Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Burglary, Thame

    THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Thame.

    crimeAt approximately 6.15pm on Tuesday (25/11), offender(s) gained entry to a property in Cromwell Avenue through a rear, first floor bedroom. Jewellery and cash were stolen.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsIf 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.

    Alternatively 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.

  • What do Thame businesses think of Tesco plan?

    MOST businesses in Thame are probably aware by now of the planning application that Tesco is intending to submit in January 2015, for a supermarket, offices and a petrol station, on the site which Tesco owns and where DAF is currently located in Howland Road.

    A recent Tesco store in Newmarket
    A recent Tesco store in Newmarket

    If you’re a local business, and  haven’t already made up your mind about whether you support the application or not  then Thame4Business would like to encourage you to visit the Thame Barns Centre on either November 28 or 29  (this Friday and Saturday) when there will be an exhibition of Tesco’s proposals for the site.

    Thame4Business spokesperson, Sue Martin-Downhill, appealed to local businesses to let her know their feelings, and explained: “Once we know the opinions and concerns of local businesses, Thame4Business is willing to represent a “business voice” at any meetings on the issue.

    Some people have already made their views known at:  https://www.thame.net/archives/17808 and https://www.thame.net/archives/17654 – including some from local businesses.

    Sue continued: “To comment from a Thame business perspective please can you comment via this article.

    “Thame Town Council will organise a meeting at the town hall for all the businesses, if this would be worthwhile, and a representative from Tesco could be invited to answer any questions or listen to your opinions.

    “The representatives of Thame4Business who are so far involved in this are Sue Martin-Downhill (of Racquets Fitness Centre) and Sonja Francis (of Thame.net). We hope that other businesses will become involved to ensure that the voice of local businesses is heard during the application process.

    “If you would like to email us direct then please do so via suedownhill@gmail.com.”

  • Thame man jailed for village store raid

    A Thame man, who terrified staff members before attempting to rob a convenience store, has been jailed.

    McColl's in Banks Parade, Haddeham. Photo courtesy of Keith Milmer & Haddenham.Net
    McColl’s in Banks Parade, Haddeham. Photo courtesy of Keith Milmer & Haddenham.Net

    Lewis Bradbrook-Taylor, 22, off Putman Close, Thame, was found guilty of attempted robbery and two counts of false imprisonment at Aylesbury Crown Court earlier this week.

    Bradbrook-Taylor raided the Martin McColls in Banks Parade, Haddenham, on July 28, this year, while staff were taking delivery of newspapers. He approached the pair and forced them inside and tied them up.

    He then stole cash from the till before running off.

    Bradbrook-Taylor was jailed for three years.

  • World renowned Cartoonist to Open Rotary’s Thame Art Show

    ROBERT Duncan, cartoonist, play wright and father of Thame’s popular ‘foodie’, Lotte Duncan, will be opening the third Thame Art Show, which will take place at the Thame Barns Centre, between December 5 and 7.

    Robert Duncan (400x360)Robert, known particularly for the world famous ‘Not Particularly Orange’ range of greetings cards, will launch this fundraising event which is organised by the Rotary Club of Thame with the support of Inner Wheel.

    Robert Duncan lives in Long Crendon, and specialises in cartoons for advertising and has worked for companies like Coutts & Co, Abbey National, Kodak, American Express, Hotpoint, and many others. His witty and wise drawings can be admired in books, brochures, newspapers and websites. He is also a talented author and playwright; his comedy play ‘Cluedo’ reached the all-time box office record at the Theatre Royal Windsor and his book, ‘A Rum Do’, is a bestseller in Barbados.

    He has produced over 3000 greeting card designs and his cartoons can be found on cufflinks, t-shirts and mugs too.

    Marius Ciortan, Thame Rotary Club spokesman said: “Robert Duncan will open the Thame Art Show during the Preview Evening on Friday, December 5. Robert will also be exhibiting at the show along with 40 artists, sculptors, and photographers.”

    Marius added: “A large selection of paintings and sculptures created by local artists will be on display. Christmas craft stalls will sell a variety of hand-made Christmas cards and small gifts. The profits raised will go towards Thame Rotary’s charities. Thame Art Show’s previous two editions raised almost £3,000 towards charities. There will be a tea shop running all day with fresh home-made cakes and sandwiches.”

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsMarius concluded: “Please come along to support our local artists and take this opportunity to buy unique Christmas presents.”

    Details about opening times can be found on www.thame.rotary1090.org or facebook.com/thamerotary

  • Chinnor ‘snatch’ victory from Taunton

    IN a dramatic, last ten minutes on Saturday (Nov 22), Chinnor snatched victory from Taunton by 30-26.

    chinnor_badgeTaunton fared the better in the first half dominating territory and keeping Chinnor under pressure throughout. Taunton’s first try, on 6 minutes, was well worked. Gathering an aimless downfield kick from Chinnor, Taunton’s Kingdom, with a deft chip over the Chinnor defence , collected the ball and slipped the pass to Lewis Webb who sauntered in, unopposed. Kingdom’s conversion put the visitors 7-0 ahead. Taunton continued to dominate and scored again in the 32nd minute, Jamie Fleming touching down from a driven maul, awarded only after lengthy consultation between the officials. Chinnor, defending manfully, managed two penalty goals from Keohane to keep the home side in touch at half time 6-12.

    Taunton were quickly out off the blocks at the start of the second half. Fraser scoring their third try, profiting from another poor downfield kick. Kingdom’s conversion put the Somerset men 19-6 ahead. Chinnor came back through persistent driving and mauling in the corner, Toby Salmon dotting down on 48 minutes. Keohane’s conversion closed the gap to 13-19. Chinnor continued to press and the yellow carding of Taunton’s Faulkner allowed Keohane to close the gap to 16-19 with a penalty goal. Taunton shrugged off the Chinnor pressure to score through Nick Mason, stepping in from wide out on 66 minutes, to score under the posts. Kingdom’s conversion put the visitors further ahead 26-16.

    Chinnor then hit a purple patch with Ryan Long scything through the midfield, wrong footing defenders at will, to slip Sam Angell in for a try under the posts. Keohane closed the gap to 23-26. With Chinnor belief surging, Angell put in the deftest of crossfield kicks to allow debutant Jaryd Robinson to collect and scorch the turf to the corner for Chinnor’s third try. Keohane added the extras to put the Oxfordshire boys ahead 30-26. Taunton then camped on the Chinnor try line for the remainder of the match but the home side held on heroically for the 30-26 win.

    Taunton held the upper hand for a lot of this match and the game was attritional throughout. It was only when Chinnor gambled on their running game, very late in the game, that they realised that foot to foot was not the way to win, especially as they suffered at each scrum.
    Taunton played to a physical game plan but also had backs that troubled Chinnor. Referee Richard Kelly had a fine game and we’d like to see him back at Kingsey Road. Ryan Long’s mazy run turned the match around for Chinnor. Two Chinnor old boys had a pronounced influence on the outcome. Alan Cawston brought sense and discipline to the front row and Sam Angell put Chinnor on the front foot immediately he came on. However, it would be churlish to separate the amazing workrate and significant disruptive power of skipper Ben Manning who seemed to be in two places at once and the number of significant interventions by scrum half Frank Jones whose skills and committment both prevented tries and initiated them, for the man of the match. They share, nicely.

    Teams
    Chinnor: Jaryd Robinson, George Blewitt, Jack Hayes, Junior Fatialofa, Reuben Haile, Ed Keohane, Reece Boughton, Ricardo Cano, Joe Pickett, Guido Cambareri, Darren Oliver, Toby Salmon, Andy Tibbatts, Ryan Long, Ben Manning

    Interchanges: Alan Cawston, Dave McKee, Loti Molitika, Frank Jones, Sam Angell

    Taunton:
    Gary Kingdom, Nicholas Mason, Freddie Fraser, Mathew Tichias, Jack Faulkner, Toby East, Lewis Webb, Kieran Davies, Jon Gatford, George Cooper, Marshal Cormack, Benjamin Turner, James Fleming, Daniel Lee

    Interchanges: Alex Spurdle, Mark Manton, Paul Davis, Daniel Ogden, James Bath

    Scorers
    Chinnor
    Tries (time): Salmon (48), Angell (72), Robinson (77)
    Conversions (time): Keohane (50, 72,77)
    Penalty Goals (time): Keohane (18, 36, 58)

    Taunton
    Tries: (time) Webb (5), Fleming J (32), Fraser (43), Mason (66)
    Conversions: (time) Kingdom (7, 44, 67)

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Thame ‘squandered opportunities’ to lose against Alresford

    FOR sixty minutes on Saturday (Nov 22), United dominated the match, squandered numerous opportunities, and were ultimately made to pay as the home side scored from each of their three shots on goal.

    Luke Ricketts, who scored Thame's only goal against Alresford on Saturday
    Luke Ricketts, who scored Thame’s only goal against Alresford on Saturday

    United could not have got off to a better start as, inside sixty seconds, some trickery from Marcus Mealing on the right saw the ball played across goal for Luke Ricketts to beat his marker and place the ball wide of the home keeper. Five minutes later and it was nearly two as Mealing struck his effort wide from 20 yards. The home side then made a rare foray in to the Thame half with an effort from close range that was skewed wide. On 12 minutes a Ricketts flick put Ben Gray through on goal, but his effort went just wide, before a last ditch tackle on Mealing stopped the striker from extending the lead. And still United pressed, with Ben Gray failing to get his shot away when through on goal on 20 minutes, and captain Adam Morris unable to connect when well-placed on the edge of the box on 22 minutes. Gray then had the ball in the back of the net but was adjudged to be off-side before Mealing again went close. Ricketts then put the ball in the back of the net following a reverse pass from Mealing but, for a second time, was adjudged to be off-side. And as United pressed still, the home side were unable to trouble Cockerill in the Thame goal.

    However, with only a 1-0 lead at half time to show for their dominance there was always the prospect that United may rue those missed chances. That said, as the second half opened United maintained their dominance and forced a series of corners without any meaningful result. Then, on 68 minutes, the home side found an unlikely equaliser when trickery on the right resulted in a cross that evaded everyone and found its way in to the bottom corner of the goal. Whatever the goal did, it changed the balance of the game as the home team grew in confidence and the second goal arrived on 76 minutes when a series of defensive lapses saw Jack Hoey presented with the ball six yards from goal, with Hoey confidently beating Cockerill.

    It was game over on 87 minutes when a free kick in to the box was forced home, to leave United wondering just how they had manage to lose from a position of such dominance.

    Final score in this FA VASE: SECOND ROUND PROPER game, Alresford Town 3 Thame United 1

    United:
    Cockerill, Evans, Jones, Hercules, Coverley, Lynch (Kedzierski), Connelly (Hodgkins), Morris, Gray, Mealing (Hazell), Ricketts.

  • Emergency calls warning as NHS staff go on strike

    AMBULANCES workers will be on strike today for four hours, from 7am to 11 am, and are asking people to think twice before calling ambulance.

    ambulance (400x226)Unison, Unite and GMB member workers in the NHS will also be taking action, short of a strike, until Sunday, November 30. South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) have issued the following statement:

    “We recognise the right of our employees to strike but we need to maintain an essential service to the public, and in light of this action we are working closely with all our staff, partners and the public to help us reduce demand on our services. This will help us to continue to protect our patients and achieve an adequate and safe level of 999, 111 and PTS cover. We will be working hard to get to our most life threatening patients as a priority however there may be a delay in getting to those patients in non-life threatening conditions.

    “Contingency plans are being put in place to mitigate any adverse effects of the strike action and ensure the safety of our patients. We are working closely with our unions to deliver patient care that is not compromised across our emergency and non-emergency services. We will continue to monitor the situation as it develops and take appropriate action.

    seans_choice_crendon_beds“We would like to remind the public to use our services appropriately and only call 999 if absolutely essential. If you are suffering an injury or illness which is non-life threatening there are other avenues of care available to you, you could:

     Visit your local pharmacy
     Contact your GP or out of hours GP
     NHS111
     Walk in centres and Minor Injuries Units
     Access NHS Choices online to check your symptoms and find your nearest service.”

  • Sycamore seeds warning to horse owners

    AS autumn comes to the British Isles, bringing with it some wet and windy weather, it seems our horses are once again facing huge danger from outbreaks of Atypical Myopathy.

    horse (259x194)Caused by a toxin (Hypoglycin A) found in sycamore seeds, the condition has an estimated mortality rate of 75-90%. Please, please check your fields for sycamore seeds – they can travel huge distances on the wind, so don’t rely on the field being clear simply because there not being any sycamore trees round the boundary. If you find any, move your horses urgently before doing anything to try and clear the seeds.

    Symptoms of AM include sudden stiffness, muscle tremors, collapse, colic-like signs, low temperature, increased heart rate and dark urine. The BHS has put together an information leaflet, which can be bhs.org.uk.

    Please do familiarise yourself with the symptoms as early action may prevent a fatality.

  • WARNING after work tools thefts

    THE POLICE have issued a warning after several incidents recently in the South Oxfordshire and Vale areas, of work tools being stolen from vehicles overnight.

    Car-ThiefMost thefts from vehicles are committed by opportunist. The following advice is offered to help prevent your vehicle from being targeted:

    Where possible, secure your vehicle overnight in a garage.
    If you don’t have a garage, park in a well-lit area.
    When leaving your vehicle, close all windows and ensure you lock it.
    Don’t leave anything on display in your vehicle.
    Take all your personal possessions with you.
    Remove sat-nav holders and visible sat-nav ring marks from windscreens.
    Leave the glove box open to show there’s nothing inside.
    For more information, visit http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/theft-from-vehicle

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsPlease be extra vigilant. Report any suspicious activity to the police via the 24-hour non-emergency telephone number 101 or call 999 for crime in progress.

    If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

  • Seasonal fun at Thomley Activity Centre

    THOMLEY Hall is a unique recreational and educational facility for disabled children and teenagers, their families, friends, schools and groups, in Worminghall, near Thame, although the centre does have Community Days when anyone can take part in the activities.

    thomley (400x271)
    Situated in seven acres of beautiful and peaceful countryside, all the facilities are fully accessible and securely enclosed, providing a safe but supportive setting for children to play, learn and take risks. There is a wide range of activities suitable for all ages and abilities, including a soft play area, music room, sensory room, cycle track, art room and much more!  The centre offers varying focus days to cater for teenagers, adults, pre-school children, community users and birthday parties.

    For more information contact: Thomley Activity Centre, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, Bucks, HP18 9JZ; 01844 338380 – email enquiries@thomleyhall.org – website: www.thomleyactivitycentre.org

    Family Day – Saturday 22nd November
    For all children with a disability, their friends and family.

    Pre-School Day – 25th November
    All children under 6 welcome.

    Adult day – Thursday 27th November
    For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!

    Quiet Day – Saturday 29th November

    Do you prefer Thomley on a quieter day? Quiet days are a party free zone and bookings are limited so that children who struggle with the hustle and bustle of a busy day can enjoy themselves with more freedom and space to play!

    Pre-School day – Tuesday 2nd December
    All children under 6 welcome.

    Adult day – Thursday 4th December
    For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!

    Community Day – Saturday 6th December
    For all children with or without a disability. All the regular Thomley activities on offer, with additional themed activities. The Pantomime Aladdin is here, very limited spaces. See the website www.thomleyactivitycentre.org/newsletters and select Saturday planners to see further details.

    Pre-School day – Tuesday 9th December
    Come and have a fun-filled day with other parent/ carers and take advantage of our soft play area, play rooms, lots of outdoor space and activities and our indoor craft room. All children under 6 are welcome, why not bring a friend and make a day of it?

    Adult day – Thursday 11th December
    For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!

    Family Day – Saturday 13th December
    For all children with a disability, their family and friends.

    Pre-School day – Tuesday 16th December
    Come and have a fun-filled day with other parent/ carers and take advantage of our soft play area, play rooms, lots of outdoor space and activities and our indoor craft room. All children under 6 are welcome, why not bring a friend and make a day of it?

    Adult day – Thursday 18th December
    For any adult with additional needs, come and enjoy our relaxing environment and socialise with other adults or why not book a session in our sensory room? We also offer multiple art and craft activities for all abilities, and encourage groups to chat, have fun, and relax!

    Christmas Party – Saturday 20th December – come and see Santa! See the website www.thomleyactivitycentre.org/newsletters and select Saturday planners to see what else is going on!

    Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd December – For all children with a disability, their family and friends. Visit: www.thomleyactivitycentre.org/newsletters and click on ‘Christmas activities to see the full range of activities.

    Wednesday 24th December – Thursday 1st January – CLOSED.

    Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd & Monday 5th January – For all children with a disability, their family and friends. Visit: www.thomleyactivitycentre.org/newsletters and click on ‘Christmas activities to see the full range of activities.