Category: More News

AN ex resident of Thame, who lived in the town until 1983, wants to contact ex school and work mates. He sent the following to ThameNews.Net.
“I am an ex resident of Thame who lives in the US. I was born and raised in Thame from 1954 till leaving for the US in 1983. I would love to make contact with Neighbourhood childhood friends and the John Hampden Infants and Junior School, and Wenman Secondary Modern School friends. My names is David Stollery and I lived at 16 Queens Close in Thame.
My first employment was at R & E Potter Ltd, the Ironmongers in the town. A brief spell at the St Johns Pysciatric Hospital,( working there that is! ) Then for the rest of my time in the UK I worked for Watches of Switzerland in Aylesbury.

I lived for the entire 29 years at home at 16 Queens Close, OX9 3AZ. I was very active in the Thame Congregational Church for many of those years. In my 20’s I was a member of the Amersham Group of the 18 Plus Social Club.

I am especially linterested in catching up with anyone from those School years in Thame and anyone from the Amersham 18 Plus Group.”
Contact editor@thamenews.net if YOU knew David and would like us to put you in touch.

IF the thought of Christmas shopping is getting you down, why not come along to one of the Chilterns Conservation Board?s red kite events in December?

On Saturday 4th December, from 10am ?til 12.30pm, join a 4-mile guided walk and keep an eye out for red kites, buzzards and kestrels on the Ridgeway and deer in the woods. Meet at the Aston Rowant Nature Reserve car park (SU732967).

For something a little less active, come along to Charwood Garden Centre on the A40 near Stokenchurch on Thursday 9th December for a talk about red kites and a chance to see video footage from this year?s red kite CCTV ?Nest Watch? project. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start.

On Saturday 18th December, there?s another 4 mile guided walk at Watlington Hill. Meet at the National Trust car park at the top of the hill at 10am (SU710936).

All three events are free, though donations are appreciated. Spaces are limited and booking is essential on 01844 271 306.

SOLL leisure, which manages Thame Leisure Centre, has launched a brand new ?Fitech Total Health? and Cholesterol testing service at their SOLLutions Health & Fitness clubs theoughout Oxfordshire.

Soll says: “Cholesterol and Total Health checks are available for all users of the leisure facilities encouraging people to become more aware of their current heath levels. By using Fitech?s health & cholesterol system, it allows individuals to monitor and bench-mark their current fitness levels increasing knowledge and awareness of personal health and well-being. SOLLutions fitness qualified staff can then guide individuals through lifestyle advice on setting realistic targets to improve current fitness levels.”

As part of SOLLution?s ?Fitech Total Health Check week? cholesterol and total health checks are available for customers with a special 50% discount during the last week in November.

Contact your nearest SOLLutions for further details or visit http://www.soll-leisure.co.uk/fitech.asp

THANKS to the generosity of donors to Thame?s Oxfam Book shop in Cornmarket, and revenue from the shop?s customers, several massive water tanks are to be provided for displaced people in Sudan.
The Manager of the shop, Dick Jennens, told ThameNews: ?Thanks to the support of the people of Thame, we have raised sufficient funds this year to purchase 45 of these massive water tanks, just one of which will provide 3000 people with clean water for one day. With their support, we have been able to make a real contribution to work of Oxfam around the world finding lasting solutions to poverty and suffering. Since we opened the Bookshop, four years ago, our customers have purchased nearly 200,000 books, cards, videos, CDs and records.?
On its birthday weekend, Friday, December 3, and Saturday, December 4, the Oxfam Bookshop will be celebrating with a special promotion (Watch the window or ThameNews.Net). Don?t forget to visit the shop during the Late Night Shopping evening, as part of the Big Thame Christmas Event, on Friday 3rd, up to 8pm, and get a free mince pie.

LORD Williams’s students, Laura and Judith Merry, had a taste of fame recently when they appeared on a Channel Four programme about young British entrepreneurs.
The girls, who are 16 years-old and are both wheelchair users, made it through to the final eight of a competition to find Britain’s brightest up-and-coming business people.
The girls explained: “Our idea is to design clothes for teenagers in wheelchairs. At the moment we are focusing on girls, but we hope to then go onto designing clothes for boys,children and adults. We came up with the idea, because of our own experiences and having met other girls who have told us their problems with clothes.
“When we saw a clip of ourselves on TV, we felt pleased that we’ve manged to get this far and that we will be making others aware of our idea. It was quite exciting seeing ourselves on television; Many of friends said they saw us and the headteacher, Mr Spencer came up to us and offered his congratulations.”
As part of their prize, Laura and Judi have won a package from SEEDA (South East Economic Development Association), to help them set up a business, including Mentoring, and

THAME Leisure Centre will know soon whether its attempt to create a new world record has been successful.
On Friday night,(19/11), 22 people, including the Centre’s Fitness Suite Manager, began a low impact workout at 8.40pm, at the same time as 500 other clubs and fitness centres around the country, beginning with a “high five” and continuing with exactly the same moves at the same time. In the process they raised over

THE political career of Boris Johnson MP faces a new challenge after Henley Greens adopted a new, local candidate to contest the General Election.
Mark Stevenson, a market gardener who runs an organic farm in Warborough, said that he was proud to have secured the Green Party’s nomination.
“The Government needs to do much more for rural communities. We need environmentally sound policies which will preserve and regenerate the life
of our countryside and market towns,” said Mark, adding:
“I am proud of the work done by Green MEP Caroline Lucas. Many rural people have noticed that she does much more for Oxfordshire than the MEPs of other parties, who are constrained by the anti-environmental influences which fund their party machines. I will seek to provide an equally effective Green voice in the House of Commons.”

A new film about the Chilterns? favourite bird had its premiere in High Wycombe last Thursday (Nov 11th)

The 30 minute film was produced and directed by local award winning film maker Phil Martin and tells the story of the re-introduction of red kites into the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The story is told first hand by local experts and includes original footage of red kites flying, feeding and breeding in the Chiltern Hills.

The Chilterns Conservation Board is selling the film in DVD and VHS video formats to help raise awareness of red kites and the wildlife and landscape of the Chilterns.

To order a copy, send a cheque for

LABOUR’S Candidate for the Henley Constituency, Kaleem Saeed, has issued a statement following the sitting MP, Boris Johnson’s dismissal as Shadow Art’s Secretary.
Kaleem said today: “The fact is that Boris has now become a liability for the Tory Party and is now a liability for the people of Henley.”
“I question whether Boris Johnson should carry on as an MP. Perhaps it is time for the people of Henley to elect a new MP who is young and has fresh ideas. More importantly, the people of Henley deserve to be served by a Member of Parliament who can offer them a full-time rather than a half-hearted commitment. I pledge to offer such a commitment the people of Henley if they give me the honour of serving them as their Member of Parliament under a party in Government!”
“If the people of Henley put their trust in myself as their MP, as well as full commitment, responsibility and accountability from me, I would push hard for debate on those issues which are important to the constituency, putting current topics, such as housing, transport and business growth at the top of
the agenda instead of making the news for the wrong reasons!”

OXFORDSHIRE Mind’s adult mental health project in Oxford is looking for unwanted jewellery for an up-cycling jewellery making course they are running in Cowley.

If you can contribute, contact the project on 01865 263758.