Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Keep your business safe online – Free event

    THAMES Valley Police is urging small businesses to attend a FREE event to find out about cyber crime and how to stop themselves from becoming victims.

    police_cyberevent_didcotThe event, which is the first of its kind to be organised by the police force, will take place on Wednesday, November 30, at the Cornerstone Arts Centre, 25 Station Road, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NE.

    It is open to small businesses from across the Thames Valley with experts on-hand to talk about the risks, including the latest threats such as Mandate Fraud, CEO Fraud and Ransomware. In addition to specialists from Thames Valley Police, there will be key experts from Get Safe Online, Lloyds Bank, Kaspersky Lab and London Digital Security Centre giving presentations and available to answer questions. Representatives from the Oxford Cyber Security Cluster will also be in attendance to run workshops involving live demonstrations, such as a ‘live hack’.

    The event is being organised following the launch of Thames Valley Police’s #ProtectYourWorld – stay safe online campaign to raise awareness about cyber crime and encourage residents and businesses to take steps to protect themselves from becoming victims. Det Supt Nick John, Head of Specialist Operations at Thames Valley Police, said: “It is easy for business owners to be complacent about IT security, or to think they won’t fall victim to scams – however, there are businesses being affected by cyber crime on a daily basis and it is vital that this is taken seriously. “This free event is a fantastic opportunity for small businesses to find out first-hand about the threats that exist and could affect them and their business. We know those involved in running small businesses are busy, but I would encourage them to take the time to come along to this event and get this valuable advice from experts to ensure their business is protected.”

    Spaces for the event will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis so businesses are urged to sign up as soon as possible to reserve a free place. Register HERE 

  • Funding boost for Thame’s new cricket facility

    THAME Town Cricket Club moved one step closer to realising a long-held dream of a new clubhouse this week when South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) approved a grant application towards the project of £250,000.

    An artist's impression of the new clubhouse and facilities for Thame Cricket Club
    An artist’s impression of the new clubhouse and facilities for Thame Cricket Club

    The application was scored highly for ‘Providing new facilities and activities’ and ‘Community benefit.’ The clubhouse will be suitable for multiple sports and community use for a range of activities and uses. It will have ground and first floor function rooms available for hire and equipped with kitchen, bar and office facilities.

    The club now has 80% of the funds it requires and met with the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) on Friday, October 28, to discuss the plans. Chris Whitaker, who is the Facilities and Investment Manager with the ECB, said: “you have done an excellent job in working through your project to reach this stage and we would like to use Thame Town CC as a case study for other clubs to follow.”

    The planning application was approved in May this year and the club has been busy ever since raising the funds required to deliver the project for which construction will commence in September 2017, ready for the start of the cricket season in April 2018.

    Matt Swain, TTCC Vice Chairman, said: “We are delighted with the grant approval from SODC and would like to thank Thame Town Council for their support with the application. This grant means delivering the project is now wholly achievable. We will continue to execute our fund raising plan with both National and local organisations and individuals in order to secure the remaining funds required. We would welcome any further support for the project and have a number of schemes including ‘BUY A BRICK’ in which individuals or organisations can contribute to the fund raising effort.

    “The new clubhouse will make a huge difference, not just to the members of the Cricket, Hockey and Netball clubs but the broader community of Thame, who will be able to enjoy the facility in the heart of town at one of the most idyllic settings that Oxfordshire has to offer. We are a charitable organisation run by volunteers who have the club’s best interest at heart in everything we do. We have worked really hard over the last few years to develop the club and make it something that more and more people can enjoy. The new clubhouse is part of our future aspirations to become one of the best clubs in Oxfordshire which will help provide sustainability for many years to come.”

    The club, which currently has over 200 members, is based in the picturesque setting of Church Meadow in the heart of Thame, Oxfordshire, with the church of St Mary the Virgin as a backdrop. The club moved to Church Meadow in 1975 where the ground and clubhouse were created from existing low grade agricultural land and derelict farm buildings. The existing clubhouse has out-lived its useful lifespan and whilst it has ‘lots of character’ is not fit for purpose to cater for three adult Saturday league teams, 94 juniors in five age group teams, a hugely popular Women’s section and aspirations to develop a junior Girls team starting in 2017.

    The new clubhouse has been designed by local architects Holland & Green and will meet ECB technical specification for new Pavilions and Clubhouses. It is designed in a way which is sympathetic to its beautiful surroundings next to the Grade I listed Church and Grade II listed Dovecote. Thame Hockey Club will share the building and use it during the Winter as their clubhouse, whilst still playing their matches at Thame Leisure Centre. Thame Netball club will also use the new facility.

  • Thame Service of Remembrance 2016

    THE Service of Remembrance will be taking place at Thame Memorial Gardens on Sunday, November 13, 2016. The procession, which will include Town Councillors, members of the Royal British Legion and other community groups, will assemble outside the Town Hall at 10.30am ready to proceed to the War Memorial.

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    Following the service everyone is warmly invited to Christchurch for refreshments.

    A copy of the Order of Service can be downloaded from the Town Council website at www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk. Copies are also available at the Information Centre and will be distributed at the memorial gardens on the morning of the service.

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1The Town Mayor, Cllr Linda Emery, invites you to join her on Armistice Day, Friday 11 November at 10.55 am as she leads the Town in the Act of Remembrance, and observes a two minute silence outside the Town Hall.

  • Live opera comes to Thame!

    OXFORD based Opera Anywhere are bringing Mozart’s best known and best loved opera, The Magic Flute, to Thame.

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    It was Mozart’s last opera, first performed on  September 30, 1791 – he died on December 5, later that year. He loved the opera so much that he asked for it to be played on his death bed. It was performed over 100 times that year alone.

    The Magic Flute is a tender and amusing opera, to be enjoyed by seasoned opera-goers and novices alike. Whether it is simply a fantasy, or if it has greater depths of symbolism and philosophy, has been argued over, ever since it was first performed. There is no disagreement about the quality of the beautiful and moving music. It has many popular melodies, for example, two arias sung by The Queen of the Night include the highest notes possible in music. And the duet by Papagena and Papageno, ‘Pa Pa Pa’ is the best-known comedy number.

    Opera buff or just curious, another great show at The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame,  7.45pm on Saturday, November 5, and 3pm on Sunday,  November 6.

    Tickets cost £16, concessions £14 – available from Tickets Anywhere Greyhound Walk, Thame tel: 01844 217228
    or online from www.thameplayers.co.uk

  • Equipment upgrade at Thame Leisure Centre

    VISITORS to Thame Leisure Centre are enjoying a real fitness boost thanks to a share £264,000 worth of gym upgrades. South Oxfordshire District Council and leisure centre operators GLL have provided a host of new machines, including the latest state-of-the-art Technogym machines such as treadmills and recline bikes which offer members a full cardiovascular workout.

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    New flooring has been installed and decorating also taken place to improve the environment in the gym area at the centre. At TLC’s gym, £189,000 improvements have been made, including 50 new machines, with additional work including a new ceiling.

    Cllr Anna Badcock, Cabinet Member for Leisure at South Oxfordshire District Council, said. “These improvements are part of our ongoing programme to upgrade facilities across the district. Our leisure centres are very important to local residents and we want to ensure that everyone has access to modern fitness equipment.”

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1Ben Whaymand, Partnership Manager of charitable social enterprise GLL, said, “Abbey Sports Centre and Thame Leisure Centre are very popular community facilities and we’re delighted that local residents can now enjoy the upgraded facilities and try out some of the most modern and innovative fitness equipment on the market.”

  • Action groups welcomes support for new community venue

    Dear editor, We were very pleased to read the encouragement that Thame town council have given to the development of a Thame music festival, as proposed by Jon Littler, reported on 27.10.2016.

    cmag-logo-large-308x350We are particularly interested in the description of a long term dream of a 3-400 seat venue, which CMAG have been lobbying for over the last 12 years, as a multi-purpose building on the North Street Livestock Market site.

    We welcome any groups who would like to join the cause. Please find details at www.thamecmag.co.uk
    Best wishes
    Helena Richards

  • Cards for charity Christmas card shop

    ANOTHER  year has flown by and once again,  the Cards for Good Causes Charity shop, staffed by volunteers) in Christchurch, Upper High Street, Thame, will be selling Christmas Cards and gifts on behalf of some 35 local and national charities

    charity_xmas_cards-283x400At least 70 pence in each £1 of sales will go the relevant charity. The shop will be open six days a week from November 11, to December 9,  from 10am to 4pm.

  • Concert for Calais

    DESPITE the recent destruction of ‘the Jungle’ in Calais, and the displaced people stranded there being dispersed, a Chamber Music concert to raise funds to help those ex residents of the camp, will go ahead on November 9.

    Human Rights Activist and violinist Neta Rudich, who is helping to organise the event, said: “The idea and need in this concert came up after a group of 13 people (including myself)- Oxford Convoy2Calais visited the Jungle refugee camp last August. We came back different people. I shall not describe the place and our impressions, as words are to little for that, but just say we set to plan our next aid convoy and donations collection.”

    concert_for_calais_final-357x500The concert will start at 7.30pm in the Holywell Music Room, Holywell street Oxford.

    Neta explained: “Together with two great musicians – Zeynep Özsuca, pianist, and Sacha Rattle, Clarinetist, we will perform an evening of wonderful chamber music pieces including Brahms Sonata, Schumann Fantasy Pieces and Khachaturian trio.

    “All proceeds are to refugees aid and the next convoy.”

    Tickets are available from
    https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/concert-for-calais-tickets
    Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/875210325949192/
    Details also available here: www.netarudich.net/concerts

    If you want to read more about most urgently needed aid please email oxford2calais@gmail.com or visit http://care4calais.org/

    Nita asks: “Please share, spread the word, and invite your friends.”

  • Appeal for funds to help keep Children’s Centre open

    IN response to the imminent closure of Thame’s Red Kite Children’s Centre due to cuts at county council level, two local voluntary groups are preparing a business plan to keep the centre open and have appealed to Thame Town Council for financial assistance.

    One of the groups is Sharing Life Trust which aims to help people in need in the Thame area, and last week, one of its founder-members, John Hulett, presented the proposal to Thame Town Council’s Culture, Leisure and Recreation committee (CLR). John explained that in the Centre’s catchment area of Thame and Chinnor, there are 1,135 under-5s, and although the area is socio-economically ‘affluent’, there are ‘significant areas of need and disadvantage’.

    Child with banner at one of he many protests against closure of childrens centres -Image courtesy of Oxfordshire NASWT
    Child with banner at one of he many protests against closure of childrens centres -Image courtesy of Oxfordshire NASWT

    What does the Children’s Centre provide?

    At the moment, the centre runs a range of activities for young children and families, and frequent clinics are arranged jointly with health professionals, as well as some special targeted activities, all currently free to use. John told councillors that of all the children eligible to use the centre, over 82% have taken up activities offered.

    Sharing Life Trust has the support of the Thame Alliance Group (TAG) which has set up a working group aimed at ensuring the Red Kite Children’s Centre continues, as well as local councils, church groups and Action For Children which currently runs the centre for Oxfordshire County Council. Together they have identified the key issues for continuing to run the centre and looked at various management plans.

    How much will it cost to run?

    Now they are ready to complete the business plan, and although they have already raised £20,000 through Sharing Life Trust, it is estimated that the centre will cost £80,000 per year to run. Other possible sources of funding include the Oxford Community Foundation, the local business community and OCC’s transition fund of £30,000 over three years. John was asking the town council for £10,000.

    “This is a local, community resource. It is all about investing in the young of our town,” he said.

    Most town councillors were very supportive of John Hulett’s proposal, with Cllr Mary Stiles saying: “You get fewer problems later down the line if you help children under five years-old and their families. Also, you don’t have to be deprived to suffer from Post-natal depression!”

    What is the alternative if the Centre closes?

    Referring to OCC’s plan to have two or three ‘hubs’ around the county targeting services to those in need, Cllr Helena Fickling said: “Universal provision means everyone can come without being stigmatised. We want to keep it that way. What OCC is proposing separates out.”

    The CLR committee voted to take the proposal, that the council provides £10,000 towards running the Red Kite Children’s Centre, to the town council’s Budget Working Group.

    BREAKING NEWS – OCC’s Cabinet will today (Tuesday) bdebate whether or not to waiver the rent for the first year (from March 2017) for its buildings that are currently being used for Children’s Centres around the county, which would help those taking over their running, to get funding in place for future years.

  • Win the chance to turn on Thame’s Christmas lights!

    CHRISTMAS is fast approaching and to get Thame into the festive spirit, the Town Council will once again be launching a treasure trail around the town centre for the young and young-at-heart.

    santa-circuit-400x305In line with the Go-Karts which will be at this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-On on Friday, December 2,  24 Go-Kart Santa’s have been hidden, including one very special Santa holding the Golden Trophy, in shop windows and town centre buildings around Cornmarket, Upper High Street, North Street, Buttermarket, Swan Walk, Greyhound Walk and High Street. You can start hunting high and low from Friday, November 4, and see if you can you find them all!  To give you a helping hand, all of our Go-Kart Santa’s will be numbered.

    The first entry out of the hat with all the correct answers will get the chance to push the plunger and switch on the town’s Christmas lights, as well as win some other fabulous prizes. To enter the competition all you need to do is download an entry form from www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/christmas or pick one up from the Town Hall Information Centre, write down all the places around town that you find a Go-Kart Santa and return your entry to the Town Hall Information Centre by Thursday, December 1.

    Don’t forget to include your name, age, address and telephone number. Good luck and happy hunting!

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1All the latest news and information about this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-On will be available on the Town Council’s website at: www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/christmas