A blood donation session will be held at The Spread Eagle Hotel, 16/17 Cornmarket, Thame, on Sunday, March 25. The session will be held between 10am – 3pm.
To book an appointment to attend the session please phone 0300 123 23 23 or visit Please make every effort to attend the session, your donation is vital! Why not encourage your friend to go along, new donors are always welcome.
AS the first ever Acupuncture Awareness Week drew to a close over the weekend, Thame acupuncturist Rhiannon Griffiths reflects on its success at helping locals understand more about acupuncture.
“I had lots of people come to my mini-consultations with tongue diagnosis,” Rhiannon explained, “some with specific ailments that wanted to see whether acupuncture was the right treatment for them; but some came just very intrigued about seeing what their tongue could tell them about their health!”
Different areas of the tongue correspond to different organ systems in the body, offering clues to the practitioner about what imbalances may be present and what might need treating. “It also allows us to offer dietary and lifestyle advice,” said Rhiannon, “it doesn’t always have to be all about the needles!”
With this in mind, she is putting together a new package, as a direct result of her interactions with locals during the awareness week. Patients can attend clinic for what acupuncturists call a ‘traditional diagnosis’, after which they will be given a pack of health tips & information sheets specific to them as an individual. “This is for people who feel needles are too much for them at the moment,” suggested Rhiannon, “but it means they don’t have to miss out on the ancient Chinese wisdom that may lead them to better overall health!”
Most people have some fear around needles due to their experiences with western medical needles used for injections. Acupuncture needles are incredibly thin, around the thickness of a human hair, with some being as minute as 0.13mm in width!
Rhiannon also hosted a webinar called “Busting the Myths Around Acupuncture” based on the OnePoll study commissioned by the British Acupuncture Council. It focused on these misconceptions around the size of needles, fear of needles, thinking it will hurt, and what to expect in your first session. The replay of this online presentation can still be viewed, but for the next week only – register on the Acupuncture Awareness Week page on her website, and automatically get sent the link to watch.
“I was thrilled with the response from locals,” concluded Rhiannon, “I got to talk about acupuncture everyday for a whole week, which is my most favourite thing to do! Plus I got to answer so many questions, allay peoples worries, & show them that acupuncture isn’t so scary after all!”
Rhiannon Griffiths is a member of the British Acupuncture Council, a guest expert for Women’s Fitness Magazine & part of BBC Radio Oxford’s health team.
She practices at The White House in. Thame, and Susannah Nicholas in Princes Risborough. For more information visit. www.rhiannongriffiths.com or telephone 01844 220 227
COUNCILLOR Adam Buckland, last year’s Mayor of Thame, is once again organising a Thame Tidy Day, later in the month. Today he has release details of new and revised drop off points for the litter collected by volunteers on the day:
Here are the new/revised drop off points for litter bags/rubbish for Tidy Thame Day
1. Southern Road Rec
2.In front of the Town Hall
3.The Moats
4. Churchill crescent play area /field
5.Top of roundhead Drive (opposite to football club and Edgehill)
6.Chowns close/phoenix trail
7.Corner of Beach road/sycamore drive opposite the LWS Upper school)
8.Moreton village green
Adam explained: “There will be a few of us driving around on the day picking up the bags etc and taking them to the main collection point at Southern road (Myself,Firemen,Council workmen and ASM recycling) if you know anyone else with a van or large car who would like to volunteer please let me know.
“We are currently producing an information leaflet to hand out and i will email you all a copy for you to print off ASAP. This will have a map on it showing the drop off locations and a central number to phone to co-ordinate litter pick ups on the day. There will be leaflets to pick up from the town hall if you haven’t got printers and i will let you know ASAP when the equipment (pickers, bags, gloves tabards) can be collected.
“Thank you to Dr Ken Burch for your kind offer of cleaning up Moreton on the Day. Ken would like to call it “Mucking out Moreton” in conjunction with Tidy Thame Day! Fine by me!!
“I haven’t had much luck with Biffa about supplying containers for the rubbish so we will have to make do with our plastic Bags. Please can you all stress to residents the drop off points are for rubbish and greenery collected or cut back on the day not for general household rubbish as there is a limit to volunteers go do!
“Also my wife Sinead is going to bake soda bread and a few cakes on the day as well as serving tea and coffee but if anyone would like to help out with that task we wont turn you away!
“Onwards and Upwards!!”
Adam Buckland
PHOTO: Adam with his ‘Tidy Thame’ crew with some of the rubbish collected last year, 2011
HADDENHAM in Transition are holding a series of events starting with a ‘Haddenham Future’ event on Saturday, March 3, between 10am and 1pm at the Haddenham Youth and Community Centre, Woodways.
We will be reflecting on the achievements of the past year and building on these for our aspirations for the coming year. There is broad agreement that the next 20 years will be nothing like the past 20 years and resource shortages, climate change and economic crisis are going to affect us all. By thinking about how we use the imagination and resources in our community we can make Haddenham resilient to these changes.
Do come and bring your ideas to what promises to be an lively and stimulating Saturday morning.
For more information call David on 01844 296174
Following on from the Haddenham Future Event, in the evening, we are having a party at Haddenham village hall. This will follow a workshop we will have attended during the day exploring the future resilience of Haddenham. We will be in the lounge of the hall from 7.30pm til 11.00pm and have access to the (local!) real ale bar and an acoustic concert by fiddlers, Tom McConville and David Newey and a ceildih with Peeping Tom.
Tickets for the event at
GREEN DRAGON Claire and Steve, who were running this Oak Taverns pub in Haddenham until recently, have taken on a pub with bed-and-breakfast at Hemel Hempstead. The new managers of the pub are Adam Lawther, who was deputy manager of the Green Dragon under Rupert Hill, and his wife Emma and they have brought in a new chef who is cooking with fresh ingredients and adding his own specials to the basic menu. Emma previously worked in the City but joined her husband to run a busy pub in Wapping a few months ago.
BUS TIMETABLES Arriva has recently issued a new timetable for the 280 bus (from Aylesbury to Oxford via Thame) with small changes to the times of buses before 9am and after 3.30pm. You can find copies at Haddenham and Parkway station, Blooming Fruity, Londis and Haddenham library.
MEDICAL CENTRE You are reminded that if you are unable to get to the Haddenham Medical Centre during the week you can now attend on certain Saturdays, providing you book an appointment (to see a doctor or practice nurse) during the week. Saturday clinics for March are on the 10th, 24th and 31st.
REFUSE FREIGHTER Thursday, March 8, will see the refuse freighter in Haddenham for the last time. As from April, the district council will be charging
THOMLEY Activity Centre is a unique recreational facility for disabled children, their families, siblings, and friends near Thame.
Situated at Worminghall, in seven acres of beautiful countryside, Thomley offers a safe and supportive setting for children to play, learn and explore.
There are a wide range of activities suitable for all ages and abilities, allowing everyone to have fun, make new friends, and most of all, feel accepted. Activities vary from outdoor activities including; a football pitch; 1km cycle track; zip wire and large sheltered sand pit to numerous indoor areas including; arts and craft; computer room; soft play area and the very popular sensory room.
Listings for 1st March ? 20th May 2012
Please note that in school/term time Thomley is open to special schools and mainstream schools who include students with additional learning needs. We are open Wednesdays to Fridays throughout term time. Activities can be tailor-made to compliment school projects.
Community day ? Saturday 3rd March
A day for all children to come and play together, raise awareness in the local community and best of all make new friends!
Adult day ? Tuesday 6th March
For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!
Home Education day ? Wednesday 7th March
For all home educated children and their families looking for curriculum activities, socializing and lots of fun!
Pre-School day ? Tuesday 13th March
Come and have a fun-filled day with other parent/ carers and take advantage of our soft play area, play rooms, lots of outdoor space and activities and our indoor craft room. All children under 6 are welcome, why not bring a friend and make a day of it?
Adult Transition day ? Tuesday 20th March
For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!
Home Education day ? Wednesday 21st March
For all home educated children and their families looking for curriculum activities, socializing and lots of fun!
Community Dads day ? Sunday 25th March
For male carers, dads, their friends, family and their children of all abilities. Come and enjoy the full range of Thomley’s activities with other dads and take advantage of the only Sunday opening at Thomley!
Pre-School day ? Tuesday 27th March
Come and have a fun-filled day with other parent/ carers and take advantage of our soft play area, play rooms, lots of outdoor space and activities and our indoor craft room. All children under 6 are welcome, why not bring a friend and make a day of it?
Quiet day ? Saturday 31st March
Do you prefer Thomley on a quieter day? Quiet days are a party free zone and bookings are limited so that children who struggle with the hustle and bustle of a busy day can enjoy themselves with more freedom and space to play!
Easter Holidays ? Booking is essential. All of the regular activities are on offer, with additional activities provided for each day; with a separate provision for teenagers and young adults now available too. Please see the planner on the website for further information ? Monday 2nd April ? Saturday 14th April (Closed Sunday 8th)
Monday 2nd ? Family Day
Tuesday 3rd ? Family Day
Wednesday 4th ? Teenage Day and Transition Networking event ? Available for children aged 10+
Any professionals interested in attending please contact Hayley@thomleyhall.org
Thursday 5th ? Group Day ? bookings for groups only
Friday 6th ? Community Day – For children with and without a disability
Saturday 7th ? Community Day ? For children with and without a disability
Monday 9th ? Family Day
Tuesday 10th ? Family Day
Wednesday 11th ? Family Day
Thursday 12th ? Group Day ? bookings for groups only
Friday 13th ? Community Day ? for children with and without a disability
Saturday 14th ? Family Day
Adult day ? Tuesday 17th April
For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!
Home Education day ? Wednesday 18th April
For all home educated children and their families looking for curriculum activities, socializing and lots of fun!
Pre-School day ? Tuesday 24th April
Come and have a fun-filled day with other parent/ carers and take advantage of our soft play area, play rooms, lots of outdoor space and activities and our indoor craft room. All children under 6 are welcome, why not bring a friend and make a day of it?
Quiet day ? Saturday 28th April
Do you prefer Thomley on a quieter day? Quiet days are a party free zone and bookings are limited so that children who struggle with the hustle and bustle of a busy day can enjoy themselves with more freedom and space to play!
Adult day ? Tuesday 1st May
For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!
Home Education day – Wednesday 2nd May
For all home educated children and their families looking for curriculum activities, socializing and lots of fun!
Community day – Saturday 5th May
A day for all children to come and play together, raise awareness in the local community and best of all make new friends!
Pre-School day ? Tuesday 8th May
Come and have a fun-filled day with other parent/ carers and take advantage of our soft play area, play rooms, lots of outdoor space and activities and our indoor craft room. All children under 6 are welcome, why not bring a friend and make a day of it?
Adult Transition day ? Tuesday 15th May
For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!
Home Education day ? Wednesday 16th May
For all home educated children and their families looking for curriculum activities, socializing and lots of fun!
Teenage day ? Saturday 19th May
For all disabled children aged 10 and over with their family and friends. Teenage activities as well as all the regular Thomley activities…Come and hang out at our new teenage facility!
CHEF, Raymond Blanc, a staunch support and contributor to the Thame Food Festival, is to be recognised for ‘services to the catering and hospitality industry’ with a Lifetime Achievement Award and induction to the Hotelympia Hall later this month.
See the full article at: BigHospitality.co.uk
PHOTO: Raymond Blanc enjoys a glass Champagne as he signs copies of his book at last year’s Thame Food Festival (this year’s festival is on September 29)
A new survey by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has found that over four out of five British adults (84 per cent) believe that farmers have a responsibility to look after the landscape and wildlife for future generations.
The countryside charity has also published its own Vision for the future of Farming, which outlines the changes to farming practices and agricultural policy it would like to see by 2026.
Farming has a major impact on the Oxfordshire landscape, with nearly 200 farms across the county and a total of 78% of the land in Oxfordshire under agricultural management.
The CPRE survey has found that fewer than a fifth of British adults (17 per cent) would accept a more industrialised farming sector and an overwhelming 78 per cent of people want farmers to get more support to carry out environmentally sustainable farming practices.
Helen Marshall, Director of CPRE Oxfordshire, says: ?It?s great to see that people clearly want the environmentally sustainable future for farming set out in our vision. There are huge challenges, including growing populations, increasing demand for land and natural resources, and pressures due to climate change. But we must find ways to cope with these challenges if we are to secure a living, thriving rural landscape.
?The Government, farmers, the food industry and environmental organisations will need to work together over the coming years to ensure that the public?s aspirations are realised.?
In its farming vision, CPRE looks to a future when:
Farmers who adopt new environmental sustainability standards benefit from a price premium that recognises the additional environmental measures they are taking, for example creating wildlife habitats.
Fairer milk prices for dairy farmers help to reverse the decline in traditional, pasture-based dairy farms, and make them more profitable helping to maintain much loved landscapes.
There is a massive increase in the number of community-based horticultural enterprises supplying local vegetables, salad and fruit, strengthening local food webs.
Polytunnels for growing fruit and vegetables have become much less contentious after being brought into a planning system which controls their cumulative impacts on the landscape.
Most pigs and poultry are free range and reared outdoors, which is what the majority of consumers demand.
Farmers in upland areas have capitalised on the environmental and cultural services these areas provide by, for example, managing water and soils sustainably and creating beautiful landscapes.
Nearly all farms in England are producing renewable energy through sensitively designed and located small-scale schemes, such as anaerobic digestion plants which generate energy from farm waste.
SOURCE: Contributed
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after five sheep were killed and butchered at Aston Rowant Nature Reserve in Watlington.
Sometime between Sunday (5/2) and Thursday (16/2), the sheep were professionally butchered and slaughtered and the meat was stolen, leaving behind the skins, feet and internal organs.
PC Jon Simpkins, from Thame police station, said: ?The sheep were in a remote field on Aston Hill along the A40 Lewknor and the offenders would have had to park a vehicle in a nearby gateway.
?To have butchered the sheep would have taken in excess of two hours and they would have had to carry about 200 kilos of meat to their vehicle.
?The job was professionally done and I believe the offenders may have previous experience of butchering animals and used professional butcher or chef knives.?
Anyone with any information about the incident, or who noticed any suspicious vehicles in the area should contact PC Simpkins via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 101.
If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
THE pupil Eco Council at John Hampden Primary School in Thame, has been successful in renewing their hard earned Eco Flag which has been flying high for over two years.
An Eco Schools assessor inspected the school grounds and interviewed the Eco Council, and was very impressed! The passion with which the children spoke of their school and the depth of their knowledge about environmental issues wowed the assessor!
John Hampden Nursery School and Early Years were also commended for having developed and maintained a wonderful environment in which younger children can explore the natural world and are supported in discussing environmental issues like water conservation and biodiversity.
Future projects for the school include creating a wild flower meadow, which will support the creatures living in the Bug Hotel, and the future residents of the new Bog Garden which is being built by David Wilson Homes.
Congratulations to the staff and pupils at John Hampden School for being such admirable Eco Warriors!
SOURCE: Contributed