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Category: Thame news

  • FSB calls for investment in neglected rural roads

    MARGARET Coles (FSB Rural Affairs committee, Thames Valley) yesterday attended a Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) event in the House of Commons to present the organisation’s latest report on connecting businesses and rural communities. The new report shows that half of all small firms think the UK’s roads and public transport system have deteriorated in recent years.

    Image courtsey of MotormouthUK
    Image courtsey of MotormouthUK

    Only one in 10 (10%) small business owners thought roads and public transport had got better – demonstrating a real need to prioritise infrastructure investment in local and rural road networks alongside big projects on the Strategic Road Network.

    FSB found small businesses are overwhelmingly reliant on roads, with nine in 10 firms (89%) placing high value on the network. Rural businesses are even more likely to rely on roads as they often report little or no access to public transport links like rail or buses.

    The FSB report, ‘Going the extra mile: Connecting businesses and rural communities’, demonstrates how congestion, poorly maintained local roads, and a lack of regional strategic planning are all combining to pose a significant economic barrier to economic growth – particularly in rural areas.

    The FSB would like to see current and future devolution deals used as an opportunity for new combined authorities to commit to greater investment in local transport infrastructure. Protecting transport spending, alongside better strategic planning, investing in the local road network and public transport will all help support UK small businesses.

    Margaret Coles, FSB Rural affairs committee member, said: “The Government is investing in transport – but the lion’s share goes to big flagship projects on the strategic road network. Most small businesses mainly rely on their local roads and public transport, so there is a strong case to prioritise investment in these smaller projects which will help to alleviate congestion and bottlenecks.

    “The current devolution agenda in England presents a real opportunity to make a positive difference to rural communities. Small businesses want to see more resources earmarked for rural transport. This will help support rural small businesses as well as the UK tourism industry, which are both disproportionately affected when local bus networks and roads are left to deteriorate.”

    The top three issues reported by businesses based in rural areas were: congestion on local roads, potholes and the cost of fuel. FSB would like to see these issues addressed directly in any new local devolution deals so that funds can be protected to better maintain roads and support small firms.

    Keeping fuel costs low should also continue to be a priority with the Government maintaining its commitment to freeze the duty escalator through to the end of this Parliament.

  • All-round fun challenges Thame’s young cricketers

    THE cricket ground down at Church Meadow reverberated to the sounds of ball-on-bat on Tuesday, May 24,and to the enthusiastic cheers of 10 and 11-year-olds.

    The occassion was the Schools Cricket Day for local primary schools, organised by Oxfordshire Cricket Board and Thame Town Cricket Club, to encourage local children to enjoy a day of cricket, played in the spirit of fair play and with a competitive edge against their rival schools.

    The first such event in over a decade, it brought together five primary schools – Barley Hill, John Hampden, St Joseph’s, Great Milton and St Andrew’s, in Chinnor, with a total of 100 children, split 50/50 girls and boys, mainly from year six (aged 10 and 11). They were all playing in a kwik cricket tournament, run by the OCB (Oxfordshire Cricket Board) team and a small army of volunteers from TTCC.

    Kwik Cricket tournament TTCC May 2016-14 (750x361)
    Starting in ideal, sunny weather, in the shadow of St Mary’s church, at 10 o’clock, the tournament unfolded over four hours, with 20 matches being played and some excellent cricket skills on display. In the end the trophy for the winning girls’ team went to St Joseph’s and for the boys to John Hampden.

    These two schools will now be rewarded with an invitation to the County Finals, taking place at Radley College on Wednesday, July 6, and TTCC will support both teams in their preparation for this event.

    Judging by the enthusiastic response to the day, everyone involved is looking forward to the next tournament in 2017. TTCC would like to thank sincerely the three sponsors who made the day possible – Holland & Green Design, J. Bennett & Son Insurance and Landmark Garden Design.

    SOURCE: Contributed by Andy Jinman

  • Towersey Festival to launch at Thame Music Club

    TOWERSEY FESTIVAL has once again teamed up with Thame’s First Thursday Music Club (FTMC) for a very special free, Towersey Festival launch gig in Thame, on Thursday, June 2.

    TF william the conqueror (2)

    This month’s regular Open Mic night will feature William The Conqueror, the rootsy trio created by and fronted by acclaimed singer-songwriter, Ruarri Joseph, whose emotionally charged fourth album, 2013’s Brother, was devoted to the loss of a friend. You can read more about William The Conqueror on the Towersey Festival website: LINK HERE

  • Thame pub’s ‘Lad’ video goes viral

    A Thame pub has seen a video on its Facebook page, aimed at solving a case of mistaken identity,  go viral with 81,831 views in two days.

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    It all happened after regulars at The James Figg pub kept asking assistant pub manager, Nathan Swift, AKA Swifty, if he was the guy dancing to his favourite song by the pool in a clip from The LAD Bible which the pub had put on their Facebook page earlier in the week. https://www.facebook.com/LADbible/videos/2726256327421540/

    In an act of complete selflessness, Swifty agreed to recreate the video in the pub garden wearing as little as his doppelganger does in the original clip. His version, showing him watering the new beer garden in readiness for this weekend’s bank holiday festivities, was an instant smash, getting to 64.2K views and reaching 130K people in less than 24 hours, the biggest hit the pub’s ever had. And the figures are still rising.

    “It all started out as just a bit of fun, after we posted the video on the pub’s Facebook page and everyone kept asking if the Speedo-clad dancer was Swifty,” explained Goldie (Tom Goldsmith), landlord of The James Figg. “Being a big Facebook user himself, Swifty thought it would be a laugh to put the rumours to bed by doing his own version of the dance, wearing not very much at all in the pub garden if he got 500 likes. A popular face behind the bar here in the pub, and well-known in Thame where he was born and bred, he soon got them, and off he stripped.

    “As soon as the post went live yesterday afternoon, it went nuts; we were getting a thousand more views every five minutes and people were talking about it right across town. I even met a regular from Wheatley who said his mate in Newcastle had seen it! It’s been the biggest post we’ve ever had as a company – and Swifty smashed it!”

    “Now, people are asking how we’re going to top that,” added Goldie. “Could it be the girls’ turn next? Watch this space.”

    You can see Swifty strutting his stuff by visiting The James Figg Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/figgthame/videos/500031796788131/
    You can also join in the bank holiday fun this coming weekend, starting with Payday Party with DJ Kristian tomorrow night, live music with Chemical Pulse on Saturday, a Sunday Funday with music and a BBQ on Sunday ending with the Bank Holiday Bloody Mary Monday Hangover Club to finish things off.

    The James Figg is at 21 Cornmarket, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2BL. Tel: 01844 260 166. www.thejamesfiggthame.co.uk  twitter: @figgthame

  • Masterchef Natalie to launch food festival children’s competition

    MASTERCHEF 2013 winner, Natalie Coleman, will soon be coming to the Book House in Thame to launch this year’s children’s competition for Thame Food Festival 2016.

    MasterChef winner, Natalie Coleman
    MasterChef winner, Natalie Coleman

    Last year’s competition involved Thame’s three primary schools, John Hampden, St Joseph’s and Barley Hill, and the winners from each school were given the opportunity to cook with Natalie on the Chef’s Stage at the Festival.

    Thame Food Festival Patron, Lotte Duncan, said: “This year we’ve raised the bar and there are 10 questions for the children in years 5/6 to answer, with a fabulous tie breaker, which is going to allow the children to let their imaginations run wild! Judging will take place in July and the winners will be announced before they break up for the summer holidays.

    “The Book House in Thame  has come on board and part of the prize will be some lovely children’s cookery books – plus of course the chance to cook once more with the lovely Natalie on the Chef’s Stage to open the Food Festival this year.

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1“We are so grateful to Natalie and all of the teachers at the schools for helping us and being involved – Thame Food Festival is there for the community and the people of Thame.”

    The Children’s Competition launch on June 11, will be at 3.30pm, and last year’s winners will be at The Book House on the day with Natalie Coleman to launch the competition, plus Lotte Duncan and Alison Isherwood from Thame Food Festival.

  • Pedal for Prostate in the Chilterns

    THIS year’s Chiltern Cycling Festival is shaping up to be a great summer’s day out for cyclists and their families from all over the UK, on Sunday, July 17.

    pedal_for_prostate (400x216)
    This year the organisers are partnering with Scannappeal, a charity that raises money to buy state-of-the art medical equipment for the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Hospitals, Amersham, Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville. The Pedal for Prostate rides include 30, 60 and 100 mile routes. CCF organiser, Robin Askey, said: “We are delighted to support Scannappeal. The Chilterns is such a great place to cycle and our three routes are perfect for all abilities of rider and to help raise money for such a worthwhile charity.”

    Based at the Penn House Estate, the festival offers a whole host of routes in and around the Chiltern Hills. All finishers receive a glass of champagne and a goody bag to help celebrate completing their challenge, along with entry into the Velo Village where they can relax and recover from their exertions.

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1Alongside the two wheeled challenges, there will be a mix of activities for friends and families to enjoy from a Brocante style vintage market, Children’s Go Ride activities to local produce and food and drink stalls, including locally brewed Craft beers as well as live music and even a retro bike parade, The Dapper Pedaler.

    Riders can enter as part of the Scannappeal Pedal for Prostate team. There is no minimum fundraising or sponsorship amount required, but riders are asked to donate to Scannappeal based on distances covered and completion of the route. Scannappeal’s Director, Lisa Trivett said: “Joining the Pedal for Prostate team is a great way to explore the beautiful Chiltern countryside whilst helping Scannappeal raise money to purchase equipment to radically improve surgery to treat prostate, kidney and bladder cancers. Hopefully the sun will be out and we’ll all enjoy a great British summer’s day in this wonderful setting.”

    To enter go online at LINK HERE. Whilst you don’t need to be a BC member you need to register your details and state ‘Team Scannappeal’ as your club.

  • Grow your business through Midsomer Murders

    BUSINESSES in the Thame area are being offered the opportunity to learn how their business can profit from the massive popularity of the TV series, Midsomer Murders.

    Neil Dudgeon, who plays Insp Barnaby in Midsomer Murders, with the 'Causton' locations map that includes Thame
    Neil Dudgeon, who plays Insp Barnaby in Midsomer Murders, with the ‘Causton’ locations map that includes Thame

    The international popularity of the series is attracting more and more visitors from all over the world to visit the locations used in filming the series, including Thame, or Causton, as it called in the series.

    A Midsomer Workshop for businesses is being held on Wednesday, June 22, at Thame Town Hall, and is FREE to attend and will include refreshments of tea, coffee, Barnaby buns – supplied by Rumsey’s – and a glass of wine.

    If you have a hotel, a B&B, a guest house, restaurant, pub, cafe, are a food & drink retailer, have a gift shop, run a museum or other attraction, are a tour guide, a coach tour operators or other organisation, you can increase business through Thame’s connections with Midsomer Murders!

    This globally popular ITV series, Midsomer Murders, is filmed in Southern Oxfordshire and watched by millions in the UK and in over 100 countries worldwide. It attracts thousands of visitors from the UK and overseas to Thame and the local area. These visitors want to experience for themselves the beautiful towns and villages seen in the TV series. During 2015, there was a sharp rise in Midsomer visitor numbers, conservatively estimated at 15,000. They spent around £1m in the district’s towns and villages and there were 200,000 unique visitors to www.visitmidsomer.com in 2015.

    This market is lucrative for those engaging with the Midsomer concept. Thame already has Midsomer visitors – one tour operator brings more than 50 tours a year to the town. Attracting more Midsomer visitors has huge potential to bring additional spend to the town – and your business can benefit!

    What will happen at the workshop?

    • Discover how you can make Midsomer work for your business

    • Learn about the Midsomer effect: visitor profile and data, screen tourism, media coverage

    • Find out about attracting Midsomer coach groups and independent visitors

    • Meet one of at least 50 businesses already experiencing growth through Midsomer

    • Hear about opportunities to become a Midsomer Tour Guide

    • Network with other local businesses, organisations and Midsomer ambassadors

    • Listen to our first-class presenters who will help you make it happen

    Who will you hear from?

    Sarah Osborne, Tourism Angles – Sarah has worked in tourism for 20 years, initially as tourism manager for Windsor then moving into consultancy in the UK and abroad. Her passion lies in destination management, using tourism to create vibrant and sustainable urban and rural economies. Six years ago she and her colleagues at Tourism Angles started working in screen tourism, one of the fastest-growing sectors of the UK tourism industry.
    Tourism Angles created the Midsomer concept, funded by South Oxfordshire District Council and other partners, to develop an online and media
    presence for Midsomer. As part of this, they have provided marketing collateral, engaged with the travel trade, and are working with individual businesses, towns and villages to attract more visitors.

    Jean Gamester, Semaphora Consulting – Jean is a professional workshop facilitator and change programme manager with a focus on helping businesses make improvements. Her clients include Vodafone, Aylesbury Vale District Council and the British Computer Society. She is also a member of Henley Business School’s executive faculty. Jean is a regular workshop facilitator for 21st Century Thame, helping to develop Thame.

    Arrival time for the workshop is from 3.30 pm, workshop starts at 4.00 pm, finish by 6.30 pm.

    Places will be limited so to secure your place, contact: helen.johns39@gmail.com by Friday, June 10.

  • £75,000 tourism boost for heritage line

    THE Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, has been awarded government funding to extend the heritage rail line from Chinnor to its former terminus at Princes Risborough station.

    chinnor_rail_hoses2010 004 (400x301)
    The CPRR’s £75,000 grant is part of a £1 milion funding pot awarded for initiatives to boost tourist participation in Britain’s heritage railways. See CPRR website for more information about its activities

  • Thame Bowls ladies off to a flying start

    ANOTHER week of mixed results in a busy week at Thame Bowls Club. Thame Ladies got their season off to a flying start with a big win, 73 shots to 38, against Henley Ladies.

    bowls_club (400x391)
    Top rink for Thame was that of Carol Boyland, Maire Duncan and skip Val Birchley. Unfortunately Thame Men couldn’t match the Ladies performance in the Thursday League and lost to a strong Headington side. Thame did have a winning rink skipped by Graham Penn, aided by Vic Brooks, John Rawson and Robin Jenner, but their score wasn’t enough to secure the overall win.

    On Saturday, Thame Men’s team travelled to Hagbourne and put up a brave show in the Five Triples match but lost by just 20 shots overall. Top winning rink for Thame was skipped by Les Canfield with Gerry Barry and Michael Ralls assisting. On Sunday the first of the two annual Ladies versus Gents matches took place and resulted in a win for the Men by just 14 shots, 85 to 71.

    With just a few ends to go, the match was very evenly balanced but Thame Men secured wins on the last ends to creep ahead. The Ladies won on three of the five rinks but it was the big win by skip Paul Heafey, Will Hawes and new bowler Chris Shannon that made the difference winning by 20 shots. Captains Caroline Walker and John Rawson and their teams will do battle again in August.

    There will be another Open Evening at the Queens Road green on Tuesday May 31, to give you the chance to have a go at this wonderful game.

  • ‘Remain’ battle bus hits town

    JMG_Conservative_Euro_In (400x300)
    Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green with Conservative ‘Stay’ activist Ginny Camps-Walsh (right) canvas a passer-by this afternoon in Thame.

    THE Conservative party’s ‘Remain on the road’ bus hit Thame this afternoon, bringing a team of ‘Stay’ activists to set up their stall behind Thame Town Hall, chatting to local people about their intentions in the forthcoming referendum.

    Joining them was District Councillor Jeannette Matelot Green, sporting a tee shirt with the party’s slogan ‘In Europe for Britain’. The team met a variety of views but generally the feeling reported among the team, was that the majority of people they talked to in Thame, were in favour of staying in the Eurpean Union.