Category: Thame news

FOLLOWING Thame’s great win in a recent poll on BBC Radio Oxford as the most friendlist town, Thame has today won yet another accolade.
In Radio Fox FM’s current ‘Best of Oxfordshire 2005’ competition, listeners have voted for Thame to receive the radio station’s special award as the best town or village in the county.
In accepting the award on behalf of Thame, the Chair of Thame’s Chamber of Commerce, Keith Slater, described the Thame as: “a gem of a town, with some great shops, restaurants and hotels, free parking and lots of interesting, historic buildings.”
Tomorrow, Friday is voting day for the Best Take Away in Oxfordshire. Thame’s nominees are The Pad Thai Takeaway and Tommy Yaki, in Wellington Street.
Tuesday, November 1, is judging day for the Best Leisure Centre, represented in Thame, by Racquets Fitness Centre. November 2, is Best Teacher day. Best Pub day is Thursday, November 3, the Thame’s candidate being The Six Bells. Thame has three entries in The Best Shop Category, Mi Casa, Arts Desire, and Clays The Butcher.
Anyone who would like to vote for their personal favourite, can visit Fox FM’s website on: www.foxfm.co.uk

OFFENDERS who broke into a Thame house by forcing a window, left empty-handed after searching three rooms.
The burglary took place on Monday, October 17, sometime between 6.45pm and 9.45pm, in Cotmore Gardens, Thame.
PC Hookham, based at Thame Police station, would like to hear from anyone who may have noticed anything unusual around the time of the incident, or who has any other information about the incident.
Call him on the Police Enquiry Line: 0845 850 5505, or to speak to an officer anonymously call Crime Stoppers on: 0800 555111

THAME is the friendliest town according to a recent phone-in poll carried out by a local radio station.
During Radio Oxford’s morning programme, usually hosted by Ann Diamond, a listener made a remark to stand-in presenter, Sybil Roscoe that the people of Birmingham were rude.
So Sybil asked listeners to phone in and tell her who they would nominate as the friendlist town and Thame was the town most mentioned, Berinsfield coming a close second.
So there you are; its officical. But we all knew that anyway didn’t we?

Let us know what you think. Contact: editor@thamenews.net

THIS year’s Remembrance Service will take place on Sunday, 13 November 2005, when there will be a re-dedication of Thame’s refurbished War Memorial.
The stone monument has been cleaned and the memorial plaques restored in accordance with standards layed down by the Friends of War Memorials and English Heritage.
The Rt Revd Richard Harries DD FKC FRSL, Bishop of Oxford, who has just announced his retirement, will be attending the Remembrance Service.
The Memorial was recenly granted grade 2, Listed status, being judged to be of special architectural or historic interest.
Its restoration followed extensive lobbying of the town hall by local British Legion members, among others.

Arrangements are also in progress for the monument stone cleaning and restoration of the memorial plaques at Moreton War Memorial. The work is due to be completed in time for Remembrance Day.

Photo courtesy of Thame Town Council

THE Lord Williams’s-based rock band, SILVER PENNY, has won a 2005, Schools’ Rock Idol competition.
Band Members, Mike Lumpkin, Matt Stokes, Sam Richardson, Dan Braithwaite and Ash Cooke were up against some very stiff opposition for top place in the competition organised by BGFL, the Birmingham based learning and information-sharing organisation for schools.
The following is what the BGFL website had to say about the competition, sent in to us by a very proud parent, Karen Lumpkin.
“The judges all agreed that it was a VERY difficult decision to come up with a list of winners. The standard of every band that took part was simply amazing. Everyone that took part can be justly proud of the music they are composing, performing and practicing. Not only was the music so good, but equally fantastic was the way everyone arrived on time, performed on time and were so good humoured and laid back (a very important rock star quality!). So a BIG pat on the back to everyone involved ? teachers, technicians, musicians, roadies and all the other people who supported ROCK IDOL 2005.

After A LOT of discussion, and a lot of consultation and a lot of reading texts and comments that came flooding in, the judges were able to agree a unanimous 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The judges also felt that EVERYONE who performed should have a prize? but if we did that? it wouldn?t have been much of a competition, would it?
So?.
Who came first ? It was Silver Penny (Lord Williams School)

Who came second ? It was Multicolour Mayhem Whitecross School)

Who came third ? It was No Good Cause (Harborne Hill School)

The judges also awarded a Special Commendation to ? Reborn (Sir Graham Balfour School)

Plaques and prizes will be winging their way to each of the schools that the winning rock bands represented in the competition. Silver Penny will also have the opportunity of an executive tour of Kerrang Radio Station and an opportunity to cut a CD of their winning entry at a state of the art recording studio. Lord Williams School will also receive a years free use of Gigajam music composition software.

INFORMATION is being sought by Thame Police about a recent incident in which a car was daubed with green spray paint.
The incident occurred in Fothergill Place, Thame, on Thursday, October 13, between 1.40pm and 5.30pm, in a private car park in the area.
If anyone say any suspicious characters hanging around the area at the times specified, they are asked to contact PC Allen, 2911 via the police enquiry line: 0845 8505505, or Crime Stoppers anonymously on: 0800 555111

THAME’S new museum will be opening its doors on Saturdays for the next four weeks, for an exhibition of historic photographs, called Faces Of Thame.
Also on view will be the designs for the musuem which is currently being converted from the old Court House. The main work is expected to be over with by next Easter, when the museum will be fully operational and open to the public.
Volunteers will be on hand during the Faces of Thame exhibition to be asked questions about the plans for this exciting venture for the town.

BISHOP Colin Fletcher of Dorchester joined Aston Rowant C of E school last Monday, for its Harvest Festival celebrations.
The bishop toured the new class rooms, which had been constructed over the summer holidays, and which have greatly enhanced the school?s facilities.
Governors, staff and ex staff, including retired head Celia Wilson, enjoyed a delicious soup lunch with the Bishop, prepared by year 6 children.
The harvest festival service, which included items and songs from each class, included information about an Ethiopian boy sponsored by the school, prayers of thanks for the new rooms and prayers for those less fortunate.
The Bishop explained to the children about his garments and by demonstrating with his crook, explained something of his work caring for the Church community.
The gifts donated by the school?s families, were given to Stepping Stones in Oxford, an organisation that works with the homeless, and to the Chinnor Resource Centre.
The Bishop commented upon the happy atmosphere in the school and the obvious support given by the parents and other volunteers. The children commented upon the Bishop?s friendliness; Daniel Matthews (9) said that the Bishop was “cool”.
The service was followed by tea and cakes for all organised by the PTA.
The school community was delighted with the event.

THAME Police are appealing for witnesses following two high value burglaries in Kingston Blount last week. Overnight on Monday, October 10, two houses were broken into on the High Street. It is believed the offenders gave two dogs in the house a sedative and stole porcelain statues and silverware worth around