Category: More News

The Oxfordshire Branch of the RSPCA, which is legally and financially separate from the National Society and receives no financial assistance from them, would like to reform
Local member, Judith Garvey, said: “The only assistance and money we receive is that provided and raised by local Oxfordshire people! This does mean that money raised in Oxfordshire goes to help Oxfordshire animals.
“We are currently looking for local people who want to help local animals by helping to reform the Oxfordshire Branch.
“If you would like to help with fundraising ? say organize an event; becoming the coordinator for static collecting boxes; producing a newsletter; assisting with clerical work; helping to form a committee; raising awareness of National RSPCA campaigns; or fostering animals in your own home then please contact Judith Garvey on 01869 340329 or email judithgarvey@fsmail.net.”

Coming Soon – Chinnor and Thame Friends of the Earth’s Christmas Green Fayre.
Place: Thame Town Hall
Date and time: Saturday 26th November, 10am to 4pm.
Featuring: local crafts and goods, fair-trade products, colourful and interesting stalls, toy and baby equipment exchange, FREE children’s Christmas activities.

Make your own: you can also make some Christmas gifts yourself.

Refreshments: FOE will be providing free mulled wine and mince pies, and serving rolls, tea and coffee and organic home-made cakes.

Recycle: Recycle more unusual items such as old spectacles, mobile phones, batteries, foil and unwanted tools.

Support the campaigns: See the display of current local and global environmental issues, add your name to the list of those who want to slow down climate change and save the orangutang threatened by disappearing forests.

Something for everyone – A way to enjoy yourself and, at the same time, do something this Christmas to make the world a better place.
ADMISSION FREE

SODC?s Tories fail in Planning Enforcement.

PARISH and Town Councillors, as well as those at the District level, devote many hours of service carrying out local consultations in respect to every planning application referred to them. But to what avail? The Council has allowed its enforcement service to languish with a hopelessly inadequate staffing compliment, despite budgeting the resources for a team of officers.

This blatant lapse in council service has allowed SODC to become the laughing stock of cynical developers who know full well that breaches of planning permissions will be met with a blind-eye by the authorities. Meanwhile, conscientious citizens continue to follow the rules at their own cost.

The Liberal Democrats are currently informed that of a backlog of 900 outstanding cases, 40% are considered ?not worth pursuing? which leaves a mountainous 500 plus cases to be determined.
To avoid a culture of total contempt it is essential that vigorous action be seen to be forthcoming from SODC. When it is evident that blatant breaches of planning law are overlooked Councillors feel that their involvement in the planning process is entirely in vain.

The Liberal Democrat Opposition Group has been campaigning for action for the last year and the inaction of the ruling Tory group gives rise to questions: Are they simply ideologically opposed to the control of development, or, are they so blinkered by their obsessive penny pinching that they cannot see the reality of their inaction?

Cllr. David Turner
Leader SODC Liberal Democrat Group

The Green Party is encouraging people to report car drivers they see using a mobile phone whilst driving.
The Green’s call follows a survey in ‘What Car’ magazine which revealed that up to 40% of drivers admit to the illegal use of a handheld mobile phones whilst driving.

Green Party campaigner and West Oxford resident, Dr. Athene Reiss,said: “You are four times more likely to have a road accident when you’re on a mobile
phone. If nearly half of people admit to talking and driving, then this will lead to a significant increase in injuries and deaths on the road.”

Only recently the Greens had warned about the trivialisation of mobile phone use whilst driving, by Jeremy Clarkson who nonetheless was awarded an
honorary degree by Oxford Brookes University for being, amongst other things, a ‘role model’ for students.

A CHRISTMAS SALE, between now and Christmas, is operating at St Mary’s Church, Thame’s bookshop.
On sale are books, cards, candles, CDs etc., most selling at half price or less.
The shop will be open every week day between 11am and 4pm, and between 11am and 1.30pm on Sundays.
Phone 01844 237539 for more details.

INTRUDERS who ripped a gate off its hinges to gain access to a garden in Wheatley, apparently used a heavy instrument to damage three railway sleepers and garden furniture.
Anyone who may have information about the incident, which occurred between 1pm and 5pm on Thursday, October 27, is asked to contact the Police Enquiry Line on 0845 585 05505, or speak to someone anonymously on the Crime Stoppers number, 0800 555111.

AS from today, Monday October 31, the general public have greater rights to explore the Chilterns countryside.

The Open Access rights will allow people to walk and enjoy informal recreation in designated areas, without having to stick to public rights of way. People will be able to enjoy activities such as sightseeing, picnicking, climbing, birdwatching and running. However the new system isn?t a general right to walk everywhere or undertake any activity. Access land can only be entered on foot, dogs must be kept on a lead between March and July, and many activities such as cycling or horse-riding aren?t allowed.

Annette Venters, Strategic Access Officer for the Chiltern Conservation Board said:
?The new Rights provide opportunities to explore some of the best Chilterns countryside, including chalk downland and Common Land. The access authorities are working hard to improve access and information at some of these sites?.

The Chilterns Conservation Board are expecting a big turnout at their annual Access Conference, with the main theme this year being ?Open Access, Making it Work?. The one-day Conference, on Wednesday 2nd November will be looking at the implementation of Open Access in the Chilterns and at the opportunities arising from the Rights of Way Improvement Plans in the region.

To celebrate the arrival of the new Open Access Rights a number of Rambling Groups are organising walks on new access land.
To find out where the new Open Access areas are in the Chilterns and to check on your new Rights and Responsibilities see www.openaccess.gov.uk

THAME POLICE are warning drivers not to leave valuables on display in parked vehicles, following two thefts in one night.
Overnight on Thursday, October 20, a lap top computer was taken from the passenger-side footwell of a BMW car, by thieves who smashed the rear, off-side window to gain entry into the vehicle.
On the same night, a projector was stolen from a Audi. Both vehicles were parked in the car park of The Belfry Hotel at Milton Common.

Anyone with any information about either of these incidents is asked to contact the police enquiry line on: 0845 850 5505, or speak to an officer anonymously at Crime Stoppers on: 0800 555111

THIS picture, send in by a near-by resident, shows the aftermath of an accident on the Thame by-pass on Saturday afternoon.
A trailer, being towed by the maroon vehicle parked on the grass verge, became detached and was run into by the white lorry seen in the centre of the scene.
Although there were traffic queues for some time, no one was injured in the accident.

THAMES Valley Police has today re-iterated its stance on policing the new Hunting Act.
Insp Pete Downing, from the Headquarters Operations Department, said: ?We are well aware that the whole spectrum of hunting activities remain sensitive issues in our rural areas and within hunting communities.
?We have met with all the hunts in the Force area, as well as anti-hunt groups and I am confident that the former have changed their activities to comply with the law. We have also re-examined our own policy to ensure that the policing of hunts continues to be as balanced and reasonable as possible.
?However, illegal hunting will continue to be treated as wildlife crime and any allegations will be robustly investigated.
?We encourage anyone to contact police if they see an illegal hunt taking place, but it is very important that people do not jump to conclusions ? wearing scarlet jackets and exercising hounds is not illegal, neither is trail hunting. If people see hounds and people on horseback, it does not necessarily mean that an illegal activity is taking place. But if an animal is being pursued then you should contact police.?

Anyone with information about illegal hunting should contact the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505505, or if you don?t want to speak to officers or leave your name contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

You can also report any crime at your local police station.