Category: Thame news

Chinnor RFC back to their best after beating Barnes

VICTORY on Saturday, with a 36-0 win over Barnes, has secured Chinnor’s future in National division two, South

It didn’t take long for Chinnor to assert their superiority in this game with the pack driving forward at every opportunity. Fly half Sam Angell kicked a penalty deep into Barnes territory and from the resulting line out and drive Chinnor were awarded a scrum, five metres out. Quick possession allowed Angell to squeeze through a gap, dragging flankers over the line with him to score after just five minutes. He converted his own try to give Chinnor a 7-0 lead.

Barnes tried to relieve the pressure by using the wind to kick the ball deep into Chinnor’s half, but counter attacking runs by Vandermolen, Waddingham and Messum returned play into the Barnes’ half. Several of these runs linked with the jinking Junior, Fatialofa, who broke through several tackles. Fast feeding along the line by Frank Jones then put winger Lamont away to score an unconverted try in the corner for a 12-0 lead.

Fatialofa and Lamont combined again to gain a 30 metre advantage for Chinnor with the supporting Tom Burns being adjudged held up on the try line. Chinnor forwards were now dominating both tight and loose, particularly the scrums, giving plenty of time for Angell to chip the ball wide for Marcus Beer to gather and score Chinnor’s third try converted by Angell taking their lead to 19 – 0 at half time.

Angell dictated the play in the second half with his deep kicks forcing Barnes to counter attack from their own 22 metre area. Chinnor’s defence dispossessed Barnes, providing full back Goss with the opportunity to run unopposed to the line to score with Angell converting the try. 26 – 0 to Chinnor.

Barnes showed phases with good attacking moves but these were short lived due to the excellent tackling and defence by the back row led by man of the match, Messum. Chinnor then put the move of the match together with eight phases of driving mauls and quick handling along the three quarters, until Lamont sped around the defence to score his second try in the corner.
Barnes’ frustration led to a fracas in which Chinnor hooker, Phipps, retaliated and was sent off for foul play.

Despite being down to 14 men, Chinnor still maintained the upper hand and finished in style when Goss drew the Barnes’ defence then did a switch pass with winger Heath who crashed over, to score an unconverted try and give Chinnor a well-deserved 36 – 0 victory.

Chinnor have now raised their position to 10th in the league and next week face bottom of the table, Launceston, when they could win and go into the top half of the league, after spending the whole of the season near the bottom.

SOURCE: Contributed

11/04/2016
FREE blood pressure checks to combat stroke

IN a bid to conquer stroke, residents in the Thame area are being offered free blood pressure testing by the Stroke Association and the Rotary Clubs of Thame and Haddenham, at the Co-Op in Thame on Saturday, April 23, between 10am and 2pm.

Thame’s popular street cleaner, Alan Tippin, gets his free blood pressure check

Over half of all strokes are caused by high blood pressure. As well as having a blood pressure check, local residents in Thame, Haddenham, Chinnor, Long Crendon and neighbouring villages will also receive advice on steps to keep blood pressure under control and reduce their stroke risk.

Rotary representative, Sandy Davison, said: “Having a stroke can be devastating but people can reduce their risk significantly by paying attention to their blood pressure. Rotary is proud to support the Stroke Association’s Know Your Blood Pressure campaign because it is both simple and effective. The test takes a moment to do and potentially, it could save your life. Last year we held 1,680 events around the country and this year we are keen to reach even more people.”

Alexis Wieroniey, Deputy Director of Policy and Influencing at the Stroke Association, said: “Having a regular blood pressure check is so important. Estimates suggest there could be almost seven million people with high blood pressure who are undiagnosed and at risk of having a stroke. Many people have high blood pressure without realising it because it often has no symptoms. High blood pressure is far more common than you would think and it can be deadly, but it is treatable. With events like this, together we can conquer stroke.”

In addition to the events taking place on April 23, there will be other blood pressure check events organised by the Stroke Association throughout the year.

To find out more about the Rotary Club of Thame and Rotary Club of Haddenham and District, visit their websites: www.thame.rotary1090.org and www.haddenham-rotary.org.uk

08/04/2016
Future support for Cattlemarket move, cycling, dog fouling & rural buses?

MOVING Thame’s Cattlemarket, cycle routes, dog fouling and supporting rural bus routes will all be on the agenda for South Oxfordshire District Council’s next Council meeting on Thursday, April 14.

The following policies relevant to Thame will come up for discussion as part of the agenda item on the council’s Corporate Plan 2016 – 2020:

Support the Thame Farmers Auction Mart to relocate to an alternative site within the district thereby freeing up the Thame cattle market site for redevelopment.

Work with Sustrans to improve provision of cycle routes in the district & Piloting the introduction of a cycle hire scheme in one of our market towns.

Support rural communities with maintaining their transport links by working with bus operators to look at options to continue some of the bus services previously supported directly by Oxfordshire County Council.

Create two parish and town forums a year so that parishes can be a part of the District’s work.

Implement the issuing of Fixed Penalty Noticess for dog fouling and litter by the council’s environmental wardens in Henley, Wallingford, Watlington, Thame and Didcot town centres.

The Council meeting will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2016, at 6pm, at The Fountain Conference Centre, Howbery Park, Crowmarsh Gifford. Full details of agenda: LINK

07/04/2016
Thame’s ‘top tips’ for high streets

AS one of the ‘Rising Star High Streets’ in The Great British High Street of the Year Awards 2015, the team behind Thame’s entry was asked to contribute to the recently published Good Practice Guide for future contestants, councils, businesses, town teams, community groups and interested volunteers who want their high streets to be ‘the best that they can be.’

Thame’s Top Tips are included in the chapter on Partnership Promotion. They are mostly based on comments contributed by the district council at the time when Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan, the first in the UK to be adopted following community consultation, was passed.

Thame’s Top Tips

1. Set aside past differences. Communities are more prepared to enter into positive dialogue with local authorities if on an equal footing.

2. Trust communities and build bridges early. This way plans can fulfill their potential and planning officers have a framework for determining planning applications.

3. Always stay involved in the process. Even if everything appears under control, this helps to ensure the plan doesn’t go off course.

4. Keep people informed. Get them to understand the power granted to communities. This helps ensure good advice is provided when communities interested in neighbourhood planning approach their councils.

5. Ensure enough volunteers to carry out consultations. Seek professional advice on the technical aspects of preparing a plan.

The Great British High Street Awards 2015 sought to recognise that the high street is ‘the life and soul of cities, towns and villages across the country supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and offering a much valued social space.’

Last year, 230 high streets battled it out to be crowned Britain’s best. Of these, there were 21 finalists with seven winners in seven categories. Although Thame wasn’t one of the seven winners, our High Street was named as one of 10 Rising Stars across the UK.

Helen Johns, who coordinated Thame’s 2015 entry, said: “We intend to improve on this in 2016 by being recognised as a finalist and hopefully a winner in the market town category. The 2016 competition details are yet to be announced – so watch this space!”

07/04/2016
Tickets now on sale for Thame’s Music In the Park 2016

GRAB those dancing shoes ready to boogie the day away, or chill out on the grass with a leisurely picnic! Music in the Park returns to Elms Park on Sunday, May 1. Featuring more than 30 performers on three stages, Music in the Park offers music and dance acts across a wide range of genres, run entirely by volunteers.

Georgie Bird, playing at MITP back in 2014. She’s back for Music In the Park 2016

Topping the bill on the main stage are the popular Dung Beatles, who blend Beatles’ chart hits with some of their beautiful album tracks. The Dung Beatles’ reputation has led to them being invited to play Liverpool’s world famous Cavern Club.

Tickets are on sale now at a range of outlets in Thame: The Black Horse Hotel, The Falcon, Wally’s Toy Shop, Vintage & Modern Guitars, Fore Golf and Thame Town Hall; or online at https://www.wegottickets.com/event/357031. Advance tickets cost: Adults – £9; concessions (students, under 18s, senior citizens) – £5; family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 concessions) – £23. On-the-door prices are £12, £6 and £28 respectively. Under 5s go free.

With such a wide variety of music and dance talent, there’ll be something for everyone. The two main stages will feature live music and dance, while the third will be dedicated to acoustic acts. Throughout the park there’ll be all the usual goodies you’d expect at a festival, including tasty real ales, a wide variety of delicious foods, fun activities for children and adults, and a range of trade stalls.

More details on the website www.musicinthepark.org.uk and the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MusicInTheParkThame including the full line-up.

06/04/2016
Questions raised over district planners’ weighting of Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan

THAME Town Council is not happy that planning officers at South Oxfordshire District Council, are not, in all cases, giving enough weight to Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan when recommending decisions on planning applications affecting the town.

Town Councillors mentioned as an example a recent application to demolish Windrush, a cottage in Bridge Terrace, in Thame, and build three dwellings on the site, which the town council recommended should be refused. Planning Officers at SODC recommended approving the plans, contrary to Thame’s view, though in this instance, District Councillors on the Planning Committee went against their officer’s recommendation and agreed with Thame Town Council.

Cllr David Bretherton, a former District Councillor, told Thame’s Planning Committee meeting last night (Tuesday, April 5), that it was his impression that SODC Planners tended to concentrate on their ‘Local Plan’ while Thame Town Council concentrated on policies in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan.

Referring to several planning applications where a decision contrary to Thame Town Council’s recommendation had been made by SODC’s Planning Committee, the town council has decided to analyse all planning decisions over the past year, and garner ‘facts and figures’ in order to decide whether or not to take the matter further with the District Council.

06/04/2016
Friends shorn by 14″ for Megan fund

A group of friends of Megan Biddle, who died tragically last year, have been fund-raising for a special bench in her memory, and two girls, Emily Lyne and Amber Lowe last week had 14″ of hair cut off to raise funds towards a target of £10,000. The hair stylist who did the deed at Brothers Hair Salon in Thame, was Charlotte Smith.

After the cut, with stylist Charlotte (centre)

Whereas the money raised through sponsorship will be going towards Megan’s bench, the actual hair that was cut off, will be go to a charity that makes wigs for children with cancer.

The friends got together with local artist and designer Michael Gibbs, the designer of the Thame Youth Memorial sculpture, and have designed a very special and unique memorial bench. The bench is based on a long-board design – Megan was a keen skateboarder – and includes, among ether things, her legendary woollen hat. It will be sited at Southern Road recreation ground in Thame.

Emily Lyne (Left) and Amber Lowe’s hair BEFORE the big cut !

At the same time as the epic hair-cutting, another friend of Megan’s, Kieran Blanco, held an Easter Chocolate raffle at Rumsey’s in Thame, where they were made. The first prize was a large egg in a basket with a blue bunny bear, the second prize was a large Easter egg with chocolate Coated honeycombe in the inside, and the third prize, won by the landlord of The Swan, was a chocolate mother duck with three little ducklings.

Emily and Amber’s hair cuts raised £ 374.60, and Kieran’s Easter raffle raised £223.00, which includes a generous donation.
Raffle ticket sales, including a donation, are expected to have raised around £500.00. So far, Megan’s friends have raised £4,571.22 towards their £10,000 for Megan’s bench.

Anyone who would like to contribute can do so by visiting the Justgiving page: https://mydonate.bt.com/events/thatbidkid

05/04/2016
Chinnor win lifts them one place up from relegation zone

CHINNOR RFC, despite a late rally from visitors Old Elthamians from Chislehurst in Kent, came through to earn much needed points in the National Two South relegation battle, winning 39-31. This fifth win in the last six matches moved the Oxfordshire boys one place further from the relegation zone.

The first half belonged to Chinnor, gaining the bonus point try by the 28th minute. Angell began the scoring with a dart through from midfield after a Chinnor line out from a penalty in the visitors 22. Old Elthamians came back instantly when Olly Vidgeon danced through the midfield to square the scores at 7-7. Chinnor then hit a purple 10 minute patch with tries from Phipps and a double from Oscar Heath (moving him to second in the league’s try scorers table). Minutes later, Fatialofa joined the back of a rolling maul for another try. Fatialofa was then sinbinned and Old Elthamians seized the opportunity to come back with a try on half time from Dewale. White’s conversion saw half time with Chinnor 31-14 to the good.

Although Chinnor scored again quickly after the restart from Lamont, the second half saw the visitors score 17 points to Chinnor’s 8. A try from Dowsett was shortly followed by a penalty try to the visitors from Kent on 68 minutes for collapsing the maul to bring the score back to 36-26. A penalty goal from Angell was countered by a try from Old Elthamians scrum half Matt Bressons just before full time to close the match out at 39-31 to Chinnor.

This a match of two halves. Chinnor, with a dynamic pack, produced good ball for the backs to score freely in the first half – obtaining a bonus point by the 28th minute. In the second half, Chinnor, with a healthy half time lead, appeared to take their foot of the accelerator. Old Elthamians, competitive throughout, began to win the exchanges and created some good scores to run Chinnor close at the end. Chinnor backs played well with Oscar Heath at his insouciant best. The tight five were strong and abrasive – producing a series of highly effective and lengthy rolling mauls. It was a pleasure to see one of Chinnor’s highly regarded Colts, Cameron Hill, make his 1st XV debut. He clearly knows how to tackle. For non-stop effort, Alex Waddingham narrowly pinches the match laurels from his back row colleagues.

SOURCE: Contributed

05/04/2016
Chinnor u17s crowned South West Regional champions

The final whistle !

CHINNOR RFC’s Uner 17s did enough in the first half of their South West Regional Cup Final against Topsham RFC, from near Exeter, to emerge narrow winners, after a scoreless second half, by 15-12 and thereby crowned Regional champions.

Arriving at Trowbridge Rugby Club in Wiltshire, the u17s squad was delighted to see the playing surface in amazing condition for their u17s South West Region Cup Final against Topsham RFC.

Chinnor won the toss and elected to receive first and maximize benefit from the wind behind them. Topsham kicked off and there was a massive anti-climax when the ball sailed straight into touch. However, this gave Chinnor an early opportunity to test the Topsham defence. The pack dominated the resulting scrum which led to a perfectly executed move allowing Chinnor’s Alex McDonald to slice straight through the defence. Leaving defenders trailing in his wake, he beat Topsham’s fullback before just being brought down 5 metres out after an impressive 50 metre run. Reinforcements arrived in numbers to quickly secure the ball before skipper Freddie Barnes powered over the line for the first score with just five minutes on the clock. Ollie Pell faced a tough conversion that was beautifully struck but just drifted off target leaving Chinnor with a 5-0 lead.

Topsham came back just 10 minutes later when slick handling put their winger George Howill away down the left touchline to score in the corner. The conversion was missed to put the match score at 5-5. Topsham now had a period of good possession and field position where they used their line-out to good effect. The pressure on Chinnor’s defence told and Topsham crossed for another try, courtesy of Will Counsell, this time almost directly under the posts. It was an easy conversion by Parks to give Topsham a 12-5 lead.

Chinnor’s response was energetic They won a penalty just inside their half and Sam Coldicott’s quick tap won the boys from Oxfordshire another ten metres when he caught the napping defence offside. From this point it was Jacob Whitfield’s turn to tap and go to good effect. Powerful carries from Brad Harewood, Meli Kini, Owen Sumersbee and Abram Smith took Chinnor to within striking distance. Jacob Whitfield then finished the move that he started by busting through the goal-line defence. The conversion attempt hit the upright and the deficit was now 12-10.

The Chinnor players kept up the intensity from the kick-off, recycling quickly to get quick ball out to the backs. Great running lines and power by Dan Pearce and Oscar Clayton led to a try from Harry Gillett that Jonah Lomu would have been proud of. Chinnor went into the break with a narrow lead of 15-12.

The second half began with the same passion and intensity as the first. A perfectly timed kick chase led to Chinnor’s George Hanley and Alfie Sherlock dragging the Topsham receiver into touch. Chinnor’s backs really began to show their class in the second half. Andrew Prosser looked dangerous every time he had the ball and kept Topsham on edge. However, Chinnor could not turn all the early pressure into points.

Chinnor were then let off the hook when Topsham failed with a penalty goal attempt. Another penalty a few minutes later gave Topsham a lineout on the Chinnor five-metre line. Topsham’s driving maul was well disrupted by the abrasive Chinnor forwards, defending desperately. A perfectly executed turnover then allowed Chinnor to clear their lines. Chinnor struggled to gain possession but a number of big hits from Freddie Barnes and Ed Skinner blunted Topsham’s more promising attacks.

Topsham still kept the pressure on and maintained ball possession in Chinnor’s 22 for most of the last ten minutes. A strong bench bolstered Chinnor’s defensive efforts with every player sticking to the game plan. The squad showed great resilience which was rewarded by winning a penalty. Possession was retained for the last few minutes until the referee blew for full time and the Chinnor win.

Unsurprisingly, there was much jubilation from coaches, parents and supporters as Chinnor were crowned u17 South West Champions! Chinnor u17s now go through to The National Semi Final.

SOURCE: Contributed

04/04/2016
Special beer raises funds for Chilterns

BEER drinkers have made a £700 contribution to preserving the Chilterns countryside simply by enjoying their tipple.

A special brew – Chiltern Double Fifty – was developed by The Chiltern Brewery last autumn to celebrate the 50th anniversaries of the conservation charity, the Chiltern Society, and the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Cheque presentation at Chiltern Brewery (L to R: Tom Jenkinson, Vicky Blane, Claire Forrest)

Five pence of every pint sold was donated and split between the two groups. This week The Chiltern Brewery handed over cheques totalling £700, the results of nearly 14,000 pints being downed.

Victoria Blane from the Chiltern Society, said: “We are very grateful that one of our own local breweries, The Chiltern Brewery, took the trouble to create this special brew, which obviously proved very popular with the public. The donation will help both organisations in our ongoing missions to conserve and care for the Chilterns’ special landscape.”

Claire Forrest of the Chilterns Conservation Board, which cares for the Chilterns AONB, said: “We’re delighted that this special beer has been so popular and raised vital funds to help us look after the Chilterns countryside – it’s a very refreshing way to celebrate these landmark anniversaries.”

Tom Jenkinson, Head Brewer at The Chiltern Brewery said: “Chiltern Double Fifty has been a truly popular brew and I think many locals have embraced the celebratory cause too. It was in fact so popular that we made the decision to brew it again in January after such high demand in the autumn. We were delighted to continue our support.”

The Chiltern Society is the only registered charity dedicated to protecting all of the Chilterns’ unique landscape. It has 7,000 members and 500 volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain and improve the Chilterns for the benefit of all. Over the last 50 years it has contributed 163,000 hours of volunteering, acquired and improved 12 important nature reserves and heritage sites and maintained over 7,000 miles of footpaths and cycle ways.
The Chiltern Hills have long been one of one of England’s most beautiful landscapes and in 1965 this was officially recognised when 309 square miles of the Chilterns were designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. AONBs belong to the same family as National Parks, representing some of the finest landscapes in the UK. The Chilterns Conservation Board is the public body responsible for promoting and conserving the Chilterns AONB and worked closely with the Chiltern Society to celebrate the 50th anniversaries of both the AONB and the Society last year.

The Chiltern Brewery is the oldest independent brewery in the area. From the very start the ethos at The Chiltern Brewery has been to brew natural, wholesome beers using 100% British ingredients – the best Class A malt and hops with great provenance and to mirror age old brewing methods.

04/04/2016