Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

JUST one minute of sitting with your car engine running and the vehicle not moving produces the equivalent of 150 balloons of harmful pollutants into the air. TTC

This is why South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils have launched a joint campaign to help improve air quality across southern Oxfordshire.

The campaign called ‘Turn it Off’ – LINK HERE FOR MORE INFO – which has been endorsed by Public Health England – is aimed at drivers who leave their engines ‘idling’ – still running even when the vehicle is not moving. This often happens when a vehicle is parked but the driver is still inside, waiting for someone outside a school or a shop.

The councils will be promoting the campaign on Clean Air Day, Thursday June 20. at a stall at Henley Market in the morning and at Old Station Yard, next to Stert Steet, in Abingdon in the afternoon. These will be followed by more awareness events across both districts.

Air pollution has been identified by a number of organisations including the World Health Organisation, United Nations and the Royal College of Physicians as the biggest environmental risk to health. A recent report from Public Health England estimated that within the UK, air pollution is linked to up to 36,000 deaths each year. Older people and children are most sensitive to air pollutants.

Keeping the engine running while parked contributes to an increase of air pollutant levels. Schools, traffic lights and bus stops are most likely locations for idling.

The councils’ new campaign ‘Turn it off’ aims to educate people about air pollution and the links to engine idling and promoting cleaner ways to drive.

• Switch off when the car is likely to be stopped for more than one minute
• One minute of idling produces twice as many emissions as a moving vehicle
• One minute of idling produces the equivalent of 150 balloons of harmful pollutants
• Excessive idling is a waste of fuel (and money)
• People inside cars are exposed to high levels of air pollution, with children especially at risk of harmful effects
  

Vale of White Horse District Council cabinet member for Environmental and technical services Cllr Jenny Hannaby said: “Vehicles produce pollution and idling produces unnecessary air pollution and wastes fuel. We invite people to join our campaign and do something personally to help improve air quality in our area.”

South Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for housing and environment, Cllr David Rouane, said: “The message is simple – if you are in your car and stop for a minute or more then you should turn off your engine for cleaner air.”

On Thursday 20 June – Clean Air Day – the two councils will have stalls promoting the campaign at the following locations:

10am – midday Henley Market

2.30pm – 4.30pm Old Station Yard near Stert Street in Abingdon

JPIMedia who own the Thame Gazette, has confirmed it will cease publishing the Thame Gazette and the Bucks Advertiser.

Both the Advertiser and Gazette had been run from JPIMedia’s Aylesbury office, which also produces the Bucks Herald and the Buckingham and Winslow Advertiser and Review.

No jobs will be lost as a result of any of the closures, but staff at the office ‘will now concentrate their resources on the surviving papers’.

‘Dig deep’ appeal for funds from Lord Bill’s

LORD Williams’s School in Thame, has launched a fundraising drive with a leaflet and video asking parents to set up regular payments.

The outstanding-rated academy, attended by2,107, originally launched a campaign because government funding wass not enough to meet rising costs.

A newsletter sent by headteacher, David Wybron in May, warned parents of a ‘looming financial crisis’ caused by increasing pension costs, and claiming that funding has been cut by eight per cent in real terms between 2017 and 2019.

He wrote: “We are struggling to cover the basics. We need your help more than ever to move forward with our plans to improve the school environment and the teaching and learning experiences that take place within it.”

David Wybron will be retiring as Head of Lord Williams’s at the end of this academic year and Mr Jon Ryder, the current Deputy Head, will take his place.

Homes for rent

DID you know that Soha Housing has modern homes to rent for over 55s?

Soha has built modern, one and two bed apartments for affordable rent, with staff on site. There are flats in Corbetts way in Thame, with similar flats in Goring and near Abingdon. All units have their own front door with level access. If you know someone who would welcome a safe environment, a lively community, and lovely grounds please contact lettings@soha.co.uk or call 0800 014 15 45 (Freephone). The picture shows a typical kitchen.

Police tackling Anti-social Behaviour in Thame

THAMES Valley Police has said that Anti-social Behaviour is currently one of its top priorities, as incidents are becoming more common with the lighter evenings and people staying out later. The Southern Road recreation ground and its car park next to the First Thame Scout Hut has been a particular hotspot for ASB.

“This will likely increase as the schools near their summer closure,” said a police spokesperson. “The Neighbourhood team is aware of these issues and is actively visiting and engaging with any groups to advise on acceptable behaviour and consideration for other users of the play area and Scout Hut, taking action where needed.”

Following reports of anti-social vehicle use at the Southern Road car park, the Thame Neighbourhood Team have engaged with groups to consider control measures, including Section 59 warning notices in respect of ASB connected to vehicles. Receiving this warning means that if the person or vehicle is used again in an anti-social manner, it can be seized. Signs have now been erected at the car park to warn users.

Thame Town Council is considering providing a CCTV in the Southern Road Car Park as a deterrance to ASB.

Illegal parking

THERE have been reports to the police of vehicles parking on the grass verges of Kings Close and Moats Crescent, in Thame, which the police say may cause damage, as well as being parked next to double yellow lines. They have pointed out that No Waiting restriction. marked by double yellow lines, also covers appropriate adjacent pavement and verges

“Therefore we would like to remind drivers that it is still against the law to park on such pavement and verge locations.” said a police spokesperson. “In addition, consideration may also be given to the offence of obstruction. The team has been patrolling these areas and will continue to respond to community concerns subject to other operational demands.”

‘Purse bells’

AS well as their regular Have Your Say meetings, PCSOs Maya Brien and Tom Kelly have visited Thame market to engage with market-goers and give out free purse bells, “we do not buy at this door” stickers and home security guides to keep them and their property safe.

“We met and talked with a lot of shoppers,” they reported, “with almost everyone taking a purse bell or two! We will endeavour to attend more market days.”

The next Have Your Say meeting will be at Thame Waitrose: 11am-12pm, Wednesday, June 21.

Good-bye Diane!

THAME’S much respected and long-time PCSO, Diane Jackson, has now finished her service with Thames Valley Police after 15 years, and has moved onto pastures new.

“PCSO Jackson has been an incredible and influential member of the neighbourhood team, having trained the majority of us and being a good friend!” said a member of the Neighbourhood team. “She will be missed by all and we wish her the very best in her new job. Thankyou Di !”

In other local officer news, PCSO Maya Brien has now become PC Brien, and will also be leaving Thame to join Abingdon’s response team.

“Maya has been a hard working local PCSO” said a team spokesperson. We know she will be a valued addition to Abingdon, and we wish her well for her new role!

THAME today boasts a new and updated Town Centre Map that replaces a previous shopping guide that had long been out of date.

The map will help visitors to the town locate a specific business using a handy category-based key, as well as highlighting significant points of interest and places to visit. Thame’s Museum, Markets, Midsomer Murders tours and The Players Theatre are all showcased. Alongside this there are events listing for the year. These spaces will regularly be overlaid by current flyers that promote opportunities and events taking place in Thame, giving visitors current information, relevant at the time they visit the town.

This new guide is displayed in eight locations around the town centre and also aims to help residents find out more about the services available to them on their door step, encouraging more people to shop local, and support their local High Street. Sam Osborne – the designer behind the art work for the Map, and a local Thame resident – stated: “I’ve lived in Thame for years and there are still places I had no idea existed until I worked on this project.”

In a time when so many town centres are struggling, Thame town centre remains vibrant and alive. One of the groups that has played a key role in this is 21st Century Thame, the partnership behind these new maps. The group was keen to see the Shopping Guides updated, and designed to ensure relevant information can be replaced easily when needed. The design allows temporary updates to the key to overlay the original map, and thanks to a new partnership with Chiltern View Magazines there will be a full reprint annually, to ensure that the project is sustainable for future years.

21st Century Thame is a partnership that engages business, local organisations and the local authorities, including Thame Town Council. Together it facilitates projects such as these guides which enhance the town for residents, businesses and visitors alike. The group is always looking for more people to get involved, so if you think you can play a part in making Thame a better place to live, work and play then get in touch through admin@thame4me.co.uk

Photo Credit – Sonja Francis

UPDATE – Marieanna has been found safe and well!

CHINNOR residents have been out in force today, helping in the search for an 81 year-old woman from the village, who has been missing since early this morning (02/06/19.

Thames Valley Police is asking for the public’s help to find Marieanna Fortman, who was last seen today at around 8.30am in Wykeman Rise. She is described as white, around 5ft 5ins with a small build. She has brown/red hair that sits just above her shoulders in length. It’s understood she is wearing blue jeans and a white or burgundy jumper.

Marieanna is known to frequent the fields close to Wykeman Rise and the woods between the sports ground and the Woodway in Chinnor.

Investigating officer Inspector, Aidan Donohoe, based at Abingdon police station, said: “We would like anyone who may have seen Marieanna or knows where she could be to get in touch.

“Officers and her family are concerned about her and we would like to locate her as soon as possible.

“If you see this Marieanna, please get in contact with either your family or the police, to let us know you are safe.”

If you can help, please contact Thames Valley Police on 101 quoting reference 43190165131 or make a report online.