Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 17/07/13…..ONLY 4 DAYS TO GO! Ever fancied naming your own beer?

    WELL, now you can! The Thame Food Festival has teamed up with Brill?s award-winning microbrewery, Vale Brewery, to create a special beer for this year?s food festival.

    The new beer will not only be Vale?s special monthly brew September, but will also be on tap in pubs locally throughout the month, before making its appearance at the food festival in The James Figg and The Thatch pop-ups as well as on the Vale Brewery stand.

    Ian and his team from the brewery are already mulling over ideas for the beer, which will be a mid-strength seasonal bitter, tawny or auburn in colour, and your task should you choose to accept it, is to name that beer -something that keeps the link with the food festival and possibly with a harvest feel to it.

    In calling for entries, Frazer Sutherland of The Thatch and James Figg in Thame said: ?This is a brilliant way to celebrate local brewers and beers and you can?t get more local than this ? Vale is just seven miles down the road from here. People from the area know and enjoy their beers ? names like Wychert Ale, Vale Best Bitter and Grumpling are all well trusted and liked round here, as evidenced by the number of pints we sell.

    ?It?s not often you get the chance to name a beer either; the closest many of us get is having a park bench named after us. I think it?s a great chance for everyone to get behind a great local product and tradition, so get those creative juices flowing and send in your entries today!?

    All you have to do is to follow this link to the online entry form here http//www.thamefoodfestival.co.uk/name-your-own-beer/ and name that beer!

    But hurry ? your entry must be in by midnight on Wednesday, July 31.

    PHOTO: Vale Brewery team

  • 16/07/13…..Let’s hear it for the lady ‘flashers’ in the pink

    A record turnout of hardy, lady walkers for the fourth, Florence Nightingale Hospice Gemstone Midnight Walk attracted pledges amounting to

  • 17/07/13… Squash challenge a hit with Thame schools

    IT was a close run things when John Hampden Primary school and Barley Hill Schoolin Thame met when Racquets Fitness Centre, Thame hosted the first of many Inter-School sports challenges led by their Junior Coach Roger Ridler and staff from the centre.

    The challenge consisted of disciplines for Squash, Racketball and other sports skills. Ten children aged between 9 and 11 years-old were selected from each school with Barley Hill as the eventual winners.

    Racquets have recently been given a grant from The Oxfordshire Sports Trust for new playing equipment, which will enable them to provide rackets and balls at discounted rates for anyone who wants to give Squash or Racketball a try, and will continue to provide squash and gym activities for children from the age of four upwards.

    Simon Martin, who runs Racquets Fitness Centre, said: “With squash on the short list for the next Olympics, now is the time to encourage children and young people to take the game up and develop their hand and eye co-ordination, fitness and balance. To that end Racquets is sponsoring 10 Junior Memberships to young sports achievers at Lord Williams School this week and intends to continue to promote squash at all schools in the future.”

    There will be a Junior Squash Camp held at Racquets during the school summer holidays for children aged from seven to 14 years old, and details can be found on the centre’s website at:
    www.racquets-fitness-centre.com

  • 17/07/13….Heatwave putting ambulance service under pressure

    AS the Met Office issued a Level three, Heatwave Action warning for our region today, the local ambulance service is coming under continuing pressure.

    Level 3: Amber ? Heatwave action is triggered when the Met Office confirms threshold temperatures for one or more regions have been reached for one day and the following night, and the forecast for the next day is greater than 90% confidence that the day threshold will be met. This stage requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups.

    Advice: Heatwaves can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases.

    If you want more information about hot weather and your health please visit www.nhs.uk If you are concerned about your health or somebody you care for, please contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647, www.nhsdirect.nhs.uktarget” or your local pharmacist.

    The current heat wave has seen an increase in 999 calls to South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS). Between 00.01 on July 5, and 23.59 on July 7, the service responded to 4316 emergency calls of which 1138 were potentially life-threatening. Last weekend saw continuing pressure on the service across the four counties it serves.

    In a statement, SCAS said that between 00.01 on July 12, and 23.59 on July 14, it responded to 4346 emergency calls of which 1154 were potentially life-threatening.

    “The above figures represent a significant increase in the amount of incidents that SCAS has responded to across the four counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire when compared with an average weekend in June 2013 when the Trust responded to 4057 incidents of which 1096 were potentially life-threatening.

    “Please remember that misuse of the ambulance service costs lives. Only call 999 in the event of a medical emergency. Calling 999 for an ambulance when you don?t need one may result in vital resources being unavailable to respond to patients who genuinely need them – patients suffering life-threatening injury or illness.

    “What?s more, arriving by ambulance at a hospital?s Emergency Department (A&E) doesn?t guarantee that you?ll be seen ahead of other patients who don?t. All patients are prioritised according to the severity of their condition. Those suffering from life threatening injury or illness are always seen and treated first!

    “Sadly SCAS still receives a significant number of hoax calls and many more inappropriate calls that do not require an ambulance response. Examples of inappropriate 999 calls received by SCAS in July 2013 include:

    ? A male bitten by a wild rat
    ? A male who had a pain in his heel as he had an ulcer
    ? A person who rang 999 to complain about the people upstairs and the noise they were making
    ? A lady who called for assistance in getting her downstairs as her stair lift had broken down.
    ? A male who had cut his hand on a glass whilst washing up
    ? An elderly male who dialled 999 four times unnecessarily.

    PLEASE think before you dial 999. If it?s not a medical emergency please call 111 for help and advice on accessing the most appropriate treatment. Many minor injuries or illnesses are best treated by Self Care ? your pharmacist will be happy to offer advice on how you can treat them yourself.

    Please remember 999 is a life line for those who really need it and not a default service for those who don?t!

    “We are with you when you need us! South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) provides emergency care for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire. Our area covers approximately 3,554 square miles and has a resident
    population of over four million people.”

  • 17/07/13…Bulbs for Thame Schools from Sainsbury’s

    SAINSBURY’S in Thame is helping to make the town greener by donating hundreds of bulbs and seeds to St Joseph?s Catholic Primary School, Barley Hill Primary School, and John Hampden Primary School.

    Staff from Sainsbury?s Thame have visited St Joseph?s Catholic Primary School and Barley Hill Primary School to present the children with the plants.

    After a receiving a surplus of gardening supplies, Sainsbury?s Thame decided to donate them to local children. All three primary schools in Thame have benefitted from this. All plants donated were past their display until date, but still perfect for planting.

    A Sainsbury spokesperson explained: “This forms part of Sainsbury?s policy of not sending waste to landfill, the aim being to donate all products to the local community or send them for composting. The children will be learning all about how plants grow and what they need to survive, and will be able to see their schools in bloom.

    The store manager (Danny Hayes), HR manager (Julie Harris), and PR ambassador (Liz Clarke) visited St Joseph?s. They were invited to morning assembly to present the children with the plants, and also given a tour of the school?s new classrooms. It was a beneficial visit for both parties, as the children learnt about plants and Sainsbury?s staff learnt about a vital part of their community.

    Recently, the customer Service Manager, Anthony Beedles-Andrews, and PR ambassador, Liz Clarke visited Barley Hill. They were able to meet some of the children who were thrilled to receive the bulbs and seeds on behalf of their classmates.

    PHOTO: Danny Hayes, Mrs Claire Kerr, and four children from St. Joseph?s (in blue)

  • 17/07/13..Police warning after toddler chews drug wrap in Thame playground

    THAMES Valley Police is urging parents to be aware of litter and debris left in playgrounds and recreational areas after an incident in Thame. this afternoon (17/7)

    The warning comes after a 14-month old boy was hospitalised after picking up what is believed to be a discarded drugs wrap and chewing it in the Southern Road recreation ground, near to the scout hut.

    Police were called at 5.15pm by the ambulance service, who took the boy to Stoke Mandeville Hospital. His condition is not thought to be serious and he is being kept in overnight for observation.

    Officers have searched the scene for further paraphernalia and arranged for the council to carry out cleaning at the recreation ground.

    Det Sgt Darren Cartwright said: ?This was obviously a frightening experience for the boy?s parents, but fortunately he doesn?t seem to have been seriously harmed. It seems he had picked up a discarded paper wrap believed to have contained an illegal drug.

    ?There is potential for further for forensic investigation into the incident and we would like to make parents, guardians, and caregivers aware of it, especially in light of the continuing hot weather which families are taking advantage of by visiting our parks and public areas.

    ?If anyone sees anything which they believe could be harmful or contain illegal substances, please contact the police on 101 or your local council.?

  • 16/07/13…..UPDATE: Thame triathletes beat the heat

    INITIAL times from Justracing: LINK HERE THE Thame Triathlon, held yesterday (14/07), saw 329 athletes crossing the finishing line, despite temperatures close to 30 degrees.

    The popular annual event, organised by Justracing, continues to grow every year with a 400m swim at the Thame Leisure Centre pool, followed by an 11 mile bike ride to Chinnor and back, with a 5km run on the Phoenix trail to complete the event.

    Winner of the 2013 Thame Triathlon was Sam Robinson in a time of 54:47, while Emma-Lea Davis was the first lady home in 61:39.

    The team prize went to Racquets Fitness Centre, based in Thame.

    The full results list is expected to be made available later to day.

    SOURCE: Reg Koster

  • 16/07/13… Join the celebration as Thame Therapy Clinic ‘comes of age’

    THAME Therapy Clinic is inviting everyone to help raise funds for local Charity, Sobell House, as the clinic celebrates 21 years in Business.

    On Saturday, July 20, between 1pm ? 6pm, Thame Therapy Clinic, the longest established complementary health clinic in the town, will be hosting an Anniversary Event at its centre in Upper High Street, Thame.

    Opening its doors back in 1992, the clinic began as a hands-on centre of healing, offering osteopathy, acupuncture, physiotherapy, massage, and counselling. These core therapies continue today along with others, including homeopathy, massages of every description, nutritional therapy, reiki and speech therapy, reflecting the ever-changing world of complementary health.

    Andrew Roscoe, co-owner with Kieran Spencer since 2007, said: ?Since taking over the clinic we have grown the team from eight to 19 fully trained practitioners, who are experts in their field. We are firmly committed to a policy of transparency providing an honest opinion as to how much help we feel we can offer a client. Our approach is to try and make a positive difference within five sessions.

    “The purpose of the event, as well as to mark our milestone anniversary, is to highlight how the treatments offered at the clinic can help people live happier, healthier life?s, especially for those who can?t tolerate prescription medicine or have previously undiagnosed medical problems. We will be offering taster session on the day, so we cordially invite clients, old and new to come along and experience first hand the various treatments available.

    “The funds raised will be going to the Sobell House charity so as well as treating yourself you will be doing it all for a worthy cause. We look forward to seeing you on the day.?

  • 16/07/13….Saddle Up For Race Night with Thame Youth Memorial!

    SAY ?neigh? to a boring Friday night this week! Especially for those who fancy a flutter on the horses, a local charity have organised a horse racing themed evening?s entertainment for next Friday, July 19.

    Everyone is invited to canter down to the Thame Guide HQ in Southern Road, Thame, for 7.30pm and join in the fun.
    The evening, hosted by Thame Youth Memorial, takes the format of a day?s horseracing, with punters betting on the races played on the big screen. Entry is free and racegoers can bring their own food and drink as well.

    Bets will cost

  • 16/07/13……..See the work of local artists & craftspeople at No 14

    THE Masonic Hall in Thame (No 14, High Street), is to be the venue for this very special Art Show this weekend, with more than 50 local artists, sculptors, photographers and glassmakers exhibiting their work.

    The Mayor, Peter Lambert, will be opening the show which will support local charity, SAFARI, which is also the Mayor?s charity. Michelle Diffey, who runs the charity explained the group’s work: ?Safari is a social group for adults with special needs. Emphasis is on fun and supporting each other. We meet once a month at the Barns Centre in Thame, and we also have pub evenings, Sports Sundays and various trips out.

    “We won first prize at the Carnival. Eventually we would like to have enough funds to be able to open a base in Thame town centre, providing much needed advice and, of course, tea. The space would be shared with Thame Wombles, the workshop for people with social needs. SAFARI stands for Self Advocacy For Adults Requiring Independence.?

    As well as an opportunity to purchase unique artwork, there will also be a shop selling greetings cards, prints, glassware and smaller artworks. The exhibition will be open on Saturday, July 20, from 10am to 5pm and on Sunday, July 21, from 10am to 4pm. Please come along and support our local artists and SAFARI.