Blog

ONE of the last stumbling blocks to the completion of the Phoenix Trail, in Thame, has finally been overcome after six years of negotiations.
SUSTRANS Area Manager, Simon Pratt has brokered an agreement with land-owner, Mr Waters, over that time, and now a lease agreement has been signed.
Subject to the go-ahead from the Governors of Lord Williams’s school, where the Trail will end, work will begin in the new year, thanks to a grant of

CHINNOR police station is to close for a month for refurbishment, making it more accessible to the public.
The office will close on Monday 15 November and will re-open on Monday 13 December.
A glass screen is being put up over the front desk and improvements will be made to the building to make it more accessible to disabled people.
If people need to visit a local police station then please attend Thame police station while Chinnor police office is closed.

THREE local teenage boys were abducted on Saturday, and forced to go to an ATM machine, after being told that their aggressors had guns and knives.
The incident occurred between 12.45 am and 1.30 am, on Saturday (16/10), in a Chinnor park, after the three lads were approached by three males who demanded their phones and wallets before forcing them to go to the cash machine at the Co-op stores in Chinnor, where they tried to get money out.
The aggrieved were then returned to the park and made to lay face-down until the offenders had left.
Two of the offenders were white and one black and all three were said to be wearing dark ?hoodies? and gloves and to be between 17-19 years-old. One of the two white males was described as wearing white trousers.
The Black offender was around six feet tall and of medium build, one of the white offenders, around 5?6″ and of stocky to medium build. The second white offender was described as being around 5?10″ tall and to be of medium build.
Anyone who may have any information about this incident is asked to contact the police Enquiry Line 08458505505, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111

Plans are now well advanced for Thame?s Big Christmas Event, on Friday, December 3, 2004.
The town has gone ?Knitting Mad? and contributions toward Thame?s Giant Scarf are being delivered to either the One Stop Shop, at the town hall, or to Thame.Net in Jordans Courtyard. Even though the world record (standing at around 20 miles!) may be out of reach for this year, Thame?s is growing fast. Some free wool is available for anyone who needs it call 01844 218833.
The programme of events will begin at 6pm with the official turning on the Christmas lights by a local celebrity, followed by the singing of Christmas songs and carols by children from primary schools in Thame and, for the first time this year, the surrounding villages.
The cast of ?Snowwhite and The Seven Dwarfs?, from the Civic Centre, Aylesbury, will be on stage, as well as personal appearances by the cast of Thame Players? Christmas Production, ?The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe?. Father Christmas himself is rumoured to be flying in and a special prize will be awarded to the most unique bobble hat. Prizes for the best Art work depicting a Winter Scene in Thame, will be presented by artist, Clarissa Galliano, who will judge the entries the week before.
Over 30 town centre and Swan Walk shops will be staying open until 8pm for Christmas shopping, and throughout the evening street entertainers, including a fire-eater, will be keeping the crowds amused. Numerous craft, community group and charity stalls will be lining the Buttermarket and High Street, many offering food tastings. Hot chestnuts and sausages will be on sale on the street, and many shops will be offering mulled wine and mince pies. Children?s fairground rides will be situated at the top of the High Street car park, outside Domesco.
2004 promised to be one of the best Christmases in Thame for a long while, so keep those knitting needles clicking, put on your bobble hats and scarves and join in the seasonal fun.
Don?t forget to take the opportunity to visit the fantastic array of local shops we have in Thame, for some gift-buying inspiration.

THE out-going Chairman of the Thame and District Classic Motor Club, Nigel Champken-Woods, performed his final duty today, when he presented a donation to the organisers of the Thame Community Car.
The total amount of the cheque was

THAMES?s County Councillor, David Laver, won all-party support for a new library in the town, when he made his maiden speech to the full council recently.
Cllr Laver told fellow county councillors that the current library in Thame was only suitable for a town half the size it is now and that it was the county council?s lack of funds for new libraries that was the stumbling block for building a bigger replacement.
Councillors of all parties supported Cllr Laver?s call that Thame should be the County Council?s top priority for a new library if funding became available.
He was supporting an amendment to a motion asking the council?s Executive to undertake an urgent review of all potential library improvements throughout the county, particularly in Thame.

FOLLOWING several complaints about parking problems in several residential areas of Thame, the county council has been looking at the problem.
Following surveys, observations and an informal consultation exercise, they are about to launch a statutory formal consultation before introducing ?No Waiting? signs and double yellow lines near several road junctions and where roads narrow.
The areas affected include; King?s Close / Moat?s Crescent, Wellington Street (North Street ? Ludsden Grove), Wellington Street (Ludsden Grove ? East Street), Chinnnr Road, Cotmore Gardens and Park Terrace / Chowns Close / Thame Park Road.
Residents in the areas affected will be sent letters outlining the proposals and they will be invited to give their comments and views.
The final decision about where the parking restrictions will be implemented will be made by the County Council Executive.

MUCH of the play equipment in Thame?s recreation grounds is wearing out and will very soon have to be replaced at great expense to the town council.
Such was the conclusion of a report drawn up by the Open Spaces Working Group, set up by Thame Town Council to determine future budget requirements.
Chair of the Working Group, Cllr Nigel Champken-Woods, told a meeting of the Culture, Leisure and Recreation committee last night that his group found so much that needs doing to recreation area and equipment, that they have had to prioritise so that some affordable improvements could be carried out fairly quickly.
Number one of the list is the Memorial Garden, where the statue-centred fountain is soon to be reinstated, hopefully by May of next year, in time for the 60th anniversary of VE day.
The group?s second priority was Elms Park which Cllr Champken-Woods described as a much under-rated area of the town. He suggested that a self-help group of users might be formed to identify and make improvements to the area which, apparently, as such, could attract funding which is not available to town councils alone. He offered to get the ball rolling by painting the gates himself, perhaps with the help of one or two others.
The third priority area suggested by the Working Group was the Churchill Crescent play area which they said was deteriorating badly. The suggestion was made that, as derelict garages close by were soon to be demolished and replaced by dwellings, the play area could be moved to the centre of the grassed area.
Cllr David Laver told the meeting that he felt the whole profile of the multi-sports area of Elms Park should be raised and promoted.

THAME Leisure Centre is operating normally, despite delays in repairing the roof and so-called snagging work, outstanding from when the pool was built two years ago.
There are not currently any ceiling tiles nor is there any carpet in the reception area, since water poured in through the roof during the recent storms.
Town Clerk, Helen Stewart explained that she is trying to resolve with the people concerned, what is ?snagging? and what are repair issues and then to get the people concerned to get on with the work. She hoped that some work would begin this week.
?The main sticking point is the Joint Use Agreement between Thame Town Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council, who are the partners in the revamping of the Leisure Centre, which has yet to be signed off. Once it has been, it should become clearer who is responsible for what,? she added.