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Category: Thame news

  • Police urge vigilance over lead thefts in Thame

    FOLLOWING a trend nationally, the number of reported thefts of lead in the Thame area is rising.
    During the first six months of 2008, 78 offences have been reported across South Oxfordshire and 38 of these have happened in the Thame Police area affecting local homeowners, schools, businesses and churches.

    Crime Reduction Advisor, Lesley Nesbitt, said: “Thame Police are appealing for members of the public to be extra vigilant and to report any suspicious incidents or persons to the police. It is not unusual for the theft of lead from roofs not to be noticed until it rains when considerable damage is caused by leaking roofs.”

    There are alternative materials available on the market which are good substitutes for lead and they have no scrap value and further information on these products can be obtained from builders merchants or your local crime reduction advisor.

    Call Thames Valley Police with any information you may have on 08458 505 505 or if you wish to remain anonymous and have information about who is committing these offences you can call crimestoppers on 0800555111.

  • Lib Dems retaliate over Boris’s criticism of their leaflet

    THE Liberal Democrats have responded to a threat from the Conservatives to take legal advice over a Lib Dem leaflet they say implies the Lib Dem candidate is backed by Mr Johnson.
    But Liberal Democrat Chief Executive, Lord Rennard, is today reported as having accused the Conservatives of being ‘running scared’ saying that the criticism about the leaflet was “odd.”
    Apparently he said that the Conservatives had posted a similar publication two weeks ago, adding that it was an insult to voters to suggest they had been misled by the format.

    In a separate spat between the two parties in relation to the campaign to save Townlands hospital in Henley-on-Thames, Lord Rennard said: “In relation to the Henley Townlands hospital campaign, we have merely repeated claims by the independent hospital campaigners that they were unaware of any support from the Conservative Party candidate,” he said.
    He added: “The Conservatives seem to be running scared in what used to be a very safe Conservative seat.”

    County councillor, John Howell, the Tory candidate in the Oxfordshire constituency where Mr Johnson had a 12,793 majority in 2005.

    The Labour party’s candidate is Richard McKenzie whilst Mark Stevenson will stand for the Green party and Chris Adams for UKIP.

    The full list of candidates for the by election to be held on Thursday, June 26, is as follows:

    Chris Adams, UK Independence Party
    Derek Allpass, English Democrats
    Louise Cole – Independent (Miss Great Britain Party)
    Amanda Harrington – Independent (Miss Great Britain
    Party)
    John Howell – Conservatives
    Stephen Kearney – Liberal Democrats
    Richard McKenzie – Labour
    Bananaman Owen – Monster Raving Loony Party
    Timothy Rait – British National Party
    Dick Rodgers – The Common Good
    Mark Stevenson – Greens
    Harry Bear, The Fur Play Party

  • Boris visits sydenham community pub project

    BORIS JOHNSON, accompanied by the Conservative candidate who hopes to replace him after the forthcoming by election on June 26, visited the village of Sydenham near Thame today.
    Boris was accompanied by John Howell, the Conservative candidate, as they were shown around The Crown pub in Sydenham, which has been bought by five enterprising couples who wanted to ensure its future as a community pub.
    The couples, Siobhan and Lloyd McKee, Jenny and Chris Morgan, Anne and John Ashfield, Des and Jayne O’Flanagan, and Martin and Krzysia Gossage, feared that the building would be sold off and converted into a house as has happened to so many village pubs, including the Royal Oak at Moreton.

    After commending John Howell as his successor and describing the Liberal Democrat’s latest glossy leaflet as “complete twaddle, shameful and deceitful,” Boris, who is celebrating his 44th birthday today, said that he and his wife Marina, had not yet decided whether or not to keep on their house near Thame.

    Later this afternoon it emerged that Boris Johnson has demanded, in a letter to the Lib Dem Chief Executive and election co-ordinator, Lord Rennard, that the Lib Dems withdraw their latest leaflet. The leaflet includes images and a quote from Boris above a column seemingly endorsing the Lib Dem candidate.

    To questions from both local and national news reporters, John Howell rejected a suggestion that this by election would be “a walk in the park” for the Conservative party.

    Photo: Boris Johnson with Conservatice candidate, John Howell, at the Crown in Sydenham earlier today.

  • Thame lacks green space and a large community facility says report

    AN official assessment of open spaces, sport and recreation facilities in Thame, has concluded that the town lacks a large green space for people living in the East of the town, and that Thame needs a large community building.
    The assessment, of the whole of south Oxfordshire, was made in 2006 by the district council but has only just been published for consultation.
    The town council have called the report ‘a useful tool for the future’ in applying for grant funding to improve current facilities and to provide new ones in the future.

  • June gardening newsletter from Jane Follis

    CHELSEA is over for another year and with a week of glorious weather it gave hope for things to come? What a hideous bank holiday weekend we have had. All plans for a relaxing and peaceful couple of days in the garden thwarted by incessant rain. The show was fabulous though and I loved the tranquillity offered by designers such as Tom Stuart-Smith, Cleve West and Andy Sturgeon. I have always admired their work, but this year I thought they surpassed themselves.

    Personally, I love tackling shaded gardens and the flowers that thrive seem to give an ethereal feel, bobbing so proudly amongst the sea of green. What I wouldn?t give for just one of those beautiful Carpinus cloud trees, although I am not sure my bank manager would endorse such a frivolity! We are all wondering where Tom found them ? probably some far-flung corner of the globe? Rumour has it that he sources his trees first and then designs his gardens around his find. What a luxury.
    I rarely get to Chelsea but the TV coverage is probably more satisfactory anyhow. The crowds are such that you can only really go in one direction whilst desperately trying to glimpse gardens through a sea of heads, usually about 12 deep. I find the whole experience rather frustrating. Next year I think I might try one of the horrendously expensive pre-show dinners or try and get a ticket for Press Day on the Monday. Now that is bliss. You can wander around, talking to designers and friends and actually see and feel everything.

    I really do love this time of year in the garden with all the perennials coming in to their own. The new area I created seems to be doing well and I can?t wait for all the new stock to come through. I can see it here from my office and hope it doesn?t distract me from my work too much in the coming months. My excuse is that the beauty of it will inspire my designs?

    Business continues to be brisk, to say the least. It gets increasingly difficult to fit everything in to a normal working week. At least we are at a point in the year where it is impossible to build a garden for this summer and this does begin to release the pressure. I still find it hard to say ?no?, but I am getting better!

    This year I hope to take the best part of July off to re-charge the batteries and spend some quality time at home, see my family and take a break away. I seem to have been neglecting all of these for too long and feel it is time to re-address the balance.

    Remember to look at The Garden Boutique Website ? www.gardenboutique.co.uk. Quote the promotional code JF268 and you will be entitled to a discount.

    RECIPE
    BAKED ASPARAGUS WITH OLIVE OIL, LEMON AND PARMESAN
    Bunch of Asparagus Parmesan cheese
    Olive Oil Lemon Juice

    This is such a simple recipe and I often put Parma Ham over the top of it for extra flavour. Break the asparagus stems. Take the tip in one finger and the stem in the other and bend. The asparagus will break naturally and what you are left with is the edible bit without any stringy bits. Throw into a tray and liberally cover with olive oil making sure it is covered well. Sprinkle on some freshly ground pepper.
    Pop in the oven to bake, turning occasionally. It takes about 10minutes. When the tips feel soft add the parmesan shavings and return to the oven for a few moments. This would be when I add the Parma Ham.
    Take out of the oven and squeeze over a little lemon juice and add a little more parmesan. Serve with crusty bread.

    SEASONAL TIPS
    With all this rain we have had the lawns are growing well. Mow regularly but don?t set the blades too low as this could create bare patches which
    in turn can lead to moss invasion later.

    I know it sounds daft, but if you do have a new lawn, don?t rely on the rain, it will still need to be soaked thoroughly whilst it is getting established. The same goes for any new plants ? the odd sprinkle with a watering can is simply not enough. However, avoid over-watering Mediterranean style plants such as Lavander and Rosemary.

    Deadhead early flowering perennials to encourage a second flush of flowers. Now that the primulas have finished flowering, dig them Up and divide for next year. Remember these are great indicators of lack of water in the garden. If the leaves are looking limp and sad it means your garden needs watering.

    Lift tulip and narcissus (daffodil) bulbs and store in a cool place ready for re-planting in the autumn. I tend not to do this and leave them to multiply in situ.
    Continue to stake taller perennials. Deadhead spring flowering shrubs such as Azaleas and feed with sulphate of ammonia to encourage new growth and flower buds for next year.

    Roses, of all types will probably need spraying against aphids. Remove dead flowers and feed towards the end of the month.

    VEGETABLE & FRUIT GARDEN
    Despite the rain make sure any newly transplanted seedlings are watered in well and kept watered whilst they are establishing themselves.

    Start a new compost heap. There are plenty of grass cuttings available at this time of year and for me, loads of bits from the kitchen and garden. Compost tends to break down in the heat of summer more quickly.

    Thin vegetables sown in April and May and earth up potatoes.

    As usual there are just too many vegetables to cover in this issue. In my own garden the tomatoes are enormous and are actually fruiting. I nurtured them from seedlings in my office and then potted them on and left them in an unheated greenhouse from about the beginning of May.

    The aubergines, squash and pumpkin are desperate to be potted on. These are in the greenhouse, but as I am growing an Aubergine capable of growing outside these will be put outside early this month.

    The leeks, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbages, fennel and endive are all ready to be transplanted into the vegetable patch.

    Growing outside and coming on apace, I have Broad Beans, French Beans, Jerusalem Artichoke, Horseradish, Greek Cress, Salad crops, Spinach, Carrotts, Onions and Garlic. Hopefully, I can sow much more this weekend. The Goji berries and raspberries (my only fruit) are doing well although there is no sign of fruit of the Goji berries as yet.

    If any of you love growing your own vegetables and enjoy cooking them I can highly recommend Jamie Oliver?s ?Jamie at Home?. He is the inspiration for growing so many tomatoes this year. ISBN 978-0-718-15243-7.
    Net soft fruit against birds.
    Don?t forget to water all fruit trees.
    Plums should be thinned in two stages. In early June prune lightly and then in late June thin to 5-8cm apart.
    Lay straw under strawberries. Cut old canes of raspberries and other cane fruits to ground level once the new suckers have appeared.
    Thin gooseberries.
    Thin out apples and pears to encourage larger fruits. Spray against scab and mildew at the end of the month.
    Pinch out the tips of new fig shoots once they have five leaves.

    GREENHOUSE
    This is the month for feeding. Nitrogen and potash are the foods most
    needed at this time of year. It is a good idea to get into the habit of
    feeding once a week.
    Sow cucumbers for late summer and autumn fruiting. Pinch out male
    flowers on those already established.
    Thin out grapes.
    Ventilate regularly and apply shading. Damp down and keep the door open on warmer days.
    Watch out for pests and diseases.
    Conservatory/greenhouse plants benefit from being moved outside
    during the summer, but if tender bring them in at night.

    POINTS OF INTEREST

    Patio Heaters. I know I keep going on about these, but here are some
    facts. I shall leave this item in the Newsletter for some months!
    * One hour of heating uses the same energy as making 400 cups of tea.
    * We could power a small town with the energy needed to power the UK?s one million patio heaters.
    * They do not heat your patio, they heat the atmosphere.
    * They are hugely unattractive
    * By burning wood or charcoal, we are releasing back into the atmosphere carbon which has only just been locked up in that wood.
    * The Market Transformation Programme has calculated that a heater used regularly in a pub or restaurant produces 2.2 tonnes of CO2 per annum. The average household only produces 6.

    Portable firepits or bowls are fashionable and stylish options. Please take a look at what is available and help redress the balance. I?d be happy to help or even design a permanent sunken firepit as a feature in your gardens.

    The Soil Association has launched A Taste of the Good Life. These are classes held on organic farms throughout the UK. Anything from sausage making, yarn spinning to hedge laying. www.soilassociation.org/masterclasses.

    Reduce your Carbon Footprint. Schumacher College in Devon is running a practical course (7-11th April) to help you do just this with facts and inspiration from leading experts in sustainability.
    Tel: 01803 865 934. www.schumachercollege.org.uk

    The Plant Exchange. Buy and sell plants from small local growers or offload anything surplus in your own garden.
    www.theplantexchange.co.uk / tel: 01387 370707

    Japanese knotweed is a highly invasive plant and if you know of anyone who has it perhaps you could get them to contact www.environet-uk.co.uk . The website shows how to identify it and what action to take.
    This stuff can grow three meters in a year, overwhelms other plants, causes extensive damage to property and can lower property value.

    BBOWT
    I have a great friend, Maggie Piggott, who works at the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust as the Community Wildlife Officer for Bucks. She is an expert on wildlife gardening. BBOWT has a Wildlife Information Service which takes over 700 calls per year. The service is open on a Monday ? 01865 788307. There are over 38 fact sheets available. For a list please visit ? www.bbowt.org.uk. Maggie will send me an article each month which I am happy to forward on to anyone.
    This month she is covering ?Batty about Bats?.

    PLACES TO VISIT

    Schooldays in the Garden
    Offer garden events at various venues all through the summer.
    www.schooldaysinthegarden.com / Tel: 01962 760346

    Leeds Castle
    Castle of Roses Flower Festival and Gardening Weekend
    18-22nd June Tel: 0870 6008880
    www.leeds-castle.com

    Open Garden Squares Weekend
    See London?s secret green spaces 7-8th June
    Tickets from www.opensquares.org

    Hampton Court Flower Show
    8th ? 13th July
    Charity Gala Preview Monday 7th July 6 ? 11pm Tickets from

  • Town council to investigate red diesel as fuel prices rise

    THE ever rising cost of fuel is beginning to bite local councils.
    As Thame Town Council faces a rise in its fuel bills for grass-cutting machines, it is to investigate the possible use of so-called Red Diesel, which includes less tax in the price and is therefore cheaper.
    The council will need to balance the cost of storage against any price saving.

  • Thame to appoint Honoury Town Crier

    THAME is to have its own, honoury Town Crier. The town council’s Culture, Leisure and Recreation committee have voted to appoint Anthony Church, who has ‘cried’ many times at local events in Thame in the past.
    Town Criers date back to the Middle Ages when civil authorities appointed them to keep citizens informed on matters of national and local importance. These days they attend civic ceremonies, charity functions, tourism and commercial events where their colourful costumes and historic importance add interest to the occasion.

    The council says that it feels that officially adopting Anthony Church as Thame’s Honorary Town Crier would be very beneficial to Thame in that he would actively promote the town in other areas, spreading the word about how delightful and picturesque it is and with news about forthcoming events. This, it says, could help encourage visitors and at the same time recreate an old tradition.

    Anthony, who has also been adopted by Daventry, Banbury, Chipping Norton and recently Wallingford, would receive a small fee for each occasion which the council says would be absorbed within the budge of each event or promotion.

  • Redevelopement of Thame allotments rumour scotched

    A RUMOUR that land in Thame currently used for allotments is to be developed, has been denied by Thame Town Council.
    Allotment holders at Stones Close, Windmill Road, have recently asked the town council to terminate the lease with them to manage the site and to discuss the future management of the site. They told the council that they feared the land they have worked for many years might be earmarked for housing development in the future.
    There is currently a waiting list for allotment in Thame and at a meeting of the council’s Culture, Leisure and Recreation committee last night, it was agreed that a management committee be formed between the town council and allotment holders for the future management of the Stones Close allotments.

    The secretary of the Thame and District Allotment Society will apparently continue to manage the Kingsey Road allotments site.

    Photo courtesey of Thame Town Council: Mr Chris Majkut digs his allotment at Stones Close, Thame.

  • See lots of images from the Thame Festival 2008

    FOLLOW the link to Flickr and see lots of pictures taken over the weekend’s festivities, including the food festival.
    Why not send your festival pictures to editor@thame.net and have them added to the festival album? LINK

    Photo: Copyright Ravi Solanki

  • Elvis the scarecrow goes on tour

    A SCARECROW, designed by a pupil at John Hampden school, reached the final in a competition at the recent Chelsea Flower Show.
    Now, ‘Elvis’, who was built by members of the school’s gardening club, will shortly be off to the prestigeous flower show at Hampton Court and will finally end his days at Wisley.

    Photo: Pupils from year 5 at John Hampden school, Thame, with ‘Elvis’ the scarecrow.