THAME Town Council’s grants scheme is now open to local charitable organisations in the Thame area, who are working for the benefit of Thame to apply for funding to support projects that aim to develop skills, improve health, revitalise the local environment and enable people to become more active citizens.
Any community or not-for-profit group working for the benefit of the people of Thame can apply. The terms and conditions and a downloadable application form can be found at the following LINK www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/grant-aid
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. For further information or for assistance in completing your form, contact the town council on 01844 212833.
The scheme aims to fund projects ‘….that address the needs, aspirations and issues of the people in our community’.
DAVID Boyle, 25, from Thame, is taking on the Stroke Association’s Resolution Run on Sunday, April 2, to mark five years since his life-changing stroke.
David had a stroke on Christmas Day in 2012 which left him unable to speak and move the right side of his body. He had to take time out from University whilst he recovered.
David’s mother, Sue, said: “David’s determination to rebuild his life has been unbelievable. He spent ten days in hospital and then had physiotherapy and speech therapy at home. His speech returned and his walking gradually came back, although his arm was slower to mend. He now has a weakness in his right side, particularly his arm, but his recovery has been remarkable. Taking time out from University was hardly the gap year you would wish for. But he went back the following year, and we were so proud to see him walk up on stage to receive his degree.”
Sue and David’s dad, Phil, and his older sister, Megan, will be running with him. David said: “We’ve dubbed ourselves as ‘Boyle Family 25k’. Between us we will cover the distance of 25k at the Stroke Association’s Resolution Run. We’ve already raised over £1,000 for the Stroke Association, and hope more donations will come through in the days before.
“I never thought at the age 20 I’d be a stroke survivor. It’s been a long journey, but one that’s made me realise just how important it is to be aware of conditions like stroke. I wanted to take on the Resolution Run with my family to raise awareness and vital funds for the Stroke Association – I think the charity does an amazing job.”
Emma Evans, Events Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “With around 1.2 million people across the UK living with the devastating impact of stroke, it is vital that we have people like David and his family to raise funds and help us conquer stroke. We’re looking forward to cheering them on alongside our other participants as they make their way through the park.”
Entry fee is just £15 and runners can choose the 5km, 10km or 15km course. All runners receive a technical running t-shirt and medal. For more information about entering or volunteering at the Resolution Run, visit www.stroke.org.uk/resolution, email resolution@stroke.org.uk or call 0300 330 0740.
THERE are people, organisations and groups all around Thame who help their neighbours, support local groups or go out of their way for others in their community. Who do you know that has achieved something great in a sport, activity or hobby? Perhaps you know someone that always goes that extra step to provide a service with a smile? What about that individual or group who has contributed, small or big, to the life of Thame and deserves recognition for their hard work?
This year we are looking for people to nominate Thame individuals and groups into the following categories: Lifetime Achievement, Volunteer of the Year, Creative Arts Achievement, Sporting Achievement and Service with a Smile.
If you are still stuck for ideas, why not like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter where we will regularly be posting examples of previous Thame Town Award winners for inspiration! Don’t forget to get your nomination in as voting closes at midnight on Monday, April 3 – that’s just 10 days time!
Nominating your unsung hero and heroes couldn’t be easier – simply visit www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/town-awards or pick up a nomination form from the Town Hall or Thame Library.
THE future of cricket is in safe hands, as today the ECB (English Cricket Board) announced its brand-new programme – ‘All StarsCricket’! The initiative aims to provide thousands of five to eight year-olds with the opportunity to play cricket, meet new friends and create Big Moments. All Stars Cricket is a fun first-experience of cricket and it develops children’s skills, gets them active and provides the first steps on the National cricket pathway.
Thame Town and Tiddington Cricket Clubs have announced that their All Stars Cricket programmes will start on Friday, May 19, for eight weeks.
Matt Swain (Thame) & Lesley Pykett (Tiddington): “This is a fantastic programme the ECB has developed to support local clubs open up Cricket to younger children, similar to Rugby Tots and Little Kickers. We now have an opportunity to reach even more families and youngsters. The eight week programme is designed to incorporate parents and carers and is just £40 which includes a personalised t-shirt, cap, backpack, bat, ball, and drinks bottle.
Both clubs have decided to run the sessions on a Friday evening at different times. Parents and carers can come to the grounds and unwind after a week of work whilst the children have fun and exert some energy. The bar will be open for refreshments and the sessions at Thame Town CC will coincide with Lydia Greenways academy for Girls.”
Tiddington CC will be running their sessions from 4:30pm to 5:30pm and Thame will be running their sessions from 5:30pm to 6:15pm, this will provide people in the area a broader choice of times to fit in with their other commitments.
THE Do it Digital Roadshow is coming to a town near you! From March 30-31, the Do it Digital bus will be hitting the road to Oxford and Aylesbury to bring you a series of talks and workshops to help improve digital skills for small business owners.
The workshops will provide small business owners with an understanding of the basics they should consider when taking the first steps to getting their business online. The aim is to enable any small business to establish the foundations of an effective online marketing strategy.
All the workshops are free to attend. See LINKS HERE and HERE – click on ‘EVENTS’ page 3 for Oxford and Aylesbury dates
COUNCILLORS John Cotton, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, and Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council jointly announced today (23/3) that they have submitted proposals for a single council for Oxfordshire to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
Cllrs John Cotton (L) Ian Hudspeth (centre) and Matthew Barber
A joint statement published today, said: “Our three councils have listened to the views of residents, businesses and other organisations across Oxfordshire and worked hard to address any concerns in the final bid – and with seventy percent of those surveyed showing support for a single unitary, we know we are on the right track.”
It is estimated that the proposed unification of the six councils could save authorities £100m over the first five years, with initial savings of £20.5m coming from the reduction of council posts and office space, with £20m further efficiencies annually. (figures from PSE – Public Services Executive). Oxford City Council is against the proposal, as is Cherwell District and West Oxfordshire District Councils.
Last month Cherwell launched a petition against the proposals and is encouraging residents and business leaders to add their names until it closes at the end of March. The petition will be sumitted to the Government, CDC has said, to show that residents oppose the unitary model.
RECTORY Homes has submitted its third planning application for a development on land at The Elms, off Upper High Street.
Meadow land at ‘The Elms’ in Thame, that Rectory Homes wants to build on
The application is for the erection of an Extra Care housing development (Use Class C2) comprising apartments, houses and a communal residents’ centre with basement parking and storage areas and creation of new public open space, provision of new vehicle access from Elms Road and a new pedestrian/cycle link onto Upper High Street with associated infrastructure works and landscaping.
You can see details of the application, which is No. P17/S1069/FUL can be viewed on South Oxfordshire District Council’s website HERE
A previous application by Rectory Homes for 37 dwellings on land at The Elms, was awarded Planning Permission almost two years ago, despite extensive opposition including a petition of hundreds of names of local people objecting to it. A second application, for an Extra Care housing development submitted last August, was later withdrawn.
PREVIOUS articles on this subject: (1) LINK (2) LINK (3) LINK
AN inquest into the death of four-year-old Barnaby Cork of Thame, has concluded that his death was accidental.
The inquest held this morning heard how Barnaby died after being hit by his father’s reversing car in the car park at Thame Leisure Centre on December 10, 2016.
The father, Stephan Cork, had just dropped off his wife Ella and their two other children for swimming lessons when the accident happened.
Although Barnaby’s family did not attend the inquest, Mr Cork had submitted written evidence in which he said that he had neither seen or heard his son, as he – Barnaby – was shorter than the back window.
The plan had been to take Barnaby to choose a Christmas tree after dropping the rest of the family off at the Leisure Centre, but Barnaby then changed his mind and said he wanted to go swimming instead. After Mr and Mrs Cork changed their arrangements so that Barnaby could go, Stefan got back into the car and started to reverse. Ella then walked around the front of the car and saw only two siblings on the pavement. She then asked where Barnaby was and one of the siblings pointed towards the road where Barnaby was lying.
Barnaby suffered serious head injuries and went into cardiac arrest on his way to the John Radcliffe hospital, after several attempts to help resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead later at the hospital.
The inquest heard that Mr Cork had told PC Victoria Jones that he did not hear his parking sensor and further evidence from Forensic Collision Investigator, PC James Henderson, showed that Barnaby would have been too short to spot from the rear window of the car.
Coroner, Darren Salter, concluded that the incident was an accident, and determined the cause of death to be head injuries, concluding: “The sad facts are not in dispute. I offer my condolences under these awful circumstances to the parents and family.”
Since the boy’s death, Mr Cork has set up set up an online fundraising page to raise money for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, which so far has raised over £30,000.
Allegra Michoplou, one of Racquets’ junior Academicians
RACQUETS Fitness Centre’s Squash Academy’s juniors were on top form last weekend, showing off their obvious potential competing in a National England Sanctioned event held at Racquets Fitness Centre.
Over the weekend of March 18-19, Racquets hosted this Bronze England Sanctioned squash tournament, attracting top juniors from all over the UK. The ability of the 45 junior entrants was as expected, wide-ranging from county level to regional and national level. Racquets its self had many juniors competing in the tournament and for most, it was their first ever England Sanctioned Tournament.
Four juniors from Racquets shone in their age categories; Ollie Ralphs in the boys Under 19s, Ollie Cartwright in the boys Under 15s, Artie Shrimpton in the boys Under 11s and Allegra Michoplou in the girls Under 11s. Ollie Ralphs competed in his first ever England Squash tournament. “Ollie has always been keen and determined to better his game,” said Head coach, Sue Martin Downhill, “and to reach his full potential. Not that long ago he suffered a terrible sports injury which put him out for months, leading to him not being able to train or even get on court and hit a ball. However, he has made a fantastic comeback and is playing some of the best squash he has ever played. Ollie played out of his skin and was keen to show what he was made of and ended up as runner-up in his age category which is a fantastic achievement. I am extremely proud Ollie has made it this far in the game and expect him to progress even further in the near future.”
Competing in the boys under 15s was Ollie Cartwright. Ollie C, a more experience player in terms of National Junior tournaments, had only recently moved up an age group meaning he was to face older, stronger and more conditioned opponents. “Ollie is improving at an alarming rate, training at racquets five or six days a week and striving to become a better player,” said Ollie’s coach, Ben Hedger. “He was unfortunate to draw the number one seed in his first round but gave the top player a good run for his money. Ollie’s mindset is impeccable and didn’t let this phase him. He continued to play his own game throughout the tournament and ended up placed third in his age category.
“I am extremely impressed in the way Ollie dealt with more accomplished opponents, and he shows high potential to do well in his age category.”
In the boys under 11s, Artie Shrimpton who placed runner-up in the Plate, and in the girls under 11s, Allegra Michoplou. Artie and Allegra joined Racquets at the same time, both showing great talent and earning their place in the Racquets Academy, where they have shown great willingness to learn. They are both down at the club nearly every day receiving free coaching from coaches Ben and Sue, as they are in the academy, alongside 10 other juniors. This was also their first ever England Squash tournament. They have both only been playing seriously for about four months which goes to show the rapid rate of improvement they have achieved – both great prospects for the future. “They and are great role models for other juniors at Racquets,” added Sue.
For more information about playing squash, whether a youngster starting out, or starting later in life, contact Sue, Simon or Ben at Racquets Fitness Centre on 01844 261754.
FOLLOWING a hugely successful carnival in 2016, the organisers, 21st Century Thame, are planning to make this year’s event even better! Raising money for the Fire Fighters and Sobell House Hospice charities, the carnival will be taking place on Saturday, June 10 and will have a 1940’s theme.
The Carnival parade is always a fantastic way to start proceedings and a wonderful opportunity for local schools and organisations to come together. It will set off from Elms Park and process right through Thame town centre, ending at the Southern Road Recreation Ground where the afternoons entertainment will begin!
Along with a huge choice of food and drink at the fete, there will also be the opportunity to enjoy giant games, inflatables, egg throwing, street entertainers and much more, all in aid of this year’s charities. Local produce, toys and sweets from a large array of stalls will be on site to provide visitors with products sourced from the local area and beyond.
The stage will featuring local bands throughout the day, and will once again be compered by the wonderful Dan Blasor. Entertainment in the arena will be provided by local dance and theatre groups.
For further information visit the Thame Carnival Facebook page HERE
