Category: Thame news

Newitt’s of Thame, has once again had its plans to build homes on land behind the family business, rejected by Thame Town Council.
An application for planning permission to erect three houses and six flats was refused by the council’s planning committee, on the following grounds:
* Over-development
* Traffic generation
* Insufficient parking provision
* Houses fronting onto narrow alleyway, a sensetive
area including funeral parlour

Five letters of opposition from residents of near-by Lincoln Place, were read out at the town council’s planning committee’s meeting.
Cllr David Laver said that, whilst he objected to the houses fronting the alley way, he would not object to the flats.
Cllr David Bretherton, said: “Whilst I don’t like the idea of the houses in the alleyway, we do have to abide by Government guidelines to allow greater density.”

Cllr Beatrice Dobie said:” We do need affordable flats. I do feel that this application is a step forward.

A previous proposal submitted by Newitt’s, for nine flats and three shops fronting the alleyway between the High Street and the Co-op car park, was turned down by South Oxfordshire District.

The Award-winning family business incurred the wrath of town councillors and close neighbours last year, when it applied to install refridgerated units at the rear of its building.

A decision by SODC on this latest application is expected by August 16.

THE County Librarian is to report on the latest situation on the siting of a new library for Thame.
A public meeting is to be held on Tuesday, July 11, at 5.30pm, at the existing library in Southern Road, Thame.
Recently the Town Hall was rejected as a possible site and other sites such as the Pied Pedaller and Thame Fire Station are now under review.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a house belonging to an elderly resident of Long Crendon.
A bag containing a 22ct gold wedding ring and a five stone, diamond engagement ring was stolen from a house in Thame Road, through a ground floor window.

The victim saw the offender walking past her window as he left. He is described as white, aged between 13 and 15 years-old, of slim build, 5ft 3ins tall with short brown hair, and was apparently dressed in blue denim.

PC James Holstead of Waddesdon Police, said:”Although the rings have monetary value, they also have great sentimental value to the elderly resident, who is deeply distressed by this theft. I would appeal for anybody with any information or who has been offered the items for sale to contact me.”

Anyone with any information should contact PC Holstead at Waddesdon Police Station via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505 or phone the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

THE number of people killed or seriously injured in road collisions in the Thames Valley is down according to figures released today by the Department For Transport (DFT).
In 2005, 149 people lost their lives in collisions in the Thames Valley area, compared to 173 in 2000, when the Thames Valley Safer Roads partnership began. This is a reduction of 13.9 per cent.
The number of people seriously injured in collisions has also dropped from 1468 people in 2000 compared to 938 casualties in 2005 – a 36 per cent reduction. The Government?s targets for 2010 are a 40 per cent reduction on the 1994 ? 1998 average for those killed & seriously injured and 10 per cent for those suffering slight injury. According to figures released today there has been a 36 per cent and nearly 10 per cent reduction respectively.

Superintendent Mick Doyle, head of Thames Valley Police Roads Policing Operational Command Unit, said: “The reduction in the number of people who lost their lives and those suffering serious injuries is encouraging, but we will continue to do everything we can to reduce the number of victims and casualties still further. We work closely with our road safety partners from the councils, fire and rescue and ambulance services to educate road-users about ways they can keep themselves safe. Members of the public must take responsibility for their own safety and keep to speed limits, wear a seatbelt and make sure passengers also belt up, don?t drive when tired, or under the influence of drink or drugs.”

Roads Policing officers work with their local road safety partners on numerous road safety initiatives. These include the Safer Rider campaign, educating motorcyclists about how to be a better biker and operational initiatives including speed checks, seatbelt checks, and stopping and fining motorists driving while using a hand-held mobile phone. Future initiatives include an educational campaign for young drivers.

AN Oxfordshire Coroner has called for improved safety measures for pedestrians near Service Stations, following the death of a Thame schoolgirl.
Coroner, Nicholas Gardiner, made his appeal during the inquest yesterday, into the death of Chloe Owens, of Haddenham, near Thame.
14 year-old Chloe died after being hit by a car whilst crossing the A4129 Thame by-pass with two friends, Samantha Howard and Amy Duckham, to get to the Burger King restaurant close by.
Shortly after the accident, at 7.15pm on Friday, September 30, Chloe was airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, where she later died.
Samantha and Amy did not give evidence in person at the inquest but PC Alison Brown, who had taken statements from both girls, described what happened as the girls stepped into the road by a dropped kerb.

“As the girls stepped out into the road,” she said, “Chloe was slightly ahead of the other two girls. They caught up with her at the traffic island in the centre of the road, but then Chloe ran ahead.
“They saw the car and shouted for Chloe to stop, but she did not hear because there was so much traffic noise.”

The driver of the Saab 95 that hit Chloe, Jon Maartensz, of Bledlow, near Chinnor, said: “There was a flash in my peripheral vision and then there was a thud on my windscreen.
“At first I did not know what it was but thought it could have been a brick. I stopped as soon as I could and got out of the car and saw Chloe lying on the ground.”

Consultant pathologist, Dr Ian Roberts, said Chloe died of severe head injuries.

Although Chloe’s parents did not attend the inquest, Mr Gardiner read out a statement from her mother, Sue, in which she had stated that she had discovered from talking to Chloe’s friends since the accident that Chloe did not have good road sense.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Gardiner said:”Whenever planning applications are put forward, when things are likely to be used by local people in addition to motorists for which they are designed, we should do everything we can to ensure the safety of pedestrians.”

THE recently formed Thame Football Partnership, between Thame United Football Club and Thame Boys and Girls Football, will soon have sketch plans for a new shared facility at Church Farm, on the outskirts of Thame.
The future ownership of Thame United’s old ground in Windmill Road, Thame, is currently under discussion between its current owner, Developer Sean Coleman and other interested parties. The Football Partnership is hoping that any sale resulting from those discussions will mean that it gets the

MOUNTAINEER Mark Inglis (47), from New Zealand, who lost both legs in a climbing accident, has became the first double amputee to reach the summit of Mount Everest on.
His climb has raised thousands of pounds in support of Thame charity, the Cambodia Trust.
Inglis lost both legs to frostbite while caught in bad weather climbing Mount Cook, New Zealand?s highest peak, in 1982.
He has been a supporter of the Cambodia Trust for several years, visiting its rehabilitation projects in Cambodia where local staff fit artificial limbs for landmine survivors and other disadvantaged disabled people.
“While the Everest climb has been a great adventure for me, it?s even more awesome if I can use this as a vehicle to make a difference in the world,” said Mark.

The Cambodia Trust was established in Thame in 1989 to provide support for Cambodia?s huge numbers of landmine survivors and other disadvantaged disabled people. The Trust runs rehabilitation centres, community-based rehabilitation projects and an internationally accredited Prosthetic and Orthotic education centre in Cambodia.

Link

More information on Mark Inglis can be found on his Everest website: www.legsoneverest.com

THAMES Valley Police’s ‘Top Cop’ went back on the beat yesterday, when she dropped in to Thame police station.
Acting Chief Constable, Sara Thornton, joined Community Beat Officer, Russell Hounslow in a walk around the town centre, in order to get a feel for the town, in anticipation of the new Neighbourhood Policing initiative shortly to be rolled out in Thame.

The Acting Chief Constable told ThameNews.Net that she was keen to get to know all areas of the Thames Valley and was enthusiastic about the new arrangements to listen to the concerns of neighbourhoods, find out what concerns them most and use all the resources available to tackle those concerns. She confirmed that new resources will include extra Police Community Support Offices for Thame.

THAME police are warning commuters who take the Oxford Tube, to beware following a spate of car crime in the parking area there.
The car park, near junction six of the M40, has become a crime hotsport recently, with nine incidents since January, including seven thefts of motorvehicles.
Lesley Nesbitt, Crime Preventiion Officer at Thame police station, suggests the following actions to prevent drivers from becoming the victims of crime:
* Always lock your car and close all windows
* Never leave valuable in your car
* Use alarms and steering locks
* Report any suspicious activity by contacting the
Police Enquiry Line 0845 850 5505, or Crimestoppers
anonymously 0800 555111

photo: Lancashire Police