As 2018 marks the centenary of the end of World War I, a variety of commemorative projects have been undertaken around Thame. Almost 200 homes and businesses in Thame where over 300 servicemen once lived before going to fight in the war will display a poppy, or poppies, in their front window from 1 to 12 November. The poppies, printed by Windles, have been coloured in and cut out by local schoolchildren, scouts, guides, the Youth Café and Day Centre. Poppies with a black centre represent those who did not return, and a white centre represents those who did.  This visual and poignant tribute has been made possible thanks to extensive research by the Thame Remembers project.
 
You can read more about the above and other commemorative projects in Thame at www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/remembrance

Thame is one of the most frequently used locations for the popular TV series Midsomer Murders with over 20 filming locations in the town. Midsomer fans flock to Thame to see where different episodes were filmed. As well as viewing Midsomer venues, visitors can now look forward to enjoying a feast of Midsomer food and drink too. Two new Midsomer-related products are being launched by The Deli at No. 5, a Thame delicatessen ‘celebrating great British produce with a great British lifestyle’. The Deli at No. 5 specialises in cheeses, pickles, wine, charcuterie and other foods sourced from around the UK. They are launching Barnaby Blue Cheese (named after DCI Barnaby in the TV series) this month and Midsomer Gin in the new year.
https://www.visitmidsomer.com/autumn-feasting-midsomer-thame/ 

You may have noticed that the demolition of the former police station in Greyhound Lane is underway. This site was sold by Thames Valley Police to Churchill Retirement Living Ltd. under an agreement made in 2013. An initial planning application for retirement homes on the site was refused in 2014. A subsequent planning appeal brought about by Churchill was also turned down in early 2016.  Churchill sought permission again for a revised scheme of 41 retirement flats, later in 2016.  In spite of objections made by both the District and Town Councils across a variety of grounds, permission was granted by a planning inspector at a second planning appeal on 28 September 2018. The Town Council expects access to the Waitrose and Greyhound Lane car park and service yard to be disrupted, both during build and occupation of the new homes. Although now effectively being built within planning law, the Town Council has continued concerns about the amount of amenity space, potential noise and air quality issues and where residents may park their vehicles. Visitors, delivery companies and support services may also encounter problems with access and parking. Legal advice has been taken by the Town Council on the likely success of challenging the planning inspector’s decision. It was advised that there would be significant cost and little chance of the challenge succeeding. With regret, the decision has therefore been made to take no further action in this specific matter. The Town Council is deeply disappointed at this outcome and will continue to do all it can to prevent being overruled by such poor decisions in the future.

Image courtesy of © 2018 Google.