Category: Thame news

SOUTH Oxfordshire’s Core Strategy Examination in Public resumes next week to consider the Main Modifications to the plan which will decide how South Oxfordshire, including Thame, will grow and develop to 2026, including where new housing will go.

These modifications have been made following the Inspector’s initial ?soundness? findings, following the Examination in Public (EIP) last November.

What are the modifications?

The principle modification in the Core Strategy relating to Thame was that the Inspector considered that the decision as to where to allocate the 775 houses in Thame should be deferred to the Neighbourhood Plan, rather than allocating a site (Site F) in the Core Strategy. This modification has, itself, given rise to additional issues that will now be considered at the Examination.

The main question the Inspector has asked is whether, in deferring the matter of the allocation of houses to the Neighbourhood Plan, there needs to be a contingency option included in the Core Strategy in order to make it effective. Two options have been suggested by South Oxfordshire District Council:

(a) to include a ?reserve site allocation? in the event that the Neighbourhood Plan is not adopted by April 2014; or

(b) to include a requirement that an alternative document (to the Neighbourhood Plan) be prepared if the Neighbourhood Plan has not been adopted by April 2013.

The District Council favours option (a), and has suggested that Site F should be retained on a reserve basis and allocated for 400 dwellings if the Neighbourhood Plan is not adopted by April 2014.

These matters, and other issues, will be considered at the Examination. Thame Town Council will be represented at the Examination to discuss these matters, and to report on progress in connection with the Neighbourhood Plan.

As it relates to Thame, it has been publicised that the Examination recommences at the District Council Offices, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, and will begin at 9am on Wednesday May 23. (Though this may have changed to Monday, May 21 – I am trying to find out whether a note on SODC’s website that the meeting regarding ‘MM25’ scheduled for May 24, is now on May 21 !!)

THAME’S newly selected Deputy Mayor, local publican and Brewer, Peter Lambert, has been talking about why he was persuaded to accept the role.

He told ThameNews.Net today: ?I have been in Thame for three years now (I was only coming for four weeks initially!) and I immediately found it to be a warm and welcoming town. Running a pub in the town means that I get to hear the views and concerns of residents, so I find that I?m very well informed.

“I?m really happy to have achieved this level of involvement in the community within such a short time.

“I put myself forward as Deputy Mayor because I am particularly interested in the Neighbourhood Plan – a crucial part of making sure that Thame residents make decisions for their town, rather than the District Council – and I thought it would be a good way to show my commitment to the community. Thame has a lot to offer and I don?t want to see it changed by people who don?t seem to have its best interests at heart.?

PHOTO; Deputy Mayor, Peter Lambert (front-left) with fellow town councillors after his selection yesterday.

THE organisers of last Sunday’s Music in the Park have hailed the event a huge success, after the official figure of attendance reached 3,500 people.

The Friends of Elms Park, who with Thame Town Council organised the event, today issued the following review of the day:

“Blessed with a day of good weather sandwiched between the umpteen days of rain, Music in the Park again exceeded expectations, with roughly twice as many visitors and twice as much money raised as last year.

“Approximately 3,500 people had a great day?s fun and entertainment, and about

THESE two proudly took their places at the head of Thame Town Council last night, when they were selected by fellow Councillors to the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the coming year.

The new Mayor, ex RAF man Nigel Champken Woods, has been Mayor before but his new deputy, Landlord of the Cross Keys pub in Thame, Peter Lambert, has been on the council for less than two years, but has obviously been quick to make an impression on fellow councillors.

Nigel told the council what his aspirations for his mayoral year were:

The Thame Neighbourhood Plan

“My number one priority is to drive the Neighbourhood Plan to fruition and to ensure that we get a yes vote at the referendum. This will involve a lot of hard work for the Thame Town Council Staff and yourselves. We will have to get out there and explain what this is all about and ensure that the people of Thame understand that if we don?t get the plan accepted then all planning decisions will be made by SODC. We have to realise we are the biggest town in the front runners and will be subject to a lot of scrutiny on this one.”

The Thame Youth Memorial

“I hope to be able to be present at the Unveiling of the Youth Memorial. This will be the culmination of a lot of hard work by a dedicated team in order to bring the fund raising, design and planning of the project to a successful conclusion.”

Music In The Park

“This year, again, exceeded all expectations with about 3,000 attending, and raised in excess of

THREE men from the Thame area have been sentenced for violent offences carried out in Thame, outside a Thame pub.

Aaron Pullen, 19, of London Road, Milton Common, admitted using or threatening unlawful violence and having an offensive weapon, namely a wood baton, on December 5, 2011, in Thame. He was jailed for 18 weeks, because the offence was committed whilst he was on a suspended sentence and because he was the main perpetrator.

Daniel Pullen, 23, of Youens Drive, Thame, admitted using or threatening unlawful violence and having an offensive weapon (a two-foot long round stick) at the time in Thame, and he was sentenced to 18 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months. He was placed under a curfew for two months to stay at home between 8pm and 6am and ordered to pay

A ONE year-old tabby cat has been missing from the College Close area of Thame since Sunday evening (13/05)). She goes by the name of Lily and was wearing a black collar with silver hearts on it.

Lily is described as quite a small cat, and her distinguishing feature is a ginger tip to her tail.

Any information please call Lisa on 07730 579163.

AROUND 2,000 people gathered in a Thame park yesterday, to bop, rock, swing or to just ‘chill’ and listen to some great music ranging from Rock, jazz and Punk, to Rap and Beatboxing! (Links to photographs below)

Elms Park was throbbing as families and friends picnicked in groups, chatting and sharing a brilliant day, and soaking up the very welcome sunshine that emerged from behind the clouds in long spells, softening the effects of a chill wind.

There was something for all musical tastes and age groups. The sight of parents ‘of a certain age’ reliving their youth and grooving to ‘Hats Off to Led Zeppelin’ alongside younger people (not their own – too embarrassing!) who love and appreciate the guitar playing style of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, was wonderful to behold.

Reflecting the ever growing popularity among younger people particularly, for electronically inspired beats and music, ‘the Bubble’ promoted and sponsored by Fastest Dog, became a pulsating, orange cocoon for the fans of the likes of ‘local heroes’ Cuboyd & Co, through to one of the top eight, UK Beatboxing Championship performers, that is the phenomenon known as PieMan.

Where else than at an English music festival can you witness young people dancing alongside their grandparents’ generation, to the musical tradition, jazz? Headliners, The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band certainly kept the party going until 9pm when the scaffold and stage dismantlers moved in as the sun went down.

IMAGES: From inside ‘the bubble’

Some more fab pictures from the event here from ThameTV.

Pictures from The Drakes – LINK

Pictures from Frank Millar More soon from Rob Wheal, Official festival photographer.

COMMENT: Send us your reviews and reflections on Music In The Park 2012. editor@thame.net

FOLLOWING on from Thame’s truly amazing music festival yesterday (13/05) – more of that later – Festival fever continues with the anticipation of September’s fifth Thame Food Festival.

This year, festival goers will be able to produce their own healthy smoothie whilst getting some exercise on a static, specially adapted bicycle. Smoothie Bike Hire, with their awesome custom built smoothie-making bicycles, will be promoting healthy eating, exercise and sustainable energy for all the family.

Another amazing line-up for Thame Food Festival on September 29, has been announced today, and stall holder numbers and festival attendees are expected to exceed last year, all packed into the centre of this beautiful historic market town to enjoy a fantastic, free, fun packed, family day of food.

Festival ambassador Raymond Blanc is scheduled to attend and his reliable assistants from festival supporters Le Manoir aux Quat?Saisons, Adam (or should that be ?Ad-aam??) and Kush from the hugely successful BBC series ?The Very Hungry Frenchman,’ will definitely be there on the day.

The line-up includes Beverley Glock of Splat Cooking. Beverley is a TV Cook, Broadcaster, Author and Food Writer with a passion for encouraging children and families to cook.

Top chef Adam Simmonds from Danesfield House, Marlow, will be starring in the Demo Kitchen, along with festival regulars, Kate & Giancarlo Caldesi and festival patron, Lotte Duncan. Lotte will also be judging the ever popular competition for the best Thame Tart ? the sophisticated version of the classic jam tart – invented by John Fothergill, owner of The Spread Eagle Hotel in central Thame in the 1930?s.

The James Figg pub will be hosting sausage making and wine tasting events, and it is rumoured that there will even be an ?Oyster Meister’.

The sponsors that are ensuring that this year’s Thame Food Festival can continue to forge ahead this year, are:-

Headline sponsor McCormick UK (SchwartzTM)
South Oxfordshire District Council
Rectory Homes, Aga, Sainsbury?s and, The Thatch and James Figg pubs.

This, the fifth Thame Food Festival is set fair to be a wonderful, regional celebration of artisan local food and drink produce, fantastic local food producers and great local food retailers.

?Britain is now connecting with its food culture? Raymond Blanc Ambassador for Thame Food Festival

?Fantastic food fun? Lotte Duncan, Patron

“There?s nothing quite like the buzz of a local food extravaganza to get you excited about the food you?re growing, cooking and eating” Fork Magazine.

Social media: Twitter: @thamefoodfest
facebook.com/thamefoodfestival

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for the public?s help in tracing a wanted man.

Richard Hunt, aged 29, and originally from the Swindon area, is a day release prisoner from HMP Springhill.

He was working at a charity shop in Headington yesterday (9/5) when he allegedly assaulted a woman who was working with him. She suffered cuts to her hands in the incident.

Hunt left the shop and failed to return to HMP Springhill. He has not been seen since.

The incident happened at approximately 10.50am.

Det Insp Steve Raffield, said: ?Hunt was serving a five-and-a-half year sentence for robbery.

?Clearly in light of this incident on Wednesday we regard him to be dangerous and I would urge the public not to approach him.

?If anyone sees him or knows where he is they should contact police urgently.?

Anyone with any information about Hunt?s whereabouts should contact police via 101. If you see him you should contact police urgently on 999.

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 crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

SOURCE; Press release

AFTER the excitement of Michael Rosen, Sophie Dahl, Claire Tomalin and all the other authors who took part in Thame’s Art and Literary festival last year, planning is now well under way for Festival 2012.

TAL Festival Director, Yvonne Maxwell, is sure that this year’s festival will be at least as good! “We and everyone who came last year wondered whether this year could possibly match it. Imagine our delight to be able to welcome Jonathan Dimbleby and no less than three Royal Shakespeare Actors, as well as the amazing Comedy trio (two who hail from Thame) The Boom Jennies – AND it?s only May!

Add in a heady mix of music – classic and rock, dance, poetry and art, and Festival 2012 is rapidly becoming an unmissable event for October.

Keep an eye on the https://twitter.com/#!/tal_festival

PHOTO: Comic trio, The Boom Jennies – recently back from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival