Thame.net

Category: Thame news

  • Thame academy to host Meritus corporate championship final

    A TOP hospitality group has chosen Raquets Fitness Centre in Thame, to launch its first title sponsorship of a national, corporate sporting event.

    L to R - Racquets' Simon Martin, Squash Pro, Will John, Sue Martin-Downhill and Guy Fotherby, of Meritus
    L to R – Racquets’ Simon Martin, Squash Pro, Will John, Sue Martin-Downhill and Guy Fotherby, of Meritus

    Asian hospitality group, Meritus Hotels & Resorts’ Meritus Squash UK Invitational 2015, will bring together its key representatives, business partners, and corporate clients in the region for a series of on -and off -court activities aimed at promoting greater interest in the sport of Squash, and excellent opportunities for networking and camaraderie amongst the participants.

    Meritus Squash UK Invitational 2015 commences in July, this year, with monthly qualifying play-offs held in various squash venues across the United Kingdom, culminating in the final match and championship award, scheduled for November, at Racquets Squash Club in Thame.

    In the lead-up to the finals, world-ranked British squash players such as Alison Waters and Will John will be lending their support through exhibition matches and guest appearances, alongside other top-seeded squash athletes.  The event will also benefit Cancer Research UK, the cancer research and awareness charity for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

    “This sporting event presents a unique opportunity for us at Meritus to add value to the business activities of our customers in the UK by offering them a platform for meaningful interactions,” said Guy Fotherby, Director of Marketing and Business Development UK, for Meritus Hotels & Resorts.

    “At the same time,” he added, “we are pleased to contribute towards raising the profile of the sport whilst also elevating awareness for the Meritus brand in this market.”

    For more information about Meritus Hotels & Resorts, visit their website: LINK and to find out more about Racquets Fitness Centre and Squash Club, visit their website: LINK

  • Get movie-making quick, for special offer!

    THERE’S even more reason to get filming on your mobile phone and get involved with the Thame Carnival competition, ‘Thame Life’.

    carnival_community (400x355)The Musical Director of the Thame Institute of Music (TiM), has offered a free, one-hour writing and production session at the institute, for the first entry to submit a video with original music or a music video.

    All the details about the competition, and how to enter can be found here: LINK 

  • Conservatives hold district council

    FOLLOWING last Friday’s epic count for the election for 36 seats at South Oxfordshire District Council, the dominance of the Conservative party has increased, with 33 wins for them, just one for the Labour party and one for the Chair of SODC’s Scrutiny committee, Liberal Democrat, David Turner.

    Thame_District_cllrs2015

    The Henley Residents party had one member elected.

    Representing Thame,  David Dodds (both a Town Councillor and SODC Cabinet Member for Waste, Parks and Thame) was re-elected to the district council.  Thame Town Councillor, Nigel Champken-Woods, as well as former Lib Dem, and until this latest election, an Independent Thame Town Councillor, Jeannette Matelot Green (both former Mayors of Thame), were both elected for the first time, representing the Conservative party.

    The make-up of the previous district council administration, which consisted of 48 seats before the recent boundary changes, was Conservative 32,  Labour 4,  Lib Dem 4 and Independent/Other parties, 8.

     

  • Thame, Nepal thanks Thame, Oxfordshire

    FOLLOWING  a letter from Thame to the people of our town’s namesake, severely damaged by the recent earthquake in Nepal, a reply has been received from Dr Kami Temba Sherpa, on behalf of residents of Thame, Nepal. The letter reads as follows:

    Dr Kami Temba Sherpa working at the Kunde hospital, nr Thame, Nepal (Photo courtesy of The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation)
    Dr Kami Temba Sherpa working at the Kunde hospital, nr Thame, Nepal (Photo courtesy of The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation)

    Dear Mr Hunt and Town Councillors, We the residents of Thame village are very touched to receive a letter from our namesake town in England in this difficult time.

    Thame is a traditional Sherpa village located in the Everest Region. It is located in off-the tourist route receiving only few tourists. The majority of the people of Thame are still largely dependent on subsistence farming, yak herding and seasonal mountaineering.

    Thame village (upper Thame and lower Thame) are the two most impacted villages in the Everest Region affected by the massive earthquake struck on April 25 2015.  Two people have lost their lives and nine people were badly injured. There are approximately 100 houses in Thame. All the houses have either been badly damaged or collapsed. The traditional houses with slate roof (more than 80% of the houses in Thame) were completely flattened, whereas the remaining houses with corrugated galvanized iron roof have been severely damaged requiring major reconstruction.

    We have a lower secondary school in our village constructed by the Himalayan Trust. All the facilities of the school with around 70 students enrollment have also been severely damaged. Currently, the classes are being conducted outside in open space under temporary tents. The Thame health clinic supported by Kunde Hospital that serves the residents of Thame and surrounding villages is also badly damaged.

    There are a few organizations, which have been providing immediate relief support in our village, but our main concern is to rebuild our community in the long run. The residents of Thame are currently in needs of support for rebuilding the community including rebuilding individual houses, school facilities, health clinic, community centre and cultural monuments. We would really appreciate if Thame town in England can support us in rebuilding our community.

    On behalf of the residents of Thame, I,  Kami Temba Sherpa would like to thank you for your genuine concern and willingness to support our community. I am a resident of Thame and currently serving as a medical doctor at Kunde Hospital.

    We are looking forward to work together to link the two communities of Thame-Thame.

    You can read the original letter sent on behalf of Thame (Oxon) by the Town Clerk, Graham Hunt, HERE

  • New look town council for Thame

    AFTER today’s tense, four and a half hour-long count at Thame town hall today, the long wait for prospective town councillors is over.

    The winning candidates and the number of votes polled for each are as follows:

    BRETHERTON David – Liberal Democrat 1000
    BUTLER Don – Conservative 1596
    CHAMPKEN-WOODS Nigel – Conservative 1371
    COWELL Paul – Independent 854
    DIXON Nichola – Conservative 1390
    DYER Mike – Conservative 1309
    STILES Mary – Labour  984
    WYSE Tom- Independent 1090

    Thame's newly elected councillors (Left - North Ward
    Thame’s newly elected councillors (Left – North Ward, minus Nichola Dixon; Right – South Ward minus Mike Deacock)

    Thame South

    AUSTIN Bob – Independent 1218
    DEACOCK Mike – Conservative 1523
    DODDS David – Conservative 1858
    EMERY Linda – Independent 1004
    FICKLING Helena – Independent 1111
    JONES Catherine – Independent 1127
    LAMBERT Peter – Independent 1195
    MIDWINTER Ann – Independent 1498

  • Howell retains Henley

    John Howell canvassing in Thame recently
    John Howell canvassing in Thame recently

    Turn out in the Henley Constituency was 70.3%

    Voting figures as follows:

    Cooper – Lib Dem   6,205

    Howell – Con 32,292

    Jones – UKIP  6,007

    Juthani – Lab. 6,917

    Stevenson –  3,815

     

  • Sponsorship package welcomed by Thame Players

    THAME PLAYERS has recently secured a three-year sponsorship with a local developer, which will help with much needed work to the converted church that now houses the Players Theatre in Nelson Street, and will contribute to the 70 year-old, amateur theatre group’s creative development.

    Members of Thame Players wait to mee the Princess Royal, when she visited Thame market back in February
    Members of Thame Players wait to mee the Princess Royal, when she visited Thame market back in February

    Speaking for Thame Players, Helen Johns said: “The creative funding will enable Thame Players to enhance our own productions, for example, by achieving superior special effects, better lighting and sourcing higher quality costumes. Rectory Homes is the headline sponsor of Thame Players’ summer production this year, Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The funding enables Thame Players to enhance set design, lighting and costume selection, and also to stage a series of Shakespearean acting workshops hosted by Bruce Alexander, the TV and film actor who is also a patron of Thame Players.

    “These workshops will be free to participants. Next year, it is hoped that Rectory’s funding will enable Thame Players to stage a showpiece open-air production of another Shakespeare play.

    “Rectory Homes’ funding of capital improvements will mean that essential work can be carried out to the exterior of the building, including the frontage, the roof and stage door access. Inside the theatre, it is anticipated that Rectory’s funding, which will be matched with equal funding from other sources, will finance technical improvements. It is hoped that these will include the installation of state-of-the-art back projection at the rear of the stage, facilitating quicker set changes and reducing the need for laborious physical set changes.”

    Simon Vickers, founder and chief executive of Rectory Homes, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Thame Players, a gem of an asset to the town of Thame. We take community support very seriously and look to put something back into the community wherever we can. Rectory are already the principal sponsors of Chinnor Rugby Club in Thame and a headline sponsor of Thame Food Festival and the Thame Show. By sponsoring Thame Players, we are also contributing to arts and entertainment provision in Thame.”

    Pat Shepherd, Chairman of Thame Players, added: “That Rectory Homes has now decided to extend their sponsorship over a three-year period is very welcome news and we are looking forward to working with them on creative development and on building and technical projects. Rectory’s expertise, support, advice and encouragement will be tremendously valued by all of us at Thame Players.”

  • Thame jeweller recognised in blog awards

    A THAME jeweller has won the Best Jeweller category by readers of a popular blog which recommends retailers, restaurants, hotels, walks and events in the Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire area.

    Thame Jeweller, Biagio and local blogger, Hero Brown
    Thame Jeweller, Biagio and local blogger, Hero Brown

    Biagio the Jeweller, whose shop is in Greyhound Walk, Thame, said: “We are thrilled that Biagio the Jeweller has won the Best Jeweller category in the 2015 Muddy Stilettos Awards.”

    Haddenham resident, Hero Brown’s blog, called ‘Muddy Stilletos’ has 20,000 followers, and it was them who voted in a poll of 140- businesses in 28 categories, including five jewellers in the area – the first time this category has been included the awards.

    Biagio Patalano concluded: “We thank all those people who voted for us in forece. We are touched by your love and recognition! “

  • Elections 2015: Profiles of the candidates (5)

    THAME.NET is inviting all the local candidates for the Election 2015, for a short profile. The following is from Ann Midwinter, who is standing for the Town Council in the South ward as an Independent:

    Ann Midwinter
    Ann Midwinter

    I have had the honour to represent Thame South as an Independent District Councillor, becoming Leader of the Independents, and in 2014/15, Chairman of South Oxfordshire District Council.

    As a District Councillor you have to consider the overview of the whole district. I would very much like to represent Thame South as a Town Councillor and focus on Thame and to help the aims and objectives of Thame people with the experience and insight acquired at SODC.

    My goal is for Thame (the only true Market Town in the area) to continue to thrive and be a pleasant, environmentally, friendly place to live and work. I will serve the people of Thame, if elected, to the best of my ability without being tied to any political party.

    You can read all the local candidates’ profiles submitted HERE

    Details of all the candidates in the Elections on May 7, 2015, can be found on the town council’s website HERE

  • Civic awards honour Thame’s achievers

    THAME has paid homage to some of the people who deserve to be recognised for their contribution to the town, often going ‘unsung’ as volunteers, or just going that ‘extra mile’ to help others in their chosen field.

    L to R: Megan Cooper, Mark Thorne, ,James (on behalf of Ian McStay, Jeannette Matelot Green, Josh Butler, Joe Lynch and Alan Haigh
    L to R: Megan Cooper, Mark Thorne, ,James (on behalf of Ian McStay, Jeannette Matelot Green, Josh Butler, Joe Lynch and Alan Haigh

    At the annual Thame Town Meeting on Tuesday (May 5), the Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, presented awards to the following people, who had been nominated by fellow residents:

     

    Sporting Achievement – Ian McStay – After 35 years the longest serving player at Thame Cricket Club, and as a senior coach, has guided hundreds of junior players during his time.

    Young Achiever Award – Joseph Lynch – For his service to organisations like Thame Youth Theatre, Stagecoach etc, providing technical support, particularly sound and lighting.

    Service With a Smile Award – Mark Thorne (who got the biggest cheer!) A familiar face in both the Thame Co-op and Helen Douglas House charity shop. Described as ‘hard working’ and always ready to help even when the shop is busy.

    Creative Arts Achievement Award – Ian English – Founded the 80-strong, Thame Pop Choir which donates all profits from its performances to local charities, and which entertains local organisations such as Meadowcroft Home for the Elderly and the Thame Community Hospital.

    Individual Volunteer Award – Cathy Thomas – Organiser of the Thame Christmas Lunch at The Birdcage pub every year, for the elderly and the vunerable who would otherwise be alone at Christmas. Cathy organises a group of volunteers who prepare and serve the food on Christmas day, and arrange transport, giving up her own Christmas day despite having young children.

    Person of courage Award – Megan Cooper – A 13 year-old young carer whose mother suffers from severe Asthma attacks and often needs to be hospitalised. Megan gets up at 5.30am to make sure her brother gets his breakfast and medication etc, and despite the extra responsibility of helping to keep her family together, never moans or complains and always has a smile on her face. As it was also Megan’s birthday on Tuesday, she received a cake and a birthday balloon.

    The Life-time achievement Award – Alan Haigh (given the longest-lasting clap from an appreciative audience!) Retiring Headmaster of John Hampden School. Described as a ‘pillar of the community’ always willing to ‘roll up his sleeves’, ‘an outstanding Headmaster’ who knows the name of every child in his school, ‘a good listener’ and ‘an inspirational leader’.

    The Mayor’s Own special Award – Lance Corporal Josh Butler of the Army Cadets, who has  supported and helped the Mayor throughout her year of office.

    The awards were this year – the seventh event of its kind – were sponsored by ASM Auto Recycle and there were 135 nominations, from which an independent panel of judges selected the winners.