Category: More News

THE danger of a chimney fire dangerously spreading was averted this afternoon, by the quick thinking of staff at Raymond Blanc’s flagship hotel and Michelin star restaurant, Le Manoir auxQuat’ Saisons, at Great Milton, near Thame.

Oxfordshire County Council Fire & Rescue Service were called to a Chimney Fire at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, at 2:45pm to find that a chimney fire had caused smoke to enter a room next to a dining area, which activated the automated fire alarm. The staff had already quickly evacuated the area, called the fire service and made sure that nobody went back in to the building.

A Fire crew from Wheatley Station along with a specialist Hydraulic Platform from Oxford City, attended the incident. Fire crews quickly dealt with the fire hazard to the building and used ventilation fans to clear the smoke and the hydraulic platform to gain access the chimney to help extinguish the fire.

Incident Commander, Watch Manager Mark Keely, said: “I would like to praise the actions of the staff at Le Manoir. Their attention to detail and compliance to their clearly well drilled procedures made this potentially dangerous incident very simple to deal with. It just proves that the early warning provided by smoke detectors really does save lives and unnecessary damage to property. A key part of our role is protection & prevention and our specialist Fire Safety Officers are always keen to answer queries from members of the public and businesses alike to ensure they remain safe.”

Visit www.365alive.co.uk  for fire safety advice. If you have a fire safety question, you can call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk

DATE CORRECTED: THE long-awaited consideration of the controversial planning application to build 37 homes on land at The Elms, in Thame, is to happen next Wednesday, JULY 22, at 6pm.

The application, whilst being recommended for approval by South Oxfordshire District Council’s Planning Officer, Emily Hamerton, has received hundreds of objections from local people, including 1048 neighbours, and over 2,000 signatures via the ‘Save The Elms Petition Group’. (See recent letter from the group to the local press) https://www.thame.net/archives/21276

The main objections from neighbours are: Development contravenes the Thame Neighbourhood Plan and where housing is permitted on the site; Protection of trees in the conservation area has been ignored; Object to the three storey design of the houses which is not in accordance with the Thame Neighbourhood Plan; Concern about traffic on Nelson Street – ‘there have not been sufficient traffic studies undertaken to consider the volume of development holistically’.

For more detailed reports submitted by the planning officer to the committee, including other those objections from the Forestry Officer and English Heritage, as well as those more positive reports from the ‘Urban Design Officer’ (the same person as the Conservation Officer) and the Environment Agency) link here: LINK 

Thame Town Council is apposed to the development on the following grounds: Overdevelopment; Development too close to the listed building; Three storey as opposed to 2.5 storey; Traffic generation, parking and safety – particularly during construction phase; Level of harm to the Page 6 Conservation Area and insufficient affordable housing.

You can read all the other relevant appendices here: LINK

The meeting will be held at THE AUDITORIUM, THE CORNERSTONE, DIDCOT, OX11 7NE at 6pm.

Information about speaking yourself at planning meetings, can be found here: LINK

AT LEAST thirty fire-fighters fought to save a property in Great Milton earlier this evening, after a fire started under its roof.

Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service were called just after 5pm to a detached house in Great Milton. Initial crews arrived quickly and began by tackling the fire from the outside of the building. Further crews then entered the house wearing breathing apparatus to prevent the fire in the roof spreading to the rest of the house.

After knocking back the fire, crews used ladders to access both sides of the roof to prevent the fire from spreading undetected within the roof. Fire-fighters also undertook salvage operations inside the house to minimise damage to the owners property. At its peak, six fire engines and a specialist incident support vehicles were at the incident and over 30 fire-fighters worked in difficult conditions inside and outside the property to minimise the amount of damage the fire caused.

Nobody was hurt by the fire and the cause is yet to be determined. The fire started at the rear of the house and quickly took a hold of the roof. Group Manager Rob MacDougall who attended the fire said:  The initial crews had to make some quick decisions on how to tackle the fire. They were good decisions and they have reduced the overall impact of this incident. Our crews have shown great professionalism and determination to make sure the fire was dealt with and the owner’s property was salvaged. They have done a brilliant job! If this warm weather continues, people need to be extra vigilant and should consider our summer fire safety advice.”

The majority of crews had left the scene by 9pm but inspections will continue throughout the night.

Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice.  If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk

SOURCE: Press release

AT around 2:30pm this afternoon, the Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service was called to a shed fire in King Close, Thame. When they got there, crews were faced with a rapidly escalating fire involving two large garden sheds.

A Fire Service spokesperson said: “The location of the sheds in proximity to the houses meant that heat and flames had just started to affect the outside of the property. The crews arrived in minutes of the first call and fire-fighters in breathing apparatus used high pressure jets quickly bringing the incident under control.

The crews remained in attendance to damp down the remains of the fire and were assisted by crews from both Wheatley and Aylesbury. Incident commander, Station Manager Williams, said that the occupiers dialling 999 immediately allowed this incident to be dealt with safely, stopping any spread to the inside of the houses nearby, and there were no reported injuries as a result of this fire.

Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice. If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk

PEOPLE across Oxfordshire are being invited to share their enthusiasm for reading at a series of special events as part of the county council library service’s Summer Reading Challenge for Adults.

The annual Oxfordshire Challenge running from 11 July – 12 September aims to encourage adults not simply to read more books throughout the summer, but also to inspire them to read a wider range.

A number of book-related events will be happening in some of Oxfordshire County Council’s libraries. There will be “Great British Book Off” events which are opportunities to share your favourite reads or hear others’ recommendations over nibbles and drinks, in small groups.

There will be author talks by Clare Mackintosh, an upcoming author with local connections. Clare’s debut book “I Let You Go” has been named by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan as a “Richard and Judy” must-read for this summer.

Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, said: “I’m delighted that the acclaimed author Clare Mackintosh is supporting our Summer Reading Challenge for Adults.

“We’re keen to encourage people to read more and our Summer Challenge is a fun way of doing this as well as an opportunity for people to meet new people. There are some prizes on offer for those who get involved. I encourage people to get involved in the challenge and share which books they love.”

Clare Mackintosh will be at Thame Library on Saturday, August 22, at 11am. Visit the library for a ticket.

THAME’S Community policing team has said that there are concerns about low level anti-social behaviour going on at the Scout Hut car park in Southern Road, Thame.

In the latest Crime Update for the Thame Sector, one PCSO states: “We have had reports of young adults congregating in vehicles and smoking cannabis and also underage consumption of alcohol in the area. This is a designated no alcohol public zone. We have increased patrols in the area, and seized alcohol when seen. We have reminded groups of young people to behave if congregating in the nearby park. On a separate issue, we have recently issued several ASB disposal letters in three separate locations in Thame to combat neighbour disputes that have resulted in anti-social behaviour.”

In a separate section reporting on offenders brought to justice, one PCSO states “We have seized an untaxed and uninsured vehicle from a driver with no driving license. We have also issued a cannabis warning to a group of young people and a harassment notice in respect of a neighbourhood dispute. We arrested two men and recovered a stolen car from Thame. The local Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is currently processing this case.”

Hot Weather and crime prevention

Now that the warmer weather is here, the police are warning residents to be careful when keeping windows and doors open or insecure. “We understand it can get hot but keeping windows open when you are out or asleep can provide opportunists a way into your house,” is the message.

Anyone who would like any crime prevention advice can email Thame Valley Police via: ThameWatlingtonChinnorNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk, or by calling them on the police non-emergency number 101.

THAME residents wanting to holiday in Greece, are not being put off, despite the economic crisis there, though they are showing initial concern, according to the Thompson travel agency in the town.

The Thame travel agency said this morning that while Greek people themselves are being limited to a withddrawal of the equivalent of £60 per day, holiday makers are able to take out as much as they want from ATMs there.

Travellers are however, being advised to take a bit more cash with them than they might normally, and are being reassured that there are food and medicines etc in plenty on the shelves of the shops. If, however, a holiday maker takes regular medication, they are being advised to perhaps take more than they may need normally as a precaution.

The Greek economy is dependent on the holiday industry, and the staff at the Thame shop say they would encourage people to visit Greece, though they are not offering cheaper holidays there, which some people are going into the shop and expecting.

To read the full statement from Thompson about travelling to Greece: Visit: http://www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/greece-travel-alerts

THAME’S recently appointed Deputy Mayor, Linda Emery, this week handed over the reins as Chair of Thame Rotary, to this year’s President, Peter Hook.

Peter, who lives in Thame, was welcomed as President on July 1, at the Spread Eagle Hotel in Thame, by Linda, who during her year as President had inspired the local community to raise just over £7,000 for various good causes including Thame Skate Park, TCC2 and Cuttle Brook Volunteers.

Peter has been a Rotarian for 16 years, and was Chairman back in 2010. His commitment to the club has earned the respect of fellow members who were only too pleased to vote him in as their new President for the forthcoming year. Peter said: “I am delighted to become the new President of our wonderful club. It’s going to be a very exciting year. We’re hoping to try out a lot of new things and are looking for inspired and enthusiastic men and women to join our club. We have a lot of fun and really enjoy ourselves, on top of all the fundraising we do, and would love to hear from anyone interested in joining us and making a real difference to their community.

“This year, we are planning to do continue with our traditional annual fundraising events, Thame Art Show at the end of October and Thame Swimathon on February 28, which I know will have the whole community joining in and having a great time. I am looking forward to meeting and working with local groups and really getting people involved with Rotary. There is so much to do and enjoy.”

To find out more about how to join the world of fellowship, fun and fundraising of the Rotary Club of Thame, visit: thame.rotary1090.org or follow facebook.com/thamerotary

VALUED volunteers at the Thame and District Day Centre, who have been offering their time and energy to support the work of the centre for 10 years or more, were rewarded this evening at a special presentation event at the Three Horseshoes pub in Towersey.

The Chair of the Day Centre’s Officers, Tyrell Gillman, presented certificates of long service to five volunteers, including Owen Davies, who has been a volunteer driver for over 15 years and has since become a Trustee. Tyrell explained that Owen is always on hand to step in if another volunteer is ill or on holiday, and also helps out with trips.

The other recipients of Certificates were Margaret Robinson, for 11 years service. One of her main duties is to ensure that none of the centre’s members has the hassle of collecting their prescriptions from the pharmacy.

Wednesday volunteer, Marion Edwards, started giving her time back in 2005, and as well as volunteering at the Day Centre, ensures that every member, volunteer and staff member receives a birthday and a Christmas card from the centre.

Pat Draper has also been volunteering at the centre for 10 years, currently on Fridays and, Tyrell explained: “..is a master at baking beautiful cakes for special events at the Day Centre, mince pies at Christmas and is an awesome tea maker.”

Ron Clanfield started as a volunteer driver in 2004, bringing members to the centre every Tuesday morning, and, as Tyrell said: “…is also always happy to step into the breach for another volunteer who may be ill or away on holiday, and like Owen, also helps out with the regular trips the members are taken on.”

A special gift of his favourite whisky was presented to volunteer, Doug Hayes who, after eight years, is leaving to move on to pastures new..

Reflecting on the meaning of the word ‘volunteer’, Tyrell told the 40 or so assembled volunteers and friends that it had accured to him today that if all those in the country who ‘freely offer to work for no pay’ suddenly stopped volunteering: ‘….the country would probably resemble Greece!”

You can find out more about the work of the Thame and District Day Centre, and how to get involved in volunteering at the centre for a few hours a week, by visiting the centre’s website: http://www.thameanddistrictdaycentre.co.uk/whatwedo.html

OXFORD Road out of Thame was closed for a time around mid-day today, after a bus collided with some scaffolding near the turn at Priest End.

One passenger is believed to have received minor injuries from broken glass. The scaffolding has now been made safe and the road has since re-opened once crash investigations had been carried out by the police.