Category: Thame news

MORE images of the dedication of the Thame Youth Memorial on January, 04, 2010, are now available on flickr.

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Contact editor@thamenews.net for prints.

FROM; Diane Jackson C9610, and Lucy Thorne C8966.
Crime info; Thame has had a few garages broken into where items have been stolen, also vehicles broken into where tools have been stolen.
Thame Neighbour hood team have identified vulnerable areas and will be conducting high visible patrols in these areas. Any concerns at all please contact 0845 8 505 505

ASB info:
Offenders brought to justice: Two men and a girl have been charged with being in possession of class B drug. The charges are in connection with a drugs warrant in September.

Comments on all priorities: The three NAG priorities for Thame are:
1) Insulting/Intimidating people.
These areas are patrolled when on duty and any ASB (Antisocial behaviour) is dealt with, and youths moved on if necessary. Where needed home visits are done with parents.
2) Litter-Town Centre
When on patrol in the town centre the litter is monitored closely; working with the fast food outlets etc and dealing with offenders when necessary.
3) Speeding-Chinnor RD/High Street.
Further SID(speed indicating device) operations are planned for these two areas and any other roads identified by Thames residents.

Partnership activity: We attend pub watch meetings each month, and also do site inspections with Soha, South Vale Housing, and A2 Dominion monthly. Country watch meetings are being held every quarter.

Non priority activity;
It has been brought to our attention that graffiti is being sprayed on the walls of Gas Alley, this is a criminal act, and anyone identified will be prosecuted. We will be upping our patrols in this area to identify offenders.

Planned activity:

There are monthly operations for country watch.

NAG (Neighbourhood Action Group) activity:
A consultation will commence in Thame in March 2010 which will decide the three new priorities for Thame. We will be looking for volunteers to help with this process.

Good news stories:
Thame Pubwatch continues to ensure we all have a safe environment whilst in public houses in Thame, sending out a clear message that drugs/violence/criminal damage will not be tolerated, banned from one banned from all!

Please ensure during the bad weather conditions that we take the time to call in and check on our elderly neighbours, making sure they have sufficient food in etc.

IF so, Citizens Advice may ease the pain. There’s now a code of conduct agreed by all credit card companies. If you’ve got problems paying back money and you seek advice from an independent debt advice agency such as a Citizens Advice Bureau, they will hold off collecting the debt for 30 days.

They’ll accept a further 30-day period if a repayment plan has not yet been agreed, but you’re still taking advice from the agency and a repayment plan is expected to be agreed.

They will also give customers at least 30 days’ notice of any increase in interest rates and allow customers who then cancel their cards a reasonable period to repay the balance that they owe.

Finally, they will not raise their main interest rate for 12 months after you have signed up for a card. After that, they will raise rates only once in every six months.

If they fail to keep to the code you should complain to the company involved. If they can?t or won?t address the problem you should seek advice.

For more information about tackling debt problems, contact Thame and District CAB on 01844 217186 or e mail thamecab@cabnet.org.uk

A spokesperson for Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, said: “We regret that because of the heavy snow we are cancelling all outpatients and all non-urgent operations today. Patients do not need to ring in today to check on or rearrange their appointments ? we will contact them in due course.

“We also want to ensure that patients do not feel they have to make unnecessary journeys to our hospitals if their treatment can be postponed until it is safe to travel. This is in line with guidance issued by the Highways Agency to car drivers to stay off the roads unless it is absolutely essential to do so. If travelling by car we would advise patients to ensure their car is fully fuelled, and to pack warm clothes, blankets, food and drink, and take a mobile and in-car phone charger so that friends and relatives can be contacted if you do get stuck.

“In addition, we have been advised by South Central Ambulance Trust that there will be limited non-essential Patient Transport Services available today. Every effort will be made to provide a service to renal dialysis and radiotherapy patients. Patients are advised to liaise with the relative clinical ward for the latest information.

“We are asking staff that are able to come in to still do so, the staff car parks at the John Radcliffe, Churchill and Horton General Hospital are open to all staff who can travel safely. Otherwise, our hospitals remain open, and we will continue to see emergency patients.”

THAME woke up this morning to a covering of around 20 cms of snow, the most the town has seen for almost 30 years.

Many shops remained closed all day although the town was busy with shoppers searching for vegetables and bread which were in short supply because stores were unable to get their usual deliveries. Local independent bakers however did a thriving business, and are preparing for extra custom tomorrow.

Very little post or milk was delivered though some morning papers were delivered by the paper boys and girls of Thame. All the schools were closed which meant a day of sledging, snowman building and snowball throwing. With parents unable to travel into work, families strolled around the town and played together in any snow-covered open space they could find.

In the Upper High Street, someone built an igloo against a lamp post, which attracted a lot of smiles, and some attention from curious dogs, and all over the town snowmen – and women – of all shapes and sizes could be seen in front gardens and in open spaces.

No snow is forecast for overnight but temperatures are expected to plummet to -5 degrees, which will mean very icy driving and walking conditions in the morning.

All the waste desposal centres in the county were closed today so rubbish and other waste remains uncollected.

Sunshine is forecast for tomorrow though the temperature will remain around freezing point.

DUE to the heavy snowfall and continuing freezing temperatures, rubbish and recycling collections in South Oxfordshire have been suspended until further notice. Street cleaning services will be very limited.

South Oxfordshire District Council is advising residents to leave their bins out of it is safe to do so and they will be collected as soon as possible. If the bins are a hazard to pedestrians then please collect them and put them out again when collections have resumed.

A council spokesperson said: ?Conditions are very treacherous. When the weather permits, Verdant?s crews will make every effort to collect bins and caddies, but collection schedules may take some time to return to normal.

?Please take great care when manoeuvring wheeled bins on icy ground and pavements, and please offer a helping hand to neighbours who may need it. Cat litter grit is said to be a useful material for temporarily gritting household paths.?

Residents are advised to check the council website for updates. They can also ring the Verdant-manned customer helpline on 03000 610 610.

Contact: Please call Verdant on 03000 610 610 (local rate), email admin.southoxford@verdant-group.co.uk or visit www.southoxon.gov.uk/christmas

THAMES Valley Police and its partners have issued the following advice to residents and motorists, following a severe weather warning issued by the Met Office for heavy snow falls during the next 12 hours.

Most importantly, do not travel unless it is absolutely essential you do so. If you decide you must travel, remember to ensure your car is fully fuelled and that you have packed warm clothes, blankets, food and drink, and your mobile phone and in car phone charger to allow you to communicate with your friends and relatives if you do get stuck.

If you do decide to travel and subsequently find yourself stuck in a position whereby the highway obstruction prevents emergency services and gritting vehicles access, your vehicle may be recovered by either the Highways Agency or Thames Valley Police and there will be a cost implication.

Emergency calls for police, fire and ambulance services should be made in genuine emergency situations only. If you feel unwell, make use of NHS Direct. Only call an ambulance if advised to do so.

In addition to the obvious hazards on the road network, please also remember the dangers of trying to walk on iced ponds and lakes ? not only to yourself but to subsequent rescue attempts.

The last snowfall two weeks ago also brought some power disruption. In the event of losing supplies, please have access to torches rather than candles to prevent the risk of fire and consider the welfare of your neighbours ? some of whom may be elderly or vulnerable.

The public are advised to tune into local media broadcasts for updates on the situation in their area and what facilities may be available for stranded or vulnerable people.

If you need to contact Thames Valley Police for specific advice please call 0845 8 505 505 or contact your local authority.

Photo: Courtesy of www.cse.org.uk

A pupil of Lord Williams’s School, Thame, spotted whilst shopping in Birmingham, is through to the top two, area heat of the 2010 Teen Princess UK competition, and needs your vote to go through to the national final in August.

Amy Johnson, 15, who lives in Long Crendon, won the opportunity to be photographed by a professional photographer in London, and her picture is now on the Teen Princess UK website along with other area winners. The final Teen Princess 2010 will be decided by public vote.

Amy is currently 8th with 173 votes and is hoping that ThameNews readers will visit the Teen Princess website and show their support for their local girl by voting for her:

http://www.missteenqueenuk.com/?Page=Section:TeenPrincessHeat1

Amy Johnson’s picture is number 15.

A new and unique Memorial garden to offer solace to those who have lost young family members and friends through tragedy and illness, was officially dedicated in Thame yesterday.

David Wybron, the Headteacher of Lord Williams’s school, Thame, spoke movingly to the crowd gathered in the bright, frosty air by the Memorial gardens in Upper High Street, Thame, for the event.

He acknowledged that many of those gathered were experiencing what he described as: “The on-going pain and the often overwhelming feeling of sadness as a result of the loss of a loved one.”

“The garden and memorial,” he said, “represents the local community finding a way to support those who have lost someone special. Setting up a lasting memorial is a fitting tribute to recognise how special every individual was, and continues to be, for those who miss them.”

Mr Wybron paid tribute to all the individuals and groups who had turned the Memorial garden idea into a reality, including Jade Stanley, Alana Reed and Mike Dyer. “I am sure that, because of your stewardship, this place will grow and become a place of beauty, which I think is important.”

Other speakers at the dedication event included the Deputy Mayor of Thame, Nicola Dixon, John Howell MP, Catherine Bearder MEP, and Rev Ian Mountford from Barley Hill Church who read the poem, The Gift of a child.”

The event was necessarily a serious and emotional occassion for most of those of all ages assembled, but the street entertainment provided by local musician, Wilbur Sears, 2009 National Disco Pairs Champions Gemma Strathdee and Melissa Mairs, juggler Laurence Dyer and representatives from Thame Boys Football Club, all served to remind everyone of the great contribution to, what Mr Wybron called “the heart of the community,” that many of the young people who had died too early had made, as do their friends and peers who are left behind.

The dedication ceremony ended with Jade Stanley reading the words of “I’m still here,” before the release of dozens of helium balloons tagged with personal messages into the air.

More information about the Thame Youth Memorial and the competition for a memorial design, can be found on the website: www.thameyouthmemorial.org

A video of the event, taken by Matt Evans, is available for viewing on: http://vimeo.com/8522222

PHOTO: People of all ages listen to the dedication of the Thame Youth Memorial. In the foreground, in the wheel chair, is Phylis Quainton who in 1921, was present to hear Lloyd George dedicate the Thame War Memorial to the fallen in war.

A WOMAN who died on Christmas eve as a result of injuries sustained in a road crash near Tackley, on December 20, 2009, has been named as Ellie Bongers, a teacher at Lord William’s school, Thame.

The Headteacher, David Wybron, today released the following statement on the school’s website:
“It is with great sadness that I write to tell you that Ellie Bongers, a member of the English Faculty, died on Christmas Eve, as a result of injuries received in a road traffic accident, the previous Sunday. Ellie had been in intensive care at the John Radcliffe Hospital since the accident. This is a terrible loss for the school and even more so for Richard, Joseph and her family.

Ellie was an exceptional teacher. Students in her classes thrived because of her ability to enthuse and motivate students of all abilities. She gave them the confidence to achieve highly through the care, patience and individual attention she gave them. They will miss her hugely.

Ellie?s work as a team leader and as Acting Head of English in 2007/08 was outstanding. She met challenges head on and solved problems because of her calmness and clear thinking, alongside a warm and engaging personality. She was always supportive and reassuring to team members and was much loved by colleagues and friends, particularly in English but also across all Faculties. She will be desperately missed by them. She was great company and all those who were fortunate to spend time with her, whether in school or outside school, knew her to be a lovely person.

The school has lost someone special. Ellie was a model professional and contributed so much to all aspects of school life. Everyone who spent time with her could not help but be impressed by her strength of character, great sense of humour and the fact that she was so positive in everything she did. Students and staff have been truly fortunate to know her, to work with her and to learn and be inspired by her.

Whilst family and friends struggle to come to terms with Ellie?s death there is also the ongoing concern about Joseph?s health because he was also in the car with Ellie. He is still in intensive care. I hope that we will hear good news about his recovery in the weeks ahead.

I know that our thoughts and prayers are with Richard, Joseph and the family at this very sad time.

Lord Williams?s School will be a very sad place next week but I know staff and students will be supportive of one another. Plans are in place to talk to students in Ellie?s classes and there will be opportunities for them to record their feelings in a Book of Condolence. A Book of Condolence will also be available for staff. Assemblies will take place throughout the week with staff and students shaping the tributes to Ellie.”

David Wybron
Headteacher