Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 08/11/10….From Kolkata with love – the realities of life as a slum dog

    FOLLOWING the huge success of the film, Slum dog Millionaire, many of us have some impression of what life in the slums of India are like for those who have to live there. But for Eddie Francis, who lived and went to school here in Thame, his recent visit to Kolkata (or Calcutta as we are more used to calling this, the second most populous city in India) the reality came as both a cultural and an emotional shock. But it was an experience he will never forget and one that has cemented Kolkata firmly into his heart.

    Here is Eddie?s story, a story of poverty, disease and hardship in many ways, but one of a place nevertheless where hope, pride and possibilities for the future are never too far away thanks to charitable organisations like The Hope Foundation with whom Eddie works to raise funds:

    IT hit me the second I stepped out of the airport and into the hordes of expectant locals waiting excitedly for the return of their families, neighbours and fellow villagers; each one of them jostling for a bit of rail to cling to whilst they peered through the doors into the arrivals hall. This is a city where, for many, flying is still a big deal!

    I choked in the smog, bewildered by the humidity, heat and sensory overload that smack even the most seasoned visitor in the face, as the frenetic buzz of this overcrowded metropolis swallows you up and holds you in its talons until you leave. Our trolley of bags was whipped away from us by a small gang of street kids who had perfected the English phrases they needed for their work. Once I was reassured that our bags were not at risk, we headed over to our jeep and driver, attracting an ever-increasing clamour of personalities eager to cash in from us, for we were the only white faces in sight. Kids and mothers with babies surrounded us, palms cupped expectantly for ?rupees or your local money sir?. A couple of pounds lighter in the pocket, we made it into the jeep, hands ? and in one case a stump ? still prodding us desperately through the open window before the driver whisked us away.

    I was in Kolkata with The Hope Foundation, a charity I have been promoting and supporting for eighteen months, to see how the money raised is being spent. I?d heard all about it, seen the pictures and watched the videos so I thought I knew what I was in for. Boy was I in for a shock!

    Wedged into the back of the jeep, we left the airport and clattered, hurtled, honked and squeezed our way through the most insane traffic I have ever encountered. ?Clapped out? buses, pre-war yellow taxis, rickshaws, tuk-tuks, hand drawn carts, motorbikes, bicycles, pedestrians and cows fought for poll position in a never-ending rally of one-upmanship. Most vehicles don?t have wing-mirrors here, and even if they do they are folded in. Here the horn is king where brakes seem like an ego-denting last resort. On the footpaths families go about their daily business, cooking, washing, cleaning and sleeping, making a living in whatever way they can. The poverty here is overwhelming; unavoidable, blatant and unforgiving yet a sense of pride runs through this city amongst those who have so little. To survive with literally nothing in this heat and humidity amid relentless smells and smog that makes a blue sky impossible, seems unimaginable.

    The poorest children all over the city are left to fend for themselves, scraping a living on the roadside and in the slums; competing with dogs, pigs and other animals for tit-bits. Children who are entitled to a state education are put to work by their parents out of necessity for food is the obvious priority. Existing in the squalor, filth and the stench of the roadside and slums, often subjected to abuse and at least harassment ? this is the harsh reality of existing in absolute poverty in an apartheid of the richest and very poorest in the second-fastest growing economy in the world. These forgotten communities have been left behind and they need our help. It is our moral duty to do what we can to affect even the smallest change for the better to even just one person?s relentlessly impoverished life – a life that is incomparable to anything to be found here in the West.

    Cocooned by the faded colonial glamour of our hotel, the Tollygunge Golf and Country Club, we immediately relished the serenity and the respite from the chaos of the city. Over breakfast we set about drawing up an agenda for the week. The Hope Foundation runs or supports 64 projects around the city so our choice wasn?t exactly limited, although the mind-blowing spectrum of work undertaken by the Foundation would only become apparent to me as the week went on.
    Throughout our all- to- short week, we met children with heart-breaking stories and unimaginable pasts; illness, abuse, abandonment, separation, destitution and death touch the souls of so many. The Hope Foundation gives these children a route out of this unimaginable existence, and a better future to look forward to.

    Diep is 3

  • Planning vision for Thame nears final stages

    LATEST statement from South Oxfordshire District Council about its Core Strategy for the future of Thame, to 2027:

    At its meeting on Tuesday, November 16, South Oxfordshire District Council?s Cabinet will consider the Local Development Framework Core Strategy, one of the council?s most important planning documents for the next 15 years. Cabinet will decide whether to take the strategy before Full Council and out for a final publication consultation period in December.

    The plan includes providing high quality jobs, housing and support for Thame?s town centre. Following three years work and district-wide public consultation exercises, the council has identified the preferred location for development in Thame and where significant change should not take place. The Core Strategy principally identifies a site to the north west of the town (Site F) for around 530 new homes.

    This decision follows recent additional consultation work during October, asking residents’ views on two different development site options for the town. (Site D and Site F) The strategy also contains details of the necessary infrastructure needed to support all housing developments that take place.

    Following the meeting on November 16, Full Council will consider the Core Strategy at its meeting on Thursday, November 18, and make the final decision on whether to endorse the document.

    Angie Paterson, South Oxfordshire District Council?s Cabinet member for planning, said: ?In developing our Core Strategy we have been working under current legislation and where possible anticipated future changes. As a result we have thoroughly investigated and consulted on the options, to arrive at these informed recommendations. Our priority is to help deliver much needed housing, high quality jobs and thriving town centres across the district and we need to have a plan in place to protect the district as we do this.

    “The next few weeks will see some important decisions made in moving this strategy forward and laying the foundations for a successful future for South Oxfordshire.?

    Notes:

    There has been wide consultation on the strategy and residents can see the outcomes on the website at: www.southoxon.gov.uk/corestergy

    We are submitting the plan for approval through our scrutiny, cabinet and council committees. Key dates in November are:

    Tuesday 9 November ? Scrutiny Committee considers the Core Strategy
    Tuesday 16 November ? Cabinet considers the Core Strategy
    Thursday 18 November? Full Council considers the Core Strategy

    All the above meetings will take place at the council offices in Crowmarsh Gifford.

    Speaking at the meetings:

    Please note: There are likely to be a large number of speaker requests. When we have the final numbers we will come back to you to confirm how we will manage this process including how long people can speak for. If there are a large number of observers and participants we will have an overflow room available for people to watch the live webcast. Find out more at www.southoxon.gov.uk/webcasts

    What happens next?

    Subject to council and cabinet approval, the Core Strategy will then need to go through further formal stages, including an examination in public by a planning inspector to test that we are meeting government requirements and local needs. This will take around nine months to complete before the strategy is adopted by the council as policy.

    There will be a further public consultation period on the whole plan during December and January. Once the plan is submitted to the secretary of state there will be an examination in public in front of a planning inspector, when local people will have a final opportunity to comment.

    The final public consultation is officially called a publication period. At this point residents will have the opportunity to comment on the core strategy, but only under set criteria provided by the planning inspectorate. This consultation stage is more formal than previous stages and if commenting, residents must give reasons under any of four specific criteria and using a specific response form. The criteria must relate to whether the strategy is:

    Justified ? is the strategy founded on robust credible evidence
    Effective ? is the strategy deliverable
    Consistent with regional and national policies and;
    Legally compliant ? how we’ve prepared the strategy – in that we have followed the correct procedures for the development of the strategy.

    SOURCE: Press release

  • 08/11/10…..Thame take on pre-season favourites

    WHILST Thame United went in to the game on the back of a 7-0 win against Abingdon Town, they knew that against Shortwood United, the pre-season favourites for the league title, they would do well to leave Gloucestershire with anything. That they did so with a clean sheet and three points was testament to a disciplined all round team performance.

    Thame welcomed back the experienced centre back Martin Brown, with Luke Ricketts starting on the wide left. The game started in end-to-end fashion with Shortwood going closest after five minutes following a corner when the ball ricocheted around the Thame penalty box before eventually being cleared. Thame pressed forward and with striker Alex Stewart proving a handful for the Shortwood defence, a number of half chances were created. However, the best opportunity came to Thame after 20 minutes, a quick move down the Thame right eventually saw the ball crossed in to the box where Ricketts, positioned on the far post, was able to lift his shot from six yards over the keeper, only to see the ball come crashing back off the cross bar. Shortwood failed to take note of the threat and ten minutes later United scored what turned out to be the winner. Sam Cowan went on a powerful run down the Thame right, cutting in to the box and squaring the ball to Ricketts. Ricketts then played a short pass inside to Stewart who, despite being surrounded by three defenders, was able to place his shot wide of the home keeper.

    Thame knew that Shortwood would throw everything at them in the second half, but they had not reckoned on a defence well marshalled by Brown and James Saulsbury and a solid display from keeper Milan Barisic that, throughout the whole of the second half, limited Shortwood to only one effort on target. Indeed, with Shortwood pushing forward, it was Thame who created the chances to put the game beyond doubt. First in the 66th minute Ricketts went on a trade mark run from his own half to the bye-line where his cross along the six yard box just evaded the on-rushing Stuart Braun. Ten minutes later and Nik Rhodes found himself in space 20 yards from goal, but his well hit volley was saved by the keeper. Despite mounting pressure from Shortwood in the last ten minutes, the resolute Thame defence held firm, and fully deserved the three points at the final whistle.

    Final score: Shortwood United 0 Vs Thame United 1

    United now travel to Fairford Town for another League game this coming Saturday (13th November 2010).

    United: Barisic, Cowan, Newell, Brown, Saulsbury, Hunt (Meredith), A.Rhodes, Connelly (Barr), Stewart (N.Rhodes), Braun, Ricketts.

    Conributed by Jake Collinge
    PHOTO: Goal scorer Alex Stewart (No 9) heads just over

  • 08/11/10….Don’t forget about community facilities in Core Strategy

    DEAR Editor, the Thame Cattlemarket Action Group has sent the following letter to Councillor Angie Patterson, at South Oxfordshire District Council:

    Dear Angie, We note from the local press that the local strategic plan will be presented for scrutiny on 9th November 2010.

    Recent debate in Thame has been overwhelmingly dominated by the issue of site allocation for additional housing in Thame with very little discussion about infrastructure and facilities.

    Members of CMAG are very concerned that a town of currently over 11,000 inhabitants and set to rise by at least 1000, also serving surrounding villages, has no community centre or substantially sized venue,that would be effective for varied purposes.

    A recent meeting called by Thame town council, attended by 500+ people had to be held in St Mary?s church, which has obvious limitations for use. We urge the District Council to develop a strategy for Thame that includes a new community building where all age groups with varying interests can carry out their leisure and business activities.

    When the livestock market relocates and the cattle market is redeveloped there will be an opportunity to plan for a community building for the town.

    Please make sure that the new core strategy recognises the need and does not overlook a new community building in Thame.

    Yours sincerely
    Helena Richards
    Secretary CMAG(Thame Cattle Market Action Group)

  • ‘Eccentric…English gem’ at Thame Cinema 4 All – 06/11/10

    SKELETONS – UK 2010, 93 minutes, 15 certificate
    Directed by Nick Whitfield, starring Andrew Buckley, Ed Gaughan.

    WHITFIELDD’S directorial debut was the winner of the Michael Powell award for best new British film at this year’s Edinburgh film festival, and certainly managed to catch the eye of the critics in spite of a low key cinematic release. Variously described as a cross between Monty Python, Dennis Potter and Charlie Kaufmann, this eccentric, very funny and peculiarly English gem looks set to become a cult classic.

    SKELETONS tells the surreal tale of Davis and Bennet, two harrassed functionaries of a shadowy supernatural outfit that specialises in the eradication of painful memories and family skeletons, a process that involves the use of a bleeping apparatus pointed at the back of – naturally – the client’s closet. Both characters are established as lonely and awkward characters, and Davis has secretly been using the equipment on himself, in an attempt to deal with demons of his own, a practice frowned upon by his employers.

    Such a quirky premise, pared down bleak English landscapes, and bone-dry humour are combined with great warmth and sensitivity – the Edinburgh judges described it as a surprisingly heartfelt film about ‘filling the often lonely void of emotional repression with the gentle glow of love’. Come and enjoy what American critics have hailed as the best cult movie to come out of the UK since Withnail and I.

    AND DON’T MISS THAME CINEMA AGM 6.45pm- COME AND GIVE US YOUR VIEWS, FREE ENTRY TO FILM FOR ATTENDEES

    Doors open 6.30pm AGM 6.45, Film 8pm. Admission

  • 05/11/10…..Thame’s own ‘calendar girls’ bare all for the day centre – well, almost all!

    WHEN the landlady of The Cross Keys in Thame heard about the threat hanging over the future of the local Day Centre, in what she admits was a rash moment, she suggested that the pub sponsor a ‘Calender Girls’ type calendar as a money-raiser.

    Landlord and brewmaster, Peter Lambert, a professional photographer, at first thought: “Oh no, more work for me!” But soon he too was inspired by wife Trudi’s idea and agreed to go along with her, providing she would pose for one of the calendar’s monthly pictures.

    The idea soon grew and locals, their wives and friends and an ex Deputy Mayor of Thame, were soon gathered together and photographed by Peter.

    The result is the stunning 2011 calendar, launched at the Thame Brewery at The Cross Keys, last night (04/11/10) and the first copy hot of the press, presented to Gillian Coleman, the Manager at the Thame and District Day Centre. “This will certainly light up the eyes of some of our male members!” she told Peter.

    The calendar, which was printed free by Neil Atkinson of Colour Five, will be on sale at Saturday’s Thame Christmas Charities Fair at Thame town hall, between 10am and 1pm. (Father Christmas will be there too.)

    For beer lovers, Hoppiness, one of Peter’s beers, came runner up two weeks ago at the Oxford beer festival run by CAMRA. Thame Brewery itself is holding a beer festival on the 13th & 14th of November, to celebrate the brewery’s first birthday which will feature in the region of 24 beers and six ciders including one made in Long Crendon.

    PHOTO: Bottom row, left to right:
    Bev (one of the pub’s regulars), Lesley Mccabe (bar staff), Emily (Emsy, a local driving instructor (Driven)) and young Vicky Bromwich (bar staff)

    Top row, left to right:
    Vicky (a regular and local), Nichola Dixon (ex Mayor of Thame), Cath (a pub regular), Hillary (Hilly Carter, County Cllr Nick Carter’s wife), Fran Rimmer (bar staff) Cross Keys landlady Trudi.

  • 04/11/10….Confusion over choice of future housing in Thame

    FOLLOWING weeks of sometimes acrimonious discussion and consultation over the site for future housing growth in Thame, there was confusion today over which site was to be recommended by planners to the district council.

    A document attached to the agenda of November 9’s meeting of South Oxfordshire District Council’s Scrutiny committee, appeared on SODC’s website stating that planning officers recommended site D. Today, however, the document had apparently been changed to show that site F was to be recommended. That document was later not available on the website.

    According to a spokesperson in SODC’s planning department, because of an administrative error a template document had not been updated correctly.

    A document showing the correct recommendation, site F, and reasons to support that recommendation, will, say SODC, be uploaded to the website tomorrow (Friday) as Appendix 6, Strategic Housing Allocations, with the other supporting documents for the Scrutiny committee meeting on November 9.

    The link to find the document and others associated with the meeting, is:

    http://tiny.cc/17s2y

  • 04/11/10….Town council prepares for winter weather

    FOLLOWING criticism last winter when Thame town hall appeared to ‘shut up shop’ during a spell of the worse ice and snow for years, Thame Town Council has been discussing it Adverse Weather Policy which also includes extreme high winds, flooding and heatwaves.

    The council was, by its own admission, heavily criticised when residents were unable to have their concerns and enquiries about the lack of pavement and road gritting answered because the town hall was closed.

    The council intends to keep a limited supply of grit to use on its own land, but will not treat areas not belonging to the council on advice from its insurers.

    The town council is to look into the possibility of providing extra grit bins around the town, which the county council say it will fill.

    The Mayor, Cllr Adam Buckland, suggested that local businesses could help by sponsoring grit bins and stated that his business, Brothers Hair Salon, will be the first to pay

  • 04/11/10….Bravery award for Wheatley man in dramatic crash rescue

    TWO men, including Will Oliver from Wheatly, have been awarded the Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation for bravery after rescuing a school teacher who became trapped in her car when she skidded off the road and crashed into a stream.

    David Etheridge, Chief Fire Officer at Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, hosted the recent Community Safety Awards evening which highlighted the efforts of Wayne Ford and Will Oliver. The pair have been recognised for outstanding courage in the face of overwhelming danger.

    Icy conditions

    The morning of Monday, February 22, saw extreme weather conditions with temperatures below freezing and heavy snow fall. Helen Birch-Machin from Abingdon, was driving along Cuxham Road in Cuxham when she lost control of her car, spun 180 degrees and rolled over into a ditch filled with water. Wayne and Will were on their way to work when they spotted skid marks in the snow and then saw the car on its roof and submerged in the freezing water.

    Without a second thought, they pulled over and Wayne took the ladder from their van, climbed down into the ditch and swam out to the car. He managed to open the door and kept Helen conscious until the emergency services arrived.

    When Oxfordshire’s firefighters got to the scene, crews made a ladder bridge to get to the car and cut several branches down from the trees around them to make the rescue easier. Helen was pulled from the car and only suffered minor injuries.

    Wayne, despite being cold and wet, insisted on staying with her until she was safely in the ambulance and knew that she was ok.

    Wayne Ford, aged 51 from Chalgrove, said: “We saw the car and I heard Helen screaming. The water was very deep and running fast. It was a long way down so I used the ladder and threw myself into the water. I tried to reassure Helen that help was on its way. Her hand was trapped in the car door, so I opened it and wedged myself between her and the door and I kept talking to her until the emergency services arrived.

    “I stayed with her throughout and both of us were very very cold and wet. Looking back now I am glad that I did what I did and I would do it again. The Commendation Award was an honour and a great surprise.”

    Dramatic events

    And while Wayne was helping Helen, Will made vital phone calls and directed other drivers. As he was doing so, there was another accident which happened while the rescue was taking place.

    Will Oliver, aged 20 from Wheatley, said: “I rang the emergency services and stopped the traffic coming towards the accident. But a lot of people were not paying attention to the treacherous roads in the blizzard like conditions, and another driver went straight into the back of another car.

    “When you see a terrible accident like that, your adrenalin just takes over and you just try to deal with the situation as quickly as possible. I’m just glad I could help and Helen was ok.”

    Outstanding courage

    Without any thought to their personal safety, the duo undoubtedly saved Helen’s life.

    Helen Birch-Machin said: “I firmly believed that my life had come to an end. I realised that there was no way that anyone could see me from the road. It would have been a horrible way to die. About ten minutes elapsed and I was beginning to panic when I heard voices and Wayne and Will arrived on the scene. I realised then that I had a good chance of survival. I told Wayne to keep me talking as enduring the freezing water was quite a struggle for me. Will was the one who made the crucial phone calls.

    “I believe that Will and Wayne saved my life. They have big hearts. I wish the incident had never happened as I do have frightening flashbacks. On the other hand, I got to see a wonderful side of human nature. Also, I have a sense of being given a second life. I will always share a special bond with Wayne and Will. I was delighted to hear of their bravery award.”

    David Etheridge, Chief Fire Officer for Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, said: “When I was made aware of the bravery that Wayne and Will displayed whilst entering freezing water on a snowy morning in order to save and support Helen?s life, I didn?t hesitate to award them the Chief Fire Officer?s Commendation. At a time when we are fed negative news stories and headlines, it is always reassuring to know that there are exemplary citizens such as Wayne and Will who are prepared to stop and help instead of just driving past.”

    SOURCE: Press release

  • 03/11/10…Thame ‘leading the way in market towns’ says Mayor

    THE Mayor of Thame, Adam Buckland, told guests at the official launch of ThameTV on Monday that Thame is leading the way in markets towns in Britain.

    “I am always delighted,” he said, “to hear the positive comments about our town from other dignitaries from neighbouring towns and I have spoken in the past about how proud I am of our new state-of-the-art library, the new ‘green’ classrooms at Barley Hill School and the great new football complex at Meadow View Park. All this signals to me and more importantly, to the people living and visiting Thame that we are a town moving forward, that is progressive and is leading the way in market towns in Britain.

    “What better way of showing off these amazing new assets to our town, our festivals, our clubs, our markets, our businesses, our people, than to see them all appear on ThameTV?

    ThameTV is a great new project for this town that has caught the imagination of businesses and residents alike and delivers a valuable contribution to the community.”

    Find out more about ThameTV here

    PHOTO: The Mayor of Thame, Adam Buckland with the MD and co-founder of THAMETV, Emma Lowndes