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  • Thame butchers strike gold at Smithfield Awards

    THAME butchers, Newitt and Sons came away with a golden haul from the 2017 Butchers Q Guild Smithfield Awards.

    Tom Newitt (L) with Tom Parker Bowles

    M Newitt & Sons Butchers in Thame High Street, won four golds for their Oxfordshire Sausage, Beef Steak Burger, Blue Cheese Steak Burger, and Home Smoked Bacon.

    The Newitt family has been in Thame since 1810. In 1965 Michael and Susan Newitt bought the seventeenth century butcher’s shop on the High Street and were joined by Tom in 1990. Tom has been indoctrinated into the business from an early age. Having graduated from Smithfield College as Members of the Institute of Meat, he worked in the food industry for several years.

    Michael sadly passed away in 2010, while on holiday, leaving the business to Susan and Tom to continue the passion of quality produce and excellent service. The shop has achieved numerous awards, including Britain’s Best Butcher’s Shop Award.

    Open to the Q Guild’s 123 members nationwide, the 2017 Smithfield Awards attracted a record entry of almost 600 individual products, a major increase on the previous year, from 61 butcher businesses from the Scottish Highlands down to the south coast.

    A total of 267 gold awards winners emerged this year across the Q Guild’s eight regions – this, too, was a new record high. Judged blind by independent panels of international food and meat industry experts, products were then shortlisted for the national final in each of the ten product categories.

    Winners, including best in category diamond awards, were announced at a ceremony in Ironmongers Hall, London, when the awards were presented by acclaimed British food writer and food critic Tom Parker Bowles. (Wed, Feb 1) He told the butchers present: “A town or city without a proper butcher is town without a heart. But all of you here today are masters of meat, heroes of the haunch, legends of the lamb chop and you don’t do this for the prospect of a quick and easy buck. ”

     

  • School buses told ‘Turn off your engines when parked’

    THAME Town Council is to make representation to the coach operators of school buses, asking them not to run their engines when the buses are parked outside Lord Williams’s school.

    Image courtesy of njea.org

    The decision to contact the coach companies came after a discussion about the Thame Green Living Plan, at a meeting of the town council’s ‘Thame Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Working Group.

    Cllr David Bretherton told fellow Councillors, and the Chair of the Green Living Working Group, Charles Boundy, that he had personally been ‘covered in diesel fumes’ recently when he had been passing the school, when several school buses were parked up waiting to collect pupils, with their engines idling.

    Other councillors pointed out that the Arriva bus drivers of the 280 service always turned off their engines at the bus stops in the centre of town, thus helping to prevent an unhealthy build up of dangerous fumes.

    Clean air will be one chapter of a draft ‘Green Living Plan’ for Thame,  that is expected to be published for public consultation, later in the year. The plan is part of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan which aims ‘To keep Thame as a green and pleasant place to live’. Other chapters will cover such things as Water, Energy and Waste.

  • A new festival for Thame ‘For the love of Music’

    A THAME Town Music Festival, a long-held dream of musician and Thame First Thursday Music Club (FTMC) Founder, Jon Littler, was officially launched last night (03/02/17) by Jon, at the club’s seventh birthday party.

    Jon Littler proudly announces the launching of the the first Thame Town Music Festival

    Jon told an enthusiastic audience of musicians and music lovers at the regular FTMC open mic night at the James Figg pub,  that the festival would be a free, multi-venue, multi musical genre, town centre based festival of live music on Saturday, July 8, 2017, with a main stage in the High Street, in the centre of Thame.

    A range of music across all genres including Classical in St Mary’Church, Jazz in another town centre venue as well as Blues, Americana, Rockabilly, Folk, Comedy, Songwriter and more in at least five other venues, will be there to be relished from midday to 10.30pm.

    You choose what you want to see!

    The headline band for the first Thame Town Musical Festival has already been confirmed – its Rusty Shackle. The band, which describes itself as ‘Folk Roots and Roll’, has already made a very strong impression locally having appeared at both Beacon and Towersey Festivals. But Jon and his team want to hear which musicians YOU want to see at YOUR festival, and you can go to the website www.ThameTownMusicFestival.org, propose an act YOU would like to see, fill in their details and then the team will ask them if they would like to appear. Then anyone can endorse or vote for they acts they want. Or, just have some fun looking at the proposed acts on the website, explore their website and videos and endorse the ones you like.

    Also confirmed are Van Susans who have been described by the BBC’s Chris Hawkins as “The Levellers” for a new generation. They too drew big crowds at Beacon Festival last summer.

    YOUR festival needs you!

    Although the festival is being supported by Thame Town Council with £5,000 worth of seed funding, and stall holders and venues will be contributing, more money is needed and the website has a section for volunteers, Sponsorship and a crowd-funding opportunity for anyone to contribute whatever they can afford, to help pay for thing such as toilets, insurance, risk assessment etc.

    As per the official leaflet released today, Jon concludes: “It’s about original and authentic music – there are great covers bands around but we want to give a chance to original music.”

    So, visit the website and get involved and follow the facebook page (LINK HERE) for regular updates as more acts are confirmed  You can also follow the festival on twitter at @TTMFest

  • Double Victory for Racquets Juniors in one day tournament

    RACQUETS Squash Academy juniors blew competitors out of the water last weekend, taking first place in two out of three categories in a one-day tournament at Racquets Fitness centre in Thame.

    On Saturday, January 28, 16 junior squash players from all over the South Region, ranging from beginner/intermediate level to county level participated in the tournament.

    In the junior grade C category, consisting of eight players of similar ability, Mac Readman who has been playing squash at Racquets for a number of years now, really came into his own showing off his full potential against his fellow competitors. He ‘sailed’ through the tournament without dropping a single game and it was clear to see that he has the capability to compete with the more advanced players if he keeps working hard at his game. Alex Glover, who has been playing in the Racquets academy for just over a month now, was runner up in this category. The academy is allowing Alex to improve his game at a rapid rate as he is now playing between three and four days a week and getting coaching specific to his game by the likes of Sue Martin-Downhill and Ben Hedger, both qualified squash coaches.

    In junior grade B, Abingdon junior, Alex Smith, proved to be too strong for the juniors at racquets, not dropping a single game, but was graceful in his wins. It was a great to see another junior in Oxfordshire improving their game. Silas Glover, another Racquets developing player, was runner up, not able to beat one of his fellow competitors who he previously had lost to in the past.

    Six players in the junior grade A category, played a round robin, a format of play where each player had to play against every other competitor in their category. This allowed for plenty of match time for all the players, and allowed for a more accurate representation of who the winner would be. James Portsmouth, another junior at Racquets who is also in the Racquets junior academy, played out of his skin, not dropping a single game to any of his opponents. Revenge was in his mind from losing out on victory in the previous tournament in December, so he went into this tournament hungry and raring to go. He was able to beat players that he had lost to previously which shows how much his game is coming on in such a short period of time.

    Wendover junior, Ben Randrup, was runner up, just losing out on first place by a few points. As well as training at Wendover, Ben has been attending junior training at Racquets once a week for just over two months and is also receiving private coaching by Racquets coach, Ben Hedger.

    For more information about playing squash from young age or starting later in life, please contact Sue, Simon or Ben at Racquets Fitness Centre on 01844 261754.

    SOURCE – Contributed

  • Celebrations and fun for Thame Swimming Club

    MEMBERS of Thame Swimming Club have been celebrating a constellation of successes and achievements over the past year, with Guest of Honour, Linda Emery, the Mayor or Thame, who opened the club’s special evening and presented the awards.

    Club spokesperson, Helen Williams, said: “The event was held at Lord Williams’s Lower School which again seemed to be the perfect location to host our annual event. The food was delicious and plentiful and the atmosphere was buzzing!

    “The evening was about our amazing swimmers and it started with a review of the key highlights from 2016 covering local galas, open water events, Counties, Regionals and Nationals; charity events such the Swimathon and Santa Sleigh; fun events like the Aquathlon and Thame Town Carnival and another successful swim camp to Torremolinos.

    “The coaches then presented the swimmers with their achievement plates from Club Champs. Helen Birmingham presented the Tom Birmingham Skins awards, in memory of coach Tom Birmingham, to the winners Elizabeth Humphreys and Ben Williams. Team GB were then presented their awards and prizes by David, Caroline and George Finch, as winners of the Will Finch Breaststroke Canon Relay, in memory of Will Finch who passed away in 2015. Well done to Martha Block, Thomas Collins, Lucy Block, Dominic Loughran, Flora Kershaw, Josh Williams, Laura Creswell, Harry Block, Ellen Ludlow and Will Simpkins.”

    The Coaches awards for the Top Boy and Top Girl in each Group were awarded to:

         Girls

    Boys
    Group 1 Sacha Livingston Josh Boddy
    Group 2 Tally Simms Murray Wakefield
    Group 3 Lucy Block Oscar North
    Group 4 Ella Simms Josh Williams

    UCare Most Committed Award: awarded to Louis Withers for continuing to swim with a smile despite challenging times.
    Rob Brooks Most Improved Award: awarded to Lucy Block with a 7.63% improvement, followed by Oscar North and Jacob North.
    Simon Burnett Most Competitive Award: awarded to Josh Williams with a whopping 726 points followed by Ben Williams and Elizabeth Humphreys.

  • ‘Downton Abbey with gardening tips’

    ONE very talented actor, Giles Shenton, keeps us engrossed, entertained, amused and emotionally engaged for an hour and a half as a gardener in a potting shed… who knew that would work?

    A wonderful production: funny, emotional, touching, instructive: as it’s been dubbed: ‘Downton Abbey with gardening tips’ (and some cookery ones too!)…and an acute and sometimes hilarious observation of relationships between the classes in a gentler, simpler age. As the song goes, ‘Sometimes life can taste so sweet, when you slow it down.’ Herbert Pinnegar ( “Old Herbaceous”) reminisces & tells us his life story, man and foundling boy; from his transformation, as a “ no-hoper” school boy with a gammy leg, to Head Gardener and on to the dizzy heights of officiating for the RHS! All this under the tender, but ever class-conscious protection and encouragement of his employer, his “dear lady”, Mrs Charteris forever remembered, cherished and, though never actually said, loved from his boyhood as, “ the laughing lady in white, who gave me my first chance”.

    Herbert recounts his transformations and epiphany moments through his times as a lowly gardener’s boy, to under gardener and then to the responsibilities of managing people as Head Gardener; all of these he treats with a gentle good humour and plenty of endearing country common sense. The piece is sprinkled with witticisms and epithets, a gentle humour, all much in the traditionally understated English style of the early 20th century. Yet many of these are timeless: “A garden is like life itself: full of good and evil”. ; “ You can’t be angry for long… not in a garden.”

    The tender care of plants is almost a euphemism for the nourishing of our relationships. A simple, but most effective and accurate set transforms the piece, with sensitive and expressive lighting. I could almost smell the compost and twine. Giles Shenton truly lives the part and really does make us all feel it’s a private chat from a bygone and comforting age and that we leave all the better for having listened to his shared experiences, with a feeling that all’s right with the world. This wonderful production deserves a much wider audience and a long run! The end of the piece, where. though never spoken aloud, his true feelings are revealed, is one of the most moving I have seen in a long time… take your hanky!”

    Saturday, February 4, at 7.45pm – Tickets £12 – Spear Travels. 01844217228 or online from www.thameplayers.co.uk

    SOURCE – Contributed

  • Thame cricketers to ‘slip’ into new sponsor’s shirts

    INSURANCE broker, J Bennett & Son, has become a new shirt sponsor for Thame Town Cricket Club.

    Right to left:- Peter Sutcliffe (MD, JB&S), Mark Nicholl (Director, JB&S), Matt Swain (Vice-Chair TTCC), Andy Jinman (Marketing Manager, TTCC)

    Their Director, Mark Nicholl, said that he has enjoyed supporting the club over the past year, so when the opportunity for sponsorship arose he was keen to get J Bennett and Son more involved.

    In Mark’s own words: “Thame Cricket Club is based at the heart of the Town and as a resident I have really enjoyed their regular events and fixtures. Clubs like these are incredibly important to the community but, for them to continue to thrive, they must be supported by local businesses. It’s a pleasure to be able to be a major sponsor for the next two years and at J. Bennett & Son we are very much looking forward to helping them fulfill their next chapter, the main target of which is of course the development of a brand new clubhouse.”

    At the signing of the sponsorship deal last week, Matt Swain, Vice-Chair of the club, thanked Mark and MD Peter Sutcliffe for their generous support, on behalf of the hundreds of people in the local area who benefit directly and indirectly from the club’s coaching, playing and social activity, female and male, young and old.”

    J. Bennett & Son now join Mobalpa kitchens as one of the club’s main sponsors. For more details of the club’s activities, visit the cricket club’s website: LINK HERE

  • Thame Swimathon 2017 – introducing the teams. Today: Thame Swimming Club

    TWENTY teams have now booked all available slots for the Thame Swimathon 2017. Any new team entry forms will be put on hold onto a waiting list. The fifth edition of the Thame Swimathon will take place at Thame Leisure Centre on Sunday, February 26, 2017, from 11:00 till 15:00.

    This is a fun and fundraising event organised by the Rotary Club of Thame. The event is possible due to generous local sponsors who kindly cover most of the costs: Thame Leisure Centre, Park Street Dental Clinic, Aston Hearing, Booker Tate, and Ignite Sport.

    Most of the teams have taken the option to allocate 50% of the money raised towards their favourite cause, and 50% towards Thame Rotary’s local charities: Red Kite Children’s Centre, Wheel Power, and Hope and Homes for Children.

    Thame Swimming Club will participate with nine teams at the Thame Swimathon 2017, raising funds for their own club. Linda Newton, Thame Swimming Club spokeswoman said: “The Thame Rotary Swimathon is a highlight of the year for many swimmers, as it gives them a chance to work as a team, support both Thame Swimming Club and local charities, and have a lot of fun along the way too!”

    Donations towards one of the nine Thame Swimming Club teams can be made online via:
    https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/lucyandisabel1

    All other My Donate links to teams which fundraise online can be found at www.thame.rotary1090.org
    Rotary Club of Thame can be also followed on www.facebook.com/thamerotary

  • How would YOU respond if asked to house a young refugee?

    STUDENTS at Lord Williams’s School in Thame have been exploring the issues of immigration by debating how they might respond to a (hypothetical) request for the community to accommodate young Syrian refugees in Thame.

    An 18 year-old Syrian refugee – Picture: UNICEF/Yurtsever

    During the of-timetable, conference-style debate, the Year 11 students heard from a panel of speakers including a refugee from Iraq, a local charity representative (Convoy2Calais) and Graham Hunt, Thame’s Town Clerk. Graham was impressed by the discussions that took place amongst students: “They offered a wide range of responses and valuable insights to the issues,” he said. “I will remember the event for a long time to come and will endeavour to ensure that the output can be used in a constructive way.”

    Nicky Stallwood, Careers Manager at Lord Williams’s School, helped co-ordinate the event on January 17, and commented: “For many students, the experience was powerful and several mentioned how it had changed their views on immigration and asylum seekers. The students were able to empathise with the refugee perspective and were very keen to talk further. For many it was the first time that a global issue had become personalised.”

    One Year 11 student spoke for many when he said: “We don’t talk about current issues enough in school. If we want people to get involved and to feed the debate, there has to be more opportunities like this for young people.”

    Nicky Stallwood added: “Working with local refugee interest groups provided students with a real insight into the experience of the refugee and the role of support charities.”

    John Cormino James from Thame’s Bread and Roses for Refugees, found inspiration from the students’ responses: “What was most wonderful was the grounded passion with which the young people presented their conclusions,” he said. “An energy to nurture and also to give us hope.”

  • Thame pupils sing for ‘the union of children’

    YOUNG people from Thame’s Barley Hill School, have celebrated the union of children through music, by taking part in a special concert at the 02 Arena, on Monday, January 16.

    Over 7000 children from schools all over the country gathered to form one of the largest choirs in the world for this spectacular event, called Young Voices. The 26 Thame singers joined the other children to perform musical numbers, including many familiar pop, rock, folk and world songs too.

    “We all felt very lucky to be given the opportunity to perform in such a prestigious venue alongside professional musicians and a live band too,” said Headteacher, Mrs Anne Stopforth. “It was an amazing day and the children thoroughly enjoyed this unforgettable experience.”