Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

THAME’S skate-boarding fraternity is thoroughly ‘made up’ this week after two bits of good news mean that the long-awaited, planned renovations and replacement of worn out equipment at Thame Skate Park can now go ahead.

First, Thame Town Council has agreed to underwrite the remaining money needed for the work to begin, up to a maximum of £75,000. Secondly, the out-going Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, presented a cheque for of £9153 to the skaters, money she raised during her civic year for the Skatepark project, as one of her chosen charities.

Corin Rea, a local skateboarder and leading member of the Skate park Working Group said: “A big, big thank you to Jeannette and the working group, Thame Town Council, plus everyone who has contributed, fund-raised, sponsored, and generally got involved. This park is for you and everyone else for the next 50 years.”

Speaking on the Thame Skate Park Project’s Facebook page, Stephen Little posted: “ Great news. I’ve got two young lads who will hopefully make good use of the new park (as well as myself 🙂 Massive thanks to everyone involved.”

A Skate Park Working Group (SPWG) was formed in 2012 with the purpose of consulting with users, volunteers and the Council to replace the Skate Park facilities and eventually a contract was agreed for redeveloping the skate park, costing £249,997.

Financial assistance of £65,000 from Thame Town Council’s Capital Reserves was agreed by the council in April 2014, and in the same year, the group successfully bid for an SODC Capital Grant for 40% of the project cost, and £3,000 from the Chill Out fund as well as £65,000 from Oxfordshire County Council’s Inspired Facilities fund.

A grant applied for to Sport England for around £75,000 was unsuccessful.

Thame Town Council has now agreed to underwrite the remaining cost as it expects money  through Section 106 from housing development and other sources will cover much of the cost.

PLANS for what has proved locally to be a much debated proposal for an edge-of-town supermarket, and a separate commercial space in Thame, have been submitted by Tesco.

The planning application for both developments on the current DAF site in Howland Road, Thame, has been lodged with the local planning authority, South Oxfordshire District Council. Tesco claims that the development will create around 200 new jobs at Tesco and: “ …offer customers the choice of staying in Thame for their weekly shop, rather than using supermarkets in nearby towns as many people currently do.”

Tesco has owned the site since the mid-1990s, and failed to gain planning permission back in 1994, following strong opposition from local people and the then Chamber of Commerce. (See: LINK)

At the time of that application, the local authority’s independent consultants, Hillier Parker, estimated that Tesco would take £10m out of the centre of Thame, a view currently held by the campaign group ‘Thame Centre First’.  An attempt to build a Tesco store on the Cattlemarket site three years later, also failed.

Thame Town Council is to commission an independent ‘Impact study’ on the effects of such a development on the economy and vibrancy of Thame town centre.

Fflur Sheppard, Tesco’s Regional Corporate Affairs Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be submitting a planning application in Thame, and are excited about the prospect of joining the local community. We know that around half of all main food shopping is done outside the town so our hope is to encourage those customers to stay in Thame and shop with Tesco. If we are successful in doing that, other retailers may also benefit from customers who currently choose not to use town centre shops and services.”

Tesco has stated that the new store ‘will focus on selling food, grocery and household goods, rather than the non-food lines normally associated with the company’s larger stores’ and that ‘In response to local feedback, there will be a range of Tesco’s popular clothes lines available in Thame.’

Other plans include improvements to the Phoenix Trail, new pedestrian and cycle links and improved bus services to make the store easily accessible.

Tesco added: “Submission of the application follows months of consultation with local residents, community groups, Thame Town Council and planning officers.”

South Oxfordshire District Council is expected to reach a decision on the application by autumn this year. You can view the FULL Planning application here LINK

Linked story: https://www.thame.net/archives/19874 – Tesco supporters want their voices heard

Facebook page: Say-Yes-to-an-out-of-town-Tesco-store-In-Thame

AROUND thirty Thame town centre retailers attended a lively workshop aimed at forming ‘a strong collective voice’ to assure the future of  the town centre into the future’ on Monday (May 18).

Hosted by Thame Centre First,  at the James Figg pub, the theme of the evening was ‘Building A Vibrant Town Centre for Thame’. There were three invited speakers, Iain Nicholson, a town centres specialist, and town team coordinator for Wantage, Banbury and Wallingford; Stewart Howe, acquisitions manager, for the Midcounties Co-operative, and Richard Holmes, a property consultant acting for the Midcounties Co-operative.

Thame Centre First is a community campaign group established to ‘uphold the policies set out in Thame’s award-winning Neighbourhood Plan, resist edge-of-town retail development, and keep shops together in the heart of Thame town centre’. In holding the workshop, Thame Centre First had three objectives: to connect retailers, businesses and residents, to generate ideas that will help the town centre thrive and to build a strong collective voice that will make Thame town centre even better for the future.

Iain Nicholson, speaking of his experience as town centre coordinator for Wantage, winner of the town centre category in the Great British High Street Awards 2014, said that the strongest towns have a great mix on the high street that suits their populations. “This involves national brands working with local shops, and retailers working with landlords and councils,” he said,  “all working together to keep the town centre vibrant. Work that is put in now will have a big impact on the future success of the high street, avoiding the ‘clone town’ syndrome, and ensuring independent businesses stay much more resilient, keeping money flowing within the local community.

Ian continued: “The town centre scene is developing successfully all over the UK, with innovative elements such as pop-up shop programmes that build a continuing pipeline of business and regular performances of art and dance in public places, that boost morale and attract audiences. These elements helped Wantage win its category in the Great British High Street Awards 2014.”

Stewart Howe spoke of the Midcounties Co-operative’s links with the high street, pointing out that they had always built stores in town centres, and support the continuing presence of independent businesses there. It was his view that out-of-town supermarket developments do have a detrimental effect on the survival of town centres, which, he said, “may also affect employment and people’s lives.” Stewart instanced the successes local people have had in fighting out-of-town applications in similar market towns to Thame, such as Chipping Norton, where an application to build an edge-of-town superstore had been defeated.

Richard Holmes works with the Midcounties Co-operative as a surveyor and planner, project managing objections. He continued the theme of overcoming out-of-town applications. He stressed the importance of establishing large, local lobbying groups and getting local people behind an objection, giving the example of a planning application that was rejected in Botley, Oxford, due to the sheer number of local objections, even when the local authority officers had recommended approval of the scheme.

Richard concluded by saying that the presence of such a large number of people at this workshop was a great start and indicated how strongly people felt about their town centre.  Local retailers, businesses and residents should carry on working together to ensure developments reflect what people like about the town and want to see there, he concluded.

Having heard the speakers, four break-out groups facilitated by members of Thame Centre First, discussed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing Thame. Strengths included the attraction of Thame as a true market town, the diversity of shops, free parking, and the benefits generated by fairs and markets such as the Thame Food Festival and the French market. When it came to threats, the groups were unanimous in their concerns about out-of-town retail development and the complacency that can hamper attempts to deal with problems such developments can cause. Areas of weakness included the high cost of business rates and rents, poor parking enforcement, declining bus services, and the lack of active business groupings. Amongst opportunities to be grasped were the introduction of managed parking, the enhancement of the Thame loyalty card scheme and the development of ‘Brand Thame’ as a means of promoting the town more extensively, increasing footfall through the year.

Thame Centre First has the backing of all five of Thame’s residents’ associations, and is supported by many high street retailers. For more information visit www.thamecentrefirst.org or email info@thamecentrefirst.org, or like TCF on www.facebook.com

For more information about The Great British High Street Awards 2015, which is run by The Future High Streets Forum, visit: www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk. The competition is designed to help revitalise high streets by promoting the great work that is being done and sharing good ideas across the country. Penny Mordaunt, High Streets Minister in the last Government, has said, ‘High streets are a vital part of our economy supporting thousands of jobs in retail and leisure … they are also at the heart of our communities providing a great place for friends and family to meet …. We want to reward the great work that is being done to improve these crucial assets as well as showcase ideas which can be a springboard for others to try.’

Thame4Business is run by 21st Century Thame, an organisation dedicated to the future of Thame and the surrounding villages. Run by volunteers, funding is sourced for projects to improve the vitality and vibrancy of Thame and to make it a better place to live, work and visit.

SOURCE: Press release

FOLLOWING a letter from the village of Thame in Nepal, in response to one from here in Thame, Oxfordshire, a second letter has arrived from Thame (Tam-ay) from the world record-holder for the number of ascents of Everest. The letter describes the on-going hardship that the villagers are enduring, three weeks after the earthquake that shattered their nation. The letter reads:

My name is Apa Sherpa. I am a resident of Thame, Nepal and world record holder for most ascents of Mt. Everest (21 times). I was on my way to Thame when the earthquake hit. All the older houses are completely leveled and newer ones have suffered significant structural damage. All the residents are too fearful to even go inside their destroyed homes to salvage their belongings.

They are currently taking shelter in a tent and under the tarpaulin. Aftershocks are still ongoing and residents have no clue when they can finally begin to gather together to start the rebuilding process. Time is against the people of Thame, and Nepal in general as monsoon season is approaching and people need a permanent solution.

We received your letter few days ago and would like to thank you, the residents of Thame England, Charlie Tyson-Taylor and Mary Stiles from the bottom of our heart. Words don’t do justice of how grateful we the residents of Thame, Nepal are for your support and keeping us in your thoughts.

Attached with this email are few pictures of Thame, Nepal after the earthquake.

We need all the help to recover from this disaster. Thank you for the support. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Apa & residents of Thame

More information about the village of Thame, Nepal, and the ‘Thame to Thame’ fund-raising group on Facebook. See LINK

WHILST the future of the England’s place in the European Union is becoming a national talking point, the union between Thame and its twin town of Montesson in France, continues to grow and strengthen. Friends from Thame’s twin town of Montesson, near France, have been visiting the town for 14 years, hosted by Thame families, and last weekend proved to be one of the most memorable.

Inspired by last September’s arrival in Montesson, by members of the Haddenham Hillbillies Cycle Club who had cycled from Thame, four Montessonaise did the ride in the other direction, arriving in Thame on Friday evening, May 8, shortly after a coach load of their fellow townsfolk. Despite encountering the fiercest winds for many months, causing one of them to actually be blown off her bike- twice, they made it to Marlow on the fourth day, Friday, where they were met by a contingent of Haddeham Hillbillies and friends, and High Wycombe Cycle Club, and escorted over the Chilterns into Thame.

At a welcoming reception at Thame town hall, they were congratulated by Linda Emery, Chair of Thame and District Twinning Association, and later, the Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, and presented with a souvenir, framed certificate of their epic achievement, by Justin Shardlow of the Haddenham Hillbillies.

On Saturday, the French visitors were treated to a visit to the magnificent National Trust property and school, Stowe House and gardens, where they enjoyed a tour of the house with a French-speaking guide and explored the vast and magical gardens, created as ‘an earthly paradise’ with lakeside walks, bridges and temples. On Sunday, the Thame hosts and French visitors came together to share a communal champagne reception and lunch at The Three Horse Shoes pub in Towersey, before setting off back home via the Channel Tunnel.

Spokesperson for Thame Twinning, Julie Fitzsimons, was delighted with the way the work of her hard-working committee had paid off. She reported: “The Montessonais could scarcely have recovered from their return trip when they flooded my inbox with cheery emails, bursting with thanks for the lovely weekend and for the very warm welcome we gave them.

“This year’s group included several people who were visiting England (let alone Thame!) for the first time, and they were particularly touched by our generous hospitality.

“On behalf of the entire Twinning Committee I would like to thank all those who were able to be involved this year – the 14th year (!) of receiving guests from Montesson. We can take heart from this annual coming together of friends, both old and new. The notion of twinning might be considered an old-fashioned one, but making and maintaining links in this way is becoming increasingly important when the wider trend seems to be towards division and fragmentation.”

Plans are already being made to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Thame-Montesson ‘jumelage’, with another adventure – a walk from London to Thame next May, involving members and friends of both twinning associations.

HAVE you got unwanted tools in the back of the shed, the garage or in the loft? Why not ‘dig them out’ and take them along to the Rotary Club of Thame’s, annual collection, coming soon? The Rotary Club of Thame is asking the public to check their sheds and lofts and bring their old tools to the main car park of Thame, near the Market House in Montesson Square, on Saturday morning, May 30, between 10am and 1 pm.

Every year the Rotary Club of Thame runs a collection point for unwanted tools. These are then taken to ‘Tools for Self Reliance’ at Netley Marsh near Southampton, a charity which refurbishes them and sends them to NGO’s in Africa. The NGOs then distribute them FREE to men and women who use them to obtain work.

Rotarian Erroll Bateman said: “The Rotary Club of Thame would like to encourage everyone to check their garages and lofts and bring their unwanted items to us, to give the craftsmen in Africa a chance to put their skills to good use for the benefit of their community, as we believe it is a worthy cause.”

Items which can be collected include sewing machines, tools used for plumbing, carpentry, metalworking, building, bicycle repair, shoe repair and car repair. Unfortunately, no garden tools can be accepted. Here is the full list:

• Good quality Singer round-bobbin hand machines – because spare parts are easily available in the UK and all over Africa for these old but solidly-built machines
• Electric sewing machines. These need to be in good working order and be capable of zig-zag stitching and embroidery. A foot controller and instruction manual, though preferable, are not essential
• Plumbing tools – especially heavy duty floor-standing pipe benders
• Arc welders (240V, stick type) plus accessories
• Carpentry tools – especially large carpenters vices, metal jack planes, tri-planes and drawknives
• Building tools, especially builders squares and corner trowels
• Engineering and metalworking tools – especially HSS twist drills, metric taps & dies and hand-operated bench grinders
• Bicycle repair tools – especially spoke spanners
• Shoe repair tools – especially skiving knives
• Auto-mechanics tools – especially heavy duty foot-pumps, tyre pressure gauges and piston ring compressors
• Electrical repair tools – especially multi-meters and de-soldering equipment
• Industrial/professional quality power tools – especially heavy duty drills and bench grinders
• Blacksmiths tools – especially anvils and leg vices
• Overlocker sewing machines

These collected items will be taken to the very well equipped TFSR depot at Netley Marsh where they will be refurbished by a group of retired engineers, before being packed into containers for shipment to African countries. From the port of arrival they are taken by members of the organisation to villages to help the people become more self-reliant.

For more information visit thame.rotary1090.org or facebook.com/thamerotary

JUST as the news of another earthquake in Nepal had hit the headlines, the Oxfam Bookshop in Thame, which has been taking donations since the first quake struck on April 25, has announced that so far the people of Thame have donated £3,000 to its Nepal Appeal.

The Assistant Manager of the Thame Oxfam Book Shop in the Cornmarket, Marianne Parslow, said: “We are delighted with the response from the people of Thame and thank them for their generosity.”

Marianne added that the shop is currently in need of more volunteers, of all ages, to help out in the shop over this very busy time. Contact Dick Jennings of Marianne Parslow on 01844 214645, if you would like to find out more about volunteering for a few hours a week.

The news from Thame’s namesake in Nepal, which was so badly affected by the first earthquake, is that there have been no further casualities but that any progress made in the last few days in rebuilding the houses, has been put back by the shocks felt in the village today. Everyone is still very nervous and sleeping under tarpaulins or in tents.

To find out how you can directly help the people of Thame in Nepal, visit the ‘Thame to Thame’ facebook page LINK. Donation details are there, and lots of photographs and news from the village and the surrounding area.