Category: More News

ONE lucky Chinnor Rugby Mini Player had a great day courtesy of London Wasps recently.

Ten year-old Will Greenfield, from The Meadles near Aylesbury, won a competition held for all the Thame-based, Chinnor Rugby Club’s Mini’s players who registered on the club open day, to become the ‘ball runner’ for the Wasps game against Newcastle Falcons on September 28.

Will got to warm-up on the Adams Park Stadium pitch and have his photograph taken with the Wasps’ captain, James Haskell, and mascot Sting before running out with the match ball prior to the start of the game.

Will, who plays for Chinnor’s U11s, said: “The day was really good but a bit scary. I think we gave them a lucky ball because they won!”

The final score was Wasps 35 – 18 Newcastle Falcons.

Chinnor Minis, based in Thame, are always on the lookout for new players aged 6-12 years-old, and train at 10am on Sundays. For more information email minichairman@chinnor-rfc.com or visithttp://www.chinnor-rfc.com/

AS the launch of Thame’s Good Neighbour Scheme draws closer, the search is on for volunteers to help improve life for people in the local area and join the scheme.

Anyone considering becoming a volunteer is invited to go along to an informal meeting at 6.30pm on Wednesday, October 15, at Thame Town Hall, to meet other volunteers and exchange ideas on how to work together to help those in need.

The sorts of people who may need the support of GNS volunteers might be older people, people with disabilities, single parents, young mothers, those temporarily in need through illness or anyone who may be isolated in the community. Help could include occasional transport, prescription collection, dog walking, and even little jobs like changing a light bulb.

SOUTH Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust’s (SCAS) unions, Unison, Unite and GMB are to strike for four hours on Monday, October 13, between 7am – 11am.

A spokesperson for SCAS said: “We recognise the right of our employees to strike but we need to maintain an essential service to the public, and in light of this action we are working closely with all our staff, partners and the public to help us reduce demand on our services. This will help us to continue to protect our patients and achieve an adequate and safe level of 999, 111 and PTS cover.

“Contingency plans are being put in place to mitigate any adverse effects of the strike action and ensure the safety of our patients. We are working closely with our unions to
deliver patient care that is not compromised across our emergency and non-emergency services. We will continue to monitor the situation as it develops and take appropriate action.

“We would like to remind the public to use our services appropriately and only call 999 if absolutely essential. If you are suffering an injury or illness which is non-life threatening, there are other avenues of care available to you, you could:

 Visit your local pharmacy
 Contact your GP or out of hours GP
 NHS111
 Walk in centres and Minor Injuries Units
 Access NHS Choices online to check your symptoms and find your nearest service.

Watch ‘999 South Central’ at http://www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/campaigns/wearealifeline.ashx think before you dial, Misuse Costs Lives.

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to an attempt to endanger the safety of an aircraft flying over the Chinnor area.

Just after 10.30pm on Monday (6/10) someone shone a continuous green light from a point in Henton, Oxfordshire at a Boeing 747 flying at 15,000ft.

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Constable George Atkinson via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don’t want to speak directly to the police,n 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.

Join here on www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk/ (opens new window) to receive local crime and safety messages.

WHY is shining even a thin laser type pen light into the sky dangerous?  http://www.laserpointersafety.com/laser-hazards_aircraft/laser-hazards_aircraft.html

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision on the M40 motorway in Oxfordshire, on Friday.

At 10.20pm on Friday (3/10), a woman aged in her twenties, was driving a silver Vauxhall Astra near junction 7 seven of the northbound carriageway, when she was involved in a collision following a road rage incident.

The Vauxhall Astra left the carriageway and the woman sustained minor injuries. She was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital and was released the following day.

The other vehicle involved in the collision, a blue Nissan Micra, failed to stop following the incident. The driver has been traced by police however officers are keen to speak to another motorist who was overtaken by both vehicles immediately prior to the incident. No further details of this motorist or the vehicle are currently available.

Investigating officer PC Andrew Mott, from the Joint Operaitons Unit for Roads Policing, said: “I would like to speak to a motorist who was overtaken by a blue Nissan Micra and a silver Vauxhall Astra at this time on Friday. I am keen to trace this driver as they may have information which would assist the investigation.

“If you believe this may be you, please call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.”

If you don’t want to speak directly to the police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers (opens new window) anonymously on 0800 555 111 No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

COMMUNITY groups and young people in South Oxfordshire are being encouraged to make the most of two of South Oxfordshire District Council’s funding schemes.

There’s up to £15,000 per organisation available for improving community facilities like building refurbishment or new equipment, and groups can apply for this through SODC’s Communities Capital Grant scheme, up until December 10.

Previous projects funded by the grants include play areas, skate parks, village halls, IT equipment, new websites and much more.

In addition, the latest round of the council’s Young Achievers scheme opened yesterday, October 6. The scheme rewards young people for their excellent citizenship efforts, sporting achievements, and brilliance in the arts.

For more information, visit the website: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/news/2014/2014-10/community-groups-and-young-people-benefit-council-funding

You can read about last year’s winners of the Young Achievers awards here: https://www.thame.net/archives/13253

KATH Daly, who lives in Thame, has been appointed as the Acting Chief Officer of the Chilterns Conservation Board. She will take up her new duties in January 2015 for a six month period following the retirement in December of Steve Rodrick, who has held the post since 1994.

Ian Reay, the Chairman of the Board, said: “Kath has been the Board’s Countryside Officer since 2005 and we are delighted to announce that she will take over from Steve early next year. The next three months will provide a valuable opportunity to organise a smooth handover. In the first half of 2015 Kath will have a key role in working with the Board to review how we manage the organisation. We expect to make decisions about the long term next June.”

Steve Rodrick welcomed the appointment: “Kath will do a great job and enjoys the full confidence of the staff, Board members and, importantly, our partners. Kath is well known to many of those we work with and the continuity she will provide will be a real bonus in what remain challenging and changeable times.”

Kath has a degree in Environmental Science from Southampton University. After graduating she worked on wildlife projects in Central and South America followed by several years in South Wales as a Community Services Manager. Prior to joining the Conservation Board in 2005 she had been the manager of the Brecks Countryside Project in Suffolk.

Kath herself told Thame.Net: “This is an important moment of change after 20 years of Steve’s leadership. I’m excited about working with Board members, partners and staff over the next few months to help shape the course for the future.”

To find out more about the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Beauty, visit the website:  www.chilternsaonb.org

INSPECTOR James Willis, Head of Diversity at Thames Valley Police, believes it could be and throughout October, his force is raising awareness about disability hate crime and encouraging victims, friends, family and support workers to report any incident where they believe they, or another person is being targeted because of their disability.

Inspector Willis said: “Last year, just 106 disability hate crime incidents were reported to Thames Valley Police. While low crime figures may be seen as encouraging, in reality we think there are disability hate incidents and crimes which are going unreported.

“This could be due to fear of repercussions after speaking to the police, not realising that what is happening to them is a crime in the first place or victims could believe nothing will be done to support them. Most astonishingly of all, I am aware that some people genuinely believe that being targeted because of their disability is just a way of life for them.

“This is absolutely not the case and I want to encourage people to report any incident where they have been targeted and they believe it is because they have a disability.

“Thames Valley Police will not tolerate any hate crime or incident and police are able to intervene in these incidents but it is important that the incidents are reported in the first place.

“I want to encourage anyone who may be suffering as a victim or who may be witnessing this type of crime to please report it to police as soon as possible by calling 101.”

If a victim or witness feels unable to report the crime to police for whatever reason, they can contact independent charities such as Stop Hate UK and True Vision in confidence.”

There is more information about disability hate crime, how to spot the signs someone may be a victim, how to report disability hate crime and how to obtain support for victims and witnesses on the Thames Valley Police website:

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/aboutus/aboutus-ead/aboutus-ead-hate-crime/aboutus-ead-disability-hate-crime.htm

THAME Town Council is not happy with the new layout of the junction at Wenman Road with Thame Park Road, fearing that the existing road network will not be able to cope with the extra traffic generated from the new housing development coming soon close by.

Though the council has said that it will continue to support the proposals for the site, known as Site C in the Neighbourhood Plan, it has asked the developer who will be building new houses in the fields close by, Taylor Wimpey, for ‘further clarification’ on how the roads around the area would be able to cope with the increased traffic movement.

The council’s recommendation to approve the proposed development and amendments, with its additional comments, will now be sent to South Oxfordshire District Council for its Planning Committee’s decision.