LOCAL radio station, Red Kite Radio, has now been allocated an FM frequency by Ofcom, the Government broadcasting regulator.
General Manager of Red Kite Radio, Pete MacFarlane in action
107.2 FM will be the new home of the first dedicated radio station for Haddenham, Thame and the surrounding villages, which is due to launch in the Spring of 2017.
Mark Chapple, Chairman of Red Kite Radio said: “We’re over the moon with this allocation. This is at the top of the dial which makes us easy to find and because it’s away from larger broadcasters, it means we’ll have a nice clear sound with no interference.”
Red Kite Radio was awarded a full-time community radio licence by Ofcom earlier this year. The station came about thanks to the Summerfest Radio broadcasts in support of and funded by the Haddenham Beer Festivals Trust. The team of professional broadcasters, who are all volunteering their time, is currently seeking grant funding for essential studio kit and fees to pay to music royalty bodies like PRS. They’re also appealing to local people for donations of computers, office furniture and skills & materials to convert a building at the Haddenham Garden Centre into a broadcast centre.
Mark Chapple said: “We’ve still got lots of work ahead of us before our launch in the Spring- including moving into our permanent home at the Haddenham Garden Centre, building the studio, installing the transmission kit and of course building a music library, albeit a digital one.”
Early next year the Red Kite Radio team will hold a series of seminars and talks to encourage engagement with the new service and explain how local businesses, groups, charities, schools and people from all walks of like can get involved and benefit.
Red Kite Radio is a not for profit radio station and run for the benefit of the community. It will be funded through grants and the selling of advertising packages to local business of all sizes. Cost effective packages will open up the prospect of radio advertising to small traders, trades men & women and larger businesses alike. Companies and organisations will be able to benefit from radio advertising at a low price and in return know they’re supporting this great new community initiative.
HERE is the latest information on the Roadworks affecting the M40. M40 southbound between J7 and J6 | Southbound | Road Works – 22-09-2016 03:41 PM BST
Status : Pending. Lane Closures : Lanes 2 and 3 will be closed. Schedule : From 22:00 on 22 September 2016 to 06:00 on 23 September 2016. Location : The M40 southbound between junctions J8A and J6 . Lanes Closed : There will be two of three lanes closed. Reason : Barrier repairs are planned.
M40 J12 southbound access | Southbound | Road Works – 22-09-2016 03:41 PM BST – Period : from 09:31 on 22 September 2016 to 17:00 on 22 September 2016. Location : The M40 southbound entry slip at junction J12 . Status : Currently Active. Lanes Closed : All lanes are closed. Reason : Roadworks.
M40 southbound within J8A | Southbound | Road Works
22-09-2016 03:41 PM BST
Status : Pending. Lane Closures : Lanes 2 and 3 will be closed. Schedule : From 22:00 on 22 September 2016 to 06:00 on 23 September 2016. Location : The M40 southbound between junctions J8A and J8 . Lanes Closed : There will be two of three lanes closed. Reason : Roadworks are planned.
MOST men need a shed but for some, pottering away at the end of the garden can be a lonely pursuit.
Suppose that you had a bigger shed, better equipped, where you could indulge your ideas, undertake other projects, learn new skills, share your own skills and make new friends; where you could create, make, mend and refurbish to your heart’s content whilst watching, or helping, others to do the same; and where the kettle is always on.
A group in Thame are proposing exactly that – a social shed open to all, young and old, male and female, and regardless of ability, to work on your pet ideas and to contribute to community projects. Already well established in Australia, the idea of ‘shedding’ as a pastime is gathering support in the UK and is already established locally in Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Bicester, so why not in Thame?
The project already has the backing of Thame Councillors but if you want more background information go to www.menssheds.org.uk
All interested are invited to get involved so come along to a public ‘Drop In’ session at Thame Town Hall on Saturday, October 1, at 10am, to share thoughts, show your support and help to make this a reality.
Anyone who would like to express an interest, ask further questions or offer help is invited to contact Mike Ashford by email: thameshed@gmail.com
THE gala of gourmet gorgeousness that is Thame Food Festival just got even better with the announcement that the festival organisers have just secured Master Chef Champion 2016 herself, Jane Devonshire for the Chef’s Stage!
Master Chef winner, 2016, Jane Devonshire
A delighted Festival patron, Lotte Duncan, said: “We are so lucky to have another inspiring, innovative and delicious chef at the Festival and we are really looking forward to seeing her on the day.
“Bright, bubbly and brilliant – Jane is going to delight the audience and regale us with her experiences on the show and how life has changed since she won it!”
Thame Food Festival is this coming Saturday, September 24, and all the details about Jane and anything else you need to know about the festival, are on the festival’s website at: http://www.thamefoodfestival.co.uk/
YOUNG entrepreneurs in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire will have a chance to shine and impress a panel of local business experts, by entering a new Young Entrepreneurs’ Competition, sponsored by the organisers of Thame Small Business Saturday.
As part of Small Business Saturday, being held this year on Saturday, December 3, Thame’s organisers are inviting young entrepreneurs under 30, who have a great business idea they want to develop, to pitch to a galaxy of judges. There is no lower age limit, and the competition is open to students as well as to those employed or looking for a job.
Entries can be made by individuals or teams of up to three, and must be on no more than four sides of A4 paper. The business described must be a new idea, not a business already in existence. Up to six images and video clips lasting one minute are also welcome as part of any entry.
Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges which will include the Mayor of Thame, Cllr Linda Emery, local business entrepreneurs, sales and marketing experts and business advisers. The first prize is £500 cash plus business mentoring, with free business advice for two runners-up.
The competition opened on Monday,September 19, and entries must be made by midnight on Friday, November 4. After shortlisting, the finalists willo pitch to the judges on Small Business Saturday itself, Decembrer 3, and the winners announced on the same day.
All shortlisted candidates can attend a free coaching workshop, run by Semaphora specialists in helping people achieve their goals.
Small Business Saturday https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/ is an annual campaign that puts small independent businesses across the country in the national spotlight, with the message ‘Small Business, Big Difference’. If you run a small business (up to £10m turnover), want to support small businesses, or want to start a small business, Small Business Saturday is for you.
In Thame, this year’s event will be bigger than ever, offering a variety of speakers and workshops on themes relevant to small businesses, as well as retailer displays and a window competition. Thame will also be one of the locations the Small Business Saturday Tour Bus which will be touring the UK with 29 stops in five weeks. The Tour Bus comes to Thame on Monday, November 14, and will be based next to Thame Town Hall from 2 pm to 4 pm. There will be lots of activities to welcome the bus, so look out for more information in the next few weeks.
LONG Crendon Farmers wives and avid Archers fans, Claire Morris and Tracy Newman, brought the long running Radio 4’s programme to life over a fundraising breakfast on Sunday, Sept 11, as the culmination of the trial of Helen Titchener (nee Archer) unfolded live on the radio.
The Bucksum breakfastiers enjoy a cuppa after the tension of the Helen Archer trial
With donated produce from Tracy and husband David’s Bucksum farm shop, and support from other local producers, The Pointer Butchers (Brill), Egg House Charcuterie (Haddenham), The Cottage Bakery (Thame), Laceys farm in Lane End and ‘from Springhill’ in HMP Springhill where Tracy used to work, they cooked up a traditional full English served at Claire and husband George’s College Farm venue.
“The Archers is a tale of everyday country life similar to our own, and for us that means working together and supporting other local farms and businesses,” said Claire, who recently hosted Tracy and David’s wedding at her College Farm venue.
”In everyday village life the dramas that unfold can impact on everyone in the wider community and in the Farm Shop you do get to hear all sorts,” said Tracy. And ‘hearing all sorts’ was exactly what the group did on Sunday- they all sat down and listened over breakfast. “It was weird to just sit and listen to the programme,” explained Claire, “and to watch people’s expressions as the story unfolded,” with Tracy adding: “Usually The Archers is always on whilst you are doing something else.”
And what a gripping tale it was as the week of the trial unfolded towards the final Not Guilty verdict. “That’s why we wanted to use this event to raise money for the womens’ charity Refuge,” explained the women.
All the food was donated and so every penny of the proceeds goes to the ‘Save Helen Titchener Fund’ for Refuge.
CHINNOR RFC laid a 52 year old ghost to rest on Saturday (10/09), with their 22-13 defeat of Henley. This was the first time, in this always fiercely contested South Oxfordshire derby, that Chinnor has ever won at Dry Leas.
Henley started with great pace and scored after five minutes with a penalty goal by scrum half George Jackson. Chinnor then exerted continued pressure in the Henley 22 to win several penalties. Eschewing kicks for goal, their third lineout drive saw No 8, Tom Burns, go over for Chinnor’s first try, easily converted by Bertie Hopkin. Henley continued to play a high pace, rucking game but could not breach the stout Chinnor defence. An offside penalty against Chinnor saw Henley’s Jackson close the gap to 6-7. Chinnor worked their way upfield, and with the scrum looking strong, were rewarded with another series of penalties in the Henley 22.
From a 10 metre scrum, Goodfellow foxed the home defence and went over for Chinnor’s second try. A long period of Henley attack 10 metres out from the Chinnor line looked like grounds for optimism for Henley but a ruck turnover saw Chinnor clear their lines. Chinnor took the game downfield where more penalties ensued and another catch and lineout drive saw Richard Thorpe driven over for Chinnor’s third try. Hopkin’s conversion saw the visitors 19-6 ahead at half time.
The second half began with wave after wave of Henley attack foundering on determined Chinnor defence. Henley then took a leaf from the Chinnor playbook and a driven penalty line out saw flanker Tom Hall cross for Henley’s first try. Jackson’s conversion closed Chinnor’s lead to 19-13. As yet more rain fell, there was a period of midfield attrition where no-one gained the upper hand. The last 10 minutes saw all out Henley attack but again, Chinnor had an answer to everything thrown at them. A midfield tackle by Chinnor’s Danny Barnes surely registered on the Richter Scale and, followed by turnover ball by Messum, Henley’s last hopes of a bonus point were snuffed out. With the final whistle, Chinnor achieved their own piece of history in this fiercely contested 22-13 victory.
This was a game of hard rugby with both sides fully committed at every phase of the game. The conditions made it difficult for the backs and line breaks were few. However, the Chinnor back line defence was more than capable of repulsing anything thrown at them. Led magnificently by skipper Bevon Armitage, Henley just could not break through. Chinnor’s scrum grew in strength throughout the match and was a potent source of penalties. Chinnor, understanding the conditions, used the increasing penalty count to mount a series of drive mauls to great effect. For parts of the match, Henley had long periods of possession but few ideas on how to fashion a score. They are a useful side and will, no doubt, be challenging at the top end of the league towards the end of the season.
This was a real all-team performance for the Thame boys and their resilience and determination were the foundation of this historic win. Bevon Armitage was hugely influential, both as player and as skipper, but narrowly loses the man of the match laurels to George Messum whose turnover ball heroics did much to preserve the Chinnor line. His stonking black eye was testament to his unforgiving tenacity.
THE following is the latest information on the Roadworks affecting the M40, from Highways England:
M40 southbound within J10 | Southbound | Road Works
12-09-2016 02:56 PM BST
Status : Pending. Lane Closures : Lane three will be closed. Schedule : From 22:00 on 12 September 2016 to 06:00 on 13 September 2016. Location : The M40 southbound between junctions J10 and J9 . Lanes Closed : There will be one of three lanes closed. Reason : Roadworks are planned.
M40 northbound between J9 and J10 | Northbound | Road Works
12-09-2016 02:56 PM BST
Status : Pending. Lane Closures : Lanes 2 and 3 will be closed. Schedule : From 22:00 on 12 September 2016 to 06:00 on 13 September 2016. Location : The M40 northbound between junctions J9 and J10 . Lanes Closed : There will be two of three lanes closed. Reason : Roadworks are planned.
M40 J12 southbound access | Southbound | Road Works
12-09-2016 02:56 PM BST
Period : from 11:05 on 12 September 2016 to 19:00 on 12 September 2016. Location : The M40 southbound entry slip at junction J12 . Status : Currently Active. Lanes Closed : All lanes are closed. Reason : Roadworks.
M40 northbound between J10 and J11 | Northbound | Road Works
12-09-2016 02:56 PM BST
Status : Pending. Lane Closures : Lane one will be closed. Schedule : From 21:00 on 12 September 2016 to 05:00 on 13 September 2016. Location : The M40 northbound between junctions J10 and J11 . Lanes Closed : There will be one of three lanes closed. Reason : Roadside equipment maintenance is planned.
FAMILY, friends, and customers came together on Friday, September 9, to pay tribute to, and celebrate the life of Thame legend, John Markham aka John the Stitcher, at his funeral service, filling the Oxford Crematorium in Barton, Oxford. John died on August 21, 2016, after tenaciously fighting cancer for several months. He was just 64 years-old.
John ‘The stitcher’ Markham
The phrase ‘hiding your light under a bushel’ could have been penned for the man most knew as simply ‘John the Stitcher’. Most knew him from the friendly, helpful, creative, professional help he served up to his numerous customers from his distinctive leather shop in East Street, Thame. But that was merely the surface of the depth of his abilities. Many didn’t even know his last name as he was fondly known as just ‘John the Stitcher’ – the name on his Thame shop front for 33 years.
John provided exemplary leatherwork services from the tiny, dimly lit and impossibly crowded shop on the corner of East Street and Chinnor Road, across from The Cross Keys pub. Before he moved his sewing machine towards the front of the shop a few years ago, he would be found (eventually) sitting at the back amidst a pile of new leather, partly finished projects, and completed items way at the back. His shop would be full to capacity with just two customers standing together just inside the front door.
‘A rare step into an olde worlde shop’
John started his own business originally on the site of Shoe Care, moving to 1, East Street, where he remained for over 25 years. He made new – or repaired – leather goods, from your old worn out item, a pattern that you had roughly sketched, or from a photo of what you wanted. His shop was a wonderful yet rare step into an olde worlde shop environment with the glorious smell of tanned leather, dressing, glue, and polish. To visit John there, was a unique, rewarding, entertaining and pleasurable experience.
John the Stitcher made leather goods for classic car restorers, pilots of antique airplanes, film companies – notably for the film ‘Pan’ – horse riders, motorbike riders, and many more. Fittingly, being a motorbike rider himself in his youth (an accident prevented him from riding further), a group of six motorbikes assembled to accompany his family and John on his final journey from the funeral home in Cowley, Oxford to the Oxford Crematorium in Barton Oxford.
As well as being willing to rescue a broken belt buckle or handbag, or to sew a new zip in a pair of much-loved boots, there didn’t seem anything made of leather that John couldn’t do, or a problem he couldn’t solve with leather. He made for example a leather chute for grain bags in a grist mill, tonneau covers and seats for classic cars, as well as a seat for a Tiger Moth aeroplane.
A visit now to his still-visible Facebook page – John the Stitcher – has a treasure trove of photos displaying just some of his creative work. A fascinating book could be made of the photos from his personal photograph album. Perhaps some author will accept that project for John on behalf of his family and friends?
John’s Patience and humour
Ever mindful of some people’s poor memories, he would sometimes keep repaired items for six months or more, waiting patiently for the customer to collect and pay for his work; some never did. Yet his humour was ever present. One customer, upon bringing in her daughter’s handbag hoping to get a new zip, told John that she was afraid that it was purple (thinking that he might struggle to find a replacement purple zip), to which John replied that he couldn’t help it if the handbag was purple!
Another customer had so many other motorbike riders asking where he got his leatherwork done, that he paid John to make him a belt with John’s name, phone number, and postcode stamped into it – and the belt became a travelling advertisement. In name and thoughts, John continues to ride everywhere with that biker today.
A private and modest man, most knew little of his family or his past. When coaxed, he would dig out an aging, well-thumbed photo album of many of his past projects. Each photo was cheerfully and enthusiastically explained with a fascinating story. Yet this was a man of many academic accomplishments, including a degree in politics and Socio-Economics with an extension in British Institution at Liverpool University
Clearly expressing John and his family’s enjoyment of a wide variety of music, the entrance song to the beginning of his memorial celebration was the soulful, bottle-neck slide guitar tune ‘Feelin’ Bad Blues’ by Ry Cooder, while the exit music was the tender, ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’ by The Spaniels. The music for reflection was the melancholy classical Beethoven string quartet piece, ‘Cavatina.’
‘A huge hole’ in the life of Thame
It was also fitting that John’s memorial booklet ended with the poem, ‘Miss Me But Let Me Go’. Yet his sad departure has left a huge hole at the heart of Thame life. However, Thame is a far richer place now for all his contributions.
After the service, the family invited celebrants to join them in continuing to share memories of John at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel. His family also requested donations, in lieu of flowers, to be made to either Sobell House Hospice Oxford or Maggie’s Centre Oxford.
In the 1992, John married his wife Wendy, who still lives in Oxford. Together they had one child – Kiah – and John was step father to Wendy’s three children – Melissa, Carina and Daniel. John is also survived by his brother, David.
THAME is in the running to win up to £50,000 in prize money as part of a nationwide search for the Britain’s best high street.
Thame High Street has been entered in to the Small Market Town category of the Great British High Street award, in recognition of the town’s collective efforts to increase the vitality and viability of the area. This includes holding workshops for businesses to help them take advantage of the town’s associations with the filming of Midsomer Murders, the installation of numbered, brass waymarkers set into the pavements linked to Historic walks leaflets, using the high street in innovative ways to promote the evening economy including Street Cricket, ‘Brush Parties’ for budding artists in a local pub, regular, live music events in local pubs, supporting events like the Thame Food Festival and the Thame Arts and Literature Festival, appointing a Market Town Coordinator, mentoring and offering social media training to town centre retailers and other small businesses to work together to promote the town and what it has to offer – all helping to deliver Thame’s vision as an attractive, appealing destination for residents, visitors and shoppers.
Thame Town Centre Social Media Champions (L to R) Justin Shardlow, Sonja Francis, Sarah Lister, Anwen Russell, Lizzie Fuller, Norma Laver, Cassie Pinnells and Jenny Walker (T shirts printed and sponsored by Mr Mend, Thame)
The on-line entry includes photographs of various activities in the town centre, and video footage of interviews with Thame’s market traders, independent retailers and the Mayor or Thame, Linda Emery, as well as scenes from town centre life – much of it shot my Emma Lowndes of ThameTV, and edited into three separate video, by Tony Long. You can view the videos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mytf6FRdJs
The results of a recent survey carried out among retailers in the town centre, show just how such projects and initiatives have contributed to:
If successful, Thame will win a share of the cash prize pot, and dedicated support and mentoring from industry experts which could range from one to one coaching to advice on digital marketing.
One of the main objectives of the Great British High Street competition is to share successful ideas for regenerating high streets and making them vibrant places to shop and socialise.
Helen Johns, who has co-ordinated Thame’s entry on behalf of 21st Century Thame, and supported by Thame Town Council, said: “The High streets is a vital part of our community and makes a very important contribution to the local economy through the thousands of pounds it generates and the jobs it supports in retail, leisure and other businesses. This translates to billions of pounds and thousands of jobs all over the country supporting the national economy.
“There’s a renewed buzz on our high streets and this competition is searching for the very best ideas, innovation and creativity which is great news for our town centre, and fingers crossed our entry will be successful.”
There are seven separate categories in recognition of the diversity of Britain’s high streets: City Centre; London; Town Centre; Market Town; Coastal Community; Village and parade of shops.
The public can support Thame’s nomination at http://thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk/get-involved and if Thame is shortlisted, everyone will be able to vote for their favourite high street. Nominations are open until July 17, 2016.
