JUNIOR fencers From Thame Duellists Fencing Club competed in the British Fencing Youth Championships in Sheffield over the recent Bank Holiday weekend.
Hal and Rebekah Seed
The event, the centrepeice of the the season for under 18s fencing, took place at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
Hal Seed, competing in his third British Championships, finished tenth in his age group in the épée discipline on the Saturday and followed that up with a twenty-fifth place finish in the foil event on Sunday.
His top ten finish after a hard day of competition in the epee event could have been even higher. He was eventually knocked out at the last-16 stage, losing 15-14 in an incredibly tight fight which could have gone either way. The only down side to his épée success was that some of his foil opponents on Sunday had not competed in the heat of Saturday’s épée event and so were fresher than he was in the foil competition.
His sister, Rebekah Seed, secured 36th place in the foil competition for her age group. Her performance, in her first British Championships, got stronger through the day; she ended up with three wins out of six in the group stage of her event, despite being drawn in a group containing two opponents who had already represented their country.
Club coach, James Kingston, said: “Over the course of the two days, Hal showed real technical and tactical awareness under pressure. During his final épée bout he was sporting enough to acknowledge an invalid hit that the referee had not spotted properly and would otherwise have awarded to him, which really impressed me. A top ten finish, his best ever British Champs result, was a great reward.
“Rebekah showed that she was also capable of working out how to deal with more experienced opposition as well as the resilience to come back from a really tough start to the day, having to fence two opponents who went on to place in the top ten. I was very proud of both of them.”
TWIST is a stylish comedy thriller by Miles Tredinnick and directed by award-winning Adam Morley. Presented with echoes of ‘Pulp Fiction’, it will be edgy, slick and cool.
Tarantino meets British farce in this rip-roaring comedy thriller that will have you guessing until the shocking end! This will be the first time Twist has been toured professionally in the UK.
Baroque Theatre are delighted to be collaborating once again with Miles Tredinnick, having toured with his hilarious Up Pompeii in 2014. Miles (who is also known as Riff Regan, lead singer for the band London) is a rock musician as well as a stage and screenwriter. He wrote stage and TV material for Frankie Howerd and was also a writer for Birds of a Feather. His stage plays have been performed worldwide.
Twist is a play about David Woods, a mild-mannered accountant who sees a sensational way of making a fortune by writing a kiss-and-tell biography about his bitchy wife Sarah, the nation’s favourite actress from the hit soap Doctors and Nurses. He then realises that his book will do even better if she is murdered first! Unfortunately a few obstacles get in his way…
BAROQUE THEATRE presents TWIST on Saturday, May 26, 2018 – Tickets £12 (concessions £10) from Spear Travels, 01844 217228 or online
from www.thameplayers.co.uk
WHILST debate over Brexit rages on over much of the country, here in Thame French and English people were enjoying a weekend of culture-sharing, fun and friendship.
Linda Emery (L) dances with Ann Gillet (Image courtesy of Michel Cojean)
After 17 years, the twinning between Thame and the Parisean suburb of Montesson, in France, reached a milestone on Sunday, May 13, when a delegation from the two towns, including a teacher from John Hampden primary school, met to launch a twinning partnership between JHS, and a primary school in Montesson.
Plans were set in motion to welcome some of the pupils and families of the Thame school to visit the Montesson stall at the lights switch-on event in Thame at the end of November, and in the future to hopefully organise exchanges of emails, drawings, photographs and music CDs between the two towns’ schools, and even for skyping sessions.
Members of the meeting between Montesson and Thame, to begin arrangements for a ‘twinning’ between the two towns’ primary school pupils who study each others’ languages
The inaugural meeting, which took place in Costa Coffee, included Laura McRonald, who teaches French at John Hampden School, the Mayor of Montesson, Jean Francois Bel and his wife Andrée, Huguette Fouché, a Deputy Mayor of Montesson, the Deputy Mayor of Thame and Chair of the Thame and District twinning Association, Linda Emery, the President of the Montesson Twinning Committee, Anne Gillet, Phillipa Town of the group, Thame for Europe, Elisabeth Charriere who works with students of English at the Montesson primary school, her partner Michael Gitlin and Sonja Francis.
The group from Montesson arrived by coach on Friday evening (May 11), to be greeted by their Thame host families before going home with them to share an evening meal, and to bed to rest for a busy weekend of activities. These included a guided tour of the Oxford Colleges in the morning on Saturday, before eating a packed lunch in the old Court Room, courtesy of the staff of Oxford Town Hall.
Montesson residents, Jacques and Huguette Fouché, admire the water plants at the famous Botanic Garden in Oxford
During the tour of the winding, narrow lanes that the visitor to Oxford rarely sees, the visitors were shown the Radcliffe Camera, the Sheldonian Theatre and library, Brasenose College where David Cameron was educated, the house of Halley – of Comet fame, and most of the famous colleges that make up Oxford University.
Later that evening, a meal together and a Barn dance was organised in the stunning medieval barn attached to Towersey Manor, courtesy of Marie Jean Barnett. English traditional barn-dancing proved to be quite challenging for the French – and many of the English too! But everyone had great fun trying!! The band, TRACTION provided the music and the ‘caller’ showed great patience and tact towards his pupils!
And, did you know? The expression ‘Do-si-do’ in barn dancing, actually originates from the French ‘dos à dos’ meaning ‘back-to-back’ ?
A cake, celebrating three significant birthdays among the two twinning groups, was made by Norma Laver of A Piece of Cake in Thame, who with her husband, David, a staunch supporter of Thame Twinning, mingled with the guests, mysteriously closely resembling the royal couple, due to marry next Saturday!
Anne Gillet, speaking on behalf of the Montesson contingent, said: “Everybody – unanimously- spent an amazing weekend; rich with joy, friendship, discoveries and much fun!
“Every moment was just perfectly organised and the dance evening was a real highlight! In the coach we all shared our recollections of barn dancing. That was just fantastic !!! The dinner was excellent and the atmosphere so great. We’re looking very much forward to coming next year again ! On the shuttle back home, we shared pieces of Norma’s wonderful and delicious EU cake!”
In September, members and friends of Thame and District Twinning Association will make the return visit to Montesson for a weekend that will include festivities for the annual fête du pâté à la Carmen.
Linda Emery, for Thame Twinning, was delighted with the way the weekend went, and said: “There have been many links between the residents of Thame and Montesson over the last 17 years; this is the first time we have had a Barn dance! We danced away to a wonderful ceilidh band for most of the evening and apparently, our guests are already talking about coming back next year!”
For more information about Thame and District Twinning Association, go to here LINK HERE
A man from Thame, who spent time in prison after an incident in a Thame pub, has been awarded compensation from the police regarding, what he described as ‘an unlawful search’of his vehicle.
Peter Butler
Peter Butler, formally of Glenham Road, Thame, was found guilty of Actual Bodily Harm (ABH), and two counts of common assault in March 2016.
On January 24, 2016, Mr Butler’s vehicle was parked in a private car park in Swan Walk, Thame. A police officer, PC Aaron Walker, was handed a car key that belonged to Mr Butler, that had been dropped during an incident in the Swan Hotel, Thame. He then went to Mr Butler’s vehicle, entered and carried out a full search without Mr Butlers knowledge or authority.
Mr Butler said: “when I was handed back my car keys by Thames Valley Police I was shocked to find when I went to pick it up that it had been ransacked with the belongings that where in a locked glove compartment all across the front seat and foot well. The boot has also been searched and my property disturbed. PC Aaron Walker had admitted searching my car although he had no authorisation, nor lawful reason to do so. I informed the Chef Constable of Thames Valley Police that I was prepared to take legal action for trespass and seek compensation.”
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson told Thame.Net: “We compensated Mr Butler £150 but did not accept liablity.”
Previous police apology
Back in In March 2017, Mr Butler complained to Thames Valley Police, saying that there were various inaccuracies in a press release they issued after Mr Butler’s sentencing, which stated that Mr Butler had punched a woman in the head ‘multiple times’.
In November 2017, Thames Valley Police responded to the complaint, accepting that PC Walker’s comment (that Mr Butler had punched a woman in the head multiple times), was “a wrong choice of words.”
Mr Butler was not satisfied with the outcome of Thames Valley Police’s investigation into his complaint, and mounted an appeal.
In December 2017, Thames Valley Police rejected Mr Butler’s appeal, but stated: “It has been accepted that a mistake was made in this matter, in the wording of the press release, and that the service provided to you has fallen short of that which I would expect, for which I offer my apologies.”
Whilst Thames Valley Police did not accept that there was any evidence of deliberate misconduct by PC Walker, they confirmed that ‘strong words of advice’ had been given to him.
LAST year Thame and District Rotary met with some local business leaders to discuss how they might work together to support the local community. A suggestion from Andrew King, Director of Richardsons Accountants, resulted in the concept of the Rotary’s Business in the Community Programme.
Thame business supports Rotary volunteering project at Blue Cross
The scheme involves volunteers from local businesses joining employees from other businesses, during company time, to undertake community projects. Rotary identifies projects through its links with local authorities, local charities and other similar organisations, projects which are generally of a practical nature requiring a different skill set to those used during the volunteer’s normal work.
Andrew King said: “We are thrilled that so many other businesses in Thame have chosen to support our initiative. It was created as a result of us being founder members of Reciprocate, which is a group of businesses that are working together to improve the lives of people in Oxfordshire. The formation of the group grew from an idea from Tony Stratton, during his term as High Sheriff of Oxfordshire in 2014/15, with the official launch of Reciprocate on March 15, 2016 at the Ashmolean in Oxford. It is a great idea from Reciprocate, but none of it would have happened without the enormous support of John Singer, Thame Rotary’s President, who has worked relentlessly with the businesses and community in Thame to make this such a success.”
John Singer himself said: “I was overwhelmed by the response from businesses I visited, as almost all of them immediately confirmed their support. In fact, I soon stopped as there was a danger we would have too many!”
The companies who are supporting the scheme this year are Kubota Ltd, Lightfoots Solicitors, Lucy Electric Ltd, Oxfordshire Golf Hotel & Spa, Richardsons Chartered Accountants and Waitrose and from their employees volunteering to do the work.
The first project undertaken was at Lewknor’s Blue Cross where two very enthusiastic groups of volunteers from Lucy Electric Ltd and from The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa, Lightfoots Solicitors and Richardsons Chartered Accountants redecorated the staff room and vets’ offices on April 19 and 20. During the first day the rooms were prepared including removing wall fixings, repairing walls and sandpapering. During the second day the walls were repainted with emulsion and radiators glossed.
Clare Cruttenden, Centre Manager of Lewknor Blue Cross, said: “We’re really proud of the facilities that we have for our pets, but the areas used by the team for breaks and to work in were looking tired. Having these rooms painted makes a huge difference to the dedicated team of staff and volunteers who work hard to care for homeless pets, giving them more pleasant places to work and take well-earned breaks. We’re very grateful to Thame and District Rotary and the volunteers from local companies for making this possible.”
The monetary value of this first project is estimated at around £2,000 to Blue Cross however, the benefits have not been solely financial. The community has benefited by their being an additional voluntary resource, businesses have been able to contribute to their own community, volunteers have networked with colleagues and employees from other local companies and some have even learned new skills.
“We pride ourselves in being proactively involved in the local community, commented John Griffith, CEO at Lucy Electric and are delighted to be able to support the Thame and District Rotary Club by providing a team of volunteers to support this worthwhile initiative.”
Jack Armstrong and Bill Heritage of Richardsons Chartered Accountants working on Blue Cross said: “It was great to get involved with this fantastic cause. You don’t always appreciate how volunteering can make a difference, especially when the staff are so dedicated to providing such excellent care to the animals. It’s evident what great work Blue Cross are doing, as a couple visited all the way from Southampton to adopt a dog that had been cared for by the team. We were more than happy to help. “
John Singer added: “The programme has exceeded all his expectations. It seems to have been of great value to the community, and attractive to local businesses and their employees. Thame and District Rotary, with its established links in the community, was ideally positioned to facilitate the programme. This is a perfect example of how Rotary and Businesses, working together, can make things happen and we intend this will be a regular event. This programme is unique in as much that the teams of volunteers are formed from employees from different companies.”
John concluded:” We are looking forward to undertaking our next two projects at Chilworth SEN School and Thomley. In the future we plan to promote the scheme to attract additional companies and would invite charities and similar organisations who have suitable projects to contact Rotary on www.thame.rotary1090.org or connect with us via www.facebook.com/thamerotary .“
SATURDAY’s Friends if the Earth Green Living Event presents a great opportunity to swap goods, sell or buy a second-hand bike, swap seeds or plants and enjoy a variety of information and presentations on Green Living.
Organiser, Maureen Dyroff, of Thame and Chinnor FOE explained: “A Swap Shop is a unique way of recycling and reusing unwanted goods, things that you don’t use anymore but you don’t want to see ending up in the landfill site. Most of us will have items that we don’t want or use, but they are just too good to throw away. Here is your chance to see them being used by someone else, which is much more satisfying than throwing them out.”
ONLY GOOD CONDITION ITEMS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Just take along your unwanted items – good condition only – on the day, and take away anything you see that you want. You can just bring or you can just take. You don’t have to bring to take or vice versa. Everything is free. Everything is donated. Suitable items could include good condition toys, books, CDs, bric-a-brac, linen, clothes, baby equipment, kitchenware, small electrical items, unwanted gifts. It is requested that no items are taken along after 1pm. Small electrical goods with CE mark only accepted.
Goods left over will be taken to charity shops or clothes banks or recycled if unsuitable for reuse.
BIKE EXCHANGE and Bike Repair unit
There will also be a Bike Exchange on the day. If you want to sell a bike or want to buy a second-hand bike, then go along in the morning to see what is on offer. Bikes to sell can be brought along from 9.30am, clearly labelled with your name, contact details and the asking price. Friends of the Earth charge £5 for every bike sold.
PLANT AND SEED /SEEDLINGS SWAP
Bring a plant or seedlings or seeds or sundries to swap or make a small donation if you have nothing to swap.
GREEN LIVING displays and information will be on show, as well as free craft activities for children.
You can also deposit any of the following items for recycling on the day:
Household batteries, CDs, used postage stamps, foreign coins, mobile phones, printer cartridges and old reading glasses.
Refreshments available throughout the day, including cakes and drinks and a selection of home-made soups.
ENTRANCE FREE
Organised by Chinnor and Thame Friends of the earth. Saturday 12th May, Mill Lane School … 10am – 2pm
UPDATE – 10pm – The outgoing Mayor of Thame has sent a message to the people of Thame relevant to this report. Cllr Tom Wyse, through Thame.Net, said: “I would like to thank all the lovely people of Thame who helped me during my year as Mayor.”
“Due to your generosity we managed to collect a total of £11,748 which will be shared equally by Thame and District Day Centre and The Red Kite Family Centre.
“Thank you again; it has been a privilege to be the Mayor of the town I was born in!”
THE chosen charities of the out-going Mayor of Thame, Tom Wyse, has benefited from his fund-raising events to the value of in excess of £11,000.
At the Annual Meeting of Thame Town Council on Tuesday, May 8, Cllr Tom Wyse presented Amy Spicer and John Hulett from the Red Kite Family Centre, and Alison Champken-Woods from Thame & District Day Centre with a cheque of £5,874 each, making his fundraising total an impressive £11,748.
Throughout his year in office, the Mayor held many fundraising events in aid of his charities, including a cinema evening, music concert, golf day, bowls match, and a snooker tournement.
ON Tuesday, May 8, Thame Town Council elected Cllr Ann Midwinter to be the Mayor of Thame for the coming year, and Cllr Linda Emery, for the second year running, as Deputy Mayor.
The new Mayor of Thame, Cllr Ann Midwinter (Right) and her Deputy, Cllr Linda Emery
The new Mayor has chosen Sharing Life Trust and Thame Youth Projects as her charities for the year. “It is a great honour to represent Thame as Mayor,” said Ann after receiving the chain of office from the out-going Mayor, Tom Wyse. “I will do my best to do justice to that position. I am sure with a team of hard-working officers and Councillors, we will overcome all challenges that we might face in the coming year”.
Cllr Ann Midwinter thanked the outgoing Mayor and Mayoress for their hard work over the last year. She will be choosing a Girl Guide Ranger as her cadet, in memory of Mrs Julia Hussey who was involved with the Girl Guide Movement in Thame all her life.
MANY of the 54 previous winners of the Thame Town Awards over the past ten years, gathered at the Thame Barns Centre recently to celebrate a decade of awarding local people for their services to the town, and to recognise this year’s winners.
Pat Ruxton and Alex Bond but the Thame Town Awards birthday cake together
Also present were Pat Ruxton, Chair of the Awards panel 2009-2014, and former panel members, Jeni Pilkington, Jake Collinge and Dee Bixley, whose original idea it was to hold an annual Town Awards event. Alex Bond, the current Chair of the panel, was also there to share the anniversary and later cut a special birthday cake made by Nell King, with Pat Ruxton.
Guests were welcomed with live musical accompaniment from pianist Ian English, a previous Town Award winner.
And this year’s deserving winners – with extracts from their nominations, are:
First Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Thame Freight Services – presented by Alison Biddle – to Gill Read – “Nominated in recognition of the vast range of organisations with which she volunteers, including; Thame Good Neighbour Scheme, Thame Museum, Thame Arts & Literature Festival and Thame citizens Advice. She has been a dedicated volunteer & supervisor at Thame CAB for over 20 years, during which time she has helped hundreds of local people who have been facing great problems in their lives.”
L to R – Vicky Wheeldon, John Hussey, Mayor of Thame Tom Wyse flanked by Gill Read and Janet Shannon, Johnie Littler
Second Volunteer of the Year Award (Quote: “The entries where so good for both Gill and Janice that the panel couldn’t award one without the other as they were incredible in what they do for the Town.”) sponsored by Thame Freight Services – presented by Iain Biddle – to Janet Shannon – “This individual has been a Beaver Leader for over 20 years. She quietly gives her time, including evenings and weekends, to support Beavers Club, including going camping, planning meetings and attending jamborees….a truly exceptional role model..”
Sporting Achievement Award, sponsored by Thame Leisure Centre – presented by Dominee Sewell – to Vicky Wheeldon – “This individual is the first lifetime member at Thame Hockey Club, which is also celebrating ten years in 2018. She has been instrumental in developing the junior section which now has 230 members, through coaching, managing membership and administration, and communicating with parents. Her ‘infectious enthusiasm’ and passion for hockey is one of the reasons the club has been so successful…..Described by the Hockey Club as ‘an inspiration’ and their prized asset..
Service with a Smile Award, sponsored by the Atalay family from Atalay Kebab Van – awarded to Dominic Mutero – “This individual’s work ethic is described as ‘admirable’. He is unfailingly reliable, polite and always has a smile; delivering newspapers for The Chocolate Box in Thame for several years…come rain or shine (and snow!). Described as “a fine example of today’s youth and a great asset to The Chocolate Box… Unfortunately, Dominic was unable to be present at the Awards evening and will be presented with his award at a later date by Resul Ataly.
Creative Arts Achievment Award, sponsored by Towersey Festival – presented by Joe Heap and Simon Diegan – awarded to Johnnie Littler – “This individual is a musician, founder of Thame’s monthly open mic night (First Thursday Music Club), promoter and encourager of all things music…He is loved by everyone who meets him – he encourages, listens and physically helps anyone who is interested or involved in music…The new Thame Town Music Festival, launched in July last year was a fantastic success and a credit to the town…due entirely to his enthusiasm and vision.”
Past and current award winners, with the Mayor of Thame, Tom Wyse
Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by the Town Awards Panel – presented by Panel Chair, Alex Bond – awarded posthumously to Julia Hussey, received by her husband John, and daughters. “This individual’s life in Thame spanned 84 years, during which she was a Magistrate at Thame Magistrates Court for 25 years; involved in setting up Thame Museum; Chair of Governors at Barley Hill School for 17 years; Poppy Seller in Thame for the British Legion for 40 years; decorated the war memorial in St Mary’s church every Remembrance Sunday; gave her time to Thame Conservation Trust; the Barns Centre; St Mary’s Guild; Thame Housing Association; Thame Welfare Trust; Lord Williams’s Association; the Thame Hospital Appeal Fund; Thame Girl Guides for 50 years….The ultimate ‘people person’ with a unique ability to remember who was related to whom, where they lived, what they did – she was in her daughter’s words – ‘a bridge and connection to our shared past’.
Following the presentations, the Mayor’s cadet, Jake Newbrook, was thanked for his year’s service by the Mayor, Tom Wyse, and presented with a framed citation.
A buffet, birthday cake and drinks concluded this inspiring annual event celebrating the community of Thame and those special people who contribute to the life of the town.
RECORD temperatures, record number of visitors and an even wider choice of music this year proved to be a winning formula for what has become Thame’s biggest day out, Music In The Park.
Guitar-playing phenomenon, 17 year-old Billy Watman – Image copyright Sonja Francis
The Mayor of Thame, Tom Wyse, in what was his last official duty before he hands on the mayoral baton, officially opened MITP 2018 at 12pm on Bank Holiday Sunday, and from then on it was non-stop music to suit every taste and age, from the delightful youngsters from the John Hampden School choir; from Thame Pop Choir, to the zany lyrics and wacky renditions (and corruptions) of well-known pop and rock songs from the Boodlum Band. We were treated to rock ‘n roll from the Rattlensnakes (fronted by John Hampden School’s very own rocking headmaster), Folk from Celtic Heartbeat, Country music from A Little Bit Country, right through to the evening with two of the best tribute bands on the circuit, Prof Floyd and the Headline act, the Bootleg Bee Gees.
Local talent abounded between the two main stages, including First Thursday Music Club regulars, Band With No Name, as well as Indie Rock band, Sinfiction – a band which truly brings to any live event, its very own brand of energy, great melodies and a just-about tamed rawness (you can probably tell they were my favourite set of the whole day!).
For a small, market town, there is no doubt that Thame punches above its weight when it comes to the nurturing of musical talent, and the young people of our town did not fall short in doing the town proud; Lord Williams’s Singers of the year showed why they deserved the title and all the young people who performed either alone or together, whether playing an instrument, singing, dancing or both, were refreshing, confident and competent and many bound for greater things. (See Billy Watman’s evocative and memorable While my Guitar Gently Weeps looped, on Ukulele, HERE
Having to compete with the sounds coming from the two main stages, those performers in the ASM Stage, nevertheless held their own in the more intimate space, an oasis of comparative calm and welcome shade from the heat and sunshine of the main field. From the mid-day Youth Hour – a new concept for MITP this year – to 7pm, some familiar faces to Thame such as Tay O’Lay, 2am Blue and Paul Martin, alternated with some new faces and younger artists, and one particular act that I was sorry to miss but heard all about, Wildwood Didgeridoo!
I’m sorry for not mentioning everyone who performed at MITP 2018 – there was so much choice that it was impossible to personally ‘cover all bas(s)es’ (musical pun there !) but I know from talking to friends and aquintances there that Thame’s Music in the Park never fails to search out talent o’plenty to keep entertaining, amazing and inspiring its towns folk in an atmosphere of jollity, pleasure, relaxation from our work-a-day lives and above all, a sense of community.
And long may it continue. Music In The Park deserves all our support, and on that note, let’s not forget to be thankful to the hard-working organising team and the local businesses who, through sponsorship and help in-kind, make it happen. Rock ‘n Roll on to 2019.
