Category: Thame news

Figures recently released by the Office for National Statistics for July 2010, show that the Henley constituency (which now stretches from the edge of Bicester to the edge of Reading and includes Thame) has seen a drop of 245 in the number of unemployed claimants since July 2009.

The total number of claimants stood at 749 in July 2010. This represents a rate of 1.6% of the economically active population. This ranks the constituency as 643 out of 650 in the UK with one of the lowest rates of unemployment.

Whilst welcoming the fall, Thame?s Conservative MP, John Howell however, tempered the news, saying: “I of course welcome the news that there has been a drop over the past year in unemployment and that the constituency has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. I congratulate all those local businesses which have helped keep unemployment low in what are still very difficult times.

“As these figures are based on claimants it is likely that the real rate is somewhat higher. We should not be complacent or fail to recognise the impact of unemployment on the lives of those who are jobless and their families.

?Let us not forget too that over the period from July 2005 to July 2010 unemployment in this constituency went up by nearly 97%. What is more, there has been a worrying increase in the long term unemployed (unemployed for 12 months or more) which has risen by 65 in the past year.

?Whilst the number of young people (aged 24 and under) unemployed has fallen by 60 over the year from July 2009, the number is still 170% what it was in July 2005.?

NOTE: The figures, which are not seasonally adjusted, have been produced by the House of Commons Library.

The figures are:

Total JSA claimants

July 2005 381

July 2009 994

July 2010 749

Increase July 2005-July 2010 368 (96.6%)

Decrease July 2009-2010 245 (24.6%)

Long term claimants

July 2009 60

July 2010 125

Claimants aged under (24?)2005

July 2005 85

July 2009 230

July 170 170

FOLLOWING concerns about the future of the Thame and District Day Centre recently (See LINK) NHS Buckinghamshire, the Primary Care Trust (PCT) responsible for Thame Community Hospital, has responded today with a statement to ThameNews.Net.

The statement reads: “NHS Buckinghamshire values the work of the Thame and District Day Centre. We are already involving the (Day Centre) team in planning the future of the hospital, and the work of the redevelopment project team, and hope that this dialogue will continue.

“Rent is currently the responsibility of Buckinghamshire Hospitals Trust, as the premises are sub-let from them. We apologise for the delay in responding directly, and have now asked the (day centre) group to liaise with the hospital trust directly to discuss this issue.”

The statement concludes: “Community Health Buckinghamshire (CHB) services, (previously managed by NHS Buckinghamshire) were transferred over to Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust on 1 April 2010.”

BACKGROUND: Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust is directly responsible for the day-to-day running of community hospitals. That is why, they say, they have asked the Thame and District Day Centre team to contact the hospital trust as, unfortunately, they (NHS Buckinghamshire) are no longer in a position to deal with requests or queries regarding rent.

The premises accessed by the Thame and District Day Centre are let by Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust, not NHS Buckinghamshire. Buckinghamshire Hospitals are now responsible for leasing arrangements.

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a burglary in Long Crendon.

The burglary took place between 12pm and 3.30pm on 29 July at a property in Chearsley Road, Long Crendon, where offenders forced entry through a ground floor window at the rear of the property.

A search was carried out of the whole property and three mobile phones, a laptop and a Filofax were stolen.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed anyone acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the offence to contact them.

Anyone with information is urged to contact PC Andy Hale at Aylesbury police station via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you do not want to talk to the police, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

AFTER the recent revelation from the Chief Constable for Thames Valley Police that just one in seven burglaries, robberies and car crimes in the Thames Valley were solved last year, the figures for South Oxfordshire, including Thame, are rather better.

Chief Constable Sara Thornton said last week that the crime detection rate for TVP was 14%, despite a county-wide fall in crime, with an average of 20%.

Police Inspector Martin Ford, based at Thame, told ThameNews.Net today: “In relation to the overall performance in the South Oxfordshire Police Area within which Thame falls, I can advise you that on a year to date basis 1/4/10 to 8/8/10, the detection rates for crime are:

17.3% for SAC (Serious Acquisitive Crime), which includes key categories of burglary, robbery, theft of motor vehicle and theft from motor vehicle.

27.6% for Burglary of dwellings

44% Robbery

40% theft of vehicle

Thames Valley Police received a ‘poor’ rating for solving crimes in its annual assessment from inspectors this year and the Police Report Card by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary gave the force an overall rating of ‘fair’.

Thames Valley Police are facing budget cuts of up to 25%.

PHOTO: Chief Constable Sara Thornton with Thame Community Police Officer, Russell Hounslow, pictured during her recent visit to Thame police station.

THE High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Marie-Jane Barnett, has officially opened a huge, new sandpit especially designed for disabled children and their friends.

The six metre sandpit at Thomley Activity Centre, Worminghall, near Thame, was funded by South Oxfordshire District Council and four other donors. It is a massive six metres long with a wheelchair accessible sand tray which ensures that children of all abilities can play together and is shaded by a stunning wooden gazebo to shelter children and their carers from the sun and rain.

Claire Acworth, Director of Thomley said: ?When asked what they wanted, the children said they wanted a big, deep sandpit in which they can dig to Australia. They can now do this! But more importantly, this simple design enables disabled and non disabled children to address this excavation challenge together!?

Based in Worminghall, on the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire boarder, Thomley Activity Centre is a recreational facility for disabled children, their families, friends and schools. www.thomleyhall.org

PHOTO: Oxfordshire’s jazz-singing High Sheriff, who lives at Towersey, scissors at the ready to cut the ribbon and declare the new Thomley giant sand pit, Open!

THE future of the Thame and District Day Centre is hanging on a thread as the charity launches a public campaign for funds.

For months the centre’s manager and her team have been trying to get answers from its landlord, Community Health Buckinghamshire (formerly Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust), and Oxfordshire Social Services about the security of funding for the centre, following drastic cuts in public spending being implemented by the new Government. Letters and calls to Richard Mills, Director of System Reform for NHS Buckinghamshire, formerly known as Buckinghamshire PCT, have apparently not been responded to.

The Centre was told recently that its rent will be increased from a little over

IT has been pointed out that it was Cllr David Bretherton who referred to seating outside Costa Coffee in Thame not being licenced, and NOT Cllr David Laver as reported on 05/08/010 – final paragraph below.

SOME Thame town councillors are unhappy about the effect the Costa Coffee cafe has had on the street since its arrival in the High Street.

As well as being unhappy about a proposed overhead awning, calling it out of character with the area, two councillors are not happy about the outdoor seating infront of the cafe.

“The so-called cafe culture does not work here in Thame,” said Cllr Nigel Champken Woods at last night’s Planning Committee meeting, “and we have had complaints about Costa’s outdoor seats. They shouldn’t be there.”

Cllr David Laver said that the company had not obtained a licence for the seating from the Highways Department as they are required to do.

SOME of Thame’s most senior citizens received a welcome present today from the Deputy Mayor of Thame, Donald Butler.

Thame Evergreen Social Club, which meets every two weeks at Lee Court, is currently having their get-togethers at Pearce Court while the heating is being replaced at their usual haunt.

This afternoon, they enjoyed the tales and recollections of Member of the Inner Magic Circle and old friend of Tommy Cooper, David Bell, before a spot of bingo and a visit from the deputy mayor, bearing gifts.

Don presented Evergreen’s Chair, Janet Abbott with a cheque for

DESPITE the fact that Speed cameras in Oxfordshire have been turned off, Thame’s Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will continue to use mobile Speed Indication Device (SID) to deter speeding drivers in the town.

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

Crime mapping shows a decrease in vehicle crime from 3.7 to 2.7 between May 2009 and May 2010. Although mapping currently shows a decrease during May, we have received more reports than normal over recent months of suspicious behaviour relating to vehicles. We would like to remind people to remove all valuables from vehicles when left unattended. We have provided high visibility patrols in areas where we have received reports of this behaviour occurring and continue to urge members of the public to call Thames Valley Police if you see any suspicious behaviour.

Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) information:
Throughout July, we have seen the schools break up for their summer holidays. Groups of students were reminded by PCSO Thorne, whilst congregating and enjoying their first afternoon away from school, on Southern Road Recreation Ground to use the litter bins provided or take any litter away with them. Whilst out on foot patrol and engaging with young people in the Southern Road Park, PCSO Thorne stumbled across some very unsightly and offensive graffiti written over the covered seating area in the park itself. We believe we know some of the people who have done this and enquiries are being carried out at this time to find out the others.

Offenders brought to justice:
Throughout July, there have been six offenders brought to justice, three of these were dealt with by means of a Fixed Penalty Notice for Public Order, two were cautioned for drug supplying and Actual Bodily Harm (ABH). One offender also received an Adult Restorative Resolution.

Comments on all priorities:
The Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) priority for Thame is:
1. 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 July, we have worked closely with housing associations, carrying out site inspections and home visits tackling very few neighbourhood disputes.

PCSO Jackson and PCSO Thorne both attended Lord Williams Upper School to participate in ACE week at the beginning of the month with year 9 students. This was thoroughly enjoyable and the students seemed to show much interest in our input, based around consent.

PCSO Jackson attended a meeting on 10 July with Lea Park Residents Association to discuss resident?s issues.

Country Watch meetings are being held quarterly, if anyone is interested in joining, please contact the neighbourhood policing team on 0845 8 505 505.

Planned Activity:
There are monthly operations for Country Watch.

During July, PCSO Jackson and PCSO Thorne have set up the Speed Indication Device (SID) on 19 and 21 July on North Street, Cromwell Avenue and Chinnor Road which have all been highlighted for speeding over recent months. Between us, we will be looking to deploy this device twice per month in Thame and Moreton. The Thame neighbourhood policing team participated in Operation Mongoose on 16th July, where the Automatic Number Plate Recognition device was used to deter criminals travelling into our area.

PCSO Thorne attended an emergency Pubwatch meeting, following a recent incident in one of the public houses where two members of the public were added to the scheme?s banned list.

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

Good news stories:
During July, PCSO Thorne came across some under-age drinking, which led to the dispersal of a large group of men from Aylesbury, deterring any further incidents of ASB.

PCSO Jackson attended Barley Hill School on 2 July and enjoyed fish and chips with the pupils followed by playtime activities.

PCSO Jackson also arranged for the removal of an abandoned vehicle in Thame.

Details of future meetings:
PCSO Diane Jackson Have Your Say Meetings:
Thursday 12th August 2010- Thame Police Station 1600-1800

PCSO Lucy Thorne Have Your Say Meetings:
Monday 16th August 2010- Co-op cafe, High street, Thame 1500-1700

To increase community engagement, all future Have Your Say meetings will be held at a different location. We will update you with the confirmed location in August.

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.

ON a day that brought the heaviest rain for weeks to Thame yesterday, over 300 children and young people braved the elements to take part in Thame Playday, part of Playday 2010, a national initiative that celebrates a child?s right to play.

The children and young people were treated to free activities including swimming, trampolining and dance at Thame Leisure Centre, as well as face painting, drumming, circus skills and more activities at the South Pole Recreation Ground in Southern Road, Thame.

Deputy Mayor of Thame, Don Butler, opened proceedings as the young people were encouraged to make the most of the activities and facilities available to them, particularly on a day when all the activities were free of charge, thanks to a small grant from Oxfordshire County Council.

Jamie Hazeldine, Club Services Manager for Oxfordshire Association for Young People who helped organise the event, said: “Despite the weather, the children and young people all had a very good time, with some even making the most of the conditions and playing in the puddles.

?It is fantastic to see so many children, particularly from the local children?s centres, benefit from what Thame has to offer and it would not have been possible to achieve this without the support of the local community.

?Specifically, a big thank you must go to Thame Town Council, Thame Leisure Centre (Nexus) and Oxfordshire Association for Young People for all their support throughout the project, but also to Sainsbury?s and Co Op for their donation of Water for the event. Waitrose have given us a slot in their Community Fund for the month of August, so all money raised will be used to continue to create play opportunities for children and young people.

“Finally, a big thank you to Atalay Kebab Van, who supplied food for the event, but also donated further drinks for the children at no charge.?

It is hoped that this can become a regular event for Thame, looking to encourage children and young people to get outside and take part in activities, rather than playing on computers and watching television.

PHOTO: Local children try their hand at drumming during Thame Playday 2010 at Thame Leisure Centre