Thame.net

Blog

  • Chinnor RFC Winger to take hole-in-one challenge for mum’s hospice

    CHINNOR RFC winger, Josh Hodson, is setting himself a new sporting challenge by attempting a hole-in-one on Saturday, July 4, In aid of Michael Sobell Hospice, a cause close to his heart.

    The odds of an amateur golfer hitting a hole-in-one are estimated to be 12,500 to 1, hence Josh setting a massive fundraising target of £12,500 (of which £705 has so far been raised) for his challenge which will take place at Rickmansworth Golf Club, which has kindly prepared and allocated a special par 3 hole for the day’s event. 

    For every shot Josh takes he requires a donation of a £1 and each pound raised will go directly to Michael Sobell Hospice where his mum (Sian Hodson), who is terminally ill with cancer, is being treated and cared for. This money will make a huge difference to the Mount Vernon-based Hospice which is in need of financial help as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

    “During these tough times with COVID-19, Michael Sobell Hospice Charity has lost up to 80% of its funding and is in desperate need of public donations,” explained Josh. “For everything the Hospice team has done to help my mum and others get through their own personal battles, I feel it is the least I can do to try to help keep their doors open.”

    Commenting on his challenge, mum Sian said: “My terminal cancer diagnosis just over four years ago had a massive impact on the family and both my sons immediately started individual fundraising attempts, with each of them managing to raise several thousand pounds for cancer charities. Michael Sobell plays a very important part in our lives. I have been an inpatient several times and as a result, it was suggested that I should attend their Day Centre which has helped me beyond belief.”

    Sian added: “When Josh realised that the Hospice was suffering a deficit in their fundraising income this year, due to COVID-19, he knew he had to do something to raise as much money as quickly as possible, whilst hopefully attracting as much attention as possible from local businesses and residents who might be in a position to donate some money to enable him to try and hit a hole in one.”

    To donate to Josh’s challenge and help raise funds for Michael Sobell Hospice, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hole-in-one-for-michael-sobel

  • Committee on climate to discuss ideas for future plans for South Oxfordshire

    A committee in South Oxfordshire that considers and advises on actions to address the Climate Emergency will be considering proposals that could form part of the district council’s long-term plans.

    South Oxfordshire District Council will produce a new Corporate Plan over the summer to direct the council’s work until 2024, and the Cabinet’s developing ideas on themes and illustrative projects for the plan will be considered by the council’s Climate Emergency Advisory Committee on Monday,  June 29.

    Addressing the Climate Emergency features strongly as a priority that cuts across many of the developing ideas, and the climate committee will provide any recommendations around the climate emergency for the council’s Cabinet to consider as it develops the Corporate Plan.

    Cllr Sue Cooper, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “It’s important we hear the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee’s thoughts and recommendations on how we should develop our thinking around the new Corporate Plan to ensure any decisions we make on the council’s direction have the Climate Emergency at their heart.”

    Cllr Andrea Powell, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, said: “The greatest challenge we face as a society is the Climate Emergency and our ability to adapt our lives and our behaviours to ensure a safe and resilient future. While statements and targets are welcome, the challenge for our district is to take action, transform our operations and inspire our residents and businesses to do the same.”

    As well as action on the climate emergency, other developing ideas for the Corporate Plan that feature in the presentation that will be seen by the climate committee include proposed themes around:

    • sustainable new homes and infrastructure that meet local needs
    • improved economic and community wellbeing
    • investment and innovation that rebuilds the council’s financial viability
    • openness and accountability
    • protecting and restoring our natural world.

    The council’s Cabinet will be discussing ideas around the new Corporate Plan in July when it will also consider any recommendations from the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee. The public will then have a chance to give their thoughts on proposals for the Corporate Plan.

  • ‘Thames Champion’ appointed by district council

    SOUTH Oxfordshire District Councillor, Jo Robb, has been appointed to the new post of Thames Champion after Green Councillors pushed for the creation of the role. 

    Cllr Jo Robb, (left) with other members of the Henley Mermaids, wild swimming group

    The Thames Champion will network with river users, councillors and neighbouring councils to improve access to, and protect and enhance the biodiversity and water quality of the river.

    A first challenge will be to stop Thames Water releasing raw sewage into the river and, in the meantime, to ensure that river users and communities have access to real-time information about when this happens. 

    “All rivers should have bathing quality water – waters fit for swimming.,” said Jo, who is herself a very keen wild swimmer, and a member of the Henley Mermaids. Jo was the Green Party candidate in the May 2019, General Election.

  • Christmas comes early for Thame Town Cricket Club groundsman

    CHARLIE Anderson, one of two groundsmen at Thame Town Cricket Cub (TTCC), took his new John Deere mower out for a spin for the first time recently.

    Whilst club Cricket matches have been suspended until August at the earliest, the grass continues to grow and TTCC’s ground team have been hard at work keeping the square and ground in the pristine condition that we have all become accustomed to. 

    Charlie, who turned 60 earlier this year was beside himself when the club’s management team announced that a new John Deere 7200A mower, which was sponsored by local business FAROL Ltd, would be entrusted to him to ‘cut the meadow’. 

    Since the lockdown, Church Meadow has been frequented by many people taking a stroll, enjoying a picnic and exercising whilst enjoying the backdrop of St Mary’s Church and the club’s new pavilion. All of whom are likely to appreciate the hard work that goes into keeping the ground so well groomed. 

    Whilst following strict government and ECB  (English Cricket Board) guidance, so far this season, the clubhouse has remained closed but the hard-standing and grass nets have been opened for playing members to use these facilities by themselves. The club is now looking to provide coach-led net sessions for members of the junior section, starting with under 15s from Tuesday, June, 30 . Plans and options are being discussed to see whether the club can also provide coach-led sessions to the other age groups from U13 down to All Stars age 5+. 

    Matt Swain TTCC Chair said: “within the safe limits governed by the ECB and the volunteer resource we have available, the club is determined to get as much Cricket on as possible this season. Groups of five juniors can be coached by one coach at any given time but when you have up to 60 kids in an age group this requires a lot of coaches and careful planning. As always if you would like to help, we would love to hear from you.

    “Thame Town CC would like to thank FAROL Ltd for their ongoing support and we look forward to welcoming them, together with all of our other sponsors, members and guests back to the clubhouse just as soon as we are able to…..watch this space!”

    For more information about Thame Town Cricket Club, visit thamecricket.org.uk, facebook.com/thamecricketclub & twitter.com/thamecricket 

  • Thame incidents monitored by CCTV on the increase

    THE latest report showing how the district council’s CCTV cameras have contributed towards deterring crime, reducing the fear of crime, increasing crime detection and protecting vulnerable people in the district, has recently been published.

    Image for illustrative purposes only

    The total number of CCTV supported incidents for Thame for the six month period October 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020, stood at 277 – up by 93, compared to the previous 6-month period. This latest report includes outcomes of 13 arrests and two Section 34 orders (allows the police to move someone from a specified area for a period of up to 48 hours if they believe the person poses a risk of anti-social related disorder). There are also seven ‘other’ incidents counted (‘other’ usually means that the police either gave verbal advice or a non-recordable sanction).  

    Of the most commonly monitored types of incidents in Thame, 18 were for Missing Persons, 17 for Fear of Welfare and 13 for Fighting or Affray.

    Examples of Thame incidents involving CCTV

    A CCTV operator heard of an altercation taking place in the High Street and was able to monitor the situation while police were on route. The operator continued to monitor as the situation deteriorated. Altogether, two men were detained for resisting arrest and one for assaulting a police officer. The operator subsequently produced an evidence pack to assist the police in following up this incident. 

    The police control centre requested the operator to look out for a man who had shoplifted from a local supermarket and attempted to steal a bike. From the description given, the operator was able to locate the man and guided officers as they arrived at the location. The man was subsequently arrested. 

    A call had come into the police control centre – staff in a local supermarket had concerns for a man who seemed confused and finding it difficult to cope with his shopping. Having heard the description given on air, the operator was able to alert officers attending to the exact location of the person they thought was the man in question. Having established that this was indeed the man, officers were able to spend some time with him. Satisfied that he was all in order, they were able to help him on his way. 

    How many cameras?

    The report covers the four towns that have had CCTV installed; Thame (15 cameras) Didcot (nine cameras), Henley-on-Thames (20 cameras) and Wallingford (13 cameras). Reports are provided on a half yearly basis to each town council and other stakeholders.

    The CCTV operators, based in Abingdon, supported in total 930 incidents during the period, across the district, 54 evidence packs for possible court proceedings and carried out 40 reviews of CCTV footage (a review is undertaken as a result of a written request) as well as supporting 58 arrests.   

    To read the full report, which includes comparisons with the other three South Oxfordshire towns, Henley, Didcot and Wallingford, visit http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/community-advice-and-support/community-safety/cctv 
    and click on the download on the right hand side.

  • Tentative steps back to rugby

    AS Thame slowly emerges from lockdown caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, the town’s sports clubs are beginning to tentatively open and begin to return to some sort of ‘normal’.

    Chinnor RFC, based in Thame, have begun training in small groups, the senior squad being put through their paces for the first time at Kingsey Road on June 9, in groups of no more than six people. Following the government and Rugby Football Union guidelines, two metre social distancing and hand cleansing observed at all times.

    Head of Strength & Conditioning, Daz Oliver and Team Manager Matty Mountford led the first session, with a delighted Daz, reporting:  “We basically got the guys moving. We had a bit of SAQ (speed, agility and quickness) with Matty followed by a bit of barbell complex stuff to get them chucking a bit of weight around again and got them doing some run aways.

    “It was literally about getting some volume in their legs because a lot of the lads haven’t done anything for a long time, so we’re trying to get them ready for when pre-season starts properly.

    Return to Rugby Road Map

    The RFU released their Return to Rugby Road Map for the community game the week before with small group training being the second phase of the six-stage plan. Chinnor are hoping to begin pre-season on July 2 and Director of Rugby ,Richard Thorpe ,was pleased to see players back at the Club. He said: “It’s fantastic. We’re still living in unprecedented times right now. We’ve got absolutely no idea when we’re going to be able to return to playing, but there are things we can focus on and control.

    “We’ve put so much work in to the clubhouse over the past six weeks to make sure that by the time we’re actually fully back here as a squad preparing for our first game, we’ve got an outstanding environment for the players to step in to.

    “Following the announcement from the government and the RFU, we can now start bringing our players back. We’re now able to get some conditioning through their bodies and start to manage their training loads in order to ensure that when we’re able to get back to playing, we’re going to be ready.”

     

  • An economic ‘iceberg’ on the horizon?

    Dear Editor, 
    I’ve just read a new report (from Best for Britain and the Social Market Foundation) on the double impact of Brexit and Coronavirus, and feel like I’ve spotted an iceberg on the horizon that everyone else appears not to have taken notice.

    The report shows that any change to our trade relationship with Europe during the Covid-19 recession will hurt the UK economy. The North West and the Midlands regions of the UK would particularly face a disproportionately severe impact should we leave the Brexit transition period without any kind of deal. The report mentions: “London and the South of England would be highly exposed to the double economic hit caused by Brexit and coronavirus“. This includes, of course, our constituency, Henley and Thame.

    Brexit is done and we cannot stop it, but we can protect our jobs, our services and our local businesses. However, our communities are already stretched to breaking point by the coronavirus pandemic and we desperately need time to deal with that before we can turn our focus to our changing relationship with the EU.

    Yours sincerely,
    Marius Ciortan
    Chinnor, Oxfordshire

  • Appeal for laptops for Thame students

    STUDENTS from Lord Williams’s School in Thame,  have been home-schooling since the March lockdown, under trying circumstances.  For those with devices and laptops readily accessible, the experience has been manageable. 

    For those without, it has meant their connection with school and their learning progress has been severely affected.  Following a request to local businesses and the community, the school has been promised of upwards of 70 old laptops. 

    Nicky Stallwood, Careers Lead at Lord Williams’s school has been co-ordinating the appeal: “I think folk have welcomed the opportunity to dig out their old laptops and find a use for them. It’s been an amazing response.  Students are really going to benefit from these donations.  hanks to everyone”.  

    If you have old laptops you are no longer using, please consider gifting them to the school.  LWS IT team will wipe and clean the devices and make them student ready.   Please contact Nicky Stallwood: n.stallwood@lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk

  • Call to boycott district council’s Local Plan Inspection

    THE campaign group, A Better South Oxfordshire is calling upon South Oxfordshire District Council to boycott the inspection process of its local plan which is due to begin on-line in July.

    The appointed inspector, Jonathan Bore, is the same inspector who recently approved the Oxford City Council local plan despite controversy over the accuracy of Oxford City’s projected housing need. A Better South Oxfordshire is also asking Oxford City Council to delay any decisions they may make about the adoption of their local plan, pointing out that any legal action appealing against the decision could be costly to the council should they vote to adopt it.

    A Better South Oxfordshire, in a statement, said that they are concerned about the integrity of SODC’s upcoming inspection on several grounds: –

    • Arrangements for the inspection to be held on-line in a virtual meeting are not public consultation.
    • The virtual inspection procedure should be postponed until such a time that a full public session can be held.
    • Inspector Jonathan Bore undertook the recent inspection into Oxford City’s local plan. Some of his conclusions in relation to Oxford City’s supposed housing need were baffling and inconsistent with some of the evidence presented.
    • Inspector Bore’s interpretation of Oxford City’s housing need will have considerable influence upon evidence submitted about South Oxfordshire. Mr. Bore will then have pre-judged this issue.
    • The neutrality and objectivity of the inspection process has been undermined by the past actions and pronouncements of the secretary of state Robert Jenrick. His written communications with South Oxfordshire District Council demonstrate he has already made up his mind about the outcome he wishes to achieve.
    • Actions undertaken by the secretary of state, specifically the unlawful decision he made to grant planning permission to a property developer in Tower Hamlets, the granting of recent contracts without open tender to the company Faculty and his breaking of Covid 19 lockdown government rules undermine his trustworthiness and show a lack of judgement.
    • The local plan inspection process is not fit for purpose and is essentially an exercise to pretend that local communities have an input into decisions that have already be taken by the executive.

      Finally, stated A Better South Oxfordshire,:”The procedure is a sham.”

     

  • She did it! And there’s more to do….

    REMEMBER Helen Johns, who has set herself the challenge to ride 100 miles on her exercise bike during May, to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society?

    Well she did it! And actually cycled 111 miles on her exercise bike. Helen told Thamenews.net: “I set myself a huge challenge for the 31 days of May – to ride 100 miles on my exercise bike and raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. I’ve never cycled this far in a month before, so achieving 100 miles was a big deal for me.

    “Well, I’m delighted to say I did it! It was 111 miles to be precise, but what’s most important is that I was spurred on by the fantastic donations that friends, family and business contacts have made. An amazing total of £1,175 has been donated to date. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this awesome figure to help the Alzheimer’s Society do their essential work – thank you so much.

    “Having achieved this, I thought I couldn’t leave it there – so I’m going to cycle another 100 miles during June. If you’re reading this and haven’t made a donation yet, there’s still time – my Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cyclefordementia-hjohns won’t close for donations until June 30. And if you fancy giving a little more, there’s time too: every donation will spur me on to achieve another 100 miles!”

    Helen continued: “The Cycle for Dementia campaign is helping the Alzheimer’s Society do fantastic work, helping fund the cost of care for dementia sufferers and funding research for a disease that affects 850,000 in the UK and for which there is currently no cure. It is estimated that 1.6 million people in the UK will suffer from this cruel disease by 2040. The Alzheimer’s Society needs our support to continue with their work. Please support my Cycle for Dementia challenge and help raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. Thank you.”