Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Thame Remembers cross delivered to Tanzania

    THE Thame Rembembers project, which aims to deliver a special, Thame cross to the grave of everyone named on the Thame Memorial, wherever it may be in the world, has chalked up another, particularly satisfying success, as reported in the project’s latest newsletter. Thame_Remembers_Oct 2014

    Rev Hugh Prentice delivering the Thame Remembers cross to the grave of Warrant Officer Arthur Henry Sutton, of Thame
    Rev Hugh Prentice delivering the Thame Remembers cross to the grave of Warrant Officer Arthur Henry Sutton, of Thame

    Perhaps the greatest challenge facing the Thame Remembers project was to deliver a cross to the grave of Warrant Officer, AH Sutton, who is named on the war memorial in Thame. The difficulty was that he was buried in Dodoma Cemetary, 500km up country in a remote part of Tanzania. By a fortunate coincidence, just three months into the project, the group leading the project was approached by a retired Australian missionary priest, Rev Hugh Prentice, who had been living in Thame during an extended visit to the UK, and was then returning to Australia and visiting some old haunts on his way. It so happened that he had previously been a missionary in Dodoma, was already acquainted with the cemetery, and was able to place the Thame Remembers Cross at the grave on October 29.

    The man himself, 1762 Warrant Officer Arthur Henry Sutton, East African Transport Corps, died in Tanzania on Tuesday, June 19, 1917, age 31. Dodoma, where he is buried, is the administrative capital of Tanzania. It is situated in the centre of the country some 495 kilometres west of Dar Es Salaam, on the road via Morogoro. Dodoma was occupied by South African troops on July,29, 1916, and a casualty clearing station was opened from which burials were made in Dodoma Cemetery, which contains 121 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 11 of which are unidentified, and 31 Second World War burials.

    At the outbreak of the First World War, Tanzania was the core of German East Africa. From the invasion of April 1915, Commonwealth forces fought a protracted and difficult campaign against a relatively small but highly skilled German force under the command of General von Lettow-Vorbeck. When the Germans finally surrendered on November 23, 1918, twelve days after the European armistice, their numbers had been reduced to 155 European and 1,168 African troops.

  • NEW DATE: Casting for comedy with Thame Players

    THAME Players, Thame’s dedicated theatre, is looking for people interested in ‘treading the boards’ to audition for its first production of 2015, Alan Ayckbourn’s How the Other Half Loves. The play is a classic Ayckbourn comedy, featuring three married couples whose lives and loves are intertwined, leading to confusion and misunderstanding with humorous outcomes.

    theatre_centenary (300x237) (300x237)The auditions are being held at The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame on Wednesday, November 19, and Friday, November 21, at 7.30 pm. If you’d like to give it a try, contact Chris Parker, the play’s director, on 07831 696849 or at ChrisParker02@gmail.com, or simply turn up at the theatre on either night.

    Alan Ayckbourn
    Alan Ayckbourn

    There are also opportunities to work behind the scenes, helping backstage or with lighting and sound, so get in touch with Chris by phone or email if you can help.

  • Thame school opens its doors to prospective families

    THAME’S St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School opened its doors recently for prospective parents to see the school in action, and to meet the new Headteacher.

    Mr Paul Roberts, the new Head Teacher of St Joseph's Primary school, Thame
    Mr Paul Roberts, the new Head Teacher of St Joseph’s Primary school, Thame

    Spokesperson for the school, Rachel Fisher, said: “The afternoon was very busy with over 25 families visiting our school, in particular its new Reception class and playground area (Early Years Unit) which was completed for the 2013 academic year. Older children acted as tour guides taking families through the school to see the children learning a range of subjects.

    “Parents also had the chance to meet the new headteacher, Paul Roberts, who joined St Joseph’s from its Academy sister school, Our Lady’s in Cowley. Paul brings over 25 years experience in education to St Joseph’s.”

    seans_choice_crendon_beds“It’s been great getting to know the wonderful team here at St Joseph’s. I hope our visitors were able not only to see all our children enjoying their learning experiences but also to get a feel for our strong family atmosphere and ethos.,” added Paul. “Choosing a school for your child can feel quite daunting and a personal visit with a chance to speak to staff and pupils can really help.”

    Prospective parents can make an appointment to visit the school by calling 01844 214278 or emailing stjosephsthame@dbmac.org.uk

  • Muslim group’s walk benefits British Legion women

    MEMBERS of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community recently presented the Chairman of South Oxfordshire District Council, Ann Midwinter, with a cheque for her chosen charity, Royal British Legion Women’s Section.

    Chairman's Charity 2014 resized (400x267)The cheque for £500 was gratefully received and Councillor Midwinter, who is District Councillor for Thame South Ward, expressed her gratitude. She said: “It was fantastic to learn about their faith and the excellent work they have done in engaging local communities and helping others. I’m sure that the Royal British Legion Women’s Section will put the donation to excellent use.”

    The money was raised part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s annual charity walk in June this year. As they were celebrating their centenary year, they aimed to help at least 100 national and local charities.

    For more information about the community, visit their website at http://www.loveforallhatredfornone.org/

    SOURCE: Press release

  • How does Thame Livestock Market impact your business?

    SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council has commissioned a survey relating to the Thame Livestock Market, and Thame4Business is asking that all retailers in Thame complete the survey, which will help SODC to consider the future of the site.

    cattlemarketThame4Business Co-ordinator, Sue Martin Downhill asks: “If you are Thame retailer,  please take a few minutes to download the pdf at http://www.racquets-fitness-centre.com/wp-content/uploads/manual/Economic%20Benefit%20Survey-%20Local%20Businesses.pdf

    seans_choice_crendon_beds“If you would print it, complete it and then drop it into Racquets Fitness Centre, behind the Cattle Market, or send it, that would be much appreciated. Alternatively, you could complete it and email it direct to vicky.phillips@bidwells.co.uk

    “Any questions should be directed to Vicky.”

  • Managing conflict in business – networking invitation

    HAPPY Healthy Conflict – is it possible?  This is the title of a presentation to be give by from Melanie Greene of Inspire Transformation, at November’s Late Breakfast business networking event.

    Melanie’s view is that some level of conflict is inevitable in life, whether it is due to differences of opinion, personality clashes or lack of rapport. However, ‘does it always have to be destructive?’ She askes. Is there a way of managing conflict which can make it a positive and constructive process?

    Melanie Greene is an Occupational Psychologist who works as a coach and trainer in a wide variety of businesses, specialising in communication issues in the workplace. She is writing her second book titled: Happy Healthy Conflict, and will share some of her ideas with Late Breakfast guests during her interactive talk.

    For more information about this event in Thame, and to register, visit: http://www.thelatebreakfast.co.uk/

    The Late Breakfast - Monthly networking
    The Late Breakfast – Monthly networking

     

  • Remembrance Sunday, November 9, 2014

    THIS year’s Service of Remembrance in Thame will take place this Sunday, November 9, at Thame Memorial Gardens in Upper High Street.

    cross (300x129)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 invited to Christchurch for refreshments.

    A copy of the Order of Service is available from the Information Centre at the town hall and will be distributed at the Memorial Gardens on the morning of the service.

  • Thame children sow poppies to commemorate WW1 centenary

    LOCAL children from Beavers and Rainbows have been busy this week, helping to plant patches of poppies along the Phoenix Trail, in Thame.

    beaver_planting_poppies (369x400)The project, led by the Town Council in collaboration with Sustrans, is one of the town’s many events to mark the centenary of World War I. The area that has been planted is along the old railway line, including the site of the old Thame Station from where the young men of  Thame and the surrounding villages, who had enlisted for the military, would have left to go and fight in the war.

    The red poppy was adopted as a symbol for the terrible loss of life on the battlefields of the First World War, inspired by the words of the poem ‘In Flanders Field’ by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel, John McCrae:

    “In Flanders Field the poppies grow, Between the crosses, row on row…”

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsThe poppies that the children have planted are expected to flower next summer. The Council has thanked everyone who took part in the planting and Taplins for providing a rotavator to help with the digging.

  • Right to put business banking under the microscope says FSB

    COMMENTING on the Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) decision to launch a market investigation of the small business banking sector, David Knowles Leak, FSB Thames Valley Regional Chairman said: “The CMA is right to put business banking under the microscope. As the CMA’s initial report showed, the market has a number of unwelcome features. It remains worryingly concentrated, with just four banks controlling 85 per cent of business current accounts, with low levels of switching between providers compounded by a lack of price transparency.

    “There are a range of structural issues that have long been identified that potentially restrict competition and choice for small firms seeking much needed finance and other banking services. While we recognise there are some initiatives in place to address some of these issues, this is the opportunity to resolve any outstanding issues once and for all, and put in place the conditions for a thriving, dynamic banking sector fit for the 21st century.”

    NB  The FSB is the UK’s leading business organisation with around 200,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the UK’s Real-Life Entrepreneurs who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk and follow on twitter @fsb_policy

    Chair Thames Valley Federation of Small Business, David Knowles Leak
    Chair Thames Valley Federation of Small Business, David Knowles Leak

     

  • Warning to cyclists & motorcyclists to be ‘autumn aware’

    SOUTH Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) is encouraging cyclists and motorcyclists to be ‘autumn aware’ by wearing the right Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

    autumn_cyclist (387x400)The autumn weather can lead to dangerous riding conditions with low sun, wet leaves, poor visibility and deep surface water on the road. The dark mornings and evenings make commuting particularly hazardous.

    Cyclists and motorcyclists should always wear the right protective gear when riding including wearing high visibility clothing. A study in New Zealand showed that motorcyclists who wore a fluorescent jacket and a white helmet were 37 per cent less likely to be killed in a road accident.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsMark Ainsworth-Smith, Pre-hospital care practitioner for SCAS, explains: “We want everyone to be safe on the roads this autumn. Wearing the correct clothing can greatly reduce your chance of a collision and also prevent serious injuries. Wearing high visibility clothing is essential to make other road users aware of your presence in bad weather, poor light and at night time. Riders should adjust their speed to changing road conditions and should be particularly careful in the event of snow or ice. “

    Mike concluded: “My bike will be staying warm in the garage if we get any icy conditions this year!”