FOLLOWING a successful run at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Johnny Cash Story takes you on an incredible journey through the career of the 18-times Grammy winner.
Immerse yourself in the world of the ‘Man in Black’ in this groundbreaking ‘show-umentary’ format.
Featuring powerful renditions of Folsom Prison, Ring Of Fire, Man In Black, Hurt and many more.
This astonishing back catalogue is realised with authenticity by Jamie Rodden, a critically acclaimed performer whose renditions of Cash’s songs have won audiences and wowed critics.
“powerful and compelling singer” Fringe Guru “very engaging stage presence” Fringe Review “Highly recommended for all lovers of music” ScotGay
IF you are a community or non-for-profit group working for the benefit of the people of Thame, you have just one week left to apply for a grant up to £2,400 from Thame Town Council.
If your project addresses the needs, aspirations and issues of the people in our community, then you are eligible to apply.
Applications must be received by 5pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. You can download an application form from www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/grant-aid or collect one from the Town Hall. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their grant application at the end of June.
For further information or for assistance in completing your form, contact Town Council on 01844 212833 or email info@thametowncouncil.gov.uk
The Green Party has selected its candidates for the South East Region (which includes Thame) for the European Elections, due to be held on Thursday, May 23, 2019.
The Green Party, which has held a seat in the region for twenty years, is aiming to win a second seat in this year’s election.
1074 Green Party members (14%) voted to select the list of 10 from 22 candidates in an STV ballot.
The Candidates in order of selection are:
Alexandra Phillips, Brighton and Hove Green Party
Elise Benjamin, Oxfordshire Green Party
Vix Lowthion, Isle of Wight Green Party
Leslie Groves Williams, Adur Green Party
Phélim Mac Cafferty, Brighton and Hove Green Party
Jan Doerfel, North Surrey Green Party
Larry Sanders, Oxfordshire Green Party
Isabella Moir, Mid-Sussex, Crawley and Horsham Green Party
Oliver Sykes, Brighton and Hove Green Party
Jonathan Essex, East Surrey Green Party
The South East region has returned a Green MEP for 20 years, since Caroline Lucas first won her seat back in 1999. Keith Taylor has held the post since 2010. The Green Party hopes that the current candidates will continue to push the boundaries where Caroline and Keith have succeeded thus far.
At the last European Parliament elections in 2014, across the UK, the Green Party increased MEP numbers from two to three. Recent opinion polls predict that the number of Green MEPs could double, with the possibility of two MEPs being elected in the South East of England.
Lead candidate Alexandra Phillips said of her nomination: “Greens elected to the European Parliament aren’t just going to stop Brexit – we can be trusted to fight against inequality, defend peoples’ rights at work and take the action we so desperately need on climate change. We’ll take a stand against the rise of racism across the continent, and be MEPs for everyone who lives in our region, whether they have lived here for their whole lives or recently arrived.
“I cannot wait to go head to head with Nigel Farage to show him that we reject his party’s hate – and believe in working with our European neighbours on our shared challenges.”
THE Rotary Club of Thame and District, together with Thame and District Round Table is asking the public to check their sheds and lofts and bring their old tools to the main car park of Thame, Montesson Square, near the Market House.
Sewing machines donated by Thame residents could help thousands of African workers like Umu to become more self reliant. Photo: courtesy of TFSR
The tool collection will take place on Saturday, May 11, from 9am to 1pm. At the same time, Rotary members will be displaying a ShelterBox tent in front of Thame Town Hall to raise awareness of the work done by ShelterBox to help people affected by natural disasters around the world.
Every year Thame Rotary runs a collection point for unwanted tools (not garden tools!). These are then taken to Tools for Self Reliance (TFSR) collection centre in Southampton. The latter is a charity which refurbishes the tools and sends them to NGOs in Africa. The NGOs then distribute them FREE to men and women which helps them obtain work.
All of the tools sent to Africa are used to provide training and equip trainees with their own start-up kits to set up their own businesses after completing training, not only in their chosen trade, but in business management as well as financial and life skills.
One such trainee is Umu Jalloh. Umu was living in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with her brother when she joined a Tools for Self Reliance course in partnership with Baptist Women’s Union. She had never been to school, and had left the family home aged 14, to escape an arranged marriage – her brother was looking after her; but Umu wanted to be able to earn a living, and contribute to their expenses.
She signed up for a course in tailoring and enjoyed learning so much that she often stayed after the end of classes to practice. The business training, which was part of the programme, meant that Umu felt confident enough to purchase the materials she needed for a job, how to cost and price her products, and planning her use of the income.
Umu said the biggest change was being economically empowered ‘…..so I do not have to be reliant on a man’.
Items that can be taken to the collection point include sewing machines, tools used for plumbing, carpentry, metalwork, building, bicycle repair, shoe repair and car repair. No garden tools are accepted.
THAME and District Rotary’s Business in the Community Scheme which involves volunteers from local businesses joining employees from other companies and undertaking community projects, is under way for 2019.
Enthusiastic volunteer decorators at Thomley – Photo by John Singer
The scheme was initiated last year when Kubota Ltd, Lightfoots Solicitors, Lucy Electric Ltd, The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa, Richardsons Chartered Accountants and Waitrose all agreed to participate. This year all these companies have agreed to participate once again. Additionally, Farol Ltd and Le Manoir joined the scheme this year.
The first project undertaken was at Thame Citizens Advice offices when its two reception rooms and an office were redecorated. The work was undertaken by an energetic team of eight employees from Farol Ltd, Lightfoot’s Solicitors, The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa, and Waitrose. This included preparation, emulsion painting of the walls and ceilings and gloss painting the wood work.
Liz Johnson, Manager Thame Citizens Advice, said: “We would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the Rotary Club of Thame and the volunteers from local businesses who worked so hard on this project. They have transformed the reception areas and one of the client meeting rooms to make them bright, clean and welcoming for our visitors and for the volunteers who work here. We were delighted to be able to benefit from this initiative which enabled us to greatly improve our public areas without diverting funds away from client facing services.”
Ali Anning, HR Business Partner, Farol Ltd said “Farol are thrilled to have joined the ‘Business in the Community’ initiative this year – it is great to be involved in such a scheme. Our first volunteers really enjoyed the days they spent on their projects and we look forward to helping again soon.”
The second project was undertaken at Thomley, when another team of enthusiastic volunteers from Farol Ltd, Le Manoir, Lightfoots Solicitors, Richardsons Chartered Accountants, and Waitrose carried out work on the reception areas and offices. This also included preparation of walls and ceilings, emulsion painting and gloss painting of the woodwork.
Denise Kemp spent a day at Thomley. She said: “I was pleased to be able to help out as part of the volunteer programme by The Rotary Club. The facilities at Thomley are really fantastic and it was great to learn more about what they do. I was part of the team that helped in the decorating of some of the offices and general areas, the other volunteers were a great bunch of people and although we worked hard to get the job finished, we had a great day. It really was an absolute pleasure to have helped those that do so much.”
Jackie Slocombe, HR & L&D Manager added: “At Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, we have established important values that all of our employees aspire to on a daily basis, including Care, Confidence, Curiosity and Community. It is therefore important to us that we establish positive connections with our communities and give back what we can, when we can.
“The Rotary Club has given us an incredible opportunity to truly live out these values, and it enables our employees to take some time away from their busy working lives and make a difference in a very special way. We look forward to a continued partnership with The Rotary Club and our local communities.
“The financial value of these first two projects is estimated at approximately £3,000. The Rotary Club of Thame and District and the participating companies are extremely grateful to generosity of Brewers in Aylesbury for donating all of the paint materials and equipment required for the work in Citizens Advice and Thomley.”
John Singer of Thame and District Rotary added: “The programme seems to have appealed again to companies and employees alike and it’s clearly benefitting the community. The local businesses have been most generous by allowing their employees to participate in the scheme. I have found it remarkable how enthusiastic the volunteers have been to support this community work.”
John concluded:” This is another example of how Rotary and Businesses, working together, can make things happen and we intend that this will be a regular event.”
To find out on how to get involved with Rotary Club of Thame & District projects or to join the club, visitwww.thame.rotary1090.org and www.facebook.com/thamerotary
AT around 4.30pm on Sunday (21/4) an altercation broke out between two groups of men, who are believed to be known to each other, at a disused quarry in Chinnor. Weapons were used by both groups to threaten each other.
Chinnor quarry – Image courtesy of Paul Snook
The groups then left the scene. It is believed that members from one of the groups were driving a white Peugeot van that came off the road and hit a grass verge on Chinnor Hill at around 4.55pm. The occupants of the van then got into another vehicle which was driven away.
There have been no reports of injuries from these incidents.
Investigating officer PC Matthew Huard, based at Thame police station said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this incident or saw anything suspicious in the area of the quarry and the Ridgeway between the hours of 4pm and 7pm on Easter Sunday to please come forward.
“In particular I would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident involving the white Peugeot at around 4.55pm on Chinnor Hill or has dash-cam footage of the incident to contact the 24-hour non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 43190119960.
“I would like to remind residents that the quarry is not open to the public and is very dangerous.”
Alternatively, you can call the non-emergency telephone number, 101, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
THE River Thame Conservation Trust (RTCT) has announced that the River Thame flood meadows at Waterstock have received formal designation as a new Local Wildlife Site.
Curlew at Waterstock – Image by Julie Cuthbert
This designation acknowledges Waterstock’s exceptional variety of bird species, including the rare breeding curlew, and its importance as a habitat for otters, other mammals and endangered plants.
Local Wildlife Sites are special places, recognised for having high wildlife value or containing rare or threatened habitats and species of county or national importance. So, it is a serious accolade for the historic, Oxfordshire village of Waterstock’s flood meadows to receive this designation via the Oxfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Project, a partnership between the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC) and Berkshire Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).
Gaining Local Wildlife Site status after only three years of regular monthly surveys underlines the importance of the Waterstock flood meadows and other habitats as a safe haven for a rich variety of wildlife. For sites where value for birds is a determining factor designation can require five years’ worth of data, but the deciding panel of experts quickly recognised how valuable the flood meadows are, especially for the wide range of bird species that choose to breed, winter or use the flood meadows as a stop off and refueling point when migrating.
Pim Young, Oxfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Project Officer explained: “Across Oxfordshire rough grazing marsh and floodplain habitat is a real rarity. It plays host to some of our most endangered breeding bird species such as curlew – and it also provides crucial wintering habitat for large numbers of birds. We’re delighted that the hard work of volunteer bird surveyors has led to the discovery of such an important new site. This ongoing collection of biological data helps the Oxfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Project build a more detailed picture of the richness of sites, such as this at Waterstock.”
RTCT Surveyor, Nick Marriner commented: “Given this month (April 21) we were celebrating World Curlew Day, it’s very exciting that in recent weeks we have recorded 12 curlews in the Waterstock area. Last year the RSPB estimated there were 10 breeding pairs in the Upper Thames area east of Oxford. To have the majority of them in this area, highlights how important Waterstock and its flood meadows are both locally and regionally and how vital its wild and undisturbed habitat is. The iconic curlew is the UKs largest wading bird species and has one of the most evocative calls of all birds. It adds a real sense of wildness to the area, an ever-rarer feature in the South East of England”
The curlew is one of the UK’s most rapidly declining breeding bird species showing a 46% decline across the UK from 1994-2010. The UK holds 28% of the European breeding population. Curlew has recently been listed by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee as globally near-threatened, one of the few British species on this list. Their decline can be attributed to destruction of habitat and high levels of disturbance.
In over three years of monthly bird surveys* by RTCT volunteer surveyors; 103 bird species were recorded of which 61 are on the protected species list.
Highlights include:
Wading birds – curlew, snipe, lapwing, jack snipe, green sandpiper and oystercatcher;
Wintering Wildfowl – wigeon, teal, shoveler, gadwall, teal and pintail;
Migrating birds – hawfinch, redstart, whinchat, wheatear, sand martin, yellow wagtail
Owls and Raptors – hobby, peregrine falcon, barn owl and tawny owl
Breeding passerines – spotted flycatcher, garden warbler, willow warbler, lesser whitethroat, kestrel, yellow wagtail
“We fairly quickly discovered that Waterstock is a hidden jewel in the crown of the River Thame”, said Sally Rowlands, Chair of the RTCT. “It forms one of the richest areas for wildlife on the river. So, it’s not surprising so many of our endangered wetland birds choose to call it home. It’s brilliant the area is now formally on the birding map of Oxfordshire and the efforts of local landowners recognised for the great work they are doing to provide fantastic habitat.”
And it’s not just birds. Waterstock enjoys regular sighting of otters and cubs using the river. It has 11 species of fish in the river and over 300 species of plants, including bee orchids and the rare great dodder.
Henry Manisty, Waterstock resident said: “I have lived in the village for over 20 years and have always enjoyed seeing kingfishers, grey wagtails and little egrets feeding along the river, and regularly captured otters and polecats on our wildlife cameras. However, it wasn’t until we started working with the RTCT and their volunteer bird surveyors that we were able to monitor professionally the exceptional variety of birdlife. It’s a real honour for my land and our neighbouring flood meadows to become a Local Wildlife Site and a privilege to wake up each morning in the spring hearing the sound of calling curlew.”
The designation and survey process are inspiring significant habitat improvement actions by Waterstock residents and landowners including 12 Owl boxes installed by Bucks Owl and Raptor Group, one barn owl taking up residence within three weeks of installation, plans for a network of ponds to support great crested newts in partnership with the South Midlands Newt Conservation Partnership, plans for a complex of wetland wader scrapes and reed bed habitat and the completion of a fish passage on the main river with RTCT and the Freshwater Habitats Trust.
Local Wildlife Sites are special places and alongside legally protected areas of land, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), they form vital links across the county and beyond to create a national network of habitats that provide refuges for our country’s diverse flora and fauna.
MY name is Tom Wyse and I was elected to Thame Council as a Independent 4 years ago.
Tom Wyse
I have been very fortunate to have been born in Thame and to be able to enjoy living here all my life.
My adult children achieved degrees at University after receiving a first rate education in Thame schools.
In the last four years I have been a active member on the three main council committees, I am also the council representative for the very successful Thame Town Music Festival, in 2017 I had the great pleasure of opening the first Music Festival.
In 2017/2018 I had the privilege to be elected to the office of Mayor of Thame. In my duties as Mayor I was invited to many events in the town this made me very aware of the many kind local people who give their time and volunteer to make our town such a great place to live in. These people really are the backbone of our community.
Thame has grown from the sleepy little town of my childhood, the town has expanded and many new families have decided that our town is a great place to live in. We must welcome these families and encourage them to take part in all that Thame has to offer.
I have always tried my best to work for the good of all the people of Thame and I believe it is not necessary to promote political parties on the local councils, the only criteria should be to make decisions for the benefit of Thame people.
For the above reasons I ask you to vote for me to be elected as a Independent councillor for Thame North ward and also as a Independent councillor for South Oxfordshire District Council.
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Thame.
Image courtesy of Cornwall Live – for illustrative purposes only
At approximately 3am on Wednesday, April 17, unknown offenders broke into a property on Goffe Close, Thame. They broke in via patio doors. The house alarm was triggered and so the offenders left the scene.
It is believed that they were breaking in for the keys of the two BMWs on the driveway.
Did you see anything suspicious around this time? Do you live nearby and have CCTV that you can check on the night of the 16th/17th?
If you have any information about this incident please report it here or call 101.
WANT to try something new after Easter? Get into fencing! This exciting, dynamic and beautiful sport is easier than you think to learn, and suitable for all ages.
Thame Duellists Fencing Club is a friendly, mixed club open to beginners of any age from 7 years-old, as well as to more experienced fencers.
After the Easter break, starting on Thursday, April 25, we are running a beginners course for adults and over 11 years (separate session available at 6pm for school years 3-6) and places are available now. The course can lead (at participant’s choice) to a British Fencing Level 1 qualification.
Your first session is a free, no-obligation taster, and all the equipment you’ll need is provided throughout your course. If you’d like to book a place please let us know – email us at thameduellistsfencingclub@gmail.com
Fencing has history in Thame. James Figg (the local born champion boxer after whom the pub in town is named) was also a fencing master. Now, it’s a high-tech Olympic sport. Take up fencing – become part of the history and turn a swordfighting daydream into an exciting reality.
