Category: Thame news

A Thame market trader, who sold bogus recyclable plastic bags, has claimed that he sold the bags in all good faith after buying them from a wholesaler.

The stallholder said that he saw a niche in the market and researched the bags before buying a quantity of them from a wholesaler.

He has since committed to refunding any Thame market customer who bought the bags, and South Oxfordshire District Council has told him that if he can source genuine biodegradable bags, the council will list him as an official sales outlet.

SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council recently urged residents to check their food sacks after the market trader was caught selling normal, uncompostable plastic bags carrying the text: “This bag is fully biodegradable and 100% compostable.”

Council waste contractors, Verdant, caught the trader selling the bogus bags after collection crews noticed several food waste bins in Thame were contaminated with the plastic looking sacks.

THE coffee house franchise, Costa Coffee, has been granted change of use planning permission to transform a former shop in Thame, into a coffee house.

The former shop at 9 High Street, Thame, is what was the Bump and Beyond baby wear shop, the building being owned by the Newitt family.

AFTER what she called an amazing year, the Mayor of Thame recalled the highlights of her time in office at Tuesday’s Thame Annual Town Meeting.

It has been a very full year, she said, with something on almost everyday. She recalled the open day at Stones Close allotments, where there are now 35 allotments, where she was shown a marrow heavier than herself!

She told the audience of around 60 local people that the two of the main highlights of her year in office were the opening of the newly built Meadowcroft residential home for the elderly by HRH The Duke of Kent, and the ceremony to award Arthur Staggs an honorary citizenship for his work with the French Resistance during the war, when he was tortured by the Gestapo and survived. She made special mention of her Mayor?s Cadet for the year, 15 year-old Elliott Webb who read out a poem written by Arthur Staggs himself about his life.

Cllr Matelot Green also recalled the fun she had with BBC Presenter, Ken Bruce during the Christmas lights event, and said that the most impressive achievement she had seen during her year was to see Thame Football Club secure a new home and the see the team promoted!

She expressed her hope that the rugby club would go through when they play in the Oxfordshire semi finals tomorrow (Saturday, April 17) and said that she was delighted that the skate park was thriving and had formed its own committee to take the skate park?s future development forward.

The Mayor also mentioned the new library, saying: ?I know that there have been various opinions about the design but the facilities will be the most up-to-date.? She said that she was impressed that Thame market had managed to keep going throughout the recession and that there was only one empty shop in Thame now, compared to many more in both Marlow and Henley.

She mentioned her two charities, Helen Douglas House and Thame Young Carers, who will both benefit from her Civic dinner at the Spread Eagle on Saturday, April 24. She said that she had been surprised to learn that there are 24 young carers at Lord Williams?s school that go home from school and have to look after either a parent or siblings, and as a result, will lose part of their own childhoods. She feared there were others too embarrassed to come forward for help. She thanked the rugby club, Booker Tate and the football club who had all donated money.

The absolute highlight of her year, said the Mayor, was the Four Mayors? Concert at the Cornerstones in Didcot recently, where the four, current lady Mayors in South Oxfordshire performed to raise money for the four towns. She had taken along members of the Thame Youth Theatre which had help ??put Thame on the map!?

She concluded by thanking her husband, James, for his support and encouragement, the Town Clerk, and Rosie Knight for ?keeping me organised on my journey and smiling through!?

PHOTO: The Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green and her Mayor’s Cadet for her mayoral year, Elliott Webb

PLANS for the 2010 Thame Arts and Literature Festival (TAL) are moving on a pace, and Steve Bannister told local residents gathered for the Annual Town Meeting on Tuesday that there will be everything from romantic fiction to paleontology!

?We want the festival to be exciting, affordable and accessible,? he said, ?and immerse Thame in all things bookish.? Authors lined up to attend include Nick Barratt, the Genealogist behind the TV series, Who Do You Think You Are, and Colin Dexter, the creator of Morse, who will talk about his new books on cryptic crosswords.

The 30 events will include a Play in Day event in which local people can take part in writing, putting together, acting and finally performing the musical, Easop, written especially for the festival by him and Steve Bannister, pub quizzes and art shows. Sadly, Chris has broken his leg and so Steve will be stepping into the breach as Director.

Watch out for the amazing Literary Thame, historic walk where characters will come to life with the help of the Thame Players, Thame Youth Theatre and Thame Museum’s David Bretherton, described as: “An encounter with Thame’s literary past….literally.”

?We have been astonished by the enthusiasm from both town councillors and local businesses,? said Steve.

The event is expected to attract 2,000 visitors and takes place between June 25-27, 2010.

PHOTO (Courtesy of webvwire.com): Inspector Morse, the character created by author Colin Dexter who will be taking part in the first, Thame Arts and Literary Festival

A THAME jewellery shop was robbed this morning, in broad daylight, in the busy shopping centre.

The robbery happened at about 10.30am this morning at Robert Gatward’s in the High Street, and witnessed by several shoppers and passers-by.

At 1.30pm today, the area remained cordoned off and detectives and forensic officers were still inside the shop carrying out a detailed investigation.

More information as and when it is available.

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after an armed robbery in Thame today. At around 10.30am, two men entered Robert Gatward Jewellers in the High Street, assaulted a member of staff, and then smashed the glass cabinets with a hammer and stole a large quantity of jewellery.

The offenders were wearing hooded tops with their faces covered. They left the shop where somebody driving a black Peugeot 407 was waiting outside for them.

Det Insp Russell Simpson, investigating the incident, said: ?The men punched the male member of staff who was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where he was later discharged.

?Three other members of staff and a customer were in the store during the incident but were thankfully not injured.

?I appeal to anyone who was in the High Street this morning and saw three men in a black Peugeot 407 acting suspiciously to contact police immediately. The car was later found abandoned in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire.?

Anyone with information that could assist police enquiries is urged to contact Det Insp Simpson via Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don?t want to speak to police and don?t want to leave your name contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council is urging residents to check their food sacks after a Thame market trader was caught selling normal, uncompostable plastic bags carrying the text: “This bag is fully biodegradable and 100% compostable” to unwitting members of the
public.

Council waste contractors, Verdant, caught the trader selling the bogus bags after collection crews noticed several food bins in Thame were contaminated with the plastic looking sacks. Any contaminated food bins
using these bags would unfortunately have to go to landfill, which is bad news for the environment and
costs the council and ultimately taxpayers more money in fines if it fails to meet government targets for reducing the amount of rubbish the county disposes of.

Steve Bishop, South Oxfordshire District Council Strategic Director responsible for waste, is asking residents to be on their guard when purchasing caddy liners. He said: “These bags even carry the correct
reference number EN 13432, yet they are not compostable starch liners.

“The market trader was selling normal supermarket carrier bags with the text printed on, so please do not use them. You can buy more liners from most supermarkets but please use biodegradable cornstarch bags and not plastic bags. Most supermarkets
stock suitable liners in the aisle with the bin liners.”

You need to look for sacks marked biodegradable or eco-sack/ compostable. Compostable starch bin liners are much thinner, smaller and have a matt finish. As an alternative, you can also use a couple of sheets of
newspaper to line the caddy.

Visit the council?s website for a list of places stocking caddy liners at: www.southoxon.gov.uk/foodwaste
or call 03000 610 610 for further advice.

PERSONAL trainer, Nigel Pattison, recently completed a charity cycle ride from John O Groats to Lands battling against snow, gale and hurricane, in memory of his late dad and cancer sufferers. Here Nigel explains why he took on the challenge and shares his diary of the nine days.

CHARITY CYCLE RIDE 28TH MARCH TO 5TH APRIL 2010

MY challenge was to cycle 927 miles in nine days unaided from John O Groats to lands End in memory of my Dad Bob.

Dad passed away in June 2006 only nine months after being diagnosed with Motor Neurones Disease. It has taken a while for me to come to terms with the way Dad died so haven?t felt right until now about doing something to raise funds to find a cure for what is a horrible disease.

In addition to raising funds for MND I am raising funds for Cancer Research. With the kind permission of the Hillier family I have done it in memory of Chrissy Hillier a long time member of Racquets Fitness Centre who has been a fantastic supporter of the event.

Whilst as a Personal Trainer I keep myself fit, training for this did involve some slightly longer training sessions particularly at week-ends. As you may remember the beginning of the year was not the best for cycling; ice and snow on a bike are not a good combination.

Not to worry they?ll be no snow at the end of March, oh how wrong!!

Day 1, Gale force winds and driving rain, great for climbing into the Cairngorms. Thankfully the rain stopped mid afternoon and I managed to arrive at my B&B relatively dry.

Day 2, minus 2 but beautiful blue skies. A quick climb to the top of the Cairngorms and then downhill all the way to Edinburgh. Hit the wall twice first at 60 miles but this was all in the head solved it with a sausage roll and a cup of tea! Carried on through Perth and onto Kinross still had 20 miles to go when the wall was a bit more unforgiving. My energy levels were just on empty unfortunately nothing for it but to push on otherwise I would not make my bed for the night! Finally arrived at 5pm!

Day 3, off to Gretna Green today over the Southern Uplands ?mountains?! Fantastic I awake to snow falling, nothing for it but to press on regardless – wouldn?t be a challenge without the odd barrier to get over. Cycling down into Moffat in a blizzard was not pleasant in any way. The broth and tea I had whilst there was just exquisite! Three hours later I arrive in Gretna Green.

Bed & Breakfast. Just a quick note on the B&B?s of the country, they are absolutely fantastic. A typical response was to take my wet clothes away wash and dry them for the morning. Make me a fresh pot of tea and a sandwich before dinner, fab!

Day 4, Longest Day 115 miles this was to include Shap in a blizzard! I can safely say that coming down Shap into Kendal was the scariest thing I have ever done and do not wish to repeat it. Four hours later through rolling hills of Lancashire and stopping in Chorley – what a day, what an achievement; feeling slightly smug.

Day 5, off to Shrewsbury today and in all my planning, a day I was not looking forward to; only because the route took me between Liverpool and Manchester and would be quite built up. However turned out well in the end because they had so many bus lanes and cycle lanes it was one of my best days.

Day 6, Chepstow here we come. Beautiful surroundings with lovely rolling roads on the Welsh English borders. Down side of the day was very heavy rain for an hour around lunchtime. The upside the sun coming out in the afternoon and riding the Wye Valley between Monmouth and Chepstow. This has to be one of the most beautiful roads in the country?

Day 7, back into England across the Severn Bridge which is quite high on a bike? Had to make quite a long climb out of Bristol but then a long descent towards Taunton and Wellington. Finally stopping in Crediton, Devon for the night.

Day 8, nearly there and can?t quite believe it! But on the back of 800 miles one of my hardest days, the reason being nothing is flat in Devon and Cornwall. A lovely 100 mile roller coaster! The upside in the afternoon I took my winter gloves off for the 1st time in the whole trip. The sun came out in Cornwall!

Day 9, only 42 miles to go. What a fantastic morning even though it was very windy 42 miles, was always going to be a pleasure. Coming over the last climb two miles from Lands End with just the Atlantic as a backdrop was a very emotional time. Knowing I could roll to the end having completed the challenge was quite special particularly with Dad up there in my thoughts!

THE END!!

Funds raised to date are

A FRIENDSHIP Association between Thame and the Romanian mountain resort town of Sinaia came a step closer this week after a visit from Sinaia’s Mayor and other leading citizens.

Mr Vlad Oprea, the Mayor of Sinaia, was accompanied by Mr Radu Savopol, local councillor for Arts and Culture, Mrs Simona Tudor, the Head teacher of the George Enescu primary school, Mr Marian Panait, Mayor?s Councillor, Mr Alin Filip, Managing Director of a local travel agency and Mrs Irina Teodorescu, town hall officer in charge of international relations.

SINAIA – THE TOWN

Located in a beautiful mountainous region in the foothills of the Bucegi Mountains, about 80 miles from Bucharest, in the Prahova Valley, Sinaia is one of the oldest and most famous Romanian mountain resorts. It is often referred to as: “The Pearl of the Carpathians” and is located at an altitude of 767m and 860m. Sinaia boasts ski slopes at an altitude of 2,000m, on the plateau of the Bucegi mountains and is a favourite mountain holiday destination all year round.

VISIT TO BARLEY HILL SCHOOL – Friday, April 09

Mr John Hulett, Barley Hill School?s Head teacher, welcomed Mrs Simona Tudor, Sinaia?s primary school head teacher, and the other Sinaia delegates. Thame’s Mayor, Jeannette Matelot Green, who is also a school governor, said: “Following their visit at the Barley Hill School, we hope to forge links soon between the two schools.” Barley Hill School already has successful links with schools from Germany and Austria where some of its teachers have paid visits and exchanged experiences with their overseas colleagues.

A BUSY ITINERARY

As well as a tour of places of interest in Thame itself on Saturday, April 10, the group visited Oxford to see some of the colleges, and on Sunday, were able to sample some local tastes at the Farmers’ market in the village of Great Hazeley near Thame.

MEETING OF COUNCILS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

Following their busy weekend, the Romanian delegation met representatives of various local organisations including the Scouts, the Rotary Club of Thame, the Classic Motor Club and Thame town councillors. It was also a good opportunity for Thame Rotarians to meet the two members of the Rotary Club of Sinaia, Alin Filip and Radu Savopol.

The meeting started with a talk about the previous November trip to Sinaia by the Mayor or Thame, accompanied by her husband James, Cllr David Bretherton and his wife Margaret and also Zoe and Marius Ciortan, residents of Thame, who initiated the trip.

Town and District Cllr Michael Welply, said: “My first impression about Sinaia is? Wow! What a wonderful town, a gem in the Carpathians… After seeing the pictures, I like the style and the balanced architecture. I would love to visit the place. I am also interested to visit George Enescu memorial house in Sinaia, as I love his music.”

After the meeting, Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green, Mayor of Thame, said: “We have spent a delightful weekend with our Romanian friends from Sinaia. We have mixed business with pleasure by touring Thame, Oxford and local villages and meeting in the Thame Town Hall to discuss our towns? future relationships.?

Mr Vlad Oprea, Mayor of Sinaia, in his second, four year term said: “I was very impressed by the town of Thame and its people and their hospitality. I am confident we can find many projects where we can cooperate, as we have got many things in common. For example, both Thame and Sinaia are towns with a rich history. I am looking forward to forging links with Thame, similar to the ones with the other eight towns in the world with whom we are already twinned in friendship.”

Marius Ciortan, who together with his wife Zoe, were among the initiators of this visit, said: “I am very excited about the prospect that the two towns, Sinaia and Thame, will soon, hopefully be twinned.

“Many people have asked us: “What happens next?” The answer is that we will try to invite everyone interested in the twinning project together in a friendship association. Anyone interested to help or who needs more information can ring us on 01844 214 992 and we can take it from there.”

ONCE again the young people of Thame have pulled out all the stops and shown just what wonderfully, talented people they are and how tragedy can bring people together in a common cause.

Last night, Sunday, April 11, the Thame Youth Memorial Trust held their Variety Night and Raffle Draw at the the Player’s Theatre. The concert was a sell out and a triumph for both the organisers, supporters and performers.

The entire evening was captured on video by Matt Evans and an eleven minute taster can now be viewed at http://vimeo.com/10857638

The concert and grand draw were the latest in a series of events to raise money for a permanent memorial for the young people of Thame and the families and friends of young people who have died, to meet, talk and remember their friends and loved ones.

THE PERFORMERS

Compare, David Boyle, did a brilliant job, introduing:

Wilber Sears ? is an ex-pupil of Lord Williams?s School, is a finger style Folk, Jazz, and Blues Guitarist, and was a finalist in the BBC2 Young Folk Awards. He has supported many well known acts including the Blues Band and the Commitments at Towersey Festival.

Jugglists ? born and still living in Thame, Laurence attended Lord Williams?s School, is a graduate of Oxford Brookes University, and is now researching his PhD. Laurence took up juggling a few years ago as a hobby and has attended the last two European Juggling Conventions in Bavaria and Northern Spain. Laurence and his friend Alby, also a Brookes student, have both just today returned from the British Juggling Festival in Yorkshire.

Dancers – The Shona Clack School of Dance celebrate their 20th Year this year. They started out in Princes Risborough with one class a week and now successfully teach Disco, Rock and Roll, Latin American, Ballet and Tap in Thame, Oakley and Longwick.

Pupils also take part in Regional Competitions throughout the year in Disco Freestyle and Rock and Roll and have won many trophies and places at the ISTD National Disco Freestyle Finals. Some of the dancers tonight are National finalists and winners, including Gemma Strathdee and Melissa Mairs who gained first place in the Under 16 Silver/Gold Disco Freestyle section to become National Champions in October 2009.

Holly Nicholls ? Holly?s interest in music began at the age of 7 when she joined the local church choir and took up the violin. She studied her GCSE’s, including Music, at Princes Risborough Upper School and in year 11 auditioned for and was accepted as a first study singer and violinist at the Junior Royal Academy of Music in London. She has been there ever since. Holly moved to Lord Williams Upper School in Thame for sixth form where she is taking A level Music, English Language and Maths, and intends to study music at University, and to make it her career.

Thame Youth Theatre ? Thame Youth Theatre started up in 1989 and has been providing drama coaching for young people between 7 and 18 years old ever since. The youth theatre?s ethos is all about affordable yet quality teaching: giving young people the chance to build on theatre skills, keep active in a friendly and social environment and perform regularly to their local community. This year the youth theatre also re-introduced dance coaching to their program and tonight Thame Youth Theatre will be presenting both a dance piece and a short selection from the Junior drama group?s latest end of term performance.