Category: More News

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to a robbery at a Post Office in Wheatley. The incident happened at the Post Office in High Street at 4.40pm yesterday (6/12).

A man entered the store carrying an object that was concealed in a plastic bag and demanded money.

He then smashed a glass screen and stole a quantity of cash from behind the counter.

Det Insp John Turner, from Abingdon CID, said: ?No-one was injured in the robbery but it was clearly a frightening incident for the staff concerned.

?The man was wearing a mask and left on foot towards the High Street. I?m keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and noticed anyone acting suspiciously either before or immediately after the incident.?

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact Abingdon CID via 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 crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

SOURCE: Thames Valley Police press release

CHRISTMAS is a time of giving, but you don?t want to give yourself a New Year debt hangover with credit card bills and loans you can?t afford. So says Thame’s Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

Their top tips can help you stay out of the red and in control of your spending:

Be realistic and budget accordingly. Work out how much you are going to spend on each person ? and stick to it.

Remember that rent, the mortgage, utility bills, food bills and other existing debts still have to be paid ? and the consequences can be severe if they?re not. Even though it?s Christmas, get your priorities right.

If you do need more money, don?t just run up an overdraft without talking to your bank first ? it will work out much more expensive.

If you do need more

If you can afford to pay for your goods outright by cash, cheque, or debit card, don?t be persuaded to take out extended credit agreements unless they really do work out cheaper.

Shop around for the best price. Buy what you want and not what other people say you need.

Whatever the deal, whatever the temptation, don?t buy from unauthorised traders and don?t borrow from unauthorised lenders.

Check for hidden extras in any credit agreement. Work out the total amount payable and ensure that the monthly instalments are within your budget before signing.

If you?ve borrowed money don?t forget that it won?t be long before you have to make a payment. Make sure you pay on time, even if it?s only the minimum, or you will be faced with additional charges. Put the payment dates in your diary.

For more information on managing your money and dealing with debt, visit the Citizens Advice website LINK HERE
Adviceline: 08444 111 444
03 00 33 00 650 (Mobile)
Your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau is in the
Market Square, Thame

PLANNING Applications Considered by Thame Town Council?s Planning Committee on December 4, 2012:

9115
P12/S2657/HH
7 CONDUIT HILL RISE
Erection of a front porch.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

9116
P12/S2627/FUL
UNIT 2, WENMAN ROAD
Change of use from business (B1) to police offices (sui generis) and erection of
3 metre high security fence and gate.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

9117
P12/S2671/HH
19 FAIRFAX CLOSE
Conversion of existing garage forming new entrance door on side elevation.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Comment: The Committee regrets loss of garage for original purpose.

9118
P12/S2727/HH
85 QUEENS ROAD
Single storey front extension, part conversion of existing garage into habitable
accommodation and widening of existing vehicular access.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Comment: The Committee regrets loss of garage for original purpose.

9119
P12/S2726/HH
4 BELL CLOSE
Proposed single storey side and rear extensions. Replacement entrance porch.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Comment: Infelicitous design

9120
P12/S2723/HH
4 THE FURLONGS, MORTON
Two storey and single storey side extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

A SCHOOL in Thame has signed up to take part in a charity world record breaking attempt for the most people signing and singing simultaneously.

Pupils at St Joseph?s Catholic Primary School in Brook Lane, will participate in the event, which has been organised by the charity SignHealth, on February 6 (2013).

Steve Powell, Chief Executive at SignHealth, which is the national healthcare charity for deaf people, said: ?Our Guinness World Records

TRUSTEES and staff of Thame and District Centre have sent a big ‘thank you’ to the town?s Waitrose and its customers for their support of the Centre?s work for local people.

Thanking everyone who helped, the Centre?s manager, Gill Coleman, said that as a result of customers? contributions of their green tokens to the Waitrose Community Box last month, the Centre would receive a donation of

THAME’S Red Kites Scooter Club held their annual ‘End of Season Do’ at Thame Snooker Club last weekend – not only to celebrate the end of Scooting Season 2012 – but also to raise funds for a local based charity, Thame Young Carers, which meets at Lord William’s School.

Serena Chamberlain explains: “There are currently 92 pupils who are known to the school, caring for either a parent or sibling – sometimes with the help of a professional carer – and who may have to juggle shopping, housework, cooking, running errands and helping other siblings – all in addition to their own studies – whilst dealing and coping with illness or disability within the family.

“The group,which relies solely on local charitable donations, was founded by Jane Harrison (school counsellor) and offers support and advice to all the young carers who meet regularly and socialise together, often taking part in activities such as paint balling and trips to the cinema.

“For the third year running, the Scooter Club held our November Bash at the Snooker Club and were overjoyed to sell all 200 tickets. The local Scootering Community did us proud – not only by attending and showing their support – but also digging deep into their pockets to buy raffle tickets galore! We had a fabulous range of goodies on offer, with the top star prize being a trial flying lesson in a Robinson R22 Helicopter, very kindly donated by Helicopter Services Ltd (based at Wycombe Air Park).

“Also on offer, was a family pass for a Scooter/Ska Festival Weekend which is being held at Santa Pod next year, donated by Back with the Mods Fest 2013. Stylish clothing also featured in the raffle, offered and donated by Skinhead and Ska, Hipster U.K. and PR Design. Those in search of new tyres would have been trying to win a tyre voucher donated by MES – Motorcycle Engineering Services. A galaxy of prizes awaited the winning tickets, and we wish to thank every single friend and business who helped/offered/agreed – with the sole aim to raise as much money as possible for Thame Young Carers.”

A staggering

THIS year The Mayor of Thame?s Tea and the Rotary Club of Thame Tea are joining forces. Senior Citizens of Thame are invited to the Combined Senior Citizen?s Tea which will take place on Friday, December 14, at the Thame Football Stadium, starting at 1.30pm.

Pupils from St Joseph?s School, Thame, will be entertaining the guests during the tea, accompanied on the piano by ex Thame Mayor and Rotarian, Jeanette Matelot Green.

Transport will be arranged for anyone wishing to attend who cannot make their own way.

Contact the Rotary Club if you would like to attend, so that the ladies from the Inner Wheel can plan and prepare. Call Tyrell Gillman on 01844 214906, or e-mail GTyrellgillman@aol.com. Or contact Thame Town Hall on 01844 212833 and leave your details.

WITH winter pressures just around the corner and the Christmas party season traditionally starting in the last weekend in November, Oxfordshire’s ambulance service is asking everyone to please spare a thought for their local ambulance service and the people who need it the most.

In a statement today, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said: “Mis-use of the ambulance service costs lives. Please only call 999 in the event of a genuine medical emergency such as a serious accident, severe loss of blood, heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke, or breathing difficulty. For non life threatening injury or illness, choose well and:

? Call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 (24hrs)
? Call your Out of Hours GP Service
? Consult your local pharmacist
? Go to your local Walk-in-Centre or your Minor Injuries Unit
? Go to your local accident and emergency (A&E) department

The statement continues: “With the party season upon us once again please drink responsibly and ONLY call for an ambulance in the event of a life threatening medical emergency. Between Saturday 26 November and Saturday 17 December 2011, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) received 35389 emergency calls.

“The last Saturday before Christmas is traditionally our busiest night. On Saturday 17 December 2011 we dealt with 1441 calls. That?s 22% more calls
than we attended on an average Saturday in 2011. On an average Saturday in 2011 we attended 1179 calls across the four counties of Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire.

“Like all public sector organisations SCAS is under pressure to save money whilst at the same time
continuing to provide the best possible mobile healthcare to those who most need it. With each
incident we attend costing an average of

THIS year’s Thame Scouts’ Christmas card collection service for the elderly and infirm:

IF you are a local group or charity, you have a great opportunity to showcase your cause, free of charge, to raise funds and your profile at Thame’s weekly Tuesday market.

Contact Christ Hurdman (sweets and biscuits stall) at Thame market, for more information: chrishurdman@btinternet.com or call him on 07966 202494