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RECENTLY, The Year Four children of John Hampden School, Thame, had the wonderful experience of being a Viking for the day – including a visit from a Lindisfarne ‘monk’ who recounted an invasion of his island by marauding Norsemen!

The children dressed in fabulous costumes, got to use a range of deadly weapons (foam based) and even took part in a terrifying raid themselves.

The day started with a visit from ‘Monk Athelstan’. He told the children about the frightening day when his monastery on Lindisfarne was invaded by the Norsemen. He told them of how they rampaged through the village stealing, plundering and burning down homes. Monk Athelstan was then taken as a slave by the brute, Ragnar Lothbrok. The children were then asked to write a diary about the events that occurred.

The children were then taught about the different weapons that would have been used during battle. They were shown how to use these and told how to create shield walls and battle formations in order to stay alive. Having learnt this, the children were than able to use this knowledge to go and raid the Year Three classes – which certainly too the Year Three children by surprise! Their school supplies were stolen and even some children taken!

To finish the day, the children were given the opportunity to battle with each other, each child choosing a weapon and using it to combat their enemy.

“The day was a superb educational experience,” said Teacher Melanie Schleising, Chair of John Hampden School’s PFTA, “and really brought learning to life. We would like to say a great big thank you to Mr Haigh for returning to school and becoming our Monk ,and also Mr Eyre on supplying the costumes, weapons and running a brilliant day.”

A man from Thame has appeared before Oxford Magistrates Court, after being charged with possessing cocaine, a Class A drug.

Simon Kennedy, 45, of Angus Court, Thame, admitted possessing cocaine in Abingdon Police Station on April 11. He was fined £100, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and court costs of £85.

CAMPAIGNERS in Thame took part in a National Day of Action on Saturday, May 18, in support of a People’s Vote.

Supporters of a People’s Vote on Brexit were out in force on the streets of Thame on Saturday as part of a national campaign day. They held street stalls, delivered leaflets door-to-door and chatted to voters, to encourage them to back parties which want a People’s Vote, in the European Parliamentary elections on May 23.

Theresa May has tried and failed three times to get her Brexit plans passed by MPs. An extension to the Brexit deadline – granted by the European Union – until the end of October, means the UK is now taking part in the Euro elections, as a member of the EU.

As well as campaigning in Thame, events took place all over the country, with thousands of activists and supporters involved.

Roy Motteram, who is a spokesperson for the People’s Vote Campaign Thame, said: “Three years on from the EU Referendum, opinion polls show a majority of voters in most constituencies across Britain now want their say on any Brexit deal agreed by Parliament, and the UK would now vote to stay in the EU. LINK HERE

“That includes some people who voted leave in 2016, as well as those who voted remain, because they now see that the promises made in the last referendum cannot be delivered, that any Brexit deal will hit our economy, trade and influence, and that the UK’s negotiations over its future relationship with the EU would go on for years.

“As part of the government’s Brexit deal, the UK has agreed to pay a £50 billion divorce bill, but we will get nothing in return. Instead British people will lose the right to live, work or study visa-free around Europe. And following what would be the biggest single biggest loss of sovereignty and control in British history, we would continue to follow EU rules, but have no say over how they are made.”

Roy Motteram continued: “The People’s Vote Campaign is not a political party and it would be wrong for us to tell people which specific party to vote for. But we are supportive of those parties which have a manifesto commitment in these elections to the public having a final say on Brexit.

“Nigel Farage wants you to stay at home and not vote so he can win. There is a clear choice. If you believe in a modern, outward looking and inclusive country then get out and vote for a Pro-PV Party. Or don’t vote and let Farage and his isolationist, backwards vision for Britain win.

“A People’s Vote is not an option in this Brexit crisis, it is the solution to the crisis. Giving the public the final say is ultimately the only way to deliver a stable settlement that can command the confidence of both Parliament and the country.”he party supports the UK leaving the European Union without a formal withdrawal agreement and then trading with it on World Trade Organization terms until new trade deals can be agreed.

The Brexit view

The Brexit Party, which is currently the most popular anti-EU party, and is leading in the polls of voting intentions, supports the UK leaving the European Union without a formal withdrawal agreement and then trading with it on World Trade Organization terms until new trade deals can be agreed.

The Brexit party wants any MEPs it gets elected to take part in Brexit negotiations, and says it will not pay the £39bn financial settlement that the government has agreed to pay to the EU to settle existing debts and future obligations. It has stated that it will not publish a manifesto until after the EU Elections.

VISITORS to Thame will receive a colourful welcome to Thame following the installation of updated signs at each of town newly located Gateways. The previous signs were reaching the end of their life span, and other factors have motivated the town council to make this change.

Celebrating our Twin Towns

Town Cllr David Bretherton was keen to ensure that Sinaia, Thame’s Twin town in Romania, was represented on our Gateway signs alongside the already featured Montesson. The new sign design, with a separate panel for Twin Towns, will ensure that any future twinning can easily be added.

Including all Thame’s new housing developments

Thame has seen a lot of new homes built over the past few years. The new developments on Thame Park Road demanded a relocation of current signs to ensure that the estate entrances fell within these boundary locations. The relocation of signs along Aylesbury road, also means that visitors to Lea Park coming from this direction pass a Thame sign prior to entering the estate. A new sign will be installed on the Phoenix Trail to ensure that walkers and cyclists visiting the town receive the same, warm welcome – something previously overlooked.

Linking to our Town Flag and new branding

In 2017, Thame Town Council ran a competition for the creation of a new town flag, and the new Gateway signs reflect the colours contained in this new town lag – the colours also used for Thame Town Council’s branding. During the process of re-branding, the Town Council also modernized the historic town crest in its logo and this has also been included in the new signs. For more information about the flag and crest, and the symbols they contain visit LINK HERE

Putting Thame on the map

Because of where the previous signs were, commuters travelling past Thame from Aylesbury to Oxford could have no idea about the beautiful, historic market town that lies behind a fairly uninspiring ring-road. However the new location of the Gateway signs means that everyone travelling past will know they have arrived at Thame, and that it is a Historic Market Town. The hope is that it will encourage them to come in and visit the town, bringing more footfall to the town and support the local economy.

The existing boundary signs have colourful planters located under them (although some have been removed for various reasons over the years). These planters are also used as locations to advertise local events. Not all of the new Gateway signs are able to accommodate a planter which means that a separate project will be needed to establish the need for alternative planters and potential new locations.

So, it’s out with the old and in with the new, but don’t worry – if you miss our old signs, one will be making its way to Thame Museum as a memory of a Thame gone by. A visit will allow you to the opportunity, not only to see the old signs, but also to have a look at some of the other old memorabilia that celebrates Thame through the time. LINK HERE

COUNCILLOR Sue Cooper is the new Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council. She returned to the council last year after winning a by-election, having served on the council previously for many years. A Liberal Democrat, she represents her home ward of Benson and Crowmarsh and was elected as the Leader of the Council at the Annual Council Meeting on Thursday, May 16.

Cllr David Turner, also a Liberal Democrat, is Deputy Leader and Head of Finance. The new Chairman of South Oxfordshire District Council is Cllr David Bretherton, also a Liberal Democrat, who was voted in at the same meeting. His Vice-Chairman is Conservative, Cllr Elizabeth Gillespie.

Leader’s report

In her Leader’s Report to the Annual Council Meeting, Cllr Cooper said: “South Oxfordshire is a wonderful place for our residents to live, and likewise for people who come here for work or to visit, but we have some significant challenges ahead.

“I will be working with the cabinet to tackle the big issues affecting South Oxfordshire residents in new ways. This includes making sure housing and employment developments are more sustainable, as well as seeking out new ways to deliver truly affordable housing and helping to provide a boost to our market towns and villages so they’re a successful heart of their communities.”

She went on: “We are very pleased to be working closely in partnership with the Green party. And I am also grateful for the help of my seconds in command, David Turner from the Liberal Democrats and Sue Roberts from the Green Party.”

Response to the Climate Emergency

“During the last Council we declared a climate emergency, so we will need to find ways to make sure this is taken seriously during every decision we make. So we have created a new Cabinet position of Climate and Ecological Crisis Response, and it is this position that Sue Roberts, as well as supporting me, will take up. Unlike other Cabinet roles, CECR will look at all areas of the Council’s work and will, I hope, seek to engage with our residents more.”

District Local Plan review

“Many of us believe that we are here at least partially because of the District’s Local Plan. I have already been bombarded with people wanting to know what we are going to do about it. But I believe very strongly we need to take decisions based on facts. With so many new councillors we need to learn more about the background and data behind the Local Plan and the costs and implications of any alterations which are called for.” FULL REPORT HERE

Here is the list of councillors in the cabinet and the areas they’re covering:

Cllr Sue Cooper: Leader, Legal and Democratic, and Didcot Garden Town
Cllr David Turner: Deputy Leader and Finance
Cllr Sue Roberts: Climate and ecological crisis response, and support for the Leader
Cllr Pieter-Paul Barker: Partnership and Insight
Cllr Robin Bennett: Economic Development and Regeneration
Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers: Community Services
Cllr Andrea Powell: Corporate Services
Cllr Leigh Rawlins: Planning
Cllr David Rouane: Housing and Environment

Here are the appointments to Chair the council’s committees.

Planning committee

Chairman: Cllr Ian Snowdon
Vice-chairman: Cllr Peter Dragonetti

Scrutiny committee

Chairman: Cllr Ian White
Vice-chairman: Cllr Mocky Khan

Joint Scrutiny Committee

Co-Chairman: Cllr Ian White

Joint Audit and Governance Committee

Co-Chairman: Cllr Mocky Khan

General Licensing Committee and Licensing Acts Committee

Chairman: Cllr Anne-Marie Simpson
Vice-chairman: Cllr Leigh Rawlins

Community Grants Panel

Chairman: Cllr Sarah Gray

Appointments for the following committees will be made at their respective meetings:

Community Governance and Electoral Issues Committee
Joint Staff Committee
Appeals Panel

A young woman whose body was found in a field near Thame, died of hypothermia whilst meditating outside, the Oxford Coroner has said.

An inquest at Oxford Coroner’s Court heard how Daily Telegraph writer and artist, Florence Waters, 33, had recently become interested in a form of meditation called Vision Quest which involves a spiritual journey of going out into the wilderness to meditate.

Florence was last seen at her home in East Street, Oxford, shortly after 9am on Monday, November 19, 2018.

Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter, recording a narrative conclusion, said: “Florence Waters had a history of anxiety and depression but not suicidal ideation.

” There had been recent deterioration in her mental state and a change in behaviour. This includes an expressed desire to lay down and meditate outside.

“On November 19, she travelled to Thame town centre and on November 20, she was observed walking in fields near Weavers Branch, Thame.”

He continued: “On November 22, about 7:20pm, she was discovered in a ditch that bordered the field at Weavers Branch, the same field she was seen walking through on November 21.

“The medical cause of death is hypothermia, there was no evidence of third party or suspicious circumstances.

“It is likely that she laid down in the ditch to meditate or sleep but died due to hypothermia.”

Mr Salter offered the family his condolences.

A family statement read: “We are still in complete shock at what happened; heartbroken to lose our precious daughter and sister. So loved and so missed. She will always be with us.

“Finally we would like to thank everyone who helped with the search and attended to her subsequently.”

(Amendments in bold) THAME Town Councillor Ann Midwinter has been re-elected as Thame Mayor following a unanimous vote, and her new deputy is Cllr Paul Cowell.

Before making her Mayoral announcements to the newly elected Town Council, Cllr Midwinter announced her sadness at the departure of PSCO Diane Jackson who, after 15 years, was moving on to a new career, and of the death of resident Jean Mander who had received an award from the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, and the Town Council’s Thame Lifetime Achievement Award back in March this year.

Summing up her Mayoral year, Cllr Midwinter highlighted the work of the Thame Remembers group, the Thame Town Music Festival, the honour she felt at opening the new pavillion for Thame Town Cricket Club – also the new home of the Thame and District Day Centre, and made special reference to the Love Thame facebook group for their positive sharing of Thame life and in particular its production of a Thame Calendar, the sale of which raised money for her chosen charities.

After her election, Ann was given a present by the Town Clerk Graham Hunt, on behalf of the Councillors and Officers, and she in turn presented a cheque for £5,388 each to her two chosen charities for her last Mayoral year, Sharing Life Trust and Thame Youth Projects Group.

The Mayor’s chosen charity for this year is Thame Young Carers.

CROSS-PARTY discussions were held at a meeting in Benson on Saturday with regard to forming a new administration at South Oxfordshire District Council, whose annual meeting is to be held on Thursday, May 16.

It was agreed that a formal all-party Working Group would be formed to review the Local Plan 2034 and the practical, legal and financial implications of any possible alterations to it.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Benson, Sue Cooper, who voted against the plan in December 2018, said: “after these dramatic local election results, it’s only right that new councillors from all parties get the chance to look in detail at what is proposed in the Local Plan, so they can make a reasoned decision as to whether changes are necessary and what the consequences might be.”

Her fellow Benson councillor, the Green Party’s Andrea Powell, who ran a joint campaign with Cllr Cooper, said: “it was clear during the election campaign that over-development in our district is a major issue, but we must also take care to protect our area from the speculative development that happened under the previous council. This is the responsible way to proceed.”