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Mixed fortunes for Thame cricket

It was a case of mixed fortunes and mixed weather for Thame Town Cricket Club last weekend, resulting in defeat for the first team, a win for seconds, who remain top of Division Five, and a narrow defeat for the thirds, who as a result, broke their unbeaten playing record and remain second in Division nine.

Match reports

First XI

THAME 1st XI struggled at Amersham as they fell to a seven wicket defeat on Saturday, June 18. Put in to play on another damp wicket, Thame struggled as they lost early wickets, but recovered to 55 for 3 at lunch. However, a flurry of wickets after lunch left Thame in trouble and sliding to a total of 102 all out. In reply, a couple of early chances went down and that gave Amersham the confidence to ease past the total with just three wickets down.

Second XI

THAME second XI entertained Banbury fourths on Saturday knowing they must win to keep themselves at the top of Cherwell League Division Five. After the monsoon rains of the previous Wednesday, the ground was wet but Captain Chris Jeffcock won the toss and chose to bowl first. Thame’s bowlers proceeded to squeeze the visiting batsmen on the wet track, with Ian McStay (12-4-20-2) and Jeffcock (13-3-19-3) applying the early pressure and runs coming painfully slowly. Ali Thomas (8-1-12-3) and George Patey (3.4-0-9-2) applied the finishing touches, Banbury all out for 99 off 46.4 overs. After tea, Thame was in a hurry to win the game, as Richard Carr (54 not out) and Andy Jinman (26) put on 60 for the first wicket, with the game won inside 16 overs.

Third XI

THAME third XI lost for the first time this season, away to Twyford thirds. Losing the toss, Thame batted first and were under pressure with the ball swinging around, being reduced quickly to 9 for 3. Only James McStay (30), Luke McStay (24 not out) and Joe Phippen (22) provided any resistance as Thame hauled themselves from 35-5 up to a defendable 130-9. Needing quick wickets, Will Bruce-Morgan removed an opener early on, but several Twyford batsmen put up stiff resistance. Vim Desai picked up five wickets to give Thame a chance and John Phippen (2-30) and James McStay (1-10) put them in sight of victory, but despite only needing one last wicket and Twyford still needing 25 runs, it was the home side that prevailed in a tense ending.

Women’s cricket

MEANWHILE, great news for all female cricketers and fitness enthusiasts, as Crick-Fit started up again last week at Thame’s ground at Church Meadow on Wednesdays (6.30 to 7.30). All women and girls are welcome to come along every Wednesday – just turn up on the night or contact Sheena Beard on 01844-213695 or sheenabeard@btinternet.com

29/06/2016
Town council calls for public support in opposing 600 more new homes

THAME’S award-winning Neighbourhood Plan, feted by government and The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), and promoted as being ‘enshrined in local planning policy’ and ‘with the force of law behind it’, is now likely to have to be reviewed to include 600 more new homes – on top of the 770 catered for in the Neighbourhood Plan.

Thame Town Hall – Image Courtesy of Mark Percy

South Oxfordshire District Council has commenced a public consultation on its latest Local Plan which will set out plans for new development across the district to 2032.

Thame Town Council remains opposed to the additional 600 new homes which it believes will threaten the viability of Thame’s facilities such as education, medical provision and recreation facilties, and turn Thame into what one town councillor called a ‘conurbation’ rather than a Market Town.

‘No evidence’ that further growth is needed

The town council had previously challenged the draft local plan, back in March 2015, when one councillor declared: “… there is no evidence that further growth is necessary to maintain vibrancy and, indeed, such may well harm the built heritage, character and structure of the town.”

In its draft plan, SODC states: “If a review of the neighbourhood plan does not adequately progress with allocating sites (and has therefore at least been submitted to the Council) within 12 months of adoption of this local plan 2032, planning applications for housing in Thame will be supported…” Or as one town councillor put it at last night’s Thame TC Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Committee: “We are being threatened with allowing developers a free-for-all.” (Read the complete Draft Plan HERE – chapter 10 relevant to Thame)

‘Flood the foyer’ urges councillors

A public consultation meeting is to be hosted by SODC on Saturday, July 2, in the committee room at Thame Town Hall, and the Continuity Committee is urging all Thame residents against any change to Thame’s new housing numbers to ‘flood the foyer of the Town Hall’ on Saturday (11am) and support the town council in it’s objection to ‘dumping more houses on us!’.

29/06/2016
Murder could be your business!

THME Town Hall (aka Causton Town Hall) was the setting for a highly successful Midsomer Workshop last Wednesday, June 22, attended by over 50 local businesses and residents with an interest in developing Midsomer tourism in Thame.

Patsy Baker (2nd Left) and Karen Clark (2nd Right) of Thame Barns Centre, share ideas about what Thame can do to attract more of the ‘Midsomer’ market

Thame is one of the most-filmed locations in the globally popular ITV detective series, Midsomer Murders, with eight episodes filmed in the town. The purpose of the workshop was to help local businesses attract more visitors to Thame because of its associations with Midsomer.

Attendees, who included hotel and guest house owners, shops, pubs, cafes, and others involved in the tourist industry, heard from Douglas Watkinson, one of the original script writers of the show, how Midsomer tourism is a huge success and still growing, with its twentieth year approaching in 2017, and that it has been watched by a billion people across the world.

Capitalising on one of the UK’s biggest TV exports

Sarah Osborne of Tourism Angles, revealed that 6.5 million people watch Midsomer Murders in the UK and millions more in over 100 countries worldwide. The series is one of the UK’s biggest TV exports – rating in Denmark’s top three and Australia’s top 20. People see it on TV and want to come and visit the beautiful towns and villages of ‘Midsomer’ for themselves.

The event was opened by the Mayor of Thame, Cllr Linda Emery. She commented: “People were really surprised to learn how many episodes Thame has been in. We have around 15 specific filming locations, as well as a lot of recognisable street scenes from the show. Midsomer visitors can take selfies with our Causton Town Hall sign and enjoy a Barnaby Bun at Rumsey’s Chocolaterie, and the workshop produced lots of other great ideas we want to explore.”

Jean Gamester from Semaphora Consulting, who facilitated the workshop discussion groups, said: “There was a fantastic buzz, and it was great to see such enthusiasm and energy. I’m looking forward to seeing how Midsomer develops in Thame, including tours, merchandise, food and drink offerings.”

Neil Ainsworth, owner of the Argyll pub in Henley, another Midsomer location, told of his success with Midsomer ale and new products like Midsomer Pickle. He reported that one 40 seater coach load of visitors spent £1,000 in his pub in two hours when they made a pitstop on their way to Oxford! While Tim Soar, owner of Long Crendon Manor which receives many Midsomer visitors, said he would like to see Thame offering more to attract his Midsomer tourists to the town. Chris Behan, author of Roaming Midsomer, published this year, mentioned that Midsomer plaques are currently being developed with a view to putting them up at filming locations in the town, to add to the attractions for visitors to Thame.

‘I could murder a Barnaby Bun’

Mary Rumsey runs Rumsey’s Chocolaterie in Thame. She was one of the first Thame businesses to jump on the Midsomer bandwagon, when people started coming into her shop having learned that it was a Midsomer location. Mary developed ‘the Barnaby bun’ – a cross between a rock cake and scone, served with jam and cream, which has proved very popular with visitors and locals alike. She told the audience how her company will now be revamping its website to better reflect the Midsomer connection and include links to the Midsomer website and information about local accommodation etc, something any local business could do very quickly and at no cost. One enterprising attendee came up with the slogan: “I could murder a Barnaby bun!”

Sarah Osborne concluded: “To benefit from the Midsomer effect, you don’t have to be a filming location; two thirds of tourist expenditure is made in shops, pubs and eateries in towns such as Thame. Village partners are also very important as part of the experience, and it’s good to see representatives from Long Crendon and Haddenham here today. Attracting tour companies will be crucial in developing Thame as a hub and getting the maximum benefit from Midsomer tourism.”

Get a free, professional consultation about benefiting your business

Ten local businesses took up Sarah’s offer of 1-1 sessions with her to discuss how they can make the most of the Midsomer phenomenon to help their business, and since the workshop, sarah has extended the invitation to any Thame business that didn’t fill in her yellow request form on the day (Contact details below).

Sarah Osborne – Image by Caroline Flint

The Midsomer Workshop was co-funded by Thame Town Council and the Rising Star prize fund from the Great British High Street Competition, that Thame was awarded last year, and organised by members of 21st Century Thame.

For more information about Midsomer or how to take part in developing the Midsomer experience in Thame, contact Sarah Osborne, Tourism Angles, on 07787 122050 or email sarah2108@msn.com or Helen Johns, 21st Century Thame, on 0771 743 4983 or email helen.johns39@gmail.com.

For more information about Semaphora Consulting and their facilitation of workshops, contact Jean Gamester on 07877 970250 or email jean@semaphora.com.

For more information about Midsomer, visit http://www.visitmidsomer.com

28/06/2016
Thame gridlocked after overturned lorry blocks M40

TIME: 19.24 hrs – LOCAL people are reporting that all the main routes out of Thame remain gridlocked, as traffic from the M40 tries to find alternatives routes following an overturned lorry on the M40 just after midday.

The overturned lorry on the M40 being removed

Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service were called to a report of an overturned lorry on the M40 near Lewknor on the southbound carriageway between junctions 7 and 6, at 1225 pm today, Thursday June 23, 2016.

Image courtesy of Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue

Thames Valley Fire Control mobilised three fire engines from Wheatley, Thame and Slade fire stations, along with a specialist Heavy Rescue Unit from Kidlington and environmental protection unit from Didcot.

On arrival firefighters immediately assisted paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service to treat the driver of the lorry which had overturned and blocked lanes of the north and southbound carriageways. Firefighters then rapidly used salvage equipment to soak up / stop diesel and oil that had leaked from the lorry, entering watercourses. Initially the whole southbound carriageway was closed and two lanes of the northbound, whilst crews made the incident safe. Thames Valley Police and Highways England assisted with traffic management and providing further spill kits to soak up the diesel. The driver was taken to hospital for treatment by ambulance.

The hard shoulder was reopened and used to allow traffic flow on the south bound carriageway soon after arrival. Lane restrictions will remain until recovery of the lorry, crash barrier repairs and road surface cleaning takes place later today.

SOURCE: Press release

23/06/2016
Breaking news: Highest ever postal returns

THE postal vote return for South Oxfordshire is the highest ever – 89.4% – so we can expect a high overall turnout too!

SOURCE: South Oxfordshire District Council

23/06/2016
Thame council to fund threatened local bus

THAME Town Council is to spend up to £6,250 to keep the Vale Travel local bus service 120/121/123/124 running for a year, from July 20, 2016, when it would otherwise cease due to cuts in the county council’s subsidies to uneconomic routes.

This sum would mean that this vital life-line for people living at the Eastern end of Thame and some out-lying villages, would at least continue to get people to and from Thame on Tuesdays, market day.

If a bus company insists that it will only run the service for a minimum of two days (as Vale Travel has), this would require a subsidy of £15,000. The town council will seek contributions from other parish councils whose residents benefit from the service.

‘Urgent’

Cllr Mary Stiles, who with Thame’s Town Clerk, Graham Hunt, has been trying to work out with the bus company a feasible plan to keep the service going, has been given the brief to persue the efforts further with other bus companies.

Cllr Stiles told fellow town councillors at their meeting on Tuesday (June 21), “Disabled and elderly people who cannot afford taxis, rely on this service and would otherwise become isolated and lonely, which we know can affect mental health. This matter is now urgent as the service ends on July 20. Keeping the service going is also good for Thame’s continued vibrancy and contributes to the economy of our shops.

“We also need to take into consideration the new houses at the Eastern end of the town,” she added.

‘Thin end of the wedge’

Cllr Nigel Champken Woods feared that subsidising buses in this way could be ‘the thin edge of the wedge’. “This should be funded by Oxfordshire County Council. What are they going to dump on us next? They cannot keep cut, cut, cutting and expect us to take up the slack. What are they spending their money on, since they keep cutting?”

23/06/2016
New team – new structure at Chinnor RFC

FOLLOWING Chinnor RFC’s announcement about its new senior coaching structure to take the club forward into a semi-professional future, Director of Rugby Matt Williams has announced the formation of the Chinnor Falcons.

Matt Williams

Chinnor Falcons will be a Development-focused team replacing the 2nd XV with former 1st XV recruit, Dave McKee, as player/coach.

Dave has played over 100 National League games for Hartpury, Cinderford and Chinnor. He suffered a back injury that stopped him playing last season but is now fit and raring to go, stating: “I am very excited by the challenge of creating a successful group of boys to support the 1st XV, and enable lads to progress through from youth to senior.”

Secpnd XV team manager, Hwyel Evans, will move into managing the Falcons and Julian Millo appointed as fixtures secretary of both Falcons and Colts.

Chinnor Falcons will have the major aim of feeding into the 1st XV and creating the next generation of Chinnor stars. The team will consist of a combination of existing Chinnor players, University players, former and current Colts, anchored by 1st XV squad members.

Matt Williams himself said: “It is vital that we get a clear and defined pathway for lads to progress from Chinnor and Oxfordshire Youth into our 1st XV. If boys are good enough, age is most certainly not a barrier with me. We have a duty not just for Chinnor but for the youth of Oxfordshire to give them a pathway to reach the level of Rugby that they are capable of and have the dedication for. Boys mature at different ages and there is a lot of talent out there, boys who have missed Premiership Academy structures for various reasons.”

Chinnor RFC will also be organising four Floodlight Wednesday Night, Under 20 games spread throughout the season. This will provide an opportunity to further progress the highly talented young players progressing through Chinnor.

Matt added: “This is a great opportunity to keep lads in contact with the club who have gone to university or work far afield. There is a big drop off in most clubs from Colts to Seniors as lads find other things in their life – Universities to girls! If we can keep the club in their minds when the time is right, they will be back!”

Director of Rugby, Matt Williams, will also be in charge of Colts Rugby from next season, with current first team player, Greg Goodfellow, as Colts’ Head Coach.

Matt concluded: “The Falcons and Colts will have the same attention to detail as the 1st XV and I will be viewing all the video analysis of both teams. If you are good enough, you will progress. My coaches pathway of Ricky Khan coaching the Falcons on a Thursday, and Dave McKee coaching the Colts on a Wednesday, will mean that I have eyes across the board.”

22/06/2016
90 Not Out! in Thame High Street

PROBABLY for the first time ever, Thame town centre was closed early one sunny, summer afternoon in order to offer people young and old the opportunity of celebrating a monarch’s birthday – by playing a game of cricket in the street, just as thousands of children everywhere would have done in the 1950s when our Queen came to the throne.

No traffic, no parked cars, just kids playing cricket in the street in Thame town centre

On Friday, June 10, 2016, the local community joined together to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday. The Mayor of Thame, Linda Emery, bowled the first ball to Thame’s MP, John Howell. Other local dignitaries – Sarah Taylor, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire; Michael Waine, Oxfordshire County Council Chairman; Paul Harrison, South Oxfordshire Council Chairman; Steve Connell, Mayor of Didcot and Simon Brown, England Test Player (ECB ), all joined in the fun with local children in Thame High street.

Simon Brown demonstrated game tactics to the budding cricketers and they were able to join in specific kids kwick cricket matches and practice in portable cricket nets. There were opportunities to play in crazy catch competitions, sky high catches, hanging ball batting, Batfast cricket and throwing practice.

The whole cricket extravaganza was the brainchild of Mr Manoj Parmar, an Indian, ex pro cricketer and local sports mentor at MP Cricket Academy in Thame where the whole Academy team is dedicated to introducing children to the benefits of what Manoj describes as ‘this fabulous team sport’.

Manoj himself was delighted with the way the ’90 Not Out’ street cricket event went, and concluded: “Special thanks must go to Thame Town Council and also every single parent that gave up their precious time to make this extraordinary event take place.

“I couldn’t be happier to see so many kids running around, having fun playing cricket in Thame High Street.”

22/06/2016
Macbeth – a breath of fresh air!

Thame Players are celebrating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death by staging an open-air production of Macbeth next month. It will be set in the gardens of the privately owned Edwardian house, The Elms, accessed from Thame’s Upper High Street, and follows their highly successful open-air Much Ado About Nothing there two years ago.

Ryan Whitney and Abi Tester who are playing Lord and Lady Macbeth rehearsing at The Elms

Chris Parker, the Director, is taking the play back to its historic roots in eleventh-century Scotland. He explained: “I believe this production will offer a breath of fresh air for those who prefer their Shakespeare set in its original period. It will be authentic, including costumes and weaponry consistent with that period. I see Macbeth very much as a thriller, taking the audience on a nail-biting journey into the dark realms of human nature, complete with witchcraft and supernatural elements. At the same time, the impact of human frailty and lust for power are laid bare, as the characters are caught up in a tempest of their own making.”

Chris is well-qualified to direct Shakespeare, having previously produced several other Shakespeare plays at open-air locations such as the Chiltern Open-Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles. He has been involved with Shakespeare projects at the Old Vic, Leeds Castle, and St John’s Smith Square, and has worked with the late Cedric Messina as well as at the Globe Theatre with Sam Wannamaker. For Thame Players, Chris has directed Present Laughter, How the Other Half Loves and Blithe Spirit.

Macbeth is played by Ryan Whitney, and his emphasis will be on exposing the sinister nastiness of the Scottish king. Ryan has played both amateur and professional roles, including King George in The Madness of King George, Caliban in The Tempest, and Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.

Lady Macbeth is played by Abi Tester, whose experience with powerful, emotionally charged roles includes playing Joy in Shadowlands and Doňa Rosita in Lorca’s Doňa Rosita.

To ensure the audience experience is as pleasurable as possible, Thame Players will be providing undercover seating for all and are encouraging audience members to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds, and additional refreshments will be available. These will include locally brewed beer, wines, hot or cold drinks, and delicious food provided by local caterer, Kirsty’s Kitchen, from whom picnics can be ordered in advance via email: kirstyskitchen@gmail.com

Open-air productions like this are costly to stage and Thame Players are lucky enough to have the support of headline sponsor, Rectory Homes, as well as other local businesses, whose contributions will ensure that Macbeth is a memorable production – a breath of fresh air in every sense.

Macbeth will be held at 32 The Elms, Upper High Street, Thame OX9 2DN from Tuesday, July 5 – Saturday, July 9, inclusive. Evening performances will be at 7.45pm and a matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday (doors open from 6.15 pm daily and from 1pm on Saturday). Tickets cost £10 and £9 (concessions) from Spear Travels, telephone 01844 217228, or you can book online at www.thameplayers.co.uk

21/06/2016
‘Nice weather for ducks!’

THAME’S familiar community spirit was illustrated in bucket loads last weekend when the day after the best Thame Carnival for years, the persistent rain threatened to overshadow the annual Thame Round Table Duck Race.

Hundreds came out, appropriately dressed to deal with the worst weather and watched as around 1800 rubber ducks were launched from Thame Bridge to start the race. As always, Captain Ducky was on hand to interrupt proceedings in his amazingly crafted, paddle powered pallets, with Pirate Peter trying not to sink his bath/boat contraption!

‘Splash’ the pirate, aka Peter Butt

One of the race organisers, Tim Lancaster, explained the proceedings: “The pirates helped the ducks along their way, entertaining (we hope!) the crowd as they followed the flow down river, with a mixture of terrible jokes and collapsing watercraft!”

Fellow organiser, Neil Shorter, continued: “The Duck Race is always a highlight of the year for our members to run, whatever the weather. We are grateful to the people of our community that came out to support us; even we, ourselves struggled to want to come out in the rain!

“It was all worth it though, as over £3,500 was raised, all of which is donated to local groups and charities.

“We would also like to thank all the friends of Thame Round Table,” Neil added, “including the Fire Service, Peach Pubs, Helpful Hirings and KnowledgePoint for sponsoring and supporting the event.”

Winning tickets were:
1st- 1727
2nd- 962
3rd- 509

Seesaw.org.uk, are one of Thame Round Table’s charities to benefit from their activities. Seesaw is an Oxford based grief support Charity, providing support specifically to young people that have lost family members.

Twitter: Thame Round Table @Thame753
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThameDistrictRoundTable753
Website: www.thame.roundtable.co.uk

21/06/2016