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Category: Thame news

  • Crowds gather for official opening of new hospice charity store

    AS the crowds swarmed in for Tuesday’s bustling market, Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC) officially opened its brand new retail store on Cornmarket, Thame, for the first time, with special guest, Mayor of Thame, Cllr Nichola Dixon.

    Florrie_shop_opening (400x265)

    The new outlet which will house a dedicated children’s wear section, with well-known high street and designer name brands up for grabs, as well as ladies’ and men’s wear, jewellery, handbags, bric-a-brac and much more.

    FNHC Trustee Jane Wilson welcomes the Mayor of Thame, Nichola Dixon to officially cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the Trust's new charity shop in Thame
    FNHC Trustee Jane Wilson welcomes the Mayor of Thame, Nichola Dixon to officially cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the Trust’s new charity shop in Thame

    The Mayor, Cllr Dixon said: “It was an absolute pleasure to be asked to officially open the new Florence Nightingale shop in Thame on the 21st of July.  It was lovely to meet the staff and learn a little bit more about the hospice and the hopes and expectations for the shop.  I got to have a good browse round the shop and look forward to being able to shop for my daughter on a regular basis.”

    Phil Moody, FNHC head of retail commented: “We’re really excited to be opening our Thame shop as we have some fantastic supporters here, and in the surrounding villages. Many local people have received specialist care and support from Florence Nightingale Hospice services, either in the hospice itself or at-home, or perhaps know of someone who has been supported in this way.

    “We’ve been working on this project for a long time now and the shop has come together nicely. We have some great children’s wear items up for sale – with a selection of donated kids’ swimwear, for our opening, courtesy of Sunuva, so we’re hoping this will really go down well with local families.”

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsPhil added: “Good quality donations are always welcome, so please have a clear-out of your summer wardrobes and drop them down to us at the shop. We are also delighted to announce the Charity is hoping to open a second retail outlet in Haddenham in the very near future, to act as a donation and ‘feeder’ store for Thame. This shop will be manned by volunteers and we hope will be well-supported by the local community, which includes our Haddenham Community Fundraising Group.”

    Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity currently has five traditional shops including; Chinnor, Leighton Buzzard, Aylesbury, Wendover and Winslow, as well as a Furniture Showroom ( to be re-launched soon) and eBay store.

    The new Thame shop will be open Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm. If you are interested in lending a helping hand as a volunteer, please call Tracey O’Hara on 01296 332600 or email tracyohara@fnhospice.org.uk. Hours to suit.

    FNHC needs to raise over £600,000 this year to provide vital funding for in-patient and at-home hospice services for families battling life-limiting illness across Bucks, Beds and parts of Oxon.

  • Here’s 50 things to do in the holidays

    ARE you wondering how to keep the kids entertained over the next six weeks of the school holidays? The Chilterns Conservation Board has come to the rescue with a list of 50 fun things to do, across the whole of the Chilterns area. Many are free as well!

    Image courtesy of Odds Farm
    Image courtesy of Odds Farm

    There is everything from swinging high up in the trees on the Go Ape adventure course at Wendover Woods to flying a kite on the top of Dunstable Downs, taking a row down the river Thames at Henley or hiring electric bikes in Great Missenden. Whatever your interests, location or budget there is something for everyone and every age.

    “As the Chilterns is celebrating 50 years as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty this year, we thought it would be a great idea to come up with a list of 50 fun days out,” said Claire Forrest, Information Officer at the Chilterns Conservation Board. “We are so lucky to have miles of beautiful countryside on the doorstep, why not make the most of it this summer? There are lots of family attractions to discover, or you could just put together a picnic and head out to a green spot for a relaxing day in the fresh air.”

    Should the weather be less than summery there are also ideas for undercover activities.

    You can find the full list of 50 thing to do at www.chilternsaonb.org/50-things-to-do

  • Roll on Thame’s New Skate Park

    AFTER thirteen years of use, Thame’s popular skate park is getting a much-needed revamp that will see the tired metal ramps transformed into a modern concrete park suitable for all ages and abilities.

    skaters_in_the_dying_sun (400x300)
    Thame skaters gather as the sun goes down on the old Thame Skate Park, looking forward to the dawn of a new, modern concrete park in 14 weeks (Image courtesy of Tom Normington)

    On Monday, July 27, Bristol-based skate park builders Wheelscape Ltd will be moving in and beginning work on the £250,000 regeneration project. The build is expected to last up to 14 weeks and will see the land at Tythrop Way excavated and re-sculpted into a destination park that will include bowls, rhythm sections and a street scene; a skateboarders dream.

    Skate park users young and old came together on Sunday, July 12, to say farewell, share fond memories and to skate the ramps one last time:

    “So after finishing school 12ish years ago and going up the park every night for hours on end for most of our childhoods […] the time has come to take it down and build a new park. We have all had good memories of this park and all have pushed ourselves through blood, sweat and close to tears up here, we have it all to come again! It’s been awesome.” – Chris Chivers.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsSpeaking on the park’s Facebook page, local skateboarder, Adam Hinton, expressed his enthusiasm for the new park and gratitude to those who have been involved in fundraising:

    “Great jam today […] Will be sad to see the park go but equally can’t wait for the new one to be complete. Top work from Olly, Harry and Corin on all their hard work on the new park! Obviously a huge thank you to Jeannette Matelot Green and all the support she has given to the cause. Brilliant to see so many there today and families enjoying it.”

    The Town Council, the Skate Park Working Group and the wheeled-sports users themselves have been working hard over recent years to realise this exciting project, evidencing how valued the facility is within the community. Thanks are expressed to South Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Thame Rotary, Thame Carnival and those who have made donations towards the scheme.

    We look forward to the official opening of the facility later in the year. To stay updated on the progress of the build, visit our website at www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk.

    SOURCE: Thame Town Council

  • Cash, alcohol and jewellery taken in Shabbington burglary

    THAMES Valley Police is investigating after cash, alcohol and jewellery were stolen from a house in Shabbington on Sunday (19/07).

    police_car(haddenham_net)

    Between about 2pm and 5.45pm on Sunday (19/7) an unknown number of offenders entered the property in Crendon Road, Shabbinton, near Thame.

    About £700 and €80 in cash, plus a bank card, three bottles of alcohol and jewellery were taken.

    Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Emma Francis, of Aylesbury Local CID, via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

    If you don’t 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.

  • Fab season’s end for Thame swimmers

    A squad from Thame Swimming Club mustered every last bit of energy and determination to end the season ‘on a high’ at the Wycombe District Swim Club, Level Three meet over the weekend, July 18/19.

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    Under the guidance of Head Coach Ian Blyth the swimmers put in some stunning swims with eight swimmers making it to either the 15+ Finals or the 14 and Under Finals. Particularly noticable performances came from:

    · Elizabeth Humphreys: For going sub 30 for the very first time in the final of the 50 Free, and taking Gold. Also for knocking a whopping 29 seconds off her 400 IM
    time and 44 seconds off her 400 Free.

    · Martha Pearson: For taking an impressive 10 seconds off her 100 Free time and achieving great PBs in all her races.

    · Tally Simms: For taking a fantastic 22 seconds off her 200 Free time and likewise Katelin Phillips for taking 15 seconds off hers.

    · Katelin Phillips and Maya Camp: For achieving great times in their first ever 400m Free long course race.

    · Elliot Riley-Brown: For taking a fabulous 18 seconds off his 100 breast personal best time.

    · Josh Williams: For qualifying for his first ever Final!

    Medal Tally below:

    swim_medal_tally

     

     

  • Thame’s bowling ladies through to the semi-finals

    THE Ladies of Thame Bowls Club fought their way through to the semi-finals of Oxfordshire Ladies Top Club competition this week, by defeating rivals South Oxford Ladies. This competition, which the Thame Ladies have already won twice in the past, is made up of a Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours match.

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    Representing Thame in the Singles was Hazel Westcott, who despite her efforts was defeated by in-form South Oxford’s Sue Stewart. In the Pairs match Jill Brooks and Marthie DuPreez overcame an early 9 shots to 2 deficit to gradually claw their way back into a tight game and eventually take the match by 25 shots to 20 against the excellent Oxford pairing of Diane Rocket and Carol Mobley So, honours-even at this stage.

    In the Triples match skip Doreen Penn was leading her other Thame Ladies, Margaret Boynton and Barbara Waters to a decisive 24 shots to 6 victory with some excellent bowling from the Thame trio. It was now left to the Thame 4 of Maire Duncan, Maureen Giles, Caroline Walker and skip Maxine Plested to pick up the necessary point to carry Thame to the next stage of the competition and in the closest fought match of the tie it ended 18 shots apiece to share the point, leaving Thame Ladies with a two and a half to one and a half points victory.

    The semi-final match at either Banbury Borough or Oxford City & County will take place on Sunday 16th August.

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Play celebrates a century of the WI

    THIS year marks the centenary of the WI and members of Mikron Theatre are doing a nationwide tour with their play, Raising Agents, as a celebration of the anniversary.

    raising agents (383x400)

    The plays comes to The Players Theatre in Thame,  at 7.45pm on Saturday, August 1. Tickets (which are selling fast) cost £12 and are available from Spear Travels, in Greyhound Wal, Thame, 01844 217228 or from www.thameplayers.co.uk.

    Bunnington WI is a bit down-at-heel. Dwindling membership means they can barely afford the hall, let alone a decent speaker. So when a PR guru becomes a member, the women are glad of new blood. Initially.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsThe milk of WI kindness begins to sour when she re-brands them the Bunnington Bunnies. They’re hopping. With stakes higher than a five tiered cake stand, a battle ensues for the very soul of Bunnington, perhaps the WI itself!

    On the threshold of one century into the next, this tale of hobbyists and lobbyists asks how much we should know our past or how much we should let go of it.

    Above all else, like the WI itself, Raising Agents is a story of friendship.

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Have your say about Adult Social Care advise in Oxfordshire

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council’s draft Information and Advice Strategy and proposal for specialist advice about Adult Social Care,  is now out for consultation.

    This consultation covers the county’s  information and advice strategy for Adult Social Care and its proposal for a specialist advice service which will provide free, independent advice to assist people with benefits, debt, budgeting and other financial and welfare issues.

    ‘Information and advice’ is an umbrella term, covering a range of activities and interventions that help people to become more self-reliant and better able to manage situations and circumstances in their lives.

    You can find the consultation on Oxfordshire County Council’s website here: LINK

  • Galloping success for Stagecoach and St Joseph’s school!

    THE stars were out in force in Thame recently as the children from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School entertained their audience with an amazing performance of Merlin and the Mystical Unicorn.

     

    Merlin play July 2015 (400x317)

    Children from Years five and six were fortunate to work with the talented staff from Stagecoach Thame, learning all aspects of musical theatre from lighting design to technical elements of dance, drama and singing.

    seans_choice_crendon_beds“The children are extremely privileged to have had this opportunity to work with Stagecoach’s Ashley and Nicky who gave their time and expertise to the school,” said Paul Roberts, Principal of St Joseph’s. “Their enthusiasm and encouragement has been inspirational to our troupe of aspiring actors.”

    Photo: Some of St Joseph’s School cast of Merlin and the Mystical Unicorn

  • Childrens’ centre threatened – despite glowing OFSTED

    FOLLOWING the news that Oxfordshire County Council is reviewing the provision of Childrens’ Centres across the County with a view to cost cutting, the Red Kites Childrens’ Centre in Thame could be under threat – even though it recently passed an OFSTED inspection with flying colours and awarded ‘Very Good’ status.

    Reporting to the town council’s Community, Leisure and Recreation Committee, Cllr Mary Stiles, who is a Trustee of the Red Kites Childrens Centre, said that hardship was being felt by some parents because the wait to receive benefits for first time users is now six weeks. However, The Sharing Life Trust and the Thame Food Bank is helping these parents with cookery classes and provisions.

    One of the proposals put forward by the County Council is to amalgamate provision for 0 – 19 year-olds in ‘hubs’, to save £5 million, providing a service for only the most serious cases of need, instead of offering a universal service, which Cllr Stiles said: “….helps prevent problems down the track.”

    THE FUTURE  FOR THAME’S CENTRE

    Childrens_centre_dad_with_toddlers (400x343)The county council is meeting with its partners over the summer to come up with three possible models for the future which would then go out for consultation, but it has emphasized that any provision will only be made for extreme cases. A double blow for Thame is that if the Thame centre’s building is closed, it would have to be sold and the money that the government gave to set it up originally, would go back to the government.

    Cllr stiles also reported that the administration of local Health Visitors is changing from Buckinghamshire to Oxfordshire and that the transfer of data could take some time as it had to be done by hand because the two computer systems are not compatible.

    A CENTRE RUN BY VOLUNTEERS?

    A meeting is planned for October to finally decide the future of Children’s Centre which would be attended by a representative of Thame Town Council. In the meantime, parents attending the centre are being encouraged to take part in a course to become volunteers at the centre, and the first two will be fully qualified by September. The training of volunteers, suggested Cllr Stiles, was a good preparation for the work place for parents, as well as being good for the centre.

    Cllr Chamken Woods, the Chair of the CLR committee, thanked Cllr Stiles for her report adding: “I am very worried that we may lose this superb service.” Cllr Stiles replied that she was hopeful that a way could be found for the Red Kites Centre to remain open in some form, perhaps run completely by volunteers, like some libraries in the county are now.