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YEAR five pupils at John Hampden School in Thame, were greeted with a surprise recently, when they received a box of Christmas gifts from their twin school in Thame’s twin town of Montesson, in France.

The gifts were delivered first hand by Thame Twinning Association member, Sue Mottram, on returning from attending Montesson’s Christmas market with fellow members. Although the school’s planned video call to Montesson couldn’t go ahead because of technical problems, the excited children, under the supervision of teacher, Laura McRonald, took turns to open presents from the box, and and afterwards took part in a video to be sent to Ferdinand Buisson school in Montesson, to thank then for their good wishes and gifts and collectively wished them a ‘Joyeaux Noel’.

Presents from John Hampden School where taken back to Montesson last Sunday, by a visiting group from Montesson who were in Thame to take part in the Christmas Lights switch-on event, with their stall selling French wines and produce.

The John Hampden school pupils are very enthusiastic about learning French, one little girls saying that her family go snow-boarding in France and she was looking forward to practicing the French she has learned.

THE following open letter has been isued from a leading member of the Open Britain Thame People’s Vote group, Roy Mottram:

Dear Dr Howell, I watched with interest the C4 “Real Brexit Debate” yesterday evening.

On it, we had three politicians proposing different versions of Brexit. Each one said, effectively, ‘Those other versions of Brexit are bad for the UK. We must follow MY version of Brexit’.

We elect our politicians to study the detail, to debate and to take decisions on our behalf. We know that sometimes they get things wrong, even when there is a majority for a particular course of action. In this instance, it’s clear that Parliament is hopelessly divided, but I think each of the three MPs last night were correct in saying that the other two types of Brexit will be bad for the UK.

Mrs May believes that her version of Brexit is the best that can be delivered, and that it is what the people of the UK wanted when they voted in 2016.

Three of the four MPs debating Brexit last night think that Mrs May’s Brexit will be bad for the UK and it’s not what people voted for.

The debate in Parliament can determine whether MPs think that Mrs May’s Brexit will be bad for the UK, but there is only one way to determine whether it’s what people want, and that’s to ask them.

Please support a Peoples Vote.

Yours sincerely,
Roy Motteram
2 Cheshire Road
Thame, OX9 3LQ

Still on a high from their fantastic weekend in Montesson for its Christmas market, last week, Thame and District Twining Association set up their stall again on Friday for the Thame Christmas Lights Switch-On, hoping that the weather would stay fine and that the crowds would turn up!

At the same time, next to them, Huguette, Catherine, Janine, Elisabeth, Jean-Pierre and Michel from Thame’s twin town, Montesson quickly set up their “crêperie” and excellent selection of good value wines.

“No-one was disappointed,” said Sue Mottram, Secretary of Thame and District Twinning Association. “Sales started slowly, but as night fell, the crowds materialised and we were overwhelmed with customers. In fact we sold out on the tombola! The French contingent were equally pleased with their sales but were especially pleased to serve crêpes to Year 3 pupils from John Hampden who had been sent vouchers from their twin class in Montesson. The children were taught to ask for their crêpe in French – this was a great way for them to see that being able to speak another language is a useful skill.”

John Hampden School in Thame, recently ‘twinned’ with Ferdinand Buisson school in Montesson, and have already swapped Christmas presents and are looking forward to sharing a Skype call next Friday to meet each other.

The Montessonais set up again outside the Town Hall on Saturday, and by mid afternoon had only a few bottles left. Once they had packed away their stall, they did some Christmas shopping in the High Street, an expedition that included a visit to The Book House to buy children’s books for the grand children back in Montesson – and a trip to the pub for a well-earned pint of English beer.

Meanwhile members of Thame Twinning were busy preparing for the evening Christmas Party, making soup, puddings, making and wrapping Christmas presents for their guests, decorating the town hall and sorting out the Christmas music. A very amicable and fun evening, which included the customary visit of ‘Father Christmas’ who took time out of his busy schedule to make an early delivery to Thame’s special guests who were thrilled at being included and spoiled!

Sue continued: “Members and guests shared an excellent supper of home-made soup and desserts, cheese and wine and a drink or two while we chatting about the weekend’s events, but the real highlight of the evening was the traditional singing of Christmas Carols. Thanks go to David Jackson for organising this part of the evening and to those who led the singing. The Montessonais were clearly anticipating and looking forward to this as they had prepared a short repertoire of their own. The grand finale was a fantastic rendition of Jingle Bells in French very ably and creatively led by Jean-Pierre.

“I sure I speak for everyone when I say that there was a lovely atmosphere and a real feeling of being amongst friends.”

The provisional date for the Spring visit by the Montessonaise is May 10-12, 2019, and once the date has been confirmed in the New Year, Thame Twinning will be looking for offers of help with hosting.

GROUPS campaigning for a People’s Vote will be out in force on the streets of Thame and the rest of Oxfordshire on Saturday, December 8, for a National Day of Action involving thousands of people across the UK.

The National Day of Action is being organised by activists and supporters from the People’s Vote Campaign, just days before a crucial vote in Parliament on the government’s Brexit plans.

As well as in Thame and Henley, events are taking place all over the country, with thousands of activists and supporters involved. Street stalls will be set up in towns and cities the length and breadth of the country. This will be the last action day before Parliament votes on the deal on December 11.

Saturday’s National Day of Action follows the People’s Vote Summer of Action, which saw hugely successful rallies take place across the country, including in Bristol, Edinburgh, and in London, where the People’s Vote March for the Future saw a crowd of over 700,000 take to the streets.

There will also be eleven regional flagship events throughout the country, as well as a rally in Sheffield to highlight that public opinion is moving away from supporting Brexit in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Robin Storey of Open Britain Thame, said: “Opinion Polls consistently show a clear majority of voters in most constituencies across Britain want their say on Brexit in a People’s Vote. As part of the government’s Brexit deal, the UK has agreed to pay a £50 billion divorce bill, but we’ll get nothing in return. Instead, we’ll lose all our rights as an EU member – with less trade, fewer opportunities, and lower living standards.

“British people will lose the right to live, work or study visa-free around Europe. And following what would be the biggest single biggest loss of sovereignty and control in British history, we would continue to follow EU rules, but have no say over how they’re made.

“Even the government itself has now admitted that the Brexit deal will severely harm our economy. Dominic Raab, the Cabinet Minister who was supposedly responsible for negotiating Brexit, has said this deal is worse than staying in the EU.”

Robin continued: “People don’t just have to accept a bad Brexit, they can demand their voice is heard. The public needs to have the final say on this crucial decision because, in the end, only the people can really sort this out. Local jobs at BMW Mini or the hi-tech sector, NHS funding and staffing at the John Radcliffe; all are threatened. The UK will be poorer and lose control. That’s why we’re asking John Howell MP to back a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal and why volunteers have been on the streets every weekend. Support is growing exponentially – there are now 17 People’s Vote grassroots groups active in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and we want them to join an event this weekend and demand their MP backs a People’s Vote.”

There are events throughout the county including in Ed Vaizey MP’s constituency in Didcot, Wantage and Wallingford and in Victoria Prentis MP’s constituency in Banbury and Bicester.

FOLLOWING an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man has been jailed for 12 years for sexual offences in Thame.

Andrew Sambrooks, aged 38, of Youens Drive, Thame, was jailed at Aylesbury Crown Court on Monday (26/11). He was also placed on an extended licence for two years and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Sambrooks was also made subject to a Sexual Harm prevention order for life.

He pleaded guilty to the following offences:

Three counts of making indecent photograph/pseudo photograph of a child – categories A, B & C.

Three counts of distributing an indecent photograph/pseudo photograph of a child – categories A, B & C.

Three counts of attempting to cause/incite the sexual exploitation of a child aged 13-17.

Two counts of cause/incite the sexual exploitation of a child aged 13-17.

Two counts of attempting to cause/incite a girl 13-15 to engage in sexual activity – penetration.

One count of cause/incite the sexual exploitation of a child under 13.

One count of cause/incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity – penetration.

One count of cause/incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity – no penetration.

One count of attempting to incite a girl aged 13-15 to engage in non-penetrative activity.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Becky Tyler of Force CID, said: “Andrew Sambrooks was arrested on 2 July 2015, after Thames Valley Police received information that he had been in contact with underage females online.

“Upon arrest, a number of electronic devices were seized at Sambrooks’ property. These devices were found to contain indecent images of children from categories A, B and C.

“There was also evidence that Sambrooks had contacted girls aged between 12 and 15. Sambrooks had contacted these girls via Facebook during 2015 by using an alias account that he had created with the pretense of being an 18-year-old man.”

Following an investigation, Sambrooks was charged with the offences on 26 July 2018.

PREZZO in Thame celebrated the re-opening of its fresh new look branch on Cornmarket on Tuesday, November 27, with a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Mayor of Thame, Anne Midwinter.

The event celebrated the refreshed Prezzo Thame following a major, two-week refurbishment and staff training for the new menu. Guests were treated to sample dishes from Prezzo’s new Autumn/Winter menu including Beetroot Gnocchi and Crab & Lobster Torellini, served alongside Prezzo’s Signature G&T cocktail.

Prezzo Executive Chef Paul Lewis commented: “Both our dishes and our restaurant design have been influenced by what we’re calling the spirit of Milan. Think Italian dining with a sophisticated twist.”

Mayor Ann Midwinter, in declaring the new-look Prezzo officially open, said how delighted she was to have been asked to been involved in this special evening, as she personally found the restaurant to be the most family-friendly in the town, and how after 10 years in Thame, is had become an important contributor to the town’s thriving eating-out scene and the town’s economy.

The ceremony was also attended by deputy mayor, Linda Emery, and local businesses, media and one of the special guests was fan of Prezzo, Tia Latham, ITV2’s Survival Of The Fittest Star.

Prezzo’s Italian-inspired menu includes fresh new, seasonal dishes with innovative flavour combinations, alongside tempting Italian classics, developed by Prezzo’s executive chef, Paul Lewis, and his talented team. “Our brief was to create dishes and drinks with an indulgent feel that also celebrates the best of the winter produce,” explained. “We started working up ideas for the Christmas set menu back in May using special Christmas ingredients and referencing Italian culture and food trends to influence what we create. We hope the Prezzo Christmas set menu inspires customers to try our great, new ingredient combinations presented in a modern and stylish way.”

Prezzo has 188 restaurants nationwide and all offer a wide variety of pasta and pizza on menus available across all of its restaurants for both lunch and dinner and to suit all budgets and palates. Separate allergy-aware menus are available across all Prezzo restaurants and they cater for vegetarians and the growing number of vegans too.