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  • Free ‘Biker Down’ training sessions following rise in fatalities

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service is continuing to hold free sessions on emergency first-aid for bikers following a rise in the number of motorcyclists killed on Oxfordshire’s roads during 2017.

    Firefighter Nathan Crockford carries out a demonstration with a colleague at a recent Biker Down workshop

     

     

    While total fatalities on Oxfordshire’s roads fell from 32 in 2016 to 23 in the last 12 months, the number of motorcyclists killed rose from three to eight – accounting for more than a third of road deaths in 2017.

    The Fire and Rescue Service’s Road Safety Education Team holds regular ‘Biker Down’ workshops for motorcyclists and other road users to learn what to do if they are the first person at scene of an incident – particularly one involving a motorcyclist. The workshops deliver basic first aid training, including when and how to remove a rider’s helmet. Bikers can also learn how to make themselves more visible to other road users.

    The Mayor of Thame, Cllr Tom Wyse, himself a kean motorcyclist, will be dropping in at Thame Fire Station in Nelson Street, Thame, at 1pm, on Saturday, January 7, to meet Road Safety Team Leader, Andy Ford, and other motorcyclists taking part in a ‘Biker Down’ workshop.

    Further training

    Firefighters are also encouraging motorcyclists of all ages and experience to consider taking more practical training to improve road awareness and riding skills.

    Road Safety Team Leader, Andy Ford, said: “While it’s obviously good that the overall number of people killed on our roads is reducing, it’s a concern to see a rise in the number of biker fatalities.

    “Compared with other road users, motorcyclists will always be more vulnerable to serious injury in a road collision or when losing control of their vehicle. No matter how long you’ve been a biker, you’re never too good and there are always new things you can learn from further training – both in terms of how you can help at the scene of an incident, and how you can be a safer rider.”

    Becoming a safer rider

    Andy, who is himself an experienced motorcyclist, recently attended a Bike Safe course run by Thames Valley Police. He said: “Regardless of the circumstances of individual incidents, it makes sense for motorcyclists to be mindful at all times of their relative vulnerability on the roads, and consider whether they could become a safer rider. That’s something I continue to do myself after 35 years on the road, and I’ve certainly benefited from the extra training I have attended. I would encourage every rider to attend even if they have been before.”

    Oxfordshire County Council’s Deputy Leader Judith Heathcoat said: “People who have attended the Biker Down workshops have told us how much they value the information and skills they have taken away, and the confidence this has given them should they have to respond to an incident. There is also information on our website about opportunities for further road safety training for motorcyclists.”

    For more information about the free Oxon Biker Down workshops, see their Facebook page. To register interest in attending a Biker Down workshop and go on a waiting list for notification of the 2018 dates/venues, email bikerdown@oxfordshire.gov.uk

    For further information about practical training visit
    https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/road-safety-advice-motorcyclists

  • FREE help with your digital device

    SOUTH Oxfordshire’s best kept secret, possibly; free computer help which anyone can attend as many times as they need. (more…)

  • Christmas Squash Tournament a smashing success!

    RACQUETS Fitness Centre in Thame hosted their annual Christmas Graded Squash Tournament just before the Christmas break, seeing 37 squash players of all ages and standards competing across four categories.

    From left to right -Paul Ireland, Jake Ireland, Jason Varrie, James Wyatt, Nick Weldon and Simon Martin

    The initial matches in the morning saw some very close contended games, just a snippet of what was to come throughout rest of the day.

    Well over 50 matches were played across the tournament, all of which showcased a fantastic level of skill, agility, and athleticism. This was particularly prevalent in the A grade which featured some high level talent, displaying thrilling matches for the players and for spectators. Local player Nick Harbour was a hopeful candidate to reach the final of the A grade, playing confidently in his earlier rounds against some tricky appointments. But unfortunately due to injury in the semi-finals, Nick had to withdraw seeing Oxford Brookes player Jason Varrie through to the final.

    This was a close match, Jason showing his experience of the game against national standard junior, James Wyatt who excelled in his strength and movement around the court. On the day it was Wyatt who took the gold medal, having the physical edge of youth over his opponent.

    Further excitement in the D grade competition, which was populated by junior players from Racquets. Crowds gathered to watch the youngsters battle it out in the group stages seeking their place in the final. Court two saw an emotional rollercoaster of a match in the D grade final with 9 year-olds, Noah James and fellow Racquets junior Artie Shrimpton, fighting for first place.

    Both players achieved attacking length and deceptive boasts taking the game to the wire, but it was eventually Artie who snuck a 3-2 win taking the final game 11-7.

  • Thame Tractor Run raises funds for Air Ambulance

    A sponsored tractor run through the centre of Thame on Christmas Eve has raised more than £6,500 for Thames Valley Air Ambulance, and the organisers have indicated that the event will become a regular part of the town’s Christmas celebrations.

    Image Courtesey of: Michael’s Agri Photography

    The tractor run was organised by Jesse Smith, after his friend Granger Challis suggested the idea back in November. Granger helped by spreading the word via the social network group, AgriSocial. It soon became clear that the funds raised for the Thames valley Air Ambulance, smashed the original target of £500.

    Expecting around 20 tractors to turn up for the parade, it was a huge surprise when almost 80 vehicles joind the run, as it set off from Thame town centre, where over 2,000 on-lookers had gathered to see the spectacle and put donations in the buckets as the parade went through. The route took the tractor run from Thame to Chinnor, along to Aston Rowant, through Adwell, Tetsworth and back to Thame. (See video by Peter Lambert) HERE:

    Money raised on the day was later doubled by a donation from Thame-based John Deere dealer, Farol Ltd, and in the days since the event Jesse has received more than 30 messages from people asking that the tractor parade is run again next year.

    Jesse was reported as saying: “I am truly thankful for everyone who came along and donated to this amazing charity. I am so proud of the work the Thames Valley Air Ambulance does for the community; it really means a lot to the farming community and everyone else.”

    SOURCE: Famers Weekly

  • Would you be willing to pay more towards policing?

    THE following urgent message is from the Police and Crime Commissioner, Anthony Stansfeld:

    On Tuesday, December 19, the Home Secretary announced a substantial £450 million increase in police funding across England and Wales. However, this funding package assumes that all Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will raise the police element of council tax by £1 a month (or £12 a year) for a band D property which, collectively, will raise £270 million of the £450 million increase. This will allow forces to continue to provide an effective service in their critical work to fight crime and protect the public.

    Anthony Stansfield

    At present around 60% of Thames Valley Police’s £393 million annual policing budget is funded by central government, with the policing element of your council tax making up the remainder. Since 2010/11 the police grant has been cut by around 38% in real terms which has resulted in Thames Valley Police (TVP) having to make £99 million of savings in order to balance the budget. These cuts have already led to a manpower reduction of over 1,000 full time equivalent posts, including more than 450 police officers.

    Setting the budget for 2018/19 needs to be considered in the context of an already constrained financial position as well as the additional pressures policing faces as demand in some of the most complex and challenging areas continues to increase. This includes rising reports and cases of hidden crimes such as domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual offences, serious violence and exploitation have all increased the pressure on police resources.

    Needless to say this is proving to be extremely challenging and without the increase of £12 per year in council tax, as recommended by the Home Secretary, we would have to make further significant reductions in police officers and staff which will affect the level and quality of policing service we are able to offer you.

    In November 2017 TVP was judged by the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to be ‘outstanding’ in the efficiency with which it keeps people safe and reduces crime. This includes an ‘outstanding’ for its understanding of demand and its use of resources to manage demand, and its planning for future demand was judged to be ‘good’. Thames Valley Police was one of only two forces nationally to have been awarded an overall rating of outstanding.

    Ideally I would not choose to consult over the busy Christmas and New Year period and particularly on such an important issue, however, the Chief Constable and I only received the provisional police grant settlement for 2018/19 from the Home Office on Tuesday, December 19. Unfortunately due to budget decisions needing to be finalised by the end of January, I am only able to run the consultation until midday on Thursday, January 11. I apologise for the timing and length of the consultation period but I hope you will take the time to complete the survey which will help the Chief Constable and I to make an informed decision on the budget for 2018/19.

    Today I have launched a short online survey to seek your views on this increase, which can be found on the below link and I would encourage you to complete it and share widely:
    https://www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/police-funding-survey-have-your-say/

    Those residents who do not have access to the internet can write to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Thames Valley Police Headquarters, Oxford Road, Kidlington, Oxon, OX5 2NX with your answers to the below questions.

    Question 1
    Do you think an extra £12 per year in council tax, for a Band D property, to help protect operational policing in Thames Valley would be money well spent?

    Yes / No

    Question 2
    If you have answered No to question 1 will you please explain why and propose an alternative annual increase that you believe is justified and will enable the Force to do their job effectively?

    Please note that all responses needs to be received by midday on Thursday 11th January 2018

    Anthony Stansfeld
    Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley

  • ‘Green light’ for Thame-led community housing scheme

    THAME Town Council’s big idea to help tackle the shortage of affordable homes locally, has come a step closer. (more…)

  • Christmas bin collections

    YOUR Christmas waste and recycling collections: Visit the SODC webpage for full details and timetable: LINK HERE

     

  • Quarter tonne of supplies for families in crisis

    YEAR 12 students from Lord Williams’s school’s Ambassador Team recently ran a ‘Food Drive’ across the whole school, collecting food, Christmas items and toiletries to donate to The Trussell Trust, a charity which provides food and supply boxes for families in crisis.

     

     

    The team collected donations between December 4-8, and delivered them to the warehouse on the afternoon December 15, and the combined donation total weighed in at over a ¼ tonne – an impressive 232.8KG. The volunteers were overwhelmed by the amount the school had collected and have written a letter to express their gratitude to all of those involved.

    The Year 12 Ambassador team would also like to thank everyone for their generosity in helping us to make such a success of this event.

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Thame’s squash juniors mix it with the seniors

    RACQUETS Fitness Centre’s Junior squash players, have been mixing it with the adults to really test their metal and get tournament experience.

    Left to right – Artie Shrimpton and Noah James

    Racquets hosted an Adult Graded Squash Tournament on Saturday, December 16, with 37 players of all standards entered across four categories. Grade D was populated by a host of junior players who all decided to enter the adult orientated tournament for match play experience.

    Coach, Sue Martin Downhill said: “It was fantastic to witness the next generation of squash players coming through and mixing in with more experienced players, watching and taking notes as well as trying their hand at marking the senior competitors.”

    Ten year-old Alex Bozon was quick to volunteer as referee in between his own matches, showing confidence in tracking the score. He had a close match with peer Andrew Worby who has only been playing squash for three months but managed to serve well on the day to sneak a win.

    In the other half of the competition original Academy player, Allegra Michopoulou, took on newby Matthew Bailey who started playing squash in October when his school attended squash sessions at Racquets. Both players showed grit and determination but it was Allegra who had the slight edge. Sue Martin-Downhill emphasised the importance of introducing schools to squash for the future of our sport: “People rarely stumble across squash,” she said. “It’s up to us and our squash community to offer opportunities to play.” Racquets currently works with local schools during the daytime and also run junior squash sessions six days a week outside of school hours. Offering all these opportunities to play has seen the junior set up in Thame flourish over the last six months.

    Sue concluded: “The tournament was a great success with over 50 matches being played across the day. Players earned their mince pies, particularly nine-year olds Noah James and Artie Shrimpton, who ended the day with a tight five set match in the D grade final. Over 40 minutes of play, Artie came out triumphant, beating Noah 11-7.

    “Well done to all the juniors who played and marked over the weekend; it was fantastic to watch the new generation of young talent on our squash courts here in Thame.”

  • Medals a-plenty for Thame Swimmers at County Qualifier

    THAME Swimming Club put in an amazing performance in the recent Watford County qualifier meet, taking advantage of the penultimate weekend before the county qualifying period closed!

     

     

    In all, Thame won 34 Medals as well as a whole host of Personal Bests – 11 Gold, 11 Silver, and 12 Bronze medals were carried home.

    Thame Swimming Club spokesman, Will Hard, said: “The team had great fun at the meet warming up to Macarena and YMCA, but giving their best and showing great camaraderie and friendship along the way. It was brilliant to see the team having so much fun, but giving their absolute best in the pool.

    “The swimmers gained a plethora of county qualification times for the Oxford North Bucks County Championships, which will be held in January and February of 2018.