How is Thame is coping with the Covid-19 crisis?

DESPITE the frequently empty shelves of tinned food, pasta, rice, toilet rolls – and today, strong white flour for bread-making,

Thame is coping well so far with the challenges of this unprecedented event in the town’s modern history.

For the independent shops in the town, as of Saturday, March 14, it’s a mixed picture. CAAOS, the computer repair shop above Pet Care, a shortage of electronic equipment from China a couple of weeks ago has now eased and stocks are available at the moment. The store reports an increase in phone calls from people asking about how to set up for working from home which they are happy to help with. FROM, the gift and life-style shop in Cornmarket that specialises in selling work by local artists, designers and makers, reported a drop in footfall, less browsing, but generally a good level of sales on Saturday to people coming in with intent to buy something, often for a Mothers’ Day present.

Glynswood said that had noticed an up-take in the purchasing of puzzles, colouring materials and kits, the sorts of things people, including children, can do at home, whilst Autoparts reported that the town had been quieter than usual in the week, illustrated by the unusual number of available parking spaces in the town centre, but that Saturday’s sales had been pretty buoyant, particularly as they had received a shipment of hand sanitisers. Umberto, in Greyhound Walk, was not feeling a particular downturn on Saturday, but was not optimistic for the future if shops have to close if the government’s strategy for controlling the spread of the virus meant people having to stay in their homes.

‘Community spirit’

The kindness and community spirit of the people of Thame has really come to the fore this week, with the emergence of several facebook groups aimed at supporting people affected by the virus, whether they’re isolated by the illness itself, or having to work from home to protect themselves and each other.

A group called Love Thame Helpers has been set up to allow members of the existing, Love Thame facebook group, a dedicated area to request and offer help in response to the outbreak of the Corona Virus.  Leaflets have been printed and are being posted all around the town, offering a helpful hand.

The facebook group, Thame Homeworking Community has emerged for those people in the Thame area who are working from home. It could be by choice or because they may be self-isolating, or may be directed by their employer because of the COVID-19 virus. The aim is to enable them to share and support each other. 

Many events postponed or cancelled

Following the latest advice of the government for everyone to stay away from social gatherings, and to remain at a distance from each other, many forthcoming local events have either been cancelled or postponed. They include:

• Thame United, Wednesday’s fixture is off! March 18 – all grassroots football in England is postponed for the foreseeable future
• Thame’s Annual Town Meeting on Tuesday, March 24
• Chinnor RFC Thame has suspended all rugby activity including club training, league and cup matches plus rugby education courses from March 17 – April 14 subject to continued review
• Thame Tidy, April 18
• Music in the Park, May 3
• VE Day celebrations, May 8
• Mile of Coins, May 30
• Thame Choral Society’s May concert – Handl’s Messiah; TCS hopes to perform the concert later in the year, in October or November
• Cricket club comedy night
• Thame Players Theatre closed
• Taste of Thame – postponed
• Thame Town Council’s Planning meeting cancelled – March 17
• Information Centre Town hall, not open to the public –  information centre, contact by phone 01844 212 833 or email info@thametowncouncil.gov.uk
• Mother’s Day Afternoon tea – March 22, 2020 at the Guide HQ

GP Surgeries

GP Practices are being advised not to see patients face to face wherever possible in order to limit the spread of Coronavirus. The Rycote Practice will be using telephone, video and eConsultations where possible until further notice. You can eConsult via the website at any time. All other contacts will be triaged by telephone and only seen face to face if necessary. Only call the surgery for essential requests in order to keep the lines free.

Appointments such as blood tests and dressings that cannot be dealt with by telephone will only be booked if they have been requested by a doctor or nurse.

DO NOT go to the surgery for any reason if you have a temperature, a persistent cough or flu-like symptoms.  Some routine appointments and services will be cancelled or postponed.

Support services and contact

Thame Information Centre and the Town Council offices will remain open but the council is asking that you  call (01844 212833) or email (info@thametowncouncil.gov.uk) if possible. Please check the Town Council’s Twitter Feed for updates. There are lots of useful support services contact details on the counci’s website HERE

Latest from South Oxfordshire District Council

FOLLOWING government and Public Health England advice on the risks to people over the age of 70 and with underlying health conditions, as well as following good practice for reducing the amount of unnecessary contact between individuals, SODC has taken the decision to cancel some events as follows:

• Community-based leisure events and activities at our arts centres involving older and vulnerable people
• All formal council meetings until the end of March have been postponed – they will review the plan for meetings scheduled after the end of the month in due course, and will consider the latest government’s advice at the time.

SODC staff who are already able to work from home without affecting services to the public have been asked to do so. Otherwise, the council is operating normally. If you do need to find out information about the council, make a payment or apply for something the council provides, you can do so using the websites. A page on the council’s website is being kept up to date with the latest information. LINK HERE