Category: Thame news

Protect your tools – protect your business!

AFTER a spate of thefts of tools from vehicles and sheds in the area, Thames Valley Police have issued nine tips for keeping your tools safe:

Lock ‘em up!

It might seem obvious, but keeping your tools locked securely in a storage shed, or garage is a must-do. Thieves go for easy targets, and if yours isn’t easy, they might look elsewhere. We know that taking all your tools off site or unloading the van each day is a pain, but if it saves you losing your tool, then you win.

Image courtesy of romseyandvillages.co.uk/

If you must leave your tools on site or in your vehicle, securing a heavy duty tool box to the inside of your vehicle with a lock on the tool box will make it more difficult.

Secure your site

A badly secured site is an invitation for thieves. Ensure there are no gaps in fencing and that you have a decent padlock preferably secured to a locking plate to minimise bolt cutter leverage. Consider an alarm system, especially towards the end of builds when valuable goods have been stored.

Don’t leave your tools in a trailer or vehicle

This is making it too easy for thieves. You’ve even done the hard work of removing them off site, all they need to do is steal your car or trailer and drive away. Unload your vehicle each night, or store it securely in a garage that is alarmed.
If this is not possible, install a vehicle alarm. The more deterrents the better chance your tools have of staying yours.

Engrave / Mark your tools

Engraving your name, phone number or postcode into your tools may act as a deterrent to thieves by making your tools more difficult to sell. Engrave deep and engrave well to prevent it from being sanded or grinded off too easily. Another alternative is to us a permanent UV marker pen and write your details on the tools. It is invisible but could assist the police to identify any recovered stolen items. It is best to keep your markings consistent using the same mark for each tool.

Add a toolbox alarm and tracking device

Adding a toolbox alarm and clearly marking your toolbox as being alarmed will further deter thieves from stealing your kit, while a modern and relatively small GPS tracking devices will help track down your kit if it is stolen.

Do a regular stock take

It might sound boring and a waste of time but by doing a regular check of your tools and equipment regularly (ideally daily or weekly) you know exactly if and when a tool goes missing. You can also note any required tools or accessories before you need them meaning you save the time of dashing out to the hardware store mid-job!

Note your tools’ serial numbers and photograph them

If your tools do get stolen, having serial numbers and photos will help track them down, and prove they are yours if they are recovered. It’s not a big effort and could be the difference between getting your tools back or having them sitting on the shelf at a pawn shop. If you mark your tool by engraving them or UV marker, also make a note of what tools are marked.

Report thefts to the police

By reporting to the police any theft of tools and supplying images and serial numbers then police are able to cross check that information with any stolen goods recovered. By reporting it and providing evidence (pictures, serial numbers, receipts etc) that the tools are yours, you may get them back. Tools do get recovered, all is not lost, but it can be hard to identify where they are from if we do not have the full information from the owner.

Have insurance

Do not make the mistake of not insuring your tools, they are your daily business after all. Get a good insurance policy and make sure you read the policies fine print so you know exactly what your responsibilities are and the circumstances in which they might deny a claim.
The other steps you take such as taking a regular stock take, serial numbers and photographs should help with your claim, but there is no guarantee; read the fine print.

Contact us

For further information or advice in relation to Crime Prevention, please contact the Thame & Wheatley Neighbourhood Policing Team via email: ThameWatlingtonChinnorNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk Please note, this email address cannot be used to contact Thames Valley Police to report a crime or for urgent matters.

Alternatively, you can contact the local neighbourhood team by calling us on the police non-emergency number 101 or if it is an emergency and there is a crime in progress, then dial 999.

05/12/2016
Support Thame cricketer’s Movember challenge

THE Vice-Chair of Thame Cricket Club, despite friendly ribbing from team mates, has been taking part in the Movember campaign to raise funds for research into men’s illnesses, and grown a moustache.

Matt Swain

Despite the mickey-taking, the rest of the team, and friends and family have shown their support for Matt and helped him towards his target of £250.

In a message to club members, Matt said: “Together we’ve helped stop men dying too young, funding vital prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention projects. Every bit counts, which is why I’m back for another month of Movember.”

If you would like to support Matt, there are two ways you can contribute to his Movember fundraising: Donate online at http://mobro.co/swainymo
or, make out a cheque to ‘Movember’ referencing Matt’s registration ID (12658445) and mail it to: Movember Europe, PO Box 485, Wilstead, Bedford, MK45 3XN

Learn about the important work Movember is funding and the impact your donation will have:
http://uk.movember.com/programs/cause

01/12/2016
Invitation to crime prevention event in Thame

THE Thame neighbourhood police team are holding a crime prevention event in the town hall in Thame, on December 9. They will be there between 6pm and 8pm handing out a range of crime prevention items such as tamper proof screws, UV pens and stickers for cars and vans stating ‘No Satnav left in this vehicle.

‘Smart water’ shows up on thief’s hands

Also available to buy will be Smartwater which is great for marking up valuables both inside and outside you home.

Also available at no cost will be bicycle security marking, a discreet tamper proof security sticker the officers will fit to your bicycle with your details on. This is a great deterrent and also aids the police in returning lost and stolen bicycles to their lawful owners.

PCSO Ryan Dollery said: “Please come along and say hello to us on the 9th in the Town Hall to take advantage of these crime prevention goodies. We will also be on hand to answer any questions you have for us with regards to crime prevention or any other local issues.”

01/12/2016
M40 Roadworks warning – lane closures tonight
- M40 J7 southbound access | Southbound | Road Works – issued 29-11-2016 03:19 PM GMT by Highways England.
Status : Pending. Lane Closures : Lane one will be closed. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 22:00 and 06:00 from 29 November 2016 to 12 December 2016. Location : The M40 southbound entry slip at junction J7 . Lanes Closed : There will be one of two lanes closed. Reason : Road repairs are planned.
- The M40 southbound between junctions J8A and J6 – Reason Barrier repairs are planned. Schedule From 22:00 on 29 November 2016 to 06:00 on 30 November 2016
  Lanes Closed
- M40 southbound between J7 and J6 | Southbound | Road Works
  29-11-2016 01:48 PM GMT – Status : Pending. Lane Closures : Lane three will be closed. Schedule : From 22:00 on 29 November 2016 to 06:00 on 30 November 2016. Location : The M40 southbound between junctions J8A and J6 . Lanes Closed : There will be one of three lanes closed. Reason : Barrier repairs are planned.
29/11/2016
Fitness Centre explains why Apprentices work for small businesses

DO you own a small business? Thinking about taking on staff? Employing an Apprentice could be the way forward for you. Around two-thirds of Oxfordshire’s Apprentices are employed by small businesses and this Small Business Saturday (December 3), and the organisation, Oxfordshire Appprenticships are encouraging more small businesses to discover the benefits of employing an Apprentice.

L-R Sue Martin Downhill, Ben Hedger and Simon Martin

Racquets is a family-run fitness centre in the heart of Thame with something for everyone. In addition to a wide variety of squash coaching and clubs for all ages and stages, there’s an extensive range of fun fitness classes on offer from core boxing to hardcore spin. You can work out in one of three gym zones and then relax in the Racquets lounge. As well as sport, Racquets is also a centre for socialising – the lounge is open every evening and the large function room is used for everything from children’s parties to business get-togethers.

The centre is run by husband and wife team, Simon Martin and Sue Martin-Downhill. It’s a small business, employing around 25 people, with some part time – equivalent to 10 full time staff.

Around five years ago, Sue was involved in running another business that was taking on its first Apprentice. She could see how employing an Apprentice at Racquets would be an affordable way to recruit a new member of staff who could grow with the business and learn how to do things the Racquets way. The centre employed their first Apprentice, Jack Shrimpton, to work as a personal trainer in the gym. He was followed by a second Personal Trainer Apprentice Ellis Quarterman. Both Jack and Ellis are now full time Racquets employees, providing group and one-to-one personal training.

Following the success of the first two Apprentices, Sue decided to introduce an Apprentice into a different area of the business – squash coaching. Ben Hedger, 18, has been playing squash at Racquets since he was four and is currently working towards becoming a professional player. Sue and Simon offered him the opportunity to join them as a Squash Coach Apprentice once he left school.

This was a fantastic opportunity for Ben. He’d get paid for doing the sport he loves, whilst working towards a Level 2 coaching qualification which is paid for as part of the Apprenticeship. He jumped at the chance and started his Apprenticeship with Racquets in September 2016.

Ben’s role involves coaching groups of year Five and Six children from a number of local schools. Ben also works on reception, including one evening a week and provides cover for other staff members when required. This enables him to develop valuable customer service skills alongside the coaching skills and experience he is gaining every day.

Sue explained: “Before Ben started, we didn’t have the capacity to offer as many school-time sessions. Now we are able to give squash coaching to all Year fives and sixes in the three Primary schools in Thame all year round. It can be difficult for small businesses to afford to hire an experienced member of staff, but employing an Apprentice means we can afford the extra pair of hands and we can train them to fit the needs of our business.

“Now that Ben’s here and has been able to take over coaching the kids, I have more time to devote to marketing the business and growing our customer base. I also have more time for admin now that I’m not coaching all the time. Ben’s Apprenticeship covers the cost of his coaching qualifications, and the external training he gets takes the pressure off us a bit and things like maths and English are taken care of.”

Ben completed A Levels in PE, Business Studies and History at Lord Williams School in Thame before joining Racquets. He said: “I liked the idea of going to ‘uni’ but for all the wrong reasons! I knew that an Apprenticeship would enable me to earn money instead of getting into debt. I am also aiming to go pro this year and working here means that I get to pursue my goal and I have the benefit of my bosses also being my coaches!

“My role involves coaching kids and I do all the group sessions. Lots of kids approach me and ask for individual coaching too, once I’ve coached them in a group. It’s a flexible and fun working environment and I love working doing something I enjoy.

“Rob from Icon Training comes in to see me once a month. We do about three hours work and he also sets me things to do. The questions are all about the club and the business, so I find it easy to integrate the job and the learning parts of my Apprenticeship. My advice to anyone thinking about an Apprenticeship would be to make sure you consider your options and find something you enjoy. The best thing about an Apprenticeship is that you’re earning money while you’re learning and gaining experience in the workplace.”

If you’re interested in employing an Apprentice to help grow your small business and would like some help to get started, contact Oxfordshire Apprenticeships on tel: 01865 323477 or email: info@oxfordshireapprenticeships.co.uk. They can come and visit you in your workplace and talk it through with you. Visit: www.oxfordshireapprenticeships.co.uk/employers for info.

There’s a fantastic range of workshops and one-to-one sessions taking place in Thame this Small Business Saturday (3rd December), offering advice and support for small businesses on topics such as finance and digital marketing. Visit the Thame Centre First website for details and booking: http://www.thamecentrefirst.org/small-business-saturday.html.

29/11/2016
Thame’s Christmas lights are going to be PAWesome!

CHILDREN’S favourite, the famous Police Pup TV character, will be attending Thame’s Christmas Lights Switch-On this Friday, December 2!

Also flying in will be ‘Tink’ the Green Fairy. Both of them will be walking around the event between 4pm and 7pm, and will be available for meet and greets, and of course lots of photo opportunities.

‘Tink’ and the Police Pup are really looking forward to meeting everyone on Friday!

29/11/2016
Talented siblings take ‘Regional’s’ for Racquets

A young brother and sister, who play squash and train at Racquets Squash Academy in Thame, both achieved considerable success at the recent South East Regional Junior Squash GB Tournament 2016.

The event was held at Winchester Tennis and Racquets Club, where juniors from across the whole of the South Region traveled to compete for their place in the South Regional squad.

Oliver Coulcher-Porter pulled through to win the Under 11 boys, taking the title of South Regional Champion 2016. Oliver’s younger sister Emily, aged only eight years old, achieved second place in the Under 11 girls. This secures her spot as second seed in the South Regional squad.

Oliver and Emily Coulcher-Porter with Tim Vail Regional County Coach

Coach Sue Martin Downhill, said: “Both were feeling confident and prepared, Oliver having won the age group above (under 13s), the same as Emily in the Abingdon Junior Open the previous week.

Despite being ill with a sickness bug a few days prior, Oliver battled his way through the top 14 opponents in the region. He proved far too strong and didn’t drop a game throughout the whole tournament. In the South Regional boys under 11s final, he played an ‘old’ rival who has an England Squash Ranking of eight in the country. This was a test of Oliver’s mental strength, however he won 3-0, scores being 11-7 11-7 11-7. His opponent stated: “I simply didn’t know how to beat him.” At the end of the match, a rather thin and pale Oliver was able to say: “I was feeling really tired, but all the training at Racquets and in county training gave me the confidence and self-belief that I could pull through.”

Eight year old Emily beat her rival in the Semi finals comfortably, showing how quickly her game has come on in such a short period of time. In the South Regional girls under 11s final, Emily lost the first game 12-10. Her opponent was two years older and much more experienced; Emily was definitely the underdog. This was Emily’s first major final. Her coach Ben Hedger said: “She showed excellent determination and focus during her match, and I am extremely pleased with her performance even though the result didn’t go her way. However the England coach watching felt she was more than capable of winning next time.”

28/11/2016
Thame Takeaway fined for mice infestation

A Chinese takeaway in Thame has been fined after council officers found mice droppings during a routine food safety inspection.

On Tuesday, November 22, at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, Novarra Limited, owners of Tommy Yaki, Wellington Street, Thame, pleaded guilty to four food safety offences. As a result they were fined £2,400 and ordered to pay £1,876 costs.

Magistrates heard how, during a routine food safety inspection at Tommy Yaki on March 21, 2016, food safety officers from South Oxfordshire District Council found the premises littered with mice droppings and a filthy kitchen. The building also had construction defects that allowed pests to get on the premises, and important cleaning and pest control procedures hadn’t been carried out.

Officers immediately forced the premises to close, the takeaway was given a food hygiene rating of zero meaning “Urgent Improvement Necessary”, and it was prevented from reopening until action had been taken to remove the risk.

Cllr Tony Harbour, Cabinet member for Waste, Grounds maintenance, Food Safety and Environmental health at South Oxfordshire District Council, said “At the time of the inspection the premises posed a serious health risk to customers and was shut down as a result.

“I hope other food business learn from this example, if you are putting the public at risk we will not hesitate to take action.”

Council officers revisited the premises a number of times since the enforced closure to ensure that improvements were made, and to assist Novarra Ltd with meeting their food safety requirements.

Following urgent improvements, the takeaway reopened a week after the closure – it was recently inspected and has now been awarded a rating of four.

In sentencing Novarra Ltd, Magistrates took the company’s guilty plea, and the financial difficulties it had experienced as a result of having to close Tommy Yaki, into account when determining the sentence.

28/11/2016
Competition hotting up for Thame’s young ‘dragon’ contestants

THE contestants for Thame’s Young entrepreneurs competition, have been limbering up their presentation skills, ready for their big day on Saturday.

L to R – Philippe van Caloen, Jean Gamester, Carly Ward, Chris Wylam (representing Thomas Wylam), Amelie Mason

Five of them attended a Workshop at Christchurch, Thame, with Jean Gamester of Semaphora Consulting, who specialises in developing people, training in public speaking and communications skills.

Jean provided her time free of charge to the young entrepreneurs, who are all under 30 and live in Oxfordshire or Buckinghamshire. The finals of the competition are being held in Thame next Saturday, December 3, as part of a series of events for Small Business Saturday. Prizes for the winners include a first prize of £500 cash and mentoring for 12 months, with trophies for three winners.

For more information about Semaphora or to connect with Jean Gamester go to www.semaphora.com, @JeanGamester, or email Jean@Semaphora.com.

For more information about Small Business Saturday in Thame go to www.smallbizthame.uk or search on twitter for #SBSThame or email the organisers at sbsthame@gmail.com. Follow Small Business Saturday Thame on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thame.Smallbiz2016/

28/11/2016
Children’s Performance workshop invitation from the Mayor

THE Mayor of Thame, Linda Emery, is sponsoring an Activity Day for children, to raise money for her two chosen charities, The Red Kite Childrens’ Centre and th Thame Youth cafe, on December 17, at Lord Williams Lower School Theatre. 10am to 4pm.

The Dream Team Creative Workshop, led by Jennifer Veal star of Disney’s Jessie & Descendents, and Livvy Nichole Singer/Songwriter, is open to children between 10 and 18 years-old, and will feature singing, performance skills and audition techniques. Each student will need bring lunch and drinks and wear work clothes and suitable closed shoes. Tuition fees for this theatre arts workshop are £45. Class size is limited, so early registration is recommended. Contact: jv@jenniferveal.com for further details.

The Red Kite Centre plays an essential role in giving children and families the early support they need. They are open to our whole community on a regular basis. They work in partnership with other agencies such as health visitors, midwives and local schools.

Thame Youth Cafe provides young people with a vibrant and safe environment where they can access the latest skills, personal development and opportunities. The cafe has been set up by the local community and developed by local partners who share a number of core values. They meet Wednesdays at Christchurch, Thame and Thursdays at the Co-op Café.

28/11/2016