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  • Runners get set for Thame 10K

    ALMOST 1000 runners are preparing to arrive at Thame Leisure Centre on Sunday (June 28), for this year’s Thame 10K.

    Image courtesy of John Harvey1 - via flickr
    Image courtesy of John Harvey1 – via flickr

    The race is organised by Thame Runners and now in its 31st year, raises thousands of pounds for local charities. The route starts at Lord Williams’s Upper School’s sports field, heads off along the Oxford Road into town centre, out towards Towersey and then back along the Phoenix Trail.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsWhile the race is on, there will be two road closures, a five-minute closure between the Oxford Road roundabout and ‘The Rising Sun’ roundabout between 9.30 and 9.35 am, and an hour-long closure on the Thame by-pass between the Princes Risborough roundabout and the Chinnor roundabout.

    This year’s Thame 10K will also be part of the Oxfordshire County Championships so the race is likely to attract a good number of top athletes from around the county to contest the top places.

  • Sin Fiction to pre-launch new singles at FTMC

    THE band, Sin Fiction will officially launch their new singles ‘Ugly Baby’ and ‘Painted Memories’, on August 1. But before that, they’ll be previewing the official launch at the next edition of The First Thursday Music Club on Thursday, July 2, at the The Stables behind the James Figg in Thame.

    Sin Fiction
    Sin Fiction

    The band raised over £7000 to record the singles, produced by Grammy winner, Matt Lawrence, at the AB2 studios and have already had airplay on BBC Introducing. Sin Fiction will be on at around 10pm at FTMC night

    The First Thursday Music Club supplied many of the acts that played Oakfest last weekend, and ran the Sunset Stage at Beaconfest too. During the three days of the Towersey Festival, FTMC will be running the bar stage where many acts that have appeared at FTMC, will be moving up to play on the bigger stage.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsAt its heart though, FTMC is still an Open Mic night that gives the opportunity for artists of all genres and abilities to perform live in front of a large and appreciative crowd. Anyone can play by signing up at the venue before 7.30pm. Check out the club on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheFirstThursdayMusicClub

    Links for Sin Fiction:

    New single previews:
    Painted Memories – https://soundcloud.com/sinfiction/painted-memories/s-Cj6i0 & Ugly Baby – https://soundcloud.com/sinfiction/ugly-baby/s-E5Lxy

    Facebook – www.Facebook.com/sinfiction

  • School holidays ‘Squash Camp’ for kids

    THAME’S children will have no excuse for being bored this summer, if trying a new, fun sport is just up their street. For Raquets Fitness Club in Thame is once again running its regular Squash Summer Camp.

    camp
    The dates for Squash Summer Camp 2015 are AUGUST: Wednesdays 5th,12th,19th,26th and Fridays 7th,14th,21st. SEPTEMBER: Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd.

    Full details of what Squash Summer Camp includes and how to register, visit Racquets’ website:

    http://www.racquets-fitness-centre.com/squash-summer-camp/

  • Invitation to fund-raising party night

    A Party Night at Thame Football Club, aimed at raising funds and awareness of a rare desease, is being organised by a sufferer of Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), also known as Devic’s disease, a rare neurological condition.

    Annabelle Moultm (right) with her friend Lucy O'Hare who completed a triathlon to raise money in aid of NMO
    Annabelle Moultm (right) with her friend Lucy O’Hare who completed a triathlon to raise money in aid of NMO

    Annabelle Moult, who lives in Long Crendon with her husband Danny, was struck down by NMO in 2007 when overnight she found herself paralysed from the chest down and blind. Over the past eight years she has supported events to raise money and awareness for NMO, but this is the first event for the NMO UK Charity, which was only set up in 2014.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsAnnabelle is aiming to hold a yearly NMO UK Event in the Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire to continue raising the profile of the condition.

    The Party Night on Saturday, August 29, and will include The Band Isabelle (Sponsored by MG Vending), a DJ and a Hog Roast, and tickets cost £15. There will also be a prize draw and a Bonus Board to raise further funds on the night.

    https://www.justgiving.com/annabellemoult/
    http://nmo-ukresearchfoundation.org/

  • Why I’m walking six miles in glowing bunny ears!

    AS the clock ticks down towards the ‘Glo4Flo’ Midnight walk in aid of the Florence Nightingale Hospice, women from all over the area are signing up to take part to raise funds for the charity, including Yvette Cundy, proprietor of Kismet Jewellers in Thame.

     

    Yvette Cundy walking in last year's midnight walk
    Yvette Cundy walking in last year’s midnight walk

    Charlotte SanMarco, from Chinnor, another walker, has been explaining why she has decided to take part: “In 2013, my dad, Bian Mace, was told that his bowel cancer had returned and that he would probably only have months to live. When you’re told something like that, it doesn’t just affect your loved one – it affects the whole family.

    MNW-LAUNCH-PIC-2 (400x266) (2)

    “Once we realised Dad’s illness was terminal we were put in touch with the amazing team at Florence Nightingale Hospice. They stayed by our side for the next year, explaining everything to us to make the whole experience seem less scary.

    “Last summer, Dad’s cancer took hold and he was admitted to the hospice, where he was cared for with dignity and pride right up until his final few days. My young boys, Callum (6) and Zak (4), were very unsure about why ‘Grampy’ had to stay in the hospice.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsBut, the nurses were brilliant. They even gave the boys a teddy bear each which put smiles back on their faces.

    “Sadly, on the August 3, 2014, dad lost his battle. We’re just so grateful that he had somewhere safe and comfortable to spend his last days. This is why on Saturday, July 11, my Mother-in-law, Sister-in- law and me (with my five-month-old baby bump) will be walking six miles to support the outstanding care provided at the Hospice, and to enable them to continue to help families just like us.”

    There is still time to register to take on the challenge; visit www.gemstonewalk.co.uk to find out how.

  • Open doors business event gains council support

    THAME Town Council is to give a grant of £500 to a business group planning an ‘Open doors’ business event in the town centre, to add to a £1,000 grant from South Oxfordshire District Council.

    Image courtesy of Thame Town Council
    Image courtesy of Thame Town Council

    Following a presentation by Nicky Stallwood, Careers Officer at Lord Williams’s School, Thame, the council agreed its contribution to the ‘Open Doors’ event, being planned by Thame Business Forum for July 11, outside the town hall.

    A number of the larger companies in Thame such as CPM, Box Technologies, Unicarriers (Atlet), Kubota, Gregory and DAF, as well as smaller businesses have already signed up to the event.  There will also be some stalls outside the town hall in the car park area and others inside in the town hall upper chamber.

    The idea of the event is to build awareness of what the larger businesses in Thame do, and the employment opportunities they may offer.

    More information about the ‘Open doors’ event here: https://www.thame.net/archives/20647

  • Invitation to ‘The Big Thame Bake’

    ARE you Thame’s best baker? Oxfordshire’s cake king or queen? Thame Food Festival’s ‘The Big Thame Bake’ is now calling for entries, and they want local people to rise to the occasion for local good causes.

    Victoria sponge - image courtesy of goodfood.com
    Victoria sponge – image courtesy of goodfood.co

    Whatever your baking skills or age, there’s a category to charge your imagination. There are prizes to be won plus the chance to meet some of the biggest names in the world of baking, including Great British Bake Off’s Frances Quinn, Louis Troyano, Miranda Gore-Brown and patisserie legend Benoit Blin from Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, to name a few.

    Local businesses, from pubs to estate agents too are being encouraged to show just how competitive they really are!

    Click here  to see the categories and how to enter.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsOn Thame Food Festival Day, Thame Belles WI will be transforming the Town Hall into The Town Hall Tea Room from 1.30pm, open for tea, cake and a quick rest from the hustle and bustle of the show, selling the cakes from the bake off, so if you’re more of an eater than a baker you can still play your part!

  • Strengths in all age groups at Racquets

    THAME’S popular squash and fitness centre, Racquets, has proved once again that its racketball membership has great strength in all age groups.

    Last weekend, June 14/15, saw Bryan Cummings triumph over Mike Clarke as the Over 65s Southern Area Racketball Champion 2015. Both players play at Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame. Bryan will go on to represent the Southern Area at the National Championships at Edgbaston Priory in Birmingham in July.

    Racquets proudly hosted the event which saw players visiting from all over the Southern Area of the country.

    Tournaments for all age groups

    Will John in action during a previous tournement
    Will John in action during a previous tournement

    Will John, Racquets’ resident Pro and one of its coaches, took the Men’s Open, beating ex European Racketball Champion, Simon Martin in the final. After the final Simon said: “Will has a good racketball technique and will only improve with more games which is a daunting prospect.” Will’s sister, Beth John, also took the Ladies Open title.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsThe Over 35s, Over 45s and Over 55s were won by visiting players who all thoroughly enjoyed their tournaments. One of Racquets’ newest members, Kevin Young, who played in the Over 55s, said: “Just wanted to email to say I really enjoyed the tournament. Even though my scores were not great I do feel the fitness and passion have returned so it’s all now about practising more frequently and getting more games in.”

    To help more players join in the Over 55s and Over 65s in future tournaments, Racquets holds a Racketball morning, known as ‘Silver Servers’, on Tuesdays from 10am, to provide coaching, guidance and the equipment for complete beginners. Why not pop over to Racquets and try it out next Tuesday?

    Visit Racquets’ website for more information about the centre and what it has to offer:
    http://www.racquets-fitness-centre.com/

  • Thame’s first lady bowls first ball

    THAME’S Mayor, Cllr Nichola Dixon was at Thame Town Cricket Club’s ground on Wednesday (June 17), to bowl the first ball at the first Crick-Fit session run by Thame Town Cricket Club for females of all ages.

    Nichola_dixon_mayor_Crick-Fit 17_June (322x400)

    Crick-Fit is part of a nationwide initiative to help boost involvement and awareness of women’s sport and participation in cricket. Thame’s Cricket Club is hosting one-hour sessions over the next eight weeks for females of all ages and abilities. The sessions will include cricket related circuits and fast-paced team games for everyone to get involved in.

    The first session on Wednesday, was attended by 40 women of all ages. Future sessions will be taking place every Wednesday between 6.30pm – 7.30pm on the cricket ground at Church Meadow. To find out more or to sign up, contact Sheena Beard on sheenabeard@btinternet.com or call 01844 213695.

    Read more: http://tiny.cc/tzjozx

  • Thame Neighbourhood Plan and the Tesco proposals

    To say that the arrival of Tesco will not affect town centre businesses is simply not true.  The Thame Neighbourhood Plan clearly states that;

    “any major shopping outside the town centre would be likely to undermine the town’s vitality of the town centre shops.  This would be detrimental to the overall sustainability of the town and would be likely to reduce the accessibility and choice of services and facilities available to the community”.

     FACT:  a study in Fakenham, Norfolk found that town centre food retailers experienced a 64% decline in market share following the opening of an out of town supermarket. 

    Furthermore, government policy on both a national and local level is focusing on the use of town centres for convenience shopping.  Therefore, if there is a need shown for an additional store, then this is exactly where it should be placed, to act as an “anchor” for the independent shops, just as the current supermarkets do.

    Is should also be noted that many independent retailers also buy their supplies locally which obviously contributes to the wider local economy and also employment.

    On the subject of employment, these supposed 200 jobs are likely to be part-time or on zero hours contracts and permanent, full-time positions would be lost in the town as a result of businesses closing or relocating, so no gain here!

    What would happen to Thame Market if Tesco came to town?  This has been in existence since the 14th Century and is one of the most successful markets in the South East of England, providing great variety and choice at a reasonable price.

    If people really do ‘care’ about the town then help to preserve what is truly great about it ……. Its High Street!

    Estate agents describe Thame as “a bustling market town” … let’s keep it that way and say “no thank you” to out of town shopping.

    Kate Sherrington