Thame & surrounds Environmental Newsletter

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To include an article, email [email protected] who administers it on behalf of the community.

Thame Neighbourhood Plan 2

For those of you who live in Thame, you should have received your polling card for the vote taking place on Thursday 6th February on whether or not to adopt Thame Neighbourhood Plan 2. In light of this upcoming deadline, Charles Boundy, lead author of the Thame Green Living Plan, has sent in this statement.

“This is just a reminder that TNP2, on which you can vote imminently, includes quite a number of the recommendations of the GLP which do not exist (and could not have existed under legislation at the time) in the current TNP1. While that does not mean that these recommendations cannot be carried through, if there is no TNP2 they stand the risk of being overridden by planning applications and development priorities. And that could put quite a dent in some of the initiatives that are now under way or being contemplated. Our environment needs all the help we can give it!”

If you would like to read a summary document the TNP2, and process that has taken place to create the TNP2, and more about what it includes, then you can access that through this link https://pdflink.to/399e2f49/ - this also contains a link to a short video on page 5 of the document. The full plan can be found at this link

Dont' miss 'Long Crendon Energy Expo'

Tuesday 25 February 7.00-9.00pm at Long Crendon Baptist Church

Know you need to do something to improve the energy efficiency of your house, but either don’t know where to start or don’t have the money to do it? Heard a bit about air source heat pumps, but not sure if they’re the right thing for your house? Have heard Phoenix Energy Community’s name but no idea what they’re doing? All these questions, and more besides, will be talked about at the Long Crendon Energy Expo!

– Hear what Phoenix Community Energy, has been up to and their future ambitions for community scale energy projects

– They've got the experts from Bucks Community Energy coming along to share a whole host of ‘energy efficiency hacks’ suitable for everyone, and giving the opportunity to sign up for home visits from their Energy Saving experts

– Renewable Thame partners, Energy My Way, will be joining to share their expertise on the green home heating challenge

– And there will be several local residents on hand to share their own experiences of their net zero home retrofits: including solar, batteries and heat pumps.

The event is free, but please sign up in advance via Eventbrite so that they know how many people to expect.

'Phoenix Energy Community is a collaborative project between Thame Green Living, Green Crendon and Zero Carbon Haddenham''

Local Geology and 'Have-a-Go' Soil Testing

Winter Farm Walks at Village Farm, Emmington

Kindly funded by Funding in a Protected Landscape and Chilterns National Landscape, Village Farm, Emmington is hosting their final fully funded Winter Farm Walk THIS SATURDAY - 1st February

Reserve your spots here - https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/village-farm-winter-farm-walk-series-3867053

Contact Tom Knowles - [email protected]

Half Term events at Her Land

If you are interested in finding out more about this new project, or just want the opportunity to come and see the site and learn more, then Her Land are running a few different events over half term to provide you with this opportunity. Find out more and book you space (essential due to limited parking at the site) through the links on their website https://www.herland.co.uk

The Thame-Haddenham Greenway

Thame Mayor, Councillor Andy Gilbert, will be seeking answers from Oxfordshire County Council on progress with the long-promised and long-delayed plans for an active travel route to Haddenham & Thame Parkway station when he attends a meeting of OCC's Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 5^th February.

The Committee will be examining the County's emerging new rail strategy prior to a major report to OCC's Cabinet in April. Having good means of access to a local station - including by cycling, walking or wheeling - will be one aspect of the strategy.

The Mayor will ask for an update on the feasibility work commissioned jointly by Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Councils over two years ago. He will be accompanied by members of the Thame-Haddenham Greenway group.

The meeting starts at 10am. It's open to the public and will be held in County Hall, Oxford. For more information, please visit: https://mycouncil.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=1173 .

If you wish to keep informed about activities of the Greenway Group, please contact David at Haddenham Safe Walking and Cycling: [email protected]

GroWet at Thame Library!

Did you know Sunday 2nd February is Sunday is World Wetlands Day!

If you are passionate about making a difference for freshwater habitats and supporting wildlife then later this month there is an event at Thame Library being hosted by Fresh Water Habitat Trust where you can learn more about GroWet - an exciting initiative focused on helping nature thrive! Whether you’re curious to learn more or ready to dive in, you will be warmly welcomed

Thursday 20th February 10am - 1pm

Showcasing Sustainability in Thame

Come and join local businesses and community groups at The Players Theatre for an exciting event focused on sustainability in our local community. Discover how businesses in Thame are making a positive impact on the environment and learn about local initiatives you can engage with to play your part in promoting a greener future in our town.

Enjoy a free glass of wine or a soft drink as you network with like-minded individuals and be inspired by success stories of what others have done.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the movement towards a more eco-friendly business (and community group) landscape!

Tickets are free, but limited - so book your space now.

This event is being hosted by Thame Town Council & 21st Century Thame as part of a joint project supporting local businesses and organisations in becoming more sustainable. The project has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with South Oxfordshire District Council as the lead authority.

If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to contact Becky Reid from Thame Town Council at [email protected] or Caoilfhionn Nic Conmara from 21st Century Thame at [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there!

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund was part of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provided funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aimed to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.

Get involved in green action in your community

Did you know Thame has a Green Living Plan - a 10 year plan for a greener, cleaner Thame. The plan includes over 190 actions that we want to take by 2030 to help achieve this.

You find out more about these actions and see what has already been completed, what is in motion and what still needs to take place at the Thame Green Living Website - https://thamegreenliving.org.u...

There is so much to achieve so get in contact through the website if you want to play a part.

Events coming up

All information below is correct at time of sending but is subject to change. Events are delivered by different groups and each button below links to more details. Please make sure you click through to book your space/read more information prior to attending.

Saturday 1st February: Winter Farm Walk - Theme: Local Geology and 'Have-a-Go' Soil Testing. 9.30am

Tuesday 4th, 11th & 25th February: Her Land Work Party (women & girls): 9.30am - 11.30am. YOU MUST REGISTER BEFORE ATTENDING

Sunday 16th February: Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve Work Party - meet at 10am at Southern Road.

Thursday 20th February: GroWet at Thame Library. 10am - 1pm

Tuesday 25 February: Long Crendon Energy Expo 7pm -9pm at Long Crendon Baptist Church

Saturday 15th February: Nature Connection Walk (women & girls only) Her Land : 2pm - 4pm

Sunday 16th February: Thrive in Nature taster session (women & girls only) Her Land : 2pm - 4pm

Sunday 23rd February: Family Treasure Hunt & Nature crafts. All welcome. Her Land 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Sunday 23rd February: Thrive in Nature taster session (women & girls only) Her Land : 2pm - 4pm

Wednesday 26 February: Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve Work Party - meet at 10am at Southern Road.

Wednesday, 26 March Showcasing sustainability in Thame businesses. 4pm - 6pm. Thame Players

Monthly Repair Café: Saturday 2pm-4pm Racquets Fitness Centre. Click for more info and next date

Google Calendar for local sustainable events

21st Century Thame have set up a google calendar that is up to date with any environmental / sustainable events - https://21stcenturythame.co.uk/21st-century-thame-environmental-calendar-of-events/

- let them know if we’re missing any - and click on the ‘add’ cross at the bottom of the calendar to subscribe to the calendar so that the events appear on your personal device.

Add your Green Group to the Mycelium Map!

The Mycelium Map is a digital ecosystem for eco-groups to showcase their work and events. It’s open to everyone in and around the Chilterns working on climate and nature sustainability.

You can read about the map here: https://hedgerleywood.org/mymap/

Or check it out at: https://mymap.eco

Email [email protected] for information and the link you need to put your group on the Map.

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