Thame.net

Category: Thame news

  • 10,000 members and still growing!

    FROM the owner laying many of the bricks herself because the builder went bust, to becoming a thriving, family-run fitness centre and World Record holding squash club, Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame has grown, and today signed up its 10,000th member.

    Daniel Lucas from Haddenham, signed up on line on Racquets’ website, and was surprised to learn that, as the 10,000th member he would be the centre of attention for a celebration and receive a bottle of champagne. When Dan turned up at the club for his induction with a member of the fitness staff, he met the club’s oldest member, 83 year-old Tom Gilmore, the lady who helped to lay the bricks the building in North Street is constructed with, Pam Preston (formerly Collins), and the club’s youngest member, Zane Finch aged 2, and his sister Taylor who is 4 years-old.

    Racquets’ Manager, Simon Martin, is obviously very proud of the club’s achievements over the years, having grown as a business through many recessions. His family merged with what was originally The Thame Squash Club in 1997. Simon explained the club’s ethos:

    “Racquets is, and always will be, a family place. It opened in 1975 as a squash club and over the years has been a home, a place to unwind, a social venue and now a fitness centre. We are delighted to welcome Dan Lucas as our 10,000th member to the club, which, by the way, still has member number one on its books!”

    Racquets has helped to mould many great athletes and squash ‘pros’ over the years. Will John grew up at the club and is now ranked 200th best squash player in the world. Nigel Pattison has accomplished many incredible charity fitness events and raised thousands of pounds for local charities. Simon Martin himself became the Racketball European champion and two members of the club, Guy Fotherby and Darren Withey, hold the current marathon Squash Singles, Guinness World Record of 31 hrs 35 minutes and 34 seconds.

    Recent new members include the Deputy Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, and 50% of the crew of Thame fire station trains at the club too, one of them now working at Racquets as a fitness instructor and the other as one of the club’s many top Thame personal trainers.

    Summing up, Simon said: “At Racquets we have over 25 classes running throughout the week which are all very popular; we have three training areas including the cardio/weights room and the Grit yard for functional training.

    “Racquets is a place for all the family and Christmas eve especially shows the club for what it is with young and old members and their families and friends, singing carols and generally enjoying the company of one another.

    “In 2014 Racquets will continue to grow; we’re having a face lift, improving the inside areas and purchasing new training equipment to help our members achieve fat loss, muscle building and rehabilitation goals.

    “10,000 members is a milestone for the club and as a family we thank current and past members for their support over the years and look forward to new and past members joining for the next chapter. 2014 promises to be a great year!

     

  • POLICE ALERT: Thame man attacked by knife wielding ‘delivery men’

    THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after an aggravated burglary in Thame yesterday evening (11/12).

    At around 5.15pm, two offenders knocked on the front door of a house in Queen’s Road and said they had a delivery for the victim. When the male victim opened the door, the offenders produced a knife and pushed their way into the hallway.

    They assaulted the victim and took a wallet from his pocket. The offenders then left on foot and are believed to have driven off in a black vehicle.

    The victim sustained injuries to his face but did not require hospital treatment.

    The offenders were both men who were dressed in dark clothing.

    The neighbourhood team will be increasing foot patrols in the local area in order to prevent any further incidents.

    This case is now being investigated;  if you have any information, please contact DC Smalley from Abingdon police station 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.

    SOURCE: Press release

  • Rare children’s book – Going, going, gone!

    A 1912 edition of Peter Pan, illustrated by Arthur Rackham, donated to the Oxfam Book Shop in Thame, has sold for the asking price of £300. The book was sold to a customer in London via the Oxfam Online shop.

    A copy of a 1912 edition of the Peter Pan book, similar to this, was sold by Thame’s Oxfam Bookshop, for £300

    The rare book was among several unusual books donated to the Thame store recently, including a signed copy of Statecraft by Margaret Thatcher worth £175, a rare book by Edwardian animal artist, Louis Wain, worth £600, a 1914 copy of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream worth £400, and a first edition copy of General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money by John Maynard Keynes, worth £900.

    The charity bookshop recently launched its Christmas appeal aimed at raising funds for child refugees from the Syria conflict. It has already raised more than £2,500 for victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

    Shop Manager, Dick Jennens, said: “Just in this week is a nine volume set of Birds of the Western Palearctic, with a box of updates, in VG++ CONDITION, a must for any serious twitcher! Knowingly and thoroughtfully donated by donor who has gift aided the donation. The donor has been agonising over making the donation for 18 months; the disaster in the Philippines spurred him into action and the donation was made. The book is on show in the window for £250.”

    http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/local-shops/oxfam-bookshop-thame

  • Paintings and parkin raise funds for Thame Rotary charities

    THAME charities are £1800 better off this week following the Thame Rotary Art Show which took place at the Thame Barns Centre over the weekend November 29  to December 1. 

     The event was run by Thame Rotary Club members, family and friends. Delicious home made cakes prepared by Inner Wheel and Rotary Clubs members were also available for sale.
     
    Jeannette Matelot Green, President of the Rotary Club of Thame said: “The Thame Rotary Art Show was a double success this year. From the moment Lotte Duncan opened the show at the Preview until the doors closed on Sunday, the Barns Centre was busy with art lovers. We managed to raise over £1800 for Rotary charities whilst putting on an excellent exhibition of mainly local artists. We are now looking forward to next year’s show.”
     
    The Rotary Club of Thame opens its doors to community minded people who enjoy helping running events like this and having fun at the same time. To send a request to become member of the Thame Rotary Club, visit:  www.thame.rotaryweb.org
     
    Notes:
    Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, part of Rotary International has 1,845 clubs and more than 55,000 members.
    Rotary International was funded in 1905 in Chicago and is now the largest international service organisation with 1.2 million professional men and women as members. There are 33,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary Clubs are open to men and women who are business, professional and community leaders who want to use their experience for the benefit of others. Rotary initiates local and global projects to promote world understanding and peace and improve conditions for people of all ages and cultures.

  • Thame school ready for medical emergency

    LORD Williams’s School in Thame is now ready to respond should anyone on the premises suffer a cardiac arrest.

    Image courtesy of physical-sports.co.uk

    The school has recently purchased two defibrillators. One is located at Upper School on the Oxford Road, and the other is located at Lower School in Towersey Road.  Both are by the main reception areas.

    Thame Barns Centre is also one of the growing number of establishments around the town to acquire defibrillators, and a group formed there, called ‘Staying Alive’ will be hosting a Valentines Party Night in aid of Defibrillators in Thame,  on Saturday, February 15 , 2014. 

  • Squash ‘tasters’ reach out to Thame schools

    THANKS to the voluntary work of a retired Thame man, 1500 pupils from Thame’s three primary schools have had the opportunity to experience an alternative sport to the mainstream of football, rugby, tennis and cricket.

     Roger Ridler, explained: “Since retiring in 2005, I have been organising a programme of Squash taster sessions for the three primary schools in Thame, Barley Hill, John Hampden & St Josephs. The schools visit Racquets Fitness Centre during school hours. 

     “The sessions give year 5 and 6 students an hour of 20 minutes squash basics, 20 minutes ball coordination and 20 minutes gym exercises over a period of four weeks for each class attending. This is a programme which is fully supported by the teachers and was instrumental in the club obtaining a grant from Oxfordshire Sports Partnership of £400 to purchase new junior equipment .

     “Whilst I am a qualified coach I do this on a voluntary basis and Racquets Fitness Centre provides its facilities free of charge, including their gym staff, as well as generously awarding free, yearly Junior Memberships to selected students.”

     To find out more about junior squash at Racquets Fitness Centre, visit the website.

  • Thame hospital patients take ‘The family and friends’ test

    THE Trust responsible for providing care services at Thame Community Hospital, wants to find out what patients think of the care they receive there and whether they would recommend the hospital to family and friends.

    In a statement this week, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust said: “The Family and Friends Test is currently being used in wards of acute hospitals and A&E departments. Community hospitals will be required to use the FFT test from 2014.  However Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is already starting to collect this data so that we can better understand how satisfied patients are with the care they receive. In September all those that responded at Thame hospital said they were ‘extremely likely’ or ‘likely’ to recommend the service to a family member or friend if they required similar treatment. In October, 7 out of the 8 people who responded said they would recommend the service. There are a small number of inpatients who are treated at Thame hospital and therefore the size of the group surveyed is very low.

    “This month we have also introduced patient experience tracker devices in Thame hospital so that patients can give real time feedback about their care. Patients can also submit feedback, good or bad, through our website or they can contact the Patient Advice Liaison service. Contact details can be found on our website.”

  • Police alert: Burglary and theft from vehicles – Thame

    ON Monday, December 9th, between 9.20am and 8pm, a property in Chinnor Road, Thame, was broken into. Offender(s) have smashed a rear kitchen window to gain entry and stolen a hand held Microsoft tablet.

    Between 7pm on Sunday, December 8th and 10am on Monday, December 9th, a vehicle in Cromwell Avenue was broken into. Offender(s) have damaged a lock and stolen a leaf blower and a hedge trimmer.

    Between Friday, 6th and Monday 9th December, a vehicle in Pelham Road, Thame was broken into. Offender(s) have damaged a lock and stolen a cordless drill.

    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.

    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.

  • No ‘Bah, humbug’ here!

    HUNDREDS of people thronged Thame town centre on Friday, to launch Christmas in Thame with a Dickensian touch.  Children’s voices, lantern light, thrilling dance and a dastardly pantomime step-mother, all contributed to a splendid evening of festive cheer and entertainment.

     

     

    Introduced by the Mayor of Thame, Peter Lambert, BBC EastEnders actress, Anita Dobson pressed the big red button to illuminate the very fulsome Christmas tree covered in twinkling, blue lights, with a countdown from the crowd.  

     

     

     

     

     

     One of the most popular stalls proved to be that manned by a contingent from Thame’s twin town of Montesson, in France, who provided hot, freshly made crepes, French wines and cheeses and other typical products from the region. One of them took time away from the stall to meet two of Thame’s firefighters sporting Victorian fireman’s uniforms in keeping with the Dickensian theme of the evening.  

     As well as dozens of stalls selling hot pork rolls, handmade scotch eggs and other fresh food snacks, and warm drinks to keep the spirits up, there was plenty to keep the children happy from rides in a Victorian, horsedrawn carriage to a sit-upon model steam engine. 

      

        

    Snow White and her wicked stepmother, along with the rest of the cast of this season’s Thame Players’ Production, gave a taster of the panto fun to be had round the corner at The Players Theatre, for the coming week.

     

    Pupils from the three Thame primary schools sang confidently and with obvious pleasure on the big stage and were praised for the standard of their performance by the visitors from Montesson who enjoyed hearing them from the Twinning French market stall close by.

     

    MORE IMAGES FROM THAME’S DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS EVENT – HERE

  • BBC presenter’s Movie Night hits target for ‘a great little school’

    FUND raising for Aston Rowant Primary School’s new hall was given a boost after its charity movie premiere, organised by BBC Sport presenter, Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes, made just over £3000.

    Members of the dance group, White Star Performers, with Amit Gupta, Ray Panthaki and Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes

    In a pop-up style cinema, Kingston Blount Village Hall was packed with movie goers to watch the DVD premiere of the British feature film, Jadoo, followed by ‘an audience with’ the Director – Amit Gupta’ afterwards.

    Delighted with the success of the evening, Lizzie said: “The night was everything I’d hoped it would be. It had a proper ‘movie premiere’ feel with the red carpet and dancers. Everyone loved the film and we had so much local support with free canapés from DuoChef, to the wine and beer from a local wholesaler who wants to remain anonymous. Kingfisher lager and Majestic Wine were also very generous and the popcorn was donated from Waitrose. It was just like a real cinema!”

    The film’s Director, Amit Gupta, lives locally and his daughter attends Aston Rowant School. He explained how the event came about: “I was asked by Lizzie, whose daughter is in the same class as mine, if I would mind the film being screened to raise money for the new hall. You don’t say ‘no’ to Lizzie and the school clearly needs a hall. The kids can’t do PE if it’s raining and they need somewhere to stage plays and performances.”

    Amit’s close friend and one of the film’s stars, Ray Panthaki, also attended the premiere. The former Eastenders actor joined in the question and answer session and pulled the raffle.

    Aston Rowant’s Head Teacher, Judith Lawson, thanked the audience for their support afterwards adding: “This is just the beginning. We were given planning permission this week to build the new classroom so we can convert the old hall back into a hall for sport and assemblies, and for the children to eat their lunch. We need to raise over a quarter of a million pounds to complete the building project. Aston Rowant is a great little school and together we can make it greater.”

    As well as the film screening, the red carpet event featured a specially choreographed dance routine from White Star Performers who provide dance tuition to school’s in the Oxford area. Tanya White, Director of White Star Performers, said: “We felt strongly about supporting this event because the new hall will enable the pupils to do dance classes at school. It was wonderful that so many of the guests were delighted with our dancers as they came onto the red carpet, even to see some joining in with us! We’d like to thank Linda Mace who provided our costumes for this fantastic event.”

    The cinema experience was made all the more genuine by Kandya Limited who provided their professional screening services free of charge. The company’s Director, Graham Southgate, is friends with the event’s co-organiser Phil Archer, whose children recently attended Aston Rowant Primary School. “Because I know Phil, when Lizzie asked, I wanted to help,” he explained. “The end result looked and sounded really good. It’s incredible how you can turn a village hall into a proper cinema. They even had my friend’s children as ushers with torches!”

    ABOUT JADOO

    Co-starring Madhur Jaffrey, Jadoo is a British-made comedy about two feuding brothers and their curry restaurants in Leicester (a bit like East is East.) The film has just finished its UK general release following its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.

    The Express – “Buoyant and beautifully shot, the picture is a celebration of food and family life that adroitly sidesteps many cultural clichés”

    The BBC’s Mark Kermode – “I watched the whole thing with a big smile on my face.”

    Jadoo’s classification is 12a, running time – 84 minutes.