And the show Schedule now available to download from the new website: LINK HERE
This, the latest evolution of the original Thame Show that started as a ploughing match over 130 years ago, is to be know as The Thame Horse and Country Show. It will include many of the same things as the old ‘Oxfordshire County and Thame Show’ including a very big Horse Show with top class Showing Classes, Show Jumping with the country’s very best show jumpers taking part, and Dressage.
There will be a large, well filled Countryside Arena, with local packs of hounds and other animals like Alpacas and Rare Breeds, Cattle & Sheep classes, Shetland Pony Agility, Donkeys & Pony Scurry Driving. Another big attraction will be an Open Dog Show with classes for all including Scruffs that qualify for Crufts in 2017.
As usual, there will be plenty of Trade Stands and a Farmers Market, so plenty of food and drink to chose from.
The original Oxfordshire County & Thame Show was cancelled for 2016, following a number of year of financial losses. An experiment to move the show date to the summer and then back again the following September, both failed to draw the crowds, mostly because of bad weather.
The Directors chose to cancel the show for 2016, in order to protect the assets of the Association concentrate on letting the showground out to other event organisers for the time being.
Visit the new website HERE from time to time, for more details as the show approaches.
A Thame retailer praised the town’s street cleaner for ‘going the extra mile’ this week, after he cleaned and weeded the whole of a narrow passage way in the town, above and beyond his designated duties.
Alan Tipping, pictured during Thame Carnival procession last June
Sally Dickinson, who runs What’s Cooking in Cornmarket, Thame, was concerned about the untidiness of Pump Lane, that runs from her shop through to Brothers Hair Salon in the Buttermarket. Whilst discussing the problem with Alan Tipping, Thame’s popular street cleaner, she was surprised to learn that Alan had been told that Pump Lane wasn’t part of his area as it is not a designated ‘highway’.
However, after a visit to the town hall and phone calls to Oxfordshire County County and South Oxfordshire District Council, as well as Biffa, Sally was able to discover that Pump Lane can be designated as highway and, despite not having been given the official go-ahead by his Manager, Alan spent two hours of his own time making Pump Lane ‘spick and span’ !
Once again, Alan has proven to be worthy of his Service to the Town award, presented to him in 2012, by the then Mayor of Thame, Nigel Champken Woods.
THIS impressive sum was a result of Travelodge HQ in Thame’s fourth, annual Green Day fundraiser, so-called because of the charity’s official brand colour.
At the event, held at Thame Town Cricket Club last Wednesday, August 17, staff pitted their wits against each other in a range of fun activities throughout the day which included a welly wanging competition, a scavenger hunt, a tug of war and the annual cricket match which this year was held between the Travelodge head office team, the company’s tax advisors, FTI Consultancy, and the company’s energy consultants, Smart Metering Systems (SMS). The match was won by the Travelodge head office team
Peter Gowers, Travelodge, Chief Executive Officer with Colin Cousins, Sleepeezee, Finance Director and Sally Hill, Partnership Manager, Macmillan Cancer Support
Included in the £30,000 raised, was a donation of £20,000 from Travelodge’s bed manufacturer, Sleepeezee who produce the company’s popular luxurious king-size, Travelodge Dreamer bed – which has been installed into all of Travelodge’s 38,287 Rooms.
As the bed is so popular with customers, Travelodge and Sleepeezee have made the bed available for people to purchase and for every bed sold, Sleepeezee makes a donation towards Macmillan. The £20,000 donation payment was for Travelodge Dreamer beds sold during the last ten months.
Over 250 people attended Travelodge Green Day which included head office staff and their family and friends. For the first time ever, Travelodge held its own version of Crufts where thirteen dogs participated in the dog show with categories including Best in show, waggiest tail, dog agility, skills and walk to heel.
Meg, the Border Collier who won the dog show
Meg, the Border Collie, aged two years old, won Travelodge Crufts, scoring the highest marks overall. Meg won for scoring highly in all of the challenges, especially in skills and the agility round.
Tom Edwards, Travelodge, Revenue Director,said: “Our annual Green Day is a great opportunity for team building and raising money for our nominated charity. We are a competitive bunch and this year, the head office functions really went above and beyond and organised some truly innovative activities. We had an amazing day, full of fun and laughter and most importantly we raised a lot of money, for a truly deserving cause. I would like to thank everyone for their efforts and support and especially the manufacturers of our Travelodge Dreamer Bed, Sleepeezee, who boosted our total to £30,000, this year with their donation of £20,000.
“Since the charity partnership was launched in 2013, Travelodge’s 10,000 staff members across the company’s 515 UK hotels and at the head office in Thame have raised over £750,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support to help people affected by cancer.”
Sally Hill, from Macmillan Cancer Support said: “We are so grateful for all the support Travelodge staff have given to Macmillan. Their dedication and enthusiasm will ensure that no one has to face cancer alone and we look forward to their continued support.”
Colin Cousins, Sleepeezee, Finance Director, concluded: “Sleepeezee is delighted to participate in this year’s Travelodge Green Day and donate £20,000 to the company’s nominated charity, Macmillan Cancer Support. This donation is the result of a successful partnership between Sleepeezee and Travelodge and is a measure of customer satisfaction with the Travelodge Dreamer bed.”
An independent retailer in Thame, which sells cake-decorating and making equipment internationally, has just said ‘good-bye’ to a class of students from all over the world, who have spent 12 days learning how to make sugarpaste flower sprays with internationally acclaimed specialist, Alan Dunn, in Thame.
Yes, those flowers really ARE made of sugarpaste !
The students were teachers, decorators and hobbiests from places as far as way as Atlanta in Georgia, Italy, Germany, Hong Kong and China. When Thame.Net dropped in to meet the visitors, they were all loving Thame, many of them having explored the town’s pubs and the shops – including one gentleman from Belgium – who happens to be cake-maker to the Belgian Royal Court, who bought several bow ties from Gallant in Greyhound Walk.
Joint owner of the course facilitator, A Piece of Cake in Upper High Street, Norma Laver, said: “It was such a pleasure to meet some amazing, talented people and to see old friends again and meet new ones. I’m looking forward to seeing many of them again next year.”
From L to R – Norma Laver, Michael Lewis-Anderson (cake maker to the Belgian Royal Court), Alan Dunn & Christine Walker. Image courstesy of A Piece of Cake
Norma and her business partner, Jenny Walker, have both won awards for their work. They started APiece of Cake in 1985 and now have one of the most comprehensive online stores supplying cake decorating equipment to the world. They were the first company to manufacture and sell ready-made, ready to use Flower Paste which is used by some of the worlds top cake decorators.
They are both great supporters of charities, most recently taking part in the Ice Bucket challenge, to raise funds for Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the local activity centre for children with special needs, Thomley.
OXFORDSHIRE Fire & Rescue Service were called at 09:28am today (18/08) to a fire in a garage which was quickly spreading to the attached bungalow, in Chestnut Avenue, Thame.
Image courtesy of @HeartThamesNews
Fire appliances from Wheatley, Slade, Watlington and Aylesbury, from neighbouring county Buckinghamshire, quickly attended the fire. The crews used hose reels and firefighting jets to quickly bring the fire under control. Crews were also committed inside the property wearing breathing apparatus to stop the fire from spreading to the adjoining property. Large fans were used to ventilate the property to reduce any further damage from smoke.
The fire was started when a battery for a model aircraft, that was charging in the garage, became overheated and caught fire.
The occupiers of the property got safely out of the house, however one of the occupiers of the property had breathed in smoke when removing dangerous hazards from the garage and was treated by South Central Ambulance service.
Station Manager Reay from OFRS said ” The crews did an excellent job working swiftly and effectively to stop the fire spreading and taking hold in the roof above the living accommodation. The gentleman was checked out by South Central Ambulance service at the scene for smoke inhalation and was given the all clear, having entered the property during the fire. Although this helped to reduce the intensity of the fire, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service always urge that once you are out of the building, and have called the fire service out, you stay out.”
Crews will be doing a hot-strike in the street in the next week giving fire safety advice to residents about the importance of having smoke alarms and the dangers of fire.
Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice. If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk
NOT a great weekend for Thame Town Cricket Club, as the first team lost at Buckingham, the seconds had a losing draw at home and Chearsley failed to raise a team to play against the third team, but as a result, the thirds got 25 points due to Chearsley forfeiting. MATCH REPORTS
First XI
THAME travelled to Buckingham for another crucial match last Saturday. Having won the the toss, stand-in skipper, Mike Beard, had no hesitation in batting on a good wicket.
Honey Garg, top scorer for TTCC’s 1st XI
Thame’s top order worked hard against a strong bowling attack, notable contributions coming from Harry Thomas (32) and Honey Garg (54). However, wickets fell at key moments and it took some lower-order hitting for Thame to muster a below-par 215. In response, Buckingham’s openers looked to seize the initiative. Chris Jeffcock, stepping up from his usual role as second team captain, bowled superbly to keep the scoring down and, aided by two fine run outs, kept Thame’s hopes alive. In the end though, the placid nature of the pitch rendered the bowling toothless, Buckingham getting home with only three wickets down and two overs to spare. Thame entertain Amersham at Church Meadow on Saturday, August 20.
Second XI
THAME seconds entertained Chearsley firsts with high hopes of a win to maintain their 22-point lead at the top of Division five. Chearsley lost the toss and were asked to bat on a good pitch.
It wasn’t long before Thame were facing an uphill struggle as opener James Veness steadily built a century which, helped by dropped catches, developed into an unbeaten 142. Despite a marathon stint from Ian McStay with two wickets, Chearsley’s progress was aided by an injury to Thame’s leading wicket-taker, Ali Thomas, who limped out of the attack after just two overs. They finished on 273 for 4 from 52 overs. After tea, with only 48 overs available, Thame set off at a gallop in pursuit but lost wickets regularly. Thanks to Richard Carr (77) and a maiden, 2nd XI half-century for Christian Warwick (62), Thame reached 201 for 7, thereby earning five points but seeing their lead cut to three points with three games remaining. They travel to bottom club,Banbury fourths this Saturday, August 20.
Third XI
THE third XI sadly did not play, due to Chearsley seconds forfeiting the game for lack of players. Thame now entertain Twyford thirds this Saturday, with their sights set on finishing in at least second place in Division 9 (North).
WITH just five weeks to go to the Thame Food Festival, and The Big Thame Bake, the ‘Plethora of Baking Genius Judges (Lottie Duncan quote!), time is running out fast to enter. Go to http://www.thamefoodfestival.co.uk/the-big-thame-bake-2016/ and check out the rules and the 12 tasty categories, and get practicing for the big day! Enter now and you could win a Kitchen Aid Mixer for your stunning bakes and cakes!
Great British Bake Off 2015 winner, Nadiya Hussain
The festival organisers will soon be taking bookings on the website for this year’s, brand new Wine Workshops with Wine Guru, Jerome Harlington, upstairs at Christchurch on the day, to pitch David against Goliath in the English vs Champagne taste off!
“The quality of English Sparkling Wine is now so impressive that we think it’s about time we gave Champagne a run for it’s money!” said Lotte Duncan, Patron, Non-exective Director and evet co-ordinator of the festival. “We have a line up of outstanding English Sparkling wines to pitch against some quality Champagne contenders.”
Thame Food Festival’s headliner on the brand spanking, new BIG THAME BAKING STAGE is last year’s winner of the Great British Bake Off, Nadiya Hussain. Lotte said: “We are chuffed to bits that we’ve managed to secure her appearance – she has captured the nation’s hearts, and I know she’ll capture yours on the day! We have so many wonderful bakers on the stage – Richard Bertinet, Benoit Blin, Richard Bertinet, Will Torrent, Richard Burr, Miranda Gore Browne and Chetna Makan.”
If you join Lotte Duncan at the stage at 2.15pm, you can see her interview them, and you get to ask them some questions and hear how the programme has changed their lives.
For the AGA CHEF’S STAGE, Raymond Blanc is back! – the Festival Ambassador from just down the road at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. He’ll be on the stage at 2.30pm shortly after his boys (Adam and Mark) fight it out in the annual cook off with Aylesbury College – always great fun and a chance to heckle!
Masterchef Champion ,Natalie Coleman, will be first up on the AGA stage, cooking with the winners of the local school cooking competition.
Festival regulars, the Caldesis, Dave Mooney and Sophie Grigson will also be featured as well as, for her second year, Lucie Greenwood from The Milk Shed, Weston on the Green, and for their first year, Alex Mackay and Chris Wheeler. “It’s going to be fabulous!” Added Lotte.
Want a book signed? Then walk over to the Pop Up Bookshop by the Baking Stage, care of The Book House in Thame. All your favourites will be on sale there and you can get them personally signed by the festival’s cooking superstars.
And of course – the main reason it’s called a Food Festival – over 200 artisan food producers lining up in the historic High Street of Thame. A Pop Up Pub in amongst them, some music and plenty of seating so you can soak up the atmosphere, have a drink and eat some outstanding and delicious food – all sampled and vetted by TFF HQ – “It’s a terrible job, but someone has to take one for the team!” concluded Lotte.
LONG Crendon Farmers’ wives and avid Archers fans, Claire Morris and Tracy Newman, are planning to bring the long running Radio 4’s programme the Archers to life over a fundraising breakfast on Sept 11.
With donated produce from Tracy and husband David’s Bucksum farm shop, and support from other local producers, The Pointer Butchers (Brill), Egg House Charcuterie (Haddenham), The Cottage Bakery (Thame) and Laceys farm in Lane End, they will be cooking up a traditional full English to be served at Claire and husband George’s College Farm venue.
“The Archers is a tale of everyday country life similar to our own and for us that means working together and supporting other local farms and businesses,” explainedClaire who recently hosted Tracy and David’s wedding at her College Farm venue.
“In everyday village life the dramas that unfold can impact on everyone in the wider community, and in the Farm Shop you do get to hear all sorts,” added Tracy. “In a recent storyline character, Helen Titchener, finally snapped and attacked her abusive husband and the case comes to court in the week beginning September 5. That’s why we wanted to use this event to raise money for the womens charity, Refuge.”
Tickets are available from Bucksum Farm Shop in Long Crendon at £10, and all proceeds go to the “Save Helen Titchener Fund” for Refuge.
STUDENTS at Lord Williams’s have again achieved highly in their A Level examinations. Headteacher, David Wybron, said: “A pass rate of 99% is impressive given the number of entries and the range of abilities of students studying at A Level. 47% of passes were at A*/A and B grades.”
He added: “We have very capable and hardworking students and this is very evident in their excellent A Level achievements. I want to pay a particular tribute to those students who have overcome considerable challenges over the last two years and have more than fulfilled the high expectations they and their teachers have had. On their behalf, I would like to acknowledge the dedication of their teachers and support staff, who have given so much, in order that so many individuals and their families can celebrate today.”
The following students achieved A* or A grades in three or more subjects: Lizzie Barratt, Jennifer Bernstein, Henry Glover, Eliza Goode, Olly Gough, Will Harrison, Luke Harvey, Elizabeth Kew, Daniel Kovacs, Jack Lawlor, Josh Lilley, Maddie Morrison, Abigail Spokes, Alistair Stewart and Emily Wignall.
THIS year’s Thame Market Community day was ‘the best yet’ with hundreds of people, including Thame’s MP John Howell, flocking to the event in warm sunshine.
People in Action provide Horticultural therapy for people with leaning difficulties
Free bear hugs and cakes help these students raise funds towards their World Challenge in 2017
Chris Hurdman, Secretary of the Thame Market Traders Co-operative, was delighted with the turnout. He said: “What a fantastic day! This was our 10th Community Day and what a great turn-out! I would like to thank all the stallholders and the public for their support and helping to raise hundreds of pounds for local charities and good causes.
The Mayor Cllr Linda Emery with David Laver, man the Thame Twinning Association stall
“Thame is a real, community market and it’s that which makes it continue to thrive and remain at the heart of the town.”
The Thame Market Traders’ Flash of the Year award went to Riff Raffs Sew & Sew, run by Jo Biggs Rafferty, who was presented with her award by the Mayor of Thame, Cllr Linda Emery. MORE pictures from Thame Market Community Day HERE
