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  • SkyTower Challenge for Thame fire fighters

    FOUR Firefighters from Thame will be representing Oxfordshire Fire and Rescus in the UK Fire Fighters’ Operation Florian SkyTower Challenge. They will be competing against other brigades across the country by climbing 25 floors in full Firefighting kit while wearing and using BA (Breathing Apparatus).

    The challenge will take place this Sunday, November 24, in Manchester and all funds being raised will go towards Operation Florian which provides equipment and helps train Firefighters in developing countries. Additionally funds are also being raised in memory of FF Steve Hunt, who was tragically killed while fighting a fire in Manchester earlier this year.

    Mark Nunns, one of the four Thame fire fighters taking part in the SkyTower Challenge, said: “We hope to do Thame and Oxfordshire proud in the challenge.” The other three fire fighters from Thame are Steve Simmons, Nick Sawyer and Leo Shairp.

    Anyone willing to show their support for the Thame fire fighting team and make a donation, is invited to visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/thamefirestation

  • Christmas shopping in Thame

    WHY jump into the car and leave town for Christmas shopping when here in Thame we have so many wonderful, independent shops of our own? Shops where good old-fashioned service and knowledge about the providence of products is paramount – and, bonus – there’s loads of FREE parking.  Let Thame.Net guide and inspire you to find the ideal festive gift for everyone locally.                                                                                                                                                                              Quick links

    Get everyone fit for Christmas 
    Powders & potions
    Retro Chic for Christmas 
    Gift ideas galore!
    Media & technology for everyone
    Sweet delights
    Chocolate Unlimited
    Christmas Style
    Christmas flowers

    THERE’s always someone who’s particularly difficult to buy for at Christmas, but in Thame’s Buttermarket where we begin our Yuletide trail, is the lovely little emporium of cosmetics, fragrance and beauty products, POWDER, where Karen, the proprietor will help you create your own gift box of their favourites products, including gift boxes of Miller Harris, Caudalie and Dr Hauschka.

                              

    For the younger person, suggests Karen, how about a pampering soak in a Bomb Cosmetic bath with a selection of their gorgeous bath products, or again, make up your own gift box with their ‘Keep Calm and have a Bath’ boxes. Alternatively, bring them a ray of sunshine with the ‘Happiness Kit’ by Love & Toast .

                                            
                                                                                              Cracking duos of Nail Colour

     

    POWDER also has some great little stocking fillers and ideas for ‘Secret Santa’ gifts to suit most ladies, from compact mirrors, soaps and nail polish.

    But POWDER is not just about the ladies. For the gentlemen, there’s a selection of men’s fragrances, grooming and bath/shower products, including Blue Beards Revenge,  Scaramouche & Fandango.

              

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    RETRO CHIC FOR CHRISTMAS

    STROLLING back along Buttermarket, towards North Street, is picturesque Montesson Square, by the old Thame Market House. Near by, tucked away to the right of the historic Swan pub, is the courtyard shopping area, Swan Walk (Don’t forget to pat Doris the cow, currently ‘stabled’ at Thame.net’s Jordans Courtyard, as you pass). Recently opened at No. 6 Swan Walk, is Camilla Fraser’s THE LOVELY SHOP, a purveyor of loveliness indeed!  Here you’ll discover handmade, homemade, ethical and just plain funky clothes and accessories. So, what are Camilla’s hot tips for a perfect pressy for lovely ladies?  Christmas is of course party time and we all need something special to wear whether we’re the host or a guest. And ‘because we’re worth it’, we deserve to treat ourselves too!

    The Regina Floral Velvet Doll Dress, £75, by the gorgeous, retro clothing company, Collectif, is a beautifully flattering style with sweetheart neckline, capped sleeves and a flared skirt. Camilla says: “It looks fab on it’s own or for that extra ‘wow’, team it with one of my long petticoats, available in sizes 8 to 18 subject to availability.

                                                  

    “For lovely, little ladies I’d like to recommend the Purbeck Kelp Dress by organic children’s clothes company, Kite Kids. An unusual dress in Purple & green, it looks beautiful with colourful tights and is just right for Christmas parties! It’s available in sizes 3-12 months at £27, and 12 months – 3 years at £29. There’s also a tunic version for older kids in the same colourway available in sizes 3-7 years, at £24 and for 7-11 years, £26, subject to availability.” 

     And for the very new little people why not treat them to a stripy Baby Vest from organic & fair trade children’s clothes company Little Green Radicals for their first Christmas. This vest features Horatio Hound applique & is made from the softest cotton, it also comes in a pink stripe for pink babies and is available in sizes 0-3 to 9-12 months. £18. All these lovely items are available to view on THE LOVELY SHOP’S website www.lovelyandlovely.co.uk

     

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    CHRISTMAS GIFTS GALORE

     JUST opposite The Lovely Shop is ELLA JANE GIFTS which, since opening in Swan Walk just nine months ago, has proved a very popular destination for Thame’s visitors and locals as a source of something special for the perfect gift. It’s certainly worth a visit and Alison Cooper, the helpful proprietor, will give you personal service with a smile to help you choose a perfect Christmas gift for almost anyone – she loves a challenge!

             

    This compact little shop beautifully presents a fantastic variety of gorgeous quality furniture, a collection of wonderful toys, scarves, jewellery, leather bags and unique gifts of top quality at fantastic prices.

    Both THE LOVELY SHOP and ELLA JANE GIFTS are members of the Thame Loyalty Scheme by the way, so some extra discounts and goodies for Loyalty Card holders. 

     

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    MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY FOR EVERYONE

    ALSO part of the Swan Walk shopping community is the long-established, THAME AV Audio Visual, run by Steve Algar. Here, as well as flat screen TVs (which could be tricky to wrap!) Steve has some very affordable tablets, as well as some great Christmas present ideas for music lovers of all ages. With Vinyl making a big comeback, what better time of year to dig out your old records and play them on your new turntable?  “Starting at £150, these turntables would be ideal for a ‘him’ or a ‘her’,” suggests Steve.”

                  

    The use of mobile tablet computers, or just ‘tablets’, is growing and growing, and they are surely going to be the big ‘must have’ gift request this Christmas, and While some of the big names are still leading the way in terms of app selection, a number of competitors have risen to the challenge by offering great features and hardware for less money. THAME AV has been quick to realise this trend and the 9 inch, GoClever Android Tablet, complete with a case and a Keyboard, at £165, would ‘fit the bill’ for mums, dads, brothers, sisters – in fact anyone – who wants to access the internet or social media like Facebook and Twitter, suggests Steve, and they can even be used to control many of their other wi fi products.

              

     With the increasing availability of more and more digital radio stations to chose from, being able to carry your radio around the house to keep you entertained while getting ready for work or cleaning the house, a portable radio is a most acceptable addition to today’s listening experience. THAME AV has a wide selection of both the latest Digital and Analogue radios from Roberts and Pure, starting at just £20.

                        

    “Something for everyone and a present that any relative will love and cherish,” suggests Steve, adding: “And, all these products come with boxes and internal protection.” A really important, practical point to bear in mind I always think, when it comes to choosing gifts.
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    SWEET DELIGHTS

    SPECIAL chocolate and confectionery is as much a part of Christmas as crackers and turkey, and in Thame we have a sweet lover’s dream of a shop, a proper sweet shop, the likes of which would have been found in every town and village a generation ago, before supermarkets and multipacks.

     SWEET SURRENDER in Cornmarket has a staggering selection of handmade, Belgian chocolate and traditional sweets, as well as sugar free, dairy free and gluten free confectionery. Here you can buy liquorice in over 40 varieties including salted and root liquorice, individual bags of your favourite liquorice all-sorts, or as a special present for a real liqurice lover, a whole jarful!

                           

    Amy Fleming, the proprietor, will make up a gift box of any amount of chocolates selected from the huge range, including the most popular, salted coconut, champagne truffles and orange peel. Or, if it’s the old-fashioned, favourite sweets your mum, aunty, uncle, granny, grandad or other relative or friend would love as a treat, Amy will make you up a traditional mini-jar to suit all budgets. Take the 360 degree tour of SWEET SURRENDER
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    GET FIT FOR CHRISTMAS

    CHRISTMAS shopping can be tiring. Traipsing round shop after shop trying to find that perfect gift for each and every one of your family and friends, apart from all the food shopping and preparation for the big day. RACQUETS FITNESS CENTRE, in North Street, Thame, (behind the Cattle Market) is a friendly, family run health and fitness club which can help you in more ways than you might at first think.

    It is the place in Thame to get yourself fit before all the festivities – build up your stamina and strength before you go out for that long haul shopping visit.

    Splash out on a couple of personal training sessions for yourself then think about everyone else.  

    “For everyone else we can help with the presents too!” says Squash Coach, Simon Martin, who helps run his family’s business. “For kids – encourage them to get active and give them a place of their own to go to ! A silver junior membership of RACQUETS is just £50 – they can book their own squash court and bring their friends down to play.”

    For stocking fillers for the kids, RACQUETS offers lots of ideas, from rackets grips, squash and racketball balls to a child-size squash racket.

     

    FOR everyone else – yes, why not? Encourage them to get active too. “It’s the kindest present of all,””suggests Simon’s wife, Sue. “.. and it’s what they’ll need straight after eating their way through chocolate logs and turkey with all the trimmings!”  Although RACQUETS can offer presents of personal training sessions and memberships, from December 1, they will have, waiting at reception, vouchers for varying amounts which can be redeemed against any of the goods and services available at the Centre. 

    So, if you’re looking for something special, RACQUETS FITNESS CENTRE would love you to drop in and have a chat with either Simon or Martin King, who can work out with you an appropriate present for your loved one. Take the RACQUETS 360 degree tour
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    CHOCOLATE UNLIMITED

     DEFINITELY a destination for chocolate lovers, whatever the time of year, is RUMSEY’S, a cafe and Chocolaterie, headed up by  Head chef and Master Chocolatier, Nigel Rumsey and his wife Mary; a great place to take a rest from the Christmas shopping and enjoy a cup of real hot chocolate and a spot of lunch

     

    A must have as a present or to share at Christmas – their 500g selection of Nigel Rumsey’s favourite chocolates; call in watch them being made!

    RUMSEY’S is nothing short of ‘chocolate heaven’ and offers a wide selection of Christmas chocolate  gifts for any chocoholic!  Take the 360 degree tour of RUMSEY’S, Thame
                 

    Santa’s Solution  

     Whether you call him Father Christmas or Santa he’s delicious either way – a great idea for Christmas Stockings and table decorations. There are loads of different chocolate figurines to choose from at RUMSEY’S

     Something for everyone 

    Dark, Milk or White Chocolate – Chocolate dipped Honeycomb or Chocolate Buttons – great for a Christmas treat

     

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    STYLE AT CHRISTMAS

    THAME is fortunate in having a variety of women’s clothes shops to suit most tastes, and among these, at the top of the High Street, is ISABELLA’S CLOSET, run by Marie Crawley, who with a background in interior and personal styling, prides herself on sourcing new and innovative design labels and unique styles on trend at very affordable prices. Marie has made the following suggestions  that should help make any woman’s  Christmas special:  

                        

     

     

    Left: This beautiful gold and black body con dress is from the Paper Dolls range which is perfect for the party season

    Right: A beautiful gold and black body con dress from Isabella’s Closet’s Paper Dolls range, which is perfect for the party season

               

    		                                               

     

    These two are from Isabella’s Closet’s Italian range; ideal for Christmas Day – very stylish and easy to wear. The jewellery featured with the dresses is part of a stunning collection of Accessories that Marie has to chose from. Isabella’s Closet gift tokens are available all the year round!

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    CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

     FRESH flower bouquets make a wonderful gift or bring a touch of natural beauty into your home at Christmas. At BIZZIE LIZZIE in the Upper High Street (close to the Swan pub), Katie Virdi, her mum Billie and their team of experienced and creative florists, offer a stunning range of festive floral designs to chose from and will deliver within a 10 mile radius of Thame.

                                                                                        

    To see the full range of BIZZIE LIZZIE’s Christmas flower bouquets and baskets, visit their website or take a 360 degree tour of their beautiful shop here.      back to top

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    SO, there you are. To  help you find just the right present for anyone, whether it’s for the husband who has everything, a teenage boy or girl, mum and dad, or a best friend of either sex, we’ve combed the shops of Thame, and in consultation with the proprietors, have come up with, what we hope, is a very useful list of suggestions which we hope will entice you to explore our own, wonderful independent shops and discover just what our own high street has to offer – and to help our vibrant little town’s local economy. 

    Thame Loyalty Card member or not, November is a good time to subscribe to the Thame Loyalty Card newsletter. If you sign up during the month of November, you’ll be entered into a draw to win £50 in vouchers to spend in Loyalty card participating businesses during December. Go to: www.thameloyalty.co.uk, scroll to the bottom and click on ‘Sign up to our email newsletter’. LINK HERE

    FINAL THOUGHT- For every £1 spent with a local business, 83p goes back into the community’s economy. I guess therefore it’s in all of our interests to TRY THAME FIRST and buy where we can in our own high street, and particularly, to support the many, wonderful independents that Thame is known for.

                                     A very merry Christmas and a happy new year !                                                                                                                                                                              back to top

     

     

     

  • ‘Del Boy’ lends his support to ‘Florrie’s’ hospice makeover

    SIR David Jason OBE, best known for his role as Del Boy in the popular sit-com, Only Fools and Horses, has lent his support to the Florence Nightingale Day Hospice ‘makeover’ appeal in its Silver Jubilee year.

    David Jason OBE

    As part of the Florence Nightingale Hospice 25th Anniversary year, Sir David Jason OBE is making a special appeal to the local community to help raise over £20,000 – vital funds needed to help refurbish its Day Hospice service.

    Sir David, who has penned a personal appeal letter to officially launch the campaign on Monday, November, 25, is encouraging supporters of the Hospice to ‘dig deep’ and help fund the Day Hospice ‘makeover’, which will include new furniture, tables, chairs, cushions, fittings, curtains, flooring and general maintenance. Currently, the Day Hospice, which is open from Monday-Friday, 10 am -3 pm, sees around 40-60 patients from across Aylesbury Vale and surrounding areas (including Thame) each week.

    In his appeal letter Sir David said: “Florence Nightingale Hospice is a very special place – I think we all know someone who has been touched by the first-class care provided by the wonderful team of staff and volunteers here. With this in mind, I would like to encourage you to spare a few pennies to help raise funds to refurbish Day Hospice and further enhance the lives of patients and their families.”

    “Our Day Hospice provides a vital service in which physical, emotional and spiritual symptoms are addressed in a warm, friendly, fun environment by the Day Hospice team,” said Senior Day Hospice nurse, Jenny Spencer-Jones. “A makeover will give the patients a brighter, fresher and more comfortable environment; enhancing and adding to the lovely ambience of the Day Hospice, a home from home, where patients can relax and be comfortable and most of all enjoy coming to.”

    If you would like to help support the Day Hospice appeal please visit www.fnhospice.org.uk and click on the ‘Donate’ button or visit the dedicated fundraising page at www.make-a-donation.org. Donations can also be sent in the post addressed to Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity, Unit 4 Aylesbury Business Centre, Chamberlain Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8DY or, simply pop your donation in to the Florence Nightingale Hospice marked ‘Day Hospice Appeal’.

    Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC) fully funds the Day Hospice service at a cost of over £100,000 each year. Each patient appointment costs £135 per visit. FNHC relies heavily on its volunteer drivers, to bring patients to and from Day Hospice, which runs every week. In fact 29 drivers drove 27,582 miles last year to bring patients to the Hospice: “Having volunteer drivers, means that patients can attend the Day Hospice for the specialist support they need,” added Judy Plater, Volunteer Services Assistant.

    www.fnhospice.org.uk     Facebook:  Twitter: @fnhospice #florencenightingalehospice

  • Developer welcomes new Thame homes planning consent

    FOLLOWING yesterday’s historic planning decision, a ‘first’ for Neighbourhood Planning, the developer of the proposed housing site has welcomed the decision and has vowed to work with the community on the detailed planning of Site D.

    The outline proposal includes 175 homes, a community orchard, considerable public open space, including a children’s play area, and allotments on the majority of what is known as Site D: land West of Thame Park Road.

    Jon Allen, Development Manager at Commercial Estates Group, said: “We are delighted that members of SODC’s planning committee voted unanimously in favour of granting permission for this application. CEG has been working with the residents and representatives of Thame for over three years and the feedback received has genuinely had a big influence on the application which was submitted.

    “CEG has been proud to support Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan from the outset – and throughout – and the decision at planning committee demonstrates that developers and communities can work very effectively together to deliver new homes which meet local aspirations.”

    Site D is allocated in the Thame Town Plan for a total of 205 houses, of which CEG’s application included 175 homes. It was the first application on an allocated site to receive a resolution to grant planning consent, following the Thame Town Plan being supported by 76% of voters at a referendum in May and its subsequent adoption by SODC.

    Jon Allen continued: “The application was in outline so we will now start to look at the site in further detail. Our aim is to continue the positive working relationship we have built up with the people of Thame and to deliver the high-quality development which local residents are looking for.”

     

  • Wax On Wax Off for Men’s charity

    MEADOW View Park, the home of Thame United, was the venue last Saturday (09/11), for a charity fundraising event organised by the Thame Jazzercise group, all proceeds of which went to the male cancer charity MCAC.

    Frank Thompson (left), General Manager at Meadow View Park, Bob Vincent (centre) and Frank Millar (right),  all volunteered to be waxed for charity on Saturday morning.

    Not only did they raise money on-line, but tickets were sold to watch the event. The ladies watching the procedures showed no sympathy when it came to the pain being inflicted – in fact they all seemed to be enjoying it far too much !!

    Over £1,500 was raised on the day for the charity.  Jazzercise instructor, Sue Morris, said: ” The guys were fantastic and were such good sports. Every penny raised makes such a difference and this takes our total fundraising figure over the past six years to over £78,000.”

    For information about Jazzercise classes at Meadow View Park and other venues contact, Sue Morris on 07752 448026

  • Death announced of outstanding Thame sportsman and inventor

    IT is with great sadness that friends and family have reported the death of Ray Hawes, aged 75, formerly of  Long Crendon, near Thame, on Sunday, November 3,  after a long battle with cancer. He died peacefully at home in Mt Pleasant, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

    The late Ray Hawes photographed during a trip to Australia

    Ray was an outstanding local sportsman, one of the best of his generation. He was a very talented cricketer and golfer and also played table tennis and squash. Moreover, he was a charismatic, generous person, who touched many peoples’ lives.

    Ray was born in Aylesbury and spent his childhood and early married life in Long Crendon. He went to Lord Williams’ grammar school in Thame, leaving after the fifth form to work with his father, Willis, at Crendon Concrete, afterwards forming  Hawes Farm Buildings.  He moved to Grendon Underwood in 1980 and then to Devon for several years before moving to the USA. He first resided in New Hampshire before settling in Charleston, South Carolina, where he established his businesses.

    On the cricket field Ray opened the batting firstly at Thame CC, where he set records of scoring 1,000 runs in consecutive seasons in the 1960s. He captained the club before moving to Aylesbury CC after which he then played county cricket for Bucks.  He became the first Aylesbury batsman for 20 years to score 1,000 runs and went on to captain the club for many seasons in the 1970s. He also played for SOA (South Oxon Amateurs)and later for Devon over 50s. It is believed he achieved the remarkable feat of scoring 100 centuries over his career.

     

    Ray was also a single figure handicap golfer. He was a member of Oxford City (Southfield) and Buckingham golf clubs. He was a founder member of Five Star Events, an Oxfordshire organisation running golf events for local charities and was its President in 2009/10.

    Whilst in the USA, Ray went on to patent a number of inventions. In 2000 he set up Rapid Deployable Systems Inc, which marketed his structures that enables bridges, such as the Bay bridge in San Francisco and the one in Detroit linking the US and Canada, to be enclosed for repairs or maintenance. He then obtained the contracts for the US Navy fleets in Norfolk, Virginia and Seattle to enclose their aircraft carriers. He was recognized by the US government for his innovative work which resulted in him having dual American/British citizenship.

    Most recently he invented the framework for a category five hurricane proof house, made from aluminium. The house was the first of its kind and engineered to withstand winds speeds of up to 157 mph as well as earthquakes up to eight on the Richter scale. These houses are built by one of Ray’s companies, Cat Five Houses of Charleston.

    Ray is survived by his wife of 55 years, Maureen (nee King) who was born in Thame, sisters Daphne, Margaret and Sylvia, his four children-Nina, Julia, Angela and Geoff, and nine grandchildren.

    Ray will be sorely missed. His funeral will take place on Thursday, November 14, in Mt Pleasant. His family intend to hold a memorial service in England in due course.

    SOURCE: Contributed by BarryYates

  • Family search – Ellis Ellis Williams – Thame 1930s-40s

    Name: David K Phillips.   Manton, Marlborough, SN8 4HW

    Email: keithandjuliet@waitrose.com

    Messages: This is a family search.
    Does anyone have any records or information on Rev. Ellis Ellis Williams during his residence in Thame, perhaps Vicar of Thame itself??
    I believe he was a Vicar in the 1930s and 40s?

    Any information or stories from the records would be of great interest.

  • Lucky escape for young driver and passenger

    A young couple were very lucky to escape with minor injuries last night, when their car left the road and rolled over on the Chinnor Road between Thame and the Towersey turn.

    This was the view of Thame Station Officer, Andy Ford, this morning, speaking after the town’s Remembrance Service.

    “The car seems to have left the road after a slight bend, hit a fence, bounced back into the road, rolled over and landed on its roof,” he said. “Several pieces of the fence were impaled in the car.

    “I cannot help but repeat the same message put out after the spate of local road traffic incidents lately, that at this time of the year, the road are very slippery and drivers must adjust their driving speed accordingly.

    “This couple were very lucky to escape serious injury and possibly worse.”

  • All in a days work for Thame Community Policing team

    THE monthly Thame Neighbourhood Policing update for November, has just been published by Thames Valley Police and includes information about Anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the town, revving cars, thefts from vehicles, burglaries and stolen bikes among other things.

    Thames Valley Police’s Thame Neighbourhood Policing team

    To read the full report from the the Thame Neighbourhood Policing Team, which includes some good news as well as some not so good, visit the Thames Valley Police website: HERE

     

  • Missing Chinnor man found safe and well

    A missing 22-year-old man from Chinnor has been found safe and well.

    James Brooke

     James Brooke was reported missing since Monday (04/11) but was found safe and well in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, yesterday afternoon.