Category: Thame news

FRIENDS of a drowning Wheatley man high on Ketamine, were too drugged themselves to help their dying friend, an inquest heard.

Graffiti artist Dan Lewis, of Templars Close, Wheatley, aged 29, who also used the name Halfcut Art, had snorted the drug on Wednesday, June 2, before stripping off his clothes and jumping into the river at the bathing spot behind West Oxford Community Centre, known as Tumbling Bay.

Dan’s friends, Alan ?Ted? Bedborough, Max Wilk and Eleanor Cooke were all with him and all gave evidence to the Coroner. They either thought he was joking or were too “mashed” to realise what was happening.

Toxicology tests carried out on Dan’s body revealed traces of alcohol and 2.3 milligrams of ketamine per litre of blood.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, the Coroner, Nicholas Gardiner said the drug could have caused partial paralysis, affecting Dan’s ability to swim.

He said: ?After taking this dose of ketamine, if you place yourself in a watery setting, that is a very dangerous thing to do. He shouted for help, no help was forthcoming.?

He was told that Oxford City Council did not provide lifebelts at Tumbling Bay because it was not on a riverside footpath.

Dan was a founder-member of the anual Arcane Festival whose website currently includes a tribute to him.

PHOTO: Courtesy of The Oxford Times

STARTING or returning to Uni this Autumn? Citizens Advice has produced a podcast on money and housing issues for students.

National charity Citizens Advice, which helps people of all ages resolve their money, legal and other problems, has produced a podcast aimed especially at University students. Timed to coincide with the start of the Autumn term, the podcast covers money management and housing rights.

Debt and housing are two of the biggest issues for under 25s who visit bureaux and can be of particular concern to students at University who are often experiencing living independently for the first time.
The ?advicepod? covers how to manage your money, applying for a student loan and things to be aware of when renting a room or property from a private landlord. You can listen to it to via the charity?s advice website:
? LINK
For information about subscribing to Advicepods from Citizens Advice:
? LINK

The charity is also on Twitter, Facebook and other social networks, where you can sign up to hear about the latest campaigning actions, advice issues and Citizens Advice service news.

THAMES VALLEY Police are holding a distraction Burglary event aimed at the Eldery and vuneracble, on Wednesday, October 13, at Thame Leisure Centre.

TRICKSTER, the bogus caller musical, will beperformed by the Solomon Touring Theatre, at Thame Leisure Centre, Oxford Road, Thame, starting at 11am. Doors will open to the public at 10:30am. The presentation will finish at 12:30pm.

Coffee/Tea and biscuits will be provided on arrival.

This play will help older residents to stay safe in their own home, as well as being an entertaining. There will be guest speakers from Trading Standards, Fire Service, Police and Neighbourhood Watch.

Please tell any older family members, friends and neighbours about this event and ask them to contact Police Community Support Officer Diane Jackson at Thame Police Station on 08458505 505if they require help with transportation for this event.

PHOTOGRAPHS of the Thame Food Festival, held on Saturday, September 25, are now available.
SEE: http://www.imagingessence.co.uk/thame_food_festival/

for pictures taken by Imaging Essence. Contact:
debbie@imagingessence.co.uk if you would like copies of any the pictures.

Pictures on the day were also taken by Michele Pether:

Go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=547772&id=613445281&l=6debe223ad

Photo: Lottie Duncan demonstrating at the Thame Food Festival- Courtesy of Imaging Essence

THAME residents are being asked to comment on a replacement for the South Oxfordshire district development plan recently scrapped following new government guildelines.

South Oxfordshire District Council as the planning authority, is asking local people to comment on a review of the key document that sets out future housing development in the region to 2027, which, it says: “… will help deliver much needed housing, opportunities for high quality jobs and thriving town centres across the district.”

The key options the council is now asking for views on includes an option to keep to the original housing numbers, 850, set out in the old South East Plan, but changing the approach to how they are distributed across the district.

“Every year,” states SODC, “we give planning consent to a considerable number of housing developments that are not planned for, but meet our development guidance. We could include these in our overall housing figure, which would help to reduce this, should we be able to do so when Government reforms are announced later this year.”

Another option for SODC is to put in place a density policy. This means, it says, making sure that land is used “as efficiently as possible, to avoid too much or too little development.”

In reviewing its approach, the council has looked again at the preferred sites in Thame for development. (See LINK for backstories on the battle for where new housing should go in Thame)

A development site to the north west of the town (site F) is being promoted by Thame Town Council. The site preferred by SODC is the the so-called option D, farm land between Cuttle Brook and Moreton. This option was chosen, said SODC at the time, after carrying out full appraisals including bio diversity and education, and that the site has good access to the town centre which it is thought, would be more likely to encourage people to walk and cycle to town.

It was also explained that there was no intention to build right up to the Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve but to create landscaping to form a recreation area or extension to it.

Those opposing option D, fear that the reserve itself could be damaged and that there would be increased flooding in the area.

More back stories available HERE

Residents have an opportunity to tell SODC what their responses to the core strategy are by channelling them through town, parish councils and community groups, or independently by finding out more at: Have your say or by calling 01491 823725.

Cllr Angie Paterson, Cabinet Member for planning, said:
?We know that for our district to continue to be successful, we need to provide houses and high quality jobs to keep South Oxfordshire a thriving place for us all to enjoy. It is clear the withdrawal of the South East Plan is not a signal for us to stop making plans and the good news is we now have more flexibility from national government.

?Through previous consultation we?ve tried to take on board the views expressed by local residents. We now need views on these key areas. I would encourage residents to make their views known on these through their local town, parish council or community group.”

The consultation period closes on 29 October 2010.

IMAGE: Courtesey of www.maplanda.com – The dark green area, bottom left of image roughly shows SODC’s preferred option for a new housing development in Thame. (Site D)

THOUSANDS of older people with support needs across the South East of England are among those who could be forced to fend for themselves under possible cuts to a major government support programme, a campaign group has warned.

The National Housing Federation, which represents England?s housing associations, said that with the Treasury instructing all departments to model cutbacks of up to 40%, more than 57,000 vulnerable people could see the outreach support that enables them to lead independent lives axed, and temporary accommodation shut as a knock-on effect.

The Federation said the Supporting People programme, which also provides support for those with learning difficulties and ex-offenders, saves the taxpayer money by preventing extra cash being spent on health, social services and the criminal justice system. It fears that a 40% cut to the programme would end up costing the taxpayer

THAME’S MP, John Howell, took part in a pub quiz at The Rising Sun, Thame, on Tuesday (28/09) to fullfil a pledge made to the regular quiz master at The Rising Sun, Brian West, during his election campaign. His team, named Milleband Experience, comprised John Howell, Mike Dyer, Nick & Hilly Carter, and Nigel and Alison Champken Woods.

Mike reported: “The team’s performance was quite credible, scoring 90.5 pts out of a possible 110, finshing sixth out of 12/13 teams many of whom are regulars. However, none of us recognised a picture of a young David Cameron, and John was 44 out when a question asked what his majority had been at the General Election (it was 16588, but we answered 16544).

“A good evening was had by all.”

A CHILDREN’S Centre in Thame will go ahead, despite 14 similar schemes in Oxfordshire being cut. Central Government has cut the

YESTERDAY was a truly memorable day for everyone at Barley Hill School, Thame, as teachers, governors, pupils, councillors and those involved in the design and building of the new teaching block, celebrated together its official opening.

Although there were many distinguished guests, including the Chair of Governors, Paul Nicholas, David Bretherton the School Governor who Chairs the school’s Premises Committee, the Vice Chair of Oxfordshire County Council, Patrick Greene, the highlight of the children’s day was the chance to meet children?s television presenter, Helen Skelton.

The Headteacher, John Hulett, who is retiring at Christmas, reflected on Helen’s effect on the children: “From the moment she began to respond to the children?s questions everyone was fully engaged with what she had to say. She shared some really special moments from her experiences and inspired the children with her enthusiasm and passion for the work she is currently doing on Blue Peter. She finished her interview by giving a challenge to all the children.

“She said, “The more you learn…the more you know about the world and what?s happened before, the better and bigger your adventures can be……I expect to see big things from you all in the future!”

Having unveiled a commemorative plaque on the side of the new teaching block, and raising the new school flag to a fanfare played by the school’s brass band, Helen spent an hour walking around the school visiting nearly every classroom and spending time talking with the children. She showed great interest in what they were doing and thrilled the children with her conversations about their work.

“She is certainly a great role model for them,” continue Mr Hulett, “and I am delighted that she agreed to visit Barley Hill. Many of the children will I know be writing to thank her.”

But, there was a big surprise for ‘Sir’ – for when Helen unveiled the plaque, he was amazed to see his name on it. For everyone had been sworn to secrecy and not to give any hint to Mr Hulett that the new, state of the art, eco building, was to be named after him.

“To think,” said John Hulett afterwards, “that anyone would want to name a building after me was astonishing! I feel honoured that the governors wanted to do this as a mark of my time as headteacher. For once I was lost for words!”

The day’s celebrations ended with a massed balloon launch and a PTA cake sale. The school awaits news of whose balloon travels the furthest.

PHOTO: Helen Skelton unveils the first plaque commemmorating the new John Hulett Building with the help of one of the youngest, and the eldest pupil in the school.

FOLLOWING an appeal for a marketing name for a new homes development by David Wilson Homes in Thame last month, it has been decided that the most appropriate name would be Windmill Place. The developer received a large number of suggestions and hopes to use some of the other names within the street naming at the development.

The marketing name is one that is used for the duration of the sales period. It could be that a more permanent name could be used after sales are complete.

David Wilson Homes purchased the 4.9 acre site in a joint venture with Wates Developments which has financially enabled the Thame football club, the land’s previous occupier, to unlock funding for a brand new community football facility on the edge of the town.

Paul Moran, Sales Director for David Wilson Homes Southern, commented: ?We are delighted that we are now in a position to commence work at the newly named Windmill Place development in Thame. We have already received significant interest from interested purchasers which highlights a demand for new homes in the area.

?We must extend thanks to everyone who came forward with a name for the development. We received an enormous amount of feedback and in the end we decided that Windmill Place was an obvious geographical choice and pays respect to the former football stadium. In addition to Windmill Place, we hope to use some of the other suggestions for streets names within the development.?

With work now underway, David Wilson Homes hopes that the first two, three and four bedroom homes will be released for purchase at the start of next year.

IMAGE: An example of one of David Wilson Homes at one of the company’s other developments. (Designs for Windmill Place not yet available)

A CHILDREN’S Centre in Thame will go ahead, despite 14 similar schemes in Oxfordshire being cut. Central Government has cut the