Category: Letters to the Editor

DEAR EDITOR, Sorry to trouble you, but if you can add my message to Robin Gibb’s family it would be much appreciated. I have tried online to make contact another way, but to no avail.

I have followed and admired your group for many years now. I can’t remember any other pop star’s death that has moved me so much as Robin’s did, apart from his twin Maurice that is. I have shed many years this past week.

I will be thinking of his family in the weeks to come and that you get the strength to carry on knowing that so many fans are with you in their thoughts.

Thanks for your wonderful talents as a group. I think you are up there with the Beatles. That beautiful voice that Robin had will live in my heart for ever. He left a wonderful legacy.

With sincere thanks

DEAR Editor, I will be walking 13 miles on Saturday, July 14, in the third Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity Midnight Walk. This year, walkers can choose from either a six-mile or half marathon challenge (new for 2012), to really encourage ladies to go the extra mile in celebration of the forthcoming Olympics.

Last year, I walked alongside 570 women – all pounding the streets of Aylesbury, pink flashing bunny ears in tow. Since the event started back in 2010 it has raised a staggering

HI Everyone, not long to go now! And the sun shines on the righteous!! (that’s what a few vicar friends of mine said (Hello Paddy!….if so im packing my umbrella!!)
A few shout outs!

Thame Town Cricket club are looking for volunteers to help paint their cricket pavilion….not sure what time they will start ..will let you know…ASAP
Patsy and Cliff Baker, Roger Feesey and his wife (sorry I don’t know your name..Sorry) are going to tidy up the Co op car park and flower beds from 12 noon… All help welcome.

Elaine Kidd has very kindly donated loads of “Sharps Boxes” for any sharps/needles found. Please phone my number on the day if you need one. (07747017119)
Thank you to our PCSO Diane Jackson for arranging Graffiti Shield to remove Graffiti around the town especially the Co Op alley way (Free of Charge) Thank You

The Thame Fire Service along with the Thame Town Council Maintenance Team (Croaky and Aidee) are going along the Phoenix Trail with their trailer and removing EVERYTHING in their path.

ASM recycling have generously donated a van and two men (Scott and John) to help move rubbish and take away any unwanted rubbish. Thank You.

And for everyone else who is taking part on the day i hope to see you and your rubbish at 4pm at the Scout HQ at Southern road where my lovely wife, Sinead will give you refreashments, cake and biscuits and you will all get a MASSIVE kiss fromn me!!

P.s If you know anyone who cant take part but is really good at baking we wouldnt say no to a few more cakes!
Thank you all soooooo much for your support and let the SUN shine!!
ONWARDS and UPWARDS!
Adam XX

https://www.thame.net/readmore.asp?Content_ID=7400&Navigation_ID=41&SubNav_ID=54

Dear Editor, Tidy Thame is taking place this Sunday 25th march 2012 from 10am to 4pm with refreshments provided at the Scouts HQ at Southern Road at the end of the day for all the volunteers to get together and share good news stories from the day.

This is the 2nd Tidy Thame day and last year saw mountains of rubbish collected and removed from our streets and footpaths.

I would like to thank all the volunteers in advance and if any residents would like to take part please go out in your local area and give it a spring clean. An information leaflet showing the drop off points for rubbish collected along with bags and tabards are available from the Town Hall.

Of course the best way to keep Thame Tidy is for people not to drop litter in the first place and I would appeal to all of our community, young or old to use the many bins provided or take your litter home with you!
When the sun shines it is lovely to see so many people enjoying our well maintained parks and open spaces but my heart sinks when I see all the litter that is left at the end of the day strewn on the ground Its not ?Rocket Science? guys?.PUT IT IN THE BIN!

This Sunday will see a lot of community spirited people blitzing Thame and picking up other peoples litter which will make Thame look a lot brighter, nicer place to live, work, rest and play but please, please can we keep the other 364 days a year just as clean!

One of the community spirited residents to help last year was my friend (and a lot of peoples friend) Ben Guest who sadly died recently. This year?s Tidy Thame Day is dedicated to Ben who was one of the most giving people I knew?. We could all do with following his example!
Onwards and Upwards!
Cllr Adam Buckland X

DEAR Editor, Approaching 40, my wife saw that ‘tomorrow’ began the second week of her fortnight holiday of life. The first week being up until 40 years-old and the second week being 40 and until we depart this world.

Distraught by the pending big 40, my wife, Gayle Smith of Thame, in a moment of madness signed-up to ‘Women vs Cancers.’ That was eighteen months ago. In two weeks, after raising

THE following letter has been sent to Ann Ducker, the Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, members of the Thame group, CMAG – Cattle Market Action Group:

CMAG
thamecmag@yahoo.co.uk
www.thamecmag.co.uk

13.12.2011
Dear Ann, Recently Sainsbury?s has sent a leaflet, marked PUBLIC CONSULTATION, to residents, businesses and community groups of Thame and surrounding villages entitled ?A new Sainsbury?s for Thame?.At least 14,500 of these leaflets have been distributed.

The plans shown on this leaflet include a community building; we are writing to tell you that we are concerned that the needs of the community have not been accurately represented on this plan.

The Cattle Market Action Group (CMAG) working group met with Sainsbury?s consultants GKA and let them know that the proposed community building was too inflexible and far smaller than is needed by our current member groups. Additionally, we believe that there is insufficient parking available to the centre.

CMAG has campaigned for a community building of 1200 sq. m floor space on two floors, which can be viewed on our website www.thamecmag.co.uk. This Sainsbury?s building is approximately329 sq m gross (212 sq m for a hall and 117 sq m for toilets/kitchen etc), which is smaller than either Chinnor or Haddenham village halls.

We strongly believe that a community building on the cattle market site will serve as a hub for the town and surrounding villages; it also complies with the SODC Core Strategy, which states that the Cattle Market should be redeveloped for mixed use. The building currently proposed by Sainsbury?s, could not achieve this goal, particularly as we are expecting 800 new residences in the town.

We note that Sainsbury?s are aiming to submit a planning application in the near future. At that time the discussion will be in the domain of the wider community and will involve other relevant parties. We look forward to bringing discussions forward at that time.

Best wishes

Dr. Helena Richards, CMAG secretary

cc.Judith Nimmo-Smith
Angie Patterson
Matt Prosser
David Dodds
David Bretherton
Ann Midwinter
Mike Welply
Helen Stewart
https://www.thame.net

Dear Editor, This evening, Friday December 2, just as it was getting dark, there was a ring at the door. My wife answered and a young man, festooned in ?ID?, was there asking for donations for deaf children. My wife declined but in a reasonable way – none of us is unsympathetic to such a cause.

Possibly 90 minutes later there was another ring at the door. I answered. Again there was a young man, festooned in ?ID? asking for donations for deaf children. I told him that we had declined this request not long before. He left.

Then, about 7.30 or a little after, there was a third ring at the door. This time two young men stood there, asking for donations for deaf children. One of them was the man whom I saw earlier. My wife who joined me at the door identified him as the same man to whom she spoke first.

It was dark. We are in our seventies and, thank goodness, we have each other. It could have been frightening.

Why three times? Why the same house? Were they genuine?

They might have been.

The last time we answered the door I was rather firm ? to put it mildly ? about their persistence. They left.

I thought it worth alerting the police, via 101. I received a swift and sympathetic response.

An hour later there was another ring at the door. This time it was a young Police Community Support Officer.

I hope I may quote his name. He was Chris Hollis. And he was very reassuring.

I do hope that other old people are not similarly troubled by such calls. I wonder whether any respectable charity could encourage this kind of practice. Unfortunately even I, an ex-journalist, did not, in the suddenness of the moment, take down the exact details and address of the charity, if it was indeed that.

Which indicates how such approaches can put people off their balance. Especially, maybe, old ? and vulnerable – people.

Norman Brand

Dear Editor, In reference to your article dated 22/11/11 headed Thame Town Plan could go through
without a referendum. Thame Town Council would like to make it absolutely clear that it is committed to
producing the Town Plan in line with any agreed legislation on Neighbourhood Plans which is encompassed within the Localism Act.

There was a lot of debate and amendments to the Localism Bill as it progressed to becoming an Act through Royal Assent on 16 November. The holding of a referendum was a section under debate. However based on the information we have on the Act and the plain English Guide to the Localism Bill, available on the DCLG website, it still includes a paragraph on holding a referendum:

?Provided a neighbourhood development plan or order is in line with national planning policy, with the strategic vision for the wider area set by the local authority, and with other legal requirements, local people will be able to vote on it in a referendum. If the plan is approved by a majority of those who vote, then the local authority will bring it into force.”

The Town Council is making preparation for such a referendum and unless informed of legislation contrary to this requirement will proceed along this route.

Helen Stewart
Town Clerk on behalf of Thame Town Council

Dear Editor, I am writing to express my sadness that Thame (and Oxfordshire County) Show will not take place next year after 133 years. I have attended almost every show for the last 33 years and been a competitor in the horse classes for many years.

I think it was a great mistake to move the show which has been billed as ?the greatest one day show in the country? from September to July, when the tradestand exhibitors would have already had their diaries full for many years. I don?t know of any other County show that has been moved from one month to another. I believe the show would have been much better placed as a 2 day show over a weekend in September rather than on a Thursday. You only have to look at some of the other large shows at which I compete such as Henley, Bucks County, Moreton in Marsh and Newbury/Royal County of Berkshire Show to see that something at Thame & Oxfordshire County Show is seriously missing.

I would like to make some comments purely from a horse exhibitor?s perspective. I compete at Thame because it is local and lots of friends and family have the chance to watch my mare (and hopefully have a celebratory beer!) rather than traipse half way round the country.

Currently Thame has little to offer the horse exhibitor. If you do well at Thame Show you do not qualify for greater things (this year I was delighted that my Welsh cob mare Broughton Morwena, won her in-hand class and was reserve Champion, also coming 2nd and claiming the Championship in the Ridden Mountain and Moorland class in only her second show). Most ?County? shows offer various qualifiers for either Horse of the Year, Olympia, British Show Pony Society Champs, Ponies UK Champs, Equifest, CTR or National Pony Society Championships. Were there to be qualifiers for such Championships, the horse entries would increase greatly (as proved in 2008 when Thame offered a last minute HOYS M&M ridden qualifier). Along with this, there would be more people ?through the turnstiles? and thus more purchases in the tradestands. If there were more horse exhibitors, then Thame really needs to sort out its horsebox parking which is miniscule compare to Bucks & Newbury for instance. The size, placing and quality of the rings would also need to be addressed.

For many years now, the Mountain & Moorland (M&M) classes have been held in a far off corner of the showground on undulating ground with potholes ? hardly conducive to attracting more entries. I pointed out at least 2 potholes to a Steward this year and he told me to warn each competitor as they were riding round! You would not want a valuable show horse to put a foot in one of these holes and break a leg. The holes should have been filled with sand or earth. Apparently the Working Hunter and coloured showing ring was the same. Also, the M&M ring is useless for spectators with the horse box park on one side, bar/burger van on another, another ring on the 3rd side and the collecting ring on the 4th side. I heard many complaints about this.

I think that with more qualifiers over a 2 day weekend, the horse classes could be increased to include hacks, show ponies, leading rein.

I have previously written to the Horse Committee at Thame Show suggesting that not many people want to watch show hunters in the main ring all morning (I am a horse/showing fanatic but would not wish to so do). I also pointed out that the Grand Parade in the main ring in the afternoon, should not just include sheep, cattle, hunters, donkeys and harness horses, but should also include the prizewinners from the horse show classes such as the Mountain & Moorlands, coloured horses, working hunters, cobs etc etc.

I know I am sounding rather critical here, but Thame Show is quite staid and old fashioned and needs an injection of fresh ideas ? certainly from a horse exhibitors point of view. I hope that my criticism is constructive in view of the fact that I love this show and will be very disappointed not to show/attend in 2012. I think that in not holding the show at all next year, it will lose it?s faithful followers. Please reinstate it as a two day show in September with some new ideas/restructuring.

Best wishes.
Lesley Evans, Willow Road, Thame

Dear Editor, Your readers may be interested to note that prospective Thame Town development vultures are gathering to pick over the corpse of the South Oxfordshire District Council’s Core Strategy, as evidenced by the disproportionate numbers attending the Government Inspector’s Hearings held on November 3rd regarding Thame.

The demise of the Core Strategy is not, of course, a forgone conclusion. With the increasing pace of Thame Town Council’s Neighbourhood Planning Process, brought about by Thame being chosen as a “Front Runner” pilot scheme in Whitehall, previous developers, who were formerly dropped out of the Core Strategy frame, are once again considering their opportunities.

This seems to be reflected in the Thame Town Plan Working Group’s options document, which is being displayed at the “Drop-In” consultations currently in Thame Town Hall today, Friday 18th, and Saturday 19th November.

This document appears all very laudable but residents should note that the common denominator for each of the four approaches listed contain the prospect of moving the Lord William Lower School to the fringes of Thame alongside the Oxford Road. The implications of this suggestion raises a number issues, not least the increase in the numbers of parents who will have to ferry their children across town to school through the congested conservation area of the Lower High Street and Priest End, including also those dwelling in many new homes.

The numbers of dwellings detailed in this “Town Plan” at 800 to 850 are seriously under-estimated, as these values mostly reflect the present Core Strategy requirement and it is likely that a further 300 to 350 housing units will become available through “Windfall” planning applications brought about by the very same property developers mentioned previously. This further increase was generally accepted as likely by those attending the Inspector’s Hearing of November 3rd.

Quite apart from this the cost of building new fully equipped school buildings is likely to far exceed any gains made from developing the land presently associated with the very successful Lower School. The extra costs would inevitably fall upon the Council Tax payers in the area if the County Council somehow manages to justify the expenditure against the grain of public sector financial economies.

Readers may also note that land up for development adjacent to the school site, the Bowls and Tennis Club, will almost certainly be included in this area of development. With this in mind, it might pay the officers of the Town Council to review any association the Council may have with parties who could be acting on behalf of clients whose land properties are being suggested in the Working Group’s options document.

Yours sincerely
Raymond W L Powell
(www.thamewatch.org.uk)