HOW much Thame Town Council spends each year is published in its annual budget, and this year it is going one step further and is holding a drop-in session for the public to go and view the draft Budget, and hear views and suggestions for how the money should be spent next year. The council has today published the following statement and invitation:
“In preparing its budget for 2018-19, Thame Town Council has again looked hard at where it can make savings (both in terms of cuts and further efficiencies), while at the same time providing the projects, functions and services that the community of Thame expect to be delivered.
“While always publicising the budgeting process, this year, the Town Council is going one step further in its transparency and community involvement, by hosting a drop-in session at the Town Hall from 5:30pm till 8pm on the evening of Tuesday, December 12, 2017. This will provide an opportunity for any resident of Thame to discuss the draft budget in detail with the Town Clerk and members of the Budget Working Group. There is potential then for the Budget Working Group to refine the budget still further, in response to feedback from the community of Thame.”
You can read the full statement on Thame Town Council’s website HERE
A cyclist on a mission to cycle 140 miles solo in one day, in support of the Men’s charity, Movember, made a pit-stop in Thame early this morning for breakfast.
Sally Dickinson welcomes Dermot McCarthy to What’s Cooking in Thame
Dermot McCarthy is en route from his home town of Kimpton, Hertfordshire, to Ross-On-Wye, raising funds to tackle some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and poor mental health. Dermot, is part of a team of fellow workers at analytics software company, FICO UK, tackling various challenges for Movember and has already raised £700 for the charity.
This morning, he arrived at What’s Cooking in Cornmarket, Thame, at 7.30am to refuel on their wonderful triple muffin and pancake breakfasts, before setting off on the next leg of his journey to Coffee Smith’s in Witney. From there he will pedal to the Waitrose Cafe in Cheltenham for lunch before taking to the road for his final destination, The Saracen’s Head pub at Symonds Yat, where his wife and reception party will be meeting him.
Over a very early coffee at What’s Cooking, Dermot told Thame.net: “This is my third ride. The first I did with an overnight break in Thame and the second was all in one day but in the opposite direction. Both were on my hybrid bike. This time I am riding my road/racing bike which should be quicker. I’m looking forward to Journey’s end at the Saracen’s Head Inn, where my wife, car with bike rack, friends and a pint will be waiting.”
Sally Dickinson, joint owner of What’s Cooking, told Thame.Net: ““It was a pleasure to meet Dermot this morning and we feel privileged he chose Thame and What’s Cooking for a quick breakfast break on his solo charity cycle ride. 140 miles in one day is no mean feat but, as he cycled away with a warm What’s Cooking glow, we couldn’t help but feel proud to have fed and supported him. What an amazing man. We wish him well.”
THAMES GP practices have been working with Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) and patient representatives on plans for the future of GP and primary care services in Oxfordshire.
Image courtesy of The Rycote Practice, Thame
Throughout the summer Thame’s GP practices have joined others in Oxfordshire to talk about how they currently work, what problems they regularly face and how they could work better. OCCG have also been talking to Patient Participation Groups to find out more about the patient experience, listening to what patients feel is important and their ideas for change.
OCCG are holding a workshop-style event for each locality in Oxfordshire to enable residents to have their say on the future of GP services in their area. The workshop for Thame will take place on Tuesday 28 November at the George Hotel in Wallingford between 6:30pm and 8pm. To book your place and get more information please call 01865 334638 or email cscsu.talkinghealth@nhs.net.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Healthcare NHS Trust staff celebrated local healthcare superstars at the annual staff awards on Friday, November 10, and Thame won a top award.
In a ceremony, held at the Gateway in Aylesbury, individuals and teams were recognised for going above and beyond in delivering safe and compassionate care for patients both in hospitals and in community settings.
Michael Smith with Healthcare team at Thame Community Hospital
Staff at Thame Day Hospital were the winners of the Patients’ Choice Award. They were nominated by Michael Smith, one of their service users. Mr Smith explained in his nomination that after his wife died, his health deteriorated and he was referred by his GP to Thame Day Hospital and this caring and compassionate group of staff helped him get his life back on track.
He added: “They are brilliant; always professional and respectful. In my assessment they asked me what my problems and concerns were, they listened and wanted to know me, my life, not my illness.
“This team encouraged me to learn best how to help myself and supported me to do this, always with a smile and a positive attitude. They looked at what I could do so I didn’t feel useless and they built on that. They always made time and seemed happy all the time. They are still my sunshine on dark days although I don’t have too many of those thanks to them.”
From his life in the navy Michael said he knew real teamwork when he saw it, and this group of staff have it at all levels throughout – he calls them his A team. There was a standing ovation in the room after everyone heard Michael’s very moving story.
Neil Dardis, chief executive, said: “The annual awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the amazing team we have working at the Trust. It is a night for everyone to feel proud and celebrate success.”
The other winners on the night were:
Dr Nawal Bbahal received the Care award for Collaboration. Dr Nawal is the Trust’s guardian of safe working hours for junior doctors, a new role established in 2016. His collaborative working ensures positive outcomes for all concerned!
Bereavement midwife Jennifer Higgs won the Care award for Aspire. “Her commitment goes above and beyond what is expected working flexibly to support women and families who have suffered bereavement. ”
Dee Irvin picked up the Care award for Respect.” Dee is a shining example of the high standards of respect we hope our staff demonstrates to patients and each other at all times.”
Janie King is won the Care award for Enable. “Janie has revolutionised the doctors’ rota by her effective style of management which involves an open door policy, a friendly greeting to anyone who comes to see her, however difficult the problem.”
“Our amazing in-reach palliative care team were the very deserving winner of the Partnership Working Award. The service, set up in collaboration with Macmillan, supports people admitted to hospital with life limiting illness.”
Julia Phillips, clinical nurse lead for sepsis and outreach sister was the winner of the Outstanding Contribution Award. “Julia’s commitment, professionalism and sheer tenacity were recognised by the judges.”
The medical staffing team won the Support Services Ambassador Award. “The team’s smooth implementation of the new junior doctor contract and the flexible approach they take helped them win this award.”
Elaine Trump was the very worthy winner of our Volunteer of the Year Award. “Elaine gave up two days to star in films for endoscopy about having a gastroscopy & colonoscopy. By sharing her experiences she’s helped reduce anxiety others may feel.”
The Radiology PACS/IT team were named as Healthcare Team of the Year. “This small team are responsible for the running of all of radiology IT across the Trust. Their strap line is: ‘always a pleasure, never a chore’.
Ramesh Chennagiri won the CEO Award for Leadership. “Ramesh has been a strong voice for change and his passion and energy for service improvement has engaged his colleagues and team.”
Mr Bruce James won the Lifetime Achievement Award. Bruce was appointed in 1995 & established the Trust’s first specialist glaucoma service. “He has a passion for training, mentoring many young surgeons who’ve since become consultants in this unit and elsewhere.”
THE antiques centre in Tetsworth, near Thame, had a lucky escape early this morning, when fire appliances from three local stations were called to a fire in the kitchen of the Swan pub and restaurant next door.
Image: courtesy of Oxfordshire Fire Service
The emergency services received a call of reports of a fire at 12.20am this morning, November 15, and fire appliances from Thame, Watlington and Slade Park, Oxford, were quickly on the scene and officers wearing breathing apparatus rapidly entered the building and, using hose reels and high pressure fans, were able to prevent the fire spreading from the restaurant to the adjoining antiques shop.
Fire investigators from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were still at the scene investigating the cause this morning.
Incident Commander, Station Manager Paul Webster, said: “The sounding of a smoke alarm raised a near-by neighbour who called the fire service. Our crews were on the scene very quickly and along with a good routine of closing the doors in the property prevented this incident escalating and fire spreading to the antiques shop. This type of incident reminds us all to check our smoke alarms because a fire like this can go undetected so easily and then the losses can be so much greater.”
THE Oxfordshire EAG (Expressway Action Group) reports that it has been told informally that the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) Final Report with its recommendations for the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway route(s) will be published before the autumn budget on November 22.
Image courtesy of RMF Training Academy
On November 28, Highways England will begin its Stage 1a “consultations” on alternative routes which they call ‘corridors’ with an MPs group and with “Strategic Stakeholders” from December 4, to end in February 2018. The EAG says this means they will have to reveal what the alternative routes are before beginning their engagement with Stakeholders. Highways England has confirmed that it intends to announce its decision on the final route/corridor by July 2018. However, no public consultation is proposed by them on the alternative routes, or by the NIC on the principle of the Growth Corridor.
‘200,000 new houses for Oxfordshire’
Commenting Peter Rutt, Co-ordinator of the Oxfordshire Expressway Action Group said: “Unfortunately, it is safe to assume that the NIC will endorse the OxCam Growth Corridor concept, with its one million new homes. This could mean nearly 200,000 more houses in Oxfordshire alone. I suspect very few people in Oxfordshire realise that this means they are planning to nearly double Oxfordshire’s total housing by positioning this new Expressway motorway as a ‘growth corridor’.
“This approach would require a similar doubling of schools, surgeries, hospitals, roads and town centres. This is not sustainable, and it is all being planned behind closed doors. How can such a vast change to our countryside be proposed without asking Oxfordshire if it agrees? Why are there no plans for a full Public Inquiry? Consultations after the fact are just box-ticking exercises.”
District Councillor gives her support to the action group
South Oxfordshire District Councillor, Elizabeth Gillespie said: “Upgrading the A34 and the current roads to Cambridge seems the only rational route for a new Expressway, if one is justified at all. It is hard to see what case could be made to go through the Green Belt and countryside of South Oxfordshire instead, with all the environmental damage that would inevitable cause. I fully support the aims of the Expressway Action Group in opposing any such route.”
The original NIC report in November 2016 recognised that the Green Belts around Oxford (and Cambridge) are a development constraint. However, as both cities are attractive economic targets, the Green Belt may not mean less development into the County, just that it will be highly concentrated on the non-designated areas.
Chancellor to relax Green Belt constraints ?
Peter Rutt explained: “Given Philip Hammond has hinted at relaxing Green Belt constraints in his Budget, and is expected to endorse the NIC findings, it is reasonable to fear these two issues are linked, so the Oxford Green Belt may not be as secure as we would all hope. Whatever the route of the Expressway, the Growth Corridor will be a transformative change, and not in a nice way, for all of largely rural Oxfordshire. The least harmful option would be upgrading the A34 while the greatest harm would be done if a route through the countryside South of Oxford was selected. It will reduce our open countryside, harm most people’s amenity and cause permanent damage to the environment and wildlife. There is no Oxfordshire need for it as we already have a prosperous economy and full employment, they are trying to make us to sacrifice our great rural assets for nothing.”
Implications for Oxfordshire
The NIC state in their earlier official Report that the Corridor project would mean one million more homes and could create up to 700,000 new jobs. EAG estimates that this means an average of 10,000 houses and 7,000 new jobs per mile. As the Expressway through Oxfordshire would be at least twenty miles on the Expressway’s Southern route and nearly thirty on the Northern, that would mean 200,000 – 300,000 new houses, and bringing new people here to live in them – all this in a County which already statistically has more than full employment.
At the last census Oxfordshire’s existing housing stock was 270,000. Assuming it’s now 290,000 the EAG calculate that the Growth Corridor aims to increase Oxfordshire’s housing stock by 70% to 100%, and would increase Oxford’s current working age population of around 500,000 people by up to 40% in just a few years. Oxford currently has full employment – so if new jobs were created they would have to be filled by people and their dependents from elsewhere in the UK.
** (Ed. One of the options, Option A, would see a new carriageway branch off the A34 and pass between the Oxfod and Abingdon, before crossing the M40 at Wheatley and proceeding north of Aylesbury to Milton Keynes.)
** Thame Town Councillors are waiting to learn which route is announced before deciding whether or not to join the Expressway Action Group, and to see if there are any implications for Thame. (Route A will pass to the North of Thame – see map)
SOURCE: Contributed by Expressway Action Group (AEG)
TOM Finlay, a student at Lord Williams’s school in Thame, is presenting a charity concert in memory of his friend, Josiah Andrews, who passed away in 2015.
“Josiah and I grew up together at Long Crendon Baptist Church,” explained Tom. “I witnessed the great faith he had in God that was unwavering, even during his battle with cancer, and that gave him the courage and the strength that all of us who knew him so admired. It was this faith that inspired me to put on this concert.
“Josiah was diagnosed with bone cancer in the summer of 2013. When his cancer returned, his faith helped him to keep his good humour and not to be afraid of dying.”
His mother Kathy added: “Josiah’s priorities showed in his plans for his money. He knew that most children around the world don’t have the kind of medical care we have. So he was very clear; choose a charity that is Christian, Medical, in Africa and for Children.”
Josiah’s parents chose The Good Samaritan Clinic in Senegal, West Africa, run by Tenebou and Bethan Manga. “It was a perfect choice,” said Kathy. “Josiah met the Mangas when they were home at our church, and we knew of their excellent work. Also, Dr Bethan grew up in Thame and her parents still live here.”
Rather than spend Josiah’s gift on a piece of equipment, the Mangas have decided to start a new medical outpost in a village that is difficult to reach. Financial gifts toward the project are being collected in the Josiah Fund, at Long Crendon Baptist Church.
The concert will be at Long Crendon Baptist Church, on Saturday, November 18, at 7pm. Entry is free but donations toward the Josiah Fund will be gratefully received on the evening.
THAME Town Cricket Club is celebrating tonight after Thame Town Council agreed to provide extra funding and a loan to ensure that work on a new pavilion and shared community facility can go ahead.
The project seemed in peril after no tenders for the job were received within the club’s estimated costings for the project, and a funding opportunity hung in the balance unless more funding could be assured. Although some councillors were unhappy about additional town council funding being committed from section 106 moneythat might be needed in the future, and some fears of a possible request for even more money if the project’s costs increased, the town council tonight voted by majority to underwrite the project so that it could go ahead.
Depending on how much will be needed (negotiations with a preferred tenderer and the architect over ways of reducing the costs are on-going), the town council has agreed to award an additional £60K-£80K on top of £120K it has already committed.
Chairman of Thame Town Cricket Club, Matt Swain
Matt Swain, Chairman of Thame Town Cricket Club, told Thame.net tonight: “Epic feeling! Four years in the making, this project marks a momentous moment in the club’s 140 year history. Thanks to everyone who has supported the cricket club, and in particular Thame Town Council.”
Background article HERE and more information about the cricket club pavilion development HERE
MOTORISTS in Thame can park for free in district council car parks on selected days in the run up to Christmas.
The annual free parking tradition is provided by South Oxfordshire, and the Vale, to encourage people to shop locally for their Christmas presents. The free parking days allocated to Thame, as for all the other towns in the district, have been agreed with the town council, as being the day which best suits local traders.
Free Christmas parking days also mean people don’t have to pay to park if they wish to catch up with friends and family in the great pubs, cafés and restaurants during the festive period.
Drivers will be able to park for free in South Oxfordshire, and in the Vale car parks, on the following days up to December 24, without the need to display a ticket:
Thame – Saturdays from 2 December
Abingdon – Saturdays from 2 December
Didcot – Fridays from 1 December
Faringdon – Saturdays from 2 December
Goring – Tuesdays and Saturdays from 28 November
Henley – Tuesdays from 5 December
Wallingford – Thursdays from 30 November
Wantage – Fridays from 1 November.
