and Core Strategy Others, based on local landmarks, will be shopping and leisure are just three needs of local people, and comply with and gives the all clear featured in future issues and on the website. examples where life is changing fast, and MK Council’s over-arching, strategic l Referendum: residents vote for or this will bring real changes to the look and policies for the whole of Milton Keynes. against their Neighbourhood Plan Interview by Linda Inoki feel of your neighbourhood. Once adopted, the Great Linford l If a majority vote ‘yes’, the Plans will In the past, residents have had little choice Neighbourhood Plans will have join the top tier of planning policies e live in a visual culture,” says Robert. “When you but to wait for developers or the local considerable power. Developers will have and guide future development in the give people a picture of a place, even somewhere authority to come up with plans. All that to take them seriously if they start to plan entire parish. they know well, they sometimes see it in a changed in 2012 with the government’s “W new housing estates, schools and so on in different light.” Plus, in a fast-changing world, “the images are new Localism agenda. Within the next few weeks you will receive Art in the park the area. a questionnaire which we urge you to fill there for the next generation.” Neighbourhood Planning is a key part of Great Linford offers a happy chance to discover arts and crafts Key steps in the process include: in. To make it easy, we will be setting up Like many MK residents Robert hails from overseas. “When I was Localism. It is part of a national drive to in a picturesque parkland setting. Since our last report, Artworks special post-boxes around the parish. a child in Warsaw I sketched in newspapers or anything I could simplify the planning system and get the l Steering Group set up to ensure MK has re-launched as Milton Keynes Arts Centre with a fresh, get my hands on,” says Robert. “At Art College I was interested right balance between economic, social process is fair light-filled gallery in the old barn. Events can spill out onto in fashion and magazines but hated sculptures. My teacher said and environmental needs. Lots of parishes a new terrace in the courtyard, and a small café serves treats l GLPC issues a questionnaire to all ‘you’re not going to be an artist!’ I said ‘We’ll see about that!’ ” throughout the country are getting from the Camphill bakery. “Now we have a social space and residents involved in Neighbourhood Planning. Robert started work as a journalist but after Poland opened up a beautiful gallery where things are really happening,” beams l Meetings to confirm the planning Please get involved. Why? It is a fantastic opportunity for to Europe he decided to try life in England. He was staying in director Emma-Jayne Taylor. issues that local people wish to address people to shape the future on a local scale. This is your future, your Hatfield when he first heard about Milton Keynes. and how they wish to see local areas Refreshing new courses include drawing with iPads and community and your say! So where do you fit in? Perhaps you want developed and/or preserved over the “A neighbour said ‘you should go to Milton Keynes. It’s so making comics, along with firm favourites such as pottery to preserve or improve an open space or next 15-20 years For more information see different!’ I did, and absolutely loved it. Within three months I was and life drawing. Dave Ronalds, who recently joined as Public historic street scene. Or maybe you think living here. My mum said ‘send me a postcard’ but I couldn’t find Programme Co-ordinator, says “We’re also planning more events l Produce draft plan based on agreed local posters or visit your community needs a new transport any I liked, so decided to make some myself.” at weekends and in the evenings, such as music and film shows. vision, aims and policies www.great-linford.gov.uk link or sports facility? That was the start of a successful new enterprise; selling images If people find it’s an enjoyable place to meet, it will encourage l Residents give feedback on the of Milton Keynes to the world. Robert, or ‘Ziggy’ to his fans, more people to get involved in the arts.” Milton Keynes The good news is that GLPC is ready to has now sold 1700 posters to 24 countries; plus cards, calendars Arts Centre is also looking for more volunteers, so if you are get the ball rolling. and T-shirts. Most of his international buyers have never been to interested please get in touch. MK but they are clearly attracted to his fresh perspectives of this Visit www.miltonkeynesartscentre.org or phone 01908 608108 unique city. Let’s begin! The parish has now received official So far, he has produced about 500 different images of Milton approval to prepare twin neighbourhood Keynes. “Apart from making a living,” says Robert, “it’s a way of plans, which cover the whole parish. One giving something back and saying thank-you.” plan will cover the area north of the H3 For more MK images see www.mkfive.co.uk or online print store and the other the area to the south. www.zazzle.co.uk/ziggymk Each plan will produce a vision, aims and draft policies; the ‘house rules’ for future development. Residents will look at the Top: one of Ziggy’s eye-catching posters © Robert Rusin way Housing, Shops, Community Centres,

6 NorthbyNorthEast spring Spring NorthbyNorthEast 7 feature information

Fresh start for Peartree Pond Redhouse Park Ready to roll!

ork has now started on the final phase of Redhouse Park after GLPC succeeded in improving the parking W arrangements. The problem was that most of the spaces were designed as tandem plots (where one car parks behind another) which inevitably leads to more on-street parking. We also calculated that there was not enough room to open a car door without hitting the house or fence, or to use the garden gate. Clearly, this would make life difficult for residents, and lead to more on-street parking endangering both road users and pedestrians. Finally, the developer agreed to provide wider, deeper spaces, so Top: New homes at Redhouse Park. that residents will be able to get out of their cars more easily and Photo by David Stabler. hanks to volunteers, thick waders and a tractor, new life is set to blossom at Peartree reach their garden gates! Left: Typical on-street parking problem. Pond. The ancient pond, along with a small woodland, lies next to the Great Linford A jolly Good Phase 4 includes 116 houses and 2-bedroom apartments, 24 of Photo by Simon Bates. T Local Centre. It was originally rescued by local residents in the 1980’s, when they which will be affordable/shared ownership flats. persuaded the Milton Keynes Development Corporation not to fill it in but shore up the sides and install a pump. Forty years on, and it needs some serious maintenance. Every developer has to pay towards local infrastructure via Section 106 contributions. In this case, MK Council’s Development Control Services recommended that the full £180,000 should be used for “It’s become so choked up with rubbish, silt and dead things it’s more of a primeval soup nag! Committee (DCC) approved S106 contributions of over £328,000, their project of improving the Giffard Park Community Annex. If than a pond,” says Parish Councillor Ian Foskett. Left to its own devices it would turn into Anti-social behaviour hits many which is considerably less than the £525,499 considered “essential” this does not go ahead the funds could be spent elsewhere, so we a marshy copse with little to offer wildlife or the community. Using GLPC funds, Ian has people but a jolly good NAG, or by officers. will keep an eye on progress. devised a plan to revive its fortunes in conjunction with the Peartree Pond Association, Neighbourhood Action Group, can We asked for £20,000 to be added to the £160,000 already We also asked for £65,660 to provide a play area, but due to which has been caring for the pond since 1986. help. Your local NAG covers the whole earmarked for community facilities, to help fund the expansion insufficient S106 funding the DCC decided that the allocation of The first step was to clear out dead and dying willows. “It was like going into a jungle,” says of the parish and meets every month of the Marsh Drive pavilion. This seemed fair as it is the nearest funds would be delegated to officers, in consultation with GLPC, Ian. “We had to cut our way in!” Chopping back brambles and hauling out excess trees has to raise problems from bad parking to sports facility for Redhouse Park residents. However MKC Leisure the Ward Member and chair of the DCC. let light back into the woodland, creating a better environment for a variety of plants, insects drug dealing. Since the NAG brings and birds to take up residence. the Police, MK Council, GLPC and residents together some problems can The next step takes place this Spring, when water will be pumped out to temporarily lower be dealt with quickly, but prevention is the pond level. This will help the team reach layers of rubbish and stop the reeds in their also vital. Welcome Break plan new tracks. “It’s going to be a voyage of discovery,” says Ian. “If anyone wants a battered traffic cone you know where to come!” Current projects include: hotel, HQ and homes Cutting back reeds and repairing the pump will bring sunlight and vital oxygen to the water, Parking making the pond clean and healthy once more for ducks, fish and frogs. This spring we To enable the development, up to 60 new be constructed early and at no cost to homes will be built on the greenfield site Council Tax payers Inevitably, the work will disturb wildlife but the team is trying to keep this to a minimum. will issue a leaflet overlooking Redhouse Lake. Despite For example, all the cut reeds will be left on the side so that creatures can slip away, before in Willen Park l Space for a new play area at no cost objections MK Council’s planning members of the Great Linford Allotment Association take away the fertile debris for their about the dangers l Residents may use the hotel facilities committee agreed to only £5,625 Section vegetable plots. of inconsiderate and a meeting room for community 106 funding for community facilities which parking. use at no cost will go on allotments, leaving nothing for Dog fouling parks, sports or community hall. l Residents will be able to access the Top left & centre: Step one: clear the dead wood! Right: Bad parking blocks pavements. Spraying dog poo with an eye- restaurants and shops in the MSA Top right: Mrs Mallard. Photo by Tony Bedford. Fortunately, long before Welcome Break catching dye can cut dog fouling in providing a convenient 24-hour ‘local submitted a planning application, GLPC centre’, with related job opportunities. half! started working with their consultants on Welcome Break Group, the national l behalf of residents. Finally, the new Redway and bus Calling plant lovers! Bicycle thefts motorway service operator, is planning route from Wolverton Road to Little an £8m development at the Newport Bicycle marking events will help We are pleased that the company adopted a Linford Lane will feature a bus-only If you are an experienced gardener or Pagnell Motorway Services Area restore stolen bikes to their owners. lot of our suggestions including: gate to prevent vehicles from the botanist the team would like to hear (MSA). The old Days Inn hotel, built in See back page for dates. l Houses set-back from the bridleway motorway services, hotel guests and from you. They need a new planting 1972, will be demolished and replaced scheme to encourage bio-diversity in (similar to nearby Redhouse Park) Welcome Break staff driving through New members are always welcome, with a slightly larger hotel, plus a Redhouse Park. the cleared woodland. Please contact so why not join us next time for a new office which will become the l Special landscaping to minimise the Parish Office. friendly NAG? (Dates on back page.) headquarters for 150 Welcome Break motorway noise Top: Old hotel with site for new homes behind. staff, many of whom live locally. l New bus and Redway connection to Photo by David Stabler.

8 NorthbyNorthEast spring Spring NorthbyNorthEast 9 news&views

why not send us your news & views?

We welcome your views. SEA CADETS Ten parish councils along with After fire destroyed the complete the bike stands. So Every year, on the first Lest we forget still resonates today. “From Please send your letters to: MAKE WAVES the Community Foundation Conniburrow pavilion in July if you would like one, just call Saturday of December, around burial records and newspaper provided the bulk of the 2010, throwing the future of into the shop.” 200 residents, friends and Captain Ronald M Purvis archives we discovered, Milton Keynes might be a long £17,000 needed to buy the the community facility into visitors gather for a grand Sergeant William Hobbs for example, that Private The Little Bookshop has started post way from the sea, but that vehicle. “We purchased a question, some of the unspent Lance Corporal Christopher Sapwell died a monthly afternoon coffee doesn’t stop local youngsters 17-seat Ford Transit with just S106 funding was added to the Frederick T Seamarks after being invalided back Parish Council Offices for local carers, supported by learning seafaring skills with 25,000 miles on the clock - insurance payments to create to Britain in 1918. His coffin 10 Tower Crescent Carers MK, which meets every Private Ernest Brightman the Sea Cadets. The Milton pretty well exactly what we the large modern community was draped in the Union Jack, Neath Hill Local Centre third Wednesday of the month. Private Glencoe Fincham Keynes Unit won the overall sought funding for,” says centre you see today. and attended by soldiers from Neath Hill Private Walter R H Flute Oxon & Bucks District Trophy Michael. The cadets’ reaction to For more information tel: Newport Pagnell,” says David MK14 6JY The diamond should be for 2013 and was judged to their new transport was simple: 01908 412591 or visit Private Walter C Riddy Kent, whose own grandfather completed in May, ready for be one of the best units in the “absolutely brilliant!” www. thelittlebookshop.net switch-on while the MK Brass Private Christopher L Sapwell died in the Great War. the baseball season. national Sea Cadet Corps. plays traditional carols. There Private Harry Seamarks Email So far, the group has found With a little help from a GLPC is a steady stream of visitors up GLPC will be sponsoring five Private Joseph Spriggs descendants of four of the men parish.manager@ parish grant, they recently Play baseball to New Year’s Eve, who come evening baseball coaching Private Walter Chamberlain who live in Milton Keynes. If great-linford.gov.uk acquired a mini-van (pictured). to enjoy the atmosphere and this summer! sessions for boys and girls aged you know any of these eleven 12 – 16 in this year’s Summer donate a little to charity. Many A small group of friends from A tip-top new baseball and men, or have any photographs of Fun. Look out for details in people now refer to it as St Andrews Church are on a softball diamond is set to bring of village life from 1914-19, ‘Christmas Street’. mission: to discover the stories next issue. please get in touch with Mr a sparkle to the Milton Keynes behind eleven names engraved What started out as a few Kent on 01908 316677. sports scene. on a piece of marble. strings of lights on a conifer The diamond is built to The plan is to publish a booklet Little Bookshop tree over 20 years ago has The plaque is a memorial American standards and with proceeds going to restore news turned into a major event on to men from Great Linford will be one of the best in the the Roll of Honour, inside the MK community calendar. who died in the First World the church, naming men who country. Since January 2009 Since John McArthur and War; a conflict that touched Above: Off to sea in a mini-bus! Well done Summerhayes! served in the war. Great Linford Parish Council Anwen Lewis opened The every village in Britain, and has worked with MK Council Little Bookshop they have Treasurer Michael Snell says to ensure that the £400,000 certainly been busy. Planting “Needless to say the minibus is Above: A satisfied customer! Below: Some of the village men who survived the Great War, by Harry Bartholomew, a photographer in the High Street. Section 106 funding from flowers, reducing litter, looking being well used, taking cadets the Gyosei School playing after wildlife and hosting to courses at RAF Halton, field development was used community events in the and at Longmoor Camp near Leading lights locally to build the baseball cosy coffee shop; the Little Guildford, in Marlow. It takes diamond and also improve Bookshop has cheered up In the last ten years residents Below: As reported in the last them to our local boating issue, hosts of golden daffodils are the existing football pitches at Great Linford’s Local Centre. of Summerhayes in Great station at Emberton Park, and back in Giffard Park thanks to great Conniburrow. Linford have raised over has also taken them to Gosport Thanks to a parish grant, a community spirit. £31,500 for Willen Hospice by Photo by Simon Bates. for the Sea Cadets Southern new bench and bike stand has “lighting up the sky” with their Area 5-a-side tournament, been installed in the courtyard annual Christmas display. Last where our unit represented and John and Anwen are December alone they raised the Oxon & Bucks District. The fund-raising for a second bike £4775! vehicle has proven a real asset, stand. “We have hundreds of without which we would not brightly coloured children’s Neighbours help each other have been able to participate in cycling jackets, with ‘1 Less decorate their houses with many of these events. Perhaps Car’ printed on the back,” thousands of figures and lights we can go on to win more says John. “ If everyone could and people moving away even district trophies and go forward Above: Step up to the plate this donate just £2 per jacket it leave their lights for the new to the National Finals.” summer. Photo by David Stabler would raise enough money to owners.

10 NorthbyNorthEast spring Spring NorthbyNorthEast 11 andfinally...

a calendar of local events to look out for

April May July & August PARISH RANGER NAG monthly meetings Annual Parish Meeting Community DAYS Monday 14 April and Please check website or Parish Fun Day Festival April Saturday 12 Monday 19 May Office for date and venue Sunday 6 July and Friday 25 Problems in your neighbourhood? Dog Walk and Tidy Up This year the eco-festival has May Friday 2, Why not come along to our friendly been re-launched to include more Wednesday 7 and Neighbourhood Action Group and Thursday 29 May demonstrations and displays. Thursday 15 together we can help sort them out? You don’t need a dog to join in 7.30 pm Parish Office, Neath Hill. Exciting performances from June Thursday 19 and this sociable walk and litter pick. Paramount Parkour, Mary Drake Concentrating on areas where dog School of Dancing, Karate club, Friday 27 Bike Marking Event, fouling is a problem, we will use Medical Detection Dogs, Mike’s July Wednesday 9 and Wednesday 16 April biodegradable paint to ‘highlight’ Line Dancing group and maypole the piles. This sends out a warning Thursday 24 Protect your bike this Easter. Have dancing by Great Linford Primary to offending dog walkers that they your bicycle permanently security School. Plus craft and food stalls, August Wednesday have been noticed. marked, register it with the Bike conservation groups, charity stands 6 and 13 and a new football tournament to Register website and find out how September Wednesday to keep your property secure with mark the 20th anniversary of the help from Thames Valley Police June Great Linford Football Club. 3 and Thursday 18 Officers.10 am, Parish Office, Proceeds to the Medical Detection October Wednesday Neath Hill. Waterside Festival Dogs charity. Bring the family for a 1 and Friday 17 Friday 20 – Sunday 22 June whole day of fun at the Marsh Drive November Wednesday sports field, Great Linford. A community celebration of live 5 and Thursday 13 music and performance beside Summer of Fun December Wednesday the scenic canal in Great Linford 28 July – 29 August Manor Park. 3 and Thursday 18 A full and varied programme of events and activities for all ages For an updated calendar of events please visit the website left: Neighbourly tidy-up day throughout the Summer Holidays. www.great-linford.gov.uk in Downs Barn.

don’tforget... Community Fun Day Festival Marsh Drive Great Linford Sunday 6 July 2014

www.great-linford.gov.uk

North by North East: published by Great Linford Parish Council (GLPC), is not affiliated with any other group or organisation, whether political, religious or otherwise. The opinions in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of GLPC. All reasonable attempts have been made to clear copyright before publication. Contact GLPC on 01908 606613 or via the web site at www.great-linford.gov.uk. GLPC Councillors voted not to receive payment for the time they commit to Council affairs. Designed and printed by Eagle Graphics (Printers) Ltd, Unit 1 Firbank Court, Firbank Way, Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire LU7 4YJ. For any print enquiries please telephone: 01525 384893 or visit www.egp.uk.com