DEAR EDITOR, The Liberal Democrats are desperate and are trying again (as in 2011) to peddle the untruth that Labour cannot win local elections in Thame. This statement appeared in their so-called annual report delivered to the people of Thame which looks to me like a thinly disguised election leaflet.
Why do they do this? Is it because they are intimidated by the passion and hard work of their fellow Town Councillor Mary Stiles? Or is it because they share the same memory loss of Nick Clegg in relation to his promises made about tuition fees?
In 1995 Labour took all four District Council seats and Mary was elected to serve another four years in 1999. Mary served on the Town Council for twelve years consecutively from 1991 and has now served for another four years. Her achievements in relation to serving the needs of young people are second to none and cannot be ignored, even if this is what the Liberal democrats would like to do. The untruth is so blatant it may be actionable.
The Labour Party is putting forward candidates (Mary Stiles, Tristram Maclean and Sam Juthani) to serve on the Town and District Councils and for the Henley Constituency. These candidates will listen to local people, tell the truth and seek to gain your trust by convincing you of what they have to offer the people of Thame.
Geoff Emerson
Chair – Thame Labour Party
Park Street
Thame
EXPLORATORY ground works have begun at Thame United’s ground, Meadow Park View, by a fracking company, looking for shale gas beneath the ground.
Earth movers at Meadow View Park, pictured from Scotsgrove yesterday evening
The appearance overnight of earth-moving machinery at the site came as a complete surprise to sharp-eyed local businessman, Justin Shardlow, as he drove into town for work this morning, from his home in Haddenham.
Justin told Thame.Net: “I was so surprised that I stopped my car and went over and asked the Site Manager what was going on. When he told me, I asked him how far the drilling was likely to extend. He told me that, as far he was aware, it wouldn’t go further than under part of Lea Park.
Justin added: “I’d heard that the government was going ‘all out’ for fracking, and that homeowners will no longer be individually notified of plans to drill under their homes, but I would’ve expected to have seen some sort of consultation take place locally before any fracking was started.
“I wonder how many people living on Lea Park are aware of what’s likely to happen under their homes? It’s bound to affect house prices!”
Frank West, Director of the Thame Football Partnership said: “It’s very difficult keeping our financial heads above water in the lower leagues and the Board decided that this fracking operation would bring some much needed income to football in Thame. The contractors have promised to re-instate the land after exploratory drilling and the money they’re paying us will help improve facilities at Meadow View. It’s a win-win situation.”
Neither the out-going Town Clerk, Helen Stewart, nor the in-coming Clerk, Graham Hunt, who takes over from her today, April 1, was available for comment this morning. But an obviously shocked Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, said: “This most certainly was not part of the Neighbourhood Plan. Have no doubt I will be contacting the ‘powers that be’ straight away to put a stop to this. I’m fracking furious!”
A QUIZ hosted by a Thame fitness centre has raised £260, in aid of a charity that supports people affected by Child Bereavement.
The winning quiz team, with Quizmaster, Brian West (far right)
Nigel Pattison, a Personal Trainer at Racquets Fitness Centre, was inspired to set himself a series of challenges to support Child Bereavement UK, after seeing how the four children of Alex Wood, a local man who suffered severe brain injury in a rugby accident, cope without him.
“Whilst Alex’s children were not suffering bereavement, they suffered the loss of the father they knew,” explained Nigel. “It made me wonder just how does a child cope with bereavement? At such a young age this is not what they are supposed to cope with! They only cope and grow with the love and strength of the family and network of friends around them. The Woods have a fantastic family around them, however not everybody does!”
Nigel loves a challenge and raising money for charities, and sets himself several every year. His latest four challenges, all to raise money for Child Bereavement UK, will be tackled over four consecutive week-ends. Just 22 days! Starting on April 26, and finishing on the May 17.
They start with running the London Marathon, followed by a 150 mile Coast-to-Coast bike ride in one day! Then Nigel and his teams will tackle the Fred Whitton cycling route covering 112 miles and 12,000 ft of climbing in the Lake District. The final challenge will be The Three Peaks Challenge in under 24 hours.
Nigel will have the support of two teams for both the C2C and The Three Peaks Challenge; Natalie Babington, Doug Struthers, Andrew Stansfield, Nick Mauger, Tom White, Natalie Littler, Sue Martin-Downhill, Louise Roffa and Ellen Gipp.
Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. Every year the charity trains over 4000 professionals, helping them to better understand and meet the needs of grieving families.
CHARLIE Lay of Barley Hill Primary School, Thame, showed just how attention in lessons produces quality results when he won the squash B grade in Racquets March, One-Day tournament last Saturday (28/3).
Racquets squash coaches, Will John (left) and Sue Martin-Downhill (right) with the junior squash players
Charlie has been playing squash for three months, learning alongside some of his school mates and others from Dinton, Cuddington and John Hampden schools. Racquets coach Sue Martin-Downhill said: “‘Charlie shows a great understanding of the game and uses skill with the racket to beat his opponents.”
The runner-up in the same grade was James Carr, also from Barley Hill Primary School. Sue said: “We find it amazing that James has learnt so much, as his concentration often seems to waver during lessons. He played exceptionally well. The games in this grade were highly competitive but as all the entrants have become good mates, the spirit of the games was brilliant.
“Due to an improvement in standard by many of our players this year, the A grade included 12 players. Previous winner, Luca Babb from Henley, sent his friend Art Lawton in his stead as school studies had taken priority, and Art produced the goods for Henley once again. Art won the grade in a thrilling final against Racquets academy player, Nick Baker. ”
Sue continued: “We were very pleased with Nick’s form this weekend. His game play has become much stronger after playing more box league games and joining in these tournaments.”
Another previous winner, Ollie Ralphs, was unable to play as he is on crutches following a football accident but it is hoped that will be able to take part in future tournaments.
DEAR South Oxford Council, Thame residents spent months debating and agreeing the town’s Neighbourhood Plan. It was a very difficult process but they reached a solution – if not a completely happy consensus. It was a triumph of neighbourhood co-operation in its way. A proportion of the town will have had to ‘bite the bullet’ and accept some of the outcomes. A result was achieved, however.
It was a success because population numbers, social and medical services, traffic provision, parking and the community goodwill of the town were already finely balanced but with that goodwill have worked well. Until now. Even the Neighbourhood Plan will place a strain on the existing system. Then came the new SODC Local Plan, which is a threat to all of that.
It’s deplorable that Thame should be presented with these further demands on its environment, after all the work and give and take among residents which was entailed in agreeing the Neighbourhood Plan.
It also invites a cynicism about the process of government and what feels like a breach of faith over all the work that the Town Council and residents put in. As a retired journalist and lifelong community campaigner in various places and at various times, even I was shocked and surprised at this development
I suggest that maybe Thame is being seen as an easy target for fulfilling these extra demands. There should be a further look at all the options being considered by SODC.
A revised planning application for a housing development on Land at The Elms, Upper High Street. Thame, will be considered by the Thame Town Council at a special meeting of the full council, on April 7, 2015, starting at 6.30 pm in the Town Hall Upper Chamber.
Aerial view of land known as The Elms, Upper High Street, Thame
The documentation relating to the original application can be found on the South Oxfordshire District Council website by clicking here. http://tiny.cc/benbwx and the amended plans here: http://tiny.cc/a9mbwx Full details of the associated plans for Elms Park itself, including amendments, can be viewed here: http://tiny.cc/mgnbwx
Anyone wishing to speak at the meeting, must apply to the the Town Clerk, in writing, before 5pm, the day before the meeting.
DESPITE outscoring visitors Bishop Stortford by seven tries to six, Chinnor lost by just one point on Saturday, going down 45-46.
Chinnor had the best of the first half scoring four tries to go in 26-14 ahead at the break. Chinnor showed power in the pack with skipper To’oala going over for a pair but also pace and power from the backs. Martey and Hayes also scored for Chinnor in a dominant first half with Whiteley and Hankin going over for Stortford.
The second half saw a fight back from visitors, Bishops Stortford. They began with a converted penalty try on 44 minutes to reduce the deficit to 26-21. Stortford continued to attack and were rewarded with tries from Hankin, Neville and Coleman in a golden 10 minute period to go 40-26 ahead. Chinnor then began their own fightback with tries from Hayes, Oliver and Tyas but the two Stortford penalty goals at the end of the match were enough to see them through by the solitary point.
Chinnor scorers:
Tries: Alfie To’oala (3, 23 Min), Robbie Martey (12 Min) Jack Hayes (32, 65 Min) Darren Oliver (74 Min) James Tyas (79 Min)
WITH Kidlington unbeaten in the league since Christmas, and United with seven players missing and suffering their worst form of the season, few would have predicted the result at Yarnton Lane.
Luke Ricketts, who scored Thame’s only goal against Kidlington on Saturday
The absenteeism meant changes to the starting line-up, with Jon Coverely coming in at centre back following a month on the sidelines through injury, Shannon Jesson moving to left back, and Andy Gledhill playing off centre forward Ben Gray. Playing with a strong wind in their favour in the first half, United enjoyed plenty of possession although chances were limited. The first real opportunity came on 20 minutes when Gledhill turned his marker on the edge of the box, but his effort on goal was blocked. Dan West then saw a shot go over the bar, whilst the nearest Kidlington came to a goal was on 28 minutes when shot across the face of the goal saw keeper Matt Tapping lose his footing and the ball went wide of goal.
The only goal of the match arrived two minutes before the break. Kidlington were unable to clear their lines and the ball fell to Luke Ricketts on the wide left, whose first time half-volley flew in to the far corner of the net giving the home keeper no chance. It was a much deserved half-time lead with united anticipating defending for much of the second half given the weather conditions.
Whilst that proved to be the case, Tapping was rarely troubled and, indeed, the best chance of the half fell to West on 61 minutes when, after another goalmouth scramble, his first time effort from 8 yards was blocked. For their part, Kidlington pressed, and their best opportunities came from deep crosses in to the box, but whether finding the head or feet of the home strikers, the efforts went wide.
As it was United held on for three points to complete the double over a Kidlington side who, before the match, were sitting third in the table.
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division – 28 March 2015 – Kidlington 0 Thame United 1
IN very blustery and wet conditions Chinnor managed to win the toss and elected to play with the wind, in the first half their Oxfordshire Cup final match with Witney on Sunday.
Captain Sam Nicholls (right) and pack leader Matthew Wilkinson, receive the trophy from Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green
Immediately from kick off Witney failed to kick the ball 10 m, and so the restart came from a scrum. Immediately Pill picked the ball from the back of the scrum and ran blind taking contact before off loading to Mendi, an ever present danger on the wing. Mendi broke through two tackles and was looking to get to the try line before being hauled down. Aslett came across in support and took the off load and went over scoring Chinnor’s first try inside the first few minutes. With the strong, windy conditions Nicholls missed the extras but Chinnor were on the board and confidence was strong .
From the restart Chinnor pinned Witney back into their half and pressed quickly, and with solid tackling. Aslett and Scorey controlled territory in the midfield with Nicholls and Church always hungry for turnover ball. The Chinnor forwards worked tirelessly in what became a war of attrition during the first half, and pressed Witney back with every tackle. Meredith and Kent were strong in the tackles and covered a high number of metres in support of the back line. The boys showed fantastic commitment and effort in preventing Witney any space and this pressure eventually told with turnover ball, which Chinnor pounced on and a series of forwards plays around the corner led to Burkett crashing through tackles to score. This time Nicholls added the two taking the score to 12-0.
The half ended with Chinnor resisting wave after wave of attack from Witney and some outstanding tackling and jackling from Meredith, Kent and Constable, who had already won three scrums against the head from hooker, keeeping the pressure up. Sadly for Meredith he was no longer able to take any further part of the game with an ankle injury and so gave way to Jasper Green coming in on the flank.
Turning around, Chinnor expected Witney to play with the wind and use kicks to move territory. This never materialised thanks to the relentless work from Chinnor’s forwards. Burkett, Bird, Rumble and Wilkinson were immense in carrying the ball and taking on a powerful Witney pack up front. Church controlled the game intelligently and moved the pack around the corner taking territory again and again. Green linked very well between the forwards and backs and created several breaks.
With tiredness coming into effect, tackles started to slip and Chinnor took advantage by spinning the ball to the right with Sewter making a telling burst from Scorey’s break, before an inside pass to Nicholls left the fly half with a 20 m dash for the line which he followed with an excellent conversion into the wind.
Shortly afterwards, Nicholls took a heavy knock which resulted in a substitution bringing on Wise to full back and Davies stepping into number 10. Davies played very well and took responsibility for carrying the ball time and again with the forwards continuing to drive at the line. Tiredness was really taking its toll on both teams and some poor handling and a kick through, allowed Witney space in the Chinnor 22 m. A series of penalties against Chinnor eventually resulted in an overlap and Witney scored a well executed try moving the score to 19-5.
The last 10 minutes of the game were scrappy and intense, with both teams gaining and losing territory. Chinnor dug deep with all 15 boys showing some amazing dedication and belief in their tackling. With pressure really telling, the referee blew up and the game was won!
Well done to Chinnor under 15’s for a brilliant performance in such difficult conditions and a very well done to Witney for some great determination and strong forwards play in what was an attritional game. The Cup belongs to Chinnor for 2015 and the boys will take a well earned break for Easter!
We give our thanks to Jasper Green who was sadly playing his last game for Chinnor before heading to USA. We wish him well and thank him for the years of great rugby he has given Chinnor and look forward to seeing him flourish in The States.
SOURCE: Contributed by Salim Sajid – Chinnor Under 15’s Coach
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for information following a robbery in which the victim had chilli thrown in his eyes.
At 7pm on Monday (23/3) two men arrived at the victim’s home in Towersey Drive, Thame, to view a silver Apple Macbook that the victim, a 40-year-old man, was selling on Gumtree. While one of the men was viewing the laptop, the other man threw liquid into the face of the victim which caused a burning sensation to the victims eyes. He was also hit around the head during the incident. While the victim was distracted, the two men grabbed the Macbook and ran out of the house.
The victim received treatment at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The liquid was later identified as a fizzy soft drink mixed with chilli powder.
The two offenders were white, in their twenties and wore jeans and bomber jackets.
DS Peter Scott, of Didcot Local CID, said: “We’d like to reassure the public that incidents such as these are very rare, and there have been no similar reported incidents.
“The victim was selling his belongings through an online site, and we’d encourage people who are interested in doing this to meet up with your potential buyer in a public place where lots of people will be around, tell people where and when you are meeting the buyer, and to leave if you feel uncomfortable at any time.
If you have any information please contact the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 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 www.crimestoppers-uk.org No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
