Category: Thame news

PROFESSIONAL golfer, Adam Wootton, recently hosted a Golf Day in memory of his friend Johnny Stevens. Johnny from Horspath, Oxford, died in a tragic road traffic accident in July 2016, and raised over £10,000, for the local activity centre for children with special needs, Thomley, near Thame.

Adam and another of Johnny’s friends, Craig Disley, wanted to do something positive to mark the first anniversary of Johnny’s death. As Johnny was a keen golfer and member of the Oxford Golf Club they choose to organise a golf day there, to raise funds for local charity Thomley. Thomley, based in Worminghall, Bucks, helps over 7,500 disabled people and their families every year. This charity was close to Johnny’s heart as his nephew is a regular visitor there and has benefitted greatly from the unique & vital services they provide.

Laura, Johnny’s sister, saif of Thomley: “It is a special place we go to regularly to spend time as a family. Not only does it offer a wealth of fun activities for our children to take part in, but it is also a place where we feel comfortable and accepted. The staff at Thomley are amazing and always on hand for support. We really value what the charity provides for us, and so many other families.”

The golf day attracted a huge amount of support with over 200 players taking part with fabulous prizes donated by a range of supporters. The event raised £10,880 which will be spent on the purchase and installation of a play train at Thomley in memory of Johnny.

Adam himself explained: “The golf day Craig and I organised for Johnny was a phenomenal success; the money raised in aid of Thomley went past all of our expectations. We are extremely thankful to everyone who kindly donated prizes and gifts for the day. Everyone who uses Thomley will benefit from what we have achieved.”

Warren Koehler, CEO of Thomley thanked Adam and Craig: “On behalf of Thomley, I would like to thank Adam and Craig for all their efforts in organising a golfing event that led to this very generous donation towards our work here. We are delighted that Johnny’s family have chosen a piece of play equipment that will provide ongoing fun and enjoyment to all our visitors and a fitting tribute to Johnny’s memory.

“Johnny’s parents, Ally & Mark Stevens, fondly remember their son as ‘A lovely, caring, thoughtful, funny and very loving man’. The efforts of his friends and the support they received is a fantastic tribute to the love for Johnny and his family.”

To find out more about the services which Thomley offer, or how you could support Thomley, vsit www.thomley.org.uk

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a serious injury collision in Great Kimble, on Friday, August 4.

At about 3.35pm on Friday (4/8) a black Volkswagen Golf, which was travelling from the direction of Aylesbury towards Princes Risborough, was involved in a collision with a toddler in Lower Icknield Way, the B4009, near the Swan public house.

The driver of the Volkswagen remained on the scene. The two-year-old boy who was hit, was taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital and was later transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where he remains in a critical condition.

The road was closed in the area while emergency services were in attendance and officers from the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing began an investigation. The road was re-opened by 6.15pm.

Investigating officer Police Constable Nigel Rosier, from Roads Policing based in Amersham police station, said: “It is very important that anyone who witnessed the collision who has not already spoken to police comes forward with any details as this may help the investigation. The child involved has sadly suffered serious injuries as a result of the collision and specialist officers are supporting the family through this difficult time.”

If you have any information relating to this case, call 101 quoting reference ‘URN 964 4/8’, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

THAME Town council has today issued the following statement regarding the Christian caravan gathering on Thame Show Ground:

“The Town Council shares the concerns of many in the community with regard to a current event at Thame Showground. As always it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. Opinions expressed range from outright support to outright indignation. We have been assured by the Police that they are doing all they can to monitor and control the current situation, based on the factual knowledge they have.

“They are the right organisation to deal with anything that is reported. The Town Council’s position is that that we will provide support if requested by Category 1 responders (which includes the Police), in line with our emergency response plan. Our advice to residents (and agreed with the Police) is to always call 999 in an emergency i.e. if you see a crime is being committed, there’s a risk of injury, or there’s a risk of serious damage to property.That gives the best chance of the perpetrators being apprehended. If it is after the event then it is also critical to report, so that the true picture can be established by the police, and they can allocate available resources accordingly.

“After the event, if you’ve witnessed the aftermath, then you should use the police non-emergency system – 101 or on-line at https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/contact-us/report-crime-or-incident/

“Let’s all hope that not many reports need to be made. Thank you for your support, which will help reduce both the reality and the perception, and make us all feel a little safer.”

New statement from Thame Agricultural Association

The Thame Agricultural Association have issued a second statement, rowing back on some of the accusations included in the first statement. The revised statement reads: “”Further to lots of posts in social media we would like to put the record straight on a few points.

“As previously stated yes, the showground was booked and fully paid for by the “Darlington Christian Fellowship Group”.

“There were background checks done on the group and all checked out and passed, they paid in full plus a deposit, they hired and paid for two large roll on roll off rubbish skips, they hired and paid for Biffa bins and also toilets.

“This booking was taken in ‘good faith’ by the TAA, there is no one person to blame it was as far as TAA believed a normal showground hiring and nothing more.”

“Cutting down of trees did not occur.”

The statement concluded: “We would ask the people of Thame to just try to let this religious group have their get together and hopefully there will be nothing major reported, and unless individuals have seen things with their own eyes then please don’t start with rumours or Chinese whispers, that’s how things get blown up out of proportion.”

THERE have been reports on social media today of several caravans having arrived at Thame Show Ground, following a booking made from what was believed to be at the time, a Christian group.

The booking was apparently taken by the Thame Agricultural Association, which owns the land, in good faith.

Many of the Facebook posts are, rightly or wrongly, linking the event to gypsies and speculate about a link to an increase in reported thefts in the area and a police warning to lock away valuables and to keep them out of sight.

It must be stressed that the police have made no such connection publicly and so far, there is no evidence of a connection.

However, published on a local website, a statement, which addresses itself as ‘WE (The Thame Agricultural Society)’ states that it was contacted by the organisers of The Darlington Christian Fellowship Group to book for their annual meeting. Contracts were apparently signed and toilets booked and paid for, all – the TAS thought, was above board.

“But,” goes on the statement, “the showground has been invaded by approximately 5000, believed to be, Gypsies. They had booked the showground from now (Friday, August 4) until Thursday, and paid for in full.

“It’s a total nightmare. They are cutting down the trees on the showground; it’s carnage up there, and the police are on site in force.”

David Jones Boyd defended the visitors, posting on facebook:  “Just would like to say that the field will be getting cleaned on a regular basis then on the last day you wouldn’t be able to find a match stick, these people are here to worship god, I myself am not a Christian but I know how these people are and I can tell you that you will never find a kinder people or more hospitable.

“I will admit we are a loud people but we do mean well; everyone is more than welcome to come on to the field and enjoy the meetings and see for yourself.”

It was not clear at the time of writing whether any incident was on-going or had been resolved.

THAME Town Council is getting tough over unauthorised ‘fly posting’ around the town, and on unauthorised structures, such as A boards, table and chairs, and bins that may be a danger to the vulnerable such as the elderly or people with impaired eye-sight.

In response to recent concerns raised about obstructions on some of the town’s pavements, including bins and tables and chairs, the council has now adopted a Promotional Signs Policy and a Structures on the Highway policy.

Although the council has produced the latter policy: “.. to set acceptable standards for the placing of structures within the highways 30mph speed restriction boundary of Thame,” it says that it wishes to encourage ‘the economic viability of the town’ but that this has to be balanced against statutory legal obligations and ‘equality of treatment to members of the public’.

However, the council states in its Policy that it recognises that some discretion is needed within the town centre with regards to business signage eg A Boards, displayed goods, objects and structures including bins, planters, tables and chairs, musical instruments and temporary trading stands.

At a recent meeting of the council’s Policy and Resources committee, when the policies were ratified, Cllr Nichola Dixon expressed particular concern over the number of ‘A’ boards often placed outside the entrance to Swan Walk, in Upper High Street, Thame.

The full criteria, standards and Enforcement procedures set out in the two policies, can be read at the following location, item 15: LINK HERE

A Working Group, made up of Thame Town Councillors and healthcare partners, has been assessing the future needs and deficiencies in health provision in Thame and has now come up with a vision for a new, integrated community and well-being centre in Thame.

The group, Chaired by Cllr Nigel Champken Woods, has looked at the physical, social and psychological needs of patients, and its aspirations include:

 Relocation of existing GP practices (Rycote and Trinity Health) from Thame Health Centre to a purpose built facility
 Expansion of consulting space to ensure adequate sized and equipped rooms to deliver core primary care and added value services
 Co-location of additional primary care services such as district nurses, social services and other community healthcare professionals

The aim is for a ‘Genuine Cross Agency Community Facility providing a focal point for well-being in Thame’.

Discussions have been held with several landowners and with interested parties such as Thame East Residents Association, but no site has yet been decided upon. The Cattlemarket was mentioned as a possible site for such a Hub in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan as part of a mixed development, but that location has since been deemed too small to include such a facility.

READ the complete report HERE (item 11c)

Death of Eric Gladwin – Thame.Net was sad to hear of the death of Eric Gladwin, late of Ludsden Grove, Thame. Eric was a poet and thinker and sang for many years with both Thame Choral Society and Lord Williams’s Festival Chorus. He was a pioneer of the Hiring industry, establishing Helpful Hirings in 1963. Eric’s funeral will be held on August 1, 2017, at 12 mid-day at St Mary’s church in Thame.

CCTV could be used to catch dog fouling – Thame Town Council is to approach the authorities to see if CCTV footage can be used to identify the owners of dogs who are allowed to foul the pavement – a particular increase of which has been identified in the Upper High Street, Thame.

Noise Patrols to be carried out at Thame Fair – These will be carried out throughout the period of Thame Fair, September 20-23, 2017, by Thame Town Councillors and officers, to ensure that the noise levels throughout the event do not exceed permitted levels, agreed with the Showmen’s Guild. Following the terrorist attacks in London and other European cities recently, extra barriers are to be erected to protect against similar incidents. Also, additional precautions have been added to the town council’s security plans for the fair, to incorporate emergency evacuation locations outside of the road closure areas, and a process for caring for vulnerable persons.

New solar powered Pay and Display machines at car parks – These are being installed at SODC car parks from next week. Payment will be able to be made by credit or debit card as well as coins, including the new £1. Old £1 coins will continue to be used until they go out of circulation on October 15. Payment will also be possible using a mobile phone via the Connect Cashless system. When using the new machines, you will need to type in your vehicle registration on the key pad before payment is made.

The machines will be powered by solar panels, making them more environmentally friendly. SODC operated car parks in Thame are those at the Cattlemarket and Southern Road Recreation Ground.

New waste and recycling trucks – New waste and recycling trucks are being introduced across the district in the autumn to replace old vehicles that have become unreliable.

Skatepark Summer Jam – This year’s Thame Skatepark Summer Jam, will run from 11am – 5pm on Sunday. August 6. There will be jam style competitions, prizes, music, food, and all round good times. Stay up to date via the Thame Skatepark Project Group on Facebook.

Affordable and shared ownership housing – A number of rented and shared ownership homes will be available from spring 2018, at new housing developments in Wheatley and Great Haseley for people with a local connection. Find out more on our Homechoice website HERE

Shared ownership schemes are also available to help you purchase a home. Find out more on the Help to Buy website

Black Horse Pub Planning approved – Planning permissions for various alterations and works at the Black Horse Pub in Thame, have been granted, making it more likely that the establishment will be taken over by The White Brasserie Co Ltd, in which Raymond Blanc has an interest. See LINK

New burial ground to be consecrated – This formal ceremony will be carried out sometime in October 2017, so that burials can begin to take place at the former allotments site at Priest End,  in 2018. The site is expected to provide space for burials for a period of up to ten years.

Hedge lowered at Skate Park for easier observation by police – Thame Town Council has reduced the height of hedging at the Skate Park, at the request of the police, to allow easier observation from the road, in an effort to deter anti-social behaviour there.