Category: More News

OXFORDSHIRE County Council is urging residents to go out and enjoy the countryside as part of a fortnight of exciting events across the South East.

Countryside 2010 is a regional campaign running until 13th June to encourage people to get out and about and discover new outdoor interests.

Events in Oxfordshire include guided walks, bike rides and open days at farms, gardens, vineyards, and other sites of interest.

Find out more online

The Event Directory at www.countryside2010.org.uk
currently features details of over 600 events across South East England with wide appeal to both adults and children with a variety of different tastes, interests and levels of energy.

It features details of Oxfordshire events including Springwatch Festival at Aston Rowant, boat trips on the Thames, and bike rides in Banbury. There are also tours, tastings and open days at farms, gardens, vineyards, windmills and artists? studios. Many events are free and there is also a great range of special offers.

Councillor Rodney Rose, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport said: ?Oxfordshire?s unique countryside has so much to offer and Countryside 2010 is a great opportunity to get out and enjoy it. We hope that the campaign will encourage more people to experience the wonderful and varied countryside in the county.?

Oxfordshire activities as part of COUNTRYSIDE 2010 include:

Banbury Bike Ride on 13th June ? 2.5 hours county guided ride open to everyone ? organised by the local cycling club. Free

Evening Bat Walk at Wallingford Castle Meadows on 8th June ? learn how to use a bat detector. Organised by the Northmoor Trust.

Hobbs of Henley passenger boat trips ? a child goes free with every fare paying adult during C2010.

Open Farm Sunday at FAI Farms, The Field Station, Wytham, Oxford ? cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry, thatching demonstrations, tractor rides, bouncy castle, face-painting and much more. Free

Springwatch Wild Day Out at the Aston Rowant Nature Reserve on 5th June. Lots of free activities, walks and crafts and Vicar of Dibley celebrity guest appearance. Free

Uffington White Horse Guided Walk on the Ridgeway, on 5th June. – Free

Picnic and Boat Hire, The Beetle & Wedge Boathouse, Moulsford, Wallingford ?20% discount on all bookings during COUNTRYSIDE 2010.

Evening Walk with the Gardener at Greys Court on 4th June.

Chalgrove Battlefield Walk on 6th June – Free

Faringdon Folly Tower Open Day on 6th June.

WITH only nine days to go before Thame Carnival 2010, on June 12, the excitment is building with more and more local groups and businesses planning their floats and non-motorised entries.

The line-up for this year?s procession, starting at 12 midday, includes floats for the Thame Football Partnership, Tanya?s School of Dance, displays from local schools, the Scooter club, unusual bicycles and rally cars, and loads more!

Once the carnival procession reaches the Southern Road recreation area at around 1pm, the fete begins with over 40 stalls plus BBQ, and a Beer Tent for the grown-ups. Children can enjoy the funfair with roundabout rides for the tots, bouncy castle and trampolining. In the arena, visitors will be able to watch the parade judging, tug of war and circus acts and listen to music from Thame?s very own rock bands.

Email thamecarnival@hotmail.com for further information about how to be involved!

With the theme ?Greener Thame ? Greener Future?, the Carnival will mark the official launch of the Greening Thame campaign. To take part in the campaign, choose five Green challenges and then display the Greening Thame logo in your front window where it can be seen easily from the road.

For more information about Greening Thame, email greeningthame@googlemail.com, or visit the Greening Campaign website at www.greening-campaign.co.uk

LOCAL homeowners could start pocketing savings within 12 months of taking up a new countywide home insulation offer.

Under the deal, homeowners and private tenants can get cavity wall or loft insulation fitted for a standard price of

THAME Town Council has added its voice to the consternation felt by some residents’ groups to SODC’s housing plans for the town.

In a statement today, the town council said: “The town council is appalled at South Oxfordshire District Council’s push to go ahead with the allocation of 700 houses in Thame, on a site opposed by all residents.

“Town Councillors will meet early next week to agree how to strongly oppose this action.”

LINK here

PHOTO: Thame residents study the alternative sites for a proposed new housing development at a public meeting recently.

ON what was the hottest night of the year, Towersey village hall was packed out last Saturday for the village’s biggest community event of the year.

This special Cabaret Night Show completely sold out within a few weeks of the tickets going on sale, and was undoubtedly the social highlight of the year so far.

Villager Debbie Mellor explained: “Back in January, a group of residents got together to think about how they could improve life in the village by creating and supporting arts events ? ideally for the whole community. A huge number of ideas were generated and it was decided that a cabaret evening, to display the best talents that Towersey has to offer, should be the first event.

“Villagers then brought in renowned local musician, Ian English, to direct and arrange the performances.
The audience packed the Hall on the hottest evening of the year so far, and were treated to a meal provided by The Three Horseshoes public house, with deserts made by the villagers.

“This was followed by entertainment from a diverse selection of acts, including songs from Les Miserables and Oliver, sketches composed by local residents, songs, dance, comedy and a short film called Live Cam that cleverly integrated film with live performance. Performers were aged from 16 to 70 something! Musical accompaniment was by Ian English.

“Staging the cabaret brought friends young and old together and brought back memories of the Towersey Pantomime that unfortunately had to fold a few years ago when the writers and producers moved away from the village. A few members of the audience travelled great distances to be there.”

Cabaret Director Ian English said: ?I was delighted with the way the show went. Lots of talent emerged as rehearsals progressed and my initial hopes of a show with pace, attack and humour were continually surpassed. There were rumours of secret rehearsals being held furtively in ‘safe’ houses around Towersey! Thank you to the cast for embracing this event so positively.?

The evening was so successful that calls are already being made for another cabaret, perhaps to take place on an annual basis.

ENTRY forms for this year’s Thame Show Domestic Classes competitors are now available, so sign up now to exhibit your fruit, veg, flowers, honey, handicrafts etc.

Visit the Thame Show website:
www.thameshow.co.uk

Entries close on Friday, July 9, 2010. The Oxfordshire County & Thame Show, to give it its full name, is this year on Saturday, July 31st.

Submitted: 25/05/10

TWO local primary schools are to hold Open Days later in the year, 2010. The dates are as follows:

John Hampden Primary School – Thursday 7th July 2010 and Wednesday 6th October 2010

Tetsworth Primary School – Friday 9th July and Friday 8th October 2010

Submitted on: 24/05/10

DIDCOT Railway Centre finished its highly successful nine day, GWR175 Extravaganza with perhaps a less noted, though no less noteworthy achievement on Sunday, May 9.

For the first time at Didcot, an all female crew was fielded, when a train on the main demonstration line, hauled by Pannier Tank No. 9466, driven by Marie Saville and fired by Ann Davies, came under the control of guard Ann Middleton.

As an added bonus, Sarah Sewell was present on the platform in her capacity as trainee Station Staff.
The two Anns are long standing volunteers, whereas Marie was visiting as part of the pannier tank crew. Sarah has just started training.

It’s not just fun for the boys at Didcot Railway Centre!

PHOTO:, left to right, in front of the pannier tank steam engine; Sarah Sewell, Ann Davies, Marie Saville and Ann Middleton.
Photo by Frank Dumbleton

AIMED generally at children and young people with learning difficulties, and their friends and family, Thomley Activity Centre, nr Thame, has some exciting activities coming up from May 17, 2010, to July 5.

In school/term time Thomley is open to special schools and mainstream schools who include students with additional learning needs. It is open Wednesdays to Fridays throughout term time. Activities can be tailor-made to compliment school projects.

o Saturday 22nd May ? Family day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room sensory room and the 1km cycle track.

o Saturday 29th May ? Quiet day ? Quiet days are specifically designed for families and children with disabilities who might prefer a quieter day. Numbers are limited to 30 children and are a birthday party free zone.

The following days are focus days during the May Half term (May 31st ? June 5th): –

o Tuesday 1st June ? Teenager day ? – For all disabled young people aged between 10- 19yrs accompanied by their parents/ carers. Younger siblings are also welcome. Teenage days provide a great opportunity to socialise with other teenagers, to make new friends and try out various activities, including the very popular 1km cycle track.

o Friday 4th June ? Community day ? Limited spaces remaining – Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our all the usual activities from soft play to the 1km cycle track.

o Saturday 5th June ? Family day ? Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room and the 1km cycle track.

(Monday, Wednesday and Thursday all currently have spaces and are available to book for any families of children with a disability and their friends).

o Tuesday 8th June ? Adult day ? Open to disabled adults (16+) and their carers to try out a variety of art and craft activities, relax in a rural environment, chill out in the sensory room or just have a chat and a cup of tea.

o Saturday 12th June ? Community day ? Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our all the usual activities from soft play to the 1km cycle track.

o Tuesday 15th June ? Preschool day ? For all pre-school toddlers and babies (up to the age of 6yrs) with and without disabilities accompanied by their parents/ carers. Activities are designed for children to play, explore and most importantly get messy!

o Saturday 19th June ? Family day ? Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room sensory room and the 1km cycle track.

o Sunday 20th June ? Dads and male carers disability day ? Open to disabled children and their Dad or male carer. Friends of the children or Dad are also welcome to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room sensory room and the 1km cycle track.

o Saturday 26th June ? Quiet day ? Quiet days are specifically designed for families and children with disabilities who might prefer a quieter day. Numbers are limited to 30 children and are a birthday party free zone.

o Saturday 3rd July ? Community day ? Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our all the usual activities from soft play to the 1km cycle track.

N.B. Open from 10am-3.30pm / All children must be accompanied by their parents/carers. Advance booking is essential
Thomley Activity Centre is a recreational and educational facility for children with disabilities, their families, friends and schools.
Thomley Activity Centre, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, Bucks, HP18 9JZ,
Tel/fax: 01844 338380. Web: www.thomleyhall.org

Email: enquiries@thomleyhall.org

Submitted: 23/04/10

GREAT opportunity for two talented little girls who would like to star in an Oxford Playhouse production of George’s Marvellous Medicine, coming soon.

The Birmingham Stage Company is bringing its exciting production of George’s Marvellous Medicine, one of Roald Dahl’s most popular stories, to Oxford Playhouse this summer. The company want to find two young girls to play the part of George’s Granny when she shrinks to mini size after drinking George’s magic medicine!

If you are under 4′ 4? and between 7 and 10 years old, you can audition to be a shrunken Granny for the week and strut your stuff on the Oxford Playhouse stage!

Although mini-Granny is not a big part, you will get to scream as loud as you can and run rings around the other actors! Sound fun? Auditions will take place at Oxford Playhouse on Sunday, June 6, 2010. There will be two time slots available 12noon to 12.30pm and 12.30pm to 1pm.

Places are limited so book your slot now by ringing the Ticket Office on 01865 305305. Parents must be available to chaperone during the week of the show (9-14 August). The role is voluntary, with no payment or travel expenses covered. The two successful girls will also have to miss some school during the week of the show. For more information call Hester Bond, Learning Officer at Oxford Playhouse on 01865 305334.

This is a great opportunity to appear on stage with a professional acting company and to perform in front of all your family and friends. So come along girls and audition for your chance to be a part of this hit show when it visits Oxford Playhouse from Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 August.