Category: Thame news

Invitation to Community Fun Day

THOMLEY Activity Centre, near Thame, is gearing up for its Community Day on Saturday (05/04) when all children with or without a disability, their friends and family will be welcomed to play together, raise awareness of the centre in the local community and best of all make new friends!

Thomley Activity Centre is a unique recreational and educational facility for disabled children and teenagers, their families, friends, schools and groups. It is situated in seven acres of beautiful and peaceful countryside, where all the facilities are fully accessible and securely enclosed, providing a safe but supportive setting for children to play, learn and take risks.

There are a wide range of activities suitable for all ages and abilities, including a soft play area, music room, sensory room, cycle track, art room and much more! The centre offers varying focus days to cater for teenagers, adults, pre-school children, community users and birthday parties.

Here’s a full listing of events for April – May 2014 (Please note that in school/term time Thomley is open to special schools and mainstream schools who include students with additional learning needs. We are open Wednesdays and Fridays throughout term time. Activities can be tailor-made to compliment school projects. Home Educators are welcome any day from Tuesday-Friday throughout term time).

Pre-School Day – Tuesday 1st April
Come and have a fun-filled day with other parent/ carers and take advantage of our soft play area, play rooms, lots of outdoor space and activities and our indoor craft room. All children under 6 are welcome, why not bring a friend and make a day of it?
Adult Day – Thursday 3rd April
For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!

Community Day – Saturday 5th April

Easter Holidays – Booking is essential. All of the regular activities are on offer, with additional activities provided for each day; with a separate provision for teenagers and young adults available too. Please see the planner on the website for further information ( www.thomleyactivitycentre.org/newsletters )

Monday 7th April – Community Day – for all children with and without a disability, their family and friends.
Tuesday 8th April – Family Day – for all children with a disability, their family and friends.
Wednesday 9th April – Teenage & Adult Day – for all disabled children aged 13+, with their family and friends.
Thursday 10th April – Group Day – bookings for disability groups only.
Friday 11th April – Community Day – for all children with and without a disability, their family and friends.
Saturday 12th April – Thomley is closed due to staff training. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Monday 14th April – Community Day – for all children with and without a disability, their family and friends.
Tuesday 15th April – Pre-school Day – Come and have a fun-filled day with other parent/ carers and take advantage of our soft play area, play rooms, lots of outdoor space and activities and our indoor craft room. All children under 6 are welcome, why not bring a friend and make a day of it?

Wednesday 16th April – Teenage & Adult Day – for all disabled children aged 13+, with their family and friends.
Thursday 17th April – Group Day – bookings for disability groups only.
Friday 18th, Saturday 19th and Monday 21st April – Thomley is closed for Easter weekend. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Tuesday 22nd April – Family Day – for all children with a disability, their family and friends.

Adult Day – Thursday 24th April
For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!

Quiet day – Saturday 26th April
Do you prefer Thomley on a quieter day? Quiet days are a party free zone and bookings are limited so that children who struggle with the hustle and bustle of a busy day can enjoy themselves with more freedom and space to play!

Tuesday 29th April – Thomley Closed. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Adult day – Thursday 1st May
For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!

Pre-School day – Tuesday 6th May
All children under 6 welcome.
Adult day – Thursday 8th May
For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!
Camping Night – Friday 9th May
For all children with a disability, their family and friends. Enjoy a camping experience in the safety of Thomley grounds, bring your own tent. Enjoy hot chocolate and marshmallows around the campfire. Further details available from reception.
Exclusive use for Campers only – Saturday 10th May
All the regular Thomley activities on offer, with additional themed activities. See the website www.thomleyactivitycentre.org/newsletters and select Saturday planners to see what’s going on!

Pre-School day – Tuesday 13th May
Come and have a fun-filled day with other parent/ carers and take advantage of our soft play area, play rooms, lots of outdoor space and activities and our indoor craft room. All children under 6 are welcome, why not bring a friend and make a day of it?
Adult day – Thursday 15th May
For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!
Family day – Saturday 17th May
All the regular Thomley activities on offer for children with a disability, their family and friends.
Pre-School day – Tuesday 20th May
Come and have a fun-filled day with other parent/ carers and take advantage of our soft play area, play rooms, lots of outdoor space and activities and our indoor craft room. All children under 6 are welcome, why not bring a friend and make a day of it?
Adult day – Thursday 22nd May
For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!
Quiet Day – Saturday 24th May
For those who prefer Thomley on a quieter day? Quiet days are a party free zone and bookings are limited so that children who struggle with the hustle and bustle of a busy day can enjoy themselves with more freedom and space to play!

For more information contact us:
Thomley Activity Centre, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, Bucks, HP18 9JZ
01844 338380
www.thomleyactivitycentre.org
enquiries@thomleyhall.org

02/04/2014
Easter holiday football course in Thame

THE Easter break is nearly upon us and at Meadow View Park, the home of Thame United, they’re planning fun-packed Football Activity Days for as little as £12.50 per day, for youngster between 6-12 years-old.

So, why not join in the fun at Meadow View Park, from Monday, April 7 to Friday,April 11, and Monday, April 14, to Thursday, April 17? Kick-Off is at 9am and the day runs to 3pm. CALL 01844 214401 to book now, or simply download the booking form and return to the MVP Office with your payment. Special Offer: Book all nine days for £90. http://files.pitchero.com/clubs/13461/TFPEasterSoccerApril2014_102004.pdf

01/04/2014
Thame lose to Kidlington at Meadow View Park

THAME United were defeated by Kidlington 1-3 at the ASM Stadium on Saturday (28/03). Going into the game, United were in sixth league place and the visitors were seventh, but they had played three fewer games. Whilst possession was fairly even, Thame struggled to penetrate the visitors’ defence and Kidlington just did enough to earn their points.

The visitors started brightly but it was Thame who scored first. In the 13th minute Dan West beat his marker on the right and was running at goal when he was tripped from behind, just inside the penalty area. The referee had no hesitation in awarding Thame a penalty. Marcus Mealing took the spot kick and beat the keeper comfortably with a strong shot to his right. Kidlington equalised on 20 minutes when Lee Farrow was not able to hold a well hit 30-yard free kick and the ball ran to visiting captain, Tommy Castle who netted from close range.

A few minutes later Luke Ricketts met a cross from Niall Hodgkins with his chest, but the ball hit the post. Kidlington increased their lead on 32 minutes when Ellis Hercules, under pressure from a striker, tried to head a cross from the right out for a corner but instead found his own net.

Mealing moved up front at the start of the second half with West falling back into midfield. Thame looked more dangerous for a while but on 56 minutes kidlington added another goal. A passing move created the space for Lewis Coyle to hit a well placed shot from the edge of the box into the right corner, giving Farrow no chance. Thame tried desperately to claw a goal back but their efforts were either wide, or comfortably saved by the visiting keeper.

Thame United: Farrow, P Pykett, Hall (I Pykett), Hercules, Rhodes, Lynch (Johnstone), Mealing, West, Hodgkins, Kedzierski (Davis), Ricketts.

United are at home again next Saturday (5th) when 13th placed Wootton Bassett Town are the visitors.

01/04/2014
Thame businesses ‘in a spin’ for Sport Relief

All the Omni group from CPM Thame, including Debs Davies from Racquets.

LAST weekend saw several local businesses spinning for charity as part of Sport Relief, under the watchful eye of Racquets Fitness Centre. The popular centre in North Street, Thame, loaned out four of its Spinning bikes to local businesses, the local Sainsbury’s store, CPM, Nationwide and McCormick- all hitting targets, to help raise money for charity.

In total, the collective raised a total of £3690 over the week. Martin King, who is a Personal Trainer at Racquets, helped to organise the event, and was obviously delighted with the results, and congratulated all those who had taken part.

“There are so many benefits from Spinning,” said Martin. “It’s suitable for all ages and abilities, it’s an all weather sport, it’s great for burning calories, its social, is low impact and generally great for general fitness and improving cardio respiratory endurance – and it’s fun!”

Racquets helped support the businesses throughout the week making the events possible. “If you’re looking for support to get fit, we’re always keen to help and support where we can. If you’re a keen cyclist why not give one of our spinning classes a try?” added Martin.

Find our more: http://www.racquets-fitness-centre.com/timetable/spinning/

01/04/2014
Good pub grub from talented new chef

Jack Bull (left) and ‘Goldie’ Tom Goldsmith

A young and talented new chef is currently stamping his mark on the James Figg pub in Thame, where the new Spring menu, including his secret recipe for ‘JFC’ – James Figg Chicken, and homemade scotch eggs, was launched on Thursday.

This popular Thame ‘local’ is hoping to impress by turning out some great-tasting new dishes on its pub menu alongside some classic best sellers, all freshly cooked in the kitchen of its award-winning new head chef, 24 year-old Jack Bull. Jack worked for two months putting together the right combination if 15 ingredients, including cornflour, dried herbs, paprika and a few ‘secret’ ingredients for the ‘JHC’ chicken marinade.

The ever popular, James Figg burgers, made only with supplier, Aubrey Allen’s lean, 28 days dried beef, has also been given the ‘Jack Bull’ treatment with just the right proportions of parsley and thyme and wholegrain mustard, and served in a brioche style seeded bun, topped with an onion ring on a stick.

Vegetarians too are catered for at the James Figg, with Jack’s version of the veggie burger made with kidney beans and ‘panco’ breadcrumbs, and a wonderful savoury tart with mushrooms, mature cheddar from the Isle of Mull and spinach. But Jack’s pièce de résistance has to be his handmade scotch eggs, made with only the sweetest meat from the female pig – and with a still liquid egg yolk in the middle.

Before arriving at The James Figg, Jack cooked at ‘the Figg’s’ sister pub, The Thatch down the road in High Street, and before then he was at The Fleece in Witney, another great Oxfordshire watering-hole. After getting his chefs whites at Burton-on-Trent College, he got his first job in a professional kitchen at his local pub, The Dog & Partridge in the historic Staffordshire town of Tutbury where he grew up. He then went on to work at the two Rosette, The Three Queens Hotel & Lodge, also in Burton-on-Trent, where he focussed on food quality and became adept at creating good, honest dishes with fresh seasonal ingredients. This helped him win the title of Young Chef of Tomorrow at the Taste of Staffordshire Young Chef competition in 2010.

To follow on from the great savoury mains, there’s also a choice of tempting desserts to leave room for at the James Figg, such as chocolate brownies made with Valrona chocolate, and a very moreish sticky toffee pudding, as well as good selection of well-kept real ales on tap, including several local brews, to wash down all this good fare, in the welcoming surroundings of the friendly free-house.

“I’m loving cooking here in my own kitchen, with the fantastic support of Goldie the landlord and Frazer Sutherland our boss, who between them give me amazing quality ingredients to cook with – as good as you’d find anywhere, and all the encouragement I need to make the food really stand out,” said Jack. “I cook because I love making people happy with my food. I simply want to bring a smile to everyone’s face by making this the place to find really good quality food at an affordable price that people can eat every day.”

“Jack’s a great chef who turns out plate after plate of really good, fresh food, and we’re really pleased to be launching his new menu,” says pub landlord, ‘Goldie’, Tom Goldsmith. “There’s no shortage of great ideas coming from Jack’s kitchen, with good, hearty food to tuck into whatever you’re in the mood for, whether it’s a pie and a pint, a juicy burger or Sunday roast with the family. Make sure you come and try his food soon.”

The new Spring menu is being served now at The James Figg, winner of the Best Traditional Pub Restaurant at the Oxfordshire Restaurant Awards. Address: 21 Cornmarket, Thame, Oxon OX9 2BL. Tel: 01844 260 166 www.thejamesfiggthame.co.uk

31/03/2014
‘Pub of the Year’ real ale accolade for Thame’s Mayor

Peter & Trudi receive their certificate from Alexander Wright (Right) Photo by Frank Millar

THE Cross Keys pub and micro brewery in Thame, run by the Mayor of Thame, Peter Lambert, has officially been judged ‘Pub of Year’ for the second time in three years, by the area branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

The Pub of the Year competition is CAMRA’s recognition of excellence in the pub industry, and the Cross Keys, Thame, has beaten 270 other pubs in the Aylesbury Vale and Wycombe branch area to win this prestigious award.

Alexander Wright, CAMRA’s Branch Chairman, said: “We always have very strong competition for Pub of the Year, but the Cross Keys in Thame was the overwhelming choice of the branch.

“The two runners up, the Royal Standard, Wooburn Common and the Whip Inn, Lacey Green, were pipped at the post by the Cross Keys’ consistent excellence. The pub’s unique character, with an ever changing selection of real ales and friendly, welcoming atmosphere is an irreplaceable asset to the local community. “

An obviously proud Peter himself said: ” I’m genuinely surprised to have won this award again so soon. I’m very touched and proud of my wife Trudi and the rest of the staff, for working hard to keep standards so high.”

The Cross Keys will now go against winners of other branches in the Central Southern CAMRA Region for a chance to compete in the national Pub of the Year competition that will be announced later this year.

28/03/2014
Bid now for town council funding

Image courtesy of startupshk.com

THE bidding is about to open for local groups to apply for help with funding from Thame Town Council.

Thame Town Council’s Grants Scheme reopens on April 1, which, the council says, aims to: “…. fund projects which address the needs, aspirations and issues of the people in our community.”

The council is inviting local charitable organisations who are working for the benefit of Thame, to apply for funding to support projects that aim to: “.. develop skills, improve health, revitalise the local environment and enable people to become more active citizens.”

Who can apply? Any community or not-for-profit group working for the benefit of the people of Thame. Other terms and conditions apply and these can be viewed on the council’s website: www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk. Application forms will be available from April 1, from the town hall or an electronic version can be downloaded at www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday, April 30. Further information or for assistance in completing the application is available by calling 01844 212833.

28/03/2014
Schools asked to raise money for children with learning disabilities

THAME schools and are this month (April, 2014) being asked to host a variety of fundraising activities in aid of charity.

The British Institute for Brain Injured Children, or bibic, which helps children with conditions affecting their social, communication and learning abilities, is encouraging schools and colleges to fundraise for its cause.

Geoff Cummins, Chief Executive for the Westcountry-based national charity, bibic, explained: “We know schools and colleges often raise money for charity so we’re asking them to consider bibic when choosing who to donate to.

“There are lots of great, fun ways a school can raise money for us. They could host a non-uniform day or a themed fancy dress day or why not host a summer fete? Pupils could also take part in sponsored walks, runs or swims.

“One of our favourite ideas and one we think lots of pupils would enjoy too, is a pupils versus teachers sports match.”

bibic is a registered charity that receives no government funding and relies on support and donations to provide the life-changing help needed by many children and their families.

It helps children and young people aged from six months to 18-years-old with conditions affecting their development and learning abilities, to achieve their potential for a happier and more fulfilled life. These include developmental conditions such as Autism, Cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and brain injury.

Geoff added: “We have a great fundraising team here who are always happy to help with ideas and anything a school or college needs. Any schools or colleges interested in raising money for us should call our fundraising team on 01458 252339 or email us on fundraising@bibic.org.uk.”

The charity, which is based in Somerset, has a national assessment centre located at Langport. Its therapists work closely with families to create a therapy programme, which provides them with the skills and strategies to support their child or children.

Any school which would like to support bibic’s work and wishes to make a £5 donation to the charity, can text IDS02 £5 to 70070 or for a £10 donation text KIDS02 £10 to 70070.

For more information, visit www.bibic.org.uk, follow the charity on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bibic_charity

28/03/2014
Thame’s Community Ambassador wants to help volunteers

OXFORDSHIRE Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) has appointed and trained six volunteer Community Ambassadors who are now operating around the county, including one for Thame.

Community Ambassadors support charities and community groups in their area to do more good work. They enable others to volunteer, help local charities to access funding and build a supportive network in their town.

, Community Ambassador for Thame, Tanya Berman, said: “My local charities and community groups are looking for ways to raise funds and find more volunteers, as well as make contact with other organisations near them. Since I know and care about Thame, I can give information and advice, as well as signposting them to relevant support services.”

Individuals who are looking for volunteering opportunities can also get in touch with Tanya and she will help them to find the perfect local volunteering role for them.

27/03/2014
Police appeal after ‘suspect’ car crashed into fence

Image courtesy of Haddenham.net

FOLLOWING the ‘suspicious incident’ in Chinnor last Thursday, March 20, in which a police helicopter was scrambled during a police chase, Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to come forward to help them with their enquiries.

The Police were called after a report of suspicious activity in Station Road in Chinnor. When Officers arrived at the scene at 3.30pm, a blue Volkswagen Golf with a part registration index FL07, pulled away. Officers pursued the car which then crashed into a fence on Station Road.

Of three people in the car, a man and woman were arrested at the scene, but the second man who was in the vehicle, made off in the direction of the gardens in Station Road. The man is described as white and of a heavy build, wearing a black jacket.

Officers searching the area later found a substantial amount of drugs near the crashed car.

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

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 www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, nor is information traced or recorded, and you will not go to court.

The two arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs, were a 33 year old man from Slough and a 23 year old woman, also from Slough. They have been bailed to appear at Abingdon police station on May 7.

26/03/2014