29/02/12….Response from Thame’s community groups ‘overwhelming’
THAME’S CMAG (Cattle Market Action Group) is delighted with the ‘overwhelming’ response to its Community Needs survey of local community groups who meet in and around Thame.
More than half of the 111 local non-sports groups identified so far have contributed to the study. And the resounding message is that there are not enough facilities in Thame and in particular, that the town lacks a place for larger meetings and community events.
Early results
Some key themes are starting to emerge, says CMAG. The preference is for a town centre site, with sufficient parking and easy access, that can be used flexibly by different sized groups. The town needs a performance space for community theatre, rock nights and music concerts. The two large Thame U3A groups, as well as NADFAS (The National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies) have between 250 and 350 members each and are growing. They used the old Windmill Road football club until it was closed down.
Sadly the new venue on the ring road is smaller, with capacity for only 150 people. Also, being on the outskirts of town, people no longer go for coffee, lunch or browse the High Street afterwards. Other groups, like Thame Twins (20 parents and 40 children!), currently meet outside Thame, but would very much like to meet in the town centre. The people of Thame love the town centre and want to meet within, not outside the town.
Next steps
Thame has several excellent smaller facilities, but most are already operating at full capacity, or have restrictions on how or when they can be used. The current study is looking not just at current but also the future needs of Thame. The vision of a multi-purpose assembly rooms venue as a central hub in the town is coming from many groups. The next stage is to work on feasibility for running a community building and the possible site. The fact that the town already has thriving, self-supporting venues such as the Thame Leisure Centre and the Barns Centre, will support the business case, says CMAG.
The future
The future of the Cattle Market is a hot topic. As owners of the site, South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) has a major dilemma. Unfortunately there isn?t enough room on the site for a supermarket and a viable community facility. The community building included in Sainsbury?s plans is “inadequate” says CMAG, having less capacity than many village halls in the area.
“It is good news that the Town Council are continuing their excellent work on the Neighbourhood Plan,” says CMAG. “They have engaged a consultant to carry out a feasibility study on the community needs analysis, which must be allowed to complete before any decision is made on the future of the publicly owned Cattle Market. Have your say, by responding to the Thame Gazette poll, but also by commenting on the Sainsbury’s planning application directly on SODC?swebsite.
The Cattle Market Action Group (CMAG) will be continuing the community needs analysis throughout March, so if your group has not yet been in touch, please do so by emailing: thamecmag@yahoo.co.uk or by writing to CMAG at 39 North Street, Thame OX9 3BJ.
IMAGE: A artist’s concept of what the entrance to a possible community building could look like.
