Category: Thame news

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.

RECTORY Homes has failed to persuade Thame Town Council to recommend that the local planning authority approves its planning application for an Extra Care housing development on the site known as The Elms, in Upper High Street, Thame.

This particular plan was the second, new proposal submitted since Rectory Homes did have a plan for a housing development on the site, approved back in July 2015.

This latest application is for a development comprising apartments, houses and a communal residents’ centre with basement parking and storage areas, a new public open space, provision of new vehicle access from Elms Road and a new pedestrian / cycle link onto the Upper High Street with associated infrastructure works and landscaping. It would consist of five main blocks of one and two-bedroom self-contained units, of between 10 and 22 units per block. A further two small blocks would contain two self-contained, two-bedroom apartments and four, three-bedroom “houses”.

The applicant had claimed that the Thame Neighbourhood Plan was out of date and that such schemes were supported by Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Rectory Homes also held that, because the bulk, scale and massing of the development having been already approved as part of the original application, anything that fits inside a similar shell should be approved.

If approved, this new scheme would create 23 jobs, create less traffic movements in adjoining streets and a small increase in the public space provided, Rectory Home’s spokesperson told the council.

“I do not believe that the evidence is there for such an institution,” said the Neighbourhoood Plan Continuity Officer, Graeme Markland.

The town council agreed with a report before them from its Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer, that the proposal went against the Thame Neighbourhood Plan in five specifics (Access the full report HERE) and voted to recommend refusal of the application.

ALL the nominations for candidates to represent the Henley Constituency, of which Thame is included, have today been published. They are as follows:

THE recently formed, Thame For Europe Group, made their presence felt yesterday, Tuesday, in Thame, when they encouraged passers-by to join them in conversation about Europe and gave out flags, stickers – and chocolates.

Group spokesperson, Phillipa Tawn, told Thame.net: “We had an amazing day yesterday in Thame. We gave out 400 little flags as well as dozens of chocolates and stickers. We were overwhelmed by the positive response and had so many interesting conversations with passers-by; a couple of angry people but they were definitely the exceptions.”

Yesterday,the European flag was flown from Thame’s flag pole, outside the town hall to mark May 9, Europe Day, which aims to celebrate peace and unity in Europe. SEE LINK

IT’S not every day that a world renowned Mathematician visits your school. Yesterday, Marcus du Sautoy, OBE, Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford came to Lord Williams’s School in Thame, to open the new Clark Building.

A school spokesperson said: “Marcus spent the day meeting staff and students and gave a wonderful talk to Year 11 students on the wonders of Mathematics and the potential joys and mysteries of studying the subject. A special certificate was presented to Jamie Lyon who won a competition to design a mural for the floor in the entrance hall to the new building. Marcus has very interesting views on the links between Mathematics and the Creative Arts collaborating with many different artists and organisations.

“In 2014 he worked with the Swedish Radio Orchestra exploring the connections between Mathematics and Music. He has also presented three series of the School of Hard Sums on the Dave TV station with comedian Dara O’ Briain. He was the mathematical adviser for the National Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.

“The new building is named in recognition of the dedicated service of one of our present governors, Anne Clark, who has supported the school as a parent and governor for over 40 years.”

David Wybron, the Headteacher of Lord Williams’s school, commented: “This building will surely inspire present and future generations of staff and students. There is a very tangible feeling of space and light in the building and it feels like an exciting place for learning to take place.”

The building was the result of a successful bid to the Education Funding Agency.