Contacts
GLPC Parish Councillors, the wards they represent and their contact details.
All Councillor email addresses: firstname.surname@great-linford.gov.uk
Councillors can be contacted on 01908 606613
Conniburrow
Rooda Abihdilia
Jimmy El-Zamek
Joan Pickhaver
Downhead Park & Willen Park North
Mubina Chakera
Ed Nixon (Chair)
Downs Barn
Janet Brindley (Vice Chair) Vacancy
Giffard Park & Blakelands
Wangu Bothongo
Sandra Trew Vacancy
Great Linford
Leigha Britnell
Rick Dunn
Donna Nicholls
Christine Onan
Neath Hill
Martin Burgess
Sean Porter
Pennyland & Bolbeck Park
Tony Blake
Derek Harvey
Redhouse Park
Franco Iannotta
Willen Park South
Tara Jefferies
Autumn2024
Comment
Welcome
As the new Vice Chair of the Parish Council, I’m excited to share some of the wonderful events and activities happening in our community. It’s a privilege to serve such a vibrant and diverse Parish and with your continued support it can only get stronger.
In this issue, as we head into winter, we’ll be highlighting some key information and events that you won’t want to miss. For those in need of support, we have details on where to access food and warm spaces within the Parish - resources that are more important than ever in the current climate.
This summer we were thrilled to welcome the community to Conniburrow Hub’s grand opening, where everyone was introduced to our new community space. Be sure to check out the upcoming activities planned at the Hub.
We are delighted Conniburrow now has a Youth Cafe and Youth Club, creating a safe, welcoming space for young people to relax, socialise and engage in positive activities. There will also be a Youth Club opening shortly at Downs Barn Pavilion.
At the beginning of September, we held another successful Community Forum, where representatives from the police and various council departments came along to answer questions about issues concerning you and your community. Don’t forget to come to the next one and have your say.
If you are interested in being involved in your community or are passionate about making a difference, we have an exciting opportunity for you to get involved in local governance by becoming a Councillor, for which we currently have two vacancies. However, if you don’t want to become a Councillor but still want to help, why not consider volunteering?
Not only would you be providing a much-needed service but it’s also a great way of meeting new people.
I look forward to meeting many of you at future events, let’s work together to make our Parish an even better place to live, work and thrive.
Warm Regards,
Janet Brindley
Vice Chair, Great Linford Parish Council
ARE YOU feeling crafty?
Whether you’ve been blessed with a creative streak, are looking to brush up on your artistic skills or want to gain some new ones, you will find a warm welcome at Conniburrow’s Creative Space.
This new initiative, being hosted at the estate’s Community Hub, is a Saturday morning session open to all, which looks at art in its broadest sense.
Hosted by MK-based Arts For Health, which uses art to boost mental wellbeing and inspire creativity, participants will have the opportunity to explore techniques with painting and textiles, can immerse themselves in 3D art or look at life through a lens with the art of photography and sculpture.
Or, if you’d rather, you could do something altogether more physical – using music and drama to bring a rich variety of stories to life.
Art is truly a form where you can smash limitations and where being crafty is actively encouraged.
“The Creative Space is a chance for people from the local area to come into a safe, supportive and friendly space and to learn about and participate in making art,” said Robin Clements, who runs the sessions together with fellow artist Laura Dove.
“We want it to be a chill environment where people of all ages and abilities can come and socialise and engage in a wide variety of creative activities.
“We want to make art accessible to everyone so for those who feel they can’t draw or it isn’t for them - we want to help break down the barriers to show them that the act of making art is more important
than the outcome. Making art can be be therapeutic, relaxing and a tool to think about the world around us in a different way,” Robin told Your Parish Magazine.
“We plan to offer a range of different artistic disciplines ranging from collage, painting and photography to textile work and book making.
“If anyone has a particular desire to try something new we will endeavour to facilitate that in future sessions.
We want to make art accessible to everyone
“As I say anyone is welcome, even if you just want to pop in to say ‘hello’ and get a feel of the space,” he added, “All you need to bring is yourself. We will provide materials for any activities we are doing.”
The sessions are also a colourful way to feed into a positive sense of community, and they will shine a light on important themes including identity, inclusion, diversity and geography, while simultaneously combatting feelings of loneliness and isolation.
The Creative Space extends an invitation to all ages and abilities who will learn and collaborate with the experienced artists.
Whether your reason for joining is to brush up on lost skills, learn new ones, meet new people or simply as a way to put the lid down on work and enjoy a little ‘me time,’ the Creative Space promises to be a really good place!
Sessions run every Saturday at Conniburrow Community Hub, 10am to midday, and are free to attend.
Conniburrow’s Creative Space
Conniburrow Community Hub MK14 7DX Sessions every Saturday, 10am to midday, FREE!
Meet our new Councillors and
perhaps consider
taking on the role yourself
People become Councillors for different reasons, and all bring different experiences and skills. At the end of the day the Council has to work to deliver change to the people within its community.
Becoming a Councillor allows you to affect the changes you wish to see. It’s an opportunity to create a brighter future for generations to come within our community.
Great Linford Parish Council has 20 Councillors, but we currently have two vacancies – in the Downs Barn Ward and the Giffard Park and Blakelands Ward.
If you would like to step up and make a difference, call Great Linford Parish Council on 01908 606613 or drop an email to glpc@great-linford.gov.uk to express interest and learn more.
Cllr Wangu Bothongo
Giffard Park and Blakelands
“As a young woman and relatively new Councillor, I am committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all residents. Diversity and inclusion are paramount to me, and I believe strong representation is key to ensuring everyone feels seen, heard, and supported. With the guidance of experienced Councillors, volunteers, and dedicated staff, strive to be a strong advocate for our community’s needs.”
Cllr Tara Jefferies
Willen Park South
“As a single mother of two teenagers who has lived here for 10 years, I’ve been extremely fortunate to receive the support of the local community, whilst managing disability and raising a young family.
Starting as a volunteer at the Great Linford Community Hub has helped to rebuild my confidence by having others around me who listen. This rebuilt confidence has solidified my focus to be more community oriented with a desire to help people of all ages, making the Parish we live in a better place for all.”
Haveyoursay
As your local Parish Council, we deliver a range of activities, from managing community spaces and leisure facilities to supporting youth programmes and environmental initiatives.
Throughout the year we also host events, including a Summer Fun Day, Holiday Activities, Advice Sessions, Community Forums and Litter Picks. We also work with community partners to offer residents access to Community Cafes and Social Spaces.
We understand residents’ needs evolve and change, and we want to ensure that our efforts support or enhance the community’s priorities. Our survey aims to assess which services and facilities support our residents. Your input helps us focus on the deliverables that benefit as many people as possiblefor yourself, your family, or your friends.
We ask you to take a few minutes to answer some questions so that we can better understand your needs and expectations.
Please access the survey through the QR code.
What’s on the menu?
Too busy to cook? Let the Slow Cooker do the work!
Feeding the family on a budget can be a tricky task – the cost of the weekly shop continues to rise, and balancing the price of the food trolley against the rising costs in household bills can be a worry.
Here are some ideas for quick, easy plate fillers that are hearty, filled with veggies and make use of our cupboard staples.
How about tucking into a HEARTY TOMATO PASTA at the end of the day?
It’s cheap, filling and for those enjoying a meat free diet, this can be made vegan by swapping a couple of ingredients out. Best of all, you can pick up many of the ingredients at the Community Larder.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 chopped onion
1 crushed garlic clove
1 400g can of chopped tomatoes
A pinch of sugar
100g of penne pasta
50g of grated cheddar (or vegan alternative)
Breadcrumbs
2 frankfurters, sausages (or vegan alternative)
This recipe serves 2 people
At this time of the year, we reach for hearty, comfort food, and the Slow Cooker is perfect for casseroles, stews and ratatouilles – the only limit is your ingredients list.
Slow Cookers are an affordable purchase, are economical to run, and they do the cooking, so you don’t have to!
The Community Fridge offers free food which would otherwise be wasted – it’s the ideal place to pick up ingredients, with healthy veggies often available in abundance; how about a chunky veggie casserole?
Spicing things up is easy – add sauces of your own making, cans of protein rich pulse or beans, seasoning and spices, and meat or meat-free alternatives and let your tastebuds enjoy a warming treat at dinner time.
Heat the oil and fry the onions until softened, then stir in the garlic and cook for one minute.
Mix in the tomatoes and sugar, bring to the boil and allow to simmer for 20 minutes, season to taste.
Cook the pasta as per the pack instructions, and then mix together the breadcrumbs and cheese.
Drain the pasta, and stir into the sauce with the sausages of choice.
Spoon into a heatproof dish, top with some extra breadcrumbs and grill until hot and golden – between three and five minutes.
TIP:
Make extra sauce - it can be frozen for a quick and easy meal later on.
Serve with a baguette and/or salad. This dish can be mixed up by increasing the veggie content – cooked broccoli is a great addition.
Making your pennies work for you
The Community Larder offers surplus supermarket food, which would otherwise go to landfill, at a fraction of the cost.
In this Parish, the Larder runs every Tuesday at Cross & Stable in Downs Barn, between 11am and 1pm.
Joining the scheme costs £10, and users then pay £3.50 per week (individual) or £7 (families). This entitles the member to have up to 10 items each week (or 20 items for families), plus fruit and vegetables which are free and don’t count towards the 10 items.
It’s a brilliant way to be environmentally sound, and to make your budget go much further.
Find out more about the scheme at great-linford.gov.uk
Visit the Community Fridges and collect FREE food before it goes to waste visit our website for
Neath Hill resident Yaw Asiyama is a force of nature, with fingers in many pies – and he makes them, too!
If you look up the word ‘creativity’ his name should really be found by way of an explanation. Your Parish Magazine spoke with Yaw...
Born in Ghana, Yaw’s introduction to the new town of Milton Keynes was by way of a visit to see his Auntie Bobby.
“She had moved to Milton Keynes from Brixton and loved the place,” he said, remembering those initial impressions, “The attraction? Its newness and the feeling of things set to happen.
I wanted to be a part of those things! It was like a city of second chances, and I found my home”.
Yaw has been major part the MK landscape for around 35 years now – and for the past two decades, Great Linford Parish has been his base.
“Our family grew,” he says of the move here, “We wanted a home which could accommodate all of us in a place that was hopeful – we found that, and so much more, here. The community spirit in this Parish is most endearing and we have great neighbours, and always have done – it’s a warm, welcoming part of Milton Keynes, and I love it as much today as the day moved in!”
Yaw was excited by the can-do attitude that the new town afforded, and he made his own mark; he was the first ever person to put on a fashion show here. What was that like?
“It was glorious! It was freeing. It was a chance to bring together creatives that allowed art to happen, and to bring people together...artists, designers, press, models, and ideas,” he remembered, “When people from London and as far away as Manchester began coming to our shows, and asking for ideas, we knew we had landed.”
But fashion is just one facet of Yaw’s work – there are many more.
“I am a playwright, a poet, a painter, an actor, a chef and a film-maker,” he said.“The community is my heartbeat and runs through my blood. want to feed your body, mind and soul, and I also want to share – art allows that,” he explains, “Poetry is a reaction to the world we live in, and I am currently working on my next book, Just Thinking.”
too: “Fashion is still my friend,” he confirmed, “I am now collaborating with Verishua Maddix on our label, The Yamadi Tribe.”
Somehow, he also finds the time to rustle up a mean dish in the kitchen – and not just at home.
“I am the CEO and head chef at Better Than Mamma’s which delivers great fusion food with African and Caribbean influences. also run The Vegan African. believe that some chefs have sold vegans and vegetarians short and want to fix that. Being meat free doesn’t mean missing out on any of the taste! Food brings people together, but you shouldn’t ask, ‘Have you eaten,’ but rather, “Have you eaten well?’ That is the question.” Bringing the best out of people is essential to all that Yaw does. Ask him the secret and it is perhaps not surprising that he uses food as an analogy: My mum, Stella, would say, ‘If you are talking to a baker, talk about bread. To a butcher, talk about meat. When everyone is together, talk about sandwiches – make sure everyone around you knows that they have value.”
In all that Yaw does, community is key – why is that community cohesion so important to you?
‘Community is my heartbeat and runs through my blood’
When he doesn’t have a pen in hand, he might well have a brush in its place...
“I have always painted and still do it, with spasms of intensity and then I’ll put it to rest until I feel that energy again,” he said of those brush strokes.
Fashion is still a part of his offering
“Community is vital,” he picks up, “You can’t choose your neighbours, but you can help create great neighbours. I am currently working with a group of actors to create a community play, and piecing together a series of cooking lessons which will help people create lush food on a budget in collaboration with Great Linford Parish Council.”
And there’s more still: “I am designing a reading and writing project that will allow our Parish to contribute to and share poetry, thoughts and ideas. We are growing, and we want to leave great legacies to enrich the next generation. We have to develop a village mindset for community growth.”
TOP: Getting creative with the flavours. LEFT: One of Yaw’s art pieces - He paints with ‘spasms of intensity’.
CONNIBURROW
‘Facilities like this are really, really important...’
After months of planning, the ribbon was cut on Conniburrow’s Community Hub in August – signalling a new positive era for the estate and all its residents.
The Hub is for the whole community, and it was wonderful to see that community spirit present at the event.
Milton Keynes Play Association were on hand with lots of activities and engaging fun for our younger residents, while visitors of all ages enjoyed the Activity Zone, playing table tennis, table football and garden games, while music soundtracked the event.
The Hub was made possible with funding from the unspent budget of the Big Local Conniburrow which transferred to Great Linford Parish Council.
It had always been planned as an all-inclusive centre, where free and low cost activities could be accessed – and the launch event saw GLPC delivering on that promise.
Such an important occasion was toasted by the community who will be charged with overseeing the space. Also attending the special day were Youth Mayor Maggie Beckett, Milton Keynes City Mayor, Councillor Marie Bradburn, Deputy Lieutenant Francesca Skelton, and the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, Kurshida Mirza.
“Milton Keynes is one of the fastest growing cities in the country... we really are growing massively and the city has plans to grow and double that and increase job opportunities,” the High Sheriff said, addressing those present at the opening.
“...from when the city was founded, much has been done to welcome and integrate new communities.
“I remember when I arrived in Milton Keynes, I actually looked for faces that looked a bit like me so I could make friends. There
weren’t that many people like me. But now if you look around, and especially in Conniburrow, you’ll see such a diverse community.
“What is clear to me, talking to everyone here, is that having a strong community really does engender a sense of belonging and a trust and engagement between local people, so facilities like this are really, really important,” added the High Sheriff, addressing the issue of inclusivity and belonging.
“Strong communities are more cohesive where everyone feels their concerns are represented and their voices are heard. It fosters diversity and inclusivity where we recognise our similarities but also celebrate our differences.”
The day was particularly special for GLPCs Community Development Coordinator, Asma Moustaoui who had worked tirelessly to ensure the offer provided by the centre was the right one for everyone.
“The opening was an incredibly special moment for all of us,” she told Your Parish Magazine, reflecting on the day, “It was heartwarming to see how the community had united and embraced the space, with so many people coming together to celebrate. The positive energy and excitement was a testament to the hard work and dedication that went into making this vision a reality. Seeing the Hub filled with life and knowing it will serve as a welcoming, supportive space for our diverse community truly made all the effort worth it,” Asma added.
But with the opening ceremony now a memory, the centre is working to deliver on the promises made – and it is off to a flying start with a great programme of activities on offer which includes a weekly Senior Citizens club, homework clubs, cafes, art sessions and the Conniburrow Fridge, which is operating from the new location.
And of course, it’s a great place to pop in and grab a coffee, alone or with friends, and to enjoy a bite to eat. Things have started the right way, and Asma is feeling positive about its future.
“I hope the Hub continues to be a place where everyone feels at home—a space where people can connect, share, and grow together,” she said, “I envision it becoming a cornerstone for support and opportunity, offering resources and programmes that meet the evolving needs of our community.
“Most importantly, hope it remains a place of inclusion, where everyone’s voice is heard, and where people find not just help, but a sense of belonging.”
ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT: Asma Moustaoui, GLPC Community Development Coordinator, Cllr Donna Nicholls, Francesca Skelton, Deputy Lieutenant, Cllr Marie Bradburn, MK Mayor, Kurshida Mirza, High Sheriff of Bucks, Cllr Janet Brindley, Rajbinder Duhra and Cllr Sandra Trew.
BELOW: Parishoners having fun at the launch and our new facility is the perfect meeting place!
Weekly activities at the Conniburrow Community Hub
We welcome your views. Please send your letters to:
FINANCIAL
WORRIES?
GLRiN MIGHT BE ABLE TO EASE THE BURDEN
Are you aware of the Great Linford Relief in Need (GLRiN) charity?
glpc@great-linford.gov.uk
GLRiN was formed from several old trusts, including one dating back more than 300 years.
It might be able to help if you are struggling with difficult financial circumstances, or have a particular need that cannot be met by an official agency out of public funds.
The small charity doesn’t offer large funds, but that doesn’t mean it can’t make a real difference in the right situation.
Sometimes, other charities or public funded agencies contact GLRiN if they are unable to help with a problem, so if you are in touch with other organisations, like the Citizens Advice Bureau, for example, it can be worth seeing if GLRiN can help.
The charity is unable to write off debts or pay for things
ordinarily covered by benefits, but in recent times it has assisted with the purchase of items including a replacement fridge-freezer and a bed.
To be considered for support, you must be a resident of the Great Linford Parish, and will need to fill in an application form detailing your needs.
A reference from the charity will also be required.
For more information, or to request an application form, call 01908 482520 or 01908 605664.
HELP MAKE YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFER – IT’S AS EASY AS
1, 2, 3
MK Neighbourhood Watch is working with Great Linford Parish Council to bring more schemes to the area – and Neighbourhood Watch has been encouraging safer and stronger communities for more than four decades and can make a real difference.
We all value living in a safe and secure home, which is aided by living in safe and secure environments and communities.
Supporting this aim, Neighbourhood Watch links with the Police and other authorities, bringing a strong emphasis on crime and awareness and prevention.
Neighbourhood Watch volunteers will be visible in our Parish – specifically in Blakelands, Conniburrow, Redhouse Park and Willen
Park - with three simple messages to share:
1 Join Neighbourhood Watch, which will give you access to the allimportant local Police Alert messages – sign up at ourwatch.org.uk
2 Once you’ve signed up, you should also join your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme – it’s easy to do, simply use the postcode search.
3 If you don’t have a scheme close to you, please apply to start your own scheme.
For more information on Neighbourhood Watch in our Parish email enquiries@mknhwa.org.uk
PADEL PROPOSAL FOR OUR PARISH
Residents in our Parish could soon be at the forefront of one of the fastest-growing sports in the world; a proposal has been made to build Milton Keynes’ first Padel Tennis Club at Marsh Drive in Great Linford.
Padel is a dynamic sport that blends elements of tennis and squash, and it is gaining popularity for its fast pace, fun gameplay, and
accessibility to players of all ages and skill levels.
The proposed Padel Club will feature six courts and has a lot to offer Great Linford Parish Council residents. The club is being built with accessibility for wheelchair users, and 700 community members will be able to access the game free of charge.
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development.
The Parish Council will be sharing further details about the planning application and the progress of the Padel Club on our website.
Check back regularly to stay informed and find out how you can get involved as the project moves forward.
DON’T FORGET TO TOP UP
Aside from Food Bank vouchers, if you are in financial hardship, please visit the Food Bank Top Up Shop, which is present at Great Linford Parish Office (1 St Leger Court, MK14 5HA) every Thursday between 11am and midday, and at
Conniburrow Community Centre (Conniburrow Blvd, MK14 7DX) every Tuesday between 10am and 11.30am.
The Top Up Shop offers a variety of store cupboard items and cooking ingredients at much reduced prices – individuals living alone can purchase a maximum of 10 items for £2. Couples and families can buy 20 items for £4.
You can make one visit per week, and do not have to attend weekly – you simply visit when you need to, and it’s worth noting that visiting the shop does not count towards Food Bank limits.
For more information about the Milton Keynes Food Bank visit mkfoodbank.org.uk
GIFFARD PARK AND BLAKELANDS RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
–CAN YOU HELP?
Two Parish Councillors have announced an initiative to create the first-ever Giffard Park and Blakelands Residents Association.
This association will give residents a collective voice and strengthen community ties. But they need your support to make this vision a reality!
To get started, Cllr Trew and Cllr Bothongo require at least four volunteers to meet the criteria for forming an official association.
If you’re interested in
What’s on...
contributing to your community and would like to learn more about this opportunity, they invite you to consider roles such as Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, or Treasurer.
If you’re keen to make a difference and would like to find out more, please reach out to Cllr Trew at sandratrew@gmail. com or Cllr Bothongo at wanguchantelle@gmail.com
DON’T WORRY, BEE HAPPY
Gifford Gate Allotment is now home to 1000s of new residents – and they are causing a real buzz!
The once vacant allotment plots have been utilised to house bee hives belonging to the Home Farm MK organisation – which places hives at sites all over Milton Keynes, including in businesses and schools.
“Bees are crucial for growing almost anything, as they play a key role in sustaining life,” said Gabrielle Higgins, “Without them, ecosystems would struggle to thrive. It’s well-documented that the decline in bee populations is leading to reduced crop yields and a loss of biodiversity.
“Bees are a fantastic addition to any allotment, as they play a vital role in pollinating a wide range of plants, especially fruit crops,” she added.
Home Farm MK will inspect the site weekly, overseeing
the maintenance and upkeep of the hives and their dwellers. They will handle the honey removal and other necessary tasks.
“This was a great opportunity for Great Linford Parish Council to support biodiversity, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Home Farm MK on this project,” said Tommy Hayes, Community Liaison Officer with Great Linford Parish Council.
You can find more information on Home Farm MK, and learn more about their important work across the Parish and beyond, by visiting homefarmmk.co.uk or by contacting the Parish Council.
9:30am - 1pm Conniburrow Social
Puzzle Corner
It’s time to give your brain another workout with our puzzles –complete the word ladder, solve the anagram and then get busy with the colouring pens with our ‘sweet’ design.
Puzzle answers below.
Try your luck at our word ladder
Can you solve our anagram? NEW RISER TRIBE
Local events to look out for
Dates for your diary...
Every Tuesday
YMCA Youth Club
4.30pm - 6pm, ages 11 - 13
6.30pm - 8pm, ages 14 - 18 Conniburrow Community Hub MK14 7DX Every Friday
8.30pm
