THE First Thursday Music Club will see Papa Truck, the British Bluegrass band, with signature songs of the Chiltern Hills, back at the at the Club’s monthly extravaganza at The Stables, behind the James Figg pub in Thame, on July 7.
Papa Truck
Papa Truck are working hard this summer performing all over the UK, culminating with an appearance at Towersey Festival in August. These five will have you grinning from ear to ear and tapping your foot to their original songs. Bluegrass may originate in America but the band have made the genre their own, mixing inspiration from the people, places and sounds around them.
Other artists and bands performing at the club include 2am Blue and The Band With No Name.
As has been the case since the launch of The First Thursday Music Club over six years ago, the club still offers the opportunity for artists to play live in front of a warm and appreciative audience in 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 starting at 7.30pm. 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!
THE Rotary Club of Thame has exprssed its gratitude to the communities of Thame and its neighbouring villages for their support with fundraising during the 2015-2016 Rotary year, at an event at the Spread Eagle Hotel on Wednesday, June 22.
Medical Detection Dogs, Friends of Thame CAB, Chilterns MS Centre, Thame & District Day Centre, Royal British Legion and The Stroke Association are among the charities that have benefited from Rotary donations in the past 12 months.
Linda Emery, Mayor of Thame and former Thame Rotary President also attended the event.
Marius Ciortan, spokesman for the Rotary Club of Thame, said: “It was a great evening, as the representatives of the supported charities shared with us the way the donations will be spent.”
Hannah Asquith from Chilterns MS Centre, wrote to the club: “Your donation will help us continue to provide support and treatment to 330 people with multiple sclerosis, every week.”
Daniel Bates of Stroke Association said: “We would like to thank all Thame Rotarians who were involved in running events on Know Your Blood Pressure Day and raising awareness of the link between high blood pressure and stroke.”
Sandra Davison, Chair at Friends of Thame & District Citizens Advice Bureau, wrote to the club to thank it for their donation and added: “Advice and information on every conceivable subject continue to be sought by members of the community, in particular those concerning employment, debt, housing and relationship difficulties. The donation from Rotary will enable advisers to attend specialist training courses and help to maintain and update IT equipment within Thame bureau.”
Thame Rotarians busily continued their work in the local community last weekend June (June 25-26)with more volunteering, cooking barbecue food at Barley Hill School Fundraising Fete on Saturday, and stewarding Thame’s 10k race on Sunday.
Marius concluded: “To continue and to expand our fundraising and volunteering activities in the months and years to come, we are looking for even more support from the local community. We would welcome new members from Thame, Chinnor, Long Crendon and neighbouring villages who can join our world of fun, fellowship and fundraising. To express your interest to join our vibrant club, please visit www.thame.rotary1090.org or like us on www.facebook.com/thamerotary “
‘IF more people in this world made and ate cake, there really would be less trouble and war. Surely politicians wouldn’t make so many silly decisions if they had a nice Victoria Sponge in front of them. It really is the answer to Happiness and World Peace!’ So, says Lotte Duncan, Patron of the Thame Food Festival 2016.
The second Big Thame Bake is now open for entries, and Thame Food Festival wants as many aspiring bakers as possible to rise to the occasion for local good causes.
Amanda Gore browne
There’s a category for every baking age and skill level and, not only are there some fabulous prizes to be won but also the chance to meet some of the biggest names in the world of baking, including Great British Bake Off’s Miranda Gore-Browne, Chetna Makan and Richard Burr. Bread making legend Richard Bertinet, will be coming all the way from Bath to judge the Big Thame Bake alongside Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons’ Benoit Blin, Adam Johnson and Mark Peregrine.
Natalie Coleman launching the childrens’ Big Thame Bake recently at the Book House, Thame
Natalie Coleman will be looking after the children’s category and ‘chocolate man extraordinaire’ Will Torrent will judge the chocolate cakes!
Lotte Duncan is especially kean for local businesses to take part too: “From pubs to estate agents – hairdressers to florists – we want to see just how competitive you really are,” she said.
You can explore the various categories on the Thame Food Festival website. All of the money raised will be split between a donation to the Thame Food Bank and to help ensure that Thame Food Festival can continue running for another year.
“Your cake really will make a difference,” concluded Lotte. For inspiration and cake photographs from last year, click HERE
It was a case of mixed fortunes and mixed weather for Thame Town Cricket Club last weekend, resulting in defeat for the first team, a win for seconds, who remain top of Division Five, and a narrow defeat for the thirds, who as a result, broke their unbeaten playing record and remain second in Division nine.
Match reports
First XI
THAME 1st XI struggled at Amersham as they fell to a seven wicket defeat on Saturday, June 18. Put in to play on another damp wicket, Thame struggled as they lost early wickets, but recovered to 55 for 3 at lunch. However, a flurry of wickets after lunch left Thame in trouble and sliding to a total of 102 all out. In reply, a couple of early chances went down and that gave Amersham the confidence to ease past the total with just three wickets down.
Second XI
THAME second XI entertained Banbury fourths on Saturday knowing they must win to keep themselves at the top of Cherwell League Division Five. After the monsoon rains of the previous Wednesday, the ground was wet but Captain Chris Jeffcock won the toss and chose to bowl first. Thame’s bowlers proceeded to squeeze the visiting batsmen on the wet track, with Ian McStay (12-4-20-2) and Jeffcock (13-3-19-3) applying the early pressure and runs coming painfully slowly. Ali Thomas (8-1-12-3) and George Patey (3.4-0-9-2) applied the finishing touches, Banbury all out for 99 off 46.4 overs. After tea, Thame was in a hurry to win the game, as Richard Carr (54 not out) and Andy Jinman (26) put on 60 for the first wicket, with the game won inside 16 overs.
Third XI
THAME third XI lost for the first time this season, away to Twyford thirds. Losing the toss, Thame batted first and were under pressure with the ball swinging around, being reduced quickly to 9 for 3. Only James McStay (30), Luke McStay (24 not out) and Joe Phippen (22) provided any resistance as Thame hauled themselves from 35-5 up to a defendable 130-9. Needing quick wickets, Will Bruce-Morgan removed an opener early on, but several Twyford batsmen put up stiff resistance. Vim Desai picked up five wickets to give Thame a chance and John Phippen (2-30) and James McStay (1-10) put them in sight of victory, but despite only needing one last wicket and Twyford still needing 25 runs, it was the home side that prevailed in a tense ending.
Women’s cricket
MEANWHILE, great news for all female cricketers and fitness enthusiasts, as Crick-Fit started up again last week at Thame’s ground at Church Meadow on Wednesdays (6.30 to 7.30). All women and girls are welcome to come along every Wednesday – just turn up on the night or contact Sheena Beard on 01844-213695 or sheenabeard@btinternet.com
THAME’S award-winning Neighbourhood Plan, feted by government and The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), and promoted as being ‘enshrined in local planning policy’ and ‘with the force of law behind it’, is now likely to have to be reviewed to include 600 more new homes – on top of the 770 catered for in the Neighbourhood Plan.
Thame Town Hall – Image Courtesy of Mark Percy
South Oxfordshire District Council has commenced a public consultation on its latest Local Plan which will set out plans for new development across the district to 2032.
Thame Town Council remains opposed to the additional 600 new homes which it believes will threaten the viability of Thame’s facilities such as education, medical provision and recreation facilties, and turn Thame into what one town councillor called a ‘conurbation’ rather than a Market Town.
‘No evidence’ that further growth is needed
The town council had previously challenged the draft local plan, back in March 2015, when one councillor declared: “… there is no evidence that further growth is necessary to maintain vibrancy and, indeed, such may well harm the built heritage, character and structure of the town.”
In its draft plan, SODC states: “If a review of the neighbourhood plan does not adequately progress with allocating sites (and has therefore at least been submitted to the Council) within 12 months of adoption of this local plan 2032, planning applications for housing in Thame will be supported…” Or as one town councillor put it at last night’s Thame TC Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Committee: “We are being threatened with allowing developers a free-for-all.” (Read the complete Draft Plan HERE – chapter 10 relevant to Thame)
‘Flood the foyer’ urges councillors
A public consultation meeting is to be hosted by SODC on Saturday, July 2, in the committee room at Thame Town Hall, and the Continuity Committee is urging all Thame residents against any change to Thame’s new housing numbers to ‘flood the foyer of the Town Hall’ on Saturday (11am) and support the town council in it’s objection to ‘dumping more houses on us!’.
THME Town Hall (aka Causton Town Hall) was the setting for a highly successful Midsomer Workshop last Wednesday, June 22, attended by over 50 local businesses and residents with an interest in developing Midsomer tourism in Thame.
Patsy Baker (2nd Left) and Karen Clark (2nd Right) of Thame Barns Centre, share ideas about what Thame can do to attract more of the ‘Midsomer’ market
Thame is one of the most-filmed locations in the globally popular ITV detective series, Midsomer Murders, with eight episodes filmed in the town. The purpose of the workshop was to help local businesses attract more visitors to Thame because of its associations with Midsomer.
Attendees, who included hotel and guest house owners, shops, pubs, cafes, and others involved in the tourist industry, heard from Douglas Watkinson, one of the original script writers of the show, how Midsomer tourism is a huge success and still growing, with its twentieth year approaching in 2017, and that it has been watched by a billion people across the world.
Capitalising on one of the UK’s biggest TV exports
Sarah Osborne of Tourism Angles, revealed that 6.5 million people watch Midsomer Murders in the UK and millions more in over 100 countries worldwide. The series is one of the UK’s biggest TV exports – rating in Denmark’s top three and Australia’s top 20. People see it on TV and want to come and visit the beautiful towns and villages of ‘Midsomer’ for themselves.
The event was opened by the Mayor of Thame, Cllr Linda Emery. She commented: “People were really surprised to learn how many episodes Thame has been in. We have around 15 specific filming locations, as well as a lot of recognisable street scenes from the show. Midsomer visitors can take selfies with our Causton Town Hall sign and enjoy a Barnaby Bun at Rumsey’s Chocolaterie, and the workshop produced lots of other great ideas we want to explore.”
Jean Gamester from Semaphora Consulting, who facilitated the workshop discussion groups, said: “There was a fantastic buzz, and it was great to see such enthusiasm and energy. I’m looking forward to seeing how Midsomer develops in Thame, including tours, merchandise, food and drink offerings.”
Neil Ainsworth, owner of the Argyll pub in Henley, another Midsomer location, told of his success with Midsomer ale and new products like Midsomer Pickle. He reported that one 40 seater coach load of visitors spent £1,000 in his pub in two hours when they made a pitstop on their way to Oxford! While Tim Soar, owner of Long Crendon Manor which receives many Midsomer visitors, said he would like to see Thame offering more to attract his Midsomer tourists to the town. Chris Behan, author of Roaming Midsomer, published this year, mentioned that Midsomer plaques are currently being developed with a view to putting them up at filming locations in the town, to add to the attractions for visitors to Thame.
‘I could murder a Barnaby Bun’
Mary Rumsey runs Rumsey’s Chocolaterie in Thame. She was one of the first Thame businesses to jump on the Midsomer bandwagon, when people started coming into her shop having learned that it was a Midsomer location. Mary developed ‘the Barnaby bun’ – a cross between a rock cake and scone, served with jam and cream, which has proved very popular with visitors and locals alike. She told the audience how her company will now be revamping its website to better reflect the Midsomer connection and include links to the Midsomer website and information about local accommodation etc, something any local business could do very quickly and at no cost. One enterprising attendee came up with the slogan: “I could murder a Barnaby bun!”
Sarah Osborne concluded: “To benefit from the Midsomer effect, you don’t have to be a filming location; two thirds of tourist expenditure is made in shops, pubs and eateries in towns such as Thame. Village partners are also very important as part of the experience, and it’s good to see representatives from Long Crendon and Haddenham here today. Attracting tour companies will be crucial in developing Thame as a hub and getting the maximum benefit from Midsomer tourism.”
Get a free, professional consultation about benefiting your business
Ten local businesses took up Sarah’s offer of 1-1 sessions with her to discuss how they can make the most of the Midsomer phenomenon to help their business, and since the workshop, sarah has extended the invitation to any Thame business that didn’t fill in her yellow request form on the day (Contact details below).
Sarah Osborne – Image by Caroline Flint
The Midsomer Workshop was co-funded by Thame Town Council and the Rising Star prize fund from the Great British High Street Competition, that Thame was awarded last year, and organised by members of 21st Century Thame.
For more information about Midsomer or how to take part in developing the Midsomer experience in Thame, contact Sarah Osborne, Tourism Angles, on 07787 122050 or email sarah2108@msn.com or Helen Johns, 21st Century Thame, on 0771 743 4983 or email helen.johns39@gmail.com.
For more information about Semaphora Consulting and their facilitation of workshops, contact Jean Gamester on 07877 970250 or email jean@semaphora.com.
TIME: 19.24 hrs – LOCAL people are reporting that all the main routes out of Thame remain gridlocked, as traffic from the M40 tries to find alternatives routes following an overturned lorry on the M40 just after midday.
The overturned lorry on the M40 being removed
Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service were called to a report of an overturned lorry on the M40 near Lewknor on the southbound carriageway between junctions 7 and 6, at 1225 pm today, Thursday June 23, 2016.
Image courtesy of Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue
Thames Valley Fire Control mobilised three fire engines from Wheatley, Thame and Slade fire stations, along with a specialist Heavy Rescue Unit from Kidlington and environmental protection unit from Didcot.
On arrival firefighters immediately assisted paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service to treat the driver of the lorry which had overturned and blocked lanes of the north and southbound carriageways. Firefighters then rapidly used salvage equipment to soak up / stop diesel and oil that had leaked from the lorry, entering watercourses. Initially the whole southbound carriageway was closed and two lanes of the northbound, whilst crews made the incident safe. Thames Valley Police and Highways England assisted with traffic management and providing further spill kits to soak up the diesel. The driver was taken to hospital for treatment by ambulance.
The hard shoulder was reopened and used to allow traffic flow on the south bound carriageway soon after arrival. Lane restrictions will remain until recovery of the lorry, crash barrier repairs and road surface cleaning takes place later today.
THAME Town Council is to spend up to £6,250 to keep the Vale Travel local bus service 120/121/123/124 running for a year, from July 20, 2016, when it would otherwise cease due to cuts in the county council’s subsidies to uneconomic routes.
This sum would mean that this vital life-line for people living at the Eastern end of Thame and some out-lying villages, would at least continue to get people to and from Thame on Tuesdays, market day.
If a bus company insists that it will only run the service for a minimum of two days (as Vale Travel has), this would require a subsidy of £15,000. The town council will seek contributions from other parish councils whose residents benefit from the service.
‘Urgent’
Cllr Mary Stiles, who with Thame’s Town Clerk, Graham Hunt, has been trying to work out with the bus company a feasible plan to keep the service going, has been given the brief to persue the efforts further with other bus companies.
Cllr Stiles told fellow town councillors at their meeting on Tuesday (June 21), “Disabled and elderly people who cannot afford taxis, rely on this service and would otherwise become isolated and lonely, which we know can affect mental health. This matter is now urgent as the service ends on July 20. Keeping the service going is also good for Thame’s continued vibrancy and contributes to the economy of our shops.
“We also need to take into consideration the new houses at the Eastern end of the town,” she added.
‘Thin end of the wedge’
Cllr Nigel Champken Woods feared that subsidising buses in this way could be ‘the thin edge of the wedge’. “This should be funded by Oxfordshire County Council. What are they going to dump on us next? They cannot keep cut, cut, cutting and expect us to take up the slack. What are they spending their money on, since they keep cutting?”
FOLLOWING Chinnor RFC’s announcement about its new senior coaching structure to take the club forward into a semi-professional future, Director of Rugby Matt Williams has announced the formation of the Chinnor Falcons.
Matt Williams
Chinnor Falcons will be a Development-focused team replacing the 2nd XV with former 1st XV recruit, Dave McKee, as player/coach.
Dave has played over 100 National League games for Hartpury, Cinderford and Chinnor. He suffered a back injury that stopped him playing last season but is now fit and raring to go, stating: “I am very excited by the challenge of creating a successful group of boys to support the 1st XV, and enable lads to progress through from youth to senior.”
Secpnd XV team manager, Hwyel Evans, will move into managing the Falcons and Julian Millo appointed as fixtures secretary of both Falcons and Colts.
Chinnor Falcons will have the major aim of feeding into the 1st XV and creating the next generation of Chinnor stars. The team will consist of a combination of existing Chinnor players, University players, former and current Colts, anchored by 1st XV squad members.
Matt Williams himself said: “It is vital that we get a clear and defined pathway for lads to progress from Chinnor and Oxfordshire Youth into our 1st XV. If boys are good enough, age is most certainly not a barrier with me. We have a duty not just for Chinnor but for the youth of Oxfordshire to give them a pathway to reach the level of Rugby that they are capable of and have the dedication for. Boys mature at different ages and there is a lot of talent out there, boys who have missed Premiership Academy structures for various reasons.”
Chinnor RFC will also be organising four Floodlight Wednesday Night, Under 20 games spread throughout the season. This will provide an opportunity to further progress the highly talented young players progressing through Chinnor.
Matt added: “This is a great opportunity to keep lads in contact with the club who have gone to university or work far afield. There is a big drop off in most clubs from Colts to Seniors as lads find other things in their life – Universities to girls! If we can keep the club in their minds when the time is right, they will be back!”
Director of Rugby, Matt Williams, will also be in charge of Colts Rugby from next season, with current first team player, Greg Goodfellow, as Colts’ Head Coach.
Matt concluded: “The Falcons and Colts will have the same attention to detail as the 1st XV and I will be viewing all the video analysis of both teams. If you are good enough, you will progress. My coaches pathway of Ricky Khan coaching the Falcons on a Thursday, and Dave McKee coaching the Colts on a Wednesday, will mean that I have eyes across the board.”
Another eclectic evening is guaranteed and entrance, as always, is FREE to all!
