‘Hats Off To Laurel And Hardy’ is a brand new play about the lives of the most famous comedy duo of all-time. It has been written with the assistance of some of the leading historians and the support of The Laurel and Hardy Museum to present the most accurate stage show about The Boys to date.
The play recounts their early lives, their fledgling careers, their meteoric rise to fame and the decline of their success in film being replaced by a new-found popularity on international tour. Besides including some of their best-loved routines (including ‘The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine’ and the famous dance from ‘Way Out West’) the play also includes many interesting anecdotes about what happened when the cameras stopped rolling; the relationship between the pair, and their colleagues, wives and fans.
‘Hats Off To Laurel And Hardy’ promises to give audiences an evening of laughter that will teach them the facts about the iconic pair and send them into the night smiling – and a little wiser than Stan and Ollie.
Lucky Dog Theatre Productions ‘HATS OFF TO LAUREL AND HARDY’
At ThePlayers Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame; At 7.45pm on Saturday, February 8. Ticktes £10 and £9 with £1 off for concessions; Available from Tickets Anywhere, Greyhound Walk, Thame, tel: 01844 217228 or online from www.thameplayers.co.uk
Lucky Dog is a professional company from Surrey consisting of actors Tony Carpenter and Philip Hutchinson and actress Kelsey Williams.
WHAT are you going to do when you leave school?’ It’s a question every teenager dreads. To answer this, you need to know what courses and careers are out there and what is going to suit you best. So, where do you find out about careers? What is an apprenticeship and how do you get one? What is the difference between college and Sixth Form? What do you do with your History/Maths/ Psychology degree?
The answers to these questions and much more can be found at the Lord Williams’s School Future Fest careers event held on Wednesday 26th February from 6pm – 8.30pm in the Lower School Sports Hall. This is a public event, open to everyone. Come along and meet local employers, find out what they are looking for in new recruits. Pick up a prospectus from the local colleges and talk to course tutors. Listen to the talks on apprenticeships, then talk to the training providers and employers providing apprenticeships. Hear what it’s like from the apprentices themselves.
Professional careers advice is on hand together with expert advice on job applications and CV writing.
Apprenticeship talks are scheduled for 6.30pm and repeated at 7.30pm. Parking will be limited, so if you are local, please come by foot. We look forward to seeing you there. For further information, please call Nicky Stallwood on 01844 210524 or email: n.stallwood@lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk
A WAR of words, over part of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan, has developed between Thame Town Council, a local developer and a group of Thame residents opposed to building news homes on an open space in the town.
The meadow land at The Elms in Thame where a development of 45 homes is proposed
The row over the ‘how,’ and ‘whether’ the proposed Elms Field development was legitimately included in the TNP has now reached the point of threats of legal action following letters published in the local media.
The leading opposition group, which calls itself The ‘elmspetition’ Group and claims to have hundreds of signatures, has today issued the following statement about the situation as they see it, hoping to raise more awareness of their case and stimulate wider discussion. The statement reads:
“Our main reaction is ‘methinks he doth protest too much’. There is nothing wrong with Rectory Homes proposing development on land they own but it seemed a bit strange that originally the Elms was supposed to have been purchased as a retirement home for Mr and Mrs Vickers, and that surveyors turned up so quickly after the purchase to survey the field – in preparation for a housing proposal?
“It helps with any presentation to the planning authority to show that the public have been informed and that there is little opposition to a scheme. However, the Developer’s November presentation in Thame town hall, can surely not be considered a success from Rectory’s point of view. Rectory’s latest planning consultants, who are based in Solihull, were there, together with Mr David Ullathorne, a Directory of Rectory Homes, to answer questions.
“Witnesses state that, following adversarial questions fromP members of the public, Mr Ullathorne ‘exploded’, saying ‘The Elms has always been in the Town Plan, and was not slipped in out of nowhere, as I keep hearing today. It all comes from a man called Peter Webb, who has been misleading people.’
“Mr Webb has confirmed that, when challenged on this slur, Mr Ullathorne was unable to substantiate his assertion, but he did not deny that he had made it. All this is on record. We counter by saying that the site was not ‘always in the plan’.
“The Planning Group within Thame Town Council were charged by SODC with selecting a site or sites for the building of 775 houses over the next 20 years. To assist in this task, the planning authority of South Oxfordshire provided a detailed analysis of several potential sites, with a capacity well in excess of what is said to be needed. They clearly examined the merits and disadvantages of each. Elms Field was not one of these sites and thus there has been no analysis in regard to it. Also, we say that the Council exceeded its remit in allocating housing to a site other than those on the original list.
“While Mr Vickers claims to be ‘doing exactly what the government is urging’ by building houses in what he says is a ‘sustainable location’, what the government has actually asked is simply for land to be identified for 775 houses to be built in Thame over the next 20 years. Fulfilling this task does not need Elms Field which, with access and services problems, is the opposite of sustainable.
“In regard to access, the council rejected seven houses on the Old Dairy site on Southern Road, Thame, due to the extreme congestion already existing on Southern Road and Nelson Street, so how can it justify 45 using the same streets?
“Mr Vickers’ letter to the local paper said that there had been accusations that he and the Town Council had acted improperly. Our counter to that is, that there has been nothing published to this effect, so far as we know, so this suggestion is from Mr Vickers himself. There is actually nothing illegal or wrong with offering a site, so why so sensitive? Maybe it has to do with the way things were done.
“Could it be related to the fact that the Mayor and Town Clerk have refused to supply minutes of a meeting that took place in November 2012, where development on Elms Field was discussed? The Clerk wouldn’t even say who attended, or who set up or initiated the meeting. This clear refusal has been reported to a higher authority, as a contravention of the Freedom of Information Act.
“This town hall meeting followed an earlier site meeting held to discuss a ‘Heritage Assessment’ concerning the field’s historical relationship with The Elms. This assessment was not the work of English Heritage but that of a firm of planning consultants, the Nash Partnership. They were commissioned and paid by Rectory Homes. Nothing wrong with Rectory using all means available to try to ease through the idea of building on a site which the planning authority, some years ago, designated as ‘important open space’, but people should be aware. It is called “openness” and is supposed to be government policy relating to the behaviour of Parliament and Councils.
“English Heritage itself has been more forthcoming than Thame’s Town Clerk. Two, named representatives of English Heritage, and the Conservation Officer from SODC, attended both the site meeting and the town hall meeting that followed. The others present, say English Heritage, were the Town Clerk, the Thame Council Committee Services Officer (to keep the minutes which we are not allowed to see), three persons from The Nash Partnership and Simon Vickers himself. No Councillors?
“At this meeting, English Heritage and SODC Conservation conceded, on the basis of the aforementioned assessment, that maybe the field was not historically so closely connected to the house as they had previously thought and conceded that, subject to seeing detailed plans, possibly 35 houses on the site might be tolerable.
“Having closely examined the report, we find that much of it is ‘filler’ material. More importantly, the historical facts are frequently, we believe, plain wrong and the bias in regard to conclusions questionable. A thorough analysis of the report has been sent to English Heritage, with a request that they thoroughly review the matter.
“It might be thought strange that no member of the town council’s Planning Group was present at this November 8, meeting (English Heritage provided the date that the council refused to supply) but that 14 councillors were present at a full Council meeting called for on November 20, less than two weeks later. The minutes of this second meeting are totally inadequate and unsigned in the space provided for the purpose. It is not stated who was the chairman, who had initiated the meeting and there is no sign of an agenda. What any Councillors had to say is unrecorded except for the fact within the concluding summary that the meeting had agreed to increase the number of houses to 45. It is stated that one unnamed Councillor (this turned out to be Cllr Don Butler) said he was totally against any development on Elms Field. It is recorded that he was told: ‘This is not a Councillor matter’. When we later asked: ‘In that case, why were Cllr Butler and the other Councillors there?’ the Town Clerk replied, ‘It was not a Council meeting’. Since the minutes were headed ‘Meeting of the Thame Town Council’, this was challenged, and met by silence.
“Other questions arise from these so- called minutes. Councillors were guided to vote to accept the whole plan, now with 45 houses on Elms Field, despite any doubts they might have on specific parts. ‘The plan has been through rigorous testing with the community’ they were told; by whom is not stated.
“We have to ask whether this is correct. Surely any MP or Councillor can propose amendments for debate by his or her fellows. Not in Thame? The ‘minutes’ then go on to state: ‘This change (to 45 presumably) has been made as a result of both feedback forms from the community and a very late letter received from English Heritage, three weeks after the close of the consultation period’.
“Hang on! The feedback forms showed 82%+ against development on Elms Field. Also the ‘late’ letter, which is addressed to the Clerk, was in line with the original opinion of English heritage and concluded that development on this site would be ‘deeply damaging’. They strongly urged that alternative sites be pursued.
“It is therefore asked – Was the letter actually tabled? One has to suspect not, because it does not seem conceivable that all 14 Councillors would have ignored it.
“Incredible as it may seem, this whole meeting took just 27 minutes.
“Regarding minutes generally, it is revealing to look at minute format in West Berks. Just log on to – http://decisionmaking.westberks.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=15133 There is no need to read the lot but just notice how the subject matter is dealt with at the beginning and everything people said is recorded.
“In an original letter to Thame.Net from another correspondent, Richard Jeffries, mention was made of planning consultant Jake Collinge’s involvement with the Town Neighbourhood Plan, this paragraph being subsequently edited from the letter at the request of Mr Vickers. Why?
“That letter referred to the fact that Jake Collinge was a former employee at Rectory Homes. Well he was, as Planning and Development Manager. Subsequently, as an independent consultant, operating from an office at Rectory House in Haddenham, he has had Rectory as a frequent client, including in 2012 and 2013. Mr. Collinge was introduced by the Town Clerk as Planning consultant to the Council, when the Clerk set up a meeting with elmpetition group member, Peter Webb, at the request of Councillor Butler, to familiarise herself with the reasons why people were opposed to development in Elms Field.
“Mr Webb pointed out that the reasons were surely clear from the petition which hundreds of people had signed. Neither the Clerk nor the consultant admitted to having seen the petition. Mr Webb thought this strange because a copy had certainly gone through the door of Cllr Dyer, the leader of the Neighbourhood Plan Group, who lived in Park Street. Later, when checking the website of Mr Collinge and noticing his address, he realised that he himself had dealt with that street and put the petition through that letterbox.
“Whether or not it is ethical for Mr Collinge to advise the Council, given his previous connection to Rectory Homes, is for others to decide.
“In regard to the final distribution of leaflets urging acceptance of the town plan, why did the promoters think it necessary to remind people that a No vote was pointless and that 775 houses were coming to Thame anyway. The number was actually not the issue. Where the houses would be built was the issue. There was no mention of locations in that leaflet. Opponents observe that many people did not vote, having been told that Yes was the only answer. Others voted Yes as instructed. “Is it right that the subsequent Adoption of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan should now be represented by the Council as that Thame residents have agreed to the development of Elms Field? Plainly they have not.
“The scheme’s opponents point out that the Planning Manager at SODC has said that the plan can be modified but that this initiative has to come from Thame. Thus Elms Field can be taken out as a site without affecting the rest of the plan.
“Nobody seems to be positively in favour of development in Elms Field but Councillors need to be told to admit their error and to act to correct it. In doing so, they will uphold that part of the Plan which promises to protect existing open space. They will also be acknowledging that they are there to represent their constituents, who in any street survey, are firmly against destroying an important open space.”
The elmspetition Group elmspetition@hotmail.co.uk (name & address of correspondent supplied)
EDITOR: Do you agree with the elmspetition Group, or do you have a different view? We want to hear from YOU
THAME’S First Thursday Music club, having delivered over 700 performances, over 2,000 songs and a lot of fun – all for free, will be celebrating it’s fourth birthday this coming Thursday, February 6, at its usual venue, The Stables behind The James Figg pub in Cornmarket, Thame.
As well as popular regulars like Tanya Brewster, 2am Blue and Walter J. Wallis, this is of course, an open mic night and so will include all the surprises of the unknown, the hopeful young musician setting out, with a sprinkling of well-honed, seasoned musicians.
So, expect anything from Rock ‘n Roll, soul, folk and some very individual fusion and jamming across all the genres, accoustically mostly but with some percussion thrown in along the way.
Doors open at 7.30pm to sign up for a spot on the night. Visit FTMC’s Facebook page HERE
UNFORTUNATELY this event has been canclled due to low tickets sales.
THE community group, Staying Alive Thame, cordially invites you to its Valentine’s Party Night at the Barn Centre, Thame, on February 15. All proceeds will go towards placing defibrillators throughout Thame.
Tickets cost £12.50 per person, and the fun will begin at 7.pm through to 11.30pm. The event will include a disco, a buffet, a bar, raffle and a Whisky Roll.
Address for the Thame Barns Centre, Church Road, Thame, OX9 3AJ – Tickets available from the Centre on 01844 217308 or email patsy@thamebarnscentre.co.uk.
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after an attempted burglary in Thame Road, Chinnor.
Thief breaking a window with a hammer (Image for illustrative purposes only)
Between 8am and 9.45pm on Friday (31/1), offenders damaged several rear windows at the property but did not gain entry.
If you have any information, please contact Det Con Georgina Bradley from Didcot CID via the 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, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
THANKS to continued strong growth, The Adroit Services partnership have a vacancy for a bathroom installer. Skills required are plumbing, tiling, plastering, carpentry, electrical. Committed work ethic, excellent timekeeping and interpersonal skills are essential. We offer great rates of pay and benefits and, the potential to become a profit sharing partner in the business, to share in our success. If you, or someone you know, has some or all of these skills AND the aptitude to learn the others, then we invite CV’s to be sent to info@adroitservices.org – Posted on Facebook by Peter Butt, Partner.
PREMIER Architectural Joinery are looking for 2 additional employees 1 to work in our final assembly area, need to be in good health as a lot of lifting is required and the other is for an apprentice in our spray shop, we would like to employ from the village of Quainton or surrounding area – if you know anyone please contact Kelly on 01296 655555 option 6. Posted on Facebook by Paddy Green
THE Thame 10k road race has been running since 1985 and has grown to be one of the key sporting fixtures in Thame with 1000 runners pounding a course through the town centre to Towersey, and back along the Phoenix Trail.
Image courtesy of John Harvey1 – via flickr
Thame Runners organise the race and allocate any surplus funds to local charities. Last year approximately £2.5K was given to local Thame organisations and charities.
This year’s CPM Thame 10km road race will take place on Sunday, June 29, 2014, starting at 9.30am from Thame Leisure Centre. Entries are being taken now on-line via Runners World website www.runnersworld.co.uk.
There will be NO ENTRIES ON RACE DAY and the race will be limited to 1000 entries to maintain a safe and enjoyable day for everyone. Last year this race was full before the end of May so it is recommended to enter early to avoid disappointment.
ANYONE passing through the Thame Services yesterday morning, may have noticed two tired and hungry men on a tandem loaded up with equipment, parking up outside Burger King.
The two men are The Cycle2Liberty team, consisting of Dave Simms and James Hesketh, who are continuing their preparation rides for an epic tandem ride across America to raise money for the Youth Sport Trust, by cycling from Leeds to Paris this weekend.
The Leeds-Paris leg, via Thame and then on to Reading, is the second of a five-part fundraising mission that will conclude with a mammoth ride from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California through four time zones and 10 states to the Statue of Liberty in New York.
The duo have already cycled from the west coast to the east coast of England, but this time, the distance covered is a lot further, as they would have cycled from Leeds, through London to the south coast, and then will take a ferry across the English Channel before carrying on to Paris.
THAME United were defeated 0-1 by Bracknell Town at the ASM Stadium on Saturday, a disappointing result for Thame as Bracknell are six places below them in the league. Football is however about converting chances into goals and, although United created several good scoring opportunities, they could not find the back of their opponent’s net.
A strong wind gusting behind Thame in the first half and Bracknell after the break contributed to a ‘game of two halves’ with United controlling the first half and their opponents in control for much of the second. The game saw the return of goalkeeper Lee Farrow, who was injured on Boxing Day.
Thame started brightly and created a good chance when Lewis Cordice hit a low cross from the right into the path of Luke Ricketts who narrowly failed to meet the ball. After 10 minutes, a ball from Ian Pykett created a half chance for Cordice whose shot was parried by the keeper and fell to Niall Hodgkins but the keeper also blocked his shot allowing Cordice to fire home, but it was ruled to be from an offside position. Thame were looking dangerous and Nik Rhodes Lynton Goss, Cordice and Ricketts all went close. The game was goalless at the break despite Thame having won six corners to the visitors one.
It was a completely different game in the second half. Thame struggled to threaten whilst the visitors mounted attack after attack. Farrow was on form and made several good saves. Bracknell hit the woodwork twice before taking the lead with 10 minutes remaining. A pass from midfield created the space for Martin Bradshaw to run at goal and hit a low well placed shot into the corner of Farrow’s goal, giving him no chance.
