TWO people from Thame have recently appeared before Oxford Magistrates.
(1) Matthew Ayres, 38, of Beech Road, Thame, admitted beating a woman in Park Street, Thame, on April 29. He was given an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge, as well as £85 costs and a £150 criminal courts charge.
(2) IN a separate case, Emma Wiggins, 19, of Walker Drive, Thame, admitted stealing alcohol worth £4.99 from the BP station in Park Street, Thame, on March 12. She was fined £50 and ordered to pay £4.99 compensationm a £20 victim surcharge and £25 costs.
FOLLOWING an attack on a taxi driver at Haddenham, last Monday, May 25, A 20-year-old man from Buckinghamshire and a 23-year-old man from Henley have been arrested in connection with the offence.
They have been released on police bail until June 22. (See full story of the incident LINK)
WORK to build an assessment centre for children at risk of coming into the care system has begun in Thame.
Charis Tremelling and Cllr Nick Carter cut the first sod before building work begins on the new Children’s Centre
Oxfordshire County Council says that the centre, to be built on land at Black Ditch, off the Chinnor Road just outside Thame, will enable more of the county’s vulnerable young people to stay closer to home and reduce the need to send children to costly, out-of-county settings where the council also has less control over the quality of placements.
It will provide short-term accommodation for up to six children (12 to 17-year-olds) on the ‘edge’ of the care system, enabling staff to assess whether children can return home or if an alternative placement – for instance, with a foster carer – is needed. The centre will cost around £2m to build and is expected to become operational next year.
An artist’s impression of what the new Children’s centre will look like
County council staff were joined on Friday (May 29) by a representative from the Children in Care Council (CiCC), Charis Tremelling, to dig the first sod of earth ahead of construction work. The CiCC is an advisory group which helps to inform the council about the services it provides to ensure the voices of young people are heard. It is made up of children and young people either currently in care or who have been through the care system. The views of the CiCC have helped inform the design process of for the new building.
Chosen site
The Glebe land site was chosen as it is relatively isolated from immediate residential neighbours while still having access to a town centre. It is large enough to allow a home for six children to be built with outdoor space for the children to play. The location also meets national guidance that where possible, children should be placed close to home and away from areas of deprivation.
It is likely that some children staying at the centre will only be there for part of the week, as assessment work will also be taking place at the children’s family homes, with parents, siblings and extended family.
Keeping children safe
Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Business and Customer Services, Nick Carter, said: “It’s very pleasing to see work getting started on this excellent new facility. The assessment centre will not only help keep vulnerable children safe, but also reduce the need to send children to out-of-county placements many miles away from friends and family.
“We all have a responsibility to help keep children safe, especially vulnerable young people who have often experienced traumatic childhoods. We want to work with local communities to provide the best possible environment for our young people and this is a really significant moment in securing the future of that work.”
Wider context
Work on an additional Assessment Centre in Eynsham and a ‘Move-on’ home in Didcot for older teenagers preparing to leave care – is expected to begin later this year. A further ‘Move-on’ home is also planned in Witney.
Taken as a whole, the four homes will provide 20 new places for vulnerable young people in Oxfordshire, and help the council develop an improved ‘pathway’ for young people from the moment they enter, to the moment they leave the care system.
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for the public’s help in finding a missing woman from Sydenham, between Chinnor and Thame, Oxfordshire.
Violet ‘Gina’ Potter
Violet “Gina” Potter, 76, left her home address in Sydenham this morning (31/5) at around 9.10am and has not been seen since. She left in her white Citroen C4 Picasso.
Violet was reported missing to police at 12.38pm by a friend who was staying at her house.
She is white, 5ft 6ins, of large build with blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a blue long sleeved top, black trousers, and black leather ‘pump type’ shoes with a strap going across the top.
PC Aaron Walker, from Thame police station, said: “We are concerned for Violet’s welfare as her disappearance is described as being out of character.
“As part of our on-going inquiries, we know that Violet’s car registered on an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera at 9.30am this morning travelling in the direction of Aylesbury. This is the last sighting of her vehicle.”
Anyone with information about Violet’s whereabouts is urged to contact Thames Valley Police via 101 quoting URN 603 31/5.
A newly launched café in Thame, which has already proved very popular with visitors on market day, has been awarded £5,000 in grants to help it get off the ground.
L to R – Malcolm Ing, Janner Islat, Mark Thorne and Michelle Diffey
The Safari pop up café, launched nine weeks ago to give special needs adults in Thame an opportunity to gain work experience, has won the support of six grant providers in the last few weeks, including the Red Nose Day Fund and the National Lottery.
The 1950s style café, which runs on a Tuesdays from 2 to 4pm at Christchurch in Thame, has been set up by Thame-based special needs charity, Safari. The project aims to provide vital work experience for special needs adults and to give them training to enable them to acquire skills and get involved with the community.
Safari Chair, Michelle Diffey, explained: “Fewer than one-in-five people with a disability work but, according to research, 65% would like to work for the same reasons as everyone else – for a sense of purpose and identity.”
Staff will be trained in customer service, stock control and food preparation and work towards gaining nationally recognised ASDAN qualifications.
The café is attracting a wide range of customers with its fresh coffee, milk shakes and delicious home made cakes selling for only £1 each.
“We hope this work experience will help our special needs adults to gain confidence and increase their independence enabling them to go on and get other jobs in the future,” said Michelle, adding: “We also believe it will build links with the Thame community.”
This month (May) also sees Safari as one of the three charities taking part in Waitrose’s community token scheme in which £1,000 is shared between three local charities.
THAMES Valley Police have released CCTV images of a man they want to interview after a taxi driver was attacked by a passenger wearing a knuckleduster.
The 39-year-old taxi driver dropped off five customers, all men, in Sheerstock at the Thame Road junction in Haddenham, at about 3.20am on Monday (25/5).
One of the customers then demanded money from the taxi driver. The offender, who was wearing a knuckleduster, then punched the driver’s side window, causing it to smash. He then punched the victim who handed over a quantity of cash to the offender.
The victim was treated by for cuts and bruises by his GP.
Investigating officer, PC Tom Booth of Local CID based at Aylesbury, said: “I would like to speak to the man in the CCTV images as we believe he might have vital information about the incident. (IMAGE REMOVED AS THE MAN PICTURED HAS SPOKEN TO THE POLICE)
“If you recognise the man in the images then please contact police immediately by calling 101.
“If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.”
A GROUP opposed to a supermarket being built on the outskirts of Thame, has launched a petition calling on the local planning authority to reject the planning application, as it believes the proposal goes against the Thame Neighbourhood Plan.
Photo: Nick White Photography
The group, Thame Centre First, wants South Oxfordshire District Council to reject Tesco’s planning application for an edge-of-town superstore on the DAF site at Howland Road, Thame, a petrol station and office accommodation.
Thame Centre First states that its aim is to ensure that: “Thame town centre continues to thrive by resisting edge-of-town retail development,” and that close to thirty town centre retailers have signed up to support the campaign along with all five of Thame’s residents’ associations. Sue Gilbert, of Thame Centre First, said: “A key policy in Thame’s award-winning Neighbourhood Plan champions the town centre by requiring new retail development to be focused within the town centre boundaries. The Neighbourhood Plan also states that Thame’s retail needs within the next 12 years will not require development of more than 600sq m of convenience and food retail, whereas the Tesco development is planned to be 6.5 times this size.”
Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan received overwhelming local support in a 2013 referendum and attracted national recognition as the the winner in the Innovative Plan-Making category of the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence in 2014.
Sue continued: “The majority of shop owners have grave concerns for their businesses as the planned superstore would draw shoppers away from the town centre and reduce footfall.”
Robert Stanley Opticians has a branch on Cornmarket and their managing director, John Edwards, added his voice: “Thame is one of the few thriving town centres because it has focused attention on the centre. This proposal would undermine the vitality and character of the town centre.”
The consultation period for the planning application is now open and runs until June 25, 2015. Anyone wishing to support the campaign can add their name to an e-petition on the SODC website LINK HERE. In addition, a paper petition is available for signing in a number of shops in the town centre who are supporting the campaign.
Alex Taylor, another member of Thame Centre First says: “Local residents should not stand by and allow this development to be approved, risking irrevocable changes to the character of Thame. If you genuinely care about living in a vibrant market town, please support this important petition and fight against edge-of-town retail development.”
Those local residents who support the Tesco proposal, disagree with the Thame Centre First group’s view that the proposed store would damage the High Street, and are of the view that it would attract people to Thame. Some are of the view that the proposed store would be convenient for particularly older people living at that end of town. Tesco itself has said that a survey it has conducted showed that such a store would prevent local people going out of Thame to Asda, Wheatley and other supermarkets, to do their weekly shopping.
You can view the FULL Planning application here LINK
THE Tythe Barn, Haddenham, was the beautiful setting for the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity’s local fundraising group’s popular afternoon tea event, which raised over £2,000 from cream tea sales, Grand Spring Draw tickets and a tombola on the day.
Home-made scones and assorted cakes to choose from were just some of the culinary delights on offer for afternoon tea-goers, along with music courtesy of France Ellul playing the Welsh harp and Steve Pinder on the clarinet.
Commenting on the fundraiser, Angela Hart, Haddenham Community Group leader, said: “We are very grateful to the people of Haddenham for coming along to support the Hospice. A huge thank you must go to the brilliant team of volunteers who put on the event.” Volunteers included members of the Haddenham Freemasons Lodge No.8944, who helped with the setting up of chairs and tables.
Tom Bucknell, owner of The Tythe Barn commented: “It was a very well organised event. The atmosphere was very good and the volunteers put a lot of hard work in.’’
Angela added: “The group’s next event is taking place on Wednesday, June 24 – a Fashion Show at Haddenham Community Junior School, 7.30pm, where attendees can come along and watch the show, then have an opportunity to try-on and buy clothes featured on the night.”
Tickets cost £6 per person and can be purchased by calling 01844 292070.
THAME Town Council has elected a new Town Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the Civic Year 2015-16, and two local charities are set to benefit.
Rhame’s new Mayor, Nichola Dixon (R), and her deputy, Linda Emery
Cllr Nichola Dixon, who served as Deputy Mayor to Jeannette Matelot Green last year, has been elected as Town Mayor and will be supported in her role by the new Deputy Mayor, Cllr Linda Emery.
Nichlola’s two chosen local charites for her mayoral year are The Thame and District Day Centre, and Thame to Thame. which is supporting the people of Thame in Nepal, whose village was almost totally destroyed by the recent earthquake.
When she’s not chairing town council meetings or carrying out her duties as the Mayor of Thame, Nichola is the Office Manager for Unitline Sytems, a joinery firm in High Wycombe, and mum to three daughters. Nichola told Thame.Net a little more about herself:
“I have lived in Thame since arriving here with my parents as an eight year-old. There have been brief forays into living in other towns and countries but when I started my family, Thame is where I wanted them to grow up. I now have three daughters Jessica (17) Georgina (14) and Amelia (7), all of whom have grown up here and are all currently being schooled here.
“It was lovely walking Amelia in to school last Wednesday, where she proceeded to tell anyone who would listen at Barley Hill that I was now the Mayor. The girls have grown up with me on the council. When I first joined, Jess was only nine and Georgina seven, and Amelia came along when I was a serving member, the first serving councillor to give birth in something like 40 years! And they were one of the main reasons I decided to stand for council in the first place, to give a family perspective if I could.
“I first got elected to the town council in 2007, thanks to another current councillor, Nigel Champken-Woods, a long standing friend of our family who knew I enjoyed getting involved in the community and told me all about it so I decided to stand. At that point there was never a thought about being Mayor, just getting involved.
“So here we are, eight years later, going in to another four-year term, and I couldn’t be happier that I have been elected as Mayor of our lovely town. It is an honour and a privilege to be able to be Thame’s representative and it is a fantastic opportunity to get involved and give something back.
“Over the course of the year I will also be raising funds for two local groups, the Thame and District Day Centre and the Thame to Thame Nepal fund. It is at this point I regret ever having said that if ever I become Mayor I will jump out of a plane! – although I have been told it is a great way to raise funds.
“So watch this space; I am looking forward to an exciting, busy year and can’t wait to get started.”
LAST weekend, a team of fit and intrepid people set off from Thame to tackle the famous Three Peaks Challenge for a very special reason, and they did it, albeit just outside the target 24 hours. Team member Sue Martin-Downhill recalls the lows and the highs:
Nigel Pattison, Sue Martin-Downhill, Debbie Gray, Mary Hill, Ellen Gipp, Andrew Stansfield or John Maitland – not necessarily in that order!
What a weekend! 12,000 miles covered just to walk 25! But those 25 were serious mountain walking climbs. All in aid of Child Bereavement UK; a charity that supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.
On Friday, May 15, a team of people from Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame travelled up to Northern Scotland to Fort William, a drive of 10 hours. A false sense of wellbeing resulted from a wonderful Jacuzzi and swim, followed by a bite to eat and a very brief attempt at sleep. Up for breakfast at 4.20am and off to the foot of Ben Nevis and walking by 5am. No-one else to be seen.
After two hours the legs were tiring but we were reaching the top where it was -14 C. Stupidly I removed my gloves to get the camera out and immediately felt the full force of the icy cold. Hand warmers are a godsend !!! The brief hail storm was no picnic either.
On the journey down Mary was skipping lightly and I was starting to feel the burn in the knees. The descent was painful but a relief to finally reach the bottom.
On to the Lake District – a journey of 5 hours – to Scafell Pike. A near vertical ascent. The others in the team strode up as I slowed more and more; finally reaching the peak after two hours. Even more slowly down with the knees creaking – you simply can’t stop once you’ve started.
Jim Lythgoe, the challenge driver, had the kettle on when we reached the bottom – a welcome sight.
Back in the car for another five hours – reaching Snowdonia by 1.30am. Pitch dark. The team woke from their intermittent snoozing and dressed ready for the longest walk of the three. I gave in and decided that I’d like to be able to continue playing squash until I’m 70 so saving my knees at this point was important to me. I bedded down for the night in the van. Four hours later I was woken by Jon stating that the weather and the night darkness was horrendous and the walk had been successful but really uncomfortable.
We’d been looking forward to a cooked breakfast but as the team had completed Snowdon in record time, no cafés were open for another two hours. So we just started the drive home.
The three peaks, 24 hour challenge, is a really hard experience and for the team who completed all three in 24 hours and 28 minutes, this was a remarkable achievement. All of us have been walking a little bit awkwardly for the last few days, with the pain of stiff calves and thighs.
For team member, Nigel Pattison, this was the fourth challenge in four weeks, which started with the London Marathon, included a Coast-to-Coast bike ride and a 160 mile ride up and down the mountains of the Lake District. All this to raise a total in excess of £4,000 for Child Bereavement UK.
If anyone knows Nigel Pattison, Sue Martin-Downhill, Debbie Gray, Mary Hill, Ellen Gipp, Andrew Stansfield or John Maitland, and would like to donate to this cause please go to www.justgiving.com/nigel-pattison.
TWO people from Thame have recently appeared before Oxford Magistrates.
(2) IN a separate case, Emma Wiggins, 19, of Walker Drive, Thame, admitted stealing alcohol worth £4.99 from the BP station in Park Street, Thame, on March 12. She was fined £50 and ordered to pay £4.99 compensationm a £20 victim surcharge and £25 costs.
