Category: Thame news

OXFORDSHIRE County Council Trading Standards is warning home owners to be on the look out for rogue traders following the recent extreme weather.

Reports have already come in from elsewhere in the country of consumers being visited by criminals claiming to be from a water company checking for frozen pipes.

These rogue traders then try to persuade unsuspecting home owners to have unnecessary repair work done.

Sub zero scams

Nigel Strick, Head of Oxfordshire Trading Standards, said: ?These crooks will use the recent extreme weather as the latest trick to persuade home owners to part with their money. They will claim work is needed urgently because of damage caused by the recent sub zero temperatures.

?We are urging people to be wary of any trader turning up on their doorstep uninvited ? just say ?no thanks? and if you think there is a problem with your pipes contact a reputable tradesperson.?

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities said: ?If consumers need to find a reputable trader they should check the county council?s Buy with Confidence scheme or use a trader recommended by friends or family. Get three quotes and never use a trader who just turns up on your doorstep.?

Buy with Confidence is a county scheme which provides an online directory of traders that have been checked and approved by Trading Standards. To find out more, visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk.

Call to report suspicious activity
Should anyone have doubts about the credentials of a trader knocking on their door, they should take as many details as they can, including vehicle registration numbers, and report them to Trading Standards on 0845 051 0845 or to the police. We are also urging people to look out for vulnerable neighbours and help them report any suspicious activity.

THREE Thame gymnasts, all pupils at the Thame based Oxfordshire School of Gymnastics, were presented with Young Achievers Awards at a special ceremony yesterday.

As well as Emerald Baxter and Cosette Jackson (see previous reports
) 16 year-old Gabrielle Jackson also received funding support from South Oxfordshire District Council. She achieved gold at three events this year and plans to progress from the National Development Plan to Junior Federation of International Gymnastics level to compete in further competitions abroad in June 2010.

PHOTO: Cllr Malcolm Leonard (left), Emerald Baxter and Cosette Jackson, Gabrielle Jackson and Cllr Mike Welply

AS well as musician, Matthew Hopgood, mentioned yesterday
as a deserving winner of a 2010 Young Achivers Arts Award, a second young person from Chinnor has been recognised for her achievements in her discipline, swimming.

Charley Messenger, 14, from Chinnor, swims for Wycombe District swimming club. She has competed in numerous events over the past twelve months, winning medals at Wycombe, Milton Keynes and Reading. Charley’s level
of commitment is extensive, training six to eight times per week – getting up at 5am to train!

Both Charley and Matthew, along with three Thame gymnasts, received their awards at a ceremony yesterday January 19, 2010, at the Cornerstones Centre in Didcot.

photo: Matt Hopgood (right) and Charley Messenger (front left)

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for information after some gardening equipment was stolen from a car in Towersey, near Thame.

Between 5pm yesterday (18/1) and 8am this morning (19/1), thieves broke into a vehicle at a property in Towersey and stolen a large quantity of gardening tools, including two hedge trimmers, 12 chain saws and two pulse saws.

Crime reduction advisor, Malcolm Wills, said: “Unfortunatley, the majority of tools are not easily traceable as they are not security marked with the owner?s postcode and business name. We strongly advise that tools are visibly and permanently marked with these details by engraving or etching. Property marking also acts as a deterrent to thieves who have to cause permanent damage to remove the marking, making it difficult to sell these items on.

?In addition to ensuring that tools are locked away whenever they are not being used, we also advise that alarms are fitted to vans and outbuildings containing tools and that the alarm is set whenever they are not occupied.

?I would also like to take this opportunity to warn anyone who is offered cheap tools for sale not to buy them as they may be stolen and that handling stolen goods is not only a criminal offence, but it also fuels the demand and increases crime.?

Anyone who has any information that could help the police with their inquiries is asked to call 0845 8 505 505 or the charity Crimestoppers if they wish to remain anonymous on 0800 555 111.

A MEMORIAL to the young people of Thame who have lost their lives prematurely, came closer to being a reality today when a cheque for

THE horrific plight of the earthquake victims of Haiti has touched the people of Thame and district, who have been going into the Oxfam Book Shop in Cornmarket, Thame, in every increasing numbers with their donations.

As of 5pm today, the figure stood at almost

THE young son of a Thame teacher who died after a fatal collision just before Christmas, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

15 month-old Joseph Bongers was seriously injured in the crash which killed his mother, Ellie Bongers, who taught English at Lord Williams’s school in Thame.

AA RECOVEREY DRIVER SOUGHT

PC Dave Mitchell, who is investigating the collision, said: “It has been nearly a month since the collision but we are still appealing for witnesses to come forward.

?We are especially keen to trace the driver of an AA recovery van or similar vehicle that was travelling north on the A4260 at the time of the collision with its orange lights illuminated.?

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Mitchell at Bicester Roads Policing base via 0845 8 505 505. If you don?t want to talk to police or leave your name, please contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

The fatal collision occurred between the Bongers family’s silver Ford KA and a silver Renault Clio, at around 4.20pm on the A4260, on Sunday, December 20, 2009, in Tackley, Oxfordshire,

Mrs Bongers was critically injured and died later,in hospital, on Christmas Eve.

Mrs Bongers’ husband, who was driving the Ford KA, was taken to JR2 with injuries to his hand. He has since been discharged.

The driver of the Renault Clio, a 71-year-old woman, was taken to the Horton General Hospital with serious injuries. She has since been discharged.

AS well as Emerald Baxter
another Thame gymnast, and a guitarist from Chinnor, are to receive Young Achievers Awards.

Joining Emerald at the special awards ceremony tomorrow at the Cornerstones Centre in Didcot, will be fellow Oxford School of Gymnastics pupil, 12 year-old Cosette Jackson, and musician, Matthew Hopgood from Chinnor.

Matthew plays the classical guitar at grade VI and as well as playing in his worship group in church most weeks, has a band with friends from school, who are currently composing their own material. He helps teach classical guitar and is currently working towards his grade VIII.

PHOTO: Cosette and her partner Sophie at a recent award competition – (Courtesey of Oxfordshire School of Gymnastics web site)

DESPITE local opposition, plans for six new, affordable houses in Corporation Yard
Park Terrace, Thame, have been approved.

Planning officers had previously recommended approval of the plans but South Oxfordshire District Council’s Planning Committee decided on a site visit before making up their minds.

FULL DETAILS of the committee’s decision and the 15 conditions required to be met by the applicant, a housing association, are available on the SODC
website.

PHOTO: Corporation Yard, in Park Terrace, Thame, currently used by residents and Thame Service Station for parking.

THE Mayor of Thame’s first fundraising venture of 2010 will be The Mayor and the Butler’s Race Night, at the Star and Garter Pub, Thame, on Saturday, January 23, first race at 8.30pm.

You can support Cllr Matelot Green’s charities – Thame Young Carers and Helen and Douglas House – in the following ways:

1. Before the event: You, as a business or an individual, can sponsor a race for