Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Reminder of road works in Chinnor and surrounding areas

    THE road closures prohibit the use of the highway by all motor vehicles during the closure times. (limited access for emergency services and for residents within the closed section of the road – subject to progress) More information call OCC on 0345 310 1111 or log into: www.roadworks.org

    • 9th September to 13th September – B4445 Thame Road closed from junction of Station Road down to Sydenham Junction for road improvements and resurfacing

    This closure is from 8am to 5pm each day.

    • 16th September to 19th September – Station Road to Lower Road junction closed (also Thame Road is a possibility) for road improvements and resurfacing

    This closure is from 8am to 5pm each day.

    • 30th September to 4th October – Sydenham Road from junction of the B4445 to Stert Road junction – closed for drainage works
    • Traffic lights will be on Estover Way from 9th September to 17th September for road surface improvements
    • Traffic lights will be on Church Road from 18th September to 20th September for Thames Water repairs.

    Update from Carousel Bus – Link 40 public bus route from High Wycombe to Thame via Chinnor and vice versa..

    Week commencing 9th September 2019 (Thame road closure week 1)

    Carousel Bus – Link 40 to Thame – has now confirmed to CPC that there will be no planned change to the schedule for next week during the Thame Road closure.

    They are planning on running to the current timetable and have been able to adjust the route and will be going through Chinnor and Longwick / Kingsey into Thame.

    https://www.carouselbuses.co.uk/

    • Changes to school buses during our road closures

    (Please ignore this message if your child(ren) do not use the Redline bus service for transport to secondary school.)

    Week commencing 9th September 2019 – All services this week will run 10 minutes earlier to accommodate diverting via Longwick.
    RL01 – this service will change to start from Chinnor.

    RL02 – Start from Estover Way 07:40
    RL04 – start from Oakley Lane at 07:45
    RL08 – start at Estover Way at 07:45
    RL09 – start at Estover Way at 07:45

    Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

  • Bus diversion: Chinnor road closures

    THERE are several road closures and diversions coming in Chinnor during the next few days. That involving the Thame Road will mean a diversion of the buses. https://www.chinnorparishcouncil.org.uk/index.php/news/#.XXD2Cn9cOM8

    During the current closure for road improvements and resurfacing at the Mill Lane Junction of Thame Road, from the Red Lion stop, the Link 40 bus will divert left (instead of going to Springfield Gardens stop) and the next stop will be the Thame Road Shops.

  • Second chance for popular TAL tickets!

    THERE’s a second chance to buy tickets for several, popular authors and speakers at Thame’s Art and Literature festival in October, as the organisers open the Box Office with extra tickets for sale.

    Victoria Hislop, Anna Pasternak and Alice Roberts

    Million copy bestseller Adam Kay, former doctor turned author, comedy writer and comedian; Andrew Lownie, top-selling literary agent and acclaimed biographer; Michael Rosen, one of Britain’s foremost children’s poets and writers and a regular presenter on BBC Radio 4, are among the illustrious visitors to this year’s TAL over the weekend of October 17-20, 2019.

    Other speakes include Andrew Graham Dixon, famous art historian, broadcaster, novelist, journalist; Award-winning novelist and children’s author, Dame Penelope Lively and Angela Gallop, one of the world’s most eminentleading forensic scientists.

    Visit the TAL website for the full weekend’s programme and line-up – there’s something for everyone.

    TAL Box Office, Thame Town Hall.
    Open each Tuesday 9.30am – 4.00pm.
    Friday and Saturday 9.30am – 1.00pm
    Closed during Thame Fair weekend

    Over the Festival weekend –
    Thursday and Friday 9.30am – 4.00pm
    Saturday and Sunday 9.30am – 1.00pm

    If you’re unable to get to the Box Office in person, just ring 07885 48 44 06.
    Be aware the line may be very busy.

  • Grant award means roof repairs for Thame theatre

    REPAIR work has now been completed on part of the roof at the Players Theatre in Thame, following the award of a £5,000 grant made by South Oxfordshire District Council earlier this year.

    The grant was awarded to Thame Players Theatre Company, a registered charity run entirely by volunteers, as part of SODC’s Community Councillor Grant Scheme 2018/19, which allows each district councillor to award up to £5,000 for projects or services offering community benefits in their ward.

    The grant, which was match-funded from Thame Players Theatre Company’s own resources, was necessary to repair the entire length of a flat section of roof, part of a 1980s extension made to the theatre, which had been requiring attention for some time. These essential repairs mean that the roof is now secure and there is no risk to passers-by beneath who are working or performing at the theatre. The completed work was inspected at the end of August by Councillor David Bretherton, Chair of South Oxfordshire District Council and also a Thame Town Councillor.

    He commented: “It is very good to know that our grant scheme enables necessary practical work to be undertaken, improving the safety of members of our community and contributing to the future sustainability of community resources such as the Players Theatre, a valuable entertainment facility in the town. This is exactly the kind of project the scheme was designed to enable.”

    Cllr Bretherton was taken up to the roof to inspect the work by Steve Lambell of Thame Players. Steve commented: “We’re delighted that the grant from South Oxfordshire District Council has enabled us to get this essential repair work done, ensuring the safety of those that work or perform in the space below, and removing concerns about the condition of the roof for the future. We look forward to maintaining our excellent relationship with the district council; they have assisted us with grant-funding on a number of previous occasions.”

  • Open letter to Thame’s MP from local ‘Peoples’ vote’ activist

    A Thame resident, a leading member of Thame For Europe, who campaign for ‘a Peoples’ Vote’, has written an open letter to Thame’s MP, John Howell, after the MP continued to support the Prime Minister in Tuesday night’s  vote against his Brexit plans. (UPDATE BELOW THE LETTER)

    Roy Mottram

    The letter reads as follow:

    Dear John Howell MP,

    I note that you voted last night against Parliament taking control of some of the parliamentary agenda. Mr Johnson’s authoritarian attempt to shut Parliament down for long enough to silence opposition to his policy rather forced their hand. I’m disappointed that you put party before parliamentary sovereignty.
     
    The government lost that vote & Parliament now has the opportunity to ensure that the A50 deadline is extended to allow completion of any negotiation that Johnson undertakes.
     
    If you vote against this deadline extension, then I’d like to hear your arguments for why Parliament will be better placed to avoid “No Deal” at the end of October rather than now, when the opportunity is in front of you.
     
    Regards
    Roy Motteram
    Cheshire Road, Thame

    (UPDATE: John Howell voted FOR a general election in Wednesday night’s debate and has since criticised the Speak of the House in an article in the Henley Standard LINK HERE)
     

  • Bunch of gardening awards for Thame care home

    THE residents and Friends of Meadowcroft Care Home, Thame,  gathered outside in the care home’s garden on Thursday (30/08), to celebrate no less than five awards in the annual St Johns Trust in Bloom competition, Meadowcroft being one of several care homes run by the Trust.

    Meadowcroft resident Elizabth Rowell enjoying the prize-winning garden!

    Proud residents, nursing and care staff, friends and some visiting family members enjoyed a celebratory glass of sangria in the sunshine.

    The five awards were:

    Winner – Best Grounds and Garden
    Winner – Best Rear Garden
    Winner – Best Special Theme- gardeners’ choice

    Runner Up – Best Activity in the Garden
    Runner Up – Best Vegetable Patch, tub planter – which includes a magnificent pumpkin, tomatoes and runner beans!

    The Rotary Club of Thame were thanked especially for helping plant some of the flower beds, and the residents, who get involved in planting, dead-heading and watering the gardens.

    The outside space is very important to many of the residents. Mrs Elizabeth Rowell said that coming out into the garden to feel the sunshine and fresh air, was her favourite place to be. She particularly enjoys filling the bird bath with water and making sure the birds have seed to eat.

  • Councillors’ Open Letter to MP John Howell

    FOLLOWING the Prime Minister’s announcement to suspend parliament, a group of councillors from South Oxfordshire District Council, all of them from either the Green Party or the Liberal Democrats, have sent an open letter to MP John Howell.

    The letter reads:



    “Dear Mr Howell,

    “This week, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that he will be suspending Parliament. The motive for this seems obvious; to run down the clock and make a No Deal Brexit inevitable. The length of the prorogation supports this.

    “We understand that you didn’t back Boris Johnson as leader and that you, like many of your constituents voted to remain in the 2016 referendum.
    We also understand that you do not support severing all ties with our closest neighbours. This is clear from you having supported Remain, voted for Theresa May’s deal in parliament on each occasion it was brought to the House of Commons and voted against No Deal in March.

    “A No Deal Brexit would be incredibly damaging for businesses across the country. There are many businesses in your constituency that are part of Europe-wide supply chains.

    “There is also a huge amount of uncertainty and a sense of “limbo” for the thousands of EU citizens living and working in this constituency.
    Time is now running out and we are asking you to join with other Oxfordshire MPs like Ed Vaizey, Anneliese Dodds and Layla Moran in opposing a No Deal Brexit and doing whatever it takes to stop it from happening.”

    The councillors who have signed the letter are;
    Councillor Pieter-Paul Barker (Liberal Democrats) – Thame
    Councillor Robin Bennett (Green)
    Councillor Sam Casey-Rerhaye (Green)
    Councillor Peter Dragonetti (Green)
    Councillor Maggie Filipova-Rivers (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor Sarah Gray (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor Kate Gregory (Liberal Democrats) – Thame
    Councillor Victoria Haval (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor Alexandrine Kantor (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor George Levy (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor Andrea Powell (Green)
    Councillor Leigh Rawlings (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor Jo Robb (Green)
    Councillor Sue Roberts (Green)
    Councillor Anne-Marie Simpson (Liberal Democrats)
    Councillor David Turner (Liberal Democrats)

  • Nominations open for Oxfordshire Sports Awards

    THIS year’s Oxfordshire Sports Awards will take place on Friday, November 15, at the MINI Plant in Oxford. The event will bring together guests and shortlisted nominees from across the county for an evening of celebration. Guests will also be treated to a presentation from special guest Mark England OBE, the Chef de Mission for Team GB at the forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

    Nominations are now open across 12 categories covering elite level sport to community sessions that help people get active. The award categories are: Sportsman, Sportswoman, Junior sportsman (under 18), Junior sportswoman (under 18), Adult team of the year, Junior team of the year (under 18), Active school of the year, Unsung Hero, Disability Sport Award, Community coach, Active Award and Community club of the year.

    Nominations close on Friday, September 20.

    For more information and to register your nomination, click HERE

  • Cricket: Thame thrash Dinton to move back to the top

    THAME First XI hosted a struggling Dinton side, this past Saturday, August 24, at Church Meadow. Batting first, Thame openers Mike Beard (53) and Ollie Burland (38) got their side off to another excellent start.

    Mike Beard

    Callum Russell (51) and Tom Bamford (35) kept the pressure on Dinton, but a disappointing display from the middle order saw Thame not capitalise fully on a fine platform, being bowled out in 43 overs for 247.

    The Dinton reply never really got going, with Jo Van Dyk striking in the first over. Hassam Mushtaq was the destroyer in chief, taking 4-23, as Dinton were rolled for just 127. Thame now sit top of the Home Counties Premier Division 2.

    Thame travel to third placed Harefield next weekend, with a win guaranteeing promotion to the top flight.

    For a full round-up of the rest of Thame Town Cricket Club’s matches last weekend, visit: http://www.thamecricket.org.uk/weekly-roundup-week16-2019/

  • The Dolly Parton Story

    WHERE? The Players Theatre, Thame
    WHEN? 4th October 2019 at 7.45pm

    THE Dolly Parton Story takes you on an incredible journey through the career of the ‘Queen of Country’.

    Follow Dolly’s story in this groundbreaking “show-umentary” format taking you from her humble beginnings in the Smoky mountains to her arrival as Queen of Country.

    Featuring passionate renditions of Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands In The Stream, Here You Come Again, Coat Of Many Colours, Joshua and many more, this show enjoyed sell out shows with standing ovations at Edinburgh Fringe in 2018 and had audiences dancing in the aisles.

    “What a beautiful performance. Dolly’s Music comes alive in a contemporary way” Dominic King” The Dominic King Show’ BBC Radio Kent

    “Hannah Richards performs beautifully …. is a talented singer song writer …. would have liked it to have gone on longer” **** ScotGay

    Hannah Richards is superb as Dolly Parton – an evening not to miss. Book your tickets HERE now. Tickets are £15 each.