A Thame digital marketing company has been selected by Google to take part in its elite business coaching programme.
Website DNA is one of just 30 agencies from more than 30,000 marketing agencies throughout the UK to be chosen for the Google Elevator Program.
The initiative runs over six months and is aimed at helping agencies grow at an accelerated rate in all areas and disciplines through expert business coaching from the renowned business coach, Robert Craven.
Director Greg Smith for Website DNA, told Thame.Net: “Website DNA, as a qualified Google Partner, was selected for the programme based on its size, delivering highly successful services to its clients and the company’s growth trajectory. This follows on from a successful 2016 with Google commenting – ‘Congratulations for being one of Google 2016’s top-performing agencies’.
“We were proud to be invited onto the programme as it recognises the leading digital marketing companies in the UK. It’s a great opportunity and are very grateful to Google for being selected.” He added: “Having delivered a high level of service and value to our existing clients, the Google Elevator Program will enable us to integrate the expertise developed from the course and provide the very latest digital marketing services and techniques to both our existing and new clients throughout the UK.”
For more information on Website DNA’s services contact Greg Smith on 07969 892972 or at greg@websitedna.co.uk
THAME portrait photographer, Mark Hewitson, has raised £240 for locally based charity, Thomley.
Mark (right) hands the cheque to Joe Kitchen, Service Manager at Thomley
The Thomley charity held their annual ball on May 28, at the Oxford Belfry and Mark was the official photographer on the evening, taking images of the guests as they arrived and throughout the night. Mark also donated an auction prize worth £795, valid for a portrait experience and one of the company’s popular 20” wall art products.
Mark told Thame.net: “Having seen first-hand how Thomley supports people of all abilities, and with them being so local, I knew that I wanted to offer my support in any way I could. When I found out about the ball, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to put my skills as a portrait photographer to good use and raise money for this worthwhile local charity.”
Thomley is a local charity which supports people of all abilities and disabilities, bringing together disabled people, their families, carers and friends. It relies entirely on charitable donations with over 2000 people a year using the centre. For many of these people, the centre is a lifeline.
Joe Kitchen, Service Manager at Thomley who received the cheque from Mark, said: “We are really appreciative of Mark’s support at the event. The money generated by Mark’s photography on the evening will go towards a new sensory room, which will benefit hundreds of people with varying sensory needs.”
(1)THAME firsts frustrated by Harefield – THAME Town Cricket Club’s first XI began the timed-format part of the season with a home fixture against Harefield, a side relegated from Premier One in 2016. Thame won the toss and batted first and, despite the early loss of the in-form Will Sutcliffe, Callum Russell and Gami Kanishka built a strong partnership.
Gami Kanishka, who made his second century of the league season
A strong Harefield bowling attack had no answer to the pair, as Thame raced along to 170-1 at lunch. Russell fell shortly after the break for a fine 63, but Kanishka (pictured) went through to a brilliant 100 – his second of the league campaign. After he fell, however, the innings stuttered and Thame were indebted to Jimmy Adams and Adam Phippen for some strong late hitting to post a highly competitive 265-8 off their 58 overs.
In reply, Harefield showed very little intent to chase the target, with both openers content to just survive against the new ball. Thame then turned to spin with Phippen putting victory within sight with three quick wickets. Despite a fine spell of leg-spin from Hassam Mushtaq, Harefield managed to hold on for a draw, eventually finishing on 186-7 from 55 overs. Thame sit fourth in Home Counties Premier Two and travel to high-flying Chesham this Saturday, June 17.
(2) SecondXI claim first victory of the season
LOOKING for their first win of the season, Thame 2nd XI made the short trip to play away against Tiddington’s 2nd XI. Batting first, Thame lost both openers early on. However, Skipper Matt Furness (47) anchored the middle of the innings with help from Guy Holmes (24), Ben Warwick (19) and Christian Warwick (25). Then, coming in at 8, Matt Ridgway (60) scored an explosive half-century to propel Thame up to 226.
Tiddington got off to a strong start with quick runs coming from John Mackie (36) and Jeff Higgs (38). However, opening bowlers Chris Jeffcock (2-59) and Matt Ridgway (1-17) removed Tiddington’s top order to slow their momentum. Ali Thomas (5-46) and Chris Penny (2-27) then ripped through the rest of Tiddington’s batting line up, as they fell short of Thame’s total by 72 runs. The 2nd XI play against Horspath 3rds, at home, this Saturday.
(3) Two wins in a row for third XI
THAME thirds convincingly beat Stokenchurch seconds by six wickets chasing down 96 in just 21 overs. Stokenchurch were put into bat and in immediate trouble, as opening bowlers Pete Tervet (2-30) and John Phippen (2-12) reduced the home side to 17-3 after just 10 overs, including a very sharp catch by Ian Chappell. There was no let-up for Stokenchurch as the first bowling change brought wickets for Nicholas Fuller (3-17). Debutant Rob Tomlin (2-20) also got into the action , helped by a fine catch by Matt Swain. In reply, Ian Chappell and Vim Desai started cautiously, putting on 26 in the first 12 overs, before Evan Davies accelerated the innings with a quickfire 36, ensuring the total of 96 was never a problem. Thame are now third in Division 9 and next play at home against Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts thirds.
A 22-year-old Personal Trainer from Thame has qualified for this year’s British Bodybuilding Championships.
Ellis Quarterman, Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor at Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame, competed in the UKBFF Julian Feinstein Classic on Sunday, June 11, where he was placed second in the Junior Bodybuilding category for the under 23s, and qualified for this year’s British Championships.
Ellis Quarterman – Before and after!
The judges pick the best physiques in each category at shows across the UK, who then go through to the national championships. Only those who the judges deem to be of national caliber will receive an invitation.
“It’s always been my dream to become British Champion. This is my last year as a junior, so I want to make this amazing opportunity count,” said Ellis.
“I’ll apply myself and do what it takes to compete with the best in the country.”
Leading up to last week’s competition, Ellis was training three times a day, doing both heavy, intense weight training and gruelling cardio sessions. This was coupled with a very strict diet of seven meals a day to fuel the workouts and recover.
“I started my fitness journey as a skinny teenage boy, I was one of those kids that no matter what he ate would not put on weight, and that bothered me! I’ve had to put in a lot of work to get where I am today,” he explained. “When I’m on stage competing, I know that I’ve achieved this myself. Anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard for it.”
Ellis has been training for over five years, and competed in his first competition in 2015. He went to Lord William’s Upper School and Sixth Form, and left in 2013.
Ellis has worked at Racquets Fitness Centre since he finished school, working as a Personal Trainer to inspire others to achieve their own fitness goals.
The UKBFF British Championships are on October 14 & 15, 2017 at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall.
NINE men from Thame who lost their lives at sea during various conflicts, have been honoured in a special wreath-laying ceremony in Portsmouth, led by the Mayor of Thame, Tom Wyse.
A contingent from the Thame Remembers group, travelled to Southsea Common yesterday, June 14, where they were joined by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and members of the local British Legion at the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, to remember the lost sailors. They were Fred Keene, Fred Hake, Francis Cartland (whose father landlord of The Six Bells pub in Thame), Frank Tickner, Jack Summersbee, Hugh McRae, Sydney Richardson, Edward Holbrook and James Carter. All their names are engraved on various panels of the Portsmouth Memorial.
L to R Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Mayor of Thame Tom Wyse, Cllr Matelot Green, James Green, Lady Mayoress of Portsmouth & Lt. Commander James Fickling RN
During the service, the Exhortation was given by Nichola Dixon. The reading of names was carried out by Catherine Jones, Bran West, and Peter Gulland, and Tony Buggins read the Epitaph to the dead. Four wreaths were then laid by the Mayor of Thame, Cllr Tom Wyse, on behalf or Thame Remembers, the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Ken Ellcome, on behalf of the City of Portsmouth, the Chair of South Oxfordshire District Council, Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green, on behalf of the Council and Lieutenant Commander James Fickling, on behalf of the Royal Navy. A personal wreath was then laid for Ann Barrington, a Thame Resident, in memory of her grandfather who is also remembered on the memorial.
A minutes silence is held for the nine remembered sailors
Mike Dyer, Project Coordinator, Thame Remembers ) pictured in the pink shirt, said: “The Portsmouth visit was another landmark in the Thame Remembers project, enabling more than thirty people from Thame plus naval veterans and members of the Portsmouth community to join in commemorating nine men from Thame who lost their lives at sea. Assistance from the Portsmouth branch of the Royal British Legion and from the crew of HMS Dauntless enabled us to carry out our act of remembrance according to naval tradition, complete with standard bearers and with naval pipes in place of bugle calls. It was an honour and a privilege to be a part of this special event which was conducted in a most respectful manner and had an emotional impact on all those present.”
All aboard HMS Dauntless
Following the ceremony, the Thame group was treated to a tour of HMS Dauntless, a state-of-the-art naval destroyer, by her current Commanding Officer, Lt. Commander James Fickling, who hails from Moreton, and whose mother is Town Councillor, Helena Fickling.
Later in the afternoon, the group visited the Mary Rose Museum, dedicated to the amazing Tudor warship of that name, raised from the deep in 1982, from the Solent where she sank in the sixteenth Century when Henry VIII was on the throne; a fitting contrast to the modern day warship, HMS Dauntless!
NB The aims of the Thame Remembers project is to commemorate the centenary of World War One by researching all the names on Thame War Memorials, for all conflicts and to discover more about their lives; to identify the location of each of their graves or memorial and place a Thame Remembers cross on each resting place wherever in the world that may be.
MORE photographs taken during the visit can be viewed HERE ( ALL images copyright of Sonja Francis and may NOT be reproduced without permission – contact: editor@thame.net )
THAME High Street retailers showed off their creative sides last week, with eleven shops taking part in a competition that saw them styling their shop windows to tie in with the 1940s theme of this year’s Carnival.
Part of Green’s 1940s winning window display
Green’s Furnishings (4-5 Upper High St, Thame) was crowned the winner of the first ever ‘Dress to Impress’ competition, judged by Mayor Tom Wyse and Lucy Wyatt, one of the carnival organisers. This winning display used the 1940’s theme to both promote the Carnival and seamlessly link in with the extensive range of Haberdashery products that they sell. Austins of Thame and Thame Jewellery workshop both received Special Commendations, with the staff of Thame Jewellery Workshop going the extra mile and dressing in costume on the day, to match their display.
Each year teams of volunteers work hard to run events in the Town Centre that engage the whole community. This competition aims to see Thame’s retailers joining in to make the sense of occasion even bigger.
“It was great to see so many shops taking part in our community event,’ said Mayor Tom Wyse. “The competition entries were all of a very high standard, and are definitely worth the short walk around Thame to appreciate the effort and creativity that has gone into them.”
The other shops that took part were Baban, Helen & Douglas House, Oxfam, Oxfam Bookshop, Piece of Cake, Shaw Trust, The Book House, and What’s Cooking.
The next ‘Dress to Impress’ competition will take place in the run up to Thame Town Music Festival on July 8, so look out for some ‘music’ themed windows to amaze and inspire.
If you are a shop owner and want to take part, please contact Becky becky.reid@thametowncouncil.gov.uk
THE Liberal Democrat candidate, Laura Coyle, who stood in the recent General Election in the Henley constituency, has written an open letter to the winning candidate, John Howell. The letter reads:
Laura Coyle
The Honourable John Howell MP
Congratulations on your re-election as MP for Henley.
On June 8, the British people rejected the Hard Brexit advocated by Theresa May. But the right wing of your party and the Democratic Unionists will no doubt still try and impose a Hard Brexit on our country.
When the results were announced Edward Vaizy, the Conservative MP for Wantage, called the vote a rejection of a Hard Brexit- remarks which I endorsed. Will you pledge now to stand by your principles and to stand with him and other Remain voting MPs of all parties in opposing any attempt by the right of your party to impose a Hard Brexit which would be a catastrophe for Henley and our country and in working for a deal which maintains as close a relationship as possible with our European neighbours.
Yours sincerely
Laura Coyle
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Henley
JUST in case you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last few months, or you are a complete social media avoider, you will not have heard that THE first, FREE, Thame Town Music Festival will be held in the town centre on Saturday, July 8, 2017.
This adventurous development in Thame’s growing calendar of festivals and celebrations, led by Festival Director, Johnnie Littler, with the full support of Thame Town Council, means that Thame will be closing the roads and holding a FREE, multi-venue, multi-genre, town centre celebration of live music – not for profit, but for the love of music!
Glen Matlock
There will be eight venues all over Thame including a Main Stage in front of the Town Hall in the Lower high Street carpark. Headlining will be the legendary GLEN MATLOCK (founder of the Sex Pistols and writer of Anarchy in the UK, and God Save the Queen) and Friends (including Slim Jim Phantom from the Stray Cats and Neal X from Sigue Sigue Sputnik). Also on the main Stage will be the brilliant Rusty Shackle, Van Susans, Nikki Loy, The Dung Beatles, Emma Stevens, The 27 and Highway 51.
The other seven venues; The Birdcage, Jack and Alice, The Stables at James Figg, The Black Horse, The Cross Keys, The Snooker Club and the Leisure centre, will feature another 50 different bands, artists and comedy acts. Just as an example to get your musical juices trickling, at the Jack & Alice Wine Bar in Buttermark, Double Bassist Tim Dawes is curating a bill of some of the coolest Jazz from performers including Nathan Allen – Amy Winehouse’s drummer – and Tim Lapthorn, one of the most in-demand piano players in London.
Other highlights include Acoustic Folk from Wilford Social, at The James Figg, Bluegrass, Country Music, Blues and Classical choral music from Lord Williams’s Festival Chorus at the Leisure Centre.
The Cross Keys pub in East Street, will feature top Comedy from an awesome line-up including Cecilia Delatoria, Katie Pritchard, Rasputin’s Lunchbox and Stuart Woodings.
The other venues will feature a whole spectrum of music genres from Rock to Folk, and Classical to Americana – and all stops in between – and it’s all FREE!
To make this a truly special day, there will be a very cool Street Bar, lots of food stalls, merchandise stands and American classic cars in town.
Put the date in your diary – Saturday, July 8! It’s going to be a FREE party with brilliant music, whatever your taste, plus comedy, food and lots more. To go with the road closures, car parking will be provided at the Southern Road Recreation Ground as well as all the other existing car parks in Thame.
Thame Town Music Festival is a not for profit Community Interest Company, run by a team of volunteers, whose sole (or should that be soul ?!) aim is to enhance Thame by promoting original, live music and to help it thrive in the town.
FOR an inspiring and delightful day out, take the once-a-year opportunity to explore the local studios and venues of Bucks artists as they open their doors to the public for Bucks Open Studios across the weeks of June 10 – 25.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about art and crafts in your area, talk to the artists and buy a unique gift for that special person (who might be you!). https://www.bucksopenstudios.org.uk/
Mark Stallwood
Among the local artists taking part is Mark Stallwood who is opening his studio in Chearsley over the weekends 10th/11th, 17th/18th and 24th/25th June. He works in oils specialising in portraiture (animal and human), still life and cameo pictures. Visit Mark’s website: www.imagineoils.co.uk. Find him at Orchard House, Lower Green Lane, Chearsley HP18 0BZ.
Jackie Innes
Another local artist taking part is Jackie Innes who lives in Princes Risborough. Thame.Net editor, Sonja Francis, was lucky enough to be invited along to Jackie’s house recently and try the art of Batik. So she pedalled her way along the Phoenix Trail to meet Jackie for a taster of this ancient art of wax resist fabric decorating – and homemade cake!
Jackie explained: “Batik is an art form originating from the Far East, using wax resistant dying processes and techniques. I love the contrast between the fine lines obtained by the canting (the tools that are used to drip or trickle the melted wax onto the fabric, usually silk) and the more abstract brush strokes and crackle effects achieved with the wax.
“The wonderful part is watching the design emerge from the process of waxing and overdyeing until the final colour and design is revealed when the wax is removed. It’s not always exactly what’s planned or expected, which adds to the fun and therefore each piece is unique.”
The most difficult part for Sonja was having to think in the negative, because unlike painting, you have to imagine where the colour DOESN’T go. She eventually got the hang of using the ‘cantings’ and brushes of different texture, and then came the exciting bit -putting the fabric in a the dye. The coloured powder is mixed with cold, salted water and then in goes the fabric. Once the dye has taken, and the required colour is reached, the fabric is then plunged into boiling water to remove wax, and then plunged into cold water.
‘Silver Birch trees’ (Don’t give up the day job Sonja!)
The final stage is to iron flat your masterpiece – as Jackie’s Thistle design pictured, and mount the design in a frame.
You can read more about the process and what inspires Jackie’s work HERE
Jackie will be demonstrating at The Tythe Barn, Manor Farm, Haddenham, HP17 8AH, June 17 – 25, 2017, 12-5pm, and her work is currently for sale at fitch & fellows, in Buttermarket, Thame.
BlazingJune w eather arrived right on call for Thame’s annual Carnival and fete on Saturday, June 10, attracting between two and three thousand residents who came together to enjoy a packed programme of arena events, a dog show and a variety of attractions provided by stalls offering everything from cake, pizza and Pimms, to champagne, cuddly toys, burgers, ice cream, egg races and welly-wanging!
John Hampden School ‘evacuees’ with their specially-made steam engine.
The Carnival was organised once again by a small band of volunteers, mostly members of 21st Century Thame, and committee member, Thame Music Academy’s Simon Markland, was obviously very pleased with outcome. He told Thame.Net: “This years Carnival was a wonderful and sunny event! The parade was spectacular with all the local schools and businesses providing wonderful 1940’s themed floats and costumes. We would like to thank all the participants and congratulate Thame Town Council on winning the ‘Best Parade Entry’ trophy this year!
“As always the stalls, entertainment, food and drink provided for the fete was fantastic and the turnout for the day was huge! Also thanks to all our fantastic entertainment, classic cars, stalls, games and food and drink providers this year!
“We hope to have raised a large amount of money for our charities this year and this is thanks to everyone who came along to support this wonderful community event.
“Finally, thank you to all the hard working volunteers, without whom we would not be able to run the event. See you all next year!”
The winners of the Welly-wanging tournament are due to be published by Racquets Fitness Centre later today (Monday) so visit their facebook page from time-to-time to see who won in the difference categories.
The Thame Carnival Trophy was awarded to Thame Town Council’s carnival entry, depicting all the main characters in the popular and ever-green TV programme, Dad’s Army.
Fete compare, Dan Blazer, presents Thame’s Mayor, Tom Wyse, with the Carnival Cup for best carnival entry
The festival fun continued with a 1940s Dance night, to ‘The Glen Miller’ sound of the Velvet Tones and The Andrews Sisters tribute band, The Sisters of Swing, held in the evening at The Spread Eagle, Thame. Vic Winslade, who plays saxaphone in The Velvet Tones, said: “It was great night and we finished with the crowd calling for more! Lots of money was raised for Sobell House and the Fire-fighters’ charity.”
AS the theme for this year’s carnival was the 1940s, it’s sobering to think about what was happening on June 10, 75 years-ago, in 1940.
In France, German troops crossed the River Seine, and British troops began to evacuate from Le Havre and St. Valéry. Italy declared war on England and France and President Roosevelt made his first speech pledging aid to Britain, in a speech at the University of Virginia, where his son, Franklin Jr., was receiving his degree.
Loads more photos from the carnival parade and fete HERE – ALL images are copyright of Sonja Francis and may NOT be reproduced without prior consent. email: editor@thame.net
Director Greg Smith for Website DNA, told Thame.Net: “Website DNA, as a qualified Google Partner, was selected for the programme based on its size, delivering highly successful services to its clients and the company’s growth trajectory. This follows on from a successful 2016 with Google commenting – ‘Congratulations for being one of Google 2016’s top-performing agencies’.
