THAME portrait photographer Mark Hewitson has made the shortlist as a finalist in the prestigious Xperience Photography Awards.
Talos
The Xperience Awards, run by the Xperience Group, is a competition with entries from professional portrait studios across the UK and Ireland. Attracting thousands of entries every year the awards celebrate creativity and excellence in photography. Mark’s finalist image has been shortlisted in the ‘Top Dog Creative’ category and features long haired Chihuahua, Talos playing with bubbles during his session.
A thrilled Mark said: “To be shortlisted as a finalist in such a prestigious and highly contested awards is a huge honour and I am delighted that my work has been recognised to be both of excellent quality and creativity.”
The winning images in the 2019 Xperience Awards will be announced in November with the client of the overall winning image in each category receiving a 20 inch, beautifully framed wall art which will undoubtedly take pride of place on their home.
If you would like a portrait of your dog to be in with a chance of winning the 2020 Xperience Awards, you can contact Mark at http://markhewitson.co.uk/ or on 01844 278015.
REPRESENTATIVES from the world of work are being invited to play the role of Human Library ‘books’ and to tell their career stories to students at Lord Williams’s school in Thame.
The ‘Human Library’ is set up for Year 8 students aimed at developing their understanding of career roles and the range of decisions involved in making career choices. The idea is that the students are organised into groups of four around tables and will ‘borrow’ a Human from the shelf to find out the career story of the individual they are talking to, using a list of suggested questions.
Each interview is limited to seven minutes before the Human has to be returned to the Library shelf and another Human selected. Students are provided with a short list of questions to ask their Human but are encouraged to think of their own questions.
“The activity will help to dispel gender stereotypes and demonstrate the flexibility of career pathways across a lifetime,” said a school spokesperson.
Anyone willing to take part in Lord Williams’s Human Library event, can find out more by contacting the LWS Careers Team via – rvau2642@lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk
The Dates: 8am start:
Tuesday 22nd October 2019
Tuesday 26th November 2019
Tuesday 25th February 2020
Tuesday 17th March 2020
Tuesday 31st March 2020
Tuesday 12th May 2020
Location:
LWS Lower School, Towersey Road, Thame, OX9 3NW
Key Stage 3 Library and Lower School Sports Hall Conference Room
Programme:
8am: Employers arrive at Lower School Reception
8.10 am: Refreshments and briefing
8.30 am: Students arrive and are briefed on the activity
9.35 am: End of activity, quick review and close
Questions asked by students:
Please give us a quick description of what your job involves.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy best?
Have you always wanted to do this job?
What qualifications do you need to be able to do your job?
What skills are useful for your role?
What other job roles have you experienced?
Student Feedback from previous Human Library sessions:
Things you have enjoyed about meeting your Humans this morning:
Seeing others people’s views on jobs and learning how to get a good job
That they had different jobs from what they have now
Asking questions/ talking to different people about their jobs and work experience
Reasons why people might change their career path:
They might not have the choice of qualifications
They might not enjoy what they are doing
They might want a change
Taking part in the Human Library has helped me think about ……
What I want to be when I’m older
My future and what kind of qualifications and skills I need
My journey in choosing my job and what paths I can take
Contact:
Rebecca Vaughan, Careers Office, Lord Williams’s School
EXTREME HOT WEATHER WARNING – AS it is looking very likely that the temperature could reach 39°C somewhere in southern and eastern England today – the hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK is 38.5°C – the public is being advised to take precautions.
Tips to survive the heat:
* Drink water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Take a bottle with you always. * Hot cars kill. Never leave kids, older people or pets in cars. The temperature inside a parked car can double within minutes. * Keep cool. Seek out air-conditioned buildings, draw your blinds, use a fan, take cool showers and dress in light and loose clothing made from natural fabrics. * Plan ahead. Schedule activities in the coolest part of the day and avoid exercising in the heat. If you must go out, * wear a hat and sunscreen and take a bottle of water with you. * Check in on others. Look after those most at risk in the heat – your neighbour living alone, the elderly, the young, people with a medical condition and don’t forget your pets * Be aware of the dangers of playing near or swimming in rivers, lakes and reservoirs
The police locally have particularly warned of the dangers of jumping into the old quarry lakes at Chinnor, which are surrounded by crumbling cliffs and the very cold water is shallow in places, concealing hidden objects. Traces of chemicals in the water from the previous operations at the quarry, have caused skin irriatations in some people. Apart from anything else, the site is now privately owned and anyone caught there could be charged with trespass.
Two in court for causing suffering to a fox
ISSUES surrounding identification and a planned independent expert report which would dispute ‘whether the necessary suffering would have been caused in the circumstances described’ were raised in court where two Kimblewick huntsmen faced charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Ian James Kirby Parkinson, 64, of Lower Road, Haddenham, and Mark Anthony Vincent, 53, of Kimblewick, near Aylesbury, President of the Kimblewick Hunt, face a trial on October 30.
The charges relate to an incident near Moreton Field Farm, in Moreton, near Thame, on January 1, 2019. Members of the Hunt Saboteurs Association had released footage claiming to show an incident on the same date where a fox was forced out of an artificial earth using drain rods and then thrown towards hunt hounds.
Both defendants were given bail.
Road Closed following two incidents now re-opened
THE Aylesbury Road, the A418 at Scotsgrove, was closed for a while yesterday, following a road collision and a broken-down combine harvester. The 280/X8 bus route was affected by the temporary closure.
Sponsors needed for Thame’s Christmas Lights Switch-On
THAME Town Council is looking for local businesses to sponsor this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-On, planned this year for Friday, December 6. Lucy Electric have already agreed to sponsor the lights themselves.
MEMBERS of Thame Town Council’s Planning and Environment Committee have turned down a proposal for a mobile Steam Car Wash service based in the Upper High Street park.
Councillors felt that the space the operation would take up in a busy car park, the dirt and pollution it would cause, meant that the business was inappropriate for the intended location. It was suggessted that the Cattle Market car park might be a better location for the operation.
ON June 12, around 100 elite women cyclists will be making their way through our region in what will be one of the most important women’s cycle races of the season.
Starting at 10.30am in Henley, the race will go through the following location, so road users should be aware that there will be rolling road closures prior to the cyclists going through at these approximate times and locations:
10.30am at Henley 10.54am at Watlington 11.40am at Goring 11.55am at Crowmarsh 11.57am at Wallingford 12.10pm at Didcot
Thousands of cycling fans are expected to visit our area to watch the race, generating lots of unique opportunities for local businesses to get involved and also to become a race sponsors. Local restaurants, bars, hotels, B&Bs and shops along the route can all benefit. Visit the weblink for lots of information about how independent businesses can increase visiting customers, sponsorship deals etc.
THAME and District Rotary’s Business in the Community Scheme which involves volunteers from local businesses joining employees from other companies and undertaking community projects, is under way for 2019.
Enthusiastic volunteer decorators at Thomley – Photo by John Singer
The scheme was initiated last year when Kubota Ltd, Lightfoots Solicitors, Lucy Electric Ltd, The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa, Richardsons Chartered Accountants and Waitrose all agreed to participate. This year all these companies have agreed to participate once again. Additionally, Farol Ltd and Le Manoir joined the scheme this year.
The first project undertaken was at Thame Citizens Advice offices when its two reception rooms and an office were redecorated. The work was undertaken by an energetic team of eight employees from Farol Ltd, Lightfoot’s Solicitors, The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa, and Waitrose. This included preparation, emulsion painting of the walls and ceilings and gloss painting the wood work.
Liz Johnson, Manager Thame Citizens Advice, said: “We would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the Rotary Club of Thame and the volunteers from local businesses who worked so hard on this project. They have transformed the reception areas and one of the client meeting rooms to make them bright, clean and welcoming for our visitors and for the volunteers who work here. We were delighted to be able to benefit from this initiative which enabled us to greatly improve our public areas without diverting funds away from client facing services.”
Ali Anning, HR Business Partner, Farol Ltd said “Farol are thrilled to have joined the ‘Business in the Community’ initiative this year – it is great to be involved in such a scheme. Our first volunteers really enjoyed the days they spent on their projects and we look forward to helping again soon.”
The second project was undertaken at Thomley, when another team of enthusiastic volunteers from Farol Ltd, Le Manoir, Lightfoots Solicitors, Richardsons Chartered Accountants, and Waitrose carried out work on the reception areas and offices. This also included preparation of walls and ceilings, emulsion painting and gloss painting of the woodwork.
Denise Kemp spent a day at Thomley. She said: “I was pleased to be able to help out as part of the volunteer programme by The Rotary Club. The facilities at Thomley are really fantastic and it was great to learn more about what they do. I was part of the team that helped in the decorating of some of the offices and general areas, the other volunteers were a great bunch of people and although we worked hard to get the job finished, we had a great day. It really was an absolute pleasure to have helped those that do so much.”
Jackie Slocombe, HR & L&D Manager added: “At Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, we have established important values that all of our employees aspire to on a daily basis, including Care, Confidence, Curiosity and Community. It is therefore important to us that we establish positive connections with our communities and give back what we can, when we can.
“The Rotary Club has given us an incredible opportunity to truly live out these values, and it enables our employees to take some time away from their busy working lives and make a difference in a very special way. We look forward to a continued partnership with The Rotary Club and our local communities.
“The financial value of these first two projects is estimated at approximately £3,000. The Rotary Club of Thame and District and the participating companies are extremely grateful to generosity of Brewers in Aylesbury for donating all of the paint materials and equipment required for the work in Citizens Advice and Thomley.”
John Singer of Thame and District Rotary added: “The programme seems to have appealed again to companies and employees alike and it’s clearly benefitting the community. The local businesses have been most generous by allowing their employees to participate in the scheme. I have found it remarkable how enthusiastic the volunteers have been to support this community work.”
John concluded:” This is another example of how Rotary and Businesses, working together, can make things happen and we intend that this will be a regular event.”
To find out on how to get involved with Rotary Club of Thame & District projects or to join the club, visitwww.thame.rotary1090.org and www.facebook.com/thamerotary
FOLLOWING the fire and theft of lorries at David Einig Contracting in Rycote Lane, Thame, recently, the company has now gone into administration, and the company has ceased trading.
This has resulted in the loss of 105 members of staff. David Shambrook and Geoff Rowley, director and partner at specialist business advisory firm FRP Advisory LLP, were appointed Joint Administrators of David Einig Contracting Limited and David Einig Plant Limited (“the Companies”) on March 28, 2019.
An FRP spokesperson said: “The business ceased trading with immediate effect, resulting in all 105 members of staff being made redundant. The Joint Administrators are working closely with the Redundancy Payments Service to ensure the best possible outcome for employees in this difficult period.”
The whereabout of David Einig himself for comment is unknown at this time.
IN an article in The Guardian on Thursday (10/01/19), it was reported that the number of Independent Bookshops has grown for the second year in a row, after a 20 year decline, and Thame’s Book House has been named by the paper’s readers as one of the most loved bookshops around the world!
2013 Masterchef winner Natalie Coleman, with winners of the Thame Food Festival Childrens’ cookery competition in 2016, at The Book House, Thame
In response to the news, Co-owner, Brian Pattinson, told Thamenews.net: “We are delighted to be included in the Guardian’s shortlist of independent bookshops this week. The Guardian invited people to name their favourite independent bookshop and give reasons for their choice. We believe many people responded to this request, naming the Book House.
“Of these, the newsphaper chose to print a piece by someone who remembered her childhood visits to the Book House and now, though no longer living in the area, still enjoys returning to the shop. As well as praising the staff for their expertise in recommending books she added: “This shop is integral to the town and does so much for the community.”
‘Anonymous of Teddington’, actually wrote in full: “This shop is part of my life. I remember visiting all the time as a small child and loving the fact that the chairs were small, the tables low and you could read the books in the children’s section whilst your parent/s were in the rest of the shop. Then as I grew up, I continued to purchase books as the team were so good at recommendations and would order in specific books. I now live away from the area but every time I go home, I pay a visit to the Book House for old times’ sake. This shop is integral to the town and does so much for the community.”
So there is good news to be had in the High Street!
You can read the whole of the Guardian article HERE
NOMINATIONS are now open to put businesses, managers, leaders and entrepreneurs forward for the South and Vale business awards. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have joined forces to include businesses of all shapes and sizes based across the southern Oxfordshire and Science Vale areas.
Oxford Wood Recycling won the Social Responsibility Award in the Vale4B Awards 2018
Anyone can nominate a businesses, employers and leaders for the following categories:
Large business of the year
Employer of the year
Early stage innovation award
Established innovation award
Social responsibility award
Business leader of the year
Business space of the year
SME of the year
Cllr Mike Murray, Cabinet Member for Development and Regeneration at Vale of White Horse District Council said: “We are looking forward to receiving the nominations for this year’s awards. There are so many excellent organisations based here, some undertaking the most ground-breaking work, and these awards can help to put them in the limelight.”
Cllr Harrison said: “This is the first time businesses and leaders based in our district are able to nominate themselves and others for these prestigious awards. We are excited to championing great leadership and good practice and to support our local organisations to grow and succeed.”
Simon Bassett, lead partner from UK Top 100 law firm and lead sponsor, Royds Withy King, said: “It was great to see so many people attend the launch of the 2019 South and Vale Awards last month, highlighting the calibre of potential applicants from across the two districts. We would strongly encourage businesses of all shapes and sizes to either apply themselves, or nominate a business, employer or leader for one or more of the eight awards on offer. We are surrounded by innovative and exciting individuals and businesses in Oxfordshire and these awards are the perfect opportunity for that to be recognised. We look forward to seeing the applications come in and to meeting more of you at the upcoming events.”
Once announced, the finalists of each category will be invited along to attend a fabulous awards ceremony at Williams F1 Conference Centre in March next year.
Sponsors of the awards are Royds Withy King (lead sponsor), HSBC, Richardsons Group, Bluestream Recruitment, MSC R&D, FOCUS Oxford Risk Management, Hilton Garden Inn (Abingdon), Harwell, Milton Park and Better for Leisure.
CELEBRITY Chef Raymond Blanc led a delegation of over eighty local business leaders, gathered at his Black Horse Pub Brasserie in Thame, in order to show support for the now community-run Oxfordshire charity, the Red Kite Family Centre.
Red Kite Children’s Centre Leader, Amy Spicer
The Centre provides a wide range of activities, support and advice services to all parents with children up to four years old in the Thame and Chinnor area. It also helps young children and their parents prepare for their school years which follow. Well over 80% of parents in the area make regular use of the Centre and the trustees are determined to ensure that the £70,000 a year needed to fund its upkeep is secured for the coming years.
Image: Courtesy of Paul Wilkinson Photographt – Raymond Blanc cooking with a pupil from Haddenham St Mary’s school
Speaking during the event on Tuesday, November 20, Raymond Blanc offered his personal endorsement for the centre’s work and encouraged everyone present to show their support through practical and financial means. Mr Blanc said: “The family centre is heavily relied upon within the local area. Therefore it’s critical that the centre retains the help and assistance of all of us in this room and throughout our wider community.”
Amy Spicer, the family centre’s Leader, provided a number of striking examples of the real difference that the centre is making to the lives of many families with young children in the area, ranging from children with disabilities through to a new mother with postnatal depression. Amy ended by saying: “We want to be there for every family.”
Tony Stratton, Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire also attended the event and gave his support before thanking Amy and her team for the invaluable work that they are doing.
John Hulett, the centre’s Chair of Trustees further added: “With support from local business and the wider community we can ensure that the centre continues to provide this vital lifeline to families in our area.”
As part of the evening, a new ‘Friends of the Red Kite Family Centre’ scheme was launched, with ‘a menu’ of sponsoring and support options, for providing support. The scheme is open to everyone and details can be found on the Red Kite Family Centre website. LINK HERE
The importance of early years ‘building blocks
John Hulett welcomed everyone to the Black Horse, and thanked particularly the Family Centre’s main sponsor of the evening, and the staff of the Black Horse. He told guests how he was inspired to help the Red Kite Family Centre, after retiring as Head of Barley Hill School in Thame, where he came to notice how good ‘building blocks’ during children’s early lives gave them a flying start. For those not fortunate enough to have those early advantages, there were issues they had to deal with. “So please,” he asked. “Do take the opportunity to help, because we know that the early years of a child’s life are so vital.”
Raymond Blanc, who had just flown in from Bankok on his way back from China, spoke of his own early life and joked about how he had taken on English characteriseltics like waiting in queues and that most English of things, being able to laugh at himself, after 46 years living in Great Milton. Now he was a publican, he proudly declared, and a hotelier, working ethically and responsibly, and importantly, training young people!
‘With success comes reponsibilities’
“I’m a business man,” he said, “..a papa; just a guy who has had the benefits of success. But with that comes a responsibility that people like us should all get involved and give back to the community. To be able to taken on the extraordinary role of helping kids who may not have had the best start in life is both a duty and privalege.
“So much has been taken away for support and development of these young people, so as I see it, it is the responsibility of us all to help. We must be active players in ensuring that Red Kite Family Centre is successful and able to get to those kids and help to give them the very best start in life.”
A supporter, Iain, added his praise and thanks to the Trustees and staff of the Centre who do so much to provide ‘a huge service’ that is no longer supported by Government, and ‘are adding enormously to the communtiy we all live in’.
Still here thanks to a great team!
Centre Leader, Amy Spicer, recalled how, two years ago, she took a call from Oxfordshire County Council telling her that she would have to tell all the staff and families that early intervention services were going! “Two years on, and we are still here!” she said to loud clapping and cheers. “Behind what we do is an amazing group of Trustees who have done so much to get funding fron here, there and everywhere to enable us to keep going and make such a difference to so many lives. This team works tirelessly,” she said, “And I can tell you that the team would do anything to help our families.”
TV drama mirrors life
Amy then mentioned the recent TV drama, The Cry, where we see a beautiful, high-flying young couple, who on the outside, have perfect lives. Then a baby comes into their lives. Mum, with no support with a crying baby, begins to crumble. “Red Kite is here too,” she explained, “for those people who look like they have it all but need help. We are also there for the more vulnerable in our community and work with partner agencies to make sure we reach all families.”
Amy spoke movingly of one mum who fled a violent relationship; she had four kids under six, had no carpet, no trumble drier etc. “We helped her find the agencies to help, we got her food parcels, some carpet and other things she needed,” recalled Amy. “one month after that, she had gained enough confidence to come in to the centre. Now, that same mum comes to the centre three times a week and has now started as a volunteer! That’s what we are about – making sure that those sorts of families have a chance.”
Over a thousand children helped in two year!
More than 1,600 children have registerd with the centre since it became a charity, and over the last year, 942 children have been seen – 74 of them have come from the most vulnerable part of Thame. As well as thinking of the needs of children, the centre supports young families; it has helped 35 unemployed parents, 30 lone parents and 300 fathers through the men’s Breakfast events.
Feedback reported by Amy
“Its made a massive difference to myself and my son who is autistic. The girls who work there are lovely and my son has settled. It’s nice not feeling judged or stared up; it makes me more confident.”
“I have made so many new friends since I started coming here.”
” The staff alway have beaming smiles on their faces!”
“I suffer fron anxiety and low self-esteem, but going to a group of others similar to me, I have been blown away by the level of professionislm and I’m learning new skills.”
The centre closing would be a ‘tragedy’
Tony Stratton, the Deputy Leiutenant of Oxfordshire, said of Amy: “What a little Star!” Those of us who can should support this organisation. It would be a tragedy for children and families and the town it couldn’t carry on.” He then called for a toast to Amy and the her team and John Hulett presented her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
The Red Kite Family Centre is a former Oxfordshire County Council children’s centre. OCC ceased funding this and many other centres across the county in March 2017 as part of budget savings. Since April 2017 the Centre has been run by a community-based charity. Its Mission statement – To be there for every child – and it does all that on £70,000 per year. It’s three-year business plan ends in 2020 when it expects to run out of money which is why the Red Kite Centre is now reaching out to the business community for their support and working together.
IT’S exciting times for 19 year-old heptathlete, Alice Hopkins, from Thame, whose. Her talent was first noticed in her Barley Hill school, year six, sports day.
Alice Hopkins
Alice has since trained with Oxford City Athletics club and is currently first in the UK and sixth in Europe for under 23s long jump. She is now hoping to qualify for the under 23s European Championships in Sweden in July 2019, but to help her on her way, Alice needs the support of some sponsorship. Therefore, she would be very grateful if any local companies are able to help her to get there. You can contact Alice via aliceann5@hotmail.com
