Author: Sonja Francis

SATISFACTION is ‘on the up’ for visitors to South Oxfordshire market towns, including Thame, according to a new visitor survey.

The South Oxfordshire Visitor Study, carried out recently by South Oxfordshire District Council, found that the number of people who were satisfied with their visit to Thame, Henley, or Wallingford had increased over the past two years.

73 per cent of the 295 people who were questioned enjoyed their visit to the market towns, an increase of five per cent from the previous survey carried out in 2009, and perhaps even more impressively, the vast majority of visitors (91 per cent) indicated that they would recommend the market town to someone they know, a key factor in bringing more people into the area to explore the local shops or visit the market town attractions.

The survey revealed that Thame is seen by many as a friendly and welcoming town (83 per cent), and rated highly as a good place to go for a drink or something to eat (78 per cent), with a good choice of interesting shops for visitors to explore (79 per cent). This resulted in the town achieving an overall satisfaction rate of 64 per cent, with 93 per cent saying they would recommend the town to other people, a six per cent increase from 2009.

“This highlights the good work carried out by 21st Century Thame which has organised a series of events and helped bring about new facilities in the town,” says SODC in its press release, referring to projects like the Food Festival, a new Shopping guide and information boards, Blue plaques and Historic walks leaflets, etc.

Wallingford experienced the biggest increase in the level of satisfaction that visitors felt about the town, with 71 per cent enjoying their time there, up 12 per cent from the previous survey. An impressive 91 per cent also said that they would recommend the town to someone else, an increase of 14 per cent on previous results.

Henley also continues to enjoy a high level of satisfaction (75 per cent), with 92 per cent of people saying they would recommend the town to someone they know and 80 per cent feeling that the town makes the most of its links to the River Thames.

Cllr Judith Nimmo-Smith, cabinet member for economic development for South Oxfordshire District Council, said: ?The survey proves that South Oxfordshire continues to have market towns to be proud of; places which visitors enjoy spending time in, and which have shops and attractions that make people want to come back time and time again.

?We are keen to continue improving the visitor experience and will be working with the various town councils, representative bodies, businesses and community groups over the coming months and years on a number of recommendations and projects resulting from this survey to ensure that this happens.?

DON’T worry, the pool hasn’t suddenly grown some weird, indoor algae over its surface, but its management has won planning permission to instal eco-friendly, solar panels on the roof.

To see the full spec and details of the plan, visit:
http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P11/E1612/DC&TYPE=Application

PHOTO – Courtesy of furnesspartnership.com

THE people of Thame’s twin town in France were introduced to the concept of Cup Cakes over the weekend, when a group from The Thame & District Twinning Association travelled to Montesson, near Paris, to sell English produce at their Christmas market.

Christmas puddings and home-made marmalade sold out very quickly and by lunch-time on Sunday, several packs of Christmas crackers, a novelty in France, were running out fast, as were packets of English Breakfast tea and Earl Grey illustrating the growing habit of tea drinking among our European friends.

For the second year in succession, the group set up tables and chairs and offered cake and tea (or coffee) to the marketeers, which proved popular, though the cup cakes took some explaining as iced cakes in pretty colours seemed to be a new idea to the French. But since the Thame twinners’ return home on Sunday evening, one student of English at the local secondary school, has asked her teacher for the recipe, so may be cup cakes too will soon be a part of tea time in Montesson!

The Thame team pictures are: (Left to right) Sonja Francis, Liz Barket, Alison Champken Woods, Anita Morvant (a fellow stall holder who lives in Montesson),
Vic Watson, Nigel Champken Woods, Linda Bone, Jeannette Matelot Green (Chair of Thame Twinning and her husband, James Green

THE organisers of the Thame Show have issued the following statement, explaining their reasons for cancelling the 2012 show:

THE Thame and Oxfordshire County Agricultural Association has decided not to hold a Show in 2012. There are two main reasons for this decision:-

Firstly, although many judged this year?s Show to be a great success with a good turnout of exhibitors and improved Showground layout, sadly we were substantially down on gate takings and income from traders. These factors combined with a poor economic climate and an increase in overheads, resulted in a substantial overall trading loss, compared to a small profit in 2010. The two years are directly comparable as both Shows were held on the last Saturday in July and on both occasions the weather was good.

Secondly, the proposed date of next year?s Show conflicts with the opening of the London Olympics. I wouldn?t suggest there is any comparison between the two events but many people will be at home watching the Games on television.

The General Committee considered that the holding of a Show using the same format as in previous years posed a very substantial financial risk and could have spelt the end of the Show altogether, particularly if the weather is poor.

I am acutely aware that this decision will cause disappointment in many quarters but if the Show is to continue then there has to be re-appraisal of every aspect of the running of the Show to ensure that everything possible is done to create a realistic business plan for the long term future. Through not holding a Show next year we will have a golden opportunity to draw breath and properly plan for the successful future of the Show.

I have received letters and also note from the Press that there seems to be quite a large body of opinion that we should move the date of the Show back to the third Thursday in September. The decision to move the date to July was made following the 2009 show, when, for the third time running, a loss was sustained, the overall loss incurred over those three years was nearly

PEOPLE claiming benefits in southern Oxfordshire are being warned that they must declare any changes to their circumstances, otherwise they could end up paying a serious price.

In the last three months six people have been convicted of benefit fraud in the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire, with a further six being fined and 14 receiving cautions.

One of them, Spencer Watts, 41, of Ireton Court, Thame, was fined