Category: Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have used the cycle shop in Park Street since I came to live in Thame eight years ago and presented my battered, mongrel, Sturmey Archer-geared, basket-bedecked, now 30-year-old roadster for the various forms of succour provided therein.

I still prefer that bike but I also have a rather more trendy Moulton which also sometimes needs assistance. Like Mary Stiles (letters yesterday) I do not intend to take my custom elsewhere.

Norman Brand
Fanshawe Road
31/07/09

Dear Editor, It was interesting to read about the opening of the cycle shop in the centre of Thame last week and all the razzamatazz that went with it, which implies that we do not have such a shop already in Thame.

Both my husband and I bought our bikes from the excellent shop in Park Street, which has been there some years. We have always received superb service and see no reason to go elsewhere.
Mary Stiles

Dear Editor, In response to the comments regarding convicted paedophile Nick Graves, I would like to ask the unnamed ?supporter? of Mr Graves if they would be so forgiving and neglectful of the impact that this man has had on young children, if this was their own child or grandchild?

What this ?supporter? should also recognise is that a man in his mid 50?s does not just turn into a paedophile overnight. It is something that develops over many years and that there may well be a number of other children (who may be adults now) that have had incidences with Nick Graves in the past that have been too embarrassed or afraid to come forward.

As a resident of Towersey all of my life, I am well aware of the close knit community Towersey has. However, it should not be exempt from trying to brush these situations under the carpet, hoping that they will go away and not damage people?s views on a wonderful village.

Nick Graves, and Nick Graves alone is responsible for what has happened, so to try and blame so called ?mischievous complaints by children? is utter nonsense. As far as I am concerned he has given Towersey a bad name, and, through admitting his guilt, has destroyed a child?s life.

Judge Hall bottled it by not sending him to prison. This would have been the perfect message to let people know that child abuse, in any form, is unacceptable and should be treated with the highest possible sentence.

Those that stand by Nick Graves, even after his admission of guilt, should take a long hard look at themselves and wonder if letting a convicted paedophile out on the streets, rather than serving a custodial sentence, is fair. I challenge any so-called friend of Nick Graves to be so forgiving if he was to (heaven forbid) sexually abuse a member of their family, and then be free to walk the streets after.

People like Nick Graves should not be forgiven or forgotten. People have a right to know if someone in their community is a child abuser, in order for them to protect their family. I am not asking for people to start vigilante attacks against these people. However, if these paedophiles are allowed to live anonymously in society, then what hope have we got of solving the issue of child abuse in the UK?

I recommend that the unnamed ?supporter?, and the others who agree with their comments, understand that Mr Graves is a convicted paedophile, who should be serving time in prison, but is free to roam the streets and is in a position to reoffend again. Maybe until they, or someone close to them, become the victim of a child abuser, they will never fully understand the impact this has on people.

Jamie Hazeldine,
Resident of Towersey and Neighbour of Nick Graves
29/07/09

Dear Editor, I would like to say a few word about the light house week at the show ground last week. My five year old daughter loved it!!! I just wish it went on for longer – what a fantastic week she had. Also my two year-old son went to the morning and loved it too. My wife said it was so well run it was unbelievable; so, well done to all the people that orgainised it and please think about doing two weeks!!!.

I know these things must be a health and saftey nightmare and as a parent I do think you have done a wonderful job. we need things like the Lighthouse in Thame. Not only is it good for the kids but it brings us together as a community. It is a shame that the council, as in South Oxon or the county, do not help with funding for such events. I will be speaking to the councillors about this being a former one myself!!!

Well done to all involved. I take my hat off to you and thanks for making the week so enjoyable to my daughther and son. Oh, and me and the wife!!!

Regards
Richard Walker, Thame

Dear Editor, As a resident of Towersey for some 31 years, I was appalled to read the letter from un-named supporters of the convicted paedophile Nick Graves in response to the very reasoned statement made by the family of his young victim.

I particularly take exception to the reference that damage done to him will be ‘minimal unless he is is continually reminded of it’. Damage such as this, and the betrayal of trust from a family friend, never heals and can surface many years later as many mental health workers can testify.

The statement was not a vindictive attack on Nick Graves and his family, but a plea to all families to listen to their children and report any concerns or inappropriate behaviour to the police. The reference to ‘mischievous complaints by children” is totally inappropriate – it has taken many years of hard work by concerned professionals to ensure that children are listened to and feel they can come forward, rather than living in fear and having such secrecy blight their lives. In the context of this case, at the end of the trial in which Nick Graves was unanimously found guilty by a jury of his peers of two serious sexual offences against an 8 year old child, the judge praised all the children concerned and the maturity they had shown.

There is also a need for every person living within Towersey, both now and in the future, to know there is a convicted paedophile living within their community so they can take every precaution to safeguard their children.

It is a known fact that the majority of sexual abuse does not take place by a stranger but by a person known to the victim, usually a trusted family member or family friend – a double betrayal.

The lenient sentencing by Judge Hall was also a betrayal to the young victim, but should not deter others from coming forward who have also been victims of sexual abuse. Attending a sex offenders course will not ‘cure’ a paedophile – so it is up to local communities to be eternally vigilant of those who live in their midst.

Yours sincerely,

Daphne Hazeldine
Towersey resident and neighbour of the convicted paedophile Nick Graves

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor on ThameNews.Net are those of the contributor only and not necessarily shared by the Editor. All letters are published in the spirit of free speech and of course are subject to the right of reply, as are any views expressed on the website (https://www.thame.net)

Dear Editor, I write in response to a previous letter headlined ‘Plea for help and support for sex offender’ and published on Thamenews.net.

The letter, submitted by friends of the family of the convicted paedophile Nick Graves claims that the statement made by the relatives of the victim
was a ‘vindictive attack’. On reading the letter, it becomes clear that this is because the authors are concerned that information about a paedophile living in the ‘close knit community’ of Towersey would be
embarrassing.

Demonstrating much more imagination than Judge Julian Hall, who decided that it was appropriate to release Graves on the basis that he had been punished
enough already by losing his well paid job and a few -(although clearly not all) friends, they manage to interpret the statement as an attack on Graves’ family. This is patently not the case.

The statement does not single out the Graves family but urges all parents, carers and families to
be vigilant, to listen to children and to report suspected abuse. This is sensible and balanced advice.

There are two foolish and particularly ignorant statements that should not go without comment. In both the friends of Graves seem to claim expert
knowledge in child psychology. Firstly, the damage done to the victim will apparently ‘probably be minimal’. How do they know this? Even Judge Hall
says ‘one can never tell long term’. Furthermore, surely seeing someone who has been found guilty of sexually abusing you walk free with glowing
references adds insult to the initial injury and must have an effect?

Secondly and perhaps even more alarmingly, they question the testimony of ‘mischievous’ children who claim abuse and that maybe we shouldn’t bother
listening to their accusations because they might be making it up. This is precisely the attitude that has protected paedophiles in the past and provides the kinds of environments in which they can operate freely.

It is admirable that they propose forgiveness. Forgiveness is however best accompanied by atonement. Graves has avoided the opportunity to atone by
rallying health professionals to produce mitigating evidence, friends to provide ‘glowing’ references, and admitting guilt only after being unanimously found guilty by a jury. These are not acts of atonement but calculated acts to avoid a custodial sentence. Ironically, it is only through a custodial sentence that he could receive the appropriate
treatment for his disease.

Yours sincerely,
Simon Rycroft
(Former resident of Towersey) (SEE BELOW)

NOTE FROM EDITOR: Although it may not have been clear from my report, it was my understanding that Mr Graves WAS ordered to attend a Sexual Offenders’ Course, as part of the Sexual Offences Prevention order.

Dear Editor – As a resident of this town I would say that leaving aside the legal facts about the ownership and management of Thame Community Hospital, its image and status could be subtly but seriously wounded and reduced if the traditional links between our doctors and their patients in the hospital were interrupted or broken.

I would like to feel reassured that it is only the medical provision which is being taken over by a private concern. I don’t.

Norman Brand
Fanshawe Road
20/07/09

Dear Editor, We were distressed at the tone of the statement made by the relatives of the child involved in the Nick Graves case which appeared on thamenews.net.

It is our opinion that the Judge gave a very fair penalty taking into consideration the seriousness of the crime. A far greater penalty is that Nick has destroyed his and Jan?s future, and his children have to live with the knowledge of his conviction for the rest of their lives. The damage done to the member of the complainant family will probably be minimal in the future unless he is continually reminded of it.

In this situation, surely, what Nick?s family desperately needs is help and support, not a vindictive attack. There was absolutely no need for more people in this close knit community to know of the situation.

We would suggest that the attitude that should be adopted is that which maybe most difficult ? forgiveness. In so doing it will help both families to come to terms with the present situation and will prevent long lasting bitterness.

We are afraid that we consider that the comment about the ?importance of listening and trusting children? is, sadly, completely wrong in that mischievous complaints by children have become so common that the government is now taking action to prevent the disastrous results that can take place when there is no substance in the complaint.

Name and address supplied.

Dear Editor – A very informative piece on the hospital today. Many thanks. It was much needed and a real service to our community, alerting the town, its councillors and its many organisations and volunteer groups to worrying proposals for the future of our much loved Thame hospital, which I know has enjoyed the loyalty, support and great financial generosity of local people for generations.

Norman Brand
Secretary, Thame and District Day Centre

Dear Editor
Do you know if there is a group in Thame who have bought an apple press and press fruit from the village? I have heard there might be pressing in Thame but don’t know where to start to find out about it.

If you can help point me in the right direction I would be very happy.

Regards,
Alison Bloomfield

Brightwell cum Sotwell