WITH less than a month to go until the fifth Gemstone Midnight Walk on Saturday, July 12, in aid of the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC), actress and TV presenter Lynda Bellingham has once again lent her support to the event, with a few words of encouragement for walkers taking part.
Lynda, who was diagnosed with cancer last year, has been a long-term supporter of the Florence Nightingale Hospice, and said: “This is a wonderful event in support of the Hospice, which is celebrating over 25 years of local Hospice care. In this very special anniversary year, please show your continued support by taking on the Gemstone Midnight Walk challenge alongside family, friends and loved ones. I’ll be thinking of you all on Saturday, July 12 – good luck.”
With a few special silver tweaks, including 25 male walkers in celebration of the Silver Jubilee year taking on the challenge alongside over 600 ladies, plus changes to this year’s route – all six and 13-mile walkers will start and finish at Aylesbury College, Oxford Road, there will be some changes made to the route itself.
The ever-popular walker ‘pitstops’ will of course include the must-have walker energy boost, Jelly Babies, and will see Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre, opening its doors on the night with a Cinderella-theme in celebration of December’s Christmas panto. FNHC has been the chosen charity of the theatre since it opened in October 2010.
Mix 96 Breakfast presenter, Katy Brown, will once again be providing the on-stage warm-up (a fantastic staging area courtesy of local company Class Act) with live music from The Zefrons, singer Sophie Del Ray and a second-chance to see the Charity’s Strictly Florence 2013 champions, Sian McCarthy and Mark Henderson, perform their winning CHA CHA on the night.
Local diet and fitness guru, Joanna Beardsmore-Dilks, will be limbering up the crowd with a high-energy workout in the build- up to Midnight, which always goes down a treat with walkers. Joanna has supported the event for the past four years as a ‘thank you’ for the work of the Hospice, who cared for a friend through her battle with cancer.
There is still time to take part in this, the walking challenge of the year. You can enter online at www.gemstonewalk.co.uk, contact the team on 01296 429975 to register over-the-phone, or pop along to Harris & Hoole, Aylesbury, (1st floor, Tesco Broadfields) on Thursday, June 26, and sign up in person. All ladies who sign up on the day can claim a FREE pair of the trademark pink bunny ears!
Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity needs to raise over £600,000 this year to ensure the continued funding of local Hospice services including Day Hospice, a 12-bedded in-patient unit, Florrie’s Children’s Team and the Nightingale 24/7 Care Team, who provide vital care and support to sick people in their own home at a critical time of need.
A planning application for new housing on Site C, as allocated by the Thame Neighbourhood Plan, will be presented at Thame Town Council’s own Planning Committee next Tuesday, June 24.
The basic details of the plan, Application P14/S1619/O P14/S1619/O – Land East of Thame Park Road are:
“Hybrid planning application seeking residential development for up to 187 new dwellings (including up to 40% affordable housing) with vehicular access from Wenman Road, structural planting and landscaping, informal and formal open space including retained agricultural land, childrens play space, allotments, surface water attenuation and ancillary works; comprising a full planning application for element A of 79 dwellings and element B which seeks outline planning permission for up to 108 dwellings. In respect of the outline element B only principle access to the highway is sought for approval and all other matters are reserved for determination at a later date.”
Click on the application number above to read the full planning application details.
A Motorcyclist was rushed to hospital and the Junction 7, slip road closed for some time around 9am this morning, after the bike was involved in a collision with a red Volkswagen Golf car on the A329, near Great Milton.
The injured rider was flown to hospital by air ambulance. The road has since re-opened.
CONGRATULATIONS have been flowing in to the new team that organised this year’s Thame Carnival, and the Co-ordinator, Sue Martin Downhill, Chair of Thame4Business, has expressed her gratitude to all concerned.
One of Sue Martin Downhill’s girls (left) enjoying themselves – without her mum – at Saturday’s carnival
The ‘School together’ carnival collected their winners cup from the Deputy Mayor, Nicola Dixon
The Carnival, themed ‘the World of Sport & Recreation’, brought families, friends and local sports and activity groups together, to produce a great Carnival and festival fete, on the Southern Road Recreation ground – and the sun shone!
A delighted Sue said: “With the help of some fantastic people of Thame, the Thame Carnival was as successful as I had hoped it would be. It was cool while we were setting up but the sun came out and shone for the rest of the day.
“The parade was a great sight with a massive effort from all the floats. Congratulations to the combined schools’ float who produced a mass of colour. The steel band brought out the carnival feel and there was plenty of carnival music and noise throughout. Tom MacKriell of Thame Youth Theatre, and his team of marshalls brilliantly tackled the organisation of the order of the parade and keeping the roads clear and safe. Thanks to them, as without all 20 of them there would have been no parade!
“Our MC, Dan Blasor, brought the whole event together and the Dog show had the best turn out of entries ever.
“It was great to see so many sitting out in the sunshine enjoying the beer and Pimms tents and watching the entertainment in the arena and all around the ground. Although I would love to have been able to have spent more time wandering around with my girls, enjoyed the day thoroughly.”
The Slade Tribute band, Slyde, entertained visitors at the end of the afternoon, with great humour and great memories of the music of other bands like ‘Sweet’ and ‘The Osmonds’ too!
Twitter and facebook followers of the Thame Carnival, like Ian English, who runs the popular Boodlum Band and the newly formed Thame Pop Choir, posted their comments: “Well done Sue and committee for organising an excellent Carnival and making it work so well – it was a great afternoon!”
Thame Firefighter, Mark Nuns, posted on twitter: “Awesome sight seeing a Lancaster Bomber doing a low fly over of Thame!”
Karen Shardlow, Fund-raising Co-ordinator for the Florence Nighingale Hospice Charity, which took part in the carnival parade, posted: “Thank you Thame Carnival! Great fun day! We were all pleased to be a part of it.”
LOADS MORE PICTURES – here from Saturday’s carnival
HOW can we make sure that our green and beautiful countryside is not spoilt by development? How do we help the woodlands cope with the diseases and pests threatening them?
Cricket at Greys Green near Henley (By Clive Ormonde)
These are just two of the many issues that are tackled by a new plan that has been published on how the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) should be looked after over the next five years.
The plan has been published by the Chilterns Conservation Board, which has responsibility for protecting and promoting the Chilterns. It was put together with the help of many local organisations and communities, including parish councils, wildlife trusts, the National Trust and the Chiltern Society.
“The Plan is a collective expression of the interests and wishes of many individuals and organisations that care about the Chilterns and as such it is truly a plan for the whole AONB,” said Ian Reay, Chairman of the Conservation Board.
The Chilterns AONB is a nationally-protected landscape, designated as one of the country’s finest areas of countryside along with 45 other AONBs and 15 National Parks. Despite this national recognition it faces many pressures, especially from the plans for the High Speed 2 rail line which will slice through the middle of the AONB. Plans for many new houses in towns around the edge of the Chilterns, the loss of traditional rural skills and the impacts of climate change are other examples of pressures the area faces. A co-ordinated approach to keeping the Chilterns special in the face of these issues is more important than ever and this is what the new Management Plan for the Chilterns AONB provides.
OXFORDSHIRE County Council Fire and Rescue Service are warning of the dangers of barbecues, after they were called to a shed fire in Langdale Road, Thame at 5.54 pm on Sunday, June 15.
One of the two fire engines that attended the shed fire in Langdale Road. Thame
Two fire engines from Thame attended and on arrival found a garden shed destroyed by fire which had spread to adjoining fences and hedges. The heat from the fire has also damaged a number of children’s toys and a trampoline. Fire crews extinguished the fire using high pressure hoses and prevented further fire spread.
It is believed that the fire started from a barbecue which had been used earlier in the day and put away in the shed before it had fully cooled down.
Watch Manager, Andy Ford, said: ‘The owner and neighbours reduced the fire damage using garden hoses, prior to the arrival of the service, but were lucky not to be injured. An aerosol had exploded in the shed and could have caused serious injuries to anyone in the near vicinity.”
Follow the safety tips below to avoid injuries or damage to your property: · follow the safety instructions provided with disposable barbecues · make sure your barbecue is standing on a flat surface and away from fences, trees and sheds · only use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue · remember to light your charcoal an hour before you commence cooking · lighter fuels must only be applied before lighting · never use petrol or paraffin to start, or re-ignite your barbecue · use only barbecue fire lighters or starter fuel on cold coals · be careful with fatty foods and never poor oil onto meat when it is cooking · if you’re the chef try not to drink too much alcohol whilst cooking · keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby · keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area · don’t leave the barbecue unattended · never use a barbecue indoors or in an enclosed space – a warm, smouldering barbecue gives of plenty of poisonous carbon monoxide – if used indoors or an enclosed space carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels very quickly · after you have finished cooking, extinguish the burning coals – leave for a period of time and then check that the fire is completely out · make sure the barbecue is cool before trying to move it · never put hot ashes straight into a dustbin or wheelie bin – they could melt the plastic and cause a fire
This safety advice is offered as guidance only. If in doubt, Get out, Stay out and get the Fire and Rescue Service out!
A THAME pub has been singled out for a top reward at the Brakspear Hospitality Awards 2014, organised by the Oxfordshire based brewer and pub company.
Tom Davies, Brakspear chief executive, with Jay Kansikan & Aay ‘Patsy’ Phanthamat
The Rising Sun, in the High Street, run by Jay Kansikan & Aay (known as Patsy) Phanthamat, was one of just five from Brakspear’s 130 pubs nationally to receive the award and up to £2,000.
The five winning pubs were chosen on the basis of their score from two visits by mystery customers. Pubs are rated on all aspects of hospitality, from cleanliness and service to marketing and merchandising. This year, questionnaires included new sections on interior design and use of social media, in response to customers’ increased expectations in these areas.
A delighted Jay said: “It’s great to receive this recognition. We have been at the Rising Sun for nine years and worked hard to build its reputation locally, based on serving quality Thai food in a traditional pub environment with friendly, professional service. I’m lucky to have a great team of dedicated staff, without whom we wouldn’t have won this award.
“We’re still deciding how to use the prize money, but it will go into improvements at the pub to make sure we continue to offer our customers a great experience whenever they visit the Rising Sun.”
Chief executive Tom Davies said: “The achievement of our winning pubs cannot be overstated. Scoring consistently well across two in-depth mystery visits is a tremendous result and a reflection of the high standards across the board that these talented licensees have embedded in their pubs. It is a pleasure to recognise their hard work with a Brakspear Hospitality Award and a financial reward that will help them to improve their pubs.”
The Hospitality Award 2014 winners were:
Jay Kansikan & Aay Phanthamat: Rising Sun, Thame Doug & Lolly Green: Little Angel, Henley Rob & Ellie Blues: Butcher’s Arms, Sonning Common Rachel Ainsley: Dolphin, Eastbourne Lee Curtis: Bowler, Clerkenwell
The Hospitality Awards were announced at the annual Brakspear Summer Party, held at Bix Manor near Henley-on-Thames, and was attended by 150 tenants and lessees. The winners were given a plaque to display outside their pub and a prize of either £1,000 in cash, or £2,000 to invest in their business.
Brakspear’s mystery customer programme is designed and implemented by The Silent Customer, based in Henley.
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a distraction burglary in Chinnor. At about 1.45pm yesterday (13/6) a man entered a house in Elderdene to talk to the occupant about fixing his roof. He stole a quantity of cash before leaving in a blue car.
The offender was white, of slim build, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 11ins, with brown medium length hair and was unshaven.
Det Con Jonathan Axford, from Abingdon Force CID, said: “I would like to appeal for any witnesses who saw a man or vehicle matching these descriptions in the area at around the time of the incident to speak to police.
“If any residents were approached in the area by a man asking to do work on their house I would also like to speak to them.”
If you have any information about the incident which could help police with their enquiries please call Det Con Axford via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.
Alternatively of you don’t want to speak directly to the police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
THAME’S Town Clerk, Helen Stewart, has been awarded an BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List, ‘For services to neighbourhood planning in Thame, Oxfordshire’.
As Clerk to Thame Town Council, Helen Stewart has been instrumental in helping the town council draw up and implement Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan, which made history as the first ever housing application for a Neighbourhood Plan to be approved, and which was described as ‘a Trail blazer’, by Government Minister, Nick Boles.
Although parts of the Neighbourhood Plan and the way some designated sites for development were included in it, continue to be controversial, Helen Stewart has been a staunch supporter and defender of the plan and the robustness of the the council’s procedures in drawing it up.
Since the plan was approved by local referendum, new housing developments, and a commercial development more recently, have been passed by the planning authority.
The current Mayor of Thame, Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green, said: ‘’I am delighted that Helen’s invaluable contribution has been recognised in this way, and Thame should be proud of her achievement. I have every confidence that she will bring the same diligence and commitment to the ongoing process of monitoring delivery of the Plan.’’
You can read the full citation for Helen’s award and the reaction of town councillors, on the town council’s website here: LINK
YES, ThameNews is back after a couple of week’s in sunny, Southern Spain, but news has still been happening, so here’s an ‘in-brief’ review of local news from the past two weeks.
JOHN Hampden Primary School, Thame’s Tag rugby team is through to the TAG2 Twickenham Regionals after bringing The Chairman’s County Cup back to Thame.
The Tag Rugby Tournament, which claims to be the former holder of the World Record for the largest Tag Rugby Competition held on one day, saw yet another great turnout. John Hampden reached the semi-finals without losing a single game. In what was an exciting semi-final, the team fought their way back from 3-1 down to win 5 – 4. The game was fast flowing, demonstrating great rugby skills and exceptional team work. They then went on to win the final 6-4.
Team Captain Bridget said: “It was a fabulous experience for all of us and we really enjoyed it. It was amazing rugby by everyone. We tried especially hard this year and definitely deserved it.” John Hampden will now represent the county at the regionals to be held at The Rugby School in July.
THE Governing Body of John Hampden and Tetsworth Primary Schools’ Federation are looking to fill two vacancies that have recently arisen for two Community Governors – one for Thame and one for Tetsworth.
Community Governors play a vital role as links between the schools and their local communities. If you would like to know more or you believe that you have specific skills to offer the Board of Governors, please contact the Chair of Governors, Mary Stiles, on 01844 213851 or 07779654840 or email maryandstella@aol.com
ARE you part of a community-based organisation with a project in mind for a good spruce-up? Has world cup fever highlighted the need to improve your community sports pitches? Or perhaps your village hall could do with a new kitchen to help cater for community events? South Oxfordshire District Council, is running a grant scheme that might be the one for you. Their Communities Capital Grant scheme is currently open and closes on June 25, so if you get a move on you could still get an application in. More information:http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/community-advice-and-support/grants-and-community-loans
AS part of National Care Home Open Day, Meadowcroft, Thame’s residential Care Home for the elderly, will be open to visitors on Friday, June 20, for both a Coffee Morning 9.30-12.00, and Afternoon Tea 1.30-4pm. The Address is 78 Queens Road, Thame, OX9 3NQ. Meadowcroft’s Summer Fete this year, will be on Saturday August 2, 2pm- 4pm. Stalls will include tombola, raffle, cakes, teas, bricabrac and gifts.
EVER thought about volunteering? If you have any spare time, why not become part of a team at the Cancer Research UK shop in Thame? Make new friends, learn new skills and help to beat Cancer.
If this sounds like something you would like to do why not get in touch, please contact the Maria the Manager on 01844 261531 or pop in for a chat, they’re a friendly bunch! The shop is at 60 North Street, opposite the Library.
KAREN Collett, Headteacher at Haddenham St Mary’s Church of England School in Buckinghamshire, is committed to finding a healthy solution to the government initiative stipulating the return of free school meals from September.
Karen believes that the seemingly commendable legislation has: “….failed to take into account obstructions set to limit implementation, for example the fact that the majority of schools stripped out their kitchens when they were no longer required to provide on site catering for pupils.”
She was frustrated by the solution presented to her – airplane style meals delivered to the school. “The purpose of reinstating free school meals is to tackle obesity and ensure pupils have a balanced meal that educates them about nutrition,” she said. “Mass produced foods packaged up in plastic trays are not the best way to achieve this objective. Nor are they likely to be the cheapest given that suppliers will want a profit margin from the £2.30 allocated per child.”
Karen is passionate about finding a workable alternative and is hosting a Food Conference at her school, on June 27, 9.30am-3pm, to explore options with a team of experts including Raymond Blanc, nutritionist Amanda Ursell, Chair of the National Obesity Forum Tam Fry, Juliane Noble from the Jamie Oliver Foundation and Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins.
THAME’S District Councillor, Ann Midwinter, has been appointed as the new Chair of South Oxfordshire District Council. Mrs Midwinter replaces Cllr Dorothy Brown, with whom she was Vice Chair last year. Cllr Midwinter’s chosen charities for the year of her office are SeeSaw and the Royal British Legion. Thame’s District Cllr David Dodds, will have the port folios for Finance, Waste and Parks.
FIND out more about your waste during Recycle Week 2014. There is a packed diary of environmentally friendly events planned to celebrate Recycle Week in Oxfordshire from June 14 to 22. The week is the annual national celebration of all the work that is done to get the most out of waste and help residents to maximise the amount that is recycled.
Highlights from the list of events include the chance to meet with “master composters” and get more out of your green and kitchen waste on 21 and 22 June. The Master Composters programme aims to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste being sent to landfill, by encouraging more people to start composting at home and supporting those already doing so.
On 17 June, there is an opportunity to see behind the scenes at the anaerobic digestion plant at Wallingford. This fascinating facility processes over 50,000 tonnes of solid and liquid wastes a year, generating 2.4MW of electricity and producing an excellent biofertiliser.
Events Saturday 14 June Recycling Roadshow at Berinsfield Fete Time: 12pm – 3pm Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council
Monday 16 June Recycling Roadshow, Westgate Centre, Oxford Time: 10am-4pm Organised by Oxford City
Monday 16 June Recycling Roadshow, Town Centre Shop, Witney Time: 10am-3pm Organised by West Oxfordshire District Council
Tuesday 17 June Anaerobic digestion plant tour Crowmarsh Time: 9.45am – 10.45am Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council
Tuesday 17 June Recycling Roadshow at Abingdon Tesco Time: 1pm – 4pm Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council
Wednesday 18 June Recycling Roadshow at Didcot Tesco Time: 9am – 12pm Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council
Wednesday 18 June Recycling Talk at WI Meeting Stanford in the Vale Time: 7pm – 9pm Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council
Thursday 19 June Composting In Vessel and Anaerobic Digestion facilities Tours at Ardley – to book a place email recycling@oxford.gov.uk<mailto:recycling@oxford.gov.uk> Orgainsed by Oxford City Council
Friday 20 June Recycling Roadshow, Town Centre Shop, Witney Time: 10am-3pm Organised by West Oxfordshire District Council
Friday 20 June Broken Spoke drop-in bike fixing workshop, The Story Museum, Pembroke St, Oxford. Time: 11am-5pm Organised by Community Action Groups
Saturday 21 June Broken Spoke drop-in bike fixing workshop, The Story Museum, Pembroke St, Oxford. Time: 11am-5pm Organised by Community Action Groups
Saturday 21 June Swap Shop at Gladstone Road Community Ctr, Headington, Oxford. Time: 11am-1pm Organised by Community Action Groups
Saturday 21 June Love Food Hate Waste demonstration of cooking with leftovers at the Tandem Festival, Hill End, Oxford. Time: 10am-5pm Organised by Oxfordshire County Council
Saturday 21 June Master Composters stall for advice on home composting at Fun on the Green event at Wolvercote, Oxford. Time: 1pm-4.30pm Organised by Oxfordshire County Council
Sunday 22 June Master Composters stall for advice on home composting at Beckley Village Open Gardens. Time: 11am-4pm Organised by Oxfordshire County Council
Sunday 22 June Master Composters stall for advice on home composting at Letcombe Regis Family Day Time: 2pm-4.30pm Organised by Oxfordshire County Council
