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  • Spreading the skills of sugarpaste all over the world

    An independent retailer in Thame, which sells cake-decorating and making equipment internationally, has just said ‘good-bye’ to a class of students from all over the world, who have spent 12 days learning how to make sugarpaste flower sprays with internationally acclaimed specialist, Alan Dunn, in Thame.

    Yes, those flowers really ARE made of sugarpaste !
    Yes, those flowers really ARE made of sugarpaste !

    The students were teachers, decorators and hobbiests from places as far as way as Atlanta in Georgia, Italy, Germany, Hong Kong and China. When Thame.Net dropped in to meet the visitors, they were all loving Thame, many of them having explored the town’s pubs and the shops – including one gentleman from Belgium – who happens to be cake-maker to the Belgian Royal Court, who bought several bow ties from Gallant in Greyhound Walk.

    Joint owner of the course facilitator, A Piece of Cake in Upper High Street, Norma Laver, said: “It was such a pleasure to meet some amazing, talented people and to see old friends again and meet new ones. I’m looking forward to seeing many of them again next year.”

    From L to R - Norma Laver, Michael Lewis-Anderson (cake maker to the Belgian Royal Court), Alan Dunn & Christine Walker
    From L to R – Norma Laver, Michael Lewis-Anderson (cake maker to the Belgian Royal Court), Alan Dunn & Christine Walker. Image courstesy of A Piece of Cake

    Norma and her business partner, Jenny Walker, have both won awards for their work. They started A Piece of Cake in 1985 and now have one of the most comprehensive online stores supplying cake decorating equipment to the world. They were the first company to manufacture and sell ready-made, ready to use Flower Paste which is used by some of the worlds top cake decorators.

    They are both great supporters of charities, most recently taking part in the Ice Bucket challenge, to raise funds for Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the local activity centre for children with special needs, Thomley.

  • Battery charger in shed causes Thame fire

    OXFORDSHIRE Fire & Rescue Service were called at 09:28am today (18/08) to a fire in a garage which was quickly spreading to the attached bungalow, in Chestnut Avenue, Thame.

     

    Image courtesy of @HeartThamesNews
    Image courtesy of @HeartThamesNews

    Fire appliances from Wheatley, Slade, Watlington and Aylesbury, from neighbouring county Buckinghamshire, quickly attended the fire. The crews used hose reels and firefighting jets to quickly bring the fire under control. Crews were also committed inside the property wearing breathing apparatus to stop the fire from spreading to the adjoining property. Large fans were used to ventilate the property to reduce any further damage from smoke.

    The fire was started when a battery for a model aircraft, that was charging in the garage, became overheated and caught fire.
    ‎
    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1The occupiers of the property got safely out of the house, however one of the occupiers of the property had breathed in smoke when removing dangerous hazards from the garage and was treated by South Central Ambulance service.

    Station Manager Reay from OFRS said ” The crews did an excellent job working swiftly and effectively to stop the fire spreading and taking hold in the roof above the living accommodation. The gentleman was checked out by South Central Ambulance service at the scene for smoke inhalation and was given the all clear, having entered the property during the fire. Although this helped to reduce the intensity of the fire, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service always urge that once you are out of the building, and have called the fire service out, you stay out.”

    Crews will be doing a hot-strike in the street in the next week giving fire safety advice to residents about the importance of having smoke alarms and the dangers of fire.

    Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice. If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk

  • Not the best weekend for Thame cricketers!

    NOT a great weekend for Thame Town Cricket Club, as the first team lost at Buckingham, the seconds had a losing draw at home and Chearsley failed to raise a team to play against the third team, but as a result, the thirds got 25 points due to Chearsley forfeiting. MATCH REPORTS

    First XI

    THAME travelled to Buckingham for another crucial match last Saturday. Having won the the toss, stand-in skipper, Mike Beard, had no hesitation in batting on a good wicket.

    Honey Garg, top scorer for TTCC's 1st XI
    Honey Garg, top scorer for TTCC’s 1st XI

    Thame’s top order worked hard against a strong bowling attack, notable contributions coming from Harry Thomas (32) and Honey Garg (54). However, wickets fell at key moments and it took some lower-order hitting for Thame to muster a below-par 215. In response, Buckingham’s openers looked to seize the initiative. Chris Jeffcock, stepping up from his usual role as second team captain, bowled superbly to keep the scoring down and, aided by two fine run outs, kept Thame’s hopes alive. In the end though, the placid nature of the pitch rendered the bowling toothless, Buckingham getting home with only three wickets down and two overs to spare. Thame entertain Amersham at Church Meadow on Saturday, August 20.

    Second XI

    THAME seconds entertained Chearsley firsts with high hopes of a win to maintain their 22-point lead at the top of Division five. Chearsley lost the toss and were asked to bat on a good pitch.

    It wasn’t long before Thame were facing an uphill struggle as opener James Veness steadily built a century which, helped by dropped catches, developed into an unbeaten 142. Despite a marathon stint from Ian McStay with two wickets, Chearsley’s progress was aided by an injury to Thame’s leading wicket-taker, Ali Thomas, who limped out of the attack after just two overs. They finished on 273 for 4 from 52 overs. After tea, with only 48 overs available, Thame set off at a gallop in pursuit but lost wickets regularly. Thanks to Richard Carr (77) and a maiden, 2nd XI half-century for Christian Warwick (62), Thame reached 201 for 7, thereby earning five points but seeing their lead cut to three points with three games remaining. They travel to bottom club,Banbury fourths this Saturday, August 20.

    Third XI
    THE third XI sadly did not play, due to Chearsley seconds forfeiting the game for lack of players. Thame now entertain Twyford thirds this Saturday, with their sights set on finishing in at least second place in Division 9 (North).

  • Five weeks and counting to Thame Food Festival

    WITH just five weeks to go to the Thame Food Festival, and The Big Thame Bake, the ‘Plethora of Baking Genius Judges (Lottie Duncan quote!), time is running out fast to enter. Go to http://www.thamefoodfestival.co.uk/the-big-thame-bake-2016/ and check out the rules and the 12 tasty categories, and get practicing for the big day! Enter now and you could win a Kitchen Aid Mixer for your stunning bakes and cakes!

    Great British Bake Off 2015 winner, Nadiya Hussain
    Great British Bake Off 2015 winner, Nadiya Hussain

    The festival organisers will soon be taking bookings on the website for this year’s, brand new Wine Workshops with Wine Guru, Jerome Harlington, upstairs at Christchurch on the day, to pitch David against Goliath in the English vs Champagne taste off!

    “The quality of English Sparkling Wine is now so impressive that we think it’s about time we gave Champagne a run for it’s money!” said Lotte Duncan, Patron, Non-exective Director and evet co-ordinator of the festival. “We have a line up of outstanding English Sparkling wines to pitch against some quality Champagne contenders.”

    Thame Food Festival’s headliner on the brand spanking, new BIG THAME BAKING STAGE is last year’s winner of the Great British Bake Off, Nadiya Hussain.  Lotte said: “We are chuffed to bits that we’ve managed to secure her appearance – she has captured the nation’s hearts, and I know she’ll capture yours on the day! We have so many wonderful bakers on the stage – Richard Bertinet, Benoit Blin, Richard Bertinet, Will Torrent, Richard Burr, Miranda Gore Browne and Chetna Makan.”

    If you join Lotte Duncan at the stage at 2.15pm, you can see her interview them, and you get to ask them some questions and hear how the programme has changed their lives.

    For the AGA CHEF’S STAGE, Raymond Blanc is back! – the Festival Ambassador from just down the road at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. He’ll be on the stage at 2.30pm shortly after his boys (Adam and Mark) fight it out in the annual cook off with Aylesbury College – always great fun and a chance to heckle!
    Masterchef Champion ,Natalie Coleman, will be first up on the AGA stage, cooking with the winners of the local school cooking competition.

    Festival regulars, the Caldesis, Dave Mooney and Sophie Grigson will also be featured as well as, for her second year, Lucie Greenwood from The Milk Shed, Weston on the Green, and for their first year, Alex Mackay and Chris Wheeler. “It’s going to be fabulous!” Added Lotte.

    Want a book signed? Then walk over to the Pop Up Bookshop by the Baking Stage, care of The Book House in Thame. All your favourites will be on sale there and you can get them personally signed by the festival’s cooking superstars.

    And of course – the main reason it’s called a Food Festival – over 200 artisan food producers lining up in the historic High Street of Thame. A Pop Up Pub in amongst them, some music and plenty of seating so you can soak up the atmosphere, have a drink and eat some outstanding and delicious food – all sampled and vetted by TFF HQ – “It’s a terrible job, but someone has to take one for the team!” concluded Lotte.

  • Farmers’ Wives make a stand for Archers Helen!

    LONG Crendon Farmers’ wives and avid Archers fans, Claire Morris and Tracy Newman, are planning to bring the long running Radio 4’s programme the Archers to life over a fundraising breakfast on Sept 11.

    farmers_wives_large (400x331)

    With donated produce from Tracy and husband David’s Bucksum farm shop, and support from other local producers, The Pointer Butchers (Brill), Egg House Charcuterie (Haddenham), The Cottage Bakery (Thame) and Laceys farm in Lane End, they will be cooking up a traditional full English to be served at Claire and husband George’s College Farm venue.

    “The Archers is a tale of everyday country life similar to our own and for us that means working together and supporting other local farms and businesses,” explainedClaire who recently hosted Tracy and David’s wedding at her College Farm venue.

    “In everyday village life the dramas that unfold can impact on everyone in the wider community, and in the Farm Shop you do get to hear all sorts,” added Tracy. “In a recent storyline character, Helen Titchener, finally snapped and attacked her abusive husband and the case comes to court in the week beginning September 5. That’s why we wanted to use this event to raise money for the womens charity, Refuge.”

    Tickets are available from Bucksum Farm Shop in Long Crendon at £10, and all proceeds go to the “Save Helen Titchener Fund” for Refuge.

  • Lord Bill’s A level students are celebrating!

    STUDENTS at Lord Williams’s have again achieved highly in their A Level examinations. Headteacher, David Wybron, said: “A pass rate of 99% is impressive given the number of entries and the range of abilities of students studying at A Level.  47% of passes were at A*/A and B grades.”

    A_level_2016 (400x349)

    He added: “We have very capable and hardworking students and this is very evident in their excellent A Level achievements. I want to pay a particular tribute to those students who have overcome considerable challenges over the last two years and have more than fulfilled the high expectations they and their teachers have had. On their behalf, I would like to acknowledge the dedication of their teachers and support staff, who have given so much, in order that so many individuals and their families can celebrate today.”

    The following students achieved A* or A grades in three or more subjects: Lizzie Barratt, Jennifer Bernstein, Henry Glover, Eliza Goode, Olly Gough, Will Harrison, Luke Harvey, Elizabeth Kew, Daniel Kovacs, Jack Lawlor, Josh Lilley, Maddie Morrison, Abigail Spokes, Alistair Stewart and Emily Wignall.

  • Fun and fund-raising at Thame market

    THIS year’s Thame Market Community day was ‘the best yet’ with hundreds of people, including Thame’s MP John Howell, flocking to the event in warm sunshine.

    People in Action provide Horticultural therapy for people with leaning difficulties
    People in Action provide Horticultural therapy for people with leaning difficulties

    Over 20 national and local groups and charities set up their stalls, tombolas and games yesterday, to promote their particular causes including Thame Twinning Association, Thame Museum, Citizens Advice Bureau, Thame Lions, Parkinsons UK, Better Sports Centres, Health Watch Oxfordshire, People in Action, The Blue Cross dog rescue centre, Sixth formers from Lord Williams’s School raising funds for their World Challenge trip to Borneo next year, and a 12 year old who raises funds for Helen and Douglas House and who is planning to climb from the sea to the top of Mount Olympus next year for her chosen charities.

    Free bear hugs and cakes help these students raise
    funds towards their World Challenge in 2017

    Chris Hurdman, Secretary of the Thame Market Traders Co-operative, was delighted with the turnout. He said: “What a fantastic day! This was our 10th Community Day and what a great turn-out! I would like to thank all the stallholders and the public for their support and helping to raise hundreds of pounds for local charities and good causes.

    The Mayor Cllr Linda Emery with David Laver, man the Thame Twinning Association stall
    The Mayor Cllr Linda Emery with David Laver, man the Thame Twinning Association stall

    “Thame is a real, community market and it’s that which makes it continue to thrive and remain at the heart of the town.”

    The Thame Market Traders’ Flash of the Year award went to Riff Raffs Sew & Sew, run by Jo Biggs Rafferty, who was presented with her award by the Mayor of Thame, Cllr Linda Emery. MORE pictures from Thame Market Community Day HERE

  • Thame is ‘easy meat for planners’ says resident

    AS the people of Thame begin to take-in the implications for the town of the district council’s Draft Local Plan 2032, one resident, Norman Brand, shares his own response letter to the proposals encapsulated in the Draft plan.

    “The people of Thame and its council worked hard, in good faith and considerable expense over months, not without disagreements but honestly and with fairness, to establish agreement on the current Thame Town Plan.

    Retiree, Mr Norman Brand of Thame, until recently a stalwart volunteer at the Thame & District day Centre
    Retiree, Mr Norman Brand of Thame, until recently a stalwart volunteer at the Thame & District day Centre

    “During that process everyone was conscious of and tried to take into account the growing pressure on all the town’s facilities and services, including medical and educational, from the existing population, which increases gradually anyway through ‘windfall’ construction.

    “The requirement for a new Plan is in my view a breach of the trust and good faith demonstrated by everyone here in achieving agreement on the current plan – which was regarded and presented as a flagship product and an example to the nation, as I recall.

    “Much love for this town and for the example it presents of neighbourliness and courtesy in everyday life was expressed at many meetings, despite signs of growing strain put upon it even at present

    “I fully support Thame Town Council’s draft response to the plan.

    “It makes no sense to leave Henley out of the proposals, assuming some sacrifice is demanded of everywhere else.

    “There should be robust protests to Aylesbury Vale council about the proposals for thousands of houses at Haddenham, which is already showing signs of being suburb or town, rather than village. The effect on Thame’s traffic would be very severe indeed, to put it mildly.

    “There is a genuine danger of a ‘Greater Aylesbury’ being developed.

    “It seems that Thame is being dumped on as easy meat for the planners.

    “I would urge the District Council to do all in its power – and more – to have this new plan dropped.”

    Yours sincerely,
    Norman Brand

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1YOU can read Thame Town Council’s Draft respone to the Draft Local Plan 2032 HERE – The consultation closes on August 19, at 4.30pm !! So follow the link to the ‘Preferred Options Consultation’ document HERE and have YOUR say on the plan.

  • Story-telling, poetry, and festival ‘fizz’

    GET ready to tap your feet, laugh out loud, feel inspired, hear soul-stirring stories and generally totally indulge your senses!

    big_read (400x252)

    That’s the message from this year’s, the seventh, Thame Arts and Literature (TAL) Festival coming up this Autumn, with over 40 events – the biggest ever TAL festival programme.

    The wider-than-ever choice will include listening to fascinating stories from Charlotte Green, Nicholas Parsons, Anna Pasternak, Fiona Maddocks, Hugh Sebag Montefiore? Or Tom Paulin reading some of W.B. Yeats’ poems, accompanied by the wonderful John Pethica on fiddle.

    To get you into the Festival mood, there’s a brand new Festival event, the Fothergill’s Fizzy Friday Concert, an hour of wonderful acoustic classic songs at the Spread Eagle Hotel, and be the first to hear the world premiere of a new work as part of the Thame Chamber Choir gala concert.

    TAL tickets will be going on sale in less than a month, and prices have been kept at an affordable price, thanks to TAL’s generous sponsors.

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1For Star Trek aficionados, you won’t want to miss Marcus Berkmann, boldly going where several other people have been before. With wit, insight and a huge pile of DVDs, he tells the story of this sturdy science fiction vehicle.

    Live long and prosper.

    Read more about TAL, including the Founder’s Lecture by Lady Anne Heseltine, on the festival’s website: LINK HERE

  • One woman, 41 sports – it’s the Freyathlon!

    A woman in remission from cancer is on track to have tried her hand at all 41 sports open to women at the Rio Olympics 2016, before the closing ceremony, on August 21.

    Freya bravely takes to the trampoline, just one of her 41 sporting challenges
    Freya bravely takes to the trampoline, just one of her 41 sporting challenges

    Freya Rodger, who was born in Brill, and attended Lord Williams’s School in Thame, 1971-8, explained how she came up with the idea of her Freyathlon : “As a middle-aged woman, carrying more weight than I need, and in remission from cancer, I wanted to encourage people affected by cancer and women, particularly older women, to move more, more often.

    “I now live in SE London and I’m trying to do as many events as possible in and around SE London, to demonstrate the range of activities available and encourage other women to join me. I’m trying to do each event at no or low cost because I believe being active doesn’t have to break the bank.”

    You can read Freya’s inspiring story and her experience having a go at the 39 different sports so far, on her blog page: http://freyathlon.com/ and follow her on twitter and Instagram – @freyathlon, and on Facebook: LINK HERE – it’s awe-inspiring – and funny too!

    If you’re inspired to help support Bloodwise and Macmillan Cancer Support so they can support more people like Freya, visit her Virgin Money Giving page: LINK HERE