PUPILS of Lord Williams’s Upper School in Thame, have been compelled to act following the plight of Nathanael Armstrong, a fellow student who could die unless he receives the right treatment. The team of teens are carrying out multiple fundraising events to raise money towards his treatment that is costing £1,700 per week.
Chloe Morris in full cake-selling mode, raising funds for her friend, Nat Armstrong
Rachael Bancroft, Jessica Lynch, Daniel Kovac and a group of Nat’s friends organised a ‘wakeover’ (staying awake all night) on April 15, to raise more money to help towards his treatment.
Chloe Morris, a Year 11 pupil at Lord William’s School and friend of Nat’s, raised £132.75 through a cake sale held on Saturday, March 29, in the Cooperative store in Thame. “People have been so generous and supportive,” said Chloe. “It’s also great that the Co-op allowed us to carry out the sale in their store.” The cake sale is just one of many fund raising activities for Nat. Natalie Watson is shaving her hair off, while others dare walking, jumping, swimming and carrying out extreme activities, like Genny Stephenson who will be sky diving to help raise money.
Nat himself has been very moved by the support he is receiving. He said: “I’m finding it difficult to tell people how much it all means to me; it’s not just the money, but caring. That’s what really matters. The money thing worries me, because I don’t want my Nanna and Granddad having to pay for my treatment and that makes me angry.”
Nathanael, or Nat as he is known to his friends, lives in Thame with his grandparents. He has been struggling with a rare allergy for a number of years, which means that he can’t eat most proteins or sugars. By the age of nine, he was one of the most gifted swimmers in his age group in the country and he is also a talented musician. However, by the time he was 14, he was told that he was allergic to a wide range of foods and was placed on an artificial liquid diet.
Recent tests have confirmed that his problems started with his allergies. However his treatments and basic condition have jointly conspired to produce an infection of Candidiasis. This is a yeast-type infection, one of the most common forms being Thrush. However in Nat’s case it is rampant throughout his body, organs and blood. Nat has been told that his whole system is at the point of collapse. He was also told that the treatment was very expensive and needed NHS funding to be affordable. Nat currently lives with his grandparents in Thame who are helping to fund his much needed treatment.
THAME’S Music In The Park is now less than three weeks away from transforming Elms Park into a throbbing, rocking melting pot of people, music, dance, picnicing, beer and fun!
Leading Madness and Two-tone tribute act, The Skasouls UK, will be headlining on Sunday, May 4, and guaranteed to get the crowd dancing along to songs from the likes of Madness and Bad Manners. In total more than 30 acts will be performing, covering all tastes including rock, folk, indie, rap, big band, choir and harp, as well as a spectrum of dance acts.
Skasouls UK
Tickets are on sale from: Vintage & Modern Guitars, Wally’s Toy Shop, Fore Golf, The Cross Keys, The Falcon and Thame Town Hall, or online at www.wegottickets.com/event/265557.
Advance tickets cost: Adults – £7; concessions (students, under 18s, senior citizens) – £4; family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 concessions) – £20. On-the-door prices are £10, £5 and £25 respectively. Under 5s go free.
With a wide variety of music and dance on offer, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Music In The Park features two main stages with live music and dance, and an acoustic stage. So, have fun dancing the day away or chill out with a leisurely picnic.
Of course, there’ll also be all the usual goodies you’d expect at a festival (except hopefully, wellies and brollies), including real ales, a wide variety of delicious foods, fun activities for children and adults, and a range of trade stalls.
THE first new, large-scale house building in Thame, since the publication of its Neighbourhood Plan, is likely to begin in the not-to-distant future, following the news that a detailed planning application for 79 homes, including affordable housing, is likely to be submitted very soon.
Concept Vision diagram of the proposed development of land at The Elms (Image courtesy of nashpartnership.com)
News of the progress of the proposed development, on the Western side of what is known as Site C in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan (the area closest to Thame Park Road), was given at a recent meeting between Thame Town Council and the various Residents Associations, to discuss the TNP Draft Monitoring and Delivery Report 2013-14.
The council reported that: “It is anticipated that the balance of housing (108 dwellings), on the eastern part of Site C, will be submitted, in outline, as part of the same planning application.” If approved, this part of the site is likely to then be sold on before being developed.
Housing Development on land at Lord Williams’s Lower school
REFERRING to the allocation in the TNP for 135 homes at Lord Williams’s Lower School, the council reported that the school is currently assessing feasibility plans but is not yet ready to go out to consultation. It is, however, “fully committed” said the council, to involving all the relevant Residents’ Associations in discussions, once the plans are available.
Land at The Elms
THIS ‘controversial site’ has, reported the council, been the subject of many meetings and discussions between the council, the developer, Rectory Homes, and English Heritage.
“At this stage, there is nothing on the table about the final numbers,” the council reported, “or where on the site the proposed houses will go. (The TNP allows for a maximum of 45 homes, whereas English Heritage is calling for no more than 35, and none to interrupt the view South from the main house, The Elms.)
The Clerk said that as the plan comes forward, it will be discussed in public at a full council meeting, and that if planning permission was granted, there would need to be detailed public consultation about any proposed associated changes to the public open space next door, Elms Park, itself.
Later in the meeting, Barry Yates, Chair of the Oxford Road Residents Association, was concerned about possible traffic problems in Nelson Street, should development take place at The Elms. The Clerk, Helen Stewart, said that a Transport assessment would have to be part of any planning application, and that so far, no objection had been made by Oxfordshire County Council.
The town council stated that it will publish in full, the details of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan Monitoring and Delivery Report 2013-14, in the near future.
RECENT changes in National Planning Guidance, are undermining the Thame Neighbourhood Plan.
This was a view expressed at a recent meeting between Thame Town Council and various Residents Associations, to review the progress of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan.
Image courtesy of ktminiatures.blogspot.com
The changes have meant that office buildings can be converted for residential use, without formal planning consent, as was the case of the 46 additional dwellings to the 775 agreed in the TNP, at the old Angus Fire Armour building, recently given planning consent to be turned into apartments.
Discussing so-called ‘Windfall sites’, the council reported in its draft Monitoring and Delivery report that it expects more planning changes from the Government this year, including allowing for shops to be converted into residential without planning permission. However, it is expected that this will exclude Conservation Areas, of which most of Thame town centre is, so should have limited effect.
The Government has advised that permitted development will also be extended to allow agricultural buildings up to 450 sqm to be changed, to provide up to three new homes. This may therefore result in further development in the Thame Parish area which includes a number of farms.
The draft report stated that there continues to be a number of ‘windfall’ sites coming forward for planning permission, that the council stated “will be considered and assessed” in the context of the TNP policies and the adopted Local Plan. (Thame Town Council has asked the Minister, Nick Boles whether ‘windfall sites’, that is those not planned for, but which come forward for planning permission during the period eg ‘in-fill’ on private land, may be counted in Thame’s allocation. But he had to date not responded.)
Bob Austin, who represents Towersey Road Residents Association, said that he felt these windfalls were: “….substantially altering the Neighbourhood Plan in regard to infrastructure. It is entirely feasible that the number of dwellings required of Thame could increase by a third and the subsequent increase in the population all adding to the pressures on the town.
“We’re being dumped on!” he added.
In response, Jake Collinge, the town council’s Planning Advisor, said: “No one could argue with what you have said.” He then went on to explain how CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) payments, soon to replace developer contributions via Section 106 agreements, may be used to fund new community facilities through community loans, or used to provide for things like extra parking. At present, developer contributions do not materialise until after detailed planning permission has been granted.
Moreton villager, Angus, and his dog, Ollie, take a rest during yesterday’s Morton Muck Out day
THE people of Moreton, in the parish of Thame, are becoming more litter conscious it seems, if the amount of rubbish collected during the latest Moreton Muck Out is anything to go by.
The pile of collected rubbish at the end of Morton Muck Out day
Having run annually for a number of years now, the amount of trash collected during yesterday’s event was less than in previous years.
“This is good news,” said Sue Martin Downhill, who is organising Thame Tidy Day, and helped out in Moreton yesterday, “as it means that people are generally more aware of picking up their own litter and it isn’t a’ growing’ problem any more. Let’s hope the Thame Tidy Days are having the same effect! “
Tina Fegent and Ken Burch , who lead the Moreton Muck Out, said: ” ‘Thank you’ to all the litter pickers yesterday. We picked up a fair amount as you can see from the attached photo.
“Thank you to Rosemary for organising the refreshments and Louise, Sally and Aila for the cakes. Also thanks to Sue who is organising both the Tidy Up Thame Day and the Thame Carnival, for lending ‘elbow support’ in tidying up the War Memorial which is due to also be cleaned this year as well, by Thame Town Council.”
Thame Tidy Day is on May 11. Full details and information on how to be involved, can be found HERE
Thame Cyclones v Flames Wednesday 2nd April 2014 – ADNL Div 5 -Final match of the season
THE last time Cyclones played bottom-of-the division Flames they won 48-10. But this did not mean that Cyclones could go into the game feeling complacent. In the first quarter, Flames only had six players which Cyclones were able to take full advantage of. With their extra player, Cyclones were able to over-power Flames in the centre half with some fabulous interceptions by Sam (WD), combined with brilliant movement in the circle by Sara (GS) working well with Lynn (GA) to power Cyclones into the lead in the first quarter by 13 goals to 1.
Team Cyclones
The second quarter saw the game become a little scrappy as Flames, back to their full seven players, fought to stay in the game. However, the domination of the centre court continued with Katie (WA) taking full advantage of Sara’s height with a series of strong, long passes straight to her under the post, leaving the defence dumbfounded. This, coupled with the continuous interceptions down the court from both Amy (C) and Penny (GD), allowed Cyclones to increase their lead at the end of the second quarter, with the score at 26-4.
The third quarter saw the substitution of Sara for Vanessa as GS. The shooting ‘dream team’ members, Vanessa (GS) and Lynn (GA) were able to show off their silky skills and intuitive play with each other for the very last time, as it was to be Vanessa’s last match for Thame. It was a masterclass in how a GA and GS should work together and left the Flames’ defence helplessly retrieving balls that glided through the net for the centre pass. Vanessa and Lynn were backed up once more with good play on centre court by Sam (WD) continually finding great space and Amy (C) showing off her ability to defend and then attack swiftly. Penny (GD) kept up the pressure on a very tall and quick Flames GA, giving great support to Emma (GK) in the circle. Cyclones once more increased their lead and at the end of the third quarter were winning 35-9.
The final quarter saw Katie injured, and Sam move to (WA) while Kelly came on as (WD). Cyclones kept it together against some physical defending as Flames tried in vain to close the gap. A number of penalties in Cyclones’ favour were used to full advantage in the centre half, with Kelly (WD) quickly reacting to these decisions and passing the ball out before Flames had time to regroup and successfully mark. The interceptions were flying and the goals kept coming. A fantastic 42-10 win for Cyclones to end their 2013/14 season.
Thame Hurricanes V Kites – April 2, 2014 – ADNL Div4 – Final Match of the season
HURRICANES started the game with only five of their 11 woman squad, having to play two players up from Cyclones. This meant positions were re-arranged and the battle commenced.
Team Hurricanes
The match against Kites is always a close run thing with some sharp defending on both sides. Jesse played centre for only the second time and did a grand job running all over the court. Lynn in WA was as lively as ever and fought hard against the Kites’ defence. Nic, in as Keeper following an ankle injury, was very vocal with her instructions to those playing in front of her, which proved useful against the in-form Kites’ shooter. Lyn, out from Keeper to Goal Defence, was feeling the pace, chasing Kites’ GA and dropping back to cover the GS. Karen in WD, recently back after the birth of her lovely daughter, did a tremendous job and made the match hard for Kites’ WA with lots of strong play and interceptions. Lynn and Sarah, who had already played for Cyclones earlier in the evening, did an awesome job as GS and GA to keep the team in with a fighting chance.
Coach Shelley was struggling to remain calm on the sideline as the game was fairly close in the first half, but due to tiredness and out of position players, more errors were creeping in. Inaccurate passes, dropped balls and slow turn arounds meant Kites were able to pull ahead.
The result had no bearing on the final League position for Thame Hurricanes, who were heading for the play offs at third bottom. Too many close matches lost by one or two goals and not enough wins means one more match ahead and the team is hoping for a speedy recovery for its injured players.
Final Score 20-30 to Kites. Squad. Nic R, Sue F, Lyn H, Jesse K, Lynn P, Helen T, Tor B, Carol S, Lucy S, Jessica R, karen F.
Top of the League Matrix prove too strong for Thame
WITH Thame looking to end their season on a high, things started badly for them, with Matrix making a strong start to the game. Proceedings began in a frantic manner, with both sides giving possession away, therefore creating limited chances. Matrix were on top, but Helen managed to open Thame’s account to give them some belief. Although Matrix were on top throughout the quarter, Thame managed to gain some composure to find themselves only 9-5 down by the end of it.
The second quarter was a much tighter affair with both sides looking to implement their own style of play to gain an advantage. Thame came out much stronger, passing much more fluently and putting pressure on the opposition. Strong interceptions from Kirsty gave Thame a strong base to work from, meaning they could close the gap to 12-8 at half time.
Thame were looking to start the second half on the front foot and made the perfect start with a goal from Heather. However, Matrix were still threatening and began to show their dominance as the quarter progressed, enabling them to take a commanding 21-12 lead into the final quarter.
A massive effort was required from Thame if they were to get back into the game, and things started brightly, with a few goals in quick succession. This gave them the confidence to push on and get within four points at one stage, before Matrix hit back and repelled their effort. Unfortunately Thame had no time to respond and eventually lost 26-20, to round off, what was overall a successful season, from where they were last time around.
Two young and talented ladies from Thame, both artists in their own fields, have formed a collaboration that they hope will help launch their careers to the next level.
Lorna Shepherd is a Makeup Artist and Kayleigh Victoria is a photographer. When they first met in 2011, the two found that they had a lot in common – both are in their twenties and both have two children, Lorna two boys aged eight and four, and Kayleigh has three year-old twins, one a boy and one a girl – and a synergy soon developed between them.
They both describe themselves as having ‘very artistic and creative personalities’ which no doubt is why their decision to collaborate their two newly established businesses recently, works so well. Both grew up in Chinnor and both now live in Thame.
In 2007 Lorna learned that her mother was terminally ill with cancer and then in 2012, was told that her father also has terminal cancer. Although devastated, Lorna was inspired to achieve something that they could be proud of her for. For Kayleigh, there came a point a couple of years ago when she decided to take action and do something worthwhile with her life. Photography always stood out to her, so she started working at it and pushing herself to get noticed, and, as she says herself: “The response has been fantastic.”
Kayleigh enjoys taking pictures of everything, especially her children who, she says, ‘make amazing models’. Her portfolio ranges from family photoshoots to fashion and editorial work.
Lorna has done a varied range of jobs including wedding makeup, magazines and editorials, headshots and portfolio makeup models, including most recently UK top model 2014 finalist, Stacie Anderson from Aylesbury. When they are not busy doing their freelance work they love to collaborate together and work as a great team producing some marvellous images.
Lorna explains: “Our friends and family are really supportive of what we are trying to achieve. We both love and enjoy doing our jobs so we don’t have a preference of location or studio really; we’re happy to be a part of the action wherever the location may be!
“It’s not easy reaching your goal and, even if you are very skilled at makeup artistry you need to have the passion inside you to make it work. That is so important. I can’t wait to further my career in the industry and continue to learn and grow as a creative.”
Two of Lorna’s biggest inspirations are makeup artists Louise Young and Karla Powell. While Kayleigh’s greatest aspiration in the photography world is to be where her dad is now, a successful fashion and editorial photographer.
With a little bit of luck, and their shared ambitions, these two talented ladies are sure to make their mark in the creative worlds in which they have chosen to strive for success and recognition.
THAME Carnival, having escaped being scrapped once this year, was once again threatened recently when it was realised that major road works planned for the Cornmarket in Thame, could have disrupted the event.
But Oxfordshire County Council, having been made aware of the Carnival date, has now, according to Thame Town Council, agreed to postpone the work until after the Carnival on June 14 (The county council’s website however, still shows today that the work will commence on June 9, and end of June 15, so ‘fingers crossed’ this is a website updating delay only).
Plans for the Carnival parade, and the fete afterwards, are however striding ahead, with commitments made already for parade entries by the fire service, the Thame Classic Motor Club, dancing by a variety of dance troops including Stage Coach and the Thame Youth Theatre. A steel band is still being sought and anyone who can help is asked to contact Sue Martin Downhill who is leading the Carnival organisation team, via suedownhill@gmail.com.
A variety of stalls and activity demonstrations is already booked for the fun event at the Southern Road Recreation Ground where the carnival parade will finish up. These include: Indian Cuisine from the House of Spice, German Cuisine from Bratwurst Bratz, various sweet stalls, Real Ale beer tent, two BBQs, Giant inflatables, Chocolate fountain from Chocolate Cascade, Chinnor Rugby club, Racquets Squash club, a Tug-of-war, Waterstock Golf club, Skateboarders, various charities linked to Lord Williams’s School (Gambian children) and even UKIP.
Sue herself is obviously delighted with the response of local organisations so far, and said: “The response from the public especially via the Facebook page, has been really good and I have had so many people stopping me and telling me how great it is that the Carnival is going ahead this year!
“We want to make Thame Carnival 2014 the best ever, so whatever your club or organisation does, here’s your chance to share it with the rest of the community and show just how much fun and enjoyment joining in and being active can be, no matter at what level.”
The theme for this year’s Carnival is The World of Sport & Recreation, and takes place on Saturday, June 14, so ‘Get Active’ and book your team or group in now! CONTACT: clubsofthamecarnival2014@gmail.com
MOTORISTS are being advised of a road closure for resurfacing work on the B4012 Thame Park Road which is due to start on Tuesday, April 22.
£400,000 will be spent to improve road safety and resurface the road, taking place at five specific locations which engineers have judged to be priority sites along the B4012. The work is expected to be completed by Friday, May 16.
The work will be carried out under a road closure for the full duration with a signed diversion in place. During the works access for residents to their properties (people who live in the area of road closure) will be generally possible, although there may be some instances where this may take longer than usual due to the progress of the construction and the need to control traffic within the closure.
Junction works at the Wenman Road and B4012 junction will start on April 14 and are expected to last for four days. These works will be carried out using four-way temporary traffic signals and this particular phase of work will not involve a closure.
County Councillor David Nimmo Smith, Cabinet member for highways, said: “The work we are going to do means that the road should not need any more repairs for some time, and I hope that everyone who will experience inconvenience will ultimately see the long term benefits.
“We have made sure that local people know about the works and how they can access their properties and will do all we can to get the work done as soon as possible.”
THAME United were defeated 1-2, at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday evening (08/04) in their last home game of the season. The Gloucestershire based side, Brimscombe & Thrupp, were three league places lower than Thame, but had played five fewer games and, on the night, the teams were evenly matched.
It was an entertaining game, which either side could have won, with both teams playing fast, open passing football. The game was however marred by a referee who blew up for the slightest perceived infringement, and was far too quick to reach for his cards, which resulted in eight bookings and a sending off, in what was not a particularly physical game.
In the first few minutes, Ellis Hercules hit the post, whilst Dan West was narrowly wide with two, free kicks. The visitors went ahead on 12 minutes when, following a corner, Ian Pykett made a clearance on the line but the ball was deflected to Chris Greenough who reacted quickly to beat Lee Farrow with a strong 10-yard shot. United equalised 10 minutes later when a Ben Connolly cross was met by a defender who tried to find the right dead ball line, but instead found Niall Hodgkins who hit a low ball across the six yard box allowing Luke Ricketts to meet it at the far post and knock the ball home from close range. The remainder of the first half was entertaining end-to-end stuff although four players, two from each team, were shown yellow cards.
The second half was similar as both teams sought another goal but, although there were near misses at both ends, neither could break the deadlock. With five minutes remaining Ollie Lynch was shown a second yellow card, and United went down to 10 men. The winning goal came in the 90th minute when a cross from the left found substitute David Woodfield who beat his marker and finished well from 15 yards, giving Farrow no chance.
United have two away games to play. The last game of the season will be at nearby Ardley on Easter Monday, April 21.
Thame United: Farrow, I Pykett Hall, Hercules, Johnston, Lynch, Connelly, West (Hurley), Kedzierski, Hodgkins, Ricketts.
