THAME United were unable to bring an end to Flackwell Heath’s 100% record on Tuesday evening (19/08) as The Heathens ran out 3-1 winners to go top of the table.
The pattern of the match was similar to the opening game of the season against Highmoor Ibis, with United unable to make early chances pay, only to then find themselves chasing the game. As early as the first minute Conor McDonagh was put through on goal but was unable to get his shot away before and five minutes later the same player saw a 25-year shot tipped over the bar by Rob Bullivant. The next chance fell to Danny Jones on 15 minutes whose drive from the edge of the box was well saved by Bullivant.
The game changed in a five minute spell around the half hour when Flackwell went in to a two goal league. First, Mitchell Woodward finished from close range following a cross from the right and four minutes later Jeff Brown found himself unmarked on the edge of the six yard box and beat Cockerill with ease with a well placed header in to the corner of the goal.
If it was for United to chase the game in the second half, it was Flackwell Heath who started the brighter, with Cockerill getting down well to save low to his right on 47 minutes. Ten minutes later and former Holyport winger, Dan Rapley, curled the ball just over the bar.
United got back in to the game on 63 minutes when Luke Ricketts drove the ball in to the back of the net, via a deflection, from wide on the left. However, Flackwell Heath restored their two-goal advantage only two minutes later when Rapley got clear of his marker to chip the ball over the diving Cockerill. The next opportunity fell to captain Adam Morris whose effort from the edge of the box flew just wide.
Flackwell Heath then had the opportunity to open-up a three goal advantage when Adam Burows was adjudged to have fouled Woodward in the penalty area, but Cockerill, diving to his right, did well to save the spot-kick.
The result leaves United with 3 points from their opening three league games
RESIDENTS and visitors to Thame may have noticed a couple of very destinctive old Volvo cars around town lately and wondered who they belong to.
The head-turning vehicles will in fact be in the charge of a group of eight friends from Thame, High Wycombe and Princes Risborough who will be taking part in The Ramshackle Rally to Munich this year in Aid of Cancer Research UK, with the theme of ‘Zombie Apocalyptic Survivors’. The group, whose team name will be SFE Zombie DIvision, have so far raised over £400 in online and offline donations.
Karen Vaughan from Thame, who is a project administrator at SGM Management and design, explained: “Starting in England, we shall be driving the two beautiful old Volvos across to Annecy, France then to Bormio in Northern Italy. From there we shall be popping over to Innsbruck, in Austria. Our penultimate stop is Ljubljana in Slovenia and our last, but definitely not least trip, will be to Munich!
“Whilst the trip will be a lot of fun for all involved, we decided to take on this challenge by raising money for Cancer Research UK. Not many of us can say we haven’t been affected by Cancer, myself, Jaide and the others taking part in the rally included. By raising money we feel we’re fighting back and helping to fund research to eventually find a cure.”
The rest of the SFE Zombie DIvision team are Ben Jones, Lee Dearman, Courtney Cox, Karen Vaughan, Jaide Stone (a Customer Assistant in Boots, Thame) Mike Pearce, Will Wright and Mikey Kinnane.
NOW in its sixth year, the Chinnor Summer Beer Festival brings the whole village together for an afternoon of top quality local English ales and ciders, great food and awesome live music.
Muttz Knuttz entertain the crown at last year’s Chinnor Beer Festival
Entry is free and this year’s festival takes place from midday to around 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, at White’s Field, Mill Lane in Chinnor.
More than £20,000 has been raised for youth-related activities and projects in Chinnor from previous Beer Festivals, sometimes in support of an individual who wishes to undertake a project with community benefits, sometimes in support of local clubs and institutions, or as essential seed money for a larger local project.
Steve Bird, Chairman of the Chinnor Beer Festival, said: “The Festival is now an essential feature of the Chinnor social calendar and it’s been so successful that word is spreading to the local towns and villages. We’re proud to let them see what Chinnor has to offer and show what a great community pulling together can do to help support worthwhile local projects.”
Follow the Chinnor Beer Festival on social media, on Twitter: @chinnorbf or on the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ChinnorBeerFestival
THE strength of feeling against the proposed development of land at The Elms, Thame, for housing was made apparent at a packed public meeting on Thursday (14/08) called by the ‘Save The Elms’ group.
The large hall at the Thame Barns Centre begins to fill up for the ‘Save the Elms’ public meeting
It was standing room only for much of the meeting, lead by Tom Marianczar, with contriubutions from Richard Jeffries and Peter Webb, the leading promotors of a petition and campaign aimed at rallying opposition to the plan to build 45 homes on the site and associated plans to include a public space and alterations to the public park next door. The group wants the site completely removed from the Thame Neighbourhood Plan and the 45 homes allocated to other designated sites in the plan.
Tom Marianczar explained the main reasons behind the group’s opposition to the plans, including what he called, the site’s ‘questionable’ inclusion in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan, and his assertion that no town councillors were included in meetings that lead to The Elms being included in the TNP.
He questioned the validity of a ‘Heritage Statement’ submitted to the town council and the planning authority, and included in the assessment as to whether the Elms should be included in the TNP, that was commissioned and paid for by Rectory Homes, the developer that wishes to build on The Elms. He also questioned why a late letter from English Heritage stating that the proposed development at The Elms would be ‘deeply damaging to the setting’ of The Elms, was not drawn to the attention of town councillors at a meeting about the TNP in October 2012.
There was much discussion at Thursday’s public meeting about the proposed plan for changes to Elms Park itself, which the developer would pay for if planning permission was granted for the houses next door. Tom Marianczar explained that the local NAG group (Neighbourhood Action Group – now disbanded) had decided, after public consultation, to fence in the back of the park (the Windmill Road end) and so limit the entrance and exit points, to lessen opportunities for anti-social activity in the park. His contention was that providing another public entrance via The Elms, which is included in the plans, would negate this advantage.
Peter Butt, a previous Chair of the Thame NAG, was at Thursday’s meeting and keen to explain that, as there was no lighting in Elms Park then, the fencing provided the best value at the time. (See archive news report: https://www.thame.net/archives/5170)
Richard Jeffries added that he feared that opening up another public entrance to the park would result in an anti-social behaviour ‘free for all’, and that previous consultations by Rectory Homes at Thame town hall had shown two entrances to the proposed development.
Tom Marianczar drew the meeting’s attention to drawings showing the proposed changes to the Elms Park itself, which he said, failed to show clearly enough mounds which, if built, would hide important geological features of the site and which he suspected were ‘just a way to get rid of spoil’ from the building work at The Elms.
NB – Simon Vickers, who owns the land at The Elms, and is founder of Rectory Homes, the developer, speaking to Thame.Net for an earlier feature on the proposal, said: “It (the area of Elms Park) would only be used for this purpose if the Town Council, in consultation with the town, thought that mounds would be a good idea on the existing Park. If so, that would be a more environmentally [friendly] way of dealing with the spoils. There is however a substantial prospect that the details of improvements to the existing Park might not be agreed by the time we start on site. In which case the spoil would be taken away from Thame.” https://www.thame.net/archives/14513
Tom Marianczar then described how the plans for the park itself showed the removal of a belt of trees NOT in the park but in the Elms field itself, two metres from the proposed houses planned for on the boundary side. When he then produced, what he said was, an artist’s impression of what this row of terraced, three-storey properties would look like from the park, there was an audible gasp from the 90 or so people assembled there at the Thame Barns Centre.
Richard Jeffries also said that the proposals included the removal of 40 year-old, what the plans describe as ‘ornamental shrubs’. They would be thought, because of their 75 mm plus diameter, be the subject of a Preservation Order. If the plans went ahead, he said: “The treescape from the park would be replaced by an urban landscape.”
The other main areas of concern discussed during the presentation were vehicular access to the side from Windmill Road, extra traffic and consequent congestion in adjoining roads and junctions, car parking problems in roads around the proposed entrance, problems in Southern Road and Nelson Street created by large lorries shifting ‘thousands of tonnes’ of building materials during the building stage. There were also concerns about the effect on residents’ parking of a possible plan to make Nelson Street and Southern road one-way, from a resident of Southern Road, Chris Rees. Tom Marianczar replied that such a plan was only conjecture at the present time but was keen to remind the meeting that a previous application for seven new homes in Southern Road had been rejected by the planning authority in November, 2013, because of traffic problems.
Tom Marianczar then spoke about a recent statement from English Heritage, stating that it is against building houses ‘on the land to the south of The Elms’. “We are not able to support these plans as they currently stand as they would contravene the agreed Neighbourhood Plan and be harmful to the setting of this important historic listed building,” the statement goes on. (See archive feature: https://www.thame.net/archives/16271)
He concluded by saying that, although details of the plan were ‘unacceptable’, “We are not discussing the detail – we do not want it at all!”
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW; Discussion around the environmental and economic impact following part two of the presentation by Richard Jeffries.
THE organisers of the Towersey Festival have reassured residents that connections with the village of Towersey will be maintained after the festival moves to Thame Show Ground next year.
Musicians jam at The Three Horseshoes pub in Towersey during the 2013 festival
Writing in the Towersey Village newsletter, Joe and Steve Heap said: “Your Towersey Festival will be picked up piece by piece and delivered to the Thame Showground for the 2015 festival from 28-31 August. A little bit more room, some good roads and infrastructure, easy access but most of all remaining your Towersey Festival and very much staying part of the Village.
“We plan to continue to run sessions and Dance at The Pub and run a constant bus service between the new site and the village for all kinds of link ups. We are also working closely with the committee to create a Village Area on the new site; a place where Village organisations can come and set up stalls and sell their wares, talents and promote the Village.
“So a new decade for Towersey takes us to a new, exciting venue, where we plan to continue to support the Village in every way we can and retain all the links and history. It won’t’ be easy but let’s work together to make it work for us all and continue this unique and special cultural event.”
This year’s Towersey Festival, the 50th, runs from Thursday, August 21 to Monday, August 25. Full details and programme HERE
WOULD you like to hear more about the government’s recently announced incentive to help small business grow?
The Late Breakfast – Monthly networking
If you are a small business, with up to 49 employees, you will want to hear about the pilot scheme that awards vouchers of up to £2,000 to contribute towards your business getting strategic advice in a variety of areas.
A presentation from Christine Rayner of Tangram Ltd, will be the focus of this month’s The Late Breakfast networking event at The Spread Eagle Hotel, Cornmarket, Thame, on Thursday, August 21, between 9am and 10.30am.
Christine Rayner is an accredited supplier of the government’s Growth Vouchers, will look at why your business might be eligible to apply for this type of funding, the benefits you might see and how the scheme works.
The event is in the Eden Suite at the rear of The Spread Eagle Hotel, 16-17 Cornmarket, Thame, OX9 2BW The entry fee is £12 (including light refreshments)
You can either book to attend at the Late Breakfast website HERE to be listed on the guest list, or just turn up.
THAME United progressed to the next round of the FA Cup on Saturday (16/08), beating Cove 1-0 in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, ending their hosts 100% start to the season.
Despite the M25 traffic doing its best to disrupt the team, it was United who started the stronger of the two sides, with the home team unable to find any rhythm. Indeed, the only goal of the game arrived after 11 minutes when Conor McDonagh turned on the halfway line and fed a ball through to Luke Ricketts who beat his marker before calming sliding the ball under the advancing home goalkeeper. It was nearly two five minutes later when Ricketts this time found McDonagh who put the ball in the back of the net only to be called back for off-side.
Manager Mark West was then forced in to making changes as Ian Pykett fell awkwardly and was replaced with Phil Pykett, but the changes did little to disrupt the match, with the only other significant action before half-time being another Ricketts effort that the home keeper parried for a corner.
As expected, the home side started the second half on the front foot but continued to be met by a resolute Thame side. In fact, outside of set pieces, Cove were largely ineffectual although mid-way through the half they went close with two headers from corners. United themselves were always dangerous on the break with McDonagh again feeding Ricketts whose effort was skewed just wide with 15 minutes to go. Whilst Cove continued to press, they created few opportunities and it was United who held on and progress to the next round, where they will face Highmoor Ibis at the ASM Stadium on August 30.
United: Cockerill, I Pykett (P Pykett), Hall, Hercules, Rhodes, Mealing, Jones (Evans) , Morris, McDonagh (Burrows), West, Ricketts
THE Thame Players Theatre alterations and improvements are almost complete and soon the public will once again be able to enjoy the very best of local amateur dramatics and professional, visiting productions. Here’s a taste of what’s to come:
Quartet by Ronald Harwood – Tuesday, Saturday, September 9 – 13, at 7.45pm – The setting is a retirement home for musicians. Three elderly former opera-singers, who often worked together, are sitting in the music room. They are about to be joined by newcomer Jean, a major star in her day and to whom Reginald was once married. A gala concert is about to take place at the retirement home to celebrate Verdi’s birthday, will they sing together again. The show must go on… Writing for The Independent, Paul Taylor described the play as “an unashamed — no, shameless — vehicle for four feisty old troupers whose task is to make us laugh a little, sigh a little and cry a little as they take us into the bittersweet world of facing up to age and mortality.
The Neil Diamond Story – The life of a legend in song… Presented by Bob Drury; Sunday, September 21, at 7.45pm – As Neil Diamond prepares to mark 50 years at the top of his profession, singer and guitarist Bob Drury, described as the UK’s ‘Voice of Neil’, celebrates the life and work of this musical legend. Featuring iconic songs from a hit filled musical career such as Cracklin’ Rosi’, Sweet Caroline, Love on The Rock’, America’, Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show, Play Me and Girl You’ll be a Woman Soon alongside much loved album tracks and more recent acoustic material. Bob Drury’s one-man show is a must see for all Diamond fans.
Two Kinds of Teardrops – The Roy Orbison & Del Shannon story – Saturday, September 27, at 7.45pm – Roy Orbison and Del Shannon had much in common ….. exceptional vocal styles, distinctive sound, dramatic song structures – plus their links to The Traveling Wilburys.
This multi-media show spans five decades of some of the most dynamic songs of joy and pain ever expressed in popular music – with Mike VanDetta singing all the hits, complemented by a biographical narrative, giving a rare insight into Roy and Del’s truth-is-stranger-than-fiction personal life stories.
Mike has been a session singer, a published songwriter and performed with such diverse acts as jazz-pop maestro Georgie Fame and folk-blues legend John Martyn.
Tickets online from www.thameplayers.co.uk (10% booking fee applies) or Tickets Anywhere, Greyhound Walk, Thame 01844 217228
WHY not re-live the decade that fashion forgot – which is also remembered for its flouncy-cuffed New Romantics – low budget television programmes where more money was spent on the theme tune and the hairstyles than the screen writing. This was the decade where SodaStream and Blue Nun were household names.
Dr Kristian (left) and friend spins the 80s tunes in style – Photo by Nick White
Think back and reminisce with us about the time where Boy George was sparking gender confusion, Michael Jackson was King of Pop, Iceman was your wingman, and Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan were Ramsay Street’s most famous couple.
The Spread Eagle Hotel in Thame presents, on Friday, September 12, 2014, the date to re-live the glory days of the 1980s. Rummage through your wardrobe, shake up that hairspray, trowel on the eye-liner, splash on some Old Spice and crack open some Babycham.
Come dressed as your favourite 80s icon, or make a bold fashion statement! Dj Kristian will be spinning the best floor fillers from the best decade EVER!
Tickets £10 and are available from Fore Golf/Domino formal Hirewear, Buttermarket Thame. Jenny 0776 9647745 (Cash sales only please) Please spread the word and invite all your friends personally and on the Facebook events page for what will be an awesome night of party mayhem!
“Roads? Where we’re going, ……we don’t need roads” – Doc Brown, Back to the Future, 1985
THAME’S weekly market has been running almost non-stop for hundreds of years and the market traders are once again inviting everyone to go along to what has become the annual, Market Fun Day and celebrate all that is good about the local market.
Thame has held a market every Tuesday since its Charter in the 1500s.
The Thame Market Community Day will be taking place on Tuesday, August 19, in the Upper High Street car park, where there will be fun things to do including watching the street entertainers, having fun on the slides and face painting. There will also be the opportunity to meet and support many of the town’s local oganisations setting up stalls to promote their causes.
See what happens to your scrap food!
HAVE you ever wanted to know exactly what happens to your food scraps once they’ve been collected? If so, the district council has got just the tour for you!
Together with Agrivert, SODC’S contractors Biffa have arranged for a tour of the anerobic digestion facility in Wallingford so that you can see where your leftovers go – if you’ve not composted them or managed to get creative with another recipe.
Previous food waste tours have proved very popular, and the next one will be held on Wednesday, September 10, at 9.45am. If you’d like to take a look around, contact Alex Pyle from Biffa on 01865 409570 or email her at alex.pyle@biffa.co.uk.
Skate Park wins funding from Chill Out fund
THE Thame Skatepark Working Group’s fund towards replacing the town’s worn out skate park, is another £3,000 better off after successfully applying for funding from Oxfordshire County Council’s Chill Out Fund.
The fund supports those working with children and young people in Oxfordshire to ensure that they can access positive activities in their leisure time. The Working Group has so far raised £168,000 of the £250,000 needed and is currently waiting with crossed fingers for a response from Sport England regarding another funding application.
Town Councillor Casual Vacancy
THERE’S still time to apply for co-option onto Thame Town Council, to replace Andy Gunn who recently stepped down from the council. Those interested in taking up the challenge can send a letter of application to the Town Clerk, by August 22, 2014. Further details about the role and guidance on how to apply can be found on the council’s website HERE
The pattern of the match was similar to the opening game of the season against Highmoor Ibis, with United unable to make early chances pay, only to then find themselves chasing the game. As early as the first minute Conor McDonagh was put through on goal but was unable to get his shot away before and five minutes later the same player saw a 25-year shot tipped over the bar by Rob Bullivant. The next chance fell to Danny Jones on 15 minutes whose drive from the edge of the box was well saved by Bullivant.
