FIRE Crews from Oxford, Kidlington and Thame have been dealing with a field fire just off the A329 near Great Milton which is now under control. Four crews were called to the incident which began just after 14:15 approx this afternoon, and were able to work with the farmers who swiftly cut a fire break to prevent it spreading further.
Image courtesy of Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service
Thames Valley Police assisted with traffic management. The A329 road to Milton was still closed at around 8pm this evening, but it was possible to reach Thame via Great Haseley.
ON Saturday, July 14, Racquets Fitness Centre, Thame, hosted another of its popular One Day Squash Tournaments, welcoming children of all standards and ages to come along and participate in some competitive match play.
Malakai Davison, aged just 7, and already a winner!
Seventeen children competed across three mini tournaments, with the players ranging from 7 to 16 years-old. This was most definitely the closest competition held to date with very few matches being won in straight sets. For many of the kids this was their first tournament, and a great way for them to put all their training into practice, and for their parents to see them play a ‘proper’ match!
Having a variation of age and standard within the same tournament gave our more experienced juniors the opportunity to mentor the younger players and support them throughout the day. Squash coach, Chloe Marshall, emphasised: “These events provide invaluable lessons to all of our junior players, particularly our youngest competitors who are constantly learning and developing – physically, socially, mentally and emotionally!” This tournament demonstrated just how important it is for children to experience situations where they are feeling under pressure, and figuring out how to deal with their emotions when things are out of their control and not going their way.
“These are common challenges of not only sports competitions, but many other areas of children’s everyday lives such as friendships and school tests. Racquets Fitness Centre proudly nurtures their junior squash players, focusing on developing their players using a holistic approach. ”
A big ‘well done’ to everyone that took part in the tournament at the weekend, particularly 7 year-old Malakai Davison who won his group, even though this was his first competitive competition in squash! Malakai didn’t have a straight forward journey to the gold medal but with a positive attitude, and his eyes on the prize, he managed to keep a cool head and secure the win.
The eventual final saw Malakai beat 16 year-old newbie, Jasmine, 2-1.
THE Chilterns Conservation Board, based in Chinnor, has published its annual review for 2016/17 highlighting the key achievements in caring for the Chilterns and supporting local communities to make the most of the many benefits the beautiful area offers.
Beacon Hill, Image credit: Richard Gillin
Some of the key achievements, which are only possible because of the support it receives from central and local government as well as public donations and volunteers, include:
Beacons of the Past – a four-year project to explore and conserve Chilterns Hillforts, commenced this year, with a focus on increasing and enhancing public engagement and education
The Chilterns Walking Festival, in its second year, which has gone from strength to strength, promoting healthy recreation and encouraging new and existing walkers of all abilities to explore the precious landscape
The development of the biggest conservation and engagement project in the Central Chilterns to date has been The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs: Central Chilterns Landscape Partnership Scheme. This is a partnership of over 30 organisations which will deliver 18 community, wildlife and heritage projects. If successful with the Heritage Lottery Fund and with raising the match-funding, the Scheme will bring a total investment of around £2.8 million to the Chilterns.
Spokesperson for the Chilterns Board, Vicki Pearce, said: “This year the Board will build on these successes to achieve even more for the Chilterns and its communities. We are currently working on a Food, Drink and Crafts bid which builds on the successful ‘Taste the Chilterns’ initiative. We are also working hard to get the best possible mitigation on new developments in the landscape and providing expert planning advice which helps secure long-term protection for the AONB. (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).”
The Board relies heavily on public assistance and engagement and is actively seeking the support, no matter how small, of volunteers across all projects. If you would like to get involved in helping to care for the Chilterns or to find out more information about the opportunities available please contact Vicki Pearce, Communications Officer at vpearce@chilternsaonb.org or call 01844 355 500.
THAME Remembers, the project which has spent the last four years researching the names on the town’s War Memorial and visiting their last resting places across four continents, will be marking the end of the project, and commemorating those who died, in a very special production at Thame Players Theatre in November.
At the end of August 1914, the local paper at the time carried a report of ten men from Thame who had taken themselves off to Cowley Barracks to sign on for active service. Inspired by research from the Thame Remembers project and written by Thame Town Councillor and author, Catherine Jones, ‘Ten Tommies from Thame’ will be performed by members of the Thame community.
The production will mark the centenary of the WW1 Armistice, by telling their story of Ten Tommies from Thame, following them from their civilian occupations in our quiet market town, on to their training with the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, and through their WW1 exploits on the Western Front, ending with an emotional homecoming – for those who made it back to Thame.
‘Ten Tommies from Thame’ is a re-telling of a part of our local history and promises to be a unique evening’s entertainment. With two performances on November 9, and 10, tickets, priced at just £6, are now available through www.thameplayers.co.uk or from Spear Travels, Greyhound Walk, Thame (01844 217228).
Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Thame, sometime between 09.07.18 (23:00) and 10.07.18 (07:00) at a property in Marston Road.
Entry was gained via a rear door and a car stolen. Anyone who may have seen any suspicious looking vehicles or people in the area or have any information relating to this message, is asked to call the police via the 24 hour non- emergency telephone number 101.
Alternatively, if you have any information but wish to remain anonymous, please call crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online @ crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
THAME’S Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve is being used as a dog’s toilet, says Thame Town Council, and is appealing for owners to please clean up after their pets.
The appeal came following an agenda item on Tuesday’s Community Leisure and Recreation Committee to note a report from the Town Council’s Open Spaces Working Group, that measures were being taken to tackle dog fouling.
Whilst there are no particular hot-spots for dog fouling in the Thame, ‘targeted notices’ are being placed on ordinary litter bins, including those in Cuttlebrook, telling dog owners that they can use them for bagged dog waste.
“Some people seem to think that they can treat the nature reserve as if they were out in the open countryside,” said the Town Cerk, Graham Hunt.
“It is difficult to change the irresponsible behaviour of a small number of people,” said Cllr Nigel Champken Woods, “but hopefully these notices will help.”
THAME’S Community Policing team have reported a sharp increase in thefts from motor vehicles during the past two months.
Offender breaking into a parked car (for illustrative purposes only)
They are advising people not to leave valuables on view and to be especially mindful when parking in remote locations or busy areas that there is a possibility that you may be being observed whilst you place all your items of value in the boot of your vehicle.
• Always ensure that items of value are not left on display.
• Try and place any valuable items in the boot before reaching your destination or take them with you.
• Do not leave electronic devices in sleep mode or on standby in your vehicle. They can be detected!
• Be mindful that you could be being watched.
• Ensure that your vehicle is actually locked by trying the door handles. Key fob blockers are available online.
• Be vigilant and report any suspicious people or vehicles by calling 101
NOTE: You can read more about policing priorities and actions for our neightbourhood, including Anti-social behaviour, and burglaries, HERE
THAME’S town partnership, 21st Century Thame, is looking for new blood, people with ‘new ideas and vision’ and particularly for a volunteer to sort out the very successful Thame Equipment Bank’s website.
Today, 21st Century Thame, which has been responsible for initiating Thame Food Festival, Thame’s Blue Plaques, the Thame Walking and Cycling Map and other leaflets, a Shop Fronts Improvement scheme, organising Thame Carnival, running Thame Tidy Day, supporting events such as Thame Town Music Festival and Midsomer Murders Tours, campaigning for Thame’s success in the Great British High Street Awards and Small Business Saturday and much more, has issued the following appeal:
“21st Century Thame is a group of volunteers who work in partnership with Thame Town Council and SODC to ensure the vibrancy of our town. It relies on an abundance of volunteers to continue to run the ongoing projects as well as initiating new ones.
“Before 21st Century Thame was founded various studies were undertaken which showed that Thame was a town used by local people for their weekly convenience shopping. Today Thame is a destination for visitors from far afield and is visited by locals for pleasure as well as necessity.
“Although 21st Century Thame can’t claim responsibility for everything that has given rise to this, it has initiated many projects which have developed into well known, massive events and continue to run other initiatives which support much of the activities that keep Thame an interesting place for everyone.
“As ever we are looking for new blood. We need some people with vision and great new ideas. And we need some people willing to run with those great new ideas. Of course, we also need some people to take over the initiatives which continue to support the ongoing activities.
“In particular – today – we are looking for someone with a specialist skill and a little time – the www.thameequipmentbank.co.uk website was hacked a few years ago and it was rebuilt. But it is still on a black list which means that some potential hirers are warned off the site. Those involved in the equipment bank have not found the time to sort this out – can you ?
“Please do contact us if you can help us with this – contact admin@thame4me.co.uk”
OXFORDSHIRE Fire Service is warning people to take extra care with outdoor fires during this hot, dry spell of weather, after they were called to an incident at Bernwood Forest, Oakley, near Thame, yesterday.
Image courtesy of photographer Simon Jones and Brill Firefighters (For illustrative purposes only)
When crews arrived at 08:30 am to the scene, the fire appeared to be almost extinguished but after further investigations by crews it was found to be burning well under a dense layer forest grassland. Crews acted quickly to uncover the extent of the fire by cutting away the surrounding vegatation and used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire before it spread any further.
Incident Commander, Crew Manager Dan Shepherd said, “When crews arrived we were faced with a fire that was well developed, but was difficult to see due to the surrounding vegetation. Luckily a passer-by saw small amounts of smoke and acted quickly calling the fire service otherwise we could’ve faced a much larger incident and a rapidly developing fire, with lots of fuel around it, in what is a protected nature reserve. We believe this was caused by a camp fire left unattended.
He added: “Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that extra care should be taken when having outdoor fires, especially during summer heatwaves. Some local areas have specific campfire areas and these should always be used. Care should also be taken when disposing BBQ’s and members of the public should make sure these are fully extinguished and cold before throwing them away or leaving them unattended.”
NOW that pupils at Lord Williams’s School in Thame, have completed their GCSEs, the school’s Headteacher, David Wybron, has decided to speak out against what he is calling ‘a perfect storm’ for education.
David Wybron
In a statement today, Mr Wybron said: “Over the last month, students at Lord Williams’s and thousands of state schools across the country have been ploughing through the new GCSE examinations. Some of them have had 26 examinations! The Department for Education has confirmed to the school that these are the ‘very best’ qualifications and that the IGCSEs which some of our students did in English and Mathematics two years ago, lacked the same rigour. It therefore staggers me that independent schools are having nothing to do with the new GCSEs.
Students attending our leading independent schools can still do coursework and end-of-course assessments which are less memory based and content heavy. The Department has informed the school that our students, despite taking harder examinations, will not be disadvantaged in terms of grades but, I ask:
Why should state school students be put under greater examination pressures than their independent school peers?
Why should state schools be penalised in league table positions if they pursue the same courses as students in our independent schools?
What are we going to do about increasing numbers being put off further study in English and other hitherto popular options?
Recruitment crisis
“Another feature of the storm is the recruitment crisis affecting our schools,” continued Mr Wybron. “The Department for Education has missed its target for recruiting to initial teacher training for the last five years. (According to TES analysis the country needs an additional 47,000 secondary teachers by 2024 to cope with the huge increase in the number of secondary school pupils.) Recruitment is getting harder, year on year. We accept the challenge of being pro-active in our recruitment strategies and we are very pleased with the calibre of teachers appointed at Lord Williams’s from overseas. What is incredibly frustrating, however, are the immigration controls which are making it very difficult to appoint the best overseas teachers.
“This school supports the ‘Let Them Teach’ campaign and requests that, as it has done with health workers recently, the Government changes its policy and allows teachers in all subject disciplines to be added to the ‘shortage occupation list’. (Currently teachers in a handful of subjects – Maths, Physics, Computer Science and Mandarin are listed as shortage occupations, which are prioritised for visas every month)
“And to fuel the storm we have the ongoing issue of funding. Alongside many others, this school faces huge financial challenges. Staffing costs and inflation are set to rise and we have to replace the heating system at our Oxford Road site. Funding per student is set to increase but because the Government has set a 3% cap on how much well-funded authorities would lose in the new funding formula, students at Lord Williams’s will be receiving over £1,000 less per head than students in well-funded authorities and this is before additional funding is added for deprivation.
Appeal for ‘fairness’ and ‘honesty’
“There are some very concrete things that need to be done. My appeal is for fairness in terms of recognising that it is not acceptable to put students in state schools under additional pressures and that a rethink of examination content and structures is vital. The obsession with prescribing so much content in the new GCSEs appears political; it certainly isn’t for educational reasons and moves us away from the skills our students need in the 21st Century and certainly away from the skills businesses are requesting.
“Schools should have the option of which GCSE courses they pursue but there should not be any ‘league table’ penalty if they choose IGCSEs. It is also an appeal for honesty in terms of the state of teacher recruitment and a request for education to be treated in the same way as health in terms of visa applications and visa extensions, so that schools at least have a chance to recruit the teachers they want. With regards finance, I am not sure if anyone is really listening in Government.”
Mr Wybron confirmed to Thame.Net that he is writing to Thame’s MP, John Howell, about the concerns raised in his statement.
