Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • What a ‘quacking’ race!

    THAME & District Round Table hosted another successful duck race again this year, raising thousands of pounds for local causes.

    Captain Duckie alias Stuart Groves, launches hundreds of pastic ducks into the River Thame
    Captain Duckie alias Stuart Groves, launches
    hundreds of pastic ducks into the River Thame

    The race took place on Sunday (15/02) and enjoyed a great turnout with hundreds of local people coming to support the race and see if they had bought the winning ticket. The race raised £4,260, thanks to the ongoing support for this event from the people of Thame and the surrounding villages. Captain Ducky led the proceedings as usual and although his boat was a lot more shipshape than it’s been in previous years, it didn’t keep him any drier!

    In a busy weekend, Round Table were also in action on Saturday too, when they joined forces with Thame Lions to run the bar at Thame Carnival. Working together with the Lions, the two groups raised a further £1,000 for local charities.

    Neil Shorter, Chairman of Thame Round Table, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who supported the race by buying tickets and helping us to raise so much money. We would also like to thank all the family and friends who joined us on the day and helped to set the race up and in particular, to collect up all the ducks afterwards and get them cleaned and dried ready for next year. Finally, we’d like to thank The Falcon pub for providing their pop up bar for us to use and for helping throughout the day on Saturday too.”

  • Carnival Chair says ‘thank you’ Thame!

    CONGRATULATIONS have been flowing in to the new team that organised this year’s Thame Carnival, and the Co-ordinator, Sue Martin Downhill, Chair of Thame4Business, has expressed her gratitude to all concerned.

    One of Sue Martin Downhill's girls (left) enjoying themselves - without her mum - at Saturday's carnival
    One of Sue Martin Downhill’s girls (left) enjoying themselves – without her mum – at Saturday’s carnival

     

    The 'School together' carnival collected their winners cup from the Deputy Mayor, Nicola Dixon
    The ‘School together’ carnival collected their winners cup from the Deputy
    Mayor, Nicola Dixon

    The Carnival, themed  ‘the World of Sport & Recreation’, brought families, friends and local sports and activity groups together, to produce a great Carnival and festival fete, on the Southern Road Recreation ground – and the sun shone!

    A delighted Sue said: “With the help of some fantastic people of Thame, the Thame Carnival was as successful as I had hoped it would be. It was cool while we were setting up but the sun came out and shone for the rest of the day. cropped_tractor_cab_kids (400x267)

    “The parade was a great sight with a massive effort from all the floats. Congratulations to the combined schools’  float who produced a mass of colour. The steel band brought out the carnival feel and there was plenty of carnival music and noise throughout. Tom MacKriell of Thame Youth Theatre, and his team of marshalls brilliantly tackled the organisation of the order of the parade and keeping the roads clear and safe. Thanks to them, as without all 20 of them there would have been no parade!

    “Our MC, Dan Blasor, brought the whole event together and the Dog show had the best turn out of entries ever.carnival_dogs (400x348)

    “It was great to see so many sitting out in the sunshine enjoying the beer and Pimms tents and watching the entertainment in the arena and all around the ground. Although I would love to have been able to have spent more time wandering around with my girls,   enjoyed the day thoroughly.”Carnival_Andy_ford_emma (400x264)

    The Slade Tribute band, Slyde, entertained visitors at the end of the afternoon, with great humour and great memories of the music of other bands like ‘Sweet’ and ‘The Osmonds’ too!carnival_Slyde (268x400)

    Twitter and facebook followers of the Thame Carnival, like Ian English, who runs the popular Boodlum Band and the newly formed Thame Pop Choir, posted their comments: “Well done Sue and committee for organising an excellent Carnival and making it work so well – it was a great afternoon!”

    Thame Firefighter, Mark Nuns, posted on twitter: “Awesome sight seeing a Lancaster Bomber doing a low fly over of Thame!”carnival_Lancaster2014 (400x259)

    Karen Shardlow, Fund-raising Co-ordinator for the Florence Nighingale Hospice Charity, which took part in the carnival parade, posted: “Thank you Thame Carnival! Great fun day! We were all pleased to be a part of it.”Carnival_florence_nightingale_2014 (400x294)

    LOADS MORE PICTURES – here from Saturday’s carnival

  • Turn End treats for gardeners & artists

    TURN End Garden, one of Haddenham’s hidden gems, is opening its gates to host a series of gardening and art events this Spring and Summer.

    turn_end
    photograph: Richard Bryant/arcaid.co.uk

    Tucked away in the heart of Haddenham, Turn End is located in Townside and is one of three award winning village houses of post war architectural merit, designed by Peter Aldington. Its garden, created as a natural extension to the architect’s own house, is a series of ‘garden rooms’ designed to be harmonious with the building and filled with beautiful and interesting plants.

    Turn End Trust was established to foster appreciation of links between architecture and garden design, and is running a programme of events starting in May, from seasonal walks, to hands-on art and craft workshops and gardening courses, led by artists Heather Hunter and Jean Mould Hart. The art and craft workshops include Box Books and Creative Paper Making whilst Jackie Hunt, Turn End’s Gardener, is leading a series of Spring, Summer and Autumn walks designed to highlight the constantly changing character of the garden throughout the seasons. Teamed with horticulturist, Lindsay Engers (who frequently holds workshops at Waterperry Gardens), she’ll also be advising gardeners on selecting and caring for plants as well as introducing propagation techniques, in two workshops scheduled this Summer.

    Email turnendgarden@gmail.com or telephone 07591 018601 for the complete programme and a booking form.

    Turn End will also be participating in Bucks Open Studios Week (June 14th-22nd). The garden will also be open on Thursday, June 26, 2-5.30pm, as well as home to a Sculpture Exhibition on July 5, 6 & 9-13.

  • Spare building material bags wanted

    WANTED : The Thame Community Equipment Bank needs bags for carrying marquees in. They need to be strong but light weight. Need to have handles which won’t cut into your hands. Have you had any building material delivered in strong bags ? We will clean them before use.

  • Why disband the Thame Conservation Advisory Committee?

    Dear Editor, 

    It is a sad indictment of Thame Town Council that they seem to have adopted an air of total contempt with regard to the history and conservation of the town.

    We have already had the outrage of the Elms field being put into the Neighbourhood Plan ‘through the back-door’. Now we hear they have disbanded the Thame Conservation Advisory Committee by withdrawing support and facilities.

    The Conservation Committee consists of an excellent team, steeped with knowledge and history of the town who have made a valuable contribution over the last 30 years. To disband this group is nothing more than a vindictive ‘toss the toys out of the pram’ decision by the Town Clerk, with questionable logic behind it, and no Councillor had the courage to oppose her at the time of the meeting where this decision was made.

    The Town Clerk has a disturbing enthusiasm to pursue the Elms field development and obviously will try to eliminate anything that may hinder it. Already certain Councillors (have said) that they enjoyed, and needed, the minutes from the Conservation Committee in order to make informed decisions. Surely if the council want to retain any credibility, this issue needs to be reviewed and the Conservation Committee re-instated.

    The Clerk has stated that: “In light of the neighbourhood plan”, there is no need for a Conservation Committee. Utter nonsense. That plan does not over-ride the need for the planning department in the Parish, and SODC to assess all applications. Moreover the plan cannot possibly anticipate all future applications in the Conservation Area.

    One final point of order. The Thame Conservation Advisory Committee was not ‘self appointed’ as suggested by the Clerk. It was appointed by the Council on the January 10, 1984, to give: “valuable independent advice” to both Thame Council and South Oxfordshire District Council.

    Ron Clanfield
    (Address supplied)

  • New plan for Chilterns countryside

    HOW can we make sure that our green and beautiful countryside is not spoilt by development? How do we help the woodlands cope with the diseases and pests threatening them?

    Cricket at Greys Green near Henley (By Clive Ormonde)
    Cricket at Greys Green near Henley (By Clive Ormonde)

    These are just two of the many issues that are tackled by a new plan that has been published on how the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) should be looked after over the next five years.

    The plan has been published by the Chilterns Conservation Board, which has responsibility for protecting and promoting the Chilterns. It was put together with the help of many local organisations and communities, including parish councils, wildlife trusts, the National Trust and the Chiltern Society.

    “The Plan is a collective expression of the interests and wishes of many individuals and organisations that care about the Chilterns and as such it is truly a plan for the whole AONB,” said Ian Reay, Chairman of the Conservation Board.

    The Chilterns AONB is a nationally-protected landscape, designated as one of the country’s finest areas of countryside along with 45 other AONBs and 15 National Parks. Despite this national recognition it faces many pressures, especially from the plans for the High Speed 2 rail line which will slice through the middle of the AONB. Plans for many new houses in towns around the edge of the Chilterns, the loss of traditional rural skills and the impacts of climate change are other examples of pressures the area faces. A co-ordinated approach to keeping the Chilterns special in the face of these issues is more important than ever and this is what the new Management Plan for the Chilterns AONB provides.

    Copies of the new Plan are available to read in local libraries. The Plan can also be downloaded from www.chilternsaonb.org/management-plan

  • Shed destroyed by barbecue fire

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council Fire and Rescue Service are warning of the dangers of barbecues, after they were called to a shed fire in Langdale Road, Thame at 5.54 pm on Sunday, June 15. 

    One of the two fire engines that attended the shed fire in Langdale Road. Thame
    One of the two fire engines that attended the shed fire in Langdale Road. Thame

    Two fire engines from Thame attended and on arrival found a garden shed destroyed by fire which had spread to adjoining fences and hedges. The heat from the fire has also damaged a number of children’s toys and a trampoline. Fire crews extinguished the fire using high pressure hoses and prevented further fire spread.

    It is believed that the fire started from a barbecue which had been used earlier in the day and put away in the shed before it had fully cooled down.

    Watch Manager, Andy Ford, said:  ‘The owner and neighbours reduced the fire damage using garden hoses, prior to the arrival of the service, but were lucky not to be injured. An aerosol had exploded in the shed and could have caused serious injuries to anyone in the near vicinity.”

    Follow the safety tips below to avoid injuries or damage to your property:
    · follow the safety instructions provided with disposable barbecues
    · make sure your barbecue is standing on a flat surface and away from fences, trees and sheds
    · only use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue
    · remember to light your charcoal an hour before you commence cooking
    · lighter fuels must only be applied before lighting
    · never use petrol or paraffin to start, or re-ignite your barbecue
    · use only barbecue fire lighters or starter fuel on cold coals
    · be careful with fatty foods and never poor oil onto meat when it is cooking
    · if you’re the chef try not to drink too much alcohol whilst cooking
    · keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby
    · keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area
    · don’t leave the barbecue unattended
    · never use a barbecue indoors or in an enclosed space – a warm, smouldering barbecue gives of plenty of poisonous
      carbon monoxide – if used indoors or an enclosed space carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels very
      quickly
    · after you have finished cooking, extinguish the burning coals – leave for a period of time and then check that the fire is
      completely out
    · make sure the barbecue is cool before trying to move it
    · never put hot ashes straight into a dustbin or wheelie bin – they could melt the plastic and cause a fire

    This safety advice is offered as guidance only. If in doubt, Get out, Stay out and get the Fire and Rescue Service out!

  • Head sets out vision for single site Lord Williams’s School

    AT a meeting with parents this week, the Headteacher of Lord Williams’s School, Thame, David Wybron, outlined initial plans for the school to amalgamate onto one site, as provided for in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan.

    David Wybron
    David Wybron

    He told parents: “We have been discussing this for a number of years and there are many issues to resolve on the continuing journey. That said, this aspiration represents a wonderful opportunity to transform learning opportunities for future generations of students. We would be able to have a more flexible curriculum and more learning time. Instead of students having to be bussed up and down between sites to learn together and staff having to commute, we would all be together, taking advantage of a £20,000,000 investment in facilities. Our young people would have access to state of the art facilities in a school equipped for learning in the 21st Century.

    “In terms of pastoral care for our students, the bigger school would further improve our care provision and support for individuals. Students would meet their tutors every day rather than just three times a week as they currently do and we would be able to significantly enhance opportunities for older students to mentor and work with younger students.

    “If we get the green light to proceed with our vision, and that means agreements on funding and planning, then we will have very creative discussions with staff, students, parents and governors on how we can create the ‘wow’ factor for our school.”

    If the amalgamation of the two schools does not happen, houses allocated in the Neighbourhood Plan for the Lower School site in Toweresey Road, will be provided on ‘reserve sites’. These are:
    Site F (the old pig farm in Oxford Road, opposite Upper school
    Site C (south of Thame, edging Thame Park and Wenman Road)

  • Drama performance will explore the ‘undocumented lives of migrant children’

    THE undocumented lives of migrant children in this country will be explored in a very special performance by students of Lord Williams’s School, on Wednesday. The performance will be a collaboration with COMPAS, a research department of the University of Oxford. COMPAS is the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society where they undertake research into migration issues to inform policy making and public debate.

    migrant_lives (400x376) (2)COMPAS has published some research into the experiences of migrant children with illegal status in the UK and developed dramatic monologues from the interviews. Researchers have approached the Lord Williams’s school to work with Year 10 students to develop a drama production which the students will perform in the school’s Phoenix Drama studio.

    Nicky Stallwood, the Personal Development Curriculum Manager at Lord Williams’s School, explained: “This is a public performance and it would be wonderful to welcome community groups and individuals as well as staff and students to the performance. ​

    “Whilst this is a small scale production, we are excited by the collaboration with COMPAS and we believe the evening will be of interest to those who want to understand the issues facing young migrants coming into the UK.”

    The performance on June 18, will start at 6.30pm.

  • Kubota staff take to two wheels for charity

    A team of volunteers from Thame-based tractor, groundcare and construction machinery specialist Kubota have raised over £1,000 after taking part in the charity bike ride, Mix96 Tour de Vale, held on Sunday, June 8.

    Kubota Tour de Vale (400x275)

    The team of 27 Kubota employees cycled over 1,000 miles in total, on 15, 35 and 55 mile courses, starting and finishing at Stoke Mandeville Stadium and travelling through Buckinghamshire countryside and villages.

    The event was in aid of Wheel Power, a national charity providing opportunities, facilities and equipment to enable disabled people to play sport and lead healthy, active lives.

    Kubota is hoping to secure further donations to increase its fundraising total to £1,500 in total, in order to help Wheel Power beat last year’s fundraising effort, when £34,000 was donated.

    Dave Roberts, Managing Director of Kubota UK, commented: “Our team have trained hard over the past few months and we’re pleased to be raising money for this fantastic Buckinghamshire based charity that we feel very passionate about.

    “We had an enthusiastic response throughout the company and people of all levels of cycling experience signed up to help with our fundraising efforts. There was a great atmosphere at the event and we were proud to be part of the great turn out.

    “Any further sponsorship we can raise following the race from local residents and employers will be a great help as every little donation will assist Wheel Power and the fantastic work they do in our community.”

    For more information about how you can donate visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/kubota