Category: Thame news

THE conversion of Thame town hall for use as a library, now looks unlikely following the town council’s rejection of an offer from the county council.
Thame Town Council today issued the following press release, explaining its position:-

“At a recent Extraordinary Meeting, Thame Town Council decided that the County Council?s offer for a lease on the Town Hall, for use as a library, was totally unacceptable, and it was agreed that Council did not wish to pursue any further negotiations on this basis. The alternative, of selling the freehold to County, was also looked at and discarded.

“Originally, Councillors had been keen to explore all possibilities with the County Council. But they consider that one of their responsibilities is to hold the Town Hall in trust for the town and that its continuing use as a civic building is important and significant. Although the Hall?s facilities are under-used, there is a great need for meeting space in Thame and with the right marketing it is thought that the Hall?s bookings will increase. It is, however, acknowledged that the building is in need of repair and refurbishment.

“The majority of residents who responded to the press release about the ongoing negotiations were against the Town Hall becoming a library. A full public consultation has not been undertaken.

“The Town Council is encouraging the County Council to pursue their other options for a library (the Pied Pedaller building and the Fire Station) with all urgency.”

THAME town councillors have once again rejected plans to redevelop the old Rycotewood college site, whilst conceding that an amended plan put before them, was close to being acceptable.
The redevelopment scheme was considered by the town council’s planning committee last night (Tuesday), following a presentation by a representative of Berkeley Homes, who want to develop the site for housing.
Mr Andrew Saunders-Davis, for Berkeley Homes, said that the amended plan took into consideration comments made by both Thame Town Council and South Oxfordshire District Council, in that it provided for three less units (98 instead of the 101 on the previous plan), of which 12 were affordable houses for rent and 27 were affordable flats. The new plan, he said, provides an enlarged play area and recreational areas, although he was of the opinion that providing play equipment “would be detrimental to the site.”
He stated that one and a half parking spaces per dwelling were provided for, and that Berkeley Homes would be contributing

STAFF and guests had to be evacuated from part of Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons, Great Milton, yesterday, when a chimney fire threatened to spread to the rest of world famous restaurant, owned by Raymond Blanc.
The seat of the fire was in a chimney towards the rear of the 200 year-old, three storey building, but thanks to the prompt action of fire crews from Thame, Wheatley, Oxford and other support units, a much more serious conflagration was prevented and the restaurant and hotel was eventually allowed to re-open and continue business.

Photo: Courtesy of www.aspoonfulofsugar.net

DID you know that, if you want to re-direct or forward mail you now have to put a stamp on it? – or the person who receives it has to pay the postage, plus a pound – and go to the sorting office to collect!
Several Thame residents have discovered Royal Mail’s new policy to their cost, particularly when re-directing mail to young people away at university.
The new charges were apparently introduced about a month ago, but no one seems to have seen any publicity or information before their introduction.

According to a recent report in a national daily, Royal Mail’s press office has stated that the charges apply only if a package has been opened or the addressee’s name has been altered. Otherwise, charges should definitely not apply.

Anyone who thinks they have been wrongly charged should take the matter up with Royal Mail’s customer services on 08457 740740 so that they can pinpoint where the surcharging is being done.

THAME Town Council are to consider amendments to Berkeley Homes’ plans for the old Rycotewood College site in Oxford Road, Thame.
The amendments include a reduction in the number of new dwellings from 101 to 98, and the affordable housing allocation will be seven houses and five flats.
The plans will be considered at the next meeting of the Planning Committee on Tuesday, April 18, at 6.30pm, at the town hall.

The town council recommended refusal of the original plan in February on the following grounds:
High density of housing/over-development of the site.
Inadequate access and egress, with a busy magor road.
Inadequate parking provision.
No community provision on site.
No recreation amenities for children.
The applicant’s failure to consult with the town council was deplored.

NEWS from Adrian Flanagan, who left England five and a half months ago to circumnavigate the world via the poles, is that he is making steady progress towards Hawaii.
The following is the latest report of his progress, posted on the expedition website:-
“Adrian’s back-up computer seems to have now all but given up so we are very grateful to have the Satcom phone as we now rely on this almost 100% for communication. Adrian told me yesterday that in a moment of real depression concerning his ‘computer issues’ he reminded himself that none of his sailing heroes had even had email, let alone all the other gadgetry that is on Barrabas. After that reality check he started to feel better.

“Back home I am in full swing getting together the supply drop for Hawaii. I have managed to get the Waikiki Yacht Club to agree to help with the drop and I am very grateful to Commodore Ivan Chan Wa for his pledge of assistance. The plan is that sponsor DHL will fly the shipment to Hawaii and deliver it to the Waikiki Yacht Club who will in turn deliver it somewhere off-shore on to Barrabas. Ivan has also promised something tasty from their restaurant. Adrian now has not seen fresh food for five and a half months.

I also want to say a huge thank you to Niamh Lyon at Timberland for not flinching once when I presented her with a further very ambitious wish list over lunch in London a few weeks ago! Timberland and Kemp Sails are generously supplying us with a brand new spinnaker which will really help Adrian make up some lost time on his way from Hawaii to Russia.

I have been back on the phone as I was at the beginning of this adventure begging, stealing and borrowing. Only this time it has been somewhat easier as Adrian has managed to achieve so much. I’d like to thank some new sponsors who have come on board over the past couple of weeks. Musto for providing essential quality clothing for the adverse conditions Adrian will undoubtedly meet during the coming months, RS for supplying some vital electrical components, John Lewis (High Wycombe) and Waitrose (Thame) for supplying lots of bits and pieces Adrian requested such as a new digital camera and plastic mixing bowls. Over the next week or so I will share the full shopping list along with the sponsors who have very kindly fulfilled it.

www.alphaglobalex.com

Last Updated ( Thursday, 13 April 2006 )
Photo: Adrian Flanagan waves ‘goodbye’ to family and well-wishers, back in October 2005. (Copyright: Rob Wheal)

THAME fire officers, including Station Commander, Andy Ford, were among 100 of their colleagues from neghbouring towns, involved in trying to save the thatched, luxury home of a TV soap star.
Hollyoaks beauty, Ali Bastian, apparently watched in horror as fire ripped through her father’s riverside home near Henley-on-Thames.
The TV star, who plays a teacher in the Channel 4 series, apparently arrived just minutes after the blaze broke out during a dinner party at the property last Saturday night.
Andy Ford admitted that he would not have recognised the star, had he seen her, although some of his colleagues were aware that she was there.
“As with most thatch fires,” Andy explained,”this one was basically a damage-limitation excercise, trying to prevent the fire from spreading and burning bits of thatch dropping into the rooms below and igniting new fires. We were there most of night salvaging as much as we could from the house.”
Because of fire crews’ massive efforts, at one point using five portable pumps to pump water out of the river Thames, the roof and top floor of the 1920’s house were destroyed but the lower part of the property was saved.

Photo: Courtesy of the BBC.

THAME police would like to hear from anyone with any information about the following incidents in the past week, in the Thame area:

OVERNIGHT between 22.00 hrs and 07.00 hrs, on April 6/7, a CD player was taken from a car in North Street, Thame.
The car was a dark green Saab, to which the quarter light of the rear door had been smashed to gain entry.

SOMETIME between 16.00 hrs on April 4, and 10.00 hrs on April 6, a trailer was stolen from the Manor Road, Towersey area. The trailer had a black frame with wooden panels.

OVERNIGHT on April 5/6, between 22.15 hrs and 17.53 hrs, the front grill was stolen from a black Peugeot 106, parked in Station Road, Chinnor.

IN the latest of a spate of offences since the beginning of the year, in Chinnor Road, Thame, a car had offensive words written over it, using a magic marker pen.
The offence took place some time between April 1/3, between 15.00 hrs and 08.30 hrs.

Anyone who may have information about any of the above offences that may help the police with their enquiries, can contact the Police Enquiry Line 0845 850 5505, or call Crime Stoppers without giving a name, on 0800 555111.

POLICE are appealing for information after a 15-year-old boy was assaulted as he walked on waste ground in Thame.

The boy and his friend were walking along a dirt track on ground near to sewerage works on Moors End Lane when they were approached from behind by two boys, at around 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 29.

The victim was pushed to the ground and kicked several times, sustaining bruising to his head, before he managed to run away.

The first offender is white, aged around 13, 4ft and slim with short black hair. He was wearing a black Nike hooded top, blue jeans, black shoes and was also wearing a silver neck chain.

The second boy is also white, of a similar age and height and also slim. He had sort red hair and was wearing a blue hooded top which possibly had blue letters on the front.

PC James O?Neill, of Thame police station, said: ?What would seem like an unprovoked attack could have had more serious consequences for the young victim who luckily managed to escape.
?He was left extremely traumatised by what happened and it has taken a great deal of courage from him to come forward and make a complaint.
?I need to hear from anyone who was in the area around this time who may have witnessed the attack or the two offenders either before or after it happened.?

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC O?Neill at Thame police station via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you have information but do not want to speak with police or leave your name you can contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.