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Category: Thame news

  • Thame news is back: What’s been happening?

    JHS tag rugby team 2014
    JHS tag rugby team 2014

    YES, ThameNews is back after a couple of week’s in sunny, Southern Spain, but news has still been happening, so here’s an ‘in-brief’ review of local news from the past two weeks.

    JOHN Hampden Primary School, Thame’s Tag rugby team is through to the TAG2 Twickenham Regionals after bringing The Chairman’s County Cup back to Thame.

    The Tag Rugby Tournament, which claims to be the former holder of the World Record for the largest Tag Rugby Competition held on one day, saw yet another great turnout. John Hampden reached the semi-finals without losing a single game. In what was an exciting semi-final, the team fought their way back from 3-1 down to win 5 – 4. The game was fast flowing, demonstrating great rugby skills and exceptional team work. They then went on to win the final 6-4.

    Team Captain Bridget said: “It was a fabulous experience for all of us and we really enjoyed it. It was amazing rugby by everyone. We tried especially hard this year and definitely deserved it.” John Hampden will now represent the county at the regionals to be held at The Rugby School in July.

    THE Governing Body of John Hampden and Tetsworth Primary Schools’ Federation are looking to fill two vacancies that have recently arisen for two Community Governors – one for Thame and one for Tetsworth.

    Community Governors play a vital role as links between the schools and their local communities. If you would like to know more or you believe that you have specific skills to offer the Board of Governors, please contact the Chair of Governors, Mary Stiles, on 01844 213851 or 07779654840 or email maryandstella@aol.com

    A NEW public consultation the revised numbers, upwards, and destribution of new houses in the district, which would affect Thame, has been launched by SODC. Full details of  the consultation, ‘Local Plan 2031 Issues and Scope’ can be found at: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/planning-policy/local-plan- 2031-issues-and-scope

    ARE you part of a community-based organisation with a project in mind for a good spruce-up? Has world cup fever highlighted the need to improve your community sports pitches?  Or perhaps your village hall could do with a new kitchen to help cater for community events? South Oxfordshire District Council, is running a grant scheme that might be the one for you. Their Communities Capital Grant scheme is currently open and closes on June 25,  so if you get a move on you could still get an application in. More information:http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/community-advice-and-support/grants-and-community-loans

    AS part of National Care Home Open Day, Meadowcroft, Thame’s residential Care Home for the elderly, will be open to visitors on Friday, June 20, for both a Coffee Morning  9.30-12.00, and Afternoon Tea 1.30-4pm. The Address is 78 Queens Road, Thame, OX9 3NQ.  Meadowcroft’s Summer Fete this year, will be on Saturday August 2, 2pm- 4pm. Stalls will include tombola, raffle, cakes, teas, bricabrac and gifts.

    EVER thought about volunteering? If you have any spare time, why not become part of a team at the Cancer Research UK shop in Thame? Make new friends, learn new skills
    and help to beat Cancer.

    If this sounds like something you would like to do why not get in touch, please contact the Maria the Manager on 01844 261531 or pop in for a chat, they’re a friendly bunch! The shop is at 60 North Street, opposite the Library.

    KAREN Collett, Headteacher at Haddenham St Mary’s Church of England School in Buckinghamshire, is committed to finding a healthy solution to the government initiative
    stipulating the return of free school meals from September.

    Karen believes that the seemingly commendable legislation has: “….failed to take into account obstructions set to limit implementation, for example the fact that the majority of schools stripped out their kitchens when they were no longer required to provide on site catering for pupils.”

    She was frustrated by the solution presented to her – airplane style meals delivered to the school. “The purpose of reinstating free school meals is to tackle obesity and
    ensure pupils have a balanced meal that educates them about nutrition,” she said. “Mass produced foods packaged up in plastic trays are not the best way to achieve this
    objective. Nor are they likely to be the cheapest given that suppliers will want a profit margin from the £2.30 allocated per child.”

    Karen is passionate about finding a workable alternative and is hosting a Food Conference at her school, on June 27, 9.30am-3pm, to explore options with a team of experts including Raymond Blanc, nutritionist Amanda Ursell, Chair of the National Obesity Forum Tam Fry, Juliane Noble from the Jamie Oliver Foundation and Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins.

    HOLIDAY activity fun all summer long – If your children are looking for new and exciting things to do this summer then why not check out the South and Vale Summer Holiday Progamme. You can see details on the website: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/news/2014/2014-06/holiday-activity-fun-all-summer-long

    THAME’S District Councillor, Ann Midwinter, has been appointed as the new Chair of South Oxfordshire District Council. Mrs Midwinter replaces Cllr Dorothy Brown, with whom she was Vice Chair last year. Cllr Midwinter’s chosen charities for the year of her office are SeeSaw and the Royal British Legion. Thame’s District Cllr David Dodds, will have the port folios for Finance, Waste and Parks.

    BOTH local district councils are getting tough on fly-tipping and several prosecutions and fines have been issued in the last few months. To find out more about fly tipping and how to report it, visit the website: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/news/2014/2014-06/clean-living-south-oxfordshire-and-vale-white-horse

    FIND out more about your waste during Recycle Week 2014. There is a packed diary of environmentally friendly events planned to celebrate Recycle Week in Oxfordshire from June 14 to 22. The week is the annual national celebration of all the work that is done to get the most out of waste and help residents to maximise the amount that is
    recycled.

    Highlights from the list of events include the chance to meet with “master composters” and get more out of your green and kitchen waste on 21 and 22 June. The Master
    Composters programme aims to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste being sent to landfill, by encouraging more people to start composting at home and supporting
    those already doing so.

    On 17 June, there is an opportunity to see behind the scenes at the anaerobic digestion plant at Wallingford. This fascinating facility processes over 50,000 tonnes of solid
    and liquid wastes a year, generating 2.4MW of electricity and producing an excellent biofertiliser.

    Events
    Saturday 14 June
    Recycling Roadshow at Berinsfield Fete
    Time: 12pm – 3pm
    Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council

    Monday 16 June
    Recycling Roadshow, Westgate Centre, Oxford
    Time: 10am-4pm
    Organised by Oxford City

    Monday 16 June
    Recycling Roadshow, Town Centre Shop, Witney
    Time: 10am-3pm
    Organised by West Oxfordshire District Council

    Tuesday 17 June
    Anaerobic digestion plant tour Crowmarsh
    Time: 9.45am – 10.45am
    Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council

    Tuesday 17 June
    Recycling Roadshow at Abingdon Tesco
    Time: 1pm – 4pm
    Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council

    Wednesday 18 June
    Recycling Roadshow at Didcot Tesco
    Time: 9am – 12pm
    Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council

    Wednesday 18 June
    Recycling Talk at WI Meeting Stanford in the Vale
    Time: 7pm – 9pm
    Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council

    Thursday 19 June
    Composting In Vessel and Anaerobic Digestion facilities Tours at Ardley – to book a place email recycling@oxford.gov.uk<mailto:recycling@oxford.gov.uk>
    Orgainsed by Oxford City Council

    Friday 20 June
    Recycling Roadshow, Town Centre Shop, Witney
    Time: 10am-3pm
    Organised by West Oxfordshire District Council

    Friday 20 June
    Broken Spoke drop-in bike fixing workshop, The Story Museum, Pembroke St, Oxford.
    Time: 11am-5pm
    Organised by Community Action Groups

    Saturday 21 June
    Broken Spoke drop-in bike fixing workshop, The Story Museum, Pembroke St, Oxford.
    Time: 11am-5pm
    Organised by Community Action Groups

    Saturday 21 June
    Swap Shop at Gladstone Road Community Ctr, Headington, Oxford.
    Time: 11am-1pm
    Organised by Community Action Groups

    Saturday 21 June
    Love Food Hate Waste demonstration of cooking with leftovers at the Tandem Festival, Hill End, Oxford.
    Time: 10am-5pm
    Organised by Oxfordshire County Council

    Saturday 21 June
    Master Composters stall for advice on home composting at Fun on the Green event at Wolvercote, Oxford.
    Time: 1pm-4.30pm
    Organised by Oxfordshire County Council

    Sunday 22 June
    Master Composters stall for advice on home composting at Beckley Village Open Gardens.
    Time: 11am-4pm
    Organised by Oxfordshire County Council

    Sunday 22 June
    Master Composters stall for advice on home composting at Letcombe Regis Family Day
    Time: 2pm-4.30pm
    Organised by Oxfordshire County Council

  • Bid for funding to create jobs

    A BID is to be launched to bring substantial funding for rural development projects to Oxfordshire. A group representing businesses and community organisations, with support from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils, is set to apply for a share of £138million LEADER funding which is being made available to help bring about projects to boost the rural economy across the country.

    Image courtesy of ruralhubscommunity.co.uk
    Image courtesy of ruralhubscommunity.co.uk

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The Government wants local people to fund projects that boost the rural economy and rural communities. To help with this bid for funding SODC is keen to hear from any rural business that has plans that will benefit their local area. It could be a project that creates new jobs or provides new or improved services.To find out more, visit: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/news/2014/2014-06/bid-be-launched-funding-boost-rural-oxfordshire

  • How about Pimms, Blues and Punch & Judy?

    TOWERSEY Manor is once more to be the beautiful setting for this year’s Towersey Fete, on Sunday, June 22, with all the attractions of a traditional village fete in the lovely garden, from 12.30 – 4.00pm.

    2014 Poster (262x350)Last year’s Towersey fete was a resounding success with record attendances, and with children’s and adult’s races (egg and spoon, sack race etc) and competitions for the best scones, fairy cakes and lego models, the village is hoping for an even better turn out.

    Refreshments include BBQ, beer, Pimms and ice creams and cream teas and cakes in the beautiful barn. Debbie Mellor, who is helping to promote the event, said: “We are hoping to continue our successful run of warm sunny weather – relax in the gardens, take a garden tour and enjoy rock and blues band The Notations with singer Hayley Gomm.

    “Stalls include bric-a-brac, plants, cakes, preserves and crafts, tombola, toys and books, and the Manor Boutique stocking nearly new ladies’ clothes. For children, there’s a bouncy castle, and Professor Boodle’s Punch & Judy show. Towersey Morris will be dancing in the courtyard and the Village Voices Community Choir will perform some of their songs. Last but not least, there is the chance to win one of many very attractive prizes in the Grand Raffle or place a bid in the Silent Auction.

    “Plenty of free parking (including disabled parking) will be available off Manor Road in a field close to Towersey Manor. Admission price is just £1 for adults, with accompanied children up to the age of 12 admitted free. Website for further details: www.towerseyfete.org.uk

  • Kubota prepare to get sporty at Thame Carnival

    THAME based manufacturer, Kubota UK, will continue its 35-year celebrations this month by taking part in the Thame Carnival which is to be held in the town centre.

    Kubota, based in Thame, is celebrating 35 years in the town
    Kubota, based in Thame, is celebrating 35 years in the town

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The groundcare and construction specialist, which has had its home in Thame, Oxon, since 1979, will take part in the yearly celebration as a thank you to the local community that has played a big role in the continued success of the brand.

    The theme for this year’s event is ‘The world of Sport’ and Kubota will be dressing a range of its machinery and taking part in a number of activities throughout the day in celebration.

    To kick things off, Kubota will be hosting an open day at its factory from 9.30-11.30am, where they will invite the local community to come in and take a look around. On display will be a range of tractors and excavators, with on-going demonstrations throughout the morning showing how the world famous Kubota engines are put to use.

    At midday, the festivities will continue with two decorated Kubota floats and a selection of RTVs joining the carnival procession.

    The brand will also display a big marquee in the recreation ground where they will hold activities for all the family including kids games such as ‘throw the ball in the excavator bucket’ and tractor rides around a specially built track. All funds that are raised by Kubota on the day of the event will be given to the chosen charities of Thame Town Council.
    Dave Roberts, Kubota UK Managing Director, commented: “Thame has been our UK home for many years, employing over 100 staff, and we’re extremely proud to continue to play a role in this thriving community.

    “The Kubota brand has gone from strength to strength since we first set down roots here, with many of our staff born and raised in the area.

    “it is great for us to get involved in such a popular local event and give something back to the local people that have been a great support to us.”

    For more information about Kubota,  visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.

  • ‘It’s gonna be hot, hot, hot’ for Carnival this Saturday!

    CARNIVAL weather has been predicted for this Saturday, June 14, and the anticipation among Thame’s sports and many of the various activitity groups the town is blessed with, is growing as the town prepares to comes together to celebrate ‘The World of Sports and Recreation’.

    little_thame_carnival (362x400)“Our main idea for this year,” explained Carnival Committee Member, Tom Mackriell, “is to bring together as many of our local community groups together in one place and to celebrate the diversity and talent we have in our town and of course we cannot ignore the impending World Cup celebrations. So we are hoping to see lots of people making as much noise as possible and generally having a real good time!

    “The Weather is set to be fantastic on Saturday so we want everyone to bring the whole family down to the town centre, and Southern Road Rec afterwards, and join in the celebrations with us. There’ll be entertainment from Thame Youth Theatre, Thame Stagecoach, Kaso Studios and a local Zumba group, a fabulous steel band, Pet Care’s annual dog show and a fly over by a Lancaster Bomber!

    As usual there will be an array of marvellous stalls, a BBQ and tea and coffee (and cake) provided by Thame Scouts ,and new this year a BEER TENT!

    Tom’s final, clarion call is: “This year is set to be the best carnival yet, and to make sure that it is a great success we need as many people as possible to attend. Through YOUR support this event will survive for generations to come and continue to be the focal point of our community that it has always been.”

    Full details of the Carnival, the route, the timings, the FREE bus service etc are on the website: https://www.thame.net/thame-community/thame-carnival and you can follow all the updates and comments on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ThameCarnival2014

  • Racquets hosts British #1 Squash Champion exhibition

    EXCITING results from Racquets Graded Tournaments and excitement at playing British Closed Champion

    admin-ajaxOver last weekend 50 people played in the Racquets June Open Graded Tournament and enjoyed watching the British Closed squash champion exhibit how the game is played professionally in a social but competitive game with local professional Will John.

    Our tournament, designed to allow everyone – of all standards and all ages – to play and enjoy the great games of squash and racketball, saw top county players playing alongside juniors and ladies who have only been playing the game for weeks and months.

    The ladies grade was won by a relative new comer to the game, Alice Draycott from London, who had to borrow a racket for each game.  The junior beginners tournament was competed for by 5 boys and girls who have been playing only since the beginning of the year.  Chris Watts, from Barley Hill Primary School, won the grade which was played in true competitive but clean sporting fun.

    Other grades, including a racketball doubles tournament, were entered by players ranging in experience from a few years of playing right up to those who’ve been playing for over 30 years !  One of two were back from a break from the game as the buzz of the club this year has been inspiring them to start playing again.  Beth John who has been playing squash at Racquets for 15 years won the Racketball doubles with Ossie Mustafa who is recovering from a back injury with help from the Racquets gym staff.

    The winners of the tournaments walked away with some neat prizes sponsored by Meritus Hotels and a sense of achievement as many have played few, if any, tournaments before.

    Peter-Hopkins-Annabel-Bacon-Alison-Waters-Exhibition-webAlison Waters played 10 of the tournament entrants each including juniors who’ve been playing for a few months and Peter and Annabel, pictured here, were so excited to have the chance to play such a top professional player.

    Alison Waters appears to have enjoyed visiting our Thame club as she tweeted ‘@Simonracquets great night @Racquetsfitness playing exhibition with @WillROJohn. Great club and people! Hope to be back…’ from @AliWat1.

  • Theft from a vehicle – Thame

    Thames Valley Police Alert
    Thames Valley Police Alert

    Overnight between 30th and 31st May, a vehicle in Thame was broken into.
     
    Offender(s) broke a window to gain entry to a white Ford transit van parked in Ormond Road and stole power tools.
     
    If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message please call the police on 101 and state you are responding to a Thames Valley Alert message.
     
    Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online @ crimestoppers-uk.org.  No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

  • Thame Duck Race 2014 – The Return Of Captain Ducky!

    Duck Race 2013 presented by the Round Table, ThameSUNDAY June 15, sees the return of Thame & District Round Table’s annual duck race, held as usual on the morning after Thame Carnival.

    The race, which involves dropping more than 2,000 rubber ducks into the River Thame, has now been running for more than 10 years and has long become a family favourite in Thame’s summer calendar.

    Tickets always sell well, so you will need to be quack off the mark if you don’t want to miss out! You can still buy tickets at the Falcon and Cross Keys pubs and on Saturday 7th June, Thame Air Cadets will be selling tickets outside the Town Hall. They will also be available on the Duck Race stall at Thame fete the following Saturday, the day before the race, immediately after the Carnival. There will also be some tickets on sale at the start line on the morning of the race.

    The race starts on the old town bridge, accessed from the bottom of Priest End, behind St Mary’s church.  Gates open at 10.45am and the race will start at 11.00.

    Thame Duck Race is organised each year by Thame & District Round Table, with a bit of help from Captain Ducky, Thame’s resident pirate. The money raised is divided between local causes, many of whom contribute to the fundraising themselves by helping to sell tickets. 

  • Smoke Alarm Alerts Neighbour to Kitchen Fire

    Smoke Alarm Alerts Neighbour to Kitchen Fire
    Smoke Alarm Alerts Neighbour to Kitchen Fire

    At 15:37 on Thursday 29th May 2014 Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service received a call to a report of a smoke alarm operating and a smell of burning from a property in Van Diemens Road in Thame. Two fire crews from Thame were on scene within minutes and made entry to the building to find a fire in the oven at the house. The fire was dealt with by crews and the occupant was led to safety. The neighbour, was alerted by the sound of the smoke alarm and called the emergency services. Fire service spokesperson Crew Manager Kevin Morgan said, “The occupant was very fortunate that his smoke alarm alerted his neighbour , this situation could have been far more serious had the neighbour not been so vigilant” he went on to say, “Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service cannot stress the importance of having a working smoke alarm on each floor of your property, on this occasion I have no doubt that the reason for the successful outcome of this incident was because of working smoke alarms. We would also strongly discourage people from cooking after consuming alcohol”.

    Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice.  If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk. 

    Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice.  If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk

     

  • FREE touch rugby sessions for over 16s

    CHINNOR RFC are running weekly Touch Rugby sessions for over 16’s and adults every Wednesday 7pm until 8pm over the summer, starting on Wednesday, May 28.

    touch_rugby (400x251)It’s aimed at all abilities and an opportunity for non-members to come along and join in too. No experience necessary, and no need to book in advance and sessions are completely free.

    For more information please contact Adam Woodliffe at:  clubcaptain@chinnor-rfc.com.