THAME Town Council, with the help of Miller Research, is currently carrying out a Town Centre Vibrancy and Vitality study, and they want to hear from local people about their vision for the future of Thame and the potential options to develop the towns vibrancy and vitality.
Anyone who visits, lives or works in Thame is being invited to take part in the short, online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Thame
THAME by-pass, the A4129, outside the football stadium was closed for a while around 8.30pm this evening (March 8), after a car caught fire following a collision.
No further information at this time.
POND dipping, bug hunting, planting sunflower seeds and making bird feeders, are just some of the activities to take part in at Soha’s Come out and Play, at Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve in Thame.
So, bring a picnic and join in a FREE morning of family fun on March 31, during the Easter holidays, 10am to 1pm.
To find out more, call the RI team at Soha on 01235 515900 or 08000 141545, www.cuttlebrook.org.uk
Free 2 hour parking at the Scout Hut, Southern Road, Thame, OX9 2EB
IN 2000, Mari Wilson was the obvious choice to play Dusty Springfield on the hugely successful UK tour of Dusty the Musical. Following her sellout 2014 shows – Mari Sings Dusty – Mari launches her brand new show, Ready Steady Girls featuring unique interpretations of the songs that influenced her as she was growing up, including iconic classics by Dusty, Petula, Cilla and others.
Join Mari on her personal, emotional and often hilarious journey through life at The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame, on Saturday, March 12.
Tickets are £17 from Spears Travel, in Greyhound Walk, Thame, phone: 01844 217228 or online from thameplayers.co.uk
IN a true team performance, the Under 11s did themselves and the the Chinnor RFC club very proud at Allianz Park on Saturday, March 5.
Representing Chinnor in front of a packed crowd during the half time interval of the Saracens v Northampton match, they out-scored their opponents, Southend five tries to zero. The scorers were Ben Warner, twice, Will Clarke, Nathan Barlow-Heal and Tom Bridges.
COMMUNITY groups and parish councils in South Oxfordshire have just weeks left to apply for the latest batch of funding from the district council.
The money is available to help fund a variety of community facilities and improvements like building new skate parks or play areas, upgrading sports pavilions, and purchasing defibrillators.
Applications for this round of funding close on Friday, April 1, 2016.
Councillor Elizabeth Gillespie, cabinet member for grants, said: “We are appealing to local community groups who have got projects in mind to apply for funding, whether it’s revamping existing facilities, buying new equipment, or even building a brand new community centre.”
“There’s still time to get an application into the current round, however we’ve got more rounds planned this year, including one opening in May 2016, and are keen to talk to anyone with a project.”
“Why not have a chat with our grants team, even if you are only at the initial stages of your project – they are ready and willing to help.”
“It is important to us that we help build a local sense of community and we are in the fortunate position of having set aside £1m each year in order to do just that. We really are encouraging groups to come forward and make the most of this opportunity.”
Community groups and parish councils can contact the team for some advice at grants@southandvale.gov.uk or on 01235 540525, and can also visit their website (LINK HERE) to read more about the schemes on offer and start an application.
SOURCE: Press release
CHINNOR RFC’s good form of recent weeks continued with a comprehensive victory over Worthing by 38-8, on Saturday (March 05).
Worthing opened the day’s score with a penalty goal by McLean after 17 minutes of hard rugby – rewarding the pressure the visitors produced in the first quarter. Chinnor, comfortable in defence for the first quarter, grew into the game and good work to progress the ball up the pitch led to their first try. An exquisite cross field kick allowed Oscar Heath to go over for Chinnor’s first try of the day and a 7-3 lead – thanks to Angell’s bendy, wind-assisted conversion.
Worthing mounted a series of attacks from a five-metre lineout. From a ruck in front of the posts, Chinnor skipper, Tyas, scooped the ball back illegally and was binned by referee Robbie Bourke. From the resultant penalty, a passage of broken play saw Worthing go ahead 8-7 with an unconverted try from Coxon-Smith. This proved to be their last score of the day. Chinnor replied, courtesy of Phipps, as the referee looked to blow for half time.
Ahead 14-8 at the break, Chinnor quickly increased their lead after Waddingham dotted down from a rolling maul after a penalty lineout. Angell’s parabolic conversion showed mastery of the difficult wind – a trick he repeated throughout the half. Another Chinnor try from debutant Jack Andrew saw the bonus point and a 26-8 lead, again with Angell’s kicking skills to the fore. Another period of Chinnor pressure saw Phipps slip a high speed pass to Manning for the fifth try. As Worthing pressed in the dying minute, Heath executed his interception party piece for a 90 metre trot to the line to see Chinnor win 38-8.
This was a most competent display from Chinnor. Worthing struggled, despite having enough good ball, to break the resolute Chinnor defence. Kiba Richards, always a threat for Worthing, was well marshalled and in Patrick White, Worthing have discovered a player of great potential.
The Chinnor pack played very well with a tough back row and an impressive debut from lock, Nathan Hannay. The back row were most energetic and the tight five tackled well throughout. Heath did his usual – a smartly taken try early on followed by a trademark interception at the death. Goss is an assured full back and Angell’s place kicking in a very difficult wind was exemplary. Marcus Beer did much, perhaps unnoticed, good work. Nathan Hannay was just pipped by Phipps as Star Man. Jonathan Phipps popped up everywhere – turnovers, a try, a smart pass for Mannings’ try and a lot of tackles.
Teams
Chinnor
Kieran Goss, Oscar Heath, Marcus Beer, Junior Fatialofa, Henry Lamont, Sam Angell, Frank Jones, Santiago Sodini, Jonathan Phipps, Andy Darlington, Nathan Hannay, Ben Manning, James Tyas, Alex Waddingham, George Messum
Interchanges: Jamie Townsend, Jack Andrew, Joe Vandermolen, Tom Burns, Scott Gibson
Worthing
Matt McLean, Matt Farnes, Ben Loosmore, Kiba Richards, Finlay Coxon-Smith, Kieran Leeming, Dan Peach, Ryan Storer, Joe Watson-Brooks, Dan Sargent, Scott Barlow, James Arthur, Patrick White, Sam Hewick, Liam Perkins
Interchanges: Elliott Luke, Jon Whittall, Jordan Gibson, Sean Richardson, Loewy Simmons
Scorers
Chinnor
Tries (time): Heath (29, 80), Phipps (40), Waddingham (42), Andrew (64), Manning (70)
Conversions (time): Angell (30, 40, 43, 66)
Penalty Goals (time):
Worthing
Tries (time): Coxon-Smith (35)
Conversions (time):
Penalty Goals (time): McLean (17)
Referee: Robbie Bourke
Attendance: 303
Half time score: 14-8
Full time score: 38-8
Star man: Jonathan Phipps (Chinnor)
RESIDENTS of Thame and the surrounding area who sleep more deeply than many, woke up this morning to reports on social media that an earthquake had hit the area, causing the ground, and in some reports, houses to shake.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.3 was later to confirmed by the British Geological Survey (BGS) to have taken place in the area, with its epicentre in Emmington, between Thame and Chinnor, at 11.12 pm last night, March 6.
The earthquake was at a depth of 7 km, reported the BGS, and though not severe, was ‘significant’ because so many people felt it.
Alex Chivers was one of those awake at the time of the tremor and wrote on twitter: ” (@alexchivers14):
Thought I was going mad when the house shook but there was actually an earthquake!”
Hannie Crowther reported on twitter: “My mirror and telly rattled!”
Geology behind the Thame quake
The Thame and Chinnor area is very close to the Chilterns Hills which were themselves formed by seismic activity over millions of years. Over time the massive forces of the earths shifting tectonic plates lifted and folded the chalk rock which was then very gradually eroded resulting in the gently undulating hills we see today.
This movement of the techtonic plates continues today and it is this that causes earth tremors and earthquakes – albeit fairly gentle movements in our part of the world.
More about British techtonics here: LINK
THE funeral arrangements for Richard Graham Martin of Racquets Fitness Centre, Thame, who passed away peacefully last weekend, Saturday, February 27, 2016, are as follows:
The Church of St Mary, Thame on Thursday, March 10. The service will start at 2pm. Anyone who knew Richard is welcome. Family flowers only.
Anyone who would like to donate in memory of Richard can do so via JustGiving. His family have said that Richard was very thankful to Cancer Research UK. Their work helped him live many years longer than he might otherwise have after being diagnosed.
Up the Palace !!
THE team behind the Thame Food Festival need help us make this year’s festival on September 24, even better. They need lots of ‘lovely volunteers’ on the day as there are so many jobs that need filling – from set up, to helping the visitors and manning the new workshops and stages.
In return, the Food Fesival will look after you, provide you with refreshments and make sure you have a wonderful day at the ‘Best and Biggest One Day Food Festival in the country!’
If you would like to be involved, email alison@thamefoodfestival.co.uk.