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Category: Thame news

  • ‘May the 4th be with you’ at The Crown in Sydenham

    THE force will be strong this May 4th, as The Crown Inn, Sydenham, celebrates International Star Wars Day.

    The Crown’s chocolate ‘Star Wars Battle Scene’ dessert

    Recently re-opened, the pub will be hosting a Star Wars-themed evening with a special three-course menu in support of the Star Wars linked ASSERT charity.

    Whether part of the Rebels, supporters of the Empire, or simply from a galaxy far far away, Star Wars fans of every ilk will be welcomed to The Crown Inn, Sydenham on Thursday, May 4, as the pub celebrates international Star Wars day.

    Droids, Wookies and Stormtroopers alike will be treated to a diverse feast, from ‘Skywalker’s Dagobah Rations’ with ‘Jakku Bread’, Yoda’s favourite ‘Rootleaf Stew’, or ‘Coruscant Beef – Two Ways’ (the ‘Light Side’, and the ‘Dark Side’), accompanied by flasks of ‘Bantha Blue Milkshake’ and ‘Jawa Juice’.

    Dessert will be a choice of ‘Leia’s (Cinnamon) Buns’, or the much anticipated re-appearance of The Crown Inn signature chocolate ‘Star Wars Battle Scene’, as featured on BBC South in December 2016.

    New management couple & avid Star Wars fans, Will & Pippa, were inspired to host the unique event, not only in celebration of the popular Disney movie franchise, but also in support of the ASSERT charity, which works with families affected by Angelman’s Syndrome.

    The chromosomal condition, which affects Star Wars ‘Rogue One’ Director Gareth Edwards’ niece Ella, also affects Will & Pippa’s niece Holly. ASSERT is The Crown Inn’s charitable partner, and proceeds from the Star Wars evening, as with all the pub’s events, will be donated to the charity.

    Landlady Pippa, explained: “Apart from being huge fans of the movies, there was such a great response from the original chocolate ‘Star Wars Battle Scene’ dessert, we were excited to expand the idea. We have as much fun creating memorable dining experiences for our visitors, as they do eating them, and being able to support & promote ASSERT even more is a fantastic feeling and result for us, and our niece Holly.”

    The popular community pub in Sydenham, located betweenThame & Chinnor, has been revived since the new team took over in October 2016, having been limited to a drinking establishment for the previous few of years.

  • The Bluebells are here!

    OUR beautiful Chilterns bluebell woods are already becoming covered with carpets of blue, as bluebells arrive early this year.

    The average peak flowering time for bluebells is late April into early May, but recent years have seen earlier showings in many local woods.

    “As woodland floors turn into a carpet of blue, get out there and make the most of them but do stick to footpaths!” asks the Chiltern Society.

    Half of the world’s bluebell woods are found in the UK so this is a spectacle that is very special to this country.

    Some of the best bluebell woods in the Chilterns are:

    • Wendover Woods, near Wendover
    • Adams Wood, near Lane End
    • Bradenham Woods, near High Wycombe
    • Angling Spring Wood, near Great Missenden
    • Ashridge Estate, near Berkhamsted
    • Cowleaze Woods, near Watlington
    • Ipsden Heath, near Henley-on-Thames

    Spring is a wonderful time of year to get out and enjoy our local countryside and enjoy the signs of Spring. You can find lots of information on the best places to see bluebells in the Chilterns, plus details of walks and bike rides, at www.chilternsaonb.org

  • Chinnor come from behind to beat Titans

    CHINNOR played host to fourth-placed Taunton Titans on Saturday, April 22, hoping to maintain their season-long unbeaten record at Kingsey Road and a National One play off place alive.

    On a pleasant sunny day ideal for running rugby, Chinnor’s right wing Luke Hibberd made an early break from deep. Pulled down just before the line, No 8 Tom Burns went over from the resulting scrum with Jonny Bentley converting for a 7-0 lead.

    From the restart, Titans full back Gary Kingdom missed a penalty opportunity to get the visitors on the scoreboard. Chinnor cleared and nearly went over again soon after when fly half Bentley made a break in midfield only for the ball to be held up over the line.

    The Titans were under pressure at this stage but moved upfield and levelled the game on 21 minutes when hooker Jon Gatford drove over from a 5m lineout. Kingdom converted from wide out.

    Chinnor’s flanker Alex Bradley was yellow carded on 26 minutes and Taunton made the extra man tell when No 8 Arron Gibbs crashed over after some sustained pressure. Kingdom again converted for a 14-7 lead.

    Taunton continued to press with ball in hand and went further ahead from another catch and drive close in. Gatford again the scorer. The conversion was missed and the half ended 19-7 to the visitors.

    Chinnor had it all to do in the second half and after some early pressure, Tom Burns drove over for his second try of the match. The conversion was missed and Taunton came straight back with a Kingdom penalty to make it 22-12.

    The Black & Whites needed to up their game and after a superb Tom Burns line break in midfield, were awarded a penalty try when Titans captain Nick Mason was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on a try scoring pass. Jonny Bentley converted for 22-19 on 57 minutes.

    Chinnor were now in full flow and on 60 minutes a delightfully executed cross field kick by Bentley put winger Charlie Broughton in at the corner. The conversion made it 26-22 and a try bonus point secured.

    Luke Hibberd went close to touching down soon after but from the 22m dropout, Chinnor captain Barnes dived over in the corner after a Bentley chip and catch. The conversion was missed for 31-22.

    With seven minutes to go a Danny Barnes break in midfield led to replacement hooker Jamie Townsend powering over for Chinnor’s 6th try. Greg Goodfellow took over the kicking duties and converted to make the score 38-22.

    As the clock ticked down, Titans pressed for their bonus point try and were rewarded when Lewis Webb crashed over on 80 minutes. An all-in melee delayed Gary Kingdom’s successful conversion which brought the game to a close 38-29.

    Chinnor remain unbeaten at home for the season and the try bonus point means the play off place will be decided in the last game next weekend.

    Titans head coach Tony Yapp said after the match: “Both teams looked to play as much rugby as they could. We started well but second half Chinnor got themselves back in the game and have some good players. Once the momentum had shifted, it was hard for us to get back into it.”

    For Chinnor DOR Matt Williams: “It was a very good second half performance after a nervous start. Fair play to Taunton, they gave us a scare but all credit to the players for scoring five tries after the break.”

    Teams

    Chinnor
    Kieran Goss, Luke Hibberd, Danny Barnes ©, Bevon Armitage, Charlie Broughton, Jonny Bentley, Greg Goodfellow, Tom Price, Mark Darlington, Jay Tyack, CJ Osazuwa, Ben Manning, Richard Thorpe, Alex Bradley, Tom Burns

    Interchanges: Joe Hutchinson, Andy Berry, Jamie Townsend, Ben Pienaar, Junior Fatialofa

    Taunton Titans
    Gary Kingdom, Oli Massy-Birch, Nick Mason ©, Tom Popham, Freddie Fraser, Ted Landray, Lewis Webb, Alec Chase, Jon Gatford, Charlie Tribble, Stuart Persey, Sean Lonsdale, Conor Harbison, Dan Frost, Arron Gibbs

    Interchanges: Elliot Roofe, Tom Rhodes, Blake Lugg, Tom Lawday, Will Siddle

    Scorers

    Chinnor
    Tries (time): Burns 7, 45, Pen 56, Broughton 60, Barnes 65, Townsend 74
    Conversions (time): Bentley 8, 57, 61, Goodfellow 75
    Penalty Goals (time):

    Taunton
    Tries (time): Gatford 20, Gibbs 28, Gatford 39, Webb 79
    Conversions (time): Kingdom 21, 29, 80
    Penalty Goals (time): Kingdom 47

    Referee: Mr Veryan Boscawen
    Attendance: 793
    Half time score: 7-19
    Full time score: 38-29
    Star man: Tom Burns – Chinnor

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan ‘ignored’ by planning authority says town council

    DESPITE assurances from government following the Localism Act 2011, that Neighbourhood Plans would give communities control over ‘where they want new homes, shops and offices built, and have their say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided’ (see LINK for full details), Thame Town Council are angry after a string of incidences where it says Thame’s NP has been ignored.

    Photo by the late Nick White

    As a result, Graeme Markland, Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer, has submitted evidence to the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) on a list of key planning decisions, contrary to the Thame Neighbourhood Plan policies, that have been decided by South Oxfordshire District Council. In his evidence, Mr Markland states: “In each case the vision and objectives of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan have been seriously compromised.” He particularly highlighted the following examples:

    LOST JOBS
    Goodson Industrial Mews, Thame
    On an office/industrial development on the edge of Thame Town Centre an application for demolition and replacement with housing was approved. This was in spite of a policy in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan that prevents change of use without prior proof of active marketing of the site, and the site being no longer viable for employment purposes. No tangible proof was given by the developer. Using accepted Homes and Communities Agency methodology, we can see that space for between 60 – 75 jobs was lost from this single site because of this application. It is worth noting this decision was also contrary to the LPA’s own evidence from their Employment Land Review (November 2015) which stated that with vacancy rates so low for B-use class land and buildings in Thame, all employment land should be retained.

    Key details: Planning application P15/S3848/FUL, the policy ignored was Policy WS12 from the Thame Neighbourhood Plan.

    LOST OPPORTUNITY FOR STARTER HOMES
    Elm Tree Farm, Moreton, Thame
    A specific policy within the Thame Neighbourhood Plan aims to integrate windfall sites well into their surroundings. On an area of land in a small hamlet a developer had permission granted for two extremely large dwellings on a site of 0.4ha in area, a density of five dwellings per hectare. Adjacent, modest dwellings are developed at almost 23 per hectare. The site could have yielded much-needed starter or family accommodation for Moreton/Thame, in line with the vision and objectives of the Neighourhood Plan. The development was also against the LPA’s own Core Strategy policy regarding housing infill in villages. 

    Key details: Planning application P16/S1470/FUL, the policies ignored were Policy H5 from the Thame Neighbourhood Plan and Core Strategy Policy CSR1.

    HIGHER ENERGY BILLS & CARBON EMISSIONS
    Land at Wenman Road, Thame
    One of the core parts of the vision and objectives of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan was to encourage energy efficiency in developments. An application was submitted by a developer on an allocation site to remove the requirement to build their dwellings to Code Level 4, contrary to both Neighbourhood Plan and Core Strategy Plan policy. Although much of Code Level 4 has been brought into Government design standards/Building Regulations, the specific issue of energy conservation has not. A Ministerial Statement confirmed that local authorities would be able to continue to demand energy efficiency measures equivalent to Code Level 4, where a legacy policy exists. The LPA chose not to distinguish this element and granted permission. This will lead to the future occupants of these buildings paying much higher energy bills than their neighbours on the development next door. Associated carbon emissions will be similarly higher.

    Key details: Planning application P16/S2874/FUL, the Policy ignored was ESDQ13 from the Thame Neighbourhood Plan, CSQ2 from the Core Strategy and written Ministerial Statement of 25th March 2015.

    Additional Protection For Neighbourhood Plans

    Thame’s Town Clerk, Graham Hunt, told Thame.net: “it seems planning balance is currently in favour of the developers, though the Thame NP has also helped achieve some significant victories. All Neighbourhood Plans have recently been given additional protection by the December Ministerial Written Statement and there are already situations at SODC where NPs are being additionally supported as a result.”

    Amending Neighbourhood Plans?

    With regard to possible amendments to the TNP, Graham Hunt explained: “There is nothing major as yet from within Thame that has triggered a need for amendment, though a clear need for additional/refurbished employment land is emerging, to maintain and increase opportunities for Thame residents to work in Thame. I think that need would have triggered an amendment in the not too distant future, had legislation existed to allow amendment (current law is a complete rewrite / inspection / referendum – even to change just one sentence in a Neighbourhood Plan – which is why none have yet been amended). Thame would have been a trail blazer again!

    “BUT“, he warned, “the real trigger now is the emerging SODC Local Plan. Once that is adopted (expected some time in 2018), the current Thame Neighbourhood Plan will immediately have less weight in planning terms – though there are promises of a 12 month protection window beyond LP adoption for any new Neighbourhood Plan to be prepared. Given likely Local Plan content, that will require a significant overhaul of the current Thame Neighbourhood Plan, which would go through the full new plan process, as last time.

    Thame Needs More Infrastructure – A Battle Ahead!

    “We have already started evidence gathering. The opportunity will be taken to ensure that any new plan, as well as delivering housing allocation policies, will also provide even more for infrastructure needs. And probably much more detail on retail provision, employment land provision, elderly housing, etc. Our current position is that Thame needs significant infrastructure (as defined in the existing Neighbourhood Plan – a Community Facility / Health Hub / Education / Parking / Transport / Green Space / Burial Space / Sports Facilities / Town Centre infrastructure etc etc) to be developed before any further housing allocation, but controlling timing of further housing development will be a battle. We hope that we will be able to establish good evidence to support our position.”

    Graham Hunt concluded: “The detail of a new TNP is needed by April 2019. We have two years of lots of hard work ahead, to help ensure that Thame continues to be developed in the way that the community of Thame wants.”

  • Bucks Symphonic Wind Ensemble to perform in Thame

    THE Bucks Symphonic Wind Ensemble, a leading 48-piece wind band, will be performing a mixture of easy listening and classical in St Mary’s church on the night of 22 April. Conducted by Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs, Principal Director of Music for the Royal Air Force, the band is made up from a combination of professional musicians, semi-professional and amateur musicians, the band has built up a reputation for high quality, fun concerts with the occasional surprise.

    It is rare that people get the chance to hear a band of this quality and the event is sure to inspire those learning musical instruments both young and old. The concert is in support of Friends of St Mary’s, who were established in 1992 to help ensure that The Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, should continue to play a key role in the community, central to the lives of some and to many more a backdrop to daily life and a familiar landmark when returning home.

    The St Mary’s church building is a key landmark in Thame and continues to be the focus of many of life’s significant events.

    Come along on April, 22, for a great night’s music and support the local community. Tickets can be bought in advance from St Mary’s Church (Tel: 01844 213491) or on the night if still available.

  • Junior cricket coaching has started!

    AS from Tuesday, April 18, every Tuesday evening. See the Thame Town Cricket Club website for more details.

  • How’s your business doing in Thame?

    THAME Town Council is running a survey to capture a snap shot view of the pros and cons facing businesses in Thame.

    It also wants to hear about improvements local businesses think are needed . The information gathered will be used to prioritise the work of Becky Reid, the new Market Town Coordinator.

    “The results will also give focus and direction to the Town Centre Working Group / Town Team that we hope to establish over the coming months,” explained the council in its weekly newsletter published today.

    Business are asked to contact Becky Reid directly via becky.reid@thametowncouncil.gov.uk if there is other information or other ideas they may have that are not covered in the survey; ideas that will be fed into the survey.

    LINK HERE to the town council’s website for more information and to complete the survey which should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

  • Lib Dem candidate responds to snap election announcement

    FOLLOWING the Prime Minister’s call for a snap General Election to be held on June, 8, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Henley constituency, is telling voters why they should vote for her.

    Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for the Henley & Thame constituency

    Laura Coyle, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Henley, said in a statement today: “The Liberal Democrats are standing on a clear platform to prevent a hard Brexit by staying in the Single Market, and to give the British people the final say on the Brexit deal through a referendum.”

    She continued: “This election is a huge opportunity for voters in Henley to change the direction of our country and prevent a disastrous hard Brexit. People in the Henley constituency voted decisively to remain in the EU, and certainly did not vote for the extreme form of Brexit that Theresa May has imposed on us after being backed by Labour.

    “For all those who want to protect our local economy by staying in the Single Market and ensure the people have the final say over what comes next, this is your chance.

    “The Liberal Democrats are the real opposition to the Conservative Brexit Government and the only party fighting for a Britain that is open, tolerant and united,” she concluded.

    No announcement has yet been made by any other political party as to who their candidates for the General Election on June 8, will be.

    Theresa May is expected to win parliamentary support for calling the election.

  • Best British Kebab winners donate takings to charity

    ON the night of the official launch of Atalay’s brand new, extra long kebab van, the Atalay family decided that they would donate the evening’s profits to Thame charities, and today, after considering all the suggestions made by their customers, they have announced which local charities will benefit from the £3,047.12 raised.

    The Atalay family receive their award for the Best British Kebab Van at the recent British Kebab Awards 2017 ceremony

    Announcing their decision on social media today, the Atalay family said: ” On the April 8, YOU helped us raise £3047.12 for charity at the opening of our new van! We have never seen anything like this! Thank you all for your patience.

    “We now have clearance that the money will be tax free as we raised it through sales which is excellent! This has been so successful we are considering doing it again next year (If you would like to support it again!)

    “We’ve looked through your votes and decided to split the money raised as many ways as possible:

    Angel Wings (Amy’s Cuddle Cot) = £1000
    Thame & District Day Centre = £500
    Royal British Legion (Thame) Branch = £200
    Thomley Activity Centre = £250
    SSNAP = £300
    Thames Valley Air Ambulance (in memory of Barnaby Cork = £200
    The Mayors Charity Account – Red Kite Family Centre & Thame Youth Projects = £547.12

    “Thank you to everyone who turned up to help us to see such a great success! Also a big thanks to the all the team that donated their wages that day! Hope to see you all for another kebab soon! “

  • Fire update: Two arrested

    TWO 15 year-old boys, one from Thame and one from Aylesbury, have been arrested on suspicion of arson and released under investigation, following yesterday’s fire in Haddenham, which destroyed a huge stack of elephant grass, destined to be used as green fuel.

    Image courtesy of photographer Simon Jones and Brill Firefighters

     

    The incident occured between 3pm and 3.30pm at Manor Farm, next to Station Road in Haddenham, and caused the road to be closed for several hours while firefighters dealt with the blaze and police officers carried out an investigation.

    Investigating officer, Police Constable James Holmes, based at Aylesbury police station, said: “These fires could easily have caused people to be seriously injured, and had the fires continued to grow and spread, there could have been significant damage to the farm.

    “I am appealing for anyone who has any information which they think could help our investigation to please call the Thames Valley Police non-emergency number on 101.”

    Anyone with information relating to this case, is asked to call 101 quoting reference 43170110615, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.