Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Bee Gee Home’s ‘Crystal Palace’ Rejected

    A plaining application for a large period-style conservatory, described by one town councillor as “the nearest thing this committe has seen to the Crystal Palace,” has been rejected by Thame Town Council.
    The extention proposal was for a single storey extension to the rear of the historic Prebendal, at Priest End, Thame, a former monastery, which has been the home of Bee Gee, Robin Gibb, for several years.
    But not all the members of planning committee agreed with Cllr David Dodd’s description of the plan as “appaling.”
    Newly elected councillor, Rob Parker said he thought it was “a wonderful design.”
    Cllr David Laver said that he felt that something that looked as though it was three or four hundred years old, similar to other stately homes like Blenheim Palace, would be more acceptable.
    Cllr Beatrice Dobie described the plan as “as a disaster that makes a nonsense of the term ‘Conserevation.’
    The committee voted to recommend refusal of the application, which was lodged by Arttus Period Interiors.

    Photo: Robin and Dwina Gibb, pictured at the Spread Eagle, Thame, during a fund-raising event.

  • Chiltern Rail Advisory – Weekend June 16/17

    THIS weekend – Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June – Chiltern Railways are running an enhanced services because of Wembley Stadium Events with some trains calling additionally at Wembley Stadium Station.

    They are running a normal service this weekend on the Aylesbury to London via Amersham line with no planned engineering works. They are also running a normal service on Saturday between Birmingham to London Marylebone via High Wycombe.

    On Sunday, buses replace trains between Leamington Spa and Stratford Upon Avon and Leamington Spa and Solihull/Birmingham Snow Hill until approx 12.30. This is because of track improvements and Birmingham passengers are being advised to use connecting Virgin Cross Country trains between Leamington Spa and Birmingham New Street where applicable.

    At Wembley Stadium this weekend, Muse are performing in concert on both Saturday and Sunday so Chiltern Rail will be running an enhanced service with additional stops at Wembley Stadium Station. This could mean that they are busier than normal; passengers should be aware that on Saturday the turnstiles open for supporting acts at 16.45 and on Sunday they open at 16.45.

  • Thame United Team To Play Allied Counties Youth Football

    THAME United will have a team playing in the Allied Counties Youth Football League next season. The re-election of Thame United at the League AGM on Monday evening (June 11), sees the Club return to the league following their resignation at the end of the 2004/05 season due to the off the field problems that resulted in the loss of their ground in Thame.
    The team have been placed in the Central division of the league, that will see them compete against teams such as Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton, and Marlow.

    Given that league matches take place on week nights under floodlights, the recent ground share Agreement with AFC Wallingford was designed to accommodate a team playing in the Allied Counties League. As such, ?home? matches will be played at AFC Wallingford on a Thursday evening. Although playing under the name of Thame United, the team will be largely administered and organised by Thame Boys and Girls FC. Tim Green, chairman of Thame Boys and Girls, was pleased with the result of the AGM and said: “This is a very important outcome since it ensures that we maintain opportunities for the youth of the town to continue their footballing progression. Not only does the move back in to the Allied Counties Youth League enable us to do this, it also enhances the close ties between Thame United and Thame Boys and Girls through the work of the Thame Football Partnership”.

  • Public Spirited Benefactor Wanted To Save Thame Community Project

    A community-spirited benefactor is being urgently sought to help 21st Century Thame purchase a vacant town centre building.
    The Partnership, in responding to an urgent need for a town centre, multi-purpose community facility aimed especially at young people, have identified a suitable building. However, because of huge interest in the property by commercial organisations, including a national coffee chain, and a July 4 dealine for bids, the town’s only hope is to find a local company or private benefactor willing to either donate or loan around

  • Council Takes Delivery of Bio-diesel

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council has taken its first delivery of fuel based on vegetable oil.
    The council?s Integrated Transport Unit took delivery of 7,000 litres of regular diesel mixed with 5% biodiesel for the 20 vehicles it runs out of its site in Headington, providing transport for people with mobility problems.

    the council said that other council vehicles will continue to fill up with regular diesel until this trial has been evaluated.

    Vehicle Fleet Engineer, Brian Webzell, said: “The move was the result of the council’s pledge to ensure 50% of its bulk vehicle fuel purchases are switched to a more environmentally sustainable biodiesel mix as part of its bid to reduce its carbon footprint.
    “The pledge is one of twenty Oxfordshire County Council has made to Oxfordshire residents this year, and if the council continues to purchase the current mix at the current rate, the pledge will have been fulfilled by January next year.”

    Brian continued that he hoped the proportion of biodiesel the council uses will increase in future years, but said that this depended on the results of this trial and manufacturers producing suitable vehicles.

    He said: “We would like to use more biodiesel now, but at present vehicle manufacturers only support a 5% mix without it affecting the vehicle warranty.
    As manufacturers increase the level of biodiesel allowed in their vehicles, it?s likely the County Council will follow suit. Some manufacturers already support an increased level of biodiesel mix but we must cater for the majority of our vehicles.
    “The Council plans to be innovative in reducing its environmental footprint and will introduce wider uses of biodiesel mix, or other initiatives, as opportunities arise.”

    Biodiesel, which is based on vegetable oil, is described as ?carbon neutral? because the carbon it releases into the atmosphere is offset by the amount the biofuel crop absorbed during growth in the recent past.
    Mineral oil on the other hand comes from carbon stored millions of years ago.

    There is no direct counterbalance to the carbon dioxide released in the process of extracting and burning. The result is increased carbon in the atmosphere, contributing, scientists believe, to global warming.

  • Two More Restaurants For Thame?

    TWO planning applications for extensions and alterations to two of Thame’s hostelries, will be considered by Thame Town Council’s Planning committee this evening.
    The plans relate to The Old Trout, which has been empty since January, and to Jimmy Figgs, where Prezzo PLC, who have two italian food restaurants in Aylesbury and many more around the country, are planning a single storey ground floor extensions and a single storey first floor infil exension.

  • Thame Artists In Bucks Arts Week

    BUCKS Artweeks, which will include several artists from the Thame area opening their studios, will be running from June 16, to July 1.
    The artists exhibiting will include Jean Mould Hart, Wendy Lewis, Alan Kidd and Laura Boswell. The media on view will include printing paintings, Pottery and sculpture.
    Details can be found at: Link

    Also, an exhibition by Obsidian Art will run from Thursday June 14 until Sunday, July 8. It promises to be quite an interesting and diverse event.
    Obsidian Art is at:
    Layby Farm
    Old Risborough Road
    Stoke Mandeville
    Bucks HP22 5XJ

    They are also having a ‘Meet the Artist’ afternoon on Sunday, June 24, 2.30-4.30pm.

    The gallery will be open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm and Sat& Sunday 10am-5pm.

  • Thame and Haddenham Cycle Link Invitation

    THAME Walking and Cycling Campaign have issued an invitation to anyone interested in campaigning for improved local cycling or walking facilities.
    There is to be an open meeting on Thursday, June 14, between 7.30pm and 9.30pm at Lord Williams?s Lower School above the Sports Hall, off Queens Road in Thame.
    The Phoenix Trail and the group’s aspiration for a Thame/Haddenham cycle link will be on the agenda.
    All are welcome but, if you have not been to a meeting before, it would be helpful if you could let Cathy Gaulter-Carter know if you intend to come. Tel: 01844 261430.

  • Thame Market Fun Day Invitation To Organisations

    A FUN DAY is to be held on Thame Market Day, Tuesday, August 21, organised by Thame’s market traders and supported by Thame Town Council.

    Chris Hurdman, Secretary of the Thame Market Traders Coopereative, said: “Once a year the Market Traders like to give a little back to the local community by way of a thank you for their support throughout the year. This event has traditionally been held in the summer holidays to make it a fun day for our younger shoppers.
    “This year we would like to invite local groups and charities to showcase their organisation on the market at no cost to themselves. Any groups or charities interested in promoting themselves in what is always a very busy day will be welcome. They may wish to raise funds or just let the public know all about what they do.
    “If any of your readers would like to attend on this day would they please get in touch. I can be found on the market most Tuesdays (Dried Fruit Stall) or call me on: 07966 202494.

    Photo: Flash back to Market Fun Day, 2005.

  • Police Hunt Escaped Prisoner

    POLICE are hunting for a prisoner who absconded from Springhill Open Prison on Sunday morning (3/6).
    Lee Pullen, aged 24, was reported missing from the prison by prison staff, and police are currently carrying out investigations to locate him.

    Pullen is originally from Oxford and he has friends and family in the city. It is believed he may make his way back there.
    He was originally sentenced to four years in prison for burglary.

    Pullen is not believed to be a threat to members of the public but nevertheless officers advise people not to approach him but call the police on 999 if they believe they see him.

    Pullen is white, 5ft 4ins and slim. He has green eyes and straight, cropped, ginger hair.

    Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.