THE Chair of the Oxfordshire County and Thame Show has warned that 2014 could be the very last show if local people fail to turn out and support the event.
Cattle being lead around the ring Thame Show July 2011
His comments came this morning after he revealed on local radio that, after a public consultation, the show will revert back to its traditional date of the third Thursday in September for 2014.
Andrew Duffy told BBC Oxford’s Phil Gayle: “It costs £200,000 to put on the Thame Show and we cannot afford to make the losses that the show has incurred in recent years. If the people do not come, 2014 will be the last show we hold.”
The show’s date was moved to a weekend date in July, in 2010, but failed to attract the numbers needed to make the show financially viable. The very hot weather and conflicting events on the same date were blamed for people keeping away in July this year.
A 31 year-old man was taken to Stoke Mandeville hospital by ambulance on Tuesday, following a road crash near The Bottle and Glass pub, near Dinton, on Tuesday (15/10/13).
A driver who was waved past the incident by a police officer on his way home to Thame, at around 4.15 pm, said: “A white van, possibly a Mercedes Sprinter type, appeared to have collided with a moped. So much so, that the back end of the moped was stuck inside the grill of the van, leaving the back end of the bike off the ground. There were a number of police at the scene.”
A police accident investigation team are currently looking into the cause of the collision. The condition of the driver is not known at this time.
NETBALL – Thame Tornadoes V Flames; ADNL Division 3; Wednesday, October 16, 2013 – MATCH REPORT:
Thame Tornadoes netball team
THAME began the game sharply, making crucial interceptions to gain the early initiative. Short, sharp passing added flair to their game, which was proving far too much for the Flames’ defence. However they managed to respond midway through the quarter which sprung the game into life, with several goals at each end.
A negative for Thame was that Heather GS had to go off injured after landing awkwardly on her ankle. The first quarter proved to be a goal fest, in which Thame surged into a 14-5 lead.
The second quarter started with a series of missed chances before Thame managed to extend their lead further. At this point the Tornadoes looked unstoppable and were really taking the game to the opposition. Their total dominance was shown with a 29-8 lead at half time, with Flames wishing it was full time.
The third quarter proved to be a quiet one, with Thame taking their foot off the gas slightly, allowing Flames to have their best spell of the match. Both teams were looking tired with errors creeping into Thames game, but they still managed to keep a firm grip on proceedings, taking an unassailable 35-13 lead into the final quarter.
Thame managed to play out the final quarter very comfortably, adding to their lead. They ran out comfortable 48-15 winners and have now won four out of four matches!
TWO baby charities are set to benefit from a charity Zumbathon, currently being planned by local Zumba Instructors, Sandra Brooks and Rachel Swift. What has become their Annual Charity Zumbathon, will this year be on Saturday, November 9, 12.30 – 3.30pm, at the Thame Leisure Centre.
Join the Thame Charity Zumbathon!
This year the girls are raising money for SSNAP (Support for the Sick Newborn & their parents) Neonatal Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital, and BURPS (Baby Unit Relatives & Parent Support) at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Sandra Brooks, who is helping organise the event for the third year on the trot, said: “In 2011 we had 120 participants and raised £2500 for Breast Cancer. Last year we had 190 participants and raised £3500 for a local cause ‘Making Waves for Alex’. We are sincerely hoping to achieve the same support we have had in the past years and it would be great to raise a significant amount of money for such worthwhile causes.”
The event is being supported by Waitrose, Co-op, Sainsbury and Ugg Foods. There will also be other stalls on the day to help you get your Christmas shopping underway. Everyone is welcome to go along and join the event. For tickets or further information, contact Sandra Brooks on 07771 800913.
THE town council is currently planning this year’s Thame Christmas Event and are looking for local businesses to support and sponsor the event, a Dickensian Christmas. Here’s the council’s message:
Thame’s Dickensian Christmas
“Join us as we go a-wassailing amongst the chesnut roasters, carol singers and lamplighters on 6 December 2013! We have big plans for this year including a lantern parade in collaboration with the three local primary schools and a host of stalls selling everything from handmade jewellery to scrumptious Christmas puds.
“Each year we rely on the generosity of local businesses to help us spread the Christmas spirit and with an annual turnout of over 1500 residents and visitors it provides the perfect advertising opportunity.
What you will get: – Accreditation in the official programme. – Your logo featured on all Christmas event publicity including posters, flyers and the Town Council website. – Your logo featured within a 3×9’ banner displayed for the duration of December in the town centre. – Main sponsors will have the opportunity to provide their own banner and have it displayed around the Christmas Tree.
“You can give as little or as much as you like. Every penny donated will go towards a magical Dickensian Christmas that the whole town can enjoy. For more information about sponsoring Thame’s Dickensian Christmas or to discuss a tailor-made sponsorship package for your business, please contact one of our team at the Town Hall on 01844 212833.”
THE autumnal, seasonal weather, impending dark clouds and the sudden onslaught of rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of approximately 68 Scooterists and pillion passengers who met in Thame on Sunday, October 13, for the Red Kites Scooter Club (Thame) Inter County Ride Out (ICRO).
Thame Red Kites Scooter Club prepare to leave for their ‘rideout’ in the rain
Throughout the year, various clubs in neighbouring counties take it in turns to host a monthly rideout, with scootering friends and buddies travelling from Beds, Bucks, Herts, Oxon, Northants and other surrounding counties to catch up, share news, show their Scooters and discuss technical and engine matters – amongst other things.
Meeting outside the Swan Hotel was the perfect location; with plenty of room to park the Scooters (the fair had left only hours earlier) and everyone soon warmed up and dried out in the cosy pub, run by the ever helpful Rich and Nic – who along with their happy staff kept up a steady and speedy supply of hot coffee/tea and bacon baps – hugely welcome!! We can’t thank you enough…. http://www.theswanhotelthame.co.uk/
The rideout departed at 12.00 noon (or thereabouts) and originally had been practiced and routed to take in the delights of all the surrounding villages before ending up in Great Kimble (mere miles away) and originally, we had thought the scenic scoot from Thame via Milton Common, Tetsworth, Postcombe, Aston Rowant, Kingston Blount, Chinnor and Longwick would be ideal…on a dry day !! However, after numerous discussions regarding the state of the roads (very slippy) further rain clouds and the distance that some Scooterists had already travelled (and some were drenched – despite the waterproof protection) it was sensibly decided to head directly to our destination pub; The Swan at Great Kimble and forewarn them, that we were on the way…cold, wet, and desperately seeking further refreshments.
The Swan at Great Kimble had not long been taken over by new Landlord Alex and his welcoming and friendly staff – and what a fantastic welcome we received. The marquee had been left standing in the beer garden, following their successful Beer Festival only the weekend before, and even better – the heating was on – full blast – with plenty of room and pegs to hang up soggy wet waterproofs and jackets. Furthermore, the BBQ was in full swing and the marquee bar and inside bar was coping extremely well with thirsty scooterists and their families – I dare you to try their hot chocolate with whipped cream…and…mini marshmallows – divine ! Scootering tunes were playing in the background and everyone had a chance to mingle and chat, warm up, enjoy the food and have lots of friendly banter before anybody began heading home…some only needing to travel a short distance, with others a couple of hours journey away, and one intrepid scooterist heading to Yorkshire that very afternoon! http://www.kimbleswan.co.uk/
A successful donation took place for Aimee’s Fund – with all proceeds going to Keech Hospice, on behalf of the Varney Family, which is a very close and loving cause to many of the Scooterists present, made even more poignant on this particular day, as Aimee’s Dad and younger sister took part in the rideout and were warmly greeted by good friends. We raised £73.51 on the day. At each ICRO hosted by other scooter clubs over the last few months, a collection of loose change and generous donations have been made and the Just Giving fund has just passed the £18,000 mark – which is a loving testament to Aimee and her family and Fiancee. Donations can still be made on this link: http://www.justgiving.com/Laura-Varney2
We also sold raffle tickets on behalf of Wasps Scooter Club (London) who are once again raising money for the British Legion Poppy Appeal to coincide with their annual Ride of Remembrance taking place in London on Sunday, November 10, with all proceeds going directly towards the Poppy Fund. The prize is a restored GP200 Lambretta, supplied by AF. These tickets sold extremely well…who wouldn’t want a ‘Lammy’ for Xmas – and given the golden opportunity for just a £5 raffle ticket – Billy Bargain !
In addition, the Red Kites were also selling tickets for their End of Season ‘ Do’ which is again taking place this year at Thame Snooker Club on Saturday, November 23, with DJs Mike Collier and Dave Deans spinning the discs. Tickets are £5 each with a charity raffle currently being organised and arranged. This year, the club are donating all raffle ticket sales to two charity choices; Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance which is hugely supported and recognised, especially by those who regularly travel on two wheels, and Thomley Hall Centre a local recreational facility for disabled children and their families and friends. We are hoping once again to “sell out” and cannot thank the snooker club and staff enough for their continuous support to our club.
Overall, a wonderful and very happy day (despite the British Weather !) with all scooter riders safely heading back to the warmth of home and making the most of the last few scootering days left available to us before the Autumn/Winter season keeps the majority of us off the road (on two wheels at least). The free time will give us plenty of opportunity and time to spend the winter months tinkering and sorting the scooters out for the new 2014 Scootering season ahead. Thank you to everybody who braved the weather and joined us – with huge thanks for all who took part in donations and purchases for charity – we salute you !
ARCh (Assisted Reading for Children) is a local registered charity which operates in Oxfordshire primary Schools to help children who are struggling with reading. They are looking for new volunteers to help children with their reading.
An ARCh volunteer
Could you help a child and change their life forever? Jane Rendle, Development Manager for ARCh, explained: “All it takes is one and a half hours twice a week during the school day as an ARCh volunteer in a primary school near you! You don’t need any qualifications, just patience, enthusiasm and kindness. ARCh have schools in the Thame area waiting for volunteers.Full training is given and we provide ongoing support and reimburse travel expenses.”
The author, Philip Pullman is a Patron of ARCh.
To find out more visit ARCh’s website www.archoxfordshire.org.uk Telephone: 01869 320380, or email info@archoxfordshire.org.uk.
Alternatively you can write to ARCh at: Gobles Court 7 Market Square Bicester Oxfordshire OX26 6AA
The charity obtains enhanced CRB checks on all volunteers before placement. Registered charity no. 1146276
A TEAM from the Thame Fire Station are celebrating after winning the second Thame Swimathon, which took place at the Thame Leisure Centre on Sunday, October 13, part of the lasting legacy of the London Olympics and Paralympics.
Image Courtesy of Nick White Photography
Over 70 people of various ages swam in teams of six for one hour. Groups from Thame SAFARI (Self Advocacy for Adults who Require Independence), Racquets, Thame Swimming Club, Thame Town Council, Thame Fire Brigade, Chinnor Kettlebells, Haddenham Super-ducks and others were represented by enthusiastic swimmers. The swimmers were honoured by Peter Lambert, Mayor of Thame who, together with Jeannette Matelot, President of the Thame Rotary Club, awarded the teams with their medals.
Jeannette Matelot Green, President of the Rotary Club of Thame, said: “This year’s Thame Rotary Swimathon was an exciting event from start to finish – although I never tipped a toe into the pool! From our young swimmers through to our Thame Firefighters, not forgetting the Thame Town Council team, it was a fun-filled day which also raised a lot of money for our local Thame charities.”
Marius Ciortan, who chairs the Thame Rotary Swimathon steering group added: “Our Swimathon this year went from strength to strengt. We had 45% more teams than last year and we raised at least 30% more funds than in 2012. All teams had a fabulous time and helped raise, so far, over £2,000 for charities for which the Rotary Club of Thame is very grateful. However, the moneys continue to come in as the on-line fundraising did not stop and some teams are still busy fundraising.”
The team from the Thame Fire Station swam the highest number of lengths – 174, being followed by the two teams from the Thame Swimming Club.
Marious added: “The Thame Rotary Swimathon has now become a traditional community event in Thame, so look out for details next year. Our thanks go to our sponsors, club members, friends and relatives, but especially to the teams of swimmers from Thame and neighbouring villages without whom this event could not have happened. “
For more information about Rotary Club of Thame and to get in touch, visit www.thame.rotaryweb.org or ring on 07764 85 49 49.
MONEY raised through this year’s Thame 10Km Run has been allocated to local organisations and charities. £2568 was raised through sponsorship by the hundreds of people who took part in the CPM sponsored Thame 10k Road race of 2013, organised by Thame Runners.
The CPM Thame 10K 2013
The event started in 1985 for the Thames Boys Brigade and when Thame Runners took over the event, they kept to the principle of allocating proceeds to local charities and clubs. Beneficiaries this year included Thame Scouts and Guides, Thame Rotary, Sustrans, the Thame and District Day Centre and Community Car, the Air Ambulance and many other organisations.
THE owners of a new toy shop in Thame, are keeping their fingers crossed that all will be ready to open the store on Saturday, October 19.
The old Domesco store in High Street, Thame, soon to be re-opened as Wally’s Toy Shop
The toy shop, to be called Wally’s Toy Shop, is at 97 High Street, formerly Domesco. The owners are aiming to open on Saturday, and hope to be fully functional in time for the half-term school holidays.
