THE Forget Me Knot Café in Chinnor, has had a very successful autumn programme, with a wonderful Tea dance hosted by local musician Ian English, and Chiltern Music Thereapy attending to run a session as per attached picture where we had all ages, with babies and toddlers enjoying the session as much as everyone else.
On Monday, November 27, we will have Heidi from Kiddledivy come along, with lots of energy and some great instruments, then Monday, December 10, is our Christmas session, and we are very lucky to be entertained by the children of Mill Lane School in Chinnor, followed by a visit from father Christmas and a Christmas lunch put on by the Chinnor Village Centre.
Forget Me Knot Cafe runs to provide information, peer support and activities which aim to put people with dementia, old age, mental health, loneliness and their carers in control of their lives so they are able to live well and enjoy life. For more infomation contact Michele info@holisticmassageuk.co.uk, or telephone: 0777973209 or visit our facebook page on www.facebook.com/forgetmeknotcafe.
THAME’s District Councillors are concerned that applications for SODC Community Grants, worth £5,000 from each Councillor, have been slow in coming forward. Only £586 of Cllr Nigel Champken Woods’ £5,000 has been taken up, by the Thame and District Allotment Society to build a Wildlife pond. All of Cllr David Dodds’ £5,000 is up for grabs and Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green has £1,700 left to give away having already awarded £800 to the TAL Festival to buy a new PA system. She has also given £2,500 to Thame Museum for a Thame Remembers legacy book.
To find out more about applying for SODC Community Grants for YOUR organisation, visit the SODC website HERE
Red Kite Family Centre has benefited from Councillor Community Awards. So could YOUR organisation or group!
Some similar grants, available from Thame’s County Councillors, have been awarded. The Red Kite Family Centre – Stay & Play in Chinnor – has received £2,400 funding towards providing ‘open access universal provision’ that will help maintain the Red Kide Family Centre, satellite centre based in Chinnor Library. The main, Red Kite Family Centre, Stay & Play in Thame has received £3,000 funding towards its open access universal provision, that has expanded the stay and play sessions in Thame from one to two a week.
There have also been other applications yet to be considered by the County Councillors. This will happen at the January 2018 meeting of Oxfordshire county Council.
HOW much Thame Town Council spends each year is published in its annual budget, and this year it is going one step further and is holding a drop-in session for the public to go and view the draft Budget, and hear views and suggestions for how the money should be spent next year. The council has today published the following statement and invitation:
“In preparing its budget for 2018-19, Thame Town Council has again looked hard at where it can make savings (both in terms of cuts and further efficiencies), while at the same time providing the projects, functions and services that the community of Thame expect to be delivered.
“While always publicising the budgeting process, this year, the Town Council is going one step further in its transparency and community involvement, by hosting a drop-in session at the Town Hall from 5:30pm till 8pm on the evening of Tuesday, December 12, 2017. This will provide an opportunity for any resident of Thame to discuss the draft budget in detail with the Town Clerk and members of the Budget Working Group. There is potential then for the Budget Working Group to refine the budget still further, in response to feedback from the community of Thame.”
You can read the full statement on Thame Town Council’s website HERE
A cyclist on a mission to cycle 140 miles solo in one day, in support of the Men’s charity, Movember, made a pit-stop in Thame early this morning for breakfast.
Sally Dickinson welcomes Dermot McCarthy to What’s Cooking in Thame
Dermot McCarthy is en route from his home town of Kimpton, Hertfordshire, to Ross-On-Wye, raising funds to tackle some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and poor mental health. Dermot, is part of a team of fellow workers at analytics software company, FICO UK, tackling various challenges for Movember and has already raised £700 for the charity.
This morning, he arrived at What’s Cooking in Cornmarket, Thame, at 7.30am to refuel on their wonderful triple muffin and pancake breakfasts, before setting off on the next leg of his journey to Coffee Smith’s in Witney. From there he will pedal to the Waitrose Cafe in Cheltenham for lunch before taking to the road for his final destination, The Saracen’s Head pub at Symonds Yat, where his wife and reception party will be meeting him.
Over a very early coffee at What’s Cooking, Dermot told Thame.net: “This is my third ride. The first I did with an overnight break in Thame and the second was all in one day but in the opposite direction. Both were on my hybrid bike. This time I am riding my road/racing bike which should be quicker. I’m looking forward to Journey’s end at the Saracen’s Head Inn, where my wife, car with bike rack, friends and a pint will be waiting.”
Sally Dickinson, joint owner of What’s Cooking, told Thame.Net: ““It was a pleasure to meet Dermot this morning and we feel privileged he chose Thame and What’s Cooking for a quick breakfast break on his solo charity cycle ride. 140 miles in one day is no mean feat but, as he cycled away with a warm What’s Cooking glow, we couldn’t help but feel proud to have fed and supported him. What an amazing man. We wish him well.”
THAMES GP practices have been working with Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) and patient representatives on plans for the future of GP and primary care services in Oxfordshire.
Image courtesy of The Rycote Practice, Thame
Throughout the summer Thame’s GP practices have joined others in Oxfordshire to talk about how they currently work, what problems they regularly face and how they could work better. OCCG have also been talking to Patient Participation Groups to find out more about the patient experience, listening to what patients feel is important and their ideas for change.
OCCG are holding a workshop-style event for each locality in Oxfordshire to enable residents to have their say on the future of GP services in their area. The workshop for Thame will take place on Tuesday 28 November at the George Hotel in Wallingford between 6:30pm and 8pm. To book your place and get more information please call 01865 334638 or email cscsu.talkinghealth@nhs.net.
CHINNOR Ladies FC made it two on the bounce, with a 1-0 win over Headington Ladies at home on Sunday, November 12.
Chinnor Junior girls, who were part of the girls football festival for 8s 9s and 10 year-olds.
Chinnor were bouyant with the return of both Becky and Chloe and made a lively start, with attacking Headington who played into the wind. Ten minutes into the game saw a punch pass up to Nat Phillips from midfield, who set the ball to Kim B, who lobbed the keeper, to make it 1-0.
Katie Thorp was unlucky with another lob over the keepers head. However the muddy conditions meant that the ball stuck in the mud inches away from the goal line. Headington were unlucky to not pull back an equaliser, as they kit the crossbar, and moments later, Chinnor could have increased their lead with Nat P toe poking the ball beyond the keeper, which went slightly wide of the wrong side of the goal post.
The second half saw Headington grow stronger in the game. However Chinnor were resolute and managed the game to the end. Chances from Chinnor in the second half came from Livvy Free, Katie Thorp and Nat Phillips.
The Girls Football Festival brought success, with the Chinnor Junior Girls training along side Anneka Nuttall, Watford Ladies FC Captain & Chinnor Ladies Goalkeeper, Katie Wales. Anneka was in charge of picking a new name for the girls team, which ended up being ‘Striking Lightenings’.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Healthcare NHS Trust staff celebrated local healthcare superstars at the annual staff awards on Friday, November 10, and Thame won a top award.
In a ceremony, held at the Gateway in Aylesbury, individuals and teams were recognised for going above and beyond in delivering safe and compassionate care for patients both in hospitals and in community settings.
Michael Smith with Healthcare team at Thame Community Hospital
Staff at Thame Day Hospital were the winners of the Patients’ Choice Award. They were nominated by Michael Smith, one of their service users. Mr Smith explained in his nomination that after his wife died, his health deteriorated and he was referred by his GP to Thame Day Hospital and this caring and compassionate group of staff helped him get his life back on track.
He added: “They are brilliant; always professional and respectful. In my assessment they asked me what my problems and concerns were, they listened and wanted to know me, my life, not my illness.
“This team encouraged me to learn best how to help myself and supported me to do this, always with a smile and a positive attitude. They looked at what I could do so I didn’t feel useless and they built on that. They always made time and seemed happy all the time. They are still my sunshine on dark days although I don’t have too many of those thanks to them.”
From his life in the navy Michael said he knew real teamwork when he saw it, and this group of staff have it at all levels throughout – he calls them his A team. There was a standing ovation in the room after everyone heard Michael’s very moving story.
Neil Dardis, chief executive, said: “The annual awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the amazing team we have working at the Trust. It is a night for everyone to feel proud and celebrate success.”
The other winners on the night were:
Dr Nawal Bbahal received the Care award for Collaboration. Dr Nawal is the Trust’s guardian of safe working hours for junior doctors, a new role established in 2016. His collaborative working ensures positive outcomes for all concerned!
Bereavement midwife Jennifer Higgs won the Care award for Aspire. “Her commitment goes above and beyond what is expected working flexibly to support women and families who have suffered bereavement. ”
Dee Irvin picked up the Care award for Respect.” Dee is a shining example of the high standards of respect we hope our staff demonstrates to patients and each other at all times.”
Janie King is won the Care award for Enable. “Janie has revolutionised the doctors’ rota by her effective style of management which involves an open door policy, a friendly greeting to anyone who comes to see her, however difficult the problem.”
“Our amazing in-reach palliative care team were the very deserving winner of the Partnership Working Award. The service, set up in collaboration with Macmillan, supports people admitted to hospital with life limiting illness.”
Julia Phillips, clinical nurse lead for sepsis and outreach sister was the winner of the Outstanding Contribution Award. “Julia’s commitment, professionalism and sheer tenacity were recognised by the judges.”
The medical staffing team won the Support Services Ambassador Award. “The team’s smooth implementation of the new junior doctor contract and the flexible approach they take helped them win this award.”
Elaine Trump was the very worthy winner of our Volunteer of the Year Award. “Elaine gave up two days to star in films for endoscopy about having a gastroscopy & colonoscopy. By sharing her experiences she’s helped reduce anxiety others may feel.”
The Radiology PACS/IT team were named as Healthcare Team of the Year. “This small team are responsible for the running of all of radiology IT across the Trust. Their strap line is: ‘always a pleasure, never a chore’.
Ramesh Chennagiri won the CEO Award for Leadership. “Ramesh has been a strong voice for change and his passion and energy for service improvement has engaged his colleagues and team.”
Mr Bruce James won the Lifetime Achievement Award. Bruce was appointed in 1995 & established the Trust’s first specialist glaucoma service. “He has a passion for training, mentoring many young surgeons who’ve since become consultants in this unit and elsewhere.”
THAME-Sinaia Friendship Association, in collaboration with Thame Youth Memorial, are organising a fundraising wine tasting event at Thame Town Hall, on Wednesday, November 29, at 7:30 pm.
Sinaia Peles Castle
Malcolm Dent, event organiser and a fan of Romanian wines, said: “This is a good opportunity to taste Romanian wines produced in wineries in the Subcarpathian Hills bordering the majestic Transylvanian Alps, also known as the Carpathians.”
Some of the wines originate from Sinaia’s county, Prahova. The wines will be served with an assortment of cheeses including Romania’s famous Telemea, pates and savoury biscuits.
A slide show with photos of Sinaia, as well as of the wineries will be on display.
Tickets can be booked in advance at £10 per person by ringing 01844 215 178 or 07764 854949. Tickets can be purchased on the day at £12 per person.
Participants must be over the age of 18 to be able to attend. Proof of ID will be required.
THE antiques centre in Tetsworth, near Thame, had a lucky escape early this morning, when fire appliances from three local stations were called to a fire in the kitchen of the Swan pub and restaurant next door.
Image: courtesy of Oxfordshire Fire Service
The emergency services received a call of reports of a fire at 12.20am this morning, November 15, and fire appliances from Thame, Watlington and Slade Park, Oxford, were quickly on the scene and officers wearing breathing apparatus rapidly entered the building and, using hose reels and high pressure fans, were able to prevent the fire spreading from the restaurant to the adjoining antiques shop.
Fire investigators from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were still at the scene investigating the cause this morning.
Incident Commander, Station Manager Paul Webster, said: “The sounding of a smoke alarm raised a near-by neighbour who called the fire service. Our crews were on the scene very quickly and along with a good routine of closing the doors in the property prevented this incident escalating and fire spreading to the antiques shop. This type of incident reminds us all to check our smoke alarms because a fire like this can go undetected so easily and then the losses can be so much greater.”
