Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 06/03/13…..Great Big Guitar Party strikes a chord

    CLASSICAL guitarists from Thame and neighbouring villages came together in Ickford last Saturday (March 2nd) to play at the 2013 Great Big Guitar Party.

    Twenty five guitarists aged between seven and 40 came from Thame, Shabbington, Ickford, Worminghall, Tiddington, Morton and Long Crendon to perform at Ickford School in front of a packed audience. The programme, which included solos, duets and numerous ensemble pieces, was performed after just a quick afternoon practice together.

    Organiser Paula Child said: “The Great Big Guitar Party gets bigger every year! The music ranged from 15th century Renaissance to Oasis, taking in flamenco and the blues along the way. The classical guitar is predominantly a solo instrument, so it?s wonderful to have the chance to play together.”

    If you or your child is interested in joining a classical guitar ensemble, you can contact Mrs Child on tel. 01844 201236 or pchild@fsmail.net

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • 06/03/13…FREE Workshop for businesses: ‘Presenting You’

    A FREE event entitled ‘Presenting You’ will take place at Sylo Associates’ meeting room at the Rear Barn, 112 High Street in Thame, on Wednesday, April 17, from 9.30-11.30am

    Designed to take away the fear of presenting and really connect with your audience, the workshop will be lead by Jack Milner of Stand Up & Deliver, whose unique approach will demonstrate how to create confident, professional communicators and lasting business success.

    To find out more and book your place, email: enquiries@sylo-associates.co.uk or call 01844 216290.

  • 06/03/13….Thame Neighbourhood Plan Examiner’s report available

    FOLLOWING yesterday’s news that Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan has been approved and can now go forward to a referendum, the Examiner’s report is now available to the public.

    The full statement, including Mr McGurk’s amendments, can be found on South Oxfordshire District Council’s website here: www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/planning-policy/neighbourhood-plans/thame-neighbourhood-pl

    Most of the amendments are generally minor and technical but there are some interesting changes regarding cycling provision, including the much-campaigned for Cycle path between Thame and Haddenham and Thame Parkway railway station.

    The section of housing allocations explains why representations against some of the preferred sites for housing, were rejected by the Examiner.

    The referendum for Thame parish residents to vote for or against the plan, will be on May 2, at the same time as the Oxfordshire County Council elections.

    NEW divisions for County Council Election

    There will 63 county councillors being elected to represent 61 divisions. Most divisions will have one county councillor but two divisions will have two county councillors. One is Thame & Chinnor Division and the other is Grove & Wantage Division.

    These changes are the result of a review undertaken by the Local Government Boundary Commission.

  • 06/03/13…..Record year planned for Bucks Open Studios

    BUCKS Open Studios, the largest visual arts event in Buckinghamshire, has announced that more artists and makers than ever before will be participating in the 2013 event.

    Now in its 28th year, Bucks Open Studios will take place across the county from June 8-23, 2013.

    575 artists and makers from the county including painters, glass workers, basket weavers, metal workers, wood turners, jewellery makers, book makers, print makers and silk makers will be opening their studios at 199 venues to the public for free and showcasing their talent through demonstrations, exhibitions and workshops.

    Several artist from Haddenham, near Thame, will be taking part including:

    Ali Cockrean – Professional Expressionist Painter

    Ali Smith – Natural Gemstone & Wirework Jewellery

    Anna K Baldwin – Handmade Contemporary Jewellery

    Art At Tiggywinkles – Paintings,sculpture,photography & textiles

    Dragon Barn Studio – Mixed Contemporary Art Exhibition

    Ed Bullimore – Fine Art Photographs On Canvas To Delight

    Heather Hunter & – Paper, Print & Book Artists
    Jean Mould Hart

    Ben Boswell, Joint Chair of Bucks Open Studios and Photographer said: ?We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the event will have more artists and makers participating than ever before. In fact the event has more than doubled in size since 2007 in terms of artists participating and we hope to exceed last year?s record of just over 38,000 visits made to studios and exhibitions by around 12,000 visitors during the fortnight in June.

    “This is all a testament to the growing popularity of the event as well as a general increase in the urge to be more creative, perhaps inspired by popular TV programmes such as Kirstie?s Homemade Home.?

    Ben continued: ?The event spans a huge variety of disciplines and levels of involvement, from professional artists with international reputations to passionate hobbyists. So whether you are an art enthusiast or just casually interested in art, Bucks Open Studios is a great opportunity for a fascinating day out. You can talk directly to artists, watch demonstrations and even be inspired to take up a new hobby and find your own hidden talent.?

    To find out more about Bucks Open Studios 2013, and for a full list of all the participating artists, visit the website http://www.bucksopenstudios.org.uk

  • 06/03/13…..Two stolen caravans recovered

    THAMES Valley Police recovered two stolen caravans in Middle Ground, Wheatley, at 11.20am yesterday (5/3).

    One caravan had been stolen on October 25, 2012, from Hanslope, Milton Keynes and the other one was stolen on January 1, 2012, from Lutterworth, Leicestershire

    Sgt Graham Pink, based at Henley police station, said: ?We received some information in regard to the caravans and when we visited the site we recovered the two caravans.

    ?I would like to remind caravan owners to make a serious effort to secure their caravan by using wheel locks, tow hitch locks, fixed posts and anchor points.

    ?We will now look to reunite the caravans with their owners.?

  • 05/03/13……Planning officers to recommend refusal of Thame supermarket plans

    THE outcome of a controversial planning application for a large supermarket on Thame’s Cattlemarket site, will be decided by district councillors at their next meeting later this month.

    The application, for the demolition of existing buildings on the site and their replacement with a large supermarket, includes the provision of a community centre and landscaping work.

    Planning Officers however, are to recommend to South Oxfordshire District Council’s Planning Committee, that they refuse planning permission to the applicant, Sainsbury’s.

    The planning committee will consider this application on March 13, at 6pm in the council chamber at South
    Oxfordshire District Council, Council Offices, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, OX10 8NJ.

    A copy of the Planning Officer’s report can be viewed on SODC’s website at http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ (Though not at the moment – the link is currently unavailable but try again later) – search for ‘meetings and agendas’ and click on planning committee from the list.

    You can view the whole planning application, including accompanying documentation which itself includes some fascinating historical and archaeological information about the site, HERE

    Anyone wishing to speak at this meeting, must contacting Mrs Claridge at the council, using the email below, in writing by 12 noon on March 12, 2013:
    public.speaking@southoxon.gov.uk

  • 05/03/13….Be vigilant – attempted shed break-ins

    OVERNIGHT between Friday (1/3) and Saturday (2/3), offender(s) attempted to force open a shed door at a property in Windmill Road, Towersey, near Thame.

    Between Wednesday (27/2) and Saturday (2/3), an attempt was made to gain entry to a garage in Manor Road. A door lock and bolt were jemmied to try to gain entry. No entry was gained and nothing was stolen.

    Between (21/2) and (22/2), a lock was found damaged on a garage door in Thame Road, Towersey.

    Please be extra vigilant. If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message please call the police on 101 and state you are responding to a Thames Valley Alert message.

    Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online @ crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

  • 05/03/13….Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan gets the go ahead for Referendum

    AFTER months of consultations and negotiations, a referendum will take place in Thame, on May 2, to decide if the town will adopt a document that will affect local planning decisions.

    It is one of the first Neighbourhood Plans to reach this stage in the country having been given the green light by an independent examiner.

    In December last year, South Oxfordshire District Council appointed Nigel McGurk to assess the plan. During this process, the examiner held a local hearing which was the first of its kind in the country.

    Mr McGurk has now issued his report in which he confirmed the plan is in line with European and national guidance, conforms to South Oxfordshire?s planning policies and contributes to the objective of sustainable development.

    In the report, Mr McGurk stated that ?the Thame Neighbourhood Plan, having undergone an exemplary consultation process, sets out a clear and deliverable vision for the neighbourhood area?. He added: ?I am delighted to recommend to South Oxfordshire District Council that, subject to the minor modifications proposed, the Thame Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to a Referendum?.

    Cllr Angie Paterson, cabinet member for planning at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: ?We join the examiner in congratulating Thame Town Council on this huge achievement. To be among the first in the country to reach this stage is an impressive feat. They?ve done a magnificent job and we would very much like to see this plan agreed and adopted. This is for the residents of Thame to decide and I hope the whole community will turn out to cast their votes.?

    Cllr Nigel Champken-Woods Mayor of Thame Town Council, said: ?We are absolutely delighted that Mr McGurk has given our plan the green light to go to referendum. We have worked extremely hard with the people of Thame to ensure the plan is sound as confirmed by the examiner and will benefit the town.?

    Neighbourhood Planning was brought in as part of the Localism Act 2011. It allows communities to establish policies to shape future developments in their local areas. It will complement the policies in the district council?s Core Strategy which was adopted in December last year.

    If the district council accepts the recommendations made by the examiner, every registered voter within the parish of Thame will be asked the following question at a referendum on 02 May 2013: ?Do you want South Oxfordshire District Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Thame to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?? Should most voters vote in support of the plan, the district council will bring it into force. It then carries legal weight in planning decisions.

  • 05/03/13…New year’s resolution slipped? Want to cancel that gym subscription?

    ADVICE from the Thame CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau): Gyms often play on people’s new year resolve to be more active and offer enticing deals, but you can find yourself tied into a long-term contract without realising unless you study the small print very carefully before signing up for anything.

    Your contract will normally have details about when and how you can cancel and what the charges will be. Usually you will still have to pay fees for the lifetime of the contract (or some sort of cancellation fee) if you decide to cancel early even if your circumstances have changed.

    If you do decide to cancel your gym membership make sure you do it in writing and keep a copy of the letter. It may also be sensible to send the letter recorded delivery so you have proof of when you sent it and can find out whether the gym has received it or not.

    There are some instances when you can cancel a gym contract early without a penalty or even get a refund. This could apply if the contract terms specifically allow for you to cancel in certain circumstances, such as at the end of an introductory rate. You can also cancel early without a penalty or charge if your contract terms are deemed to be unfair. Your contract could be seen as unfair if it is automatically renewed without your permission or the terms are unclear. It is also easier to cancel a gym contract without having to pay a penalty or even get a refund if it sets a minimum contract term that is more than one year.

    Your nearest CAB office is in Market Square Thame
    Adviceline: 08444 111 444 or 03 00 33 00 650 (Mobile)

  • 04/03/13…..Chinnor ‘ firsts’ outgunned away

    CHINNOR’S visit to rural Gloucestershire on Saturday (02/03) was an unhappy one as they were put to the sword by Hartpury College, losing out by 52-7.

    The match started well for Chinnor as they were awarded two easy penalty goals in front of the Hartpury posts within the first five minutes. However, the normally reliable Colver was off target and this was perhaps a portent for the rest of the game.

    Hartpury’s first try came in the 12th minute when, after a punishing maul from a penalty lineout, Peter Thomas went over for the opening try. Just five minutes later, after a Chinnor lineout overthrow, Hartpury?s pacey backs saw Bradley Davies over for a second try, converted by Craig Jackson, to put the home side 12-0 ahead on 16 minutes. Hartpury?s third try was an exact repeat of their first, this time with Chris Fortey going over for the try in the 28th minute. Jackson converted to put the students ahead 19-0.

    With 33 minutes played, a neat chip over the on-rushing Chinnor defence, saw the ball bounce into the hands of George Bolton who strolled to the posts for the bonus point try. Jackson again converted for a 26-0 lead. Chinnor, clutching at coat tails, put together a promising attacking movement only for the college’s Billy Burns to intercept and trot to the line for a fifth try. Jackson’s conversion gave Hartpury a 33-0 lead at half time.

    Chinnor again started brightly and, just like the first half, were awarded two penalties in quick succession but were unable to gain anything from them. The punishment for Chinnor continued in the 48th minute when the portly Stevenson, having replaced Billy Burns, strolled through a huge gap in the Chinnor defence and offloaded nicely to Sebastian Rodwell who dotted down by the posts. Jackson’s conversion gave the home side a 40-0 lead.

    A Chinnor kick, deep into midfield, was fielded and returned with power and pace by the highly impressive Reuben Haile, who slipped in Neil Wilkinson for Hartpury?s seventh try on the 58th minute.

    Chinnor finally got on the scoreboard in the 65th minute when, after a series of pick and drives, prop Andy Berry went over in the corner. Millett did well to convert from the touchline to make the match score 45-7 to the students. At last, Chinnor started to put some possession together but, losing the ball near the Hartpury line, Sean Marsden cantered over for Hartpury’s eighth try on the 78th minute. Jackson’s conversion saw the final score of 52-7 to Hartpury College.

    Clearly a one-sided affair, Chinnor looked out of sorts right from the start of the match. Hartpury, with tough and aggressive forwards and a powerful and high paced backline, made Chinnor look porous every time they attacked. Chinnor had no counter-measure for the pace and power they faced. Reuben Haile for Hartpury had an outstanding match.

    SOURCE: Contributed by Bill O’Donnell
    PHOTO: Courtesy of Hartpury College