Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Town Council challenged over ‘Living Wage’

    THAME Town Council has been challenged over whether it pays its employees a Living Wage, and whether it uses suppliers that pay their staff a Living Wage.

    The flower beds in Thame’s Memorial Gardens, maintained by Thame Town Council’s team of maintenance men

    Cllr Mary Stiles asked the question at tonight’s meeting of the full town council. The Town Clerk, Helen Stewart, replied that she did not know what the figure was for the current Living Wage and that it had never been considered before. She proposed to find out and report back to the council.

    According to The Living Wage Foundation, a Living Wage outside London is £7.65 per hour.

  • Debut triumph for new Director’s Christmas Concert

    THAME Choral Society’s Christmas concert, the first to be conducted by the Society’s new Choral Director, Helen Swift, opened with a rousing performance of Gaudete, the 16th century carol made popular by the electric folk group Steeleye Span, but the main work in the first half was a performance of Benjamin Britten’s exciting choral show piece, A Ceremony of Carols, sung on this occasion in the arrangement for mixed choir.

    Helen Swift

     Continuing with the celebration of the centenary of the composer’s birth, the choir was joined by the young soprano, Jessica Wise and local harpist Sarah Goss.

    The concert also included carols old and new, several of which the audience were invited to join in with. St Mary’s church in Thame, where the concert was staged on Saturday (08/12), has fine acoustics for choral singing and the choir and audience singing together, with the ladies of the choir singing descant, produced a glorious sound. The carols and songs were accompanied by organist and pianist, Geoffrey Heath, who has a long association with the Society.

    Seasonal refreshments of hot mulled wine and mince pies added extra spice to the second half, a highlight of which was a solo performance by Sarah Goss of settings for harp of Debussy’s First Arabesque, Clare de Lune and an arrangement of  Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. The choral items were punctuated with readings by members of the choir from Genesis and Luke, and amusing monologues by Gervase Phinn of A Yorkshire Nativity and by John Julius Norwich of The Twelve Days of Christmas.  The concert ended with a plea by the gentlemen for the ladies to stay, in a setting of Baby’s it’s Cold Outside, which composer Frank Loesser premiered with his wife, Lynn Garland, at a 1944 housewarming party.

    Thame Choral Society’s Chair, Judith Newenham, said: ” It was clear that our varied, seasonal programme brought a refreshing change, and was greatly enjoyed by our loyal audience. Our singing was excellent throughout under our new, confident and talented Musical Director, Helen Swift.”

    Thame Choral Society, founded in 1961, is an informal, friendly, non audition choir committed to the enjoyment of music.  It has performed a wide range of choral works from baroque through the classical and romantic composers, to modern pieces by Britten and Poulenc, performing  two major concerts each year at St Mary’s  Church. Rehearsals for next year’s Spring concert, which takes the theme The Spirit of England , begin on January 8, 2014. New and former singers are always welcome. This, and subsequent rehearsals will be at the Methodist Church, Haddenham on Wednesday evenings from 7.30 to 9.30pm.

    More information about the choir can be found on their website www.thamechoralsociety.co.uk and by
    sending an email to thamechoralsociety@hotmail.co.uk.

    Attached photograph shows members of Thame Choral Society with from left to right at the front, Helen
    Swift ‐ choral director, Jessica Wise – Soprano and Sarah Goss – harp.

  • Christmas cake and Karaoke for Thame’s senior citizens

    FOR the first time ever, Thame’s senior citizens were lead in a Karaoke session at their annual Christmas tea party, by the Mayor of Thame, Peter Lambert.

    This year’s Christmas Tea was jointly organised by the Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs of Thame in collaboration with the Mayor of Thame and Thame Town Council. The traditional annual event took place on Friday, December 13, at the Thame Football Club.

    The choir of John Hampden School, Thame

    Almost 100 senior citizens were sung to by the choir of John Hampden Primary School in Thame, and then joined Peter Lambert, the Mayor in singing a variety of seasonal songs with the words projected onto a large screen.

    Tyrell Gillman, Community and Vocational Chairman at the Thame Rotary Club, said: “The school’s children, staff and parents did an outstanding job leading a most wonderful show. The generosity of the three Thame supermarkets who provided most of the food, made it possible for the members from the Rotary, Inner Wheel, Thame Town Council and other local volunteers to prepare and serve a veritable feast. A big ‘thank you’ must go out to everyone involved.”

    The President of Rotary, Jeannette Matelot Green, commented: “We have to thank Frank Thompson and his staff for creating a lovely, Christmassy ambience at the Football Club. And as well as those mentioned above, the chauffeurs from Rotary, Thame Town Council and the Day Centre who ferried all our guests to and from the party. And thank you to Tyrell Gillman for organising a smashing Christmas Party !”

    For more information about volunteer and membership opportunities with the Rotary Club of Thame,  visit: www.thame.rotaryweb.org

  • Police appeal: Burglary, Shabbington

     THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a burglary in Shabbington, near Thame.

    Between 6.45am and 5pm on Wednesday (11/12), offenders forced open a kitchen window by snapping part of a panel at a property in Dukes Close, Shabbington.

    It is believed that the offender was disturbed by a dog in the property and no items were stolen.

    PC Samantha Stansbie, of Aylesbury Local CID, said: “I am keen to speak to anyone who  may have been in the area of Dukes Close at the time of this incident and may have seen a man around mid morning riding a bike, wearing an anorak short jacket and carrying a clipboard.”

    Anyone with information should please contact PC Stansbie via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

    If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

    No personal details are taken; information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

    Join us on www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk/  to receive local crime and safety messages.

  • Thame Children’s Choir joins grown ups for new carol spectacular

    THE Carnegie Trust and Novello Publishing are supporting choirs in the UK by sponsoring the purchase of a new collection of Christmas music, specially arranged for children and adults to sing together – Carols for All. Thame Children’s Choir and Thame Chamber Choir are joining forces under Musical Director Duncan Aspden in one of the first ever performances of this brand new music.

    Thame Chamber Choir has been awarded a grant from the Carnegie UK Trust to help them stage this special carol concert with Thame Children’s Choir. The grant has been used to purchase 45 copies of Carols for Everyone. The choir will be performing pieces from the collection at St Mary’s Church, Thame, on Saturday December 21. Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets: £12 (Concessions £10), children under 16 FREE, from CAAOS Computers, Buttermarket, Thame, on the door or from the website www.thamechamberchoir.org

  • Christmas shopping tips from Thame CAB

    FOLLOW these tips from Thame Citizens Advice Bureau, to make your Christmas buying and returning easier.

    Making it easier to take gifts back after Christmas

    WHEN you’re buying a gift, it’s useful to ask the retailer to give you a gift receipt – something in writing which shows it’s a gift. This will make it easier for the person who gets the gift to return or exchange it, rather than you having to take it back. But if you buy something using your credit or debit card you’ll need to take it back yourself if the gift’s returned, for any refund to go on your card.

    The retailer doesn’t have to take unused goods back by law, but they do for a limited time after the purchase if they have a returns policy. They might also allow returns as a gesture of goodwill. It’s helpful to keep the receipt or online order details to give to the person who’ll be returning the gift.

    If you buy online just before Christmas, you have a legal right to cancel within a seven day cooling-off period. Some companies give you 14 days. This also applies if you buy over the phone or by mail order. Check the terms and conditions before you order to see how long you have to change your mind.

    Shopping online

    If you buy a present online, give yourself plenty of time, just in case there are delivery problems. Read the small print so you know whether the gift can be returned later on if it’s unwanted, and check expected delivery dates.

    Make sure you buy from a reputable online company and that you buy from a secure site. Check the web address begins with ‘https://’. The ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’.

    Delivery problems

    Gifts ordered online, over the phone or by mail order must be delivered within 30 days, unless you agree a different delivery date with the retailer. If a present isn’t delivered on time you can cancel the order or agree another delivery date.

    If your gift doesn’t arrive or arrives late, you may be able to claim compensation, but you’ll need to read the small print first – if the terms and conditions say that delivery dates are estimated or may vary, you may not be able to.

    To claim compensation, write a letter of complaint to the retailer and ask them to compensate you. Tell them why you think you should be compensated and provide proof of your losses.

    If the gift is lost during delivery, the retailer is responsible. If they can’t find your goods, you can ask for a refund or replacement.

    For more information visit the Citizens Advice website www.adviceguide.org.uk

    Adviceline: 08444 111 444
    03 00 33 00 650 (Mobile)

    Your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau is in the Market Square, Thame

  • Red Kites on two wheels party for charity

    HOW does a bunch of scooter enthusiasts partying to Soul, Ska, R&B and Northern Soul come to benefit two worthy charities? When the Red Kites Scooter Club of Thame holds its End-of-Season social with like-minded friends at The Snooker Club, in Wellington Street, Thame, and raises £600 from a very generously sponsored raffle.

    From left to right: Sam Gee, Christine Collier & Serena Chamberlain

    Red Kites member, Serena Chamberlain, explained: “Each November, ‘the Kites’ organise an event to mark the end of the current Scooting season (for just a few months) and use the opportunity to not only party with like minded souls and friends, but also to raise a few pounds for local causes, as suggested by members of the Scooter Club at our annual A.G.M.

    “This year, there was a unanimous decision to support both Thomley Hall Centre  following an article in the local media, and also Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance,  particularly after an adventurous trip home from London one day on the scooters, and seeing first hand the good work of Air Ambulance.

    “All proceeds from the charity raffle were split between both charities, with each well-deserving and meaningful charity receiving £300 each. The Red Kites are looking forward to arranging visits with both Thomley Hall and TVACCA for the official cheque handovers, and having the opportunity to meet staff and children at Thomley, and meeting with the Air Ambulance crew and having a photo shoot at Benson.

    “Special thanks must go to all the bar staff at Thame Snooker Club, especially Craig Connell – and in particular Paul – who continues to show our scooter club massive support, and top marks for keeping all the Scooterists happy at the busy bar!

    “The DJs for the evening were Mike Collier and Dave Deans who each played a blinding set, with sounds from the scooter scene keeping the floor pumping, and everybody had a fabulous time. The charity raffle included some fantastic gifts, in particular a signed copy, including cover artwork, of the book ‘Time, Trouble and Money’ written by a fellow Scooterist and Author, Mark “Brad” Brough. Scooter gifts were donated by Maggie Mattioni – designer and owner of Peggy Jane http://www.peggyjane.co.uk/ and clothing was supplied from http://www.hipsteruk.co.uk/ and http://www.skinheadandska.co.uk/. Kind donations for the Air Ambulance were given by the Double Diamonds Scooter Club (Princes Risborough), Alan “Biggles” Newton and The Falcon http://www.thefalconthame.co.uk/ where the Red Kites meet every Wednesday from 8pm. Huge thanks once again to Steve Winfield and Airways Flying Club, based in High Wycombe http://www.airwaysflyingclub.co.uk/ who very kindly offered one lucky winner a trial flying lesson for 30 minutes in a CESSNA 152 aircraft….top raffle prize !!

    “There were many friends who travelled especially to attend this evening, and the local pubs and Travel Lodge did a roaring trade for guests staying over in Thame – especially for those who sampled the local hospitality (and food/liquor) before heading to the Snooker Club.

    “Once again, the evening was a total success with an awesome atmosphere, and all of the Red Kites would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to the local Scooting Scene for showing us such fabulous support and friendship (as always) and helping us to raise money for charity in the process; we salute you and thank you immensely…one love !!”

  • Hats off to Ethan!

    THE winner of the Christmas Top Hat Trail competition, sponsored by Thame Town Council, was a young man who only recently came to live in the area with his parents, who thought the trail would be a good way for him to learn his way around the town.

     

     

    Ethan Sexton with with Father Christmas (Image Courtesy of Nick White Photography)

    Ethan Sexton, aged 8, recently moved to Chinnor with his family from Cornwall, to be closer to his grandmother who lives in Thame.  Ethan attends St Andrews School, Chinnor, and was presented with his prize – Thame Players’ tickets and vouchers for Wally’s Toy Shop – by ‘Father Christmas’ on the stage at last Friday’s Dickensian Evening and Christmas lights switching on event.

    Ethan’s grandma, Hazel and dad, Rob, said the whole family is very proud of Ethan and that he persevered when he struggled to find the final two Top Hats. In fact, as the Mayor of Thame, Peter Lambert said, when he announced Ethan as the winner, he was the only person who entered, to find all the top hats!

  • Community Christmas in a box

    A THAME project is aiming to help those in our community who are going to find Christmas a real struggle, by asking shoppers to by an extra food item to contribute to a special Christmas box .

    John Hulett, a Trustee of the Sharing Life Trust which is leading the project, explained: “Whilst our Foodbank continues to provide emergency food parcels for those who really need them, we are aware that there are many in our community who have very limited funds and will be unable to afford the extras and treats that we all like to enjoy over the festive season.

    ” ‘The Community Christmas in a Box’ project will provide a set of special Christmas foods and treats for individuals, couples and families who probably wouldn’t be able to afford to buy them. We are very grateful to Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Thame Service Station for their practical and financial support. Just over 80 individuals and families have been nominated by our partner agencies to receive a Christmas Box.”

    John has a table just inside the door of Sainsbury’s in the High Street today, where shoppers can chose from a variety of goods, listed on cards, which will help make someones’s Christmas special.

  • 10,000 members and still growing!

    FROM the owner laying many of the bricks herself because the builder went bust, to becoming a thriving, family-run fitness centre and World Record holding squash club, Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame has grown, and today signed up its 10,000th member.

    Daniel Lucas from Haddenham, signed up on line on Racquets’ website, and was surprised to learn that, as the 10,000th member he would be the centre of attention for a celebration and receive a bottle of champagne. When Dan turned up at the club for his induction with a member of the fitness staff, he met the club’s oldest member, 83 year-old Tom Gilmore, the lady who helped to lay the bricks the building in North Street is constructed with, Pam Preston (formerly Collins), and the club’s youngest member, Zane Finch aged 2, and his sister Taylor who is 4 years-old.

    Racquets’ Manager, Simon Martin, is obviously very proud of the club’s achievements over the years, having grown as a business through many recessions. His family merged with what was originally The Thame Squash Club in 1997. Simon explained the club’s ethos:

    “Racquets is, and always will be, a family place. It opened in 1975 as a squash club and over the years has been a home, a place to unwind, a social venue and now a fitness centre. We are delighted to welcome Dan Lucas as our 10,000th member to the club, which, by the way, still has member number one on its books!”

    Racquets has helped to mould many great athletes and squash ‘pros’ over the years. Will John grew up at the club and is now ranked 200th best squash player in the world. Nigel Pattison has accomplished many incredible charity fitness events and raised thousands of pounds for local charities. Simon Martin himself became the Racketball European champion and two members of the club, Guy Fotherby and Darren Withey, hold the current marathon Squash Singles, Guinness World Record of 31 hrs 35 minutes and 34 seconds.

    Recent new members include the Deputy Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, and 50% of the crew of Thame fire station trains at the club too, one of them now working at Racquets as a fitness instructor and the other as one of the club’s many top Thame personal trainers.

    Summing up, Simon said: “At Racquets we have over 25 classes running throughout the week which are all very popular; we have three training areas including the cardio/weights room and the Grit yard for functional training.

    “Racquets is a place for all the family and Christmas eve especially shows the club for what it is with young and old members and their families and friends, singing carols and generally enjoying the company of one another.

    “In 2014 Racquets will continue to grow; we’re having a face lift, improving the inside areas and purchasing new training equipment to help our members achieve fat loss, muscle building and rehabilitation goals.

    “10,000 members is a milestone for the club and as a family we thank current and past members for their support over the years and look forward to new and past members joining for the next chapter. 2014 promises to be a great year!