Category: Thame news

THAME artist, Christine Tacq is planning an exciting family workshop to produce Christmas decorations for the Thame Christmas tree.
The course will run twice, once in the morning and once in the afernoon, at Thame Cricket Club, on November 19. Participants will use print and paper making techniques as well as folded paper methods to make seasonal birds and stars.
The cost will

OFFICIATING at what was his last Remembrance Service before he retires as the Bishop of Oxford, The Rt Reverend Richard Harries rededicated Thame’s War Memorial on Sunday.
The Bishop reminded the hundreds of Thame residents in attendance, including the Mayor and town councillors, young people from the various junior Service groups, The Fire Service and the Police Service, that they were there to remember those men of Thame who died in both world wars and all wars since; he spoke about the necessity for us all to remember and appreciate that the way of life we have enjoyed for 60 years, “free from fighting and tyrany” is because of their sacrifice.
The Bishop quoted Lloyd George, who dedicated the Memorial on July 30, 1921: “The world goes in a different direction because these 87 men of Thame gave their lives with many others. It has altered the great current of the human story…”

In words so redolent of the current controversy over whether or not it was prudent to go to war against Iraq, Lloyd George went on to say: “These men (of the British Empire), most of who came to the flag voluntary, fought not to repel the invader from their homes, but for fair play to other countries that were being trampled upon by a ruthless foe. That was an element in the sacrifice which ennobled it.”

The Bishop continued: “The lesson for today is clear; to work for a just world, a world in which everyone has an honoured place. When, on the other hand, there is injustice and a sense of exclusion, then will be created the bitterness in which are the seeds of violence.”
He concluded by quoting Lloyd George once again: “We must be aware lest we bequeath to our children a legacy of concentrated hate which will one day explode shattering their happiness and leaving the world a wilderness and man a gaunt wanderer amongst the ruins of the civilisation his folly has destroyed.
“That was not what the gallant young men of Thame died for.”

Phylis Quainton, who was at the originaly dedication of the War Memorial in 1921, met and chatted with the Bishop after the service and joined others for refreshments after the service.

The Last Post and Reveille, was played by Peter Kingsnorth.

A 16-year-old boy from Great Haseley, near Thame, died in hospital over the weekend after he sustained serious head injuries in a crash on Friday, November 11.

Samuel Fleming, of Latchford Lane, was riding his bike along the A329 in Great Haseley, when he was involved in a collision with a blue Ford Focus at around 5.20pm. He died on Saturday at the JR2 hospital, Oxford.

Police investigating the incident are keen to hear from motorists who might have seen him as he cycled from Asda in Wheatley, through Great Milton and then along the A329 towards Great Haseley.

PC Simon Bishop, from Abingdon Roads Policing, said: ?Samuel set off shortly before 5pm so lots of drivers must have passed him. He had no lights and was wearing dark clothing and a hi-vis vest. If you remember him, I would urge you to contact me ? your information could help the investigation establish what happened.?

Witnesses who saw Samuel or the collision are urged to contact PC Bishop via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

THAME’S Area Beat Officer, PC Russell Hounslow, has been presented with an award, after his was voted No 1, Community Beat Officer by the people of Thame.
PC Hounslow, who has been based in Thame since 1995, was presented with a framed certificate and an ornamental clock at a special award ceremony at Drayton Manor, Abingdon, last night, by Thame Valley Police’s Chief Constable Peter Neyroud.
David McWhirter, Area Commander of the Oxfordshire BCU (Basic Command Unit), told the assembled award winners and their guests that Russell was special in that, unlike many officers who moved around far too quickly, he had shown an unusal commitment by remaining in Thame for 10 years. Amongst his achievements during that time, he has been instrumental in persuading the local authorities to introduce a drinking ban in the town centre, had been heavily involved in a bliz on car crime in the Thame area, organised activities for youngsters with the local football club to help keep them off the street and through his responsibilities as Wildlife and Countryside Officer, was now the official animal rescuer for St Tiggy Winkles, the largest animal rescue centre in the world – work which is voluntary and means that Russell could be called out at any time of the day or night to rescue anything from a sick deer to an angry, injured swan.
He described Russell as being “caring and compassionate, a good listener, approachable and all- in-all, he has all the ingredients of a first class Community Beat Officer.”
He ended by quoting one of the sponsor forms from the people of Thame, three (including the editor of ThameNews.Net who nominated Russell) of whom were at the ceremony:”Thame is so lucky to have him.”
Here, here!

FOLLOWING the death of a fellow pupil, members of Thame’s Youth Council have asked for the trees on the Aylesbury Road round-about on Thame’s by-pass, to be removed.
The request for Thame Town Council to write to Oxfordshire County Council who are now responsible for round-abouts, came at the Youth Council’s recent meeting where ideas to make the round-about safer for pedestrians, were explored.
Many of Thame’s young people cross over to either Burger King or the Esso Service Station, using that round-about, which was where 14 year-old Cloe Owens, who was fatally injured there last month, was apparently heading.
Whilst it is not yet known whether poor visibility of on-coming vehicles because of the height of vegetation on the round-about was in anyway a factor in Cloe’s death, the Youth Council felt that removal of the trees would make it a lot safer.

ONE of the most colourful personalities in English Football is to speak at Thame United’s Sportman’s Evening.
Barry Fry has been at Peterborough since 1996, but his career has taken him from Old Trafford, where he was a youth player under Matt Busby, to football management at Birmingham City, Barnet, & Southend among others.
Keith Alexander, manager at Lincoln City, will be supporting this extremely entertaining character.

During the evening there will be an auction of football bits and pieces, including a signed shirt from Liverpool F.C.

The event will take place at Buckingham Road Stadium, home of Aylesbury United on Thursday 24th November. Tickets, which include a 3 course meal, are priced at

SEVERAL complaints about doorstep salespeople, cold calling in the area have been received by local Community Watch Co-ordinators.

Of particular concern are those selling utility supplied services, gas, electricity etc, encouraging people to change over from their current suppliers.

It is the advice of Thames Valley Crime Reduction officers that householders should not engage in conversation with any unwanted or unsolicited doorstep sales staff but to politely say “No thank you” and close the door before allowing them to lauch into a persuasive sales pitch.

Householders who may be concerned by callers at the door, particularly those living alone, elderly or infirm, are encouraged to make use of a door chain or door bar on opening the door, to help them maintain control.

Stickers are available from the Neighbourhoopd Watch or from Crime Prevention Officer, Lesley Nesbitt at Thame police station, which state that the householder does not buy or sell at the door.

For further information, or stickers, please call 01235 556957.

OVERNIGHT on October 31,(Monday), to November 1, several vehicles parked on the road in Cromwell Avenue, Moreton Lane and the High Street, Thame, suffered criminal damage.
The damage included tyres being punctured, locks glued and one had its canvas roof slashed.

Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in these areas during the times mentioned, are asked to call the Police Enquiry Line on 08458 505505.

OXFORDSHIRE’s Youth Offending Service today received a cash boost of