Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 17/02/10 Athletics fun for Thame primary schools

    Pupils from years three and four at St. Joseph?s Catholic Primary School, Thame, have been celebrating their their win at last week?s indoor athletics challenge, held at Lord Williams School.

    Organised by the Thame and Oxfordshire School Sports Partnership, pupils competed in events including relays, soft javelin and standing long jumps.

    ?The children are thrilled with their win, especially with such a close final score and enjoyed competing with their friends from the Thame schools partnership,? commented Claire Kerr, Headteacher at St. Joseph?s.

    ?We would like to express our thanks to the organising team and to Lord Williams for hosting this event.?

    School Sports Partnerships aims to increase the amount and variety of school sport opportunities for young people and reward for achievement in results and teamwork.

  • 17/02/10 Motorists targeted in police operation, Thame

    MOTORISTS driving whilst using mobile phones or not wearing seat belts, were the target of a police operation in Upper High Street, Thame, this morning.

    During the operation, carried out between 8am and 11am, over fifty motorists were stopped after being observed committing offences. All were issued with penalty notices, most accepting to pay for and attend awareness courses in exchange.

    Sgt Hazell, based at Thame police station, commented: “Public consultation identified traffic concerns in Thame and the Police have been conducting targeted operations across the sector. The Police would advise motorists to be considerate of their own safety and the safety of others whilst driving.

    “Wearing seat belts and keeping hands free reduces the risk of accident and injury.?

  • 17/02/10 Have your say about neighbourhood policing

    THE Thame Neighbourhood Policing Team are planning a public meeting aimed at giving local people the opportunity to meet the members of their policing team, discuss local issues and to contribute towards the 2010 consultation.

    The meeting will be on March 3, 2010, at Thame Snooker Club, Wellington Street, Thame, starting at 7pm.

    Sgt Chris Hazell commented: “Please come along and have your say! The Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) is currently conducting consultation in Thame. This is an opportunity for the community to help in identifying their concerns, and the results will be used by the NAG to problem solve the main issues.”

    PHOTO: The Thame Community Policing team

  • 17/02/10 Developing clean technology in Oxfordshire

    FREE TO ATTEND 1/2 DAY PRESENTATION/ WORKSHOP – developing the clean tech economy in Oxfordshire: A low carbon future for a world-class economy.

    The significance of future environmental and climate change is contested both politically and commercially. Oxfordshire has existing strengths in terms of academic skills, community engagement and business responses to the challenges of environmental and climate change but there is a perception that there is no overall vision or plan that considers how these changes will affect all aspects of society and the economy.

    The aim of this event is to facilitate senior business and political leaders discussing how they can help each other respond successfully to the challenges and opportunties created by these changes.

    An introduction by Sir David King will set the scene and will be followed by a presentation from Trevor Graham who has been working in Malmo to help it develop its clean-tech, low carbon economy.

    Discussions during the afternoon will develop our understanding of the options facing Oxfordshire to respond and contribute to our understanding of who needs to be involved.

    See: http://www.eventelephant.com/cleantechoxford

    PHOTO: Sir David King, Founding Director of the Smith School. Sir David was the UK Government?s Chief Scientific Adviser and Head of the Government Office of Science from October 2000 to 31 December 2007. In that time, he alerted governments worldwide to the threat of climate change.

  • 17/02/10 Chinnor Seconds slay Redingensians

    ANOTHER fantastic home win for the Chinnor seconds
    13th Feb 2010 – Chinnor 30 vs 0 Redingensians;

    CHINNOR Seconds have added the league leaders, Redingensians seconds to their list of impressive home game results this season. Redingensians have won 11 and drawn 1 out of their 14 league games this season and is a team that one should respect. Chinnor knew this was going to be a major challenge although Chinnor was the team that held them to a draw earlier in the season. With Chinnor?s back line made up mainly of Colts all under 18 it was to be a big challenge.

    As usual, Chinnor started the game looking like they were stronger, and it wasn?t long before they were awarded a penalty, which was converted into points by Jack Green. The two teams soon found their rhythm and played very well with Chinnor having the advantage with the forwards. This allowed the backs to get a lot of good ball. Alex Woodhouse scored the first try with the support of the backs. Chinnor kept Redingensians under a lot of pressure with them defending the try line and Chinnor just kept driving them back. They were rewarded with a well-taken try by senior citizen Simon Matthews who is an inspiration to all young players and players in general at Chinnor. The try was converted by Jack Green followed by another successful penalty and Chinnor finished the half 18 points to nil.

    The second half started with a more determined Redingensians taking the game to Chinnor, and the Chinnor forwards once again dominated the scrums as they had in the first half and weathered the storm. Chinnor lost young Tom Green due to a deliberate late tackle by the opposition scrumhalf, he left the field with a suspected dislocated shoulder. Fortunately the injury wasn?t as serious. Once again most of the game was played between the two twenty two metre lines exhibiting some real physical rugby from both sides. Chinnor again added the first points of the half with the forwards driving Ben Ramsdale over the try line. The dieing moments of the second half Chinnor produced a very well worked back line run allowing Guy Hackshaw the opportunity of scoring a great try. The game ended 30 points to 0 in Chinnor?s favour, another great win for the team.Both Baz Corpe cut eye and Ricky Hopwood concussion had to be replaced due to injuries, which we hope aren?t too serious. Chinnor played 6 colts this weekend, most of the colts played the full eighty minutes and showed great potential. They were a credit to Chinnor and the team.All 18 of the Chinnor team had good games with Tom Green and Ricky Hopwood standing out, but man of the match this week goes to Ricky Hopwood.

    Tries ; Alex Woodhouse,simon Matthews,Ben Ramsdale and Guy Hackshaw.

    Conv : Jack Green x 2

    Pen ; Jack Green x 2

    Walter McGuicken

  • 16/02/10 Thame distraction burglary linked to others in the county

    THE police believe that the distraction burglary in Queens Close, Thame, over the weekend, is linked to two others in Oxfordshire.

    The burglaries, all targeting elderly people, took place this weekend in Bicester, Oxford, Kidlington and Thame, and they all involved men pretending to need to check taps, washing machines or water pressure.

    Det Sgt Gavin Collier, who is leading the investigation, said: “There is no reason why a stranger should ever come into your home. All agencies or utility companies should make an appointment and also use a password system.

    ?I would urge anyone with elderly or vulnerable relatives, neighbours or carers to check their home security and alert them to the dangers of opening the door to a stranger.

    ?Distraction burglars prey on the elderly and vulnerable. If you see people calling at houses and are suspicious of their intentions, I would urge you to contact police immediately.?

    Anyone with any information about these incidents should contact Det Sgt Collier at Banbury police station via 0845 8 505 505, or if you don?t want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

    Malcolm Wills, Crime Reduction Advisor, offered the following advice to residents:

    LOCKED – If someone knocks on your door and you are not expecting them, before you go to your front door make sure your rear door is secure.

    STOP ? If someone knocks at your door, stop and think, ?Am I expecting someone?? Look through your spy hole or through a window to see who is at your door.

    CHAIN ? Put your door chain on before opening the door.

    CHECK ? Ask for the callers Identification and check this by phone.

    IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT

    Leaflets about bogus callers are available from your local police station

  • 16/02/10 Have your say on boosting South Oxfordshire’s economy

    SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council wants local business
    to have a say on an action plan for economic development in the district over the next three years.

    The plan sets out the range of issues facing business and economic development in South Oxfordshire, such as high levels of commuters travelling outside the district, skills shortages, access to services in
    rural locations and competition from other areas, along with the challenges posed by the current global economic downturn. The plan suggests key actions needed to tackle these issues and achieve a
    real, measurable difference.

    In a statement, SODC says: “Although the council will take the lead on the plan, it is intended to be a joint effort working closely with local businesses, individuals and other partner organisations. A steering group has been established to push the actions forward and its members will hopefully become
    ambassadors for this work within the wider business community.”

    Some of the key actions include:

    ● Helping to encourage the creation of high value job
    opportunities for local people. The plan is to work closely with Science Vale UK to raise the profile of the area as an excellent choice to locate business and an attractive place to live.
    ● Addressing skill gaps and raising skills levels in the local workforce by encouraging education providers to offer appropriate training.
    ● Providing more support, guidance and promotion for local businesses – running networking events, meeting the needs of small businesses and people working from home.
    ● Supporting strong and vibrant towns with market town action plans.

    Cabinet Member for economic development, Rodney Mann, says:”This important three year plan shows the council?s commitment to supporting economic growth in the district by promoting business growth, creating new job opportunities and supporting the creation of vibrant market towns.

    “I urge local people, and the business community in particular, to take a look at this action plan and let us know if they think we are on the right track. By working together to achieve the goals in this plan,
    we aim to make South Oxfordshire one of the most economically successful, and environmentally sustainable, rural areas in the country.”

    The action plan is available for people to view on the council?s website at www.southoxon.gov.uk/haveyoursay
     and the consultation on the plan runs until the end of February. Comments can be sent to:
    economic.development@southoxon.gov.uk

    Image: Courtesy of graphicleftovers.com

  • 15/02/10 Owner of found fatally injured cat sought

    THE owner of a black and white cat, found injured last Thursday in the Coobe Hill area of Thame, is being sought.

    A resident of Coombe Hill picked up a cat that had been hit and left in the road, at about 7pm last Thursday, February 12.

    The cat was taken on to the vets but sadly died on the way. The resident, who has seven cats of her own, tried door knocking in Conduit Hill Rise and Coombe Hill Crescent but was unable to track down the owner. The vets are holding the cat in a freezer until it can be identified.

    The cat was a male, black and white, more black than white, white chest and two white back feet. Not micro chipped not very old. Black bushy tail.

    Anyone who recognises this description or would like more information, can call the finder on 01844 217690.

  • 15/02/10 Distraction burglary – Queens Close,Thame

    THIS is a Ringmaster message from Thames Valley Police.
    On Friday February 12, at approx: 21:00hrs, a property in Queens Close, Thame, was the target of a Distraction Burglary.

    Three white males knocked on the side door to the property and said they had fixed a washing machine down the road. They said there was a leak and that they needed to gain entry to check the water pressure. They gained entry, searched through some drawers, then left via the back door. It is not known at this time what has been stolen.

    If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area, or have any information relating to this message, please call the police on 08458 505 505 and quote URN 1540 of 12/02/10.

    Message Ends.

  • Have your say on policing in Thame

    THE Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) locally is currently seeking your views on community concerns in Thame and the villages within Watlington and Chinnor neighbourhoods.

    The feedback from the community will be used by NAG to problem solve the main issues and the data passed to relevant agencies. Community volunteers are completing questionnaires in the community.

    Consultation forms can be located on SODC website and your views are welcome. See LINK