Category: Thame news

SARAH Taylor, the Chair of the League of Friends of Thame Community Hospital, has responded to the latest news about the hospital’s future, as reported on ThameNews.Net yesterday.

Here is what she has said:

CLARIFICATION

Dear Editor, I have now read your article and I have just a couple of comments as to accuracy, to start with – hope you don’t mind! It is not the Hospital which is being taken over by a private concern, it is just the medical provision for the Hospital. The vast majority of care in the Hospital is provided by nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, auxiliaries, etc and they continue to be NHS employees. Also, the extension put on the Hospital in the 70s was actually for a Day Hospital, not a Day Centre. The former is an NHS concern, the latter a Social Services concern which simply rents the room.

DAY CENTRE CRUTIAL

However, we are all of the view that it is crucial that the Day Centre continue to be in the Hospital. Many of their ‘clients’ are also patients of the Day Hospital and it works extremely well that they come to the same place for both and see people who can coordinate easily between themselves by virtue of seeing each other regularly. This appears to be something that the OBMH has lost sight of (maybe they have not been properly briefed?). The rent review may make narrow commercial sense for the OBMH, but makes no sort of sense in the wider view of patient care. Also, just exactly who else are they going to rent the room to on the days that the Day Hospital is not using it?

FOUR HOURS OF MEDICAL CARE A WEEK IS “LUDICROUS”

As far as the GPs are concerned, we are all fair and square behind their campaign. Our GPs have provided excellent care for generations. It makes no sort of sense to get rid of them, particularly if, as one suspects, they lost out because their tender was for more hours. The concept of providing adequate care in just four hours a week is ludicrous, particularly since these new doctors will have to take travelling time into consideration. Although the patients at the Hospital are generally not acutely ill but more generally suffering from chronic illnesses or recovering from operations or falls, they are in the main elderly and so do need regular medical oversight, which can forestall emergencies. Is this going to put yet more pressure on hard pressed casualty units in Stoke Mandeville and Oxford? Also, it makes a great deal of difference to elderly and vulnerable patients to know that they are being looked after by local doctors and that they see the same people all the time. Otherwise, they might just as well be in the impersonal Stoke Mandeville or JR, seeing someone different every day (or in this case every week!).

COULD THE

“THE family of the child who was sexually abused by Nick Graves would like to thank all those who worked on this case and everybody who has supported us throughout this difficult time. As a result, a guilty verdict on both counts has been found unanimously by the jury.

“We are disappointed with the lenient sentencing from Judge Hall, especially after he had stated that he was seriously considering a custodial sentence for Nick Graves when the verdict was announced. Having denied the charges under Oath, Mr Graves has since admitted his guilt and apologised for his actions to the Probation Service.

“The children involved have shown supreme maturity and integrity, and we are enormously proud of them all. We cannot stress enough the importance of trusting and listening to children. It is the social responsibility of all parents, carers and families to report abuse to the police. It is only through such reports that more paedophiles like Nick Graves are stopped and the cycle of their abuse is ended, resulting in a safer society for all children. ” Statement ends.

A Towersey man convicted of two sexual offences against an eight year-old boy, was told by the sentencing judge that he “had been punished enough.”

In passing sentence on Nicholas Graves, Judge Julian Hall said: “I understand that the reaction might be: “lock him up and throw away the key,” but the likelihood of you offending again according to the Probation report, is very, very low and I have to consider what can be done to lessen that risk. Your references are the most glowing ever received. You have been punished already by personal catastrophy, and face an uncertain future.” (Grave’s defending counsel described how he had lost his

LOCAL GPs and managers of the Thame Day Centre, are angry today after news that Thame’s Community hospital was being taken over by a private concern under the authority of the Bucks Mental Health Trust, and fear that it may be closed.

Dr Richard Harrington, one of the team of GPs at the Thame Health Centre based at the hospital, told ThameNews.Net today:

“This is critical news. I sincerely hope that the hospital is not at risk of closing. It was only relatively recently that, together with the Bucks PCT, I was successful in getting a

Richard Nicholas Templar Graves, of Manor Road, Towersey, escaped a jail sentence today after being found guilty of two sexual offences involving an eight year old boy.

Graves touched the boy, a family friend, inappropriately, after the boy, his sister and his cousins, had played in Grave’s swimming pool.

A Sexual Offences Protection Order was made against Graves, who must attend a Sex Offenders’ course for three years. He was also order to sign the Sex Offender’s Register.

More details tomorrow (17/07/09)

THE Headteacher of Lord Williams’s school has paid tribute to a ‘courageous and warmhearted’ teaching assistant, stabbed to death while walking her dog in an Aylesbury park.

David Wybron said: “We received desperately sad news on Sunday, that Sally Garwood, one of our teaching assistants at the Autism Resource Base, Oxford Road, was attacked in a park in Aylesbury on Saturday and died as a result of injuries received. This tragic event has deeply shocked friends, colleagues and students at school.”

Members of staff at the Autism Resource Base commented today: “Words cannot be found at the moment to express our grief. We can only offer our thoughts and the memories we share. Sally was warm ?hearted, caring and full of fun. She was courageous when facing her own problems and generous when helping others with theirs. Much of her life was spent helping others and we will all miss her company and support. Our sadness is beyond measure.”

DO you know a 98 year-old, bandy-legged Scotsman who juggles with canaries? Or even a talented musician, dancer, band, magician or novelty act?

You’ve seen the diversity of talent on TV’s Britain’s Got Talent, now let’s see what Thame has to offer.

Thame’s Got Talent 2009, will be held at The Spread Eagle, Thame, on November 15, and is open to any act from any age group, solo, group or troop. The event will be supporting the Phoenix Appeal and the Florence Nightingale Hospice. Entries welcome from residents of Thame and the surrounding villages.

Email: pickme@thamesgottalent.co.uk for more information or visit: www.thamesgottalent.co.uk and download an application form. Or pop into Thame.Net’s office in Jordans Courtyard, 8 Upper High Street, for a form.

A teaching assistant at Lord Williams’s school in Thame, has been stabbed to death whilst walking her dog in a park in Aylesbury.

The body of 34-year-old Sally Garwood, from Aylesbury, was found by passers-by in Quarrendon playing fields, near Meadowcroft, at about 3.40pm yesterday (11/7/09).

A post-mortem examination has revealed that she died from stab wounds.

Robert Cusworth, aged 24, from Aylesbury, was charged yesterday evening (12/7), and is expected to appear before Aylesbury Magistrate’s court later today.

The police are reported to have stressed that Mrs Garwood and Robert Cusworth did not know each other.

THE family of murdered Thame teaching assistant, Sally Garwood have released the following tribute this afternoon (13/07/09):

“Our darling Sally was tragically taken away from us.

“Sally was our extrovert in a family of introverts; she had so much love in her heart for her family and friends and always saw the good in other people. She had a huge heart for young people and helping other individuals who would benefit from her sensitive wise soul. Sally was a Christian and had such a deep love for God. Everything about Sally was caring and special and she was completely devoted to her family and friends.

“She was a fun-loving, caring, wonderful and supportive wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

“There are no words to express how much Sally will be missed ? her loss is felt very deeply and has left us speechless. We can only describe our current state as total devastation. We are reeling from the shock of her sudden and tragic departure and will have to learn how to live without Sally in our lives everyday. Sally was looking forward to a future with her family and having her own children one day.”

Her husband Simon added: “One of the hardest things to come terms with is learning to live without seeing Sally smile; she was such a kind amazingly happy person who even smiled in her sleep. I cannot believe I am spending the rest of my life without her.

“Sally will be greatly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know her.”

Robert Cusworth, 24, of Levings Close, Aylesbury, who has been charged with Sally’s murder, appeared at Aylesbury magistrates court this afternoon.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Reading Crown Court on July 27,2009.

FIREFIGHTERS based at Thame Fire Station have won an award for their efforts to educate local youngsters about the consequences of drink-driving and other poor decisions made on the road.

Members of the crew received an Investor in Education award from the Oxfordshire Business Education Alliance (OBEA) for the success of their hard-hitting ‘Choices and Consequences’ presentation, which they have shown to hundreds of 15 to 16-year-olds at Lord Williams’s School over the past two years (2007-09).

The programme features a no-nonsense talk from crew members and gritty video footage designed to show how poor decision-making such as drink-driving or getting in a car with someone who has been drinking can have a devastating impact on others.

Staff at the school nominated the Thame crew for the award, which firefighters received at a ceremony on Friday (July 3), at the Peartree Travelodge Hotel.

Profound effect

Station Manager Gary Coupar said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been nominated for this award by Lord Williams’s School. We know from the feedback we get from youngsters who have seen the presentation, that it can have a profound effect on them.

“It doesn’t make for easy viewing but so many of the students have told us that it would definitely make them think twice before getting in a car after a few drinks or allowing a friend who had been drinking to give them a lift.”

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities, Judith Heathcoat, added: “It’s really rewarding for our firefighters to know that their work has struck a chord with its intended audience. Taking these safety messages directly to children and young people gives us the best chance of influencing their future behaviour and decision-making in a positive way.”

Choices and Consequences

Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service has been running the ‘Choices and Consequences’ presentation in schools and at public events across the county since 2005.

The programme was developed as part of the fire service’s 365 Alive campaign to reduce the number of deaths on the county’s roads through education and community safety advice. In addition to Choices and Consequences, The Thame crew has also held a New Driver evening in the town hall.

Further award

Meanwhile Julie Jordan of the fire service’s Risk Reduction Team received an individual ‘Investor in Education’ award for her work with children from Gosford Hill, Marlborough and Wheatley Park schools. Julie helped organise team-building and problem solving exercises at fire stations including Headington’s Slade Park station and the Headquarters in Kidlington. The work included a project looking at how to make the fire service’s 365 Alive website more user-friendly.

She said: “It’s great to be able to give children a taste of what goes on inside a fire station and to show them all the different roles carried out by staff. I’m sure all the children we have worked with have taken something positive from their time with us.”

Oxfordshire Business Education Alliance
The OBEA is a partnership of six schools and many businesses, which helps organise work experience and involvement of businesses in school courses. The organisation presented certificates to 47 local businesses in recognition of their high level of support for projects organised by the OBEA and high quality work with schools.

Photo: A fire crew from Thame demonstrate cutting out a trapped driver from her crashed car – something they have had to do ‘for real’ too many times in accidents involving often young drivers.