Category: More News

THE recent fete, jointly held by the League of Friends of Thame Community Hospital and Thame and District Day Centre, raised a magnificent

THE Oxfam Bookshop in Cornmarket, Thame, is set to achieve sales of books and music, to the value of

AFTER 63 serious injuries and road deaths in the Thames Valley area involved drink-driving in 2012, Thames Valley Police launched its summer drink-drive reduction campaign at the weekend.

The campaign is part of a national crackdown by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Department for Transport (DfT), aimed at reducing the number of people killed and injured on our roads by people who drink or take drugs and drive.

In addition, many people are not aware of the continuing effects of alcohol the morning after. In many cases, alcohol is still present in the body and will be identified during the breath test.

The overall aim of the campaign is to convince drivers that a conviction for drink/drug driving has the potential to ruin their life.

Thames Valley Police and ACPO hope that understanding the consequences of their offending will deter people from being so irresponsible. A night in police cells sobering up with the possibility of being charged and going straight to court, followed by a lengthy ban, are the reality.

The campaign will also link with the European TISPOL police campaign during the first week of June (3-9) where all police forces across Europe will tackle drink and drug driving concerns.

Police will conduct random drink/speed and seatbelt checks at all times of the day and night across the Thames Valley. Drivers will be asked to provide a specimen of breath in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1988. Where there is no suspicion of alcohol, no moving traffic offences or involvement in a road collision, drivers will be offered the opportunity to participate in the campaign and provide a sample on a voluntary basis. We will explain the reasons for these checks to drivers and ask for the motoring public?s support.

During last year?s summer campaign, 2456 drivers were breathalysed and 234 drivers either provided positive tests or refused to give a specimen.

Officers will also record additional information about those stopped, relating to what age bracket they fall into. This data will be provided to the DfT, who will analyse it to understand the level of drink-driving nationally and the correlation between age and drink-driving behaviour.

A/Superintendent Henry Parsons, head of roads policing for Hampshire and Thames Valley said:

?Our message is simple: don?t drink and drive. It?s simply not worth the risk. Drinking late into the evening and then getting up early for work is not a good combination, just because you?ve had a few hours sleep doesn?t mean all the alcohol has left your system, and you could still be driving to work over the limit.?

?We?re often asked how much you can drink before you are over the limit; any amount of alcohol affects your coordination and judgement. The simplest and safest option for everyone is simply not to drink if you plan to drive.?

Do you know someone who drinks or takes drugs and drives? Call police on 101 or, if it?s an emergency, dial 999. If you don?t want to speak to police or give your name, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

All drivers who provide a positive breath test refuse to provide or fail to provide face losing their licence for at least 12 months. They could go to prison for six months or pay a fine of up to

THIS month’s meeting of Thame Amnesty is this Wednesday, May 22 from 7 30pm to 9pm at Lord Williams Lower School Sports Hall (1st floor Conference Room). Hugh Sandeman, Amnesty Country Coordinator for Libya will speak on Womens’ Rights in North Africa following the Arab Spring, and he will also prepare an action for the group.

This event will follow the group’s AGM. All welcome.

WHILST nationally there may be a lot of discussion about the UK?s future in the Eurozone, in Thame the close relationship with our French twin town Montesson, that has lasted for over 10 years, was further reinforced this weekend.

A group of visitors from Montesson spent the weekend as the guests of Thame families, and Monsieur Jean-Fran

KEEN to be green residents have the opportunity to get a free Green Deal pre-assessment done on their home. A number of local authorities have come together to form Green Deal Together, which is offering this scaled down Green Deal assessment to 60 householders on a first come first served basis.

Although it?s not a complete Green Deal assessment, a pre-assessment will give you a snapshot of what you could expect from a comprehensive Green Deal assessment and will show how it would benefit you and your home.

The pre-assessment will show you how much you could save by installing each recommendation, how much it will cost and how long it will take to pay for itself.

The Green Deal is a Government initiative to give householders the chance to access upfront funding to carry out improvements, and then repay the money through their energy bill.

To find out more, and to apply for a free Green Deal pre-assessment, visit http://epoda.co.uk/pat/company?c=34 and take the pre-assessment test where you can book a full assessment at the end.

THE 1st Thame Scout Group received a welcome boost to their funds for new equipment recently, from the Men?s Senior Section at Waterstock Golf Club.

Mike Hutson, Group Scout Leader, was presented with a cheque for

THE Manager of the Thame and District Day Centre, Gill Coleman, has paid tribute to the work of volunteers and helpers from the hospital and the Day Centre, who made Saturday’s fete such a success. She also thanked the people of Thame for their support.

The Fete, held on Saturday, May 11, was organised jointly by Thame Community Hospital League of Friends and Thame and District Day Centre.

The Mayor of Thame, Nigel Champken Woods (photographed) joined in the fun of the Fete attempting to pin the tail on an elephant, made and painted by members of the Day Centre. In the background is Denis Branch, a long-serving volunteer with the Day Centre.

Members of Thame WI provided a delicious range of refreshments, including homemade cakes throughout the afternoon and Sainsbury’s in Thame donated ice cream for the ice cream stall.

THAME’S MP, John Howell, has called on local schools to take part in My Money Week (3 to 9 June), giving pupils the chance to learn more about money and personal finance. Every primary and secondary school in Thame and the rest of John’s constituency is being given the chance to take part for free in My Money Week, which has returned for its fifth year thanks to a new partnership between national charity pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group) and Barclays.

“My Money Week will improve young people?s financial skills, knowledge and confidence through special lessons, activities and debates in schools and other settings across the UK,” said John. Teachers can order a free Activity Pack, developed by pfeg, full of creative and engaging financial resources and ideas for how to deliver financial education to young people, from the age of four up to 19. Young people can also take part in the ?A-Z of Money?, a national competition challenging them to learn more about money through creative writing.

John Howell added: ?There has never been a better time for young people to learn about financial skills. My Money Week provides the information they require to give them the chance to do so with confidence.”

Tracey Bleakley, chief executive of pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group), said: ?We are absolutely delighted to have the support of John Howell MP in promoting My Money Week this year, and I hope all schools in (his Henley constituency) will seize the opportunity to take part through our free activity pack, advice and support.?

Ashok Vaswani, CEO UK and Retail Business Banking at Barclays, said: ?It has never been more important for young people, particularly those who are vulnerable, to be able to access the support they need to learn about money. Having sound financial skills and being confident in managing money is critical to everyday living and achieving future goals.?

Since the first My Money Week in 2009, more than three million young people have been helped to understand more about money and personal finance through focused activities in schools. In 2012 around 500,000 young people took part in My Money Week activities, with 99 percent of teachers reporting an increase in skills and knowledge and 91 percent of teachers reporting a shift in students? attitudes towards money.

Teachers can pre-order their free My Money Week Activity Packs at www.pfeg.org/mymoneyweek

COMMUNITY groups and local traders in Thame are set to benefit from the launch of a new stall at the town?s weekly market.

South Oxfordshire District Council has provided