Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 09/07/10….Thame’s French market meets a very special visitor

    A VERY special Thame citizen was out and about at the visiting French market this afternoon, chatting to the French market stall holders in their native tongue.

    Authur Staggs was recently made an Honoury Citizen of Thame for his exploits and bravery during World War Two. But today he was having fun laughing and joking with the stall holders and ex Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, who visits him regularly at Meadowcroft Home for the Elderly and was escorting him today.

    Arthur, who is now 97 years old, worked as a secret agent in German occupied France during World War II, using his guile and knowledge of the French language to avoid discovery.

    He is seen here with Thierry Geffroy who runs the French cheese stall. As well as giving Arthur his email address so that they could keep in touch, Thierry gave him a Neufch

  • 10/07/10…Thame Town Council ignored by Transport consultation –

    MEMBERS of Thame Town Council’s Planning and Environment committee have voiced their anger at the county council for failing to seek the town council’s views on part of its current Local Transport Plan consultation.

    Cllr David Dodds, who is also a District Cllr, said:” This plan is nonsense. It does not reflect the aspirations of Thame Town Council which is not even assumed to be a stakeholder. It is absolutely disgusting.”

    The town council has stated: “As Thame was actually one of the ?smaller towns? in question, this seems an extraordinary state of affairs.”

    At its last meeting, the committee agreed to send a letter to the Leader of OCC, with a view to setting up an urgent meeting with those involved in the Plan?s proposals.

    Anyone who wishes to respond on an individual basis to the transport consultation can do so via the OCC website: http://myconsultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/inovem/consult.ti/ltpconsultation5/consultationHome

  • 09/07/10….Plane crash in Long Crendon

    THAMES Valley Police have confirmed that no one was injured when a two seater aircraft crash landed into a hedge in fields off Frogmore Lane in Long Crendon yesterday.

    The emergency services were on the scene within minutes with fire offices from Thame, Haddenham and Aylesbury attending.

    Reports of the crash came just before 4.30pm when the fire service were told of a possible fuel leak coming from the damaged plane.

    PHOTO: Peaceful Frogmore Lane in Long Crendon where a two-seater plane crash landed in fields near by yesterday. COURTESY OF: www.petergoodearl.co.uk

  • 09/07/10…..New guide boosts countryside access (Status: Press release)

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council has published a new guide for Parish and Town Councils get more involved with public paths in their areas. The 80-page Countryside Access Guide is intended to help councils identify issues and opportunities to improve local routes for people in their parish.

    Unique local knowledgeLocal councils have unique local knowledge and contacts, with the potential to make a real difference to countryside access in their patch.

    Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Rodney Rose said: ?Parish and Town Councils have long been central to rights of way management. At a county level we recognise this and want to encourage local councils to work with us to give a local approach.

    “Some parishes are already very active in the management and improvement of countryside access in their areas and this is much appreciated. To those councils we hope this guide will still be of value to your work.?

    The benefits of good countryside accessA good network of rights of way and accessible open space can improve physical and mental health, support the local economy through tourism and leisure spending and contribute towards a more sustainable transport system where paths are used for journeys to school, work or the shops.

    Councillor Rose added: “A lack of access to a car or large amounts of spare time or income shouldn?t mean that you can?t have access to great countryside or green spaces.?

    Order a copy

    The guide is available in electronic form for Oxfordshire local councils and residents. To request a copy, email countryside@oxfordshire.gov.uk or call 01865 810226.

    PHOTO: View across to Chearsley Courtesey of Doug Kennedy: http://www.doug-kennedy.com/

  • 09/07/10…Thame residents can give blood once more

    AFTER a gap of several years, the people of Thame can now donate blood from a centre in the town.

    Blood donating in Thame stopped severeal years agowith the demise of Thame United Football Club’s HQ in Windmill Road, which was eventually demolished.

    A blood donation session will be held on Tuesday, July 27, at The Spread Eagle Hotel, 16/17 Cornmarket, Thame from 1.30pm – 3.30pm & 4.15pm – 7.30pm.

    For more information or to book an appointment to attend this session, please call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk

  • 08/07/10…..Thame landmark tree felled

    THE landmark willow tree in Thame’s Memorial Gardens was felled yesterday after it was found to be diseased and dangerous.

    Town Clerk, Helen Stewart, said: “This is a very sad day for Thame and I know that many people will be unhappy about such a significant tree coming down.

    “The willow was a well-known focal point in the town but very unfortunately this action has been necessary for safety reasons. We have taken the advice of the Forestry and Countryside Manager at South Oxfordshire District Council, following a site visit.”

    The tree will be replaced today with a mature willow with a girth of at least 14-16cm and a height of between 4.2 and 4.8m, and planted as near to the original site as possible.

  • French market visits Thame 08/07/10 to 10/07/10

    THAME town centre, stalls include bread, tarts, croissants, cheese, charcuterie and ?saucissons?, as well as Paris handbags, Proven

  • Smaller bins for smaller properties please, asks Thame resident

    THAME residents living alone or in smaller properties, say they are disappointed that the district council seems to have gone back on an assurance that smaller bins would be available once the new collection system was up and running.

    Following the news that the new collection scheme has been so successful at increasing the amount of waste recycled, Rosalie Gibson, who is retired and lives in Thame, told ThameNews.Net: “Those people who wanted smaller bins, though initially told that they would be able to have them once the scheme was up and running, have now been told that it isn’t possible.

    “Lots of people don’t have room for the big bins and many who live on their own don’t need big bins. In fact, since they only pay 75% Council tax, they should only be entitled to a smaller bin!

    “Perhaps it would also make people realise how much rubbish they are creating and then they might try to cut down on the waste to contain it into a smaller bin.”

    Mrs Gibson continued: “I know a number of people who live alone and have asked to have small bins, and who were disappointed when the decision was reversed.”

    ED. What do YOU think? Let us have your views on whether smaller bins should be available for smaller properties in the district, or for people living alone.

    NOTE: Councillor David Dodds, Cabinet Member responsible for rubbish and recycling, was unavailable for comment at time of publishing, but as soon as we receive his comments, they will be published.

    PHOTO: Courtesy of Verdant Plc

  • 08/07/10…Thame residents urged to dig a hole for history!

    THAME museum is urging local residents to dig a hole in their gardens as part of this year’s Festival of British Archaeology.

    The museum is calling the event: Dig for History and is urging as many people as possible to take part.

    As the organisers point out, Thame has a long historical past. The new football stadium and grounds now cover a bronze age site, and who knows what else waits to be discovered?

    During the weekend July 17 – 18, residents from Thame and surrounding villages are invited to dig a hole in their garden and see what turns up.

    “The size of the hole does not matter,” they say, “but please dont fall in!

    “Not being the Time Team, we will not be rushing round sites, but please bring any interesting pottery, metal and stones into Thame Museum for identification either that weekend or the following weekend.”

  • Councillor suggest neighbours share bins

    THE District Councillor responsible for waste collections, has responded to concerns about a U-turn on the provision of smaller bins.

    Cllr David Dodds told ThameNews.Net: “Unfortunately Verdant Plc, the contractors for waste collection in the district, did originally say that smaller bins would be available. But apparently they have since realised that they made a mistake, and found that it is not possible to source sufficient smaller bins in any quantity, that would fit onto their vehicles.”

    Cllr Dodds suggested that if neighbours found themselves in a similar situation, having just a smaller amount of waste, perhaps they could consider sharing a larger bin.

    He added that if dissatisfied residents wanted to pass on their email addresses or contact details to him, via editor@thame.net, he would pass them on to Verdant to see if there was anything they could do.