Category: Thame news

THAME Town Council’s investments seem to be in a generally healthy state, according to a report from it’s Investment Managers. As of September 15, the balance of its investment portfolio stood at £1.8 million.

The fund has generated a £43,000 profit over the last year, representing interest of 2.35%.

THE town council is concerned about the number and size of ‘A’ boards around the town, some of which cause accessibility problems for some groups, and wants to work with 21st Century Thame’s Economic Working Group, and Thame businesses to agree suitable sizes and styles.

BECAUSE of encroachment into the ill-defined boundary between properties in Bell Close and the town’s Cricket ground, the town council, which owns the cricket ground, intends to redefine the boundary with a fence on the far side of the ditch.

Maintenance of the ditch, which is currently not carried out and sometimes causes flooding of the cricket pitch, will become the responsibility of the residents of that part of Bell Close.

The council believes its proposal will save a protracted and expensive legal battle with residents over where the boundary is. At present there is equal evidence on both sides as to where ownership belongs. The council intends to build a new fence and inform the Land Registry of its action. 

THAME’S Community Equipment Bank, a 21st Century Thame initiative, has been a victim of its own success, proving so popular that it needs someone to administer the hirings. There is an hourly remuneration for the post.

Contact: 21st Century Thame via the website: http://www.thame4me.co.uk/#!contribute-events

THE food festival, European Markets and other events that take place around the town hall, will soon have electricity ‘on tap’ as the town council is installing external electricity points around the town hall.

The cost to organisations to use the points will be £15 per day for each socket.

PHOTO: Street scene, Thame (for illustrative purposes only – no suggestion that the Spread Eagle’s A boards are causing an obstruction!)

A THAME primary school head has welcomed the fact that all pupils between five and seven years-old will get a good, square meal but has some doubts about the government policy announced this week.

Alan Haigh, Headteacher of John Hampden Primary School in Thame, said this week: “As always, the devil is in the detail of this announcement and there are many unknowns. For instance, at the moment school’s receive a ‘pupil premium’ (additional to main school funding, for children eligible for free school meals to help tackle disadvantage). What is not clear is whether this money will be paid for ALL children between five and seven years-old or will it be withdrawn?”

Mr Haigh added that, although his school cooks meals on site, other schools buy in meals so the policy could be could for creating more jobs.

“Schools had no warning of this announcement and so we don’t at this stage know any more than the general public. We will just have to wait for more information before giving it more than a cautious welcome,” he concluded.

THE police have confirmed in a further statement this morning that the person seen wielding a knife at Thame fair on Saturday, was a woman from Thame.

The statement reads: “Thames Valley Police was called at 12.47pm on Saturday to a report of a woman who had a bladed article in a public place – High Street, Thame.

“A 43-year-old woman from Thame was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a bladed article. She has been released on police bail until October 7. She was arrested at Thame Fair.”

PHOTO: By Ollie Ward. The woman detained by police after being seen in possession of a knife at Thame fair on Saturday (21.09.13)

NEW people with energy and ideas are needed to join Adam Buckland, the ex Mayor of Thame, so that the Carnival can continue for years to come. 

If you have the imagination, motivation and most importantly some time to help produce this fantastic annual event, then Adam wants to hear from you. 

You can find out more by going to a meeting for interested parties, on Wednesday, September 25, at 7.30pm, in the Town Hall meeting room. 

If you are unable to make the meeting, you can register your interest via email on oss@thametowncouncil.gov.uk

A group of Skateboarders and BMX riders are planning a 50 mile charity trip from London to Thame, using only their skateboards or bikes to raise money for their local Skatepark in Thame, which is in desperate need of regeneration.

The group’s aim is not to use any public transport or personal vehicles whatsoever between the start at Nelsons Column in London, and Thame. 

The three day trip will begin on Saturday, October 26, and end in Thame, via Greenford, Uxbridge and High Wycombe skateparks, on Monday, October 28.

To add to the trip’s sustainability theme, the group say they will not be shopping in supermarkets or fast food restaurants, but will shop in local shops only to support the local trade of each area.

To find out more about this epic trip and follow the group’s progress, visit their facebook page: 
https://www.facebook.com/londontothamefundraiserskate

23/09/13

A real ale fan from Shabbington, near Thame, has been named the lucky winner of a competition organised by The Vale Brewery Company to name its beer of the month for September, a brew that will also be on tap at this year’s Thame Food Festival as well as watering-holes across the county. 

Jim Crews came up with the winning name of ‘Thame’in of the Brew’ when he decided to enter the competition set up by the Brill-based brewery and the Thame food festival organisers, to get more people drinking and enjoying cask ales. 

As well as seeing the name he chose on pump clips throughout the region, as part of his prize, Jim will also get to pour the very first pint of the beer at Vale Brewery’s annual open day festival on Saturday (September 7), which will be attended by the Mayor or Thame. The Mayor, Peter Lambert, runs The Cross Keys pub in Thame, and is himself a brewer. 

“I don’t think you can beat a proper pint of beer served in a proper pub, which for me is my local, The Old Fisherman here in Shabbington,” said Jim. “So, when I found out about this challenge, I was naturally keen to enter. My idea for the name came from the fact that it needed a link to Thame, have a traditional feel to it and yet be nice and simple. So I decided a connection with Shakespeare would work – Thame’in of the Brew reminded me of Taming of the Shrew – and would be memorable. 

“When I entered the competition, I wasn’t trying to win, though when I got the news that I had, I was obviously really chuffed,” he added. Now I’m looking forward to pulling the inaugural pint at the brewery and of course to trying the beer I’ve named.”

Vale Brewery’s Ian Mackey and his team have just finished brewing the beer, a 4.1% mid-strength seasonal bitter that’s burnished gold with English hops and English malted barley giving it a truly traditional harvest festival feel, and getting it ready for the brewery’s open day this coming Saturday.

“We loved Jim’s name for the beer and thought it was a great choice for the special festival ale that is also our beer of the month for September,” said Ian. “It’s a unique beer that’s sure to go down well at the bar as well as the Thame Food Festival at the end of the month, and I for one will be raising a glass to its success at our forthcoming open day.” 

The Vale Brewery Open Day Festival on Saturday is FREE to enter, and will include free brewery tours, live music, a tasty hog roast and of course beers to try.

More information on the open day can be found at www.valebrewery.co.uk The Thame Food Festival takes place from 9am to 6pm on Saturday, September 28, in the heart of Thame town centre, where the beer Jim named can also be sampled. www.thamefoodfestival.co.uk