Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Thame’s MP becomes patron of History Trust

    Henley’s new MP, John Howell, has agreed to become a patron of the Oxfordshire Victoria County History Trust.

    The Victoria County History provides authoritative and comprehensive histories of each parish and town. The series of volumes which are produced has achieved a reputation for the excellence and completeness of its research. Each county is responsible for researching, writing and resourcing its own volumes. The next volume in the Oxfordshire series will cover the area around Henley (including the Rotherfields, Bix and Harpsden) and is then expected to move on to Benson, Ewelme and Warborough.

    John Howell said: “I am delighted to have this association with the Oxfordshire Victoria County History and look forward particularly to the production of the volumes which cover my own constituency. The Victoria County History is an invaluable tool for all those interested in the detailed history of where they live. As someone who studied archaeology I have seen the enormous contribution they make.”

    Dr. Kate Tiller, the chairman of the Oxfordshire Victoria County History Trust, said: “We are delighted that John has agreed to become a patron and we look forward to his participation in what is such a great Oxfordshire cause.”

  • Online family history now available in libraries

    PEOPLE wanting to find out more about their family history can now delve into the past online, in all Oxfordshire libraries.
    History enthusiasts can use Ancestry, one of the most popular internet sources for family history, free of charge in the county’s 43 libraries, including Thame, thanks to Oxfordshire County Council’s annual subscription with the website’s publisher and a

  • CPRE News Letter (Contributed)

    “DESPITE press reports that “only ‘one or two’ of the 15 shortlisted (eco-town) projects are genuinely viable”, the Department for Communities and Local Government have insisted that the programme will
    remain on track and the draft PPS (Planning Policy Statement) and Sustainability Assessment report are expected to be published in the first two weeks of November.
    “At a meeting of the Oxford City Council Executive Board on Wednesday, October 22, the Council made public their plans to set up a joint venture to develop land south of Grenoble Road with Magdalen College and Thames Water to ensure that the massive profits will be equally shared amongst them and moreover, to ensure the early delivery of the
    plan.
    “After years of campaiging, the future of Warneford Meadow finally looks safe from developers. The Inspector’s report, delivered this month, has recommended that the entirety of the application site
    should be registered as a new town or village green under the Commons Registration Act 1965.”

    For more information about these and other issues see the CPRE Oxfordshire website: www.cpreoxon.org.uk
    LINK

  • Farming, red kites, wind turbines and more Chilterns AONB launch

    A NEW Plan to guide the work of all those who care for the beautiful Chilterns countryside and its villages is being launched on Wednesday, November 12.
    The launch is the highlight of the Annual Chilterns Forum, a free event held by the Chilterns Conservation Board for anyone interested in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the work of the Board.

    The Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008 ? 2013 has been put together with the help of many local organisations including the National Trust, local wildlife trusts, The Chiltern Society and parish
    councils. It contains policies and actions which aim to conserve the special features of this area and keep it a special place for many years ahead.

    The event will be held at the Green Park Conference Centre in Aston Clinton near Wendover and will include presentations on the work of the Conservation Board and discussions on those issues which are affecting the Chilterns: everything from house building and the impact of the weather on farming, to Red Kites and the place of wind turbines.

    The event is open to everyone and runs from 10am ? 1.15pm. Places are free but advance booking is essential.

    To book a place contact the Conservation Board on 01844 355504 or email: dhunter@chilternsaonb.org

  • Special service for those effected by road deaths

    PEOPLE who have lost family members and friends in collisions on the roads in the Thames Valley will be coming together to commemorate their lives at a multi-faith service in Thame.
    Organised by the emergency services, the service will be held on Sunday, November 16, at St Mary the Virgin Church in Thame at 3pm.

    The memorial service is an opportunity for the emergency services to come together with members of the public who have lost loved ones to remember those that have died on the region?s roads.

    Police officers, fire and rescue workers, paramedics, ambulance technicians and hospital staff will lead readings and prayers from different religions during the service.

    Family members will be invited to take part in an act of commemoration during the service.

    The service will involve faith leaders from different traditions and will be led by the Bishop of Dorchester.

    Superintendent Mick Doyle, head of Roads Policing, said: “We want to offer families and friends an opportunity to remember their loved ones in an appropriate setting. It is also a chance for emergency service workers to reflect on collisions they have attended and people they have tried to help.”

    Force Chaplain, David Wilbraham, said: “Each year around 150 people die on Thames Valley roads. The service is open to all and is one of many being held across the world to mark the UN World Remembrance Day for road traffic victims.
    “I would especially invite those who want to remember friends and loved ones who have died on roads either within Thames Valley or elsewhere.”

    Everyone is welcome to attend the event, and can reserve a space by contacting Elizabeth Richardson on 01628 601521.

    Photo: courtesy of the sun huns,flickr

  • Wheel clamping in Thame – No thanks!

    THAME Town Council is to consider increasing the parking provision in Southern Road, and to use a private parking enforcement company to administer it.
    The council’s Policy and Resources committee, who considered the proposal at its meeting yesterday, discussed the possibility of providing parking permits for businesses alongside parking for users of the playground and the scout headquarters.
    The suggestion of using wheel clamping as part of enforcing the car park’s restrictions, was generally rejected as being too heavy-handed.

    The councils Traffic and Transport Working Group will look further into the practicalities and costings for such a car park.

  • Thame shop offers poppy alternative – amended

    AS November 11, Remembrance Day draws closer, and many people will be buying their red poppy to help the British Legion Appeal, a Thame shop is offering an alternative.
    Sapphire Moon in the High Street, is this year selling white, peace poppies in support of the Peace Pledge Union.

    THE PROPRIETOR of Sapphire Moon explained: “We pay for the white poppies. It is our donation to the PPU as a shop. Any money that people give for them goes into the red poppy box on the counter, unless they request to give it to the PPU, in which case we send it on for them.
    “We find that this way, everyone is happy, as in previous years, the biggest problem people have with the white ones is the fact that it would take money away from the poppy fund.
    “This country has fought two ‘wars to end all wars’, but we are still fighting wars.
    “I wear red for rememberance, and white for peace.”

    See the Peace Pledge website
     for more information.

    NB This is a news report and no particular opinion about red or white poppies on the part of the Editor is intended. However, let us know your views.

  • A fine day for ducks as Chinnor draw with Canterbury (By Ken Vaughan)

    NOVEMBER 1, 2008 – MATCH REPORT – score: Canterbury 10 vs Chinnor 10.

    THIS was a gutsy performance by Chinnor, epitomised by Ben Hewitt who left the field for the blood bin only to return some 13 minutes later with 5 stitches having been inserted in his eyelid. The result could have been better from a Chinnor standpoint in that they missed several kicks at goal with two of these efforts hitting the upright. They also went very close to increasing their try count when Darren Oxley in particular was dragged down inches short of the Canterbury line.

    Chinnor took the field, in dreadful conditions, having to once again change their starting line-up. With Eric Brown and Trevor Powell joining the list of unavailables, James Serrano started with Toby Prescott once again being required to go onto the wing. Duncan Williams made his debut coming into the second row in place of the injured Sam Black. Playing into a swirling wind it was all Chinnor in the opening stages, pinning Canterbury in their own territory for long periods. With Chinnor having an opportunity to take the lead via a penalty, only to hit the post, a Canterbury break-out in the 32nd minute saw them take the lead, when, after a string of pick-up and drives near the Chinnor line , they spread the ball to their three’s giving centre James Birnage the space to go over under the posts. Gert De Kock added the conversion. Chinnor came back and were rewarded when they too drove the ball forward with a series of pick-up and drives which resulted in Arthur Ellis scoring wide-out.

    Chinnor started the second half again on the attack. A fumble in the Canterbury three-quarter line gave the alert Serrano the chance to pick-up and score. Try as they could, going very close on a number of occasions to going over the line, and hitting the posts once again with a penalty attempt, not easy in now worsening conditions, they could not extend their lead. A penalty goal by De Kock minutes later levelled the scores which remained so at the final whistle. The ball by now was akin to a bar of soap and with the rain, wind and the freezing temperature, both teams were not sorry to hear the final blast of the whistle.

    For Chinnor, Duncan Williams made an excellent debut. He secured his line-out ball and looks comfortable with ball in hand. Arthur Ellis once again made a positive contribution and was a great asset to the Chinnor cause. Alex Wallace was assured under the high ball which was not easy in the conditions. A mention also for young Joe Robinson who, whilst only on at sub for a short period with Ben Hewitt in the blood bin, acquitted himself well.

    Chinnor, who were massively disappointed in not getting the result they undoubtedly deserved, can take heart from this performance. They once again illustrated that they can compete at this level.

  • Builders and van drivers warned after tool thefts increase (Status: Press release)

    THE theft of tools is on the increase in South Oxfordshire and the police are warning van owners and builders to take extra security measures to safeguard their property.

    Recently vans have been targeted by thieves during the day on weekdays and large quantities of power tools have been stolen.

    Crime reduction advisor, Julia Wheeler, said: ?The thieves have either found the van doors insecure and helped themselves to the tools or have forced the doors open.

    ?Workman?s sheds and houses being renovated are also being targeted by the tool thieves and I would like to urge builders and van owners take extra security measures to help prevent their tools from being stolen.

    ?Unfortunately the majority of these tools are not easily traceable as they are not security marked with the owner?s postcode and business name. We strongly advise that tools are visibly and permanently marked with these details by engraving or etching. Property marking also acts as a deterrent to thieves who have to cause permanent damage to remove the marking, making it difficult to sell these items on.

    ?In addition to ensuring that tools are locked away whenever they are not being used, we also advise that alarms are fitted to vans and outbuildings containing tools and that the alarm is set whenever they are not occupied.

    ?I would also like to take this opportunity to warn anyone who is offered cheap tools for sale not to buy them as they may be stolen and that handling stolen goods is not only a criminal offence, but it also fuels the demand and increases crime.?

    Anyone who has any information that could help the police with their inquiries is asked to call 0845 8 505 505 or Crimestoppers if they wish to remain anonymous on 0800 555 111.

  • Thame has its say on economic future

    LOCAL business people, councillors and others with an interest in Thame’s economic future as a market town, gathered last night to have their say in creating a vision for the town’s continued economic viability.
    The meeting, which was held at Lord Williams’s Upper School, was hosted by the district council as a follow up to a meeting earlier in October which discussed market towns in general. See earlier report

    After a series of group discussions, it became clear that the main factors that make Thame the distinctive place that it is, are:

    * the Thame Show
    * a “stunning” high street, the built environment
    i.e. interesting buildings
    * a sense of space and history
    * the range of independent shops (despite some gaps
    e.g. clothes for teenagers
    * accessibility because of good transport links from
    surrounding areas

    A good sense of community was also a recurring theme in the discussions, and good visitor parking, though it was felt that there was a shortage of business parking in the town.

    Other suggested shortfalls in things that might be holding back economic vibrancy were:

    * things happening in the town centre to draw people
    in
    * lack of a proper town square/meeting place for the
    above
    * the need to promote or market the town more with
    e.g. more and better signage and focal points for
    information
    * affordable housing for single people
    * more social areas for teenagers
    * youth facilities
    * more evening activities
    * activities to attract shoppers
    * Cattlemarket needs to relocate
    * more safer cycling routes
    * a cycling route to Haddenham & Thame Parkway station

    All the contributions were taken away by South Oxfordshire District Council’s Economic Development team, and will be put into a report and considered for inclusion in an economic development plan for Thame.

    The team hopes to have completed a plan by the end of the year with a view to implementing changes in April 2009.