Thame.net

Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

  • Thame’s is one of the ‘most loved bookshops around the world’

    IN an article in The Guardian on Thursday (10/01/19), it was reported that the number of Independent Bookshops has grown for the second year in a row, after a 20 year decline, and Thame’s Book House has been named by the paper’s readers as one of the most loved bookshops around the world!

    2013 Masterchef winner Natalie Coleman, with winners of the Thame Food Festival Childrens’ cookery competition in 2016, at The Book House, Thame

    In response to the news, Co-owner, Brian Pattinson, told Thamenews.net: “We are delighted to be included in the Guardian’s shortlist of independent bookshops this week. The Guardian invited people to name their favourite independent bookshop and give reasons for their choice. We believe many people responded to this request, naming the Book House.

    “Of these, the newsphaper chose to print a piece by someone who remembered her childhood visits to the Book House and now, though no longer living in the area, still enjoys returning to the shop. As well as praising the staff for their expertise in recommending books she added: “This shop is integral to the town and does so much for the community.”

    ‘Anonymous of Teddington’, actually wrote in full: “This shop is part of my life. I remember visiting all the time as a small child and loving the fact that the chairs were small, the tables low and you could read the books in the children’s section whilst your parent/s were in the rest of the shop. Then as I grew up, I continued to purchase books as the team were so good at recommendations and would order in specific books. I now live away from the area but every time I go home, I pay a visit to the Book House for old times’ sake. This shop is integral to the town and does so much for the community.”

    So there is good news to be had in the High Street!

    You can read the whole of the Guardian article HERE

  • Elderly man injured in Thame crash

    YESTERDAY, January 12, the emergency services were called to a road traffic collision between a car and lorry at the junction to the Upper High Street car park in the centre of Thame.

    Fire crews were quickly on the scene and found an elderly male trapped in the front seat of the car.

    Firefighters, using specialist battery operated rescue equipment, removed the doors to enable access to the driver and enable medically trained fire fighters to administer first aid to the occupant until the arrival of paramedics and specialist doctors. Fire Crews continued to take the roof off the car to provide access to remove the man safely from the car and onto a stretcher and then to be taken to hospital by South Central Ambulance Service.

    Thames Valley Police are investigating the cause of the incident.

    Incident Commander Andy Ford from Thame said: “This collision shows how even at slow speeds a collision can still cause significant damage to vehicles and result in potentially serious injuries. It’s a reminder to always wear a seatbelt even when driving slowly and to be aware of other road users at all times.”

  • The end of the road for Thame Show

    THAME Show, which has run in various forms since 1855, has been held in the town for the last time .

    A scene from Thame Show 2011

    A post on social media today, from Co-organiser Karoline Thorpe, explained why the decision has had to be taken, for what sadly is an end of an era. In her statement Karoline wrote:

    “Chris Parker and I had a meeting today and we have had to make the decision not to carry on running Thame Horse & Country Show on the Thame Showground anymore. It costs to much money and when we get let down with sponsors not paying up we end up pulling our hair out. This has been a hard decision as we wanted to keep the show going because it’s tradition, but having to always run the show on a Thursday in this day and age didn’t help; we tried but sorry – it’s had it’s day.

    “The show will return in 2020 but from now on it will be held at Addington Manor Equestrian Centre. The name will be ‘Thame Horse & Country Show at Addington’. The other news is that the date from next year onwards will be the second Sunday in September, so that should bring in far more competitors, so from Chris and I, thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you in 2020.”

    For many years recently the show has suffered from bad weather reducing visitor numbers on some years and has also been affected by the school children of Thame, who historically had the day off for Thame Show, no longer being giving that holiday.

    You can read about the shows history HERE

  • Anti-social behaviour on the increase in Thame

    ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour (ASB) is on the increase in and around Thame again according to Thame’s Community Policing team.

    Image for illustrative purposes only

    The Thame neighbourhood team have said that they will be conducting regular hi-vis patrols throughout Thame, focusing particularly on the town centre, Southern Road Recreation Ground and The Skate Park, where they have received regular reports of ASB taking place. Large amounts of litter and gas canisters have been found at the Skate Park, Southern Road Recreation Ground and St Mary’s church in Thame, and outside the village hall in Horspath.

    Anyone with any information regarding this problem is asked to report via the police 101 telephone number.

  • Police launch investigation into illegal fox hunting claim

    FOLLOWING the appearance of a video that allegedly shows illegal activity by the Kimblewick Hunt, Thames Valley Police have issued the following statment to Thame.net:

    “Thames Valley Police is aware of the footage which appears to show an incident of fox hunting, which took place near Moreton Field Farm, in Moreton, Thame on 1 January.

    “An investigation is underway. No arrests have been made.

    “Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote 43190006535.”

  • Local hunting group accused of cruelty and breaking the law

    FOLLOWING alleged illegal activity by the Kimblewick Hunt, highlighted in a video released on social media, and broadcast on the BBC News programme, Thame Town Council have issued the following statement:

    The moment a Terrierman is alleged to be dragging a fox out of a hole by its back legs

    The statement reads: “Thame Town Council has been made aware of a potential serious incident relating to the Kimblewick Hunt which met in Thame on New Year’s Day. We understand that this is a matter for the police to investigate further. The Town Council has always been assured of the full legality of the New Year’s Day meet, which is organised entirely by the hunt itself, under their supervision and at their cost. We have in the past given permission for the hunt to meet in the Upper High Street Car Park which is under the Town Council’s control.

    “The Town Council will review the outcome of any further investigations in due course.”

    A spokesperson for the organisation, Hunt Sabateurs, Lee Moon, posted on twitter that he told BBC South Today; “…the Kimblewick
    Hunt would have to be suspended by the Masters of Foxhounds Association and we would expect to see the hunt disbanded.”

    It is claimed by the organisation that the video shows the Kimblewick Hunt’s Terriermen pull a fox out of an artificial earth and throw the animal in front of the pack of hounds at a New Year’s day meet, in woodland near the village of Moreton, close to Thame.

    No one from the Kimblewick Hunt has been available for comment.

    The video can be viewed HERE

  • Thame couple’s Christmas fund-raising will light up the lives of others

    SUE and Byron Harvey, whose stunning Christmas lights lit up their front garden in Wellington Street, Thame, have expressed their heart-felt thanks to all the people who put money in the charity box they hung on their garden wall, helping to raise £180 for charity!

    The two charities that will share the funds are Dogs for Good, and Florence Nightingale Hospice. Both Sue and Byron have an assistance dog each and are well-known faces in and around the town.

  • More employment land, more hotels – and a few more houses in new Local Plan

    SOUTH Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 – 2034 has been published for consultation, and there are some interesting proposals for Thame.

    South Oxfordshire District Council has published its draft local plan and is inviting the public and organisations to make formal responses that will be submitted with the plan to the government for inspection.

    The formal public consultation began yesterday, January 7, and will run for six weeks until Monday, February 18, at 5pm. This is the final chance for residents, businesses and organisations to have their say on the plan. Comments will be submitted with the plan to the government by the end of March 2019. The examination of the plan by an independent government inspector is expected to follow in the summer.

    Regarding Thame, the plan suggests that a further 363 homes will be needed by the end of the plan period. The Plan’s basic strategy for Thame is as follows:

    1. The Council will support development proposals that:
      i) are in accordance with the Thame Neighbourhood Development
      Plan or any subsequent made replacement of that Plan;
      ii) strengthen the retail offer within Thame Town Centre;
      iii) improve the attraction of Thame for visitors and businesses;
      iv) improve accessibility, car parking, pedestrian and cycle links;
      v) support schemes that enhance the quality of the town’s
      environment and conserve and enhance the town’s heritage
      assets;
      vi) provide new employment opportunities and improve the stock
      of existing employment areas.
      vii) provide new, or enhanced community facilities that meet an
      identified need.

    Hotel accommodation

    In response to a Hotel Needs Assessment, the plan has identified a need for further hotels in Thame.

    Follow the link HERE for all the details of the plan (downloadable PDF), and how to register your comments.

  • WAJIB – Thame Cinema 4 All – Sunday, January 13

    DIRECTED by Annemarie Jacir, Starring Mohammad Bakri, and Saleh Bakri, Jacir’s heart-warming comedy drama stars a father and son playing a father and son.

    Set in contemporary Nazareth, Abu and his estranged son, Shadi, are thrust together for an awkward and revealing 24 hours. Shadi’s sister, Amal, is to be married, and in accordance with tradition the men of her family must deliver, by hand, the invitations for upwards of 300 wedding guests.

    This means a day spent together in Abu’s beaten up Volvo, navigating the crowded and labyrinthine streets of the ancient city. But more to the point, they must navigate each other and the inter-generational tensions that colour their fraught relationship: the old man’s frustrations with his son’s sartorial, professional and romantic choices; the son’s anger at his father’s apparent acquiescence to Israeli authority; the painful familial circumstances that frame the forthcoming nuptials.

    By degrees, the script reveals the multiple layers of one family’s experience, framed by the influence of wider political complexities and conflicts, telling a story of the Palestinian day-to-day experience in contemporary Israel. And meanwhile, it gives us an intimate portrait of the city, its people and its rituals and the lives of a minority Christian community, taking us into the homes and workplaces of multiple eccentric relations and acquaintances, in encounters that are often awkward, subtly revealing and frequently hilarious. A poignant, seductive and hugely enjoyable film.

    View the trailer HERE

    WAJIB This Sunday – January 13 – NOTE 7pm showing !! Film tickets are available on the door or online- Click HERE

    Note: The theatre’s capacity is 130 seats. TC4A allocates up to 100 seats for pre-booking online, reserving 30 for those who prefer to buy on the door.
    N.B. When buying online there is no need to print-out the ticket nor to have this sent to your mobile. We will have a list of ticket sales at the box office. All seats are unreserved. Doors open half an hour before films start, admission £5, licensed bar.
    Thame Cinema 4 All is at Thame Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame. Thame cinema welcomes comments or suggestions- to contact us click here. Details of forthcoming films at Thame Cinema for All are available on www.thamecinema.org.uk

  • ‘Enough is finally enough!” say Chinnor residents

    A CHINNOR residents’ group believes that a large Persimmon Homes housing development, passed by a planning inspector at appeal, will put enormous strain on the village’s infrastructure.

    A planning inspector has granted outline permission for 140 homes on land south of Greenwood Avenue, Chinnor, after he concluded that, although on an unallocated site, the scheme would constitute ‘infill’ development as permitted by local planning policy, including the adopted Chinnor Neighbourhood Plan.

    Lee King, from ‘Stand Up For Chinnor’ told Thame.Net: “As a group, which represented a large demographic of Chinnor Parish during the appeals, we are dismayed that the Persimmon Homes, representing an additional 140 houses in an already saturated housing market, has been granted.

    ‘Onslaught of building’

    “The proposed development cannot be classed as ‘infill’ – it is a massive estate pure & simple – one that will add a enormous strain to the infrastructure in a specific part of Chinnor ( the roads of the Glynswood Estate are already crumbling from a recent large development), and on Chinnor as a whole. There are no new doctors centres forthcoming, no more facilities such as extra pharmacies & shops, no more secondary schools or nurseries forthcoming – the list goes on.

    “We can only hope that the Inspectors final statement that ‘No further allocations are needed in Chinnor to meet housing need’ is now adhered to,” concluded Lee, ” to allow Chinnor to adjust and recover from the onslaught of building that is happening now. Enough is now FINALLY ENOUGH.”

    You can download the full, Planning Inspector’s Decision Notice HERE