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Category: Thame news

  • Thousands flock to Thame’s ‘Big Day Out’

    UNDER mostly sunny skies and at times, a cool wind, thousands of people of all ages came together to take part in Thame’s ‘Big Day Out’, Music In The Park 2017, on Sunday (April 30).


    Many of them came along with families and friends loaded up with picnic blankets, camping chairs and picnics, to watch, listen and join in with a lineup that had something for every taste; from the pulsating, ‘post hardcore’ band, Mercia, to the vocal harmonies and unconventional twanging tones of the very entertaining, Haddenham Ukelele Band. The vibe continued towards ignitition – headliners, Skasouls UK –  with the appearance of Thame favourite, Nikki Loy and her band, the evergreen, 2AM Blue, and, fronted by the rocking headmaster himself – The Memphis Rattlesnakes. Great covers band, Working Dog had earlier got some in the crowd dancing, and Thame boys, The 2 Strokes, with their ska, blues and rock fusion were very much appreciated.

    There were gentler vibes for those who enjoy the more intimate atmosphere of the enclosed acoustic stage including home-grown, chanteuse and guitarist, Andrea Yates; 14 year-old, ex Lord Williams’s Singer of the year, Mia Wilson and at the other end of the age spectrum, popular local boys, Paul and Martin. Proud family members – and a proud Headteacher too, watched as the pupils of John Hampden School’s choir performed with great gusto and precision, accompanied by drummer, Phil Heard (who later appeared with his band, As If) and Ester Stanway Williams on key boards. She later appeared in a her band, Transit, later in the afternoon.

    There were stand-out performances too from other Thame-based young people’s groups including Oscar and Georgie, representing Thame Music Academy, Thame Children’s Choir (TCC2), Thame Youth Theatre, and stunning dancing and singing from Stage Coach, Thame, demonstrating just why their previous gigs have included professional theatre in both Oxford and the West End.

    The organising committee, including Michele Pether, were rightly delighted with the event, and posted on the MITP Facebook page: “Wow! exhausted, aching and tired, but what an amazing day Music in the Park 2017 turned out to be! Great atmosphere, awesome bands, amazing artists and acts, fantastic team of volunteers who all worked over and above.

    “There are too many to name here, and I would worry about missing out anyone, but you all know who you are. And it didn’t rain, and the crowds came in. You brought your picnics, your chairs and your rain covers, your dancing shoes and your good humour. A big ‘thank you’ to Thame for helping us put on such a great event.”

    Obviously, it was impossible to get round the three stages and see the full lineup so for a full list of all the performers at this year’s MITP, visit the website: HERE and add a comment about YOUR favourites from the day on this page.

    Lots more pictures HERE and HERE TOO! Please remember that these images are Copyright of Sonja Francis and may NOT be downloaded or copied in anyway without prior permission. Just email editor@thame.net if you would like a copy of any of these pictures, explaining what you intend to use them for. Thank you for your co-operation.

    ** All proceeds from this event are invested in improvements to Elms Park itself and grants to local groups and organisations to provide other activities in the town ‘in the interest of art, music or recreation, or other leisure activities in the Thame area. See: http://www.musicinthepark.org.uk/mitpgrants.html

  • Towersey Festival to support Air Ambulance charity

    TOWERSEY Festival has announced that Thames Valley Air Ambulance is set to be its charity partner, for the second consecutive year.

    One of the UK’s longest running music festivals, the annual Oxfordshire event takes place from Friday, August 25 to Monday, August 28, 2017, and visitors this year will be able to see appearances from KT Tunstall, Newton Faulkner, Show Of Hands, Eliza Carthy and Lindisfarne, and many others!

    Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA) is the dedicated air ambulance service for the region, and will be the sole charity partner for the four-day event.

    TVAA’s helicopter attends on average three incidents a day, where the elite team on board can perform Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine, including inducing patients into a coma; open heart surgery and treating for major trauma.

    The service is now additionally enhanced by an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV), crewed in the same way and carrying on board high level equipment such as an automatic chest compressor; blood and plasma and an automated external defibrillator.

    Towersey Festival Director Joe Heap, who visited a TVAA crew at RAF Benson, said: “We’re pleased to be able to continue to support Thames Valley Air Ambulance with their life-saving work across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

    “We’d like to thank all the Towersey-goers who gave generously last year, and encourage all attending the festival over the August Bank Holiday this year to find out about TVAA’s invaluable work.”

    Ruth Dunkin, Senior Fundraising Manager for TVAA, said: “We are delighted to be supported by Towersey Festival in 2017, and have some exciting plans which will be revealed nearer the time.”

    Towersey Festival is held at the Thame Showground, and this year over 100 acts will be appearing across a dozen stages. There’ll also e street theatre, workshops for all ages, real ale and cider, gourmet street food, films, spoken word, comedy and dedicated events for children, young people and families.

    For more information about this year’s Towersey Festival and to book tickets, visit: www.towerseyfestival.com

    For more information about Thames Valley Air Ambulance and how you can lend your support, please visit: www.tvairambulance.org.uk

  • Driver rescued from lorry teetering on an embankment

    OXFORDSHIRE Fire and Rescue are warning lorry drivers and all road users to pay particular attention when driving long distances, to take regular rest breaks and to leave enough stopping distance between you and the vehicle in front, after they were called out to lorry that had left the road on the M40 earlier today.

    Image courtesy of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue

    The service reported this afternoon: ‘We were called to a lorry that had crashed off the M40 between Thame and Watlington at 11:40 am on Friday, April 28, 2017. Fire engines from Watlington, Thame, Wheatley and a specialist rescue vehicle from Reading attended the incident.

    “On arrival the fire crews were met with an unstable lorry that had left the carriageway and gone down an embankment. Fire crews quickly assessed the situation, checking for injured people and checking the vehicle was not leaking fuel or carrying any hazardous loads.

    “One person was removed from the vehicle on a stretcher by South Central Ambulance Service, working closely with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Thames Valley Police.

    “The cause of the incident is still under investigation.”

    Incident Commander, Station Manager Paul Webster said: “It was a lucky escape for the driver of the lorry.”

  • Tournament invitation to squash players

    ARE you a squash player ready to compete in a County Closed Squash Tournament to test your skills in the top level in Oxfordshire?

    Or, are you a new squash player or a lower team player or anywhere in between? Then why not compete in the Open Graded Tournament to be held at Raquets Fitness Centre, on May 20/21?

    The Mens and Ladies A grades will be limited to Oxfordshire players. Grades B to E will be mixed and open to players from everywhere. That means that the lower grades are NOT just for Oxfordshire players, so spread the word!

  • Ex Thame student back to share her ‘dystopian’ novel

    A young author from Thame, is going back to her old school to talk to pupils about her new book, Ink, the first in, what is described as ‘a dystopian trilogy’.

    Author, Alice Broadway

    Alice Broadway will be at Lord Williams’s Lower School on Wednesday, May 10, to chat with current pupils about her book, her ideas and her plans for the future. Pupils will also be able to buy Alice’s book at a reduced price and chat to her in the school library, as well as asking Alice to sign their copies.

    More information about Alice Broadway and her book ‘Ink’ here: LINK

  • Thame’s relaunched children’s centre flies once more

    ON behalf of the Trustees, John Hulett welcomed the Mayor Linda Emery, children and parents, and invited guests to the official opening of the Red Kite Family Centre this morning, one year after it was threatened with closure to be replaced by a distant ‘Hub’ elsewhere in Oxfordshire.

    Image © Sonja Francis

    “Last year was quite a journey,” explained John. “Our motivation to save the Centre was born out of a collective belief that family support only works properly when based in the locality it serves.” He went on to praise the ‘excellent and highly respected work’ of Amy, the new manager and her team who will now be running the Red Kite Family Centre, which is based in the old Thame Library in Southern Road.

    John thanked the Working Group for their efforts and others for their generous support, including Sharing Life Trust, Thame Welfare Trust, Oxfordshire County Council, Thame Town Council, Thame Rotary – especially mentioning Errol Bateman, who jumped out of an aircraft to raise funds for the centre – the Thame Partnership and many local individuals.  He also mentioned the Coop, who had provided the bear and gheko mascots that entertained the children throughout the morning, and thanked the Mayor, Linda Emery, who had chosen the Centre to be one of her designated local charities to raise funds for throughout her mayoral year, which ends in two weeks time.

    “We still face many challenges ahead,” reminded John, before leading everyone outside to witness the Mayor unveil the Centre’s new sign outside.

    One of the mums who uses the centre with her two year-old son, told Thame.Net what the Red Kite Family Centre means to her: “We’ve just moved to Thame after living abroad for ten years, to be near grand parents. For me the Centre is a great way to meet and get to know other parents, and for my son to start meeting and socialising with other children. We love coming here!”

    The Centre is open daily to all parents and children under five years-old. Visit the Facebook page LINK HERE to find out more.

    You can share some of the special moments from this very important and special day in the lives of the young children and parents of Thame –  IMAGES HERE

  • Thame’s London Marathon heroes

    AMONG the runners in last Sunday’s London Marathon were several from Thame. Included in those who did Thame proud were three members of Thame Runners, Roy Calcutt, and Sarah Janes and Roger Simmonds who came in on the same time. Their official times were:

    Roy Calcott –            time: 04:16:28
    Sarah Janes –            time: 05:06:50
    Roger Simmonds –  time: 05:06:50

    Simon Munday from Thame, was not a seasoned runner but trained specially for this year’s event, determined to raise funds for Kidney Research UK, a charity very close to his heart for family reasons. He ran the London Marathon at a very respectable 04:27:31

    A triumphant Simon Munday in the purple tutu he raced in, after the race.

    Simon explained on his JustGiving page how Kidney disease has affected his family for several years: “Kidney disease has affected my family since 1987 when my sister, Sally, was diagnosed with Polycystic kidneys. Over time this led to a deterioration of their capability to function resulting in the need for a transplant. In 2007 my mother donated one of her Kidneys and the operation was a success.

    “Unfortunately a donated Kidney does not last forever with the average functioning time between 12 and 20 years. Disappointingly, in 2013, my nephew was diagnosed with the same condition though as yet his kidneys are coping.

    “We are celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the kidney transplant this year, and running the marathon allows me to help in a small way as we are all aware that there will be more problems ahead.”

  • Contest for Thame’s next Mayor on-hold

    THAME Town Council has failed to elect a new Town Mayor, after a stale-mate situation – twice – arose at last night’s meeting of the full council.

    When a first ballot was held to decide between two candidates, Cllr Tom Wyse and Cllr David Dodds, the result was a tie. Normally in this situation the current Mayor, Linda Emery, would have the casting vote. However, other councillors said that they felt it was unfair that the result should rest on her shoulders and suggested that the ballot could be postponed until the council’s next meeting on May 9, when other councillors unable to make tonight’s meeting, would be present.

    Thame Town Councillors onto the next agenda item – new town boundary signs

    At this point it was suggested that a solution might be that other councillors present might add their names and a second ballot held. An ex Mayor himself, Cllr Peter Lambert, then ‘threw his name in the hat’ and a second ballot was held. This resulted in a three-way tie, and once again, the Mayor, Linda Emery felt unable to use her casting vote.

    After much discussion, including a separate discussion between the two original candidates, no resolution could be agreed upon, and the Town Clerk advised that the appropriate course of action would be to hold a ballot again at the next full meeting of the council on May 9, and this was agreed.

  • Thame man rebailed as part of murder enquiry

    A 43 year-old man from Thame who was arrested as part of a murder enquiry, and later bailed until April 10, has been rebailed until July 6. 2017.

    The man was originally arrested following the discovery of the body of 47 year-old Samantha Blake-Mizen at a property in The Green, in the village of Ludgershall, Buckinghamshire.

    PREVIOUS REPORT – LINK

  • A very special night for FREE at Thame’s FTMC!

    THE next edition of Thame’s First Thursday Music Club will feature three of the coolest Indie/Americana/Garage/Folk bands around at this time!

    The Epstein

    Topping the bill will be The Epstein, recently back from touring heavily around Europe. The roots/Americana, five-piece outfit are rockin’ houses throughout the country. Backing them up – and maybe even sitting in with each other – will be the magnificent August List featuring Kerraleigh and Martin and their backwards country/porch folk with a startling rock ‘n’ roll attitude.

    If that isn’t enough for you, Great Western Tears will also feature with their brand talent for heartfelt, acoustic Roots music inspired by the great pantheon of American Country, Folk and Blues.

    Earlier in the evening Clare Nicola, Guy Horner and Andy and Jez are lined up to play, as well as a whole host of other artists that will turn up on the night.

    The First Thursday Music Club still offers the opportunity for artists to play live in front of a warm and appreciative audience. The club maintains the Open Mic section of the evening where slots will always be available in the first hour on a ‘first come-first served’ basis with player sign-up by 7.30. The club has a full house PA system with keyboard, bass amp, guitar amp and jazz drum kit (bring breakables!) all set up on stage and ready to go.

    Another eclectic evening is guaranteed and entrance, as always, is FREE to all!

    ** First Thursday Music Club – At The Stables, James Figg Pub – Thame – Thursday 4th May 2017
    8pm (players sign up between 7.30 and 7.45pm)