Category: Thame news

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Thame, on November 18, 2016. Overnight on that date, between midnight and 11.15am,  a property in Dunbar Drive was burgled.

Entry had be gained through the rear door.

Anyone who may have seen any suspicious looking vehicles or people in the area, or have any information relating to this message, is asked to call the police via the 24 hour non- emergency telephone number 101.

Alternatively, if you have any information but wish to remain anonymous, you can call crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken. Information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

THE police have issued the following alert to drivers: “It was reported to us that on Friday afternoon (18/11) a box of nails had fallen on the carriageway at B4011 Bicester Road between Long Crendon and Thame.

The road was cleared soon after the report but we would urge drivers who were on the road on Friday afternoon to check their tyres for nails.

THE decision to move the popular Thame Food Festival to the Thame Show ground, has divided opinion in the town between those who agree it’s a necessary and a good idea, and those who believe the move will spoil the event or even endanger its future.

The organisers have also announced that the show will run over two days, including into the evening of the Saturday, to enable the food festival ‘to thrive, expand and offer an even better visitor experience’.

Outgrown the town

Patron and Festival Director, Lotte Duncan, explained the reasoning behind the proposed changes: “The festival has outgrown the town. It simply cannot fit anymore stalls, stages and people in it on the day. And the festival has to expand to survive.

“We really want Thame town centre and local business’s to continue their involvement with the food festival – it would be great to see them representing their shops up at the show ground – and we have a fabulous idea planned on just how they can do that.”

The announcement on the festival’s facebook page, started a sustained dialogue throughout most of day between those who welcomed the changes, those who were unhappy about the proposals and the festival organisers.

Here are just some of the responses on social media to the announcement that the show will be leaving Thame town centre and moving to the show ground on the outskirts of the town:

“I’ve just moved to Thame and I visited the food festival with my teenage children, one of which has limited mobility due to a chronic hip condition…. we struggled as it was so packed…. we couldn’t comfortably stroll through the stalls and had to leave after an hour as there was no where to sit and eat!
We would welcome more room to walk around at leisure and the festival could grow in size and popularity as it deserves to.
It’s a fantastic event … good luck with the planning.”

“They could extend the stalls further along the high street. This would spread the volume of people and be easier to walk along. This must stay in the Town. Brings people to shops and pubs and creates a great atmosphere amongst shop owners, pubs, restaurants and the stall holders visiting that day! It’s a Town attraction and should stay that way. I own a shop at the end of the high street where there is plenty of space to extend the stalls. Thame high street is what this day is all about!”

“I wish you all the success and hope that it thrives for you on the show ground”

“I think it’s fantastic. The last two years have been so jammed we’ve not been able to browse the stalls and nearly ended up getting trampled this year. So I’m very glad it’s moving to a bigger venue.”

“It’s such a shame to move it out of the town centre. Unfortunately I think the show ground will have a detrimental effect on the food festival, especially if the weather’s not great. Maybe the way it was laid out this year needs looking at. It was all squashed up one end. Very disappointed.”

Losing ‘the essence’ of the show

“Oh dear what a shame and how very disappointing. I think you’ll be loosing the essence of what makes this such a great event. And should it rain, then I dread to imagine the state of the site. End of an era I feel. I guess all good things come to an end.”

“Very sad news and shows it’s about quantity not quality. A unique selling point being in the town centre gave it a homely feel and showed visitors how great out town centre is. Why couldn’t the Southern Road Rec be used to expand? Or down North Street and encompass the Cattle Market?
I can see this going the way of Thame Show…a sad demise – I certainly won’t enter to then pay premium prices for what I admit is great food.”

“I think it’s a shame it will have left the town. I came for the first time this year and what I liked about it was the way it intermingled with the local shops and pubs. In a show ground it will be the same as any other festival.”

“Let’s give it a chance folks, I have reservations too, but I really hope it can make the transition and maybe offer locals a cheaper entry to keep our support.”
Lotte concluded: “We are very excited about next year, have some amazing ideas and are looking forward to keeping Thame Food Festival a sustainable event for the future.”

The dates for Thame Food Festival are Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1, 2017.

AFTER months of hard work, Thame’s village neighbour, Chinnor, is almost ready to submit a Draft version of its own Neighbourhood Plan.

Over the next few weeks, the final pieces of work currently being worked on, will be completed by the Chinnor Neighbourhood Plan (CNP) Steering Group, resulting in a draft Neighbourhood Plan document ready for the series of legal steps before a final version is presented to the whole village at a referendum,  planned for May next year.

The timetable for the run up to the referendum starts with the updated draft plan being submitted to Chinnor Parish Council at the end of November for its review and ratification.

After taking on board any comments from the Parish Council, the CNP Steering Group will present an Examination Version of the plan in December to South Oxfordshire District Council who will arrange for the examination by an independent, qualified Planning Inspector to ensure that the document meets all the legal and statutory requirements of a Neighbourhood Plan.

Peter Brook, secretary of the Steering Group, explaned: “This next version of the Neighbourhood Plan for Chinnor is the result of an immense amount of hard work by teams of volunteers from the village to make sure that we have a document that protects the village as much as it can from badly planned development. We are developing policies on a whole range of matters including the environment, open spaces, infrastructure, community facilities, transport, parking, employment, shopping, education and young people. It is important that all planning decisions are based on a robust vision for Chinnor to help ensure that we take as much control as possible of our future as a community.”

Following the work of the appointed inspector, the Steering Group will incorporate any of the examiners comments and prepare a final submission version of the Neighbourhood Plan that is submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council who will then be responsible to carrying out the final public consultation with Statutory and Local Bodies and all the people who live, work and carry out business in Chinnor Parish.

Website: www.chinnorneighbourplan.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinnorNeighbourhoodPlan

A THAME group, Bread and Roses for Refugees – Thame, has  invited CalAid volunteer mother and her son to talk about their first-hand experiences, at The James Figg, Thame, on Monday, November 21, at 8pm.

Mel and Ben Gow will tell their stories of what life is really like at the forefront of the refugee crisis. Ben currently volunteers at a camp in Turkey with the charity ReVi Family and has first hand experience of the day-to-day challenges facing people living there. His mother, Mel volunteers for CalAid, an organisation that takes donations of food and clothing etc and distributes to camps in Calais, Greece and Turkey.

“We have previously had a collection for CalAid and Mel will be telling us where our donations went and what more we can do to help,” explained Helen Flitton of Bread and Roses for Refugees – Thame.

“The event is free of charge and donations to ReVi and CalAid are welcome. Mel and Ben will talk for about 40 minutes and do a Q&A, and all are welcome to stay for a drink afterwards!”

CHRIS Hurdman, a popular Market Trader at Thame’s Tuesday market, has been shortlisted by the government as one of the top three market champions in Britain. He’s been doing well in the public vote so far but is in third place with just three days until the voting closes.

Now, to be crowned Champion Market Retailer, Chris needs your votes. The latest rankings released by the Great British High Street Competition revealed the current situation:

1. Nicola Martin, Ashton-under-Lyne

2. Beverley Milner Simmonds, Burnham-on-Sea

3. Chris Hurdman, Thame

There’s still time though for Chris to get those votes in and turn things around! Between now and Friday, November 18, you can cast your vote for Chris for free at http://thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk/finalist-retail-market-champion – and you can vote ONCE EVERY DAY!

When he first heard of his nomination and being placed in the final, Chris Hurdman said: “I was honored and humbled to have been nominated by the people of Thame for the Market Champion Award and feel like a real winner. I didn’t realise that the work I do on the market was so appreciated.”

After setting up two trader-operated markets in Bicester and Kidlington, Chris introduced new initiatives at Thame’s Tuesday Royal Charter Market like community stalls to raise money for local charities. Working closely with local shops and Thame Town Council to promote the high street, Chris also lays on events to bring visitors and shoppers into the town, such as an annual Market Fun Day and a celebration for the Queen’s 90th birthday.

If Chris wins, not only will he get a share of a £10,000 prize pot, but he’ll win expert training from Google’s digital taskforce for shops, bars and restaurants and a trip to Twitter UK’s London office to boost his social media skills.

High Streets Minister Andrew Percy said: “The buzz generated by this year’s competition has seen a record breaking 400,000 votes cast already.

“Chris has worked hard but this is the last push and there’s still everything to play for, so get online and vote now.” vote4chris.uk

The Great British High Street Competition 2016 celebrates the great work that is being done to revive, adapt and diversify the nation’s high streets. It is one of a number of initiatives to help champion high streets as the cornerstones of the community.

New to 2016, the competition is also looking for individuals to win a ‘high street hero’ award. With categories for store employees and market managers, the competition is recognising individuals who are making a difference to their local communities.

This year’s competition saw a record 900 entries across all 14 categories, including the new categories for individuals and shops. The 12 finalists in the four categories for high street heroes were announced on October 18, and the public given the chance to vote directly for the people working hard for their local high street.

Voting closes on Friday, November 18, and the winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on Monday, December 12.

AFTER the Liberal Democrats secured over 11,000 votes in Witney with a 19% swing from the ruling Conservatives, and as they look to defeat Zac Goldsmith in the Richmond Park by-election in a few weeks time, in Thame the Liberal Democrats are also upping their ambitions.

This comes as the local party has increased its membership by 70 per cent since the EU Referendum, and the national party has doubled its membership since the general election. Since May, the Liberal Democrats have made 21 council gains up and down the country, compared with most other parties which made just one.

The party is now inviting potential candidates to put their names forward for the Thame & Chinnor County Council wards. The area includes over 16,000 voters and has historically been a battle between the Conservatives and Lib Dems. The county elections take place next May and local Lib Dems aim to reverse Conservative plans to close the Red Kite children’s centre in Thame.

The Liberal Democrats’ AGM takes place on Saturday, November 19, at Benson Parish Hall 19:00 – 21:30 and is open to anyone who wants to hear more, or visit the Lib Dems’ Facebook by searching for South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats or follow them on Twitter @SEOxonLibDems

SOURCE: Press Release (Editor: Not particular support for any one political party is intended by publishing this article)

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a theft from vehicle in Thame.

Between 4.30pm yesterday (14/11) and 06.30am today (15/11) unknown offender(s) broke into a Ford Transit on Webster Close, Thame and stole a windscreen glue gun.

If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message please call the Police via the 24 hour non-emergency telephone number 101.

Alternatively, if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online by visiting www.crimestoppers-org.uk. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.