DEAR Editor, This is really an open letter to my friends near and far, to let them know that these days I do not pick up the phone until I have been able to recognise the caller. If I’m out of range of my phone I check later on 1471, or the 1571 message system. This is because too many times I have rushed to the phone or clambered out of my chair to answer a call, only to be met by a silence, some background noise and then someone unconvincingly named Tom, Dick or Harry, or Joan or Yvonne or Sharon calling from far beyond these shores, inviting me to give them information. This I do not wish to give.
Sometimes one might be anxiously awaiting an expected call, from friend, relative, employer or doctor. Then, to the nuisance call from Tom or Dick et al. is added disappointment, even more worry. If one is not particularly mobile, then the rush to pick up the call adds insult to injury – or perhaps the other way round.
If the phone tells me that the call is International I do not pick it up. If it says the number is withheld I worry, because sometimes a doctor say, or hospital or official of some sort, may use a private line. Having missed such a call it may take some time, even all day, to retrieve the contact.
I have noticed one persistent call from what looks like a real number somewhere in the UK. So far I have not replied. I have had several from it recently. So I decided to Google it 02031291891 .
THAME’S First Thursday Music Club is back next week with the April edition, on Thursday, April 3. Thame’s biggest monthly music event will, once again, bring a whole range of bands, artists and musical genres to its FREE Open Mic night.
This month, the ‘Feature Spot’ has been awarded to the fabulous Hiway 51. Three ‘good ol’ boys’ will recreate a stripped down, Country Roots, 1950 era-flavoured brew. On authentic, upright bass is Ingmar Paul; on classic, vintage Gretsch guitar is Phil Carwardine (owner of Vintage and Modern Guitars store in Thame). Front man, Paul Barker on vocals and guitar completes the trio.
Think ‘classic era’ Johnny Cash, with a sprinkling of early Elvis, and maybe even some Stray Cats, vintage Merle Travis and Chet Atkins. But don’t be fooled, as their original compositions stand up proudly next to the classics.
The First Thursday Music Club is Thame’s biggest monthly music event and is held at The Stables behind the James Figg pub in Cornmarket. Anyone can play just by signing up at the venue from 7.45pm.
Check out the club on Facebook The First Thursday Music Club or at www.firstthursdaymusicclub.com where you can find more info’ including contact numbers and addresses for the organisers.
Swift charisma 620 double axle please look out for it – small crack in nearside front window – Any info, contact via editor@thame.net or tweet Michael David Rogers via twitter: @MDR_Photo
A part-time Receptionist vacancy – 12 hours per week (Thursday and Saturday) plus additional holiday cover.
Feet First Podiatry Clinic in Thame is looking for a part-time receptionist to join their busy team.
The successful applicant will have an excellent telephone manner, a minimum of 5 years administration experience, and be confident dealing with the public. They must be proficient in Microsoft Office.
Previous medical practice experience would be an advantage but is not essential as full training will be given.
THAME Swimming Club had its most successful Oxfordshire & North Bucks (ONB) County Swimming Championships during February and March, with a record number of 35 swimmers representing the Club in at least one or more events, under the inspirational leadership of Head Coach Ian Blyth.
Whilst all the swimmers performed strongly, smashing a number of their personal best times, it was Ella Simms, Marcus Birmingham, Nacho Mendi, Jo Hewett and Amy Haarburger who came home as finalists, finishing in the top eight in the whole county. Nacho Mendi also qualified for the Regional Championships with his 50 metres Butterfly, as did Marcus though unfortunately he will miss out on the ASA South East Regional competition as his birthday is two days too early! Marcus not only achieved top eight positions, he achieved two Bronze and one Silver medal, as well as other finalist medals – a great performance!
Thame’s own Jo Hewett entered three disability events and took three first places, a fantastic achievement. Amy Haarburger made the final in three events and not only PB’d in the heats but also in the finals. Nacho Mendi also made the finals in two events whilst Grace Gilmore received a finalists medal and Ella Simms also picked up a finalist’s medal.
The boys under 14s. 200 metre Free relay team, consisting of James Newton, Kymir Ibragimov, Marcus Birmingham and Ben Williams, came fouth fastest overall, a tremendous effort given they came 15th last year!
The full list of Thame SC swimmers for the 2014 championships was: Manas Bapat, Marcus Birmingham, Emma Borme, Phoebe Brown, Georgia Cahill, Maya Camp, Hallam Cozier, Lucy Day, Ines Devitt, Lydia Devitt, Tabitha Dodds, Hannah Ekerold, Will Finch, Sophia Fisher, Lauren Gibbs, Grace Gilmore, James Goetz, Thomas Goetz, Amy Haarburger, Hannah Hawken, Joanne Hewett, Kymir Ibragimov, Nacho Mendi, James Newton, Rachel Newton, Rory Price, Rory Pridmore, Hazel Randall, Maisie Randall, Elliot Riley-Brown, Florence Savage, Ella Simms, Tally Simms, Rebecca Smith and Ben Williams.
As ever, the county championships could not run without the effort of the volunteers, and Thame SC provided a number of poolside volunteers and also officials for the event. Many thanks to them.
Thame Swimming Club is a competitive swimming club and should you be interested in joining, please contact our Membership Secretary at: secretary@thameswimmingclub.co.uk or see www.thameswimmingclub.co.uk for details of the club and how to join.
THE Rotary Club of Thame is planning a charity Movie Night, featuring the film ‘Oh! What a Lovely War’. The profits raised will go towards Thame’s Rotary Charities for 2013-2014, which are Thame Players, Thame & District Day Centre, SAFARI and Sharing Life Trust.
The Movie Night will be held at the Thame Players Theatre, in Nelson Street, on Friday, April 11, at 7 pm, and tickets will cost £10 per person. They are available to book at the website: www.thame.rotaryweb.org
About the film:
‘Oh! What a Lovely War’ is a 1969 musical film, directed by Richard Attenborough, has a cast including Dirk Bogarde, John Gielgud, John Mills, Kenneth More, Laurence Olivier, Jack Hawkins, Corin Redgrave, Michael Redgrave, Vanessa Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Maggie Smith, Ian Holm, Paul Shelley, Malcolm McFee, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Nanette Newman, Edward Fox, Susannah York, John Clements, Phyllis Calvert and Maurice Roëves.
It is based on the stage musical of the same name, originated by Charles Chilton as a radio play. The title is derived from the music hall song, Oh! It’s a Lovely War, which is of course, one of the major songs featured in the film.
HOUSING association Soha, which has many tenants in the Thame area, is campaigning to get South Oxfordshire residents who are nervous or unsure about accessing the internet, ‘springing online!’
Soha’s Digital Inclusion Project Officer, Adela Miencilova
During the week of March 31, Soha’s Digital Inclusion Project Officer, Adela Miencilova, will be running free sessions to assist even the most timid beginners to have a go at using computers or accessing the internet. Those who are more confident can get tips on improving their skills. People who already own portable devices, like tablets or smartphones, are encouraged to bring them along for some expert advice.
Adela explained: “Computers can be fun and are great for hobbies. During Spring Online week we will also be looking at how to keep in touch with friends and family using Skype and Facebook.”
The free computer sessions take place across Oxfordshire and are bookable through Soha Housing’s Lynn Wignall on 01235 515 900. Anyone can join in, but priority will be given to Soha residents for the limited places. Adela is coming to Thame’s Windmill Place in Corbetts Way, on Tuesday, April 1, in the morning.
Spring Online is a national initiative to encourage take-up of the internet, by Digital Unite.commencing 31 March.
Soha Housing owns and manages over 5,600 properties in Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties. It is a member of PlaceShapers, a national alliance of more than 100 community-focused housing associations.
AS the older inhabitants of Thame will tell you, what is now the health centre in East Street, was once a field of donkeys. Now, 40 years after it was officially opened by Sir Keith Joseph, the Health Minister at the time, a completely refurbished centre, fit for the modern-day Thame, has been relaunched.
The moment the red ribbon is cut by the Mayor, Peter Lambert
Over the past 12 months, The Rycote Practice and Trinity Health have been working together to redevelop and refurbish Thame Health Centre. This work is now nearly complete and the new surgery was officially opened by the Mayor, Peter Lambert, on Thursday, March 20. As well as the refurbishment of all 20 existing consulting rooms, there are four new consulting rooms, new reception desks for each practice with disability access, new shared waiting areas, additional washroom facilities and a new staff room.
Before the Mayor cut a big, red ribbon to declare the centre officially open, Dr Weir of Trinity Health said: “We would like to thank everyone for their patience during the building work. It has been a challenge to continue to run a full service while walls have been removed and floors have been ripped up. It took longer than we had hoped but thanks to your help we have managed it. We are delighted to see so many people join us to celebrate the biggest redevelopment to the health centre in over 15 years.”
Dr Charles Chubb of The Rycote Practice added: “Thank you to staff and patients for putting up with everything from toilets being out of action to reception desks disappearing overnight! We are very grateful to Paul Wapshare and the construction team for all the work they did overnight and at the weekends to keep disruption to a minimum. It has all been worth it – the results are fantastic. I am very proud to work in the newly redeveloped Thame Health Centre.”
Mr Andy Jinman, who is the Chair of the Rycote Participation Patient Group (PPG) said: “This redevelopment has been possible thanks to grants from NHS England (Then Bucks PCT), the Oxford Deanery (the organisation that organises GP training) and significant investment from the GP partners – in total, nearly a quarter of a million pounds have been invested in improving facilities for the local community.”
Sandra Davidson, who chairs the Trinity Health PPG, added: “It is fantastic that over 15,000 patients, registered at the two practices at the Thame Health Centre, will be able to enjoy healthcare facilities fit for the 21st century. We are delighted that such an important facility for Thame was opened by its Mayor, Peter Lambert”.
Peter himself added: “I would like to add my congratulations to the staff and building team for managing to complete a project of this size whilst maintaining two, fully operational surgeries throughout. Most importantly, on behalf of Trinity Health and The Rycote Practice, I would like to thank all the patients for their patience. The fact that you took the noise and dust and disruption in your stride has made it possible for such a large project to be undertaken at all.
“It is a big achievement and this is reflected in some big numbers involved in the redevelopment: £250,000 + expenditure 12 months in the planning 12 months of construction work 50+ room moves to manage to keep all services running throughout Thousands of metres of pipe work and cable to provide a new heating system and new data network, etc etc.
“But it is not just about the building work… there are big numbers involved in providing the healthcare services that residents in Thame enjoy week-in and week-out:
15,000+ patients 80,000+ appointments a year 10,000+ prescriptions a year Nearly 20,000 telephone calls from GPs and nurses to you – not to mention the number of calls you make to the two practices!”
Also in attendance was Sue Brook who is a patient at Rycote Practice. She was present at the original opening back in 1973. Sue recalled: “The opening event in 1973 was a very formal affair and was attended by about 50 people. Over the years I have watched health services in Thame evolve, and have seen the now Senior GPs progress their careers right from when they started as junior doctors.
The Mayor concluded: “To provide the level of service that Thame requires, the town needs first class healthcare facilities, and this redevelopment is a huge boost for the people of Thame and the surrounding area.”
A spectacular photograph of an aerial view of Thame fair, has been selected to take pride of place on the wall of the refurbished doctors’ surgery at Thame Health Centre.
Nick White’s winning photograph of Thame Fair at night
To celebrate the completion of works to redevelop and refurbish Thame Health Centre, The Rycote Practice held a photography competition to help decorate the public spaces within the building. Patients and staff were asked to submit unusual and thought provoking photographs that reflect Thame and the surrounding area. Hundreds of photos were submitted and a judging panel comprising members of the practice and the Rycote Patient Participation Group selected the winners. All winning and highly commended entries will be turned into large photo canvasses and be displayed around the corridors and waiting areas of The Rycote Practice.
Wendy Court (Patient Participation Group member) announced the winners during Thame Health Centre official opening ceremony last Thursday, March 20. “We were delighted that so many people entered the competition,” she said. “The standard was so high that it created some healthy debate amongst the judging panel! We hope that these photos will be a real talking point for people visiting The Rycote Practice and cheer them up if they are feeling ‘under the weather’.”
All the winning entries can be viewed on the practice website www.therycotepractice.co.uk . The top three prizes were awarded to;
Winner – Nick White – for his picture of the Thame Fair Runner Up – Colin Feltham – for his picture of Kingsey Road Fields Third Place – Peter Matthews – for his picture of a Bull at Thame Show
Cllr Peter Lambert, Thame Mayor, was cut the ribbon to officially open the new health centre, accepted the first prize of £50 on behalf of the winner, Nick White. He said, “As a keen photographer myself I am delighted that several photos from members of the Thame Digital Camera Club will be on display for all to see in The Rycote Practice. I hope this competition will inspire people to take up photography and to go out and explore Thame and the surrounding area.”
Colin Feltham, a patient at The Rycote Practice, was at the opening ceremony to pick up second prize and a cheque for £30. He said: “The opportunity to share favourite views of Thame was a wonderful idea. With so many good images I was really surprised to have come second.”
Karl Savage, Manager of The Rycote Practice, thanked everyone for supporting the competition. “It was great to be able to involve the local community in the refurbishment of The Rycote Practice,” he said. “It will be fantastic for patients to be looking at beautiful photo canvasses instead of un-painted walls for the first time in 12 months! This competition has been such a success we hope that The Rycote Practice Photo Competition might become a regular event – this way we can help keep the practice fresh and interesting for our patients.”
