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Category: More News

  • CPRE demands re-think on Green Belt expansion plans

    CPRE, Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, has said that it is time for a re-think on plans for Oxford?s housing expansion in Green Belt, following Oxford City Council’s announcement to delays its Core Strategy.

    The government has said it will not contest judicial challenges over its failure to carry out assessments of reasonable alternatives to the Green Belt reviews for areas south of Oxford and north-east of Guildford.

    Following the successful legal challenge to the South East Plan by CPRE Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire District Council and the University of Oxford, plus two other groups, over the proposed expansion into the Green Belt at Grenoble Road, Oxford City Council have now announced that their Core Strategy will be put on hold.

    The City?s Core Strategy, setting out the City?s plans to 2026, had been the subject of an Examination in Public through the summer, finishing on 11th September, 2009.

    CPRE have said that the Inspector had been aware of the legal challenge to the SE Plan?s recommended 4,000 house expansion into the Green Belt, but at that stage was not able to take account of it, despite the implications for other proposals in the Core Strategy.

    “It is now clear,” says CPRE, “that the controversial policy for the expansion into the Green Belt south of the City will effectively be quashed, and the City in turn will not be able to proceed with its plans in the Core Strategy until the Secretary of State has decided in detail how the SE Plan must be amended.

    “As the first Inspector is retiring, a second Inspector will have to take over and it is likely that the Examination in Public will have to be re-opened in the New Year in order that the issue can be properly considered and a final Inspector?s report issued on the City?s plans.”

    CPRE has also stated that it understands that one of the key City proposals which is likely to be affected is the controversial Northern Gateway scheme, which promoted further employment growth and development on two parcels of Green Belt land.

    “With the 4,000 house expansion now quashed, there is little basis for this scheme,” it said.

    Ed. I would like to have given Oxford City’s side of story but no one was available to talk to me this afternoon from the Council, and the council’s website proved to be frustratingly non user-friendly on the subject. If they come back to me, ThameNews.Net will of course report the council’s views.

  • Thame Inner Wheel’s gift to hospice

    THE Inner Wheel Club of Thame has presented a cheque for

  • Lots of Firework fun in and around Thame

    THAME Primary Schools fireworks display – Saturday 7th November, gates open 5.30pm, fireworks from 6.30pm.

    Venue: Lord Williams Lower School, Thame.

    Gates are open at 5.30pm and with a BBQ and refreshments on sale from 5.30pm; fireworks commence around 6.30pm till 7pm.

    Tickets available on the gate on the night,

  • Special commemoration service for victims of road collisions

    THOSE who have lost family members and friends in collisions on the roads in the Thames Valley will be coming together to commemorate their lives, at a multi-faith service organised by the emergency services, in Thame.

    The service will be held at 3pm on Sunday, November 15, at St Mary the Virgin Church in Thame.

    The memorial service is an opportunity for the emergency services to come together with members of the public who have lost loved ones, to remember those who have died on the region?s roads, or in road collisions elsewhere.

    Police officers, fire and rescue workers, paramedics, ambulance technicians and hospital staff will lead readings and prayers from different religions during the service.

    Family members will be invited to take part in an act of commemoration during the service.

    The service will be led by David Wilbraham, Force Chaplain of Thames Valley Police. The address will be given by the Bishop of Oxford, The Rt. Revd John Pritchard, who will also lead the Act of Commemoration.

    Superintendent Rob Povey, head of Roads Policing, said: “This service provides an opportunity for friends and families to remember their loved ones in an appropriate setting. There are a great number of people affected by all of the fatal collisions that take place each year on our roads, and this service brings many of them together.

    “All of the emergency services will be represented, and they will be able to reflect on collisions they have attended and people they have tried to help.”

    Force Chaplain David Wilbraham said: “The third Sunday of November is set aside by the United Nations as a special day of Remembrance for victims of Road Death.

    “However, while clearly a global issue, the death of someone on the roads is intensely personal and impacts greatly their families and friends. This service provides a safe, supportive place for those affected to come together to remember and commemorate their individual loss.

    “For some this service has become an annual event. We welcome them and extend the invitation to others whose lives have been affected by death on the roads to join us.”

    Everyone is welcome to attend the event and can reserve a space by contacting Elizabeth Richardson on 01189 231802 or: elizabeth.richardson@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

  • Building cash boost for Thame nurseries

    NURSERIES in the Thame area are among 17 Oxfordshire pre-schools set to receive a share of county council grants for building projects worth more than

  • Thame’s Remembrance parade and service

    THIS year’s Remembrance parade and service will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2009. The parade will assemble outside the Town Hall at 10.45am and proceed towards the War Memorial for the Last Post and 11.00am silence, followed by the laying of wreaths.

    vehicles may not be parked in the area of the War Memorial on Sunday morning, between 9.30am and 11.30am.

  • Thame ‘twinners’ reunited

    THIS year’s visit to Thame’s twin town of Montesson, was such a success, that those who went in May (2009)met for a reunion recently.

    Around 30 of the weekend trippers, of all ages, met in the town hall to share their experiences over a glass of French wine.

    Thame and District Twinning Association are planning more social and fundraising events for the next few months, including a quiz.

    Watch ThameNews.Net for more details.

  • Funding opportunities for farmers

    SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL is inviting farmers and others involved in land management to hear all about the LEADER funding that?s available to help rural projects get off the ground, at a conference in November 2009.

    The council, and Vale of the White Horse District Council, secured nearly

  • Greening Thame – Public meeting

    THE first of a series of regular Greening Campaign meetings is to be held at Thame Town Hall.

    The meeting will be held at 7pm next Monday, October 26, 2010, when a presentation about the campaign will be given. Afterwards there will be an opportunity for residents to choose simple steps for their community to take to save energy, CO2 and money.

    The Greening Campaign www.greening-campaign.co.uk was set up in response to the threat of climate change ? a global problem which needs to be tackled at every level, including local communities.

    The idea is to motivate people to reduce their energy consumption in a community response to what is a global problem. The campaign aims to encourage and support local people and businesses to take easy and straightforward steps to reduce energy consumption and waste and, in so doing, to make financial savings whilst benefiting the environment.

    Social landlords, Soha Housing which runs and manages over 5,200 properties in Oxfordshire, is sponsoring the Greening Thame campaign alongside Thame Town Council and Brothers Hairdressing, Thame.

    Soha tenant David Everiss, said: “Personally I believe that we must all play a part in slowing the climate change no matter how small the contribution. We cannot act like an ostrich. There is a change in the climate; every one my age must have noticed the change.

    “They can remember the colder winters of say 50 years ago. If by turning down my heating a degree and putting on a jumper, turning off the lights when there is absolutely no necessity for them to be on. If that helps just that little bit, it takes so little effort from me. Fine!!!!!

    “Of course there are residents who need to keep their heating at a comfortable temperature. They should be encouraged to keep themselves warm. Now that I am a Soha resident they are responsible for insulation of water pipes and the roof space and for this I am thankful.”

  • Mayor supports thermal imaging scheme

    THE Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, has given her personal support to the scheme to take thermal images of local homes and building to show just where heat energy is being wasted.

    Jeannette said: “I am happy to have a thermal image of our flat taken because improving home insulation will not only save on heating bills but will also help to combat global warming.

    “I would encourage others to do the same as there are grants available for home insulation improvements and it would be useful to know just bwhere the problems lie.”

    Transition Thame, and District and Thame & Chinnor Friends of the Earth will be providing free home insulation images this November using equipment loaned by South Oxfordshire District Council.

    How it works:

    ? Thermal images have to be taken after dark and when the building heating is on. They show up where heat is escaping from houses (red and yellow areas in the image above) and therefore where insulation could be improved.

    ? With your permission, an image of your house will be taken one evening between the 13th and 27th of November and you will then be invited you a meeting in Thame on the 3rd of December where all the images will be available and free advice on insulation from the Energy Saving Trust will also be on offer.

    ? Should you wish to take away and keep the image of your home there will be a