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  • Thame’s new ‘belter’ of a club house opened by Mayor

    DISTINGUISHED guests, including representatives from the English Cricket Board, council dignitaries, Thame’s MP John Howell and sponsors joined the Mayor of Thame, Ann Midwinter on Sunday (17/12) for the officially opening of Thame Town Cricket Club’s brand new club house.

    Before cutting the ceremonial ribbon, Mrs Midwinter paid tribute to those who planned and built the original clubhouse back in the mid 1970s (which was situated behind the new building up until this September), including Ken Patey and the late John Wrench. She said it was an honour to be able to open a building that is not only an outstanding cricket clubhouse but which is also a great asset for the community as a whole.

    Thame Town Cricket Club’s President, Matt Swain thanked all those involved in bringing the project to its conclusion on-time and on budget, including Project Leader Simon Keen, of Ridge and Partners LLP, and paid particular tribute the Thame’s Town Clerk, Graham Hunt, to Ben Holland the Architect, to Steve McDonald and the Angus Lachlan whose original idea it was to build a new club house. Matt also thanked town councillors, South Oxfordshire District Council, the ECB, LEADER, Thame Welfare Trust, Travelodge, Farol Ltd, TOE2 and Grundon Waste Management Ltd, as well as Marston’s Brewery, the cricket club’s fundraising team, The Debenture Club and everyone who had bought a brick or made a donation – and Nigel ‘The Do-Gooder’ !

    Matt’s grateful thanks were also extended to the club’s sponsors, J Bennett & Son Insurance, Mobalpa Kitchens, and the club’s new sponsor for the coming year, Field Sales Solutions.

    The guests enjoyed sharing a celebratory drink and buffet upstairs in the new club house, some reminiscing with two very special people, Gill Wrench, the widow of John Wrench, and Ken Patey, who with John instigated the building of the old club house, back in the 1970s, in the field that the club then shared with a herd of sheep in between lambing time. Gill recalled serving homemade sandwiches and tea under a tarpaulin before the clubhouse kitchen was ready, and Ken recalled the lack of a changing room, necessitating cricketers changing under a overhang of the old barn, and hanging their clothes on a nail!

    “Great times,” said Gill. It was cold, hard work but always great fun!” Ken recalled how the two men had to negotiate with Cllr David Dodds of Thame Urban District Council, and Dr Marcus over the plans, and how one of the planning provisos was that they had to have sheep painted on the back of the sight screens so that the neighbours could still look out at sheep during matches!

    For the future, the new Thame Town Cricket Club building will be used – and already is being used – by local groups including Thame Netball Club and Thame Cycling Club, and it is an aspiration that Thame Hockey Club will come to use it in the winter too! The venue can be hired for events, and from February 2019, will be the new home of Thame and District Day Centre.

    This grand, new community building has already become a very welcome and important contributor the fabric of Thame and a fitting successor to the old clubhouse that will remain in the memories of so many of all ages who enjoyed club teas, Sixth Form discos and birthday parties there.

  • Thame man jailed after ten years of sexual abuse against a child

    FOLLOWING a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man from Thame has been jailed after being found guilty of a number of sex offences against a child.

    After a seven-day trial at Oxford Crown Court in November, Damien Baker, aged 39, of Youens Drive in Thame, was found guilty of 11 counts of indecent assault on a girl and two counts of rape of a girl.

    He returned to the same court on Thursday (13/12) and was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment with and additional one year extended licence period at the end of his prison sentence.

    Baker was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

    The victim, was sexually abused as a child over a 10 year period.

    Baker was originally arrested on April 7, 2016, and following a lengthy investigation, he was charged with the offences on March 5, 2018.

    Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Jenny Hanks of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, based at Cowley police station, said: “This has been a long and complex investigation, and is testimony to the bravery and the courage I have witnessed from both the victim and witnesses in this case.

    “I would also like to thank our partner agencies, particularly Oxfordshire Social Services, in the work and support that they have offered throughout.

    “As a result of this verdict, a predatory and dangerous sex offender is now off the streets.

    “I hope that this sentence will finally bring at least some comfort to the victim.

    “Thames Valley Police will continue to support victims of sexual abuse and I would encourage anybody who are victims to come forward and report this to us.”

  • Charity Tractor Run today!!

    TODAY’s the day for the AgriSocial’s Charity Tractor run, that will pass through Thame and finish up at Thame Showground.

    Image Courtesey of: Michael’s Agri Photography

    This year the benefiting charity will be Cancer Research UK which all moneys raised will go to the charity to help find a cure for cancer.

    All age Tractors, Lorries and any other road legal machinery is invited to join. The route map and full details are on the Agrisocial facebook page HERE

    On the Show Ground, there’ll be a food van selling bacon and sausage rolls etc for the morning half of the run, and a hog roast waiting for all the participants on return, for just £2 a bap!

    There’ll also be a raffle and an auction at the finish of the run. Raffle tickets will be £5 for a line of fiv e tickets.

    Entry will be £10 per tractor/lorry and all proceeds will go to the charity on behalf of the farming community! AND there will be a prize for the best Christmas decorated tractor/lorry/machine!

    Entry forms will be available on the day. All participants must hold a full UK driving licence and all vehicles must hold insurance.

     

  • New era dawns for Thame Town Cricket Club

    AFTER five years of hard work, Thame Town Cricket Club’s new Pavilion will be opened by the Mayor of Thame, Ann Midwinter and the club’s Chairman, Matt Swain, on Sunday, December 16, 2018.

    Thame Cricket Club’s new club house

    The previous clubhouse was converted from a disused barn, close to St. Mary’s church, by a spirited group of members in the 1970s and it served the club well over four decades. With the growth in the club’s membership and its range of activities, however, it became clear that neither the building nor its outdated facilities could continue to support the needs of several hundred regular users.

    As club spokesman, Andy Jinman explained: “For most members of the club, while there was little doubt that their clubhouse had come to the end of its useful life, there were certainly mixed feelings about its demolition and what they might find underneath it! Now that its successor is complete, there is an overwhelming sense of pride in what has been achieved and of excitement for what the future holds, with the ultimate aim of becoming the best cricket club in Oxfordshire!

    “The job of designing the new clubhouse fell to a local firm of architects, HollandGreen, back in 2014. The building had to be modern and accessible inside, whilst in keeping with the conservation area. The clubhouse also had to meet the current and projected needs of the community, whilst adhering to the specifications set by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

    “The Club is extremely grateful for the help and support of the Town Council, who shared our vision of a new sports and community building. Finally, in October 2017 the tender process resulted in the selection of specialist firm, Sports Clubhouses Ltd, who began work in January this year. Sports Clubhouses Ltd understood the needs of the club and the challenges they faced and worked with them in a collaborative and consultative manner to deliver a building not only on time, but within budget.

    “Naturally, a vision can only become a reality with funding, so sincere thanks go to many people and organisations for making it possible: Thame Town Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, the ECB, LEADER, Thame Welfare Trust, Travelodge, Farol Ltd, TOE2 and Grundon Waste Management Ltd, Marston’s Brewery, the Cricket Club’s Fundraising team, The Debenture Club and everyone that bought a brick or made a donation.

    With its central location reachable on foot or by bike, it is a superb venue for Cricket and a fantastic community asset. The club has already taken bookings from local companies for conferences, a martial arts group, two toddler groups, exercise classes, including yoga and pilates, birthday parties and a wedding reception. TTCC is also delighted to welcome the Thame & District Day Centre in the New Year, plus two local sports clubs who already call the clubhouse their home – first of all, Thame Cycling Club, who celebrated their fifth anniversary with a Christmas party there last weekend and secondly Thame Netball Club, established back in 2008.

    “Finally, very positive news for the club on the back of the opening – Thame-based company, Field Sales Solutions have agreed to become the lead sponsor of the new Thame Town Cricket Clubhouse. Julian Cordy, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to partner with Thame Town Cricket club and the wider community of Thame, through sponsoring the new clubhouse, which is a proud new home to the cricket club, all its members, as well as Thame Cycling Club, Thame Netball club, Thame & District Day Centre and various local fitness & activity groups.”

    Field Sales Solutions describe themselves as ‘working in partnership with leading consumer brands nationwide to activate sales, drive distribution and deliver return on investment, by providing ‘proud’, engaged and capable field teams; trained and empowered with clear objectives, actionable insights and effective technology, to achieve measurable sales success across retail and out-of-home’.

    Julian Cordy added: “We wholeheartedly believe in partnership; our values are summarized in the phrase ‘be Proud’ and we aim to ‘make a difference’, so we are proud of this new partnership and believe it will make a difference to the community we live and work in.

    “Field Sales Solutions was born in Thame as a business in 2002. Our head office in Oxford House, on Oxford Rd, is a good ‘six’ from the cricket ground.  We have grown our business consistently over the last five years, and now employ over 70 staff locally and proudly work in partnership with many other Thame businesses, so supporting the wider community through this sponsorship seems a natural step.

    “We look forward to enjoying the venue ourselves as patrons and hope all enjoy this fabulous new facility of which the Town should ‘be Proud’.”

    Visit the club’s website for more information – www.thamecricket.org.uk

  • Thame pupils share Christmas gifts with ‘twin’ school

    YEAR five pupils at John Hampden School in Thame, were greeted with a surprise recently, when they received a box of Christmas gifts from their twin school in Thame’s twin town of Montesson, in France.

    The gifts were delivered first hand by Thame Twinning Association member, Sue Mottram, on returning from attending Montesson’s Christmas market with fellow members. Although the school’s planned video call to Montesson couldn’t go ahead because of technical problems, the excited children, under the supervision of teacher, Laura McRonald, took turns to open presents from the box, and and afterwards took part in a video to be sent to Ferdinand Buisson school in Montesson, to thank then for their good wishes and gifts and collectively wished them a ‘Joyeaux Noel’.

    Presents from John Hampden School where taken back to Montesson last Sunday, by a visiting group from Montesson who were in Thame to take part in the Christmas Lights switch-on event, with their stall selling French wines and produce.

    The John Hampden school pupils are very enthusiastic about learning French, one little girls saying that her family go snow-boarding in France and she was looking forward to practicing the French she has learned.

  • Leading ‘People’s Vote Thame’ supporter’s open letter to MP

    THE following open letter has been isued from a leading member of the Open Britain Thame People’s Vote group, Roy Mottram:

    Roy Mottram

    Dear Dr Howell, I watched with interest the C4 “Real Brexit Debate” yesterday evening.

    On it, we had three politicians proposing different versions of Brexit. Each one said, effectively, ‘Those other versions of Brexit are bad for the UK. We must follow MY version of Brexit’.

    We elect our politicians to study the detail, to debate and to take decisions on our behalf. We know that sometimes they get things wrong, even when there is a majority for a particular course of action. In this instance, it’s clear that Parliament is hopelessly divided, but I think each of the three MPs last night were correct in saying that the other two types of Brexit will be bad for the UK.

    Mrs May believes that her version of Brexit is the best that can be delivered, and that it is what the people of the UK wanted when they voted in 2016.

    Three of the four MPs debating Brexit last night think that Mrs May’s Brexit will be bad for the UK and it’s not what people voted for.

    The debate in Parliament can determine whether MPs think that Mrs May’s Brexit will be bad for the UK, but there is only one way to determine whether it’s what people want, and that’s to ask them.

    Please support a Peoples Vote.

    Yours sincerely,
    Roy Motteram
    2 Cheshire Road
    Thame, OX9 3LQ

  • Thame’s French ‘twins’ share the Christmas spirit & raise funds too!

    Still on a high from their fantastic weekend in Montesson for its Christmas market, last week, Thame and District Twining Association set up their stall again on Friday for the Thame Christmas Lights Switch-On, hoping that the weather would stay fine and that the crowds would turn up!

    Thame Twinning’s Chair, Linda Emery receives a special Christmas gift

    At the same time, next to them, Huguette, Catherine, Janine, Elisabeth, Jean-Pierre and Michel from Thame’s twin town, Montesson quickly set up their “crêperie” and excellent selection of good value wines.

    “No-one was disappointed,” said Sue Mottram, Secretary of Thame and District Twinning Association. “Sales started slowly, but as night fell, the crowds materialised and we were overwhelmed with customers. In fact we sold out on the tombola! The French contingent were equally pleased with their sales but were especially pleased to serve crêpes to Year 3 pupils from John Hampden who had been sent vouchers from their twin class in Montesson. The children were taught to ask for their crêpe in French – this was a great way for them to see that being able to speak another language is a useful skill.”

    John Hampden School in Thame, recently ‘twinned’ with Ferdinand Buisson school in Montesson, and have already swapped Christmas presents and are looking forward to sharing a Skype call next Friday to meet each other.

    The Montessonais set up again outside the Town Hall on Saturday, and by mid afternoon had only a few bottles left. Once they had packed away their stall, they did some Christmas shopping in the High Street, an expedition that included a visit to The Book House to buy children’s books for the grand children back in Montesson – and a trip to the pub for a well-earned pint of English beer.

    Meanwhile members of Thame Twinning were busy preparing for the evening Christmas Party, making soup, puddings, making and wrapping Christmas presents for their guests, decorating the town hall and sorting out the Christmas music. A very amicable and fun evening, which included the customary visit of ‘Father Christmas’ who took time out of his busy schedule to make an early delivery to Thame’s special guests who were thrilled at being included and spoiled!

    Sue continued: “Members and guests shared an excellent supper of home-made soup and desserts, cheese and wine and a drink or two while we chatting about the weekend’s events, but the real highlight of the evening was the traditional singing of Christmas Carols. Thanks go to David Jackson for organising this part of the evening and to those who led the singing. The Montessonais were clearly anticipating and looking forward to this as they had prepared a short repertoire of their own. The grand finale was a fantastic rendition of Jingle Bells in French very ably and creatively led by Jean-Pierre.

    “I sure I speak for everyone when I say that there was a lovely atmosphere and a real feeling of being amongst friends.”

    The provisional date for the Spring visit by the Montessonaise is May 10-12, 2019, and once the date has been confirmed in the New Year, Thame Twinning will be looking for offers of help with hosting.

  • Thame campaigners taking to the streets for National Day of Action

    GROUPS campaigning for a People’s Vote will be out in force on the streets of Thame and the rest of Oxfordshire on Saturday, December 8, for a National Day of Action involving thousands of people across the UK.

    The National Day of Action is being organised by activists and supporters from the People’s Vote Campaign, just days before a crucial vote in Parliament on the government’s Brexit plans.

    As well as in Thame and Henley, events are taking place all over the country, with thousands of activists and supporters involved. Street stalls will be set up in towns and cities the length and breadth of the country. This will be the last action day before Parliament votes on the deal on December 11.

    Saturday’s National Day of Action follows the People’s Vote Summer of Action, which saw hugely successful rallies take place across the country, including in Bristol, Edinburgh, and in London, where the People’s Vote March for the Future saw a crowd of over 700,000 take to the streets.

    There will also be eleven regional flagship events throughout the country, as well as a rally in Sheffield to highlight that public opinion is moving away from supporting Brexit in Yorkshire and the Humber.

    Robin Storey of Open Britain Thame, said: “Opinion Polls consistently show a clear majority of voters in most constituencies across Britain want their say on Brexit in a People’s Vote. As part of the government’s Brexit deal, the UK has agreed to pay a £50 billion divorce bill, but we’ll get nothing in return. Instead, we’ll lose all our rights as an EU member – with less trade, fewer opportunities, and lower living standards.

    “British people will lose the right to live, work or study visa-free around Europe. And following what would be the biggest single biggest loss of sovereignty and control in British history, we would continue to follow EU rules, but have no say over how they’re made.

    “Even the government itself has now admitted that the Brexit deal will severely harm our economy. Dominic Raab, the Cabinet Minister who was supposedly responsible for negotiating Brexit, has said this deal is worse than staying in the EU.”

    Robin continued: “People don’t just have to accept a bad Brexit, they can demand their voice is heard. The public needs to have the final say on this crucial decision because, in the end, only the people can really sort this out. Local jobs at BMW Mini or the hi-tech sector, NHS funding and staffing at the John Radcliffe; all are threatened. The UK will be poorer and lose control. That’s why we’re asking John Howell MP to back a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal and why volunteers have been on the streets every weekend. Support is growing exponentially – there are now 17 People’s Vote grassroots groups active in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and we want them to join an event this weekend and demand their MP backs a People’s Vote.”

    There are events throughout the county including in Ed Vaizey MP’s constituency in Didcot, Wantage and Wallingford and in Victoria Prentis MP’s constituency in Banbury and Bicester.

  • Thame man jailed for sex offences

    FOLLOWING an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man has been jailed for 12 years for sexual offences in Thame.

    Andrew Sambrooks

    Andrew Sambrooks, aged 38, of Youens Drive, Thame, was jailed at Aylesbury Crown Court on Monday (26/11). He was also placed on an extended licence for two years and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

    Sambrooks was also made subject to a Sexual Harm prevention order for life.

    He pleaded guilty to the following offences:

    Three counts of making indecent photograph/pseudo photograph of a child – categories A, B & C.

    Three counts of distributing an indecent photograph/pseudo photograph of a child – categories A, B & C.

    Three counts of attempting to cause/incite the sexual exploitation of a child aged 13-17.

    Two counts of cause/incite the sexual exploitation of a child aged 13-17.

    Two counts of attempting to cause/incite a girl 13-15 to engage in sexual activity – penetration.

    One count of cause/incite the sexual exploitation of a child under 13.

    One count of cause/incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity – penetration.

    One count of cause/incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity – no penetration.

    One count of attempting to incite a girl aged 13-15 to engage in non-penetrative activity.

    Investigating officer, Detective Constable Becky Tyler of Force CID, said: “Andrew Sambrooks was arrested on 2 July 2015, after Thames Valley Police received information that he had been in contact with underage females online.

    “Upon arrest, a number of electronic devices were seized at Sambrooks’ property. These devices were found to contain indecent images of children from categories A, B and C.

    “There was also evidence that Sambrooks had contacted girls aged between 12 and 15. Sambrooks had contacted these girls via Facebook during 2015 by using an alias account that he had created with the pretense of being an 18-year-old man.”

    Following an investigation, Sambrooks was charged with the offences on 26 July 2018.

  • Mayor samples fresh new look and menu at Prezzo Thame

    PREZZO in Thame celebrated the re-opening of its fresh new look branch on Cornmarket on Tuesday, November 27, with a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Mayor of Thame, Anne Midwinter.

    Ann Midwinter with Prezzo chefs, Pavel Masztalewicz and Damian Wrotniak

    The event celebrated the refreshed Prezzo Thame following a major, two-week refurbishment and staff training for the new menu. Guests were treated to sample dishes from Prezzo’s new Autumn/Winter menu including Beetroot Gnocchi and Crab & Lobster Torellini, served alongside Prezzo’s Signature G&T cocktail.

    Prezzo Executive Chef Paul Lewis commented: “Both our dishes and our restaurant design have been influenced by what we’re calling the spirit of Milan. Think Italian dining with a sophisticated twist.”

    Mayor Ann Midwinter, in declaring the new-look Prezzo officially open, said how delighted she was to have been asked to been involved in this special evening, as she personally found the restaurant to be the most family-friendly in the town, and how after 10 years in Thame, is had become an important contributor to the town’s thriving eating-out scene and the town’s economy.

    Tia Latham with the Mayor of Thame Ann Midwinter, Gordon Lee from The Fourth Angel PR & Andreas Schlamkow of Double Tree by Hilton

    The ceremony was also attended by deputy mayor, Linda Emery, and local businesses, media and one of the special guests was fan of Prezzo, Tia Latham, ITV2’s Survival Of The Fittest Star.

    Prezzo’s Italian-inspired menu includes fresh new, seasonal dishes with innovative flavour combinations, alongside tempting Italian classics, developed by Prezzo’s executive chef, Paul Lewis, and his talented team. “Our brief was to create dishes and drinks with an indulgent feel that also celebrates the best of the winter produce,” explained. “We started working up ideas for the Christmas set menu back in May using special Christmas ingredients and referencing Italian culture and food trends to influence what we create. We hope the Prezzo Christmas set menu inspires customers to try our great, new ingredient combinations presented in a modern and stylish way.”

    Prezzo has 188 restaurants nationwide and all offer a wide variety of pasta and pizza on menus available across all of its restaurants for both lunch and dinner and to suit all budgets and palates. Separate allergy-aware menus are available across all Prezzo restaurants and they cater for vegetarians and the growing number of vegans too.