Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 23/08/12…….Thame children join 114,000 to break world record

    GUINNESS World Records? has this week confirmed that the world record for the most people signing and singing a song simultaneously has been broken, and it includes a Thame school.

    National charity, SignHealth, organises the sign2sing record breaker every year and this February (2012) 114,277 pupils and teachers from across Great Britain, including 81 from Thame, participated in the event.

    Steve Powell, Chief Executive at SignHealth, the healthcare charity for Deaf people, said: ?We are delighted to have broken the world record for the second year running and we are going to try and beat it again next year.

    ?We organised the sign2sing event to help raise awareness of deafness and the work we do at SignHealth. It was also a fundraiser for the charity through sponsorship from businesses and a voluntary donation from everyone taking part.?

    The school in Thame that took part in sign2sing was Barley Hill Primary School on Ludsden Grove.

    Schools that registered for sign2sing received a DVD to help them learn and practise the song, as well as a set of new classroom resources aimed at increasing Deaf awareness.

    The song, entitled ?sign2sing?, was composed especially for the event. The lyrics were written by Garry Slack, author of the award-winning ?Sign with Olli? books and the music was composed by Paul Fairey, who has written various theme tunes for television and radio.

    The Minister of State for Children and Families, Sarah Teather MP, Actor, Louise Jameson, children?s Laureate and famous author, Julia Donaldson and children?s TV presenter, Dave Benson Phillips all supported sign2sing 2012.

    Dave, who attended the sign2sing flagship event, said: ?Every child I spoke to was having such a good time and I was completely overwhelmed by their enthusiasm for signing.?

    IMAGE: General shot of chidren taking part (not those from Barley Hill School) Courtesy of: http://www.worldrecordacademy.com

  • 22/08/12…..Lead stolen from roof of Thame school

    THIS is a Community Message from Thames Valley Police: Theft of lead – Thame: Between Sunday (19/08) and Monday (20/08) unknown offenders stole lead from a roof at Lord Williams Lower School, Towersey Road, Thame.

    Two white male suspects wearing hooded tops were seen and are believed to be involved with this offence. Suspect one is described as wearing dark clothing and a grey hooded top. Suspect two was wearing blue tracksuit bottoms with stripes down the side and black trainers with a white sole.

    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 the new national single non-emergency telephone number 101 and state you are responding to a Community 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.

  • 22/08/12….Thame’s ‘beautiful cafe’ welcomes TV’s ‘Lewis’

    LOCALS to Thame, passing by today, might have been fooled into thinking that one of the town’s flagship eateries had changed hands over-night!

    But fear not, Rumsey’s Chocolaterie and Cafe in Upper High Street has been selected as the location for a scene in the latest series of the popular TV series, ‘Lewis’ starring Kevin Whateley and Lawrence Fox – because, as one of the Production team put it: “It is such a beautiful cafe.”

    The episode ‘starring’ Rumsey’s (disguised as ‘Porters Tea Rooms’) will be broadcast in January, and will be called ‘Intelligent Design.

    This isn’t the first time this particular establishment has been used as a film location. In a previous carnation as ‘Pickles’, the deli, as it was then, was tranformed into a 1950s camera shop for an episode of Midsomer Murders, starring John Nettles. LINK

  • 22/08/12…First defeat for Thame United

    MATCH REPORT (Contributed) League Match – 21/08/12 -Ardley United 2, Thame United 1: THAME United met with their first defeat of the season on Tuesday evening when they lost 2-1 at Ardley United. It was a fast, entertaining game between two evenly matched sides which either could have won. Thame won the toss and chose to play uphill with the low sun behind them in the first half.

    After a few minutes play Thame defender Ian Pykett played a glorious 40-yard ball along the right to Dan West, who hit a dangerous cross close to goal, but a defender knocked the ball into touch milliseconds before Cameron Lagan met it. Thame scored from the resulting corner. Luke Ricketts hit a well placed kick and the unmarked Nik Rhodes met it with a strong 15-yard header into the top right corner. Ardley recovered quickly and equalised in the 25th minute when a passing move created the space for striker George Rednap to hit an 18-yard shot pass Thame keeper Lee Farrow. Play was even, and fairly uneventful until, a few minutes before the break, Luke Ricketts hit quality 25-yard shot which had goal written all over it, until the home keeper somehow managed to get fingertips to the ball and deflect it onto the post.

    Shortly after the restart an Ardley player handled in the box but, despite loud protests from the Thame bench, the referee ignored the incident. Play was end to end with the home side looking dangerous ?on the break?. Farrow was busy, and made a particularly notable save. The Ardley winner game with 5 minutes left to play. They took a free kick, just inside the Thame half which defender Ben Thomas met with a glancing header close to goal giving Farrow no chance. During the final minutes Thame laid siege to the home goalmouth and another penalty appeal for hand ball was ignored.

    Thame United: Farrow, I Pykett, Willet, Meredith, N Rhodes, Hayes, Barr, West, Stewart, Lagan (Rantle), Ricketts.

    Bob Dixon

  • 22/08/12… Last chance to have your say on ‘A Blueprint for Thame’

    THE final consultation on Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan has commenced today, and will last for six weeks, to October 3, 2012.

    What Thame Town Council, who have commissioned the plan, is calling its ?Consultation Draft,? including documents to download, is available for comment on the town council’s website: www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk

    This is the last time Thame Town Council will be asking local people for comments before submitting the Plan to South Oxfordshire District Council.

    Watch out for dates and times of various meetings and exhibitions which will be taking place over the next few weeks, the times of which haven?t yet been agreed. The most important date, of course, will be the Referendum, the date for which has not been decided.
    Keep a look out for information on notice boards, posters, on the Town Council website and of course on ThameNews.Net.

  • 20/08/12…Witness appeal – motorcycle fatality

    THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision that happened on the A418 in Wheatley.

    The incident happened at around 9.50pm yesterday (19/8).

    A green Triumph Thruxton 900 motorcycle was travelling east along the A418 towards Watersotck from the A40 when it was involved in a collision with a silver Mercedes CLK that was travelling west on the same road, by Middle Ground.

    The motorcyclist, who has not been formally identified but is believed to be a 56-year-old man from London, was pronounced dead on arrival at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

    The Mercedes driver was not seriously injured in the incident.

    Anyone with any information about this incident should contact PC Matthew Hunt, in the Abingdon Roads Policing Base via 101.

    If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

    SOURCE: Press release

  • 20/08/12……Thame United remain unbeaten after meeting Holyport

    MATCH REPORT (Contributed): Thame United 3, Holyport 2; League march 18/18/12 -THAME United have now played four games without defeat. Last Saturday they met league leaders Holyport at the ASM stadium and recorded a convincing 3-2 win. It was an entertaining game which was won more comfortably than the score line suggests.

    The game saw the welcome return of last season?s leading goal scorer, Alex Stewart. The win sees Thame move into seventh league place.

    The game was five minutes old when United went ahead via a slick passing move which split open the visitors’ defence. Luke Rickets hit a pass from the left to the feet of Stewart on the edge of the box which was laid off to Connor Hayes who ran at goal, played a 1-2 with Dan West and then, unmarked at the edge of the 6-yard box, finished coolly by placing the ball low into the corner of the goal. Thame were in control, and a few minutes later Stewart was unlucky to see his side footed flick, from a free kick, tipped over by the keeper.

    Ten minutes before half time Thame left sided defender Matt Hall was carried off the pitch with suspected concussion after a clash of heads. Cameron Lagan came on as right winger, allowing Matt Willet to adopt his normal right back position, and Mitchell Meredith to replace Hall on the left. Holyport missed a good chance a few minutes before half time, and it was 1-0 at the break.

    Manager Mark West reshuffled his players for the second half with Lagan partnering Stewart ?up front? and Dan West adopting a more defensive role. The move paid off when, eight minutes after the restart, Lagan made a good run on the left before pulling to ball back to Stewart who hit a strong, first time, shot over the keeper from 15-yards. The visitors pulled a goal back on 59 minutes when Thame keeper Lee Farrow parried a shot from the left, which was probably going wide, onto the path of visiting striker Jamie West, allowing him a simple tap in.

    United increased their lead two minutes later when Ricketts hit a 30-yard cross cum shot from the left which the keeper misjudged and the ball found the net. It could have been four a few minutes later when Lagan ran at goal, rounded the keeper, and hit a goal bound shot which a defender just manage to block. In the final minute Holyport were awarded a penalty for an offence which only the referee saw. Justice was done however when Farrow made a great save from the well-taken spot kick. Additional time seemed endless and, seconds before the final whistle, United conceded a soft goal when Jamie Wright bundled the ball over the line.

    Thame United: Farrow, Meredith, Hall (Lagan), Hercules (Wakelin), N Rhodes, Hayes, Willett, West, Stewart, Barr, Ricketts,

    Thame play at North Leigh next Saturday (25th) in the preliminary round of the FA cup. The next home fixture is on Saturday 1st September when they meet Clanfield in the FA Vase.

  • 20/08/12…Burnett Is Back – Swimming Club welcomes Thame’s finest Olympian

    THE London 2012 Olympics has left Great Britain tingling with sporting enthusiasm and Thame is no exception. On Saturday evening it seemed all the excitement was concentrated into Thame Leisure Centre as everyone crowded round to capture a little piece of Olympic stardust.

    Patron of Thame Swimming Club and alumni of Lord Williams?s, Olympian Simon Burnett, visited the swimming pool in Thame to talk to the swimmers and ?inspire a generation?. Simon was still recovering after competing in London 2012, his third Olympics. He has many medals to his name, from European Championships, Commonwealth Games and British Championships. Plus, he currently holds the British record for the 100m and 200m freestyle.

    Arriving at the Thame Leisure Centre, Simon could easily have been mistaken for any member of the public, bar his Team GB kit and outstanding physique. He lives most of the year in Arizona where he trains. ?It?s very different being in Arizona, to Thame and Oxfordshire. I live in a dessert!? Simon explained. He admitted to missing his family. When he returns to England for competitions and for Christmas, Simon stays with his mother in near-by Tetsworth.

    Having only been home for a week since the closing ceremony, Simon reflected on the Olympic experience: ?You can?t compare to previous Olympics,? he said, praising London 2012 on all counts. ?The food was the best of any Olympics. All the transport was on time; they just got it so right.?

    However, the Olympics are a competition and as Simon put it: ?We?re all there to do a job.? How he described the collective focus of the athletes made me wonder what it was like living in the Competitors’ Village: ?Early on everyone?s really strict,” explained Simon, “sticking to their routines. But once they start to finish their races they get friendlier and you interact more.?

    It?s incredible, the athlete?s ability to switch off their competitive nature and Simon knows this more than most having competed in this, and previous Games, in the relay team. ?We all train in different countries most of the year,? he explained, ?and ninety percent of the time we?re competitors but then when the competitions come round, the GB relay swimming team is close knit and we’re all reliant on each other.”

    Having been swimming since he was at school, Simon smiles as he reflects on the number of medals he has accumulated, from minor galas to County Championships. ?I haven?t thrown any away,” he reveals. “They?re probably in a box somewhere.? He talks of swimming in every event at competitions and gaining medals for all of them. Having been swimming in National competitions from when he was sixteen yeas-old, was he successful from a very early age? ?when I was young I didn?t really achieve my potential, but on reflection, this actually probably helped me stay in the sport for longer and not peak too early.?

    One thing that is clear when listening to Simon, he has a drive to teach others. ?I like explaining things, then seeing someone just get it,? he says. Yet you couldn?t place him in the role of gruelling coach. ?Swimming?s not an exact science, so I don?t like to tell people how to swim. You?ve got to experiment.?

    This is something Simon is obviously very passionate about. He explained in detail to the younger swimmers how they needed to ‘get a feel for’ and ‘be in tune with’ the water. Then he shrugged, adding: ?swimming is more than just pure force!? He talked about his role as more a case of giving swimmers guidance, and taking the time to make sure they have it exactly right, adding:?I guess I?m a perfectionist but when I think I can make someone better, that’s very rewarding and gives me a lot of pleasure.? This precision and attention to detail is clearly a factor that has driven Simon Burnett to achieve so much in his career, and when a member of his awestruck audience told him he was an inspiration, he replied simply, ?I hope so.?

    As well as bringing his expertise to the Thame swimmers, Simon donated one of his Team GB T-shirts, signed by the Olympic swimming team, to the Club, and some of his Olympic swimming hats.

    As a member of Thame swimming club myself, I can?t think of a better way to inspire our swimmers than having a piece of the London Olympic legacy on our wall. As for Simon, this was his last Olympics and although he is looking forward to retirement, he assured everyone that he will still be “keeping in touch with the water.”

    Greg Smith, a committee member of Thame Swimming Club said: ?We?re always looking for new, enthusiastic swimmers to train up to be the next wave of Olympians.”

    Perhaps one of the greatest achievements of London?s Olympic Games will not only be the medals that have been won, but the medals that our future athletes have been inspired to win.

    By Susannah Smith (ThameNews.Net Summer Intern)

  • 18/08/12…….Live music at The Rising Sun, Thame

    THE Rising Sun, Thame, invites you to The Rising Sun, Thame’s event: Live Music from Laura Williams!

    18 August at 21:30 at Rising Sun Thame

  • 17/08/12… Man charged with Thame burglaries

    THAMES Valley Police has charged a man with two recent burglaries in Thame.

    Gary McIntosh, aged 42, of no fixed abode, has been charged with burglaries at houses in Wellington Street on August 4, and in North Street on the previous day.

    He appeared at Oxford Magistrates? Court yesterday (16/8) where he was remanded in custody to appear at the same court on September 13.