Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Half- term Hub shows real community spirit

    THE Cornerstone Baptist Church in Thame  is organising a pop-up community space at Christchurch in the Upper High Street. ‘The Hub’  as it is known, has been running from Monday,  October 21, and will stay open up to Saturday,  November 9, with lots of activities for all ages.

    Paddy Harris, Pastor of the Baptist Church in Thame

    “The Hub is our way of showing that God cares about community and relationships,” said Paddy Harris, Pastor at the Church. “We’ve been thrilled in the past to have been called on to be a part of community activities in the town and are always looking for opportunities to help. Based on an on-street questionnaire about needs in Thame, our survey found that there is a real desire for a place where different ages and stages in life can come to meet as well as for support during those tricky half term holidays.”

    The Hub is open to everyone, from those looking for a space to bring their babies to a place where the elderly can find a friendly face and warm welcome. Half term provides good opportunities for interactions with children, teens and families too.

    The Hub features ‘Café Refresh’ offering free coffee, Wi-Fi and cake, and is open from 9 – 5:30pm. There is also a range of activities from the Toddler Disco held today,  to three Master classes where adults can learn IT skills, knitting and watercolour.  Half term week has two activities a day at 10 am and 2pm. On Thursday morning, October 31,  The Hub will feature its  inaugural Jolly Pumpkin competition, and is inviting people to take in  pumpkins they’ve carved at home, by 10am, for judging and prizes for best overall, best under eights and best under 16s will be awarded. The challenge is to make the pumpkin as jolly as possible!

    For more details visit  ‘The Hub in Thame’ on facebook or visit the ‘what’s on’ section of Cornerstonethame.org.uk.

     

  • Rail disruptions likely as storms forecast

    AS very strong winds and heavy rains are being forecast for the early hours of tomorrow (Monday), Chiltern Railways have announced this evening that a 50 mph speed limit will be applied to the Chiltern route to and from Marylebone Station, from 05 30 until the winds die down,  causing severe disruption.

    Chiltern Rail workers remove a fallen tree in 2012

     In addition, the high winds are likely to cause trees and branches to fall ( a tree came down earlier today causing delays), which may cause further disruption at very short notice. Chiltern Railways has published its plans for tomorrow on its website chilternrailways.co.uk, though it warns, these may change depending on weather conditions on the day.

    Tomorrow, up-to-date information will be available on chilternrailways.co.uk throughout the day.

    Information about Live travel incidents are available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website HERE

    THAMES Valley Police have issued warnings and advice to prepare for adverse weather – LINK

  • Are you safe as the darker, winter nights draw in?

    WINTER  officially begins this weekend when the clocks go back an hour; the perfect reason to check that your house is not vulnerable to opportunist thieves.
    Thames Valley Police is working in partnership with Community Safety Partnerships across the Thames Valley to keep you safe as the darker nights draw in.
    People across the Thames Valley can pick up security advice from the Thames Valley Police website and social media sites, about the importance of not leaving your house in darkness. 

    Ch Supt Tim De Meyer, head of Neighbourhood Policing & Partnerships said:  “People who work full time, and usually leave and return from work in the dark, are more likely to fall victim of opportunist burglars. It is vital that we engage with those at risk of burglary and this year we will be encouraging people to look at our Twitter sites and website for crime prevention information.

    “Officers will be patrolling neighbourhoods and burglary hot spot areas identifying houses that could benefit from improved home security and posting a postcard- size leaflet through the door advising people to contact them for further crime reduction advice. We will also be using businesses in the area to ensure our message gets out to their staff.”

    If no light is on in your home, curtains are not drawn, and no car is in the drive, it’s an obvious sign to an opportunist burglar that no-one is in. At this time of the year more than any other it pays to secure your home.  There are a number of simple and low-cost or free ways to do this, all of which will help reduce the chance of your home becoming the next target.

    * Visit a local retailer to pick up a 24 hour segment timer for under £5. The timer can be used with a lamp, radio or TV to give the impression that someone’s home.  
        Remember to use an energy efficient light bulb
    *  Register your valuables on www.immobilise.com – its free and takes just a few minutes and if your valuables are stolen, will allow you to tell the police, your insurer, and       the second-hand trade to assist in recovering your property and catch the thief
    *  Keep valuables out of sight
    *  Look your doors and windows, if you have a UPVC door make sure you have double locked it

    You can also follow Thame Valley Police on Twitter @ThamesVP  Alternatively you can give them a ‘like’ on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thamesvp 
    For regular updates on crime and disorder in your area you can sign up to Thames Valley Alerts 

    For further crime reduction advice you can also visit the TVP website or call and ask to speak to a Crime Reduction Adviser via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

  • Fireworks will raise funds for Thame primary schools

    This year’s  Thame annual firework display will take place on Saturday,  November 9,  at Lord Williams’s School (Lower site) at 6.30 pm and aims to be a major fundraiser for the town’s three primary schools.

    Thame schools firework display – Saturday, November 9

    The event, jointly organised by St Joseph’s, John Hampden and Barley Hill schools attracts over 1,500 people each year with a guarantee of an amazing 20-minute firework spectacle.

    With gates opening at 5.30pm, spectators will be able to purchase a range of refreshments including BBQ fare, mulled wine, and hot and cold drinks.

    All money raised through the ticket and refreshment sales on the night go directly to the schools.

    “The Thame firework display has been one of the highlights of the town’s diary for over ten years now and will be as impressive as ever,” commented Kim Littlefair, (firework team spokesperson). “Support from the parents, schools and local businesses through their sponsorships have made it possible to not only provide great family entertainment but also to help our schools significantly.”

    Tickets can be bought from Thame Town Hall as well as directly from the three primary schools with presale tickets costing £5  adult / £2.50 child, or on the gate,  tickets costing £6  adult/ £3 child (children under 3 years are free).

    For more information, please see www.thameschoolsfireworks.co.uk .

  • ‘Positive mood’ among businesses

    THE Thames Valley Federation of Small Businesses has responded to today’s news of a rise in GDP of 0.8%.

    Image courtesy of Thames Valley FSB

    David Knowles Leak, Thames Valley Regional Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said: “The latest GDP figures back-up the positive mood small firms reported to the FSB in our latest small business index, which showed increased confidence and aspirations to create jobs. For the third quarter in a row, the growth has come from all sectors, which points to a rebalancing economy and should make for a more stable recovery. Our own figures show confidence rising across UK regions and this must be built upon.

    “Much of the positive economic growth has come from the improved housing market and consumer spending. The recent hike in the cost of energy combined with real wages rising below current inflation levels will mean that households have less to spend. While growth is above the level reported before the UK dipped into a second recession, these figures are still some way below the pre-recession peak and the Chancellor must not be complacent. The Autumn Statement should cement this positive mood by helping businesses invest and grow.”

    25/10/13

  • Thame Road closed overnight for repairs

     

    ROAD  WORKS continue tonight at A4129 Thame Road, Longwick under a road closure 7pm-7am.  There will be access for residents. Some access delay possibly, depending on work/location for Health & Safety reasons.

    Last updated 25/10/13

  • Lett-uce celebrate! Salad farmer wins ‘Best of British’ award

    LOCAL farmer, David Newman, is celebrating after winning a prestigious national food award. Now in their tenth year, the Observer Food Monthly Awards celebrate and reward the very best in British food and produce.

    Pictured: David Newman, second from left, with partner Tracy Russell (third from left) and awards celebration co-hosts, Observer restaurant critic, Jay Rayner, and The Great British Bake Off presenter, Sue Perkins

    David’s business, Bucksum Salads, which is based at Long Crendon near Thame, was voted Best Local Farmer – a category which rewards the best independent, local farmer in the UK. This is a new category designed to celebrate excellence in small-scale food production, whether meat, dairy or arable, at a time of extreme difficulty for the industry.

    David said: “I don’t mass produce salad, or want to have my product on supermarket shelves; my aim is to produce the best quality salad, freshly picked to order for local restaurants and my shop customers. I am delighted to have my produce recognised by this prestigious national award.”

    Bucksum Salads, which supplies several local restaurants, including The Thatch in Thame,  began in 2006, from a simple garden polytunnel, and its salads are now served by several celebrity chefs and well-known restaurants, as well as in local homes. Bucksum Salads grow a selection of seasonal produce at their Shabbington Field farm in Long Crendon and David works with other local growers to enhance the range that’s available. They also have a farm shop which is open on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

    At the recent Thame Food Festival, celebrity chef Tom Kerridge joined the Bucksum team on their stall to sign copies of his new book.

    For more information visit us at http://www.bucksum.co.uk/

  • TAL’s star turn on the rocky road to reporting freedom

    THE star of this year’s Thame Arts and Literature Festival, attracting an audience of around 280 people, was undoubtedly the BBC’s Political Editor, Nick Robinson, who, with gentle satire and an obvious talent for story-telling, intrigued and entertained the audience with his stories of the centuries-old battle between those who govern and those who seek to report what the governing classes do.nick_robinson_book (267x400)

    From the 17th century Parliamentarian, Richard Onslow (He whose name is but one from the English civil war whose name is attached to a road name in Thame), through the 14-day rule, whereby the BBC agreed not to broadcast discussions on subjects due to be debated in Parliament within the next fortnight (suspended only after the famous Panorama programme that covered the Suez crisis), through to the present debacle between journalists and the government as a result of the Levenson Report; so we were steered. (A continuing tension even today between local news reporters and local councils!)

    The sometimes uneasy relationship between politicians and broadcasters was illustrated by Nick’s anecdotes of late night phone calls to the BBC from the likes of Peter Mandelson, and the sometimes fiery reaction to Nick’s political reporting from Gordon Brown. All told with a wicked twinkle in those familiar, magnified eyes behind the dark-rimmed spectacles, and a combination of obvious pride in the great institution he represents and an appreciation nevertheless of the humanity of most politicians.

    The queue to buy Nick Robinson’s newly published paperback, ‘Live from Downing Street’, and to have it signed by the man himself, stretched around the room at the Spread Eagle Hotel, but even so, he signed each one with patience and care, taking time to chat at the same time.

    No doubt Nick’s visits to Thame, where his Mother-In-Law lives, will be less private than previously as he will increasingly be recognised after his memorable performance at the Arts & Literature Festival. But, for most of us there, from now on when we see him standing infront of that famous door in Downing Street on our TV screens, we will perhaps appreciate a little more than before, the incredible tightrope that his like bravely walk, to bring  balanced and relevant political analysis into our living rooms.

     

  • First major development in Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan gets ‘thumbs up’ from councillors

    A plan to build 175 residential dwellings on land to the West of Thame Park Road in Thame, know as ‘site D’ in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan, has finally been approved by Thame Town Council, following several amendments made to the plans at the council’s request. 

    Master plan of the proposed development at Site D (Thame Neighbourhood Plan)

    Councillors agreed to withdraw a holding objection which followed concerns about aspects of the plans including the designs of the proposed houses, an insufficient ‘buffer’ or ‘green edge’ at the Western and the northern boundaries of the development and various public accessibility issues to other recreation areas in the town, particularly the Cuttlebrook and the Phoenix Trail. (Read the full Consultant’s report HERE)

    The council agreed to approve the outline planning application subject to four requirements being met (see page 14 of the report), and the application will now be considered by the Planning Committee at South Oxfordshire District Council in November. FULL APPLICATION HERE

  • Thame community Bank will be accessible 24/7

    FOLLOWING on from yesterday’s news that Thame is to have its own Community Bank (see LINK) more information about how it will work has now been made available, including that the banks’s website, www.thamecommunity bank.org.uk, will be live by the launch date of November 11.

    Image courtesy of financenet.org

    Thame Town Hall Information Centre will become a branch for the Thame Community Bank. The council staff there are being trained to help individuals sign up to join the Swan Credit Union or make loan applications, and will be available to answer general questions.

    Everything about the Thame Community Bank will be accessible to all 24/7 because the application process can be done online or via the post. Similarly loan application forms will be online and there will also be a 9am to 5pm telephone support service available each weekday.

    Having opened an account with Thame Community Bank (which is free), members will then be able to pay money into their account either by Standing Order from a normal bank account, Payroll deduction (if their employer supports that) or simply go to a local supermarket or newsagent which handles Paypoint Cards and pay cash directly into their account with their Swan Credit Union Paypoint Card.

    Phil Stratton, a Trustee of Sharing Life Trust, one of the bank’s sponsors, said: “We have been working closely with the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) throughout the whole process of setting up the Thame Community Bank, so they will be fully aware of the services that it will offer, but because it is run by multiple volunteers, they may not be able to provide as much detailed support to clients as the trained staff at the Town Hall Information Centre.”

    It is planned to have a branch of the  Thame Community Bank in Chinnor at the Village Centre which will be open daily.

    24/10/13