Category: More News

FIRE FIGHTERS were called to a house in Thame on Wednesday, January 11, to reports of a kitchen fire.

On arrival at the property in Ormond Road, Oxfordshire County Council Fire & Rescue Service crews were faced with smoke issuing from the kitchen to the rear of the property.

Positive Pressure Ventilation fans were subsequently used to remove any remaining smoke from the building. Luckily at the time of the fire the residents were inside the property and so were able to raise the alarm immediately.

Incident Commander, Watch Manager Andy Ford said: “Due to the swift actions of the occupier covering the dishwasher door with damp tea towels and a prompt emergency call to the Fire and Rescue Service, fire escalation and smoke damage to other parts of the building was prevented.

“Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service would like to remind the public of the potential dangers of leaving any electrical appliance, such as dishwashers, washing machines and tumble driers turned on, when going out or overnight, even if it’s only for a short period of time. We would also like to remind people of the importance of having working smoke alarms on every level of their homes.”

NOMINATIONS open today (13/1) for this year’s Thames Valley Police Community Policing Awards. The Awards are an opportunity for members of the public to recognise the work of community officers, staff and volunteers.

It’s very easy to nominate someone who you know has gone above and beyond in their role. Should they be recognised for their hard work and effort over the last year?

Do you have an example of how they have exceeded what is expected of them?

In its 16th year, the award ceremony will be held at Eynsham Hall in May.

Go to website for more information: LINK HERE

CHINNOR Parish Council has voted unanimously to endorse the village’s emerging Submission Version of the Chinnor Neighbourhood Plan, subject to some minor amendments.

The next step is for the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group to finalise the three Submission Version documents, the Neighbourhood Plan itself, the Consultation Statement and the Basic Conditions Statement, needed for submission to South Oxfordshire District Council.

Peter Brook, Secretary of the Chinnor Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group said: “Meeting this milestone successfully is a major step forward. The Submission version of the Neighbourhood Plan sets out policies and actions on a whole range of matters including the environment, open spaces, infrastructure, community facilities, transport, parking, employment, shopping, education and young people. It will allow future planning decisions to be based on a robust vision for Chinnor and help the community to work positively towards Chinnor’s future.

“I would earnestly encourage all Chinnor residents to take part in the forthcoming consultation, look at the Plan in its entirety and use the opportunity to give their opinions, both positive and negative on what the Plan says. Their responses will be viewed by the independent Examiner alongside the Plan when he examines the Plan after the end of the six-week Consultation period.”

Once it has the documents, SODC will do a compliance check on them before publishing both the Plan and its supporting documents on the SODC website for consultation. These documents will appear on the SODC web site as soon as compliance has been confirmed. Chinnor residents will be informed how they can access copies of the Plan and the other documents once they have been published on the SODC website.

Chinnor Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group can be contacted via:
Website: www.chinnorneighbourplan.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinnorNeighbourhoodPlan
Email: Chinnorneighbourplan@outlook.com

THE death has been announced of ex Thame Town Cllr and former Mayor, Mike Le Mesurier, who passed away on Monday, January 9, 2017.

Southern African-born Mike, was the Mayor of Thame between 1998 and 2000, and was a driving force behind the later campaign and implementation of the provision of a swimming pool for Thame and was involved in the early stages of raising the need for a new library. Mike was also a former teacher at Lord Williams’s School between 1978 and 1991 and was later a Chair of the governors at John Hampden School, in Thame.

Although a stauch member of the town council, Mike was not averse to finding himself at odds with fellow councillors or officers, getting himself into hot water once when he was critisised for asking a friend to investigate the cost of heating the new pool with solar heating, without the rest of the council’s say-so. On another occassion, he criticised SODC for, as he saw it, wasting public money on a questionaire about where the Cattle Market should be relocated, after part of a previous community consultation had clearly indicated that people thought it should go to the Thame show ground.

Cllr Ann Midwinter described his passing as ‘a peaceful end to an energetic life’, adding that he would be sadly missed by all who knew him.

A THAME food explorer and blogger, who believes that the town’s legendary kebab van makes the best doner kebabs in the land, is campaigning to persuade everyone in Thame to vote in a national competition.

“Vietnam, a country where dogmeat graces the menu, understands the doner kebab” claims Dominic Steinway Williams, recently returned from a year travelling in South East Asia.

Before setting off, Dom made it his mission to prove correct his statement that Thame’s Atalay kebab van does indeed serve up the best kebab in the world. To his surprise some real contenders emerged – on the streets of Hanoi in Vietnam – an unlikely host to a thriving Doner Kebab Culture. Dom recalled the same juicy spits of rotating meat, coupled with a round of delightfully fresh asian veg, all expertly spiced.

Whilst he admits his mission is far from over, Dom has again boldly proclaimed Atalay’s as the best the world has to offer, but can it find the acclaim it deserves by being voted the UK’s best kebab?

Now in it’s fifth year, the UK Kebab Awards take place at the end of February, pitching the best doner dealers in the land against each other for the honour of being recognised as Kebab Kings of Great Britain. It’s a Who’s Who of UK doner producers and as every Thame resident knows, Atalay’s doners are well worthy of promotion.

A significant number of points are given if an establishment has a 5-star hygiene rating, and the spotlessly clean operation Atalay’s run has earned them just that. A point a piece is then given for any votes submitted by the general public.

What can you do?

After typing this LINK:  into your web browser, you can register your vote. You only need to register a vote for one category, but there’s nothing stopping you submitting Atalay for each one! – The van’s fixed address is: North St, Oxfordshire OX9 3HH.

Dom believes that Atalay’s is: “… a wonderful example of the positive impact of the UK kebab culture, drawing in patrons from every segment of society, all waiting for their meaty parcel with glee.”

He concludes: “This is an establishment we should be wildly celebrating as a hugely important part of Thame’s community and what better way to do so than helping get it the grand acclaim it deserves.”

RELUCTANTLY, after nine years as Deputy Manager at the Thame and District Day Centre, Stephanie Johnson has decided the time is right for her to retire.

The trustees now have the tough job of finding the right person to support the Centre’s Manager, Gill Coleman, to rebuild the management team as soon as possible.

“There is no doubt that Stephanie will be greatly missed by everyone; members, trustees and volunteers alike,” said Tyrell Gillman, the Chair of Trustees.

“It is hard to put a true value on the contribution that the Day Centre feeds into the community but it is not overstating it to say that the Centre provides vital support for the older people of Thame and the surrounding area.

“Gill Coleman and Stephanie have worked tirelessly to make sure that members’ welfare and interests are always the number one priority.”

Anyone who would like to find out more about the Day Centre and the role of Deputy Manager, is invited to contact Tyrell Gillman by emailing: GTyrellgillman@aol.com or texting 07710601967.

“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.”
Elie Wiesel 

IN his new book, Shout It Loud, Shout It Clear, John Comino-James presents an astonishing photographic record of the breadth of causes that are embraced by those who protest, including against climate change, the replacement of Trident, the refugee crisis, the government’s austerity policies, the ongoing detention of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Israeli policy towards the Palestinian people, the Chinese repressions in Tibet, Saving the Bee, and Fracking.

The list is seemingly endless and whether the protest involves small groups of campaigners or marches numbering tens of thousands, the anger and indignation of the protesters brings passion and commitment to the streets of the UK. Yet all too often many of these protests pass unremarked in the mainstream media. We may pride ourselves that it is the mark of a civilized community that it can accommodate protests and demonstrations, but, as Comino-James suggests, we must never forget that there are societies in which any form of protest carries the certainty of draconian penalties.

“We must also remember,” John states, “that while the protests on our streets may be permitted – even facilitated – they are also closely monitored by the authorities. There is no room for us to be complacent.”

Accompanying the photographs are reflective texts which explore the nature of these protests. Quoting from the banners and placards carried by protesters, Comino-James weaves together a powerful and deeply moving commentary on this important, though often overlooked, backdrop to our democracy.

John Comino-James lives near Thame and has published seven previous books of photographs, including several focusing on aspects of Thame, and has exhibited his work in the UK and in Cuba.

You can read more and about John and his previous books HERE and follow him on facebook: HERE

Shout it Loud, Shout it Clear is published by dewi lewis publishing and retails at £25.

A Thame man reported missing early this morning, has been found safe this afternoon by the Metropolitan Police.

James Holt, 33, had last been seen in Orchard Road, Thame at around 7.30am this morning (09/01).