Category: More News

OPERATION Christmas Child, which is a charitable campaign run by Samaritan’s Purse, collects and sends Christmas wrapped shoe boxes filled with goodies for needy children aged 2 – 14 years, living in parts of Africa, Asia & Eastern Europe.

The charity now has a local warehouse in Thame, at Gregory Distribution, in Rycote Lane. Boxes are donated by churches, schools, local businesses, community groups and individuals, all of whom give up a little time, effort and money to contribute to this cause. Volunteers help out in many ways by working at the warehouse, collecting boxes, wrapping and filling shoe boxes, knitting, sewing and making other useful things at home.

For anyone who would like to contribute a Christmas box, the empty shoeboxes can be collected from most shoe shops. They are then wrapped in Christmas paper and filled with all sorts of lovely gifts ranging from toiletries (toothbrush & paste, soap, flannel, wash-bag), woollies (hat, scarf, gloves, socks), stationery (paper, writing/drawing pads, pens, pencils, chalk, crayons, felts, case, ruler, eraser and sharpener), sweets (with sell by date beyond March 2016), toys (balls, doll, car), puzzles, skipping rope, hand puppet, musical toy, figures, picture books, etc and of course a cuddly toy.

Every box has to be checked at the warehouse and a small percentage of boxes need to be topped up with ‘fillers’ when necessary. In order to do this we rely on donations of all of the above and would be so grateful to any individuals or local businesses who are able to provide us with these.

Anyone wishing to donate fillers or become a volunteer should contact the warehouse or to find out more please visit www.operationshristmaschild.org.uk The warehouse can be found as you leave Thame on the Oxford Road, you take the first exit from the big roundabout going towards Great Milton. You pass the Ford Garage on the right, then ASM after the bend in the road is Gregory’s.

This year the charity is aiming to send 10,000 boxes to children in Zambia but are also distributing up to 25,000 to help neighbouring districts out as they have not been lucky enough to find a warehouse this year.

A rise in car parking charges across the district are to be considered by the Cabinet of South Oxfordshire District Council, at its meeting on Thursday, December 3.

Officers have calculated that car parking is likely to be running at a loss in a few of years as car park running costs are rising faster than income.

Since there has been no rise in car parking fees since 2007, a modest rise of 10p or 20p across all tariffs is being recommended which would increase the income from car parks by up to £98,000 per year. The Cabinet will also consider installing two electric car charging points, one in Henley and one in Wallingford, for which no charge would be made for the time spent recharging electric vehicles. This move would be consistant with SODC’s low emissions policy, particularly in the two towns which have been designated as ‘Air Quality Management Areas’ after very high levels of noxious fumes from vehicles have been identified in them.

To read the full report to be presented to Cabinet on December 3, LINK HERE

IT takes more than a drop of rain to dampen the spirits of Thame’s skaters and BMX bikers, especially if the promise of a brand new, state of the art Skate Park, the fruits of years of fund raising and planning, is in the offing.

On Saturday, November 14, the Mayor of Thame, Nichola Dixon officially cut the ribbon to launch the new facility, and after the speeches and thanks to all who had made it happen, the town council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Thame Rotary, Thame Carnival, ex Mayor Jeannette Matelot Green and others who have made donations towards the scheme, the Mayor bravely borrowed a bike and tested out the slopes for herself!

Raising the £250,000 funding for the new skate park has been driven by three young men, Corin Rea, Olly Ross and Harry King.

The Mayor told those assembled for the opening: “This is amazing for town. It has taken so much dedication from all those involved. It’s going to be such a great place for young people to meet and get involved.”

Corin Rea, who Chaired the Skate Park Working Group, was ecstatic and speaking to a local TV station, said: “I cannot believe that after five years of hard work, we are finally here! Thame already has a fantastic community built around the Skate Park. What we have done is taken everyone’s ideas on board and come up with, what will be a national skate park destination. It’s amazing!”

The feelings of those who will be flocking to use the skate park are expressed in the comments on the Skate Park’s Facebook page LINK HERE

“This looks super sick, hyped to come skate it!”

“Place is too good, was fully rammed all day. I just watched, all a bit overwhelming! Ha ha. Need to chip of the rust and get on it.”

The fund-raising will carry on. Next on the agenda, is a push to raise money to provide lighting at the skate park, to extend the hours when it can be made use of.

One again, the people of Thame have pulled together to raise the bar in sporting and cultural activities for all sections of the community.

DO you have a special memory of retiring Thame Headteacher, Alan Haigh? The staff and pupils of John Hampden School want to make his last weeks memorable and would like to give him some of these memories to take away and read at his leisure.

The staff are putting together a big book of messages, stories and photographs and to do this they need the help of anyone connected with the school over the 23 years of Alan’s headship.

Teachers’ spokesperson, Laura Craig, explained: “We would like to invite families and individuals connected to the school to write a message to Mr Haigh. It could be a ‘Happy Retirement’ message, a memory, a story, a photograph, a picture or whatever you want to do.

“If you would like to contribute a message or memory please send a message via e mail to lcraig@john-hampden.oxon.sch.uk Please don’t e mail photographs though.

“It would be wonderful to have memories spanning the many years that Mr Haigh has given to the school so if you can help us we would be very grateful. This book is a secret for now so if you see Mr Haigh please don’t tell!”

THE consultants recently appointed to design and deliver improvements to Elms Park, The Environment Partnership (TEP), will be at the Thame Christmas Lights Switch on, on Friday, December 4, from 3pm to 7.30pm, and at Small Business Saturday on Saturday, December 5, from 10am to 2pm.

Spokesperson for TEP, Anna-Sophia Stamm, said: “The Park is an important component of the historic town centre and conservation area of Thame, and TEP will be working hard over the next few weeks to really understand the needs of the local community and those who regularly use the Park. The information gathered will be used to inform the design and to make sure that a really special and inspiring place is created for the people of Thame.”

Look out for their gazebo outside the Town Hall and go and share your ideas. TEP is eager to listen to what you have to say. If you are not able to go to either of these events, you can e-mail your thoughts and suggestions to ElmsPark@tep.uk.com

LORD Williams’s School in Thame has been awarded the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its outstanding work with partner schools in Europe and in The Gambia.

On hearing the news, Headteacher, David Wybron, commented: “We have long established links with the Friedrich-Ebert Gymnasium in Bonn and the Lycée-collège Marcel Gambier in Lisieux. Student exchanges have been successful over many years. The School’s work with the Brikama Upper Basic School in The Gambia has led to some very innovative and creative curriculum links. On a broad front, and across many subject areas, students at Lord Williams’s School have many opportunities to engage in dynamic curriculum activities which promote global awareness and citizenship. This is vital work and I am delighted that our commitment to it has been recognised. I would like to thank Sherry Richardson, our Gambia Link Co-ordinator, for her drive and wonderful enthusiasm which led to us securing the award.”

He added: “Through a varied programme of activities designed to engage students in all year groups, Lord Williams’s international work enriches education by infusing global themes such as citizenship and collaboration across the whole curriculum.”

Much of Lord Williams’s international work stems from its link with Brikama Upper Basic School in The Gambia, a partnership which has developed since its inception in 2006. Teachers from The Gambia visit Lord Williams’s School annually to engage with staff and students and to participate in ‘Gambia Week’ activities. The Thame school has funded the building of an assembly hall and a perimeter wall at Brikama Upper Basic School, and computers and a broadband connection help maintain communication between the two schools.

In recent years teacher training workshops, led by Lord Williams’s staff, have been held at Brikama Upper Basic School and Lord Williams’s School is currently raising funds for the refurbishment and restocking of the library at Brikama Upper Basic School.

Next year, 2016 will mark the 10th anniversary of the partnership and both schools will be undertaking ceremonial activities to commemorate the occasion.

The British Council’s award is designed to foster in young people the cultural understanding and skills they need to live and work as global citizens.

THE horrific emergency unfolding in Paris tonight, has touched some of us in Thame when it was learned that Anne Gillet, the President of Thame’s Twinning Association’s counterpart, the Montesson Twinning Committee, was at the Paris Stadium when the explosions and attacks happened.

Fortunately, Anne has reported that her and her husband are safe, and that although their two young children were secure at home in Montesson, Anne and her husband found a young boy who had become separated from his father. Fortunately they were able to discover that the father is safe and two were eventually reunited.

Although some of the transport system is not running at the moment, fortunately, Ann and her husband had their car in the area and are hoping to be able to drive home to Montesson tonight.

ALICE Grapes from Chearsley, near Thame, who is aged just nine, has reached the final stage of a national competition to invent a new game.

Alice’s has been shortlisted for her game called ‘Get off your sofa!’. The game invites you to do sport challenges as you move around the board to win pretend medals.

“I got the idea of doing two of my favourite things at the same time, ” explained Alice, “playing a game and doing sport!”

The next stage of the competition involves members of the public voting for their favourite game. To support Alice, vote for her game at http://www.brainbox.co.uk/home/vote-for-young-games-inventor-2015

A woman had to be cut out of s vehicle this afternoon, following a two-vehicle collision in Kingsey Road, Thame, the A4129.

One appliance and crew from Haddenham , one from Aylesbury  and one from Thame attended, along with an officer. Firefighters released a woman, injured, using hydraulic rescue equipment, and gave first aid.  A man was released, injured, before they arrived.

PUPILS at Barley Hill school in Thame, didn’t just wear Remembrance poppies, they planted them!

After taking part in a special Remembrance assembly on Wednesday, November 11, and observing the two minute silence, ceramic poppies were ‘planted’ by children who had attended Mrs Harvey’s poppy making workshop, making a wonderful display by the school’s Office Reception.