Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Re-appeal for wanted, dangerous person (Status: Press release)

    THAMES Valley Police is re-appealing for help from members of the public to trace a wanted man from Norwich, whom detectives believe is dangerous and in the Thames Valley area.
    Andrew Gallagher, aged 52, who was last seen on the morning of Friday, November 14, 2008, is currently wanted on recall to prison.

    Police remain concerned that he is a danger to the public and need to locate him at the earliest opportunity. We would advise members of the public not to approach him and to contact police officers immediately.

    He is white, 5ft 7ins to 5ft 8ins and of muscular build. He has a white/blonde close cropped moustache with a long, bushy goatee of the same colour (not shown in the picture, right) and close cropped white/blonde hair with a bald patch.

    He is believed to speak with a Bradford accent. He was last seen wearing a tight blue T-shirt, black shorts and was wearing a black day sack on his back and carrying a yellow holdall. He is known to wear shorts most of the time. He may be riding a dark blue Cannondale mountain bike.

    Det Sgt Alan Clements, who is leading the investigation for Thames Valley Police, said: ?We are working closely with our colleagues at Norfolk Constabulary as they are leading the investigation to his disappearance.
    ?However, we have good reason to believe he is in the southeast of our Force area, in southern Oxfordshire, southern Buckinghamshire or east Berkshire. He also has personal links to other parts of Oxfordshire so may also be elsewhere in the county.
    ?Mr Gallagher is a dangerous individual, he poses a serious risk to the public and it is vital we have him back in custody. I urge anyone who has any knowledge of his whereabouts to get in touch straight away.
    ?I would also like to appeal to Andrew directly and we urge you to hand yourself immediately because you will be found.?

    Anyone with information relating to his whereabouts should contact Thame CID on 0845 8 505 505 or Norfolk Constabulary on 0845 456 4567. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • Images of Thame – A Very English Town

    MANY people who live in Thame, and others who have regularly ventured into the town, could not possibly have failed to notice a rather striking-looking man in a poacher’s hat, with a very long beard, holding a camera and chatting with the local shopkeepers, market traders and other local characters, with more than just a quizical eye.

    Local photographer, John Comino-James has quietly stalked his human quarry, swooping as unobstrusively and quietly as a barn owl at dusk, for several years now, culminating this week in the publication of his latest book of images.
    ‘In a Very English Town’ is however, different from John’s other works in that, as well as portraits, it includes interviews and candid photographs of town centre shops and businesses with their owners, across a time period, between 2007 – 2008. The book is a sequence representing a meandering walk through the centre of Thame, including visits to the cattlemarket, Thame Show fair and the Tuesday street market, capturing the character and ‘feel’ of a market town through its buildings and business people mostly.

    “The accompanying interviews,” say Publishers, Dewi Lewis, “reveal pride in the continuation of family businesses as well as small enterprises both challenged by and benefiting from the increasing impact of the internet.” And so they do.

    The launching of In a Very English Town was celebrated last night, in the presence of the Mayor of Thame, Don Butler, and some of the characters represented in the book, at The Book House, in Thame, where the book is available to buy; the perfect Christmas present for anyone, currently or at any time, with an association with Thame, so copies are selling fast.

    John’s other three published works are:
    Nearly Every Tuesday – photographs of Thame’s weekly street market

    Fairground Attraction- looking at the lives of travelling showmen with a particular emphasis on the Thame fairs and

    A Few Streets, A Few People – people and surroundings of the Cayo Hueso barrio in Havana, Cuba.

    Photo: John Comino-James with Louise Pattinson, Manger, The Book House, High Street, Thame, during a celebration to mark the publication of In a Very English Town.

  • Congratulations on Thame lights!

    Dear Editor, I am writing to you to congratulate the Town council for a wonderful Christmas event. I also think that the lights in the town look excellent and really give you that Christmas feeling when you are shopping in the town. This can only be a good thing. I understand why Swan walk and Greyhound walk have no lights, as

  • The ‘awsomist ‘ playground opens in Thame

    TWO years after two mums lobbied Thame Town Council about the unsafe and damaged state of the Southern Road play area, the children of Thame have given their verdict on new play equipment revealed for the first time today.

    Click on LINK
     to see video of the event

    The Mayor of Thame, Don Butler, snipped a red ribbon before dozens of local children rushed into the playground to try out the new equipment for themselves.

    “This is the most awsomist ride!” exclaimed one boy as he and his friends queued to have a go on the sliding rail – a modern take on the old, traditional slide.
    “Its much better than the old, smelly park!” said his friend, “I’m going to come here every day.”

    The Chair of South Oxfordshire District Council, Colin Dawkes, presented a symbolic cheque for the district council’s

  • A wining and dining haven away from ‘feral’ children – By Eddie Francis

    I READ with interest recently that children have been branded as ?feral?, and that 53 percent of us think that children are beginning to behave like animals. Beginning? They?ve been doing it for years! As you will no doubt have heard, a study by children?s charity Bernardo?s found that, even though kids are statistically only responsible for 12% of crime, we think they?re all knife carrying, bike riding, track-suit wearing yobos ready to grab bags off pensioners and steal your cars.
    I was coming home from work at around 9:30pm last week, and a hoard of chavs were cycling recklessly and with total idiocy on and off the kerb; weaving in and out of traffic with no regard for their ? or anyone else?s ? safety. One of them promptly got run over by a horrified elderly man who was clearly shaken up. As far as I?m concerned the little cretin got what he deserved: The stupid, spotty delinquent?s friends didn?t even stop to see if he was ok: Gutless pathetic little urchins.
    Then last night I was crossing Notting Hill Gate on a green man, and 3 similar characters came speeding through a red light and nearly ran me over. When I gave one ?the look?, he stopped, told me that ?there was three of them and one of me and that I was an ?effing pr%@k. Charming!
    Furthermore, since Ken introduced free travel for under sixteen?s on London?s buses ? turning them into shuttle services for spotty, cocky little mites everyday at school time ? peoples? journeys have been ruined by their boisterous bleating and unruly behaviour.
    I could go on, but the point I am trying to make is that they may well only be responsible for 12% of crime, but to what misconceptions should Joe Public conclude when faced with daily occurrences of teen behaviour similar to those cited above? It?s not just behaviour statistically constituting crime that can form someone?s impression of a group of people and ruin their day, but a lack of civility, humility and consideration for others.
    Where did it all go wrong? Parents? Teachers? Culture? P-diddy? Who is to blame? Whoever it is it is clearly too late for the brats of today. They must just ride the wave of adolescence, with their parents keeping their fingers crossed that it is ?just a phase?. Kids need to be taught respect, self-awareness and courtesy towards others, and as a country, we need to clamp down on these walking, talking, bus riding advertisements for today?s? youth; nationally tarring all under eighteens with the same brush is justifiable, but will only make matters worse.
    Maybe someone should start a national campaign of action: If you see one of these gutter dwelling heathens whilst out in your car, ?accidently? run them over: BMX and all. Don?t kill them; that would be sad for the family. Just a short stint in hospital should sort them out. Slowly, high streets up and down the land will be cleansed of these little monsters, and then the good kids will come out of the woodwork and remind us all of why we want/wanted to reproduce in the first place.

    Next time you are in London, and want to get away from the predatory homeland of the teenagers: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street etc? I would like to draw your attention to a superb place for lunch or dinner in the relative sanctuary of Kingly Court and more specifically, Ganton Street. Kingly Court is a smart boutique-ee little development off Carnaby Street, and seems to feel much more grown up and less Essex girls? night ‘up West’ than surrounding sub districts. Definitely worth a look if you are in time for the shops.
    As the younger sister of Fitzrovia?s Salt Yard, Dehesa is a small, but perfectly formed haven of culinary delights. I have visited several times and a chewy, floury portion of deep fried squid is the only criticism I have ever been able to muster. Seriously: This place is bloody good.

    If you want to avoid a wait then booking is definitely advisable (although not available on weekend lunchtimes), and there is nowhere to wait for a table: This place is all about the serious business of food. The menu is an effortless fusion of Spanish Tapas, Italian Cichetti and excellent Charcuterie. Predictable bastions of each national cuisine sit alongside more original – and in some cases anglicised – creations: All executed to perfection and served by one of the friendliest, and most well trained front of house teams I have ever seen. Courgette flowers stuffed with Monte Enebro Goats? cheese are a fiendish delight drizzled with orange blossom honey, and the Chorizo Picante is damn good too. Confit Old Spot pork belly, with rosemary scented Cannellini beans came melt in the mouth juicy with a stunning crispy skin that shows real skill from the kitchen, and Scallops with caramelised cauliflower puree and caper dressing exceed all expectations with the Scallops cooked uncompromisingly spot on!

    Seasonality and sourcing of the ingredients are keys to Dehesa?s philosophy. Where essential (and it frequently is), many ingredients come from the aforementioned nations – with an element of name-dropping providing the benchmark quality ? whilst other items are sourced locally and throughout the UK from artisan suppliers, and small ethical producers of rare breed meats and the like.
    Oh! and the booze: Sherries by the glass (my new favourite aperitif) through to a stunning selection of Rare wines are all sourced using the same mantra as with the food. Rare, unknown grape varieties are in abundance here: Thank god the staff know their stuff. A particular favourite is the Cantine Carpentiere, Uva di Troia. This ?Grape of the Trojans? is a floral, herbaceous joy, with good acidity and a lengthy finish that stands up to the diverse flavours one will encounter whilst eating tapas-style. All this in a gorgeous, contemporary interior with a relaxed, buzzy vibe makes for a sensory culinary experience.

    As is often the case with restaurants that revolve around sharing ? especially if like me you want to try everything on the menu ? prices can creep up if your not careful. Go all out on the wet stuff and a bill for 2 can, and has exceed

  • Another win for the resurgent Chinnor RFC Vets (Contributed)

    THE old guard of the Chinnor RFC Oxen(Vets) XV ensured their march up the mighty Thames Valley INVITATIONAL League continues, when they went to Farnham Common to play a much fancied Drifters 2nds XV last Saturday (6/12/).
    Fielding a largely unchanged side from their 33 ? 0 thrashing of a previously undefeated Marlow 4th team some two weeks ago, they arrived with confidence mixed with a little uncertainty.

    There was an enforced change at loose head seeing an interchanging of the Craigs with Smith making way for Jones, Mike Wiltshire coming in to Hook, ?Stumpy? reprising his role at Tight Head, Messrs Reynolds & DeGlanville at 2nd Row and a back row comprising of Jon Brooks at 8, Mike ?No Kit? Bailey on the open side and Neal Gilbert on the blind.

    The Oxen reaped the benefit of a hugely experienced back line, with a guest appearance from Bill Deely and further comprising of Doug Humphries, Dave Wells, Josh Hill, John Sellars, Tim Wright, Ben Forward, Paul Ewens, a farewell performance by Jamie Spencer and a 2nd half cameo from Jeremy Philpott.

    The story was almost a carbon copy of the Marlow match with the back row starving the opposition of any meaningful possession and the backs looking dangerous every time they got the ball, meaning that Drifters never stood a chance, even in their own back yard. The tries came from Tim, Wright, Mike Wiltshire & Jon Brooks, Dave Wells slotting each of the conversions to ensure the extra points, and a consolation score for the Drifters making the Chinnor side eventual 21 ? 5 winners.

    With a break in League fixtures for Christmas, can the Oxen keeping the momentum going? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, the other teams in the League are looking at the results with nervous interest.

  • Thame businesses nominated for ‘green’ award

    SEVERAL Thame businesses have been nominated for a ‘Green Bauble’ award for their work on energy saving or promoting re-duce, re-use, re-cycle messages to staff, customers and their communities. The following Thame businesses have been nominated by the local community action group (CAG) as part of the 2008 green business awards created by CAG Oxfordshire in conjunction with the Oxfordshire Town Chambers Network and Oxfordshire Waste Partnership:

    Booker Tate Ltd
    Brothers
    Lightfoots
    Gallivant
    Essence
    Umbertos
    The Practice
    Robert Stanley, Opticians
    Freerange

    21st Century Thame Partnership’s Environment Group have selected a number of retailers in the town
    that have either had a light bulb audit, or who have been particularly helpful in distributing reusable bags as part of the campaign to create a plastic bag free town.

    21st Century Thame’s Project Officer, Alison Isherwood, said: “Our group also selected Thame Town Council as it has converted the Town Hall to low
    energy lighting which, over the life time of the bulbs, will save more than

  • Hundreds share the lighting up of festive Thame

    HUNDREDS of local people thronged to Thame town centre on Friday evening, to witness the switching on of Thame’s new Christmas lights.
    The switch was thrown by celebrity chef and local restaurateur, Raymond Blanc, who won the hearts of the assembled families with his Galic charm, and later signed copies of his recently published book, A Taste of My Life.
    Local people queued along the the pavement outside The Book House Thame, where they almost ran out of copies of the book.

    The afternoon and evening remained fine and dry though very cold, but there were warm Hog roast rolls and goat burgers available as well as hot coffee and other refreshments available from local cafes that stayed open for the event.

    A market stall, manned by Thame’s French friends from the town’s twin town, Montesson, proved very popular both on the Friday night and throughout Saturday, where shoppers and revellers could try real French crepes made on the spot, and purchase cheese and other French produce, as well as some fine French wine to accompany the Christmas turkey.

    The Thame Air Cadets raised over

  • Crime reduction event ?Wheatley

    LOCAL residents are invited to GO to the police office in Wheatley, behind the Merry Bells pub, on Sunday (4/1) between 12pm and 4pm.
    This will be an opportunity for members of the public to meet the local neighbourhood team.

    Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Ken Cooney, said: ?I encourage residents to come and meet us. We will be security marking items like mobile phones and satellite navigations systems. You can also bring your bicycle along to be marked.”

    People can also get crime reduction advice from local officers. This service is free and no appointment is necessary.

  • Attemped burglary in Thame – Ringmaster message

    BETWEEN, Monday December 1 and Tuesday, December 2, a property in Pearce Way, Thame was the subject of an attempted burglary.
    Offenders have attempted to jemmy open rear door to flat.

    If you have any information relating to this message please call the Police on 08458 505 505 and quote URN 640 of 03/12/08. Message Ends.
    If you have any information about the above message that is of an urgent nature please contact our police enquiry centre on 0845 8 505 505 and state you are responding to this Ringmaster message.