PEOPLE aged 60 and over, living in rural areas across southern Oxfordshire can claim a month’s swimming sessions for just £5.
GO Active Gold is offering vouchers to use at district council leisure centres from April 1, to May 31. Residents can sign up for the offer by visiting www.getoxfordshireactive.org/go-active-gold or by calling 01235 422240. To claim this offer you must register by Saturday, April 1.
The leisure centres where the offer can be used are:
Abbey Sports Centre, Berinsfield
Didcot Wave
Faringdon Leisure Centre
Henley Leisure Centre Thame Leisure Centre
Wantage Leisure Centre
White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre, Abingdon
Please note – this offer is not available to existing ‘Better’ members.
Cllr Anna Badcock, Cabinet Member for Leisure at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Since launching in 2016 GO Active Gold has helped over a thousand people get more active across southern Oxfordshire. The £5 swimming offer is another example of the significant benefits it is bringing to people in our rural communities.”
GO Active Gold is a Sport England funded, three year project that aims to increase health and well-being amongst people aged 60 and over living in rural areas across South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse.
CHINNOR RFC in Thame will be hosting a tag rugby tournament for local primary schools.
Thirteen schools have taken up the club’s invitation to bring along teams of girls and boys in Years 5 & 6 (Unders 10s and Under 11s). The principles of Rugby will be at the core of this tournament: Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship. And fun of course!
Contact Chinnor RFC’s Community Officer Carol Bradbrook-Taylor for more information. Carolbt@btinternet.com
AS the sunshine filled Bletchley Leisure Centre, a squad of 23 Thame swimmers took to the water to compete in the annual CMKSC Spring Open Meet.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Ian Blyth and Coach Iain Phillips, all the swimmers rose to the occasion and put in some fantastic performances. “It was so rewarding to see the smiles so wide and the genuine happiness of the swimmers after their races,” said club spokesperson, Helen Williams. “Great camaraderie was in evidence too with lots of cheering by all the team.”
The officials were Rachel Humphreys, Rachel Mould, Michele Block and Phil Evans, and Helen Birmingham was Thame’s Team Managrt for the very first time.
Notable call-outs include:
– Martha Block for knocking an amazing 12 seconds off her 100 IM time and to Louise Birmingham for swimming under two minutes for the first time in the same event. Mayur Humphreys also took a whopping 16 seconds off his 100 IM personal best time too.
– George Pearson for his amazing 18 second PB in the 200 Fly event
– Oliver Humphreys and Jack Allman for both swimming under 40 seconds for the first time in their 50 Freestyle. Jack Allman also swam under a
minute for the first time in his 50 Breaststroke.
– All of the following swimmers who swam events for the very first time:
Thomas Collins (100 Breaststroke, 100 IM); Isabella Johnston (50 Fly); Ben Mould (400 Free); Katelin Phillips (400 IM); Jack Allman (100 IM, 100 Breaststroke); Oliver Humphreys (100 Breaststroke); Martha Block (200 Free); Heather Sluka (200 Free) and Louise Birmingham (100
Breaststroke).
CHINNOR RFC’s match against Old Elthamians on Saturday (March 4) turned out to be a real ‘battle of the giants’ in a wind-dominated game where both teams fought hard right up to the final whistle.
Photo by Aaron Bayliss
Chinnor had a great start playing with the wind when, after just minutes, Old Elthamians’s dropped the ball allowing Ben Manning to race into the opposition’s 22 metre area. Slick passing along the backs then put Henry Lamont over for a try in the corner. John Bentley converted to give Chinnor a seven point lead. Ten minutes later, Bentley kicked a penalty to extend Chinnor’s lead.
Old Elthamians’s gradually got their act together with some penetrating drives, enabling centre Wilkins to score near the posts with fly half Robinson adding the conversion. Play became fairly even between the teams with both sides converting a penalty; Bentley for Chinnor and White for Old Elthamians’s.
Chinnor used the wind to good effect to pin Old E’s deep in their own half, resulting in two quick scores for Chinnor before the interval. A quick interchange of passes allowed C.J. Osazuwa to crash over for a try converted by Bentley. Then Greg Goodfellow scored a classic scrum half try from a five metre scrum, nipping through the defence and scoring under the posts followed by a Bentley conversion. Chinnor ended the half with a convincing 27 – 10 point lead.
Chinnor now faced the strong wind and Old E’s began to pile on the pressure with their driving mauls. After 10 minutes, centre Golledge carved through a gap to score near the posts with White reducing their arrears with the conversion. Chinnor bounced back again and from a five metre scrum, replacement No 8 Ali Bone broke from the base of the scrum and crashed over for his debut try converted by Bentley. With 15 minutes to go, Chinnor looked to have an unassailable 34 – 17 point lead. However, Old E’s running and recycling tactics put them right back in the game with quick hands putting winger Brown over in the corner to score a try converted by White. Five minutes later, Brown was put away for a 35 metre sprint for his second try converted by White and put Old E’s just three points behind Chinnor.
With 10 minutes to go, Chinnor’s Ali Bone was given a yellow card for a late tackle and Old E’s made the most of their one man advantage. They constantly drove at the Chinnor line but time and time again the visitors’ defence was resolute. The final whistle came with much relief to Chinnor whose bonus point win keeps them in the promotion race.
THIS summer of cricket is bringing with it a very exciting opportunity for girls in Thame and the rest of Oxfordshire. Ex-England international, Lydia Greenway, is bringing her cricket academy, Cricket for Girls, to Thame Town Cricket Club.
The academy is open to girls up to the age of 18 years, and will be run on Friday evenings for seven weeks from May 5. The evenings will be split into two age groups, each session taking 90 minutes. The age groups are Under 11s and 11-18 years olds.
Lydia has put together an impressive coaching team of ex and current international players and coaches. Any girls booking into the academy will have access to top class coaching for the seven weeks.
“Cricket for Girls aims to allow every single female who wants to play cricket, the opportunity to do so,” explained Lydia. “Having female role models helps break down barriers which can often prevent females from taking up the sport. We offer cricket sessions which are fun, engaging and inspiring.”
Over the course of a 13 year career for England, Lydia Greenway played in 14 Tests, 126 ODIs and 85 T20s. Amongst a number of highlights she made 2,554 ODI runs at 30.04, including one hundred and 12 fifties, and 1,192 T20 runs at a strike rate of 96.12. She has won two world cups and an ashes series in Australia. She was also rated by many as the best fielder in women’s cricket.
“I am extremely excited about the launch of the female only academy sessions at Thame Town CC,” added Lydia. The aim of these sessions is to provide girls with the opportunity to have regular training from high quality coaches who have played the game at the highest level. The sessions are inclusive and open to ALL abilities. The sessions will cover all aspects of the game, including areas not always covered, such as increasing players tactical awareness, how to overcome challenges and working as a team. Cricket is a sport which teaches so much to young people and each of our sessions aim to provide the players with a positive all round experience of cricket.”
THIS statement hit the headlines a few weeks ago where it was reported that studies showed that participation in racquet sports increases the partipant’s lifespan. Further statements have been made that while not arguing against this statement, all forms of activity and sports will help increase people’s lifespans.
Sue Martin downhill (left) with her Monday mornings’ ladies
“What makes squash particularly useful in this area is because it is just a little addictive,” says Sue Martin Downhill of Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame.
“Play one game of squash or take some coaching – I’ll bet you want to work out why you couldn’t quite get that backhand to go where you wanted it. You had a game with a fellow work colleague – and now you want to beat them ! You spent just 40 minutes on court and you know you’ve done enough exercise for a few days.
“On top of that there is never an excuse. When it rains or snows the courts are there – clean and dry and once you’ve started very, very warm!”
So currently Racquets is campaigning to show every lady why squash is so good.
“Over the past three months, 40 ladies have started playing squash at Racquets. Starting with the right ball and playing with others who’ve just started too – much of the time on court is spent laughing!” says Sue.
Laura Miller, newcomer to squash, said: “I have absolutely loved learning to play Squash. Sue’s attention to detail and passion for squash is wonderful and is so inspiring. Playing squash has increased my fitness level in a really short space of time. We now have a great bunch of ladies who play regularly together, thanks to Sue.”
On Sunday, March 12, Racquets wants to show more ladies the game. So they’ve put on a free crèche and a free craft workshop to keep the children occupied while mums can give a new sport a try. There’ll be a free buffet included and a goodie bag including a T-shirt.
Sue concluded: “England Squash, Sport England and South Oxfordshire District Council are behind this and we’re looking for 50 ladies to join in. I want to show more ladies the sport that I’ve enjoyed for over 30 years.”
To book yourself and your kids in, visit the Racquets website: LINK HERE
TEAMS taking part in this year’s Thame Swimathon on Sunday (February 26), covered 45 miles (2,899 lengths) having fun and raising lots money towards charity.
Twenty teams attended the fifth Thame Swimathon at Thame Leisure Centre organised by the Rotary Club of Thame, with help from members and families of Thame and District Lions Club and Thame Inner Wheel Club.
Linda Emery, Mayor of Thame, and former President of the Rotary Club of Thame, with support from Erroll Bateman, Rotary Club of Thame’s president, handed medals to all participants.
Ben Williams and Marcus Birmingham, who earlier in the week received South Oxfordshire awards for sports achievements, were part of the Thame Swimming Club Team A, establishing a new Thame Swimathon record, swimming 221 lengths beating 2014’s record of 180 held by another Thame Swimming Club team. Elliot Riley-Brown, another SODC award winner was a member of Team F which swam 187 lengths, the second best ever performance. At this year’s Swimathon, Thame Swimming Club participated with nine teams.
Marius Ciortan, Rotary Club of Thame’s spokesman, said: “The fifth edition of Thame Swimathon was very successful. We send our thanks to all swimmers who enthusiastically covered 2,899 lengths and raised lots of money for good causes. A big ‘thank you’ to our families and friends from Rotary, Lions, and Inner Wheel clubs. We are also grateful to our sponsors, Aston Hearing, Booker Tate, Park Street Dental Clinic, Thame Leisure Centre and Ignite Sport who helped us covering most of the costs required to run our community event.”
The amount raised by the teams so far exceeds £4,000. Team Ice Cream, a group of Thame school children, who swam in memory of Barnaby Cork, are currently the leaders on the fundraisers’ table. The public has got until April 2, to support the teams with their fundraising. The links to My Donate can be found via www.thame.rotary1090.org
More photos taken at Thame Swimathon can be found on www.facebook.com/thamerotary.
THE winners of Thame’s Small Business Saturday, Young Entrepreneurs Competition held back in December 2016, were able to pick the brains of long-standing business experts, on Saturday (February 25).
Back row – Mr Mason (Amelie’s father), Tim Luscombe, Tom Wylam, Philippe van Caloen Front row – Katy Dyer, Amelie Mason, Lottie Moore, Rod Carmichael
Meeting at the offices of specialist recruitment company, CarmichaelUK, based in Thame, the young entrepreneurs – Tom Wylam, Amelie Mason and Philippe van Caloen – received expert advice on how to develop their winning business ideas. The local business experts were the competition judges, Tim Luscombe (Thames Valley Business Advisers), Rod Carmichael (CarmichaelUK), Lottie Moore (Mindset Metaphors) and Katy Dyer (style and image coach).
The ideas brainstorm was part of the prize pot awarded to the young entrepreneurs in December. The first prize of £500 and 12 months’ mentoring went to Tom Wylam of Princes Risborough School for his idea, CupCycl, based on recycling disposable cups. The second prize went to Amelie Mason of Lord Williams’s School for her idea, Magical Maths, based on a new maths app, and the third prize went to Philippe van Caloen of Oxford Brookes University for his idea, WeCoach, aimed at helping students apply for their first job.
Competition Co-ordinator, Helen Johns, said: “Tom, Amelie and Philippe were very enthusiastic about the brainstorming day, saying that they had gained valuable insights to make the most of their business ideas, which would help them develop and bring them to fruition.”
Philippe commented: “The Small Business Saturday competition helped me translate my project into a really clear and simple business idea. The brainstorm gave me the chance to reflect on my idea and clarify my vision on how to make it a simple but sustainable business opportunity. Advice given by the coaches and judges was really valuable. Last but not least, it helped me build my confidence about this project, one of the main ingredients for any entrepreneurship journey.”
The Young Entrepreneurs’ Competition is a new venture, sponsored by CarmichaelUK. Its Managing Director ,Rod Carmichael, said: “The competition offers a brilliant platform for young talent. It’s important that young people can express themselves outside the standard GCSE route to market, and they should be encouraged to try new ideas. Entrepreneurs don’t all have to come from one place; you can start your journey by doing something different. The markets have changed dramatically in recent years, and clients are challenging us to find people who can show talent, ideas and innovation.”
THE talents and achievements of young people from all over South Oxfordshire have been recognised at a special Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday (Feb 22), including three swimmers, and a squash player – all from Thame clubs, and an athlete from near-by Great Haseley. (more…)
THAME Football Partnership, which includes Thame United, has today said ‘good bye’ to its General Manager Frank Thompson, who is leaving to take up a new role at Oxford City FC.
Frank Thompson
In a statement just out, the club said: TFP, today, say goodbye to General Manager Frank Thompson who is leaving to take up a new role at Oxford City FC. Frank has been at the Club since it’s launch six years ago, and has been connected with the Junior and Senior section over the last 35 years.”
Frank himself said: “I’m sorry to be leaving the Club but felt that this new opportunity would be a fresh and exciting challenge to me. I wish everyone connected with TFP the very best for the future and hope that the town gets behind Thame Utd in their push for promotion this year.”
Lauren Austin has been appointed Bar & Events Manager and she can be contacted at the Club or by email at lauren.austin@thamefootball.co.uk
