Author: Sonja Francis

OF all the visits to the War graves of Thame Servicemen made as part of the Thame Remembers project, the most extraordinary must be that made to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in a Cunard liner, to the wreck of a captured French torpedo boat.

With the help of the National Hydrographic Office in identifying the exact location of the wreck, and the co-operation of Cunard, Thame resident, Wendy Townsend, was able to drop a Thame Remembers wreath over the side of the ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, at the almost exact spot where the boat went down, and with it an English Lieutenant Commander, Hugh McRae.

The incredible story of how Wendy and the Thame Remembers team were able to overcome the logistical challenge of such a feat, is told in the latest Thame Remembers Newsletter shortly to be published.

So who was Lieutenant Commander, Hugh McRae and how did he happen to be in command of a French Torpedo boat? The following extract from the newsletter explains:

“Hugh, born in 1909 and educated at Lord Williams’s Grammar School in Thame, joined the Navy as an officer cadet in 1926, and served on a number of ships before being posted to the destroyer HMS Grafton as second in command in 1938. In June 1940, during the evacuation from Dunkirk and after successfully rescuing 1600 troops, the Grafton was struck by a torpedo from U-62 and her captain and fourteen others were killed. Lt McRae was rescued, was subsequently Mentioned in Despatches, and was promoted to Lieut-Commander, taking over command of the captured French torpedo boat Branlebas.

“Branlebas was one of the units of the French Navy which adhered to General de Gaulle´s Free French force after the capitulation in June 1940. The vessel was manned by a mixed French and British crew and came under the orders of the British Navy. On December 13, 1940, she left Dartmouth at around 18:00 hours and was charged with escorting a west-bound convoy, but her poor sea-going qualities meant she could not keep pace in rough weather and she lost contact. At 09:00 on the 14th, a heavy sea caused her to break her back at the aft end of the engine room, separating the stern section; she turned over and sank immediately. There were only three survivors, picked up from a life raft four days later, from a complement of 92. Hugh McRae was not among them.”

Branlebas’ s wreck now lies at a depth of 68 metres, approximately three miles due south of Lizard Point, and is a protected ocean grave.

Wendy talks about the whole experience in the newsletter article, describing the dropping of the wreath as: “…very moving in the dark of the night with the waves rushing by.” She concludes: “The Deputy Captain (Karl Shepherd from Witney) and I tipped the wreath over into the sea. It all happened so quickly in the end that there was no chance of the actual wreath- laying to be photographed, only our backs as we looked over to follow its progress, but it disappeared very rapidly in the waves. We all felt that it was a very emotional and moving experience and I was honoured to be able to take a small part.”

To find out more about the Thame Remembers Project, visit the website: http://www.thameremembers.org/about-the-project/

THAMES Valley Police is warning tool owners after a recent rise in thefts of tools in South Oxfordshire and Vale of the White Horse, including in Thame.

Over the 25 days between September 16, and October 10, there were 34 tool thefts. These were as follows:

16 thefts from motor vehicles
15 burglary non dwellings
2 burglary dwellings
1 vehicle interference
1 theft of a motor vehicle

The outskirts of Oxford (Wheatley, Chalgrove, Horspath, Forest Hill, Great Haseley, Great Milton, Littleworth, Sandford on Thames) saw the highest number of thefts – accounting for 14 of the 34. Chinnor saw 10 thefts, Thame saw 8, while Watlington saw 2.

Sgt Vicky Hoskin, based at Thame Police Station, said: “I ask that members of the public and in particular tradesmen take preventative steps to avoid becoming a victim of theft by removing tools from vehicles overnight, being vigilant when using tools in the open and when leaving these unattended whilst going about their work.

“Residents of the area are also asked to ensure that steps are taken to fully secure property by considering removal of tools from vehicles when not in use, lock sheds and garages with well-maintained locks.”

A significant number of the thefts were burglary non dwellings. This covers business premises and outbuildings such as sheds and garages. Some good advice for people who keep tools in their homes includes:

Do not leave a garage or garden shed unlocked, especially if it has a connecting door to the house.
Fit strong padlocks and hardware to shed and garage doors.
Make sure that the doors are solid enough not to be kicked in.
Fit locks or bars to windows.
Lock ladders inside your garage or shed.
Consider lockable steel boxes or anchor posts fitted to the floor to secure tools and equipment.
Garden tools and machinery should be permanently marked with your postcode.
Install a battery or mains-powered shed alarm, available from all good DIY stores at a reasonable price.
For extra security, replace the screws in external hinges of your shed or garage side-door with ‘clutch-head’ screws (also known as ‘anti-tamper’ or ‘coffin’ screws).
Secure your wheelie bin to stop an intruder using it to climb on.
There is also further crime prevention advice on the Thames Valley Police website.

If you have any information on crime, you can contact Crimestoppers (opens new window) anonymously on 0800 555111 or Thames Valley Police on 101.

AS judgement day for the Great British High Street Competition draws ever closure, Thame’s campaign to win the public’s vote moved up a notch today when the Thame High Street team went out into the market gathering support by talking to people and explaining just how important it is that EVERYONE goes online ONCE every day, and votes for Thame to become the top Great British High Street of 2016.

Almost 500 leaflets were given out by a dedicated team from 21st Century Thame and Thame Town Council, throughout the day at the Tuesday market, working hard to ensure that Thame wins. The Mayor of Thame, Cllr Linda Emery was chatting to locals and visitors – some from as far away as the US, New Zealand and Iran – and practicing her new twitter skills – an essential part of how the contesting towns are being judged between now and November 18, when the campaigning stops.

The public vote is only 50% of the total reckoning to decide which of the three Small Market Towns wins, Chipping Norton, Hebden Bridge or Thame. Within the next couple of weeks, Thame will be visited by a judge from from one of the sponsors, and their verdict will account for the other 50%.

Thame’s MP, John Howell, is getting behind the campaign. He said: “It’s excellent news that Thame is one of the three finalists in the small market town category of this year’s Great British High Street Competition. Thame is a vibrant town with the community very much at its heart. Last year it was awarded Rising Star status and it has certainly risen to the challenge. Its place in the finals this year is well deserved. My congratulation and thanks to all those who work so hard, day in day out, to build the community here. I would encourage everyone who values Thame Town Centre to support them by voting for Thame.”

More opportunities to vote

During the next three weeks, there will be voting stations at the Town Hall, some shops and other venues throughout the town, so look out for ‘Vote Here’ stickers. If you can’t place a vote online, there are voting slips available at the Town Hall which you can hand to family members or friends, so that they can vote.

As a winner, Thame stands to win a share of a £100,000 prize pot plus expert training from Google’s digital taskforce for Thame’s shops, bars and restaurants and a trip to Twitter UK’s London office to further boost social media skills.

How is Thame doing in the voting and what if we win?

Helen Johns, who is co-ordinating Thame’s Great British High Street team, reiterated what winning would mean for the town: “Winning will boost town pride and have tangible economic impact with increased footfall in the town.

“Now that public voting is underway, the organisers are publishing weekly league tables so that anyone can see where the finalists in each category stand in order of first, second and third place. Every vote helps to push Thame up the voting league. Everyone – businesses, families, friends and relatives near or far, can help Thame win by making voting for Thame their number one task! EACH DAY.” When the voting league tables were published on Friday, Hebden Bridge was in front so Thame needs to get serious now and really ‘pull out all the stops’ to pull ahead of its rivals by next Friday’s league table!

To vote for Thame, go to: vote4thame.uk and to find out more about The Great British High Street Competition, read about the sponsors and learn about how you can use your pictures and social media to boost Thame’s chances, go to: thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk and FOLLOW @TheGBHighSt on Twitter.

THAME’s Mayor, Linda Emery, was out and about in Thame’s Tuesday Charter market this morning, helping to spread the word about Thame’s exciting opportunity to win The Great British High Street 2016 competition.

With support from Helen Johns and other members of 21st Century Thame and the town council, Linda was encouraging everyone who passed the market’s Community stall to take a leaflet and a ‘Vote 4 Thame’ badge, and urging them to vote for both Thame in the Small Market Town category, and for Chris Hurdman, who is shortlisted in the top three, Market Retail Champion category.

The market was buzzing with families and visitors of all ages as it is half-term, and free face-painting was available for the children who were encouraged to ‘wear your badge with pride’ by the Mayor. Felicity Walker from That’s Oxford TV, interviewed the Mayor, and Helen Johns, for broadcasting later in the week. Watch this space for details.

To find out more about The Great British High Street 2016 competition, visit: thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk and to vote for Thame, go directly the voting page at vote4Thame.uk and to vote for Chris Hurdman, go to: vote4chris.uk.

Thame is up against Hebden Bridge and Chipping Norton – tough opposition – so Thame needs all the votes it get! Anyone can vote once every day up to November 18, in any category, so spread the word and VOTE FOR THAME !

THAMES VALLEY Police officers have warned that they will be carrying out patrols in the evenings to make sure that people who are trick-or-treating are doing so in a friendly manner and not causing a nuisance.

An alert issued today advised trick-or-treaters: “Have fun during Halloween and Bonfire Night, but don’t be influenced by others into doing things that may seem minor at the time – your actions could have a massive impact on not only people inside their house, but on your life as well.”

What to do if you feel unsafe

“For some people, this time of the year can be a bother as your evenings are interrupted with people knocking on your doors for treats,” went on the statement. “Most of these children or teenagers are just getting involved in the Halloween celebrations and will be friendly. But if you feel unsafe:

* Don’t open your door if you’re unsure who is there. Use your spyhole, look out of a window and use your door chain if you do decide to open your door.
* Have a contact number of a close relative or good neighbour to hand by your telephone, just in case you need to phone them.
* If you are part of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, let your coordinator know that you will be on your own at Halloween. If you are a coordinator, please identity
people in your scheme that may be vulnerable and offer them reassurance.

“Thames Valley Police will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour at any time of the year. To report anti-social behaviour, call 101, the 24-hour Thames Valley Police non-emergency number. If you feel threatened, if it’s an emergency, or if a crime is in progress, call 999.”

Window posters

Follow this link to download ‘no trick or treats’ posters