Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Thame Welcomes Kismet

    THE newest retailer to establish itself in this thriving market town, presenting a most individual and unique shopping experience, has opened its doors in the Buttermarket.

    Kismet Jewellers, run by husband and wife team, Matthew and Yvette Cundy, who live in Thame, can be found where The Flower Studio was until recently and the refit, using the company colours of black and white, has been tastefully and sympathetically carried out in this historic old building.
    But there is nothing old fashioned about the Cundy?s concept of selling contemporary, modern jewellery that can be interactively designed with the customer on the premises using the very latest Computer Aided Design software.

    The customer who wants something unique and precious to them, their loved-one or perhaps a valued Corporate client, can choose from a number of bands, setting styles, stone types, shapes and orientations to come up with something really special to them. Alternatively, clients can have a piece designed or remodelled around a stone or old piece of jewellery they already own.

    Whatever their vision, Kismet can come up with a dream piece for any client and have it made at its own workshop in South Molton Street, just off Bond Street in London.

    Kismet holds one of only a handful of franchises for the prestigious Montblanc brand of pens, cuff links and note books as well as top watches made by the Swiss makers, Hublot. They also buy and sell pre-owned quality watches including those made by Rolex and will also undertake repairs and valuations of all types of jewellery.

    Among the many exciting quality objects offered for sale by Kismet are Amundsen Oslo?s Polar watches, the company set up by a descendant of the Polar explorer and which have all been taken to the polar regions and thoroughly tested at a temperature of 90 degrees below freezing,

    On the jewellery side of the business, Kismet is the only outlet in the country for the exclusive range of ?My Pearl? ladies? jewellery from Switzerland, just one of a selection of fabulous jewellery sourced from craftsmen and women throughout the world by the Cundys, who between them have 35 years experience in the jewellery trade.

    For more information about the almost limitless services and wonderful objects of adornment available from Kismet Jewellers, visit Matthew and Yvette at their shop in Thame or visit their website at www.kismetjewellers.com

  • National Role for Oxfordshire Consumer Watchdog

    OXFORDSHIRE’s Head of Trading Standards has been chosen as Chairman of the UK?s Trading Standards Institute.

    Nigel Strick, who joined Oxfordshire County Council in 2002, won a national ballot and will assume his new role at the end of June.

    He said: “I am delighted to have been chosen to represent Trading Standards in this way and I can see that the next twelve months will be a very busy time for me and the profession alike. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to show what Oxfordshire has to offer and to explaining the good work that goes on here.”

    Nigel began working in Trading Standards in 1983 as a technical assistant with Surrey County Council. His first job involved polishing the brass petrol measures, cleaning the other weights and measures and accompanying the Trading Standards? Officers and Enforcement Officers on their inspections and investigations.

    This proved to be a great way to learn the ropes and he became a fully fledged Trading Standards Officer in 1988.

    Working his way up through the ranks, Nigel became Head of Trading Standards at Oxfordshire County Council in April 2002. Along the way he lived and worked in Somerset, Suffolk, Oldham and Staffordshire.

    “I?ve met some fantastic characters and made some great friends,? Nigel added. ?I?ve been involved with the Trading Standards? Institute for around 20 years.
    I served as the South West Branch Representative during 1990/1991 and have been a member of the Institute?s National Council for about the last 5 years – and its Executive Board for around 3 years.

    ?More recently I have chaired the review of TSI?s organisation and its specialist ?Lead Officer? arrangements.”

    Councillor Ray Jelf, Cabinet Member for Community Safety said: “This is a wonderful accolade for Nigel and thoroughly deserved. It is a reflection of his dedication and commitment to Trading Standards, not only in Oxfordshire but throughout the UK.”

  • New Bug Strikes At Stoke Mandeville Hospital

    THE national press has today been reporting on the emergence of a new ‘super bug’ which has hit some words of Stoke Mandeville hospital, near Aylesbury, and killed 12, mostly elderly patients.
    Since ThameNews.Net was unable to obtain any official statement from the hospital itself today, readers are referred to an article that appeared in The Independant newspaper today.
    click here
    to read the full article.

  • Thame Classic Cars Visit to Belgium

    THAME Classic Motor Club members who spent the recent Bank Holiday driving to Belgium and back, included in their trip a poignant visit to the War Memorial outside Diksmude.
    The trip to the Brugge area was the Club’s Annual Continental Trip and member, Nigel Champken-Woods, reported that the weather was pretty kind apart from the trip home on Monday, and that all 10 vehicles that took part returned without breakdown or mishap.
    The so-called Trench of Death, shown in the photograph, is a symbol of the fierce resistance of Belgium troops to prevent the invasion of German troops across what was the Belgium section of the Western Front during World War One.
    The Trench of Death remained the heart of the Belgian resistance until the successful Anglo-Belgian offensive, the Battle of Flanders, began on 28 September 1918.

  • Rector Returns For Dedication Service

    THE ex Minister of Thame’s Christchurch, returned to the town on Sunday, to perform a special service to dedicate the rebuilding of the church’s frontage.
    The Rev David Sharpe performed the service at the United Reform church to a packed congregation, in a brighter, smarter church which now has a lift for disabled people, a refreshment and reception area and new steps into the main body of the church.
    David Sharpe and his wife Marjorie, who was with him on Sunday, moved to Nailsea, near Bristol a year ago. Both of them were valued members of Thame Choral Society and were often to be seen cycling around the town.
    David, who initiated the work over five years ago, told ThameNews.Net that he was delighted to see the work completed, and that there was much more space than he had envisaged. He and Marjory are enjoying their new life in Nailsea and as part of the Bristol Choral Society of which they are members, recently visited Poland to take part in a concert.
    The work has cost in the region of

  • Try Thame First Winner Portrayed

    THE winner of the ‘Try Thame First’ radio campaign, organised by 21st Century Thame, in conjunction the Mix 96 radio station, has been spending his

  • Proud Winning Thame Shopper

    THE winner of the ‘Try Thame First’ shopping competition, organised by 21st Century Thame and Mix ’96, has been spending his vouchers in the town.
    Proud dad, Keith Davison, who was made redundant by Memec of Thame, shortly before winning

  • Wanted! Jazz Lovers

    A LOCAL musician is on a Mission to create a regular Concert Jazz Venue in Thame, at the Players Theatre, in Nelson Street.

    The first ‘Concert Jazz’ concert, featuring guitarist, Luis D’Agustino and special guest, is planned at the theatre for July 20.

    Eddie Fowler, from Watlington, told ThameNews.Net:”We are really kean to build up a network of Jazz enthusiasts in the South Oxfordshire area for support and would love to hear from any Jazz fans out there who would like to register their interest.
    “Concert Jazz presentation is the first interest but if there is sufficient support, a Vocal(ese) night alternative may assist to promote more regular events as most jazz lovers have an interest in this alternative genre.
    “There is a wealth of exciting young Jazz Talent in Oxfordshire and The Players Theatre would provide a good platform for Concert Jazz as opposed to these accomplished artists performing in Pubs to indifferent and noisy audiences.

    “Our target is to build up a circulation list of about 500 and also a snail mailing for those who are unable to connect to the Internet.
    “The music will be first class modern/progressive jazz played by Trios and Quartets until such time as larger groups can be supported.
    “We have the support of the Thame Players Theatre Chairman and an interactive Website for promotion could be arranged if there is sufficient response.”

    Interested parties who would like to be on the group’s information list can forward their email address to: fusion@jazzeddie.f2s.com or write to:
    Eddie Fowler
    2 Plowden Park,
    Aston Rowant,
    WATLINGTON
    Oxon.
    OX49 5SX
    01844 353117 (BT Answer Service if absent)

  • Handbag Snatched In Thame

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an elderly woman had her handbag stolen in Thame on Sunday. (29/5).

    At around 3.45pm, the 69-year-old woman was walking into Lee Court from Wellington Street when a man approached her from behind and stole her handbag.

    As the man grabbed the bag he broke the handle. He then got into a car being driven by a white woman and made off in the direction of North Street.

    Shortly before the incident, at around 3.35pm, the elderly woman was crossing the road in North Street, into Lashlake Road, when the same woman in a white car stopped to let the woman cross.

    PC Emma Birch, based at Thame police station, said: ?I appeal to anyone who was in this area of Thame on Sunday afternoon and saw a man and woman in a white car acting suspiciously to contact police.?

    Anyone with information that could assist police inquiries is urged to contact PC Birch at Thame police station, via 0845 8 505 505.

    If you don?t want to speak to police and don?t want to leave your name contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

  • Film Star Charms Thame Cinema-goers

    Thame Cinema 4 All welcomed film star, Danny Dyer,on Saturday, to what was a sell-out evening of film which included his Oscar winning short, ‘Wasp’.
    Danny has also starred in Mean Machine, Human Traffic and Football Factory.
    Co-founder of TC4A, Margie Barbour, said: “The audience was deeply moved by the film, which included extraordinarily natural performances from very young children. Danny told us they had been picked out when playing in the local streets by the director Andrea Arnold. Danny’s friendly and informal manner invited lively questions from the packed house; he told of being auditioned in Hollywood in a restaurant and hair raising stories about the filming of Football Factory.”
    After the showing, the audience had a chance to meet Danny in the foyer before he and his family went to eat at The Pizza House in town.

    On Saturday, June 11, Thame Cinema is showing “The Boy who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan “(PG) directed by Phil Grabsky, and Black Gold, a Sundance award winning short about Ethiopian Coffee trade, followed by a Q and A with director Marc Francis. Black Gold is shown as part of Thame Festivals “Fair Trade” theme.
    The award winning feature tells of how in March 2001, the ruling Taliban destroyed Afghanistan’s foremost tourist attraction, the 1600 year-old Buddhas of Bamiyan. This film follows the story of one of the refugees who now lives among the ruins, an energetic and inquisitive eight-year-old boy named Mir. This critically acclaimed documentary describes contemporary Afghanistan through Mir?s story and that of his extended family. They dwell in a cave with no possessions, inadequate water and scant sustenance. In post-Taliban Afghanistan, though much has changed and is changing, there is no guarantee that Mir will survive, yet his engaging story is not one of gloom and doom but that of a normal child who takes life as it comes and finds entertainment wherever he can, against the inevitable backdrop of post 9/11 militarisation. This is not a film you will have many chances to see, so don?t miss out. Described by the Guardian as “?a compelling documentary? Watching it is a reminder that you don’t necessarily need massive budgets to be a distinctive, public service… But you do need mavericks who are brave.”
    The film starts at 8.oo with doors opening at 7.30. Free membership for all. Thame Players theatre is in Nelson Street, in Thame.
    Thame Cinema 4 All is supported by SODC UK Film Council and Screen South.
    Photo: Danny Dyer meets Committee Members Catriona Hamilton and Chris Savory.