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Category: Thame news

  • Why disband the Thame Conservation Advisory Committee?

    Dear Editor, 

    It is a sad indictment of Thame Town Council that they seem to have adopted an air of total contempt with regard to the history and conservation of the town.

    We have already had the outrage of the Elms field being put into the Neighbourhood Plan ‘through the back-door’. Now we hear they have disbanded the Thame Conservation Advisory Committee by withdrawing support and facilities.

    The Conservation Committee consists of an excellent team, steeped with knowledge and history of the town who have made a valuable contribution over the last 30 years. To disband this group is nothing more than a vindictive ‘toss the toys out of the pram’ decision by the Town Clerk, with questionable logic behind it, and no Councillor had the courage to oppose her at the time of the meeting where this decision was made.

    The Town Clerk has a disturbing enthusiasm to pursue the Elms field development and obviously will try to eliminate anything that may hinder it. Already certain Councillors (have said) that they enjoyed, and needed, the minutes from the Conservation Committee in order to make informed decisions. Surely if the council want to retain any credibility, this issue needs to be reviewed and the Conservation Committee re-instated.

    The Clerk has stated that: “In light of the neighbourhood plan”, there is no need for a Conservation Committee. Utter nonsense. That plan does not over-ride the need for the planning department in the Parish, and SODC to assess all applications. Moreover the plan cannot possibly anticipate all future applications in the Conservation Area.

    One final point of order. The Thame Conservation Advisory Committee was not ‘self appointed’ as suggested by the Clerk. It was appointed by the Council on the January 10, 1984, to give: “valuable independent advice” to both Thame Council and South Oxfordshire District Council.

    Ron Clanfield
    (Address supplied)

  • New plan for Chilterns countryside

    HOW can we make sure that our green and beautiful countryside is not spoilt by development? How do we help the woodlands cope with the diseases and pests threatening them?

    Cricket at Greys Green near Henley (By Clive Ormonde)
    Cricket at Greys Green near Henley (By Clive Ormonde)

    These are just two of the many issues that are tackled by a new plan that has been published on how the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) should be looked after over the next five years.

    The plan has been published by the Chilterns Conservation Board, which has responsibility for protecting and promoting the Chilterns. It was put together with the help of many local organisations and communities, including parish councils, wildlife trusts, the National Trust and the Chiltern Society.

    “The Plan is a collective expression of the interests and wishes of many individuals and organisations that care about the Chilterns and as such it is truly a plan for the whole AONB,” said Ian Reay, Chairman of the Conservation Board.

    The Chilterns AONB is a nationally-protected landscape, designated as one of the country’s finest areas of countryside along with 45 other AONBs and 15 National Parks. Despite this national recognition it faces many pressures, especially from the plans for the High Speed 2 rail line which will slice through the middle of the AONB. Plans for many new houses in towns around the edge of the Chilterns, the loss of traditional rural skills and the impacts of climate change are other examples of pressures the area faces. A co-ordinated approach to keeping the Chilterns special in the face of these issues is more important than ever and this is what the new Management Plan for the Chilterns AONB provides.

    Copies of the new Plan are available to read in local libraries. The Plan can also be downloaded from www.chilternsaonb.org/management-plan

  • Shed destroyed by barbecue fire

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council Fire and Rescue Service are warning of the dangers of barbecues, after they were called to a shed fire in Langdale Road, Thame at 5.54 pm on Sunday, June 15. 

    One of the two fire engines that attended the shed fire in Langdale Road. Thame
    One of the two fire engines that attended the shed fire in Langdale Road. Thame

    Two fire engines from Thame attended and on arrival found a garden shed destroyed by fire which had spread to adjoining fences and hedges. The heat from the fire has also damaged a number of children’s toys and a trampoline. Fire crews extinguished the fire using high pressure hoses and prevented further fire spread.

    It is believed that the fire started from a barbecue which had been used earlier in the day and put away in the shed before it had fully cooled down.

    Watch Manager, Andy Ford, said:  ‘The owner and neighbours reduced the fire damage using garden hoses, prior to the arrival of the service, but were lucky not to be injured. An aerosol had exploded in the shed and could have caused serious injuries to anyone in the near vicinity.”

    Follow the safety tips below to avoid injuries or damage to your property:
    · follow the safety instructions provided with disposable barbecues
    · make sure your barbecue is standing on a flat surface and away from fences, trees and sheds
    · only use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue
    · remember to light your charcoal an hour before you commence cooking
    · lighter fuels must only be applied before lighting
    · never use petrol or paraffin to start, or re-ignite your barbecue
    · use only barbecue fire lighters or starter fuel on cold coals
    · be careful with fatty foods and never poor oil onto meat when it is cooking
    · if you’re the chef try not to drink too much alcohol whilst cooking
    · keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby
    · keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area
    · don’t leave the barbecue unattended
    · never use a barbecue indoors or in an enclosed space – a warm, smouldering barbecue gives of plenty of poisonous
      carbon monoxide – if used indoors or an enclosed space carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels very
      quickly
    · after you have finished cooking, extinguish the burning coals – leave for a period of time and then check that the fire is
      completely out
    · make sure the barbecue is cool before trying to move it
    · never put hot ashes straight into a dustbin or wheelie bin – they could melt the plastic and cause a fire

    This safety advice is offered as guidance only. If in doubt, Get out, Stay out and get the Fire and Rescue Service out!

  • Head sets out vision for single site Lord Williams’s School

    AT a meeting with parents this week, the Headteacher of Lord Williams’s School, Thame, David Wybron, outlined initial plans for the school to amalgamate onto one site, as provided for in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan.

    David Wybron
    David Wybron

    He told parents: “We have been discussing this for a number of years and there are many issues to resolve on the continuing journey. That said, this aspiration represents a wonderful opportunity to transform learning opportunities for future generations of students. We would be able to have a more flexible curriculum and more learning time. Instead of students having to be bussed up and down between sites to learn together and staff having to commute, we would all be together, taking advantage of a £20,000,000 investment in facilities. Our young people would have access to state of the art facilities in a school equipped for learning in the 21st Century.

    “In terms of pastoral care for our students, the bigger school would further improve our care provision and support for individuals. Students would meet their tutors every day rather than just three times a week as they currently do and we would be able to significantly enhance opportunities for older students to mentor and work with younger students.

    “If we get the green light to proceed with our vision, and that means agreements on funding and planning, then we will have very creative discussions with staff, students, parents and governors on how we can create the ‘wow’ factor for our school.”

    If the amalgamation of the two schools does not happen, houses allocated in the Neighbourhood Plan for the Lower School site in Toweresey Road, will be provided on ‘reserve sites’. These are:
    Site F (the old pig farm in Oxford Road, opposite Upper school
    Site C (south of Thame, edging Thame Park and Wenman Road)

  • Drama performance will explore the ‘undocumented lives of migrant children’

    THE undocumented lives of migrant children in this country will be explored in a very special performance by students of Lord Williams’s School, on Wednesday. The performance will be a collaboration with COMPAS, a research department of the University of Oxford. COMPAS is the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society where they undertake research into migration issues to inform policy making and public debate.

    migrant_lives (400x376) (2)COMPAS has published some research into the experiences of migrant children with illegal status in the UK and developed dramatic monologues from the interviews. Researchers have approached the Lord Williams’s school to work with Year 10 students to develop a drama production which the students will perform in the school’s Phoenix Drama studio.

    Nicky Stallwood, the Personal Development Curriculum Manager at Lord Williams’s School, explained: “This is a public performance and it would be wonderful to welcome community groups and individuals as well as staff and students to the performance. ​

    “Whilst this is a small scale production, we are excited by the collaboration with COMPAS and we believe the evening will be of interest to those who want to understand the issues facing young migrants coming into the UK.”

    The performance on June 18, will start at 6.30pm.

  • Kubota staff take to two wheels for charity

    A team of volunteers from Thame-based tractor, groundcare and construction machinery specialist Kubota have raised over £1,000 after taking part in the charity bike ride, Mix96 Tour de Vale, held on Sunday, June 8.

    Kubota Tour de Vale (400x275)

    The team of 27 Kubota employees cycled over 1,000 miles in total, on 15, 35 and 55 mile courses, starting and finishing at Stoke Mandeville Stadium and travelling through Buckinghamshire countryside and villages.

    The event was in aid of Wheel Power, a national charity providing opportunities, facilities and equipment to enable disabled people to play sport and lead healthy, active lives.

    Kubota is hoping to secure further donations to increase its fundraising total to £1,500 in total, in order to help Wheel Power beat last year’s fundraising effort, when £34,000 was donated.

    Dave Roberts, Managing Director of Kubota UK, commented: “Our team have trained hard over the past few months and we’re pleased to be raising money for this fantastic Buckinghamshire based charity that we feel very passionate about.

    “We had an enthusiastic response throughout the company and people of all levels of cycling experience signed up to help with our fundraising efforts. There was a great atmosphere at the event and we were proud to be part of the great turn out.

    “Any further sponsorship we can raise following the race from local residents and employers will be a great help as every little donation will assist Wheel Power and the fantastic work they do in our community.”

    For more information about how you can donate visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/kubota

  • Top pub award for Thame’s Rising Sun

    A THAME pub has been singled out for a top reward at the Brakspear Hospitality Awards 2014, organised by the Oxfordshire based brewer and pub company.

    Tom Davies, Brakspear chief executive, with Jay Kansikan & Aay ‘Patsy’Phanthamat
    Tom Davies, Brakspear chief executive, with Jay Kansikan & Aay ‘Patsy’
    Phanthamat

    The Rising Sun, in the High Street, run by Jay Kansikan & Aay (known as Patsy) Phanthamat, was one of just five from Brakspear’s 130 pubs nationally to receive the award and up to £2,000.

    The five winning pubs were chosen on the basis of their score from two visits by mystery customers. Pubs are rated on all aspects of hospitality, from cleanliness and service to marketing and merchandising. This year, questionnaires included new sections on interior design and use of social media, in response to customers’ increased expectations in these areas.

    A delighted Jay said: “It’s great to receive this recognition. We have been at the Rising Sun for nine years and worked hard to build its reputation locally, based on serving quality Thai food in a traditional pub environment with friendly, professional service. I’m lucky to have a great team of dedicated staff, without whom we wouldn’t have won this award.

    “We’re still deciding how to use the prize money, but it will go into improvements at the pub to make sure we continue to offer our customers a great experience whenever they visit the Rising Sun.”

    Chief executive Tom Davies said: “The achievement of our winning pubs cannot be overstated. Scoring consistently well across two in-depth mystery visits is a tremendous result and a reflection of the high standards across the board that these talented licensees have embedded in their pubs. It is a pleasure to recognise their hard work with a Brakspear Hospitality Award and a financial reward that will help them to improve their pubs.”

    The Hospitality Award 2014 winners were:

    Jay Kansikan & Aay Phanthamat: Rising Sun, Thame
    Doug & Lolly Green: Little Angel, Henley
    Rob & Ellie Blues: Butcher’s Arms, Sonning Common
    Rachel Ainsley: Dolphin, Eastbourne
    Lee Curtis: Bowler, Clerkenwell

    The Hospitality Awards were announced at the annual Brakspear Summer Party, held at Bix Manor near Henley-on-Thames, and was attended by 150 tenants and lessees. The winners were given a plaque to display outside their pub and a prize of either £1,000 in cash, or £2,000 to invest in their business.

    Brakspear’s mystery customer programme is designed and implemented by The Silent Customer, based in Henley.

  • Cable fire at Marylebone station to affect commuters

    COMMUTERS who use Haddenham and Thame Parkway station, will be unable to travel into Marylebone station tomorrow morning, because it is currently closed due to a cable fire.

    Chiltern Railway's train at Haddenham & Thame parkway
    Chiltern Railway’s train at Haddenham & Thame parkway

    Chiltern Railways have said: “Around two metres of signalling cable in the tunnel into the station has burned away meaning the signalling system is not working. Without signals we cannot safely run trains, so are not running to or from Marylebone until new cables are installed and tested. Engineers are on site however, disruption is expected and Marylebone will be closed into Monday morning and until further notice.

    “We strongly advise passengers to avoid travelling on Monday unless essential. Chiltern tickets are valid on Virgin Trains, London Midland, FGW, CrossCountry & London Underground services.”

  • Police appeal: Distraction burglary, Chinnor

    THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a distraction burglary in Chinnor. At about 1.45pm yesterday (13/6) a man entered a house in Elderdene to talk to the occupant about fixing his roof.  He stole a quantity of cash before leaving in a blue car.

    crimeThe offender was white, of slim build, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 11ins, with brown medium length hair and was unshaven.

    Det Con Jonathan Axford, from Abingdon Force CID, said: “I would like to appeal for any witnesses who saw a man or vehicle matching these descriptions in the area at around the time of the incident to speak to police.

    “If any residents were approached in the area by a man asking to do work on their house I would also like to speak to them.”

    If you have any information about the incident which could help police with their enquiries please call Det Con Axford via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

    Alternatively of you don’t want to speak directly to the police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

  • Town Clerk awarded BEM in Birthday honours

    Helen_Stewart (800x656) (400x328)THAME’S Town Clerk, Helen Stewart, has been awarded an BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List, ‘For services to neighbourhood planning in Thame, Oxfordshire’.

    As Clerk to Thame Town Council, Helen Stewart has been instrumental in helping the town council draw up and implement Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan, which made history as the first ever housing application for a Neighbourhood Plan to be approved, and which was described as ‘a Trail blazer’, by Government Minister, Nick Boles.

    Although parts of the Neighbourhood Plan and the way some designated sites for development were included in it,  continue to be controversial,  Helen Stewart has been a staunch supporter and defender of the plan and the robustness of the the council’s procedures in drawing it up.

    Since the plan was approved by local referendum, new housing developments, and a commercial development more recently, have been passed by the planning authority.

    The current Mayor of Thame, Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green, said:  ‘’I am delighted that Helen’s invaluable contribution has been recognised in this way, and Thame should be proud of her achievement. I have every confidence that she will bring the same diligence and commitment to the ongoing process of monitoring delivery of the Plan.’’

    You can read the full citation for Helen’s award and the reaction of town councillors, on the town council’s website here: LINK