HIROKAZU Kore-eda’s Oscar nominated, Palme d’Or winning drama, SHOPLIFTERS will be shown by Thame Cinima 4 All, this Friday, March 29, in Thame.
Shoplifters is a mesmerising portrait of marginal lives in contemporary urban Japan and a heartbreakingly moving story about the nuances and complexity of family life.
Osamu is a drifter and shoplifter, combing the streets and the supermarkets of the outskirts of Tokyo, stealing food for his family. He is teaching his boy, Shota, the tricks of the trade. Noboyu steals from the laundry where she works, and Aki contributes to the household through her work in a very dodgy soft porn peep-show catering to those with a penchant for teen girls.
They all live in a couple of impossibly crowded rooms shared with Hatsue, the grandmother of the family, rooms so stuffed with packaging and detritus, random items and accumulated pilfered goods, yet with a kind of ramshackle order and a regular daily routine. It is a life lived in fear of the authorities, an existence scratched out on the margins, the constant theft a kind of ironic mirror image of the materialist consumerism of the Japanese mainstream.
One evening, Osamu sees a small child apparently neglected and abused by her mother; he and Noboyu take her in, name her Juri, and make a home for her. She too happily blends into the small band of thieves – so close to her family yet rendered invisible, in spite of news coverage of her disappearance. As we follow the lives of the family over a couple of seasons, their stories unfold, and the past reveals itself. This is a wise and melancholy but uplifting drama: it questions what a family is, what constitutes ‘dysfunctional’, and what makes for a good enough parent. Ultimately, it examines how a flawed and troubled group of people – grappling with the shadows of the past – break the law, make questionable moral choices but still rub along together, look out for each other, and cultivate healing and compassionate familial love. One of the films of 2018 this will stay with you – don’t miss it.
Japan 2018, 120 minutes, 15 certificate – Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, starring Kriin Kiki, Lily Franky, Sosuke Ikematsu, Sakura Ando, Moemi Katayama, Mayu Matsuoka
View the trailer HERE. Shoplifters -Friday, March 29 – 8pm – Thame Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame
Film tickets are available on the door or online- Click here
THE Players Theatre in Thame welcomed the town’s Mayor and local councillors to a reception on Wednesday, March 13, to celebrate the completion of two grant-funded projects at the theatre.
L to R – Cllr David Dodds (SODC), Pat Shepherd, Chairman of Thame Players, Mayor of Thame, Cllr Ann Midwinter
Thame Town Council awarded £1400 towards an upgrade of WiFi equipment at the theatre, including network switches and professional wiring for 11 ports with interconnects. As a popular community venue, improved technology is essential to the running of the theatre and its efficient and effective operation. The significant WiFi upgrade means that internet access is available throughout the building, enhancing in-house and visiting performances and support functions such as sound and lighting.
The Mayor of Thame, Cllr Ann Midwinter, said: “We are delighted to be helping the Players Theatre to maintain and improve its facilities so that audiences can continue to enjoy performances delivered with the best technical support. This WiFi upgrade resonates with the Council’s desire to improve WiFi availability in Thame and we wish the theatre continuing success now that it has greater access to WiFi.”
Thame Town Council’s grants scheme aims to fund projects addressing the needs of people in the community, supporting initiatives that develop skills, improve health, and revitalise the local environment, enabling people to become more active.
South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) awarded £4000 from its Councillor Grant Scheme towards the installation of a specialist acoustic door at the theatre. The new acoustic door greatly improves access to the stage and backstage areas for two groups. Disabled performers, such as wheelchair users can become fully involved in productions at the theatre, whether as performers or as stage hands. The door also enables the movement of large stage equipment on to the stage which means that the theatre is better equipped to put on more ambitious productions, including those from visiting companies and musicians, increasing the variety of entertainment available in Thame.
The Councillor Grants Scheme enables each South Oxfordshire district councillor to award up to £5,000 to projects or services offering community benefits in their ward area.
Players Theatre award was made within Cllr David Dodds’ grant allowance. Speaking at the celebration, Cllr Dodds said: “SODC’s grants scheme seeks to fund projects which benefit the community and enhance the facilities available. The acoustic door project was technically challenging, involving complex electrical adjustments, but now it has been completed, the benefits, enabling access for disabled performers and improving access for equipment, will enhance the theatre as a valuable entertainment resource in the town.”
SATURDAY saw a return to the starting line up for Thame’s Dan West, and due to injury, Peake-Pijnen was handed a starting position at right back showing his versatility within the side.
Both sides were surprised by the strong winds at Sharpenhoe Road and knew they would face a difficult day ahead. In the first six minutes of the game, both sides had equal amounts of possession. Ten minutes into the match, West held the ball up before passing wide to Fasanmade who was able to put in a left footed cross with venom which was neither attacked nor defended, and so went out of play. Barton appeared nervous at the back and unsure how to cope with the runs and pace of Fasanmade.
It took a while but Barton did create a move when a long ball towards Osobu on the left allowed him to run at the defence before squaring a pass towards Clayton which deflected up into the air. Thame’s Hill was grounded resulting in an easy tap in for Barton’s number nine, Clayton. Barton then had a goal disallowed for offside in a period of play when Thame were dropping deeper – even with Goss having to support defensively in midfield.
Thame continued to search for a way back into the game, and Peake-Pijnen nearly brought the away side back level when a left footed strike from distance went over the bar.
Thame appealed for a penalty but the appeal was rejected when it appeared Andrews had hand-balled inside his own penalty box. Despite no penalty, Thame gained possession from a clearance and passed towards Goss inside the box, who turned with the ball and fired a shot quickly away underneath Malone to make it 1-1.
Barton followed this with Clayton going one-on-one with Essex and managing to go past him before Hill forced Clayton to dribble the ball wide of him before getting a shot away – the shot hitting the outside of the post and wide. Barton tried to play on the counter and break forward in numbers, possibly to put pressure on the Thame defence. Towards the end of the half, Tack put in a dangerous corner which was not dealt with resulting in the ball bouncing up into the air. A firm header by Gledhill hit a defender but crossed the line to give Thame the lead for the first time in the game.
It should be noted that Thame’s Peake-Pijnen had a great first half at right back, with his positional play and good decision-taking. Barton ended the half playing at a higher tempo and finding space off the ball. West nearly extended the lead when his run off the ball meant he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper and attempted to lift the ball over Malone but failed to do so. The first half was a story of equal chances but Thame being more efficient with their end product inside the box.
HT Score – Barton Rovers 1 – 2 Thame United
IT was a slow start for the first five minutes of the second half, before West had another opportunity to loft the ball over Malone but was unable to score. Although West missed chances with his feet, he was able to head the ball into the bar and in, by leaping above the defender from Tack’s corner from the right to make it 1-3. It took a decision from the linesman to award the goal. The Thame side were jubilant. Thame nearly extended their lead when a superbly weighted long ball by Lynn up the left flank reached West who dribbled infield before passing square to a running Tutton who hit the ball wide before it was eventually cleared.
Barton then had a period of putting in multiple crosses but time and time again no one could get on the end of them much to the Dugouts frustration. An excellent run on the right by Williams led to him switching play left to Osobu who hit the ball firmly past Hill to give Barton hope in the game. Thame’s captain Sturgess could be heard passing on words to his players to ‘concentrate and relax’. Barton’s Clayton found space on the right and a diagonal ball to him was hit wide of the post with Thame’s Hill watching the ball go wide.
The match was sealed for Thame when Tack’s sublime second half display led to his shot from 30 years being deflected and lobbing the goal keeper to make it 2-4 on the day to Thame. The goal gave the Thame side confidence and an increase in their work rate off the ball in order to see off Barton Rovers. There was a late scare for Thame when West went into a 50/50 challenge and came off worse. This led to a lengthy stoppage in play. But West appeared to run it off and continue. In the last 15 minutes Barton were attempting to play the ball behind the defenders but with out much joy following Clayton’s substitution. Thame were able to slow play down in the final few minutes and managed the game until the final whistle.
The result ended a brilliant week for Thame United as three points proved invaluable in the playoff picture. Thame moved up to fifth in the table due to results elsewhere in the division going in their favour. It has to be said that Thame showed great determination and team work for this away win. Barton will be disappointed to not have taken early chances in the first half which made the defeat a tough one to take.
FULL Time Score – Barton Rovers 2 – 4 Thame United
*** NEXT GAME ***
Thame United v Coleshill Town
Saturday 23/3/19
15:00
ASM Stadium, Thame
THE programme for May’s Chilterns Walking Festival spring event has been announced by the Chilterns Conservation Board, organiser of the popular festival.
Running from Saturday, May 18, to Sunday, June 2, 2019, the programme includes over 70 guided walks, events and activities covering the whole of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which stretches from Oxfordshire through Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire into Hertfordshire.
The new programme includes specialist themed walks, and opportunities to discover lively stories and scenic landscapes associated with the Chilterns. Some walks include the prospect of sampling local food and drink, others provide ‘have-a-go’ sessions or chances to learn about the area’s wildlife, history and colourful characters.
The Spring programme opening week – highlights include:
Classic Chilterns Views – join our knowledgeable guide and follow the ancient Ridgeway, taking in the views from Coombe Hill Monument before lunching in Buckmoorend at the Farm Shop café; returning past Chequers, country home of Britain’s Prime Minister.
Midsomer Murders Revealed! – explore Henley’s historical past and visit Midsomer Murders locations; our guide will reveal filming locations, personal anecdotes & facts you won’t find in the guide book.
Mindful Wellbeing Nordic Walk – improve your health physically and mentally with a 2–3 mile Nordic trek through Chilterns Woodlands using walking poles; a feast for the senses discovering woodland plants and trees.
Bluebells and Blacksmiths – this ‘Meet the Maker’ craft walk will introduce you to two workshops: Cobalt Blacksmiths and Gordon Kent Furniture Maker. The walk takes in beautiful scenery including beechwoods carpeted in bluebells (nature permitting).
Living History: Jordan’s Village – discover the history of this Quaker-founded village, including a tour of Jordan’s Meeting House and optional tea & cakes at Spindrift B@B
Each walk is guided by an experienced leader who knows the area well and is keen to share stories of the people and places that have shaped the countryside.
Chilterns Conservation Board People and Society Officer Annette Venters said: “The Chilterns Walking Festival is now a firm favourite with both tourists and residents: each year we see more walks, more guides, more local business involvement, and above all growing numbers of participants. This year the programme includes a huge variety of walks to enable everyone to explore The Chilterns and discover remarkable people and places within a beautiful natural environment. There’s already been lots of interest, so please do book early to avoid disappointment.”
Details of all guided walks, events and activities available in the spring programme can be found on the website www.visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest. Most are free of charge though some require a small fee which is clearly shown. To assist walk leaders with expected numbers, most events must be pre-booked.
More information:
The Chilterns Walking Festival involves spring and autumn events (2017-2019), funded by a successful LEADER grant application secured by Chilterns Conservation Board.
May’s 16 day programme in 2019 features over 50 guided walks, activities and events, designed to appeal to different age groups, interests and levels of fitness. There will be walks for young families, for people with limited mobility or with canine companions.
The Chilterns AONB is a rural area, surrounded by major urban centres including Luton, Aylesbury, Hemel Hempstead, Reading and High Wycombe. London is 20 miles to the south east and there are excellent road, rail and bus transport links. In total, 10 million people live within an hour’s driver time of the Chilterns.
Chilterns AONB
The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) was designated in 1965 and covers 833 sq kms (326 sq miles) stretching from Goring, in Oxfordshire, to near Hitchin, in Hertfordshire. It is one of 38 AONBs in England and Wales and has a resident population of 80,000.
Chilterns Conservation Board
The Chilterns Conservation Board was set up following the passing of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, 2000, to conserve and enhance the natural beauty and increase awareness and understanding of the Chilterns AONB. The Board, which also aims to foster the social and economic wellbeing of local communities, is supported by Defra and all local authorities in the area.
LEADER Programme
The Chilterns Walking Festival is part funded by The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through the Chilterns LEADER programme. The grant received through this programme has helped make these festivals happen. The LEADER programme assists rural businesses to create jobs and support the rural economy. It has been running across England for more than 10 years.
Event Main Sponsor: Complete Outdoors
The Complete Outdoors camping shop was established 35 years ago to supply outdoor gear suitable for local walks in the park to mountain expeditions, and everything in between. The store is based in Bourne End, between Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire. Open seven days a week, there is also an online store.www.completeoutdoors.co.uk
Event Sponsor: Brakspear
Brakspear is a family owned and run Henley brewer and award-winning pub company which has been at the heart of British life for over 200 years. Many of the company’s 132 pubs are located in picturesque rural and town centre settings across The Chilterns. www.brakspear.co.uk
Event Sponsor: The Chiltern Society
The Chiltern Society is a registered charity with over 7,000 members and 500 active volunteers dedicated to conserving, celebrating and caring for the Chilterns. It manages 12 important nature reserves and heritage sites, in addition to carrying out conservation work across the Chilterns landscape. www.chilternsociety.org.uk
For further information, details of local walks and high resolution images, please contact Annette aweiss@chilternsaonb.org tel 01844 355500
POPULAR BBC Radio 2 presenter, Ken Bruce, who lives locally, has made a date with Lord Williams’s School (LWS) on Saturday, April 27, to open the school’s annual 5k Fun Run.
Ken Bruce
The event, now in its third year, saw over 250 fun runners taking on the challenge last year, and organisers are aiming to make it even bigger this time around!
Setting off from the Upper School, Oxford Road, at 1pm, after a fun warm-up (courtesy of Thame Leisure Centre), the event will see entrants taking on a 5k challenge and obstacle course, including tyres, a cargo net and hay bales, with additional colour stations dotted around the course so fun runners get pelted with powder as they go!
The 5K route offers a mixed terrain – perfect for runners and joggers looking for a warm-up to a bigger event like the Thame 10k – as well as families looking to soak up some springtime ‘fun in the sun’. With music and entertainment on the day as well as a raffle and refreshments, it promises to be a fun-packed afternoon for all.
Commenting on the event, Ken said: “I’m delighted to open this year’s Lord Williams’s School Fun Run and am looking forward to seeing all the fun runners in action on the day. So, whether you’re a pupil at the school, a parent, a local business, or even a hardy walker or runner, get yourselves signed up, as it promises to be a fantastic event for all ages and abilities. Let’s aim for an even bigger turnout than last year!”
Lord Williams’s PTA Chair, Karen Shardlow, explained why it’s important for people to get involved: “We’re really excited to be bringing this event back to Thame in support of LWS and are encouraging everyone in the community to get involved; whether you have a child at the school, have been a pupil of the school, are a business or running club, or simply just want to support something local, our fun run is a fantastic event for all – no matter what your age or level of fitness.
“As part of the fundraising event, each participant who crosses the finish line will receive a souvenir medal and all fun runners are being encouraged to raise as much sponsorship as they can. All money raised from the event will go towards funding essential school equipment and resources which enhance children’s learning and education during their time at LWS. For example, last year we raised £4,000 from the event which has helped to fund items including, interactive whiteboards, picnic benches and new school football and cricket kits.”
It is hoped local businesses will once again join in the fun with last year’s event welcoming entrants from Stuart Barr Furniture, Thame Cricket Club and Thame Runners.
Six worthy winners received a Town Award, and the Thame Remembers Project presented with the Mayor’s Special Award, at the eleventh Thame Town Awards on Thursday (14/03), held at the Barns Centre.
(L to R) Mayor of Thame Ann Midwinter, Yvonne Maxwell and Alice Hopkins
The first town award, Sporting Achievement, went to Alice Hopkins who is currently representing Great Britain in the pentathlon as well as ranking first in the UK for Under-23 long jump. Volunteer of the Year went to Jesse Smith who organises the annual Thame Tractor Run which has raised over £20,000 for charity and brings together the local farming community. Curtis Wyse, a local postman, received the Service with a Smile award for his professional, helpful and – of course – friendly service.
(L to R) Bruce Podmore, Curtis Wyse and Jesse Smith
Windles Group received the first Employer of the Year award for their wide-ranging services to the community, in particular their support for the local schools, Town Council and businesses. Windles Group are an environmentally-focused business and place great value on the partners they work with. Yvonne Maxwell received the Creative Arts Achievement for organising the successful and evolving annual Thame Arts and Literature Festival which is now in its tenth year.
L to R) Jean Mander, Mike Dyer and David Bretherton
The final award of the evening went to Jean Mander, who received the Lifetime Achievement for her involvement in so many community forums, groups and activities. In particular, she has volunteered with the Thame Visually Impaired Group for over 40 years and goes above and beyond in this role doing all she can to help others.
The Thame Remembers Project’s special award was in recognition of its members’ extensive efforts to mark the centenary of World War One in Thame.
The panel, made up of representatives from various community organisations, were said to be very impressed with the nominations and to have had a tough time deciding the winners.
The Mayor congratulated all of this year’s winners and encouraged everyone to make a nominations next year. After the formalities, guests enjoyed a complimentary buffet.
GRACE and Joe Robinson, who will be taking part in the Marathon des Sables in less than a month, have been training hard, working tirelessly whatever the weather to get the miles in ready for their epic challenge in the Sahara Desert.
The siblings, who have taken on the marathon to celebrate 10 years since Joe was critically injured in car crash, have been hosting “Sunday Rundays” as part of their training.
Grace Robinson (left) and her brother Joe (right) after a previous Sunday Runday
Grace explained: “It has been a great way to include other people in what can typically be a very lonely sport. The initiative is a social 5km run, for all ages and abilities, whereby no one gets left behind. All participants get a free charity T-shirt, and its company for us during our training.
“It has helped massively for our own sanity as well as helped raise awareness for the charity we are running for, Walk Once More. We are hosting our last run in Thame, this Sunday, March 17.”
Meet at Thame Town Hall at 10.45am for a 11am start and meet afterwards at The Six Bells for a ‘last hoorah’ send-off drink.
Visit Joe and Grace’s website: https://siblingsinthesahara.co.uk/ for more information about Joe’s inspiring journey from his near death-bed to running a marathon in the Sahara Desert! Email Grace – gracerobinson@live.co.uk to let them know you’ll be joining them for this ‘St Patrick’s Special – Sunday RunDay.
AFTER Education Secretary, Damian Hinds, was criticised by the headteachers’ campaigning group Worth Less? for refusing to meet headteachers and hear first-hand their struggles with funding cuts, 7,000 Headteachers all over the country, sent letters home to parents about ‘the dire state’ of education funding – including the Head of Lord Williams’s school in Thame.
David Wybron, Headteacher of Lord Williams’s school, Thame
‘Meangingless statistic’
David Wybron, The Head of Lord Williams’s school, has written to Damian Hinds, challenging the government’s claim that its spending on schools was ‘at record levels,’ and to Thame’s MP John Howell, asking specific questions about changes to schools’ funding:
Mr Wybron wrote to Damian Hinds:
“Last Friday, I again supported the ‘Worth Less?’ Campaign and along with thousands of other Headteachers, sent a letter to parents/carers explaining why school funding is in such a dire state. The government, as it has done on countless occasions over the last 18 months, claimed that the government spending on schools was at record levels.”
“This is a completely meaningless statistic because student numbers have risen considerably over this period as have staffing costs. The only data that really should matter is spending per individual student. I have also written to our local MP John Howell and simply asked him to answer three questions. Hopefully, he now has the answers from the House of Commons Library research team. They are:
Will you confirm to your constituents that per pupil funding has fallen by 8% in real terms since 2010? (Institute of Fiscal Studies Annual Report September 2018)
Will you confirm that increasing staffing costs are set to cripple schools (the government is planning to increase the employers’ contribution for teacher pensions in September 2019 from 16.48% to 23.68% and this is unfunded from 2020-21. If it remains unfunded it will add around £336,000 to our staffing costs).
Will you agree to campaign to reverse the above decision on schools’ teacher pensions contributions?
“These matters are so important for our young people. We are currently paying for all services which were hitherto provided by the Local Authority and the money we were entitled to, to cover these costs as an academy, has now been removed completely. This is on top of considerable cuts to our Sixth Form funding because the Schools’ Budget does not include Sixth Form funding. I raise this again, because it is conveniently forgotten whilst other spurious things are said by government spokespeople, such as including the money being spent by students and their families on university tuition and counting this as part of the government’s investment in education!
“I am almost more cross about the dishonesty in all this and would appeal for the government to speak with integrity on these matters even if it is to say, ‘We are in tough times, be creative with lessresources’. To pretend this is not the real situation is and remains scandalous.
David Wybron Headteacher Lord Williams’s School, Thame
Image courtesy of http://www.lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk/
THIS is the letter sent out to LWS parents and carers updating them on school funding issues:
“Dear Parent/Carer
“I wanted to contact you to provide an update on current issues relating to school funding.
“Sadly, I have to confirm that despite intense lobbying of the Government and Department for Education, matters remain extremely challenging. In short, schools are still not being provided with adequate funding and resource to deliver the level of provision and support that is expected and that our families and children deserve.
Current Concerns
Since 2010 school budgets have been reduced in real terms by 8% and by 20% at post-16. Class sizes are rising and the curricular offer is being restricted. Increasingly, schools are being asked to support with children’s emotional health and wellbeing. Frequently, we do not have adequate resource to meet a growing need. Often, the most vulnerable students in our schools – those from disadvantaged backgrounds or those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) – are bearing the brunt of cuts and schools are struggling to provide the levels of support that they are entitled to.
“These issues are not simply affecting a few schools. They are common features across our education system up and down the country. Levels of concern are so widespread amongst headteachers that we are all working together with a united voice. As such, we have written to the Secretary of State for Education on three separate occasions since September 2018. We are dismayed that he has chosen to ignore our communications and repeated requests to meet. On 13 December 2018, we were informed by a junior civil servant that: “I am afraid that, on this occasion, the Secretary of State and the Minister of State must decline your offer to meet. I hope you will understand that their time is heavily pressurised and their diaries need to be prioritised according to ministerial, Parliamentary and constituency business.”
“Given the seriousness of the current school funding crisis and the impact upon schools, children and families, headteacher colleagues and I, believe that this approach is entirely ill-judged. On 14 January, 2019, we wrote again to the Secretary of State for Education asking that he reconsider meeting with
representative headteachers. Six weeks later, this request was declined once more: “As I’m sure you will appreciate, both their diaries are very full and they are unable to accept your kind offer at this time.”
“Thousands of headteachers simply do not understand what issues could be seen as more important than the ones we are raising on behalf of schools, children and families.
“In September 2018, over 2000 headteachers campaigned at Westminster in order to underline the seriousness of the current situation. This action was unprecedented.
“The ‘Worth Less?’ campaign group now comprises 64 Local Authorities and Boroughs, covering thousands of schools and millions of families. This gives a clear indication of the levels of concern felt by reasonable and moderate headteachers in England.
“We continue to recognise that there is not a ‘bottomless pit’ of money and also acknowledge that many local MPs from across the political spectrum are taking a supportive approach. We must make clear, however, that the current response from the Department for Education is inadequate.
Why we need to meet:
Headteachers want to contribute constructively to overcome current funding issues.
Headteachers want to reflect the serious concerns expressed by families regarding inadequate levels or resource and provision especially for our most vulnerable students.
Headteachers want to ensure that schools receive a much better deal when future Government spending plans – the Comprehensive Spending Review – are drawn up over the next few months.
Headteachers want to indicate serious and rising concerns relating to the wider pastoral and social care that schools are expected, by default, to provide against a background of severe cuts to Local Authority provision.
“Headteacher colleagues and I feel fortunate that we have been so strongly supported by parents and carers as we campaign for a much improved level of funding for our schools and pupils. We urge you to continue to make representations to your local MP and to the Department for Education and wider Government to ensure that matters improve.
“We will continue to inform you of the facts and to campaign vigorously over coming weeks and months. A positive starting point should come from the Secretary of State for Education in the form of an urgent meeting.”
ROBIN Storey, of the group, Open Britain Thame, which campaigns for a ‘People’s Vote’ on any Brexit deal with the EU, has written an open letter to John Howell MP, questioning the MP’s latest blog post on Brexit. The letter reads:
Robin Storey
“SADLY, John Howell MP couldn’t be more wrong to conclude that there’s “nothing new on Brexit” in his March 6th blog.
“BMW Mini have now publicly questioned whether they can continue to make Mini in Oxford.
“For a year, BMW Mini have warned publicly of the threat to their supply chain and now they’re moving towards a Honda Swindon style decision to relocate production elsewhere and avoid disruption and 10% tariffs on every car they make and export to Europe.
“MPs are increasingly engaging on this issue; it can’t make sense for John Howell MP to ignore local jobs, for loyalty owed only in Westminster and to Party. We now need the scrutiny of all MPs in Parliament to ensure common sense prevails.
John Howell MP
“He should focus on these real local issues and look for another national solution, as his loyalty to his own Prime Minister has been exposed as misplaced – and this loyalty is no longer deserved.
“The root of the May catastrophe lies in the legally inconsistent demands of no hard Irish border on one hand and a deal acceptable to the integrity of the EU’s continuing single market on the other. It’s premise has been exposed as fanciful and the option no longer exists, despite three wasted months since the December vote on the deal was first pulled. A pink pantomime unicorn from his own Party attended the Conservatives’ Spring conference at the Belfry Hotel nearby. It is isn’t a question of waiting for a negotiation to play out – more a slow locally made Mini car crash.
“Unfortunately, the Withdrawal Agreement or May deal is pointless, as it cedes all voting control, but continues to follow laws from the EU. It isn’t a compromise; it’s a botched negotiating plan that wilfully failed to take advice at the outset, but chose to follow Rees-Mogg internal party politics instead; the opposite of what anyone voted for.
“It’s not Europe and its not control. It won’t work. He should now vote against.
“No deal constitutes a rupturing of legal and economic relations unprecedented for a modern nation state. It cannot be voted through with good conscience. He should vote against.
“That leaves voting to extend Article 50 and finding time for a sensible solution.
“That’s why we’ve been calling on John Howell MP to support the Peoples Vote on the terms of the final Brexit deal. On March 23rd, hundreds of thousands of People will march at the Put It to the People march, including many from Thame taking, the 0938 from Haddenham.”
Robin Storey
Open Britain Thame
https://www.peoples-vote.uk/march
UPDATE March 11, 2019 – The fire, in Rycote Lane, Thame, is now being treated as arson, following a burglary when tipper trucks were stolen.
image: Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
The police want to hear from anyone who saw a number of trucks driving away from the site, or have any other information which they think could help with their appeal for witnesses. Call the Thames Valley Police non-emergency number on 101, quoting reference number 43190074016.
AT 03.40 this morning, March 10, 2019, crews from Oxfordshire County Council and Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue were called by the Ambulance Service to a fire at an industrial building in Rycote Lane, Thame
Seven fire engines from stations in Thame, Wheatley, Woodstock, Oxford and Aylesbury attended the scene along with special water carrying appliances and command units.
A large fire appears to have started in a portacabin belonging to David Einig Contracting, used as an office spread to a two-storey industrial unit. Crews used breathing apparatus, hose lines and high-pressure fans tackled the blaze and searched the building.
Watch Manager. Andy Ford from Thame, said: “Our colleagues in the Ambulance Service alerted us to this incident as they had seen it whilst they were mobile. We’re glad they called us when they did otherwise losses would have been even greater. Buckinghamshire fire crews were quickly on scene to support us and did a fantastic job to help extinguish the fire as speedily as possible.”
Crews are still working to search the building to ensure nobody has been hurt and to extinguish any pockets of fire that remain. They are likely to be there well into the morning due to the size of the building.
A joint investigation is being carried out by the fire service and te police into the cause of the fire.
