Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

The only way is Thame’s at Christmas!

DESPITE TOWIE star, Jasmin Walia, failing to turn up to help turn on Thame’s Christmas lights, due to personal circumstances on the day, eight year-old Holly Stafford did a sterling job turning on Thame’s Christmas lights with the help of the Mayor, Linda Emery, Father Christmas, Police Pup, Tink the Green Fairy and Panto star, Danny Colligan as Aladdin.

Holly had earned the honour of helping to push down the plunger by spotting the biggest number of Go-kart Santas hidden in shop window around the town.

Thame hosted its annual Christmas Lights Switch-On event on Friday, December 2, attracting a throng of local families and visitors to welcome in the yule-tide season. The town centre hummed with festive stalls of crafts, toys and gifts, stilt-walking Colonel Custard, Christmas balloon making, donkey rides on Morris and Holly, go-kart rides and Santa’s grotto, while live enterntainment was provided at various venues in the town centre by Louise Jane school of Dance, Thame Youth Theatre, The Thame Pop Choir, Stagecoach Thame, Thame Players and Thame Concert Band who accompanied the community carols sing-along.

Thame Lions Club helped keep everyone warm with mulled wine, and as well as other refreshment stalls selling hot drinks and food, the bar in the Masonic Hall was open too! A group of Thame’s French friends from the town’s twin town of Montesson, set out their stall of French wines, cheese and other produce and kept the crowds happy with their wonderful crepes and galettes, a Breton pancake made with buckwheat flour with a savoury filling of ham and/or cheese.

A glowing parade of lanterns, created by students from Thame’s primary schools to designs courtesy of Windles Thame, was lead to the giant Christmas tree, by the Police Pup and Tink, the Mayor of Thame and Holly Stafford. Here the crowds gathered to hear Father David Hartley’s Christmas blessing, before the big switch on and community singing, accompanied by Thame Primary School Choirs and Thame Concert Band – a perfect way to round off a fantastic, festive evening.

It’s worth acknowledging that without the generous support of local businesses and sponsors, the event just wouldn’t be possible. So, a big ‘shout out’ to: ASM Auto Recycling, Kubota, Risborough Carers, JJ Plumbing and Heating, The Air Cadets, Wally’s Toy Shop, Fisher German, Thame & District Housing Association, Lucy Electric, Newitts, Fairy Dust Entertainment, Windless Group, Kubota, Thame Lions, Waitrose, Haddenham Garden Centre, Paddy Harris, Thame’s Primary Schools, 3B Vechicle Hire & Servicing, the Co-op and Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.

06/12/2016
Christmas Green Fayre

THAME Friends of the Earth are holding their Christmas Green Fayre on Saturday, December 10, at Thame Town Hall, between 10am – 3pm, with lots to do, see, buy or exchange.

There will be local and Fair Trade stalls selling a variety of gifts, crafts, jewellery, clothes, produce and cakes. In addition, the organising team are providing a service to enable people to sell toys and to buy good condition second hand toys, in the run up to Christmas. So, please bring clean items in good condition to Thame Town Hall between 9am and 10 am on the day, and collect unsold items at 3pm. Friends of the Earth will keep 25% of the selling price for all items sold.

All toys must be clearly labeled with your name, telephone number and the asking price.

Friends of the Earth are earnestly campaigning for cleaner air in our towns and cities. We have been monitoring air quality in Thame and the initial results will be available at the Green Fayre. There will be a collection point for recycling of items such as unwanted stamps, foreign coins, old reading glasses, mobile phones, used batteries and empty printer cartridges.

Free Christmas activities will be on offer for children, with Christmas gardens, making cards and table top arrangements, all using recycled materials.

Entrance to the Green Fayre is free, with free lucky dip prizes for the children, and free Christmas Chee in the form of refreshments including mulled wine and mince pie for adults.

06/12/2016
Lord Williams’s U18s Rugby team reach National Quarter Final

HE last 16 tie of the U18 Natwest Schools Rugby Knockout saw Lord Williams’s School team travel down to Dorset to take on Bournemouth Grammar School.

With a blinding low sun and a slope on the pitch ensured that this was going to be a game of where use of the elements and conditions were pivotal. Lord Williams’s kicked off with the slope and win at their backs and were instantly able to pressure the Bournemouth defence.

Forward dominance and a lot of committed defence saw Lord Williams’s turn the ball over in several important areas of the field. The consistent pressure supported with the astute tactical kicking from Sam Nicholls at Fly Half saw Lord Williams’s camped in Bournemouth’s half. A well composed backs move on seven minutes saw the pace of Alex MacDonald round the centre and fullback to finish neatly in the corner, this was converted by Nicholls.

From kick off, several phases of disciplined forward play saw Lord Williams’s immediately apply pressure to Bournemouth again. From a line out display that took control of the game away from the home team, Charlie Wooster was able to secure a platform that allowed Dan Pearce to crash over the line after a period of disciplined and sustained attack to make it 12-0.

Bournemouth came back at Lord Williams’s with a determined and physical approach in the tight. However strong counter attacking from the Lord Williams’s three quarters and discipline at the breakdown ensured the penalty count was low and pressure was relieved from some Bournemouth attacks. On 28 minutes, another well-constructed move in the backs game MacDonald space to score his second in the corner to make it 17-0.

From kick off, the forwards built a strong platform through the middle of Bournemouth’s committed defence which saw several patient phases rewarded with number 8 Will Kent break off the back of a ruck and dive over the line, Nicholls converted. 24-0.

In the second half with the slope and conditions in their favour, Bournemouth laid siege to the Lord Williams’s 22 for 14 minutes. A succession of determined defence and disciplined tight play restricted Bournemouth from scoring for a long time, this was to prove vital in the outcome of the game. On 49 minutes, finally Bournemouth’s dominance saw them go over in the corner which was converted to make it 24-7.

Within this determined defence Lord Williams’s lost both Kent and Nicholls to injury which meant that the bench was going to be put to the test. Sam Coldicott stepped up from another impressive display at full back and ran the back line with confidence to help relieve pressure and maintain the defensive intensity to close the game out.

Discipline and fitness in the forwards saw Lord Williams’s gradually push the determined Bournemouth pressure back into their own half, credit must go to the whole squad for the commitment that each player showed to the defence.

Finally the referee blew the final whistle which saw Lord Williams’s go through to the national quarter finals. We will look forward to the quarter final draw in January.

SOURCE: Contributed

06/12/2016
Challenge yourself! TheThame Swimathon 2017

THE Thame Swimathon is coming back! Thame Rotarians are looking for teams of four to six people to attend the fifth edition of the Thame Swimathon which will take place at the Thame Leisure Centre on Sunday, February 26, 2017, between 11:00 – 15:00.

Flashback to the Thame Swimathon 2015

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

Take on the challenge! To participate is easy as 1-2-3:
1. Get a team of 4-6, download Team Entry Form from www.thame.rotary1090.org and send it to thame.swimathon@btinternet.com
2. Raise funds for charity
3. Swim for 1 h.

All ages from 8+ are invited to enter. The Team Entry Form, Info Pack and Sponsorship Form are available on www.thame.rotary1090.org

It is not too early to book now, as 7 out of the 20 time slots have already been taken by teams.

The participants have got the option to allocate 50% of the money raised towards the charity of their choice or 100% towards Rotary’s charities. The swimmers at the previous edition of the event have raised well over £5,300 earlier this year.

SOURCE – Contributed by Rotary Club of Thame. See the group’s facebook page HERE

06/12/2016
Have your say about a new Community centre in Thame

FOLLOWING years of discussion and lobbying for a large Community Centre-type facility in Thame, the town council has formed a Community Facilities Working Group which is set to meet for the first time, with the public participating, on December 14.

For many years discussions went on between Thame CMAG (Cattle Market Action Group) and Developer Bob Williams on behalf of the current occupiers of the Thame Cattle Market site, Thame Farmers Auction Mart, SODC and Thame Town Council, with the aim of ensuring that when the lease for the site ends in 2021, and the site vacated, ‘the needs of the people of Thame for an excellent, multi-purpose community development is kept high on the agenda of any discussion on the future use of the site’ (quote: CMAG website).

Flash back to a previous public meeting at Thame Town Hall

The current Cattle Market, which has operated on the site since 1951, has approval to move to a new site next to the Showground site on the edge of town, but other potential sites have been put forward, some already evaluated, and are being looked at by the Workiing Group.

In a Press Release today, Thame Town Council states: “The time has now come to establish concrete plans for the way forward… to assist the community to work together towards the best solution. To ensure that the best solution is found, we first need to ensure that we are working to satisfy current and future requirements.

“A first formal meeting for the Community Facilities Working Group has therefore been set at 7pm on Wednesday, December 14, at the Town Hall. The agenda will include provision of some background information, with an opportunity for everyone to state their latest thinking on the requirements, hopefully leading to an agreement on how we can identify community facility needs via analysis of all the relevant data and information available.” (See pages 38-39 of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan)

To help the council, anyone intending to go to the meeting is asked to confirm their attendance by emailing: info@thametowncouncil.gov.uk or by calling Jane on 01844 212833. The Town Clerk is also happy to answer any questions in the meantime.

Until the agenda and the background information becomes available, you can read the Terms of Reference of the CFWG on the council’s website HERE

You can read previous news reports on this subject HERE

06/12/2016
Protect your tools – protect your business!

AFTER a spate of thefts of tools from vehicles and sheds in the area, Thames Valley Police have issued nine tips for keeping your tools safe:

Lock ‘em up!

It might seem obvious, but keeping your tools locked securely in a storage shed, or garage is a must-do. Thieves go for easy targets, and if yours isn’t easy, they might look elsewhere. We know that taking all your tools off site or unloading the van each day is a pain, but if it saves you losing your tool, then you win.

Image courtesy of romseyandvillages.co.uk/

If you must leave your tools on site or in your vehicle, securing a heavy duty tool box to the inside of your vehicle with a lock on the tool box will make it more difficult.

Secure your site

A badly secured site is an invitation for thieves. Ensure there are no gaps in fencing and that you have a decent padlock preferably secured to a locking plate to minimise bolt cutter leverage. Consider an alarm system, especially towards the end of builds when valuable goods have been stored.

Don’t leave your tools in a trailer or vehicle

This is making it too easy for thieves. You’ve even done the hard work of removing them off site, all they need to do is steal your car or trailer and drive away. Unload your vehicle each night, or store it securely in a garage that is alarmed.
If this is not possible, install a vehicle alarm. The more deterrents the better chance your tools have of staying yours.

Engrave / Mark your tools

Engraving your name, phone number or postcode into your tools may act as a deterrent to thieves by making your tools more difficult to sell. Engrave deep and engrave well to prevent it from being sanded or grinded off too easily. Another alternative is to us a permanent UV marker pen and write your details on the tools. It is invisible but could assist the police to identify any recovered stolen items. It is best to keep your markings consistent using the same mark for each tool.

Add a toolbox alarm and tracking device

Adding a toolbox alarm and clearly marking your toolbox as being alarmed will further deter thieves from stealing your kit, while a modern and relatively small GPS tracking devices will help track down your kit if it is stolen.

Do a regular stock take

It might sound boring and a waste of time but by doing a regular check of your tools and equipment regularly (ideally daily or weekly) you know exactly if and when a tool goes missing. You can also note any required tools or accessories before you need them meaning you save the time of dashing out to the hardware store mid-job!

Note your tools’ serial numbers and photograph them

If your tools do get stolen, having serial numbers and photos will help track them down, and prove they are yours if they are recovered. It’s not a big effort and could be the difference between getting your tools back or having them sitting on the shelf at a pawn shop. If you mark your tool by engraving them or UV marker, also make a note of what tools are marked.

Report thefts to the police

By reporting to the police any theft of tools and supplying images and serial numbers then police are able to cross check that information with any stolen goods recovered. By reporting it and providing evidence (pictures, serial numbers, receipts etc) that the tools are yours, you may get them back. Tools do get recovered, all is not lost, but it can be hard to identify where they are from if we do not have the full information from the owner.

Have insurance

Do not make the mistake of not insuring your tools, they are your daily business after all. Get a good insurance policy and make sure you read the policies fine print so you know exactly what your responsibilities are and the circumstances in which they might deny a claim.
The other steps you take such as taking a regular stock take, serial numbers and photographs should help with your claim, but there is no guarantee; read the fine print.

Contact us

For further information or advice in relation to Crime Prevention, please contact the Thame & Wheatley Neighbourhood Policing Team via email: ThameWatlingtonChinnorNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk Please note, this email address cannot be used to contact Thames Valley Police to report a crime or for urgent matters.

Alternatively, you can contact the local neighbourhood team by calling us on the police non-emergency number 101 or if it is an emergency and there is a crime in progress, then dial 999.

05/12/2016
Support Thame cricketer’s Movember challenge

THE Vice-Chair of Thame Cricket Club, despite friendly ribbing from team mates, has been taking part in the Movember campaign to raise funds for research into men’s illnesses, and grown a moustache.

Matt Swain

Despite the mickey-taking, the rest of the team, and friends and family have shown their support for Matt and helped him towards his target of £250.

In a message to club members, Matt said: “Together we’ve helped stop men dying too young, funding vital prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention projects. Every bit counts, which is why I’m back for another month of Movember.”

If you would like to support Matt, there are two ways you can contribute to his Movember fundraising: Donate online at http://mobro.co/swainymo
or, make out a cheque to ‘Movember’ referencing Matt’s registration ID (12658445) and mail it to: Movember Europe, PO Box 485, Wilstead, Bedford, MK45 3XN

Learn about the important work Movember is funding and the impact your donation will have:
http://uk.movember.com/programs/cause

01/12/2016
Invitation to crime prevention event in Thame

THE Thame neighbourhood police team are holding a crime prevention event in the town hall in Thame, on December 9. They will be there between 6pm and 8pm handing out a range of crime prevention items such as tamper proof screws, UV pens and stickers for cars and vans stating ‘No Satnav left in this vehicle.

‘Smart water’ shows up on thief’s hands

Also available to buy will be Smartwater which is great for marking up valuables both inside and outside you home.

Also available at no cost will be bicycle security marking, a discreet tamper proof security sticker the officers will fit to your bicycle with your details on. This is a great deterrent and also aids the police in returning lost and stolen bicycles to their lawful owners.

PCSO Ryan Dollery said: “Please come along and say hello to us on the 9th in the Town Hall to take advantage of these crime prevention goodies. We will also be on hand to answer any questions you have for us with regards to crime prevention or any other local issues.”

01/12/2016
M40 Roadworks warning – lane closures tonight
- M40 J7 southbound access | Southbound | Road Works – issued 29-11-2016 03:19 PM GMT by Highways England.
Status : Pending. Lane Closures : Lane one will be closed. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 22:00 and 06:00 from 29 November 2016 to 12 December 2016. Location : The M40 southbound entry slip at junction J7 . Lanes Closed : There will be one of two lanes closed. Reason : Road repairs are planned.
- The M40 southbound between junctions J8A and J6 – Reason Barrier repairs are planned. Schedule From 22:00 on 29 November 2016 to 06:00 on 30 November 2016
  Lanes Closed
- M40 southbound between J7 and J6 | Southbound | Road Works
  29-11-2016 01:48 PM GMT – Status : Pending. Lane Closures : Lane three will be closed. Schedule : From 22:00 on 29 November 2016 to 06:00 on 30 November 2016. Location : The M40 southbound between junctions J8A and J6 . Lanes Closed : There will be one of three lanes closed. Reason : Barrier repairs are planned.
29/11/2016
Fitness Centre explains why Apprentices work for small businesses

DO you own a small business? Thinking about taking on staff? Employing an Apprentice could be the way forward for you. Around two-thirds of Oxfordshire’s Apprentices are employed by small businesses and this Small Business Saturday (December 3), and the organisation, Oxfordshire Appprenticships are encouraging more small businesses to discover the benefits of employing an Apprentice.

L-R Sue Martin Downhill, Ben Hedger and Simon Martin

Racquets is a family-run fitness centre in the heart of Thame with something for everyone. In addition to a wide variety of squash coaching and clubs for all ages and stages, there’s an extensive range of fun fitness classes on offer from core boxing to hardcore spin. You can work out in one of three gym zones and then relax in the Racquets lounge. As well as sport, Racquets is also a centre for socialising – the lounge is open every evening and the large function room is used for everything from children’s parties to business get-togethers.

The centre is run by husband and wife team, Simon Martin and Sue Martin-Downhill. It’s a small business, employing around 25 people, with some part time – equivalent to 10 full time staff.

Around five years ago, Sue was involved in running another business that was taking on its first Apprentice. She could see how employing an Apprentice at Racquets would be an affordable way to recruit a new member of staff who could grow with the business and learn how to do things the Racquets way. The centre employed their first Apprentice, Jack Shrimpton, to work as a personal trainer in the gym. He was followed by a second Personal Trainer Apprentice Ellis Quarterman. Both Jack and Ellis are now full time Racquets employees, providing group and one-to-one personal training.

Following the success of the first two Apprentices, Sue decided to introduce an Apprentice into a different area of the business – squash coaching. Ben Hedger, 18, has been playing squash at Racquets since he was four and is currently working towards becoming a professional player. Sue and Simon offered him the opportunity to join them as a Squash Coach Apprentice once he left school.

This was a fantastic opportunity for Ben. He’d get paid for doing the sport he loves, whilst working towards a Level 2 coaching qualification which is paid for as part of the Apprenticeship. He jumped at the chance and started his Apprenticeship with Racquets in September 2016.

Ben’s role involves coaching groups of year Five and Six children from a number of local schools. Ben also works on reception, including one evening a week and provides cover for other staff members when required. This enables him to develop valuable customer service skills alongside the coaching skills and experience he is gaining every day.

Sue explained: “Before Ben started, we didn’t have the capacity to offer as many school-time sessions. Now we are able to give squash coaching to all Year fives and sixes in the three Primary schools in Thame all year round. It can be difficult for small businesses to afford to hire an experienced member of staff, but employing an Apprentice means we can afford the extra pair of hands and we can train them to fit the needs of our business.

“Now that Ben’s here and has been able to take over coaching the kids, I have more time to devote to marketing the business and growing our customer base. I also have more time for admin now that I’m not coaching all the time. Ben’s Apprenticeship covers the cost of his coaching qualifications, and the external training he gets takes the pressure off us a bit and things like maths and English are taken care of.”

Ben completed A Levels in PE, Business Studies and History at Lord Williams School in Thame before joining Racquets. He said: “I liked the idea of going to ‘uni’ but for all the wrong reasons! I knew that an Apprenticeship would enable me to earn money instead of getting into debt. I am also aiming to go pro this year and working here means that I get to pursue my goal and I have the benefit of my bosses also being my coaches!

“My role involves coaching kids and I do all the group sessions. Lots of kids approach me and ask for individual coaching too, once I’ve coached them in a group. It’s a flexible and fun working environment and I love working doing something I enjoy.

“Rob from Icon Training comes in to see me once a month. We do about three hours work and he also sets me things to do. The questions are all about the club and the business, so I find it easy to integrate the job and the learning parts of my Apprenticeship. My advice to anyone thinking about an Apprenticeship would be to make sure you consider your options and find something you enjoy. The best thing about an Apprenticeship is that you’re earning money while you’re learning and gaining experience in the workplace.”

If you’re interested in employing an Apprentice to help grow your small business and would like some help to get started, contact Oxfordshire Apprenticeships on tel: 01865 323477 or email: info@oxfordshireapprenticeships.co.uk. They can come and visit you in your workplace and talk it through with you. Visit: www.oxfordshireapprenticeships.co.uk/employers for info.

There’s a fantastic range of workshops and one-to-one sessions taking place in Thame this Small Business Saturday (3rd December), offering advice and support for small businesses on topics such as finance and digital marketing. Visit the Thame Centre First website for details and booking: http://www.thamecentrefirst.org/small-business-saturday.html.

29/11/2016