A plan to make sure that a rapidly changing Thame remains a green, pleasant and healthy place to live and work, is to be presented to the town council .
A draft ‘Green Living Plan’ has been formulated by a group of local volunteers, RSA Thame, on behalf of the Town Council to look at how things that we all rely upon, such as the quality of our air and water, or the energy that we all use, can be maintained and improved.
The RSA Thame group will brief Councillors on the preparation of the plan and present the latest draft at 7pm on Tuesday, June 19. Members of the public are being encouraged to go along and ask questions. The presentation will precede the Full Council meeting, which will start at 8pm, where the Town Council will then decide if the plan can proceed to the next phase, which is expected to include a round of public consultation.
The town council, in announcing the presentation, said: “Comments made at that stage will be used to improve the Green Living Plan prior to its adoption as a document that the Town’s community will be able to refer to when making choices about its future.”
The Green Living Plan Working Group is part of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Committee and as such, its Green Living Plan will feed into the revised Thame Neighbourhood Plan, currently being formulated.
Thame Town Cricket Club – Match reports – June 9 – 12 -THAME faced Banbury on Saturday, June 9, and after winning the toss and choosing to bat, Callum Russell got the innings off to a fine start with a fluent 40. Once again, however, Thame lost wickets in clusters and were indebted to an enterprising 39 not out from Hassam Mushtaq as they scrambled to 190.
A combination of some excellent batting from Banbury skipper Lloyd Sabin (64) and some uncharacteristically mixed bowling saw Banbury ease home for the loss of just three wickets. Thame travel to Horspath this Saturday June 16,. However,
However, Thame showed impressive mastery of the T20 format, on Tuesday evening, June 12, defeating Oxford in their first fixture of the Bernard Tollett competition. Oxford posted the good score of 160 in their 20, but were overhauled in Thame’s 20th over, thanks mainly to a majestic 99* by Gami Kanishka.
Seconds back to winning ways
THE seconds travelled to Shipton-under-Wychwood and chose to bowl first on a soft wicket. Alex Bell’s accurate opening-spell (5-31) gave Thame a perfect start, continued by the spinners, Ben Buckland (2-20) and Dan Patey (3-23), backed up by keeper Oli Sutcliffe, which saw Shipton finish on 121 all out.
Alex Bell, who took f5 wickets to ensure the 2nds beat Shipton-under-Wychwood and remain at the top of Division 4.
In reply, Thame came flying out of the blocks, thanks to an excellent partnership between Justin Avery (52) and Jack Aston (57*) and comfortably reached the target for the loss of only three wickets, ensuring they remain top of the table. They face Witney Mills at home this Saturday, June 16.
Thirds frustrated by draw away to Cumnor
PUT into bat by Cumnor thirds, Thame reached 53-4 after 18 overs, thanks to opener Andy Jinman (31). A 5th-wicket partnership of 43 by Ian McStay (32) and Vim Desai (24) took the score to 115-6 at 35 overs, with the tail managing to reach 158-9 at the close. In reply, Cumnor’s openers could gain no momentum against Pete Tervet (1-21) and Nick Humphries (0-19 off 8 overs), reaching only 36-1 off 18 overs.
Spinners Vim Desai (2-21) and Ian McStay (2-25) then reduced Cumnor to 75-5 off 37 overs. Despite Luke Hayes’s late wickets (2-2) Cumnor ground out a dull draw, ending on just 93-7 off 45 overs. The thirrds play Oxford and Bletchingdon Nondescripts at home this Saturday, June 16.
Fourths bag valuable points despite defeat to league-leaders
THAE fourths travelled to play league-leaders Cropredy with the opposition racing to 65-1 off the first 10 overs, Max Muncaster taking the first wicket. Switching to spin, Dan Constant recorded his career-best figures of 6-57 off 15 overs, as Cropredy reached 210-9 off their 45 overs. Batting once again proved tough for Thame, against some impressive seam bowling. Innings from Josh Edworthy (37) and Pete McDermott (25) in the middle-order helped Thame to 94 all out in response. Now fifth in Division 10, they travel to play Didcot fouths this Saturday, June 12.
Chinnor RFC have today announced the death of their Head Physio, Lauren Cyster.
Lauren Cyster
In a statement the club said: “We are deeply saddened to announce the heartbreaking loss of our amazing Head Physio, Lauren Cyster.
“Last night the beloved heart beat of our team – Head Physio, Lauren Cyster – lost her short and courageous battle with cancer. It is a devastating loss to the 1st XV and everyone at Chinnor RFC. At this sad time our thoughts and prayers are with Lauren, her parents Brenda and Gary, and all Lauren’s family and friends.
SOUTHERN Soul singer, Everis Pellius, will be performing at a very special ball and ‘Bubbles Reception’ to be held at the Oxford Belfy in September.
Everis is an ambassador for a charity that supports a little known, auto-immune desease, NMO Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), and he will play at the Green and Gold Ball 2018, which aims to raise funds in support of NMOSD Services at the John Radcliffe Centre, in Oxford, and is open to everyone to attend.
NMSOD is an incurable, life threatening autoimmune illness that affects the Spinal cord and optic nerve leading to blindness and paralysis of the lower limbs. The charity is wholly run by family members of sufferers and sufferers themselves to ensure that the maximum possible goes to the NHS research staff in the fight against NMOSD.
Southern Soul singer, Everis Pellius
To find out more about NMOSD, the lives of those affected, the Green and Gold Ball, and how to purchase tickets, visit the website: www.nmouk.org (There’s a new section, The Art Of NMO, which is worth a look as it shows that people affected by rare illnesses have ‘This ability’ not ‘Disability’.
TURN End’s listed garden in Haddenham, is opening as a Quiet Garden on Saturday, June 23, giving visitors the opportunity to ‘switch off and get away from it all’. Opening from 2-5pm, visitors will be able to spend an afternoon of peace and tranquillity in the recently listed garden taking in the sights, smells and sounds of nature.
Turn End th Anniversary
Late June sees Turn End’s magical garden in full bloom, with cascades of scented climbing roses and a rich tapestry of colour in the borders. Visitors will be able to explore the secret gardens within including the dry garden with its grasses and pots of succulents, the cool shady spring garden under old apples trees, grassy glades under mature trees, and courtyards with colourful bedding and a pool and fountain.
Simply bring a picnic blanket or find a secluded bench and take a moment to relax, read, sketch or just enjoy the surroundings.
THE POST – showing this Friday – USA 2017, 113 minutes, 12A certificate – Directed by Steven Spielberg, Starring Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Bob Odenkirk, Michael Stuhlbarg, Sarah Paulson, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford,
THAME Cinema 4 All will conclude its season with this superb, old-fashioned Hollywood drama about the Press speaking truth to power – and the individual bravery that this demands.
Based on real events of 1971, it is very much a prequel to the events portrayed in All the President’s Men, and shares much of the earlier masterpiece’s style and substance. Streep is Katherine Graham, the proprietor-publisher at the helm of a financially vulnerable Washington Post. She has succeeded her late husband, who had been given the job by Graham’s father, Eugene Meyer. That the old man did not appear to trust his daughter with the paper is a fact that undermines Katherine’s confidence in her own judgement. It is also a fact that the men around her take as evidence of her lack of capacity for the task at hand.
And what a task it becomes. Long suppressed secret documents have been leaked from the Pentagon revealing that the government had prosecuted the prolonged war in Vietnam knowing that it was a lost cause. The New York Times has already run a piece on the ‘Pentagon Papers’, incurring the wrath of the White House, and the Post must decide whether or not to do the same. Publication will risk harsh injunctions and imprisonment. It will put the very existence of the paper at risk. The situation is complicated by Graham’s familial history at the very heart of the Washington establishment – they have entertained presidents and senators, holidayed with the Kennedys, and must now choose whether or not to sabotage the careers of people close to her.
It is ultimately Graham’s decision. She is torn between the position of her editor Ben Bradlee (Hanks), who argues that they have no choice but to publish the truth, and others on the board who counsel in favour of saving the newspaper from ruin.
Over the course of a few days, Graham manages to find her own voice and her own authority. With Streep and Hanks on screen together for the first time, Spielberg at the helm, and an exceptional supporting cast, you really can’t go wrong. At a point in history when the current White House is doing its best to undermine the fourth estate, it is also a timely celebration of principles, ideals and bravery.
FLORENCE Nightingale Hospice Charity will be holding its fourth Colour Rush at Green Park, Aston Clinton on Sunday, October 7, and the Charity is urging Colour Rushers (new and old) to sign up quickly to start fund-raising as this will be the last year for local people to get covered in colour for their Hospice.
“Each year that we’ve done the Colour Rush around 600 people have had a hilarious time running through clouds of incredible colour at this hugely fun event,” explained the Charity’s Head of Fundraising, Jo Turner. “Sign up very soon to help us make this event the most colourful ever!”
As last year, the money raised will support Florrie’s Children’s Team, providing respite care for children with life-limiting conditions in their own homes. Colour Rush has created fantastic memories for families who have done it, and children love it.
“It’s the perfect thing to do with all the family, and you’re allowed to bring your parents,” said Hannah, aged 10. “When you come out at the end, you have colours all over you.”
“You should do Colour Rush for the charity of Florence Nightingale because it’s great to help and you can get covered in paint,” says Aidan, aged 13. “My favourite bit about Colour Rush was paint being chucked at me!”
“Don’t miss out on the fun,” said Jo Turner. “If you participated before and want to do Colour Rush again, or have been meaning to do Colour Rush and haven’t got around to it yet, get registered this year, or miss out!”
To keep their events programme fresh the Charity will be introducing a new family fun event in 2019 as one of the ways of celebrating the Hospice’s 30th birthday.
Colour Rush 2018 is a 5k romp through five colour stations and around Green Park in Aston Clinton, at 11am and at 2pm on Sunday, October 7, 2018. See website for more details at www.fnhospice.org.uk/colourrush
AFTER making their way through a raft of applications Thame Food Festival have announced that their first bursary has been awarded to Tess’ Brilliant Bakes.
Set up by Lisa Hartwright in the middle of 2017, the concept was initially built as a delicious sideline business selling to friends and family, but more recently Lisa has been venturing out into the realms of artisan food markets. Priding herself on using local quality ingredients where possible, Lisa has gradually extended her range to include various cookies, tray bakes, loaf cakes, cupcakes and larger cakes.
Baker, Lisa Hartwright
The bursary includes £1,000 (which Lisa is going to spend on a catering oven), a free pitch at this year’s Thame Food Festival event, a free page in the festival programme, plus PR and social media support for one year. On top of that, she is going to be supported by high profile Food Festival Mentors who will be willing to help and encourage her over the year, using their many years of experience within the food and hospitality industry. These are:
Adam Johnson, Head Development Chef for Raymond Blanc OBE, at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons Oxfordshire
Chris Wheeler, Executive Chef for Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire
Nick Downie, Head of Marketing for Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire
Chris Wheeler (L) and Adam Johnson
When told of the news Lisa said: “I can’t quite believe it. It’s wonderful to have such a group of people believe in me and what I make. It’s also with huge thanks to my partner Paul. Without his unwavering support I wouldn’t be able to do this” she continues, “I am already thinking about new recipes that I would like to share with the mentors to see what they think. There is even talk of us developing a special Thame Food Festival Bake specifically for the event in September. I can’t wait!”
Lotte Duncan Patron and Organiser of Thame Food Festival added: “We were absolutely delighted with the response to our very first bursary and my goodness the competition was tough. There were some great products from some amazing artisan producers, but we just had to make a decision. However, there was just something about Lisa and even more importantly about her fabulous products that completely won all the judges over. It will be a real delight to support her over the next year and see her at the event in our especially dedicated Bursary Area, which will include some of the other applicants and finalists.”
ON what was a perfect summer’s day, the community of Thame came together on Saturday, June 9, for one of the highlights of summer fun and fund-raising, the annual Carnival.
From Elms Park, to the Southern Road Recreation Ground, the Carnival parade of local groups, clubs, schools and organisations paraded through the town to celebrate, in the most diverse interpretations of this year’s Carnival theme, Countryside!
Fire engines, Medics, motorcycles, classic cars, stilt-walkers, children and adults dressed as ants, flowers, a giant caterpillar, characters from ‘The Achers’, Bees and bee-keepers, flowers and French onion-sellers, farmers, and Tour de France cyclists, all contributed to one of the most colourful Carnival parades of recent years.
The fete that followed was buzzing with happy families and visitors from as far a way as South Africa, enjoying those activities that make a typical English fete; biscuit decorating, tombolas, egg throwing, a rowing challenge, cake stalls, Pimm’s tent, bar, a Firefighters’ fitness race, dancing demonstrations and even a champagne hunt. On the stage, young members of Thame Music Academy were able to experience playing live in front of a live audience, many of the very young, for the first time.
The whole afternoon was very ably overseen by MC Dan Blaze, DJ, Entertainer and currently the host of the Breakfast programme on Red Kite Radio. A host of volunteers, from road marshals to marketing, setting up and clearing up at the end, were co-ordinated by Sue Martin-Downhill, based at Racequets Fitness Centre, and currently the Chair of 21st Century Thame – the organisation behind the Carnival (with Thame Town Council), Thame Tidy Day, the founding of Thame Food Festival – much praised in the Mayor, Anne Midwinter’s opening speech, for the work it does. She then presented the Carnival entry winner, St Joseph’s School, with the much coveted Carnival Cup.
To see pictures from the day, visit the Thame.Net Flickr link HERE (Enjoy the pictures and please, respect the Thame.net copyright. If you would like copies of any of the images, contact: editor@thame.net – MORE PICTURES – Thame Carnival facebook page LINK HERE
A young chef from Thame has been named a rising star and one to watch in his industry by winning a coveted Acorn Award. James Durrant, 27, head chef of The Bear & Ragged Staff in Cumnor, one of Oxfordshire’s Peach pubs, was presented with the award at a special ceremony on Monday, June 4, at the Grade II-listed Lygon Arms hotel in Broadway, Worcestershire.
James Durrant, Head Chef, The Bear & Ragged Staff; Corin Earland, Chef Director and Acorn winner (2008) – The Peach Pub Company
James was singled out for praise for his remarkable achievements as a chef over the last 11 years, a period which has seen him rise from waiting on tables to running his own kitchen, with every step he has taken so far in his career being made right here in Oxfordshire.
At 17, he started out as a waiter at The Angel, Long Crendon, quickly convincing the chef / patron to take him on in the kitchen and send him to catering college. After gaining his chef’s whites at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, he worked at The Mole Inn, Toot Baldon, a 2 Rosette, Bib Gourmande restaurant, where he impressed chef proprietor Gary Witchalls with the high standard of his cooking and his focussed and professional approach.
Keen to take on a more senior role, James moved to The Thatch in Thame as junior sous chef in the spring of 2014. Here, he took control of the entire kitchen team within three years, helping the pub to win a slew of awards as well as boosting its food sales and profits.
He became head chef of The Fishes in North Hinksey, Oxford, Peach’s biggest pub which serves up to 3,000 meals a week at its busiest time, creating a new outdoor kitchen to cook a new garden menu. When Peach took on The Bear & Ragged Staff in Cumnor this February, James became its new head chef, helping to put this classic country inn firmly back on the culinary map.
“It’s a really big deal to win a national award like an Acorn and I haven’t quite taken it in yet – in fact, I’m quite overwhelmed,” said James. “It’s certainly an acknowledgement of the commitment I’ve made over a decade to become a good chef, and recognition of all the effort I’ve put in, and I feel very honoured to have been nominated. I also know that I am fortunate to have had so many good people around me, who have helped and taught me, and it’s been thanks to their support that I have been able to push myself and work hard to get where I am today.
“I’m really excited to be bringing the award back to the pub and hope that it will encourage other young chefs to follow me into the industry and to work hard to achieve their dreams. I also hope it will inspire people from around the area to come to visit us to try the food we cook and have a great time at our pub.”
Awarded annually, the Acorn Awards seek to highlight and celebrate the achievements of 30 of the hospitality industry’s brightest prospects, with each winner nominated by their peers for their outstanding ability in their field. Just 30 Acorns under the age of 30 are announced each year and most go on to excel, including past winners such as Gary Rhodes, Marcus Wareing and Jason Atherton. An Acorn is also a life-long privilege held only by an elite group of industry professionals.
This year’s 30 young achievers have just spent a celebratory weekend at The Lygon Arms including a welcome dinner plus a team-building exercise to test their ‘Apprentice-style’ scavenging and football-related teamwork skills. They then took part in the awards ceremony hosted by organisers The Caterer, where Josh Eggleton, chef and co-owner of Bristol restaurants the Pony & Trap, Salt & Malt, Root and the Kensington Arms, was guest speaker.
