THE first LWS (Lord Williams’s School) Business Breakfast meeting of the new academic year takes place on Monday, November 6, at 8am and will focus on the digital skills gap among small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
This will be an open meeting for employers to hear about current training and education provision in IT and digital skills, share their experience and help identify ways forward.
FOLLOWING an allocation of 775 new homes for Thame, already allocated for in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan, and now mostly all built, and then the SHMAR report (a county-wide Strategic Housing Market Assessment) which suggested Thame would need to build even more new homes by the early 2030s, now comes another proposal for calculating housing need, this time from the government.
In a statement, South Oxfordshire District Council has stated: “The government is currently consulting on a number of changes to planning policy and legislation, which includes a proposed approach to calculating housing need. Until any government guidelines are finalised and published, SODC is required to work on the existing housing needs figures. It will also need to consider economic growth, affordable housing and the need for new infrastructure.
“We will work to ensure the inspector considering our Local Plan will take any changes to guidance into account during the examination process,” concluded the council.
When will the Draft Local Plan be published?
In the meantime, residents can have their say about South Oxfordshire’s Final Draft Local Plan which will set out how the district should be shaped until 2033. This will be published on October 11.
Between that date and November 22, residents can have a say before the plan is submitted to the government for consideration by a planning inspector.
HOW and WHERE the homes will be delivered
Oh yes, and then there’s the joint draft housing delivery strategy to have a say about too! Land owners and developers have been submitting potential sites to a register for consideration for development. The list of dozens of sites in Thame already submitted, can be seen HERE Or check out the interactive map HERE
SODC have said that feedback from previous public consultations has been taken into consideration and has helped to shape the Local Plan through the various stages to this point.
They have also pointed out: “It is important to note that the planning inspector will be giving more weight to comments on the technical soundness of the plan – this means the comments need to relate to the legality of the plan. From October 11, look out for a factsheet and a short video on SODC’s website to help explains what this means.
Public meetings
Public meetings are planned throughout the district for residents to find out more and submit comments. The meeting in Thame will be held at the Town Hall on November 13, between 3 – 7 pm. But, anyone unable to attend one of these events, can view the final draft of the Local Plan and submit comments via the council website.
It is expected that for the final plan will be submitted to government by the end of 2017, and expect a public examination of the plan, including comments and evidence gathered, to take place early next year.
WHAT’S your favourite sin? Thame Chamber Choir will offer plenty of choice in its concert at 8p.m. on October 14, in St Mary’s Church, Thame, part of the Thame Arts and Literature Festival.
With the help of local actor Bruce Alexander, well-known for his television appearances in A Touch of Frost, the choir is proud to present an over-indulgent evening of longed-for illicit delights.
Those who attend are guaranteed to be greedy for more, whilst anyone who is too lazy to come will surely envy those who do, and be angry with themselves for missing an evening of music ranging from the unfamiliar to the familiar, from classical to popular, from Madrigals to Musicals: truly something for everyone – and for every sin!
Tickets, price £12, £10 concessions (under 18s free), are available from the TAL Box Office, tel: 0871-288-3420, on line at www.talfestival.org, or at the door.
ARRIVA has been awarded the tender to provide a new bus service linking new housing south of Thame to the town centre. The X8 and 280 buses will be diverted along Park Street, Chinnor Road and Wenman Road, once every hour each, there and back, between 6am and 11pm.
But this choice of route, which includes passing a primary school in the narrow, often congested Park Street, has ‘appalled’ Thame Town Councillors, after the council’s Transport Representative, Cllr Mary Stiles commented at a council meeting this week, that at a meeting with the County Council, this was exactly the route that both she and Thame’s Town Clerk had asked NOT to be considered.
The council’s minutes of the meeting, state: “It was a prime example of a decision being made remotely by a person with no knowledge of Thame and no consultation with the Town Council. Cllr Stiles stated that the Town Clerk continued to push for a meeting with the County Council.”
Local people have taken to social media to express their views on the proposed new route, which is due to start in three weeks. Jo Ryan posted: “It’ll be carnage; I can’t picture how the route will work as the only logical way in/out would route it along the bypass via Chinnor road, which is mostly impassable for anything other than a pair of smart cars most of the day.”
Mike Deacock said: “It’s ludicrous and attempting the bridge by Pheonix court! Stupidity at its height!” Mike Dyer added: “…The route isn’t fit for purpose so do we roll over or do we fight it? No contest in my mind.”
Catherine Jones posted: “And as for the double bend on the railway bridge! I wouldn’t want to meet as double-decker coming the other way. Squish!”
Kath Bacon: ” ….and if a bus meets a fire engine….”
Members of the council’s Planning & Environment Committee agreed to encourage the residents of Park Street and Chinnor Road to write to County Councillor, Nick Carter, copying the Leader of the County Council, to voice their concerns.
IF you’re in Thame on Saturday, September 30, perhaps visiting the Food Festival on the Showground, take advantage of special offers and enjoy food, wine and craft beer tastings courtesy of Thame’s outstanding local retailers and hostelries.
Spend an hour or two taking Thame’s first Food Trail – a 21st Century Thame event sponsored by Bell Kitchen Design Studio, The James Figg, Rumsey’s Chocolaterie, and Steamer Trading Cookshop. You can download the trail leaflet here: thame_food_trail_2017_digi
THAMES Valley Police have seen an increase in reports of burglary (non-dwellings) in the area recently. They would like to hear from anyone who may have any information, and are asking everyone to review their security.
• Between 5pm on 21/9 and 7am on 22/9 unknown offenders broke into a site office at Woodville, Chinnor by smashing off the lock and then got into eight sheds. A laptop was stolen.
• Between 10pm on 22/9 and 6am on 23/9 unknown offenders broke into a shed on Back Street, Tetsworth by damaging the door and the lock. Nothing was taken.
• Between 10pm on 22/9 and 8.30am on 23/9 unknown offenders broke into a shed on Marsh End, Tetsworth.
• Between midnight and 6.47am on 22/9 seven Porta Cabins were broken into on London Road, Wheatley. Locks were broken and a messy search was conducted in the main site office.
• Between 6pm on 22/9 and 10am on 23/9 unknown offenders broke into a secure garage on the access road to Stoke Talmage and stole a mountain bike, power tools and gardening equipment.
An alert today stated: “We would also ask residents to be vigilant in keeping an eye out for unusual activity in your street including vehicles and people that may look out of place and report it on 101 as soon as possible or 999 if you suspect that a crime is taking place at that moment.
Alternatively, if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.”
Shed and garage security
Opportunist thieves identify sheds and garages as easy pickings because they are usually fairly unprotected and lack basic security measures. The buildings often contain property that can be sold on or implements that can be used to force entry into the owner’s home. Many people fall short on basic security of their sheds and garages.
• Keep your shed/garage in good condition.
• Fit a closed shackle padlock to the door.
• Fittings should be bolted through the door and any screws concealed.
• It is easy to unscrew the ironmongery, steal contents and in some cases replace the screws to make it look as if the shed has not been tampered with.
• By using tamper proof screws or coach bolts, together with a good quality pad bar or hasp and staple and close shackled padlock, the shed owner will make it harder for the would-be thief.
• Bond any window glass in with mastic to prevent easy removal. Fit grilles or mesh to windows to slow down the thief.
• Ensure all equipment and tools are locked away when not in use.
• Install a shed/garage alarm.
• Post-code or mark all property such as lawnmowers, bikes, and tools using ultraviolet pens, forensic marking such as Selecta DNA, SmartWater or engravers.
• Install security lighting as a deterrent, and plants such as thorny shrubs to act as a barrier at potential access points.
• If building a shed, put it where it is most visible to you and neighbours.
• Ensure ladders are locked to a secure fixture in the shed or garage so they can’t be used to reach top floor windows.
• Chain large items such as bicycles together, making it much more difficult for a thief to carry away.
• Fit a wire cage inside a shed where more expensive items can be locked away.
• No thief wants to hang about longer than they have to so delay the time it will take them to get their hands on your tools
If you would like any further advice or information call Thames Valley Police via the 24 hour non-emergency telephone number 101 or visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk
AS part of her nationwide tour, Stars Are Rising The Live Tour, official number one, best-selling soprano, Joanna Forest is appearing at The Players Theatre, Thame, on Friday, September 29, supported by the Thame Children’s Choir (TCC2).
Described as one of the most exciting and important sopranos performing today, Joanna has performed to millions on the BBC, ITV, Sky and Classic FM and appeared at many prestigious events including The Royal Variety Performance.
At the Players Theatre, Joanna will be performing songs from her critically acclaimed debut album, Stars Are Rising, which made chart history when it was released earlier this year. She became the first independent artist to get to Number one in the Official Classical Album Charts, even managing to knock Alfie Boe off the top spot! The album also claimed Number one spots in the iTunes and Amazon Classical Charts.
Joanna has been working with world-renowned orchestrator, conductor and pianist, Robert Emery, since 2015. They created Stars are Rising, an album that is dramatic in scale, cinematic in style and gathers together an eclectic mix of powerful arias, cinematic classics and crossover versions of popular hits such as Bowie’s Life on Mars and Slade’s How Does It Feel? An animated video of How Does It Feel? went viral on the internet.
After studying at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Joanna made her West End musical debut at just 13, performing at the Dominion Theatre, London in Bernadette The Musical. She also made her straight acting debut when she was cast by Michael Palin in his first play, The Weekend. Joanna broke onto the classical music scene in 2014, when she duetted with Britain’s Got Talent winner and global megastar, Paul Potts, at a charity concert in London’s Palace Theatre. Since then she has been performing across the country in stadiums, theatres and proms shows.
Joanna is a keen supporter of charity and, having survived breast cancer at the age of just 21, now dedicates any free time she has to her role as an ambassador ‘Boobette’ for breast cancer awareness charity, CoppaFeel! (https://coppafeel.org/). £1 from every copy of Stars Are Rising sold is being donated to the charity.
Stars Are Rising, The Live Tour, Joanna Forest performs at The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame OX9 2DP on Friday, September 29, at 7.45pm. Tickets cost £10 from Spear Travels, Greyhound Walk, Thame, telephone 01844 217228 or online from www.thameplayers.co.uk
Thame Children’s Choir (TCC2) TCC2 was founded in November 2010 with administrative and financial support from the highly regarded Thame Chamber Choir. Directed by local professional conductor Duncan Aspden, the choir offers a special opportunity for boys and girls aged from 7 years upwards to learn to sing and enjoy a wide variety of music. Members come from a wide area in and around Thame so joining the choir is a great chance to make new friends.
CoppaFeel!
CoppaFeel! ® is a registered charity that exists to educate and remind every young person in the UK that checking their boobs isn’t only fun, it could save their life. They are the first breast cancer charity in the UK to create awareness amongst young people, with the aim of instilling a new healthy habit that could one day save their life. For more information go to https://coppafeel.org/.
Thame Players is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers offering a varied range of productions all year round, from serious theatre to comedy and pantomime, including their own productions, visiting shows, and film screenings by Thame Cinema 4 All. For more information about Thame Players and how to join as a member or a friend, call 07938 857291 or visit www.thameplayers.co.uk
THIS year, as part of Thame Arts & Literature Festival (TAL), Thame will host its first ever ‘Art Crawl’, giving festival goers the chance to stroll around Thame between events and explore the different venues celebrating art in the town centre. Running from Wednesday 10 – Saturday 14 October, the Art Crawl includes the ‘Sparksartists’ event shown in the TAL brochure. It will also feature established galleries, artist and makers shops; pop up art exhibitions at nine different venues; live art activities where you can watch an artist at work, and even get involved yourself; and a showcase of community arts groups, to inspire everyone to get creative.
Thame has a wealth of artistic talent and this event hopes to be the first of many that celebrate this. For more information please visit: www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/thame-art-crawl where events are being added and updated regularly.
Thame Town Centre shops are also getting involved in TAL by dressing their windows to celebrate the festival. The theme this time is ‘Jane Austen’, to celebrate the bi-centenary of her death.
THAME travelled to the picturesque Wormsley cricket ground hoping to round off a hugely-successful season with a win in the Wilf Bennett T20 final.
Thame won the toss and elected to bat, in front of a large crowd of their supporters. However, losing both openers early they struggled to get a grip on the game, with tight bowling and fielding from opponents Bicester and North Oxford. Despite a partnership between Callum Russell (37*) and Michael Beard (30), plus lusty blows from Adam Phippen, two middle-order run-outs put Thame on the back-foot as they only managed a total of 107-6 off their 20 overs.
The BNOCC innings started well for Thame, with a Michael Higgs wicket, but from there a pivotal second-wicket partnership and poor bowling all but took the game away, despite a flurry of late wickets. Only Hassam Mushtaq found his line on the day with his spell of 4 overs 1 for 11, but unfortunately this wasn’t enough, BNOCC winning with two overs to spare and by 6 wickets.
A disappointing end to a very successful Cup run but the great performances of the club’s youngsters bode well for next season and beyond.
Meanwhile, the club won the final two friendlies of the season – on the 9th against Hetairoi (Guy Holmes 100*- pictured and 3 wickets for Lewis Ludlam) and on the 17th against Northfields CC (Harry Thomas 63) – while the Women’s team lost a close match against an experienced South Moreton team on the 17th, with runs coming from Beth Johns and Mel White. The Women’s team will finish their season at the Bicester softball festival on Saturday 30th.
Source: Contributed
THAME Town Council and the Logndon and Home Counties Section of the Showmen’s Guild are pleased to confirm that the Thame October Fair will go ahead as normal on 13 and 14 October 2017.
In a statement today, Thame Town Council said: “We look forward to a successful and enjoyable event for all concerned.
“The Guild and Thame Town Council have also committed to talk further re the terms for both the September and October Fairs for 2018 onwards and are both convinced that agreement will be reached in the not too distant future. “