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Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

  • Thame to welcome ‘Corbynista’ MP

    CORRECTION – Amended date. AS a front-bench MP and staunch ‘Corbynista,’ Diane Abbott MP is at the heart of everything that is going on inside the Labour Party and on Saturday, October 22, she will be treating a Thame audience to her forthright views on a variety of subjects, including the inside story of the present turmoil within her Party.

    Diane Abbott MP
    Diane Abbott MP

    Diane made history in 1987 by becoming the first black woman ever elected to the British Parliament, as MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington. She was re-elected last year with an improved majority. Diane is currently Shadow Secretary of State for Health and was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for International Development in September 2015. She has served on a number of parliamentary committees on social and international issues, and has also served on the Commons Treasury Select Committee.  NB She has just been appointed to the post of Shadow Home Secretary (06/10/16).

    Diane is also an experienced public speaker and broadcaster, and has spoken at colleges and universities across the United States including Harvard. She appears regularly on radio and television and, until recently, appeared weekly on the BBC1 late night political discussion show, This Week, with Andrew Neil and Michael Portillo. Michael was also a pupil at Harrow County Grammar School, where they both appeared in a production of Macbeth.

    Famous for her feisty style, Diane was one of the first Labour MPs openly to criticise Peter Mandelson, famously calling him a source of ‘poison’ in the government. Diane isn’t afraid to step out of the party line and was a serial rebel against her government. Her direct manner was never better expressed than in her comment to former Bank of England governor, Sir Edward George: ‘You’re just an inflation nutter, aren’t you?’

    An Audience with Diane Abbott is at The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame 0X9 2DP at 7.45pm on Saturday, October 22. Tickets cost £18, and are obtainable from Spear Travels, Greyhound Walk, Thame – tel: 01844 217228 or online from www.thameplayers.co.uk

  • £ hundreds raised in Thame for cancer support

    NO doubt spured on by last weekend’s Big Thame Bake as part of the food festival, residents and businesses in and around Thame baked and ate cakes of all varieties as part of ‘The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ on Friday, and raised hundreds of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

    Sandra Plumb of Long Crendon's magnificent spread of cakes all baked by her!
    Sandra Plumb of Long Crendon’s magnificent spread of cakes all baked by her!

    Many of them took to social media to spread the word about their event and to proudly share pictures and totals of funds raised by selling tea, coffee and cake to friends, customers and clients throughout the day. In no particular order, these are just some of the local people who gave up their time and efforts to support a charity close to the hearts of many:

    A Piece of Cake, Thame, raised £185, Thame Barns Centre raised £430, Sandra Plumb of Long Crendon, who held a coffee morning in her home, raised £475, PCMS Design in Haddenham raised £255, Wellers Accountants in Thame raised £95, The Sanderum Centre raised £500 across both of their Centres, the Thame branch of Nationwide made £147 and Lightfoots’ staff in Thame raised £360 from sales of cake, with a top from the company itself, making a grand total of £500.

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1That make a grand total in all of £2,587 from just this handful of small, local businesses and residents that we’ve heard about.

    To find out more about Macmillan Cancer Care, visit their website: LINK HERE

  • Thame swimmers shine at Maxwell Level 3 Gala

    A squad of swimmers from Thame Swimming Club did themselves proud competing at the Maxwell Level Three October Meet over the weekend of October 1-2, at Aqua Vale in Aylesbury.

    swimmers_maxwell_gala_oct2016-400x303

    Supported by Head Coach Ian Blyth and Group 2/2+ Coach, Mark Simms, the swimmers rose to the occasion and put in some very impressive swims with new PBs being achieved and for some, first-ever times being registered.

    Delighted club spokesperson, Helen Williams, said: “Huge congratulations to all our swimmers of whom we are very proud but special mentions must go out to the following swimmers:

    · Katelin Phillips: for taking a whopping 44 seconds off her 400 Freestyle time and to Elizabeth Humphreys for achieving a County Accepted
    time in the same even.
    · Lucy Block: for achieving a County Accepted time for her 200m Backstroke and a County Considered time for 400IM (not bad given it was the
    first time Lucy had ever swum this race!!).
    · Martha Block: for knocking an impressive four seconds off her 50 Free time having taking 10 seconds off at BBAT only tqo weeks ago. Way to
    go Martha!
    · Ben Williams: achieving a Winter Regional consideration time for his 100 Backstroke
    · Ella Simms: taking a brilliant 17 seconds off her previous 400 IM time and achieving a County Considered time in the process.
    · Louis Bolton: taking an amazing 18 seconds off his 200 IM
    · Flora Kershaw: taking a fabulous 13 seconds off her 100 Backstroke
    · Murray Wakefield: for achieving a much sought after sub-40 seconds for his 50 Fly J Murray also achieved a 12 second PB on his 400 Free
    having only just taken nine seconds off at BBAT!
    · Josh Williams: achieving a County Accepted time for his 200 Backstroke and to Elliot Riley-Brown for achieving County Considered time for
    his 100 Backstroke.

    “Thank you to all our fabulous officials who volunteered their time to ensure that our swimmers times counted … Paul Williams, Emma Camp, Sue Hewett, Rachel Humphreys and Brian Pridmore. Huge congratulations to Emma Camp for passing her J1 officials assessment. Thank you to Melissa Simms and Michele Block for Team Managing so fabulously on the Saturday too.

  • Tickets available still for TAL stories and events!

    ONLY eight days to go before the Thame Arts & Literary Festival (TAL) and tickets are selling fast. So, to whet your appetite if you haven’t already booked, here are some of the great, literary personalities and events programmed for 2016:

    * Artemis Cooper, whose eagerly-awaited biography on Elizabeth Jane Howard, A Dangerous Innocence, was recently
    Radio 4’s Book of the Week.

    * Tom Paulin – Reading the poetry of W.B.Yeats

    * Lady Anne Heseltine – TAL Festival Founder’s Lecture

    * Nicholas Parsons – Just a Laugh a Minute

    * Charlotte Green – The News is Read by…

    Author M R Hall
    Author M R Hall

    For the sleuths amongst you, award-winning crime writer, Matthew R. Hall will definitely appeal. He’s written episodes of Kavanagh QC, Dalziel and Pasco, A&E, Foyle’s War and the legal series, Wing and a Prayer, amongst others, before writing the acclaimed Coroner books.

    In The Case of the Crusading Coroner, Matthew’s coroner, Jenny Cooper, is on the case even when it threatens her own life. “Prepare to be gripped!”

    For our full programme of events take a look at the TAL website www.talfestival.org Or pick up the free, handy TAL Festival souvenir brochure from The Book House, Thame Town Hall, The Library and lots of other places around the town.

    And for up to the minute news, just follow TAL on Facebook and on Twitter  @talfestival.

    TAL Festival – October 12 – 16, 2016

  • FREE session for Women In Sport week

    THIS week is Women In Sport week, and to help celebrate, Thame Leisure Centre is offering free classes between October 3 – 9, along with other sports centres in South Oxfordshire and The Vale.

    spinning-400x262

    Thame is offering the following sports during the week:

    Group Cycle/Spin – Wednesday, October 5 – 09.25-10.25
    Combat – Thursday, October 6 – 19.15-20.00
    Aqua -Thursday – 19.00-20.00

    For more information and to claim your free pass please contact bettercommunities@GLL.ORG or call Emma Freeman on 07801 203550; Subject to availability within classes. You must pre book using the above contact details.

  • Showcase for Thame Charities

    THIS year’s Thame Town Charity Fair will be on November 5, at Thame Town Hall. The event promotes and showcases Thame charities, including the Mayor’s chosen good causes, the Thame Youth Cafe and The Red Kite Children’s Centre.

    The Mayor of Thame, Linda Emery
    The Mayor of Thame, Linda Emery

    Refreshments will be served by the Girl Guides throughout the event, between 10am and 2pm. Admission is FREE.

     

  • Businesses asked to help identify key issues

    THE views of businesses across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse are being sought to help influence a new strategy that will support growth and economic development in the district.

    Image courtesy of Thame Town Council
    Image courtesy of Thame Town Council

    A statement today read: “To ensure the new strategy meets the needs of organisations throughout both districts the councils are asking businesses what their current and future priorities are, what they consider to be the key barriers to growth, and what support the district councils and their partners could provide to help them achieve their growth ambitions.”

    To ensure their views are heard businesses should complete the online survey LINK HERE. The consultation closes on October 14, 2016.

  • Chinnor outplay Rams to maintain their winning run

    ALWAYS a stern test at Sonning, Chinnor RFC left it late to overcome Redigensians 32-17 on Saturday, October 1, to maintain their winning start to the season.

    Breaking news: Ex Chinnor player, Sam Jones has been selected to join England squad for training camp on Sunday at Brighton
    Breaking news: Ex Chinnor player, Sam Jones has been selected to join England squad for training camp on Sunday at Brighton

    Rams went into an early lead with a penalty goal by Atkins. Chinnor then began to build pressure in Rams’ half with a series of attacks in the 22. They foundered on stiff resistance until Kieron Goss found a hole for Chinnor’s first try after 18 minutes. Chinnor continued building attacks in Rams’ 22 and were rewarded a few minutes later when Danny Barnes, out wide slowly strolled over unopposed for Chinnor’s second try, converted by Bertie Hopkin. With Rams’ Vooght yellow carded for scooping the ball back from a ruck, Hopkin increased the Chinnor lead to 15-3 from a penalty goal. Barnes then went over for Chinnor’s third, expertly diving full length to field the ball and then casually getting up to dot down for a 20-3 lead. Rams then began to get more into the match and a series of quick rucks ended with Dan Sanders crashing over for Rams’ first try just as the half finished. With Atkins conversion, the visitors held a 20-10 half time lead.

    Clearly heartened by their first score, Rams began to dominate territory. A series of scrums near the Chinnor line saw the home pack begin to dominate and force a series of scrum penalties. The referee, Mr Lewars, then lost patience and sin binned Chinnor’s Jay Tyack for collapsing the scrum. From the next scrum, Rams’ No 8 picked up and barrelled over for Rams’ second try. Atkins’ conversion narrowed the score to 17-20. Momentum was now clearly with Rams, particularly with their dominant scrum. However, Chinnor’s introduction of prop Andy Berry immediately evened up the scrum and Chinnor began to attack again. A long period of Chinnor possession ended with skipper Bevon Armitage bursting through to dot down Chinnor’s bonus point try on 59 minutes. Hopkin’s conversion eased the pressure further. The last 10 minutes were all Chinnor against a valiant home defence in the 22. The dam broke when Messum picked from the back of a ruck and went straight through it to score Chinnor’s fifth for a 32-17 victory.

    Redingensians Rams always give Chinnor a tough day at the office and this was no exception. Seeming to start to build a big score, Rams came back hard to narrow the gap to just three points. Their strengthening scrum was looking worrying until Andy Berry came on to shore up the Chinnor scrum most effectively and help swing the match back towards Chinnor. Again, Chinnor’s defence was instrumental in gaining the victory. Midfield defence and a hustling back row gave Chinnor the edge. However, Nathan Hannay’s grappling skills in the maul often blunted a potent Rams weapon and earns him Man of the Match laurels.

    Teams

    Redingensians
    Joe Duffelen, Jak Rossiter, Steve Bryant, Dan Barnes, Sean McDermottroe, Jacob Atkins, Chico U’Chong, Matt Weller, Ben Henderson, Sean McDonnell-Roberts, Ollie Taylor, Tom Bryson, Samir Kharbouch, Tom Vooght, Robbie Stapley

    Interchanges: Ross Crame, Jack Steadman, Justin Allen, Andy Amor, Dan Sanders

    Chinnor
    Kieran Goss, Danny Barnes, Bevon Armitage, Junior Fatialofa, Henry Lamont, Bertie Hopkin, Frank Jones, Ricky Cano, Jamie Townsend, Jay Tyack, Nathan Hannay, CJ Osazuwa, Richard Thorpe, George Messum, Tom Burns

    Interchanges: Andy Berry, Jon Phipps, Tom Price, Greg Goodfellow, Luke Hibberd

    Scorers

    Redingensians
    Tries (time): Sanders (38), Stapley (52)
    Conversions (time): Atkins (39, 53)
    Penalty Goals (time): Atkins (5)

    Chinnor
    Tries (time): Goss (18), Barnes (24, 31), Armitage (59), Messum (77)
    Conversions (time): Hopkin (25, 61)
    Penalty Goals (time): Hopkin (28)
    Referee: Jack Lewars
    Attendance: 309
    Half time score: 10-20
    Full time score: 17-32
    Star Player: Nathan Hannay (Chinnor)

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Full list of Big Thame Bake winners

    THIS year’s Big Thame Bake, part of the Thame Food Festival held on Saturday, September 24,  attracted dozens of high calibre entries and the various categories were judged by some very distinguished bakers.

    Chocolate cupcakes in the theme of ‘A Piece of Cake’ Junior winner, Marielle Lee with Natalie Coleman, Masterchef winner 2013
    Chocolate cupcakes in the theme of ‘A Piece of Cake’ Junior winner, Marielle Lee with Natalie Coleman, Masterchef winner 2013

    Cookery writer and Food Stylist, Jane Hornby, over-saw the competition on behalf of the food festival organisers, and for those who missed the amazing competition results and prize-giving, here’s a link to the full list of entries, judges and winners. Big Thame Bake 2016 – List of winners

    Festival goers were able to taste the entries for themselves after the judging, in the Thame Belles WI pop-up cafe in Thame Town Hall.

  • Thame’s MP unhappy about constituency name change

    THE Boundary Commission for England is proposing to cut the number of constituencies from 650 to 600 and redistribute some geographical areas to make the numbers of constituents more equal. the Commission is also proposing to change the name of the Henley Constituency to Henley and Thame.

    John Howell canvassing in Thame
    John Howell canvassing in Thame

    However, Thame’s MP John Howell is not happy about the proposed name-change because it does not include the third market town in the constituency, Wallingford. He has proposed that the new constituency name should either incorporate Wallingford or be based on geography and called something like South-East Oxfordshire.

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1The proposed changes are currently out for public consultation so to have your say, LINK HERE