Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Government has ‘stymied’ provision of enough business premises in Thame

    THAME’S loss of suitable business premises for growing firms to move into, is the fault of the government’s planning regulations, was one of the views discussed at Thame’s first Town Centre Business Forum.

     

    The forum, held on Thursday, November 2, brought together several Thame town centre businesses and organisations, including 21st Century Thame, architects, recruitment agencies, cafe owners, hairdressers, therapists and accountancy firms. It was set up by Thame’s Market Town Co-ordinator, Becky Reid, to support and improve the economic vitality of the town centre by giving an opportunity for regular communication between local authorities and private business and other stakeholders in the town.

    Government has ‘stymied’ us

    Helena Fickling, who has a Architectural practice, told delegates: “Central government has stymied efforts to provide business space with its ‘Lawful development’ planning regulation which means that developers can change vacated officer buildings into apartments without planning permission for change of use.

    “What happened with the Angus Fire building in Wenman Road in Thame illustrates the point.”

    “There’s lots of space for new houses but not enough for employment space,” suggested another delegate.

    Digital Thame, parking and spruced up town entry points

    During an open discussion, delegates discussed their suggested priorities for the forum to focus on at future meetings. These included more information sharing between the local authorities and local businesses, a regular news letter, a ‘digital presence’ for Thame – perhaps an information App for visitors to the town where businesses could advertise, recruitment, a parking attendant for the town centre and improvements to some of the town’s entrances, particularly the ‘Waitrose’ roundabout in Aylesbury Road.

    Sally Evans, who runs regular Artists and Makers fairs in the town hall, suggested that the international markets that come to the town should be better managed, citing crowded and blocked pedestrian areas making moving around difficult and unsafe at times, for pedestrians and wheelchair users.

    ‘Smelly’ toilets and the cost of cardboard waste removal

    Another delegate complained about ‘smelly’ toilets and the Chair of the forum, Cllr Peter Lambert, suggested a joint cardboard waste recycling system, to possibly be used in conjunction with Windles, who have a recycling machine that turns cardboard into pellets that can be recycled. Such a scheme could replace the current system where independent businesses have to pay SODC per bag to have waste cardboard taken away.

    The future of Thame’s economy

    Becky Reid described her role as Market Town Co-ordinator and what she had been doing to support the town centre economy, including events like the ‘Dressed to Impress’ shop window competition, working with 21st Century Thame to up-date the shopping guide, the recent Art Trail and the business survey.  Her Action Plan can be read in full HERE

    Also at the forum, talking about his role as SODC’s Economic Development Officer, David Cookson talked about SODC’s Corporate Plan for Thame, ‘creating the right conditions for economic growth over the next four years’, including the branded SO Business website, which is a one-stop information and advise point for SMEs. His Action Plan for Thame has four priorities: Super-fast Broadband, providing Business Space in the district, working to fill skills and employment gaps in a district that has almost full employment; to improve engagement with businesses.

    Future meeetings for Thame businesses

    January 18, 2018 – Noggin Workshop ‘Data’. Times 3pm – 7pm. This will be a 2-part workshop with Businesses invited from 5pm. Details to follow.

    Town Centre Business forums. 5.30pm. Upper Chamber, Thame town hall – 15 Feb; 19 Apr; 21 Jun; 13 Sept; 15 Nov; with an event on 1 Dec to celebrate Small Business Saturday.

     

  • This week: ‘Mesmerising’ Japanese film

    SHINKAI’S mesmerising, dazzlingly beautiful film broke box office records in Japan for months after its release, and heralded his arrival as the new crown prince of Japanese animation.

    YOUR NAME – Japan 2016, 106 minutes, 12 certificate – Directed by Makoto Shinkai, Starring Kana Hanazawa (voice), Etsuko Ichihara (voice), Ryûnosuke Kamiki (voice), Mone Kamishiraishi (voice), Masami Nagasawa (voice), Ryô Narita (voice)

    It tells the story of two teens from different parts of the country: Mitsuha is from a remote and traditional rural community, constrained and frustrated by the demands of a conservative community and its attendant ancient rituals. Meanwhile Taki lives in Tokyo, leading the kind of sophisticated urban life that Mitsuha dreams of having for herself. One morning, inexplicably, they wake up in each-other’s bodies, just for a day, an event that happens repeatedly and at random. They have to endure the humiliations – and unexpected pleasures – of learning to live not only as another person but as another gender. They end up communicating with each other by leaving messages on smartphones, instructions and reminders that soon become something else, a deepening emotional connection between two people who have never met.

    On one level, then, this is a funny, heart-warming and poignant examination of longing and identity, of gender and first love. But Japanese animation resolutely eschews the narrative conventions that might be expected of Western cinema: our protagonists are also enmeshed in a tale of ancient magic, spectral goings-on, natural disasters and time travel, rendered in spectacular and thrilling animation.

    If you are unfamiliar with Japanese anime, then this film is like nothing you have seen before – and if you are a fan of the genre, then this is exemplary. Either way, expect to be wowed. View trailer here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU47nhruN-Q

    This Saturday November 11, 8pm – Doors open 7.30pm
    Film tickets are available on the door or online- Click HERE

  • League Double Joy for Chinnor Girls Football Festival

    A positive afternoon of hard work for Chinnor Ladies saw them complete the league double over Launton, and complete a run of three games against the two teams.

    Chinnor Ladies managed to win the toss and played with the wind behind them. Launton had rung the changes by drafting in some of their more experienced players and looked a lot stronger from the outset. Chinnor were unlucky in the opening moments, forcing Launton’s replacement keeper into a diving save from Charlotte Cairns. Launton’s keeper was called back into service, with shots from Jess Gradde, Nat Phillips, Nat LM. Passing and confidence was on the high, with Nat P capitalising, by managing to lob the goal keeper from an acute angle, her first if the season, to make it 1-0.

    Chinnor continued to push forward and could have easily doubled their lead with Cairn’s pace, but the oppositions keeper was equal to it. Chinnor continued the second half as they did the first, but Launton started to increase their mark on the game forcing Chinnor’s keeper to make a save. Charlotte and Nat Phillips continued to cause the Launton defenders problems, with the former hitting the post and a lob gliding just wide, and then the latter forcing the keeper into a magnificent save to keep Launton in the game.

    Chinnor managed to see the game out, and pick up their first clean sheet on the season. Chinnor Ladies would like to thank Launton for their hospitality, and wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

    Chinnor Ladies, in conjunction with the Chinnor Junior Club, will be hosting a Girls Football Festival, an event which is aimed to increase female participation in the sport. The event will take place on the  November 11, at Chinnor’s Community Pavilion. Chinnor Ladies will be supported at the event by former player Anneka Nuttall, who is Women’s Super League 2’s Captain for Watford.

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Rugby: Chinnor glide into top spot

    IT was always going to be a tough test for Chinnor on the road at Barnstaple, as the Barum boys boast an impressive home record this season.

    Chinnor started the game in business-like fashion with Chinnor dominating the opening period of the game sending the Barum scrum backwards, and the backline finding gaps in the Barum defence. It was only seven minutes in when Harry Mosely drove over to score Chinnor’s opening try which Jonny Bentley converted. Chinnor maintained their pressure and Kieran Goss sliced through some weak defending to dive in at the corner to make it 0-12 . Scoring at a point a minute it was an impressive start.

    Barum then began to find their stride and utilised the full width of the field to try and stretch Chinnor’s defence. There was great ball retention by the large Barum pack who went through a number of short phases and eventually inched over the Chinnor (LINE?) with Jarrad Hayler scoring near the posts.

    The response from the Chinnor was immediate with a period of sustained pressure in the Barum 22. Persistent offending resulted in a yellow card for Petheridge and Mike McDonald took advantage to snipe over for a try on his first start on the season at Scrum Half, giving Chinnor a 7-17 lead on 21 minutes.

    Then the pendulum swung and for the second game on the trot, Chinnor began to be on a different wavelength to the officials with a number of decisions going against the visitors and George Oliver seeing yellow (possibly mistaken identity) for a perceived misdemeanour. Barum slotted the penalty. The Barum forwards kept play simple and effective and with the ability for Chinnor to compete removed, for fear of another yellow, the Devon boys went over shortly before half time to even up the scores with a converted try. With a few seconds left on the clock, Barum were awarded yet another penalty but the kick came off the upright to leave it all square at the break 17-17.

    Chinnor started the second half the brighter exerting some control over the game. Alex Bradley galloped in on 43 minutes to put the Oxfordshire side back in front and Jonny Bentley’s successful conversion made it 17-24. Just eight minutes later Jamel Hamilton capped an excellent performance by dotting down on 55 minutes to give Chinnor a two score margin 17-29.
    The Barum side, spurred on by their vociferous following, refused to lie down and took the game to the visitors with wave after wave of forward barrages .Their scrumhalf finally scampered over the line on 60 mins to reduce the deficit to 24-29.

    Chinnor showed good game management under pressure for the final quarter, frustrating the Barum attack and retaining possession well when in the Barum half, and were rewarded with a penalty in front of the Barum post just outside the 22 which was then made 10 metres simpler through back chat. Bentley duly obliged and gave Chinnor a 24-32 lead which was robustly defended to see out the game. With seconds on the clock, Barum were given a penalty in the Chinnor 22 and took the penalty despite the possible serious foul play against a Chinnor player (which the video footage will possibly verify), to secure a losing bonus point with the last kick of the game. Full Time, 27-32.

    Already ecstatic with another hard won five points on the road, the news of Chinnor’s neighbours Henley inflicting a first defeat of the season on Taunton, made the long trip home a lively one! Chinnor are now the only unbeaten side in National 2 South, but face another potential banana skin next week when new boys, Wimbledon, visit Kingsey Road.

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Take the Thame Customer Survey

    THAME Town Council is undertaking a survey of town centre visitors over the month of November, to better understand why people visit the town, what people perceive as its strengths and what areas people feel need to be improved in relation to keeping the town vibrant.

    Thame town hall – Image Mark Recchia

    The council would really appreciate as much input as possible – it should only take 10 minutes to complete. The results of the survey will be published and used to direct time and resources over the coming year.

    The survey can be completed by following this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NKQ5L7B

  • Breaking news: Chemist broken into

    Thames Valley Police is investigating a burglary at Boots, High Street, Thame.

    The incident took place today (4/11) between 4.30am and 6.40am and an investigation into the offence is underway.

  • Police tackling ‘boy racers’ in Thame

    THAMES Valley Police’s Thame Neighbourhood team have been highly visible around the town, aiming to deter anti-social behaviour in the town (ASB), particularly around cars being used up and down the streets in an anti-social manner, and have issued several section 59 warnings to offenders.

    Section 59 of the Road Traffic Act allows an officer to seize and remove a vehicle, which he or she believes is being driven inconsiderately or carelessly and causing, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public. The police cannot seize a vehicle under this provision without first warning the driver that the vehicle will be seized if the driving persists.

    These powers are increasingly being used by the police to clamp down on so-called ‘boy racers’. One boy racer in South Wales had his car seized after being issued two Section 59 notices in 28 hours, for driving dangerously in the same spot on two occasions. On June 25, 2017, an Audi R8 was seized having been spotted ‘racing up and down’ the Uxbridge Road in West London.

    If a vehicle is seized, the owner will have to pay a sum to get their vehicle back, plus an amount for every day their vehicle is in storage. The amount payable depends on the size and weight of the vehicle, but the owner of a standard road car will have to pay £150 plus £20 a day for every day their vehicle is in storage.

    The Thame neighbourhood team state in their latest news that (ASB) is still a high priority and that they have also issued Ccceptable Behaviour Contracts to prevent further offences. The team urges members of the public to phone 101 if they witness any anti-social behaviour in the town.

    You can read the whole of the latest crime update for Thame HERE:  It includes crime prevention advise now that the days are drawing in, advise for a safe Bonfire Night, information about their collecting food donations from local shops and businesses as well as local residents, so that they can create a gift bag for the elderly residents who are part of the Thame/Chinnor/Wheatly VERA group. VERA stands for Vulnerable and/or Elderly Residents Actions.

    The next Have your say’ meetings in Thame are:
    PCSO Diane Jackson, Thame – Wednesday, November 22, 2-3pm, Thame Co-Op.
    PCSO James Hopkin, Thame – Friday, November 17, 4-5pm, Costa Coffee, Thame.

  • It’s Panto season in Thame

    IT’s almost Pantomime time and Thame Players are planning this season’s production, Cinderella, a universally appealing story. With the pantomime addition of a faithful friend called Buttons, a fairy godmother, the traditional Pantomime Dames as the ugly sisters, a pantomime horse and singing and dancing, the festive fun is complete!

     

    This year’s pantomime was written by Ben Crocker who comes from a theatrical family and is the son of actor and pantomime script writer, John Crocker. He saw his first pantomime at the age of three and has been hooked ever since!

    Tickets: £9 (£8 concessions) Dates:
    Friday, December 1, at 7:45pm
    Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd at 2pm & 5.30pm
    Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th at 7:45pm
    Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th at 2pm & 5.30pm

  • Thame fair trolls should apologise, suggests councillor

    NEWS that the September fair, which has been held in the town centre for generations, would not go ahead after all caused a social media storm, with harsh words being exchanged between fair supporters and those against the fair being held at all in the town centre. A town council officer even received threats of violence.

    Thame Fair – Image copyright of Sonja Francis

    According to a report discussed at last week’s Community, Leisure and Recreation Committee meeting at Thame Town Countil, representatives of the Showmen’s Guild later apologised ‘for the unjustified criticism of the Town Council via social media and their miscommunication within their organisation, which had resulted in the cancellation of the September fair’. This apology was publicly repeated on social media on the evening of Friday, September 22, 2017.

    ‘Members of the community should apologise’

    Councillors called the social media response from both the Guild and some members of the community ‘appalling’ and ‘deplorable’ with one councillor, Cllr Mike Dyer, stating: “The Showmen have apologised but members of the community who bad-mouthed the council and spread misinformation, have not!”

    An agreement was reached that the October Charter Fair would go ahead, which it did, and the Showmen involved have apparently reported that they are very satisfied with the turn-out for the fair, particularly on the Saturday.

    ‘Amalgamate the two fairs’

    There was much discussion about one suggestion from Cllr Peter Lambert, that the two fairs should be amalgamated into one, as he felt the current situation meant that the town ‘is disrupted twice’. But other councillors were of the opinion that the two fairs were different, with the Charter fair offering smaller rides for younger children, whereas the bigger rides at the September fair attracted an older audience, and anyway, pointed out Cllr Nigel Champken Woods,  the two fairs are operated by two different groups of Showmen. “I think we would have all sorts of problems with social media if we suggested that,” he added.

    ‘We should not be bullied by social media’

    Cllr Mary Stiles said: “We should not allow ourselves to be bullied by social media and make a decision but I don’t think it is a good idea. The fair is disruptive but it is traditional and is something people look forward to.”

    Council left out of pocket

    As a result of the recent debacle over Thame’s annual, September fair, between The Showmen’s Guild and Thame Town Council, the council has stated that it now has a £1,600 hole in its budget.

    The costs incurred by the town council were for security arrangements, first aid provision, street cleaning arrangements and the issuing of resident parking permits, all of which they paid upfront for on the expectation that a new three-year agreement up for renewal, would be signed by the Guild in time for the fair to go ahead. It was not, as the Showmen’s Guild decided that the terms of the new agreement were not acceptable to them.

    Though discussions are underway, no agreement between Thame Town Council and the Showmen’s Guild has yet been signed but councillors say they are optimistic that the September fair will go ahead in September 2018.

    You can read the full town council report discussed by the CLR committee HERE

  • Life for Thame’s small businesses – then and now

    THIS month’s Late Breakfast Thame meeting will be next Thursday,  November 9, at The Spread Eagle Hotel, when the guest presenter will be Greg Lovett, of Fizz Accounting.

    The first Late Breakfast Thame was nine years (and one month) ago. How has life changed for small businesses since then, and how might it change in the next nine years? Greg will discuss.

    Thame is a dynamic town in Oxfordshire that has a lively business community. This meeting is an opportunity to meet some of these businesses in an informal networking atmosphere.