Category: Thame news

COUNTRYSIDE campaigners CPRE Oxfordshire, have said that they believe that government planning reforms would significantly undermine local democracy and put the countryside at risk.

The government’s Planning for the Future White Paper is out for consultation until  October 29, and a  further consultation on changes to the way housing numbers are calculated closes on October 1.

Helen Marshall, Director, CPRE Oxfordshire, said: “We think planning is best done at a local level, allowing people to have a say over both the quantity and quality of development and to hold their locally elected representatives to account. That’s the best way to develop real communities, with the right housing in the right place. By contrast, these reforms would centralise the system to the point that we might not even be able to decide the colour of the doors, although we do know there will be an awful lot of them!”

Key changes include:

• A top-down imposition of housing numbers – a national Government target would be allocated to local authorities on the basis of an algorithim committing Oxfordshire to exponential growth.
• Community engagement would be largely restricted to the Local Plan making stage (as it stands, just one six-week consultation), with the public thereafter losing their ability to scrutinise most individual planning applications.
• The introduction of a zonal planning system also raises questions. Would the zoning have to take more account of the number of houses to be built than it would of the need to protect the environment? How could broad brush zoning work in a crowded island where environmental assets are mingled with development? How will it impact on broader plans such as Oxfordshire 2050?  How will our Neighbourhood Plans be affected? None of these matters are addressed, CPRE states.
• Development management policies, which cover issues such as noise, air and light pollution, rights of way and heritage, would all be set centrally with no apparent scope for local place-based planning.
• New settlements, such as garden towns and villages, would be taken out of the Local Plan system and be considered under national infrastructure rules – this would mean limited local say on any future projects like the settlements proposed at Eynsham or Chalgrove in Oxforshire.

CPRE Oxfordshire is urging people to respond to the consultation and share concerns with local MPs.  

Full details are available on the website:  www.cpreoxon.org.uk

There is also a National CPRE petition:  Don’t de-regulate planning

TV presenter and Naturalist, Chris Packham OBE is to be the keynote speaker for the brand-new Chilterns Champions Conference, taking place as part of the Chilterns Celebration this October. 

The aim of the conference is to showcase the work of citizen scientists, discuss key issues and inspire new volunteers to get involved.

The keynote speech from Chris Packham, who also finds time to be a nature photographer and an  author, will not only thank volunteers for all of their work in making Citizen Science in the UK the envy of projects around the world, but also showcase the ways in which data gathered by citizen scientists can make a real difference.

This full-day, online celebration of citizen science welcomes everyone – from those with a limited knowledge of heritage or to existing citizen scientists – and offers participants the chance to hear from expert speakers in heritage, water and wildlife, from the Chilterns and across the UK. The event will explore why citizen science matters, national recording schemes and looking out for wildlife, with a specific focus on citizen science and water and citizen science and heritage. 

The Conference will also discuss how best to inspire the next generation, and will hear from a youth panel of young citizen scientists who are working hard to engage new audiences in the world of conservation and volunteering. 

“I never cease to be amazed when I hear about the efforts many thousands of volunteers go to in supporting conservation projects in the UK. Citizen Science is hugely powerful in helping us not only better understand our wildlife and heritage but also informing decisions made by Government and decision makers. I can’t wait to join you on tOctober 24, to celebrate all of the work taking place across the Chilterns.” – Chris Packham 

Other expert speakers at the conference will include Gavin Siriwardena from the British Trust for Ornithology, Michael Pocock from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Mick Jones from Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre, Allen Beechey from the Chilterns Chalk Streams project, Wendy Morrison of the Beacons of the Past project, John Shaw from Chiltern Rangers and many more. 

The conference is presently jointly by the Chalk Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership and the Beacons of the Past project, both projects of the Chilterns Conservation Board and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

To read more about the expert speakers, the topics to be discussed and panel members, visit the Eventbrite page here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/117674927877 

Book your free place at the conference using the above link. 

Find the full schedule of events organised as part of the Chilterns Celebration and details on how to book your place at www.chilternsaonb.org/ccc-fest.html. 

HEALTHIER  lifestyles, more green spaces and more connected communities – these are just some of the outcomes that the Thame Green Living Plan, launched today, is aiming to achieve for the community of Thame.

 Many individuals and local groups have played a part in the formulation of the GLP which was adopted unanimously by Thame Town Council in July 2020. The Green Living Plan is a ten-year plan  “.. to protect and enhance quality of life for everyone locally in the things that really matter – our air, our water, our overall well-being and the natural world that surrounds us.” 

Actions and projects

The plan recommends a series of actions and projects across five focus areas – green spaces and biodiversity, clean air, water, energy and waste, and includes actions that can be taken by individuals, businesses and community groups, plus longer-term infrastructure changes,  with the support of a new community organisation, proposed to be called Thame Green Living (TGL). 

Walking and cycling

One of the projects that is already getting off the ground is working with Thame Town Council to improve signage and information boards on existing – and new – walking and cycling routes around the town and extending this more widely. The aim is also to establish ‘walking buses’ to schools to help reduce air pollution and boost children’s health. 

Energy efiiciency

Another project being explored is how to help households improve their energy efficiency. TGL will be encouraging Thame homeowners to make use of the just launched Green Home Grants Scheme to help reduce household energy bills by for instance, improving insulation which can have a huge benefit for both the pocket and the environment. TGL are also looking to support a ‘Solar Streets’ project initiative in Thame very soon, working with a renewable energy supplier and installer, to offer residents solar PV panels at bulk buy prices.   

Get involved!

Charles Boundy, who led the development of the plan through RSA Thame Group, explained:  “This plan is just the start. Without everyone in Thame getting involved, it will remain simply a set of ideas on paper. But by working together we can make the changes we need. Whether you’re a resident, business, part of the council or community group, we’ve set out three easy steps that everyone can take straight away.”  

To discover more about the Green Living Plan, the Green Living Group behind it, and how to get involved, visit the website: http://www.thamegreenliving.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThameGreenLiving/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thamegreenliving/
Contact: info@thamegreenliving.org.uk 

JOHN Howell, the MP for Henley and Thame, is facing calls for him to reconsider his decision to remain the  Treasurer of a pan-European grouping that a Thame constituent believes includes ‘representatives from extreme right-wing parties which deny climate change and advance anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and nationalist policies’.  

The request has come from the European Movement in Oxfordshire and relates to the MP’s role within the Council of Europe, which was co-founded by Britain in the wake of World War II to uphold  human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. Following a recent change, the  Conservatives have been part of the European Conservatives and Democratic Alliance Group, where  Mr Howell is its Treasurer.  

Among the better-known members of the EC/DA it is alleged, are Poland’s Law and Justice Party, which opposes LGBT rights, and Vox in Spain, which proudly calls itself anti-feminist and has campaigned to  repeal the country’s gender-violence legislation. The group also contains representatives  from the Danish People’s Party (anti-immigration), the Swedish Democrats (anti-Muslim) and  Alternatif für Deutschland, one of whose legislators described the Holocaust as ‘certain misdeeds’.  

The European Movement’s intervention came after it was alerted by a Thame constituent of Mr  Howell, Roy Mottram, who had written to Mr Howell, only to be told that he ‘would not make a very good  investigative journalist’.

The Oxford Region’s chairman, Graham Jones, said:  “There are more than 120 of Mr Howell’s constituents signed up to the cross-party European  Movement and I am sure they will be deeply disappointed at Mr Howell’s response. 

“These are parties out of step with traditional British Conservative values. Mr Howell is a decent man and must feel embarrassed rubbing shoulders with them. 

“Given that the UK was a founding member of the Council of Europe after the war, creating our cross-party European Movement at the same time, is it really appropriate for his party to be associating with these unsavoury, populist politicians, and for him to be aiding their activities? 

“How does it square with the government’s stated mission: “to make the Council of Europe better able to protect the UK’s goals in Europe on improving human rights, democracy and respect for the rule of law? 

“I would ask him to think again and not only resign his role as its treasurer, but also seek to have the Conservatives align with a different grouping that more closely reflects the values of the people in the constituency.”

SOURCE: Contributed
Ed. You can read John Howell’s description of his work with the Council of Europe on his website HERE

NB. Views expressed in content on the Thamenews.net website do not necessarily reflect the views of Thamenews.net itself.

DEMAND for Thame’s Foodbank support continued at a very high level during August, with a total of 70 food parcels delivered providing for 95 adults and 106 children.

57% were referred by partner agencies of Sharing Life Trust, which runs the scheme, and the rest were self referrals. The foodbank can only exist because it receives very generous support from the local community both in Thame and in Chinnor, ensuring that their store is well supplied with the essential list of items.

The free delivery of Community Larder boxes of non-perishable food, fruit and veg provided by SOFEA finished at the end of August. With the great team of volunteers they were able to deliver over 60 of these each week to households mostly in Thame but also in Chinnor and Tetsworth. 

The new model of the Community Larder, whereby anyone can subscribe for £7 a week, was launched at Christchurch, in Thame, on Thursday, September 3, and they already have 30 members who can go along any Thursday and take whatever food they need.

The food is sourced by Didcot-based charity, Sofea, from surplus food from wholesalers & supermarkets. Anyone can join – there is no means-testing. Find out more about the Thame Community Larder via https://www.sharinglifetrust.org/community-larder

HOSPITALS are pleading with people with Covid-19 symptoms, NOT to go to hospitals, following a worrying trend of people just turning up at hospitals and putting extra strain on resources by them having to turn people away, as well as potentially putting vulnerable people at risk.

This is possibly as a result of the national issue with testing capacity, where people have struggled to book a test online. The message is, that If anyone is struggling to book a test online, to keep trying as it’s only possible to book a slot when one becomes available. Slots become available throughout the day so it may take a few attempts at different times of the day. 

The other key message is to only book a test if you’re displaying symptoms.  You can book a test by calling 119 or by registering online via gov.uk/getting-tested-for-coronavirus. 

ONLY weeks after restarting his business after lockdown, Thame Photographer Mark Hewitson, Photographer at Mark Hewitson Photography who owns and runs a Thame pet portrait studio specialising in dogs and cats, has had images selected to be in the finals of The Xperience Professional Portrait Awards 2020. 

After all the business restrictions and the new working world they are faced with, Mark has proven that there is no excuse not to get creative.

Mark has had five images selected across the Top Dog Creative, Top Dog Location, Top Dog Studio and Open Categories. The portraits were selected out of more than 1500 images in the recent judging and all images now go through to the finals in December at The Xperience awards ceremony.

Mr Hewitson said he was “delighted” to have images judged to go through to the final. Mark also said “It’s been great to get back to business. To have my work recognised as being among the best in the country is a real privilege. I pride myself on creating bespoke personal artwork for my clients and to then be acknowledged in a very competitive industry is a real honour.”  

The Xperience group first launched the awards in 2015 to develop creativity in every shoot as well as to challenge the photographic studios from across the UK and Ireland to make the photographers ‘step outside their comfort zones with everyday clients’.

Mark Cleghorn, the Xperience group training director said: “After having the businesses closed for so long and with all the business and financial frustrations it has caused, these awards have brought smiles and confidence back to the photographers. Like all creatives, photographers need not only clients to create with but also the time and tools to transform the everyday client. 

“Being a finalist is a massive tap on the back for them and I am sure it has brought a massive smile to their face. The standard of entries this year so far is exceptional, and I am looking forward to seeing how these photographers develop trends and styles even further.”

Mark Hewitson Photography can be contacted on 01844 278015 or via their website at www.markhewitson.co.uk