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  • Start of Thame’s new cricket facilities delayed

    THE target date for the start of the work on Thame Town Cricket Club’s new club house and facilities, has had to be pushed back from September 2017.

    An artist’s impression of the new clubhouse and facilities for Thame Cricket Club

    Thame Town Council, which is supporting the project and is loaning some of the funds, has today issued an explanation for the delay. The council’s statement reads:

    “Back in October 2015, Thame Town Council agreed to work with, and support, Thame Town Cricket Club in realising their exciting vision of a new Cricket Club Clubhouse / Pavilion at Church Meadow, delivering both the future needs of the cricket club and a wider community facility.

    “Detailed plans have been created and revised full planning permission was granted in May 2017. A significant amount of funding has been secured, in line with professionally estimated overall project costings.

    “The first part of the tendering process has just been completed, and as sometimes is the case in such situations, the tenders received are in excess of the budget estimates being worked to. There are various reasons, including the high-quality standard of build required in such a sensitive Conservation Area; ground investigations that have revealed a need for significantly more sophisticated foundation requirements and a general increase in construction costs since 2015.

    “The Steering / Working Group have considered various possible next steps in detail, and have agreed to re-open discussions with the tenderers to ‘value engineer’ the costs to an acceptable figure. During the tendering process, Thame Town Cricket Club secured additional funding, and is concentrating on attracting further finance to apply to the project.

    “There will be a delay whilst these steps are completed, and as a result the target start on site for this exciting project has moved back from September 2017.”

    MORE INFORMATION on the Thame Cricket Club’s project HERE

  • Appeal for witnesses to fatal collision in Thame

    THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision in Thame. The incident took place on the A4129 Tythrop Way in Thame yesterday (28/8) near the skate park at about 4.35pm.

    A black Kawasaki ZX series motorcycle, ridden by an 18-year-old man, is believed to have collided with a lamppost.

    He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.

    Investigating officer Sergeant Julie Caulfield, of the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing, based at Bicester Howes Lane, said: “If anyone saw this incident, or has any information relating to it, I would ask them to get in touch.

    “I am particularly keen to speak to anyone who was at the skate park at the time as they could have vital information.

    “Anyone with any details should call the Thames Valley Police non-emergency number on 101.”

    If you have any information relating to this case, please call 101 quoting reference ‘977 (28/8)’, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

  • Correction: Fatal collision in Thame

    A young motor cyclist is reported to have lost his life in a road traffic collision in Thame.

    The tragedy occurred in the early evening of yesterday, Monday, August 28, close to Thame Skate Park.

    Members of the public were quickly on the scene and did all they could for the casualty, including CPR, before the emergency services, including the Air Ambulance, arrived very soon afterwards.

    The name of the victim is being with held out of respect for the family involved.

  • ‘Outstanding’ GCSE results at Lord Williams’s School

    EVEN though there have been huge changes to examination courses and assessment, students at Lord Williams’s School in Thame, have again achieved highly in their GCSE examinations with 73% of students achieving five or more higher grades (A*-C/9-4) including English and Mathematics.

    These results are slightly down on last year, 2016, when 76% of students achieved five or more A-C grades – the best ever results for Lord Williams’s school. This year’s results reflect the national picture with Teachers’ leaders stating that because of the changes, the results for this year cannot fairly be compared. SEE LINK

    Headteacher, David Wybron paid tribute to this year’s cohort: “Following on from last year’s record breaking results, these results are again outstanding. The examinations are now harder and the changes imposed on schools have been introduced very hastily. These are new examinations and there aren’t any benchmarks. However, what we can say is, that the overall results are very impressive and so many of our students have achieved outstanding results. I would like to pay tribute to our students for their hard work on securing such impressive results and to their teachers and support staff, who have prepared them so well.”

    The following students gained at least seven passes at grade A* or A (new levels 9, 8 and 7):

    Elizabeth Archer, Emily Baillie, Adam Barlow-Heal, Helena Bernstein, Lucy Biswell, Olivia Black, Sam Black, Niamh Bourke, Peter Brightling, Ben Caiger, Ben Cross, Jonathan Dadson, Rachel Dickinson, Frances Dixon, Oliver Dudley-Heidkamp, Connor Fitzgerald, Catherine Fotherby, Josephine Golds, Remy Goodwin, Jazzy Green, Emma Gutteridge, Anna Harper, Evie Hughes, Thomas Ingell, Megan Keen, Stefania Lee, Harvey Lord, Ellen Ludlow, Katie McRobert, Rhys Minchin, Lucy Nicholls, Jasmine O’Reilly, Charlotte Porat, Charlie Porter, Rory Pridmore, Alfie Richards, Tommy Richards, Heidi Scholey, Bobby Sluka, Max Spokes, Hattie Ward, Charlotte Watson, Violet Weston and Josh Wright.

    How do the 2017 grades compare to previous grading?

    Grades 9, 8 and 7 are broadly equivalent to an A* and an A.

    Grades 6, 5 and 4 are in line with B and C grades.

    A grade 4 is broadly equivalent to a C grade.

    A 3 would be broadly similar to a D grade, with 2 and 1 taking in grades E, F and G.

    There is still a U – ungraded – mark.

    Fewer grade 9s will be awarded than A*s, meaning it’ll be harder to get top marks.

     

  • Elizabethan celebrations at Thame Museum & church

    AS part of the celebrations to launch the new Elizabethan Wall Paintings room at Thame Museum on September 16, the museum is holding a Music Workshop run by the Oxford Waits.

    The event will start at 2pm and is open to everyone, and it’s free, but places need to be reserved at the museum. See below for details.

    Later in the evening the same day, the Oxford Waits will be performing a concert of Elizabethan music in St. Mary’s Church, Thame, starting at 8pm. This too is free and everyone is welcome, but entrance is by ticket obtainable from Thame Museum 01844 212801 or in person during opening hours – TUES, WED, SAT 10AM – 4PM, SUNDAY 12PM – 4PM. www.thamemuseum.org

  • And the longest serving market trader award goes to…

    TERRY Hankins! At Thame Market’s Community Day yesterday, Terry was presented with a silver plate to celebrate over 35 years as a trader at Thame Market, making him the longest serving trader at Thame’s weekly Tuesday charter market. Terry was presented with the award next to his fruit and vegetable stall by Mike Broun, the Chairman of the Thame Market Traders Co-Operative, and the Mayor of Thame, Cllr Tom Wyse.

    The annual, Community Market Day once again proved very popular with local families and visitors, with several local organisations and charities manning stalls and selling everything from plant pots and rainbow merchandise to knitted clothing and toys, all in aid of great causes.

    There was plenty for the younger visitors to the market to enjoy, including face painting, balloon modelling, tombolas, live music and a massive bouncy slide! Local MP John Howell attended and chatted to some of the local organisations. Thame Market Trader and secretary of the Market Trader’s Co-Operative, Chris Hurdman, said: “Tuesday’s was the most successful market day ever and Thame was buzzing! He also thanked the Town Council for their support with the event.

    To view more images, go to www.facebook.com/ThameMarketTraders where you can also stay up to date with Thame’s weekly charter market.

     

  • Thame cricket round-up

    ONLY two more weeks of the league left to play and Thame Town Cricket Club are in with a shout of promotion for both the First team and the Thirds.

    Meanwhile, the Seconds are safe in mid-table in Cherwell Division Four. Match reports from last weekend:

    Firsts produce another nail-biting victory to keep promotion hopes alive

    AFTER losing the toss at home to Chesham, Thame openers Will Sutcliffe and Callum Russell (pictured) got the hosts off to a blistering start, plundering 48 runs off the first 7 overs. The loss of Sutcliffe for 21 halted the Thame charge, but runs continued to flow as Kanishka (45)helped Russell (78)swell the total to 150-1 with 16 overs left. From this platform however, Thame proceeded to collapse, losing their last 9 wickets for just 50 runs, finishing 200 all out.

    Callum Russell

    On a good wicket, Thame needed a good start and it was Will Rooney who delivered again, striking twice to leave Chesham wobbling at 10-2. Chesham then rebuilt steadily to move the score to 100-4 at drinks, with the game finely balanced. At 150-5 they looked to have the chase under control. However, tight spells from Beard (2-17) and Kanishka (2-28) brought Thame back into contention. Rooney returned to pick up the key wicket of Tom Free (34), in the penultimate over, to leave Chesham 196-8, requiring 5 runs to win off the last. In a bold move, Kanishka switched from seam to spin for the last over, and drama ensued. The first ball was pulled hard out to Rooney who spilled a difficult chance. With the batsman attempting two, Rooney’s throw dismissed the well-set France for 20. The next ball was a dot and then Chesham’s number 11 was bowled swiping across the line, sparking jubilant scenes at Church Meadow. Thame thus rise to second in the table, with their promotion fate now in their own hands. They travel to bottom of the league Reading this Saturday, hoping to set up a title-decider at home to Aston Rowant on the final day of the season, September 2.

    Second XI lose to Horspath in game they should have won

    LOSING the toss and being put in to bat, Thame 2nds got off to a rocky start. Horspath 3rds quickly made use of what looked to be an unreliable pitch, with only skipper Matt Furness (35) managing to get many early runs. Richard Carr (44) and Matt Ridgway (48) nevertheless helped to shift the momentum of the game, helping Thame to reach what looked to be a good score of 168 on a difficult batting track. However, with the track flattening out as the day went on and loose bowling from Thame, Jones (34) and Coltman (25) helped steer Horspath towards Thame’s total, which they reached with just 3 balls to go. Sam Lachlan was the pick of the Thame bowlers, with figures of 3-35. Despite the loss, Thame 2nd XI earned 10 points, meaning that they remain in Division 4, with two games to spare.

    Four straight wins for thrids after surviving pitch scare

    THAME thirds travelled to Islip to face Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts (OBNCC), and were greeted by a minefield of a pitch. Choosing to bowl first, James McStay ripped through most of the top order with a sharp spell of 4-13. Ian McStay (3-12) and John Phippen (2-9)also claimed wickets, with Ed Mather finishing the innings off with his 4th ball. OBNCC could only manage 48, which on this pitch was not a bad score. The chase started badly, as Thame lost 3 early wickets, giving OBNCC a glimmer of hope.

    Oli Sutcliffe (13) and Guy Holmes (10) then did the hard work , but with wickets falling John Phippen was left to hit the winning runs with Thame 49-7. The win means Thame secured a shoot-out for promotion between themselves, Tiddington, Challow & Childrey and Oxford Downs in the last 2 games. They welcome Banbury fifths this Saturday.

    SOURCE contributed

  • Chinnor Ladies aim to tame the Lionesses

    CHINNOR Ladies FC have been drawn at home in the first round of the SSE Womens FA Cup, against New London Lionesses.

    Image courtesy of @OxfordshireFA

    The game itself will be played on September 3, with a 2pm kick off at the Chinnor Community Stadium, against the London side, on what will be Chinnor’s first game of the new season.

    Chinnor have strengthened and recruited over the summer, with the emphasis still on development, and having been beaten 5-2 last season by Newbury, the local women’s team aim to go one step further.

    Team Manager, Gemma Clarke remarked: ‘”We’re all excited for the new season; the whole squad is positive and ready to go. We’ve had players return to the squad after family commitments, and we’ve managed to recruit players from further afield who understand the whole ethos of the team and the club. That said, we’re always on the look out.

    “We’re honoured to be involved in the FA Cup and its a fantastic opportunity with it being a home fixture this season, for the whole club and area to get behind us, regardless of the result.”

    Chinnor Ladies were busy in the community on Monday, August 21st, as Katie Wales, one of the team’s coaches, was guest coach at the Oxfordshire FA’s first CPD event of the new season, delivering counter attacking coaching, alongside Mark Haining, Oxfordshire FA’s Coach Developer Officer.

    Chinnor Ladies were invited by the County FA to take part in the session, which was aimed at increasing female participation in the sport. Katie is the first female to deliver coaching in such a session for the Oxfordshire FA, and everyone associated to the team is extremely proud.

    Chinnor Ladies can be found at facebook.com/ChinnorLadiesFC and twitter.com/ChinnorLadiesFC

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Arts & Literature festival tickets ‘flying out the door’

    SINCE the online box office for this year’s Thame Arts and Literature Festival (TAL) just last week, over 1,000 tickets have been sold!

    Coming to this year’s festival in October, the eighth, well-known names like Jeremy Vine, Dame Jenni Murray, Austentatious and Charles Spencer have proved an instant hit. Tickets to Rumsey’s Tea Concert have now sold out.

    “We’re very excited at having another great mix of authors, journalists, plays, cinema, music and arts,” said Yvonne Maxwell, TAL Festival Founder and Director. “We had a very successful 2016, and this year again promises to be lots of fun, full of entertainment and inspiration. We hope everyone is looking forward to it as much as we are.”

    Author Tim Moore: The Cyclist who went out in the Cold – Tim tackled the 9,000km route of the old Iron Curtain on a tiny-wheeled, two-geared East German shopping bike

    “As a taster, just take a look at some of our wonderful events. Whether you’re an art lover, history enthusiast, crave books about crime, the spirit of adventure, film and TV anecdotes – the list goes on. There really is something for everyone.”

    Click HERE to visit the TAL website for more information and full details of the three-day event.

  • Support Café launches its Autumn programme

    THE Forget Me Knot Café which provides information, peer support and fun activities aimed at helping those with various mental health, isolation and age-related health issues, has published its Autumn programme.

     

    The Forget Me Knot Café meets twice monthly on a Monday at the Chinnor Village Centre between 10.30-12.30pm, and provides activities to help with co-ordination, brain stimulation, and general health and wellbeing, for people suffering with dementia, mental health issues, old age or isolation. All are welcome to go go along, either alone or with a carer.

    Café Co-ordinator, Michele Pether, said: “You will be welcomed with a cup of tea and a biscuit. We start with fun seated exercises, followed by our visiting expert. At the end of the session, we play parachute games, juggling, throwing balls, flat football, floor netball, finishing the session with a poem, lyrical or a reading.”

    PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 2017
    04 Sept— Music and Song – Chiltern Music Therapy, Eleanor
    18 Sept – Music and Singing – Heidi from Kiddledivy
    02 Oct – Music and Singing –Julia Hollander
    16 Oct – Music and sining – Andrea Yates
    30 Oct – Music and Singing – Julia Hollander
    13 Nov – Winter Tea Dance – Ian English and Co
    27 Nov – Warming to Christmas – Heidi from Kiddledivy
    11 Dec – Christmas Carol – Mill Lane School Junior Choir

    For further information contact 01844 353733 or email: info@holisticmassageuk.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/forgetmeknotcafe