Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 04/12/12….Thame Scooter enthusiasts hold ‘bash’ for young carers

    THAME’S Red Kites Scooter Club held their annual ‘End of Season Do’ at Thame Snooker Club last weekend – not only to celebrate the end of Scooting Season 2012 – but also to raise funds for a local based charity, Thame Young Carers, which meets at Lord William’s School.

    Serena Chamberlain explains: “There are currently 92 pupils who are known to the school, caring for either a parent or sibling – sometimes with the help of a professional carer – and who may have to juggle shopping, housework, cooking, running errands and helping other siblings – all in addition to their own studies – whilst dealing and coping with illness or disability within the family.

    “The group,which relies solely on local charitable donations, was founded by Jane Harrison (school counsellor) and offers support and advice to all the young carers who meet regularly and socialise together, often taking part in activities such as paint balling and trips to the cinema.

    “For the third year running, the Scooter Club held our November Bash at the Snooker Club and were overjoyed to sell all 200 tickets. The local Scootering Community did us proud – not only by attending and showing their support – but also digging deep into their pockets to buy raffle tickets galore! We had a fabulous range of goodies on offer, with the top star prize being a trial flying lesson in a Robinson R22 Helicopter, very kindly donated by Helicopter Services Ltd (based at Wycombe Air Park).

    “Also on offer, was a family pass for a Scooter/Ska Festival Weekend which is being held at Santa Pod next year, donated by Back with the Mods Fest 2013. Stylish clothing also featured in the raffle, offered and donated by Skinhead and Ska, Hipster U.K. and PR Design. Those in search of new tyres would have been trying to win a tyre voucher donated by MES – Motorcycle Engineering Services. A galaxy of prizes awaited the winning tickets, and we wish to thank every single friend and business who helped/offered/agreed – with the sole aim to raise as much money as possible for Thame Young Carers.”

    A staggering

  • 03/12/12……Russell Grant’s audience counts down to Christmas

    CHRISTMAS in Thame officially began on Friday (30/11) after thousands gathered in the town centre to see TV Astrologer and ?Strictly? competitor, Russell Grant, switch on the town?s Christmas lights.

    Assisted by the Mayor, Nigel Champken Woods, Russell, who is currently appearing in Peter Pan at The Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, lead the countdown before pressing the plunger that lit up the town, to the delight of the crowd.

    The Thame Stagecoach school dancers had launched the stage show earlier with a very classy performance, followed by the joint Thame primary schools? choir then the Thame Chamber Choir who were both accompanied by the Thame Concert Band – playing their instruments in gloves ? entertaining the crowds before the ?big moment’. After the grand switching on, Li?ll Bill?s Big Band turned up the beat with their rich and brassy rendering of some classic rock and pop numbers.

    Tony Long and members of this year’s Thame Players’ pantomime, Humpty Dumpty, made a appearance and three founding members of the ‘Toogle‘ help and information website, introduced their charitable collaboration to the people of Thame.

    This was the last year that Reg Moss, who has been looking after the technical side of this annual event for several years, would be in charge of the buttons and switches, and a loud cheer went up from all around in appreciation of his contribution.

    Judging by the increased size of the crowd at this year?s event, closing the High Street to traffic and inviting stallholders to sell their wares, seems to have paid off. As well as cake and hot food stalls, Christmas textiles and other seasonal ?goodies?, an artificial ice rink and temporary skateboard ramp added to the gaiety of the atmosphere and gave visitors of all ages plenty to do before the stage show began. Several local charities and community groups also set up stalls to help raise awareness and raise vital funds, including the Thame Wombles and the Thame and District Twinning Association.

    The celebration came to an explosive end with a firework display before the crowds drifted home, chilly but happy, and Thame town centre was miraculously cleared and returned to its usual Friday night revelries, but illuminated, within less than an hour and a half.

    A Merry Christmas from Thame!

  • 03/12/2012……AMENDED: Movember in Thame yields funds for men’s charities

    FRANK Millar, did in fact raise

  • 03/12/12…….Royal approval for Christmas Concert?

    THAME Choral Society?s Christmas Concert this year should have royal approval ? it features the Magnificat by composer John Rutter whose work was performed at the wedding of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, who today announced that they are expecting their first child.

    The concert takes places on Saturday, December 15, at St Mary?s Church in Thame. As well as the tuneful and festive Magnificat, the choir will be singing the joyous and lyrical Mass in D by Czech composer Antonin Dvorak. The audience will also have the chance to join in to sing some traditional carols.

    Haddenham-based soprano Sheilagh Armitt is the soloist. Sheilagh studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and belongs to a number of musical groups. She also actively promotes music in the community and organises the annual Haddenham Come and Sing! event.

    All are welcome to come and enjoy this musical celebration of Christmas in the candle-lit church. Mince pies and mulled wine will be served in the interval.

    The concert starts at 7.45pm and tickets cost

  • 03/12/12….Thame Utd back to their winning ways

    AWAY League game: Saturday, December 1, 2012 – Flackwell Heath 2, Thame United 3; MATCH REPORT (Contributed) :

    THAME United returned to their winning ways on Saturday when they visited Flackwell Heath and narrowly defeated their hosts 2-3. This was a good result as Thame were not at full strength, and despite having played fewer games, Flackwell were 2 league places above United. Despite the cold, it was a hugely entertaining game to watch, with both teams playing fast attacking football.

    Thame scored after 8 minutes when Dan West won, and then took a free kick, 30-yards from goal; floating a ball in which Nik Rhodes met with a powerful, well placed, 10-yard header. It was all square 2 minutes later, when Mitchell Meredith was judged to have fouled an opponent in the area and John Isaac buried the spot kick. The hosts then took the lead on 16 minutes when a ball from midfield found former Thame player, Lewis Cordice in enough space to skilfully lift the ball over the advancing Thame keeper, Lee Farrow.

    It was real end to end stuff, and United equalised with the best goal of the match after 30 minutes play. A throw in on the right found Niall Hodgkins, who headed the ball into the danger zone, but behind Ben Gray, who hit a quality half scissors kick into the top right hand corner of the Flackwell goal. West had a good chance when Calvin Evans made a good run to the right by-line and passed to him, but his shot was high. The game was tied at 2-2 when the teams went in for the half time break.

    There was controversy 8 minutes after the restart when Nik Rhodes made a tackle from behind, on a home striker as he ran at goal, just outside the penalty area. Referee Sennett blew up and then consulted his linesman before deciding it was a ?last man? red card offence. Whilst this was a debatable decision, the referee then proceeded to dismiss the wrong man as the totally innocent Ellis Hercules was sent to the changing room. Down to 10 men and with the bulk of the second half remaining, United were forced to switch Evans to right back and move Meredith to central defender. Hodgkins also played deeper, and with only Gray up front, it was one-way -traffic as Flackwell laid siege to United?s goal.

    The home side hit the crossbar twice and a goalpost once before, against the run of play, United scored the winner with 15 minutes of normal time remaining. Richard Jewell hit a long range shot which the home keeper should have collected comfortably but he knocked it into the path of Gray who was able to react quickly and fire home from 15-yards. The remainder of the match was nail-biting, but United held on to take the points.

    This valuable win sees Thame climb 3 league places to 7th position.

    Thame United. Farrow, Meredith, Hall, Hercules, Rhodes, Jewel, Evans, West, Hodgkins, Gray (Johnson), Ricketts.

    United are away to Highworth next Saturday. Their next home game at the ASM Stadium is on Tuesday 11th December when they meet Ardley on the 3rd round of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup.

  • 30/11/12….’Glitz and Glam’ invitation from Florence Nighingale Hospice

    GLITZ ‘n Glam Party Night, is back, in aid of the Florence Nightingale Hospice in Aylesbury which offers palliative care, free of charge, to those with a life-limiting illness.

    SO PARTY PARTY PARTY! – Put your best frock on and bring you partner, family and friends, to this fantastic ‘let your hair down’ event in aid of Florence Nightingale Hospice on Friday, November 30, at 8pm, in Haddenham Village Hall.

    Back for the third year, this pre-Christmas party is simply not one to be missed. So if you fancy a bit of fun, laughter and a little boogie, contact the Fundraising Team on 01296 429975. Tickets cost

  • 30/11/12….Van load of meat stolen in Brill – Thame Valley Police Alert

    SOMETIME between Midnight and 07.30hrs on the 28/11/2012 a refrigerated Mercedes Sprinter van was stolen from Brill. This van contained a large quantity of meat, mainly beef.

    Officers from the Waddesdon Neighbourhood Policing Team are asking for residents to be vigilant and for anyone that knows anything about this crime to contact the Police on the 24 hour Police Enquiry Number 101.

    Also, anyone that is offered cheap meat, that they suspect to be stolen, is urged to contact the Police on the same number and ask for the information to be passed on to the Waddesdon Neighbourhood Policing Team.

    If you don?t want to speak to the Police or give your details you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

  • 30/11/12…View the latest version of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan

    FOLLOWING the six week statutory consultation period just completed by Thame Town Council, an ‘Examination Version’ of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan, which takes into account the representations made, is now available to read.

    This latest and final version of the plan has been submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council. It consists of:

    A Basic Conditions Statement which contains

    A Plan and Statement identifying the area for the Neighbourhood Development Plan

    The Proposed Neighbourhood Development Plan

    A Consultation Statement

    The whole thing, together with all the background documents, is available on the Town Council?s website www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk

    South Oxfordshire District Council is now required to publish details of the Plan, where it can be inspected, how to make representations and receive notification of the Council?s decision relating to the NDP and, the date by which representations must be received.

  • 30/11/12….Lost Tom cat – Towersey

    SILVER tabby,male Norwegian Forest Cat named Loki. Only six months old. Microchipped, no collar and very friendly. He went missing some time after 4 pm onNovember, 19.

    Have you seen Loki, the bigger cat on the right? If so please telephone 01844 260572 or 07714 146 947 with any information that you may have.

  • 29/11/12….Invitation – Thame Senior Citizens? Tea Party

    THIS year The Mayor of Thame?s Tea and the Rotary Club of Thame Tea are joining forces. Senior Citizens of Thame are invited to the Combined Senior Citizen?s Tea which will take place on Friday, December 14, at the Thame Football Stadium, starting at 1.30pm.

    Pupils from St Joseph?s School, Thame, will be entertaining the guests during the tea, accompanied on the piano by ex Thame Mayor and Rotarian, Jeanette Matelot Green.

    Transport will be arranged for anyone wishing to attend who cannot make their own way.

    Contact the Rotary Club if you would like to attend, so that the ladies from the Inner Wheel can plan and prepare. Call Tyrell Gillman on 01844 214906, or e-mail GTyrellgillman@aol.com. Or contact Thame Town Hall on 01844 212833 and leave your details.