Author: Sonja Francis

THAME’s young people were praised by police today for their good behaviour in the town during Halloween celebrations last night.
Paul Gregory, who is in charge of co-ordinating police operations for Halloween, told ThameNews.Net today: “This year we did a lot of work in the run up to Halloween, going in to primary schools and pointing out to youngsters that they are not always welcome on Halloween night, particularly by some of our more elderly residents. We also made leaflets available to be displayed where Halloweeners would not be welcomed and the message seems to have got through.
“We also had extra police officers, Support Officers and Thame’s Special Constables out patrolling on foot in many of the residential area, interacting with the Trick-or-Treaters, without putting a damper on their fun.
“In previous years we used to get a lot of calls around flour and egg throwing at cars and houses but this year, we did not have one single call in Thame, which I am sure was helped by the fact that we went to local shops asking them to think twice about selling trays of eggs, milk and eggs to gangs of young people who were obviously, not planning to make cakes!
“We will continue to monitor things for the next couple of days but hopefully, the good behaviour shown by Thame’s young people will continue.”

THAME?S Town Councillors have been warned that the economy of the town has reached a critical point.
Speaking to members of the Town Council?s Policy and Resources group last week, the Town Clerk, Helen Stewart, warned: ?We are on the cusp now. If we do not do something, we could end up in the doldrums?.
The committee was discussing whether or not to support the Campaign for the Sustainable Communities Bill, which aims to prevent what has become known as ?Ghost Town Britain? by encouraging the government to allow a bottom-up approach, allowing local communities and local councils to drive sustainable economic and environmental solutions.
The Bill aims to “turn the world of politics upside down”. It would enable principal authorities to reverse the process of what is being called Ghost Town Britain – a reference to the fact that over the last decade Britain has lost a fifth of its post office network, a quarter of its independent grocery store network and a third of its bank branch network, as well as thousands of other local shops, independent pubs and local services and facilities. This situation destroys local commerce, damages the environment (through increased traffic and congestion) and causes social exclusion and reduced active citizenship.
The campaign organisers, Local Works, say: ?Communities and local council?s (not civil servants) are the experts on their own problems and the solutions to them.? They are asking local councils to, for instance:
Write to their MPs, asking them to support the Bill and sign Early Day Motion No.641.
Promote local economies, local services and facilities.
Protect the local environment.
To write to Local Works expressing their support.

The committee had earlier heard how the Clerk had been working with the ?Try Thame First? campaign, which is aimed at helping to reverse the down-turn in both footfall and turnover, currently being experienced by many retailers in the town.

The committee voted unanimously to support the Campaign for the Sustainable Communities Bill by doing all the things it was asking.

For more information visit: http://www.localworks.org
Photo: Could this happen to Thame shops?

POLICE Officers across the region are urging people to take care with fireworks this year, the first since new Fireworks Regulations came into being in 2004.
Brought in by the Government in response to public concern about the use of fireworks, particularly with regard to their anti-social use, the new regulations mean enforcement for firework offences has moved to the Police.

The regulations prohibit people under the age of 18 from possessing an ?adult firework? (any firework except for a cap, cracker snap, novelty matches, party poppers, sparkler, serpents and throw-downs) in a public place and prohibit anyone from using an ?adult firework? during night hours (11pm to 7am most of the year though this can be changed for special occasions like November 5 – midnight, Diwali and New Year?s Eve ? 1am). The regulations also prohibit anyone, other than regulated professionals, from possessing a category 4 firework, which is the type of firework used in professional displays and not commercially available to the public.
Any breaches could result in a fine of up to

A new cafe, especially for mums with new babies, is now open in Thame.
‘Baby’s First Cafe’offers a relaxing and welcoming environment where mothers can feed their new baby, have a cuppa and a chat with other mums and speak to a breastfeeding advisor if they need to.
Health Visitor, Christine Johnson told ThameNews.Net: “There are between 20 and 25 babies born every month in the Thame area, of which about a half are still breastfeeding after a week or two. In the first weeks of breastfeeding, many mothers experience worries – Are sore nipples normal? Is the baby getting enough milk? What about when I return to work? How do I express?
“All these questions and more can be answered by a trained breastfeeding advisor at the Baby’s First Cafe.
“There is so much concern these days about childhood obesity and the increasing incidence of diabetes. Many people don’t realise that breastfeeding helps in preventing both conditions.
“It also offers more protection to the mother against breast and ovarian cancers.”
Although 12 mums and babies are already enjoying the benefit of Baby’s First Cafe on Wednesday mornings, between 10am and 12 noon, in the Memorial Room at Christchurch, Thame, the cafe will be officially launched on November 9.

All new mothers will be welcomed to either drop in. For further information contact Christine or Clare Warren on 01844 212353.

WHY not enjoy an evening of pampering and shopping and help raise money for MacMillan Nurses at the same time.
This special charity event is being organised by The Practice, in Thame, who will be offering a range of treatments including foot reading, stone therapy, massage, facials, reflexology, pedicures as well as the opportunity to shop for gifts for yourself and your friends and family.
Two of Thame?s leading boutique retailers, Essence and Mi Casa, will be bringing their new Christmas items and there will be handmade silver jewellery as well as cards and candles, chocolates and gateaux, handbags and homeware, cosmetics from Virgin V and many other goodies. There will also be demonstrations of acupuncture and hair extensions (although not on the same person!)

Entrance on the night is