Category: More News

STILL places available on the brand new Drawing and Painting for complete beginners class at Thame Adult Learning, started 21 January, 2010.

Course lasts for 10 weeks 7-9pm, course code TH09S002C

AS A & E departments across the region have been battling with an unusually high level of demand this week, NHS Buckinghamshire is urging the public to ?Choose Well? to ensure that emergency treatment is available to those who need it most.

People with less serious conditions can do their bit to help relieve the strain on their local hospitals by visiting an Emergency Medical Centre, Minor Injuries Unit, their GP, the pharmacist, or self caring for their condition at home.

Buckinghamshire GP, Dr Geoff Payne says: ?Accident and Emergency Departments are there to treat people whose conditions are crtical or life threatening. Turning up at A&E with a minor ailment could mean a long wait while someone with a more serious condition gets the emergency treatment they need.

?By choosing the right service for their condition rather than going to hospital, the public can not only help to relieve the pressure on critical services, but may also find that they are seen by a qualified medical professional more quickly and conveniently.?

For more information about the alternative services that are available, go to either www.buckinghamshire.nhs.uk
or www.nhschoices.nhs
or call NHS Direct on
0845 46 47

THAME Youth Theatre has launched a new dance group on Tuesday evenings.

HERE is the latest Thame neighbourhood update from Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) Diane Jackson C9610 and Lucy Thorne C8966.

Crime Info:
During January 2010, there was a vehicle break-in in Towersey, near Thame where garden equipment was stolen including hedge trimmers, pulse saws and chain saws. We urge you to be vigilant and where possible, remove any valuables from your vehicle when it is left unattended.

During January, Thame has had a visit from ?Benson? the drug dog, who paid particular attention to licensed premises and public spaces to help crack down on the supply and use of illegal drugs. We work closely with the publicans in Thame through ?Pubwatch? and are kept informed of any areas of concern showing good working relationships with members of our community.

We have had two distraction burglaries in Thame earlier in the month, men knocking doors, stating they are from the water board. Please remember?”If in doubt, keep them out.” Don?t answer the door to people you don?t know, or who you are not expecting. Always try to look through a side window before opening the door.

If you have any concerns or witness suspicious activity in your area, please call us on 0845 8 505 505. Following this, we are working together as Community Officers, along with partner agencies to compile a list of vulnerable people in Thame. We will pay particular attention to these areas and offer re-assurance visits. We have also been carrying out high visibility patrols in areas where the burglaries have taken place, providing neighbours with Burglary packs.

ASB (Anti-social behaviour) Info:
We have been fortunate enough not to issue any ASB Warnings/contracts throughout January. No Section 59?s or section 27?s have been issued and two alcohol seizures have been dealt with.

Offenders brought to justice:
Nothing to report.

Comments on all priorities:
The 3 NAG priorities for Thame are:
1. Insulting/intimidating people- These areas are patrolled when on duty and any ASB is dealt with and youths moved on if necessary, Where needed, home visits are carried out with parents present.
2. Litter/ town centre- When on patrol in the town centre, the litter is monitored closely, working with the fast food outlets etc. and dealing with offenders when necessary.
3. Speeding- Chinnor Road / High Street- Further SID (Speed Indicating Device) operations are planned for these 2 areas and any other roads identified by Thame residents.

Partnership Activity:
We continue to carry out monthly site inspections with SOHA, South Vale Housing and A2 Dominion.
Country Watch meetings are being held quarterly. We have recently carried out a questionnaire with all Pubwatch members to allow us to take the scheme forward into 2010 with success. The meetings, which we attend, are now held every 2 months, rather than monthly with emergency meetings taking place when necessary.

We liaise closely with all 5 schools in Thame regularly. During January, we visited Lord Williams Lower School, where we participated in a Citizenship Day with Year 8 pupils. We enjoyed this and we were able to work closely with the youngsters. PCSO Lucy Thorne also visited St Josephs Primary School with the School Liaison Officer, PC Abi Derbyshire to introduce ourselves and talk with the students.
We have also worked closely with Age Concern and Social Services to support the elderly.

AS part of Thame’s first Arts and Literature Festival in June, local actors, singers and stage crew are need for Stryve Music’s production of the musical version of Aesop, written by Chris Walters and Steve Bannister.

Aesop is described as “A Musical Tale for all the family of betrayal, violenceand death? and some songs.”

This musical version of Aesop?s Fables presents some of the stories in an integrated, concise narrative that starts with the Birds demanding a King for protection and ends with everyone learning valuable lessons for life.

It is a comedy that can be enjoyed by children and adults and the music is accessible and toe-tapping with a distinctly ?country music? feel. The mixture of drama, song and dance makes for an enjoyable, fun evening out for all the family.

The show features the God Zeus, Lion and Mouse, Hare and Tortoise, Donkey, Goat and Fox, Eagle and Jackdaw, Dog and Rooster, and a whole host of birds and animals in a good old-fashioned stage show – with a moral!

Auditions will be held on the weekend of 6th March, 2010 and rehearsals will start in April and continue through May and June.

The music in the show has more in common with “Joseph and his amazing technicolour dreamcoat” than with anything more difficult. Its fun…with occasional four part harmony!

If you would like to take part or would like more details then please email steve@stryve.co.uk or telephone 07848 025503.

For details of the Thame Arts and Literature Festival: www.talfestival.org
or email info@talfestival.org

PHOTO: Co writer of Aesop, The Musical, Chris Walters

THOMLEY Activity Centre is a unique recreational facility for disabled children, their families, siblings, and friends. Situated on the Buckinghamshire/Oxfordshire border in seven acres of beautiful countryside, Thomley offers a safe and supportive setting for children to play, learn and explore.

There are a wide range of activities suitable for all ages and abilities, allowing everyone to have fun, make new friends, and most of all, feel accepted. Activities vary from outdoor activities including; a football pitch; 1km cycle track; zip wire and outdoor play area to numerous indoor areas including; arts and craft; computer room; soft play area and the very popular sensory room.

Please note that in school/term time Thomley is open to special schools and mainstream schools who include students with additional learning needs. We are open Wednesdays to Fridays throughout term time. Activities can be tailor-made to compliment school projects.

o Tuesday 2nd February ? Adult day – Open to disabled adults (16+) and their carers to try out a variety of art and craft activities, relax in a rural environment, chill out in the sensory room or just have a chat and a cup of tea.

o Saturday 6th February ? Community day – Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our all the usual activities from soft play to the 1km cycle track.

o Tuesday 9th February ? Preschool day – For all pre-school toddlers and babies (up to the age of 6yrs) with and without disabilities accompanied by their parents/ carers. Activities are designed for children to play, explore and most importantly to get messy!

o Saturday 13th February ? Family day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room sensory room and the 1km cycle track.

The following days are focus days during the February Half term (15th-20th): –

o Wednesday 17th February ? Teenager day ? – For all disabled young people aged between 10- 19yrs accompanied by their parents/ carers. Younger siblings are also welcome. Teenage days provide a great opportunity to socialise with other teenagers, to make new friends and try out various activities, including the very popular 1km cycle track. Organised activities include a cartoon drawing workshop, following the theme of a superhero day.

o Friday 19th February ? Community day ? Fully Booked, waiting list available – Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our all the usual activities from soft play to the 1km cycle track. This is animation day, including animated films, clay modelling and creating masks of your favourite characters.

o Saturday 20th February ? Family day ? Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room and the 1km cycle track. The theme of the day is Sci-Fi and will include explosive rockets and spaceship junk modelling.

o Saturday 27th February ? Quiet day ? Quiet days are specifically designed for families and children with disabilities who might prefer a quieter day. Numbers are limited to 30 children and are a birthday party free zone.

o Tuesday 2nd March ? Adult day ? Open to disabled adults (16+) and their carers to try out a variety of art and craft activities, relax in a rural environment, chill out in the sensory room or just have a chat and a cup of tea.

o Saturday 6th March ? Community day ? Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our all the usual activities from soft play to the 1km cycle track.

o Tuesday 9th March ? Preschool day ? For all pre-school toddlers and babies (up to the age of 6yrs) with and without disabilities accompanied by their parents/ carers. Activities are designed for children to play, explore and most importantly get messy!

o Saturday 13th March ? Family day ? Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room sensory room and the 1km cycle track.

o Saturday 20th March ? Family day ? Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room sensory room and the 1km cycle track.

o Tuesday 23rd March ? Disability Preschool day ? Open to disabled pre-school toddlers and babies (up to the age of 6yrs) accompanied by their parents/ carers. Activities are designed for children to play, explore and most importantly get messy!

o Saturday 27th March ? Quiet day ? Quiet days are specifically designed for families and children with disabilities who might prefer a quieter day. Numbers are limited to 30 children and are a birthday party free zone.

o Thomley is closed from Friday 2nd April ? Monday 5th April for bank holiday weekend.

The following days are focus days during the Easter holidays (6th-17th), the specific activities for each focus day will be released in the March newsletter: –

o Tuesday 6th April ? Family day ? Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room sensory room and the 1km cycle track. No group bookings on this day.

o Friday 9th April ? Community day ? Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our all the usual activities from soft play to the 1km cycle track.

o Saturday 10th April ? Family day ? Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room and the 1km cycle track.

o Monday 12th April ? Teenager day ? For all disabled young people aged between 10- 19yrs accompanied by their parents/ carers. Younger siblings are also welcome. Teenage days provide a great opportunity to socialise with other teenagers, to make new friends and try out various activities, including the very popular 1km cycle track.

o Friday 16th April ? Community day ? Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our all the usual activities from soft play to the 1km cycle track.

o Saturday 17th April ? Family day ? Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room and the 1km cycle track.

o Tuesday 20th April ? Adult day ? Open to disabled adults (16+) and their carers to try out a variety of art and craft activities, relax in a rural environment, chill out in the sensory room or just have a chat and a cup of tea.

o Saturday 24th April ? Quiet day ? Quiet days are specifically designed for families and children with disabilities who might prefer a quieter day. Numbers are limited to 30 children and are a birthday party free zone.

o Tuesday 27th April ? Preschool day ? For all pre-school toddlers and babies (up to the age of 6yrs) with and without disabilities accompanied by their parents/ carers. Activities are designed for children to play, explore and most importantly get messy!

N.B. Open from 10am-3.30pm / All children must be accompanied by their parents/carers. Advance booking is essential.

Thomley Activity Centre, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, Bucks, HP18 9JZ,
Tel/fax: 01844 338380. Web: www.thomleyhall.org, Email: enquiries@thomleyhall.org

NORTHMOOR Trust?s countryside events for February and March 2010 ? Unless stated otherwise, all events take place at Northmoor Trust, Hill Farm, Little Wittenham, and booking is essential: 01865?407792; www.northmoortrust.co.uk.

Saturday 13th February, 10am ? 4pm:

Northmoor Trust Hurdle Weaving Workshop. A one day practical workshop making traditional hazel hurdles to take home. Whether you want to camouflage a compost heap, disguise a dustbin or make an interesting trellis, this is the course for you. Adults

SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council is inviting residents to have their say on how the council can improve existing green spaces and create new
ones to make the area an even more attractive and inviting place to live, work and visit.

In Thame the council has been looking into the possibility of extending Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve.

Angie Paterson, Cabinet Member for Planning at SODC, said: ?Protecting South Oxfordshire?s environment is very important to the council and more pressing than ever with the increasing threat of climate change.

“The consultation is a chance for residents to
share their local knowledge and have a say about their surroundings so we can continue to protect areas of value, and for them to help us make improvements
in the future.?

To have a say residents can fill in an online questionnaire before February 01, 2010 on the council?s website:
www.southoxon.gov.uk/haveyoursay
or view hard copies at all libraries
and one stop shops (Thame Town Hall) throughout the district.

MESSAGE from Transition Thame: Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill: Please lobby your MP for support!

Great news! – we were successful in seeing the Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill introduced into Parliament – Alistair Burt MP has agreed to adopt it as his Private Members? Bill in December last year. Thank you very much for your help in making this happen.

Since then we have been doing well: Over 260 MPs have already sign Early Day Motion 143 in support and our negotiations with government Ministers and officials have so far been constructive.

However we face a very tight time frame with the election due in May. We need more MPs to sign up and we need all MPs to urge the government to give the Bill the Parliamentary time it needs to become law. The Bill?s Second Reading is set for Friday 26th February and we will need government support by then.

ACTION:

You can help, indeed your help is crucial to seeing this Bill made law. So please do the following by Friday 12th February:

1. Please write to, or email, your MP. A sample letter that you can personalise is below. You can find out who your MP is and their contact details here: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk.

2. Please ask others to do the same and forward this email on to anyone who may help – the more letters MPs receive the better!

Thank you very much for your efforts. More information on the Bill can be found on our website: www.localworks.org

SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR MP:

Dear [your MP?s name],

Re: the Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill

I am writing to you as a constituent regarding the Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill. This Bill will help strengthen the original Act by making the process ongoing, and so further involve people in decision making.

I therefore ask that you please sign EDM 143 in support of the Bill, if you have not already, and
please urge the relevant Government Ministers to support this Bill and, if required, agree to give the Bill extra time or to speed up the procedure to ensure it becomes law in this Parliamentary Session.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,
[your name]
[your address]

AS A & E departments across the region have been battling with an unusually high level of demand this week, NHS Buckinghamshire is urging the public to ?Choose Well? to ensure that emergency treatment is available to those who need it most.

People with less serious conditions can do their bit to help relieve the strain on their local hospitals by visiting an Emergency Medical Centre, Minor Injuries Unit, their GP, the pharmacist, or self caring for their condition at home.

Buckinghamshire GP, Dr Geoff Payne says: ?Accident and Emergency Departments are there to treat people whose conditions are crtical or life threatening. Turning up at A&E with a minor ailment could mean a long wait while someone with a more serious condition gets the emergency treatment they need.

?By choosing the right service for their condition rather than going to hospital, the public can not only help to relieve the pressure on critical services, but may also find that they are seen by a qualified medical professional more quickly and conveniently.?

For more information about the alternative services that are available, go to either LINK
or www.nhschoices.nhs
or call NHS Direct on
0845 46 47