FOLLOWING the success of the Thame Art Crawl in 2017, Thame Arts and Literature Festival (TAL) is once again increasing the range of Arts on offer as part of this year’s festival.
Artist: Tricia Lenko
The event will see eleven venues hosting pop-up art exhibitions featuring original art, ceramics and homeware, the work of over 50 artists, designers and makers.
The Art Crawl 2018 will be featuring the work of British sculptor and printmaker, Jeremy James, whose main inspiration is the countryside. With his talent for sculpting the many mannerisms of his subject matter, be they hares, crows, pigs or cockerels, he ranks as one of the foremost ceramic sculptors of his generation.
Of Jeremy, the Art Crawl organisers say: “Jeremy James’s broad fine arts training introduced him to clay, and apart from bronze, no other material has tempted him. Working exclusively in clay has enabled him to explore the possibilities of ceramic form and exploit the richness of glazing that combine to give his subject matter an extra dimension.”
The man himself, Jeremy James, will be giving a talk and demonstration of his work on Saturday, October 20, at the Spread Eagle, Thame.
For more information about the other artists involved in the Thame Art Crawl, and the venues, visit: www.thameartcrawl.com or follow on Facebook or Instagram. A Thame Art Crawl map showing workshops, talks and lectures can be picked up from Thame Town Hall and participating venues.
AN appeal for information about a suspicious car following thefts from vehicles at local beauty spots, has led to some local residents criticising both the police and government cuts, and demanding action from their MP.
In an appeal today, the Thame Neighbourhood Policing Team reported: “We have received reports of thefts from vehicles at local beauty spot car parks over the weekend in the Chinnor, Lewknor, Watlington and Cowlease areas. A silver Peugeot was seen at one of the locations and is believed to have stolen plates fitted. Did you see (the) silver car or any other suspicious vehicles or people? Please call us on 101.
“When you visit beauty spots think about what you really need to take with you on your trip and whatever you do take please do not leave in the car – take it with you and review your vehicle security.”
What can be done to stop the thieves?
However, a Chinnor resident, commenting on the Chinnor Residents Group Facebook page, was less than impressed with the Police’s message, and posted: “Are they kidding? Don’t leave anything of value in the car and review your cars security!!!
“It’s the same people with the same method every time, they smash the windows in! They don’t know if there is anything of value in the car until they have broken in so leaving it at home won’t stop you being a victim!
“And short of fitting bullet proof glass or steel shutters every time you park what can you do to stop them? What the police could do is put a bait car there and catch the little s—–s who are doing this!”
‘Blame the cuts!’ says one resident after one vehicle owner traumatised
It was reported on the same Facebook page that a man returning to his car, and finding the would-be thieves in the middle of their criminal act in the car park of one of the beauty spots, was taken to hospital by ambulance after suffering a panic attack. The man, apparently, had only just been discharged from hospital.
Another resident called for people to email the local MP John Howell about the incident, adding in his (the resident’s) post: “After all they have caused the cuts in Policing funding by reducing money to councils; the usual ploy whereby they can blame councils and councils can blame the Government.” The same resident added: “While money is wasted on vanity projects like HS2 that adds nothing for 99.99% of the population, the countryside has become a crime hotspot.”
Thames Valley Police have recently stepped up patrols at local beauty spots. Anyone who has any information about these or any other suspected crime, can contact the charity Crime Stoppers in complete anonymity. https://crimestoppers-uk.org
THAME Cinama 4 All has announced its list of films coming up for the autumn and winter season – and they are all crackers! Here’s the full list in advance so you needn’t miss a single one!
FOR full details and to book tickets on line, SEE LINK to Thame Cinema 4 All’s website. Films are shown at The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame. Doors normally open at 7.30pm for an 8 o’clock start and there is a licensed bar.
TWO of the events for next month’s Thame Arts and Literature Festival – TAL – have proved so popular that the online allocation for them has already run out! But if you haven’t managed to bag a ticket for Lucy Worsley or Johnny Johnson, there are a few tickets left to buy when from the TAL Box Office at Thame Town Hall – open every Tuesday from 9.30am till 4.00pm & every Friday and Saturday from 9.30am till 1.30pm (Except for Thame Fair Weekend : 20-22 September).
Johny JohnsonLucy Worsley
Johnny Johnson is the last surviving member of the famous Dambusters. Hear, in his own words, the exploits of a man who survived one of Britain’s most risky operations from WW2. His appearance is on Thursday, Octobe 18, at 12.30pm, at the Players Theatre in Nelson Street.
Historian, author, curator and television presenter Lucy Worsley will be talking about the world’s most famous divorce. Lady Mary is the story of Henry V111 and Catherine of Aragon’s divorce, told through the eyes of their daughter, Lady Mary. For adults and children 11+, on Saturday, October 20, at 2.00pm at The Spread Eagle Hotel.
A record number of tickets have already been sold for this, the ninth TAL Festival – and they are selling out fast for this year’s very special speaker, Mary Robinson, first woman President of Ireland, as well as for Thame’s very own Glyndebarn, performed by Opera Anywhere; Oxus with Beer & Baroque; poet Wendy Cope; adventurer Charlie Walker; John Crace, the Guardian’s parliamentary sketch writer and for Jasper Winn, writer and slow adventurer.
If any of these events appeal to you, check out the TAL website for more details and click through to the shop to book your tickets.
This year, other guests appearing at the four-day TAL Festival range from leading historians, expert scientists, celebrated actors and famous biographers, to superb musicians, playwrights, poets and crime writers.
Visit the TAL website HERE for all the details and to book online.
ORGANISED by The Chilterns Conservation Board, the popular Chilterns Walking Festival involves a programme of over 50 guided walks and activities at locations across the whole Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) stretching from Oxfordshire through Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
Landscape Language walk Hartslock Nature Reserve near Goring (Philippa Sanders)
THAME Town Cricket Club – Match Reports for the weekend August 25-27, 2018 – Firsts lose to local rival Aston Rowant
THAME first XI hosted local rivals Aston Rowant last Saturday, and batting first after winning the toss, Rowant took full advantage of a docile pitch as they made 288-5 from their 50 overs, Andrew Tolson carrying his bat for a fine 112. Andy Russell was the pick of the Thame bowlers, finishing with 3-35.
Callum Russell who held TTCC’s first team’s innings together with a battling 65
The Thame response stuttered from the start, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Callum Russell held things together with a battling 65, but Thame were dismissed for 196. Thame travel to Oxford for the final game of the league season this coming weekend.
Seconds promoted to Division three, despite deafeat at Abingdon
THE secnd XI travelled to Abingdon, only needing four points to secure promotion. Asked to bat, Thame got off to a rocky start, with only Jack Aston (55) ever seemed to get going, meaning that Thame could only reach 157. In reply, early wickets from debutant Will Bruce-Morgan (2-25) put Thame on the front foot, but they couldn’t break through Abingdon’s middle order and lost by six wickets. Despite this, Thame secured promotion to Cherwell Division three, as runners-up and entertain local rivals Tiddington this coming Saturday.
Thirds promoted after huge win over Stockenchurch seconds
THE thirds hosted Stokenchurch seconds, hoping to secure their promotion too. After two early wickets, Justin Avery (115) and Shakeel Khan (98) put on 178 for the third wicket and with a cameo of 18 from James Olliver, Thame amassed 264-6 off 41 overs. Faced with this daunting target, Stokenchurch started brightly but wickets fell regularly to Nick Humphries (3-35) and Rob Tomlin (2-17). The tail was mopped up by Pete Tervet (3-9) and James Olliver (2-5), leaving them 69 all out. Guaranteed promotion, Thame now travel to Bletchley ceconds for the title-decider this coming Saturday.
Fourths defeated by top-of-the-tale Dinton thirds
THAME fourths faced league-leaders Dinton who batted first, reaching 233 for 7, with Neil Smith (2-39) and Wiles (2-55) the pick of the bowlers. In reply, Thame struggled with Dinton’s consistent bowling, eventually falling to a heavy defeat to the promoted side by 193 runs. They are at home next for their final game of the season against Westbury thirds.
Women’s team more competitive against excellent Henley side
ALTHOUGH Thame’s women suffered a second defeat to Henley in their return match at Church Meadow on Monday, they nevertheless took a great sense of achievement from their performance. Facing another young Henley side – with five county players – Thame’s women demonstrated that this first season of competitive matches has seen steadily improving personal and team performances.
Batting first, Henley posted 219 for 5 off 30 overs, with wickets for Sarah Sanderson (2-51), Mel White (1-23), Claire Morris (1-26) and Antonia Barnes (1-9). In reply, Thame made 181 for 9 off 30 (55 more than in the match at Henley), with commanding performances from Beth John (50 – ret), Sanderson (35 not out) and White (28), plus support from Barnes, Bridget Cooper and Michelle Wells and a brave innings from the injured but indomitable Clare Seed with the help of a runner.
FOLLOWING the launch of this autumn’s Midsomer Tours of Thame (see previous report HERE), a planning application has been submitted for six commemorative plaques, on historic, Listed buildings in Thame, that have featured in various episodes of the TV drama, Midsomer Murders.
Artwork for the proposed Midsomer Plaques
The idea is to attract visitors’ attention to the buildings at other times of the year, when the tours are not operating, thereby contributing to the economy of the town. There is respected research which showed that in 2014, Screen Tourism contributed between £100 – £400 million to the UK economy!
The six locations proposed are the Spread Eagle Hotel, the Swan Hotel, Rumsey’s Chocolaterie, Thame Museum, Thame Town Hall and the Market House.
The planning application is currently out for consultation which will end on September 27, 2018. Anyone can view the plans online and comment: LINK HERE
AFTER a break following the hugely successful Thame Town Music Festival , The First Thursday Music Club (FTMC), returns on Thursday, September 6, with a double bill of fantastic talent.
Matt Edwards
Following a busy summer where they played Truck festival and Stivvy Fest, Alphabet Backwards, the Oxford based indie/electro pop band are appearing. Straight after them, the magnificent Matt Edwards, together with and his All Star band, will be raising the volume with some down and dirty blues and blues/rock. In addition, Alan Pettifer and Fergus Smith are already signed up to play.
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 7.30PM. 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!
AFTER a notable and controversial absence last year, Thame’s September street fair will be returning this year between Thursday, September 20, and Saturday, September 22, 2018.
Thame Fair setting up – Image copyright Sonja Francis
A road closure will be in force from 7am on Wednesday, September 19, until 12 noon on Sunday, September 23, in North Street, Wellington Street and Southern Road. A further closure will commence at 4pm in Cornmarket, Upper High Street and High Street, Thame, to include the car parks.
Residents and businesses located within this area with off-street parking are reminded to obtain access permits from the Information Centre at Thame Town Hall.
THAME Lions Club together with Thame Bowls Club are once again holding a Visually Impaired Bowls competition on September 2, at Thame Bowls Club, Chiltern Grove, Thame, starting at 10am and finishing around 5pm.
Visually impaired bowling – Image courtesey of www.israel21c.org
Twenty four visually impaired bowlers will play against each other with the help of markers. It is remarkable how people with very limited or zero sight can play a game which relies on a visual ability. Marvel at the closeness of the ball to the jack with nothing other than instructions from markers using a clock-based system of instruction.
The two clubs worked together in 2016, with the first competition in Oxfordshire as far back as memory will allow. This was very successful, and the organisers are hoping to repeat the success this year. All the funds raised will be donated to Blind Veterans UK (St Dunstan’s) and Calibre Audio Library (Audio Books for sight impaired people).
Raffle tickets are being sold with prizes kindly donated by local businesses with a top prize of an ATG Theatre Voucher (£100) plus a meal voucher for £50.
As well as being very grateful to those who have donated prizes, the organisers would welcome sponsorship of the event to enable as much money as possible to be given to these worthwhile causes.
There will be a bar and light refreshments available all day, and anyone is welcome to attend the event, so go along and appreciate the abilities on show.
