TALENT SHOW: Keith Milmer, the new webmaster of the Haddenham website writes: ?A talent show was held in the Youth and Community Centre, Woodways, on Saturday 1st September and what a ‘royal variety performance’ it proved to be! A capacity audience enjoyed a wonderful evening of entertainment [singing, poetry, amusing skits, mime, guitar and drums], provided by local homegrown talent of all ages. A truly delightful evening and lots of fun. Every one of the acts deserved a medal for the sheer entertainment value. However, in the spirit of a Talent Show, one winner was decided by audience voting and the winner was Lauren Timberlake (9), who sang an Adele number that had the whole audience captivated in admiration and delight. Encore! [You can see photos of the event at www.haddenham.net including one of Tom Chisholm presenting Lauren with her prize and trophy].
All money [more than
Author: Sonja Francis
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14/09/12…….News and events from Haddenham
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14/09/12….From an ‘ugly duck’ to a fine new Swan
AFTER months of hardwork, the new owners of the Swan Hotel in Thame, opened its doors this afternoon to reveal the fruits of a complete make-over and restoration.
Among the invited guests to share a glass of champagne from the bar and a buffet lunch, were Thame?s MP, John Howell, who wished Nic and Richard McFarland, the very best of luck with their new business. Also there to congratulate Nic and Richard were representatives of the other Swan Walk businesses, including Sandra Tomes from Pearsons Insurance Services, the newest Swan Walk business, who welcomed Nic with the presentation of a beautiful orchid. Mary Rumsey, from the Chocolaterie and caf
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14/09/12….And a quacking time was had by all
IT was third time lucky for Thame Round Table’s annual Duck Race last Sunday (09/09)- and the race broke its own fund-raising record!
After two false starts because of flooding, during one of the wettest summers on record, the race finally got underway on a glorious September morning. Hundreds of local people took advantage of the fantastic weather to line the riverbank, as 2,300 rubber ducks were launched from Thame Bridge to start the race.
Spectators were then able to follow the ducks down river to the finish, where duck number 1183, bought by Mr & Mrs Kershaw, was the first to cross the line.
Iain Biddle, Chairman of Thame Round Table, commented:
?After such a long wait and two postponements, we were delighted that the race was so well supported on the day. We enjoyed brisk ticket sales before the race and this definitely helped us to raise more money than ever before.“We would like to thank everybody who has stuck with us over the summer for their continued support. We would also like to thank all the friends of Thame Round Table who helped us to stage this event.?
The event raised
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13/09/12……..What’s it like to be autistic? Talk at the Barn Centre
DIAGNOSED with Autism in 2010, and with ‘Scotopic Sensitivity’ two years later, Paul Isaacs now speaks in public about the challenges he faces as a young, autistic man.
At this event, hosted by Michelle Diffey and Thame Safari, Paul will talk about his visual perception experiences and his learning difficulties and how it ‘feels’ to have them and how one can understand them. He currently speaks and trains for Autism Oxford. He is also an author and published his autobiography entitled ?Living Through The Haze? in 2012.
Pauls difficulties have been clinically recognised as follows:
Prosopagnosia (Face blind)
Simultagnosia (Object blind)
Semantic agnosia (Meaning blind)
Visual – Verbal Agnosia (Comprehension blind)
Dyslexia
DyscalculiaYet this remarkable young man wants to promote autism awareness and help others on the autism spectrum, in the hope that they will not have to suffer as he has done, being labelled a ‘naughty’ child, struggling though mainstream school with no additional help or recognition of his autism.
Since he became a speaker for Autism Oxford, Paul continues to raise the profile of autism at every opportunity.
Venue: Thame Barns Centre, Church Road, Thame, OX9 3AJ
Time: 6pm ? 9pm -
26/09/12…..POSTPONED DUE TO WATERLOGGING: Calling all ladies !
DO you want to try something new? Build on existing skills? Make some new friends or just enjoy a new way of keeping fit? If the answer to any of the above is ‘yes’ then Chinnor Girls and Ladies F.C want to hear from you! The club are actively recruiting for new members for the current season 2012-13.
Providing opportunities for mums and daughters alike, Chinnor is a thriving local club with a great atmosphere and are extremely proud of what they bring to the local community. With several of members of the open age section of the club making the journey to university this year, there is a big push on recruitment for the ladies squad in order to continue their good form in Division 1 of the Thames Valley County Women?s Football League.
Club Founder, Ladies squad member and U12?s Coach/Manager Katie Wales has left the local area but still makes the twice weekly commute back from the West Midlands to be a part of the club.
?From the humble beginnings of our one, under 14 squad back in 2002,” she explained, “the club has grown to rival the biggest clubs in Oxfordshire. We still have a core of our original members and management whose continued commitment demonstrates what a great place this club is to be involved with. We are all keen to attract more members to the club so that they, as well as us, can continue to enjoy the beautiful game.?
The club is also expanding to provide football for girls aged 10 and under. Kayleigh Bennett, who is largely responsible for developing the youth section of the club said: ?I would love to hear from any girls who would like to come along to training and give it a go. We are always happy to welcome new players to our existing squads and also aiming to run a development squad to provide football for girls not yet old enough to enter the league competitions.?
There will be a Ladies’ taster session on Wednesday, September 26, for all ages (16+) and abilities welcome. Please contact Katie Wales (Katie.d.wales@gmail.com) for more details. Anybody wishing to join the youth or under 10 development squads should contact Kayleigh Bennett (kayleighbennett88@yahoo.co.uk) who will forward information on to the relevant manager.
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12/09/12….Want to sing choral music? Thame Choral Society Society now rehearsing for Christmas!
THAME Choral Society will be starting rehearsals for their Christmas concert programme on Wednesday, September 12.
This year’s concert will include Dvorak Mass in D, Rutter’s Magnificat and of course, carols. The concert is on December 15.
Just turn up for a 7.30pm start, at the Methodist Church in Haddenham. Contact Liz via: e-h_18@tiscali.co.uk for more information.
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12/09/12….Thame man pleads guilty to beating
A THAME man has pleaded guilty to causing Actual Bodily Harm to a 62 year-old man.
David Fox, 28, from Langdale Road, Thame, was remanded in custody when he appeared before High Wycombe Magistrates Court on Monday (10/09).
The charge relates to an incident that happened in Langdale Road on Saturday evening (8/10) where a 62-year-old man was assaulted.
David Fox will appear before the court for committal proceedings to begin, on October 1.
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12/09/12…’Treasure Thame’ campaign – Have your say
TREASURE Thame and keep it safe until 2027 – A chance to see your Councillors with your questions and comments.
Residents of Thame are working closely with the Town Council to produce a blueprint for Thame for the next 15 years. You have until October 3, to make your views known on the draft proposals.
Be sure to visit the Neighbourhood Plan stall at Thame market. It will be there on Tuesday, September 18, and on 25, from 9am until 2pm.
You can also visit the Thame Town Council website: www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk to view all the documents and find out more about how you can have your say.
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12/09/12…..Day Centre looks to the future
THAME and District Day Centre?s grant funding from Oxfordshire County Council is safe for another 12 months, the Centre?s trustees learned at their September meeting.
The news was given by the Chairman, Tyrell Gillman, who was reporting on talks with council officials.
The Centre has met at Thame Community Hospital for the past 26 years and Mr Gillman, who recently succeeded Mrs Brenda Prosser as its Chair, outlined plans for its future growth.
Mrs Prosser was a founder member of the Centre and retired during the summer. Mr Gillman stressed that her legacy and that of the other founders had given a strong foundation for the future.
The hunt is on for a Clerk to the Trustees, who will take notes of the monthly proceedings of Thame and District trustees, and the Centre?s management committee. If anyone would like to volunteer, please ring Mr Gillman on 01844 214906
The Centre has charity status and all funds come from voluntary donations and contributions from local organisations ? apart from a modest grant from Oxfordshire County Council which pays the salary of two staff on three days a week. The Centre provides, above all, companionship, and then entertainment, a cooked lunch and refreshments for people in the area who may be elderly or frail or confined to their homes. It also provides respite for the carers of many who attend.
There is a charge of
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12/09/12….Market towns action group welcomes Government’s Rural Statement
A leading market towns support group has today welcomed the Government’s Rural Statement 2012, calling it “a fantastic summary of the many policy and funding initiatives that small towns and their surrounding rural communities can benefit from.”
Along with other members of the independent **Rural Coalition, Action for Market Towns (AMT) welcomed the fact that the new Defra Secretary of State, Owen Paterson MP, has immediately backed the Rural Statement’s launch, “signifying,” said AMT in a statement today, “the importance of this document to his department.”
AMT’s chief executive, Chris Wade, commented: “Town councils and community groups across England should be hurriedly reading through the Rural Statement and asking if they are ready to benefit from all the Government schemes listed. In our work with rural communities, we find that they have been leading the way with community led or neighbourhood planning as a great place to kick-start long-term improvements and link in to many other opportunities.
“Market towns and rural areas are home to one-fifth of the English population (nearly 10 million people) and with more than 505,000 businesses, or 28% of England?s total. They are also great places to do business.”
Earlier this year, AMT welcomed the creation of five Rural Growth Networks ? in Swindon and Wiltshire, Durham and Northumberland, Devon and Somerset, Cumbria, Coventry and Warwickshire ? to help businesses in rural areas to reach their potential by breaking down barriers to economic growth such as a shortage of work premises, slow internet connection and fragmented business networks.
“Lessons from pilots should influence policy across departments”
Commenting on the potential to boost the rural economy around small towns and the link to neighbourhood planning, Chris Wade added: “We hope that lessons from the Rural Growth Network pilots are quickly translated to influence policy across Whitehall. Neighbourhood planning, done well, can help keep money in the local economy and provide retail services and local jobs.
“Support for affordable housing will equally help to sustain rural economies. Ongoing support outlined in the Rural Statement for encouraging social enterprise through the