PLANS for the Henley House and Garden Show on February 28, to March 1, 2015, are well underway, with some very high profile celebrities involved (We can’t say more than that at this stage!) and the organisers are now looking for exhibitors – companies involved in high end interior design, furnishings, objects d’art etc.
Anyone from the local area who would like to exhibit at the event can find out more by visiting the website: LINK to blog and then contacting Niki Schafer via: admin@thehenleyhousegardenshow.com
HISTORY was made today (December 16) on the winners’ podium at Silverstone as three county council leaders signed a tripartite agreement they hope will jointly boost the economic prospects of nearly two million residents.
Ian Hudspeth, Martin Tett and Jim Harker OBE
In the first tri-county council alliance of its type, the leaders of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, Ian Hudspeth, Martin Tett and Jim Harker OBE, jointly aim to make an offer to Government to support them in unlocking further economic growth and to significantly build on the £45 billion (GVA) the area already generates.
In the offer, called ‘A shared approach to driving prosperity’, the three councils call on the Government to work with them to develop a brand new ‘combined authority’ alliance focused on their common economies of innovation, science, technology and creative industries.
Building on the established relationships between the three county-based local economic partnerships, the alliance is asking Government to:
* allow joint new plans to be developed for transport, spatial planning and other key infrastructure * devolve employment and skills funding so employers’ needs can be properly met locally. * support a devolved approach to the local trunk road network * incentivise the three councils so they properly benefit from encouraging new growth * give them enhanced powers over bus services and the ability to maximise public transport between key towns and cities * ensure the best economic benefits are unlocked from projects such as East-West rail and the connectivity of technology centres like Silverstone to the national road network.
The alliance is also asking for legislation to deliver, what the three leaders call: “… a new and more flexible governance structure tailored to suit such a bold arrangement.”
Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Ian Hudspeth, explained: “By joining up with Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire I believe we can maximise the benefits to the regional economy by improving transport links and strategic planning so we can connect people, jobs and homes.”
You can read more about the alliance here: LINK (external link)
A partially sighted, budding young squash player from Thame’s Racquets Fitness Centre, overcame his fear of a renowned opponent on Saturday (13/12), to make his mark in a one-day junior squash tournament for juniors playing squash in and around Thame.
Alex Wright (top right) with his fellow junior squash tournement players
Playing in his first tournament, Alex Adams-Wright, 15, showed fantastic spirit taking on players with much more experience, winning through the round robin stage against three other regular and talented players, and then went on to play the club’s under 11, nationally ranked talent, 8 year old, Ollie Coulcher-Porter. Alex found that strength was a great help in this particular final and applied plenty of the new squash techniques from recent coaching, to win through.
Alex’s coach, Sue Martin-Downhill, said: “Alex has made great progress in his squash over the past two months and despite being partially sighted, he finds that this is a sport that he can really enjoy. His understanding of the game has improved such that he is able to compete against players who have been playing for much longer.”
The tournament was attended by 16 players, including one who had travelled from Sonning Common to join in. Luca Babb, who plays at Henley Squash Club, joined in with Roger Riddler’s Saturday morning squash coaching group and then followed that by winning the top grade. Although he won his matches in straight games, each of the games were very close.
Sue added: “All the players were extremely helpful throughout the tournament – all the matches were refereed by one of the other players with a few learning how to mark during the day. Learning how to mark is very good for helping children take charge of situations.
“In the beginners grade, Matthew Harper and Fionn Leaney had an exciting close game. Matthew just came through 3-2. Fionn started playing squash just six weeks ago and appears to be naturally talented with amazing hand- eye co-ordination. Matt, who has been playing a little longer, is a dedicated player who has shown that practice can really make a serious difference. Matt’s hand-eye co-ordination is now excellent and his coaches, Roger Ridler and myself, are looking forward to watching Matt grow into an exceptional player and to compete in more tournaments in the future.”
Sue concluded: “Racquets would like to thank Meritus International Hotels for their great prizes! The winners of each of the grades got Meritus Mobile device Battery packs and light pens, the Runners-up – battery packs and the others, light pens – the kids loves them!”
You can find out more about Racquets Squash coaching for all ages, by contacting Sue Martin-Downhill on 07860 328880, or emailing her via: sue@racquets-fitness-centre.com, or popping into Racquets Fitness Centre, North Street, Thame, OX9 3TH, phone: 01844 261754 and by visiting the website: www.racquets-fitness-centre.com
THAME United progressed to the next round of the Challenge Cup with a relatively comfortable victory against Division One East side, Headington Amateurs, on Saturday, with a final score of Thame United 4, Headington Amateurs 2.
Andy Gledhill, who scored his first competitive goal for Thame United on Saturday, against Headington Amateurs
Played in near perfect conditions, United started the stronger of the two sides and, for the first five minutes, the visitors were unable to get out of their half. However, when they did, they nearly took the lead as Josh Cockerill pushed an effort on to the post on seven minutes. With United then pushing forward, they took the lead on 23 minutes when, after good inter-play down the Thame right between Calvin Evans and Dan Jones, the latter centred the ball for Andy Gledhill who finished confidently from six yards for his first competitive goal for the Club. His second arrived only three minutes later when Jones again crossed from the right, and Gledhill headed in to the far corner. Then, on 29 minutes, United scored their third as a Jones corner was met by the head of Jon Coverley and the ball flew in to the goal.
At this stage, United were in complete control and, before the break, they could have extended the lead further, firstly through Luke Ricketts, whose effort was deflected over, and then by Coverley whose header from a Jones corner was clawed away by the visiting keeper.
As it was it remained 3-0 to United at the break and, inside the first minute of the second half, they nearly extended the league when a Jones volley from the edge of the box went just wide. Nevertheless, on 53 minutes the fourth goal arrived when Alex Kedzierski played the ball through to Calvin Evans on the right, who weaved his way across the face of the penalty, beating three men in the process, before placing the ball wider of the visiting keeper.
With a comfortable lead at this stage, United took their foot off the pedal, and former United player, Paul Hedger, pulled a goal back for the visitors on 57 minutes. The same player then scored a second on 79 minutes, collecting the ball in space on the wide right, before placing his shot wide of Cockerill and into the far corner. Despite the goals, United continued to press forward and could have extended their lead but, in the event, there were no further goals and United progressed in to the next round of the competition.
A planning application has been submitted for 203 new homes in Thame, opposite Lord Williams’s Upper School, on an area allocated in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan as Site F. The proposals include a range of starter and family homes, 81 affordable homes for below market rent or shared ownership schemes, new areas of public open space, a new site for allotments and a children’s play area.
Spokesman for Bloor Homes, Daniel Hayman, said: “The development of the proposals have been influenced and guided by the town’s Neighbourhood Plan, public consultation and a design guide looking at the characteristics of Thame and of the site itself. This has led to a development which will feature specifically designed homes reflecting local design and materials and Bloor Homes would expect to make contributions towards local services and infrastructure, where they are required, via a Section 106 legal agreement. “
Section 106 contributions can cover a wide variety of areas including education, transport improvements and health, as well as leisure and community facilities, depending on needs created by the development itself.
The plans will be reviewed and formally consulted upon by South Oxfordshire District Council over the next few months with statutory bodies and neighbouring properties, and trial archaeological investigations will be taking place in early January.
ALMOST 100 of Thame’s senior citizens were entertained with Christmas carols and songs performed by the choir of Barley Hill School on Friday, December 12, at the annual Thame Christmas Tea Party, jointly organised this year by Thame’s Rotary and Inner Wheel clubs, and Thame Town Council.
Marius Ciortan, Thame Rotary Club spokesman, said: “The school’s children, staff and parents did an outstanding job leading a wonderful show. The party had a surprise guest, Father Christmas, who also entertained the audience.”
‘Father Christmas’ with the Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green
Marius added: “The generosity of Thame’s Waitrose and The Cooperative who provided most of the food, made it possible for the members from the Rotary, Inner Wheel, Thame Town Council and other local volunteers to prepare and serve a delicious lunch. We would like to thank everyone involved.”
A new scheme to improve services to victims of domestic abuse, has been rolled out across Oxfordshire and Berkshire today, December 15.
Thames Valley Police, Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and victim agencies will work together to ensure cases of domestic abuse in Oxford, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White House, Cherwell and West Oxfordshire, Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire, Slough, Reading, Windsor and Maidenhead and Wokingham are processed more quickly than they are currently.
Image courtesy of http://domesticviolenceactivesupport.com/
In a statement, Thames Valley Police said: “Domestic abuse is a serious crime, so it is important that the time it takes to get cases to trial is kept as short as possible. The overall aim of the scheme is to improve the outcome at court for victims of domestic violence and speedier justice for those accused of such.”
Under the scheme, all domestic abuse cases will be listed for a first hearing at the local Specialist Domestic Violence Court. This hearing will be within 14 days from the date the suspect was charged. For cases which go on to trial, the aim will be to list for trial within two to three weeks of the first hearing rather than the current six to eight weeks.
Superintendent Rory Freeman, Head of TVP Criminal Justice, speaking on behalf of all the criminal justice agencies involved in the scheme said: “The evaluation of the pilot in Buckinghamshire, which launched last December, has proven it to be very successful. The enhanced file at the first hearing ensures that more guilty pleas are secured, meaning fewer cases are adjourned for trial. If we process cases more quickly, we do not risk victim disengagement and are able to bring more offenders to justice.
“It is anticipated that we will also see positive results across Oxfordshire and Berkshire and a reduction of domestic abuse cases which don’t make it to court because the victim has withdrawn their support. It is important to remember that everything we do is about supporting the victim and achieving the desired outcome for them. This scheme provides an improved service to victims of this insidious and often violent crime.”
Since the pilot began in Buckinghamshire, the overall conviction rate for domestic abuse cases has been 68 per cent, with 46 per cent of those coming from a guilty plea at the first hearing.
A man from Devon has been sentenced to a total of seven years’ imprisonment for sexual offences relating to child, that took place in Thame and High Wycombe, between 2004 and 2008.
Carl Crook
Carl Crook, aged 45, of Pale Gate Close, Honiton, Devon, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment at Oxford Crown Court on Friday (12/12) for a number of sexual offences relating to a single child.
Following a five day trial, a jury found Cook guilty of three sexual assaults of a child under 13, five counts of sexual activity with a child, assault of a child under 13 by penetration, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and two charges of making indecent photographs of children.
Crook had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of taking indecent photographs of a child.
Investigating officer, Det Con Maria Morrisey of the Thames Valley Police Paedophile Online Investigation Team said: “I am delighted with the sentence given to Crook, who has proved to be an extremely dangerous and predatory paedophile.
“The jury saw through Crook’s lies and concluded he groomed his victim before taking advantage of her for his own sexual gratification.
“I praise the victim for showing the courage to give her testament first to police and then to the court. I also praise the jury who did their duty with diligence and had to listen in detail about Crook’s depraved crimes. Finally, I praise all Thames Valley Police and Devon and Cornwall Police officers and staff who helped in this investigation, without them Crook’s conviction would not have been possible.”
(1) ADNL Div 4 26/11/14 – Hurricanes v Crendon Aces 44-21 – WEDNESDAY night saw Thame Hurricanes play against Long Crendon Aces. Beset by injuries, Crendon only had six players, but Thame knew they would still have a fight on their hands.
Thame came out very slowly from the first whistle and were behind the play for much of the first quarter. A team talk from coach Shelley Weeks saw a more aggressive start to the second quarter as Verity, Lucy and Lynn P started to chase down every loose ball and defenders Sue and Lyn tightened their game to intercept more balls. Hurricanes shooters Helen and Carol’s goal percentages went up and the play began to swing in Thame’s favour.
In the third quarter feisty centre court play and consistent defending saw the ball turned over as Thame used their free player successfully to widen the score line. Thame were able to use fresh legs from subs Chantelle and Emma to keep the pressure on right to the end.
Credit must go to all of the Crendon ladies who never gave up throughout the entire match and made Hurricanes work for their win.
Hurricanes will need a flying start and more pressure from all players from the off next week if they are to beat their team mates Cyclones in the same division.
Hurricanes Team: Carol S, Lucy S, Helen T, Chantelle, Verity P, Emma W, Lynn P, Sue F, Lyn H
(2) ADNL Div 4 -Thame Cyclones V Wingrave
THAME were prepared for a tough game from the beginning and the co-ordination between the team mates was excellent from the start. It was a fast paced game with a lot of smooth passes from the whole team, the first two quarters were very close with the second ending with Wingrave Comets only one net ahead. Then both teams became tired and Wingrave Comets gained a greater lead. Thame’s defence was very active over a strong attack. Some excellent goals from both GS and GA. The game ended on a disappointing 39-25 to Wingrave Comets, both teams played extremely well and determined it was a great game.
Cyclones Team: Amy S, Sam A, Ellie D, Kelly L, Megan C, Anna M, Lynne J, Katie V, Kelly S, Sarah H.
(3) ADNL Div 3 – Thame Tornadoes v Cherokees
THAME Tornadoes took to the court determined to return to their winning ways. Confident they could take the points Thame took an early lead, with shooters Heather and Hayley working well together in the circle. Excellent defensive play limited the goals scored by Cherokees and the first quarter ended 11 – 2 to Tornadoes. Cherokees had a better second quarter but Thame continued to play well. By capitalising on mistakes and making the most of turn-over balls Thame extended their lead to 20 – 9. With an ambitious target of 50 goals (set by Heather!) Thame took to the third quarter with fighting spirit. The Cherokees defence were also fighting hard which forced Thame to work the ball around the circle. Thame still had the edge and the quarter ended 29 – 16. With a slightly more realistic target of 40 goals (set by Shelley!) Thame were keen to finish the game on a high. Heather and Hayley continued to sink the goals and despite giving it everything they had a tired Cherokees just couldn’t do enough to catch the Tornadoes. Thame fell just short of their target but won the game convincingly. The final score was 39 – 22. Player of the Match = Heather P Muppet of the Match = Kirsty for her hilarious “helloooo” blunder! Tornadoes team: Heather, Hayley, Karen, Nic, Lisa, Sheena, Susie, Kirsty.
A cycling club from Haddenham, whose members pedaled over three days and nights to Thame’s twin town, Montesson, presented a cheque for £12,377.90 to the Florence Nightingale Hospice during the Thame Christmas Lights event last Friday (05/12).
Maires-adjoint of Montesson, Huguette Fouche (left) joins Justin Shardlow (with cheque), his fellow Hillbillies and Sue Jenkins, Executive Director of Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity, on stage for the cheque presentation
The Hillbillies raised the money through sponsorship of the ride which saw them battle through sun, rain and storms before arriving to the cheers of a welcoming crowd of dignitories and well-wishers during the regular, weekend visit to Montesson in September, organised by the Thame and District Twinning Association.
Montesson’s Maire-adjoint (equivalent to a deputy Mayor here in England), Huguette Fouche (standing left in the picture), took a break from making crepes on the Montesson produce stall at the event, to support Justin Shardlow and his team of cyclists present the cheque to Sue Jenkins, Executive Director of Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity.
