THE Rotary Club of Thame and District thanked the local communities of Thame and the neighbouring villages for their support with fundraising during the 2018-2019 Rotary year, at an event the club held at Thame’s Spread Eagle Hotel, on Wednesday, June 19.
Local residents actively supported the club’s main fundraiser, the Thame Swimathon in March this year, and other events. The amount donated during the past 12 months reached almost £10,000. Thomley, Red Kite Children’s Centre, Maple Tree Children’s Centre in Wheatley and ROSY, are the main charities that received donations and support towards projects.
The event was attended by charities representatives as well as the top groups who fundraised for Thame Swimathon charities: Thame Swimming Club, Barley Hill School and John Hampden School’s Team Ice Cream and Rapid 6.
Graham Colverson, the club’s current President, also recognised the outstanding contribution towards their communities of three Thame Rotary members: Peter Hook, John Singer and Hamish MacDonald, by awarding them the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Graham presented the awards together with Gillian Pearse, Governor of the Thames Valley Rotary District (1090) which covers most of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
Peter Hook had a major contribution towards the set up of an Interact Club at the Wheatley Park School aimed at young students aged between 13 and 18 years-old. Interact Club’s work for the community had a focus on fundraising towards CLICK Sargent during 2018-2019.
John Singer secured more projects towards good causes through his Rotary Business in the Community initiative, encouraging local Thame businesses to give employees opportunities to volunteer.
Gillian Pearse said of Hamish MacDonald: “What a pleasure to give a Paul Harris Fellowship on behalf of Dr Himansu Basu to Hamish MacDonald in recognition of his support of maternal and child health globally. The reason for the PHF was given by Graham Colverson’s wife, who received care from Dr Basu. It’s a small world. Hamish was delighted to receive his award from the District Governor who is also a midwife. Dr Himansu Basu was representing a Rotary Project Calmed at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and was unable to be present.”
Jo Sackett, Barley Hill School PTFA trustee, has driven the recruitment of five teams from Barley Hill, who thoroughly enjoyed their participation at Thame Swimathon. Jo said: “It was wonderful to join Rotary for dinner last week and to hear all about their recent activities in the community and see some of the Rotary members receive well earned rewards. They are an amazing group of people and we are so privileged at Barley Hill School to work with them on a number of projects and support each other where we can.”
Marius Ciortan, spokesman for the Rotary Club of Thame & District, said: “The Rotary Club of Thame and District is grateful to the local community for supporting all our fundraising events.”
He concluded: “To continue our projects for our local communities in the months and years to come, we are welcoming new members from the local communities of Thame, Chinnor, Long Crendon and neighbouring villages who can join our world of fun, friendship and fundraising. To express your interest to join our vibrant club, please visit www.thame.rotary1090.org or like us on www.facebook.com/thamerotary “
THAME Chamber Choir’s twentieth anniversary year continues with a concert which will celebrate the choir’s achievements since its foundation in 1999.
A highlight last ear was the choir’s collaboration with The Coull String Quartet, whose leader, Roger Coull, is well known to Thame audiences through his appearances as guest conductor with the Crendon Chamber Orchestra, and whose cellist, Nick Roberts, is a Thame resident.
This collaboration will continue on Saturday, July 6, in St Mary’s Church, Thame, with a concert, Sweets of Sin:Mozart and More, featuring music for choir and quartet by Mozart and others, including Mozart’s sublime Ave Verum Corpus, as well as one of Mendelssohn’s finest string quartets.
Anything could happen in the second half of the concert in which the choir will revisit some of its favourite popular song arrangements from its first 20 years.
Tickets are available from The Book House, Thame, on-line from www.wegottickets.com, and at the door.
AT a meeting on Tuesday, 18/06/19, Thame Town Council rejected a motion calling for it to declare a Climate Emergency. Arguments for it were presented by a group of local activists and organisations, who had come together as a Thame Climate Alliance, in front of a full pubic gallery of around 50 local residents.
Thame Carnival procession – Saturday, June 15, 2019
The motion began with a wide-ranging speech by Max spokes, Head Boy of Lord Williams’ School in Thame, who spoke for the Thame Climate Alliance and Oxfordshire Youth climate Action. He spoke evocatively advocating for the motion. He focused on how the world had to respond quickly to the building Climate Crisis, the importance of keeping global heating below 1.5°C and how humanity had ‘failed the earth’: “We have betrayed the greatest friend we have [and now] we have treated our home like a shop going out of business.”
He went on to quote the recent United Nations IPCC report on the devastating effect a 1.5°C and 2°C temperature rise would have on our eco system: “Coral populations would be completely wiped out,” explained Max, “and hundreds of millions of people will be at risk of climate based poverty.”
Max also outlined the adverse effects pollution has on people in Thame and the additional strain it places on the NHS. He also showed how the Thame community cares for this issue pointing out the ground-breaking work already being done by the Green Living Plan, the Lord Williams’ students climate protest and letter to John Howell MP, and the hundreds of local people who had demonstrated their concerns by taking part in the ‘Save The Planet’ themed Carnival Procession the previous weekend.
After the speech, the council had the opportunity to ask the panel from Thame Climate Alliance questions. These focused on the arguments for and many against the motion, such as how the UK is outperforming many comparable western countries in its climate goals and, from one councillor, how declaring a climate emergency would be more of a ‘symbolic gesture’ rather than change politics that will effect Thames constituents.
However the panel responded by talking about how, despite being a leader in climate policy, the UK is still behind it’s Paris Climate Agreement commitment and how showing the people of Thame how important an issue this crisis is would help add urgency and focus to implementing the town’s Environmental Policy(currently in Draft form) and future environmental policies.
Councillor Sonja Francis then presented the the details of the motion which came in three parts:
To consider the motion that Thame Town Council:
a) Agrees to commit to some immediate actions, and commit to complete a detailed Strategic Action Plan aimed at doing all within its powers to contribute to halving Thame’s CO2 emissions by 2030, and to aim towards reaching net zero carbon in Thame by 2040.
b) Agrees to report back on this plan and its progress in 6 months’ time.
c) Declares a ‘climate emergency’ to give the issue the focus and awareness it needs.
She stressed that this motion would require the council to do nothing more than it can ‘with in its powers and resources and emphasised the strong support this motion had from the citizens that Thame Town Councillors represented, a sentiment which drew cheers from the audience. Cllr Francis suggested a number of short-term, cost effective policies that the council could implement. These included changing to a green energy supplier, instaling motion activated light switches, reduce grass cutting to encourage more bio-diversity and pollinators.
The meeting was then promptly moved on to the debate where many councillors expressed the view that they did not support the motion, giving a variety of reasons, including a belief that the extent of climate change had been over-stated and another that, because Thame represents such a small fraction of the worldwide climate polution compared to countries like India and china, reducing Thame’s impact would be of no consequence. One councillor feared that by prioritising environmental issues, the council’s budget and resources would be unable to cope.
“To label Climate change as an emergency at the level of a humble parish council,” said one, “would be nothing more than a sensational headline.”
“This motion seeks to impose an arbitrary target,” said another councillor to which another responded: “Climate Change is an emergency and this motion labels this crisis for what it is.”
The debate ended with Cllr Sonja Francis, who proposed the motion, which was seconded by Cllr Kate Gregory, making the final case for the
motion summarising many earlier points on the severity of the situation, and how the motion would not require any commitment beyond what the Thame Town Council could legally make within its powers.
When the council voted the result was 3 votes for, 3 abstained, and 5 against meaning an overall rejection of the motion.
After the vote, Max Spokes said: “It is incredibly disappointing. The Thame council is ignoring the the fact that the Planet is in crisis. But nevertheless, we will continue to work with the Thame Green Living Group to ensure that we start reducing our contribution to climate change.
“If the Thame Town Council will not work with added urgency to ensure Thame’s future is sustainable, then the citizens of Thame, I have no doubt, will take this responsibility on their own shoulders.”
After the meeting, Cllr Sonja Francis, who was elected to the town council in May, representing the Green Party, said: “Of course, I am extremely disappointed that some councillors do not yet understand the extend of the crisis we find ourselves in, and were not willing, despite the evidence all around them, to simply set an example to the town they represent, in symbolising that they do appeciate that there is Climate Crisis, and the urgent need for us all to work together to play our part in trying to mitigate dangerous warming.
“The fact that Thame is the first town in the country to be making a Green Living Plan, is something we should all be very proud of and support, but the time for urgent action is upon us and I hope that, even though my motion was defeated, councillors have had a chance to listen to the arguments and with more discussion and reseach among themselves, and by all working together, Policies and actions will happen more promptly than they otherwise might.
“I should like to thank the Thame Climate Alliance for bringing forward this very important motion and I know that, as a consequence of their concerns, Thame Town Council will be considering its approach to Climate Change when it holds a promised, dedicated meeting on the subject, very soon.”
From the result at the end of the meeting, it was clear that many members of the council, despite apparent support from their constituents, were resistant to passing a motion that would only have invigorated their commitment to their own environmental policies, and how many councillors did not view climate change with the seriousness that the growing number of councils who have already declared a Climate Emergency, do.
NB You can read the town council’s explanation for why it did not pass the motion to declare a Climate Emergency, in this week’s Council News Letter HERE
GLastonbury Festival has a wonderful phrase; ‘leave no trace, love the farm’. Their festival goers take a ‘green pledge’ to leave the site as they found it, take belongings home, recycle their waste and minimise use of plastic.
At Towersey, claims Festival Organiser Joe Heap, they have been doing the ‘green thing’ for many years, leading the way on festival sustainability. As well as having had recycling since day one in 1965, Towersey Festival has had a dedicated team of orange-clad wombles has been making sure that 85% of waste is recycled and repurposed.
“We have already done away with plastic straws, plastic cutlery, plastic plates and single-use plastic cups,” said Joe, “..and in 2019, NO single-use plastic bottles will be available on site…..anywhere.
“Last year we increased the number of drinking water taps available to our visitors by 40%. If you want drinking water, there it is, available to all free of charge!
“In 2019, we will be encouraging the use of reusable hot drink cups with some of our caterers will be offering a discount for those who choose to get involved by bringing their own or purchasing one on site.
“Also in 2019, we will expand our ‘good food collection’ to the whole of the campsite as well as to caterers, collecting all unopened and unwanted food and giving it to our friends at Sharing Life food bank who will distribute the food through their network.
“Each festival we are proud to move forward another step towards a hundred percent sustainability.”
CUT!, a comedy whodunnit based on the famous board game Cluedo, opens at the Players Theatre, Thame, on Tuesday, July 9.
Written by local cartoonist and author Robert Duncan, it was first staged by Thame Players under the name ‘Cluedo’, prior to opening at the Theatre Royal Windsor in 1986, where it broke box-office records. A highly successful national tour followed, during which Cluedo was seen by no less than HM the Queen, Sir Tim Rice and Vera Lynn, amongst others.
Despite numerous attempts, following its purchase from original owners Waddingtons, Hasbro, the new US owners of Cluedo, refused to allow continued use of the name ‘Cluedo’ as the play’s title. Unwilling to let such a successful whodunnit disappear without trace, Robert Duncan has now rewritten the play under the name Cut! so that audiences can continue to enjoy it today. The first successful performance of Cut! took place in New Zealand earlier this year, prior to its UK premiere at the Players Theatre next month.
Much of the original plot and setting remain the same, despite the change of title and renaming of the six original characters. There is a gruesome murder – of course! – and there are six different possible endings. The audience has to decide whodunnit, so there could be a different ending every night.
The action takes place in 1935 at Bigger Hampton Manor, a country manor house owned by the famous American film producer, Otto Steinburger. He has arranged a dinner party to introduce the cast and crew to his latest blockbuster, Cut! Although the guests, including such luminaries as Major Pongo Brown, Adora Mann, Darlene Withers, the Reverend Acorn, and Mrs Travesty, the housekeeper, think they‘ve been invited to talk about Cut!, little do they realise that Steinburger has different evil intentions for each of them. With a murder on their hands, the six suspects are cross-questioned by an Inspector from the local constabulary, who discovers that each is more than capable of committing the terrible crime….
Cut! promises to have audiences gripped from the start and puts them in the driving seat when it comes to solving the murder. It’s a fast-paced whodunnit that promises to be huge fun and totally unmissable! Tickets are £8-£10 from Spear Travels, Greyhound Walk, Thame, telephone 01844 217228, or go to www.thameplayers.co.uk
Cut! is being performed at the Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame OX9 2DP, from Tuesday, July 9, until Saturday, July 13, inclusive. Tickets are £8-£10 from Spear Travels, Greyhound Walk, Thame, telephone 01844 217228, or go to www.thameplayers.co.uk
JUST one minute of sitting with your car engine running and the vehicle not moving produces the equivalent of 150 balloons of harmful pollutants into the air. TTC
This is why South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils have launched a joint campaign to help improve air quality across southern Oxfordshire.
The campaign called ‘Turn it Off’ – LINK HERE FOR MORE INFO – which has been endorsed by Public Health England – is aimed at drivers who leave their engines ‘idling’ – still running even when the vehicle is not moving. This often happens when a vehicle is parked but the driver is still inside, waiting for someone outside a school or a shop.
The councils will be promoting the campaign on Clean Air Day, Thursday June 20. at a stall at Henley Market in the morning and at Old Station Yard, next to Stert Steet, in Abingdon in the afternoon. These will be followed by more awareness events across both districts.
Air pollution has been identified by a number of organisations including the World Health Organisation, United Nations and the Royal College of Physicians as the biggest environmental risk to health. A recent report from Public Health England estimated that within the UK, air pollution is linked to up to 36,000 deaths each year. Older people and children are most sensitive to air pollutants.
Keeping the engine running while parked contributes to an increase of air pollutant levels. Schools, traffic lights and bus stops are most likely locations for idling.
The councils’ new campaign ‘Turn it off’ aims to educate people about air pollution and the links to engine idling and promoting cleaner ways to drive.
Switch off when the car is likely to be stopped for more than one minute
One minute of idling produces twice as many emissions as a moving vehicle
One minute of idling produces the equivalent of 150 balloons of harmful pollutants
Excessive idling is a waste of fuel (and money)
People inside cars are exposed to high levels of air pollution, with children especially at risk of harmful effects
Vale of White Horse District Council cabinet member for Environmental and technical services Cllr Jenny Hannaby said: “Vehicles produce pollution and idling produces unnecessary air pollution and wastes fuel. We invite people to join our campaign and do something personally to help improve air quality in our area.”
South Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for housing and environment, Cllr David Rouane, said: “The message is simple – if you are in your car and stop for a minute or more then you should turn off your engine for cleaner air.”
On Thursday 20 June – Clean Air Day – the two councils will have stalls promoting the campaign at the following locations:
10am – midday Henley Market
2.30pm – 4.30pm Old Station Yard near Stert Street in Abingdon
JPIMedia who own the Thame Gazette, has confirmed it will cease publishing the Thame Gazette and the Bucks Advertiser.
Both the Advertiser and Gazette had been run from JPIMedia’s Aylesbury office, which also produces the Bucks Herald and the Buckingham and Winslow Advertiser and Review.
No jobs will be lost as a result of any of the closures, but staff at the office ‘will now concentrate their resources on the surviving papers’.
‘Dig deep’ appeal for funds from Lord Bill’s
LORD Williams’s School in Thame, has launched a fundraising drive with a leaflet and video asking parents to set up regular payments.
The outstanding-rated academy, attended by2,107, originally launched a campaign because government funding wass not enough to meet rising costs.
A newsletter sent by headteacher, David Wybron in May, warned parents of a ‘looming financial crisis’ caused by increasing pension costs, and claiming that funding has been cut by eight per cent in real terms between 2017 and 2019.
He wrote: “We are struggling to cover the basics. We need your help more than ever to move forward with our plans to improve the school environment and the teaching and learning experiences that take place within it.”
David Wybron will be retiring as Head of Lord Williams’s at the end of this academic year and Mr Jon Ryder, the current Deputy Head, will take his place.
Homes for rent
DID you know that Soha Housing has modern homes to rent for over 55s?
Soha has built modern, one and two bed apartments for affordable rent, with staff on site. There are flats in Corbetts way in Thame, with similar flats in Goring and near Abingdon. All units have their own front door with level access. If you know someone who would welcome a safe environment, a lively community, and lovely grounds please contact lettings@soha.co.uk or call 0800 014 15 45 (Freephone). The picture shows a typical kitchen.
Police tackling Anti-social Behaviour in Thame
THAMES Valley Police has said that Anti-social Behaviour is currently one of its top priorities, as incidents are becoming more common with the lighter evenings and people staying out later. The Southern Road recreation ground and its car park next to the First Thame Scout Hut has been a particular hotspot for ASB.
“This will likely increase as the schools near their summer closure,” said a police spokesperson. “The Neighbourhood team is aware of these issues and is actively visiting and engaging with any groups to advise on acceptable behaviour and consideration for other users of the play area and Scout Hut, taking action where needed.”
Following reports of anti-social vehicle use at the Southern Road car park, the Thame Neighbourhood Team have engaged with groups to consider control measures, including Section 59 warning notices in respect of ASB connected to vehicles. Receiving this warning means that if the person or vehicle is used again in an anti-social manner, it can be seized. Signs have now been erected at the car park to warn users.
Thame Town Council is considering providing a CCTV in the Southern Road Car Park as a deterrance to ASB.
Illegal parking
THERE have been reports to the police of vehicles parking on the grass verges of Kings Close and Moats Crescent, in Thame, which the police say may cause damage, as well as being parked next to double yellow lines. They have pointed out that No Waiting restriction. marked by double yellow lines, also covers appropriate adjacent pavement and verges
“Therefore we would like to remind drivers that it is still against the law to park on such pavement and verge locations.” said a police spokesperson. “In addition, consideration may also be given to the offence of obstruction. The team has been patrolling these areas and will continue to respond to community concerns subject to other operational demands.”
‘Purse bells’
AS well as their regular Have Your Say meetings, PCSOs Maya Brien and Tom Kelly have visited Thame market to engage with market-goers and give out free purse bells, “we do not buy at this door” stickers and home security guides to keep them and their property safe.
“We met and talked with a lot of shoppers,” they reported, “with almost everyone taking a purse bell or two! We will endeavour to attend more market days.”
The next Have Your Say meeting will be at Thame Waitrose: 11am-12pm, Wednesday, June 21.
Good-bye Diane!
THAME’S much respected and long-time PCSO, Diane Jackson, has now finished her service with Thames Valley Police after 15 years, and has moved onto pastures new.
“PCSO Jackson has been an incredible and influential member of the neighbourhood team, having trained the majority of us and being a good friend!” said a member of the Neighbourhood team. “She will be missed by all and we wish her the very best in her new job. Thankyou Di !”
In other local officer news, PCSO Maya Brien has now become PC Brien, and will also be leaving Thame to join Abingdon’s response team.
“Maya has been a hard working local PCSO” said a team spokesperson. We know she will be a valued addition to Abingdon, and we wish her well for her new role!
Temporary Emergency Road Closure at Queens Road, Thame
Oxfordshire County Council has been informed of a temporary emergency road closure on the Queens Road, Thame whilst repair of water leak works are carried out.
A temporary Emergency Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 6 June 2019.
The anticipated completion date is 12 June 2019
Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.
Further information regarding the emergency works may be obtained by contacting Alice Arhip of Thames Water 0203 577 9058
THAME today boasts a new and updated Town Centre Map that replaces a previous shopping guide that had long been out of date.
Pictured from L to R: Cllr Linda Emery, Sue Martin-Downhill, (Chair of 21st Century Thame), Cllr Helena Fickling and Becky Reid (Market Town Coordinator)
The map will help visitors to the town locate a specific business using a handy category-based key, as well as highlighting significant points of interest and places to visit. Thame’s Museum, Markets, Midsomer Murders tours and The Players Theatre are all showcased. Alongside this there are events listing for the year. These spaces will regularly be overlaid by current flyers that promote opportunities and events taking place in Thame, giving visitors current information, relevant at the time they visit the town.
This new guide is displayed in eight locations around the town centre and also aims to help residents find out more about the services available to them on their door step, encouraging more people to shop local, and support their local High Street. Sam Osborne – the designer behind the art work for the Map, and a local Thame resident – stated: “I’ve lived in Thame for years and there are still places I had no idea existed until I worked on this project.”
In a time when so many town centres are struggling, Thame town centre remains vibrant and alive. One of the groups that has played a key role in this is 21st Century Thame, the partnership behind these new maps. The group was keen to see the Shopping Guides updated, and designed to ensure relevant information can be replaced easily when needed. The design allows temporary updates to the key to overlay the original map, and thanks to a new partnership with Chiltern View Magazines there will be a full reprint annually, to ensure that the project is sustainable for future years.
21st Century Thame is a partnership that engages business, local organisations and the local authorities, including Thame Town Council. Together it facilitates projects such as these guides which enhance the town for residents, businesses and visitors alike. The group is always looking for more people to get involved, so if you think you can play a part in making Thame a better place to live, work and play then get in touch through admin@thame4me.co.uk
DUE to unforeseen circumstances Alfie Brown is now no longer able to perform this coming Friday, June 7, at the Players Theatre in Thame. But an excellent replacement has been found in the form of Rob Oldham.
Rob Oldham will be previewing his latest show ‘Worm’s Resolve’. Rob is truly an original and exciting young comic – his 2018 show was one of The Guardian’s Top Shows of the Edinburgh Fringe. Rob’s show explores being right, being wrong and getting angry. Answers will be sought, jokes will be told and an impending sense of doom will be momentarily lifted!
Winner 2017 ‘Breakthrough Comic’ at The Amused Moose Comedy Awards. As seen on BBC Three, as heard on BBC Radio 4.
So to confirm the full bill is, Tiff Stevenson and Rob Oldham. There are still a few tickets available on www.thameplayers.co.uk.
WHEN? Friday June 7, at 7.45pm STARRING: Alfie Brown: Lunatic From a complete sell out run at the Edinburgh Festival, Alfie Brown is coming to Thame on his first UK Tour.
His latest show, Lunatic, is about identity politics and trying to be a good father in a horrible world. He provides no answers, only questions. Society’s new-found fondness for moral certainty is the subject of a search and destroy mission by Brown. They were wrong all along, it turns out if you believe in something, you’ll fall for anything.
Praise for Lunatic:
‘It is tricky to write 350 sensible words when you come out of a show simply thinking ‘Wow! Wow!’
★★★★★ – The Scotsman
Appearing with Alfie, will be actor and comedian, Tiff Stevenson. She has appeared in Days That Shook the World, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Drunk History, The Apprentice: You’re Fired!, Mock the Week, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled and People Just Do Nothing.
