Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 19/10/12…..The young ‘Morse’ rolls into town

    AS a fleet of large, white lorries rolled into the Upper High Street, Thame, this morning, the curiosity of the locals was soon rewarded when it was discovered that one of a series of four films, based on the early life of ‘Inspector Morse’ was about to begin shooting.

    A particular scene is being shot at The Elms, the big house of the Upper High Street, next to Elms Park.

    The ITV series is to be called ‘Endeavour’ which, as every fan and Pub quizzer knows, was Morse’s Christian name. The series apparently came about following the overwhelming response to the recent, one-off Inspector Morse prequel ‘Endeavour’ which was transmitted in January to mark the 25th anniversary of the very first episode of Morse. It was watched by 8.2 million viewers, making it the most popular single film on any channel in the last five years.
 The four new films have been written by Lewis creator and Morse writer, Russell Lewis.

    The part of the young Morse will be played by Shaun Evans (The Take, The Last Weekend, Silk), who won over critics and viewers alike with his portrayal of young Morse.

    Acclaimed stage and screen actor Roger Allam (The Jury, Parade’s End, The Thick of It) returns as Endeavour?s senior partner, Detective Inspector Fred Thursday. Stage actor Sean Rigby takes on the role of a young PC Strange – the character who appeared in the original Morse series, played by James Grout.

    James Bradshaw will return as Dr Max Debryn and John Thaw?s daughter Abigail will make further guest appearances as Dorothea Frazil. Supporting cast include Anton Lesser (The Hour, Garrow?s Law, The Scapegoat) as Chief Supt Reginald Bright and Jack Laskey (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows) as DS Peter Jakes.

    Mammoth Screen will produce the 4 x 120 episodes, which have now begun filming on location in Oxford. The new series will be produced by Dan McCulloch (Endeavour, 10 Minute Tales) and executive produced by Mammoth Screen?s Joint Managing Directors, Michele Buck and Damien Timmer (whose recent credits for ITV include Monroe, Lewis and Marple), writer Russell Lewis and Rebecca Eaton for co-producers Masterpiece.

    The first film is directed by Ed Bazalgette (A Mother’s Son, Vera) and the second by Tom Vaughan (Starter for Ten, Extraordinary Measures, What Happens in Vegas). Acclaimed novelist Colin Dexter, whose first Morse story was published in 1975, will act as consultant for the series.

  • 19/10/12…Local firm prosecuted after worker’s leg crushed

    A HADDENHAM-based farm machinery manufacturer has been fined after an employee sustained multiple fractures when a trailer crushed his leg.

    Waldemar Makowski, of St Annes Road, Aylesbury, was building a farm vehicle trailer chassis at K Two Sales Limited in Haddenham, Bucks, when the incident occurred on August 15, 2011.

    As Mr Makowski attempted to move a chassis from a yard area at the site using a draw bar attached to a fork lift truck, it fell from its support and crushed his left leg, causing multiple fractures.

    FULL STORY FROM www.build.co.uk

  • 27/10/12……Lantern Walk in the Woods

    COME and join us for a lantern lit adventure through the woods! Follow a self-led route around the new Aston Rowant Talking Trail, with activities based on autumn and night-time wildlife. Meet an owl and some small mammals. Learn all about bats. Have a go at some craft activities and listen to a story in a magical candlelit glade.

    Suitable for all the family. Arrive between 6.30 and 7.30pm, wear warm clothing, sturdy shoes and bring a torch or lantern! Trail takes approx 1hr.

    Refreshments available.

    Organised by: Natural England / Chilterns Conservation Board.

    Location: Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve

    Meeting point: Park in Aston Rowant Nature Reserve car park, off the Christmas Common Road, signposted from the A40 near Stokenchurch, (nearest postcode HP14 3YL), then walk back to the entrance to the woods

    Date: Saturday 27th October 2012

    Start Time: From 6.30pm

    End Time: 8.30pm approx

    Price (payable on the night): Adults

  • 18/10/12…Thame swimming club makes an early season splash!

    THAME Swimmers started their new competitive season recently with two victories in a week. The first was at the BBAT Meet on Sunday, September 23, when swimmers from Thame were against swimmers from Bourne End SC, Didcot Barramundis SC and Aylesbury District SC.

    For the first time in the BBATs three year history, Thame won the Top Club trophy beating Didcot Barramundis into second place. Sixty Thame swimmers took part in the event and all but two put in at least 1 Personal Best.

    In addition there was a strong haul of medals, with ‘Golden boy of the event for Thame, Nacho Mendi, achieved one county time and booked his place at the 2013 County Championships in the 50m Freestyle, and took home six GOLD medals as well!

    Kazia Coleman had sustained an injury playing football the previous day but still turned out for the event, taking a bronze medal before withdrawing due to the injury. Helen Malkin took home two silver medals on the day ? her 16th Birthday. Josh Williams insisted on getting to the gala to swim after being delayed due to a family crisis and as a result, Team Thame got another 36 points as Josh took Gold in the 100m and the IM, and Bronze in the 50m Freestyle as well as playing a key role in the final cannon relay team.

    Other big medal hauls included Susannah Smith taking six medals in total (four Silver and two Gold), and the Goetz boys (Jamie and Tom) taking nine and eight medals each respectively (both with two Bronze, the rest being Silver). Another ‘Golden girl’ was the girls’ squad captain, Rachel Newton, with four Golds and two Silver medals.

    The BBAT Top Club shield is now on display in the club trophy cabinet at Thame Leisure Centre.

    Just seven days later, on Saturday, September 29, the squad were in action again at the Leighton Buzzard Swimming Club (LBSC) Team Gala, swimming against teams from LBSC, Modernians and Letchworth Swimming Clubs. Various 50m, 100m and relay events for the age groups were fought over throughout the evening and there was much support from the balcony from the good turnout of Thame parents. There was a good smattering of PBs and at the end, the squad won the event by just one point, beating the hosts LBSC into second place.

  • 18/10/12..Thame PCSO voted Community Police Officer of the Year

    ONE of Thame’s PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) has been voted Thames Valley Police’s top PCSO of the year for Oxfordshire.

    PCSO Diane Jackson was nominated by local residents and businesses as being the member of the TVP Force who they considered had gone above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference to their community.

    Tonight, Diane told ThameNews.Net: “I was very shocked and very moved but also very proud. I’m touched that people who voted felt that I deserved to be nominated as it is a privilege to do the job that I love in Thame.”

    These annual awards are designed to recognise the exceptional efforts of Thames Valley Police?s neighbourhood policing teams, including Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), Special Constables and volunteers, and the positive impact they have on the local community they serve. There is also a Diversity Champion of the Year category for the officers and staff who have made an outstanding contribution to promote diversity within their area. The Lifetime Achievement Awards are given to celebrate individual careers within Thames Valley Police.

    Nominations came from members of the public, community groups, police officers and staff and partnership colleagues, i.e. local council. The competition ran between 7 July and 10 August 2012.

    Chief Constable Sara Thornton said: ?I am delighted to be able to recognise the outstanding work of our officers and volunteers in this way. Neighbourhood policing enables us to better respond to the needs of local people and remains a key priority for Thames Valley Police.

    ?We have had some exceptional nominees and I am proud to count them among our workforce and volunteers.?

    Diane will receive her award at a special ceremony later in the month.

  • 18/10/12…….’Red Kites’ scoot along to the ‘Swan’

    EAGLE eyed shoppers having a mooch and a browse around the shops in Thame last Sunday (14/10), may have noticed a growing flock of ‘Red Kites’ gathering in the Upper High Street early in the morning – not the beautiful feathered variety, but the local Red Kites Scooter Club (Thame). There they met with other like minded souls who had also braved the cold October morning, with some travelling through freezing fog to reach Thame’s Swan hotel.

    The occasion was the October ICRO (Inter County Ride Out) where various clubs in neighbouring counties take it in turns to host a monthly rideout throughout the scootering year. Sunday’s meet was the last ICRO of the year, and the third time that the Red Kites (RKSC) had chosen October to be hosts.

    Fellow scootering friends and buddies came from Beds, Bucks, Herts, Oxon, Northants and surrounding counties to catch up, share news, show their Scooters, take photos and have a sociable Scootering Sunday. In total, 159 Scooters trode into the square ready for an 11.30 a.m. leave time.

    “Huge thanks to the new owners of the recently refurbished and re-opened Swan Hotel,” said Serena Chamberlain of the Red Kites. “Rich and Nic worked tirelessly, along with all their staff, to provide a bounty of bacon rolls and hot dogs along with piping hot tea’s and coffee’s which they handed out to the shivering Scooterists. To say they were warmly welcomed, would have been an understatement!

    “Thankfully, the sunshine soon appeared (hurrah!) and the group took a leisurely and scenic scoot through the stunning Oxfordshire countryside, passing out through Thame, towards Stadhampton and Watlington with the final destination being The Wheatsheaf pub in Chinnor, where we were warmly and enthusiastically greeted by Roger the Landlord, and his team who pulled out all the stops for a stunning lunchtime meet.

    “Being besieged by 159+ hungry and thirsty Scooterists can be a daunting task. However, the pub (famed for it’s South African food) was ready, willing and more than able! A giant marquee in the beer garden had been erected in case of bad weather (phew), with an outside bar, and the bar indoors doing a roaring trade. Huge slabs of beef and ham had been slowly roasted in the open oven and along with home baked bread rolls, salad, relish and soup, it was no wonder that our feathered Red Kite friends were seen and heard circling overhead – word soon gets around….

    What’s next for the Red Kites?

    “The next big event for the Red Kites is our End -of-Season ‘Do’ which once gain will be held at the Snooker Club in Thame, on Saturday, November 24. We have almost sold every available ticket and shall be donating all funds from our Charity Raffle to the locally based charity, Thame Young Carers, who are based at Lord William’s School – a very deserving cause and one close to our hearts.

    “Scooter Club DJ’s will be providing a mix of sounds from the scooter scene, and we have been very fortunate to receive stunning raffle prizes, including a trial flying lesson from Helicopter Services Ltd, based at Wycombe Air Park.”

  • 17/10/12….Chinnor wake up in second half to squeeze past Lydney

    CHINNOR took a long while to get into this match in the Forest of Dean on Saturday, October 13. Lydney opened the scoring on the third rd minute when, following a chip over the Chinnor defence, full back Colver was tackled into touch. From the resultant line out, a catch and drive saw prop Dan Allison go over for Lydney. Chinnor struggled to get hold of the ball and struggled with knock ons and imprecise handling on the few occasions they secured possession.

    On the 11th minute, Lydney increased their lead to 8-0 from a penalty goal from Lydney?s fly half Wicks, after Chinnor went offside at a ruck. Five minutes later, a Lydney scrum moved the ball quickly to the wing and two rucks later, Lydney lock Charles Daniell sauntered through a hole in the Chinnor defence for Lydney?s second try. Wicks? conversion saw the home ahead 13-0.

    Chinnor finally got on the score sheet in the 21st minute when Stoop took the ball up in midfield and managed to slip the ball at the tackle to Gray whose diagonal line took him to the posts for 13-5.

    From a midfield penalty, Lydney took a quick tap and then booted the ball downfield. Chinnor collected the kick but were penalised for holding on. Lydney elected for a lineout from which Chinnor stole the ball to deny the home side a score.

    Chinnor again withstood Lydney pressure but this time to their advantage. Lydney, 10 metres from the Chinnor line, tried repeatedly to breech the visitors defence. With Joe Kava at the centre of the defensive effort, Chinnor?s rush defence forced a Lydney handling error. Goode fly hacked the loose ball downfield. Gray hacked again and, in a footrace with his opposite number, was first to ground the ball behind the try line to bring Chinnor back to 15-10 on the 32nd minute.

    Five minutes into the second half, Chinnor reduced the deficit to 15-13 with a penalty goal from James Cathcart. From a penalty against Chinnor, Lydney went for a lineout and a powerful rolling maul saw player-coach Duncan Bell score Lydney?s third try. Wicks? conversion stretched the home side?s lead to 22-13 with 52 minutes played.

    Three minutes later Chinnor reduced the gap to 22-18 with a try from Fielding. From line out ball, Goode ran back against play. From his pass, Stoop slid a precise grubber to the corner flag. The foot race between one Chinnor and two Lydney players went to Chinnor when Fielding was adjudged by the touch judge to have been first to ground the ball. Cathcart?s conversion brought the score to 22-20 in favour of Lydney.

    In the 70th minute, Lydney ran a garryowen back from a mark but were penalised for going off their feet at the breakdown. Cathcart stepped forward to slot the penalty goal which proved to be the last score of the match to win it for Chinnor 23-22. The last 10 minutes were nervy for both teams but a penalty for tackling a player in the air allowed Cathcart to boot the ball off the park for a hard earned victory for the visitors.

    Lydney got off to a flying start in the first half but met stiffer opponents in the second half. They will rue, however, passing up several scoring opportunities by poor ball handling.

    Chinnor looked a pale imitation of the organised and skilful team of the previous week and hardly saw the ball for most of the first half. Things settled down enough in the second half to shore things up and steal the match by one point. The coaching staff will be looking to instil some consistency into team performance over the next few weeks with a run of matches against high achieving opponents looming.

    Scorers:
    Lydney: Allison T: Daniell T: Bell T; Wicks 2C, PG
    Chinnor: Gray 2T; Fielding T; Cathcart C, 2PG

    Chinnor team:
    Colver, Gray (Seymour 43), Goode, Stoop, Fielding, Cathcart, Jones (Hopwood 60), Winpenny, Hoyland, Pickett (Stock 60), Mowbray, Smith, Gilbert, Hastings (Sawyer 9), Kava (Whelan 73)
    Replacements: Whelan, Stock, Sawyer, Hopwood, Seymour

  • 16/10/12….Discover Thame’s amazing history

    JOIN 21st Century Thame and guests for an Historic Walk around Thame, to launch the new Waymarkers (the round, brass engraved markers, which you may have noticed have appeared in the pavement at various sports around the town).

    Meet at 10.30pm outside Thame Town Hall. A light lunch will be available at The James Figg pub afterwards.

  • 16/10/12….Introducing special ‘Silver Circuits’ for the over 50s

    RACQUETS Fitness Centre in Thame, has introduced ‘Silver circuits’ to its timetable, an over 50’s training period to help strengthen core, ease aches and pains and improve daily life.

    If you’re keen to join Silver Circuits or would like to find out more, give the club a call: 01844 261754 or email Martin@Racquets-fitness-centre.com.

    The club also has a Silver Membership for those available to train between 9 – 5 Monday – Friday, and all day Saturday & Sunday, for

  • 16/10/12…Autumn Squash Camp for kids

    RACQUETS Fitness Centre is once again running it Autumn Squash Camp for kids aged 6 – 13 years-old, on October 30-31, 2012. Call 01844 261754