Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Chinnor squeeze a two-point victory against tricky Taunton

    IN a tense contest throughout, Chinnor RFC managed to squeeze a two point victory against Taunton on Saturday,  by 20-18.

    chinnor_badgeTaunton opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Taunton’s scrum half, Townsend, took the ball from the base of a scrum and with pace and trickery, ran around the blind side untouched, to score under the posts. Kingdom converted to put the visitors ahead 7-0. An 18th minute penalty goal from Millett for Chinnor reduced the gap to 7-3.

    With the Taunton scrum starting to dominate, penalty goal opportunities came regularly for the Somerset boys. Kingdom took two of them to put Taunton further ahead 13-3 with penalty goals on the 24th and 31st minutes.

    Chinnor’s first try came from a long downfield kick from Taunton. Chinnor’s full back, Mountfield, collected the ball and launched a garryowen, Following up, he soared to catch the ball and released Chinnor’s backs down the tram lines. A kick ahead was fumbled by the visitors’ defence to let Hayes in for the try. Millett converted from touch to close the gap to 13-10 to Taunton at half time.

    Chinnor scored again almost from the kick off. Taunton passed the ball behind their backs and good harrying by Harrison allowed him a kick through and touchdown for a try. MIllett’s conversion put Chinnor ahead 17-13. Chinnor then went into overdrive and battered the Taunton line for 15 minutes without luck. There were several held up decisions and Taunton performed heroics to prevent a score. Chinnor’s only gain from the period was a penalty goal from Millett in the 51st minute to put the Oxfordshire boys 20-13 ahead.

    Taunton, despite the efforts of their non-stop defence then rallied. A break out by the always tricky scrum half, Townsend, eventually led to a catch and drive try on the 68th minute, scored by Forrester. KIngdom’s penalty missed to leave the score at 20-18 to Chinnor. Taunton, now galvanised, kept up the tempo and it was Chinnor’s turn to man the barricades which they managed until the sound of the final whistle.

    Chinnor played with resolution and resolve in a fierce contest. Hall prompted well at scrum half with the two flankers, Harrison and Hirskij-Douglas having a fine game. Townsend for Taunton was tricky and dangerous throughout. The win keeps Chinnor just out of the relegation places and a continuation of the desire to win as shown in this match will go a long way towards survival.

    Teams

    Chinnor: Matt Mountford, George Blewitt, Matt Goode, Jack Hayes, Leo Fielding, Will Millett, Lewis Hall, Joe Winpenny, Jamie Townsend, Joe Pickett, Andrew Tibbatts, Michal Kruzycki , Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas, Nick Harrison, Liam Gilbert (c)
    Replacements: Ricky Cano, Rudal Aiono, Andrew Smith, Frank Jones, Dan Barnes

    Scorers
    Chinnor
    Tries (time): Hayes (34), Harrson (41)
    Conversions (time): Millett (35, 42)
    Penalty Goals (time): Millett (18, 35, 51)

    Taunton
    Tries: (time) Townsend (13), Forrester (68)
    Conversions: (time) Kingdom (14)
    Penalty Goals (time): KIngdom (24, 31)

  • ‘Mile of Coins’ to benefit local play scheme & help save lives

    boy_mile_of_coins (349x400)ANYONE walking through Greyhound Walk, in Thame, on Saturday, would have found themselves stepping over a line of coins that grew steadily thoughout the day, and hopefully felt compelled to join in with Thame Lions Club’s annual ‘Mile of Coins’ to raise money for local charities.

    This year’s proceeds, which amounted to £520, will be shared between Staying Alive Thame, and Lighthouse, Thame. Ken Bennell, who is this year’s Lions’ Vice President, explained: “The staying alive charity is organised by Patsy and Karen from the Barns centre and their aim is to have defibrillators at various locations around the town, and the Lighthouse charity provides a summer school for local children for one week during the school holidays.

    Patsy Baker from the Barns Centre took along a demonstration defibrillator to explain how they work and how they save lives. Mike Hill, Chairman of Lighthouse Thame, also spent some time at the event, both he and Patsy answering further questions from passers by as to the activities of Staying Alive Thame and Lighthouse Thame. Ken Bennell, this year’s Vice President had the lovely, sticky task of removing the coins from the masking tape at the end of the day. He explained the aims the Thame Lions:

    “Thame lions have been raising funds for mainly local charities for 35 years and over the years have helped many local causes, organised local events and helped the local community by providing manpower for events such as Music in the Park, as well as for the fair car parking and also the food festival car parking,” he said. “Discos for the disabled are a regular, yearly event and and also a barn dance is held each year.

    “Recently a shed was provided for the Princes Centre in Princes Risborough. Over the years Thomley hall has benefited from our fundraising as well as Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, and Dogs for the Disabled, Bucks Vision and the Oxfordshire Association for the Blind have also benefited.

    “The Lions, like a lot of organisations, are a bit short on manpower and welcome new members both male and female, who would like to give something back to the community. “

    If you are interested in joining Thame Lions, or initialy attending one of the club’s twice monthly meetings, then contact Ken Bennell on 01844 261269.

  • A chair fit for a little prince

    THE work of a Master Craftsman from Thame, was recognised recently when an exhibition at The Real Wood Furniture Company, in historic Woodstock, revealed for the first time, a piece of his work hopefully destined for the nursery of the new, young royal family.

    Designer, Chris Baylis (left) with John Francis, the maker of The Windsor George child's chair
    Designer, Chris Baylis (left) with John Francis, the maker of The Windsor George child’s chair

    Over 30, traditional, Windsor-style children’s chairs from the personal collection of the company’s founder, Chris Baylis, representing seating through the ages from 1770 to the present day, was on display, alongside several 1/6 ‘miniatures’ that would have been travelling salesmen’s samples.

    But the star of the show at this exhibition was without doubt, the very latest Windsor child’s chair, a chair that it’s designer, Chris Baylis, said he knew had to be ‘boyish, robust and throne-like’ – in fact a chair made for a prince of the House of Windsor – The Windsor George. The chair commemorates the birth, eight months ago, of Prince George, and includes his name carved into the top rail.

    Chris himself had never designed a child’s Windsor chair before, but said that he was inspired by the ‘general clamour’ surrounding the birth of a son to Prince William and Kate Middleton. “It occurred to me that there could be no better tribute to the birth of a future king in the House of Windsor, than to design and make a chair of ‘Windsor’ style that reflected the best traditions of the Thames Valley chair-making traditions of the 18th and 19th centuries,” he explained.

    “From the first sketches through several proto-types, I am endebted to the in-put of Master Chairmaker, John Francis, from Thame, without whose skills and keen eye, the chair would not have achieved fruition. I have collaborated with John on several Windsor chairs we have made and it is indeed a great pleasure to work with someone whose eyes see things very much as I see them. Windsor chairs are an amalgam of angles and a change to the angle of one component can impact massively on the balance of the whole chair.

    “If protocol allows, we will present the first ‘George’ as a gift to the young prince.”

    Unveiling the Windsor George, Michael Welson, of Auctioneers and Valuers, Bonhams, said: “We are privileged to have someone like Chris and his craftsmen, to maintain such high standards of good construction. “Any maker from the 18th Century, ” he continued, would be able to come here and feel completely at home, and find it completely natural that you are tweaking designs slightly and making your own mark on them.

    “The ‘George’ is not only attractive but very practical – George’s cheeks will fit so well into that shaped seat,” he joked. To see something made to the same standards as 150 years-ago is very rare.

    “The George has in it the spirit of Woodstock and it is hoped that the Prince’s parents, William and Catherine, will gracefully accept this very first Windsor George. I am sure any doting grandparent too would be so pleased to give it to there grandchild and I am sure it will sell well,” concluded Michael.

    For more information about The Real Wood Furniture Company, visit: http://www.rwfco.com/about.shtml

     

  • ‘Air tanks popping’ & tyres exploding in M40 coach fire

    THE M40 has a lane blocked northbound for resurfacing works between junctions six and seven (Watlington to Thame), following a dramatic coach fire early this morning. The closure is expected to be ongoing for rest of today.

    Photo by Oliver Jobson - Courtesy of bbc.c.uk
    Photo by Oliver Jobson – Courtesy of bbc.c.uk

    Crews from Thame, Wheatley and Stokenchurch, along with a water carrier from Wheatley were called just before 0600 to a report of a coach on fire on the M40 just north of Junction six. When firecrews arrived, the coach was completely on fire and fuel was flowing along the motorway.

    “Initially fire crews worked to stop the fire spreading until the arrival of the water carrier when they were then able to use large volumes of water to put the coach fire out completely, ” reported Andy Ford from Thame Fire Station. “The motorway for closed for some time,” he added.

    “With such an established fire, initially fire-fighters managed to contain the fire from spreading, including stopping flowing fuel that was on fire from entering the drains and setting alight to adjacent trees. There are lots of hazards we face with a coach fire, compressed air tanks were popping and tyres bursting, which makes it quite dangerous to get too close and why the whole motorway had to be closed for everyone’s safety. Once our water tanker arrived we could then completely dowse the fire.”

  • Girls cut from car in morning crash

    FIRE crews from Thame and Wheatley along with specialist rescue unit from Kidlington, attended an Road Traffic Collision on the A329, near Great Milton, this morning.

    Firecrew using spcialist cutting equipment to release a trapped passenger (Image for illustration only)
    Firecrew using spcialist cutting equipment to release a trapped passenger (Image for illustration only)

    Two cars had collided head on. One female was very seriously hurt and was treated on scene by an Air ambulance paramedic and doctors. Three other people, a woman and two 12 year old girls travelling in the other car were cut free by Fire crews using specialist equipment, working with Paramedics and doctors on scene.

    “This was a horrific collision,” said Andy Ford, Watch Officer at Thame Fire Station. “The young girls were extremely shook up by the accident and were suffering some injuries from the crash, but thankfully, were wearing their seatbelts which definitely saved them for more serious injuries or worse. All three were also taken to hospital.

    “It’s so important to wear seatbelts as highlighted today. It’s also a reminder to drivers to be aware of the road conditions when again, we are seeing a change in the weather.”

  • Sign up quick for the Thame 10K – entries limited

    ENTRIES are now being taken on-line via the Runners World website www.runnersworld.co.uk. 

    Memories of Thame 10K 2013
    Memories of Thame 10K 2013

    THE CPM Thame 10k road race will take place on Sunday, June 29, 2014, starting at 9.30 am, from Thame Leisure Centre, Oxford Road, Thame.

    There will be NO ENTRIES ON RACE DAY and the race will be limited to 1000 entries to maintain a safe and enjoyable day for everyone. Last year this race was full before the end of May so please enter early to avoid disappointment.

    THE Thame 10k road race has been running since 1985 and has grown to be one of the key sporting fixtures in Thame, with 1000 runners pounding a course through the town centre to Towersey,and back along the Phoenix Trail. Thame Runners organise the race and allocate any surplus funds to local charities. Last year approximately £2.5K was given to local Thame organisations and charities.

  • No-score draw for Thame with just one match to go

    NEITHER Thame United nor Wootton Bassett Town were able to score when the teams met in an uninspiring game at the ASM Stadium last Saturday (05/04), in Thame’s penultimate home league game of the season. Thame’s opponents came into the game a few league places below United and, true to form; the home side had more possession but were unable to convert chances into goals.

    thame_united_logoAfter a few minutes play Thame’s best chance of the half fell to Niall Hodgkins who received the ball with his back to goal near the penalty spot, turned had hit a strong low shot which was inches wide. Hodgkins had another half chance after 25 minutes when he met a Marcus Mealing free kick with a header which was just over the crossbar. The teams went in for the break with Thame having played 60% of the game in their opponent’s half, but with neither goalkeeper really tested.

    Within minutes of the restart Luke Ricketts met a long goal kick with a lob over the keepers head but unfortunately it was also over the crossbar. The game ebbed and flowed but defences dominated until, with about 20 minutes remaining, Lee Farrow was forced to make an outstanding save from a strong low shot from the edge of the box. Minutes later the visiting keeper made a good close range save from Ricketts. In the last 5 minutes Alex Kedzierski forced another good save from the visiting keeper. The corner count was 9 to United and 3 to the visitors, whilst Wootton Basset had 4 men booked to Thame’s 1.

    Thame United: Farrow, P Pykett (I Pykett), Hall, Hercules, Rhodes, Kedzierski, Connelly, West Mealing, Hodgkins, Ricketts.

    SOURCE: Contributed 

  • Great British Bake-Off boys join Thame Food Festival 2014

    THE latest celebrities to be announced for Thame Food Festival, on September 27, are celebrity bakers Edd Kimber and John Whaite, who will be teaming up to do a fabulous double act as well as interviews and a book signing. Local food writer and broadcaster Sophie Grigson will also be taking part in cookery demonstrations, as well as counterparts from the town.

    Great British Bake Off finalists, Edd Kimber and John Whaite (Image courtesy of goodtoknow.co.uk
    Great British Bake Off finalists, Edd Kimber and John Whaite (Image courtesy of goodtoknow.co.uk

    The event, a landmark in the food calendar, is set to be a veritable foodies paradise with a fantastic line-up of local and artisan products to try and to buy, as well as celebrity and local chefs and hands-on food talks and workshops for food lovers of all ages.

    Planning for this year’s festival is already well advanced and once again the entire town centre will be closed to make way for the amazing array of food and drink producers, street food and live entertainment that will line the streets on the day.

    Once again there will be a pop-up pub, The Thatch & The James Figg, serving locally brewed ales and refreshing ciders, and an all-new pop-up book shop, The Book House, where visitors can pick up all the latest cookery cooks with some signed by the authors themselves. There will also be traditional London Routemaster buses ferrying visitors into town from the nearby park and ride.

    “It’s just six months to go until we celebrate all that is great about good local and artisan produce and we can’t wait for the day to come,” says festival patron, TV chef and writer Lotte Duncan. “We’re got some thrilling demos planned on stage as well as workshops to educate and entertain, not to mention over 150 stalls laden with incredible locally produced goodies and tempting street food to match.

    “Plus in between now and September, we’re also got some exclusive events taking place in the stunning surroundings of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, thanks to our wonderful friends and supporters there,” she added.

    “As well as enjoying Champagne afternoon tea in the elegant surroundings of the newly extended La Belle Epoque private dining room on Monday, June 2 – and being among the first guests to gain a sneak preview of this glorious new setting – we’re also offering you the chance to spend a day at the unique Raymond Blanc Cookery School on Monday, September 22, where you’ll have the ultimate cookery experience.

    “Much, much more will be announced over the coming weeks so keep an eye on our web site www.thamefoodfestival.co.uk, where you can also sign up for news of forthcoming events, these exclusive festival offers and all the activities taking place on the day. And make sure you keep tSeptember 27 free. See you in Thame!”

  • David Copperfield coming to the Players Theatre, Thame

    copperfieldCAPTURING  the haunting beauty of the Yarmouth coast and bustling Victorian London, in this production of David Copperfield, Hotbuckle theatre company uses its distinctive style to tell the beloved story of Dickens’ favourite child, as only they know how.

    Coming to the Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame, on April 13. More information: http://thameplayers.co.uk/david-copperfield/

  • Postal worker jailed for stealing from blind man’s account

    A Royal Mail worker who lives in Thame, has been jailed for fraud after he stole cash from the accounts of two different people, one of whom was a blind man.

    oxford crown court (400x265)Damon Alvey, aged 45, had previously pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court to one count of theft of a mail bag and four counts of fraud. He was jailed for 10 months.

    The court heard how Alvey was working at a Banbury sorting office where he targeted mail he thought contained bank cards and pin numbers. It was these items of mail that he then used to withdraw cash from his two victims’ accounts.

    Darren Blythe, who is registered blind, had £3,133 stolen from two accounts between August and October 2013, one of which was used to pay for Mr Blythe’s support worker and recreational activities.

    When police raided Alvey’s house they found mail belonging to 15 victims as well as mail that had been shredded.

    Alvey’s defence lawyer, Timothy Greaves, told the court that at the time of the offences his client was in ” a bad place” and had fallen into debt and into a drinking habit after the break up of a relationship.