Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • A Brill way to try orienteering!

    FANCY a new outdoor challenge for all the family? Why not try orienteering at Brill Common this weekend. Thames Valley Orienteering Club is organising an event on Saturday, November 14, for newcomers, families and runners to try out this exciting adventure sport.

    Orienteering is one of the country’s fastest growing adventure sports. At most events, there are several courses of varying length and difficulty, suitable for families and children. There are also longer courses for the more competitive and for runners looking for a new challenge.

    Beacon Wood family large cropped (400x400)

    At the event in Brill you will receive a special orienteering map showing a series of checkpoints. The challenge is to visit all the checkpoints, but you must decide your own route between each one. When you find each checkpoint, it is marked by a flag and you will need to register each one using an electronic timing chip to record your progress.

    “Most people don’t realise that orienteering is a competitive running sport,” said Mike Shires, Publicity Officer for TVOC. “However, orienteering really is a sport for all. Our events attract keen runners as well as plenty of families who come along for a jog or walk around a course. It’s also a great opportunity for parents to have a run while the children tackle a junior course.”

    TVOC is Clubmark accredited and has around 250 members from Bucks and the Thames Valley. The club organises around 25 events a year, ranging from local events for 100 competitors to larger regional events with 1,000 runners. Newcomers are always welcome.

    Club member Blanka Collis, 31, said: “It’s a good way of keeping fit and for me it is also more interesting than just jogging. It’s an extra mental challenge. Sometimes people think it’s like treasure hunting. They say: ‘I did that at school once-upon-a-time’ but it’s a running sport for all the family.”

    To have a go this weekend at Brill Common, just turn up between 10am and 11.30am. There will be five different courses set up, of varying difficulty and length, from 1km to 5km. Parking is by the windmill on Brill Common. There will be plenty of help on hand for newcomers.

    The cost is £6 / £2 entry on the day, including a map to keep and hire of an electronic timing chip. For more details visit TVOC’s website at www.tvoc.org.uk

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Van crashes into house in Thame

    A van driver had to be cut from his vehicle earlier this afternoon, after the van collided with a house in Kingsey Road, Thame, near the Chinnor Rugby Club round-about.

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    Picture taken at the scene at tweeted by Bucks Fire & Rescue Service

    Firecrews released the injured man, using hydraulic rescue equipment. It is not known at this time how seriously he was injured.

  • Consultants appointed for Elms Park revamp

    The gates to Elms Park, ready for Carnival 2015
    The gates to Elms Park, ready for Carnival 2015

    PROPOSALS for a revamp of Elms Park in Thame, have been firmly planted following the appointment of TEP (The Environment Partnership) to work with Thame Town Council’s Open Spaces Working Group to come up with three different concepts for the park, and carryout a public consultation to determine the final design.

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1Improvements to Elms Park are part of a scheme by the developer Rectory Homes which has gained planning permission for a new housing development The Elms next door to the park. Links to the park via footpaths and cycle tracks through the housing development from Upper High Street, will be included in the scheme, which will be funded by the developer.

    Thame Town Council has stated that: “We propose to look at each option holistically and to ensure that any proposals carefully consider the historic nature of the park, reflect the ‘Vision for Thame’, appeal to many users and can accommodate the annual ‘Music in the Park’ event and sports usage by the school.”

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    TEP’s Principal Landscape Architect, Nicola Hancock said: “TEP is delighted to be working with Thame Town Council on the Elms Park Improvement Project. We will be working hard over the coming weeks to really understand the needs of the community and the regular park users. We will use the information that we gather to guide our designs, ensuring that we create a very special and beautiful Park for the people of Thame.”

    PREVIOUS: https://www.thame.net/?s=Elms+park

  • Good Causes charity Christmas card shop

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    CHRISTCHURCH in Upper High Street, Thame, is once again hosting the Cards For Good Causes charity Christmas card shop this year.

    The Good Causes Charity shop, which is staffed by volunteers, has been selling Christmas Cards on behalf of some 30 local and national charities for several years.

    At least 70 pence in each £1 of sales will go the relevant charity. The shop is situated in Christchurch, Upper High Street, Thame and will be open six days a week from 10th November to 4th December 2015 – from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

  • Hunt the Christmas donkeys to become a star!

    Donkey Sample (400x400)THAME Town Council is already getting into the festival spirit by launching a treasure trail around the town centre, giving the opportunity for the winner to switch on the Christmas lights this year.

    In honour of two real live donkeys who will be at the Switch-On on Friday, December 4, 23 ‘Dennis Donkeys’ and one very special ‘Daisy Donkey’ have been hidden in shop windows around Cornmarket, Upper High Street, North Street, Buttermarket, Swan Walk, Greyhound Walk and High Street. Hunting for the numbered donkeys can begin from this coming Friday, November 6.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsThe 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 earn some other fabulous prizes. Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1To enter the competition, write on a piece of paper all the shops around town that have one of the special donkeys in their window and take it to the Town Hall Information Centre. Don’t forget to include your name, age, address and telephone number.

  • FREE parking for Christmas shopping!

    free_parkingALL SODC’s off-street car parks in Thame will once again be FREE on Saturday’s throughout December in the run up to Christmas. That’s The Cattlemarket and behind the Co-op.

    Thame – every Saturday
    Didcot – every Tuesday
    Goring – every Saturday
    Henley – every Tuesday
    Wallingford – every Thursday

    You don’t have to display a ticket on these days.

  • Thame crime update

     

    PCSO_backBREAKING NEWS 11.30pm (via twitter) TWO people arrested by Thame Neighbourhood Police team after a drugs warrant in #thame. Enquiries ongoing.

    THAME’S Neighbourhood Policing team has been busy throughout October dealing with a range of incidents including stolen petrol, burglaries and Anti-Social Behaviour.

    The team’s local priorities include Operation Motor, covering road offences and thefts of petrol at Esso Services, Long Crendon Road; Welcome Break Services and junction 8A, M40. One of the big challenges for the team has been the targeting of while panel vans in the car park of Travelodge where vehicles have been broken into and valuables stolen. To help them in combating this type of crime, motorists are being encouraged to ensure their vehicles are secure and that any valuables are removed from vehicles. A number of untaxed and uninsured vehicles have been seized from drivers.

    There has been, what the team have called ‘small spate of garage burglaries’ within the Thame area and residents are being asked to take crime prevention measures against this particular offence, available at the website: LINK HERE

    Anti-social behaviour (ASB)

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsTETSWORTH skate park ramp and the Jack and Jill School roof have been damaged. Anyone with any information about these is asked to call the police non-emergency number 101. The Community team’s latest report talks about identifying the owners of two quad bikes and one owner of a motorcycle causing antisocial behaviour. Strong words of advice have been given with the promise of police action if they do not comply.

    The report goes on to say that cannabis warnings have been given to a group of young people and their parents spoken to.

    Have Your Say meetings

    HAVE Your Say meetings are an ideal opportunity for local residents to speak to their local PCSOs about any local issues. No appointment is necessary, just turn up. Upcoming Have Your Say meetings are:

    Thursday, 05 November 2015, 10am – midday at the Co-Op Cafe, High Street, Thame
    with PCSO Diane Jackson
    Monday, 09 November 2015, 11am – midday at the Co-Op Cafe, High Street, Thame
    with PCSO Lee Kehoe
    Wednesday, 18 November 2015, 11am – midday at the Memorial Hall, Chinnor Road,Towersey
    with PCSO Jacky Madden
    Monday, 30 November 2015, midday – 1pm at the Chinnor Village Centre, High Street, Chinnor
    with PCSO Jacky Madden

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1The Thame Sector covers the neighbourhoods of Thame, Chinnor and Watlington. Your Neighbourhood Policing Team is Inspector Mark Harling, Sergeant Aidan Donohoe, PC Mick Goodenough, PC Ian Kent, PC Lucie Roberts, PCSO Jacky Madden, PCSO Diane Jackson, PCSO Natalie White and PCSO Lee Kehoe.

  • From Edinburgh Fringe to Thame

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    THAME Players welcome Lemon Squeeze Productions, (assisted by Players Theatre regulars, Rum Doxy), with their latest comedy play. The performance is this Friday, November 6, at 7.45pm

    Fresh from Edinburgh Fringe ‘Dearly Beloved’ tells the story of a thirteen year old girl, a middle aged business man and a twenty something single mother, who are wrenched from their everyday lives to find themselves trapped together in a mysterious room. Abbie, Peter and Lacey are thrown into a world of confusion and are desperate to find a way out. With a little outside help they realise that in order to escape, they will have to confront ghosts and share secrets they thought they’d buried in the past. In this room they have no choice but to put aside their masks and bare their souls…

    Dearly Beloved is a heart-warming comedy drama by comedian and writer Sarah Archer, that will take the audience on an emotional roller coaster of laughter and tears.

    “Sometimes just sometimes you can discover a little gem of a production at the Fringe. ‘Dearly Beloved’ is one such gem, you’ll laugh and cry for all the right reasons… this production just might get you thinking… Highly recommend.”

    “Cleverly written and very well acted. The subject matter is unusual and intriguing. It is funny but poignant and your heart bleeds for the characters as they realise their terrible predicament. Well worth seeing and will keep you thinking for a long while afterwards.”

    Tickets cost £10 with £2 off for concessions. Available from Spear Travels, 01844 217228 or online from – www.thameplayers.co.uk.

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Remembrance Day in Thame

    Thame's Memorial Gardens in Autumn - image by Chris Bradford
    Thame’s Memorial Gardens in Autumn – image by Chris Bradford

    THIS year’s Service of Remembrance at Thame Memorial Gardens, will be this coming Sunday, November 8, 2015. 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 and proceed to the War Memorial.

    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’s 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.

    The Mayor, Cllr Nichola Dixon, has also invited anyone from the community to join her on November 11, at 11am, as she leads a two minute silence outside the Town Hall.

  • Multi-award-winning Thame carers celebrate

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    THAME home care provider, Autumn Years Care, recently won a Leadership in Dignity and Care”award from AgeUK Oxfordshire and Healthwatch Oxfordshire. Now they are hoping to bring home three more awards after being shortlisted as a finalist for the South East Great British Care Awards in three different categories; The Care Employer Award; The Dignity in Care Award and The Home Care Registered Manager Award.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsChristina Walford, founder of Autumn Years Care said: “Winning the Leadership in Dignity and Care award from AgeUK Oxfordshire was a lovely surprise, so when we also found out we had also been selected out of all of the home care providers in the South East of England for the finals of the Great British Care awards as well, we were over the moon. It`s a real honour and a lovely recognition of the hard work and dedication that all of our carers put in.”

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1The winners of the Great British Care awards are due to be announced at an awards ceremony set to take place on the December 3, in Brighton.