WHERE? Hill Farm, Little Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4QZ- Dates: 20th, 21st and 27th, 28th March 2010.
PRICE: Family
Author: Sonja Francis
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Booming oldies means more affordable homes needed
AS Thame is becoming embroiled in the debate about whether or not, and where new homes are to be built in the town, The National Housing Federation is warning that communities in the rural South East will struggle to support a booming older population.
The number of pensioners living in the south east will increase by 148,200 over the next decade ? but communities here will struggle to support the ageing population boom unless more affordable homes are built, the campaign group has warned.
The National Housing Federation predicts the number of over 65s living in rural England will hit 3.23m by 2020, a rise of 907,900 (39%) from 2008.
According to the Federation, there will be a 32.8% increase in people who are over 65 years old, living alone in South Oxfordshire by 2020.
“Making matters worse,” says the Federation, “young people and families on modest incomes in rural south east communities could increasingly find themselves priced out of our villages and market towns, prompting fears that many rural areas will struggle to attract the key workers needed to care for and support the ageing population.
“More ?pensioner friendly homes? must also be built where there is a clear demand for them,” the Federation says, “and support services will need to be made more widely available in rural communities.”
Across England pensioners will make up one in four of the rural population (24%) by 2020, as the proportion of older people living in rural areas increases at a significantly faster rate than in urban areas.
The research also reveals that nationally one in three older people (32%) in rural areas will live alone by 2020, compared to the current level of one in four. In the south east, the number of older people set to live alone is expected to rise by 31.9% over the next decade, from 156,919 in 2008 to 206,924 in 2020. Many of these people could find themselves increasingly isolated if key services and amenities continue to disappear from rural England, the Federation has warned.
The Federation, which represents England?s housing associations, estimates around 100,000 new affordable homes need to be built in England alone to meet demand in rural areas over the next 10 years. In addition to the homes needed to cater for the booming population of over 65s, more affordable housing will also be necessary to house their families as well as key workers such as care assistants.
The Federation is calling on all local authorities to draw up action plans to assess their local housing needs and how they plan to meet that need. Councils should assess the changing needs of their local community and support the building of homes which meet the needs of older people where there is a demand for these properties, the Federation said.
Warren Finney, south east regional manager for the National Housing Federation said: “These projections suggest a huge rise in the number of older people living in our south east villages and market towns, many of whom will live alone. That means we?re going to be increasingly reliant on key services in these areas, as well as crucial housing and support services tailored specifically for older people.
“We must ensure that enough affordable homes are built for younger people on modest wages, so that they can continue to work in and support village shops, rural public transport, and these care and support services. If families and younger people are priced out of these areas then these amenities will continue to disappear and that would mean that older people will find themselves increasingly isolated.
“We are calling on local authorities to carry out assessments of housing need for their rural communities every three years and draw up action plans to deliver the homes required. They also need to assess what housing and support services will be needed to serve the growing older population.”
NB All new housing developments must include 40% affordable homes
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New accoustic music club gets Thame feet tapping 05/02/10
A NEW acoustic music club was launched yestereday (04/02/10) in Thame, and if the first night is a taster of things to come, the First Thursday Music Club is bound to become a Thame institution.
Musicians of all ages and genres were represented, and from the audience’s appreciative response, the club is set fine to run every month in this fine, new venue for Thame, at the Stables, behind the James Figg pub, in Cornmarket.
Last night’s line up:
This month’ s Host and Opener : Johnnie from 2amBlue
Garts and Ed – Thame favourites from the Unchosen
Tonsil and Eyetuss – instrumental smooth layered guitar duo
Acoustic Edge – featuring Sophie, 14 year old songstress who is quickly becoming the darling of the club
Paul and Martin – Popular fixtures of the local scene, strong on 60’s harmonies and interwoven guitar parts
Dave T (Thornton) PICTURED? the cat in the Hat, emotion laden, dynamic ballads
Steve Phillips – effortless and humour filled covers of 80’s new wave – the brit pop before it was called Brit Pop
Dave and Grant – the People’s choice- “Straight Outta Towersey”, the set list you would choose yourself
Michael Lee – seriously skillful and tasteful acoustic and beat box takes on some classic tunes
Haddenham John – if you could fingerpick a guitar and make this noise yo would do nothing else!
Big Phil’s All Star Show Band – the ever popular bass maestro leads his gang into music territory they have never been before!
2amBlue – Voices, Guitars, songs-that’s what they do!Club founder and member of local band 2AMBlue, Jon Littler, said: “For some time I have been increasingly aware that Thame has a great pool of musical talent which is too often confined behind closed doors and I was keen to create a simple format that allowed local people to come and have a go in front of a friendly, supportive crowd.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a virtuoso or complete beginner, the audience will be kind to everyone ? this club is about encouraging those who are willing to have a go.
“The location, which holds about 100 people, is not daunting and the evenings will be about producing great sound, not too loud, with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Not everyone will want to step up to the mic? but this event will provide a regular date in the month when those who relish live music can wander down, socialize with others and encourage those young and old who are willing to stand up and make music.
“The club is keen to encourage all those amateur acts in the area to bring their instruments and sign up from 7.45pm for a 15 minute or three song slot during the evening.”
To find out more, visit:
www.FirstThursdayMusicClub.com
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See iThame news item on BBC-video link
IF you missed yesterday’s BBC Oxford news item about the iThame application, developed with the collaboration of ThameNews.Net, you can view again on the internet.
Follow the link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/oxford/hi/people_and_places/default.stm
PHOTO: Courtesey of BBC Oxford
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Battle of the Thame housing development sites commences
PLANS for a housing development in Thame by a consortium of developers, is to be the subject of a public exhibition.
As part of the Oxfordshire Core Strategy that identifies areas of growth in South Oxfordshire up to 2026, Thame must provide up to 850 new homes during that period.
Communications consultants working on behalf developers keen to build on the eastern side of Thame, site A on the map, state in a letter that has been delivered to almost every home in the town: “The proposals represent a unique chance to improve the existing eastern areas of Thame, making them more connected to the rest of the town, whilst providing the sustainable growth and extra housing that Thame must accommodate.
“The scheme has been drawn up for East Thame in co-operation with local landowners and is deliverable. A new focus for the eastern part of the town will be provided through a small local centre and open green spaces for the community. There is also the potential to provide land for much needed community facilities, to meet the existing need of Thame and benefit the town as a whole.”
The exhibition is planned for Saturday, February 13, 2010, between 2pm and 8pm at Thame town hall.
South Oxfordshire District Council’s preferred option is site D on the map, but not all Thame residents are happy about the district council’s proposal for the bulk of this housing to be built on this, the southern side of Thame, and have formed an action group.
Thame Town Council’s preferred option is site C on the map.
Site Bii on the map has been ruled out by SODC since it was discovered that the area is a Hazard Zone and would not be suitable for development.
More information, maps and consultation documents regarding the Oxfordshire Core Strategy 2026 as it pertains to Thame, is available on SODC’s website at:
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04/02/10 Invitation to join Towersey cabaret
PLANS are well on the way for this year’s Towersey Cabaret, and local people are being invited to take part, either on stage or back stage.
A planning meeting will be held on Monday,February 22, at 8pm in The Barn, Towersey Manor, Manor Road, Towersey.
Ross Dike, Editor of the Towersey community newsletter, said: “Picking up from where the traditional Towersey Panto left off, we now have the
Towersey Community Arts Project. This committee will sponsor many diverse events, but one of the first will be a Towersey Cabaret Evening at the village hall this summer (late May or early June), featuring the excellent home-grown talents of the good people of
Towersey in an evening of music and humour in cabaret or revue style.“The event is likely to be one-night-only to a live audience and to feature a variety of performances from
residents each lasting around five to 20 minutes, and that would be suitable for a ?postwatershed?
audience (there will be other events focussed on the children ? the cabaret evening is looking at a teen to adult audience).“So if you would like to sing, or if you play an instrument, or you can tell some jokes, dance or act a bit, or would like to help ‘backstage’ with props, costumes, lighting, sound or stage work, or help ‘front-of-house’ on the night, please come along to the preliminary meeting at The Manor Barn, Towersey Manor on Monday, February 22, at 8pm and help get this show on the road!”
If you have any questions or queries, email Ian English at ianjenglish@hotmail.com
or Paul Mellor at pvmellor@hotmail.com -
Lucky escape for boys in Chinnor fire
A 13 year-old boy from Chinnor was taken to hospital on Saturday (30/01/10)with burns to his hands and legs when a garage he was in was destroyed by fire.
Oxfordshire County County Council Fire and Rescue Service were called to the fire at Hedgerley, Chinnor, at 4pm. The Garage and parts of the house were severely damaged. The Fire started in the garage of the semi detached property and completely destroyed the garage and caused damage to the rooms above and the roof.
Crews form Thame, Watlington and Oxford attended the incident, supported by the Specialist Rescue Unit from Kiddlington with specialist equipment to monitor the temperature of the Gas Cylinder.
Fear of Gas cylinder exploding
Station Officer at Thame fire station, Andy Ford, Said: “We were faced on arrival with a developed fire in the garage and already spreading the first floor. The Fire fighters had to deal with the additional hazards of an LPG cylinder in the fire and also the mains gas and electricity supplies damaged due the intensity of the fire.
“our main concern due the cylinder being involved, was to ensure everyone was out of the properties and the area evacuated in case of an explosion. We were also faced with the mains gas supply leaking into the garage and also the mains electric cable arcing due to the supply meters in the garage being damaged by the fire. Our main priority was to make the garage safe before we could commit Fire-fighters with breathing apparatus into the building to limit the damage to the rest of the house.”
Support for the family
Due to the damage to the house, the Red Cross Incident support unit attended to assist the family with the aftermath of the fire. They provide advice, warm clothing and help and support in such areas as contacting Insurances, and finding alternative accommodation following a Fire.
The fire is believed to have started when an aerosol was knocked over and leaking gas was ignited by the LPG gas fire in the garage keeping it warm.
Lucky escape
Two boys in the garage at the time had a very lucky escape, when the father was able to bend open the garage door and let them out.
“They were very lucky to get out as they would not have survived if they had been stuck in the garage for much longer,” added Andy Ford.“Fire spreads very quickly and this highlights how dangerous keeping flammables such as aerosols near to a heat source can be. We strongly recommend keeping aerosols and flammable liquids stored in a safe place or cabinet and away from any heat sources.
“The fire was extinguished quickly by the attending fire crews but they had to remain in attendance for some hours until the Gas and Electric supplies had been cut off. This made the building safe and allowed Fire Fighters to clear the garage and ensure the fire was completely out.”
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What’s on in Haddenham? February 2010
FIREFIGHTERS CHARITY. A new clothing and textile bank has recently been installed outside Haddenham fire station to raise funds for the Fire Fighters Charity, which helps and supports injured full-time and retained fire fighters, support staff, retired personnel and their dependents ? with a help-line and 3 centres providing therapy, rehabilitation and recuperation. Adults? and children?s clothing (including underwear), household linen, handbags and shoes in pairs are sent for recycling (to countries in Africa) by the commercial firm running the facility and a 20 per cent donation is made to the charity.
The Haddenham bank is the 7th to be installed in Bucks (there?s another at the Fire Brigade HQ at Stocklake, Aylesbury) and clothing banks across the country, which have now been operating for just over a year, have already proved to be a valuable source of incom, at no cost to the charity itself – providing about
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Thame Football Partnership’s Sponsor a brick campaign (Status: press release)
THAME Football Partnership (TFP) is looking for local support for the new site about to commence in Early February. With the main build funds in place the aim is to create additional funding to help the sustainability of the complex, providing a first class community facility for the future.
To help achieve this aim TFP will be creating a Wall of Fame around the entrance area where single bricks can be sponsored.
Wall of Fame Sponsor, Frank Thompson, commented, ?We are looking for a local business or company to sponsor the name of this wall at the facility, and their company name or logo will be displayed on a plaque on the wall with their message demonstrating support for the club and the community facility. Then we would look for individuals to buy a brick/s in the wall?
Buy a Brick Sponsor ?What we are looking for is for individuals to buy a brick/s, for this they would get their name on the wall of fame, mounted on a plaque on the brick demonstrating support for the club and the community facility. The cost will be -
BBC Oxford news to feature iThame application today 03/02/10
THE BBC have today been in Thame filming for a news feature on the new iThame application for the iPhone.
A film crew toured the town, starting at the town hall and then on to the musuem where the iThame developers, Andy McDonald and Simon Ralphs, explained that the application will include the town Heritage Trail.
Some of the local business leaders whose businesses have supported the iThame development, like Frazer Sutherland, Manager of The Thatch and Tom Newitt, were also interviewed.
Watch BBC news bulletins from Oxford at 3.30pm, 6.30pm and 10.30pm this evening.
PHOTO: The Thatch pub, Thame, one of the founding businesses of the iThame application for the iPhone.