Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 17/05/12…Thame’s new deputy Mayor explains why he accepted the honour

    THAME’S newly selected Deputy Mayor, local publican and Brewer, Peter Lambert, has been talking about why he was persuaded to accept the role.

    He told ThameNews.Net today: ?I have been in Thame for three years now (I was only coming for four weeks initially!) and I immediately found it to be a warm and welcoming town. Running a pub in the town means that I get to hear the views and concerns of residents, so I find that I?m very well informed.

    “I?m really happy to have achieved this level of involvement in the community within such a short time.

    “I put myself forward as Deputy Mayor because I am particularly interested in the Neighbourhood Plan – a crucial part of making sure that Thame residents make decisions for their town, rather than the District Council – and I thought it would be a good way to show my commitment to the community. Thame has a lot to offer and I don?t want to see it changed by people who don?t seem to have its best interests at heart.?

    PHOTO; Deputy Mayor, Peter Lambert (front-left) with fellow town councillors after his selection yesterday.

  • 17/05/12…. ‘Little gem of a park’ rocks for a day

    THE organisers of last Sunday’s Music in the Park have hailed the event a huge success, after the official figure of attendance reached 3,500 people.

    The Friends of Elms Park, who with Thame Town Council organised the event, today issued the following review of the day:

    “Blessed with a day of good weather sandwiched between the umpteen days of rain, Music in the Park again exceeded expectations, with roughly twice as many visitors and twice as much money raised as last year.

    “Approximately 3,500 people had a great day?s fun and entertainment, and about

  • 16/05/12….The ex flying officer and the Thame publican

    THESE two proudly took their places at the head of Thame Town Council last night, when they were selected by fellow Councillors to the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the coming year.

    The new Mayor, ex RAF man Nigel Champken Woods, has been Mayor before but his new deputy, Landlord of the Cross Keys pub in Thame, Peter Lambert, has been on the council for less than two years, but has obviously been quick to make an impression on fellow councillors.

    Nigel told the council what his aspirations for his mayoral year were:

    The Thame Neighbourhood Plan

    “My number one priority is to drive the Neighbourhood Plan to fruition and to ensure that we get a yes vote at the referendum. This will involve a lot of hard work for the Thame Town Council Staff and yourselves. We will have to get out there and explain what this is all about and ensure that the people of Thame understand that if we don?t get the plan accepted then all planning decisions will be made by SODC. We have to realise we are the biggest town in the front runners and will be subject to a lot of scrutiny on this one.”

    The Thame Youth Memorial

    “I hope to be able to be present at the Unveiling of the Youth Memorial. This will be the culmination of a lot of hard work by a dedicated team in order to bring the fund raising, design and planning of the project to a successful conclusion.”

    Music In The Park

    “This year, again, exceeded all expectations with about 3,000 attending, and raised in excess of

  • 16/05/12….Scout hut rises from the ashes

    WHEN, in 2007, fire destroyed the old timber Scout Hut in Long Crendon, local firm Porter Consulting & Management Services Ltd (PCMS) was asked by the leaders of 1st Bernwood Forest Scout Group to both design and project manage the construction of a replacement. Now, exactly five years after the blaze that destroyed the hut, the Group has a brand new purpose-designed building for their Scouting activities.

    The new Scout Building occupies a roadside position on Chearsley Road close to the Recreation Ground, and was officially opened by John Bercow MP on Saturday, April 21. It has been sensitively designed to fit in with the general street scene in that part of the village, and includes a range of modern facilities in addition to a meeting hall and outside recreational area.

    Group Scout Leader Brenda Cole said: ?We are very pleased to have this great purpose-built facility. It provides our local Scout Group with a permanent ?home? for present members, and will enable future development of the Group. PCMS came up with a careful design making optimum use of the relatively small piece of land available.?

    SOURCE: Contributed by Debbie Mellor

  • 15/05/12..Three sentenced after affray outside Thame pub

    THREE men from the Thame area have been sentenced for violent offences carried out in Thame, outside a Thame pub.

    Aaron Pullen, 19, of London Road, Milton Common, admitted using or threatening unlawful violence and having an offensive weapon, namely a wood baton, on December 5, 2011, in Thame. He was jailed for 18 weeks, because the offence was committed whilst he was on a suspended sentence and because he was the main perpetrator.

    Daniel Pullen, 23, of Youens Drive, Thame, admitted using or threatening unlawful violence and having an offensive weapon (a two-foot long round stick) at the time in Thame, and he was sentenced to 18 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months. He was placed under a curfew for two months to stay at home between 8pm and 6am and ordered to pay

  • 15/05/12…Missing Thame tabby

    A ONE year-old tabby cat has been missing from the College Close area of Thame since Sunday evening (13/05)). She goes by the name of Lily and was wearing a black collar with silver hearts on it.

    Lily is described as quite a small cat, and her distinguishing feature is a ginger tip to her tail.

    Any information please call Lisa on 07730 579163.

  • 14/05/112…. Music In The Park brings generations together

    AROUND 2,000 people gathered in a Thame park yesterday, to bop, rock, swing or to just ‘chill’ and listen to some great music ranging from Rock, jazz and Punk, to Rap and Beatboxing! (Links to photographs below)

    Elms Park was throbbing as families and friends picnicked in groups, chatting and sharing a brilliant day, and soaking up the very welcome sunshine that emerged from behind the clouds in long spells, softening the effects of a chill wind.

    There was something for all musical tastes and age groups. The sight of parents ‘of a certain age’ reliving their youth and grooving to ‘Hats Off to Led Zeppelin’ alongside younger people (not their own – too embarrassing!) who love and appreciate the guitar playing style of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, was wonderful to behold.

    Reflecting the ever growing popularity among younger people particularly, for electronically inspired beats and music, ‘the Bubble’ promoted and sponsored by Fastest Dog, became a pulsating, orange cocoon for the fans of the likes of ‘local heroes’ Cuboyd & Co, through to one of the top eight, UK Beatboxing Championship performers, that is the phenomenon known as PieMan.

    Where else than at an English music festival can you witness young people dancing alongside their grandparents’ generation, to the musical tradition, jazz? Headliners, The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band certainly kept the party going until 9pm when the scaffold and stage dismantlers moved in as the sun went down.

    IMAGES: From inside ‘the bubble’

    Some more fab pictures from the event here from ThameTV.

    Pictures from The Drakes – LINK

    Pictures from Frank Millar More soon from Rob Wheal, Official festival photographer.

    COMMENT: Send us your reviews and reflections on Music In The Park 2012. editor@thame.net

  • 14/05/12…..Thame Sports club tops both Men and Women’s squash league

    RACQUETS Fitness Centre in Thame is celebrating this week after regaining the Men’s Oxfordshire Squash League Championship this season, and winning the Ladies’ equivalent.

    Simon Martin, for Raquets Fitness Centre, told Thamenews.net: “For the men, this victory is particular sweet as they have regained the title after being runners up for the past five years to Abingdon and Wallingford.”

    THAME Racquets ladies? team report, contributed by Sandra Kessell:

    A significant 120 points separated Thame Racquets ladies? team from their nearest rivals, Banbury West End, as they romped home to win the Oxfordshire Squash winter league. The team triumphed in all 14 of their matches, overall taking 181 games for, 61 against.

    Stepping up to the number one slot, 15-year-old Aisling Guerzoni, of Aylesbury High School, visibly grew in confidence and resilience as she claimed notable victories. Losing in just three of her 23 outings, only county senior players Julie Peachey and Helen Knowles were able to hold their own against the promising youngster.

    Veteran Anne Terry had her own battles against long-standing adversaries, and as if to prove her fitness, took seven of her 20 matches to five sets. She emerged victorious in 15 overall.

    Captain Lorna See dropped only two of her games, one of those after retiring with an injury from a stray stroke, while Mary Woods played steadily mid-team ? she and Sandra Kessell lost only three matches out of 19 and 24 respectively. Jane Cahill, whose season was cut short by a broken finger, held her own in all but two of her challenges.

    Key to success this year was Racquets Ladies? new-found strength in depth. Lorna was able to call on Rachel Humphreys (victorious in 3/8 outings), Tessa Bradon (4/7) and newcomers Christina Gamble (2/3) and Kathryn Tyler (1/1), while Sally Orris and Sarah Hadley also won their single outings.

    Banbury and Abingdon 1 came second and third in the league respectively – a particularly bitter blow for Abingdon who pushed Thame Racquets during their encounters, but who were awarded an eight-point penalty which resulted in second and third places being reversed.

    ?No doubt our rivals will be out to exact revenge in the forthcoming winter season,? said Lorna. ?But while our senior players are getting more senior, we?re delighted to watch youth progress and improve and so we pronounce Aisling our player of the year and look forward to the challenges of 2012-13.?

    Want to join Racquets?

    Squash and racquetball players who would like to join Racquets Thame should contact Simon Martin, tel: 01844 261754. The friendly sports club in the centre of town has four squash courts and a gym, fitness classes and social events.

    Special thanks for sponsors

    Simon Martin also expressed the club’s appreciation for the support of JPreis Ltd, the company run by Greg Collins, the son of the Partner who sponsored the men’s 1st team to Victory. Greg also played in the winning team that won the Oxon league 10 years running between 1979-1989. Simon also thanked Savoy Sharm & Meritus Hotels for their support, as well as all the team Captains:

    Men’s 1sts Oxon- Champions div 1 – Alex Preston
    Mens 2nd team- Oxon Runners up Div five – Dave Rushmer
    Mens 3rd Team – Oxon Div seven 3rd place – Roger Ridler/Nick Wynd

    Ladies 1st team – Oxon Ladies Champions Div one – Lorna See

    Congratulations are also due to the Men’s Racketball team (2008/09 National champions) who are now in the Quarter finals of the National team championships.

    Racquets runs sessions for all ages from 4-80 years of racketball & squash so if you would like to learn a new fun/healthy/indoor sport see the centre’s website: www.racquets-fitness-centre.com for details about all coaching. Rackets and balls are supplied.

  • 14/05/2012……What’s going on in Haddenham?

    UKULELE GROUP Adrian Broadway, who runs the Haddenham Shamrocks (playing Irish music – see https://sites.google.com/site/haddenhamirish/ ) on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month and also plays for Haddenham Hoofers and Towersey Folk, launching Haddenham Ukulele Musos (HUM) on May 16. It will meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month (7-9pm) at the Rose and Thistle, Station Road to play popular songs from the last 100 years on the ukulele.

    As it says on the new group?s website: http://sites.google.com/site/haddenhamukulelemusos/: ?The songs in the repertoire can be downloaded from the tunes section of this site or are available at the session.

    The musicians vary from beginners to experienced ukulele players and the tunes vary in level of difficulty. Beginners can just join in the chords they know and leave the rest to the more experienced uke players. The emphasis is on fun and enjoying yourself!
    Lessons will not be given but advice about playing the songs will be given and any questions answered. There will be a break in the middle of the session for people to be able to discuss things and at this time beginners can seek individual advice from the experienced players.

    You are asked for a donation of

  • 14/05/12….Pedal yourself a smoothie at Thame Food Festival

    FOLLOWING on from Thame’s truly amazing music festival yesterday (13/05) – more of that later – Festival fever continues with the anticipation of September’s fifth Thame Food Festival.

    This year, festival goers will be able to produce their own healthy smoothie whilst getting some exercise on a static, specially adapted bicycle. Smoothie Bike Hire, with their awesome custom built smoothie-making bicycles, will be promoting healthy eating, exercise and sustainable energy for all the family.

    Another amazing line-up for Thame Food Festival on September 29, has been announced today, and stall holder numbers and festival attendees are expected to exceed last year, all packed into the centre of this beautiful historic market town to enjoy a fantastic, free, fun packed, family day of food.

    Festival ambassador Raymond Blanc is scheduled to attend and his reliable assistants from festival supporters Le Manoir aux Quat?Saisons, Adam (or should that be ?Ad-aam??) and Kush from the hugely successful BBC series ?The Very Hungry Frenchman,’ will definitely be there on the day.

    The line-up includes Beverley Glock of Splat Cooking. Beverley is a TV Cook, Broadcaster, Author and Food Writer with a passion for encouraging children and families to cook.

    Top chef Adam Simmonds from Danesfield House, Marlow, will be starring in the Demo Kitchen, along with festival regulars, Kate & Giancarlo Caldesi and festival patron, Lotte Duncan. Lotte will also be judging the ever popular competition for the best Thame Tart ? the sophisticated version of the classic jam tart – invented by John Fothergill, owner of The Spread Eagle Hotel in central Thame in the 1930?s.

    The James Figg pub will be hosting sausage making and wine tasting events, and it is rumoured that there will even be an ?Oyster Meister’.

    The sponsors that are ensuring that this year’s Thame Food Festival can continue to forge ahead this year, are:-

    Headline sponsor McCormick UK (SchwartzTM)
    South Oxfordshire District Council
    Rectory Homes, Aga, Sainsbury?s and, The Thatch and James Figg pubs.

    This, the fifth Thame Food Festival is set fair to be a wonderful, regional celebration of artisan local food and drink produce, fantastic local food producers and great local food retailers.

    ?Britain is now connecting with its food culture? Raymond Blanc Ambassador for Thame Food Festival

    ?Fantastic food fun? Lotte Duncan, Patron

    “There?s nothing quite like the buzz of a local food extravaganza to get you excited about the food you?re growing, cooking and eating” Fork Magazine.

    Social media: Twitter: @thamefoodfest
    facebook.com/thamefoodfestival