Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

THAME Town Council has rejected a proposal to split a Thame shop into two separate spaces, to provide a restaurant and delicatessen at the front, and a furnishings shop at the rear.

Wildwood Restaurants Group have submitted the plans to turn the front of Greens Furnishings in Upper High Street, Thame, into a restaurant and delicatessen, whilst Greens retain the back half, accessed through a new entrance at the side of the shop through the current small alley way.

However, Thame Town Council’s Planning Committee voted to recommend refusal of the application, mainly on the grounds that more large, waste wheelie bins in the area, would add to the ‘eyesore’ already created by the bins outside Prezzo and Jack and Alice, close by.

The final decision on the plans rests with South Oxfordshire District Council. The full application can be read HERE

FOLLOWING Thame Town Council’s competition to design a new, community flag, a winner has now been chosen from 33 different designs.

At its Annual Meeting, on May 9, Thame Town Council chose the winning design from a shortlist of four. The town councillors were really impressed with all of the designs and thanked everyone who entered. The winning flag was designed by Hazel Mann, and was chosen for its modern design which the council said reflected the council’s website.

A council spokesperson said: “The designer has informed us that the wavy lines represent the elements which surround Thame – the blue line represents the River Thame, the white line represents the Phoenix Trail, and the green line represents the countryside. Hazel is excited and proud to be chosen as the winner and is looking forward to seeing the flag being flown! The flag should be produced in the next few weeks. ”

You can view all of the entries on the Town Council’s website at www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/town-flag-winner-chosen.

Pictured: The new town flag, and the Mayor (Cllr Tom Wyse) and Deputy Mayor (Cllr Linda Emery) holding the winning design.

THAME’S Charter Market is taking part in the high profile Love Your Local Market campaign, which is running between May 17 – 31 , led by the National Association of British Market Authorities, with full support from the wider markets industry and the Government.

The weekly market, which has been established in Thame since 1183, will be embracing social media with posts about the various stalls that you can find at the market every Tuesday, through their Facebook page. They are asking everyone to get involved by liking the page  and sharing details about your favourite stalls with your friends, using #LYLM2017 and #Thame. Thame market is aiming to reach 1,000 likes by the end of the campaign and needs your help to achieve this!

Thame’s monthly Farmers’ Market will also be getting involved in the campaign through their Facebook, so make sure you show them some love by liking their page! They will also be posting regular features throughout LYLM fortnight, showcasing the products available on the second Tuesday of each month.

Started in 2012 amidst fears around the sustainability of our nation’s high streets, Love Your Local Market participants have staged over 11,000 events. This year, Thame’s Tuesday Charter Market shall be joining over 1200 markets across Britain in this campaign to highlight the importance that our market plays in the heart of our communities, not only for retail but as a valuable community assets that provides a focal point.

High Streets Minister, Andrew Percy, said: “We have a proud heritage of markets in this country. They are a vital part of Britain’s bustling high streets and the heartbeat of communities across the country. Markets are a key part of the retail offer in many towns, contributing to jobs and local growth and are a proven catalyst for encouraging the next generation of business people to start or develop their own businesses”

Each week, Thame Market features a Community Stall that groups and charities can use to enjoy the buzz of the market crowds and promote their work or fundraise right in the heart of the community. As part of the event this stall will feature the Red Kite Family Centre on May 30, from 10am – 1pm. They will be running ‘Carnival Crafts’ providing children with the opportunity to come and get involved in making flags and streamers that they can bring to wave at Thame’s Carnival which takes place on June 10.

Love Your Local Market is being led by the National Association of British Market Authorities and supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government, Association of Town City Management, National Market Traders Federation, Local Government Association and the National Association of Local Councils.

This year’s Love Your Local Market campaign is being Sponsored by Gala Tent.

THAMES Valley Police has clarified the details of an incident at the bus stop by Thame Town Hall on Thursday (11/05), when two youths were reported to have been removed by police from a 280 bus.

Two police vehicles attended the scene, preventing the bus from leaving for several minutes, while they spoke to the two youths, who had what looked like a small, pirate-type sword.

A police spokesperson told Thame.Net: “At around 4pm on 11/5, Thames Valley Police were called to a report of a man being threatened by two males with a knife as he was taking cash out of a cashpoint at Upper High Street, Thame.

Officers were deployed to the scene and the suspects identified and located. The knife was found to be a toy.

“It was agreed there was no crime just some confusion over the intent of the males. No offence was recorded.”

A family living in Ickford, had lost everything they own, after their thatched cottage was severely damaged by fire.

Fire crews were called to the property in Bulls Lane, Ickford, at around 9.25pm on Wednesday evening, May 10.

Following a appeal by Carley Russell on facebook which read: “We lost our home and entire contents to a fire last night; if anyone has any unwanted useful house hold items that could help us out it would be hugely appreciated,” over 100 people responded with offers of furniture, clothes and household appliances. Hudson Lister, Carley’s partner responded to all the offers of help with: ” Thanks for ALL your kind support and lovely comments.

“As you can imagine Carley and I have been super busy today trying to sort things out and trying to find somewhere to live. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. We couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you!”

The offers from the community have included clothes for the couple’s two young boys, aged 10 and 11.

Currently the family is hoping to secure rented accommodation in nearby Chearsley.

According to Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue, one appliance and crew from Brill, one from Haddenham, one from Waddesdon, eight from Oxfordshire, the Incident Command Unit from Aylesbury and five officers attended. Firefighters used four main jets, two hose reels, four sets of breathing apparatus, a turntable ladder and a thermal imaging camera. The incident was scaled down during the night.

THE latest monthly crime report from Thame’s Neighbourhood Policing team, has highlighted work they have been doing in particular areas of public concern, including drugs.

The report, published today, and available to be read in full online HERE, states: “You were concerned about the open use of cannabis smoking in the Southern Road recreation ground, phoenix trail and nature reserve. Drug taking and dealing in Thame as a location is a current priority for the local police area and additional officers and patrols are being carried out to disrupt this behaviour.”

About littering, another particular bug-bear in Thame, the report says: “We also received reports of littering in Southern Road recreation ground. An offender of littering kindly left behind some identification with their empty alcohol box and cans, and they have received a fixed penalty notice fine for their inconsiderate littering.”

Referring to reports of cars parking on double yellow lines in Victoria Mead, Thame, the team reports that the area is being monitored closely when operational commitments allow, and that fixed penalty notices have been issued in respect of those vehicles found to be in breach of traffic regulations. “We will continue to monitor this on our patrols, along with other roads in Thame such as Chinnor Road and Queens Road,” is the assurance given in the report.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB)

The neighbourhood team has received complaints regarding ASB involving groups of young people around Thame. It’s response has been to proactively patrol the town centre and surrounding areas and to put in place additional support from other neighbourhood teams to show a presence. “We have had in place dispersal orders which have assisted us to remove young people who are causing ASB, away from the area,” continues the report. “This is ongoing at this time and remains a priority for the NHPT and local officers to disrupt this behaviour.”

Offender brought to justice

Oliver Joy of no fixed abode in Wheatley has been sentenced to 41 months imprisonment for assault on police, threats to kill, burglary and harassment.