A THAME pub has been singled out for a top reward at the Brakspear Hospitality Awards 2014, organised by the Oxfordshire based brewer and pub company.
Tom Davies, Brakspear chief executive, with Jay Kansikan & Aay ‘Patsy’ Phanthamat
The Rising Sun, in the High Street, run by Jay Kansikan & Aay (known as Patsy) Phanthamat, was one of just five from Brakspear’s 130 pubs nationally to receive the award and up to £2,000.
The five winning pubs were chosen on the basis of their score from two visits by mystery customers. Pubs are rated on all aspects of hospitality, from cleanliness and service to marketing and merchandising. This year, questionnaires included new sections on interior design and use of social media, in response to customers’ increased expectations in these areas.
A delighted Jay said: “It’s great to receive this recognition. We have been at the Rising Sun for nine years and worked hard to build its reputation locally, based on serving quality Thai food in a traditional pub environment with friendly, professional service. I’m lucky to have a great team of dedicated staff, without whom we wouldn’t have won this award.
“We’re still deciding how to use the prize money, but it will go into improvements at the pub to make sure we continue to offer our customers a great experience whenever they visit the Rising Sun.”
Chief executive Tom Davies said: “The achievement of our winning pubs cannot be overstated. Scoring consistently well across two in-depth mystery visits is a tremendous result and a reflection of the high standards across the board that these talented licensees have embedded in their pubs. It is a pleasure to recognise their hard work with a Brakspear Hospitality Award and a financial reward that will help them to improve their pubs.”
The Hospitality Award 2014 winners were:
Jay Kansikan & Aay Phanthamat: Rising Sun, Thame Doug & Lolly Green: Little Angel, Henley Rob & Ellie Blues: Butcher’s Arms, Sonning Common Rachel Ainsley: Dolphin, Eastbourne Lee Curtis: Bowler, Clerkenwell
The Hospitality Awards were announced at the annual Brakspear Summer Party, held at Bix Manor near Henley-on-Thames, and was attended by 150 tenants and lessees. The winners were given a plaque to display outside their pub and a prize of either £1,000 in cash, or £2,000 to invest in their business.
Brakspear’s mystery customer programme is designed and implemented by The Silent Customer, based in Henley.
COMMUTERS who use Haddenham and Thame Parkway station, will be unable to travel into Marylebone station tomorrow morning, because it is currently closed due to a cable fire.
Chiltern Railway’s train at Haddenham & Thame parkway
Chiltern Railways have said: “Around two metres of signalling cable in the tunnel into the station has burned away meaning the signalling system is not working. Without signals we cannot safely run trains, so are not running to or from Marylebone until new cables are installed and tested. Engineers are on site however, disruption is expected and Marylebone will be closed into Monday morning and until further notice.
“We strongly advise passengers to avoid travelling on Monday unless essential. Chiltern tickets are valid on Virgin Trains, London Midland, FGW, CrossCountry & London Underground services.”
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a distraction burglary in Chinnor. At about 1.45pm yesterday (13/6) a man entered a house in Elderdene to talk to the occupant about fixing his roof. He stole a quantity of cash before leaving in a blue car.
The offender was white, of slim build, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 11ins, with brown medium length hair and was unshaven.
Det Con Jonathan Axford, from Abingdon Force CID, said: “I would like to appeal for any witnesses who saw a man or vehicle matching these descriptions in the area at around the time of the incident to speak to police.
“If any residents were approached in the area by a man asking to do work on their house I would also like to speak to them.”
If you have any information about the incident which could help police with their enquiries please call Det Con Axford via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.
Alternatively of you don’t want to speak directly to the police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
THAME’S Town Clerk, Helen Stewart, has been awarded an BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List, ‘For services to neighbourhood planning in Thame, Oxfordshire’.
As Clerk to Thame Town Council, Helen Stewart has been instrumental in helping the town council draw up and implement Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan, which made history as the first ever housing application for a Neighbourhood Plan to be approved, and which was described as ‘a Trail blazer’, by Government Minister, Nick Boles.
Although parts of the Neighbourhood Plan and the way some designated sites for development were included in it, continue to be controversial, Helen Stewart has been a staunch supporter and defender of the plan and the robustness of the the council’s procedures in drawing it up.
Since the plan was approved by local referendum, new housing developments, and a commercial development more recently, have been passed by the planning authority.
The current Mayor of Thame, Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green, said: ‘’I am delighted that Helen’s invaluable contribution has been recognised in this way, and Thame should be proud of her achievement. I have every confidence that she will bring the same diligence and commitment to the ongoing process of monitoring delivery of the Plan.’’
You can read the full citation for Helen’s award and the reaction of town councillors, on the town council’s website here: LINK
YES, ThameNews is back after a couple of week’s in sunny, Southern Spain, but news has still been happening, so here’s an ‘in-brief’ review of local news from the past two weeks.
JOHN Hampden Primary School, Thame’s Tag rugby team is through to the TAG2 Twickenham Regionals after bringing The Chairman’s County Cup back to Thame.
The Tag Rugby Tournament, which claims to be the former holder of the World Record for the largest Tag Rugby Competition held on one day, saw yet another great turnout. John Hampden reached the semi-finals without losing a single game. In what was an exciting semi-final, the team fought their way back from 3-1 down to win 5 – 4. The game was fast flowing, demonstrating great rugby skills and exceptional team work. They then went on to win the final 6-4.
Team Captain Bridget said: “It was a fabulous experience for all of us and we really enjoyed it. It was amazing rugby by everyone. We tried especially hard this year and definitely deserved it.” John Hampden will now represent the county at the regionals to be held at The Rugby School in July.
THE Governing Body of John Hampden and Tetsworth Primary Schools’ Federation are looking to fill two vacancies that have recently arisen for two Community Governors – one for Thame and one for Tetsworth.
Community Governors play a vital role as links between the schools and their local communities. If you would like to know more or you believe that you have specific skills to offer the Board of Governors, please contact the Chair of Governors, Mary Stiles, on 01844 213851 or 07779654840 or email maryandstella@aol.com
ARE you part of a community-based organisation with a project in mind for a good spruce-up? Has world cup fever highlighted the need to improve your community sports pitches? Or perhaps your village hall could do with a new kitchen to help cater for community events? South Oxfordshire District Council, is running a grant scheme that might be the one for you. Their Communities Capital Grant scheme is currently open and closes on June 25, so if you get a move on you could still get an application in. More information:http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/community-advice-and-support/grants-and-community-loans
AS part of National Care Home Open Day, Meadowcroft, Thame’s residential Care Home for the elderly, will be open to visitors on Friday, June 20, for both a Coffee Morning 9.30-12.00, and Afternoon Tea 1.30-4pm. The Address is 78 Queens Road, Thame, OX9 3NQ. Meadowcroft’s Summer Fete this year, will be on Saturday August 2, 2pm- 4pm. Stalls will include tombola, raffle, cakes, teas, bricabrac and gifts.
EVER thought about volunteering? If you have any spare time, why not become part of a team at the Cancer Research UK shop in Thame? Make new friends, learn new skills and help to beat Cancer.
If this sounds like something you would like to do why not get in touch, please contact the Maria the Manager on 01844 261531 or pop in for a chat, they’re a friendly bunch! The shop is at 60 North Street, opposite the Library.
KAREN Collett, Headteacher at Haddenham St Mary’s Church of England School in Buckinghamshire, is committed to finding a healthy solution to the government initiative stipulating the return of free school meals from September.
Karen believes that the seemingly commendable legislation has: “….failed to take into account obstructions set to limit implementation, for example the fact that the majority of schools stripped out their kitchens when they were no longer required to provide on site catering for pupils.”
She was frustrated by the solution presented to her – airplane style meals delivered to the school. “The purpose of reinstating free school meals is to tackle obesity and ensure pupils have a balanced meal that educates them about nutrition,” she said. “Mass produced foods packaged up in plastic trays are not the best way to achieve this objective. Nor are they likely to be the cheapest given that suppliers will want a profit margin from the £2.30 allocated per child.”
Karen is passionate about finding a workable alternative and is hosting a Food Conference at her school, on June 27, 9.30am-3pm, to explore options with a team of experts including Raymond Blanc, nutritionist Amanda Ursell, Chair of the National Obesity Forum Tam Fry, Juliane Noble from the Jamie Oliver Foundation and Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins.
THAME’S District Councillor, Ann Midwinter, has been appointed as the new Chair of South Oxfordshire District Council. Mrs Midwinter replaces Cllr Dorothy Brown, with whom she was Vice Chair last year. Cllr Midwinter’s chosen charities for the year of her office are SeeSaw and the Royal British Legion. Thame’s District Cllr David Dodds, will have the port folios for Finance, Waste and Parks.
FIND out more about your waste during Recycle Week 2014. There is a packed diary of environmentally friendly events planned to celebrate Recycle Week in Oxfordshire from June 14 to 22. The week is the annual national celebration of all the work that is done to get the most out of waste and help residents to maximise the amount that is recycled.
Highlights from the list of events include the chance to meet with “master composters” and get more out of your green and kitchen waste on 21 and 22 June. The Master Composters programme aims to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste being sent to landfill, by encouraging more people to start composting at home and supporting those already doing so.
On 17 June, there is an opportunity to see behind the scenes at the anaerobic digestion plant at Wallingford. This fascinating facility processes over 50,000 tonnes of solid and liquid wastes a year, generating 2.4MW of electricity and producing an excellent biofertiliser.
Events Saturday 14 June Recycling Roadshow at Berinsfield Fete Time: 12pm – 3pm Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council
Monday 16 June Recycling Roadshow, Westgate Centre, Oxford Time: 10am-4pm Organised by Oxford City
Monday 16 June Recycling Roadshow, Town Centre Shop, Witney Time: 10am-3pm Organised by West Oxfordshire District Council
Tuesday 17 June Anaerobic digestion plant tour Crowmarsh Time: 9.45am – 10.45am Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council
Tuesday 17 June Recycling Roadshow at Abingdon Tesco Time: 1pm – 4pm Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council
Wednesday 18 June Recycling Roadshow at Didcot Tesco Time: 9am – 12pm Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council
Wednesday 18 June Recycling Talk at WI Meeting Stanford in the Vale Time: 7pm – 9pm Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council
Thursday 19 June Composting In Vessel and Anaerobic Digestion facilities Tours at Ardley – to book a place email recycling@oxford.gov.uk<mailto:recycling@oxford.gov.uk> Orgainsed by Oxford City Council
Friday 20 June Recycling Roadshow, Town Centre Shop, Witney Time: 10am-3pm Organised by West Oxfordshire District Council
Friday 20 June Broken Spoke drop-in bike fixing workshop, The Story Museum, Pembroke St, Oxford. Time: 11am-5pm Organised by Community Action Groups
Saturday 21 June Broken Spoke drop-in bike fixing workshop, The Story Museum, Pembroke St, Oxford. Time: 11am-5pm Organised by Community Action Groups
Saturday 21 June Swap Shop at Gladstone Road Community Ctr, Headington, Oxford. Time: 11am-1pm Organised by Community Action Groups
Saturday 21 June Love Food Hate Waste demonstration of cooking with leftovers at the Tandem Festival, Hill End, Oxford. Time: 10am-5pm Organised by Oxfordshire County Council
Saturday 21 June Master Composters stall for advice on home composting at Fun on the Green event at Wolvercote, Oxford. Time: 1pm-4.30pm Organised by Oxfordshire County Council
Sunday 22 June Master Composters stall for advice on home composting at Beckley Village Open Gardens. Time: 11am-4pm Organised by Oxfordshire County Council
Sunday 22 June Master Composters stall for advice on home composting at Letcombe Regis Family Day Time: 2pm-4.30pm Organised by Oxfordshire County Council
A BID is to be launched to bring substantial funding for rural development projects to Oxfordshire. A group representing businesses and community organisations, with support from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils, is set to apply for a share of £138million LEADER funding which is being made available to help bring about projects to boost the rural economy across the country.
Image courtesy of ruralhubscommunity.co.uk
The Government wants local people to fund projects that boost the rural economy and rural communities. To help with this bid for funding SODC is keen to hear from any rural business that has plans that will benefit their local area. It could be a project that creates new jobs or provides new or improved services.To find out more, visit: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/news/2014/2014-06/bid-be-launched-funding-boost-rural-oxfordshire
TOWERSEY Manor is once more to be the beautiful setting for this year’s Towersey Fete, on Sunday, June 22, with all the attractions of a traditional village fete in the lovely garden, from 12.30 – 4.00pm.
Last year’s Towersey fete was a resounding success with record attendances, and with children’s and adult’s races (egg and spoon, sack race etc) and competitions for the best scones, fairy cakes and lego models, the village is hoping for an even better turn out.
Refreshments include BBQ, beer, Pimms and ice creams and cream teas and cakes in the beautiful barn. Debbie Mellor, who is helping to promote the event, said: “We are hoping to continue our successful run of warm sunny weather – relax in the gardens, take a garden tour and enjoy rock and blues band The Notations with singer Hayley Gomm.
“Stalls include bric-a-brac, plants, cakes, preserves and crafts, tombola, toys and books, and the Manor Boutique stocking nearly new ladies’ clothes. For children, there’s a bouncy castle, and Professor Boodle’s Punch & Judy show. Towersey Morris will be dancing in the courtyard and the Village Voices Community Choir will perform some of their songs. Last but not least, there is the chance to win one of many very attractive prizes in the Grand Raffle or place a bid in the Silent Auction.
“Plenty of free parking (including disabled parking) will be available off Manor Road in a field close to Towersey Manor. Admission price is just £1 for adults, with accompanied children up to the age of 12 admitted free. Website for further details: www.towerseyfete.org.uk
THAME based manufacturer, Kubota UK, will continue its 35-year celebrations this month by taking part in the Thame Carnival which is to be held in the town centre.
Kubota, based in Thame, is celebrating 35 years in the town
The groundcare and construction specialist, which has had its home in Thame, Oxon, since 1979, will take part in the yearly celebration as a thank you to the local community that has played a big role in the continued success of the brand.
The theme for this year’s event is ‘The world of Sport’ and Kubota will be dressing a range of its machinery and taking part in a number of activities throughout the day in celebration.
To kick things off, Kubota will be hosting an open day at its factory from 9.30-11.30am, where they will invite the local community to come in and take a look around. On display will be a range of tractors and excavators, with on-going demonstrations throughout the morning showing how the world famous Kubota engines are put to use.
At midday, the festivities will continue with two decorated Kubota floats and a selection of RTVs joining the carnival procession.
The brand will also display a big marquee in the recreation ground where they will hold activities for all the family including kids games such as ‘throw the ball in the excavator bucket’ and tractor rides around a specially built track. All funds that are raised by Kubota on the day of the event will be given to the chosen charities of Thame Town Council. Dave Roberts, Kubota UK Managing Director, commented: “Thame has been our UK home for many years, employing over 100 staff, and we’re extremely proud to continue to play a role in this thriving community.
“The Kubota brand has gone from strength to strength since we first set down roots here, with many of our staff born and raised in the area.
“it is great for us to get involved in such a popular local event and give something back to the local people that have been a great support to us.”
For more information about Kubota, visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.
CARNIVAL weather has been predicted for this Saturday, June 14, and the anticipation among Thame’s sports and many of the various activitity groups the town is blessed with, is growing as the town prepares to comes together to celebrate ‘The World of Sports and Recreation’.
“Our main idea for this year,” explained Carnival Committee Member, Tom Mackriell, “is to bring together as many of our local community groups together in one place and to celebrate the diversity and talent we have in our town and of course we cannot ignore the impending World Cup celebrations. So we are hoping to see lots of people making as much noise as possible and generally having a real good time!
“The Weather is set to be fantastic on Saturday so we want everyone to bring the whole family down to the town centre, and Southern Road Rec afterwards, and join in the celebrations with us. There’ll be entertainment from Thame Youth Theatre, Thame Stagecoach, Kaso Studios and a local Zumba group, a fabulous steel band, Pet Care’s annual dog show and a fly over by a Lancaster Bomber!
As usual there will be an array of marvellous stalls, a BBQ and tea and coffee (and cake) provided by Thame Scouts ,and new this year a BEER TENT!
Tom’s final, clarion call is: “This year is set to be the best carnival yet, and to make sure that it is a great success we need as many people as possible to attend. Through YOUR support this event will survive for generations to come and continue to be the focal point of our community that it has always been.”
EXCITING results from Racquets Graded Tournaments and excitement at playing British Closed Champion
Over last weekend 50 people played in the Racquets June Open Graded Tournament and enjoyed watching the British Closed squash champion exhibit how the game is played professionally in a social but competitive game with local professional Will John.
Our tournament, designed to allow everyone – of all standards and all ages – to play and enjoy the great games of squash and racketball, saw top county players playing alongside juniors and ladies who have only been playing the game for weeks and months.
The ladies grade was won by a relative new comer to the game, Alice Draycott from London, who had to borrow a racket for each game. The junior beginners tournament was competed for by 5 boys and girls who have been playing only since the beginning of the year. Chris Watts, from Barley Hill Primary School, won the grade which was played in true competitive but clean sporting fun.
Other grades, including a racketball doubles tournament, were entered by players ranging in experience from a few years of playing right up to those who’ve been playing for over 30 years ! One of two were back from a break from the game as the buzz of the club this year has been inspiring them to start playing again. Beth John who has been playing squash at Racquets for 15 years won the Racketball doubles with Ossie Mustafa who is recovering from a back injury with help from the Racquets gym staff.
The winners of the tournaments walked away with some neat prizes sponsored by Meritus Hotels and a sense of achievement as many have played few, if any, tournaments before.
Alison Waters played 10 of the tournament entrants each including juniors who’ve been playing for a few months and Peter and Annabel, pictured here, were so excited to have the chance to play such a top professional player.
Alison Waters appears to have enjoyed visiting our Thame club as she tweeted ‘@Simonracquets great night @Racquetsfitness playing exhibition with @WillROJohn. Great club and people! Hope to be back…’ from @AliWat1.
