Category: Thame news

THAME’S retained fire officers, based at the fire station in Nelson Street, have been kept busy this week fighting a roof fire and rescuing sheep from the River Thame.

Last Wednesday morning (03/08) at around 10.25 am, they joined appliances from Brill and Haddenham, to fight a roof fire in a bungalow in Long crendon. Station Officer, Andy Ford, told ThameNews.Net: “Alerted by a neighbour’s call to the police, We arrived to find the roof fully alight but despite being hampered by burning cables falling into the garden, were soon able to bring the fire under control.

“We evacuated the neighbours on both side and fortunately no one was injured. Protected by one of our pop-up tents, we were able to salvage and protect most of the owners’ furniture and belongings.”

On Saturday, a Thame fire crew was involved in rescuing three sheep who had wandered into the River Thame and become stuck in the mud. By the time the crew arrived, two of the sheep had got out by themselves and the third pulled out safely using the force’s specialized Rescue Tender and equipment from Kidlington.

None of the sheep are any the worse for their adventure!

IMAGE: For illustrative purposes only

HERE is the latest Thame neighbourhood update from Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Lucy Thorne and PCSO Diane Jackson.

Stone throwing

During July two ASB warning letters have been issued to individuals who were involved in a stone throwing incident in the Churchill Crescent area. This area has been patrolled on a regular basis to work to deter/prevent crime and will continue to be monitored in the future.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) Info

The most common way we can deal with incidents of ASB is by issuing ASB warning letters, acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs), anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs), Section 27 orders ? direction to leave locality, and Section 59 orders – contracts issued for using a vehicle in an anti-social manner.

Litter

All of the park areas will be regularly patrolled throughout the summer months as we tend to see a rise in the amount of litter being dropped on grass areas. This will be monitored and offenders dealt with appropriately.

PCSO Jackson patrolled the town park areas on Friday 22 July, when school broke up for the summer holidays, ensuring young people used the litter bins provided for their rubbish.

No section 59 warnings or Section 27s have been issued by Thame PCSOs.

A number of incident diaries have been distributed to residents in the area following reports of vehicle related ASB and neighbourhood disputes. These areas will be closely monitored and, where necessary, we will work with partner agencies to resolve such problems.

Crime Mapping

The Home Office national crime mapping website gives the public access to street-level crime information as well as information on their Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Neighbourhood Priorities and Events – details of Have Your Say and other neighbourhood activities. Log on to www.police.uk, type in your local postcode or neighbourhood name and then click on ?Find out more?.

Offenders brought to justice

In July 15 offenders have been brought to justice for the following:

Three for making off without payment
One assault without injury
Four drug possession – cannabis
One drug possession excluding cannabis
One drunk and disorderly
One public order
One outraging public decency
One burglary in a dwelling
Two affray

Priorities

Our Local Priority for Thame is ASB. As stated above, we conduct high visibility patrols in and around the town, engaging with members of the public, listening to local people?s community concerns/issues. Where problems are brought to our attention, we conduct home visits with parents present, issue warning letters and work with offenders to encourage them to move forward.

Partnership Activity

We continue to work with our partners, ensuring that we liaise on a regular basis with the schools on our sector, who we have good rapports with. We conduct monthly site inspections with Soha, South Vale Housing and Sovereign Housing, tackling low level neighbourhood disputes. We engage regularly with the local Town Council, picking up any local concerns people raise and events which are taking place over coming months.

During July, PCSO Thorne and PCSO Jackson participated in ACE week, at Lord Williams Upper School. This was a successful week and was well received by students participating.

Pubwatch meetings continue to be held every two months and Country Watch meetings are held quarterly.

PCSO Thorne has been liaising with South Oxfordshire District Council and the Town Council following concerns raised by local Garden City residents regarding the lack of a bus stop in the road. There are a number of issues, the main being safety. This has now been passed onto the Town Council for review.

Non Partnership Activity

PCSO Jackson has liaised with the Highway Agency following reports of vehicles parking opposite a junction in Sycamore Drive. Highways have now reviewed this case, but at the present time there is no funding available to enable road markings being placed here. Therefore, advisory letters are being sent out to vehicles parked in this area.

Due to us providing a visible presence for the majority of our shifts, we engage with our local community daily, allowing us to talk with people and deal with any issues they have.

Planned Activity

We have participated in the following operations during June:

Maginot – this operation continues to run, tackling travelling criminals entering and leaving our area.

Due to an increase in thefts from vehicles in the Thame area and surrounding villages, we have been deploying the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) device at dedicated times and providing a highly visible police presence aimed at deterring and preventing offences taking place, offering reassurance and assisting in the capture and prosecution of offenders.

ANPR is a powerful tool that can help prevent crime by identifying flagged vehicles.

Benefits of ANPR

ANPR identifies suspect vehicles that may not normally attract police attention.
Unlicensed or uninsured vehicles are likely to be seized on the spot by ANPR equipped officers.
It can be used to gather intelligence on known criminals, and for running pro-active operations using dedicated Roads Policing intercept teams.
ANPR cameras are not safety cameras – they are not used by Thames Valley Police to catch speeding or otherwise law abiding motorists. ANPR cameras are not used to generate money for the Government or other agencies.

Magpie – This operation involves checking parked vehicles in local car parks for valuables left on display.

Mangrove – this is running initially for eight weeks as a result of fuel thefts from heavy goods vehicles over recent weeks in our local area. This operation involves us carrying out static patrols in key areas at key times in marked vehicles.

Moonlight – this operation will be running continuously and is working to protect the night-time economy of our town centre by preventing and detecting ASB/violent assaults and managing licensed premises. PCSOs are working with police officers to conduct high visibility patrols in the town centre and liaising with the pubs, carrying out licence checks.

Good News Stories:

PCSO Thorne and Jackson have been able to assist police officers with three arrests during July, by identifying two offenders on CCTV for two unrelated crimes. This was possible due to our good local knowledge.

PCSO Jackson assisted officers with an area search for stolen property relating to a shoplifting incident. We are pleased to say the property was recovered, a very positive result!

Community Messaging

This free service provides information to subscribers about crime and police activity in their area via phone or email. It also includes information on what we and our partner services are doing to bring offenders to justice or combat anti-social behaviour, and information on opportunities for local residents to raise concerns with their local policing teams. More information can be obtained via our website, and you can sign up here too: http://www.tvpcommunitymessaging.org/rmwebportal/startup.aspx

Have Your Say online

You can now send non-emergency messages to us using the online form that is available on the Thames Valley Police website. A number of people have already sent their concerns using this method. For you to do that please follow the link: http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh/yournh-about-nh-pol/yournh-tvp-pol-area-n235-hys. Please allow some time for us to get back to you as we do check our mail box only at certain times of the day.

There is also the opportunity to attend Have Your Say meetings in person. Upcoming Have Your Say meetings are:-

Friday 26 August 2011, 11am -1pm at Thame Town Hall with PCSO Diane Jackson
Tuesday 27 September 2011, midday ? 2pm at Thame Town Hall with PCSO Diane Jackson
These meetings are an ideal opportunity for local residents to speak to their local police officers and PCSO?s about any local issues, no appointment is necessary just turn up and speak to your local officers. Further meetings will be publicised locally and on the force website at www.thamesvalley.police.uk

If you want any advice or would like to contact the neighbourhood team you can call us on the police non emergency number 0845 8 505505 or email ThameNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk. Please note this email address cannot be used to contact Thames Valley Police to report crimes or for any urgent matters. Alternatively you can visit the force website at www.thamesvalley.police.uk to view information on your neighbourhood.

FOR Chinnor and other local area crime updates, visit:
LINK

A Thame residents group is unhappy about the way they have apparently been ignored in consultations about a proposal to demolish a Thame school for housing.

Speaking at Tuesday?s Thame Council meeting to ratify its response to changes to the Core strategy, Bob Austin, Chair of the Towersey Road Neighbourhood Association, asked councillors: ?Is it reasonable that the citizens of Thame were not fully informed of the school development proposal before June 17? More particularly, the people living near the Lower School site (Lord Williams?s) have not been able to submit their views as has been the case with other residents? associations. This lack of consultation is not justifiable.

“As early as October 2010 a submission by the town council to SODC clearly states a preference by Thame Town Council for housing development replacing Lower school on Towersey Road.

?Why were those residents affected not fully consulted about this option? This lack of consultation appears to be contrary to guidelines. At best it can be described as neglect, at worst, contemptuous of the residents of the neighbourhood.?

Mr Austin questioned whether it was known whether parents wanted one large secondary school, as they had not been consulted so far either.

A second speaker, Barry Yates, Chair of the Oxford Road Residents Association, told councillors that his members felt that the proposed increase from 530 to600 houses on Site F would be over development of the site, making it three times the size of Chiltern Vale and creating 2,500 vehicle movements, increasing the current number by 15%. His other concerns included:

1. Combined with unification of schools, the increased housing numbers would equal traffic nightmare at peak times

2. Only two proposed vehicle entrances onto the site would mean that all traffic would exit onto the already busy oxford Road, therefore creating an imperative that any development at Site F includes
a) new roundabout half-way down by-pass
b) New exit/improvement at Oxford Road roundabout

3. That no new primary school is planned for necessitating children on new estate having to commute to John Hampden School in Park Street, Thame. Mr Yates was of the view that they would not walk (3 miles in total) down the Phoenix trail which would mean more cars on Oxford road, and more congestion around the school. He pointed out that they could walk from site D to both John Hampden and Lord Williams?s schools

4. The need for traffic calming in Oxford Road as part of this proposition, but needed NOW!

5. Uniting the two secondary schools would mean selling off greenfield, school playing fields

?How can you condone this?? asked Mr Yates. ?Is this not a windfall site?? he added, and objected to the fact that no parents had been consulted.

Mr Jeff Lowe, speaking on behalf of the landowner of Site F, and the Developer, said that the proposed density of the development of Site F is well within planning guidelines and that any proposal for where the additional 175 homes required by the Core Strategy revisions would go, would go out for public consultation. He denied that the development would increase traffic problems in the area.

He said that his company was working with the school “to help it realise its aspiration for a combined school.”

The town council intends to make the following objections and observations to SODC’s proposed changes to its Core Strategy, currently being considered by a Planning Inspector:

* that it objects to Thame being allocated more houses than Henley, since Henley is a bigger retail centre than Thame

* That a wider range of sites should have been considered for Thame for its allocation, not just site F

* That no specific sites should be allocated at this time for Thame, but should wait for the production of a strategic town or ‘Neighbourhood’ plan (to be produced by the town council. (This would have to go to a local referendum according to the town clerk.)

* Need to know where off-site community facilities are likely to be, as there are no plans for such facilities on Site F

* That Crowmarsh be considered as part of Wallingford in the allocation of housing numbers for Wallingford.

The Planning Inspector will next sit in November.

THAMES Valley Police has issued an e-fit of a man officers wish to interview in connection with a sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl in Thame in June.

The girl was walking down Greyhound Lane, which leads from Waitrose supermarket, at around 5.30pm on 14 June when she was approached from behind by a stranger.

The man grabbed her inappropriately before walking away.

He is described as white, between 5ft 11ins and 6ft, with a skinny build and short black hair. He was wearing black wrap-around sunglasses and a blue, checked short-sleeve shirt.

PC Gemma Price said: ?This was very upsetting for the young girl involved and we are keen to trace this man.

?I would urge anyone who may recognise the person in the e-fit to come forward and help us with our investigation.?

Anyone with information should contact PC Gemma Price via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 0845 8 505 505. Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

THAMES Valley Police has released images of silverware recovered, which may have been stolen from a church or religious establishment in Thame.

At about 8am on Tuesday, June 26, PC Jonathan Shaw from Thame police station found a chalice and a wafer holder buried in some dirt and leaves behind a barn between Newington and Drayton St Leonard.

PC Shaw said: ?I believe these items were dumped months or may be years ago as they were very dirty and needed cleaning before these pictures were taken.

?I would like to give these items back to the rightful owners but they will have to show some evidence to prove that it is theirs.?

Anyone wishing to claim these items should contact PC Shaw via the Thames Valley Police?s 24-hour Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505 or in person at Thame police station.

AS temperatures soared at the Oxfordshire County and Thame Show on Saturday, locals and visitors from as far away as Shropshire and Scandanavia even, lapped up the sun, arena shows, horse and pony events, trade stands, local produce and food tents, and everything else that makes this one of the greatest days out in England.

Here are some of the best moments captured on camera:
LINK TO FACEBOOK

WELL, that’s not exactly what the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership want to encourage, but its now easy to dispose of your drinks can in the street appropriately, and with the knowledge that it will be re-cycled.

Special multi-material bins have started to appear on the streets in Thame and other towns in the SODC and Vale district council areas to make is easier to recycle ‘on the go.’

This partnership, between councils and the Every Can Counts programme, marks a key milestone as the drinks can recycling programme’s first project supporting local authorities to increase ‘on the go’ recycling.

Every Can Counts is a partnership between drink can manufacturers, the recycling industry and leading waste management companies with the aim of encouraging more recycling of drinks cans.

Cllr David Dodds, SODC Cabinet Member responsible for waste service, is reported as saying: “We have one of the highest kerbside recycling rates in the UK at around 70%, so we know that our community is committed to recycling at home. The next logical step is to make the same facilities available on the street in key town centre locations. The new bins collect exactly the same materials in the same way that householders recycle in the home, meaning we now have a seamless service that is familiar and easy to use whilst ‘on the go’” (Materials Handling World Magazine)LINK

PHOTO: Thame’s first, ‘on the go’ recycle bin being installed in Greyhound Walk.

EMERGING in 2008 with just a dozen food stalls around Thame town hall, the prestige of the town’s Food Festival, now in its fourth year, has grown to such an extent that top chefs are almost tripping over their apron strings to be involved.

One of the organisers, Sally Dorling, of Marketing Foods, said: “Thame Food Festival is a wonderful showcase for the passion of local artisan food and drink producers and retailers. It is a fun filled celebration of everything that is right with food in a great, free, inspiring, family day out in the centre of a beautiful market town. You can enjoy celebrity chef demos, children?s cookery workshops, food sampling and entertainment.

“The emphasis on fun and education about local and regional food products and the retailers. It brings the whole town together in a sense of community to share a wonderful food experience.

“Stallholder response has been incredible with over 60 confirmed bookings so far. Exhibitors include The Chiltern Brewery, The Good Biscuit Co, Merchants of Vino, Tims Dairy, Lassco Coffee Shop, Cavendish Events, Lotte?s Kitchen, Mortimer Chocolate Co, Daws Hill Vineyard, The Oxford Cheese Company and Chiltern Natural Foods.

“As headline sponsors we are delighted to welcome local food producers McCormick, home of Schwartz?s spices. They will be holding a cookery demo and will be offering free samples to all visitors on the day. David Wilson Homes Southern were proud sponsors of the official launch party at their show homes in Windmill Place in Thame and will be sponsoring the festival programme as well as donating a raffle prize of a meal for 8 at Windmill Place.”

Celebrity chef guests will include Katie & Giancarlo Caldesi, Raymond Blanc, Mark Peregrine and a certain Mr X from the Great British Menu.

There will be many star attractions including Cook Offs, Demos, Food Talks, Beer Tent, Music, Family Entertainment, Kids Workshops, Book Signings, Demo Kitchen & Big Screen.

This year’s sponsors are McCormick (Headline), David Wilson Homes Southern, Peach Pubs, Sainsbury?s, South Oxon District Council and The Spread Eagle Hotel.

Festival Partners are Le Manoir aux Quat?Saisons, Jack FM, Glide FM, Harrison Catering, Thame TV, Imaging Essence, Chiltern Railways, Arriva buses, British Food
Fortnight, Team Tourism, 21st Century Thame, Connell?s Estate Agents, Thame Town Council & Marketing Foods.

Additional supporters are Rumsey?s Chocolaterie, Cavendish Events, Aylesbury Catering College, The AGA Shop, Cottage Bakery, Giancarlo & Katie Caldesi, Mr X, Thame Gazette, Thame Out, Vale Life, Thamenews.Net, What?s Cooking, Thame 360, Thame Arts & Literature, Wallingford Food Festival, The Lions and comedian compere for the day Jams Davies.

This year?s Festival will be featuring once again a series of talks and food demos at The Stables at The James Figg, including wine tasting, a talk on fish sustainability by Mike Berthet of M&J Seafood and a hands-on sausage making session, plus a foodie pub quiz down the road at The Thatch.

?You can imagine how proud I am to be patron of this year?s Thame Food Festival? says renowned local TV chef, presenter and writer Lotte Duncan. ?Last year was great, but this year looks as if it?s going to be even tastier.?

?Thame Food Festival touches the hearts of people because it is a real festival? Giancarlo Caldesi supporter and celebrity guest chef.

The 4th Thame Food Festival, to be held on 24th September 2011, promises to be the best yet.

A local family activity centre that has been providing recreational and educational activities for children with special needs and their families for nine years, can now help teenagers too!

Thanks to some generous donations from local authorities, charitable foundations and businesses, as well as The Big Lottery Fund, Thomley Activity Centre at Worminghall near Thame, has refurbished an old Manor Hall to create a fresh new facility for disabled teenagers and their families. At a special launch event yesterday (July 27), 70 young users of Thomley, both long-standing and new, along with their families and representatives of the donors, celebrated the opening of this great new facility.

The new space includes a chill-out room with pool table, sofas and a magnificent TV with X Box and Wii games and activities. There’s lots of quiet spaces too including massage facilities, and a fully fitted kitchen for learning life skills like cooking.

In her speech yesterday, the Chair of Thomley Trustees, Lorraine Fox, explained how this teenage project came about following feedback from young people and their families which identified a need for the centre to provide facilities for youngsters over the age of 13 yrs.

“These families also told us how few other safe and accessible places there are to take their children. Again and again we hear about limited provision for young disabled people who are no longer considered as children, but who are struggling with the transition into adulthood.

“Thomley therefore designed this project to widen the variety of activities for disabled teenagers. It specifically aims to promote social, early vocational, healthy living and life skills of disabled young people up to 19 years-old, their families and friends.”

Director of Thomley Activity Centre, Claire Acworth, told ThameNews.Net: “Today has been absolutely amazing. To see the young people actually in, what was an old dilapidated building, using the facilities everyone has worked so hard to provide, is so satisfying. But this is not end. Going forward over the coming few years, the project will evolve to provide a range of social, healthy living, early vocational and life skills activities.”

PHOTO; Jamie (green T shirt)and Hamish (dark green T shirt)try their hand at woodworking with Paul (carpentry workshop facilitator)