THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a burglary (non-dwelling) in Thame.
Between Saturday (09/05) and Monday (11/05) offender(s) forced access to a garage at a property in Chowns close. An attempt was made to steal a vehicle by pushing it out of the garage, but was unsuccessful. Nothing was stolen.
If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message please call the police on 101.
Alternatively if you have any information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online @ crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
COMMENTING on the result of last Thursday’s General Election, which ended with a narrow-majority win for the Conservative pary, David Hawes, Thames Valley Regional Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “What businesses will look for from the new Government is certainty and stability, both absolutely fundamental to business planning, and getting to grips with the big economic challenges.
David Hawes
“That must start with continuing to secure the UK’s long-term economic stability and addressing the deficit. Businesses will then look to the new Government to provide the conditions for enterprise to continue to flourish, and help ensure the economic recovery is felt in all parts of the country.
“As we set out in our Business Manifesto, that means providing the access to finance they need; supporting job creation and improving skills; confronting the huge problem of late payments; delivering on fundamental reform of business rates; improving broadband provision; making a quick decision on increasing airport capacity; and actively pursuing policies that rebalance economic growth across all the nations and regions in the UK.
“Small business will want to see a clear plan and timetable for action on these issues, which will allow them to properly plan for the future. The FSB now looks forward to working with all parties across the UK to put in place these plans and to back small business.”
A TOP hospitality group has chosen Raquets Fitness Centre in Thame, to launch its first title sponsorship of a national, corporate sporting event.
L to R – Racquets’ Simon Martin, Squash Pro, Will John, Sue Martin-Downhill and Guy Fotherby, of Meritus
Asian hospitality group, Meritus Hotels & Resorts’ Meritus Squash UK Invitational 2015, will bring together its key representatives, business partners, and corporate clients in the region for a series of on -and off -court activities aimed at promoting greater interest in the sport of Squash, and excellent opportunities for networking and camaraderie amongst the participants.
Meritus Squash UK Invitational 2015 commences in July, this year, with monthly qualifying play-offs held in various squash venues across the United Kingdom, culminating in the final match and championship award, scheduled for November, at Racquets Squash Club in Thame.
In the lead-up to the finals, world-ranked British squash players such as Alison Waters and Will John will be lending their support through exhibition matches and guest appearances, alongside other top-seeded squash athletes. The event will also benefit Cancer Research UK, the cancer research and awareness charity for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
“This sporting event presents a unique opportunity for us at Meritus to add value to the business activities of our customers in the UK by offering them a platform for meaningful interactions,” said Guy Fotherby, Director of Marketing and Business Development UK, for Meritus Hotels & Resorts.
“At the same time,” he added, “we are pleased to contribute towards raising the profile of the sport whilst also elevating awareness for the Meritus brand in this market.”
For more information about Meritus Hotels & Resorts, visit their website: LINK and to find out more about Racquets Fitness Centre and Squash Club, visit their website: LINK
THERE’S even more reason to get filming on your mobile phone and get involved with the Thame Carnival competition, ‘Thame Life’.
The Musical Director of the Thame Institute of Music (TiM), has offered a free, one-hour writing and production session at the institute, for the first entry to submit a video with original music or a music video.
All the details about the competition, and how to enter can be found here: LINK
FOLLOWING last Friday’s epic count for the election for 36 seats at South Oxfordshire District Council, the dominance of the Conservative party has increased, with 33 wins for them, just one for the Labour party and one for the Chair of SODC’s Scrutiny committee, Liberal Democrat, David Turner.
The Henley Residents party had one member elected.
Representing Thame, David Dodds (both a Town Councillor and SODC Cabinet Member for Waste, Parks and Thame) was re-elected to the district council. Thame Town Councillor, Nigel Champken-Woods, as well as former Lib Dem, and until this latest election, an Independent Thame Town Councillor, Jeannette Matelot Green (both former Mayors of Thame), were both elected for the first time, representing the Conservative party.
The make-up of the previous district council administration, which consisted of 48 seats before the recent boundary changes, was Conservative 32, Labour 4, Lib Dem 4 and Independent/Other parties, 8.
FOLLOWING a letter from Thame to the people of our town’s namesake, severely damaged by the recent earthquake in Nepal, a reply has been received from Dr Kami Temba Sherpa, on behalf of residents of Thame, Nepal. The letter reads as follows:
Dr Kami Temba Sherpa working at the Kunde hospital, nr Thame, Nepal (Photo courtesy of The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation)
Dear Mr Hunt and Town Councillors, We the residents of Thame village are very touched to receive a letter from our namesake town in England in this difficult time.
Thame is a traditional Sherpa village located in the Everest Region. It is located in off-the tourist route receiving only few tourists. The majority of the people of Thame are still largely dependent on subsistence farming, yak herding and seasonal mountaineering.
Thame village (upper Thame and lower Thame) are the two most impacted villages in the Everest Region affected by the massive earthquake struck on April 25 2015. Two people have lost their lives and nine people were badly injured. There are approximately 100 houses in Thame. All the houses have either been badly damaged or collapsed. The traditional houses with slate roof (more than 80% of the houses in Thame) were completely flattened, whereas the remaining houses with corrugated galvanized iron roof have been severely damaged requiring major reconstruction.
We have a lower secondary school in our village constructed by the Himalayan Trust. All the facilities of the school with around 70 students enrollment have also been severely damaged. Currently, the classes are being conducted outside in open space under temporary tents. The Thame health clinic supported by Kunde Hospital that serves the residents of Thame and surrounding villages is also badly damaged.
There are a few organizations, which have been providing immediate relief support in our village, but our main concern is to rebuild our community in the long run. The residents of Thame are currently in needs of support for rebuilding the community including rebuilding individual houses, school facilities, health clinic, community centre and cultural monuments. We would really appreciate if Thame town in England can support us in rebuilding our community.
On behalf of the residents of Thame, I, Kami Temba Sherpa would like to thank you for your genuine concern and willingness to support our community. I am a resident of Thame and currently serving as a medical doctor at Kunde Hospital.
We are looking forward to work together to link the two communities of Thame-Thame.
You can read the original letter sent on behalf of Thame (Oxon) by the Town Clerk, Graham Hunt, HERE
AFTER today’s tense, four and a half hour-long count at Thame town hall today, the long wait for prospective town councillors is over.
The winning candidates and the number of votes polled for each are as follows:
BRETHERTON David – Liberal Democrat 1000
BUTLER Don – Conservative 1596
CHAMPKEN-WOODS Nigel – Conservative 1371
COWELL Paul – Independent 854
DIXON Nichola – Conservative 1390
DYER Mike – Conservative 1309
STILES Mary – Labour 984
WYSE Tom- Independent 1090
Thame’s newly elected councillors (Left – North Ward, minus Nichola Dixon; Right – South Ward minus Mike Deacock)
Thame South
AUSTIN Bob – Independent 1218
DEACOCK Mike – Conservative 1523
DODDS David – Conservative 1858
EMERY Linda – Independent 1004
FICKLING Helena – Independent 1111
JONES Catherine – Independent 1127
LAMBERT Peter – Independent 1195
MIDWINTER Ann – Independent 1498
THAME PLAYERS has recently secured a three-year sponsorship with a local developer, which will help with much needed work to the converted church that now houses the Players Theatre in Nelson Street, and will contribute to the 70 year-old, amateur theatre group’s creative development.
Members of Thame Players wait to mee the Princess Royal, when she visited Thame market back in February
Speaking for Thame Players, Helen Johns said: “The creative funding will enable Thame Players to enhance our own productions, for example, by achieving superior special effects, better lighting and sourcing higher quality costumes. Rectory Homes is the headline sponsor of Thame Players’ summer production this year, Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The funding enables Thame Players to enhance set design, lighting and costume selection, and also to stage a series of Shakespearean acting workshops hosted by Bruce Alexander, the TV and film actor who is also a patron of Thame Players.
“These workshops will be free to participants. Next year, it is hoped that Rectory’s funding will enable Thame Players to stage a showpiece open-air production of another Shakespeare play.
“Rectory Homes’ funding of capital improvements will mean that essential work can be carried out to the exterior of the building, including the frontage, the roof and stage door access. Inside the theatre, it is anticipated that Rectory’s funding, which will be matched with equal funding from other sources, will finance technical improvements. It is hoped that these will include the installation of state-of-the-art back projection at the rear of the stage, facilitating quicker set changes and reducing the need for laborious physical set changes.”
Simon Vickers, founder and chief executive of Rectory Homes, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Thame Players, a gem of an asset to the town of Thame. We take community support very seriously and look to put something back into the community wherever we can. Rectory are already the principal sponsors of Chinnor Rugby Club in Thame and a headline sponsor of Thame Food Festival and the Thame Show. By sponsoring Thame Players, we are also contributing to arts and entertainment provision in Thame.”
Pat Shepherd, Chairman of Thame Players, added: “That Rectory Homes has now decided to extend their sponsorship over a three-year period is very welcome news and we are looking forward to working with them on creative development and on building and technical projects. Rectory’s expertise, support, advice and encouragement will be tremendously valued by all of us at Thame Players.”
A THAME jeweller has won the Best Jeweller category by readers of a popular blog which recommends retailers, restaurants, hotels, walks and events in the Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire area.
Thame Jeweller, Biagio and local blogger, Hero Brown
Biagio the Jeweller, whose shop is in Greyhound Walk, Thame, said: “We are thrilled that Biagio the Jeweller has won the Best Jeweller category in the 2015 Muddy Stilettos Awards.”
Haddenham resident, Hero Brown’s blog, called ‘Muddy Stilletos’ has 20,000 followers, and it was them who voted in a poll of 140- businesses in 28 categories, including five jewellers in the area – the first time this category has been included the awards.
Biagio Patalano concluded: “We thank all those people who voted for us in forece. We are touched by your love and recognition! “
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a burglary (non-dwelling) in Thame.
