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Category: Thame news

  • Two new grants mean ‘bigger & better’ shows

    THAME Players Theatre Company, whose 70th anniversary falls this year, has just been awarded grants worth £10,000 from two funding organisations, The Theatres Trust and The Foyle Foundation, towards its Building A Better Theatre refurbishment campaign.

    TheatreCompilation (322x450)The Theatres Trust has announced its fifth round of small capital grants to theatres across the nation, in which Thame Players was one of five theatres fortunate enough to receive a grant of £5,000. This grant goes towards the installation of a moveable wall system to improve the size and flexibility of the stage and enables Thame Players to complete their stage refurbishment. It also helps to complete a larger capital project which will improve the quality of the theatre and increase the seating capacity from its present 119 to 132.

    Mhora Samuel, Director of The Theatres Trust, said: “I’m delighted that we are able to help five more theatres with small grants from the Theatres Protection Fund. The support we receive from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and Judy Craymer MBE towards our Small Grants Scheme is making a real difference to these theatres.”

    The old stage wall is removed to make way for the new stage extension at The Players Theatre, Thame
    The old stage wall is removed to make way for the new stage extension at The Players Theatre, Thame

    The Trust’s Small Grants Scheme helps theatres in need and at risk to address urgent building repairs, improve their operational viability, introduce environmental improvements, and enhance physical accessibility.

    The Foyle Foundation has also just awarded a grant of £5,000 to Thame Players to help them complete their Building A Better Theatre Project. The Foundation was formed in 2001 to implement the terms of the will of the late Christina Foyle. She was the daughter of William Foyle who, with his brother, founded the family owned bookshop Foyles in Charing Cross Road, London, which she continued to manage after her father’s death. The Foyle Foundation’s Small Grants Scheme is designed to support smaller charities in the UK, especially those working at grass roots and local community level, in any field, across a wide range of activities.

    Thame Players Theatre Company, a non-professional theatre group and a registered charity founded in 1944, has owned The Players Theatre since 1977. It is the only dedicated theatre and cinema serving the town of Thame and surrounding area, presenting a variety of productions by Thame Players and other visiting companies and also screening films throughout the year. Pat Shepherd, Chairman of Thame Players, comments, “I am delighted that we have been successful in winning these two important grants from The Theatres Trust and The Foyle Foundation, which will make a massive contribution to our fundraising programme and help us complete the building work that is now underway. The major work involved in enlarging the stage and moving it further back, together with other improvements, will mean that more people can be accommodated to see more shows, there will be a better view from anywhere in the theatre, and more ambitious productions can be put on, so audiences can enjoy a greater variety of theatrical and cinema entertainment.”

    Thame Players are also grateful for grants and donations received from South Oxfordshire District Council, Thame Town Council, The Garfield Weston Foundation, The Oxfordshire Community Foundation, The Doris Field Trust, The Pye Charitable Settlement, The Mayor of Thame’s Charitable Fund, The Rotary of Thame, businesses and private donors.

    The next Thame Players’ production, when the theatre re-opens next month following completion of the building work, will be Quartet by Ronald Harwood from September 9 – 13, 2014 More information: LINK

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Thame pedestrian killed on M40

    THAMES Valley Police is urging witnesses who may have seen a pedestrian killed by a lorry on the M40 yesterday (Monday), to come forward.

    police_accidentThe man who died is reported to have been a 40-year-old from Thame (Source: Oxford Mail).

    The emergency services were called to the scene on M40 between Junction 8A and 9 at 2.50pm yesterday . The vehicle involved was a white, curtain-sided lorry. The man was pronounced dead by a doctor at the scene. He has not yet been named.

    The road was closed for approximately two hours while a forensic collision investigation was carried out by the police.

    PC Matthew Booker, from the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing, said: “We would like to appeal for anyone who witnessed the collision, or who saw any of the vehicles prior to or at the time of the collision, to contact the investigating officer PC Polly Jacobs based at Bicester Roads Policing on 101 quoting URN 835 of 4/8 .”

    If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

  • New garden celebrates 50 years of housing the elderly

    A new garden was officially opened at Pearce Court in Windmill Road, Thame, yesteday (Wednesday, August 6), to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Thame & District Housing Association.

    Cynthia Haynes and Trevor Cook concentrate hard and take their marks before cutting the ribbon to launch the new garden at TDHA Windmill Road
    Cynthia Haynes and Trevor Cook concentrate hard and take their marks before cutting the ribbon to launch the new garden at TDHA Windmill Road – Photo: Nick White Photography

    Two very special, senior Thame people, Mrs Cynthia Haynes, a founder member of the association, and Mr Trevor Cook, a member since 1964, cut the ribbon between them before a buffet lunch and cream teas were served to all the members and friends of the association and invited guests.

    Among the dignitories at the garden party to help celebrate the TDHA’s contribution to the elderly people of Thame, was Mrs Ann Midwinter, the current Chairman of South Oxfordshire District Council, who Cynthia Haynes recalled mentoring as a young councillor many years before.

    Cynthia, whose family kept Haynes Garage where Barclays Bank is now, initiated the housing trust 50 years ago. She recalled how she approached the local councils in the early 1960s about forming a housing association to provide accommodation for the elderly where they could still keep their independance. With a small group of other business people in the town that each contributed something to the Association, Cynthia provided the typewriter and a filing cabinet to get the Association going and to search for funding.

    The Thame and District Housing Association was finally born in 1964 and the first flats were built, those on the corner of Croft Road, known as Croft Court. The man who helped Cynthia cut the ribbon at the 50th celebrations, Trevor Cook, was involved in the original surveying work and the demolition of the old cinema that stood on the site of Croft Court. The architect was James Adamson of Dinton. Trevor has been a member ever since as well as being a long-time Chairman of the now disbanded Thame Conservation Advisory Committee, set up to advise the town and district councils on planning applications within the Thame Conservation area.

    Cynthia actually left Thame with her family, including three sons, for a period and moved to Devon. But she returned six years ago to live out her latter years at Summersby Court, the lease-hold flats in Windmill Road, the latest addition to Thame & District Housing Association’s sheltered and serviced properties. She recalled how Thame’s population was 3,000 when she left, and almost 12,000 when she returned 16 years later, but although there had been changes, she said, Thame ‘had not been ruined and had still retained the same charm.’

    Trevor meanwhile had stayed in Thame and worked as a local government officer for Oxfordshire County Council before moving to South Oxfordshire District Council in 1970, where he worked in the Technical Services Department until it was dissolved, and he retired.

    Asked if he was surprised that 50 years later there were still people who needed help with accommodation, Trevor replied that he was not. “Unfortunately, whatever the economic situation, the poor are always with us who need aid and assistance,” he replied.

  • Public meeting called by Elms opposition group

    THE opposition group against any development on the land next to Elms Park, known as The Elms, has organised a public meeting to discuss the proposed plans, which were officially registered on Monday (04/08).

    The meadow land at The Elms in Thame where a development of 45 homes is proposed
    The meadow land at The Elms in Thame where a development of 45 homes is proposed

    The meeting, organised by the ‘Save The Elms’ petition group, will be at the Thame Barns Centre on Thursday, August 14, at 7.30pm.

    The group claims that opposition to the proposal, and a second plan to make changes to the facilities at Elms Park itself, is growing and has written an open letter to Thame’s MP, John Howell, about their main concerns. The letter can be read in full here: LINK http://www.elmspetition.org.uk/an-open-letter-to-john-howell-mp

    Full details about the ‘Save The Elms’ group’s objections and objectives can be found on its website: http://www.elmspetition.org.uk/ No need to register to attend the meeting; just turn up.

    The plans for the proposed development can be found on South Oxfordshire District Council’s website here:  LINK

    You can read all Thame.Net’s back stories about these controversial plans, including contributions to the Thame Community Forum Page here: LINK  https://www.thame.net/?s=Elms

  • A Century on, Thame Remembers

    ONE hundred years ago to the day, World War One was declared and dozens of Thame’s young men left home, many of them leaving from Thame railway station, to join the fighting, some never to return from a war that killed millions.

    Thame's Town Crier, Anthony Church, doffs his hat to fallen of Thame
    Thame’s Town Crier, Anthony Church, doffs his hat to fallen of Thame

    Yesterday, August 3, a century on, the town celebrated the lives of its lost sons in a collective act of remembrance, and witnessed the launch of the Thame Remembers Project, beginning the ambitious challenge to deliver a special, Thame Remembers cross to the grave or memorial of each and every person named on a War Memorial in Thame, where ever in the world that may be.

    The programme began with a service at St Mary’s church, packed with local people of all ages and many dignitaries, who heard Churchwarden, Helena Fickling read Wilfred Owen’s moving poem, 1914, which begins with the heart-searing words: “War broke: and now the Winter of the world, With perishing great darkness closes in.”

    Pastor Paddy Harris, of Thame’s Cornerstone Church, read the Reflection and Cllr Nick Carter read W W Gibson’s poem, The Messages, which contains the devastating chorus of: “I cannot quite remember…..There were five dropped dead beside me in the trench – and three whispered their dying messages to me….”

    Afterwards, the congration filed out of the church processing behind a lone piper who lead them through the church yard, passing several grave stones marked with a fluttering, scarlet ribbon. The ribbons marked a war casualty whose memorial would soon receive a special ‘Thame Remembers’ cross to start the long, world-wide journey towards achieving the aims of the challenge.

    Corporal Tom Bowen, who lives in Thame, with a WW1 machine gun
    Rifleman Tom Bowen, who lives in Thame, with a WW1 machine gun

    What looked like a tented encampment from across Church Meadow, included an exhibition of military weaponry, uniforms and artifacts, an exhibition about the various tunnels and trenches that are still being explored today by ex army major and military historian, Ian Jones of Thame, and colleagues; a refreshments tent, and exhibition and videos about the project. Tom Bowen, a serving soldier who lives in Thame, was just one of many uniformed, Thame representatives of the modern fighting forces, most of whom themselves, like Tom and Ian, have lost good friends fighting in more modern battles around the world.

    Then came the most significant part of the evening. As a bugler played Reveille, one-by-one, the names of 31 of Thame’s fallen, when and where they were killed and are buried or remembered, was read out. As each name was recalled, a Thame person – sometimes a relative, accompanied by a young person, often a Scout or Guide, processed to that particular graveside where they spoke a few words of recognition of his great sacrifice, before laying a small Thame Remembers cross infront of the headstone. Once all the crosses had been delivered to their respective graves, the evocative sound of the bugle call of Last Post was the signal for all the cross layers to wend their way back through the gravestones and return to the gathering. (See video: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thamenews/14651913469/in/photostream

    As most of those who had gone to share in commemorating their fellow townsmen began their journey homeward, some remained to join a vigil in the church, to remember those who never did make it home, and one, Pte William Honour, of the Army Service Corps, who did make it back to Thame, but died of his wounds on Thursday, April 13, 1916, aged 42, in Thame Cottage Hospital.

    You can find out more about the ‘Thame Remembers’ project, including a list of casualties and how to get involved in the challenge by visiting the Thame Remembers website.

  • New Labour MEP speaks to the troops

    THE newly-elected Labour MEP for the South-East region, Anneliese Dodds, has been talking about her new role as a member of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in the European Parliament.

    MEP Anneliese Dodds, speaking at the European Parliament where she recently secured a commitment to social housing from European finance ministers
    MEP Anneliese Dodds, speaking at the European Parliament where she recently secured a commitment to social housing from European finance ministers

    Speaking at a recent garden party, hosted by the Thame Labour Party, Anneliese explained the essential role the EU will be playing in tackling ongoing unemployment issues particularly. She noted: “One in five of young people unemployed in the EU is British. This is our problem as well, and we must tackle it together with our partners in Europe.”

    Held on a glorious summer afternoon, 30 local Labour Party Members and supporters gathered to discuss local and national politics and to thank Labour activists and Councillors, and to pay tribute to the work of retiring Thame Town Councillor, Andy Gunn.

    The local Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Sam Juthani, said, “Andy has been a hard-working and dedicated Town Councillor, and is held in high esteem by all who work with him. I want to thank him for all he has done to support Labour values in Thame over many years, and wish him a very happy retirement.”

    Sam also reiterated his commitment to work for the residents of Thame, and across the Henley constituency, ahead of the May 2015 general election.

  • Witnesses sought in Thame cattle rustling shock!

    THE herd of Thame cows, dotted around the town as mobile notice boards, are two down this week, following the sad news that a second cow has been stolen.

    Sadly, Ermintrude, who was in the care of Abbotts Office Solutions, in Station Yard, Thame, was, the company has revealed, subject to a spot of ‘cattle rustling’ at the beginning of the year. Her padlock and chain where cut and she has not been seen since.

    Another of the Thame cows disappeared a few weeks ago from Racquets Fitness Centre – based fittingly enought, at the rear of the Cattlemarket car park in Thame. Then there was Mabel, who went walk-about over the Christmas break from outside Jordan’s courtyard. She was spotted one night outside The Swan Inn, then further down Swan Walk the next night and finally seen peering out into Wellington Street from where three strong regulars from The Swan, kindly carried her back home.

    There is though something being ‘moooooooted’ that could, potentially, bring a new lease of life for the Thame cows, expecially those in need of a bit of TLC like the poor old cow outside the Citizens Advice Bureau who had one of her horns broken off and was sprayed with pink paint by vandals a few months ago.

    It’s all a bit ‘hush hush’ at the moment and depends on some funding that is being applied for right now, but watch this space and hopefully some exciting news for fans of the Thame cows will shortly be revealed, in time for the Thame Food Festival in September.

    Residents of Thame have enthusiastically welcomed the herd of cows to the town over the last 18 months – there was even a ‘Save the Thame Cows’ campaign when the town council threatened to have them banned. The cows in question are life size models featuring advertising boards which have been stationed at various sites in the town and used to promote local community events. The herd consists of 10 adults and two baby calves, one outside A Piece of Cake in the Upper High Street, and another which lives at Lotte’s Cafe in Chinnor where ‘he’ Brian, thinks he’s a girl and is happy to be adorned with a pink, chiffon scarf.

    Brian the bull calf looking pretty in pink, safely inside at Lotte's Kitchen in Chinnor
    Brian the bull calf looking pretty in pink, safely inside at Lotte’s Kitchen in Chinnor

    The cows were provided by 21st Century Thame and formed part of a project to promote market towns, which was funded by South Oxfordshire District Council and LEADER, a European Commission programme that supports community-led local economic development in rural areas. The herd are looked after by various businesses throughout the town.

  • Timing of Elms plan questioned by ‘appalled’ resident

    Dear Editor,  As a local resident and patron of Elms park, I was appalled to find out that someone had (Ed. applied for ?) planning permission to change the layout, look and feel of one of Thame’s beautiful open spaces. I am also deeply disappointed that the time chosen to put in the application has been done during the school holidays, removing the ability of local residents to have their say on things which will change the outlook and feel of a publicly owned space. I have also seen the plans and to be honest it’s quite possibly the worst idea I think I have ever seen printed on paper.  The developers should be ashamed of themselves for thinking they could scar our town with Lego houses, on land we all own, by dangling carrots of new furniture and play parks…

    I am calling for the town council to put a stop to this development and not make a mockery of the good work they have done in asking the people of Thame where future developments should be. This whole thing has been piggy backed in under the guise of a decent town plan.

    I look forward to others’ comments.

    Alan Hutchinson

  • Who will benefit from Elms Park plan?

    DEAR Editor,  The latest ploy in the attempt to build houses on Elms Field is a planning application to ‘improve’ Elms Park – land which is owned by Thame Council, which means owned by Thame residents. Strangely, this application is made by the developer, not by the Council, which surely needs no consent to improve the park. The situation becomes suspect when the so-called ‘improvements’ are examined.

    The valuable and mature trees which the developer and Planning Consent applicant, Rectory Homes, wishes to remove are in Elms field, not the park, so how do they get involved in a park improvement application? The benefit is entirely to Rectory because a line of their proposed houses are shown situated within a few metres of the park / Elms Field fenceline. Furthermore, since the houses will never be built if Thame residents are listened to, there is no point in chopping down the trees in advance.

    Also, from the park’s point of view, the basketball court is perfectly okay where it is – but its position does not suit Rectory who do not want it in close proximity to their hoped-for houses.

    Same with the mounds. These destroy the park’s historical ridge and furrow archaeology, which corresponds with the burgage plot orientation of the town of Thame. The mounds are simply a cheap way for Rectory to get rid of spoil emanating from the digging of house foundations.

    Same again with the proposed new path between Elms field and the park. It is of no benefit to anybody other than the possible future owners of Rectory’s expensive new homes. Furthermore, its creation contravenes the contract which the Council signed in 1948. That conveyance deed makes it clear that the gift of land for the park was made on the understanding that the Elms and its environment, which includes Elms field, would be protected and that there would be no right of access from one to the other. Councillors who renege on this contractural obligation risk being sued by the constituents they are supposed to represent.

    Why, one may ask, is the current Town Council appearing to collude in the so-called ‘improvement’ application?

    Thame’s residents and friends should be aware of any ‘smoke and mirrors’. They can sign the petition against development on Elms field, either by logging in to elmspetition.org.uk  or by by signing a paper copy at PetCare in Cornmarket.

  • Plans officially in for houses at The Elms

    FOLLOWING close on the heels of a controversial planning application for changes to Elms Park in Thame, by Rectory Homes Ltd, a second planning application, reference P14/S2176/FUL, for a housing development at Land adjoining the park, known as The Elms, Upper High Street, Thame, has been officially registered with South Oxfordshire District Council.

    A current view of The main house at The Elms from Elms Park, Thame
    A current view of The main house at The Elms from Elms Park, Thame

    The latest application is for the erection of 45 dwellings and the creation of new public open space; provision of new vehicle access from Elms Road and a new pedestrian/cycle link on to Upper High Street with associated infrastructure works and landscaping.

    You can see details of the application on SODC’s website by clicking this LINK  http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P14/S2176/FUL

    The supporting documentation with this application includes a Statement of Community Engagement: LINK   http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/support/dynamic_serve.jsp?ID=315660620&CODE=F197499321243B90A5DEC863365BA7AE 

    Another, associated planning application, reference P14/S2395/LB, for development work at Land at The Elms, has also been submitted. It is for: “Works and alterations as follows: (i) Partial demolition of the boundary wall along Elms Road and creation of vehicle entrance with erection of new plinth walls and painted metal railings with 2no. brick piers; (ii) the removal of wooden gates at site entrance on Upper High Street and repairs to 2no.existing piers; (iii) the erection of 2no. new stone piers and timber boarded electric gates at the private entrance to The Elms; (iv) new timber boarded gates at the entrance to the annex to The Elms (32a) with repairs to 2no. existing stone entrance piers; (v) erection of a new 2m high stone boundary wall to the annex to The Elms (32a); (vi) the erection of 2no. new bollards; (vii) the partial demolition of an existing brick wall and creation of a new footpath and cycleway; (viii) repairs and refurbishment of existing stone ha-ha and provision of new metal fencing.

    You can see details of this application by clicking this LINK  http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P14/S2395/LB