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Category: Thame news

  • Medals for Thame fencers

    FENCERS from Thame Duellists picked up an impressive haul of five medals at this year’s Buck’s Berks & Oxon foil championships in Langley last Sunday, October 18.

    In the Boys’ Under 12 category, Hal Seed, who now trains with the England Fencing youth development training programme fenced to a comfortable win, with Isaac Salle taking bronze in his first year in the Under 12 category, having won the Under 10s last year. The Mens’ event was won by Martin Carter, one of Thame’s coaches, with Daniel Kovacs taking bronze in his first senior event.

    (L-R) India George, Hal Seed, Isaac Salle, Daniel Kovacs and Martin Carter
    (L-R) India George, Hal Seed, Isaac Salle, Daniel Kovacs and Martin Carter

    But the most impressive win came from Thame and Oxford fencer India George in the girls’ Under 12s. Down 2-4 after the first period of the fight and suffering from cramp in her right foot, India refocussed and fought through the pain, coming back to take the score to 9-9 at the end of the third period. That meant a sudden death extra minute of fencing. Still suffering from cramp and under pressure, she kept her composure to score the final hit and take the fight and the gold 10-9.

    Thame coach James Kingston said: “I’m delighted for all our medallists, and particularly for India. She really earned that win. She concentrated so hard on her technique even when she suffering from cramp. She can be very proud.”

  • Beware Council Tax phone fraudsters

    scam_alert

    FRAUDSTERS have been phoning victims telling them that they have been placed in the wrong council tax bracket for a number of years and are entitled to a rebate. They normally say that this rebate should be worth about £7,000. Once the victim is convinced, the fraudster tells them that in order to receive the rebate they will need to pay an administration fee in advance. The payment they ask for varies between £60–£350. The victim provides the details and makes the payment, but then is no longer able to make contact with the person they spoke to on the phone. When they phone their council about the rebate and the fact that they are in the wrong tax bracket, the council will confirm that they know nothing about it and that they have been contacted by fraudsters.

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1The fraudsters have mainly been targeting both male and female victims who are aged 60 and over and live in the Sussex area, but it is likely that the fraudsters will also start to target victims in other areas.

    Protect Yourself

    Never respond to unsolicited phone calls.
    Your local council won’t ever phone out-of-the-blue to discuss a council tax rebate. If you receive a call of this nature, put the phone down straight away.
    No legitimate organisation will ask you to pay an advanced fee in order to receive money, so never give them your card details.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsIf you think you have been a victim of fraud, hang up the phone and wait five minutes to clear the line as fraudsters sometimes keep the line open. Then call your bank or card issuer to report the fraud. Where it is possible use a different phone line to make the phone call.

    If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online http://www.actionfraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040.

  • Great coaching offers for young people

    ARE you 11-16? GLL Better Leisure Centres, which includes Thame Leisure Centre, are offering an eight-week coached sports programme, with a variety of sports being offered in centres at just £2 per session, or £16 for the whole eight-week course, starting from Saturday, October 17, 2015.

    Sportivate (400x196)

    In addition, GLL are also offering 14-25 year-olds a six-week Sportivate membership in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse to support young peope in getting more active and acheving a healthier lifestyle.

    Sportivate is a Sport England funded project to engage more young people into sport and activity and the leisure centres are joining forces with the project to encourage more people to improve their health and engage in physical activity.

    The Gym, Pool and Group Exercise Classes Membership costs £20 and entitles you to eight visits to the gym, pool and group exercise classes within a six-week period. After eight visits have been redeemed, you will be entitled to a discounted membership. Any additional visits within the six week period will be priced at £2 per activity.

    – See more at: LINK HERE

  • Improvement plans for Thame Museum

    inside_museum (259x300) (259x300)

    THAME museum currently lacks enough storage and display space and members of the Museum Trust are concerned that the current frontage limits the street presence of the building.

    So, after some preliminary investigations and some design sketches, the trust is looking for funding of around £180,000 – £250,000 from a number of sources to carryout the work. Thame Town Council, which leases the old Court House building to the Museum Trust, has agreed to give the trust £5,000 towards professional advise and design work to enable it to make a planning application.

  • Great gala results from Thame Swimming Club

    A squad of over 40 swimmers  from Thame Swimming Club put in some fantastic swimming over the weekend (Oct 17/18), celebrating the last ever gala at the old Wycombe 50m pool.  Under the guidance of Head Coach Ian Blyth, and Coach Karen Powell, the swimmers rose to the occasion achieving some well-deserved personal bests, speeding tickets, medals and all-round great swimming.

    swim squad_HW_Oct2015 (400x300)

    The team came second in the Visiting Clubs award, missing out to Maxwell, and Thame’s Lauren Gibbs came joint second in the Top Girl award, winning six Gold medals and a Speeding Ticket.

    Among the other Medal and Speeding Ticket winners were Dominic Loughran, who at 9 years-old and in only his second gala ever, came away with a Speeding Ticket and two Gold Medals, and Douglas Birchall gained 6 out of 6 Speeding Tickets, awesome swimming Douglas.

    Helen Williams, spokesperson for Thame Swimming Club, said: ” Thanks as ever to all the officials who gave up their time over the weekend to support this gala –without you there would be no galas:  Brian Pridmore, Paul Williams, Wendy Randall, Emma Camp, Emma Day, Matt Randall and Sue Hewett.”

     

  • Chinnor well beaten by ‘slick’ Albanians

    CHINNOR RFC were well beaten on Saturday (Oct 17) in their encounter with Old Albanian, going down 50-14.

    Old Albanian started quickly, working the ball straight from the kick off through many phases to score the first of their eight tries, this one from Bate. Slick and rapid back play gave the visitors a 10-0 lead with a try from Speirs on 10 minutes. The third came from Bate again and then Chinnor worked a neat inside ball from a penalty line out drive to see Blewitt dance through for their first score, Millett converting for a 17-7 lead to Old Albanian. Just before half time, Albanians scored their bonus point try to go in 24-7 ahead at the break with a scything break from the pacey Gallagher

    Jack Adams
    Jack Adams

    Old Albanian continued their dominance with scores at regular intervals with tries from Malins, former Chinnor player Morgan Thompson, Johnson and, finally, a pushover try on 78 minutes from Lunnon. With the last play of the match, Chinnor’s Jack Adams broke through midfield for Chinnor’s second try to finish the match with a 48-14 win for Old Albanian.

    Old Albanian were a quick and well drilled side, always looking dangerous when they had the ball. Chinnor, although with a dominant scrum until the last quarter, struggled to match the speed and accuracy of their opponents

    Chinnor
    Marcus Beer, Robbie Martey, Jack Adams, Sam Angell, George Blewitt, Will Millett, Greg Goodfellow, Andy Darlington, Mark Darlington (c), Andy Berry, Danny Wright, Sam Blewitt, Adam Balding, Ryan Long, Joe Vandermolen

    Interchanges: Jamie Townsend, Joe Pickett, Ben Manning, Junior Fatialofa, Jack Partington

    Old Albanian
    Matt Gallagher, Jimmy Speirs, Chris Lombaard, Chris Gay, Mike Allan, Max Malins, Morgan Thompson, Hayden King, George Warner, Karl Garside, Ross Hamilton, Billy Johnson (c), Oliver Cooper-Miller, Harry Bate, Sam Lunnon

    Interchanges: Josh Taylor, Ollie Wallikar, Jason Billows, Mark Evans, Nick Foster

    Scorers

    Chinnor
    Tries (time): G Bllewitt (25), Adams (80)
    Conversions (time): Millett (26, 80)
    Penalty goals (time):
    Drop goals (time):

    Old Albanian
    Tries (time): Bate (5,15), Speirs (10), Malins (45), Gallagher (33), Thompson (54), Johnson (66), Lunnon (78)
    Conversions: (time): Malins (23, 33, 55, 67, 78)
    Penalty Goals (time):
    Drop goals (time):
    Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
    Attendance: 223
    Half time score: 7-24
    Full time score: 14-50
    Star Player: Max Malins

  • Chinnor Neighbourhood Planners undaunted by 200 new homes go-ahead

    ChinnorNP-2Jul2015 (400x300)

    CHINNOR Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group says it is determined to continue developing its plan despite last week’s announcements that outline planning permissions have been granted for 200 dwellings in the village, after successful appeals by Taylor Wimpey and Cemex Ltd.

    Outline planning permission has been granted by England’s Planning Inspectorate to build 80 homes near Greenwood Meadow and 120 homes near Crowell Road.

    Chinnor Parish Council decided to sponsor a Neighbourhood Plan (NP) in March 2015. It was recognised when the NP started in March 2015 that land for these developments was already in the hands of the developers and planning applications well under way. So it was unlikely that the Neighbourhood Plan would be at a stage where it would be able to influence the progress of these developments.

    ‘We can still influence what is built’

    Peter Brook, Secretary ofthe Chinnor Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group said: “Nevertheless the Plan is proceeding, strongly supported by Chinnor Parish Council, because these planning permissions are only outline so there is a way to go yet and much that the Plan can influence. Objectives of the Plan include ensuring that the type and size of houses to be built will meet future needs of the residents of Chinnor, and that the facilities needed in Chinnor to support future developments such as schools, health facilities and infrastructure are provided as a condition of any development. The developers do not have a free hand. Planning Conditions are attached to all planning application. The Neighbourhood Plan can influence not just future developments but these developments as well.”

    The Steering Group will be sending out a Housing Needs Survey to all households in Chinnor, Henton, Wainhill and Emmington, which it says will be a cornerstone for constructing the Plan.

    ‘We need Chinnor residents to get behind the plan’

    “It is hoped that residents will get behind the NP team, by responding to surveys, attending consultation events and giving feedback so that work can proceed to produce a robust plan that will pass scrutiny and reach completion as soon as possible,” added Peter.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsZena Baker, Steering Group member responsible for the NP Steering Group Website added: “We need to join up as a community, and work towards ensuring that any development undertaken will meet all current requirements along with the extensive expansion to Chinnor’s infrastructure which will be required to support an enlarged residential area. We cannot let these approved appeals tear us apart. Let’s demonstrate that we can work together as a community, and complete the Neighbourhood Plan for the benefit of all our Chinnor residents for the years to come.

    “The recent Inspectors’ reports are currently being urgently examined by the SODC Planning Officers and its legal team, to understand the findings against planning regulations and to identify the potential implications for the district. This information will be provided to the councillors and Parishes with a current interest, when this has been completed, along with advice on the way forward.”

    ‘Doing nothing is not an option’

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1Zena concluded: “The message to Chinnor residents is that we do need your participation and help to make the Neighbourhood Plan a success. Doing nothing is not an option! There are many ways in which you can help whether it be in the Steering Group, as a member of a Focus Group or just as a volunteer helper able to distribute leaflets and communications, report progress to your neighbours, get involved with surveys, or collate information for the Steering Group to work from.”

    Chinnor Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group can be contacted via: Email: Chinnorneighbourplan@outlook.com,

    Website: www.chinnorneighbourplan.com and Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinnorNeighbourhoodPlan

  • Tournament wins for squash newcomers

    YOUNG squash player, Luke Hayes from Barley Hill School, took first place in the beginners grade at the Racquets October One-Day Junior squash tournament on Saturday, October 10.

    Oct 2015 one day tournament big (400x306)

    Coach at Racequets Squash Academy in Thame, said: “Luke practices four times a week so we expect to see him move up the grades fairly quickly. Jaco Peacock, also from Lord Williams’s School was second in this grade – not bad for someone who only started to play regularly a few weeks ago.”

    In the next grade up, Matt Harper (Lord Williams’s School) played well to beat a couple of rivals who started playing about the same time. Sue explained: “Matt is starting to get some consistency to his game so we will see him rising through the ranks too. Chris Watts (Lord Williams’s School) was runner up.”

    In the Silver grade, a player who had only been playing regularly for four months took the title. James Portsmouth of Lord Williams’s Lower School won convincingly against players who had been playing for a couple of years. “This was a great result for James,” said Sue. “He is very keen and a great ambassador for the game.” Evan Littler from Abingdon School was the runner up.

    Sue went on: “In the top grade many of the players had to leave to get their serious loads of homework completed, but of the games played, a surprise win by Ollie Dudley-Heidkamp and some good wins by Jamie Mather – both of Lord Williams’s School – gave us tied winners.

    “The tournament was run brilliantly by Oliver Cartwright of Lord Williams’s Lower School who took over the reigns while I was on duty around the club. It’s just great to see the improvement in many of the players since returning from the summer holidays. Those who continued to play during the holidays have come on leaps and bounds, but even those that took a break came back focussed and appeared to be enjoying playing, training and competing.”

    The Racquets academy is looking for new young players to join the team of hard working, keen, dedicated sports people who care about their sports facility and about squash. Young people are selected for the academy by coach Sue. Interested? Contact Sue at Raquets by calling: 01844 261754 or emailing: info@racquets-fitness-centre.com

  • Funds up for grabs for rural businesses

    FUNDS of £1.55 million are up for grabs to support small, rural businesses across Southern Oxfordshire, between now and 2020.

    Fuller's Flowers of Princes Risborough, a former LEADER fund award winner
    Fuller’s Flowers of Princes Risborough, a former LEADER fund award winner

    If you are a farmer, forester, small or micro rural business, or part of a community group, and you have an idea that will create jobs and boost the local economy, then Oxfordshire LEADER would love to hear from you.

    Between 2009 and 2013, more than £1.2 million funding was handed out to 61 rural projects across southern Oxfordshire to help boost the rural economy.

    The LEADER Project was really successful in supporting small businesses across southern Oxfordshire so it decided to join up with the other district councils in Oxfordshire to bid for more money to give away, hence the £1.55 million available to support rural projects across the county now.

    For more information, check out the website www.oxfordshireleader.org.uk or contact Fran Walker: Oxfordshire.Leader@southandvale.gov.uk – Call: 07717 271909

  • Megan’s bench gets the go-ahead

    PERMISSION for a special bench in memory of 18 year-old Megan Biddle from Thame, who died tragically back in March, has been granted by Thame Town Council.

    megan_bench_detail

    Family and friends of Megan have been working on a bespoke memorial bench for installation at Southern Road Recreation Ground, where school friends placed flowers and left words of sympathy on a Memory Board on the side of the changing rooms, after their loss.

    The metal bench design will also be a piece of art, along the lines of a long board, shaped into a semi-circle with four wheels that spin at the end. It will be placed on a 1.6m diameter marble block and there will be space for people to chalk messages on the bench. The preferred location is beside the tree line on the Cuttle Brook side of the Recreation Ground which is not close to any residential properties.

    Now that permission has been granted for the bench, fund-raising can begin for the estimated costs of £10,000.

    A footpath leading off Cromwell Avenue in Thame, has been named after Megan as a permanent memory of her in the town.