Thame.net

Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

  • Help to tidy Thame!

    Tidy-Thames-2015-v4 (283x400)MANY areas around Thame have signed up for Thame Tidy Day, and the organisers are hoping that many more will take part in this annual event to spruce up our town. So, What can YOU do to get involved? Get a group of friends or neighbours, or may be some family members – the kids will love it! Or members of your club or group, and pick an area not yet covered (see list below) that you think could do with a tidy up, that’s litter picking, cutting back shrubs, tidying up verges, cleaning signs etc, and register your interest with the Tidy Thame Co-ordinator, Sue Martin-Downhill via suedownhill@gmail.com. Those already involved include:

    • Fire service and ASM recycling : will pick up large items – Andy Ford
    • Lea Park Residents’ Association : Grafitti remove and tidying Lea Park –
      they will clean Grafitti from other parts of Thame if asked before hand – Angela Willson
    • Clarendon Drive, Thame – Alison Biddle
    • Cedar Cresent, (nr Lord Williams’s Upper School) and will do the area around Chiltern Vale estate, the Leisure Centre, Cuttle Brook and Phoenix Trail – Nick Shott
    • Pickenfield residents association : Pickenfield and the cutting at the back and head further out – Duncan Nickless
    • Old Long Crendon Road – removing organic matter from road onto verge – Christine Dyroff
    • ASM truck and 2 men for picking stuff up – Paul McDonagh & Keith Lomas
    • Phoenix Trail from the outer ring road to Lord William’s school – Adam Draper
    • Phoenix Trail near Stones Close allotments – Stephen Barnes
    • Wherever needed – Joe Peecock
    • Moreton Muck Out – Tina Fegent
    • Scouts : Phoenix Trail – Colin Peacock
    • Waitrose : Wherever needed – Hannah Taylor
    • Where needed – Sonja Francis

    AND/OR – PRINT off a Thame Tidy poster and display it somewhere prominent to let others know what’s going on and how to get involved.

    Some rubbish bags, litter pickers will be supplied if you need them. Just bring along your own tools if you can, a reasonably good pair of gloves and YOURSELF! There’ll be tea/ coffee and a meet-up from 2pm onwards at Racquets Fitness Centre in the Cattlemarket.

    So, put April 19th in your diary, and let’s all pull together to smarten up Thame and show some civic pride for our town. There are more details and on the Thame Tidy facebook page here: LINK

  • Thame skaters swap boards for snooker

    THE Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, ‘cued off’ last night (31/03) to set the balls in motion for the Thame Skatepark Snooker Tournament, held at Thame Snooker Club.

    L to R in the picture: Andrew Posey, Ben Mawby, Jeannette Matelot Green, Sam Misseldine, Robert Sellwood (Photo: Nick White)
    L to R in the picture: Andrew Posey, Ben Mawby, Jeannette Matelot Green, Sam Misseldine, Robert Sellwood
    (Photo: Nick White)

    The aim of the tournament was to raise much-needed funds towards new equipment for a complete refurbishment of the popular Thame Skatepark, which is coming to the end of its useful life.

    The four semifinalists, shown with Mayor, Andrew Posey, Ben Mauby, Sam Misseldine and Robert Sellwood, will battle it out for the Trophy at the final, to be held tomorrow (Thursday).

    The Mayor commented: “It was like walking into another world when I climbed up the steps to the snooker hall. A dozen tables all lit up ready for thirty players lining up the snooker balls and chalking their cues and whatever they do before a match.

    seans_choice_crendon_beds”I couldn’t help chuckling as all the oldies, including Cllrs Mike Dyer and Peter Lambert, ‘took early baths’ and the youngsters
    filled the semi-final spots. I can’t wait for the Semis and the Final on Thursday evening. Come along and support them – they did the Skate Park proud. ”

    Follow and support Thame Skatepark on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thamesp/

  • Apprenticeship award for budding broker

    A young employer of a Thame-based Insurance Broker has won a prestigious industry award in the BPP Apprentice of the Year 2015, competition.

    Sandra Tomes (left), Corran Wood and Dan Wakling
    Sandra Tomes (left), Corran Wood and Dan Wakling

    Thame apprentice, Corran Wood, became an apprentice with Pearsons Insurance Services after initially just taking a holiday job with them. Last week, she was presented with the Level 3 Advanced Apprentice, second place award behind an employee of RBS.  Corran shared second place with another apprentice from Zurich Insurance Group.

    Sandra Tomes, the Proprietor of Pearsons Insurance Services, in Swan Walk, Thame, said: “We are very proud of Corran and this is quite a victory for a little brokerage like ours! On the strength of her achievement, Corran is now planning to go to university in September, so we are looking for an equally talented and hard-working young apprentice to follow in her footsteps.

    “Corran has just completed her IF1 exams too – a great achievement for one so young! ”

    Through its awards, BPP Professional Education Ltd recognises apprentices and employers who go the extra mile, giving something back and actively encouraging participation in their 2015 Apprentice of the Year Awards.

    The judging panel included Novelist and Labour Peer, Baroness Cohen, BPP Group CEO Carl Lygo and BPP Chief Operating Officer, Graham Gaddes. They selected winners by looking for those individuals ‘showing considerable impact with the companies they are working for whilst studying for Professional Qualifications, and employers who are increasing participation and giving unique opportunities and support to young people and their career progression’.

    Baroness Cohen said: “Judging the applicants was a difficult task as I had a staggering good list of applicants, all of which were worthy winners.”

  • Fracking shock at Thame football ground

    EXPLORATORY ground works have begun at Thame United’s ground, Meadow Park View, by a fracking company, looking for shale gas beneath the ground.

    Earth movers at Meadow View Park, pictured from Scotsgrove yesterday evening
    Earth movers at Meadow View Park, pictured from Scotsgrove yesterday evening

    The appearance overnight of earth-moving machinery at the site came as a complete surprise to sharp-eyed local businessman, Justin Shardlow, as he drove into town for work this morning, from his home in Haddenham.

    Justin told Thame.Net: “I was so surprised that I stopped my car and went over and asked the Site Manager what was going on. When he told me, I asked him how far the drilling was likely to extend. He told me that, as far he was aware, it wouldn’t go further than under part of Lea Park.

    Justin added: “I’d heard that the government was going ‘all out’ for fracking, and that homeowners will no longer be individually notified of plans to drill under their homes, but I would’ve expected to have seen some sort of consultation take place locally before any fracking was started.

    “I wonder how many people living on Lea Park are aware of what’s likely to happen under their homes? It’s bound to affect house prices!”

    Frank West, Director of the Thame Football Partnership said: “It’s very difficult keeping our financial heads above water in the lower leagues and the Board decided that this fracking operation would bring some much needed income to football in Thame. The contractors have promised to re-instate the land after exploratory drilling and the money they’re paying us will help improve facilities at Meadow View. It’s a win-win situation.”

    Neither the out-going Town Clerk, Helen Stewart, nor the in-coming Clerk, Graham Hunt, who takes over from her today, April 1, was available for comment this morning. But an obviously shocked Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, said: “This most certainly was not part of the Neighbourhood Plan. Have no doubt I will be contacting the ‘powers that be’ straight away to put a stop to this. I’m fracking furious!”

  • Young family hit by rugby tragedy inspires charity quiz

    A QUIZ hosted by a Thame fitness centre has raised £260, in aid of a charity that supports people affected by Child Bereavement.

    The winning quiz team, with Quizmaster, Brian West (far right)
    The winning quiz team, with Quizmaster, Brian West (far right)

    Nigel Pattison, a Personal Trainer at Racquets Fitness Centre, was inspired to set himself a series of challenges to support Child Bereavement UK, after seeing how the four children of Alex Wood, a local man who suffered severe brain injury in a rugby accident, cope without him.

    “Whilst Alex’s children were not suffering bereavement, they suffered the loss of the father they knew,” explained Nigel. “It made me wonder just how does a child cope with bereavement? At such a young age this is not what they are supposed to cope with!  They only cope and grow with the love and strength of the family and network of friends around them. The Woods have a fantastic family around them, however not everybody does!”

    Nigel loves a challenge and raising money for charities, and sets himself several every year. His latest four challenges, all to raise money for Child Bereavement UK, will be tackled over four consecutive week-ends. Just 22 days! Starting on April 26, and finishing on the May 17.

    They start with running the London Marathon, followed by a 150 mile Coast-to-Coast bike ride in one day! Then Nigel and his teams will tackle the Fred Whitton cycling route covering 112 miles and 12,000 ft of climbing in the Lake District. The final challenge will be The Three Peaks Challenge in under 24 hours.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsNigel will have the support of two teams for both the C2C and The Three Peaks Challenge; Natalie Babington, Doug Struthers, Andrew Stansfield, Nick Mauger, Tom White, Natalie Littler, Sue Martin-Downhill, Louise Roffa and Ellen Gipp.

    Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. Every year the charity trains over 4000 professionals, helping them to better understand and meet the needs of grieving families.

    To support and contribute to Nigel’s challenges, visit Just Giving at: https://www.justgiving.com/Nigel-Pattison/

  • Resident questions planning authority over Neighbourhood Plan

    DEAR South Oxford Council, Thame residents spent months debating and agreeing the town’s Neighbourhood Plan. It was a very difficult process but they reached a solution – if not a completely happy consensus. It was a triumph of neighbourhood co-operation in its way. A proportion of the town will have had to ‘bite the bullet’ and accept some of the outcomes. A result was achieved, however.

    It was a success because population numbers, social and medical services, traffic provision, parking and the community goodwill of the town were already finely balanced but with that goodwill have worked well. Until now. Even the Neighbourhood Plan will place a strain on the existing system. Then came the new SODC Local Plan, which is a threat to all of that.

    It’s deplorable that Thame should be presented with these further demands on its environment, after all the work and give and take among residents which was entailed in agreeing the Neighbourhood Plan.

    It also invites a cynicism about the process of government and what feels like a breach of faith over all the work that the Town Council and residents put in. As a retired journalist and lifelong community campaigner in various places and at various times, even I was shocked and surprised at this development

    I suggest that maybe Thame is being seen as an easy target for fulfilling these extra demands. There should be a further look at all the options being considered by SODC.

    Yours truly
    Norman Brand MCIJ
    Thame

  • New date for council to discuss Elms Plans

    A revised planning application for a housing development on Land at The Elms, Upper High Street. Thame, will be considered by the Thame Town Council at a special meeting of the full council, on April 7, 2015, starting at 6.30 pm in the Town Hall Upper Chamber.

    Aerial view of land known as The Elms, Upper High Street, Thame
    Aerial view of land known as The Elms, Upper High Street, Thame

    The documentation relating to the original application can be found on the South Oxfordshire District Council website by clicking here. http://tiny.cc/benbwx and the amended plans here: http://tiny.cc/a9mbwx  Full details of the associated plans for Elms Park itself, including amendments, can be viewed here: http://tiny.cc/mgnbwx

    Anyone wishing to speak at the meeting, must apply to the the Town Clerk, in writing, before 5pm, the day before the meeting.

     

     

  • Agonising one-point defeat for Chinnor

    DESPITE outscoring visitors Bishop Stortford by seven tries to six, Chinnor lost by just one point on Saturday, going down 45-46.

    chinnor_rfc (370x246)
    Chinnor had the best of the first half scoring four tries to go in 26-14 ahead at the break. Chinnor showed power in the pack with skipper To’oala going over for a pair but also pace and power from the backs. Martey and Hayes also scored for Chinnor in a dominant first half with Whiteley and Hankin going over for Stortford.

    The second half saw a fight back from visitors, Bishops Stortford. They began with a converted penalty try on 44 minutes to reduce the deficit to 26-21. Stortford continued to attack and were rewarded with tries from Hankin, Neville and Coleman in a golden 10 minute period to go 40-26 ahead. Chinnor then began their own fightback with tries from Hayes, Oliver and Tyas but the two Stortford penalty goals at the end of the match were enough to see them through by the solitary point.

    Chinnor scorers:
    Tries: Alfie To’oala (3, 23 Min), Robbie Martey (12 Min) Jack Hayes (32, 65 Min) Darren Oliver (74 Min) James Tyas (79 Min)

    Conversions: Ed Keohane (3, 12, 32, 74, 79 Min)

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Surprise win for out-of-form Thame

    WITH  Kidlington unbeaten in the league since Christmas, and United with seven players missing and suffering their worst form of the season, few would have predicted the result at Yarnton Lane.

    Luke Ricketts, who scored Thame's only goal against Kidlington on Saturday
    Luke Ricketts, who scored Thame’s only goal against Kidlington on Saturday

    The absenteeism meant changes to the starting line-up, with Jon Coverely coming in at centre back following a month on the sidelines through injury, Shannon Jesson moving to left back, and Andy Gledhill playing off centre forward Ben Gray. Playing with a strong wind in their favour in the first half, United enjoyed plenty of possession although chances were limited. The first real opportunity came on 20 minutes when Gledhill turned his marker on the edge of the box, but his effort on goal was blocked. Dan West then saw a shot go over the bar, whilst the nearest Kidlington came to a goal was on 28 minutes when shot across the face of the goal saw keeper Matt Tapping lose his footing and the ball went wide of goal.

    The only goal of the match arrived two minutes before the break. Kidlington were unable to clear their lines and the ball fell to Luke Ricketts on the wide left, whose first time half-volley flew in to the far corner of the net giving the home keeper no chance. It was a much deserved half-time lead with united anticipating defending for much of the second half given the weather conditions.

    Whilst that proved to be the case, Tapping was rarely troubled and, indeed, the best chance of the half fell to West on 61 minutes when, after another goalmouth scramble, his first time effort from 8 yards was blocked. For their part, Kidlington pressed, and their best opportunities came from deep crosses in to the box, but whether finding the head or feet of the home strikers, the efforts went wide.

    As it was United held on for three points to complete the double over a Kidlington side who, before the match, were sitting third in the table.

    Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division – 28 March 2015 – Kidlington 0 Thame United 1

    United:
    Tapping, Evans, Jesson, Hercules, Coverley, Gledhill, Connelly (Hazell), Morris, West, Gray, Ricketts

    SOURCE – Contributed

  • Police warning after ‘Gumtree’ seller assaulted in his home

    THAMES Valley Police is appealing for information following a robbery in which the victim had chilli thrown in his eyes.

    police-tape-W1200 (300x200)At 7pm on Monday (23/3) two men arrived at the victim’s home in Towersey Drive, Thame,  to view a silver Apple Macbook that the victim, a 40-year-old man, was selling on Gumtree. While one of the men was viewing the laptop, the other man threw liquid into the face of the victim which caused a burning sensation to the victims eyes. He was also hit around the head during the incident. While the victim was distracted, the two men grabbed the Macbook and ran out of the house.

    The victim received treatment at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The liquid was later identified as a fizzy soft drink mixed with chilli powder.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsThe two offenders were white, in their twenties and wore jeans and bomber jackets.

    DS Peter Scott, of Didcot Local CID, said: “We’d like to reassure the public that incidents such as these are very rare, and there have been no similar reported incidents.

    “The victim was selling his belongings through an online site, and we’d encourage people who are interested in doing this to meet up with your potential buyer in a public place where lots of people will be around, tell people where and when you are meeting the buyer, and to leave if you feel uncomfortable at any time.

    “Get Safe Online and Action Fraud both provide really good advice for safe online selling and buying on their websites – www.getsafeonline.org and www.actionfraud.police.uk”

    If you have any information please contact the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

    If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.