Category: Thame news

INSPIRED by the TV series My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, Thame author, Kate Lace, decided to write a fictionalised account of the life of a traveller girl. The result, Gypsy Wedding, will be launched at The Cross Keys pub, in Thame.

The story involves Vicky, betrothed for nearly two years to Liam, and who should now be planning her big day. However she is more concerned with persuading her dad to let her go to college so she can learn dressmaking. Once there though, Vicky soon discovers that life on the trailer park and life outside are worlds apart. As the day approaches for her to walk down the aisle in her own spectacular dress, she?s no longer sure where she belongs or even if she?s marrying the right man.

Kate will be signing copies of Gypsy Wedding at the Cross Keys, on launch day, Thursday, August 4, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm- Everybody welcome!

THAME Town Council will discuss and agree its formal response to the latest phase of SODC’s consultation on its amendments to its future housing plans, next Tuesday, August 2.

The plan, or ‘Core Strategy’ will set out the number and sites for new housing in the district to 2017. The amendments have had to be made in response to comments and guidance from the Planning Inspector examining the draft Core strategy, that SODC cannot depend on the appearance of ‘windfall sites’ for some of its allocation of housing, but must specify planned sites.

This has resulted in more allocated houses for Thame and a revised plan for development on SODC’s preferred location for large-scale development, site F, the old pig farm in Oxford Road. The town council is supporting the building of a one-site secondary school in Oxford Road and new homes on the consequentially empty, Lord Williams’s Lower school, in Towersey Road, Thame.

The town council’s discussion and vote will follow the presentation of a report by Jake Collinge, the town council’s Planning advisor.

Any member of the public who wishes to speak at the meeting, must apply to do so before 5pm on the previous day, August 1, 2011.

THIS is a Community Message from Thames Valley Police.
BURGLARY – Thame – On Thursday 21st July, between 18:30hrs and 22:00hrs, a property in Fleetwood Way, Thame, was burgled. Offender(s) gained entry by forcing a front door and stole jewellery.

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 08458 505 505 and quote URN 1601 of 21/07/11. Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Message Ends.

FIVE Thame residents, who in the words of the town’s Mayor, make our town special, received Civic Awards from him at a ceremony at the Barns Centre last night (Thursday).

In his opening speech, the Mayor, Cllr David Bretherton, said: ” I have the privilege as Mayor to visit many local towns like Aylesbury and Henley, where I hear their Mayors say what a special town they have. Well I think our town is special too and we need to celebrate it more.

“What makes Thame special? Is it the thriving town centre with its may independent shops? Is it because we are a Market town which still has a market? Is it the town council staff who do such a brilliant job making the town look nice? Is it the architecture of the buildings and long history of the town?

“Actually, it is all of these things and more. It’s you, the people of the town and more importantly all those who contribute to life in the town by running the various clubs and voluntary organisations, those of you who the town council and myself as Mayor have invited here to show our appreciation of the work that you do to make our town special.”

The five awards went to:

Young Achiever Award – Cosette Jackson; Who “is a fantastic student and excels in everything she does” both inside and outside school, training approximately 28 hrs a week at gymnastics, for which she is part of the International squad.

The Service with a Smile Award – Jeremy Smith, of the coffee shop, Time Out, in the High Street. His nomination said: “He always greets people with a friendly welcome, his service is outstanding and he goes that extra mile to help people,” whether it be, quickly rushing to help someone struggling with a pushchair or offering water for a dog brought into the shop.

The Voluntary Organisation of the Year Award – Thame & District Round Table; Described by the Mayor as: “A fantastic group of people who work tirelessly throughout the year to raise money for good causes…and who do so much of what makes Thame tick.”

The Good Citizen Award went to- Denis Branch, regularly a volunteer driver of The Thame Community Car for many years, as well as for Thame PHAB club. He also visits sick and elderly friends. “It would be hard to find a nicer, kinder man than Denis,” read his commendation.

The final award, for Lifetime Achievement, went to Rosalie Gibson (her second award in a week, following entry into the St Birinus Fellowship by the Bishop of Dorchester on Sunday). Her nomination read: “Despite being widowed only a few years ago, Rosalie continues to do her voluntary work with enthusiasm and kindness. She works tirelessly on many committees but also does many little kindnesses which she tells no one about. Her volunteer works include:

Chair of Thame Conservagtion Area committee
Membership Secretary and Treasurer of Thame Historical Society,
Involvement withThame WI
Trustee of Thame Barns Centre

The Mayor concluded by thanking the councillors who stood down at the local election in Mayor, paying particular homage to Beatrice Dobie who stepped down after 24 years as a councillor.
Captain of St Mary’s Church Bell tower

HUNDREDS of local women pounded the streets of Aylesbury at midnight last weekend in aid of the Florence Nightingale Hospice charity, supported by Thame singer, Sam Hoare.

On Saturday, 570 ladies pounded the streets at Midnight, flashing pink bunny ears in tow, in a bid to raise vital funds for the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC).

Much fun was had by all in the build-up to the event, as walkers were treated to a special performance by Thame singing sensation Sam Hoare, who even penned her own song ?Supernova? to perform on the night, music from local DJ Phil Gomm, and a stomping warm-up session courtesy of Joanna Beardsmore-Dilks, and Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Club (RCDFC) members.

Before setting off, a special presentation was made by RCDFC member and 12-mile walker Ruth Early, who lost her close friend Jennifer Hudson aged just 36, last year, after a six-year battle with cancer. Following an emotional speech, Ruth presented the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC) with a donation for

IN Anticipation of this year?s Thame Food Festival, David Wilson Homes, this week treated a select group of guests to a scrumptious ‘movable feas at its Windmill Place development. The meal was organised to give a taster of what?s in store ahead of the festival, which takes place on Saturday, September 24, 2011.

David Wilson Homes Southern, who is sponsoring the extensive Festival Programme, laid on the three course buffet at Windmill Place. Each of the three courses was served in a different show home, where the house builder also announced details of the generous prize it will be donating as part of the festival proceedings.
The food was prepared by Thame?s very own What?s Cooking who used local produce in each of the three courses to give the lucky guests, including the festival?s patron, Lottie Duncan, a real taste of Thame.

Paul Moran, Sales Director for David Wilson Southern commented: ?David Wilson Homes is proud to be a sponsor at the fourth Thame Food Festival and it?s great to be launching our involvement with the festival in each show home at Windmill Place. Our prize of a luxury meal for eight, cooked by a top local chef at Windmill Place will be a real treat for any food lover and I look forward to presenting it to the winner at the festival in September.”

Thame Food Festival is a wonderful showcase for the passion of local artisan food and drink producers and retailers in and around Thame. The event falls within British Food Fortnight and is a celebration of everything that is right with food. Thame Food Festival promises to be a fun filled, free, family day out in the centre of this historic Oxfordshire market town. Highlights include a cook off with celebrity Chef Raymond Blanc, cooking demos and a food themed pub quiz at The Thatch.

South Oxfordshire Market Town Co-ordinator, Alison Isherwood, who is heading up the organising of this year?s festival, commented: ?We are so excited about this year?s Thame Food Festival and it?s great that David Wilson Homes have been able to kick off the build up to the festival with the ?Taste of Thame? event at Windmill Place. The festival is a great event for all the family. There is a real focus on local food and businesses and we aim to bring the whole town together to share a wonderful food-fuelled experience.?

The showhomes were great properties to accommodate all the guests and demonstrated the fantastic spaces for entertaining within the stylish show homes. Windmill Place currently has a range of two, three and four bed properties available with prices from

THIS year Thame Youth Theatre is offering alongside its summer project, a technical theatre course. Students taking part will be able to learn skills in lighting, sound, set design/construction, costume, and stage management.

They will then create various necessary tasks during the week in these skill sets and then at the end of the week operate the show for the summer project. The course will run the same week as the Little Shop of Horrors Project (Monday 15th-Friday 19th August) but unlike the main project, will be for 14-18yr olds. There are only very limited places available so get in touch ASAP if you are interested.

Key details are:
Who: Young People aged 14-18
When: Monday 15th ?Friday 19th August 2011
Where: Thame Youth Theatre, Lord Williams?s Lower school, Thame
How to enrol: send an email to Megan Hudson ? admin@thameyouththeatre.co.uk or call now 07805 88 58 46!
What: The exciting and fun experience of learning skills in technical theatre and preparing to operate and facilitate the show: The Little Shop of Horrors.
Deadline: Monday 11th July

CONTACT: Thame Youth Theatre
c/o Lord Williams’s Lower School, Towersey Road, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3NW
T: 07805 88 58 46
E: admin@thameyouththeatre.co.uk
W: www.thameyouththeatre.co.uk

***THAME YOUTH THEATRE is now featured on the fab new iPhone app iThame. Download it free now!***

OXFORD Crown Court this morning has adjourned the case against a man accused of the murder of an employee of the Oxfordshire Golf Club.

Shortly after the hearing began, the judge decided that Jonathon Limani, 34, be given time to calm down before entering his plea, as the defendant was showing signs of mental disturbance.

Following recent medical reports, the judge agreed to the defence’s request that the charge against Limani be changed to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. The case was adjourned until 12.30pm.

UPDATE 4.30PM

The court reconvened at around 12.45pm without the defendant being present. After hearing the evidence of forensic psychologist, Dr Michael Alcock, the judge ordered that the case be adjourned until at least August 31st, as Limani was unlikely at that time to be able to fully understand what was going on nor able to instruct his council.

Dr Alcock said that Limani was more likely to be able to enter a plea once he had undergone medical treatment in a secure hospital, treatment which, Dr Alcock said, had proven beneficial during an earlier stay.

The judge expressed his regret at the distress experienced by all concerned by the continued delay in the case, but said that it was for “good reasons.”

Jonathan Limani was originally charged with the murder of Christopher Varian, aged 32, on Saturday, August 21, at The Oxfordshire Golf club and hotel, near Thame. Mr Varian’s decapitated body was found close to the kitchen area door of the hotel.

PHOTO: Christopher Varian

LOCAL people are being encouraged to comment on SODC’s changes to the so-called Core Strategy Following an exploratory meeting with a Planning Inspector who recommended it be adapted.

Because of the changes a further consultation period is needed, on the changes only. The publication period lasts until Friday, 1August 19, 2011 and will close at 4.30 pm precisely.

In its statement, South Oxfordshire District Council states: “Comments are invited on the changes and only the changes that we have identified in our ?Post-submission proposed changes to the Submission Core Strategy? schedule, using the correct response form.

The changes that we have identified are as follows:
– A change to the overall strategy to remove a reliance on an allowance for a supply of homes from unallocated sites
– Increase in the supply of homes from the greenfield neighbourhood to the northwest of Thame from 530 to 600 homes and to identify via the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) land to supply a further 175 homes
– Increase the supply of homes from the greenfield neighbourhood west of Wallingford from 400 to 555 homes
– Increase the supply of homes from the larger villages from 740 to 1,154 to be identified via the Site Allocations DPD
– Changes to Policy CSC1 and Table 18.1 to make clear they are about anticipated rates of delivery and contingency plans if these rates are not achieved.

“Please be advised that we will only be able to accept comments using the correct response form. Representations will only be accepted that relate to the changes that have been identified in the ?Addendum of changes? document. Representations received previously have been submitted to the Inspector and there is no need to re-submit them to the district council unless you are raising different points relating to the changes.”

You can access all this information online by visiting LINK including the comment form (blue link).

There are a number of background documents on the council?s website, www.southoxon.gov.uk/evidence.

If you have any problems you can call the core strategy helpline on 01491 823 823.

RELATED link: CORE STRATEGY – latest ThameNews.Net report

The mother of a young Thame man, who died after a tragic car crash, is planning a sky dive on what would have been her son’s 21st birthday.

Maggie Stiles’s son Greg died two years ago when his car was hit by an on-coming 4×4 on the Kingsey Road, just outside Thame. The driver was later jailed for two years for causing death by dangerous driving.

Maggie’s aim is to raise money for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance that no doubt contributed to saving he life of Greg’s girlfriend, Abi Dowdy who was a front seat passenger in his car.

Maggie?s dive will take place on August 14, two days before what would have been Greg’s 21st birthday. Her fundraising target is