Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Police investigating links between illegal pesticides and terrorism

    THAMES Valley Police is currently investigating the distribution and use of illegal pesticides, including counterfeits, across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

    pesticides (284x400)

    Illegal pesticides have been found in increasing amounts across the UK and Europe and Thames Valley Police has a particular interest in illegal pesticides not just because of the risks they pose to the rural communities but the links to organised crime gangs. There is growing evidence that the illicit activities of such gangs finance other serious crimes such as human trafficking and international terrorism.

    It is not yet known to what extent, if any, illegal pesticides are being sold within our rural communities. Gathering intelligence and information is a vital part of the investigation, which is where you come in.

    If you notice anything suspicious about pesticides you have either been offered or purchased, please call the 24 hour non-emergency number 101 and mention ‘Operation Silo’.

    Things to look out for:

    Does the product look or smell unusual?
    Have you been offered a product which has been described as the same as another but at a discounted rate?
    Have you been sold a product because your first choice was ‘out of stock’?
    Do you have any feelings that a product you have bought isn’t quite right? Are there any unusual symptoms or irregularities?(clog spray jets / nozzles) etc
    Is the packaging unusual or not what you would expect?
    If you do not want to speak to the police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

    More information about illegal and counterfeit pesticides can be found on the Thames Valley Police website or read more about the national ‘Watch Out’ campaign.

  • Cyclist injured in collision with car

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    A male cyclist is in hospital as a result of injuries sustained in a collision with a car earlier today in Thame.

    The collision occurred in Park Street, Thame, just after mid-day and Thames Valley Police would like to hear from any witness who may have information about the incident, on the 101 non-emergency number.

    The car involved was a Black Honda, which stopped at the scene. Although the cyclist sustained leg and back injuries, they are not thought to be lift-threatening.

     

     

  • Proposed Thame housing development gets mixed response

    AFTER a slow start,  a steady stream of  local people went to Thame Town Hall yesterday to examine the plans for the proposed housing development on what is known in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan as Site C.

    Exhibiition board showing artist's impression of some of the homes proposed for Site C
    Exhibiition board showing artist’s impression of some of the homes proposed for Site C

    The visitors, including local councillors and the Mayor of Thame, Peter Lambert, were able to study the proposals in detail and to ask questions of the team from Wimpey and Commercial Estates, and to express their own views about the proposals.

    The Site C proposal is for 187 homes in total on land East of Thame in Thame Park Road, bordering Thame Park itself and Wenman Road, the B4012. The proposals include new allotments and space for a new burial ground for when St Mary’s Church yard becomes full, which it is due to do in the not-too-distant future.

    The plans for the development of Site C,  show  proposals for two access points from Wenman Road, a pedestrian access point from Thame Park Road, and several new footpaths and cycle ways, including pedestrian access across open farm land behind the site, to Cuttle Brook.

    Wimpey own the half of the site nearest Thame Park Road, and their spokesman said that they were likely to be submitting Planning Permission very soon, and hope to start building in the Autumn. The other half of the site, which will be included in the Planning application, is currently owned by Commercial Estates. Their spokesman said that once planning permission is granted and they have established points of design etc, they will sell their half to a developer, and it will probably be built over a longer time scale.

    Although the murmering in room was generally in favour of the plans, the main concerns seemed to be around potential rat-running through smaller roads like Croft Road and East Street, to get to the town from Wenman Road, increased traffic in Chinnor Road and Park Street, and the most talked-about, the fact that only 15 -20% of the new homes will be two- bedroomed and therefore affordable to first time buyers and smaller family units and single people – a particular need in the town, many of them felt.

    A local estate agent at the exhibition reported that a two bed property in Lea Park that he sold in October, went for £189,000, whereas a similar property last week sold for over £220,000, illustrating he said, an acute shortage of such smaller properties on the market in the town.

    A Wimpey spokesman explained that the minimum percentage of smaller properties for developments in  the district was a South Oxfordshire Dictrict Council planning policy.

    What do you think? Let us have your comments below

  • Cash for spare bedrooms in the Thame area

    DO you have an unused, spare room in your house? The Centre for English Studies (CES) in Wheatley is looking for households with a bedroom to spare, to host foreign language students.

    Centre for English Studies host, Cathy Redshaw (centre) with two students
    Centre for English Studies host, Cathy Redshaw (centre) with two students

    Cathy Redshaw regularly hosts students for CES. She described hosting students as “a great experience for the whole family. We have met so many lovely people from all over the world, many of whom we still stay in touch with!”
    Hosting foreign language students provides the opportunity for families to meet people from many different places and learn about the lives of the students as they accommodate them.

    Hosts are expected to provide breakfast and sometimes a packed lunch and dinner for the students. But don’t worry, nothing special, just normal family meals will do! Mealtimes are an ideal opportunity to get to know students better and perhaps learn about their country and their experiences in England.

    The length of the student’s stay can vary. Some will only need a roof over their head for a week whilst others will need a family to stay with for up to several months. Much of the time the students will be attending CES, and at weekends it is common for them to be on organised outings or out seeing friends from the school.

    Also, you won’t be hosting alone. As part of the package, there is an excellent 24 hour support service for any host that feels they need someone from CES to help out.

    Cathy continues: “If you are interested in meeting new people and have a spare room, this is a wonderful experience … the children have learnt so much about other countries as well as a few words of other languages; a fantastic learning curve.”

    Hosts are needed between Haddenham and Headington. Rates of pay are generous; earn £143 per week for one student or two students sharing at £125 each per week.

    For further information, contact Sue at oxfordaccommodation@ces-schools.com, call 07803 835 499, or visit 65 – 67 High Street, Wheatley, OX33 1XT.

    Written by Will Worley for Thame.Net

  • Pop in to Community Charity Tuck shop

    AN enterprising group of volunteers have organised a charity cafe and tuck shop to raise money for their local village hall and the Karibuni charity for Kenyan street children.

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    Worminghall residents Kathryn Albany-Ward and Lex Brown, decided to organise the pop up cafe to bring their local community together on a Saturday morning. The cafe will run for a trial period of four weeks on Saturday mornings, commencing this coming Saturday, January 18, from 10am-12pm and will serve a range of hot drinks, croissants and cakes. In addition, there will be a tuck/sweet shop, competitions and the opportunity to register for The Great Worminghall Bake Off which will take place in the village hall on the February 9, awarding prizes for the Bake Off entries for the under eights, nine to thirteen year- olds and fourteen years and above categories. Entry is not restricted to Worminghall residents.

    Kathryn explained:  ‘Since the shop closed in Worminghall a number of years ago, there has been nowhere in the village to meet friends and for the children of the village to spend pocket money. We hope that holding the cafe and tuck shop will encourage the whole village to get together to raise money for two great causes as well as getting to know each other and, through the Bake Off, have a bit of fun.”

    See www.facebook.com/worminghallcafe for further information.

    The cafe will run on the following dates; 18th and 26th January, 1st and 8th February (all from 10am-12pm). The Bake Off will be on the 9th February from 2.30-5.00pm. All events to take place in Worminghall Village Hall.

    The Karibuni Trust (UK Charity No. 1044872) aims to raise awareness of children living on the streets and in the slums in areas of urban and rural extreme poverty in Kenya; and to raise money to support projects to meet their needs. The children could be orphans, abandoned children or runaways who must support themselves on the streets by begging, stealing or scavenging. Karibuni also supports projects run by Kenyans and is currently working with a Maua Methodist Hospital to provide care for
    people living with HIV/AIDS.

    Further information can be found at www.karibuni.org.uk

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Today’s Thame news round up

    A woman from Thame has been banned from driving for 16 months for drink-driving. Sophia Payne, 29, of Old Union Way, Thame, admitted drink-driving in Old Union Way on December 15, 2013.  She had 52 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath, above the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

    news_from_thame

    She was also fined £110, ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £40 costs. 

    What Would You Do To Improve Thame?

    THE town council is looking for ideas to improve Thame town centre for residents and visitors, and is inviting local people to submit their ideas.

    So, what would you like to see in Thame that would help support and encourage people to our town? More flowers? Bigger bins? Extra seating? Whatever it is, Thame Town Council wants to hear from you! Submit your ideas and suggestions either by email to oss@thametowncouncil.gov.uk, or telephone 01844 212833.  If you prefer, call in to the Information Centre at the town hall in person. The deadline for ideas is Friday, January 31. 

    Want to get more in touch with nature?

    WELL you can, and meet new people by taking part in a Cuttle Brook Work Party. These are held twice a month on the last Wednesday and third Sunday of the month and offer the chance to get together with like-minded people to share hands-on tasks such as mowing, laying hedges and tree planting, so helping to improve and preserve Thame’s beautiful nature reserve.

    To take part go along to the scout hut car park next to Southern Road Recreation Ground in Southern Road, Thame, at 10am. All ages and abilities welcome. For more information visit the Cuttle Brook website or email g.deacon763@btinternet.com.

  • Black ice warning after string of crashes on M40

    FOLLOWING four separate crashes in the space of one kilometere of the Oxford M40 spur road at Junction 8 yesterday morning, the Watch Manager at Thame Fire Station has urged drivers to be aware of the dangers of icy conditions and to take extra care.

    Driving on ice - Image for illustrative purposes only
    Driving on ice – Image for illustrative purposes only

     

     

     

    As well as a lorry colliding with the crash barrier due to very icy conditions, there was a separate incident in which a coach and a car collided.  About the same time  two cars collided and another ended up in the verge.

     
    Andy Ford from Thame Fire Station,  said: “Although unrelated,  the icy conditions contributed to all these crashes. The spell of wet weather and now freezing conditions can result in areas of black ice on any road. Along with the incidents on the M40 there were several other road traffic collisions around the county and we would again urge drivers to take extra care in these conditions.

    “Luckily there were no serious injuries, only a couple of minor ones,  and one person taken to hospital”

  • Traffic disruption following M40 crash

    THERE were long traffic queues between Thame and Tiddington this morning, and again later this afternoon, following a road traffic collision  this morning (14/01).

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    The incident happened just before 7am in very icy conditions, and involved a coach, and a car. The northbound lane was closed for some time causing long tail-backs after the incident, and although the road was closed around 15:30 until 17:40, one lane only is now open while barrier repairs are carried out.

    At this time, 22.00 hrs, traffic is described as moving well.

     

  • Church wall damaged in double collision

    A church yard wall has been severely damaged, following two separate incidents in the village of Sydenham, near Thame, on Saturday (11/01).

    The damaged churchyard wall at Sydenham after it was hit twice by passing cars
    The damaged churchyard wall at Sydenham after it was hit twice by passing cars

    Black ice on the road after severe flooding, followed by freezing weather, is thought to have been a contributory factor in both collisions, one involving a Sydenham resident’s car.

  • Thame Utd lose to League favourites

    THAME United suffered their second successive defeat at the ASM Stadium on Saturday (11/01), when they were beaten 0-3 by Wantage Town. The visitors are favourites to win the league so this was always going to be a tough fixture.

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    Nevertheless Thame played well and the score line flattered their opponents. United, who have been hit by injury and suspensions, were forced to field a weakened line up which included new signing Alex Kedzierski and reserve player Adam Hazel.

    Thame started brightly and had more of the early possession. After about 15 minutes Wantage settled, and created a good one- on-one chance which finished in the side netting. Possession was 50/50 for the remainder of the half with both Luke Ricketts and Dan West going close for Thame, whilst the visitors hit a goalpost just before half time.

    Wantage came out fired up for the second half and went ahead 10 minutes after the break. A Thame corner was cleared allowing the visitors to break quickly and, two passes later, the ball was headed across the Thame goal where Richard Claydon headed in at the far post. Ricketts, who was a constant threat on Thame’s left, hit a good shot which forced an outstanding save from the visiting keeper.

    Thame were pressing and both Ollie Lynch and Niall Hodgkins went close. Wantage increased their lead in the 79th minute when a ball from the right was cleverly flicked on to the unmarked Matt Pedder who beat Thame keeper, Josh Cockerill, from 15-yards, giving him no chance. With five minutes of normal time remaining, a defensive mix up allowed Harry Halls to score Wantage’s third goal. United continued to press to the end and a Ricketts’ shot was cleared off the line, but it was not Thame’s day and the visitors collected the points.

    Thame United: Cockerill, I Pykett, Hall, Rhodes, Johnston, Lynch, Kedzierski, West, Hodgkins, Hazell, (Bonham), Ricketts.

    Thame play at Abingdon United next Saturday. The next first team home game is on Saturday 25th January when United face Wokingham & Emmbrook in the Supplementary Cup.