Category: Thame news

COMMUNITY groups and parish councils across South Oxfordshire can now apply for the latest batch of funding from the district council.

The money can help fund a variety of community facilities and improvements like building new skate parks or play areas, upgrading sports pavilions, and purchasing defibrillators. Applications for this round of funding close on Friday, July 1, 2016.

Councillor Elizabeth Gillespie, cabinet member for grants, said: “We are urging local community groups who have got projects in mind to apply for funding, whether it be revamping existing facilities, buying new equipment, or even building a brand new community centre.

“There is still time to get an application into the current round however, do have more planned this year, including one opening in August and are keen to talk to anyone with a project. Why not have a chat with our grants team, even if you are only at the initial stages of your project – they are ready and willing to help.

“It is very important to us that we help build a local sense of community and we are in the fortunate position of having set aside £1m each year in order to do just that. We really are encouraging groups to come forward and make the most of this opportunity.”

Community groups and parish councils can contact the team for some advice at grants@southandvale.gov.uk or on 01235 540525, and can also visit their website www.southoxon.gov.uk/grants to read more about the schemes on offer and to apply.

AFTER losing money last year, the committee that runs the Thame Show has decided that there will not be the usual Oxfordshire County & Thame Show in September 2016.

Some members however, have got together with the Horse Committee and have decided to plan a smaller event, to be known as the Thame Horse and Hound Show, completely independently from the Thame Show and the Agricultural Association itself.

Thame Show’s Secretary, Chris Parker, told Thame.Net that the gate money from the 2015 show last September, was down, largely because there had been an inch and a quarter of rain the day before which may have put visitors off from going. In the event, it was a warm, sunny day but the hoped-for crowds stayed away.

The committee, he explained, decided that it could not risk the show’s assets again this year, particularly as it is a charity.

The Thame Horse and Hound Show 2016, will take the form of four show rings for show jumping etc, a Countryside ring with a few displays, food and drink outlets and hopefully, maintain the dog show. There will also be some trade stands but no Domestic tents or cattle or sheep for 2016.

Chris concluded: “The new format has attracted a sponsor and some finance from some members, so we hope to maintain the tradition in some way for the time being, and to be able to invite the public at a much reduced rate than in previous years.”

THE pupils of John Hampden Primary School in Thame have been learning about how their brains work, as part of the school’s annual Science Week.

The theme for this year was The Brain and Growth Mindset. Children across the whole school participated in a variety of activities to learn how their brain works and how their intelligence and abilities are not fixed, but in fact can be improved through practice and persistence.

Science Co-ordinator, Rachel Butler, explained: “Developing a Growth Mindset attitude is something which will continue to be built upon at John Hampden Primary School in the future, with the intention of inspiring our pupils to believe they can continue to learn and grow in all areas of their lives.

“Wren’s Butchers of Thame donated three pig brains for the children to look at – which certainly proved to be a talking point amongst children and staff!

“A highlight of the week,” continued Rachel, “was when Science Oxford held workshops for every child in the school. Children from Nursery to Year three learnt more about the senses, whilst Years four to six designed, made and tested marble runs.

“Each year, every child in the school takes part in a Science Week ‘Whole School Challenge’ which this year required the children to design, make and test a skull for their water balloon ‘brain’. The finalists from each class entered Friday’s Grand Final where 13 winning designs were found! Their ‘brains’ did not burst, even when thrown from the school roof!

Rachel concluded: “The children have been very positive about Science Week, some going home to continue their explorations enthused by their fun experiences at school. It’s been another enjoyable and successful Science Week for John Hampden Primary School.”

THE Rotary Club of Thame wants everyone to check their sheds, garages and lofts and bring any old tools to the main car park in Upper High Street, Thame, on Saturday morning, May 28, between 10am and 1pm.

Every year the Rotary Club of Thame runs a collection point for unwanted tools. These are then taken to the collection centre in Milton Keynes run by Tools for Self Reliance, a charity which refurbishes tools and sends them to NGOs in Africa. The NGOs then distribute them FREE to men and women who are then able to use them to earn a living.

All the tools sent to Africa by Rotary are used to equip trainees with their own start-up kits after completing the training in business management, finance and life skills, as well as in their chosen trade.

One such trainee is Richard from Malawi. Richard was unable to complete his education but since learning to be a tailor, and receiving additional training in business and life skills, financial planning, and health awareness, his life has been transformed. He received a start-up kit to establish his own tailoring business, and his monthly income has now doubled as a result.

Richard has used the additional income to purchase goats, a new house for his family with an iron sheet roof, and most importantly for him, pay school fees for his children – making sure that they get the education he missed out on is Richard’s priority.

Items which can be collected include sewing machines, tools used for plumbing, carpentry, metalworking, building, bicycle repair, shoe repair and car repairs. (But no garden tools please – these can however, be donated to a different charity, Tools Shed LINK HERE )

For more information visit www.thame.rotary1090.org or www.facebook.com/thamerotary

A GROUP of cyclists from Thame’s twin town of Montesson in France, today left for a week-long ride to Thame, arriving at the town hall next Friday evening to begin a weekend’s celebration of the fifteenth anniversary of the twinning between our two towns.

They will be joined at the town hall by the Mayors of Thame and Montesson, and around 40 other people from Montesson arriving by coach on the same evening, and a group of six, intrepid hikers from Montesson. They will arrive in London on Tuesday morning via Eurostar, and walk to Thame, mostly following The South Bucks Way from Denham railway station.

The final leg of the walk will take them along the Phoenix Trail, where they will be met by a group of Thame twinners with a picnic lunch, and then walk on to the Three Horseshoes pub at Towersey, where it is hoped that as many people as possible will join them for a celebration ‘pint’ and walk en mass along the Phoenix Trail into Thame.

Arriving in the Upper High Street, Thame, at around 5.45pm, the group will be met by Towersey Morris who will dance before them as an escort, along Buttermarket to the town hall for a grand reception.

Everyone is very welcome to join the walking party at any point along the way on the Phoenix Trail – the more the merrier ! Bring your own refreshments. Call: 07792487030 to find out timings on the day, because, although it is intended to meet at the cross benches just after Sandpit Lane, for lunch, exact timings for the rest of the walk to Thame, and the pub stop, are guess work at this stage – depending on the fitness of the French feet by day four of their trek!

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for information after a distraction burglary in Longwick, near Princes Risborough.

At around 8.15pm on Wednesday (4/5), a man knocked on the door of a house in Thame Road, (A4129), Longwick.

When the victim, a 91-year-old woman, answered the door, the man said he worked for the water board and that there was an issue with the water.

Despite being asked for identification which he failed to produce, the man was able to persuade the victim to let him into the house to check the sink and taps in the kitchen. Whilst he and the victim were in the kitchen, offenders climbed into the house through the front windows. They searched the bedrooms and stole a handbag containing her purse and money.

All the offenders then left the property. It is thought that they may have used a vehicle to leave the area as Longwick is a rural location.

Only the man in the kitchen was seen by the victim. He is described as being of mixed race, around 25 to 30 years-old, 5ft 8ins tall and of medium build. He was wearing leather gloves and a jacket.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

If you do not want to speak directly to the police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

AS part of the Thame Town Awards presentation evening at The Thame Barns centre tonight, May 5, the family of Nick White, the popular Thame drummer and photographer who died suddenly while on holiday last December, accepted The Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, awarded to him posthumously.

The Mayor of Thame, Nichola Dixon, in one of her last official duties before the end of her mayoral year next week, presented Nick’s award to his wife, Sarah and their two daughters, Lucy and Martha, as well as awards to the following six other ‘local heroes’ nominated by the Thame public:

Josh Preston – Chinnor Rugby Club – Sporting Achievement Award
Mark Wilkins – Thame Tennis Club – Sporting Achievement Award
Angela Wilson – Lea Park Residents Association – Voluntary Achievement Award
Chris Wren – Wrens Butchers – Service with a Smile
Holly Shiels – Thame Youth theatre – Creative Arts Achievement winner
Sheena Beard – Thame Town Cricket Club – Lifetime Achievement Award