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Christmas shopping in Thame

THAME has a growing reputation for its choice of interesting independent shops, from prize-winning butchers, gift shops, flower shops, ladies’ and gents’ boutiques and stationers, restaurants, pubs and cafes, to a unique owner-managed Italian deli and a wonderful, independent bookshop, attracting shoppers from all over the district who come to enjoy the festive ambiance of an historic market town with the added bonus of FREE parking close by.

These days local, independent retailers face many challenges, not least the growth of on-line shopping. So, the challenge is to provide good quality goods combined with excellent product knowledge and great customer service – all things you can expect when you shop in your local High Street, and particularly here in Thame.

From Friday, December 6, the Christmas lights will be turned on, the mince pies and mulled wine will be tempting the taste beds of shoppers and visitors in the cafes, and Thame’s shop windows will be looking their seasonal best – all ready to help make present buying an adventure and a pleasure.

So, whether you’ve already made your present-buying list, or looking for some Christmas gift ideas, Thame.Net is here to help and in return, you’ll be supporting the local economy and helping to sustain the vibrancy and choice in your local High Street.

Quick links:

Hair Product gift vouchers
Stylish clothes for men
Sledges, bikes & Micro scooters
Books – a gift for everyone
Guitar & Bass lessons
Christmas shopping break for lunch
Christmas flowers
Squash & Gym gift vouchers

Beautiful hair helps save lives

Thame High Street boasts more than its fair share of hair salons and one of the most stylish is Brothers in Buttermarket, where, apart from a perfect coiffeur, the Aveda products used reflect the salon’s ethos to care for the world we live in.

Give gifts of joy this Christmas – Save lives in Nepal

At Brothers there’s a choice of hair product present ideas to “Give gifts of joy this Christmas and Save lives in Nepal.” The green paper on Brothers’ Aveda gift sets is handcrafted and employs around 5,500 people in Nepal – helping to change lives. With a range of gifts from just £12, there’s something for everyone’s Christmas budget. Visit Brothers’ website or pop into the salon to see the full range.

Help style your man

For the gentleman of any age who loves clothes, a short stroll to the top of Buttermarket, takes you towards Waitrose via Greyhound Walk where, on the left you will find one of Thame’s smartest shops, Gallant. Here something special from their most popular brand, Circle of Gentlemen will make any man happy on Christmas morning.

Circle of Gentlemen burgandy,
navy & white bold-check shirt

Circle of Gentlemen shirts retail between £139.95 and £149.95. The jacket pictured is from a range from £395 to £525. The orange jeans and jacket pictured are £485 for the jacket and £145 for the stunning jeans.

Another favourite brand among Gallant’s regular customers is Seven For All Mankind whose wonderfully tactile, Cashmere blend shirts retail between £145 and £200. For those of us on a smaller budget but who still want to give our man something stylishly special, how about a pair of Duchamp socks which retail at £16, or an Alex Begg & Co scarf, Scottish made, at £59.95?

Duchamp socks

Alternatively a Giorgio Fedon, Italian made wallet would thrill any man.

Ready for snow!

It’s winter, and many of us (including me) are desparately hoping for some proper, seasonal weather – and that means snow! Well, according to the UK Weather Forecast web page between December and the end of February, colder than average conditions are expected overall and especially when compared with last winter, with a much greater frequency of winter weather which includes snow, frosts and below average temperatures.

Boystoys Snowmobile

Snow means sledging and new in stock at Thame’s bicycle shop, 2 Wheels, is a range of the very latest in sledging, the Boyztoys Snow Mobile at £79.99, the Lowrider, the Dragon Glider at £69.99, the Warp Speed Slider at £99 and a variety of Sound Barrier Sledges – what better present for a boy or a girl, meaning they’ll be ready for some winter fun when the snow comes.

The Frog Balance bike

A new bike for Christmas is guaranteed to set any child on the path to a pastime that could turn into a healthy interest or sport that can last a life-time. At 2 wheels, in High Street, Thame, Manager Dave and his experienced and knowledgeable staff will help you chose from a fabulous range of Frog Bikes for all ages. These are made of the lightest aluminium – a far cry from the heavy and cumbersum child’s bike of the past. Frog Bikes start with the ‘Tadpole’ balance bike for the very young, priced at £100, through to Frog Bikes for older children costing from £100 to £250. The top size child’s Frog road bike costs between £400 and £450.

The other ‘must have’ for children and young people is the micro scooter, the design and variation of which continues to develop and grow. From the Mini Seat 3-in-1, Micro Scooter for 1 – 5 year-olds, to the Sprite & TRIXX for 6 – 12 year-olds and adult Micro Scooters, 2 Wheels, Thame, has a wide selection to suit any active young person who’s ready to roll! http://www.micro-scooters.co.uk/

Books for everyone!

Whilst gift-wrapping a bicycle (Click here if you really want to know how) can be a bit of a challenge, the gift of a book for young readers who like to take a break from out-door fun, or to snuggle up in the corner of the sofa to be read to when it’s raining outside, or at bedtime, is both very acceptable and easy to wrap!

Thame’s independent, gem of bookshop, The Book House, at the bottom of the High Street, has been feeding the thirst of Thame’s bookworms for over 35 years and as well as stocking thousands of contemporary fiction, crime, classics or non-fiction books for adults, The Book House is a Children’s Fiction specialist. A charming book guaranteed to delight any child of reading age – and to illicit smiles of pleasure to any dog-loving adult reading the book aloud, is Emma Chichester Clark’s illustrated diary of a cheeky, characterful dog, Plumdog.

Written from the dog’s point of view in a neat, child-like lower case print as if in pencil by hand, the illustrated diary records what happens to Plumdog on his walks with his owners, the other dogs he meets and what they get up to, with great wit, humour and – dare I say – aplomb.

Humour of a more adult sort is, as usual, the literary fare dished up by Simon Hoggart, and following on from his hilarious ‘mickey take’ of the sort of excruciatingly, boastful and self-satisfied, Round-robin letters that fall on our doormats at Christmas time, with The Cat That Could Open The Fridge, and The Hamster That Loved Puccini, his latest book, The Round Robin Letters, is an anthology of these. It’s guaranteed to have any reader, but the most thick-skinned proponant of such correspondence, chuckling with mirth over the Christmas Port.

Someone else with a talent to amuse, and well-known here in Thame as our ex Member of Parliament, is Boris Johnson. His latest book however, is a serious and illuminating look at ‘The Churchill Factor‘ and what the fly leaf of the book describes as ‘the singular brilliance of one of the most important leaders of the twentieth century’.

Not only does the book probingly illuminate Churchill’s majestic genius as an historian, journalist, a soldier and a peace-maker, but its author reveals aspects of Winston’s personal and private life, including his various ‘youthful daliances’, and climaxes with his wooing of, his relationship with, and the influence of his beloved wife, Clementine.

The Churchill Factor reads as Boris Johnson speaks – chatty yet flowery, spilling over with enthusiasm for the subject, with an overall feel of ‘letting the reader in’ on personal knowledge of the great man ‘with a titanic ego’ that is not common knowledge.

A very informative and entertaining read that celebrates ‘The Greatest Briton’ on the eve of the fiftieth anniversary of his death.

The gift of music!

Thame has a very vibrant music scene, especially among the young, as witnessed by the ever-growing popularity of the First Thursday Music Club, open mic nights at The James Figg. Many of the musicians who rock up every month are former pupils of The Lucas Guitar School, from where Kevin Lucas has been nurchering Thame’s bass and guitar players for almost 15 years. One of Kevin’s gift vouchers could well set your son, daughter, granddaughter or grandsonon well on their way to becoming an accomplished musician or just able to play for pleasure – Kevin even has several older pupils, returning to playing the guitar well after leaving their teenage years behind!

Call Kevin on his palendromic phone number, 01844 21712, to discuss how may lessons you would like to give and he will arrange a gift token for you.

Take a break with Christmas lunch!

Taking a break from Christmas shopping in Thame, you’re spoilt for choice. Apart from the many cafes up and down the High Street, the town boasts a wide variety of enticing restaurants, from top notch dining at The Thatch, where their Winter all-day menu and great pub grub offers great quality and value.

If Italian food takes your fancy, Thame’s branch of Prezzo’s Winter lunch offer is very tempting, at two courses and a glass of prosecco for £15.95 or three courses for £17.95. Look out for their Christmas board outside the shop in North Street. “The stars are coming out this Christmas – The party planner, the perfect gift-giver, the friend who treks through the snow or the little angel who steals the show…. celebrate with all your stars at Prezzo this festive season with three set menus, starting from £15.95″ Web link: http://www.prezzorestaurants.co.uk/christmas

FRESH flower bouquets make a wonderful gift or bring a touch of natural beauty into your home at Christmas. At BIZZIE LIZZIE in the Upper High Street (close to the Swan pub), Katie Virdi, her mum Billie and their team of experienced and creative florists, offer a stunning range of festive floral designs to chose from and will deliver within a 10 mile radius of Thame.

To see the full range of BIZZIE LIZZIE’s Christmas flower bouquets and baskets, visit their website or take a 360 degree tour of their beautiful shop here.

Bizzie Lizzie also has a fantastic range of Christmas decorations, lights and planters and can offer something beautiful for everyone’s budget.

Gym and racket sports gifts for all ages

A NEW year fitness pledge, or may be a determination to take up a new sport, or re-sharpen the skills of a previous racket sport, can be given a boost with a gift token for any age, from RACQUETS FITNESS CENTRE, in North Street, Thame.

Racquets Fitness Centre really does cater for all ages and abilities, from World-ranking men to young beginners

RACQUETS Fitness Centre, has a habit of producing young, quality squash players and coaches, and one of their younger proteges, Nick Harbour, is the new, Under 15s Oxfordshire Junior Closed squash champion. But there’s more to Racquets than just squash. The club has a fully equiped Gym, a function room and bar, personal trainers on hand, and squash and racketball coaching for all ages.

The creche at Racquets means that even the parents of young children can take time out for themselves and take advantage of a coaching session, weight training or general fitness course with the gift of a Christmas Gift Token. Contact the club on 01844 261754 or email: info@racquets-fitness-centre.com to discuss a taylor-made gift token to suit any budget.

06/12/2014
OPINION: Tesco and the town centre

IN the second of Thame.Net’s new ‘Take on Thame’ opinion features, Bob Austin, of the East Thame Residents Association, shares his ‘take’ on the recent Tesco proposal to build a supermarket on the Daf site, on the edge of town:

Image courtesy of newerapolitics.org

AS Thame residents may be aware, it is not the first time that an attempt has been made to build a Tesco superstore. As long as twenty years ago the Thame Chamber of Commerce commissioned a report which demonstrated the loss of business to the town centre that a Tesco edge of town store would cause. The loss was stated to be in the order of £10 million. You can obviously add inflation, at least, to that.

“Nowadays, the importance of a town centre has been further emphasised. Its viability and vitality must be at the core of any planning decision under the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) and weight is also given to an approved Neighbourhood Plan. The latter clearly opposes an edge of town superstore.

“Tesco in in its recent flyer stated that people will be encouraged to shop locally as a result of a new superstore. If an edge of town store counts as a local equivalent of a vibrant town centre then that statement would be accurate. However, the logic lies elsewhere.

“At the recent Tesco exhibition Tesco staff were asked if £35 million would be a good estimate of the superstore’s turnover (this being based on Tesco published standard turnovers per square foot). They did not disagree. Where would this turnover come from? Tesco accept that trade would come from the town centre but assert that much would come from shopping currently carried out, outside the town, by Thame residents.

“Given the fact that two of the closest food stores in Princes Risborough and Aylesbury are Tesco owned (ASDA Wheatley being cheaper), Tesco would inevitably cannibalise at least some its own turnover. Why would it do that? The only explanation can be that Tesco will take substantial incremental business from the town centre in order to achieve £35 million turnover- not just from Waitrose or chain stores but from independents as well- with obvious implications for closures. I am not demeaning the needs of Tesco shoppers when I state this- just outlining the implications for the town centre.

“At its exhibition Tesco stated that turnover would be 80% food, 20% non-food at the start. It will not just be just food shops that will be affected. If you want a town centre that continues to be vital, then defend a policy (Thame Neighbourhood Plan and SODC core strategy 2027) that keeps shoppers within the core of the town, When Tesco puts its application in, it will be time to say ‘No to Tesco’ again.”

Bob Austin
East Thame Residents Association

04/12/2014
Chancellor has listened to business, says FSB

RESPONDING to the Autumn Statement delivered today by the Chancellor, David Knowles Leak, Thames Valley FSB Regional Chairman said: “The Chancellor has listened to the needs of business, despite tight public finances. The focus must be on reducing the deficit not just for this Government but whoever holds the keys to Number 11 next year.

David Knowles Leak

“The FSB is delighted to see the double small business rate relief remain for another year and a full review of the outdated business rates system, something we’ve long argued for.

“The £400 million released to back the British Business Bank and an extension to the Funding for Lending scheme will provide much needed cash for small businesses.

“For our long-term growth, the Chancellor is right to support young people via apprenticeships and to spend on infrastructure. Our roads and rail urgently need updating. The £15 billion he has allocated for roads will upgrade our network and boost growth in our regions.”

Commenting on specific measures, David Knowles Leak continued:

On the proposed business rates review and reliefs: “This urgent review of the business rate system is critical to supporting small businesses. The current system is out of date and needs to be put out to grass. It’s complicated, opaque, regressive and unresponsive to changes in economic conditions. Many of our members tell us paying business rates is their third biggest cost after rent and wages, yet the tax is poorly targeted and not based on ability to pay.”

“All businesses will be grateful for this review, but let’s be absolutely clear on what businesses want – fundamental reform of the business rate system. The announced package of renewed reliefs, will also be essential, as they will help bridge the gap until fundamental reform can deliver the change everyone agrees must now come.”

Supporting better small business finance:

“Despite signs of recovery, there has been only limited progress in increasing lending to small firms. The extension to the Funding for Lending Scheme, set alongside new money to further back the British Business Bank, are prudent steps to makes sure these gains are sustained and extended.

“Only half of small business applications for finance are successful. Better targeting of small business loans is essential to focus banks on meeting the needs of firms looking to hire staff, export, and grow their businesses.”

Infrastructure:

“New and renewed road and rail infrastructure will be the backbone to any future growth, particularly outside of London. Small businesses are disproportionately reliant on our road network, above all rural businesses and those in the North of England. The promise of £15 billion of investment will be very welcome and businesses will strongly support putting this money to good use as soon as possible. Also very welcome is the sustained freeze in fuel duty.”

Research and development:

“Small businesses are well known to be the engine of innovation. Today’s measures to support the science base and increase to the small business research and development (R&D) tax credit are welcome and will help our innovative firms to remain at the cutting edge.

“However, business take-up of R&D tax credits remains low, with just one in 50 FSB members claiming them. Many members still claim that the process is too complicated. We therefore welcome that the increase in this credit will be accompanied with measure to make it easier businesses to claim.”

Apprenticeships:

“Small businesses have been responsible for the majority of the jobs created in the last few years. But many of our members tell us they struggle to find young people with the skills they need. The National Insurance relief for businesses taking on apprentices under the age of 25 will encourage businesses to take on even more young people and tackle the UK’s skills gap head on.

“However, this will need to be supported by a reformed apprenticeship framework and funding mechanism that does more to encourage small businesses to invest in developing their workforce through high quality apprenticeships. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure this happens.“

SOURCE: Press release

03/12/2014
Last chance to enter the Thame festive fun run

THE Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity team, which are staging Sunday’s Santa Dash around Thame town centre, will also be supporting Friday’s Christmas lights switch-on in the town, where Executive Director, Sue Jenkins, will be presented with a cheque for over £10,000 from the Haddenham Hillbillies – a team of local cyclists who took on a three-day cycle challenge fundraiser in September from Thame to Montesson in France.

On Saturday, the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity’s retail arm will be supporting Thame’s Small Business Saturday event as well as offering visitors on the day a last chance to register for Thame’s Festive Fun Run before the big day.

The Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity’s (FNHC) first Festive Fun Run is taking place this Sunday, December 7, and is a 3k family fun event, which will see Santa’s setting off from Thame Town Hall, at 10am.

In partnership with Thame Lions Club, families, schools and businesses are being invited to get involved in this fun reindeer run, jingle bell jog or Santa saunter and bring some pre-Christmas cheer in aid of Florence Nightingale Hospice, which provides comprehensive care and support to families affected by life-limiting illness through in-patient and at-home Hospice services.

“We’re really excited about coming to Thame to host our first Festive Fun Run,” said Karen Shardlow, FNHC’s Development and Events Manager. “We know many local residents are affected by the services provided either at the Hospice itself or in the home, so we’re really hoping our supporters will turn out and get behind us over the weekend. There is still time to sign up your family and friends either via our website – www.fnhospice.org.uk, or simply pop along on the day at 9.00am to register in person. After a warm-up, courtesy of Thame Leisure Centre to get fun runners limbered up for their challenge, we’ll then set off outside Thame Town Hall and head down the High Street towards the popular Phoenix Trail. We can’t wait to see everyone’s costumes!”

To register for the fun run challenge, visit www.fnhospice.org.uk and click on ‘Festive Fun Run’. Entry costs £10 per adult, £7.50 per child and under 2s go FREE. A specially priced family ticket of £30 for two adults, two children is also available. Registration prices include event entry, refreshments, a FREE Santa hat and medal on completion of the challenge. Prizes on the day will be awarded to the best-dressed entrants on the day.

Businesses including Kismet Jewellers, The Black Horse, Thamenews.net, Newitts of Thame, Wally’s Toy Shop and Thame Leisure Centre have all lent their support to the event. Simply pop in to any of these locations along with Thame Town Hall to pick up a registration form.

Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity needs to raise over £600,000 this year to keep local Hospice running.

02/12/2014
Hiway 51 back in the spotlight at Thame’s monthly music club

ONE of Thame’s First Thursday Music Club’s favourite bands returns to play the 10 o clock Feature Spot at the next event on Thursday, December 4, at The James Figg in Thame.

Hiway 51, playing at First Thursday Music Club a couple of months ago

The band, which includes upright bass player, Ingma Paul, Vintage & Modern Guitars, Thame, shop owner, Phil Carwardine (guitar) and Paul Barker (vocals and guitar), faithfully recreate the stripped down “country roots” sound of 1950s era Americana.

Think classic Elvis, Cash, Charlie Rich, Ricky Nelson, Chet Atkins. Hiway 51 will be a playing a set of classic covers together with original tunes penned in the same magnificent style. FTMC is one of the few places in the country where you can get to see Hiway 51 play for FREE! Don’t miss it!

As an added attraction for the December event, the Club is offering a Fender Acoustic Guitar via a raffle to be drawn and won on the night!

The First Thursday Music Club continues to grow and develop and, whilst the club is now attracting professional and semi-professional artists, it still offers all artists of all genres and abilities, the opportunity to play in front of a very large and appreciative crowd. Anyone can play by signing up at the venue before 7.45pm. Check out the club on Facebook “The First Thursday Music Club”.

Further info on Hiway 51 can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Hiway51/timeline and to learn more about the band and hear some tracks: http://www.reverbnation.com/hiway51

02/12/2014
Parking enforcement, rural crime & noisy parties keep PCSOs busy

THE latest Thame Sector, Neighbourhood Policing update for the past month, has been published and covers Parking, Rural Crime, Anti-social behaviour and Offenders brought to justice.

This car was spotted parked on the Courtesy Crossing in Thame town centre today, with its hazard lights on

Parking in Thame, the subject of much dissatisfaction and annoyance to local people, has been a main focus of local Neighbourhood officers, PCSO Chris Hollis and PCSO Michelle Jacques during the past month. They have been issuing tickets to vehicles parked on double yellow lines in Thame town centre. Over 20 tickets have been issued to offending vehicles which the officers have said has had a good reception from residents and business owners.

Another main focus has been on rural crime has seen its officers across the South & Vale Local Police Area attend the more vulnerable areas of our towns, villages and beauty spots. Patrols focused on engagement with local land owners and responding to reports of illegal hare coursing and daytime poaching. Officers tweeted every hour with pictures and updates via @tvpsouthandvale and Facebook.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB), another priority for local officers, has been the subject of training sessions for Thame neighbourhood officers and PCSOs, who have been learning about the new ASB powers aimed at ensuring, says the force, that: front-line officers (including PCSOs) have effective powers which are quick, practical, easy to use and will provide better protection for victims and communities. The new powers are in force now.

A party in Thame which PCSOs felt had got out of control, where a significant amount of alcohol was seized from young people causing Anti Social Behaviour on the streets near to the address, was dealt with. Parents were contacted straightaway to collect the young people immediately, and suitable advice was given to the organiser regarding the detrimental effects of communicating the information via social media.

Offenders brought to justice during November:

Two men are currently on bail for separate charges of Possession with Intent to Supply.
Three men are currently on bail for Aggravated taking a Vehicle without Consent and Burglary.
One man is currently on bail for Theft from Motor Vehicle.
One man is currently on bail for Criminal Damage.
One man has been given a caution for Shoplifting.
One man was charged with possession of a Class B drug and received a Caution.

The full update can be read at: http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/pub-pg-nh-upds-N380?id=296225

01/12/2014
Latest victims, Newbury make it United’s eighth in a row

THREE quality goals, including a brace from Adam Morris and a Dan West strike, were enough to bring United their eighth consecutive league win at the expense of Newbury on Saturday, November 29.

Adam Morris who scored two of Thame’s three goals on Saturday against Newbury

After a fairly even opening, United broke the deadlock on ten minutes when Dan West, returning from a short absence, collected the ball on the wide left, made some space, and then delightfully lobbed the keeper, sending the ball into the far corner. Following the goal, Newbury pressed and were rewarded with a number of corners without troubling Cockerill. United for their part had two opportunities to extend the lead, with a Luke Ricketts header dropping on to the roof of the net on 16 minutes, before skipper Morris put West through on 21 minutes. With just the keeper to beat though, the in-form striker lost his footing.

For the remainder of the half it was Newbury who enjoyed the majority of possession and the equaliser arrived in bizarre circumstances on 39 minutes. A cross field ball in to the box saw Cockerill come off his line towards the edge of his box, with the ball then ricocheting off his legs to Ellis Hercules, whose attempted clearance came back off Newbury striker Richie Guy and in to an unguarded net.

It was, at the time, perhaps no less than Newbury deserved, but United came out with renewed vigour at the start of the second half. The first opportunity came to Dan Jones on 54 minutes who was unable to get his shot away when well-placed before, on 60 minutes, West was again put through for a one-on-one with Waller saving well. A minute later and Ricketts was adjudged off-side when well placed before, on 65 minutes, the same player did well to manoeuvre space for an effort from six yards that the keeper pushed away.
On 78 minutes United were eventually rewarded for their endeavour when Morris hit an unstoppable shot from 25 yards that beat Waller and went in off the underside of the bar. If that was good, better was to come five minutes later when Morris, this time fully 40 yards from goal, received the ball and spotting Waller had come off his line, hit a powerful effort on a low trajectory that the retreating Waller was unable to stop.

At this point it was game over and, although Newbury then enjoyed a lot of possession, they were unable to penetrate a well organised home defence.

United:
Cockerill, Evans, Hall, Hercules, Coverley, Lynch (Kedzierski), Jones (Connelly), Morris, Gray, West, Ricketts (Hodgkins)

SOURCE: Contributed by Jake Collinge

01/12/2014
Choir’s season to end with war tribute

THAME will continue to Remember as Lord Williams’s Festival Chorus plans to close its season with a final tribute to the war dead on December 6.

John Gibbons

Just three weeks ago, along with the Ealing Symphony Orchestra, the choir performed Karl Jenkins’ ‘The Armed Man’ to rapturous applause at an extraordinary performance prepared for Remembrance Weekend.

Musical Director, John Gibbons, former chairman of British Choral Music, was keen to continue the centenary theme before the year closed.

“Whilst the Armed Man is one of the most famous contemporary pieces, there is also something incredibly powerful about music written by those who actually experienced the conflict,” he said. “The piece, ‘Morning Heroes’ by Arthur Bliss, was written to help the composer dispel the nightmares he was still experiencing 10 years after the war had ended. It felt appropriate that we respect and bring such a piece to life all these years later.”

Narrating during ‘Morning Heroes’ will be BBC broadcaster, Charles Nove. He spent 12 years as the voice – and was the occasional face, of BBC TV’s Come Dancing, and his tones have also been heard on many TV trailers and game shows.

Also joining the performance will be the Ealing Symphony Orchestra who will again be performing with the choir. The full programme will be completed with the triumphant piece, ‘I Was Glad’, by Parry, and Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812 Overture’.

The concert will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday, December 6, at Thame Leisure Centre. Tickets cost £13 (concessions £10 and Under 18’s £5) and can be bought from Cargo, www.lordwilliamsfestivalchorus.org.uk, or call Rosemary on 01844 344083.

01/12/2014
Father Christmas’s early visit supports charity fun run

WITH just 27 days until Christmas Day, the big man himself made a special appearance outside Thame Town Hall on Wednesday morning (29/11), to help support Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity’s (FNHC) first Festive Fun Run, which will see crowds of Santas dashing through Thame High Street next Sunday, December 7, at 10am.

Posing with Father Christmas, was the Mayor of Thame, Cllr Jeanette Matelot-Green, who will be setting off the 3k festive fun runners, joggers and walkers on the day, as well as members of Thame Lions Club and representatives from Thame Leisure Centre, who will be helping to limber up the crowd before the launch, and Charity staff.

“We are hugely grateful to Santa for taking time away from his busy workshop in the North Pole to come along and help promote our very first Festive Fun Run in Thame,” commented FNHC’s Karen Shardlow. “Around 100 people have so far signed up to take on our pre-Christmas challenge, and there’s still time for more local businesses and the Thame community to really get behind our event, in partnership with Thame Lions and Thame Town Council.”

To register for this fun challenge, please visit www.fnhospice.org.uk and click on ‘Festive Fun Run’. Entry costs £10 per adult, £7.50 per child and under twos go FREE. A specially priced family ticket of £30 for two adults, two children is also available. Registration prices include event entry, refreshments, a FREE Santa hat and medal on completion of the challenge. Prizes on the day will be awarded to the best-dressed entrants on the day.

Businesses including Kismet Jewellers, The Black Horse, Thamenews.net, Newitts of Thame,Wally’s Toy Shop and Thame Leisure Centre have all lent their support to the event by handing out flyers. Simply pop in to any of these locations, along with Thame Town Hall, to pick up a registration form.

“We can’t wait to see all the costumes on the day,” added Karen. “So come and join us on this family fun, buggy friendly 3k route setting off from Thame Town Hall. Your support on the day will help ensure we can continue to fund local Hospice care on our doorstep for families affected by life-limiting illness.”

Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity needs to raise over £600,000 each year to keep local Hospice services running.

01/12/2014
‘Accusations of malfeasance and corruption’ challenged

DEAR Editor, Mr Vickers, in his comment, talks of accusations of malfeasance and corruption levelled at various persons. The fact is that no such accusations have been levelled by the elmspetition group. What we have done is question why Councillors were fed misleading information and why, on questionable grounds, was an important letter from English Heritage apparently withheld from Councillors at the same meeting, where they passed the Town Plan for referendum.

Remember that that letter was written shortly after a site meeting with Mr. Vickers’ (then) planning consultants. The letter dismissed the site assessment of those ex-consultants and concluded that development on Elms Field would be deeply damaging. The letter was not “late” as Councillors were told.

We have asked who were the persons, unnamed in the meeting’s minutes, who were responsible for misinforming Councillors. Not only has no person stepped forward, there has been no denial of our assertions. Voters will make what they like of that fact and they can remind themselves of the facts by checking on thamenews.net and on elmspetition.org.uk.

Also we have also questioned the involvement of the Council’s Planning Consultant. An independent planning consultant rang me to express the opinion that the involvement of the Council’s Planning Consultant was unethical, given his close link with Rectory. When we asked the Town Clerk to comment on this, she responded “That is a matter for Mr. Collinge”. Yes, she was that dismissive!

The matter is currently being looked at by the Royal Town Planning Institute’s Disciplinary Committee

Mr Vickers also zeros in on three of our members and ignores the fact that we speak for well over 2000 signatories. He also complains that the Thame Gazette publishes our letters. If the subject matter gets to be repetitive, that is because no proper answers are given.

The accusation of a “demand” for free land by myself is totally untrue. The fact is that I have long wanted to purchase a small plot at the back of my garden, before Dutch Eelm Disease a copse, which I hold on a long lease arranged with the Purser family. It was Mr. Vickers, who visited me and, finding that I was against development, said that my single objection against his plan would not count for much, but offered to give me the plot if I would agree not to object. I proposed that, any plan submitted should allow for a 30 metre division between the backs of my house and those on Park Street which overlook the field. Mr. Vickers agreed to this and that the area would be planted with trees. Not only is all this is writing, the matter was fully reported to the dozen or so persons who met to establish the elmspetition group. We agreed a tactical response but when Mr. Vickers later decided to take no action prior to receiving a planning consent, we decided to drop the matter and I added my signature to the petition.

People should recall that, at the start, it was put about that The Elms had been bought as a retirement home. This despite the fact that Surveyors were quickly on the scene, despite the fact that sheep did not need to know exact boundaries and tree locations. Scepticism was widespread and the story appears to have been dropped.

Remember also that Rectory threatened myself, and others, with legal action for having the temerity to resist the spoliation of what SODC has described as “important open Space”. Mr Vickers’ earlier lawyers are also on record demanding the names of all signatories on the petition (at that time 500) so that they could be threatened with legal action also. We refused to give this information but the 2000 odd names and addresses appear on the SODC planning website (go to planning and type in P14/S2176/FUL in the search box), so Rectory can now issue proceedings if they wish. Signatories can be sure of course that this, frankly silly, threat will go nowhere.

As we have said before, we are not questioning Rectory’s ability to produce a quality product. All we have said is – not on this site. The reasons are clearly laid out in the petition, which can be seen on our website. No sense to build on Elms Field and no need. Go build on sites C,D or F. Of course that would reduce the profit from what we estimate to be an extraordinary level in Elms Field, so we do understand Mr Vickers’ desire to press on.

What is mystifying is why there are Councillors supporting him and apparently prepared to renege on the contract they signed in 1948 to protect The Elms; and not to open a public access into the sheep pasture. Also to ignore the conflict within their own Town Plan between an agreement to build on land which was not one of the sites proposed and analysed for suitability by the Planning Authority and the same plan’s promise to protect existing open space.

The same Councillors have allowed rectory’s application to “improve” the park to go forward, despite the fact that all the “improvements” benefit Rectory and have not a jot of benefit to the owners and users of the park. The former being the people of Thame.

Instead of a row of mature trees allowing sight of the open space of a sheep pasture, users will be faced with a wall of houses within feet of the boundary. The re-locating of the paved play area, with the loss of one basketball court in the process, is surely proposed in order to move noise away from Rectory’s buyers. And the proposed mounds seem to be a cheap way to dispose of spoil from excavations on the housing site. Dump it in the adjacent park. Furthermore, the proposed footpaths are totally useless and do not shorten the distance for pedestrians going from the Broadwaters area in to the town center.

Mr Vickers is wrong to say that his scheme will be judged against the plan and established planning principles. The fact is that, being in the plan removes from SODC the normal right to consider a site’s suitability. As for “sustainability” (a much abused word) – read the petition.

This is why we are asking for the Plan to be revised. The Council already has a backup plan to relocate houses to sites to the sites analysed by SODC originally, if less that 45 are allowed on Elms Field. Zero is less than 45 so we say re-allocate the lot. And restore SODC’s proper power to assess all applications on
their merits.

Yes, my personal main concern is my outlook. Others have different main concerns. The point is that there are many reasons against this development and signatories of the petition are united in mutual support. Please read the petition and, if you sympathise, add the signatures of the over 18s in your family.

Peter Webb
Thame

01/12/2014