UP to £5,000 is being made available to promote youth social action, by the Oxfordshire Community Foundation, deadline March 13!
There are only two weeks left to apply to the Youth Social Action Fund . The fund promotes volunteering, fundraising and campaigning amongst young people aged between 10 and 25.
A spokesperson for the foundation exlained: “We are excited to be able to provide Oxfordshire groups with money from the Big Lottery Fund and the Office for Civil Society via this grants round. The Youth Social Action Fund is open until March 13, for grants between £1,000 and £5,000. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to apply!”
You can read the full eligibility criteria on the website: LINK HERE
Projects do not have to be led by a youth group. Applications should be for a project that lasts up to a year, but it can be a one-off event. Projects can deliver opportunities in a range of contexts and settings: for example online, extracurricular, in clubs and groups, informally, or as part of structured programmes.
Core costs are eligible if the other criteria are met, including how the project meets the principles of great youth social action.
We would encourage eligible groups to start an online application to this fund ASAP. You can apply HERE
Dear Editor, I was heartened to spot the EU and Union Jack flags on the A418 roundabout in Thame this morning. It appears the roundabout has been ‘flag bombed’ !!
I gather it is part of a nationwide campaign.
Good to see this on a day when the House of Lords is voting on an amendment to preserve the rights of EU citizens in this country. I have EU neighbours, friends and colleagues – all of whom are anxious and distressed about their future in this country. Many of them have called the UK home for decades but are now facing uncertainty and feeling very unwelcome here. I hope many of our local EU citizens see these flags too and take some comfort from knowing that in spite of the Brexit vote, many British people support and value their presence in this country.
I hope you might share the attached photo with your readers.
THE Peach Pub Company, which runs The Thatch and The James Figg in Thame, has been named one of the best places to work in the country by The Sunday Times, in the newspaper’s annual survey of great employers. Peach shot into the Top 100 Best Companies to Work For at number 45, with a Two Star accreditation.
Now in its 17th year, The Sunday Times Top 100 is an annual ranking and survey of the best of Britain’s employers. Its publication each year is a highly anticipated event in the UK’s business calendar.
Frazer Sutherland
Frazer Sutherland, Peach Partner said: “When we started Peach fifteen years ago we set out to open one, really great pub. Now, to be recognised as one of the best companies to work for in the whole of the UK is a dream come true.
“We’re a great team of like-minded individuals serving fantastic food and drink with huge enthusiasm and it’s the team and our teamwork that make it possible for our guests to have a great experience every day in all of the 18 pubs we now have, including my two here in Thame.
“Although we’ve won many awards from within the hospitality world for looking after our people and giving them inspirational training and development opportunities, getting recognition this time from outside our industry is even more meaningful. It’s tough for a hospitality company where the hours are long and the work is hard to be recognised as a great employer.
“It’s a challenge for pubs, too. The great British pub industry will only be saved if we carry on making our pubs fun, exciting places to come to and for our people to work in.”
Peach has four pubs across Oxfordshire including The Fishes in North Hinskey and The Fleece in Witney alongside The Thatch and The James Figg in Thame, plus a training and support centre in North Aston. The company has around 450 people on its team running 18 great gastropubs and one boutique hotel, The High Field Town House in Edgbaston, which it opened last summer.
The Sunday Times Top 100 is drawn up after extensive data-gathering and analysis alongside an employee survey of companies operating across all industry sectors. By asking for the views of the people working for these companies what their employer and workplace is like, the awards get a true picture of which companies, like Peach, are the best to work for.
“We are really proud to be included in the list and to be highlighted as a great employer,” added Frazer. “And now we’ve got this far it has to be our goal to be even higher up the list next year.”
To find out more about joining the award-winning Peach team and benefit from great training and career opportunities, please go to www.peachpubs.com. The full list of The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies 2017 – HERE
The Thatch is at 29-30 Lower High Street, Thame, OX9 2AA. Tel: 01844 214340 www.thethatchthame.co.uk
THIS statement hit the headlines a few weeks ago where it was reported that studies showed that participation in racquet sports increases the partipant’s lifespan. Further statements have been made that while not arguing against this statement, all forms of activity and sports will help increase people’s lifespans.
Sue Martin downhill (left) with her Monday mornings’ ladies
“What makes squash particularly useful in this area is because it is just a little addictive,” says Sue Martin Downhill of Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame.
“Play one game of squash or take some coaching – I’ll bet you want to work out why you couldn’t quite get that backhand to go where you wanted it. You had a game with a fellow work colleague – and now you want to beat them ! You spent just 40 minutes on court and you know you’ve done enough exercise for a few days.
“On top of that there is never an excuse. When it rains or snows the courts are there – clean and dry and once you’ve started very, very warm!”
So currently Racquets is campaigning to show every lady why squash is so good.
“Over the past three months, 40 ladies have started playing squash at Racquets. Starting with the right ball and playing with others who’ve just started too – much of the time on court is spent laughing!” says Sue.
Laura Miller, newcomer to squash, said: “I have absolutely loved learning to play Squash. Sue’s attention to detail and passion for squash is wonderful and is so inspiring. Playing squash has increased my fitness level in a really short space of time. We now have a great bunch of ladies who play regularly together, thanks to Sue.”
On Sunday, March 12, Racquets wants to show more ladies the game. So they’ve put on a free crèche and a free craft workshop to keep the children occupied while mums can give a new sport a try. There’ll be a free buffet included and a goodie bag including a T-shirt.
Sue concluded: “England Squash, Sport England and South Oxfordshire District Council are behind this and we’re looking for 50 ladies to join in. I want to show more ladies the sport that I’ve enjoyed for over 30 years.”
To book yourself and your kids in, visit the Racquets website: LINK HERE
TEAMS taking part in this year’s Thame Swimathon on Sunday (February 26), covered 45 miles (2,899 lengths) having fun and raising lots money towards charity.
Twenty teams attended the fifth Thame Swimathon at Thame Leisure Centre organised by the Rotary Club of Thame, with help from members and families of Thame and District Lions Club and Thame Inner Wheel Club.
Linda Emery, Mayor of Thame, and former President of the Rotary Club of Thame, with support from Erroll Bateman, Rotary Club of Thame’s president, handed medals to all participants.
Ben Williams and Marcus Birmingham, who earlier in the week received South Oxfordshire awards for sports achievements, were part of the Thame Swimming Club Team A, establishing a new Thame Swimathon record, swimming 221 lengths beating 2014’s record of 180 held by another Thame Swimming Club team. Elliot Riley-Brown, another SODC award winner was a member of Team F which swam 187 lengths, the second best ever performance. At this year’s Swimathon, Thame Swimming Club participated with nine teams.
Marius Ciortan, Rotary Club of Thame’s spokesman, said: “The fifth edition of Thame Swimathon was very successful. We send our thanks to all swimmers who enthusiastically covered 2,899 lengths and raised lots of money for good causes. A big ‘thank you’ to our families and friends from Rotary, Lions, and Inner Wheel clubs. We are also grateful to our sponsors, Aston Hearing, Booker Tate, Park Street Dental Clinic, Thame Leisure Centre and Ignite Sport who helped us covering most of the costs required to run our community event.”
The amount raised by the teams so far exceeds £4,000. Team Ice Cream, a group of Thame school children, who swam in memory of Barnaby Cork, are currently the leaders on the fundraisers’ table. The public has got until April 2, to support the teams with their fundraising. The links to My Donate can be found via www.thame.rotary1090.org
More photos taken at Thame Swimathon can be found on www.facebook.com/thamerotary.
THE winners of Thame’s Small Business Saturday, Young Entrepreneurs Competition held back in December 2016, were able to pick the brains of long-standing business experts, on Saturday (February 25).
Back row – Mr Mason (Amelie’s father), Tim Luscombe, Tom Wylam, Philippe van Caloen Front row – Katy Dyer, Amelie Mason, Lottie Moore, Rod Carmichael
Meeting at the offices of specialist recruitment company, CarmichaelUK, based in Thame, the young entrepreneurs – Tom Wylam, Amelie Mason and Philippe van Caloen – received expert advice on how to develop their winning business ideas. The local business experts were the competition judges, Tim Luscombe (Thames Valley Business Advisers), Rod Carmichael (CarmichaelUK), Lottie Moore (Mindset Metaphors) and Katy Dyer (style and image coach).
The ideas brainstorm was part of the prize pot awarded to the young entrepreneurs in December. The first prize of £500 and 12 months’ mentoring went to Tom Wylam of Princes Risborough School for his idea, CupCycl, based on recycling disposable cups. The second prize went to Amelie Mason of Lord Williams’s School for her idea, Magical Maths, based on a new maths app, and the third prize went to Philippe van Caloen of Oxford Brookes University for his idea, WeCoach, aimed at helping students apply for their first job.
Competition Co-ordinator, Helen Johns, said: “Tom, Amelie and Philippe were very enthusiastic about the brainstorming day, saying that they had gained valuable insights to make the most of their business ideas, which would help them develop and bring them to fruition.”
Philippe commented: “The Small Business Saturday competition helped me translate my project into a really clear and simple business idea. The brainstorm gave me the chance to reflect on my idea and clarify my vision on how to make it a simple but sustainable business opportunity. Advice given by the coaches and judges was really valuable. Last but not least, it helped me build my confidence about this project, one of the main ingredients for any entrepreneurship journey.”
The Young Entrepreneurs’ Competition is a new venture, sponsored by CarmichaelUK. Its Managing Director ,Rod Carmichael, said: “The competition offers a brilliant platform for young talent. It’s important that young people can express themselves outside the standard GCSE route to market, and they should be encouraged to try new ideas. Entrepreneurs don’t all have to come from one place; you can start your journey by doing something different. The markets have changed dramatically in recent years, and clients are challenging us to find people who can show talent, ideas and innovation.”
WE all knew it, but now it’s official. Thame’s kebab van is the Best in Britain as voted for by all Atalay’s customers and friends from the Thame area and far beyond, and a panel of expert judges from the food industry.
A jubilant Resul Atalay, between two Lindas! His wife (L) and Linda Emery, Mayor of Thame
Atalay’s Kebab Van is based at the top of North Street behind Market House in Thame. It has grown in popularity since it was first awarded a licence to trade there in 1988, and queues can be found most nights outside the van waiting to be served by Resul (or Russell as he is known to most of his fans) or one of his twin sons, Joshua and Jason.
The announcement that Atalay’s Kebab Van had won the ‘Best Kebab Van’ category in the British Kebab Awards 2017, saw Resul leap up from his seat with joy and his fellow table-guests surround him with hugs, back-slapping and kisses, before all filing onto the stage to receive the award.
The event organisers later told the Atalays that their nomination had received more votes than ANY other nomination, in the five-year history of the awards! This was, in no small part, down to Thame resident, Dominic Stanway Williams, who originallt nominated the Atalays for the award, drummed up media attention and urged Thame kebab fans everywhere to vote for them.
The night’s celebration by the 26-strong Thame, Atalaly supporters group – including the Mayor of Thame, Linda Emery – who had travelled to the prestiguous Park Plaza Westminster Hotel for the event, ended at the London Eye, with a champagne shower and ‘bubbles’ all round.
Top kebab man, Rosul Atalay, told Thame.Net: “This was the highlight of everything I have been doing all these years. All I care about is using the best ingredients, and making people happy. I am so lucky to have the support of my wife Linda, and my children, and the people of Thame who I love!”
The British Kebab Awards were founded by London restaurant owner, Ibrahim Dogus, who is also the man behind Bira London, a new beer specially brewed to go well with kebabs. Welcoming guests to the ceremony, he said the history of the kebab could be traced back to Homer’s Odyssey in the 8th century BC.
He spoke of the dedication of all the people who work in the £2.8 billion kebab industry, calling them: “…the refuge, the light that shines out late at night in our neighbourhoods, serving hot food on a cold night.” Ibrahim also paid tribute to the many Turkish, Kurdish and other peoples working in the industry, who had come to this country ‘to work hard, and who pay their taxes.’
Several Members of Parliament attended the awards ceremony which was hosted by Radio One presenters, Scott Mills and Chris Stark, who read out messages of support from both the Prime Minister, Theresa May, and Jeremy Corbyn. A grand raffle at this year’s awards ceremony raised money for the veterans’ mental health charity, Combat Stress.
You can find out who the other category award winners were by visiting the British Kebab Awards website HERE and see MORE PICTURES HERE
AS a way of recognising people in Thame who help their neighbours, support local groups or go out of their way for others in their community, nine years ago, the Town Council launched the Thame Town Awards. Since then, dozens of local people have been thanked and celebrated for working hard to make our community a safer, more vibrant and happier place to live.
Each year the Council invites members of the public to nominate their local, unsung heroes, and this year is no different! They want you to tell them about individuals and groups who have made a special contribution to life in Thame. This could be a volunteer, a teacher, a shop worker, someone old, someone young – pretty much anyone! This year there are five categories in which you can make a nomination:
Sporting Achievement
Someone of any age who has shown great dedication to their sport. Perhaps a player, a coach, even someone who supports your team from the side-lines.
Volunteer of the Year
An individual or organisation who has worked tirelessly for the good of the community. Thame is a hive of community activity, but who deserves your nomination?
Lifetime Achievement
Someone who has made a significant contribution to Thame over an extended period of time. They could be anyone from a teacher or carer to a fundraiser or event organiser. This award can be made posthumously.
Service with a Smile
A business or an individual that consistently provides a faultless and friendly service.
Creative Arts Achievement
A person of any age who excels in the creative arts. This could be in acting, painting, music, dance, photography – the list goes on!
One of last year’s winners, Angela Willson, was delighted with her Voluntary Individual award: “I was totally surprised to be nominated for the Voluntary Individual award in 2016. I have had the privilege of being part of Lea Park Residents’ Association for many years and this had opened up opportunities to take part in a number of Thame projects such as Thame Tidy Day. In the past I have attended the Thame Town Awards event which highlights the wide range of activities and services that are organised by ordinary Thame citizens. I am thankful to those who nominate others for recognition of their contribution to the life of Thame.”
To nominate your local hero, visit www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/town-awards and fill in the form, or pop in to the Town Hall Information Centre and pick up a voting card. You can find out more and meet some of the judges at the Thame Market Community Stall on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. You can follow the awards on Facebook ‘Thame Town Awards’ or on Twitter using #ThameAwards!
The closing date for nominations is Monday, April 3, 2017. LINK HERE to read the terms and conditions. This year’s awards are generously supported by Risborough Carers, who are celebrating their 25th birthday in 2017.
THE talents and achievements of young people from all over South Oxfordshire have been recognised at a special Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday (Feb 22), including three swimmers, and a squash player – all from Thame clubs, and an athlete from near-by Great Haseley. (more…)
THAME Football Partnership, which includes Thame United, has today said ‘good bye’ to its General Manager Frank Thompson, who is leaving to take up a new role at Oxford City FC.
Frank Thompson
In a statement just out, the club said: TFP, today, say goodbye to General Manager Frank Thompson who is leaving to take up a new role at Oxford City FC. Frank has been at the Club since it’s launch six years ago, and has been connected with the Junior and Senior section over the last 35 years.”
Frank himself said: “I’m sorry to be leaving the Club but felt that this new opportunity would be a fresh and exciting challenge to me. I wish everyone connected with TFP the very best for the future and hope that the town gets behind Thame Utd in their push for promotion this year.”
Lauren Austin has been appointed Bar & Events Manager and she can be contacted at the Club or by email at lauren.austin@thamefootball.co.uk
