Category: More News

THAME’S MP, Boris Johnson, has not ruled out the possibility of his name being put foward as the next Mayor of London, in 2008.
This afternoon, Boris issued the following statement:?Being Mayor of London would be a fantastic job and anyone who loves London would want to consider the possibility very carefully. I want to stress that this idea did not come from David Cameron or from anyone in his office but I have, of course, been very struck by the number of people who have been urging me to run. In my case, there are huge obstacles ? above all my commitment and responsibility to my constituency. It is hard to see how those difficulties could be overcome ? but I am ruling nothing out.?

See Link to BBC

LORD WILLIAMS’S LOWER SCHOOL, THAME, will remain closed for the rest of the week because of demoliton work taking place following the fire at the weekend.
Special arrangement for lessons to take place at the Upper school site, have been announced this afternoon. They are as follows:
? On Thursday, July 5, students in Years 8 and 9 will attend the Oxford Road site. At the beginning of the day at 8.30am, Year 8 will have an assembly in the Main Hall and Year 9 in the Sports Hall.
? On Friday, July 6, students in Years 7 and 9 will attend the Oxford Road site. At the beginning of the day at 8.30am, Year 7 will have an assembly in the Main Hall.
? Bus companies have been contacted to accommodate these changes.
? The Lower School timetable for students will be directly moved to Oxford Road.
? Information about work for students not at school will be posted on the school web site from tomorrow. Link here

? The Singer of the Year Competition has been moved to the Main Hall at Oxford Road and will take place at 7pm on Wednesday 4th July. Because of the change of venue there are only 150 tickets available. They are available on the evening so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

A THAME woman has raised over

THE victim of a stabbing at Milton Common, near Thame, has warned young people about the dangers of carrying knives after he was scarred for life.
Almost a year on from the attack, police are renewing their appeal for witnesses. A reward of

THE mental health charity, Oxfordshire Mind, is hoping to re-launch its rural transport service and reach its fundraising target of

TO celebrate Thomley Activity Centre’s fifth birthday, they are having a grand party. The invitation is: “Please come, in your best party outfit for a fun-filled day that the whole family will enjoy.”
There’ll be bouncy castles, jelly and ice cream, a B-B-Q, a magic show, the chance to make your own birthday badges and hats, a plant and cake stall, bric-a-brac sale, sporty competitions, a raffle with wonderful prizes plus lots more.
It is also hoped that the Centre’s Patron, Jeremy Irons, will be able to attend to cut the special birthday cake.

Thomley Activity Centre, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, Bucks. For further information phone 01844 338380 or email enquiries@thomleyhall.org. www.thomleyhall.org.

Photo: Party time at Thomely Hall Activity Centre

OXFORDSHIRE library-users can now log on to world-famous reference sites.
Statistics have shown that Oxfordshire library-users spent more than a thousand hours last year logging on to world famous resources.
The survey, carried out by Oxford University Press, looked at online access to a range of reference sites in more than 140 public library services over one year.
They found that out of the 1130 days spent time browsing online information through a public library service, Oxfordshire library members came out tops, spending more time online than the members of any other library service.

What were they looking at?

The sources they accessed included the Oxford English Dictionary Online (OED Online), the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford DNB), Grove Art Online, Grove Music Online, and Oxford Reference Online.

Oxfordshire County Council librarian, Katharine Spackman, said: “It’s just over a year since we started giving library-users access to a vast range of online information through Reference Online.

“The excitement and interest when we introduce people to the titles is huge, with the typical reaction being, ‘I’m going to tell my friends about this!’”

To use Reference Online, go to
the website

and type in your library membership number.

A NEW health walks booklet has been launched by Oxfordshire County Council – after the number of schemes in the county more than doubled in just three years.
The Directory of Health Walks Schemes in Oxfordshire lists contact details for the organisers of walks in 24 places across the county – compared to ten schemes when the first Directory was launched three years ago.

Health Walks – described as purposeful, brisk walks undertaken on a regular basis – are free and are a popular introduction to keeping fit for anyone in need of regular exercise. Usually about one or two miles long, they also provide an opportunity to meet people.

Where can I find a health walk scheme?

Health Walks are organised in: Abingdon, Banbury, Begbroke, Benson, Bicester, Botley, Carterton, Didcot, Faringdon, Goring, Henley, Hook Norton, Kennington, Kidlington, Kings Sutton, Milton Under Wychwood, Oxford (Blackbird Leys, Botley Road and Summertown), Sonning Common, Thame, Wantage & Grove, Witney, Woodstock.

Brian Conroy, a community development worker with Oxfordshire County Council, responsible for developing the Health Walks initiative across the county said: ?Health Walks have mushroomed across the county, so we have had to do a new booklet, but I?m not surprised. Walking is fantastic exercise and the Health Walks are a great way to make new friends.?

For a copy of the Directory of Health Walks Schemes in Oxfordshire, please call Brian Conroy, on 01993 704007 or email brian.conroy@oxfordshire.gov.uk

OXFORDSHIRE County Council library staff are urging young people to read through the summer holidays – and earn new trees for UK woods.
The Big Wild Read is the ninth national Summer Reading ChallengeTM, a massive reading promotion for 4 to 11-year-olds, run by libraries.

This year the Reading Challenge is linked to ‘Breathing Places’, an environmental campaign featured on TV programmes such as Springwatch and to the ‘Tree For All’ campaign, a children’s tree-planting project run by the Woodland Trust.

When a child joins the Big Wild Read scheme, they will receive a folder that includes scratch and sniff stickers as well as a free packet of wild flower seeds and other incentives.

Each time a child reads a book they will gain a tree token, meaning the more books children read, the more new trees will be planted by the Woodland Trust in a UK wood.

How many new trees will be planted?
Up to 20,000 new trees are expected to be planted in UK woods this Autumn as a result of the Big Wild Read campaign.
Library staff will encourage children in their reading and there will be lots of Big Wild Read events in libraries across the county. For details please check http://kidlib.oxfordshire.gov.uk or ring your library.

Carol Stitson, Oxfordshire County Council?s Children?s and Youth Librarian said: ?We hope as many local children as possible will join the Big Wild Read and enjoy a summer of reading.

?Libraries will help children explore the world of books, and find out how to make a difference to the environment. Parents and carers will find it?s a fun way to get their children reading and engaging with nature in the long summer break!?

See also:
www.bigwildread.org.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces
www.treeforall.org.uk

A County Councillor has expressed her fear that propsed changes in the way Housing Benefit is calculated will see local people worse off.
Cllr Dorothy Brown, who lives in Towersey, and represents Aston Rowant, is the Cabinet Member responsible for housing. She is concerned because The Rent Service (the government agency that provides a rental valuation service to local authorities and is part of the Dept of Work and Pensions)proposes to determine a Local Allowance that links this area with those in Aylesbury where rent levels are much lower.
The proposed changes, due to come into force from April next year, could mean that Housing Benefit levels will go down for Thame and Chinnor and recipients will not be able to rent in the private sector in these two areas, as their benefit will no longer cover the full market rent.
The county council fears that this could have serious implications, not only for the individuals concerned but also for the Council in meeting government targets on homelessness.
Cllr Dorothy Brown is quoted as saying:”These proposals will have a serious impact on vulnerable households who will not be able to afford to rent in Thame and Chinnor. Many of these people rely on local networks for support and will not be able to move to areas where rents are cheaper.
“This will lead to a reintroduction of temporary accommodation at a much higher cost to the Council.?

The Council has held meetings with the Rent Service to try and get this proposal changed and says that it will be writing to Boris Johnson, the MP for Thame and Chinnor, to ask him to take this issue up with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.