Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Hockey men’s thirds struggle with weakened team

     

    A valiant effort from the Thame Hockey Club’s third men’s team on Saturday, but fates seemed to be against then from the start, when the traffic gods decreed that Tim would be stuck in traffic, meaning that they had to play for the first 15 minutes without a keeper.

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    Image – library picture

     

     

     

    Richard Creswell donned the bib of gullibility and stood in as keeper, only conceding one when the Oxford number 10 burst through and one-on- one smashed a shot at the helpless yellow-bibbed fool in the goal, the back looping off said fool’s stick, over his head and plopping unsatisfactorily over the goal line.

    Once Tim arrived, the thirds started playing some nice hockey, but missing several key players to the first and the second teams, inexperience was evident. The arch goal poacher, Harvey Allen, nicked an equaliser after a fine build up of play from Dan Gibney and Ben Caiger. But a penalty corner was conceded after a crunching tackle by the sweeper led to Oxford retaking the lead just before half time.

    After a pep talk, the thirds came out all guns blazing, playing the better hockey in the second half. Oxford’s keeper made several memorable saves to keep the thirds out, but it was Oxford who scored two further goals against the run of play to knock the stuffing out of the youthful thirds.

    Tom Creswell, the new team captain, showed superb grit and determination to force home a shot after an excellen run down the right wing to make the scoreline a little more respectable. But experience won out overall, and Oxford deserved the win,.  2 – 4

    Man of the match – Tom Creswell

    Special mentions to Dan Bottomley, playing as right back and having a superb game; Lewis ‘the wasp’ Hall, whose attitude and effort was outstanding and tim roberts, who made some incredible saves, most notably one with his neck!!!

    SOURCE: Contributedf

  • Hockey: Nine-man Thame seconds fight bravely in defeat

    THAME travelled to Bracknell this weekend with their lowest attendance of the season, managing to field just nine players against a Bracknell squad of 14!

    2nds_mens_hockeyDespite their numerical disadvantage, playing a tight 2-3-2-1 formation paid dividends for the travelling rabble, and Thame could easily have taken the lead when a vicious strike from Cameron Skea forced a fine save from the Bracknell Terriers’ keeper. As the match wore on however, Bracknell’s numerical advantage began to tell and the away side were forced to defend a sucession of short corners.

    Mid way into the half, one such short corner yielded the first goal of the game, with a deflection leaving John Gott helpless as the ball ballooned into the net. Thame kept their heads up and kept pressing all over the pitch, but the deficit was doubled when some soft play on the edge of the ‘D’ allowed a Bracknell player to dribble towards the goaline before finding a team mate to slot home.

    Thame went into the half time break having produced some encouraging hockey considering their numbers and were ready to work hard in the second half to push for a goal and put some pressure on the home team. Thame started the half as the brighter side with Isaac Laws and Alex Chuch both working tirelessly to create chances high up the pitch. The half continued in a similar fashion with Thame winning short corners and enjoying sustained periods in the final third. The best chance of the day fell to Isaac Laws who somehow managed to miss from a goal line rebound as the ball drifted painfully wide. The miss was not enough to deny Isaac a well deserved Man of the Match performance as he showed skill, speed and composure in possession throughout.

    David Mordant also selflessly nominated himself for D.O.D. honours despite protestations that his stick and advice by his goalkeeper were to blame for him passing the ball straight to an opposition striker late in the game to allow a 3-0 result to Bracknell.

    Thame go into next week needing a full squad and a better showing in their next outing, against Maidenhead.

    Man of the Match: Isaac Laws
    D.O.D: David Mordant
    League position: 10th
    Next match: H vs Maidenhead Monarchs

  • Strong performance from Thame Hockey ladies’ third team

    ANOTHER sterling performance by Thame Hockey Ladies third team saw them beat Bicester Ladies fourth team by 4 goals to nil on Saturday, January 24.

    orangesRight from the off, Thame put Bicester under strong pressure and kept the play firmly in the Bicester half. With the forward line constantly pushing forward, two goals were scored in quick succession by quietly determined, but deadly in the D, Danielle.

    One further goal was scored by centre forward Clare Seed during the first half .

    Excellent defensive work by the halves, particularly Hattie at LH and Gee at RH meant that Bicester struggled to get the ball past the half way line, and never looked liked scoring during this period. Thame also had a number of short corners that they were unlucky not to convert.

    The second half saw Thame’s play disrupted by a couple of nasty injuries to the forwards, and this led to a reshuffle of positions. Particular praise must go to Laura, who played admirably throughout the game variously at left back, left inner, right wing, and a short stint at Centre forward.

    Thame managed to gain their final goal via a lovely pass from Gaynor, into the top of the D, where it was struck home by the ever- reliable Clare Seed.

    The final quarter of the game saw Thame put under slightly more pressure by Bicester, with them having one serious run on goal. A superb clearance by Rachel Staines- Moore, playing in an unaccustomed position of left back, meant that Bicester were unable to score. Very well done to standin Emily, who admirably gave up a position as forward to be our goalie for the day. Although she was never seriously challenged by Bicester, we knew our goal was in safe hands!

    Man of the Match was awarded to Gee, who had to contend with Bicester’s best player on the field, a very speedy left wing. Gee did a superb job of keeping up with her opponent, as well as driving the ball forward to support the forwards.

    A fantastic result ladies that we should be very pleased with- lets keep the momentum going!!

    Report by Julie Tatum

  • Thame Hockey ladies fail to see off Marlow

    A beautiful sunny day greeted the Thame Ladies 1st team at the Marlow Sports Ground on Saturday, January 24. 

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    Image – Library picture

    The match was a fast-paced game, with both Marlow Ladies and Thame Ladies on very good form. Marlow took control quickly, driving towards the Thame goal, forcing our keeper, Len Coplesten to save a goal within the first five minutes of play. The Thame defence were forced to work hard, as they were put under pressure regularly throughout the match. Man of the Match Sarah Sawrey-Cookson, played an excellent strong and solid match in the defensive line-up.

    Clare “Chopper” Harris  and Vikki Dawson made some excellent runs, using their speed to break through the Marlow defence. But within the first 12 minutes of play Marlow Ladies 2’s had already secured their second short corner, which they converted, to go 1-0 up. A third short corner was converted putting the score to 2-0. And a third goal came in quick succession after that.

    Chopper Harris and lizzie greenwood-hughes made another strong drive towards the opposition’s goal, both taking a strike on goal which sadly were saved. Thame secured a short corner, but were unable to convert it. Lizzie G-H made an impressive strike on goal but the keeper managed to get a hand on it, keeping the score at 3 – 0 at Half-time.

    Visit Thame Hockey Club’s website to read the rest of Lizzie Atkins’ report

  • Pickles’ office intervenes in village neighbourhood plan row

    THE Secretary of State’s office has this morning issued a direction to Aylesbruy Vale District Council, preventing it from granting planning permission for 250 houses on land in Haddenham, less than 24 hours after AVDC defied local opposition and went ahead and approved the application.

    Haddenham villagers gather to have their say before AVDC's planning meeting yesterday
    Haddenham villagers gather to have their say before AVDC’s planning meeting yesterday

    This morning, Haddenham Parish Council issued the following statement:

    “This morning the Parish Council has notified the Secretary of State’s Office of the decision to approve made by AVDC. The Secretary of State’s office has responded by issuing an Article 25 Direction to Aylesbury Vale District Council with respect to this application. This prevents the Council from granting planning permission in order to provide the Secretary of State with a period of time in which to consider a call-in. If the application is called-in there will be a Public Inquiry and the Inspector will make a report and recommendation to the Secretary of State, he will then make the final decision. This is a process that would take several months. The Parish Council will make no further decisions relating to its Neighbourhood Plan until the outcome of the request to call-in is known.

    seans_choice_crendon_beds“Haddenham Parish Council would like to thank all the villagers who attended yesterday’s Strategic Development Management Committee at Aylesbury Vale District Council, it was a tremendous demonstration of interest and support. Special thanks also go out to the villagers who registered to speak: Graham Oliver, David Impey, Robyn and Chris Thorogood, Tony Stevens, Nick Nash, Alison Watt and District Cllr Judy Brandis. The Parish Council is extremely disappointed by the decision to approve planning application 14/02666/AOP but is grateful to District Cllrs Foster, Thompson and Cooper who spoke up during the meeting for the Neighbourhood Plan and voted to refuse planning permission. The decision to approve was made contrary to the manifest wishes of the residents of Haddenham whose emergent Neighbourhood Plan was submitted to AVDC on Tuesday, January 27.

    “It is Haddenham Parish Council’s opinion that this refusal to take account of Haddenham’s Neighbourhood Plan sets an unfortunate precedent for undermining the neighbourhood planning process on a national scale and for this reason a request was sent to the Secretary of State to ask him to call-in this application. The request has been supported by local MP John Bercow.”

  • Treat for Archers fans!

    LILIAN Bellamy-Pusscat-(purr) in THE ARCHERS, aka Sunny Ormonde, will be performing her one-woman show at the Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame.

    lilianDuring an Evening with Sunny Ormonde,  star of Radio 4’s The Archers, Sonny will perform extracts from Under Milk Wood to Shirley Valentine and from Shakespeare to Pam Ayres – all interspersed with banter, anecdotes and a lot of laughter! And with a Q & A session in the second half, the show is a’ must’ for Archers devotees.

    The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame at 7.45pm on Sunday, February 8.
    Tickets £12 from Tickets Anywhere, Greyhound Walk, Thame,  or online from www.thameplayers.co.uk

  • Performance car stolen from Thame street

    THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following theft of a vehicle in Thame.

    Black BMW 318is similar to this stolen from Thame
    Black BMW 318is similar to this stolen from Thame

    Between 8pm Tuesday (27/01) and 9am Wednesday (28/01) offender(s) stole a black BMW 318is from outside a property in Chinnor road.

    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 on 101.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsAlternatively if you have any 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.

  • Haddenham benefits cheat escapes jail

    A benefit claimant who failed to declare cash she had in bank accounts has been ordered to repay the money she fraudulently obtained from Aylesbury Vale District Council.

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    An investigation by AVDC and the Department for Work and Pensions revealed that Cynthia Green, aged 60, of Franklin Road, Haddenham, held £50,000 of undeclared savings when she made claims for housing and council tax benefits.

    Had she declared the savings to the council, her claim would have been cancelled due to the level of capital held. Instead Green continued to claim her benefits without telling the council about the money. As a result, she was found to have claimed £20,199 in housing benefit, £10,433 in income support and £3,470 in council tax benefit to which she was not entitled to. Her total overpayment was £34,104.

    Aylesbury Crown Court sentenced Green to a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, and ordered her to pay costs of £425 along with an £85 victim surcharge.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsCouncillor Neil Blake, Leader of the Council, said: “Once again a fraudster who thinks by not telling the council about their true circumstances they will be able to steal from the public purse. But because of joint working between agencies and our ability to cross check data there is no hiding place for people who lie about their circumstances. In this case, as with all others, we will pursue the fraudster to recoup all the money taken illegally.”

    Anyone with good reason to suspect that benefit fraud is being committed in Aylesbury Vale can provide details, anonymously if necessary, by calling 01296 585570.

  • Thame music club celebrates five years!

    FROM a tentative start, when Johnny Littler decided to try and run a regular musical Open Mic night in Thame, The First Thursday Music Club has grown to be the biggest Open Mic night in the district – bigger than any similar event in Oxford, Reading, High Wycombe or Aylesbury!

    FTMC (400x331)Over the last five years, over 750 acts have played a total of 3000 tunes during the monthly events. Acts have ranged from performers playing in public for their first time, through to professional American artists that have included FTMC on their European tour schedule.

    This month, FTMC is proudly celebrating its 60th consecutive monthly event at its fifth birthday night, on Thursday, February 5, at its regular venue, The James Figg in Cornmarket, Thame. Another big crowd is expected and a number of Artists that have performed over the years are coming back to play a few tunes, including August List, Nikki Loy and the Memphis Rattlesnakes to name but three.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsAll of the artists (around 15 different acts each night) together with a crowd of around 150 contribute to a fantastic evening of live music- and it’s all FREE!

    Anyone can play by signing up at the venue before 7.45pm. Check out the club on Facebook The First Thursday Music Club

  • Information sharing in schools aims to prevent Child Exploitation

    THAMES Valley Police is initiating a new series of meetings across the Vale of the White Horse and South Oxfordshire schools aimed at helping to prevent vulnerable young people from falling victim to child sexual exploitation (CSE) and other risky behaviour.

    Image courtsey of childhoodlost.co.uk
    Image courtsey of childhoodlost.co.uk

    During the meetings, staff members from comprehensive schools in the South and Vale local policing area will meet with Thames Valley Police to share information about students deemed at risk of becoming involved in criminal activity, including CSE.

    The meetings will ensure that all partner agencies have current and consistent knowledge of the circumstances surrounding students who are identified as vulnerable. The meetings will give schools the opportunity to pass information on risky behaviour and vulnerability displayed that they perhaps would not have shared before. This will give the Kingfisher Team, Thames Valley Police and other partners the opportunity to directly respond and react in a number of ways.

    Inspector Mags Turner, Thames Valley Police, said: “We’re really pleased that these information-sharing meetings have started in South and Vale schools and we’re working hard to prevent our students from ever experiencing CSE. We’re doing this by educating young people on how to recognise, report and avoid CSE, and by working more effectively across the Force with partners to share useful information more quickly.

    “All students’ identities will be protected, and all meetings are held in the strictest confidence. All attendees will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Thames Valley Police to ensure that any minutes or information heard at the meetings is not shared inappropriately, and is solely used for the benefit of the vulnerable young people in question.”