Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

THE Headteacher of Lord Williams’s School in Thame, David Wybron, has accused Thame’s MP John Howell, of giving a false impression of the financial situation in our schools.

In response to an article published in John Howell’s name in a local paper, on September 29, MP Welcomes new funding for schools, Mr Wybron sent the following response to the paper, a response which to date has not been published:

“It may seem surprising for parents/carers to read John Howell’s article in the Thame Gazette last week, appearing as it did, less than a week after the launch of our School Fund Appeal. I am concerned that a false impression was given of the actual state of school funding.

“Whilst an increase in funding is welcome it falls well short of the amount we need to cover our present and future running costs. A 3.4% increase in 2018/2019 does not cover the 8% real terms cut in funding by 2019. The actual picture is as follows:

• Per pupil funding has not increased since 2012.
  Since 2009 we have had to deal with a 17% reduction in our Sixth Form funding. That is approximately £250,000 (when government sources speak of “The Schools’ Budget” this does not include Sixth Form funding).
• The money transferred from the Local Authority to this academy, to run services hitherto run by the Local Authority, has been removed completely since September 2017.
• From April 2016 the school’s National Insurance contributions increased by 33% from 10.4% to 13.8%, adding approximately £150,000 to our staffing costs.
• Teachers’ pension costs are expected to rise in 2019, potentially adding £135,000 to staffing costs.
• The ending of the pay cap for public sector workers is likely to make the funding situation worse by 2018/19. For example, a 1% salary increase for staff in 2018/19 would add approximately £100,000 to our costs.

‘Be more transparent’

“Whilst we soldier on,” continued Mr Wybron,  “I would urge our politicians to be more transparent about what the ac

tual situation is like. Cuts in funding affect all aspects of our work. An example of this is the situation regarding access to specialist provision for some of our most vulnerable students. There is severe underfunding of specialist provision in Oxfordshire and schools throughout the Local Authority, including Lord Williams’s, are having to ‘patch’ up provision themselves, at significant extra cost.

‘Write to your MP’

“I would urge parents/carers and Thame residents to speak up for local schools and to write to local MPs. It makes it very difficult for schools to plan for the future with any confidence. In the case of any pay award next year, it is vital that it is fully funded by government. If it isn’t, then the good news mentioned in John’s article, counts for very little.”

NB Mr Wybron has previously expressed his frustration with education cuts in the local press. See:
Thame Headteacher ‘alarmed’ at education cuts

THE organisers of the Thame Food Festival report that the move to the Thame Show Ground, and the festival’s new, two-day format, have proved to be a ‘winning formula’.

Thousands of visitors travelled to the showground over the weekend of September 30 – October 1, to sample the wares of 180 stalls, and to watch demonstrations from celebrity chefs, including Raymond Blanc, and stars of the TV Bake Off programme. The overall winner of The Great Thame Bake was Alice Middleton, from Thame, who was presented with a Magimix, the festival’s main sponsor, by Jane Devonshire. The attractions included a pop-up pub and restaurant, Gin garden and specialist dog treat stalls for the four legged show visitors, with demonstrations and fun Dog Shows by locally based, national charity the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

Why the move?

Though many people took to social media to say how much they had enjoyed the festival and welcomed the move, not everyone was so up-beat. Just as many people said that they missed the buzz and atmosphere of the festival when it was held in the town centre, and others resented having to pay the £5 entrance fee for each of the two days. The festival organisers had given as the main reason for the change of venue, that the crowded atmosphere in the town centre as the festival has grown over the years, was uncomfortable for many visitors and even dangerous for some. Also, the cost of running the festival meant that it was no longer viable as a free event, it was explained.

‘So pround’

Lotte Duncan, Patron and organiser of this year’s food festival, said: ““It was so fabulous to see all the hard work of everyone come to fruition. And as part of British Food Fortnight, I am so proud that yet again alongside our main sponsors and feature stalls, we have given the opportunity for small artisan producers to showcase the wonderful diverse and delicious range of foods inspired from around the world; but produced here in Britain.”

Does the festival benefit the town?

Sonja Francis, a founder-member of the original Thame Food Festival, commented: “I’m glad for Lotte and her hard-working team that they felt that the festival move was a success for them, and I’m pleased that so many people enjoyed their visit. I’m sure it was all jolly nice, spacious and exciting. But my personal disappointment at the move is that the festival no longer benefits the town itself, which was it’s original intention.

“Unfortunately, over the last few years, the food festival grew away from it’s original raison d’etre which was to promote Thame’s food and drink offer and to support small food producers etc within a 30 mile radius of the town. As such the stalls and visitors were manageable and those that came were interested in supporting small and local producers.

Room for a ‘fringe’ ?

I hope that next year’s Thame Food Trail (a toe in the ‘fringe water’ this year, organised by 21st Century Thame) will be expanded so that more businesses in the town benefit too. Some food and drink establishments have already indicated to me that they want to do more in the town next year. Most cannot afford to transfer their businesses to the show ground, especially for two days.

“The food festival now is a different beast – I’m not saying less good, but very different from its origins. I’m sure there’s room for both the main festival and a fringe event linking the town once again to the festival, if there is sufficient interest among the town centre food and drink operators. Time will tell.”

VISITORS to Thame Town Centre on Saturday, September 30, were in for a treat as they were invited to take part in all the fun of the Thame Food Trail, sampling food delicacies, drinks, and special offers put on for the day by town centre retailers.

Eighteen food and kitchen shops, cafes and pubs took part in the Trail, a new event organised by 21st Century Thame, and sponsored by A Bell & Co, Steamer Trading Cook Shop, Rumsey’s Chocolaterie, and the James Figg.  21st Century Thame produced a leaflet, handed out on the day by volunteers, with a map to guide people around the venues. Places to visit on the Trail included Rumsey’s Chocolaterie, where you could watch chocolate-making demonstrations and sample chocolate, the Deli at No 5, where you could sample British cheeses, AGA Thame, who demonstrated scrumptious food cooked in AGA cookers, Umberto’s, where you could try delicious olives and Italian charcuterie, the Cross Keys, where you could sample artisan beers, Jack & Alice, where you could try red and white wines accompanied by cheese fondue, the Birdcage, where you could take part in connoisseur gin-tasting, What’s Cooking, where you could indulge in a Food Trail wild mushroom ragout, Treacles Tea Rooms, where you could have a second hot drink free, and the Spread Eagle, who were offering half price prosecco with two main courses. There were also displays of cookery books at the Book House and the Oxfam Bookshop, and live piano renditions of Elvis Presley numbers at the Coffee House.

The party atmosphere was enhanced by the Swervy World Band, entertaining everyone with music played on banjo, sousaphone, saxophone, percussion, plus vocals, right through the day.  Everyone taking part thought the Food Trail was a brilliant addition to town centre activities and had excellent feedback from the public. Stephen Catherall of Steamer Trading Cook Shop said: “We were really busy and thought the event in town perfectly complemented the Food Festival on the Showground, with the shuttle bus taking people between the two places.”  Cornfield Bakery also thought it was a great day, and their sourdough breads were eagerly devoured. Dian Parker of A Bell & Co said: “It was a great idea, and we were delighted to have a visit from Linda Emery, Deputy Mayor, who enjoyed our tasty fruited tea bread baked in Miele ovens.”

Helen Johns of 21st Century Thame said: “We have a fantastic variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs and kitchen shops in Thame, and it was a pleasure to  put together an event that showcased the fine food, wines, beers, and kitchen accessories they offer. We are very grateful for the support of our sponsors. The positive feedback suggests our Food Trail event will definitely not be the last!”

• The eighteen venues taking part in the Thame Fun Food Trail were the Book House, A Bell & Co, Umberto’s, Steamer Trading Cookshop, the Coffee House, the Deli at No 5, the Cornfield Bakery & Café, Jack & Alice Wine Bar & Pantry, Rumsey’s Chocolaterie, AGA Thame, The Cross Keys, Oxfam Bookshop, The Spread Eagle Hotel, What’s Cooking, the Birdcage, the James Figg, Treacles Tea Rooms, and the Six Bells. It is hoped that more venues, including the Swan Hotel and the Jollybrew Tea Company,  will join the Food Trail next year.

• 21st Century Thame is a partnership between local businesses, community groups and town and district councils, coming together to help ensure Thame stays vibrant and viable as a market town. 21st Century Thame works with the community to generate resources so that investment is made into projects that improve and add value to the town, including Thame Carnival, Thame Tidy Day, and Small Business Saturday.

SOURCE: Contributed

STAFF from Haddenham based PCMS Design, held a Coffee Morning on Friday, September 29, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, and challenged colleagues to ‘Guess the Height of the Cake’.

Colleagues, nearby office neighbours and clients of the firm came together to have a chat and to share some delicious cakes and desserts.

A ‘Guess the Height of the Cake’ competition and generous donations on the morning raised a grand total of £317. This is the third year that PCMS Design has supported the charity and each year the total has grown.

Guests included staff from Haddenham-based businesses John Clegg & Co, Manan Ltd, Milkshake Marketing, Rectory Homes, Turville Valley Wines and Rosetta Capital Limited.

PCMS Design would like to thank everyone who attended and generously donated cakes, and for helping to raise a fantastic total for such a good cause!