CARRIAGEWAY Maintenance will take place by Oxfordshire County Council Highways from Monday, August 8, 2016 with an anticipated completion date of Thursda,y August 11, 2016.
Limited access will be maintained for emergency services and for frontages within the closed section of road.
Suggested alternative route via A40, A418.
PREPARE for an ocean of fun at Thame Leisure Centre’s swimming sessions this summer and grab the chance to win some ‘Finding Dory’ goodies.
Disney, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and Change4Life want your family to ‘Just Keep Moving…’ as they dive into a summer of activity inspired by the new Disney Pixar film, Finding Dory.
Families will have a whale of a time as they dive like Dory, splash like sea lions, and hide like Hank in a series of Finding Dory inspired activities based on core aquatic skills and led by a trained pool activator.
Better, the UK’s largest provider of public swimming pools, are delivering these sessions in 57 Better facilities across the UK including in the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse areas, Thame Leisure Centre, Didcot Wave Leisure Pool and Gym, Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool and Wantage Leisure Centre.
The bookable sessions, open to families of all ages and abilities, will be available betweem July 26 to September 4. Sessions are priced at £3 for adults and £2 for children, and will be held at Thame Leisure Centre on Tuesdays 9.15-10.00; Didcot Wave on Fridays from 9.30 to 10.30; Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool on Tuesdays 11.30-12.00 and Fridays 10.00-10.30/10.30-11.00 and Wantage Leisure Centre on Tuesdays from 14.00-15.00 and 15.00-16.00.
To book your session, visit your local participating Better leisure centre or online at: www.better.org.uk/finding-dory-oxfordshire
The first 50,000 children across the UK that attend three sessions will receive a Finding Dory branded swimming bag from reception. All you need to do is collect a loyalty card from reception at your first session which must then be stamped on three separate occasions to qualify for the bag.
You could also win a Finding Dory prize bundle worth £250 when you upload a photo via Instagram using #JustKeepMoving. The competition will have 10 winners selected every week, winning a prize bundle of £250 value of Finding Dory products.
Full terms and conditions of the offer and competition are available on the ASA and Disney link here: www.disney.co.uk/justkeepmoving
FORGET about Brexit! Thame and District Twinning Association’s 15-year friendship with Montesson, France, is as strong and enduring as ever. The group is currently taking bookings for it’s annual weekend away in Thame’s twin town, and has some spaces still available on the coach.
The weekend is from Friday, September 16, to Sunday, September 18, and costs just £100 per person – which includes all travel costs, accommodation, meals and a Saturday trip to somewhere really special in France.
If you would like to know more, contact Linda Emery via: Lindaemery@btinternet.com
THAME Town cricket club is preparing to throw open its ground and pavilion doors on Sunday, August 7, from 11am to 7pm, as part of a nationwide initiative, supported by Waitrose as part of national ECB campaign to help boost grassroots cricket participation and reach the broader community of Thame.
The club is inviting all local cricket fans and people who are interested in finding out more about the club, to head along to the ground for the day to watch some cricket, get involved in a range of taster sessions and enjoy some food and drink, in a bid to entice new members and volunteers to sign-up.
Matt Swain (TTCC Vice Chairman) “We are inviting people to come and join us at one of the most idyllic Cricket settings in the county, which is right on their doorstep. From 11am-6pm there will be a six- aside tournament, BBQ, drinks, Music and Bouncy Castle. From 1pm to 3pm we will have a FREE Cricket taster session in our three bay net facility for Girls and Boys of 6 to 16 years old plus adult Women.
“From 3pm to 5pm Chinnor Rugby Club will be having an open Rugby Tots session for 2 to 5 years old and at 6pm there will be a Hot Air Balloon ride. The event is for everyone. Come and join us in the heart of Thame next to St Mary’s Church, you will be most welcome.”
Former England captain and ECB Cricket Partnership Ambassador Mike Gatting, added: “Club Open Days have proven to be a fantastic way for cricket clubs to capitalise on the nation’s fervour for cricket during the summer. By opening their pavilion doors and showcasing what they have to offer to their local community, clubs will hopefully be able to inspire newcomers to come and join them. We want to inspire more players, volunteers and social members to come together and get into cricket.”
Thame Town CC runs three adult teams every weekend during the cricket season. The club also has a women’s team that plays on a Wednesday and Thursday evening and five junior sections that run on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The club is a voluntary organisation which has ECB accreditation and 12 ECB qualified coaches plus a child welfare officer and a management committee.
SHOW homes up at the new Bloor Homes development in Oxford Road, Thame, known as Thame Meadows, will be open to the public on Saturday, August 6.
Bloor Homes report that a number of homes, which include two, three, four, and five bedroom properties, have already been reserved through its sales team based at testate agents, Connells and some further plots are due to be released for sale on the day of the site opening.
Visitors will be invited to explore the two, four-bedroom showhomes on the opening day, on what is Site F in Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan, a former pig farm.
Vanessa Macnee, Regional Sales Director at Bloor Homes South Midlands, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the response to our Thame Meadows development so far and we’re delighted to be opening our showhomes to the public.
“Demand for homes in this area is extremely high and that has been reflected in the number of enquiries we have received from prospective buyers. Thame Meadows is in an extremely attractive location and offers the perfect blend of town and country living, with excellent road links to Oxford, Aylesbury and Bicester, and direct trains to London in around 40 minutes.
“The homes at Thame Meadows have been carefully designed to complement their surroundings and offer the very best in modern open-plan living, and I would encourage house hunters to visit the development and see for themselves what this superb collection of homes has to offer.”
The development at Thame Meadows had already generated a great amount of interest even before construction work began, as a seven-month excavation of the site uncovered rare finds of artefacts dating back around 6,000 years to the Neolithic period (See news of an exhibition of these at Thame museum).
In addition to the 203 homes at the development, Bloor Homes will be providing financial contributions of more than £3 million for local services and infrastructure which will be paid over the lifecycle of the site.
The marketing suite at Thame Meadows will open at 10am on Saturday, August 6, at Oxford Road, Thame, 0X9 2DA. For more information call 01844 318553 or visit www.bloorhomes.com.
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Thame, Between 09:00 – 12:00 on Wednesday (20/7).
A property in Churchill Crescent was burgled. Entry was gained by smashing a window on the back door.
Offenders stole a camera and purse.
If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message, please call the police via the 24 hour non-emergency telephone number 101.
Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online @ crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
OXFORDSHIRE’S council leaders, who have been in discussion about a possible unitary local authority, have issued a joint statement in the light of the new national government. The statement reads:
“With a new Prime Minister and new Secretary of State now in place and a number of pressing economic and policy issues to work through at national level, we recognise that it is sensible to take the time to understand how the government intends to take forward devolution and local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire and other areas, before presenting further proposals for reforming public services and changes to council structures in the county.
“Following discussions with civil servants last week, all the Oxfordshire councils have agreed to work together to discuss areas of common ground, assess potential options and establish whether we can agree a way forward building on the work we have both done to date. We have agreed to postpone publication of both the Grant Thornton and PWC studies, and to pause plans for consultation until these plans have been jointly developed.
Our aim has always been to seek investment in housing and transport infrastructure; to improves skills training and develop the local economy. This investment is needed if we are to reach our potential, and therefore agreeing a way forward with government is a high priority for all of us.”
OLLIE Dudley-Heidkamp, a Year 10, Lord Williams’s School student, finally showed his class by winning all his matches at the Racquets Junior One-Day Squash Tournament which took place on Saturday, (July 16) at Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame.
Ollie was in a group of seven teenagers in the top grade ranging in age from 10 to 16, some from Racquets and some from other local clubs. Ollie just pipped Molly Woods by one point to win the grade. The match between Ollie and Molly showed how much the regular squash training sessions has improved the quality of their shots and their fitness. Previous winner, James Portsmouth, showed strength-of-mind staying focussed and calm while still recovering from surgery in the last four months.
In the lower grade, another seven players fought hard to try to bring down Chris Watts. Sue Martin-Downhill, coach of many of the juniors in the tournament, said: “Chris was too strong and will be moving up to the higher grade next tournament. He played all the matches in a fun and friendly manner making the tournament enjoyable for everyone.”
New comers to the game, Colm and Cameron Lambert, did extremely well. They both grasped all the concepts of returning to the T between shots and hitting down the line to keep the ball tight to the side walls. Cameron Law, a young player from Racquets, showed great confidence in his matches. Despite being much smaller than Colm and Cameron he managed to come out on top in very close matches.
Sue made special mention of young Cameron Law (bottom left) who overcame his initial nervousness before his match to go out there and play, and visibly grew in confidence as he took on older players in his matches that followed.
Sue concluded: “All the players joined in the spirit of the tournament with everyone competing strongly and having great fun. Every one learnt how to referee the games and made the job of the organiser, 12 year old Ollie Cartwright, much easier.”
Racquets is offering coaching,playing and training every weekday morning throughout the summer holidays. Give Sue or Simon Martin a call at the club on 01844 261754 if you would like to get involved in this great indoor sport.
IT’S been another week of mixed fortunes for Thame Town Cricket Club, with the Firsts losing to Shipton-under-Wychwood, the Seconds drawing against Didcot and the Thirds leading the way with another win.
1st XI
THAME continued their poor form against in-form Shipton-under-Wychwood last Saturday (July 16) at home. Thame won the toss and asked Shipton to bat. Thame bowled well reducing Shipton to 84-5 but their overseas professional Sanklecha scored 51 to steer them to 194 all out in their last over. Hassam Mushtaq was pick of the Thame bowlers taking 6-77. In reply, Thame started well putting on 31 for the first wicket, but were then reduced to 60 for 6 by Sanklecha, who finished with figures of 7 for 47, as Thame were dismissed for 125. High-flying Horspath are the opponents at Church Meadow on Saturday 23rd, who were beaten by Thame in the first round of the Bernard Tollett T20 trophy last month.
2nd XI
THE second XI went to Didcot, in the shadow of the ill-fated power station, hoping for a win to keep their title chase on track. Losing the toss, they were put into bat and started shakily against good swing bowling. Thankfully Jimmy Nielsen (45) and skipper Chris Jeffcock (29) steadied the ship with a stand of 71. Thame were scoring quickly but getting out to poor shots and it was mainly thanks to 38 from Justin Avery they managed to reach a below-par 207 all out from just 43.3 overs, on a fast outfield. With Didcot 2nds needing 208 from the remaining 56 overs, Thame were going to need to fight all the way. With Jeffcock bowling out of his skin for 18 overs (18-1-56-3), well supported by John Phippen’s miserly spells (16-6-32-0), Didcot looked out of it at 125 for 5 in the 43rd over. Then Redman hit 62 not out off 39 balls to set up the tightest of finishes, with Thame just holding on and Didcot ending up on 205 for 8 off their 56 overs. The 2nds travel to Abingdon Vale on the 23rd for a crucial 1st vs 2nd contest.
3rd XI
THAME Thirds ended their run of draws with a much-needed victory away to Stokenchurch second team. Thame bowled first with Will Bruce-Morgan again starting well, picking up 2 for 25 in the opening spell. Scott Chappell took the prize wicket of the opener, reducing the hosts to 54-3, but a 50 partnership then started to build a reasonable score, until Pete Tervet got the brealthrough. With George Patey then taking 4 for 53 and Sam Nicholls 1 for 12, Stokenchurch were bundled out for 153. In reply, Thame also lost 3 wickets for 50 runs, but Ian Chappell stood firm with 36, guiding Thame to 99-5 still with work to do. George Patey (53 not out) and Paddy Harris (30 not out) then saw Thame through to victory with 7 overs to spare. Thame are still 2nd in Division 9 North and head to league-leaders Buckingham Town on the 30th after a weekend off.
SOURCE: Contributed
THE Mens racketball team from Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame, traveled to Aylesbury Squash and Tennis Club last weekend to play in the finals of the Thames Valley Racketball League – and won the Championship!
“It has been a great season, having had to travel to Milton Keynes, Buckingham and High Wycombe to get to the final,” said team captain and Manager,mon Martin. “I would like to thank all the players that helped win the league including Andy McDonald, Andy Peers, great young prospect Nick Harbour, Martin Davis and Ben Phillips who all showed Racquets’ depth of players.
After the singles it was 2-2 in the match with good singles wins from team massage therapist and racketball player, Mark Webster, and brilliant young Ben Hedger winning their strings. Mark and Ben then went on to win their doubles as did Simon Martin (recently crowned the Over 45s, National Racketball Champion), playing with Oz Mustafa.
Those wins meant that Racquets took the title.
SOURCE: Contributed