Category: entertainment and leisure news

BARLEY Hill Primary School, Thame, celebrated Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday on Thursday, June 9, with a Street Party in glorious sunshine.

The event began with Year Four playing their brass instruments followed by the woodwind players. Each year group had been given a decade from the Queen’s reign and wore costumes from the era and performed a dance during the afternoon, as well as producing art work and relevant pieces of writing earlier in the week.

The Queen’s birthday cake was cut by the oldest and youngest boy and girl, as well as a little boy whose birthday fell the same day.

The grand finale was a whole school samba dance. A fantastic afternoon was enjoyed by all!

SOURCE: Contributed by Barley Hill School

THE programme for this year’s Thame Carnival and Big Street Party is hotting up! Fire Officers from Thame will carrying out a demonstration of cutting a trapped causality out of a car, in the arena at 3pm. Timings for the day are as follows:

11 am Parade participants gather at Elms Park for walkers, & Station Yard for vehicles
12 noon to 1.20pm Parade
13.00 to 4.30pm Arena events
13.00 to 4.30pm Dog show
13.00 to 5.00pm Live entertainment and compere on stage
17.30 End

Those organisations taking part in the Parade include Thame Town Council, Safari, Thame Fire Station, Thame and District Motor Club, Ian Baker, Thame Motorsport Club, Kubota, Friends of Oscar, Barley Hill School, Thame Swimming Club, Thame Youth Theatre, St Joseph’s Primary School,  Thame Co-Op, Army Reserve Recruiting Team and John Hampden Primary School.

Following this there’ll be the spectacle of a fly-past by a Hawker Hurricane, a British, single-seat fighter aircraft of the 1930s-1940s that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force (RAF).

Although overshadowed by the Supermarine Spitfire, the aircraft became renowned during the Battle of Britain, accounting for 60% of the RAF’s air victories in the battle, and served in all the major theatres of the Second World War.

The 1930s design evolved through several versions and adaptations, resulting in a series of aircraft which acted as fighters, bomber-interceptors, fighter-bombers (also called “Hurribombers”) and ground support aircraft. Further versions known as the Sea Hurricane had modifications which enabled operation from ships.
Some were converted as catapult-launched convoy escorts, known as “Hurricats”. More than 14,583 Hurricanes were built by the end of 1944 (including at least 800 converted to Sea Hurricanes[3] and some 1,400 built in Canada by Canadian Car and Foundry).

So now you know all about the Hawker Hurricane – but come along to the Carnival and see this magnificent beast for yourself in its natural habitat – the sky!

What else?

Street party throughout the afternoon on Southern Road Recreation ground – As residents arrive, Carnival committee member, Charlene, will post a street name on a stake around the street party tables and gazebos. the aim is that neighbours will congregate around their street table. Each new street resident will get a new street name allocated to a table (or two).

From 1pm,  street entertainers, including Crystal ball jugglers, will get the party going, and various games and activities will provide even more fun for all ages, including egg-throwing, Splat the Rat, Tombolas and competitions of all sorts throughout the afternoon.

There’ll be the usual large inflatables for the kids, and for lovers of our four-legged friends, the Family Fun Dog Show (Click for details) will of course give them the chance to show what their pooches can do. Beer and Pimms will be on tap throughout the afternoon, as will soft drinks, ice creams and various food stalls to keep everyone refreshed.

No Carnival or Street Party is complete without music and dance, and this year’s stage programme will keep your feet tapping all afternoon. Your Compere will be Dan Blazor, and the Arena and Stage order is as follows:

Arena:

13:00  – Stagecoach Thame

13:25  – Romy School Of Dance

13:50 – Thame Youth Theatre

14:15 –  Towersey Morris

15:00–  Strawberry Fayre Majorettes

Stage:

14:30 – Bryn Davis

3:45pm – Bootlegger

So, let’s all get mugging up on ‘The Sun Dance’ to encourage the weather to realise that it is in fact, summer on Saturday, June 11.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK4fCv5ekzI 

DURING National Volunteers Week 2016 (June 1-12) the Chilterns Conservation Board is encouraging everyone who loves the Chilterns countryside to consider giving a little of their time to help look after this very special area.

There are many groups and organisations across Bucks, Oxfordshire, Beds and Herts who need volunteers to help them conserve local wildlife, keep the countryside accessible for all, help out at events or do general office admin. Whether you’ve got lots of spare time or only a little there will be an opportunity that suits. The average British person spends over 11 hours a week on social media – giving up even just 2 hours of that could make a big difference to a good cause.

When you volunteer there are lots of benefits to be enjoyed: improved health and well-being, a wider network of friends, the chance to learn something new and personal satisfaction from helping a cause close to your heart.

The Conservation Board has produced an online Directory of Volunteering Opportunities in the Chilterns – it’s free to browse and is full of information on who’s doing what, the kind of help they need and how to get in touch. Download the Directory at www.chilternsaonb.org/volunteering

The Conservation Board itself needs volunteer help with its work to conserve and promote the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If you’ve got some expertise in planning or fundraising, or you’re interested in general office admin or website updating, get in touch via office@chilternsaonb.org

THE travelling Thame food fan, who set off around the world last year to see if he could find a kebab to beat the offering of the popular Atalay’s mobile kebab van, has decided to settle down for a while.

Dominic Stanway Williams has now decided to settle down in Vietnam, and in his latest blog, describes the food and fun that he has experienced since his last blog.

You can read about Dominic’s chef job on a tropical island in the south of Cambodia, riding a motorbike around the Philipines, the Western diet and obesity and his joy at being able to eat a traditional, English dinner on Christmas day.

So grab a cup of tea or coffee – or a glass of something exotic, and settle down and drift off on a warm and wondrous wander with Dominic. Web link:

Eating like a South-East Asian

TOWERSEY FESTIVAL has once again teamed up with Thame’s First Thursday Music Club (FTMC) for a very special free, Towersey Festival launch gig in Thame, on Thursday, June 2.

This month’s regular Open Mic night will feature William The Conqueror, the rootsy trio created by and fronted by acclaimed singer-songwriter, Ruarri Joseph, whose emotionally charged fourth album, 2013’s Brother, was devoted to the loss of a friend. You can read more about William The Conqueror on the Towersey Festival website: LINK HERE

THIS year’s Chiltern Cycling Festival is shaping up to be a great summer’s day out for cyclists and their families from all over the UK, on Sunday, July 17.

This year the organisers are partnering with Scannappeal, a charity that raises money to buy state-of-the art medical equipment for the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Hospitals, Amersham, Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville. The Pedal for Prostate rides include 30, 60 and 100 mile routes. CCF organiser, Robin Askey, said: “We are delighted to support Scannappeal. The Chilterns is such a great place to cycle and our three routes are perfect for all abilities of rider and to help raise money for such a worthwhile charity.”

Based at the Penn House Estate, the festival offers a whole host of routes in and around the Chiltern Hills. All finishers receive a glass of champagne and a goody bag to help celebrate completing their challenge, along with entry into the Velo Village where they can relax and recover from their exertions.

Alongside the two wheeled challenges, there will be a mix of activities for friends and families to enjoy from a Brocante style vintage market, Children’s Go Ride activities to local produce and food and drink stalls, including locally brewed Craft beers as well as live music and even a retro bike parade, The Dapper Pedaler.

Riders can enter as part of the Scannappeal Pedal for Prostate team. There is no minimum fundraising or sponsorship amount required, but riders are asked to donate to Scannappeal based on distances covered and completion of the route. Scannappeal’s Director, Lisa Trivett said: “Joining the Pedal for Prostate team is a great way to explore the beautiful Chiltern countryside whilst helping Scannappeal raise money to purchase equipment to radically improve surgery to treat prostate, kidney and bladder cancers. Hopefully the sun will be out and we’ll all enjoy a great British summer’s day in this wonderful setting.”

To enter go online at LINK HERE. Whilst you don’t need to be a BC member you need to register your details and state ‘Team Scannappeal’ as your club.

THE eagerly anticipated Oxfordshire Cook Book is set to be released on June 6, featuring a collection of stunning recipes and stories from some of Oxfordshire’s finest restaurants, cafés, delicatessens, pubs, producers and suppliers.

The book is the 11th in the ‘Get Stuck In’ series of regional cook books by Meze Publishing, who were recently crowned Best Newcomer at the Independent Publishing Awards.

Mike North, the owner of Michelin starred village pub The Nut Tree has written the foreword for the book as well as contributing his ginger panna cotta with rhubarb recipe. He writes: “Oxford’s gastronomy has so much to offer from nationally acclaimed artisan bakers and delicatessens to a plethora of amazing farm shops and local butchers.

“The local food heroes of Oxfordshire are too many to mention, but in short I am sure you will find in this guide a place to suit you for every occasion and every budget.”

Food lovers are spoilt for choice by the numerous award-winning, fine dining restaurants and traditional country pubs that Oxfordshire has to offer. The book also highlights local producers and suppliers in areas including Didcot, Chipping Norton, Kidlington, Banbury, Abingdon, Reading, Bicester, Witney, Henley-on-Thames and Watlington.

Among the venues featured are The White Hart, Minster Lovell who won ‘Traditional Pub Restaurant of the Year’ followed by The White Hart at Fyfield who won ‘Restaurant of the Year’ at the Oxfordshire Restaurant Awards and The Oxford Kitchen who won the same title for the South of England at the annual Restaurant Awards. Two AA rosette restaurant The Miller of Mansfield, who also contributed to the book, were awarded ‘Restaurant of the Year 2016’ by the Good Food Guide.

Thomas Curtis who is the Head Chef at country pub The White Hart, Minster Lovell is a big fan of the Oxfordshire food scene. He says: “Having being born and raised in Oxfordshire, it was a privilege to be given the opportunity to represent my county in The Oxfordshire Cook Book. There is so much talent, knowledge and passion in our area and we hope we do it proud.”

In the book, you will also see contributions from Great British Bake Off’s Christine Wallace, BBC Radio Oxford’s Kat Orman, Natural Bread Company, Tutu Delicious and many more – readers will be sure to spot one or two of their favourite eateries, as well as find a few new haunts.

Self-taught chef, Paul Clerehugh, who runs The Crooked Billet is excited to see the book in print: “I’m delighted that the Crooked Billet features amongst such an eclectic bunch of cooks, chefs & foodies in the Oxfordshire Cook Book. We are lucky enough to be surrounded by fantastic local produce and retailers in our county which boosts the appetite, enthusiasm, discernment and passion for food that keeps the local chefs in whites. This cook book is a fantastic reflection of this.”

With a carefully selected collection of diverse recipes achievable by all home cooks, from The Nut Tree Inn’s ginger panna cotta with Yorkshire rhubarb to The Crooked Billet’s Builders tea brulee with milk chocolate hob nobs, The Quince Tree’s scrumper’s scotch egg, Oxford Cheese Company’s isiflette and The Kitchen Farnborough’s roast Cotswold white chicken and herb potato dumplings in saffron broth – there’s something to whet everybody’s appetite.

The Oxfordshire Cook Book retails at £14.95 and will be available soon in all of the businesses featured in the book as well as select local gift shops, book shops including Waterstones and online at www.amazon.co.uk

SOURCE (or should that be SAUCE !?) Press release

OVER the weekend of June 4 – 5, many interesting and varied private gardens will be open, all within the village of Chinnor, including two new gardens, as well as Chinnor allotments and a shop. St Andrews Primary School will also be opening its garden.

Refreshments will be available on both days at various places and gardens. St Andrew’s Church will be decorated with the theme of ‘A Joyful Celebration’ and will be providing cream teas. There will be plants for sale on both days too.

The gardens will be open between 2 – 6 pm, and tickets cost £5 for adults for a weekend ticket; accompanied under 16s free.

Leaflets and tickets available in advance from the Village Centre and Parish Council Office, or on the day from any participating garden and at the Plant Sales.

Further information: Phone: 07761 582 937 – Email: chinnoropengardens@gmail.com
Website: Chinnor Open Gardens