Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 01/05/12…..Thame’s rugby heroes thank local community

    FOLLOWING one of the most successful season?s in the club?s rich history, Chinnor Rugby Club is celebrating after retaining the Oxfordshire Cup and winning promotion to the fourth tier of English Rugby – and very appreciative of local support.

    Henley and Thame MP,John Howell, has been among those who have congratulated the club. ?I am delighted by the news that Chinnor RFC has been promoted to the National 2 South League,” said John. “It is much deserved. As we approach Chinnor?s 50th anniversary we can all look back with pride at what the club has achieved. This is more than just a rugby club. It is a club which takes families seriously and one which takes community seriously. So, we can all share in the delight of this promotion. There is always such a great atmosphere at the club and a sense of real friendship. It is a pleasure to support the club.?

    Community support

    In a statement today, the club has extended its thanks to the local community for all the support the club has received this season, which has culminated in the club’s promotion and cup win, as well as the Colts also making it to the semi finals of the National Cup.

    “We have continued success in our youth section with our under 15?s winning an international tournament in France,” went on the statement. “Without the support of the local community- residents and businesses- Chinnor RFC would not be the position we are in approaching our 50th anniversary next year.

    New facilities

    “Not only have we seen development on the pitch, but we have also seen development off it as well, with a new car park, disabled lift and disabled toilet, kindly funded by a host of local organisations, including Thame Town Council and South Oxfordshire District Council. This financial support is imperative to the continued success of the club, as we look to develop our club and become more community-focused in the process.

    ‘Team effort’

    “As an amateur sports club we rely heavily on volunteers to get jobs done around the club, from organising the fixtures, coaching our youth section, to managing the club and keeping the facility and grounds maintained. It is a big team effort and one which constantly needs people giving up their time for us to succeed.

    What of the future?

    “As we look forward to next season, we also look to the challenges of continuing to develop the club within the community, recruiting volunteers to assist the club on a weekly basis, and finding support from local businesses to meet the financial demands that the next level brings us. It is certainly an exciting time to be involved in Chinnor Rugby Club and we want to invite the local community to share in this with us. From coming down and supporting the team, to helping volunteer, or sponsoring the club, we are always looking to welcome new faces.”

  • 01/05/12…Thame family complete ‘Big Splash Mile’

    A THAME family successfully completed a challenge to raise funds for local charities last weekend, when they swam beyond their target lengths in the Sport Relief ‘Big Splash Mile.’

    The Cundy family, Yvette, Matthew, and young sons Jonjo and Rory, completed 68 lengths between them, four more than they intended – just to make sure!

    Jonjo, who is 6

  • 01/05/12……Local youth to shine at Music in the Park

    AS well as all the better-known musicians who will be performing at this year’s Thame Music In The Park, the organisers are particularly delighted that so many of the young performers are drawn from the local area.

    Michele Pethers of Crash Records, who was been coordinating the musical programme, commented: ?Yes, we have established bands who have played Glastonbury, but we?re also committed to giving local performers a great platform to showcase their talent, on a brilliant stage, and to a large audience.?

    The line-up includes young local pop punk band the Drakes, who write and perform all their own material; Empire, a teenage band from Lord Williams?s School and winners of Thame?s Got Talent; Thame band Hell?s Gazelles, performing with the raw power of AC/DC meets Black Sabbath; 14-year-old Sam Hunn, a singer/songwriter and Lewis Branch, another winner of Thame?s got Talent, who wowed the beer tent last year.

    Sam Hoare, 17-year-old singer songwriter, will be performing a set entirely of her own songs, as will Abbie Broom and Tori.

    Then of course there’s Little Bill?s Big Band, made up of 13 students from Lord Williams?s School between the ages of 14 – 17, playing Congas, drumkit, sax, flute, keyboards and vocals, performing a set of Blues Brothers? classics along with recent chart hits.

    Photography competition

    If music isn?t your thing, you can still express your creativity through the festival?s photography competition: ‘Park Life’. Simply take some photos at Music in the Park and enter your best ones into the competition. Official festival photographer, Rob Wheal, will judge the competition and the winner will receive a pair of tickets to next year?s event. A selection of the photos will also appear on the website.

    Rules for entry can be found in the festival programme and on the website: www.musicinthepark.org.uk/elms.php and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MusicInTheParkThame).

  • 30/04/12…’unflappable’ Chinnor RFC win promotion

    NATIONAL 3 SW & London Play off: FOLLOWING a titanic struggle in the wind and rain, Chinnor Firsts end the rugby season with promotion to National 2 South, with their 19-8 victory over Tonbridge Juddians.

    “Organisation, defence, determination and the golden boot of Cathcart” are behind Chinnor’s triumph on Saturday, says Dave Winpenny in his match report:

    “For the first 20 minutes, Tonbridge had all the ball and all the territory as they pounded Chinnor in their own 22. Chinnor could not escape but, significantly, Juddians could not make a significant score from all their pressure. 6 minutes into the match, Chinnor?s Gilbert was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on ? putting even more pressure on the home defence.

    “Tonbridge Juddians eventually scored from a penalty goal from Charlie Harding to put the visitors 3-0 up in the 13th minute. The match continued to be played mostly in the Chinnor half. The occasional foray into the Tonbridge half usually ended in a penalty against Chinnor allowing the visitors to clear their lines.

    “Tonbridge Juddians, who had the stiff breeze at their back for the first half, went in 3-0 ahead at the break.

    “Just one minute into the second half, Tonbridge Juddians transgressed at the breakdown (a bit of a free-for-all generally during the match) and Chinnor?s James Cathcart stepped up to slot the goal from 45 metres to square the match at 3-3. Just two minutes later, Tonbridge Juddians? replacement prop, Carl Ambrose, was yellow carded for coming in from the side to give Cathcart another opportunity from the same spot as the previous kick. This sailed over to put Chinnor ahead for the first time in the match 6-3.

    “On the 50th minute, Tonbridge Juddians again transgressed on the half way line and Cathcart slotted the penalty goal with ease. Just two minutes later, the Chinnor backs, prompted by Colver, slipped Seymour on a powerful run for the corner. Just held up, the ball was quickly recycled across the park for left-winger, Mark Chase, to score the first try of the match in the corner. Cathcart again unerringly slotted from the touchline to extend Chinnor?s lead to 16-3.

    “On the 60th minute, Tonbridge Juddians? full back, John Tabrett, was quick to spot an undefended tiny gap on the blind side of a midfield ruck and dashed 40 metres for Tonbridge Juddians? first try of the match. Unconverted, Tonbridge Juddians had reduced the deficit to 16-8.

    “On 69 minutes, centre Matt Goode made a powerful break in midfield discarding tacklers at will. The ball was recycled to Sam Stoop 20 metres out from the posts who was high tackled. Cathcart stepped up to make the penalty goal a formality and the Chinnor score 19-8. Chinnor continued to press for another score in the last five minutes but were happy to hear the referee?s whistle at full time for a 19-8 victory and promotion to National 2 South next season.

    “Chinnor won this match in the first 20 minutes with unflappable defence. Their determination not to let the opposition score was evident and their organisational skills gave them a great psychological boost for the rest of the match. All players will have pride in their contribution, particularly the back row with Waddingham again leading the tackle count.

    “Tonbridge Juddians? opening salvo was powerful and committed and they tried everything to score but were held out by a committed defence. They would have hoped to make better use of the strong wind but a three point lead at half time never looked enough. Tabrett?s try showed that Tonbridge Juddians? backs could be dangerous but they had few opportunities to get going.

    “Chinnor made much better use of the elements in the second half and James Cathcart?s three long-range penalties early in the half turned the match around for the home side. There were some fleeting moments of Chinnor back line play, particularly leading up to Chase?s try, but the conditions and importance of the match reduced opportunities to run. Defensively, the Chinnor midfield was rock solid with Goode and Stoop impregnable. Goode threatened on the few occasions that he had clean ball. This was a tight match won by tight organisation, lack of panic, determination and the metronomic boot of James Cathcart.

    “Chinnor has made many new friends this year in Nat 3SW and looks forward to making more in National 2 South. A great season for the Firsts and a great season for the club.”

    Scorers:
    Chinnor: Chase T; Cathcart C, 4PG
    Tonbridge Juddians: Tabrett T; Harding PG

    Chinnor team:
    Colver, Seymour (Gray), Goode, Stoop, Chase, Cathcart, Jones, Winpenny (Stock 75), Tattersall, Pickett (Whelan 60), Mowbray (Harrison 60), Smith, Jackman, Waddingham, Gilbert
    Replacements: Whelan, Stock, Harrison, Gray

  • 30/04/12….Rising singer/songwriter to feature at Thame music club

    COINCIDING with the release of his new, free, five track EP, called ’75’, rising singer-songwriter talent, Joshua Gilbert will be the feature artist at the First Thursday Music Club?s May event on Thursday, May 3, at the James Figg in Thame.

    Joshua is a hugely talented singer songwriter, just embarking on a career in the music business and, judging by his burgeoning local support, he has a very good chance of making some serious headway.

    Joshua?s stage personality allows him to be a charismatic entertainer with the confidence to hold the stage and communicate with his audience with humour and intelligence ? and then deliver intensely personal, intimate and insightful thoughts via his music.

    Joshua Gilbert will be taking the stage at around 10pm and is expected to be playing to a huge crowd. Don?t miss it!

    Last month?s FTMC event featured Papa Truck who stormed the night with half an hour of home-grown Bluegrass made from mandolin, banjo guitar, fiddle and bass, and some sweet three part vocal harmonies. In addition, there were another 13 acts that played throughout the evening providing an eclectic array of performances and styles ? all for free!

    The first act will be on at around 8.30PM

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • 30/04/12…Be a ‘One In a Million’ for Red Cross Week

    THIS is the message from the International Charity, hoping to raise extra funds for local services across the county.

    “Join us and help collect for Red Cross Week ? you can make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable people. We are looking for help with our collections in towns and villages in Oxfordshire. During Red Cross Week we raise vital funds for our local services across the county.

    “In Oxfordshire we run a wide range of services everyday that benefit the local community. Our services include; First Aid Training, Fire and emergency support, Care in the home, Mobility Equipment loan, Transport and First aid at events.

    “There are a million ways you can help raise money this Red Cross Week. For ideas and suggestions visit www.redcross.org.uk/redcrossweek If you would like to help please do contact us on the details below.

    “As well as our collections schools are being encouraged to Dress in Red for a day during Red Cross Week ? If you know a school that might like to take part in this, please get in touch.

    “Across the world and around the corner your help really does make a difference.

    “I hope you will be able to help us and ?Be One in a Million.?
    Please contact: Chris Wheatcroft
    Community Fundraiser ? Oxfordshire
    01235 552680
    cwheatcroft@redcross.org.uk

  • 30/04/12…Further flood warning as more rain expected overnight

    A WARNING has been issued at 4pm this afternoon, for the River Thame and Chalgrove Brook: “Flooding is possible for the River Thame from Marsworth to Dorchester including, Long Marston, Rowsham, North Ayelsbury, Cuddington, Thame, Shabbington, Ickford, Waterperry, Cuddesdon, Wheatley, Quarrendon, Drayton St Leonard, Overy, the Chalgrove Brook at Chalgrove and Stadhampton.
    Low lying land and roads will be affected first.

    Over the weekend we had 20mm rain. Further rainfall is forecast for this evening, average of 14mm to maximum 28mm and for Tuesday average for 16mm to maximum 30mm.

    “Communities are advised to check their flood response plans.” For further information see www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call the Floodline on: 0845 988 1188.
    IMAGE: Courtesy of Alison Clayton via fickr

  • 29/04/12…Open gardens in aid of Air Ambulance

    GARDEN Opening in aid of Berks, Oxon and Bucks Air Ambulance at Towersey – Sunday, April 29:

    2pm to 5pm at Towersey Manor, Manor Road, Towersey, Near Thame OX9 3QR – Adults

  • 29/04/12…Thame house severely damaged by fire

    A HOUSE in Thame has been severely damaged by fire and smoke.

    Oxfordshire County Council?s Fire and Rescue Service were called to a fire at around 7pm on Saturday evening (28/04) in Garden City, Thame.

    A statement from the Fire and Rescue Service states: “Four fire appliances from Thame, Haddenham, Wheatley and Slade attended the incident, and upon arrival it was clear that there was an established fire in the living room and the property was heavily smoke logged. Fire Crews wearing Breathing apparatus entered the house and quickly extinguished the fire. Pressurised fans were then used to clear smoke from the premises. None of the occupants were at home at the time of the fire. The fire was discovered by neighbours hearing smoke alarms activating.

    Incident Commander Steve Lockwood, from Thame Fire Station, said ? The fire could have been far worse if the neighbours had not heard the smoke alarms and call the Fire and Rescue Service, smoke had already started to spread into the adjoining house.?

    ?This incident highlights the importance of smoke alarms, not only as an early warning for evacuation but also for the early discovery of fire. We would also like to remind people of the importance of having a fire plan which includes the closing of internal doors, having doors closed not only slows fire spread but also greatly reduces the amount of smoke damage to other areas of the property.?

  • 29/04/12….Flood warning for River Thame

    AS Thame and the rest of Oxfordshire is battered by torrential rain and high winds of speeds of more than 50mph, a flood warning has been issued for the River Thame from Marsworth to Dorchester including Thame, Shabbington, Ickford, Waterperry, Wheatley, and Drayton St Leonard.

    Early this morning, a fallen tree halted early-morning trains on the Chiltern Line between Haddenham and Thame Parkway station and Princes Risborough. The tree has now been removed by Network Rail engineers and services are now running normally.