FREE squash lessons have proven a hit with Thame’s school children this half-term, at a ‘Squash camp’ regularly provided by Racquets Fitness Club.
Squash coach, Sue Martin Downhill, said: “It was great to see so many children attending the squash camp during the half term. There was a 25% increase in the numbers from previous camps and a brilliant competitive spirit from the kids.
“The children come from many different schools around the area including Barley Hill Primary School, John Hampden Primary School, Lord Williams’s Lower and Upper schools, Gateway school in Great Missenden, Aylesbury Grammar,cAylesbury High School, and the Dragon School in Oxford. Ages ranged from 8 to 15 and there were three children from the same family.”
The Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, who is a school Governor at Barley Hill Primary School, in Thame, said: “I am so pleased to see the Year 5 and 6 children from Barley Hill and John Hampden schools enjoying their free squash lessons during school PE lessons at Racquets.
“This is such a good opportunity and Racquets are again showing their commitment to our community to both young and old – I’m learning to play racketball with the Silver Servers myself! I only wish I’d had lessons when I was at primary school.”
Silver Servers is a session that takes place on Tuesday mornings where anyone over 50 can go along and join in to play racketball with other over 50s, some of whom have played before and others who are new to the game.
THAME’S elderly residents are in for a festive treat this year, thanks to the town’s award-winning butcher M Newitt & Sons.
Left to right: Tom Newitt, Kathy Thomas, Robert Probets
The family butcher, celebrating 50 years in business next year and supplier to top chefs including Raymond Blanc and Jamie Oliver, is donating tasty turkeys and delicious homemade Christmas puddings for a festive feast for 60 people, organised by Kathy Thomas of Community Christmas Thame.
Tom Newitt, who runs the business with his mum Susan and wife Angie, said: “Community Christmas Thame is doing a wonderful job of bringing some festive cheer into the lives of people who otherwise might miss out on the traditional Christmas lunch.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be playing a part in their celebration and hope everyone who comes along this year enjoys their dinner, especially the Christmas puddings which mum makes to her own special recipe every year!”
Organiser Kathy Thomas is delighted that Newitts have pledged to support the event.
“It’s wonderful that so many local companies, including Newitts, sponsor our Christmas lunch. It’s a nice way to polish off the year, and we know that everyone who has joined us previously has thoroughly enjoyed the event with many lasting friendships being made over dinner,” she said.
This will be the third Community Christmas Thame event organised by Kathy, helped by a growing army of volunteers and local companies including Newitts, The Birdcage pub in Thame, and Thame Welfare Trust.
“Word is spreading about our event, which is open to any of the elderly residents in our community who are faced with the prospect of spending Christmas Day on their own. And we’re also keen to hear from anyone who’d like to help out for a couple of hours, or with preparations, transportation and delivery of meals to those people who simply can’t join us but would like to share our Christmas meal,” said Kathy.
CUSTOMERS at a Thame pub had a shock late yesterday evening (02/11), when in walked a man who is fast becoming an political legend, whether you agree with his particular brand of politics or not.
Nigel Farage (right) behind the bar at The Cross Keys pub, Thame, with landlord, Peter Lambert
Nigel Farage MEP, and leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), had earlier in the evening delivered his one-man show at The Thame Players Theatre, to a sell-out audience, before dropping in at The Cross Keys pub.
The landlord of The Cross Keys, ex Thame Mayor, Peter Lambert, had asked Nigel a question about beer tax, during the Question and Answer session of Nigel’s show. The answer apparently was that ‘Pubs are very important places; each one is a parliament’. He added: “I’d slash beer duty to help the pub trade and introduce common sense to smoking rules.”
Afterwards, Peter Lambert said: “He said he loved the pub and stated that it was a ‘proper’ pub. He stayed for four pints and vowed that if he was passing in the future, he’d pop in.”
Apart from one lady, who had to be removed from the theatre ((more of that later), the atmosphere in the theatre for the UKIP leader’s show was by all accounts very congenial and the comments on social media generally gave an impression of a good-humoured and polite atmosphere.
Nigel Farage on stage at the Thame Players Theatre
Some of the other topics in the Q and A session, all picked randomly from a bucket, and quoted on twitter, included: Q: Are you in favour of Proportional Representation (PR)? A: “First past the post only works in two party race. Roy Jenkins’ AVplus is the best system”
“What about HS2?” A: “Completely opposed to it. London to Manchester is to 2hrs anyway. Other more pressing rail needs including London to Penzance.” Q: “”Can we stop HS2 now?” A: “Yes, but not through legal channels, only political.”
Q: “Will you form coalision with the Tories?” A: “Yes, even with the devil if necessary. Party doesn’t matter, getting policies across does.”
Q: “How can politics broaden its appeal to younger people?” A: “There is a massive anti UKIP bias, mainly on the comedy circuit. We are starting engaging on Social Media.”
Q: “Do you think you’re a comedian or a politician?” A: I have a sense of humour, but I speak plainly and I’m deadly serious about our campaign.”
Tony Long, a member of the Thame Players Theatre, and ex Chairman, was there for the show and this is how he described the evening:
Dressed in a beige jacket and yellow corduroy trousers he came onto the stage wearing the broadest of grins, sat himself in a comfortable armchair, poured himself a glass of a good red wine and began his chat to the audience. This was no party political broadcast, although inevitably politics featured heavily, but more an account, told with great humour and aplomb, of his upbringing, his formative years and his 20 years working in the city before entering politics. He then spoke about his “…..realisation in the early 1990s that Europe was becoming more and more a political union with the aim of becoming a superstate in its own right.” He claimed that 75% of all legislation in this country was now determined in Brussels and that over 400 million Europeans had the right to settle in the UK, and that we had no power to stop them.
During the interval, Nigel Farage signed copies of his book and there were plenty of people eager to buy. He also encouraged people to write down questions which he would answer in the second half. Some 50 or so questions were duly put into an ice bucket and left on stage for him to answer. He then picked questions out at random and unhesitatingly answered them. Most questions were about UKIP policies on a wide range of issues. “If UKIP held the balance of power after the next election would he join a coalition with the Tories?” asked one. He replied he would form a coalition with the devil as long as a referendum on leaving Europe was part of the agreement. “If he was part of a coalition would he demand a referendum by December 2015” he was asked. “No” he said, and then after a pause and a broad grin he added, “by July 2015”. He picked out one question paper which had 9 separate questions on it. He answered them all. “How many seats will UKIP contest at the general election” he was asked. “All 650 of them” was the reply. So love him or loathe him we shall all have the opportunity next May to express our view in the ballot box.
During the question and answer session one woman objected to all the political questions. Nigel Farage asked her if she had a question herself but none was forthcoming. The woman kept on interrupting the answers, despite the rest of the audience repeatedly asking her to ‘shut up’ until finally she was escorted from the auditorium. The performance continued in relative peace and quiet until the time came for the show to end. Whether the audience was persuaded by his arguments, whether they would vote UKIP, we shall never know. What we do know is that Nigel Farage was given a great round of applause from a largely appreciative audience who left madly chattering amongst themselves.
After the show Nigel Farage went for a well-earned pint of beer at The Cross Keys, the pub run by former mayor, Peter Lambert, who had been in the audience. Debate no doubt continued over that beer in as good-natured and lively way as the whole evening had been.
WHILE Thame town centre is fast becoming a shopping destination, due mostly to its unusually high number of interesting, independent shops and cafes, one of the town’s ‘best kept secrets’ is a bedroom furnishing retail outlet on the outskirts of the town, hidden behind a soft play centre.
As you drive along Wenman Road on the way out of Thame, you could be excused for not realising that on your right, beyond Whizzkidz on the corner of Jefferson Way, is Crendon Beds and Furniture whose showroom of stunning bedroom settings is as unexpected in an industrial building as are its prices. For CBF, as well as being the only, official suppliers of ex-showroom or exhibition models for the UK’s biggest name in mattresses, Hypnos, also sells other big name bedroom furnishings like Staples and Wiemann; most of it half price or better.
The company emphasises that the majority of its brands are UK based and its ‘green credentials’ don’t stop there. Crendon Beds and Furniture offers a furniture recycling service – even if you’re not buying from them. Mattress fillings are recycled into blankets to be used by Removals companies, and even the springs from old mattresses and seating are melted down to be reused.
These fantastic savings on beds, wardrobes, chests of draws, as well as on pillows and all the bedding you’ll need, aim to beat any High Street prices, and make a visit to Crendon Beds and Furniture for double beds, single beds, kids bedroom furniture -in fact anything you might be looking for to have your dream bedroom, well worth the short trip.
The extremely knowledgeable and experienced Managing Director, Sean Munro and his staff will show you around and help you plan your bedroom and with a lead time of 10 working days for delivery guaranteed on most products, you won’t have to wait long for the transformation.
To whet your appetite, visit Crendon Beds and Furniture’s fab new website at: http://www.crendonbedsandfurniture.co.uk/ or take a look at their exclusive ebay page: http://tiny.cc/tg33vx for the latest bargains. But as the stock is changing all the time, and let’s face it, it’s best to actually be able to see products ‘in the flesh’ as it were, for major buying decisions, a visit to the local show room at 8 Jefferson Way, Thame, OX9 3SZ, is to be highly recommended.
THAME Town Council is inviting local business to consider sponsoring this year’s Christmas festive celebration, with a Santa Convention theme, on Friday, December 5, in the town centre.
Businesses will be able to put their name to one of the many attractions that will be helping to bring the Christmas spirit to Thame, including a family of real reindeer, a miniature steam engine and a lantern parade involving the local schools.
Involvement can be anything from having a company name on the council’s ‘Thank You’ banner, to having promotional signage around the tree throughout December. There is a suitably priced package available for most budgets and all revenues from the sponsorship will be used to maintain the high standards of the attractions that are welcomed to Thame this year and in future years.
For more information about how to get involved, contact the Town Hall on 01844 212833 or email info@thametowncouncil.gov.uk
THE Big Draw event in Thame, themed this year around ‘It’s Our World’, has once again proved very popular with Thame’s budding artists and print makers.
Some of the Big Draw 2014 pieces by local children on display in the window of Mobalpa Kitchens
Two workshops were held at Lord Williams’s school, called ‘Pigeons and Postcards’ run by SparksArtists, Jackie Nichols and Christine Tacq, working with Barley Hill, year six pupils and Lord Williams’s pupils from year seven, as well as pupils from year six at St Joseph’s school who worked with year eights and 12, from Lord Williams’s.
On Monday, October 27, a pigeon fancier from Wantage came with nine racing pigeons to Thame, and the children were able to study and draw them. Later in the week, groups of children produced prints based on the blasted and twisted trees they looked at on WW1 landscape pictures. They also made postcard-size prints inspired after dressing up in clothes similar to those they saw on War propaganda posters at Thame Museum. Some of the childrens’ work can be seen in the window of Mobalpa Kitchens, just behind Thame town hall and at Thame Museum.
This Saturday, tomorrow, November 1, the Big Draw continues at Haddenham library as ‘The Bug Draw’. It’s free for all ages to attend. Just turn up from 10.30 to 1pm, for some fun drawing activities with beautiful butterflies etc from Tring museum, hosted by SparksArtists.
LORD Williams’s Festival Chorus, who are based in Thame, will be performing the internationally acclaimed piece, The Armed Man, by Karl Jenkins, on Saturday, November 8, over Remembrance weekend.
Starting at 7.30 pm at Thame Leisure Centre, the choir, which is made up of past pupils, teachers and members of the Thame community, will be performing this extraordinary piece in recognition of the centenary of the outbreak of WW1.
The Armed Man, a Mass for Peace, was composed in dedication to the victims of Kosovo and recorded hours before the tragedy of 9.11. It reflects on war as an almost inevitable part of man’s existence while also dreaming of the hope of peace.
“Anyone coming to watch the performance will not fail to be moved and to still feel its pertinence in the 21st Century,” commented John Gibbons, Musical Director. “we performed the piece back in 2008 and some members also joined an international event in 2009 at the Carnegie Hall in New York when Karl also attended, so it is already well-loved by many of our members. Somehow, performing it again at such a poignant time and in 2014, seemed fitting in recognition of the sacrifices of our forefathers.”
The choir will be accompanied by the Ealing Symphony Orchestra and conducted by John Gibbons.
Tickets are available for £13, £10 (concessions) & £1 (Under 18’s ) online at lordwilliamsfestivalchorus.org.uk; from Cargo, 18 Cornmarket Thame; by calling Rosemary (01844 344083) or on the door.
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for the public’s help in tracing a missing man in Oxfordshire. Dipash Kumar Kamath, aged 34, is believed to be in the Chinnor area of Oxfordshire.
Dipash Kamath, who has been missing since early this morning
Thames Valley Police received a report that he was missing at 5.41am this morning (30/10).
There is currently no other description.
If you see Dipash or have any information on his whereabouts, please contact Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting URN 120 of 30/10.
MY mum, Rose Swift, of Chapel cottage, Towersey, passed away on the 12th of October. We have had so many kind and sympathetic cards and messages from her friends and neighbours in Towersey. We are reminded how lucky we are to live here. Cherry nurse.
BERNARD Meltonville, a regular member of the Towersey Wednesday Coffee Morning Club, passed away on October 22, 2014, after a long illness bravely borne.
THAME based Chinnor RFC, with a bright first half, held on in the second half to record a 23-19 victory over Cambridge on Saturday (October 25).
Photo by Peter Matthews
Chinnor, benefitting from a strong wind, began the half with two quick penalty goals from Ed Keohane to go 6-0 ahead on 12 minutes. Chinnor, now well in charge, scored two quick tries through their forwards – the first from a rolling maul by Tibbbats and the second after some aggressive picking and driving by Alfie To’oala. Keohane’s conversion of the second put Chinnor ahead 18-0 on 23 minutes. A lovely piece of interplay wide on the left saw debutant Toby Salmon go over in the corner for Chinnor to put them 23-0 ahead at half time.
The second half was a complete reversal of the first with Cambridge scoring all the points and Chinnor none – much to do with the strength of the wind allied to apparent reduced energy levels.
Straight from the kick off, Cambridge put in at a scrum on the Chinnor 22. Liebenberg, Cambridge’s most influential player, darted down the blind side and a few passes and missed tackles later, Cambridge, through James Ayrton, scored under the posts. Boshoff’s conversion put the match score at 23-7. Cambridge, a different side from the first half, continued to push Chinnor and Liebenberg went over on 62 minutes to bring Cambridge closer at 23-12. The turning point in the match came in the 72nd minute when Chinnor received yellow cards for both Nutt and Cambareri. Cambridge upped the pace and scored a try from full back James Stokes on the 77th minute. Boshoff’s conversion put the visitors just 4 points behind at 23-19. Chinnor held on grimly for the final whistle and the victory, earned in the first half and well defended in the second.
Teams:
Chinnor: Martin Nutt, Robbie Martey, Jack Hayes, Junior Fatialofa, Reuben Haile, Ed Keohane, Frank Jones, Joe Pickett, Jamie Townsend, Guido Cambareri, Ben Manning, Toby Salmon Andy Tibbatts, Ryan Long, Alfie To’oala
Interchanges: Simone Carloni, Dave McKee, Nick Harrison, Reece Boughton, Sam Angell
Squash coach, Sue Martin Downhill, said: “It was great to see so many children attending the squash camp during the half term. There was a 25% increase in the numbers from previous camps and a brilliant competitive spirit from the kids.
Silver Servers is a session that takes place on Tuesday mornings where anyone over 50 can go along and join in to play racketball with other over 50s, some of whom have played before and others who are new to the game.
