Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 25/10/10….New non-emergency number 101 goes live (SOURCE: Community Message from Thames Valley Police)

    THAMES Valley Police is due to go live with 101, the new national single non-emergency number on November 14, 2011, which will replace the 0845 8 505 505 number. Both numbers will run side by side until the end of March, but if demand for the 0845 8 505 505 number drops it may be discontinued earlier.

    Calls to 101 (from both landlines and mobile networks) cost 15 pence per call, no matter what time of day the call is made, or the duration of the call.

    Everyone calling the police for non-emergency matters will now know exactly how much a call will cost them, and can be assured of equal access whether they are on a pay-as-you-go mobile or a home landline.

    The routing will be based on the same system as 999 calls. If a caller is using a landline the routing will be based on the caller?s postcode and the call will be directed to the same area?s force. If a caller is using a mobile, the call will route using the mast that the phone is transmitting from.

    If a call is made to 101 within a force area that has not yet ?gone live?, the caller will hear a recorded message telling them to redial using the relevant non emergency number.

  • 25/10/11…No trick or Treat posters available to download

    THIS is a Community Message from Thames Valley Police, regarding their Halloween Campaign for 2011.

    Residents are being encouraged to display posters in their front windows this Halloween to show whether or not they welcome visits from trick or treaters.

    The posters ?No trick or treat? can be obtained from the South Oxfordshire or Vale of White Horse District Council offices, or downloaded on the Thames Valley Police website: www.thamesvalley.police.uk

    They are a simple but effective way to prevent the distress that unexpected callers can cause for vulnerable members of the community, while making sure that those who want to take part can enjoy all the trick and treats they like.

    If anyone feels unsafe the advice is:

    Do not open your door if you?re unsure who is there. Use your spy-hole, look out of a window and use your door chain if you do decide to open your door. If anyone feels threatened they should call the police non-emergency number 08458 505 505

    Ensure your property is well lit so that you can clearly see who is approaching your front door.
    Have a contact number of a close relative, friend or neighbour to hand by your telephone, just in case you need to phone them

    If you are a member of a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, let your co-ordinator know that you will be on your own at Halloween. If you are a Co-ordinator, please identify people in your scheme that may be vulnerable and offer them reassurance.

    Anyone affected by the few individuals who use trick or treating as an excuse to commit crime or antisocial behaviour can report if by contacting Thames Valley Police on 08458 505 505.

  • 24/10/11….Half-term Rugby Camp

    MATT Hutchings will be running a rugby camp during the half term break from 24th ? 26th October 2011

    This is aimed at the 5 ? 12 year olds and will be grouped accordingly. This is for members and non-members, players and those new to the game.

    Bookings and enquiries to Matt on 07736 032847 or e-mail: hutch42001@yahoo.co.uk

  • 24/10/11…Council chief to forfeit fee for ‘shambolic’ election

    THE official responsible for what were dubbed ‘shambolic’ local elections held in the district in May, will not be claiming some of his fees.

    South Oxfordshire’s Chief Executive and Returning officer, David Buckle, will not now be paid for running 17 parish elections following a series of problems in the run-up to polling day and on the day itself.

    As well as 2,000 residents rendered illegible to take part in the election of new district councillors and the Alternative Vote referendum because they did not receiving voting papers, a number of other problems lead to criticism of Mr Buckle.

    In a letter to local councils, including Thame Town Council, Mr Buckle said: ?I have decided not to invoice you for the personal fee I am entitled to claim as returning officer for your parish elections. In view of the problems that arose, I do not think it appropriate that I receive any personal payment in respect of the local elections.?

    Councils will also receive a discount on their overall election charge after printing company Paragon, which received most of the blame from an independent review, paid the district council compensation for its poor performance.

    Other errors included failing to print more than 1,000 polling cards, missing ballot paper numbers on postal voting packs, not supplying 2,035 packs to Royal Mail and sending some packs to the wrong addresses.

    The count was held at Thame leisure centre and took over 15 hours to complete, causing staff to have to work after midnight because of problems verifying postal votes.

    Thame Town Council expects to receive a discount of around 50% of the

  • 24/10/11….Review of local mental health provision – Free event

    THE hospital trust responsible for providing mental health services to children, adults and older adults in Thame and across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, is holding its annual review in the town on Thursday.

    The Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Annual Review Event will be held at the Thame Barns Centre, on Thursday, October 27, from 6pm ? 8pm.

    Ali Neary, Communications and Involvement Manager, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, told ThameNews.Net: “The annual review event will be an opportunity to come and meet our staff, ask questions and find out a little more about the Trust and the services that we provide.

    “There will be information stands on Foundation Trust membership, adult and older adult mental health services, children?s mental health services and specialist addictions services and a presentation on: ‘The development of the model of clinical care in Buckinghamshire.’

    The trust’s services are based in both the Community Hospital and provided via the Community Mental Health Team also based in Thame.

  • 24/10/11….Chinnor ‘steal’ victory – by one point! (Contributed)

    CHINNOR used up this season’s luck all in one go with the final play of the match against Exmouth to steal a victory by 20 points to 19.

    With Tom Gray returning to the left wing berth for the injured Seymour and Richie Williams starting for the delayed Mark Chase, Chinnor were largely unchanged.

    Chinnor started the match brightly with two incisive runs from Stoop which should have resulted in tries but for forward passes and knock-ons at the critical moment. With a missed penalty kick all to show for their superior territory and possession, Chinnor came unstuck in the 23rd minute. Exmouth snapped up loose ball from an overthrown lineout by Chinnor on the halfway line and with their first visit to the Chinnor 22, allied to weak tackling, saw Tom Kill in for an easy try for a 7-0 lead to the home side.

    A few minutes later, Chinnor began to resemble the team that has played in their colours since the start of the season. Quick ball from a midfield ruck saw precise movement and passing from the backs allowing Richie Williams in for a try in the corner. With the conversion missed, the match was level at 5-5 going into half time.

    On the 53rd minute, the Cockles? Scrum half Adam Garner scored a simple try from 22m out when he picked the ball up at an unguarded ruck and ran straight through the middle under the posts for Exmouth’s second try. With George Meadows? conversion, the home side went into a 12-5 lead. Five minutes later, Garner did exactly the same thing again and with Meadows? conversion, Exmouth were now 19-5 ahead with 20 minutes remaining in the match.

    This third score seemed to wake the visitors from their lethargy and they immediately snapped into try scoring mode from a scrum some 30m out. Goode took the ball up and two inside passes later Harrison ghosted under the posts for Chinnor’s second try which was converted by Cathcart. Five minutes later, Cathcart stepped up for a penalty goal which reduced the Exmouth lead to 19-15.

    Chinnor then tried desperately to find a winning score but the stern Exmouth defence kept the visitors from Thame at bay. With the final minute to go, Exmouth began to play keep-ball. They went down the blindside on the halfway line where a thunderous Chinnor tackle dislodged the ball. Stoop was quickest to respond, picking the ball up and setting off down the tramlines. His natural speed was enough to get him to the try line before the home side could react. With the conversion attempt failing in the high wind, the referee blew for no side to give Chinnor an unlikely victory and crush the hearts of the valiant home side.

    Exmouth always pose a stern test for the boys from Thame. They defended well throughout the match and managed to contain the Chinnor backs well. In the tricky scrum-half Adam Garner, they had a player of great vision who took his opportunities well. They will be devastated to have lost the match with the final play.

    This was Chinnor’s poorest performance of the season so far. Although they had lots of territory and possession, they could not build pressure or fashion points. On the two occasions that they looked like the Chinnor team of previous weeks, they scored two beautifully worked tries. The great positive that they will take from this match is their determination to play every minute and not give up. They will be grateful to Sam Stoop for his last second discovery of Chinnor’s ?Get out of jail free? card.

    Scorers:
    Exmouth: Kill T; Garner 2T; Meadows 2C
    Chinnor: Harrison T; Williams T; Stoop T; Cathcart C, PG

    Chinnor team:
    Williams (Chase 60), Gray, Goode, Stoop, Colver, Cathcart, Jones, Winpenny, Tattersall, Pickett (Whelan 60), Jackman (Devine 64), Smith, Mowbray, Harrison, Gilbert
    Replacements: Whelan, Devine, Chase

  • 19/10/11……Laser pen incident ? South Oxfordshire (Status: Press release)

    THAMES Valley Police is investigating a report of a green laser pen being shone at a commercial aircraft in the south Oxfordshire area.

    Police were called by London Air Traffic Control about the incident, which happened between 8.45pm and 9.10pm last night (18/10).

    The aircraft, which was heading towards Gatwick Airport, was flying over the south Oxfordshire area when it was tracked by a laser for several miles.

    Deputy Area Commander Insp Ian Money said: ?Shining lasers at an aircraft is potentially very dangerous ? they are not toys. It could result in the pilot being dazzled, or in the worst case scenario it could cause the aircraft to crash. We take reports like this extremely seriously and will do all we can to find who is responsible.

    ?If anyone has information about a laser being shone in the area around the time of the incident, then please contact police as soon as possible.

    ?I would also urge anyone who witnesses a laser being shone at an aircraft or vehicles on the ground to call police immediately by dialling 999.?

    Incidences of laser pens being shone at aircraft are routinely reported to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) via Mandatory Occurrence Reports completed by pilots or air traffic controllers.

    A spokesman for the CAA said: ?Shining a laser at an aircraft in flight is a serious risk to the safety of passengers and crew, as well as people living close to major airports like Heathrow or Gatwick.

    ?During critical phases of flight, such as take-off and landing, pilots need to employ maximum concentration. Being dazzled and temporarily blinded by an intense light could potentially lead to flight crew losing control of the aircraft.

    ?Pointing a laser at an aircraft is now a specific criminal offence and the police are becoming very good at catching the perpetrators. We strongly urge anyone who observes a laser being used at night in the vicinity of an airport to contact the police immediately.?

  • 16/10/11…..Thame Chamber Choir’s ‘Delightful’ concert

    THAME Chamber Choir’s next concert, billed as My Delight and Thy Delight – a princely line up of poets set to the
    best of British composers, will include music by Parry, Vaughan Williams, Finzi and Britten.

    Thame Chamber Choir with Richard Bannan baritone and Elizbeth Burgess on piano. Sunday 16th October

    5.30pm in Lord Williams’s Upper School Hall.

  • 15/10/11…..Great Expectations at Thame Players Theatre

    MYRIAD PRODUCTIONS PRESENT GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens at the Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame, at 7.45pm on Saturday 15th October

    Myriad Productions last performed to a packed house at the Players Theatre in Thame with their production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame last October. The company is returning with another adaptation of a classic novel. This time it is the Charles Dickens masterpiece, Great Expectations. This adaptation by Connie Stephens is a faithful interpretation of the book and will be performed right in the middle of Thame?s Art and Literature Festival, which will include an appearance by Claire Tomalin speaking about her latest biography of Charles Dickens.

    In this classic story, Pip, has been brought up by hand. Orphaned as a baby, his childhood has been spent at the mercy of his wrathful sister; a situation sweetened only by the presence of her angelic husband, Joe. One day Pip meets the extraordinary Miss Havisham, a wealthy, embittered woman who lives amongst the relics of a wedding day that never happened. Thrust into a world of wealth and deceit, Pip abandons his humble origins and falls helplessly in love with Miss Havisham?s beautiful adopted daughter, Estella. But Estella has been bred for a special, sinister purpose, and his acquaintance with the two women sets him on a course that promises to jeopardise his future character and devastate his great expectations. Packed with intrigue, convicts and other delightful characters, Dickens? masterly ode to youth, hope and the resilience of the human spirit is brought vividly to the stage in this stunning new adaptation.

    The performance will be at 7.45pm on Saturday 15th October. Tickets cost

  • 15/10/11…….Craft Fair returns to Thame

    THAME Craft Fair from 10am-4pm, featuring products, gifts and cards from local crafts people and designer makers.

    The event is run by Sally Evans and more details can be found on http://www.sallyevansevents.co.uk/

    IMAGE: Rumplestiltskin Art Print by Sam Osborne, from her A4 Fairy Tale Series. Sam will be exhibiting and selling her work at the craft fair.