Thame.net

Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

  • Open letter to Thame’s MP from local ‘Peoples’ vote’ activist

    A Thame resident, a leading member of Thame For Europe, who campaign for ‘a Peoples’ Vote’, has written an open letter to Thame’s MP, John Howell, after the MP continued to support the Prime Minister in Tuesday night’s  vote against his Brexit plans. (UPDATE BELOW THE LETTER)

    Roy Mottram

    The letter reads as follow:

    Dear John Howell MP,

    I note that you voted last night against Parliament taking control of some of the parliamentary agenda. Mr Johnson’s authoritarian attempt to shut Parliament down for long enough to silence opposition to his policy rather forced their hand. I’m disappointed that you put party before parliamentary sovereignty.
     
    The government lost that vote & Parliament now has the opportunity to ensure that the A50 deadline is extended to allow completion of any negotiation that Johnson undertakes.
     
    If you vote against this deadline extension, then I’d like to hear your arguments for why Parliament will be better placed to avoid “No Deal” at the end of October rather than now, when the opportunity is in front of you.
     
    Regards
    Roy Motteram
    Cheshire Road, Thame

    (UPDATE: John Howell voted FOR a general election in Wednesday night’s debate and has since criticised the Speak of the House in an article in the Henley Standard LINK HERE)
     

  • Bunch of gardening awards for Thame care home

    THE residents and Friends of Meadowcroft Care Home, Thame,  gathered outside in the care home’s garden on Thursday (30/08), to celebrate no less than five awards in the annual St Johns Trust in Bloom competition, Meadowcroft being one of several care homes run by the Trust.

    Meadowcroft resident Elizabth Rowell enjoying the prize-winning garden!

    Proud residents, nursing and care staff, friends and some visiting family members enjoyed a celebratory glass of sangria in the sunshine.

    The five awards were:

    Winner – Best Grounds and Garden
    Winner – Best Rear Garden
    Winner – Best Special Theme- gardeners’ choice

    Runner Up – Best Activity in the Garden
    Runner Up – Best Vegetable Patch, tub planter – which includes a magnificent pumpkin, tomatoes and runner beans!

    The Rotary Club of Thame were thanked especially for helping plant some of the flower beds, and the residents, who get involved in planting, dead-heading and watering the gardens.

    The outside space is very important to many of the residents. Mrs Elizabeth Rowell said that coming out into the garden to feel the sunshine and fresh air, was her favourite place to be. She particularly enjoys filling the bird bath with water and making sure the birds have seed to eat.

  • Councillors’ Open Letter to MP John Howell

    FOLLOWING the Prime Minister’s announcement to suspend parliament, a group of councillors from South Oxfordshire District Council, all of them from either the Green Party or the Liberal Democrats, have sent an open letter to MP John Howell.

    The letter reads:



    “Dear Mr Howell,

    “This week, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that he will be suspending Parliament. The motive for this seems obvious; to run down the clock and make a No Deal Brexit inevitable. The length of the prorogation supports this.

    “We understand that you didn’t back Boris Johnson as leader and that you, like many of your constituents voted to remain in the 2016 referendum.
    We also understand that you do not support severing all ties with our closest neighbours. This is clear from you having supported Remain, voted for Theresa May’s deal in parliament on each occasion it was brought to the House of Commons and voted against No Deal in March.

    “A No Deal Brexit would be incredibly damaging for businesses across the country. There are many businesses in your constituency that are part of Europe-wide supply chains.

    “There is also a huge amount of uncertainty and a sense of “limbo” for the thousands of EU citizens living and working in this constituency.
    Time is now running out and we are asking you to join with other Oxfordshire MPs like Ed Vaizey, Anneliese Dodds and Layla Moran in opposing a No Deal Brexit and doing whatever it takes to stop it from happening.”

    The councillors who have signed the letter are;
    Councillor Pieter-Paul Barker (Liberal Democrats) – Thame
    Councillor Robin Bennett (Green)
    Councillor Sam Casey-Rerhaye (Green)
    Councillor Peter Dragonetti (Green)
    Councillor Maggie Filipova-Rivers (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor Sarah Gray (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor Kate Gregory (Liberal Democrats) – Thame
    Councillor Victoria Haval (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor Alexandrine Kantor (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor George Levy (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor Andrea Powell (Green)
    Councillor Leigh Rawlings (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor Jo Robb (Green)
    Councillor Sue Roberts (Green)
    Councillor Anne-Marie Simpson (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor David Turner (Liberal Democrats)

  • Nominations open for Oxfordshire Sports Awards

    THIS year’s Oxfordshire Sports Awards will take place on Friday, November 15, at the MINI Plant in Oxford. The event will bring together guests and shortlisted nominees from across the county for an evening of celebration. Guests will also be treated to a presentation from special guest Mark England OBE, the Chef de Mission for Team GB at the forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

    Nominations are now open across 12 categories covering elite level sport to community sessions that help people get active. The award categories are: Sportsman, Sportswoman, Junior sportsman (under 18), Junior sportswoman (under 18), Adult team of the year, Junior team of the year (under 18), Active school of the year, Unsung Hero, Disability Sport Award, Community coach, Active Award and Community club of the year.

    Nominations close on Friday, September 20.

    For more information and to register your nomination, click HERE

  • Cricket: Thame thrash Dinton to move back to the top

    THAME First XI hosted a struggling Dinton side, this past Saturday, August 24, at Church Meadow. Batting first, Thame openers Mike Beard (53) and Ollie Burland (38) got their side off to another excellent start.

    Mike Beard

    Callum Russell (51) and Tom Bamford (35) kept the pressure on Dinton, but a disappointing display from the middle order saw Thame not capitalise fully on a fine platform, being bowled out in 43 overs for 247.

    The Dinton reply never really got going, with Jo Van Dyk striking in the first over. Hassam Mushtaq was the destroyer in chief, taking 4-23, as Dinton were rolled for just 127. Thame now sit top of the Home Counties Premier Division 2.

    Thame travel to third placed Harefield next weekend, with a win guaranteeing promotion to the top flight.

    For a full round-up of the rest of Thame Town Cricket Club’s matches last weekend, visit: http://www.thamecricket.org.uk/weekly-roundup-week16-2019/

  • The Dolly Parton Story

    WHERE? The Players Theatre, Thame
    WHEN? 4th October 2019 at 7.45pm

    THE Dolly Parton Story takes you on an incredible journey through the career of the ‘Queen of Country’.

    Follow Dolly’s story in this groundbreaking “show-umentary” format taking you from her humble beginnings in the Smoky mountains to her arrival as Queen of Country.

    Featuring passionate renditions of Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands In The Stream, Here You Come Again, Coat Of Many Colours, Joshua and many more, this show enjoyed sell out shows with standing ovations at Edinburgh Fringe in 2018 and had audiences dancing in the aisles.

    “What a beautiful performance. Dolly’s Music comes alive in a contemporary way” Dominic King” The Dominic King Show’ BBC Radio Kent

    “Hannah Richards performs beautifully …. is a talented singer song writer …. would have liked it to have gone on longer” **** ScotGay

    Hannah Richards is superb as Dolly Parton – an evening not to miss. Book your tickets HERE now. Tickets are £15 each.

  • Thame’s FTMC is back with China Bears!

    THE First Thursday Music Club resumes its monthly sessions on Thursday, September 5, at The Stables in Thame. Following its summer break (which incorporated the hugely brilliant Thame Town Music Festival), the organisers of FTMC are excited to welcome China Bears to take the 45 minute headline slot.

    China Bears formed in Somerset in 2015 by twin brothers Ivan and Frazer. The line-up was completed after meeting James and Dean at university in Guildford later that year. Drawing influence from bands such as: The National, Dry The River, Frightened Rabbit and Snow Patrol, China Bears create misery anthemic indie combining ambient guitars, choral vocals and raw lyric writing. They’ve currently released 3 singles independently with airplay from Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1, Steve Lamacq on BBC radio 6, John Kennedy on Radio X and Melita Dennett on BBC Introducing.

    Now signed to Fierce Panda Records and about to start a two-month, 20 date tour of significant towns, cities and venues across the UK, China Bears have been tipped for greatness … and you can see them, for FREE at FTMC!

    The First Thursday Music Club still offers the opportunity for artists to play live in front of a warm and appreciative audience, maintaining the ‘Open Mic’ section of the evening where slots will always be available in the first hour on a first-come, first-served basis with player sign-up by 7.30. The club has a full house PA system with keyboard, bass amp, guitar amp and jazz drum kit (bring breakables!) all set up on stage and ready to go.

    Another eclectic evening is guaranteed and, don’t forget, it’s FREE entry!

    China Bears links: https://www.facebook.com/ChinaBearsBand/

  • Transport minister visits Oxfordshire

    TRANSPORT Minister George Freeman today met with Oxfordshire County Council Leader Ian Hudspeth and City Council Cabinet Member Alex Hollingsworth to hear how the councils are working together on low-carbon transport.

    Better transport connections and lower carbon and nitrogen dioxide emissions are at the centre of future transport plans from the two councils, they told the minister. Also, Oxfordshire has become a hub for developing smart travel technologies by using our transport network as a “Living Lab” and by supporting innovation beyond just vehicle manufacturing, with businesses offering the test facilities, measurement, cybersecurity and smart infrastructure that provide an essential mix for bringing forward new travel technologies.

    George Freeman MP, who is the Minister for the Future of Transport, said: ““UK leadership in transport technology is helping to make transport greener, safer and more reliable & convenient.

    “The great work being done here in Oxfordshire is increasing the uptake of electric vehicles, promoting smart transport technologies and attracting inward investment to create the jobs of tomorrow.

    “With world class companies like Oxbotica, a global leader in self driving technology, investing here we have the potential to build a world class cluster. As the PM made clear in his first speech, the new Government has made innovation for connectivity a priority and we will shortly be announcing a series of initiatives to support this vital sector. “

    Councillor Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, added: “We were delighted that the new transport minister came to Oxfordshire to see for himself the fast-growing transport technology sector. We are making the most of the technological know-how in our excellent universities and energetic start-up community. But I am also convinced that our success is driven by the environmental concerns of people living and working in Oxfordshire who want to see transport that is both better and cleaner, with the county becoming an exciting test-bed for future technologies.”

    Regarding the city of Oxford itself, Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Oxford City Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainable Transport, said: ““Oxford is leading the way on innovation to address the environmental impacts of how we travel. This was a great opportunity to demonstrate to the Minister the ways we are rising to the challenge of future transport needs, and to discuss the transport challenges for the city and workforce in the future. Bold measures are needed to address traffic congestion within the constraints of our medieval city.”

  • Remembering Roy and record-breaking temperatures at Towersey 2019

    A series of outstanding performances, emotional celebrations, and record-breaking temperatures ensured the 55th Towersey Festival (Friday 23 to Monday 26 August 2019) was another huge success.

    The traditional Towersey Festival Lantern Parade (Click image for video)

    Highlights over the Bank Holiday weekend included appearances by soulful Dubliners, Hothouse Flowers, and 2-Tone legends The Selecter (Sunday), whose energetic appearance had the entire crowd on their feet.

    Troubadour Newton Faulkner, and BBC Radio 2 Folk Award 2019 nominated Welsh/ African duo Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita (Sat) were other notable stand-outs.

    (EDITOR: My personal favorites were Seth Lakeman, Fisherman’s Friends, Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys and on the last night on the bar stage, Phat – I’m a sucker for bit of brass! SF)

    Monday afternoon saw an emotional celebration of the life and career of the late folk singer, activist and Towersey Patron Roy Bailey, who passed away in November. Having appeared at the very first Towersey in 1965, Roy’s regular afternoon shows were much-loved feature of the festival for many years. Among those paying tribute during a moving two-hour show were friends, family and colleagues, including his son-in-law guitarist Martin Simpson, and broadcaster and musician Tom Robinson.

    The festival also marked the official retirement of Towersey Director Steve Heap; Steve attended the second festival before taking over the reins in 1975.

    In the region of 8,000 revellers attended the four-day event in Oxfordshire, which also witnessed record-breaking Bank Holiday temperatures, hitting highs of 30 degrees.

    Towersey Festival Director Joe Heap said: “We saw some incredible performances this year across our many stages. The first ever silent ceilidh, in particular, on Saturday (24 Aug 2019), was an absolute triumph and the talk of the festival.

    “But the Roy Bailey concert was something quite special. The Big Club tent was filled to capacity, and we had many more outside to see people like Martin, Tom, Andy Cutting, The Wilson Family, John Kirkpatrick, and other major folk/ roots musicians. They all performed songs from Roy’s incredible back-catalogue, and recounted stories about him – there was barely a dry eye, it was very very moving, as Roy was so associated with us. An afternoon few will forget.

    Discussing four uninterrupted days of hot sunny weather, Joe said: “We had plenty of taps, and everyone stayed well hydrated all over the site.”

    The 56th Towerey Festival will run from Friday 28 to Monday 31 August 2020, at the new location, Claydon Park, Buckinghamshire. Click HERE for peek at the new site.

    EDITOR: Tell us about YOUR stand-out performers.

     

  • Towersey Festival to leave Thame!

    TOWERSEY Festival is to be held on Thame Showground for the last time, this coming Bank Holiday weekend, 2019, and will move to the Claydon Estate in Buckingham next year, 2020.

    Leaflets saying as much have been given out at Artists Reception and there is information about the move displayed in the Merchandise tent on the site.

    The reason for the move is reported to be the instability about the long-term future of the show ground, which is currently owned by Thame Agricultural Association.

    No one was available for comment from Towersey Show at the time of writing. https://www.towerseyfestival.com/