Moreton villager, Angus, and his dog, Ollie, take a rest during yesterday’s Morton Muck Out day
THE people of Moreton, in the parish of Thame, are becoming more litter conscious it seems, if the amount of rubbish collected during the latest Moreton Muck Out is anything to go by.
The pile of collected rubbish at the end of Morton Muck Out day
Having run annually for a number of years now, the amount of trash collected during yesterday’s event was less than in previous years.
“This is good news,” said Sue Martin Downhill, who is organising Thame Tidy Day, and helped out in Moreton yesterday, “as it means that people are generally more aware of picking up their own litter and it isn’t a’ growing’ problem any more. Let’s hope the Thame Tidy Days are having the same effect! “
Tina Fegent and Ken Burch , who lead the Moreton Muck Out, said: ” ‘Thank you’ to all the litter pickers yesterday. We picked up a fair amount as you can see from the attached photo.
“Thank you to Rosemary for organising the refreshments and Louise, Sally and Aila for the cakes. Also thanks to Sue who is organising both the Tidy Up Thame Day and the Thame Carnival, for lending ‘elbow support’ in tidying up the War Memorial which is due to also be cleaned this year as well, by Thame Town Council.”
Thame Tidy Day is on May 11. Full details and information on how to be involved, can be found HERE
Thame Cyclones v Flames Wednesday 2nd April 2014 – ADNL Div 5 -Final match of the season
THE last time Cyclones played bottom-of-the division Flames they won 48-10. But this did not mean that Cyclones could go into the game feeling complacent. In the first quarter, Flames only had six players which Cyclones were able to take full advantage of. With their extra player, Cyclones were able to over-power Flames in the centre half with some fabulous interceptions by Sam (WD), combined with brilliant movement in the circle by Sara (GS) working well with Lynn (GA) to power Cyclones into the lead in the first quarter by 13 goals to 1.
Team Cyclones
The second quarter saw the game become a little scrappy as Flames, back to their full seven players, fought to stay in the game. However, the domination of the centre court continued with Katie (WA) taking full advantage of Sara’s height with a series of strong, long passes straight to her under the post, leaving the defence dumbfounded. This, coupled with the continuous interceptions down the court from both Amy (C) and Penny (GD), allowed Cyclones to increase their lead at the end of the second quarter, with the score at 26-4.
The third quarter saw the substitution of Sara for Vanessa as GS. The shooting ‘dream team’ members, Vanessa (GS) and Lynn (GA) were able to show off their silky skills and intuitive play with each other for the very last time, as it was to be Vanessa’s last match for Thame. It was a masterclass in how a GA and GS should work together and left the Flames’ defence helplessly retrieving balls that glided through the net for the centre pass. Vanessa and Lynn were backed up once more with good play on centre court by Sam (WD) continually finding great space and Amy (C) showing off her ability to defend and then attack swiftly. Penny (GD) kept up the pressure on a very tall and quick Flames GA, giving great support to Emma (GK) in the circle. Cyclones once more increased their lead and at the end of the third quarter were winning 35-9.
The final quarter saw Katie injured, and Sam move to (WA) while Kelly came on as (WD). Cyclones kept it together against some physical defending as Flames tried in vain to close the gap. A number of penalties in Cyclones’ favour were used to full advantage in the centre half, with Kelly (WD) quickly reacting to these decisions and passing the ball out before Flames had time to regroup and successfully mark. The interceptions were flying and the goals kept coming. A fantastic 42-10 win for Cyclones to end their 2013/14 season.
Thame Hurricanes V Kites – April 2, 2014 – ADNL Div4 – Final Match of the season
HURRICANES started the game with only five of their 11 woman squad, having to play two players up from Cyclones. This meant positions were re-arranged and the battle commenced.
Team Hurricanes
The match against Kites is always a close run thing with some sharp defending on both sides. Jesse played centre for only the second time and did a grand job running all over the court. Lynn in WA was as lively as ever and fought hard against the Kites’ defence. Nic, in as Keeper following an ankle injury, was very vocal with her instructions to those playing in front of her, which proved useful against the in-form Kites’ shooter. Lyn, out from Keeper to Goal Defence, was feeling the pace, chasing Kites’ GA and dropping back to cover the GS. Karen in WD, recently back after the birth of her lovely daughter, did a tremendous job and made the match hard for Kites’ WA with lots of strong play and interceptions. Lynn and Sarah, who had already played for Cyclones earlier in the evening, did an awesome job as GS and GA to keep the team in with a fighting chance.
Coach Shelley was struggling to remain calm on the sideline as the game was fairly close in the first half, but due to tiredness and out of position players, more errors were creeping in. Inaccurate passes, dropped balls and slow turn arounds meant Kites were able to pull ahead.
The result had no bearing on the final League position for Thame Hurricanes, who were heading for the play offs at third bottom. Too many close matches lost by one or two goals and not enough wins means one more match ahead and the team is hoping for a speedy recovery for its injured players.
Final Score 20-30 to Kites. Squad. Nic R, Sue F, Lyn H, Jesse K, Lynn P, Helen T, Tor B, Carol S, Lucy S, Jessica R, karen F.
Top of the League Matrix prove too strong for Thame
WITH Thame looking to end their season on a high, things started badly for them, with Matrix making a strong start to the game. Proceedings began in a frantic manner, with both sides giving possession away, therefore creating limited chances. Matrix were on top, but Helen managed to open Thame’s account to give them some belief. Although Matrix were on top throughout the quarter, Thame managed to gain some composure to find themselves only 9-5 down by the end of it.
The second quarter was a much tighter affair with both sides looking to implement their own style of play to gain an advantage. Thame came out much stronger, passing much more fluently and putting pressure on the opposition. Strong interceptions from Kirsty gave Thame a strong base to work from, meaning they could close the gap to 12-8 at half time.
Thame were looking to start the second half on the front foot and made the perfect start with a goal from Heather. However, Matrix were still threatening and began to show their dominance as the quarter progressed, enabling them to take a commanding 21-12 lead into the final quarter.
A massive effort was required from Thame if they were to get back into the game, and things started brightly, with a few goals in quick succession. This gave them the confidence to push on and get within four points at one stage, before Matrix hit back and repelled their effort. Unfortunately Thame had no time to respond and eventually lost 26-20, to round off, what was overall a successful season, from where they were last time around.
Two young and talented ladies from Thame, both artists in their own fields, have formed a collaboration that they hope will help launch their careers to the next level.
Lorna Shepherd is a Makeup Artist and Kayleigh Victoria is a photographer. When they first met in 2011, the two found that they had a lot in common – both are in their twenties and both have two children, Lorna two boys aged eight and four, and Kayleigh has three year-old twins, one a boy and one a girl – and a synergy soon developed between them.
They both describe themselves as having ‘very artistic and creative personalities’ which no doubt is why their decision to collaborate their two newly established businesses recently, works so well. Both grew up in Chinnor and both now live in Thame.
In 2007 Lorna learned that her mother was terminally ill with cancer and then in 2012, was told that her father also has terminal cancer. Although devastated, Lorna was inspired to achieve something that they could be proud of her for. For Kayleigh, there came a point a couple of years ago when she decided to take action and do something worthwhile with her life. Photography always stood out to her, so she started working at it and pushing herself to get noticed, and, as she says herself: “The response has been fantastic.”
Kayleigh enjoys taking pictures of everything, especially her children who, she says, ‘make amazing models’. Her portfolio ranges from family photoshoots to fashion and editorial work.
Lorna has done a varied range of jobs including wedding makeup, magazines and editorials, headshots and portfolio makeup models, including most recently UK top model 2014 finalist, Stacie Anderson from Aylesbury. When they are not busy doing their freelance work they love to collaborate together and work as a great team producing some marvellous images.
Lorna explains: “Our friends and family are really supportive of what we are trying to achieve. We both love and enjoy doing our jobs so we don’t have a preference of location or studio really; we’re happy to be a part of the action wherever the location may be!
“It’s not easy reaching your goal and, even if you are very skilled at makeup artistry you need to have the passion inside you to make it work. That is so important. I can’t wait to further my career in the industry and continue to learn and grow as a creative.”
Two of Lorna’s biggest inspirations are makeup artists Louise Young and Karla Powell. While Kayleigh’s greatest aspiration in the photography world is to be where her dad is now, a successful fashion and editorial photographer.
With a little bit of luck, and their shared ambitions, these two talented ladies are sure to make their mark in the creative worlds in which they have chosen to strive for success and recognition.
THAME Carnival, having escaped being scrapped once this year, was once again threatened recently when it was realised that major road works planned for the Cornmarket in Thame, could have disrupted the event.
But Oxfordshire County Council, having been made aware of the Carnival date, has now, according to Thame Town Council, agreed to postpone the work until after the Carnival on June 14 (The county council’s website however, still shows today that the work will commence on June 9, and end of June 15, so ‘fingers crossed’ this is a website updating delay only).
Plans for the Carnival parade, and the fete afterwards, are however striding ahead, with commitments made already for parade entries by the fire service, the Thame Classic Motor Club, dancing by a variety of dance troops including Stage Coach and the Thame Youth Theatre. A steel band is still being sought and anyone who can help is asked to contact Sue Martin Downhill who is leading the Carnival organisation team, via suedownhill@gmail.com.
A variety of stalls and activity demonstrations is already booked for the fun event at the Southern Road Recreation Ground where the carnival parade will finish up. These include: Indian Cuisine from the House of Spice, German Cuisine from Bratwurst Bratz, various sweet stalls, Real Ale beer tent, two BBQs, Giant inflatables, Chocolate fountain from Chocolate Cascade, Chinnor Rugby club, Racquets Squash club, a Tug-of-war, Waterstock Golf club, Skateboarders, various charities linked to Lord Williams’s School (Gambian children) and even UKIP.
Sue herself is obviously delighted with the response of local organisations so far, and said: “The response from the public especially via the Facebook page, has been really good and I have had so many people stopping me and telling me how great it is that the Carnival is going ahead this year!
“We want to make Thame Carnival 2014 the best ever, so whatever your club or organisation does, here’s your chance to share it with the rest of the community and show just how much fun and enjoyment joining in and being active can be, no matter at what level.”
The theme for this year’s Carnival is The World of Sport & Recreation, and takes place on Saturday, June 14, so ‘Get Active’ and book your team or group in now! CONTACT: clubsofthamecarnival2014@gmail.com
MOTORISTS are being advised of a road closure for resurfacing work on the B4012 Thame Park Road which is due to start on Tuesday, April 22.
£400,000 will be spent to improve road safety and resurface the road, taking place at five specific locations which engineers have judged to be priority sites along the B4012. The work is expected to be completed by Friday, May 16.
The work will be carried out under a road closure for the full duration with a signed diversion in place. During the works access for residents to their properties (people who live in the area of road closure) will be generally possible, although there may be some instances where this may take longer than usual due to the progress of the construction and the need to control traffic within the closure.
Junction works at the Wenman Road and B4012 junction will start on April 14 and are expected to last for four days. These works will be carried out using four-way temporary traffic signals and this particular phase of work will not involve a closure.
County Councillor David Nimmo Smith, Cabinet member for highways, said: “The work we are going to do means that the road should not need any more repairs for some time, and I hope that everyone who will experience inconvenience will ultimately see the long term benefits.
“We have made sure that local people know about the works and how they can access their properties and will do all we can to get the work done as soon as possible.”
THAME United were defeated 1-2, at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday evening (08/04) in their last home game of the season. The Gloucestershire based side, Brimscombe & Thrupp, were three league places lower than Thame, but had played five fewer games and, on the night, the teams were evenly matched.
It was an entertaining game, which either side could have won, with both teams playing fast, open passing football. The game was however marred by a referee who blew up for the slightest perceived infringement, and was far too quick to reach for his cards, which resulted in eight bookings and a sending off, in what was not a particularly physical game.
In the first few minutes, Ellis Hercules hit the post, whilst Dan West was narrowly wide with two, free kicks. The visitors went ahead on 12 minutes when, following a corner, Ian Pykett made a clearance on the line but the ball was deflected to Chris Greenough who reacted quickly to beat Lee Farrow with a strong 10-yard shot. United equalised 10 minutes later when a Ben Connolly cross was met by a defender who tried to find the right dead ball line, but instead found Niall Hodgkins who hit a low ball across the six yard box allowing Luke Ricketts to meet it at the far post and knock the ball home from close range. The remainder of the first half was entertaining end-to-end stuff although four players, two from each team, were shown yellow cards.
The second half was similar as both teams sought another goal but, although there were near misses at both ends, neither could break the deadlock. With five minutes remaining Ollie Lynch was shown a second yellow card, and United went down to 10 men. The winning goal came in the 90th minute when a cross from the left found substitute David Woodfield who beat his marker and finished well from 15 yards, giving Farrow no chance.
United have two away games to play. The last game of the season will be at nearby Ardley on Easter Monday, April 21.
Thame United: Farrow, I Pykett Hall, Hercules, Johnston, Lynch, Connelly, West (Hurley), Kedzierski, Hodgkins, Ricketts.
THREE prominent figures in the local community have joined together to oversee this year’s Thame Tidy Day, and the team is currently looking for sponsorship from a local business to provide additional litter-picking equipment, as well as a flatbed lorry to loan for use on the day of the Thame Tidy.
Mani Abreu with his bag of cans collected around Thame during 2013’s Thame Tidy Day
Sue Martin-Downhill of Racquets Fitness Centre, Popular local musician, Josh Gilbert and Reverand Paddy Harris of Cornerstone Baptist Church will be working hard to ensure that the event builds upon the success of previous years.
A county-wide Tidy Up was launched in 2008 by South Oxfordshire District Council and Thame has committed to this ever since. This year’s Thame Tidy Day is on May 11, preceded this year by a separate Lea Park Litterpick on May 10. The village of Moreton, with its Morton Muckout, is this Sunday, April 13.
Local organisations, groups and individuals are being encouraged to take part, and commitments have already been made by Waitrose and Chinnor RFC, Thame fire fighters, the local Scouts, Girl Guides, and many of the residents of Thame and Moreton.
Please contact thametidy@gmail.com to respond or for further information.
THESE are three of the criminal matters that Thame’s Community Policing team were kept busy dealing with during the last month, as reported in the lasted Thame Sector, Neighbourhood team news letter.
The public toilets in Upper High Street, Thame
PCSO Diane Jackson reports that the public toilets by the Market Place car park, and those in the public library, will be closely monitored and any issues dealt with accordingly, following acts of criminal damage to the toilet seats and toilet roll holders and cannabis smoking.
The report warns parents who continue parking on double yellow lines outside local schools: “These restrictions are in place to help to keep the area safe for children, so please do not park on them,” say officers. “These areas will be monitored by PCSOs and offenders will be dealt with accordingly.”
In Chinnor, a couple of BMW cars which have had their door locks drilled out. PCSOs have delivered crime reduction leaflets to BMW owners in the area so that they are aware and can be vigilant.
A man who can be found mowing the village green or rodding the village drains, has been presented with a High Sheriff Award for outstanding services to community life in the village of Sydenham. The award was presented at a special ceremony at County Hall.
The High Sheriff of Oxfordshire (left) with Paul Stancliffe (right)
Paul Stancliffe, Chairman of Sydenham Parish Council, has lived in the village for over 40 years and has been a member of the Parish Council for 34 years, 27 of those years as Chairman. According to villagers: “Paul is a well respected, modest and extremely valued member of the community. The following achievements are a real reflection of an outstanding man who is very much an “unsung hero” in the village.
“Paul takes great pride in the village and can be seen cutting the grass in the churchyard and village green. He does a myriad of minor tasks of which no one is aware. Paul attends and photographically records virtually every event in the village so that there is a good historical record of what has happened in Sydenham over many years. He Chairs and is a Trustee of The Munday Charity which was set up to help the poor of Sydenham, and is also Chair of the village newsletter committee. In 2004 Paul was active in helping the village to win the Newcomer Award in The Small Villages section of the Calor Gas Best Kept Village competition. “
After the Parish Council bought the redundant telephone kiosk from BT, Paul single handedly converted it into a village information centre. The clever use of the facilities offered by the kiosk received an award in BT Payphone’s Adopt a Kiosk Competition in 2009.
Paul’s perseverance and persuasion resulted in Southern Electric undergrounding their cables over 10 years ago. This was a major investment by Southern Electric of some £250,000 and resulted in a big reduction in the number of power cuts. This was followed by investment from BT and the Parish Council that enabled all the telegraph poles in the centre of Sydenham, which is a conservation area, to be removed. Paul actively led the project for the whole time and would not have happened without his tenacity and it was a major personal achievement.
“Most of all, for over 30 years Paul has been tireless in his efforts to rectify a major issue with flooding and sewage issues in Sydenham and other villages nearby. As a result of the support that he engendered from the local MP, John Howel,l he has managed to get a commitment from Thames Water for a major investment in upgrading the sewage and drainage system costing £1.6m which is starting in April. After a record-breaking wet winter and copious episodes of flooding in the village with groundwater from the sewers pouring out of the manholes, this upgrade cannot come soon enough.”
Alison Isherwood nominated Paul for the award on behalf of the Parish Council. Of Paul she said: “We are absolutely thrilled for Paul that his unstinting commitment to all aspects of village life has been recognised by this award. During the recent episodes of flooding Paul, with his extensive knowledge of the village infrastructure, could be seen rodding blocked drains to help clear floodwater which was causing problems to village property. He is a highly respected and very warmly regarded member of the village community”.
SIMON GRAY of Turncloud is the guest speaker at this week’s Thursday’s Late Breakfast meeting, at the Spread Eagle, Thame.
Simon will give an explanation and an introduction to cloud computing and explain how to make the move and get the most from cloud based services.
The event is at the Eden Suite at The Spread Eagle Hotel, 16-17 Cornmarket, Thame, OX9 2BW. Registration starts at 9am for a 9.30am start by the speakers, and aims to finish by 10.30am.
To appear on the guest list, book by following this link – http://bookitbee.com/e/pga53 or through the website – www.thelatebreakfast.co.uk by noon, on the day before the event or alternatively, if you turn up on the day the entrance fee of £12 (including light refreshments) is payable at the door by cash/cheque.
