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  • Thame round off the season in style

    THAME Town Cricket Club’s T20 team, comprised of a blend of 1st and 2nd XI players, emphatically defeated rivals Oxford by 111 runs in the final of the Wilf Bennett T20 competition, at the Wormsley estate last Saturday (14/09), to round off a hugely-successful season.

    Captain Will Sutcliffe receives the T20 Trophy at Wormsley

    Batting first, man-of-the-match Cal Russell anchored the innings with 72, allowing Tom Bamford (33) and Hassam Mushtaq (34) to force the pace and bring up an impressive total of 173-6.

    Thame’s T20 winning team

     

    Oxford never looked like matching Thame’s total once big-hitting Mohammad Ayub was caught on the boundary. Faisal Ali (4-32) was again the main wicket-taker, supported well by Mike Higgs (2-17) and Dan Patey (2-8). During the interval at Wormsley, some of Thame’s young All Stars (5 to 8 years old) took part in a skills session organised by Oxfordshire Cricket.

    TTCC’s All stars practicing at half time

    On the same day at Church Meadow, the club played a friendly against Hetairoi. Thame batted first but could only muster 139 all out, with Guy Holmes (62) the backbone of the innings. Hetairoi reached their target with just two wickets to spare.

    On Sunday (15/09), Thame’s women played their penultimate league match against Cookham Dean at Church Meadow. Thame posted a respectable 153-5 from 30 overs thanks to an outstanding 88* from Sarah Sanderson, but the strong visiting side chased down the total for the loss of only three wickets.

    Sarah Sanderson, ThameTCC’s woman-of-the-match against Cookham Dean

    The season concludes next weekend with two matches at home, at Church Meadow:- a Women’s league match on Saturday (1pm) vs Henley and a friendly men’s match on Sunday (1pm) against Northfields CC, from Ealing.

  • Police link burglaries in Thame and Chinnor

    THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a series of burglaries in Thame and Chinnor.

    Between 8.30am and 2.30pm on Thursday (12/9), four houses were broken into in the Chinnor and Thame areas which are believed to be linked.

    Windows and glass patio doors were smashed or forced open at homes in Crowell Road, Church Road and Lower Icknield Way in Chinnor and Beech Road in Thame. Jewellery and a laptop were stolen.

    The offenders have been described as two white men in their twenties, between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 8ins tall and both of stocky build. They were both wearing dark coloured tops and bottoms and baseball caps.

    Investigating officer Detective Constable Richard Whitcombe, based at Abingdon police station, said: “I am appealing for anyone who may have witnessed these incidents or noticed anything suspicious in the area on Thursday to get in touch.

    “All four burglaries took place in daylight hours and we are investigating these as linked. These are distressing incidents for the victims and I urge anyone with CCTV or dash-cam footage to review it.

    “If you have any information you can contact us using our online form or by calling the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 43190282166. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

    “Officers will be in the area conducting reassurance patrols and are happy to speak with you about any concerns that you have. For tips on how to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of burglary, you can read our online Home Security Guide.”

  • Functional Fitness MOT for the over 60s

    WHAT? TO be held at Thame Town Hall, on Friday October 4, 2019, between 1pm and 4pm, the Functional Fitness MOT is a programme developed by the partnership between the Glasgow Caledonian University, the British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity and Later Life Training.

    A Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Fitness Instructor or Postural Stability Instructor will take the participants through seven tests that will give them an indication of their exercise performance. Each test comes with a set of ‘normal values’ for people of different ages (From 60yrs to 90yrs) and this will give participants an idea of whether they are doing well compared to their peers, or whether they could benefit from being more active.

    How and When? – Participants are recommended to book an appointment – they can just turn up but may risk being turned away. Appointments can be made from September 23, 2019, with Karen Copping on: 07842 684760. There will be a list available of local activity opportunities the participants may like to join in with, and some online websites that will give them some more information.

    Advice on hand

    Also on hand will be representatives from the following organisations to give information and advice, mainly on physical activity opportunities available in the Thame area; AGE UK Oxford including the Community Information Network and Generation Games and Thame Leisure Centre including GO ACTIVE.

  • Latest match reports from Thame Town CC

    Valiant effort in defeat by Thame’s cricketing women – WITH The Meadows at its most perfect on a beautiful late summer afternoon, Thame’s women played their return league fixture against Oxford seconds on Sunday.

    Thame fielded first, but in spite of some good bowling all round and wickets from Mel White (1-28), Megs Woodward (2-30), Leanne Harris (1-43) and 2 run outs (Sarah Sanderson and Woodward), Oxford reached an impressive target of 214-6, their 13 year old making the highest score of the match at 56 not out.
    After a strong performance, Thame’s bowlers were afflicted by an attack of wides towards the end of the innings helping boost Oxford’s tally. However there was nothing wobbly about Thame’s delicious tea, provided by Lina Budde-Manning and her mum, and much applauded all round! Refreshed by lemon drizzle cake, in reply, Thame made 143-8 off their 30 overs, top scorer Woodward with 37 runs and a solid performance by Claire Morris 26 not out.

    Whilst disappointed not to have repeated their impressive batting against the Barbarians two weeks previously, Thame’s women nevertheless improved on their first meeting with Oxford earlier in the season by 40 runs.

    The women’s team still have two league games left to close out the season – hosting Cookham Dean next Sunday, September 16.

    How did the men fare ?

    PROMOTION winning Thame Town CC 1st XI faced Amersham at home on the final day of the season on Saturday, September 7 . 

    Needing just three points to be confirmed as champions, Hassam Mushtaq (3-52) trapped Bruce Friderichs lbw to take Amersham’s 5th wicket and secure the Championship. Earlier, Chris Jeffcock had produced a masterful display of swing bowling, bowling 10 overs with the new ball on his way to 2-21. He was well supported by club legend Mike Higgs, who continued his fine form from last weeks win against Harefield with 2-29. Some fine hitting from Amersham overseas Maduka (63) saw his side reach a very competitive 201.

    With Amersham needing a win to guarantee safety, Thame set nerves jangling with a strong 68 run opening partnership between Mike Beard and Ollie Burland. Burland’s dismissal for 33 saw the start of a tumble of wickets however, despite the run rate remaining very achievable. When Beard fell for 68, the end was nigh and Thame ultimately were dismissed for 172.

    Despite defeat, Thame secure an immediate return to the top flight, this time as champions.

    Impressive win closes 2nd XI season

    THE 2nd XI headed over to play 4th placed East Oxford. Winning the toss on a green grassy wicket, allowed Thame to make early inroads into East Oxford’s batting, with Jonathan Jelfs’ (4-33) aggressive bowling claiming the ‘top four’ in his first four overs, putting Thame on the front foot. Supported by excellent catching, Fahad Majeed (4-22) and Luke Hayes (2-19), then completed the rout, bowling out East Oxford for 96 in 24 overs.

    Chasing down the target, Harry Thomas and George Patey got Thame off to a good start, putting on 38 for the first wicket, before Matt Furness and Rafe Dickie finished off the innings in quick time, and a 3.10pm finish.

    In their first season in Division Three, Thame Town seconds secured fifth place, after this resounding win.

    Thirds take Division Eight title despite the end of along winning-streak

    DIVISION 8 winners, Thame thirds entertained second-placed Buckingham fourths last Saturday. Having won the toss, Thame decided to bowl first and once again Nick Humphries (3-29) and Pete Tervet (1-22) combined well to restrict the scoring. However, a late charge with strong hitting from the middle order meant that Buckingham reached a very competitive 188-8 off 45 overs.

    After a lovely Avery family tea, Thame resumed to attempt the run chase. Guy Holmes (68) led from the front, but two suicidal run-outs came at critical times, with Justin Avery well set on 21, so that Thame fell short by 28 runs and were all out for 160. In the end, Buckingham fourths were desperate for the win, which brought them promotion and they duly join Thame in Division Seven next season.

    Despite this reverse, after 11 straight wins on the bounce, Thame thirds move up to Division Seven in a really positive frame of mind.

    Fourths a respectable seventh-place in Cherwell Division Nine

    THE final day of the season saw thame fourths make the trip to Dinton. Having lost the toss Thame were elected to bat first on a sodden wicket. The poor wicket proved tricky for the top order Thame bats with the exception of Andy Johnston making a quick fire 22.

    Thame, however were in trouble losing five wickets before Rob Kenny (34*), Shay Reading (15) and Pete Higson (22) took the score to a respectful 152-8 off the allotted 45 overs.

    In reply, Thame struck early with three quick wickets between Chris Penny and Trevor Spindler before the improving wicket came to Dinton’s aid. Dinton’s middle order dug in to secure vital runs in the run chase and eventually overhauling Thames total in the 41st over. Gallant effort from the bowling attack of Penny (3-25 off 9) and Spindler (2-19 off 10).

    Great effort once again from the fourths who secured seventh place in their inaugural season in Division Nine, after an unexpected promotion in a league reshuffle.

  • Thame cricketers crowned champions

    THAME Town Cricket Club’s First eleven were crowned champions of the Home Counties Premier League, Division Two last Saturday, September 7, despite a 29-run defeat at home to Amersham, who had to win to stay up.

    Thame Town CC’s First team proudly show off their trophy

    Thame will now move up to the top flight of club cricket in the region next season, accompanied by Oxford, who finished second.

    In Division Eight of the Cherwell League, Thame Thirds had clinched the title with a week to spare and were also defeated on the last Saturday of the league season, this time by Buckingham Fourths, who had to win to secure their promotion to Division Seven, in second place.

    Thame Town CC’s victorious Thirds

    This coming Saturday, September 14, Thame’s T20 team will do battle at the Wormsley estate for the Wilf Bennett Trophy, also against Oxford.
    That match will start at 11am, the entry to the ground is free and all support for the team would be very welcome!

    For more details see this link – http://www.oxfordshire.cricket/news/t20-finals-day-at-wormsley-28006/

  • Bombs and Romance – an evening with the Joneses

    PEOPLE who live in Thame and the surrounding area have been invited to spend a unique ‘Evening with the Joneses’.

    Ian Jones will relate stories of his time as a Bomb Disposal Officer and his author wife Catherine, will tell of her experiences writing and publishing novels.

    Ian Jones

    Ian Jones said: “I thoroughly enjoyed most of my time in bomb disposal and am delighted to have this opportunity to tell my story in support of local charities.”

    You can read about Ian’s book, London: Bombed, Blitzed and Blown Up: The British Capital Under Attack Since 1867 HERE  and Catherine’s extensive back catalogue of books (including Romantic fiction written under the name of Fiona Field) HERE

    Catherine Jones

    Tickets cost £10 each for this unusual event which is on Wednesday, October 30, at the Players Theatre on Nelson Street in Thame. Tickets available online at thameplayers.co.uk, from the box office and at Spear Travels in Greyhound Walk,Thame on 01844 217228.

    The event has been organised by Cllr David Bretherton, Chair of South Oxfordshire District Council and all the proceeds will go towards his chosen charities – the Red Kite Family Centre in Thame and the Earth Trust based at Little Wittenham.

    Cllr Bretherton said: “It’s a great honour to be Chair of the council and being able to raise funds for two very worthy local charities has spurred me on to do as much as I can during my serving year. I’m very much looking forward to welcoming everyone to this, what promises to be, an entertaining event.”

  • International interest in Thame Chamber Choir’s Contest

    THAME Chamber Choir’s 20th anniversary Choral Composition Competition has attracted more than 60 entries from as far afield as the USA, Canada and Australia.

    Judges Bob Chilcott, James Burton, Duncan Aspden and Anna Markland now have the difficult task of picking a winner, whose piece, a setting of a poem by former Thame resident W.B. Yeats, will be given its world première at the choir’s concert in St Mary’s Church on Saturday, October 19, as part of the 2019, Thame Arts and Literature Festival.

    This concert, Poetry in Motion, which marks the start of the choir’s 2019-2020 season, will be followed by its ever-popular Christmas concerts on December 21, in which it will be joined, not only by Thame Children’s Choir, TCC2, but also by local schoolchildren in the culmination of a project supported by a grant from the Midcounties Co-operative Community Fund.

    Next March there will be a concert of music written in honour of St Mary – to be given in St Mary’s Church – and in June the choir returns to Exeter College, Oxford for a concert in celebration of flowers.

    In the meantime, Thame awaits a puff of white smoke to indicate that the judges have selected their winner!

    www.thamechamberchoir.org

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Leave your car at home and win a prize!

    THE district council is offering drivers the chance to win a prize – if they leave their vehicle at home for a day.

    Sunday, September 22, is the 25th World Car Free day, and South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils are encouraging towns and villages to take the opportunity to raise awareness of air pollution and air quality by encouraging people to leave their cars at home for the day and choose alternative forms of transport. World Car Free Day has been running for 25 years.

    Since Clean Air Day on June 20, both South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have been urging drivers to turn off their engines if they are stopped for a minute or more as part of their joint anti-idling campaign called Turn It Off. Now the councils are suggesting that drivers turn off their engines for a day!

    If drivers in the districts pledge not to use their cars on World Car Free Day on September 22, and then tell the councils how they got around instead – on the train? bus? cycling? walking? kayaking? they will be entered for a draw for travel vouchers worth £50.

    Read more about World Car Free Day and how to enter the competition here: LINK

    NB Don’t forget that Thame has its very own World Car Free Day event on September 22, the Community Pedalling Picnic – lots of opportunities there to take photographs and enter the district councils’ competition. LINK here for details and how to register for the Pedalling Picnic.

  • Thame man’s murder trial continues

    A Thame man, Safeen Karimi, 27, is among four defendants who have denied murdering a 22-year-old man who, a court has heard, was run over by a car and stabbed repeatedly in “retribution” after an earlier fight.

    Safeen Karimi, is accused of the murder along with Michael Yemane, 20, and Welid Solomon, 25, from Oxford, and Sasan Khalid, 19, of no fixed address.

    The victim was Luciano Dos Santos Almeida, from Southampton. He was attacked in Oxford on February 27, 2019, and died at the John Radcliffe Hospital on March 6.

    Read the full report from the BBC New website here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/17887150.murder-trial-luciano-dos-santos-almeida-continues/

  • Narrow defeat for Oxfordshire in County cricket battle hosted by Thame

    OXFORDSHIRE brought their season to an end in the Unicorn Minor Counties Championship on Tuesday, September 3, with a narrow, three-wicket defeat at the hands of an impressive Cheshire side, on a good batting track at Church Meadow, Thame.

    Oxfordshire squad before for the match

    The highlights of the game were two centuries in Cheshire’s first innings of 338 on Sunday (R. Sehmi 145, S.Perry 103), a century for Thame’s very own Ollie Burland (133), which formed the backbone of Oxfordshire’s second innings, and the hostile pace bowling from Cheshire’s Michael Finan (6 wickets in the match) and 7 wickets for Gareth Andrew on the home side.

     

    Ollie Burland returning to the clubhouse after a brilliant 133 for Oxon that almost turned
    the match

    This was the first time that Thame Town Cricket Club had played host to Oxfordshire for over 20 years. There was a substantial crowd at Church Meadow on Sunday, including visitors from as far afield as Kent and Surrey and the club’s ground, clubhouse and facilities came in for universal praise over the course of the three days.

    TTCC spokesman, Andy Jinman said: “Congratulations to Ollie Burland and Cal Russell (not forgetting 12th man Dan Patey of course) for their contribution to an Oxfordshire recovery that came so close to rescuing the result.

    “Thame Town CC would like to thank all the people of the town and the surrounding area who came out to support, to the volunteers who helped stage the match and finally to Hamnett Hayward for their help with the publicity. We hope to be able to welcome back the Oxfordshire team to our club next season!

    SOURCE: Contribution by Thame Town Cricket Club