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Category: Thame news

  • Family tribute to murdered Josh Harling

    THE family of 19-year-old Joshua Harling, from Oxford, who sadly died following an incident in Chinnor Road, Thame, on Wednesday (22/7) have paid tribute to him.

    “The impact Josh had on so many people’s lives is unforgettable. He is an irreplaceable son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend and well-loved colleague.

    “We do not know how to sum up in just a few sentences how much he meant to so many people. He touched so many lives. He felt it was his duty to protect, he had courage and bravery, and was full of kindness, love and energy. He was a compassionate soul with a fierce and generous love and loyalty to his family and his friends.

    “He had the ability to light up any room he walked into with just one cheeky smile. He was charismatic, selfless and had a contagious laugh along with his jokes. He made sure everyone around him was happy. A lovable lad that wore his heart on his sleeve. He had the world at his feet, with his every growing ambition to succeed in every aspect of his life. Striving to be the best he could be in his profession in the finance industry.

    “His job, his music, family and friends were his life. He was admirable with an angelic heart, always giving and never wanting in return. No matter what, Josh was devoted to helping others and making sure those around him were happy, safe and secure.

    “We will all carry that spirit on with us for eternity. His pure soul and personality shines so brightly it could never be dimmed.

    “We can find comfort in the fact he loved deeply and was so so loved in return. With such passion and positivity, he will always continue to inspire those who were lucky enough to be touched by his life.

    “Our protector, our rock, our shining star.”

    The family have asked that their privacy be respected at this most difficult time.

  • Increased police presence in Thame following murder trial date decided

    FOLLOWING his attendance at Oxford Crown Court earlier today (29/07/20), Nathan Braim, aged 19, of Broadwaters Avenue, Thame, who has been charged with the murder of Josh Harling, a date has been set for his trial .

    The trial will be held at Oxford on January 4, 2021, and is expected to last up to two weeks. No formal plea has yet been entered and a further hearing was also scheduled for October 23, 2020, for the defendant to deny or accept his guilt.

    In the meantime, Brain will be remanded in custody.

    A 15-year-old boy and two 19-year-old men who were questioned in connection with the investigation, have all been released on bail.

    Increased police presence in Thame

    In a statement today, Thame Valley Police stated: “A week on from the tragic death of Joshua Harling in Thame, our officers continue to provide a visible presence in and around the town.

    “This evening there will be an increased presence in the area.

    “Our officers are there to offer re-assurance to the local community, and also to talk to anybody who has any concerns or information that may assist the ongoing investigation.

    “Please don’t hesitate to approach and speak to officers, or call the 24-hour number 101, quoting URN 1152 (22/7) if you have any information.

    “Alternatively, you can provide information via the Major Crime portal here: http://orlo.uk/Ml5rP “

     

  • Thame man charged with murder

    THAMES Valley Police has today (26/7) charged a man in connection with a murder investigation in Thame.

    Nathan Braim, aged 19, of Broadwaters Avenue, Thame, was charged this evening with one count of murder.

    The charge is in relation to an incident in Chinnor Road, Thame, on Wednesday (22/7) in which 19-year-old Joshua Harling sadly died.

    Braim has been remanded in custody and will appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning (27/7).

    A 15-year-old boy from Oxfordshire and two 19-year-old men from Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire who were arrested on suspicion of murder, have all been released on conditional police bail.

  • Vigil and walk held in respect of Thame stabbing victim

    FOLLOWING the death of Josh Harling on Wednesday, in a stabbing incident in the town, around 200 young people walked slowly from the Southern Road Recreation Ground in Thame, to the site of the 19 year-old’s death last night.

    Image of Josh Harling, courtesy of Kyle Watson’s fundraiser page

    Escorted at the rear by police, the young people laid flowers at the scene, balloons released into the air, and held a two minute silence. In Elms Park, a couple of fire works were let off in tribute to Josh.

    Friends of Josh has also started a GoFundMe page they say, ‘to help our his family’. https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-support-joshs-family

  • Police given more time to question murder investigation suspect

    OFFICERS  from Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit have been granted a further 36 hours to question one of the suspects in a murder investigation in Thame.

    Image for illustrative purposes only

    The 15-year-old boy from Oxfordshire, who was arrested on Wednesday evening (22/7), remains in police custody and further time was granted following an application to High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court.

    Two 19-year-old men, from Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, also remain in custody and are being questioned on suspicion of murder.

    The arrests are in connection with the death of a 19-year-old man from Oxfordshire who was found with injuries in Chinnor Road, Thame, shortly after 7pm on Wednesday.

    Anyone with any information on the incident are urged to call 101, quoting URN 1152 (22/7).

    Alternatively information can be reported online via the Major Incident Police Portal https://mipp.police.uk/operation/43H220A92-PO1.

    The police are asking anybody who has such footage not to share it on social media due to the distress this could clearly cause to the victim’s family and the wider public.

    If you have such material please provide it to the police.

    NB The 20 year-old man who lost his life in this incident on Wednesday, in Chinnor Road, Thame, has been named locally and in parts of the national press as Josh Harling.

  • Two further arrests in Thame murder investigation

    TODAY, June 23, police have made two further arrests as part of an ongoing murder investigation following the death of a 20 year-old man in the town yesterday.

    The two men arrested today are a 19 year-old from Oxfordshire, and another of the same age from Buckinghamshire. Like the 15 year-old arrested yesterday, both men remain in custody on suspicion of murder.

     A number of road closures and ‘scene watches’ remain in place at this time, and the the police have repeated their appeal for information, mobile phone, dashcam or CCTV footage of around the time of the incident to contact them on 101, quoting reference 1152 22/7/20 or alternatively, information can be reported online anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

     

  • UPDATE: ARREST – Appeal for video footage following Murder in Thame

    UPDATE: 01:40 -23/7/20 – A 15-year-old boy from Oxfordshire has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody.

    POLICE have requested that the public do not share video footage of an incident in Thame yesterday evening (22/07) following the murder of a young man in the town.

    An appeal from Thames Valley Police following the launch of a murder enquiry, reads:

    “At around 7.05pm today (22/7) a man was found with injuries in Chinnor Road, Thame. Sadly a 20-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and will be supported by specialist teams.

    “Currently police would like to speak to a group of young men who were seen in the area at the time of this incident.

    “Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Mike Roddy of the Major Crime Unit, said: “We are in the very early stages of this murder investigation. Our thoughts first and foremost go out to the family of the man who has sadly died. It is really important that anyone with information about what happened, comes forward.

    “Although the details of what exactly has happened are unclear at the moment, we would like to hear from you if you saw anything suspicious this evening in Chinnor Road or Essex Road and the surrounding areas.

    “We know there were a number of people in the area who will have seen this unfold and may have even caught some of the incident on video.

    “Please do not share this video on social media, but instead share it with police. A man has died in this incident and if you have footage or pictures this could be very traumatic for the family and friends of the man who has died.

    “We know this will be concerning for the community but there will be an increased police presence in the area. Feel free to approach these officers if you have any concerns.

    “Road closures are currently in place in Chinnor Road at the junction with Queens Road, Dormer Road at the junction of Garden City and Cotmore Gardens at the junction of Cotmore Close.

    “It is expected these roads will be closed for several hours so please avoid the area and thank you for your patience.

    “If you have any information you think might help, please call 101 quoting the reference URN 1152 (22/7) or make a report online.

    “If you would prefer to remain 100% anonymous, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

    A resident of Cotmore Close reported seeing a car on its roof close by, forensic officers on the scene and police officers entering a near-by flat.

  • Now, that’s entertainment

    THAME Players Theatre Company has been performing in Thame for over 75 years, and this week a new book about the history of the company, That’s Entertainment, is being released. 

    The book has been written by Tony Long, an active member of Thame Players for nearly 40 years, and covers the development of the group from its earliest beginnings to the present. 

    The first performance staged by the group under the name of Thame Players was in 1944. Throughout their history, Thame Players members have become ever more active and ambitious, progressing from just one or two productions a year to five of their own productions a year today – more than 30 live performances. The theatre in Nelson Street is a former church hall that has been owned by Thame Players for over 40 years, and is also the venue for some 30 visiting shows each year, including musical acts, comedy and drama. It also houses Thame’s only public cinema, run by Thame Cinema For All. 

    The book is illustrated with dozens of photographs from the earliest post-war performances through to Dick Whittington, the most recent pantomime, performed in December 2019. Incorporating a 1984 account of the first 40 years written by Bob Norman, That’s Entertainment tells the story of Thame Players from the post-war years, through the period when productions were staged in venues such as the Town Hall and the Wenman School (now Lord Williams’s Lower  School), to the times when Thame Players first leased the Players Theatre in 1977 and subsequently acquired the freehold in 1997. 

    The book also recounts the substantial development work that has since been undertaken, including the installation of raked seating, a bar, a foyer, enlargement of the stage, improvement of lighting and technical facilities, and much else besides.  

    Tony Long said: “We are justly proud of our history and our theatre, which has developed into the modern, well-appointed venue we have today. The Players Theatre entertains over 10,000 people a year from the local area and farther afield and is also used by community groups. None of the achievements would have been possible without the generous support of our town and district councils, local businesses, grant bodies, members and friends of Thame Players, and the many volunteers who keep the theatre running. Having achieved this much in the first 75 years, we look forward to the continuing success of the group in future years.”

    Cllr Ann Midwinter, Mayor of Thame, said: “Thame Players and the Players Theatre are together one of the jewels in our crown. They have occupied this position for over seventy years through their members’ dedication and hard work. Embracing the challenges of modern technology along the way, they continue to provide live entertainment in a well-equipped theatre that benefits the people of Thame and surrounding area. I am sure the live performing arts will prosper in our town for years to come, building on the foundations laid by Thame Players.”

    That’s Entertainment will be for sale at £6.99 per copy through various retail outlets in Thame. For details of outlets stocking the book please email thameplayers@gmail.com or call 07881 688895.

    The Players Theatre, home of Thame Players, is currently closed due to the coronavirus lockdown restrictions and all shows have been cancelled until at least September, pending further government advice.  Updates will be announced on the Thame Players’ website www.thameplayers.co.uk.

  • Criminal damage appeal

    THAMES Valley Police have released CCTV images of two boys officers would like to speak to, following an incident of criminal damage in Thame.

    Between 5pm on Thursday, June 2, and 11am on Friday, June 3, offenders smashed a security camera and light causing damage, at the Thame Barns Centre in Church Road. The offenders approached the property from the rear via the cricket field and car park.

    Investigating officer PC Ben Atkinson based at Didcot police station, said: “I am appealing for anyone who recognises any of the individuals in these images to get in touch as they may have information that could be vital to this investigation.

    “You can get in touch with us using our online form or by calling 101, quoting reference number 43200164580. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously via their website or on 0800 555 111.”

     

  • Winner, Ellie’s wheelchair design wows judges!

    ELLIE Roberts-Day, a pupil of Lord Williams’s School, Thame, stole the judges’ hearts with her entry to the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research (SMSR) Design a Wheelchair with the WOW Factor competition, and has been announced as the Secondary School category winner.

    The competition, open to both Primary and Secondary school pupils, saw a variety of entries from young children across Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including submissions from Lord Williams’s School, Sir William Ramsay in High Wycombe, and Bruern Abbey School in Bicester.

    Ellie, whose creation was inspired by her ‘Nanna’ who has MS and is confined to a wheelchair, said: “Usually I don’t enter competitions like this but when I saw this I decided to spend some time doing this activity. The reason is that my Nanna has severe MS and relies fully on her  wheelchair. However, her wheelchair is very restricting to what she can do and so she gets really upset and frustrated that she can’t do things that everyone else can, considering she likes to be independent.”

    Ellie added: “Thank you for running this amazing competition. I just wanted to do this for my Nanna, and also to donate to others like her as I think everyone deserves to have their freedom and I know that my Nanna will get hers.”

    SMSR’s Charlotte Minoprio commented: “We simply fell in love with this design and the poignant story behind it. On behalf of everyone involved with Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research, I would like to say a big thank you to all those children who entered the competition and their schools. There were some incredible entries which truly showed off what amazing young talent there is out there. A big thank you also to George David Estate Agents, for kindly sponsoring our competition prizes and helping with the difficult task of judging!”

    The two competition winners from the Primary and Secondary school categories receive a £50 voucher for WHSmith. In addition, each winner’s school will be offered a free, interactive disability awareness assembly with an SMSR Ambassador.

    All competition entries are now available to view via the Charity’s Facebook page @lifeafterpara.

    To find out more about the work of Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research, please visit  www.lifeafterparalysis.com