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  • The only way is Thame’s at Christmas!

    DESPITE TOWIE star, Jasmin Walia, failing to turn up to help turn on Thame’s Christmas lights, due to personal circumstances on the day, eight year-old Holly Stafford did a sterling job turning on Thame’s Christmas lights with the help of the Mayor, Linda Emery, Father Christmas, Police Pup, Tink the Green Fairy and Panto star, Danny Colligan as Aladdin.

    mayor_final_linda_xmas_lights2016-400x330

    Holly had earned the honour of helping to push down the plunger by spotting the biggest number of Go-kart Santas hidden in shop window around the town.

    lights_on_2016

    Thame hosted its annual Christmas Lights Switch-On event on Friday, December 2, attracting a throng of local families and visitors to welcome in the yule-tide season. The town centre hummed with festive stalls of crafts, toys and gifts, stilt-walking Colonel Custard, Christmas balloon making, donkey rides on Morris and Holly, go-kart rides and Santa’s grotto, while live enterntainment was provided at various venues in the town centre by Louise Jane school of Dance, Thame Youth Theatre, The Thame Pop Choir, Stagecoach Thame, Thame Players and Thame Concert Band who accompanied the community carols sing-along.

    Thame Lions Club helped keep everyone warm with mulled wine, and as well as other refreshment stalls selling hot drinks and food, the bar in the Masonic Hall was open too! A group of Thame’s French friends from the town’s twin town of Montesson, set out their stall of French wines, cheese and other produce and kept the crowds happy with their wonderful crepes and galettes, a Breton pancake made with buckwheat flour with a savoury filling of ham and/or cheese.

    A glowing parade of lanterns, created by students from Thame’s primary schools to designs courtesy of Windles Thame, was lead to the giant Christmas tree, by the Police Pup and Tink, the Mayor of Thame and Holly Stafford. Here the crowds gathered to hear Father David Hartley’s Christmas blessing, before the big switch on and community singing, accompanied by Thame Primary School Choirs and Thame Concert Band – a perfect way to round off a fantastic, festive evening.

    It’s worth acknowledging that without the generous support of local businesses and sponsors, the event just wouldn’t be possible. So, a big ‘shout out’ to: ASM Auto Recycling, Kubota, Risborough Carers, JJ Plumbing and Heating, The Air Cadets, Wally’s Toy Shop, Fisher German, Thame & District Housing Association, Lucy Electric, Newitts, Fairy Dust Entertainment, Windless Group, Kubota, Thame Lions, Waitrose, Haddenham Garden Centre, Paddy Harris, Thame’s Primary Schools, 3B Vechicle Hire & Servicing, the Co-op and Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.

  • Challenge yourself! TheThame Swimathon 2017

    THE Thame Swimathon is coming back! Thame Rotarians are looking for teams of four to six people to attend the fifth edition of the Thame Swimathon which will take place at the Thame Leisure Centre on Sunday, February 26, 2017, between 11:00 – 15:00.

    Flashback to the Thame Swimathon 2015
    Flashback to the Thame Swimathon 2015

    This is a fun and fundraising event organised by the Rotary Club of Thame. The event is made possible by the generous local sponsors who kindly cover most of the costs: Thame Leisure Centre, Park Street Dental Clinic, Aston Hearing, Booker Tate, and Ignite Sport.

    Take on the challenge! To participate is easy as 1-2-3:
    1. Get a team of 4-6, download Team Entry Form from www.thame.rotary1090.org and send it to thame.swimathon@btinternet.com
    2. Raise funds for charity
    3. Swim for 1 h.

    All ages from 8+ are invited to enter. The Team Entry Form, Info Pack and Sponsorship Form are available on www.thame.rotary1090.org

    It is not too early to book now, as 7 out of the 20 time slots have already been taken by teams.

    The participants have got the option to allocate 50% of the money raised towards the charity of their choice or 100% towards Rotary’s charities. The swimmers at the previous edition of the event have raised well over £5,300 earlier this year.

    SOURCE – Contributed by Rotary Club of Thame. See the group’s facebook page HERE

  • Protect your tools – protect your business!

    AFTER a spate of thefts of tools from vehicles and sheds in the area, Thames Valley Police have issued nine tips for keeping your tools safe:

    Lock ‘em up!

    It might seem obvious, but keeping your tools locked securely in a storage shed, or garage is a must-do. Thieves go for easy targets, and if yours isn’t easy, they might look elsewhere. We know that taking all your tools off site or unloading the van each day is a pain, but if it saves you losing your tool, then you win.

    Image courtesy of romseyandvillages.co.uk/
    Image courtesy of romseyandvillages.co.uk/

    If you must leave your tools on site or in your vehicle, securing a heavy duty tool box to the inside of your vehicle with a lock on the tool box will make it more difficult.

    Secure your site

    A badly secured site is an invitation for thieves. Ensure there are no gaps in fencing and that you have a decent padlock preferably secured to a locking plate to minimise bolt cutter leverage. Consider an alarm system, especially towards the end of builds when valuable goods have been stored.

    Don’t leave your tools in a trailer or vehicle

    This is making it too easy for thieves. You’ve even done the hard work of removing them off site, all they need to do is steal your car or trailer and drive away. Unload your vehicle each night, or store it securely in a garage that is alarmed.
    If this is not possible, install a vehicle alarm. The more deterrents the better chance your tools have of staying yours.

    Engrave / Mark your tools

    Engraving your name, phone number or postcode into your tools may act as a deterrent to thieves by making your tools more difficult to sell. Engrave deep and engrave well to prevent it from being sanded or grinded off too easily. Another alternative is to us a permanent UV marker pen and write your details on the tools. It is invisible but could assist the police to identify any recovered stolen items. It is best to keep your markings consistent using the same mark for each tool.

    Add a toolbox alarm and tracking device

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1Adding a toolbox alarm and clearly marking your toolbox as being alarmed will further deter thieves from stealing your kit, while a modern and relatively small GPS tracking devices will help track down your kit if it is stolen.

    Do a regular stock take

    It might sound boring and a waste of time but by doing a regular check of your tools and equipment regularly (ideally daily or weekly) you know exactly if and when a tool goes missing. You can also note any required tools or accessories before you need them meaning you save the time of dashing out to the hardware store mid-job!

    Note your tools’ serial numbers and photograph them

    If your tools do get stolen, having serial numbers and photos will help track them down, and prove they are yours if they are recovered. It’s not a big effort and could be the difference between getting your tools back or having them sitting on the shelf at a pawn shop. If you mark your tool by engraving them or UV marker, also make a note of what tools are marked.

    Report thefts to the police

    By reporting to the police any theft of tools and supplying images and serial numbers then police are able to cross check that information with any stolen goods recovered. By reporting it and providing evidence (pictures, serial numbers, receipts etc) that the tools are yours, you may get them back. Tools do get recovered, all is not lost, but it can be hard to identify where they are from if we do not have the full information from the owner.

    Have insurance

    Do not make the mistake of not insuring your tools, they are your daily business after all. Get a good insurance policy and make sure you read the policies fine print so you know exactly what your responsibilities are and the circumstances in which they might deny a claim.
    The other steps you take such as taking a regular stock take, serial numbers and photographs should help with your claim, but there is no guarantee; read the fine print.

    Contact us

    For further information or advice in relation to Crime Prevention, please contact the Thame & Wheatley Neighbourhood Policing Team via email: ThameWatlingtonChinnorNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk Please note, this email address cannot be used to contact Thames Valley Police to report a crime or for urgent matters.

    Alternatively, you can contact the local neighbourhood team by calling us on the police non-emergency number 101 or if it is an emergency and there is a crime in progress, then dial 999.

  • Invitation to crime prevention event in Thame

    THE Thame neighbourhood police team are holding a crime prevention event in the town hall in Thame, on December 9. They will be there between 6pm and 8pm handing out a range of crime prevention items such as tamper proof screws, UV pens and stickers for cars and vans stating ‘No Satnav left in this vehicle.

    'Smart water' shows up on thief's hands
    ‘Smart water’ shows up on thief’s hands

    Also available to buy will be Smartwater which is great for marking up valuables both inside and outside you home.

    Also available at no cost will be bicycle security marking, a discreet tamper proof security sticker the officers will fit to your bicycle with your details on. This is a great deterrent and also aids the police in returning lost and stolen bicycles to their lawful owners.

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1PCSO Ryan Dollery said: “Please come along and say hello to us on the 9th in the Town Hall to take advantage of these crime prevention goodies. We will also be on hand to answer any questions you have for us with regards to crime prevention or any other local issues.”

  • Thame Takeaway fined for mice infestation

    A Chinese takeaway in Thame has been fined after council officers found mice droppings during a routine food safety inspection.

    On Tuesday, November 22, at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, Novarra Limited, owners of Tommy Yaki, Wellington Street, Thame, pleaded guilty to four food safety offences. As a result they were fined £2,400 and ordered to pay £1,876 costs.

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    Magistrates heard how, during a routine food safety inspection at Tommy Yaki on March 21, 2016, food safety officers from South Oxfordshire District Council found the premises littered with mice droppings and a filthy kitchen. The building also had construction defects that allowed pests to get on the premises, and important cleaning and pest control procedures hadn’t been carried out.

    Officers immediately forced the premises to close, the takeaway was given a food hygiene rating of zero meaning “Urgent Improvement Necessary”, and it was prevented from reopening until action had been taken to remove the risk.

    Cllr Tony Harbour, Cabinet member for Waste, Grounds maintenance, Food Safety and Environmental health at South Oxfordshire District Council, said “At the time of the inspection the premises posed a serious health risk to customers and was shut down as a result.

    “I hope other food business learn from this example, if you are putting the public at risk we will not hesitate to take action.”

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1Council officers revisited the premises a number of times since the enforced closure to ensure that improvements were made, and to assist Novarra Ltd with meeting their food safety requirements.

    Following urgent improvements, the takeaway reopened a week after the closure – it was recently inspected and has now been awarded a rating of four.

    In sentencing Novarra Ltd, Magistrates took the company’s guilty plea, and the financial difficulties it had experienced as a result of having to close Tommy Yaki, into account when determining the sentence.

  • Competition hotting up for Thame’s young ‘dragon’ contestants

    THE contestants for Thame’s Young entrepreneurs competition, have been limbering up their presentation skills, ready for their big day on Saturday.

    Left to right Philippe van Caloen, Jean Gamester, Carly Ward, Chris Wylam (representing Thomas Wylam), Amelie Mason
    L to R – Philippe van Caloen, Jean Gamester, Carly Ward, Chris Wylam (representing Thomas Wylam), Amelie Mason

    Five of them attended a Workshop at Christchurch, Thame, with Jean Gamester of Semaphora Consulting, who specialises in developing people, training in public speaking and communications skills.

    Jean provided her time free of charge to the young entrepreneurs, who are all under 30 and live in Oxfordshire or Buckinghamshire. The finals of the competition are being held in Thame next Saturday, December 3, as part of a series of events for Small Business Saturday. Prizes for the winners include a first prize of £500 cash and mentoring for 12 months, with trophies for three winners.

    For more information about Semaphora or to connect with Jean Gamester go to www.semaphora.com, @JeanGamester, or email Jean@Semaphora.com.

    For more information about Small Business Saturday in Thame go to www.smallbizthame.uk or search on twitter for #SBSThame or email the organisers at sbsthame@gmail.com. Follow Small Business Saturday Thame on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thame.Smallbiz2016/

  • Thame Cyber Homes company wins GB Entrepreneur Award

    THE founders and owners of smart homes technology and AV specialists, Cyberhomes, based in Thame, have won one of this year’s Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

    The award, in the category Smart Home/Internet of Things Entrepreneur of the Year 2016, was presented to Andy Mack and Ion Smith who founded Cyberhomes in 2004, in recognition of how they have steered and grown the company over the last 12 years to the point where they are now winning projects worth over £500,000 each.

    Ion Smith (left) and Andy Mack (right) from Cyberhomes with their Great British Entrepreneur Award
    Ion Smith (left) and Andy Mack (right) from Cyberhomes with their Great British Entrepreneur Award

    The awards ceremony was held at Lancaster Hotel, London on Tuesday, November 22, and the award presented by popular comedian and broadcaster, Hardeep Singh Kholi.

    Cyberhomes Director, Ion Smith, said: “This award came a bit out of the blue to be honest. We’ve had our heads down designing and installing great technology solutions for our clients, so to be recognised like this from outside our niche industry is a genuine honour.”

    Fellow Directo, Andy Mack, said: “I’m really proud of the company we’ve built; and it was great to find ourselves alongside other highly respected entrepreneurs that were shortlisted or won their respective categories. Thanks also to the sponsors, including NatWest and Kingston Smith, who helped make this
    all possible.”

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1Cyberhomes work closely with clients, architects, developers, interior designers and M&E consultants to integrate control and AV systems within overall building design and performance. The Cyberhomes founders have a background in live broadcast studio technology for the BBC and take the same rigorous approach with the equipment, cabling and software behind home automation projects.

  • TOWIE star to light up Thame!

    The Only Way is Essex star Jasmine Walia will be turning on Thame’s Christmas lights on December 2.

    Danny Collinge (Aladdin)) with Jasmin Walia as Princess Jasmine
    Danny Collinge (Aladdin)) with Jasmin Walia as Princess Jasmine

    Before the big switch-on itself, the town centre will be buzzing with activity as the expected crowds gather from 3pm to join in the festive fun which will include stilt-walking and balloon-making from local entertainer Colonel Custard. Among the seven different performance groups throughout the evening in the Town Hall Upper Chamber, the Masonic Hall and in the High Street itself, will be the Towersey Morris Men who are celebrating their 50th year. Festive music will play throughout the High Street to accompany Christmas shopping at over 20 gift stalls throughout the area.

    Remember, keep searching for all 24 Go-Kart Santas in this year’s Santa Circuit Town Trail, and you could be pushing the plunger to turn on Thame’s Christmas lights alongside Father Christmas, the Mayor of Thame, Aladdin and Jasmine Walia as Princess Jasmine.

    ASM Auto Recycling have kindly sponsored the Christmas Tree again this year, and other sponsors include Kubota and Risborough Carers.

    Programmes will be available to download from www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/christmas or can be collected from Thame Information Centre from Monday, November 28. Programmes will also be distributed on the day of the event.

  • Thame’s Small Business Saturday gets star treatment!

    DOWNTON Abbey star, Samantha Bond, aka Lady Rosamund Painswick, will be in Thame on December 3, when she will present the prizes in a Christmas shop window display competition, part of Small Business Saturday in the town.

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    Samantha, also recognised for her role as Miss Moneypenny to Piers Brosnan’s James Bond and other roles including in the Hercule Poirot films, will present the first prize of a case of Prosecco, a consultation with retail marketing expert, Keith Slater, and a trophy to the winning shop, as well as runner-up prizes.

    The winners of the Small Business Saturday Young Entrepreneurs Competition will also be announced, following a Dragon’s Den-style presentation to the panel of judges on the same day. The winner will receive a cash prize of £500, a year’s mentoring from a business expert, and a trophy. There are also prizes for two runners-up. The prizes will be given by John Howell MP and Tim Luscombe of Thames Valley Business Advisers, Chair of the judging panel.

    The organisers of Small Business Saturday in Thame have lined up nine, free-to-attend workshops and one2ones with several business experts, and there will also be entertainment throughout the day, provided by the Thame Pop Choir and Stagecoach Thame.

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1Small Business Saturday is a national campaign that puts small, independent businesses across the country in the national spotlight, using the theme ‘Small Business Big Difference’.

    The organisers are expecting lots of interest from local small businesses as well as from anyone planning to start a small business, and advise pre-booking to avoid disappointment. Events can be pre-booked at www.smallbizthame.uk where more information about the workshops, one2ones and other events can also be found.

  • Please donate canned food for Thame’s VERAs

    THE Thame/Wheatley neighbourhood policing team is encouraging local people to share some caring this Christmas and donate to its (VERA’s) Vulnerable Elderly Residents Association. Any tinned food items would be much appreciated to help the team create a Christmas hamper for a local resident who has been a victim of crime and who may live alone.

    PCSO Diane Jackson delivering Christmas goodie bags to Thame's elderly
    PCSO Diane Jackson delivering Christmas goodie bags to Thame’s VERAs last year 2015

    PCSO Ryan Dollery said: “While out shopping why not pick up an extra item to donate to one of the collection boxes we have put out? You will find the collection boxes at Thame Town Hall, ASDA Wheatley, Chinnor Council Chambers and Watlington council office.

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1“Any donations will be collected by Wednesday, the December 14, when we will then visit our VERA’s to deliver the lovely hampers full of goodies!”