SOLL LEISURE, which manages Thame Leisure Centre, will not have its contract renewed when it expires in March.
Thame and other leisure centres run by South Oxfordshire District Council will be managed by Greenwich Leisure Ltd from April 2009 to March 2014.
The company will also manage the Thame swimming pool which is currently owned separately by Thame Town Council.
A DRIVER had to be cut from his car early on Wednesday morning, when his car left the road and hit a tree in icy conditions.
The incident happened at around 6am on Wednesday morning, and the driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Thame Fire Station’s Station Officer, Andy Ford has criticised the standard of driving by many drivers in the icy road conditions that have been experienced on our roads over the last couple of weeks.
“We have had to deal with many incidents that are the result of inappropriate driving for these conditions,” said Andy. “Fortunately, most of them have not lead to serious injuries but they could have. It only takes a few minutes off a journey to drive a bit slower and not to attempt to over-take those taking care in front,” he added.
“It is better to arrive a few minutes late than not to arrive at all,” he concluded.
FOLLOWING dozens of traffic collisons on icy roads yesterday morning, the Police are urging motorists to heed road safety advice in the current road conditions.
Icy conditions and flooding in some areas led to 67 road traffic collisions on the roads of Thames Valley Police area this yesterday morning (11/2), three times the figure for an average day. A total of 463 traffic-related incidents were recorded in the first 12 hours, compared with 102 for the same period of the last Wednesday morning without snow (28/1)
The conditions have led to a significant increase in calls made to police, putting a strain on call-handling and roads policing resources. Further expected flooding and black ice is likely to create similarly difficult driving conditions in the coming days.
Sgt Chris Appleby of the Roads Policing department said: ?We are seeing a lot of accidents caused by erratic driving.
?Many incidents of poor driving practice are being highlighted to us. For example, you should always reduce your speed before a bend, not on it. If you brake on a bend in icy conditions, it is very likely that you will skid.
?Drivers should not make any erratic moves, like sudden steering or braking. These can lead to cars leaving the road. Please allow yourself enough distance to stop.
?The advice is to leave plenty of time for your journey and drive carefully ? we want you to get to your destination safely.?
A MAN with connections in Wheatley is wanted by the police in connection with a dozen robberies around Oxford.
Jon Shirley, aged 23, is believed to have committed a robbery at the BP Garage in Marston on Friday, (06/02) where he threatened a member of staff with a gun and stole cash.
The police believe that this robbery is linked to a further 11 that have taken place in the Oxford area since December for which Shirley will be questioned about when brought into custody.
He is described as being white, 6ft, slim, with un-kept, very dark brown hair and thick eyebrows.
Oxford Commander, Supt Andy Murray, said: “I would like to reassure the public that we are carrying out extensive enquiries to identify Shirley and arrest him.
“This is the top priority for Oxford and a team of specially trained officers are working on the enquiry to identify his whereabouts.
“He is a dangerous man and could be armed. I urge the public not to approach him but to dial 999 immediately if you see him or know where he is.
“I would describe him as chaotic and desperate, whose motivation is cash.
“He is local to Oxford and we believe he has connections in Headington, Cowley and Wheatley.
“There is a possibility that when Shirley knows his photo has been circulated to the media he may attempt to leave the area or go into hiding.
“I ask the public to familiarise themselves with his photo ? Have you seen him? Do you know where he is?”
Anyone with information about Jon Shirley can contact the police immediately on 999, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
AN ever-changing programme of events and exhibitions continues at Thame museum, with an exhibition of Weddings and Wedding Dresses, currently running until May 13, and a Valentine’s event for the family on Saturday.
DETAILS:
Valentine?s Day Craft Morning – Come and make a Valentine card or gift inspired by our card collection
on Saturday, February 14 – 10am – 1pm in the Community Room, Thame Museum. No need to book, just drop in and have a go! All ages welcome
Under 8 year olds must be accompanied by an adult.
It’s FREE! but contributions towards materials would be welcome.
An Exhibition of Weddings and Wedding Dresses
from the 20th Century – now until May 13 – Admission FREE – Sunday 12-4pm, Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10am-4pm
A Thame fire officer has praised the quick thinking of a Chef whose prompt use of a tee towel almost certainly saved a small fire in a hotel kitchen from becoming a much more serious incident.
Station Officer Andy Ford told ThameNews.Net today: “Because of the heavy snow last Friday (06/02) our progress was impeded when we were called out to a fire at The Peacock, at Henton, near Chinnor. But the Chef their had obviously taken notice of fire fighting advice and by the time we arrived, he had covered a flaming pan which had melted part of an extraction unit with a Tee towel. He then turned off the power to the extraction unit and by his swift action, undoubtedly prevented the fire from spreading and becoming much more serious.”
Cooking fires are the second biggest cause of fire in the home in Oxfordshire, according to Oxfordshire County Council, and since 2004, there have been 544 cooking fires reported to Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. The real number could be much higher because some people have extinguished the fires themselves without calling the fire service.
For advice on preventing and dealing with fires in the kitchen, go to: LINK
Picture: for illustrative purposes only
BOB Baker, from Thame, who plays for Chinnor RFC, has again been selected to play for the England Under 20s.
Bob will get his second England U20 cap tomorrow, Friday, February 13, against Wales. If you want to record the match its on BBC2 Wales (Sky Channel 991)
The match kicks off at 7:00pm
Full details of Bob’s 1st cap are on the Oxford Mail web site – click on the link below:
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sp
DEEP, standing water in places along the road to Chinnor, B4445, between Thame and Sydenham, is still making driving difficult, particularly early this morning when drivers were faced with icy conditions, particularly by the Towersey turn.
THE road from Worminghall to Wheatley is closed because of high water levels and the road from Worminghall to Shabbington and to Ickford is still under very deep water, the only way out of Worminghall is through Stanton St John.
The B4011 Bicester Road at Long Crendon and Wheatley Road, in Wheatley have all reopened.
Rycote Lane is no longer flooded but patchy, icy conditions early this morning caused one car to end up in a ditch.
LET Thamenews.Net know about any other road closures you may know about – call 07792 487 030, or email:
editor@thame.net
SEVEN sheep drowned yesterday (10/02) after their flock became stranded in flooded fields in Thame.
Officers from the RSPCA were called to the site near the A418 Aylesbury Road, afer heavy rain and melting snow caused the River Thame to burst its banks. Members of the society’s dedicated flood team waded in to help rescue the 120 strong flock.
In a four-hour rescue effort, three RSPCA inspectors helped the farmer to move the sheep to dry land 200 metrs away, with the help of a tractor and trailer.
Sadly seven sheep drowned prior to the rescue and a further three had to be put to sleep on veterinary advice. Those rescued were treated where necessary by vets at the scene.
RSPCA chief inspector, Rob Skinner, took part in the rescue along with inspectors Will Rippon and Martin Rivett, and trading standards officer, Paul Bates from Oxford County Council. Rob said: “This was a great team effort and we?d like to thank Oxford County Council for their help and the farmer for his cooperation and part in the rescue.
Rob added: “The RSPCA has a flood team which is available to help rescue animals in these situations. However, we are asking owners to make sure that horses and livestock are moved to higher ground in areas where there may be a risk of flooding.”
The RSPCA received 303 calls about animals affected by floods on Tuesday morning (10 February), mainly in Essex, Oxfordshire, Devon and Worcestershire.
To protect animals from severe weather conditions, pet owners and farmers are being urged to:
? Move outdoor pets such as rabbits and guinea
pigs indoors to a garage or shed;
? Keep all domestic pets indoors and ensure
dogs are accompanied at all times when
outside;
? Put horses, ponies and donkeys into stables;
? Livestock should be moved from lowland onto
higher ground to avoid floods;
? Livestock must have access to adequate feed
and fresh water which should be checked
regularly to ensure that it has not become
submerged in water;
? Livestock must have access to shelter
LAST night, Pop icon, Robin Gibb helped recognise the efforts of young role models to improve the lives of other young people.
The Bee Gees musician, who lives in Thame, attended a Downing Street reception for five recipients of awards set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.
In his capacity as a Diana Award ambassador, Robin joined the young people being celebrated, including Nicole Drysburgh, 19, whose book, The Way I See It, details how she overcame a range of illnesses since she was 11, including tumours, a brain haemorrhage, Bells Palsy, a stroke and subsequently becoming deaf and blind.
Despite her difficulties, Nicole has raised over