Thame.net

Category: Thame news

  • The ‘awsomist ‘ playground opens in Thame

    TWO years after two mums lobbied Thame Town Council about the unsafe and damaged state of the Southern Road play area, the children of Thame have given their verdict on new play equipment revealed for the first time today.

    Click on LINK
     to see video of the event

    The Mayor of Thame, Don Butler, snipped a red ribbon before dozens of local children rushed into the playground to try out the new equipment for themselves.

    “This is the most awsomist ride!” exclaimed one boy as he and his friends queued to have a go on the sliding rail – a modern take on the old, traditional slide.
    “Its much better than the old, smelly park!” said his friend, “I’m going to come here every day.”

    The Chair of South Oxfordshire District Council, Colin Dawkes, presented a symbolic cheque for the district council’s

  • A wining and dining haven away from ‘feral’ children – By Eddie Francis

    I READ with interest recently that children have been branded as ?feral?, and that 53 percent of us think that children are beginning to behave like animals. Beginning? They?ve been doing it for years! As you will no doubt have heard, a study by children?s charity Bernardo?s found that, even though kids are statistically only responsible for 12% of crime, we think they?re all knife carrying, bike riding, track-suit wearing yobos ready to grab bags off pensioners and steal your cars.
    I was coming home from work at around 9:30pm last week, and a hoard of chavs were cycling recklessly and with total idiocy on and off the kerb; weaving in and out of traffic with no regard for their ? or anyone else?s ? safety. One of them promptly got run over by a horrified elderly man who was clearly shaken up. As far as I?m concerned the little cretin got what he deserved: The stupid, spotty delinquent?s friends didn?t even stop to see if he was ok: Gutless pathetic little urchins.
    Then last night I was crossing Notting Hill Gate on a green man, and 3 similar characters came speeding through a red light and nearly ran me over. When I gave one ?the look?, he stopped, told me that ?there was three of them and one of me and that I was an ?effing pr%@k. Charming!
    Furthermore, since Ken introduced free travel for under sixteen?s on London?s buses ? turning them into shuttle services for spotty, cocky little mites everyday at school time ? peoples? journeys have been ruined by their boisterous bleating and unruly behaviour.
    I could go on, but the point I am trying to make is that they may well only be responsible for 12% of crime, but to what misconceptions should Joe Public conclude when faced with daily occurrences of teen behaviour similar to those cited above? It?s not just behaviour statistically constituting crime that can form someone?s impression of a group of people and ruin their day, but a lack of civility, humility and consideration for others.
    Where did it all go wrong? Parents? Teachers? Culture? P-diddy? Who is to blame? Whoever it is it is clearly too late for the brats of today. They must just ride the wave of adolescence, with their parents keeping their fingers crossed that it is ?just a phase?. Kids need to be taught respect, self-awareness and courtesy towards others, and as a country, we need to clamp down on these walking, talking, bus riding advertisements for today?s? youth; nationally tarring all under eighteens with the same brush is justifiable, but will only make matters worse.
    Maybe someone should start a national campaign of action: If you see one of these gutter dwelling heathens whilst out in your car, ?accidently? run them over: BMX and all. Don?t kill them; that would be sad for the family. Just a short stint in hospital should sort them out. Slowly, high streets up and down the land will be cleansed of these little monsters, and then the good kids will come out of the woodwork and remind us all of why we want/wanted to reproduce in the first place.

    Next time you are in London, and want to get away from the predatory homeland of the teenagers: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street etc? I would like to draw your attention to a superb place for lunch or dinner in the relative sanctuary of Kingly Court and more specifically, Ganton Street. Kingly Court is a smart boutique-ee little development off Carnaby Street, and seems to feel much more grown up and less Essex girls? night ‘up West’ than surrounding sub districts. Definitely worth a look if you are in time for the shops.
    As the younger sister of Fitzrovia?s Salt Yard, Dehesa is a small, but perfectly formed haven of culinary delights. I have visited several times and a chewy, floury portion of deep fried squid is the only criticism I have ever been able to muster. Seriously: This place is bloody good.

    If you want to avoid a wait then booking is definitely advisable (although not available on weekend lunchtimes), and there is nowhere to wait for a table: This place is all about the serious business of food. The menu is an effortless fusion of Spanish Tapas, Italian Cichetti and excellent Charcuterie. Predictable bastions of each national cuisine sit alongside more original – and in some cases anglicised – creations: All executed to perfection and served by one of the friendliest, and most well trained front of house teams I have ever seen. Courgette flowers stuffed with Monte Enebro Goats? cheese are a fiendish delight drizzled with orange blossom honey, and the Chorizo Picante is damn good too. Confit Old Spot pork belly, with rosemary scented Cannellini beans came melt in the mouth juicy with a stunning crispy skin that shows real skill from the kitchen, and Scallops with caramelised cauliflower puree and caper dressing exceed all expectations with the Scallops cooked uncompromisingly spot on!

    Seasonality and sourcing of the ingredients are keys to Dehesa?s philosophy. Where essential (and it frequently is), many ingredients come from the aforementioned nations – with an element of name-dropping providing the benchmark quality ? whilst other items are sourced locally and throughout the UK from artisan suppliers, and small ethical producers of rare breed meats and the like.
    Oh! and the booze: Sherries by the glass (my new favourite aperitif) through to a stunning selection of Rare wines are all sourced using the same mantra as with the food. Rare, unknown grape varieties are in abundance here: Thank god the staff know their stuff. A particular favourite is the Cantine Carpentiere, Uva di Troia. This ?Grape of the Trojans? is a floral, herbaceous joy, with good acidity and a lengthy finish that stands up to the diverse flavours one will encounter whilst eating tapas-style. All this in a gorgeous, contemporary interior with a relaxed, buzzy vibe makes for a sensory culinary experience.

    As is often the case with restaurants that revolve around sharing ? especially if like me you want to try everything on the menu ? prices can creep up if your not careful. Go all out on the wet stuff and a bill for 2 can, and has exceed

  • Hundreds share the lighting up of festive Thame

    HUNDREDS of local people thronged to Thame town centre on Friday evening, to witness the switching on of Thame’s new Christmas lights.
    The switch was thrown by celebrity chef and local restaurateur, Raymond Blanc, who won the hearts of the assembled families with his Galic charm, and later signed copies of his recently published book, A Taste of My Life.
    Local people queued along the the pavement outside The Book House Thame, where they almost ran out of copies of the book.

    The afternoon and evening remained fine and dry though very cold, but there were warm Hog roast rolls and goat burgers available as well as hot coffee and other refreshments available from local cafes that stayed open for the event.

    A market stall, manned by Thame’s French friends from the town’s twin town, Montesson, proved very popular both on the Friday night and throughout Saturday, where shoppers and revellers could try real French crepes made on the spot, and purchase cheese and other French produce, as well as some fine French wine to accompany the Christmas turkey.

    The Thame Air Cadets raised over

  • Attemped burglary in Thame – Ringmaster message

    BETWEEN, Monday December 1 and Tuesday, December 2, a property in Pearce Way, Thame was the subject of an attempted burglary.
    Offenders have attempted to jemmy open rear door to flat.

    If you have any information relating to this message please call the Police on 08458 505 505 and quote URN 640 of 03/12/08. Message Ends.
    If you have any information about the above message that is of an urgent nature please contact our police enquiry centre on 0845 8 505 505 and state you are responding to this Ringmaster message.

  • Gardening in December – Latest newsletter from Jane Folis

    THIS is the time of year where other events take over and there is little time for anything other than Christmas preparations. The garden is no exception. The weather doesn?t help and although we have had some glorious days just recently there seem to be more of the wet, windy and cold variety.Although frost is a perishing nuisance early on a weekday morning when you are trying to thaw out the car, I do love the ethereal beauty it gives to plants in the garden particularly if you have left seed heads on your perennials.

    However, if we have had severe frosts it is best not to walk on the grass as it burns it.

    If you are not proposing to work in the garden, now is a good time to look at what you have got and what you might be able to use as decorations for the festive period. If you are lucky enough to have Chimonanthus praecox or Viburnum x bodnantense in the garden ? do pick it and put it amongst a table decoration. The scent is heavenly.

    Evergreen shrubs and berried branches, such as variegated Euonymus, ivy, holly and laurel are useful backdrops for flower arrangements, as are Sarcococca, Eleagnus and Cotoneaster.

    I like to make chocolate leaves to decorate puds and if you can bear the mess, children love to make these too. Cut ivy leaves in varying sizes leaving just a little bit of the stalk to hold on to. Firstly, wash the leaves and allow them to dry out completely. Melt the chocolate in a bain marie ? a saucepan of boiling water with the chocolate in a pudding basin ? make sure the bottom of the basin doesn?t touch the water. When the chocolate is melted, take a paint brush and paint the leaf. Place on greaseproof paper and allow to dry. It is probably worth painting two layers. When completely set, peel the leaf away from the chocolate. No two leaves are ever the same and they tend to dry with a curled effect. They look really great with almost any pudding ? though maybe not the traditional plum!!

    Talking of food, which of course I love, I have still been trying to track down Monkfish cheeks to make one of the most delicious dishes I sampled on my Food Orgy weekend in Ireland. I think I have been successful. They are available from www.fishinabox.co.uk. At a price of course! However, I might have found a more local source and am waiting to hear whether she can obtain small quantities. If any of you are interested, please let me know as the more we can order the more likely she is to be able to supply. I have included the recipe which blew me away overleaf. I am definitely ordering before Christmas, so let me know
    asap if you want any.

    Remember to look at The Garden Boutique Website ? www.gardenboutique.co.uk. Quote the promotional code JF268 and you will be entitled to a discount.

    And, I nearly forgot ? I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas?

    RECIPE: Monkfish Cheeks and Chorizo

    Monkfish cheeks Olive Oil
    Chorizo sausage Whiskey
    Double cream

    Put the cheeks in a bowl and coat in oil. Heat the pan until hot and then add the cheeks. Cook on one side and then add the chorizo. Throw in a slug of whiskey and flame. Add the cream and let it cook down on a low heat. Simmer gently for a few minutes and serve.

    This was truly one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten and although Carmel said you could substitute the cheeks for scallops ? it just isn?t the same.

    SEASONAL TIPS
    Plant spring-flowering bulbs without delay.

    Remember to begin feeding the birds and offering a constant supply of clean, unfrozen water. There are plenty of proprietary products available in the shops, but again perhaps the children could be encouraged to make some goodies. You will basically need some melted lard and loads of nuts and seeds. Mix them all up and then pour, when cooled, into something like a yoghurt pot. If you make
    a hole in the bottom of the pot and thread some string through and tie a knot, the fat can be poured around the string and when set you have an instant bird feeder to hang outside.

    Protect slightly tender plants. We had quite a severe frost last night and more are forecast. It is difficult to know which plants are susceptible as a lot of the more tender varieties have now acclimatised themselves to our colder winters. However, if you have recently introduced new plants
    or have had your garden planted, pay particular attention to Phormiums, Astelias, Dickinsonias (tree ferns) and Arbutilons. Protect the base by
    covering with straw (available from pet shops in manageable sizes), and wrap fleece around them tied with raffia or string. Not a pretty site in the
    garden but worth it if you can save the plant. Agapanthus and lilies can be protected by covering with a layer of compost.

    Plant roses, shrubs and trees as soon as they are delivered and if bare root plants look at all dry, soak the roots in water for several hours before planting.

    If your seed catalogues have arrived spend some time planning for next year. At the same time, clean old pots and seed trays ready for next spring.

    Dig over any vacant ground and work in compost or manure. This helps to break down the soil over the winter months.

    Check stakes and tree ties.

    Raise containers on feet or bricks to prevent waterlogging.

    VEGETABLE & FRUIT GARDEN
    Root crops such as potato, beetroot and celeriac will not survive if we have continued frosts. It is best to dig them up and put into store.

    Start winter digging. We all have quite heavy soils around here and by digging over at this time of year it does help to break it down to a finer tilth for next spring.

    Lift parsnips and Jerusalem artichokes as required.
    Blanch endive in small batches.
    Plant and prune new fruits. The leaders of bush fruits should be pruned by a half to two-thirds (to outward facing buds) to encourage branches to continue upwards and outwards and keeping the centre open.

    Inspect stored apples and pears for rot and remove any damaged fruit. Force rhubarb outdoors. Cover the crowns with straw and place a bucket over the top making sure it is lightproof.

    For more detailed information on what to do in the garden in December, visit: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/calandar.asp.

    GREENHOUSE
    Grape vines can be encouraged to produce buds along the length of the rods by supporting them in the middle and letting the top hang down. Spray with a 4% solution of tar-oil winter wash to prevent
    pests.

    Clear up debris both inside and outside the greenhouse and wash the glass to let more light in.

    Check heaters.

    POINTS OF INTEREST

    BBOWT
    I have a great friend, Maggie Piggott, who works at the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust as the Community Wildlife Officer for Bucks. She is an expert on wildlife gardening. BBOWT has a Wildlife Information Service which takes over 700 calls per year. The service is open on a Monday ? 01865 788307. There are over 38 fact sheets available. For a list please visit ? www.bbowt.org.uk. Maggie will send me an article each month which I am happy to forward on to anyone.
    This month she is covering ?Hedgehogs?.

    A naturally grown Christmas tree is five times more environmentally compatible than a plastic tree. www.christmastree.org.uk.

    PLACES TO VISIT

    RHS Wisley Christmas Shopping Weekends December 13th and 20th – Tel: 01483 211113

    EVENTS
    Waddesdon Manor
    ?Make a Spectacular Christmas Centrepiece?
    Saturday 6th December ? 10.30 ? 12.00 & 2.30
    Tel: 01296 653226 www.waddesdon.org.uk

    Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton
    Thomas and Santa ? a chance to meet Father Christmas
    December 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th
    01296 655720

    Cinderella
    Aylesbury Civic Centre
    01296 486009

    Christmas Farmers Market
    Market Square, Aylesbury
    Tuesday 23rd December

    The RHS have created an Event Finder online. Visit
    www.rhs.org.uk/rhseventfinder for details.

  • Thame notice board delayed because of spelling mistake!

    A NEW notice board directing visitors from Waitrose to the other shops in the town centre, had to be taken down minutes after it had been put up – because a passer-by noticed a spelling mistake!
    The board’s manufacturer has apologised for the error and it will now be re-installed next Wednesday.
    The Shopping Guide notice board will match the other ‘heritage style’ black and gold notice boards in the town centre, and is to be installed at the instigation of the 21st Century Thame Partnership.

    Photo: The wall outside Waitrose, where the new Shopping Guide notice board was due to be installed on Wednesday.

  • ‘Try Thame First ‘ for your Christmas shopping

    WHY jump in the car and leave town for Christmas shopping when here in Thame we have so many wonderful and unique shops of our own?

    Let Thame.Net and our friendly shop keepers guide and inspire you to find the ideal gift for everyone.
    Follow the LINK
     for loads of ideas and suggestions for some wonderful presents to suit all pockets.

  • Suspicious males seen in Cromwell Avenue, Thame

    THIS is a Ringmaster message – YESTERDAY (Tuesday, December 2), a report was received of two suspicious looking males who were seen carrying leaflets and looking through letterboxes in Cromwell Avenue, Thame.

    Male one is described as white, 5’8″ tall, aged in his 30’s, medium build, wearing a BB Cap and a brown jacket.

    The second male is described as white, 5’4″, aged late 30’s, stocky build, Dark Hair, wearing a Fluorescent Jacket.

    Please be extra vigilant and keep a look out for any elderly, vulnerable neighbours. If you see anyone acting suspiciously, please call the police on 08458 505 505 and quote URN 442 of 02/12/08 or call 999 for an immediate response.

  • Renewed appeal for witnesses in M40 fatal crash

    A NEW appeal for witnesses to a crash on the M40, back in July this year, has been launched today by Thames Valley Police.
    At 5.30pm on Saturday, July 12, a blue Ford Fiesta and a white, long wheel base, high top Ford Transit van, registration KN03 YRR, collided between junctions seven and six on the London bound carriageway, between Milton Common and Lewknor. Both vehicles left the carriageway and went down the embankment and into a field.

    The Fiesta overturned, trapping the three people inside. Ross Shears, a 29-year-old man from Crowborough, East Sussex, was a passenger in the Ford Fiesta and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

    The van drove from the scene across the field before coming to rest in a ditch and the occupants left the scene and ran off.

    Sgt Jack Hawkins, said: ?It has nearly been five months since the collision happened and we are continuing to investigate every avenue to find out what happened and establish the surrounding circumstances.
    ?We are trying to trace three possible witnesses who attended the collision scene and could help us with our enquiries.
    ?The first is a man who gave first aid to the occupants of the fiesta. He is white, around 40 years old, medium to stocky build, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 8ins, tanned with short, spiky dark hair. He was wearing glasses and had a foreign accent that has been described as South African. He was wearing a black, short sleeved rugby-style top with the words New Zealand printed on the front. The shirt also had a white collar and grey flecked panels running down each side.
    ?There were also a man and woman who comforted a relative of Ross Shears at the scene. The woman is possibly called Leila and we believe that she could work in a hair salon in London.
    ?We want to trace these people and I urge anyone who recognises these descriptions to contact me.?

    Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information can contact Sgt Jack Hawkins via the Thames Valley Police 24-hour non-emergency number, 0845 8 505 505.

    If you do not want to talk to the police, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

    Images: From left to right, image one is of the van and images two and three are of one of the potential witnesses

  • Witness appeal after fatal crash near Wheatley

    THE Police are appealing for witnesses after a collision this morning (28/11) on the B4027 between Islip and Wheatley.
    At around 11.33, a red Peugeot 205 was travelling from Islip towards Wheatley when it was in collision with a white Fiat Doblo van travelling in the opposite direction.

    The driver of the Peugeot, a 30-year-old man, suffered fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene.

    The female driver of the van was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with minor injuries.

    Sgt Bryan Smith, investigating the collision, said: ?I am appealing to anyone who might have seen the collision or any of the vehicles being driven prior to it, to contact me.

    Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact Sgt Bryan Smith at Bicester police station, on 0845 8 505 505. If you do not wish to speak to police or give your name, contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.