Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • London and Thame cyclists will save the world, says Boris

    LONDON’S cycling Mayor, Boris Johnson, returned to his old constituency on Saturday, to launch a new cycle shop in Thame.

    And the two local businessmen behind the venture had Boris literally in tandem when he was joined on a bicycle made for two, by ex town mayor, Cllr Don Butler, for a spin round the block.

    Tim Parsons and David Green invited Mayor Johnson to the opening of ?2Wheels? – a cycle repair, sales, servicing, accessories and clothing shop at 99b High Street ? along with local MP, John Howell, who declined an invitation to join Boris on the tandem.

    Boris joked: “With this wonderful bike shop, the cyclists of Thame will join those of us in London in saving the world.”

    Tim owns the car parts and accessories shop, Autoparts, next door to 2Wheels and David and he worked there together for six years, some fifteen years ago.

    Mayor Johnson told a large crowd that had gathered for the event, that he often brought his children to Thame to search for Christmas presents at Autoparts and had previously had one of his children?s bikes repaired there when the shop did cycle accessories. He said it was great to now have a cycle shop next door and congratulated Tim and David on the joint venture, saying it is fantastic to see new businesses launching at any time, but especially in the current economic climate.

    Tim said: “We?ve often talked about opening a shop together. When the premises next to mine came onto the market it was too good a chance to miss. We used to do cycle accessories at Autoparts and with cycling becoming more and more popular, now seemed a great time to start a cycle sales, repair, accessories and clothing shop. The day went brilliantly the support we had from locals was overwhelming and the customer feedback was 100% positive, a great day all round.”

    David, who had a spell as an estate agent before returning to retail, added: “The day was a great success. With the price of fuel going up, people thinking about climate change and getting more health and exercise conscious, cycling seems to be a sector that?s steered clear of the worst of the credit crunch. We combine cycle sales with repairs and have an exciting range of clothing and accessories for cyclists.”

    Photo courtesy of Alison Nicholson @OTCN

  • Thame day centre Trustees welcome talks

    THE Trustees of Thame and District Day Centre have met with an NHS official to discuss a proposed rent increase that could cripple the centre.

    Last week, the day centre was told that its rent was to be increased from just over

  • Thanks to the Lighhouse

    Dear Editor, I would like to say a few word about the light house week at the show ground last week. My five year old daughter loved it!!! I just wish it went on for longer – what a fantastic week she had. Also my two year-old son went to the morning and loved it too. My wife said it was so well run it was unbelievable; so, well done to all the people that orgainised it and please think about doing two weeks!!!.

    I know these things must be a health and saftey nightmare and as a parent I do think you have done a wonderful job. we need things like the Lighthouse in Thame. Not only is it good for the kids but it brings us together as a community. It is a shame that the council, as in South Oxon or the county, do not help with funding for such events. I will be speaking to the councillors about this being a former one myself!!!

    Well done to all involved. I take my hat off to you and thanks for making the week so enjoyable to my daughther and son. Oh, and me and the wife!!!

    Regards
    Richard Walker, Thame

  • Latest update from Police Community Support Officer, Diane Jackson

    LOCAL NEWS – During the school holidays high visible patrols will continue, especially in the park areas, to reduce any anti social behaviour and under-age drinking which often leads to criminal damage.

    There have been reports of criminal damage in the Churchill Crescent Play area on the play equipment, possisbly being done by a dog. Can I please remind everyone that dogs should not be in the play areas.
    Also the changing room tiles on the roof in the South Pole play park in Southern Road, are being smashed by footballs being kicked onto the roof. This is criminal damage and will be dealt with accordingly.

    We have received several complaints of cycling on the footpaths, adults as well as youth. This is an offence if done by anyone over ten years of age, and one which carries a

  • Dangers are life-threatening at Chinnor cement works, swimmers warned

    THE police have issued a warning about the dangers to local people who have been jumping into the lakes at the old Chinnor cement works in the recent warm weather.

    Crime Reduction Adviser, Malcolm Wills said: “Chinnor Cement Works has several lakes on its land that are very attractive to young people. The largest of the lakes is about

  • Warning to Land Rover drivers

    THE Police have warned residents to take extra security precautions following an increase in the thefts of Land Rovers in the last couple of weeks.

    Overnight on July 4 and 5, 2009, two Land Rovers were stolen from addresses in Woodcote and Horspath. During the night of the July 21 and 22, a Land Rover was stolen from Steventon and a Land Rover Defender taken from an address in Chinnor.

    Four spare wheels were also stolen from the back of Landrover Freelanders. The offences all happened in Grove on the night of July 18 and 19.

    Det Insp Kev Elkins has urged motorists in the area to take precautions. He said:

    “Car crime can cost the victim a huge amount of money. But, through higher insurance premiums, these crimes affect all motorists.
    “To minimise the risk to a vehicle, motorists should fit steering wheel locks, immobilisers and, when possible, park in well-lit areas.
    “I would also urge anyone who might have information to help with our enquiries to contact us.”

    Anyone with any information should contact PC Jon Axford at Abingdon 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.

  • Guided fun from Lighthouse comes to an end for another year

    HUNDREDS of children from Thame and the villages wended there way home on Friday, (24/07/09), after a week of fun and friendship at the Fusion Playscheme on Thame showground.

    Under the leadership of Linda Newton, the Leader of the Lighthouse team, 324 helpers of activities in a total 14 marquees entertained, instructed, inspired and cared for almost 1000 children – a number almost 50% up on last year’s playscheme.

    These children in the photograph were caught on their way home on Thursday (24/07/09) which was Super Heroes Day.

  • Statement not a ‘vindictive attack’ says Towersey resident

    Dear Editor, As a resident of Towersey for some 31 years, I was appalled to read the letter from un-named supporters of the convicted paedophile Nick Graves in response to the very reasoned statement made by the family of his young victim.

    I particularly take exception to the reference that damage done to him will be ‘minimal unless he is is continually reminded of it’. Damage such as this, and the betrayal of trust from a family friend, never heals and can surface many years later as many mental health workers can testify.

    The statement was not a vindictive attack on Nick Graves and his family, but a plea to all families to listen to their children and report any concerns or inappropriate behaviour to the police. The reference to ‘mischievous complaints by children” is totally inappropriate – it has taken many years of hard work by concerned professionals to ensure that children are listened to and feel they can come forward, rather than living in fear and having such secrecy blight their lives. In the context of this case, at the end of the trial in which Nick Graves was unanimously found guilty by a jury of his peers of two serious sexual offences against an 8 year old child, the judge praised all the children concerned and the maturity they had shown.

    There is also a need for every person living within Towersey, both now and in the future, to know there is a convicted paedophile living within their community so they can take every precaution to safeguard their children.

    It is a known fact that the majority of sexual abuse does not take place by a stranger but by a person known to the victim, usually a trusted family member or family friend – a double betrayal.

    The lenient sentencing by Judge Hall was also a betrayal to the young victim, but should not deter others from coming forward who have also been victims of sexual abuse. Attending a sex offenders course will not ‘cure’ a paedophile – so it is up to local communities to be eternally vigilant of those who live in their midst.

    Yours sincerely,

    Daphne Hazeldine
    Towersey resident and neighbour of the convicted paedophile Nick Graves

    IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor on ThameNews.Net are those of the contributor only and not necessarily shared by the Editor. All letters are published in the spirit of free speech and of course are subject to the right of reply, as are any views expressed on the website (https://www.thame.net)

  • Penalty secures draw for Thame at Brackley

    BRACKLEY SPORTS 2, THAME UNITED 2; Match Report – Saturday, July 25, 2009.
    United returned from Northamptonshire both relieved and disappointed at the same time ? relieved that a Greg Stocker penalty three minutes from time secured a draw, but disappointed that they were unable to make their chances pay when the opportunities arose.

    The first of these came in only the second minute when, in the same move, Cowan, Jones and Barr all failed to force the ball home when well placed. 10 minutes later and United hit the post, before captain Dave Hocking had a good opportunity from a Barr corner. United continued to press with both Mark Jones and Pete Way going close. United did have the ball in the back of the net after 23 minutes following a well worked free kick, only for the referee to bring the game back for the free kick to be taken again. The first real opportunity for Brackley did not arrive until the 35th minute when a shot from fully 25 yards flew just over the bar and a minute later Matt Pay did well in the Thame goal to gather a shot at his near post.

    The second half started in a similar vein, but 10 minutes in to the half United opened the scoring. A through ball from Gavin Way glanced off the head of an opposing defender in to the path of striker Mark Jones who calmly rounded the keeper to score from close range. However. The lead only lasted two minutes as good work down the Brackley right resulted in a cross along the six yard line that found an unmarked Brackley forward who calmly placed the ball wide of Pay. United nearly took the lead again two minutes later when a Greg Stocker shot went just wide of the post following a good passing move. However, it was Brackley who went in front ten minutes later when good work down the left resulted in a similar cross along the six yard line that was met by the on-rushing Brackley forward in front of the Thame defenders and placed wide of Pay. United nearly equalized shortly afterwards when Jones hit the crossbar, and they eventually got their reward three minutes from time when Manager Mark West was fouled in the box and Stocker stepped up to comfortably beat the Brackley keeper from the spot.

    United face a trip to Shrivenham on Wednesday evening (7:45pm kick off) before facing landlords AFC Wallingford on Saturday 1st August, 2:30pm kick off.

    Thame United Squad: Pay, Newell, P.Way, Hocking, Gacoyne, Jones, Cowan, El-Kassir, Smail, Barr, Gibbs, G.Way, Stocker, West.

  • Former professional racing cyclist supports Edd and Ben the Marathon Men

    TWO supporters of an ctivity centre for children with special needs and their families near Thame, have the inspiration of a former professional cyclist behind them, when they attempt to run 12 marathons to raise funds for the centre.

    Edd Nieburg, who works for the district council as a Grants Officer, and Ben Halliwell, a Film Studies graduate, plan to run 312 miles, the equivalent of 12 marathons, in just 13 days in August 2009. Their aim is to raise