Category: Features

LOOKING for ways to cut your energy bills and thinking about the Green Deal? What do you need to know? Useful information and advice from Thame CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau):-

The Green Deal is a new Government scheme to help with energy saving improvements to your home such as loft insulation, double glazing and solar panels. The scheme lets you make these improvements without having to pay up-front. Instead, you take out a loan which is repaid through the savings on your energy bills. Like any credit arrangement, the Green Deal is a serious financial commitment, so you need to think carefully about whether it’s right for you.

The loan is attached to properties, not people, so if you move house then repayments will pass to the next owner or tenant. You’ll have to let them know that loan is attached to the property before they agree to buy.

The scheme is designed so that savings always outstrip repayments. But this isn’t a guarantee, so taking out a Green Deal loan may mean that your bills increase. If you’re on an electricity meter repayments will be taken off your credit in small amounts several times a day, so you may find that your credit is used up faster.

If you decide to go ahead, the first step is an assessment of your home, which you often have to pay for. Green Deal assessors and providers must be officially accredited. Check by looking at the register gdorb.decc.gov.uk/consumersearch.

If you decide to go ahead after your assessment, there is a seven-day cooling off period . If you change your mind during the cooling off period, you won’t have to pay a cancellation fee, although you are likely to have to pay some of the assessment cost if work has been carried out before you cancel. Green Deal loans are covered by the Consumer Credit Act, which gives you important rights. If you have a complaint, you should contact your provider. If they can’t sort out your problem, you can contact the Energy or Financial Services Ombudsman.

If you can’t save money through the Green Deal, you may be able to get extra financial help under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) for energy saving improvements to your home, including solid wall insulation and cavity wall insulation.

Get free, confidential, independent advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau. See www.adviceguide.org.uk or your local phone book for contact details. Your nearest CAB is in the Market Square, Thame 
Adviceline: 08444 111 444 or 03 00 33 00 650 (Mobile)

Also get advice about the Green Deal, the Energy Company Obligation and other ways to get help to save energy in your home from the Energy Savings Advice Service on 0300 123 1234.

A doctor from Thame who specialised in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, has been named as one of the top plastic surgeons in the UK.

Adrian Richards, from Thame, was hailed by top media doctor Mark Porter, the resident medical specialist on programmes like The One Show and Radio 4’s flagship medical series, Inside Health.

Dr Porter has compiled a list of the best 30 surgeons in the UK in response to new rules governing the cosmetic industry to crackdown on cowboy surgeons.

Adrian Richards, 49, is a plastic surgeon who trained in London and has travelled all over the world learning about cutting edge techniques which he has brought back to the UK.

He has extensive experience as an NHS surgeon at Stoke Mandeville hospital, and is also the medical director of Aurora Clinics, an ethical private plastic surgery practice.

He is also the founder of Cosmetic Courses, the UK’s biggest training school for doctors and nurses in the art of using Botox and other non-invasive cosmetic surgery procedures.

Adrian Richards, who is married with four children, said: “It is great to receive recognition from Dr Porter, someone whom I admire a great deal.”

He added: “Plastic surgery techniques are changing all the time and it is important to keep up with new ideas and procedures as they arise.”

He has been an outspoken critic of the widespread use of sub-standard PIP breast implants, and has removed them from hundreds of patients, some of whom had suffered severe health problems. He has also supported the findings of the Keogh Report which was launched in the aftermath of the PIP scandal, and has called for a crackdown on the use of treatments like Botox and dermatological fillers by untrained practitioners.

Adrian concluded: “Aurora Clinics works with the best British surgeons in their fields, all highly qualified and trained, and we are all keen to see tighter controls on the cosmetic surgery industry.

“Sadly, there are firms out there which put patients at risk and everyone must be vigilant.”

Adrian Richards is a Member of both the British Association of Plastic and Reconsructive Surgeons (BAPRAS) and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), the leading British professional bodies for plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery.

He is an author and has written a best-selling textbook ?Keynotes on Plastic Surgery?.

Aurora Clinics include the Gatehouse in Northampton, the Saxon Clinic in Milton Keynes, the Paddocks Hospital in Princes Risborough and 10 Harley St in London.

WHEN a trader goes into administration, its rights and responsibilities change. Depending on your situation you might end up losing out, so it?s important to know what you can do to protect yourself.

A common problem when shops go bust is what you can do if you have a gift card. Once they go into administration shops are under no obligation to continue to accept gift cards, although some may continue to do so. If you have a gift card then hold on to it, even if it isn?t being accepted, as the situation can change. This works both ways, so if a shop is taking vouchers then make sure you use them while you can.

If you?ve put down a deposit on an item that you have yet to receive, then whether or not you receive it will depend on whether it has been ?earmarked? for you. If it has then the shop should fulfil your order, but if not then you may not see the goods. If you?ve bought something, for example electrical or white goods, which become faulty then it might be easier to claim under the manufacturer?s guarantee.

You can log a complaint with the administrators which will add you on to the store’s list of creditors, but realistically most customers will be a long way down the list. If you used a credit or debit card you may be able to make a claim from your provider, and if the goods or services you bought came with a manufacturer?s guarantee or an insurance-backed guarantee, you may be able to make a claim under them. If the trader was a member of a trade association, contact them to see if they can help. You can find out more about what rights you have and what you can do if things go wrong, by going to www.adviceguide.org.uk or calling our consumer service on 08454 04 05 06.
Your nearest CAB office is in Market Square, Thame
Adviceline: 08444 111 444 or 03 00 33 00 650 (Mobile)

SOURCE: Thame Citizens Advice Bureau

ADVICE from the Thame CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau): Gyms often play on people’s new year resolve to be more active and offer enticing deals, but you can find yourself tied into a long-term contract without realising unless you study the small print very carefully before signing up for anything.

Your contract will normally have details about when and how you can cancel and what the charges will be. Usually you will still have to pay fees for the lifetime of the contract (or some sort of cancellation fee) if you decide to cancel early even if your circumstances have changed.

If you do decide to cancel your gym membership make sure you do it in writing and keep a copy of the letter. It may also be sensible to send the letter recorded delivery so you have proof of when you sent it and can find out whether the gym has received it or not.

There are some instances when you can cancel a gym contract early without a penalty or even get a refund. This could apply if the contract terms specifically allow for you to cancel in certain circumstances, such as at the end of an introductory rate. You can also cancel early without a penalty or charge if your contract terms are deemed to be unfair. Your contract could be seen as unfair if it is automatically renewed without your permission or the terms are unclear. It is also easier to cancel a gym contract without having to pay a penalty or even get a refund if it sets a minimum contract term that is more than one year.

Your nearest CAB office is in Market Square Thame
Adviceline: 08444 111 444 or 03 00 33 00 650 (Mobile)

IMAGINE that on the outskirts of Thame there lies a special land ? a land crossed by many paths that each lead to a new and exciting place. You step onto one of these paths and it takes you down through swishing grasses, alive with crickets and grasshoppers chirping their welcome.

You arrive at a pond where emerald dragonflies and azure damoiselles dance in the sunlight, skimming the water in a dazzling display of aerobatics. Frogs wallow in the mud, keeping cool until sundown when they emerge to romance in the moonlight.

Imagine this path then leads you through beds of reeds and sedges that whisper secrets in the wind. Songbirds nestle safely between their swaying stems and sing out their gratitude in a repertoire of chirps, clicks and warbles. The path leads to a wooden bridge that crosses a meandering stream. A kingfisher darts by – electric blue – hunting for fish and other edible delights. A small crayfish scuttles under a rock in case he?s on the menu, but the kingfisher is already long gone.

You cross the bridge and find yourself in a beautiful meadow, where wild flowers glow pink and yellow amongst the waving grasses. Brightly coloured butterflies flit past like excited fairies and bees hum happily as they fill their sacks with pollen.

Imagine the path leads you along the stream, under weeping willow trees and blossom-filled hedgerows. You reach the entrance to a woodland, dark and mysterious ? should you go in? You decided to enter and discover that it is not such a scary place after all, but a place full of birdsong and playful squirrels, and gently swaying trees.

As you emerge back out into the sunlight the path takes you along the woodland edge, where butterflies bounce across the hedgerow and out onto yet more meadows ? there appears to be no end to this mysterious land.

Imagine if this place really existed! Well, actually it does: It?s called Cuttle Brook local nature reserve; just a few minutes walk from Thame town centre and it?s YOURS!

So please accept this invitation to come and walk its paths, discover its secrets and enjoy a real breath of fresh air. All are welcome, but please ensure that you leave only footprints so that others may enjoy a pleasant visit and the wild life is not disturbed or endangered.

If you would like to get to know this magical land better you are welcome to join a group of dedicated volunteers, who work away at maintaining Cuttle Brook?s magic places and keeping the wild ones happy.

Also, this summer they are building a new bridge over the brook and would welcome any extra helping hands.

For more information contact: Elaine Aldridge via 01844) 292307- Email: leafylaine@yahoo.co.uk

Website: www.cuttlebrook.org.uk
PHOTE: Courtesy of Deborah Porter

GOOD news that Citizens Advice Bureaux are to get a cash boost from South Oxfordshire District Council. They serve a great need, giving out advice like the following:

SALES goods may be reduced in price because the trader needs to clear stock at the end of the season, because they want to attract customers, or because there are known faults with the goods. As a consumer, the law says that any item you buy from a trader in a sale must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and match any description given. If it doesn?t then you are entitled to a repair, a replacement, or a refund.

Traders must also point out any faults with damaged sales goods, for example a missing button on a coat. If this does not happen you are also entitled to a repair, replacement or your money back.

Things become more problematic if you have simply changed your mind. A trader doesn?t have to do anything in this situation, but some traders do have their own returns policies where you can be offered an exchange or a credit note. More information on these types of returns policies can be found on the back of your receipt or displayed next to the tills.

Proof of purchase, like a receipt, will be needed to return goods bought in the sales and be aware that some returns policies state that goods which have been opened or the package damaged will not be accepted. Some retailers will also not accept returned goods which could carry infection such as pierced earrings, so remember to check the trader?s terms and conditions if you think you think you may want to return them later.

For more information on your consumer rights go to the Citizens Advice website www.adviceguide.org.uk

CAB adviceline 08 444 111 444 or 0300 3300 650(mobile)

Your local CAB is in Montesson Square, Thame (Market House)
IMAGE: Courtesy of: uk.finance.yahoo.com

CHINNOR-based author, Ian Wagstaff has won the Mercedes-Benz award for the Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy for the second time. At the Guild of Motoring Writers? Annual Dinner in the RAC, Pall Mall, last night, Ian was presented with this prestigious prize for his biography of former Grand Prix mechanic, Tony Robinson.

Tony was one of the foremost racing mechanics of the 1950s and 1960s. He worked for Stirling Moss ? who described him as ?an important contribution to my racing successes? – and eventually designed cars for Formula One and the Indianapolis 500.

Ian, who first won the Montagu Trophy in 2006 for his book, ?The British at Le Mans?, is now working on a series of books for Haynes Publishing ? best known for its owner?s workshop manuals ? about famous racing cars. The first of these, on the iconic Lotus 72 of the early 1970s, was published earlier this year and he is now writing one on the McLaren M23. This was the car that took James Hunt to the World Championship in 1976, a season that will be the subject of the eagerly awaited feature film, Rush!, scheduled for launch next season.

The Montagu Trophy is awarded to the member of the Guild of Motoring Writers who has made the ?greatest contribution to recording, in the English language, the history of motoring? during the year. Ian?s 2012 winning book, Tony Robinson ? the biography of a race mechanic, is published by Veloce.

Photo caption: Ian Wagstaff (centre) receives the 2012 Montagu Trophy from Doug Hill (right) chief engineer at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. Mercedes-Benz PR manager Angus Fitton (left) was also on hand for the presentation.

SOURCE: Contributed

Interview with a local soldier just returned from his first tour of duty in Afghanistan – By Susannah Smith:

AFTER seven months in war torn Afghanistan, ‘James’ as we will call him (who, for security reasons does not want to be identified), a young British soldier, can hardly describe what it?s like to be back home in Thame. ?It?s different,? he says, which is somewhat of an understatement. Afghanistan sits in the heart of the Middle East and is landlocked with both mountains and deserts. ?It?s a stunning country,? describes James. ?Really beautiful ? it?s just that there?s a war on.? It is also one of the poorest countries in the world, with 53% of its people living below the poverty line and 3.5 million citizens who are refugees abroad. Afghanistan is a world away from prosperous, rural Thame, where we are sitting, in the ThameNews.net offices talking to James about his military experiences.

James himself, looking a relaxed and confident in one of the office chairs, is in a T-shirt and jeans, and is very much like any of the other young guys I know in Thame. It soon becomes obvious that now, for him there is a wide contrast between Britain and Afghanistan, the contrast between civilian and army life. For that?s what took him to Afghanistan: the war. ?When you?re out there, it?s 24/7 for seven months, ? James explains. For soldiers on tour, there?s no going out or popping down the pub; you are confined to a check point (or ?CP? as James says) simply because outside is not safe. ?You do get ?down time? but even then you have your periodic watches,? he says, laughing as he recounts his squadron?s attempts to beat the boredom by building make-shift ping-pong tables and volley ball nets.

When I asked him what he missed the most, James took his time to answer and then opted for ?Mum?s cooking… especially roasts.? With James walking me through the monotony of the necessary routine, I started to realise how tough it is for the soldiers out there, not just because of the combat, but even day-to-day living is a test of character. And if that?s not enough, he grumbles ?there?s no alcohol and the showers are cold!?

As the conservation moves on, it becomes clear that the difference between civilian and army life isn?t the only contrast. Being in Afghanistan, he explained, was a more relaxed military experience than the training in Britain. ?Over there, you?re almost left to your own devices. Whereas back here in England, you?re made to clean your gun every day. Then it?ll be inspected. But out there you?re just expected to do it. You?ve got to make sure your gun fires. It?s your responsibility.? So maybe ?relaxed? isn?t quiet the right word; it?s more of a collective acknowledgement of the serious situation the young soldiers are in, and a collective responsibility because of this. This bond between the soldiers is a running theme during our conversation.

?The adrenaline rush?

Coming from a family rooted in the military (Both James’ parents were in the army and as a child he moved around with them to different postings), it is no wonder that he went into the force himself. ?Its what I?ve always wanted to do,? he simply states, recounting a scene of imaginary woodland battles, chasing round with a stick as a child.

After school and an unsuccessful first application to the army, he ended up working at a local shop. After some time there, he finally got the phone call from the Army Recruitment Office: ?And in four days I was at basic training!? Since then, he seems to have thrived in the military lifestyle and although he admits other people may have other reasons for joining, James ?just wanted to go out there and fight the enemy.? He grins and says: ?I just love it, the adrenalin.?

Adrenalin is a word that crops up frequently when talking to James about combat. ?Sure, it?s terrifying when it happens but the training kicks in and everyone knows where they?re supposed to do,? he explains. Close to when his squadron was due to be returning home, James experienced his first serious combat. Animated now, he tells me of bullets flying over his head: ?I admit I was scared, but once it was all over and we were out of danger, I was like, I want to do it again!? This confident yet resilient attitude seems a feature of his character and helps explain his love of the army. ?Not all the lads are like me,? he acknowledged. I had to remind myself that this was his first Tour of Duty ? he is likely to be back in Afghanistan in the not too distant future though the plan is for all British troops to be out of there by the end of 2014.

?A real bond?

Through the combination of some serious combat and a somewhat tedious lifestyle, James makes it clear that his friends and fellow soldiers make the experience more than bearable. ?You honestly make really good mates out there,? he tells me, ?and after spending seven months continuously with your squadron you know them inside out.? He goes on to tell me about the sometimes claustrophobic conditions in which the soldiers share everything they have with the rest of the lads because, as he explained, ?….you know they?ll do the same for you.? Nevertheless, he acknowledged that it?s not always plain sailing and that disagreements do occur, which he accepted was probably inevitable within such a confined environment. ?You just tend not to get too involved with people you don?t get on with – just may be politely say: ?Alright mate?? when you pass them but not really take things much beyond that.?

James told me about the importance of teamwork, so vital for survival; the mutual reliance with everyone watching each other?s backs. However, he made a clear distinction between attitudes outside, in the rugged and hostile Afghan deserts, compared to inside, in the safety of the guarded Check Points. ?There?s a real bond but also lots of banter,? he said. He laughs and tells of an incident where one of his team suffered a bout of heat sickness when still a long distance from the Check Point. ?It was all about encouraging him, saying: ? Look, there?s the CP now. Just keep going for a little longer!? in order to keep his morale up. But, almost as soon as we entered the safety of the base, the ?banter? started. ?It could have been any of us,? he says. ?But we ?ripped it out of him? anyway, with things like: ?Aw….! Dear, dear. Poor you!? And stuff like that.?

?Almost like Thame…?

When I asked him about his experience of interacting with the civilians of Afghanistan, James explained that it was mainly the Corporals who were in contact with the people. Though he was aware, he said, that some of the civilians were supportive, remembering how one of the locals had indicated where some explosives had been buried. ?We could?ve stepped on that and been blown up!?

Despite the length of the troubles in Afghanistan, James describes to me some signs of progress in the region. He talked of ?populated little market towns, where it?s almost like Thame, where the local people obviously feel quite safe.? But though he could see some positive signs for the country, he emphasised the need for caution. ?We still have to be vigilant in these crowded towns with thousands of people. Anyone in that crowd could be Taliban.? It was apparent that when outside the protection of the army base, the soldiers always had to be on their guard. ?Well, it?s our job and we?ve got to do it to the best of our ability, which means being alert every minute we?re on duty,? he emphasised.

?I can?t wait to go back?

When asked to summarise army life, ?It?s a lot of boredom and you have to work really hard,? said James. Yet it was obvious that he was itching to go back. Military life isn?t for everyone but for James he describes a place where he has found his niche, and looks forward with relish to the career and future ahead of him. A Private at the moment, he expressed a wish to move on to Lance Corporal and then Corporal. But what about after the army? ?The army will help you out. It?s brilliant! You can get GCSEs or A Levels or a trade such a plumbing or mechanics. I think I?d like to learn all about armoury,? he muses.

The prospect of future Tours of Duty in Afghanistan didn?t seem to faze James at all. ?I can?t wait to go back?, he said. The lure of the battle has always been a draw for young people it seems ? particularly young men, and although modern, more technical warfare may have put a new spin on this, people haven?t changed. Talking to James has made me realise that, despite my personal discomfort at sending young people into military conflicts, an army career can have a positive influence on an individual. For James it is clear, the army has been the best choice he ever made.

Image: Courtesy of http://www.army.mod.uk

THE work of a business from the Thame area is to feature in Sarah Beeny?s new Channel 4’s property show, ?Double your House for Half the Money?. The episode of the series, to be screened tomorrow, September 18, features the story of how a local family set about creating their perfect family home in the village of Easington, near Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire.

Their late 19th century farm worker’s cottage was in a fantastic location, but was much smaller than required for the Croft-Baker?s growing family. Local company, Porter Consulting and Management Services Limited (PCMS), stepped in to project-manage the build which includes a rear extension, side extension and substantial internal alterations.

The number of bedrooms was doubled to four, a family bathroom and large new en-suite was installed and a large and flexible kitchen/dining/living space was created by extending to the side of the house.

The camera crew, production company and, of course, Sarah Beeny herself paid regular visits to the site to keep up with progress, keeping a lasting record of the project at every stage. Being filmed has given an extra impetus to everyone involved to finish on time.

Director of PCMS Alex Bond said: ?It was a very rewarding and fascinating experience to be involved with this project. Everyone, including our own staff, the construction firm, and particularly the family themselves pulled together to meet all the deadlines and the Croft-Bakers now have a beautiful family home finished to a very high standard.?

The focus of the new Channel 4 series is about families maximising the use of all potential space in their existing homes, extending every which way and combining this with internal reconfiguration to deliver larger and more flexible living areas. The challenge is to increase space by up to 100% for much less money than it would have cost to move into a larger home.

IS your child starting a new school? Help is on-hand from Thame Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

Citizens Advice?s Adding Up campaign was set up to encourage schools to help families by following these simple recession-busting tips:

1. If you feel your child?s school isn?t doing enough to keep costs down, raise the issue with the school management team. Draw their attention to the Schools Admissions Code, and keep copies of all correspondence.

2. If you?re not happy with the response, approach the school?s governing body. They should have a complaints procedure in place which will deal with issues such as complaints about uniform policies.

3. You can also raise the issue with the Schools Admissions Forum in your area. Your local authority should be able to give you details.

4. If your school has an exclusive contract with a uniform supplier which prevents you from buying ?off the peg? items at a cheaper rate, ask them to review this.

5. If they refuse to change this policy then they may be subject to enforcement action by the Office of Fair Trading: www.oft.gov.uk

6. If you are concerned that excessive school costs are affecting your decision to send your child to a particular school then you can object to the Schools Adjudicator: www.schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk

7. Suggestions you can make to your child?s school for how to keep costs fair and low could include:
? Making sure uniform is available from a range of outlets
? Providing sew-on or iron-on badges that can be put on plain clothing
? Encourage second hand uniform sales or swap schemes
? Providing budgets for the year in September so parents can plan ahead
? Being transparent about which contributions are voluntary

8. If you are really struggling with buying school uniform or PE kit for your child(ren), apply to your local authority for a School Uniform Grant.

9. If you have difficulties with any of the above steps your local Citizens Advice Bureau can help. Many bureaux are already trying to influence the work of local Schools Admissions Forums as part of our Adding Up campaign.

10. For more information visit: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/addingupcampaign
CAB adviceline 08 444 111 444 or 0300 3300 650(mobile)
For general advice visit www.adviceguide.org.uk
Your local CAB is in Market Square, Thame

SOURCE; Contributed by Thame CAB