TO celebrate the completion of the Thame Health Centre refurbishment, the Rycote Practice is holding a photography contest to select some new artwork for the surgery.
They are looking for unusual and thought provoking photographs that reflect the town and community of Thame and the surrounding area.
A panel of practice staff and Patient Participation Group representatives will select the winning photographs and the winners will be announced at the opening ceremony on March 20.
A postman from Thame is awaiting sentence after admitting stealing thousands of pounds from bank accounts using bank cards he stole from mail.
Damon Alvey, 45, of Friday Court, Thame, worked at Banbury sorting office and delivered mail in Bloxham.
At Banbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday, he admitted stealing mail between June 23 and October 16 last year, as well as four counts of fraud by false representation when he stole £4,033 from two separate people’s bank accounts.
EVERYONE in the work place knows of colleagues who suffer, or perhaps they suffer themselves, from lower back pain, neck soreness and tight muscles. These can cause misery for the sufferer and through inefficiency or absenteeism, can be costly for their employers.
Will Worley in the capable hands of Pre-Hab 1st founder, Steve Meade
Luckily, an innovative, newly established local business is on hand to help. Prehab 1st, founded by Thame duo, Stephen Meade and Andre Bozon, is aimed at injury prevention, particularly in the workplace, thereby saving businesses money.
Stephen has a degree in Sports Science and is a qualified nutritionist with a sports background, and is an experienced ‘Judoka’. He noticed how minor Judo injuries would often affect his performance at work. It was this realisation, coupled with a growing awareness of the large number of people seeking treatment for what he could see were avoidable workplace related injuries, that eventually lead to the creation of Prehab 1st.
Whilst there is a range of sometimes costly therapists to treat muscle pains, it occurred to Stephen that there is no one currently going out to companies to nip any problems in the bud.
Uniquely it seems, Prehab 1st evaluates and identifies musculoskeletal imbalances of perhaps bad posture, incorrect use of equipment etc, in order to help prevent debilitating pain and injury from taking place. Once problems and causes have been identified, Prehab 1st then prescribes easy-to-do remedial exercises or activities to address the problem. All the tests Stephen carries out, and the results, are confidential and only take around 45 minutes.
Will Worley, currently gaining work experience withThame.net, caught up with Stephen for a personal demonstration of Prehab 1st ‘s methods.
Stephen has an interesting set of kit, with various rods, charts and an iPad to accurately capture the results of the exercises. The tests are designed to measure the body’s posture, biomechanics and functional movement ability. There is inevitably some jargon to contend with, but Stephen patiently explains what everything means in layman’s terms: “Think of the posture as the body of a car, the biomechanics as its engine and the functional movement as the test driving of it. If one goes out of sync, usually the others will follow,” he explains.
During the assessment, he also details which movements he will be asking me to perform. His informative and respectful style ensures we soon establish a good rapport.
The posture test is simple enough as I stand facing in various directions against a grid on a measuring chart and have my photo taken. This identifies any tilt of the shoulders for instance, or unusual spine curvature. Second is the functional movement screening, where some of the exercises I perform are squats, steps and lunges against the measured rods. Finally, the biomechanics section tests leg length (one of mine it seems is longer than the other; nothing to worry about as it’s a more common condition than is generally realised apparently), hip flexors, back health and others with simple, painless bodily positioning.
Thankfully my results are generally good, apart from a slight tightness in the right shoulder. Stephen spotted this during the first test, and it had a slight effect on the exercises further down the line. I am prescribed a simple anti-spasm exercise, for the ‘Pec Minor’ muscle, to carry out three times a day.
It’s no surprise that this is the same shoulder that gets tense from using a computer mouse at work for extended periods. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) left unchecked, can be an expensive problem for businesses, to the tune of £300 million per year, according to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Stephen explained that musculoskeletal injuries are a leading cause of workplace injuries and sick leave. Furthermore, he explained: “With the retirement age going up, the risk too is likely to go up. The screening will help employees stay good at the movements they need to do their job.” There’s also the constant threat to employers from the market in legal action for workplace injuries. “Staff are more likely to respond better to an employer if they see they are looking after them,” claimed Stephen.
Prehab 1st believes that all employees could benefit from screening but especially those who may already be feeling niggling pain. “If you have a bit of lower back pain it could turn into a muscle tear relatively easily, from a very basic movement. You might get someone who gets off a chair, or lifts something relatively light, and injures themselves doing it.”
However, Stephen reckons that Prehab 1st ‘s promotion of a healthy office or other workplace environment will not only mitigate these risks, but also improve productivity by up to 30%. “Any workplace environment can see long term benefits,” said Stephen. “If your posture, biomechanics and functional movement are at a good level, your breathing and strength improves, and ultimately your performance is at a better level.”
Prehab 1st wants to help businesses save money by minimising the risk of workplace related injury to their employees. Its mobile operation can go directly to any place of work to carry out the tests. “It’s easy to make the small changes to help you on your way,” explained Stephen. “Intervention and education equals prevention.”
My experience with Prehab 1st really opened my eyes to a wide-spread, but avoidable negative aspect of fitness in the workplace, a problem that the clear, personal advice necessary for a healthier, more productive working life is available here in Thame.
THE people of Thame are being asked to suggest sites around the town that could be described as ‘community assets’, as a way of, in the future, having first option to purchase them should they become available on the open market.
A development like this, proposed for Thame’s Cattlemarket, could be prevented by a ‘Community Asset Transfer’ (Image courtesy of R G Williams (TCM) Ltd
This ‘Community Right to Bid’ is part of the Localism Bill published by the Government, in 2011, which allows such sites to be registered to protect this new right. Another Right under the Act, is ‘Community Asset Transfer’ which empowers local authorities to transfer the ownership of land and buildings to communities for less than their market value. This is known as ‘discounted asset transfer’ or ‘asset transfer’.
For Thame this could include sites such as the Cattlemarket, Thame Show Ground, the Post Office or perhaps land alongside the Phoenix Trail to extend the Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve, as has been suggested by a town councillor.
A Working Party, lead by Cllr Mike Weply, will garner suggestions from the public before taking the suggestions to full council at a later date to decide which will be nominated for Registration.
A full explanation of the details of the Community Right to Bid can be found here: LINK
A Thame Town Councillor has accused the county council of bullying, after Oxfordshire County Council threatened the town council with legal action over an unpaid invoice.
The invoice in dispute is for the sum of £65,000, for maintenance costs relating to the swimming pool, between 2009 – 2011. The town council however, is refusing to pay the invoice until the costs are clearly itemised and described so that it can be satisfied that the individual items can be related to a contract it had with the county council.
The Town Clerk, Helen Stewart, told councillors at Tuesday’s Policy and Resources committee meeting that the invoice just says ‘For sundry items’, despite her having asked the county council for more detailed information.
Cllr David Bretherton said: “They (Oxfordshire County Council) are just trying to force a smaller body into submission. We are being bullied.”
In July, 2010, responsibility for running Thame Swimming Pool transferred from Thame Town Council to South Oxfordshire District Council, five years after it was built under a Joint Use Agreement between OCC, SODC and the town council.
The committee agreed to support the Clerk in her endeavors to hold out from paying the invoice until the information demanded is provided by OCC.
ARTSWEEK at John Hampden School, Thame, this year was a roller-coaster ride as pupils experienced ‘All the imaginary fun of the fair’ JHS style!
They whizzed round on Storm, had a spin in the Tea-Cups and took a turn on the Crazy Croc to create their own JHS version of the Thame Fair! The fairground theme saw the school hall transformed into Thame High Street, with all the familiar fairground rides we all love to enjoy every year at Thame Fair! A spooky ghost train, enchanting carousels, the Crazy Croc, dizzying, spinning tea-cups, and a whirling helter-skelter slide.
Hand-sewn prizes were to be won from the hook-a-duck stall, or a handmade goldfish in a bag (No goldfish were harmed in the making of these artworks!). An army of parents, grandparents, governors, guardians, teachers and teaching assistants, old and new, volunteered to support the children in their fairground artwork, with a multitude of helpers (over 60!)who contributed to bringing the childrens’ ideas to life.
Art Co-ordinators, J E Nichols and Clare Field, said: “The school’s PTFA (Parents, Teachers and Friends Association) funded the week, with a generous donation that enabled the school to provide a wealth of artistic experiences and resources for the children to enjoy. These ranged from Mr Eyre’s and Mr Sayer’s new fairground endeavours in MDF, to mobile carousels and flying Crazy Crocs, giant recycled fairground rides, and delicious stalls of cardboard treats and fluffy prizes!
“The staff also set the children the challenge of identifying which fair ride was their favourite, in the ‘Fairground Attraction Quiz’, with an arty prize for the winning entry. The week proved a whirlwind ride with the added treat of a Fair-trade Arts Café at the end.
“It will no doubt take half-term to calm down after the excitement of ‘All the fun of the fair!’,” they added, “But we can enjoy our hall in the weeks to come as a reminder of our artistic fairground attractions!”
THAME Carnival will have to be abandoned this year unless some volunteers from the community step forward to organise it.
This is the message from Thame Town Council which is no longer willing to take the lead in organising the event.
THE residents of three bungalows in Cedar Crescent, Thame, who were flooded out back in 2008 (https://www.thame.net/archives/4468) are no doubt very relieved that the worse has not happened this time around.
Although the bungalows concerned had their gardens flooded right up to their backdoors following the recent heavy, unprecedented rains, the water from the Cuttlebrook drainage ditch beyond their properties did not reach inside their properties.
The Cuttlebrook is this year celebrating 21 years since its designation as a Nature Reserve, and is planning an exhibition at Thame museum featuring the natural history of the reserve, a revamped website and increasing its use of social media. You can follow Cuttlebrook on twitter @Cuttle_Brook and visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CuttleBrook
CHINNOR Rugby Club, which wants to extend its club house and carryout extensive other buidling work and facilities improvements, is to ask Thame Town Council for a £500,000, interest-free loan towards the work. The request will go before the whole town council at its next meeting.
A PROGRAMME of refurbishment and new equipment at Thame’s Skate Park has moved a step closer following a meeting yesterday between all the stake-holders, to select a design so that the town council can go ahead with seeking tenders for the work. The project will cost in the region of £250,000, obtained from various grants including from South Oxfordshire District Council’s CIF (Community Investment Fund) and Thame Town Council which is facilitating the scheme.
ALTHOUGH it ‘s barely two months since Thame’s Dickensian-themed, Big Christmas Event, Thame town council is already planning the next one, and in case you’re curious, although the council acknowledged the popularity of the 2013 event, next Christmas will have a completely different theme.
Town Councillors who are members of the Culture, Leisure and Recreation Committee were given a choice of four options, including one to repeat the Dickensian theme. The other three options were Ice and Magic (featured around an ice-rink and a magic act instead of a whole evening of music); An ugly jumper theme with everyone wearing traditional Christmas jumpers, with a fashion parade and the public judging the best and worst, or a Santa Convention whereby residents and visitors would be invited to don their festive hats and costumes in a bid to have the most Santas in one place at one time.
The Councillors went for the last one. Only 308 days to wait!
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after an attempted burglary on Lower Icknield Way, Chinnor.
Between 12pm and 3pm on Wednesday (12/2) offenders forced entry to the property by smashing a rear door. Once inside the property cash and car keys were stolen and a silver Mercedes C350 Sports subsequently stolen from the driveway.
PC Ali Foster from Didcot police station said: “If you saw a silver Mercedes sport leaving the area around this time please contact the police through 101”
If you have any information please contact PC Foster via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101.
If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org (opens new window). No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
THE Federation of Small Businesses has welcomed the government’s announcement for support for businesses affected by the flooding.
The flooded car park at CPM, Thame, during the height of the floods in Thame (image courtesy of @diffie69 via twitter)
Commenting on the £10 million business support scheme to help firms affected by the floods get back on their feet, David Knowles Leak, Thames Valley Regional Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Further financial support for small firms directly or indirectly affected, is good news, and builds on the help announced last week.
“With the floods yet to abate, we want the level of support to be kept under review. Firms in these areas will take months to get back on their feet, and may need further help.
“Since last summer, small businesses in flood risk areas have often been unable to access affordable and adequate insurance. We want the Government and the insurance industry to look again at the scheme they have in place for households in these areas, Flood Re, and see whether small businesses can be reinstated into that.”
