Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Man Dies After Lorries Crash Head-On

    ONE man has died and another is seriously injured following a head-on crash between two lorries just outside Thame.
    The A418 road remains closed from both ends of Tiddington, and Shabbington is closed off at the Thame side at this time (4pm), following the accident which happened at around mid-day.
    A second man, who had to be cut from his vehicle, was airlifted to the JR hospital where his condition is serious.

  • New Housing For Thame Approved

    A NEW housing development on the edge of Thame, has been approved by the local planning authority.
    The old Rycotewood college site, on the Oxford Road, Thame, is to be developed by Berkeley Homes, who now have planning permission to build over 90 new homes, including some affordable housing.
    Discussion of the plans were the subject of a Webcast over the internet last Wednesday evening, filmed by South Oxfordshire District Council.

    Thame Town Council had recommended refusal of the plans the previous week, on the grounds of over-development of the site, and safety concerns about the narrow entrance to the site between two Victorian, listed gate lodges.

  • Thame’s Blooming Generation

    ONCE again, Thame’s young gardeners have come up smelling of roses!(Or rather, sunflowers)
    Cllr David Laver, the out-going Mayor of Thame, presented the winners of this year’s Thame In Bloom Children’s Art competition with their awards, last Thursday at Thame town hall, helped by Thame In Bloom Chairman, Nigel Ayres.
    The over-all Cup winner was eight year-old, Ellie Aitken, who goes to John Hampden school, Thame. The other age Category winners were:

    Under 5’s Loik Helmer
    Five years Luke Eaton
    Six years Alex Dudsinski
    Seven years Lewis Branch
    Nine years Eleanor MacDougall
    Ten years Sophie Deacock
    Eleven years Alice Niedzielski

    Collage Rachel Godfrey
    Group Work Barley Hill – Year 1
    Highly Commended – 1st Thame Brownies

    All the winners received a young Sunflower plant in a pot.

    The competition was judged by Anna Wiltshire.

  • Another Win For Thame United (Contributed)

    Thame United 2, Shrivenham 1
    Match Report – League Match Saturday, September 9

    THAME United recorded their second successive win last Saturday in a ?home? match played at Wallingford. A week ago United were at the foot of the table but these results have lifted them FOUR places.

    Thame got off to a good start and scored in the fourth minute. Graham Jackson played a good pass to Nick Gibson who travelled 20 yards before unleashing a strong shot from 12 yards, easily beating Shrivenham keeper Daryl Simms. Three minutes later, left-winger Joe Da Silva received the ball on the edge of the area, beat his man, and hit a well-placed shot just inside the left post from 18 yards. So after seven minutes play, Simms had picked the ball up from the back of his goal twice.

    It looked like Thame could be in for an easy, high scoring win but Shrivenham recovered well and began to pressurise the Thame goal. The visitors pulled a goal back in the 19th minute when Stuart Bellinger beat two men before hitting a shot from 12 yards. Thame goalkeeper Paul Searl had the shot covered but it took a deflection off a Thame defender and finished up in the corner to the net. Both sides had further first half chances, but the sides went in for half time with Thame leading 2-1.

    The second half was an anticlimax. Shrivenham looked sharper and Searl was kept busy, particularly in the first 25 minutes. The final 20 minutes were more even and, with 5 minutes to go, Thame created a good chance to put the result beyond doubt. The ball was played to substitute Dave Miller who, eight yards out with only Jackson to beat, scuffed his shot. Thame held out and just about deserved their win.

    Thame United: Searl, Smith, Watkins, Kitson, Tregurtha (Hocking), Jackson, Gibson, Raja (Miller), Rodgers, Jack, De Silva.

  • Thame Arts Cafe Exhibition

    THAME’S Arts Cafe, at Pickles Delicatessen in Upper High Street, is to host its first group exhibition from June 18 to July 2.
    Founder Member, Christine Tacq, told ThameNews.Net: “On show will be mixed media, sparked by shared themes and artworks to buy ‘off the wall’ and we will be holding special events on the Sunday.”

    On Sunday, June 18, there will be an opportunity to meet the artists, Pat Clayton, Heather Hunter and Christine Tacq herself, among others, and on Sunday, June 25, Word and Image is the theme, offering the opportunity to take a closer look at Artists’ Books and other visual presentations. Later in the afternoon, there will be a Word presentation linked to the exhibition, interspersed with tea!

    For a full programme of events can be obtained from Pickles’.

    Photo: Artist, Christine Tacq peers through the window of Thame’s Art Cafe, Pickles, with some curious children.

  • TLC Managers Win Investors In People Award

    OXFORDSDHIRE based charity, Soll Leisure, which manages Thame Leisure Centre and the Jubilee Pool, has been awarded the Investors in People accreditation.
    The Assessor, as well as seeking evidence on policies, practices and procedures interviewed over 50 staff within SOLL at various levels including the Board.

    The assessor, Richard Simpson, stated:”Soll are genuinely an ?investor in people? company demonstrating that they are a positive, enthusiastic and committed group with excellent practices. Soll is certainly committed to showing ongoing improvement”.

    Soll Leisure has been established for six years and manages 12 other leisure facilities, as well as Thame’s, in contract agreements for South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council, Thame Town Council and Didcot Town Council. Its turnover is just over

  • Pedestrianisation Of Town Centre Proposal

    AMONGST suggestions to safeguard the competitiveness of retail businesses in Thame, is a proposal to pedestrianise the Cornmarket area.
    A recent report into the the health of retail businesses in Thame, commissioned by South Oxfordshire Dictrict Council, said that, in common with many other towns across the UK, trading conditions in Thame have: “progressively deteriorated in recent years.
    “Consumer spending could continue to shift away from the town unless action is taken to increase its competitiveness and safeguard its future,” says the author of the report, John Lockwood of New Horizon Ltd.
    The report looked at the town from a consumer’s point of view and highlighted weaknesses such as “poor quality toilets, traffic issues that mar an otherwise attractive shopping environment, narrow footways causing problems in Buttermarket, a shortage of parking on market days and declining standards in the quality of shop fronts.”
    The report goes on to say: “Some of the proposals will involve changes that some people may find challenging but if the town is to capitalise on its assets it must make use of what it has, more effectively.”
    It concludes that if implemented, the suggested actions “would assist in safeguarding the future vitality and viability of the town centre.”

    Town Councillors and members of the Economic group of 21st Century Thame, are to meet to discuss the implications of the Lockwood report.

    To see the full report, see Link

  • Thame ‘Old Girls’ In ‘Historique’ Trip

    A GROUP of venerable ?old ladies? from Thame, have just returned from the fortified hill town of Laon, in France, where they took part in what was billed as ?Le Laon Historique?.
    Thirteen elderly but wonderfully preserved motors, driven by members of the Thame Classic Motor Club, joined over 550 other Classic beauties from all over Europe, for two tours around the local area on Saturday (June 3) and a run around the closed roads of Laon itself on Sunday, June 4.
    Classic Car Club member and Mayor of Thame, Nigel Champken-Woods, told ThameNews.Net: ?Despite one of our number breaking down on the M25, and having to go back to Oxford for another member?s Jaguar, we had no serious mechanical problems. It was a fantastic atmosphere. The highlight of the weekend was a trip to the ?Caverne du dragon?, a cave in an old quarry works, held by the Germans and the French during the first world war.?

    Thame Classic Motor Club Members who travelled to Laon were:
    Malcolm & Ann Brown Talbot Alpine 1953
    Nigel & Alison Champken-Woods Sunbeam Alpine 1964
    Bert & Jan Ingram MG Midget 1979
    Maurice & Joan Priestly Triumph Stag 1970
    Ron & Sandra Rumens Triumph TR4A 1966
    Malcolm & Mary White Rover 110 1963
    David & Beryl Kew MGB GT 1974
    Keith & Margaret Broady Mercedes Benz 280SL 1984
    Vic Watson MGB GT 1974
    Philip & Liz Wilson Jaguar Mk II 1966
    Chris & Jane Jones Triumph Stag 1971

    Photo: Ron & Sandra Rumen’s Triumph TR4a

  • EX Thame Area GP Will Be Sadly Missed

    THE FUNERAL of Barbara Gladwin, who worked as a GP in the Thame area for many years, is to be held on Friday, June 9, at St Joseph’s Church.
    Barbera died peacefully last Saturday, June 3, at Stoke Mandeville hospital, after a long illness, during which she was looked after by her husband, local poet and phylosopher, Eric Gladwin, and latterly, in a Care Home in Stone.
    Barbara was born at Muswell Hill in London in 1918 and met Eric at a dance just after the war in 1945. They recently celebrated their Ruby wedding anniversary and have three sons, one of whom runs ‘Helpful Hirings’ in Towersey, founded by his father.
    Eric would like to offer an open invitation to all who knew and loved Barbara to her funeral, which begins at 2pm, and the following interment at St Mary’s church, Thame.

  • Forget Football ? Find Flora and Fauna on Foot!

    IF the thought of the World Cup is filling you with dread, put your best foot forward join one of the Chilterns Conservation Board?s guided walks in June.

    Saturday 17th June, 2pm ? 4.30pm. ?Get Out of Town? walk from Bourne End. A six-mile circular route taking in the River Thames, Little Marlow Lakes Country Park and Bloom Wood. Plenty of opportunities to see bird life including red kites. Meet at Bourne End railway station.

    Sunday 18th June, 10am ? 12pm. ?Downland Flowers and Butterflies? guided walk, Litmore Shaw Nature Trust, Ibstone. A chance to see the orchids and butterflies on the chalk downland with an expert ecologist from Bucks County Council.

    Tuesday 20th June, 7.30pm. ?Discover Your Common? guided walk at Naphill Common. Join your expert guides for a gentle stroll around the common, discovering the natural and cultural history of the area as you go. Meet on Naphill Common at the end of Forge Road (off Main Road).

    Sunday 25th June, 10am ? 12pm. ?Red Kites and Woodland? guided walk at Ewelme. A four-mile circular walk in stunning countryside with one very steep climb. Look out for red kites and buzzards. Park in the Primary school playground at the eastern end of the village.