Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Pensioner suspected of causing death of Thame teacher

    IT has been reported today that a pensioner has been arrested in connection with the death of Thame teacher, Ellie Bongers.

    A 71-year-old woman was arrested on February 6, 2010, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She was later released on Bail until March 19.

    Ellie Bongers, 32, died in hospital on Christmas Eve, four days after the crash on the A4260 near Tackley, on Sunday, December 20, 2009. Her 15-month-old son Joseph, who was also in the car, has been left brain damaged and is currently being looked after in a hospice with his family around him.

    Mrs Bongers taught English at Lord Williams?s School in Thame.

    Anyone with any information about the crash should call Pc Mitchell on 0845 850 5505 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

    SONG FOR ELLIE

    Musician, Graham Timbrell, has written a song to Ellie Bongers. CLICK HERE

  • Man charged in connection with Greg Stiles’ death 22/02/10

    AN Aylesbury man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, in relation to a fatal crash at Kingsey, near Thame, in May last year.

    Sammy Edwards, aged 26, from Marsh, Aylesbury, has been charged in connection with the collision on Sunday, May 17, Risborough Road, Kingsey, causing the death of 18-year-old Greg Stiles.

    Edwards has been released on police bail to appear at Aylesbury Magistrates? Court on Tuesday March 02, 2010.

    SEE LINK
     to related and background news items.

    PHOTO: Greg Stiles

  • Take a walk, Councillors

    Dear Editor – The Government’s South East plan is quoted on the South Oxfordshire District Council’s website as dictating the housing policies for many years ahead. Perhaps, in looking at the various options available to Thame, our local leaders could consider what is at least a possibility that the Government may change this year.

    I mention this only because it seems to me that our representatives need not hold up their hands and surrender to whatever unwelcome proposals might be thrust on the town.

    Re the current controversy over ‘East Thame’, I knew an old parish councillor years ago in the Midlands who frequently said: ‘I’ll just go and take a look.’ And out he walked. I would recommend decision makers here do the same. Get a sense of the size of the scheme. Take a walk from the skate park down the by pass, then left along the Phoenix trail, half way to Towersey. From there imagine crossing the fields to the Kingsey Road; skirt the show ground and the Rugby Club to the left and then find your way back to Moor End Lane. I base these comments on the aerial map shown in the Thame Gazette of February 12.

    Then imagine that whole area as built up.

    That would make a suburb. I really can’t see how, as its advocates claim. that would improve the whole town.

    Norman Brand
    Fanshawe Road
    22/02/10

  • Share no-longer needed materials with other businesses

    A WEBSITE is now available that help businesses pass on unwanted materials to others, and to obtain pre-used materials that may be of use to them.

    Visit Retrader.org.uk to see a range of different categories of items and materials that can be exchanged, from batteries to paper and furniture to paint and pallets.

    There are two ways to get involved:

    * Find out what?s on offer and/or log your re-usable material for others to see at Retrader.org.uk
    >/a> The first time you go there you?ll need to register.

    Please type OTCN into section 13 which asks how you heard about the service, to help them monitor how effective their services are. (We heard about Retrader.org.uk for OTCN – The Oxfordshire Town Chambers Network)

    * Attend the launch event and get first chance to go away with some of the re-usable office equipment that is already available. Oxfordshire County Council is hosting the one-off reuse showcase at Macclesfield House, Oxford on Friday 26th February, 10am to 12pm.

    Places are limited so if you would like to attend please contact Gavin Hull on 01865 328782 or e-mail gavin.hull@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

  • Thame gets its own Market Town Co-ordinator

    A dedicated Market Town Co-ordinator, whose job will be to work with partnerships and others in the town to deliver the district council’s economic action plan, has been appointed for Thame.

    Alison Isherwood, from Sydenham, near Thame, has been the Project Officer for 21st Century Thame for five years, and therefore has extensive experience in partnership working and project delivery.

    In a statement, South Oxfordshire District Council said: “Alison will help exploit the towns? unique qualities and once in post, she will prioritise getting to know the businesses and the town partnerships and getting a feel for the town. She will also be preparing a business plan to attract investment and trade to the town.”

    The council has also appointed Market Town Co-ordinators for Wallingford and Henley, investing

  • Thame police inspector promises action of pets killed by dog

    THAME’S top police officer, Inspector Martin Ford, has promised to take action in the case of the pet rabbit and guinea pig killed by an out-of-control dog.

    Inspector Martin Ford told ThameNews.Net today: ?I have personally spoken with Caron Abreu and would confirm that Police are currently investigating this incident.

    “This is a shocking incident that clearly had significant impact on Max and his family. We take all incidents of dangerous dogs seriously as a community safety issue in liaison with our partners.

    “Any one who has information relating to this incident should contact PC Hounslow on 08458 505 505.?

  • MISSING: Black cat from Thame

    THE owners of a much loved black cat, missing from Thame for over a week, are desperate to know what has happened to him.

    Madi, who is 14 years old, belongs to Pete and Tricia Hook, who live in the Kings Road area of Thame. Peter told ThameNews.Net today: “Madi is very affectionate and rarely strays far from home so we are very puzzled.
    He has been missing since Wednesday morning which is totally out of character.

    “We ask everyone to PLEASE check their garden and any outbuildings just in case he is trapped or injured, and contact us with any information.”

    Call: 01844 260603 or email: peterghook@hotmail.com

  • Help Thame become a Transition Town

    Dear Editor, I have recently become involved with a group of people who are trying to set up a Transition Town iniative here in Thame. The idea behind Transition is that our society is facing two big challenges: the peak in the production of oil and climate change.

    The transition movement tries to build links in communities in order to face these challenges positively and to build a better future. Look at this website if you would like to know more:

    www.transitiontowns.org

    On the 27th February at 2pm, we will be holding an open meeting at Thame Town Hall to talk to local people about transition and to get their ideas for taking this work forward. It would be great if you were able to join us and Iook out for the posters advertising the event around Thame.

    If you are not able to attend, please do forward the email to any one you know who might be interested in attending. Otherwise, look forward to seeing you a week on Saturday!

    Best Wishes
    Lindsey.(Addressed supplied)
    18/02/10

  • 18/02/10 Family pets savaged by dog

    AN eight year-old Thame boy has been left destraught after his pet rabbit and guinea pig were savagely killed by a dog.

    The boy, Max Abreu, and his mum, Caron, discovered a gruesome scene in their back garden in Chestnut Avenue, Thame, when they returned from a trip to Thame town centre, yesterday (Wednesday, February 17).

    A neighbour told Caron that two people were seen looking into the garden and shouting, and a dog barking, at around 1pm yesterday, just before their grizzly find.

    It would seem that the dog got into the Abreu’s garden from Cuttlebrook via the garden next door before killing Max’s pets.

    Caron told ThameNews.Net: “I called the police and was told that there was nothing they could do because no crime had been committed.

    “I’m sure the dog’s owner didn’t mean it to happen, but if you can’t control your dog, it should be kept on a lead. What upsets me is that they didn’t even leave a note to say they were sorry.

    “I can’t believe that anyone could allow their animal to cause such devastation and just walk off. All I want is an apology.”

    Caron added that Thame PCSO Diane Jackson has told her that she will make some enquiries locally to see if anyone saw anything.

    Photo: The shocking scene that confronted Max Abreu when he returned from a shopping trip with his mum yesterday.

  • Police services represent value for money, survey shows

    This is a Ringmaster message from Thames Valley Police.
    RESIDENTS in the Thames Valley (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire) believe the cost of policing the region is value for money.

    According to a recent survey of Thames Valley residents 58.4% believe the current level of council tax for police services across the region –