Author: Sonja Francis

AFTER all that over-eating and lounging around watching TV over the Christmas period, why not join 21st Century Thame for a leisurely walk, in convivial company?

The town partnership’s Environment Group has organised the event which will start at Thame Town Hall at 11am, along the Phoenix Trail to Towersey and back again, or via Kingsey for a longer walk.

The Three Horse Shoes at Towersey have offered a very good value, warming lunch of potato and leek soup, and jacket potato, for just

THE second stage in the progress of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan is now under way, with South Oxfordshire District Council launching a six week public consultation.

Local people now have until 5pm on January 24, 2013, to comment on the plan. The consultation period has been extended to take account of the Christmas holiday. The plan has changed since the pre-submission consultation conducted by Thame Town council in October 2012.

The Thame Neighbourhood Plan allocates land for 775 homes, for employment and for shopping. It aims to give local people more say about what happens in their area. The plan provides a ‘vision’ for the future for the town and sets out the planning policies that will be used to determine planning applications locally.

For all the details about how to take part in the consultation, and links to helpful guides and all the relevant documents, go to: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/planning-policy/neighbourhood-plans/thame-neighbourhood-pl

THE Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC) was thrilled to receive over

IT was a cold evening at the end of November that saw the return of the successful Chinnor RFC Ladies Night. Three years after its inception it was even bigger and bolder, with the joint effort of the third & fourth team squads.

The evening was a ‘thank you’ to the rugby ‘widows’ that support the boys throughout the season and also a fundraising event for new kit, as well as raising money for Kissy Puppy, the Sophie Rolf Fund. http://www.justgiving.com/KissyPuppy

THAME’S MP, John Howell, has welcomed the news that South Oxfordshire District Council is to benefit from funding from the Government’s New Homes Bonus.

The council is due to receive

FOLLOWING the resignation of Adam Buckland from Thame Town Council, a vacancy has arisen on which is to be filled by Co-option. The successful candidate would serve for the remaining term of office, until April 2015.

The following is information about the role and how to apply for the vacancy, from Thame Town Council:

The Role

Town Councillors represent the people living in their local area at the closest level to the community. When decisions are made Councillors are there to put the views of the local people and have a duty to represent all local people and their interests.

Being available to the public and making people aware that you are a Councillor plays an important part in gaining the understanding of local views. Council and committee meetings are open to the public and every effort should be made to attract attendance from the public.

An effective councillor is not a soft option. It requires considerable skills and effort to achieve success. The reward is to see the benefit to the community through the policies and action of the council.

There are a number of reasons why people become councillors such as:

Representing electors and constituents

Using the position of councillor to push forward policies

Improving or changing the town, parish or community

Defending the area and the community against threat or changes

If you would like to be considered as a Co-opted Member on Thame Town Council or would like more information, contact The Town Clerk on 01844 212833 or email: clerk@thametowncouncil.gov.uk or write to Thame Town Council, High Street, Thame, OX9 3DP. The closing date for applications is December 21, 2012.

PHOTO: Local hairdresser, Adam Buckland, who stepped down from Thame Town Council recently, on the day he became Mayor of Thame in May 2010.