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Category: Thame news

  • ‘Downton Abbey with gardening tips’

    ONE very talented actor, Giles Shenton, keeps us engrossed, entertained, amused and emotionally engaged for an hour and a half as a gardener in a potting shed… who knew that would work?

    A wonderful production: funny, emotional, touching, instructive: as it’s been dubbed: ‘Downton Abbey with gardening tips’ (and some cookery ones too!)…and an acute and sometimes hilarious observation of relationships between the classes in a gentler, simpler age. As the song goes, ‘Sometimes life can taste so sweet, when you slow it down.’ Herbert Pinnegar ( “Old Herbaceous”) reminisces & tells us his life story, man and foundling boy; from his transformation, as a “ no-hoper” school boy with a gammy leg, to Head Gardener and on to the dizzy heights of officiating for the RHS! All this under the tender, but ever class-conscious protection and encouragement of his employer, his “dear lady”, Mrs Charteris forever remembered, cherished and, though never actually said, loved from his boyhood as, “ the laughing lady in white, who gave me my first chance”.

    Herbert recounts his transformations and epiphany moments through his times as a lowly gardener’s boy, to under gardener and then to the responsibilities of managing people as Head Gardener; all of these he treats with a gentle good humour and plenty of endearing country common sense. The piece is sprinkled with witticisms and epithets, a gentle humour, all much in the traditionally understated English style of the early 20th century. Yet many of these are timeless: “A garden is like life itself: full of good and evil”. ; “ You can’t be angry for long… not in a garden.”

    The tender care of plants is almost a euphemism for the nourishing of our relationships. A simple, but most effective and accurate set transforms the piece, with sensitive and expressive lighting. I could almost smell the compost and twine. Giles Shenton truly lives the part and really does make us all feel it’s a private chat from a bygone and comforting age and that we leave all the better for having listened to his shared experiences, with a feeling that all’s right with the world. This wonderful production deserves a much wider audience and a long run! The end of the piece, where. though never spoken aloud, his true feelings are revealed, is one of the most moving I have seen in a long time… take your hanky!”

    Saturday, February 4, at 7.45pm – Tickets £12 – Spear Travels. 01844217228 or online from www.thameplayers.co.uk

    SOURCE – Contributed

  • Thame cricketers to ‘slip’ into new sponsor’s shirts

    INSURANCE broker, J Bennett & Son, has become a new shirt sponsor for Thame Town Cricket Club.

    Right to left:- Peter Sutcliffe (MD, JB&S), Mark Nicholl (Director, JB&S), Matt Swain (Vice-Chair TTCC), Andy Jinman (Marketing Manager, TTCC)

    Their Director, Mark Nicholl, said that he has enjoyed supporting the club over the past year, so when the opportunity for sponsorship arose he was keen to get J Bennett and Son more involved.

    In Mark’s own words: “Thame Cricket Club is based at the heart of the Town and as a resident I have really enjoyed their regular events and fixtures. Clubs like these are incredibly important to the community but, for them to continue to thrive, they must be supported by local businesses. It’s a pleasure to be able to be a major sponsor for the next two years and at J. Bennett & Son we are very much looking forward to helping them fulfill their next chapter, the main target of which is of course the development of a brand new clubhouse.”

    At the signing of the sponsorship deal last week, Matt Swain, Vice-Chair of the club, thanked Mark and MD Peter Sutcliffe for their generous support, on behalf of the hundreds of people in the local area who benefit directly and indirectly from the club’s coaching, playing and social activity, female and male, young and old.”

    J. Bennett & Son now join Mobalpa kitchens as one of the club’s main sponsors. For more details of the club’s activities, visit the cricket club’s website: LINK HERE

  • Thame Swimathon 2017 – introducing the teams. Today: Thame Swimming Club

    TWENTY teams have now booked all available slots for the Thame Swimathon 2017. Any new team entry forms will be put on hold onto a waiting list. The fifth edition of the Thame Swimathon will take place at Thame Leisure Centre on Sunday, February 26, 2017, from 11:00 till 15:00.

    This is a fun and fundraising event organised by the Rotary Club of Thame. The event is possible due to generous local sponsors who kindly cover most of the costs: Thame Leisure Centre, Park Street Dental Clinic, Aston Hearing, Booker Tate, and Ignite Sport.

    Most of the teams have taken the option to allocate 50% of the money raised towards their favourite cause, and 50% towards Thame Rotary’s local charities: Red Kite Children’s Centre, Wheel Power, and Hope and Homes for Children.

    Thame Swimming Club will participate with nine teams at the Thame Swimathon 2017, raising funds for their own club. Linda Newton, Thame Swimming Club spokeswoman said: “The Thame Rotary Swimathon is a highlight of the year for many swimmers, as it gives them a chance to work as a team, support both Thame Swimming Club and local charities, and have a lot of fun along the way too!”

    Donations towards one of the nine Thame Swimming Club teams can be made online via:
    https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/lucyandisabel1

    All other My Donate links to teams which fundraise online can be found at www.thame.rotary1090.org
    Rotary Club of Thame can be also followed on www.facebook.com/thamerotary

  • How would YOU respond if asked to house a young refugee?

    STUDENTS at Lord Williams’s School in Thame have been exploring the issues of immigration by debating how they might respond to a (hypothetical) request for the community to accommodate young Syrian refugees in Thame.

    An 18 year-old Syrian refugee – Picture: UNICEF/Yurtsever

    During the of-timetable, conference-style debate, the Year 11 students heard from a panel of speakers including a refugee from Iraq, a local charity representative (Convoy2Calais) and Graham Hunt, Thame’s Town Clerk. Graham was impressed by the discussions that took place amongst students: “They offered a wide range of responses and valuable insights to the issues,” he said. “I will remember the event for a long time to come and will endeavour to ensure that the output can be used in a constructive way.”

    Nicky Stallwood, Careers Manager at Lord Williams’s School, helped co-ordinate the event on January 17, and commented: “For many students, the experience was powerful and several mentioned how it had changed their views on immigration and asylum seekers. The students were able to empathise with the refugee perspective and were very keen to talk further. For many it was the first time that a global issue had become personalised.”

    One Year 11 student spoke for many when he said: “We don’t talk about current issues enough in school. If we want people to get involved and to feed the debate, there has to be more opportunities like this for young people.”

    Nicky Stallwood added: “Working with local refugee interest groups provided students with a real insight into the experience of the refugee and the role of support charities.”

    John Cormino James from Thame’s Bread and Roses for Refugees, found inspiration from the students’ responses: “What was most wonderful was the grounded passion with which the young people presented their conclusions,” he said. “An energy to nurture and also to give us hope.”

  • Thame pupils sing for ‘the union of children’

    YOUNG people from Thame’s Barley Hill School, have celebrated the union of children through music, by taking part in a special concert at the 02 Arena, on Monday, January 16.

    Over 7000 children from schools all over the country gathered to form one of the largest choirs in the world for this spectacular event, called Young Voices. The 26 Thame singers joined the other children to perform musical numbers, including many familiar pop, rock, folk and world songs too.

    “We all felt very lucky to be given the opportunity to perform in such a prestigious venue alongside professional musicians and a live band too,” said Headteacher, Mrs Anne Stopforth. “It was an amazing day and the children thoroughly enjoyed this unforgettable experience.”

  • Casualty cut from vehicle after two-car collision in Thame

    ONE person had to be released from their car with cutting equipment earlier today, following a two-car collision in Oxford Road, Thame, near the junction with Cuttlebrook Gardens.

    The scene of the collision shortly before the emergency services arrived around 11.30am today – Thanks to Barry Yates for the image

    Neighbours described a very loud noise ‘like a bomb going off’ before rushing out to find out what had happened.

    The Emergency services were quickly on the scene, shortly after a nurse a few cars behind the incident came to the aid of those affected, and the road was closed.

    It is not known at this time how serious the casualty’s injuries are or whether they were taken to hospital.

  • ‘No plans to close Thame hospital’ says Trust

    IN response to Wednesday’s report about concerns for the future of Thame Community Hospital, Amelia Williamson, Head of Communications for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust told Thame.Net : “We would like to reassure people that there are no plans to close Thame Hospital. On the contrary, we want to expand and provide more care closer to people’s homes.

    “Over the last year we have been working with our partners, staff and the public to discuss and develop a vision for ‘community hubs’ – exploring how we can bring together health, care and the voluntary sector to support people to manage their health and wellbeing.

    “These discussions are still ongoing and we are committed to continuing to involve our communities and create hubs that will best meet the needs of local people.”

    When pressed further to answer specific questions arising out of Dr Ken Burch’s expressed concerns, i.e. Is it intended to close all the beds at Thame Hospital? Is a pilot scheme to be carried out and what exactly is to be piloted?, Ms Williamson said:

    “We are in the process of finalising plans so are not in a position to respond to your specific questions at this time. We will be happy to clarify next steps as soon as we are in a position to do so.”

  • Planned lane closures M40

    M40  southbound between J8A and J8 | Southbound | Road Works –  26-01-2017 03:20 PM GMT

    Status : Pending. Lane Closures : Lanes 2 and 3 will be closed. Schedule : From 22:00 on 26 January 2017 to 06:00 on 27 January 2017. Location : The M40 southbound between junctions J8A and J7 . Lanes Closed : There will be two of three lanes closed. Reason : Roadworks are planned.

  • Fears for the closure of Thame Community Hospital ‘by stealth’

    SUPPORTERS of Thame’s Community Hospital are pleading with the local NHS Trust for more transparency and more public consultation about plans to close beds and run a pilot scheme for alternative uses of the building.

    Thame Hospital – Image Copyright Thame.Net

    Retired GP, Ken Burch, President of the Hospital’s League of Friends, told Thame.Net: “We have just learned that Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is about to enter into staff consultations on a pilot project for Thame Community Hospital. This pilot consists of closing the few remaining beds in the Hospital, retaining some of the current day care services and possibly trying out new, unspecified services.

    “Because it is structured as a pilot study, or trial, the Trust does not believe that it has to put the proposals out to general public consultation. We fear that this could be the first step in the closure of Thame Community Hospital by stealth, and urge the Trust to clarify its proposals and disseminate their details more widely.”

    It is common knowledge that the current eight beds at the hospital are being used mainly to relieve ‘bed blocking’ at Stoke Mandeville, Tring, Wycombe, Winslow and other places and not seen as serving the local community.

    Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust were approached for a response but were unable to comment at short notice. A spokesperson for the Trust however, did say that it had held several engagement sessions with local people about the future of the services it has responsibility for, including proposed Community Hubs.  She asked that attention be drawn to the Trust’s website: LINK HERE

     

  • Two men jailed for burglary and theft from motor vehicle in Thame

    ADAM Coaker, 35, of Peppard Road, Emmer Green, was sentenced on Tuesday, December 6, and Graham Aitken, 53, of Southcote Lane, Reading, was sentenced last Thursday (19/1) in connection with these offences. Both men appeared at Oxford Crown Court.

    Adam Coaker

    The sentencings were in connection with a burglary at a commercial car garage on Lupton Road and a theft from a car in which a registration plate was stolen on Grenville Road, both in Thame, on 17 December 2015.

    Both men were located and arrested by Reading Local CID on the morning of the offences. They were later charged on December 18, 2015, and were convicted on November 16, 2016.

    Coaker pleaded guilty at the beginning of the trial and Aitken was later found guilty by a jury at the same court.

    Coaker was sentenced to 21 months in prison for the burglary offence and four months in prison for the theft from a vehicle, to run concurrently. Aitken was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

    Investigating officer PC David Simpkins, formally of South and Vale Local CID, said: “The crimes committed by both men took place just before Christmas, when the victims should have been enjoying the festive period, not having to deal with the repercussions of these offences.

    “Hopefully this sentence sends out a message that burglary and theft offences are taken seriously by Thames Valley Police, and our officers will conduct thorough investigations to ensure every effort is made to bring offenders to justice.”