A new ‘Growth Deal’ for Oxfordshire should see 1,300 new affordable homes being built in the next three years, including new social-rented housing, according to Suth Oxfordshire District Council Leader, Cllr Jane Murphy.
Cllr Murphy recently gave a speech and presentation at Westminster about the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal, the first of its kind which has secured for Oxfordshire £215 million in funding, as the initial down payment of investment to support new infrastructure, housing and jobs within the county.
A link to Cllr Murphy’s full presentation, can be found HERE
LAST Saturday’s, January 12, was big match that saw place fourth Thame United travel to 19th placed North Leigh to play where Thame were on the hunt for a vital away win to remain in the playoff picture, where as North Leigh were attempting back- to-back wins to fight off relegation.
The match saw the return of Thame number one, Craig Hill between the posts. North Leigh dominated the first half in possession, set pieces and shots on target and Thame went into half time fortunate to be 0-0.
Some of the key highlights included on two minutes Craig Hill having to make a save with his legs. There was a relentless number of runs/dribbles down the left by North Leigh’s Noah Alabi in the first 10 minutes putting the Thame defence under real pressure. North Leigh were also unfortunate not to take an early lead when Seacole fired a shot straight at Hill which then fell back to the forward who did manage to contact the follow up but over the bar. Not long after this Thame created a chance against the run of play whereby Goss’ pressing led to him getting the ball in the box and poking it between the goal keeper’s legs. The shot was cleared off the line by North Leigh’s centre back, much to the crowd’s amazement. On 23 minutes Thame were awarded a free kick which was hit with power towards Gledhill who got up above the defender and hit a firm header which went wide of the goal.
On 34 minutes, Goss played a corner outward which caught North Leigh by surprise and the shot by Thame did not hit the target but went over the crossbar. A final chance this time fell to Peake-Pijnen in the box when he received a diagonal ball which was only stopped by a tremendous last ditch tackle which stopped him from getting the shot away.
Second half
Following the half time break, Thame showed an increase in tempo and work rate. Thame also began the half closing North Leigh down all over the pitch trying to force errors including a higher defensive line early on. The first real chance in the second half fell to Thame from a free kick which was hit over the bar by West. One of the greatest plays of the game was when Alabi was standing at the shoulder of Mepham and got behind him before dribbling 25 yards down the left wing and putting in a sublime cross for Seacole which he chested towards goal resulting in Hill having to make a split second save to top it over the bar for a corner.
North Leigh continued to push for a goal and it took a long diagonal ball towards Seacole which was headed firmly across goal given Hill at full stretch no chance. Thame manager Mark West made a double substitution late on in the second half bringing on Jack Tutton and Duran Martin. The two subs were crucial to Thame’s turnaround.
In the 82nd minute, Thame was awarded a free kick 28 yards out which was taken by left-footed Peake-Pijnen. It was hit perfectly; so much so that the goak keeper, in an attempt to save it could only parry it on to the post and in. This goal sparked a continued drive and desire by all players. Late in the 87th minute, five Thame players were running towards North Leigh’s goal and a ball from the middle was passed wide left to an unmarked Martin who, on his weaker foot slotted the ball across goal on to the post and in.
It was a nervy last few minutes but Thame was able to see the final spell of pressure off and manage the game by keeping the ball in North Leigh’s half.
Overall this was a thoroughly entertaining match. North Leigh will feel disappointed to not have gained anything from the game, or at the very least to have remained in 19th place. Credit must be given to the Thame coaching staff for making key substitutions and installing the belief in the players for yet another memorable comeback. Thame will leave Eynsham Park on cloud nine and no doubt relishing the big encounter against Didcot next Saturday (January 19).
Full time score 1 – 2
Man of the Match – Craig Hill (Thame United) who made countless top draw saves from start to finish, yet again proving he is one of the elite goal keepers in the division.
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
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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:
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.
