Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Hopes Rise For New ‘Mind’ Mini Bus

    THE mental health charity, Oxfordshire Mind, is hoping to re-launch its rural transport service and reach its fundraising target of

  • Breaking News: Serious Fire At Lord Williams’s School

    FIRE CREWS from Thame, Watlington, Kidlington and Princes Risborough are currently at the scene of a serious fire at Lord Williams’s School, in Towersey Road, Thame.
    The school’s drama studio building has been completely gutted by flames, that at one stage, witnesses described as reaching high above the water tower.
    Another witness, from a near-by bungalow heard two explosions which were suspected as being windows blowing out.
    Though the fire is now under control, Fire crew wearing breathing apparatus are still in rooms above the hall which is adjacent to what was the drama studio, where it is feared the fire, which spread across to under the eaves of the hall, may yet break out.
    Staff and Governors from the school are at the scene watching helplessly whilst planning a meeting tomorrow to assess the situation and its consequences for the school.
    The Mayor of Thame, Cllr David Bretherton and District Cllr, Ann Midwinter are also at the scene to lend what support they can.

    An investigation into the cause of the fire, which began around 9.30pm, will begin first thing tomorrow morning. Arson has not been ruled out.

    Photo: An emotional Nick Stock, a Governor of Lord Williams’s school, turns away from the scene where emergency services vehicles fill the front car park of the Lower school, where fire destroyed the drama studio this evening.

  • Emergency Weather Advice

    EMERGENCY planners from Oxfordshire County Council have issued advice following a forecast of severe weather in the South East, with a 60% probability of 1-2 inches of rain in the region over the weekend.
    Residents who live in likely flood areas are being reminded of steps to take before, during and after flooding. The county council’s booklet, ‘Floods, Protect Yourself,’ can be found on the County Council’s website

    Emergency planners are also reminding residents and businesses that the emergency services and other agencies will only be able to help individuals after they have dealt with any life-saving incidents and that residents should not rely on instant help from all the agencies.
    It must be stressed that, as yet, there is no specific information about the threat of flooding in Oxfordshire.
    Some points to consider on receiving a flood warning are:
    * Listen to local radio/TV and phone Floodline on 0845 988 1188

    * Move pets, vehicles, valuables and other items to safety

    * Alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly on any warning

    * Put sandbags or flood boards in place but ensure that your property remains ventilated

    * Plug sinks/baths and put a sandbag in toilet bowls to prevent overflow

    * Turn off gas and electricity and do not turn on again if flooded until checked professionally

    * Work with the emergency responders

    * Prepare to be evacuated to a rest centre – take essentials – clothes/nappies/pet food & pet carriers/mobile phone & charger/blankets or sleeping bags

    * Do as much as you can in daylight

    John Kelly, the Emergency Planning Officer for Oxfordshire County Council said: ” We do not have a specific threat of flooding anywhere in Oxfordshire as yet and I ask residents to help themselves without feeling panic. We will provide facilities if you are evacuated but they will be very basic shelter in school or leisure centres. If you are being evacuated, it is better for you to try to make your way safely to relatives or friends in other unaffected areas.”

    Photo: Flash back: Thame teenagers unperturbed by flash floods in the town a year or two ago.

  • Big Savings On Rail Season Tickets

    PASSENGER Focus, the national rail consumer watchdog, has warned rail commuters across Great Britain that they could be missing out on big savings if they don’t buy a season ticket.
    The watchdog has published research which praises Chiltern Railways’ benefits for annual season ticket holders. In particular it highlighted Chiltern Railways free weekend travel across the whole of their network.

    Chiltern Railways also offer six free off-peak day passes for the ticket holder and there there friends, for use across the whole of the Chiltern Railways network, per year. Also, if you regularly make the same journey – in some cases – you only have to travel twice a week to make a season ticket cheaper than buying individual return tickets.

    Alternatively, you could make use of the Chiltern Carnet. This is a pack of open return tickets which can be ordered direct from Chiltern Rail’s Business Travel Team and sent straight to you (please allow up to five working days for postage). Every time you order Chiltern Carnet you’ll get tickets for 12 open return trips to London, but you pay for only 10. Chiltern Carnet is valid for a full six months, so there’s plenty of time to use up all 12 tickets.

    Neil Micklethwaite, Commercial Director said: “We always make sure we put our passengers first and it’s great that Passenger Focus have highlighted these benefits for our season ticket holders and the money that can be saved for our non-season ticket holders.”

  • Thomley Activity Centre Birthday Party

    TO celebrate Thomley Activity Centre’s fifth birthday, they are having a grand party. The invitation is: “Please come, in your best party outfit for a fun-filled day that the whole family will enjoy.”
    There’ll be bouncy castles, jelly and ice cream, a B-B-Q, a magic show, the chance to make your own birthday badges and hats, a plant and cake stall, bric-a-brac sale, sporty competitions, a raffle with wonderful prizes plus lots more.
    It is also hoped that the Centre’s Patron, Jeremy Irons, will be able to attend to cut the special birthday cake.

    Thomley Activity Centre, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, Bucks. For further information phone 01844 338380 or email enquiries@thomleyhall.org. www.thomleyhall.org.

    Photo: Party time at Thomely Hall Activity Centre

  • Log On To Famous Reference Resources Sites

    OXFORDSHIRE library-users can now log on to world-famous reference sites.
    Statistics have shown that Oxfordshire library-users spent more than a thousand hours last year logging on to world famous resources.
    The survey, carried out by Oxford University Press, looked at online access to a range of reference sites in more than 140 public library services over one year.
    They found that out of the 1130 days spent time browsing online information through a public library service, Oxfordshire library members came out tops, spending more time online than the members of any other library service.

    What were they looking at?

    The sources they accessed included the Oxford English Dictionary Online (OED Online), the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford DNB), Grove Art Online, Grove Music Online, and Oxford Reference Online.

    Oxfordshire County Council librarian, Katharine Spackman, said: “It’s just over a year since we started giving library-users access to a vast range of online information through Reference Online.

    “The excitement and interest when we introduce people to the titles is huge, with the typical reaction being, ‘I’m going to tell my friends about this!’”

    To use Reference Online, go to
    the website

    and type in your library membership number.

  • New health walks booklet is launched

    A NEW health walks booklet has been launched by Oxfordshire County Council – after the number of schemes in the county more than doubled in just three years.
    The Directory of Health Walks Schemes in Oxfordshire lists contact details for the organisers of walks in 24 places across the county – compared to ten schemes when the first Directory was launched three years ago.

    Health Walks – described as purposeful, brisk walks undertaken on a regular basis – are free and are a popular introduction to keeping fit for anyone in need of regular exercise. Usually about one or two miles long, they also provide an opportunity to meet people.

    Where can I find a health walk scheme?

    Health Walks are organised in: Abingdon, Banbury, Begbroke, Benson, Bicester, Botley, Carterton, Didcot, Faringdon, Goring, Henley, Hook Norton, Kennington, Kidlington, Kings Sutton, Milton Under Wychwood, Oxford (Blackbird Leys, Botley Road and Summertown), Sonning Common, Thame, Wantage & Grove, Witney, Woodstock.

    Brian Conroy, a community development worker with Oxfordshire County Council, responsible for developing the Health Walks initiative across the county said: ?Health Walks have mushroomed across the county, so we have had to do a new booklet, but I?m not surprised. Walking is fantastic exercise and the Health Walks are a great way to make new friends.?

    For a copy of the Directory of Health Walks Schemes in Oxfordshire, please call Brian Conroy, on 01993 704007 or email brian.conroy@oxfordshire.gov.uk

  • Read A Book And Earn A Tree

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council library staff are urging young people to read through the summer holidays – and earn new trees for UK woods.
    The Big Wild Read is the ninth national Summer Reading ChallengeTM, a massive reading promotion for 4 to 11-year-olds, run by libraries.

    This year the Reading Challenge is linked to ‘Breathing Places’, an environmental campaign featured on TV programmes such as Springwatch and to the ‘Tree For All’ campaign, a children’s tree-planting project run by the Woodland Trust.

    When a child joins the Big Wild Read scheme, they will receive a folder that includes scratch and sniff stickers as well as a free packet of wild flower seeds and other incentives.

    Each time a child reads a book they will gain a tree token, meaning the more books children read, the more new trees will be planted by the Woodland Trust in a UK wood.

    How many new trees will be planted?
    Up to 20,000 new trees are expected to be planted in UK woods this Autumn as a result of the Big Wild Read campaign.
    Library staff will encourage children in their reading and there will be lots of Big Wild Read events in libraries across the county. For details please check http://kidlib.oxfordshire.gov.uk or ring your library.

    Carol Stitson, Oxfordshire County Council?s Children?s and Youth Librarian said: ?We hope as many local children as possible will join the Big Wild Read and enjoy a summer of reading.

    ?Libraries will help children explore the world of books, and find out how to make a difference to the environment. Parents and carers will find it?s a fun way to get their children reading and engaging with nature in the long summer break!?

    See also:
    www.bigwildread.org.uk
    www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces
    www.treeforall.org.uk

  • ‘Green’ Bags Go On Sale In Thame

    SHOPPERS in Thame may have noticed recently, that many retailers in the town are asking the question: “Do you need a bag?” as they go to pay for their purchases. Well, its all part of their support for Thame’s “Bring your own bag’ campaign which just carries on growing, helping the shoppers of Thame ‘get a handle’ on working to improve the environment and reduce landfill!
    Today, members of ‘Thame First’ delivered the first batch of jute shopping bags to most of the independent retailers in the town where they can be purchased for

  • Boris To Host Thame Christmas Event

    THAME’S MP, Boris Johnson, is to host this year’s Christmas event in the town, which is scheduled for November 30.