THAME Town Council, with the help of Miller Research, is currently carrying out a Town Centre Vibrancy and Vitality study, and they want to hear from local people about their vision for the future of Thame and the potential options to develop the towns vibrancy and vitality.
Anyone who visits, lives or works in Thame is being invited to take part in the short, online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Thame
THAME by-pass, the A4129, outside the football stadium was closed for a while around 8.30pm this evening (March 8), after a car caught fire following a collision.
No further information at this time.
COMMUNITY groups and parish councils in South Oxfordshire have just weeks left to apply for the latest batch of funding from the district council.
The money is available to help fund a variety of community facilities and improvements like building new skate parks or play areas, upgrading sports pavilions, and purchasing defibrillators.
Applications for this round of funding close on Friday, April 1, 2016.
Councillor Elizabeth Gillespie, cabinet member for grants, said: “We are appealing to local community groups who have got projects in mind to apply for funding, whether it’s revamping existing facilities, buying new equipment, or even building a brand new community centre.”
“There’s still time to get an application into the current round, however we’ve got more rounds planned this year, including one opening in May 2016, and are keen to talk to anyone with a project.”
“Why not have a chat with our grants team, even if you are only at the initial stages of your project – they are ready and willing to help.”
“It is important to us that we help build a local sense of community and we are in the fortunate position of having set aside £1m each year in order to do just that. We really are encouraging groups to come forward and make the most of this opportunity.”
Community groups and parish councils can contact the team for some advice at grants@southandvale.gov.uk or on 01235 540525, and can also visit their website (LINK HERE) to read more about the schemes on offer and start an application.
SOURCE: Press release
RESIDENTS of Thame and the surrounding area who sleep more deeply than many, woke up this morning to reports on social media that an earthquake had hit the area, causing the ground, and in some reports, houses to shake.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.3 was later to confirmed by the British Geological Survey (BGS) to have taken place in the area, with its epicentre in Emmington, between Thame and Chinnor, at 11.12 pm last night, March 6.
The earthquake was at a depth of 7 km, reported the BGS, and though not severe, was ‘significant’ because so many people felt it.
Alex Chivers was one of those awake at the time of the tremor and wrote on twitter: ” (@alexchivers14):
Thought I was going mad when the house shook but there was actually an earthquake!”
Hannie Crowther reported on twitter: “My mirror and telly rattled!”
Geology behind the Thame quake
The Thame and Chinnor area is very close to the Chilterns Hills which were themselves formed by seismic activity over millions of years. Over time the massive forces of the earths shifting tectonic plates lifted and folded the chalk rock which was then very gradually eroded resulting in the gently undulating hills we see today.
This movement of the techtonic plates continues today and it is this that causes earth tremors and earthquakes – albeit fairly gentle movements in our part of the world.
More about British techtonics here: LINK
THE funeral arrangements for Richard Graham Martin of Racquets Fitness Centre, Thame, who passed away peacefully last weekend, Saturday, February 27, 2016, are as follows:
The Church of St Mary, Thame on Thursday, March 10. The service will start at 2pm. Anyone who knew Richard is welcome. Family flowers only.
Anyone who would like to donate in memory of Richard can do so via JustGiving. His family have said that Richard was very thankful to Cancer Research UK. Their work helped him live many years longer than he might otherwise have after being diagnosed.
Up the Palace !!
THE team behind the Thame Food Festival need help us make this year’s festival on September 24, even better. They need lots of ‘lovely volunteers’ on the day as there are so many jobs that need filling – from set up, to helping the visitors and manning the new workshops and stages.
In return, the Food Fesival will look after you, provide you with refreshments and make sure you have a wonderful day at the ‘Best and Biggest One Day Food Festival in the country!’
If you would like to be involved, email alison@thamefoodfestival.co.uk.
AN increase in the reporting of sexual offences is on the increase in the Thame area, while more traditional crimes like burglary have been steadily decreasing.
This example of the changing nature of policing was just one aspect of a verbal update given to Thame Town Council, during its meeting on Tuesday, March 1, by Inspector Mark Harling and Sergeant Vicky Hosking of the Thame Neighbourhood Policing team.
The increase in the reporting of sexual offences is mainly down to people feeling more comfortable about reporting historical sexual offences, explained Insp Harling. Although there had been a steady reduction in crime over the last ten years, including in Thame, Community Police Officers are more likely these days, to have to deal with people suffering from mental illness or vunerable in other ways:”..those leading chaotic or dysfunctional lives.” The force does, however, work with other agencies in these incidences, he added.
As well as all this, his team had to be ready to deal with domestic and crime emergencies, and to help with major incidents like the recent tragedy at Didcot power station, protecting the scene and supporting in different ways.
Insp Harling was asked by a councillor if the force was ‘up to strength’. He said that it was, but that the Thame team was about to lose a member on maternity leave and that he hoped the post would be ‘back filled’.
“Whilst there is always 24 hour cover by shift officers at Thame, 52 weeks of the year,” he said, “I could not say that on any give shift how many officers there would be, and where there are gaps, PCSOs will come into that role for the occassional short gap.” At other times, he reported, officers would be called in from Abingdon or Didcot to help cover the sector which is 110 sq miles !
FRONT COUNTER COVER
Another councillor asked about front counter cover at Thame police station, which will cease altogether from April this year. Insp Harling explained that the use of the front desk had fallen considerably in Thame over recent times, and that the cost on average of £20 per person on the force was not sustainable. People were being encouraged to use the 101 phone service for lost-property and other non-urgent situations, he said, but that he was confident that anyone presenting at the station in dire need or fear, would not be turned away.
THAME STATISTICS
Sgt Vicky Hoskin there gave councillors some statistics for Thame area (includes Chinnor & Watlington) for the last period . These included:
* 10 Missing people
* 20 Adult Protection cases – some elderly people and some with mental health issues – usually dealt with by a Mental Health nurse on duty.
* Child Protection cases – often Domestic cases which are oftern referred to Social Services and specialist Domestic Services
PARKING
Always a hot topic in Thame, one councillor referred to vehicles parking on zig-zag lines near pedestrian crossings, particularly delivery drivers, who, the councillor thought, were being ignored by officers. Insp Harling replied that although PCSOs could tell them to move along, they do not have the authority to do more, because such offences are endorsable. “If the public report these incidents, we will deal with them,” he said.
WHAT’S Cooking?, the well-established delicatessen and food shop in Thame, has a fresh, new look and re-opened this morning (Wednesday), offering more space, more choice and a new café.
As specialists in artisan produce, much of it locally sourced, What’s Cooking? wanted to offer a greater choice to customers and provide a bigger showcase for local food producers. One of the two Directors, Sally Dickinson explained: “We knew we needed more space and when the premises next door became available, we took the opportunity to add on a café and offer a greater range in a larger shop.
“For some time, our loyal customers were asking for somewhere they could sit down and enjoy the food they were buying from us, and the new café was the answer. It’s open for breakfast, light lunches, coffee and tea from 7.30 am to 5 pm, and you can now choose whether to take away or eat in.
“We’re especially proud of our coffee, which comes from small, artisan estates and is roasted by a local, wood-fired roastery in Witney, UE Coffee. UE only uses sustainable, organic beans from small estates. The roasters, the only ones in the UK, are wood-fired using sustainable locally sourced wood, which is much more carbon-efficient than gas.”
Alongside the deli and café, What’s Cooking? also has a catering operation that serves all occasions from a small private dinner party to a large wedding for 150 people.
Sally and her fellow Director, Tony Hazelton believe that the success of the Thame Food Festival shows just how popular local foods are and that locally sourced produce is here to stay. “While you can always purchase online – and What’s Cooking? is developing its website presence – there is nothing to beat the special pleasure you get from seeing, choosing and enjoying food that’s as fresh as possible because it’s locally sourced and perfectly crafted, which you can sit down to enjoy there and then, or take home to eat as part of a delicious meal,” added Tony.
The What’s Cooking? refurbishment involved local craftsmen too, and Sally and Tony are grateful to local suppliers Dymott Builders, Barr Joinery and Point North Electrical for their hard work in completing the conversion.
“Most of all,” said Sally, “We are delighted that we can now provide local producers with a larger shop window, where their food can be made available to a wider public who can spread the word about the wealth of wonderful local produce we have on our doorstep.”
What’s Cooking is at 6-7 Cornmarket, Thame.
THIS year’s Thame Swimathon saw 19 teams cover around 34 miles between them for charity on Sunday, February 28, raising just over £4.3 k towards good causes
Teams of up to six swimmers took part in this, the fourth Thame Swimathon, organised by the Rotary Club of Thame with generous support from Thame Leisure Centre, Park Street Dental Clinic, Abbotts Office Solutions, Vale Life Magazine, Haddenham Beer Festival, Booker Tate, Ignite Sport, and Silent View Windows.
The teams swam a total of 2,191 lengths and as the online fundraising is still open, the final figure will be known some time after April 2.
All of Thame Swimming Club’s teams performed very well, as expected, covering almost 15 miles among them. Two of the club’s teams, captained by Ben Williams and Marcus Birmingham, swam the same number of lengths: 177.
One of the teams swam for EYAI – Enhancing Young Adults Independence, a start-up charity which was setup only last year with the aim to give practical and vocational skills to young people who are actively seeking work. The new charity took off with professional support from members of the Rotary Club of Thame.
Marius Ciortan, Chairman of the Thame Swimathon Steering group, said: “The teams had a fantastic time in the swimming pool and enjoyed themselves. We would like to thank all teams for participating and hope to see all of them again at the next edition of the Thame Swimathon.”
Marius added: “We are grateful to the Thame Leisure Centre staff who were extremely helpful prior and during the event. We would like to thank also all our local volunteers and club members with their families and friends who supported the event. Last and not least, credit goes also to our corporate sponsors who helped us to cover the costs for our event.”
Marius concluded: “It is still not too late to show your appreciation for the teams’ efforts by donating to the good causes, including Rotary Club of Thame’s charities – including Citizens Advice Bureau and Medical Detection Dogs – and lots of others chosen by the teams. You can find My Donate links to support teams like EYAI, Thame Swimming Club, Richards Family, Bill Family and Weights Fitness on the www.thame.rotary1090.org website or www.facebook.com/thamerotary.”
VILLAGERS around Long Crendon and Shabbington, are being advised to close their windows as a huge pal of thick, black smoke emenating from a barn fire close by. Around 20 firefighters and four engines are still tackling the fire.
The material feeding the fire is reported to be ‘mixed waste’ and to include plastics stored there.
More information as and when it becomes known. More of your pictures here LINK