Category: More News

THAME’S Member of Parliament, John Howell, fears that charity shops in may fall silent as a new law about playing music in shops came into force on April 1.

John Howell MP says that local charity shops face the choice of not playing music in the shop or paying a fee.

“The charge applies even where the music played is in the back of the charity shop and is just for the benefit of volunteers,” explained John. “It will also hit charity events such as community drop-in sessions or a carers’ association playing music to entertain children. Major charity chains such as Oxfam will have to pay a charge for each shop which plays music.”

John raised the new charge in Parliament on behalf of local charities and voluntary organisations during recent questions to Minister of State, Angela Smith MP, at the Cabinet Office. He told the minister, he said: “…. it hypocritical for the Government to claim that it has developed an environment that encourages charities to thrive when they are now saddling them with a cost which across the UK is likely to amount to

THE South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats have replied to overtures from Tory MP, John Howell, to support his Conservative party.

Responding for South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, spokesman Andy Crick said: ?I am gratified that local Conservatives are worried about the election ? they should be. I am confident that Lib Dem voters know better than to trust Tory promises. David Cameron tried this ploy when he became Tory leader in 2005, it fell flat then and it has now.

?Why would Lib Dem supporters support a party which centralised most of our local services in the 1980s and which hobbled Councils with the hated Council Tax in the 1990s ? a tax the Conservatives still support but which penalises pensioners and people on lower incomes disproportionately?

?Why would Lib Dem supporters vote for a party which has opposed measures such as the Human Rights Act and which voted enthusiastically for the war in Iraq, a war which has set millions of people around the world against our country, threatening our safety?

?Why would Lib Dem supporters who care about the environment vote for a Tory Party in which 9 out of 10 candidates don’t even believe climate change is man made?

?I am confident that Liberal Democrats in Thame, Oxfordshire and across Britain will resoundingly reject the Tories who have failed to convince voters that they have changed at all and instead seem to be relying on ‘not being Labour’ to try to win the election. As the countdown to polling day continues, the Tories are increasingly exposed. They have nothing to offer people worried about our country, our economy and our environment. If residents want real change for Henley, Thame and South East Oxfordshire, I hope they will give their vote to the Liberal Democrats.?

*The Conservatives abolished metropolitan authorities and the Greater London Council in the 1980s. They reduced powers for local authorities, cut the amount of money Councils raised locally and introduced a range of new QUANGOs to run local services, taking decision-making away from local residents.

*The Conservatives introduced the Council Tax in England and Wales in 1992 (1991 in Scotland) to replace the disastrous Poll Tax. Council Tax was designed by Michael Heseltine as a stop-gap measure until a better system could be introduced. Neither the Conservatives nor Labour have any plans to abolish Council Tax, which takes up a far higher proportion of the incomes of those on lower incomes. Liberal Democrats have called for a fair local tax based on the ability to pay.

*A Populus poll of Conservative MPs and PPCs in February 2010 found that 91% do not believe in man made climate change.

PHOTO: Andy Crick

THAME’S MP, John Howell, has kicked off his party’s General Election campaigne locally by calling on Thame Liberal Democrats to support the Conservatives.

In a statement released on Monday, March 29, he said:

“It is clear on the streets that the vast majority of people do not want another five years of Gordon Brown. Why then would you want the outcome of your vote to be precisley that? Why too would you want to belong to a party whose leader has admitted that he is after Labour party votes which will shift the Liberal-Democrats further and further away from the centre? And why would you want to belong to a party which has so often danced to Gordon Brown?s tune when it comes to the economy and getting Britain back on its feet?

“You?ve only got to look at our policies on localism ? bringing real power over their lives back to local people, or at our belief that big government needs to be dismantled, to see how radical and progressive we Conservatives truly are.

“If you are worried about the nanny state, about the erosion of our civil liberties and the misuse of the terrorism laws the Conservative Party is your natural home.”

He continued: “You?ve only got to look at my proposals for the reform of the planning system to see how I am committed to bringing power home. There needs to be a big shift away from central and regional control to truly local decision-making. It always surprised me how Liberal-Democrats fell for the John Prescott line in supporting regional assembles and another tier of government.

“And if you are worried about the environment, so am I. One web-site already acknowledges that I have voted strongly for laws to stop climate change and I am an enthusiastic supporter of local energy projects such as proposed hydro projects along the Thames.

“As many local Liberal-Democrats in Thame already know I also share their concern for human rights around the world.”

Mr Howell claimed that the Conservative Party had seen a steady stream nationally of Liberal Democrats deciding to join the Conservative Party, including, he said, at least fifty councillors and at least nine former parliamentary candidates.

The MP concluded: “If you are fed up with the way Labour has debased Parliament; damaged an independent Civil Service; taken us to war on a false notion; eroded civil liberties in an over-reaction to terrorism; made a farce of the criminal justice system; and encouraged the press and media in the belief that celebrity is all there is to life, take that step and join the Conservative Party now. You won?t regret it and you will be made very welcome.”

PHOTO: Thame’s MP, John Howell pulls a pint a the recent opening of the new micro brewery at The Cross Keys in Thame.

THE mental health charity, Oxfordshire Mind, is looking for unwanted knitting needles and wool for one of its mental health projects.

If you can help, contact Kimberly Pope, Community Resource Project Manager via email:
email: kim.pope@oxfordshire-mind.org.uk

01865 263758

www.oxfordshire-mind.org.uk

THE Thame Youth Memorial Big Draw Raffle is coming to a close soon, but there are just a few more opportunities over the next few days for the final push to boost ticket sales.

Tomorrow (Tues 30/3) TYM Supporters will be combining forces with the Community Spirit Team from Brothers Salon and splitting into four teams out in the community selling raffle tickets. There will be a stall on Thame Market, another outside Waitrose, one in the CPM Staff Dining Room at lunchtime, and two teams touring the businesses in and around Thame and the industrial estates. In addition tickets are still available for purchase from Brothers, The Well, and Moneyspinner until Saturday 10 April, and from
a stall outside the Town Hall on Saturday 3 April.

The Raffle Draw will take place at the Players Theatre in Nelson Street on Sunday 11 April (7.30 pm) as part of a Variety Night featuring the diverse talents of local youth and including music, song, dance, and the performing arts. Tickets (

WHY not hold a Tea Party for The Blue Cross animal charity on Friday May 14, 2010?. Register now for a free host pack by visiting: www.bluecrossteaparty.org
or call 08444 993 663.

The Blue Cross is Britain’s pet charity, providing practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for pets of people who cannot afford private vets’ fees

The Blue Cross (incorporating Our Dumb Friends League) is a company limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 363197) and has its registered office at The Blue Cross, Shilton Road, Burford, Oxfordshire OX18 4PF. The Blue Cross is registered as a charity in England and Wales (224392) and in Scotland (SC040154)

FOLLOWING the Transition Thame and District’s Open Meeting in Thame town hall on February 27, the group’s next meeting is to choose its short term objectives.

The meeting is at 8.30pm on Tuesday, March 30,2010 in the Cross Keys pub in Thame.

The group is encouraging people to support the proposed Community parth between Thame and Haddenham, and has expressed a preference for the Scotsgrove route. For more details see
LINK

The Permaculture group is hosting a talk, Intoduction to Beekeeping, on May 5,2010, at the Rose and Thistle, Haddenham, 8pm.

Finally TTD is asking everyone to Switch off (electric lights) and support WWF?s Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 8.30pm. WWF wants a billion people around the world to switch off their lights for one hour ? WWF?s Earth Hour. Show you care about climate change. See – LINK

THAME’S Oxfam bookshop in Cornmarket has signed up over 1,700 Gift Aid donors since it started the scheme 12 months ago. The scheme anables Oxfam to recover and additional 28% back from the Government on sales of Gift Aided stock.

As a result, the contribution to Oxfam’s funds made by the Thame bookshop has increased by over 20%, making Thame the fifth highest contributor out of all 719 Oxfam bookshops.

“The scheme has been an incredible success and the shop’s contribution to the Oxfam funds has increased significantly this year – a big THANK YOU to all our donors!” said Dick Jennens, Shop Manager.(pictured)

27 March 2010 – Upholstery – TH09S019C – This single session will give learners an opportunity to work on a new/current project. There will also be a basic loose cover demonstration. Running again in the summer term.

26 June 2010 – Felt Making ? project work TH00T060C
Make felt accessories for the home such as a tea cosy, cafetiere warmer and oven mitts.

Stained Glass ? mixed ability TH09T010C
10am ? 5pm two sessions Sat 26 and Sun 27 June

THE news that South Oxfordshire District Council has delayed a decision on where new housing should go in the district until after the General Election has been welcomed by the Liberal Democrat grouping in the council.

The decision announced yesterday to postpone consideration of the district’s Local Development Framework Core Strategy was taken in accordance with the principle that councils do not consider controversial issues in the period immediately prior to elections.

South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrat spokesman, Andy Crick, said: ?New and affordable housing is essential for the thousands of people in our area looking for a home, but these homes need to go in the right place and with appropriate infrastructure and services to support them.

“These decisions need to be made in consultation with local residents and in the best interests of existing and future residents.”