Category: Thame news

MEGA pop king, Robin Gibb, who lives in Thame, is recovering from emergency stomach surgery after suffering excruciating intestinal pains.

Robin was rushed to the John Radcliffe Hospital in the early hours of Wednesday, August 18, where he underwent emergency gastro-intestinal surgery. The operation was a success and Robin is making a good recovery at his home in Thame.

Robin’s Consultant has apparently recommended complete rest in order to speed his recovery.

Robin’s twin brother, Maurice Gibb, died aged 53 from a heart attack in 2003 during surgery for a twisted intestine after which The Bee Gees temporarily retired after 45 years

Robin and his brother Barry were expected to launch a tour at the end of 2010 but after Robin?s health scare it is unclear whether this will now go ahead.

A top employee of Raymond Blanc who had twice before tried to take his own life, hanged himself, a Coroner decided yesterday.

Stephen Truman, aged 47, who worked as Facilities Manager at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Great Milton, near Thame, was found hanging from a tree in Bernwood Forest, Shabbington, on June 9, after a police search.

The Coroner heard how Raymond Blanc had spoken sympathetically to Mr Truman, who had been diagnosed with clinical depression and was going through a divorce, shortly before he disappeared.

It was revealed that Mr Truman had drunk a bottle of wine before hanging himself.

The Buckinghamshire Coroner, Richard Hulett, recorded a verdict of suicide.

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

CRIME INFO:

Throughout August we have received reports of suspicious vehicles in the area and suspicious people knocking on doors, offering services such as tree cutting and garden work. Leaflets are often dropped through letter boxes or handed to people who answer. We would like to remind people to report any suspicious behaviour like this to us on 0845 8 505 505 and to keep their doors closed if they are unsure of the caller.

Crime mapping shows a decrease in robberies from 192.3 to 160 between the period of May-July 2009 and the same period for 2010. This is a 16.8 per cent decrease. We conduct high visibility patrols in all areas of the town and engage regularly with shops and businesses, building good relationships with the staff and workers. We always encourage people to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour relating to persons and/or vehicles to us on 0845 8 505 505.

We also promote community messaging. This free service provides information to subscribers about crime and police activity in their area via phone or e-mail. 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.
For more information and to sign up for the service, go to our website:
LINK

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB) info:

We were extremely disappointed to discover the damage caused to Elms Park where the swings had been cut down, seating damaged and panels of fencing removed from the fence to the rear of the park. If anybody has any information that could be related to this incident, please contact Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505.

PCSO Jackson has seized alcohol from a young person this month at Thame River. We are aware that young people are gathering at the river to socialise with friends. We have included this area on our patrol plan and we will be carrying out high visibility patrols in this part of the area to prevent/deter any ASB.
Two young people have received warning letters following ASB incidents this month. There are two other young people that have been coming to our attention also, who will be discussed at our next ASB meeting in September. They will be dealt with accordingly.

Offenders brought to justice:

In August, there have been seven offenders brought to justice. Two of these were related to harassment, two for assault without injury, one individual who made off without payment, one person who was in possession of drugs and one for a public order offence.

Comments on all priorities:

The Neighbourhood Action Group’s (NAG) priority for Thame is anti-social behaviour (ASB). Key areas are patrolled when on duty and any ASB is dealt with and young people are moved on if necessary. Where needed, home visits are carried out with parents present.

Partnership Activity:

During August, we have worked closely with housing associations to carry out site inspections and home visits with regard to a low number of neighbourhood disputes.
PCSO Thorne has worked closely with Homecomforts, who are providing Domiciliary Care for an elderly resident in Thame.

PCSO Thorne also attended ?Playday? in Thame on 4 August. This was very enjoyable, although the weather was very disappointing for this time of year. However, it was still a success with many indoor activities for children to participate in.

Planned Activity:

Country Watch meetings are being held quarterly and there are monthly operations.
During August, PCSO Jackson and PCSO Thorne have set up the Speed Indication Device (SID) in the area on roads which have been highlighted for speeding over recent months. Between us, we will be looking to deploy this device twice per month in Thame/Moreton.

Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) Activity:
We continue to support our Neighbourhood Specialist Officer with any priority actions set by the NAG.

Good news stories:

In August, PCSO Jackson and PCSO Thorne participated in a Test Purchase Operation in Thame where a total of six premises were tested. Of these six, three passed and three failed. The premises who failed were dealt with by Licensing, and

On the second day of the trial of a man accused of causing the death of Greg Stiles of Thame, other motorists that witnessed the crash have been giving their evidence.

As ThameNews.Net has been unable to attend Reading Crown Court to cover the trial, there follows a report from today’s Bucks Free Press website:

LINK

Thame and District Day Centre is mounting an appeal for funds in advance of the (feared) axing of its Oxfordshire Social Services grant from next April.

The Day Centre, a registered charity, has provided day care and support for older people in and around the town for 25 years and meets three days a week at Thame Community Hospital.

Although its core services have been funded by Oxfordshire Social Services, the Centre (says that it) could not function without the support of its devoted volunteer helpers, volunteer drivers and fund raisers.

To replace its grant funding (if it is lost) and to cover transport costs, rent, administration and staffing the Centre is seeking to raise

A 72 year-old woman has been formerly charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, following a fatal crash in December last year.

Eleanor Bongers, 33, from Oxford, who taught at Lord Williams’s school in Thame, died four days after the crash between a Ford Ka and a Renault Clio on the A4260 in Tackley on December 20, 2009.

Her son, 19 month-old Joseph, died in hospital four months after the collision.

Sally Rundle, 72, of Bodicote, has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

She is due before Banbury magistrates on September 14.

THE trial of a man accused of causing the death of a young Thame man by driving dangerously, began today at Reading Crown Court.

The court heard the Prosecution claim that Sammy Edwards, aged 25, of Marsh, attempted to overtake three cars on the A4129, Kingsey Road, Thame, causing 18 year-old Greg Stiles of Thame to take evasive action, swerving onto the verge before spinning back into the road and colliding with an on-coming car, killing him instantly and critically injuring his girlfriend.

Sammy Edwards is charged with causing death by dangerous driving. He denies the charge.

The trial continues.

OXDORDSHIRE County Council’s bid to gather views from local people on how major cuts to budgets that provide important services might be managed in coming years is set to hit the road with a series of public meetings planned for September.

Chancellor George Osborne indicated in his June 22 budget that most Government departments will have to deliver cuts of 25 per cent between 2011 and 2015. Some departments will receive levels of protection. This may lead to other Whitehall departments, including those that provide grants to local government, being cut by more than 25 per cent.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet is currently working on the basis of more than

ACTRESS Susan Hampshire, mostly known for her television role in the long-running TV drama series The Forsyte Saga, is selling her converted barn in Little Hazeley near Thame.

The 17th Centry Warren Barn, which is set in an acre and a half of landscaped gardens, is on the market for