Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 09/12/10…Council accused of hypocracy over coffee van

    Dear Editor, With reference to my letter to you on the 02/11/10 that you have posted on your web site headed:” Applicant for coffee street trading consent unhappy with council.”

    The letter shown was hand delivered by myself to the Town Hall reception on the 11th November 2010. Following up on the no response I have been told by a member of the Town Hall staff that it will not be answered (You can almost hear the ranks closing). In that letter you will see that I pointed out that their comments had just a hint of hypocrisy about them. Well now the Town Hall have shown recently that they have a true talent for it.

    At the “rock and roll” style Christmas event held outside the Town Hall on Friday, December 3, 2010, some people may have noticed that there was a Mobile Coffee Van present, presumably booked by the Town Hall? It was very similar to the one Coffee King was refused trading rights for, as in the words of Thame Town Councillors: Baker, Bretherton, Buckland, Champken-Woods, Dixon, Dobie, Dodds, Laver, Morbey and Parker, who “unanimously agreed that there was absolutely no requirement for a mobile ?Coffee King? facility, noting that there were more than enough coffee-selling establishments in the town, including take-away.”

    But there it was in all its glory, sometimes with people 10 deep in two separate queues and only yards away from Costa Coffee who was also open at the time. You couldn’t make it up!

    As for Coffee King, well we are just plodding on playing the red tape game. I have placed some Freedom of Information Act questions into the Town Hall and am very excited about the outcome! Watch this space.

    Yours Sincerely
    Peter Butler
    Glenham Road
    Thame
    09/12/10

  • 09/12/10……Thursday Thame news round-up

    DURING the Thame Christmas event, Matthew Cundy, owner of Kismet Jewellers, Thame, was presented with a cheque for over

  • 08/12/10…Oxfordshire drivers are the dirtiest !

    A NEW national survey of motorists has found that the dirtiest drivers in the UK live in Oxfordshire.

    The survey found that 69% of British car buyers claimed to be green but only 5% actively considered a car’s green credentials when it came to them “putting their money where their mouth is.”

    Research released today by automotive, consumer goods and industrial company Bosch, has revealed that despite 69% of drivers claiming to do their best for the environment, only 5% of motorists buying a new car would be influenced by a car?s ?green? credentials.

    The ?Bosch: Driving Green Britain? study of over 1000 car buyers painted a picture of the nation?s motorists by region. Based on 2010 new car sales to date, Cornish motorists bought the cleanest cars with average CO2 emissions of 138g/km, while Oxfordshire motorists bought the most polluting cars with a figure of 168g/km.

    When asked to rank what was the main influence behind their purchase decision, 63% of motorists surveyed said that price was the most important factor, closely followed by vehicle size (at 56%). Design, style, brand and safety all rated ahead of a car?s environmental considerations.

    Speaking about the research results, Peter Fouquet, President of Bosch in the UK, explained that consumer attitudes provide a real challenge for companies to make the required investment in delivering automotive technologies that have increased green credentials without making an additional cost for the motorist to bear.

    He said: ?Bosch is committed to helping motorists reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption through developing innovative and environmentally friendly products. Bosch offers automotive solutions that are clean and economical. Our engineers are working to reduce the fuel consumption of petrol and diesel engines by up to one third through downsizing, high-pressure fuel injection and advanced turbo charging.?

    The research of over 1,000 participants highlighted that almost 80% of motorists surveyed drove less than 20 miles per day whilst 48% drove between 11 to 20 miles per day and 30% drove less than 10 miles per day – ideal distances for an electric car.

    Bosch believes that vehicles employing technologies such as start/stop can save up to 8% of fuel and CO2 emissions in city traffic, compared to a vehicle without this system. Start/stop technology is an combination of engine, brake, and battery management, which stops the engine when the vehicle is at a standstill in traffic or at a red light. By 2015, one in five cars sold is expected to be equipped with this technology.

    The survey also revealed gender and age differences, pointing out how women are more likely to consider environmental aspects when choosing a car and men perceiving electric cars to be more environmentally friendly than hybrids. Interestingly, 18 to 24 year olds would be more likely to drive a hybrid car than any other age group.

  • 08/12/10…….Try Thame First for your Christmas shopping

    WHY jump in the car and leave town for Christmas shopping when here in Thame we have so many wonderful and unique shops right here on our doorstep? This time of the year can mean make-or-break for the smaller, independent retailers. They deserve our support and with all the wonderful new shops that have recently opened in the town, opportunities for finding Christmas gifts locally have never been greater.

    Let Thame.Net and our friendly shop keepers guide and inspire you to find the ideal gift for everyone right here in Thame. www.thame.net/xmas_shopping.htm

  • 07/12/10……Auto crime warning

    THAMES Valley Police has issued a warning to motorists in South Oxfordshire to be on their guard when leaving their vehicle unattended, following a number of car crimes in the area.

    There have been 15 thefts from motor vehicles in rural, outdoor locations in the past two months in the South Oxfordshire area. The main areas being targeted are rural areas in Thame and Watlington, and all involve the vehicle window being smashed and property being stolen from inside.

    Beauty spots and rural car parks are being targeted, in particular the areas around Junction six of the M40 at Lewknor. Two cars were broken into at the Lambert Arms in London Road on 3 December at around midnight; a black Volkswagen Passat had its windows smashed and a laptop and sat nav stolen, and a black Mercedes ML 350 was broken into and an iPod, laptop, clothes and sunglasses were stolen.

    Also in Lewknor, a white Toyota Estima was broken into while parked in the lay-by on the B4009, usually used by commuters who travel by bus to London. Tools and CDs were stolen from the Toyota on 30 November, sometime between 10am and 11.45pm.

    There have also been a few incidents at the Belfry Hotel on the A40 at Milton Common. Two cars were broken into at the hotel on 3 December sometime between 2.30am and 6pm the day before. A silver Toyota Yaris had its windows smashed and a phone and handbag containing bank cards, ID cards and cash were taken, and a black BMW 118D had a laptop and handbag stolen from it.

    The car park at the rural beauty spot in the Christmas Common area has also been targeted. On 29 November two cars were broken into at around 3pm in the afternoon. A silver Vauxhall Vectra had its windows smashed but nothing was taken as did a blue BMW 320 where food, clothes and a disable badge were stolen.

    PC James Wood of South Oxfordshire?s Priority Crime Team said: ?We take auto crime very seriously and are utilising a number tactics to tackle it such as increased patrols in the area.

    ?In all of these crimes however, opportunistic thieves have taken advantage of the situation; what we need to do is to highlight how unwise it is to leave valuables on display in your car. Make sure you take them with you and properly secure you vehicle.

    ?Otherwise, you are inviting criminals to commit crime and are simply making it easier for them. We need to ensure that when people park their vehicles in rural areas and open car parks they take all their valuable items out of the car to prevent them from being stolen.?

    If you have any information regarding these incidents, please contact Thames Valley Police on the non-emergency number 0845 8 505 505. If you don?t want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • 06/12/10……..Drink-drive arrests up 93%!

    THE number of drivers arrested by Thames Valley Police during the first five days of this year?s drink-drive campaign has increased by 93 per cent on last year.

    A total of 52 people have been arrested in the Thames Valley area (including 14 in Oxfordshire and 10 in Buckinghamshire) during the first five days of the month-long campaign targeting drink and drug driving, starting on Wednesday (1/12). This compares to 27 arrests during the first five days of the 2009 campaign.

    Of the 52 people arrested, 33 have been charged and will face a court hearing, 13 people have been released on bail and no further action will be taken against six people.

    The highest reading recorded during this year?s campaign so far has been 125mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, more than three-and-a-half times over the legal limit of 35mg. This reading was recorded in Bracknell on Sunday (5/12).

    Superintendent Rob Povey, Head of Roads Policing, said: ?It is very disappointing to see this year?s figures already higher than those recorded last year.

    ?Of those arrested so far, 45 were men and seven were women. They have ranged in age from 17 to 70 years old.

    ?I want to warn all drivers that our targeted road checks will be continuing up to and over the Christmas and New Year period so the message is simple, if you drive under the influence of drink or drugs, expect to face the consequences.

    ?In addition to the road checks we will be testing all drivers involved in collisions or anyone who has committed an offence, or is suspected of drug driving. We will also be acting on information from the public.

    ?If you are going out and know you will be drinking, organise alternative transport or a designated driver to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the festive period safely.?

    Thames Valley Police?s Christmas campaign will run until 1 January, 2011.

    All drivers who provide positive breath tests or who refuse to provide or fail to provide a breath sample when requested to, face the prospect of a prison sentence of up to six months as well as losing their driving licence for at least 12 months.

  • Racquets Refurb Graded Squash Tournament

    WHEN? 21-23rd January 2011; WHERE? at the exclusive Racquets fitness centre, Thame.

  • 06/12/10….Local businesses praised for ‘self-belief and determination’

    AMBITIOUS businesses in both Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire have been praised by former world champion swimmer and now successful businessman, Adrian Moorhouse MBE.

    Commenting after hosting the launch of Business Link?s dedicated support services for growing businesses in the area, Adrian said: ?It is enormously encouraging for the local economy to see so many businesses in and around Oxfordshire, Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire having such a healthy appetite for sustainable growth,? adding that he believes there are clear signs that optimism is replacing hesitation in key business sectors.

    ?Seeing a full house at an event focussed entirely on the subject of business growth is, in itself, a very positive development,” he continued. ” But, more importantly, there is clearly a real desire among many businesses to ?get on with it and do something? to move forward and develop their commercial and operational goals. Self-belief and confidence are beginning to replace doubt and navel-gazing. And, judging by the reaction of the business owners and managers at the event, there is real determination to ensure that business growth is achieved on firm foundations and is not just a quick-fix or short-term goal.?

    Olympic gold medallist in the blue riband 100-metre breaststroke at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and World number one for six consecutive years, Adrian Moorhouse MBE is now Managing Director of Lane4, an award-winning performance development consultancy that he co-founded in 1995. Consistent growth and development has seen the company become a

  • 06/12/10…..Neighbourhood policing update & crime information

    HERE is the latest Thame neighbourhood update from Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) Diane Jackson and PCSO Lucy Thorne.

    Crime Info:
    Crime mapping shows an increase in Burglary from three to 4.7 between the period of August to October 2009 and the same period for 2010. This is a 55.6 percent increase. We would like to remind people that with the festive period fast approaching, the number of burglaries reported generally increases. We can be contacted for personal crime reduction advice. However, with lots of new Christmas presents received in the New Year, we would like to stress how important it is to ensure toys, bicycles and other valuables are kept secure and locked away at night.

    More information on crime mapping can be found on the Thames Valley Police website under local crime mapping www.thamesvalleypolice.uk

    PCSO Thorne is arranging for the bike stores in Thame to hold post coding stickers in the lead up to Christmas, where bikes can be coded when purchased. Any member of the public, who does not currently have their bike coded, can take their bike into the stores and coding will available. It only takes minutes! A video showing how this is done can be found on our Youtube channel.

    We will continue to conduct high visibility patrols in key areas at key times to work to deter/prevent criminal activity. We have also taken part in Operation Maginot during December. This is an operation aimed at targeting travelling criminals entering our area.

    On 9 November, two Lord Williams Upper School pupils were reported missing. Both girls were found safe and well in Birmingham a few days later on 11 November. We would like to remind all young people how important it is to let a parent, or somebody close to you know where you are.

    Anti-social behaviour (ASB) info:
    During November, we have had no alcohol seizures in Thame and no Section 59 warnings for ASB have been issued by Thame PCSOs.

    PCSO Jackson and PCSO Thorne have issued two Anti-social Behaviour Contracts to young people in November. Two further warning letters are also due to be issued in December to two individuals associated with the ASB.

    We were pleased with how smoothly the Halloween/Fireworks period passed, with very few reports of ASB. There were no offences committed in Thame relating to Fireworks.

    PCSO Thorne worked closely with the Fire Service to demolish a den following complaints from members of the public. Both services deemed this to be a health and safety concern on the Phoenix Trail.

    PCSO Jackson and PCSO Thorne dealt with graffiti at John Hampden School. The offender has been dealt with by way of a Youth Restorative Disposal (YRD).
    On 24 November, Lord Williams Upper School students protested outside the Thame Town Hall following recent government increases in university fees. Although there were approximately 250 students, aged between 16 and 18 years, there was a very cold but peaceful protest.

    Community Messaging
    This free service provides information to subscribers about crime and police activity in their area via phone or email. It also includes information on what we and our partner services are doing to bring offenders to justice or combat anti-social behaviour, and information on opportunities for local residents to raise concerns with their local policing teams.
    More information can be obtained via our website, and you can sign up here too:
    http://www.tvpcommunitymessaging.org/rmwebportal/startup.aspx.

    Offenders brought to justice:
    19 offenders were brought to justice in the Thame area in November.

    Comments on all priorities:
    The local priority for Thame is:
    1. Anti-social behaviour (ASB) ? Key areas are patrolled when on duty and any ASB is dealt with and youths are moved on if necessary. Where necessary, home visits are carried out with parents present.

    Partnership Activity:
    As mentioned above, PCSO Thorne worked closely with the Fire Service to demolish a large den on the Phoenix Trail. We have also worked closely with housing associations as usual, carrying out site inspections and home visits to tackle neighbourhood disputes.

    PCSO Thorne has been working closely with the Thame Beavers Group, who are kindly donating raffle prizes for the Thame Town Council Christmas lunch.

    We continue to conduct patrols at the schools in Thame, mainly at key times in the morning and afternoon. This enables us to liaise and engage with parents, pupils and school staff.

    Non Priority Activity:
    PCSO Lucy Thorne would like to take this opportunity to remind young people looking for work, or looking for assistance with finding employment that a Connextions representative is available to speak with at the Young Persons Centre in Thame every Wednesday from 2pm ? 4.30pm.

    We have a number of known elderly/vulnerable residents in Thame, who we have good rapports with following home visits or street meetings. We pay them regular checks to ensure they are keeping themselves safe, and find out whether they have any problems. This is something we are keen to do, knowing that some people find it difficult to get out during the winter months, or in fact at all. If anybody has any neighbourhood concerns which we should know about, please contact us or attend our Have Your Say meetings.

    Country Watch meetings are being held quarterly.
    Planned Activity:
    There are monthly operations for Country Watch.

    We will continue to deploy the Speed Indication Device (SID) in the area on a monthly basis, on roads which have been highlighted for speeding. We will also be looking to deploy the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) device along with the SID to tackle travelling criminals entering and travelling through our area.

    In November, PCSO Thorne deployed the SID in Oxford Road, Thame, where a number of vehicles were exceeding the speed limit. As a result of this, she will continue to deploy the device in this location in the future.

    On 10 December, PCSO Thorne and PCSO Jackson will be attending the Thame Town Council Elderly Christmas lunch. This is usually a very enjoyable day and it is a great opportunity for us to engage with the elderly and vulnerable and offer crime reduction advice.

    Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) Activity:
    Following consultation with the Thame, Chinnor and Watlington NAG, the group decided to evolve the process through closer contact and liaison with the existing structures of local parish councils and meetings. The NAG therefore decided to dissolve in favour of this partnership approach. The local neighbourhood policing team are currently in close liaison with all the parish councils and parish meetings within the Thame, Chinnor and Watlington area.

    Good news stories:
    PCSO Thorne has agreed to play football as a force representative at the Chinnor V Youths Football match on 9 December. All spectators are welcome. Kick off is 7 ? 7.30pm at Whitesfield, Mill Lane, Chinnor.

    PCSO Jackson has liaised with the mobile drop-in service (SMART), they are available to speak to in confidence about drug and alcohol use and will be in the Cattle Market car park on a Monday between 2 ? 4pm.

    Have Your Say online
    You can now send non-emergency messages to us using the online form that is available on the Thames Valley Police website. A number of people have already sent their concerns using this method. For you to do that please follow the link: http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh/yournh-about-nh-pol/yournh-tvp-pol-area-n235-hys. Please allow some time for us to get back to you as we do check our mail box only at certain times of the day.

    Upcoming Have Your Say Meetings:-

    ? Monday 6 December 2010, Co-Op Caf

  • 02/12/10……..Beware buying fakes this Christmas!

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council’s Trading Standards are warning people to watch out for online counterfeits when shopping for Christmas presents this year. The copycat products are likely to be inferior, unsafe and getting your money back could be impossible.

    With Christmas fast approaching, many are choosing to look for a bargain and shop online. Around