Category: Thame news

THE ‘Vote Yes’ campaign, which is promoting a positive vote in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan referendum on May 2, has today launched a video on Youtube, which can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu8Vf9LwxM0&feature=youtu.be

PASSERS-BY had a lucky escape earlier in the week, when the hanging sign outside the Swan Pub in Upper High Street, Thame, fell off during strong winds in the middle of the night. A new sign is apparently being made to replace the damaged, painted sign.

A RESIDENT in Chalgrove Road, in Lea Park, has applied to the town council to buy part of a piece of public green space at the rear of his garden. The area is currently empty and covered with paving slabs, for no reason that anyone can determine. The applicant, Mr David Scholey, has promised not to interfere with a tree planted in memory of Princess Diana by residents. The council is to consider the application.

TOWERSEY Morris will be dancing on May Day, May 1, morning from 5.30am in their traditional celebrations of Beltane at 5.30am at Towersey Crossroads. Afterwards breakfast will be available at their official home, the The Three Horseshoes in Towersey. You can book and pay for breakfast on 01844 212 322.

SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council with Vale of White Horse Council have together cut theIR benefit fraud bill from

THAME’S Member of Parliament, John Howell, has this morning paid his own, personal tribute to the late Margaret Thatcher, who died yesterday, following a stroke.

John said: “I was immensely saddened by the news of the death of Margaret Thatcher. Our thoughts must firstmost be with her family and friends. A lot has been written about the contribution she made to this country and in particular the optimism she created. I remember her time as Prime Minister very clearly; it was when my own political ambitions were born and I proudly assisted in one of her projects ? the Know How Fund.

“I remember particularly the contribution she made to the freeing up of central and eastern Europe. Her creation of the Know How Fund as the principal means of distributing assistance to the region as it struggled out of communism was far-sighted. With relatively little money it made a massive contribution to the transformation of the area and I happily joined Margaret Thatcher as a post-Cold War warrior seeking to instill the notions of democracy and of a market economy. These objectives were central to her philosophy and which saw the end of communism as a dominant player on the greater European stage.

“Over the last few days, I have received emails from many people each sharing a particular reflection of Margaret Thatcher. Some talked of her compassion. Others talked of her iron will. All of them shared her affection for this country. Their thoughts have been touching and sincere. This is a lady whose influence will be sorely missed.”

John Howell OBE MP
Member of Parliament for Henley

PHOTO: Courtesy of theconservatives.co.uk

THE Oxfam Bookshop in Cornmarket, Thame, has unveiled an exciting new partnership with the UK?s largest loyalty programme, Nectar which will see customers being able to collect Nectar points on items they donate to the shop.

The initiative, which is the first of its kind, aims to raise millions of pounds for Oxfam?s work fighting poverty around the world.

Donors at the Oxfam Bookshop who sign up to the Tag Your Bag, Oxfam?s Gift Aid scheme (Gift Aid allows charities to reclaim the 25% tax on donations by UK taxpayers), will be able to earn two points for every

A doctor from Worminghall, near Thame, along with his team, has been recognised for a breakthrough in brain research that could potentially improve outcomes for millions of stroke victims in the future.

Professor Alastair Buchan, Head of the Medical Sciences Division and Dean of the Medical School at Oxford University, led the work on explaining how the brain is able to protect itself from damage that occurs in stroke.

The Oxford University researchers, including Professor Buchan’s collaborators in Calgary, Germany and Athens, hope that harnessing this inbuilt biological mechanism, identified in rats, could help in treating stroke and preventing other neurodegenerative diseases in the future.

In an interview with Science Daily, Professor Buchan said: “We have shown for the first time that the brain has mechanisms that it can use to protect itself and keep brain cells alive.”

Read the full article in Science Daily HERE

IN the latest Thame Sector neighbourhood policing update from Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Chris Hollis, he reports that fixed penalty notices have been issued for parking on the double yellow lines in Thame High Street.

Anti-social behaviour is a top priority for local officers and Chris Hollis reports that they have received reports of people littering in the Southern Road Recreational Ground in Thame. They therefore will be patrolling this park to deter any further ASB issues.

Throughout the Thame Sector neighbourhood, which includes Watlington and Chinnor, there were 16 offenders brought to justice in March. Offences included Shoplifting, Aggravated Vehicle Taking, Drugs Possession, offences against the Public Order Act and Theft.

To read PCSO Chris Hollis’s full report, go to /www.thamesvalley.police.uk

ASSOCIATED NEWS: Abuse of parking raised by council

TO mark ten years of stroke prevention by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI), the two Rotary clubs of Thame and Haddenham & District are hosting a free, Know Your Blood Pressure event at The Co-operative Supermarket, High Street, Thame on April 27. 2013.

The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness about the link between blood pressure and stroke. Measuring blood pressure is quick, simple and painless; it is done with an inflatable cuff put on your arm. The NHS recommends that all adults have their blood pressure checked at least every five years.

Bob Livings and John Corowle, the two Presidents of the Rotary Clubs of Thame and of Haddenham & District, said: ?The ‘Know Your Blood Pressure’ events have helped prevent thousands of strokes over the last ten years. Learning your blood pressure is high can be worrying, but these events will give you advice on the simple steps you can take to keep it under control. Healthy eating, stopping smoking and taking regular exercise will all make a difference and reduce your risk.?

For more information on stroke, call the Stroke Association helpline on 0303 3033 100 or visit

Jon Barrick, Chief Executive of the Stroke Association said; ?Stroke is one of the UK?s biggest killers and leading cause of adult disability, but far too many people don?t understand it or ever think it?ll happen to them. Rotary have been a fantastic partner in hosting these events which play a vital role in preventing stroke and letting people know their level of risk so they can take action before it?s too late. Everyone should have their blood pressure tested at Know Your Blood Pressure events?
www.stroke.org.uk/kybp

Over the last decade an estimated 200,000 people have had their blood pressure checked at Know Your Blood Pressure events hosted by Rotary with the Stroke Association. Over 30,000 people were tested in 2012; this year the hope is to reach even more as 40% of strokes could be prevented if undiagnosed high blood pressure was identified and treated.

There are 152,000 strokes in the UK every year, which works out at one every five minutes. High blood pressure is the biggest risk factor contributing to stroke, but it has no symptoms and can affect people of any age. 16 million people in the UK have high blood pressure yet many of them don?t know it. If left untreated, it can increase your risk of having a stroke.

Join your local Rotary club and discover how you can make a difference. For more information about Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, visit www.ribi.org

IMAGE: Courtesy of Great Missenden Rotary

AFTER three year of fundraising and deciding on an acceptable design, the Thame Youth Memorial project is almost at the point of installation. Although the charity has raised over

THAME Town Council is to seek tenders for leasing or buying new Christmas lights before deciding the way ahead, because current leasing arrangements runs out in August 2013.

The Town Clerk has sought contributions to the

THAME and District Round Table is on a mission to create the ultimate ‘finishing school’ for men and is asking people in the town for suggestions for things every man should know.

“Once upon a time,” says the association, “the rules of manhood were straightforward but in the 85 years since the Round Table was established things have got a lot more complicated, so Round Table are looking for you to come to the aid of today?s modern man.

“In order to produce its authoritative finishing school guide, Round Table wants your idea of essential man skills. Whether it?s pouring the perfect pint, competent DIY skills or knowing how to compliment a woman, Thame and District Round Table wants to hear from you!”

Cait Allen, from Round Table UK, said: ?Round Table has been built around providing a network of advice and camaraderie for men aged 18-45 since 1927, and therefore our members are well placed to give guidance to men.

?But we are also appealing to people in Thame to send us their thoughts with the aim of using the responses we receive to produce a definitive guide to becoming an all-round modern day gentleman!?

People who have tips or ideas of things that should (or should not) be included in Round Table?s guide should email communications@roundtable.org.uk

Round Table offers a wide range of social and sporting activities in the local community, as well as personal development skills including event organisation, public speaking, and of course knowing how to have fun.

To find out more about Thame and District Round Table, including how to join, email join@roundtable.co.uk or visit /www.roundtable.co.uk/findoutmore