DUE to the Thame Christmas Lights event on Friday, December 6, the High Street will be closed from The Black Horse pub to the Rising Sun from 12pm – 10pm in order for the event to go ahead. Buses will be diverted down Bell Lane with Bus stops relocated to Thame Museum and outside the Thatch.
Set up starts from 12pm, so in order to get the cars cleared in time on-street car parking will not be possible after 10am, and the High Street Car Park will be closed from 11am.
A detailed report on the findings of the Oxford Citizens Assembly on Climate Change, the first of its kind in the UK, has been published.
The report, which has been produced by experts at Ipsos MORI who independently facilitated the Citizens Assembly on behalf of the City Council, summarises its findings and recommendations.
The Citizens Assembly addressed three themes, divided into five separate areas:
How do we use less energy?
Buildings – how do we ensure our buildings are fit for the future?
Transport – how do we develop a sustainable zero-carbon transport system?
How do we make more energy?
How do we transform our energy system to ensure it comes from renewable sources?
How do we improve environmental quality on the journey to net zero?
Waste – How do we reduce our waste to deliver net zero?
Offsetting – How could Oxford offset the emissions it can’t reduce?
Ipsos MORI’s headline findings were:
THE majority of Assembly members felt that Oxford should aim to achieve ‘net zero’ sooner than 2050. However, even among those who agreed with this, there was little consensus on when ‘net zero’ should be achieved
There was widespread belief that Oxford should be a leader in tackling the climate crisis
Assembly Members found a great deal of encouragement in the examples of what is already being done across Oxford to address climate change and meet the goal of becoming ‘net zero’
Enhanced biodiversity was central to the overall ‘net zero’ vision of Oxford with increased flora and fauna in the city centre, along with more cycling, walking, and public transport, and far fewer cars
The buildings sector should adopt improved building standards, widespread retrofitting, and more domestic and non-domestic energy needs being met by sustainable sources
Around one in four to one in three Assembly Members rejected the most ambitious – and, therefore, challenging to achieve – visions of a future Oxford
They were also perturbed by the extent to which the burden of change was – in their eyes – being placed on individuals
There was, therefore, a sense that the Council needs to communicate a shared vision and strategy to reaching ‘net zero’ that shows the roles played by local and national government, businesses, and individuals
Specifically, Assembly Members wanted more information about how to recycle correctly
There was a demand for more education and information provided for the wider public in Oxford to help them understand what they can personally do to help
What happens next?
A report, containing Oxford City Council’s initial response to the Assembly’s recommendations, will be presented to the Cabinet on December 19. This report will include the City Council’s proposals, which will feed into its 2020/21 budget, to respond to immediate issues arising from the report.
In the New Year, the findings will feed in to the City Council’s upcoming Sustainability Strategy, including an Action Plan to determine how the City Council can play its part in tackling the climate emergency over the coming months and years.
As recommended by the Assembly, City Council will also look at its role in convening and engaging stakeholders and the wider public to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One clear request from the Assembly was to produce educational material and information about how individuals can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the City Council will now work up detailed plans to achieve this.
Read the full Oxford Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change report HERE
THE shift away from diesel and petrol towards electric vehicles has begun, motivated by concern over the growing threat of climate change as well as poor air quality in our towns and cities.
But are electric vehicles actually more environmentally friendly? And can our electricity system cope with the demand?
Electric vehicles expert and environmentalist, Anthony Simpson, will join us to explore the latest developments in electric vehicles and charging and discuss the ethical issues surrounding this hot topic.
Anthony Simpson recently spent two years working at the University of Reading on a joint project with the UK’s leading electric vehicle (EV) leasing company, DriveElectric. The objective was to develop smart EV charging services that would help rather than hinder our electricity system, supporting the transition to renewable energy. He is now an EV energy solutions consultant at electric vehicle services company, CrowdCharge (sister company of DriveElectric).
Anthony has an MSc in Renewable Energy and previously spent four years developing solar projects. He has been working voluntarily to raise awareness of climate change for 15 years. Personal actions include not flying on holiday for over a decade, not owning a diesel or petrol car for over six years, transitioning to a very low carbon plant-based diet two years ago – and wearing his colleagues’ old clothes!
This event, hosted by Chinnor & Thame Friends of the Earth, will be at the Chinnor Village Centre on Thursday, December 5, at 7.30 pm
KICK In The Head are following up their hugely successful productions of Old Herbaceous, Fagin? and Three Men in a Boat with a wonderful production dedicated to one of the country’s best loved comediennes, Joyce during the 40th anniversary year of her death.
The family of William Blezard (Joyce’s musical director and pianist) have also given permission to use material from previously unheard rehearsal tape recordings and personal letters sent from Joyce to William. The show will therefore provide a completely unique view into the life of Joyce Grenfell.
Act 1 – The Rehearsal
The production opens with a completely blank stage except for a piano. Joyce and William arrive as if they are turning up at an empty theatre for a rehearsal before the performance. As Joyce rehearses songs and monologues, the dialogue between the characters provides the opportunity for us to learn about Joyce Grenfell’s life, the type of lady she was and her relationship with William Blezard, her longstanding and trusted pianist and Musical Director.
Act – 2 The Performance
The second half of the show is the performance! The stage is now set, make up is on and the audience are now given the full Joyce Grenfell performance.
Our aim with the show is celebrate the life and work of a great lady. In order to do this we have been given access to personal letters and hours of interview recordings of the man who knew her as well as anyone.
At Kick In The Head we didn’t want to produce just another show trotting out songs and monologues in a ‘tribute band format’. We wanted to produce a piece of theatre that gives people an understanding of the lady herself as well as celebrating her marvellous work.
Tickets available online at www.thameplayers.co.uk or from Spear Travels on 01844 217228
The Players Theatre, Nelson St, Thame – Saturday, January 18, 2020, 7:45PM
FOLLOWING the offer of some provisional funding for an off-road, walking and cycling route between Thame and Haddenham, a survey is now open for comments from potential users.
Oxfordshire County Council would like to hear from people living in the Haddenham and Thame area about travelling between Haddenham & Thame Parkway Rail Station and Thame.
“We want to understand how people currently travel between these locations to help us assess whether it would be beneficial to introduce an off-road walking and cycling route (known as a Greenway),” explained Oxfordshire County Council.
OCC, Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) and Sustrans are working in partnership to investigate this scheme. Funds have provisionally been allocated for the scheme through the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal.
The survey opened on November 25, and will close at midnight on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. LINK HERE
MATT Williams has stressed the importance of his Chinnor side finishing November with a bonus-point victory on Saturday.
The Thame-based club welcome Cambridge to Kingsey Road on the back of a promising run of form.
Chinnor are four games unbeaten in National League One, following home wins over Canterbury and Sale, as well as draws at Rosslyn Park and Plymouth Albion.
A bonus-point victory this weekend would see the Oxfordshire side collect 17 points from a possible 25 in November and head into the final month of 2019 with momentum.
The fact Chinnor have not been beaten since October 26 pleases director of rugby Williams, but he is calling for maximum points on Saturday.
“It’s been a strange month,” he said. “We talk about consistency every week and the fact we are unbeaten in November so far is good. But we’ve had two draws and two wins, so it’s not as rosy as it would seem.
“However, we’re back at home; we’ve won the last two games at Kingsey Road, and if we get a five-pointer on Saturday then it’s been a strong month. If we don’t, then the two fighting draws we’ve pulled off are for nothing.”
Chinnor’s run has seen them close the gap to the top to eight points and they will be hoping to further eat into leaders Rosslyn Park’s advantage. But Williams know his side will have to be at their very best to beat Cambridge.
Former Chinnor player and backs coach, Richie Williams, brings his team to Thame on the back of only one loss in their last four games. Matt Williams said: “This is probably the most exciting league – everyone beats everyone. Cambridge are a great example. I feel they are a team finding their form at the moment and their league position doesn’t do them justice. As a former player and coach here, it will mean a lot to Richie to come to Kingsey Road and try to get one over us.“
Chinnor are boosted by the return of Chris Elder (illness), Ofisa Treviranus (unavailability) and Ben Thomas (suspension). Tom Fidler is also in contention after helping Poland beat Switzerland in the Rugby Europe Trophy last Saturday. However, Chinnor will be without Cameron Gray (ankle), while Kieran Goss (hip) and Will Harries (hamstring) are doubts.
SATURDAY’S SQUAD
Chinnor (v Cambridge, home): from Ashby, Dancer, Ehizode, Elder, Fidler, George, Goss, Hodson, Kirwan, Laverick, May, McNulty, Ramshaw, C Ryan, W Ryan, Selway, Southworth, Thomas, Treviranus, Watson, Worrall, Yawayawa.
SIXTH Form students at Lord Willams’s School had the rare opportunity of listening to four political candidates for the Henley constituency giving their hustings speeches: Laura Coyle (Lib Dem), John Howell (Conservative), Zaid Marham (Labour) and Jo Robb (Green).
Over 450 students from Years 12 and 13 had the opportunity to compare and contrast party manifestos and individual approaches to key issues. The candidates were challenged to justify their positions in rigorous questioning from students studying A Level Government and Politics. Rebecca Lay, head of Government and Politics had arranged the event to coincide with the hustings event taking place later that day in Thame.
“What an excellent opportunity for students to engage with politics and their democratic rights. We were really pleased that all four candidates attended and appreciated the way they responded to our student questions. The students provided thoughtful and insightful questions and should be proud of their contributions.”
Laura Coyle for the Liberal Democrats tweeted: “The Sixth Formers gave all the candidates a good grilling and were very engaged.” Zaid Marham also tweeted “Thanks…to the…young connoisseurs of politics who made it such a great event.”
Afterwards, Jo Robb, the Green Party candidate, said: ““A great first meeting with the sixth form students at Lord Williams’s School in Thame. What an extraordinary bunch: engaged and knowledgeable. It was a pleasure meeting them.”
THE first incident that took place between 11.30pm on Monday (18/11) and 5.30am on Tuesday (19/11). Offenders attempted to gain entry to a property on Wentworth Road.
Nothing was stolen but damage was caused to the front door.
The second incident took place between 1.50am and 2am on Tuesday (19/11). Three offenders attempted to gain entry to a property on Stuart Way. Nothing was stolen.
If you live in the area please can you check any CCTV for the dates and times mentioned above.
If you have any information about this incident please report it on the Thames Valley Police website, or call 101, quoting reference 43190362967.
Find out how you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of burglary by downloading your FREE Home Security Guide from the Thames Valley Police website HERE
THERE is some concern among Thame Town Councillors, that a capacity crisis could be looming for Lord Williams’s School, if Thame has to have more housing than has been planned for.
Questions about future planning for secondary places in the town came from Thame Town Councillors to County Councillor Nick Carter, after his quarterly report to TTC on Tuesday, November 19, included a warning that, if housing growth increases significantly more than currently planned, it could trigger the need for further expansion of education provision in Thame.
‘Future Proofing’ Lord Bill’s
Cllr Kate Gregory told Cllr Carter that she was concerned about ‘future proofing’ Lord Williams’s School and asked if there were plans for the expansion of LWS and what the plan was regarding another secondary school, and suggested it could be in Chinnor. Cllr Carter replied that Icknield School in Watlington is an alternative for Chinnor pupils, but that it does not have sixth form facilities, but that choice could be a quicker solution.
Cllr Paul Cowell said that ‘there is already pressure at Lord Williams’s’ with 13, year 7 classes. (ED. The published Admission Number for the school is 320 in each year group. However, for the academic year September 2020 – 2021 there will be an additional form of entry to Year 7, taking the admissions number for that year group to 350.) He, Cllr Cowell, feared that Thame would be left behind before the situation becomes a crisis, and asked what could be done to raise the priority for engagement between the various bodies.”
Less choice for pupils outside catchment area?
Cllr Carter said that although the county council is responsible for admissions, the fact that the school is an autonomous Academy ‘complicates relationships’. He added that LWS has a new Headteacher ‘which may well be a factor’, and that he had not spoken to him about his view yet. In his report earlier, Cllr Carter had said: “As future housing development in Thame increases the local population, the planned expansion of Lord Williams’s should ensure sufficient school choice for families within the catchment area, but there is likely to be a reduction in choice for families outside the catchment area.” (ED. As well as from Chinnor, Lord Williams’s designated area includes some Buckinghamshire villages. It also attracts children from outside its designated area, from other parts of Buckinghamshire.)
He explained that The Thame Neighbourhood Plan protects a site for a potential new primary scool, as well as for secondary school expansion. “There may be just one answer, he said, “..to build a new secondary school. But where it should be built, is a factor.”
Thame’s Primary Schools
Cllr Carter report that: “Several primary schools in the Thame & Chinnor area have expanded in response to recent and planned housing development, in some cases providing additional school capacity faster than the pupil generation from the housing growth, so in the short term creating spare places.
Once the current expansion programme is completed, there is expected to be sufficient capacity to meet demand resulting from the adopted SODC core housing strategy, but if housing growth increases significantly more than currently planned, it could trigger the need for further expansion in Thame.
Early Years Provision – not enough!
In terms of Early Years free entitlement, Cllr Carter added: “Provision across this area barely meets the needs of the local population. Additional early years capacity will be required to meet increased demand for places created by housing developments.
MATT Williams, Director of Rugby, is clear that Chinnor ‘know what to expect’ when they face Plymouth Albion on Saturday (22/11).
The Thame-based side will make the 440-mile round trip to Devon in the hope of making it four games unbeaten in the third tier of English rugby.
Chinnor, who sit fifth in National League 1, and just five points behind second-placed Rosslyn Park, beat Plymouth on the opening day of last season. In the last three weeks, they have come up against big, dominant packs and director of rugby Williams is not expecting anything different this weekend.
“It’s always a good game down in Plymouth” he said. “It’s a great ground, with great supporters, and it’s always a physical welcome. They have a big pack – pretty much the same as the last couple of weeks – and they’re going to come at us hard.”
Williams, whose side will travel to Plymouth on Friday, added: “It’s always windy down there as well. I would imagine it’s going to be pretty heavy under foot, which will suit them so we’re pretty confident we know what’s coming and it’s going to be another week of fronting up.
“The boys understand they cannot defend like they did in the second half last week, but if we can get the balance right, I think we will do well.”
Plymouth sit 12th in the table and head into the fixture off the back of a 49-22 defeat at Darlington Mowden Park. But Williams knows Chinnor should expect nothing but a difficult contest.
“Plymouth away and Plymouth at home are two very different teams,” he said. “They will be expecting to win on home soil and will be particularly keen to win after last week’s result.”
Chinnor are boosted by the return of forwards, Jack Ramshaw (Achilles) and Joe Dancer (elbow). “Both boys are up for selection, which I’m really pleased about,” continued Williams. “We’ve not seen Jack Ramshaw yet this year; he was our stalwart forward enforcer last year. Joe Dancer was obviously player of the year and we’ve missed him badly since the start of the season. There’s not a better lineout technician than him in the league, so I’m looking forward to having them both in the mix.”
SATURDAY’S SQUADS
Chinnor (v Plymouth Albion, away): from Ashby, Dancer, Ehizode, Elder, George, Goss, Gray, Hodson, Kirwan, Laverick, Manning, Marley, May, McNulty, C Ryan, W Ryan, Ramshaw, Selway, Southworth, Treviranus, Watson, Worrall, Yawayawa.