Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Thame fail to score at Dunstable but static in the table

    THAME United saw early drama at Creasey Park, Dunstable, on Saturday (March 02), when ten minutes before kick off, the Thame visitors had to make a late change to the starting line up due to injury to top scorer, West.

    He was replaced by midfielder Peake-Pijnen, playing on his 21st birthday, and Thame’s Fasanmade made the late move to play up front. AFC Dunstable elected to play the first half with the wind which was to have an impact on both teams’ play.

    The first five minutes was tentative from both sides until the first chance of the game fell to Dunstable when a move down the left wing resulted in a shot from distance going wide of the post. Thame made a tactical change and were attempting to hit balls to the flanks and started to have more possession of the ball via Tack and Peake-Pijnen, and forward Fasanmade.

    In return AFC Dunstable were trying to find Christie playing up the top to the left. But Dunstable were found offside multiple times in the first 15 minutes. Their direct play towards Christie and behind the defence did actually work in the first half, making it a difficult for Mepham, Essex and Jewell. One of the best passages of play in the first half came when Thame threatened from their left wing, when an attacking run by Fasanmade led to him cutting inside the defender and drilling a shot inches past the post – much to Green’s relief.

    Thame appeared to be more organised, keeping their formation and pressing as a team. Then, against the run of play, no challenge on the midfielder led to a through ball to Hall who was able to slot the ball past Hill to make it 1-0 to Dunstable. The home side continued the pressure for the next five minutes with successive corners, one of which created a half chance for a goal, when Ajayi in the box narrowly headed wide. Thame had to wait some time until another opportunity. Then, a well struck half volley by Peake-Pijnen hit Green’s legs for a corner.

    The half ended in controversy whereby a foul on Goss, which appeared dangerous, was deemed only a yellow card by the referee and resulted in seven minutes of injury time. This led to verbal exchanges between both sides following the half time whistle.

    Second half

    Thame responded with a positive start to the second half, playing the ball on the ground rather than in the air. The first chance of the half led to an unmarked Tack shooting over the bar. Thame continued the positive spell by another amazing run by Fasanmade down the right wing, crossed towards a running Tack inside the box who appeared by taken out by the defender. But no penalty was awarded – much to Thame’s displeasure.

    Dunstable slowly made it into the second half and in the 60th minute a diagonal ball behind the defender found Christie unmarked who scuffed the shot. But the placement was there for the ball still to find the net to give Dunstable a 2-0 lead at home. In the 65th minute a foul outside the box led to a free kick which was fired in, and Thame’s sturgess lept up attempting to head the ball away, but instead headed the ball into the top corner of the net to seal the victory for Dunstable. Thame were still searching for a goal attempting crosses into the box from both flanks. But often these were easily picked up by the Dunstable defence.

    The final scoreline flattered Dunstable but it was a case of taking the key chances when they came. Dunstable did however play well to the conditions, and the tactic of getting the ball to Christie when possible paid off. This may not have been a pleasing game of football to watch for a neutral because of all the stoppages in play but it certainly wasn’t without drama.

    Following three points on Saturday, AFC Dunstable have climbed the table up to 10th place and just four points behind the playoff hunt. Despite the defeat on the road, Thame have remained in fifth place due to Berkhamstead losing at home to Bedford Town.

    *** NEXT GAME ***
    Thame United v Corby Town
    Saturday 9/3/19
    15:00
    ASM Stadium, Thame

  • Town council’s position on school move design brief clarified

    FOLLOWING a recent report that Thame Town Council has approved a ‘Design Brief’ for a proposed development on the Lord Williams’s Lower School site (see LINK), a Town Councillor has clarifed what exactly the town council voted for and some background to the decision.

    Image courtesy of Lord Williams’s school, Thame

    Changes to design

    Cllr Bob Austin explained: “At the full council meeting on Tuesday, February 26, Thame Town Council was asked to ‘consider’ the Design Brief prepared by LANPRO on behalf of Lord Williams’s School (LWS). It should be acknowledged that, in response to the public consultation, design changes had been made most notably:

    “Housing on the playing field moved to the western side next to Meadowcroft.
    Withdrawal of the proposal of vehicular access via Chiltern Grove. Pedestrian access proposal still remains subject to Bowls/Tennis Club approval.
    Increased separation of existing properties to new developments.

    “At the meeting, Thame Town Council was asked to decide on one of three options:
    a) The design brief for the construction of 135 dwellings is approved.
    b) As discussed in Lanpro’s letter, that accompanied the design brief document, to allow consideration for the potential number of dwellings on site to be raised, above 135;
    c) To reject the design brief, in not conforming to TNP Policy HA5.

    The recommendation of the TTC Officer was that: ” ‘Given the incompatibility of b) and c) with core TNP (Thame Neighbourhood Plan) policies, it is recommended that Thame Town Council, follows option a) and considers approving the design brief as illustrated in the submitted document’.

    “Thame Town Council approved the Officer’s recommendation.”

    Housing numbers will be decided by SODC

    “HOWEVER,” reitterated Cllr Austin, “the approval itself does not relate to a planning application. The planning authority SODC will decide on any planning application that comes forward and it is clear that the eventual application may include increases in numbers as proposed in Lanpro’s letter but rejected by TTC.

    Cost of amalgamating the two schools remain unknown

    “It was stated at the council meeting that LWS is totally dependent on the monies raised from the sale of the Lower School site to finance the amalgamation, yet there is no visibility currently of either the cost of amalgamation or the viability of any current development proposal to finance it. (Ed. This shortfall was recognised back in May 2016 – see LINK )

    “In summary, TTC elected to keep as close as possible to the current Thame Neighbourhood Plan.

  • Single site for Lord Bill’s school a step closer?

    A DESIGN brief for the development of the Lord Williams’s Lower school site, as presented by the school’s Headteacher and a planning consultant, has been approved by Thame Town Council.

    Concept masterplan after public consultation

    A larger, single site Lord Williams’s School, planned for the Oxford Road (upper school) site, will, the school believes….’ enable better educational outcomes and will remove the need for teachers to commute between sites. Teachers will have their own classrooms, there will be daily contact between pupils and tutors, increased learning time with a broader more creative curriculum and older students will be able to work with younger students’.

    The plan was for the funds generated through the sale of the Lower School Site to be used to fund the relocation of the Lower School to the Upper School Site at Oxford Road, but it now appears there may be a shortfall in funds to realise the development of the single site school at Oxford Road.

    The design as presented shows 135 dwellings, the retention of the existing Sports hall, and the demolition of the Phoenix Drama Studio. There are also public green spaces shown on in the plan. However, according to Alex Bond of the consultants Lampro, delivering the statutory 40% of affordable houses, would make the scheme ‘non-viable’ and that it could only be viable by increasing the number of dwellings and building them to a higher density than allowed for in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan.

    Mr Bond told councillors that the majority of people who responded to a recent public consultation on the scheme expressed a preference for less affordable homes as apposed to more houses. Cllr Linda Emery expressed concern that the council was being asked to accept a reduction in the number of affordable housing. Mr Bond responded that it was difficult to be certain about the viability question while no costed scheme for the single school site at Upper School in Oxford Road, Thame, was yet available to way against the cost of the lower school scheme.

    Mr Wybron pointed out that if the community did not get behind the scheme, because ‘the clock is ticking’ towards 2021 when planning needs to be secured, the scheme might not happen (The time limit on the lower school housing allocation site (HA5) is set in the Neighbourhood Plan and if it doesn’t happen by 2021, the site will have to be relocated in the revised Thame Neighbourhood Plan currently being formulated).

    You can view the Design Brief document by downloading it from item 6B HERE

  • Towersey Directors to step down

    TOWERSEY Festival has announced that Steve Heap and Lioux Heap are to retire after the 2019 festival.

    Steve first attended Towersey in 1966 (the second festival) as a performer, before going on to be a MC, PA engineer, steward’s coordinator, campsite manager, publicity and marketing assistant, and just about every other job involved in running a successful greenfield site festival.

    In 1975, the year after co-founder Denis Manners retired, Steve became the director of Towersey, leading the festival through a period of unprecedented growth as the event grew from attracting 1,000 visitors to 8,000, firmly establishing it as one of the largest and most successful annual events in the area, as well as major event in the UK’s festival calendar.

    With 23 years as part of the Towersey team, Lioux initially joined the festival in 1996 as the Office Manager. She later covered several other roles including Box Office Manager, Artists’ Liaison, and Accreditation Manager. In 2016, Lioux created and produced the All About Children strand to great acclaim.

    Their decision to step down follows several year’s internal preparation, which includes Joe Heap (Steve’s son) stepping into the role of Director.

    Actively involved in the festival for over a decade, Joe has been officially helming Towersey since 2013 alongside Steve and Lioux. Leading a strong and dedicated team, he’s overseen both the hugely successful 50th anniversary celebrations as well as a site move.

    Joe said: “During Steve’s 45 years with Towersey the festival has grown tenfold and launched numerous careers. His commitment and dedication to Towersey, as well as his skill and knowledge, has driven huge changes and helped establish Towersey as a 21st century festival with exceptionally strong roots.

    “On a personal note, he’s been my mentor and taught me so much about live events and the music industry as a whole.

    “Lioux too has had an indelible role within the festival, particularly in shaping the administration structure and Box Office service, but more recently with our family-focused activities.

    “I’d like to extend my, heartfelt thanks for all their years of work – often above and beyond the call of duty, and always with the love of Towersey at the centre of everything they do. They’ll be hugely missed, but will always be part of Towersey and its history.”

    Eestablished in 1965, Towersey is one of the UK’s longest running independent music festivals. Boasting nine venues, alongside an extensive music programme the festival also features over 30 hours of ceilidh, daily workshops, well-stocked bars, street food, spoken word, film screenings, roaming performers, an acclaimed programme of activities for children and younger festival-goers, and more.

    The next festival runs from Friday, August 23 to Monday, August 26, 2019, and features performances by The Selecter, Hothouse Flowers, The Unthanks, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Fisherman’s Friends, Oysterband and a tribute to singer and activist Roy Bailey.

    For further information about the festival, its rich heritage, and the latest edition, see: www.towerseyfestival.com

  • ‘Resounding win’ for Thame United

    THAME United put their recent run of six games without a win to bed on Saturday (23/02) with a resounding win over Dunstable Town at the ASM Stadium.

    In truth the scoreline could have been much greater had the hosts taken their chances, but the three points were enough to lift the Oxfordshire side back into the play-off places in the Southern Football League Division One Central table. Because Berkhamsted lost, United were able to take their fifth place spot. With just eleven league games remaining, the battle for those play-offs is incredibly tight as just eight points separate eighth place Coleshill and fourth placed Didcot.
    In Saturday’s game, Thame got off to the perfect start when centre-half Aaron Jewell nodded his side ahead after just three minutes and from there the home side never really looked in any danger of not taking the points. Three up by half-time saw the game done and dusted and the second half was never going to match the determination of the first. However, two further goals in the final quarter of an hour put the finishing touches to an excellent performance from Mark West’s squad.

    Thame took the lead when a free kick from their right was curled in by Lynton Goss and ready to execute the perfect header in the middle was Jewell who nodded the ball past Town keeper, Connor Coulson. A couple of early corners for the visitors were dealt with comfortably and from one a goal kick from United custodian Craig Hill, sent Dan West away down the middle of the pitch, and evading a challenge, he fired straight at Coulson and the chance was gone. But on eighteen minutes they were given the opportunity to double their lead when a Goss run into the penalty area saw him brought down and a penalty awarded.

    Captain Ben Sturgess assumed responsibility and duly sent Coulson the wrong way to drill low into the bottom corner, and from there Dunstable seemed to concede as heads dropped. They were offered a lifeline back into the game when a cross from their right wasn’t cleared by the home defence and pouncing on the loose ball, Saul Williams on the half volley fired high over the bar. Dunstable’s afternoon of misery was compounded on twenty-three minutes when they were forced into an early substitution as Joshua Bailey was replaced by John Sonuga. Liam Tack was released down the United right in behind the Town backline in acres of space, as he tried to pick out team mates in the box. A superb sliding block from Daniel Trif saw him trap with his leg and recover quickly enough to get back on his feet and clear.

    Goss continued to make a nuisance of himself up front for the hosts. A ball over the top for him to chase saw him shoulder to shoulder with Sonuga who ended up bringing the striker down, earning himself a yellow card for his troubles. Just past the half hour mark, Goss again got down the right wing into the corner where he cut back inside his marker and a clever reverse pass set in Matt Peake-Pijnen who fired across the six-yard box; Coulson got his hands close enough to stun it dead allowing Sonuga to clear downfield. With three minutes of the half remaining, Thame made it three when Tack slid in to get his foot to a cross which wrong footed Coulson as it rolled slowly into the bottom corner. H/T: 3-0

    Second half

    The second half took a while to get going as was only to be expected, as Dunstable huffed and puffed but never really troubled the home defence. It took until the fifty-eighth minute for a worthwhile effort on goal when a Thame free kick was headed over by Jamie Essex at the back stick, whilst at the opposite end, a corner played short to Marcus Goldbourne on the corner of the eighteen yard box allowed him to shoot but way wide of the intended target. The visitors were then almost the architects of their own downfall when an attempted header back to his keeper from Sonuga was far too short, allowing Peake-Pijnen to nip in and get his head to it first, nodding over the stranded Coulson but wide of the empty goal.

    Another intrusive run from Goss down their right saw him play the ball across the eighteen yard box, where there were three or four close range shots that the away defence did well to get in front of each time. Hill was equally as good with a save at the other end when Williams went for goal from close range. A corner to the hosts curled in by Peake-Pijnen was met at the front of the box by a glancing header from West that flew across the goal face but wide of the back post. This was closely followed by a poor clearance from the Town defence that went straight to Peake-Pijnen giving him the opportunity to cut infield before powering a dipping drive over the top. Then on seventy-seven minutes, Thame finally got their fourth.

    A corner from their left curled in by Tack, saw Jewell climb highest to thump his header past Coulson for his second of the afternoon, and from there it was all about game management for the home side. A plethora of substitutions from both sides interrupted play but eventually a late corner was half cleared by the Dunstable defence but only as far as substitute Jack Tutton who tried to place inside the far top corner. But there was never enough bend on the shot to threaten, but in added time Thame got their fifth when their guests surrendered position high up the pitch allowing Andy Gledhill to explore the left wing. Losing his marker he then put the inch-perfect delivery to the back of the six yard box where West headed back across Coulson into the far corner. F/T: 5-0

    SOURCE: Contributed by Carl Catling

  • Little Ankle Biters Awards celebrate Oxfordshire businesses

    LITTLE Ankle Biters, the review website where mums, dads, grandparents and carers can find all the local information they need for their children, held its second Oxfordshire Awards recently, allowing people to vote for their favourite local family friendly business across 10 categories.

    Thousands of people nominated and voted in the awards, with 50 finalists and 10 winners, 5 of these winners were from the Thame and Chinnor area.

    Rugby Tots and Creation Station won the Best Sports Club and Best Activity Class respectively and Prezzo in Thame won Best Family Friendly Place to Eat for the second year running.

    The Crown in Chinnor won Best Family Friendly Pub and The Chinnor Pavilion won Best Children’s Party Venue.

    All winners are invited to celebrate at an awards evening held at Bel and the Dragon in Cookham in April.

    The awards are designed to help celebrate and promote local Oxfordshire businesses who provide an outstanding service for families across the county.

    Kate Gregory, Co-Founder & Editor for Oxfordshire, said “It’s fantastic that we have so many family friendly businesses across Oxfordshire and we want to spread the word to families that these businesses get a seal of approval from local parents and carers.”

    For a full list of winners visit https://oxon.ankle-biters.co.uk/little-ankle-biters-awards-2019-winners/

    More about Little Ankle Biters

    Little Ankle Biters launched in July 2017, the creation of Maidenhead based Michelle Cairncross and Kate Gregory from Thame. Having worked together for 9 years in the corporate world of brand marketing, Michelle and Kate were both on the lookout for a new challenge and recognised the need for a site where mums, dads, grandparents and carers could come and find all the local information they needed for their children. With four children and two dogs between them, they understood how much pressure there was on family life and the constant need to juggle more and more balls.

    Little Ankle Biters is a website that has trusted reviews on days out, child friendly restaurants, what’s on for families in the local area, party ideas, toddler groups and children’s classes. The company currently operates in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

  • The 2 Strokes at FTMC – Live!

    THE March edition of The First Thursday Music Club takes place at The Stables (behind the James Figg pub in Cornmarket, Thame) on the evening of Thursday March 7.

    A fantastic, eclectic, array of music and musicians will be appearing – culminating with a set from The 2 Strokes! This exciting band are a three-piece British rock band from Oxford, and have unique style of music, mostly original, with the occasional cover from one of their influencers such as The Jam, The Lambrettas and Ocean Colour Scene to name but a few.

    Prior to The 2 Strokes, Raji, The Blue Jays and Waterfahl are all booked to play – as well as JAE who is signed to BFS Records in Thame, and will be playing his own broad range of music from evocative folk to acoustic punk.

    The First Thursday Music Club still offers the opportunity for artists to play live in front of a warm and appreciative audience. The club maintains the Open Mic section of the evening where slots will always be available in the first hour on a “first come, first served” basis with player sign-up by 7.30. The club has a full house PA system with keyboard, bass amp, guitar amp and jazz drum kit (bring breakables!) all set up on stage and ready to go.

    Another eclectic evening is guaranteed and, don’t forget, it’s FREE entry!

    The 2 Stokes link: https://the2strokes.webs.com/
    JAE Link: https://artists.nme.com/artist/jae/

  • Public exhibition for new Thame Health Hub

    WITH Thame doctors’ surgeries under pressure coping with the town’s fast-growing population, a new ‘Health Hub,’ as featured in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan, has been a focus of need for some time.

    Now, a developer has come forward with a proposal for a Health Centre, a Care home and Assisted living units on one Health campus and wants to engage the public for their views on such a project.

    Cllr Nigel Champken Woods, South Oxfordshire District Council member for Thame ward and a member of Thame Town Council, said: “The Thame Neighbourhood Plan, as well as recommending the delivery of 775 new homes, also identifies the need for improvements in infrastructure, including Healthcare Provision, to support the Town as a whole. Subject to due planning processes this initiative from Hallam Land Management and Montpelier Estates looks like it could provide part of that much-needed additional infrastructure.”

    Hallam Land Management and Montpelier Estates have set up a public exhibition for Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at Thame Town Hall from 4pm – 8pm of their plans for a new health campus for Thame on land at the Howland Road / Kingsey Road roundabout, to the east of Thame (on the opposite side of the road to Chinnor Rugby Club.

    The health campus would comprise:
    • A health centre, accommodating GPs from The Rycote Practice and Unity
    Health doctors’ practices and offering additional medical services to
    those currently available.
    • A care home.
    • Assisted living units for residents requiring continuing care services in an
    independent living setting.

    The Hallam-Montpelier partnership wants to gather community feedback on the plans before deciding how best to take the proposals forward.

    Commenting today, Ben Meynell of Hallam Land Management said: “Hallam is delighted to be helping to bring forward new healthcare facilities for Thame. We have been in discussions with stakeholders and the town’s existing GP practices for over two years regarding an ‘all in one’ health campus in this location, and we look forward to discussing our health campus plan with residents at the exhibition.”

    John Horsman of Montpelier Estates said: “We are excited to be involved with this project to bring first-class healthcare facilities to Thame. Hosting all these facilities on one health campus brings significant benefits including greater and improved access for residents and an improved patient experience.

    “We are very pleased to have the support of the town’s existing GPs practices in bringing these health campus proposals forward.”

    NB For anyone unable to attend the exhibition, the details will be available on this website from March 7, 2019 LINK HERE

  • Climate Emergency Meeting

    FOLLOWING Oxford City Council voting unanimously to declare a Climate Emergency two weeks ago, Chinnor and Thame Friends of the Earth will be holding a Public Meeting on Climate Change with a film and a speaker, on Tuesday, March 19, at 7.30pm, at the Community Pavilion, off Station Road.

    Oxford City Council joined over 200 other councils in the UK and overseas who have been compelled to begin the process of reducing their CO2 emissions to zero by 2030. This follows the latest warnings by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), that the people of the world only have 12 years left to prevent catastrophic, unstoppable Climate Change.

    ‘Critical time in our history’

    The event in Chinnor will enable those attending to learn more about this critical time in our history, and how communities can all work together to make a difference.

    Maureen Dyroff, of Chinnor and Thame FOE, explained: “Some startling tipping points have already happened, such as the warming of the permafrost layer in Siberia, releasing massive amounts of methane from under the ground. Methane is 28 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than CO2. Zero carbon emissions must be achieved by 2050, and we believe that technology can achieve this, if the people demand it.

    ‘We must all pay our part’

    “There must be immediate drastic action by everybody at all levels, and that includes each one of us. We must all play our part, by demanding change and by personal action. This means driving less, using less energy, turning down the heating, switching to renewable energy, consuming less, where possible avoid flying, and working together as a community.

    “It sounds impossible that this could be happening in our lifetime, let alone our children’s and grandchildren’s, but we finally have to face up to what is happening before it is too late.”

    ‘Positive things are happening’

    Maureen continued: “All the extreme weather conditions that are now the norm, the melting of the polar ice, the rising sea levels, the warming of the oceans, are all happening now, and at a faster rate than previously predicted. There are many positive things already happening for example, Norway will become climate neutral by 2030. Hundreds of cities across the world are being powered mostly by renewable energy, coal mines are being shut down in India as solar power grows, Finland has banned the use of coal and in America, California sets a carbon free target by 2045.”

  • DAF site care home plans thrown out!

    A speculative planning application for up to 129 dwellings, a 68 bed care home, and 1511sqm of office space on the whole of Kingsmead Business Park, the old DAF site, has been rejected by South Oxfordshire District Council.

    Kingsmead Business Park – Image courtesy of angleproperty.co.uk

    Representatives from Thame Town Council attended the meeting yesterday, to explain the town council’s objections to the proposed development of this piece of land, designated in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan for Employment purposes. TTC disagreed that appropriate marketing had been done to dispose of the site for Warehousing or similar purposes, that would provide more employment to the town. It also maintained that there was no identfied need for a care home of the type proposed, and that it would put pressure on local facilities such as doctors, etc. Despite SODC’s Planning Chief recommending acceptance of the plans, the district council’s Planning Committee
    voted 6 – 1, to reject it.

    In response to the decision, the town council stated: “There were particular concerns expressed that the marketing efforts to keep the site alive as a Business Park were insufficient to overrule the relevant employment policies that allocate the land for employment use only. The Town Council will continue to protect allocated employment land where it can, to avoid Thame becoming a dormitory town like so many others. Thank you for everyone’s support.”

    In its application, the developer suggested, among other benefits, that the proposal would:

    • deliver sustainable development comprising beneficial use of an underutilised brownfield site within the urban area;
    • Comprises high quality care facilities that address an identified need and that will contribute towards meeting the housing requirements of Thame and
    • generate beneficial employment opportunities

    Background

    Angle Property Limited, purchased the Kingsmead Business Park (including the DAF site), and launched a public consultation with the apparent objective of securing community support for building a care home on the site. This was after they had already gained planning permission for Government initiated, ‘Permitted Development Rights’ to convert the DAF building to 45 flats….against the wishes of Thame Town Council.

    Angle Property’s Covering letter Download
    Thame Town Council’s ResponseDownload

    You can view the full application/s HERE