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  • A Coull collaboration for Thame Chamber Choir

    A unique concert taking place on May 5, in St Mary’s Church, Thame, will see a collaboration between Thame Chamber Choir and the internationally-renowned Coull Quartet, one of whose members, cellist Nick Roberts, is a Thame resident.

     

     

     

    The quartet, together with second cellist Rowena Calvert, will perform Schubert’s sublime C major string quintet – considered by many to be one of the greatest compositions in all chamber music – as well as his early G minor quartet. The choir’s contribution is a selection of Schubert’s finest part-songs, chosen from the hundreds that he wrote.

    Tickets for the concert, which is sponsored by Blaser Mills, are available from The Book House, Thame, on-line from www.wegottickets.com, and at the door.

  • Tea dance date for those with impaired memory and their carers

    MONDAY, April 16, sees the return of Chinnor’s Forget-Me-Not Cafe’s very popular spring tea dance, hosted by popular Thame musician Ian English.

    Organiser, Michele Pether said: “A wide range of music is played with something for everyone, and don’t worry if you have mobility problems or are in a wheelchair; we ensure that everyone joins in and has a great time.”

    Light refreshments will be on offer as usual, and the event kicks off at the usual time of 10.30am at Chinnor Village Centre and finishes around 12.30. Everyone is welcome, particularly those suffering from memory problems, so go along with your carer for a great friendly and supportive morning.

    The Forget-Me-Not Cafe meets every other week on a Monday morning, and has a varied and interesting programme on offer. They just ask for a small donation of £2.50 For more information, check out the Cafe’s facebook page: www.facebook.com/forgetmeknotcafe or call Michele on 07779732097 info@holisticmassageuk.co.uk

  • Chinnor RFC boosting women’s rugby with Warrior Camp

    THE next wave of England Rugby’s Inner Warrior campaign has launched today and Chinnor RFC has announced a Warrior Camp for women players, on Friday, April 20, at 7pm.

    The Inner Warrior campaign is back after a successful series of Warrior Camps in 2017 and January 2018, which gave a huge boost to grassroots women’s rugby participation. The April wave of Warrior Camps kicks off on April 13, and will run until April 29, with 100 rugby taster sessions taking place at clubs across the country.

    The April wave of the campaign coincides with the Rugby Sevens tournament at the Commonwealth Games, where women will take part for the first time ever. Following England Rugby’s announcement earlier this month that there are now 30,000 registered female rugby players playing regularly and the Inner Warrior campaign is encouraging new women to get active outdoors this spring and challenge themselves to take up a new sport.

    England Sevens Captain, Abbie Brown, commented: “We’re excited about the opportunity to play at the Commonwealth Games for the first time and will be looking to make the country proud. The Inner Warrior campaign gives women the chance to try rugby, often for the first time, and it’s fantastic to see so many women getting involved – we hope our performances in Australia can inspire more to get outdoors and try our sport.”

    Since its initial launch, over 12,500 women have attended Warrior Camps nationwide and of those women, 4,200 had never picked up a rugby ball before. The number of camps available to women has continued to grow to meet demand and the influx of players saw 41 new female contact rugby club teams established in 2017.

    Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development Director, said: “Female participation in rugby has seen unparalleled levels of growth in recent years, and we were delighted to announce on International Women’s Day that there are now 30,000 women and girls playing regularly. Rugby is one of the fastest growing team sports for women in England.”

    “As part of the 2017-21 funding agreement with Sport England and our Women and Girls’ Action Plan, the RFU is looking to significantly expand the number of women and girls participating in grassroots rugby across England, and the Warrior Camps are instrumental in supporting this growth.”

    The Inner Warrior campaign aims to encourage more women and girls to play contact rugby, teaching participant’s key introductory skills and drills for rugby within a non-committal, social and fun environment.

    Click HERE to register for Chinnor RFC Warrior Camp or to find other camps near you.

  • Chinnor are in the play-offs!

     

     

    CHINNOR RFC travelled to fourth placed Taunton knowing that one point would secure a coveted playoff place for promotion to National league One.

    The visitors took control of the game from the first whistle with some excellent handling and support play which played dividends. Phil Chesters found himself in space on five minutes and raced away to score under the posts which Jonny Bentley converted. Indeed Jonny Bentley was imperious with the boot converting very Chinnor try of the afternoon.

    The sustained pressure continued and paid dividends by the Chinnor’s impressive forwards Jack Ramshaw and Jack Gilding both powering over for tries in quick succession giving Chinnor a 0-21 lead with only 15 minutes on the clock. Taunton then had a short period of possession and Struminski scampered over the line for Taunton’s first score of the afternoon. This invoked an immediate response with Chinnor putting multiple phases of play together from the restart and Orisi Nawaqaliva broke numerous tackles before scoring the vital try that ensured Chinnor’s playoff place. Phil Chesters added a further try on 32 mins giving Chinnor a 5-35 lead. This was reduced by a mixture of individual excellence from Taunton players and the vistors having one eye on the half time break. A costly final five minutes of the half saw Taunton peg Chinnor back to 19-35.

    First score of the second half was key to the outcome of the game and on 42 minute with Chinnor again applying pressure on the Titans line Will Bordill charged down a clearance kick and collected the loose ball to extend Chinnor’s lead. This was just reward for Bordill who was instrumental in virtually all Chinnor’s good work winning numerous turnover balls all afternoon. Josh Barton then capped an assured performance at Scrum Half with try No 7.  This was followed by a point of controversy when a speculative kick and chase by Taunton was fly-hacked on to the touchline and bounced in favour of the home side for Claydon to score. After much discussion by the officials the try was allowed to stand.

    Chinnor still remained clearly in control of the game and Phil Chesters completed his Hat-trick on 65 minutes. In customary fashion Chinnor eased off in the closing stages with the game comfortably in the bag and allowed Taunton to run in another two tries in the final 5 minutes to leave the final score 43- 56.

    Chinnor played some superb rugby and scored a number of scintillating tries With Taunton refusing to lie down it was an excellent afternoon of rugby. The resulting 5 league points from the game means the club are guaranteed their highest ever league position and a place in the National Two playoffs for first time in Chinnor’s history.

    An elated Matt Williams (DoR) said “That’s first job done. Now we need another six points to secure a home playoff and then win it!  Let’s get the town out in force to support their club at this exciting but vital moment. Thanks to everyone for their support thus far!”

    Man of the Match – Will Bordill- An immense performance!

    SOURCE – Contributed

  • Thame school fights funding crisis with appeal

    THAME’S Lord Williams’s School, alongside thousands of other schools, is having to deal with a funding crisis that is not of their making. As confirmed by the IFS (Institute for Fiscal Studies) LWS faces a real terms cut in funds of 8% over the next three years, which amounts to around £800,000.

    David Wybron

    In an effort to close the funding gap to help with increased staffing costs, and the loss of money the school received as an academy to deliver services, previously provided by the Local Authority, LWS launched a School Fund Appeal. Launching the appeal back in September, Head Teacher, David Wybron, told parents in the school’s newsletter: “There are some challenges ahead! We cannot rely on government funding. However, we are confident that, with our close partnership with parents/carers, local businesses, and supporters of the school, we will find ways to address them.”

    Six months later, Mr Wybron reports that: “Our School Fund Appeal has received a positive response from many parents and carers and our thanks go to everyone who has already committed to making a monthly donation to support our school.

    “In recent weeks the government has made a commitment to provide extra funding for schools. This is welcome news. However, indicative allocations to this school still fall short of covering our basic operating costs. In addition, the end of the pay cap for public sector workers is likely to have a serious impact on our staffing costs this year and beyond. We are already facing increasing staffing costs through National Insurance and Pension contributions. We estimate that a 1% increase in staff salaries would add approximately £100,000 to our running costs.”

    Parents and carers are able to choose the amount they give each month. For example, the mother of a Year 10 pupil has chosen to give £20 a month. She explained: “I give the equivalent of the cost of two takeaway coffees a week and I’m pleased to support the school in this way. We’re very lucky to have such wonderful opportunities offered to our children at Lord Williams’s and by giving a little each month, it’s not only a way to say ‘thank you’ but also a way to help the school plan for the future. I am able to Gift Aid the donation too, which means the school receive an extra 25p for every £1 I donate.”

    Mr Wybron concluded: “Whilst we continue to campaign at a national level to redress the inequity, our resolve now is to double our efforts and close as much of the funding gap over the next three years as we can.”

    Lord Williams’s, which is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, is the largest Academy in Oxfordshire with over £2,000 pupils. Anyone who would like to help the school by making a regulation donation, can learn how by clicking on this LINK https://secure.edirectdebit.com/Lord-Williamss-School-/schoolfundappeal/Desktop-Form-Page/

  • ‘Happy End’ at Thame Cinema

    Happy End is the latest film to be screened by Thame Cinema 4 All, this coming Friday, April 13, at 8pm. The film was made in France 2017,  and is a 15 certificate, It’s Directed by Michael Haneke and features Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Mathieu Kassovitz, Fantine Harduin, Franz Rogowski, Loubna Abidar and Toby Jones.

     

    We ought to start by saying that the title of this film is, to say the least, ironic. There’s not a lot of joy to be had here, and precious little redemption, but there is a great deal of the darkest social satire and occasional streaks of gallows humour. Celebrated Austrian auteur Michael Haneke returns to his perennial pre-ocuppations in this latest film: the moral corruption of the haute bourgeois European; families who live together but are estranged from each other; technological surveillance; the legacies of colonial histories.

    Huppert is Anne Laurent, now the head of the family construction firm having taken over from her father Georges (Tritingnant) who is in the early stages of dementia. They share a vast mansion – more a familial compound – with Anne’s brother Thomas and his new wife and child, soon to be joined by the daughter of Thomas’ first marriage, Eve, whose mother is in a coma following an unexplained overdose of prescription medication. The clan also consists of Anne’s deadbeat son – whose ineptitude and neglect has caused a catastrophic accident on a family building site, and the threat of a massive civil suit – and Rachid and Jamila, the Moroccan servants, granted occupancy of a cramped domestic space, and subjected to casual racism. And of course, there are secrets galore, often secrets recorded in social media, or tracked by the slightly disturbing Eve, who navigates her world via the screen of her iPhone.

    The action takes place in Calais: beyond the doors of the gilded Laurent mansion, desperate refugees gather and await an attempt on the tunnel. Haneke treats the Laurents and their ilk with his typical brutal clarity, his trademark long static shots that often feel uncomfortably long are well suited to this unsparing critical scrutiny. And he has much to say about the nature of looking, watching and surveillance, and the fact that in spite of our technological narcissism, we remain incapable of seeing ourselves. An uneasy and brilliant satire. View trailer here.

  • Thame music fans to get the ‘Feelgood Factor’

    THE headline act for this year’s Thame Town Music Festival, officially announced at Thursday’s First Thursday Music Club, Open mic night, is to be Dr Feelgood.

    The original band members, which included guitarist, Wilko Johnson, hailed from Canvey Island and were well-known for singles such as ‘She Does It Right’, ‘Roxette’, ‘Back in the Night’ and ‘Milk and Alcohol’.

    The band’s current line-up, Phill Mitchell – Bass guitar, Robert Kane – vocals & Harmonica, Kevin Morris – Drums and Steve Walwyn – Guitar, hail from Canvey too and, despite tragedy and numerous personnel changes over 30 years, Dr Feelgood is still a rocking force to be reckoned with, and will no doubt stir the juices of an appreciative Thame Town Music Festival audience.

    TTMF18 is expanding the scope of the festival to include a classical concert, a songwriters’ competition and a music industry convention aimed at supporting and educating musicians to help them understand how the music business works, make useful contacts, network with peers and gain advice on advancing their musical careers.

    Unlike last year, this year’s event is to be held in the evening on Friday, July 13, and Saturday, July 14, in the town centre and at various venues in Thame. The inaugural TTMF in 2017, attracted an estimated 8,000 visitors to Thame over the course of the day. It was estimated that the audience numbers in the lower High Street car park (in front of the main stage) reached a maximum of 2,500 during the performance of Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols). This year even more visitors are expected.

    Full details of TTMF18 can be found on the event website: http://www.thametownmusicfestival.org/

    For more about the band, visit: http://www.drfeelgood.org/

  • New powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in Thame

    POLICE in Thame will have new powers to tackle group related anti-social behaviour from Tuesday, May 1, subject to a final nod from South Oxfordshire District Council’s Scrutiny committee.

    Image courtesy of spiked-online.com

     

     

    The new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) will allow police to prohibit groups of three or more from congregating in public areas of the town, if they are behaving anti-socially, or likely to cause alarm, distress or a nuisance to those nearby. Anyone causing a problem could be fined if they fail to disperse when requested.

    South Oxfordshire District Council is introducing the PSPO in Thame following concerns raised by the local community. The Order received strong support during a public consultation last year and was approved by Cabinet on Thursday, April 5. It will only target anti-social behaviour and will not prevent groups from gathering together peacefully.

    Cllr Elizabeth Gillespie, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “The new Public Spaces Protection Order gives police in Thame greater powers to address anti-social behaviour caused by groups congregating in public areas. This could include those intimidating passers-by or anyone repeatedly causing a general nuisance.

    “PSPOs can be tailored to the needs of a specific town. The measures we have included to tackle group related problems in Thame received significant support from the local community.”

    The public consultation

    Last year members of the public were asked to comment on the proposal to create a Public Spaces Protection Order for Thame. South Oxfordshire District Council received 241 responses during the four-week consultation, with 92 per cent in favour of giving police powers to tackle anti-social behaviour. 92 per cent also supported setting the age range for the new powers to start from those aged 16 plus rather than from 18.

    The Thame PSPO also includes powers that were previously covered by the town’s Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) which allows police to tackle alcohol related anti-social behaviour. Police can take alcohol off anyone who is behaving anti-socially in a public area – if they refuse to hand the alcohol over they can be fined. The Order only applies to public areas and not to licensed premises, and people drinking responsibly will not be affected.

  • FREE blood pressure check could save your life!

    THE Stroke Association and local Rotary Clubs are joining forces to help raise awareness of one of the biggest risk factors for stroke: high blood pressure. Thame Rotary and Haddenham Rotary are inviting residents in the town and neighbouring villages to take a moment to have a free blood pressure test on Saturday, April 14, between 10:00 and 14:00 at Thame’s Co-Operative Supermarket in the High Street.

    Over half of all strokes can be caused by high blood pressure and it is estimated that over five million people across the UK don’t realise they have the condition.

    Sandy Davison, of the Rotary Club of Thame, said: “Know Your Blood Pressure Day, on April 14, is all about raising awareness of the link between high blood pressure and stroke. Rotary are supporting the Stroke Association with blood pressure events throughout April and the rest of the year. Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK, but with events like these, we hope to change this. A blood pressure test is quick and painless, and it could save your life.”

    Alexis Wieroniey, Deputy Director for Policy and Influencing at the Stroke Association, said: “High blood pressure often has no symptoms, and it’s much more common than people think. That’s why we’re urging as many Thame area residents as possible to take a moment and have their’s checked at Haddenham and Thame Rotary Clubs’ event on April 14. A blood pressure check only takes a moment, and it’s such a simple way to reduce your risk of a stroke.”

    In addition to the events taking place on Saturday, April 14, there will be blood pressure checks at community events throughout the year. To find your nearest blood pressure event, you can visit www.stroke.org.uk/kybp.

    To find out more about volunteering opportunities with the Haddenham and Thame Rotary Clubs, please visit their websites: www.haddenham-rotary.org.uk and www.thame.rotary1090.org

    Follow their Facebook pages on www.facebook.com/HaddenhamRotary and www.facebook.com/thamerotary

  • Local ‘spotters’ help bring down rural crime

    THAMES Valley Police’s Thame Neighbourhood Policing team have reported a dramatic down-turn in rural crime in the area, partly due to the use of civilian, local ‘spotters’.

    Image courtesy of the National Rural Crime Network

     

     

     

    Rural Crime includes such offences as fly-tipping, illegal off-roading which can cause damage to the environment and disturbs local wildlife, theft of agricultural machinery, hare-coursing and cannabis cultivation.

    Thames Valley Police attribute this drop to ‘high visibility proactive patrols and operations organised by the Thame Neighbourhood Policing Team’ and team work in partnership with local landowners who, using their local knowledge and themselves patrol rural areas, act as ‘spotters’.

    The neighbourhood team has future overnight operations planned in the area aimed at preventing and detecting rural crime. This involves joint work between the neighbourhood team and the Special Constabulary.