Category: More News

ARTHUR Staggs, Honorary Citizen of Thame and holder of the Legion D’Honneur, celebrated his 98th birthday with friends and family at The Spread Eagle, Thame, last night.

Arthur regaled the party with stories of his exploits during the war and spoke of how different the fare served up by the Spread Eagle was, compared to that served by the Gestapo was when he was under their care for two months! Arthur joined the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Marie-Jane Barnett and last year’s Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, to sing some French songs around the piano.

His daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Jon Freeman, travelled down from Lytham St Annes and his granddaughter, Alice, travelled from flood-torn Cornwall to be with Arthur and some of his closest friends for this very special occasion.

To read Arthur Staggs’ amazing story, LINK HERE
PHOTO: Arthur Staggs with his daughter, Anne Freeman

TCC2 is a new children?s choir for Thame, that rehearses on Sundays at 4.30pm, at John Hampden Primary School, Park Street, Thame.

The choir’s aim is to sing and enjoy a wide variety of music together and to perform at a whole range of events, some large and some small.

TCC2’s first concert will be as part of Thame Chamber Choir?s Christmas Fantasia concert on Saturday, December 18, at 7.30pm in St Mary?s Church Thame.

Tickets for the concert are available price

SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council has scooped a national award for the most improved recycling rate. The council was announced as the winner of the Best Improved Recycling Rate at the LARAC awards, which are designed to recognise the work carried out by councils and recycling officers across the county in reducing waste and driving up recycling rates.

The award was for increasing the recycling rate from 44 per cent to 64 per cent between April 2009 and 2010. This included ten months of the council?s new waste service, which was introduced in June last year. During the first 12 months of the new service, the council?s recycling rate has risen even further to 70 per cent on average – thought to be the best in England.

Cllr David Dodds, Cabinet Member responsible for waste services, who picked up the award at a ceremony in Liverpool last week, said: “Our recycling rate is a fantastic achievement for the council, our contractors and everyone involved in planning and delivering our waste service and I was proud to pick up this award on their behalf.

“More importantly it is an accolade for our residents who have really embraced the new service and the opportunity to recycle more and reduce the amount of rubbish that we send to landfill. I would like to thank them again for their efforts and encourage them to keep up their good work.”

Roger Edwards, Verdant managing director, added his congratulations, saying: ?This award is recognition for the vision of the council, the hard work of Verdant staff, and the all-important enthusiastic support of local residents.?

The new waste service features a weekly collection of food waste and fortnightly collections of rubbish and recycling on alternate weeks. As well as collecting food waste separately for the first time in Oxfordshire – which alone has helped divert tonnes of waste from landfill – the new service has also enabled residents to recycle more items at the kerbside such as glass, aerosols, foil and food and drinks cartons.

As well as leading to an improved recycling rate, the service, which is being run jointly with the Vale of White Horse District Council, is also helping both councils to save money. In its first year, it is estimated to have saved South Oxfordshire around

Planning Applications to be considered by Thame Town Council?s Planning Committee on Tuesday 16 November:

8814
P10/E1591 21 YOUENS DRIVE
Garage conversion.

8815
P10/E1622 LITTLE ORCHARD, 9 TOWN FARM CLOSE
Erection of shed and greenhouse in garden.

8816
P10/E1352/RET THAME CATTLE MARKET, NORTH STREET
Placement of black storage tanks for waste water.

8817
P10/E1639/A HALIFAX, 48A NORTH STREET
Replacement non illuminated signage converting the current Halifax Agency site to Santander Agency to the front elevation.

8818
P10/E1666 6-8 CHINNOR ROAD
Alteration and extension to existing extension, to form additional residential unit.

AT the Public Inquiry into Chiltern Railway?s plans for a new station at Water Eaton, currently underway, CPRE Oxfordshire will be voicing its concerns about the impact of the plan on the ?Kidlington Gap? and the potential loss of a critical piece of Green Belt countryside, part of the setting of Oxford.

The ?slight site redesign? for the proposed wind turbine at Horspath by Partnerships for Renewables (PfR), which was signed off by Oxford City Council this month, is of serious concern to the CPRE; we believe it actually represents a very major shift in the location of the 425 feet high (130 metres) wind turbine – actually some 300-500 metres closer to the village of Horspath.

On 19 October the Oxfordshire County Council?s cabinet decided that the County Council?s preferred approach for sand and gravel working in the short to medium term was to concentrate working in existing areas of working, at Lower Windrush Valley, Eynsham/Cassington/Yarnton, Radley, Sutton Courtenay and Caversham.

South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) is seeking to legitimise its advertising on roundabouts which it unlawfully erected five years ago, and which CPRE Oxfordshire strongly contested, through a series of applications. We will be objecting to the applications and we have urged parish councils affected to also object.

In advance of the announcement of the new Localism Bill, CPRE National Office has published its own national Planning Charter, to highlight key areas Ministers will need to address if this legislation is to succeed in protecting the countryside, and regenerating our cities, towns and villages.

For more information about these and other issues see:

http://www.cpreoxon.org.uk/

ARE you renting your home? Make sure your letting agent is treating you fairly by following our top tips!

? Shop around. Ask for details of the services each agent provides and what they charge for. Not all agents make additional charges, and the amounts they do charge can vary.
? It is a criminal offence for a letting agency to charge you just to register with them. You shouldn’t have to pay any fees until the agency has found accommodation for you. If you think that an agency is acting illegally, contact your local council’s trading standards officer or tenancy relations officer.
? Check whether the agent is a member of a trade body such as ARLA, NAEA, RICS or NALS, which require members to have client money protection arrangements. This should prevent you losing money if the agent goes out of business. They also require members to have a complaints procedure.
? Check whether the agent has a procedure in place to deal with complaints including access to independent redress, for example, an ombudsman scheme.
? If you are charged a tenancy deposit, ask the agent for the details of the tenancy deposit protection scheme they use. Agents and landlords are required by law to protect deposits for assured shorthold tenancies in a Government approved scheme.
? Ask the agent whether the landlord has the lender’s permission to rent out the property. If not, you could be evicted with minimal notice if your landlord gets into arrears with their mortgage and the property is repossessed.
? Get free, confidential, independent advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau (see www.adviceguide.org.uk or your local phone book for contact details) or local housing aid centre.

WHEN the landlady of The Cross Keys in Thame heard about the threat hanging over the future of the local Day Centre, in what she admits was a rash moment, she suggested that the pub sponsor a ‘Calender Girls’ type calendar as a money-raiser.

Landlord and brewmaster, Peter Lambert, a professional photographer, at first thought: “Oh no, more work for me!” But soon he too was inspired by wife Trudi’s idea and agreed to go along with her, providing she would pose for one of the calendar’s monthly pictures.

The idea soon grew and locals, their wives and friends and an ex Deputy Mayor of Thame, were soon gathered together and photographed by Peter.

The result is the stunning 2011 calendar, launched at the Thame Brewery at The Cross Keys, last night (04/11/10) and the first copy hot of the press, presented to Gillian Coleman, the Manager at the Thame and District Day Centre. “This will certainly light up the eyes of some of our male members!” she told Peter.

The calendar, which was printed free by Neil Atkinson of Colour Five, will be on sale at Saturday’s Thame Christmas Charities Fair at Thame town hall, between 10am and 1pm. (Father Christmas will be there too.)

For beer lovers, Hoppiness, one of Peter’s beers, came runner up two weeks ago at the Oxford beer festival run by CAMRA. Thame Brewery itself is holding a beer festival on the 13th & 14th of November, to celebrate the brewery’s first birthday which will feature in the region of 24 beers and six ciders including one made in Long Crendon.

PHOTO: Bottom row, left to right:
Bev (one of the pub’s regulars), Lesley Mccabe (bar staff), Emily (Emsy, a local driving instructor (Driven)) and young Vicky Bromwich (bar staff)

Top row, left to right:
Vicky (a regular and local), Nichola Dixon (ex Mayor of Thame), Cath (a pub regular), Hillary (Hilly Carter, County Cllr Nick Carter’s wife), Fran Rimmer (bar staff) Cross Keys landlady Trudi.

TWO men, including Will Oliver from Wheatly, have been awarded the Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation for bravery after rescuing a school teacher who became trapped in her car when she skidded off the road and crashed into a stream.

David Etheridge, Chief Fire Officer at Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, hosted the recent Community Safety Awards evening which highlighted the efforts of Wayne Ford and Will Oliver. The pair have been recognised for outstanding courage in the face of overwhelming danger.

Icy conditions

The morning of Monday, February 22, saw extreme weather conditions with temperatures below freezing and heavy snow fall. Helen Birch-Machin from Abingdon, was driving along Cuxham Road in Cuxham when she lost control of her car, spun 180 degrees and rolled over into a ditch filled with water. Wayne and Will were on their way to work when they spotted skid marks in the snow and then saw the car on its roof and submerged in the freezing water.

Without a second thought, they pulled over and Wayne took the ladder from their van, climbed down into the ditch and swam out to the car. He managed to open the door and kept Helen conscious until the emergency services arrived.

When Oxfordshire’s firefighters got to the scene, crews made a ladder bridge to get to the car and cut several branches down from the trees around them to make the rescue easier. Helen was pulled from the car and only suffered minor injuries.

Wayne, despite being cold and wet, insisted on staying with her until she was safely in the ambulance and knew that she was ok.

Wayne Ford, aged 51 from Chalgrove, said: “We saw the car and I heard Helen screaming. The water was very deep and running fast. It was a long way down so I used the ladder and threw myself into the water. I tried to reassure Helen that help was on its way. Her hand was trapped in the car door, so I opened it and wedged myself between her and the door and I kept talking to her until the emergency services arrived.

“I stayed with her throughout and both of us were very very cold and wet. Looking back now I am glad that I did what I did and I would do it again. The Commendation Award was an honour and a great surprise.”

Dramatic events

And while Wayne was helping Helen, Will made vital phone calls and directed other drivers. As he was doing so, there was another accident which happened while the rescue was taking place.

Will Oliver, aged 20 from Wheatley, said: “I rang the emergency services and stopped the traffic coming towards the accident. But a lot of people were not paying attention to the treacherous roads in the blizzard like conditions, and another driver went straight into the back of another car.

“When you see a terrible accident like that, your adrenalin just takes over and you just try to deal with the situation as quickly as possible. I’m just glad I could help and Helen was ok.”

Outstanding courage

Without any thought to their personal safety, the duo undoubtedly saved Helen’s life.

Helen Birch-Machin said: “I firmly believed that my life had come to an end. I realised that there was no way that anyone could see me from the road. It would have been a horrible way to die. About ten minutes elapsed and I was beginning to panic when I heard voices and Wayne and Will arrived on the scene. I realised then that I had a good chance of survival. I told Wayne to keep me talking as enduring the freezing water was quite a struggle for me. Will was the one who made the crucial phone calls.

“I believe that Will and Wayne saved my life. They have big hearts. I wish the incident had never happened as I do have frightening flashbacks. On the other hand, I got to see a wonderful side of human nature. Also, I have a sense of being given a second life. I will always share a special bond with Wayne and Will. I was delighted to hear of their bravery award.”

David Etheridge, Chief Fire Officer for Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, said: “When I was made aware of the bravery that Wayne and Will displayed whilst entering freezing water on a snowy morning in order to save and support Helen?s life, I didn?t hesitate to award them the Chief Fire Officer?s Commendation. At a time when we are fed negative news stories and headlines, it is always reassuring to know that there are exemplary citizens such as Wayne and Will who are prepared to stop and help instead of just driving past.”

SOURCE: Press release

FIFTY Stories for Pakistan – On September 5, Greg McQueen of Big Bad Media issued a call for submission of stories with a length of 500 words or less, for a fundraising project. He received nearly 250 stories, and the volunteers who made up the editorial team then worked together to cut this down to 50. The aim was to make a fundraising book and as a result 50 Stories for Pakistan became a reality.

The book includes an introduction by award-winning author Vanessa Gebbie, fifty stories by authors from all around the world, plus some bonus stories which were written by the editorial team. It is being sold to raise money for the Red Cross Pakistan Floods Appeal.

Rebecca Emin, who lives in Chalgrove, was delighted to be included in this book and said: “After I submitted my story called Listen, I put it out of my mind because of the numbers of submissions and the names of some of the authors and editors working on the project. It was very exciting to be short-listed and it is a great honour to be able to help raise money for the victims of the floods in Pakistan in this way.”

50 Stories for Pakistan is now available to buy for

THAMES Valley Police have produced a YouTube film clip for Halloween and Fireworks night. It has been produced in partnership with the Fire Service and Trading Standards.

Called ‘Click Your Trick’ it aims to drive home the message that trick or treaters need to think carefully about the consequences of their actions before they embark on Halloween or Bonfire Night activity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gc3YTHJ4_k

The film clip shows a group of five friends knocking on the door of a house, saying ?Trick or Treat?. The occupant (which is the view of the camera) tells them he is sorry but doesn?t have any treats. The viewer will then be asked to click their trick.

Blow this joint ? The children decide not to do anything to the house and move on to find treats elsewhere

Beat it ? One of the teenagers throws eggs and flour causing criminal damage to the house.

Go with a bang ? One of the teenagers throws a firework through the letter box. Images then come up showing the damage caused to the house from the firework and the person responsible talking about the consequences of his actions.

The main point we want to get over is that teenagers should have fun when trick or treating but sometimes you can be influenced into doing things that may seem minor at the time but could have massive impact on not only people inside the house but to their life as well.