Category: More News

THAME Town Council is becoming increasingly frustrated with, what one Councillor has described as, it ‘hitting beaurocratic buffers’ in attempting to move forward the town council’s actions and policies for the town.

 

 

A meeting of the town council’s Neighbourhood Continuity Committee (NPCC) last night, Tuesday, May 22, discussions around the town council’s Sports Strategy, buses, the future of the Cattlemarket site, future housing numbers for Thame and progress towards a Community Land Trust to provide affordable housing, drew expressions of extreme frustration with the district and county councils, and government departments, obstructing progress in these areas.

Money for sports clubs held up

Important questions that need answering about spending money already allocated for Thame’s new sports facilities, including the new cricket club pavilion, money for the swimming and hockey clubs, and new changing rooms at the rugby club, are still awaiting an answer – after seven changes of the officer responsible at South Oxfordshire District Council!

Cllr Helena Fickling said: “Because of continual changes in personnel, we seem always to be taking one step forward and two back! It some cases, it seems to be a case of a higher up level of obfuscation and obstruction.”

One piece of positive news was shared by the Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer, Graeme Markland, who had written to the new, relevant Officer at SODC about items in the methodology of the Thame Sports Strategy, and had received a response asking ‘how can we help you?’ and a meeting has been set up.

Transport projects delayed

In a verbal report from the Transport Plan Working Group of the NPCC, the Town Clerk, Graham Hunt, said that the town council was receiving more and more suggestions from the public about what the council should be doing, such as a 20mph speed limit on the estates, speed limits on the Ring Road, pot-holes, unblocking footpaths etc, but it, the town council, needed resources from Oxfordshire County Council to do some of these things.”

The NPCC Chair, Cllr Bob Austin, said: “There seems to be no coherent plan from OCC; all we can do is keep a list.”

Referring to investigations into the provision of a local, ‘Hopper bus’ for the town, Cllr Bob Austin said: “It would seem that we are faced with lethargy from Oxfordshire County Council over the Hopper bus. We are being held up by the lack of action by others.”

Future of  Thame Cattlemarket site

It was reported from the Community Facilities Working Group (CFWG) that the relevant department at SODC had been chased ‘yet again’ about future plans for the Thame Cattlemarket site, once the cattle market moves out when its lease on the site ends. In response to a comment that there were rumours of SODC making unilateral decisions about the site, Cllr David Dodds, who is also a district councillor, responded: “Nothing has been decided about the Cattlemarket at district council level to my knowledge.” (SODC’s current Local Plan includes ‘ a mixed-use development on the cattle market’)

Cllr Mary Stiles said that some members of CMag (Cattle Market Action Group) who have been lobbying for a large community centre-type facility on the site, had visited Community Centres at Chesham and Radley to see what provision other towns had provided for their communities.

Slower progress for revised Neighbourhood Plan 

On the subject of the revision of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan, Thame Town Council says it, and other parish councils with which it has been sharing problems and ideas, faces ‘frustration’ over a lack of information sharing by SODC Officers and the stalling of the completion of the district council’s Local Plan to 2033 (delayed by a possible revision of housing numbers and a re-appraisal of SODC’s preferred sites for housing developments).

Expressway

Following a recent meeting with other parishes and lobby groups concerned about the route of the government’s proposal for a new Oxford to Cambridge Express Way, Thame Town Council representatives that attended spoke of their surprise that that neither they, nor most of the other parishes at the meeting, had heard anything about a consultation exercise that was apparently carried out two years ago. Ian Stewart MP was at the meeting as the Government’s ‘Expressway Champion’ to hear questions and idea about the proposal. (His full title is Government Champion for the Oxford-Milton Keynes- Cambridge Arc and member of Transport Select Committee)

This lack of inclusion in a consultation constituted ‘a serious mis-communication’ suggested Cllr Bob Austin, presumably held up at District Council level, having failed to ‘trickle down’ to the parishes. Whether this had been deliberate or not, he was unsure. Cllr David Dodds reiterated Iain Stewart’s reassurance that there are currently no plans for a route and that it was unlikely to go South of the area because it must include Milton Keynes.

Spanner in the works for Thame’s affordable homes ambitions

Finally in this litany of frustration at delays and non-communication from above, came a report that Thame’s ambition to form a Community Trust and build affordable homes for local people, had ground to a halt because the release of funding agreed by SODC for a ‘Needs Analysis’ for such a project had been held up for several weeks because of a change of personnel in SODC’s Housing Team.

“We now have new people to convince of our case. It’s very frustrating,” said Cllr Bob Austin. “We wait and hope for a positive response. Meanwhile, we can see from the planning applications coming in that local people are trying to create homes within the bounds of their own properties in Thame for their relations.

“It may be that we will have to do this ourselves or may be even get together with other towns.”

High cost of living locally affecting personnel retainment

District and Town Cllr, David Dodds explained: “There is a new chief executive at South Oxfordshire District Council who is restructuring all departments at the council. Some Officers have left; there always has been a big turnover at SODC, partly due I suspect to the high expense of living in the area having to work at Milton Park. It is very difficult for some people.”

THAMES Valley Police is warning residents in the Thame area to be vigilant following a series of courier fraud incidents, which have involved offenders posing as police officers.

 

 

Scams are constantly changing and becoming ever more complex and harder to spot. Fraudsters are very convincing and recent reports in the Thame area have seen them requesting your assistance to ‘help catch a thief.’

On Friday, May 11, an 80-year-old female resident in Thame received a phone call from a man claiming he was a Superintendent from the Metropolitan Police, advising her that there had been a fraudulent transaction on her account and £4,800 had been withdrawn. The man went on to say that this attempt had been intercepted and all funds had been returned to the victims account. He then suggested to the victim she should call 999 so that she could be satisfied that she was not being scammed.

Offenders will often use this call-back trick to gain your trust, leading you to believe you have ended one call and redialled a new number. However, the offender merely leaves the line open so unfortunately you are still speaking to the original fraudster.

The victim was then asked to withdraw £4,600 from a bank on Thame High Street so that the bank notes could be checked to see if they were counterfeit. The offenders then arranged to collect the cash from the victim’s house using a code word.

It is unlikely that this money will ever be recovered.

Another Thame resident received a phone call on Friday, April 20, telling them that they owed a large amount of unpaid tax from a previous year. They were warned that if it was not paid immediately a warrant would be executed for their arrest. The victim was understandably very frightened. They were instructed not to contact any third parties, especially the police, and briefed on how to engage with bank staff.

The victim attended the bank on three separate occasions and transferred over £12,000 to the fraudsters account before bank staff became suspicious. Bank staff then contacted the police who were able to stop two of the transactions. As a result, most of the funds were retrieved.

There is a Banking Protocol where banks have agreed to notify the police of all suspicious and out of character withdrawals made by individuals, but fraudsters are attempting to avoid this detection by briefing victims with bogus stories. Fraudsters will often have access to genuine, large corporation bank accounts with worldwide links where fraudulent funds are moved and transferred undetected across the world at the press of a button.

Your bank or the police would never ask you to meet them at a location and hand over money or anything valuable.

Your bank or the police will never call you asking you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick up your card by courier. Hang up if you get a call like this.

If you have any doubts regarding the legitimacy of the call please disconnect your telephone at the wall, plug the phone back in and call 101.

For more advice about how to protect yourself against fraud and identity theft from Thames Valley Police please visit the LINK HERE

 

THAME Paper Boy, Dominic Mutero, met with town councillors and sponsors of the Thame Town Awards on Wednesday, May 16, to receive his Service with a Smile Town Award, at a unique location for award presentations!

As Dominic had been unable to attend the Town Awards ceremony earlier this month, his award presentation by the Mayor of Thame, Ann Midwinter, took place at Atalay’s Kebab Van in Thame, the Atalay family being the sponsors of the Service With A Smile award this year. Resul Atalay also presented him with a voucher to celebrate the Town Award’s tenth birthday this year.

Family and friends of Dominic came along to celebrate, along with Thame Town Cllrs Dyer and Champken-Woods, and Annette from The Chocolate Box, where Dominic works.

Dominics citation read: “Dominic was described as having an admirable work ethic by his customers – unfailingly reliable, polite and always smiling. As a newspaper-deliverer for The Chocolate Box in Thame, he completes his newspaper round in all weathers (including in this winter’s snow) before going to college and almost never misses a round or runs late. Furthermore, he goes above and beyond expectations to help his customers where he can.”

Ataly’s Kebab Van is itself familiar with Award ceremonies, having won twice in two years for its owners, the UK Kebab Van of the Year Award !

WHILST debate over Brexit rages on over much of the country, here in Thame French and English people were enjoying a weekend of culture-sharing, fun and friendship.

After 17 years, the twinning between Thame and the Parisean suburb of Montesson, in France, reached a milestone on Sunday, May 13, when a delegation from the two towns, including a teacher from John Hampden primary school, met to launch a twinning partnership between JHS, and a primary school in Montesson.

Plans were set in motion to welcome some of the pupils and families of the Thame school to visit the Montesson stall at the lights switch-on event in Thame at the end of November, and in the future to hopefully organise exchanges of emails, drawings, photographs and music CDs between the two towns’ schools, and even for skyping sessions.

The inaugural meeting, which took place in Costa Coffee, included Laura McRonald, who teaches French at John Hampden School, the Mayor of Montesson, Jean Francois Bel and his wife Andrée, Huguette Fouché, a Deputy Mayor of Montesson, the Deputy Mayor of Thame and Chair of the Thame and District twinning Association, Linda Emery, the President of the Montesson Twinning Committee, Anne Gillet, Phillipa Town of the group, Thame for Europe, Elisabeth Charriere who works with students of English at the Montesson primary school, her partner Michael Gitlin and Sonja Francis.

The group from Montesson arrived by coach on Friday evening (May 11), to be greeted by their Thame host families before going home with them to share an evening meal, and to bed to rest for a busy weekend of activities. These included a guided tour of the Oxford Colleges in the morning on Saturday, before eating a packed lunch in the old Court Room, courtesy of the staff of Oxford Town Hall.

During the tour of the winding, narrow lanes that the visitor to Oxford rarely sees, the visitors were shown the Radcliffe Camera, the Sheldonian Theatre and library, Brasenose College where David Cameron was educated, the house of Halley – of Comet fame, and most of the famous colleges that make up Oxford University.

Later that evening, a meal together and a Barn dance was organised in the stunning medieval barn attached to Towersey Manor, courtesy of Marie Jean Barnett. English traditional barn-dancing proved to be quite challenging for the French – and many of the English too! But everyone had great fun trying!! The band, TRACTION provided the music and the ‘caller’ showed great patience and tact towards his pupils!

And, did you know? The expression ‘Do-si-do’ in barn dancing, actually originates from the French ‘dos à dos’ meaning ‘back-to-back’ ?

A cake, celebrating three significant birthdays among the two twinning groups, was made by Norma Laver of A Piece of Cake in Thame, who with her husband, David, a staunch supporter of Thame Twinning, mingled with the guests, mysteriously closely resembling the royal couple, due to marry next Saturday!

 

Anne Gillet, speaking on behalf of the Montesson contingent, said: “Everybody – unanimously- spent an amazing weekend; rich with joy, friendship, discoveries and much fun!

“Every moment was just perfectly organised and the dance evening was a real highlight! In the coach we all shared our recollections of barn dancing. That was just fantastic !!! The dinner was excellent and the atmosphere so great. We’re looking very much forward to coming next year again ! On the shuttle back home, we shared pieces of Norma’s wonderful and delicious EU cake!”

In September, members and friends of Thame and District Twinning Association will make the return visit to Montesson for a weekend that will include festivities for the annual fête du pâté à la Carmen.

Linda Emery, for Thame Twinning, was delighted with the way the weekend went, and said: “There have been many links between the residents of Thame and Montesson over the last 17 years; this is the first time we have had a Barn dance! We danced away to a wonderful ceilidh band for most of the evening and apparently, our guests are already talking about coming back next year!”

For more information about Thame and District Twinning Association, go to here LINK HERE

A man from Thame, who spent time in prison after an incident in a Thame pub, has been awarded compensation from the police regarding, what he described as ‘an unlawful search’of his vehicle.

 

Peter Butler, formally of Glenham Road, Thame, was found guilty of Actual Bodily Harm (ABH), and two counts of common assault in March 2016.

On January 24, 2016, Mr Butler’s vehicle was parked in a private car park in Swan Walk, Thame. A police officer, PC Aaron Walker, was handed a car key that belonged to Mr Butler, that had been dropped during an incident in the Swan Hotel, Thame. He then went to Mr Butler’s vehicle, entered and carried out a full search without Mr Butlers knowledge or authority.

Mr Butler said: “when I was handed back my car keys by Thames Valley Police I was shocked to find when I went to pick it up that it had been ransacked with the belongings that where in a locked glove compartment all across the front seat and foot well. The boot has also been searched and my property disturbed. PC Aaron Walker had admitted searching my car although he had no authorisation, nor lawful reason to do so. I informed the Chef Constable of Thames Valley Police that I was prepared to take legal action for trespass and seek compensation.”

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson told Thame.Net: “We compensated Mr Butler £150 but did not accept liablity.”

Previous police apology

Back in In March 2017, Mr Butler complained to Thames Valley Police, saying that there were various inaccuracies in a press release they issued after Mr Butler’s sentencing, which stated that Mr Butler had punched a woman in the head ‘multiple times’.

In November 2017, Thames Valley Police responded to the complaint, accepting that PC Walker’s comment (that Mr Butler had punched a woman in the head multiple times), was “a wrong choice of words.”

Mr Butler was not satisfied with the outcome of Thames Valley Police’s investigation into his complaint, and mounted an appeal.

In December 2017, Thames Valley Police rejected Mr Butler’s appeal, but stated: “It has been accepted that a mistake was made in this matter, in the wording of the press release, and that the service provided to you has fallen short of that which I would expect, for which I offer my apologies.”

Whilst Thames Valley Police did not accept that there was any evidence of deliberate misconduct by PC Walker, they confirmed that ‘strong words of advice’ had been given to him.

UPDATE – 10pm – The outgoing Mayor of Thame has sent a message to the people of Thame relevant to this report. Cllr Tom Wyse, through Thame.Net, said:  “I would like to thank all the lovely people of Thame who helped me during my year as Mayor.”

“Due to your generosity we managed to collect a total of £11,748 which will be shared equally by Thame and District Day Centre and The Red Kite Family Centre.

“Thank you again; it has been a privilege to be the Mayor of the town I was born in!”

THE chosen charities of the out-going Mayor of Thame, Tom Wyse, has benefited from his fund-raising events to the value of in excess of £11,000.

At the Annual Meeting of Thame Town Council on Tuesday, May 8, Cllr Tom Wyse presented Amy Spicer and John Hulett from the Red Kite Family Centre, and Alison Champken-Woods from Thame & District Day Centre with a cheque of £5,874 each, making his fundraising total an impressive £11,748.

Throughout his year in office, the Mayor held many fundraising events in aid of his charities, including a cinema evening, music concert, golf day, bowls match, and a snooker tournement.

ON Tuesday, May 8, Thame Town Council elected Cllr Ann Midwinter to be the Mayor of Thame for the coming year, and Cllr Linda Emery, for the second year running, as Deputy Mayor.

The new Mayor has chosen Sharing Life Trust and Thame Youth Projects as her charities for the year. “It is a great honour to represent Thame as Mayor,” said Ann after receiving the chain of office from the out-going Mayor, Tom Wyse. “I will do my best to do justice to that position. I am sure with a team of hard-working officers and Councillors, we will overcome all challenges that we might face in the coming year”.

Cllr Ann Midwinter thanked the outgoing Mayor and Mayoress for their hard work over the last year. She will be choosing a Girl Guide Ranger as her cadet, in memory of Mrs Julia Hussey who was involved with the Girl Guide Movement in Thame all her life.

MANY of the 54 previous winners of the Thame Town Awards over the past ten years, gathered at the Thame Barns Centre recently to celebrate a decade of awarding local people for their services to the town, and to recognise this year’s winners.

Also present were Pat Ruxton, Chair of the Awards panel 2009-2014, and former panel members, Jeni Pilkington, Jake Collinge and Dee Bixley, whose original idea it was to hold an annual Town Awards event. Alex Bond, the current Chair of the panel, was also there to share the anniversary and later cut a special birthday cake made by Nell King, with Pat Ruxton.

Guests were welcomed with live musical accompaniment from pianist Ian English, a previous Town Award winner.

And this year’s deserving winners – with extracts from their nominations, are:

First Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Thame Freight Services – presented by Alison Biddle – to Gill Read – “Nominated in recognition of the vast range of organisations with which she volunteers, including; Thame Good Neighbour Scheme, Thame Museum, Thame Arts & Literature Festival and Thame citizens Advice. She has been a dedicated volunteer & supervisor at Thame CAB for over 20 years, during which time she has helped hundreds of local people who have been facing great problems in their lives.”

Second Volunteer of the Year Award (Quote: “The entries where so good for both Gill and Janice that the panel couldn’t award one without the other as they were incredible in what they do for the Town.”) sponsored by Thame Freight Services – presented by Iain Biddle – to Janet Shannon – “This individual has been a Beaver Leader for over 20 years. She quietly gives her time, including evenings and weekends, to support Beavers Club, including going camping, planning meetings and attending jamborees….a truly exceptional role model..”

Sporting Achievement Award, sponsored by Thame Leisure Centre – presented by Dominee Sewell – to Vicky Wheeldon – “This individual is the first lifetime member at Thame Hockey Club, which is also celebrating ten years in 2018. She has been instrumental in developing the junior section which now has 230 members, through coaching, managing membership and administration, and communicating with parents. Her ‘infectious enthusiasm’ and passion for hockey is one of the reasons the club has been so successful…..Described by the Hockey Club as ‘an inspiration’ and their prized asset..

Service with a Smile Award, sponsored by the Atalay family from Atalay Kebab Van – awarded to Dominic Mutero – “This individual’s work ethic is described as ‘admirable’. He is unfailingly reliable, polite and always has a smile; delivering newspapers for The Chocolate Box in Thame for several years…come rain or shine (and snow!). Described as “a fine example of today’s youth and a great asset to The Chocolate Box… Unfortunately, Dominic was unable to be present at the Awards evening and will be presented with his award at a later date by Resul Ataly.

Creative Arts Achievment Award, sponsored by Towersey Festival – presented by Joe Heap and Simon Diegan – awarded to Johnnie Littler – “This individual is a musician, founder of Thame’s monthly open mic night (First Thursday Music Club), promoter and encourager of all things music…He is loved by everyone who meets him – he encourages, listens and physically helps anyone who is interested or involved in music…The new Thame Town Music Festival, launched in July last year was a fantastic success and a credit to the town…due entirely to his enthusiasm and vision.”

Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by the Town Awards Panel – presented by Panel Chair, Alex Bond – awarded posthumously to Julia Hussey, received by her husband John, and daughters. “This individual’s life in Thame spanned 84 years, during which she was a Magistrate at Thame Magistrates Court for 25 years; involved in setting up Thame Museum; Chair of Governors at Barley Hill School for 17 years; Poppy Seller in Thame for the British Legion for 40 years; decorated the war memorial in St Mary’s church every Remembrance Sunday; gave her time to Thame Conservation Trust; the Barns Centre; St Mary’s Guild; Thame Housing Association; Thame Welfare Trust; Lord Williams’s Association; the Thame Hospital Appeal Fund; Thame Girl Guides for 50 years….The ultimate ‘people person’ with a unique ability to remember who was related to whom, where they lived, what they did – she was in her daughter’s words – ‘a bridge and connection to our shared past’.

Following the presentations, the Mayor’s cadet, Jake Newbrook, was thanked for his year’s service by the Mayor, Tom Wyse, and presented with a framed citation.

A buffet, birthday cake and drinks concluded this inspiring annual event celebrating the community of Thame and those special people who contribute to the life of the town.

RECORD temperatures, record number of visitors and an even wider choice of music this year proved to be a winning formula for what has become Thame’s biggest day out, Music In The Park.

The Mayor of Thame, Tom Wyse, in what was his last official duty before he hands on the mayoral baton, officially opened MITP 2018 at 12pm on Bank Holiday Sunday, and from then on it was non-stop music to suit every taste and age, from the delightful youngsters from the John Hampden School choir; from Thame Pop Choir, to the zany lyrics and wacky renditions (and corruptions) of well-known pop and rock songs from the Boodlum Band. We were treated to rock ‘n roll from the Rattlensnakes (fronted by John Hampden School’s very own rocking headmaster), Folk from Celtic Heartbeat, Country music from A Little Bit Country, right through to the evening with two of the best tribute bands on the circuit, Prof Floyd and the Headline act, the Bootleg Bee Gees.

Local talent abounded between the two main stages, including First Thursday Music Club regulars, Band With No Name, as well as Indie Rock band, Sinfiction – a band which truly brings to any live event, its very own brand of energy,  great melodies and a just-about tamed rawness (you can probably tell they were my favourite set of the whole day!).

For a small, market town, there is no doubt that Thame punches above its weight when it comes to the nurturing of musical talent, and the young people of our town did not fall short in doing the town proud; Lord Williams’s Singers of the year showed why they deserved the title and all the young people who performed either alone or together, whether playing an instrument, singing, dancing or both, were refreshing, confident and competent and many bound for greater things. (See Billy Watman’s evocative and memorable While my Guitar Gently Weeps looped, on Ukulele, HERE

Having to compete with the sounds coming from the two main stages, those performers in the ASM Stage, nevertheless held their own in the more intimate space, an oasis of comparative calm and welcome shade from the heat and sunshine of the main field. From the mid-day Youth Hour – a new concept for MITP this year – to 7pm, some familiar faces to Thame such as Tay O’Lay, 2am Blue and Paul Martin, alternated with some new faces and younger artists, and one particular act that I was sorry to miss but heard all about, Wildwood Didgeridoo!

I’m sorry for not mentioning everyone who performed at MITP 2018 – there was so much choice that it was impossible to personally ‘cover all bas(s)es’ (musical pun there !) but I know from talking to friends and aquintances there that Thame’s Music in the Park never fails to search out talent o’plenty to keep entertaining, amazing and inspiring its towns folk in an atmosphere of jollity, pleasure, relaxation from our work-a-day lives and above all, a sense of community.

And long may it continue. Music In The Park deserves all our support, and on that note, let’s not forget to be thankful to the hard-working organising team and the local businesses who, through sponsorship and help in-kind, make it happen. Rock ‘n Roll on to 2019.

MORE pictures on Thame News’s facebook page HERE

Please feel free to share your thoughts and impressions from the day in the COMMENTS section below.

For full details of the line-up, sponsors etc, visit the Music In The Park website HERE

WITNESS APPEAL – On Thursday, the April 26, two males offered to complete some roof works at an address in Cotmore Gardens, Thame. The males deliberately caused damage to the roof of an elderly resident’s home and then demanded £250 to fix it. The males made several attempts to get the elderly resident out of her home. One of the males managed to access the house through an insecure window but was quickly told to leave. It is believed the males left in a white Ford Transit type vehicle with ladders on the roof. If these males knocked on your door offering to complete works on the day or you witnessed anything suspicious or saw the vehicle please call 101 with details quoting reference number 683 of the 26th of April 2018.

VIGILANT BANK STAFF – On April 20, police officers from Thame were called to a bank in Thame from where staff had called raising concerns about an elderly customer who they suspected may be being defrauded of over £12,000 during a 48 hour period. The officers and bank staff worked together to mitigate the fraud, with bank staff managing to reverse over £8,000 of the funds.

“Another good example of the excellent team work taking place in our local Community,” said a TVP spokesperson in the latest Neighbourhood Policing Newsletter If you are concerned that you are being targeted for fraud or you believe you know someone who is, contact TVP immediately.

DRUNK DRIVER BANNED AND FINED – On April 10, a female driver was witnessed struggling to park a vehicle in Chinnor Road in Thame. The woman had consumed alcohol and subsequently failed a roadside breath test. She was banned from driving for 18 months and fined over £550.

EMERGENCY SERVICES FUN DAY – The Thame neighbourhood team are currently organising an emergency services fun day which will be taking place on the Southern Road recreation ground on Sunday, the July 29. This event took place last year and was a big success with many residents coming along and having fun with Thames Valley Police, South Central Ambulance Service, South Oxon Fire and rescue service and the RAF. This is a fun family day out where you can engage with different teams from various different strands of the emergency services. Further details of the event will be advertised on social media very soon.

On Tuesday, May 15, PCSO Diane Jackson will be holding a ‘Have your say’ meeting in the Co-Op in Thame High Street, between 2pm and 3pm.

You can read the complete monthly, Thame Neighbourhood Policing Newsletter HERE